《Legend of Dragon Son-in-law》 Chapter 1 - 1 Chapter 1 Birthday Celebrations_1 1 Chapter 1 Birthday Celebrations_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation On the streets of Gonzalez City, Julius Reed hurried towards the Radcliffe family villa, carrying a pot of chicken soup. Today was Old Master Radcliffe¡¯s seventieth birthday, and all the clan members were rushing to the Radcliffe mansion to celebrate. As a son-in-law who had married into the family, Julius naturally was no exception. Despite no one considering him a part of the Radcliffe family, at least in name, he was still a Radcliffe. He had taken special care to stew a pot of chicken soup that day, planning to bring it for Old Master Radcliffe¡¯s birthday. After all, he didn¡¯t have much money in his pocket and couldn¡¯t afford to buy a gift. From a distance, he could see luxury cars filling up the space around the villa; he guessed he was probably the only one arriving on foot. Upon reaching the entrance of the Radcliffe family villa, Julius saw a stunningly beautiful woman standing at the door, looking around anxiously. Her face even bore a trace of worry. Despite being meters apart, he could still feel her distinct temperament. The woman¡¯s name was Quella Radcliffe, Old Master Radcliffe¡¯s granddaughter. She was also his wife in name only. Three years ago, Julius arrived in Gonzalez City and, by a twist of fate, cured Old Master Radcliffe of an affliction he had suffered from for years. Old Master Radcliffe was overjoyed and promised to fulfill any request for Julius, who simply pointed at Quella and said one sentence, ¡°I want to marry her.¡± It wasn¡¯t clear why, but at that moment, Julius, who had lost his memory, felt she was the one he was looking for. Although the Radcliffe family was extremely unwilling, since Old Master Radcliffe¡¯s word was out, they had to fulfill the promise for the sake of family face. Thus, Julius became a son-in-law who had married into the Radcliffe family. This was when his memory began. Regarding his past, he couldn¡¯t remember anything, not even his name, other than knowing he was Julius Reed. To be precise, Julius was a man with amnesia. Although he faced disdain day after day, at least he didn¡¯t have to worry about food and clothing. Let them curse if they wanted to; after all, he could just pretend not to hear. ¡°What are you holding in your hand?¡± Upon seeing Julius approaching with something in hand, Quella asked with a stern face. She was irritated at the very sight of her own husband. Since marrying into the Radcliffe family three years ago, Julius had done nothing but sweep floors and cook at home. If he really was useless, Quella would have accepted it. But three years ago, he had clearly cured Old Master Radcliffe of his long-standing ailments. That incident once caused a sensation in Gonzalez City, and even the Radcliffe family thought they had found a treasure. Otherwise, why would Zade Radcliffe agree to marry his most beloved granddaughter to Julius? But over those three years, except for cooking and sweeping, Julius had not shown any other impressive qualities. This made the Radcliffe family suspect whether he had just been lucky at the time. That¡¯s why their attitude towards him had grown worse. ¡°I stewed some chicken soup, which I¡¯m sure Grandpa will like,¡± said Julius with a slight smile. Although his work was limited to laundry and cooking, the dishes he made were comparable to those of a five-star chef. When Old Master Radcliffe asked him to make a request, Julius said he wanted to marry Quella. Even though in the years after their marriage it had been a marriage in name only, he had never regretted it. ¡°Come in with me,¡± Quella said with a helpless sigh. She had thought about divorce, but such a step would undoubtedly disgrace the Radcliffe family. It would even cast the whole family in shame for ingratitude. Old Master Radcliffe would certainly not allow her to do so. As the two just entered the Radcliffe mansion, they saw many clan members arriving with big and small packages. ¡°Quella, it¡¯s been so long; you¡¯ve become even more beautiful!¡± said Quella¡¯s elder sister, Tess. Tess had married into the Leopold family in Gonzalez City last year, a match that was considered equal in social standing. With the Leopold family¡¯s entertainment business thriving in recent years and their wealth increasing, along with Tess¡¯s love for vanity, she rarely missed an opportunity to put down Julius and Quella. ¡°Big sister, brother-in-law.¡± Quella subconsciously kept some distance from Julius. Although they were sisters, Tess¡¯s mocking could be even more vicious than that of enemies. ¡°Yo! Quella, you¡¯ve been married for three years and there¡¯s still no news of a baby. Could it be that your good-for-nothing husband is incapable?¡± Tess raised her eyebrows and said with a mocking tone, ¡°There are three unfilial acts, and the worst is to have no descendants! We¡¯re all waiting for you two to have a child!¡± Waiting to look at jokes, huh? Quella sneered, ¡°We¡¯re still young; instead, you should be careful about the risks of being a high-age mother.¡± ¡°Quella, what do you mean? Are you cursing me?¡± Tess put her hands on her hips and snorted, ¡°Calvin and I plan to have children by the end of the year, but you better watch out that your family doesn¡¯t become extinct!¡± ¡°How unhappy must you be to always be seeking our attention?¡± Julius looked up at Calvin and suddenly laughed, ¡°Looking at brother-in-law¡¯s complexion, it seems he¡¯s not been behaving lately. Be careful not to get big sister sick; otherwise, the entire company might suffer.¡± Three years ago, Julius had cured Old Master Radcliffe, so his medical skills were still respected by everyone. With such a comment from him, the Radcliffe family looked at the couple with odd glances. ¡°Calvin, I was wondering why you¡¯ve been coming home late at night. Tell me, where have you been?¡± snapped Tess, with her expression changing suddenly before realizing, ¡°Julius, what do you mean? I¡¯ll tear you apart today!¡± ¡°Big sister, when you mocked us before, why didn¡¯t you say such things? Our Julius may not be good at other things, but he¡¯s never made a mistake in medical treatment,¡± stated Quella. Although she was discontented with her husband, it was satisfying to see Tess get put in her place. Moreover, Julius had indeed cured some minor ailments in the house over the years. ¡°Fine, it¡¯s said that women are ¡®like wolves at thirty and like tigers at forty.¡¯ Seems like Julius here is set to do exactly that!¡± Tess gritted her teeth and cursed. ¡°Heh, probably eating too much soft-rice has weakened him, right?¡± Calvin glanced at Julius and walked away into the house with Tess in his arms. ¡°Exactly, like my husband is in charge of making money, and I¡¯m in charge of being beautiful. Not like some people, marrying a loser who has to shoulder everything on their own!¡± As Tess laughed, she couldn¡¯t help but mock Quella. Everyone knew that Julius was a homebody, who hadn¡¯t brought home a penny in three years. Honestly, he was the epitome of a freeloader. There was a rule in the Radcliffe Family. Any woman who got married was not to spend a single penny of the family money again. If you married well, naturally, you reaped the benefits. But for someone like Quella, she had to bear the weight of the entire household alone. ¡°Hurry up and leave! Don¡¯t embarrass yourself here!¡± Quella¡¯s nose tingled, and she stomped her way towards the house. They say it¡¯s bad for men to choose the wrong profession and for women to marry the wrong man. Over the past three years, she had endured countless taunts. Every time she urged Julius to go out and work, but he simply refused. Seeing other men striving outside while their wives shopped all day, she almost broke down in tears. Being women just the same, why did she have to be the breadwinner and scramble for money outside? ¡°Are you even a man? Treating your own wife like this!¡± Quella held back her tears, but inside, she was already at the depths of despair. Julius followed close behind, his face grim with bitterness. He wanted to work too, but every time he stepped out the door, he faced such fierce resistance that he had no choice but to stay quietly at home. Are we not meant for menial labor? Perhaps this phrase best described his feelings. But he had never spoken of this to anyone because Julius knew very well that all it would bring was ridicule. In this family, no one had ever looked up to him. Once inside the house, everyone had already taken their seats. Zade Radcliffe¡¯s seventieth birthday had brought nearly a hundred family members together. Thank goodness the Radcliffe villa was spacious enough to accommodate all these descendants. As everyone took their seats in turn, Julius naturally sat at the smallest table by the door. For three years, during every family gathering, this had been his spot. Even the Radcliffe servants sat in front of him. ¡°I wish Grandpa a longevity that rivals the Southern Mountains! Grandson brings you a Jade Ruyi!¡± Otis stood up, presenting the high-quality Jade Ruyi to the envious gazes of many. ¡°Thank you, my eldest grandson, but don¡¯t spend so much next time!¡± Zade accepted the Jade Ruyi, his eyes swimming with adoration. ¡°It¡¯s only a few hundred thousand. As long as Grandpa stays healthy, it¡¯s worth every penny I spend,¡± Otis said as he settled back into his seat with a casual smile. The Jade Ruyi was a fake, bought through a friend, not even worth ten thousand. He was currently the General Manager of Radcliffe Group, with an annual salary close to a million. This position should have belonged to Quella, but since she married Julius, it fell into Otis¡¯s hands. ¡°Grandpa, I bring you a golden Buddha for good health and safety!¡± ¡°Grandpa, I bring you a pair of white jade bracelets, wishing you a life free from all illnesses.¡± ¡­ For a moment, the younger generation all presented their gifts. ¡°Since all the grandchildren have given their presents, it¡¯s time for the sons-in-law to take the stage!¡± Tess said leisurely, leaning back in her chair. ¡°Of course!¡± Hearing her, Calvin quickly stood up, taking out a brocade box: ¡°Knowing that the old master hasn¡¯t been well, I specially acquired a hundred-year-old ginseng, hoping for the old master¡¯s immortality!¡± No sooner had he finished speaking than the chatter started below. ¡°That Leopold Family really is wealthy!¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m so envious of the eldest sister, marrying into such a good family. Indeed, women fear marrying the wrong man, just look at Quella¡­¡± ¡°Looks like we need to cozy up to the eldest sister in the future.¡± Calvin¡¯s gift was indeed generous. It had face value and went straight to Old Master Radcliffe¡¯s heart. Wealth accumulated in life cannot be carried into death, only precious herbs could prolong life. ¡°Calvin, you¡¯re really thoughtful! The old man didn¡¯t make a mistake, I¡¯m proud of you!¡± Zade sat in his chair, grinning from ear to ear. This grandson-in-law had greatly satisfied him. ¡°It¡¯s just a few hundred thousand, it¡¯s not much of a gesture.¡± While Tess might have been laughing on the outside, inside she was bleeding. If it hadn¡¯t been to secure a slice of the family inheritance, she would have never let Calvin buy such an expensive gift. ¡°Old Master, our Sanford has also prepared a gift for you!¡± Tess Radcliffe, not satisfied with Calvin stealing the spotlight, quickly nudged her own husband. ¡°Grandpa, I spent over three hundred thousand to procure this premium Dahongpao tea, hoping it will keep you in good health,¡± Sanford said, presenting two packets of tea to Zade. ¡°Grandpa, Chase brings you a golden longevity peach.¡± ¡°Grandpa, Max presents a pearl.¡± ¡­ Following Tess¡¯s lead, the Radcliffe sons-in-law began to present their gifts one after another. Old Master Radcliffe was a man who loved face, so everyone chose gifts that were impressive. Gifts under one hundred thousand were too embarrassing to mention. ¡°Quella, what gift have you prepared for Grandpa?¡± As everyone presented their gifts, Tess watched Quella with amusement, her eyes full of mirth. Chapter 2 - 2 Chapter 2 The Mans Promise_1 2 Chapter 2 The Man¡¯s Promise_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°` Being addressed like that, everyone shifted their focus onto Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe. This was indeed the grand finale! As a mere senior executive at Radcliffe Group, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s annual income was in no way comparable to these young masters. After deducting the family¡¯s expenses, she barely had any money left. ¡°I have prepared a pot of chicken soup for grandfather, made it myself.¡± Julius Reed stood up, carrying the chicken soup towards Zade Radcliffe, ¡°Hoping grandfather will live a life longer than the southern mountains.¡± ¡°Haha! That is hilariously ridiculous! Quella, you two sure are devoted!¡± Otis Radcliffe laughed unrestrainedly. ¡°You must have found it quite challenging. Don¡¯t make grandfather sick with your soup!¡± ¡°Everyone says Julius Reed is a good-for-nothing, but look, he still knows how to make soup, doesn¡¯t he?¡± The Radcliffe Clan roared with laughter. Whenever they gathered together, they always mocked Julius Reed. Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face turned beet red, wishing she could bury herself in the ground. ¡°Julius, it really must be tough on you to make such an effort.¡± Zade Radcliffe¡¯s face clearly expressed displeasure. Others are giving gifts worth several hundred thousand, and here he comes with a pot of chicken soup? He coughed and waved his hand towards Otis, saying, ¡°Take it and give it to Huahua to drink.¡± ¡°Yes, grandfather!¡± Otis had a mischievous smile as he took the chicken soup from Julius Reed¡¯s hand and turned towards the backyard. Huahua was a dog raised in the household, dearly loved by Old Master Radcliffe. ¡°As expected, something made by a good-for-nothing is only fit for a dog to drink! If people drank it, they would probably be plagued with bad luck!¡± Wellington Radcliffe leaned back in his chair, his face full of mockery. ¡°Wellington, what do you mean by that!¡± Quella Radcliffe suddenly stood up. For the past three years, it had always been Julius Reed who cooked for the family. With Wellington¡¯s taunt, he implicated her entire family. ¡°My apologies, a slight mistake!¡± Wellington folded his hands in a salute, a mocking light flitted in his eyes. ¡°If you¡¯re not going to drink it, please don¡¯t waste it.¡± Julius Reed stepped in front of Otis and snatched back the chicken soup, ¡°I spent the entire morning making this, not for you to feed the dog with!¡± ¡°Julius Reed, what are you trying to do!¡± Otis¡¯s face turned cold as he snorted, ¡°Giving it to the dog is already doing you a favor! What do you think you are, nothing but a good-for-nothing! Who would¡¯ve thought a good-for-nothing could lose their temper?¡± With that said, the members of the Radcliffe Family erupted in laughter. ¡°Say that again!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes burned with anger. ¡°Even a cornered rabbit will bite; Otis, don¡¯t get bitten by Julius Reed. You might need a rabies vaccine.¡± Some people ridiculed. ¡°Heh, today is grandpa¡¯s big birthday¡­¡± For some reason, Otis suddenly felt an inexplicable fear. For three years, Julius Reed was ridiculed by everyone, his status less than a dog¡¯s. But today, he inexplicably felt afraid. The look in the other¡¯s eyes was as if they could devour him alive. ¡°You, go to the kitchen and help out!¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at Julius Reed, wishing he would disappear from her sight immediately. The mood having turned sour, the main hall was notably awkward. ¡°Fine!¡± Without saying anything more, Julius Reed turned and walked out. But as he reached the door, they heard the sound of a porcelain bowl shattering from outside. ¡°What happened!¡± Otis furrowed his brow: ¡°It¡¯s the Old Master¡¯s special day, who has been so careless!¡± ¡°Big brother, that useless Julius Reed has knocked over Grandfather¡¯s longevity noodles!¡± Kyle Radcliffe rushed into the room, quick to throw the blame. While playing carelessly just a moment ago, he had run into a servant of the Radcliffe Family and caused the longevity noodles prepared for Old Master Radcliffe to be spilled on the ground. ¡°Ridiculous! Today is grandfather¡¯s seventieth birthday; what does he think he¡¯s doing!¡± Hearing his younger brother put it that way, Otis immediately headed for the door. The more he thought about his earlier confrontation, the angrier he became, appalled that he had been intimidated by a good-for-nothing. As it happened, Julius Reed was also walking in. ¡°The child is inexperienced and has knocked over the longevity noodles prepared for Old Master.¡± ¡°Nonsense, it was clearly you who bumped into him!¡± Kyle rushed to the door, pointed at the servant, and demanded, ¡°You say, who was it that bumped into you!¡± The servant dared not offend Old Master Radcliffe¡¯s favorite grandson Percival. ¡°It was the son-in-law!¡± To keep her job, she went against her conscience and pinned the blame on Julius Reed. ¡°` ¡°Heard that? This piece of trash caused a disaster and still wants to frame others! How despicable!¡± Otis Radcliffe glared at Julius Reed, his left hand fiercely grasping his collar. ¡°Get lost! Don¡¯t let me see you again!¡± ¡°Enough already!¡± Zade Radcliffe called out softly, ¡°Today is my birthday, we can talk about other matters later.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t me who bumped into it! It was Kyle.¡± Julius Reed said expressionlessly. ¡°Enough! Even Grandpa is not pursuing it any longer, why do you still have to push your luck!¡± Quella Radcliffe stood up, furious at his lack of fighting spirit. ¡°If I didn¡¯t do it, why should I admit it.¡± Julius Reed remained stubborn. ¡°What are you trying to do!¡± Zade Radcliffe slammed his hand on the table, ¡°Julius Reed, are you intentionally trying to cross me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not, the truth is Kyle¡­¡± Slap! Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand struck out. ¡°Go home!¡± She ran quickly out of the Radcliffe Family¡¯s old mansion, and as she turned around, a glimmer of tears flashed in her eyes. ¡°Noodles, it wasn¡¯t me who knocked them over.¡± Julius Reed looked straight at Kyle, striding away from the courtyard. ¡°Get lost!¡± ¡°Ungrateful!¡± ¡°That good-for-nothing has always been an eyesore!¡± A stream of insults followed from behind. Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t go home but sat on the steps at the doorway, crying. ¡°I never thought it would turn out like this.¡± Julius Reed sat next to her, helplessly hanging his head. ¡°Does it matter?¡± Quella Radcliffe looked up, her face streaked with tears. ¡°Isn¡¯t the disdain I have endured with you enough?¡± She knew it wasn¡¯t Julius Reed who knocked over the noodles; Kyle¡¯s clothes were still stained with dough and noodles, something even a blind person could see. But everyone was accustomed to dumping dirty water on Julius Reed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± Julius Reed let out a bitter laugh. For three years, Quella Radcliffe bore many things others never had to endure. Compared to the ridicule she faced, what was his grievance? ¡°Are apologies useful? I also want to brag about my husband like my older sister, to be glorious all day long! Can you give me that?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to be the clan¡¯s laughing stock, to be mocked and belittled constantly; can you change that?¡± ¡°I wish for you to take charge of this family, so I don¡¯t have to toil every day, can you?¡± Quella Radcliffe forced a bitter smile, her eyes filled with despair. Which woman doesn¡¯t have a sense of vanity? But she knew, all this was impossible! ¡°Fine!¡± Julius Reed stood up and walked away decisively. ¡­ ¡°I don¡¯t want to continue like this!¡± Walking onto a deserted street, Julius Reed shouted at the sky in anger. ¡°Why! Why!¡± His fists were clenched tight, veins on his face bulged, nails digging into his flesh. A nameless rage ignited in his heart. Like a spark of fire, this fury burned fiercely within Julius Reed. For the first time in three years, his blood boiled! ¡°If you truly no longer wish to sink down, perhaps I can help you.¡± Suddenly, a man in black appeared on the otherwise empty street. ¡°You were never meant to be so ordinary.¡± The man in black took out a ring from his chest and in an instant was in front of Julius Reed. ¡°Now, come and remake your splendor!¡± The stranger offered the ring gently, ¡°If you aren¡¯t angry, nobody can break this shackling. Only anger can ignite the fighting spirit within you. I¡¯ve waited three years to finally see you angry.¡± ¡°Put this on, and become your true self again!¡± Julius Reed closed his eyes lightly, feeling as though something was calling him, yet he could not grasp it. Driven by his subconscious, he gently slid his thumb into the ring. Chapter 3 - 3 Chapter 3 Memory Awakening_1 3 Chapter 3 Memory Awakening_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Hum! It felt like a Heavenly Thunder struck from above, hitting his head instantly! Countless memory fragments flooded in like a breached dam. Some were within reach yet untouchable. ¡°My name is Julius Reed.¡± ¡°I live in Gonzalez City, and I have been married into the Radcliffe Family for three years.¡± ¡°Quella Radcliffe, the richest man in Gonzalez City? He was my puppet.¡± ¡°But why can¡¯t I remember some things?¡± ¡°The Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance¡­ my head¡­¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes snapped open as he threw a punch at the wall in front of him! Crack! The solid wall actually developed fine cracks. The street was silent and deserted. ¡°Who are you?¡± By the time Julius Reed turned his head back, wanting to ask more secrets, he discovered that the person in black had disappeared without a trace at some point. His expression was grave, and his pupils shrank sharply. No one knew what he was thinking. Gradually, the intense cold and murderous aura slowly dissipated. ¡°Three years, the humiliation you¡¯ve given me will be returned twofold!¡± Between Julius Reed¡¯s brows, there was an unmistakable intent to kill. In his eyes, it was as if flames were dancing. After a moment of recollection. Julius Reed took out his phone and dialed the number from his memory. ¡°You have ten minutes to bring the stuff I want to Ellsworth Street Alley.¡± After saying this, Julius Reed hung up the phone. ¡°Quick, get the car ready at once!¡± At the same time. Inside the office of the Titan Group, Quella Radcliffe, the richest man in Gonzalez City, pushed away his disheveled secretary. A moment ago his face was flush, but now he was breaking into a cold sweat. No one knew what Quella Radcliffe had just experienced. ¡°Chairman, what¡¯s the matter? Why the hurry?¡± Although the secretary was somewhat displeased, she still hurried to button up her shirt. ¡°Damn it, how can¡¯t it be urgent! If this ancestor gets offended, my life is not necessarily safe!¡± Quella Radcliffe pulled up his pants and ran out in a flurry. He glanced at his million-dollar watch, feeling even more urgent. Everyone thought he, the richest man in Gonzalez City, led an enviable life, but only Quella Radcliffe knew just how precarious his position was. For the past ten years, a blade had been hanging over his head. Everything he had today could easily be taken away by just a word from that person. ¡°Hurry the fuck up! Drive the fastest! I have money, I¡¯m not afraid to pay fines! Just don¡¯t hit a tricycle with an old lady!¡± The black Rolls-Royce sped all the way, and although the air conditioning was on in the car, Quella Radcliffe continued to sweat. Ten years ago. The Titan Group emerged out of nowhere. Seven years ago. Quella Radcliffe suddenly became the richest man in Gonzalez City. This speed made countless people sigh with longing. The outside world thought he, Quella Radcliffe, had stumbled into good fortune, but it was all the young man¡¯s manipulation. No one knew just how powerful this young man was. Even Quella Radcliffe had only heard some stories. Exactly ten minutes after hanging up the phone, a black Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of Julius Reed. ¡°Mr. Reed!¡± Quella Radcliffe got out of the car, sweating profusely. He swallowed a gulp of saliva, feeling that his legs were already too weak to stand. If others saw the richest man in Gonzalez City kowtowing to a youth, their jaws would probably drop. But Quella Radcliffe knew all too well how terrifying the person in front of him was! ¡°Start cooperating with the Radcliffe Group immediately, and listen to my arrangements for other matters!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s voice was cold as ice. ¡°Understood! I¡¯ll send someone to take care of it right away!¡± Quella Radcliffe was trembling with fear, as if walking on thin ice. At such close range, he was breathing extremely fast. ¡°Did you bring the thing I wanted?¡± Julius Reed turned around and looked at the Rolls-Royce in front of him, letting out a light laugh, ¡°You¡¯ve had a pretty good ten years, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to Mr. Reed. I dare not forget it for a moment!¡± Quella Radcliffe quickly knelt on the ground, lifting a wooden box with both hands. Even though the weather was refreshing, his forehead was already covered in sweat. ¡°You can go now. Don¡¯t talk about today¡¯s matters to anyone!¡± Julius Reed took the wooden box and pulled out a black card from inside. ¡°I hope you don¡¯t disappoint me.¡± After these words, his figure paused and then disappeared from the street. Thud! Quella Radcliffe could no longer bear it and collapsed to the ground. Ten years ago. When he heard about this from his father¡¯s mouth, he couldn¡¯t believe it. It turned out that for hundreds of years, the Cook Family had been serving this young man. Until today, ten years later. When he discovered the youth¡¯s appearance hadn¡¯t changed for a moment. That¡¯s when he knew that there really were people in the world who could live for hundreds, even thousands of years. ¡°This is truly a living legend!¡± Ovidiu Cook took a deep breath, but his legs shook too much to stand. At that moment. The sky had gradually darkened. Julius Reed walked alone under the streetlamps, beginning to accept these memories. The fragmented pieces were incoherent, seeming to trace only up to about a decade ago. Further back, the memories were like being locked in a cage, unreachable. ¡°Forget it! I should go home first.¡± He looked at the black card in his hand and smiled faintly, ¡°You¡¯ve suffered with me for three years; now it¡¯s time for you to enjoy the good life.¡± Within this card lay astonishing wealth! Everything had been destined from the moment he set this plan into motion ten years ago. The memories had only partially been recovered, but Julius Reed underwent a profound transformation. In his brow, there was a faint hint of murderous intent. He was completely different from the timid youth he had been before. ¡°Handsome, save me!¡± Just then. A woman¡¯s call interrupted his recollections and she quickly ran up to him. Julius Reed furrowed his brow. Not far away, four men ran toward them wildly. ¡°Scram, kid, if you don¡¯t wanna get beaten up!¡± Their attitude was arrogant as they bore the tattoos of Azure Dragon and White Dragon on their bodies. ¡°Scram!¡± Julius Reed spat out a word, and the murderous aura began to spread. He didn¡¯t want to meddle, but these people had truly annoyed him. ¡°Damn it, hit him! Teach him a lesson for being a busybody!¡± The ruffians rolled up their sleeves, ready to start throwing punches. ¡°Be careful!¡± The woman hid behind Julius Reed, trembling with fear. Bang! Julius Reed threw a punch! Crack! As a bone-breaking sound echoed, the first hooligan to move was lying on the ground, wailing in pain. Julius Reed didn¡¯t say a word but walked up to the hooligan and stomped down! Crack! The leg bone was directly crushed! ¡°Practitioner, run for it!¡± A chill went down the spines of the others, who threw down their injured companion and scrambled away in terror. ¡°Big brother, spare my life!¡± The remaining hooligan screamed, wailing incessantly. ¡°Scram!¡± Julius Reed glanced at him, frightening the hooligan into scrambling away into the darkness, despite the pain of his broken bones. ¡°Handsome, thank you!¡± After seeing those people run away, Lance Casey gazed at Julius Reed with a sort of infatuation. The way he fought was just too cool! ¡°Can I add your WeChat?¡± She took out her phone, feeling a little excited. ¡°No!¡± Julius Reed walked away with large strides. ¡°Hey, why are you like this! Wait for me, I will definitely find you!¡± Lance Casey kept shouting behind him while taking out her phone and frantically snapping pictures. When Julius Reed entered into one of the most bustling shopping centers in Gonzalez City, Roosevelt Plaza, it was already past nine in the evening. He took out his phone and found several missed calls. All from Quella Radcliffe. Julius Reed felt a warmth in his heart; it seemed that his wife really cared about him. During the time the memories were awakening, he was too busy accepting them, and simply couldn¡¯t answer the phone. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you come home?¡± As soon as he called back, he heard Quella Radcliffe¡¯s anxious voice. ¡°I¡¯ve got something to take care of, I¡¯ll be back in an hour,¡± Julius Reed said calmly. ¡°This afternoon¡­ never mind, don¡¯t push yourself, come back soon.¡± Quella Radcliffe swallowed the words she had almost said. She hoped more than anything that her husband would stand out, but she was worried that pushing him too hard might drive him to extremes. ¡°Okay!¡± Julius Reed said simply and hung up the phone, then walked into the shopping center. Chapter 4 - 4 Chapter 4 Gifts_1 4 Chapter 4 Gifts_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°` Julius Reed wanted to give Quella Radcliffe a gift. After pondering on the road, he decided to buy the entire most famous crystal necklace in Gonzalez City, a gift coveted by countless young girls, the Dawn Light. Only this unique crystal necklace could be worthy of Quella Radcliffe. It wasn¡¯t long before. He walked into a jewelry store that extended across the nation, called Isle of Love. Isle of Love is a subsidiary of Bright-Sky Group, and only a top-tier conglomerate like Bright-Sky Group could create a brand like Isle of Love and a top-of-the-line jewelry series like the Dawn Light. Bright-Sky Group is involved in various industries, with countless products under its umbrella. And Isle of Love is a premium jewelry brand lavishly crafted under Bright-Sky¡¯s flag. The target customers are those super-wealthy individuals. Each piece of jewelry here has its unique code, ensuring limited distribution. It highlights one¡¯s status. It could be said that Isle of Love¡¯s products represent the pinnacle of luxury jewelry in the country and are a symbol of money and status. ¡°I¡¯ll take this one.¡± After entering the store, Julius Reed pointed to the most eye-catching necklace in the showcase. This necklace was the Dawn Light, which became an overnight sensation in Gonzalez City half a year earlier. Countless girls longed for it, yet after half a year, still no buyer had come forward. The reason was nothing else. It was too expensive. ¡°Sir, this is our shop¡¯s treasure, called the Dawn Light, and we currently have only one in Gonzalez City.¡± ¡°Do you see this crystal on top? It symbolizes dawn. This crystal is extremely precious, and there are only ten pieces in the Dawn Light series nationwide. Each has its unique code.¡± ¡°The crystal represents pure love, making this necklace very suitable to present to one¡¯s lover.¡± The sales attendant introduced the necklace diligently, albeit with some skepticism. This necklace had a price tag of 13.14 million, and although many people had looked at it several times, they could not make up their minds to buy it. Judging by the customer¡¯s attire, he clearly did not seem part of their consumer demographic. Julius Reed took out a bank card and slapped it on the counter: ¡°Just swipe the card. I¡¯m in a hurry, you¡¯d better be quick.¡± As his memories gradually returned, his understanding of these treasures also steadily grew. Sure enough, such a large crystal would not come cheap. Especially under the light, it would refract a brilliant radiance. If it were in the sunshine, it would probably be even more dazzling. Most importantly, he was not short of money. ¡°Sir, this necklace is priced at 13.14 million, are you sure you want it?¡± The sales attendant kindly reminded. After all, such an expensive item was rarely purchased by anyone in a place like Gonzalez City. ¡°Hmm. Swipe the card.¡± Julius Reed nodded his head. 1314, quite an auspicious number. ¡°Sir, it¡¯s 13.14 million!¡± The sales attendant reminded again. She thought the customer might have misheard. From his appearance, he did not look like someone wealthy, so how could he spend over ten million on a necklace? This was a huge sum of money! ¡°I know! Swipe the card!¡± Julius Reed became a little impatient; he was not deaf, was there a need to repeat it over and over? ¡°All right, please wait!¡± The sales attendant, with a dubious look, went to the cashier¡¯s desk. ¡°Swipe this, the customer wants to buy the Dawn Light.¡± ¡°What? That¡¯s an Italian designer¡¯s limited edition, costing 13.14 million!¡± With the cashier¡¯s exclamation, the other sales attendants were also drawn in. ¡°He doesn¡¯t look like a typical wealthy scion, could there possibly be money on that card?¡± ¡°This necklace has been in the store for half a year; people come to take pictures every day, but I¡¯ve never seen anyone really looking to buy.¡± ¡°At 13.14 million, if it¡¯s true, I¡¯m incredibly envious of that girl!¡± Upon hearing the news, the store manager also came over. It had hung for half a year, seen by many, but bought by none. ¡°Hurry up and swipe, let¡¯s see if there¡¯s actually any money.¡± ¡°` If they could close this deal, they would all earn a hefty commission. ¡°Great!¡± The cashier took the card, took a deep breath, and gently swiped it through the POS machine. ¡°Damn! He really is rich!¡± Everyone¡¯s look at Julius Reed changed. ¡°He really keeps a low profile; you can¡¯t tell he¡¯s wealthy at all.¡± ¡°If only my boyfriend was like this!¡± ¡°Olayinka Davenport, I¡¯m warning you, don¡¯t you dare set your sights on the customer!¡± The store manager scolded Olayinka Davenport and quickly walked up to Julius Reed. ¡°Sir, please take a seat here for a moment; I¡¯ll go pour you a cup of tea.¡± ¡°No need, I¡¯m in a hurry.¡± Julius Reed took his card back and walked to the counter. ¡°Sir, add me on WeChat, so you can contact me anytime you need something.¡± The store manager struck a seductive pose, but it was wasted as Julius Reed didn¡¯t even glance at her. ¡°The manager is too much, telling us not to add WeChat, then she goes over to add him herself!¡± Olayinka Davenport snorted softly. She hurriedly packaged the necklace with great care and placed it on the counter. Without saying anything more, Julius Reed picked up the necklace called ¡°Dawn¡¯s Light¡± and walked out of the mall. If he didn¡¯t get home soon, his mother-in-law might really lock the door. ¡°Our shop¡¯s treasure has been sold, to a handsome guy no less! I wonder which girl is lucky enough to have him!¡± Olayinka Davenport took out her phone, snapped a photo of his back, and sent it to the group chat called ¡®Plastic Sisters¡¯. ¡°The one for 13.14 million! Damn, I¡¯m so jealous!¡± A group chat user named Little Fairy sent a message. ¡°Exactly, 13.14 million, and he didn¡¯t even blink an eye! And so low-key, you really can¡¯t tell he¡¯s rich.¡± Olayinka Davenport, thinking back, was still filled with envy. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, when are you going to bring your husband out to meet us? It¡¯s been three years, and we haven¡¯t seen him even once!¡± After Little Fairy finished speaking, she sent a photo to the group. It was of a silhouette. Due to the darkness, it was particularly blurry. ¡°Today my Prince Charming appeared, I think I might really be in love!¡± She then sent a bunch of little heart emojis. ¡°Lance Casey, stop being lovesick! Hey¡­ why do our two photos from behind look so alike?¡± After zooming in on the photo, Olayinka Davenport exclaimed, ¡°Damn! Even the clothes are exactly the same!¡± ¡°Oh my God! What if Prince Charming was the one who bought me the necklace! I feel so blessed I could die!¡± Hawke Casey posted a string of emojis and rolled around on her bed in excitement. After she got home, she became obsessed with the thought of Julius Reed. When she opened her eyes, and even when she closed them. Meanwhile, on the other side of the screen, Quella Radcliffe was also comparing the photos. ¡°It looks like him, but how could it be? 13.14 million, that¡¯s astronomical!¡± She lay in bed, feeling uneasy. She really wished the man in the photo was Julius Reed. What woman wouldn¡¯t want her husband to give her such an expensive gift? But Quella Radcliffe knew very well that Julius Reed couldn¡¯t afford it. He didn¡¯t even have 13.14. Although the clothes and build were strikingly similar. Let alone Julius Reed; even Calvin Leopold, who was so wealthy, would be reluctant to buy it. 13 million might not be considered too much, but it still seems extravagant for just a piece of jewelry. ¡°Sigh!¡± She sighed deeply, lying in bed looking at her phone. ¡°Maybe when there¡¯s a chance in the future, my husband is very busy.¡± Quella Radcliffe replied in the group chat. With her husband being like this and herself being so competitive, how could she have the heart to show him off? Just then, the bedroom door was gently pushed open. Chapter 5 - 5 Chapter 5 Group Changes_1 5 Chapter 5 Group Changes_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°Back already?¡± ¡°Mm-hmm!¡± Julius Reed walked to Quella Radcliffe¡¯s bedside and placed the necklace gift box above her head. ¡°This is for you.¡± ¡°For me?¡± Quella Radcliffe immediately sat up from the bed. It had been three years since their marriage, and Julius Reed had never given her any gift. This was the first time. ¡°What did you do this afternoon? I told you, no stealing, no robbery, you hear me!¡± She was genuinely worried that he might take the wrong path because of something she said. ¡°Rest assured, I did some odd jobs this afternoon. When I passed by a shop on my way back, I thought of getting a gift for you.¡± Julius Reed walked to his own single bed and gently sat down. There were two beds in the room, one for each person. Three years of marriage, separate beds. ¡°That¡¯s good then!¡± Watching her husband in name only, Quella Radcliffe felt a sudden ripple in her heart. ¡°As long as you¡¯re willing to make an effort, even if you are just an ordinary man, I won¡¯t blame you.¡± She opened the brocade box, and inside was a necklace. Extremely luxurious! But then she remembered, how could Julius Reed afford something nice? Yet Quella Radcliffe still put it around her neck and smiled sweetly, ¡°I really like it.¡± Even though she knew it couldn¡¯t be expensive, it was the first gift Julius Reed had given her. ¡°Whatever you like, I will give you in the future.¡± Julius Reed lay back on the bed, gazing at the ceiling, ¡°Starting from tomorrow, I will make sure you live a good life.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm!¡± Quella Radcliffe compared the photo on her phone with Julius Reed and found they did look somewhat alike. But she quickly dismissed the thought. ¡°13.14 million, who knows how many years it would take to save.¡± The next day, explosive news swept through Gonzalez City. Titan Group decided to collaborate with Radcliffe Group, preparing to dominate the electronic industry in Gonzalez City! Every member of the Radcliffe Family was immersed in boundless joy and urgently convened a board meeting. As a member of the Radcliffe Family, Quella Radcliffe was also invited. ¡°Mr. Radcliffe, we have no idea how much money we will get this time!¡± Quella¡¯s mother, Knox Ridge, was touching up her makeup in the living room. ¡°Our family¡¯s shares are pitifully small; there¡¯s probably not much to be done with them!¡± Burl Radcliffe sighed deeply. As a son of the Radcliffe Family, he had the least shares. Barely making over a hundred thousand a year, it wasn¡¯t enough for the household. ¡°It¡¯s all because of this good-for-nothing son-in-law! If it weren¡¯t for him, Quella would never have ended up in such straits!¡± Knox Ridge was fuming with anger every time this matter came up. Three years ago. Quella was the Radcliffe Family¡¯s most cherished child. But ever since Julius Reed married into the family, the whole clan began to ostracize them. After all, a girl who was already married off had no value to be utilized. Instead, Donny Radcliffe had become the new favorite of the Radcliffe Family, rumored to be marrying into the Brandon Family of Gonzalez City. Otis Radcliffe¡¯s status soared, even bossing Burl Radcliffe around on a daily basis. ¡°Mom, cut it out, will you?¡± Quella Radcliffe sneaked a glance at Julius Reed and noticed he leaned against the door, grinning foolishly. In three years, Knox Ridge had berated him countless times, but he always just smiled stupidly in response. ¡°You¡¯re still defending him? This useless man has completely disgraced us!¡± The more Knox Ridge spoke, the angrier she became, pointing at Julius Reed¡¯s nose and scolding, ¡°You good-for-nothing, get out! I don¡¯t want to see you for another second! You are not to attend today and embarrass me further!¡± For three years, she had consistently belittled him, hoping to drive this son-in-law away from their home. But no matter how she scolded, he just laughed it off. ¡°Mom, Julius is also part of the Radcliffe Family, why can¡¯t he go.¡± Quella Radcliffe furrowed her brow, feeling dissatisfied. Even though Julius Reed wasn¡¯t much of an achiever, for the past three years he had diligently done laundry and cooking. He never fought back or retaliated against verbal abuse. Even raising a dog would stir some feelings, let alone a living, breathing person. ¡°Alright! Hold your tongue, we¡¯re almost out of time, let¡¯s hurry!¡± Burl Radcliffe glanced at the clock and stood up to leave. ¡°Don¡¯t mind her.¡± Quella Radcliffe whispered to Julius Reed as she walked up to him. For some reason, since receiving the gift yesterday, her heart had experienced some changes. At least, the other person was genuinely willing to make changes for her. ¡°Mom¡¯s words do make sense. But don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t let you suffer anymore.¡± Julius Reed looked at Quella Radcliffe with a face full of happiness. He really wanted to tell Quella Radcliffe everything, but his memory was still not fully recovered, and even if he did tell her, most likely no one would believe him. They might even consider him a lunatic. ¡°Come with me! After all, you are a part of the Radcliffe Family.¡± For the first time in three years, Quella Radcliffe took the initiative to include him. ¡°Okay!¡± Julius Reed nodded and followed her downstairs. The four of them took Burl Radcliffe¡¯s decade-old Passat to the Radcliffe Group. ¡°Look at all these people! Mr. Radcliffe, you¡¯re just a loser, just like your son-in-law!¡± Seeing the Audis, BMWs, and other luxury cars at the company entrance, Knox Ridge flared up again. She was vain at heart, yet sadly, she lived the worst life among them. Whenever she encountered such situations, she felt she couldn¡¯t hold her head up in front of others. When she married into the Radcliffe Family, she thought she would be rich and prosperous, but who would have thought that Rashad Radcliffe would be so incompetent, and their life would get worse by the day. ¡°Mom, having a car is enough, it¡¯s just for transportation!¡± Although Quella Radcliffe said this, deep down, she really wished she had her own car. ¡°I¡¯ve seen a second-hand car, and I¡¯ll buy it to take you to work and pick you up every day!¡± Julius Reed said with a smile. ¡°Great!¡± Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t say much, but as long as Julius Reed was willing to work hard, she would definitively support him. ¡°You, you can¡¯t even afford a bicycle!¡± Knox Ridge slammed the car door violently: ¡°We shouldn¡¯t have brought this embarrassing thing with us today!¡± By this time, many members of the Radcliffe Family were already waiting at the company entrance. ¡°Burl, how many years have you been driving this Passat? Why haven¡¯t you changed cars yet?¡± Elliot Radcliffe came over and fiercely kicked the tires twice: ¡°My son-in-law bought me an X5 a few days ago; it¡¯s really comfortable to sit in!¡± He was Burl Radcliffe¡¯s older brother, in charge of procurement at the Radcliffe Group, and had not been shy about skimming a little extra for himself. The son-in-law also worked within the group and was even more ruthless when it came to money. ¡°It¡¯s good enough for now; funds are tight,¡± Burl Radcliffe said with an awkward smile and a slightly reddening face. ¡°Look at someone¡¯s son-in-law, then look at ours!¡± The more Knox Ridge thought about it, the angrier she became, and she decided to sit back in the car by herself. More and more people gathered until there were dozens standing at the entrance. ¡°Yo! Quella, that necklace isn¡¯t bad, huh?¡± Tess Radcliffe came over with Calvin Leopold: ¡°Sister, did you rush to spend the money after hearing about the Group¡¯s cooperation with Titan Group?!¡± ¡°This was given by Julius.¡± Quella Radcliffe instinctively covered it with her hand. She wore it to encourage Julius Reed, but she didn¡¯t expect Tess Radcliffe to notice. ¡°Speaking of necklaces, it reminds me of something! Did you hear? The Dawn Light was bought by someone yesterday!¡± ¡°I also heard about it, a lot of people in my circle are posting about it, and there are photos too! Who is the tycoon that bought it in the end?¡± Women are very sensitive about luxury items, and upon mentioning this, they all begin to gossip. ¡°Hmph! He just made a move quicker than others; otherwise, my Calvin Leopold was about to buy it for me!¡± Tess Radcliffe was very vain and always wanted others to know how well she lived in any occasion. ¡°Yes, yes, we had the money ready; it¡¯s such a pity!¡± Calvin Leopold was quite cooperative. Although his family had some assets, buying a necklace for over ten million would probably result in his father beating him to death. ¡°I¡¯m so envious of you, marrying such a good husband!¡± Many female members of the Radcliffe Family cast envious glances her way. ¡°Hey! Look at what Quella is wearing around her neck; doesn¡¯t it look so much like the Dawn Light?¡± Someone with sharp eyes suddenly noticed the resemblance. Chapter 6 - 6 Chapter 6 What Do You Think?_1 6 Chapter 6 What Do You Think?_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Such a necklace as the ¡°Dawn Light¡± was enough to make countless women fantasize all day long while staring at pictures. Tess Radcliffe¡¯s eyes flashed with a gleam; she had finally caught an opportunity to humiliate her sister. Quella Radcliffe was not only beautiful when they were children but also had better academic achievements and social skills than any of them. The praise she received was tremendous, making the other Radcliffe girls very envious. Now that she had fallen on hard times, everyone was kickin her while she was down. ¡°Really now! Quella, where did you get that?¡± Many people began taking out their phones to compare pictures of the Dawn Light. ¡°Oh my! Quella, when did you become so rich?¡± Tess Radcliffe sneered and moved in for a closer look. Without a second thought, it had to be a counterfeit! The Dawn Light was so expensive that even Tess Radcliffe had looked at fakes. If there hadn¡¯t been only one in Gonzalez City, she would have already bought a fake to show off. The call attracted everyone¡¯s attention to the necklace around Quella Radcliffe¡¯s neck. ¡°Sis, let us have a look.¡± Soon, a crowd had formed around Quella Radcliffe. Quella Radcliffe wanted to die of embarrassment; how could she face work after losing face in front of so many people. ¡°Julius Reed, you¡¯ve really done me in! Out of all the things you could buy, why did it have to be a fake!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face turned red as she stole a glance and saw Julius Reed looking at her with a carefree smile. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. ¡°It¡¯s a gift from my Julius, it must resemble the real thing quite a bit!¡± Quella Radcliffe forced an awkward smile. ¡°How could it be! That¡¯s clearly the Dawn Light! Surely our Quella wouldn¡¯t stoop to vanity and buy a counterfeit, right?¡± Tess Radcliffe took the opportunity to add insult to injury. ¡°I heard that the Dawn Light has a hidden QR code on the crystal that lets you verify its authenticity with just a scan.¡± Calvin Leopold kindly reminded from the side. Together, the couple thoroughly pushed Quella Radcliffe into the fire pit. ¡°Right! I know about this too! Let¡¯s scan it and see. If it¡¯s a fake, it¡¯s not a big deal, who would blame you for ending up with a good-for-nothing husband!¡± The Radcliffe girls each took out their phones, scanning the large crystal on the necklace. ¡°Just wait and see her get embarrassed.¡± Tess Radcliffe pursed her lips in amusement, but shouted out, ¡°Even if it¡¯s a fake, it¡¯s no big deal. Who doesn¡¯t want the Dawn Light? If you can¡¯t afford the real thing, getting a fake to satisfy your craving is fine too!¡± A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd. Quella Radcliffe closed her eyes, prepared to be ridiculed by everyone, while she internally cursed Julius Reed to no end. She decided that she would make Julius Reed sleep on the sofa that night. ¡°Holy crap! Sis, did you win the lottery?¡± ¡°My God, the mysterious buyer wasn¡¯t really Julius Reed, was it? Where did he get all that money!¡± ¡°Sister, let me borrow it to take a photo, I want to post it on my social network.¡± A few young ladies quickly came over, crowding around Quella Radcliffe. ¡°What? It¡¯s real? How is that possible!¡± Tess Radcliffe hurriedly came down and took a scan. The result left her dumbfounded. Not just her, even Quella Radcliffe herself couldn¡¯t believe it. She took out her phone to scan it, too shocked to speak. The unique interface on the screen identified the necklace as a limited edition of the Dawn Light. Numbered 07. ¡°Where did you get so much money!¡± Tess Radcliffe asked angrily. ¡°Yeah, over ten million! Sis, what have you been doing?¡± The questioning came rapidly. Quella Radcliffe looked at Julius Reed, wondering if he could have done something illegal? If he had, she felt like she would die of frustration. ¡°Julius Reed, you better not have done anything foolish!¡± she thought to herself. Putting on such an expensive gift, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s heart swelled with emotion. Especially seeing the envy in the eyes of others, it was the first time she felt happiness as a woman. ¡°Bought a lottery ticket, won over ten million, just enough to buy Quella a necklace,¡± Julius Reed said with a nonchalant smile. ¡°Oh! I get it now!¡± Tess Radcliffe had an epiphany. ¡°Julius Reed, you really do seem comfortable wearing those green hats!¡± With that said, the crowd once again began to murmur amongst themselves. Everyone speculated that the mysterious buyer must have had an affair with Quella Radcliffe, who, after all, was the belle of Gonzalez City three years ago. Countless men had pursued her. Even after marrying Julius Reed, many had not given up hope. ¡°Such a tough break for brother Julius!¡± Calvin Leopold gave Julius Reed a meaningful look, a sneer flickered across his face. It was not easy being cheated on and having to cover for the cheater. He even felt a bit of sympathy. But that¡¯s just how cruel the world can be, the incapable can only endure. ¡°Stop talking, the representative from Titan Group has arrived!¡± Following a shout, the crowd instantly fell silent. Quella Radcliffe, her face ashen with anger from these words, noticed Julius Reed seemed utterly unfazed by the gossip and rumors. He remained calm as if he completely disregarded the slander. ¡°Welcome Mr. Cook to the Radcliffe Group!¡± After the call. A middle-aged man stepped out from a black Rolls-Royce. Seeing the representative from Titan Group, the Radcliffe family displayed obsequious smiles. But the man who stepped out of the car didn¡¯t pay them any attention at all. A second-tier family was nothing in the eyes of Titan Group. Even the Radcliffe Family couldn¡¯t understand why Titan Group would seek a partnership with them. It seemed like free money! With so many major companies in Gonzalez City, why choose them? There must be something off! The family had discussed it all night and still couldn¡¯t figure out the reason. But with money to be made, who cared! Titan Group was a major financial backer! Under the guidance of Zade Radcliffe, the group proceeded to the Radcliffe Group¡¯s conference room. Chapter 7 - 7 Chapter 6 What Do You Think?_2 7 Chapter 6 What Do You Think?_2 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Representative of Titan Group, Sky Reed, naturally took the seat at the center. In the face of such a God of Wealth, the Radcliffe Family wished they could enshrine him, offering incense all day long. Zade Radcliffe and Otis Radcliffe sat on either side of Sky Reed, while the other Radcliffe Clan members were seated according to their company positions. Quella Radcliffe sat at the very end, and Julius Reed had no seat at all. In fact, there was originally a seat here, but Otis Radcliffe had someone remove a chair at the last minute, so Julius Reed had to stand. ¡°Now, let us welcome Mr. Sky Reed, representative of Titan Group, to Radcliffe Group with the warmest applause!¡± Zade Radcliffe was the first to clap, followed by a room filled with applause. ¡°The one standing, what¡¯s the meaning of this?¡± Sky Reed looked at Julius Reed standing at the door, his tone somewhat unfriendly. ¡°This man is our Radcliffe Family¡¯s son-in-law, who usually stays at home cooking and washing clothes. I have no idea what got into Quella today to bring him along!¡± Otis Radcliffe hurriedly spoke up, with a slight embarrassment in his voice, ¡°I will have him thrown out immediately. A man who¡¯s been nesting at home for three years, is this kind of meeting where he belongs? Having such a person sneak into our partnership is truly inauspicious!¡± As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the Radcliffe Family members all bore expressions of watching a spectacle. Otis Radcliffe¡¯s move could be said to kill two birds with one stone, vicious to the extreme. Not only did he embarrass Julius Reed by kicking him out, but he also left a bad impression of Quella in Sky Reed¡¯s eyes. After all, just as Titan Group was investing, encountering such an incident would surely make them extremely disgusted with Quella. When the time came for the board to kick their family out of the group, it would seem only natural. Zade Radcliffe nodded secretly on the sidelines, silently praising his grandson. ¡°Quella, bringing in this good-for-nothing, are you intentionally causing trouble?¡± Otis Radcliffe stood up and scolded loudly. ¡°Julius Reed is a member of the Radcliffe Family, on what grounds can he not come?¡± Quella Radcliffe, sitting in her chair, glared at Otis Radcliffe. That very night, the rift between the two had already lessened significantly. Therefore, she could not stand by as Julius Reed was bullied. The atmosphere became particularly awkward for a moment. ¡°As the General Manager of Radcliffe Group, I¡¯m asking you to leave now!¡± Otis Radcliffe¡¯s face suddenly turned cold. Within the group, he was the General Manager, wielding significant power. And Quella Radcliffe was merely a regular executive. If she were to be expelled, it would undoubtedly leave a deep impression on Sky Reed and also confirm Quella¡¯s insubordination. An employee who doesn¡¯t obey cannot stay! ¡°Wait a minute!¡± Just then, Sky Reed stood up and looked at Julius Reed. ¡°The grand Radcliffe Group can¡¯t even spare a single chair? You seem to hold this cooperation in very little regard. Such a large meeting, and you can¡¯t even get the number of people right!¡± Upon hearing this, the Radcliffe Family immediately panicked. Being able to cooperate with Titan Group was a tremendous opportunity for the Radcliffe Family. Titan Group, as the Boss of Gonzalez City, possessed enormous financial power. And the Radcliffe Family was merely a second-tier power, who wouldn¡¯t ordinarily dare to dream of establishing a relationship with Titan Group. ¡°Mr. Reed, this is a misunderstanding! We had just the right number of chairs, only someone who shouldn¡¯t have come did.¡± Otis Radcliffe quickly stood up to explain. He had intended to ensure Quella would never have a chance to turn things around, but he hadn¡¯t expected to actually anger Sky Reed. If this actually affected the cooperation, he would be to blame! Zade Radcliffe also hurriedly chimed in, ¡°Mr. Reed, please don¡¯t take offense, this was all very unexpected, Julius Reed never participates in meetings of this kind.¡± ¡°Someone who shouldn¡¯t have come?¡± Sky Reed furrowed his brows, ¡°If I hadn¡¯t come, then would you have had just the right number of seats? Fine, I¡¯ll leave now!¡± With that, he picked up the briefcase on the table and turned to leave. ¡°Mr. Reed, you¡¯ve misunderstood!¡± Seeing him serious about leaving, Zade Radcliffe quickly stood up to explain, ¡°You are our esteemed guest! Everyone in the Radcliffe Family greatly admires Mr. Sky Reed. When we heard yesterday that you were coming, everyone was very excited!¡± ¡°Good! Then you come over here, sit next to me.¡± Sky Reed hesitated, then beckoned to Julius Reed. ¡°Hmm!¡± Julius Reed nodded and then began walking toward the center seat. ¡°Julius, don¡¯t make a scene!¡± Quella Radcliffe grabbed Julius Reed in one quick motion. Although the clanspeople were unfriendly towards her, today¡¯s matters related to the future of the Radcliffe Family, and she couldn¡¯t stand by and watch Julius Reed act recklessly. ¡°It¡¯s all right.¡± Julius Reed gently pushed her hand away and briskly walked up to Sky Reed. ¡°Mr. Reed, that is unacceptable! You are our honored guest, how can you yield your seat to a good-for-nothing?¡± Otis Radcliffe hurriedly stood up to block their way. ¡°I don¡¯t need your instructions on how to handle my own affairs. Since you don¡¯t want me to stand, then yield your seat to me.¡± Sky Reed sat back down on the chair, looking at Otis Radcliffe coldly. ¡°I would like to offer it to him, but I¡¯m afraid he wouldn¡¯t dare to sit!¡± Otis Radcliffe hesitated, but ultimately stood up. ¡°Julius Reed, you had better be aware of your own place!¡± For three years, he had been bullying this son-in-law who joined the family, yet today, he found himself having to yield his seat to such a loser. ¡°I also hope that you will see yourself clearly!¡± Julius Reed shoved Otis Radcliffe away and turned to sit down in the chair. ¡°You¡­¡± Just as Otis Radcliffe was about to explode, Zade Radcliffe coughed a few times from the side. Today¡¯s meeting was very important, and they couldn¡¯t afford any mishaps. Otis Radcliffe¡¯s mouth trembled slightly, standing to one side with resentment. ¡°I am entrusted by Mr. Ovidiu Cook, the chairman of the Titan Group, to discuss cooperation with your company.¡± Sky Reed pulled a stack of documents out of his bag. ¡°The Radcliffe Group specializes in semiconductor chips, and Titan Group also intends to expand into the electronics industry, so we have decided to join forces to establish a special department.¡± ¡°It is an absolute honor for the Radcliffe Group to partner with a large corporation like Titan Group!¡± Zade Radcliffe smiled, his heart already blooming with joy. ¡°We will provide the funding, and you will contribute the technology!¡± Sky Reed placed the documents on the table, looked around the room, and continued, ¡°This department will be dedicated to a project, so I hope you can select a project manager.¡± No sooner had he finished speaking than the crowd began to discuss among themselves. Without a doubt, this was a good opportunity. Whoever became the project manager would certainly make a fortune. Moreover, within the Radcliffe Family, their status would become very high. ¡°In theory, I should be the project manager. But as you all know, Titan Group has many different businesses, so I may not be able to attend to them all.¡± Sky Reed looked at Zade Radcliffe, patiently explaining. ¡°I can understand that, Mr. Reed. You hold an important position, and we wouldn¡¯t want to trouble you. But rest assured, even without you, we will maintain high quality!¡± Zade Radcliffe assured him, thumping his chest. If it was as Sky Reed had said, the Radcliffe Family stood to make a killing. ¡°Why not select a manager today, so I can report back?¡± Sky Reed took out a pen, ready to take notes. ¡°Our Radcliffe Group general manager, Otis Radcliffe, is young, capable, and the clear choice for the position!¡± Zade Radcliffe spoke first, effectively silencing everyone else. The other Radcliffe Clan members who were eager to try, could only bow their heads. Who would dare to disobey the old man¡¯s words? ¡°Mr. Reed, please rest assured, I will definitely not let you down!¡± Otis Radcliffe promptly stood up and guaranteed, thumping his chest. He looked at Julius Reed with a smug expression in his eyes. It was as though he was saying, even if you sit in my seat, you will still be a good-for-nothing. ¡°Any objections from the others?¡± Sky Reed looked around the room. ¡°We agree.¡± The Radcliffe Clan members nodded one after another. They knew that even if they disputed, they could not win. ¡°Mr. Reed, since everyone agrees, let¡¯s talk about the specifics of the cooperation!¡± Otis Radcliffe straightened his suit, feeling as though he had already become the project manager. ¡°Hold on! Not all of the Radcliffe Family members have expressed their opinion yet!¡± Sky Reed turned to face Julius Reed and asked, ¡°What do you think?¡± Chapter 8 - 8 Chapter 7 Feeling Good_1 8 Chapter 7 Feeling Good_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The meeting room suddenly became eerily silent. Julius Reed could be considered the least significant member of the Radcliffe Family, yet Sky Reed actually asked him for his opinion? Was this some kind of joke? ¡°Mr. Reed, this man is our Radcliffe Family¡¯s son-in-law. For the past three years, apart from cooking and washing clothes, he has done nothing else.¡± Thinking that Sky Reed was uninformed, Otis Radcliffe explained with a smile. ¡°If you were thinking of starting a restaurant or a laundry service, maybe you could ask him. But when it comes to business management, he is even less qualified than our group¡¯s cleaning lady.¡± Laughter erupted in the meeting room, with everyone showing scorn in their eyes. Quella Radcliffe turned a steely shade of pale, standing up and saying, ¡°Regardless, Julius Reed is still a member of the Radcliffe Family! Otis, he is, after all, your brother-in-law. Is it necessary to shame him repeatedly like this?¡± Since last night, her feelings about Julius Reed had changed somewhat. Although it wasn¡¯t to the extent of liking him, she no longer despised him. ¡°Quella, did I not state the facts? Moreover, I¡¯m the general manager, please mind your tone!¡± Otis Radcliffe, having been previously embarrassed, finally found an opportunity for retort. He looked at Sky Reed and earnestly said, ¡°Mr. Reed, please rest assured, I will devote my utmost effort to ensure this cooperation is successfully completed!¡± In everyone¡¯s eyes, it was a foregone conclusion that Otis Radcliffe would become the project manager. Even Otis Radcliffe believed this to be true. So, when he spoke, he already considered himself as the project manager. ¡°I can only cook and do laundry?¡± Just at that moment, Julius Reed turned his body to face Otis Radcliffe. ¡°Perhaps, you also know how to live off a woman?¡± Otis Radcliffe¡¯s remark once again drew laughter. ¡°Fine, today I will explain to you why you are not fit to be the project manager.¡± Julius Reed took an envelope out of his pocket and slowly opened it in front of everyone. ¡°Half a month ago, you embezzled nine hundred thousand in the name of overtime pay. The workers didn¡¯t get a dime, and out of that nine hundred thousand, seven hundred thousand went into your pocket.¡± ¡°Two months ago, you claimed to be on a business trip and took five hundred thousand from the company, only to go on a vacation to Lancas City with your mistress.¡± ¡°Three months ago, you took a kickback of one million three hundred thousand in a raw material procurement deal!¡± With each statement, he laid a document on the table. ¡°You¡¯re talking nonsense!¡± Otis Radcliffe¡¯s face drastically changed. He had been very discreet with these activities; how could anyone know? And it looked as though the other side had come prepared. ¡°Don¡¯t be hasty, there¡¯s more!¡± Julius Reed took out a stack of papers and gently shook them. ¡°Shut up! Julius Reed, I never imagined you, an ungrateful wretch, would slander the Radcliffe Family! We¡¯ve supported you for three years!¡± Zade Radcliffe quickly scolded him, then explained to Sky Reed, ¡°This man is malicious at heart, he must have taken someone else¡¯s money to ruin our cooperation!¡± Zade Radcliffe was somewhat aware of Otis Radcliffe¡¯s corruption. But as his favorite grandson, he had turned a blind eye. Now, with Julius Reed airing these matters in such an important meeting, it was tantamount to pushing the entire Radcliffe Group into the fire! But the other members of the Radcliffe Family were not so calm. They, too, were greedy for money but usually only dared to pocket small amounts. Otis Radcliffe, blatantly embezzling millions, was something the others didn¡¯t dare to do. ¡°Damn it! I embezzle a few tens of thousands and still have to be so careful, but this Otis kid doesn¡¯t even blink an eye over millions!¡± ¡°Exactly, that time I urgently needed to buy a car, I took one hundred thousand from the company and nearly got killed by grandfather for it!¡± ¡°Otis is a Radcliffe, are we not? Why does the one with the highest salary become the greediest?¡± A single stone stirred a thousand ripples. An angry sentiment started to swell within the Radcliffe Clan. ¡°Silence!¡± Zade Radcliffe shouted, glaring at the other family members: ¡°Do you also believe the words of Julius Reed, an outsider?¡± Seeing that the situation was about to spiral out of control, the old patriarch had to stand up and speak. ¡°Julius Reed, you heartless and ungrateful cur, what benefits have you received from others to slander the Radcliffe Family like this?¡± Otis Radcliffe pointed at Quella Radcliffe, furiously saying, ¡°You two absolutely can¡¯t stay in the company, I propose we fire Quella Radcliffe!¡± He was keen to use this opportunity to eliminate dissent. ¡°On what grounds are you firing me!¡± Quella Radcliffe stood up, asking coldly, ¡°Over these years, I have devoted myself to the company¡¯s service. Have I ever wronged the company in any way?¡± The atmosphere instantly tensed, and the whole meeting room was filled with a volatile air. ¡°Silence!¡± Sky Reed tapped the table with his pen, impatiently saying, ¡°I don¡¯t have time to listen to your family¡¯s petty squabbles! Right now, deciding the project manager is crucial! Otherwise, I¡¯ll consider another company.¡± ¡°Six months ago, Otis Radcliffe borrowed the pretext of giving gifts to misappropriate three million from the company. In fact, greasing palms cost him less than one million, the remaining two million plus went straight into his pocket.¡± Julius Reed slapped a piece of paper down on the table and continued, ¡°Eight months ago¡­¡± ¡°Shut up! If you spout any more nonsense, don¡¯t blame me for kicking you out!¡± A chill ran down Otis Radcliffe¡¯s spine. Every single penny he had embezzled was pointed out in explicit detail. How had these matters, which were supposed to be very meticulous, been exposed? And by Julius Reed, no less¡ªa good-for-nothing who loafed around at home all day! ¡°Ah! Let him continue talking. Choosing a project leader¡ªcharacter is key! I certainly don¡¯t want Titan Group¡¯s money to end up in someone¡¯s personal pockets!¡± Sky Reed raised his hand, signaling Otis not to speak anymore. ¡°You continue.¡± He looked at Julius with a gentle nod of affirmation. This scared Otis badly, and he hurriedly looked to Zade Radcliffe, seeking help from his grandfather. ¡°Let¡¯s do this! Words alone carry no proof; you could accuse me of framing someone. I hope to invite a third-party institution to audit the accounts and see who is really lying.¡± Julius folded the envelope again, looking at Zade Radcliffe: ¡°Old man, you wouldn¡¯t refuse, would you?¡± Once the accounts were audited, many bad debts of the Radcliffe Group would be exposed. Almost everyone within the family had embezzled at some point. If an investigation were truly conducted, the company would certainly collapse! Even if it was money from their own family, they would still end up eating prison food. Therefore, the entire Radcliffe Clan was panicking. ¡°Julius, what¡¯s your suggestion?¡± Zade Radcliffe¡¯s mouth trembled, but he could only suppress the fury in his heart. A little impatience spoils great plans! ¡°What I mean is that Quella Radcliffe should be the project leader.¡± Julius smiled faintly, betraying no emotion. He didn¡¯t want Sky to directly appoint someone, so he had already sent someone to investigate Otis¡¯s embezzlement within the Radcliffe Group last night. ¡°Me?¡± Quella was somewhat taken aback. They had always been bullied in the Radcliffe Family. How could she possibly become the project leader? ¡°Yes, you!¡± Julius nodded, looking at Sky: ¡°This is my wife, talented and outstanding, with first-rate management abilities. Within the entire group, she is the only one who has never taken a penny for herself.¡± ¡°If so, indeed her character is commendable! Promoting the virtuous without avoiding relatives is fine, speak freely.¡± Sky continuously took notes with his fountain pen. ¡°Wife, stand up and state your position! Haven¡¯t you always wanted to manage the company and showcase your talents?¡± Julius looked at Quella: ¡°Gold should not be buried!¡± ¡°All right!¡± Quella stood up and began to share her views on the cooperation between the two sides. At first, everyone was dismissive. But by the end, they had to admire Quella Radcliffe¡¯s talent. The news of Titan Group¡¯s partnership with the Radcliffe Group was only known to everyone since last night. Yet Quella had already set up significant plans for the cooperation between the two parties. ¡°Very well said!¡± The more Sky listened, the more satisfied he became. Of course, when he came, Boss Cook had already instructed that all these matters would follow Julius¡¯s preference. ¡°Does anyone else have any objections?¡± Julius shook the envelope in his hand: ¡°If no one has any objections, I¡¯ll just toss this stuff. It¡¯s probably written by someone else trying to frame Manager Otis.¡± ¡°Definitely!¡± Zade Radcliffe nodded, looking at Sky: ¡°Quella is indeed the most suitable candidate, it was just my oversight that almost buried a talent.¡± ¡°What about the rest of you?¡± Sky looked at the members of the Radcliffe Clan. Now that Julius was threatening with an audit, who would dare to disagree? ¡°We all support Quella as the project leader.¡± Everyone nodded in agreement. ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll go back and report to Boss Cook.¡± Sky stood up and said with a slight smile, ¡°Farewell!¡± ¡°We appreciate the effort, Mr. Reed!¡± Zade Radcliffe hurriedly stood up to personally escort him out of the meeting room. Inside the meeting room, only Otis Radcliffe, ashen-faced, and the calm Julius remained. ¡°Feels good, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Julius gave him a glance, stretched lazily, and strode away. Chapter 9 - 9 Chapter 8 Used Car_1 9 Chapter 8 Used Car_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°Grandfather, why did you agree to it!¡± After Sky Reed left, Otis Radcliffe stormed into Zade Radcliffe¡¯s office, furious. ¡°What good does it do us if Quella Radcliffe comes into power?¡± He had severely suppressed Quella Radcliffe over the past few years and was extremely worried about potential retribution. ¡°And you have the nerve to ask me!¡± Zade Radcliffe slammed his palm on the desk and roared, ¡°Look at the mess you¡¯ve made! Otis, you really have outdone yourself! If I didn¡¯t agree, did you want them to come audit us?¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Otis Radcliffe was at a loss for words. He had embezzled millions at the company, and an audit would surely land him in prison. ¡°I thought you would stop at a little embezzlement, but no, you¡¯re really greedy! Sitting in the general manager¡¯s chair, do you plan to bleed the entire company dry!¡± Remembering Julius Reed¡¯s words, Zade Radcliffe¡¯s anger flared up once again. In family businesses, a bit of embezzlement is quite normal. But Otis Radcliffe was insatiably greedy! ¡°Enough! Even if she becomes the project leader, you are still the Group¡¯s general manager. Once the project is over, she¡¯ll be worth nothing.¡± After all, Zade Radcliffe¡¯s tone softened considerably for his favorite grandson. ¡°All right then!¡± Otis Radcliffe sighed, his resentment toward Julius Reed deepening. With such a large project, if he could become the leader, embezzling nearly ten million would have been a piece of cake. But now, he could only watch helplessly as Quella Radcliffe took that spot. Cutting off someone¡¯s wealth is like killing their parents! After leaving Zade Radcliffe¡¯s office, Otis Radcliffe pulled out his phone: ¡°Hello, is that Bear? Take care of someone for me!¡± ¡­ While some rejoice, others mourn. Even after stepping out of the Radcliffe Group¡¯s front door, Quella Radcliffe felt as if she were dreaming. ¡°Julius, how did you do it? The one in charge of the company¡¯s finances is Otis Radcliffe¡¯s own sister, Niall Radcliffe; she would never give you the chance to audit the accounts.¡± During the meeting in the boardroom, when she saw Julius Reed recounting Otis Radcliffe¡¯s embezzlement evidence, she was incredibly shocked. Because the timing of each incident was spot on. And by looking at Zade Radcliffe¡¯s expression, it was clear that these were true. Considering Julius Reed never left his house, how could he be so clearly informed? ¡°I sold my looks and seduced Niall Radcliffe.¡± Julius Reed cracked a smile. He obviously couldn¡¯t admit it was Ovidiu Cook who had arranged for the investigation, right? The wealthiest man in Gonzalez City certainly has that kind of power. ¡°Cut the crap! Give it to me straight!¡± In three years of marriage, Julius Reed had always been honest and straightforward. Such outrageous conduct, Quella Radcliffe knew, was something he would never engage in. ¡°The truth is, Sky Reed is a distant relative of mine. Since someone had to do it, it might as well benefit me,¡± Julius Reed winked and whispered, ¡°This way, I can openly be provided for. Working is so tiring!¡± If it wasn¡¯t the right time, then a lie would have to do for now. ¡°Fine.¡± Quella Radcliffe felt that Julius Reed had changed, his entire aura had shifted. Looking at the badge of dawn on her chest, she swallowed the question on her lips. ¡°Julius Reed, you loser! I must have been cursed with bad luck to marry into this family!¡± From afar, Knox Ridge saw Quella Radcliffe weighed down by worries and assumed her daughter had faced opposition at the board meeting again. So naturally, she vented her frustration on Julius Reed. For three years, Julius Reed had always been the one to take the heat. ¡°Enough, enough! It¡¯s always the same whenever there¡¯s a meeting. I¡¯m used to it!¡± Burl Radcliffe alighted from his car too, speaking with displeasure, ¡°Hey Julius, from now on, don¡¯t come to these kinds of events!¡± ¡°Dad, Mom, what are you talking about? The representative today is a distant relative of Julius.¡± Quella Radcliffe hurried over and took the hands of her elders, ¡°Thanks to Julius, I could become the project leader.¡± ¡°What? Project leader?¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, ¡°Am I hearing this right? My daughter, the project leader? My goodness!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t joke around!¡± Burl Radcliffe found it hard to believe as well. ¡°It¡¯s true! Julius really helped out a lot, so be nicer to him from now on!¡± Quella Radcliffe whispered. ¡°What help could that loser possibly provide! It¡¯s my daughter who excels! Let me tell you, find a time to get a divorce, don¡¯t let him hold you back.¡± Knox Ridge snorted coldly, pointing at Julius Reed, ¡°If you have any conscience left, don¡¯t hold back our girl¡¯s future!¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± Burl Radcliffe nodded in agreement, ¡°Julius, the two of you just aren¡¯t suitable.¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face turned ashen. If it hadn¡¯t been for Julius Reed today, what relation would the project leader position have to her? Yet, her parents were so materialistic, almost falling into the trap of money. ¡°Titan Group is a major company, and it¡¯s got money! Quella, after you become the project leader, you must grab a big handful!¡± Knox Ridge beamed, feeling incredibly proud inside. ¡°That¡¯s right, listen to your mom! Look at this Passat we have at home, see the state it¡¯s in! This month, we¡¯re getting a new car for the household!¡± Husband and wife were in sync, and Burl Radcliffe¡¯s vanity started to inflate as well. ¡°How can you be like this!¡± Quella Radcliffe frowned, ¡°Even if I do become project leader, I won¡¯t embezzle a single cent! Get that thought out of your heads!¡± The entire time. Julius Reed stood by without uttering a word. ¡°Let¡¯s go home!¡± Knox Ridge was somewhat angry. Everyone else was greedy for money, why put on an act of integrity? ¡°I¡¯ll take Quella to buy a used car, it¡¯ll be more convenient for work in the future.¡± Julius Reed spoke up from the side. ¡°No need, let¡¯s just go home.¡± Quella Radcliffe thought that Julius Reed was just speaking casually and didn¡¯t expect him to be serious. ¡°Let¡¯s go, it¡¯s inconvenient to have just one car at home.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly. ¡°You? What could you possibly afford? Just don¡¯t buy a bicycle and shame the Radcliffe family!¡± Knox Ridge rolled her eyes at them, her chubby face contorting. ¡°If we buy one, none of you get to ride it in the future!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s temper also flared. Her feelings for Julius Reed had changed long ago, and now she couldn¡¯t stand her husband being humiliated. ¡°The two of you?¡± Burl Radcliffe sneered, ¡°If you really have the guts, then don¡¯t ever set foot in my Passat in your life!¡± ¡°Exactly, if I ride in your junk car, I¡¯ll take your last name, Reed! Mr. Radcliffe, let¡¯s go!¡± After Knox Ridge finished speaking, the two hurried away in their Passat. ¡°Julius, that¡¯s just the way my parents are, don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± Quella Radcliffe stood there, head down, explaining. Normally, she would never do this. Perhaps subconsciously, she had begun to accept her husband. ¡°I¡¯ve been in your family for three years, don¡¯t I understand them by now? They¡¯re still your parents, I won¡¯t mind!¡± After finishing, Julius Reed took Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand and headed toward the opposite side of the road. Quella Radcliffe felt a tremor in her heart but didn¡¯t resist. ¡°Are we really buying a car?¡± She looked up at Julius Reed, ¡°I still have some savings, let¡¯s go buy one. Otherwise, you¡¯ll definitely be ridiculed by my parents when we get back.¡± ¡°No worries, I have the money to buy a used car.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, took her hand, and crossed the street to the parking lot opposite the Radcliffe Group. ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that Representative Davenport¡¯s car?¡± Not far away, there was a Rolls-Royce parked, the same one that Sky Reed had arrived in that morning. ¡°Wait here a moment.¡± Julius Reed let go of her hand and quickly walked towards the car. Soon, someone came down from the Rolls-Royce, exchanged a few words with him, and then the person walked away. Then. As Quella Radcliffe watched in stunned silence, Julius Reed got into the driver¡¯s seat and drove the car up to her. ¡°Get in, although it¡¯s a second-hand one, it¡¯s not bad!¡± Through the window, he saw that Quella Radcliffe¡¯s gaze was stagnant, as if she had been stupefied. It¡¯s just a Rolls-Royce, what¡¯s the big deal? Chapter 10 - 10 Chapter 9 Big Brother_1 10 Chapter 9 Big Brother_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°You¡­ where did you get so much money?¡± Sitting in the passenger seat of the Rolls-Royce, Quella Radcliffe felt as if she were in another world. Scene after scene appeared dreamlike, continuously assaulting her brain. ¡°Just a secondhand car, borrowed it for a few days.¡± Julius Reed answered while driving, his face completely impassive. ¡°Really? You should not have, what if it gets scratched? We¡¯d have to spend quite a bit of money.¡± Quella thought that Julius had borrowed the car just to save face. ¡°But indeed, this time the credit is yours. I¡¯ll allow you to be a freeloader for another month, and after that, you must go back to work.¡± Remembering everything that happened over the past few days, she felt especially joyful. Her life, which had been so gloomy, seemed to clear overnight, turning bright and cheerful. ¡°Then I¡¯ll be your full-time driver from now on, no need for a salary.¡± After recovering his memory, Julius¡¯s personality had changed as well. ¡°Dream on!¡± Quella made a funny face and said cheerfully, ¡°Picking me up and dropping me off for work is a given, but you still need to find a job!¡± ¡°Sure!¡± Julius Reed parked the car by the road and looked straight at her. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that¡­¡± Quella blushed slightly. In their three years of marriage, this was the first time Julius had looked at her with such deep affection. ¡°My wife, truly beautiful.¡± Julius smiled faintly and floored the gas pedal. ¡­ Ten minutes later, the two of them arrived downstairs. Burl Radcliffe¡¯s Passat was already parked in its spot, and Julius skillfully parked the Rolls-Royce next to it, getting out to open the door for Quella. ¡°Julius, how come I didn¡¯t know you could drive?¡± After getting out of the car, Quella examined it carefully. This Rolls-Royce was practically brand new; not even a scratch was visible. ¡°That¡¯s because I didn¡¯t have a car.¡± After locking the car door, Julius tossed the car keys to Quella. Two sets of car keys, one for each. ¡°Do you have a driver¡¯s license then?¡± Quella caught the car keys and seemed to think of something. ¡°Well¡­¡± Julius scratched his head, showing an awkward smile. A driver¡¯s license¡ªhe appeared to genuinely not have one¡­ ¡°You go upstairs first; I¡¯ll go buy groceries.¡± As he spoke, his attention was drawn to several pedestrians in the complex. Having mingled here for three years, Julius was quite familiar with every face. And those few individuals were glancing over occasionally, obviously up to no good. ¡°Okay!¡± Quella nodded without giving it much thought. For the past three years, Julius had always been the one to buy groceries. ¡°Why don¡¯t I go with you?¡± After she spoke, she felt a bit embarrassed herself. ¡°Mom and dad are probably still angry. Try to soothe them, otherwise, I¡¯m the one who¡¯ll get scolded again.¡± Julius shrugged with a helpless expression. ¡°All right!¡± Quella nodded and turned to walk into the building. Her parents were indeed a headache. In an instant, Julius¡¯s expression turned ice-cold. As if he became a different person. He glanced at the unfamiliar faces within the complex and strode toward them. ¡°He¡¯s here, make it quick!¡± The man in the white T-shirt flicked his cigarette butt away and pulled a baton from behind his back. The other three men also took out their respective weapons, facing Julius as they approached. ¡°Buddy, don¡¯t be too¡­¡± Crack! Before he could finish speaking, Julius dashed forward and directly broke his arm! ¡°Beat him to death!¡± The white T-shirt man¡¯s face contorted with veins throbbing; beads of sweat formed on his forehead. ¡°Get him!¡± The men exchanged glances and lunged at him together. Thump! Julius flung the man he was holding, then kicked fiercely at the others rushing toward him! In the blink of an eye, all four lay on the ground. ¡°Who sent you.¡± Julius squatted down, his face emotionless. ¡°Want to know? You can wait for death¡­¡± Although the man in the white T-shirt had an arm broken, his tone was still defiant. Julius stood up, placing his foot firmly on the man¡¯s other arm! ¡°Aaron Martin! In the north of Gonzalez City, Aaron Martin!¡± The man howled in agony. Julius took out his phone and dialed Ovidiu Cook¡¯s number: ¡°I need you to look up someone for me.¡± ¡­ West of the city, Copper Sparrow Terrace. This is the largest entertainment venue in Gonzalez City, with daily cash flow nearing ten million. Three years ago, a person known as Xiao Bai came here alone and turned Gonzalez City upside down. In the subsequent six months, Xiao Bai spent a fortune to build Copper Sparrow Terrace. And Xiao Bai himself was extremely mysterious. Very few people knew what he looked like, and no one even knew his name. But there was one thing everyone was clear about: Xiao Bai had a deep background. At this moment, a Rolls-Royce slowly stopped at the entrance of Copper Sparrow Terrace. ¡°Sir, please come inside.¡± The receptionist approached Julius Reed, smiling as he spoke. They could only treat these rich second-generation clients with the utmost caution. ¡°I¡¯m here to find someone.¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands clasped behind his back, looking at the omnipresent surveillance cameras overhead. ¡°Sir, may I ask who you are looking for?¡± The receptionist was somewhat puzzled. Most who came here were seeking pleasure and fun. Looking for someone? He feared that Julius Reed had come to the wrong place. ¡°I¡¯m looking for your boss; if I¡¯m delayed, the consequences are not something you can bear.¡± Julius Reed turned to the receptionist, making the latter¡¯s spine shiver with cold. It was as if he were being watched by a ferocious tiger, his heartbeat unavoidably quickening. ¡°Aaron Martin, someone is looking for our boss.¡± The receptionist didn¡¯t dare delay, immediately going to the front desk and calling one of Xiao Bai¡¯s assistants, Dominating Tiger. Half a minute later. A big man followed by a dozen underlings came down from upstairs. ¡°Kid, you¡¯re looking for our boss?¡± Dominating Tiger¡¯s bare-chested torso was tattooed with a black tiger. ¡°I¡¯m looking for your boss, not you.¡± Julius Reed looked up at him, his pupils shooting out a hint of cold light. ¡°Kid, our boss isn¡¯t someone just anyone can meet!¡± The voice of Dominating Tiger suddenly turned cold. ¡°Tell your boss to come see me.¡± Julius Reed commanded with an unquestionable tone. ¡°Heh, you dare talk to me, Dominating Tiger, like that?¡± In Gonzalez City, the name of Dominating Tiger was known to all and feared by all. As Xiao Bai¡¯s top enforcer, he was notoriously ruthless. Bang! Just then, Julius Reed threw a punch without any warning! ¡°Seeking death!¡± Dominating Tiger sneered and threw a punch of his own! But then, his complexion abruptly changed, and he stumbled backwards! Crack! A sound of breaking bones was heard; his hand bones had been shattered by that one punch. ¡°Tell your boss to come see me!¡± In the blink of an eye, Julius Reed grabbed him by the neck with one hand and lifted Dominating Tiger up high. ¡°Who are you¡­¡± Fear filled Dominating Tiger¡¯s eyes. What kind of monster was this, who could break his hand bones with a single punch? ¡°Who dares to cause trouble on my turf?¡± A hoarse voice came from the stairs, followed by a rush of hurried footsteps. ¡°Aron Jackson!¡± Hearing the voice, Dominating Tiger became excited. ¡°Kid, do you know how to write the word ¡®dead¡¯?¡± At the stairs. A man in white, with a cigar in his mouth, slowly walked down the stairs. Behind him, densely packed stood more than a hundred men in black attire. ¡°Got a lot of nerve? You even dare to teach me how to write.¡± Julius Reed chuckled lightly, tossing Dominating Tiger casually to the ground. ¡°Ha, this is the first time someone has told me¡­¡± But when he got a clear look at Julius Reed¡¯s face, the white-clothed man¡¯s cigar dropped from his mouth with a ¡®clatter¡¯ to the floor. ¡°Kid, this is Aron Jackson of Gonzalez City, you motherf¡­¡± Smack! Aron Jackson slapped Dominating Tiger across the face, knocking him to the ground. ¡°Big brother!¡± He could no longer contain the excitement in his heart and knelt on the ground with a thump. No one knew what this meant! But he knew it very clearly in his heart! It meant that his former big brother had regained his memory! Three years! He had stayed here for three years, just to ensure Julius Reed¡¯s safety! Hiss! Everyone gasped in shock! Who on earth was this young man! He had actually made Aron Jackson address him as big brother! Chapter 11 - 11 Chapter 10 Soul Chasing Order_1 11 Chapter 10 Soul Chasing Order_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°Big brother.¡± In the manager¡¯s office of the Copper Sparrow Pavilion, Aron Jackson¡¯s face was alight with joy. His hands were constantly trembling, and his muscles were taut. ¡°Three years, it¡¯s been hard work.¡± Julius Reed sat on the sofa, silently lighting a cigarette. As the smoke slowly rose, he leaned on the sofa and asked, ¡°The north city¡¯s Black Bear, do you know him?¡± ¡°Black Bear, I know.¡± Aron Jackson nodded, ¡°He¡¯s a relative of Quince Kensington, these past few years I found him troublesome, so I didn¡¯t bother with him. Big brother, why suddenly bring him up?¡± ¡°Today, someone in the residential area tried to make a move on me.¡± Julius Reed exhaled a puff of smoke and said indifferently, ¡°The man behind it, it¡¯s Black Bear.¡± ¡°What!¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s body abruptly shook. ¡°Big brother, you¡¯re not hurt, are you?¡± After speaking, he shook his head, ¡°With your skills, how could he have harmed you.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want your sister-in-law to be disturbed.¡± Julius Reed tossed his cigarette butt onto the ground and gently stamped it out. ¡°Three years have passed, hopefully, your sharp sword hasn¡¯t rusted.¡± After saying this, he stood up and walked to the door. ¡°Big brother, let me accompany you!¡± Aron Jackson clenched his fists and strode over. ¡°No need.¡± Julius Reed, with his back to him, raised a hand. He strode away. Just as he had arrived. ¡°Whew!¡± Watching Julius Reed¡¯s receding figure, Aron Jackson took a deep breath, his back already soaked. Three years ago, after that incident, Julius Reed lost all his memories. To protect him, Aron Jackson rushed to Gonzalez City overnight, swearing to guard Julius Reed¡¯s safety with his life. Today. He finally waited for Julius Reed, this true dragon, to awaken! ¡°Dominating Tiger!¡± Aron Jackson bellowed. ¡°Big brother!¡± The door was pushed open, and Dominating Tiger entered with a group of people. ¡°Just now¡­¡± ¡°Today¡¯s events, I hope you all forget them.¡± Aron Jackson said coldly. ¡°Understood!¡± The crowd answered in unison. ¡°Take your men and follow me to the north city.¡± As Aron Jackson spoke, a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes. Those who dared to touch Julius Reed must not be allowed to live! ¡°Big brother, let me handle this myself!¡± Dominating Tiger, having followed Aron Jackson for three years, naturally knew what the other intended to do. ¡°This matter, I must handle personally!¡± Aron Jackson walked to the desk and took a card from the pen holder. Dominating Tiger¡¯s pupils contracted, a faint tremor in his heart. That card was called the Soul Chase Order, one of Aron Jackson¡¯s ruthless methods, which hadn¡¯t been used in two years. Once the Soul Chase Order was issued, even if you fled to the ends of the earth, your life would still be taken! Three years ago. When Aron Jackson first arrived in Gonzalez City, he used the Soul Chase Order to intimidate countless people! To date, seven Soul Chase Orders had been issued, and among these seven people, not one survived half a day. ¡°Gonzalez City has perhaps been too peaceful for too long.¡± Aron Jackson put the Soul Chase Order into his jacket pocket and strode out of the office. Although Julius Reed didn¡¯t say much, his attitude was already quite clear. All those who tried to pose a threat to Quella Radcliffe must be erased from this world! ¡­ ¡°Brother Bear, I have to thank you for today¡¯s work!¡± Inside the Shengtian Bar in the north city, Otis Radcliffe sat alongside a bald man. Even in daylight, the Shengtian Bar was still bustling with people. ¡°Here¡¯s your fee, two hundred thousand!¡± Otis Radcliffe took out a card from his chest and gently pushed it towards the bald man. The bald man called Black Bear, he had another identity, one of Quince Kensington¡¯s assistants. It was precisely because he had Quince Kensington backing him that nobody ever dared to cause trouble in the Shengtian Bar. ¡°Bro, you¡¯re being too polite! We¡¯re friends, no need for such formalities in the future!¡± While he said this, Black Bear still grinned and stuffed the bank card into his pocket. ¡°` A strike worth two hundred thousand each time, this kind of deal is literally a pie falling from the sky. ¡°Even your sister has to be hit, Otis Radcliffe sure is ruthless.¡± Black Bear truly looked down on Otis Radcliffe, but who would turn their back on money? ¡°The mere mention of it makes me furious!¡± With clenched teeth, Otis Radcliffe said, ¡°That damn woman, and Julius Reed, they wouldn¡¯t ease my anger even if they were beaten to death!¡± The matter of the board of directors was still fresh in his mind, and the fact that the lucrative position of project manager had been taken from him made him furiously embarrassed. ¡°Brother Bear, Julius Reed¡¯s legs must be broken!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry!¡± Black Bear lifted his cup leisurely and said, ¡°The people I¡¯ve sent out are all elites! Not just his legs, if you want his arms broken too, I can make it happen!¡± ¡°That¡¯s good! Thinking of Julius Reed, that wimp, begging for mercy on his knees lifts my spirits!¡± Otis Radcliffe picked up the beer bottle on the table and downed it in one gulp. Bang! Just then, the private room door was kicked open. ¡°Who!¡± Black Bear instinctively stretched his hand under the table and pulled out a machete. But when he saw the face of the newcomer, his body twitched. ¡°Big Brother, what¡¯s going on!¡± Several subordinates rushed over from the entrance of Shengtian Bar. ¡°Scram! It¡¯s none of your business!¡± After scolding his subordinates, Black Bear fawned over Dominating Tiger, ¡°Aaron Martin, what wind has blown you here?¡± Black Bear had never seen Aron Jackson face to face before. He didn¡¯t even know his real name. But one thing he was sure of was that Aron Jackson has massive power behind him! And since Dominating Tiger was Aron Jackson¡¯s right-hand man, he felt some fear at this moment. ¡°What wind?¡± Dominating Tiger glanced at Otis Radcliffe beside him and said impatiently, ¡°Scram!¡± ¡°How dare you talk like that? You dare act tough in front of Brother Bear?¡± This was Black Bear¡¯s turf, so Otis Radcliffe was not scared. Who in Gonzalez City would dare oppose him? ¡°Scram!¡± Black Bear roared in anger. In front of Dominating Tiger, he was less than nothing! ¡°Brother Bear, then I¡¯ll be going! Make sure you handle the task I entrusted to you swiftly.¡± Seeing Black Bear speak up, Otis Radcliffe also stood up to leave. Even an idiot could see that the visitor was definitely a bigger deal than Black Bear. Otherwise, who would dare to speak to Black Bear like that? Isn¡¯t that asking for death? ¡°Wait, what task did you assign?¡± A man dressed in white stepped out from the crowd. He blocked Otis Radcliffe¡¯s way and asked coldly. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, this is Shengtian Bar! Can you afford to provoke us?¡± In Gonzalez City, nobody didn¡¯t fear Quince Kensington. Now, Otis Radcliffe used Quince Kensington to press them, and for good reason. ¡°Quince Kensington?¡± Aron Jackson sneered and pointed at Black Bear, ¡°Boy, ask him, does Quince Kensington dare not to give me face?¡± ¡°Answer truthfully!¡± Black Bear hung his head and didn¡¯t even dare to take a deep breath. In his heart, he already had a vague guess that the man might be the dreadful Aron Jackson. Seeing this, Otis Radcliffe felt a wave of fear inside. The person who could scare Black Bear like this must be a big shot. ¡°There¡¯s just someone who doesn¡¯t know their place, and I asked Brother Bear to help me sort him out.¡± He involuntarily stepped back a few paces, and his voice became much quieter. ¡°Sort out who?¡± Aron Jackson asked coldly. Dominating Tiger and Black Bear remained silent at the side, not uttering a single word. Even if Otis Radcliffe was an idiot, he now knew that the white-clad man before him was a tough character. At least, someone Black Bear feared was definitely someone he couldn¡¯t provoke. ¡°Someone from our Radcliffe Family¡­a son-in-law¡­¡± He replied in a low voice. Aron Jackson¡¯s pupils constricted sharply, realizing that the one causing trouble for his big brother was someone from the Radcliffe Family. ¡°Drag him out, give him a beating!¡± With a wave of Aron Jackson¡¯s hand, several subordinates immediately dragged Otis Radcliffe out. In the end, since it was Quella Radcliffe¡¯s maternal family, how to deal with the situation would depend on Julius Reed¡¯s decision. ¡°Big Brother, what brings you here?¡± Black Bear felt like his sanity was on the verge of collapsing. ¡°To kill you!¡± With a light flick, Aron Jackson sent the Soul Chasing Order flying from his fingers in an instant! ¡°` Chapter 12 - 12 Chapter 11 Quella Radcliffes Craftsmanship_1 12 Chapter 11 Quella Radcliffe¡¯s Craftsmanship_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°Mr. Aron Jackson!¡± The Black Bear ¡®thudded¡¯ to his knees on the ground, his body trembling uncontrollably. He naturally understood what a soul-chasing order meant. Looking at the card on the ground that shimmered with silver light, the Black Bear¡¯s entire body was nearly convulsing. No one could survive the soul-chasing order! Three years ago, Wesley Cook didn¡¯t escape. Three years later, did he, the Black Bear, have any hope? Desperation and fear began to spread over him. The Black Bear bowed his head deeply, his body almost completely touching the floor. ¡°I don¡¯t want to kill you either.¡± Aron Jackson silently lit a cigarette and sighed, ¡°But, you¡¯ve offended someone you shouldn¡¯t have.¡± If Julius Reed asked Aron Jackson to commit suicide, he would not hesitate to take his own life. Let alone someone else. ¡°Who is it! Mr. Aron Jackson, I¡¯ve been law-abiding here; I¡¯ve never offended anyone!¡± The Black Bear suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with panic. Crawling to Aron Jackson¡¯s feet, he begged, ¡°Mr. Aron Jackson, who have I offended? Can you tell me?¡± People instinctively fear death when facing it. The Black Bear was no exception. Even now, he still fantasized about surviving the soul-chasing order. ¡°Some people, you¡¯re not worthy of knowing!¡± ¡°Mr. Aron Jackson!¡± The Black Bear¡¯s breathing became rapid. ¡°I beg you, for the sake of my older brother, give me a chance to live!¡± He pleaded once again. The Black Bear¡¯s older brother was Theodore Kensington, the eldest son of the Kensington family. Even in Gonzalez City, Theodore Kensington¡¯s name carried weight. The Kensington family was considered a powerful clan in the Five-river Province, with dozens of martial arts schools and a host of other businesses. By virtue of this relationship, the Black Bear reigned in the north of the city. For years, only the Black Bear remained unscathed. Behind this, it was because of Theodore Kensington. Now, the Black Bear brought up Theodore Kensington, clearly intending to intimidate Aron Jackson. After all, he considered Aron Jackson to be nothing compared to Theodore Kensington. But what he didn¡¯t know was that behind Aron Jackson stood a behemoth! ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± Aron Jackson flicked his cigarette butt lightly, looking at the Black Bear with interest. Back then, he didn¡¯t take out the Black Bear only because he wanted to avoid trouble and not affect his mission to protect Julius Reed. After all, there would have been some trouble to deal with. But now that Julius Reed had come to his senses, he could act freely. Theodore Kensington? Compared to the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, he¡¯s nothing! ¡°I naturally wouldn¡¯t dare, sir! I¡¯m just asking you to be merciful and spare my life. From now on, whether it¡¯s climbing a mountain of swords or descending into a sea of flames, the Black Bear will surely not hesitate to die!¡± Of course, the Black Bear was threatening, but he could never say that out loud ¨C face was more important than life. If Aron Jackson were wise, he certainly wouldn¡¯t offend the monster that is Theodore Kensington. ¡°The person you¡¯ve offended, even Theodore Kensington wouldn¡¯t dare to provoke!¡± Bang! Aron Jackson suddenly pulled the trigger! With the sound of a gunshot, a blood hole appeared in the Black Bear¡¯s forehead, blood continuously flowing out. In his eyes, there was still a residual look of smug satisfaction. ¡­ By the time Julius Reed got home, Quella Radcliffe had already prepared a table full of dishes. As soon as he entered the house, he felt something was off. Because the three of them were sitting at the table, but not a bite of food had been touched. His mother-in-law and father-in-law were sitting with stern faces, not even looking at him. ¡°You¡¯re back?¡± Quella Radcliffe waved at him, ¡°Come and try my cooking!¡± Ever since Julius Reed became part of the family through marriage, the cooking had fallen to him, and Quella Radcliffe had never once stepped foot in the kitchen. Today was supposed to be the first time since the wedding. ¡°Great!¡± Julius Reed smiled as he took his seat at the dining table, apologizing slightly, ¡°Something came up in the middle, causing a bit of a delay.¡± He had intended to deal with a few hooligans; little did he know it would lead to so many people getting involved. ¡°Hmph! Julius, did you go out just to come back with an attitude?¡± Knox Ridge finally couldn¡¯t continue pretending, she turned around to face Julius Reed, her anger boiling over as she yelled, ¡°I¡¯m almost starving to death here! Weren¡¯t you supposed to go grocery shopping? Did you go to buy ginseng or deer antlers instead? Now you can¡¯t even cook a proper meal! I warn you, don¡¯t think just because Quella Radcliffe got the position of project manager, you can ride on her coattails!¡± ¡°Exactly! If it weren¡¯t for you holding her back, our daughter would have been successful a long time ago! I warn you, if you don¡¯t cook on time from now on, you can just get out of this house!¡± Burl Radcliffe was also slamming the table beside her. This kind of thing had happened often in the past three years, and Julius Reed had grown accustomed to it. ¡°Mom and Dad, there must be a reason for Twelve! How can you be so unreasonable!¡± Quella Radcliffe wanted to tell her parents that Sky Reed and Julius Reed were classmates, but Julius had forbidden her from mentioning it, so she had to keep it to herself. If it wasn¡¯t for that connection, how could she have possibly pushed past Otis Radcliffe to land the project manager position? ¡°Why are you always taking his side! Quella Radcliffe, I warn you! Sooner or later, that loser will divorce you, and you better recognize that!¡± Knox Ridge angrily picked up her chopsticks and started eating. ¡°Ptui! What is this, is it even edible!¡± She spat out a mouthful of sauerkraut fish onto the floor as soon as she tasted it. Too sour and astringent, it was truly hard to swallow. ¡°Such bad luck! You disaster!¡± Knox Ridge was already in a bad mood, and now with Quella Radcliffe¡¯s long absence from the kitchen, resulting in a particularly terrible meal, her rage exploded in an instant. But in the end, it was her own daughter¡¯s cooking, so she had no choice but to direct her anger at Julius Reed, the outsider. ¡°It¡¯s all your fault!¡± Burl Radcliffe, who was already henpecked, had no appetite now that his wife was angry, so after scolding Julius Reed a few times, he too retreated back to his room. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ my parents¡­ they¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe felt quite helpless, and let out a deep sigh, looking somewhat deflated. ¡°It¡¯s okay!¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly and began to eat. ¡°Hey! It¡¯s so bad, don¡¯t eat it!¡± Quella Radcliffe felt a bit awkward; even she didn¡¯t dare to eat after she had finished cooking. It was too awful! ¡°How could I not! Whatever my wife cooks is the best!¡± Julius Reed, having swallowed a few bites, eventually couldn¡¯t bear it any longer. ¡°Let¡¯s just go out to eat!¡± Quella Radcliffe suddenly suggested. ¡°Sure!¡± Julius Reed put down his chopsticks, looking at Quella Radcliffe with a face full of happiness. The couple had been married for three years, yet they had never dined out together. ¡°But what about my parents¡­¡± Julius Reed was genuinely troubled; if Knox Ridge found out about them going out to eat, it would surely result in a fierce scolding. ¡°We¡¯ll just bring something back for them!¡± Quella Radcliffe winked and got up to pack things. ¡°Where¡¯s your necklace?¡± When Julius Reed stood up, he suddenly noticed that the necklace around Quella Radcliffe¡¯s neck was missing. ¡°My mother¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe took a deep breath, looking down as she said, ¡°I don¡¯t know who told her but when she came back, she took ¡®Dawn¡¯s Light¡¯ from me. You know how she is, when she makes a scene, I can¡¯t do anything¡­¡± As she spoke, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s voice became softer and weaker, until it was barely a whisper at the end. ¡°Never mind, let¡¯s go out for dinner!¡± Julius Reed said, comforting her with a smile. But the moment he turned around, a chill flashed in his eyes. ¡®Dawn¡¯s Light¡¯ was a gift he had given Quella Radcliffe, and besides her, no one else had any right to wear it. That materialistic mother-in-law of his would definitely wear it to show off to others. ¡°Get two people to retrieve ¡®Dawn¡¯s Light¡¯ for me.¡± As Quella Radcliffe was busy packing, he sent a message to Aron Jackson via WeChat. Chapter 13 - 13 Chapter 12 Membership Card_1 13 Chapter 12 Membership Card_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Before they even got to go downstairs, Quella Radcliffe received a call from Zade Radcliffe. It was about the new person in charge taking office and the need to invite all the employees out for a meal. This was considered a tradition at Radcliffe Group. Quella Radcliffe had planned to treat the employees on Friday night, but Zade Radcliffe called ahead of the schedule. The venue had already been chosen, Azure Percival Hotel. One of the top hotels in Gonzalez City. Of course, the company would foot the bill. ¡°It seems that we will have to join everyone for the meal.¡± When they reached the downstairs, Quella Radcliffe told Julius Reed about it. Originally, this was to be the first time the two dined out together, but now it was instantly disrupted. ¡°This call came out of nowhere, with even the location preselected?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, feeling that there was more to it than meets the eye. The person least pleased about Quella Radcliffe becoming the project manager was surely Otis Radcliffe. And the second most displeased had to be Zade Radcliffe. Now Zade Radcliffe had even chosen the restaurant for them, why did it smell like a weasel paying a New Year¡¯s call to a chicken? He knew about Azure Percival, one of the largest hotels in Gonzalez City. Usually, when the group went out for meals, it was to regular restaurants. So why was Zade Radcliffe being so generous this time? If it were because of the position as project manager, that Zade Radcliffe had a change of attitude towards Quella Radcliffe. Julius Reed didn¡¯t buy it. There is something fishy going on when there¡¯s an anomaly! ¡°After all, he is my grandfather! I know they always gave you a hard time, but from now on, I¡¯ll protect you. In the end, we are family, let¡¯s not get too stiff with each other¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe pouted slightly and said with a touch of coquetry. Family. The word carried a special significance when it reached Julius Reed¡¯s ears. Quella Radcliffe was finally starting to accept him. But did those people even deserve to become his family? If it weren¡¯t for Quella Radcliffe¡¯s sake, Otis Radcliffe might already be dead in a bar. However, some thoughts he ultimately kept to himself. After getting into the car, the two drove the Rolls Royce towards the Azure Percival. But when they arrived, they found that many Radcliffe Group employees were already waiting at the hotel entrance. ¡°Damn! Isn¡¯t that the Rolls Royce Sky Reed had this morning? How come Quella Radcliffe is sitting inside?¡± ¡°Do we even need to say it? This morning when Quella Radcliffe had the ¡®Dawn¡¯s Light¡¯, I guessed she had someone outside¡­¡± ¡°Could it be with Sky Reed? No wonder at today¡¯s board meeting, he insisted on selecting Quella Radcliffe as the project manager!¡± Seeing the two alight from the Rolls Royce, everyone started to buzz with speculation. ¡°Julius Reed, that loser, is bound to be cuckolded sooner or later!¡± ¡°Exactly, I didn¡¯t expect this day to come so soon!¡± ¡°I used to think Quella Radcliffe was a decent person, but now it turns out she¡¯s nothing but a floozy!¡± Inside the Radcliffe Group, many people were dissatisfied with Quella Radcliffe. The reason was simple. They were all supporters of Otis Radcliffe, and naturally unhappy when their interests were affected. ¡°Haha, I knew this floozy suddenly rose to the top!¡± Otis Radcliffe sneered incessantly to one side. His head was wrapped in a bandage, his mouth stitched up, and his face was battered, blue and purple. ¡°President Radcliffe, what happened to you?¡± Many employees expressed their concern. Otis Radcliffe was fine in the morning, so how did he end up looking like this by the afternoon? ¡°Just had a little fall!¡± Otis Radcliffe said with an awkward smile, his eyes filled with a colder intent. He had not even left the bar in the afternoon before he was severely beaten. Those people had even warned him not to trouble Quella Radcliffe in the future. So subconsciously, Otis Radcliffe held a grudge against Quella Radcliffe. Today was the birthday of Jaxen Brandon, the young master of the Brandon Family in Gonzalez City. Because the Brandon Family had a substantial reputation in Gonzalez City, as a first-rate wealthy family. Therefore, Jaxen Brandon booked the entire Azure Percival to celebrate with his friends. After Otis Radcliffe got wind of this through Calvin Leopold, he planned to purposely make things difficult for Quella Radcliffe. He had Zade Radcliffe notify Radcliffe Group employees in advance that Quella Radcliffe, having been promoted to project manager, would host them at the Azure Percival. If they ended up facing a situation with no seats available, it would surely breed resentment among the employees. Then, when Zade Radcliffe reported back to Titan Group, even if Sky Reed and Quella Radcliffe were having an affair, it wouldn¡¯t save her position as project manager. ¡°Otis, what happened to you?¡± When they reached the entrance, Quella Radcliffe looked at her brother in disbelief. ¡°Just a little tumble, it¡¯s nothing!¡± Otis Radcliffe¡¯s smile deepened, knowing his plan was about to succeed. ¡°Could it be for doing too many wrongs that you got beaten?¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, his eyes brimming with mockery. If it hadn¡¯t been for Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face, Otis Radcliffe might already be floating in the river by now. ¡°Julius.¡± Quella Radcliffe held his hand, signaling him not to go on. She could see those obvious signs of assault, but in front of so many people, she still needed to give Otis some dignity. ¡°President Radcliffe, why did you only just arrive? We are nearly starved to death!¡± Employees crowded around. After Quella Radcliffe was promoted to project leader, even though they were unconvinced, they still had to address her as President Radcliffe. This made Otis Radcliffe feel even more imbalanced inside. ¡°Don¡¯t worry!¡± Calvin Leopold, seeing his dissatisfaction, muttered softly at his side, ¡°Let¡¯s see how she handles the employees¡¯ anger in a bit.¡± Otis Radcliffe nodded, cursing continuously in his heart. ¡°Sorry to keep everyone waiting!¡± Quella Radcliffe said, slightly apologetic. She had rushed over here after receiving a call from her grandfather, but why did it seem like these employees had been waiting for a long time? ¡°We received a call from the chairman at three, saying that you would treat us, but now it¡¯s already four-thirty!¡± A member of the Radcliffe Clan pointed at his watch and said. ¡°Three o¡¯clock?¡± Julius Reed furrowed his brows, wondering how they were not informed about this. Logically, shouldn¡¯t Quella Radcliffe have been notified immediately? But when the two of them received the call, it was already four-oh-five. A full hour and five minutes later than everyone else! ¡°Was your phone turned off?¡± Julius Reed looked at Quella Radcliffe beside him, sensing that something was amiss. ¡°No way!¡± Quella Radcliffe hadn¡¯t thought that much about it. She walked into the hotel with the employees and said apologetically, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the long wait, everyone!¡± ¡°No worries! We should thank President Radcliffe, we normally wouldn¡¯t dare to come to a place like this!¡± ¡°Exactly, this is one of Gonzalez City¡¯s top restaurants. If not for your auspicious promotion, who knows when we would have the chance to eat here.¡± Once inside the hotel, the employees began looking around curiously. Azure Percival was well-known, and many were visiting it for the first time. They knew of the hotel by name, but it certainly wasn¡¯t a place for ordinary people to patronize. So, hearing that they were going to dine in Azure Percival, many had dressed up carefully in advance, planning to take photos for their social circle. Dining here with so many people would probably cost hundreds of thousands. However, Zade Radcliffe had said over the phone that the company would cover this expense. ¡°Hello, we have a total of twenty-one people,¡± Quella Radcliffe said to the receptionist. Today, it was the junior managers and above, along with the Radcliffe Clan, who had come. In essence, these were the core forces of the Radcliffe Group. ¡°Sorry, but Mr. Brandon has booked the entire first floor, and there are no seats available,¡± the receptionist said, pointing at the noisy group of youths nearby with a light smile. ¡°What about other places?¡± Quella Radcliffe inquired, getting a bad premonition as she looked at the group on the first floor. ¡°There is a VIP box available, but it requires a membership card,¡± the receptionist responded with a smile, asking, ¡°Are you a member by any chance?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not yet, but how does one apply for membership?¡± Quella Radcliffe breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that at least they could dine here. ¡°A membership card requires an annual spend of five million Yuan. Would you like to apply for one?¡± the receptionist replied. ¡°How much?¡± Quella Radcliffe was somewhat stunned at the five million figure. Where could she possibly find so much money at a moment¡¯s notice? ¡°You need to have spent five million to become a member,¡± the receptionist explained with a smile. ¡°Damn! That¡¯s outrageous!¡± the employees complained dissatisfied. ¡°Sorry, how about we go somewhere else?¡± Quella Radcliffe suggested apologetically to the employees. Even though she knew Azure Percival was a high-end establishment, she hadn¡¯t expected the membership threshold to be so high. ¡°President Radcliffe, are you toying with us by dragging us all the way out here on purpose?¡± ¡°Exactly! If it wasn¡¯t for Azure Percival, I wouldn¡¯t even bother coming!¡± ¡°If you can¡¯t deliver, then don¡¯t talk big!¡± The employees were quite discontent, and many unpleasant words were spoken directly. They were already unhappy about Quella Radcliffe¡¯s appointment as project leader. With this incident now, those who were envious began to mock and jeer. ¡°President Radcliffe didn¡¯t know, give her a break!¡± Otis Radcliffe was inwardly pleased, but he tried to mediate on the surface. ¡°What a letdown! Are we a joke to you?¡± ¡°Forget it! I am already full from anger! Waited more than an hour, just to be told to change locations!¡± Many people had already turned to leave. ¡°I am really sorry, I apologize to everyone!¡± Quella Radcliffe said, looking somewhat helpless. ¡°I have a card, maybe it will work,¡± said Julius Reed, who had been silent all this while, suddenly speaking up. Chapter 14 - 14 Chapter 13 Imperial Hall_1 14 Chapter 13 Imperial Hall_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°Damn it, Julius Reed, can you stop making a scene? A guy living off his wife, and you even dare to show up at Azure Percival?¡± ¡°Exactly, have you even eaten out in the past three years? Let alone spending five million, you probably haven¡¯t even spent five hundred bucks in these three years!¡± ¡°He really has the nerve to eat everywhere! This is not your house, you know!¡± Quite a few members of the Radcliffe Clan began to mock him coldly and sarcastically. To these people, Julius Reed was nothing but a loser. Even if he was Quella Radcliffe¡¯s husband, he would not gain an ounce of respect. The employees of Radcliffe Group also cast mocking glances at him, though they didn¡¯t say anything. After all, even if he was a dog belonging to the Radcliffe Family, it wasn¡¯t their place as outsiders to gossip. It¡¯s best to just quietly enjoy the show. ¡°Julius, let it go. Let¡¯s go to another place!¡± Quella Radcliffe turned around, full of apologies, and said to the Radcliffe Clan and the employees, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for today. It¡¯s my first time here and I wasn¡¯t aware of the rules. My apologies!¡± She thought Julius Reed was trying to extricate himself. After all, it required a spend of five million! A full five million! These people were right, Julius Reed hadn¡¯t eaten out in three years, where would he get a VIP card from? ¡°What a letdown!¡± ¡°He¡¯s not even in charge yet and he¡¯s already making fools of us, if he actually takes the position of project manager, I¡¯m afraid it would be unbearable!¡± ¡°We came all this way only to get no meal! Let¡¯s go home! Back home!¡± The Radcliffe Clan members completely lost their cool. Some of them had known the ins and outs of the matter all along, so they acted with extra gusto. ¡°President Radcliffe, if that¡¯s the case, we¡¯ll be taking our leave!¡± ¡°We¡¯ve come all this way and haven¡¯t had a meal, we need to go back and eat something!¡± ¡°If we don¡¯t find something to eat ourselves, we might starve to death!¡± Under the instigation of the Radcliffe Clan members, the Radcliffe Group employees also began to complain. They were not informed. Many were jubilant about coming here and had even dressed up for the occasion. Who knew that they wouldn¡¯t even see a table, or even get through the door! This severe disparity intensified their dissatisfaction. ¡°Hey! Wait a minute! Didn¡¯t Julius Reed say he has a card? Let¡¯s try it. What if our Radcliffe son-in-law really has the capability? After all, living off a woman is also a skill in getting food, isn¡¯t it?¡± Otis Radcliffe took the opportunity to sneer. He seldom got the chance to make Julius Reed look foolish and was certainly not about to let it slip by. Spending five million a year at Azure Percival was something even he couldn¡¯t afford to do. Let alone penniless Julius Reed. ¡°Let¡¯s go to another place!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s expression darkened and she turned to leave the hotel. From the beginning to this point, she had also sensed that something was not quite right. It was as if everything had been a well-designed trap, just waiting for her to fall into it. ¡°Don¡¯t go!¡± Otis Radcliffe stood in front of Quella Radcliffe with a derisive tone, ¡°You have a card, yet you won¡¯t let him use it. Are you intentionally playing with us?¡± Otis Radcliffe was particularly obsessed with kicking someone when they were down. ¡°You¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe was so angry she was red in the face. Where would Julius Reed get such a card from? Otis Radcliffe¡¯s actions were clearly intended to make them look bad! If it had been before, Quella Radcliffe might not have cared. But now her feelings for Julius Reed had drastically changed, how could she let him be humiliated by others? ¡°Just for that ¡®brother-in-law¡¯ you called me, I can¡¯t let you down today!¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly and pulled out a black card from his pocket. Three years. Otis Radcliffe always called him useless or trash. Today was the first time he called him brother-in-law. Of course. This was also to humiliate him. Seeing Julius Reed pull out a card, everyone¡¯s hearts tightened. Could it be that he really had a membership card? But then they thought about it, how could that be possible! They figured he was just brazenly showing some random card that couldn¡¯t be used. Julius Reed, oh Julius Reed, your status in our Radcliffe Family is not even as good as a dog that the old man keeps! Otis Radcliffe sneered inwardly. ¡°Brother-in-law, it¡¯s not like you picked up some random business card on the street and are trying to bluff us, right?¡± Provoked by his comment, the others who were momentarily stunned also started to regain their senses. ¡°Damn! I actually believed him for a second, thinking this loser could actually produce a card!¡± Wellington Radcliffe cursed loudly on the side. Among the Radcliffe siblings, Wellington had the worst manners, always calling Julius Reed trash whenever he opened his mouth. ¡°Stop fucking pretending and get lost!¡± He walked up to the reception desk, cursing under his breath. Everyone only saw Julius Reed pull out a black card, but they didn¡¯t see clearly what card it was. Provoked by Otis Radcliffe and Wellington Radcliffe, everyone assumed it was just some business card off the street. With that thought, their anger grew even more! ¡°Sir, this is a bank card¡­¡± The front desk staff answered with a smile. He had thought the customer really had a card, but when he took it, he realized it wasn¡¯t a VIP card at all. It was a black bank card. ¡°Fuck! Julius Reed, you and your wife are really something! Treating us like monkeys, playing us for fools!¡± Members of the Radcliffe Clan were hopping mad. ¡°You fucking idiot, are you trying to make a fool out of me?¡± Wellington walked up to Julius Reed, about to push him. In his eyes, Julius Reed was less than a dog. ¡°Wellington, he¡¯s your brother-in-law!¡± Quella Radcliffe stepped in front of Julius Reed and scolded sternly, ¡°Don¡¯t go too far! He¡¯s part of the Radcliffe family too!¡± With her defense like that, the employees of Radcliffe Group were not going to stand down. ¡°President Radcliffe, it¡¯s one thing for you to play us, but why should he? Bringing a bank card to pose as a VIP card, do you think we¡¯re idiots?¡± ¡°We will report to the chairman that this lack of respect for staff doesn¡¯t qualify you to lead the new project.¡± Several employees of Radcliffe Group started pulling out their phones, ready to call Zade Radcliffe. ¡°Sister, you¡¯re the one in the wrong here!¡± Otis Radcliffe was already overjoyed inside, his goal finally achieved. Once Quella had incurred the wrath of everyone, the position would surely be his. He would take his time tormenting Quella, even get her fired from the group. ¡°Ah, Julius Reed, I really owe you one!¡± Without him stirring things up, the employees wouldn¡¯t have been so outraged. But Julius Reed ignored all that and said to the front desk staff softly, ¡°There are some things you¡¯re not qualified to know. Now call your manager.¡± At his words, the staff member indeed hesitated. Despite how things looked, he guessed that the guy was someone without much clout. But what if he really was a hidden big shot? He could be risking his job. The call hadn¡¯t lasted a minute when a chubby man came running down from upstairs. At this moment, the Radcliffes were cursing and Quella was arguing with them. ¡°Sir!¡± The chubby man became extremely serious as soon as he got the black card. ¡°Will this do?¡± Julius Reed tapped on the reception desk lightly. The significance of this card, no one understood better than him. ¡°Look, he¡¯s still putting on an act! Disgusting!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go! Haven¡¯t even had our meal, and we¡¯re already full of anger!¡± Quite a few people were already preparing to leave. ¡°Sir, with this card, you may directly enter our most esteemed Emperor¡¯s Hall!¡± The chubby man respectfully returned the card to Julius Reed. ¡°What? Am I hearing this right?¡± A Radcliffe family member standing closest to him furrowed his brows. ¡°Server, arrange for someone to escort this gentleman to the top-floor Emperor¡¯s Hall!¡± With a wave of his hand, the chubby man turned around with a beaming smile and said, ¡°My name¡¯s Tobias Percival, the manager of this establishment. If you need anything, feel free to ask for me!¡± This statement made the Radcliffes explode in astonishment. ¡°Fuck! What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°A bank card can do the trick?¡± Quella was also bewildered. She moved closer to Julius Reed and asked softly, ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± ¡°Sky Reed lent it to me last time, we¡¯re relatives, you know!¡± Julius Reed replied with a light smile. ¡°Oh my! Emperor¡¯s Hall! Incredible! Long live President Radcliffe!¡± ¡°This is too extravagant!¡± The employees became excited again, gathering around Julius Reed, ready to follow him upstairs. ¡°Wellington, you deal with it yourself. The rest of you, follow me.¡± Julius Reed looked at Wellington Radcliffe with a face full of mockery. ¡°You loser, I swear I¡¯m not a man if I don¡¯t get back at you for this!¡± After everyone left, Wellington stood shaking with rage at the entrance of the hotel. Chapter 15 - 15 Chapter 14 Tess Radcliffe is Driven Out_1 15 Chapter 14 Tess Radcliffe is Driven Out_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Not long after everyone settled down, Tess Radcliffe arrived as well. She naturally knew about the event, so she never intended to make a wasted trip. But what she didn¡¯t expect was that Julius Reed somehow obtained a card. He could actually dine at Azure Percival. And it was even in the Imperial Hall! After getting the news, the vain Tess Radcliffe hurried over by taxi. She had eaten at Azure Percival a few times, but always in the main hall. As for the Imperial Hall, she really wanted to see what it was like. As soon as Tess Radcliffe reached the hotel entrance, she saw Otis Radcliffe, Wellington Radcliffe, and Calvin Leopold discussing something at the door. Wellington Radcliffe¡¯s face was flushed red, looking very angry. ¡°This son of a bitch needs to be taught a lesson, even daring to mess with me!¡± The more he spoke, the angrier he got. As a grandson of the Radcliffe Family, the old man¡¯s doting on Wellington Radcliffe was no less than on Otis. Wellington Radcliffe had everything handed to him at home, and everyone had to give way to him. Having been snubbed by Julius Reed today, his rage was understandable. You should know that Wellington Radcliffe never had much respect for his brother-in-law. ¡°What are you three doing?¡± Swinging her hips, Tess Radcliffe approached with her bag in hand. ¡°That old bastard Julius Reed won¡¯t let me in to eat! He¡¯s obviously trying to humiliate me!¡± Wellington Radcliffe bit his teeth, his breathing growing more rapid. He looked at Tess Radcliffe and Calvin Leopold, saying, ¡°Sister, brother-in-law, you have to stand up for me!¡± The thought that everyone else could enter and only he could not, Wellington Radcliffe felt more and more aggrieved. ¡°Alright!¡± Calvin Leopold patted his shoulder, consoling, ¡°Leave this to your brother-in-law. Silas Cook and I have a bit of a relationship. Jaxen Brandon has booked the place today, and I heard about it through Silas. I didn¡¯t expect that son of a bitch Julius Reed to come up with a card from somewhere, ruining our good plan!¡± ¡°Silas Cook? Is it the Silas Cook from Sky Victory Bar?¡± A glint appeared in Wellington Radcliffe¡¯s eyes. Naturally, he had heard of Silas Cook, who was somewhat famous in Gonzalez City. Now that he could sit and drink with Jaxen Brandon, it was clear he had a lot of clout. Sky Victory Bar was owned by Aron Jackson, and Silas Cook was in charge of overseeing it. ¡°That¡¯s right, the same Silas Cook! My dad opened an entertainment complex these past few years, so Silas and I are somewhat acquainted too. In a bit, I¡¯ll have a word with him, and we¡¯ll find an opportunity to take care of that son of a bitch Julius Reed!¡± A smug look crossed Calvin Leopold¡¯s face. ¡°Brother-in-law, you¡¯re something else, even knowing Silas Cook! We¡¯re counting on you today!¡± Envy colored Otis Radcliffe¡¯s face from the side. Although he was the general manager of Radcliffe Group, when it came to these societal figures, he only knew Black Bear from the north of the city. Black Bear worked for money. It didn¡¯t matter who you were, as long as you paid. But Silas Cook was different ¨C he was particularly upstanding and had a strong sense of brotherhood. ¡°Brother-in-law, I¡¯ll bankroll tonight¡¯s meal to treat you and Silas!¡± Wellington Radcliffe¡¯s mood brightened, his expression lively in a flash. ¡°You two go ahead and get inside to avoid any suspicion. I¡¯ll go talk to Silas Cook!¡± After saying that, Calvin Leopold turned and headed towards the main hall on the first floor. ¡­ By the time Tess Radcliffe entered the private room, everyone was already seated. The Imperial Hall was quite spacious, with ceilings over five meters high, covered in crystal chandeliers. The entire room was bigger than the Radcliffe Group¡¯s conference room and came with thirteen dedicated waitstaff. The employees took out their phones one by one, showing off pictures in their friend circles. You should know that being able to dine at Azure Percival was already a great honor, let alone in the Imperial Hall. ¡°Oh, my dear sister!¡± As she entered the room, Tess Radcliffe rushed over to Quella Radcliffe. ¡°I really didn¡¯t expect you to be so capable! You know, even our father has never dined in this Imperial Hall!¡± She looked around, shaking her head and remarking, ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk, quite impressive indeed!¡± ¡°It¡¯s Julius¡¯s friend, we got a card from him, that¡¯s how we could get in,¡± Quella Radcliffe replied with a smile. ¡°Really? I didn¡¯t expect Julius to be so capable!¡± A trace of disdain flashed across Tess Radcliffe¡¯s face, as she had already concluded that Quella Radcliffe and Sky Reed were involved, and she even felt a bit of sympathy for Julius. But to be honest, she was a little envious. Although Calvin Leopold¡¯s family was wealthy, Sky Reed was young and promising with limitless potential. ¡°Hey! Waiter, add a chair for me!¡± Seeing that the seats were just enough, Tess Radcliffe, with her hands on her hips, approached an employee of the Radcliffe Group, ¡°Stand up for a moment, you can sit down again after the chair is added.¡± The employee¡¯s name was Blossom Reed, a customer service manager at the Radcliffe Group. Among the employees present today, she was the closest to Quella Radcliffe. So, Tess Radcliffe¡¯s action was quite like killing the chicken to scare the monkey. Although Blossom Reed was extremely reluctant inside, she simply couldn¡¯t afford to offend Tess Radcliffe, who was notoriously difficult to deal with. ¡°Hurry up!¡± Tess Radcliffe was getting impatient, and she simply pushed Blossom Reed to the side. The rest of the employees were dissatisfied, but not one dared to stand up. ¡°Wait a minute!¡± Just then. Julius stood up and looked at Tess Radcliffe, grinning, ¡°Sis, the seats were booked by Quella Radcliffe, and since you didn¡¯t show up at the time, we didn¡¯t reserve one for you.¡± ¡°Julius, what do you mean!¡± Tess Radcliffe frowned, looking at Julius. ¡°The seats, they were already booked. Blossom Reed¡¯s seat, no one can bully their way into it,¡± Julius met Tess Radcliffe¡¯s gaze unflinchingly. ¡°Well, I¡¯m taking it today! What are you going to do about it?¡± Tess Radcliffe became unstoppable when her fiery temper flared up. ¡°Get lost!¡± She pushed Blossom Reed to the ground and sat down on the chair with a swagger, cursing continuously, ¡°There, I¡¯m sitting! What are you going to do about it? People don¡¯t even realize when they are being spineless.¡± As soon as these words came out, everyone looked at Quella Radcliffe with weird glances. Some things, they had only guessed in their hearts. But when Tess Radcliffe spoke them out loud, it was obviously different. ¡°Sis, watch your words!¡± Quella Radcliffe wasn¡¯t a fool, how could she not understand what Tess Radcliffe was implying. ¡°Oh, if you don¡¯t want others to know, don¡¯t do it at all,¡± Tess Radcliffe gave a cold snort, speaking in a sarcastic tone, ¡°If you did it, don¡¯t be afraid of people talking!¡± ¡°You!¡± In front of so many company people, Quella Radcliffe was so angry her teeth itched. Just then, her hand was suddenly gripped by someone. ¡°I¡¯ll handle this,¡± Julius smiled faintly. He turned to the waiter at the door, ¡°There is someone causing trouble here, please deal with it.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Reed,¡± The waiters nodded and quickly approached Tess Radcliffe. ¡°Ma¡¯am, please leave!¡± ¡°Damn it! I want to see who dares to kick me out! Do you know who I am? I¡¯m her big sister!¡± Tess Radcliffe pointed at Quella Radcliffe, impatiently yelling at the waiters, ¡°Get lost! Our family¡¯s matters are none of your business!¡± Being used to bossing people around on a daily basis, she didn¡¯t show any courtesy to these waiters. But this was Azure Percival, not an ordinary restaurant. ¡°Causing a scene here?¡± A few waiters sneered, dragging her out one on each side. ¡°What are you doing! Get your dirty hands off me! A bunch of lousy workers, daring to offend me! I¡¯ll go talk to your manager!¡± Tess Radcliffe shouted loudly, but the waiters, as if they hadn¡¯t heard, dragged her outside and then pushed her down the stairs. Chapter 16 - 16 Chapter 15: A Bit Heavy-Handed_1 16 Chapter 15: A Bit Heavy-Handed_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°Julius, given how Tess normally acts¡­ could she possibly cause some trouble?¡± Quella Radcliffe spoke with a hint of worry in her tone. She was clutching the corners of her clothes, lightly biting her lip. Could her sister, who was accustomed to being arrogant and overbearing, really let things go after such a loss today? Blossom Reed was crouching on the ground nearby, clearly not yet recovered from the shock. After all, she was just an outsider. With just a word from Otis, she could be kicked out of the group. ¡°Maybe I should go apologize to Tess,¡± Blossom suggested. She stood up from the ground and walked towards the door with her head down. She really needed this job. With her parents in poor health and getting on in years, she had become the main support of her family. If she lost her job, it would be a disaster for her already impoverished family. Quella looked at Blossom, sighed, and followed her. Even though she was the project leader, within the group, it was ultimately Otis who made the decisions. If the matter escalated today, Blossom would certainly be fired. It would be better to go and apologize to Tess. Perhaps she could save her job. Life was just so cruel. In the face of power, one had to bow their head. ¡°I¡¯ll come with you!¡± Quella declared. The incident today had started because of her, and Blossom was just caught in the crossfire. Plus, with her there, Tess might not be too harsh. ¡°Why should you apologize?¡± Julius questioned indifferently from his seat as the two approached the door. ¡°Julius, Blossom can¡¯t lose this job. It¡¯s fine to endure this for a little while,¡± Quella said as she turned to smile helplessly at him. In her three years at the group, she had become accustomed to disdain. ¡°That was the past. Quella, it¡¯s time you showed the pride that¡¯s in your heart,¡± Julius stood up and walked over to her, continuing, ¡°You are now the new project leader for the group, no longer that junior executive. I can assure you, if the project leader is replaced, Titan Group will immediately terminate the cooperation.¡± ¡°Really¡­ is that true?¡± Quella was somewhat incredulous. Julius had once said that Sky was a distant relative of his. But just a distant relative, could he really represent Titan Group? Or rather, just how influential was Julius? For a moment, she found the man before her somewhat unfamiliar. Yet the gentle look in his eyes was so familiar to her. ¡°Alright!¡± After a struggle within herself, Quella pulled Blossom to sit beside her. ¡°As long as I am with Radcliffe Group, you¡¯ll have a place here.¡± ¡°Quella, I¡­¡± Blossom faltered by her side. ¡°Do you think groveling will earn you leniency? You¡¯re seriously underestimating some people¡¯s desire for revenge,¡± Julius shook his head. His point made, the rest was up to Blossom¡¯s decision. If she chose to stand with Quella, he would give her a bit of extra protection. ¡°Quella, I¡¯ll listen to you!¡± Blossom resolved never to waver and moved a chair next to Quella¡¯s. ¡°Holy crap! To be such a bastard and yet so self-righteous!¡± ¡°People should be generous-hearted. If someone else sleeps with your wife, you have to accept it heartily, right? Otherwise, how would you be a kept man?¡± ¡°Thinks she¡¯s really something. Once they tire of her, they¡¯ll throw her away. Do they really think corporate cooperation is a child¡¯s play?¡± Many disregarded Julius¡¯s words, even whispering and mocking among themselves. In their eyes, Quella must have had a relationship with Sky to be in her position as project leader. But such a relationship was obviously unsustainable. After all, Sky was just another employee. ¡°Say what you just said again?¡± Julius walked over to the employee who had made sarcastic comments, asking with a smile. ¡°Heh, what¡¯s the matter, you know in your heart¡­¡± Slap! The crisp sound of a slap echoed throughout the sovereign hall. Everyone¡¯s eyes widened in shock at the scene before them. Julius shook his hand slightly and said with an apologetic tone, ¡°Sorry, I might have been a bit heavy-handed.¡± The slapped employee sat stunned against the chair, his eyes brimming with disbelief. Julius had actually dared to hit him? His name was Maeve Leocadia, the workshop director of the Radcliffe Group¡¯s R&D department, and he had returned from studying abroad. After coming back, he had once secretly pursued Quella. Unfortunately, Julius came into the picture and became a son-in-law of the Radcliffe Family. Since then, Maeve Leocadia stood by Otis Radcliffe¡¯s side, constantly humiliating Julius Reed and often bad-mouthing Quella Radcliffe behind her back. So Julius Reed had disliked him for a long time. Today was just his bad luck; he walked right into the line of fire. ¡°You piece of trash, dare to hit me?¡± Maeve Leocadia wiped the corner of his mouth gently with his hand, and because the slap had been so powerful, blood was already seeping out. ¡°If a piece of trash like me dares to hit you, what does that make you? Are you worse than trash?¡± Julius Reed watched him quietly, his gaze suddenly turning ice cold. That look was like a sharp blade, piercing directly into Maeve Leocadia¡¯s heart, causing a chill to run down his spine. ¡°What right do you have to hit me? I will report today¡¯s incident to the chairman and demand an explanation!¡± Maeve Leocadia swallowed and rose to his feet in indignation. With high prestige in the company, plus the connection to Otis Radcliffe, Maeve Leocadia was confident that he could make Julius Reed kneel before him and apologize. ¡°A man who has been cuckolded¡­¡± Slap! Julius Reed slapped him again, knocking Maeve Leocadia to the ground. The force was so great that Maeve Leocadia struggled several times but still couldn¡¯t get up. Hiss! Everyone gasped in shock. When did the doormat son-in-law, who used to neither fight back nor talk back, become so assertive? Even Quella Radcliffe found it hard to believe. Was this the same Julius Reed as before? ¡°Go ahead and tattle, and let¡¯s see who will be kicked out of the company and who will be kneeling to apologize!¡± Having said that, Julius Reed gestured to the waitstaff at the door, ¡°Throw this man out for me!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Two waitstaff came over and dragged Maeve Leocadia out of the private room like a dead dog. ¡°Now, everyone, let¡¯s eat.¡± Julius Reed snapped his fingers lightly, and the waiter promptly served the dishes. Indeed. You get what you pay for. The price was steep, but the meals at Azure Percival were certainly top-notch. But who had the appetite to eat now? They all looked at Julius Reed with strange eyes, unable to understand how this former good-for-nothing had suddenly become so domineering. Downstairs, When Calvin Leopold saw Tess Radcliffe tumble down the stairs in a heap, his face turned green. His wife was being treated so poorly by Julius Reed, the doormat, and it was driving him insane with rage. ¡°Silas, you have to stand up for me in this matter!¡± He turned to Silas Cook, grinding his teeth with fury. ¡°Calvin, for you, I¡¯ll take care of it!¡± Silas Cook muttered something to Jaxen Brandon and then walked over with four or five burly men. ¡°Who cares about this Emperor Hall! I¡¯m going to get even for you!¡± With that, he led Calvin Leopold and Tess Radcliffe up the stairs. ¡°Sir, you can¡¯t go in here!¡± A waiter blocked their way. ¡°Kid, don¡¯t you recognize Silas? Are you new here?¡± A lackey behind Silas came forward, continually shoving the waiter. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Tobias Percival, the hotel manager, rushed over when he heard the commotion. Those who could enter the Emperor Hall were of distinguished status, and they dared not offend them. ¡°Tobias, don¡¯t your people know how to see?¡± With a beer bottle in hand, Silas Cook grinned at Tobias Percival, ¡°I was just going to pay my respects with a drink, and this kid dares to stop me.¡± ¡°Silas, there¡¯s a black card customer inside, it would be best not to offend them.¡± Tobias Percival was sweating profusely from his forehead. Silas had a big reputation in Gonzalez City, and he couldn¡¯t afford to offend him. But the person inside might not be an easy one to provoke either. ¡°Calvin, is your intel right?¡± Hearing Tobias Percival¡¯s words, Silas turned his head and whispered. If there really was a black card holder inside, he was indeed reluctant to start trouble. After all, in plain terms, he was just the fiercest dog under Dominating Tiger¡¯s command. If he really offended some bigshot, Aron Jackson might not necessarily vouch for him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s just a loser who lives off women! His wife slept with someone else, and that¡¯s how he got a card from who knows where!¡± Calvin explained in a low voice beside him. ¡°Tobias, I¡¯ll buy you a drink next time!¡± Bang! Silas turned around and kicked open the door to the Emperor Hall private room. If anyone dared to bully his friend, they were not going to walk out of here standing! Chapter 17 - 17 Chapter 16 Confronting Silas Cook_1 17 Chapter 16 Confronting Silas Cook_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°I heard someone was throwing a banquet here, so the humble Silas Cook came to liven things up!¡± After kicking open the door to the private room, Silas Cook swaggered in, holding a bottle of alcohol. Several burly underlings followed him. Calvin Leopold and his group didn¡¯t come in; they stood outside, listening. They were just waiting for Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed to be humiliated before they came in to enjoy the spectacle. ¡°Sir, you¡­¡± Slap! A waiter had just started to speak when one of Silas Cook¡¯s underlings slapped him across the face. ¡°Are you fucking blind? You don¡¯t recognize Brother Silas?¡± This slap startled the Radcliffe Group employees and members of the Radcliffe Clan present. These few people already looked fierce and ferocious, and with their aggressive entrance, how could anyone not be afraid? ¡°It¡¯s alright, don¡¯t scare the guests!¡± Silas Cook gestured with his hand, signaling his underlings to back off. ¡°I¡¯m here today for one reason only: to offer everyone a drink.¡± He swaggered over to the table and slammed the beer he was holding down on it with a ¡®bang¡¯. ¡°Today, who¡¯s the host?¡± Silas Cook looked around the room and asked. All eyes promptly turned to Quella Radcliffe. ¡°I am!¡± Quella Radcliffe stood up, her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at Silas Cook, ¡°And who might you be?¡± It was clear that the visitor had ill intentions. But as far as she could remember, she hadn¡¯t provoked anyone. ¡°The humble Silas Cook, wishing to share a drink with Miss Radcliffe.¡± Silas Cook raised his glass, and his underlings immediately refilled it for him. ¡°Silas Cook from Gonzalez City, I¡¯ve heard he¡¯s a tough guy with quite a few lives on his hands these past few years.¡± ¡°How did we get on this plague¡¯s bad side?¡± Hearing the infamous name of Silas Cook, the employees and clan members all seemed a bit fearful. They were all law-abiding citizens, when had they ever witnessed such a scene? However, it seemed that Silas Cook was targeting Quella Radcliffe specifically, and it had nothing to do with them. With this thought, everyone was actually quite eager to watch the drama unfold. ¡°So it¡¯s Brother Silas.¡± Quella Radcliffe had also heard of Silas Cook¡¯s notoriety. However, she hadn¡¯t given it much thought, as there was absolutely no connection between them. Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t want trouble, so she raised her glass and shared a drink with Silas Cook. But before she could even put her glass down, Silas Cook¡¯s underling had already refilled it. ¡°What do you mean by this?¡± Quella Radcliffe frowned, unease growing inside her. ¡°It¡¯s said that with good friends, a thousand cups of wine are too few. Miss Radcliffe, surely you won¡¯t deny me this face, right?¡± Silas Cook swirled his glass, a taunting smile covering his face. ¡°Our Brother Silas has been out and about for many years, and no one has ever dared to disrespect him!¡± ¡°The last person who dared to not give face to Brother Silas got both his legs broken!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be unappreciative!¡± The underlings behind Silas Cook jeered menacingly, their words carrying an obvious threat. ¡°I¡¯ll drink for her!¡± Just as Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t know what to do, Julius Reed stood up from beside her and snatched the glass away. ¡°Who the fuck do you think you are!¡± Silas Cook¡¯s face darkened, and he smashed his glass to the ground. ¡°When I do things, it¡¯s not anyone else¡¯s place to interfere! Kid, you¡¯re really fucking spoiling the mood!¡± As soon as Silas Cook finished speaking, his underlings started advancing towards Julius Reed. ¡°Brother Silas, this is my husband, I¡¯ll share a drink with you.¡± Quella Radcliffe hurriedly picked up the glass, standing in front of Julius Reed. The rest of them took their seats, keen to watch the show. ¡°Oh! So it¡¯s Miss Radcliffe¡¯s husband!¡± Silas Cook picked his ear, speaking with disdain, ¡°I¡¯ve heard the Radcliffe Family married off to some loser, turns out it¡¯s this guy right here!¡± He shook his head, pointing at Quella Radcliffe, ¡°I can let it go, but you see this case of beer? You and I will split it, drink it all up!¡± Clang! An underling threw a case of beer on the ground, his gaze cold and threatening. It was as if they would immediately rush over and break Julius Reed¡¯s legs if the challenge wasn¡¯t met. Even a fool could tell that Silas Cook was here to pick a fight. ¡°Sit down!¡± Julius Reed pressed on Quella Radcliffe¡¯s shoulder, making her sit back down in the chair. ¡°Brother Silas, right? I¡¯ve long heard of your great reputation!¡± Julius Reed picked up a bottle of beer from the table and weighed it in his hand. ¡°Kid, I really look down on you! A man who lives off a woman can¡¯t shit straight!¡± Upon hearing these words, a smug look flashed across Silas Cook¡¯s eyes. After all, a man¡¯s reputation was like a shadow, and he, Silas Cook, took pride in being known. Bang! But in the next moment, Julius Reed violently threw the beer bottle in his hand, smashing it right into Silas Cook¡¯s face! The massive force made Silas Cook step back several times, and blood began to show on his forehead. ¡°Fuck! You think you can play tough with me?¡± Silas Cook placed his hand on his forehead, gently wiping away the fresh blood, and then licked it with his tongue. ¡°Ptui!¡± He let out a cold laugh and pointed at Julius Reed, ¡°If I don¡¯t beat you crippled today, I¡¯ll take your surname!¡± Bang! The doors to the Emperor Hall were suddenly shut. That scared even the diners. Silas Cook was a ruthless man, and now Julius Reed dared to hit him on the head with a beer bottle! A chill went down everyone¡¯s spine. ¡°Brother Silas, we have nothing to do with him, please don¡¯t take your anger out on us!¡± An employee of Radcliffe Group stood up, saying with a forced smile. He was genuinely afraid that Silas Cook, in his rage, would deal with him too. Slap! ¡°Go to hell, quit making trouble!¡± Silas Cook slapped the employee across the face and pulled a dagger from his lower back. ¡°Boy, since you dared to hit me today, I¡¯m going to cripple your hands!¡± ¡°Julius!¡± Quella Radcliffe was so anxious her heart almost reached her throat, if Silas Cook really got serious, it would be too late to call the police. Now that the private room door was locked, the people outside had no idea what was happening inside. It was a situation where heaven wouldn¡¯t respond and earth couldn¡¯t help. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just a minor trouble.¡± Julius Reed patted her shoulder, signaling Quella Radcliffe not to worry. He had yet to test how good his skills were since regaining his memory. Now that someone with no foresight had come barging in, he might as well satisfy them. ¡°You¡¯re facing death and still playing the tough guy! Drag him over here!¡± Silas Cook rubbed his eyes, tears streaming down nonstop. Beer mixed with blood, making his eyes bloodshot and red. ¡°You dared to hit Brother Silas, you¡¯re asking for death!¡± Several underlings strode over, reaching out to grab Julius Reed¡¯s arm. Crack! Julius Reed sidestepped, breaking one underling¡¯s arm directly! ¡°Ah¡­¡± A scream like slaughtering a pig echoed in the private room, but Julius Reed had no intention of stopping. His right foot kicked out fiercely, landing hard on the underling¡¯s chest. Bang! The entire body of the hitman went flying and lay on the ground, spitting out blood. ¡°Practitioner!¡± Silas Cook¡¯s brow furrowed and he shot out like a snake! ¡°Be careful!¡± Quella Radcliffe yelled out in alarm when she saw him suddenly make a move. ¡°Perfect timing!¡± Julius Reed grabbed one underling with one hand, and spun his body around! Purkch! Silas Cook¡¯s knife, accurate and unerring, plunged right into the body of that underling. Bang! Seizing the moment, Julius Reed delivered a flying kick to Silas Cook¡¯s ribs! Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: Chapter 17 Arrogant Jaxen Brandon 1 Chapter 18: Chapter 17 Arrogant Jaxen Brandon 1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°Crack! ¡± The sound of bones breaking was unmistakably clear. Silas Cook curled up on the ground, his body involuntarily twitching. Meanwhile, several of his underlings were wailing non-stop, their bodies covered in blood. Everyone looked at Julius Reed with eyes that saw a monster. When had this usually silent and unremarkable loser become so powerful? Quella Radcliffe sat in her chair, her gaze vacant. Living in the same house with him for three years, she suddenly felt that she had never truly understood Julius Reed. As a wife, she indeed failed. But she shouldn¡¯t be completely ignorant about her own husband. The current Julius Reed was utterly different from before. ¡°Don¡¯t you like drinking? Want to drink until you¡¯re satisfied?¡± Julius Reed squatted over Silas Cook¡¯s head and casually opened a bottle of beer. ¡°Big brother, I was wrong¡­¡± Silas Cook¡¯s breathing was rapid, his face already turning purplish. This kick had broken at least two of his ribs. A true man knows better than to eat the loss before his eyes; he planned to feign compliance for now and then call for revenge after getting out. ¡°Don¡¯t stop! I¡¯ll keep you company today until you¡¯ve had your fill!¡± Julius Reed poured the beer into Silas Cook¡¯s mouth, forcing him to drink it. Soon, a bottle of beer was empty. Julius Reed took out another bottle, cracked it open, and poured it down Silas Cook¡¯s throat all at once. ¡°Big brother¡­ I was wrong¡­ I can¡¯t, I can¡¯t drink anymore¡­¡± Silas Cook rolled onto his side on the ground, vomiting non-stop. The beer poured down too quickly, creating bubbles in his stomach instantly, making him unable to stop vomiting. But before he could finish, Julius Reed once again poured beer into his mouth. ¡°That¡¯s too much¡­ The onlookers swallowed and felt a chill up their spines. This was no longer the Julius Reed who was bullied on daily basis; he was like a living Yama! In a blink, ten bottles of beer had been emptied. Silas Cook lay on the ground with a pale face, in agony. Now he truly wished for death. He¡¯d rather die once and for all than suffer any longer. His stomach was churning as if it were being turned upside down, and he felt a cramp-like agony. ¡°Such a small capacity for alcohol, and you talk about drinking to your heart¡¯s content!¡± Julius Reed stood up, stepping on Silas Cook¡¯s face. ¡°My woman, you dared ask her to drink?¡± In that moment, an intense killing intent radiated from him. But Quella Radcliffe¡¯s eyes reddened, and she almost burst into tears. Wasn¡¯t this what she wanted? To have someone stand in front of her when she was in trouble, shouldering everything for her. In three years, she had never thought that person would be Julius Reed. The husband whom everyone looked down upon, labeling him as a worthless loser. At last, she couldn¡¯t restrain her inner emotions any longer and burst into tears at the table. Three years of grievances were released in that moment. ¡°Julius, thank you.¡± Quella Radcliffe said silently in her heart. That line ¡®My woman, you also dared to ask her to drink?¡¯ , wasn¡¯t it also meant for everyone present? For three years, these people made life difficult for her, bullying Quella Radcliffe whenever possible. Now, Julius Reed was using this method to warn everyone. My woman is not to be bullied by anyone! Just then, one of the underlings seemed to remember something, his face turning instantly pale. He leaned into Silas Cook¡¯s ear and said in a trembling voice, ¡°Black Bear seemed to be in trouble because he offended this guy¡­¡± That day, when Julius Reed went looking for Aron Jackson at the Copper Sparrow Platform, this underling happened to be nearby. It all happened so suddenly that he hadn¡¯t recalled it until now. ¡°What!¡± Silas Cook¡¯s pupils contracted sharply, feeling as if all energy had been drained from his body. Taking advantage of this gap, another underling with lighter injuries took out his mobile phone and sent a message to the people downstairs. At that moment, Jaxen Brandon and his group were drinking downstairs. Today marked his twenty-sixth birthday, and many rich second generations from Gonzalez City rushed over to celebrate. Since the private room couldn¡¯t accommodate everyone, Jaxen Brandon simply booked the entire first floor to drink and make merry with his brothers. The Brandon Family of Gonzalez City, genuine heavyvveights with countless assets, had deep connections with many big shots. And as the only son of the Brandon Family, Jaxen Brandon became the focus of everyone¡¯s flattery. While everyone was drinking, a young man quietly came to Jaxen Brandon¡¯s side and whispered a few words into his ear. ¡°What!¡± Jaxen Brandon placed the wine glass on the table, a cold light flashing in his eyes. ¡°Boss, what happened?¡± Several young people closest to him sensed something amiss and quickly asked. Silas Cook was beaten up upstairs!¡± Jaxen Brandon snorted lightly and said to everyone at the table with a laugh, ¡°Silas Cook has drunk with me after all, and I, Jaxen Brandon, cannot sit by and ignore this.¡± He slowly stood up, and someone immediately draped a coat over his shoulders. ¡°That¡¯s right, our Jaxen Brandon is known for his outstanding loyalty. Who in Gonzalez City doesn¡¯t know that?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t believe someone dared to stir trouble under the tiger¡¯s nose!¡± The young men immediately exploded into chatter. They had gone through several rounds of drinks, with each displaying a drunken face, now more impulsive than ever. With Jaxen Brandon here, no matter who the other party was, they¡¯d merely end up getting beaten. ¡°Shall we go then?¡± Jaxen Brandon¡¯s face always bore a smile, indifferent to anyone else¡¯s status before him. The reputation of being the foremost young master of Gonzalez City wasn¡¯t given for nothing. Taking advantage of the alcohol, he could show off his capability while also looking generous and loyal. Why wouldn¡¯t he relish the opportunity? Moreover, in Jaxen Brandon¡¯s view, this was purely a bit of fun for himself. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Dozens of people swaggered toward the Emperor Hall. Bang! The doors to the Emperor Hall were kicked open for the second time. ¡°Heard someone hit my friend?¡± Jaxen Brandon strolled leisurely into the private room, a coat draped over him and a cigarette dangling from his lips, his eyes never looking directly at anyone inside the room. After saying that, dozens of people suddenly poured in. These people were seething with murderous intent, reeking of alcohol. The Radcliffe Group employees, no longer in the mood to eat, sat in their chairs trembling with fear. Who would¡¯ve thought the dinner would be disturbed by monsters! Even though they hadn¡¯t guessed Jaxen Brandon¡¯s identity, the atmosphere alone was enough to tell they weren¡¯t dealing with someone easygoing. ¡°Silas Cook, what happened!¡± Jaxen Brandon looked down to see Silas Cook lying on the ground. At that moment, Silas Cook¡¯s face was pale, and broken beer bottles were scattered around him. The others weren¡¯t faring any better, each writhing in pain on the floor. ¡°Mr. Brandon, I fell on my own¡­ it¡¯s nothing!¡± Silas Cook took a deep breath, trying to squeeze out a smile on his face. He certainly knew about the Dominating Tiger affair. If he offended Julius Reed again, he might just get eliminated by Aron Jackson himself. As soon as he uttered these words, not only were the people from the Radcliffe Family taken aback, but Jaxen Brandon himself was also startled. Beaten up like that and not daring to let out a single fart, was this the same Silas Cook who was known for his daring and combativeness? ¡°With me here, what are you afraid of? Even if it were the emperor himself who hit you, I¡¯d make him kneel and apologize to you,¡± Jaxen Brandon said gravely, and he did have the capability to do so. The implicature was for Silas Cook to speak up boldly without worry. ¡°Mr. Brandon, I really was just being careless!¡± Silas Cook insisted strenuously. He had managed to send a text to Dominating Tiger without others noticing, hoping to make amends for his mistakes. Given the magnitude of the incident, Jaxen Brandon would surely take action. In the whole of Gonzalez City, probably only Aron Jackson could hold his ground against Jaxen Brandon. ¡°Then let¡¯s assume for the moment that this has to do with everyone present,¡± Jaxen Brandon flicked the cigarette butt from his hand, gestured, and said, ¡°Let¡¯s start with the ones on the left, one by one. I refuse to believe we can¡¯t get answers out of them!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Several young men stepped forward, heading towards the Radcliffe Group employees.. Chapter 19 - Chapter 19: Chapter 18 Challenge Jaxen Brandon_1 Chapter 19: Chapter 18 Challenge Jaxen Brandon_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation When Jaxen Brandon said this, he scared all the employees out of their wits. They were all decent white-collar workers; when had they ever seen such a scene? ¡°You bunch of blind fools, not even recognizing Mr. Brandon! Since you refuse to confess honestly, don¡¯t blame us for being ruthless.¡± A red-clad young man walked out from behind Jaxen Brandon, his dress indicating he was no good. ¡°Mr. Brandon?¡± As soon as everyone heard Jaxen¡¯s name, they were utterly dumbfounded. In Gonzalez City, Jaxen Brandon was hailed as the number one playboy. With the backing of the Brandon Family, he threw his weight around daily. Many prominent figures in Gonzalez City had to nod and bow, addressing him as Mr. Brandon after seeing him. A figure as divine as this, was he someone they could afford to offend? That¡¯s why members of the Radcliffe Clan were the first to come forward, pointing at Julius Reed and saying, ¡°Mr. Brandon, it was him who hit him, it has nothing to do with us!¡± ¡°Yes! Mr. Brandon, we really didn¡¯t know!¡± ¡°There¡¯s a head for a debt; this matter was all Julius Reed¡¯s doing, it has nothing to do with us!¡± All of them stood up from their seats, while whining and pointing at Julius Reed. Most of them were looking for an excuse to take revenge, seizing this opportunity to suppress this couple. Offending Jaxen Brandon meant that the position of project leader for the Radcliffe venture was definitely gone. Worse still, Old Master Radcliffe might even have to personally intervene, and the Brandon Family might not even give him the face. ¡°You¡¯re pretty arrogant! But you¡¯re weak.¡± Jaxen Brandon looked straight at Julius Reed with his hands clasped behind his back. He had a bit of an impression of this son-in-law of the Radcliffe Family. The wedding three years ago had become the laughing stock of Gonzalez City residents during their leisure time. ¡°Does Mr. Brandon intend to meddle in this matter?¡± Julius Reed leaned back in his chair and looked at Jaxen, chin resting on his hand and eyes full of amusement. With his current skills, beating these people was no problem at all. But what was his status? Could he afford to take action so lightly? ¡°Bro, tms puts me In a curncult position!¡¯ Jaxen Brandon twisted his neck, and his henchmen immediately ran over, bringing him a chair. ¡°Silas Cook came to celebrate my birthday today, so he is my brother, Jaxen Brandon! You can go out and inquire about how I, Jaxen Brandon, treat my brothers; I absolutely put myself on the line for them!¡± He sat down in the chair, casually crossing his legs. A disdainful look appeared on his face. ¡°Now, by hitting him, you¡¯re slapping my face. If this matter just blows over, how will others view me, Jaxen Brandon, in the future?¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re determined to stand against me?¡± Julius Reed smiled lightly. ¡°Mr. Brandon! I¡¯m so sorry! I apologize to you on his behalf!¡± Quella Radcliffe, hesitating, stood up and held up a glass of wine. ¡°I hope you¡¯ll be magnanimous and not stoop to our level!¡± Having said that, she quickly tugged at Julius Reed: ¡°Apologize to Mr. Brandon, don¡¯t be so stubborn!¡± Jaxen Brandon was not like Silas Cook; he was the real deal, a true young master. The Brandon Family had only this one son, and almost everything was left to his whims. In the face of such a man, they could only submit. ¡°Apologize?¡± Julius Reed laughed aloud and pointed at Jaxen Brandon: ¡°I apologize, do you dare accept it?¡± As soon as he finished speaking, everyone was stunned. Members of the Radcliffe Family and employees of the Radcliffe Group all looked at him as if he were a fool. You, just a worthless son-in-law, who are you to stand against Mr. Brandon? Once Jaxen Brandon had recovered, he laughed so hard in his chair that he was bending forwards and backwards. Turning back to his minions, he laughingly asked, ¡°Did I hear that right? This guy actually says I wouldn¡¯t dare to accept!¡± ¡°He¡¯s the first one to dare talk to our Mr. Brandon like that!¡± ¡°This is the funniest joke I¡¯ve heard all year. In Gonzalez City, there¡¯s someone who dares to challenge Mr. Brandon!¡± The young men looked disdainful, as if they had just heard a joke. They came from notable backgrounds, each with a strong family history. But in front of Jaxen Brandon, didn¡¯t they still have to behave like dogs? ¡°Well then, let¡¯s settle this account properly!¡± Jaxen Brandon¡¯s face suddenly darkened, and his voice carried a murderous intent. The group of young men behind him quickly wiped the smiles off their faces, ready to make a move at any moment. ¡°Today is my birthday, so I thought I¡¯d give you a chance,¡± he said. He stood up, staring straight at Julius Reed, pointing at the space between his legs: ¡°Crawl through here, and I¡¯ll leave you one leg!¡± ¡°Hurry up! Later, it won¡¯t just be a leg you can¡¯t save, not even your arms!¡± ¡°Our dear Jaxen Brandon is magnanimous. Don¡¯t fail to appreciate it!¡± ¡°Move it, and don¡¯t force the brothers to take action!¡± After Jaxen Brandon made his stance clear, these scions approached Julius Reed with mocking faces. ¡°Hurry up! Kneel down and apologize to Mr. Brandon!¡± ¡°You piece of trash, what are you showing off for? Now you¡¯ve dragged us all i-hie ¡°Exactly, a jinx, a good-for-nothing!¡± Seeing things going south, members of the Radcliffe Family immediately turned their backs on Julius Reed, eager to disassociate themselves from him at the first opportunity. ¡°Julius, what do we do¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe put down her glass, her face turning pale. ¡°Why don¡¯t I call Grandpa and ask him to help us?¡± In the current situation, only Zade Radcliffe might still be of some use. But would he offend the Brandon Family for her? ¡°Miss, why did you put down your glass? You haven¡¯t yet toasted to me!¡± Jaxen Brandon eyed Quella Radcliffe, a curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. He had to admit, Quella Radcliffe was truly stunning, especially today in her goose-yellow dress that made her stand out even more. ¡°Do you know why Silas Cook suffered so terribly?¡± Julius Reed stood up, the smile gradually fading from his face. ¡°Because he dared to make my woman toast,¡± he said. No sooner had he finished speaking than a chilling aura burst out from him. ¡°It seems you won¡¯t cry until you see the coffin!¡± Jaxen Brandon said sternly, ¡°I will break your limbs and make you crawl on the ground, watching her toast to me!¡± In Gonzalez City, everyone would nod and bow at the sight of him. But today at the Azure Percival, someone dared to disrespect him! Jaxen Brandon was fuming inside! Fueled by alcohol, he acted even more recklessly, confident that the Brandon Family would fix anything he did. ¡°Shall we try?¡± Julius Reed chuckled softly, suddenly picked up a beer bottle, and smashed it onto the head of the nearest young man. ¡°Julius!¡± Quella Radcliffe exclaimed. If Julius Reed started a fight, then there would be no chance of turning things around. ¡°Beat him to death! I¡¯ll take the fall!¡± Jaxen Brandon¡¯s brow furrowed, anger rising in his heart. To strike someone before him was truly a death wish! Bang! Just then, the door to the private room was kicked open for the third time. ¡°Who the hell is causing a ruckus during Mr. Brandon¡¯s business!¡± One of the young men turned around and yelled towards the doorway. Now, completely fearless with alcohol in their system, they were afraid of neither heaven nor earth. ¡°How dare you talk to Aaron Martin like that!¡± From among the newcomers, a burly man stepped forward and single-handedly lifted the young man. ¡°Better mind your tongue in the future, or I might just break your neck!¡± The burly man, both strong and muscular, held the young man aloft as effortlessly as an eagle clutching a chick, frightening him into a cold sweat. ¡°Jabari, let him go!¡± The man leading the newcomers straightened his tie and waved a dismissive hand. ¡°Scram!¡± With a forceful shove, Jabari knocked the young man to the ground. ¡°Dominating Tiger? Are you here for revenge on behalf of Silas Cook?¡± Jaxen Brandon turned around and realized that the person standing at the door was none other than Aron Jackson¡¯s assistant, Dominating Tiger.. Chapter 20 - Chapter 20: Chapter 19 Is My Face Enough?_l Chapter 20: Chapter 19 Is My Face Enough?_l Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Silas Cook is one of Aaron Martin¡¯s men; everyone in Gonzalez City knows that behind Aaron Martin stands Aron Jackson. Now, Silas Cook has been severely injured, and Aaron Martin has come with his men, angry and menacing. Jaxen Brandon subconsciously believed he was here to avenge Silas Cook. Even the members of the Radcliffe Clan thought the same. Aaron Martin¡ªthe very existence who kills without batting an eye! The clan members looked at each other, seeing only despair and helplessness in each other¡¯s eyes. Just for having a meal, what kind of deity have they provoked? But now, they simply couldn¡¯t leave! ¡°Mr. Brandon is here too?¡± Aaron Martin took off his sunglasses, walked over with a smile, and extended a hand. ¡°When Aaron Martin¡¯s man is beaten, naturally, I, Jaxen Brandon, can¡¯t just stand by!¡± Jaxen Brandon stood up from his chair, shook hands with Aaron Martin, and then sat back down. Although Aaron Martin had a big reputation, in the end, he wasn¡¯t on the same level as Jaxen Brandon, who didn¡¯t need to be too polite to him. ¡°I almost took revenge for you, Aaron Martin! Just in time, you can witness it yourself! ¡± Jaxen Brandon took out a cigarette, and immediately someone behind him lit it for him. ¡°Aaron Martin, want one?¡± He looked at Aaron Martin with interest. Jaxen Brandon also wanted to get involved in some gray industries, but with Aron Jackson around, it wasn¡¯t convenient for him to do so. Winning over Aaron Martin was something he had thought about more than once. Today was a rare opportunity. ¡°Thank you for the kind offer, Mr. Brandon, but I only smoke the cigarettes given to me by Aron Jackson,¡± Aaron Martin said with a smile as he declined. ¡°Fine! Whenever you¡¯re interested, Aaron Martin, just come and find me!¡± Jaxen Brandon nodded his head and said nothing more. It¡¯s no rush to win over someone like Aaron Martin. ¡°Aaron Martin, it¡¯s this young man who injured Silas Cook so badly.¡± Jaxen Brandon pointed at Julius Reed. ¡°In front of Aaron Martin, break both of his legs for me first!¡± ¡®Yes!¡± A few young men rolled up their sleeves and walked over to Julius Reed. ¡°Hold on!¡± Just then, Aaron Martin stood up and slowly walked over to Silas Cook. ¡°Now Julius Reed is as good as dead!¡± ¡°Offending Jaxen Brandon and Aaron Martin at the same time, he really thinks he has too long a life!¡± ¡°If things go wrong, Quella Radcliffe might get dragged down too!¡± The Radcliffe family members were gloating, their faces filled with mockery. Jaxen Brandon also had the look of someone watching a show. Aaron Martin was known to be ruthless and merciless. This time, his own man had been beaten, he certainly wouldn¡¯t let it go easily. ¡°Did you have a conflict with him?¡± Aaron Martin asked coldly. However, to the ears of others, something felt off. Does it matter who had the conflict with whom? What¡¯s important is that one of Aaron Martin¡¯s men has been beaten¡ªand beaten very badly! ¡°Aaron Martin, I¡­¡± Bang! Before Silas Cook could finish speaking, Aaron Martin kicked him! Spurt! The kick was powerful, directly causing Silas Cook to spit out blood. The private room fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was stunned, unable to comprehend what had just happened. ¡°Aaron Martin, what do you mean by this?¡± Jaxen Brandon frowned, dropping his cigarette to the ground. Silas Cook was already seriously injured, why would Aaron Martin give him an extra kick? And the force of it was so strong! ¡°My subordinate was blind and disturbed Brother Reed. Please forgive us!¡± Aaron Martin ignored Jaxen Brandon and ¡®thump¡¯, knelt in front of Julius Reed! Everyone¡¯s eyeballs nearly popped out! Gonzalez City Dominating Tiger, Aron Jackson¡¯s top assistant! To think he had to kneel before a useless good-for-nothing today! ¡°Aaron Martin, what do you mean by this?¡± Jaxen Brandon hurriedly stood up from his chair and quickly walked to Dominating Tiger¡¯s side. ¡°Get up, you weren¡¯t aware of this matter, I won¡¯t blame you!¡± Julius Reed waved his hand, and Dominating Tiger immediately stood up. ¡°What are you staring at? Drag this trash out for me, quick!¡± Having been forgiven by Julius Reed, Dominating Tiger seemed greatly relieved. With a wave of his hand, several people immediately rushed up and dragged Silas Cook away. Although he wasn¡¯t clear about the relation between Julius Reed and Aron Jackson, the fact that Aron Jackson had acted personally meant it was definitely no small matter! ¡°Aaron Martin, is he someone you know?¡± Jaxen Brandon¡¯s face darkened, and his tone also became unpleasant. ¡°This Brother Reed is a friend of our Aron Jackson. My subordinates were blind and offended Brother Reed. It¡¯s his good fortune not to have been beaten to death!¡± After speaking, Dominating Tiger walked directly over to Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe¡¯s side. ¡°Bro, sister-in-law, I¡¯ll escort you home.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe hadn¡¯t completely understood what was going on. That was Dominating Tiger after all! To actually kneel to her husband! She turned her head to look at Julius Reed and saw a smile all over his face. As if he had expected this all along. ¡°Wait a second!¡± Jaxen Brandon¡¯s gaze turned frosty. ¡°Since Silas Cook¡¯s issue has been settled, shouldn¡¯t we settle our own scores His ice-cold eyes looked towards Julius Reed, and he tightly clenched his hands together. To openly insult him, Jaxen Brandon, was a first for Julius Reed! If he didn¡¯t teach Julius Reed a lesson, he¡¯d become the laughingstock of the whole Gonzalez City! ¡°I told you before, ¡®my face is something you can¡¯t afford!¡¯¡± Julius Reed simply smiled, his eyes brimming with disdain. ¡°Mr. Brandon, consider it a favor for me, Dominating Tiger, and let this go for today!¡± Dominating Tiger looked at Jaxen Brandon with a resolute expression. His, Jaxen Brandon¡¯s, influence might be great, but it didn¡¯t compare to the pressure of Aron Jackson! ¡°Don¡¯t think that just because you have Dominating Tiger backing you, you can talk to me like that!¡± Jaxen Brandon pointed at Julius Reed, enunciating every word. ¡°Today, no one¡¯s face will do, you must leave your legs behind! ¡± No sooner had he spoken, than the young men gathered around. ¡°What if I insist on protecting him!¡± Dominating Tiger stood in front of Julius Reed with an equally somber expression. Today, even if it cost him his life, he had to protect Julius Reed. Otherwise, if Aron Jackson got angry, he wouldn¡¯t have a peaceful life! The death of Black Bear was vivid in Dominating Tiger¡¯s mind! ¡°Is Aaron Martin intentionally opposing me?¡± Jaxen Brandon looked up, his face growing darker. ¡°I respect you by calling you Aaron Martin. But if I don¡¯t, what are you!¡± Whoosh! The people following Dominating Tiger immediately charged over, confronting the youths. The smell of gunpowder grew thicker, as both sides were on the verge of clashing, ready to ignite. Quella Radcliffe was utterly terrified. When had she ever seen such a scene? ¡°Dominating Tiger, your face isn¡¯t worth enough!¡± Jaxen Brandon gestured grandly. ¡°Anyone who dares to stop me will be beaten to death!¡± But just then¡­ Bang! The private room¡¯s door was kicked open for the fourth time! A man dressed in white walked in slowly, calm-faced, carrying a bit of a gentleman¡¯s air, yet also subtly exuding ruthlessness. ¡°Jaxen Brandon, I wonder if my face is worth enough?¡± Chapter 21 - Chapter 21: Chapter 20 Someone_l Chapter 21: Chapter 20 Someone_l Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation In Gonzalez City, the most feared person wasn¡¯t Ovidiu Cook, the local tycoon who controlled Titan Group, nor the thriving Brandon Family. It was Aron Jackson, the elusive dragon. The former two were public figures, constrained and cautious in their actions. But Aron Jackson was different, he acted on his own whims. Three years ago, he caused such a stir in Gonzalez City and yet no one questioned it, a fact that was highly thought-provoking. ¡°Boss!¡± Upon seeing Aron Jackson, Dominating Tiger bowed deeply and quickly stepped forward. Now, even a fool could guess the identity of the man in white. ¡°Aron Jackson, what brings you here?¡± Upon seeing the man in white, Jaxen Brandon squinted his eyes and then smilingly walked over, extending a hand, ¡°I¡¯m Jaxen Brandon. In Gonzalez City, no need for introductions, right?¡± Jaxen Brandon was the eldest son of the Brandon Family, the premier young master of Gonzalez City. Facing Aron Jackson, he showed no fear. Even in his tone, there was a hint of scorn. Jaxen Brandon¡¯s father was Damian Brandon, a renowned entrepreneur in Gonzalez City. Over the years, he had spread his connections widely, weaving an incredibly vast local network. He was a man of great strength. However, Aron Jackson did not even bother to shake his proffered hand, let alone say a word. He treated him like air, completely ignoring him. ¡°Aron Jackson, I know you have a big name, but do you think you can act so high and mighty before me?¡± Jaxen Brandon¡¯s face darkened as he awkwardly withdrew his right hand, speaking in a very dissatisfied tone, ¡°I¡¯m giving you face, don¡¯t you be shameless!¡± The Brandon Family was both rich and powerful, would he fear a mere thug? In an instant, the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder. Inside the private room, everyone held their breath, not even daring to blink. ¡°Presumptuous youth!¡± Aron Jackson turned around, pointing at Jaxen Brandon¡¯s nose, ¡°In Gonzalez City, even Damian Brandon has to be polite to me. Who do you think you are!¡± Hiss! Within the private room, members of the Radcliffe Clan drew a sharp breath! To talk to Jaxen Brandon like that? Aron Jackson was indeed a ruthless character! ¡°How can you speak to Mr. Brandon like that?¡± Before Jaxen Brandon could speak, a young man stepped out from behind him. The young man glared at Aron Jackson, ¡°Apologize!¡± His name was Yancy Davenport, his family owned a chain of shopping malls. He was always close to Jaxen Brandon due to his adeptness at flattery, making him the latter¡¯s most loyal lackey. ¡°Aron Jackson, consider apologizing to Mr. Brandon. Maybe you can maintain some dignity before my father, but that¡¯s just superficial courtesy. You should be clear about your own weight,¡± said Jaxen Brandon, laughing as he pulled out a cigarette from his chest. His followers immediately lit the cigarette for him. Clutching the smoke, Jaxen Brandon said nonchalantly, ¡°Yancy Davenport, from today onward, I¡¯ve got you covered in Gonzalez City. You are my, Jaxen Brandon¡¯s¡­¡± Smack! Before Jaxen Brandon could finish his sentence, Aron Jackson slapped Yancy Davenport, flipping him to the ground. Awkward. This was a slap in Jaxen Brandon¡¯s face! At that moment, Jaxen Brandon¡¯s hand holding the cigarette trembled. His face instantly turned red. Enraged, he threw the cigarette to the ground and crushed it with his foot! ¡°Yancy Davenport, get up! Hit him back!¡± Jaxen Brandon completely lost his temper. That slap humiliated him! ¡°Yes, Mr. Brandon!¡± Yancy Davenport, holding his face, looked furiously at Aron Jackson. ¡°Dominating Tiger, make him understand!¡± Aron Jackson spoke indifferently. It seemed he had been too low-key lately, to the point a mere scion of the Brandon Family dared to challenge him. The Brandon Family, Aron Jackson never really cared, Damian Brandon was but an easy kill. ¡°Yes!¡± Dominating Tiger took large strides over, lifting Yancy Davenport with one hand. The sudden movement scared Yancy Davenport witless. ¡°Dominating Tiger! Put him down! Or I¡¯ll have you all killed! Don¡¯t you know the reach of the Brandon Family?¡± After regaining his senses, Jaxen Brandon¡¯s voice was uncommonly cold. Yancy Davenport was sticking up for himself; if anything untoward happened today, he¡¯d truly lose all face. If he couldn¡¯t even protect his own lackey, what would that make him, the top bachelor of Gonzalez City? Moreover, the words just spoken were still ringing in their ears! ¡°Daring to insult our boss is courting death!¡± Dominating Tiger showed no intention of releasing his hold. Just like that, he held Yancy Davenport suspended in the air. ¡°Don¡¯t get too carried away!¡± Jaxen Brandon roared, veins bulging on his face. Both of his fists were tightly clenched together. Aron Jackson moved his fingers, glanced at Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe, and then said calmly, ¡°Today, let¡¯s avoid a fatality.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Thump! As soon as Dominating Tiger loosened his grip, Yancy Davenport immediately crashed to the ground. If it had been half a minute later, he might have really suffocated to death. Bang! But even before he could catch his breath, Aron Jackson suddenlv lashed out with a kick! The kick was mighty, sending Yancy Davenport flying straight into the wall behind him. Aron Jackson pointed at Julius Reed, his voice cold: ¡°This is my friend. Whoever touches him, dies.¡± No sooner had he spoken than the whole room fell silent. ¡°Aron Jackson, are you opposing me today for his sake?¡± Jaxen Brandon narrowed his eyes, his expression dark as water! What was the background of this son-in- law of the Radcliffe Family? Wasn¡¯t he the loser from the rumors? Aron Jackson had dominated Gonzalez City for three years, seldom showing himself in person. But today, unexpectedly, he took action for a so-called loser? ¡°Correct!¡± Aron Jackson nodded, slowly walking up to Julius Reed. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m half a step late.¡± ¡°If you hadn¡¯t come, they¡¯d be dead.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, not taking the Brandon Family into account at all: ¡°Those who should be worried are them, not you.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t help but worry.¡± For the first time, Aron Jackson showed a smile, revealing white teeth. The simple exchange left many baffled. Especially the Radcliffe Clan and the internal staff of the Titan Group. Hadn¡¯t Julius Reed been a reclusive son-in-law for three years? Wasn¡¯t he just an incompetent who could only cook? How did he come to know Aron Jackson? And looking at their conversation, they seemed to be old friends! ¡°Husband, you two¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe blinked, her words trailing off. Although she was curious, the key was to leave safely at the moment. After all, they had offended Jaxen Brandon! ¡°It¡¯s okay, you don¡¯t need to worry. In this Gonzalez City, I am the sky.¡± Julius Reed reassured Quella Radcliffe with a smile. To Jaxen Brandon, watching this scene was sheer mockery. Flirting openly in front of Jaxen Brandon, treating him as if he didn¡¯t exist? ¡°Aron Jackson, you want to protect him? Coincidentally, today I, this young master, am set on ruining him!¡± Jaxen Brandon pointed at Julius Reed: ¡°You want to leave? You can, but crawl from the private room to the hotel entrance on your knees! Otherwise, I will help you!¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have the capability to do that.¡± Aron Jackson turned around, his demeanor once again becoming indifferent. ¡°You¡¯re overconfident, Aron Jackson!¡± Enraged until he laughed, Jaxen Brandon pointed at Aron Jackson and sneered: ¡°You really think staying in Gonzalez City for a few years makes you invincible? Let me tell you, I am determined to curb your arrogance today!¡± After speaking, he pulled out his phone, furiously dialing: ¡°Uncle Leopold, I¡¯ve encountered some trouble at Azure Percival!¡± ¡°Dad, I and Mr. Brandon are surrounded by people at Azure Percival!¡± ¡°Big brother, I¡¯ve run into a situation here¡­¡± In an instant, the wealthy young men behind Jaxen Brandon all pulled out their phones, calling for reinforcements. They were the scions of rich families in Gonzalez City and knew plenty of people in their usual circles. ¡°Call everyone you can. I detest trouble; I¡¯ll settle all your scores at once!¡± Grabbing a chair, Aron Jackson sat down, crossed his legs in a leisurely manner, and while holding a cigarette in his mouth, watched Jaxen Brandon with a grin.. Chapter 22 - Chapter 22: 21st Chapter: I’ve Put Up With You for a Long Time 1 Chapter 22: 21st Chapter: I¡¯ve Put Up With You for a Long Time 1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Aron Jackson had been in Gonzalez City for three years, but he had not come into conflict with the local elite. For one, it was unnecessary and very troublesome, as he had to protect Julius Reed. Secondly, with Ovidiu Cook suppressing things on the surface, the rest couldn¡¯t stir up any significant trouble. Moreover, these wealthy families had all chosen to befriend him, with no conflicts of interest arising. Even the Brandon Family kept to their own, coexisting with a tacit understanding. Therefore, Jaxen Brandon harbored a misconception, believing that all of Aron Jackson¡¯s activities were illicit and could not compare with the Brandon Family. His family was undoubtedly the true king of Gonzalez City! In recent years, having run rampant in Gonzalez City unopposed, he had never suffered a setback, thus he was extremely arrogant. Today, having had his face smacked, Jaxen Brandon had to reclaim his reputation. Currently, the most uncomfortable were the members of the Radcliffe Clan. They wanted to leave but couldn¡¯t, only able to sit there trembling with fear. First, Jaxen Brandon, the top young master of Gonzalez City, appeared in the private room, and now Aron Jackson had also shown up. These figures, who were usually only talked about, were now vividly present before them. And upon meeting, they almost came to blows. Quella Radcliffe stood beside Julius Reed, clutching his arms tightly, already frightened beyond measure. ¡°Everyone!¡± Just then, the door to the private room was gently pushed open. ¡°I am the owner of Azure Percival, Ludo Cook.¡± Ludo Cook, holding a glass of wine, said with a smile, ¡°Having learned that Mr. Brandon and Aron Jackson are both visiting my establishment, I am tremendously honored! I would like to offer a toast to both of you, and I hope you will honor me by accepting it!¡± Having said that, he gently raised his glass. The servers behind him poured the wine, placing it on trays and presenting it to the two men. ¡°So, it¡¯s Boss Cook! My father often mentions you¡ªpleased to meet you!¡± Jaxen Brandon picked up the glass and drained it in one gulp. Ludo Cook was the younger brother of Ovidiu Cook, the wealthiest man in Gonzalez City, owning not only the Azure Percival Hotel but also several five-star restaurants. Though his assets didn¡¯t match his brother¡¯s, his connections were quite extensive. Moreover, whenever Ovidiu Cook¡¯s Titan Group went out to dine, they would certainly choose this place. Unseen, Ludo Cook had made connections with many high-ranking officials and people from various walks of life. It could be said that Ludo Cook also held a significant reputation in Gonzalez City. Being toasted personally by today¡¯s host made Jaxen Brandon feel very honored. ¡°Aron Jackson?¡± Ludo Cook looked towards Aron Jackson with a smile. Jaxen Brandon had already drunk, and now it was Aron Jackson¡¯s turn. ¡°Cheers! ¡± Aron Jackson picked up the glass and downed the contents in one go. He was acquainted with Ludo Cook and did so as a gesture of respect. ¡°With both of you gathered here today, I am greatly honored! And since it happens to be Mr. Brandon¡¯s birthday, consider this meal on the house! All expenses waived!¡± Ludo Cook turned towards Jaxen Brandon, smiling slightly. This meal would cost at least a million, and although the Brandon Family didn¡¯t lack money, it was still a significant gesture of goodwill. This truly gave Jaxen Brandon face. ¡°Boss Cook, you¡¯re too kind! But let¡¯s keep things separate, I am a businessman. The money that should be paid, I, young master Brandon, will not owe you a dime!¡± Although Jaxen Brandon never cared about money, with Ludo Cook giving him such respect, he was elated. The young people present were all affluent youths of Gonzalez City. Once word of this got out, Jaxen Brandon¡¯s reputation was sure to soar. However, the next words from Ludo Cook dampened his spirits. ¡°Mr. Brandon, it¡¯s your birthday; surely you want to be happy. Let¡¯s put today¡¯s matter to rest! Everyone can compromise a little, and consider it making a new friend!¡± Ludo Cook had already received a report from Tobias Percival and knew that the two hottest figures in Gonzalez City were causing a stir at his hotel; how could he ignore it? He knew Jaxen Brandon¡¯s character very well¡ªarrogant and overbearing. He certainly wouldn¡¯t let things go easily. As for Aron Jackson, how could he possibly yield to a youngster? With no choice, he had to come out as the mediator. ¡°Boss Cook, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t respect you, but Aron Jackson is going a bit too far!¡± Jaxen Brandon licked his lips, looked at Aron Jackson, and snorted softly, ¡°Some people have been comfortable for too long, thinking that the whole world owes them respect! But what does he really amount to?¡± Ludo Cook¡¯s brows furrowed, sensing trouble. Jaxen Brandon was used to throwing his weight around all day, with little interaction with these underground forces, much like the fearless naivety of a newborn calf. But Aron Jackson was not so easily provoked! ¡°No need for further discussion! Today, Aron Jackson can leave, but this person must stay behind!¡± Jaxen Brandon pointed at Julius Reed, his eyes filled with raging fury! ¡°Then let¡¯s see if you¡¯ve got what it takes!¡± Julius Reed grabbed Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand and said with a smile, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°You dare!¡± Jaxen Brandon¡¯s face darkened, and his men immediately blocked the doorway. ¡°Those who block me, die.¡± Julius Reed said with a faint smile, pulling Quella Radcliffe toward the doorway. Behind them, members of Dominating Tiger immediately formed a human barrier, keeping Jaxen Brandon¡¯s men to the side. ¡°Julius, I¡­ ¡® Quella Radcliffe was somewhat afraid; she had never seen such a scene before. ¡°You might as well call me ¡®husband¡¯; it would be better.¡± Julius Reed said with a faint smile, wrapping his arm around her and continuing to walk forward. ¡°Attack! ¡± Jaxen Brandon gritted his teeth, his voice almost a roar! Upon hearing this, Quella Radcliffe visibly trembled and stood still, not daring to move. The Brandon Family, she simply couldnt afford to provoke them. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid!¡± Julius Reed patted her head and whispered, ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± The young men beside them immediately rushed forward to confront Aron Jackson¡¯s men. Bang! Just then, the private room door was once again pushed open. Many people flooded in. Following the first wave of people, more came in dribs and drabs. These were all people called by the young masters to support Jaxen Brandon. Fortunately, the emperor¡¯s room was big enough to accommodate over a hundred people. ¡°Nephew, what¡¯s going on! ¡± A brawny man came to the young man¡¯s side and asked, known as Flower Snake. He had been doing quite well these past years. Having received a call from his nephew, he came rushing over with his followers without any questions. ¡°Someone with no eyes offended Mr. Brandon, and I¡¯d like to ask for your help!¡± A young man said with a smile. ¡°Brother Flower Snake, I¡¯ve heard of your name!¡± Jaxen Brandon went over to shake hands with Flower Snake, his face full of smiles. ¡°I¡¯m curious to see which blind bastard dared to offend Mr. Brandon!¡± Flower Snake bellowed, looking around. ¡°Flower Snake, you¡¯ve been doing quite well recently, even daring to call me ¡®bastard¡¯!¡± Aron Jackson came over with his hands behind his back, smiling at Flower Snake. ¡°Aron¡­ Aron Jackson!¡± Flower Snake¡¯s eyes bulged, and his legs began to tremble uncontrollably. Others might not know how fearsome Aron Jackson was, but he knew it all too well. Back then, Flower Snake¡¯s own brother had been beaten to death by Aron Jackson, which is why he led his brothers to pledge allegiance to Aron Jackson. ¡°Weren¡¯t you saying you were going to kill me just now?¡± Aron Jackson walked up to Flower Snake and gently patted his face, ¡°Open your eyes wide and look carefully! This is my elder brother, this is my sister-in-law. Whoever dares to trouble them in Gonzalez City, I¡¯ll dig up his ancestor¡¯s grave!¡± In front of half of Gonzalez City¡¯s bigwigs, he addressed Julius Reed as elder brother and Quella Radcliffe as sister-in-law, shocking everyone! Especially Quella Radcliffe, who was utterly bewildered. She couldn¡¯t accept everything that had happened today. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± With Quella Radcliffe still there, Julius Reed didn¡¯t want to make a big scene. ¡°Stop right there!¡± Slap! Before Jaxen Brandon could finish speaking, Julius Reed slapped him across the face! ¡°I¡¯ve tolerated you for a long time!¡± He stared at Jaxen Brandon, his eyes flashing with a cold glint.. Chapter 23 - Chapter 23: Chapter 22 Defeat Fire_l Chapter 23: Chapter 22 Defeat Fire_l Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The fearless Jaxen Brandon, now, was actually shivering with cold. In his opponent¡¯s eyes, he thought he saw a torrent of murderous intent. But soon, he realized he had lost his composure. This was in front of half of Gonzalez City¡¯s elite, and he had been slapped across the face! Thinking of the group behind him, Jaxen Brandon¡¯s anger flared. ¡°Kill him for me!¡± His gaze was dark, the left side of his face visibly swelling from the slap. From childhood to adult, it had always been Jaxen Brandon hitting others. Being struck by someone was a first for him today! And it was a slap to the face, in front of so many young nobles of Gonzalez City! Whoosh! A number of youths immediately charged forward, clashing once more with Aron Jackson¡¯s men. Just as conflict was about to erupt again, another group of people burst in through the door. These people were uniformly dressed, obviously well-trained bodyguards. ¡°Uncle Leopold!¡± Seeing the newcomers, the corners of Jaxen Brandon¡¯s mouth slightly curled into a smile. Uncle Leopold, named Cash Leopold, managed affairs for the Brandon Family. In his early years, he had been a martial artist of great renown, especially famous for his signature move, the Vajra Kick, which had swept away many fighters. The Brandon Family employed him ten years ago for a hefty sum. Facing the allure of money, Cash Leopold bowed and became the Brandon Family¡¯s fiercest hound. Over the years, many of the Brandon Family¡¯s dirty deeds had been handled by Cash Leopold. His name alone struck fear in many, and people kept their distance from this man, known for his Vajra Kick technique. So, with Cash Leopold¡¯s arrival, Jaxen Brandon felt fully confident. You, Aron Jackson, have a reputation? Today, Jaxen Brandon will take you down a notch and let everyone know who is the true king of Gonzalez City! ¡°Young master, what happened to your face?¡± Seeing Jaxen Brandon¡¯s swollen face, Cash Leopold¡¯s expression darkened as he asked sharply, ¡°Who dares to offend our young master?¡± Having worked for the Brandon Family for ten years, he was well aware of the family¡¯s capabilities. It wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration to say there was no one in Gonzalez City bold enough to offend the Brandon Family. No matter what your status is, you must show the Brandon Family respect. ¡°Uncle Leopold, someone in Gonzalez City dared to hit this young master¡¯s face. What do you think should be done?¡± Jaxen Brandon rubbed his swollen cheek, his face carrying a playful expression. ¡°Naturally, chop off his hands and beat him to death while he¡¯s still alive!¡± Cash Leopold answered coldly. Hiss! Upon hearing his words, everyone gasped in shock. That was too ruthless! But if you think about it, it made sense. Who wouldn¡¯t be courting death by daring to strike Jaxen Brandon? ¡°Then please, Uncle Leopold, make your move!¡± Jaxen Brandon pointed at Julius Reed and his voice suddenly turned cold, ¡°He¡¯s the one who dared to hit this young master¡¯s face in public!¡± Slap! Before Jaxen Brandon could finish speaking, Julius Reed backhanded him with another slap! ¡°Remember, after I¡¯ve hit your left cheek, offer your right cheek to me!¡± The air became incredibly still. Everyone¡¯s eyes were filled with disbelief. Quella Radcliffe mechanically twisted her neck to look at Julius Reed beside her. Striking Jaxen Brandon, and not just once! Just how arrogant could one be! Members of the Radcliffe Clan covered their mouths with their hands, their heartbeats racing. If the Brandon Family flew into a rage, they would undoubtedly be implicated! ¡°You¡­ you dare hit me again?¡± Jaxen Brandon¡¯s eyes bulged, his breathing becoming more and more labored! His mouth¡¯s muscles twitched uncontrollably, and he was seething with fury! Never before had anyone dared to strike him, yet here was someone who had slapped him twice in a row! ¡°Looking for death!¡± Cash Leopold finally snapped out of his shock, and his left hand reached forward to grab at Julius Reed¡¯s neck! This grasp was so strong that it could even crush his throat! ¡°Be careful!¡± Quella Radcliffe had just begun to warn when Cash Leopold¡¯s hand had already reached Julius Reed¡¯s throat. In that moment, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s heart was instantly suspended, her mouth agape, her eyes filled with despair. It was only now that she realized how much she cared for Julius Reed. The husband she had once looked down on had long been deeply embedded in her heart. In just a few seconds, many thoughts flashed through Quella Radcliffe¡¯s mind, but in the end, she could only shout one sentence. ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Just when Cash Leopold¡¯s hand was less than a centimeter away from Julius Reed¡¯s neck, Julius Reed suddenly retracted his body and swung both fists upward fiercely! The immense force sent Cash Leopold¡¯s hands flying and his figure slightly unsteady. ¡°Courting death!¡± Aron Jackson also reacted, stepping forward swiftly and arriving in front of Cash Leopold in the blink of an eye. ¡°Aron Jackson?¡± Cash Leopold immediately recognized Aron Jackson, being the Brandon Family¡¯s steward, he was very familiar with everyone. When Aron Jackson first arrived in Gonzalez City three years ago, the two had already had interactions. However, there had been no conflict between the Brandon Family and Aron Jackson since then, in all of three years. But why was Aron Jackson here today? At this thought, Cash Leopold¡¯s heart sank. Could it be that today¡¯s incident was also related to Aron Jackson? ¡°You, surnamed Leopold, are playing with fire today!¡± Aron Jackson clenched his fists, flames seemingly about to shoot from his eyes. Daring to make a move on Julius Reed was simply suicidal! ¡°What do you mean by this, Aron Jackson?¡± Cash Leopold was utterly baffled and asked in a deep voice, ¡°Our families have always been at peace, so why do you say such words today?¡± Both the Brandon Family and Aron Jackson were among the top figures of Gonzalez City and naturally would not engage in conflict lightly. Because if a war broke out between the two, not only would both sides be injured, it could also greatly weaken their forces. ¡°You dare to touch my people!¡± Aron Jackson looked at Julius Reed and spoke, ¡°Big brother, are you alright?¡± Just now, Julius Reed had slapped Jaxen Brandon twice, and everyone had been too slow to react. Cash Leopold had even suddenly made a move, and had Julius Reed not responded quickly, he would likely be dead on the spot right now. ¡°Such a man can¡¯t hurt me!¡± Julius Reed shook his head, confidence shining in his eyes. ¡°Now, it¡¯s time to settle accounts with you!¡± Aron Jackson stretched out his arms, and his minions immediately scattered. ¡°Aron Jackson, could there be some misunderstanding?¡± Although Cash Leopold was seething with hatred inside, he still suppressed his anger. He was just a servant of the Brandon Family and could not bear the consequences of a conflict with Aron Jackson. Jaxen Brandon was the young master, and it was normal for him not to be aware of Aron Jackson¡¯s prowess. But how could he himself be unaware of how formidable Aron Jackson was? Even the father of Jaxen Brandon held some apprehension towards him. ¡°Uncle Leopold, you teach them a lesson for me! Do they really think they can act so arrogant just because someone calls them Aron Jackson?¡± Jaxen Brandon was already irritated at being on the losing side since they had entered the private room. Now with Cash Leopold by his side, he was eager for revenge. ¡°Did you hear that? Your young master is telling you to make a move, come on, Cash Leopold, don¡¯t disappoint me!¡± Aron Jackson stepped back and took a fighting stance. ¡°This¡­¡± Cash Leopold was extremely troubled, unsure of what to do! Was he really to offend Aron Jackson? ¡°Uncle Leopold, snuff out their arrogance! And that person who slapped me, kill him too!¡± Jaxen Brandon commanded from the side. His face was already swollen, and his anger was growing larger. ¡°Calm down, cool off a bit!¡± Just then, Julius Reed grabbed a bottle of beer from the table and, smiling, poured it over Jaxen Brandon¡¯s head.. Chapter 24 - Chapter 24: Chapter 23 Looking Downstairs_l Chapter 24: Chapter 23 Looking Downstairs_l Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Insulted over and over again, even a clay Buddha has three points of anger. Let alone the scion of the all-powerful Brandon Family. Yet those present had become somewhat numb, even if Julius Reed killed Jaxen Brandon at this moment, they wouldn¡¯t find it too excessive. Because before this, Julius Reed had done too many things they wouldn¡¯t even dare to imagine. ¡°Die!¡± Unable to endure any further, Cash Leopold once again attempted to kill Julius Reed with ferocity! If he didn¡¯t do something about the humiliation of the young master of the Brandon Family right in front of his eyes, he might be scolded to death by the Brandon Family upon his return. The Diamond Leg swept across, bringing a sharp whistling through the air! Bang! In this critical moment, Aron Jackson lunged forward, his elbows forcefully striking Cash Leopold¡¯s leg! After a brief clash, both men took several steps back. ¡°Come again!¡± Cash Leopold¡¯s Diamond Leg was long-renowned, but in the recent clash, he hadn¡¯t gained any advantage at all! He had no reservations now; conflict had already erupted, and there were members of the Brandon Family to handle the fallout. He had wanted to test his skill against Aron Jackson for three years now but had never found the opportunity! And once they fought, he believed he would have an absolute advantage. With this thought, Cash Leopold narrowed his eyes and swept his right leg out! Aron Jackson also narrowed his eyes, his hands chopping down forcefully! Boom! This blow was even more powerful, and Aron Jackson faintly felt numbness in his palms, while Cash Leopold¡¯s right leg also trembled slightly. ¡°My wife is here today, so let¡¯s all take a step back,¡± Julius Reed glanced at the two men and said indifferently, ¡°However, this matter isn¡¯t settled, and I will be sure to pay a visit later!¡± With those words, he wrapped his arm around the nearly petrified Quella Radcliffe and walked towards the exit. ¡°Stop him!¡± Jaxen Brandon glared furiously, beer dripping down from his hair incessantly. At this moment, his rage had reached its peak! Cash Leopold was right here, and nearly a hundred people had come from the Brandon Family. Together with his own gang, there were more than two hundred people! He had made up his mind that today, he had to make Julius Reed¡¯s life worse than death! Yet Cash Leopold wasn¡¯t of the same opinion; the conflict with Aron Jackson had already been unexpected. Moreover, Aron Jackson was very skilled and not inferior to himself. If they rashly went to war, it would certainly result in mutual destruction! What the Brandon Family would decide, he wasn¡¯t sure. But offending Aron Jackson was definitely not a scene they wanted to see. Because if there was friction between the two sides, it would inevitably benefit those who sat back and reaped the rewards. But if Jaxen Brandon was hit, was it any different from slapping the Brandon Family¡¯s face? So, Cash Leopold made a decision. He would not affront Aron Jackson but would instead make an example of the man before him! ¡°Seize him for me!¡± Relying on their numerical superiority, Cash Leopold decided to take bold action! What could Aron Jackson do? He wasn¡¯t afraid of him now! The crowd surged forward, blocking the exit thoroughly. The Brandon Family clearly had the upper hand. ¡°Aron Jackson, I respect you as a brother, so I¡¯ll spare you the trouble!¡± Cash Leopold said, hands clasped in a fist: ¡°Leave this man behind, and I¡¯ll let you go! He dared to slap the young master¡¯s face, and he absolutely cannot get away with it!¡± He paused, his voice deepening: ¡°If Aron Jackson insists on opposing me, and these brothers here act without seeing clearly, it could easily tarnish your reputation.¡± This statement was an overt threat. Cash Leopold didn¡¯t believe that Aron Jackson would dare to have an all-out brawl with him with just these few dozen people! ¡°No way! What can Aron Jackson do? Today, he must apologize to me! In front of all the brothers!¡± Jaxen Brandon was already furious, and now seeing the advantage was his, why would he let go of this chance? If he could make Aron Jackson bow down and apologize to him, the prestigious title of the number one person in Gonzalez City would certainly fall onto his own head. To think that no one had made Aron Jackson bow in the past three years. ¡°I¡¯m leaving, and you can¡¯t stop me!¡± Julius Reed turned around and walked towards Jaxen Brandon with a smile. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Jaxen Brandon¡¯s pupils shrank violently, and his heartbeat began to race. Bang! Aron Jackson made his move first, clashing with Cash Leopold! ¡°Protect the young master!¡± Seeing himself ensnared, Cash Leopold hastily called for help. Bang! Before the others could react, Julius Reed landed a punch right on Jaxen Brandon¡¯s nasal bridge! ¡°Aah¡­ After the sound of the breaking nose echoed, Jaxen Brandon stumbled back in pain, blood ceaselessly dripping from his nostrils. ¡°I¡¯m in a good mood today, next time, I won¡¯t spare you!¡± After saying that, Julius Reed turned and headed towards the exit. ¡°You better know your place! ¡± Aron Jackson gave a fierce push, sending Cash Leopold stumbling backward. ¡°Take a look downstairs, then decide whether you want to keep anyone.¡± Aron Jackson pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, and Dominating Tiger immediately lit it for him. ¡°Outside the window?¡± Cash Leopold frowned slightly. When they had arrived, there was nobody downstairs, and he had also dispatched people to guard below. After hesitating for a moment, Cash Leopold walked over to the window and yanked the curtains open! The next moment, his pupils contracted rapidly. Below the Azure Percival building stood many men in black. ¡°Get ready to come up!¡± Aron Jackson sent a message on his phone, then smiled faintly. Five seconds later, the men in black below swiftly returned to their cars and each pulled out a long knife. ¡°This!¡± Even having been through many battles, Cash Leopold couldn¡¯t bear it. When had these people arrived! ¡°Now, can we go?¡± Aron Jackson flicked off the cigarette butt and shouted at Julius Reed, ¡°Big Brother, just go ahead, and if anyone dares to stop you, I¡¯ll have them die under a thousand cuts!¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Julius Reed replied with a faint smile, taking Quella Radcliffe by the arm and striding out. Along the way, all members of the Brandon Family were shoved aside by Dominating Tiger, no one daring to resist. Cash Leopold¡¯s face was like still water. Whether they could leave alive was another matter entirely. He had always heard about how formidable Aron Jackson was, but it wasn¡¯t until he faced him that he truly understood just how terrifying the man was! ¡°What are you dawdling for! Get up there! ¡± Jaxen Brandon was trembling with rage, grabbing a beer bottle and ready to rush over. ¡°Young master, it¡¯s not advisable!¡± Cash Leopold quickly held Jaxen Brandon back, preventing him from acting recklessly. ¡°You motherfucker are just a waste! What¡¯s the use of the Brandon Family raising a dog like you!¡± Jaxen Brandon suddenly turned around, smashing the beer bottle on Cash Leopold¡¯s head. He was extremely furious now. Even with the numerical advantage on his side, why did they still have to let them go? The Brandon Family had a huge influence in Gonzalez City, and as the eldest son of the Brandon Family, how could he endure such humiliation! ¡°Young master, even if I am a dog, I¡¯m a dog working for your best interest!¡± Cash Leopold clenched his teeth tightly, his mouth twitching non-stop. ¡°Take a look by the window, and if you still decide to stop them after looking, I¡¯ll join you!¡± ¡°What could possibly be by the window!¡± Jaxen Brandon pushed him away and quickly walked to the window. Fear made his head buzz, and his anger abated somewhat. ¡°What¡­ What is going on!¡± He pointed downstairs, his eyes filled with disbelief. ¡°If you wish to make a move, I can join you! Cash, though only a dog, will surely not fear death!¡± Cash Leopold said in a deep voice. ¡°This¡­¡± Jaxen Brandon held his head with both hands, staring at the spot where Julius Reed and Aron Jackson and the rest had disappeared, he grabbed a chair from the ground, and in anger, chopped it against the window! ¡°If I don¡¯t avenge this, I swear I¡¯m no human!¡± Chapter 25 - Chapter 25: Chapter 24 Giveaway_l Chapter 25: Chapter 24 Giveaway_l Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Those who had been waiting at the door to watch the spectacle, including Otis Radcliffe and others, found it somewhat inconceivable when they saw Julius Reed dragging Quella Radcliffe out. Silas Cook had been inside for so long, how could these two be completely unscathed? Moreover, within such a short period, a tremendous number of people had poured into the private room. They did want to go in to take a look. But the menacing men in black at the door made them keep their distance. ¡°Brother-in-law, what happened?¡± Wellington Radcliffe was somewhat puzzled. Logically, if Silas Cook personally made a move, Julius Reed should have been beaten black and blue, even if he wasn¡¯t crippled. But no matter how they looked, they only saw smiles on the young couple¡¯s faces. There wasn¡¯t a trace of aggrievement! What they didn¡¯t know was that the person who had been carried out covered in blood was Silas Cook. He was just too badly injured and concealed by clothing, which was why Wellington Radcliffe and the others didn¡¯t recognize him. ¡°I¡¯ll ask Brother Three!¡± Calvin Leopold hesitated, then took out his phone to call Silas Cook. But there was no answer on the other end of the line. ¡°No answer, Brother Three must be busy, I guess!¡± He frowned tightly, feeling that things were not as simple as they seemed. Half an hour had passed since he went in, and what happened during that time piqued their curiosity. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, are you alright?¡± Tess Radcliffe moved closer to ask. She looked carefully but could not detect the slightest hint of panic on their faces. Was there even a touch of happiness? ¡°Do you hope something happened to us?¡± Julius Reed scoffed, then turned to Otis Radcliffe, ¡°President Radcliffe, remember to pay up.¡± This meal was originally proposed by Zade Radcliffe, and it had been declared beforehand that the company would shoulder the expenses. Although they barely had a few bites before encountering these issues, the dishes were ultimately served. ¡°This¡­ Otis Radcliffe stood still, his complexion flickering. The shoddy trick was his doing, and he had sworn to Zade Radcliffe that Azure Percival would definitely not have seats available, which is why Zade had agreed. Although it was the company¡¯s rule to pay for this expense, the Radcliffe Group had never dined at such a lavish place in all these years. This time it was to trick Quella Radcliffe that they made such a promise. Now, with so many people having gone in, the cost was estimated to be several hundred thousand. The thought of this made Otis Radcliffe feel stifled in his chest. He could almost imagine Zade Radcliffe¡¯s thunderous fury and once again cursed Julius Reed many times over in his heart. Defaulting on the payment was out of the question; the company¡¯s payment had been informed to every employee in advance. Otis Radcliffe¡¯s original intent was to kill two birds with one stone, to enrage public sentiment against Quella Radcliffe and to win people¡¯s hearts. But, after playing with eagles for years, he finally had his eyes pecked out by one. ¡°What about them?¡± Otis Radcliffe looked towards the private room, where the Radcliffe Clan members hadn¡¯t come out yet. ¡°They might be dining. Quella Radcliffe and I have some matters to attend to, we¡¯ll be leaving first.¡± Julius Reed took Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand and walked towards the hotel entrance. ¡°Disgusting couple, one day I¡¯ll make your lives worse than death!¡± Otis Radcliffe silently cursed in his heart; today¡¯s incident would definitely incur Zade Radcliffe¡¯s wrath upon him. ¡°Mr. Reed!¡± Just then, Ludo Cook hurried out. ¡°Oh, if it isn¡¯t Boss Cook, what is it?¡± Hearing the call, Julius Reed turned to see Ludo Cook approaching with a quick pace. This man might be Ovidiu Cook¡¯s brother, but he knew nothing about the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance affairs. ¡°Mr. Reed, today¡¯s meal, consider it my treat. It¡¯s on the house!¡± In Ludo Cook¡¯s view, someone who could make Aron Jackson not hesitate to fall out with the Brandon Family must be extraordinary! So he decided to curry favor with Julius Reed by waiving the bill for the meal, which was worth millions. ¡°Really?¡± Otis Radcliffe¡¯s eyes widened, instantly delighted. If Azure Percival really got his meal on the house, he would save himself from explaining it to his grandfather, not to mention avoiding a tongue-lashing. ¡°Of course! Mr. Reed is our honored guest. From now on, you just come by, and I, Cook, won¡¯t charge you a penny!¡± Ludo Cook patted his chest and laughed heartily. Money wasn¡¯t much of a concern to him; connections were key! He had been able to hold his ground in Gonzalez City for so many years, not because of his wealthy elder brother, but because of the network of relationships he had built over the years there. ¡°Thank you so much!¡± Otis Radcliffe hurriedly walked over, reaching out to shake Ludo Cook¡¯s hand: ¡°I am the general manager of the Radcliffe Group. If there¡¯s anything the boss needs help with in the future, just feel free to contact me!¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Ludo Cook smiled perfunctorily, his attention all focused on Julius Reed. Otis Radcliffe was dizzy with this sudden stroke of luck, but Calvin Leopold was not. He stood aside, quickly pondering the situation. Julius Reed was just a son-in-law who had married into the family. What qualifications did he have to get Ludo Cook to waive the bill? One should know that even Zade Radcliffe, the chairman of the Radcliffe Group, didn¡¯t have that kind of clout! In the upper echelons, such favors were only bestowed upon those who were more powerful than oneself. The more Calvin Leopold thought about it, the more he felt something was off. ¡°Boss Cook, you must have decided to do this out of respect for my father. On behalf of my father, I thank you for your kindness!¡± Tess Radcliffe, hearing about Azure Percival¡¯s comped meal, instantly became incredibly smug. She was well aware of Julius Reed¡¯s abilities¡ªa mere good-for-nothing. So after thinking it over, she could only think of Zade Radcliffe. ¡°The bill should reflect the correct amount, Boss Cook is also a businessman.¡± Seeing the members of the Radcliffe Family practically ecstatic, Julius Reed responded with a smile. As soon as he had uttered these words, everyone¡¯s expressions changed. ¡°Julius Reed! Shut your mouth! Do you really think you¡¯re somebody? Let me tell you, if it weren¡¯t for the old man, nobody would even recognize you!¡± Tess Radcliffe was the first to speak up, not bothering to hide the disdain in her eyes. ¡°Exactly, get lost! We¡¯re talking to Boss Cook; what does this have to do with you!¡± Otis Radcliffe¡¯s heart sank, and his tone was equally unpleasant. If he could get the meal comped, it would benefit him greatly. If not, he feared his grandfather would curse him to high heaven. ¡°Actually, Boss Cook was here to talk to Julius. Instead, it seems you¡¯re imposing on him, aren¡¯t you?¡± Quella Radcliffe turned around, facing her sister squarely. From this day forward, she would not allow anyone to bully her husband. ¡°Enough with the noise! Waiter, come and get their bill! If they don¡¯t pay up, they¡¯re not leaving!¡± Ludo Cook waved his hand, and nearly ten security guards immediately surrounded the area. Doing business to this extent, he naturally had a shrewd mind. Seeing everyone¡¯s attitudes just before, Ludo Cook had a pretty good guess in his mind. Since that gentleman wanted to make things difficult for his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ludo Cook was certainly happy to oblige. ¡°Boss, the total is one million two hundred and sixty-eight thousand seven hundred and forty-three yuan.¡± The waiter quickly came over with the bill. ¡°What! Over a million!¡± Otis Radcliffe exclaimed. ¡°Are you robbing us? What did we order!¡± A meal costing several hundred thousand was outrageous enough, over a million was truly shocking to him. ¡°Sir, if you can¡¯t afford it, you shouldn¡¯t come! Azure Percival has been in business for over a decade, always operating honestly! Now you dare to slander us! ¡± Ludo Cook¡¯s face darkened, and he waved his hand: ¡°Show him the bill! And all those smashed bottles and jars, add those to the bill as well!¡± The waiter nodded, typing rapidly on the calculator. ¡°Sir, the total is one million three hundred and forty-seven thousand nine hundred and forty-four yuan.¡± After including the cost of the broken drinks, the waiter handed over the detailed bill. ¡°Well then, we¡¯ll be going now, see you!¡± Julius Reed waved his hand, pulling Quella Radcliffe and walking out of Azure Percival. ¡°Mr. Reed, please take care! Let me escort you out personally!¡± Ludo Cook hurriedly descended the stairs, and as he passed by Otis Radcliffe, he said menacingly, ¡°If you don¡¯t come up with the money in three hours, you¡¯ll be responsible for the consequences! ¡± ¡°Julius Reed!¡± With gritted teeth, Otis Radcliffe took out his mobile phone, trembling as he dialed Zade Radcliffe¡¯s number.. Chapter 26 - Chapter 26: Chapter 25 Having an Appointment_l Chapter 26: Chapter 25 Having an Appointment_l Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Zade Radcliffe finally spent 1.3 million to get Otis and the others out. When they walked out of Azure Percival, the old man hit Otis for the first time. He used the cane in his hand to fiercely smack Otis¡¯s back. All of this happened while Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe were on their way home. No matter how Quella asked, Julius insisted that Sky Reed and Aron Jackson were friends, which was why they had helped out this time. Although Quella had some doubts, seeing her husband stronger than ever before made her happier than anyone else. By the time the couple got home, it was already evening. As soon as Julius opened the door, he saw his father-in-law and mother-in-law sitting on the sofa. When Knox Ridge heard the door open and lifted her head to look at Julius, her face was indescribably angry. ¡°Where have you been!¡± She asked with a stern face. The young couple had suddenly disappeared in the afternoon, and the normally obedient Quella had left without any notice, much to the irritation of the elders. This made the two seniors very angry, believing Julius was behind the scenes causing trouble, destroying the family relationship. Quella, understanding her mother very well and afraid she would trouble Julius, hurriedly took the initiative to explain. ¡°Shut up! Did I ask you?¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s face darkened as she rebuked sharply. The more she looked at her son-in-law now, the more displeased she became, desperate to get him out. ¡°It¡¯s okay!¡± Julius smiled at Quella, then turned to explain to Knox Ridge, ¡°In the afternoon, after you and Dad went back to your room, the chairman called. The Radcliffe Group decided to treat the employees to a meal to celebrate Quella becoming the project manager.¡± ¡°Yes! Yes!¡± Quella nodded her head vigorously like a woodpecker on the side. The two had intended to go out for a meal, and when Knox Ridge just asked, Quella, feeling guilty as if she were a thief, completely forgot about the matter of Zade Radcliffe¡¯s phone call. ¡°Is that so?¡± Knox Ridge looked at Burl Radcliffe and asked, ¡°Mr. Radcliffe, did you know about this?¡± It was indeed a Radcliffe Group tradition to have a meal out organized by the company when certain family members took on important positions. But how could she, as the mother, know nothing about such an important event as Quella¡¯s promotion to project manager? ¡°Don¡¯t look at me, I was with you all afternoon, I heard nothing of it!¡± Burl Radcliffe spread his hands, showing he was clueless. ¡°Julius! Are you daring to lie to me now?¡± Knox Ridge suddenly stood up from the couch, grabbing the feather duster from the coffee table. ¡°Mom! It¡¯s true! Julius isn¡¯t lying!¡± Seeing her mother¡¯s fury, Quella quickly stood in front of Julius. In the past, Knox Ridge hadn¡¯t hesitated to hit Julius with the feather duster, but from today on, Quella would no longer stand by idly. ¡°Look at you! It¡¯s only been a few days, and now you¡¯re turning your elbow out! Quella, has Julius been feeding you some sort of love potion? You haven¡¯t been acting like yourself recently!¡± Knox Ridge stood with hands on hips, looking bewilderedly at Quella. Since yesterday, her daughter had been acting strangely, and what puzzled Knox Ridge most was that Quella had started to protect Julius. This change made her especially worried. ¡°Mom, Julius really isn¡¯t lying, why don¡¯t you believe him?¡± Quella felt helpless with her unreasonably stubborn mother. But there was no other choice; after all, she was her own mother. ¡°Mr. Radcliffe, call Dad and ask him! If you two are lying today, I won¡¯t let either of you off lightly!¡± Smack! After speaking, she slammed the feather duster onto the coffee table. ¡°Be gentle, you startled me!¡± Burl Radcliffe trembled, reluctantly pulling out his phone to call Zade Radcliffe. ¡°Dad, did our group go out to eat today?¡± Burl Radcliffe asked as soon as the phone connected. ¡°Scram!¡± Zade Radcliffe roared in anger and hung up the phone directly. A meal had cost over a million, and he was fuming. Now Burl Radcliffe dared to call and ask about it, it was like rubbing salt into a wound. ¡°What did Dad say?¡± Knox Ridge looked at the somewhat dazed Burl Radcliffe and snatched the phone from his hand. ¡°Dad, it¡¯s Knox. Um, I heard the company went out for a meal today?¡± After she finished speaking, she realized that the other end of the call was very quiet. ¡°What happened?¡± Knox Ridge looked closely and discovered that the call had been disconnected a while ago. ¡°Mr. Radcliffe, why did Dad hang up? ¡°How would I know! Dad just said ¡®get lost¡¯ and then he hung up!¡± Burl Radcliffe was seething with rage. He was bullied by Knox Ridge at home and scolded by his own father over the phone, enduring frustration from both sides. ¡°Did Dad really say that?¡± Knox Ridge sat on the sofa with furrowed brows, ¡°No, I need to make a call and ask. ¡± The more she thought about it, the more she felt something was off¡ªjust asking about going out for a meal shouldn¡¯t make the old man so angry. ¡°Hello, sister-in-law? Did our company go out for a meal today?¡± ¡°Yes! We even went to Azure Percival. Knox, why didn¡¯t you and Burl come?¡± A middle-aged woman¡¯s voice came from the other end of the phone. ¡°Ah! Burl and I had some things to take care of and just missed it. Anyway, I¡¯ve got something on my hands right now, so let¡¯s not talk about it, okay?¡± Knox Ridge hung up the call hastily, her brows almost knotted in frustration. How did she not know about the company going out for a meal? She and Burl Radcliffe hadn¡¯t heard any news about it, and this was even a dinner to celebrate their own daughter. A strange occurrence must have an underlying reason¡ªthe more she thought about it, the more curious she became. ¡°What¡¯s going on? They went to Azure Percival and didn¡¯t even notify us?¡± She looked at Burl Radcliffe, but he was just as clueless as she was. ¡°Today¡¯s attendees were all high-level executives of the company. Your positions don¡¯t qualify.¡± Julius Reed offered an answer from the doorway. The Radcliffe Group had nearly a thousand employees, and only about twenty went today, the least of them being a department manager. Burl Radcliffe and Knox Ridge had only managed to secure minor supervisory roles in the company by virtue of their blood relations. So naturally, they were not qualified to attend such an event. ¡°Right, me and Mr. Radcliffe¡­¡± Knox Ridge nodded, feeling that it made perfect sense, but then she suddenly lifted her head, her eyes blazing with fire. ¡°Julius Reed! How dare you say I¡¯m not fit!¡± It was only at this moment that she reacted. Quella Radcliffe, who was just about to chuckle, held back and dared not laugh. She stole a glance at Julius Reed. How had her husband suddenly become so bold, even to talk back to Knox Ridge? In the past, he wouldn¡¯t fight back when hit, nor talk back when scolded. ¡°I¡¯m stating the facts. Otherwise, how do you explain it?¡± Julius Reed shrugged, answering without fear. ¡°You, you, you¡­¡± Knox Ridge was so angry she was shaking all over, but she couldn¡¯t come up with a retort. ¡°Enough! We¡¯ll settle this account later; don¡¯t delay the important matters!¡± Burl Radcliffe glanced at his watch impatiently, ¡°We promised to be at the restaurant by nine, and what time is it now!¡± ¡°What restaurant? Are you going out for a meal?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked. ¡°Your Uncle Ridge¡¯s son, Radley Ridge, has returned, and he¡¯s invited our family out for dinner. It¡¯s set for nine o¡¯clock tonight. You should come with us.¡± Burl Radcliffe picked up the Passat car keys from the coffee table and said to Julius Reed, ¡°You stay home for now..¡± Chapter 27 - Chapter 27: Chapter 26 The one who lives off a woman 1 Chapter 27: Chapter 26 The one who lives off a woman 1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°I¡¯m not going!¡± Quella Radcliffe shook her head, her complexion suddenly turning pale. ¡°I¡¯m feeling a bit unwell today, I¡¯m going to go back to sleep!¡± Having said that, she headed toward her own room. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, you stop right there!¡± Knox Ridge shouted, walking up to Quella Radcliffe, and said bitterly, ¡°Radley Ridge has just come back from abroad, and the first thing he wants to do is invite our family to dinner. Can¡¯t you be a little understanding!¡± ¡°He invited you, not me! If you want to go, then go, but I¡¯m not going!¡± It was the first time Quella Radcliffe had been so stubborn. Her attitude was exceptionally firm, leaving no room for discussion. ¡°Quella Radcliffe! Have your wings hardened? I¡¯m telling you, today you will go whether you want to or not! Otherwise, get out of this house!¡± Knox Ridge pointed toward the door and cursed, ¡°And Julius Reed, both of you get out!¡± ¡°Quella, don¡¯t make Mum angry, let¡¯s just go!¡± Julius Reed, seeing the situation, didn¡¯t want Quella Radcliffe to have too much of a rift with her mom. ¡°If you want me to go, Julius comes with me! Otherwise, forget it! If you don¡¯t welcome us, I¡¯ll leave this family right now!¡± Quella Radcliffe confronted Knox Ridge with a resolute look in her eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s go together then!¡± Burl Radcliffe nodded, signaling Knox Ridge to compromise. ¡°Fine! You had better keep your word! Don¡¯t you dare take our car!¡± Knox Ridge scoffed, her gaze full of disdain when looking at Julius Reed. ¡°No one give him money for a taxi, if you¡¯re so capable, walk there!¡± ¡°Julius and I will walk, we won¡¯t take your car ever again!¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at Knox Ridge and asked coldly, ¡°The place.¡± ¡°Azure Wind Restaurant! Call me when you arrive!¡± Knox Ridge glared at Julius Reed and left with Burl Radcliffe. After they left, Julius Reed turned to Quella Radcliffe and asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on? You seem really averse to this.¡± As soon as Knox Ridge had finished speaking earlier, Quella Radcliffe had become visibly agitated. Clearly, she did not like this person known as Radley Ridge. ¡°Julius, don¡¯t be mad about what I¡¯m about to say.¡± Quella Radcliffe bit her lip and spoke with her head lowered, ¡°The Ridge Family and our family have been longtime friends, and for years our parents have been trying to set us up. Radley Ridge went abroad to study five years ago and I guess he just got back today.¡± The more she spoke, the quieter her voice became, as if she had done something to betray Julius Reed. ¡°Did you ever like him?¡± Julius Reed asked, tilting his head. Quella Radcliffe quickly raised one hand, ¡°I swear, I absolutely never liked him!¡± ¡°Then what do I have to be mad about!¡± Julius Reed gently pinched her cheek and smiled, ¡°If someone¡¯s offering a meal, it would be a waste not to go!¡± ¡°Jerk! You¡¯re bullying me!¡± Quella Radcliffe had never had someone dare to pinch her face before. ¡°You¡¯re my wife, who else would I bully but you!¡± Julius Reed pulled her into his embrace. At that moment, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s breathing became somewhat rapid. The two had been together for three years, but this was their first time being so intimate. ¡°Don¡¯t think you can take advantage of me!¡± Five minutes later, Quella Radcliffe wriggled out of Julius Reed¡¯s arms and, with a blush, ran out of the house. ¡°Julius, aren¡¯t you jealous?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked with a flushed face as she sat in the passenger seat. ¡°Radley Ridge inviting my parents out for dinner is definitely up to no good.¡± ¡°I¡¯m quite confident about my own wife! But if anyone dares to make a move on you, I¡¯ll make sure he won¡¯t even recognize his own mother after I¡¯m done with him!¡± Julius Reed drove the Rolls-Royce, with rock music playing in the car. This song had a history of forty or fifty years, and back then, it was one of his favorite pieces of music. The singer had long since passed away from this world, yet he remained exactly as he had been forty or fifty years before, without the slightest change. ¡°Radley Ridge is the typical smiling tiger, you must be careful!¡± Quella Radcliffe whispered a warning, ¡°However, my parents like him a lot, and as for this issue, I¡¯m afraid they¡­¡± She didn¡¯t finish her sentence because they both understood it clearly. Before long, a Rolls-Royce slowly pulled into the parking lot of the Azure Wind Restaurant. Azure Wind Restaurant was quite famous in River City, a high-class Western restaurant usually frequented by those with status and rich youths on dates. There happened to be a parking spot next to Burl Radcliffe¡¯s Passat, so Julius Reed parked the Rolls-Royce beside it. While they were still in the car, Knox Ridge had already sent a WeChat message, so the two of them headed straight to the second floor. The Azure Wind Restaurant had no private rooms, only standalone crystal dining tables. Thus, as soon as they reached the second floor, they saw Knox Ridge and the other five people. ¡°Quella Radcliffe!¡± With a shout, a young man wearing glasses stood out from the group of five. ¡°That¡¯s Radley Ridge, be careful!¡± Quella Radcliffe warned in a low voice. ¡°Expent for von. no one can take advantage of me.¡± Julius Reed gave her a gentle smile and strode toward the table. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, it¡¯s been years, and you¡¯ve gotten even more beautiful!¡± After sitting down, Radley Ridge¡¯s eyes remained fixated on Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Just now, your aunt mentioned you two came by taxi, I was about to pick you up. How can someone as delicate as you take a cab?¡± Radley Ridge showed off his Mercedes car keys, intentionally or unintentionally. Throughout, he didn¡¯t even glance at Julius Reed. ¡°That¡¯s right! Right after our Radley came back to the country, he couldn¡¯t stop talking about seeing you.¡± Mother Ridge looked at Quella Radcliffe as if she were looking at her daughter-in-law. ¡°You two were childhood sweethearts, it¡¯s just a pity that Radley went abroad for his studies, missing the chance! ¡± Father Ridge shook his head with a look of regret. ¡°No problem, no problem! All that matters is he¡¯s back.¡± Knox Ridge said with a smile, ¡°As long as he¡¯s back, that¡¯s good!¡± Upon hearing her words, Radley Ridge¡¯s eyes brightened, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a smile. ¡°Oh! Quella Radcliffe, you haven¡¯t introduced us yet, this is¡­¡± Radley Ridge adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose and looked at Julius Reed with a mock smile. He had been particularly upset after learning that Quella Radcliffe had married. However, after finding out that their marriage was in name only, Radley Ridge hoped to rekindle the relationship. ¡°Looking at him like this, he might be Quella Radcliffe¡¯s driver, right? After all, since Quella Radcliffe became the project manager, it stands to reason that she should have a driver.¡± Mother Ridge appraised Julius Reed with disdain and snorted lightly. Clearly, Knox Ridge had just mentioned Quella Radcliffe being promoted to project manager; otherwise, how could Mother Ridge have known? ¡°He is my husband!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face darkened, and she truly felt like getting up and leaving, respectability be damned. ¡°Oh! So you are the quite famous husband of Quella Radcliffe! As soon as I returned, I heard all about you!¡± Radley Ridge stood up, offering his hand with sheer pretense, ¡°May I ask where you work, brother?¡± ¡°At home, living off my wife!¡± Julius Reed responded with a smile, stood up, and firmly shook Radley Ridge¡¯s hand with force! ¡°Ah!¡± Radley Ridge cried out in pain, then quickly realized he had lost his composure. ¡°Sorry! I¡­ I just started feeling a bit of stomach pain, I need to use the restroom.¡± After speaking, he turned and walked towards the bathroom. The atmosphere had become quite awkward. Although everyone had wanted to mock and ridicule Julius Reed, he had outright admitted to living off his wife, so what more could they say? ¡°Brother Snake, do me a favor!¡± Once in the restroom, Radley Ridge dialed a number with a dark expression.. Chapter 28 - Chapter 28: Chapter 27 Is There Any Wine Left_l Chapter 28: Chapter 27 Is There Any Wine Left_l Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation After coming out of the restroom, Radley Ridge was beaming, a complete contrast to his demeanor just moments before. ¡°Sorry for that, I just returned to the country and might be having a bit of trouble adjusting.¡± He looked at Quella Radcliffe with a hint of apology, not bothering to hide the desire in his eyes. ¡°Hmm.¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded, unconsciously leaning closer to Julius Reed. ¡°What¡¯s everyone having? Radley Ridge picked up the menu, asking aloud. ¡°Son, don¡¯t you know what Quella likes to eat? Just order her favorites!¡± Mother Ridge winked, signaling to Radley Ridge. ¡°Exactly! You two grew up together, do you even need to ask?¡± Knox Ridge chimed in from the side. If it weren¡¯t for Julius Reed out of nowhere, they would have become relatives with the Ridge family long ago. Now, the more she looked at Radley Ridge, the more agreeable she found him. When she turned her attention to Julius Reed, her irritation only grew. Even a fool would understand what this dinner signified, it was almost like a trap for Julius Reed. Quella Radcliffe quietly took his hand but noticed that Julius Reed showed no signs of anger. ¡°Could it be he doesn¡¯t care about me?¡± Quella Radcliffe quickly dismissed the thought, still moved by Julius Reed¡¯s declaration at Azure Percival, ¡°my woman.¡± But now her husband was all smiles, which didn¡¯t seem like his style at all. ¡°Radley, now that you¡¯re back in the country, what are your plans?¡± Knox Ridge looked at Radley Ridge with affection, as a mother-in-law would look at her son-in-law. ¡°Aunty, many foreign companies have called me, hoping that I could join them as an executive. But I¡¯d prefer to stay in Gonzalez City. A few million US dollars in annual salary doesn¡¯t mean much; it¡¯s most important to be in the same city as Quella.¡± Having said that, Radley Ridge raised his red wine glass towards Quella Radcliffe and said, ¡°To celebrate our long-awaited reunion, cheers!¡± ¡°Cheers! ¡± Everyone raised their glasses and drank up. Julius Reed was also all smiles, eating and drinking heartily at the side. ¡°Just a born loser! Naturally a cuck!¡± Watching Julius Reed¡¯s behavior, Radley Ridge¡¯s lips curled into a cold sneer. He had been slightly apprehensive at first, but now, he was utterly brazen. ¡°Brother Reed, this wine isn¡¯t very good, did you think Quella wouldn¡¯t notice?¡± Julius Reed swirled his wine glass, casually saying, ¡°A bottle like this doesn¡¯t cost more than a few thousand yuan outside. Brother Reed, you¡¯re making a million a year, and this is the wine you celebrate with?¡± The moment Julius Reed finished his sentence, Radley Ridge¡¯s complexion changed immediately. The wine indeed wasn¡¯t anything special, but it wasn¡¯t cheap either, costing five thousand yuan a bottle. For ordinary people, this was already considered very expensive. But having just mentioned his million-dollar salary, drinking this wine truly seemed inappropriate. Especially being called out in front of Quella Radcliffe, it was a blow to his image. ¡°Sorry! That was careless of me!¡± Radley Ridge quickly regained his smile and, with a snap of his fingers, said to the waiter, ¡°Bring me two bottles of P¨¦trus, the expensive ones!¡± ¡°Sir, eighty thousand a bottle, are you sure?¡± The waiter confirmed with the menu in hand. ¡°Hmm.¡± Radley Ridge nodded, a confident smile on his face. But inside, he was already bleeding money. Sixteen hundred thousand, even for him, was not a trivial amount, especially for just two bottles of wine. But for Quella, it was all worth it! ¡°Julius Reed, you come here to freeload and still have the nerve to criticize! Get out! Leave now!¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s face was particularly unpleasant. Ever since she heard about Radley Ridge¡¯s million-dollar salary, she had come to despise her worthless son-in-law to the bone. The Ridge family spends sixteen hundred thousand on wine, while Julius Reed can¡¯t even earn sixteen dollars! If Quella Radcliffe had married Radley Ridge, right now they could be living the high life, boasting about it no matter where they went. Why be like now, when everyone gossips behind their backs as soon as their son-in-law is mentioned? ¡°Aunt! Brother Reed is right, $160,000 is nothing to me. After all, compared to Quella, money is just a worldly possession.¡± On the surface, Radley Ridge appeared to be giving Julius Reed a way out, but in reality, he was showing off his own excellence. Soon, two bottles of red wine were brought to the table. But before anyone else could make a move, Julius Reed directly picked up a bottle and started chugging it like water. The server next to him was dumbfounded, staring at him as if he were a monster. Not to mention that this wine had a strong aftereffect, but who drinks red wine like that? ¡°Sorry, I grew up in a village as a kid, not much sophistication.¡± Julius Reed placed the empty bottle on the table and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. To him, the wine tasted just like water, it might be valuable in the eyes of others, but to Julius Reed, it was inferior. Once upon a time, he drank a bottle of red wine on the Atlantic Ocean, even though it was from the 1850s, that bottle cost over a million US dollars at the time. Nowadays, the price would be unimaginable. ¡°How utterly disgraceful!¡± Knox Ridge was grinding her teeth in anger. That Julius Reed, he came just to embarrass them! Father Ridge and Mother Ridge also looked at Julius Reed with disdain, thinking very little of this country bumpkin. ¡°No worries! I suppose Brother Reed hardly gets the chance to drink such wine, I won¡¯t mind!¡± A sneer crept onto Radley Ridge¡¯s lips. The more the other acted this way, the happier he was. Although it was a bit painful, it might make Quella realize how inept her husband was and how excellent he was in comparison. Taking advantage of no one paying attention, Julius Reed discreetly pinched Quella¡¯s thigh and typed out two characters on his phone: ¡®scold me¡¯. Quella was taken aback at first, but she quickly understood that Julius Reed wanted her to act. ¡°Can¡¯t you have a little dignity! How many times have I told you, have some restraint! Look at Radley Ridge, he¡¯s so much better than you!¡± Quella said with a very unfriendly tone, her face stern. ¡°It¡¯s alright! Brother Twelve is just inexperienced in the world, but he¡¯s honest, and that¡¯s a quality too!¡± Radley Ridge was inwardly overjoyed. Now that Quella spoke like this, he felt he had a great chance! ¡°Well, Radley, have another drink with Quella!¡± Knox Ridge, seeing Quella¡¯s change of attitude, thought her daughter had come around and eagerly struck while the iron was hot. Before coming here, she had been worried that Quella was too stubborn and would miss out on an outstanding man like Radley Ridge. But it seemed her worries were unfounded. ¡°Always scolding me! Keep it up, and I¡¯ll divorce you!¡± Julius Reed grabbed the other bottle of red wine, lifted it, and downed it in one go. The server standing by was flabbergasted. $160,000, gone in two gulps. ¡°Divorce then, divorce! You think I¡¯m scared!¡± Quella slammed her hand on the table violently, startling even Julius Reed. His wife was so convincing in her act! He decided that he should let Quella pursue acting in the film industry; she¡¯d definitely become a star. ¡°Quella! Don¡¯t say things in anger, Brother Reed still loves you!¡± Although Radley Ridge tried his best to hide it, he couldn¡¯t help laughing. It was as if heaven was helping him! ¡°Brother Ridge, got any more wine?¡± Julius Reed leaned back in his chair, looking utterly defeated.. Chapter 29 - Chapter 29: Chapter 28 Drinking_l Chapter 29: Chapter 28 Drinking_l Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°Yes, of course there is!¡± Although Radley Ridge felt the pinch, he knew today was a good opportunity. As long as he got Julius Reed drunk, their conflicts would be thoroughly intensified. Because alcohol makes people violent, it forces them to spill all the words they¡¯ve been holding back. Julius Reed had endured a lot at the Radcliffe Family over the past three years, and judging by today¡¯s events, it seemed he was about to explode. ¡°Waiter, bring another¡­ three bottles!¡± Radley Ridge hardened his heart, thinking no pain, no gain! ¡°This isn¡¯t just talk. Three years! All I¡¯ve had since marrying you is hardship and toil! Other women are out shopping and buying purses every day, and me? I have to carry the weight of this household on my shoulders!¡± As Quella Radcliffe said this, she couldn¡¯t help but cry out in grievance. Julius Reed¡¯s heart tightened. Her acting skills, how had they become so masterful! ¡°To tell you the truth, I¡¯ve wanted a divorce for a long time! What can you even provide me? If you had even a thousandth of what Radley Ridge has, I wouldn¡¯t be this upset! He earns a million a year, driving a Mercedes!¡± Quella Radcliffe took the tissue Radley Ridge handed her, wiping her tears as she lamented, ¡°And you! Riding in a taxi is all we can manage together! Have you taken me to the movies once in the three years we¡¯ve been married? Have you ever gone shopping with me? You bastard! You¡¯re inhuman!¡± Having said so, Quella Radcliffe pounded fiercely a few times against Julius Reed¡¯s chest. The more Julius Reed listened, the more he felt something was off¡ªQuella Radcliffe had her own motives, seizing the opportunity to berate him! ¡°Wait until we get back, I¡¯ll show you!¡± Although he thought this, he yelled, ¡°Get lost! I¡¯ve been sick of the sight of you for a long time! Three years of marriage, and you won¡¯t even let me touch you! I¡¯m so done with this marriage in name only! Who do you think you are? Even the women under the bridge who charge thirty bucks are better than you! If I had the money, I¡¯d rather live under that bridge!¡± Julius Reed pretended to be drunk, his speech slurred. Seeing the escalating argument, Burl Radcliffe was about to stand up when Knox Ridge stopped him. ¡°Let them fight it out. Once they¡¯re done, Radley will be our son-in-law!¡± After hearing his wife¡¯s explanation, Burl Radcliffe suddenly understood. The parents of Radley Ridge also hid their smiles behind pursed lips, pleased to witness the turmoil. The happiest among them was Radley Ridge himself¡ªeverything he had heard about them was true. The marriage between Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed existed in name only; though married for three years, she remained a virgin. ¡°Brother Reed, you¡¯re too drunk! How can you say such things! Quella Radcliffe is the most outstanding woman in the world. The line of guys chasing after her was endless! If you don¡¯t cherish her, I might just step in!¡± Although Radley Ridge said this while persuading him to drink, he pushed three bottles of Petrus toward Julius Reed. And the words he spoke were truly from his heart. ¡°You like her? Then marry her!¡± Julius Reed was unapologetic as he lifted a bottle of Petrus and finished it in one go. After three bottles of red wine, his face reddened as well. Yet two more bottles remained on the table. ¡°I¡¯ve known all along she has you in her heart! She¡¯s called out your name more than once in her sleep! Now, tell me, what kind of a pathetic husband does that make me?¡± Julius Reed pounded his chest, his face etched with endless pain. ¡°So what if I called his name! He is an overseas returnee, earning a million a year! What do you have? I¡¯ll tell you the truth: from the beginning, I used you as a shield, waiting all along for Radley Ridge to come back!¡± The more Quella Radcliffe shouted, the angrier she got. This time, she was truly furious. She never talked in her sleep; that bastard dared to accuse her of calling out someone else¡¯s name. ¡°You bastard!¡± Quella Radcliffe fiercely twisted Julius Reed¡¯s arm. The force of her twist was so strong that it was distressing for Radley Ridge to watch. Yet inside, he was extremely excited! Quella Radcliffe had called his name in her sleep¡ªnot just once! Radley Ridge took a deep breath, trying hard to calm himself. Happiness came too suddenly! ¡°Brother Reed, drink up!¡± He felt that the four-hundred -thousand- dollar wine was worth every penny! Not only did it fuel their dispute, but it also paved the way for his own fortune. At this moment, Radley Ridge was already fantasizing about the scene of winning the beauty¡¯s heart. Furthermore, he had even called for Flower Snake, preparing to stage a hero-saving-the-beauty act shortly to make Julius Reed look even more pathetic, showcasing his own abilities. ¡°Brother Reed, you¡¯re a good man!¡± Julius Reed picked up the red wine and guzzled it down. ¡°These past three years, I¡¯ve lived worse than a dog! To hell with being the unwanted son-in-law! Starting tomorrow, I want to be free!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes were blurry, and he seemed to be somewhat drunk. ¡°If it¡¯s hard, drink some more!¡± Radley Ridge looked at Quella Radcliffe, saying joyfully, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that after so many years, you would still have me in your heart.¡± A few years ago, before he went abroad to study, he had pursued Quella Radcliffe. But he had been gently rejected. This time, when he returned to the country, he had not held much hope, yet who could have known, that today he would have an unexpected joy! Knox Ridge was even more smug. ¡°Mr. Radcliffe, if you hadn¡¯t let Julius Reed come, could this have gone so smoothly? This bastard is really asking for it. I was still worried Quella Radcliffe might have a soft spot for him, but with today¡¯s commotion, it has completely exposed his worthless nature! ¡± ¡°Wife, you¡¯re really brilliant!¡± Burl Radcliffe raised his thumb, full of admiration in his eyes. If they could have a son-in-law like Radley Ridge, they would wake up laughing from their dreams. However, what the couple didn¡¯t know was that compared to Julius Reed, Radley Ridge was like a speck of dust in the universe. ¡°Brother, is there any more wine?¡± Julius Reed shouted after drinking the last bottle of wine. ¡°You¡¯re this drunk! Go home right now! Don¡¯t embarrass yourself here! The two things I hate most in my life are worthless men and drunks! And you happen to be the worst of both!¡± Quella Radcliffe yelled. Now she understood that her husband was planning on swindling Radley Ridge out of a fortune. She wanted to laugh but could only hold it in while she had to display anger on her face. ¡°No problem! If Brother Reed wants to drink, I, Yannick Ridge, will take care of Radley Ridge steeled his heart and shouted to the waiter, ¡°Bring me three more bottles!¡± ¡°Radley, that¡¯s eighty thousand a bottle,¡± Mother Ridge reminded softly from the side. Eight bottles were six hundred and forty thousand, no small sum. Even with an annual salary of a million, this meal would consume half a year¡¯s wages. ¡°No problem! Money, to me, is just a number!¡± Radley Ridge interrupted his mother, telling the waiter, ¡°Bring them immediately! ¡± It pained him as well, but if it could escalate the conflict between the two to the point of divorce, it was absolutely worth it! Radley Ridge was now in painful joy! ¡°Look at Radley Ridge over there, spending hundreds of thousands as if they were nothing! Why should I have to suffer with you?¡± Quella Radcliffe continued to praise from the side, making Radley Ridge¡¯s hormones surge. ¡°Excuse me, I need to use the restroom!¡± Just then, Radley Ridge¡¯s phone vibrated; Flower Snake had arrived. ¡°You guys keep eating, I¡¯ll be right back!¡± After saying that, he headed towards the restroom. Before leaving, Radley Ridge gave Julius Reed a look. You drank my hundreds of thousands, now wait for your suffering! When Flower Snake makes a move, nothing good happens! Radley Ridge had barely left when Flower Snake entered from behind. He was carrying a glass of red wine, pretending to walk casually past Julius Reed. As he walked over Julius Reed¡¯s head, Flower Snake tilted the glass slightly.. Chapter 30 - Chapter 30: Chapter 29 Acting Gone Wrong_l Chapter 30: Chapter 29 Acting Gone Wrong_l Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The Flower Snake¡¯s actions were utterly natural, betraying no hint of premeditation. According to the original plan, once the red wine was spilled on Julius Reed¡¯s head, a conflict would inevitably ensue. The Flower Snake¡¯s few underlings were right behind him, ready to take action should a conflict occur. At that moment, Radley Ridge would step in as the mediator, demanding Julius Reed to bow and apologize. The script was written perfectly, ensuring not only the humiliation of Julius Reed but also an opportunity for the Flower Snake to showcase his strength to Quella Radcliffe. However, at the very instant the wine glass left his hand, Julius Reed, who appeared almost comatose from drunkenness, suddenly opened his eyes! He shifted slightly, his right hand shooting out! The red wine glass, mere centimeters from his head, was now firmly grasped in Julius Reed¡¯s hand! ¡°Bro, sorry about that, the glass slipped,¡± Flower Snake said with an awkward smile. Yet, as he looked at the back of Julius Reed, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of familiarity, though he couldn¡¯t pinpoint where he had seen him before. But the mere skill with which the glass was caught forced the Flower Snake to take note. The information from Radley Ridge was flawed! The man was a practitioner! Flower Snake made a signal behind his back, and several underlings lurking in the restaurant immediately surrounded them. ¡°No worries! Thanks for the wine!¡± Julius Reed said, shaking the wine glass and taking a light sip. ¡°Pfft!¡± The next second, all the red wine in his mouth sprayed onto Flower Snake¡¯s face! ¡°This is a bit unpleasant to drink, my apologies,¡± said Julius Reed as he turned around, his face full of mockery. ¡°You¡¯re fucking asking for it!¡± The underlings charged forward, their eyes full of menace. They had been instructed to strike first in the event of a conflict. ¡°Fuck! You today¡­¡± Flower Snake had dominated this area for years, and no one had ever dared to cause trouble here! But when he clearly saw Julius Reed¡¯s face, a shiver ran through him! The words on the tip of his tongue were abruptly swallowed back! The events that had unfolded that afternoon at Azure Percival were something Flower Snake would never forget, even if he turned to ashes! In an instant, Flower Snake¡¯s mind went blank. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± The sudden turn of events left the four elders somewhat dazed. ¡°You hoodlums, stop causing trouble here!¡± Father Ridge, a businessman, intended to suppress the hooligans with his words. Radley Ridge¡¯s arrangement with Flower Snake to playact was something Father Ridge was unaware of. ¡°That¡¯s right! Stop your hooliganism here!¡± Seeing Father Ridge speak up, Knox Ridge also chimed in from the side. With Radley Ridge present, everyone felt very confident. The hoodlums had their orders, ignoring everyone else and focusing solely on hitting Julius Reed. No matter what anyone else said, they just had to focus on hitting Julius Reed. They ignored everyone else and rolled up their sleeves, heading toward Julius Reed. Radley Ridge, hiding in the restroom, watched everything quietly from a distance. He would intervene only once Julius Reed had been sufficiently beaten. Flower Snake was a brother of his friend, and the two had met over drinks after Flower Snake returned to the country. Radley Ridge had not expected that Flower Snake would be of use so soon. The thought of Julius Reed begging on his knees after the beating brought a sneaky thrill to Radley Ridge¡¯s heart. Flower Snake knew he had caused a huge trouble. Ever since that afternoon¡¯s incident, his heart still hadn¡¯t settled. However, his gang of hoodlums had no clue about the situation! ¡°You¡¯re fucking asking for it!¡± ¡°Dare to spray our brother? We¡¯re going to dismantle you today!¡± ¡°I really want to see just how capable you are¡­¡± Before the man could finish, Flower Snake violently grabbed his arm from behind, hurling him away! ¡°Brother! ¡± Smack! Another hoodlum hadn¡¯t even comprehended what was happening when he too was slapped away by Flower Snake. ¡°Bro, what¡¯s this about¡­¡± Everyone was stupefied! Flower Snake¡¯s response completely exceeded their expectations! Flower Snake couldn¡¯t care less about that. He stood before Julius Reed like a child who had done wrong, his legs trembling uncontrollably. Offending a friend of Aron Jackson meant that even ten lives wouldn¡¯t be enough to save him! ¡°Know what to do now?¡± Julius Reed casually fiddled with the wine glass on the table, asking in a nonchalant manner. ¡°Got it!¡± Flower Snake kept nodding, cursing Radley Ridge countless times in his heart. This son of a bitch! He¡¯s trying to get me killed! ¡°What are you two whispering about? Sure enough, none of you are any good!¡± Father Ridge, seeing Julius speaking in low tones, assumed the two knew each other. He despised these uneducated hoodlums the most and didn¡¯t hide his disdain in his tone. ¡°What the fuck did you just say?¡± Flower Snake¡¯s eyes widened as he grabbed Father Ridge by the collar with one hand. ¡°I¡¯m warning you! This is a restaurant!¡± Mother Ridge was sufficiently scared by this sudden turn of events. As businesspeople, they were not accustomed to such things and panicked instantly. ¡°Exactly! We¡¯ve called the police!¡± Although Father Ridge was trembling with fear, he still talked tough. ¡°Then try it!¡± Flower Snake grabbed a fork from the table and pressed it against Father Ridge¡¯s throat. ¡°Don¡¯t mess around! We¡¯ll give you anything you want!¡± Mother Ridge, seeing the other party with a knife, panicked and didn¡¯t know what to do. She instinctively opened her purse and took out a stack of money, ¡°We¡¯ll give you money, just let him go first!¡± These days, it was all about the money, and she didn¡¯t want her husband to be harmed in any way. ¡°Take your damn money and get lost!¡± Flower Snake slapped the cash out of Mother Ridge¡¯s hand, scattering it into the air. His eyes shifted as if he had a great idea. Wasn¡¯t Radley Ridge trying to make things difficult for Julius? He could turn the tables and give Radley a taste of his own medicine! If Julius was pleased, he might suffer less! Thinking of this, without more ado, he backhanded Father Ridge across the face! Smack! In the crisp sound, Father Ridge was sent sprawling across the aisle of the restaurant. Flower Snake pulled out all the stops to show off in front of Julius. ¡°Boss! There¡¯s a fight here!¡± Mother Ridge quickly stood up and ran over to check on Father Ridge¡¯s injuries. Due to the heavy blow, one side of Father Ridge¡¯s face was completely swollen, and his mouth was oozing blood. ¡°What¡¯s going on here!¡± The restaurant manager arrived with several security guards. ¡°This man here! He¡¯s assaulted my husband and caused serious injury right in your restaurant. You need to give me an explanation today!¡± Mother Ridge saw the security coming and immediately became very assertive. ¡°If you don¡¯t give me an explanation today, wait for your restaurant to be shut down!¡± They were considered upper class, with assets worth tens of millions at home, used to bossing people around; they had never faced such a situation before. ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s going on with this restaurant! Letting in any kind of people!¡± Seeing Mother Ridge lose her temper, Knox Ridge joined in to stir things up. ¡°Fatso Declan, if you don¡¯t want trouble, you better stay the hell away from me!¡± Flower Snake waved his hand, and his cronies immediately moved in. ¡°I¡¯ll explain this to your boss,¡± he said. ¡°Brother Snake, this¡­ Declan Martin stood there, not sure what to do next. The restaurant owner and Flower Snake had some relationship, so he was in a difficult position standing there. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you! I¡¯m going to file a complaint!¡± Mother Ridge saw that the security guards didn¡¯t move and immediately flew into a rage. ¡°Sis, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll get justice for you!¡± Knox Ridge patted her chest, stood up, and was about to argue with Declan Martin. But¡­ Smack! Before she could speak, Flower Snake, in front of the security guards, slapped Mother Ridge to the ground! And in his eyes, there was a full intent to kill! ¡°Ignorant fools!¡± Chapter 31 - Chapter 31: Chapter 30 Frustrated Radley Ridge_1 Chapter 31: Chapter 30 Frustrated Radley Ridge_1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Knox Ridge was completely stunned. The security guards showed no intention of stepping forward to interfere. Instead, Flower Snake turned around and started walking toward her, step by step. ¡°What are you doing¡­ I warn you¡­ Mr. Radcliffe! Save me!¡± Confronted with Flower Snake advancing steadily toward her, Knox Ridge¡¯s legs went weak, and she lost all her previous bravado. ¡°Julius, mom she¡­¡± Seeing his mother in danger, Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t help but hold Julius Reed¡¯s hand. ¡°What¡¯s the use of calling this good -for-nothing! Hurry up and find Radley Ridge!¡± Knox Ridge retreated behind Burl Radcliffe, her eyes filled with fear. The other guests also turned to look in this direction, murmuring among themselves. ¡°What the hell are you looking at! Everyone, get back to your meals!¡± With a shout from Flower Snake, everyone lowered their heads. At this moment, no one stepped forward to act the hero, as the wealthier people were more cautious about their own reputation. ¡°Today I¡¯m going to sort you out properly!¡± Seeing that everyone had lowered their heads, Flower Snake casually walked toward Knox Ridge. ¡°Julius¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe was truly panicking now. She Imew that among those present, only her husband had the power to resolve this issue. After all, even Aron Jackson had given him face at Azure Percival in the afternoon. ¡°Mercy to those who deserve it, I say!¡± Julius Reed spoke reluctantly. If it weren¡¯t for the sake of Quella Radcliffe, he really wouldn¡¯t mind Knox Ridge suffering a bit. With that mouth of hers, she was bound to face consequences sooner or later! ¡°Who do you think you are! Don¡¯t make things worse for me here!¡± Knox Ridge trembled with anger, unable to believe her useless son-in-law dared to see himself as someone important! But to her surprise, Flower Snake actually turned and walked away, no longer troubling her. This sparked a peculiar thought in Knox Ridge¡¯s mind ¡ª could it be that her son-in-law actually had some influence? But Julius Reed hadn¡¯t stepped out of the house in three years, so how could he have made any friends? In the restroom, Radley Ridge glanced at the time and straightened his clothes before walking out. It was time to begin his performance. But the moment he stepped out of the restroom, he was so shocked that his mouth hung open. His parents lay on the ground, wailing, while Julius Reed sat on a chair looking completely at ease. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± He bellowed, striding quickly toward Flower Snake. ¡°Son! He hit both of us! Don¡¯t you know people from society? Call them over, take revenge for us!¡± Mother Ridge regained her fighting spirit as soon as she saw her son return. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Radley Ridge had an unspeakable bitterness inside him ¨C the very people from society he knew were right in front of him, but why were they attacking his own family? ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Flower Snake smirked coldly with narrowed eyes. ¡°Little brother, you almost got me killed there!¡± In the afternoon, Jaxen Brandon and Julius Reed had a confrontation and both inevitably suffered humiliation, let alone him? Compared to Jaxen Brandon, he was nothing, not even worthy to be called a fart. ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about!¡± Radley Ridge said sternly, pointing to his parents, ¡°Give me an explanation!¡± Under no circumstances could he show even the slightest sign of weakness. Not to mention that Quella Radcliffe was right there watching, and with his parents beaten up like this, if he still remained silent and endured, how would others see him? ¡°Forget talking to him! Call someone to beat him up!¡± Father Ridge touched his swollen face, his eyes nearly spitting fire. ¡°Radley, people like him need to be taught a lesson!¡± Seeing Radley Ridge return, Knox Ridge felt her confidence returning somewhat. After all, the Ridge Family did have some strength in Gonzalez City, and Radley Ridge was a student who studied abroad, with many impressive friends. ¡°Explanation?¡± Flower Snake nodded and said, ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll explain it to you!¡± Then, he fiercely slapped Radley Ridge across the face! Thwack! Radley Ridge stumbled backward a few steps and fell to the ground. ¡°Are you fucking insane! Even hitting me! ¡± Radley Ridge was completely dumbfounded. What on earth had happened outside during the few minutes he was hiding in the washroom? Subconsciously, Radley Ridge glanced at Julius Reed and noticed the latter was smiling. ¡°Hitting you?¡± Flower Snake scoffed coldly, ¡°Take care of him for me!¡± No sooner had the words fallen than a quick encirclement followed, raining punches and kicks down on Radley Ridge. ¡°Brother Snake, don¡¯t accidentally kill someone!¡± Declan Martin whispered a reminder. So many people in the restaurant were watching; it was bound to have a significant impact. But there was no helping it, he couldn¡¯t afford to provoke Flower Snake, and could only stand there, watching helplessly as a customer was being beaten. ¡°Flower Snake! You¡¯re fucking mad, damn it!¡± Radley Ridge shielded his head with his hands, lying on the floor screaming in pain. The thugs were particularly heavy-handed, and in less than a minute he had been beaten black and blue. ¡°Enough! Don¡¯t kill anyone!¡± Julius Reed picked up his chopsticks and calmly took a bite of his food. As soon as he finished speaking, everyone looked at him with strange glances. Would Flower Snake listen to him? Was this some kind of joke? ¡°I don¡¯t know him! If you want to fight, fight him, it has nothing to do with us!¡± Knox Ridge pulled Quella Radcliffe towards her, shaking like a leaf. If Radley Ridge couldn¡¯t avoid a brutal beating, she was now thoroughly frightened. ¡°Yeah! We don¡¯t know him, it¡¯s merely a coincidence that we¡¯re sitting together.¡± Burl Radcliffe also spoke up in explanation, his courage even smaller, and more afraid of trouble. Meanwhile, Declan Martin carefully scrutinized Julius Reed, silently sweating for him. Flower Snake was vicious. Speaking up at this time was just asking for trouble, wasn¡¯t it? But, against all odds, Flower Snake really did stop. Smiling, he walked over to Julius Reed and asked, ¡°Bro, do you have any other business? If there¡¯s nothing, I¡¯ll take my leave first!¡± Today, in order to redeem himself, he had not spared Radley Ridge. ¡°No need, just don¡¯t fight and kill in front of me in the future; it can scare my wife and in-laws.¡± Julius Reed, without even looking at Flower Snake, picked at the food on his plate. ¡°Yes! Big brother¡¯s lesson is correct, I really didn¡¯t know the big brother was here today¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, today I didn¡¯t see anything.¡± Julius Reed had just raised his wine glass when Flower Snake immediately filled it for him. Everyone was stunned. The Flower Snake who was just arrogantly throwing his weight around was pouring wine for him? Who exactly was Julius Reed! The mighty dragon does not suppress the local snakes! Flower Snake was the bona fide local snake around here! Yet upon hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, Flower Snake seemed relieved, not daring to say more and quickly left with his men. Radley Ridge watched all this, his face turning deathly pale! This Julius Reed, where was even the slightest hint of him being drunk? He¡¯d been played! Yet now, facing Julius Reed¡¯s smiling face, Radley Ridge couldn¡¯t muster a word for a long time! ¡°Mr. Radcliffe, let¡¯s hurry back! ¡± Knox Ridge said in a low voice. ¡°Okay!¡± Burl Radcliffe nodded, put on his clothes, and walked towards the exit. The encounter with Flower Snake¡¯s ruthless fists had left the old couple shaken to their core. ¡°Thanks for the drink, remember to settle the bill!¡± After a few more bites of his meal, Julius Reed stood up, gave Radley Ridge a slight smile, took Quella Radcliffe by the hand, and walked out. Watching the departing figures, Radley Ridge trembled with rage. After a while, his eyes finally showed a gleam of coldness! ¡°Julius Reed¡­ you just wait!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t think knowing a few thugs makes you untouchable!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll make you beg for life and plead for death!¡± Chapter 32 - Chapter 32: Chapter 31: Taking the Fall for_l Chapter 32: Chapter 31: Taking the Fall for_l Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°Julius, aren¡¯t you afraid of Radley Ridge¡¯s revenge for offending him like this?¡± Quella Radcliffe followed behind Julius Reed, feeling somewhat worried. Radley Ridge was notoriously two-faced, all smiles on the surface but ruthless and brutal in his actions behind the scenes. It was precisely because of this trait that Quella Radcliffe extremely disliked him. Now that her own husband had offended Radley Ridge, Quella Radcliffe was particularly concerned. ¡°Don¡¯t worry! If he dares to lay a finger on you, I¡¯ll make sure he dies a horrible death!¡± Julius Reed patted Quella Radcliffe¡¯s head with a faint smile. Radley Ridge was insignificant. If he so wished, he could crush him with just a flick of his finger. ¡°That¡¯s good¡­¡± Feeling a warmth in her heart upon hearing Julius¡¯s words, Quella Radcliffe was comforted. Even now, she felt as if she were dreaming. How could her husband, once scorned as a failure, suddenly change so drastically? ¡°Do you still remember our wedding anniversary? With this on her mind, Quella Radcliffe tentatively asked. ¡°March 28th, what about it?¡± Julius Reed said, holding her hand as they walked down the restaurant¡¯s corridor. Three years ago, on March 28th, they both entered the marriage hall together. The wedding caused a sensation across Gonzalez City; Julius Reed vividly recalled Quella Radcliffe in her wedding dress, standing beside him like a fairy. But back then, the expression on her face was somewhat cold. ¡°Why are you suddenly asking about this?¡± Julius Reed turned his head, looking at his wife. ¡°No¡­ Do you remember when my birthday is?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked, head bowed low, not looking into Julius¡¯s eyes. ¡°Also March 28th. You said you wanted to get married on your birthday, and I agreed,¡± Julius Reed said, a bit puzzled by why she was asking so many questions today. But the next moment, he suddenly realized something. Perhaps because of the drastic changes in himself, Quella Radcliffe had some doubts. ¡°Rest assured! It¡¯s as real as it gets!¡± Julius Reed patted her head again, his eyes full of affection. Despite nearly a hundred years of awakened memory, what he cherished the most was the wife he had taken during the three years he had lost his memory. ¡°Sir, you can¡¯t go!¡± ¡°What do you mean I can¡¯t go! Let me tell you, don¡¯t meddle in things that aren¡¯t your business! Otherwise, be ready to lose your job!¡± ¡°This is our policy; what if the car owner comes out? How will we explain?¡± ¡°You¡¯re like a dog chasing mice, always meddling in others¡¯ affairs! Be careful, or I¡¯ll file a complaint against you!¡± ¡°Knox Ridge, let it go, it really was my mistake¡­¡± ¡°What do you mean, let it go! Drive, let¡¯s go!¡± As they approached the entrance of Azure Wind Restaurant, they saw Knox Ridge in a dispute with several security guards. Burl Radcliffe, as usual, stood there silent. When a woman is too domineering, a man often appears very weak. In the Radcliffe family, Knox Ridge held all the power, and no one dared to defy this woman¡¯s will. ¡°Dad, Mom, what happened?¡± Seeing the red-faced contention, Quella Radcliffe was somewhat concerned; her own mother never gave her peace of mind. ¡°What exactly is the matter?¡± Quella Radcliffe approached the group, furrowing her brow. ¡°Miss, this gentleman reversed into a Rolls-Royce parked nearby. The owner of the Rolls-Royce hasn¡¯t appeared yet, so we can¡¯t let them leave,¡± the security guard explained patiently. ¡°It¡¯s not your car that got scratched! You sure like to poke your nose into wide matters! Just let us through, we¡¯re in a hurry!¡± Knox Ridge always resorted to making a scene when faced with issues; her shrewish spirit was something most people couldn¡¯t withstand. ¡°Lady, if we let you go, we¡¯ll have to bear the cost of the car owner¡¯s damage! As you know, just this small patch of paint on a Rolls-Royce could cost tens of thousands,¡± the security guard patiently explained, maintaining politeness as required for guards of a high-end restaurant. Even when dealing with such a shrew. Following the direction of the security guard¡¯s gaze, Quella Radcliffe was surprised to find that the Rolls-Royce was the same car Julius Reed had borrowed. When they arrived, they had parked it next to Burl Radcliffe¡¯s Passat. It must have been Burl Radcliffe who was so terrified in the restaurant that he panicked while driving and accidentally crashed the Rolls-Royce. She naturally knew the price of a Rolls-Royce, and such a big scrape would cost at least tens of thousands, possibly up to hundreds of thousands if it was serious. The car was borrowed by Julius Reed, and he would definitely have to bear the cost of the repairs. Thinking of this, Quella Radcliffe felt a wave of bitterness in her heart. ¡°I¡¯ll give you money! Once the car owner comes out, just say it was from me! Security brother, I¡¯m in a hurry right now, do you get it? If you delay our business, you can¡¯t afford it!¡± Knox Ridge took out ten thousand yuan from her bag, handing it over to the security guard with evident pain. Although they were also part of the Radcliffe Clan, the two of them combined didn¡¯t earn as much as Quella Radcliffe alone. This ten thousand yuan was also not a small sum, and Knox Ridge¡¯s heart was practically bleeding when she took it out. ¡°Madam, your ten thousand is not enough! We understand luxury cars too, it will cost at least tens of thousands! The car owner didn¡¯t leave a number, and we can¡¯t contact them. How about this, I¡¯ll go find the manager to look for the car owner. Then you can settle it between yourselves.¡± The security guard took the walkie-talkie from his waist, ready to talk with the lobby. ¡°Hey! Why are you like this!¡± Knox Ridge certainly knew repairing the car would cost a lot of money, which is why she was willing to take out ten thousand. ¡°Let them go, I¡¯ll stay!¡± Julius Reed slowly walked down the steps. ¡°Right! This is my son-in-law, let him stay here! Mr. Radcliffe, let¡¯s quickly leave!¡± Seeing Julius Reed coming out of the restaurant, Knox Ridge quickly got into the passenger seat and buckled up her seatbelt. ¡°Quella, hurry up and get in the car!¡± She gestured to her daughter. Now that Julius Reed had volunteered to take the fall, they might as well let this loser stay behind. ¡°I¡¯m not going!¡± Quella Radcliffe was extremely angry; Julius Reed had offered to stay, and her mother hadn¡¯t even said a word of thanks. Not only that, but Knox Ridge even wanted Julius Reed to stay behind alone. That was too much! ¡°I¡¯m asking you one last time! Think it over carefully!¡± Knox Ridge rolled down the window, looking at Quella Radcliffe angrily. Her daughter was actually siding with Julius Reed; she had thought Quella had come to her senses back at the restaurant. With a roar, Burl Radcliffe drove the Passat out of the Azure Wind Restaurant parking lot. Because he was going too fast, he completely smashed the hotel¡¯s railing upon exiting. ¡°How could they do this! ¡± Quella Radcliffe stomped her foot in frustration as she watched the Passat disappear in an instant, and tears began to fall. ¡°It¡¯s okay!¡± Julius Reed walked over to her, gently bringing her into his embrace. ¡°Julius, I¡¯m sorry!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s nose tingled, and she could no longer control her collapsing emotions. She Imew her husband had suffered a lot over the past three years. Even now, being able to make Jaxen Brandon bow, Julius Reed still continued to accommodate her parents, all for the sake of keeping her face. ¡°Sir, you see¡­¡± The security guard approached Julius Reed somewhat helplessly, feeling sympathetic for him having such a mother-in-law. ¡°Beep!¡± Julius Reed took out his car keys from his pocket and unlocked the car doors instantly. ¡°Do you have any cash on you?¡± He looked at Quella Radcliffe. Although he was very rich, all his money was on a black card, and he didn¡¯t have a cent in cash. ¡°I do!¡± Quella Radcliffe rummaged frantically, pulling out two thousand in cash from her bag. ¡°This money is for fixing the railing, and you can use the rest to go have a drink! ¡± Julius Reed handed the two thousand to the security guard, patting his shoulder. ¡°Thanks for your hard work so late at night!¡± ¡°This¡­ thank you!¡± The security guard accepted the money, feeling a warm surge in his heart. He had not expected that the young man before him was actually the owner of the Rolls-Royce and that he would treat them so kindly. A few hundred would fix the railing, and the rest of the money was a welcome surprise for them. ¡°Take care, sir!¡± The security guards all saluted in unison.. Chapter 33 - Chapter 33: Chapter 32: It’s Convenient When You Get Started 1 Chapter 33: Chapter 32: It¡¯s Convenient When You Get Started 1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation All the way, Quella Radcliffe kept her head down. She felt that this was really unfair to Julius Reed! ¡°I¡¯ll pay for the car repairs.¡± Quella Radcliffe mustered up her courage and whispered from the passenger seat. This incident was caused by her parents, so only she could solve it. Julius Reed didn¡¯t have a cent to his name, and she knew that better than anyone else. ¡°It¡¯s fine!¡± Julius Reed said nonchalantly. A few hundred thousand was just a drop in the bucket for him. Now with the black card in hand, there must be at least tens of billions in it. And Titan Group was actually his company. ¡°No way!¡± Quella Radcliffe shook her head like a rattle drum. ¡°Even though Sky Reed is your relative, the car was borrowed by us, we can¡¯t let others pay for it!¡± Even though Sky Reed wouldn¡¯t miss that amount of money, it would undoubtedly make Julius Reed seem lesser in the eyes of others. From childhood to adulthood, Quella Radcliffe had always been so strong-willed. ¡°I still have money in my account. I¡¯ll check if it¡¯s enough tomorrow!¡± ¡°Really, it¡¯s nothing! It¡¯s just a car, and Sky Reed and I are in good terms.¡± Julius Reed chuckled on the side. The car was already his, it was just that he couldn¡¯t explain that to her yet. Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t fully accept what had happened today, and if she found out her husband was such a figure, she might very well be scared witless on the spot. The time wasn¡¯t right yet. Screech! Just then, Julius Reed abruptly brought the car to a halt! ¡°What¡¯s the matter!¡± Quella Radcliffe lurched forward, looking at Julius Reed with a bewildered face. But she was surprised to discover that her husband¡¯s face bore an unprecedented seriousness. ¡°Stay in the car, no matter what happens, don¡¯t make a sound.¡± After saying this, Julius Reed opened the car door and walked slowly to the side of the road. Before Quella Radcliffe could figure out what was happening, five vans suddenly drove to the center of the road, and then a dozen men in black got out. ¡°Is this¡­¡± Her pupils dilated sharply, and she reached for her phone to call the police. Even if she was naive, Quella Radcliffe knew they were in trouble. ¡°Kid, you¡¯ve got guts!¡± Just then, one of the men in black spoke up. Because it was late at night, the street was very quiet, so every word clearly reached Quella Radcliffe¡¯s ears. ¡°Tailing me for so long, you must be tired, huh?¡± Julius Reed put his hands in his pockets and coldly looked at the dozen or so men in black in front of him. After leaving Azure Wind Restaurant, he noticed someone tailing him, and that¡¯s why he decided to stop on the street, waiting for these people to make a move. This group probably wasn¡¯t called by Radley Ridge, because there wasn¡¯t enough time to organize such an operation. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect you to be quite smart!¡± The leader of the men in black nodded and asked with a smile, ¡°Knowing that we¡¯re following you, you still dared to stop the car?¡± If Julius Reed had sped up, they really would have had a hard time making a move. But since the other party realized they were being followed and still stopped, it puzzled the men in black. ¡°There are few people around here, makes it less troublesome to take action.¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, his hands still in his pockets. They were currently in a newly developed area of Gonzalez City. Since it was undergoing development, there weren¡¯t many residents. And because it was late at night, there were hardly any cars passing by. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect you to be so considerate of us!¡± The man in black gave a sinister smile, taking a cigarette out of his pocket. ¡°Do you want to Imow who sent us?¡± He took a deep drag of his cigarette, asking in a deep voice. ¡°Couldn¡¯t be people sent by Jaxen Brandon, could it?¡± After thinking it through, Julius Reed realized that today he had only offended Jaxen Brandon. To create such a commotion, Otis Radcliffe didn¡¯t have the nerve, and Wellington Radcliffe was even less likely. ¡°No mistake about it, you really are tired of living, daring to offend even Mr. Brandon!¡± The leader threw his cigarette butt on the ground and stamped it out lightly. ¡°Mr. Brandon instructed to cripple you and throw you into the river! Move!¡± After these words, the people in black swarmed up. Quella Radcliffe, inside the car, heard everything crystal clear. Her face turned pale with fright, and she hurriedly dialed the emergency number. Meanwhile, her eyes remained fixed on what was happening outside the car. ¡°Is that all Jaxen Brandon is capable of?¡± Julius Reed shook his head. These men in black might have some ability, but it was all brute strength. Now that his memories had awakened, dealing with such people was effortless for him. Bang! In the instant the men in black charged at him, he suddenly sprung forward! His powerful fist landed solidly on the foremost person, the immense force Imocking down five people in a row! ¡°Shit! He¡¯s a practitioner, everyone be careful!¡± The initially confident man in black grew serious. Knocking down his five brothers with a single move¡ªhe definitely wasn¡¯t an ordinary person. But before he could recover from the shock, Julius Reed¡¯s fist smashed down again! Crack! The man in black hurriedly raised his arms to block, but the moment his arms came into contact with Julius¡¯s fist, the sound of breaking bones followed immediately! He screamed, lying on the ground, wailing in pain. ¡°Today, no one¡¯s leaving!¡± Seeing the remaining few men in black attempting to flee to the van, Julius stomped the ground fiercely, shooting behind them like a snake! Bang! Bang! Bang! A series of three punches swung out, directly knocking them to the ground. In less than half a minute, over a dozen men had all fallen, not one left standing. ¡°Good sir, spare me this once!¡± The leader in black, enduring the pain of broken bones, pleaded from the ground. He was from the Three Blade Group, but he had no idea that he was up against such a fierce fighter. With just one encounter, all his men had lost their ability to fight. ¡°I am never merciful to my enemies.¡± Julius Reed walked over to him coldly and slowly lifted a foot. ¡°Brother, you¡¯ve already offended the Brandon Family; do you really want to offend the Three Blade Group as well? If you let me go, I will plead with Mr. Brandon for you when I return!¡± In a desperate situation, the man in black had no choice but to invoke the name of the power backing him. ¡°The Three Blade Group?¡± Julius lifted an eyebrow and asked, ¡°Is it the Three Blade Group from the Five-river Province?¡± In the Five-river Province, among the famous names, there was the Three Blade Group. The big boss of the Three Blade Group was Maurice Yarrow. When Aron Jackson first came to Gonzalez City, he considered whether to make an enemy of the Three Blade Group, but at that time he had lost his memory. To avoid trouble, Jackson didn¡¯t touch the Three Blade Group. Unexpectedly, today he encountered people from a branch of the Three Blade Group, and what¡¯s more, they were in cahoots with the Brandon Family. ¡°Why are you working together with the Brandon Family? If you say one wrong word, I¡¯ll take your life immediately!¡± Julius threw his question bluntly. ¡°My name is Ignacio Cook. The Three Blade Group has nearly a thousand people in Gonzalez City. As for Mr. Brandon, he gave our manager three million to hire us to teach you a lesson!¡± Ignacio Cook spilled everything without any hesitation, not daring to hide a single detail. ¡°You can die now!¡± Bang! Julius¡¯s foot came crashing down, crushing his head! ¡°Come over and help me with this.¡± He took out his cell phone and called Aron Jackson. After finishing all this, Julius Reed straightened his clothes calmly and walked towards the Rolls-Royce as if nothing had happened. ¡°Hello, this is the emergency center¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s nothing now¡­¡± Inside the car, Quella Radcliffe hung up the emergency call with trembling hands.. Chapter 34 - Chapter 34: Chapter 33 Black Wind Bar_l Chapter 34: Chapter 33 Black Wind Bar_l Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Throughout the journey, Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t shake off the shock from earlier. When had her husband become so powerful? Julius Reed had easily knocked down more than a dozen men, almost casually. But she didn¡¯t dare to ask, because Julius must have had his reasons for doing so. The atmosphere remained awkward all the way to their room, where they both went to bed separately. Julius couldn¡¯t speak about it, for it truly wasn¡¯t the right time yet. He didn¡¯t want Quella to get involved in this mess, at least not until he had resolved all the issues. ¡°Do I need to take care of the Brandon Family?¡± After handling things, Aron Jackson sent a message to Julius. He was particularly furious about today¡¯s events and was itching to lead his men straight to the Brandon Family for retribution. The Brandon Family was audacious indeed, daring to harm the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance! They couldn¡¯t escape their doomed fate! But before taking action, he needed to consult Julius. ¡°Send the Brandon Family a big ¡®present¡¯ first. Also, give the Three Blade Group a little knock for me.¡± If the Brandon Family dared to trouble him, Julius was certainly not going to let them off the hook! But now that the people from the Three Blade Group were involved, it seemed a bit more complicated. He hadn¡¯t fully recovered his memories, but deep in his subconscious, he remembered having an extremely powerful enemy. And it was because of this person that he had lost his memory in the first place! ¡°The Three Blade Group? They¡¯re involved too?¡± Upon seeing Julius¡¯s message, Aron felt a surge of nameless ire. He had long found the Three Blade Group disagreeable but had refrained from taking action to avoid trouble. But now, they had crossed the line! ¡°The ones who troubled me today were from the Three Blade Group. Accompany me to their company later and teach them a lesson. ¡± Julius detailed the evening¡¯s affairs and then turned off his phone, pretending to sleep. Aron was someone he could trust to handle things. But he had to personally take charge of today¡¯s matter. It might take a bit more effort to explain things to Quella, though. The night had deepened, and the citizens had long turned off their lights and gone to sleep, recharging for the next day¡¯s work. But in certain corners of the city, life was just beginning. Black Wind Bar, located in the outskirts of Gonzalez City, was a bar that was closed during the day but bustling at night. Many regulars arrived early at the bar to start their hedonistic nightlife. Despite its remote location, the bar¡¯s facilities were quite complete, and even some bars in big cities might not compare. Because the Black Wind Bar was established by the Three Blade Group, backed by an immensely strong financial chain. Maurice Yarrow had expanded into Gonzalez City because it was close to the sea, convenient for many out-of-town visitors to come by boat. At this moment, a group of people got out of their vehicles, ready to enter the bar. ¡°Sir, please show your membership card!¡± Upon reaching the entrance, several burly men stopped them. ¡°Take a good look!¡± Dominating Tiger pulled out a golden card from his pocket, which bore the image of three steel knives and a skull. This was the Black Wind Bar¡¯s gold membership card, exclusive to the Three Blade Group. Without this card, one couldn¡¯t even dream of setting foot inside the bar! Inside, there was a deputy manager from the Three Blade Group, along with nearly a hundred staff members. For Aron, getting his hands on a Black Wind Bar membership card was no trouble at all. ¡°Please come inside!¡± The moment the burly men saw the card, their attitude shifted to one of respect. A gold card! There were less than ten in the entirety of Gonzalez City. ¡°Boss!¡± Dominating Tiger stepped aside to let Julius and Aron enter first, then followed closely behind with his men. As they walked, Dominating Tiger was extremely tense. Even though he usually roamed freely in Gonzalez City, they were now on the Three Blade Group¡¯s turf to cause trouble! Could they really get away unscathed? Watching the relaxed demeanor of Julius Reed and Aron Jackson, Dominating Tiger couldn¡¯t help but feel unsettled. The Three Blade Group is like a hegemon in Five-river Province, and what they were about to do could be likened to pulling a tooth from a tiger¡¯s mouth! ¡°Boss, what would you like to drink?¡± Seeing a group of people walking in, the greeter hurried over. ¡°Anything will do! Give me the most expensive drink first! ¡± Aron Jackson pulled out a card from his pocket and handed it to the greeter: ¡°The faster, the better!¡± ¡°Yes! Please wait a moment!¡± The greeter¡¯s eyes shone with keenness, as a membership card of the five million level represents a big shot in a place like Gonzalez City. He must be careful in attending to their needs, to avoid any trouble. A minute later, the greeter returned with the card and some fine cocktails, accompanied by one of the bar¡¯s managers. ¡°Gentlemen, you seem somewhat unfamiliar. Is this your first visit?¡± Customers who could recharge five million in one go were rare. The lobby manager remembered every single one, but he had no recollection of these people. Very unfamiliar. ¡°A friend recommended the place!¡± Aron Jackson waved Dominating Tiger¡¯s card and said, ¡°We¡¯re here to do business, and to have a bit of fun while we¡¯re at it.¡± According to Aron Jackson¡¯s thinking, they could just smash up the bar with his brothers, as he had the strength to do so. But Julius Reed disagreed, insisting on visiting the bar to see, kill with psychological tactics, and lead disaster elsewhere. Though Aron Jackson didn¡¯t understand, he had no choice but to comply. ¡°Please follow me!¡± Guided by the lobby manager, they arrived at a table. At the moment, the guests here were drinking and making merry, many competing in drinking speed to see who could drink the fastest. Beside them, many women let out shrieks, spurring on the men¡¯s will to compete. The bar was chaotic, and clearly not joking around. The Three Blade Group alone earned over a billion a year from Black Wind Bar. Therefore, Maurice Yarrow valued the turf in Gonzalez City highly and stationed many people from the Three Blade Group here. Moreover, he would inspect the place twice every month. The appearance of Julius Reed and his companions attracted a lot of attention, as among the many customers who came here, few were personally escorted by the lobby manager. ¡°This drinking pace is too slow, I can finish a bottle in two seconds,¡± Julius Reed sat in his chair and said casually, ¡°Is there anyone who¡¯ll drink with me? Whoever wins can take away a hundred thousand in one go.¡± Aron Jackson placed ten bundles of hundred-dollar bills onto the table, immediately making everyone¡¯s eyes sparkle. ¡°To be honest, this is my first time here, so I don¡¯t know how to play anything else. The money¡¯s right here; if you have the skill, feel free to take it. This is just a start, how much I lose will depend on your abilities!¡± Julius Reed crossed his legs and said indifferently. After he said this, the customers, as if injected with an adrenaline boost, began to rub their hands with anticipation. Since there was an easy mark giving away money, why would they refuse? Many even placed their hopes on Julius Reed, looking to win back a sum from him. ¡°If there are no objections, let¡¯s begin!¡± Julius Reed glanced at the customers and pushed the hundred thousand forward. ¡°I¡¯ll go first!¡± A middle-aged man also took out a hundred thousand in banknotes, his eyes revealing a greedy glint. ¡°Sure!¡± Julius Reed nodded and smiled, watching the man. ¡°Then I won¡¯t hold back!¡± The middle-aged man took a deep breath, grabbed the bottle, and began to drink. ¡°Too slow!¡± At the same time, Julius Reed grasped a bottle with one hand, broke off the bottom, and swiftly sucked an entire bottle of booze into his belly. The man in front of him hadn¡¯t even gotten half a bottle down. ¡°Sorry! You lost!¡± Thud! Julius Reed tossed the bottle onto the table and a smirk curled upon his lips.. Chapter 35 - Chapter 35: Chapter 34 Take the Money and Run 1 Chapter 35: Chapter 34 Take the Money and Run 1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°Wow!¡± A cry of surprise came from the table. ¡°Thanks, brother!¡± Aron Jackson held the one hundred thousand in cash in front of Julius Reed and Aron Jackson held the one hundred thousand in cash in front of Julius Reed and asked, ¡°Anyone else want to come?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do it!¡± The failure of the first guest didn¡¯t sober the rest. On the contrary, more people were eager to try. The mentality of these bar patrons was always the same; they always thought they could succeed. But often, it was only after their failure that they could see themselves clearly. After a few rounds, many left dejected, having arrived full of fight, but when they left their seats, they all looked like defeated roosters. The noisy commotion quickly attracted the attention of countless others, who set aside what they were doing and gathered around to see what was happening. When they saw the small mountain of cash on Julius Reed¡¯s table, many felt a surge of hormones and a rush of excitement. By the end, the money in front of Julius Reed kept piling up, and the table could barely hold it. ¡°What¡¯s going on! Someone causing trouble?¡± A bald man asked, frowning, not far away. His name was Sonny Ridge, and he was the deputy manager of the Three Blade Group¡¯s branch in Gonzalez City. He always guarded the Black Wind Bar, responsible for keeping a good hold of the place for the Three Blade Group. Today, seeing a stranger cause such an uproar, he, as the deputy manager, felt quite uneasy. ¡°Brother, we¡¯ve been watching him closely. This guy has taken quite a bit of money from our bar in just half an hour. If this continues, our customers won¡¯t dare to come back!¡± The lobby manager responded in a low voice beside him. He had been standing by the whole time, but no matter how he observed, he couldn¡¯t detect any trickery from the other party. He had never seen such a way of drinking! This made him puzzled. The guy was clearly a newcomer, so how dared he make such a scene upon arrival! Besides, the Black Wind Bar was so renowned that nobody dared to make trouble. If someone was found intentionally causing trouble in the bar, they would face the punishment of having both hands chopped off. But if it was really just luck, that would be too incredible! ¡°I¡¯ll go meet him!¡± Sonny Ridge stood up and slowly walked toward the table. He truly couldn¡¯t believe that someone would dare to show such disrespect to the Three Blade Group. Meanwhile, Julius Reed was reaping a rich harvest, with cash piled high in front of him. In the regretful gaze of several patrons, Aron Jackson pocketed four hundred thousand in cash. ¡°Young man, not bad with the drinks, huh?¡± Sonny Ridge pushed through a few patrons in front of him and slowly sat down beside Julius Reed. ¡°Brother Dragon!¡± The others greeted Sonny Ridge upon seeing him. They mingled here all year round and were naturally very familiar with the deputy manager of the Three Blade Group. A few patrons who had lost money felt schadenfreude, thinking that with such a big win, Sonny Ridge would never let him walk away with the money! It was going to be a good show! ¡°Are you with this bar?¡± Seeing the patrons¡¯ attitude towards him, Julius Reed had a pretty good guess about the stranger¡¯s identity. ¡°Indeed! I am Sonny Ridge, in charge of the Black Wind Bar! You can¡¯t just take my customers¡¯ money; where would that leave my face as the boss?¡± A cold glint shone in his eyes as if trying to see through the other man. ¡°Fine, as long as you don¡¯t welsh on the bet!¡± Julius Reed met his gaze, causing a sudden chill in Sonny Ridge¡¯s heart. In his eyes, he felt an indescribable fear. ¡°I¡¯ll put down one million here, do you dare to take it?¡± Julius Reed said with a faint smile. ¡°One million!¡± His words caused a stir among the crowd. The stakes had been one hundred thousand each time, but now, playing against Sonny Ridge, he dared to say one million! Sonny Ridge was, in name, the boss of the Black Wind Bar. To speak to the boss like this was practically a death wish, wasn¡¯t it? Everyone was full of anticipation. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll play with you!¡± Sonny Ridge furrowed his brows but still nodded in agreement. He had come to challenge the man, and now he couldn¡¯t back out just because the stakes were high, or he would become a laughingstock. Seeing Sonny Ridge nod, the patrons quickly surrounded the table, ready for the spectacle. One was a newcomer who had caused a sensation today; the other was the nominal boss of the Black Wind Bar. The duel between the two was bound to be very interesting. ¡°But since we¡¯re both men, let¡¯s solve this in a manly way!¡± Sonny Ridge tossed a million in cash onto the table, twisting his neck to limber up. ¡°Forget it, my time is precious, I don¡¯t have time to play with you!¡± Julius Reed glanced at his watch and waved his hand towards Aron Jackson, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± At this, all the patrons were stunned. Sonny Ridge had brought the money and even took a seat, yet the other party just got up to leave? This was surely a severe lack of respect for Sonny Ridge. Those familiar with Sonny Ridge grew excited because they knew there was going to be a good show! This important figure from the Three Blade Group was known for his volatile temper; he wouldn¡¯t be able to swallow this insult! As expected, upon seeing Julius Reed about to leave, Sonny Ridge waved his hand, and the bouncers in the bar immediately surrounded them! ¡°Boss, what do you mean by this? Is this bar a black shop? Once you come, you¡¯re not allowed to leave?¡± Julius Reed turned around, smiling at Sonny Ridge. ¡°Sorry! You can leave, but the money stays!¡± Sonny Ridge slowly rose, pointing at the case in Aron Jackson¡¯s hand, ¡°Leave the money, and the men can go.¡± ¡°What do you mean by this!¡± Aron Jackson narrowed his eyes, emitting a chilling aura, and the men accompanying him also readied themselves for a fight. The air suddenly became tense. ¡°I¡¯m talking about millions here every minute, you can¡¯t afford the loss if you keep me here!¡± Julius Reed wasn¡¯t nervous but simply smiled lightly. ¡°Millions? Then let¡¯s bet a million! Dare or not! If you win, you take the money and go, I¡¯ll assure you no trouble!¡± Sonny Ridge patted his chest in guarantee. ¡°Since you¡¯re so confident, why don¡¯t I oblige?¡± Julius Reed stood still, calmly looking at Sonny Ridge. ¡°Tell me, how should we do this?¡± A gleam flashed in Sonny Ridge¡¯s eyes as he couldn¡¯t refuse such an easy target. No matter the game, the outcome of his victory was unchangeable. ¡°Since we¡¯re at the bar, let¡¯s drink. There are two crates of alcohol, each with twenty-four bottles. Let¡¯s see who can drink more in five minutes. The one who drinks the most wins. A real man wouldn¡¯t be afraid to drink, right?¡± Julius Reed spoke calmly. ¡°Wow!¡± The crowd erupted in an instant! In Gonzalez City, a million is no small amount! And to bet so casually, one must be really confident! ¡°How do I know if you can afford to lose?¡± Though Sonny Ridge was secretly ecstatic, he kept a calm facade. ¡°This card? You can¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t recognize it, can you?¡± Aron Jackson took out a black card and flaunted it in front of Sonny Ridge. ¡°Where¡¯s your money? We want cash!¡± ¡°Go, get the money!¡± Sonny Ridge waved his hand broadly, trembling with excitement. As the boss of the bar, of course, he recognized the black card ¨C it contained at least a billion! Moments later, a lackey from the bar walked up to the drinking table with ten small cases. ¡°One million per case, ten in total!¡± Sonny Ridge opened each case one by one, speaking seriously, ¡°There are so many witnesses here, you better not welch on the bet!¡± ¡°They¡¯re all real!¡± Aron Jackson inspected the cases closely and then nodded at Julius Reed. ¡°Well then, let¡¯s begin.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, casually picked up a beer bottle, popped the cap off with his finger, and started chugging. Sonny Ridge, not to be outdone, had the lackey line up opened bottles for him. But as he had drunk too fast, after three bottles, Sonny Ridge, believing himself to have an impressive tolerance, felt his stomach bloat, and he turned to vomit. Meanwhile, Julius Reed had already finished over a dozen bottles, as if his stomach was a vast container, continuously pouring them down his throat. Everyone was astonished ¨C was he still human? By the time Julius Reed finished the last bottle, Sonny Ridge had only managed six. His belly was bloated like a ball and his face had turned purple. ¡°Time¡¯s up. Since it¡¯s like this, thank you for the generosity, Brother Dragon. I¡¯ll take the money and leave!¡± Julius Reed got up, placing the final empty bottle on the table, and gave Sonny Ridge a slight smile.. Chapter 36 - Chapter 36: Chapter 35 Plav Again 1 Chapter 36: Chapter 35 Plav Again 1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The atmosphere in the bar instantly ignited, with patrons¡¯ hormones surging, letting out a roar like a tidal wave! Downing twenty-four bottles in one go, it was simply like a Wine God had descended! Sonny Ridge fixed his gaze on those empty bottles on the table, his pupils suddenly contracting. ¡°Quiet!¡± His face ashen, he shouted, and the noisy bar instantly fell silent. Everyone turned their attention to him, losing ten million in the drinking challenge¡ªno one dared to upset Ridge while he was fuming. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, bro? You can¡¯t afford to lose?¡± Julius Reed slowly turned around, expressionless, ¡°With so many people watching today, do you want to tarnish Black Wind Bar¡¯s reputation?¡± Upon hearing this, Ridge¡¯s heart suddenly tightened. The Black Wind Bar drew in so many patrons partly because it was safe. Secondly, because the bar¡¯s reputation was solid¡ªno one dared to default on their debts here. If Ridge, as the bar owner, were to start weaseling out, Black Wind Bar¡¯s reputation would certainly hit rock bottom, with losses beyond estimation. If such an incident occurred, the Three Blade Group would inevitably pursue it! Ridge was pocketing tens of millions each year from the bar; if he were punished by the Group for this incident and lost this income, it wasn¡¯t sure if Maurice Yarrow would even let him live. All eyes were on him, eager to see how this nominal bar owner would solve the issue. ¡°You cheated!¡± Ridge gritted his teeth and said, word by word. He did not believe that Julius could have finished all that liquor in such a short time! Twenty-four bottles, 500ml each¡ªthat¡¯s 12 liters! A normal person¡¯s stomach isn¡¯t that large, and alcohol, unlike water, even contains gas. But looking at how flat Julius¡¯s stomach was, who would think he had been drinking? ¡°Oh? With so many people watching, you¡¯re accusing me of cheating?¡± Julius¡¯s gaze was piercing as he stared right into Ridge¡¯s eyes. ¡°This¡­ Ridge was at a loss for words. If he didn¡¯t let Julius leave, Black Wind Bar¡¯s reputation would be utterly ruined. But if he let Julius walk away just like that, the loss of ten million was minor compared to the blow to his pride! ¡°Let¡¯s change it up. Let¡¯s fight it out. Do you dare?¡± With that thought, Ridge steeled his heart. He was confident in his abilities; looking at his opponent¡¯s weak appearance, he was sure to win in a fight! ¡°What a sight to see today! I¡¯ve been hanging around bars for decades and never expected to witness such a powerful showdown!¡± ¡°This kid hasn¡¯t lost yet today! Taking ten million from Sonny Ridge is enough to cause a sensation in Gonzalez City!¡± ¡°Guess who will win this time?¡± While everyone was buzzing with anticipation, Julius shook his head and said, ¡°Haven¡¯t you heard the saying ¡®quit while you¡¯re ahead¡¯? I¡¯ve made so much money now; why should I agree to you?¡± Ridge¡¯s face darkened, his fists clenched tight. Never mind that he was the bar¡¯s nominal owner; just being the Deputy Manager of the Gonzalez City branch of the Three Blade Group, no one dared to talk to him like that! If he let Julius go just like that, he would be utterly humiliated! But if he didn¡¯t let Julius go, the damage to Black Wind Bar¡¯s reputation was incalculable! The patrons held their breath, eager to see how Ridge would resolve the matter. ¡°If you want me to stay, you have to come up with a bet that intrigues me!¡± Julius smiled faintly, ¡°Otherwise, I might just leave.¡± ¡°What would it take for you to fight me?¡± Ridge asked, already deciding he would agree to whatever Julius demanded. Ridge was very confident in his fighting skills! Last time, he was just careless! ¡°Then I¡¯ll take both your hands; I don¡¯t like impolite people much. Plus fifty million in cash¡ªif you win, I¡¯ll pay double.¡± Julius raised his eyebrows, looking at Ridge with a mocking smile. If the Three Blade Group dared to make trouble for him, he wouldn¡¯t mind giving them a big surprise. Within half a day, the news would spread throughout Five-river Province with people from all sectors in Black Wind Bar. It was like making a statement to deter others from troubling him again. ¡°Young fellow, what do you mean by this?¡± Sonny Ridge¡¯s eyes narrowed, and a murderous aura emanated from him. The people behind him also crowded forward with unfriendly expressions. The atmosphere became awkward, and the air was filled with the strong scent of gunpowder. ¡°I¡¯m not forcing you. If you can¡¯t accept it, then I bid you farewell!¡± Julius Reed chuckled lightly and turned to leave. ¡°Wait! I¡¯ll fight you!¡± After an inner struggle, Sonny Ridge¡¯s anger overcame his reason. ¡°In front of all these people, don¡¯t you dare go back on your word!¡± Sonny Ridge was very confident in his skills, and he couldn¡¯t just watch as the other party took ten million from him. Not only would this disgrace the reputation of the Three Blade Group, but he would also become a laughingstock. But if he could win back the money and cripple the other party¡¯s legs and feet, his fame in Gonzalez City would surely spread. However, what he didn¡¯t know was that standing by Julius Reed¡¯s side was Aron Jackson, who Maurice Yarrow regarded as a formidable opponent! ¡°So you really want to fight? Since you¡¯re courting death, I don¡¯t mind obliging you.¡± At this point, Sonny Ridge simply shed his mask and looked at Julius Reed coldly. This young man was too ignorant of his boundaries and didn¡¯t know how to behave properly. ¡°If you lose, you won¡¯t renege, will you?¡± Julius Reed eyed the people from the Three Blade Group inside the bar, his face deliberately showing a hint of worry. ¡°When I, Sonny Ridge, spit, it¡¯s as solid as a nail! In this line of work, honor is everything! ¡± Sonny Ridge patted his chest and shouted in front of everyone, ¡°Brothers, I ask you all to bear witness today!¡± ¡°Alright!¡± ¡°Manager Ridge is powerful and domineering!¡± The guests let out sharp screams, some even blew whistles. They knew this showdown would be a tale told in Gonzalez City for at least five years. If Sonny Ridge won, not only would he uphold the reputation of the Three Blade Group by subduing Black Wind Bar and crushing a ruffian, but his prestige would also greatly increase within the group and throughout Gonzalez City. If Julius Reed luckily won, these people didn¡¯t dare to imagine. Would the Three Blade Group really let their manager be beaten with broken hands? And given that Julius Reed¡¯s background didn¡¯t seem simple, what kind of sparks would the clash ignite? ¡°Fair enough! Then let¡¯s decide the outcome with one fight!¡± Julius Reed walked to an open area and stretched out his hand, ¡°Since this is your turf, you go first!¡± ¡°Good! You¡¯re indeed a straightforward man!¡± Sonny Ridge narrowed his eyes and strode over. The two men seemed to be chatting merrily, but Dominating Tiger was sweating bullets behind them. Breaking the arms of the deputy manager of the Gonzalez City branch on the Three Blade Group¡¯s turf was just too thrilling! He wiped the sweat from his forehead and slid his hand into his jacket pocket. Inside, there was a derringer. ¡°I hope you keep your promise!¡± In the bar, Sonny Ridge¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he suddenly made his move! ¡°You lose.¡± This time Sonny Ridge wasn¡¯t complacent; he unleashed his killer move right away! If you want to die, so be it! A cold sneer crossed Sonny Ridge¡¯s mind as the people from the Three Blade Group slowly closed in. Bang! Julius Reed didn¡¯t move from his spot and threw a hard punch, sending Sonny Ridge flying backward! ¡°Revenge!¡± The people from the Three Blade Group roared and swarmed in an instant. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Dominating Tiger quickly stepped in front of them. The very thing he had feared the most had indeed happened.. Chapter 37 - Chapter 37: Chapter 36 Acting Naughty_l Chapter 37: Chapter 36 Acting Naughty_l Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The air in the Black Wind Bar was thick with the smell of gunpowder. Onlookers held their breaths, ready to witness the moment. Although Julius Reed¡¯s victory was expected, there was still a sense of regret in everyone¡¯s heart. This was Sonny Ridge¡¯s turf, and he couldn¡¯t escape. All the victories he had achieved before seemed insignificant in front of the Three Blade Group. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Brother Ridge, you¡¯re not going to be a sore loser now, are von?¡± Seeing these people surround him, Dominating Tiger¡¯s expression instantly turned cold. And the bartenders of the Three Blade Group also rolled up their sleeves, ready to take action. In the Black Wind Bar, no one had ever left with tens of millions in winnings! Not before, and not in the future either! ¡°So you¡¯re just a bunch of bullies.¡± Knowing they were prepared to fight, Julius Reed still had a calm and composed look on his face, as if he was holding all the winning cards. Sonny Ridge thought he could beat me? That was simply impossible! Sure enough, after hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, Sonny Ridge said with a grim face, ¡°Kid, I¡¯m sorry, but in my place, you have to follow my rules!¡± The moment the other party made such a humiliating request, Sonny Ridge had already intended to kill. He was the Deputy Manager of the Three Blade Group¡¯s Gonzalez City branch, and someone had threatened to break his hands! For the past two years, the Three Blade Group had been rising like the sun at noon, with tremendous influence across the Five-river Province. As a member of the group, his arrogance was naturally boundless. Breaking Julius Reed¡¯s limbs today was more about showing the guests present. Whoever dared to pull a whisker out from under the tiger¡¯s chin had better be prepared to be eaten. ¡°Brother, I advise you to kneel down and beg for mercy, or else your brothers won¡¯t make it out in one piece.¡± Sonny Ridge stood up from the ground, glanced at Dominating Tiger and the others, and a cold smile appeared on his lips. Causing trouble on the home turf of the Three Blade Group, isn¡¯t that seeking death? The guests stared intently at Julius Reed, wanting to see how he would solve the problem. Although Sonny Ridge was unreasonable and had lost the fight, no one could stop him from being a sore loser. ¡°You¡¯ve lost, and now I¡¯m going to take your hand.¡± Julius Reed approached the bar table and spoke calmly, ¡°Brother, you can¡¯t doubt my strength, right?¡± ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll let you die with a clear understanding! Just witness the strength of the Three Blade Group for yourself!¡± This was a sure-win situation that simply couldn¡¯t be turned around. But Sonny Ridge kept a close watch on the door to prevent him from running away. ¡°Those who aren¡¯t afraid of death, come at me.¡± Julius Reed rolled up his sleeves and said to the people of the Three Blade Group, ¡°I¡¯m unarmed now, but beating you guys is no different from killing chickens!¡± ¡°Trying some trick!¡± ¡°No matter what you try, you can¡¯t escape defeat!¡± ¡°Surrounded and still daring to provoke us?¡± Daring to provoke Sonny Ridge in front of everyone, was Julius Reed courting death? Sonny Ridge¡¯s brow furrowed, unsure of what Julius Reed was up to. A situation that was sure to lose, was there even a need to struggle? ¡°No wonder you got the king on your first draw!¡± A daring idea appeared in everyone¡¯s mind! ¡°Cut the crap!¡± Sonny Ridge¡¯s pupils shrank as he grabbed a guest by his side and shouted, ¡°How dare you say I¡¯m not honorable!¡± ¡°No¡­ Lord Ridge, you heard wrong!¡± The guest was terrified, shaking all over. ¡°If you¡¯re afraid of what others say, why do you have people stopping us? In this world, there¡¯s no one as shameless as you!¡± Julius Reed tucked his hands into his pockets, his eyes filled with ridicule. ¡°Just now, everyone saw that I won fair and square. Hundreds of eyes are watching. Do you think you can intimidate them into silence? The reputation of the Black Wind Bar, I¡¯m afraid, is about to be ruined by you!¡± As soon as these words were out, all eyes were on Sonny Ridge. Indeed, if word got out, would people still dare to come to the Black Wind Bar? Julius Reed certainly repelled Sonny Ridge with a punch in front of everyone. ¡°Damn, you¡¯re fucking with me!¡± Sonny Ridge pushed a guest aside and strode over to Julius Reed. If today¡¯s incident were to get out, the Black Wind Bar would be completely ruined! As the nominal owner of the bar, he actually went back on his word! If Maurice Yarrow got wind of this, he¡¯d probably use gang rules to punish him! That would be worse than death! ¡°What do you want!¡± Seeing Sonny Ridge approaching, Dominating Tiger quickly stood in front of Julius Reed. ¡°It¡¯s alright, I want to see just how domineering the Three Blade Group is!¡± Julius Reed gestured for Dominating Tiger to step aside and cleared the way. ¡°Kid, I want you dead!¡± Sonny Ridge indeed planned to break his promise, at any cost, he couldn¡¯t afford the consequences. Having lost so much money, his status in the Three Blade Group would surely plummet, and having his hands broken, wouldn¡¯t he then be a cripple? ¡°Anyone who dares leak a word of today¡¯s events, I¡¯ll kill him!¡± Sonny Ridge bellowed, grabbing a beer bottle on impulse. ¡°At the Black Wind Bar, Manager Ridge shamelessly breaks his word!¡± Julius Reed looked at Sonny Ridge with a teasing smile. ¡°Indeed outrageous!¡± A guest commented. Many distinguished individuals come here to play. But the vast majority here still hoped for fairness. Now that the owner had broken his word and was making threats, their anger was imaginable. ¡°Manager Ridge, I can¡¯t believe it! You are causing trouble in your own bar!¡± ¡°Exactly! If you¡¯re too scared to bet, don¡¯t make bets, and if you lose, don¡¯t go back on your word!¡± ¡°Pah! The Three Blade Group is too shameless!¡± Many distinguished guests spoke up, cursing. They had status in Gonzalez City and were not afraid of Sonny Ridge. Moreover, the bar owner bullying guests was indeed an act worthy of harsh criticism. ¡°Manager Ridge, give us an explanation, will you?¡± A young man stepped out from the crowd, wearing glasses and clad in a black suit. Behind the young man followed several burly bodyguards, clearly skilled in combat by the looks of them. ¡°Young Master Leopold!¡± Seeing the young man, Sonny Ridge¡¯s face grew even uglier. ¡°It was this kid who started the trouble!¡± ¡°This brother was right in front of me, and I saw his every move crystal clear. Are you saying there are problems with this young master¡¯s eyes?¡± Atlas Leopold adjusted his glasses, his tone turning somewhat icy. ¡°Of course not! Absolutely not!¡± Sonny Ridge quickly tried to appease him with a smile. Atlas Leopold was the great young master from the Leopold Family of Five-river Province, one of the Four Young Masters of the provincial city. The Leopold Family was a famous wealthy merchant family in Five-river Province. How could Sonny Ridge possibly provoke someone of that standing? ¡°Then I¡¯ll be taking your hands first!¡± Julius Reed waved his hand, saying to Dominating Tiger, ¡°Make it quick and clean, don¡¯t let him suffer too much! And take the money we¡¯re owed!¡± ¡°You dare!¡± Sonny Ridge narrowed his eyes, and the people from the Three Blade Group immediately crowded behind him. Atlas Leopold was untouchable, but this young man before him, Sonny Ridge wasn¡¯t afraid of him! ¡°Seize them all, break both their hands!¡± With Sonny Ridge¡¯s command, the men from the Three Blade Group swarmed forward. Chapter 38 - Chapter 38: Chapter 37 Sonny Ridge’s Wishful Thinking_l Chapter 38: Chapter 37 Sonny Ridge¡¯s Wishful Thinking_l Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°By doing this, aren¡¯t you afraid of breaking the bar¡¯s rules? If outsiders knew the owner of Black Wind Bar didn¡¯t keep his word, I wonder what they would think?¡± Faced with the encircling members of the Three Blade Group, Julius Reed showed no sign of panic. ¡°You little shit, still spouting nonsense when death is knocking on your door!¡± Sonny Ridge ground his teeth in anger¡ªhe was certain to take the blame today! In less than a day, the news would probably spread throughout Gonzalez City, perhaps even to Maurice Yarrow¡¯s ears. So now he couldn¡¯t care less! Even if it meant death, he¡¯d take someone down with him! ¡°Vice Manager Ridge, this hardly seems proper.¡± Atlas Leopold¡¯s expression grew grim at the sight of Sonny Ridge about to make a move. From the moment Julius Reed entered the bar, Leopold had been quietly observing him. Just by his aura, Leopold knew Reed was no ordinary person, and as a prominent rich heir in Five-river Province, recognizable by Leopold, he was sure Reed must be a wealthy young master from elsewhere. The current situation was unstable, seemingly on the verge of a reshuffle. Therefore, he intended to befriend this young man, to hold more chips for his future games. ¡°Young Master Leopold! This is a matter for the Three Blade Group, and we hope you¡¯ll not interfere!¡± Although Atlas Leopold had spoken up, Sonny Ridge did not give him the time of day. A strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake¡ªa person Vice Manager Ridge wants dead can¡¯t be saved by anyone! ¡°Young master, it¡¯s best to leave first! Once Sonny Ridge goes mad, I¡¯m afraid it¡¯ll be bad for you!¡± An elder by Leopold¡¯s side whispered quietly in warning. It was clear to anyone with eyes that Sonny Ridge was no different from a desperado now. Happening at Black Wind Bar, as the bar owner, he was bound to be culpable. Knowing Maurice Yarrow¡¯s iron-fisted way of handling things, Ridge would likely face more than just being stripped of his vice managerial position. ¡°Since Vice Manager Ridge insists on doing it his way, I will say no more! I take my leave!¡± Atlas Leopold glanced at Julius Reed, then left swiftly with his bodyguards. ¡°Mr. Ghost, check out this kid¡¯s background for me!¡± He had a hunch that Julius Reed was no small fry. ¡°Understood, young master!¡± The elder by Leopold¡¯s side nodded, beginning to make arrangements to handle the matter. Inside Black Wind Bar, Julius Reed and his group were completely surrounded. ¡°Big brother, I¡¯ll cover you¡ªget out of here!¡± Dominating Tiger¡¯s face was filled with a murderous aura. There were too many from the Three Blade Group, and in that moment, he felt unprecedented pressure. ¡°Aron Jackson, this man is dishonest and a sore loser, what should we do?¡± Julius Reed asked with a smile, hands clasped behind his back. No signs of nervousness ever showed on his face. It was as if he was on his own turf. ¡°If you dare to break the rules, you¡¯d better be prepared to face the consequences!¡± Aron Jackson took a cigarette out of his pocket and slowly lit it in front of everyone. ¡°Aron Jackson?¡± Sonny Ridge¡¯s brow furrowed as he felt the name was somewhat familiar. After thinking hard, his face suddenly changed! ¡°You¡¯re Aron Jackson!¡± As the vice manager of the Three Blade Group, he was much more informed than the average person. In Gonzalez City, the only threat to the Three Blade Group was Aron Jackson. This person was too mysterious, and acted without any regard for consequences. Maurice Yarrow had also thought about getting rid of Aron Jackson, but after a brief encounter between the two, the Three Blade Group¡¯s Gonzalez City branch received an order. Unless absolutely necessary, do not conflict with Aron Jackson at all costs. No one knew what they talked about during that meeting, but the fact that it made the rising star Maurice Yarrow calm his aggression was enough to shock everyone. ¡°Correct, I am Aron Jackson.¡± Aron Jackson held the burning cigarette between two fingers and licked his lips, saying, ¡°Even Maurice Yarrow doesn¡¯t dare speak to me like this, do you think you¡¯re worthy?¡± Hiss! The patrons present inhaled sharply, their bodies trembling involuntarily. In Gonzalez City, Aron Jackson¡¯s reputation was almost like that of the King of Hell! Anyone he targeted would not survive a day! Now, with Aron Jackson himself standing in front of them, how could they not De rngnteneag Sonny Ridge was startled and subconsciously took a few steps back, but then a smile appeared on his face. ¡°Aron Jackson, this is the Black Wind Bar! A key area protected by the Three Blade Group¡¯s branch office!¡± He pointed to the Three Blade Group members beside him: ¡°Heaven had a path and you didn¡¯t take it, hell had no gate yet you broke in! If I capture you, Boss Yarrow would surely be overjoyed!¡± Sonny Ridge was worrying about how to resolve today¡¯s issue, after all, ruining the reputation of Black Wind Bar was enough for him to be expelled from the Three Blade Group! But if he could capture Aron Jackson, it would undoubtedly throw the entire Gonzalez City into chaos! At that time, the Three Blade Group would be able to take Aron Jackson¡¯s place! This was exactly the scenario Maurice Yarrow wanted to see! ¡°That depends on whether you have the ability!¡± Aron Jackson threw the cigarette butt on the ground and ground it out with his left foot. ¡°Do you really think my Three Blade Group¡¯s reputation is empty talk?¡± Sonny Ridge sneered and quickly disappeared behind the group members. ¡°If you are smart, I won¡¯t make it difficult for you! But if you insist on resisting, when it comes to a fight, no one will be spared!¡± Sonny Ridge¡¯s voice came from afar, with a hint of pride: ¡°I respect you, Aron Jackson, for being a man. If you surrender willingly, I promise in front of everyone here, I will not make things hard for you!¡± If he could capture Aron Jackson alive, Sonny Ridge would surely rise to fame overnight! Even if they faced retaliation from Aron Jackson¡¯s company, the Three Blade Group feared nothing! ¡°As for the other young man, I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll have to chop off both his hands and feet, and beat him to death while he¡¯s still alive!¡± Remembering how Julius Reed had ruined his reputation, anger rose within Sonny Ridge. No matter what, he would not be able to wash away today¡¯s stain for the rest of his life. Sonny Ridge¡¯s resolute attitude made the hearts of everyone present race! ¡°Can you handle these people?¡± Julius Reed still looked at Aron Jackson with a nonchalant expression, as if completely unaware of the danger he was in. ¡°No problem!¡± As Aron Jackson answered, he lunged forward! In just an instant, he was face to face with the gun-wielding Three Blade Group member! Crack! Amidst the sound of breaking bones, he snapped the member¡¯s arm! ¡°Attack! ¡± Seeing the situation unfold, Dominating Tiger did not hesitate for a second! Seizing the opportunity, Julius Reed¡¯s figure flashed and vanished from the spot in an instant.. Chapter 39 - Chapter 39: Chapter 38: Pay to Release Someone 1 Chapter 39: Chapter 38: Pay to Release Someone 1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation ¡°Fucking waste of space! ¡± Seeing his own men falling one by one, Sonny Ridge couldn¡¯t help but curse loudly. However, relying on the numerical advantage, he wasn¡¯t worried that Aron Jackson and his people could escape. ¡°Since you dare to fight, don¡¯t blame me for turning you into a hornet¡¯s nest!¡± Amidst the chaos below, Sonny Ridge turned and walked into his office, pulling out a gun. ¡°Vice Manager, do you need us to take action?¡± A bulky strongman walked into Sonny Ridge¡¯s office, he was a bodyguard arranged by the Three Blade Group, ranked within the top ten in the organization, known as Tiger. Maurice Yarrow was worried about Aron Jackson, so he had stationed Tiger in Gonzalez City to ensure the safety of the three key members of the group. Along with Tiger, there was another man known as Buffalo. Usually, Tiger stayed at the Black Wind Bar. As for Buffalo, he followed the manager of the Three Blade Group¡¯s Gonzalez City branch, Gerrard Cook, to ensure the safety of this Gonzalez City manager. ¡°Although Aron Jackson has some ability, such a small force daring to rush into my Black Wind Bar is simply too disrespectful to the Three Blade Group! ¡± Clenching a Thomson in his hand, Sonny Ridge¡¯s mouth curled into a cold smile, ¡°Tell the boss a message for me, say Sonny Ridge is sending him a big gift! Aron Jackson¡¯s head!¡± ¡°If you need me, remember to call out!¡± Tiger nodded, stepping into the room and pulling out a black cell phone. This was a special phone for internal use within the Three Blade Group, and it couldn¡¯t be tapped. ¡°Boss, Aron Jackson has brought his people to the Black Wind Bar, and Sonny Ridge has already rushed out with a gun.¡± After calling, he spoke softly. ¡°How many people did he bring?¡± On the other end of the phone, Maurice Yarrow was in a meeting at the Three Blade Group¡¯s building. Over the years, with Maurice Yarrow¡¯s continual operations, the Three Blade Group had become very formal. It was the weekly routine meeting of the group, and although it was late at night, the group members were full of enthusiasm. ¡°About ten people!¡± Tiger replied truthfully. ¡°Perfect! Tell Sonny Ridge I want no survivors! If he handles this matter well today, it will be a huge merit for him!¡± Hearing the news, Maurice Yarrow became excited! Inside the meeting room, the group members looked at their boss with puzzled eyes, remembering how he usually was calm and composed, wondering when he had become so visibly elated. ¡°Tell everyone the good news! Aron Jackson has been killed at our Windy Johnson Bar!¡± Maurice Yarrow said with excitement in his voice, although Aron Jackson was not yet dead, he was well aware of the defenses at the Black Wind Bar. With only ten men, there was no way they¡¯d get out! Aron Jackson was doomed! ¡°What? Where did this news come from?¡± ¡°Is it Aron Jackson from Gonzalez City? What¡¯s he doing at the Black Wind Bar?¡± ¡°If this is true, we need to send people to Gonzalez City right away to take the opportunity to swallow un Aron Tackson¡¯s industries!¡± The members were quite excited to hear this news. They had all heard of Aron Jackson¡¯s name and were quite familiar with it. The Three Blade Group had the most difficulty developing their Gonzalez City branch. Despite his many attempts to advance further in the city of the Black Wind Bar, Maurice Yarrow hadn¡¯t managed to make significant progress. For this, he had once personally led the group¡¯s experts on a nighttime raid of Aron Jackson¡¯s mansion. But in the end, he was the only one who came out alive. The reason Aron Jackson didn¡¯t kill him was because Maurice Yarrow offered two billion to buy his own life. This incident was considered by Maurice Yarrow to be the greatest humiliation of his life, and he had never disclosed it to anyone. Now that Aron Jackson was about to be killed at the Black Wind Bar, how could he not be excited? ¡°Meeting adjourned immediately! Mitchell Pendleton, Bridger Davenport, the two of you take the core members of the group and follow me to Gonzalez City overnight! We¡¯ll take the lead before others notice!¡± A cold look flashed in Maurice Yarrow¡¯s eyes: ¡°You once took two billion from me, now I want you to pay with your life!¡± Meanwhile, inside the Black Wind Bar, Sonny Ridge was aiming his gun. ¡°Bro, you need a hand?¡± Just as he was about to shoot, a voice sounded from behind him. ¡°No need, go and help¡­¡± Before he could finish speaking, Sonny Ridge sensed something was wrong. This voice, why does it sound so familiar? ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± The next moment, his face changed dramatically! This was clearly the voice of the young man he had just been gambling with! ¡°Die!¡± Sonny Ridge felt an icy chill run down his spine; he violently turned around, intent on striking first! Bang! But where was the chance for him to fire? Julius Reed¡¯s left foot kicked out fiercely, sending the Thompson gun flying to the side. The next moment, Julius Reed gripped Sonny Ridge¡¯s neck with one hand, slowly lifting him from the ground. ¡°You¡­ how did you get out¡­¡± At this time, Sonny Ridge¡¯s eyes bulged, and his face turned a blackish purple. He couldn¡¯t understand how the young man managed to escape with nearly a hundred of his men surrounding the place? A sense of helplessness spread throughout his body, as if he was about to suffocate at any moment. Whoosh! Just then, a gust of wind came from behind Julius Reed! His eyes narrowed, and he quickly sidestepped! Bang! Following a loud noise, a muscular man landed where he had just been standing, and the floor where he stood was now shattered to bits. ¡°Let him go!¡± The fierce tiger clenched his fists tightly, his eyes shooting out a cold gleam! After noticing something was amiss from outside, he hurried out posthaste! But it was still too late. Julius Reed sized up the fierce tiger and shook his head gently. The man was indeed strong, but truly, he was not worth mentioning in Julius¡¯s presence! ¡°I will tear you to shreds!¡± Upon hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, the fierce tiger¡¯s facial muscles began to twitch. As a top ten bodyguard of the Three Blade Group, he was being looked down upon! Boom! He leaped high, his left leg chopping down viciously! This strike was incredibly powerful; if it connected, death was certain! ¡°Overestimating yourself! ¡± Julius Reed threw Sonny Ridge onto the ground and raised his left hand to grab the fierce tiger¡¯s left leg! ¡°Seeking death! My kick could split even stones in half!¡± Seeing his opponent dare to catch his attack, a sneer crept into the fierce tiger¡¯s heart. If he was looking for death, he would oblige! Bang! But the moment they made contact, the fierce tiger¡¯s face turned pale! His leg felt as though it had struck solid steel, shuddering his entire body with excruciating pain. Julius Reed¡¯s grip was like a vise, holding tight to the fierce tiger¡¯s left leg, and his right fist hammered down swiftly! Crack! A bone-chilling sound of breaking bones made the fierce tiger¡¯s heart wrench as though it were being cut by knives! Beads of cold sweat instantly covered his forehead, and his complexion became extremely pale! On the ground, Sonny Ridge looked as if he had seen a ghost, collapsing and trembling all over! The fierce tiger was a top ten bodyguard of the Three Blade Group, a man who had once taken down dozens by himself! ¡°I told you, you are not my match.¡± Julius Reed gave the fierce tiger a cold glance and spun toward him! Bang! Using the momentum, his elbow slammed brutally into the fierce tiger¡¯s chest, sending the over two-hundred-pound man flying into the opposite wall. Leaning against the wall, the fierce tiger¡¯s eyes were slightly closed, blood dripping continuously from his mouth; it was uncertain whether he was dead or alive. A renowned top ten expert of the Three Blade Group, taken down in one move! ¡°Tell your boss to come with fifty million to pick someone up!¡± Julius Reed gripped Sonny Ridge¡¯s neck with one hand and, under the gaze of countless onlookers, dragged him out like a dead dog. The members of the Three Blade Group all stopped in their tracks, their eyes filled with indescribable shock! Chapter 40 - Chapter 40: Chapter 39 Secretary_l Chapter 40: Chapter 39 Secretary_l Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Reilly Expressway. This is the fastest route from the provincial capital to Gonzalez City, and it only takes two hours to get there from the Three Blade Group. At this moment, a convoy was speeding on the expressway, driving over the speed limit the entire way. ¡°Boss, fortune really is on our side!¡± In the Mercedes in the middle of the convoy, Julius Reed, the deputy manager of the headquarters of the Three Blade Group, said with a laugh. His face was brimming with joy. Aron Jackson¡¯s power in Gonzalez City was too strong and severely hindered the development of the Three Blade Group. He dreamt of removing this thorn! Now that Aron Jackson had delivered himself to their doorstep, how could they not be pleased? ¡°If he¡¯s looking for death, he can¡¯t blame me for being impolite!¡± Maurice Yarrow sat in the back seat with his legs crossed. Nobody wanted Aron Jackson dead more than he did! ¡°For this feat, I suggest bringing Sonny Ridge back to headquarters to plan a new bar. The success of the Black Wind Bar can surely be replicated!¡± Mitchell Pendleton, the strategist of the Three Blade Group, was very satisfied with Sonny Ridge. Removing the thorn that was Aron Jackson would surely make the Black Wind Bar¡¯s business in Gonzalez City boom! In the last few days, they had planned to expand into other provinces, and opening bars was the top priority. And Sonny Ridge had ample experience in this area, making him the ideal choice. Just as they were discussing, Maurice Yarrow¡¯s cell phone rang. ¡°It¡¯s a call from Sonny Ridge; they must have succeeded over there!¡± Maurice Yarrow smiled slightly and answered the phone. ¡°Sonny Ridge, you¡¯ve made a significant contribution this time. Whatever you want, just say the word!¡± ¡°Boss¡­ ¡± From the other end of the phone, Sonny Ridge¡¯s voice was nearly trembling. ¡°What¡¯s the matter!¡± The three people in the Mercedes were startled. ¡°Maurice Yarrow, right? Your guy lost fifty million in the bar, cheated at cards and tried to duck out on the debt ¨C I took the liberty of taking him away! If you want him back, bring a ransom of two hundred million!¡± The cold voice of a stranger came through, and the three people¡¯s faces changed dramatically; their mood plummeted in an instant. ¡°Aron Jackson!¡± Maurice Yarrow nearly gnashed his teeth as he uttered the name! ¡°This has nothing to do with Aron Jackson; I¡¯m just an ordinary customer. Your man reneged on his debts on your Three Blade Group turf ¨C I¡¯m sure Boss Yarrow won¡¯t just sit by and ignore it, right?¡± Julius Reed leaned against the car, with Sonny Ridge bound in the passenger seat, his hands broken and writhing in pain. ¡°What on earth happened! Who are you!¡± Maurice Yarrow¡¯s corner of the mouth quivered uncontrollably, and his heart raced faster. Beside him, Mitchell Pendleton and Julius Reed had similarly grim expressions on their faces. Good news turned to bad news ¡ª who could stand it? ¡°Big brother, I lost fifty million gambling; it¡¯s my fault¡­¡± Once again, the fear-filled voice of Sonny Ridge came from the phone. ¡°Then why does he say it¡¯s two hundred million!¡± Maurice Yarrow took a deep breath, trying his best to stay calm. Even though the other party said he didn¡¯t know Aron Jackson, Yarrow was sure Aron Jackson had something to do with this! ¡°Principal and interest. You didn¡¯t think there¡¯d be no interest, did you? Since Boss Yarrow runs a bar, haven¡¯t you heard of loan sharking?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s leisurely voice came through. ¡°Tomorrow night at six, West Lake Pier, four hundred million.¡± ¡°Wasn¡¯t it two hundred million?¡± Maurice Yarrow¡¯s teeth gritted audibly! ¡°The interest will naturally rise. If you want him alive, remember to bring the money on time.¡± After saying this, Julius Reed hung up the phone and walked towards his house, opening the car door. By now, the horizon was showing a glimmer of dawn. Aron Jackson¡¯s people took Sonny Ridge and quietly disappeared into the darkness. ¡°More trouble than they¡¯re worth!¡± Inside the Mercedes, Maurice Yarrow crushed his cell phone in a fit of rage, his body trembling uncontrollably! Early the next morning, Julius Reed pulled Quella Radcliffe along to work at the company. Due to the enormity of the project and the significant amount of money involved, Quella Radcliffe made sure to personally oversee everything, ensuring that her first project in charge wouldn¡¯t encounter any mishaps. ¡°Where did you go last night?¡± Inside the car, Quella Radcliffe suddenly spoke up. She hadn¡¯t slept at all the previous night, only resting after Julius Reed returned, which finally put her at ease. At the moment, her eyes were filled with bloodshot veins, and she yawned all the way in the car. ¡°Nothing, just had a drink with Sky Reed.¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, his voice full of affection. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Originally, Sky Reed also suggested I fix up the car, but after we drank, he got tipsy and forgot all about it, even offered to give me the car.¡± Julius Reed said casually, without changing his expression. ¡°We can¡¯t just take other people¡¯s things, why don¡¯t you give it back to him!¡± Quella Radcliffe, accustomed to being strong, disliked it when others gossiped behind her back. She had heard some of the rumors circulating in the past few days, with most people saying she got intimate with Sky Reed to land the position of project manager and even drove his Rolls-Royce. While she wasn¡¯t bothered by the gossip, she couldn¡¯t ignore Julius Reed¡¯s feelings. But now it seemed that her husband didn¡¯t care in the least. ¡°It¡¯s fine, no need for that.¡± Julius Reed said with a faint smile, skillfully parking the car in front of the Radcliffe Group building. The entire Titan Group belonged to him, not to mention a Rolls-Royce. ¡°Look, they came in Sky Reed¡¯s car again!¡± ¡°How shameless!¡± ¡°Julius Reed isn¡¯t acting like a man at all, look at him smiling as he steps out of the car!¡± As the couple entered the company building, some of the employees began to gossip. Without even thinking about it, it was obvious that the rumors were spread by Otis Radcliffe and Tess Radcliffe. Especially Otis Radcliffe, who, after losing the position of project manager to Quella Radcliffe, had been trying all means to bring about her downfall. Arriving at the elevator entrance, a security guard stepped up to block Julius Reed. ¡°Sir, you are not an employee of the company, and according to Radcliffe Group policy, you are not allowed inside the company!¡± The security guard stood with his hands behind his back, blocking Julius Reed¡¯s path, his eyes filled with contempt. He had always looked down on Julius Reed¡¯s behavior, and after being entrusted by Otis Radcliffe, he was even more determined to take Julius Reed down a peg! ¡°You¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t help but frown. Even a mere company security guard dares to gesture and criticize her husband? ¡°President Radcliffe, even if you are the project manager, that doesn¡¯t mean you can break the company¡¯s rules, does it?¡± Just then, Otis Radcliffe came over with a beaming smile. He immediately pinned the hat of favoritism on Quella Radcliffe. ¡°I¡¯m her secretary now.¡± Seeing Otis Radcliffe appear, Julius Reed instantly understood. Without the General Manager of Radcliffe Group¡¯s instruction, how could a mere security guard dare to act like this? ¡°Ha! When did this happen? As the general manager, why am I completely unaware?¡± Otis Radcliffe sneered coldly. ¡°Now! ¡± Quella Radcliffe spoke up firmly. ¡°From now on, Julius Reed is my secretary! President Radcliffe, don¡¯t tell me that as a project manager, I don¡¯t even have this bit of authority?¡± ¡°Or is it that my title as project manager is just a courtesy title given by you ¡°Otis, you really have some nerve!¡± Chapter 41 - Chapter 41: Chapter 40 Otis Radcliffe’s Wishful Planning_l Chapter 41: Chapter 40 Otis Radcliffe¡¯s Wishful Planning_l Translator: 549690339 Otis Radcliffe¡¯s face immediately darkened. He had orchestrated this situation precisely to make Julius Reed uncomfortable. The meal at Azure Percival yesterday had led to Zade Radcliffe berating him harshly and docking half a year¡¯s salary. How could Otis Radcliffe feel at ease with this turn of events? A cold glint flickered in Otis Radcliffe¡¯s eyes, and his voice chilled as well. ¡°Every personnel decision in the company must have my signature of approval. You say he¡¯s your secretary, but did I approve it?¡± Otis Radcliffe pushed up his glasses on the bridge of his nose, a cold smile surfacing on his lips. Even if Quella Radcliffe became the project manager, her position was still beneath his. Zade Radcliffe had also promised him that, once the project cooperation was complete, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s position would be immediately withdrawn. So he was not intimidated and was, in fact, quite confident. ¡°Otis, what do you mean by this? Are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for Julius and me?¡± A chill flashed in Quella Radcliffe¡¯s eyes. From childhood, this younger brother had always been against her. Especially since she had married Julius Reed, Otis Radcliffe had become even more aggressive. ¡°This isn¡¯t about making things difficult for you!¡± Otis Radcliffe spread his hands. ¡°This is company policy! Quella, you wouldn¡¯t think that just because you¡¯ve become the project manager, you can disregard company policy, do you?¡± ¡°Otis, don¡¯t regret this.¡± Julius Reed shook his head. Such petty tricks were really pointless. ¡°Oh! Son-in-law, are you threatening me?¡± Otis Radcliffe scoffed at Julius Reed¡¯s words. A complete loser, thinking himself a phoenix just because he¡¯s perched on a branch? ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll leave it at this. Unless you and the chairman come begging to Quella with the entire company staff, we will never step into the company again!¡± After speaking, Julius Reed took Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand and strode out of the Radcliffe Group! ¡°Ungrateful! Just with you? Don¡¯t think just because Quella and Sky Reed slept together that you have nothing to worry about! Let me tell you, the Radcliffe Group spins the same with or without anyone!¡± Watching the two leave, Otis Radcliffe cursed loudly. ¡°Exactly! Thinking himself something special? Isn¡¯t he just climbing the ranks through his looks!¡± ¡°Gets a little success and becomes arrogant! In this company, apart from our General Manager Otis, it¡¯s all the same if anyone leaves!¡± ¡°On his first day in office, he wants to monopolize power, who knows what inappropriate things he¡¯ll do in the future! Good riddance, he¡¯s the scum of the group!¡± A bunch of Otis Radcliffe¡¯s lackeys loudly discussed this, as if worried that Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe wouldn¡¯t hear them. Suddenly, the noisy crowd fell silent. Julius Reed suddenly turned around and came back. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Regret it? Kneel down and apologize to me, and perhaps I¡¯ll let it slide!¡± Otis Radcliffe folded his arms, a look of pride on his face. Smack! Julius Reed suddenly lifted his right hand and slapped without warning! Because of the force, Otis Radcliffe was knocked to the ground! ¡°Watch your mouth. If it wasn¡¯t for your sister¡¯s face, you wouldn¡¯t be living till today!¡± After speaking, Julius Reed walked away under the dumbstruck gaze of the employees. ¡°You just wait!¡± Otis Radcliffe gritted his teeth and shouted. Being slapped in front of dozens of employees was a tremendous humiliation! If he didn¡¯t retaliate for this, he, Otis Radcliffe, swore he would not be a man! ¡°Are you really okay?¡± In the Rolls-Royce, Quella Radcliffe was somewhat worried. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Sky Reed is my relative; a small matter like this is no problem.¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t want to do this, but some people at the Radcliffe Group were too much! Without a lesson, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s days within the group would probably become even tougher. ¡°But Otis¡¯s words¡­ could they implicate Sky?¡± Having mixed in the business world for years, Quella naturally understood the reasoning behind this. There were undoubtedly people within Titan Group who didn¡¯t submit to Sky, and if this matter were to be exposed, Sky might get implicated. But what she didn¡¯t know was that the entire Titan Group was owned by Julius Reed, and she was the wife of the owner of Titan Group! ¡°Just wait, by this afternoon at the latest, grandpa will bring the company people to our house to apologize to you.¡± Julius Reed gave a faint smile and drove out of the Radcliffe Group headquarters. ¡°Go watch a movie?¡± ¡°Sure¡­ sure!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s cheeks reddened as if she had done something disgraceful. ¡°Grandpa! Look at this! Look at this!¡± Inside the chairman¡¯s office of the Radcliffe Group, Otis Radcliffe pointed at his bloodied face, furiously pounding on the desk! ¡°Who has ever hit me like this from childhood? Even you, grandpa, have never hit me like this!¡± Although Quella was favored in her childhood, Otis was the most popular person in the Radcliffe Family. In the end, a woman is to be married off! The one to inherit the family business could only be him! There had been rumors inside the group about Quella taking the position of general manager, but everything changed after she married Julius Reed. ¡°Absurd ! ¡± Zade Radcliffe touched Otis¡¯s face, full of fury: ¡°Julius Reed, you¡¯ve gone too far!¡± Although he had criticized his grandson just yesterday, seeing Otis¡¯s swollen face today filled him with nothing but anger! ¡°Grandpa, Julius Reed dared to do this entirely because of Quella! Now this wretched woman has hooked up with Sky and they bully us because they think we dare not touch her!¡± Complained Otis. ¡°Humph! I thought if she behaved and worked quietly, I would not trouble her. But since she dares to be so arrogant, cannot blame us for being unkind! Sky, is it? I want to see if he can protect Quella!¡± Saying this, Zade Radcliffe pulled out his phone and made a call. ¡°Brother Leopold, how have you been doing at Titan Group lately?¡± The person on the other end, Leonardo Leopold, was a high-level executive at Titan Group, with an annual salary of over five million and considerable power. The most important point was that he was a sworn enemy of Sky and had many connections with Zade Radcliffe. Zade Radcliffe hadn¡¯t wanted to offend Sky, but now he had no choice but to act. Heaven knows if he left Quella unchecked, she might turn the group upside down. ¡°Old Mr. Radcliffe, what brings you to call me today?¡± A middle-aged man¡¯s voice came from the other end of the phone. ¡°Here¡¯s the thing, your group¡¯s Sky has recently been negotiating a partnership with our company. But taking advantage of his great power, he insists on promoting a regular female employee, with whom he¡¯s had relations, to project manager. As soon as we oppose, he threatens to terminate the partnership.¡± For the sake of Otis, Zade Radcliffe did not hesitate to slander his own granddaughter. ¡°Such a thing? I was supposed to be your negotiation representative at first, but who knew this bastard Sky would snatch it away! Just wait, I¡¯m going to see the chairman right now! If this is true, Titan Group will never tolerate such a disgrace staying in the company!¡± Excited, Leonardo Leopold¡¯s voice came through from the phone. He had long disliked Sky but never had the chance to act on it. ¡°If all goes well, you¡¯ll be the new project manager, remember to do well!¡± After hanging up the phone, Zade Radcliffe looked at his grandson contentedly. ¡°Please rest assured, grandpa!¡± Otis felt a rush of secret satisfaction inside, and a trace of cold light flashed in his eyes! Once he secured the project manager position, he would make sure Quella was expelled from the Radcliffe Family! No¡­ Not just expelled from the Radcliffe Family! He would see to it that Quella and Julius Reed would neither live nor die as they wished! Chapter 42 - Chapter 42: Chapter 41 Stretching the Muscles and Bones 1 Chapter 42: Chapter 41 Stretching the Muscles and Bones 1 Translator: 549690339 Gonzalez City, Ocean Amusement Park. This is a comprehensive entertainment facility, and since Gonzalez is a coastal city, it attracts a great number of visitors. Located beside the shores of Gonzalez, the Ocean Amusement Park is not only a large playground but also a comprehensive shopping mall. After having fun at the beach, visitors can go indoors to watch a movie or enjoy a delicious meal and perhaps do some shopping for clothes. After leaving the Radcliffe Group, Julius Reed took Quella Radcliffe here, planning to catch a movie. The two had been married for three years but had never been to such a place together. ¡°Julius, can you tell me why you seem like a completely different person lately?¡± Walking in the amusement park and watching the young couples holding hands and hugging, Quella Radcliffe asked with her head lowered. This was a question weighing on her heart, and if it wasn¡¯t addressed, it would continue to consume her thoughts, leading to wild speculations. Her husband had changed so much she could barely recognize him, but one thing that hadn¡¯t changed was that he had always been kind to her. From the three years he entered their family to now, he had never changed. ¡°Actually, I lost my memory three years ago.¡± Julius Reed stopped walking, his hands in his pockets as he looked up at the sky. His eyes gazed at the white clouds above, his look as profound as the stars. ¡°But, by a chance occurrence, I regained some memories and remembered some friends from before.¡± As he said this, he withdrew his gaze and looked at Quella Radcliffe with affection: ¡°Thinking of Sky Reed, a relative of mine, I asked him to come and give us a hand. You¡¯ve struck gold¡ªturns out I¡¯m a rich second generation.¡± ¡°You? Ha ha!¡± Quella Radcliffe was amused all of a sudden: ¡°Then you must be the most aggrieved rich second generation in history.¡± With that, she added with a hint of bitterness, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for these past years¡­¡± Julius Reed had an incredibly miserable three years, not only cooking and cleaning but also enduring scolding and beating. ¡°It¡¯s all in the past.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I won¡¯t treat you like that anymore.¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at him with hopeful eyes. ¡°Come on! Let¡¯s go watch the movie!¡± Julius Reed patted her head, his eyes full of affection. Even with nearly a century¡¯s worth of memories restored, the one he cared about the most was the woman before him. During the three years he had lost his memory, Quella Radcliffe was his one and only. She was the sole color in his black and white world. ¡°What a coincidence, Brother Reed.¡± As the two were about to step into the cinema, an extremely discordant voice came from behind. ¡°Radley Ridge? How come you¡¯re here?¡± Upon seeing the speaker, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s brow furrowed as if tied in knots. Indeed, it wasn¡¯t a coincidence; they had run into each other at the Ocean Amusement Park. Accompanying Radley Ridge was a young gentleman who seemed to be from a good family. ¡°Young Master Potter, this is Quella Radcliffe whom I mentioned to you.¡± Seeing Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe, Radley Ridge didn¡¯t rush to seek revenge but started chatting with the young master beside him. ¡°Hmm! Brother Ridge, you have good taste¡ªyour sister-in-law is indeed breathtakingly beautiful! ¡± The one called Young Master Potter nodded his head, clearly impressed with Quella Radcliffe. Despite having seen many beauties, he couldn¡¯t help looking at her a few more times. ¡°It¡¯s a pity that she¡¯s already married; this is her husband, Julius Reed, whom I¡¯ve told you about.¡± Radley Ridge didn¡¯t get upset over Young Master Potter¡¯s remarks; instead, he shook his head and sighed: ¡°What a shame!¡± ¡°A fresh flower stuck in cow dung, how could such trash be worthy of Miss Radcliffe?¡± Quamaine Potter snorted disdainfully, his face showing contempt. ¡°If you know what¡¯s good for you, get lost! Make way for Brother Ridge here; otherwise, don¡¯t blame us for being unkind.¡± As his words fell, several burly men stepped in front of Julius Reed, their eyes menacing. Quamaine Potter was the only son of the Potter Family in Five-river Province, one of the four young masters of the provincial city. He was known for living a life of debauchery and seeking trouble everywhere, relying on his family¡¯s power¡ªan absolute wastrel. He was also the only unemployed idler among the four young elites of the provincial capital. Stanislaus Potter had only this one son, so he was especially doted on. He usually indulged him to a great extent, cleaning up whatever messes the son got Inco. In Five-river Province, Quamaine Potter was known as a complete devil incarnate. ¡°I would feel bad troubling Young Master Potter with my own matters.¡± Radley Ridge feigned difficulty, knowing today was an opportunity to take revenge on Julius Reed through Quamaine Potter¡¯s hands. As expected, upon hearing his words, Quamaine Potter said with some displeasure, ¡°I, Young Master Potter, always put righteousness first and would go through fire and water for my friends! I¡¯ll take care of today¡¯s matter!¡± ¡°This Brother Reed seems to have some connections with the local thug Flower snake. I got beaten up last time because of him.¡± Radley Ridge pretended to kindly remind him, with an expression of sorrow flashing across his face. All of this was observed by Quamaine Potter, who snorted coldly, ¡°You dare to mess with my friend? Kid, ask around in Five-river Province, see who dares to oppose me, Young Master Potter!¡± Accustomed to arrogance, how could Quamaine Potter take Julius Reed seriously? ¡°Then I¡¯ll have to trouble Young Master Potter!¡± After hearing this sentence, Radley Ridge¡¯s mouth curled into a cold smile. He had made acquaintance with Young Master Potter through an international schoolmate and had even invited him to come play in Gonzalez City. Little did he know, it was a small world, and they actually ran into Julius Reed! ¡°Just my bad luck!¡± Radley Ridge secretly rejoiced in his heart. ¡°Kneel down and apologize to my brother , and I might consider going easy on you.¡± Quamaine Potter stood with his hands behind his back, giving an order in an unequivocal tone. ¡°Today I¡¯m in a good mood and don¡¯t want to bother with you guys.¡± Looking at the few people in front of him, Julius Reed shook his head and took Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand, ready to leave. If his wife were not here, he would definitely give these rascals a severe thrashing. But today, he just wanted to have a good day with Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Leave him behind for me!¡± Seeing that the other party had ignored him and was even planning to leave, Quamaine Potter¡¯s anger flared up. In Five-river Province, there were few who dared to disrespect him, Young Master Potter! But this young man in front of him was clearly not one of them! ¡°Stop!¡± At Quamaine Potter¡¯s signal, a bodyguard stepped forward, his left hand reaching out to grab Julius Reed¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Get lost!¡± Julius Reed sidestepped slightly, his left hand gripping the burly man¡¯s wrist and then pressing down forcefully! Accompanied by a scream like that of a slaughtered pig, the wrist of the aggressor was crushed, and he squatted on the ground trembling. ¡°Damn! He¡¯s a practitioner!¡± Quamaine Potter raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips, ¡°Interesting. The rest of you, attack together!¡± When bullying others, those being bullied would kneel and beg for mercy, and none had dared to retaliate. After all, the name of the person, the shadow of the tree¡ªnobody dared to disregard the identity of Young Master Potter. So seeing that Julius Reed dared to injure his bodyguard, Quamaine Potter was somewhat excited. ¡°Don¡¯t kill him, I still want to have a good time with him.¡± The remaining four bodyguards stepped forward, each with an air of caution. Their companion¡¯s injury had made them wary of taking anything for granted. ¡°Husband, what should we do?¡± Quella Radcliffe gripped Julius Reed¡¯s hand tightly, her eyes filled with concern. She had naturally heard of Quamaine Potter¡¯s notorious reputation as a notorious devil incarnate. And with the Potter Family¡¯s enormous influence in Five-river Province, baiting such a behemoth could have unimaginable consequences. ¡°Move back a bit, I need to stretch my muscles.¡± Julius Reed placed Quella Radcliffe behind him and his mouth curved into a smile.. Chapter 43 - Chapter 43: Chapter 42: Two Dogs_l Chapter 43: Chapter 42: Two Dogs_l Translator: 549690339 Julius Reed was in particularly high spirits today because this was his first time going to see a movie with Quella Radcliffe. But that was five minutes ago, and now his mood was completely ruined. Some people were just asking for a beating; without one, their bodies would feel uncomfortable. ¡°Attack! ¡± The bodyguards exchanged glances and surged forward together. They were clearly specially trained, with no dead angles in their attack. No matter how Julius tried to dodge, he would be within their striking range. However, Julius had no intention of dodging. At the moment the first bodyguard closed in on him, Julius flashed back, his left foot landing squarely on the bodyguard¡¯s chin! With a muffled thud, the bodyguard fell to the ground in agony, blood pouring from his mouth. Julius¡¯s kick was so powerful that the other¡¯s teeth were probably all shattered. But by then, the remaining men had already circled around him; their comrade¡¯s injury didn¡¯t make them hesitate but instead fueled the fighting spirit within them! ¡°You¡¯re not my match,¡± Julius said with his hands behind his back, shaking his head, ¡°I don¡¯t even need to lift a finger.¡± ¡°Arrogant!¡± The bodyguards had once been dominant figures in their own right; otherwise, how could they have become the personal bodyguards of the Potter Family¡¯s Young Master? After hearing Julius¡¯s words, each of their faces turned extremely ugly. ¡°Teach him a lesson!¡± One of the bodyguards nodded, then suddenly lunged forward! In the moment he made his move, another bodyguard sprinted out, using the first one¡¯s back as a springboard to leap into the air! And the third person fiercely struck with his hand like a knife! A cold smile appeared on the corner of the bodyguards¡¯ lips, thinking he¡¯s arrogant, huh? Soon they¡¯ll make him kneel on the ground and beg for mercy! But the next moment, the smiles on their faces gradually stiffened! Faced with the fierce hand-knife, Julius remained calm; he leaned in, his face brushing past the bodyguard¡¯s hand-knife. Bang! Simultaneously, he dropped his shoulder into a strike, directly breaking several of the bodyguard¡¯s ribs! The sound of the bones breaking shocked the other two, causing a moment of hesitation in their actions. But in that brief moment of hesitation, Julius had already reached them! Bang! Bang! With two loud sounds, his shoulders slammed into the backs and chests of the others, sending the last two flying! ¡°This¡­¡± Quamaine Potter¡¯s eyes widened in shock! He was all too aware of the skills these bodyguards possessed; each one was an elite chosen with care! Yet in front of Julius, they had been beaten without a chance to fight back! And Julius hadn¡¯t even used his hands! Not even his feet! Simply using his shoulders, he had knocked these men to the ground. ¡°Now, it¡¯s time for us to settle the score!¡± Julius walked over with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face. ¡°Don¡¯t mess around! I am the Potter Family Young Master; if you dare harm a single hair on me, you won¡¯t be able to take half a step out of Gonzalez City!¡± Although the other was all smiles, Quamaine felt the smile was terrifying, sending shivers down his spine. But he soon regained his composure. Who was he? One of the Four Young Masters of Five-river Province, his father a prominent entrepreneur, his mother from a powerful family in the capital. With such status, who would dare to touch him? Unless they were tired of living! ¡°The Potter Family Young Master, huh? Interesting,¡± Julius chuckled and suddenly slapped out with his hand! Slap! Following the sound, a clear handprint appeared on Quamaine¡¯s face. ¡°You dare to slap me!¡± Soon after, the Young Master Potter glared in disbelief at Julius. Quella Radcliffe also covered her mouth with her hand in shock! This was one of the Four Young Masters, his background enormously powerful. Yet Julius had dared to slap him! Although Jaxen Brandon was powerful in Gonzalez City, compared with Quamaine, he was still far inferior. The only son of the Potter Family, she could even imagine how angry Stanislaus Potter would be. ¡°Yeah, so what if I hit you?¡± Julius Reed looked at him with a beaming smile, asking, ¡°Does it feel good?¡± Just then, Radley Ridge, who was standing aside, noticed something was amiss and started to bolt! If Quamaine Potter was getting beaten up, what chance did he have of a good outcome? Unfortunately for him, he miscalculated his fortune. Julius Reed¡¯s hand, unbeknownst to anyone, had produced a small steel ball, which he flicked lightly with his middle finger, hitting Radley Ridge directly in the leg. ¡°Agh!¡± Seeing this, Quamaine Potter shuddered inwardly. What kind of monster had he provoked? Yet he still didn¡¯t believe the other party dared to do anything to him, after all, the status of being one of the Four Young Masters was imposing enough to inspire fear. ¡°I came out to watch a movie with my wife today, and you lot have really been a buzzkill.¡± Julius Reed shook his head, saying helplessly, ¡°How about this, crawl on the ground and bark like a dog for me. Once I¡¯m satisfied, I¡¯ll let you go.¡± ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± One of the bodyguards on the ground howled in pain, ¡°Our Young Master Potter is the Potter Family¡¯s Son, aren¡¯t you afraid of death?¡± Making the Potter Family¡¯s Son bark like a dog¡ªthis guy was truly one of a kind. The bodyguard might not know much, but he was sure this kid was going to die a terrible death! ¡°You can¡¯t even save your own life, and you¡¯re worried about others?¡± Julius Reed turned around and pretended to step carelessly on the bodyguard¡¯s thigh. Crack! What appeared to be a casual step was delivered with immense force! It crushed the bodyguard¡¯s leg bones to smithereens! The intense pain caused the bodyguard to pass out immediately. ¡°Young Master Potter, start!¡± After doing all this, Julius Reed walked back, hands clasped behind him, in front of Quamaine Potter. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you¡¯d dare touch me!¡± Confidence overflowed in Quamaine Potter¡¯s face. He didn¡¯t believe anyone in this world was fearless. Smack! Julius Reed backhanded him with a slap, knocking him to the ground. ¡°I¡¯m giving you one last chance. You can bet I wouldn¡¯t dare step down.¡± While speaking, Julius Reed slowly lifted his right foot, placing it above Quamaine Potter¡¯s legs. ¡°Once I step down, no one will be able to heal it.¡± The people there inhaled sharply. Who was this ruthless person who even threatened Young Master Potter? As Julius Reed¡¯s right foot continued to descend, Quamaine Potter struggled internally. ¡°Woof!¡± Finally, he lay on the ground, sticking out his tongue and barking like a dog. A great man can bend and stretch. What use would killing this man be if he lost his legs? His future held infinite promise, it wasn¡¯t worth the gamble. Hearing his bark, Quella Radcliffe, though she tried to hold it in, ultimately couldn¡¯t suppress her laughter. ¡°Master Potter truly is talented, even better than a real dog!¡± Julius Reed pulled out his phone and recorded the whole scene. ¡°Get lost! If I see you again, you won¡¯t be so lucky.¡± Quella Radcliffe by his side made Julius Reed hold back a lot. ¡°Did I say you could leave?¡± As Quamaine Potter was leaving, Radley Ridge also tried to take the chance to escape. ¡°Please¡­ I beg you, let me go!¡± Faced with the icy Julius Reed, Radley Ridge¡¯s heart instantly shattered. ¡°Crawl around the square and bark like a dog convincingly, and I might let you off. Otherwise, feel free to try and leave.¡± By deciding not to kill him for coveting his wife, Julius Reed was already being merciful. ¡®Yes!¡± Without the slightest hesitation, Radley Ridge began to crawl on the ground, dragging his lame leg behind him. If Quamaine Potter had fallen, what was he? From a distance, a man watching the scene cracked a smile. ¡°Post this video online; I¡¯d like to see what the Potter Family will do about it.¡± He handed his phone to an elderly man beside him, then disappeared into the crowd.. Chapter 44 - Chapter 44: Chapter 43 1 Resigned _1 Chapter 44: Chapter 43 1 Resigned _1 Translator: 549690339 Quamaine Potter¡¯s interference had completely killed their mood. What was supposed to be a nice date ended up like this. Julius Reed simply drove Quella Radcliffe back home, waiting for Zade Radcliffe and the others to come and apologize. At Titan Group, he had already instructed Ovidiu Cook to put immense pressure on the Radcliffe Group, or else the Radcliffe Family would certainly not compromise easily. Since these people were intent on causing discomfort, he would take this opportunity to establish Quella¡¯s authority, to ensure no one would cross her in the future. Soon the car arrived downstairs, and after parking the Rolls-Royce, they walked upstairs shoulder to shoulder. Even though they hadn¡¯t watched the movie today, they both felt that they had grown closer to each other. After entering the apartment, surprisingly, Burl Radcliffe and his wife hadn¡¯t gone to work and were sitting on the sofa with worried expressions, which startled Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe. Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe, despite their not-so-high positions, were quite punctual with their work hours. Both staying at home like this was a first. ¡°Mom, are you sick?¡± Seeing the unusually poor complexion on Knox Ridge, Quella instinctively thought she was ill, and that was why the old couple hadn¡¯t gone to work, immediately growing anxious. But Knox Ridge still sat on the sofa with a troubled look, not saying a word. ¡°Dad, what¡¯s wrong with Mom?¡± Seeing her own mother not speaking, Quella became even more worried and leaned in close to Burl Radcliffe, urgently asking, ¡°Speak up!¡± Yet, as if the old couple had agreed beforehand, they kept a mutually understood silence. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you two! Don¡¯t scare me!¡± Quella immediately panicked, clueless about what could have happened at home. After a moment of silence, it was Burl Radcliffe who finally spoke. He let Oilt a long sigh and. with a lowered head. said. ¡°MV daughter. this morning your mom and I accidentally lost your necklace while we were at work¡­¡± ¡°What!¡± Quella Radcliffe shouted in disbelief and then anger quickly took over. That was the unique gift Julius Reed had given her! It had stirred up Gonzalez City, a treasure countless girls dreamed of but couldn¡¯t obtain¡ªthe Light of Dawn! Previously, Knox Ridge had made a fuss to borrow it for a couple of days, and despite Quella¡¯s reluctance, she had agreed only to lend it for two days. But now, Knox Ridge had actually lost the necklace! ¡°Do you realize that was a gift Julius Reed gave me! How could you be so careless!¡± Quella Radcliffe yelled out loud, a rush of aggrieved emotions flooding her. The Light of Dawn might be costly, but the necklace held a unique meaning to her! It was the first gift from Julius Reed, and it marked a change in her husband since she received that necklace. ¡°What are you yelling for!¡± Seeing Quella¡¯s intense agitation, Knox Ridge muttered, ¡°It¡¯s only a damn necklace, and who knows, maybe it¡¯s just forgotten at home.¡± Even when at fault, she was never accustomed to admitting it. ¡°Then go look for it!¡± Quella Radcliffe shouted, ¡°Go and find it for me!¡± ¡°I am your birth mother, Quella, how can you talk to me like that?¡± Knox Ridge had already searched. After discovering the necklace missing, she and Burl Radcliffe had rushed back home. But no matter how much they searched, it was as if the necklace had evaporated from the mortal world, completely untraceable. ¡°Could Julius Reed have stolen it? I heard that necklace was quite valuable, maybe he stole it and snuck it back out when I wasn¡¯t paying attention. Think about it, he¡¯s penniless, where would he get the money to buy you such an expensive gift?¡± Knox Ridge habitually shifted the blame onto Julius Reed¡¯s head since in this family, whenever something went wrong, it was always this son-in-law who got the blame. ¡°Right! It must be him! He definitely stole the necklace when we weren¡¯t looking! ¡± Burl Radcliffe chimed in from the side. The necklace was still there when the couple left in the morning, and by that time, Julius Reed had already headed to the company with Quella Radcliffe, but to cover for his wife, he also turned a blind eye to the truth. ¡°You!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s breath became rapid with rage, and anger surged through her entire body. Although she didn¡¯t know where Julius Reed had gotten the money, she was certain her husband was not a thief or a petty criminal! Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe were both blatantly lying through their teeth, outright slandering! ¡°No matter! If my in-laws suspect me, then go ahead and call the police.¡± Julius Reed leaned against the door, smiling as if he were not smiling, and said. These two unrespectable elders, if not for the sake of his wife, would have been dead cold by now. Nobody who dared talk to the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance like that had ever left alive. ¡°Oh! Julius Reed, you think I wouldn¡¯t dare? Just wait!¡± Convinced that Julius Reed was the thief, Knox Ridge took out her phone and was about to call the police. Perfect opportunity for her to deal with this son-in-law who was an eyesore no matter how she looked at him. ¡°Call the police!¡± Julius Reed was completely unconcerned, as though watching a clown, and took out a receipt from his pocket, ¡°This is the receipt from the Dawn¡¯s Light, I happen to want the police to trace its whereabouts, after all, losing someone else¡¯s item worth tens of millions requires compensation. If you can¡¯t pay up, you might as well sit through a prison term!¡± ¡°Let me see!¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s face changed drastically, she stood up, snatched the receipt, and her face suddenly changed color. It clearly stated Julius Reed¡¯s name and his mobile number. As for the amount, Knox Ridge felt dizzy, nearly collapsing to the ground. Thirteen million three hundred and fourteen thousand! If the police pursued the matter, the two of them would definitely end up sitting through a prison term. ¡°Kid, where¡¯s the evidence then?¡± In front of everyone, Knox Ridge tore the receipt to shreds, then followed by swallowing the pieces. ¡°Mom! How¡­ how could you do this!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face turned red, trembling with rage, how could her own mother be so shamelessly impudent! ¡°Julius Reed, go on and call the police then!¡± After doing all this, Knox Ridge looked triumphantly at Julius Reed, her eyes filled with defiance. ¡°I just lost the necklace, what can you do to me?¡± ¡°Really? This one is made of iron, you better think carefully before swallowing.¡± In the face of his mother-in-law¡¯s absurd actions, Julius Reed took out an iron card from his pocket and casually tossed it in front of them, ¡°This is the Love Island membership card, which can track my purchase history in any city¡¯s store. Eat slowly, don¡¯t hurt yourself.¡± The threshold for a Love Island membership card is high, but Julius Reed¡¯s single purchase of over thirteen million instantly granted him membership status. Even without that receipt, his ownership of the Dawn¡¯s Light could still be proven. ¡°You¡­¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s face turned pale, feeling played for a fool by Julius Reed! Thinking of the receipt in her stomach made her feel nauseous. ¡°Enough bickering! You have three days to find the necklace and return it to me!¡± Witnessing her mother¡¯s shrew-like behavior, Quella Radcliffe felt extremely unpleasant. ¡°Right, why are you home from work so early today?¡± Burl Radcliffe glanced at his watch; it wasn¡¯t even three in the afternoon yet. The Radcliffe Group had working hours from nine to five, and this was Quella Radcliffe¡¯s first day at the job as a project manager, yet she came home early? ¡°I resigned.¡± Facing the questioning of her father, Quella Radcliffe answered helplessly.. Chapter 45 - Chapter 45: Chapter 44: No Room for This Great Buddha_1 Chapter 45: Chapter 44: No Room for This Great Buddha_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°What! Are you out of your mind?¡± Upon hearing the news, Knox Ridge stood up from the sofa abruptly. ¡°From a junior executive to a project leader, and you just quit like that?¡± She had been counting on Quella Radcliffe to use her position to make some money and buy them a new car. After all, the model of Burl Radcliffe¡¯s Passat was quite old, and it was often laughed at when driven. Such a lucrative position as project leader could easily rake in millions, so one could imagine how the old couple felt now that Quella Radcliffe had resigned. It was like falling from heaven to hell. ¡°I told her to resign, and unless grandfather personally asks her to return, Quella Radcliffe won¡¯t go back to the Radcliffe Group.¡± Julius Reed leaned against the door, slowly speaking up. ¡°Julius Reed, have you lost your mind? I see it now, you¡¯re intentionally taking revenge on our family!¡± Knox Ridge gritted her teeth and said, ¡°Are you happy to see us live miserably?¡± For years, Quella Radcliffe had been suppressed within the Radcliffe Group, and now that she finally had a chance to soar, she resigned? One could imagine how angry Knox Ridge was. ¡°I¡¯m not as petty as you, and there¡¯s a reason for everything I do.¡± Julius Reed did not argue with his mother-in-law, after all, she was Quella Radcliffe¡¯s mother. ¡°If I didn¡¯t do this, there would be a lot of people in the group who wouldn¡¯t accept Quella, and her work would be fraught with difficulties. ¡± With Titan Group applying pressure, he didn¡¯t believe the Radcliffe Clan would dare to seek their own destruction. Facing the colossal entity controlled by Ovidiu Cook, the Radcliffe Family was extremely wary. ¡°Who do you think you are? You own Titan Group? Is Ovidiu Cook working under you?¡± Knox Ridge scoffed, ¡°You¡¯re nothing but trash, a completely useless piece of trash! My daughter¡¯s really hit rock bottom marrying you!¡± ¡°You¡¯d better watch your words!¡± The sudden chill on Julius Reed¡¯s face made Knox Ridge shiver with fear. In fact, she was right ¨C Ovidiu Cook did work for Julius Reed, and Titan Group was indeed owned by him. But very few people knew this. ¡°Mom! Respect Julius, I have never regretted marrying him!¡± With her lips tightly pressed together, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s expression was complex as she faced her domineering mother. Julius Reed, however, smiled slowly upon hearing that she had never regretted it. ¡°Shut your mouth! An incompetent fool tells you to resign, and you do? What¡¯s in your head?¡± Knox Ridge grew angrier the more she looked at her daughter, unable to understand what kind of spell Julius Reed had cast in these last two days, making Quella Radcliffe start to protect him. ¡°I¡¯ve said it before, unless grandfather comes with all the staff to ask her back, Quella Radcliffe is not returning.¡± Julius Reed said coldly. ¡°Julius Reed! Get out! You even dare to ask the chairman to come personally to our house! You¡¯ve ruined us!¡± After hearing what her son-in-law had said, Knox Ridge was so furious she felt like her lungs were going to explode. Because Quella Radcliffe married Julius Reed, Zade Radcliffe had never looked favorably upon Burl Radcliffe¡¯s family. Even though he was the one who had decided on the marriage in the beginning, whether he was accused of being ungrateful or of kicking away the ladder after he climbed up, as soon as he realized Julius Reed was of no useful value, Zade Radcliffe couldn¡¯t wait to kick him out of the Radcliffe Family. But, due to the talk of the townspeople of Gonzalez City, he had to hold back. And like a thorn in his side, Zade Radcliffe would inevitably feel uncomfortable whenever he saw Julius Reed. That was also why Burl Radcliffe¡¯s family earned the least and held the lowest positions within the Radcliffe Group. Now, Julius Reed even dared to declare that Zade Radcliffe would bring the entire Radcliffe Group to ask Quella Radcliffe back; one could imagine the fury in Knox Ridge¡¯s heart! It was as if they were being pushed into a pit of fire! ¡°No, I have to call dad and explain things so we don¡¯t ruin the great future ahead for our Quella!¡± Knox Ridge picked up her phone and viciously told Julius Reed, ¡°I won¡¯t let you off!¡± Her daughter was clearly a smart person; how could she listen to Julius Reed and resign? There had to be a catch! ¡°Calling now will only bring you a torrent of scoffing and ridicule,¡± Julius Reed leaned against the door, saying so casually. With today¡¯s drama well known to all, both the Radcliffe Clan and the employees of the Group were waiting to see Quella Radcliffe made a laughingstock. At such a time, wouldn¡¯t calling just be asking for humiliation? Knox Ridge took a deep breath, realizing that Julius Reed made a lot of sense. ¡°If Quella Radcliffe can¡¯t go back, I want you out of here immediately!¡± She clenched her teeth, hating this son-in-law to the bone. She seemed to have forgotten that she had just lost a necklace worth tens of millions to him. Meanwhile, at Titan Group. The door to Chairman Ovidiu Cook¡¯s office was knocked open. Leonardo Leopold, with the materials prepared, entered as he pushed the door. But unexpectedly, Sky Reed was also there. ¡°Manager Leonardo, what brings you here?¡± Ovidiu Cook sat in his chair, asking with seeming nonchalance. He had just received a notice from Julius Reed that morning and was discussing with Sky Reed how to put pressure on Radcliffe Group. ¡°Manager Reed, could you step out for a moment?¡± Leonardo Leopold asked softly. In his hands, he held materials for the impeachment of Sky Reed for using public resources for private gain. With the man himself present, Leonardo felt somewhat restrained. Although the two had their struggles behind the scenes, they still maintained face in public. ¡°It¡¯s fine, we¡¯re all brothers who work together. Speak freely,¡± Ovidiu Cook tapped the desk, gesturing for him to sit down. ¡°Chairman, I have some materials for you to see,¡± Leonardo Leopold sat across from Ovidiu Cook and, mustering his courage, passed the materials over. After receiving the call from Zade Radcliffe, he immediately began investigating the matter. What he didn¡¯t expect was to uncover something that excited him greatly! The company¡¯s Rolls-Royce had been lent to a female employee of Radcliffe Group under Sky Reed¡¯s personal name. Moreover, at Radcliffe Group¡¯s board meeting, he strongly pushed for this female employee to be appointed as project manager. Such a big project could easily yield profits of tens of millions once someone became the project manager. Now, Leonardo Leopold was confident he could topple Sky Reed and take his place! As Ovidiu Cook read the materials, his expression grew grimmer by the second. By the time he reached the last page, his face was ashen. Leonardo watched all this, barely concealing his glee. ¡°Take a look!¡± Ovidiu Cook tossed the materials in front of Sky Reed, his tone cold. ¡°You¡¯re investigating me?¡± After flipping through a few pages, Sky Reed looked up at Leonardo. The details written up were meticulous, including even the exact words he had said. ¡°Ha, Manager Reed taking advantage of his position for personal gain, harming the Group¡¯s interests¡ªI will never overlook that!¡± Leonardo showed no fear, looking righteously at Sky Reed. ¡°Chairman, such a person cannot remain in the company!¡± ¡°You¡¯re fired,¡± declared Ovidiu Cook in a stern voice. ¡°The chairman is wise. Someone like Sky Reed is absolutely a scourge!¡± Leonardo Leopold was overjoyed, having thought that Sky Reed would just be punished, but instead he was outright fired. ¡°I¡¯m talking about you! Leonardo Leopold!¡± Before he could finish feeling pleased, Ovidiu Cook slammed the desk, stood up, and shouted, ¡°Thinking about how to sabotage colleagues all day instead of focusing on expanding the business, my Titan Group¡¯s temple is too small for a big Buddha like you! And across the entire Gonzalez City, no company will want you!¡± Chapter 46 - Chapter 46: Chapter 45 Does Your Face Still Hurt_1 Chapter 46: Chapter 45 Does Your Face Still Hurt_1 Translator: 549690339 From the moment Zade Radcliffe made that phone call, Otis Radcliffe sat on the sofa in the chairman¡¯s office, waiting for the good news. All morning he was immersed in joy, knowing that once Sky Reed was taken down, the position of project head would fall onto his head. Not only would he be able to make a fortune, but he could also logically drive Quella Radcliffe out of the Radcliffe Group. Killing two birds with one stone! ¡°Ring-a-ling!¡± The instant the office landline rang, Otis Radcliffe almost reflexively dashed over! ¡°Sit down! It¡¯s Leonardo Leopold¡¯s call, and you¡¯re not qualified to answer it!¡± Zade Radcliffe scolded his disappointing grandson, and slowly picked up the telephone on the table. ¡°Brother Leopold, it¡¯s Zade. How¡¯s the matter I mentioned to you this morning?¡± After the call, Zade Radcliffe provided Leonardo Leopold with ample information, including how Sky Reed, disregarding internal opinions within the Radcliffe Group, insisted on appointinz Quella Radcliffe as the project head. With this information in hand, and Leonardo Leopold¡¯s maneuvers, taking down Sky Reed would be a piece of cake. ¡°Mr. Radcliffe! You¡¯re trying to kill me!¡± Leonardo Leopold¡¯s angry roar came through from the other end of the phone: ¡°We¡¯ve been friends for decades, and you push me into a pit of fire! I truly regret it, how did I come to know a bastard like you!¡± Hearing Leonardo Leopold¡¯s response, the smile gradually faded from Zade Radcliffe¡¯s face, replaced by bewilderment. ¡°Grandpa, was it a success?¡± Otis Radcliffe excitedly asked from the side. He couldn¡¯t wait to humiliate Quella Radcliffe and didn¡¯t want to wait for a moment longer! ¡°Go out first.¡¯ Zade Radcliffe covered the mouthpiece and whispered, ¡°I¡¯ll tell you the outcome in a moment.¡± He sensed something was amiss from Leonardo Leopold¡¯s tone just now. There might have been a slight mishap. ¡°Okay! I¡¯ll wait for your good news!¡± Otis Radcliffe nodded, gleefully walking out. As soon as he left the door, he eagerly took out his phone and sent Quella Radcliffe a message: ¡°Your old flame has been taken down, wait to be fired from the company!¡± Having done all this, Otis Radcliffe felt particularly at ease. Especially his face, swollen from Julius Reed¡¯s slap, seemed to ease a bit. But inside the chairman¡¯s office, Zade Radcliffe¡¯s mood was the complete opposite. ¡°Mr. Leopold, take it easy, what exactly happened?¡± Those materials should have been enough to take down Sky Reed; he couldn¡¯t imagine what unforeseen event could have occurred. ¡°Mr. Radcliffe! All this was Ovidiu Cook¡¯s doing¡ªSky Reed is just his puppet! Today, not only was I scolded fiercely, but I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to stay in Gonzalez City anymore! You¡¯ve really killed me!¡± Leonardo Leopold growled through the phone, gritting his teeth in fury. After being ousted, relying on his connections from over a decade¡¯s work at the Titan Group, he inquired around and found out that this whole affair was orchestrated by Ovidiu Cook, and Sky Reed was merely a puppet! To go in front of his own boss and snitch on his boss, wasn¡¯t that courting death? At this thought, his teeth itched from hatred. The Titan Group wielded massive influence in Gonzalez City; nobody dared to defy Ovidiu Cook¡¯s words. Since the richest man of Gonzalez City declared that no one would dare to employ him there, he definitely couldn¡¯t stay any longer! ¡°What!¡± On the other end of the phone, Zade Radcliffe was equally dumbfounded. No matter what, he didn¡¯t expect the man behind his granddaughter to be Ovidiu Cook! ¡°Mr. Leopold, you didn¡¯t misspeak¡­¡± ¡°After getting me in this mess, you still hope to come out unscathed? Just to be clear, I¡¯ve reported this whole affair truthfully. Wait and bear the wrath of the Titan Group!¡± Right after saying this, Leonardo Leopold angrily hung up the phone. ¡°My goodness¡­¡± Zade Radcliffe leaned back in his chair, with cold sweat streaming down his forehead. He knew he had stirred up a hornet¡¯s nest. In Gonzalez City, anyone who dared to offend the Titan Group had to be prepared for bankruptcy and closure. Although the Radcliffe Group was also quite large in scale, it stood no chance against the colossus that was the Titan Group. ¡°Ring-a-ling!¡± Just then, the phone rang again. Immersed in fear, Zade Radcliffe shuddered at the sound. Seeing the caller ID, he hastily extended his trembling hand and pressed the speakerphone button. ¡°Chairman Otis, you¡¯re quite something! I¡¯ve been talking you up, and yet you stab me in the back.¡± Sky Reed¡¯s indifferent voice came through the receiver. ¡°Our partnership is now terminated. According to the contract, you need to compensate Titan Group twenty billion yuan. Wait for the lawyer¡¯s letter.¡± After saying this, Sky Reed hung up the phone. ¡°Twenty billion! ¡± Zade Radcliffe blinked, his mind going blank. The total assets of the Radcliffe Group were only around ten billion they couldn¡¯t possibly come up with such an amount, not even by selling everything they owned! ¡°Secretary Leocadia, bring the contract we signed with Titan Group to my office immediately!¡± Without time to think further, Zade Radcliffe picked up the phone to call Secretary Leocadia, responsible for handling contracts. He had never looked into the details of the contract for the collaboration with Titan Group. The General Manager, Otis Radcliffe had been in charge of that; Zade had not interfered. After all, partnering with Titan Group was like a pie falling from the sky how could the Radcliffe Group consider otherwise? Soon, Secretary Leocadia entered the office with a document in hand and pushed the contract towards Zade Radcliffe. At that moment, an overwhelmed Zade Radcliffe snatched the contract and began flipping through it rapidly. When he came to the page about compensation, he was petrified. ¡°Should the project be delayed due to reasons attributable to the Radcliffe Group, they must compensate Titan Group twenty billion yuan.¡± Leonardo Leopold had already said over the phone that he would lay everything out. That meant this bill would surely land on the Radcliffe Group, and no matter how he fought it in court, he was bound to lose. Ovidiu Cook might even sue him for corporate espionage! ¡°Chairman, are you alright?¡± Secretary Leocadia asked, noticing Zade Radcliffe¡¯s pale face and distant look. ¡°Call Otis in¡­¡± Zade Radcliffe said weakly, resting his head in his hand. He felt as if all his strength had been drained, and he might faint in the office at any moment. ¡°Alright, just a moment!¡± Without asking any further, Secretary Leocadia exited the office and called Otis Radcliffe, who was standing outside the door, to come in. ¡°Grandfather! Did we succeed? We owe it all to you that we managed to handle things so smoothly this time!¡± As he entered the office, Otis Radcliffe asked eagerly. ¡°Grandson, does your face still hurt?¡± Zade Radcliffe took a deep breath, slowly stood up, and walked over to Otis RadC11tte. The handprint left by Julius Reed had faded quite a bit, but the traces were still visible. ¡°It doesn¡¯t hurt anymore! As long as we can drive Quella Radcliffe out, taking a beating is nothing!¡± Though he felt something was off with his grandfather, Otis Radcliffe didn¡¯t give it much thought. His mind was fully occupied with revenge against Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed; he had no space for anything else. Slap! Zade Radcliffe, summoning all his strength, viciously slapped Otis across the face. ¡°Grandfather, why are you hitting me!¡± Otis Radcliffe¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, unable to understand what had just happened. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re good for nothing but ruining things! I swear you won¡¯t rest until you¡¯ve driven me to my death!¡± Zade Radcliffe trembled with fury as he pointed at Otis and berated, ¡°You think Quella and Sky Reed are together? Let me tell you! That man is the richest of Gonzalez City, Ovidiu Cook! Now Titan Group has completely turned against us, demanding twenty billion in compensation!¡± ¡°What!¡± Otis Radcliffe, lying on the ground, couldn¡¯t help but swallow hard, momentarily forgetting about his swollen face.. Chapter 47 - Chapter 47: Chapter 46 The Old Master Arrives 1 Chapter 47: Chapter 46 The Old Master Arrives 1 Translator: 549690339 Time flew to four in the afternoon. Knox Ridge and her family sat on the sofa, their faces filled with anxious expressions. The day was nearly over, yet the company hadn¡¯t made a single phone call, and this made Knox Ridge restless. ¡°Julius Reed, you haven¡¯t heard the last of this from me today!¡± She picked up her phone and, after hesitating for a while, finally decided to call Zade Radcliffe. As long as she could pin everything on Julius Reed, Knox Ridge felt that Quella Radcliffe could still return to the company. ¡°Thud! Thud!¡± Just then, a series of knocks sounded at the door. Julius Reed had been leaning by the door all afternoon, so the moment the Imocking began, he was the first to turn around and open the door. ¡°Where¡¯s the chairman? The first person he saw was Otis Radcliffe. Behind him were several executives from Radcliffe Group, all of whom didn¡¯t seem too pleased. But that made sense; they were used to calling the shots and now had to come and apologize, which would sour anyone¡¯s mood. ¡°Oh! It¡¯s Otis Radcliffe, come in and take a seat!¡± Seeing Otis Radcliffe, Knox Ridge quickly stood up. She knew that Otis Radcliffe was Zade Radcliffe¡¯s favorite grandson and also the General Manager of Radcliffe Group. If she could humble herself in front of Otis Radcliffe, there might be a chance for Quella Radcliffe to return to the company. ¡°Aunt, I won¡¯t sit down. Is Quella at home?¡± Otis Radcliffe stood sideways, doing his best to hide the swollen side of his face. ¡°I¡¯m asking you, where¡¯s the chairman?¡± Julius Reed blocked the doorway, coldly staring at Otis Radcliffe. He had said before that if Zade Radcliffe didn¡¯t come to request personally, Quella would definitely not return. ¡°What are you doing! Get out of my way!¡± Seeing her son -in-law adding to the chaos, Knox Ridge instantly became furious. Just when she was worried about finding a way out of the situation, Julius Reed had the audacity to block Otis Radcliffe at the door. ¡°Answer me! ¡± Ignoring his mother-in-law¡¯s rage, Julius Reed stared at Otis Radcliffe again with penetrating eyes. ¡°The chairman is very busy, so he asked me to come over.¡± Otis Radcliffe suppressed the anger in his heart, trying to stay calm. He had thought he could slap Julius Reed soundly, but instead, he got beaten up, and now he had to present his face for more. ¡°But don¡¯t worry, I will definitely cooperate with Quella in the future, and no one will dare to trouble her again.¡± Otis Radcliffe patted his chest, swearing solemnly, ¡°I swear to heaven!¡± Before coming here, Zade Radcliffe had made it clear that if he couldn¡¯t get Quella to come back today, Otis would have to leave Radcliffe Group! ¡°Oh my! Look at what you¡¯re saying! Aren¡¯t we all part of the Radcliffe family? Isn¡¯t it good to look out for each other?¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s eyes sparkled when she heard what Otis Radcliffe said. It seemed like he was here to invite Quella back? At this thought, she gave Julius Reed a strange look. Could it be that her son-in-law really had such ¡°Divine Skills¡± to make the normally arrogant Otis Radcliffe come to invite personally? ¡°Quella! Come over here!¡± Knox Ridge quickly turned around to call for Quella Radcliffe, seeing a perfect opportunity. You can¡¯t miss such a chance to step down! ¡°Sit down!¡± Just as Quella was about to stand up, Julius Reed said coldly, ¡°Have you forgotten what I told you?¡± With that, Quella sat back down. Although Quella looked calm, her heart was already tumultuous. She Imew exactly who Otis Radcliffe was: arrogant and scheming to oust her from the company. Now that he was coming to invite her personally, it meant he had likely been pressured by Zade Radcliffe. Because within the entire Radcliffe family, only Zade Radcliffe¡¯s words would Otis heed. ¡°Oh! You two¡­ Knox Ridge was about to blow up, but Julius Reed interrupted her. ¡°I do as I say. If the chairman doesn¡¯t have that sincerity, then please leave! Quella¡¯s letter of resignation will be on the chairman¡¯s desk tomorrow morning. ¡± Julius Reed looked indifferently at Otis Radcliffe, completely ignorii other¡¯s livid face. ¡°Julius Reed! Don¡¯t go too far! Let me tell you, today¡­¡± Bang! Before Otis Radcliffe could finish his words, Julius Reed suddenly kicked out a foot in front of the Radcliffe Group¡¯s executives! ¡°In half an hour, if the Chairman and all the staff of the group aren¡¯t here, then get ready to receive Quella Radcliffe¡¯s resignation letter!¡± After saying this, he forcefully closed the door! The executives of the Radcliffe Group outside were completely dumbfounded. What¡¯s going on here? Hadn¡¯t General Manager Otis Radcliffe always wished for Quella Radcliffe to leave the company? Now that she was offering to resign of her own accord, why was he still bringing people over to retain her? And Julius Reed¡¯s attitude¡­ why was it so assertive! Was this still the same useless son-in-law they knew before? ¡°What the hell are you looking at!¡± Otis Radcliffe struggled to his feet in the stairwell, trembling with rage. But eventually, he took out his cell phone and called Zade Radcliffe: ¡°Grandpa, Julius Reed kicked me down the stairs. If you don¡¯t bring all the employees of the group here within half an hour, he says Quella will resign immediately.¡± ¡°Good! Wait for me!¡± After a brief response, Zade Radcliffe hung up. But inside the room, Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe were cursing Julius Reed like madmen. Zade Radcliffe was their father, and they knew very well what his temperament was like. Although they did not know by what means Julius Reed had managed to get Otis Radcliffe to come and apologize, the idea of their father personally visiting was sheer fantasy! Zade Radcliffe was decisive and authoritative in the group, there was no way he would do something so demeaning to his own dignity. And besides, Julius Reed¡¯s demand was to bring the entire staff of the group, which was outright impossible! ¡°You¡¯ve completely blocked Quella Radcliffe¡¯s return to the group! Get out! Get out of my sight now! I don¡¯t ever want to see you again!¡± Knox Ridge was so angry her teeth itched, but remembering how Julius Reed had just attacked, she dared not push too far. After all, even a cornered rabbit will bite. ¡°You good-for-nothing, what kind of love potion has she given you!¡± Since she dared not strike Julius Reed, she turned around and began to scold Quella instead. Her daughter had always been obedient to her, but these past two days, she had begun siding with Julius Reed and going against her! ¡°After four-thirty, I will take Quella and leave.¡± Julius Reed looked up at Knox Ridge and said indifferently. This family was toxic, and he had long wanted to leave. Now that Knox Ridge had brought it up, he could just ride the wave and leave this place. As for the house, Aron Jackson had already bought it and had it fully furnished; they could move in with just their bags. ¡°Heh, I told you to get lost!¡± Knox Ridge stood with her hands on her hips, sneering, ¡°Where are you going to sleep? On the streets?¡± She Imew very well that her son-in-law Julius Reed was penniless. ¡°I¡¯m going with him.¡± Quella Radcliffe sat on the sofa and spoke gravely. ¡°You¡­¡± Knox Ridge was so furious she clenched her teeth, but before she could lose her temper, there came another knock on the door. Half an hour had quietly slipped by in the midst of the quarrel. ¡°Is Quella at home?¡± When the door opened, Zade Radcliffe stood smiling at the entrance. ¡°Dad! Why are you here?¡± Knox Ridge trembled at the sight of the Chairman of the Radcliffe Group. She thought Zade Radcliffe was there to settle scores. ¡°Since the Chairman has deigned to come, we might as well leave now.¡± Julius Reed walked to the sofa, took Quella¡¯s hand, and headed towards the door. ¡°Hey!¡± Knox Ridge was about to shout, but Julius Reed cut her off, ¡°I said, when the time comes, we will naturally leave.¡± ¡°Julius Reed!¡± Zade Radcliffe¡¯s face darkened. He had brought all the company¡¯s employees, yet Julius Reed was insisting on taking Quella away. Was this playing him for a fool? ¡°Tomorrow, Quella will come to work.¡± As he walked past Zade Radcliffe, Julius Reed stopped, his voice firm. After finishing his statement, he took Quella¡¯s hand and, under the gaze of the Radcliffe Group employees, strode into the elevator. ¡°Stop right there!¡± Zade Radcliffe trembled with anger.. Chapter 48 - Chapter 48: Chapter 47 Call Sister_l Chapter 48: Chapter 47 Call Sister_l Translator: 549690339 ¡°Why call me to halt? To humiliate you?¡± After hearing Zade Radcliffe¡¯s furious roar, Julius Reed slowly turned around, his expression indifferent. Three years ago, had he not offered help, this Family Head of the Radcliffe Family would probably not be alive today! That kind of obstinate illness, under the heavens, aside from the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, no one could cure! Yet Zade Radcliffe had the audacity to be ungrateful and tried every possible way to kick him out of the house after his recovery! The epitome of a petty person! ¡°How can you talk to the Chairman like that?¡± Seeing Julius Reed¡¯s indifferent tone, Otis Radcliffe hurriedly stood up. He just had a bellyful of stifled anger and now wanted his grandfather to stand up for him. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t even cast a glance at Otis Radcliffe, grabbed Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand, and walked out, completely ignoring this heir of the Radcliffe Family. Asking for help should have the appearance of asking for help! What was this supposed to be? A threat? From the moment his memories awoke. the doomsday of the Radcliffe family members had been destined to arrive! More than three years of humiliation would not end just like that. Knox Ridge was scared out of her wits. On normal days, the old man¡¯s word was law, and he held absolute authority in the Radcliffe family. Who would dare to confront the Family Head? But today, her son-in-law, for reasons unknown, even dared to clash with the most authoritative person in the Radcliffe family! ¡°Dad, this has nothing to do with Quella. It¡¯s all Julius Reed¡¯s idea!¡± Now that things had come to this, Knox Ridge mercilessly abandoned Julius Reed. She felt that, after all, Quella was the Radcliffe family¡¯s granddaughter, and the old master wouldn¡¯t go too far no matter what. ¡°Is that so? Then I really want to ask my dear granddaughter what she means.¡± Zade Radcliffe¡¯s face was gloomy as he asked in a deep voice, ¡°Are you coming back to the Group with me, or are you leaving with him?¡± Having steered the Radcliffe Group for decades, Zade Radcliffe had never been so humble before. Usually, members of the family and the Group would be somewhat fearful of him. But today was different, he personally led all the employees to apologize, and instead, he received a cold shoulder. Even the son-in-law, who was considered a good-for-nothing by everyone, dared to challenge him. If he didn¡¯t assert his authority as the Family Head now, how could he face anyone in the Group in the future? ¡°Is this your attitude for an apology visit?¡± Julius Reed placed Quella Radcliffe behind him and chuckled lightly, ¡°I¡¯ve changed my mind now.¡± If he let them go so easily, they would probably still act against Quella Radcliffe in the shadows. ¡°What did you say? Zade Radcliffe¡¯s eyebrows were tightly furrowed, unsure of the meaning behind those words. Smack! Before everyone could react, Julius Reed slapped Otis Radcliffe across the face! The most beloved young master of the Radcliffe family, the future successor of the Radcliffe Group, was slapped to the ground in front of everyone. The employees¡¯ eyes widened, even suspecting they were hallucinating. Their impression of Julius Reed, the son-in-law who came into the family, was still stuck in the past. That useless man who wouldn¡¯t fight back when hit, nor talk back when scolded. At that time, anyone could step on this son-in-law¡¯s head. ¡°You dare hit me!¡± Otis Radcliffe already had a bellyful of rage, and now, being slapped in front of all the Group¡¯s employees, his fury was imaginable. Unfortunately, all the slaps were on one side of his face, making that half of his face swell like a pig¡¯s head. ¡°You can try, but I assure you, Quella Radcliffe will resign immediately.¡± Julius Reed, with his hands behind his back, looked at Otis Radcliffe with an extremely disdainful gaze. Since he had started stepping on them, he would do it thoroughly! And incidentally, let the people in the Group know what would be the consequences of offending Quella Radcliffe. ¡°You think I wouldn¡¯t dare?¡± Seeing the other party¡¯s mockery, Otis Radcliffe¡¯s anger immediately reached its peak! In the Radcliffe family, he was the young master everyone doted on; in the Group, he was the general manager, second only to the Chairman! But today at Quella Radcliffe¡¯s home! He was slapped fiercely in front of all the employees! A blatant humiliation! ¡°I¡¯m going to fight you!¡± Otis Radcliffe¡¯s eyes were red as he swung his fists and marched towards Julius Reed! ¡°If you dare hit me, I¡¯ll kneel in front of you right away.¡± Facing the aggressive Otis Radcliffe, Julius Reed was not the least bit afraid, instead stretching out his finger and beckoning him with a hook of his hand. Provocative, arrogant! The employees of the Radcliffe Group all widened their eyes, watching everything unfold intently. ¡°Good! Today I¡¯ll make you kneel before me like a dog!¡± Otis Radcliffe¡¯s mouth curled slightly as he clenched his fist. ¡°Julius¡­ ¡± Quella Radcliffe, somewhat worried, moved closer, but was stopped by Julius Reed. Nearly everyone held their breath, watching silently. ¡°Enough!¡± Just as the atmosphere was becoming tense, and Otis Radcliffe was swinging his fist with a smile, Zade Radcliffe let out a roar! He very much wanted to teach Julius Reed a lesson, but could he? With just one word from Titan Group, the industry he had been running for decades would vanish into thin air! By then, not to mention himself, how would these people of the Radcliffe Clan make a living? Most of them were mediocre, living off the family¡¯s industries, waiting to die! ¡°Grandfather?¡± Otis Radcliffe slightly raised his eyebrows, looking at Zade Radcliffe with great puzzlement. The behavior of Julius Reed today was seen by all, it was a direct slap in the face for both of them! Knowing his grandfather¡¯s temper, he was clear as his grandson. Facing such provocation, how could his usually hot-tempered grandfather have endured? ¡°Don¡¯t say any more.¡± Zade Radcliffe took a deep breath, the corners of his mouth twitching involuntarily. ¡°Julius Reed, leave yourself an out. I have already come here as you demanded, you can let Quella return to the company now, right?¡± The moment he finished speaking, the employees of Radcliffe Group exchanged glances, shock apparent in their eyes. Such a fuss, just to have Quella come back to the company? Wasn¡¯t Quella¡¯s resignation what they had always hoped to see? That way, Otis could naturally take over as project manager. But how could these employees know that Titan Group was like a giant sword hanging over the head of Radcliffe Group! A slight misstep could lead to complete obliteration! ¡°Yes.¡± Julius Reed nodded, then suddenly swung out a slap! Slap! A clear imprint of fingers appeared once more on Otis¡¯s face. ¡°This slap is for my wife. For three years, you have constantly thought about kicking her out!¡± ¡°But do you have that ability?¡± ¡°In terms of ability, you are no match for her! In terms of character, you are leagues behind!¡± Slap! Before Otis could react, the second slap had already landed on his face. ¡°The chicken soup I painstakingly simmered, you actually fed it to the dogs?¡± ¡°From today on, if you dare to be disrespectful to me again, you¡¯ll regret it beyond belief!¡± ¡°Julius Reed, you¡­¡± Slap! The third slap was so powerful it knocked Otis to the ground. ¡°If you dare to disrespect us again, the consequences are something you absolutely cannot afford!¡± Julius Reed stepped directly onto his chest, his gaze sharp as knives fixed on Otis. The surrounding employees of Radcliffe Group had their mouths wide open, too frightened to make a sound. Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe were petrified on the spot! Was this the same son-in-law they used to bully on a daily basis? Thinking this, the old couple broke out in a cold sweat. The Julius Reed of now was like a fierce tiger, exuding a killing air! ¡°Julius Reed!¡± Zade Radcliffe slammed his cane hard onto the ground! ¡°You dare!¡± ¡°What can¡¯t I dare?¡± Julius Reed slowly took his foot off Otis, looking at Zade Radcliffe with a sneer: ¡°Make him kneel on the ground and call Quella ¡®sister¡¯.¡± It was a death blow to the spirit! He intended to completely shatter Otis¡¯s dignity! ¡°You¡¯re playing with fire!¡± Zade Radcliffe swallowed hard, his eyes brimming with coldness. The face of the Radcliffe Family was completely trampled today by Julius Reed! ¡°Has Titan Group spoken to you already?¡± Julius Reed asked with a faint smile. Upon hearing this, Zade Radcliffe¡¯s heart sank, his face turned even more ashen. ¡°Kneel down!¡± Finally, he took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes. ¡°Grandfather!¡± Otis roared in anger, not understanding what his grandfather feared about Julius Reed! ¡°Kneel down!¡± Zade Radcliffe roared again, his whole body trembling with rage. ¡°Don¡¯t make me personally break your legs!¡± Hearing Zade Radcliffe¡¯s words, Otis clenched his teeth so hard they nearly cracked. At last, he turned around and knelt before Quella. ¡°Sister.¡± Chapter 49 - Chapter 49: Chapter 48: The Explanation You Wanted 1 Chapter 49: Chapter 48: The Explanation You Wanted 1 Translator: 549690339 When Quella Radcliffe left from her home, it was already past five in the afternoon. There was less than an hour left before the Three Blade Group would come to ransom their man. After instructing Aron Jackson to take Quella Radcliffe to her new home, Julius Reed hurried to West Lake pier with Aron Jackson. West Lake pier used to be an important transport hub for Gonzalez City, but it gradually fell into disuse after the new pier was built. Apart from a few abandoned warehouses, there were hardly any people around. And all kinds of shady deals often took place here. Bang! After Julius Reed kicked open the iron door of the warehouse, the first thing he smelled was a pungent rotten scent. Aron Jackson had already arranged for his men to hook up electric lights, so the inside of the warehouse wasn¡¯t dark. Tied up on a chair at the back, Sonny Ridge was bound hand and foot, looking utterly lifeless. It was hard for others to imagine that the deputy manager of the Gonzalez City branch of the Three Blade Group could end up tied up in a dilapidated warehouse like this. ¡°When our boss gets here, none of you will escape!¡± Watching Julius Reed and Aron Jackson, the corners of Sonny Ridge¡¯s mouth twitched uncontrollably. Right now, he would¡¯ve given anything to flay them alive and feed on their flesh! As the deputy manager of the Gonzalez City branch of the Three Blade Group, Sonny Ridge was used to respect wherever he went, but now he lay on the chair like a useless man, his hands destroyed. ¡°Is that so? I wish your dreams come true.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, hands clasped behind his back. The Three Blade Group dared to meddle in these murky waters; they would have to pay the price! ¡°Boss, three new martial arts gyms opened in Gonzalez City today.¡± Standing behind him, Aron Jackson murmured softly, ¡°My guys checked it out ¡ªthey¡¯re Theodore Kensington¡¯s men.¡± The moment Black Bear was eliminated, Aron Jackson knew that Theodore Kensington wouldn¡¯t just let things slide! The influence of the Kensington family was massive, and Theodore Kensington himself was universally known. ¡°Keep a close eye on them. If they¡¯re looking for death, I don¡¯t mind obliging them.¡± Julius Reed was unconcerned. A mere Theodore Kensington wasn¡¯t qualified to challenge him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, boss. The surrounding area of their gyms is already filled with our eyes. If anything stirs, I¡¯ll inform you immediately.¡± After mingling in Gonzalez City for three years, Aron Jackson knew Theodore Kensington¡¯s personality well. Since Black Bear had been killed in Gonzalez City, Theodore Kensington would surely investigate to the end! Especially, the establishment of these three martial arts gyms seemed too coincidental. ¡°Send some men to protect my wife. With all that¡¯s been happening lately, I¡¯m always concerned about her safety,¡± Julius Reed spoke thoughtfully with his hands crossed behind him. Today, he had slapped Otis Radcliffe¡¯s face in front of everyone. For someone of Otis Radcliffe¡¯s temperament, there was no way he would let bygones be bygones! And Zade Radcliffe would likely take action too. He himself was not afraid, but he had to consider Quella Radcliffe¡¯s safety. ¡°Rest assured, boss. My elite men are protecting the Young Madam around the clock,¡± Aron Jackson assured. Aron Jackson had already arranged for his people to protect Quella Radcliffe day and night. His network in Gonzalez City was also very efficient. If any of those people made the slightest move, he would be the first to get the news. ¡°The time should be about right now,¡± Julius Reed checked his watch. ¡°If Maurice Yarrow doesn¡¯t want to come, then just throw him into the river to feed the fish.¡± ¡°You dare! By offending the Three Blade Group, you¡¯re signing your own death warrant!¡± Sitting in the chair, Sonny Ridge felt his heart sink while he silently prayed for the people from the Three Blade Group to hurry up. When he found out that the person who had captured him was Aron Jackson, fear filled his heart. As the deputy manager of the Gonzalez City branch, he had spent several years here. He had experienced Aron Jackson¡¯s terror first-hand, far more intimately than those who were far away in the Five-river Province. From his initial arrival in Gonzalez City to consolidating his hold on the industry, Aron Jackson had only taken a few months. Moreover, none of the companies that opposed him met a good end. But since the Three Blade Group has a strong backing and also avoids conflict with Aron Jackson, these past three years have been fairly peaceful. However, everyone Imows that Boss Yarrow will make his move sooner or later! Such a juicy piece of Gonzalez City, countless eyes are watching. What Sonny Ridge hadn¡¯t expected was that Aron Jackson would act before Maurice Yarrow, and his first move was a killer one! ¡°The Three Blade Group, huh? I just so happen to have an account to settle!¡± Julius Reed turned to look at the warehouse door and muttered to himself, ¡°They¡¯re already here.¡± No sooner had his voice faded away than a staff member ran into the warehouse in a panic, gasping for breath as he shouted, ¡°Big brother, Gerrard Cook is here with people!¡± Gerrard Cook is the manager of the Gonzalez City branch, usually in charge of the overall coordination. Now that Sonny Ridge had been captured, he had to step in to resolve the situation. This incident had a significant impact; the entire Three Blade Group was criticizing Gerrard Cook for his inaction, for allowing the deputy manager to be taken away from his own company! ¡°Maurice Yarrow didn¡¯t come?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow and muttered to himself, ¡°But when I think about it, it makes sense. How could this old fox show up so easily?¡± ¡°Big brother, do we take action directly?¡± Aron Jackson asked from the side. ¡°Since Maurice Yarrow didn¡¯t show, let¡¯s break Sonny Ridge¡¯s legs first.¡± Julius Reed said lightly, but these words made Sonny Ridge break out in a cold sweat. He knew that the other party was not joking! ¡°Aron Jackson, we do not interfere with each other, so why detain the deputy manager of the Three Blade Group!¡± Just then, a deep voice came from the entrance of the warehouse, followed by a flurry of footsteps. ¡°Gerrard Cook, manager of the Three Blade Group¡¯s Gonzalez City branch, has come to meet you!¡± A middle-aged man in a suit walked into the warehouse, slightly short in stature. ¡°Bridger Davenport of the Three Blade Group, has come to meet you!¡± Next to Gerrard Cook was a man wearing glasses, clearly shrewd and calculating. ¡°So it¡¯s Brother Reed and Brother Cook!¡± Aron Jackson stepped forward with his hands clasped in a salute, ¡°My apologies for not greeting you from afar.¡± He had also heard of Bridger Davenport¡¯s name. Being Maurice Yarrow¡¯s right-hand man and now appearing alongside Gerrard Cook indicated that the Three Blade Group was taking this matter very seriously. ¡°Save me!¡± At that moment, Sonny Ridge shouted loudly for help while tied to a chair. ¡°Sonny Ridge? How did you end up like this!¡± The deputy manager of the majestic Three Blade Group was now bloodied and leaning against a chair, his hands beaten beyond breaking. Seeing this scene, Gerrard Cook¡¯s pupils shrank, his voice tinged with a chill, ¡°Aron Jackson, you¡¯d better give me an explanation!¡± ¡°An explanation? Julius Reed walked languidly to Sonny Ridge¡¯s side and spoke, ¡°He cheated at a bet in your bar. As the boss, he stooped to cheating! According to the bar rules, breaking both hands isn¡¯t too much, right?¡± As he spoke, he turned around and said, ¡°Since you think I owe you an explanation, I¡¯ll give you one.¡± Crack! Julius Reed suddenly kicked out, breaking both of Sonny Ridge¡¯s legs from the knees! ¡°Is that explanation enough?¡± ¡°You¡¯re asking for it!¡± Gerrard Cook¡¯s face darkened as he made to charge with his men. ¡°Wait a moment!¡± Bridger Davenport stopped him and looked at Julius Reed, ¡°Brother, your face is unfamiliar to me. May I know your esteemed name?¡± ¡°Did you bring the money I want?¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t answer Bridger Davenport¡¯s question, instead asking about the ransom.. Chapter 50 - Chapter 50: Chapter 49 Breach of Trust_l Chapter 50: Chapter 49 Breach of Trust_l Translator: 549690339 ¡°Aron Jackson, why are you making an enemy of my Three Blade Group?¡± Seeing that Julius Reed didn¡¯t bother with him, Bridger Davenport simply chose not to answer. As one of the core members ranked in the top five of the Three Blade Group, he naturally felt indignant being ignored by a nobody. ¡°My brother is asking you a question, can¡¯t you hear?¡± But Aron Jackson didn¡¯t give him the pleasure of acknowledgment, instead, he asked sternly with a calm yet fierce look on his face. Outside, Julius Reed and Aron Jackson addressed each other as brothers, that wav Julius Reed¡¯s identitv as the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance remained concealed, and if an enemy came seeking revenge, Aron Jackson could step in front to shield him. In plainer terms, he was the one to take the hits. Hearing Aron Jackson¡¯s words, even if Bridger Davenport could keep his cool, rage inevitably kindled in his heart. Even though Gonzalez City was indeed Aron Jackson¡¯s turf, he himself was the second-in-command in the Three Blade Group, right after Maurice Yarrow. Receiving such treatment now, even a clay Buddha would harbor a trace of anger. ¡°Aron Jackson, don¡¯t go too far!¡± Bridger Davenport stepped forward and said, ¡°While it¡¯s true that you have many enterprises here in Gonzalez City, my Three Blade Group also has a stake in this place! If you want to leave safely today¡ª¡± No sooner had he finished his sentence than the figures clad in black at the warehouse entrance all turned their gaze to Aron Jackson, seemingly ready to rip him to shreds. Upon receiving the message, Bridger Davenport had already sent people to watch West Lake Wharf, closely monitoring every move of Aron Jackson and his group. However, their actions were quite unexpected. He had thought that in Gonzalez City, Aron Jackson would have many people lying in ambush here! But Gerrard Cook¡¯s men had been guarding this place for a full day and night, without spotting so much as a ghost¡¯s shadow. It wasn¡¯t until past five in the afternoon that they discovered Aron Jackson arriving with the injured Sonny Ridge in tow. Arrogant, presumptuous! This was the most reasonable explanation Bridger Davenport could think of. If you underestimate your enemy, then you must pay the price! The capability of the Three Blade Group¡¯s branch in Gonzalez City was significant, only suppressed by Aron Jackson, it hadn¡¯t been able to expand rapidly. After arriving at the Gonzalez City branch, together with Gerrard Cook, Bridger Davenport came to West Lake Wharf with a murderous aura. Since there was a complete fallout, there was no need to consider other consequences anymore. Faced with the aggressive questioning now, all Bridger Davenport wanted to do was kill. ¡°I¡¯ll ask one last time, did you bring the ransom? Julius Reed stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching Bridger Davenport with utter indifference. If Maurice Yarrow had not arrived, then he would have to strike the Three Blade Group hard, to keep them in line for a while. After all, the Three Blade Group was not something that could be eliminated overnight. Moreover, he had just awakened his memory and didn¡¯t wish to be discovered by others with ulterior motives. ¡°Ransom? Am I hearing you right? Someone dares to ask me for money in this world?¡± Bridger Davenport laughed aloud, his lips curving into a slight sneer. ¡°Even if you have the life to take it, do you have the life to spend it? You think I could let you walk out alive after crippling Deputy Manager Sonny Ridge in front of me?¡± His men were stationed right outside the door; even if Aron Jackson¡¯s people arrived, they couldn¡¯t burst in. And Maurice Yarrow had long made it clear that he wanted Aron Jackson taken out right here! Bridger Davenport had thought a fierce battle would unfold here, but to his surprise, the other party brought only a few men, saving him a lot of trouble. ¡°So, you don¡¯t wish for him to keep his life?¡± After hearing Bridger Davenport¡¯s response, Julius Reed turned around and slowly walked towards Sonny Ridge. ¡°Since there¡¯s a breach of trust, come collect your corpse!¡± ¡°Save me!¡± Having experienced Julius Reed¡¯s methods firsthand, Sonny Ridge became terrified seeing the other man approaching, breaking out in cold sweat and trembling all over. ¡°Stop! Don¡¯t you fear death?¡± Sonny Ridge, after all, had followed Gerrard Cook for many years, and now hearing Julius Reed mention killing Sonny Ridge, the manager of the Gonzalez City branch could no longer stand by and watch. ¡°If you dare touch him again, I¡¯ll make sure you have no place to be buried!¡± Gerrard Cook had been a dominant figure in Gonzalez City for many years, and his capabilities went without saying. As he spoke, the men in black behind him had already silently pressed forward. ¡°If we don¡¯t kill him, can we still live?¡± Julius Reed turned around, offering a faint smile. This smile was extremely eerie, instilling a sense of fear in the members of the Three Blade Group. Indeed, they had come today with the intent to eradicate their problem at the root, and if they missed this chance, they would likely never find such a perfect opportunity to eliminate Aron Jackson again! Gerrard Cook, a man who had weathered many storms, thought this way, but what he said was, ¡°If you release him and offer a sincere apology, we will not pursue this any further. After all, this is Gonzalez City, and Aron Jackson¡¯s people¡ªwe wouldn¡¯t trouble them, would we?¡± As if fearing disbelief, Gerrard Cook waved his hand, signaling for the people of the Three Blade Group to retreat, leaving only himself, Bridger Davenport, and an elder in black. ¡°Now, do you believe us? The Three Blade Group has always wanted to be friends with Aron Jackson, to operate in Gonzalez City together. After all, there¡¯s money to be made by everyone, so why resort to violence and killing?¡± If Aron Jackson didn¡¯t know the kind of person Maurice Yarrow was, he would have almost believed it. In the past, he had asked Maurice Yarrow to pay a huge sum of money for his life and had made this boss of the Three Blade Group, crawl out like a dog¡ª how could such a grudge be easily forgotten? Moreover, Gerrard Cook was just a branch manager; how could he possibly make such a decision? Yet, Julius Reed¡¯s attention was focused on the elder. When there had been hundreds of people at the door earlier, he had not noticed the existence of this elder in black. Now, with only three of them left, the elder stood out all the more conspicuously. From him, Julius Reed sensed an aura of death, the kind left by someone who had killed too many. Only someone who had taken at least a hundred lives could have such an aura. It seemed Gerrard Cook wanted to play dirty. ¡°Who is this elderly gentleman¡­?¡± Although he knew the score, he still pretended not to have realized it. ¡°Oh! This is my driver. Surely you¡¯re not frightened by an old man who couldn¡¯t even truss a chicken, right? I thought all of Aron Jackson¡¯s subordinates were elite¡­ Bridger Davenport deliberately provoked Julius Reed, aiming to keep the elder there. The elder¡¯s name was Noah Miller, and he had blood on his hands from his younger days abroad. Later, being chased and forced to return to his country, he ended up under Maurice Yarrow¡¯s command. In the entire Three Blade Group, in terms of combat ability, aside from those two freaks, Noah Miller was definitely the strongest. Maurice Yarrow¡¯s decision to send him was a clear indication of his resolve to win at all costs. ¡°How could I! Since Manager Cook is so sincere, then I¡¯ll give Sonny Ridge back to you. I hope you¡¯ll keep your word and not give us any trouble!¡± Julius Reed sneered inwardly. Helpless as a chicken? This elder was absolutely a revered figure in the Three Blade Group! But if Gerrard Cook wanted to play, then he would play along. ¡°Rest assured, when Gerrard Cook gives his word, he keeps it!¡± Although he wasn¡¯t sure of Julius Reed¡¯s identity, the fact that Aron Jackson had nodded in silence meant he must be someone extraordinary. Gerrard Cook pretended to agree, reasoning that no living witnesses would remain; who would then know of his promise? Dead men tell no tales! ¡°Go on, your brothers are waiting for you,¡± Julius Reed grabbed Sonny Ridge, who was seated in the chair, and thrust him violently towards Gerrard Cook. In that instant, his middle finger covertly struck the back of Sonny Ridge¡¯s neck! ¡°Old Miller, kill him!¡± The moment he caught Sonny Ridge, Bridger Davenport shouted loudly.. Chapter 51 - Chapter 51: Chapter 50 Dealing with the Matter_l Chapter 51: Chapter 50 Dealing with the Matter_l Translator: 549690339 As soon as Bridger Davenport¡¯s words ended, a figure flew out from behind him! In an instant, the entire warehouse was enveloped in endless chill! ¡°Be careful!¡± The moment Noah Miller made his move, Aron Jackson also reacted. He dashed forward several steps and leapt high into the air! Being a martial artist himself, Aron Jackson sensed the wrongness in Noah Miller, that kind of killing intent wasn¡¯t something a normal old man should possess. Although it was heavily concealed, it couldn¡¯t escape the eyes of Julius Reed and Aron Jackson. Bang! Their fists collided violently in mid-air, and then each took a step back. ¡°I have long heard of Aron Jackson¡¯s prowess in both the literary and martial arts, and seeing you today, your reputation is indeed well-deserved!¡± Noah Miller squinted his eyes, praising loudly. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be weak as a chicken? That punch you threw just now could probably kill a strong ox, couldn¡¯t it?¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s face was frosty, with a strong will to fight emanating from his entire being. That exchange just now didn¡¯t give either an advantage. It could be said to be an even match. But if the fight continued, the outcome was hard to predict. ¡°Manager Cook, is this what you call ¡®keeping your word¡¯?¡± Seeing that the other party couldn¡¯t help but make a move, Julius Reed chuckled lightly. ¡°If you¡¯re dead, who can prove I ever said that?¡± Gerrard Cook¡¯s eyes were filled with coldness: ¡°We¡¯re all in the same business; you should understand this principle! Blame only yourself for being too naive to believe such words! You expect to live after crippling my men?¡± With Noah Miller here, they felt very confident about this affair, so they no longer bothered to disguise their intentions. ¡°Oh? Luckily, I kept a trick up my sleeve. It seems Manager Cook is not a man of his word after all!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s lips curled into a smile as he pointed at Sonny Ridge and said, ¡°You might want to check if this brother of yours is still alive.¡± Upon hearing this, Gerrard Cook couldn¡¯t help but frown. When they had let go of Sonny Ridge, everything seemed natural; what could the other party have done in such a short period? ¡°He¡¯s dead. As soon as Bridger Davenport heard those words, he instinctively placed his hand under Sonny Ridge¡¯s nose. He had felt something off before, and now he realized Sonny Ridge was indeed dead! ¡°What!¡± Gerrard Cook and Noah Miller exclaimed in unison. Shock was written all over both of their faces! In such a short span, the other party had silently killed Sonny Ridge, and they hadn¡¯t noticed at all! ¡°It seems, Aron Jackson has found himself a capable ally. But what of it? In my presence, it¡¯s just one more person to kill. Had Sonny Ridge not died, I might have shown mercy, but now, you¡¯ve crossed the line.¡± Noah Miller felt Sonny Ridge¡¯s body and confirmed he was indeed dead through and through. ¡°I want you to bury my brother with him!¡± As the manager of Gonzalez City, having the deputy manager die in front of him was undoubtedly a humiliation! ¡°Master Miller, leave a live one, I want to torment him bit by bit!¡± Gerrard Cook¡¯s eyes conveyed boundless hatred, as if wanting to devour Julius Reed alive! ¡°Consider it done!¡± As he spoke, Noah Miller shot forward, charging directly at Julius Reed! Dealing with Aron Jackson was tricky, so he decided to deal with the seemingly less capable man first. ¡°Capture the Eagle!¡± Seeing Noah Miller take action, Bridger Davenport¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits. ¡°Who would have thought that Old Miller would use a lethal move from the start! Today, we shall feast our eyes!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve also heard a bit about Old Miller¡¯s Eagle-Claw Hand! Aron Jackson is doomed today!¡± Gerrard Cook was just as excited on the side, because Noah Miller¡¯s Eagle-Claw Hand was practically a legend within the Three Blade Group. When Noah Miller joined the Three Blade Group, he was already approaching fifty, and others only knew that he was agile, but never understood why Maurice Yarrow spent a fortune to bring him on board. After all, there were many capable fighters within the Three Blade Group. Such a high salary naturally caused discontent among many of the group¡¯s brothers. Why should money go to an outsider? Could they really not match up to an old man? Thus, quite a few of the group¡¯s elite approached Maurice Yarrow, requesting to match their skills against Noah Miller! Facing such provocations, Noah Miller gladly accepted the challenge, and chose the day of August 15 to take on ten men by himself at a martial arts gym owned by the Three Blade Group! Many high-ranking members rushed to the scene, witnessing with their own eyes the spectacle of Noah Miller defeating ten men single-handedly! To celebrate the acquisition of a master within the group, Maurice Yarrow hosted a banquet that night at the High-heaven Restaurant. At that banquet, fueled by alcohol, Noah Miller exhibited a secret technique, the Eagle-Claw Hand! A stone as tall as a man was smashed into pieces by a single swipe of his hand from the middle! Everyone present was amazed, and they also committed this secret technique to memory. The move that Noah Miller executed now was precisely the Eagle-Claw Hand! And judging from the strength, this technique was even more refined than three years ago, the power also greater than before! Swoosh! With a sharp whoosh through the air, Noah Miller¡¯s left hand had already shot forward in front of Julius Reed! The move was so fast that everyone failed to react to what had happened. Seeing this scene, Gerrard Cook couldn¡¯t help but applaud in admiration! So impressive! Bridger Davenport¡¯s eyes were also filled with fervent excitement, for he had seen Noah Miller in action before, but every time, the elder would bring him surprises. It seemed that nobody had ever pushed him to use his full strength. Now, he finally understood why Maurice Yarrow was willing to splurge a billion a year on this seemingly frail elder. One man, equivalent to an army of thousands! Noah Miller pushed off the ground with his legs and leaped up, slamming down a palm over Julius Reed¡¯s head! This palm strike was even more powerful than before, so much so that even from a distance, the two by the warehouse entrance could feel the overwhelming murderous intent. It made breathing difficult! However, the man in question, Julius Reed, showed not the slightest panic; he stood his ground and met the Eagle-Claw Hand with a punch! A head-on clash! ¡°Pff! Noah Miller staggered back more than a dozen steps before falling to his knees, clutching his chest and coughing up a mouthful of blood. And his hands couldn¡¯t help but tremble. ¡°You actually managed to withstand my Eagle-Claw Hand! Impossible! Utterly impossible! ¡± His eyes were filled with disbelief. His treasured technique, developed time and again at the brink of death, had been neutralized so easily by the opponent and had even led to his defeat! ¡°Master Miller, are you okay?¡± It was only then that Bridger Davenport and Gerrard Cook came to their senses. Both rushed over to Noah Miller, their faces full of shock. In their minds, Noah Miller had been an invincible figure, yet that young man in the distance had knocked him down with one blow, making him spit out blood. What kind of monster had they encountered? Thinking this, the two men felt chills down their spine. ¡°Get Inst¡±¡® Noah Miller pushed the two men away, his face dark with anger: ¡°No one has ever left alive after crossing me, and you¡¯re no exception!¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Looking at the injured Noah Miller, Julius Reed slightly raised the corner of his mouth: ¡°Now you can run away, and I¡¯m guessing, you must have been a deserter before, right?¡± Chapter 52 - Chapter 52: Chapter 51 Bridger Davenport’s Thoughts_1 Chapter 52: Chapter 51 Bridger Davenport¡¯s Thoughts_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Shut up! ¡± Upon hearing these two words, Noah Miller¡¯s pupils shrank violently, like a fierce tiger whose tail had been stepped on! He had fought in deserts and jungles abroad in his youth. His master was even a grandmaster known as Anthony the ¡°Viper.¡± Under the hellish training of this master, he and several dozen fellow disciples joined Inferno, honing themselves through numerous real battles, and in the end, less than ten survived! These remaining ten could definitely be called aces. At that time, Inferno was highly renowned, and Noah Miller¡¯s future should have been bright, but the incident twenty years ago completely altered his life¡¯s trajectory. Perhaps due to youth or vanity clouding his judgment, he secretly took on a covert job behind his master¡¯s back. In that era, Anthony had absolute authority within Inferno, taking sixty percent of any commission, and only the remaining forty percent was distributed to the members. Even though each payout was substantial, the money was not much when divided among many. Moreover, anyone who sought out Inferno had a highly vexing issue at hand. Members had to be prepared for a possible eternal rest each time they went into battle. Full of youthful vigor, Noah Miller decided he would do this job and then leave Inferno to start his own faction. So, he quietly took on a covert job worth one billion US dollars, and together with a few of his Inferno brethren who were dissatisfied with Anthony, they set out to assassinate their target. The target was a tycoon with a net worth of tens of billions and immense local influence. Although they successfully assassinated the tycoon using their vast experience, they encountered fierce resistance during their retreat! At the critical moment, Noah Miller abandoned the safety of his colleagues and fled alone. The rest, with their backs exposed, were brutally killed by the tycoon¡¯s bodyguards. Subsequently, the tycoon¡¯s relatives issued a Killing Order, offering a hefty reward for Noah Miller¡¯s head. Inferno also began to cleanse their ranks of this deserting traitor! This incident, like an obsession, lodged in his heart for decades. To abandon his comrades and flee alone had become a joke. Today, having this wound reopened sent Noah Miller into an unstoppable rage. Julius Reed snorted lightly, clearly with disdain. The opponent¡¯s techniques were full of flaws, and he had countless ways to break through them. ¡°Old Miller, are you confident?¡± Beside him, Bridger Davenport and Gerrard Cook were secretly sweating bullets, aware that they had truly hit a snag. Although they were unclear about when Aron Jackson¡¯s subordinate had become such a formidable figure, anyone who gained Jackson¡¯s silent approval was certainly no ordinary person. But equally, Noah Miller had not yet gone all out; he had always held something back! This reservation, after being knocked back by a single kick from Julius Reed, was fully unleashed! ¡°Get lost! If you don¡¯t trust me, you can leave first! But this young man, I must kill him today!¡± Every martial artist has an element of pride. Noah Miller was no exception. He felt that with Julius Reed being so young, even if he won, it wouldn¡¯t be honorable. Moreover, in the brief exchange they had just now, he was at a disadvantage! If he couldn¡¯t turn the tables, how would he continue to stand in the Three Blade Group? The one billion US dollars per year from Maurice Yarrow was not so easy to obtain! ¡°Then please take care of it, Old Miller!¡± Bridger Davenport nodded on the side, quietly stepping out from the warehouse, leaving only Gerrard Cook to watch the battle. As the brain of the Three Blade Group, Bridger Davenport had his own plans. He felt that the events of today were somewhat unexpected and could possibly pose a risk. Now that he had seen Julius Reed show his mettle, even seemingly aiming to suppress Noah Miller, he thought of going out to seek reinforcements. After all, joining forces would serve as an additional insurance for today¡¯s operation. ¡°Brother Davenport, why have you come out?¡± Seeing Bridger Davenport emerge, the members of the Three Blade Group quickly inquired. They all knew of Old Miller; he was an exceedingly formidable figure. With Noah Miller inside making a move and Bridger Davenport walking out from the warehouse, these people subconsciously thought that Aron Jackson was dead. ¡°The person inside is tricky! Although Old Miller says he is confident, I think it¡¯s doubtful! Having been acquainted with Old Miller for years, I can tell at a glance whether he truly has confidence or not.¡± With his hands clasped behind his back, Bridger Davenport thoughtfully said, ¡°When he acted in the past, he was always full of confidence. But today, I saw a moment of hesitation or perhaps fear in his eyes. Even though he didn¡¯t say it, his moves were obviously timid and shrinking.¡± Noah Miller would only appear when carrying out top-secret missions or dealing with particularly thorny opponents. And these matters were usually orchestra ted by Bridger Davenport, with Noah Miller taking action. The two had collaborated more than a dozen times, so Bridzer Davenport felt he had some understanding of Noah Miller. In the recent skirmish, he had distinctly sensed that sliver of fear in Noah Miller¡¯s heart, slight as it was, yet still revealed to him. This made Bridger Davenport once again curious about Julius Reed, wondering what kind of freak this young man by Aron Jackson¡¯s side was to make Old Man Miller the Weirdo suffer a setback. ¡°What? Old Miller actually didn¡¯t have the upper hand?¡± ¡°In my memory, as long as Old Miller made a move, it was absolutely certain. I never imagined that in this world, there would actually be an opponent Old Miller took seriously.¡± ¡°Brother Davenport, what do you want the brothers to do?¡± The members of the Three Blade Group all knew Noah Miller, and within the group, they preferred to call him Old Man Miller the Weirdo. Because Noah Miller was so formidable that the strongest member of the Three Blade Group couldn¡¯t even touch his clothes. Though their rank was not high and their chances of seeing Noah Miller were rare, this did not prevent him from becoming their idol. In their hearts, Noah Miller represented invincibility. Now, with their War God shaken, the members of the Three Blade Group were impatient to witness the showdown between the two. ¡°Wait for my signal outside, and once I blow the whistle, come in immediately! And don¡¯t bother with anything else, just take Aron Jackson and his group down!¡± A cold light flashed in Bridger Davenport¡¯s eyes; the matter today had to be handled splendidly to Maurice Yarrow¡¯s satisfaction. With this thought, he reiterated, ¡°Not a single one should be left!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The group members all clenched their fists in salute, filled with immense excitement. After finishing all this, Bridger Davenport turned around and went back into the warehouse. Meanwhile, inside the dilapidated warehouse, Noah Miller was engaged in a fierce battle with Julius Reed. Gerrard Cook, who was watching, was dumbfounded. This truly was a battle of gods! ¡°How¡¯s the fight going?¡± Bridger Davenport whispered. ¡°Since you went out, Old Miller has been repelled four times. Each time he¡¯s been injured more severely than the last, and¡­¡¯ Gerrard Cook swallowed hard, his words coming out in fits and starts. ¡°And what?¡± Bridger Davenport asked with a furrowed brow. He hated it when someone spoke in half sentences, but now was not a good time to get upset. ¡°And Old Miller hasn¡¯t even touched his opponent¡¯s clothes!¡± Gerrard Cook said with a trembling voice. And at that moment, Noah Miller was once again knocked down from the air! Chapter 53 - Chapter 53: Chapter 52 Ambush_1 Chapter 53: Chapter 52 Ambush_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Give up, you¡¯re no match for me.¡± Julius Reed stood atop a dilapidated oil drum inside the warehouse, looking down imperiously. Noah Miller was indeed not bad, his methods were strong, but unfortunately, his opponent was Julius Reed. Against anyone else it might have been fine, but fighting against himself was simply humiliating. ¡°I don¡¯t have time to waste on you, but Maurice Yarrow¡¯s ransom might just have to double!¡± In the midst of speaking, Julius Reed suddenly lunged forward, his hands reaching straight for Noah Miller¡¯s throat! He intended to make an example of him! To ensure that no one from the Three Blade Group dared to target him again! ¡°You¡¯re too arrogant!¡± Noah Miller, after all, was an enforcer within the Three Blade Group, and now, seeing Julius Reed charging at him with such ferocity, he bellowed and rushed to meet the attack! Bang! With a violent collision, Noah Miller stepped back several paces, the fresh blood spewing uncontrollably from his mouth! But before he could think of what to do next, Julius Reed had already grabbed his neck with one hand and hoisted him up! The whole process was so fast that no one could react, and Noah Miller was already captured. ¡°Old Miller¡­ ¡± Bridger Davenport began to shout, but felt his throat uncontrollably tighten and his body slightly tremble. If even Noah Miller was no match, what chance did they stand? It was a lost cause! ¡°Retreat!¡± Gerrard Cook also recovered from the shock and turned to run. Everyone knew clearly that the operation had failed! The opponent was too strong! ¡°Aron Jackson, capture the two of them! Tell Maurice Yarrow to bring ten billion for their ransom!¡± Having done all this, Julius Reed gave Aron Jackson the order. For characters like Bridger Davenport and Gerrard Cook, they were very easy to deal with. Although Aron Jackson wasn¡¯t as monstrously strong as Julius Reed, he was still far beyond what Gerrard Cook could handle! In less than three moves, the manager of the Gonzalez City branch of the Three Blade Group, along with one of the group¡¯s strategists, Bridger Davenport, were both thrown onto chairs. Just like how Sonny Ridge had been previously, these two core members of the Three Blade Group were tied up tightly. ¡°I warn you! Don¡¯t mess with me! There are people from the Three Blade Group outside the warehouse!¡± Bridger Davenport said somberly, even though he had been captured, he still felt quite confident. But at the same time, he was also worried, for Julius Reed was too dominant, instantly taking down Noah Miller; he was certainly not an easy person to deal with. If it really came to it, he must find a way to have the boss call out those two monstrous figures. Noah Miller was not the strongest in their group, but those two figures were harder to ask for. ¡°Aron Jackson! This subordinate of yours is really impressive!¡± Gerrard Cook looked at Julius Reed not far away, his heart overturning like a turbulent river. Having been in Gonzalez City for so long and yet failing to understand the details of this arch-rival was a complete failure! If the operation had been successful, his low-level mistakes would have been conveniently hidden. But if they hadn¡¯t managed to kill Aron Jackson, his responsibility would have been the greatest! After all, this was Gonzalez City, Gerrard Cook¡¯s stomping grounds! As the manager of the Gonzalez City branch, first his underlings were killed and then both he and Bridger Davenport were captured and bound; if Maurice Yarrow were to find out about this, he would definitely explode in anger! ¡°Is there still something to discuss? Gerrard Cook asked calmly, after three years in Gonzalez City. ¡°What do you think?¡± Aron Jackson laughed, slapping his face with a smack. ¡°Playing dirty with me! Think I¡¯m a fool? If our strength wasn¡¯t so overwhelming today, I bet you would have taken our heads to claim your reward, right?¡± Aron Jackson really couldn¡¯t muster any good feelings toward the Three Blade Group. What he hated most were those who schemed behind others¡¯ backs, treating everyone like fools. As if he were the smartest person in the world! ¡°Call your boss!¡± Aron Jackson was far from courteous, his tone as icy as winter itself. ¡°Ha, you really think the people outside the warehouse are just for show? We can all die together if it comes to that!¡± Gerrard Cook was slapped across the face, and his heart immediately burned with rage! As a core member of the Three Blade Group, wherever he went, he was called ¡°brother¡± with respect. But today, he was actually slapped by Aron Jackson! ¡°Don¡¯t think you¡¯re secure!¡± While Aron Jackson and Gerrard Cook were talking, Bridger Davenport whistled softly, and instantly there was a commotion of footsteps from outside the warehouse. The members of the Three Blade Group had been impatiently waiting for this moment. So, when the sound of the whistle rang out, they rushed over in a frenzy! But when they ran into the warehouse, they were all dumbfounded. There lay Noah Miller on the ground, his face void of any color, with traces of blood still on the front of his clothes. Clearly, he had just gone through a tough battle and lost! ¡°This¡­¡± They stood at the entrance to the warehouse, at a loss for a moment. Who was Noah Miller? He was their War God, their biggest trump card for this mission! But now that their trump card had been overturned, what was there left to play? Bridger Davenport and Gerrard Cook, meanwhile, were tied to chairs at the very back of the warehouse. In just this short amount of time, all the key members of the Three Blade Group had become prisoners, and the rest didn¡¯t know what to do. With everyone captured, where should they go? Who should they obey? ¡°Beat them to death! This is an order! Do you hear me?¡± Bridger Davenport bellowed with a stern face! He had reached his position today thanks to his superior intellect and a relentless ruthlessness! Even though he was in a dangerous situation, he still wouldn¡¯t compromise! In Bridger Davenport¡¯s view, Aron Jackson¡¯s tying him up was nothing more than a wish for a safety net, allowing everyone in the warehouse to leave unharmed. But he just wouldn¡¯t let Aron Jackson get his way, even adopting an attitude of mutual destruction! In Bridger Davenport¡¯s plan, once these people charged in madly, Aron Jackson and company would surely panic! If they wanted to live, they would have to negotiate with him! At that moment, he would once again regain control of the situation! But what he didn¡¯t know was that the outside of the warehouse had already been ambushed! All were elites carefully selected by Aron Jackson! ¡°Facing death without fear, quite the mindset you have!¡± Julius Reed slowly walked up to Bridger Davenport and asked, ¡°Do you think they will take the bait?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s find out! If I die, none of you will live either! We might as well keep each other company in the netherworld!¡± Displaying a readiness to face death, Bridger Davenport shouted loudly at the Three Blade Group members at the door: ¡°Charge, this is an order!¡± ¡°Charge!¡± After a brief hesitation, the members of the Three Blade Group surged forward! Crack! Witnessing this scene, Julius Reed kicked Bridger Davenport¡¯s leg, breaking it instantly! ¡°Ahh! I¡¯ll kill you!¡± The intense pain made Bridger Davenport¡¯s veins bulge out, his eyes filled with deep hatred. Seeing this, the members of the Three Blade Group instinctively stopped in their tracks. Seizing the opportunity, Aron Jackson walked up behind Bridger Davenport and took a small bamboo tube from the chair. Then, he lit it gently with a lighter. Whoosh! As a sharp whistling sound cut through the air, the bamboo tube shot out a dazzling firework. At the same time, the ground beneath their feet began to tremble slightly! ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The members of the Three Blade Group looked at each other, panic setting in their hearts. ¡°We¡¯re surrounded!¡± After a moment, a member who had been standing outside the warehouse ran in frantically, his eyes filled with fear.. Chapter 54 - Chapter 54: Chapter 53 The Shocked Gerrard Cook_1 Chapter 54: Chapter 53 The Shocked Gerrard Cook_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Impossible!¡± Upon hearing the words of the Three Blade Group employee, Bridger Davenport¡¯s frown deepened. Although he was tied to a chair, he kept struggling as if he had forgotten that he just had a leg broken. ¡°Before coming here, I had people watching this place the entire time; there¡¯s no way Aron Jackson¡¯s men could have gotten here so quickly!¡± Bridger Davenport couldn¡¯t believe it, but the approaching footsteps were getting louder and left no room for explanation. ¡°Aron Jackson! Your men?¡± Feeling the vibrations underneath his feet, Gerrard Cook also turned his body and stared straight at Aron Jackson. Before making a move, Bridger Davenport had specifically asked him to have someone stationed to keep a close watch on how many people Aron Jackson brought. As the manager of Gonzalez City, Gerrard Cook naturally did not dare to neglect this, so upon receiving the order, he arranged for people to guard the West Lake docks day and night. Both overtly and covertly, they set up watch positions everywhere; any small movement would immediately be reported to him and Bridger Davenport. But only now did they realize that Aron Jackson had set an ambush long ago! ¡°Manager Cook, we¡¯ve been in Gonzalez City together for three years, which makes us old acquaintances. But in these three years, we¡¯ve had our share of secret battles. Tell me, when have you ever won against me?¡± Aron Jackson shook his head and walked slowly in front of Gerrard Cook, speaking disdainfully, ¡°To fight with me, you¡¯re simply not qualified!¡± These words left no face for the branch manager. Even Bridger Davenport, upon hearing these words, couldn¡¯t help but frown. ¡®You!¡± Gerrard Cook, after all, was the manager of the Gonzalez City branch and held a respected position within the Three Blade Group. But now, being humiliated by Aron Jackson in front of his employees, where could he put his face? Yet, he was absolutely powerless. After all, his life was in the other¡¯s hands. What could he do? ¡°Come in! Take them all down!¡± Aron Jackson suddenly looked up and bellowed toward the warehouse entrance. The next moment, a swarm of people poured into the warehouse like a flood and started to fight without a word! With the Three Blade Group leaderless, its members utterly unprepared, they quickly fell in the face of Aron Jackson¡¯s men¡¯s relentless assault. Five minutes later. ¡°The Three Blade Group is in such a sorry state, and they dare to trouble me?¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands in his pockets, looking down at the groaning Three Blade Group members in front of him. All one hundred plus men were knocked to the ground, each suffering injuries of varying degrees. And Aron Jackson¡¯s subordinates, one after another, angrily gathered around, as if they wished they could kill all these men. Dare to scheme against their own boss? They must be tired of living! ¡°We certainly didn¡¯t trouble you. It was you who captured Sonny Ridge from the Three Blade Group and caused a ruckus at Black Wind Bar! Surely you can¡¯t spout nonsense just because you outnumber us? Bridger Davenport was furious, but his tone remained neither servile nor overbearing. Although he did not know the relationship between this young man and Aron Jackson, he was aware that Aron Jackson might listen to him. His and Gerrard Cook¡¯s lives and fortunes were essentially in the young man¡¯s hands. After all, he was the one who defeated Noah Miller! Wherever he went, he was revered. ¡°Oh? I¡¯m spouting nonsense?¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly and walked up to Gerrard Cook, ¡°Manager Cook should be clear about this matter, right?¡± ¡°Young man, if you¡¯re going to kill, just kill! No need to waste words on me here! Although I, Gerrard Cook, have fallen to this state, I won¡¯t be humiliated by you at will! We¡¯re strangers, what reason do I have to trouble you?¡± After hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, Gerrard Cook felt like his lungs were about to explode with anger. It was clearly the other party who had captured his subordinate and looted the cash. Late the same they even sent a threatening message to Maurice Yarrow, demanding the Three Blade Group bring ransom money for the exchange of the hostage. It¡¯s true that the Three Blade Group hadn¡¯t refrained from wrongdoing on normal days, but such blatant distortion of the truth was simply bullying! ¡°Hehe, Manager Cook is well-known for being brave and resolute within the Three Blade Group! If he says he hasn¡¯t provoked you, then he hasn¡¯t provoked you!¡± Upon hearing Gerrard Cook¡¯s words, Bridger Davenport spoke to Julius Reed in an icy tone, ¡°I had thought you were a gentleman, but today you have truly disappointed me!¡± In his eyes, the so-called trouble Reed mentioned was merely an excuse for Aron Jackson to take action against him. Though they were competitors, Davenport and his people still held a certain respect for Jackson. Jackson¡¯s decisive and upright actions were known to everyone. But what he hadn¡¯t anticipated was for Jackson to start a battle out of the blue, using such a clumsy pretext. ¡°Oh? You¡¯re still not convinced?¡± Julius Reed turned to face Gerrard Cook and asked in a deep voice, ¡°Did you take a sum of money from the Brandon family to take care of someone for them?¡± ¡°How did you know?¡± Gerrard Cook was startled; this affair involved group secrets, known only to him and Ignacio Cook, not even to Sonny Ridge, who held the same position of vice manager. This deal went unreported to the Three Blade Group, it was entirely his own initiative, and the Brandon¡¯s money did not need to be turned over; they could divide it among themselves on the spot. But if this were to leak, they would inevitably face punishment from the group. Therefore, Gerrard Cook consulted with Ignacio Cook. Sonny Ridge, in charge of Black Wind Bar, was never short of money, and he even coveted Cook¡¯s managerial position. However, Ignacio Cook was different; he was involved in the rougher side of the business, earning far less money. The two hit it off instantly, and Gerrard Cook decided to take on the job under his own authority. With that thought, Cook widened his eyes with disbelief and asked in a tone that could hardly believe, ¡°Could it be that you¡­¡± The more he considered this possibility, the faster his heart raced! ¡°Indeed, I am the person you¡¯re sent to kill.¡± Julius Reed stood before him and said with a faint smile, ¡°What a pity, you had the chance to make money but no chance to spend it.¡± ¡°Where¡¯s Ignacio Cook?¡± Gerrard Cook felt his mind go numb, and he was completely at a loss. Last night he had sent out quite a few people, but strangely, none of his men returned. Moreover, when he sent out a search party in Gonzalez City, they couldn¡¯t find a single trace of them! ¡°Dead. Do you think he could have been a match for me?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s casually spoken words left everyone present speechless. Arrogant! Yet so very real! If even Old Man Miller the Weirdo was soundly defeated, what chance did Ignacio Cook stand? ¡°Gerrard Cook! You¡¯ve damn well killed me!¡± Bridger Davenport, suppressing acute pain, struggled incessantly in his chair. ¡°You know the group¡¯s rules better than I do! Now that you¡¯ve caused this mess, don¡¯t fucking drag me down with you!¡± His eyes bloodshot, he roared, spittle flying from his mouth. He had thought this was just Jackson¡¯s excuse to start a war, but could never have imagined that it was Gerrard Cook who had provoked this calamity! ¡°I¡¯m really out of luck, getting involved in this with you!¡± Davenport turned around and sincerely looked at Julius Reed, ¡°Brother, debts are owed to creditors. Today, I was unaware of what was going on between you two and inadvertently aided him. I hope, brother, that you can give me a chance to make amends!¡± Now that he understood the situation, he decided to do everything in his power to escape it. ¡°What do you think, how much is the worth of everyone in this warehouse?¡± At this point, Julius Reed added, ¡°Including the Black Wind Bar.¡± ¡°I need to check with our boss first!¡± Bridger Davenport hesitated, then said, ¡°Could you untie me first, then I can contact the boss right away..¡± Chapter 55 - Chapter 55: Chapter 54 Trading_l Chapter 55: Chapter 54 Trading_l Translator: 549690339 ¡°Big brother. ¡± Looking at Maurice Yarrow¡¯s expectant face on the screen, Bridger Davenport felt bitter inside. ¡°How did it go? Was Aron Jackson wiped out?¡± On the other end of the phone, a deep voice sounded. ¡°Big brother, we took a beating!¡± Bridger hung his head, his face etched with bitterness. The Three Blade Group¡¯s strategist and the manager of the Gonzalez City branch had bungled the job on their own turf. Bridger himself couldn¡¯t accept such a result. And accompanying them had been Noah Miller, one of the top three fighters within the group. Yet, they still lost, utterly and completely! ¡°What! Say that again?¡± On the other side of the video call, Maurice Yarrow¡¯s eyes revealed disbelief! ¡°Bridger, you little bastard, you dare jest with big brother? Speak up, did we succeed or not!¡± Subconsciously, he thought Bridger was joking with him. After all, how could they fail with Noah Miller, a heavy hitter of the Three Blade Group, having rushed to Gonzalez City? Let alone, there had been no failure whenever Old Man Miller the Weirdo took action. ¡°Take a look for yourself!¡± Bridger turned the camera to show the Three Blade Group members groaning in pain on the ground, Gerrard Cook tied to a chair, Noah Miller lying half-dead on the floor, and Julius Reed standing with a smile on his face, hands clasped behind his back. Lastly, he pointed the camera at his own broken leg, the blood having soaked his trousers and even stained his shoes. ¡°The opponent was too strong, we did our best.¡± Bridger sat back down in the chair, weakly smiling and saying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for letting you down.¡± In the screen, Maurice Yarrow¡¯s face was ashen, his heart reeling like a stormy sea. After a short silence, he spoke up, ¡°Who did it? Aron Jackson is strong, but he¡¯s not capable of this.¡± Maurice well knew Noah Miller¡¯s combat prowess. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have spent a fortune to enlist the old demon. As Aron Jackson¡¯s old rival, he had probed Jackson¡¯s strength before. While Jackson might not be inferior to Miller, the idea that he could reduce Miller to this state was impossible! Not to mention who would have the edge in a fight, if Miller wanted to flee, nobody could stop him! At least, nobody he knew of could stop him! ¡°Boss Yarrow thinks too little of me, Aron Jackson, but you guessed right; my brother was the one who took action!¡± Aron Jackson snatched the phone and greeted Maurice in the screen, ¡°Boss Yarrow, you really do remember to eat but not the thrashings, last time I made you crawl out like a dog, do you plan to end up like a dead dog this time?¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Struck on a sore point, Maurice Yarrow roared like an outraged lion, angrily shouting, ¡°Aron Jackson! Leave some leeway in life! Speak, what are your terms!¡± The exchange between the two was heard crystal clear by the members of the Three Blade Group in the warehouse. Even Bridger was slightly taken aback, before an expression of sudden realization dawned on him. Reflecting on the past interactions between Maurice Yarrow and Aron Jackson, and considering the subsequent actions, he seemed to grasp the kind of deal that had taken place between the two men. Now, when he looked at Aron Jackson, his gaze carried something different. ¡°Ten billion!¡± Hearing the other side start to negotiate, Julius Reed blurted out. If the Three Blade Group dared to trouble them, they had to pay a price. ¡°Who are you!¡± On the other end of the phone, Maurice Yarrow¡¯s brow furrowed, speaking with a hostile tone, ¡°Is this how Aron Jackson teaches his employees? No sense of decorum at all! When bosses are talking, it¡¯s not your place to interrupt!¡± In the group, status was of utmost importance. Only the bosses were entitled to converse; other employees could only stand aside. ¡°The cause of today¡¯s incident is that your Three Blade Group has offended my brother,¡± Aron Jackson shrugged slightly with a spectator¡¯s expression on his face. Julius Reed may be the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, but he¡¯s merely an employee, not even significant enough to be considered a brother, yet he dares to call himself the elder brother? But in front of outsiders, he could not reveal this secret. ¡°Boss Yarrow, when I, Aron Jackson, do things, I have my reasons. Today¡¯s incident was purely to vent anger for my brother, so I won¡¯t interfere with your negotiations,¡± It was clear from Aron Jackson¡¯s words that the decision-making power today was not in his hands. And Maurice Yarrow obviously didn¡¯t know who Julius Reed was, but he was equally certain of one thing, anyone who could defeat Noah Miller was by no means simple! And so young, too! He looked to be just over twenty, how terrifying! ¡°What exactly is going on? How did I provoke this young brother?¡± Maurice Yarrow sensed something was amiss. He had been struggling against Aron Jackson for three years and had come to understand him somewhat. Although they were opponents, he had to admit, Aron Jackson could be described as open and aboveboard. When this incident occurred, Maurice Yarrow subconsciously thought that Aron Jackson couldn¡¯t hold back and wanted to monopolize Gonzalez City. But now it seemed there must be other reasons. ¡°Big brother! Gerrard Cook took on a bounty behind your back to kill this brother! As a result, Ignacio Cook went to handle the task and died, which made this brother turn his anger on us!¡± Bridger Davenport shouted into the phone. Under someone else¡¯s roof, he had no choice but to sacrifice a pawn to save the king, offering up Gerrard Cook to save himself. ¡°What! Give the phone to Gerrard Cook!¡± Hearing Bridger Davenport¡¯s words, Maurice Yarrow was startled and then turned furious! Now, hearing that his branch manager had accepted a bounty in secret and brought disaster upon the group, how could he not be angry! ¡°Gerrard Cook! I have always been good to you! With millions in bonuses each year, are you still not satisfied?¡± Maurice Yarrow roared furiously, ¡°You not only violated the group¡¯s regulations but also brought shame to our group! Sent your colleagues from the branch office to their deaths!¡± Gerrard Cook bowed his head, his eyes full of despair. As the manager of Gonzalez City, he knew what he was facing. ¡°Young brother, now that you¡¯ve injured so many people, we should be even, right?¡± Maurice Yarrow was very angry, but his primary task was to rescue his people trapped in Gonzalez City. ¡°Let my people go, and I won¡¯t pursue today¡¯s matter any further, we both step back, how does that sound!¡± ¡°Ten billion, not a penny less, or you can come collect the bodies,¡± Julius Reed shook his head, not paying attention to his words at all. ¡°Kid, don¡¯t overreach yourself!¡± Maurice Yarrow gritted his teeth, ¡°If you want to stand up to my Three Blade Group, you better weigh your own strength first!¡± ¡°Collect the bodies!¡± Julius Reed said flatly, slowly walking towards Bridger Davenport. ¡°Ten billion! Give me your account number!¡± Maurice Yarrow yelled through gritted teeth. He had no choice but to submit. ¡°You have thirty minutes, ¡± Julius Reed took out a black card from his pocket and recited the card number to Maurice Yarrow. ¡°I hope you keep your word!¡± After finishing his sentence, Maurice Yarrow hung up the video call, grinding his teeth.. Chapter 56 - Chapter 56: Chapter 55 Accidental Incident_l Chapter 56: Chapter 55 Accidental Incident_l Translator: 549690339 After leaving the West Lake docks, Aron Jackson whispered, ¡°From today on, you need to be careful. Maurice Yarrow got tricked by us and he¡¯s sure to be furious. We¡¯re not afraid of him confronting us openly, but I¡¯m worried he might do something shady behind our backs.¡± Julius Reed sat in the back seat of the Mercedes S600, nodded without saying anything, and his left hand kept fiddling with the ring on his finger. Less than twenty minutes after he had given the card number to Maurice Yarrow, the money had been transferred into the account down to the last cent. And as agreed, he and Aron Jackson left with their people, leaving the wounded of the Three Blade Group at the West Lake docks. ¡°In Gonzalez City, any little disturbance from Maurice Yarrow can¡¯t escape my eyes! But should I assign more people to look after your sister-in-law?¡± Aron Jackson stared at Julius Reed with a serious face. He wasn¡¯t worried about the safety of the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, but the Young Master¡¯s wife might need enhanced security. Maurice Yarrow was no ordinary man, and it wouldn¡¯t be difficult for him to trace the connection between Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed. Once the people from the Three Blade Group found out they are husband and wife, it¡¯s uncertain what they might do. ¡°No need! I will stay by her side during this time. If Maurice Yarrow dares to target Quella Radcliffe, I will make sure that not even a chicken or dog from the Three Blade Group remains.¡± Julius Reed looked out the window, and although his tone was extremely calm, it carried an air of indomitable authority. ¡°With big brother here, my sister-in-law will naturally be safe.¡± Aron Jackson nodded his head. Then as if suddenly remembering something, he pulled out his phone and showed it to Julius Reed. ¡°Big brother, did you hit Quamaine Potter?¡± ¡°Hmm, how do you know that?¡± Julius Reed turned and saw on Aron Jackson¡¯s phone a video was playing. The man in the video was none other than himself. The entire video was about seven minutes long, with the part where Quamaine Potter was picking a fight completely deleted, leaving only the part where he was hitting people. The video abruptly ends right after a few people are on the ground imitating dog barks. ¡°This video has spread online. Now the whole Five-river Province is talking about you. Congratulations big brother, you¡¯ve become a celebrity.¡± Aron Jackson smiled broadly, then his expression turned serious again and said, ¡°I had someone inquire, and the Potter Family is preparing to deal with you.¡± ¡°Find out who exactly recorded this video! Clearly, this is meant to roast me over the fire,¡± Julius Reed frowned, realizing someone had been working against him in secret, intending to use others to eliminate him! If it hadn¡¯t been for this video, the Potter Family might have just tried some underhanded tactics in secret, but with this video out in the open, it was as if they were being forced to take action! And once they acted openly, the first to be hit would be Quella Radcliffe. After all, the whole situation had started because of her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry big brother, I¡¯ve already arranged for someone to look into it. But you need to be careful, the Potter Family People tend to be bullish, and this time you made Quamaine Potter imitate a dog. Stanislaus Potter will surely come at you hard!¡± Aron Jackson was well acquainted with the Potter Family. Even though Quamaine Potter was useless, he was still known as one of the four young masters of the provincial city, thanks to the empire Stanislaus Potter had built. The Potter Family was not only involved in business, but also had intricate connections with wealthy families from other provinces. And there were even rumors that a colossal figure stood behind the Potter Family! ¡°No matter who it is, if they dare oppose me, they only have one path left¡ªdeath. Julius Reed looked out the window once more, his eyes filled with a cold glint. Early the next morning, Julius Reed drove Quella Radcliffe to work. Even though they¡¯d moved into their new home, neither of them had slept well. Quella Radcliffe was unused to the new environment. Although she was living in a spacious hundred square meter house and slept in an expensive silk comforter, she just couldn¡¯t fall asleep. Julius Reed, on the other hand, was pondering over the events of the day. At first, he thought it was Radley Ridge who had released the video, but judging from the filming angle, it was clear that the person recording was dozens of meters away from him. Being able to record from such a distance with precision and completely editing out any segments unfavorable to the Potter Family indicated that the person filming had ulterior motives. That meant there was only one possibility¡ªhe had been targeted by someone. ¡°Be careful!¡± Just then, Quella Radcliffe, in the passenger seat, let out a shout. Julius Reed didn¡¯t need her warning to see the truck coming head-on! Even though it was early in the morning, the truck driver seemed drunk, driving on the wrong side of the road, heading straight for them! Squeal! At this critical juncture, Julius Reed violently turned the steering wheel while slamming the gas pedal to the floor! Boom! Their car nearly scraped past the truck, while the sedan behind wasn¡¯t so lucky, flattened directly by the truck. ¡°Watch out!¡± But before the two of them could catch their breath, another truck was charging at them from the side! ¡°Damn!¡± Even Julius, who normally had great composure, couldn¡¯t help but let out a curse. He straightened the steering wheel and shifted into reverse, then slammed on the gas pedal once more! As the tires screeched against the pavement, the Rolls-Royce roared onto the sidewalk. Meanwhile, the truck crashed through the guardrail at over eighty miles an hour, slamming into a tree on the side of the road. ¡°Big brother, are you okay?¡± Soon, a black van pulled over behind the Rolls-Royce, and several panicked people rushed out. These were the employees Aron Jackson had arranged to protect Quella Radcliffe; seeing Julius¡¯s car attacked, they were the first to arrive! ¡°Keep her safe!¡± Julius unbuckled his seatbelt and sprinted to the truck, yanking the driver out. The entire cab was filled with the pungent smell of alcohol, Murder! This was an absolute murder attempt! ¡°Who sent you!¡± A flash of murderous intent flickered in Julius¡¯s eyes; anyone who dared to touch Quella had to die! ¡°What are you talking about?¡± The truck driver mumbled confusedly, clearly anesthetized by the alcohol, his consciousness blurry. Bang! Julius punched out, blood gushing from the driver¡¯s nose. ¡°Take him back, have Aron find out everything for me!¡± After instructing the employees, he vaulted over the guardrail and jumped onto another truck. The same overpowering smell of alcohol wafted from the cab of this truck as well. Julius¡¯s face was ashen, a clear indication that someone was truly out to take his life! He dragged the driver out of the cab like a dead dog and threw him in front of the van, ¡°Tell Aron that no matter what it takes, he must pry their mouths open! By noon, I must know the results!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, big brother!¡± One of the employees, sweating coldly from his forehead, was terrified; the scene just now was too dangerous, the slightest mistake could have meant destruction and death. ¡°You few, take the people back immediately, I¡¯m calling Aron right now!¡± After making his arrangements, he asked softly, ¡°Big brother, do we need to send someone to protect you?¡± ¡°No need! The person who can kill me does not exist yet!¡± Julius narrowed his eyes and said coldly, ¡°By noon, tell me the results!¡± After this, he got into the Rolls-Royce and drove towards the Radcliffe Group. After the two had left, a black Jetta silently rolled down its window on the side of the road. The middle-aged man in the car, looking at the wreckage before him, pulled out his phone and whispered, ¡°Plan failed, the target escaped. The two drivers involved in the accident have been taken away. Get your people out of Gonzalez City immediately. ¡± After these words, the man looked at the two wrecked trucks with regret, ¡°Such a perfect script! Drunk truck driver going the wrong way, young couple dying tragically in the car.. What a pity!¡± Chapter 57 - Chapter 57: Chapter 56 The Purpose of the Board of Directors 1 Chapter 57: Chapter 56 The Purpose of the Board of Directors 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Julius, I¡¯m scared¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face was pale in the passenger seat, her teeth constantly biting her lips. Despite her best efforts to hide it, she was a girl after all, and the horrifying scene had long since shattered her composure. There was even a moment when she felt she was about to die. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid.¡± Julius slowly grabbed Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand. ¡°I will definitely get to the bottom of what happened today! Even if it means searching from the blue sky above to the yellow springs below, I¡¯ll make the mastermind behind this pay the price!¡± This was the first time he had felt such a murderous intent after regaining his memory. And the ring on his thumb flashed faintly with a hint of red before disappearing. They didn¡¯t encounter any more trouble on the way, and the two safely arrived at the Radcliffe Group. Quella Radcliffe was scared, but she covered it up well; outsiders couldn¡¯t tell that she had just gone through a car accident. ¡°You go to work first, I¡¯ll make a call at the door.¡± Julius touched her head with a fond smile on his face. ¡°Mhm, be careful¡­¡¯ Quella Radcliffe took a deep breath and turned to walk into the company. The moment she turned around, Julius¡¯s face was covered with a chill. No matter who the other party was, he was going to make this group pay! Pay in blood! Julius took a deep breath, pulled out his phone, and dialed a number. ¡°Amadeus Fairbanks, I need two women.¡± ¡°Young Master?¡± The excitement was unmistakable in the voice at the other end upon hearing Julius¡¯s. ¡°Young Master! Do you know, I¡¯ve been looking for you for three years! Where are you, where are you, I¡¯ll come right over!¡± Amadeus Fairbanks was extremely excited, sounding like he wanted to rush over immediately. ¡°We¡¯ll talk about that later, but right now, I don¡¯t care how you do it ¨C send me two women within an hour, they need to be capable!¡± Julius¡¯s brow knit slightly; Amadeus Fairbanks was good in many ways, but he talked too much. ¡°Young Master, you want women?¡± Clearly, Amadeus Fairbanks had misunderstood his request. ¡°No nonsense! My wife is in some danger, I need two women to protect her!¡± If it weren¡¯t for the fact that Amadeus Fairbanks had disciples all over the world, Julius would never bother with this fool. ¡°Young Master, you¡¯re married?¡± Amadeus Fairbanks shouted excitedly, ¡°My heavens! Who is the Young Madam? I still¡­ ¡°Send someone immediately, I have no time for chitchat!¡± Julius frowned slightly, feeling helpless for the first time. ¡°Alright, tell me the location, I¡¯ll be there in an hour!¡± Knowing that the Young Master was upset, Amadeus Fairbanks finally toned down his chatterbox manner. ¡°Radcliffe Group, Quella Radcliffe! Say they are here to apply for a secretary position, I¡¯ll arrange everything when they arrive.¡± After saying this, Julius hung up the phone and strode toward the Radcliffe Group. Since his role was Quella Radcliffe¡¯s secretary, the security guards at the door didn¡¯t dare to make it difficult for him. Zade Radcliffe had personally come to invite Quella Radcliffe, and the news was buzzing throughout the company. From the chairman down to the cleaning lady, all the regular employees were involved. At this time, if anyone dared to trouble Quella Radcliffe, it was purely asking for discomfort! And as the nominal husband of Quella Radcliffe, Julius¡¯s status also rose significantly. Along the way, many employees exceptionally greeted him, but Julius was not in the mood, so with a symbolic response, he continued to Quella Radcliffe¡¯s office. ¡°Will you be in trouble?¡± Upon seeing Julius Reed enter, Quella Radcliffe anxiously asked. At this moment, she wasn¡¯t concerned about her own safety, but about Julius Reed¡¯s. ¡°I¡¯m fine, don¡¯t worry!¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, sitting down beside Quella Radcliffe, his eyes accidentally glancing at her cell phone. He saw a news article that mentioned Radcliffe Group. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± He picked up the cell phone and browsed through it. As he delved deeper into the article, his face became covered in frost once more. After the video of Quamaine Potter getting beaten up spread throughout Five-river Province, some paparazzi even dug up Quella Radcliffe¡¯s identity, openly stating that she was the project manager of Radcliffe Group¡¯s latest project. And because the Golden Eagle Group, belonging to the Potter family, was also a leading enterprise in Five-river Province, they decided to wage war on Radcliffe Group after learning about Quella Radcliffe¡¯s identity! This war without smoke would soon begin! Meanwhile, Julius Reed¡¯s cell phone suddenly rang. ¡°I¡¯m going to take a call.¡± He gave Quella Radcliffe a slight smile and turned to walk out of the office. ¡°Big brother, the matter you entrusted to me has been clarified! The ones doing the job call themselves ¡®Iron Hoof,¡¯ but as to who is behind Iron Hoof, they have no idea.¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s hurried voice came through the receiver, ¡°Iron Hoof gave each of them five million and promised to get them out of prison within a few years. The alcohol had been prepared in advance, and they had full control over your and sister-in-law¡¯s movements.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the backstory of this ¡®Iron Hoof?¡± Julius Reed took a deep breath, his right hand clenched tightly. ¡°We are looking into it, and we have a clue now. Iron Hoof usually takes money for jobs, similar to a middleman. The two drivers were only responsible for drinking and driving, while a different team was watching your movements. I initially deduced that they were also hired by Iron Hoof.¡± Aron Jackson rapidly reported his investigation results. ¡°Handle those two drivers as you see fit. Also, help me check on a journalist named Ben Azure, find out the source of his latest news!¡± Julius Reed felt that something was off, since in the video, Quella Radcliffe was always off-camera, occasionally appearing only in profile. But this journalist named Ben Azure was able to write such an article, directly targeting Quella Radcliffe, which clearly indicated someone was directing him from behind. And it was definitely not the same group of people who spread the video! ¡°Understood!¡± After saying this, Aron Jackson hung up and began the investigation. Just then, Quella Radcliffe walked out of the office with a notepad in hand. ¡°The company is calling a board meeting, come with me.¡± ¡°Sure!¡± Julius Reed nodded and didn¡¯t think too much of it. Board meetings were often called, and just yesterday, he had dealt with these Radcliffe Family members. He doubted they had the guts to pull any reckless moves now. But as soon as they entered the conference room, they could feel that the atmosphere was somewhat off. Everyone looked at them with strange expressions, especially Otis Radcliffe, who was actually wearing a smile. ¡°Since everyone is here, I¡¯ll just briefly state the purpose of this meeting.¡± Zade Radcliffe put on his reading glasses and said in a low voice, ¡°You all must have heard that the Golden Eagle Group, under the Potter family banner, is planning to move against us soon. Golden Eagle Group is one of the top ten enterprises in Five-river Province with industries in various sectors. And the cause of this situation is because one of our employees offended Young Master Potter.¡± As he said this, he subconsciously looked at Julius Reed, a slight and barely noticeable smile curling at the corner of his mouth. ¡°What! There¡¯s such a thing!¡± ¡°I just found out this morning, someone actually beat up Potter Family Young Master!¡± ¡°One of the Four Young Masters, Young Master Potter? He was hit by someone from our own group?¡± The conference room erupted into a babble of voices and non-stop discussion. ¡°Julius Reed, are you trying to get us killed?¡± Bang! Otis Radcliffe slammed the table and stood up, bellowing, ¡°You beat up Young Master Potter and you still have the nerve to come to work?¡± Chapter 58 - Chapter 58: Chapter 57: Gave You a Chance_l Chapter 58: Chapter 57: Gave You a Chance_l Translator: 549690339 The originally serene conference room was suddenly filled with the smell of gunpowder. The video of Julius Reed brutally assaulting Quamaine Potter was like a storm sweeping across tne entire Five-nver province. Every executive of Radcliffe Group present had seen the video and was very clear about the purpose of Otis Radcliffe¡¯s calling this board meeting. Quite a few people secretly felt pity, thinking that Quella Radcliffe and her husband had enjoyed the limelight for less than a day before being brought back down to earth. It should be known that under the immense pressure from Golden Eagle Group, even Titan Group would probably not be able to withstand it. ¡°I did hit him, but so what? If Quamaine Potter dares to show up in front of me, I wouldn¡¯t mind beating him up again,¡± Julius Reed replied with a faint smile in the face of Otis Radcliffe¡¯s questioning. One of the once mighty ¡°Four Young Masters¡± of the provincial city seemed no different from an ordinary passerby in his words. ¡°Otis, you¡¯re just too impatient,¡± Julius Reed leaned back in his chair, tapping the tabletop continuously with his fingers, ¡°Don¡¯t forget, you have an agreement with Titan Group. You know what¡¯s in the content, don¡¯t you?¡± It was he who had proposed the clause in that contract, which Ovidiu Cook then added to the agreement. It was designed to be a sharp sword hanging over the Radcliffe Family¡¯s head should they take any excessive actions! Upon hearing Julius Reed mention the contract terms, Zade Radcliffe¡¯s expression subtly changed, and his eyes narrowed into slits. Such business secrets were known only to the higher-ups of Titan Group and a few key managers of Radcliffe Group¡ªno one else! But now, his own son-in-law dared to speak out, indicating they had an unclear relationship with Ovidiu Cook. Originally, Zade Radcliffe was worried about how to recover his dignity and drive this couple out of the company. Because as long as they remained in Radcliffe Group for a day, it would make him uncomfortable. But who would have thought that the opportunity would come so quickly. His thoughtless son-in-law had actually beaten up the Young Master Potter in public, forcing Quamaine Potter to crawl on the ground like a dog! The Potter Family had this only son, so one could imagine just how furious Stanislaus Potter must be! And right after receiving the news, he had Otis Radcliffe contact people from the Potter Family, disassociating himself from his granddaughter and her husband! ¡°Titan Group? Perhaps right now, Mr. Stanislaus Potter, the chairman of Golden Eagle Group, is in conversation with Ovidiu Cook, our wealthiest man in Gonzalez City. Do you think Chairman Cook would offend Golden Eagle Group?¡± Zade Radcliffe shook his head, his lips curling into a scornful smile. The old adage was true¡ªthe older the ginger, the spicier it is. His son-in-law was clearly still too green to take him on. In his view, no matter what relationship Ovidiu Cook had with Julius Reed, they would choose to compromise in the face of Golden Eagle Group. The video had spread across the entire Five-river Province, and the Potter Family was furious; who would seek discomfort at such a time? ¡°Now, what trump cards do you have left?¡± Otis Radcliffe pressed his hands on the table and looked down on Julius Reed from above. He had been subjected to too many insults these last few days and simply couldn¡¯t swallow this bitter pill! And now was his chance for revenge! ¡°Now, let¡¯s welcome Young Master Quamaine Potter to Radcliffe Group with a round of warm applause!¡± Having said that, Otis Radcliffe¡¯s lips curved into a smile. He stood up and took the lead in clapping, looking at Julius Reed as one might look at a dead man. Creak! The meeting room door was suddenly flung open, and Quamaine Potter strode in with a dozen bodyguards. ¡°Mr. Reed, long time no see!¡± After entering the room, Quamaine Potter went behind Julius Reed, grabbed his shoulder, and asked with a sarcastic tone, ¡°I just heard you say, if I dare to come, you wouldn¡¯t mind hitting me again?¡± ¡°Right! Clearly, you¡¯ve picked the wrong time,¡± Julius Reed shook his head, stood up, and landed a punch on Quamaine Potter¡¯s face! Bang! Caught off guard, Quamaine Potter staggered back several steps, a look of intense pain on his face. ¡°You dare hit me?¡± Covering his bleeding nose, Quamaine Potter stood frozen in shock, which then turned to rage. He couldn¡¯t believe the other party actually dared to make a move! ¡°Beat him to death for me!¡± Quamaine Potter yelled, his teeth chattering in anger. The bodyguards exchanged glances and then charged like hungry wolves! Bang! Without any superfluous words, Julius Reed threw a fierce punch! As the sound of breaking bones echoed, the first man to reach lay on the ground, wailing in agony. ¡°FUCK! FUCK¡­ His arms were extremely twisted, clearly indicating that his bones had already been broken. The remaining bodyguards, after a moment, were also beaten down to the ground. Quamaine Potter likewise felt a chill run down his spine, Michael¡¯s skills were very impressive, having fought in underground boxing matches, and rarely encountered an equal. But now, he was so easily defeated! ¡°Don¡¯t come any closer, I warn you, don¡¯t come over!¡± Watching Julius Reed approach step by step, Quamaine Potter couldn¡¯t help but tremble, his eyes filled with fear. ¡°I told you, if you dared to come, then be prepared to be beaten!¡± Julius Reed walked slowly, yet each step he took deepened the Potter Family People¡¯s fear. ¡°Kid, I warn you, if you cross the Potter Family, you won¡¯t end up well!¡± Quamaine Potter, clutching his injured face, managed to squeeze these words through clenched teeth. ¡°Well, I¡¯d like to see about that!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes narrowed, and like a hawk, he rushed to Quamaine Potter and fiercely slapped him across the face! Slap! Accompanied by a crisp sound, blood spilled from the corners of Quamaine Potter¡¯s mouth. ¡°I hadn¡¯t come to settle accounts with you yet, and you dared to come to me on your own?¡± Julius Reed stepped over the bodies of the bodyguards and walked up to Quamaine Potter. ¡°Don¡¯t come any closer! My dad won¡¯t let you off!¡± Quamaine Potter kept backing away as if he had seen the Devil. Relving on his powerful family background, he usually roamed around with his bodyguards causing trouble and had never met anyone who dared to fight back. After all, who would dare to provoke the golden signboard that is the Potter Family? But today, Quamaine Potter felt fear for the first time. He sensed that his identity as a member of the Potter Family might not matter in front of Julius Reed. ¡°Potter Family Young Master?¡± Julius Reed shook his head and stepped on Quamaine Potter¡¯s left leg! Crack! The clear sound of a bone breaking made everyone¡¯s hairs stand on end. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Quamaine Potter¡¯s face contorted in pain; he curled up at the doorway, too pained to speak. Having done all this, Julius Reed turned his head to look at Otis Radcliffe and asked in a chilling tone, ¡°That reporter named Ben Azure, was it you who gave him the information?¡± Since the Radcliffes, both grandfather and granddaughter, had colluded with the Potter Family, the identity of the whistleblower was revealing itself. ¡°What are you talking about? What information did I leak? I¡¯m warning you, don¡¯t act recklessly!¡± Otis Radcliffe¡¯s voice was somewhat shaky; indeed, he had identified Julius Reed from the video even before Zade Radcliffe had given the order. He immediately contacted a journalist friend and forcibly exposed Quella Radcliffe¡¯s identity, deflecting the misfortune onto both of them. It was also after receiving Stanislaus Potter¡¯s assurance that he had the audacity to stand up to Julius Reed! Now that even Young Master Potter had had his leg broken, how could he not be afraid? Buzz! At that moment, Julius Reed¡¯s phone in his pocket rang. He took it out, and the screen showed a message from Aron Jackson. The message was only two short words: Otis Radcliffe. ¡°I gave you a chance, but you wasted it!¡± Bang! Julius Reed abruptly looked up, and like lightning, he reached Otis Radcliffe and slammed his head onto the conference room table! Otis Radcliffe, caught off guard, let out a scream as his nasal bone collapsed in, blood flowing down his nose and face, spattering all over the table. Everyone inhaled sharply, feeling a chill down their spines. Bang! Julius Reed didn¡¯t wait for him to recover, leaping forth and kicking Otis Radcliffe against the wall behind him. ¡°I warned you! You can play with me, that¡¯s fine! But if you dare involve Quella Radcliffe, that¡¯s crossing the line!¡± With that said, he strode to the wall, picked up Otis Radcliffe with one hand.. Chapter 59 - Chapter 59: Chapter 58 Agreement_1 Chapter 59: Chapter 58 Agreement_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Julius Reed, what are you doing! Stop immediately¡± It was only then that Zade Radcliffe came to his senses. He pointed at Julius Reed with trembling fingers and bellowed angrily, ¡°You madman! If you keep this up, you¡¯ll go to hell!¡± In the Radcliffe Family, Otis Radcliffe was the most beloved by Zade Radcliffe, who spared no effort in grooming him as the successor. But now, Julius Reed was beating Otis Radcliffe to a bloody pulp right before his eyes! The old man¡¯s heart was bleeding! Never had he wanted to kill Julius Reed as he did now! ¡°Is that so? I¡¯d actually like to go to hell, but you¡¯ll have to ask if the King of Hell dares to take me in!¡± With one hand, Julius Reed flung Otis Radcliffe to the ground! Thud! Otis Radcliffe on the ground spat out a mouthful of blood, his body convulsing uncontrollably. ¡°Whoever dares to involve Quella Radcliffe, this is the consequence!¡± He stomped his foot on Otis Radcliffe¡¯s chest, glaring at everyone in the conference room. Seeing his most beloved grandson being beaten, Zade Radcliffe¡¯s eyes reddened, and his aged body seemed ready to collapse at any moment. In his wildest dreams, he had not anticipated that Julius Reed would dare to inflict such severe injuries on Quamaine Potter in front of everyone. He and his grandson had planned to capture Julius Reed and then hand him over to the Potter Family, accomplishing a murder by proxy. But who could have known that Julius Reed would go mad, viciously attacking the Potter Family Young Master, bringing their entire plan to naught, and leaving Otis Radcliffe seriously injured. Looking at Otis Radcliffe lying unconscious on the ground, Zade Radcliffe¡¯s heart twisted in pain. ¡°Whoever dares to touch Quella Radcliffe, this is what awaits them!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes flickered with a cold gleam. It was hard for anyone to imagine that such a gentlemanly man could behave so crazily when he took action. ¡°You!¡± Zade Radcliffe¡¯s mouth twitched uncontrollably, his body trembling involuntarily. His eyes held a chill but also a hint of helplessness. Seeing that he could not overpower him, and with his grandson being trampled underfoot, he could only say in a deep voice, ¡°Let go of my grandson!¡± If Otis Radcliffe did not receive medical treatment for his serious injuries soon, he would either die or be left half-dead! ¡°I can let him go, but you have to agree to one condition!¡± Julius Reed turned around, looking coldly at the helmsman of the Radcliffe Family. ¡°What condition!¡± Zade Radcliffe quickly asked, willing to accept anything that wasn¡¯t too excessive. ¡°I¡¯ve always felt that you¡¯re getting on in years and are no longer fit to be the chairman. The Radcliffe Group needs fresh blood to lead all colleagues into a new chapter.¡± Julius Reed spread his hands and shrugged, ¡°I know you definitely won¡¯t accept this, so I¡¯ve decided to make a bet with you. As long as you¡¯re willing to hand over the chairman position to Quella Radcliffe, I¡¯ll let you take Otis Radcliffe away.¡± ¡°Preposterous!¡± Zade Radcliffe glared, feeling deeply humiliated. Step down? Impossible! ¡°Don¡¯t get excited just yet.¡± Julius Reed waved his hand, signaling the helmsman of the Radcliffe Family to stay calm: ¡°We set a deadline of one week. If the company¡¯s valuation decreases by more than 3% during this time, Quella Radcliffe will leave the company and cut all ties with the Radcliffe Family. But if within this week, the company¡¯s market value rises, then it will prove that you¡¯ve truly aged, and this position should indeed be taken over by Quella Radcliffe!¡± ¡°Fine! I agree to your terms!¡± Zade Radcliffe gestured towards the door and instructed his secretary, ¡°Do as he says, draft a formal contract, and get it notarized! And I want to add one more clause, which is for Quella Radcliffe¡¯s entire family to leave as well!¡± Now, he hated not only Julius Reed but also resented Quella Radcliffe¡¯s entire family. Originally, he was worried about how to kick Quella Radcliffe out of his company and keep the position of the new project leader for Otis Radcliffe, but now Julius Reed had actually walked right into his trap. With the Potter Family on the verge of war, a drop in the market value of Radcliffe Group was inevitable. Not to mention three percent, even thirty percent was possible. No matter what, both Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe were members of the Radcliffe Family and had previously worked at the Radcliffe Group. Although he and Otis Radcliffe had made overtures of goodwill and cooperated with the Potter Family to take away Julius Reed, Stanislaus Potter was clearly not that magnanimous. With the entire Five-river Province watching how the chairman of Golden Eagle Group would save face, would Stanislaus Potter let Radcliffe Group off the hook? Only by crushing Radcliffe Group and making Julius Reed and his wife pay can he release the pent-up fury in his heart! To save face for the Potter Family, the Radcliffe Group would inevitably become the sacrificial lamb! ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then I¡¯ll give Otis Radcliffe another chance. Remember my words, if you dare involve Quella Radcliffe again, I¡¯ll make you wish you were in hell!¡± Julius Reed took his foot off Otis Radcliffe¡¯s chest. Seeing this scene, Zade Radcliffe¡¯s heart, which had been in suspense, finally calmed down. ¡°Julius, you¡¯d better run! The Potter Family People won¡¯t let you off!¡± Quella Radcliffe stood up anxiously from the chair and grabbed Julius Reed¡¯s hand, ¡°You need to leave here quickly, wait for the storm to pass, and then you can come back! After hitting Quamaine Potter, Stanislaus Potter will want your life!¡± As the offspring of a prominent family, she knew all too well the methods these powerful houses employed. Julius Reed had made the Potter Family lose face, and under the scrutiny of countless pairs of eyes, the Potter Family would unavoidably settle scores! ¡°Run! They can¡¯t stop you!¡± Quella Radcliffe bit her lip with her teeth, forcibly pushing Julius Reed towards the door. She knew, if Julius Reed really wanted to leave, none of these men could keep him here! ¡°Here¡¯s my money, take it and leave Gonzalez City, the farther the better!¡± She frantically took out a card from her purse and shoved it into Julius Reed¡¯s hand, ¡°The PIN is our wedding anniversary! Hurry up, go!¡± Seeing Quella Radcliffe¡¯s nervous and anxious look, Julius Reed felt warmth in his heart. He gently stroked Quella Radcliffe¡¯s head, saying affectionately, ¡°I once said that I would give you everything you want. Consider the Radcliffe Group as my supplementary dowry to you.¡± ¡°Julius!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face was full of concern. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the Potter Family isn¡¯t qualified to trouble me.¡± Julius Reed gave a faint smile, turned around, and dragged Quamaine Potter, disappearing slowly into the corridor. Once outside, he took out his phone and called Aron Jackson, ¡°I¡¯m leading someone over. Prepare to exchange for money with Stanislaus Potter later.¡± ¡°Big brother, you didn¡¯t capture Quamaine Potter, did you?¡± ¡°Exactly. I want to see how much his precious son is worth!¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯m on my way!¡± Aron Jackson, initially stunned on the other end of the line, responded quickly. Inside the meeting room, all was silent, and the employees didn¡¯t dare to breathe too loudly. With Otis Radcliffe¡¯s example before them, nobody dared to harbor designs against Quella Radcliffe. After all, an unhinged Julius Reed was truly frightening. ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll be the new chairman of the Group!¡± Quella Radcliffe took a deep breath, steeled her heart and immediately transformed into a completely different person. She was determined to protect the opportunity Julius Reed had won for her and snatch the chairman¡¯s position from Zade Radcliffe¡¯s hands! She would confront the Golden Eagle Group, even if it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot! ¡°Don¡¯t forget our agreement, if the market value drops by 3%, you¡¯ll be out of here!¡± Zade Radcliffe looked coldly at his granddaughter, then left with security to take Otis Radcliffe to the hospital. In his view, by the latest this afternoon, Quella Radcliffe would have to roll out of the company! Chapter 60 - Chapter 60: Chapter 59: Theodore Kensington Seeks Revenge_l Chapter 60: Chapter 59: Theodore Kensington Seeks Revenge_l Translator: 549690339 Quamaine Potter¡¯s visit to the Radcliffe Group seeking revenge was like a massive bomb, instantly spreading across the entirety of Gonzalez City. Moreover, the inquisitive ones, after some digging, affirmed that the man in the video was indeed the Radcliffe Family¡¯s son-in-law, the laughingstock of Gonzalez City, Julius Reed. This also resurrected the memories of that sensational wedding from three years ago, a topic people relished discussing once more. But it was clear that the Potter Family would not let this go easily; having Quamaine Potter¡¯s face slapped, Julius Reed¡¯s associated Radcliffe Family would inevitably be implicated. There were even rumors circulating that the Golden Eagle Group had decided to take action against the Radcliffe Group with the aim of slashing its market value by half. Meanwhile, near a Mercedes car not far from the Radcliffe Group building, ¡°Young Master, do you think he can escape this time? Cash Leopold, seated in the passenger seat, turned around and asked. In his eyes glinted an unspeakable hatred. ¡°The Potter Family is a prominent household of the provincial city. This incident of Quamaine Potter barking like a dog is now well-known, and they¡¯ve basically thrown their face all the way to the southern gate of heaven. If he can survive this, then I really need to re-evaluate him!¡± Jaxen Brandon crossed his legs, the chill in his eyes undisguised. The first person to ever slap Jaxen Brandon in the face was Julius Reed! ¡°By the way, did you find out about the thing I asked you to check? Gerrard Cook better not think he can swindle my money just because he¡¯s the manager of a Three Blade Group¡¯s branch office!¡± A few days ago, he spent a fortune hiring Gerrard Cook to take out Julius Reed, but shockingly, not only was the money gone, but Julius Reed seemed completely unbothered and even had the gall to beat up the Potter Family Young Master. ¡°Young Master, the branch office of the Three Blade Group has been closed recently. Even their goldmine, Black-wind Entertainment, has suspended business. ¡± Cash Leopold frowned and said, ¡°Gerrard Cook is usually trustworthy, and since he¡¯s dealing with our Brandon Family this time, he shouldn¡¯t break his promise. I¡¯ve sent someone to Five-river Province to find out what¡¯s really going on!¡± ¡°Hmm!¡± Jaxen Brandon nodded, yet his eyes were still fixed on the entrance of the Radcliffe Group building. ¡°What a pity, I couldn¡¯t have him die by my hand!¡± As he spoke, he clenched his teeth and pounded a fist onto the seat of the Mercedes. Cash Leopold said coldly beside him, ¡°There is also Aron Jackson. If this person isn¡¯t removed, he will ultimately become a major threat to us!¡± Ever since he started working for the Brandon Family, Aron Jackson was the first person who dared to ride roughshod over him. Cash Leopold couldn¡¯t swallow this insult. He had thought that with Julius Reed¡¯s troubles, it would be a good opportunity to use the Potter Family to get rid of Aron Jackson as well, yet Aron didn¡¯t even make a move! ¡°Uncle Leopold, are the people you arranged capable enough?¡± Upon hearing this, Jaxen Brandon said somewhat displeased, ¡°This morning you assured me that Julius Reed would definitely meet an untimely death! But now, he¡¯s still inside this group¡¯s building!¡± After there was no word from the Three Blade Group, Jaxen Brandon had relied on Cash Leopold to use past connections to call in a group. The leader of the group was a man named Iron Hoof. This morning, Iron Hoof had called him, claiming that Julius Reed would die in a road accident. Only after hearing about Quamaine Potter arriving at the Radcliffe Group did they realize that Julius Reed was not dead, not even injured! ¡°Young Master, it¡¯s indeed unexpected. I checked Julius Reed¡¯s identity, but couldn¡¯t find anything¡­ I¡¯m worried, might he have some kind of powerful backing?¡± Cash Leopold knew Iron Hoof¡¯s way of doing things well. This middleman was usually reliable in executing paid tasks, rarely ever encountering a hitch. To have Iron Hoof come up short indicated that Julius Reed was no ordinary man. But upon utilizing all his resources, he found not a single clue about him. It was as if the man had sprung from a rock, leaving no traces to follow. ¡°Some backing, my ass! If he had any backing, would he have let Otis Radcliffe bully him like that for three years?¡± Jaxen Brandon snorted disdainfully. In Gonzalez City, who wasn¡¯t aware of Julius Reed¡¯s tragic fate over the past three years, whose status in the Radcliffe Family was not even comparable to that of a dog raised by Old Master Radcliffe. If he were really capable, who would tolerate such humiliation? ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear any excuses! If you can¡¯t capture Quella Radcliffe today, you¡¯re out of here!¡± The more Jaxen Brandon spoke, the angrier he became. He had spent a significant amount of money, all for nothing. ¡°Young Master, rest assured, I have arranged everything properly. As soon as Quella Radcliffe steps out of the Radcliffe Group building, the Iron Hoof men will immediately capture her and deliver her to your villa.¡± Facing the scolding of the Young Master, Cash Leopold didn¡¯t dare to retort. ¡°If you dare to slap my face, don¡¯t blame me for messing with your woman!¡± Looking at the Radcliffe Group skyscraper, a sinister flame flickered in Jaxen Brandon¡¯s eyes. Since Julius Reed had fallen into Quamaine Potter¡¯s hands, chances were he would not survive. His vengeance would have to be sought from Quella Radcliffe. No sooner had the Mercedes driven off when an Audi slowly pulled up to the Radcliffe Group building. Inside the car, five men dressed in white sat neatly. ¡°Is the information accurate?¡± The man sitting in the passenger seat asked in a deep voice. There were no discernible expressions on his face, only a thick intent to kill. ¡°Brother Abernathy, our brothers from the martial arts school have been watching for a long time, and Aron Jackson is indeed coming to the Radcliffe Group. Moreover, he¡¯s only brought Dominating Tiger with him,¡± a young man in white seated in the back answered softly. ¡°Aron Jackson, if you dare to kill my men, don¡¯t expect me to be polite!¡± Theodore Kensington, seated in the passenger seat, clenched his fists tightly, his teeth grinding audibly. A few days ago, he had suddenly received a notification that a distant relative of his, known as Black Bear, had been killed horribly in Gonzalez City. And on Black Bear¡¯s body, there was also a Soul Chasing Order. In the entire Gonzalez City, everyone knew that the Soul Chasing Order was Aron Jackson¡¯s signature. Clearly, Black Bear had been killed by Aron Jackson in the north of the city for some unknown reason. After learning this news, Theodore Kensington immediately transferred over a dozen elites and set up two martial arts schools over Aron Jackson¡¯s properties. Today, upon hearing that Aron Jackson was going out and had only one person with him, Kensington came here early to set up an ambush. ¡°There he is!¡± The white-clad driver pointed at a distant BMW 7 series, his tone a bit excited. The exploits of Aron Jackson were considered legendary in Five-river Province, a testament to his extraordinary qualities. Now that they were about to take down Aron Jackson in Gonzalez City, it was natural to feel some stirring within. ¡°Wait until he comes out, then take action on the road!¡± Theodore Kensington took a deep breath, his eyes ablaze with flames of revenge. Soon, Aron Jackson and Julius Reed came out of the building together, with Dominating Tiger carrying a sack behind them, the contents of which were unknown. After the trio got into the car, the BMW slowly moved away. The Audi also started and drove in a different direction. ¡°Be neat about it later, and don¡¯t leave any evidence behind!¡± When they reached a small road in the south of the city, Theodore Kensington gestured, and the four white-clad men immediately got out of the car, taking a pile of roadblocks from the trunk. He himself stayed in the car. Those four men were the elite of his elite, and taking on three was not a big problem for them. This road was Aron Jackson¡¯s inevitable path, and by lying in wait here, they could catch him and kill him stealthily, leaving no traces behind.. Chapter 61 - Chapter 61: Chapter 60: The Unstoppable Great Coach_1 Chapter 61: Chapter 60: The Unstoppable Great Coach_1 Translator: 549690339 However, inside the BMW, Aron Jackson was unaware that someone was waiting for them. ¡°Boss Potter?¡± After he got into the car, he immediately took out his phone and called Stanislaus Potter. In the car, he had already communicated with Julius Reed and was very aware of the current situation. Since the Potter Family was intent on finding trouble, he decided to collect some interest first. ¡°Who is this?¡± A deep, middle-aged male voice came from the other end of the phone. ¡°I¡¯m Aron Jackson. Your prized son is in my hands right now. I¡¯m wondering how much Boss Potter is willing to pay? ¡°Aron Jackson? Aron Jackson!¡± Upon hearing Aron Jackson¡¯s voice, Stanislaus Potter seemed somewhat shocked. Aron Jackson¡¯s reputation was well-known throughout Five-river Province. But how had he himself ended up offending this plague? ¡°Aron Jackson, my Potter Family has no grudges against you, why would you do this!¡± Regaining his composure, Stanislaus Potter¡¯s tone carried anger! As a prominent family in the provincial city and the chairman of the Golden Eagle Group, his son had actually been kidnapped! ¡°I warn you! Some matters are not to be trifled with!¡± ¡°Mr. Potter, rest assured, I¡¯m just fulfilling someone¡¯s request, working for the money. Right now, I can still guarantee your son¡¯s safety, but if we¡¯re too late¡­¡± Aron Jackson paused midway, causing Stanislaus Potter¡¯s heart to leap with alarm. He had only this one son, and couldn¡¯t afford any mishap. ¡°Name your price!¡± ¡°Three hundred million, not too much, right?¡± Before Stanislaus Potter could reply, Aron Jackson interjected, ¡°Everyone knows your Golden Eagle Group has assets over ten billion. If three hundred million is too much for you to part with, perhaps you might as well not want this son!¡± ¡°Fine! Three hundred million it is! I¡¯m sending someone over right now, give me the address!¡± Stanislaus Potter took a deep breath, striving to keep himself calm. ¡°South City Cement Factory, someone will meet you once you arrive.¡± After saying that, Aron Jackson hung up the phone directly. The very next moment, his expression turned ice-cold. Because on the road aneaa or nm, a ramen tree suaaemy lay across. The moment the BMW stopped, four white-clad men approached the car from the outside, each emitting a killing intent, evidently not ordinary people. But since the other party didn¡¯t make a move, he remained stationary as well. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Seeing this scene, Dominating Tiger instinctively stepped out, positioning himself in front of them. Aron Jackson also got out of the car, looking at the several men with cold eyes. ¡°North City Black Bear, does Aron Jackson still remember?¡± The white-clad men did not rush to attack, but instead, after surrounding the two, they asked aloud. ¡°Black Bear? He broke the rules, and I killed him with my own hands.¡± Aron Jackson nodded indifferently, his face showing no sign of panic. ¡°Good that Aron Jackson admits it! Today, we shall seek justice for our brother Black Bear!¡± Having finished speaking, the four white-clad men attacked at the same time! Bang! Without time to think further, Dominating Tiger met the punch of the white-clad man in the lead with a punch of his own! The immense force caused the man to stagger back several steps. ¡°It¡¯s tricky!¡± Dominating Tiger turned back to warn Aron Jackson after feeling his right arm go numb, the bones aching as if they were about to break. Aron Jackson didn¡¯t need the warning. He¡¯d already sensed that something was off. The attack from these men was very systematic, and their strength was astonishing! Just a few exchanges in, and he was beginning to be overpowered! ¡°Theodore Kensington¡¯s men, truly skilled!¡± By this point, Aron Jackson had guessed the identities of the white-clad men. They must be from the Dominating Martial Arts Hall, elite among elites. ¡°You dare trouble Brother Abernathy¡¯s men, you should have known this would be the consequence!¡± The eyes of the white-clad man narrowed, his fist whistling through the air, smashing furiously! Bang! Aron Jackson suddenly kicked up, suspending himself in mid-air with the momentum! And behind him, several punches grazed his back as they flew past! ¡°Boom!¡± The fist of the white-clad man crashed into a lamp post, snapping it in half with a lazy blow! Seizing the chance, Aron Jackson leaped backward, briefly breaking free from the encirclement of the four men. ¡°How shameful for the mighty Aron Jackson to be bullied by four nobodies like Right at that moment, an abrupt voice sounded on the street. Following the voice, they saw a thin man, around twenty years old, standing not far from a BMW with hands clasped behind his back, looking over at them. ¡°Ah! I¡¯ve embarrassed Brother Abernathy.¡± Aron Jackson felt a burning shame on his face and somewhat embarrassed. The four men before him were indeed the elite of the elite. Although he could beat them, it would certainly take quite an effort. ¡°Who did you call nobodies?¡± The men in white hadn¡¯t intended to cause more trouble, hoping to leave after dealing with Aron Jackson. But now, being mocked as nobodies, they naturally couldn¡¯t tolerate it. In the martial arts hall, they were famous instructors clad in white, who ordinary students couldn¡¯t even get close to. Theodore Kensington paid them salaries in the tens of millions each year, and they addressed each other as brothers in daily life. During Theodore¡¯s business expansions, these men had contributed greatly, even being revered as the Grim Reapers in White. Yet to be scorned by a skinny young man, their fury was imaginable. ¡°You three handle him first, I¡¯ll go crush an ant!¡± After saying this, the lead man turned and walked towards Julius Reed. ¡°Boss, Brother Abernathy said not to cause unnecessary trouble.¡± The remaining men in white reminded him. ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll be right back. You guys take down Aron Jackson first!¡± Turning back around, the lead man threw a ferocious punch! As he punched, his aura surged dramatically as if he intended to shatter everything! ¡°You leave the gates of heaven untraveled, yet there is not even a door¡­¡± But halfway through his words, the man in white suddenly stopped. Because his earth-shattering punch had been caught, stiffly, by the seemingly frail young man before him. ¡°No door to hell? Then let me send you to hell and see if there really is a door!¡± As he spoke, Julius Reed¡¯s gaze shifted sharply, and the strength in his hand increased suddenly! Crack! The man in white¡¯s wrist was broken just like that! ¡°Ahh¡­¡± A painful scream instantly spread throughout the whole corridor. ¡°Who¡­ who are you¡­¡± Terror filled the man¡¯s eyes as his face twisted in agony. As one of the top instructors of the martial arts hall, his strength was immense. Ordinary students couldn¡¯t even lay a finger on him, but today his wrist had been snapped with one hand! ¡°Does it matter who I am?¡± As he spoke, Julius Reed suddenly lunged forward, grabbed the man¡¯s neck with a single hand, and hoisted him up! ¡°Let¡­ let me go¡­¡± The man¡¯s eyes reflected disbelief as his legs kicked frantically. Struggling to breathe, his face had turned purple. Crack! Without giving the man in white another chance to speak, Julius Reed squeezed hard and snapped his neck! This stark contrast completely dumbfounded Dominating Tiger who was watching from the side. He¡¯d been in the game for many years and considered himself quite capable, yet he couldn¡¯t withstand a single punch from the man in white. Even Aron Jackson was having a tough time facing the onslaught of four opponents. But Julius Reed just easily took down the strongest among them, and it seemed as if he barely exerted any effort at all. Now he seemed to understand why Aron Jackson called Julius Reed ¡°big brother.¡± ¡°Now that the strongest has been dealt with, I¡¯ll leave the rest to you.¡± With that, Julius Reed let go and the body of the man in white dropped to the ground. With Julius Reed¡¯s words, Aron Jackson felt even more embarrassed. He was, after all, a figure with considerable influence, and today he had truly lost face, so he directed all his anger at the remaining few! Bang! Bang! Bang! Aron Jackson suddenly made his move, throwing three solid punches at an indistinguishable speed, causing the three shocked men in white to stagger back several steps! Now, how could the men in white still have the heart to fight? Their only main instructor had been killed, leaving no chance of victory for the three remaining instructors! Once fear sets into a person¡¯s heart, their strength diminishes significantly. A moment ago it had been an even match, but now the situation had become completely one-sided. Aron Jackson, with all his anger, unleashed it at that moment. Soon after, the three men were beaten to a pulp and lay on the ground moaning in agony. Clearly, Aron Jackson did not plan to let them off. With two punches, he shattered the throats of two of the men in white.. Chapter 62 - Chapter 62: Chapter 61: The Arrogant Harlan Potter_1 Chapter 62: Chapter 61: The Arrogant Harlan Potter_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°If you dare to touch us, Brother Abernathy will never let you go!¡± The last man in white shivered as if he had seen the Grim Reaper, his body instinctively backing away. Fear was in his eyes, endless fear. ¡°Then let him come!¡± With one foot, Aron Jackson stomped down, breaking his neck outright. ¡°Damn it!¡± In an Audi not far from the street, Theodore Kensington roared, crushing the earpiece to dust! He had installed miniature listening devices on the four trainers. Everything that happened inside, he knew like the back of his hand from within the car. It was the experience he had accumulated over years on the streets. ¡°Aron Jackson! We¡¯ll see about that!¡± Quince Kensington flipped to the driver¡¯s seat, looked at the distant BMW with bloodshot eyes, and slammed the accelerator! The south of the city was the most run-down part of Gonzalez City, originally a village within the city. Later, all the residents moved into the city. As a result, it became deserted, and with the recent push for environmental protection, many polluting companies were investigated. Companies like cement factories that violated regulations inevitably couldn¡¯t escape and had been abandoned ever since. Because it was too far from the city center, no communities or industries developed here, and it quickly became a wasteland overgrown with weeds. After stepping out of the car, Aron Jackson, together with Julius Reed and Dominating Tiger, entered the dilapidated cement factory. Since no one had been here for a long time, the grass had grown taller than a person, and the ground was littered with trash, emitting a foul stench. Further in, due to chemical pollution, there were fewer weeds, leaving only a spacious warehouse. Originally used for storing cement, this warehouse had been empty since the factory ceased production. Before long, a Maybach slowly drove up to the entrance of the cement plant. The car did not rush to stop but circled around, confirming there was no one around, before slowly heading toward the factory area. When it came to an area where the weeds were extremely high, the car finally stopped. As the car door opened, a stern man stepped out. Although this car belonged to Stanislaus Potter, the man sitting inside was the Steward of the Potter family, Harlan Potter. On a regular basis, Harlan Potter managed all matters for the Potter family; some even called him Stanislaus Potter¡¯s shadow. ¡°Should we start directly?¡± On the way, a few Potter family people asked softly. They were the elite of the elite, holding very high positions among bodyguards. ¡°Play it by ear, but the primary objective is to ensure the young master¡¯s safety. Just get the young master out, and kill the rest on sight!¡± Harlan Potter loosened the tie around his neck, a hint of arrogance flashing in his eyes. As a former special forces operative, his combat strength was astonishing! Over the years working for Stanislaus Potter, he had foiled countless murder attempts and eliminated many competitors for the Potter family. It could be said that without Harlan Potter, there wouldn¡¯t be a Potter family today! That morning, he received news that Quamaine Potter had been kidnapped, with a huge ransom demanded! After getting the address, Harlan Potter had brought people directly to the Radcliffe Group. ¡°Ding-a-ling!¡± At that moment, his phone suddenly rang. ¡°Sir, I have arrived at the Radcliffe Group.¡± ¡°Harlan, ensure Quamaine¡¯s safety at all costs, and if it comes down to it, we¡¯ll pay the money!¡± On the phone, Stanislaus Potter¡¯s voice carried anxiety. He had only one son and couldn¡¯t tolerate any mishaps. ¡°Rest assured, sir, no one has ever left alive under my watch! I guarantee you, I will rescue the young master! And by the way, I¡¯ll break the necks of that gang of kidnappers! ¡± Harlan Potter spoke coldly, his gaze filled with contempt. His formidable strength granted him the right to be proud! ¡°I believe in you!¡± After uttering those words, Stanislaus Potter hung up the phone. He trusted the Steward of the Potter family to get things done! ¡°Do we really not need to prepare a Plan B?¡± One of his subordinates asked softly. ¡°In Harlan Potter¡¯s dictionary, there is only success. No more words, follow my command!¡± A faint smile appeared on the corner of Harlan¡¯s lips, as if he didn¡¯t mind sending these people on their final journey since they were seeking their own death. It wasn¡¯t long until they saw a man standing in the cement factory. ¡°Potter Family People?¡± Dominating Tiger, looking at the approaching Harlan and his group, asked aloud. ¡°Correct! Is Quamaine Potter in your hands?¡± Today, Harlan was dressed in a white suit with a red tie. These were the clothes he always wore when he killed people, the white symbolizing death and the red symbolizing life. This made him look somewhat bizarre and sinister. In his early thirties, Harlan possessed a steadiness and calmness that was unusual for his age. ¡°Have you brought the ransom?¡± Feeling Harlan¡¯s stare, Dominating Tiger felt a chilling cold in his heart, as if a knife were held against his throat. ¡°I need to confirm he is safe and sound before transferring the money to you. Such a large sum can only be transferred electronically.¡± Harlan turned his back to them, his eyes narrowing quietly. This was his signature move; once his eyes narrowed, bloodshed was certain! ¡°Come in!¡± Dominating Tiger wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and turned to walk into the storeroom. Having been through the life-and-death struggle of the underworld for so many years and escaping numerous close-calls, he had never been as fearful as he was today. The other¡¯s gaze and presence seemed as though they would devour him whole. Soon, Harlan led his group into the warehouse. The storeroom was spacious, having been used for cement storage in the past. At the moment, Quamaine Potter¡¯s face was covered in blood, his head drooping listlessly as he was tied to a chair. Aron Jackson and Julius Reed stood on either side of him. ¡°You are playing with fire.¡± Seeing Quamaine¡¯s sorry state, Harlan clenched his fists tightly, his face immediately darkening. In Five-river Province, the Potter family was a brand of gold¡ªno one dared to mess with them, nor could they afford to! But today, the only heir of the Potter family had been beaten to this extent! Disgrace! ¡°Now that you¡¯ve seen him, transfer the money!¡± Dominating Tiger swallowed hard, his heart beating faster and faster. ¡°Money? Ha! I will burn every last cent of it for you! Remember, if the King of Hell asks about you, tell him it was Harlan Potter who sent you on your way!¡± As he spoke, Harlan suddenly lunged forward and lifted Dominating Tiger with one hand! ¡°Let¡­ let go of me!¡± Dominating Tiger hadn¡¯t even had time to react before he was suspended in the air. ¡°In your next life, don¡¯t be my enemy!¡± ¡°Whoosh!¡± At the critical moment, a sharp sound of something cutting through the air suddenly struck! Swish! Harlan threw Dominating Tiger aside and deftly caught the flying card with two fingers. ¡°Soul Chaser Card?¡± Looking at the card in his hand, Harlan grinned and said: ¡°Aron Jackson, a pleasure to meet you!¡± Chapter 63 - Chapter 63: Chapter 62: Fight Like This Next Time_1 Chapter 63: Chapter 62: Fight Like This Next Time_1 Translator: 549690339 The Soul Chasing Order is an extremely special existence. No one had known what it looked like, for those who had seen it were dead. But on the bodies of the deceased, there would usually be a Soul Chasing Order. When Aron Jackson first arrived in Gonzalez City, he decided to adopt this aggressive and intimidating approach to expand his business quickly. It was then that the Soul Chasing Order first became known to the world. The moment he got the card, he knew Aron Jackson was nearby. ¡°They say no one who gets the Soul Chasing Order lives,¡± Harlan Potter looked at the card in his hand, smiled, and turned to look at Aron Jackson not far away. Ordinary people were terrified at the sight of the Soul Chasing Order, yet he was as calm as could be, smiling. ¡°In fact, that¡¯s true.¡± Aron Jackson nodded, smiling in return. Dominating Tiger was his capable underling and ranked amongst the tough fighters of Gonzalez City. But just now, in a mere single round, Dominating Tiger was captured, and it was a quick defeat, which was enough to show that the newcomer was unfriendly. ¡°So should I feel honored to receive this distinction from Aron Jackson?¡± Harlan Potter shrugged, appearing extremely relaxed. ¡°You¡¯ll have to try and see!¡± Aron Jackson gave a slight smile, but in the next moment, he pounced forward like a fierce tiger! Bang! Two fists collided, causing a thunderous sound! ¡°Aron Jackson¡¯s reputation is well deserved; he really has some skills!¡± Harlan Potter stepped back, a fervent look flashing in his eyes! He hadn¡¯t met such an opponent in a long time, one that could give him a good fight! ¡°The Steward of the Potter family, rightfully boasts a fierce reputation!¡± After a brief exchange, Aron Jackson also had a sense of Harlan Potter¡¯s strength. Rumors had it that Harlan Potter was very tough. Seeing him now confirmed that. Encountering two strong enemies on the same day also ignited a fighting spirit in Aron Jackson! ¡°Today, does the Potter family not intend to pay this sum of money?¡± ¡°In my dictionary, there¡¯s only taking, never giving,¡± Harlan Potter said arrogantly, ¡°Today, there are only two outcomes: you die, or I live.¡± After saying that he suddenly kicked out powerfully! His kick, carrying a sharp whistling sound, headed straight for Aron Jackson! Crack! Aron Jackson sidestepped in a flash, and the chair he had just been sitting on splintered into pieces! ¡°Save the young master, leave this man to me!¡± Harlan Potter glanced at Julius Reed and decided to ignore him. In his eyes, this lean young man was no more than a regular employee and not worth mentioning. He slowlv began to undo the buttons on his suit iacket. revealing a Dure black shirt underneath. ¡°Yes, sir!¡± A few subordinates nodded and quickly ran towards Quamaine Potter. Today, their primary mission was to rescue Young Master Potter safely. As for the life or death of Aron Jackson, that was Harlan Potter¡¯s own affair. ¡°Sorry, need to use the bathroom.¡± As the men rushed in front of him, Julius Reed stood up, ready to leave. ¡°Trying to leave? No one¡¯s leaving alive today!¡± The Potter Family People sneered and reached out to block Julius Reed¡¯s way. In their view, Aron Jackson¡¯s employee was clearly frightened and now trying to flee. But was that possible? After beating Young Master Potter like that, he still thought he could leave alive? ¡°Sorry, really have to step out for a moment.¡± Julius Reed spoke with an apologetic tone. ¡°Ha! Crawl under my legs then!¡± Several Potter Family People went to untie the ropes around Quamaine Potter, while another stayed to toy with Julius Reed. While Aron Jackson was locked in a close fight with Harlan Potter, they had already successfully rescued Quamaine Potter, so playing around with an employee of Aron Jackson didn¡¯t seem like much. ¡°That¡¯s too much.¡± Faced with the man¡¯s unreasonable demand, Julius Reed¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Too much? Then come and hit me!¡± The man burst into laughter after speaking, thinking killing Julius Reed was as simple as squashing an ant. They trained with Harlan Potter day in and day out, developing significant skills. Even facing five or six opponents, they could handle it with ease. Bang! Faced with such an unreasonable demand, Julius Reed shook his head and kicked out fiercely! ¡°Agh¡­¡± This kick landed viciously in the man¡¯s groin, contorting his face in agony. ¡°Break him¡­ for me!¡± The man took a deep breath, but his body began to tremble uncontrollably. ¡°Kill him!¡± Seeing their comrade injured, several men immediately surrounded Julius Reed. ¡°He¡¯s the one who told me to do it.¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders, feeling somewhat helpless. ¡°Die!¡± The men¡¯s faces turned grim and they struck without warning! Bang! Facing several attackers, Julius Reed took a fierce step forward and grabbed the heads of two men, ruthlessly smashing them together! The once haughty Potter Family People now felt their heads might explode, staggering in their tracks. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Harlan Potter, who was fighting Aron Jackson, also sensed something was off. He tried to extricate himself from the fight, but Aron Jackson didn¡¯t give an inch! Bang! After exchanging blows, both men stepped back. ¡°A bunch of trash, what¡¯s going on!¡± Harlan Potter¡¯s brow furrowed as he glanced at his subordinates lying on the ground. All these men were his subordinates, every one of them elite. But now, in the blink of an eye, they all lay on the ground. Subconsciously, Harlan Potter¡¯s attention turned to Julius Reed. Dominating Tiger stood at the door, not having moved at all. Aron Jackson had been engaged in combat with him this whole time, leaving Julius Reed as the only possibility. ¡°Could it have been him?¡± Harlan Potter¡¯s brows tightened as he guessed in his mind. The originally flawless plan had suddenly encountered an unexpected twist! ¡°Useless fools!¡± He cursed furiously, becoming increasingly agitated. Rescuing Quamaine Potter was the top priority, yet his people had been incapacitated. Facing Aron Jackson, he had no choice but to enter a berserk state! At this moment, everyone present could feel the towering killing intent! ¡°Die! t, Harlan Potter roared as he mercilessly pounded his fists down! The punch was even more powerful than before! Bang! Aron Jackson reached out to block but was jolted back two steps. ¡°Berserk! ¡± Facing this change, the word ¡°berserk¡± flashed through Aron Jackson¡¯s mind. Rumors spoke of a Cultivation Technique that could exponentially increase one¡¯s ability in a short time! Clearly, Harlan Potter was using this method! ¡°Very clever, but you¡¯re all going to die!¡± Harlan Potter bellowed, his eyes turning blood-red. Clutching his fists tightly, he smashed forward again! In an instant, the scent of death began to permeate the room! This berserk state could only be maintained for half an hour, and it was quite damaging to the body. Therefore, he had to kill everyone within that time and find a safe place to recuperate. Crack! Suddenly, a hand appeared where Aron Jackson had just been standing! Soon after, the sound of breaking bones came from Harlan Potter¡¯s arm. ¡°How is this possible!¡± Compared to the excruciating pain, Harlan Potter was more shocked! He stared with wide eyes at the lean young man before him. ¡°Who are you!¡± ¡°If you had taken that blow directly just now, your arm would be injured.¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t answer him but turned instead to look at Aron Jackson, ¡°Next time, fight like this!¡± After speaking, he suddenly delivered a chop! Crack! Harlan Potter frantically tried to block with his hand, but in the next moment, his entire arm was twisted and deformed! Chapter 64 - Chapter 64: Chapter 63: Attack in the Alley_1 Chapter 64: Chapter 63: Attack in the Alley_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Impossible!¡± Harlan Potter suppressed the heart-wrenching pain, leaning against the warehouse wall as he gasped for air. No one had ever beaten him in a frenzied state, not ever! ¡°Unfortunately, it¡¯s happened.¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders and said to Aron Jackson, ¡°I¡¯ll leave the rest to you.¡± ¡°Sure!¡± Aron Jackson nodded and slowly walked towards Harlan Potter. ¡°Go to hell!¡± Even with both arms broken, Harlan Potter¡¯s proud heart still wouldn¡¯t allow him to submit! Watching Aron Jackson approaching, he suddenly leaped up, his legs chopping down like lightning! Crack! Facing this desperate attack, Aron Jackson simply met it head-on and chopped down with his palm! The immense force instantly broke Harlan Potter¡¯s leg bones! Thud! Harlan Potter fell to the ground, with large beads of sweat now forming on his forehead. Originally, his strength was on par with Aron Jackson¡¯s, but now that his arms were disabled, he naturally was no match for Aron Jackson. ¡°Who are you! Even if I am to die, let me die knowing!¡± Even with two broken arms and a leg, Harlan Potter enduring the excruciating pain, looked up at Julius Reed and asked with a trembling voice. He couldn¡¯t believe it! In this world, there could be someone who would defeat him so miserably! ¡°You¡¯re not worthy of knowing my big brother¡¯s name!¡± Aron Jackson stepped on Harlan Potter¡¯s chest and took out a cell phone from his pocket. ¡°It looks like the ransom has just doubled.¡± ¡°He, Stanislaus Potter, should be thankful. If it were someone else, they might have already torn up the ticket.¡± Julius Reed stood by, smiling cheerfully. ¡°Good, then let¡¯s double it.¡± Aron Jackson nodded and dialed Stanislaus Potter¡¯s number using Harlan Potter¡¯s phone. ¡°Is the young master rescued?¡± As soon as the call connected, Stanislaus Potter asked eagerly. ¡°Boss Potter, we¡¯re about to tear up the ticket.¡± Aron Jackson sighed, somewhat helplessly saying, ¡°I dealt with you honestly, but you sent people to kill me. That¡¯s not quite fair, is it?¡± After a brief silence on the other end, Stanislaus Potter¡¯s voice became more anxious: ¡°Aron Jackson, money is negotiable! I was wrong about what happened today! Name your terms, I, Stanislaus Potter, guarantee with my personal reputation that I will play no more tricks!¡± He had only this one son and couldn¡¯t afford any slip-ups. As if afraid Aron Jackson wouldn¡¯t believe him, he added, ¡°Please give me your account number, and within halt an hour, I will definitely transfer the money to your account! Please, you must believe me!¡± By the end, his voice was already quivering. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, then we won¡¯t tear up the ticket. The ransom is doubled, 600 million, not too much, right?¡± Aron Jackson said with a light smile, ¡°Your man here can fight; he scared my people quite a bit. So, asking for a bit more as a medical fee, that seems fair, doesn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°650 million! As long as you release my son and Harlan Potter, the money will be transferred quickly!¡± Stanislaus Potter immediately increased the price by 50 million without any hesitation. ¡°Good! Boss Potter is a straightforward man! If you hadn¡¯t made all this mess, your son might already be home safe. Why bother?¡± Even Aron Jackson didn¡¯t expect the other party to be so straightforward, adding 50 million directly. It even made him feel somewhat embarrassed. ¡°As long as my son is safe, money is no issue! Aron Jackson, I hope you keep your word, now send me the account number.¡± As the party being extorted, Stanislaus Potter was even more eager than Aron Jackson. But thinking about it, it made sense. The Potter Family only had this one heir; if something happened to Quamaine Potter, who would inherit the family¡¯s fortune of over tens of billions? ¡°You can rest assured on that, Boss Potter. I, Aron Jackson, keep my word. As soon as I get the money, I¡¯ll naturally send your son back.¡± After giving the account number to Stanislaus Potter, Aron Jackson hung up the phone and took out a cigarette from his pocket. It was already the afternoon, and many employees were leaving work one by one. On the outskirts of the Radcliffe Group, two black vans appeared quietly. Inside the vans, a group of blond-haired and blue-eyed foreign men sat in the seats, staring intently at the group¡¯s main entrance. Every one of them carried a fierce killing intent, with a cold light twinkling in their pupils, clearly the desperados of doomed fates. Not long after, Quella Radcliffe walked out of the main entrance. As soon as she got into the Rolls-Royce, two black vans slowly followed behind. Throughout the journey, the vans maintained a just-right distance from the Rolls-Royce, neither easy to detect nor easy to lose. It wasn¡¯t until both vehicles turned into an alley that one of the vans suddenly sped up and then came to a stop sideways in front of the Rolls-Royce. Faced with the sudden situation, Quella Radcliffe instinctively slammed on the brakes! Screech! With the sound of tires skidding against the road surface, the Rolls-Royce stopped between the two vans. At the same time, several foreign men got out of the vans. Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t need to think to know she was being kidnapped. She was about to floor the accelerator when the window next to her shattered! ¡°Oh! Dear beauty, my apologies for frightening you,¡± said one of the foreign men with a sneer as he reached into the car and opened the door from the inside. ¡°Frank, less talk! Get the job done quickly!¡± His companion clearly wasn¡¯t pleased and rudely pulled Quella Radcliffe from the driving seat, shoving her toward the van. ¡°Watch out!¡± Just then. the man called Frank¡¯s punils contracted sharply. and he suddenly ducked! Whoosh! Three plum blossom darts whizzed past his body and embedded into the alley¡¯s wall. The wall, made of marble, shattered under the impact of the darts! ¡°Eric, take them and go! Leave the rest to me!¡± A cold light flashed in Frank¡¯s eyes as he was completely enraged by the sneak attack. ¡°Okay!¡± Eric struck Quella Radcliffe on the neck with his palm, knocking her out before tossing her into the van. ¡°Don¡¯t linger in battle!¡± After giving a few instructions, he started the van, preparing to leave. Whoosh! Just then, two plum blossom darts shot out, piercing through the van¡¯s front windshield! Like a wild beast, Eric quickly leaned back! The darts brushed past his face, leaving two bloody streaks on Eric¡¯s cheek. Having discerned their opponent¡¯s location, Frank and several foreign men charged forward! Whoosh! This time, dozens of plum blossom darts rained down like a torrent, piercing the two foreign men at the front! ¡°Paul, Anthony!¡± Seeing his companions brutally killed, Eric¡¯s eyes reddened as he drew two throwing knives from his waist. ¡°Come out!¡± He roared, flinging his arms forward with all his might. Clang! Clang! With the sound of metal clashing, two women appeared in the alley. ¡°Who are you? Why did you kill my companions!¡± Facing the two eastern women in yellow tracksuits, Frank¡¯s gaze was icy cold. These people had been through life and death together, as close as brothers. Yet today, two of them were forever parted from their comrades. As the squad leader of Blood Canyon, rage filled Frank¡¯s entire being. ¡°Release the woman in the van, or you all will die!¡± The woman in yellow pointed at the van where Quella Radcliffe was, her tone just as icy. ¡°Then bury my brothers with you!¡± Frank¡¯s expression darkened, and suddenly, a sharp knife appeared in his hand! Chapter 65 - Chapter 65: Chapter 64: The Shame of Willson Pavilion_1 Chapter 65: Chapter 64: The Shame of Willson Pavilion_1 Translator: 549690339 This time, under the introduction by Iron Hoof, they quietly came here to talk business with the Gonzalez City¡¯s Brandon Family. But what frustrated everyone was that they had failed at their very first attempt. They even failed to carry out the planned script of a post-drinking car accident. Now, it was their second attempt, and the target was to kidnap a woman. However, a task that seemed so simple ended up costing them two members. As the team leader, Frank¡¯s mood was outrageously terrible! ¡°Survival of the fittest!¡± The two women in yellow each took a separate path, their faces showing a grave expression. Upon receiving the order from Amadeus Fairbanks, they guarded the entrance of the Radcliffe Group without straying a step. But they still failed to predict the incident. And based on their experience, the opponents were an extremely strong group of Martial Artists. Living on the edge of death year-round had made them highly sensitive to such warriors. Thus, both of them put forth all their strength, not daring to be careless in the slightest. ¡°Brian, Tony, Kevin, you three take the left flank. Eric, put down that broad and help me finish her off!¡± Frank had already realized that without taking down these two Eastern women, they would stand no chance of leaving. ¡°0K!¡± A few of them nodded and quickly moved toward their respective opponents. Their teamwork was seamless, and soon they engaged in combat with the two women in yellow. After all, they did not have the advantage in numbers, and facing professional Shadow Warriors, the two women in yellow gradually fell on the defensive. Frank and the others were not in a hurry. They aimed to exhaust the women¡¯s stamina bit by bit, leaving no chance for them to counterattack. Finally, one of the women fighting against the combined efforts of Frank and Eric made a mistake and got a solid cut from Frank on her shoulder! ¡°Hss!¡± The woman leaped backward, her complexion instantly turning pale. ¡°How are you holding up? Seeing her comrade injured, the other woman tried to break away from the fight to help, but the men from Blood Valley obviously had no intention of letting her go. This moment of distraction immediately caused her to falter, and her abdomen was viciously kicked by Brian! Puh! The woman rolled backward, a mouthful of fresh blood spraying onto the ground. ¡°You bitch, daring to kill my brother! Today, you will die here!¡± A cold glint flashed in Frank¡¯s eyes as he sprinted forward, his dagger rapidly slashing down! Thud! Just then, one of the women threw something onto the ground, and instantly, a cloud of black smoke rose up in the alley. Frank halted in his tracks, and when he tried to pursue, he found that the two were already gone. ¡°Captain, do we pursue?¡± Eric asked from the side. The two of them were clearly injured and couldn¡¯t have gone far. ¡°Take care of the job first! These two have quite the backing, to be able to escape from our Blood Valley¡¯s encirclement! Once we hand over the person, we will come back for revenge!¡± Frank clenched his fists tightly, his eyes filled with intense hatred. ¡°To my brothers, I will avenge you!¡± He knelt beside the heads of the two dead team members, using his hands to close their eyes. Not far from the alleyway, one of the women in yellow pulled out a phone, ignoring her own wounds, and made a call. ¡°Pavilion Master, we have failed, the target has been taken by a group of foreign Shadow Warriors.¡± ¡°What did you say! Say it again!¡± After a brief silence on the phone, a roar came through, ¡°Waste! Idiots! Why don¡¯t you just die! Do you know who that is? Where is the person now? Where!!! Answer me!¡± ¡°During the fight just now, we secretly stuck a tracker on our opponent. I¡¯m sending you the signal now.¡± After the woman in yellow had finished speaking, her lips curled with a touch of bitterness, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the need to report back, we would have chosen to die in battle.¡± ¡°Keep your lives, and make amends for your mistake by redeeming yourselves with meritorious deeds!¡± With a roar, the call was disconnected. At the same time, on a small island deep in the ocean, a middle-aged man dressed in lavish attire crushed the phone in his hand with fury. ¡°Pavilion Master, what¡¯s wrong? A bodyguard at his side asked aloud. ¡°Someone has kidnapped the Young Madam of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, and I¡¯m afraid I must personally go and ask for forgiveness with a humble gift.¡± The middle-aged man took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes. ¡°What! The Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance has gotten married?¡± The bodyguard¡¯s face was filled with shock. ¡°Pavilion Master, what should we do now?¡± Hearing the words ¡°Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance,¡± his tone became somewhat agitated. ¡°Vaughn and Apollo have placed a tracker; immediately find the target¡¯s location.¡± The middle-aged man sighed and said, ¡°This time, I, Amadeus Fairbanks, have utterly lost face in front of the Young Master.¡± Amadeus Fairbanks shook his head, looking out at the sea ahead, his face filled with bitterness. ¡°Pavilion Master, the target has stopped moving. The location is in the western suburbs of Gonzalez City, at Hibiscus Mansion. The exact coordinates are, Villa Number Seven!¡± The bodyguard took out a monitor from the backpack and operated it skillfully. ¡°According to Vaughn¡¯s intelligence, the opposing side consists of a group of Shadow Warriors. ¡± Amadeus Fairbanks took a deep breath, his pupils flaring with endless chill, ¡°Dare to make Willson Pavilion lose face, don¡¯t blame me for eradicating you! Shephard, immediately find out the identities of these people and issue my Killing Order!¡± ¡°Pavilion Master, are you sure?¡± Shephard looked at Amadeus Fairbanks with some doubt. The last time a Killing Order was issued was fifty years ago. Whenever a Killing Order appeared, the entire world of Shadow Warriors would experience severe turmoil. ¡°Though they be far, they shall be slain!¡± After uttering these four words, Amadeus Fairbanks turned and left the seaside, while taking out another phone with a bitter expression and dialing a number. At this moment, Julius Reed was unaware that Quella Radcliffe had been kidnapped. After receiving the payment from Stanislaus Potter, he and Aron Jackson got into a BMW and headed home. Halfway through the journey, his phone rang. When he saw the incoming call number, Julius Reed suddenly had a bad feeling. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Young Master, my people have failed you; the Young Madam has been taken.¡± ¡°Say that again!¡± Upon hearing those words, Julius Reed radiated an overwhelming murderous intent. ¡°Sorry, the Young Madam is currently at Hibiscus Mansion, in Villa Number Seven in the western suburbs.¡± The voice of Amadeus Fairbanks was very solemn, ¡°The opponents are a group of well-trained Shadow Warriors. My people are investigating. Please trust me, respected Young Master. Willson Pavilion will spare no effort to destroy this organization! No matter who they are, no matter where they are!¡± ¡°Amadeus Fairbanks, you don¡¯t have to blame yourself too much. I was careless and didn¡¯t anticipate they would hire Shadow Warriors.¡± After Julius Reed hung up the phone, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, ¡°Hibiscus Mansion, Villa Number Seven!¡± ¡°Big brother, shall I gather the brothers?¡± Aron Jackson guessed the situation from their conversation. ¡°Today, I will have a massacre.¡± Julius Reed clenched his fists tightly, the ring on his hand flashing with a dazzling red light.. Chapter 66 - Chapter 66: Chapter 65 No Survivors 1 Chapter 66: Chapter 65 No Survivors 1 Translator: 549690339 Hibiscus Mansion in the western suburbs. This is the wealthiest area in Gonzalez City, and although it¡¯s far from the downtown core, the number of residents here is anything but small. Many wealthy people, who loathe the hustle and bustle of the city, choose to buy villas here. The western suburbs are somewhat remote, yet the house prices here are higher than those in the prime locations in the heart of Gonzalez City. After seizing the opportunity, real estate developers bought a large amount of land and built numerous villas here. Hibiscus Mansion is such a villa complex. The entire area consists of thirty-seven villas, each worth over ten million yuan. In Gonzalez City, that amount of money is considerable. The most expensive villas, numbered three, five, seven, and nine, are like four dazzling pearls, making them the most luxurious ones in Hibiscus Mansion. Each of these villas is priced over a hundred million yuan. As for their owners, they are influential figures in Gonzalez City. At this moment, inside villa number seven. Jaxen Brandon lay on an incredibly comfortable sofa, with both feet resting on the edge of the coffee table. In front of him, Quella Radcliffe lay on the ground, completely unconscious. ¡°Uncle Leopold, you finally didn¡¯t screw up today!¡± Looking at the woman in front of him, as beautiful as a flower, Jaxen Brandon couldn¡¯t help but swallow his saliva. Last time, he had only thought Quella Radcliffe was pretty ¨C after all, because of some unpleasantness, he had not been in the mood to take a closer look. But today, he realized she was as ethereal as a fairy. ¡°Young Master, the morning incident was purely accidental. The people Iron Hoof connections are usually reliable!¡± Cash Leopold smiled awkwardly. Because of the incident that morning, he had already been scolded fiercely by Jaxen Brandon. If he messed up again, he¡¯d probably really have to pack up and get out. ¡°Sir, the opponent was very fierce! During the fight, we unfortunately lost two men. I will seek compensation from Mr. Iron Hoof for these losses.¡± Frank bowed deeply to Jaxen Brandon: ¡°Now that the person has been brought here, our task is also completed. I take my leave!¡± After saying this, he left villa number seven with the members of Blood Valley. ¡°Damn! They¡¯re not up to scratch but they still want compensation after their own people died?¡± Watching the figures leaving, Jaxen Brandon snorted disdainfully. In his view, it was just a matter of grabbing a woman. It was embarrassing that they, calling themselves the notorious Shadow Warrior organization, couldn¡¯t even handle this simple task properly. And what annoyed him the most was that these people, in front of him, the Young Master of Gonzalez City, still had such an air of superiority. ¡°Young Master, I have already arranged for dozens of bodyguards outside. You can enjoy yourself inside without a worry; not even a mosquito could get in!¡± After saying this, Cash Leopold wisely exited the villa. The reason he was valued by the Brandon Family was that he knew what to do at the right time. After he left, the large room was left with only the bound Quella Radcliffe and the lustful Jaxen Brandon. ¡°Why am I here¡­¡± Just then, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s eyes fluttered open groggily. Looking at the unfamiliar room, she instinctively asked. As her memory returned gradually, panic began to spread across her face. Quella Radcliffe remembered clearly that she had been driving home when two vans blocked her way; then she was knocked out, and she couldn¡¯t remember anything else. ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous!¡± Seeing Quella Radcliffe regain consciousness, Jaxen Brandon¡¯s face lit up with joy. If she knew nothing, then he¡¯d have no pleasure in his revenge! ¡°Your husband humiliated me that day at the hotel, and now, as his wife, it is only right that you compensate me.¡± As he watched the panic-stricken Quella Radcliffe, Jaxen Brandon moved closer step by step, his eyes already full of desire. No man can resist a beautiful woman if he is normal. Jaxen Brandon would say he has been through a myriad of women, having played with countless. From celebrities and models to innocent college students, but none of them had ever moved him the way Quella Radcliffe did. Although those people were also very beautiful, she just couldn¡¯t tind that same feeling. ¡°What a pity, why did you have to marry that good-for-nothing?¡± Jaxen Brandon shook his head, a face full of regret leaning towards Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Don¡¯t come any closer¡­ Don¡¯t! Don¡¯t come any closer!¡± When had Quella Radcliffe ever seen such a scene? She tried to back away with all her might, but her body was tied up with ropes and couldn¡¯t move an inch. At that moment, her beautiful complexion had turned pale with fear, and her delicate face was full of panic. But the more she acted like that, the more Jaxen Brandon¡¯s heart itched. He truly didn¡¯t care for those who threw themselves at him, the notable heir from Gonzalez City. This kind of desperate resistance could arouse his inner sense of conquest. ¡°Haha! I insist on coming over, what can you do to me?¡± Jaxen Brandon licked his lips, threw his suit jacket onto the couch, and his face revealed a wicked smile. ¡°Julius Reed, I wonder what it would feel like to become a ghost and see me sleeping with your wife?¡± Thinking of the humiliation he had suffered, Jaxen Brandon felt even more exhilarated! ¡°You dared to slap this young master¡¯s face back then; don¡¯t blame me for laying hands on your woman!¡± His eyes narrowed, and he took large strides towards Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Help! Help!¡± Quella Radcliffe desperately shook her head, eyes filled with terror. ¡°Keep shouting! This is my private villa, and there are dozens of bodyguards outside. Do you think you still have any hope of leaving here?¡± Jaxen Brandon burst into laughter as if he was eyeing his prey. ¡°My husband won¡¯t let you off!¡± Quella Radcliffe appeared very helpless in that moment, how she wished Julius Reed would appear and take her away from this dragon¡¯s den. But would Julius Reed come? ¡°To offend Young Master Potter, even if he had ten lives, it wouldn¡¯t be enough to die!¡± Hearing the name Julius Reed, Jaxen Brandon inexplicably felt a surge of anger within him. ¡°Let me have a good look at you first.¡± He squatted down, a malicious smile on his face as he reached towards Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face. Bang! Just at that moment, a BMW car suddenly appeared out of nowhere, crashing through the villa¡¯s large glass windows and shattering them to pieces! Everything happened so suddenly, everyone was too shocked to grasp what was happening when the BMW had already stopped inside the villa. Due to the severe impact, the front of the car was obviously damaged, and the windshield was smashed to smithereens. The entire villa was enveloped in dust and debris left from the crash. ¡°Protect the young master!¡± At the moment the BMW crashed in, a shout came from outside, and then dozens of fully armed bodyguards poured into the villa. ¡°How the hell did you watch the door? Weren¡¯t you supposed to make sure not even a mosquito could get in? That huge car almost hit me! ¡± Jaxen Brandon¡¯s heart raced, feeling like he had narrowly escaped death. The hood of the car had been less than a meter from him; had the car been any faster, he might have already been hit so hard he¡¯d be bleeding from every orifice. Quella Radcliffe on the ground also widened her eyes, failing to understand what had just happened. ¡°Get them! No matter who it is today, anyone who dares to invade our young master¡¯s villa only has one way out¡ªdeath!¡± Cash Leopold was scolded harshly and obviously felt very uncomfortable. As soon as he noticed someone breaking into the villa, he immediately led people to intercept. But who knew the intruder would be so reckless, crashing straight into the villa! ¡°Leave no survivors!¡± Following his command, the bodyguards quickly surrounded the BMW.. Chapter 67 - Chapter 67: Chapter 66 Desperate Jaxen Brandon 1 Chapter 67: Chapter 66 Desperate Jaxen Brandon 1 Translator: 549690339 Within Hibiscus Mansion, the wealthy reside. Those with money care much for their privacy, hence each villa is accompanied by a manor belonging solely to its residents. And since Hibiscus Mansion is located in the western suburbs, where land is vast and people are few, the distance between two villas is easily a hundred meters. In such circumstances, the Brandon Family¡¯s bodyguards could silently erase someone in a car without outside detection. ¡°Leave one alive for me!¡± Standing behind Cash Leopold, Jaxen Brandon incessantly patted dust off his body. ¡°Today, I shall see who dares to brazenly intrude upon my villa!¡± His once great mood had been completely spoiled. This villa was his private space, frequented only when Jaxen Brandon had enticed a woman, bringing along his bodyguards. A house worth hundreds of millions, it was his ivory tower, the wellspring of his pleasures. But now, his haven of soft pleasures lay in shambles, one could only imagine the rage boiling in the young master¡¯s heart. Bang! Just then, the door of the BMW was violently thrown open, ejecting the nearest bodyguard! ¡°Be careful!¡± Cash Leopold sensed something amiss and immediately shouted a warning. However, it was too late, as a figure burst from the car, knocking down two bodyguards with lightning-fast moves! These two bodyguards didn¡¯t even have time to grasp what was happening before they met their end. Woosh! While that rapid attack took place, a card flew from the other side of the BMW, heading straight for Jaxen Brandon¡¯s neck! ¡°Young master, watch out!¡± Cash Leopold¡¯s pupils contracted as he lunged forward! Swish! The card, emitting a whooshing sound, was firmly grasped in his hand! ¡°A Death Pursuit Order!¡± The moment he saw the card, Cash Leopold¡¯s heart lurched! The appearance of a Death Pursuit Order meant that Aron Jackson was inside the car! Jackson had been making waves in Gonzalez City these years, and once he acted, it was with the might of a thunderbolt! ¡°Indeed! Today, no one shall leave!¡± Aron Jackson forcefully opened the car door, his eyes filled with an intense chill. To dare steal from his own elder brother, one must truly be tired of living! Just then, the remaining bodyguards surrounding him had all fallen; none survived. ¡°This¡­¡± Beholding the bodies strewn across the ground, Jaxen Brandon gasped, shivering all over. In front of him stood a dozen or so bodyguards, and Cash Leopold. These were his last line of defense. ¡°Julius Reed!¡± When he saw the man who had thrown the punches turn around, Jaxen Brandon was even more shocked. ¡°You¡­ you were supposed to be taken by the Potter Family. How¡­ how did you end up here!¡± Jaxen Brandon, once imperious, now seemed as if he had seen a ghost. Each bodyguard was adept, and yet they had all been swiftly killed! Ignoring his words, Julius Reed strode over to Quella Radcliffe, gingerly untied the ropes binding her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m late.¡± Looking at his wife¡¯s pale face, Julius¡¯s eyes reddened, his heart tormented. ¡°Julius! I was so afraid¡­ I was so afraid that you wouldn¡¯t come¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe threw herself into Julius¡¯s arms, sobbing chokingly. ¡°I knew it, I just knew you would come!¡± She clung tightly to her husband as if worried he might suddenly vanish. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Julius Reed closed his eyes, embracing her, whispering comfort: ¡°It¡¯s okay now. It¡¯s all my fault, I shouldn¡¯t let you go home alone again.¡± ¡°You jerk! From now on, you¡¯re not going anywhere, you¡¯re staying right by my side, I¡¯ll take care of you!¡± Quella wept, her tears soaking a large patch of Julius¡¯s clothes. ¡°I warn you, don¡¯t mess around here! You should be clear about the Brandon Family¡¯s status in Gonzalez City! If you dare touch me, even if you¡¯re Aron Jackson, you¡¯ll have to die!¡± Jaxen Brandon¡¯s mouth twitched uncontrollably, and his heartbeat quickened. Even though he spoke threats, his voice lacked conviction. However, his words were indeed true. The Brandon Family¡¯s status in Gonzalez City was extremely high, even surpassing Ovidiu Cook, the wealthiest man in Gonzalez City. Moreover, Jaxen Brandon¡¯s mother is a lady from a large family in the north. It was precisely because of this connection that the Brandon Family had been able to climb to its current heights. ¡°Dominating Tiger, take your sister-in-law to the car.¡± Julius Reed patted Quella Radcliffe¡¯s back gently and slowly carried her to the rear seat of the BMW. Dominating Tiger, who was standing by, dared not delay and immediately took a plush blanket from the trunk to spread over the seat. ¡°Julius¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe clutched Julius Reed¡¯s hand tightly, refusing to let him go. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯m just dealing with some things. You just have a calm sleep.¡± Julius Reed, with a face full of affection, stroked Quella Radcliffe¡¯s head, then closed the car door and turned to walk towards Jaxen Brandon. At that moment, his smiling face suddenly turned icy cold. ¡°Young Master, don¡¯t worry! I¡¯ve already sent a message to Iron Hoof; the people from the Red Canyon will come back to help.¡± Watching Julius Reed advancing step by step, Cash Leopold whispered to Jaxen Brandon. Sensing that something was wrong, he had immediately contacted Iron Hoof. After all, the recent events were too strange; he didn¡¯t dare to joke about the safety of the young master of the Brandon Family. ¡°Good! As quickly as possible! Money is no issue!¡± Jaxen Brandon nodded, his whole person panting heavily in fright. For some reason, the Julius Reed he saw didn¡¯t seem human, more like a ferocious tiger. Even from this distance, he could feel the murderous aura emanating from him. ¡°Who gave you the courage to kidnap my woman?¡± Julius Reed narrowed his eyes and charged forward with a burst of speed! ¡°Protect the Young Master!¡± Facing this sudden attack, Cash Leopold was extremely tense! Crack! Accompanied by the sound of breaking bones, Julius Reed, like a Shura from hell, continuously reaped the lives of the bodyguards! In the blink of an eye, all those bodyguards fell silent. ¡°Uncle Leopold! You must protect me!¡± Seeing the dead bodies everywhere and the murderous Julius Reed, Jaxen Brandon felt a chill run from the crown of his head to his heels. He was even struggling to breathe, entirely devoid of his earlier arrogance. ¡°Rest assured, Young Master!¡± Cash Leopold took a deep breath and forcefully threw his fists! Crack! Facing this sudden outburst, Julius Reed¡¯s left hand chopped through the air, directly severing Cash Leopold¡¯s arms! The agonizing pain made him kneel on the ground and let out a scream like a slaughtered pig. ¡°Look, man, I¡¯ll give you whatever amount of money you want! Please, don¡¯t kill me!¡± Although Jaxen Brandon was spoiled, he wasn¡¯t stupid! Threatening at this point would only lead to a dead end! Thus, he chose to yield, because as long as one lived, there was still hope. If he could just make it back to Gonzalez City, relying on the Brandon Family¡¯s influence, killing Julius Reed would be as easy as stepping on an ant! Bang! Without any response, Julius Reed crushed Jaxen Brandon¡¯s head with one palm! ¡°Now, tell me the address of those Shadow Warriors.¡± He turned around to look at Cash Leopold, who was kneeling before him. ¡°If I tell you, will you let me go?¡± Cash Leopold¡¯s lips were pale, and he was gasping for air. ¡°You have no choice,¡± said Julius Reed indifferently. ¡°I contacted them through someone called Iron Hoof; I don¡¯t know the details. I only know that they seem to be called Red Canyon¡­¡± Cash Leopold was sweating profusely, and his face showed veins throbbing in pain. ¡°Aron Jackson, use his phone to call Iron Hoof.¡± After saying that, Julius Reed punched out, smashing a huge crater in Cash Leopold¡¯s chest! Chapter 68 - Chapter 68: Chapter 67 Frank’s Fear 1 Chapter 68: Chapter 67 Frank¡¯s Fear 1 Translator: 549690339 Gonzalez City, Moscow Style Hotel. This is a five-star grand hotel, which is favored by many influential individuals for its proximity to the dock and its high vantage point offering a beautiful view of the seaside. So, many notable people would choose to stay here upon arriving in Gonzalez City. At this moment, in room 703 of the hotel, a middle-aged man was lying leisurely on a sofa, listening to Peking opera. A computer sat in front of him, its screen flickering nonstop. ¡°Hello!¡± The image on the screen suddenly flashed, and afterwards, a foreign man appeared. ¡°Frank, why did you only answer the video call now?¡± The middle-aged man hummed along to the opera while chatting with Frank on the screen. This was a special video communication website, convenient for Shadow Warriors to exchange information. On this site, if you knew the other party¡¯s code, you could invite them for a video chat. Many Shadow Warriors also received bounties through this massive platform. ¡°Iron Hoof, there¡¯s something I must make clear to you.¡± Frank¡¯s voice turned cold as he spoke solemnly, ¡°Two members of my squad have unfortunately died while on a mission. And the reason for their deaths is due to your erroneous intelligence!¡± ¡°Oh? What do you mean by that?¡± Upon hearing the other¡¯s words, Iron Hoof slowly sat up from the sofa, raising an eyebrow. ¡°The members of Crimson Gorge can¡¯t even handle this trivial matter? The client¡¯s request was very simple, just to capture a woman! If you find this task difficult, excuse my frankness, but you¡¯re really disgracing Deep Cold!¡± ¡°Iron Hoof!¡± Frank¡¯s face turned instantly cold. Deep Cold was their honor, something every member had to defend. Although their squad ranked quite low within Deep Cold, they were still part of it. In the world of Shadow Warriors, Deep Cold represented the highest honor! And now, this man had the audacity to accuse them of disgracing Deep Cold! ¡°I warn you! Stop insulting us! Don¡¯t think I wouldn¡¯t dare to take action against you!¡± What Shadow Warriors cared about most was their dignity and honor. ¡°Good! Good! Good!¡± Seeing Frank lose his temper, Iron Hoot stopped his teasing. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect someone to actually give Crimson Gorge a hard time. What is their background?¡± Even though Crimson Gorge wasn¡¯t highly ranked within Deep Cold, they were still renowned Shadow Warriors. Furthermore, Frank¡¯s squad was very strong, and the fact that they lost two members meant their opponents were certainly no ordinary people. But what kind of connections could a woman with no background have? ¡°We don¡¯t know! But the opponents were two Eastern women, and they were masters of using hidden weapons!¡± Frank was incredibly angry remembering the incident. He and his team members had escaped from the brink of death countless times, only to be permanently separated from life and death now. ¡°Iron Hoof, I¡¯m aware of your capabilities in gathering information, so I would like you to help us investigate!¡± His tone softened somewhat, ¡°If you can find information on our opponents for me, I might overlook the mistake in your intelligence.¡± Iron Hoof had a notable reputation. Although he wasn¡¯t a Martial Artist but more of a middleman. In terms of intelligence, he was highly accurate, almost always providing his clients with precise information for each assignment. He even Imew details such as what time the target ate and which route they would take. Shadow Warriors just needed to follow his plan to complete their tasks with ease. Of course, his fees were also high, taking a fifteen percent cut. ¡°If it¡¯s really as you said, then there was indeed an error in my intelligence.¡± The nonchalance on Iron Hoof¡¯s face gradually disappeared, replaced by a serious expression. He shut off the opera and rapidly typed on his keyboard, logging into another website. The next moment, his pupils shrank, and his face turned extremely pale. ¡°The ones you encountered were from Willson Pavilion.¡± Even known for his composure, Iron Hoof¡¯s voice began to tremble. ¡°What? You found out that quickly?¡± Frank was also somewhat surprised. Although he knew Iron Hoof was highly capable in gathering intelligence, to find out in just a few seconds was somewhat unexpected. ¡°Whew!¡± Iron Hoof let out a long breath, his voice a bit hoarse, ¡°Now, the entire dark web is talking about your guys.¡± ¡°How could this be!¡± Upon hearing his words, Frank hurriedly entered the website, and then his eyes bulged like glass marbles. What appeared before him was the blood-red, large lettering of the Willson Pavilion. Almost half of the page was occupied by this line of text. ¡°From today on, the Willson Pavilion will fully pursue the Bloody Canyon. If Deep Cold intervenes, all my colleagues shall directly declare war on Deep Cold until one side is completely eradicated!¡± And beneath that line of text, there was also the red Killing Order from the Willson Pavilion. ¡°Ding-a-ling!¡± At that moment, Frank¡¯s phone rang. ¡°Eric, what¡¯s up? He immediately pressed the speakerphone button. ¡°Captain! Did you see it? The Willson Pavilion has officially issued a Killing Order against us! God, now did we provoke this monster!¡± Eric¡¯s tone was filled with collapse. He was all too aware of what kind of behemoth the Willson Pavilion was. There were not many that could contend with Deep Cold, and the Willson Pavilion was one of them. This mysterious organization from the East, ancient and powerful. They were actually targeted by the Willson Pavilion¡¯s Killing Order! ¡°I saw it¡­¡± Frank lit a cigarette with trembling hands, his lips already pale. ¡°Whoosh!¡± Blinking his eyes, somewhat at a loss, he asked, ¡°Iron Hoof, can you help me figure out what exactly is going on?¡± Frank couldn¡¯t understand; since coming here, he had only conducted two operations. The morning¡¯s had failed, and in the evening, he had only caught a woman. How did he provoke this colossal organization? ¡°Ding-a-ling!¡± Just then, the phone in his hand rang again. When he saw the name displayed on the screen, Frank¡¯s body jolted. ¡°Team Leader¡­¡± ¡°Frank! You bastard! You¡¯re going to get us killed!¡± Before he could finish, he was met with roars of anger from the phone: ¡°The General has now learned of this matter, and he has demanded from me why we have provoked the Willson Pavilion! My God, please tell me, what exactly is going on!¡± The General was one of the several powerful figures within Deep Cold, leading various small teams. And the team leader on the phone now was the supreme head of the Red Valley, a rank above Frank. ¡°Team Leader, I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Frank¡¯s hand holding the cigarette was shaking uncontrollably, his voice incredibly hoarse. ¡°Get back here immediately! While you¡¯ll receive punishment from the General, it¡¯s better than dying out here! The Willson Pavilion might be strong, but Deep Cold is not to be trifled with!¡± The team leader¡¯s voice finally gave Frank a glimmer of comfort; at least the organization hadn¡¯t abandoned them. ¡°I¡¯m bringing the members back to headquarters now!¡± He took a deep breath, hung up the phone, and prepared to gather his team members. ¡°Iron Hoof, I need a secure escape route.¡± ¡°On it! Just a moment!¡± Iron Hoof was searching on the computer on the other side when suddenly a phone beside him rang. ¡°Mr. Leopold, I have completed the task. Do you need anything else?¡± Seeing it was Cash Leopold¡¯s number, he didn¡¯t hesitate to pick up. ¡°Your time is up.¡± An ice-cold voice came through the phone. ¡°Damn!¡± Iron Hoof was taken aback at first but then immediately threw the phone out of the window. ¡°I¡¯ve been traced! Frank, every man for himself!¡± After speaking, he ignored the bewildered Frank on the computer screen, donned his clothes, and jumped out of the seven-story building! Chapter 69 - Chapter 69: Chapter 68: The Iron Hoof’s Perfect Plan 1 Chapter 69: Chapter 68: The Iron Hoof¡¯s Perfect Plan 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Big brother, the location has been locked!¡± Inside Villa No. 7 of the western suburbs¡¯ Hibiscus Mansion. Aron Jackson was operating the computer, his eyes fixated on the flickering red dot on the screen. This cutting-edge technology, which he had acquired for a hefty sum from abroad, could instantly lock onto the target¡¯s location as soon as they answered the phone. Both in response speed and accuracy, it had reached the world¡¯s top standard. ¡°The target is at Moscow Style Hotel, but he might have already fled!¡± ¡°Even if he escapes to the blue skies above or to the yellow springs below, I want his life!¡± Julius Reed turned around, walked to the rear door of the BMW, and gently pulled it open. On the back seat, Quella Radcliffe, overwhelmed by fright, had fallen asleep. Yet tears still streaked her face. ¡°Aron Jackson, I don¡¯t want him to leave Gonzalez City alive.¡± Seeing his woman endure such torment reignited the fury in his heart. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my men are already on the move; they won¡¯t miss a single move he makes.¡± Aron Jackson had been mingling in Gonzalez City for three years, with informants in nearly every place. After locking onto Dominating Tiger¡¯s location, the person next to him immediately contacted the personnel around Moscow Style Hotel. ¡°Boss, a man just jumped from the seventh floor and is now running towards the docks.¡± After receiving the confirmed news, Dominating Tiger spoke up. ¡°Immediately have the brothers change into security guard uniforms, we must stop him at the docks!¡± After giving the order to Dominating Tiger, Aron Jackson got up and walked over to Julius Reed. ¡°Boss, Dominating Tiger is very cunning and comes from an intelligence background. We need to be careful!¡± After learning of the opponent¡¯s identity, Aron Jackson used his own methods to gather some information about Dominating Tiger. It was obviously not so easy to catch someone adept in intelligence work. ¡°No matter who he is, he must die today!¡± Julius Reed looked into the BMW at Quella Radcliffe and whispered, ¡°Arrange for someone to protect her. If anything goes wrong this time, no one needs to come back alive to see me.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Dominating Tiger nodded and got into the BMW, slowly driving it out of the villa. Meanwhile, outside the villa, over a dozen SUVs had arrived. Each vehicle was filled with Aron Jackson¡¯s men, holding weapons, their expressions serious. ¡°Big brother, the vehicles are ready. Let¡¯s get moving,¡± Aron Jackson quietly inquired. He could feel his big brother¡¯s aura of murderous intent. ¡°The docks are only three kilometers from Moscow Style Hotel, and I don¡¯t believe Dominating Tiger would be that stupid.¡± ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, he will still be inside Moscow Style Hotel. The most dangerous places are often the safest.¡± After saying this, he turned and stepped into a jeep, telling Aron Jackson, ¡°Have your men watch Moscow Style Hotel. Don¡¯t let even a fly get away!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Aron Jackson nodded and took the passenger seat. At the same time, within Moscow Style Hotel, a man slowly walked out of the restroom. If Frank saw this scene, he would surely be shocked. Because the waiter was none other than Dominating Tiger, who had just jumped from the seventh floor. Now, he had changed into the waiter¡¯s clothes and wore a white face mask. The owner of the clothes was now knocked out in the storage room. Upon receiving the call, Dominating Tiger knew he had been located. But he had no time to leave; even though the docks were only a few kilometers away, that distance was enough to cost him his life. There were no other buildings around Moscow Style Hotel, just this five-star establishment standing by the seaside, convenient for tourists to enjoy the ocean view. So, after leaping down the pipeline from the seventh floor, he created a false impression that he was heading for the docks. Then, while others weren¡¯t paying attention, he quickly returned to the hotel and knocked out a waiter to change into his clothes. As long as night fell, or if the other party¡¯s attention shifted to the docks and airport, he would have the chance to escape. With the sound of a vibration, a message appeared on his other phone. ¡°A large number of unidentified individuals have appeared around the docks.¡± A few seconds later, another message popped up on the screen. ¡°A large number of unidentified individuals have appeared around the airport.¡± Seeing these two messages brought a smug look to his lips, but it quickly vanished. In the staff at both the airport and docks, he had his own people. Any disturbance in these places, and he would receive news immediately. As an intelligence man, he had a powerful grasp on information. ¡°Check Cash Leopold¡¯s situation for me.¡± After hesitating for a moment, he typed a string of text and sent it to a strange number. The fact that Cash Leopold¡¯s phone was taken indicated that something must have happened to him. Although he wasn¡¯t from Gonzalez City, he often operated in the Five-river Province and was quite familiar with the situation here. Cash Leopold worked for the Brandon Family, and the target of his current bounty was also Jaxen Brandon¡¯s enemy. In Gonzalez City, he was very clear about the power of the Brandon Family. Anyone who opposed them only had one way out: death. But why had Cash Leopold¡¯s phone ended up in someone else¡¯s hands? Piecing together Frank¡¯s words and the red Killing Order from Wilson Pavilion, his eyes narrowed as he seemed to come to a realization. About five minutes later, his phone rang again. ¡°Hibiscus Mansion, Jaxen Brandon¡¯s private villa, no survivors.¡± The moment he saw this message, his mind went blank. In Gonzalez City, who would dare to touch the Brandon Family? Only someone insane or tired of living. But the more it was so, the more unsettled he became. If he could do it over, he would definitely not agree to take on this business. ¡°Keep a close watch on the docks and airport and arrange a boat for me at a safe time.¡± After giving all the instructions, an intense curiosity suddenly arose in his heart. He had been a middleman for dozens of years, and this was the first time he had not figured out who the opponent was. Wilson Pavilion? But the other party obviously couldn¡¯t move this quickly. Although this mysterious organization had members around the world, forming such a powerful force in a short period wasn¡¯t possible! ¡°What are you doing there! Playing with your phone during work hours, do you even want to keep your job!¡± As he pondered, a voice rang out from behind. Hastily, he tucked his phone into his pocket, turned around, and apologetically nodded. ¡°Hand over the phone!¡± The person speaking to him was a young man, obviously a manager judging by his attire. ¡°Sorry, I won¡¯t dare do it again.¡± He spoke somewhat apologetically. The phone was his most important lifesaving tool and the only way he could receive information. How could he possibly hand it over? ¡°During work hours, phones should be handed in. That¡¯s the rule! Hand it over immediately! ¡± But the other person clearly didn¡¯t intend to let it go at that. ¡°Manager, may I have a word with you in private?¡± He pulled out a stack of money from his pocket, his eyes flashing coldly. ¡°Sure! Let¡¯s go to the storage room then!¡± Upon seeing the money, the young man¡¯s attitude immediately shifted. He glanced around and led the way to a storage room not far from the two of them. ¡°I hope you can make an exception, manager.¡± Upon entering the storage room, he extended the stack of money forward. But at that moment, his eyes narrowed, and a cold smile crept across his lips. Whoosh! A flash of cold light passed, and the knife hidden beneath the stack of bills thrust violently towards the young man¡¯s neck! Chapter 70 - Chapter 70: Chapter 69 Heroic Act 1 Chapter 70: Chapter 69 Heroic Act 1 Translator: 549690339 As the dagger thrust out in that instant, a cold smirk appeared on the corner of Iron Hoof¡¯s lips. At such a close range, the opponent was undoubtedly dead! Although he was an informant, his martial skills were equally impressive. Without some trump card skills, it was impossible to survive in the underworld. But in the next moment, his face violently changed, his eyes filled with disbelief. Because the young man who had just been standing in front of him had suddenly disappeared! ¡°Not giving money is one thing, but why resort to violence?¡± A cold voice carrying a hint of mockery suddenly arose from behind Iron Hoof. ¡°Go to hell!¡± Iron Hoof instinctively swung his arm behind! Bang! With a muffled sound, he only felt numbness in his wrist, and the dagger dropped to the ground. ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°Let¡¯s talk outside,¡± Julius Reed said with a faint smile, his hands lightning-fast as he grabbed Iron Hoof¡¯s wrist and pressed down hard! Crack! Following the sound of breaking bones, Iron Hoof¡¯s body jerked, and he fainted. At this time, the door to the storage room was slowly pushed open, and Aron Jackson quietly walked in with his people, picking up Iron Hoof and heading outside. The hotel staff assumed he was just a guest who had drunk too much, and didn¡¯t inquire further. When several people got into a black SUV, Julius Reed waved his hand and said, ¡°Wake him up.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Aron Jackson nodded, pulled out a dagger from his waist, and viciously stabbed it into Iron Hoof¡¯s thigh! Squelch! The sharp blade pierced through the flesh and went straight into the bone! ¡°Ahh¡­¡± Iron Hoof, who was in a faint, let out a roar, his face showing bulging veins. ¡°Who are you people! Why are you hurting me!¡± He wanted to move, but his hands had already been crushed to pieces, and any movement would cause excruciating pain. It was just as well that Iron Hoof had a stronger mental fortitude than most, or he would have passed out from the pain by now. ¡°Iron Hoof, what a pleasure to meet you!¡± Julius Reed said with a faint smile, wrapping his arm around him, ¡°Tell me, where are those Shadow Warriors?¡± ¡°What are you talking about? Iron Hoof? My name is Hewitt Leopold, and my ID card is in my pocket. I want to call the police on you!¡± When Iron Hoof heard the other party address him by his name, his body visibly shook, but he quickly returned to normal. But how could such a subtle scene escape Julius Reed¡¯s eyes? ¡°Hewitt Leopold? It seems we caught the wrong person!¡± Julius Reed looked at Aron Jackson and shook his head regretfully. ¡°Release me now! You thugs will definitely be punished by the law!¡± Seeing the other party¡¯s attitude, Iron Hoof secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. He had thought he would have to argue further, but he didn¡¯t expect that a fake ID card would get him through. After all, no one had seen his face or knew his real name, except for some Shadow Warriors; everyone just knew him as Iron Hoof. Beyond that, they knew nothing. ¡°Since we caught the wrong person, let¡¯s just kill him!¡± Aron Jackson, looking regretful, raised his dagger, pretending to stab it towards Iron Hoof¡¯s neck! ¡°How did you find me!¡± At this point, Ironhoof was like an eggplant beaten by frost, utterly crestfallen and dejected. He knew he had been exposed, and that his adversary had been toying with him from the start. ¡°Next time, you should use a regular phone.¡± Aron Jackson pulled out a detector from his bosom, with a red dot on it flashing wildly. On the screen, there were many other red dots, but this particular one was shining as brightly as the sun. ¡°As far as I know, the cellphones you use have an incredibly strong signal. Even in the face of signal jamming, these phones can still transmit signals.¡± He reached over to Ironhoof and immediately pulled out a black cellphone. The moment the phone was taken out, the red dot on the screen flashed crazily as if it was about to explode. ¡°Mr. Ironhoof, tell me, where are those Shadow Warriors? Julius Reed looked indifferently at Ironhoof, his eyes piercing like lightning through the soul. ¡°If I tell you, will you let me go?¡± Ironhoof slowly lifted his head, woodenly staring at Julius Reed. His face was pale and his lips were bloodless due to several broken bones and excessive blood loss from his thigh wound. ¡°Do you think you¡¯re in a position to negotiate with me?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes, like knives, were tightly fixed on Ironhoof: ¡°The moment you plotted to kill me, you were destined for this day! If you don¡¯t talk, I can crush the bones in your body one by one until you can¡¯t take it anymore!¡± The incident where Quella Radcliffe was kidnapped was like a thorn deeply embedded in Julius Reed¡¯s heart. Now, he was determined to eliminate everyone involved in this matter, without exception! ¡°Crimson Gorge, Frank¡¯s squadron. But Deep Cold has already issued the order; they¡¯re probably on their way back to the Deep Cold headquarters now.¡± Finally giving in, Ironhoof could no longer bear the prospect of his bones being crushed. ¡°Call them. Use whatever means necessary to lure all these people here.¡± Aron Jackson put the phone in front of Ironhoof, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. Now Ironhoof couldn¡¯t pick up the phone himself as his hands were crushed. ¡°Can you tell me who you are? Ironhoof took a deep breath and turned to look at Julius Reed. As a member of the underground world, he never imagined he¡¯d be taken down in a place as insignificant as Gonzalez City. And utterly vanquished, with no chance to fight back. ¡°Have you ever heard of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance?¡± With a snort, Aron Jackson looked at him with a mocking gaze. ¡°The Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance!¡± Upon hearing these three words, Ironhoof was struck as by lightning! He turned his neck mechanically, quivering as he asked, ¡°You are¡­?¡± ¡°The Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance! Ironhoof, you¡¯ve accomplished what no one else had the guts to do, daring to plot the murder of the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance!¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s tone turned icy. Could someone really have the audacity to plot a murder on his brother¡¯s property and then try to flee? ¡°You are¡­ You are¡­ You are¡­ the Young Master¡­¡± Ironhoof¡¯s breathing became more rapid, his heart pounding as if it would burst out. ¡°Ha ha! I, Ironhoof, will be remembered through the ages!¡± With a wild laugh, he suddenly lunged forward, his forehead smashing hard against a red button situated above the cell phone! ¡°I killed the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, I, Ironhoof, have done it!¡± At that moment, Ironhoof laughed like a madman! But the next instant, the smile on his face gradually solidified. ¡°Sorry, but I¡¯ve already removed the chip inside!¡± Julius Reed nonchalantly waved his left hand in front of Ironhoof, between whose fingertips was a tiny chip. ¡°Such tricks are outdated.¡¯ Inside the cellphone, there was an explosive chip. When the red button was triggered, the phone would cause a violent explosion! The force of the explosion was enough to destroy an entire room! If it exploded in a car, no one inside would survive. Unfortunately for Ironhoof, Julius Reed had already surreptitiously removed the chip inside. Ironhoof¡¯s gaze was vacant, his face ashen.. Chapter 71 - Chapter 71: Chapter 70 Please Step Into the Urn 1 Chapter 71: Chapter 70 Please Step Into the Urn 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Frank, where are you?¡± Barely mustering a hint of spirit, he dialed the phone. Just now, Julius Reed had crushed his right arm to smithereens, leaving it limp and dangling terrifyingly. He wanted to die, but he couldn¡¯t¡ªnot now. It was a fate worse than death, perhaps what he was experiencing at this moment. ¡°Iron Hoof! I¡¯m being chased! Three of my team members are already dead, where are you?¡± Frank¡¯s panicked voice came through the phone, with uneven breathing revealing his predicament. Clearly, the Shadow Warrior was facing pursuit! ¡°I¡¯m at the Moscow Style Hotel, it¡¯s very safe here. If you have nowhere to go, you can come here. Tonight, I¡¯ll arrange a boat to get you out.¡± As if fearing the other side might become suspicious, he added, ¡°I want thirty million! Not a cent less!¡± ¡°Fuck! You¡¯re really a businessman! Iron Hoof, I can give you thirty million, but I¡¯ll only pay you the other half of the commission after I¡¯m safe,¡± Frank yelled. ¡°Eric, cover me! Bang bang bang¡­¡± Gunshots were heard from the other end of the phone; Frank¡¯s situation was obviously desperate. ¡°Iron Hoof, I¡¯ll be at the Moscow Style in half an hour! Some people are after me. God, the people from Willson Pavilion move too fast. My men didn¡¯t even have a chance to resist before they were killed in the car.¡± ¡°One kilometer south from Moscow Style, there is a forest. It¡¯s very secluded, I guarantee you won¡¯t be discovered there.¡± Following Aron Jackson¡¯s cue, Iron Hoof repeated every word without missing a beat. ¡°OK! See you in a bit!¡± Frank hung up the phone hastily. ¡°Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance¡­¡± After the call ended, Iron Hoof hung his head and murmured to himself, ¡°What I¡¯m most proud of in my life is my powerful information network. And yet, I overestimated my abilities trying to kill the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. How ludicrous¡­¡± The Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, the world¡¯s most top-tier and mysterious organization. The legends about it had never ceased, yet Iron Hoof had actually attempted to assassinate the Young Master of the Alliance. ¡°You can come at me, but you can¡¯t touch my woman!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s lips trembled slightly, recalling how Quella Radcliffe appeared terrified, his heart shuddered. How helpless she must have been at that time! ¡°What! That woman¡­ Click! As Iron Hoof looked on in disbelief, Julius Reed suddenly exerted force with his right hand and snapped his neck! ¡°No one can hurt my woman!¡± The car was silent once more. ¡°Big brother, it looks like Willson Pavilion has made their move.¡± After making a gesture for his subordinates to dispose of Iron Hoof¡¯s body, Aron Jackson quietly spoke beside Julius Reed. Based on what Frank had said earlier, it was clear that he was being hunted down by people from Willson Pavilion. ¡°It¡¯s not Amadeus Fairbanks¡¯s fault, but his pride is too great,¡± Julius Reed shook his head helplessly, ¡°Since he wants a fight, let him fight! Willson Pavilion wouldn¡¯t be what it is today if it weren¡¯t for that madman, Amadeus Fairbanks.¡± Hearing this, Aron Jackson could neither agree nor disagree. Willson Pavilion¡¯s current reputation was not unrelated to Amadeus Fairbanks¡¯s tendency to lash out at the slightest disagreement. ¡°Dominating Tiger, drive the car into the forest and wait for the fish to bite.¡± Aron Jackson ordered Dominating Tiger, who was at the driver¡¯s seat. There was a forest not far from the Moscow Style Hotel filled with numerous trees and overgrown with weeds. At night, the small forest was a place many couples sought for excitement, but during the day, it was mostly deserted. ¡°Big brother, the Brandon Family won¡¯t let this go easily.¡± As the car drove into the forest, Aron Jackson voiced his concern. Although the Brandon Family was not the wealthiest in Gonzalez City, they were the most powerful. Many big shots had close ties to the Brandon Family. Moreover, Jaxen Brandon¡¯s mother was said to be the daughter of a prominent family from the north. It¡¯s no exaggeration to say that in Gonzalez City, the only ones who could contend with Aron Jackson and have a chance of winning were the Brandon Family. As the proverb goes, even a mighty dragon cannot suppress a local snake, and the Brandon Family was indeed that entrenched local snake. ¡°If the Brandon Family wants to disappear from Gonzalez City for good, I wouldn¡¯t mind obliging them,¡± Julius Reed leaned back in his seat, resting with his eyes closed. The moment Jaxen Brandon threatened Quella Radcliffe, his fate was sealed. If the Brandon Family were to keep a low profile from now on, Julius wouldn¡¯t make it difficult for them. But if they dared to entertain the slightest thought of revenge, then the Brandon Family was doomed to be erased from Gonzalez Citv ¡°Open attacks are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are difficult to defend against. The Brandon Family has deep roots in Gonzalez City¡ªyou must be careful,¡± Despite knowing Julius¡¯s capabilities, he couldn¡¯t help but caution him: ¡°Furthermore, here in Five-river Province, you¡¯ve offended the Potter Family, and they won¡¯t let things slide. One silent arrow after another¡ªit¡¯s indeed exhausting!¡± ¡°Right.¡± Julius nodded and continued to rest with his eyes closed. Time ticked by, and half an hour quickly passed. Dominating Tiger looked around vigilantly, his nerves stretched to the utmost. What they were facing were professional Shadow Warriors from Deep Cold¡¯s organization, the Red Canyon. Although Dominating Tiger had a certain reputation in Gonzalez City, in front of professional Shadow Warriors, he felt somewhat overwhelmed. ¡°They¡¯re here! ¡± Sitting in the backseat, Julius suddenly opened his eyes and turned to look in the direction behind the car. His keen intuition made him sense a surge of murderous intent. Following his gaze, one could see three men running frantically toward them, each covered in blood. ¡°Iron Hoof, what the hell is this place? Am I, a Red Canyon squad leader, supposed to hide in the woods like a monkey?¡± Frank shouted loudly at the car, his voice full of complaint. ¡°Hello.¡± The car door slowly opened, and Julius got out of the car, hands in his pockets, looking at the three Shadow Warriors in front of him. His face was smiling, as if meeting long-lost friends. But only Aron knew that this was the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance¡¯s signature before killing! ¡°Who the hell are you!¡± Seeing that the person in the car wasn¡¯t Iron Hoof, Frank immediately put his hands on his waist in alarm. As a Shadow Warrior, he sensed the smell of danger. ¡°Was it you who kidnapped my woman?¡± Julius sized up the three Shadow Warriors in front of him, with a smile always on his face. ¡°Crazy! I don¡¯t know who your woman is!¡± Frank¡¯s heart skipped a beat, instantly realizing it was a trap. The fact that Iron Hoof hadn¡¯t shown up until now meant it was a conspiracy, a scheme targeting the three of them! ¡°Kidnapped someone this afternoon, and now you don¡¯t remember?¡± The smile on Julius¡¯s face gradually faded as he started to walk step by step toward the three Shadow Warriors. ¡°Die!¡± One of the Shadow Warriors immediately pulled out a gun and aimed at Julius, ready to pull the trigger! Bang! The gun fired, but the sound came from Aron¡¯s hand. The armed Shadow Warrior howled as a bloody hole appeared in his right hand, and the gun fell to the ground. ¡°Who the hell are you people!¡± Frank¡¯s expression darkened as he immediately produced two guns in his hands. Next to him, Eric stood back to back with him, also holding guns in both hands. ¡°You dare to kidnap my big brother¡¯s woman, you really must be tired of living!¡± Aron whistled, and dozens of figures in black clothes immediately emerged from the woods. These figures held their weapons high, the dark muzzles uniformly pointing at the three members of the Red Canyon.. Chapter 72 - Chapter 72: Chapter 71: The Unfortunate Frank_1 Chapter 72: Chapter 71: The Unfortunate Frank_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Damn it! We¡¯ve been set up!¡± Eric, seeing the men in black continuously appearing on the mountain, felt utterly terrible. They were pursued relentlessly by the people of Willson Pavilion, with their entire squad nearly wiped out; only three of them managed to escape with their lives. They thought that by seeking refuge with the middleman Iron Hoof, they could leave the Orient under his protection and return to the Deep Cold headquarters. But who would have thought that immediately after leaving the dragon¡¯s den, they would enter the tiger¡¯s lair. ¡°Take down the leader!¡± Frank whispered quietly into Eric¡¯s ear. Given the current situation, trying to fight their way out was extremely risky and could potentially lead to complete annihilation. But if they could capture the young man who was speaking, they would have a chance to leave this place. In ancient terms, this is called catching the king first when trying to catch the thieves. ¡°Now! ¡± Frank shouted, producing a smoke grenade in his hand! The moment he acted, he hurled the grenade! Simultaneously, Eric turned around in tacit agreement and opened fire towards Julius Reed and Aron Jackson¡¯s position! The suddenness of this act left Aron Jackson¡¯s companions without time to react. A few employees, still clueless about what was happening, fell in pools of blood. Seizing the opportunity, Frank rolled forward and instantly closed in on Julius Reed. ¡°Damn you, don¡¯t move!¡± He stood up, pointing the gun at Julius Reed and shouted loudly, ¡°Anyone who shoots, I¡¯ll kill him!¡± In that moment, Frank finally found a semblance of presence on an otherwise disastrous day. The once-feared leader of the Blood Canyon squad was reduced to running for his life! ¡°Ah! My captain, you¡¯ve finally allowed me to catch my breath! These damn Easterners, actually daring to oppose our Blood Canyon!¡± Seeing Frank succeed, Eric felt his hanging heart drop back down again. As long as they could capture this leading Eastern man, they would be able to leave safely. Of course, that was provided they could avoid the pursuit of Willson Pavilion. That bunch of lunatics chased people as if they had no need for their lives! ¡°Where is Iron Hoof?¡± Frank wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked somewhat disheveled. He had been frantically fleeing, exhausting much of his stamina. If they weren¡¯t extraordinarily physically fit, they might have already died from exhaustion along the way. But now, he just wanted to clear up one thing: where the heck had Iron Hoof, the man who had phoned him, gone? Frank didn¡¯t believe that Iron Hoof had really betrayed them! He knew that if such a betrayal occurred, the informer would definitely be hunted down by everyone and might not even be able to save his own life. ¡°Iron Hoof? He¡¯s waiting for you down there!¡± Julius Reed, facing the gun pointed at him, let a slight smile float up at the corner of his mouth. ¡°You¡¯d better tell the truth! Otherwise, I¡¯ll blow your head off!¡± Being toyed with made Frank extremely angry. If they couldn¡¯t find Iron Hoof, their return trip to the organization would be incredibly difficult. In Gonzalez City, Iron Hoof was the only one who could smuggle them out without anyone noticing. ¡°I¡¯ve told you, Iron Hoof is waiting for you down there.¡± Julius Reed grabbed the muzzle of Frank¡¯s gun, still smiling: ¡°Fire.¡± ¡°You think I won¡¯t dare?¡± Frank hadn¡¯t even had time to react before his gun was in Julius Reed¡¯s hands, a testament to the other¡¯s incredible speed. For a professional Shadow Warrior like Frank, such negligence was undoubtedly fatal. So, Frank¡¯s finger stayed pressed tightly against the trigger, his nerves stretched to their limit. ¡°You can try shooting me! But you¡¯ll only have one chance. Lay a hand on my woman, and you¡¯ll die a terrible death.¡± Julius Reed faced the dark gun muzzle without a hint of panic on his face, instead, there was a mocking smile at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Go to hell!¡± Frank, repeatedly provoked, finally lost his rationality! He pulled the trigger in anger! But the next moment, his eyes widened in disbelief! ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Click! Click! Click! Frank kept pulling the trigger, but the gun only made the sound of jamming. ¡°Because your magazine is in my hands,¡± Julius Reed gently released his grip, revealing a magazine before he viciously smashed it into Frank¡¯s face! Bang! The solid metal magazine hit Frank squarely on the bridge of his nose, sending the Crimson Gorge Squad Leader stumbling backward in a pitiful state. ¡°How is that possible!¡± Frank clutched at his face, blood dripping incessantly through his fingers. As a Shadow Warrior, he hadn¡¯t even noticed his gun¡¯s magazine had been switched! ¡°Who the hell are you! Are you one of Willson Pavilion¡¯s people?¡± He racked his brains, and the only possibility he could think of was some monster out of Willson Pavilion. Over the years underground, Frank had gained some notoriety, even making it onto the Shadow Warrior rankings at one point. Yet today, he was like a three-year-old child, helplessly played with and without any power to change his situation! ¡°Now, it¡¯s your turn to pay the price!¡± Julius Reed took a deep breath and strode forward. Bang! Eric suddenly pulled the trigger! He had been standing not far away, all for the sake of waiting for an opportunity! Yet, in the next moment, Julius Reed, like a specter, dodged and appeared in front of Frank! ¡°Ah¡­ Eric, you bastard!¡± The bullet meant for Julius Reed now pierced through Frank¡¯s shoulder, sending up a spray of blood. ¡°Aron Jackson, finish him for me,¡± Julius Reed grabbed Frank¡¯s shoulder with one hand, crushing his bone to smithereens! Meanwhile, Aron Jackson pulled out a handgun from his waist and shot directly through Eric¡¯s arm! Three Shadow Warriors, discounting the one who had fallen first, had now utterly lost their ability to fight. ¡°You¡¯re from Willson Pavilion! Why do you want to kill me?¡± Frank knelt on the ground in agony, pleading, ¡°I really don¡¯t know what I did to offend Willson Pavilion, can you let me go?¡± The once mighty Squad Leader of the Crimson Gorge was now kneeling like a dog, begging for mercy. ¡°Willson Pavilion?¡± After hearing his words, Julius Reed shook his head and said, ¡°Willson Pavilion might give you a quick death, but I won¡¯t.¡± With that, he stamped down hard, crushing the bones in Frank¡¯s hand to dust! ¡°Ah¡­ please, please! Kill me¡­ you devil!¡± Even though Frank was from the Shadow Warriors, the excruciating pain of broken bones made him beg for death. His entire left hand was crushed to a pulp, limp and shapeless like a mound of mud. ¡°Please, grant me a swift end!¡± At that moment, the Devil who had taken countless lives finally experienced the terror of being at someone else¡¯s mercy. Pain continually assaulted his brain, subjecting him to an agonizing ordeal. ¡°Want to die? That won¡¯t be so easy,¡± Julius Reed squatted down, looked at Frank¡¯s contorted face, and whispered softly, ¡°The woman you kidnapped, she¡¯s my wife.¡± ¡°What!¡± Hearing this, Frank shuddered and looked at Julius Reed with eyes filled with fear. ¡°I¡¯m not a good man, so this won¡¯t just end here.¡± After saying this, Julius Reed stepped down again, completely crushing the bones of Frank¡¯s other hand! ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Frank, mad with pain, leapt up from the ground, attempting to use his head to strike Julius Reed! Bang! Julius Reed swung a punch, shattering Frank¡¯s skull on impact. Thud! With Frank¡¯s body growing colder, his sinful life finally came to an end. ¡°What a pity!¡± Looking at Frank¡¯s lifeless body on the ground, Julius Reed turned his head towards Eric. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t look at me¡­ it¡¯s got nothing to do with me!¡± Eric, having witnessed Frank¡¯s brutal killing, was now so frightened that his lips had turned a pale white.. Chapter 73 - Chapter 73: Chapter 72 Kaili Asks for Help_l Chapter 73: Chapter 72 Kaili Asks for Help_l Translator: 549690339 Eric¡¯s inner world had collapsed to the extreme at this moment. If he had known this would be his end, he would have never followed Frank in the first place. ¡°You were also involved in the matter of kidnapping my wife, weren¡¯t you?¡± Step by step, Julius Reed approached, his face darkening to the extreme. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t come any closer¡­¡± Seeing him approach step by step, Eric shook uncontrollably like he was facing the Grim Reaper, and his voice was nearly hoarse. The awful death of Frank was still vivid in his mind, and now his spirit was on the verge of collapse. ¡°Ding-dong-ding!¡± Just then, the phone on him suddenly rang. Startled by the sound, Eric reacted as if grasping at a lifeline, pulling out his cell phone from his bosom. ¡°It¡¯s our team leader!¡± Seeing the name displayed on the phone, he excitedly shouted, ¡°Brother, if our leader finds out about Frank¡¯s tragic death, he won¡¯t let it go! But if you let me go, I won¡¯t mention a word when I get back!¡± Under the Willson Pavilion, there were many small squads, also a formidable force in the Shadow Warrior world. Now that their leader was calling, it was very likely inquiring about these people escaping the East. ¡°Answer it!¡± Julius Reed waved his hand, signaling Aron Jackson to withdraw the gun. ¡°Okay!¡± Seeing the other party relent, Eric hastily tried to compose his expression and answered the video call. ¡°Eric! What the hell are you doing? Taking this long to answer my call! Where is Frank, where the hell did he die?¡± An angry shout came through the phone. Clearly irritated by Eric¡¯s slow response, the leader of the Willson Pavilion seemed impatient. ¡°Leader, I¡¯m so sorry, I¡­¡± Bang! Julius Reed raised his hand and fired a shot into the center of Eric¡¯s forehead. Thud! Eric¡¯s eyes widened as he fell straight to the ground, his eyes still holding joy as if he had just survived a great disaster, even until the moment before his death. ¡°Who is it?¡± After a brief silence, an enraged roar came from the phone. Because it was a video call, the person on the other end witnessed Eric¡¯s murder firsthand. ¡°Hello.¡± Julius Reed walked over to Eric¡¯s body, picking up the phone stained with blood. ¡°Who the hell are you! How dare you kill a member of the Willson Pavilion!¡± On the other end of the video, there was a man in his forties. He was bald, with many scars visible on his body. Clearly, these were wounds received while carrying out missions. At this moment, the bald man¡¯s face was full of anger. ¡°They were your subordinates?¡± Julius Reed picked up the phone and aimed the camera at Frank¡¯s mutilated body, which was nearly beyond recognition. ¡°You¡­¡± After seeing this scene, the man¡¯s breathing became more and more rapid, and he roared furiously, ¡°Foolish man, I will personally chop off your head!¡± Frank¡¯s squad was an outstanding one under his command. In terms of combat power, they could be ranked in the top two of the Willson Pavilion. But now! ¡°Since they were your men, there¡¯s a message I have for you.¡± Julius Reed suddenly threw the phone into the air, ¡°Within six months, I will destroy your lair!¡± Bang! As a gunshot sounded, the bullet completely shattered the phone in the air. ¡°I will kill you!¡± At the same time, inside a villa, the bald man smashed the table in front of him to pieces with a slap! ¡°Team leader! What happened to make you so angry?¡± Upon hearing unusual noises from the room, a middle-aged man with a face full of scars quickly walked in. He had been guarding outside the room nonstop, protecting the safety of the bald man. ¡°Frank and the others¡­ they¡¯ve all been killed!¡± The bald man squeezed these words out almost through gritted teeth. Frank¡¯s squad was one of his most relied upon teams, bringing in huge revenue for the Blood Canyon every year. Now that the entire squad was wiped out, it undoubtedly resulted in a drop in Blood Canyon¡¯s combat effectiveness. Moreover, the internal unity of Deep Cold was not solid, and several generals had been proposing to streamline teams, retain the elites, and discard some squads with low combat ability. At such a moment, the loss of so much combat power at Blood Canyon made it very likely to be abandoned by Deep Cold. Once they lost the support of Deep Cold, the days for Blood Canyon would become quite difficult. ¡°What! Frank and the others are all dead?¡± The scarred man was also shocked. ¡°Didn¡¯t they take on a job? I chatted with Frank last night, and he said it was just a matter of capturing an ordinary woman, even mocking the client for making a big deal out of nothing.¡± ¡°Making a big deal out of nothing?¡± The bald man, extremely irritated, rubbed his bald head and said gravely, ¡°The woman¡¯s identity must be far from simple! You should know that because of this woman, Willson Pavilion has already declared war on us, Blood Canyon, even at the risk of offending Deep Cold!¡± He was equally shocked when he learned this news. Although Willson Pavilion and Deep Cold were mortal enemies, they had managed to keep to their own waters for many years. Both powers were enormous, but the idea of consuming the other in one fell swoop was simply impossible. If both sides were to suffer, those that would reap the benefits would inevitably be the emergent forces. And just like that, without any warning, Willson Pavilion announced war on Deep Cold. Just half an hour before, one of his squads in the Middle East had been unexpectedly attacked by Willson Pavilion. Although his men managed to escape quickly, they still lost two members. It was this incident that made the bald man, Kaili, realize Willson Pavilion was serious. So he hurriedly called Frank and Eric, hoping to alert them to be cautious. But as soon as the video call connected, Kaili saw his favorite squad members killed in horrific scenes. ¡°Should we report this to the general? This matter seems, much more serious than we thought!¡± After hearing Kaili¡¯s words, the scarred man¡¯s expression turned extremely grave. His name was Sony, and he was the strongest fighter in Blood Canyon, always following Kaili as his protector. Aside from Kaili, Sony was essentially the number two man in Blood Canyon. Faced with such a sudden and drastic change, he felt quite an ill omen. ¡°We have no other choice! For now, we are still with Deep Cold. To face Willson yav111011¡¯s Insane retaliation, we can only nope tnat Haaes canyon ana SKUII Canyon take action.¡± Kaili hesitated, then picked up the black phone on the desk. ¡°If Deep Cold refuses to mobilize Hades Canyon and Skull Canyon, our situation will be very dangerous.¡± Sony nodded in agreement. Within Deep Cold, the most powerful organizations were Hades Canyon and Skull Canyon. These two squads were hailed as the godfathers of the Shadow Warrior world. Many world-renowned Shadow Warriors were members of these two squads. ¡°Kaili, what¡¯s the matter?¡± The black phone vibrated, and a young man appeared on the screen. ¡°General Mori, our Blood Canyon has encountered some trouble. Frank¡¯s squad has been completely wiped out.¡± Kaili frowned deeply, his expression heavy. He was bottling up a lot of anger inside but had no outlet for it. ¡°Forgive my bluntness, but your members really aren¡¯t worth a damn!¡± The young man shook his head disdainfully, ¡°They overestimated themselves; don¡¯t they deserve to die?¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, General, but.. Kaili, struggling to hold back his rage, felt like he was about to explode. However, he was powerless; although the other party was only in his twenties, he was the deputy leader of Hades Canyon and also one of the six generals in Deep Cold, with top-notch power. ¡°I¡¯ll arrange someone to take revenge for you! If there¡¯s nothing else, don¡¯t waste my time!¡± The young man said impatiently, then hung up the call. ¡°Fuck! ¡± Kaili couldn¡¯t hold back anymore, smashing the black phone to pieces with one punch.. Chapter 74 - Chapter 74: Chapter 73 Dustless Comes Out of the Mountain 1 Chapter 74: Chapter 73 Dustless Comes Out of the Mountain 1 Translator: 549690339 Julius Reed had no idea someone was after his life. But even if he had known, it wouldn¡¯t have mattered since his would-be killers were merely delivering themselves to their deaths. He would simply consider it a good deed to personally send these devils to hell. After leaving the Moscow-themed venue, Julius Reed had Aron Jackson take care of things, returning alone to his new home. The new house was located in Newport Garden, a prime district in the heart of Gonzalez City where the average price had already surged beyond twenty thousand. Only the rich or noble could afford to live here. Aron Jackson had even purchased the most expensive manor there for Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe to inhabit. At the entrance of the manor stood a dozen men in black, neatly arrayed. Since this was a wealthy area in Newport Garden, no one noticed this scene. ¡°Boss!¡± When they saw Julius Reed arrive, the bodyguards saluted him in unison. By now, all of Aron Jackson¡¯s employees were well aware that the young man before them was their boss¡¯s boss. And to be able to guard here, protecting Julius Reed¡¯s woman, was an honor for them. ¡°Great work! ¡± From his pocket, Julius Reed took out a card and handed it over to Wolverine, a capable battle commander under Aron Jackson: ¡°You guys have been here a long time, take them out to relax.¡± ¡°It¡¯s our honor to protect the sister-in-law; how can we take your money!¡± Wolverine was about to refuse but was interrupted by Julius Reed, ¡°Everyone has worked hard. I, Julius Reed, consider you brothers, friends! The money in this card, after covering food and drink, is to be shared among you. We¡¯ll need you to work hard in the future, to protect your sister-in-law well.¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Upon hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, Wolverine felt a tremor in his heart. The word ¡°brothers¡± felt like a warm sun that made them particularly comfortable inside. These people were often scorned as lackeys, but now someone was treating them as brothers, and it was their boss¡¯s boss no less! ¡°Big brother! For our brothers, braving water and fire is nothing! Here, I, Wolverine, on behalf of our guys, would like to thank you first!¡± Wolverine¡¯s eyes turned slightly red, and his voice became a bit hoarse. No longer refusing, he accepted the bank card and turned to shout at the bodyguards by the entrance: ¡°Guys, Brother Davenport is treating us to drinks, let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°Thanks, Brother Davenport!¡± The dozen men shouted in unison. Protecting Julius Reed¡¯s wife was part of their duty. Now that they had some reward on top of it, they couldn¡¯t be happier. ¡°Go on, I¡¯m here. I¡¯ll talk to Aron Jackson,¡± Julius Reed nodded, signaling them to leave. With him there, no one could get close to Quella Radcliffe. After giving their thanks once more, the bodyguards left one after another. It was only after Julius Reed went upstairs that he realized Quella Radcliffe was already sound asleep. Anyone would be frightened by such events. As it was already dark, he simply drew the curtains and lay down beside Quella Radcliffe. Listening to his wife¡¯s steady breathing, a smile of happiness unconsciously formed on his lips. This was the first time the two slept on the same bed. In Five-river Province, at the Potter Family Mansion. Watching Quamaine Potter and Harlan Potter beaten into disabilities, Stanislaus Potter trembled with rage. ¡°Stanislaus, I don¡¯t care who it was! If they dared to leave my only son like this, I want them dead!¡± At his side, Azriel Leopold¡¯s eyes were already swollen from crying, and she was sobbing uncontrollably. Azriel Leopold and Stanislaus Potter had been married for many years and had only one son. She had doted on him since he was little, indulging every one of Quamaine Potter¡¯s desires as soon as it was expressed. It is this kind of environment that had turned Quamaine Potter into the number one wastrel in Five-river Province. In school, he was known for constantly getting into fights, and after graduating, he became even more idle, constantly spending money. But the couple didn¡¯t care; they only hoped that Quamaine Potter could live a safe and peaceful life, even if that meant living off his parents¡¯ money forever. But now, Quamaine Potter¡¯s legs were broken, and the doctors had struggled just to save the mangled limbs, let alone assure that the sole heir of the Potter Family could walk like a normal person again. ¡°Dare to hurt my son, I want to kill his entire family!¡± Stanislaus Potter pounded his fist on the sofa, his eyes flashing with a cold light. The matter had already caused a commotion throughout the city, with many even coming to mock the Potter Family. One of the leading figures of Five-river Province had his only son¡¯s leg broken publicly, a humiliation of monumental proportions! Just this afternoon alone, a multitude of people visited under the guise of inquiring after Quamaine Potter¡¯s health. But everyone knew these visitors were there to ridicule the Potter Family, to see the disabled state Quamaine Potter had been reduced to. ¡°Master, your phone!¡± Just then, a bodyguard approached Stanislaus Potter with a cordless phone in hand. ¡°Just say I¡¯m busy! I¡¯m not to take anyone¡¯s calls, no matter who it is!¡± Stanislaus Potter waved his hand dismissively, signaling the bodyguard to Ieave. All those calling now were just like the visitors, all there to scoff at the Potter Family! That¡¯s why he refused all visitors, declining to see anyone. ¡°Master, it¡¯s a call from Dustless.¡± The bodyguard hesitated, explaining further. If it had been anyone else, he would have hung up directly. But he didn¡¯t dare do so with Dustless¡­ ¡°Master¡­ it¡¯s Master¡­¡± Harlan Potter struggled to sit up from his bed, intending to take the call. But his hand had already been broken by Julius Reed, now wrapped in thick plaster. ¡°Let me!¡± Stanislaus Potter took a deep breath and answered the phone. ¡°Dustless¡­¡± ¡°The person who injured my disciple, who is it!¡± The voice on the other end, aged and serious, cut him off and demanded bluntly. ¡°It¡¯s a youth from Gonzalez City, I¡¯ve searched all records, but I couldn¡¯t find anything. This person just appeared out of nowhere, like a clean slate.¡± Although interrupted, Stanislaus Potter¡¯s tone remained highly respectful. He didn¡¯t dare harbor any resentment against such a powerful master. Dustless was Harlan Potter¡¯s master, residing year-round at Azure Wind View in Five-river Province. He was a recluse who cultivated diligently, descending the mountain only for significant events. Harlan was his only disciple, whom he cherished dearly. Surely, he had emerged from seclusion having heard about Harlan being crippled. ¡°Send me the information about that person. Is Harlan there?¡± Dustless¡¯s tone softened noticeably when mentioning Harlan. ¡°He is!¡± Stanislaus Potter hurriedly brought the phone to Harlan¡¯s ear. ¡°Master! You must avenge me!¡± Upon hearing Dustless¡¯s voice, Harlan completely collapsed. The once haughty and arrogant him had become extremely vicious after this setback. Even while speaking, he was filled with killing intent. This defeat had trampled his pride and self-esteem into pieces. ¡°Harlan, take good care of yourself. I¡¯ll be over tonight, and should be able to see you tomorrow. As for the person who injured you, he won¡¯t live past tomorrow night.¡± After offering some comforting words, Dustless hung up the call. ¡°Stanislaus, with Dustless taking action, that young man is as good as dead!¡± Azriel Leopold laughed through her tears, her eyes brimming with malicious delight. ¡°It¡¯s just that Dustless has a kind heart, he will surely grant that boy a swift end! I want to torture him bit by bit, and make him wish he were dead!¡± Whenever she saw Quamaine Potter lying unconscious on the bed, her heart twisted unbearably. Her son, who had never been struck a single blow growing up. But today, he was nearly killed! ¡°Yes! With Dustless making a move, he is doomed!¡± Stanislaus Potter¡¯s mood instantly lifted at his wife¡¯s words. ¡°Kid, cherish your last moments!¡± Chapter 75 - Chapter 75: Chapter 74 Zade Radcliffe’s Scheme 1 Chapter 75: Chapter 74 Zade Radcliffe¡¯s Scheme 1 Translator: 549690339 The next day, as soon as it was light, Quella Radcliffe woke up. By that time, Julius Reed had already made breakfast and was waiting for her in the dining hall. Seeing the scene before her, Quella Radcliffe felt the warmth of home for the first time. Here, there was no quarreling between her parents, only fullness of happiness. This was their world, their home. Regarding the incident from the day before, it was as if both of them had a tacit understanding, neither bringing it up. By the time the couple arrived at the company, they found that the employees had already started working early. There was still over an hour left until the official start of work, and this unusual sight made Quella Radcliffe very curious. ¡°President Radcliffe!¡± Along the way, employees they met all greeted them. It wasn¡¯t that they wanted to, it was just that Julius Reed¡¯s actions the day before were too violent! He didn¡¯t just beat up Otis Radcliffe publicly but also dragged the Potter Family¡¯s son out. Everyone thought that the bloody revenge of the Potter Family would cause Julius Reed to evaporate from the Mortal World. Yet to everyone¡¯s surprise, they saw him first thing in the morning, coming to work with Quella Radcliffe as if nothing had happened. Since the two of them would be kicked out in another couple days anyway, the employees couldn¡¯t be bothered to make themselves uncomfortable. Greeting him with ¡°President Radcliffe¡± didn¡¯t cost them anything. ¡°President Radcliffe, everyone is saying that Golden Eagle Group is going to make a move on us. Do you have any countermeasures?¡± After reaching the office, a director came to Quella Radcliffe¡¯s room and asked. News had already broken the day before that Golden Eagle Group was about to start a corporate war with Radcliffe Group. Now that Quamaine Potter had been beaten up for the second time within Radcliffe Group, the Potter Family definitely wouldn¡¯t let the matter rest. People in this circle all had their own networks. Some employees who had friends in Golden Eagle Group heard that Stanislaus Potter had already finished his meetings the night before, and was officially making a move today. The news spread from one person to ten, then from ten to a hundred, creating widespread panic. They had come in early that day just to discuss countermeasures. Some even preferred to jump ship! After all, at this age, they had elders to take care of and children to raise; the pressure of unemployment was too great. But there was also another voice within the company, which was to request Zade Radcliffe back and kick the troublesome couple, Quella and her husband, out! That way, they could appease the Potter Family¡¯s anger and get rid of the troublesome couple at the same time. Many among them were part of Otis Radcliffe¡¯s camp and naturally supported Otis Radcliffe taking the position of Chairman. The reason was simple: when Otis Radcliffe was in charge, everyone used to pocket money. Now that Quella Radcliffe had just taken the position of project manager, she started checking the accounts every day! Moreover, with stringent audits, they couldn¡¯t even think of taking a penny from the company. Comparing the two situations, everyone preferred Otis Radcliffe to take charge. The rise and fall of the company had nothing to do with them; as long as they could get money from the group, they were content. ¡°I will personally decide on this matter. But I assure everyone that I won¡¯t let your interests suffer,¡± Quella Radcliffe knew that this was not just the director¡¯s opinion but also that of many employees. They just needed a representative to talk to her, the new Chairman. ¡°Good! I hope President Radcliffe can keep your word, and not abandon us by just walking away when the company is on the brink of life and death.¡± After getting an answer, the director turned and walked out of the office. ¡°Why bother with them? These people obviously have ulterior motives, and they have never truly regarded you as the Chairman.¡± Julius Reed leaned on the sofa, pulling out his phone and constantly swiping. ¡°I know. But the company can¡¯t afford to lose them. If we can¡¯t stabilize their hearts, I¡¯m afraid we might collapse before the Potter Family even makes a move,¡± How could Quella Radcliffe not understand such reasoning? But she had no choice, she couldn¡¯t just overhaul the company, could she? Not to mention whether she could stabilize her position as the chairperson, even if she did, it would be very difficult to make extensive personnel changes. Moreover, once the Potter Family made a move, Radcliffe Group would inevitably collapse like a house of cards. Then, she could only obediently leave and hand over her position to Zade Radcliffe and Otis Radcliffe. ¡°Chairperson, I think there¡¯s something I must report to you!¡± Little Wang from the finance department hurried in, with a very ugly look on his face. Among the few people in the company who were close to Quella Radcliffe, Little Wang was one of them. She was an ordinary accountant in the finance department, responsible for tallying the payroll. ¡°Little Wang, take your time,¡± Quella Radcliffe said calmly. Quella Radcliffe gestured for her not to rush. ¡°Chairperson, I felt something was off about the financial director. It wasn¡¯t payday, yet she went to the bank early in the morning. After she left, I took advantage of the empty room, secretly turned on her computer, and discovered she was transferring money out!¡± Little Wang¡¯s face turned pale, and her voice got fainter and fainter. ¡°Three billion were transferred out of the company¡¯s accounts in one go, completely severing our liquid funds!¡± The Radcliffe Group wasn¡¯t large in scale, with an estimated value of only about ten billion or so. The three billion was nearly all of their group¡¯s liquid capital; the rest were immovable assets and project investments. Once they lost this liquid capital, the company would be in a deadlock. The only solution would be to get a bank loan, but with the Potter Family¡¯s move well-known by now, which bank would foolishly lend them money? ¡°Call the police! Call them immediately! There isn¡¯t much time, we should be able to recover the money!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s brows were tightly furrowed. Without this three billion in liquid funds, she had even less chance of winning. ¡°It¡¯s no use! Although you are the chairperson in name now, you¡¯re just an acting chairperson until the contract takes effect. The people in charge of the company are still Zade Radcliffe and Old Master Radcliffe.¡± Little Wang said with some bitterness, ¡°This asset transfer was carried out by finance only after the Old Master Radcliffe signed off. Even if we call the police, it is a legal action.¡± Although at that time Zade Radcliffe and Quella Radcliffe made an agreement and it had been legally notarized. But until the conditions of the contract were met, Zade Radcliffe was still the helmsman of the company. Withdrawing all the liquid funds at this critical juncture was like pulling out the linchpin! ¡°Alright! You may go now, and don¡¯t mention this to anyone. President Radcliffe and I will figure out a solution.¡± Julius Reed nodded at Little Wang, indicating she could leave. Transferring the funds wasn¡¯t the scary part; what was terrifying was if someone in the company found out about it, no one knew what it could escalate into. ¡°Julius, what do we do now?¡± Even the normally calm Quella Radcliffe was somewhat panicked upon hearing the news. Losing all liquid funds was equivalent to sentencing Radcliffe Group to death. ¡°Experience comes with age! From the very beginning, Zade Radcliffe had planned for this. He knew well beforehand that the Radcliffe Group couldn¡¯t be saved and prepared to cash out and leave.¡± Once he thought about the cause and effect, Julius understood Zade Radcliffe¡¯s intentions. Every step had been well-planned by him, he was just waiting for Quella Radcliffe to step into the trap. ¡°Money is not an issue! This will be a good test of the employees¡¯ loyalty. If they know about this, they will certainly make decisions in their own best interest. When that time comes, it will naturally become clear who stays and who leaves.¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that cause the company to collapse immediately?¡± Quella Radcliffe was somewhat confused, logically, they should keep this a secret, but Julius seemed as if he couldn¡¯t wait for the employees to find out. ¡°Just go ahead with it! Those who stay will naturally have a bright future, and those who leave will regret it deeply!¡± After saying these words, Julius Reed left Quella Radcliffe¡¯s office. He took out his mobile phone and called Ovidiu Cook, ¡°Transfer funds to Radcliffe Group immediately. As for the reason, you come up with one, just don¡¯t make Quella Radcliffe suspicious. Also, send someone to Truman Ridge¡¯s place. When you see him, just say ¡®The traveler returns on a snovvy night,¡¯ and he will naturally help you counter Golden Eagle Group..¡± Chapter 76 - Chapter 76: Chapter 75 New President_l Chapter 76: Chapter 75 New President_l Translator: 549690339 At this time, Titan Group was welcoming a very important guest. Stanislaus Potter, the chairman of Golden Eagle Group, came to Gonzalez City early in the morning and headed straight for the office of the chairman of Titan Group. Titan Group and Radcliffe Group had a cooperative venture, about which he had long heard. Moreover, according to the information obtained by the Potter Family, this matter was personally approved by Ovidiu Cook. Stanislaus Potter had already decided to move against Radcliffe Group, and his purpose today was to notify Titan Group, so Ovidiu Cook could withdraw the funds. Otherwise, if Radcliffe Group collapsed, all the money Titan Group invested would go down the drain. Although blinded by hatred, Stanislaus Potter clearly did not want to offend the leading figure of Gonzalez City. But what he didn¡¯t expect was that Ovidiu Cook was not in the company, only a few senior executives were there to receive him. The matter of meeting here was notified by the President of Golden Eagle Group to Titan Group yesterday. As one of the most prestigious entrepreneurs in Five-river Province, Stanislaus Potter was highly reputable. In theory, Ovidiu Cook should have personally welcomed this stellar entrepreneur at the building¡¯s entrance, but not only was there no welcome, Cook¡¯s whereabouts were now unknown. This made Stanislaus Potter rather angry. ¡°Where has your chairman gone!¡± Sitting in the reception room, his face was zloomv, and his tone quite cold. Ever since Golden Eagle Group reached the top of Five-river Province, he had never been given such a cold shoulder. ¡°Boss Potter, our chairman had an urgent matter this morning and drove off. As for his destination, we truly are not privileged to inquire,¡± a director from Titan Group said with an apologetic smile. Even though Ovidiu Cook was the wealthiest man in Gonzalez City and Titan Group was the largest enterprise there, it was still somewhat behind Golden Eagle Group. ¡°Call Ovidiu Cook immediately! Tell him I¡¯m here!¡± Stanislaus Potter waved his hand impatiently, ¡°Knowing full well that I was coming, he¡¯s not here, what does that mean? Does he have a problem with me?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll call right now!¡± The director hurriedly took out his mobile phone to call Ovidiu Cook. ¡°Chairman, Boss Potter is already here, when will you be back?¡± After connecting the call, the director hurriedly reported the situation. They simply couldn¡¯t afford to offend a prominent figure like Stanislaus Potter. ¡°What, a new president? Good! I¡¯ll tell Boss Potter right now.¡± After hanging up the phone, the director said to Stanislaus Potter with a smile, ¡°Boss Potter, our chairman had a bit of an emergency at home, so he can¡¯t come over in time. He is very sorry for this.¡± ¡°What does Ovidiu Cook mean by this! I¡¯ve come all the way here, and I haven¡¯t even seen him!¡± Stanislaus Potter smashed the teacup in his hand to pieces. ¡°Please calm down, Boss Potter. Our chairman has appointed a new president, who today can represent our chairman and finalize all matters with you,¡± the director said, his insides churning with unease. As one of the senior executives of the company, he had no clue about a new president being appointed. Although Titan Group was absolutely controlled by Ovidiu Cook, major affairs were still discussed at the board meetings and were implemented after unanimous approval. About appointing such an important position as the president, he hadn¡¯t heard a word. The director turned to his colleagues and saw similarly bewildered faces; apparently, they all had just learned that there was a new president in the company. This further unsettled him, as they dared not make any mistakes when dealing with a major businessman like Stanislaus Potter. Moreover, with the Potter Family¡¯s affairs being the talk of the town, everyone knew that Stanislaus Potter was holding back a lot of anger. Who would dare to touch this bad luck at such a time? Opposing Golden Eagle Group, wouldn¡¯t that be courting death? ¡°Where is the new president! Call him to meet me! If I don¡¯t see anyone within ten minutes, I¡¯m leaving immediately!¡± Stanislaus Potter roared in extreme annoyance, pointing at the senior managers of Titan Group in the reception room, threatening, ¡°Consider the consequences carefully!¡± Although Titan Group was the leader of Gonzalez City, Golden Eagle Group had even more formidable financial strength. While they couldn¡¯t pose a direct threat to Titan Group like swallowing up Radcliffe Group, causing a sharp decline in its stock price was very likely. Businesspeople, who would want to make an enemy of money. ¡°This¡­¡± The director who had made the call was slightly embarrassed; the chairman had only said the new president would handle it, but he had not mentioned where the new president was. Nor had he left any contact information. Just as he was about to call Ovidiu Cook again, the reception room doors were pushed open. A young man, dressed in athletic wear, looked around then walked up to Stanislaus Potter. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± Stanislaus Potter¡¯s eyes narrowed, his entire demeanor emanating a murderous aura! The bodyguard beside him immediately stepped forward, blocking Julius Reed¡¯s path. ¡°Kid, you dare to show up here!¡± After Quamaine Potter¡¯s legs were broken, Stanislaus Potter immediately obtained all of Julius Reed¡¯s information. That face before him was etched into his memory, as clear as day even if it was turned to ash! ¡°Who is this¡­¡± The directors, seeing Julius Reed push the door and enter, were just as bewildered. Titan Group, as the leading enterprise in Gonzalez City, had extremely strict security measures. Without an access card, entry to the group¡¯s main gate was impossible. Even with an access card, one couldn¡¯t reach the top floor without sufficient permissions. The top floor was where the Titan Group¡¯s senior executives worked, with offices for Ovidiu Cook and the other directors located there. And at the door, there were over a dozen security guards on duty. ¡°Could it be¡­ he is the new CEO¡­¡± As the director thought of this, he dared not continue the thought. It was too absurd, how could a youngster in his twenties become the CEO of Titan Group? ¡°This man right here is the one who injured my son! I¡¯m not wrong, am I, Julius Reed!¡± As he spoke Julius Reed¡¯s name, Stanislaus Potter was gnashing his teeth. ¡°Correct! Your son came to me on his own accord, how could I not take the opportunity to teach him a lesson? However, Quamaine Potter¡¯s imitation of a dog¡¯s bark was quite spot on; I wonder if that¡¯s a hereditary trait from you, his dear father.¡± Julius Reed wore a faint smile, showing not a hint of fear on his face. He looked at the renowned entrepreneur of Five-river Province as if it were all a joke. ¡°You!¡± Hearing his words, Stanislaus Potter slammed his hand on the table and roared, ¡°Today, I will teach you a lesson on how to behave!¡± No sooner had his words fallen when a bodyguard took a big stride forward, rolling up his sleeves, ready to act. ¡°Security! What are you doing? Someone has breached our Titan Group¡¯s security, and you didn¡¯t notice?¡± Seeing that the situation was turning sour, a few directors immediately walked to the door, calling the security in. If they were misunderstood by Stanislaus Potter, it would be a significant problem. ¡°Even Harlan Potter was left half-dead by my hand, what can he do?¡± Julius Reed chuckled coldly, looking at the bodyguard with disdain in his eyes. ¡°You¡­¡± Stanislaus Potter trembled with rage, but dared not act. Yes, even Harlan Potter, who was so strong, ended up bedridden after being beaten. What waves could these few bodyguards cause? But he couldn¡¯t swallow his pride! The perpetrator who had injured his son was right in front of him, and yet he was powerless to do anything! Although Dustless had already arrived in Gonzalez City, Stanislaus Potter wanted to exact revenge with his own hands even more! ¡°You, get him out of here immediately!¡± He pointed with a shaking hand at the directors of Titan Group. ¡°Boss Potter, rest assured, I¡¯ll call security to throw him out right away!¡± One of the directors, seeing Stanislaus Potter exuding authority, was also terribly scared. ¡°Director Marsh, what¡¯s the matter?¡± As he was called, the head of security, followed by over a dozen security guards, walked into the reception room. ¡°What¡¯s going on here! You can¡¯t even keep watch! Get him out now!¡± Director Marsh, pointing at Julius Reed, shouted angrily at the security chief. ¡°You all may leave, I will handle the situation here,¡± Julius Reed turned around with a smile and nodded to the head of security. ¡°Kid, get out now!¡± Seeing that Julius Reed was not panicked at all, Director Marsh¡¯s anger surged even more! What did he take Titan Group for? His own house? ¡°Yes, Boss!¡± The head of security did not pay any attention to Director Marsh¡¯s words, but instead saluted Julius Reed respectfully, then turned and left the reception room under the astonished gazes of the directors and Stanislaus Potter.. Chapter 77 - Chapter 77: Chapter 76 Hidden Ridge Family_1 Chapter 77: Chapter 76 Hidden Ridge Family_1 Translator: 549690339 The air instantly became quiet. The reception room that had been filled with anger was now so silent you could hear a pin drop. ¡°Pres¡­ President¡­¡± Director Marsh¡¯s face went through a whirlwind of changes. The security team leader had worked at Titan Group for decades and was extremely familiar with the rules and procedures. With his skills, he would never recognize the wrong person! So, was this young man in front of him the new CEO Chairman Cook had mentioned? Director Marsh thought this was nonsense! Even if he was Ovidiu Cook¡¯s own son, it was impossible for him to parachute into the CEO position at such a young age! Although Titan Group was absolutely controlled by the chairman, over the years, everything Ovidiu Cook did was very satisfying to them all. Any promotions or new hires were decided by everyone¡¯s vote. For such an important position as CEO, the fact that Ovidiu Cook made a direct appointment was already surprising to them, and if the appointee was a young man, they would really have to wonder if someone was holding a gun to Cook¡¯s head. Otherwise, the chairman would never make such a foolish mistake! ¡°Indeed, I am the newly appointed CEO of Titan Group! Here is my work card, please take good care of me in the future!¡± Julius Reed smiled as he reached into his chest and handed a black card to Director Marsh. ¡°This¡­¡± Seeing the black card, Director Marsh¡¯s pupils shrank, tremulously taking it in his hand. ¡°You¡­ you really are the CEO!¡± He blinked his eyes, still unable to believe it was all true! And he had just spoken insolently to the CEO! If this got back to Ovidiu Cook, the consequences would be unimaginable! The Titan Group was under the sole control of Ovidiu Cook, and although the chairman was usually good to them, it didn¡¯t mean Cook wasn¡¯t tough! ¡°President, I apologize for what I just¡­¡± Director Marsh was at a loss for words, standing in place extremely awkwardly. He had been ranting about driving out the CEO newly appointed by the chairman, wasn¡¯t this digging his own grave? Julius Reed nodded and did not take issue with him. ¡°What! Ridiculous! Are you treating this as child¡¯s play at Titan Group?¡± Stanislaus Potter exploded again from the sidelines! He came to Titan Group to reach a cooperation with Ovidiu Cook¡ªto directly take down Radcliffe Group without harming each other¡¯s interests! But now, Julius Reed had suddenly become the CEO of Titan Group and could even represent the chairman¡¯s will! How could there be any negotiation? What was there to talk about? Was he supposed to tell Julius Reed to withdraw the funds, to let him bring Reed down, to leave Reed no way out, to force Reed into a dead end? Only if his brain was broken! Or if the other party¡¯s brain was waterlogged! ¡°Call Ovidiu Cook! I want to ask him if he¡¯s playing games with me?¡± Stanislaus Potter stood up and roared at Director Marsh. By doing this, Titan Group was clearly making a fool out of him! Knowing full well the animosity he had towards Julius Reed, they still parachuted the latter in as the CEO of the group and even allowed him to represent the chairman¡¯s will! He couldn¡¯t understand why Ovidiu Cook would do this? Once the business war started, it would inevitably lead to a massive evaporation of funds! Titan Group had previously cooperated with Golden Eagle Group, and Stanislaus Potter believed that he had no issues with Ovidiu Cook, so what exactly was going on today? Didn¡¯t Ovidiu Cook understand that this would just anger him and drag Titan Group down with him? The foreheads of the other directors nearby were also streaming with cold sweat, having sensed Stanislaus Potter¡¯s anger. Titan Group was now effectively declaring war on Golden Eagle Group! Even if it didn¡¯t lead to their destruction, it could very well cause Titan Group to lose its leading position in Gonzalez City and allow other companies to overtake them. ¡°Let me confirm again¡­¡± Director Marsh took a deep breath, getting ready to call Ovidiu Cook. He couldn¡¯t just watch the company being pushed into the abyss! ¡°You don¡¯t listen to the chairman¡¯s words? Or, do you have a problem with me?¡± Julius Reed stared straight at him, his eyes hiding two ice daggers! ¡°No¡­ President, since you are here, you have full authority!¡± As he was looked at in this way, Director Marsh¡¯s hand shook, and he almost dropped his phone on the ground. For some reason, when he faced this young man, his heart was filled with fear. ¡°Since everyone has no objections, then I will speak to Boss Potter about our position,¡± Julius Reed turned around, smiling at Stanislaus Potter, ¡°First, Titan Group will become a supporter of the Radcliffe Group. Second, as long as you start a war, we are ready to accompany you at any time!¡± At these words, everyone¡¯s faces in the room changed dramatically. Several directors even went weak at the knees and almost fell to the ground. They believed that even Ovidiu Cook, if he were there, would not dare to speak to Stanislaus Potter in such a manner! They were very clear about the financial strength of the Golden Eagle Group, which was one of the top enterprises in Five-river Province! Moreover, with Stanislaus Potter¡¯s extensive experience in business and his many friends in the circle, once a business war started, these people would inevitably stir up trouble from behind! Although Titan Group was also strong, after withstanding Golden Eagle Group¡¯s retaliation, it would likely decline rapidly. You must know, in Gonzalez City, there are many companies that have been suffocated by Titan Group, and they have been waiting, for an opportunity to turn the tables! Once that opportunity comes, those people would pounce like hungry wolves! The legend of Titan Group might be completely shattered! ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then I will let you know the consequence of offending Stanislaus Potter!¡± Stanislaus Potter clenched his teeth, kicked the table in front of him, and strode out of the reception room. All he had in mind now was revenge, mad revenge! Since Ovidiu Cook dared to play him, then Titan Group could just wait to be buried alongside him! ¡°President¡­ Golden Eagle Group¡­¡± Several directors started to speak but then hesitated. Only now did they realize that the president newly appointed by the chairman was actually the person who broke the legs of Stanislaus Potter¡¯s son! ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I assure you that your interests will not be harmed in the slightest. ¡± Julius Reed smiled, turned, and left the reception room. Titan Group was just the smallest company under his control, Julius Reed could have Chairman Cook¡¯s position offered anytime if he wished. Meanwhile, Ovidiu Cook had already rushed to the Ridge Family¡¯s mansion in Five-river Province. He got out of his Mercedes, looking up at the mansion situated on the mountaintop, feeling utterly astonished. Such a construction in the clouds would likely be unreachable without spending billions! Even at the foot of the mountain, it took a considerable amount of time to walk up. In Five-river Province, the Ridge Family was a legend, a hidden major family! Only those with a certain degree of status and position would be aware of this family¡¯s existence. They had no direct involvement in any businesses, but any company with a bit of fame within Five-river Province held shares from them! In other words, members of the Ridge Family did nothing and could still receive astronomical figures each year! When Julius Reed told him to visit the Ridge Family, Ovidiu Cook was quite shocked! Even though he was already the richest man in Gonzalez City, he had no right to step through the entrance of the Ridge Family¡¯s door! ¡°Who goes there!¡± A majestic voice echoed from the sky. ¡°I am Ovidiu Cook, wishing to visit the Ridge Family Head, Truman Ridge,¡± Ovidiu Cook was immediately enveloped in a powerful pressure, making it difficult for him to breathe. ¡°Ovidiu Cook, you are not yet worthy to step through the doors of the Ridge Family! Leave at once!¡± The oppressive voice sounded again from the sky. ¡°Please convey to the Family Head the message, ¡®The traveler returns on the snowy night.¡¯ Ovidiu Cook¡¯s back was already drenched in sweat; holding onto his last hope, he uttered the phrase Julius Reed had taught him. But he held no illusions, for the Ridge Family was simply too powerful! Moments later, just as Ovidiu Cook was about to give up and call Julius Reed, a voice came from the sky. ¡°Please come in!¡± Bang! With a loud noise, the mountain before him split open slowly, revealing a massive gate! Chapter 78 - Chapter 78: Chapter 77 Encountering an Acquaintance 1 Chapter 78: Chapter 77 Encountering an Acquaintance 1 Translator: 549690339 When Julius Reed returned to Radcliffe Group, he actually met two acquaintances at the door. Zade Radcliffe was pushing Otis Radcliffe, who was sitting in a wheelchair, towards the company with a smile and a laugh. Although he didn¡¯t know what they were talking about, that schadenfreude grin said it all; it couldn¡¯t be anything good. Nine times out of ten, it had something to do with Zade Radcliffe transferring the company¡¯s liquid assets that morning. After all, pulling the rug out from under someone like that was just too cruel! It left Quella Radcliffe with no way out. Julius Reed had always been puzzled why, as a third-generation member of the Radcliffe family, Quella Radcliffe had become a person everyone detested within a short three years? Was it really just because she married him? If Zade Radcliffe knew his granddaughter¡¯s husband was the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, would he still treat Quella Radcliffe this way? But obviously, Julius Reed would not give the opportunity to such an ungrateful person. ¡°Old man, Otis, hello there!¡± Since he¡¯d run into them, he had to greet them. However, when they saw Julius Reed, their expressions immediately turned cold. The previous smiles vanished, replaced by faces full of murderous intent! ¡°Heh, Julius Reed, just wait for you and your stinky wife to be on the run!¡± Though he was shaken, Otis Radcliffe still spoke through clenched teeth, unable to swallow his anger. ¡°That¡¯s your sister you¡¯re talking about. Otis, your quality is really low!¡± Julius Reed shook his head and didn¡¯t argue with him. But the kid indeed deserved a beating and could take one¡ªit was quite impressive that he managed to wake up within a day. You should know that for leaking Quella Radcliffe¡¯s information, Julius Reed¡¯s response was quite severe. ¡°Don¡¯t be too smug! You remember our agreement, don¡¯t you?¡± Zade Radcliffe instinctively pushed the wheelchair backward to keep Otis Radcliffe out of harm¡¯s way, should Julius Reed lash out again. Looking at his grandson-in-law, who had undergone a drastic change in temperament, he sneered, ¡°Before I came here, I received news that Golden Eagle Group had already started its retaliation! But Chairman Potter and I have talked it over¡ªas long as you two get out of the company, he won¡¯t make it difficult for our group anymore.¡± ¡°As soon as the company¡¯s market value declines, you two will have to get out like dogs! I¡¯m afraid that Quella Radcliffe won¡¯t even be able to sit in the chairman¡¯s position for one day, right?¡± A smug smile flickered across Otis Radcliffe¡¯s face. As long as this couple left the company, his path to the chairmanship would be clear! If by luck they managed to survive the Potter family¡¯s retaliation, he would definitely seek revenge! Dealing with two penniless and powerless people who had nowhere to turn, he was very confident. Moreover, reliable sources informed that Titan Group had completely severed ties with the couple. Thinking about it, it made sense; Ovidiu Cook, as the richest man in Gonzalez City, how could he afford to offend Golden Eagle Group just for a woman? ¡°Even if it¡¯s just for one day, it seems better than you. If I¡¯m not mistaken, you haven¡¯t even sat in that chair, have you?¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t care about his words; why would an elephant care about an ant¡¯s feelings? If annoyed, it could simply trample it to death. ¡°You¡­ Good! Good! Good!¡± Otis Radcliffe was so rebutted he had no words left. How could he have not sat in that chair? When Zade Radcliffe was away, he would sneak in and sit for a while, fantasizing about being the chairman. But that was something absolutely no one else could find out. ¡°Grandpa!¡± Just as the air was thickening with tension, a voice broke the standoff. Following the source of the sound, they saw Wellington Radcliffe, Tess Radcliffe, and other members of the Radcliffe Clan getting off a coach. Today wasn¡¯t any special day, so why were these people showing up all of a sudden? Julius Reed turned around and noticed the cold smirk on Otis Radcliffe¡¯s face, and he instantly understood what was going on. It seemed that father and son had long plotted everything, waiting for Quella Radcliffe to be disgracefully ousted from the Radcliffe Group. ¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t Julius Reed! Who would¡¯ve thought you¡¯d be here?¡± Wellington Radcliffe was still speaking in that highly irritating tone. The incident of Otis Radcliffe being beaten up was now known to everyone in the Radcliffe Family, and their gaze towards Julius Reed was filled with hatred. However, this son-in-law who had been subject to humiliation not long ago was now someone they dared not provoke. ¡°Good, the audience has arrived, and the show should begin now.¡± Julius Reed gave a faint smile, turned around, and walked into the building. Watching his departing figure, Otis Radcliffe asked with some concern, ¡°Grandfather, are we sure about this?¡± He and his grandfather had been battling Julius Reed for so long, each time full of confidence. But in the end, they invariably ended up utterly defeated. ¡°Don¡¯t worry! If anything, blame him for offending the Potter Family! Within the entirety of Five-river Province, who would dare to oppose Golden Eagle Group? This time we¡¯ve managed to turn misfortune into a blessing. Though a loss is inevitable, we can legitimately free ourselves from Titan Group¡¯s two billion breach of contract agreement!¡± Zade Radcliffe looked towards the doors of the Radcliffe Group, full of confidence, ¡°With those three hundred million in liquid funds, I can still make a comeback!¡± Having operated in Gonzalez City for many years, he had already built a vast network of connections. With monev in hand, constructinq the next Radcliffe Group would just take a few years. ¡°Great! Let¡¯s go in then, and see what Quella Radcliffe has to say!¡± Otis Radcliffe clenched his fists, a cold smile emerging at the corner of his mouth. It was only when Julius Reed walked into Quella Radcliffe¡¯s office did they learn the true purpose of why these people had come. Although Quella Radcliffe was the Chairman, she held no shares of her own. Upon hearing the news that Golden Eagle Group had made a move, Zade Radcliffe joined with the Radcliffe Clan to announce a board meeting. Because they all owned corporate stocks, they had the complete right to do so. And the Radcliffe Clan members who rushed over did so precisely for this matter. ¡°Twelve, the Potter Family has made their move.¡± Seeing Julius Reed return, Quella Radcliffe hurriedly walked over and gently relayed the day¡¯s events. Without knowing when, she had come to see Julius Reed as her sole support. ¡°But what¡¯s strange is that at this critical juncture, Titan Group has injected ten billion! I can¡¯t see what benefit there is in doing so?¡± While she was distraught with worry, a finance staff member called to say that Titan Group had officially invested in the Radcliffe Group. Ten billion, for the currently shaky Radcliffe Group, was an enormous sum! ¡°Sky Reed is my relative, and he has a certain influence within Titan Group. Besides, if Ovidiu Cook could become the wealthiest man in Gonzalez City, he must have his unique insights.¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, trying to comfort her. If only his silly wife knew that she was the lady boss of Titan Group, he wondered what she would think. But he couldn¡¯t say it now, because there were too many things that couldn¡¯t be explained. ¡°I¡¯ve had people check, and they say that all this was decided by a newly appointed president of Titan Group.¡± Saying this, Quella Radcliffe gave Julius Reed an annoyed glance: ¡°You really think your relative can do anything, huh.¡± ¡°Chairman, all the shareholders have arrived at the conference room, now we¡¯re only waiting for you.¡± As they were conversing with light-hearted banter, the secretary came over and knocked on the door to remind them. ¡°Let¡¯s go see their wild ambitions.¡± Julius Reed gently took Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand and strode towards the conference room.. Chapter 79 - Chapter 79: Chapter 78 Stand Up_1 Chapter 79: Chapter 78 Stand Up_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Old Master, today we must make those two crawl out of here!¡± Tess Radcliffe sat beside the seat, her face full of rage. Within the Radcliffe Family, she always took pleasure in bullying Quella Radcliffe and had spared no opportunity to mock Julius Reed over the past three years. But now, as Quella and Julius Reed were getting closer, she naturally felt jealous. Once a woman becomes jealous, it can be quite terrifying. People like Tess simply couldn¡¯t stand to see others succeeding. And this time, Otis Radcliffe got beaten up, which provided them with a legitimate opportunity to suppress Quella. After all, the Radcliffe Family is also a major clan; driving out their own granddaughter and grandson-in-law without a reason would be quite damaging to the reputation of the Group. The fact that Julius Reed saved Zade Radcliffe was almost common knowledge in Gonzalez City, so what would people think then? ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my grandson won¡¯t be taking this beating for nothing.¡± Upon hearing Tess¡¯s words, Zade Radcliffe¡¯s face became even more somber. Otis was his preferred successor and the future hope of the Radcliffe Family. Yet Julius Reed, an outsider, dared to seriously injure his own grandson in front of all the shareholders. Now that fate had given him a chance for revenge, Zade Radcliffe decided to vent all his fury. ¡°Family Head, breaking news, Golden Eagle Group has already prepared two billion! Our stocks are expected to plummet in five minutes!¡± A secretary was tapping away at a laptop. ¡®Good! I want to see how they can still be arrogant!¡± Zade Radcliffe pushed up the glasses on his nose, and a cold gleam suddenly flashed through his murky eyes. ¡°Everyone¡¯s here, I see!¡± Just then, Julius Reed pushed open the conference room door and walked in with Quella. He was now Quella¡¯s secretary, and he fully qualified to be there. However, not long ago, he was a useless man who was the butt of jokes. This tremendous contrast made many in the Radcliffe Family uncomfortable. But what could they do if Otis Radcliffe, even as the General Manager, was beaten to near death? No one dared speak out loud due to the twenty billion penalty fee held over their heads by Titan Group. Zade Radcliffe regretted his actions now, wishing he hadn¡¯t been so hot-headed and overlooked the details when signing the contract with Titan Group¡ªhow could he have let it come to this! But fortunately, heaven seemed to be watching; Julius Reed, that fool who didn¡¯t know whether he was alive or dead, had offended the Potter Family. The move by Golden Eagle Group just happened to free the Radcliffe Group from the twenty billion breach of contract penalty. ¡°Julius Reed, you¡¯re nothing but a grasshopper after autumn. You won¡¯t be hopping for much longer!¡± Now that Otis Radcliffe held all the cards, his tone was also much tougher than before. ¡°Since everybody¡¯s here, let¡¯s start the meeting.¡± As he looked at his granddaughter and her husband, Zade Radcliffe whispered in a hushed tone with a secretary by his side. Not knowing what the secretary had said, a hint of joy appeared on Zade Radcliffe¡¯s face. ¡°Family Head, could you please move over? This is the Chairman¡¯s seat, and you shouldn¡¯t forget that Quella is now the Chairman,¡± Julius Reed walked up behind Zade Radcliffe and asked with a smile. As for Otis¡¯s provocation, he chose to completely ignore it. Was there anything more dismissive than ignoring someone? Despite the fact that their conflict had escalated to open hostility, Julius Reed¡¯s words still caused quite a stir. Within the Radcliffe Family, the Family Head¡¯s word was law; he wielded the ultimate authority. For decades, no one had ever dared to speak to him in this manner. Everyone fell silent, waiting to see how Zade Radcliffe would respond. ¡°Young man, don¡¯t you know it¡¯s wise to leave some room for maneuver?¡± Being forced to give up his seat in front of everyone turned Zade Radcliffe¡¯s face black with anger. Even if he was not the Chairman now, who in this room truly didn¡¯t regard him as such? Even if he held no position within the company, no one dared ignore his words! That was the power of authority¡ªthe authority of the Family Head! But now, someone was publicly challenging his authority! Zade Radcliffe, who had been dominant in the business world for decades, couldn¡¯t swallow this humiliation! He remained seated in his chair, not moving an inch. ¡°Julius, let it be¡­ If Grandpa likes it, let him sit. After all, he¡¯s the only one who has ever sat in this chair for decades¡­ Quella discreetly tugged at Julius Reed¡¯s arm and shook her head, signaling to let it go. Seeing this gesture, Zade Radcliffe¡¯s face finally softened a little. ¡°Young man, you must know when to advance or retreat!¡± He hummed lightly, looking at the Radcliffe family members with a triumphant gaze. It was as if he was saying, even if I¡¯m not the chairman, no one dares to ignore my words! ¡°Rules are rules! The Chairman is supposed to sit here! May I ask the old man, in all the years you were Chairman, did you ever let someone else sit here?¡± Julius Reed had no intention of giving up; instead, he stood in the conference room and loudly questioned. Although his voice wasn¡¯t loud, the conference room was so quiet that you could hear everyone¡¯s breathing. ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°What about me? Is the old man leading by breaking the rules? A corporation should look like a corporation!¡± Julius Reed cut him off directly, placing his left hand on Zade Radcliffe¡¯s shoulder and forcefully lifting the old man up! ¡°What are you doing!¡± Seeing him get physical, the faces of the Radcliffe family members drastically changed. The old man had a fiery temper, what he said was law! Moreover, Zade Radcliffe placed great importance on face; he valued his reputation more than anything! Now, in front of the Radcliffe family, as Julius Reed lifted the old man, it terrified the family members to the point that their scalps went numb. ¡°I¡¯m doing nothing, just inviting the old man to where he should be!¡± Julius Reed loosened his left hand and pushed Zade Radcliffe towards the door. ¡°You¡¯re looking for death!¡± Watching this scene, Otis Radcliffe was so angry that he ground his teeth! ¡°Oh? Looking to get beaten up again?¡± With just a glance, Julius Reed intimidated him into silence. The pain from the day before remained unforgettable. The doctor outright forbade him from leaving the hospital, but to see Julius Reed thrown out of the group with his own eyes, he endured the severe pain and returned to the Radcliffe Group. ¡°How dare you!¡± It was only then that Zade Radcliffe recovered his wits. He was shaking all over with anger, and pointing at Julius Reed with trembling hands, he said viciously, ¡°Boy, you¡¯re playing with fire!¡± He had never imagined that someone would dare lift him up right in front of everyone. ¡°Sit!¡± Julius Reed pulled Quella Radcliffe over and pressed her into the Chairman¡¯s seat, then looked up and said, ¡°Old man, what is your position within the group?¡± Faced with this question, Zade Radcliffe was suddenly at a loss for words. He was originally the Chairman, but now due to contract issues, he had relinquished his position to Quella Radcliffe. So, theoretically speaking, he was merely a shareholder. However, he had long ago transferred his shares to Otis Radcliffe, so now he was nothing more than a non-employee without any shares of the Radcliffe Group. ¡°According to the rules, you shouldn¡¯t be here.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, his eyes brimming with provocation. ¡°You¡­ you!¡± Zade Radcliffe was so angry he couldn¡¯t speak; his face turned ashen, and his lips turned purple with rage. Not a single person from the Radcliffe family dared to speak up. Because what Julius Reed said was reasonable, especially with Otis Radcliffe as a warning example. Who would dare to defy? ¡°However, considering the old man¡¯s status, President Radcliffe has decided to give you a chair. Sit down, and you can stay. If you don¡¯t sit, please leave!¡± No sooner had his words finished than security brought in a small stool from outside the door. A tiny stool only twenty centimeters tall. Humiliation, pure and simple! Zade Radcliffe was so angry he was nearly exploding, and his teeth chattered with rage. ¡°Old man, it¡¯s your decision to stay or go.¡± The corners of Julius Reed¡¯s mouth gently curled up. ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll sit!¡± Thinking of the scene that would follow soon, Zade Radcliffe steeled his heart and sat down on the stool with a smile! Because in less than half an hour, this couple would be sent packing, humiliated! Chapter 80 - Chapter 80: Chapter 79 Business War Begins_l Chapter 80: Chapter 79 Business War Begins_l Translator: 549690339 When Zade Radcliffe sat on that small stool, everyone¡¯s heart skipped a beat. As the Radcliffe Family head, the old man had never experienced such humiliation in decades! But they also understood that Zade Radcliffe had the winning cards in his hand today! Because the Radcliffe Group¡¯s liquid assets had already been drained, facing the iron fist of the Golden Eagle Group, their meager financial strength simply couldn¡¯t withstand the fatal blow! ¡°Since everyone is here, let¡¯s talk about why we¡¯ve urgently convened this board meeting,¡± As soon as Zade Radcliffe sat down, Julius Reed immediately called for a secretary to bring over an executive chair and sat beside Quella Radcliffe with his legs crossed. This stark contrast made the Radcliffe family patriarch¡¯s face change colors once again! The Radcliffe clan members present couldn¡¯t help but sweat for Julius Reed; this was too harsh, wasn¡¯t it? They could even imagine how the patriarch would retaliate! ¡°Julius Reed, who do you think you are! It¡¯s not your turn to speak here!¡± Otis Radcliffe finally couldn¡¯t hold back the anger he was harboring inside. Seeing victory right before his eyes, he no longer needed to remain patient. ¡°Otis! Julius Reed is my secretary. Watch your tone when you speak! Don¡¯t forget that I am the chairman now!¡± Quella Radcliffe slammed the desk, startling everyone. In their memory, Quella had always been gentle, and it was rare to see her act so assertively. ¡°Fine! Fine! Fine!¡± Otis nodded and said with a forced smile, ¡°I really want to see how long you can remain as the chairman.¡± He looked down at his watch and then turned to his secretary, ¡°Now, report the stock situation to our chairman.¡± According to his guess, with so much time passed, the Radcliffe Group¡¯s stock price must have plummeted! And according to the agreement, once the stock fell by more than 3%, Quella would have to roll out of the company! ¡°The stock price has already dropped by 2.8%, and there¡¯s a continuing downward trend.¡± The secretary quickly operated the computer, eyes glued to the screen without moving. ¡°Haha, Quella, are you scared?¡± Hearing this news, Otis felt somewhat disappointed. He had expected the stock to plummet, but it had only fallen by this much. No matter, the Golden Eagle Group had just started. He believed that in a minute or two, the position of chairman would change hands. ¡°Even if I sit here for a minute, I am still the chairman!¡± Quella replied with a firm tone. But at that moment, she started to feel panic inside, and she couldn¡¯t help trembling. Although the news of Titan Group¡¯s renewed investment was good, it was still far from enough compared to the bombshell dropped by the Golden Eagle Group. A small change of 3% could easily be achieved with just a little effort from the Potter family. She was also very aware that without the ten billion from the Titan Group, the Radcliffe Group¡¯s stock prices would have probably already plummeted. Her departure was just a matter of time. Sensing her nervousness, Julius Reed quietly took Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand. ¡°Quella, although I really don¡¯t want to see you roll out from here, unfortunately, it has happened.¡± Zade stood up slowly, once again assuming the authority of a chairman, and said softly to the secretary, ¡°Tell her who is the chairman now!¡± According to the agreement, as soon as the stock fell by 3%, Quella would immediately have to leave the chairman¡¯s position, and Zade would return to the helm! The events of the past few days had left the Radcliffe family¡¯s true master unable to swallow his indignation, so at Otis¡¯s instigation, he summoned all clan members to witness Quella¡¯s downfall. As the founder of the Radcliffe Group, he knew the strength of the group all too well. After withdrawing three billion in liquid assets in the morning, the entire group had become stagnant water. If the Golden Eagle Group made a move, not to mention 3%, even 30% would just be a day¡¯s work. It was a case of using an egg to hit a rock, a mantis trying to stop a chariot¡ª this was the most accurate description of the current situation. However, compared with the twenty billion contract weighing on him, Zade would rather the group collapse! ¡°The stock price¡­¡± The moment the secretary saw the stock price, her complexion changed drastically. ¡°Hmm? What¡¯s wrong with you? Tell her how much it has dropped!¡± Zade Radcliffe, upon seeing the secretary¡¯s expression, felt somewhat dissatisfied. Wasn¡¯t the drop expected? He was now eager to witness the despair on Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed¡¯s faces. ¡°Haha! Did it drop so harshly that even you got startled?¡± Leaning back in his wheelchair, Otis Radcliffe made no effort to conceal his Schadenfreude. He had long wanted to pay back double what he suffered today! ¡°President Radcliffe, the stock price¡­¡± The secretary took a deep breath, her hands clutching the laptop trembling slightly. ¡°No worries, this CEO will personally escort our Chairman Quella Radcliffe out of her position and welcome back the real Chairman, Mr. Zade Radcliffe!¡± Rotating his wheelchair slightly, Otis Radcliffe gave Quella Radcliffe a taunting smile. ¡°Sister, I¡¯m so sorry.¡± He snatched the laptop from the secretary¡¯s hands, unable to hide the thrill within him any longer. ¡°Now, I officially announce¡­¡± But when Otis Radcliffe¡¯s eyes landed on the screen, he let out a cry of shock that matched the secretary¡¯s! ¡°How is this possible!¡± His face turned wildly, his hand holding the laptop trembling slightly as well. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± ¡°Could it be that the stock price plummeted, and we hit the limit down?¡± ¡°The family head pulled all the liquid funds, now facing Golden Eagle Group¡¯s assault, anything could happen!¡± The Radcliffe Clan present understood the actions of their grandfather and grandson and subconsciously assumed that the stock price had fallen to an unimaginably low level. But it was understandable: after bullying the Potter Family people that way, if Stanislaus Potter wasn¡¯t harsh in his retaliation, where would he put his face in Five-river Province? How would he continue to mix in the business circles afterward? ¡°Otis, don¡¯t act like you¡¯ve never seen the world.¡± Zade Radcliffe walked over with a smile, adopting the stance of a victor, and said to Quella Radcliffe, ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking. For Titan Group to dare to pour money into Radcliffe Group at this time, I really admire Ovidiu Cook¡¯s courage.¡± He paused before continuing, ¡°But you should know, Stanislaus Potter¡¯s move is nothing! His friends in Five-river Province have started to enter the scene one after another! For Ovidiu Cook to protect you, you¡¯d need at least three Titan Groups! You¡¯re up against half of Five-river Province!¡± As soon as he uttered these words, everyone¡¯s hearts sank. This was too ruthless! Everyone knew that Stanislaus Potter had massive influence, but they hadn¡¯t expected him to have such tremendous power! Quella Radcliffe felt fear in her heart as well, her grip on Julius Reed¡¯s hand tightening even more upon hearing Zade Radcliffe¡¯s words. Indeed, who could stand against half of Five-river Province? Golden Eagle Group had vast resources and a broad range of partners. Now that Stanislaus Potter wanted to make a strong comeback, these people wouldn¡¯t mind gilding the lily. ¡°Now, please take your husband and roll out of here!¡± Zade Radcliffe patted the chair Quella Radcliffe was sitting on and asked with a sneer, ¡°Is it still comfortable? But unfortunately, it doesn¡¯t belong to you!¡± ¡°Wait a moment!¡± Julius Reed interrupted him, asking leisurely, ¡°Is the family head so confident?¡± ¡°Heh? Still harboring fantasies? Otis, tell her how much the stock has fallen!¡± Seeing Julius Reed¡¯s defiant expression, Zade Radcliffe could hardly wait to slap his face! ¡°Grandfather¡­ the stock price has risen by 5%¡­¡± Otis Radcliffe¡¯s face turned pale, his brows knotting tightly.. Chapter 81 - Chapter 81: Chapter 80: Would You Like a Small Cushion_1 Chapter 81: Chapter 80: Would You Like a Small Cushion_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Heard that? 5%! Are you two not getting out of here yet?¡± After hearing this number, Zade Radcliffe spoke somewhat disappointedly, ¡°Otis, for goodness¡¯ sake, you¡¯re the general manager of the Radcliffe Group. A 5% drop scares you like that? How can Grandpa trust to groom you?¡± Seeing the extremely shocked expressions of the two, he thought the drop was severe. He hadn¡¯t expected it to be only five percentage points, which somewhat disappointed him. In Zade Radcliffe¡¯s view, all these big shots entering the market were aiming to crush the Radcliffe Group. But looking at the current situation, it seemed a bit of an overblown thunderstorm ¡ª loud but little rain. Many people on the outside were watching this event, and according to Stanislaus Potter¡¯s character, he would surely handle it beautifully! ¡°Grandpa¡­ it¡¯s a 5% increase!¡± Otis took a deep breath, still unable to recover from his shock. During this period, he even checked his phone to confirm with his friends, but the results were the same as displayed on the computer. The Radcliffe Group¡¯s stock price had rapidly risen in a short period. ¡°What!¡± Zade Radcliffe was first stunned, then quickly walked up to Otis. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Looking at the soaring stock prices, he for the very first time believed he was seeing things. ¡°Impossible! Absolutely impossible!¡± The words he had prepared to taunt Quella Radcliffe were all stuck in his chest. The sheer discrepancy was something he just couldn¡¯t accept. ¡°There¡¯s a problem! There must be a problem!¡± Zade Radcliffe took a deep breath and pulled out his phone to make a call. ¡°Mr. Leopold, check the Radcliffe Group¡¯s stocks for me. What exactly is happening right now?¡± He directly put the call on speaker, allowing everyone to hear clearly. The vast conference room was dead silent. ¡°Mr. Radcliffe, what¡¯s there to look at! Golden Eagle Group has made its move; you think you can dodge it? If I were you¡­ Holy smokes! What¡¯s going on!¡± A cry of surprise suddenly came from the phone: ¡°Mr. Radcliffe, you¡¯re amazing! The stock price actually surged instead of falling! If this gets out, it¡¯s definitely going to be explosive news! Congratulations!¡± Hearing the other party¡¯s words, Zade Radcliffe¡¯s face became extremely unsightly. He was no longer the chairman of the Radcliffe Group; what he needed was for the Radcliffe Group¡¯s stock price to fall! ¡°How ironic.¡± Just then, Julius Reed clapped his hands and said, ¡°The group¡¯s stock has risen, and yet, the founder sits there as if he¡¯s at a funeral.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Zade Radcliffe felt a twinge of pain in his heart. He took a deep breath, trying his best to remain calm, ¡°Mr. Leopold, can you check what¡¯s going on for me?¡± He couldn¡¯t think of any reason. The weak Radcliffe Group, facing this business war, had nothing but a dead end. As he had just said, half of Five-river Province would join the fray. How could they possibly survive? ¡°My goodness! Titan Group has thrown in five billion in half an hour! Ovidiu Cook is really going head-to-head with Stanislaus Potter! Mr. Radcliffe, what¡¯s your relationship with Ovidiu Cook that he¡¯s going so far to protect you!¡± A sinking feeling hit Zade Radcliffe; he hadn¡¯t expected Ovidiu Cook to go this far! ¡°It¡¯s fine now! Thank you, Mr. Leopold!¡± Without waiting for the other party to respond, he hung up the phone. The conference room was quiet, everyone¡¯s face full of shock. ¡°Old master, why don¡¯t you return to your seat?¡± Julius Reed gave a faint smile and gestured towards the small stool with a gesture of invitation. ¡°Don¡¯t get too smug! Titan Group¡¯s liquid funds won¡¯t exceed ten billion. By doing this, they¡¯re only going to infuriate Golden Eagle Group! Soon, not only you, but even Ovidiu Cook will go bankrupt with you!¡± Faced with such provocation, Zade Radcliffe trembled with rage, feeling like his lungs would explode! But he had to endure it, endure until Quella Radcliffe was out of the game! ¡°I¡¯m so sorry to have disappointed you, old master. Is the stool comfortable to sit on? How about I have someone fetch you a cushion?¡± Julius Reed said quite understandingly. Yet, when these words reached each person¡¯s ears, they felt like they were laced with thorns. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Quella Radcliffe silently took out her phone and typed out these characters on the screen. When Zade Radcliffe had come over, Quella Radcliffe had prepared herself to stand up and accept the humiliation, but who knew the script would flip this drastically! Titan Group actually threw in fifty billion at such a time! What did this represent? It meant that Ovidiu Cook had completely fallen out with Stanislaus Potter and officially joined the battlefield! She couldn¡¯t figure out why the richest man of Gonzalez City would bet all his wealth to protect the Radcliffe Group with his life! ¡°Because that new CEO is me.¡± Julius Reed also took out his phone and sent a reply. After reading the message, Quella Radcliffe gave him a white look. If her husband really were the CEO of Titan Group, why would she be here taking this nonsense? Compared to Titan Group, Radcliffe Group was insignificant. The atmosphere was dead silent, Otis Radcliffe clung to his computer, awaiting the results that would follow. Just as Zade Radcliffe had said, with Stanislaus Potter¡¯s hateful personality, he was sure to hit someone when they¡¯re down. Unless three Titan Groups intervened at the same time, there was barely a chance to withstand this blow! However, this news spread like a tornado throughout Five-river Province. Everyone knew early on that Stanislaus Potter was going to teach Radcliffe Group a lesson, but no one cared. Does anyone expect any surprises when an elephant steps on an ant? They only needed to see the final result, to see just how badly this ant would die. But unknown to them, it was first discovered that under the fierce pressure from Golden Eagle Group, the stock price of Radcliffe Group actually rebounded! And it rose by five percentage points! This was simply impossible! Five-river Province, Golden Eagle Group. Stanislaus Potter was leisurely leaning back in his executive chair, drinking tea. An hour ago, his plan had officially commenced. And within this short hour, many well-known figures of Five-river Province had been calling him, expressing their willingness to contribute. These people did indeed put their words into action, and within an hour, more than a dozen companies had joined this war without smoke. Although Julius Reed taking charge at Titan Group took him by surprise, based on his understanding of Ovidiu Cook, the wealthiest man of Gonzalez City wouldn¡¯t possibly gamble with his future as a joke. To utterly deter Titan Group, Stanislaus Potter struck with the force of thunder! ¡°Thump! Thump! Thump!¡± There came a knock on the door. ¡°Come in!¡± Placing his teacup on the desk, Stanislaus Potter looked at the secretary who walked in and asked with a smile, ¡°How did it go? The Radcliffe Group should have collapsed by now, right? If I¡¯m not wrong, Ovidiu Cook would definitely not have dared to make a move.¡± He wore the look of someone holding a winning ticket. With half of Five-river Province acting simultaneously, although many were just putting on a show of force, who would dare to offend them? They all mixed in the same circles, seeing each other heads up and heads down; no one would want to court this kind of trouble. ¡°Boss¡­ the result is somewhat unexpected.¡± The secretary¡¯s expression was somewhat grim; she took out a piece of paper and handed it to Stanislaus Potter. ¡°Ovidiu Cook made a move, and a big one at that¡­¡± ¡°What!¡± Stanislaus Potter¡¯s expression changed slightly; he snatched the report, his face full of disbelief. ¡°Ovidiu Cook has gone mad! He just poured in fifty billion!¡± As he recovered from the shock, his expression gradually turned to anger. ¡°Notify Manager Ridge right away, double the funds! Since he dares go against me, don¡¯t blame me for sending you to hell!¡± His fists were clenched tight, as if flames were burning in his eyes.. Chapter 82 - Chapter 82: Chapter 81 Someone Blocks the Way_1 Chapter 82: Chapter 81 Someone Blocks the Way_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Boss Potter, what on earth is Ovidiu Cook thinking? He just threw in five billion, and now another three billion!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure, but if Ovidiu Cook dares to go against me, he can¡¯t blame me for not being nice!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Boss Potter. Since Titan Group doesn¡¯t show you respect, it¡¯s only natural for the brothers to step in and help.¡± ¡°Thank you, brother!¡± Stanislaus Potter put down the phone, his expression very grim. He had received no fewer than five such calls in just ten minutes. Major entrepreneurs from Five-river Province, upon hearing that Titan Group and Golden Eagle Group were pitted against each other, had called one after another to express their absolute support for Stanislaus Potter. And indeed, they kept their word. Although they didn¡¯t bet too fiercely, they did put forward a considerable amount of money. ¡°Ovidiu Cook, Ovidiu Cook, you are challenging half of Five-river Province!¡± Stanislaus Potter narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within. ¡°Immediately convene a high-level meeting!¡± He waved his secretary off, picked up the documents on the table, and headed toward the meeting room. The situation was beginning to spiral out of control, and everything was not going according to his plan. In Stanislaus Potter¡¯s estimation, as long as he exerted a little pressure, coupled with the support of his brethren from Five-river Province, Radcliffe Group would likely not survive even half a day. After all, how powerful could a company with a market value of only a little over ten billion be? But what he never expected was that Titan Group would suddenly enter the fray with the force of a thunderbolt! Although he had been prepared to deal with Titan Group after meeting Julius Reed, he didn¡¯t think Ovidiu Cook would be so foolish! Everyone is in business to make money, after all. But Titan Group¡¯s move was to throw in seventy billion, almost emptying the coffers of this leading company in Gonzalez City. Stanislaus Potter racked his brains but couldn¡¯t figure out what Ovidiu Cook was after. Didn¡¯t he know this would infuriate him? That it could spell doom for Titan Group? Soon, the top executives of Golden Eagle Group all gathered in the meeting room. ¡°Boss Potter, I heard that Titan Group has entered the fray?¡± Stafford, the general manager, asked. Although everyone knew about Golden Eagle Group¡¯s move, when an elephant steps on an ant, not many pay attention. But now that the situation was subtly changing, people started to take notice. ¡°Correct! I called Ovidiu Cook, but no one answered! And when I asked Titan Group, they said it was the new CEO¡¯s decision!¡± Stanislaus Potter¡¯s teeth clenched with a grinding noise, his face also looking very unsightly. ¡°Secretary Martin, please give everyone an update.¡± He gestured, and Secretary Martin immediately picked up an A4 paper, recounting the entire series of events in detail. It included how Titan Group intervened twice, each time when Radcliffe Group¡¯s stock price was about to fall, firmly rescuing it. ¡°Has Ovidiu Cook gone mad? What benefit does this have for him? Titan Group¡¯s available liquid funds are only around a hundred billion or so, and now he¡¯s already put in more than eighty billion. Titan Group is nearly emptied After listening to Secretary Martin¡¯s report, Stafford furrowed his eyebrows. He had investigated Titan Group before, as it was a leading enterprise in Gonzalez City, and inevitably there would be cooperation between the two groups. According to the investigation, Titan Group had no more than a hundred billion in liquid funds. Now that Ovidiu Cook has put forth eighty billion to support Radcliffe Group, he might end up with nothing. Even if he ultimately saves Radcliffe Group, his own group would be greatly weakened, possibly even relegated to a second-tier enterprise. In Gonzalez City, there are quite a few companies eyeing opportunistically, hoping to rise at the right moment. ¡°Since he wants to fight with us, then let¡¯s fight!¡± Stanislaus Potter slammed his fist onto the table. ¡°Boss Potter, is this appropriate? If Titan Group is risking its life, even if we win, our losses will be immense!¡± Stafford hesitated before finally speaking up. He was well aware of the incident involving Quamaine Potter, but the cost of revenge now seemed too great. As the group¡¯s general manager, it was his duty to voice a caution at this time. ¡°Do we have any way back? Dozens of reputable entrepreneurs from Five-river Province are supporting us, how can I back out now without losing face?¡± Stanislaus Potter pointed at his own face, his tone filled with anger. He was now like a duck being forced onto a perch, with no choice but to climb. So many eyes were watching, and if the Golden Eagle Group couldn¡¯t even handle a second-tier enterprise in Gonzalez City, how could they continue to mix in the circle in the future? ¡°We can slow down the capital investment and wait for tomorrow!¡± Thinking of Dustless having already left the Potter Family to take action, Stanislaus Potter¡¯s mood improved significantly. The new CEO of the Titan Group was Julius Reed, as long as Dustless killed him, he didn¡¯t believe Ovidiu Cook would continue to oppose him. At least, it¡¯s clear to everyone what¡¯s more important between life and money. Because the stock price was at a standoff, a disheartened Zade Radcliffe and his grandchild had no choice but to leave with frustration. But they didn¡¯t believe that the Golden Eagle Group couldn¡¯t handle Ovidiu Cook! After the Radcliffe Family left, Quella Radcliffe finally let out a long sigh of relief. She had been on tenterhooks all afternoon. ¡°Julius, I¡¯m not dreaming, am I?¡± What is the Golden Eagle Group? One of the leaders of Five-river Province, a gigantic entity! Yet such a behemoth had made a move but failed to swallow the Radcliffe Group whole, instead losing two front teeth. She had already prepared herself to return the chairman position to Zade Radcliffe, but unexpectedly, even now, she was still the chairman. ¡°What dream? I can tell you, from now on, you are the master of the Radcliffe Group.¡± Julius Reed smiled as he patted her head and said, ¡°After being so worried all afternoon, I¡¯ll treat you to a nice dinner tonight.¡± ¡°Sure, but I¡¯m paying. Where would you get the money from!¡± His words made Quella Radcliffe feel much better. The restaurant was near their new home, a western-style establishment. Their new home was located in the golden area of the city, making dining particularly convenient. After Quella Radcliffe had taken care of everything, the day had gradually turned to dusk. They got into the Rolls-Royce and headed in the direction of home. Blit they hadn¡¯t gone far from the company when the couple stopped the car on a quiet road. Because not far away, there was a person dressed as a Taoist blocking the road. He sat cross-legged on the ground, and it wasn¡¯t clear whether he was asleep. When he saw Julius Reed¡¯s car, the Taoist slowly stood up and walked to the driver¡¯s side to lightly knock on the window. ¡°Are you Julius Reed?¡± As soon as Julius Reed rolled down the window, he immediately felt the killing aura emanating from the Taoist. ¡°Yes, I am.¡± He nodded, watching the Taoist very vigilantly, instinctively sensing that this person was a foe rather than a friend. ¡°I am Dustless, a pleasure to meet you!¡± The Taoist nodded and looked towards the passenger side, Quella Radcliffe, and said, ¡°Madam, I am an acquaintance of your husband. Would it be convenient for us to catch up?¡± ¡°You know each other?¡± Upon hearing his words, Quella Radcliffe involuntarily raised an eyebrow. Her husband had been staying at home for three years, so when did he make a Taoist friend? And it seemed like the other party had been waiting here for a while. ¡°Yes, we¡¯re acquaintances.¡± Julius Reed unbuckled his seat belt and got out of the driver¡¯s seat, instructing Quella Radcliffe, ¡°You go ahead to the restaurant and order the meal, I¡¯ll be there shortly.¡± He had been worried that the other party might threaten Quella Radcliffe, but now it seemed that the Taoist was only looking for trouble with him. That was for the better. Taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, Julius Reed quietly sent a text with a number to Aron Jackson. Once Aron Jackson received the numeric message, his people would immediately show up and ensure that Quella Radcliffe safely reached the restaurant. ¡°Alright! If anything happens, remember to call me.¡± Quella Radcliffe glanced at the Taoist, moved to the driver¡¯s seat, and slowly drove off.. Chapter 83 - Chapter 83: Chapter 82 Dustless Makes a Move_1 Chapter 83: Chapter 82 Dustless Makes a Move_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Speak up, who sent you here!¡± After Quella Radcliffe had left, Julius Reed stood with his hands in his pockets, looking at the murderous Taoist priest before him. The other party was very strong, he could feel it. ¡°Throughout my life, I have acted according to my own heart. The one looking for you today is me.¡± Dustless smiled faintly, but the smile did not hide the murderous intent. ¡°If, as you claim, we have no grudges between us, why come looking for trouble with me?¡± Julius Reed slightly frowned, sensing that this Taoist priest was definitely not simple. Moreover, he couldn¡¯t recall any conflict with a Taoist priest in his memory. So what was the purpose of the visit today? Fortunately, Quella Radcliffe had already left, so he could fight freely. ¡°Master Julius, you really CIO nave a snort memory!¡± Dustless flicked his horsetail whisk and asked sternly, ¡°Do you remember injuring a man with your own hands?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve injured many people, and killed quite a few too. Sorry, I don¡¯t recall clearly.¡± Julius Reed asked bluntly, ¡°Are you friend or foe? If you¡¯re here for revenge, then let¡¯s get on with it and not waste time.¡± Although he couldn¡¯t be entirely sure, he felt that the Taoist was most likely there to deal with him. But who had sent him? Thinking of all the people he had offended recently, Julius Reed couldn¡¯t help but feel a headache coming on. With Gonzalez City combined with Five-river Province, he already had a whole lot of enemies. ¡°Master Julius is indeed straightforward! The reason why I¡¯m looking for you today is because you seriously injured my disciple!¡± Dustless looked straight into Julius Reed¡¯s eyes and said, ¡°As his master, I must do something.¡± ¡°Master, no need to waste words on him!¡± Just then, a voice came from the woods. Although it was already dark, Julius Reed could still guess who the speaker was just by the voice and silhouette. The Steward of the Potter family, Harlan Potter! ¡°So it¡¯s you! I knew it, with your exceptional skills, you could not be an ordinary person.¡± A hint of disdain appeared at the corner of Julius Reed¡¯s mouth. ¡®With a disciple so weak, you, as the master, are also responsible.¡± Back when he had fought with Harlan Potter, he had noticed that Potter was adept at using a berserk state, which hinted that there was an expert guiding him from behind. But he had not expected Harlan Potter¡¯s master to be a Taoist priest. ¡°Humph! Julius Reed, you¡¯re too arrogant! I lost to you because I was indeed no match for you. But for my master to kill you, it would only take one move!¡± Harlan Potter¡¯s face burned with pain from Julius Reed¡¯s words. Since he had left the mountain, he hadn¡¯t encountered an opponent he couldn¡¯t handle until his first defeat, at which point his hands were broken. But now that his master was here, he could finally release his pent-up anger! The skills of Dustless were incredibly high! Harlan Potter had only learned a fraction of his master¡¯s skills, and even that was enough to sweep most opponents. Just thinking about how powerful his master was felt terrifying. ¡°Since you¡¯re here for revenge, let¡¯s get started, I¡¯m in a hurry! After I deal with you, I still need to dine with my wife.¡± Understanding their intentions, Julius Reed no longer wasted words with them since a battle was inevitable. ¡°Young man, you¡¯re a bit too arrogant. That¡¯s not good, being impatient and rash will inevitably reveal your weaknesses.¡± Dustless did not get angry but patiently pointed out Julius Reed¡¯s faults like a mentor. Harlan Potter, on the other hand, laughed out of extreme anger: ¡°Julius Reed, what time do you think it is? Do you really believe you¡¯ll leave this place alive today? On the brink of death, and you¡¯re still thinking about having dinner with your wife!¡± With Dustless here, he was convinced Julius Reed was as good as dead! That¡¯s why Harlan Potter, enduring severe pain, had followed Dustless here. He wanted to watch Julius Reed die and make him kneel and beg for mercy in front of him! He would torment Julius Reed so thoroughly that he would long for death! Thinking of his own broken hands, Harlan Potter¡¯s heart flared up with rage ¡°Hurry up and act! My wife is waiting for me to have dinner!¡± Julius Reed, growing impatient, turned around and said to Dustless, ¡°Are we fighting or not? If we are, let¡¯s do it now; if not, I¡¯ll leave!¡± After saying this, he prepared to leave. ¡°Hold on a moment, Master!¡± Swish! Seeing him about to leave, Dustless quickly swung his horsetail whisk forward! Slash! With a whooshing sound, Julius Reed dodged backward, barely evading the deadly strike! The supple horsetail whisk, in Dustless¡¯ hands, was as sharp as a steel knife! ¡°Not bad! You¡¯ve got some skill! Harlan Potter¡¯s defeat at your hands is not unjustified! ¡± Seeing his own strike fail, Dustless chuckled and nodded. If Julius Reed hadn¡¯t dodged just now, he would have been disappointed. ¡°Finally can¡¯t hold back anymore? Then let¡¯s make it quick.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes narrowed as he fiercely launched a punch! Bang! Dustless didn¡¯t evade but instead met the punch head-on! The two exchanged blows like lightning before each retreating a few steps. ¡°Quite capable.¡± Dustless¡¯ right hand trembled slightly as he strived to conceal the shock in his heart, maintaining a smile on his face. That strike just now¡ªhe had almost used his full strength! Yet even so, he was still shaken to the point that his hands tingled! And it seemed that the bones in his right hand were somewhat fractured. In the past, such a thing would have been unimaginable. ¡°Master!¡± Seeing Dustless retreat, Harlan Potter was shocked! He knew full well what his master was capable of¡ªcould Julius Reed really be that strong? ¡°No matter, today I will convert him!¡± As he spoke, Dustless¡¯ horsetail whisk suddenly slashed forward! This time, his move was lethal! Boom! Julius Reed¡¯s body leaned back as the horsetail whisk directly severed the streetlight behind him! Immediately after, the horsetail whisk swept towards his face again! If this strike hit, it would undoubtedly be lethal! ¡°The game ends here!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he lunged forward! Bang! His right hand transformed into a chopping palm that landed directly on Dustless¡¯ wrist! Crack! The clear sound of breaking bones transmitted to everyone¡¯s ears. Clop! Dustless groaned, his mouth trembling slightly. The horsetail whisk in his hand fell to the ground with a clatter, and he looked somewhat unsteady on his feet. But Julius Reed did not give him a chance to catch his breath, as his fists, accompanied by the sound of wind, fiercely pounded again! ¡°Disciple, it¡¯s time for you to repay your master!¡± Seeing that there was no escape from the impending strike, Dustless grabbed Harlan Potter and violently pushed him forward! Crack! ¡°Master¡­ you¡­¡± Julius Reed¡¯s fists directly smashed a huge dent in Harlan Potter¡¯s chest. Until his death, Harlan Potter¡¯s eyes were filled with disbelief! He couldn¡¯t believe that Julius Reed was so powerful! Even more unimaginable was that his own master would abandon him! Seizing this moment, Dustless stamped his foot and leaped into the air! ¡°Think you can escape? It won¡¯t be that easy!¡± Letting a tiger return to the mountain leads to endless troubles! Julius Reed would definitely not let Dustless leave, as it would be very dangerous if the latter turned against him from the shadows! For Quella Radcliffe, he couldn¡¯t allow Dustless to go! An enemy with such profound cultivation must die! He bent down, lifted the streetlight that had been severed in half, and, like throwing a javelin, hurled it forward with all his might! The hundreds of pounds worth of streetlight, in that moment, soared through the air like a sharp sword! Splurt! In mid-air, Dustless, having no leverage, was impaled by the streetlight and crashed heavily to the ground.. Chapter 84 - Chapter 84: Chapter 83 Anti-Aircraft Guns to Shoot Mosquitoes_l Chapter 84: Chapter 83 Anti-Aircraft Guns to Shoot Mosquitoes_l Translator: 549690339 Julius Reed had just arrived at the restaurant when Quella Radcliffe called him. She must have been worried about him taking too long, fearing he might have encountered danger. ¡°I¡¯m downstairs now, don¡¯t worry,¡± he said with a smile after answering the call. Somehow, their relationship had grown increasingly intimate, and without realizing it, it had become no different from that of a real husband and wife. Before heading to the restaurant, he had already telephoned Aron Jackson, asking him to clean up the aftermath. Since the Potter Family wanted to play it big with him, he didn¡¯t mind making Stanislaus Potter disappear from this world. After quickly ascending the stairs, Julius Reed spotted Quella Radcliffe sitting in a chair. But the next moment, his expression suddenly grew dark. Because next to Quella Radcliffe, a few men were standing, obviously drunk, looking for trouble. ¡°Gorgeous, how boring it is for you to be alone! Why don¡¯t you join us for a drink?¡± A middle-aged man in a floral shirt, wearing a chunky gold necklace, was holding a drink and leering at Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Exactly! Give Master Pendleton some face! How about it? Will one hundred thousand suffice?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t act so fucking pure. I¡¯ll give you two hundred thousand to keep Master Pendleton company,¡± ched the other two drunken men alongside him, egging him on. ¡°Please show some respect! My husband is about to arrive! If he sees you behaving like this, he definitely won¡¯t let you off! ¡± Quella Radcliffe said sternly, looking at the three men in front of her with disgust. She had just finished calling Julius Reed when these three drunks started pestering her. ¡°Master Pendleton, how about I find some girls for you instead? This is a public place, and it¡¯s really not good for you to treat a guest like this¡­¡± After witnessing the scene, the restaurant manager hurried over to intervene. The drunken man named Cesar Pendleton was a well-known businessman from Five-river Province. The two beside him were brothers Heston Leopold and Nicholas Leopold, property tycoons from Gonzalez City. Cesar Pendleton came to Gonzalez City to discuss a cooperation with the Leopold brothers and chose this restaurant to drink. However, after a few rounds of drinks, Cesar Pendleton¡¯s true nature was laid bare. Being domineering in Five-river Province, he had set his eyes on Quella Radcliffe, who was waiting alone. ¡°Go to hell!¡± Slap! Upon hearing the restaurant manager¡¯s attempt to pacify the situation, Cesar Pendleton slapped him and pointed at the manager, saying, ¡°Who the fuck do you think you are to meddle in my business? Do you know who I am?¡± ¡°Master Pendleton! Of course, I know who you are. One of the top ten distinguished entrepreneurs of Five-river Province, and the boss of the Sutton chain hotels.¡± The manager, covering his swollen face, said with a forced smile. If he hadn¡¯t known the man¡¯s identity, he would have called security to expel him rather than negotiate like this. ¡°Knowing that, you still dare to be nosy!¡± Heston Leopold waved his hand away, ¡°Go away, get lost! Disturbing Master Pendleton¡¯s mood, believe it or not, I¡¯ll break your fucking legs!¡± In Gonzalez City, the Leopold brothers had influence in both the underworld and legitimate business, naturally getting their hands dirty in the real estate game. Scared by his threat, the restaurant manager dared not speak further. ¡°Heheh, little lady¡­¡± Just as Cesar Pendleton was about to leer at Quella Radcliffe again, a hand landed on his shoulder. ¡°Damn it! Didn¡¯t I tell you to fuck off!¡± Cesar Pendleton¡¯s face turned grim, thinking it was the restaurant manager who had returned, and he turned around ready to strike. But when he turned his head, he found that the person standing before him was a young man. The young man looked to be just over twenty years old, dressed in sportswear, much like a recent college graduate. Although quite tall, he appeared slender. To Cesar Pendleton, such a figure seemed like he could be knocked down with one punch. ¡°Kid, what do you want?¡± Before Cesar Pendleton could speak, Heston Leopold rushed to shout, ¡°Are you blind, dog? You dare to touch Master Pendleton¡¯s shoulder?¡± They were nearing the signing of a cooperation deal that day. At this time, the Leopold brothers would do anything to keep Cesar Pendleton happy. Now that someone was causing a disturbance, they were obviously displeased. ¡°Husband!¡± At that moment, Quella Radcliffe stood up and quickly walked over to Julius Reed. Her call caught their attention, and the three men looked at Julius Reed with strange gazes. How could a young man who looked like a student marry such a blooming beauty? ¡°Young man, where are you employed?¡± Nicholas Leopold asked. He wanted to confirm the young man¡¯s identity first to avoid any trouble. ¡°Get lost! ¡± Ignoring their words, Julius Reed fiercely pushed Cesar Pendleton in front of him, sending him tumbling to the ground. ¡°Julius¡­ maybe we should just go?¡± Seeing what happened, Quella Radcliffe grew worried. After all, she was a girl and didn¡¯t want to stir up trouble. These three drunkards didn¡¯t seem like the decent sort. ¡°You little bastard! You¡¯re asking for it!¡± Heston Leopold hurriedly helped Cesar Pendleton up, pointing at Julius Reed with a vicious look, ¡°Dare to push Master Pendleton, you must be tired of living!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Regaining his composure, Cesar Pendleton struggled to get up from the ground, grabbed a wine bottle from a nearby table, and swung it towards Julius Reed¡¯s head! In Five-river Province, everyone showed Master Pendleton respect, yet here in Gonzalez City, he had just been pushed to the ground! Bang! Facing the charging Cesar Pendleton, Julius Reed kicked out, flipping him onto a table nearby. The glass table was flipped over by the sheer force, shattering into pieces upon colliding with the marble floor tiles. ¡°Ouch! That really hurts!¡± The force of the kick was immense, and Cesar Pendleton lay on the ground wailing in pain. ¡°Master Pendleton, are you alright?¡± With all the commotion, Heston Leopold sobered up quite a bit. He called out to his brother, ¡°Nicholas, call people over!¡± They were in real estate development, and kept a group of thugs on the payroll. These men spent their days in idleness, mainly dealing with demolition work. Whenever there was trouble, these were the men who would step in. ¡°Kid, you¡¯re going to regret this in a minute!¡± Seeing that the opponent was skilled, Nicholas Leopold didn¡¯t face him head-on. He took out his phone and dialed his underlings, ¡°Bring people here, Asia Restaurant, third floor!¡± After hanging up, he didn¡¯t forget to threaten fiercely, ¡°Just you wait! I¡¯ll make you wish you were never born today!¡± ¡°This son of a bitch, I¡¯ll personally break his legs!¡± Cesar Pendleton was in severe chest pain but was still cursing nonstop on the ground. He had quite a reputation in Five-river Province due to his hotel and entertainment city businesses, which made him very close to the Three Blade Group. He was usually quite imposing, only to end up beaten like this today. ¡°Bridger Davenport, call some people from the Three Blade Group for me! Your brother got beaten up in Gonzalez City!¡± Cesar Pendleton took out his phone and directly called Bridger Davenport from the Three Blade Group. With its wide range of industries and a branch in Gonzalez City, the Three Blade Group was his immediate thought when he encountered trouble. Pendleton and their Think Tank often drank together and had a decent private relationship. ¡°What? You¡¯re in Gonzale7. City? That¡¯s even better! Bring more people. I¡¯ve never been humiliated like this in my life!¡± After hanging up, joy appeared on Cesar Pendleton¡¯s face. ¡°Young man, you indeed can fight! But I want to see how many people you can fight against!¡± In his eyes, even if the young man was from a well-off family, what could that do? Once the Three Blade Group took action, who in Gonzalez City would dare to disrespect them, aside from the Brandon Family and Aron Jackson? ¡°Master Pendleton, why use a cleaver to kill a chicken? My brother¡¯s men are more than enough to handle him!¡± When Heston Leopold heard Bridger Davenport¡¯s name, he felt a sudden jolt of anxiety. After all, wasn¡¯t Davenport the prominent Think Tank of the Three Blade Group, well-known throughout Five-river Province? ¡°Today, I¡¯ll use a cannon to swat mosquitoes!¡± Cesar Pendleton sneered as he got up from the ground.. Chapter 85 - Chapter 85: Chapter 84: I Urge You to Be Kind 1 Chapter 85: Chapter 84: I Urge You to Be Kind 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Julius¡­maybe we should call Aron Jackson.. Seeing the other party¡¯s aggressive call for reinforcements, Quella Radcliffe felt some worry. Although she knew that Julius was quite capable of fighting, he was outnumbered! And it looked like those people were all not to be messed with. When she was captured by Jaxen Brandon last time, she had personally seen Aron Jackson following behind Julius. So, she guessed that her husband definitely had a connection with the notorious Aron Jackson of Gonzalez City. ¡°Fine, you make the call.¡± After handing the phone to Quella Radcliffe, Julius strode towards Cesar Pendleton. ¡°What are you going to do!¡± Bang! Before Cesar Pendleton could react, Julius punched him in the face! The strong force sent him stumbling backward several steps, his body crashing heavily against the table behind him. ¡°Hiss¡­¡± Cesar Pendleton trembled as he lifted his hand from his face, only to find it covered with blood. His nose had been broken by that punch. The heart-rending pain sobered him up quite a bit from his drunkenness, and his anger intensified by several degrees. ¡°You dare to treat Master Pendleton with such brutality?¡± The Leopold brothers stood in place, taking a long time to react. Cesar Pendleton was a big shot in the provincial city, and today he was beaten like this in Gonzalez City? ¡°Did you just say you¡¯d give my wife two hundred thousand?¡± Julius turned around, staring straight at Heston Leopold. ¡°Ha¡­ I¡¯m warning you!¡± Heston Leopold felt a chill rush from the base of his spine to the crown of his head under that gaze. ¡°Warn me about what? Weren¡¯t you pretty capable just now?¡± Julius grabbed his collar in one swift motion, sneering as he spoke, ¡°Give me two million, and I¡¯ll keep you company!¡± ¡°Let go of my big brother!¡± Nicholas Leopold¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly as he walked over, ready to take action. Bang! Before Nicholas could finish his sentence, Julius kicked out, knocking him to the ground. The restaurant instantly fell silent. Such a commotion had already alarmed many guests. Many of those who could dine here were figures of status. ¡°Oh! Who do I think it is? It turns out to be Julius Reed!¡± Radley Ridge happened to be there, and upon seeing Julius, he rejoiced secretly. The middle-aged man lying on the ground, he naturally recognized. Cesar Pendleton, the big hotel chain boss of Sutton and a bigwig in Five-river Province. After the setback he suffered at the ocean park with Quamaine Potter, he had held a grudge. He had thought he could use the Potters to take care of Julius, but who knew the Potter Family would make little to no movement. Even the heated business war that was rumored everywhere had turned out to be less dramatic than expected. If Stanislaus Potter could be considered a legitimate businessman, operating in a transparent and upright manner, then the man before him, Cesar Pendleton, was definitely different. This former small- time thug turned big boss had connections that reached high and wide, with a particularly close relationship with the Three Blade Group. Those involved in casinos and hotel chains definitely didn¡¯t have clean hands. And through eavesdropping just now, he already knew that Cesar Pendleton had called for Bridger Davenport from the Three Blade Group. This time, he believed that Julius absolutely couldn¡¯t get away! No matter how good you can fight, can you beat a hundred people? ¡°Is it you?¡± Upon seeing Radley Ridge, Julius shook his head and said, ¡°The feeling of barking like a dog last time, was it alright for you?¡± He had thought that after the lesson at the ocean park, this smiling tiger would restrain himself. But it turned out the man was like a mangy dog that just wouldn¡¯t learn. ¡°Julius Reed! Don¡¯t be too arrogant! You dare to cross Master Pendleton today, you think you can leave alive?¡± Having his sore spot uncovered, Radley Ridge¡¯s face immediately darkened. He turned to look at Quella Radcliffe, forcing a smile as he said, ¡°Quick, leave this place. When the Three Blade Group¡¯s people arrive, you can¡¯t avoid being implicated! ¡± ¡°No need!¡± Quella Radcliffe cut him off without courtesy, ¡°Wherever Julius is, that¡¯s where I¡¯ll be! Radley Ridge, don¡¯t bother with your hypocritical act in front of me!¡± ¡®You¡­¡± Her words made Radley Ridge¡¯s face turn a shade of ugly one seldom sees. Even as a well-paid returnee from abroad, why was he always looked down upon! ¡°Master Pendleton, as far as I know, although these two are married, they haven¡¯t consummated their relationship!¡± With a hardened heart, Radley Ridge turned and spoke to Cesar Pendleton. If he couldn¡¯t have her, then he would destroy her! ¡°What?¡± Upon hearing his words, a glint flashed in Cesar Pendleton¡¯s eyes. ¡°After dealing with this brat today, I need to let off some steam!¡± He looked at Quella Radcliffe with a greedy gaze, making no attempt to hide his Intentions. Slap! With a crisp smack, Julius Reed threw Heston Leopold to the ground and fiercely slapped Radley Ridge across his face! ¡°I advise you to be kind.¡± Having said that, he picked up a chair from the restaurant and smashed it down hard on Radley Ridge¡¯s leg! Quella Radcliffe was his untouchable scale, and no one was allowed to harm her! Anyone who dared to hurt her had only one fate awaiting them¡ªdeath! With a snap, Radley Ridge¡¯s leg bone shattered! He lay on the ground in agony, wailing as his features twisted together, his complexion paling extremely. Quella Radcliffe, seeing this, quickly made a call to Aron Jackson. ¡°Big brother, what are your orders!¡± The call connected, and Aron Jackson¡¯s lazy voice came through. ¡°Aron¡­ Aron Jackson, Julius is in some trouble¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe thought for a moment and decided to use the name Aron Jackson, considering she wasn¡¯t clear on the relationship between Aron Jackson and Julius Reed. Facing this notorious underground boss of Gonzalez City, she felt a bit apprehensive. ¡°Sister-in-law! Where are you and brother?¡± Upon hearing that Julius Reed was in trouble, Aron Jackson¡¯s voice immediately turned sharp. ¡°We¡¯re at Asia Restaurant, and Cesar Pendleton is the one causing trouble with Julius.¡± Quella Radcliffe directly named Cesar Pendleton, to save Aron Jackson from being underprepared. After all, Cesar Pendleton¡¯s name was quite well-known in Five-river Province, not someone to be trifled with easily. ¡°Cesar Pendleton? If he dares to trouble my brother, he¡¯ll not leave Gonzalez City unscathed! Sister-in-law, wait for me five minutes!¡± After saying that, Aron Jackson hung up the call. Thud! Thud! Thud! Just then, a series of urgent footsteps came from downstairs. ¡°Boss, we¡¯re here!¡± A group of men rushed to the third floor of the restaurant, only to unexpectedly find their boss lying on the ground. ¡°Heston bro, Nicholas bro, what happened?¡± The lead man was somewhat bewildered. The Leopold brothers had a reputable name in Gonzalez City¡ª who would dare to harm them here? ¡°Why did you just get here! It¡¯s this kid; I want him dead!¡± Heston Leopold was beaten to a wreck by Julius Reed, suffering unbearable pain with every movement. ¡°You did this?¡± The lead man turned and looked at Julius Reed, his face darkening to the extreme. ¡®Who else could it have been but you?¡± Julius Reed faced these men without a hint of fear in his eyes. ¡°Get him! Beat him to death!¡± The lead man frowned and rushed forward, raising his wooden bat! Snap! But before he could strike, Julius Reed grabbed the bat from his hand and chopped it down hard on the lead man¡¯s head! The bat broke with the impact! ¡°Who dares to mess with Master Pendleton in Gonzalez City!¡± Right then, a voice came from downstairs. Soon after, dozens of neatly dressed men in black surged up, contrasting sharply with the disordered mob of the Leopold brothers. Then, steady footsteps slowly ascended as Bridger Davenport, observed by countless people, walked up to the third floor with calm and collected demeanour. ¡°Who did this, stand out.¡± He adjusted his glasses, exuding a poised and stable aura. ¡°It was me.¡± Julius Reed threw the wooden bat aside and smiled as he looked towards Bridger Davenport.. Chapter 86 - Chapter 86: Chapter 85 Who Dares to Touch My Big Brother 1 Chapter 86: Chapter 85 Who Dares to Touch My Big Brother 1 Translator: 549690339 When Julius Reed came into view, Bridger Davenport¡¯s heart convulsed violently. Even now, he could not forget the scene that had taken place at the West Lake docks! A hundred or so men from the Three Blade Group, beaten without the power to fight back, were only saved in the end by Maurice Yarrow, who paid a hefty ransom to get them out. This incident had become Bridger Davenport¡¯s nightmare, haunting him nearly every night with the face of Julius Reed! ¡°I did it.¡¯ As if afraid Bridger hadn¡¯t heard him clearly, Julius Reed repeated, ¡°Those three, I beat them.¡± ¡°Bullshit! If it wasn¡¯t you then who? Me beating myself up?¡± Cesar Pendleton straightened his back again when he saw Bridger Davenport and his crew rushing over. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped the blood from his face. ¡°You little bastard, today Master Pendleton is going to teach you a lesson!¡± Humbled to this state, Cesar Pendleton had lost face. Today he was determined to get even, to cripple Julius Reed in front of everyone! ¡°I¡¯m taking some interest first!¡± He picked up a chair and stepped toward Julius Reed. ¡°Can¡¯t remember the beatings? Watching the raging Cesar Pendleton, Julius Reed turned around and swung a heavy punch forward! Bang! The unprepared Cesar Pendleton only felt darkness before his eyes as he staggered and fell to the ground. The air was filled with silence. Lying on the ground, Cesar Pendleton kept rubbing his head, taking deep, rough breaths. ¡°Come on! What the hell are you waiting for!¡± Heston Leopold sucked in a breath of cold air and instinctively retreated. With so many people gathered around and the opponent still striking without restraint, had he gone mad? ¡°Bridger! You fucking watched me get hit!¡± The reoriented Cesar Pendleton pointed at Bridger Davenport, who stood aside, and roared with fury. The men of the Three Blade Group stood in the restaurant, motionless as statues, not moving an inch. Just as the Leopold Family members were about to make a move, Bridger Davenport spoke up. ¡°Brother Reed, I didn¡¯t expect to meet you here.¡± His voice carried a hint of apology, and his face was filled with embarrassment. Others might not know the terror of Julius Reed, but he had experienced it firsthand. After returning to Five-river Province, Bridger Davenport had thoroughly investigated Julius Reed. In the end, he found nothing. This man had arrived in Gonzalez City three years prior, appearing out of nowhere and living the lowlife of a live-in son-in-law. But not long ago, he had suddenly changed, starting to make moves. In just one month, he had offended big shots throughout Five-river Province. According to Bridger¡¯s investigation, Julius Reed had slapped Jaxen Brandon in public, had made Quamaine Potter bark like a dog at Ocean Park. He had even smashed Black-wind Entertainment and tied himself and Gerrard Cook up in the West Lake warehouse. Lately, the Potter Family had been seeking crazy revenge, even going as far as starting a business war. But a day passed, and instead of falling, the stock price of Radcliffe Group had not only not decreased but had actually risen slightly. As for the current chairwoman of the Radcliffe Group, it was Julius Reed¡¯s wife, the stunningly beautiful woman standing before him, Quella Radcliffe. All these pieces of information made Bridger Davenport dare not make the slightest move. This wasn¡¯t Five-river Province, this was Gonzalez City! In Gonzalez City, if he were to go against Julius Reed, he would first have to face Aron Jackson. But with Old Man Miller the Weirdo from the Three Blade Group present, he was still taken down in an instant by Julius Reed; would he have a chance now with just a group of employees? And with such a big incident, would Aron Jackson remain unaware? ¡°Regarding today¡¯s matter¡­¡± ¡°Bridger Davenport, right? Tell me what you are here for!¡± Julius Reed grabbed a chair and sat down, crossing his legs casually. In the face of these people, there was no trace of panic on his face. ¡°You dare to sit in front of our Brother Reed!¡± A Three Blade Group employee took off his sunglasses and pointed at Julius Reed, roaring. Bridger Davenport had a high status within the Three Blade Group, equivalent to the second-in-command. Within the group, apart from Maurice Yarrow, no one dared to sit while talking to Bridger Davenport. Now, not only was Julius Reed sitting, he was also sitting back with his legs crossed, which greatly dissatisfied the employees under Bridger Davenport. Smack! Before the man could open his mouth again, Bridger Davenport slapped him across the face! ¡°Big Brother¡­l!¡± The employee covered his face, clearly not understanding what had just happened. Bridger Davenport pointed at him, shaking with anger, ¡°Someone, take him out and cripple him!¡± ¡°Big Brother!¡± The employees closest to him showed their confusion. They didn¡¯t understand what the man had said wrong to make Big Brother so angry. ¡°Can¡¯t you hear what I¡¯m saying? Bridger Davenport turned around, his face as cold as water. ¡°Understood ! ¡± Seeing his anger, those employees didn¡¯t dare to say more and directly dragged the employee who had interjected downstairs. ¡°Brother Reed, I came here to eat!¡± Bridger Davenport turned around and immediately put on a smile. This huge contrast left everyone in the room unable to react. The Leopold brothers looked at each other, both confused. Bridger Davenport of the Three Blade Group was a renowned figure! Within the Three Blade Group, he was second only to the boss, Maurice Yarrow! Yet this young man before him was treated with such courtesy? ¡°Oh! Here to eat.¡¯ Julius Reed nodded, pointing to the glass table scattered on the floor, ¡°I came here to eat as well, but some people are blind and flipped the table over! Now none of us can eat.¡± ¡°Damn it! Bridger Davenport, stop wasting your fucking breath! He beat me up like this, can¡¯t you see? Kill him for me!¡± Cesar Pendleton on the ground had already lost his rationality to anger, stamping his foot in rage when he saw Bridger Davenport hesitating to make a move. The Three Blade Group was an absolute superpower in Five-river Province! Yet Bridger Davenport¡¯s behavior, where was anything like a group leader? ¡°Cesar Pendleton! Shut your fucking mouth!¡± With that shout, Bridger Davenport¡¯s face grew even more embarrassed. If he had known the person who acted was Julius Reed today, he wouldn¡¯t have come for sure. Who would dare to provoke this living Yanluo? Being able to offend all the major forces in Five-river Province and Gonzalez City and still stand unscathed here, if one were to say the guy had no skills at all, who would believe it? Bridger Davenport was a smart man; how could he make such an elementary mistake! He would never trip twice in the same place! ¡°Brother Reed, this Cesar Pendleton is just a fair-weather friend to me! Rest assured, I¡¯ll take my men and leave right now!¡± Seeing Julius Reed¡¯s smiling face, Bridger Davenport quickly patted his chest and assured him. He had personally witnessed Old Man Miller the Weirdo getting utterly crushed, even if he really had to deal with Julius Reed, they would have to wait until the two freakishly strong individuals within the group came out of seclusion! ¡°Bridger Davenport! ¡± Cesar Pendleton on the ground was even angrier! ¡°I give you so much money a year, and now when I¡¯m in trouble, you¡¯re trying to sever ties with me!¡± It was his first time dealing with Julius Reed, so naturally, he did not realize how formidable the other was. Seeing Bridger Davenport¡¯s cowardice, he subconsciously thought this Three Blade Group strategist took money without doing his job, making him even more furious. ¡°Brother Reed, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll take my leave first.¡± Bridger Davenport clasped his hands and deeply bowed. This scene completely dumbfounded the Leopold brothers! What kind of monster was this young man before them, that he could make Bridger Davenport of the Three Blade Group bow to him? ¡°Who dares to touch my boss!¡± Just then, more hurried footsteps came from downstairs.. Chapter 87 - Chapter 87: Chapter 86: It’s Your Turn_l Chapter 87: Chapter 86: It¡¯s Your Turn_l Translator: 549690339 Hearing that voice, Bridger Davenport¡¯s mind buzzed. The thing he was most worried about had happened. How could Aron Jackson not know about making trouble for Julius Reed in Gonzalez City? Indeed, now the person in question had come. The first one to arrive was Dominating Tiger, and he brought his employees to unceremoniously knock the Leopold Family brothers¡¯ thugs to the ground. ¡°Aaron Martin!¡± The men under the Leopold Family brothers were no formidable characters. In fact, the leader among them was an employee of Dominating Tiger. Slap! Upon seeing the leading employee, Dominating Tiger viciously slapped him across the face! ¡°You son of a bitch, who the hell told you to bring people here?¡± After slapping him, without waiting for the man to stabilize, he grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up! ¡°Aaron Martin¡­ it was me¡­ it was my older brother¡­¡± Called Gouzi, the man pointed at the Leopold Family brothers, his eyes full of fear. Dominating Tiger was one of Aron Jackson¡¯s top generals and had considerable power in Gonzalez City. Many local magnates had to respectfully address him as ¡°Aaron Martin¡± when they saw him. ¡°If they told you to die, would you go and die?¡± Dominating Tiger glared at Gouzi, whom he was holding in his hand, and bellowed. ¡°1¡­¡± ¡°Your mother¡¯s ¡®1¡¯!¡± Before he could finish speaking, Dominating Tiger viciously threw him against the wall! ¡°Is this your doing? Having done all this, he turned around and strode towards the Leopold Family brothers. ¡°Get them!¡± Facing the ferocious advance of Dominating Tiger, the Leopold Family brothers panicked. They hurriedly called out to their own men, but who among them dared to step forward? Gouzi was their leader, and now their leader had been struck and didn¡¯t dare to utter a word; how could they excessively value their own lives? Moreover, were they not aware ot Dominating Tiger¡¯s reputation? ¡°Ask them, who dares to step forward?¡± Just then, a man in white slowly walked up from downstairs. He had one hand in his pocket and a cigarette hanging from his lips. His weathered face exuded an invisible chill. ¡°Aron¡­ Aron Jackson?¡± Upon seeing the new arrival, the Leopold Family brothers¡¯ legs trembled in fear. They were in the real estate business and naturally sought to please Aron Jackson above all others. Seeing Aron Jackson arriving, the brothers had a bold thought! Could he have come for that young man? But on second thought, they deemed it impossible. Who was Aron Jackson? He had the power to overshadow everything in Gonzalez City. What merits did this young man have to make Aron Jackson personally come over? ¡°Oh? You¡¯re here too?¡± Aron Jackson didn¡¯t even bother with the Leopold Family brothers and instead leisurely walked up to Bridger Davenport. The moment he approached, the employees of the Three Blade Group immediately rushed to guard Bridger Davenport tightly. ¡°Step back!¡± Bridger Davenport shouted with a dark face. ¡°Big Brother¡­¡± ¡°Step back!¡± Seeing his employees not moving, Bridger Davenport roared again! Old Man Miller the Weirdo couldn¡¯t stop this man, so what was the point of these people going up other than to throw away their lives? It was better to explain directly to Aron Jackson and show his sincerity. A real man knows when to bend and when to stand tall! It wasn¡¯t too late for him to seek revenge once the two formidable characters of the Three Blade Group finished their closed-door sessions! ¡°Yes! Big Brother!¡± The employees took a deep breath and slowly moved aside. ¡°Aron Jackson¡­¡± Bridger Davenport tried his best to stabilize his emotions and squeezed out a faint smile on his face. ¡°Are you going to move against my Big Brother?¡± Ignoring what he said, Aron Jackson, with the cigarette in his right hand, exhaled a puff of smoke and said, ¡°You¡¯re quite bold.¡± Last time at the West Lake warehouse, he already taught these people a lesson. If they remained stubbornly ignorant, Aron Jackson wouldn¡¯t mind giving them another one! ¡°Aron Jackson, this is a misunderstanding, please let me explain.¡± Bridger Davenport took a deep breath, anxious to explain: ¡°I just got here and was chatting with Brother Reed when you arrived.¡± ¡°Today he¡¯s been quite obedient. From the moment he walked in, all he¡¯s done is apologize and ask to leave.¡± Julius Reed spoke from the side. Now, among everyone present, only he sat in a chair, legs crossed, exuding the demeanor of a boss. ¡°Right! Brother Reed can vouch for me!¡± Hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, Bridger Davenport felt relieved. His biggest fear now was a conflict with Aron Jackson, for he had come to Gonzalez City just to take care of business, not expecting to be summoned here by Cesar Pendleton. ¡°Okay!¡± Aron Jackson nodded, then turned around to look at Cesar Pendleton lying on the ground. At that moment, the Leopold brothers stood to one side, trembling with fear, their bodies shaking so much that they didn¡¯t dare to help him up. ¡°You ordered someone to chop down my big brother?¡± After receiving Quella Radcliffe¡¯s call, he knew the troublemaker was Cesar Pendleton. Although the other party had some influence in Five-river Province, this was Gonzalez City! ¡°Aron Jackson?¡± Cesar Pendleton, though beaten, wasn¡¯t deaf. He had witnessed everything that had just happened. Aron Jackson of Gonzalez City was a name he knew well, a man who even made the Three Blade Group suffer losses. But now, Aron Jackson had actually shown up, and for that young man? ¡°Pick him up!¡± Aron Jackson put a cigarette in his mouth, taking a deep drag. Behind him, Dominating Tiger, accompanied by several employees, walked over to Cesar Pendleton and hoisted him up. ¡°Aron Jackson, we have no grudges or grievances, it¡¯s best if you don¡¯t interfere with today¡¯s matter!¡± Even though he was beaten up like this, Cesar Pendleton still maintained the air of a boss. What hadn¡¯t he experienced through the storms of life? ¡°Really?¡± Hearing his words, Aron Jackson tossed the cigarette onto the ground and gently crushed it with his foot. ¡°Big brother, how do you want to handle this?¡± He turned to look at Julius Reed, who was leaning back in the chair. ¡°What did you call him?¡± At that title, Cesar Pendleton¡¯s heart clenched tight, and the drunkenness completely dissipated. ¡°I called him big brother!¡± Aron Jackson stared straight at Cesar Pendleton, lightly licking his lips. ¡°He harassed your sister-in-law. You handle it.¡± Julius Reed pulled Quella Radcliffe into his embrace, while his other hand discreetly covered her eyes. ¡°Julius¡­ ¡± Quella Radcliffe gently grabbed his hand, her heartbeat quickening. ¡°Listen to a song.¡± Seeing his wife so nervous, Julius Reed gave a faint smile. He took out her cell phone from her purse, played a random song, and turned the volume up to the max. After doing all this, he gently inserted the earbuds into Quella Radcliffe¡¯s ears. ¡°Turn off the lights!¡± Aron Jackson gently touched his nose and then turned to look at the restaurant manager. Shhh! In an instant, the bright restaurant plunged into darkness. Many customers who were waiting to watch the excitement were caught off guard and started to panic. Some even pulled out their phones to record, but now in complete darkness, they couldn¡¯t see a thing. Crack! The sound of a severe collision and bones breaking reached everyone¡¯s ears. Then came the powerless roar of Cesar Pendleton. His mouth was firmly covered by Domina ting Tiger¡¯s hand, leaving him unable to scream. Bang¡¯. Another muffled sound! Bridger Davenport felt a chill down his spine, and his breathing became hurried. Cesar Pendleton was, after all, a boss in Five-river Province with hundreds of underlings, yet today, he was beaten like this! After a few more sounds of bones breaking, Cesar Pendleton fell completely silent. ¡°Now, it¡¯s your turn.¡± In the darkness, the Leopold brothers suddenly felt nothing beneath their feet, their whole bodies lifted into the air! Chapter 88 - Chapter 88: Chapter 87 Someone Blocks the Way_1 Chapter 88: Chapter 87 Someone Blocks the Way_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Big brother, are you satisfied?¡± In the darkness, Aron Jackson¡¯s voice was devoid of any emotion. ¡°Your sister-in-law is a kind-hearted woman; let¡¯s spare them this time.¡± Julius Reed could clearly feel Quella Radcliffe trembling, even with earphones stuffed in his ears. The people before them had been beaten to within an inch of their lives, some likely to spend the rest of their days in a wheelchair. Sometimes, being alive is more painful than death. ¡°Drag them out! Dominating Tiger, demolish the Leopold Family¡¯s real estate group for me tomorrow! At the same time, let it be known that whoever dares to work with these brothers is opposing me, Aron Jackson!¡± Following Julius Reed¡¯s instructions, Aron Jackson clapped his hands and began arranging his men to clear the scene. Soon, the three men were dragged out like dead dogs and dumped on the road. When the restaurant lights came on again, the patrons saw nothing but shattered tables, chairs, and glass strewn all over the floor. Even the bloodstains had been meticulously cleaned up by people Dominating Tiger arranged. ¡°How¡¯s Boss Yarrow doing lately?¡± Downstairs in the restaurant, Julius Reed, hands in pockets, looked at Bridger Davenport with a smile. He hadn¡¯t taken a cent of those last few tens of billions; all of it was given to Aron Jackson. Maintaining such a large industry in Gonzalez City was indeed very costly. ¡°Our boss is doing very well.¡± Bridger Davenport pushed his glasses up, his face betraying no emotion. Yet inside, he was in turmoil. He had come with men today, and though he didn¡¯t dare to make a move, he couldn¡¯t be entirely uninvolved. ¡°What do you think, if I asked him for some money again, would Boss Yarrow still be doing well?¡± Julius Reed patted Bridger Davenport¡¯s cheek, saying with a smile, ¡°You¡¯re a smart man; you should know who¡¯s stronger. If there ever comes a day when one side must disappear, I hope you make the right choice.¡± After this remark, indifferent to Bridger Davenport¡¯s pale face, he walked to the Rolls-Royce with Quella Radcliffe. Aron Jackson¡¯s men immediately rushed ahead to clear the way, ensuring their safety. ¡°Phew!¡± As soon as Aron Jackson and Julius Reed drove off, Bridger Davenport¡¯s suspended heart finally settled. When Julius Reed mentioned asking Maurice Yarrow for money, his heart skipped a beat. Given their personalities, they were completely capable of doing such a thing. But thankfully, it was all a joke. ¡°With so many of us, why should we be afraid of him?¡± A follower asked, standing beside Bridger Davenport. This man had followed Bridger Davenport for many years, and wherever they went, everyone respectfully called him Brother Davenport. With the Three Blade Group¡¯s reputation, who wouldn¡¯t show them this face? But today, Bridger Davenport had not dared to speak up in response, enduring all of the insults and even the mocking attitude in silence. This was too out of character! ¡°You know Noah Miller, don¡¯t you?¡± Bridger Davenport took a handkerchief out of his pocket and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead. ¡°Old Man Miller the Weirdo! He¡¯s an invincible force!¡± Upon mentioning Noah Miller, the followers of the Three Blade Group¡¯s eyes gleamed with admiration. Known as the War God, he had never lost a fight. ¡°Boss, why bring up Old Man Miller the Weirdo? Could it be that these two are related to him?¡± The followers racked their brains, arriving at this as the only plausible explanation. ¡°In front of them, Old Man Miller can¡¯t even stand up.¡± Having said this, Bridger Davenport ignored the surprised looks of his followers and strode to his Mercedes. ¡°Return to the provincial city overnight!¡± Bridger Davenport didn¡¯t want to set foot in Gonzalez City, a place of trouble, ever again. With all the experiences she had, Quella Radcliffe actually adapted. After everything that occurred that evening, she felt no fear whatsoever and even discussed the day¡¯s events with Julius Reed in the car. Zade Radcliffe and the others would certainly not let matters rest; the next day¡¯s board meeting was bound to be another storm of blood and fury. ¡°Screech!¡± As the two of them were talking, the black Highlander that was leading the way suddenly stopped. ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Julius Reed hugged Quella Radcliffe tightly, his eyes fixated on the path ahead like an eagle. Nothing had happened so far on the road, but the accident occurred precisely in this deserted stretch. He didn¡¯t believe it was a coincidence. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Aron Jackson immediately got out of the car and walked over to the Highlander nearby. ¡°Boss, a tree has fallen down ahead! Should we take a different path, or should a few of us move it?¡± A follower pointed at the trunk lying in the middle of the road and asked. ¡°There¡¯s no wind today, so how could the tree have fallen for no reason?¡± Aron Jackson frowned, carefully surveying the surroundings. ¡°Big Brother, be careful!¡± The follower, as if he had discovered something, lunged towards Aron Jackson! Yet, just as he was about to reach Aron Jackson, a dagger suddenly appeared in his hand, flashing with cold light, the sharp blade slashing straight at Aron Jackson¡¯s neck! Hiss! Aron Jackson bent his legs and fiercely sent the follower flying! ¡°Who are you!¡± He pulled out his pistol from his waist and pointed it at the follower who had been thrown onto the car. ¡°Heh, I knew you had some skill. But what does that matter, you¡¯re going to die anyway! ¡± Despite Aron Jackson¡¯s threat, the man did not panic. He whistled towards the trees and shouted, ¡°Konnor Beaumont, it¡¯s your turn to make a move!¡± Whoosh! No sooner had the man spoken than a piercing sound came from the trees! ¡°Damn!¡± Aron Jackson suddenly pushed off the ground, disappearing from the spot at once! Bang! And where he¡¯d just been standing, a fireball suddenly exploded! ¡°You stay here, I¡¯ll step out for a moment.¡± Inside the car, Julius Reed had seen everything clearly. He knew if he didn¡¯t act now, Aron Jackson might be in trouble. ¡°Be careful!¡± Quella Radcliffe grabbed his hand, her face tensing up again. ¡°In this world, no one can kill me.¡± Julius Reed patted her head and got out of the car. ¡°Hello, gentlemen, good evening!¡± With a figure swiftly passing by, the man who had been in the tree had already appeared on the street. He was carrying a rocket launcher on his shoulder, wearing sunglasses on his face, and a cigarette dangled from his mouth. ¡°Konnor Beaumont, if you¡¯d been any later, I¡¯d be meeting God right now.¡± The man Aron Jackson had knocked down twisted his neck, yawned and stretched lazily. ¡°Mar, you useless thing, I don¡¯t know why the commander would assign you to follow me! Other than causing me trouble, what good are you for?¡± Konnor Beaumont took a deep drag of his cigarette, a look of ecstasy on his face. ¡°What are you talking about! God! I¡¯m a member of the Hades Canyon too! If you¡¯re so great, why don¡¯t you take over as my boss? Don¡¯t think I want to cooperate with you, you maniac!¡± Feeling belittled by his comrade¡¯s words, Mar was embarrassed. His expertise lay in tracking and disguise; he couldn¡¯t possibly compare to others in actual combat. Without his meticulous planning, how could they have possibly made it to Gonzalez City by now? Or even precisely intercept them on this street! ¡°Are you two done yet?¡± Julius Reed slowly walked down from the car, looking at the two men in front of him. The phrase ¡°Hades Canyon¡± reminded him of Deep Cold, the Shadow Warrior organization that Frank, whom he killed, belonged to. ¡°Hey, boy, are you Julius Reed?¡± Konnor Beaumont put out the cigarette in his hand, and then pulled a photograph from his pocket. ¡°That¡¯s right! It¡¯s you.¡± After comparing for a moment, he crumpled the photograph into a ball and casually tossed it into the grass by the roadside.. Chapter 89 - Chapter 89: Chapter 88 In the Next Life, Don’t Bother Me Again_l Chapter 89: Chapter 88 In the Next Life, Don¡¯t Bother Me Again_l Translator: 549690339 As Konnor Beaumont tossed the photo, a streak of cold light flashed! ¡°Dodge!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s pupils constricted sharply as he quickly pushed the employee beside him and rolled forward! But before he could catch his breath, a second cold light came whistling towards him! Boom! A large tree by the roadside was cut in half. ¡°God! Are you even human?¡± Konnor Beaumont took off his sunglasses, looking at Julius Reed in disbelief, and muttered to himself, ¡°To dodge my two shots in a row, you could brag to Jehovah in heaven.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s swift actions were beyond his expectations. On his way here, he had even complained, thinking that the general was making a big deal out of nothing. As a member of Hades Canyon, how could he easily take action? But orders were orders, and he had to comply. Now, he put aside his contempt and finally started to take things seriously. ¡°Konnor Beaumont, Frank¡¯s entire squad died at his hands, do you think he¡¯s an ordinary person?¡± Mar leaned against the car beside him, speaking in a languid tone. Although the opponent was strong, he was even more aware of Konnor Beaumont¡¯s strength! There are thirty members in Hades Canyon, and these members, together with the thirty of Skull Canyon and some other Shadow Warriors, constitute the top one hundred Shadow Warriors in the world. Each member has their unique strengths. Konnor Beaumont ranks twenty-third within Hades Canyon! Being a bit lower in rank, the thirtieth person in Hades Canyon could still rampage through this world! Armed with a rocket launcher and extremely formidable strength, Konnor Beaumont had not yet failed a mission! ¡°Ha ha! It¡¯s getting more interesting, Mar, get the camera, I want the general to witness this with his own eyes!¡± Konnor Beaumont reached into his chest pocket again, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it with a flame burning nearby. ¡°Fine! I came out with you, and now I have to serve you, you fool!¡± Mar took out his phone impatiently and started a video call. This was a software exclusive to the Deep Cold organization. ¡°Mar! What the hell are you doing?¡± Moments later, a roar came from the video. ¡°General, it¡¯s Konnor Beaumont who asked me to call you. He hopes you can watch him complete the mission with your own eyes, that¡¯s all.¡± Mar shrugged his shoulders, leaning helplessly against the Highlander. On the other end of the phone, General Mori sounded very helpless. While members of Hades Canyon were excellent, they were not amenable to discipline, each having their unique personalities! But there was no choice; those with strength were always odd characters. Mori, as the leader of this squad, appeared to have boundless glory, but in reality, he was utterly vexed. ¡°I¡¯d rather not, during those times with the ladies. I fear you¡¯d feel inferior!¡± Konnor Beaumont laughed loudly, tossed the cigarette butt to the ground, and lightly crushed it. ¡°General, just one minute, and you can watch me complete the mission.¡± But just then, his eyes narrowed, and he shifted backwards! Bang! The tree that had been cut down before flew towards him, smashing onto the street behind him. ¡°God, have you gone mad?¡± Before Konnor Beaumont could steady himself, Julius Reed was already sprinting towards him! ¡°Goodbye, Eastern youth!¡± Facing a suicidal attack, Konnor Beaumont sneered with disdain! Boom! There was nothing in the space above the road in front of him. ¡°Chief! Mission accomplished, find me two chicks when we get back!¡± Konnor Beaumont was brimming with confidence! ¡°Crunch!¡± He pulled out an apple from nowhere and began eating it. While munching, he asked with a muffled voice, ¡°Chief, should we just kill them all?¡± ¡°If you¡¯re not afraid of trouble, let them go! But don¡¯t blame me when Amadeus Fairbanks¡¯s men come after you!¡± Mori spoke teasingly. With Julius Reed taken care of, he could report back to Deep Cold about the Blood Ravine and fulfill his duty. He had expected some complications, after all Frank¡¯s squad had been wiped out in Gonzalez City. But once Konnor Beaumont made his move, the target was taken down with ease. This made Mori reevaluate his opinion of those less capable squads. ¡°Watch out!¡± But at that moment, he suddenly shouted, ¡°Konnor Beaumont, behind you!¡± ¡®What?¡± Konnor Beaumont asked, still chewing his apple, his words indistinct. But in the next moment, his face turned pale! For behind him, he could feel an overwhelming killing intent! Konnor Beaumont didn¡¯t dare be careless, he rolled forward instinctively protecting his head! Bang! With the sound of impact, Konnor Beaumont let out a muffled groan, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth. ¡°You¡¯re not dead?¡± Seeing Julius Reed suddenly appear behind him, Konnor Beaumont was shocked! This kid didn¡¯t die, and had even managed to sneak up behind him unnoticed? ¡°Konnor Beaumont, you let your guard down!¡± Mar frowned deeply, obviously feeling that things weren¡¯t that simple. ¡°The other side is not simple, be careful!¡± It seemed his earlier guess was correct! The opponent was strong, which is why he had sent out Konnor Beaumont! ¡°Kid, you¡¯re the first person to injure me this year!¡± Konnor Beaumont was completely enraged, his fists cracking with the grip. ¡°Maybe you¡¯re also your last one in this lifetime,¡± Julius Reed said expressionlessly, ¡°Because after tonight, you¡¯ll disappear from this world.¡± ¡°Haha! Kid, who do you think you are? Do you think you can leave alive under my watch?¡± As Konnor Beaumont spoke, he suddenly lunged forward! His fists crashed down like lightning! Bang! Julius Reed didn¡¯t dodge but met his fists head -on! The tremendous force made both retreat several steps. But neither had any intentions of stopping, both charging forward fiercely! Konnor Beaumont could stand his ground in Hades Ravine, his skills were naturally exceptional! At this moment, his lethal moves were frequent, intended to be fatal in one strike! Bang! This time, Julius Reed did not block, but let the other man¡¯s fist slam into his shoulder! ¡°Hmm?¡± Konnor Beaumont distinctly felt a massive force at his fist! His punch could shatter boulders, yet his opponent stood still without budging! ¡°In your next life, don¡¯t mess with me!¡± Taking advantage of the other¡¯s stupor, Julius Reed¡¯s left hand transformed into a blade, heavily smashing into Konnor Beaumont¡¯s throat! Crack! As the sound of a throat breaking rang out, Konnor Beaumont fell slowly with an incredulous look in his eyes.. Chapter 90 - Chapter 90: Chapter 89 Angry Mori 1 Chapter 90: Chapter 89 Angry Mori 1 Translator: 549690339 The late-night street was dead silent. Apart from the roaring flames, all that remained was Mar¡¯s rapid breathing. As a member of Hades Canyon, Mar had seen many scenes. But now, he was truly frightened. Konnor Beaumont¡¯s strength was unquestionable, but such an expert had almost been instantly killed! ¡°Chief¡­ I think I¡¯m done for!¡± Mar looked at his phone, his face flashing with despair. If the brutally strong Konnor Beaumont was no match for this young man, what chance did he have of escaping with his life? ¡°Who exactly are you!¡± After a moment of silence, Mori spoke up. His face was ashen, and his gaze just as unsettled. But as one of the chiefs of Deep Cold, Mori quickly recovered from the shock. ¡°YOU sent people to Kill meg Don¡¯t you Know wno 1 any¡± Julius Reed slowly walked toward Mar with his hands behind his back. It was deep into the night, and this place was extremely remote, which meant that no one had noticed the abnormality despite the fight. One had to admit, Mar chose his location well. Even if Julius Reed wanted to run or call for help, he had no chance. The people of Deep Cold hadn¡¯t anticipated that this place would become their graveyard! ¡°Julius Reed!¡± Mori shouted, ¡°I¡¯ve reserved your head for myself!¡± When he said these words, his speech was filled with arrogance! As one of the chiefs of Deep Cold, Mori¡¯s combat strength was incredibly formidable! ¡°Is that so? Then I¡¯m waiting at your convenience!¡± Julius Reed said with a faint smile, swiftly moving in front of Mar. ¡°But before that, there¡¯s someone else I have to kill.¡± As he spoke, he punched out! Bang! The fist solidly hit the Highlander! The Mar who was originally standing there had turned into a pile of clothes, scattered on the ground. ¡°Disguise technique?¡± Aron Jackson quickly walked over, his brows slightly furrowed. The opponent was actually skilled in disguise techniques! Such a large man had quietly slipped away right under their noses! ¡°Julius Reed, we¡¯ll see about that!¡± In the phone, Mori¡¯s tone was chilling. Every member of Hades Canyon was a big shot with a long-established reputation, and these people never failed. Now, as a chief, the fact that he allowed Deep Cold to lose an excellent Shadow Warrior on his mission was simply unforgivable! He could even foresee that some dissatisfied individuals would surely condemn him at the Deep Cold meeting! ¡°Don¡¯t rush, before you hang up the phone, take a look at this!¡± Julius Reed picked up the phone and rotated the camera towards the side of the road. ¡°If you don¡¯t look, you¡¯ll regret it.¡± After finishing his words, he pulled out his handgun from his waist and fired three shots at the tree! Bang! Bang! Bang! After three gunshots. Thump! A dark figure fell from the tree. Aron Jackson hurriedly led his employees over to check. ¡°Big brother! It¡¯s the person who just ran away!¡± When they saw the corpse with its eyes wide open in death on the ground, Aron Jackson and his employees were all stunned! Wasn¡¯t this Mar who had just escaped? How did he end up in the tree? ¡°This grudge, I¡¯ll remember it!¡± Mori squeezed these few words out through clenched teeth before quickly hanging up the video call. With one move, two members were lost, and his impeachment was now not far off. ¡°Clean up here,¡± he said. Now he wanted to live a peaceful life, but some wouldn¡¯t allow it! They pushed him to take action! After returning to his villa, the normally tireless Julius Reed slept soundly for the first time. In his dream, he saw a blurred figure holding a divine sword that shone with rainbow light, plunging it into his chest! At the same time, the ring on Julius Reed¡¯s hand emitted a flashing red light, growing brighter and brighter! Early the next morning, Julius Reed hurried to the Group with Quella Radcliffe. Although they had stabilized the stock price the day before, Quella Radcliffe was still worried. Golden Eagle Group was aggressive and surely wouldn¡¯t let things go! All of Five-river Province was watching now, and Stanislaus Potter was like a sitting duck! When the two arrived at the company at seven o¡¯clock, Zade Radcliffe and his father were already there. Looking at the excited yet exhausted grandfather and grandson, Julius Reed wasn¡¯t sure what to say. ¡°Ha! Coming so early, do you want to sit in the chairman¡¯s seat a bit longer?¡± Otis Radcliffe let out bursts of cold laughter from his wheelchair. After returning home the previous day, neither grandfather nor grandson had slept well. Titan Group¡¯s attitude was very abnormal, appearing to have completely fallen out with Golden Eagle Group, adopting a do-or-die stance. Only in the early morning did Zade Radcliffe learn through his connections that Stanislaus Potter was going to increase his stake today, and only then did the grandfather and grandson sleep well. In his dream, Otis Radcliffe sat in the chairman¡¯s seat, while Julius Reed and his wife knelt before him, serving tea and water. Upon waking, he couldn¡¯t wait to bring Zade Radcliffe to the Group, hoping to turn his beautiful dream into reality. ¡°I think you want to stay in that wheelchair a bit longer,¡± Julius Reed said with a faint smile, without continuing to engage him. The fate of the grandfather and grandson had already been sealed, it¡¯s just that they were still delusional, not knowing the truth. Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t say much either, as she herself was unsure. Facing a behemoth like Golden Eagle Group, who could guarantee they would survive? Only a desperate move by Titan Group had allowed Radcliffe Group¡¯s stocks to rise slightly yesterday. Angered, Stanislaus Potter, alongside his associates, entered the arena once more, but could Ovidiu Cook really fend for himself? All she could do was try to stabilize the situation as much as possible. The director¡¯s regular meeting was still called early, and everyone arrived at the Group with heavy hearts. Members of the Radcliffe Clan, who usually didn¡¯t care much about the Group¡¯s affairs, began to take notice. ¡°Quella Radcliffe! I don¡¯t believe you can get through today,¡± Otis Radcliffe shouted from his wheelchair. Although it was a board of directors in name, it was practically a spectacle for the Radcliffe Family to watch Quella Radcliffe¡¯s disgrace. The leads and audience had all taken their places, all that was missing was the script. ¡°What will you do if I get through today?¡± Julius Reed asked leisurely, leaning back in his chair. ¡°You serious? If the stock price goes up today, I¡¯ll give you my arms!¡± Otis Radcliffe laughed coldly, ¡°If it falls, I want your legs! Do you dare?¡± Zade Radcliffe, whose legs had been broken by Julius Reed, always held a Even if he could stand in the future, according to the doctor¡¯s words, he would limp and have trouble walking normally again! He wanted revenge! ¡°It¡¯s a deal! Everyone here can bear witness, secretary, take care of the recording pen, record this,¡± Julius Reed gestured, and the secretary immediately took over the recording pen. ¡°Ha! Where do you get the courage? Today, your legs, I¡¯m claiming them!¡± Seeing the other party agree, Otis Radcliffe was startled at first, then secretly gleeful. After returning home yesterday, Zade Radcliffe analyzed overnight. The liquid assets of Titan Group were almost depleted, and if Golden Eagle Group continued to make moves, Ovidiu Cook would be powerless! By then, not only would Radcliffe Group¡¯s stocks plummet, but it wouldn¡¯t be impossible for it to be completely devastated! Compared to yesterday¡¯s moves, it was clear that today Stanislaus Potter was serious! Behind him, many tycoons from Five-river Province were supporting him! Julius Reed was destined to lose! Chapter 91 - Chapter 91: Chapter 90 Do You Understand What It Means to Be Low-key_l Chapter 91: Chapter 90 Do You Understand What It Means to Be Low-key_l Translator: 549690339 Titan Group was also holding a board meeting! It wasn¡¯t even eight in the morning yet, but the shareholders and company executives were all seated in the conference room. ¡°Chairman! If you keep going your own way, you¡¯ll destroy everyone¡¯s hard work!¡± ¡°It hasn¡¯t been easy for Titan Group to get to where we are today! We¡¯ve managed to secure the position of the Boss in Gonzalez City and even vie for dominance in Five-river Province within a few years! But now, everything is ruined!¡± ¡°The company¡¯s books show less than two billion in liquid funds left, and our external projects are on the verge of defaulting, while many internal projects can only be halted!¡± The executives expressed their dissatisfaction angrily. Yesterday, when Ovidiu Cook was about to make his move, these people were holding him back. But Titan Group was Ovidiu Cook¡¯s company, and he had the power to decide everything! Facing the opposition of the executives, the richest man in Gonzalez City was defiant, nearly draining the entire company! After burning through eighty billion in one day, the executives could no longer sit still and decided to force a palace coup! In Titan Group, although they held no shares, each person¡¯s salary was top-tier within the industry! If Titan Group collapsed, their interests would inevitably be damaged! ¡°Chairman! Golden Eagle Group is completely infuriated, they have started crazily retaliating against us since the morning! And it¡¯s not just them; many of the big companies in Five-river Province have joined the battlefield.¡± An anxious manager, holding documents, shouted. Since yesterday, these people had put down their work to focus on this smokeless war. But the more they watched, the more anxious they became! Normally calm and steady, Ovidiu Cook was now throwing money around like a man possessed, managing to repel Golden Eagle Group¡¯s offensive just yesterday. But no one was happy about it. Because the only outcome of angering Stanislaus Potter was to bear the Potter Family¡¯s storm-like retaliation! After yesterday¡¯s battle, Titan Group was at the end of its strength, and today it wouldn¡¯t have the power to fight again! ¡°Is this what you all think?¡± Ovidiu Cook leaned back in his executive chair, surveying the surrounding staff. On his face, there was not the slightest ripple. ¡°Yes! Titan Group cannot collapse! Even if we are greatly wounded, as long as the green hills are there, we need not fear running out of firewood!¡± One of the directors spoke up. ¡°According to your opinions, what should the group do?¡± Ovidiu Cook asked calmly. Even though Titan Group was already in crisis, and Stanislaus Potter had already started the war, he was still indifferent. With the Ridge Family backing him, how big a wave could Stanislaus Potter¡¯s money make? Up until now, he still hadn¡¯t recovered from the extravagance of the Ridge Family. The mansion, resplendent with gold and silver, floors inlaid with pearls and jade, every sight was the epitome of luxury! Only now did he understand how powerful Julius Reed was! Truman Ridge¡¯s one utterance of ¡°Mr. Reed¡± had left Ovidiu Cook stunned in place, taking forever to come back to his senses. ¡°Everyone, I suggest we apologize to Golden Eagle Group, showing our sincerity! At the same time, let¡¯s immediately withdraw funds from Radcliffe Group and assist Stanislaus Potter in his revenge!¡± The manager spoke up. Although such an idea was somewhat humiliating, it could save their lives! Stanislaus Potter was after face; continuing the fight would benefit no one. Once Titan Group showed weakness and gave enough face to the Potter Family, Stanislaus Potter would naturally stop his attacks. ¡°Do you all feel the same way? After hearing the manager¡¯s words, Ovidiu Cook surveyed those around him. ¡°I agree!¡± ¡°I also agree!¡± ¡°Though it¡¯s humiliating, it can ultimately save our future!¡± Everyone raised their hands one after another, voting on the decision. ¡°Very well! Minister Davenport, invest more immediately! Whatever Stanislaus Potter puts in, we¡¯ll match it!¡± Ovidiu Cook nodded, then suddenly instructed the finance minister, Lazarus Reed. ¡°Chairman?¡± Upon his saying this, Lazarus Reed was struck dumb in place. The other executives also doubted if they had misheard. Titan Group didn¡¯t have much money left, so what additional investment? ¡°Just do it! Anyone who doesn¡¯t want to, better quit early!¡± Ovidiu Cook slapped the document on the table and turned, striding away from the conference room. ¡°What should we do?¡± After he left, the executives looked at each other in dismay. In their memories, Ovidiu Cook had never made decisions on his own. But why, when facing such a big decision, did the chairman insist on pushing through? ¡°Oh my God!¡± Just then, Lazarus Reed exclaimed in surprise. ¡®What happened! Is it Stanislaus Potter pressing the attack?¡± The hearts of the executives were all in their throats. ¡°I must be seeing things! Xiao Gao, come over and help me have a look!¡± Lazarus Reed rubbed her eyes, her face full of shock! ¡°Ten million, hundred million, thousand million, billion, ten billion, hundred billion¡­ a hundred billion!¡± The woman named Xiao Gao gasped in shock, her face also filled with amazement! ¡°How is there still a hundred billion in the company¡¯s account!¡± With his shout, the executives quickly crowded around. ¡°Holy crap! It really is a hundred billion! Wasn¡¯t there only eighteen billion left last night?¡± ¡°Could the system be in error, Minister Davenport, refresh it again!¡± ¡°How is this possible!¡± Everyone was talking at once, their faces all spelled disbelief. ¡°Let me check!¡± Lazarus Reed took a deep breath to steady herself, took out her phone, and made a call to the bank. After the mechanical voice of the digits came through the phone, her hand shook and the phone ¡°clattered¡± to the ground. ¡°It¡¯s real¡­¡± She turned her neck woodenly, her body beginning to tremble slightly. The Titan Group¡¯s liquid funds only had a hundred billion, and they had nearly burnt through it yesterday. The additional funds in the account today were more than enough to excite them! ¡°Then what are we waiting for! Just do it! The chairman has spoken, let¡¯s beat that son of a bitch Golden Eagle Group!¡± ¡°Bullying with power! I¡¯ve had enough of the Potter Family People! What¡¯s so special about Five-river Province! Coming to Gonzalez City, dragons need to coil and tigers need to lie down!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go all in!¡± The meeting room, which had been filled with an air of dejection just moments ago, was now extremely excited! Meanwhile, at the Ridge Family estate in Five-river Province. An old man was slowly practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard. His attire was plain, wearing only a loose robe. But upon a closer look, one would notice that the floor beneath his feet shimmered with gold, inlaid with jade! And all the surrounding utensils were made of gold and silver! Even the ground was embedded with countless Luminous Pearls! ¡°Master, the money has been transferred. ¡± A servant approached the old man from behind and whispered. ¡°Hmm. You need to pay more attention to this matter, make sure nothing goes wrong! ¡± The old man nodded and continued practicing Tai Chi. After a moment of hesitation, the servant asked, ¡°Master, why not transfer more at once? This little bit of money is nothing, not even enough for the young master¡¯s weekly allowance!¡± The servant turned his head, wondering what the Clan Leader was thinking. A hundred billion, and he had personally made the trip? ¡°Talon, how many times have I told you! We should be low-key! Understand what low-key means? Look at me, I always dress simply! Even if I walked out on the street, beggars wouldn¡¯t ask me for money!¡± The old man chastised with an air of disappointment. ¡°Master, that Luminous Pearl on your ring is bigger than a pig¡¯s eye! The necklace around your neck, I can see its brightness from hundreds of meters away, is that also called being low-key?¡± Talon pouted, clearly unhappy. ¡°This¡­ ah! Forget it! Just make sure to keep an eye on it! If something goes wrong with this, we really will have to beg on the streets!¡± Truman Ridge looked up, his eyes flashing with memories of that young man. ¡°The snowy night¡¯s returning man, ah!¡± He muttered to himself.. Chapter 92 - Chapter 92: Chapter 91: Dismissal of the Chairman 1 Chapter 92: Chapter 91: Dismissal of the Chairman 1 Translator: 549690339 Bang! ¡°Give me an explanation! I demand an explanation!¡± Stanislaus Potter kicked the conference room door open, staring angrily at the crowded room. The previously noisy conference room became eerily quiet. The executives all lowered their heads, avoiding the gaze of the chairman. ¡°Speak up!¡± Stanislaus Potter walked up to the general manager and punched the table! In his hand, he held a financial report. It clearly recorded how they had failed in this business war! ¡°Explain it to me!¡± ¡°Chairman, Titan Group invested a total of seventeen billion in just half a day.¡± The general manager, with his head low and voice trembling, said, ¡°The entrepreneurs who were previously on our side, seeing this situation, withdrew their capital and fled.¡± Businessmen are not fools. In their eyes, there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests! They had sided with the Golden Eagle Group because they believed that Radcliffe Group had no chance of winning. They could not only do Stanislaus Potter a favor by joining in but also gain some benefits. But now, the situation had changed. The seemingly frail Radcliffe Group, under the frenzied attacks of the Golden Eagle Group, incredibly suffered no damage. The Titan Group, blocking their path, was fighting a desperate battle and at one point even caused the stock of Golden Eagle Group to begin to fall. By this point, the entrepreneurs from Five-river Province had all lost a significant amount of money. Continuing the fight would not only yield no benefits but could easily drag them down too. Therefore, those who had been declaring their brotherhood and vowing to fight side by side with the Golden Eagle Group were now rapidly withdrawing. They did not even inform Stanislaus Potter beforehand. ¡°Chairman! If this continues, we¡¯re finished!¡± The general manager mustered great courage to speak. As soon as he said this, everyone¡¯s eyes turned to Stanislaus Potter. What was believed to be a massacre turned out to be one¡¯s own downfall. ¡°Say that again!¡± Stanislaus Potter grabbed the general manager by the collar, his eyes bloodshot. He was an outstanding entrepreneur of Five-river Province, and Golden Eagle Group was one of the leading companies there. Yet faced with a small enterprise from Gonzalez City, they were utterly helpless! ¡°Chairman! If this goes on, it will only kill Golden Eagle Group!¡± The general manager took a deep breath and screamed with his eyes closed. He now feared nothing. No one wanted to see Golden Eagle Group fall to this state. ¡°Chairman, please stop!¡± ¡°Although face is important, Titan Group¡¯s money seems to be endless! We cannot continue! ¡°Chairman, please reconsider!¡± The employees all stood up, looking at the furious Stanislaus Potter. ¡°Let¡¯s end this¡­¡¯ After a moment of silence, Stanislaus Potter sighed deeply and issued an order in a hoarse voice. In this moment, he felt as if all the strength had been drained from his body. Golden Eagle Group was defeated! He was defeated! A crushing defeat! He could even imagine how people from Five-river Province would see him! ¡°Julius Reed, Ovidiu Cook, you both must die!¡± Stanislaus Potter took a deep breath as the muscles on his face spasmed wildly. Dustless was nowhere to be found, and Harlan Potter had not returned! His biggest trump card had now become an unknown. ¡°The number you have dialed is currently switched off¡­¡± ¡°Huh! ¡± Listening to the familiar voice on the phone, Stanislaus Potter hung up and said to a bodyguard beside him, ¡°Find out where Dustless and Harlan Potter have gone!¡± In the morning, he received news that Julius Reed was still alive! And the fact that Dustless and his disciple were missing made Stanislaus Potter extremely anxious. While some were anxious, others rejoiced. Inside the Radcliffe Group¡¯s meeting room in Gonzalez City, the atmosphere was as cold as ice. Zade Radcliffe and his grandson wore dark expressions, their breathing growing more and more rapid! From morning until now, not only did the stock price of Radcliffe Group fail to fall, it had been climbing! This forced Otis Radcliffe, who had prepared a bellyful of taunts, to swallow his words. Those taunts he had carefully prepared overnight, waiting to humiliate Quella Radcliffe when she stepped down as chairperson, now seemed pointless. ¡°Ding! ¡± ¡°Hello!¡± Zade Radcliffe glanced at the caller ID and immediately answered the call. This was his friend at Golden Eagle Group¡ªall of Golden Eagle Group¡¯s moves were leaked to Zade Radcliffe by this person. ¡°What!¡± After hearing what the other party said, Zade Radcliffe was struck as by lightning! At over seventy years old, with countless storms weathered, he momentarily turned to stone. ¡°Granddad, what happened?¡± Seeing Zade Radcliffe¡¯s expression, Otis Radcliffe¡¯s heart sank. After several years working in the Radcliffe Group, he knew all too well his grandfather¡¯s style. It wasn¡¯t like him to behave this way unless something big had happened. ¡°Golden Eagle Group has stopped the siege on Radcliffe Group¡­¡± With these words from Zade Radcliffe, a wave of commotion swept through the boardroom! ¡°What! Stanislaus Potter just let it go?¡± ¡°This matter was public knowledge, the whole Five-river Province was talking about it, and now Stanislaus Potter backs off, isn¡¯t he afraid of being the lauzhinz stock?¡± ¡°Is this information accurate?¡± The speakers were all members of the Radcliffe Clan, they were as eager as Zade Radcliffe for Quella Radcliffe to be ousted. When Otis Radcliffe and Zade Radcliffe were in charge, these clan members often embezzled funds. Now with Quella Radcliffe in office, taking charge of finances personally, no one dared to misappropriate even a penny of the company¡¯s money. For this reason, Quella Radcliffe had thoroughly angered members of the Radcliffe Clan. ¡°Very accurate, the whole Five-river Province is discussing it.¡± Zade Radcliffe took a deep breath, struggling to calm his trembling body. He couldn¡¯t understand, with the financial power of Golden Eagle Group, why would they give up? And after such a long business battle, how could the share price of Radcliffe Group still rise? He had already withdrawn all the liquid funds, leaving Radcliffe Group nothing but an empty shell! Quamaine Potter was beaten severely by Julius Reed, right here in this meeting room of Radcliffe Group! Stanislaus Potter, how could he tolerate such humiliation and swallow his pride? ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, then I won¡¯t hold back any longer!¡± Julius Reed slowly stood up and started walking towards Otis Radcliffe, step by step. ¡°What are you going to do!¡± Looking at Julius Reed standing next to him, Otis Radcliffe was as fearful as if he were facing the Grim Reaper. He quickly pushed his wheelchair, trying to flee. But would Julius Reed let him go? ¡°Didn¡¯t you say before? You wanted to ¡®hand over¡¯ both your hands to me?¡± ¡°I warn you! This is not over yet! Do you think Quella Radcliffe¡¯s chairperson position is secure? Stanislaus Potter is just biding his time! You injured his son, Stanislaus Potter will never let you off the hook!¡± Scared out of his wits, Otis Radcliffe was shivering and stuttering in his speech. He had taken quite a few beatings from Julius Reed lately, and fear dominated his heart. ¡°Julius¡­ let it be!¡± Seeing Otis Radcliffe looking this way, Quella Radcliffe felt a pang of compassion. After all, Otis Radcliffe was her brother, carrying the same Radcliffe Family blood in his veins. ¡°Alright!¡± Julius Reed turned to look at Quella Radcliffe, then kicked over Otis Radcliffe¡¯s wheelchair! ¡°If you dare to make a move against Quella Radcliffe again, don¡¯t blame me if I take your life!¡± ¡®You¡­¡± Otis Radcliffe, lying on the ground, was in so much pain that he could only grimace. His wounds had not yet healed, and now, having been tipped to the ground by Julius Reed, intense pain radiated from his injuries. ¡°Don¡¯t be so pleased with yourself yet!¡± Zade Radcliffe snorted coldly, then spoke, ¡°Given that the company¡¯s share price has risen, I will exercise my director¡¯s rights to depose Quella Radcliffe from the chairperson position!¡± Chapter 93 - Chapter 93: Chapter 92 Major Shareholder 1 Chapter 93: Chapter 92 Major Shareholder 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°What did you say!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly. ¡°I said, I want to exercise my rights as a director and oust the chairman!¡± Zade Radcliffe said with a cold laugh. His original agreement was to give the chairman position to Quella Radcliffe, which he had already done. But as the former chairman, Zade Radcliffe held 20% of the company¡¯s shares, Otis Radcliffe still had 15%, and other members of the Radcliffe Clan held about 40%. As long as he proposed to oust Quella Radcliffe, no one could stop him. Although Quella Radcliffe was the current chairman, she didn¡¯t own a single share of the company. Zade Radcliffe had foreseen this situation from the start, so he didn¡¯t give any shares to his granddaughter! ¡°Grandfather¡­¡± Upon hearing this, Otis Radcliffe¡¯s face turned extremely awkward. ¡°Grandson, don¡¯t worry! Let¡¯s have a vote in a bit and see who the real chairman is!¡± Zade Radcliffe walked over with large strides and helped Otis Radcliffe up. The room suddenly fell silent. Logically, at such an exciting moment, members of the Radcliffe Family should have been cheering. But in stark contrast, these people all bowed their heads, seemingly avoiding Zade Radcliffe¡¯s gaze. ¡°Grandfather! How could you do this!¡± Quella Radcliffe stood up angrily, pointing at Zade Radcliffe as she questioned him, ¡°Am I not your own granddaughter? Why can Otis receive your affection, but not me! Now you treat me as if I¡¯m your enemy! Why!¡± As she spoke, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. Being a member of the Radcliffe Family, she was actually ostracized by the entire clan. Nobody treated her as a family member. Before Julius Reed¡¯s shift, these people took pleasure in ridiculing them daily. After Julius Reed became influential and started making some friends, these people began to sabotage them in secret. Isn¡¯t it a glory for the entire family when the Radcliffe son-in-law becomes strong? Now it seems that it really isn¡¯t the case! The two of them simply couldn¡¯t lead a good life; once they did better than others, they would attract jealousy! And it was jealousy from their own family! ¡°Quella Radcliffe, the moment you married that loser, you lost your value to me! How could I possibly hand the family over to a girl!¡± Faced with his granddaughter¡¯s questioning, Zade Radcliffe answered coldly. Quella Radcliffe was already married, and to a loser at that! If one day his granddaughter had other intentions, or if Julius Reed incited trouble, their Radcliffe Family would definitely face disaster! The Radcliffe Group was Zade Radcliffe¡¯s lifelong effort; he would never hand it over to a woman no matter what. ¡°From today on, you and I are through!¡± Quella Radcliffe felt utterly disheartened as the tears kept flowing. ¡°Julius, let¡¯s go. From today onwards, we have nothing to do with the Radcliffe Family.¡± Heartbrokenness could be considered Quella Radcliffe¡¯s current truest description. She took Julius Reed¡¯s hand and started walking towards the door with heavy steps. ¡°Stop! Do you think you can just leave like this?¡± Zade Radcliffe¡¯s gaze suddenly turned icy. ¡°Otis has been beaten up like this by you, and now you think you can just walk away? He clapped his hands, and immediately a group of security guards surrounded the entrance. Although he knew these guards might not be a match for Julius Reed, he would never let the two of them leave this place unharmed no matter what. ¡°Leave? Why should we leave?¡± Seeing the security at the door, a smile appeared on Julius Reed¡¯s lips. ¡°From today on, you are the chairman of Radcliffe Group!¡± He embraced Quella Radcliffe tightly, his eyes filled with expression. In such a moment, who could understand the helplessness and agony in Quella Radcliffe¡¯s heart? ¡°Stop dreaming in broad daylight!¡± Watching the two embrace, Zade Radcliffe snorted coldly, ¡°Now, I¡¯m going to oust you from the chairman position!¡± Having absolute shareholding, this was a simple task for him. However, what was strange was that Otis Radcliffe, who hated Julius Reed to the core, didn¡¯t say a word at this moment. He sat in the wheelchair with his head down, silent. And the other Radcliffes, like frostbitten eggplants, all hung their heads one after another. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Zade Radcliffe looked at them quizzically and asked in confusion, ¡°The stock price of the company is rising, all of you have benefited from it, why the long faces?¡± In this round of the commercial battle, not only did Radcliffe Group avoid any losses, but it actually had a substantial amount of capital injected. Titan Group kept pouring in money, making their net worth soar threefold! The greatest beneficiaries were these shareholders from the Radcliffe Clan! ¡°Speaking of which, I really should thank you all!¡± Zade Radcliffe turned around, looking at Quella Radcliffe with a cheery smile: ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you, Titan Group wouldn¡¯t have desperately thrown in money! But now, it¡¯s our turn to reap the harvest!¡± Although taking the fruits of others¡¯ labor was not honorable, Zade Radcliffe had always been this type of person. As long as there was a benefit to be gained, he would stop at nothing! If it wasn¡¯t for this approach, Radcliffe Group wouldn¡¯t be where it is today! ¡°Now, I propose to dismiss Quella Radcliffe as chairman! At the same time, I will assume the position of the new chairman!¡± Zade Radcliffe walked with his hands clasped behind his back, step by step towards the seat Quella Radcliffe had just occupied. ¡°Let¡¯s go¡­¡± In the midst of tears, Quella Radcliffe looked up at Julius Reed and managed a weak smile. Her clan, her grandfather, they had all betrayed her. Only her husband, whom she once looked down upon, stayed by her side throughout. ¡°Why leave? Didn¡¯t I just say, you will be the sole owner here!¡± Julius Reed gently wiped away her tears, a loving smile on his face. ¡°We don¡¯t have shares, we can¡¯t fight against them¡­¡± Saying this, Quella Radcliffe glanced at Zade Radcliffe. These Radcliffe family members had absolute control, and Quella certainly didn¡¯t believe they would support her. Now it seemed, leaving was inevitable. Quella Radcliffe was not reconciled to this! She could do better! She could prove it to everyone! But now, there was no chance left. ¡°I object!¡± Julius Reed raised his hand, smiling as he looked towards Zade Radcliffe. ¡°You object?¡± Zade Radcliffe was directly amused by the objection. He looked at Julius Reed, shaking his head and said, ¡°This is the board meeting, what right do you have to speak? Do you have a single share in the company? You¡¯re too green to fight me!¡± Zade Radcliffe had kept an ace up his sleeve ever since he agreed to the bet. Although he didn¡¯t believe Quella Radcliffe could stabilize the stock price. But all this happening made him even more grateful for his wise decision. Although he couldn¡¯t avoid being censured, what did it matter? Wouldn¡¯t he be the one laughing in the end? ¡°I said, I object!¡± Julius Reed repeated emphatically. ¡°Julius¡­ ¡± Quella Radcliffe shook her head, signaling for him not to speak further. She was very clear about the equity distribution in Radcliffe Group. As long as Zade Radcliffe wanted to do something, no one could stop him. ¡°Your objection is invalid!¡± Zade Radcliffe¡¯s face darkened as he spoke coldly. ¡°Sorry, I am the largest shareholder of the group!¡± Julius Reed pulled a document from his jacket and threw it in front of Zade Radcliffe: ¡°This is the share transfer document, take a good look at the numbers on it!¡± ¡°What!¡± Zade Radcliffe picked up the document with a skeptical attitude and his face was full of disbelief! ¡°Where are your shares!¡± He looked instinctively at the Radcliffe family members present and at Otis.. Chapter 94 - Chapter 94: Chapter 93 Cameron Brandon_1 Chapter 94: Chapter 93 Cameron Brandon_1 Translator: 549690339 The vast conference room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Members of the Radcliffe Clan all lowered their heads, daring not to take a deep breath. ¡°Where are your shares!¡± Slap! Zade Radcliffe¡¯s palm slammed onto the table, his face looking extremely ugly. ¡°I bought them.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, making no effort to hide his derision. ¡°What! Weren¡¯t the buyers supposed to be wealthy businessmen from Five-river Province?¡± A member of the Radcliffe Clan lifted his head, asking in horror, ¡°Could it be¡­¡± ¡°Indeed, the person who bought your shares is me.¡± Seeing the Radcliffe Family members widen their eyes in shock, Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders, saying somewhat helplessly, ¡°I thought we were all family, so I was willing to offer a higher price. But who knew that as soon as you received the phone call, you sold the shares immediately.¡± After leaving Radcliffe Group yesterday, Julius Reed immediately arranged for Ovidiu Cook to secretly acquire shares of Radcliffe Group. The members of the Radcliffe Clan couldn¡¯t wait to get rid of their shares the moment they received the call. Faced with Golden Eagle Group¡¯s suppression, these stocks could potentially become worthless. Naturally, they were happy to cash out when someone was willing to take them off their hands. But never in their wildest dreams did the Radcliffe Family members imagine that Julius Reed was the one buying the stocks! ¡°Otis! What about your shares! As long as the two of us still have ours, there is hope!¡± Zade Radcliffe was, after all, someone who had experienced major events. He took a deep breath and turned to look at Otis. The shares owned by the grandson and grandfather duo had a significant percentage; together, they still stood a chance. ¡°Old man, take a closer look. Otis¡¯s shares are included as well,¡± said Julius Reed with a faint smile, hands in his pockets. ¡°Julius¡­ when did you¡­¡± Upon hearing the two¡¯s conversation, Quella Radcliffe failed to react for a moment. Since leaving the Group yesterday, they had been together the whole time. She had no idea that Julius Reed had stepped out to acquire shares. ¡°I told you that you married a rich second generation. But you didn¡¯t believe me, what can I do?¡± Julius Reed looked at Quella Radcliffe¡¯s incredulous face, a hint of blissful smile on his lips. With him there, no one could bully Quella Radcliffe. Not anyone. ¡°Now, you can leave this company.¡± Turning away, Julius Reed¡¯s expression changed instantly. Dealing with Zade Radcliffe was the most conflicting for him. If it weren¡¯t for Quella¡¯s grandfather, Julius would have taken action against this ungrateful man long ago. But not killing him didn¡¯t mean Zade Radcliffe and Otis hadn¡¯t repeatedly given Quella a hard time, almost wishing to drive their own granddaughter onto the streets. ¡°Julius Reed¡­¡± ¡°Security, throw him out!¡± Julius Reed abruptly cut off Zade Radcliffe¡¯s words and gestured to the security guards at the door. Now that he had control over the majority of the shares and was the largest shareholder of Radcliffe Group, how could the security guards dare not listen to him? ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the offense!¡± The security guards took a deep breath, walked behind Zade Radcliffe, and carried him up in one move. ¡°How dare you! Ungrateful wretches, you forget kindness and repay it with ingratitude!¡± Zade Radcliffe cursed loudly. He was so angry he was about to explode, but was utterly helpless. He had calculated every possibility, yet he never expected to fall at the hands of his own family. ¡°I apologize for the offense!¡± The security guards steeled themselves and carried Zade Radcliffe straight out of the conference room. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, Julius Reed! You both wait for me!¡± All along the way, Zade Radcliffe kept cursing. What he had calculated just yesterday had all come to nothing today. The saying ¡®to lose the wife and the soldiers¡¯ could not be more apt. ¡°Now, is anyone still unwilling to comply with Quella Radcliffe¡¯s wishes?¡± Julius Reed turned around, his cold gaze sweeping over the members of the Radcliffe Clan in the room. With Quella Radcliffe now holding the shares, these people had no chance to oppose her! But he knew all too well that Zade Radcliffe and the others would certainly not admit defeat. Everyone hung their heads low, submerged in a stretch of silence. If even Zade Radcliffe had been defeated, what waves could they possibly make? Gonzalez City, Brandons¡¯ Residence. Damian Brandon and his wife Parthasarathy Ellsworth sat in the living room, wordless. The ashtray on the coffee table was already crammed with cigarette butts, Damian Brandon¡¯s face showed signs of decay, his eyes full of bloodshot veins, and a long beard had grown. Parthasarathy Ellsworth sat next to the sofa, crying inconsolably. ¡°Master, the eldest young master has returned!¡± The Brandon family¡¯s butler walked slowly into the living room and spoke softly. ¡°Huh!¡± Hearing the butler¡¯s words, Damian Brandon let out a long sigh of relief. He took a deep drag of the cigarette in his mouth, then snuffed out the butt on the coffee table. ¡°Madam, let¡¯s go!¡± Getting up, he managed to squeeze out a wry smile. A few days ago, Jaxen Brandon had been killed in his own villa! The Brandon family bodyguards and Cash Leopold who were with him also died there. Dozens of people, not one survived. The Brandons had sent people to investigate, but to this point, they had not found a single lead. However, they had received news that Jaxen Brandon had visited the Radcliffe Group before his death and even hired a Shadow Warrior to kidnap the Radcliffe granddaughter, Quella Radcliffe. But now, Quella Radcliffe was still very much alive. So Damian Brandon was convinced that his son¡¯s death was related to Quella Radcliffe! What everyone did not know, however, was that the Brandon Family did not have just one son, but two. The elder son was named Cameron Brandon, who had grown up abroad since he was a child. Upon learning of his brother¡¯s tragic death, Cameron Brandon, with his people, hurried back to Gonzalez City overnight. ¡°Father, Mother!¡± Upon seeing Damian Brandon and Parthasarathy Ellsworth, Cameron Brandon asked with bloodshot eyes, ¡°Who did this?¡± ¡°For the time being, it seems to be tied to that woman from the Radcliffe family. Moreover, according to my information, Jaxen once had a conflict with this woman¡¯s husband at the hotel and even got slapped in the face.¡± Damian Brandon said fiercely, ¡°If Jaxen¡¯s death is indeed their doing, I want the Radcliffe family to pay with their lives!¡± After receiving the news of Jaxen Brandon¡¯s death, as Damian Brandon recovered from his grief, he immediately used his connections to investigate Jaxen¡¯s enemies. It just so happened that the incident of Jaxen Brandon¡¯s conflict with Julius Reed at the Azure Percival Hotel was uncovered, combined with Quella Radcliffe, he was nearly certain that his son¡¯s death was related to this couple. But to his frustration, it seemed Aron Jackson was also involved. ¡°No matter who it is, I want them to join my son in death!¡± Parthasarathy Ellsworth, overcome with anguish, threw herself into Damian Brandon¡¯s arms and wept uncontrollably. Cameron Brandon, who had lived abroad for a long time, seldom returned to his home country. In recent years, the one who had stayed by his parents¡¯ side was Jaxen Brandon. Now that her child was killed, she was nearly falling apart. ¡°Mother, I will capture that woman right away! And I¡¯ll also seize Aron Jackson!¡± Cameron Brandon took a deep breath, his fists cracking with tension. Though he was not in his home country, that did not mean he lacked feelings for his brother. On the contrary, the two brothers were very close; Jaxen used to visit his elder brother abroad each year to spend some time together. ¡°Aron Jackson has some influence in Gonzalez City, you must be careful!¡± Hearing his son¡¯s words, Damian Brandon warned. He was filled with rage and sorrow, yet he remained rational. ¡°Father, don¡¯t worry, a mere Aron Jackson can¡¯t trouble me!¡± Damian Brandon¡¯s eyes flashed with a fierce light, his lips trembling slightly, ¡°Even if he has nothing to do with my brother¡¯s death, I will still take him down! He dared to slap a member of the Brandon family in the face, he¡¯s really grown tired of living!¡± Over the years, he had established connections with a group of very capable people abroad, among them some top Shadow Warriors. After receiving Damian Brandon¡¯s phone call, he immediately flew back to Gonzalez City. ¡°Aron Jackson! Your time has come!¡± Having said that, he turned and left the Brandons¡¯ Residence.. Chapter 95 - Chapter 95: Chapter 94 Aron Jackson Attacked_l Chapter 95: Chapter 94 Aron Jackson Attacked_l Translator: 549690339 The events at the board meeting gave Quella Radcliffe an indescribable sense of exhilaration. Long-suppressed emotions were finally released today. Regardless of Julius Reed¡¯s opinion, Quella Radcliffe insisted on inviting him to dinner. Julius Reed was naturally happy to have dinner with his wife, which was a good opportunity to enhance their relationship. The relationship between the two had made rapid progress recently, reminiscent of the feeling of a first love. As an old monster who had lived for countless years, Julius Reed quite enjoyed this feeling. The couple chose a restaurant close to home, but before they could enter, someone stopped them outside. ¡°Excuse me, are you Quella Radcliffe?¡± A man took off his sunglasses and asked with a smile. ¡°Sorry, you¡¯ve got the wrong person.¡± Without waiting for Quella Radcliffe to speak, Julius Reed took over the conversation and pushed the man away. His instinct told him that this man was suspicious. ¡°Wait a minute!¡± The man said with a displeased face, ¡°I haven¡¯t got the wrong person.¡± He took out his cell phone and glanced at the photo on it, which looked very much like Quella Radcliffe¡ªit was practically the same person. ¡°I told you, you¡¯ve got the wrong person, that means you¡¯ve got the wrong person.¡± Julius Reed ignored him and, wrapping his arm around Quella Radcliffe¡¯s waist, hurried towards the restaurant. ¡°This man is dangerous, you have to be careful.¡± After quietly warning Quella Radcliffe, Julius Reed took out his phone and sent a message to Aron Jackson. At this time, he had to be careful with everything he did. With Deep Cold¡¯s people having just died, it was impossible for a new Shadow Warrior to arrive so quickly. But the Potter Family and Three Blade Group were both potential threats. As they passed by the man with sunglasses, Julius Reed had already felt a murderous intent. This was not the aura of a normal person. ¡°Miss Quella Radcliffe¡­¡± ¡°Get lost! Are you fucking blind! ¡± Just as the man with sunglasses caught up, a drunkard happened to pass by, bumping into him firmly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± The man in sunglasses frowned, displeased, but still apologized. ¡°Quella¡­¡± ¡°Quella your mother¡¯s head! My cell phone fell on the ground and broke, aren¡¯t you going to compensate me?¡± The drunkard interrupted him again, ¡°You think wearing sunglasses makes you a big deal? Let me tell you, this is Gonzalez City!¡± The man pointed to the cell phone on the ground, scolding, ¡°Pay up! Wearing sunglasses in broad daylight, you must be really blind!¡± Julius Reed, with his arm around Quella Radcliffe, watched the two men in front of them, his eyes narrowing slightly. He could tell that the drunkard had bumped into the man with sunglasses on purpose, and the cell phone had been deliberately thrown on the ground. But why would he do that? Both men seemed no simple characters, and Julius Reed instinctively moved Quella Radcliffe behind him. It was very likely that the two were putting on an act together to distract his attention. ¡°Fine! How much do you want?¡± The man with sunglasses took a deep breath, trying his best to remain calm. He pulled out his wallet and took out two thousand yuan, ¡°Here, is that enough?¡± ¡°Fuck! Brother, are you kidding me?¡± The drunkard took the two thousand yuan and then flung it in the man with sunglasses¡¯ face, ¡°This little money, you think you can send me off with that?¡± ¡°Sir, please don¡¯t go too far! This broken phone is worth at most one thousand yuan! Besides, I¡¯ve apologized to you and compensated you. If you keep this up¡­ ¡± ¡°What? Say it again?¡± The drunkard interrupted the man with sunglasses once more. He dug at his ears and looked up, ¡°Brother, you¡¯re not going to compensate, are you? ¡°How much do you want!¡± Eventually, the man with sunglasses conceded. He glanced at Julius Reed and took out another wad of money. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Julius Reed, giving the two men one last look, pulled Quella Radcliffe quickly towards the restaurant. By now he had almost concluded that the two were not in cahoots, and the man with sunglasses was clearly there to make trouble for him. Although he didn¡¯t know who had sent him, it was ultimately somewhat dangerous to keep Quella Radcliffe by his side. Only one man was visible, but what about in the shadows? ¡°Here¡¯s your money! Don¡¯t bother me!¡± Seeing Julius Reed leaving, the man with sunglasses hurriedly chased after him. ¡°This is fake money!¡± The drunkard grabbed his arm, shouting loudly, ¡°You dare try to fob me off with counterfeit bills!¡± ¡°You¡¯re asking for death!¡± The man in sunglasses¡¯s face darkened as he threw a punch with his backhand! He had now understood that the other party was simply looking for trouble! Since that was the case, there was no need for him to be polite! ¡°How can you start hitting people! ¡± Facing the sudden punch, the drunk man leaned back at an incredible angle, dodging it completely. How could this be the move of someone drunk! ¡°Hmm?¡± After his punch missed, the man in sunglasses let out a light grunt. He was very confident in his abilities, so how had the opponent dodged his attack? ¡°Kid, you¡¯ve made me angry now!¡± The drunk man rolled up his sleeves and threw a heavy punch! Bang! Without hesitation, the man in sunglasses met him with a punch of his own! ¡°Who are you!¡± The man¡¯s face changed drastically after that punch! The other person was not ordinary at all, potentially matching his own strength. ¡°I am the one hitting you!¡± The drunk man didn¡¯t hesitate and threw another punch! ¡°Why are they fighting?¡± Quella Radcliffe, watching from a distance, hadn¡¯t quite grasped what was happening. Julius Reed was in the same boat. They started fighting without a word, and both their skills were as he had surmised. Both very strong! ¡°Young Master, Young Madam!¡± Just then, a voice quietly came from behind them. ¡°Who!¡± Julius Reed instinctively turned and gripped the throat of the speaker. ¡°Young Master¡­¡± The man¡¯s face turned red, clearly struggling to breathe. ¡°Speak! ¡± Julius Reed slowly released his grip, his eyes filled with lethal intent. ¡°Young Master, we are from Willson Pavilion. Pavilion Master Amadeus Fairbanks feels deeply sorry for the last incident, so he has sent us to Gonzalez City to protect the Young Madam,¡± the man said, taking a deep breath, appreciating the fresh air as if it was the first time in his life. With a bit more force, Julius Reed might have snapped his neck just now. ¡°Amadeus Fairbanks? Why should I believe you!¡± Julius Reed looked at him warily. He wasn¡¯t clear about the matters of Willson Pavilion, but Amadeus Fairbanks had always seen himself as a deity. Being cautious was always the right move. ¡°This is our Pavilion Master¡¯s Token!¡± The man carefully took out a token from his chest and handed it to Julius Reed. ¡°It really is!¡± Seeing the very peculiar token in his hand, Julius Reed smiled knowingly. The pattern on it was the one he had drawn when he passed by Willson Pavilion, which Amadeus Fairbanks had exchanged for countless fine liquors. ¡°I was just drunk at the time and drew it without thinking.¡± He shook his head and handed back the token to the man, ¡°What¡¯s happening outside?¡± The two men were brawling near the entrance of the restaurant, oblivious to the crowd¡¯s strange looks. ¡°There are three men around the restaurant, and two more posing as waitstaff. According to our investigation, all of them are new faces,¡± the man reported truthfully. ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard! How many of you came here?¡± Julius Reed nodded his head. He was quite satisfied with Amadeus Fairbanks¡¯s actions. Now that he had numerous enemies, he did need some people to ensure Quella Radcliffe¡¯s safety. But just then, his phone suddenly rang. ¡°You have to be careful! Someone¡¯s planning to make a move on us, I¡¯ve already been attacked!¡± On the other end of the phone, Aron Jackson¡¯s voice came through, breathless and urgent.. Chapter 96 - Chapter 96: Chapter 95 Wounded in the Forest_1 Chapter 96: Chapter 95 Wounded in the Forest_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Speak slower, where are you right now!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s face sank suddenly upon hearing Aron Jackson¡¯s call for help. In Gonzalez City, someone daring to brazenly target Aron Jackson would definitely be no small fry! Combining this with the encounter with the sunglasses-wearing man, he had a vague feeling that this time¡¯s opponent was no simple matter. ¡°Boss, I¡¯m on Leopold River Highway! The opponent is formidable, and all of them are highly skilled!¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s breathing grew heavier and heavier, clearly indicating that he was in considerable danger. ¡°Wait for me!¡± After hanging up the phone, Julius Reed turned to the man beside him and asked, ¡°How many of you from Willson Pavilion came over this time?¡± ¡°Five!¡± The man held out one hand, speaking with certainty. ¡°Can you five ensure the safety of my wife?¡± Julius Reed looked him in the eye, asking word by word. ¡°Please rest assured, Young Master, even if we die, we will protect the Young Madam¡¯s safety!¡± A flash of fervor appeared in the man¡¯s eyes. The failure of their last operation had caused Amadeus Fairbanks to become furious and also brought shame to Willson Pavilion. They had come this time to wash away their previous disgrace! How could they not cherish the opportunity now before them? ¡°If my wife suffers even the slightest harm, Amadeus Fairbanks¡¯s death would not make up for it!¡± Julius Reed grabbed the man by the collar and said in a low voice, ¡°Don¡¯t let me down!¡± ¡°Rest assured, Young Master!¡± The man took a deep breath, his eyes exceptionally determined. ¡°Honey, wait for me!¡± After receiving the man¡¯s promise, Julius Reed turned to look at Quella Radcliffe with a smile. Aron Jackson was in danger, and he couldn¡¯t ignore it. Besides, he was familiar with the skills of the people from Willson Pavilion, and they should have no problem dealing with these men. Amadeus Fairbanks was already enraged by the last incident, and the men sent this time were definitely the elite of the elite. ¡°Be careful!¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded, her eyes filled with happiness. ¡°If you¡¯re in danger, call me!¡± After giving his instructions, Julius Reed immediately left through the back door of the restaurant and drove towards Leopold River Highway. Once in the car, he took out his phone and made a call. ¡°You go! I¡¯ll stay and hold them back!¡± In the woods, Dominating Tiger¡¯s face was covered in blood. ¡°When have I, Aron Jackson, ever abandoned anyone!¡± Aron Jackson walked up to Dominating Tiger: ¡°Quick, get on!¡± ¡°This way, neither of us can escape!¡± Dominating Tiger shook his head, his lame leg dragging as he turned around. ¡°This is a damn order! Thinking of rebelling?¡± ¡°Get on!¡± Half an hour ago, they had passed by here in a car when they were suddenly attacked. Having fled up to this point, only Aron Jackson and Dominating Tiger were left. The people behind them were persistently in hot pursuit, and now they were less than a hundred meters away. ¡°Please forgive Dominating Tiger for not obeying your order!¡± Dominating Tiger, with red eyes, roared, ¡®You must stay alive to avenge us! If we all die, who will avenge us?¡± ¡°Leave! There¡¯s always a way out; I don¡¯t believe either of us will die here!¡± Looking at Dominating Tiger, who was indifferent to life and death, Aron Jackson gritted his teeth and said, ¡®Get on! I¡¯ll carry you as we run!¡± Leopold River Highway was on the outskirts of Gonzalez City, a desolate place with no one around, just stretches of woodland. The enemy had chosen this place to make their move, evidently having planned it well in advance and also having obtained information about his whereabouts ahead of time. The strict discipline displayed by the pursuers was also surprising to Aron Jackson. This group of people was definitely not simple! ¡°In my next life, I¡¯ll still be your employee!¡± Dominating Tiger pushed Aron Jackson away and dragged his injured leg as he walked back. ¡°Damn it!¡± Aron Jackson took a deep breath, his eyes bloodshot as he sprinted forward! There were far too many in pursuit. As one person fell, another immediately followed, eager to take their place. ¡°You go!¡± Now that both his arms were injured and his thigh was wounded, facing such a pursuit, there was no chance of survival. ¡°As brothers, if we¡¯re to die, we die together!¡± Aron Jackson ignored his plea! ¡°Aron Jackson lives up to his reputation! What a man!¡± Applause rang out, and a man emerged from the woods. The man was dressed in a gray suit. ¡°Who are you!¡± Aron Jackson was bleeding profusely at this point. He attempted to raise his hand to kill the man before him, but the strength in his body was being drained away bit by bit. The man threw his head back and laughed loudly, then suddenly his gaze turned ice cold, ¡°Do you remember Jaxen Brandon?¡± As he spoke, he seemed like a wild beast. ¡°The great young master of the Brandon Family in Gonzalez City, who wouldn¡¯t know?¡± Upon hearing the man mention Jaxen Brandon, Aron Jackson was internally startled, but his face didn¡¯t show it. ¡°Is that so? That day at the Azure Percival Hotel, which hand did you use to slap his face?¡± Cameron Brandon slowly crouched down, his gaze steadfastly on Aron Jackson¡¯s eyes. He was here to take revenge for his brother! ¡°Who are you?¡± Confronted with the man¡¯s questioning, Aron Jackson sneered: ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, you must be from the Brandon Family, right? I heard long ago that Damian Brandon had a son overseas; that must be you.¡± Having dominated Gonzalez City for so long, he had secretly investigated everyone. When he looked into the Brandon Family, he learned that Damian Brandon had a mysterious son abroad. Considering the man¡¯s appearance and age, Aron Jackson had a good guess of who he might be. ¡°You¡¯re right! I¡¯m Jaxen Brandon¡¯s brother, Cameron Brandon! Since you refuse to tell me, I¡¯ll just have to cut off both your hands!¡± Having said this, Cameron Brandon took out a dagger from his waistband and aimed to stab at Aron Jackson¡¯s wrist! Chapter 97 - Chapter 97: Chapter 96 Li 12’s Counterattack_l Chapter 97: Chapter 96 Li 12¡¯s Counterattack_l Translator: 549690339 Cameron Brandon made his move with experienced composure! If you dare to strike my brother¡¯s face, you better be prepared for a fate worse than death! As he drove the dagger downward, he deliberately angled it, ensuring it would cause Aron Jackson excruciating pain without bleeding him out! Bang! But just then, a streak of cold light whizzed out, striking the gleaming dagger! Clang! The dagger flew from his grip, sending Cameron Brandon tumbling to the ground. ¡°Who¡¯s there!¡± ¡°Boss, are you alright?¡± A Shadow Warrior approached Cameron Brandon and asked. Had that strike been slightly off-target, it could have hit a wrist instead. ¡°I¡¯m fine! Kill the asshole who threw that dart!¡± Cameron Brandon¡¯s face was ashen. The attack was so sudden that he was completely unprepared. Yet during the pursuit, there were supposed to be only two people left. And those two, both wounded, lay before him. Who could it be? Along the Leopold River Highway, there wasn¡¯t a soul in sight; moreover, they were deep in the mountains and forests. ¡°You guys, go check it out!¡± The leading man waved his hand, and immediately several black men walked over. These men were fully armed. They advanced in a triangular formation, each one vigilantly scanning the surroundings. ¡°Motherfucker!¡± Cameron Brandon slapped Aron Jackson across the face, then viciously trampled him with his foot: ¡°Aron Jackson! You really have the guts of a leopard, daring to lay a hand on a Brandon Family member!¡± With his men moving out, even a three-headed, six-armed opponent couldn¡¯t escape! In the face of firearms, all efforts are futile! ¡°Speak! Who killed my brother!¡± Cameron Brandon kept stepping on Aron Jackson¡¯s face, threatening viciously: ¡°You can choose not to talk, but I have a hundred ways to make you!¡± ¡°Your brother? I killed him!¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s direct admission took Cameron Brandon by surprise. ¡°Why did you kill my brother!¡± Upon learning the truth, the rage in his heart reignited! Cameron had a deep bond with his seldom-seen brother from back home. Now, with Jaxen Brandon¡¯s murderer right in front of him, how could he contain his fury? ¡°Because he dared to disrespect me! You know, Jaxen Brandon always opposed me. If I didn¡¯t take him out, who would respect me in the future?¡± To avoid any trouble for Julius Reed, Aron Jackson assumed full responsibility for the murder. Normally, these people would have had a hard time finding him. But now, they ambushed him, catching him off guard. And most importantly, they were well-trained! Although Aron Jackson was skilled in combat, he still felt somewhat overwhelmed in their presence. ¡°What¡¯s the relationship between that Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe to you?¡± ¡°Talk! Or I¡¯ll blow your head off!¡± ¡°Ha! Why don¡¯t you try?¡± How could Aron Jackson tell them? If these people were ambushing stealthily, Julius and Quella might get hurt. He would rather die than reveal a single word! ¡°Won¡¯t talk, huh? Fine! I have a hundred ways to make you speak!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll start by crippling one of your legs!¡± But just as he prepared to strike, another streak of cold light soared toward them! Thud! Different from before, this dart struck Cameron Brandon¡¯s arm precisely! Along with a scream, Cameron Brandon collapsed in pain, veins bulging on his face. ¡°Over there!¡± The leading few black men rushed towards the sound! ¡°Leave one alive!¡± Watching his arm bleed profusely, Cameron Brandon growled fiercely, ¡°I want him to suffer worse than death!¡± One of his subordinates hurriedly came to bandage his wounds, sprinkling some painkiller on it as well. ¡°Aron Jackson! From now on, your days in Gonzalez City are over. But Julius Reed and that Quella Radcliffe will soon join you!¡± After mustering the strength to stand up through the excruciating pain, Cameron Brandon pointed his gun at Aron Jackson and said with a cold laugh, ¡°Go join my brother!¡± He had already decided that regardless of whether Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe were involved in Jaxen¡¯s death, he would kill them both! No suspects would be left alive! That way, once he left, no one in Gonzalez City would dare oppose the Brandon Family again! But at that moment, howls rang out from a distance, and one by one, the black men all fell to the ground. ¡°What the hell is going on!¡± Cameron Brandon¡¯s face darkened. These men were extremely skilled! Battle-hardened and ferocious, each one of them was a formidable figure. But now, one after another, they collapsed in quick succession. ¡°Boss, I¡¯ll go check it out!¡± A man in a suit waved his hand, and the black men followed him over immediately. ¡°Leave one alive!¡± Cameron Brandon didn¡¯t forget to remind them azain. Whoever gave him a bullet and took out so many of his men couldn¡¯t be let off easily! ¡°Understood ! ¡± His subordinate nodded, touching the earpiece in his ear. After issuing the order, he led four men quietly forward. Bang! Another black man fell. The leading man shouted. The forest was eerily silent, no other sound to be heard. ¡°Charge!¡± With a wave of his hand, the four black men behind the leader rushed forward. But after just a few steps, they all stopped in their tracks. ¡°What are you doing! Get up there! Drag that person out for me!¡± Cameron Brandon, while checking his wound, stared ahead with focus. But to his surprise, instead of moving forward, his men began to step back. Soon after, they raised their hands high in the air. ¡°Damn it! What the fuck are you doing!¡± Seeing the strange behavior of his men, Cameron Brandon got up to move forward. ¡°Dare to touch a brother of Julius Reed?¡± A young man emerged from the woods, throwing a dart that took down the leading man. ¡°Attack! Take him down!¡± Cameron Brandon¡¯s eyes narrowed, ready to act, But the next moment, his eyes wide with incredulity.. Chapter 98 - Chapter 98: Chapter 97 Someone Came to the House 1 Chapter 98: Chapter 97 Someone Came to the House 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Big brother!¡± When Aron Jackson saw Julius Reed, his entire spirit was lifted! Although he wasn¡¯t sure about the relationship between the people in the forest and Julius Reed, judging by the situation, he knew they were not Cameron Brandon¡¯s men. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you first!¡± But how could Aron Jackson, no longer restrained, let himself be slaughtered at will? He rolled his body and with a fierce push of his feet, he disappeared into the woods. ¡°Chase him!¡± Seeing Aron Jackson fleeing, Cameron Brandon¡¯s eyes seemed ready to shoot out flames. Despite being injured, he planned to dash over and give chase without any regard! ¡°Run!¡± A staff member immediately stopped him. ¡°The other side obviously has the upper hand, you need to get out of here fast! If you¡¯re even half a step late, you won¡¯t be able to leave at all!¡± During this exchange, the staff member immediately stood in front of him, his face full of urgency. ¡°Solomon, are these our people?¡± Cameron Brandon took a deep breath, trying his best to stay calm. ¡°Aron Jackson, wait for me!¡± Watching the situation turn almost completely one-sided, he steeled his heart, turned around, and ran towards Baron Grey. ¡°Dominating Tiger, where¡¯s Aron Jackson?¡± Arriving in Baron Grey, Julius Reed spotted Dominating Tiger lying on the ground at first glance. He was covered in blood and his complexion had already turned pale. ¡°Big brother¡ªhe¡­¡± Before he could finish his sentence, Dominating Tiger¡¯s eyes rolled back, and he passed out in shock. ¡°Quick, get him on the ambulance!¡± A man in a Tang suit waved his hand, and someone immediately carried Dominating Tiger onto the ambulance. ¡°Check carefully to see if there are any survivors!¡± He directed the staff to keep searching to make sure they hadn¡¯t missed any enemies. ¡°Thank you for your help today!¡± Julius Reed nodded to the man in a Tang suit, and as he got into the car, he made a phone call to Truman Ridge. Given the stance of the opponents, forcing Aron Jackson into a dead end, they obviously were not ordinary people. As expected, the enemies were well-trained. ¡°We¡¯re only doing what we should! Young Master, do you need us to find out who¡¯s behind this and eradicate them completely?¡± The man in a Tang suit was the butler of the Ridge Family and also the commander of this operation. Truman Ridge originally intended to oversee the situation personally, but the butler stopped him, knowing that the moment the Family Head of the Ridge Family took action, it would certainly alarm many people. ¡°No need! I¡¯ll deal with the other matters myself.¡± After saying this, Julius Reed quickly headed up the mountain. Even now, he had not found Aron Jackson! But the absence of a body meant that Aron Jackson was still alive. ¡°Big brother! ¡± Finally, when he ran deep into the forest, he saw Aron Jackson, covered in blood. ¡°Good thing you¡¯re alive!¡± Julius Reed was initially shocked, then his eyes became slightly moist. He strode over and wrapped his arms around Aron Jackson in an embrace. ¡°Good thing you¡¯re alive.¡± ¡°Big brother, I almost thought I¡¯d never see you again!¡± Aron Jackson closed his eyes, and tears began swirling in his eyes. ¡°Good thing you¡¯re alive!¡± After repeating the phrase for the third time, Julius Reed shouted toward the other end of the forest, ¡°People!¡± Immediately following his call, a team of people ran over. ¡°Young Master!¡± They stood in front of the two, saluting in unison. ¡°Get my brother onto the ambulance.¡± Julius Reed turned to look at Aron Jackson, feeling a pang of heartache. Although he was the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, with countless elite and fierce staff, in these three years of amnesia, only Aron Jackson had been constantly at his side. He would not forget this bond. ¡°Big brother, I can walk by myself.¡± Looking at Julius Reed¡¯s back, Aron Jackson¡¯s voice choked up. ¡°Today¡¯s events were Cameron Brandon¡¯s doing. He came fiercely, seeking revenge for his brother!¡± Afraid that Julius Reed would be in danger, Aron Jackson quickly conveyed the information he knew. ¡°Rest and heal your injuries; I¡¯ll handle this matter.¡± Julius Reed nodded, but then he noticed his phone ringing from his pocket. When he saw the incoming call, his heart tensed. ¡°Honey, are you alright?¡± The caller was Quella Radcliffe, who sounded particularly sensitive at this time. ¡°I¡¯m alright! Although I faced two attacks, your staff drove them off. Julius, be careful. This opponent is formidable!¡± After surviving two attacks, Quella Radcliffe was terrified, but she still couldn¡¯t help calling Julius Reed to ask how things were on his end. ¡°If you¡¯re fine, that¡¯s good! Go home and wait for me!¡± Hearing that Quella Radcliffe was unharmed, Julius Reed let out a long sigh of relief. ¡°Young Master, I didn¡¯t expect it to be the Brandon Family of Gonzalez City! If you don¡¯t mind, I can take action on your behalf!¡± The butler came over upon hearing the news, and his expression turned very grim after listening to Aron Jackson. The Ridge Family, a reclusive and immensely wealthy clan, could easily take down the Brandon Family. ¡°No need! I have to deal with this personally!¡± Julius Reed flatly rejected the offer, determined to do something as Aron Jackson¡¯s big brother since his staff were beaten so badly. ¡°If the Brandon Family wants to play, I¡¯ll make them live in endless fear!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Seeing Julius Reed¡¯s refusal, the butler didn¡¯t insist. He was well aware of the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance¡¯s temperament; even the Family Head of the Ridge Family wouldn¡¯t dare breathe too loudly in front of him. Although the Brandon Family dared to offend this Young Master, he would definitely report the truth to Truman Ridge. Whatever the Family Head decided to do afterwards was none of his concern. After leaving the Leopold River Highway, Julius Reed went straight to his new home. Now he was very worried about Quella Radcliffe, especially after such an event, he felt even more uneasy. But as soon as he arrived outside the mansion, he sensed the presence of strangers. Inside the house, there were definitely more than just Quella Radcliffe and those five from Willson Pavilion. Julius Reed¡¯s heart sank, and he quickly pulled out his keys and unlocked the door! Just as he was about to rush in, he froze. It was not strangers in the house, but his own in-laws, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s biological parents. ¡°Julius!¡± Upon seeing Julius Reed, Quella Radcliffe quickly stood up and whispered, ¡°I don¡¯t know where my parents heard the news, but they insisted on coming over to check on us. It¡¯s too dangerous outside, and I was worried, so I let them come¡­ ¡± Her voice grew softer as she spoke. ¡°My daughter, what are you telling him! Come and sit down!¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s expression darkened instantly upon seeing Julius Reed.. Chapter 99 - Chapter 99: Chapter 98: I Want You to Disappear from This World_1 Chapter 99: Chapter 98: I Want You to Disappear from This World_1 Translator: 549690339 The matter of the last separation had escalated to the point where both parties were at each other¡¯s throats. Julius Reed directly took Quella Radcliffe away, marking a complete breakdown of their relationship with the Radcliffe family. But he hadn¡¯t expected that Burl Radcliffe and his wife would actually find their way here. Actually, the elderly couple hadn¡¯t planned on coming, as after their estrangement, Knox Ridge had intended to let them endure some hardship before, eventually, persuading Quella Radcliffe to divorce. But who knew that after leaving, her obedient daughter wouldn¡¯t even make a single phone call. Thus, Knox Ridge waited, waited for the day Quella Radcliffe would bow her head and yield. The elderly couple had no shares in the company, and after the conflict between Julius Reed and Otis Radcliffe escalated, they had even taken leave to stay at home, avoiding the trouble that might affect them due to their connection to the family. Therefore, they had no knowledge of the recent events at the Radcliffe Group. It just so happened that last night, a friend from their mahjong table talked about Quella Radcliffe during a casual conversation. This mahjong friend happened to live in the same neighborhood as Quella Radcliffe, though he resided in a regular residential building, whilst Quella Radcliffe lived in an independent mansion. The price difference between the two homes was more than tenfold! Upon hearing this news, Knox Ridge rushed here with Zade Radcliffe, waiting at the entrance of the community for Quella Radcliffe. In truth, Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t want to bring her parents up, because the house was bought by Julius Reed; between her husband and her parents lay an irreconcilable conflict. But now in a dangerous situation, Quella Radcliffe decided on her own to bring the elderly couple up. ¡°Julius, I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Thinking of her parents¡¯ conduct, Quella Radcliffe felt a pang of guilt. ¡°It¡¯s okay! As long as you are safe, I¡¯m going to get some sleep.¡± Julius Reed gave a faint smile and turned to go back to his own room. ¡°Stop right there!¡± But at that moment, Knox Ridge spoke up. She stood up, striding over to Julius Reed with an aggressive stance, hands on hips, she said, ¡°Julius Reed, are you blind? Seeing me and your father here, can¡¯t you even greet us?¡± In her mind, Quella Radcliffe had always been a compliant daughter, obeying everything her mother said. But ever since some time ago, Quella Radcliffe had stopped listening. She believed it was all Julius Reed¡¯s doing, creating a rift between mother and daughter. Now facing Julius Reed, she let all her pent-up anger out. ¡°Mom! You¡­ Sensing Knox Ridge was starting to make a scene, Quella Radcliffe quickly came over to pull her back. ¡°Shut up! Have things really come to this? Quella Radcliffe, are you now so emboldened that you don¡¯t listen to me anymore?¡± Knox Ridge shoved Quella Radcliffe aside and pointed straight at Julius Reed¡¯s nose, scolding, ¡°You disrespectful brat, you¡¯ve really turned against us!¡± ¡°I have other matters, you deal with them.¡± Julius Reed glanced at Quella Radcliffe and headed toward his room. If it were anyone else daring to point their finger at the nose of the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, they probably would¡¯ve been dead by now. But this was Quella Radcliffe¡¯s parents, and for her, he had to bear it. ¡°Where are you going! Your father and I have already settled in there! You can sleep on the sofa!¡± Knox Ridge blocked Julius Reed¡¯s path and snorted coldly, ¡°You think you¡¯re fit to live in such a nice house? It¡¯s already generous not to kick you out right away. Go make dinner now! Your father and I are hungry.¡± Hearing that her daughter was living in such a nice place, she and Burl Radcliffe had packed their luggage and clothes to come here. Moreover, before leaving, she had already arranged with an agent to put her own house up for sale. Why live in a great house if not, stupid? ¡°Mom!¡± Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t stand it any longer, but she couldn¡¯t tell Knox Ridge the truth. Everything in front of them, all the money came from Julius Reed, and the house was solely arranged by Julius Reed! What right did they have to kick him out? Ignoring Knox Ridge¡¯s ranting, Julius Reed twisted the doorknob, only to find the room had completely changed. Some shabby paintings were hung on the wall, and the original contents of the room were scattered on the floor. One could tell at a glance that the paintings were forgeries, only someone pretentious like Burl Radcliffe would do such a thing. And not just that, even the window sills were filled with Knox Ridge¡¯s favorite plants, clearly, the elderly couple had made this place their own. ¡°I¡¯m going upstairs!¡± Not wanting to argue with the old couple, Julius Reed strode towards the upstairs. This western-style house had three floors, with the living room and kitchen on the first floor, their bedroom on the second, but on the top floor there was another room and a swimming pool. ¡°You can¡¯t go up to the top floor either!¡± Knox Ridge coldly sneered from behind, ¡°My eldest sister is coming to bring her kid here for school soon. I¡¯ve already arranged for them to have that room.¡± ¡°Since when? How come I don¡¯t know anything about it!¡± Quella Radcliffe looked completely bewildered. As the mistress of the house, Knox Ridge hadn¡¯t even discussed it with her before taking it upon herself to arrange the room for others. ¡°Just before you arrived, your aunt gave me a call. You know they live far from Gonzalez City, and her child is just starting freshman year at college. Since we have so many rooms at home, I simply arranged it.¡± Knox Ridge lifted her head with the look of a shrew. ¡°No! Call your aunt now and tell her there are no rooms available!¡± Quella Radcliffe took out her phone and handed it to Knox Ridge. She had previously been sleeping separately from Julius Reed, each having their own room. Now, they could sleep together, but that wasn¡¯t the point. As the head of the house, Julius Reed was expected to sleep on the sofa¡ªhow absurd! ¡°You little bastard, you dare raise your temper at me! How dare you speak to me like that!¡± Seeing Quella Radcliffe about to call her sister, Knox Ridge was seething with anger! How could she, someone who cared so much about face, agree to such a thing! ¡°I don¡¯t care, nobody else is moving in today!¡± Quella Radcliffe stood her ground firmly. ¡°You!¡± Knox Ridge was so angry she was practically gasping for breath, and she reached out to slap Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Stop!¡± Julius Reed frowned and grabbed Knox Ridge¡¯s hand. He could tolerate a little harsh treatment towards himself, but not towards Quella Radcliffe¡ªno way! ¡°If you keep this up, get out of here!¡± ¡°You! You¡¯re asking for it!¡± Knox Ridge raised her other hand, aiming it at Julius Reed. Slap! A crisp slap echoed, silencing the room instantly, Touching her face, Knox Ridge looked at the unfamiliar face before her and roared, ¡°You dare hit me!¡± It was someone from Willson Pavilion. In the eyes of the disciples of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, the Young Master was a godlike figure, not to be disrespected! Yet this shrew before them was actually attempting to hit someone! ¡°Today, I¡¯m going to tear you apart!¡± When she moved into the new house, she had seen these five people, and judging by their attitude towards Quella Radcliffe, Knox Ridge had subconsciously assumed they were bodyguards. But now, to think her own bodyguards would dare to make a move, her fury was imaginable. ¡°Which bodyguard company are you from? I¡¯m going to file a complaint! Wait and see, you¡¯ll be jobless and packing your bags home!¡± Burl Radcliffe saw his wife getting slapped and picked up an ashtray from the table to join in. ¡°Damn peons, do you have a death wish!¡± Bang! But before he could make a move, a Willson Pavilion disciple kicked Burl Radcliffe, sending him tumbling to the ground. Slap! Then, the disciple backhanded Knox Ridge across the face again. ¡°If you dare to disrespect the Young Master again, I¡¯ll make you disappear from this world!¡± Chapter 100 - Chapter 100: Chapter 99 Two Bounties_l Chapter 100: Chapter 99 Two Bounties_l Translator: 549690339 Facing Knox Ridge, Julius Reed might still take Quella Radcliffe into consideration, but the people from Willson Pavilion couldn¡¯t care less. In their hearts, the sanctity and inviolability of the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance are paramount! Seeing Knox Ridge about to strike Julius Reed, the leading person rushed torward and slapped ner across tne tace! ¡°You dare to hit me!¡± Dazed from the slap, Knox Ridge lay on the ground, crying and shouting, ¡°Prepare the money¡ªI won¡¯t get up without two hundred thousand! Quella, call the police, someone is beating your mom!¡± At that moment, she displayed the true colors of a shrew to the fullest. Her behavior right now was colloquially known as ¡°extortion.¡± ¡°Fine! Since you¡¯re not getting up, I¡¯ll send you straight to heaven!¡± The Willson Pavilion disciples didn¡¯t care about the niceties and promptly drew a knife, shimmering with cold light, slowly approaching Knox Ridge. ¡°What are you doing! I warn you, it¡¯s daylight.. Quella¡­ save your mom, what kind of people are these! ¡± Seeing the blade getting closer, Knox Ridge started crawling toward Burl Radcliffe, fear filling her eyes. Usually, when she threw tantrums, her targets were honest and kind-hearted commoners who would naturally give in to her drama. But as the saying goes, ¡°It takes a bully to beat a bully.¡± Seeing the Willson Pavilion disciples brandishing their knives, Knox Ridge¡¯s legs went weak, and she was scared to tears. ¡°Brother, I was wrong! I was tasteless, don¡¯t stoop to my level¡­¡± Clang! The knife in the hands of the Willson Pavilion disciple stabbed down fiercely! ¡°Mom!¡± Following the two cries, Knox Ridge¡¯s face went pale, and she couldn¡¯t help but shiver. Quella, who was close by, felt his heart leap into his throat. ¡°Next time, the knife won¡¯t miss!¡± The Willson Pavilion disciple pulled the knife from a centimeter away from Knox Ridge¡¯s neck and said coldly, ¡°Behave yourself!¡± Julius Reed, who had been silent the whole time, after witnessing this scene, said indifferently, ¡°You¡¯ve put a dent in my newly renovated floor.¡± ¡°This¡­¡± The named Willson Pavilion disciple coughed a few times, then hurriedly said, ¡°Young Master, rest assured, I will immediately arrange for it to be replaced.¡± Caught up in his anger, he had forgotten about this. After all, it was the home of the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, and he was somewhat afraid of the consequences of his actions. In the Willson Pavilion, every time Pavilion Master Amadeus Fairbanks mentioned Julius Reed, his eyes were filled with reverence. Because of the Gonzalez City incident, he was even willing to start a war with Deep Cold! ¡°Just kidding!¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, patting his shoulder, and then glanced at Knox Ridge, ¡°It¡¯s good in a way, serves as a reminder to certain people not to be too arrogant!¡± Having the Willson Pavilion step in to intimidate his own mother-in-law was actually a good thing. Knowing these people wouldn¡¯t dare to kill in front of him, he hadn¡¯t intervened when they took action. ¡°Julius Reed, you¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Knox Ridge was about to speak but stopped short when glanced at by the Willson Pavilion disciple, immediately too frightened to say another word. ¡°Mr. Radcliffe, are you alright¡­¡± She turned and helped Burl Radcliffe up from the ground. The disciple¡¯s kick had been merciful¡ªif not, Burl Radcliffe would have been a corpse by now. ¡°Could I be alright! Let¡¯s go back¡­¡± The incident with the knife truly terrified him, and even now, he hadn¡¯t recovered from the initial shock. ¡°Go where! This is our daughter¡¯s home, why should I leave? If anyone should go, it¡¯s certain people!¡± Intimidated by the Willson Pavilion disciple, she didn¡¯t dare to blatantly speak against Julius Reed. After glancing at her own daughter, she felt even more upset. Quella, who was once obedient and assertive, had become incredibly meek! Weren¡¯t those supposed to be her bodyguards? They only listened to Julius Reed¡¯s orders, making Knox Ridge feel as if her daughter was being coerced. While Julius Reed went upstairs, Knox Ridge quietly approached Quella Radcliffe, ¡°Daughter, tell me the truth, did Julius Reed coerce someone to threaten you, wanting to seize your property?¡± ¡°Seize my property?¡± Quella Radcliffe blinked in slight astonishment before responding with a touch of displeasure, ¡°Mom, what are you talking about! Julius Reed has been very good to me, and from now on, I want you to stop making his life difficult. Otherwise, if something like this happens again, I really won¡¯t be able to save you! You saw it just now, they only listen to Julius Reed.¡± Although Quella wished to take this opportunity to calm Knox Ridge¡¯s temper, in the end, she was her mother, so Quella had to continue comforting her, ¡°As long as you don¡¯t deliberately make things hard for Reed, he will treat you well.¡± ¡°Hmph! Indeed, a girl outgrows her home! Don¡¯t think you can turn the world upside down just because you¡¯ve grown wings. Let me tell you, as long as your father and I are not dead, you can forget about overshadowing us!¡± Knox Ridge stormed off after dropping those words, dragging Burl Radcliffe back to their room. Having gone through that incident, even if the couple harbored thoughts of troubling Julius Reed, seeing the few people standing in the living room, they had no choice but to swallow their words. The old couple always speculated but never understood who those people really were. However, as long as they didn¡¯t offend Julius Reed, those people were like statues, not moving an inch. In his room, Julius Reed wasn¡¯t sleeping but was logging into a website with practiced ease. Shortly after, the dimly lit webpage appeared before him. This was an underground world website where many bounties surfaced. As he browsed, he surprisingly found his own name listed! A bounty of three hundred million! ¡°Wow! That¡¯s no small amount of money!¡± Julius Reed let out a faint smile and clicked to view the details. On this website, both the bounty issuer and the mission acceptor were kept absolutely confidential. But he could see how many people had accepted the bounty. A bounty could be taken on by multiple people at once, but each time, a substantial deposit had to be paid. ¡°Ten!¡± Seeing the number below, Julius Reed couldn¡¯t help but smile wryly. Ten people had accepted the mission, meaning that now there were ten Shadow Warriors rushing to Gonzalez City, after his life. As he continued to scroll, he felt even more helpless. Someone, for some reason, had issued a second bounty, aiming for both his and Aron Jackson¡¯s lives, with a reward of five hundred million! Since it involved Gonzalez City¡¯s local big shot, naturally, there were fewer takers, but where there is risk there is reward, and still, three people had accepted the mission. ¡°Thirteen! It looks like I won¡¯t be living in peace any time soon.¡± Julius Reed leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. Life is just so dramatic; sometimes, even when you want to live peacefully and avoid trouble, trouble still finds its way to you. Eternal life is not as good as people think ¨C watching the people around you leave one by one, that¡¯s a very painful thing. That¡¯s why Julius Reed neither married nor had children. Throughout countless years, he roamed around, casually critiquing the world when he was bored, occasionally drifting at sea, trying everything possible just to make life less monotonous. But over these three years of amnesia, he had finally found the feeling of being alive, that kind of robust, passionate, and loving life. ¡°Sigh.¡± He exhaled deeply, picked up the phone from the table, and dialed a number. ¡°Who is this?¡± Upon connection, an ice-cold voice came from the other end. ¡°Thirteen people are on their way to kill me.¡± Julius Reed said calmly. ¡°Young¡­ I understand! Are¡­ are you alright¡­¡¯ The originally indifferent tone on the other end suddenly became excited, and even the breathing turned hurried. ¡°Not dead!¡± After replying, Julius Reed hung up the phone. Some things, he didn¡¯t need to say too much.. Chapter 101 - Chapter 101: Chapter 100 Supervisory Department_1 Chapter 101: Chapter 100 Supervisory Department_1 Translator: 549690339 Gonzalez City, Central Hospital. After confirming Quella Radcliffe was safe, Julius Reed immediately rushed to check on Aron Jackson¡¯s injuries. Truman Ridge wanted to take Aron Jackson to the Ridge Family to receive the most advanced medical treatment. However, Julius Reed didn¡¯t want to expose his identity prematurely. Once Aron Jackson got involved with the Ridge Family, people would inevitably trace the connection and discover his identity. He hadn¡¯t yet recovered his memory and was completely unable to confront the person who had nearly caused his death. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Looking at Aron Jackson swathed in bandages on the hospital bed, Julius Reed¡¯s expression turned very ugly. ¡°No big deal! Big brother, you need to be careful while I¡¯m not around,¡± Aron Jackson said as he took a deep breath, his voice filled with a fierce determination, ¡°Brandon Family! As soon as I¡¯m out of here, I¡¯ll take my people and wipe out their whole clan!¡± What he said was spoken in anger, for the Brandon Family was quite the number one clan in Gonzalez City! Thinking about taking these people down directly was outside the rules and could very well lead to self-destruction. ¡°Just focus on healing. The hospital isn¡¯t safe, but I have arranged for people to guard it, ensuring you won¡¯t be in danger.¡± After patting his shoulder, Julius Reed stood up and left the hospital. He urgently wanted to know who had spread the video that made the Potter Family People lose face and triggered all the subsequent conflicts. If it were said to be just an accident, it wouldn¡¯t make sense. Behind the scenes, it seemed as if there were shadowy hands continuously pushing everything forward. ¡°Ovidiu Cook, check for me who released the video!¡± He took out his phone and called Ovidiu Cook. For so many years, Titan Group had been just a facade to distract the public, when in reality, it was a massive network hub. Using the Titan Group¡¯s tremendous financial power and extensive business dealings, they continually accumulated contacts. ¡°Go, bring Minister Cook here!¡± Inside the Titan Group¡¯s office, Ovidiu Cook put down the phone and gestured to the secretary. ¡°Yes, boss!¡± The secretary nodded her head, turned, and walked out of the office towards the supervision department. She had been here for six years and had even shared a bed with Ovidiu Cook more than once, but never quite understood what the supervision department actually did. Not just her, but even old-timers and senior executives within Titan Group didn¡¯t know the true purpose of this department. According to the finance department, this small team of just over a dozen people took over a hundred million in funds from the group every year! The supervision department was like an enigma, no one knew what they did, but these people existed all the same. This substantial expenditure once led a director to raise questions and even proposed abolishing the department. However, at the conference held that day, the director was immediately fired, very thoroughly. Since then, no one dared to mention the supervision department, but this mysterious department became an even bigger enigma in everyone¡¯s minds. ¡°Hello, the Chairman asked for you to come over.¡± Reaching the supervision department, the secretary gently knocked on the door. This department¡¯s office was located in the innermost part of the building in a separate large room. Oddly enough, the room had no windows, and it was rare to see anyone come out of it. Only on special occasions could they see the head of the supervision department make an appearance. In her six years, the secretary had only seen the department head four times. ¡°Understood ! ¡± The door was opened from the inside, and a middle-aged man in a suit stepped out slowly. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he said without any emotion, striding towards Ovidiu Cook¡¯s office. ¡°Minister Cook¡­¡± the secretary whispered, ¡°Are you going like that?¡± Inside Titan Group, there was a rule that one had to dress formally when meeting the chairman, to show respect for the company¡¯s highest authority. But Minister Cook was dressed in a suit without a tied tie, clearly his everyday attire. In the company, even directors had to follow protocol, for everyone knew that Ovidiu Cook had a bad temper. ¡°No need! These fancy customs are useful to you idle people, for us, they are meaningless!¡± Bane Cook rudely interrupted his secretary, then stopped and said, ¡°Be more careful in the future, don¡¯t make things known to everyone.¡± The secretary was completely stunned, having no idea what Bane Cook was talking about. ¡°The zipper on the back of your dress isn¡¯t all the way up.¡± After leaving that comment, the head of the supervisory department strode toward Ovidiu Cook¡¯s office. The secretary quickly felt with her hand and indeed, having left in a hurry, she hadn¡¯t zipped it up. Fortunately, no one saw. But at the same time in her heart, she grew more curious about this Minister Cook. ¡°Knock! Knock!¡± ¡°Come in!¡± ¡°What is it!¡± As Bane Cook entered, he directly sat opposite Ovidiu Cook and, with his legs crossed like a laid-back rogue, asked. If an outsider were to see this scene, their jaw would probably drop! This was Ovidiu Cook, the unchallenged boss of the Titan Group! ¡°The higher-ups have a task, to investigate who released the video.¡± Ovidiu Cook lit a cigarette and didn¡¯t mind the other¡¯s attitude, as if it was something he had grown used to. ¡°What task! ¡± Upon hearing the words ¡°the higher-ups,¡± Bane Cook lost his irreverent demeanor and his eyes took on a respectful look. ¡°This video! It was recorded when Quamaine Potter was beaten at the Ocean Park and later uploaded to the internet.¡± Ovidiu Cook slid his phone across the desk, pushing it directly in front of Bane Cook. ¡°This incident? I know it! Titan Group nearly went bankrupt because of this, thanks to the Golden Eagle Group.¡± Looking at the familiar scene on the screen, Bane Cook fell into deep thought. ¡°Time, how much time?¡± He looked up and pushed the phone back toward Ovidiu Cook. ¡°The sooner the better. This is the first time in three years the higher-ups have given us a task. I don¡¯t need to say more, do I?¡± Ovidiu Cook took a deep drag on his cigarette, exhaling smoke rings. Julius Reed had been silent for three years. ¡°Give me half an hour!¡± Bane Cook stood up from his chair, looked at Ovidiu Cook, and declared, ¡°I¡¯ll have an answer for you in half an hour!¡± Bang! The door was slammed shut. The secretary outside turned red when she saw Bane Cook, but this head of the supervisory department, not knowing what he had been through, was suddenly running toward the supervisory department. ¡°Boss!¡± The secretary pushed open the door and whispered, ¡°Did you have a fight?¡± When they were alone, she could be more intimate with Ovidiu Cook and didn¡¯t need to be restrained in speaking. ¡°Don¡¯t ask about things you shouldn¡¯t ask.¡± Ovidiu Cook stubbed out his cigarette butt in the ashtray and pointed to his neck, ¡°Rub my shoulders for me.¡± Half an hour later. Bang! The door to Ovidiu Cook¡¯s office was kicked open. The secretary in the room was startled, wondering who dared to kick the chairman¡¯s door. But when she saw who it was, she nearly gasped in shock. Because the person who kicked the door was none other than the head of the supervisory department, Bane Cook! Following him were two members of the supervisory department, carrying a sack behind them. ¡°Call the higher-ups!¡± Bane Cook used a knife to cut open the sack, and inside was a person covered in blood! Chapter 102 - Chapter 102: Chapter 101 Bane Cook’s Wrist 1 Chapter 102: Chapter 101 Bane Cook¡¯s Wrist 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Get out!¡± Ovidiu Cook shoved his secretary out and said coldly, ¡°If you let out even half a word about today¡¯s events, I¡¯ll throw you into the river to feed the fish!¡± ¡°Yes¡­ Boss!¡± The secretary was so scared that his face turned pale as he hurriedly ran toward the door. ¡°Next time, keep it down!¡± Once the secretary left, only a few of them remained in the office. Looking at the man on the ground with a bloody face, Ovidiu Cook looked somewhat unnatural. ¡°From now on, if you¡¯re going to screw around with women, do it at night! If you mess things up during the day, you won¡¯t be able to handle the consequences!¡± Bane Cook didn¡¯t pay any attention to Ovidiu Cook¡¯s words. He sat in the chair opposite him, crossed his legs, and slowly lit a cigarette, ¡°Make the call!¡± ¡°Young Master, the person has been captured.¡± Ovidiu Cook didn¡¯t dare to delay and made the call to Julius Reed immediately. ¡°Speak!¡± Because it was on speakerphone, everyone in the room could hear Julius Reed¡¯s voice clearly. ¡°Boss, the person was captured. I¡¯ll let him speak to you himself!¡± Bane Cook stood up, grabbed the man¡¯s hair, and pressed his head onto the table, ¡°Speak!¡± ¡°What are you doing! I want to call the police, you are illegally detaining me, and you deliberately injured me!¡± While his head was pressed against the table, the man continued to struggle, ¡°You¡¯ll be eating prison food soon!¡± ¡°Kid, your mouth is quite tough!¡± Bane Cook let out a cold laugh, removed the cigarette from his mouth, and fiercely pressed it against the man¡¯s neck. ¡°Ahh¡­¡± A scream like that of a butchered pig came out, the man¡¯s facial expression was distorted, sweat poured from his forehead, and even the air was tinged with the smell of roasted flesh. ¡°Will you talk or not!¡± Bang! ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯m going to sue you!¡± After the blow, fresh blood streamed down the man¡¯s forehead, and a large gash opened up on his head. Yet his cries didnt stop, making Ovidiu Cook wonder for a moment if they had caught the wrong person. ¡°Mr. Cook, you didn¡¯t get it wrong, did you?¡± If they really had caught the wrong person and made an innocent suffer like this, it would be a lot of trouble for Titan Group. Moreover, in Julius Reed¡¯s opinion, their efficiency would definitely not pass muster. ¡°I, Bane Cook, have never made a mistake in my work!¡± Bane Cook placed one foot on a chair and pointed a gun at the man¡¯s head, licking his lips and saying, ¡°I¡¯m giving you one last chance! Of course, you can choose to die, but I¡¯ll make sure death would be preferable to what I¡¯ll do to you!¡± ¡°I really don¡¯t know anything! Big brothers, you must have got it wrong, but please rest assured, as long as you let me leave, I won¡¯t remember anything about today!¡± Bang! Ovidiu Cook¡¯s heartbeat accelerated, his body trembling. Although Bane Cook was nominally his subordinate, the two dealt with their own affairs on an equal footing. Ovidiu Cook knew he was decisive in his work, but he had not expected him to be so ruthless! ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯ll speak! I¡¯ll speak!¡± The man could no longer bear it, and his emotions began to collapse. His left ear was completely destroyed by Bane Cook, the excruciating noise causing his head to feel like it was about to split apart. ¡°All this was instructed by Young Master Leopold! He wanted to use Mr. Reed¡¯s hand to remove Quamaine Potter, and then he could reap the benefits for himself!¡± ¡°I¡¯m just the one carrying out tasks, I didn¡¯t dare to defy Young Master Leopold¡¯s orders, please spare me!¡± The man trembled all over, his limbs starting to convulse. ¡°Boss, Atlas Leopold is one of the top four heirs.¡± Bane Cook motioned with his hand, and an employee immediately handed him a cigarette. ¡°Hiss! ¡± After taking a deep breath, he asked, ¡®What should we do with this person?¡± ¡°Send him back, make him our informant. As for how to make him obey, I don¡¯t need to teach you that, do I?¡± After a moment of silence, Julius Reed¡¯s voice came from the phone. ¡°Boss, rest assured! If this guy dares to have any second thoughts, his daughter, who goes to school at Gonzalez City High School One, might just go down to accompany him.¡± Bane Cook tossed the gun on the table and wiped the bloodstains off his hands onto his clothes. ¡°Please, don¡¯t hurt my daughter!¡± Hearing about his own daughter, the man¡¯s body shook even more violently. ¡°As long as you behave, I guarantee your daughter¡¯s safety, and after the job is done, I¡¯ll even give you a sum of money!¡± Seemingly noticing the man¡¯s hesitation, Bane Cook let out a cold laugh, ¡°Our boss is a good man, if it were me, after the job was done, I would definitely take you down, but our boss won¡¯t!¡± He patted the man¡¯s shoulder, comforting him as if he were an old friend, ¡°Congratulations, you survived.¡± ¡°Boss! What¡¯s your plan for Atlas Leopold?¡± Bane Cook extinguished his half-smoked cigarette on the CEO¡¯s desk and respectfully asked for instructions over the phone. ¡°Keep an eye on him, I have my methods for the rest!¡± After saying that, Julius Reed hung up the phone directly. The office fell into complete silence. Ovidiu Cook had been too shocked to speak. He had always felt Bane Cook was too arrogant and had even thought about proposing to Julius Reed that they replace this Head of Supervisory Department. But the actions of the other party today had completely changed his view. Not only had Bane Cook found out what happened within half an hour, but he had also caught the person involved. He admired those abilities, it was just that the methods used were too cruel. ¡°Bane, be more careful in the future, this is the CEO¡¯s office after all. When you finish smoking, throw the cigarette butt in the ashtray, not directly on the table,¡± Ovidiu Cook said, now addressing him more endearingly after recognizing his capability. ¡°Damn! Do you really think you¡¯re a big shot CEO!¡± Bane Cook spread his hands, showing a sense of helplessness. ¡°Guys, how should I explain this when I get back?¡± The man on the table was trembling, covering his bleeding ears with both hands, eyes filled with panic, ¡°That¡¯s simple! Just say someone tried to kill you, but before you could get far, you got shot!¡± ¡°Call Atlas Leopold and tell him that right by the Titan Group, someone tried to kill you! As for why you came here, because you have a lover who works at Titan Group, and Atlas Leopold is very aware of this.¡± ¡°You know about this?¡± Ovidiu Cook¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. If that was really the case, then the Supervisory Department was too formidable! ¡°Who exactly are you guys!¡± The man also looked terrified. He had lost his wife early and was left with only a daughter. Recently, he had even started an affair with a female employee at Titan Group. However, their relationship was very secretive, known to almost no one except Atlas Leopold. ¡°Remember what I¡¯ve told you, just cooperate and behave!¡± Bane Cook didn¡¯t answer his question but glanced at his watch instead, ¡°I will shoot you one centimeter off your heart, and it won¡¯t hit bone. You¡¯ll be able to recover after seven days in the hospital. There¡¯s a number saved in your phone named ¡®Shuan Chuan.¡¯ Atlas Leopold knows you always eat at their place, so he won¡¯t be suspicious. The ¡®Shuan Chuan¡¯ owner is my man; contact him directly if there¡¯s any news!¡± After saying all this, he smiled faintly, ¡°The ambulance will be here in twenty minutes, and you¡¯ll live.¡± ¡°Young Master Leopold, someone is trying to kill me near Titan Group! Please save me!¡± The man swallowed his saliva and quickly took out his phone to call Atlas Leopold. ¡°Black Dog, take your time and tell me¡­¡± Bang! ¡°Hello! Black Dog! Hello! Speak to me! Old Four, immediately take some men to Titan Group¡­¡± ¡°Dial tone ¡­.¡± Chapter 103 - Chapter 103: Chapter 102: Visitors at Home Again 1 Chapter 103: Chapter 102: Visitors at Home Again 1 Translator: 549690339 After everything was done, Bane Cook waved his hand and one of his employees immediately took out a large hemp bag, hoisting the injured black dog and running off at breakneck speed. ¡°Bane, you¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it! All this is a trap set by the boss, and I¡¯m just the legman.¡± Bane Cook interrupted Ovidiu Cook¡¯s words directly, saying indifferently, ¡°Even the little affair you had with the secretary in the office, the boss knows all about it, clear as day.¡± Ignoring Ovidiu Cook¡¯s pale face, he strode away, just as he had come. ¡°Boss, this¡­¡± Once Bane Cook had left, the secretary who was guarding the door outside walked in trembling. Seeing the blood and cigarette butts all over the desk, she couldn¡¯t help feeling her scalp tingle. ¡°You¡¯d better keep your mouth shut, or we both are going to die!¡± Remembering Bane Cook¡¯s words, Ovidiu Cook felt a chill of fear. ¡°Hurry up and clean this place up!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll call housekeeping¡­¡± ¡°Are you fucking eager for others to find out? If you can¡¯t even handle this bit of work, am I keeping you around just for a punching bag?¡± Seeing a rare outburst of anger from Ovidiu Cook, the secretary didn¡¯t dare say more, quickly scurrying to clean the bloodstains. Gonzalez City Central Hospital, Julius Reed made a return visit. ¡°Big brother, why have you come back?¡± Aron Jackson hastily sat up from the bed, not knowing why his boss had returned. ¡°That video thing, guess who did it?¡± Julius Reed sat on the edge of the bed, picking up a fruit knife and started peeling an apple. His knife skills were very proficient; the apple peel didn¡¯t break at all. ¡°Boss, you¡¯re putting me in a tough spot¡­¡± Aron Jackson scratched his head, feeling embarrassed. He was injured and finding it hard to investigate, plus the matter affected the entire Five-river Province, and those behind it might not be in Gonzalez City. Once the scope went beyond Gonzalez City, Aron Jackson¡¯s influence would surely be significantly diminished. ¡°Atlas Leopold.¡± Crack! Julius Reed sliced down, cutting the apple cleanly into two halves. He handed one half to Aron Jackson and bit into the other half himself. ¡°Am I just naturally the object of jealousy? Someone wants to mess with me for no reason at all?¡± He laughed loudly, slowly chewing the apple. ¡°How could it be him!¡± Upon hearing Atlas Leopold¡¯s name, Aron Jackson was also quite surprised. One of the four young masters of the province capital, how could he act against his own boss? Logically speaking, the two of them had virtually no interaction! ¡°I remember now!¡± Aron Jackson slapped his forehead and exclaimed, ¡°That day at Black-wind Entertainment, when we caught Sonny Ridge, he was there!¡± Atlas Leopold had appeared at Black-wind Entertainment that day and had even spoken on behalf of Julius Reed. How could he start setting up a scheme as soon as he turned around and left? ¡°Big brother, this way you¡¯ve offended two of the four young masters of the province capital!¡± Aron Jackson said a bit gleefully. ¡°Tell me what you know about Atlas Leopold.¡± Julius Reed turned around and asked, tilting his head. He had lost his memory for the past three years and was not familiar with the matters of the upper class. On the other hand, Aron Jackson had made a name for himself in Gonzalez City and was very familiar with the big shots of Five-river Province. ¡°Atlas Leopold comes from a good family background; his mother is a famous businesswoman. Out of the four young masters, he is the most calculating one, capable of independent action from a young age, and in these past two years, he has even been cultivating his own power, showing a bit of his father¡¯s flair from the old days.¡± Aron Jackson leaned on the hospital bed and shook his head, saying, ¡°Atlas Leopold is not as foolish as Quamaine Potter, he might be a bit more troublesome.¡± ¡°High IQ, huh? Then I¡¯ll use his method to destroy him!¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, patting Aron Jackson¡¯s injured leg, ¡°Heal up well, or you might miss the most exciting show.¡± After leaving the hospital, he went straight home. Things were not so calm outside recently; thirteen Shadow Warriors were hurriedly converging here, and although he was not afraid, he couldn¡¯t be too flamboyant. But as soon as he entered the house, he felt something was off. ¡°Oh my! Who¡¯s this! Why didn¡¯t you knock on the door!¡± A middle-aged woman, carrying a comforter, came up to Julius Reed, looking somewhat displeased, ¡°Who are you? How did you get into my house? Are you a thief?¡± As she spoke, she placed the blanket she was holding on the ground and took out her phone to make a call. ¡°Knox Ridge! Get Burl Radcliffe over here quick, we¡¯ve got a burglar in the house!¡± While shouting, she grabbed Julius Reed¡¯s arm as if fearing he would run away. ¡°What! A burglar in the house!¡± Knox Ridge came running out in a panic, but when she saw Julius Reed, she got a bit angry and said, ¡°Big sister, this is Quella Radcliffe¡¯s husband. You¡¯ve scared me to death!¡± After saying that, she didn¡¯t forget to mock Julius Reed, ¡°I mean, what¡¯s the use of having a mouth? Can¡¯t you explain yourself? I really don¡¯t get it, what does Quella Radcliffe see in you!¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay! It¡¯s all a misunderstanding!¡± Emeric Ridge hurriedly picked up the blanket and shouted into the house, ¡°Atlas Leopold, come here! Your brother-in-law is back!¡± ¡°I¡¯m playing a game! Don¡¯t bother me!¡± An impatient roar of a young man came from the room. ¡°Whose computer is he using? Julius Reed¡¯s face darkened. His own computer contained many confidential files, things that others wouldn¡¯t dare to touch on a normal basis. When there were only two people at home in the past, Quella Radcliffe would never inquire about them, even though Julius Reed had been quite secretive recently, she still wouldn¡¯t ask. But now, with a bunch of uninvited guests in the house, Julius Reed had forgotten to set a password on his computer. Before the two women could speak, Julius Reed strode into the room. His bed was a complete mess, littered with sunflower seed shells and cigarette butts strewn all over the floor. Next to the computer desk, a young man with headphones on was biting a cigarette, cursing as he played his game. ¡°Hermione Leocadia, make it fly, goddammit! I can¡¯t even use my ultimate because you¡¯re compressing it. Let me have my fix!¡± On the computer screen, the young man was playing a game. ¡°Get up!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s face darkened, and he slapped his hand onto the young man¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Fuck off! ¡± The boy, engrossed in his game, yelled impatiently, shouting, ¡°Malphite, where the hell is your ultimate¡­¡± ¡°Get up!¡± Seeing the young man¡¯s attitude, Julius Reed grabbed his clothes with one hand and hoisted him straight off the chair. ¡°Fuck, you motherf¡­¡± Thud! Julius Reed threw him on the ground as if discarding trash. ¡°Shit! You dare mess with me!¡± The young man took off his headphones, furious and ready to confront Julius Reed. ¡°Federico Yarrow, that¡¯s your sister¡¯s husband!¡± Emeric Ridge, who had followed, hurriedly held back her own son, her face clearly not pleased, ¡°What are you competing with a kid for! A grown man like you, is that all you¡¯re capable of!¡± ¡°Him? My brother-in-law who¡¯s a kept man? Trash!¡± Federico Yarrow snorted coldly, his face full of contempt. Slap! At that moment, Quella Radcliffe appeared out of nowhere and slapped Federico Yarrow on the face. ¡°Say that again!¡± She stood there with a stern face, her voice extremely cold. During the short time she went out to buy groceries, her family had started a quarrel. Originally, Quella Radcliffe was against her aunt moving in, but Burl Radcliffe simply drove over and picked them up, and she couldn¡¯t just kick them out. Before leaving, she had repeatedly admonished these people not to go into Julius Reed¡¯s room, but they wouldn¡¯t listen, and now they had made a mess of the house. ¡°Sis, this pretty boy¡­¡± Slap! ¡°Say that again!¡± Quella Radcliffe was so angry that she was shaking. ¡°What are you doing!¡± At this moment, Knox Ridge pushed Quella Radcliffe onto the bed and raised her hand as if to slap her. Chapter 104 - Chapter 104: Chapter 103 The Brother Who Causes Concern 1 Chapter 104: Chapter 103 The Brother Who Causes Concern 1 Translator: 549690339 The Ridge sisters were just as fierce, and even compared to Knox Ridge, Emeric Ridge was even more formidable. There was only one son in her family, and she had spoiled him from childhood. Even skipping classes and fighting, she, as a mother, never interfered or asked about it, resulting in Federico Yarrow scoring just over a hundred points on his college entrance exam. That score of just over a hundred was obtained through cheating. After pulling some strings, he barely managed to get into a vocational college. Seeing Quella Radcliffe striking Federico Yarrow, Emeric Ridge was instantly enraged! She had never had the heart to hit her son even once since he was small, and now it was this sister¡¯s turn to educate him? Coupled with Julius Reed¡¯s rough behavior just now, she simply vented all her anger on Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Hey!¡± Knox Ridge, who was on the side, just wanted to stop her, but it was already too late! Emeric Ridge¡¯s palm whooshed through the air, heading straight for Quella Radcliffe! Bang! Just at that moment, Julius Reed, who had been facing away from them, suddenly turned around and kicked Emeric Ridge¡¯s arm! ¡°Ouch!¡± The kick was so powerful that Emeric Ridge screamed in pain and curled up on the ground. ¡°You motherf*cker are looking for death!¡± Federico Yarrow pulled out a knife from his waist and charged straight at Julius Reed! He was never a good student, often involved in fights and brawls, and he always carried a small knife with him. ¡°Be careful!¡± Quella Radcliffe cried out in alarm, her heart suddenly leaping into her throat. But how could such riffraff possibly harm Julius Reed? Accompanied by a scream, the small knife was already pressed against Federico Yarrow¡¯s neck. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing¡­ I¡¯m warning you, if you dare touch me, I¡¯ll have my boys chop you to pieces!¡± A panicking Federico Yarrow kept threatening. He hung out with a bunch of bad students every day, getting into fights all the time, and now faced with danger, he naturally called out his gang of fair-weather friends. ¡°Oh? Is that so?¡± Julius Reed extended the knife slightly forward, and the sharp blade immediately left a bloody mark on Federico Yarrow¡¯s neck. ¡°Big brother¡­ brother-in-law! I¡¯m sorry, please¡­ don¡¯t mess around¡­¡¯ The excruciating pain made Federico Yarrow¡¯s body tremble, and his tongue started to tie itself in knots. He could tell that if he dared utter another useless word, Julius Reed would really cut his throat. ¡°Brother-in-law¡­¡¯ While speaking, a warm stream trickled between Federico Yarrow¡¯s legs, as he had been scared to the point of wetting his pants. ¡°You, living off a woman, dare act this way in front of the Ridge family¡­¡± Clang! Emeric Ridge had just stood up and, before she could finish her sentence, the dagger was now embedded in the door behind her, less than a centimeter from her neck. Following a shrill scream, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted on the spot. ¡°Julius Reed, you¡­¡± Knox Ridge wanted to curse some more, but recalling Julius Reed¡¯s ferocious demeanor, she quickly swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, you better control your man!¡± After leaving behind that half-hearted threat, she dragged Emeric Ridge out of the room. Federico Yarrow also hurriedly scrambled up from the floor, trailing embarrassingly behind her. The room fell silent once again. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Quella Radcliffe took a deep breath and said softly, with her head lowered. This place was supposed to be her and Julius Reed¡¯s private world, a place chosen to avoid her own parents. But now, Zade Radcliffe and his wife had actually followed them here, not only settling in themselves but also bringing their relatives, and even turning Julius Reed¡¯s room upside down. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault!¡± Julius Reed gently touched her head, comforting her, ¡°Don¡¯t blame yourself, after all, you are my wife!¡± At this moment, he no longer held that arrogant demeanor; instead, he was like a domesticated husband, comforting his aggrieved wife. ¡°Julius!¡± Quella Radcliffe hugged him tightly, her voice breaking with pain. The afternoon passed quickly, and since their home was in chaos, Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed didn¡¯t dine there. Instead, they found a random restaurant for a meal and afterwards strolled around the neighborhood. Federico Yarrow was nowhere to be seen all afternoon, but Emeric Ridge woke up and had been crying and persuading Knox Ridge to kick Julius Reed out. Facing these issues, Quella Radcliffe felt helpless. The house belonged to Julius Reed, yet they wanted to drive the owner out? ¡°You should work from home for a while.¡± Julius Reed, with his hands in his pockets, walked on the cobblestone path, looking up at the sky, ¡°Things aren¡¯t safe lately; staying at home will be safer.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded. She hooked her arm through Julius Reed¡¯s and quietly rested her head on his shoulder. ¡°You should stay home too, I¡¯m worried about you.¡± There had been too many incidents lately; not to mention the constant assassination attempts, there were plenty who openly sought trouble as well. In such turbulent times, she didn¡¯t want her man to be in danger. ¡°I¡¯d like nothing more than to live a quiet life with you, but some people won¡¯t allow it.¡± Julius Reed shook his head helplessly, ¡°Once I solve all these troubles, then we can live that quiet life together.¡± ¡°Okay! You better not lie to me!¡± Quella Radcliffe nuzzled him affectionately, playfully saying, ¡°Liars are little puppies¡­¡± ¡°This wav!¡± As the couple were chatting, a group of youths caught up to them from behind. ¡°That¡¯s him! Beat him to a pulp later, I¡¯ll take the blame if anything happens!¡± Federico Yarrow pointed at Julius Reed and told a group of young men. ¡°What about this woman?¡± They each had dyed hair and their bodies were covered in messy tattoos. In their hands were wooden sticks, clearly prepared in advance. ¡°The woman is my sister! Leave her to me! Beat up the guy, and I¡¯ll treat you all to drinks tonight.¡± Federico Yarrow snorted coldly and strode up to Quella Radcliffe, ¡°Sis, you slapped me today, even our mom has never hit me like that! You see, I have a bunch of brothers behind me.¡± He rolled up his sleeves, with a righteous tone, ¡°How about this! Let me slap you, and we call it even! Anyway, I still have to live in your house, consider it a favor I¡¯m doing for you!¡± ¡°Even daring to hit Yarrow, are you tired of living!¡± ¡°Mr. Yarrow, no matter who touches you, your brothers will never let them off!¡± ¡°If she wasn¡¯t your sister, I would¡¯ve broken her hand today!¡± The group of young men behind him kept egging him on, each acting like a street tough. Used to fighting and causing trouble, smoking, drinking, spending their parents¡¯ money recklessly¡ªall in the name of brotherhood. Today, after hearing that Yarrow was slapped, they were eager to take revenge and rushed over. ¡°Let¡¯s go, they¡¯re just a bunch of kids. Don¡¯t pay them any mind!¡± Quella Radcliffe quickly pulled Julius Reed to leave. After all, Yarrow was her own brother. These kids had no idea of the magnitude they were dealing with, but she knew how formidable Julius Reed could be. A group of Shadow Warriors couldn¡¯t handle her husband, so what chance would these kids have? But to Yarrow and the others, it seemed as if Quella Radcliffe was trying to escape! ¡°Guys, lay into him! This bastard pulled a knife on me; can you stand it?¡± Federico Yarrow yelled, picking up a wooden stick and heading towards Julius Reed. ¡°Dare to draw a knife on you, is he looking for death?¡± The others, fueled by his words, blazed with anger. ¡°Attack!¡± Yarrow ran up behind the two and fiercely swung his stick down! Chapter 105 - Chapter 105: Chapter 104: The Five Tigers of Monte Cristo 1 Chapter 105: Chapter 104: The Five Tigers of Monte Cristo 1 Translator: 549690339 Just as Federico Yarrow made his move, a coin mysteriously appeared in Julius Reed¡¯s hand. With a flick of his thumb, the coin shot out and struck the wooden stick! Under the tremendous force, the wooden stick flew backward and hit Federico Yarrow squarely in the head. Bang! With a muffled sound, the youngsters who had been shouting joyously moments before suddenly froze in place. ¡°Is Yarrow¡­ dead?¡± Federico Yarrow hit the ground hard, blood pouring from his forehead, his eyes slightly open. Seeing Federico Yarrow¡¯s sorry state, his companions lost any desire to trouble Julius Reed. They scattered like rats from a sinking ship, dropping their sticks and fleeing. Such is the friendship in the Mortal World. ¡°He¡­ ¡°He¡¯s fine! He¡¯s just passed out, he¡¯ll come around soon.¡± Julius Reed saw Quella Radcliffe¡¯s concern and reassured her with a smile. What had been a most romantic stroll for the two of them was abruptly cut short by Federico Yarrow¡¯s interference. Once home, Julius Reed went up to his room on the third floor and logged onto his computer. It was the same website he was familiar with, except for a few new direct messages. After reading the messages, he smiled slightly before shutting down the website. It seemed some people never learned, valuing money over their lives. Instead of decreasing, the number of people coming for the bounty on him had actually doubled. But Julius Reed was well aware that if it were not for that phone call he had made, the number might have increased even more. The bounty on his head had increased. The person who had put a bounty on him had doubled the reward, sparking interest from many. At that moment, his phone rang. ¡°Hello?¡± Julius Reed picked up the phone and answered the call. ¡°Big brother, someone¡¯s gunning for you. I¡¯ve already issued a warning, and most Shadow Warriors have expressed that they won¡¯t take the job, but there are still those pushing things behind the scenes. Your bounty has also been doubled.¡± Upon seeing Julius Reed come online, the man immediately made the call. ¡°Should we take action?¡± ¡°No need! Don¡¯t intervene unless absolutely necessary. Once you get involved, things will escalate.¡± Leaning back in his chair, Julius Reed asked casually, ¡®When is the first batch of Shadow Warriors arriving?¡± ¡°Tonight. Five teams will be heading to Gonzalez City, and among them¡­ is your disciple, Cosmo.¡± ¡°What?¡± Julius Reed was clearly taken aback by the man¡¯s words. ¡°Cosmo is coming as well?¡± ¡°Big brother, she doesn¡¯t know it¡¯s you. If she did, she wouldn¡¯t dare to come after you even if she had a thousand times the courage.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± After hanging up the phone, a smile played at Julius Reed¡¯s lips. Cosmo was his disciple, albeit the one with the poorest aptitude. There weren¡¯t many who had the privilege of being Julius Reed¡¯s disciples. After all, his only reason for taking on disciples was to pass the time and for his own amusement. Under his meticulous crafting, the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance operated on its own, requiring little oversight. Poor aptitude was relative. Compared to other prodigies, Cosmo wasn¡¯t that impressive, but to the average Shadow Warrior, she was a deity. In the underworld, she was known as the Empress. Now with the disciple coming to kill her own mentor, things were getting interesting. A moment later, Julius Reed¡¯s phone vibrated again. All the information about the five teams of Shadow Warriors was sent to his phone without missing a single detail. ¡°Looks like it¡¯s going to be another sleepless night.¡± Julius Reed slowly closed his eyes, lying back in the chair to rest and recuperate. Gonzalez City, National Mount Hotel. A few bearded men lounged in the hot springs, absentmindedly enjoying the massages from their female companions. The most striking features on their bodies were the scars, with some so startling that they were less than a centimeter away from the heart. ¡°Big brother, I heard the Empress has come?¡± A bearded man whispered. The Empress referred to Cosmo. This female Shadow Warrior had caused a bloodbath in just a few years. Many veteran Shadow Warriors were driven into a corner by her, and thus, Cosmo¡¯s name spread to everyone¡¯s ears within a few months. Such an emergence of a character inevitably caught everyone¡¯s attention. However, after many investigations, no one could figure out what Cosmo¡¯s background was! Her killing techniques were extremely sophisticated; nobody would believe she had no master! But as time passed, everyone had to accept the mysterious fact about her and gave her the title of Empress. Three years ago, Cosmo suddenly faded from the Shadow Warrior world, reportedly searching for someone. Yet, after three years, she was still relentlessly searching. Some speculated that this person might be her enemy, while others gossiped that it was a heartless man. But no matter how everyone guessed, they couldn¡¯t figure out who this person was. This time, Cosmo took the initiative to accept a bounty, causing quite a stir. ¡°Just a woman, can we, the Five Tigers, be afraid of her?¡± The man called big brother exuded confidence, seemingly unafraid of Cosmo. ¡°Even so, no one knows whether the Empress has improved over these three years!¡± The bearded man wore a cautious look, as if he were facing a formidable enemy. These five were known as the Five Tigers and were an old group of Shadow Warriors. When Cosmo rose to power a few years ago, they had always wanted to meet this woman, but they never got the chance because of regional reasons. After Cosmo faded from the scene, their chances became even slimmer. This time, a large bounty appeared in Gonzalez City, with a double offering, attracting the attention of many Shadow Warriors. But the Five Tigers never expected the Empress to actually come. According to unwritten rules, Shadow Warriors can collaborate on a mission, but the bounty must be divided according to the strength of the Shadow Warrior. Over the years, the Empress¡¯s name has always ranked above the Five Tigers on the underground leaderboards. If they were to kill the target at the same time, they might lose most of the bounty. ¡°Great, I want to meet her! Let¡¯s see what this terrifying woman is really capable of!¡± After speaking, the man made a throat-slitting gesture, ¡°If possible, take her out in Gonzalez City!¡± Such tasks were a walk in the park for the Five Tigers. Once Cosmo was dead, they guaranteed they wouldn¡¯t leave behind a single clue. ¡°Boss, reliable sources say that three more teams have arrived in Gonzalez City.¡± The bearded man said mysteriously. They had already mastered all the information before coming. ¡°Then we¡¯ll strike first!¡± Their leader stood up from the hot spring, walked over to a cabinet to retrieve his phone, and smirked, ¡°Mr. Immortal has news, the target has actually gone to Zedekiah Wharf alone!¡± Mr. Immortal was the youngest among them, usually responsible for disguises and tailing. After arriving in Gonzalez City, he immediately blended into Julius Reed¡¯s surroundings, not missing any movements. ¡°Let¡¯s do it! If others get to it first, we¡¯ve come here for nothing!¡± The bearded man stood up from the hot spring as well and got dressed, looking at his boss. ¡°Bring all the gear! We¡¯ll act according to the situation. If Cosmo shows up, take her down first, then the target!¡± After saying this, the leader strode out with the other three men and boarded an off-road vehicle.. Chapter 106 - Chapter 106: Chapter 105 Fujita Tooi_1 Chapter 106: Chapter 105 Fujita Tooi_1 Translator: 549690339 Gonzalez City, Zedekiah Wharf. As a coastal city, Gonzalez City has no less than ten wharves. Some are abandoned, while others are in operation. Gonzalez City Wharf is one of the wharves currently under construction. During the day, construction teams were busy at work there, but at night, not even a shadow could be seen. At this moment, Julius Reed stood alone on the wharf, hands in his pockets, gazing at the unfathomable depths of the ocean in the distance. The night was devouring the light until the last glimmer of brightness disappeared at the junction of sea and sky, leaving Zedekiah Wharf completely shrouded in darkness. It¡¯s too much trouble to make a move when there are many people around in the city. Thinking about it, he felt quite a failure. The Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance had actually fallen to the point where he was constantly subjected to assassination attempts! He didn¡¯t even have a capable employee by his side. However, Cosmo had arrived that day, and from then on, he would be relieved of a lot of trouble. Before long, a rustling noise came from the woods. ¡°Since you¡¯re already here, come out!¡± Julius Reed turned around and shouted in the direction of the woods. After awakening his memory, although there was still much he couldn¡¯t recall and only a part of his strength had returned, it was more than enough to deal with these people. ¡°Kid, are you asking for death?¡± A ninja emerged from the woods. He was dressed in white, with a red cloth tied around his head, and carried a curved sword upside down in his hand. ¡°Fujita Tooi!¡± Recognizing the man¡¯s attire, Julius Reed uttered a name. ¡°How do you know it¡¯s me?¡± Finding himself recognized, Fujita Tooi was a bit taken aback, but he quickly sneered, ¡°Since you know it¡¯s me, why not surrender without a fight!¡± ¡°Since you¡¯re here, how can I be satisfied without a fight?¡± Julius Reed took slow steps, moving toward his opponent step by step. Fujita Tooi, the infamous ninja! Held a prestigious reputation in the Shadow Warrior community, his signature move, Three-blade Slash, had taken countless lives! In the past, even knights who tried to surround Fujita Tooi were repelled by the Three-blade Slash, which demonstrated his formidable strength! He hadn¡¯t planned on taking on this job, but the bounty had doubled in just two days. Many famous Shadow Warriors, lured by the bounty and the penchant among them for competition, always looking to prove their strength over others, took on the challenge. In the underground world, the movements of Shadow Warriors are secretive, and direct confrontations are rare. Thus, bounties have become an important means of competition among them. If two people take on the same bounty, the one who completes it first gains recognition and prestige in the Shadow Warrior community. After his own intelligence gathering, Fujita Tooi learned that many well-known Shadow Warriors, such as the Five Tigers and the Queen, were involved in this mission. This piqued his interest, and as soon as he arrived in Gonzalez City, he immediately took action. This mission had already attracted immense attention in the underground world, and if he could come out on top, his influence would undoubtedly increase. ¡°I don¡¯t need a sword to kill you!¡± Fujita Tooi smirked contemptuously, slowly sheathing his sword behind him. Prior to his arrival, he had investigated and found that this Julius Reed had a simple background with no outstanding abilities. What he didn¡¯t know was that Deep Cold had completely fallen out with Julius Reed and even lost several experts in the process. But Deep Cold¡¯s good secrecy had prevented the news from spreading. ¡°Is that so? Then you might regret it!¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly and in an instant, he was standing right in front of Fujita Tooi. Whoosh! With the sound of the air being torn, Reed¡¯s right hand transformed into a palm strike and mercilessly chopped down! Bang! Fujita Tooi was startled and quickly stepped back, extending his fists to defend! He hadn¡¯t expected his opponent to be so fast, and to attack fiercely right out of the gate! After retreating a few steps, Fujita Tooi felt numbness in his hands, and a solemn expression appeared on his face. ¡°You¡¯ve been hiding your strength!¡± Looking at the frail-looking youth in front of him, his face showed a fluctuating expression. This ability was completely different from what the intelligence indicated; even he would likely only be able to kill his young opponent with difficulty! However, Fujita Tooi didn¡¯t see anything wrong with the situation since he hadn¡¯t drawn his sword yet. Once drawn, a ninja¡¯s combat power can double in an instant. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you wouldn¡¯t use a sword?¡± When he saw Fujita Tooi¡¯s hand reaching behind his back, Julius Reed spoke. ¡°Hah! Killing you would dirty my blade!¡± Feeling humiliated by Reed¡¯s comment, Fujita Tooi charged forward in a rush, his hands turning into claws as he viciously reached out to grab! ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got?¡± Facing a sudden attack from his opponent, Julius Reed narrowed his eyes and stood his ground, not moving a muscle. ¡°Arrogant!¡± Fujita Tooi felt insulted! The move he had just attempted was one of his killer techniques. His opponent not dodging meant that he was being underestimated! ¡°Die!¡± Enraged, he exerted even more force in his hands and began to curse! Bang! When the double claws came at his face, Julius Reed bent his body backward at an unbelievable angle, while his left foot lashed out into the air! Having missed with his strike, Fujita Tooi hadn¡¯t even had the time to realize what happened when he was hit in the chest by that kick! Splurt! A spray of fresh blood burst from his mouth; his right hand appeared behind him in an instant! Slice! With a gleam of cold light, the ninja drew his blade! At this moment, he couldn¡¯t care less about anything else. All that mattered was that he could kill, regardless of what he had said before! Facing the sudden attack, Julius Reed dodged to the side and swiftly took a step back! Clang! The blade¡¯s gleam hit the ground of Zedekiah Wharf, shattering the bluestone pavement! After the first slash missed, Fujita Tooi¡¯s face finally displayed a solemn expression. Slice! He lightly tapped the ground with his foot and launched a second attack from the air! A cold light flashed through the night sky, as if a meteor had swiftly streaked past! Bang! This time, Julius Reed didn¡¯t dodge. He saw the opportunity and smashed his palm down onto Fujita Tooi¡¯s wrist! Fujita Tooi grunted, and the long blade flew out of his hand. But in the next instant, his other hand reached down to grasp the falling blade and quickly slashed forward! Three-blade Slash! Slice! The blade narrowly missed Julius Reed, cutting through the air beside him, and missing its target once again! Bang! Not giving his opponent another chance to strike, Julius Reed thrust out his right fist and hammered it down hard onto Fujita Tooi¡¯s back! ¡°Splurt!¡± ¡°I cannot rest until I avenge this humiliation!¡± Fujita Tooi spit out another mouthful of blood and vanished from the spot. This was Ninjutsu, the safest way to escape! ¡°Trash, daring to come for the bounty!¡± Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Splat! Following several gleams of cold light in the air, Fujita Tooi¡¯s body fell to the ground. Sticking out of him were dozens of silver needles, perfectly straight. ¡°This woman is still as ruthless with her strikes!¡± From a distance, the Five Tigers couldn¡¯t help but take in a breath of cold air. They knew well what those silver needles were: the Queen¡¯s unique hidden weapon, the Nine-Turn Heavenly Spirit Needles! Coated with a strong poison, contact meant certain death within ten minutes! Until his dying breath, Fujita Tooi hadn¡¯t imagined that his confident fight for honor would end at the hands of the Queen. Tap! Tap! Tap! Amidst a succession of high heels clicking, a woman stepped out from Baron Grey¡¯s woods. She wore a beret, was dressed in a snug long dress, and carried a scimitar in her hand. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be somewhat capable. However, in front of me, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯re unlikely to survive.¡± The woman scoffed lightly, still approaching at a leisurely pace. ¡°Nine-Turn Heavenly Spirit Needles are extremely yin and soft. Clearly, you haven¡¯t mastered them yet, hence choosing to coat them with poison,¡± As Julius Reed spoke, the woman¡¯s footsteps noticeably paused.. Chapter 107 - Chapter 107: Chapter 106: Nine Revolutions Heavenly Spirit Needle_l Chapter 107: Chapter 106: Nine Revolutions Heavenly Spirit Needle_l Translator: 549690339 ¡°Who are you!¡± Cosmo squinted her eyes and gripped the curved blade in her hand tightly. The reason she had smeared poison on her needles was that she couldn¡¯t control the force of the Nine-Turn Spirit Needle, which meant that she could only injure people, but not kill them! But this secret was known only to her! Feeling someone suddenly mention it, she sensed a chill run down her spine. ¡°Who I am, don¡¯t you know?¡± Julius Reed turned his back to her, seemingly unafraid of a potential surprise attack. This question, however, left Cosmo at a loss for words. She had accepted the bounty, come over to kill someone, and now she was asking the other party who they were! It was indeed a bit silly. But the dignity of the Empress could not be trampled upon! ¡°Speak, how did you find out!¡± She couldn¡¯t rest easy without getting an answer to this matter. Moreover, if the news leaked, it would be extremely disadvantageous to her! Who knows how many people were aware of her weakness? In the world of Shadow Warriors, every vulnerability was potentially lethal! ¡°There are five men over there, sneaking around. If you help me take care of them, I will naturally solve your puzzle.¡± Julius Reed still had his back to her, pointing with his left hand in the southwest direction. ¡°Damn it!¡± Through his binoculars, Mr. Immortal cursed under his breath. He clearly saw the target pointing in their direction, and at the same time, Cosmo¡¯s gaze began to shift toward them. ¡°Boss, we¡¯ve been exposed!¡± Mr. Immortal frowned deeply. This wasn¡¯t supposed to happen! They had concealed their presence and made no movements; years of experience as Shadow Warriors should have kept them undetected while hidden here. ¡°Wait! Everyone, don¡¯t move rashly, it might be a trick!¡± The boss, being older and more experienced, appeared mature and steady in this situation. In many operations, those with some experience would feign to probe for hidden dangers around them. Many rash and restless Shadow Warriors, lacking a steady mindset, might jump out and expose themselves. ¡°The boss is right!¡± They all quickly agreed. They had been through many operations and each of their skills was quite formidable. Moreover, during this time, they hadn¡¯t made a single sound. If they had been discovered lurking half the day here, they would have been exposed when Fujita Tooi made his move, and not just now. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! But before they could finish speaking, a series of silver needles pierced the air, speeding towards the Five Tigers! ¡°Dodge!¡± The moment they heard the noise, they all swiftly retreated backwards! Clang! Clang! Clang! The silver needles sliced through the forest, nailing into the tree trunks behind them. ¡°Come out!¡± Cosmo looked into the woods and called out coldly. She had not noticed the Five Tigers; their ability to conceal their presence was very good. Had it not been for Julius Reed pointing out the precise direction, she would probably have remained oblivious even until the end. Thinking this, Cosmo¡¯s look toward Julius Reed grew even more complicated! His senses were superior to hers, and he knew the weakness of her prized Nine-Turn Spirit Needle¡ªwhat kind of person was he? ¡°Empress! It is an honor!¡± Just then, the Five Tigers emerged from the forest, looking somewhat disheveled. The leading boss walked out shirtless, with a fierce tiger tattooed on his chest. ¡°To think who it was! It turns out to be the Five Rats!¡± Upon seeing the five men, Cosmo sneered, ¡°Such esteemed Shadow Warriors, hiding like rats in the dark, aren¡¯t you afraid of losing face if word gets out?¡± Unlike the Five Tigers, Cosmo was an Easterner, and moreover, a pure-blooded Chinese. However, after gaining a modicum of fame, she had always been operating in the Western world, which earned her the title of Empress. ¡°We just happened to see the Empress take action and thought it inappropriate to disturb her, so we hid in the dark,¡± said Mr. Immortal, with sunglasses on and a grin. In a night as dark as this where you could hardly see your hand in front of you, those sunglasses always felt peculiar. ¡°Before Fujita Tooi arrived, you were already there. Five grown men lying without blushing?¡± Julius Reed spoke to the others with his back turned to them, as if he were muttering to himself. ¡°Shut up!¡± At his words, the Five Tigers¡¯ complexions changed instantly. Who was this person they were targeting, to detect their presence! It meant the other party had known about their location all along but had been silent about Reflecting on the scene of Fujita Tooi¡¯s defeat, they began to ponder. It seemed the intelligence was flawed; their target was somewhat troublesome. ¡°Hmph! Are you thinking of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind?¡± Cosmo asked coldly. She knew the Five Tigers well; they were no good, unscrupulous in their actions! They were quintessential Shadow Warriors, without a bottom line, willing to do anything to achieve their objectives! Looking at Julius Reed¡¯s back, Cosmo felt a chill. Were they to really fight and the Five Tigers launched a sneak attack from behind, she might get injured! With five opponents and in a foreign land, an injury would make it difficult to escape! There were many who had taken up the bounty, with countless eyes watching in secret. ¡°Empress, may I make a suggestion?¡± Baron Grey loosened the buttons on his floral shirt and spoke up, ¡°As you can see, the target is very different from what we imagined. Fujita Tooi is strong but was defeated by him.¡± After a pause, he continued, ¡°With countless eyes upon us, if we start fighting, we will certainly allow others to reap the benefits. Better we join forces, kill him, and split the bounty!¡± ¡°Indeed! Otherwise, if we fight, it will benefit others! You should be clear about the consequences of getting injured in a foreign land,¡± said the leader sternly, his words laced with a hint of warning. ¡°Fujita Tooi, if it were any other time, he could have fled and you wouldn¡¯t be able to keep him. Though he isn¡¯t your match, Ninjutsu is not as simple as we imagined!¡± The fourth man, pointing at Fujita Tooi¡¯s body and licking his lips, said, ¡°Empress, there¡¯s no deadly feud between us. Why not split the bounty, to the satisfaction of all?¡± According to their knowledge, there were many who had taken the bounty, and they were just the first batch to arrive at Gonzalez City. As more and more Shadow Warriors arrived, things would become even more complicated! Cosmo gazed at the corpse of Fujita Tooi on the ground and began to contemplate deeply. The others were right. Although Fujita Tooi was no match for her, if he wanted to flee, she might truly be unable to keep him. The reason she could kill him with the nine-turn celestial needle was that Fujita Tooi had already been injured in his fight with Julius Reed! ¡°Empress, understand the situation!¡± Seeing her deep in thought, the leader spoke up again. As Cosmo looked at Julius Reed¡¯s silhouette, she faced a dilemma. If she killed the target, she didn¡¯t know when her doubts would be cleared. But if not, should she let the Five Tigers take the bounty? This wasn¡¯t just a monetary loss, the damage to her reputation would be even greater! ¡°It¡¯s simple for you to kill those five without getting injured,¡± Just then, Julius Reed slowly stood up and walked over to Fujita Tooi¡¯s body. ¡°Naive boy, today we will join forces with the Empress and kill you right here!¡± Seeing that Cosmo did not speak, the Five Tigers knew her answer. ¡°Is that so?¡± Julius Reed crouched down, took a silver needle from Fujita Tooi¡¯s body, and suddenly flicked it into the sea! Splash! On the calm sea surface, a mist of water erupted! Chapter 108 - Chapter 108: Chapter 107 Let’s Go Home_l Chapter 108: Chapter 107 Let¡¯s Go Home_l Translator: 549690339 ¡°He¡¯s got some skill! Let¡¯s join forces and finish him off quickly!¡± Seeing Julius Reed reveal such a move, the Five Tigers began to look more solemn. As Shadow Warriors for many years, they had encountered countless challenging targets, but they had always managed to complete their tasks, relying on the tight cooperation among the five of them! ¡°Empress! People keep rushing over here, you¡¯d better think this through!¡± The eldest turned to look at Cosmo, aiming to strengthen her resolve. In the eyes of the Five Tigers, Julius Reed was incredibly stupid. What was the use of revealing his cultivation level at such a critical moment, other than pushing Cosmo to their side? But, to their surprise, Cosmo slowly turned around, revealing the curved blade in her hand! ¡°Empress, what do you mean by this? You saw his skills very clearly just now!¡± Seeing a shift in Cosmo¡¯s attitude, Mr. Immortal hurriedly spoke up, ¡°If we clash, are you sure he won¡¯t take the opportunity to attack?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s abilities were very strong. After witnessing the ¡°Silver Needles in the Sea,¡± they even felt a touch of apprehension. If Cosmo were to start a battle with them, and Julius Reed took action, the consequences would be unimaginable. ¡°I make my own decisions, without needing lessons from others!¡± After saying this coldly, Cosmo¡¯s curved blade swiftly slashed down! Clang! The eldest swung a cudgel through the air, leaving a trail of sparks in the night. ¡°Cosmo! Have you lost your mind? At a time like this, we should be united against our enemies, not fighting to the death!¡± Among the Five Tigers, only the eldest was the best at fighting! Wielding a steel cudgel masterfully crafted, his combat prowess was formidable! ¡°I¡¯ve said it, I don¡¯t need your lessons!¡± Cosmo narrowed her eyes, and her curved blade cut through the air once more! Ever since Julius Reed executed ¡°Silver Needles in the Sea,¡± she knew what she had to do! Because his execution was even more proficient than hers! She hadn¡¯t been able to fix the weakness of the ¡°Nine Revolutions Spiritual Needle¡± for many years. As a result, during battle, she had to coat it with poison to enhance her martial prowess! Now that Julius Reed had mastered the ¡°Nine Revolutions Spiritual Needle¡± to such a refined degree, she had to take a gamble! Because missing today¡¯s opportunity might become her biggest regret! Clang! The curved blade hit the cudgel squarely, forcing the eldest to stagger back several steps. ¡°Cosmo! If you¡¯re determined to fight me, then forget about our comradeship as fellow Shadow Warriors!¡± The eldest narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath, ¡°Kill!¡± ¡°Charge!¡± The five of them instantly dispersed, launching an attack in an extremely strange Formation! ¡°Courting death!¡± Cosmo¡¯s right hand trembled, and dozens of silver needles suddenly appeared in her grip! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The silver needles burst out in an instant! ¡°Mr. Immortal!¡± The eldest roared, planting his long staff on the ground, propelling himself into the air! At the same time, Mr. Immortal somehow produced an iron umbrella, instantly placing it in front of them! Clang! Clang! Clang! The silver needles fell onto the iron umbrella and dropped to the ground. ¡°We brothers anticipated meeting you, so we prepared this umbrella in advance! How about it, Empress, didn¡¯t expect that, did you?¡± The eldest laughed, swinging his long staff from above, striking down with force! Before coming here, they had investigated all competitors. The only one who could pose a threat to the Five Tigers was the Empress! One of the Empress¡¯s ultimate skills was the ¡°Nine Revolutions Spiritual Needle¡±! They crafted this iron umbrella in advance to counteract the ¡°Nine Revolutions Spiritual Needle,¡± and it came into use sooner than expected! Cosmo, having missed her strike, couldn¡¯t help but frown slightly. She had heard of the Five Tigers, a bunch of slick veterans in the world of Shadow Warriors! But today was still the first time they had faced off! Cosmo knew she had been careless; her opponents were not to be underestimated! But her title of Empress was not given in vain either! ¡°I¡¯ll teach you! There are some things you ought to understand.¡± Just then, Julius Reed bent down and picked up a silver needle. ¡°Watch closely!¡± Whoosh! As he flicked his middle finger, the silver needle shot out violently! Thud! Mr. Immortal hastily hid behind the iron umbrella, but the silver needle actually pierced through it, stabbing straight into his body! ¡°Mr. Immortal!¡± The four of them shouted, their faces continuously changing expressions. ¡°You¡¯re courting death!¡± The eldest looked towards Julius Reed, his eyes as if spewing fire. Hiss! He swung his long staff with a forceful motion, as if splitting Uriah Mount, smashing it down fiercely! Clang! But just at that moment, Cosmo¡¯s curved blade in her hand was suddenly thrown, colliding with the long staff! Seizing the opportunity, she once again shot out the Nine Turns Heavenly Spirit Needle from her hand! ¡°Be careful!¡± Mr. Immortal, who had initially been poisoned, suddenly stood up as if revitalized, charging forward with the iron umbrella! Thud! This time, the iron umbrella failed to stop Cosmo¡¯s Nine Turns Heavenly Spirit Needle, all of which buried themselves into Mr. Immortal¡¯s body. ¡°Big brother! Circumstances have changed, we need to leave quickly!¡± Mr. Immortal propped himself up with the iron umbrella on the ground, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood. He had been severely poisoned, and even gods could not save him now. ¡°Big brother! ¡± The remaining three looked at the eldest with immense grief. ¡°Cosmo, this grudge, I have noted it down!¡± The eldest took a deep breath, suddenly throwing several flash bombs from his hand! When their vision returned, all that remained on the ground was a broken iron umbrella; there was nothing else. ¡°Who exactly are you!¡± Cosmo turned around, staring straight at Julius Reed! The power behind the Nine Turns Heavenly Spirit Needle she had released just now was clearly stronger, all of which had been discerned from the needle Julius Reed had flicked earlier. ¡°You¡¯re very forgetful!¡± Julius Reed smiled, turning around and taking out a cloth from his pocket, slowly wrapping it around his face. ¡°You!¡± When she saw his face, Cosmo¡¯s eyes almost fell to the ground. ¡°Master!¡± After a moment, she knelt down with a ¡®thump,¡¯ tears uncontrollably streaming down. ¡°Three years! I¡¯ve been searching for you for three years, yet I never imagined¡­¡¯ ¡°Yet never imagined, my own disciple would actually come to kill me,¡± Julius Reed said, smiling as he tucked the cloth back into his pocket. ¡°Master! I¡¯m sorry¡­ 1¡­!¡± Cosmo was at a loss for words for a moment. She had actually come to kill her own master! What was this? Betraying one¡¯s own teacher and forebears? ¡°To be ignorant is not a fault!¡± Julius Reed knew what she was thinking, and at the right moment, he offered her an excuse. ¡°It just so happens that I¡¯m short on help right now. Do you mind?¡± He thought as he looked at his disciple, the corner of his mouth lifting into a smile. Back then, he had taken a liking to the stubbornness of the child Cosmo and had decided to take her on as his disciple. Who knew that after so many years, he had almost failed to recognize her. ¡°I would go through fire and water for my master, Cosmo willingly faces death without hesitation!¡± Cosmo knelt on the ground, her eyes filled with tearful excitement! She had been an orphan since childhood, picked up from the streets by her master. To this day, she still remembered the first words her master said to her. ¡°How have you managed to survive being so stupid?¡± That year, Cosmo was nine. ¡°Unless something unexpected happens, many more Shadow Warriors will likely come here soon. You¡¯ll need to act then because my energy is limited, and I can¡¯t be dealing with these matters all the time.¡± Julius Reed spoke leisurely with his hands behind his back: ¡°Follow me home..¡± Chapter 109 - Chapter 109: Chapter 108: The Extra Sister_1 Chapter 109: Chapter 108: The Extra Sister_1 Translator: 549690339 By the time the two returned, it was already midnight. Cosmo was skilled at disguising herself; she had changed her outfit on the way and now looked almost like an ordinary girl. Just as Julius Reed walked in, he saw the entire family up and sitting in the living room, having a meeting. Upon his return, those people fell silent. With a bandage wrapped around him, Federico Yarrow looked at Julius Reed with eyes filled with fear, yet mingled with a hint of malice. ¡°Busy?¡± Julius Reed greeted them awkwardly. ¡°Nothing, we were just chatting,¡± Quella Radcliffe said with a smile. But just then, Cosmo happened to walk in. ¡°Beauty, you must have the wrong door?¡± Knox Ridge stood up and asked with suspicion. Normally, their house was detached, surrounded by a yard, and guarded by four fierce-looking individuals. It was impossible for someone to just walk in. ¡°I didn¡¯t get it wrong! ¡± Cosmo shook her head and said with a smile, ¡°Auntie, I¡¯m his sworn sister.¡± ¡°Sworn sister?¡± Upon hearing these three words, everyone¡¯s gaze turned to Julius Reed. ¡°What are you looking at! She¡¯s just my sworn sister. I¡¯ll go arrange a room for her!¡± Julius Reed felt a sinking feeling in his heart and looked at Cosmo with a somewhat strange expression. Indeed, the two had forgotten to align their story before coming. Now that Cosmo had mentioned the words ¡°sworn sister, ¡± he feared he would never be able to clear his name, not even if he leaped into the Yellow River. ¡°Wait!¡± Knox Ridge stopped the two of them, asking in a mocking tone, ¡°Well, Julius Reed! I had no idea! While you were at our house, you were always doing the laundry and cooking, extremely meek! Now what( Got some money and your true colors are showing? As per Julius Reed¡¯s request, Quella Radcliffe had no choice but to lie that Julius Reed¡¯s brother was a wealthy man, who had recently found him and gave him a sum of money. Otherwise, they couldn¡¯t explain the big house and the luxury cars in the yard! Even if Quella Radcliffe claimed to have bought them herself, Burl Radcliffe wasn¡¯t a fool. A little bit of inquiry would have revealed the truth. ¡°What I do is my business. It¡¯s not anyone else¡¯s place to meddle!¡± Julius Reed ignored her completely and turned to go upstairs. ¡°Stop right there!¡± Feeling ignored made Knox Ridge extremely annoyed. She had always been hot-tempered, and this was too much for her to swallow! ¡°Mom!¡± Quella Radcliffe quickly came over to smooth things over. Although she also harbored suspicions about this woman¡¯s identity, her recent understanding of Julius Reed made her choose to trust him. Julius Reed was absolutely not that kind of person! From the Titan Group incident, she knew Julius Reed was very wealthy! If he really wanted a woman outside, why would Julius Reed spend so much effort and money to help her seize the position of Chairman of the Radcliffe Group? ¡°Quella Radcliffe!¡± Knox Ridge cursed out loud, and then said with a disappointed tone, ¡°You! You! You! I, Knox Ridge, gave birth to you! Your own man is messing around outside, and now he¡¯s brought a strange woman back home, and you stay quiet! You¡¯re truly hopeless!¡± In her eyes, Julius Reed might have hooked up with some woman somewhere. Additionally, the events of the past few days had made the once compliant son-in-law become arrogant, not taking her or Quella Radcliffe seriously at all. If they didn¡¯t handle this carefully now, it probably wouldn¡¯t take many days before their entire family would be driven out! To live on the streets! ¡°Mom! You don¡¯t need to worry about our affairs!¡± Quella Radcliffe walked up to Julius Reed and looked into his eyes, asking, ¡°Really nothing?¡± ¡°Nothing!¡± Julius Reed shook his head, his eyes crystal clear. ¡°Alright! Starting today, this lady¡­ What¡¯s your name?¡± Quella Radcliffe turned to look at Cosmo. ¡°Cosmo!¡± ¡°Good! From today on, Cosmo is my sister. In this family, no one is allowed to give her a hard time!¡± After uttering these words, Quella Radcliffe turned and returned to her own room. Since the person in charge didn¡¯t interfere, Knox Ridge could only swallow her anger. She called out to Burl Radcliffe in annoyance and went back to her room to sulk. Federico Yarrow and Emeric Ridge were arranged to sleep on the makeshift beds in the living room. After all, offending Julius Reed so badly, Quella Radcliffe certainly wasn¡¯t going to let them off the hook easily. Knox Ridge insisted on staying, right? Let¡¯s see how long they can last in the living room! ¡°Master, your family is kind of chaotic!¡± After entering the room on the top floor, Cosmo asked with a hint of mystery. ¡°That one, is she Master¡¯s wife?¡± ¡°Correct!¡± Leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed, Julius Reed asked, ¡°Why did you say you¡¯re my sworn sister?¡± He couldn¡¯t fathom why Cosmo, a usually cautious person, would make such a blunder! Simply claiming to be his sister, or even a distant relative, would have avoided all this misunderstanding. As a professional Shadow Warrior, if he couldn¡¯t even think of that, Julius Reed would never believe it. ¡°It just slipped out!¡± Cosmo tried to evade the question by lying on the bed. ¡°I¡¯m giving you one last chance, come clean!¡± Whoosh! A flash of silver streaked by, grazing past Cosmo¡¯s nose, and struck straight into the wall. ¡°Master!¡± Cosmo was shocked and quickly sat up, looking somewhat aggrieved, ¡°Before coming here, I had all your information. Do you know, after obtaining that intel, I was desperate to kill you at first sight!¡± Julius Reed opened his eyes and asked out loud. ¡°According to the file, you were humiliated, three years as a ridiculed son-in-law, it was truly pathetic!¡± Cosmo said indignantly, ¡°But I never expected you to be my master! Do you know, in my mind, what kind of person my master is?¡± ¡°What kind of person?¡± Interest piqued, Julius Reed asked in return. ¡°My master is surely a dragon among men! Although he always wears a mask, I know he must be extremely handsome and dashing, and his skills, nearly invincible!¡± ¡°Stop right there!¡± Even after having lived so long, Julius Reed still felt his cheeks redden. ¡°It¡¯s true!¡± At this moment, Cosmo was like a little girl, completely devoid of the queen¡¯s domineering presence and majesty. ¡°I thought to myself, my master, such an outstanding person, had to endure mistreatment for three years! Can you imagine how I felt?¡± ¡°So you wanted to aggravate them?¡± Julius Reed finally understood; his disciple was taking up the cudgels for him! Well, it seemed his affection wasn¡¯t wasted. If it weren¡¯t for his guidance back in the day, perhaps Cosmo would now be just an ordinary woman bustling about in life. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t seen your favorable attitude towards them, I might have committed murder!¡± Cosmo huffed coldly, ¡°These people really don¡¯t know when they¡¯re well off! I¡¯ve been searching for you for three years, and yet here you were, being mistreated!¡± As she spoke, she puckered her lips, looking somewhat aggrieved, ¡°Master, why did you disappear without a word? Do you have any idea how I¡¯ve been looking for you everywhere these past three years?¡± Before Julius Reed lost his memory, he would visit Cosmo once a year in Europe and give her guidance. But since three years ago, he had vanished without a trace! From that moment on, Cosmo, like a madwoman, searched the world for him! But she had only seen Julius Reed with his mask on and had no idea what he really looked like! ¡°Alright! Starting tomorrow, you¡¯ll be responsible for protecting your Master¡¯s wife. We¡¯ve had a fair bit of trouble lately, so it¡¯s going to be tough!¡± Julius Reed stood up, walked to the door of the room, and gently turned off the light. ¡°Good night..¡± Chapter 110 - Chapter 110: Chapter 109 Arrogant Motorcade_l Chapter 110: Chapter 109 Arrogant Motorcade_l Translator: 549690339 Early the next morning, Julius Reed left his residence with Cosmo and headed to the Ridge Family in Five-river Province. He was preparing to build his own company to support the Radcliffe Group and deter the big players in Five-river Province. After all, Quella Radcliffe was just a normal person, so he would provide his woman with a strong enough backing and let Quella achieve her dreams in her own way. However, before they even reached the Ridge Family, they encountered a line of cars on the road. The Rolls-Royce driven by Julius Reed was a pretty good car, but the convoy beside him consisted of supercars each worth tens of millions. Even among them were two that were globally limited edition supercars. Accompanied by a burst of loud engine noise, the supercars behind started honking their horns. As the Ridge Family was located in an idyllic retreat, the road leading there was not very spacious, just a simple two-lane route. Some supercars overtook using the other lane, while the rest had to follow behind. They wanted to overtake too, but on the one hand, the road was too narrow, and on the other, Julius Reed¡¯s car was going at a steady, unruffled pace. The sound of the horns grew more and more intense, seemingly indicating that the young men in the cars were very restless. ¡°Master, I want to kill someone!¡± Cosmo, behind the wheel, said expressionlessly. ¡°This is the city, tone it down.¡± Julius Reed closed his eyes, paying no attention to the noise. ¡°Damn! Are you driving a cow cart?¡± Just then, a supercar pulled up beside the Rolls-Royce and cursed, ¡°Grandma¡¯s, as slow as a snail, you¡¯re killing me with impatience!¡± ¡°Sorry, female novice here.¡± Cosmo rolled down the window and said with a smile. ¡°Damn! A beauty!¡± Upon seeing Cosmo, the young man who had been cursing immediately turned gentlemanly. Cosmo was very beautiful, and it was the kind of beauty that captivated one at first sight. Julius Reed once said that Cosmo¡¯s allure was a calamity, claiming that had she lived in ancient times, she would have certainly brought disaster to the state. Clearly, the young man was deeply attracted. He took off his sunglasses and asked smilingly, ¡°Beauty, can I add your WeChat?¡± Men are like that, their attitudes change instantly upon seeing a beautiful woman. ¡°Beep! Beep! Beep!¡± ¡°Everybody shut the fuck up!¡± The young man cursed, and the vehicles behind immediately fell silent. Judging from the cars, his was the second-best one there, so people listened to him. ¡°Sorry, I already have a boyfriend, and he¡¯s sitting in the backseat.¡± Cosmo smiled coyly, which made the young man¡¯s heart burst with joy. ¡°No problem! I don¡¯t mind!¡± He swallowed hard, his eyes gleaming. ¡°But I do.¡± Having said that, Cosmo suddenly turned the steering wheel and forced the supercar almost into a ditch! Because the speed was slow, when the supercar plunged into the grass, it only emitted black smoke, causing no casualties. ¡°Still such a child at heart!¡± Julius Reed sat in the back and shook his head, a slight smile appeared on his face. Who would have thought that the Empress, who struck terror in the hearts of many, could sometimes act like a child? ¡°They asked for it!¡± Cosmo pouted her lips, still driving unhurriedly. Soon, a supercar was blocking their way. Obviously, the people driving in front had gotten the message and were waiting across the central road for Julius Reed and company. Boom! Without any hesitation, Cosmo crashed right into it! ¡°Damn it! Psychopath!¡± The supercar was flipped over immediately, and several young men rushed to the side and began cursing loudly. ¡°There¡¯s no need to waste time.¡± Julius Reed saw that Cosmo was about to act on her killing intent and reminded her aloud. Going to the Ridge Family was the main task at hand, and he didn¡¯t want any unforeseen complications. ¡°Alright!¡± With her master¡¯s words, Cosmo had no choice but to suppress her anger and accelerated hard on the throttle. After a short while, they arrived at the foot of a mountain. ¡°Who goes there!¡± No sooner had the two of them got out of the car when a question rang out above their heads. ¡°Quite the entrance!¡± Cosmo didn¡¯t know much about the Ridge Family, and strictly speaking, she had only learned what Julius Reed looked like and his name the night before. Having lived countless years, Julius Reed accustomed himself to seeking a bit of fun in this way. ¡°State your name, who dares to approach!¡± The questioning voice sounded once again from above. Teng! Julius Reed leaped up, stepping on a stone to fly into the air, suddenly smashing down vigorously! ¡°Boom!¡± The mountain shook, and then, surprisingly, a door cracked open! ¡°This¡­¡± Even Cosmo was somewhat at a loss for words. It was an impressive feat to place one¡¯s home within the mountain. Yet, even more intriguing than that was her own master, for how did he know to open the door? ¡°I am the one who arranged this!¡± Seemingly discerning her confusion, Julius Reed spoke up. Years ago, as he was passing through this place in a blizzard, he arrived at the home of an ordinary farm family, whose owner treated him with the few drinks and meats he had. From that moment, Julius Reed gave the farmer a chance, and that simple countryman, through his own efforts, actually transformed into a wealthy tycoon. This took over a hundred years, eventually reaching Truman Ridge¡¯s hands. And this mansion¡¯s layout, indeed, was carved by Julius Reed on the walls of the Ridge Family with chopsticks while he was drunk. Later on, when the Ridge Family prospered, they spent a fortune to construct the mansion based on that design. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Julius Reed beckoned with a grand gesture, leading Cosmo inside. Today¡¯s events could have been resolved with just a word from him. But since the Ridge Family had been of great help recently, he decided to have a look himself. He wondered what the Ridge Family had become after so many generations. ¡°Who is it!¡± No sooner had they entered the mansion courtyard than they saw several men in ancient attire blocking their way. ¡°Intruders have but one path: death!¡± ¡°I¡¯m here for Truman Ridge, go and inform him,¡± Julius Reed said, then proceeded to move forward. ¡°Take one more step, and you¡¯ll certainly die!¡± Seeing that Julius Reed had no intention of stopping, the men threatened again and took up their positions, ready to take action. ¡°Cosmo, take them down!¡± Julius Reed walked forward with an expressionless face. A place the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance wishes to visit cannot be barred by anyone! ¡°Seeking death! ¡± The men exchanged glances, then burst forth fiercely! Bang! And at the same time, Cosmo made her move! She didn¡¯t even need to use the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Spirit Needle; a single kick brought one man crashing to the ground! Bang! Bang! The remaining two were swiftly taken down by Cosmo within the blink of an eye; she had that much skill. Ignoring the astonished looks from the men, Julius Reed casually walked further inside with his hands clasped behind his back. ¡°There¡¯s been an intrusion in the mansion!¡± A man on the ground took out his walkie-talkie, painfully shouting. They fancied themselves experts, but could barely withstand a single blow from this woman. Meanwhile, the sports car convoy had arrived at the mountain¡¯s base and came to a stop. ¡°Finnian Ridge, it looks like these people have come to your place!¡± A youth pointed at the somewhat damaged Rolls Royce, thoughtfully speaking. ¡°Brother Samuel! It¡¯s your call on how to handle this today! No matter what you decide, your brothers bear no grudges.¡± The young man who was struck into the ditch was battered and bruised, clearly not lightly wounded. ¡°Today, no matter who he is, if he dares to mess with my brother, I won¡¯t let him leave standing!¡± Finnian Ridge snorted coldly, then waved his hand and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Chapter 111 - Chapter 111: Chapter 110: Afraid of the Heat?_l Chapter 111: Chapter 110: Afraid of the Heat?_l Translator: 549690339 A procession of people marched majestically into the Ridge Family estate. Finnian Ridge was the Ridge Family¡¯s only grandson, receiving every bit of affection and preference within the family. But for some reason, since Truman Ridge¡¯s generation, the Ridge Family began to thin in numbers. He did have a few sons, but in the grandson¡¯s generation, Finnian was the only boy, with all the rest being girls. As the sole male heir of the Ridge Family, Finnian was practically born with a golden key in his mouth. For the past twenty-something years, he had nothing else to do. But spend money and have fun! Even in the strictly managed Ridge Family mansion, he could come and go as he pleased with his entourage of rascals and scoundrels. The Ridge Family members, in turn, doted on him, letting him do as he wished. In Five-river Province, even the Four Young Masters would have to give face to Finnian. Since the Ridge Family was not lacking in money, Finnian had never taken his studies seriously and did not possess any particular skills. Having been treated like a lord from such a young age, Finnian¡¯s arrogance was not hard to imagine. Now, when his own people were bullied, and the culprits had just come to their Ridge estate, Finnian naturally wanted to make a show of retaliation. As per usual, anyone who came to the door was there to seek favour from the Ridge Family or to curry favour proactively. Most of the time, they wouldn¡¯t even get to see Truman Ridge¡¯s face. To groom Finnian, the Ridge Family often sent him out to meet these visitors. As for the specifics, it was all up to Finnian¡¯s mood. The Ridge Family wasn¡¯t short on money, and oftentimes, as long as Finnian was pleased, this young Ridge Family member could finalize some affairs. When they walked in, they saw the guards lying on the ground in agonizing pain. ¡°What happened?¡± Finnian frowned, clearly realizing something had gone wrong. ¡°Just now, a man and a woman barged in and knocked us all down without saying a word.¡± A man, upon seeing Finnian, hurriedly began to speak. ¡°Is the woman very beautiful?¡± A wounded youngster behind Finnian inquired. ¡°Exactly! ¡± The man nodded affirmatively. ¡°Brother Samuel, those two are pretty brazen. It¡¯s one thing for them to beat up our brothers, but now they¡¯ve come to the Ridge estate to cause trouble, we can¡¯t stand for this!¡± The young man was elated. He knew something of what the Ridge Family was capable of. Simply by being close to Finnian, his family¡¯s business had received quite a bit of favor. Now, with this man and woman daring to make trouble at the Ridge estate, weren¡¯t thev courting death? Sure enough, hearing the man¡¯s words, Finnian¡¯s expression darkened, ¡°Let¡¯s go and have a look. ¡± Meanwhile, Truman Ridge was thrilled upon hearing that Julius Reed had arrived. ¡°Butler! Go and see if Finnian is around, have him entertain them for me for the moment. I¡¯m preparing a gift for the Young Master that will be ready shortly!¡± He instructed the nearby butler. Truman Ridge had been waiting for this day for a long time. Today, he was particularly filled with personal motives. He¡¯d prepared an extremely rare gift at great cost, simply to give Finnian an opportunity to become acquainted. If they had the protection of the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, Finnian¡¯s life would be set and secure. ¡°Understood! I¡¯ll go find Young Master right away! ¡± The butler nodded and walked out from the basement. ¡°Young Master, are you there?¡± He pulled out his phone and called Finnian. ¡°Just got back! Have a man and a woman arrived at our place?¡± Finnian¡¯s voice came through the phone. ¡°Exactly. Lord Ridge asked you to entertain them first, he will be there later!¡± ¡°Rest assured! I will definitely take good care of them!¡± Hearing Finnian¡¯s response, the butler was clearly startled. Could it be that the young master already knew the Young Master had arrived? In the past, Finnian was often reluctant to perform such hosting duties. But today, the young master unexpectedly said he would take good care of them. Nonetheless, it was a good thing to get acquainted in front of the Young Master of Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance was a dream many could not achieve in their lifetime. After receiving the message from the guards, the butler immediately rushed over with people. Upon seeing it was Julius Reed, the butler didn¡¯t say a word and knelt on the ground. Then, he took Julius Reed and Cosmo to the Ridge Family¡¯s treasure room and went to inform Truman Ridge. What he didn¡¯t expect, however, was that Finnian Ridge¡¯s idea of a kind reception was filled with hatred! ¡°The old man asked me to host them, today, you all will get to know just how formidable I, Truman Ridge, can be!¡± With a cold smile, Finnian Ridge, along with the youths, hastened toward the Ridge Family¡¯s main hall. Julius Reed and Cosmo stood inside the room at that moment. Looking at each and every painting on the walls. All of them were originals, and they spanned various ages¡ªsome even thousands of years apart. But there was a feature common in all the paintings, within them was a very blurry figure of a passerby. No matter which master¡¯s hand had painted them, despite differing styles, this inconspicuous figure looked exactly the same in each. This made Julius Reed couldn¡¯t help but sigh, how quickly time flies! ¡°Oh! What a coincidence, meeting here!¡± Just then, Finnian Ridge and a crowd of people came in with great fanfare. Upon spotting Julius Reed, the expression of the young man behind him immediately turned extremely grim. ¡°Quite the coincidence indeed!¡± Julius Reed, seeing Finnian Ridge, also showed a hint of surprise. ¡°You are¡­¡± ¡°My name is Finnian Ridge, the only grandson of the old man.¡± Finnian Ridge sat down, slinging one leg over the other, ¡°Today, I¡¯m the one responsible for hosting you!¡± ¡°You are? Julius Reed, smiling, shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m afraid not.¡± If Truman Ridge dared to have a junior host him, he must be out of his mind. Others might not know his capabilities, but the Ridge Family certainly did. That was why, with just the words ¡°The Traveler of the Snowy Night,¡± Truman Ridge dared to throw hundreds of billions into it. ¡°Whether it¡¯s appropriate or not is for this young master to decide,¡± said Finnian Ridge with a sneer, pointing at the teapot, ¡°First, serve your young master a pot of tea.¡± It was a rule, anyone who came to the Ridge Family¡¯s home would consciously serve Finnian Ridge a cup of tea as a sign of respect. ¡°Brother Samuel, why not have that woman serve you tea?¡± asked the injured youth, eyeing the situation and speaking up. ¡°Good!¡± Finnian Ridge grinned, looking at Cosmo suggestively, ¡°You, come over and pour tea for your young master!¡± Finnian Ridge wanted to dampen her arrogance after she had been too presumptuous just before. ¡°I¡¯ll pour for you, but do you dare to drink?¡± Cosmo laughed it off, pouring tea for the Empress; he must be sick of living? She looked at Julius Reed, seeking her master¡¯s opinion. ¡°Whatever makes you happy.¡± Julius Reed left it at that. The Ridge Family was nothing much, a lesson was indeed due. Though Cosmo might be a bit overbearing, she surely wouldn¡¯t kill anyone here; as long as Finnian Ridge didn¡¯t die, what harm would it do if he were crippled? ¡°Okay!¡± After receiving her master¡¯s permission, Cosmo cheerfully picked up the steaming hot tea, pouring it slowly into the cup. ¡°Got to say, not bad at all!¡± Finnian Ridge couldn¡¯t help but feel tempted as he watched Cosmo pour the tea. ¡°Would you mind being my woman?¡± he blurted out, utterly disregarding Julius Reed¡¯s feelings, attempting to steal his companion. After all, from Cosmo¡¯s previous words, he assumed the two were a couple. ¡°I would like to, but¡­¡± Cosmo lifted the cup, sneaking a glance at Julius Reed. ¡°Haha! Rest assured, once the young master takes a liking, nobody can interfere!¡± proclaimed Finnian Ridge with a wave of his hand, all smiles. What could be more insulting than taking away another man¡¯s woman? Whoosh! Cosmo threw a cup of scalding hot tea right onto Finnian Ridge¡¯s face, ¡°I want to see if this thick skin of yours is afraid of getting burned!¡± Chapter 112 - Chapter 112: Chapter 111 The Crazy Ridge Family_1 Chapter 112: Chapter 111 The Crazy Ridge Family_1 Translator: 549690339 Unprepared, Finnian Ridge screamed miserably, clutching his scalded face with his hands in agony. The nearby young men had long since opened their mouths in shock. Not knowing what to do. This was Finnian Ridge, the only grandson of the Ridge Family. And it happened right inside the Ridge Family home. Cosmo actually splashed hot tea on Finnian¡¯s face ¡ª wasn¡¯t this a death wish? The young men had known Finnian not for one or two days and knew more or less about the strength of the Ridge Family. They were all wealthy sons from the Five-river Province, with tens of billions of assets in their families, but compared to the Ridge Family, they were worth nothing at all. ¡°Get him! Kill him!¡± With his eyes closed, Finnian sat in the chair, wailing continuously. The tea was scalding, and his face was in extreme pain. But who dared to take even half a step forward? Weren¡¯t several of the Ridge Family¡¯s experts at the door similarly taken down by someone? ¡°Stop it! Weren¡¯t you supposed to be on good terms with me? How can you not even endure such a small test?¡± Seeing Finnian in pain, Cosmo smiled so widely she couldn¡¯t close her mouth. Perfectly fitting the image of a female devil. She leisurely lifted the teapot, gently suspending it over Finnian¡¯s head. ¡°Young Master, do you need this maid to serve you?¡± This seductive voice, to the ears of the young men, sounded like a death knell from hell. Splash! Following her words, the boiling tea was completely poured on top of Finnian¡¯s head. ¡°Ah! Uh¡­ Ah!¡± Finnian¡¯s entire body jerked, writhing on the floor in pain. The boiling water was too hot, stripping away a layer of his skin. How could Finnian, who had been spoiled since childhood, endure such torture? His delicate and tender flesh was now ripped and torn. ¡°What about you guys?¡± After completing her actions, Cosmo seemed to still be unsatisfied and turned her gaze to the other young men. ¡°Sister! I was wrong!¡± The beaten young man was tough enough to kneel on the ground immediately, incessantly knocking his head against the floor before Cosmo. And with every knock, the force was strong enough to draw blood from his battered head. Rather than enduring such torment, he preferred to suffer superficial injuries. Seeing this young man kneel, the others followed suit and knelt down too, rapidly knocking their heads in succession. This person was untouchable for them ¡ª like a living ancestor. A thought simultaneously arose in the hearts of the young men. The heart of a woman is the most poisonous; from ancient times, beauties have been the cause of many calamities. In the Ridge Family¡¯s grand hall, only the painful wails of Finnian Ridge remained, along with the extremely disorderly sound of the kneeling and head-knocking. Those kneeling young men seemed to fear knocking their heads too slowly, each vying to be the fastest. Throughout the process, Julius Reed sat on the side without uttering a word. Perhaps the Ridge Family had forgotten over the years who had given them all this! Moments later, Truman Ridge hastened over accompanied by the butler. In his hands, he carried a Liuli Jade Dragon Soaring in the Sky. The entire artwork had cost hundreds of millions of dollars to create, employing only top international engineers and made with the finest materials. But the moment he brought it through the entrance, Truman Ridge¡¯s hands trembled, nearly dropping the jade Liuli on the floor. He saw, in the hall, his own grandson screaming pitifully and rolling on the ground non-stop. And those nobly born sons were kneeling on the ground, their heads already bleeding from knocking them on the floor. ¡°Finn!¡± He handed the jade dragon to the butler and helped Finnian Ridge to his feet. Truman Ridge had only this one grandson, whom he doted on immensely. Seeing Finnian¡¯s body ripped open and his cries of agony, he felt indescribably pained. ¡°What has happened!¡± He asked in a stern voice. ¡°Grandfather! It was this wretched woman! Help me kill her! She poured boiling water on me!¡± Hearing his grandfather had arrived, Finnian cried even more tragically. ¡°Come! Seize her!¡± Truman Ridge¡¯s eyes were cold with menace! Daring to start a fight in his Ridge Family house and injuring his most beloved grandson, this was simply courting death! Seeing Finnian in pain, Truman Ridge¡¯s eyes couldn¡¯t help but moisten. ¡°What has happened!¡± Just then, members of the Ridge Family one after another entered the grand hall. Such a commotion was caused here, it would have been difficult for them not to hear! ¡°Son!¡± Thaddeus Ridge¡¯s eyes turned bloodshot upon seeing his son suffer such torment! ¡°Who did this!¡± After speaking, he looked up at the youths kneeling on the ground and roared, ¡°Get out! All of you, get out of here!¡± ¡°Yes! Uncle Ridge!¡± Upon hearing Thaddeus Ridge¡¯s roar, the teenagers, feeling as if a weight had been lifted, fled in disarray. Although they were curious to see how the Ridge Family would seek revenge, they ultimately lacked the courage to stay. If their recklessness were to bring trouble upon their families, the loss would not be worth the gain. ¡°No! Call my brothers back!¡± Finnian Ridge shouted from the ground. They usually mingled together, and this incident would surely spread. If Finnian Ridge couldn¡¯t punish Cosmo in front of these people, he would have no face left to mix among them again. ¡°Come back!¡± Although Thaddeus Ridge was extremely reluctant, he still respected his son¡¯s wishes. He knew the importance of face. His son had lost face in front of his friends, and he had to personally retrieve These young masters who usually commanded respect from everyone, now crawled back like beaten dogs, tails between their legs. They dared not disobey the words of the Ridge Family. ¡°It was this woman! She poured boiling water on me!¡± Finnian Ridge cried out in agony. ¡°Was it you?¡± Thaddeus Ridge looked at Cosmo, barely able to control the quivering of his lips. ¡°Son!¡± Mother Ridge, having rushed over at the news, burst into tears upon seeing Finnian¡¯s pitiful state. ¡°Such audacity, to create chaos in our Ridge house!¡± ¡°If she does not die today, where shall the dignity of the Ridge Family stand?¡± ¡°Die? She must be tormented to the point that she wishes she were dead!¡± The members of the Ridge Family converged, with a cold gleam in each of their eyes. ¡°Someone, bring me ten kettles of boiling water; I¡¯ll pour them all over her head!¡± Truman Ridge¡¯s eyes turned red, his body trembling with rage. At that moment, he had forgotten that Julius Reed was sitting in the corner. In his eyes, there was only his grandson. When the Family Head gave the order, many from the Ridge Family quickly surged in. ¡°Take her!¡± Thaddeus Ridge roared furiously. ¡°I want to see who dares to touch her.¡± It was at this moment that Julius Reed slowly stood up from the corner. Only then did everyone realize that there was an extra person in the hall. ¡°Who dares to be here! Seize him!¡± The Ridge Family, already infuriated, now directed all their anger towards Julius Reed. Slap! But just then, a crisp slap rang out, landing squarely on Thaddeus Ridge¡¯s face. ¡°Dad!¡± The eldest son of the Ridge Family looked at Truman Ridge with confusion, not understanding why his father would hit him. Similarly, the members of the Ridge clan all turned their attention to the Family Head, wanting to know what had happened. ¡°Holy Master! ¡± As everyone watched in stunned silence, Truman Ridge knelt before Julius Reed. ¡°This¡­ Everyone gasped, still unable to comprehend what was happening. ¡°Dad, what are you doing! How can we, the Ridge Family, do this!¡± Thaddeus Ridge tried to lift Truman Ridge, but he couldn¡¯t move his father an inch. ¡°He¡¯s still a child¡­¡± Truman Ridge raised his head, his eyes bloodshot as he looked at Julius Reed. His beloved grandson had been harmed by someone, and it tore at his heart. Yet the assailant was none other than the untouchable Holy Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance! ¡°The Ridge Family, has forgotten!¡± Julius Reed glanced at him and spoke indifferently.. Chapter 113 - Chapter 113: Chapter 112 The Rise of Cosmo 1 Chapter 113: Chapter 112 The Rise of Cosmo 1 Translator: 549690339 Several hundred years ago. If it had not been for his own help, the Ridge Family would not have its glory today. He could give the Ridge Family everything, and he could also take everything from the Ridge Family! This was the confidence of the Lord of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance! ¡°Father!¡± Thaddeus Ridge bellowed in rage, not understanding why his father had to do this! In Five-river Province, the Ridge Family could almost hide the sky with one hand. Yet, Truman Ridge was actually kneeling to a youth. Not just him, including all the youths and Ridge Family members, all bore looks of confusion! What was this charade? ¡°Young Master!¡± Truman Ridge shouted, his heart filled with boundless grief. ¡°Cosmo, break one of Finnian Ridge¡¯s legs!¡± Seeing the Ridge Family¡¯s expressions, Julius Reed sat on a chair and coldly said. ¡°Alright!¡± Without any hesitation, Cosmo walked toward Finnian Ridge, who lay on the ground. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Thaddeus Ridge stepped in front of Cosmo, his eyes seeming to spew flames. His own son had been burned like this, and now they also wanted to break one of his legs! No respect for others! This is the Ridge Family! They had been nurtured in luxury from a young age, considering everything beneath them. And today, they had to endure such an extraordinary humiliation! Thaddeus Ridge waved his hand, and a group of men charged behind him. These men were exuding a murderous intent, obviously those who had fought their way through the blade¡¯s edge. ¡°Today, you unleash the killing, I will bear the consequences!¡± Julius Reed sat in his chair, slowly lifting a cup of tea. Truman Ridge remained kneeling on the ground, saying not a single word, letting Thaddeus Ridge cause chaos. Then. It was time for everyone to know just how terrifying the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance was. ¡°You all come at once!¡± Cosmo turned her neck, a slight smile curving at the corner of her mouth. ¡°Arrogant!¡± Several Ridge Family enforcers surrounded her instantaneously. They were all experts who had crawled out of piles of corpses, and dealing with a woman, they still felt it was beneath their abilities. ¡°A bunch of trash!¡± Cosmo sneered, her eyes naturally revealing contempt. Who was she? A person who had claimed countless lives. Were these puny trios even worthy of challenging her? ¡°Foolishness!¡± ¡°Today we¡¯ll show her what we¡¯re made of!¡± Egged by her words, a murderous intent erupted from them! And without caring about overwhelming her with numbers, they charged forward like hungry wolves. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± In a flash, dozens of silver needles burst out from Cosmo¡¯s sleeves! Spurt! Accompanied by sounds of piercing flesh, these people all fell to the ground, devoid of life within moments. Hiss! Everyone gasped in shock! What kind of monster was this! Those picked by the Ridge Family, each had formidable fighting capabilities. They were each elite among elites. But when these people attacked at the same time, not one could even touch Cosmo¡¯s clothes before all perished! ¡°Call all the guards!¡± Thaddeus Ridge roared, and someone immediately ran out behind him. Within ten seconds, dozens of people gathered in the Ridge Family hall. And this was not the end, even more were on their way. ¡°Stop!¡± Just then, Truman Ridge finally spoke up. ¡°Father! My Ridge Family, we cannot endure this disgrace!¡± Thaddeus Ridge shouted furiously. Today, no one could stop his steps towards vengeance! No one at all! ¡°I told you to stop!¡± Truman Ridge stood up from the ground, shouting tremblingly. ¡°Too late!¡± At that moment, Julius Reed gently placed the teacup on the table, stroking the ring on his hand and said, ¡°Today, kill until you feel satisfied!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Cosmo¡¯s face revealed a mysterious smile. The next moment. A curved blade appeared in her hand! This curved blade seemed to emerge from nowhere, suddenly appearing in her grasp! Splurch! When the Empress took action, everyone needed to give way three feet! Cosmo¡¯s feet pounded the ground as she dashed forward, cutting down two guards in the blink of an eye! After the others recovered from their shock, they gathered together, forming a defensive formation! The ability to kill upon engaging demonstrated that the opponent was very strong. And not just strong, but frighteningly so! ¡°My Lord!¡± Seeing this, Truman Ridge hurriedly knelt before Julius Reed, pleading, ¡°It¡¯s my fault! Please, Young Master, spare them!¡± Most of these guards had been with the Ridge Family for many years, and Truman Ridge had come to regard them as part of the family! Now, as he watched the guards fall one by one, his heart was torn as if by knives. ¡°Had you spoken earlier, it might have made a difference. But now, I can¡¯t stop her!¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t even look directly at Truman Ridge, instead keeping his gaze on the constantly shifting Cosmo, a faint smile on his lips. His unworthy disciple had improved quite a bit compared to three years ago. At least her method of killing had become much more clean and efficient! Splurch! Accompanied by the sounds of the curve blade cleaving into bodies, the number of guards dwindled. Those who once considered themselves masters, now all fell one by one. Even in their dying moments, their eyes were filled with disbelief! ¡°This¡­¡± All members of the Ridge Family, including Thaddeus Ridge, widened their eyes! Was this even human? One against so many, and killing without batting an eye! Some of the more faint-hearted members of the Ridge Family had already fainted. Accustomed to luxury and comfort, when had they ever witnessed such a scene! Finally. When Cosmo landed the last slash, the Ridge Family was completely dumbfounded! Thaddeus Ridge swallowed hard, standing motionless on the spot. He couldn¡¯t even discern whether he was more angry or afraid! Inside the great hall, the pungent scent of blood was pervasive. Bodies lay at odd angles on the ground, and blood continued to flow. Thump! Thaddeus Ridge only felt dizzy and weak in his limbs, and he collapsed to the ground. ¡°Who¡­ who are you¡­¡± He couldn¡¯t imagine that such a person existed in the world! A girl who appeared to be in her twenties was so formidable! ¡°Master, I haven¡¯t had enough yet!¡± Cosmo didn¡¯t pay him any attention, instead looking at Julius Reed with a hint of grievance. ¡°Master?¡± Everyone was taken aback. They all turned to look at the young man sitting in the chair! If the disciple was this formidable, just how strong must the master be? Now. They were beginning to understand why Truman Ridge was kneeling on the ground. ¡°Aren¡¯t there still more in the yard?¡± Julius Reed pointed to the guards rushing over from the yard and casually remarked. ¡°Alrighty!¡± Cosmo turned around to look at the guards in the yard, her face brimming with ineffable joy. ¡°You¡­ ¡® ¡°We won¡¯t fight! We won¡¯t fight!¡± The guards were not fools. They had watched their companions being killed before their very eyes, who would dare to challenge now? ¡°Oh no, that won¡¯t do!¡± Cosmo shook her head, and somehow there were already a dozen silver needles in her hand! ¡°Just improved my technique yesterday, let¡¯s try it out today!¡± With that, she forcefully threw them forward! As cries of agony followed, the first few people immediately fell to the ground. The rest trembled all over, at a loss for what to do. Just then. Julius Reed¡¯s phone rang. ¡°Julius, when are you coming back? My friends want to meet you!¡± The voice of Quella Radcliffe came from the other end of the phone. ¡°Give me fifteen minutes, I¡¯ll be right there!¡± After hanging up, Julius Reed placed a foot on Finnian Ridge¡¯s leg. Crack! ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Chapter 114 - Chapter 114: Chapter 113 Plastic Sisters_l Chapter 114: Chapter 113 Plastic Sisters_l Translator: 549690339 ¡°Master, after the ruckus we caused today, won¡¯t the Ridge Family hold a grudge against you?¡± Cosmo was driving, glancing at Julius Reed through the rear-view mirror. Not to mention, she had killed those guards who had stayed with the Ridge Family for decades. That foot Julius Reed had used to break Finnian Ridge¡¯s leg right before leaving had effectively doomed the Ridge Family¡¯s only grandson. To be disabled for life. ¡°Then you just go and kill them again, keep doing it until none are left!¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, not bothering to take these issues to heart. The survival or demise of the Ridge Family lay within a single thought of his! Knock down one Ridge Family, and immediately another will emerge! The extent of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance¡¯s power, many people don¡¯t even have a clue about the tip of the iceberg! Seeing his master so unconcerned, Cosmo stepped on the gas hard and sped towards Gonzalez City! Today was Saturday, and Quella Radcliffe was supposed to go to the Radcliffe Group for work. Having just become the largest shareholder, she couldn¡¯t afford the slightest slack. There were still a large number of Radcliffe Family members within the group. It was very possible these Radcliffe Clan members would continue to follow Zade Radcliffe¡¯s directives, causing obstacles for others¡¯ work. But a single phone call from Lance Casey directly got Quella Radcliffe out the door. In the group chat named ¡°Plastic Sisters,¡± there were only three members. It included Lance Casey, who was casually saved by Julius Reed, Olayinka Davenport, the sales clerk from the island resort, and the current chairman of the Radcliffe Group, Quella Radcliffe. When Julius Reed went to buy a necklace, Quella Radcliffe was just an ordinary employee within the group. But in just a few short months, she had become the chairman of the group. All of this, thanks to her husband, who was once looked down upon by everyone! ¡°Quella, there you are! My dear, I¡¯ve missed you so much!¡± Upon seeing Quella Radcliffe, Lance Casey ran over and gave her a big bear hug! ¡°Landen, be gentle! If our Landen is pregnant and you hurt the baby, her husband will kill you!¡± Olayinka Davenport joked from the side. The three of them were college friends, and the closest trio! After all these years since graduation, many had drifted apart, but these three sisters always stayed in touch. ¡°Quella, that¡¯s not cool! You¡¯ve been married for so long, and we haven¡¯t even seen what your man looks like,¡± Hearing Olayinka Davenport bring up the baby, Lance Casey secretly felt Quella Radcliffe¡¯s belly, ¡°Any news?¡± ¡°GO! GO! GO!¡± Quella Radcliffe quickly pushed Lance Casey¡¯s hand away, laughing as she said, ¡°I called him, and in a moment you¡¯ll see.¡± Before, she dared not take Julius Reed out, for fear of being laughed at by her closest friends. After all, every girl wants to marry a good man. She, so full of pride, ended up with a good-for-nothing as a husband ¡ª how could she have the nerve to show him off? But now, she had truly started to fall for Julius Reed. And she considered this man her real husband! ¡°For real?¡± Listening to her, Olayinka Davenport showed a look of disbelief. ¡°We teased you so much before that you wouldn¡¯t even let us visit your house, and you threatened to cut ties with us. Now, you suddenly had a change of heart?¡± Their best sister got married, and they only found out about it half a year later. Olayinka Davenport and Lance Casey complained quite a bit. And since Quella Radcliffe always kept her lips sealed about her husband, it only piqued the two friends¡¯ interest even more. Eventually, they decided to simply show up at her door. Only to be met with a scolding from Quella Radcliffe, and even faced her threats of ending their friendship. Years passed, and now Quella Radcliffe was taking the initiative to bring her husband out. At the same time, Both of them were also guessing in their hearts, who exactly was Quella Radcliffe¡¯s husband. The trio chose to eat at the Western restaurant on the fifth floor of Crystal Square. This was the first place they had gone out to eat together in university. Back then, none of them were very wealthy, so having a meal here was quite a luxury. It was also on that day that the three of them, drunk, swore sisterhood and formed the Plastic Sister Flowers. ¡°Lance, that white knight you talked about that time, did you find him?¡± After entering the restaurant, the three cheerfully started chatting. ¡°Don¡¯t even mention it! I dreamt about him again last night! I¡¯ve been thinking about him day and night lately, Landen, you have to help me! I feel like I won¡¯t marry anyone but him!¡± Lance pouted, her eyes brimming with disappointment. ¡°I¡¯ve been looking for him for months, but haven¡¯t seen so much as a shadow! You have no idea how handsome he looked when he fought that day!¡± As she spoke, a lovesick expression spread across her face. ¡°Psh! I haven¡¯t heard from my white knight either! But let me tell you, at least I have his contact information!¡± Olayinka said mysteriously from the side. That day, Julius left his contact information after purchasing the necklace. But firstly, the company had rules, and secondly, she felt the gap between them was too large. ¡°You mean the mysterious man who bought the Dawn Light?¡± Lance eagerly asked. The three of them often chatted in their group, and this topic had dominated their conversations for half a month. ¡°Yes! That handsome guy!¡± A glimmer of sadness flashed in Olayinka¡¯s eyes: ¡°But he¡¯s too outstanding, and there¡¯s no Cinderella in reality. Princes are taken by princesses, and when it¡¯s our turn, we¡¯ll just settle for someone decent and get married!¡± Those who could afford tens of millions or even billions on luxury goods definitely came from extremely wealthy households. Girls from ordinary families like theirs didn¡¯t stand a chance in their eyes. ¡°Chase him! How will you know it won¡¯t happen if you don¡¯t chase?¡± Lance goaded from the side: ¡°Send him a WeChat message to ask about it, what if he broke up with his girlfriend? Or if his girlfriend caught a terminal illness, or¡­ Anyway, that¡¯s your chance!¡± Quella subconsciously covered the Dawn Light necklace on her neck, her face growing more and more embarrassed. ¡°Landen! Don¡¯t you think so? Hey, why do you look so pale?¡± Lance noticed Quella seemed a bit unwell. ¡°Nothing, it¡¯s just hot¡­¡± Who could feel comfortable being cursed like that? Quella wished she could strangle Lance on the spot! But she still had to pretend she knew nothing. She subconsciously fiddled with her hair, inadvertently revealing the necklace around her neck. ¡°Huh!¡± Lance, with her sharp eyes and quick hands, instantly grabbed the necklace: ¡°Damn! Landen, you¡¯ve actually stooped to wearing knockoffs!¡± The Dawn Light was all too familiar to them; it was the dream of every woman in Gonzalez City. Even with her eyes closed, Lance could draw the Dawn Light from memory. And Olayinka, she was the one who had personally sold the Dawn Light! ¡°Landen, this isn¡¯t like you! I remember you hated vanity the most, so why are you wearing a knockoff now! ¡± Everyone knew that counterfeit Dawn Light necklaces were rife. It might be no big deal for others to wear them, but it was totally out of character for Quella. ¡°I¡¯ve figured it out! Landen, tell me, where did this necklace come from?¡± Lance¡¯s eyes twinkled as an idea flashed through her mind. ¡°My husband gave it to me¡­¡± Quella smiled awkwardly, not knowing quite how to begin. Could she really tell Olayinka and Lance that her husband was the man of their dreams? But now, she could only tell the truth. ¡°Damn! Such a scumbag! To think he¡¯d give my sister a fake!¡± Lance exploded with a curse, rolling up her sleeves: ¡°Wait till he comes, I¡¯m going to give him a piece of my mind! Anna, you¡¯ll have to back me up later! Humph! Humph! The salesperson is right here, let¡¯s see how he can deny it!¡± ¡°We¡¯ll expose the true face of this scumbag together!¡± Anna was also fuming with anger! Chapter 115 - Chapter 115: Chapter 114: Scumbags Must Die 1 Chapter 115: Chapter 114: Scumbags Must Die 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Actually¡­ it¡¯s nothing¡­¡± Seeing the two people react so intensely, Quella Radcliffe only felt a wave of headache coming on. She really didn¡¯t know how to explain, and even if she did, no one would believe her, just like now! So, she might as well wait for Julius Reed! ¡°No way! This scumbag actually deceived you with a fake! I can confirm, he¡¯s definitely a repeat offender. When you get back, you should thoroughly check all the gifts he¡¯s given you, nine out of ten are probably fakes!¡± Lance Casey was furious, hands on his hips, as he said with a flushed face, ¡°It¡¯s lucky you have me and Anna here, or else who knows how long you¡¯d be deceived!¡± ¡°Exactly! A man can be poor or powerless, but he cannot lie!¡± ¡°Once a deception like this happens, it will happen countless times! Don¡¯t you dare stop us later, watch how Anna and I will deal with this scumbag!¡± ¡°Right! Scumbags must die!¡± Lance Casey snorted lightly, too angry to speak. ¡°Ah¡­ you two¡­¡± ¡°What about us two!¡± Lance Casey interrupted Quella Radcliffe¡¯s words directly. ¡°If you had introduced us to him earlier, maybe we sisters could have exposed him in no time!¡± ¡°Why wait until three years into a marriage to find out! You¡¯ve lost big time! Divorce him while you still don¡¯t have children!¡± ¡°A marriage can end! Scumbags must die!¡± Olayinka Davenport was equally angry. ¡°Wait and see how we deal with him!¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Quella Radcliffe sighed helplessly, feeling a severe headache. Meanwhile, Cosmo had already driven his Rolls-Royce to Crystal Plaza. ¡°Should I go up?¡± She looked at Julius Reed, her eyes full of pleading. ¡°Aren¡¯t you my sworn sister? It wouldn¡¯t be right for your brother to eat without you!¡± Julius Reed shook his head with a smile as he got out of the car. Anyway, he had already explained things to Quella¡¯s side, it was no big deal. Having Cosmo with him added an extra layer of security. ¡°Thank you, Master!¡± Having received permission, Cosmo was as delighted as a child. Today she wore an ultra-short skirt with a sailor shirt on top, oozing allure. Along the way, every man couldn¡¯t help but look back at her. At the same time, the looks they gave Julius Reed were full of jealousy. ¡°Master, do I look good?¡± Cosmo beamed at Julius Reed with a cheeky smile. She was only twenty-one years old, at the prime of her life. But who would have thought that such a blood-rousing beauty was actually the ruthless empress of the underworld. ¡°Not ugly!¡± Julius Reed gave an ambiguous answer. Soon. The two of them arrived at the entrance of the restaurant. Even the restaurant staff couldn¡¯t resist taking a few more glances. ¡°Looking for someone!¡± Julius Reed greeted and walked inside. As for Cosmo, she was eager to stir the pot and casually linked arms with Julius Reed. Because it was noon, the restaurant was crowded! The moment they entered, they immediately drew all the envious stares! The men couldn¡¯t help but swallow hard, their eyes on Julius Reed filled with hostility. At that time, Lance Casey, bored from waiting, didn¡¯t know where he had gotten a lollipop, which he rolled endlessly in his mouth. Pop! Suddenly, as if he had seen something, his entire body turned to stone! The lollipop fell out of his mouth to the floor, shattering to pieces! ¡°My male god!¡± He shouted loudly, without a care for the strange looks from others, and rushed straight towards Julius Reed! Lance Casey could never have dreamed that he would meet the man of his dreams and endless thoughts here! ¡°Male god! I¡¯ve missed you so much!¡± Under the gaze of the public, Lance Casey leaped into a bear hug and jumped onto Julius Reed! In an instant, Cosmo next to her developed a murderous intent. If it weren¡¯t for Julius Reed stopping her, she would have probably already broken Lance Casey¡¯s neck. After all, in such a public place, Julius Reed did not wish to create trouble. Moreover, he naturally remembered this woman, the one he had casually saved on the street when he was out buying a necklace. Julius Reed whispered, yet his voice reached everyone¡¯s ears. ¡°Damn! Who is this guy? Hit the jackpot! It¡¯s one thing to have a gorgeous woman by his side, but to have another throwing herself at him?¡± ¡°Damn it! I don¡¯t have a single one, and this guy not only gets embraced but also rejects it! He really thinks he¡¯s something special!¡± Inside the restaurant, many men were indignant, wishing they could tear Julius Reed to pieces! ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯m sorry!¡± Lance Casey, looking at the icy Cosmo, said with full apology: ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean it! I was just a bit too excited! There¡¯s really nothing between him and me! If my actions ruin your relationship, then I am truly a sinner!¡± After speaking, she twisted her clothes and whispered to Julius Reed: ¡°Thank you for saving me that day.¡± Now, she was heartbroken, very upset. The man she had liked for so long was already married, and his wife was so beautiful! In front of Cosmo, Lance Casey felt utterly ashamed. ¡°She¡¯s not my wife, it¡¯s okay!¡± Julius Reed said, smiling and comforting. He could see that Lance Casey was a very nice girl. Even though she was straightforward, she definitely had no ill will. ¡°What! That woman isn¡¯t his wife? Damn! This kid is really the ultimate playboy of Gonzalez City!¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t I have such luck, to be surrounded by girls, with the red flag at home still standing strong, and colorful flags fluttering outside!¡± ¡°This is a good thing! At least, brothers, we have a chance now!¡± Hearing that the stunning beauty beside Julius Reed wasn¡¯t his wife, the male hormones in the restaurant surged! A look of surprise flashed in Lance Casey¡¯s eyes! They appeared so intimate just now, yet they¡¯re not a couple? Could it be that her idol is messing around outside? On recalling this, she angrily returned to her table. She yelled at Quella Radcliffe, ¡°When that jerk comes, I¡¯m going to hit him, and you guys better not stop me!¡± But Olayinka Davenport did not speak out. ¡°Anna Harris, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± ¡°That¡­ your idol¡­ is the person who bought ¡®The Light of Dawn¡¯¡­¡± Olayinka Davenport blinked, making sure she had not seen wrongly. ¡°What! My idol is actually a super-rich second-generation, and he¡¯s so handsome! It¡¯s just¡­ he¡¯s a bit of a player¡­¡± Lance Casey was clearly shocked after hearing Olayinka Davenport. But at that moment, an even more unexpected scene unfolded. Julius Reed approached Quella Radcliffe with Cosmo and asked, ¡°Wife, is this your bestie?¡± ¡°Wife! You called her wife!¡± Lance Casey¡¯s eyes went wide! Anna Harris was also dumbfounded! ¡°You¡¯re the jerk?¡± ¡°What jerk?¡± Julius Reed was a bit confused. ¡°Damn! The jerk! Quella Radcliffe, don¡¯t be fooled because he¡¯s wealthy and handsome! He¡­ Lance Casey continued, but suddenly didn¡¯t know what to say next. Suddenly, her gaze fell on Cosmo. ¡°Just now, these two were very close!¡± ¡°Oh really? Then take another look!¡± Cosmo smiled seductively and instantly leaned on Julius Reed. ¡°Damn! You¡­ you¡­!¡± Lance Casey turned and looked at Quella Radcliffe: ¡°You see? That¡¯s what a jerk he is!¡± ¡°Right! A jerk!¡± Anna Harris followed suit, albeit against her will. ¡°Please sit¡­ Let me introduce you, this is my husband, Julius Reed.¡± When Quella Radcliffe saw Julius Reed, a happy smile appeared on her face. ¡°Damn! Quella Radcliffe! You¡­ didn¡¯t you see it? Are you blind? They were so close!¡± Lance Casey was on the verge of exploding! Chapter 116 - Chapter 116: Chapter 115: Encountering an ExBoyfriend_l Chapter 116: Chapter 115: Encountering an ExBoyfriend_l Translator: 549690339 ¡°No way! Don¡¯t think just because you saved me I¡¯ll pretend not to see this!¡± Lance Casey said vaguely, ¡°In any case, you¡¯re just a scumbag, and I want to keep Quella Radcliffe away from you!¡± ¡°Yeah! Quella, why aren¡¯t you angry? Are you being coerced by him?¡± Olayinka Davenport also felt something was off. Any normal woman would be furious to see her husband getting cozy with another woman. Yet the usually dominant Quella Radcliffe acted as if she didn¡¯t see a thing. It simply didn¡¯t make sense! But they were all intelligent people, and thinking of everything in front of them together with Quella Radcliffe¡¯s personality, Olayinka Davenport whispered to Lance Casey, ¡°Could it be that they have a marriage of convenience?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Upon hearing this, Lance Casey¡¯s eyes widened immediately. He knew full well what a marriage of convenience was. Many young people got married reluctantly due to family pressure. But the two parties would sign an agreement not to interfere in each other¡¯s lives. Although this took a page from the entertainment industry playbook, in reality, there indeed were quite a few such people. If that were truly the case, then everything would make sense. Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t want them to meet her husband, and now Julius Reed arrived with a stunningly beautiful woman, yet Quella Radcliffe carried on as usual. Clearly, they each did their own thing. A bold thought flashed through Lance Casey¡¯s mind. If the two really had a marriage of convenience, did that mean he had a chance? ¡°Well, if he¡¯s scum, he¡¯s just got one flaw, doesn¡¯t he? Which man isn¡¯t scum?¡± Now his eyes shifted towards Julius Reed, undergoing countless changes in an instant. ¡°What are you two whispering about?¡± Quella Radcliffe gave them a chilly glance, ¡°Before, when I didn¡¯t introduce you to him, you said I wasn¡¯t being a friend. Now, I¡¯ve brought him here, and you¡¯re calling him a scumbag and telling me to get a divorce!¡± ¡°We didn¡¯t say anything! A scumbag just has that one flaw.¡± Lance Casey glanced at Julius Reed and said with a foolish smile, ¡°I am Lance Casey!¡± This time, not only Quella Radcliffe, but Olayinka Davenport and Julius Reed also looked at him differently. He was ready to beat up the scumbag just a moment ago, and now he was getting oddly chummy? ¡°Lance, where is your bottom line!¡± Olayinka Davenport couldn¡¯t help but comment. Seeing her good sister¡¯s eyes gleaming with that bright light, she was truly exasperated! Though the two were whispering, Julius Reed heard every word without missing a beat. As he sat next to Quella Radcliffe, he naturally kissed her cheek. At this, everyone was stunned. ¡°Stop it!¡± Quella Radcliffe was the first to snap out of it, her pretty face blushing as she gently punched Julius Reed with her fist. Their behavior was just like that of a young couple deeply in love. The three of them were longtime friends and knew each other very well. If Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t truly like him, she would have never behaved this way. This time, it was Lance Casey¡¯s turn to be caught off guard. The happiness that had just arrived, was gone again. ¡°Yo! Who do we have here, if it isn¡¯t Lance Casey!¡± But at this moment, an extremely discordant voice rang out. ¡°Bug off! I¡¯m in a really bad mood right now!¡± Lance Casey looked up at the man who spoke, her eyes full of annoyance. This man was none other than her ex-boyfriend, whom she had dated for just a few days! He was the same thug that Julius Reed had thoroughly beaten up that day! Since then, the two had barely been in contact. ¡°Small world! Are you having a meal with friends here? And they are all beautiful ladies, no less!¡± Larkin Weather looked them up and down, his eyes revealing a greedy expression. He was a petty thug who did all sorts of odd jobs and had some influence in the underworld. ¡°Look at that! Larkin, is she your chick?¡± The man in sunglasses beside Larkin Weather leered and said, ¡°She¡¯s pretty hot!¡± ¡°Ex-girlfriend! To be honest, she wouldn¡¯t even let me hold her hand!¡± At this, Larkin Weather looked regretful. The two had been dating for three days before Lance Casey dumped him, and not only that, he got beaten up! This really pissed him off! ¡°So, miss, give Brother Dragon some face today and make up with Larkin, all right? And introduce these sisters around you, I¡¯m single too. Honestly, with me, you won¡¯t have to worry about food or drink!¡± Brother Dragon¡¯s real name was Banyan Carmichael, with the nickname ¡°Crossing the River Dragon.¡± ¡°Get lost! ¡± Lance Casey was furious, how could she give them a good face? ¡°Yo! Got a bit of a temper!¡± Banyan Carmichael turned to Larkin Weather and smiled, ¡°I like your spirit! Since we¡¯re all here, why not just eat together! I¡¯ll cover all expenses!¡± Having said that, he subconsciously went to sit next to Olayinka Davenport. ¡°Whoosh!¡± Just at that moment, Julius Reed deftly spun his chopsticks and placed them perfectly on the seat. ¡°Ouch! Holy smokes!¡± Banyan Carmichael had just sat down when he felt an excruciating pain shoot through him, making his whole body jolt! ¡°Hahaha! ¡± Olayinka Davenport and Lance Casey laughed so hard they doubled over, instantly forgetting their unhappiness. ¡°Damn it! Who did this?¡± Banyan Carmichael¡¯s face darkened as he endured the pain and kicked the table, ¡°Don¡¯t want face when given, huh!¡± At his shout, several nearby tables immediately stood up with a dozen thugs. These guys had tattoos and dyed hair, and they looked over menacingly. ¡°Sir, is there a problem?¡± The restaurant manager hurried over. He¡¯d seen this kind of thing before since there were always customers causing trouble after drinking. ¡°Get lost! ¡± Banyan Carmichael pushed him away and pointed at Quella Radcliffe and the others, ¡°Today, no one¡¯s leaving!¡± His display of power terrified Lance Casey and Olayinka Davenport. These two young women had never experienced such a scene! ¡°What are you going to do! This is a restaurant, keep this up, and I¡¯m calling the police¡­¡± Before Lance Casey could finish, Larkin Weather snatched her phone and said with a smile, ¡°Be my girlfriend now, and Brother Dragon might show me some face! If it¡¯s too late, I can¡¯t protect you!¡± After saying this, Banyan Carmichael glanced at Lance Casey, clearly giving tacit approval to Larkin Weather¡¯s words. ¡°In your dreams!¡± Lance Casey cursed angrily and instinctively leaned further in! ¡°Heh! Larkin, I won¡¯t step in for you, this woman¡¯s really asking for it!¡± ¡°Hiss! ¡± Banyan Carmichael gasped in pain, grimacing, ¡°Tell me, what do you want to In front of his brothers, there went his face, down the drain. Today, he had to reclaim that face! ¡°If you had any sense, you¡¯d vanish right now!¡± Julius Reed crossed his legs, looking at Banyan Carmichael with a mocking smile. ¡°Brother Dragon! This is the guy who hit me last time!¡± Larkin Weather could never forget Julius Reed¡¯s face! ¡°Great! Lance Casey, you actually dared to cuckold me!¡± His gaze at Lance Casey and Julius Reed instantly filled with hostility! If it were a regular breakup that was one thing, but now he felt utterly deceived! ¡°Yeah, so what if I cuckold you? Don¡¯t tell me, we¡¯ve slept together so many times!¡± Lance Casey snuggled up next to Julius Reed, resting her head on his shoulder, ¡°I didn¡¯t want to tell you, but you had to ask!¡± At this moment, Lance Casey just wanted to infuriate Larkin Weather without considering the consequences! ¡°Larkin, since this woman doesn¡¯t appreciate kindness, I¡¯ll teach her a lesson for you today!¡± Banyan Carmichael¡¯s face darkened as he swung his hand for a slap! Chapter 117 - Chapter 117: Chapter 116: Make Him Call Someone 1 Chapter 117: Chapter 116: Make Him Call Someone 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Julius!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s heart tightened. Lance Casey was her best sister, how could she just stand by and watch her being bullied? In fact, Julius Reed had already stepped in to intervene without her having to say anything. Crack! ¡°Ouch!¡± Banyan Carmichael felt as if he had chopped his hand on an iron plate. Pain shot through his head, making him twitch all over. ¡°Damn! Dare to mess with our boss!¡± ¡°Looking for death, are you?¡± Seeing Banyan Carmichael at a disadvantage, the gang members all crowded in. ¡°Brother Dragon, are you okay?¡± ¡°Are you blind? Do I look like I¡¯m okay?¡± Banyan Carmichael¡¯s face was ashen, his whole arm almost numb. He pointed at Julius Reed and threatened, ¡°Kid, you¡¯ve messed with me in Gonzalez City, there¡¯s no good ending for you!¡± With that, he stepped back. The intention was clear, an opportunity for his underlings to make their move! ¡°Heh heh! We¡¯re gonna hit you hard later, make it less painful for you!¡± ¡°Tell me, how do you wanna die?¡± The hooligans rolled up their sleeves, ready to take action against Julius Reed. ¡°Security! There¡¯s a disturbance!¡± Seeing these people eager to fight, Lance Casey screamed. But the restaurant staff had already been blocked by Larkin Weather and his people at the door, unable to intervene. In Gonzalez City, everyone knew what kind of person Banyan Carmichael was. Doing business, the last thing you wanted was to provoke such people. ¡°Enough! Stop yelling! Who dares to meddle in Brother Dragon¡¯s affairs!¡± An impatient gang member said, then reached out to grab at Julius Reed¡¯s clothes. ¡°Cosmo, don¡¯t take a life.¡± Julius Reed stood up, lightly flicking the dust off his clothes and pulled Lance Casey to his side. ¡°Relax! We know how to do it, guarantee you¡¯ll wish you were¡­¡± Bang! The hooligan didn¡¯t get to finish his sentence as Cosmo suddenly lunged forward and kicked the man to the door! The force was so great that it sent him flying for more than ten meters! ¡®You!¡± This happened so suddenly, the gang members hadn¡¯t fully grasped what was going on. But Cosmo gave them no time to react! Crack! With a succession of the sounds of bottles breaking, the hooligans were all sprawled across the ground. Blood streamed from their foreheads, and they were somewhat out of it. One had to admit, Cosmo¡¯s control of strength was just right! There was no risk to their lives and when they woke up, they would be practically vegetative! She had been holding back for a long time! Her master had been insulted, and these people deserved to die! So when she struck, it was with deadly moves! ¡°What the hell!¡± In the time it took Larkin Weather to turn around at the door, all the hooligans had fallen. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Banyan Carmichael hadn¡¯t caught up either. No one answered him. Cosmo casually walked over with a bottle in hand. ¡°I¡¯m warning you¡­¡± Banyan Carmichael backed away while his underlings at the door hurried over for backup. ¡°Whoever takes care of him for me gets a hundred thousand from me!¡± ¡°Big brother, I¡¯ll take that hundred thousand!¡± A gang member snorted coldly. It was just a woman, after all. He could handle her with one hand! But if he had seen what just happened, he wouldn¡¯t dare to take it even for a million! ¡°Crack! ¡± With a flick of the bottle in Cosmo¡¯s hand, that gang member rolled his eyes and fell to the ground motionless. ¡°Don¡¯t mess around! I¡¯m telling you, this is Gonzalez City! It¡¯s my turf!¡± Watching his underlings get knocked down one after another, Banyan Carmichael finally started to panic on the inside. What on earth is this woman¡¯s background? She actually downed his whole crew, one bottle after another! ¡°Let him call for backup!¡± Julius Reed said with a smile. Meanwhile, he gestured to the restaurant staff: ¡°Serve the food! We¡¯re all starving!¡± ¡°Certainly!¡± The waitstaff dared not delay and immediately served the dishes. In fact, the food had been ready for a while, but with Banyan Carmichael causing a scene, who would have dared to serve it? Wouldn¡¯t that be asking for trouble? Now that Cosmo had stirred things up, they immediately brought the food over. ¡°You all should hurry up and leave! Otherwise, once he calls for backup, you¡¯re going to have a difficult time!¡± The owner personally delivered the dishes, while whispering into Julius Reed¡¯s ear. They often hung out in this area and knew all too well about Banyan Carmichael. But these diners were their customers too, so they felt obliged to give them a kind warning. ¡°No worries! I just want to see who he could possibly call over! ¡± Julius Reed picked up his chopsticks, tasted the sea cucumber, and gave a thumbs up: ¡°Not bad!¡± ¡°Is that so? I¡¯ll try it too!¡± Seeing Julius Reed enjoy the taste, Quella Radcliffe was also eager to try. But Lance Casey and Olayinka Davenport had no appetite at all. With things as they were, how could they even think about eating! Watching Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed eat with increasing relish, the two sighed heavily and picked up their chopsticks, resigned. If the main man wasn¡¯t worried, what could they do? And judging by Cosmo¡¯s behavior, he seemed quite capable! ¡°Aren¡¯t we leaving?¡± Olayinka Davenport asked as she ate, cautiously looking at Julius Reed, but she couldn¡¯t glean anything from his expression. ¡°Go where? Aren¡¯t we here to eat?¡± Quella Radcliffe was already accustomed to such situations. After having been through countless assassination attempts, was this even worth calling an incident? If Olayinka Davenport and Lance Casey knew that Julius Reed had once dealt with the Three Blade Society, they probably would¡¯ve sat up straight too, right? ¡°Fine! Your husband will pay today!¡± Lance Casey called out to the waitstaff: ¡°One more of everything! Bring us everything! ¡± Seeing as Julius Reed seemed to be a wealthy man, she had to take him for all he was worth! At that moment, the other patrons in the restaurant were looking at them with strange expressions. They had offended Banyan Carmichael and still dared to feast and drink merrily? Plus, they were even giving the guy a chance to call for backup¡ªwasn¡¯t that just courting death? ¡°Reed, this is delicious! Eat more of it!¡± Quella Radcliffe picked up a big shrimp and placed it on Julius Reed¡¯s plate. ¡°Landen, you¡¯ve changed! In the past, you¡¯d always give the tasty bits to me and Anna Harris!¡± Lance Casey pouted, having completely forgotten the previous displeasures. ¡°By the way, hubby Quella, where do you work?¡± As they continued eating, everyone grew more familiar with each other. ¡°Work? I don¡¯t have a job! I¡¯m a kept man, living off my wife!¡± Julius Reed answered quite naturally. ¡°Damn! You have the nerve to say that! Landen, is he lying?¡± Lance Casey didn¡¯t believe Julius Reed could be living off someone else. If that were true, how could Quella Radcliffe have married him? ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s kind of true¡­¡± The question suddenly stumped Quella Radcliffe. Julius Reed didn¡¯t really have a job, and he was always revolving around her¡ªit seemed he truly was a kept man, in the strictest sense. ¡°No ambition! Go find a job tomorrow! Then this meal, doesn¡¯t that make it Quella¡¯s treat?¡± Upon hearing that Julius Reed didn¡¯t have a job, Lance Casey instantly lost her appetite. In her mind, Quella Radcliffe was still just an employee, not someone with a lot of money. Today¡¯s dishes were chosen with no expense spared! And they had ordered many portions! The meal must be costing tens of thousands! ¡°Go, settle the bill first! ¡± Julius Reed pulled out a card from his clothes and handed it to Lance Casey: ¡°My card, take it! Pay the bill first, so no one accuses me of being a kept man!¡± ¡°Hmph! If there¡¯s no money in there, just wait for your granny¡¯s scorn!¡± Lance Casey huffed and took the black card to the cashier.. Chapter 118 - Chapter 118: Chapter 117 Billionaire_l Chapter 118: Chapter 117 Billionaire_l Translator: 549690339 In Lance Casey¡¯s view, Julius Reed indeed had the potential to be a pretty boy. He was good-looking and could fight, and aside from being a scumbag, he really was perfect! But then again, without these traits, how could he be a cad? Still, she felt that the money in Julius Reed¡¯s card might not be enough! Quella Radcliffe was just an ordinary employee, and although she wasn¡¯t lacking money, she was certainly not a wealthy woman. Julius Reed was unemployed, so he definitely didn¡¯t have much pocket money. But, having reached the counter, she still handed over the card, while already thinking that if the balance was insufficient, she would humiliate Julius Reed! cad! Deceiving her feelings! ¡°Please wait a moment!¡± After taking the bank card, the cashier brought over the POS machine. This table had ordered a lot, a total of seventeen thousand! In all their time operating the restaurant, this was considered a hefty sum. After checking and rechecking to ensure there were no mistakes, the cashier began to swipe the card. Julius Reed¡¯s card was special, because he was too lazy to remember a PIN, so it was one of the rare cards without one! For black card holders, the bank would meet all customer requirements. But Julius Reed didn¡¯t know that this was his massive bank card. For convenience, he had also prepared a card with a hundred thousand in it, just to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings. If the balance was insufficient, money would be immediately transferred from another account, adding a hundred thousand to it. That¡¯s why he dared to give it to Lance Casey. However, during Quella Radcliffe¡¯s laundry, the card was accidentally switched with his VIP black card! ¡°Hello, the total cost is sixteen thousand seven hundred and twenty yuan! Please take a look!¡± After swiping the card, the cashier handed the black card back to Lance Casey, and also passed the receipt to her. ¡°Holy crap! There¡¯s actually money in it!¡± Lance Casey raised an eyebrow and muttered to herself, ¡°Let¡¯s see how much you¡¯ve got in your little treasury, surely you¡¯ve been hiding private savings behind our backs, Quella Radcliffe.¡± She opened the receipt, and her eyes nearly popped out. In the balance column, there was a long string of zeros! ¡°One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand, million, ten million, hundred million¡­ The more she counted, the more Lance Casey trembled. To make sure she wasn¡¯t seeing things, she checked again! ¡°Um, could there be a problem with your POS machine¡­¡± She asked the cashier with a trembling voice, her breathing growing more rapid. ¡°Not at all! Please rest assured!¡± The cashier replied with a smile. Lance Casey blinked, feeling a roar in her head as if she lost consciousness for a moment. Almost mechanically, she slowly walked back to the table. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Lance, is there not enough money on the card?¡± Olayinka Davenport thought that Lance Casey looked devastated because there hadn¡¯t been enough money at the cashier¡¯s desk. ¡°How much is it missing? I¡¯ll cover it!¡± She took out her bank card from her purse and looked at Lance Casey, asking. After such an expensive meal, how could a good friend let Quella Radcliffe pay by herself! ¡°Lance?¡± But Lance Casey stood by the table like a statue, with a blank expression. ¡°Lance, don¡¯t scare us!¡± Olayinka Davenport called out again, pushing Lance Casey a little as she did. Thud! Without the push, who knows, but with that push, Lance Casey instantly collapsed to the ground. ¡°Lance!¡± This time Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t just sit there! She quickly stood up and went to Lance Casey¡¯s side, asking anxiously, ¡°Lance, what happened!¡± ¡°No¡­ Lance Casey blinked and felt completely powerless. ¡°Here¡­ take your card¡­¡¯ With that, she shakily took out the black card and handed it to Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Julius, is there not enough money on your card?¡± Quella eyed Julius Reed with some suspicion. She knew her husband was very rich. A meal costing tens of thousands, Julius surely had that kind of money. But even if he didn¡¯t, Lance Casey¡¯s reaction wasn¡¯t making any sense, was it? ¡°Let me see!¡± Olayinka Davenport, quick as lightning, snatched the bill from Lance¡¯s hands. But in an instant, her face also changed dramatically! ¡°Quella, did you snag yourself a sugar daddy?¡± She looked up with a complex expression at Quella. A balance of over tens of billions! He must be a super-rich second generation! Could Quella be a kept woman? ¡°What are you talking about? What¡¯s gotten into you two today!¡± Quella frowned and grabbed the bill back, then stared at Julius with an odd look on her face. ¡°Be honest, if we divorce now, can¡¯t I get half? You had nothing before we got married!¡± She passed the bill back to Julius, her eyes full of playful intent. Although she was shocked at the balance the moment she saw it, she had experienced so much that she had grown accustomed to surprises from Julius. ¡°A hundred thousand yuan! Is it worth it!¡± Julius smiled lightly and took back the bill. ¡°Damn it! What¡¯s going on here!¡± He quickly took the bank card from Quella and looked at it closely, ¡°This isn¡¯t right! The card in my pocket isn¡¯t this one!¡± The card he carried, although it was also a black card, only had a hundred thousand yuan in it! The one with a balance of tens of billions, he had put it in the pocket of another piece of clothing! ¡°Trying to hide secret money from me!¡± Quella¡¯s face darkened as she stared straight at Julius. ¡°How could I! I was planning to give it to you today. I was going to give it to you after dinner!¡± Julius immediately handed over the bank card, saying earnestly, ¡°Please, my dear wife, sign for it!¡± It was hard to imagine that the Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance could be so mischievous! ¡°Pfft! ¡± Quella couldn¡¯t help but laugh out loud, then she sighed deeply, ¡°I¡¯m also a person with tens of billions in assets now, but somehow, it doesn¡¯t feel any different!¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Olayinka and Lance felt like cursing! The two sisters even planned to secretly pay the bill. But now, looking at it, their friend was not only wealthy but super-rich! ¡°Quella, you¡¯re not being a good friend!¡± It was only then that Lance managed to recover, standing up and leaning on the table to weep. ¡°Exactly! And we sisters were considering sharing the burden with you!¡± Olayinka felt very shocked, but what upset her even more was that Quella had no reaction to learning that her husband had tens of billions in assets! ¡°This is your ¡®kept man¡¯?¡± Lance asked with a tone of grievance. She was feeling so hurt, as if the whole world was deceiving her. ¡°No way! You sisters have to be compensated! A billionaire, right! Fine, you¡¯ll cover all expenses today. We¡¯re going to shop till we drop! ¡± Olayinka echoed from the side. ¡°Sure! As good sisters, I can¡¯t let you down now that I have money! Today, let¡¯s shop to our hearts¡¯ content until you can¡¯t carry any more!¡± Seeing her friends looking so aggrieved, Quella felt a twinge of guilt. After all, it wasn¡¯t her money being spent, so why not milk her husband for all he¡¯s worth? ¡°Is that all right, honey?¡± She turned around and coquettishly addressed Julius. ¡°Agreed! As long as you¡¯re happy, I¡¯ll even buy this entire building!¡± Julius felt as if he had lived for countless years in vain! He didn¡¯t even have that much willpower! ¡°Sisters! Shop! Shop! Shop!¡± Lance jumped around on the floor clearly having chucked all of her unhappiness to the back of her mind! But just then, Banyan Carmichael spoke up at the doorway, his tone grave, ¡°Think you can leave just like that? It¡¯s too late now!¡± As his words fell, a rush of footsteps came from outside the door.. Chapter 119 - Chapter 119: Chapter 118 Visiting Younger Brother_1 Chapter 119: Chapter 118 Visiting Younger Brother_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°I hear someone dared to mess with my brother?¡± An extremely weathered voice came from outside the door. ¡°Brother, brother hit misfortune in the gutter, only you can help us!¡± Banyan Carmichael, completely reversing his previously arrogant demeanor, respectfully spoke to someone outside the door. ¡°No problem!¡± After the voice from outside, a group of people quickly surged into the restaurant. ¡°Master Leopold!¡± Seeing the newcomer, the restaurant owner hurriedly trotted out to greet them: ¡°Master Leopold! You¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t make things difficult for you! I will handle today¡¯s matter myself! ¡± An uneven rhythm of footsteps approached. Then, a man with a cane and wearing sunglasses entered the restaurant. ¡°Who dares to touch my people!¡± He slammed his cane onto the ground with such force that it startled everyone in the restaurant. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the Leopold siblings from Gonzalez City? I heard a few days ago that they crossed someone they shouldn¡¯t have, both brothers ended up with a broken leg, and their real estate went bankrupt! Later on, someone from higher up spoke for them, and that¡¯s how they managed to get by in Gonzalez City!¡± ¡°Exactly! Who would have thought that the once glorious Leopold siblings would fall to such straits! But even a skinny camel is bigger than a horse, the two brothers are doing rather well for themselves!¡± Seeing the man in sunglasses, everyone began whispering to each other. The Leopold siblings were once the tyrants of Gonzalez City! Leopold Real Estate was extraordinarily prominent, but overnight, no one knew whom the Leopold siblings had offended, causing the company to go bankrupt and the two to find themselves in the hospital. According to the word of mouth, it was said that they had offended a major figure. Now that the Leopold siblings were making a return, naturally, it garnered everyone¡¯s focus! The situation was grand! ¡°This is it! Thanks to you! I told you to leave, but you insisted on playing hero here, and now look what¡¯s happened! We¡¯re finished!¡± Lance Casey had never seen such a spectacle before¡ªnearly a hundred people surrounded them, not even a bird could escape! ¡°What should we do, Quella Radcliffe?¡± Olayinka Davenport quietly asked. They were girls, and naturally scared by such a display. ¡°Heh, heh! Scared now? What were you doing earlier! Today, not one of you will leave!¡± In Banyan Carmichael¡¯s eyes flashed a hint of triumph. These past few days he had got to know the down-and-out Leopold siblings through someone¡¯s introduction. And the three of them hit it off and quickly became brothers. Although their power was diminished, the Leopold family had been operating in Gonzalez City for many years, so they wouldn¡¯t just collapse all at once. With Aron Jackson injured during this time, they managed to regain some of their industry. ¡°Little brother! Today your big brother will avenge you!¡± Nicholas Leopold took off his sunglasses, and an employee immediately took them. ¡°Since someone is so blind, then don¡¯t blame my cane for being unmerciful!¡± He once again used the cane in his hand to strike the ground! ¡°Brother Abernathy, come over here!¡± Banyan Carmichael pointed at Julius Reed and the others, somewhat proud as he said: ¡°This blind bunch, today, I¡¯ll let you experience the might of Master Leopold!¡± As long as Nicholas Leopold took action, these people were definitely done for! ¡°Haha! Let me have a look!¡± Nicholas Leopold laughed loudly, limping as he walked over. ¡°Long time no see!¡± Seeing that the person was Nicholas Leopold, Julius Reed raised his glass and slowly poured the wine onto the ground. It appeared as if he were offering a libation for the dead! ¡°This kid¡¯s asking for it!¡± ¡°Daring to treat Nicholas Leopold like this, he¡¯s most likely to be beaten to death right here!¡± ¡°He must not be a local, right? The Leopold siblings might have fallen, but there¡¯s quite the sense that they¡¯re making a comeback!¡± The restaurant¡¯s customers all watched Julius Reed, their eyes filled with sympathy. Nicholas Leopold had recently taken a fall and was itching for a place to blow off steam. This young man was rushing headlong into disaster, practically inviting his own death! ¡°You blind dog thing, daring to insult our Master Leopold!¡± Seeing Julius Reed pour out the wine, Banyan Carmichael cursed furiously. ¡°Smack! ¡± But then, something incredibly shocking happened. Nicholas Leopold actually backhanded Banyan Carmichael with a slap, Imocking him senseless! ¡°Master Leopold¡­ I!¡± Banyan Carmichael was somewhat stunned; what had he done wrong? Did he say the wrong thing or do something inappropriate? Why would Nicholas Leopold slap him in front of so many people? Was he showing absolutely no respect? ¡°Mr. Reed!¡± Clang! Nicholas Leopold paid him no attention; instead, he was so frightened that his cane dropped to the ground, and he knelt straight down. ¡°Mr. Reed¡­ I didn¡¯t know it was you¡­¡± After being tripped up last time, they immediately investigated Julius Reed¡¯s identity! But the results had them breaking out in cold sweat! Almost everyone held a grudge against this young man! But without exception, every one of them had been taken down a notch! Moreover, according to their investigations, even Bridger Davenport¡¯s issue was uncovered! The brains of the Three Blade Group, actually kidnapped by someone else! Only now did the brothers realize why Bridger Davenport was so respectful when he met Julius Reed! They were glad they were still alive! As for revenge? They didn¡¯t even dare to think about it! Could the big shots, who couldn¡¯t manage it, think the brothers wished for a longer life? ¡°Oh! Since you¡¯re here, how about a drink?¡± Julius Reed lifted his glass, a faint smile on his face. Now, it was the spectators¡¯ turn to be stunned. Who exactly was the person who could make the Leopold brothers kneel? Could it be one of the four young masters from the provincial city? But he didn¡¯t seem like it! Not only them, but the surrounding employees were also dumbstruck! They came to beat someone up, but now their own boss was leading the way by kneeling down! So, should they advance or retreat? Banyan Carmichael simply widened his eyes, too scared to speak. His mind was quite active; he immediately knew he had gotten into big trouble! Otherwise, given Nicholas Leopold¡¯s power in Gonzalez City, he¡¯d never kneel in public! ¡°I dare not! I beg Mr. Reed to overlook my petty offenses, please consider me insignificant!¡± How could Nicholas Leopold even think about drinking? Let alone drinking, at this moment, as he knelt, his pants were almost wet! The experience from the last time had him waking up in alarm from his dreams every night! His leg, which would never recover in this lifetime, caused him immense pain! ¡°Listen to what you¡¯re saying! I was eating, and you brought people over, then ask me to let you off; what is this supposed to mean?¡± Julius Reed sipped his wine thoughtfully, ¡°If you knew you¡¯d be scared, why did you come in the first place? You come and think you can just leave?¡± ¡°Mr. Reed! I can be your guide!¡± Nicholas Leopold¡¯s mind quickly spun, and he immediately spoke up, ¡°I know this place well, Your and your sisters-in-law¡¯s expenses are on me! And these employees, they will escort you! For someone with your stature, it would be bad luck to be disturbed by the ignorant!¡± Since they were already here, they could only spend money to avoid disaster! ¡°Oh! Your mind is quite sharp!¡± Julius Reed couldn¡¯t help but see Nicholas Leopold in a new light. ¡°What do you ladies think? Since someone is paying and carrying our bags.¡± He looked toward the four women. ¡°Who are the sisters-in-law!¡± Lance Casey glared at Nicholas Leopold and said, ¡°Shop! Shop! Shop!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to see this man ever again!¡± Julius Reed stood up, glanced at Banyan Carmichael, and picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth. ¡°Understood! Take him away and cripple him!¡± Nicholas Leopold said fiercely.. Chapter 120 - Chapter 120: Chapter 119 Shrewish Cosmo_l Chapter 120: Chapter 119 Shrewish Cosmo_l Translator: 549690339 Julius Reed never took the Leopold brothers seriously at all. After being beaten once, such lackeys would definitely learn their lesson. And even if they had the guts, they wouldn¡¯t dare to go against him again. Julius Reed was in a good mood today. Because Quella Radcliffe was happy, which for some reason made him feel cheerful, he couldn¡¯t be bothered to bicker with Nicholas Leopold. But when someone offered to foot the bill and carry the bags, Julius found it rather nice. After all, free labor shouldn¡¯t be turned down. ¡°There are too many people here, just pick a couple at random!¡± Looking at the dense crowd around him, he felt a bit of a headache. To the unaware, they might think he was up to something. Moreover, girls don¡¯t like shopping with too many people around. So after telling Nicholas to select a few strong men to follow, he sent all the others downstairs. To quietly wait. As for Banyan Carmichael, they broke his legs and dumped him at the entrance of the mall. The mischievous Lance Casey even dropped a bowl in front of him, casually placing a coin inside it. And the agonized Banyan had to swallow his tears and continuously express his gratitude. Crystal Plaza was one of the major shopping centers in Gonzalez City. When women shop, it¡¯s like a dragon diving into the abyss or a tiger entering the forest. Even Julius, strong and robust, couldn¡¯t withstand the madness of this shopping spree. After all, Nicholas¡¯s men were there to serve. Seated alone at Starbucks, sipping coffee, his eyes followed the three women who shopped with abandon. It was obvious that Quella was very happy today. With Lance Casey and Olayinka Davenport accompanying her, the smile on her face was noticeably more frequent than before. With the corporate power struggles, family conflicts, and enemy assassinations, Quella¡¯s mood had been very subdued. Today was a great opportunity for release, and Julius naturally wanted her to have fun. Cosmo didn¡¯t go shopping but stayed by Julius¡¯s side all the time. ¡°Master, you seem a bit troubled?¡± Having spent many years together, the two had some understanding of each other. ¡°Actually, all I want now is to live a peaceful life!¡± Julius raised his coffee with a rather helpless smile. The leader of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, he had long since lost any But he also knew that once he stepped down, countless people would come seeking revenge! At that point, both he and Quella¡¯s situations would undoubtedly become even more dangerous. Just like now, once he revealed his identity, most Shadow Warriors would smell the wind and flee. Instead of, as they were now, rushing to their deaths one after another. But once his identity got out, more powerful enemies would come seeking revenge. The memories he had awakened were far from enough! Even the figure that often appeared in his brain, he couldn¡¯t guess who it was! ¡°Master! Retiring from the rivers and lakes at such a young age?¡± Cosmo propped her chin with her hands, blinking her big eyes as she asked, ¡°What exactly has troubled you? Not to brag, but if you were in our line of work, you¡¯d definitely be the King!¡± Her eyes were full of admiration as she looked at Julius. ¡°Not interested!¡± Julius smiled faintly, slowly sipping the coffee from his cup. If he wanted, what was the king of the underworld to him? But suddenly, his eyes narrowed, and an instant chill erupted. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Master?¡± Cosmo immediately sensed that something was off with Julius! As a Shadow Warrior, her instincts were incredibly sharp! ¡°Are you able to handle two Shadow Warriors?¡± Julius turned his head and asked with a smile. Even his mouth movements were quietly altered. The Shadow Warriors were quite cunning nowadays, able to judge what a person said by their lip movements. ¡°No problem!¡± Cosmo also flashed a charming smile, leaning her body gently forward. But at the same time, her peripheral vision was continuously scanning, yet she still hadn¡¯t located the Shadow Warrior Julius Reed mentioned. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, you can¡¯t do this anymore!¡± Julius Reed smiled as he fixed Cosmo¡¯s hair, looking every bit the affectionate couple. But as his fingers touched Cosmo¡¯s hair, he quietly indicated a direction. Following the direction Julius Reed had indicated, Cosmo finally spotted two disguised Shadow Warriors! One was riding a cleaning cart, pretending to be a mall janitor. The other was distributing flyers everywhere, no different from an ordinary person. But on closer inspection, it was noticeable that the janitor¡¯s eyes were constantly looking around. The woman handing out flyers was also merely going through the motions, her face always brimming with a smile. ¡°Can you handle it?¡± Julius Reed asked in a low voice, straw in mouth. Cosmo didn¡¯t answer but slowly stood up, lightly tossing her hair and casting a flirtatious glance at Julius Reed. She then picked up her handbag and walked towards the two. The mall was large, and it took three minutes to walk from Starbucks to where the two Shadow Warriors were. In those three minutes, Cosmo had already received information from Julius Reed. The Shadow Warriors were known as ¡°Gemini,¡± a pair ot twins infamous in the underworld. The two were extremely skilled in disguise and had ruthless methods, killing with a single move! Many wealthy individuals had died at their hands! ¡°Received!¡± Cosmo quickly glanced through the information, then stuffed her phone back into her handbag. ¡°Miss, try the gym, we have a half-price deal going on right now¡­¡± As she passed by the female flyer-distributing Shadow Warrior, a flyer was suddenly thrust into her hand. Slap! Cosmo slapped back with the back of her hand! The sound of the slap was loud, immediately attracting the attention of many in the mall. ¡°Half-price? Are you insulting me? I have plenty of money, and you dare suggest I go to a half-price place?¡± Cosmo pointed at the flyer-distributor¡¯s nose and cursed loudly, ¡°You¡¯ve dirtied Miss¡¯s bag! Do you know how much it¡¯s worth? Hundreds of thousands!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss!¡± The flyer distributor was clearly startled, a flash of murderous intent appearing in her eyes, but she masked it instantly. Today, her mission was to assassinate a target named Julius Reed. If her plans were messed up because of a woman, then all previous efforts would go to waste! Endure! As long as the mission was accomplished, she had a hundred ways to make the woman in front of her kneel and beg for mercy! Slap! Cosmo dealt another slap. The flyer distributor instinctively wanted to dodge, but she could only let the slap land on her face. If she dodged, she would undoubtedly reveal herself! Among top-tier Shadow Warriors, even a small opening could be massively exploited! ¡°Who are you calling Miss? I don¡¯t even have a boyfriend, and you¡¯re calling me a prostitute? Believe it or not, I¡¯ll rip your mouth apart!¡± At that moment, Cosmo was behaving like a shrew. And not just any shrew, but one who, on the strength of her money, was making a scene without reason! ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± The flyer distributor took a deep breath, suppressing the murderous intent in her heart! ¡°What kind of person is this! You think you¡¯re superior because you have money? She¡¯s only handing out flyers! You¡¯ve hit her, what more do you want?¡± ¡°The morals of society are declining! Look at that outfit; it¡¯s probably maintained by a wealthy person! Flaunting your dirty money, you act so arrogant and overbearing!¡± ¡°Big sister, call the police! You don¡¯t need to say a word to this kind of shrew! We are all here to witness for you, you mustn¡¯t let her off easily!¡± The crowd of onlookers grew, and many began to denounce her! ¡°Oh? Really?¡± Cosmo turned around, snorted softly, and said, ¡°Can¡¯t stand it, huh? I haven¡¯t even started!¡± After speaking, she turned back and launched yet another slap! ¡°Let peace prevail!¡± However, just then, her hand was blocked in mid-air. The janitor had appeared out of nowhere, smiling as he said, ¡°Let it go..¡± Chapter 121 - Chapter 121: Chapter 120 A Peaceful Life Is Too Hard_l Chapter 121: Chapter 120 A Peaceful Life Is Too Hard_l Translator: 549690339 The moment Cosmo saw the cleaner appear, she couldn¡¯t help but allow a smirk to curve her lips. It seemed that the other party couldn¡¯t hold back anymore and was preparing to make a move. ¡°Who the hell are you! Get lost, don¡¯t dirty my hands!¡± She shouted loudly, and at the same time, her hand ¡®accidentally¡¯ bumped into the cleaner, quietly disarming the other party¡¯s weapon! Such a feat was simply a piece of cake for her! ¡°Miss!¡± This time, clearly having learned from the previous lesson, the cleaner changed the form of address. ¡°Could we talk somewhere else about whatever this is? We all work in the same mall, and I would like to apologize on her behalf!¡± After speaking, the cleaner bowed deeply. ¡°Yes! It wasn¡¯t intentional! How about this, I have some money in the break room. Come with me and I¡¯ll compensate you for the bag!¡± The leaflet distributor explained with utmost frankness, a helpless smile appearing on her face. ¡°Beast! Such a vile woman, taking things too far!¡± ¡°This is too inhumane! With what little power we, the lower working class, have, if this were a man, I wouldn¡¯t stop until I beat him to death!¡± ¡°Let me tell you, don¡¯t think we don¡¯t hit women! Alright, we¡¯re calling the police now, let¡¯s see what you can do then!¡± As she spoke, a man in the crowd pulled out his phone, ready to call the police. But before he could make the call, the cleaner quickly walked to the side and said, ¡°If we make a fuss, we¡¯ll lose our jobs, better let it go! I believe this lady is understanding and won¡¯t make it difficult for us!¡± The two had a mission to prioritize, if the police came, they would definitely be delayed for a while. An assassination was an opportunity that couldn¡¯t be missed, and time wouldn¡¯t come again! Now, both of them were merely thinking of how to get Cosmo to a secluded place And finish the job! ¡°Damn it! I can¡¯t take it anymore! Today, I have to give her a beating!¡± ¡°I¡¯m in too! No matter her status or background, I¡¯ll make her feel the power of my iron fist!¡± Egged on by the cleaner¡¯s words, the onlookers grew even more furious. This was exactly what the Gemini wanted, as the crowd closed in, they could take the chance to slip away. The public outrage grew stronger, and some people even began to step forward. Cosmo frowned slightly, uncertain of what to do in the situation. ¡°What are you doing!¡± It was then that Nicholas Leopold, leaning on a crutch, walked up. Behind him followed a couple dozen employees dressed in black suits. ¡°Little sister, who is bullying you?¡± He looked at Cosmo and asked with a smile on his face. ¡°Oh! Brother, it¡¯s no big deal, we can resolve it privately!¡± Seeing Nicholas Leopold, Cosmo instantly understood that this was Julius Reed¡¯s intention. The appearance of these people was clearly to extricate her from the situation! ¡°Alright! Anyone who dares to bully you, just give me the word, and I¡¯ll take care of them!¡± Nicholas Leopold¡¯s expression darkened, and the onlookers immediately fell silent, heads bowed. The men who had been shouting fiercely now lowered their heads and quietly slipped away. With Nicholas Leopold¡¯s stance, one could tell he was no easy mark! Especially with a crowd of employees standing behind him! ¡°Got it, brother, you go ahead, I¡¯ll follow shortly!¡± Now that she was off the hook, Cosmo quickly shooed them away. ¡°Okay!¡± Nicholas Leopold didn¡¯t dare utter another word and immediately led his people away. At this time, the onlookers didn¡¯t dare say another word! The cleaner¡¯s face grew grim, finally ready to act. He had thought they could use the power of the crowd to deal with the trouble, but who knew that someone so powerful would show up, instantly foiling his plan. ¡°Compensate me! Hurry; I¡¯m in a rush!¡± Cosmo was very cooperative. ¡°Okay! Come with me!¡± After exchanging a glance with the cleaner, the leaflet distributor turned and headed towards the mall¡¯s interior. That was the storeroom where usually cleaners kept their belongings. ¡°I have a little there too; you go get it first, and then we¡¯ll go to mine!¡± The cleaner intentionally spoke to the leaflet distributor, aiming to lure Cosmo into the storeroom, and then take the opportunity to eliminate the trouble! ¡°Okay! Thank you, big brother! I¡¯m really sorry, I¡¯ll pay you back when I get my salary!¡± The leaflet distributor was very grateful, his words filled with excitement. If Cosmo hadn¡¯t been a Shadow Warrior who had experienced countless life and death situations, she might have actually believed them! But now, watching the two perform, she only felt like laughing. Soon, the trio arrived at the entrance to the storage room. ¡°Lady, please come in with me for a moment. There¡¯s still over ten thousand here, let¡¯s count it up face to face! If we do it outside, it might catch the attention of someone with ulterior motives.¡± The cleaner spoke with a smile plastered on his face, seemingly quite sincere. ¡°Sure!¡± Without hesitation, Cosmo walked in first. Click! In an instant, the sound of the door locking rang out from behind her, and a cold blade pressed against the back of her head. ¡°What¡­ what are you doing!¡± Cosmo quickly turned around, only to see the cleaner and leaflet distributor looking at her with sneering faces. ¡°Damn woman! Even I dared to hit!¡± The distributor had completely torn away his disguise, his eyes revealing endless chills! He rolled up his sleeves and swung a heavy slap towards her! But it didn¡¯t connect as anticipated. Cosmo leaned back, easily dodging the slap. ¡°What are you doing! I¡¯m calling for help!¡± Cosmo¡¯s face remained tense. ¡°You¡¯ve got some skills! The soundproofing in this room is very good, kill you and nobody outside will know!¡± A sinister smile creeped onto the cleaner¡¯s face. ¡°I want to teach her a lesson!¡± The distributor was somewhat unsatisfied. ¡°Don¡¯t waste time! The bigger picture is what matters!¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± His face darkened! ¡°Is this what you¡¯re looking for?¡± Cosmo took something out of her bag and gently shook it in front of them. ¡°Who the hell are you!¡± Their faces suddenly turned grave. Only someone extraordinary could have silently switched their weapons! ¡°Who am I? Then who are you? Leaflet distributor and cleaner? Tsk tsk tsk, quite impressive cover for this shopping center!¡± Cosmo¡¯s lips flashed with disdain. Dealing with the two in front of her, she had no difficulty whatsoever. ¡°Attack! ¡± Seeing their opponent was strong, the two exchanged glances and lunged! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! With the sounds of piercing through the air, silver needles shot out! ¡°Nine Revolutions Heavenly Spirit Needles! You¡¯re the Empress!¡± Their eyes widened, still filled with reluctance. But the next moment, there were two thuds as heavy bodies hit the floor. These two hadn¡¯t even managed to make a move before they died under the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Spirit Needles. After straightening out her clothes, Cosmo carried her bag back to Starbucks as if nothing had happened. ¡°Things are getting troublesome again!¡± Julius Reed picked up his second cup of coffee, unable to help sighing deeply. ¡°Is a peaceful life really that hard to come by?¡± He looked at Cosmo, his tone laced with helplessness. ¡°Master, you think you can just kill people and run away?¡± Cosmo raised an eyebrow, sitting opposite him: ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know, stabbing such a big mess, it¡¯s all because you¡¯ve killed a lot of people.¡± Being on more than one bounty list is a rare ¡°honor.¡± ¡°Forget it! It¡¯s quiet for now, let¡¯s go take a look!¡± Julius stood up, but noticed Quella Radcliffe and the others seemed to have run into some trouble. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± His pupils narrowed as he quickly walked over.. Chapter 122 - Chapter 122: Chapter 121: Encountering My Younger Brother 1 Chapter 122: Chapter 121: Encountering My Younger Brother 1 Translator: 549690339 As Julius Reed rose to his feet, Cosmo immediately followed. With various Shadow Warriors assembling in Gonzalez City, they couldn¡¯t afford to take anything lightly. But then Cosmo breathed a sigh of relief. Because inside the mall, a man and a woman had started a conflict with Quella Radcliffe and two others, but fortunately, they weren¡¯t Shadow Warriors. As long as it wasn¡¯t related to the Shadow Warriors, Julius Reed could easily handle ordinary people. ¡°Sis, you¡¯re the one in the wrong here! Sullivan just said a few words, was there really a need to get so worked up? Now look, you¡¯ve frightened Sullivan, what do you propose we do about this?¡± Wellington Radcliffe, with his full head of blonde hair, stood in the mall with one hand in his pocket, looking at Quella Radcliffe with a playfully malicious expression. As they were shopping in the mall, the siblings suddenly ran into each other. Wellington Radcliffe, already displeased with Quella Radcliffe, had long since filled his girlfriend, Ives Abbott, with resentment toward his sister. Ives Abbott came from a well-off family in Five-river Province. Her uncle, Benjamin Abbott, was a businessman in Gonzalez City, often associating with all kinds of powerful figures. He even had connections with Aron Jackson of Gonzalez City. So when Ives Abbott saw Quella Radcliffe, she immediately began to mock and ridicule her. Wanting to stand up for her boyfriend. Ever since that previous incident where he felt slighted, Wellington Radcliffe never went back home and spent all his time with Ives Abbott, without a care for food or drink. So much so that when such a serious incident occurred in the Radcliffe Family, this grandson of the family had no idea. Quella Radcliffe naturally wouldn¡¯t tolerate it, but before she could take action, Lance Casey had already turned on her shrew mode and exchanged a barrage of insults with Ives Abbott! The infuriated Ives Abbott, unable to out-argue Lance Casey, had the thought to get physical. But Quella Radcliffe merely blocked her with an easy move, and Ives Abbott ended up crying in Wellington Radcliffe¡¯s arms. ¡°Wellington! You saw it yourself, I haven¡¯t done anything. It¡¯s this shrew in your arms who started cursing as soon as she saw me! If it weren¡¯t for the fact that we are siblings, I really would have liked to slap her!¡± Quella Radcliffe was in a terrible mood! All the happiness she had felt shopping with her best friend had completely vanished. ¡°Who are you calling a shrew! I¡¯m telling you, if it wasn¡¯t for Wellington¡¯s sake, I would destroy you two!¡± Upon being called a shrew by Quella Radcliffe, Ives Abbott immediately started shouting back, her hands on her hips. At the same time, a few black-clad bodyguards stepped up behind her, simultaneously taking off their sunglasses. The bodyguards were arranged by Benjamin Abbott, each one skilled. They were usually responsible for protecting Ives Abbott. After all, his niece was no simple character, always causing trouble wherever she went. If there were no bodyguards, she would undoubtedly suffer! ¡°What are you trying to do! Thinking of starting a fight?¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face darkened. She didn¡¯t want to have a confrontation with Wellington Radcliffe; after all, they were siblings. But this brother of hers seemed to have no intention of getting along with her. From the moment they met, he was full of hostility. ¡°Sis! Kneel down and apologize to Sullivan, and we¡¯ll let this go!¡± Seeing the bodyguards ready to take action, Wellington Radcliffe¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. ¡°If you stubbornly refuse, I can do nothing about it! The people are Sullivan¡¯s, they don¡¯t listen to me!¡± He shrugged his shoulders, acting as though he had her best interests at heart. Back in the Radcliffe Family, he had endured too many grievances and had long since been thinking of getting back at Quella Radcliffe! Now with the backing of the Abbott Family, he had even more reason to flaunt his power! ¡°Stupid woman, don¡¯t think I¡¯ll go easy on you just because you are Wellington¡¯s sister! Now I¡¯m giving you a chance. If you refuse to kneal and apologize, you believe I¡¯ll ruin your face today?¡± As she spoke, Ives Abbott took out a lipstick from her bag and gently applied it to her lips. ¡°Slut!¡± Lance Casey couldn¡¯t help cursing. ¡°What did you say!¡± Ives Abbott¡¯s face sank, and her hand holding the lipstick started to tremble. No one had ever dared to curse her in all her life! ¡°I said, you¡¯re a slut!¡± Lance Casey shouted loudly, ¡°Did you hear that, or should I say it again? Slut! Slut! Slut!¡± She repeated herself three times, nearly sending Ives Abbott¡¯s nose crooked with rage! ¡°You¡­ you¡­ you!¡± Ives Abbott could only feel a tightness in her chest, too angry to speak. ¡°You bitch, who do you think you are? Looking for trouble?¡± Wellington Radcliffe quickly took Ives Abbott into his arms, threatening Lance Casey while consoling her, ¡°Baby, don¡¯t be angry, I¡¯ll take care of them for you!¡± After saying that, he strode over to Lance Casey, raising his hand to slap him! Slap! But before he could make a move, Olayinka Davenport next to him delivered a slap first. ¡°What¡¯s this? You dare to hit a woman?¡± Don¡¯t be fooled by Olayinka Davenport¡¯s usual demure appearance; when she got angry, she was like a tigress, leaving Wellington Radcliffe completely stunned. ¡°You¡­¡± Before Wellington Radcliffe could finish, Ives Abbott cursed angrily, ¡°Useless! Why are you still talking to them? Riggs, Jett, get them! Swell their faces! ¡± No sooner had her words fallen did the two bodyguards standing behind her nod and head straight towards Quella Radcliffe and the others. ¡°What are you doing!¡± The employees following the three women immediately stepped forward to block the two bodyguards, ¡°Brother, what are you trying to do?¡± They asked, tilting their heads. ¡°Get lost! ¡± The two bodyguards didn¡¯t bother with any superfluous words. They simply pushed the three in front of them away! ¡°Who do you think you are! Let me tell you, we¡¯re Master Leopold¡¯s people! If you know what¡¯s good for you, get lost now! Otherwise¡­¡± Bang! Before he could finish, Riggs kicked out, sending the speaker flying three or four meters away. ¡°Ouch!¡± The man cried out in pain, shouting to the remaining two, ¡°Call Master Leopold, get some people here!¡± Nicholas Leopold was quite powerful in Gonzalez City. It was only against monsters like Aron Jackson and Julius Reed that he seemed powerless! Against others, it wasn¡¯t so clear-cut! ¡°Stop right there!¡± The two hoodlums had no chance to make a call. Before they could stop the bodyguards, Riggs and Jett had already knocked them to the ground. ¡°Brother! What¡¯s this all about!¡± Right then, Nicholas Leopold, with his characteristic limp, came rushing down from upstairs with his men. As a big shot in Gonzalez City, how could he possibly let this situation fall apart? It might have seemed like only a few thugs were following him, but in reality, he had plenty of eyes watching. So, he and his men arrived quickly once the conflict started. ¡°Who are you? Mind your own business¡­¡± Wellington Radcliffe turned his head and saw a limping man. He was just about to curse, but seeing the group of people behind the Limping Man, he immediately shut his mouth. ¡°Sullivan, this guy¡¯s not simple¡­¡± He whispered. Wellington Radcliffe may have been arrogant usually, but he was genuinely a bully who feared the strong. Seeing the other side¡¯s numbers and power, he immediately hid behind a woman, scared. ¡°Ha! Who are you to interfere!¡± Ives Abbott turned around and looked at Nicholas Leopold with a cold gaze. Even though there were many people with him, she was not afraid at all! Riggs and Jett, seeing the situation unfold, also stopped their assault and waited to see what would happen. ¡°I am Nicholas Leopold, may I ask for the lady¡¯s name?¡± Nicholas Leopold knew from Ives Abbott¡¯s attitude that she was no ordinary woman. So he introduced himself first, taking the opportunity to probe. ¡°I¡¯m Ives Abbott of the Abbott Family from Five-river Province! Surely you haven¡¯t heard of us?¡± Ives Abbott said coldly, ¡°If you have any sense, you¡¯ll get lost!¡± Chapter 123 - Chapter 123: Chapter 122: Even the Abbott Family Won ‘t Do 1 Chapter 123: Chapter 122: Even the Abbott Family Won ¡®t Do 1 Translator: 549690339 Upon hearing the name Abbott Family, Nicholas Leopold¡¯s body visibly shuddered! In Five-river Province, there was only one Abbott Family. Miguel Abbott! A well-known entrepreneur in the province, and at the same time, the overlord of Five-river Province! Even Quince Kensington, who was well-known for his influence, had to give way to Miguel Abbott by three points! ¡°Your uncle¡­¡± To be certain, Nicholas Leopold still asked cautiously. If it was not the Abbott Family related to Miguel Abbott, the matter could still be handled with relative ease! But if it truly was that Abbott Family, he truly couldn¡¯t afford to provoke them! However, Quella Radcliffe was right there; if he couldn¡¯t protect her, he would utterly fail Julius Reed! ¡°Benjamin Abbott!¡± When Ives Abbott uttered that name, Nicholas Leopold¡¯s heart trembled! ¡°Now, can you get lost? I don¡¯t like people watching when I¡¯m handling my business!¡± Ives Abbott was imperious, not giving Nicholas Leopold any face! This was the pride of the Abbott Family members; even if standing alone, no one dared to touch them! ¡°Miss Abbott¡­¡± Nicholas Leopold was rapidly considering his options in his mind. Today, he was inevitably going to offend one side! If he did nothing, Julius Reed would certainly take revenge on him, and the Abbott Family would not be grateful to him. But if he offended the Abbott Family, Julius Reed might still be able to lend him a hand! In just a few seconds, he had rapidly weighed the pros and cons in his mind! ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I have to offend you!¡± Nicholas Leopold swallowed hard and then instructed, ¡°Go for it! Stop them! ¡± No sooner had his words fallen than the group of men in black immediately charged forward! ¡°You don¡¯t want to live anymore!¡± Ives Abbott glared, her eyes full of disbelief as she looked at Nicholas Leopold. Someone dared to intervene in Abbott Family affairs? Bang! But at her side, Riggs and Jett had already sprung into action! Although the opponents were many, their combat strength wasn¡¯t very strong! The two bodyguards Benjamin Abbott had appointed were extremely formidable in combat! It took only a few moves, and several were already lying on the ground. ¡°Master, should you take over or should I?¡± Cosmo, who had already arrived, looked at Julius Reed and asked. ¡°Do I need to step in for such a trivial matter?¡± Julius Reed turned his head to look at her, his eyebrows slightly raised. ¡°Understood!¡± Cosmo suddenly leapt forward, instantly disappearing from her original spot! She had been irritated by those two bodyguards for a while. but as her master hadn¡¯t given the order, she couldn¡¯t act rashly. Bang! Crack! In just a brief encounter, Cosmo had already smashed her elbow into Jett¡¯s back! Jett let out a wail, kneeling on the ground and screaming in agony! His ribs had been shattered, pain that an ordinary person simply couldn¡¯t bear! Even though Jett was extraordinary, the excruciating pain still made him shiver uncontrollably. ¡°You dare to hit my brother!¡± Riggs glanced at Jett, and slowly pulled out an iron rod from behind his back! As soon as the opponent made a move, he knew she was a pro! Even though she was a woman, Riggs wouldn¡¯t underestimate her one bit! ¡°Do you still hit women?¡± As Cosmo watched Riggs wielding the iron rod, she let out a laugh. ¡°Heh! In my eyes, there are only enemies, no women!¡± Riggs narrowed his eyes and took a large step forward! Whoosh! Simultaneously, the iron rod in his hand whistled through the air! Swoosh! But Cosmo dodged swiftly, vanishing from her spot in an instant! Bang! Before Riggs could react, Cosmo¡¯s foot crashed down onto his shoulder! Crack! The sound of breaking bones instantly followed! Riggs collapsed on the ground writhing in pain, his body starting to twitch! ¡°Who are you!¡± Ives Abbott instantly panicked. She was well aware of the capabilities of Riggs and Jett; they could practically take on ten ordinary men without issue. But now both of them were completely defeated, and it was an overwhelming defeat. ¡°Master! What should we do with her?¡± Cosmo, holding his arm, turned his head to look at Julius Reed at the door. ¡°I don¡¯t hit women.¡± Julius Reed pursed his lips, slowly walking over to Quella Radcliffe¡¯s side. ¡°Brother Davenport, I¡­¡± Nicholas Leopold, seeing Cosmo and Julius Reed appear, instantly breathed a sigh of relief. If these two hadn¡¯t come soon, he really didn¡¯t know what to do! ¡°No need to say more, I¡¯ve seen everything you did!¡± Julius Reed interrupted him, stepped in front of Quella Radcliffe, ¡°Wife, are you okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine! It¡¯s just a bit, too bullying!¡± Quella Radcliffe managed a smile, her mood already not too great. ¡°So you¡¯re the Julius Reed who lives off a woman! I thought you were someone impressive! I heard¡­¡± Smack! Cosmo¡¯s palm lashed out, slapping Ives Abbott right across the face. ¡°You said¡­ you don¡¯t hit women!¡± I¡¯ves Abbott¡¯s eyes widened in shock, seemingly unable to believe that Cosmo would strike. ¡°I don¡¯t, but I never said she doesn¡¯t, right?¡± Julius Reed chuckled and shook his head, ¡°Take care of it!¡± ¡°Understood, Master!¡± Cosmo nodded, then turned and walked toward Ives Abbott. She was pretty, but Ives Abbott just couldn¡¯t appreciate it no matter what. ¡°Don¡¯t come any closer! I¡¯m a member of the Abbott Family! Octavius is my father, and Benjamin Abbott is my uncle!¡± This was the first time in her life she felt fear! In the past, as soon as she revealed her identity as a member of the Abbott Family, no one dared to act improperly! But now, it didn¡¯t seem to work anymore! ¡°Oh really? Why don¡¯t you mention Uncle Abbott is your relative?¡± Cosmo smiled faintly, slowly closing in on Ives Abbott. ¡°Little girl, why do you have to be so unruly?¡± ¡°I warn you¡­¡± Wellington Radcliffe took a deep breath, just about to speak, when he was kicked and sent flying! Bang! He crashed against the mall¡¯s glass wall, his head spinning. ¡°Sis, 1¡­ Ives Abbott finally started to back down. Now with her bodyguard beaten, she had no way to contend with the other party. But as long as she could get out of here, Benjamin Abbott could easily seek revenge for her! After all, Aron Jackson of Gonzalez City was a friend of his uncle. ¡°Sigh!¡± Cosmo exhaled, grabbing Ives Abbott¡¯s face. ¡°Ah¡­ it hurts¡­ let go of me!¡± Ives Abbott, with her delicate and soft skin, when had she ever encountered such a thing? When her cheek was lifted, the pain brought tears dripping down. ¡°You can¡¯t even bear this much pain, and yet you come out here to strut around?¡± Cosmo showed no mercy to the young girl, grabbing her by the hair and dragging her in front of Quella Radcliffe. Nicholas Leopold was dumbfounded! This was a member of the Abbott Family! To be beaten like this, could the Abbott Family just let it go? Bang! ¡°Kneel and apologize quickly!¡± Cosmo applied force, and Ives Abbott¡¯s head immediately hit the floor tiles of the mall. And Quella Radcliffe and the other two stood in front of Ives Abbott. ¡°Wuu¡­ wuu wuu, you¡¯re bullying me, my uncle won¡¯t let you off!¡± Ives Abbott wailed, when had she ever been so humiliated in her more than twenty years? But Cosmo didn¡¯t care at all, continuing to press down on her head. ¡°Just you wait, you¡¯re dead!¡± Just then, Wellington Radcliffe shaking his phone in hand, sneered at Julius Reed and the others! ¡°I¡¯ve already sent the video to Benjamin Abbott, you¡¯ve stirred up big trouble today!¡± While taking the opportunity, he had recorded a short video and sent it to Benjamin Abbott! ¡°Fine! This is getting more and more interesting!¡± Julius Reed smiled, nodding his head and pointing at Wellington Radcliffe, ¡°Grab him, kneel here together, until Benjamin Abbott arrives!¡± ¡°Julius Reed, you¡¯ve gone mad!¡± Upon hearing this, Wellington Radcliffe immediately felt panic rising within him. But before he could get up and run, Nicholas Leopold¡¯s employees directly held him down, dragging him over to Julius Reed¡¯s side. Bang! With someone pressing on his head from behind, Wellington Radcliffe¡¯s forehead unwillingly struck the floor! Chapter 124 - Chapter 124: Chapter 123 Benjamin Abbott Arrives 1 Chapter 124: Chapter 123 Benjamin Abbott Arrives 1 Translator: 549690339 Gonzalez City, Red Star Building office. ¡°Allen, come up here!¡± Benjamin Abbott lit a cigarette and leaned back in his chair, silently smoking. ¡°Dudu¡­¡± The phone still only emitted a dial tone, but the call never went through. ¡°Fuck! ¡± He punched the desk with his fist, his complexion growing darker and darker. Watching the scene of Ives Abbott being humiliated on his phone, he couldn¡¯t help but twitch at the corner of his mouth. Yet, after receiving this video, he couldn¡¯t contact either of them. ¡°Big brother, did you call for me?¡± Moments later, a man with a scar on his face entered Benjamin Abbott¡¯s office. He carried an air of natural ferocity and was also quite burly. ¡°Allen, my niece was beaten up in Gonzalez City. Do you recognize this place?¡± Benjamin Abbott stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and casually pushed his phone towards Dominic Leocadia. ¡°Who¡¯s got such a big nerve! Daring to offend the Abbott family?¡± After taking the phone, Dominic Leocadia pondered for a moment and then said, ¡°Crystal Plaza!¡± As the number one enforcer of Benjamin Abbott¡¯s staff, he roamed around Gonzalez City every day and was very familiar with large structures in the area. When he saw the background of Ives Abbott being beaten, Crystal Plaza was the first place that came to mind! Coincidentally, it was his territory and not too far from the Red Star Building. ¡°Bring people and go over!¡± Benjamin Abbott stood up and put on his overcoat from the chair. If someone dared to touch Abbott family members, they had to be ready for the consequences! ¡°Sis! Brother-in-law! I was wrong!¡± Inside Crystal Plaza, Wellington Radcliffe knelt on the ground with a bruised face, begging continuously. He had been pampered from a young age; when had he ever been beaten so mercilessly? Moreover, when Cosmo struck, he held nothing back; he did whatever he wanted. Now, Wellington Radcliffe¡¯s clothes were covered in blood from his nose, and he was somewhat inarticulate when he spoke. ¡°Sis! Please, speak up for me!¡± Finally, he began to call out to his sister, although reluctantly, he had no choice. Oddly enough, ever since Julius Reed had attended the birthday celebration for the old man last time, it was as if he had transformed into a different person. He had shed his previously useless persona and had become much more assertive! In the past, he would not retaliate even when insulted or hit! But now, he barely escaped death for uttering a single word! ¡°You all wait for me!¡± Ives Abbott covered her swollen face and cried out, ¡°I will make you wish you were dead!¡± When had she ever been so humiliated. Her cheeks were slapped till they swelled, and her delicate skin even had traces of blood seeping out. ¡°Did you even send a message to uncle!¡± While crying, Ives Abbott looked at Wellington Radcliffe. As long as Benjamin Abbott knew about her situation, he would certainly come over with people! ¡°I sent it! I sent it!¡± Wellington Radcliffe¡¯s head bobbed like a woodpecker. Having been with Ives Abbott for a few days, he naturally knew the extent of Benjamin Abbott¡¯s ruthlessness! With the influence of the Abbott family in Five-river Province, Benjamin Abbott could even converse with Aron Jackson! With such a powerful uncle, Ives Abbott dared to be so brazen in Gonzalez City. ¡°Oh! Calling for reinforcements, are we!¡± Cosmo looked at Ives Abbott¡¯s tear-stained face and, without a shred of mercy, slapped her hard across the face! Slap! They say women shouldn¡¯t make life difficult for each other. But at that moment, she showed absolutely no pity. ¡°Waah!¡± Finally. Ives Abbott, on the verge of a breakdown, started sobbing uncontrollably from the slap. ¡°Who dares to touch my Abbott family members!¡± Just then, a series of orderly footsteps echoed throughout Crystal Square. The elevator was filled with people, who were continuously making their way over here. Leading the group were two men wearing sunglasses, one in a shirt, and the other in a trench coat! ¡°Uncle!¡± Upon seeing the newcomers, Ives Abbott was overjoyed! But before she could approach them, Cosmo smacked her down with a slap, sending the young miss of the Abbott Family tumbling to the ground! ¡°Ives!¡± Benjamin Abbott frowned and immediately took off his sunglasses, quickening his pace. When he got close and saw Ives Abbott¡¯s face covered in blood, he was like an enraged non! ¡°You! Are looking for death!¡± At this moment, Dominic Leocadia, who was beside Benjamin Abbott, raised an eyebrow and addressed the group of men in black, ¡°Boss Leopold, what is this supposed to mean?¡± Having been involved in Gonzalez City, he naturally knew the Leopold brothers. In fact, they had a rather decent relationship privately. The Red Star Group was in building materials, while the Leopold brothers were in real estate; occasionally, they even had business dealings. Being thus addressed, Benjamin Abbott also noticed Nicholas Leopold standing to the side. ¡°Young Leopold, what are you doing here!¡± Nicholas Leopold¡¯s presence was so odd, it inevitably made him suspicious! ¡°Uncle! They are all in cahoots! ¡± Before Nicholas Leopold could open his mouth to explain, Ives Abbott yelled out loudly. At her shout, Benjamin Abbott¡¯s expression immediately darkened. ¡°Allen, rescue!¡± Having said this, Benjamin Abbott turned to look at Nicholas Leopold and, with a cold smile, said, ¡°Young Leopold, I¡¯ve always treated you fairly! What¡¯s the meaning of this today, to trouble my Abbott Family?¡± No sooner had he spoken than Red Star Group¡¯s enforcers immediately went after him, swiftly converging on Nicholas Leopold! But Nicholas Leopold¡¯s men were not to be underestimated either. Seeing the Red Star Group¡¯s aggressive approach, they quickly gathered around their boss. The tension was mounting! ¡°Abbott, this has nothing to do with me!¡± Nicholas Leopold gestured for his staff to back away. Before their downfall, the Leopold brothers were no match for the Abbott Family, let alone now that they were as wretched as stray dogs! Even though he could stand up to Benjamin Abbott for the moment, once they left Crystal Square, the two men were not even in the same league. The Abbott Family¡¯s influence in Five-river Province was nearly on par with Cesar Pendleton¡¯s and slightly below Stanislaus Potter¡¯s. ¡°Nothing to do with it? Then why are you here, and why would Ives say you are all together!¡± The more Benjamin Abbott spoke, the louder his voice grew. Finally, he was almost roaring his question, ¡°Who told you to do this!¡± Of the people here, he only recognized Nicholas Leopold. Meaning, it should have been Nicholas Leopold who instigated it. But who exactly was pulling the strings, Benjamin Abbott had no clue! ¡°I told him to do it! If you have a problem, come at me!¡± Suddenly, Julius Reed spoke up from the side. Regardless of how Nicholas Leopold treated the Abbott Family, if he stood by and let Benjamin Abbott attack, it would surely dishearten many! ¡°You? Are you an employee of Nicholas Leopold?¡± Benjamin Abbott turned and eyed Julius Reed up and down but didn¡¯t recognize him at all. He knew all the influential people in both Five-river Province and Gonzalez City. Such an unfamiliar face was likely an insignificant character. Hearing this, Nicholas Leopold was almost scared out of his wits! He was very clear on who Julius Reed was! To be his employee would be an overstatement, yet Benjamin Abbott referred to Julius Reed as his employee? ¡°Not at all! But Ives Abbott insulted my wife, so she deserved to be punished,¡± Julius Reed said, hands in pockets, still exuding an air of composure. He was well aware of the Abbott Family! It just so happened that he did not expect to run into them so soon. ¡°Alright! Kid, today I¡¯ll let you learn how to spell ¡®death¡¯!¡± Benjamin Abbott sneered and with a forward gesture commanded, ¡°Brothers, kill him for me!¡± Chapter 125 - Chapter 125: Chapter 124 Seeking Help from Aron Jackson_l Chapter 125: Chapter 124 Seeking Help from Aron Jackson_l Translator: 549690339 Before Benjamin Abbott could make a move, Dominic Leocadia had already walked up to Ives Abbott. He didn¡¯t even bother glancing at Cosmo, ready to take the person away! Whoosh! A gust of wind approached, and Dominic almost instinctively dodged backward! At the same time, his nerves tightened to the extreme! The stiletto grazed his body and almost kicked him in the face. ¡°That was close!¡± Dominic steadied himself, squinting at Cosmo. This was the first time he treated an enemy with such caution! The reason he had become Benjamin Abbott¡¯s right-hand man was his extremely strong individual ability! Once a Shadow Warrior, he had retired from the world of martial artists a few years ago to join Benjamin Abbott. If it had been someone else, that kick from Cosmo would probably have broken two ribs already. But now, Dominic, though in discomfort, had managed to evade the strike. ¡°Boss, the opponent¡¯s got some skill!¡± After gauging the strength of the opponent, Dominic raised his right hand, and the Red Star Group employees immediately stood still behind him. Within the Group, besides Benjamin Abbott, he was the most influential! ¡°Allen, a connoisseur?¡± Seeing his main force acting so cautiously, Mr. Abbott couldn¡¯t help but speak up. He knew a bit about Dominic¡¯s identity and his effortless dominance during typical raids for assets, where his strength naturally overwhelmed the opposition. But now, with Dominic gesturing to stop, Mr. Abbott began to ponder. He also noticed the kick from Cosmo just now. Though he found it strong, it didn¡¯t seem to be stronger than Dominic! A retired Shadow Warrior, who had experienced countless life-and-death situations! It wasn¡¯t just about having superiors personal abilities but also about possessing keen intuition! His posture, as if he was facing a formidable enemy, definitely hinted at sigmncant prowess! ¡°You¡¯re quite skilled!¡± Cosmo assessed Dominic for a moment and said, ¡°But that¡¯s all! If I hadn¡¯t held back just now, you might have been kicked away by me!¡± She had underestimated Dominic, so she hadn¡¯t used her full strength when she struck. But to Dominic¡¯s ears, these words were particularly grating! Once a Shadow Warrior, being humiliated like that, one can only imagine Dominic¡¯s anger! ¡°No use talking more! Show me what you¡¯ve got!¡± Having said that, he lunged forward, and his fist crashed down violently! This was one of his ultimate techniques, Subduing Tiger Fist! Though the technique appeared simple, its power was astonishing! In his earlier years as an underground Shadow Warrior, Dominic had been fortunate enough to learn this Cultivation Technique, which was of profound significance to his subsequent battles! Facing the heavy and forceful strike, Cosmo didn¡¯t dodge but quickly met it head-on, tapping one hand on Dominic¡¯s wrist and smashing the other down on his arm! Crack! In just one exchange, Dominic staggered back several steps, and a bone-cracking sound came from his right wrist! ¡°You¡¯re strong!¡± He was crouching on the ground, looking at Cosmo in front of him, shivering uncontrollably! They say the fingers are connected to the heart, but even if the bones broke elsewhere, it would be quite unbearable for an ordinary person! However, Dominic didn¡¯t howl in pain; instead, he bore the agony and stood up once more. At this moment, his shirt was soaked with sweat, and his complexion was off! As for his lips, they had already turned pale! ¡°Allen!¡± Mr. Abbott frowned, feeling that the situation was getting complicated. ¡°Not a problem!¡± Dominic shook his head and walked towards Cosmo again. He refused to believe that he couldn¡¯t beat a woman! Nor did he believe that there could be such a formidable expert in Gonzalez City! ¡°Quite stubborn!¡± Seeing the opponent¡¯s obstinate behavior, a smile formed on Cosmo¡¯s lips. This person was a bit foolish! If you can¡¯t win, run away. There will be chances for revenge as long as you¡¯re alive! But knowing full well you¡¯re not the opponent, yet still stubbornly charging forward, can only be stupidity! However, Dominic Leocadia didn¡¯t see it that way; he thought it was his own underestimation and carelessness that led to his hand being wounded. So he needed to prove himself. He needed to prove himself in front of his brothers at the Red Star Group! ¡°Looks like I still didn¡¯t hit you hard enough!¡± Without waiting for him to come closer, Cosmo sprinted forward, then suddenly leapt into the air! Bang! She brought her leg down in a chop, smashing it directly onto Dominic Just a moment ago, Dominic Leocadia, full of fighting spirit, now knelt on one knee, with blood pouring from his mouth! ¡®You¡­¡± A look of utter disbelief covered Dominic Leocadia¡¯s face! Having once been a Shadow Warrior, he had carried out many missions too! And he had always returned successfully! That was because of his extremely strong power! But before a woman, he was so easily defeated! He didn¡¯t even get to strike back before being reduced to this state! At this moment, his chest roiled like a turbulent sea, and he couldn¡¯t help but spit out another mouthful of blood! Spurt! ¡°Allen ! ¡± Benjamin Abbott¡¯s face changed dramatically! His own top fighter had just been instantly defeated! ¡°Attack! ¡± Seeing his niece still kneeling on the ground, rage burned within him! After all, many had come; almost all the Red Star Group¡¯s fighters had rushed over, so Benjamin Abbott wasn¡¯t afraid! ¡°Are you sure you want to do this?¡± Julius Reed, who had just been next to Quella Radcliffe, suddenly appeared in front of Benjamin Abbott. ¡°You! Are you a human or a ghost!¡± Benjamin Abbott¡¯s face changed wildly! He hadn¡¯t even seen how Julius Reed moved, and he was already there! ¡°Protect Big Brother!¡± Despite being gravely wounded on the ground, Dominic Leocadia reacted first. He lunged forward, attempting to ambush Julius Reed! Bang! But Julius Reed didn¡¯t even turn his head; he punched back. Directly Imocking Dominic Leocadia unconscious on the ground. Before the other employees who rushed over could take a shot, Benjamin Abbott was already suspended in the air by Julius Reed. ¡°Are all members of the Abbott Family this arrogant?¡± ¡°One insults my wife upon our first meeting, and another wants to organize an attack on me at our very first encounter!¡± ¡°But now, aren¡¯t you the same, held in my hand just like that!¡± Looking at Benjamin Abbott with panic in the air, Julius Reed laughed lightly, disdainfully saying, ¡°I¡¯ll give you a chance, call everyone you can! Remember, you only have one opportunity!¡± If the Abbott Family were going to be offended, he might as well make it hurt a bit more! Let the Abbott Family know what happens when they offend him! ¡°Fine! Just you wait!¡± Benjamin Abbott took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. The Abbott Family¡¯s influence was significant, but most of their power was in Five-river Province, and distant aid wouldn¡¯t resolve an immediate thirst! And in Gonzalez City, he was already significant enough; who else could he call? Suddenly, a name flashed through his mind! Aron Jackson! Top dog of Gonzalez City! ¡°You¡¯ll regret this!¡± After threatening Julius Reed, Benjamin Abbott made a call to Aron Jackson. The two were somewhat acquainted, and with today¡¯s incident, only Aron Jackson could resolve it! ¡°Mr. Abbott, what¡¯s going on!¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s lazy voice came through the phone. ¡°He wants to mess with me!¡± Julius Reed snatched away the phone, saying cheerfully. Chapter 126 - Chapter 126: Chapter 125 Not Terracotta Warriors 1 Chapter 126: Chapter 125 Not Terracotta Warriors 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Brother! ¡± Because the voice was on speakerphone, whatever Aron Jackson said on the other end was heard loud and clear on this side. ¡°Brother Jackson, no need to be so polite! I¡¯ve run into some trouble, and I hope you can lend a hand!¡± Being called big brother by Aron Jackson made Benjamin Abbott¡¯s heart flutter with excitement. Although he was older and the Abbott Family had great influence, Aron Jackson usually called him Mr. Abbott. Being called big brother for the first time was quite unexpected to him. But at the same time, a confident smile appeared on his face. If the boss of Gonzalez City calls me big brother, who would dare to oppose But the next sentence made him incredibly embarrassed! ¡°Who the hell is calling you big brother! Big brother, say something!¡± ¡°Aron Jackson, he¡¯s looking for you to settle scores with me!¡± Julius Reed said, holding his phone, with a cheeky smile. Aron Jackson was still recuperating in the hospital. Although he was no longer in serious condition, Julius Reed insisted that he fully recover before coming out. After all, with so many Shadow Warriors arriving in Gonzalez City, he needed a healthy Aron Jackson to deal with the aftermath for himself. ¡°Big brother, is that Benjamin Abbott?¡± Hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, Aron Jackson¡¯s tone turned noticeably colder. ¡°Benjamin Abbott! I¡¯m only going to say one thing to you! Standing in front of you is my big brother!¡± ¡°If anyone dares to oppose him, even if it¡¯s the Emperor himself, I, Aron Jackson, will take him down! ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t dare claim much, but in this part of Gonzalez City, I, Aron Jackson, still have that ability!¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s words were heavy, yet he still left Benjamin Abbott some face. If he didn¡¯t care about saving face for the Abbott Family, he would have already told these people to get lost over the phone! ¡°Aron Jackson, what do you mean by that!¡± Even though he was in Gonzalez City, Benjamin Abbott wasn¡¯t afraid of Aron Jackson! Because he had the support of the Abbott Family behind him¡ªthe Abbott Family of Five-river Province! The reason he had always got along peacefully with Aron Jackson was that he didn¡¯t want trouble. The Red Star Group had been very successful in recent years, and having conflicts with the local snake could only be detrimental to himself. But not wanting trouble didn¡¯t mean he was afraid. Now that Aron Jackson was talking to him in such a tone, Benjamin Abbott felt a bit annoyed. ¡°No special meaning! Even though we usually get along, at times like this, I wouldn¡¯t mind throwing a few punches myself!¡± On the other end of the phone, while talking to Benjamin Abbott, he had already arranged for Dominating Tiger to bring people over. Even if he knew Julius Reed could handle it, he had to let the Abbott Family know his stance. In Gonzalez City, he was the undisputed king! ¡°Heh, Aron Jackson, are you trying to make an enemy of the entire Abbott Family?¡± Benjamin Abbott asked with a series of cold laughs. Being asked to lower his head in public was more unbearable than killing someone! Even if he agreed, the Abbott Family wouldn¡¯t agree! ¡°If you can bear the consequences, go ahead and try!¡± Aron Jackson was every bit as defiant, not giving an inch. ¡°Alright! Rest up in the hospital, this little matter is something I can handle!¡± Apparently tired of the conversation between the two, Julius Reed directly hung up the phone and tossed it to Benjamin Abbott. ¡°Keep calling, get all the saviors you can muster, or it won¡¯t be just her staying today¡ªyou¡¯ll be joining her!¡± Julius Reed pointed at Benjamin Abbott, then turned and sat down on a chair. Crossing his legs, he appeared quite at ease. Nicholas Leopold had ordered someone to bring over a chair and place it behind him at some point. Julius Reed was rather pleased with such minor details. If the Leopold brothers hadn¡¯t courted death, he could have spared their lives. ¡°Do you think all these people are terracotta soldiers?¡± Bernard Abbott¡¯s anger surged when he was ridiculed like this! ¡°My Red Star Group is not to be trifaled with!¡± As soon as they went upstairs, they used their connections to block off the fifth floor of the mall, ensuring that no one would see what happened here. Now the entire fifth floor of Crystal Plaza was occupied only by them. Although Benjamin Abbott said this, he was still somewhat hesitant in his heart. It was clear now that Nicholas Leopold was determined to oppose him, which meant he suddenly had nearly a hundred more adversaries upstairs. And Aron Jackson had already made harsh threats. He didn¡¯t believe that the boss of Gonzalez City would sit idly by and do nothing. ¡°What are you talking about! If these people really were terracotta soldiers, you would have struck it rich! Then not just Gonzalez City, but the entire Five-river Province would be at your beck and call! But the crux of the matter is, these people aren¡¯t terracotta soldiers!¡± Julius Reed pointed at the Red Star crowd and said with a smile. ¡°Big brother! Don¡¯t act recklessly! Sometimes it¡¯s best to play it cool and keep the peace!¡± Dominic Leocadia, who had been knocked down to the floor, growled in a low voice. Being the strongest one here, he immediately realized the gap between him and Cosmo after exchanging blows. If they continued to clash head-on, not only would Red Star Group gain no advantage, but they might even suffer complete defeat! ¡°Allen!¡± Hearing his top fighter say this, Bernard Abbott suddenly felt a wave of panic. He had never seen many people make Dominic Leocadia bow his head, at least not until now. At this moment, he really didn¡¯t know what to do. ¡°Uncle! Avenge me!¡± On the other side, Ives Abbott, oblivious to her peril, was screaming her lungs out. Accustomed to living a pampered life in the Abbott Family, when had she ever been mistreated like this? Now, she¡¯d been hit, and even her uncle¡¯s arrival hadn¡¯t gained them any advantage. But Ives Abbott didn¡¯t care; all she wanted was revenge. Slap! Without any warning, Cosmo fiercely slapped her, knocking Ives Abbott to the ground. The force of the blow was significant, leaving five distinct fingerprints on her already swollen face. ¡°You!¡± Seeing this, Bernard Abbott felt as if his heart was being twisted, but there was nothing he could do! His best fighter, Dominic Leocadia, had already been defeated and was now kneeling on the ground with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, his condition unknown. Was he supposed to send the rest of his men to rush forward and clash head-on with Nicholas Leopold¡¯s people? Like today, if Aron Jackson had given him this face, even if he had publicly slapped Nicholas Leopold, those employees wouldn¡¯t dare to say a word. But Aron Jackson just wouldn¡¯t give him this face. And judging by the attitude of the other side, it seemed they didn¡¯t take the Abbott Family seriously at all. ¡°What exactly do you want!¡± After hearing Dominic Leocadia¡¯s advice, Bernard Abbott, struggling to contain his anger, decided to talk to Julius Reed. ¡°Is it me who wants something? Seems more like it¡¯s you who wants something, right?¡± Julius Reed stood up from his chair and pointed at Ives Abbott, ¡°This woman came up here looking for trouble with my wife, and when she couldn¡¯t win the argument, she wanted to get physical. And when it got physical, she still couldn¡¯t cut it! Getting beaten to tears, she starts calling for backup.¡± Continuing, he lifted his head and stared straight at Bernard Abbott, ¡°You come here with your crew without a word and decide to get your hands dirty. And what happens? You end up just like her, coming up here and getting your ass kicked! Now that you can¡¯t fight anymore, you¡¯re thinking of negotiating! Who do you think I am?¡± The atmosphere grew awkward in an instant. In fact, Nicholas Leopold was hoping that Julius Reed would know when to stop. After all, the Abbott Family was not to be messed with. With Ives Abbott being hit and Dominic Leocadia seriously injured, they had already taken advantage. But Julius Reed wouldn¡¯t have any of it; instead, he started to put pressure on Bernard Abbott. ¡°Don¡¯t push it too far!¡± Benjamin Abbott said through gritted teeth.. Chapter 127 - Chapter 127: Chapter 126: Miguel Abbott’s Ulterior Motives 1 Chapter 127: Chapter 126: Miguel Abbott¡¯s Ulterior Motives 1 Translator: 549690339 As the chairman of Red Star Group, coupled with his status as a member of the Abbott Family, Benjamin Abbott could say he was riding high in Gonzalez City. In the past few years, he had courted various major forces, and with the strength of the Abbott Family in Five-river Province, had won over a group of heavyweights. Although he wasn¡¯t strong enough to confront Aron Jackson directly, compared to others, he was likely second only to the Brandon Family and Ovidiu Cook. Now, under the watchful eyes of all, he had already made concessions. But the other party was aggressively pressing him without the slightest bottom line! This inevitably filled him with rage! Slap! But before he could get angry, Julius Reed had sprung up to him like an arrow, backhanding him across the face in an instant! Even Benjamin Abbott and his employees hadn¡¯t realized what was happening when Julius Reed¡¯s second slap already flew out! Slap! The crisp sound stunned everyone on the fifth floor of the Crystal Plaza. This was Benjamin Abbott, a member of the Abbott Family! The chairman of Red Star Group! Octavius¡¯s brother! Yet such a man was slapped twice in succession by a young man! ¡°You fucking tired of living!¡± An employee behind Benjamin Abbott stepped out full of murderous intent. Yet before he could reach Julius Reed, Cosmo had already kicked him! Bang! The employee felt a suffocation in his chest and was sent flying backward, crashing against the wall! The next moment, Cosmo¡¯s hand was locked around Benjamin Abbott¡¯s neck. ¡°Want to die?¡± She asked with a smile. ¡°Let go of big brother!¡± Seeing Benjamin Abbott captured, his employees immediately descended into chaos! They certainly couldn¡¯t fight, but they also couldn¡¯t just leave their boss behind and run. With the big brother captured, these people were completely headless! ¡°Do you think you have the right to negotiate with me?¡± Julius Reed looked around at the bewildered Red Star employees with a hint of a smile on his lips. ¡°This is a call from our Abbott Family members, take it!¡± Just at that moment, an employee took out a phone and handed it to Julius Reed. ¡°I hope after this call, you¡¯re still as arrogant as you are now!¡± He said with a cold sneer, seeming certain that in a moment Julius Reed would be frightened. ¡°Has anyone ever told you something?¡± Julius Reed said, looking at the Red Star employee in front of him. ¡°What is it!¡± The employee frowned, his tone somewhat hostile. The call was from Octavius Abbott. This overlord of Five-river Province and Benjamin Abbott¡¯s brother didn¡¯t believe that Julius Reed would fail to show respect even to Octavius! ¡°You have the kind of face that really asks for a beating!¡± Julius Reed snatched the phone from his hand and then kicked him away! ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are, but you¡¯d better release my family member, apologize with a kowtow! If I¡¯m in a good mood, I might leave you a whole corpse!¡± An extremely hoarse voice came through the phone. ¡°Thanks! No need for the whole corpse, but seeing as you¡¯re so particular, I can send you two whole corpses instead!¡± After saying this, Julius Reed then asked, ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°Benjamin¡­ Benjamin Abbott¡­¡± With his neck clamped, Benjamin Abbott could only speak in an unclear voice. ¡°And you? ¡°Ives¡­ Ives Abbott¡­¡± Ives Abbott, who was next to Benjamin Abbott when he was captured, was completely dumbfounded. She had even forgotten to cry and didn¡¯t dare to say any more. ¡°Very well, Ives Abbott and Benjamin Abbott, head to West Lake Pier to collect the bodies in half an hour! If you¡¯re late, the bodies might have been eaten by the fish!¡± After obtaining an answer, Julius Reed said calmly into the phone. ¡°You dare! I warn you, if you lay so much as a finger on them¡­¡± Snap! ¡°Ah! Dad, save me!¡± Before Miguel Abbott could finish his sentence, Cosmo, with one hand holding Benjamin Abbott, slapped Ives Abbott¡¯s face hard with the other. ¡°Now I¡¯ve not only touched their sweat, but I¡¯ve also hit someone! Next up is sending them to West Lake Pier to feed the fish!¡± Julius Reed glanced at Benjamin Abbott, sending shivers down his spine. ¡°Who are you!¡± Knowing threats were useless, Miguel Abbott refrained from any further harsh words! Doing so was utterly pointless and could even further infuriate the opponent, jeopardizing the safety of his daughter and brother! He needed to stabilize the situation if there was any chance of revenge! ¡°Who I am is none of your business!¡± Julius Reed hung up the phone directly and waved to Cosmo, saying, ¡°Throw the two of them at West Lake Pier.¡¯ ¡°No! I beg you, I was wrong! Please spare my life!¡± While crying, Ives Abbott pointed at Wellington Radcliffe and said, ¡°It was all his idea; he told me this beautiful lady was mean to him and asked me to take revenge for him! Now that you¡¯ve beaten him, can you spare me?¡± Now she was utterly hopeless! The opposite party really dared to do anything. The reputed gold-sign of the Abbott Family held no sway today either. ¡°I can give you money as well! Just say the amount, and my dad can give you whatever you ask for!¡± At this time, Ives Abbott was surprisingly rational and no longer spoke harshly, even snowmg weaKness voluntarily. ¡®Whatever beef you have with me, come at me! Ives is just a child!¡± Suspended mid-air, Benjamin Abbott yelled unclearly, seemingly truly worried Julius Reed would toss the two of them into the sea. ¡°Ring, ring-ring!¡± Just then, the phone rang again. ¡°I told you, West Lake Pier is where you collect the bodies.¡± Julius Reed picked up and said impatiently after answering. ¡°Are you Julius Reed?¡± From the other end of the phone came Miguel Abbott¡¯s voice. Contrary to before, his tone now held a tint of anxiety and even fear. The previous arrogance had vanished without a trace. ¡°That¡¯s right! You¡¯re quite adept at investigating! Now that you know who I am, feel free to come and avenge yourself whenever you want.¡± Julius Reed said nonchalantly. He seemed to not regard the overlord of Five-river Province at all. ¡°I apologize! I was blind and didn¡¯t recognize Mount Tai! Today¡¯s incident, the responsibility is all on us! I implore Brother Reed to show mercy, whatever your demands, just name them! Consider it an apology to my own family!¡± From the other end of the line, Miguel Abbott¡¯s voice even carried a hint of pleading. ¡°What did you say? This time it was Julius Reed¡¯s turn to be a bit taken aback. Could it be that the Abbott Family, which had been so tough just a moment ago, was now willing to bow down? But what he didn¡¯t know was that his deeds had already spread throughout Five-river Province. Apart from some diehard enemies, everyone else chose to stay away! After all, several big shots had fallen at the hands of this rising star from Gonzalez City. Miguel Abbott certainly wouldn¡¯t dare risk the lives of his daughter and brother. ¡°If Mr. Reed is willing to spare my daughter and brother this once, consider it a favor I, Miguel Abbott, owe you! Should Brother Reed ever need anything, I, Miguel Abbott, will not hesitate! And now, you can make any demand!¡± Miguel Abbott said once again, sincerely. Towards a person like Julius Reed, he could only try to close the gap between them, never to antagonize! As a businessman, he was well aware of the interests at stake. Stanislaus Potter, Maurice Yarrow, haven¡¯t they all suffered setbacks? If he took the initiative to show goodwill now, once Julius Reed defeated these opponents, Five-river Province would undoubtedly have to redivide the cake! ¡°Alright! Since Mr. Abbott is so forthcoming, I won¡¯t say too much! Your daughter for two billion, and your brother for 1.5 billion, isn¡¯t that a fair amount?¡± Julius Reed immediately made a demand like a lion opening its mouth wide.. Chapter 128 - Chapter 128: Chapter 127: Chance Encounter at the Airport_l Chapter 128: Chapter 127: Chance Encounter at the Airport_l Translator: 549690339 What Julius Reed hadn¡¯t expected was that in just five minutes, a whopping four billion was wired directly into Quella Radcliffe¡¯s account! Not a cent less, and even five billion more than the price he¡¯d set! Although the Abbott Family was wealthy, such an amount was no small figure! Miguel Abbott was a man of great boldness! ¡°Release them! ¡± Now that the money was in hand, Julius Reed had no intention of troubling Benjamin Abbott and Ives Abbott any further. When Quella Radcliffe received the bank SMS, she was so shocked that she gaped. Four billion, she now had four billion! Olayinka Davenport and Lance Casey beside her were green with envy, but there was nothing they could do. ¡°Quella, my good sister, how about I become your husband¡¯s mistress, is that okay?¡± Lance Casey was half-joking, half-serious as she clung to Quella¡¯s arm, ¡°How about it, huh?¡± ¡°Get lost! ¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at her with disdain and then turned to Julius Reed, ¡°You fleeced Miguel Abbott out of a fortune, might the Abbott family¡­¡± Julius Reed cut her off directly, ¡°If the Abbott Family wanted to oppose me, they wouldn¡¯t have sent an extra five billion! He¡¯s making an overture to me; truly fitting for the Abbott family¡¯s helmsman!¡± From this alone, he felt a measure of fondness for Miguel Abbott. After all, to make such a move when enemies surrounded him, it had proven his strategic foresight. ¡°I plan to take a trip to Five-river Province, and during this time, you should try to stay at home.¡± After the Abbott family members left, Julius Reed sat in his chair and spoke leisurely. He wanted to build his own financial empire, to dominate a territory in Five-river Province, at the very least! Moreover, for Quella to develop the Radcliffe Group, she would need the support of such a force. ¡°Be safe.¡± Quella Radcliffe smiled gently, not saying much. From the beginning to the end, she had not interfered with anything Julius Reed did. A man should have his own career, and all she could do was try not to burden her husband as much as possible. Thinking back to the scenes from not so long ago, Quella could only sigh at the caprices of fate. ¡°Forget it! Cosmo, arrange a plane, I¡¯ll go with your mistress tonight!¡± Julius Reed stood up from his chair and grabbed Quella¡¯s hand, ¡°We can put off company matters for a while, it¡¯s been so long since we¡¯ve gone out to have fun together.¡± ¡°Wait a minute! Mistress, what do you mean? Isn¡¯t she your sworn sister?¡± Quella looked at Julius Reed with suspicion. When Cosmo had first arrived, she was introduced as Julius Reed¡¯s sworn sister. This had troubled Quella for quite a while! She hadn¡¯t slept all night, experiencing insomnia for the first time in her life. But in the end, she chose to trust her husband. And now, Julius Reed was saying she was Cosmo¡¯s mistress? ¡°My disciple! She¡¯s just a bit mischievous! Don¡¯t take it to heart!¡± Julius Reed smiled awkwardly and clapped his hands, ¡°Alright! We¡¯ve been under so much stress lately, let¡¯s go relax in Five-river Province!¡± He had planned to go there alone, sort things out, and then bring Quella and the others over. However, upon reflection, he knew that there were still many Shadow Warriors heading to Gonzalez City and even the Brandon Family and others were watching closely. The safest place was right under his own eyes. Taking Quella with him for a secretive trip to Five-river Province was like stealing a moment of leisure amidst busyness, offering at least a brief respite. ¡°Master, I want to go too!¡± Cosmo couldn¡¯t help but act spoilt on the side; she did not want to stay alone in this godforsaken place. ¡°You need to stay here to confuse the enemy! Once this period is over, I¡¯ll take you out for a proper holiday, how about that?¡± Facing his childish disciple, Julius Reed could only cajole. Nothing could be said or scolded, and scolding might not even be effective. The mighty empress was now almost on the verge of crying like a child. ¡°Never mind, I¡¯ll stay with mom and dad. Besides, the group has just gotten on track, and I¡¯m a bit worried about it. As for safety, you can rest assured, we have those four! And, Aron Jackson will also protect me.¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s thoughts were still on the Radcliffe Group. The sudden rise of Julius Reed had brought her immense pressure! Since childhood, she had always been an extremely competitive girl! ¡°Alright! You keep an eye on mom and dad, don¡¯t let them cause any more trouble! Remember, try to work from home as much as possible, and avoid going out.¡± Julius Reed, who had planned to go to Five-river Province discreetly, now had to make his presence known. As long as the news of his appearance in Five-river Province spread, the Shadow Warriors would swarm there, making Quella¡¯s situation much safer. Moreover, the people sent by Amadeus Fairbanks were all top-notch experts, fully capable of handling the situation. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a chance, protect my wife well!¡± Thinking of this, he picked up his phone and called Amadeus Fairbanks. Although this chatterbox was usually annoying, he was absolutely competent when it came to getting things done. ¡°My God! Lord, rest assured! This time I, Amadeus Fairbanks, would rather have my head cut off than make the same mistake again! By the way, I¡¯ve already taken down three lairs of Deep Cold. When do you have time to visit ¡°Stop blathering!¡± Julius Reed did not give any face to the Pavilion Master of the Willson Pavilion, hanging up the phone directly before giving Quella a deep embrace. ¡°Wait for me to come back!¡± After saying this, he turned around and left with long strides. ¡°Quella, your¡­ your husband is so cool!¡± Watching Julius Reed¡¯s receding figure, Lance Casey was infatuated once again. But she knew it was no use to daydream. ¡°Now I¡¯m a rich woman, shall we shop ¡¯til we drop?¡± Quella pulled out a bank card and gently shook it. ¡°Shop ¡¯til we drop!¡± Olayinka Davenport and Lance Casey, shaking off the unpleasantness of the day, hugged Quella and started spinning around. rive-Liver YL0¡¯v¡¯111ce 111LeL11dL1011d1 AILPOLL. As a major coastal city, Five-river Province¡¯s transportation system was extremely well -developed! It was even comparable to some of the giant metropolises! Even from Gonzalez City, there were direct flights to Five-river Province! At that moment, Julius Reed was wearing a pair of sunglasses and a white suit, looking exceptionally dazzling among the crowd. ¡°Handsome, I¡¯ve been giving you hints on the plane for so long, why didn¡¯t you pay any attention to me?¡± Just after getting off the plane, a young girl wearing toad sunglasses approached Julius Reed and started whining coquettishly. ¡°Add me as a friend, will you? Please?¡± She pouted her lips, looking incredibly cute. ¡°Fine!¡± Unable to stand her persistence, Julius Reed took out his phone and flashed a QR code. ¡°But not again!¡± ¡°Alright!¡± The young girl was clearly very excited, and after a ¡®ding¡¯ sound indicating a successful scan, she turned and shouted to her best friend, ¡°Simeon Kensington, you lost!¡± ¡°Tsk, you¡¯re good! I¡¯ll pay for tonight¡¯s expenses!¡± The girl named Simeon Kensington, wearing a floral dress and pulling a suitcase, came over. ¡°So you were making a bet!¡± Hearing the conversation between the two, Julius Reed took off his sunglasses, looking slightly displeased. ¡°What else? You didn¡¯t think I really fell for you, did you?¡± The young girl also took off her sunglasses and pulled a face at him. ¡°I¡¯m naturally beautiful and intelligent! If you had any brains, you should have guessed I wouldn¡¯t fall for you, right?¡± ¡°That¡¯s true! But you really are big-chested and brainless! Just look at what you¡¯ve scanned!¡± Julius Reed gave a faint smile, put on his sunglasses, and left with long strides. ¡°Damn it! You, you, you¡­ stand right there!¡± After the young girl checked her phone, her face turned pale.. Chapter 129 - Chapter 129: Chapter 128 Supreme Card 1 Chapter 129: Chapter 128 Supreme Card 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Elize Yarrow, let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve been scanning!¡± Seeing her best friend¡¯s face turn pale, Simeon Kensington hurried over to look. ¡°There¡¯s¡­ nothing¡­¡± Elize Yarrow locked her phone screen and stammered, ¡°He was just feeling embarrassed and speaking nonsense! You saw it too; he showed the QR code, and I scanned it right away. How could it not add? I¡¯ll delete him later.¡± As she spoke, her face was already turning red. ¡°Elize, every time you lie, your face turns red. Give it here and let me have a look! ¡± While Elize Yarrow was distracted, Simeon Kensington snatched her phone and unlocked it with her own fingerprint. The two were not just friends but best friends, so they could unlock each other¡¯s phones. ¡°Hahahaha!¡± When she saw the content on the screen, Simeon Kensington laughed with a squeal like a pig being butchered! ¡°Paying a high price for a son¡­ Elize, you really are something!¡± On Elize Yarrow¡¯s phone, there was an advertisement for ¡°Paying a High Price for a Son¡±! ¡°You pervert! Wait until I see you again, and you¡¯ll see how this lady deals with you!¡± Elize Yarrow, with a flushed face, snatched her phone back, and said somewhat angrily, ¡°Okay! Stop laughing! I admit defeat, I¡¯ll treat you to dinner at Water Pearl tonight!¡± Watching her best friend laugh so hard she was bending over, she cursed Julius Reed countless times in her heart. ¡°Deal! You said it, Water Pearl! Don¡¯t stand me up!¡± Simeon Kensington covered her mouth with her hand as she dragged her suitcase towards the airport exit. ¡°Hmph! I better not run into you again!¡± Elize Yarrow stood there sulking when suddenly a familiar voice came from behind, ¡°Miss, what are you doing standing here?¡± Behind her, an elder spoke with a smile. ¡°Uncle Davenport, Simeon and I just got back. How did you find out? I didn¡¯t tell the family!¡± The trip home was a spontaneous decision she and Simeon Kensington made after playing around in Gonzalez City. They then flew back to Five-river Province. By all accounts, her family shouldn¡¯t have known, but here was the butler, Uncle Davenport, which meant the Yarrow Family had received the news early on. ¡°Miss, your every move is watched by the master. Having run away from home for over a month, you must have had your fill of fun! When we get back, we need to arrange your marriage,¡± Uncle Davenport said earnestly. ¡°Don¡¯t bring that up with me!¡± Her face darkened instantly at the mention of marriage. A few months ago, to her dismay, her family suddenly built a relationship with the Leopold Family from Five-river Province and planned to marry her to one of the Four Young Masters, Atlas Leopold. But Elize Yarrow could not care less about any Four Young Masters, which led to several months of disputes at home until she dragged her best friend abroad for a getaway. After playing around abroad for a month, the two planned to return home quietly. However, their whereabouts were still known to their family. ¡°Fine! I don¡¯t have a say in this matter either, so let¡¯s head home, Miss. The master and the madame miss you very much!¡± After he finished speaking, Uncle Davenport took over her luggage and slowly walked away. While Elize Yarrow had someone to pick her up at the airport, Julius Reed was in the same situation. The helmsman of the Abbott Family, Miguel Abbott, had been waiting at the airport entrance early in the morning for Julius Reed. ¡°Mr. Reed, you¡¯ve come to Five-river Province, why didn¡¯t you give your brother a heads-up? Although I can¡¯t claim great wealth or nobility, I can at least offer some local hospitality!¡± Miguel Abbott strode up with a smile on his face. ¡°Looking at this, those who don¡¯t know might think you¡¯re here to seek revenge on me!¡± Julius Reed pointed at the row of men in black, smiling, ¡°Not bad, each one is no simple character!¡± The black-suited bodyguards each had impressive combat abilities. At least some of them could hold their own against ordinary Shadow Warriors. And Miguel Abbott was quite humble. In Five-river Province, he was one of the top bosses. Saying he wasn¡¯t rich or noble also made Julius Reed grow more fond of him. ¡°About this morning, it was my brother and daughter¡¯s fault! Rest assured, Ives has been confined by me! She cannot leave the house for a month! As for that Wellington Radcliffe, I¡¯ve already made them break up!¡± Miguel Abbott said guiltily, ¡°Today, I still ask Brother Reed to honor me with his presence, to give me an opportunity to atone for my mistake!¡± ¡°No need to be so formal! I¡¯ll be staying for a while this time, so I may indeed trouble you, but let¡¯s skip dinner, I¡¯d rather have a look around!¡± Julius Reed declined with a smile. The fact that the other party was bringing up the issue proactively indicated that he really didn¡¯t take it to heart. Moreover, his attitude didn¡¯t seem feigned. ¡°Since Brother Reed isn¡¯t interested, I can¡¯t insist! This is the supreme card of Moonlight Group, all expenses at any of our companies are on the house! It¡¯s a token of my employees¡¯ goodwill, and if you don¡¯t accept it, you¡¯re really slapping my face!¡± After being refused, Miguel Abbott didn¡¯t press on, but took out a card glittering with gold from his pocket. Moonlight Group, founded by Miguel Abbott, encompasses restaurants, hotels, and even major jewelry chains! It¡¯s no exaggeration to say that with this card in Five-river Province, all pleasures are cost-free! ¡°Fine! Then thank you very much!¡± At this level of gift-giving, Julius Reed felt it would be rather rude to refuse any further. Moreover, seeing Miguel Abbott¡¯s demeanor, it appeared he really was attempting to court his favor. ¡°Since that¡¯s settled, I won¡¯t disturb Brother Reed any further! This car is for you to use, my bodyguards will take you wherever you wish to go!¡± After giving his instructions, Miguel Abbott didn¡¯t say more and turned to leave, getting into a Bentley and slowly driving away. This sense of knowing when to advance and when to retreat actually impressed Julius Reed. ¡°Let¡¯s go to Pearl on the Water!¡± With the driver and car ready to go, Julius Reed was content to be carefree. Pearl on the Water is also a renowned large hotel belonging to Moonlight Group, famous throughout Five-river Province. Since he had the card and others were paying, he didn¡¯t hold back. Just as Julius Reed got into the car, Elize Yarrow happened to come out. ¡°Oh my, why does that figure look so familiar! It couldn¡¯t be that jerk from earlier, could it?¡± Watching the Maybach drive away slowly, she muttered to herself. ¡°Miss, what are you talking about?¡± Uncle Davenport, looking in the direction she was, asked, ¡°That¡¯s Miguel Abbott¡¯s car, what¡¯s he doing here?¡± ¡°Never mind! Let¡¯s go home!¡± Deciding not to concern themselves with the affairs of others, Uncle Davenport and Elize Yarrow stepped into an Audi A8 and headed towards the Yarrow Family home. Night had descended in the blink of an eye. After preparing everything, Julius Reed planned to go downstairs for dinner. Since he had come to Five-river Province, he had to find a way to stir up some trouble to get those Shadow Warriors some information. That way, things in Gonzalez City would be safer. But he had yet to figure out how to stir up that trouble. On reaching the first floor, he found the place was already packed. However, due to instructions from Miguel Abbott, the waiters had reserved a table for him early on. A four-seater table in a great location by the window. Overwhelmed by the dazzling array on the menu, he nonchalantly ordered a few dishes and sent a WeChat message to Quella Radcliffe. An afternoon had passed, he didn¡¯t want his wife to worry. But just then, Simeon Kensington and Elize Yarrow also arrived there together. Looking all around, however, they discovered there were no seats available! ¡°This is so disappointing! It¡¯s your fault for knowing it would be crowded and not reserving a place in advance, I think you did it on purpose!¡± Simeon Kensington was somewhat displeased. ¡°Hey! Isn¡¯t that the jerk from the plane? Let¡¯s go share a table with him!¡± In the crowd, Elize Yarrow spotted Julius Reed sitting alone at a table.. Chapter 130 - Chapter 130: Chapter 129: Unexpected Complications_l Chapter 130: Chapter 129: Unexpected Complications_l Translator: 549690339 Due to the immense popularity of Pearl on the Water in Five-river Province, combined with it being the weekend, the restaurant was packed by six in the evening. Elize Yarrow was in a terrible mood all afternoon because of her family, so she even forgot to reserve a spot. It was not until Simeon Kensington drove his sports car to the Yarrow Family¡¯s house that Elize Yarrow remembered this matter. Sure enough, upon arrival at Pearl on the Water, there were already more than a hundred people in line. Just as Elize Yarrow was at a loss of what to do, she happened to run into Julius Reed, who was dining alone by the window. They say enemies are bound to meet, especially after the dramatic encounter at the airport; now they were meeting again in the evening. ¡°Hey! Why are you going over there when you¡¯re not even familiar with him? If he sends us away, that¡¯ll be so embarrassing!¡± Simeon Kensington stood her ground, absolutely refusing to go over. They had only met once and didn¡¯t know each other, so why would she just go up to him like that? ¡°You coward! What¡¯s there to be afraid of! In broad daylight, they can¡¯t just eat us up!¡± Seeing her best friend¡¯s attitude, panic swelled in Elize Yarrow¡¯s heart. Having promised to dine here, if she were to break the appointment again, Simeon Kensington might give her the cold shoulder for a while. With her family pressuring her about the arranged marriage, if Simeon Kensington also started ignoring her, Elize Yarrow would truly lose her mind! ¡°Simeon, let¡¯s go! If push comes to shove, we¡¯ll share a table! We¡¯ll treat them!¡± She had no choice but to coax again. ¡°Fine! But if he¡¯s not willing, we¡¯ll leave immediately!¡± Simeon Kensington was not like Elize Yarrow; she didn¡¯t like to strike up conversations with strangers, especially those she had met only once and didn¡¯t have a particularly good impression of at first. Seeing her best friend finally relent, Elize Yarrow hurriedly trotted over to Julius Reed. ¡°Hi! Handsome!¡± She stood next to the table and greeted him. But Julius Reed glanced up, then lowered his head to continue eating. ¡°Ignoring me! Am I invisible to you?¡± Being disregarded like that, Elize Yarrow exploded! As Miss Yarrow, who usually had everything handed to her and was surrounded by countless boys, she couldn¡¯t believe she was being ignored today! ¡°Let¡¯s go! Stop making a scene here!¡± Simeon Kensington tugged at her arm, eager to escape from the situation. This is so embarrassing! The restaurant was already crowded, but now that Elize Yarrow had raised her voice, she immediately drew lots of attention. ¡°No way! I can¡¯t swallow this pride! The family is pushing me to marry that jerk Atlas Leopold, and now I¡¯m being bullied by a stranger, I¡­¡± Saying this, Elize Yarrow¡¯s eyes reddened, and she almost burst into tears. ¡°Sit down!¡± It was at this moment, unexpectedly, Julius Reed spoke up, inviting them to sit. ¡°What did you say? Elize Yarrow wiped away her tears, somewhat in disbelief. He had been so cold to her just a moment ago, could it be that her tears had moved him? They say a woman¡¯s tears are the most powerful weapon, but it wasn¡¯t as though she did it on purpose; she was genuinely almost brought to tears from frustration. ¡°Sit! Today¡¯s food and drinks, I¡¯ll pick up the tab!¡± Julius Reed wiped his mouth and leaned back in his chair, saying with a grin, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Not daring to sit? If you don¡¯t dare to sit, then don¡¯t disturb me here!¡± He hadn¡¯t planned on paying attention to the two ladies, but when Elize Yarrow mentioned Atlas Leopold, things changed. Everything that happened in Gonzalez City before started because Atlas Leopold spread the video, which led to today¡¯s situation. Just right, he could take this opportunity to retaliate against Atlas Leopold. And let everyone know that he was in Five-river Province. The world is really small. ¡°Sit down quickly!¡± Fearing Julius Reed would change his mind, Elize Yarrow directly pulled Simeon Kensington to sit across from him, a smile also on her face. ¡°Sorry to disturb you today, but don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll pay for all the expenses!¡± Elize Yarrow quickly explained. Being able to sit down was already satisfying; she certainly didn¡¯t want the other party to pay. The Yarrow Family was rich, and she wasn¡¯t short on money either. ¡°Whatever!¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t say much else, just started eating on his own. The restaurant was of high class, and the food tasted very good. Even the extremely picky Julius Reed ate with relish. When Elize Yarrow took the menu, she also began ordering dishes. ¡°Beauty! Why sit here? Just come to me, I¡¯ll arrange a seat for you!¡± Just then, a man in a suit, followed by several hooligans, walked up to their table. And he plopped down next to Elize Yarrow. ¡°Get lost! ¡± Without any politeness, Elize Yarrow cursed outright! ¡°Yo! Such a fierce temper!¡± The man still had a smile on his face as he looked up at Julius Reed seated opposite and said, ¡°Kid, get lost! I¡¯ll keep company with these two ladies today!¡± After speaking, he again looked cheerily at Simeon Kensington and Elize Yarrow: ¡°How about we all have a drink together?¡± No sooner had his words ended than the hoodlums behind him brought over three wine glasses filled with red wine. ¡°Sorry! We don¡¯t drink alcohol!¡± Simeon Kensington said with a stern face. She hated this kind of spoiled rich kid and was from a decent family herself, so she spoke very bluntly. ¡°Heh! The little miss has quite the temper! But with so many brothers behind me, you gotta give some face! Otherwise, I can¡¯t control what these brothers of mine might do!¡± The man snorted coldly, his tone full of intimidation. His henchmen behind him even more so wore malicious smiles, itching to act. ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll drink with you, and then you better scram immediately!¡± Elize Yarrow, thinking it would be less trouble to comply, grabbed a glass ready to drink. ¡°I told you to get lost, are you deaf!¡± At this moment, the man looked towards Julius Reed who was still eating across from him, his face instantly turning grim. ¡°I¡¯m sitting here just fine, why should I leave?¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t even lift his head, continuing to slowly eat the steak on his plate. ¡°Throw him out for me!¡± The man commanded his henchmen behind him, and those tattoo-covered hoodlums immediately went over, starting to make their move. ¡°There¡¯s a drugged drink in the glass!¡± After saying that, Julius Reed looked up and wiped his mouth. ¡°What did you say!¡± The man¡¯s complexion changed drastically, and he threatened viciously, ¡®Get out!¡± ¡°Damn! You dare to play me!¡± Elize Yarrow, seeing the man¡¯s expression, immediately realized the severity of the situation! She threw the wine right in the man¡¯s face and cursed angrily, ¡°Get lost!¡± The man, being doused like that, instantly directed his fury at Elize Yarrow! ¡°You bitch! It¡¯s your good fortune that I¡¯m into you, and you dare to splash wine on me!¡± He stood up fiercely, about to slap her¡­ Smack! But after the sound came, the man was clearly stunned. Because the young man who had been sitting opposite him had actually stood up first and slapped him across the face! Chapter 131 - Chapter 131: Chapter 130 Elize Yarrow’s Shock_1 Chapter 131: Chapter 130 Elize Yarrow¡¯s Shock_1 Translator: 549690339 All of this happened too fast. The two obedient girls hadn¡¯t even had the time to react to what had taken place. Julius Reed had already grabbed a wine bottle from the table and smashed it over the man¡¯s head. ¡°Ouch!¡± The unsuspecting man stumbled back a few steps and sat on the ground, grimacing in pain. He covered his head with his hands as blood streamed down through his fingers. ¡°Kill him for me! How dare he hit me at the Pearl on the Water! He¡¯s really tired of living! ¡± Hearing their boss¡¯s command, several thugs darkly approached Julius Reed with malice on their faces. ¡°I¡¯m warning you! I¡¯m a member of the Yarrow family. I can let what happened today slide, but if you dare trouble my friend, don¡¯t blame the Yarrow family for not showing you any face!¡± Julius Reed had offended the man while trying to rescue them. Feeling guilty, Elize Yarrow had no choice but to reveal her identity. ¡°Heh! The Yarrow family? In Five-river Province, I don¡¯t give face to anyone but Maurice Yarrow!¡± The man drew a sharp breath, grinned, and said, ¡°I¡¯m Dalton Martin. You can ask your Yarrow family if they dare to offend me!¡± ¡°You¡¯re Dalton Martin? Miguel Abbott¡¯s nephew from outside?¡± Hearing Dalton Martin¡¯s name, the girls¡¯ faces turned pale! In Five-river Province, Miguel Abbott was a major figure! In front of the Abbott Family, the Yarrow family was nothing! Dalton Martin, being Miguel Abbott¡¯s nephew, supervised the Pearl on the Water and no one dared to provoke him. Now that they had offended Dalton Martin, it would be difficult to end this easily. ¡°Scared now, huh? If you had just drunk my drink earlier, all of this wouldn¡¯t have happened! You could¡¯ve woken up and pretended nothing happened. Now, it won¡¯t be so easy!¡± Dalton Martin stood up from the ground, spitting out a vicious glob of saliva. ¡°Kid, I¡¯m going to make your life worse than death!¡± Bang! But before he could finish his sentence, Julius Reed kicked out, flipping two of the thugs onto the ground. The remaining few thugs hadn¡¯t even had the chance to recover before they were knocked to the ground by dishes from the table. ¡°Not bad skills, but what good will that do?¡± Dalton Martin narrowed his eyes and stepped back a few paces. ¡°Calvin, bring people over!¡± He took out his phone and sent a WeChat message. Calvin was his subordinate at the Pearl on the Water and also the most capable enforcer under Dalton Martin. Having been beaten on his own turf, he had to regain control of the situation. It took less than a minute for Calvin to arrive at the scene with a group of dozens. ¡°Boss! Who¡¯s the blind bastard that dares to stand against you here!¡± Calvin took off his sunglasses, slightly surprised as he said, ¡°Calvin, what happened to your head!¡± By now, Dalton Martin¡¯s face was covered in blood, even his clothes had bloodstains on them. ¡°Take these two women away, and waste the man!¡± Dalton Martin glared at Julius Reed, wishing he could take matters into his own hands. But already startled, Elize Yarrow had sent a message to her family, as had Simeon Kensington. ¡°Dalton Martin! Don¡¯t you go too far!¡± Even though she Imew her family wouldn¡¯t dare to offend the Abbott Family, Elize Yarrow still wanted to resist. She would feel terribly guilty if Julius Reed got hurt because of her. Meanwhile, Atlas Leopold was dining with his friends not far away. ¡°Young Master Leopold, isn¡¯t that your fianc¨¦e over there? Shouldn¡¯t you go help her?¡± One of the rich boys asked. It was common knowledge that Atlas Leopold intended to marry Elize Yarrow; the Yarrow and Leopold families had already met and agreed to the marriage. ¡°No worries! Let her suffer a bit; then I¡¯ll show up and play the hero,¡± Atlas Leopold said, glaring at Dalton Martin¡¯s aggressive behavior with a hint of disdain in his eyes. He was marrying Elize Yarrow entirely for a treasure from the Yarrow family. The Yarrow family had already promised that this treasure would be part of her dowry to the Leopold family. Otherwise, with Atlas Leopold¡¯s standards, he would never consider a girl from a minor family. But he wouldn¡¯t let Dalton Martin go too far; any improper action from him would lead Atlas to intervene with his men. ¡°My brother is already bringing people over, Dalton Martin, you best stop now!¡± Simeon Kensington finally could no longer sit still. The Kensington Family in Five-river Province also hold significant power, benefiting immensely due to Theodore Kensington¡¯s influence. In this emergency, she had no choice but to contact her brother, Kyson Kensington. ¡°Ha! No matter who comes today, I¡¯m going to cripple this kid!¡± Dalton Martin was by now aware that the identities of these two ladies were not simple. But having been beaten to this state, he felt somewhat unwilling to let Julius Reed off without payback! ¡°Forget it! I¡¯m full! Bring the check!¡± In such a public place, Julius Reed wasn¡¯t too keen on fighting. Even if he wanted to announce his presence in Five-river Province, such a method wouldn¡¯t be very effective. Having said this, he directly showed the supreme card given to him by Miguel Abbott! ¡°Holy crap! Kid, you think you can leave? Do you think you can get away?¡± Calvin Leopold rolled up his sleeves and walked over to take revenge for his big brother! At the Pearl on the Water, on their own turf, someone dared to shit on Dalton Martin¡¯s head! Unforgivable! ¡°Wait¡­ do you have a death wish!¡± Seeing that card, Dalton Martin¡¯s mind buzzed. Being Miguel Abbott¡¯s nephew, he naturally knew what that card signified! It meant the recognition of Miguel Abbott, a distinguished guest! If he offended such a guest, Miguel Abbott would flay him alive! ¡°Our big brother is asking you, do you want to die?¡± Calvin held a smug expression! Riding on Dalton Martin¡¯s connections, he pretty much did as he pleased in Five-river Province! Especially today, in front of Dalton Martin, he wanted to put on a good show. ¡°I¡¯m talking to you!¡± At that moment, Dalton Martin couldn¡¯t care less about his aching head and quickly ran over, pushing Calvin aside! ¡°Ouch! Big brother, what are you¡­¡± Caught off guard, Calvin almost fell to the ground. Smack! Before he could finish, Dalton Martin had already slapped him across the face! ¡°Get lost! Take your people and get out!¡± He couldn¡¯t afford to offend someone with a supreme card! Now, Dalton Martin was waiting for the crowd to disperse so he could apologize meekly; otherwise, Miguel Abbott really would flay him alive! ¡°Big brother, you¡­¡± Calvin was completely stunned! What was going on! ¡°Get out!¡± Dalton Martin¡¯s voice was so loud that many people heard it. ¡°Young Master Leopold, it¡¯s time for you to take the stage!¡± At another table, the young masters were all smiling. ¡°Well then, this young master will go over and take a look!¡± Atlas Leopold wiped his mouth and slowly stood up, walking towards Elize Yarrow¡¯s direction. But he had only taken two steps when he saw Dalton Martin kneel to the ground with a ¡°thump¡±. Not just him, Elize Yarrow and Simeon Kensington were all stunned! What was this performance about? Their reputation naturally preceded them, backed by the Abbott Family ¨C this nephew of the Abbotts had always been domineering! But just a moment ago, he was ready to fight, and now he was kneeling down what in the world happened in between? Only Julius Reed knew clearly that it was the sight of the supreme card that had triggered such a drastic reaction from Dalton Martin. It seemed that Miguel Abbott was indeed full of sincerity. ¡°Brother, a wise man does not remember the wrongs of a fool. Please overlook this matter for me! ¡± Dalton Martin knelt in front of Julius Reed, pleading in a low voice. ¡°Fine, smash another beer bottle against your head, and I¡¯ll consider it.¡± Julius Reed directly took a beer bottle from a neighbouring table and placed it on the ground. ¡°Done!¡± Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Dalton Martin picked up the beer bottle and smashed it hard against his own head! Chapter 132 - Chapter 132: Chapter 131 Pretending Not to Know_1 Chapter 132: Chapter 131 Pretending Not to Know_1 Translator: 549690339 At that moment, both Elize Yarrow and Simeon Kensington were stunned. Just a moment ago, Dalton Martin, who had seemed so high and mighty, was now kneeling on the ground like a grandson. And without any hesitation, he smashed a beer bottle against his own head. Was he out of his mind? But clearly, he wasn¡¯t! Throughout the whole scene, Julius Reed had only said ¡°check, please.¡± Following that, Dalton Martin changed like this. Elize didn¡¯t share the same thoughts as Simeon, who had a more meticulous mind. She glanced around and her eyes landed on the supreme card. Having mingled in the upper echelons of Five-river Province¡¯s society, she had some understanding of these things. However, even with an idea in her mind, she was still quite uncertain. The kind of person who could get their hands on such a card was usually a renowned big shot in Five-river Province. Theodore Kensington of the Kensington Family had even had to ask three times before receiving a diamond card from Miguel Abbott. The card she was looking at appeared different from the diamond card; could it possibly be a platinum card? But could a platinum card make Dalton Martin kneel on the ground like a dog? Simeon couldn¡¯t believe it. However, her friend Elize Yarrow hadn¡¯t thought about it that much. From being teased a moment ago to now having the teaser kneel before her admitting his wrongs, her heart felt incredibly gratified. ¡°You filthy rogue, how did you speak to me just now?¡± She picked up a beer bottle from the next table and weighed it in her hand. This was typical nouveau riche behavior, seeking revenge as soon as she turned the tables. But Julius Reed didn¡¯t stop her. After all, Dalton Martin had indeed gone too far, harassing a girl as soon as he arrived, what a scoundrel! Just as the man sitting at the next table was about to explode in anger¡ªhaving not even had a chance to drink, his beer was taken away¡ªhe saw Dalton Martin kneeling on the ground. He immediately brought over the remaining few bottles of beer to Julius Reed¡¯s table. ¡°Big brother! Please help yourself, any expenses will be on me!¡± After saying this, he stood up and shouted, ¡°Waiter! Bring out the drinks!¡± Dalton Martin shuddered inwardly as he knelt on the ground, almost cursing out loud. ¡°What, not satisfied?¡± Elize Yarrow raised the beer bottle, but still hesitated. After all, she was a girl¡ªhow could she commit such acts of violence? And so, the beer bottle hung in the air, causing Dalton Martin¡¯s heart to pound with fear. ¡°Big sister! Smash it or not, make it quick!¡± He would rather have the beer bottle smashed on him than to continue enduring such agony. ¡°This is so tough¡­¡± ¡°Miss! Don¡¯t hesitate when doing things!¡± Julius Reed crossed his legs and watched Elize Yarrow with a smile. Sometimes that¡¯s how it is, needing someone to give you a push from behind. ¡°I¡¯m going all out!¡± With that encouragement, Elize Yarrow clenched her teeth, but still couldn¡¯t make up her mind! Bang! Just then, Julius Reed grabbed Elize¡¯s hand and smashed the bottle down! ¡°Dilly-dallying, like a woman!¡± ¡°I am a woman, for goodness¡¯ sake!¡± Elize Yarrow blinked, as if she had discovered a new world. ¡°Or should I give it another try?¡± As she said this, Dalton Martin¡¯s heart skipped a beat: ¡°Don¡¯t! Big sister, I was wrong! Please be magnanimous¡­¡± Bang! The response he got was another beer bottle. ¡°Simeon, you should try it! It¡¯s quite exhilarating!¡± Elize Yarrow excitedly looked at her friend, dancing with joy. ¡°I¡­ better not.¡± Simeon shook her head. ¡°Think about what he might have done after he knocked you out just now?¡± Just then, Julius Reed spoke up with striking timeliness. Bang! Without a word, Simeon Kensington grabbed a beer bottle and smashed it down! The force was so strong that the glass shards actually flew onto the head of a man at the next table. That man calmly brushed off the glass shards and continued eating his steak with composure. ¡°Young Master Leopold, if you don¡¯t go over there soon, someone else will steal all the limelight!¡± At a distant table, the rich young men egged him on. They loved watching the commotion unfold and weren¡¯t afraid of escalating things, and with Atlas Leopold¡¯s identity as one of the four big heirs, who wouldn¡¯t give him face? ¡°Alright!¡± After hesitating for a moment, Atlas Leopold still strode over. ¡°Elize, are you all right?¡± After arriving by Elize Yarrow¡¯s side, he asked with utmost gentlemanliness. He glanced at Dalton Martin kneeling on the ground, his face darkened as he said, ¡°Dalton Martin, how dare you! Do you know who she is? She is my fianc¨¦e, who has yet to marry into my house!¡± As he spoke, he picked up the remaining beer bottle. And smacked it hard on Dalton Martin¡¯s head! ¡°Open your damn eyes! If there¡¯s a next time, ask yourself if Miguel Abbott can still protect you!¡± Although Miguel Abbott was influential, Dalton Martin was ultimately an outsider. If he clashed with Atlas Leopold, Miguel Abbott would definitely not offend the Leopold Family just for an outsider. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Young Master Leopold!¡± With his face covered in blood, Dalton Martin crawled at Atlas Leopold¡¯s feet and wailed, ¡°I didn¡¯t know she was Young Master Leopold¡¯s fianc¨¦e, I truly was blind!¡± After saying that, he kept slapping his own face. Even though the blood blurred his vision, his mind was still very clear. Offending one of the four big heirs would definitely not end well! If Miguel Abbott found out about this incident, he might even be kicked out of the Pearl on the Water! ¡°Get lost! Don¡¯t let me see you again!¡± After reprimanding him like a true gentleman, Atlas Leopold turned to look at Simeon Kensington, ¡°Hello, I am Atlas Leopold, and I will be Elize¡¯s husband in the future.¡± Although marrying Elize Yarrow was just a transaction, Atlas Leopold still made it a point to find out everything about her surroundings. He was well aware that Simeon Kensington was Elize Yarrow¡¯s best friend. It was absolutely necessary to greet her at this time to show his own grace. ¡°Hello, I am Simeon Kensington, Elize¡¯s friend,¡± Simeon Kensington returned the greeting with a polite smile. She couldn¡¯t quite say why, but she didn¡¯t like the showy, high-society posturing of Atlas Leopold. Instead, she had a much better impression of Julius Reed, the ¡°iron-clad straight man. ¡± Perhaps one seemed more hypocritical, while the other seemed more genuine. ¡°Brother, we meet again.¡± Atlas Leopold turned around to look at the leisurely Julius Reed. After spreading the video that day, he surprisingly received an effect beyond his expectations. He had planned to mediate when the Potter Family sought revenge, playing the good guy. But who knew, the Potter Family left in utter defeat! ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t remember!¡± Julius Reed simply replied without even raising his head. Seeing his attitude, Atlas Leopold was clearly taken aback. As one of the big heirs of the Five-river Province, it was the first time someone had dared to disrespect him like this. But being a man who had seen a lot of the world, Atlas Leopold quickly smiled and said, ¡°At Black-wind Entertainment that day¡­¡± ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t gamble!¡± Julius Reed cut him off again, ¡°Such places are for someone like Young Master Leopold to visit, right? I¡¯ve been poor since I was a child, never even been to a clubhouse! Why would an honest person go to a gambling place without any reason?¡± With that, Atlas Leopold¡¯s face immediately darkened. They had clearly met before, and now in front of his fianc¨¦e and her friend, he wasn¡¯t given any face at all? ¡°You gamble?¡± Elize Yarrow, who was already reluctant, immediately looked at Atlas Leopold, feeling even worse. ¡°No¡­ it¡¯s just¡­¡± Before Atlas Leopold could finish explaining, Julius Reed leisurely said, ¡°This type of person, Young Master Leopold, is proficient in eating, drinking, whoring, gambling¡ªwhat¡¯s [he/ not good at? What decent person goes to a gambling hall for no reason?¡± Chapter 133 - Chapter 133: Chapter 132 You’re Playing with Fire 1 Chapter 133: Chapter 132 You¡¯re Playing with Fire 1 Translator: 549690339 A courteous conversation had thoroughly descended into awkwardness. Atlas Leopold had always been known as a ¡°smiling tiger,¡± used to mingling in high society with a steady temperament. But now, he couldn¡¯t help but get angry. ¡°This brother¡­¡± ¡°Who¡¯s your brother!¡± Julius Reed lifted his head with contempt and said, ¡°Were you deprived of love as a child? Calling everyone brother? Sorry, but that¡¯s not my thing, and I don¡¯t feel like gaining a brother out of the blue! ¡± No sooner had he spoken than Elize Yarrow and Simeon Kensington burst into laughter beside him, dispelling their gloom. Atlas Leopold finally couldn¡¯t restrain his anger any longer. As one of the Four Young Masters of the provincial city, who dared to disrespect him? And today, in front of his fianc¨¦e and best friend, he had been humiliated by Julius Reed. ¡°Don¡¯t go too far!¡± ¡°Oh! The way rich people talk really is different! I was here enjoying my meal, and you come over to disturb me and try to acknowledge me as your brother. What¡¯s next, a blood oath?¡± Julius Reed pushed his plate and cutlery aside: ¡°If you want to acknowledge kinship, do it yourself!¡± Atlas Leopold¡¯s face turned iron blue, and he could not stop trembling. He had never been spoken to like this in his life! It was simply unreasonable provocation! ¡°What¡¯s wrong? My girlfriend and I were enjoying our meal, and you come over to bother us?¡± Julius Reed spoke as if he didn¡¯t notice Atlas Leopold¡¯s face turning purple with rage, still being shocking with every word. ¡°Your girlfriend?¡± Upon hearing this, Simeon Kensington couldn¡¯t help but ask. Among those present, there were only himself and Elize Yarrow. Where did this girlfriend come from? ¡°Elize, come sit with me!¡± In front of Atlas Leopold, Julius Reed beckoned to Elize Yarrow: ¡°Now that we¡¯ve established our relationship, why the awkwardness!¡± From the earlier conversation, he knew Elize Yarrow was very unhappy with her arranged marriage to Atlas Leopold. She had even argued with her family about it. By using Elize Yarrow to slap Atlas Leopold¡¯s face, he wasn¡¯t sure if this girl would cooperate. But little did he expect that not only did Elize Yarrow play along, she acted like an Oscar-winning actress! ¡°Darling, that was really scary just now!¡± Elize Yarrow seductively walked over to Julius Reed and delicately sat on his lap. ¡°Thank goodness you were here, otherwise I really wouldn¡¯t know what to do!¡± With that, she buried her head in Julius Reed¡¯s chest, acting just like a couple indulging in sweet nothings. This not only took Simeon Kensington by surprise but also Julius Reed himself. This woman was playing for keeps! He had never been this close to Quella Radcliffe! But now, he couldn¡¯t push her away or not push her away! Having been the one who spoke, he had to silently bear it. ¡°You!¡± Seeing his fianc¨¦e sitting in another man¡¯s arms, Atlas Leopold was about to explode with rage. Although he did not like Elize Yarrow, she was after all his fianc¨¦e in name. As a man, he could not tolerate the humiliation of being cuckolded! ¡°Ha! Young Master Leopold, what¡¯s this about?¡± Just then, a young man wearing a gold chain came over, with a cigar held between his fingers: ¡°Do you need the brothers to back you up? The newcomer was one of Atlas Leopold¡¯s tablemates, a prominent young man from another province named Haddon Michael. In his early twenties, he sported short hair, sunglasses, a chunky gold chain around his neck, and a mink coat over his shoulders. ¡°Brother Michael, this is a family matter of mine, and Leopold can handle it!¡± Atlas Leopold did not want this humiliating affair to become widely known. Even though everyone had seen it, not speaking of it was another matter. But Haddon Michael clearly did not intend to stand idly by. ¡°Kid! The woman in your arms is Young Master Leopold¡¯s woman. Even if he grows tired of her one day, you damned well can¡¯t touch her!¡± The matter with Elize Yarrow was well-known among Atlas Leopold¡¯s friends. So they were not polite when they spoke. It¡¯s just a bit of fun, what¡¯s the difference from an object? ¡°I¡¯m talking to you!¡± Seeing Julius Reed unmoved, Haddon Michael chuckled and said, ¡°Kid, you¡¯re interesting!¡± With that, he extended the cigar over Reed¡¯s head, ready to flick the ash off. Snap! But before he could flick his finger, Reed¡¯s hand shot out like lightning, snapping one of Michael¡¯s fingers clean off! ¡°Damn it¡­¡± The agonizing pain surged in an instant. But it was clearly not over yet; seizing the moment, Reed caught the falling cigar and stuffed it directly into Michael¡¯s mouth! ¡°Mmm¡­¡± The lit cigar met the tongue, and the pain was so intense that Michael couldn¡¯t speak, kneeling on the ground, trembling all over. By the time he managed to dig the cigar out of his mouth, tears were already streaming down his face from the pain. He had intended to show off, but instead, he was humiliated. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Seeing trouble, a group of young men immediately walked over. ¡°Mr. Michael, what happened!¡± They hadn¡¯t expected that the combined efforts of Atlas Leopold and Haddon Michael wouldn¡¯t have settled things, so they hadn¡¯t bothered to look this way during the meal. Who would have thought that one of the four big young masters of the provincial capital would be humbled in their own territory! And the domineering Haddon Michael was now sobbing loudly. ¡°I¡­ he¡­ Michael tried to speak but couldn¡¯t utter a word. His tongue was scorched by the burning cigar, and now even exposure to the air was painful, let alone speaking. ¡°You¡¯re dead meat!¡± Regardless, today¡¯s host was Atlas Leopold! Michael was a young northern master, and now he had been injured on Leopold¡¯s property; it was a hard situation for Leopold to explain! ¡°Rafferty! Bring some guys over!¡± After taking out his phone, Atlas Leopold called his subordinate Rafferty. Today the other party had made him lose face, so he had no choice but to take harsh measures! After all, with so many other Masters watching, if he couldn¡¯t handle it properly, Atlas Leopold might as well not bother trying to run things here in the future. ¡°Young Master Leopold, can you handle it? This guy seems pretty wild!¡± The other well-off young men stuffed their hands into their pockets, eyeing Julius Reed with great interest. In their memory, it seemed no one had ever dared to be so bold. ¡°Sister! ¡± At this moment, Simeon Kensington¡¯s brother also rushed over with his men. ¡°Young Master Leopold ! ¡± Seeing Atlas Leopold, he couldn¡¯t help but pause and then casually asked, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°Is this your sister?¡± After sizing her up, Atlas Leopold said, ¡°Take her away! I¡¯ll give the Kensington Family face today, but if there¡¯s a next time, don¡¯t blame me for being ruthless!¡± Although she was from the Kensington Family, this branch was not the core of the Kensington Family. The real core was the martial arts school built by Theodore Kensington and others, which had a great reputation in the Five-river Province. But after all, she was part of the Kensington Family, and since she hadn¡¯t said much the whole time, Atlas Leopold naturally didn¡¯t want to make things difficult. ¡°Yes! Thank you, Young Master Leopold!¡± After thanking Atlas Leopold, the Kensingtons hurried off. Before leaving, Simeon Kensington gave Elize Yarrow and Julius Reed a worried glance. They had offended Atlas Leopold, after all! ¡°Called for backup? Coward! Call everyone you can, bring them all!¡± Julius Reed shook his head and said to Elize Yarrow in his arms, ¡°Wine, please!¡± ¡°Right away!¡± Elize Yarrow, not caring about Atlas Leopold¡¯s murderous gaze, handed Reed a cup of wine, even going so far as to play with a shared drinking cup. ¡°Tsk! You¡¯re playing with fire! ¡± Reed warned her quietly, but it had no effect. At this moment, Elize Yarrow was too deep in her role! Chapter 134 - Chapter 134: Chapter 133 Crazy Elize Yarrow 1 Chapter 134: Chapter 133 Crazy Elize Yarrow 1 Translator: 549690339 For a man, the greatest agony is when his fianc¨¦e drinks a cross-cupped drink with another man in front of his friends. As one of the four most eligible bachelors of the provincial capital, Atlas Leopold felt he had lost all face in this instant! Those dining at the same table were the young masters from neighboring provinces. As the host, he had let such an embarrassment occur. ¡°Elize Yarrow, you¡¯re such a whore!¡± he spat out viciously. It was hard to imagine that the normally refined Young Master Leopold would speak such low-class words at this moment. Looking at Elize sitting in Julius Reed¡¯s arms, he couldn¡¯t help but think of an idea. This was the perfect opportunity to pressure the Yarrow Family and hasten the marriage! Preferably within this month! After getting what he wanted, he would toss Elize to his brothers, letting her live in the shadows for the rest of her life! ¡°He cursed at you?¡± Julius Reed nudged Elize Yarrow with his mouth. ¡°Heard it! I¡¯m your woman now, are you just going to stand there and watch?¡± Long-suppressed frustrations had completely driven Elize Yarrow mad. She thought that by acting this way, she could cancel the engagement. After all, how could one of the four great young masters possibly marry such a woman? But clearly, she was wrong! Atlas Leopold wouldn¡¯t just marry her, but also take his revenge! ¡°Keep your hands to yourself!¡± Julius Reed had initially wanted to humiliate Atlas Leopold, but he hadn¡¯t anticipated that he would stir up a hornet¡¯s nest with Elize Yarrow. ¡°So what should we do about him cursing me?¡± Perhaps it was the slight intoxication, but Elize¡¯s warm breath touched Julius Reed¡¯s face, and her eyes became blurry. ¡°If he curses at you, you hit him!¡± Having lived for so many years, Julius Reed couldn¡¯t believe that he was being pushed to his limit by this woman. He leaned back and said, ¡°Go ahead, I¡¯ve got your back.¡± ¡°Really?¡± A glint flashed in Elize Yarrow¡¯s eyes. She loathed Atlas Leopold, having detested him from their very first meeting. The sons of wealthy families are very hypocritical, outwardly cultured and gentle but doing countless cowardly things behind closed doors. Now, buoyed by the alcohol and with Julius Reed¡¯s support, she actually stood up and walked towards Atlas Leopold. ¡°What are you doing!¡± A wealthy young man stretched out his hand to stop her. He couldn¡¯t beat the men, but he could easily punch out a woman! ¡°Look, someone¡¯s stopping¡­¡± Before Elize Yarrow could finish her sentence, Julius Reed suddenly flicked a steel fork from his hand, piercing it through the man¡¯s arm! The force of the fork drove it straight into the bone! ¡°Ah¡­ my hand¡­¡± The young man stumbled backward a few steps, pain contorting his face and tears involuntarily streaming down. ¡°Quick! Call 120, I¡¯m dying!¡± Although it was just a flesh wound, he exaggerated it to a matter of life and death. The other stunned rich youngsters hurriedly took out their phones, trembling as they dialed for emergency services. ¡°Now, no one dares to stop you, do whatever you want!¡± Julius Reed leaned on the chair, a smirk on his face as he watched her. As he didn¡¯t have a habit of smoking, he simply gnawed on a pair of chopsticks instead. ¡°Thanks a lot!¡± Elize Yarrow threw a coquettish glance back at him and then slowly walked up to Atlas Leopold. This time, the wealthy young men made way for her, none daring to interfere. ¡°Elize Yarrow, you¡¯d better think about the Yarrow Family!¡± Seeing his fianc¨¦e throwing coquettish glances at another man, Atlas Leopold¡¯s heart twisted like a knife. He lifted his head and coldly threatened, ¡°Your actions could plunge our family into an abyss! I advise you to think it through, or you won¡¯t be able to bear the consequences!¡± Elize Yarrow, who hadn¡¯t quite made up her mind, was provoked by his words and slapped him across the face! Slap! The crisp sound instantly quieted the bustling Water Pearl venue. ¡°Isn¡¯t that Atlas Leopold, one of the four elite young masters? Why did he get slapped? Who is that woman, I¡¯ve never seen her before!¡± ¡°Crazy! The illustrious young master, with immense power in the provincial city, someone dared to slap him? They¡¯re asking for trouble!¡± ¡°Not necessarily! Look at those masters standing around them, none of them are pushovers, yet they all stand there, indifferent, with even some crying wolf!¡± Everyone dining at the Water Pearl was someone of note. Many recognized Atlas Leopold and knew full well how formidable the provincial city¡¯s prominent young master could be. Being slapped in the face in front of so many people today made everyone even more curious about the woman¡¯s identity. ¡°That looks like the Yarrow Family¡¯s daughter to me?¡± Five-river Province might be large, but the world is small. The Yarrow Family could also be considered a major household in the provincial city, naturally making many friends. Among the attendees were friends who gambled with Grant Yarrow, Elize¡¯s father. Seeing this scene, they hurriedly dialed Grant¡¯s number. ¡°Mr. Yarrow! Your daughter at the Water Pearl just slapped Atlas Leopold!¡± ¡°I know! I¡¯ve received three calls in under a minute! I¡¯m on my way right now, this damned girl is really going to be the death of us!¡± ¡°Well! Hurry up, otherwise, it could be too late!¡± After informing Grant Yarrow, everyone returned to watching the drama unfold. When else could you see one of the four elite young masters being beaten? This is live action! ¡°Elize Yarrow, think carefully! Do you want to drag the entire family down with you?¡± Atlas Leopold instinctively backed away, seeing the madness in Elize¡¯s eyes, that all-consuming, reckless madness! He had not believed Elize capable of such a deed before. But when that slap landed on his face, he wouldn¡¯t be surprised by anything that happened next. ¡°Family, huh? Hah!¡± Elize snorted coldly and shook her head, ¡°They¡¯ve only ever seen me as a tool, never once considering my feelings! Well then, Young Master Leopold, I¡¯ll trouble you to take care of them for me!¡± Thump! Having said that, she grabbed a beer bottle from somewhere and smashed it onto Atlas Leopold¡¯s head. Now the Water Pearl went completely silent. One of the four elite young masters, not only slapped but now struck with a beer bottle. They truly believed that woman was mad! Completely mad! ¡°Elize Yarrow! You¡­ Atlas Leopold only felt a buzzing in his head, as intense pain instantly spread throughout his body. But Elize Yarrow had no intention of stopping, continuing to walk forward step by step. ¡°Mr. Leopold!¡± Just then, the entrance of the Water Pearl echoed with a series of rapid footsteps, followed by a flood of men in black. The one in the lead was holding a steel pipe, and by his appearance, one could tell he wasn¡¯t one to trifle with. He wore a vest that exposed his muscular torso, his face filled with anger. ¡°Rafferty! Grab that crazy broad for me! And that kid, kill him!¡± Atlas Leopold, seeing his employee Rafferty, scrambled to his feet as if seeing a savior and bolted to get away. ¡°Did I say you could leave?¡± Julius Reed twirled the chopsticks in his hand and stabbed them straight into Atlas Leopold¡¯s calf! ¡°Ouch!¡± Thus, the prominent Young Master Leopold fell to the ground, howling in agony. ¡°Protect Young Master!¡± Seeing this, Rafferty didn¡¯t hesitate and, wielding his steel pipe, charged towards Julius! Chapter 135 - Chapter 135: Chapter 134: Atlas Leopold’s Savior_l Chapter 135: Chapter 134: Atlas Leopold¡¯s Savior_l Translator: 549690339 Rafferty was Atlas Leopold¡¯s personal bodyguard and the runner-up in the Free-fighting Competition of Five-river Province. His strength was incredibly formidable! Following Atlas Leopold for so many years, he had helped Young Master Leopold resolve numerous troubles. Today, Atlas Leopold hosted a banquet for some friends, and since it was in Five-river Province and Waterfront Pearl was under Moonlight Group, Rafferty led some men to wander around nearby, waiting for Atlas Leopold to come out. But instead of the person, a phone call came through. From the tone of Atlas Leopold¡¯s voice, Rafferty knew something had gone wrong inside, and it was big trouble! Imagine that, an issue Young Master Leopold couldn¡¯t fix himself, could it be a small matter? In Five-river Province, who would dare to disrespect Atlas Leopold? Even among the Four Young Masters, Atlas Leopold ranked in the top two, far from what those spoiled children could compare with! ¡°Kid, you¡¯re done for!¡± When Rafferty saw his master¡¯s face covered in blood, he knew he had to go all out today! But before that, he had to take care of Elize Yarrow. Although this woman was nominally the wife of Atlas Leopold and he had shown her due respect before, now that Atlas Leopold had given the order, everything had changed. ¡°What are you going to do!¡± Seeing Rafferty approaching, Elize Yarrow subconsciously stepped back. Considering Julius Reed was still sitting, those young nobles didn¡¯t interfere. After all, Waterfront Pearl was already surrounded, even if they ran, where could they go? ¡°Since you¡¯ve become Young Master Leopold¡¯s woman, you should be a little aware!¡± After saying that, he slapped her across the face! ¡°Ah!¡± Elize Yarrow was a woman after all. She quickly tried to dodge back, but ended up bumping into Julius Reed. ¡°Don¡¯t hit a woman!¡± At that moment, Julius Reed¡¯s voice came from beside his ear. ¡°Great, I¡¯ll take care of you both!¡± Rafferty¡¯s hand was grasped by Julius Reed, but he wasn¡¯t worried at all. After all, he was the free-fighting runner-up. Even a dozen ordinary men were no match for him. Let alone this frail-looking young man. ¡°Hm?¡± But when he tried to break free, he felt as though his wrist was clamped by a vice, completely immovable! ¡°What¡¯s wrong, not talking tough anymore?¡± Julius Reed asked with a light chuckle. ¡°Kid, you¡­¡± Rafferty¡¯s face turned bright red, even beads of cold sweat appearing on his forehead. He thought he was facing a bronze player, but it turned out to be a King. ¡°Rafferty, what are you standing there for! Do something!¡± Atlas Leopold shouted loudly from the side. He was eager to see Julius Reed and Elize Yarrow kneeling and begging for mercy, but his number one warrior just stood there motionless. ¡°Young Master Leopold, I¡­¡± Rafferty swallowed back the words he was about to say. What could he say, that he couldn¡¯t move? Deciding to be resolute, his right leg swept out! If this kick landed on Julius Reed¡¯s arm, it would undoubtedly break the bone! But Julius Reed moved even faster. Almost in the blink of an eye, he released his arm and his palm chopped down smoothly! Crack! Rafferty let out a scream, kneeling on the ground in extreme agony. ¡°This¡­ Not just Atlas Leopold, nearly everyone was stunned. A palm strike breaking bones, what kind of monster was this! But the most shocked were the people from the Leopold Family! They knew all too well what skills Rafferty possessed. What they thought would be a one-sided situation turned out with Rafferty brought down the moment he stepped up! ¡°Young Master Leopold, your employee is too trashy!¡± The young noble who was stabbed in the arm with the pitchfork said irritably. He had thought Atlas Leopold would call for some formidable figure to help him out and, incidentally, let him save face. But now, things had turned on their head! ¡°It¡¯s not¡­ I¡­¡± Atlas Leopold didn¡¯t know how to start. The runner-up of kickboxing in Five-river Province, weak? To ordinary people, Rafferty could take on more than a dozen by himself without any trouble! ¡°You guys, go for it!¡± He steeled his heart and ordered his staff to rush forward. But those people hesitated and still didn¡¯t dare to take even half a step forward. Rafferty was strong in combat, and now that Rafferty had been beaten down, they didn¡¯t feel they could be any better than him. ¡°Are you all deaf! Go!¡± Atlas Leopold roared in anger, and only then did the employees move forward, timid and reluctant. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Just then, a deep voice sounded again from the entrance. Looking in the direction of the voice, they saw a Western bald man with sunglasses, his body muscular, walking towards them. Behind him, followed a bunch of goons, their numbers about the same as Atlas Leopold¡¯s. When he arrived at the table, his staff automatically parted into two rows, making way in the middle. After that, a middle-aged man dressed in a suit, walking at a leisurely pace, approached. ¡°Uncle Abbott?¡± Seeing who had come, Atlas Leopold was overjoyed. Because the newcomer was none other than the owner of the Moonlight Group, Miguel Abbott! Miguel Abbott was low-key, and although he didn¡¯t have as much prestige as the other bigwigs, his strength was by no means weaker than the rest. ¡°Young Master Leopold, what happened?¡± Miguel Abbott had just come back from a business deal and had thought to check on his own flagship hotel, only to stumble upon this scene at the entrance. As the hotel owner, he naturally wouldn¡¯t tolerate such incidents. ¡°Uncle Abbott, I was beaten up in your hotel! Not just me, a few other friends too!¡± Atlas Leopold sneered inwardly. Since it happened at the Moonlight Group, Miguel Abbott would surely take action! Then not only would he be able to vent his anger, but he could also add another powerful enemy to Julius Reed¡¯s list! ¡°Who did it!¡± Indeed, upon hearing Atlas Leopold¡¯s words, Miguel Abbott¡¯s face changed dramatically. At that moment, Elize Yarrow, frightened, retreated backward, blocking Julius Reed from view, so Miguel Abbott did not recognize him. ¡°Are you the owner here? My name is Haddon Michael, the son of Royston Michael from Leopold Province!¡± Haddon Michael, in pain, gritted his teeth, but still managed to lift his arm, pointing to his wound and saying, ¡°This¡­ it damn went right into my bones!¡± ¡°I know Royston Michael, one of the top ten richest in Leopold Province. Since this happened in my hotel, I will certainly take full responsibility!¡± Miguel Abbott turned and ordered the bald man, ¡°Allen, take him to get his wound treated!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The bald man nodded, helped Haddon Michael up, and headed towards the medical room of the Moonlight Group. A top hotel in Five-river Province would naturally provide such services. ¡°Who caused the trouble!¡± After seeing off Haddon Michael, he looked around with a serious expression on his face. ¡°It was this woman, and the man behind her!¡± Atlas Leopold said viciously, ¡°Not only did they injure me, but before that, they had humiliated your nephew Dalton Martin!¡± ¡°What!¡± On hearing the name Dalton Martin, Miguel Abbott visibly shuddered. Though Dalton Martin wasn¡¯t an Abbott, he was still Miguel¡¯s nephew. You had to look at the owner even if you were just beating a dog, let alone a person. ¡°Take them down!¡± With one command from him, the staff behind him immediately charged forward. Seeing so many people coming at her, Elize Yarrow had long lost all her drunkenness. Now, turning around, she asked in a panic, ¡°What do we do!¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to panic about!¡± Julius Reed pushed her aside and looked at Miguel Abbott, ¡°Hello, Boss Abbott. I didn¡¯t expect to see you again so soon..¡± Chapter 136 - Chapter 136: Chapter 135: Changing Clothes 1 Chapter 136: Chapter 135: Changing Clothes 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Is it you?¡± When Miguel Abbott saw Julius Reed, a smile instantly appeared on his face. But this smile was quickly concealed, replaced by an air of indifference. Since the other party had shown up at the Pearl on the Water, it meant that his supreme card had taken effect, and moreover, the other party had found it quite useful. Though extorted for tens of billions, to Miguel Abbott, that was chump change. Money lost can be earned back, but such opportunities do not come often. Being able to press several tycoons to the ground with one¡¯s power, how could he be an ordinary person? Observing the scene before him, his mind instantly understood what was going on. This gentleman must have been restless after getting off the plane and stepped on Atlas Leopold right away. And it occurred in his own hotel. Indeed, he was facing a dilemma, but it was also an opportunity. His prior intent to play both sides now seemed unfeasible. He was left with only two paths. Either stand with Atlas Leopold, thereby wasting all his previous efforts, with the tens of billions thrown away for nothing, Or if he sided with Julius Reed, it pretty much meant standing against all the tycoons, clearly declaring war with the other families! ¡°Not bad, thinking of coming over to Boss Abbott for a complimentary dinner, but it seems, this meal is not easy to enjoy!¡± Julius Reed sat with one leg crossed over the other, his face revealing an enigmatic smile. To Miguel Abbott, that smile was pregnant with meaning. ¡°How can you speak to the Chairman like that?¡± Bald Abbott, who had just sent Haddon Michael back, pointed at Julius Reed, his tone laced with indifference. Miguel Abbott, as the chairman of Moonlight Group and one of the top ten wealthiest individuals, Demanded respect from everyone, who had to greet him deferentially as Boss Abbott. But now this youngster, having struck Atlas Leopold, was also talking to his boss with such a tone. In Allen¡¯s mind, he had already resolved to deal with this young man. Slap! What he didn¡¯t expect was that the previously unflappable Miguel Abbott would slap him across the face, bellowing furiously, ¡°Get out of here!¡± ¡°Yes¡­ Boss!¡± Allen, clutching his face, hastily bent over and scurried away. Not just him, the other bodyguards were also filled with shock. Having followed Miguel Abbott for so long, they had never seen the boss lose his temper before. And Allen, as the head of the bodyguards, was treated like a brother by Miguel Abbott on a usual basis. Now, everyone had one question in mind: who exactly was this young man? ¡°Uncle Miguel, you know him?¡± Atlas Leopold also sensed that something was off. Miguel Abbott was a man who valued his pride, and even in talks with him, one had to be polite, addressing him as Uncle Miguel. ¡°I know him!¡± Miguel Abbott didn¡¯t hesitate, striding over to Julius Reed, and said apologetically, ¡°Brother Reed, I¡¯ve failed to take good care of you today. How about this, I¡¯ll host a banquet at the top floor to offer my apologies, how does that sound?¡± As soon as he spoke, Elize Yarrow¡¯s mouth hung open in shock. She was very clear on who Miguel Abbott was, and she had thought she was in trouble, but now Boss Abbott was voluntarily inviting them to dinner? But what she hadn¡¯t expected even more was that Julius Reed, without a hint of politeness, simply nodded and stood up! ¡°Dress sexily tonight, accompany me well!¡± As he passed by Elize Yarrow, Julius Reed spoke audibly for everyone to hear. And he casually threw a card to one of Miguel Abbott¡¯s bodyguards, ¡°Go, buy two sets of uniforms and come back.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for you to spend money on such matters!¡± Miguel Abbott immediately returned the card and ordered, ¡°Handle this right away!¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Upon the boss¡¯s command, the bodyguard immediately turned and trotted away from the Pearl of the Waters. Only then did Miguel Abbott take a careful look at Elize Yarrow. He always felt she looked familiar, and now his gaze toward Julius Reed was also somewhat strange. It seems that men all have a taste for it! But what he didn¡¯t know was that Julius Reed had no interest in Elize Yarrow at all; he merely wanted to humiliate Atlas Leopold. By tomorrow, it would become common knowledge that Atlas Leopold¡¯s fianc¨¦e spent the night with another man, engaging in all sorts of antics. For a man as prideful as the Four Great Gentlemen, it would be worse than death. ¡°Uncle Miguel! ¡± Sure enough, upon hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, Atlas Leopold¡¯s face became as dark as water. ¡°This man has hit me and my brothers! Even my employees and bodyguards were injured by him!¡± Standing up, Atlas Leopold looked coldly at Miguel Abbott, ¡°Now, he wants to take my fianc¨¦e upstairs, and you¡¯re just going to watch? The Leopold Family will never allow such a thing to happen, no matter what!¡± For the wealthy families, reputation is everything! Moreover, Atlas Leopold¡¯s words were quite euphemistic, not seeming like a threat to Miguel Abbott, yet conveying the underlying message. Today¡¯s matter was no longer a small dispute, but involved the interests between several major families! ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Nephew Atlas.¡± With a faint smile, Miguel Abbott took Julius Reed by the arm and walked toward the upstairs. A simple apology made his stance clear. ¡°Damn it!¡± Atlas Leopold knelt on the ground, his nails digging deeply into his flesh. He had never been humiliated like this in his life before. And it was done right in front of so many people, stepping on him ruthlessly! ¡°Young master, what should we do?¡± The employees asked. ¡°All useless! Get out of my sight!¡± Atlas Leopold roared and pulled out his cellphone from his jacket. After hesitating for a moment, he violently threw the phone away, deciding not to call his father. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± The employees quickly helped the young master up and left the Pearl of the Waters posthaste. Once in the car, Atlas Leopold took another cellphone from under the passenger seat. This cellphone had only one contact, whom he really didn¡¯t want to call unless absolutely necessary. ¡°At the Pearl of the Waters, I don¡¯t want him to live until tomorrow.¡± After uttering this sentence, he hung up the phone. ¡°Julius Reed, you had a way to heaven but you didn¡¯t take it, and now you¡¯re barging into hell with no gate!¡± Meanwhile, at the top-floor restaurant of the Pearl of the Waters, Julius Reed was leisurely enjoying the night view of Five-river Province. The scenery from the thirty-third floor wasn¡¯t bad at all when looking down from such a height. ¡°The apology you gave just now has already put you squarely against the Leopold Family!¡± Julius Reed, with his back toward Miguel Abbott, spoke nonchalantly, ¡°As a result, it¡¯s very likely all my enemies will choose to go against you. Boss Abbott, that doesn¡¯t seem like a wise decision.¡± With Atlas Leopold leaving like that, he definitely wouldn¡¯t just let it go! And it wasn¡¯t just Atlas Leopold losing face but the entire Leopold Family being shamed! Given Miguel Abbott¡¯s attitude, the two families were now complete enemies! ¡°Would Mr. Reed just stand by if I were in trouble? I¡¯m a businessman who loves to take risks! If I fail, I¡¯ll just start over. But what if I succeed?¡± With a faint smile, Miguel Abbott sat at the table, ¡°It might save me twenty years of struggle!¡± Chapter 137 - Chapter 137: Chapter 136 Misunderstanding_l Chapter 137: Chapter 136 Misunderstanding_l Translator: 549690339 As they talked, Elize Yarrow actually walked in wearing a Playboy bunny outfit, her face flushed with embarrassment. Before this, she had also struggled a lot internally. But then she thought that marrying Atlas Leopold would be worse than just being with the man before her. For one, it would disgust both Atlas Leopold and her own family, and for another, she had started to like Julius Reed a bit. The way Julius Reed had hit someone just now had made her think he was incredibly domineering! Seeing her dressed like that, everyone in the room was taken aback. ¡°Who told you to dress like that?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow, pointing at Elize Yarrow. ¡°Wasn¡¯t it you?¡± Elize Yarrow blinked her eyes. Men really are not good creatures, forgetting so quickly what they just said? ¡°I just said it offhand, you didn¡¯t have to take it seriously!¡± Julius Reed sat down and dismissively told her, ¡°Go back, your family must be worried about you.¡± He had not intended to do anything to Elize Yarrow in the first place; he simply wanted to cuckold Atlas Leopold. Now that his purpose had been achieved, Elize Yarrow naturally lost her value to him. ¡°Heh, men!¡± After seeing this unfold, Elize Yarrow, out of spite, sat down at the table. ¡°I didn¡¯t eat well earlier, and now I¡¯m hungry!¡± Having said that, regardless of what others thought, she picked up her chopsticks and started picking up food. Because Miguel Abbott was the host, all the dishes on the table were prepared by the top chefs of the Pearl on the Water. Not only were the flavors delicious, but the ingredients were also top-notch! ¡°Delicious! ¡± Perhaps she really was a bit hungry, for Elize Yarrow got more and more into her eating. ¡°This¡­¡± Miguel Abbott was at a loss, now uncertain about what Julius Reed¡¯s attitude toward this woman truly was. He had spoken earlier about changing into a uniform, but now he¡¯s not interested? ¡°Mr. Reed, otherwise shall I call a few girls for you?¡± He asked tentatively. ¡°Call girls for what? Do you think there aren¡¯t enough people eating already?¡± Julius Reed also picked up his chopsticks, wanting to taste the flavor of this feast. Whether it was the texture or the flavor, the dishes on the table were clearly different from those below. When he had eaten downstairs earlier, although it was good, it was far from comparable to this. ¡°Since Mr. Reed isn¡¯t interested, I won¡¯t trouble you any further!¡± Miguel Abbott was getting more and more bewildered! What does a man like? Not greedy for wealth or lust, what does he like? In his past dealings with others, he always catered to their tastes! For men, a couple of women, some paintings, and some cash, these could usually get things done. But now, apart from the huge sum of money he had proactively offered, he had yet to discover any of Julius Reed¡¯s interests. ¡°Elize Yarrow, when do you plan on leaving? Julius Reed faced Elize Yarrow, who was busy putting food into her own bowl, and asked aloud. He was now somewhat regretful; although he had annoyed Atlas Leo] successfully humiliated this prominent son of the provincial city, why he do with Elize Yarrow? He himself was not afraid of the Leopold family¡¯s revenge. After all, there were many who wanted to kill him, and one more enemy didn¡¯t make much difference. But Elize Yarrow and her family, the Yarrows, might suffer the consequences. From what he knew of Atlas Leopold, having been cuckolded out of the blue, he would surely torment Elize Yarrow to the point of wishing she had never been born. The Yarrow family had no ability to contend with the Leopolds, and it was quite possible that the entire clan would be at stake. In Five-river Province, the Leopold family definitely had that kind of power. ¡°I¡¯ll go back once I¡¯ve eaten enough!¡± Elize Yarrow said vaguely. This naive girl was inexperienced and hadn¡¯t thought things through, only focusing on a momentary release and not at all considering the consequences. ¡°Having offended Atlas Leopold, have you thought about what you¡¯ll do in the future? Julius Reed put down his chopsticks and looked at her solemnly. ¡°After something like this, can Atlas Leopold still marry me? Isn¡¯t this great? I¡¯m free; I don¡¯t have to marry him now!¡± As she talked about it, Elize Yarrow¡¯s face lit up with a smile, as if she were about to escape a monster¡¯s clutches. ¡°You don¡¯t really think that just because of this, Atlas Leopold will not marry you, do you?¡± Julius Reed sighed, this girl was just too naive. ¡°Atlas Leopold will definitely marry you, and he will intensify his retribution! Do you think with his personality, he would let you off easily? If your fiance slept with another woman, and everyone knew about it, what would you do?¡± Upon hearing this question, Elize Yarrow hesitated, then said aloud, ¡°I would castrate him! Make his life worse than death!¡± ¡°There you have it!¡± Julius Reed clapped his hands and leaned back in his chair, ¡°Atlas Leopold is one of the Four Young Masters, famous throughout Five-river Province. Now that his fiancee has been involved with another man, considering his way of doing things, you might have to live a life that¡¯s a living hell!¡± ¡°What should I do then!¡± Only now did Elize Yarrow realize how serious the situation was. At this moment, the girl had lost all appetite, sitting in the chair and staring into space. ¡°It¡¯s over! I¡¯m dead! I¡¯m dead! It¡¯s all your fault, what am I supposed to do!¡± Elize Yarrow sat in the chair, unable to hold back her tears anymore. In the end, she was just a little girl. Barely twenty years old, how could she have thought so far ahead? Thump! Thump! Thump! Just then, there was a knock at the door of the private room. ¡°Who is it!¡± Miguel Abbott couldn¡¯t help but frown. He and his guest were dining on the top floor, and no one had ever dared to disturb them! That was the rule unless something very important happened! ¡°Boss, Mr. Leopold and Mr. Yarrow are outside waiting for you, they say they have important matters to discuss.¡± Allen¡¯s voice came from outside the door. One didn¡¯t need to guess that it was Atlas Leopold¡¯s father and Elize Yarrow¡¯s father who had come. Now that the matter had escalated to this D0int, it must have alreadv spread throughout Five-river Province. The Leopold Family and the Yarrow Family, being major clans, would have known about the rumors earlier than others. ¡°Brother Reed, what do you think we should do?¡± Miguel Abbott hesitated, but decided to ask for Julius Reed¡¯s opinion. ¡°Just say I¡¯m not here with Elize, and tell them to come back another day!¡± Julius Reed said indifferently. ¡°Alright! We¡¯ll do as you say!¡± Miguel Abbott nodded, since they had already fallen out with the Leopold Family, one more offence didn¡¯t matter. After speaking, he stood up, walked to the door of the private room, and gently pulled it open. ¡°Ah! Brother Yarrow, Brother Leopold, what brings you here!¡± He looked at the two men at the door with a smile. ¡°Abbott Brother, to be honest, is my daughter here?¡± Grant Yarrow asked in a soft voice. While speaking, he kept looking into the room, trying to get a glimpse of what was happening inside. Next to him, the father of Atlas Leopold, had an even darker expression, not uttering a word for a long time. ¡°How could that be! Why would your daughter be here with me? Brother Yarrow, you¡¯ve got the wrong place! Young Master Leopold was here just now, maybe he took his fiancee home with him.¡± Miguel Abbott explained cheerfully. Yet this statement, heard by the ears of the Leopold Family, was a naked insult. Just at that moment, inside the private room, Julius Reed suddenly pulled off Elize Yarrow¡¯s clothes in one swift move. This angle was directly in sight of the people outside, and they could see everything clearly. ¡®You¡­¡± Elize Yarrow blinked, a little at a loss for what to do. Julius Reed was also stunned, he softly reminded, ¡°Scream!¡± As long as Elize Yarrow showed resistance, the Leopold Family would definitely pour their anger out on him. Believing he forced Elize Yarrow. The Yarrow Family might escape a disaster. But Elize Yarrow clearly misunderstood the intention. ¡°Be gentle! I¡¯ve been yours for a while now!¡± She shouted loudly.. Chapter 138 - Chapter 138: Chapter 137: Fell into Our Hands (Part 1) Chapter 138: Chapter 137: Fell into Our Hands (Part 1) Translator: 549690339 Hearing Elize Yarrow¡¯s cry, Julius Reed was dumbstruck. He had asked Elize Yarrow to shout something similar to ¡°indecent assault¡± so that people outside would think he was forcing her. But now the tables had turned. Far from whitewashing Elize Yarrow, he had only smeared her reputation further. Now, not only the Leopold family but also the Yarrow family probably wanted to kill him! ¡°What, weren¡¯t you the one who asked me to shout?¡± Elize Yarrow blinked, thinking she hadn¡¯t performed well enough. After a moment of silence, she reached out her hand and hooked it under Julius Reed¡¯s chin, ¡°My lord, do you like it?¡± Standing at the door, Grant Yarrow felt a tightness in his chest and nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood. And right beside him, Isidore Leopold¡¯s face was dark with anger, wishing he could kill someone on the spot! ¡°Mr. Yarrow! You really raised a fine daughter!¡± Leaving these words behind, Isidore Leopold scoffed and turned to leave. The Leopold family was a prominent clan, and such a scandal could not be allowed to escalate; it had to be dealt with internally. If it weren¡¯t for the need to obtain that item from the Yarrow family, Isidore Leopold would¡¯ve long used every means necessary to crush the Yarrow family and relieve the hatred in his heart. ¡°Brother Leopold, I failed in teaching my daughter! Please listen to my explanation, listen to me¡­¡± Grant Yarrow¡¯s expression was one of panic, as he no longer knew what to do. After everyone had left, Miguel Abbott returned to the room and said to Julius Reed, ¡°Knowing Isidore Leopold as I do, you¡¯re likely in big trouble.¡± Being top figures of the Five-river Province themselves, they understood each other¡¯s character quite well. If someone like Isidore Leopold blew up or cursed on the spot, it was quite possible that the matter would end there. But if he kept silent, the issue was definitely going to blow up. ¡°What a mess!¡± Julius Reed looked at Elize Yarrow and couldn¡¯t help but shake his head and sigh. He had originally wanted to disassociate himself from this woman, but now, instead, they were both caught in the same predicament. If Julius Reed did not look after Elize Yarrow now, it was very likely that the next day, she would fall into the hands of Atlas Leopold, and then she would truly not be able to live nor die. ¡°Who are you calling a nuisance?¡± Elize Yarrow obviously didn¡¯t realize the seriousness of the situation, and although she was a bit scared inside, she naively thought it was just a punishment within the family. Like being grounded, not being allowed to leave her room. But with the Leopold family¡¯s current state of embarrassed fury, how could Elize Yarrow expect a good outcome? ¡°Fine! I wasn¡¯t talking about you!¡± Looking at the naive young girl in front of him, Julius Reed was both frustrated and amused. He had only wanted to antagonize Atlas Leopold at the time, but little did he know that he¡¯d end up with a huge problem on his hands. ¡°Tch! How was my acting just now? If this were a movie, I might have won an Oscar statuette!¡± Elize Yarrow hadn¡¯t realized the predicament she was in and was still joking carelessly. ¡°Don¡¯t even mention an Oscar statuette, let alone a small copper one; you wouldn¡¯t be able to win one! Even if you really won one, it¡¯d be plastic!¡± Julius Reed replied irritably. He had lived for so many years, considering himself to be unperturbed by the waves of life, but today he still found himself provoked. ¡°Tch! How was my acting just now? If this were a movie, I might have Oscar statuette!¡± Elize Yarrow straightened her clothes, utterly self-absorbed. ¡°Sorry! I¡¯m already married! And my wife is more beautiful than you, and a better person overall! You could say she totally eclipses you in every respect!¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t bother with Elize Yarrow, his thoughts instead drifting to Quella Radcliffe. This was their first day apart, and he still couldn¡¯t quite let go of his concerns. Even though Cosmo sent him a message every half hour, Julius Reed still felt a bit worried. ¡°Stop bragging! Someone like you still dares to look down on me! I bet you¡¯re still a single dog!¡± Elize Yarrow recovered her unruly temperament and started her heedless mockery of Julius Reed once again. In her view, although Julius Reed had some abilities, she knew every somewhat famous scion in Five-river Province; obviously, Julius Reed wasn¡¯t one of them. Such a guy, although not bad, to say that he had found a wife way better than himself was simply unrealistic. Among women, Elize Yarrow was considered exceptionally beautiful. Moreover, because she was born into a well-off family, she dressed up in a way even more charming than other women. From primary school to university graduation, almost every year, there would be people fighting over her with jealousy, ending up with battered faces and bloody heads. For such an excellent girl to be belittled to nothing was naturally upsetting. ¡°Ding! ¡± Just then, Julius Reed¡¯s WeChat suddenly rang with an incoming message. ¡°It¡¯s a video call from Quella Radcliffe.¡± Seeing the caller¡¯s ID, a smile appeared on his face. Indeed, it was a telepathic connection; he was just thinking about it, and there the video call came. ¡°Hello!¡± Upon answering the call, Quella Radcliffe, with a facial mask on, greeted Julius Reed. ¡°Doing okay?¡± Seeing Quella Radcliffe safe and sound brought a happy smile to Julius Reed¡¯s face. For some reason, Quella Radcliffe held a very important place in his heart. In fact, he hadn¡¯t met a second one like her in his life. ¡°Where are you? Looking at the location behind Julius Reed, Quella Radcliffe asked, ¡°It¡¯s so late, go rest! I have Cosmo sticking close by, and those four are guarding the door, nothing will happen.¡± After speaking, she turned the video around to show Cosmo lying next to her. Cosmo was asleep at that moment, but the moment the camera focused on her, Cosmo¡¯s eyes suddenly opened! ¡°Master! I¡¯m angry! You went to Five-river Province alone, not even thinking of taking me along!¡± ¡°Alright, alright! Once I¡¯m done here, I¡¯ll take you along next time!¡± Seeing that Cosmo could sleep next to Quella Radcliffe, Julius Reed felt an inexplicable envy. He had been married for over three years, and it seemed he hadn¡¯t received such treatment. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, you go ahead and get busy!¡± Quella Radcliffe peeled off the facial mask, revealing her delicate face beneath. ¡°Oh my god!¡± Elize Yarrow, who had been sneaking peeks, couldn¡¯t help but exclaim. The two women on the screen, no matter which one, were indescribably beautiful. She thought she was quite pretty, but compared to the women in the video, she still fell short. ¡°Who¡¯s that!¡± The sharp Cosmo immediately asked upon hearing the sound! ¡°Yo! Who are these two ladies, dear? You¡¯re so naughty!¡± Elize Yarrow sneered and leaned against Julius Reed. She thought, let¡¯s see how you explain this after belittling me! Expecting the two women in the camera would be instantly surprised, Quella Radcliffe and Cosmo just glanced and casually asked, ¡°Where did this lunatic come from?¡± ¡°You!¡± Elize Yarrow almost passed out from anger. ¡°This is a mess I¡¯ve gotten into! To humiliate Atlas Leopold, I borrowed his fianc¨¦e for a bit! But who knew it¡¯d backfire on me, so annoying!¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t hesitate to chat with Quella Radcliffe, completely disregarding Elize Yarrow at his side. ¡°Hey! Who are you calling?¡± Elize Yarrow, dressed as a bunny girl, burst out in rage, pointing at Julius Reed and saying, ¡°Keep badmouthing me, see if I don¡¯t get serious with you!¡± Chapter 139 - Chapter 139: Chapter 138 Red Widow_l Chapter 139: Chapter 138 Red Widow_l Translator: 549690339 After walking out of the Water Pearl, Julius Reed sat alone by the roadside. Elize Yarrow didn¡¯t follow him out but stayed under the protection of Miguel Abbott. He had to face the Leopold Family¡¯s frenzied retaliation and the approaching Shadow Warriors. Having Elize Yarrow by his side would only be a burden. Tap! Tap! Tap! At that moment, the sound of high heels clicked along the somewhat desolate street. Because it was deep into the night and quieter, that sound was particularly grating. Julius Reed looked up and saw a woman in red. The woman wore a red dress and carried a handbag, walking with a seductive charm. ¡°Handsome, is this the Water Pearl?¡± The woman stopped beside Julius Reed, but he didn¡¯t answer her, instead turning back to gaze upon the deserted street. The name Water Pearl spanned several dozen square meters. Even someone with severe shortsightedness could see the sparkling sign at that moment. Asking for directions for something so simple, there had to be an issue. ¡°Handsome, wny CIO you nave to De like tmsg I¡¯m just asking tor directions, no need to act all aloof!¡± The woman¡¯s tone carried a hint of resentment, clearly dissatisfied with Julius Reed¡¯s silence. But silence was still his only reply. ¡°Sigh.¡± The woman sighed and sat down next to Julius Reed. ¡°Handsome, would you like to hear a story?¡± She turned her head, holding a trace of desolation in her voice. It even sounded like something one couldn¡¯t refuse. Julius Reed still didn¡¯t respond, maintaining his silence. ¡°I was stolen away as a child and taken to an uninhabited place.¡± Assuming Julius Reed had tacitly agreed, the woman began her soft-spoken tale: ¡°There, many girls like me grew up and trained together, living happily.¡± ¡°But one day, the instructor responsible for our training told us, out of hundreds, only one would survive and leave.¡± ¡°Those who were once like sisters drew their weapons, slashing and killing their former companions in a frenzy, until in the end¡­¡± At this point, her tone filled with sorrow, she looked at Julius Reed: ¡°Until in the end, I was the only one standing amidst the bodies, shaking with fear¡­¡± Silence fell over the street once again. ¡°Red Widow, you shouldn¡¯t have come.¡± Julius Reed spoke for the first time. As usual, he didn¡¯t even turn his head to look at the woman beside him. At his words, the woman visibly started. Her previously relaxed body tensed up: ¡°How do you know I¡¯m the Red Widow?¡± Before killing her target, she would habitually recount her own tragic story, then proceed to eliminate the target! That way, no one who Imew her secret would remain alive. ¡°You lied! In that cruel slaughter, three survived, and you were not among them.¡± Julius Reed looked towards the pitch-black woods and said slowly: ¡°The last young man who broke into the base killed all the instructors who trained you, granting you freedom. Among countless corpses, he rescued you.¡± ¡°Who are you!¡± The Red Widow, previously at ease, suddenly stood up, pulling a gun from her handbag. ¡°Why do you Imow all this!¡± She was gravely injured in that massacre. But a youth stormed the base alone, killing the instructors and discovering her, barely alive, among the heap of dead. Since then, the Red Widow had lived under an alias, taking up the trade of killing. Aside from the three surviving girls at the time, no one knew! Having one¡¯s secret exposed felt like a sharp knife piercing her heart! ¡°Who I am, surely you aren¡¯t unclear about that?¡± Even with the gun pointed at him, Julius Reed remained sitting on the ground just as before, gazing towards the woods: ¡°That young man once enabled you to live on joyfully, yet clearly you are not joyful. Go, I don¡¯t want to kill you.¡± In saying this, Julius Reed was still remarkably calm. Even from his tone, one could detect not a single ripple. ¡°Who the hell are you!¡± Red Widow, holding a dagger, bellowed furiously. The entire street echoed back her voice. Her secret was no longer a secret! ¡°Let¡¯s go! I¡¯m telling you one last time, be kind!¡± Julius Reed sighed deeply, never once looking at Red Widow throughout. When she heard the words ¡°be kind,¡± it struck her like lightning. That was exactly what the boy had said to her when he sent her away years ago! Bang! Just then, a dark flying dart shot out of the woods! Almost instantly, Julius Reed instinctively leaped up from the ground and rolled behind a streetlamp! The dart struck the ground, sparking in the pitch-black night. Bang! At the same time, the hesitant Red Widow threw her dagger! Although it was only a dagger, her exquisite dart throwing technique silenced the woods completely. ¡°Give me an explanation!¡± She turned to look at Julius Reed. She had come to Five-river Province because the Leopold Family had commissioned her to kill a young man! Because of a referral from an acquaintance, Red Widow didn¡¯t hesitate at all. She had come here, ready to kill! But the conversation today had sent her back to ten years ago in an instant. ¡°I really don¡¯t want to kill a person I once saved with my own hands,¡± he said. For the first time, Julius Reed raised his head to look directly at Red Widow, a smile emerging at the corner of his mouth. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± The Red Widow, who had weathered many storms, was so shocked she couldn¡¯t speak at this moment. The boy she had been searching for so long was right in front of her! ¡°Be careful!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as he rapidly threw a coin from his hand! Clang! A flash of cold light deviated briefly after hitting the coin. Seizing the moment, Red Widow arched her body backwards, narrowly avoiding the attack. ¡°I¡¯ll go kill him first!¡± After a glance at the woods, Red Widow¡¯s expression turned icy cold! She sprinted, and after several groans from the woods, silence returned. But everyone knew there were still people inside! As Red Widow entered the woods, a flurry of combat noises erupted from within! Before long, she walked out at a leisurely pace. Her blood-red clothes were stained with a few drops of blood, and she was dragging a man along. ¡°Who sent you!¡± Red Widow brought the man before Julius Reed and demanded. ¡°Bang!¡± When the man didn¡¯t answer, Red Widow kicked him in the knee! ¡°Ah! I¡¯ll talk! It was Atlas Leopold, Young Master Leopold!¡± Unable to bear the intense pain, the man confessed, ¡°He told me to take out a man named Julius Reed! And he said, if you¡¯re not up to it, you can take him down too!¡± ¡°Very well! ¡± Bang! After hearing this, Red Widow elbowed the man in the head. ¡°I¡¯ll go settle scores with Atlas Leopold right now! But our business isn¡¯t over yet!¡± She glanced at Julius Reed standing under the streetlamp, then vanished on the spot. ¡°I will come back for you..¡± Chapter 140 - Chapter 140: Chapter 139 Willson Building_l Chapter 140: Chapter 139 Willson Building_l Translator: 549690339 Julius Reed had not expected that after waiting half a day, he would encounter someone he knew. The Red Widow was highly skilled. While she couldn¡¯t kill Atlas Leopold, she could at least serve as a warning to the Leopold Family. Looking at the bright moon above, he shook his head and disappeared into the streets. By tonight, news of his presence in Five-river Province would spread throughout Gonzalez City. The Shadow Warriors in the city would immediately rush back. At the same time, the Shadow Warriors in Five-river Province would start to make meticulous arrangements. Half an hour later, he appeared in a villa on the outskirts. ¡°Young Master!¡± The guards bowed their heads upon seeing Julius Reed. After passing through nearly a hundred bodyguards, he entered the first floor of the villa. At that moment, an old man was sitting inside. It was none other than Truman Ridge, the very grandfather of the previously injured Finnian Ridge. ¡°Young Master!¡± Upon seeing Julius Reed, Truman Ridge bowed deeply, his body trembling uncontrollably. ¡°Your grandson is not fit to inherit the Ridge Family. If you do not have a suitable candidate, it¡¯s better to return to your former life.¡± Julius Reed sat on the sofa, crossed his legs, and casually picked up a newspaper from the coffee table. ¡°Understood ! ¡± Relieved by these words, Truman Ridge finally breathed a sigh of relief. Since Julius Reed mentioned Finnian Ridge was not suitable to inherit the family, it meant the Ridge Family¡¯s existence was still tacitly acknowledged. A grandson can be born again. But the vast family business had cost the Ridge Family countless people¡¯s hard work and effort. To be able to keep this enterprise, Truman Ridge was already very content. ¡°I hear that the Leopold Family is planning something recently, does the Young Master imply¡­¡± He asked quietly. If Julius Reed nodded, he could use all means necessary to beat the Leopold Family into submission. ¡°Your information network is still quite efficient,¡± Julius Reed said with a light chuckle, shaking his head, ¡°You need not interfere with this matter. My visit to Five-river Province is to establish a company, a corporation powerful enough to make everyone in Five-river Province submit, to build a true commercial aircraft carrier!¡± He was going to protect Quella Radcliffe and establish his own public business empire. At least with this empire as support, many things would be easier to handle. ¡°I will follow all of the Young Master¡¯s commands!¡± Truman Ridge dared not pry into Julius Reed¡¯s affairs. All he needed to do was to take care of the tasks dictated by the Young Master. ¡°Starting tomorrow, start planning a corporation. The name will be¡­¡± Julius Reed rubbed his head, somewhat unsure of what name to choose. This was to be a corporation with special significance, and he did not want to be hasty about it. ¡°You go ahead and start planning, for now, I haven¡¯t thought of a good name.¡± ¡°Rest assured, Young Master, just outline the specifics, and in just a week, I can have it built for you!¡± Truman Ridge nodded, taking a contract out from behind him. ¡°The contract for the landmark building in the most prosperous area of Five-river Province is right here. The Willson Building!¡± ¡°The Willson Building?¡± Julius Reed took the contract, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. Indeed, it was a landmark building in Five-river Province. Even from a great distance, that building was visible. The entire building, like an unsheathed sword, pointed straight to the heavens! ¡°I didn¡¯t expect it to be in your hands.¡± The reason he had kept Truman Ridge around was that he trusted his ability to handle matters. Aside from the issue with Finnian Ridge, Truman Ridge was an extremely perfect candidate. After this incident, the Ridge family would surely be much more restrained. ¡°I knew the Young Master would eventually emerge, so many years ago, I bought this Willson Building, to hold for you!¡± Truman Ridge wiped the sweat from his forehead. It seemed that, for today, he had safely navigated the ordeal. Ever since the incident involving Finnian Ridge, he had been walking on thin ice and seemed to have aged a great deal overnight. Now having been forgiven by Julius Reed, he felt the weight on his shoulders disappear instantly. ¡°Hurry and get things done, I¡¯ll have one last good sleep here! Starting from tomorrow, Five-river Province might not be so peaceful.¡± After Julius Reed said this, he strode upstairs to the villa, closed the door, and went to bed. The next morning, Truman Ridge had already left the villa. But before he left, he arranged for someone to prepare breakfast. ¡°Saint, did you sleep well?¡± After receiving the report from his staff, he called Julius Reed who was downstairs. ¡°These bodyguards of yours might not stand up to much, but they still have some combat prowess. Last night, there were three assassination attempts, the latest of which got to the villa entrance, but your men pushed them back. Truman Ridge, I do admire your ability.¡± Even while sleeping, Julius Reed remained extremely vigilant. Last night, a total of three groups had tracked them to the villa; two of which didn¡¯t last long before they were killed by gunfire. The last group was clearly a team of Shadow Warriors. They were well-trained, reaching the villa entrance through tight coordination. But in the end, they were repelled by the combat personnel inside the villa and were all killed on the villa¡¯s outskirts. ¡°That¡¯s what I should do! Saint, I¡¯ve already notified the major groups to create momentum for our company¡¯s establishment!¡± Truman Ridge¡¯s voice came through from the other end. Clearly, he had been busy with this matter and was personally handling it. ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll skip breakfast, I should be heading out! Otherwise, those folks will have no chance to assassinate me.¡± After saying this, Julius Reed hung up the phone and strode out of the villa. Although the scene had been cleaned up, signs of the battle were still present. At the villa¡¯s entrance, the shrubs still bore traces of dried blood. After walking out of the villa, Julius Reed didn¡¯t take a car, but instead walked leisurely down the street, hands clasped behind his back. This villa was located in the suburbs, where few people passed by. But still, there were people jogging on the street early in the morning. Only, the pace of this jogger¡­ Julius Reed squinted his eyes, watching the elderly man running towards him. The running stride of the ordinary folks and that of special forces were entirely different matters. That professionally trained step was immediately recognizable. Beside the old man was also a Teddy dog. The Teddy dog, upon seeing Julius Reed, came running over frantically. ¡°Tintin, come back!¡± The old man saw his dog running off and quickly called out to it. But the Teddy dog didn¡¯t listen at all and ran straight towards Julius Reed. ¡°Young man, my dog doesn¡¯t bite, don¡¯t be afraid!¡± The old man shouted loudly, quickening his pace. But a strong intuition told Julius Reed that something was definitely wrong! He just ran a few steps quickly, heading towards the Teddy dog, and with a kick, sent the dog flying into the air! Boom! The kick was powerful, and the Teddy dog exploded with a loud noise less than five meters into the air! Clearly, someone had planted a bomb within the dog! Julius Reed rolled with the momentum, avoiding the rain of poison from the explosion! And the old man who was running a moment ago, now had a dart appear in his hand. Bang! Bang! Bang! His previously benevolent expression changed, revealing a murderous look in his eyes! ¡°As expected, no good deed comes from a visitor with ill intentions!¡± Julius Reed stamped his foot and suddenly disappeared behind a large tree. But the old man didn¡¯t give up, instead, he changed his angle and continued to shoot! Eventually. After several darts were fired, he walked towards the tree with a frown. ¡°Hey! Looking for me?¡± Just then, a voice rang out from behind the old man. ¡®You!¡± Click! Before the old man could react, Julius Reed snapped his forearm! Chapter 141 - Chapter 141: Chapter 140: She Slept_1 Chapter 141: Chapter 140: She Slept_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Speak! Who sent you?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s foot was planted on the man¡¯s back as he asked coldly. He had just broken the old man¡¯s two arms. Now, his opponent had no ability to resist at all. ¡°Hah! I didn¡¯t expect you to be so formidable! It seems I really underestimated you!¡± The old man let out a long sigh, yet a smile crept across his lips. ¡°Have you ever heard of a ¡®dead soldier¡¯?¡± He turned his head and stared straight at Julius Reed. ¡°Before coming here, I never intended on leaving alive!¡± Seeing this, Julius Reed¡¯s eyebrows tightened! He retreated hastily several steps, instantly hiding behind a tree! Boom! The moment he dodged, the poison pack on the old man¡¯s body immediately exploded! ¡°Trying to play tough with me!¡± Julius Reed dusted off his clothes, his anger slowly rising. It was a good thing he¡¯d recovered his memory. Otherwise, anyone else would have had no chance to escape under the double poison pack. After walking down the path for a while, he hailed a taxi and headed straight for the Water Pearl. Elize Yarrow was still with Octavius, and he had to see for himself to be at ease. He had thought that leaving Quella Radcliffe in Gonzalez City would save him a lot of trouble. But now it seemed that trouble couldn¡¯t be avoided at all. Because you simply don¡¯t know where the next trouble will come from. Upon arriving at the Water Pearl, he went straight to the top floor. Since it was early morning, the restaurant was virtually empty. The only people bustling around in the hotel were a bunch of waitstaff. The moment Julius Reed entered the elevator, a waiter on the first floor whispered into a headset to report. The action was very stealthy, but it still didn¡¯t escape Julius Reed¡¯s ears. Ever since his memory returned, his bodily functions had been enhanced. ¡°Mr. Reed!¡± When the elevator door opened, he was greeted by Octavius. Upon receiving the news, the boss had immediately come to the top floor. Now that he had chosen his side, he had to be thorough. ¡°Your waiter downstairs is troublesome.¡± After saying this, Julius Reed turned and pushed open the doors to the private room. ¡°I understand!¡± Upon hearing this, Octavius¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Allen ! ¡± ¡°Here!¡± The Western man walked over with long strides. ¡°Search the rooms of all the staff immediately, and if you find anything suspicious, take them down right away!¡± Octavius took a deep breath. He hadn¡¯t noticed a problem with a waiter in his own restaurant. ¡°Understood ! ¡± Allen nodded and went downstairs with several bodyguards. In the private room, Julius Reed didn¡¯t know whether to laugh or cry. Elize Yarrow had no idea how much she had drunk the night before; she was still completely reeking of alcohol. After getting drunk, she had laid down on the plush carpet and fallen into a deep sleep. ¡°The life of the rich is really something! ¡± Seeing this, Julius Reed couldn¡¯t help but sigh. When he stayed at Quella¡¯s place, he often slept on the floor too. That was normal for a son-in-law living at the bride¡¯s home. After all, having a place to sleep was considered a blessing, and he was content not to be thrown out. Back then, the floor was icy cold. Looking at the private room now, the plush carpet was far superior to many people¡¯s beds. But as comfortable as it was, it was still something to be stepped on. ¡°Hey, wake up!¡± Julius Reed crouched down, continuously patting Elize Yarrow¡¯s cheek. Even with such distance, he could still smell the alcohol emanating from Elize Yarrow. How much did she drink last night? Gazing at the countless bottles on the table, Julius Reed shook his head. For someone so young, it was indeed tough on her. ¡°Mr. Reed, last night she was all by herself, laughing and then crying, waking up just to sigh, and falling asleep after drinking,¡± Miguel Abbott explained from nearby. Since Julius Reed had entrusted Elize Yarrow to him, it was his responsibility to take care of her. Fortunately, the girl had only drunk alcohol and hadn¡¯t done anything else. ¡°Ding-ding-ling!¡± Just then, Elize Yarrow¡¯s phone suddenly rang. The caller ID showed Simeon Kensington. Watching Elize Yarrow show no sign of reacting, Julius Reed shook his head and answered the call. ¡°Elize! I heard you were out all night with that man, dressed in a bunny girl costume. Is that true or not?! It¡¯s all over Five-river Province now, saying that you¡¯ve put a big, big green hat on Atlas Leopold!¡± As soon as the call connected, Simeon Kensington could not wait to ask. The two were very close friends, so there was no restraint in their speech. ¡°It¡¯s surprising, really! You¡¯ve never had a serious boyfriend before, you haven¡¯t even held hands with someone of the opposite sex, and yet you¡¯ve done something so bold! I didn¡¯t believe it when someone told me, but after a lot of friends said the same, I realized it was true!¡± Before getting a response from the other end, Simeon Kensington asked again, ¡°What did your family say? With such a scandal, I¡¯m worried that your father will beat you to death!¡± ¡°She¡¯s asleep,¡± Julius Reed said this and then, disregarding Simeon Kensington, who was still not following, hung up the phone. ¡°Damn! Elize Yarrow, you¡¯re ruthless!¡± On the other end of the line, Simeon Kensington, who was stunned, looked at the phone and a weird expression emerged on his face. It seemed everything was true. Suddenly, Simeon Kensington felt some sympathy for Atlas Leopold. Being one of the Four Young Masters, to be cuckolded like that! ¡°Boss, we¡¯ve found them! There were three in total!¡± After the door to the private room was pushed open, Allen led the bodyguards and brought in three waiters tied up. ¡°This is what we found!¡± He threw a plastic bag onto the table. Inside were listening devices, pagers, and several cell phones designed for seniors. ¡°I checked the call logs, they¡¯ve only been in contact with one person, and there are also some text messages!¡± Allen took out one of the senior cell phones from the plastic bag and showed the text messages to Miguel Abbott. The texts were simple, just some basic numbers. But, given the recent circumstances, Miguel Abbott immediately inferred that it was Julius Reed¡¯s travel schedule. Even Miguel Abbott¡¯s own travel records had all been meticulously logged. ¡°Who made you do it!¡± He threw the cell phone in front of the three waiters and asked coldly as he squatted down. ¡°Boss, I really don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± One waiter looked at his two companions before speaking. Seeing the look from their colleague, the other two also shook their heads, protesting their innocence. ¡°Boss, we have no idea why these things are here,¡± ¡°Truthfully! We¡¯re just honest workers, we have no clue what you¡¯re asking about!¡± These people were adamant that they were not involved, which made it difficult for Miguel Abbott. ¡°Let me do it.¡± Julius Reed, who had been watching the whole time, walked over to the head waiter and asked, ¡°Young man, would you like to confess truthfully?¡± ¡°Sorry, I really don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± The waiter looked up briefly and then lowered his head again, avoiding Julius¡¯s gaze. ¡°Tough mouth you¡¯ve got there!¡± Julius Reed laughed as he stood up and, without warning, stomped on the waiter¡¯s toes! ¡°Ahh!¡± The pain shot through his body as the waiter¡¯s foot was almost completely shattered. He cried out in agony, his body starting to shake. ¡°Too late, you can shut up now!¡± Julius Reed did not accept his plea but instead stepped down again, crippling the waiter¡¯s other foot. ¡°Please, just kill me quickly!¡± The waiter screamed miserably. Chapter 142 - Chapter 142: Chapter 141 Northern-bay Park_1 Chapter 142: Chapter 141 Northern-bay Park_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Now it¡¯s your turn!¡± After all that, Julius Reed straightened his clothes and looked at another waiter. Having seen his companion meet such a tragic fate, the waiter was already scared out of his wits. ¡°It was Master Pendleton! Master Pendleton told us to do it! And it wasn¡¯t my own will, he, he gave me a hundred thousand yuan, and promised to take care of my food and clothing in the future!¡± He pointed at his companion, his voice trembling with sobs, ¡°I really knew nothing, please, let me go! ¡± Miguel Abbott was very famous in Five-river Province. Outsiders only knew him as a wealthy man of Five-river Province, but they didn¡¯t know how ruthless he could be! As the saying goes, if you¡¯re not ruthless, you won¡¯t stand firm! The waiter at the Waterfront Pearl, one of Miguel Abbott¡¯s earliest businesses, knew all too well how terrifying their boss could be! Making them disappear from this world was as easy for Miguel Abbott as smoking a cigarette. ¡°Cook, betraying me and Master Pendleton won¡¯t end well for you!¡± The waiter who had been injured by Julius Reed howled in pain and kept threatening his colleague. ¡°Too noisy!¡± Julius Reed glanced at Miguel Abbott. ¡°Allen, shut him up!¡± Miguel Abbott naturally understood what he meant. He signalled with his eyes, and the bald muscle man beside him immediately stepped forward, his foot crushing down on the waiter¡¯s jaw! Crack! As soon as the sound of breaking bones was heard, the waiter spat out fresh blood and could barely utter a word. ¡°Alright, now it¡¯s quiet, so talk!¡± Julius Reed dragged over a chair, sat down, and habitually propped up one leg over the other. ¡°It was Cesar Pendleton, Master Pendleton! He told me to monitor your every move, but as for the reason, I really have no idea!¡± The waiter kept sobbing, incessantly begging for mercy. ¡°Cesar Pendleton?¡± Upon hearing this name, Miguel Abbott furrowed his brow and said, ¡°Brother Reed, did you offend him too?¡± Cesar Pendleton was a tough character in Five-river Province. He was unreasonable in his dealings, and even though he had since become wealthy, he still carried an air of the criminal underworld. They say it¡¯s better to offend a gentleman than a villain. Cesar Pendleton could be considered the worst of villains, and even Miguel Abbott kept a respectful distance from this gang leader. Now that Cesar Pendleton was actually bribing his own staff, this gave him a bit of a headache. ¡°Last time in Gonzalez City, he harassed my wife and I hung him up and beat him.¡± Julius Reed lifted his eyelids slightly and chuckled lightly, ¡°Seems like this guy doesn¡¯t know when to quit!¡± ¡°So, what do you suggest¡­¡± Miguel Abbott was somewhat regretful, but once he had boarded this ship, he had to follow the path to the bitter end. If he had known earlier that Brother Reed had offended so many people, he really would¡¯ve considered it carefully. This was a huge gamble! ¡°Tell Cesar Pendleton that I¡¯ll be at Northern-bay Park in half an hour.¡± Julius Reed pondered for a moment and instructed the waiter. ¡°This¡­ The waiter¡¯s eyes darted around, and he quickly said, ¡°Please rest assured, I won¡¯t reveal a word! Even if I get caught, I won¡¯t admit anything!¡± He thought the other party was testing him, so he eagerly showed his loyalty. The fate of his companion was vivid in his mind, and he didn¡¯t want to make the same mistake. Money can be easily earned, but not if there¡¯s no life to spend it! ¡°If you don¡¯t do as I say, I¡¯ll immediately break both your legs!¡± Julius Reed pointed at the waiter¡¯s legs, his tone very forceful. ¡°Really?¡± The waiter hesitated but still asked. ¡°Go for it!¡± Miguel Abbott shouted. ¡°No¡­ I¡¯ll do it, I¡¯ll do it!¡± The waiter immediately panicked, putting his hands together in prayer, ¡°I¡¯ll obey, I¡¯ll cooperate!¡± Allen, standing nearby, took a cell phone out of a plastic bag and handed it to the waiter. ¡°I¡¯ll make the call right now.¡± After taking the mobile phone, the waiter dialed a number, his hands, too, could not help but tremble. ¡°Hello!¡± On the other end of the line, a husky voice came through. ¡°Master Pendleton, that young guy is heading to Northern-bay Park. Based on the driving time, it¡¯ll take half an hour.¡± The waiter glanced at Julius Reed before speaking with a quivering voice. ¡°Good! What¡¯s with your voice?¡± A question came from the other end of the phone. ¡°I took the chance while the supervisor wasn¡¯t paying attention and ran up the stairs to the room.¡± The waiter answered swiftly. And indeed, his rapid breathing was very similar to that after an intense workout. ¡°What about Viking Ridge!¡± Cesar Pendleton asked again. ¡°To give me a chance, Viking Ridge is discussing something with the supervisor.¡± Sweat cascaded from the waiter¡¯s forehead, clearly indicating intense nervousness. If questions kept coming, he might indeed give himself away. Just as Cesar Pendleton was about to ask another question, Julius Reed lightly tappea on tne taD1e, ¡°wnat are you aomg tnere! Are you slacK1ngC¡± This action startled everyone, including the waiter on the call, who subconsciously covered the mobile phone. ¡°Beep beep¡­¡± The call was abruptly disconnected on the other end. ¡°That settles it!¡± Julius Reed said with a smile on his face, ¡°Could I borrow some manpower?¡± He turned towards Miguel Abbott and gently twisted his neck. ¡°How many people do you need?¡± Five minutes later. A Mercedes -Benz slowly departed from the underground parking lot of the Pearl on the Water and headed straight to Northern-bay Park. ¡°Boss, the target has left. I saw him get into the car with my own eyes. His destination is Northern-bay Park.¡± A man in black stood behind a tree, speaking into the walkie-talkie. ¡°Copy that!¡± Half a minute later, a convoy drove by on the road, heading in the same direction as Northern-bay Park. Northern-bay Park was at the southernmost tip of Five-river Province, actually already outside of the city limits. But people nowadays liked it this way. The more remote from the city center, the more popular the place. In the era of industrial culture, everyone had surplus funds, and their concerns went beyond just food and warmth but also a healthy lifestyle. Everyone says that the city center has poor air quality, and developers just happened to cater to this sentiment by building a park near Northern-bay and a vast number of residences. In just half a year, ten residential buildings sold out, and the prices even far exceeded those in the city center. Even though there were no subways or buses there, people still flocked. ¡°Mr. Reed, can you tell me why you chose this place?¡± In the Mercedes Benz, Miguel Abbott turned to look at Julius Reed in the back seat. He hadn¡¯t expected the other party to choose such a location. But since it was morning, the place was not too crowded yet, only a few elderly people were exercising here. ¡°Because I suddenly thought of this. Boss Abbott, you work late nights all year round, which has weakened you. If I¡¯m not mistaken, you have cirrhosis of the liver, and it¡¯s quite severe.¡± Julius Reed looked ahead, his comment casual. Yet, to Miguel Abbott¡¯s ears, those words made him tense. Liver cirrhosis had troubled him for many years. But with such a large business empire, how could he be at ease if he was not in control? As his health continued to deteriorate, even with money, he couldn¡¯t find a cure. ¡°Mr. Reed is truly knowledgeable! Indeed, I¡¯ve been afflicted with this disease for a long time, but it¡¯s incurable, and all my wealth can¡¯t treat it!¡± Miguel Abbott shook his head, a bitter smile appearing on his lips. ¡°It¡¯s a small matter. I¡¯ll give you some pills later, and within seven days, you¡¯ll be cured!¡± Julius Reed looked out the window, uttering this phrase as if it were a commonplace matter.. Chapter 143 - Chapter 143: Chapter 142 Mantis Stalks the Cicada_1 Chapter 143: Chapter 142 Mantis Stalks the Cicada_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Mr. Reed also knows medicine?¡± Upon hearing this statement, Miguel Abbott¡¯s heart stirred with turmoil. Over the years he had made a considerable amount of money, but the cost was the sacrifice of his own health. When he was younger, it didn¡¯t seem to matter much, but as he got older, he increasingly felt his energy waning. Especially these illnesses, which began to slowly catch up with him. He had already visited all the major hospitals and consulted various experts, but they all shook their heads and could only prescribe some palliative medication. In recent years, his condition had become even more serious, and Miguel Abbott had woken up in pain from his dreams countless times. Now that he had heard Julius Reed¡¯s words, his heart could no longer remain calm. ¡°It¡¯s a small matter. After all, I¡¯ve taken tens of billions from you, so this is not a problem.¡± Julius Reed closed his eyes and began to rest. The mention of these tens of billions actually made Miguel Abbott feel somewhat embarrassed. Although they had only been acquainted for a few days, he knew that Julius Reed was definitely not a man to break his promises. If he said it could be done, it certainly could. The thought of regaining his health made Miguel Abbott feel that even a hundred billion would be worth it! And Julius Reed indeed had not deceived him. After living for tens of thousands of years, what kind of complications had he not seen, and what problem had he not resolved? His life was a living history! Soon, the car drove up to Northern-bay Park. ¡°Mr. Reed, we¡¯ve arrived!¡± Allen called out from the front. He now parked the car at the north entrance of the park and asked for the next step. ¡°Continue driving in. Pick a spot where there¡¯s nobody.¡± Julius Reed opened his eyes and saw through the rearview mirror the several business cars following him. ¡°Understood!¡± Allen nodded and began to slowly drive the Mercedes into the park. Because Northern-bay Park was under construction, a large part of the area was a construction site. The West Garden area had few visitors as it was undergoing construction for a musical fountain. Allen drove at about five miles per hour inside the park, slowly approaching the West Garden area. As Northern-bay Park was built around the Northern-bay, it was extremely vast. And since it was under construction, nobody came here. ¡°Let¡¯s stop here. Have your men arrived?¡± Julius Reed opened the car door and looked at Miguel Abbott in the passenger seat. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, they¡¯re all elites and are ready,¡± Miguel Abbott nodded but didn¡¯t get out of the car. This was Julius Reed¡¯s arrangement; to use himself as bait to lure those people. As expected. When the business car entered the West Garden area, it didn¡¯t try to hide anymore. Several Buick GL8s came from different directions and surrounded the Mercedes. Following that, ten men in black got out of the Buick cars. ¡°Buddy, if you know what¡¯s good for you, don¡¯t move!¡± The men in black, holding steel pipes, quickly surrounded Julius Reed in the middle. ¡°Who are you guys?¡± Julius Reed deliberately asked, playing along with these men. ¡°Heh, you¡¯ll find out soon enough. If you¡¯re looking for someone to blame, blame it on yourself for messing with the wrong person!¡± The man in black didn¡¯t pay attention to the Mercedes but threatened with a sneer. ¡°That¡¯s really strange! I have a bad temper, you know, and stopping me here for no reason might just piss me off!¡± Julius Reed spread his hands, somewhat helpless. The situation was now clear; the other party wasn¡¯t making a move because they were waiting for Cesar Pendleton to arrive. Since that was the case, he might as well go along with the plan and wait for Cesar Pendleton to show up. Before long, a Bentley sped toward them, and behind the Bentley followed more than a dozen Audi cars. ¡°Little brother, long time no see!¡± The Bentley pulled to a stop beside Julius Reed, and then Cesar Pendleton got out of the back seat. Black-clad men also got off from the Audi cars one after another! And judging by the look of it, these men were definitely good fighters, some were even Sanda coaches. ¡°So it¡¯s you! Was it not satisfying for me to beat you last time in Gonzalez City?¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands in his pockets, smiling at Cesar Pendleton. Now that the main man had appeared, it was Miguel Abbott¡¯s turn to perform. ¡°You dare bring that up!¡± Cesar Pendleton spat viciously, his tone malevolent, ¡°Back then, you beat the shit out of me! Young man, do you know there¡¯s a price to pay when you mess around?¡± After saying that, an employee immediately passed him a cigarette and lit it for him. ¡°I stumbled back then; today, I¡¯m going to return it all to you!¡± After taking a deep drag of his cigarette, Cesar Pendleton pointed at Julius Reed, ¡°Kneel before me now and lick my leather shoes, or I¡¯ll immediately cripple one of your legs!¡± Having been humiliated so terribly before, he decided to start by claiming some interest. These past few days, Cesar Pendleton had been dreaming about revenge. In his dreams, he saw Julius Reed, like a dog, incessantly licking his leather shoes on his knees. ¡°Hurry up!¡¯ Seeing that Julius Reed hadn¡¯t moved, several employees urged impatiently. ¡°I¡¯ve given you the opportunity, but please cherish it!¡± A smirk flashed across Cesar Pendleton¡¯s lips. Just thinking about the revenge excited him! In his early years, Cesar Pendleton had never been wronged. Now, having become a big boss, he had stumbled in a small place. And afterwards, when he went to seek an explanation from the Three Blade Group, he was still given the cold shoulder! He held all this resentment in his heart and was prepared to vent it all on Julius Reed. ¡°And if I don¡¯t?¡± Julius Reed looked at Cesar Pendleton with a smile, his eyes not showing a trace of fear. ¡°Then I¡¯ll let my brothers help you!¡± Cesar Pendleton grinned, and his men immediately moved forward. ¡°You prefer punishment over respect? Once my brothers get involved, you¡¯ll lose this treatment!¡± Several employees threatened. They all understood Cesar Pendleton¡¯s intent well, making Julius Reed lick the shoes voluntarily was the ultimate joy. If they had to force him, the thrill would be greatly diminished. ¡°And if I don¡¯t?¡± Julius Reed looked at Cesar Pendleton with a smile, his eyes not showing a trace of fear. ¡°Then I¡¯ll let my brothers help you!¡± Cesar Pendleton grinned, and his men immediately moved forward. ¡°You prefer punishment over respect? Once my brothers get involved, you¡¯ll lose this treatment!¡± Several employees threatened. They all understood Cesar Pendleton¡¯s intent well, making Julius Reed lick the shoes voluntarily was the ultimate joy. If they had to force him, the thrill would be greatly diminished. ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t have that hobby! Didn¡¯t expect Mr. Pendleton here to be into it, but fine, I¡¯ll satisfy you in a moment!¡± Julius Reed looked down at his own pair of sports shoes and raised an eyebrow, ¡°However, sadly, these are sports shoes. I trust Mr. Pendleton isn¡¯t picky, right?¡± ¡°Fuck! Still so tough when facing death! Hold him down and do it!¡± But just then, an employee who was about to attack pointed behind Cesar Pendleton, his voice trembling. ¡°Why the fuck are you paying attention to that!? Attack, catch him!¡± Cesar Pendleton roared. However, the other employees also stopped, staring straight behind them. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Cesar Pendleton frowned, and as he turned around, his eyes immediately widened in shock! Chapter 144 - Chapter 144: Chapter 143 Humiliation_l Chapter 144: Chapter 143 Humiliation_l Translator: 549690339 Under the broad daylight, people suddenly surged forward! It seemed these newcomers bore ill intent! Half a minute later, these few hundred had encircled them. Strangely, these people didn¡¯t speak nor take action, just stood there watching. ¡°Who¡¯s your boss!¡± An employee of Cesar Pendleton stepped forward and asked. He stripped off his shirt, revealing muscles covered in tattoos. In Five-river Province, Cesar Pendleton had a big reputation. Now, seeing his men surrounded, his employee immediately came forward to issue a challenge. But those in black remained utterly silent, as if they were mute. ¡°Fuck! Are you all goddamn mutes, or deaf? I¡¯m talking to you!¡± The employee pointed at those in black: ¡°I¡¯ll say it again, call out your boss!¡± Pendleton¡¯s men being cornered? That¡¯s a joke, right? Who dares not give Master Pendleton face throughout the entire Five-river Province? Even those big shots with prominent names on the wealth list were nonetheless courteous to Cesar Pendleton. But! Not everyone acknowledged his authority! Smack! The previously silent black-clothed person suddenly struck! Directly slapping the man to the ground. ¡°Motherfucker! You dare hit me!¡± Completely unprepared, the man fell hard, his head bleeding and steel knife clattering to the ground. ¡°If you want to die, you can try!¡± The black-clothed person finally spoke. ¡°Today I¡¯ll fucking kill you!¡± Accustomed to parading mightily following Cesar Pendleton, when had he ever been subjected to such humiliation? With knife in hand, he immediately sought to settle the score with that black-clothed man! Swish! In an instant, all the black-clothed people drew their knives! In the sunlight, the blade edges reflected a chilling gleam, sending a shiver down the man¡¯s spine. ¡°Do you know who this guy is?¡± Sucking in a cold breath, he started to invoke the name of Cesar Pendleton. ¡°I do.¡± The black-clothed man nodded: ¡°The notorious Cesar Pendleton, Master Pendleton. Who doesn¡¯t recognize him in Five-river Province?¡± ¡°You motherfucker know Master Pendleton, yet you still dare to hit me?¡± The small-time thug heard the black-clothed man acknowledge Cesar Pendleton and immediately felt empowered. Just a case of the tail wagging the dog, that¡¯s all it was. ¡°I¡¯m hitting you, not Master Pendleton!¡± The black-clothed person lightly smiled, tapping the man¡¯s face twice with the back of the knife: ¡°What are you worth? A dog under Master Pendleton¡¯s hand? Sorry, I don¡¯t watch the owner when I beat a dog!¡± ¡°You motherf¡ª¡± Before he could finish, he was kicked in the chest by the black-clothed person! ¡°Watch your mouth!¡± The black-clothed man gave him a cold glance, silencing him immediately. ¡°Kid, you dare hit a dog of mine, Cesar Pendleton?¡± Seeing his employee bullied, Cesar Pendleton was furious. ¡°Since you recognize me, you should know the consequences of angering me!¡± A man¡¯s renntation casts a long shadow- Cesar Pendleton in Five-river Province represented calamity. Angering him meant a certainty of misfortune. ¡°Sorry, he really deserved a beating.¡± The black-clothed person lightly smiled, his eyes devoid of any fear. ¡°Who the hell are you! Stop playing dumb tricks on me!¡± Cesar Pendleton frowned deeply, signaling his subordinates to call for reinforcements. ¡°Boss!¡± The black-clothed person turned and deeply bowed towards the silhouette of Julius Reed. ¡°This¡­¡± Seeing this scene, not just Cesar Pendleton, but even the employees behind him were stunned. All these people were Julius Reed¡¯s employees? Just what kind of person was this? ¡°He told me to lick his boots, this is getting interesting!¡± Julius Reed turned around, smiling at Cesar Pendleton. ¡°Surely, the great Pendleton isn¡¯t into that sort of thing?¡± ¡°Cut the crap! Who on earth are you!¡± Cesar Pendleton simply didn¡¯t believe the man in black¡¯s words. Julius Reed¡¯s background had been thoroughly investigated by him¨Cthe man was nothing more than a useless son-in-law! To suffer such humiliation within the Radcliffe Family, could he actually be a big shot? Stop joking; who would have the ability to become a live-in son-in-law? ¡°I told you, and you didn¡¯t believe,¡± Julius Reed shook his head; what he wanted Cesar Pendleton to know, Pendleton would know. If he didn¡¯t want him to know, Pendleton couldn¡¯t find out anything! Apart from the abundant respect Bridger Davenport showed him, Cesar Pendleton had no clue about any other news. All the intelligence he had was exactly what Julius Reed wanted him to see. ¡°Order him to kneel on the ground and lick his own shoes.¡± Julius Reed said with a faint smile, and the men in black immediately surrounded them. ¡°What are you doing!¡± ¡°Stop!¡± ¡°Do you no longer wish to live?¡± Seeing the other side make a move, Cesar Pendleton¡¯s employees immediately rushed forward. In their wildest dreams, they couldn¡¯t have imagined that someone would dare attack Cesar Pendleton in Five-river Province! And the moment they took action, it was a big move! If word got out that Cesar Pendleton was forced to lick shoes, how could he have any face left to mix in Five-river Province? Encountering acquaintances might just embarrass him to death! ¡°Move away! Whoever obstructs, kill without mercy!¡± The men in black drew their steel knives, pointed forward and ordered, ¡°Attack! Those who obstruct will die!¡± ¡°Attack! ¡± With a high shout, carrying an aura of grim resolution! ¡°Don¡¯t mess around!¡± Cesar Pendleton¡¯s employees inhaled sharply, their scalps tingling. ¡°Kill! The men in black took a unified step forward! The immense pressure made everyone struggle to breathe, as if there were a mountain crashing down on their heads! ¡°I surrender!¡± Clang! A steel knife dropped to the ground as a gang member crouched down, holding his head. ¡°I surrender too!¡± Clang! The sound of knives being dropped began to rise in succession, and more and more employees chose to squat on the ground. Thirty against three hundred; there was no chance of victory! As the saying goes, a wise man submits to the times. Preserving their lives was the priority. In the end, only three loyal individuals remained standing in front of Cesar Pendleton. The other employees had already thrown away their weapons, giving up resistance. ¡°Get out of the way!¡± Watching the still steadfast trio, the man in black gave the final warning! ¡°Impossible! As long as we¡¯re alive, no one can step forward!¡± Their bodies tense, the hands holding the knives couldn¡¯t help trembling. They too were afraid, but without Cesar Pendleton, they had no place in Five-river Province! So these men had no choice but to stubbornly hold their ground till the end! ¡°Seeking death! ¡± The eyes of the man in black narrowed as the steel knife in his hand sliced through the air! Clang! The two knives collided, numbing the hands of the employee standing before Cesar Pendleton! Taking advantage of this lapse, the man in black fiercely kicked out, knocking the employee to the ground! ¡°Pugh!¡± As blood spurted out, the employee of Cesar Pendleton tried to rise but found that his bones felt as if they were broken. ¡°You two, come at me together!¡± The man in black said indifferently. Cling! A steel knife fell to the ground. The two individuals didn¡¯t even dare to look at Cesar Pendleton as they crouched down and held their heads. Who would march to their death!? Everyone wasn¡¯t foolish. The situation was clearly disadvantageous; they were due for a beating only! ¡°Kneel down, lick the shoes!¡± The man in black extended the steel knife, commanding Cesar Pendleton.. Chapter 145 - Chapter 145: Chapter 144 Blocking the Door_l Chapter 145: Chapter 144 Blocking the Door_l Translator: 549690339 ¡°Kneel!¡± When that voice rang out, Cesar Pendleton¡¯s body trembled. When had he ever been humiliated like this? ¡°Fuck off! ¡± He picked up the steel knife from the ground, ready to wield it forward! But in the next moment, the man in black had the blade pressed against his throat. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, you can try and see if I dare to kill you.¡± The air instantly froze. The gangsters all looked up, curious to see how their boss would handle this. With a notorious reputation, would Cesar Pendleton really be trampled underfoot today? ¡°Tell me, who exactly are you!¡± He took a deep breath, his voice shaking slightly. Before today, Cesar Pendleton couldn¡¯t believe that anyone would dare to point a knife at him and order him to kneel. If someone really said that, he would have laughed it off, thinking that person was a lunatic, and then casually order his men to break the lunatic¡¯s legs. But now, he was starting to believe it. Because someone in Five-river Province really dared to point a knife at him. ¡°Tell me, who are you!¡± He roared again. In his tone, there was resentment, anger, and helplessness. More than that, a hint of desolation. ¡°Boss!¡± The man in black turned, looking at Julius Reed. ¡°Make a move, Big Cesar doesn¡¯t remember well, make it a memorable lesson for him.¡± Julius Reed turned away, not even looking here. ¡°No offense!¡± The man in black frowned slightly and pressed down directly on Cesar Pendleton¡¯s head! Thump! A big player of Five-river Province was actually forced to kneel on the ground by him! ¡°You¡­¡± Cesar Pendleton¡¯s eyes were bloodshot. He tried to struggle to his feet but found an immense force on his head, rendering him completely immobile. ¡°Lick the shoe!¡± The man in black said coldly. ¡°Heh! There¡¯s a limit to how far you can push people!¡± As he spoke, Cesar Pendleton pulled a dart from his waist, aiming it directly at the man in black! ¡°No matter how fast you are, can you outspeed my dart!¡± The whole scene was so sudden that everyone was caught off guard. Including the man in black, nobody expected Cesar Pendleton to pull such a move! Desperation flashed in the eyes of the man in black. At such a close distance, there was no way he could dodge in time! After killing the man in black, his dart would target Julius Reed, ending his life. ¡°Swoosh!¡± In the nick of time, a playing card shot out, striking right into Cesar Pendleton¡¯s hand! ¡°Agh!¡± Accompanied by a scream, Cesar Pendleton¡¯s thumb was severed! That bloodied thumb, together with the dart, fell to the ground. The man in black, recovering, kicked it away and then harshly struck Cesar Pendleton¡¯s back with the back of his knife! ¡°You filthy creature! Dare to threaten me!¡± He held Cesar Pendleton¡¯s head and smashed his face hard against the shoe. Cesar Pendleton was still in shock. How did it drop? How on earth did his finger get cut off? But the next moment, he only felt a warmth on his head, as blood began to flow out. ¡°Cesar Pendleton, why must you oppose me.¡± Julius Reed shook his head and said, ¡°the first time you harassed my wife, you were lucky to survive, but now, you¡¯re actually courting death!¡± ¡°Who are you, damn it! This can¡¯t be happening! Everything is impossible!¡± Cesar Pendleton roared in frenzy! Everything that happened today had overturned his understanding of the world! Being a provincial boss himself, he was kneeling on the ground licking shoes, while the gun had been inexplicably knocked out of his hands. ¡°I won¡¯t accept this!¡± Before he could finish shouting, the man in black crouched down and again pressed his head against the leather shoe. ¡°Beat him up and strip him naked, throw him at the park entrance!¡± Julius Reed took one last look at Cesar Pendleton and got into the Mercedes. ¡°Mr. Reed, you¡¯re letting him off easy like that?¡± Miguel Abbott felt it wasn¡¯t satisfying enough. On any other day, they were both high-class bosses, but now he sat inside the car, watching the once haughty Cesar Pendleton kneel and beg for mercy from outside the window. It was the ultimate irony. Miguel Abbott even thought to himself, what if at the beginning, he had not made this wise decision but had chosen to go head-to-head with Julius Reed? Would he have become the current Cesar Pendleton? The answer was obvious. ¡°Sometimes, being alive is more painful than being dead.¡± Julius Reed closed his eyes and said,¡±Let¡¯s head back and deal with the Yarrow Family¡¯s trouble.¡± ¡°Yes, returning.¡± Miguel Abbott nodded and gestured to the driver to turn back the way they came. Ten minutes later, the two reappeared at the Crystal Water Mansion. Before they could enter the building, they saw Simeon Kensington anxiously looking around at the entrance. By his side, there were several young men and women, none of them very old. Not too far away, there was a Ferrari parked, obviously one of the young boy¡¯s rides. Because he was afraid others wouldn¡¯t notice it, he deliberately let the Ferrari keys stick out. Youth often crave vanity. ¡°Hey! It¡¯s you!¡± Upon seeing Julius Reed, Simeon Kensington ran over quickly. ¡°You bastard, such a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing! I¡¯m telling you, Elize hasn¡¯t even had a boyfriend, and you¡­ you¡­!¡± At that, she stomped her foot, angrily saying, ¡°You actually slept with her!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s previous comment that he had slept with her immediately set Simeon Kensington off! After inquiring around and through the people at the hotel last night, she learned that this pervert had made Elize wear a bunny girl costume. And he took her to a private room where they didn¡¯t come out the whole night! Now, Elize hadn¡¯t woken up yet, and she was worried about her best friend¡¯s safety, so she brought people chasing after him. ¡°No! You¡¯ve misunderstood! ¡± Julius Reed gave a light smile. He hadn¡¯t touched Elize; despite her throwing herself at him, he had not accepted. ¡°Scumbag! Have the guts to do it but not to own it!¡± Simeon Kensington frowned, instantly losing all her good feelings for Julius Reed. ¡°Bro, you can¡¯t not take responsibility!¡± Just then, the Ferrari owner came over and snorted coldly,¡±Slept with someone and now you want to shirk the responsibility?¡± He had always liked Elize Yarrow, but to no avail! Although his family was rich, the Yarrow Family wasn¡¯t short of money either! It wasn¡¯t until the Leopold Family sent a marriage proposal that he gave up on pursuing her! But that didn¡¯t mean he stopped liking Elize Yarrow! Hearing that the two might have been intimate, he was furious enough to commit murder. ¡°Even if I did sleep with her, what¡¯s it to you?¡± Julius Reed disliked people who meddled in other¡¯s affairs, especially those who were self-righteous. The most off-putting thing about people was their lack of self-awareness. ¡°Who the hell do you think you are?¡± ¡°Heh! You dare talk to me like that!¡± The young man sneered and reached out to grab Julius Reed¡¯s collar. But he grabbed nothing but air. ¡°Scram!¡± Julius Reed caught his arm with one hand and forcefully pinned him to the ground. ¡°Don¡¯t let me see you again! Otherwise, I¡¯ll beat you up every time I do!¡± He stepped over the man and strode toward the Crystal Water Mansion. ¡°You dare mess with me, you¡¯re seeking death!¡± The young man pulled out his phone and dialed a number. ¡°Brother, I got beaten up at the Crystal Water Mansion, come and back me up!¡± After getting a response, he tucked the phone back into his pocket, looking at the retreating figure of Julius Reed with a sneer continuing on his face,¡±You dog, you¡¯re done for!¡± Chapter 146 - Chapter 146: Chapter 145 Fickle Woman 1 Chapter 146: Chapter 145 Fickle Woman 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Awake?¡± Julius Reed sat in the chair, asking casually. In the penthouse suite, Elize Yarrow curled up on the floor, her eyes somewhat red. ¡°You tell me! Did you or did you not¡­¡± She broke down and started crying before she could finish. ¡°Hey! Why are you crying? You make it seem like I¡¯ve bullied you. Keep crying, and I¡¯m really leaving.¡± Julius couldn¡¯t stand to see a woman cry. Can¡¯t we talk this out nicely? Must you wail and sob? Once you cry, you can¡¯t even speak clearly. It really affects the efficiency of communication. ¡°You¡­ you jerk! How can I face anyone after you made me dress like this?¡± Looking at herself in the bunny girl costume, Elize Yarrow cried even harder. ¡°Can you not act this way? You¡¯re making it seem as if I¡¯ve defiled you.¡± Julius couldn¡¯t help furrowing his brow. What is this all about? Creating trouble for oneself! It¡¯s already troublesome enough being in Five-river Province. Who knows how many pairs of eyes are watching in secret, and now there¡¯s an additional burden. Women, indeed, are all trouble. Except Quella Radcliffe. ¡°You! You really are a scumbag! Fine! I¡¯ll just treat it like a dog bite; who hasn¡¯t encountered a jerk before!¡± Elize Yarrow held back, but in the end, she couldn¡¯t resist and burst into tears with a loud ¡°Waah.¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t want to take responsibility, then why did you touch me!¡± She felt too wronged; she had never even been in a relationship, and now it had all become such a blur¡­ Thinking about it made her cry even more fiercely. The more he listened, the more Julius felt something was off! What¡¯s going on here? He didn¡¯t do anything, but actually saved her from Atlas Leopold¡¯s employee, and now suddenly he¡¯s the bad guy? ¡°Clarify your words! ¡± His face was full of black lines. ¡°Oh my gosh! I¡¯m dressed up as a bunny girl, and you¡­¡± At this point, Elize Yarrow seemed to remember something. She scratched her head, as her memory started to come back. After Julius left last night, she got drunk to the point of near death. When people drink too much, they tend to be forgetful. Only now did she realize¡­ She was the one who put on the bunny girl costume, and not only did Julius not harass her, he even saved her. ¡°You! I¡¯m dressed like this, and you don¡¯t have a single thought?¡± The wav women think. men can never fathom. Elize Yarrow considered herself quite good-looking, and on top of that, she was dressed so seductively. Any other man probably would have taken advantage of the situation given her drunken state. ¡°Are you the one who¡¯s sick?¡± She scanned him from head to toe, a bold idea forming in her mind. ¡°You¡¯re the sick one! Hurry up and go back! I don¡¯t have time to dawdle with you now!¡± Julius grabbed her hand, pulled Elize Yarrow from the suite, and into the elevator, pushing the button for the ground floor. ¡°Hey! Why are you so rough!¡± Elize Yarrow was somewhat displeased. It was her first time being treated so rudely by anyone. ¡°If I don¡¯t get you out of here soon, I¡¯m scared I¡¯ll be stuck with you!¡± Julius was truly annoyed to no end. Ding! As the sound rang, the elevator reached the ground floor. ¡°Your friends are waiting at the door to pick you up. Once you get back, stay put, I¡¯ll deal with the Yarrow and Leopold families! Don¡¯t cause me any more trouble!¡± He gave Elize Yarrow one last warning and pushed her straight out of the Water Pearl Building. ¡°Elize!¡± The companions who had been waiting at the entrance for a long time were stunned to see Elize Yarrow emerge. Broad daylight! What a wild night they must have had! Elize Yarrow, in her bunny girl outfit, had even rolled on the ground drunk, looking disheveled as if someone had manhandled her. They had known Elize Yarrow for many years but had never seen her party this hard before. Slap! The keys fell from the hands of the Ferrari owner, who completely broke down. The goddess he¡¯d been longing for had been defiled in a hotel, and in such a way! He couldn¡¯t accept it! He really couldn¡¯t accept it! He had pursued Elize Yarrow for so many years, but he hadn¡¯t anticipated an ending like this. ¡°Elize, are you okay?¡± Suppressing the intense pain in his heart, he managed to force a slight smile. ¡°I¡¯m doing great!¡± Elize Yarrow found him particularly disagreeable, naturally not showing him any kindness. ¡°Elize, why are you dressed like that!¡± Simeon Kensington¡¯s face turned crimson; she was traditionally conservative and couldn¡¯t accept such things. ¡°Oh, forget it! You really don¡¯t know how to enjoy life!¡± Elize Yarrow cast a particularly resentful glance towards Julius Reed. This utterly enraged the Ferrari owner! He roared at Julius Reed¡¯s retreating figure, ¡°Stop right there!¡± But Julius Reed didn¡¯t bother with him, and without turning his head, walked away. ¡°Stop! Can¡¯t you hear me talking to you?¡± He hurried to catch up, and as he passed by Elize Yarrow, he said reassuringly, ¡°Elize, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll get justice for you today!¡± ¡°Are you sick? I don¡¯t need your help!¡± Elize Yarrow was extremely impatient. ¡°Wait!¡± The man took a deep breath and strode after him. ¡°Amos, come back! Don¡¯t be rash! Can¡¯t we talk this over properly?¡± Simeon Kensington tried to call him back, but Amos Davenport¡¯s mind was made up, and he quickly caught up. He wanted to prove his superiority in front of Elize Yarrow! Moreover, he believed that Julius Reed had slept with Elize Yarrow and hadn¡¯t taken responsibility, which was an insult to himself! ¡°Stop right there!¡± Click! Amos Davenport was about to touch Julius Reed¡¯s shoulder. Julius Reed had already turned around, his right hand grasping Amos¡¯s wrist tightly. ¡°Get lost! ¡± With a curt command, Julius Reed kicked Amos squarely, sending him tumbling to the ground. ¡°Do it again, and I¡¯ll ruin one of your hands!¡± After saying that, he walked towards the main entrance without looking back. ¡°Stop right there!¡± Amos couldn¡¯t stand being humiliated in front of his classmates! He came from a well-off family, driving a Land Rover in college and switching to a Ferrari after graduation. He was used to living the high life, surrounded by many friends, but he had never been humiliated like today. Seeing that the other man didn¡¯t respond, Amos furiously picked up a brick from the roadside and charged forward. ¡°Be careful¡± Seeing this, Elize Yarrow couldn¡¯t help but cry out in shock from a distance. But Julius Reed had already noticed every move behind him. Bang! He kicked out fiercely, sending Amos flying five or six meters through the air. Spit! Amos, having been hit hard, felt as if his bones had shattered, and coughed up a mouthful of blood. ¡°I told you, if you dared to do this again, I¡¯d cripple one of your hands!¡± Julius Reed strode over, appearing like the Grim Reaper himself! Amos cringed away, retreating backwards, but after the heavy blow, he lacked the strength to move! ¡°I won¡¯t let you get away with this!¡± His body trembled, and his voice was full of fear. ¡°Then try me!¡± Crack! Julius Reed stomped down, brutally breaking his right hand! ¡°Agh!¡± Accompanied by a heart-wrenching scream, Amos nearly passed out from the pain. Just then, a fleet of cars raced towards the entrance of Pearl on the Water. With the sound of screeching brakes, the cars came to an abrupt halt. ¡°Who dares to touch my brother!¡± A man in a suit stepped out of the car, removed his sunglasses, and looked at Julius Reed. Then at Amos lying under his foot. ¡°You¡¯re done for!¡± The man in the suit said coldly.. Chapter 147 - Chapter 147: Chapter 146 1’m Just Informing You 1 Chapter 147: Chapter 146 1¡¯m Just Informing You 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Carl?¡± Elize Yarrow was slightly surprised when she saw who had come. In this region, Carl, following Cesar Pendleton, had quite a reputation. Once, to show off to his classmates, Amos Davenport had brought everyone to Thousand-mountain Bar, and at that time, Carl had come over with two bottles of wine worth over ten thousand each to back him up. Back then, his classmates looked up to Amos greatly, while Elize Yarrow was not impressed in the slightest. Considering the Yarrow Family¡¯s better background and Elize¡¯s naturally defiant nature, she did not like someone like Amos who boasted all the time. In Elize¡¯s words, ostentatious! Such people are unreliable and not grounded at all. Regarding Carl, there had been quite a bit of talk about him over the years, firstly because Cesar Pendleton¡¯s business was growing ever larger with ambitions to dip his fingers into the entire entertainment scene, and secondly because Carl had made a name for himself. ¡°Are you friends with Amos Davenport?¡± Upon seeing the group, Carl couldn¡¯t help but frown. Only then did he recognize that the one dressed as a bunny girl was Elize Yarrow. Since Amos liked her, he had once introduced her to Carl separately. But when it comes to matter of the heart, coercion is futile. Even with Amos¡¯s heartfelt affection, Elize truly wasn¡¯t interested. Over time, Carl had also become quite familiar with Elize. Seeing her now dressed as a bunny girl made Carl especially uncomfortable. Your own brother¡¯s been chasing you to death and you¡¯re here fooling around with someone else? And from the looks of it, Amos had already suffered a great loss. ¡°Shameless!¡± He spat out a word and strode towards the hotel entrance. ¡°Brother, save me!¡± Upon seeing Carl, Amos looked at him as if he were his savior. He and Carl were cousins, so naturally he knew what his brother was like. Now that Carl was doing better and better and his reputation was growing, Amos naturally basked in the reflected glory. ¡°Do you know who he is?¡± Carl pointed at Amos lying on the ground and stared intently at Julius Reed. ¡°No idea!¡± Julius shook his head, expressionless. ¡°Then do you know who I am?¡± Carl pointed at himself. ¡°No idea!¡± Julius shook his head once again. ¡°Bro, you don¡¯t even recognize Brother Carl?¡± ¡°Sorry, really don¡¯t know him!¡± Julius shook his head. How could he know such a petty character? If you talk about knowing someone, it would have to be Amadeus Fairbanks and Deep Cold, those generals. As for Five-river Province, there really isn¡¯t anyone worth knowing. ¡°You¡¯re pretty cocky!¡± Carl nodded, not getting angry. ¡°It¡¯s very normal for young people to be arrogant. Who hasn¡¯t been there at that age? But you have to know who to pick on!¡± His tone chilled as he pointed at Julius and said, ¡°Today, I¡¯ll give you a lesson you won¡¯t ever forget¡ªwho I am!¡± After he finished speaking, he gestured with a wave of his hand, ¡°Get him!¡± ¡°Heh, I¡¯ll take care of him!¡± One person came striding over, cracking his neck. ¡°Buddy, so no one can accuse me of bullying you, I¡¯ll use one hand, okay?¡± He wore a face full of ridicule. This person was Diane Leocadia, a boxer. He used to fight in underground matches and was quite skilled. Later, due to low earnings, he sought the patronage of Carl. Diane Leocadia had a preference, she liked to let others make the first move when fighting. And as long as the opponent wasn¡¯t particularly strong, she would choose to fight with one hand tied. In crushing the opposition this way, not only could she gain reputation, but also satisfy her own vanity. Fighting you with one hand, and you still can¡¯t handle it, you¡¯re still too weak. But before she had the chance to prepare to strike, Julius Reed suddenly kicked up Amos Davenport, then launched him with another foot! Bang! Diane Leocadia was caught off guard and sent flying by the impact of Amos Davenport¡¯s body! Crack! Amos Davenport, after all, weighed over a hundred pounds, and this weight coming down on Diane Leocadia¡¯s leg, directly caused it to fracture! ¡°You play dirty!¡± Carl¡¯s brow furrowed, and an intent to kill emanated from him. ¡°Now, I¡¯ll give you a chance. Kneel in front of me, and lead your employees out like dogs. Otherwise, no one will be able to leave while standing!¡± Julius Reed said coldly. He didn¡¯t want to cause trouble, but he didn¡¯t mind teaching these shortsighted people a lesson. ¡°Carl, this was your brother¡¯s fault! Julius Reed didn¡¯t do anything, and Amos Davenport went after him to start a fight. He got beaten, and now you¡¯re bullying people?¡± Elize Yarrow ran over quickly, shouting at Carl. It was clearly Amos Davenport in the wrong, but now it seemed as if Julius Reed was to blame. ¡°This has nothing to do with you, get out of the way!¡± Carl, who already had a poor impression of Elize Yarrow, furrowed his brows even more. The Yarrow Family was not a minor family; they had some influence in Five-river Province. If it had been the old Carl, he might have felt some trepidation. But now, having boarded Cesar Pendleton¡¯s ship, his status was rising to its zenith! So now, it didn¡¯t matter if it was Elize Yarrow or the Family Head of the Yarrow Family; he wouldn¡¯t feel afraid. ¡°You really don¡¯t make sense! I¡¯ll sleep with who I want to sleep with, what does it have to do with your brother! People like him are just lowlife, nosing around in other¡¯s business, they deserve a beating!¡± Elize Yarrow, full of anger, started yelling loudly. Having been pampered from a young age, she always held this condescending attitude toward everyone. Slap! Carl sent a slap across her face and pointed at Elize Yarrow, asking, ¡°Who are you calling a lowlife? You¡¯re the fucking lowlife! Dressed like a ghost, you¡¯re really dragging the Yarrow Family¡¯s name through the mud!¡± Amos Davenport was already beaten, and now with Elize Yarrow saying this, it made him even more angry. ¡°You! You dare hit me?¡± Elize Yarrow was shocked. She could never have imagined that Carl would dare to hit someone! ¡°Ha! Believe it or not, I¡¯ll hit you again!¡± After saying that, Carl raised his hand, ready to send down another slap! Elize Yarrow, frightened, shrank back and shut her eyes tightly. But the expected pain didn¡¯t come. When she opened her eyes, she discovered that Julius Reed had appeared before her at some point. And he had extended a hand, directly blocking Carl. ¡°Is it right to hit women?¡± Julius Reed asked with a smile. ¡°Ha! I do things my way; it¡¯s not your place to interfere! Now, you¡¯d better think about how you¡¯re going to solve your own problems!¡± Carl scoffed coldly, trying to pull his right hand away with force. But his hand was clamped tight as if by a vice, unable to move at all! ¡°A hand that hits women is worthless! Apologize to her now, and I might let you keep one hand; otherwise, you¡¯ll become a lifelong cripple.¡± Julius Reed spoke with such coldness in his voice that it sent chills down one¡¯s spine. ¡°You¡¯re threatening me?¡± Carl clearly didn¡¯t believe it! This was Five-river Province, what could a nobody like him do against Carl? ¡°No! I¡¯m just informing you!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s lips curled up slightly, and his right hand abruptly twisted down! Chapter 148 - Chapter 148: Chapter 147 Who is Brother Davenport? 1 Chapter 148: Chapter 147 Who is Brother Davenport? 1 Translator: 549690339 Crack! In the blink of an eye, Julius Reed had darted forward with the speed of an arrow and swiftly snapped one of Carl¡¯s arms! It was only at the moment the sound of the bone breaking echoed that Carl realized his arm had been broken. In an instant, intense waves of pain kept surging in, causing his entire body to convulse uncontrollably. But being a well-known thug, Carl still bit down on his teeth and endured the agony. Veins popped out on his forehead as a cold sweat dripped down without stopping. ¡°Apologize to her!¡± Julius Reed looked at him indifferently, his grip tightening once again. ¡°Ha¡­ Impossible. Even if I¡¯m¡­¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Carl never imagined that having mixed into this life up to this day, he would find himself being threatened by someone. Yet the excruciating pain reminded him every moment that all of this was real. If he continued to resist, it¡¯s very likely his entire arm would be ruined. ¡°Give me¡­¡± Crack! Julius Reed twisted with one hand, his right foot stepping directly on Carl¡¯s head. ¡°Call your men. Let¡¯s see if I¡¯ll crush your skull first.¡± A smile appeared on his face, yet this smile sent chills down everyone¡¯s spine. Everyone hesitated, and no one dared to step forward. Their own boss was in the hands of another, were they insane? ¡°Attack! Even if I die, I¡¯ll take him down with me!¡± Carl¡¯s face pressed against the ground, yet he still roared loudly. Now he was truly enraged, furious beyond measure. Ever since he had followed Cesar Pendleton, he had never been subjected to such humiliation. Now that he had some status, to be stepped on in front of his own employees¡­ Where could he put his face? The pain was unbearable! On the streets, face is more important than life! But the employees looked at each other, not a single one daring to move. If Carl died, they would surely be branded with infamy. After all, in Five-river Province, there wouldn¡¯t be a place for them to stay; this was a taboo! And if Cesar Pendleton started investigating, who could escape? They simply stood there deadlocked, thinking that if Carl lost his life, they could rush forward to avenge him. ¡°A smart man doesn¡¯t suffer in front of his eyes, don¡¯t let a moment of stubbornness ruin yourself!¡± An employee shouted loudly. By doing so, he was also giving his boss a way out. Otherwise, how could Carl admit his wrongs in front of so many employees? How could he apologize? Face is more important than life. But if you lose your life, what good is face? Better to swallow your pride and apologize quickly, to suffer less. Moreover, this is Five-river Province, could the other party even get out? They wouldn¡¯t be able to leave Five-river Province by half a step! ¡°Impossible! Even if I die today, I¡¯ll take someone down with me!¡± Carl¡¯s attitude was extremely stubborn. It wasn¡¯t just because he had been insulted, but more so because he couldn¡¯t swallow the indignity! Yet not a single one of the employees dared to advance. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Just then, inside the Water Pearl Hotel, Allen came out with a group of people. He was both Miguel Abbott¡¯s bodyguard and the security for the Water Pearl. In a strict sense, Allen¡¯s status was entirely superior to Carl¡¯s. After all, one was the boss¡¯s personal staff, while the other was just an employee of the boss. They also dealt with each other often, and were very familiar with each other. ¡°Brother Allen, you¡¯ve arrived?¡± An employee, seeing Allen come out, quickly ran over to greet him. ¡°I¡¯m Big Dog, I work under Carl.¡± He said, nodding and bowing. In the presence of someone like Allen, he didn¡¯t dare show the slightest disrespect. ¡°Oh! I remember you. What happened? Where¡¯s Carl?¡± Allen looked around but didn¡¯t see Carl. ¡°Why so many people? You¡¯re not fucking planning to trash my venue, are you?¡± He said jokingly. In Five-river Province, anyone who dares to smash Water Pearl¡¯s place is probably sick of living. With Octavius¡¯s capability, no one would dare to do such a thing. ¡°Brother Allen, Carl is over there¡­¡± The employee said with some difficulty. It was too humiliating to have one¡¯s own boss stepped on under someone¡¯s foot! But there was no helping it; this was Water Pearl¡¯s, a property of Octavius. Having Allen intervene at this moment was still considered a prudent move. ¡°Damn! This¡­ Allen was shocked to see Carl being stepped on the ground! No matter what, the other party was one of Cesar Pendleton¡¯s men. To humiliate him in such a derogatory manner was a bit too much. But when he looked up and saw who was stepping on the person, his heart clenched even more! ¡°Brother Davenport, you¡­¡± He swallowed his saliva, somewhat at a loss for words. A person whom even Octavius wouldn¡¯t dare to offend, would he dare utter a word of dissent? ¡°It¡¯s nothing much, someone was being disobedient, and I¡¯m just teaching him a lesson,¡± Julius Reed said with a smile. ¡°Mr. Octavius, don¡¯t listen to his nonsense! This son of a bitch hit Carl¡¯s brother first and then made Carl kneel down to apologize!¡± Big Dog roared angrily. Now that Allen¡¯s got his back, he regained his confidence. ¡°Bullshit!¡± Slap! Allen slapped the employee, sending him spitting out blood. He was inherently strong, and the slap came without warning. ¡°Brother Allen!¡± Big Dog laid on the ground, totally unable to comprehend what had just happened. He hadn¡¯t said anything wrong. The situation was exactly as he described. But why did Allen strike him? They were all acquaintances, and Carl¡¯s relationship with Allen was not too bad. Was Allen truly not going to give Carl and Cesar Pendleton that much respect? But he dared not speak another word, for he was merely an employee. And the other, he was Octavius¡¯s personal bodyguard. They were not on the same level; not even in the same league. There was no comparison. At this moment, even Carl lying on the ground was taken aback. Feeling embarrassed to hear Allen approaching, being trampled underfoot was surely humiliating. But since Allen had come forward, the issue would be resolved. This incident at Water Pearl¡¯s entrance, if word got out, it wouldn¡¯t just be a loss of face for him, but Allen would be disgraced as well. He had thought that Allen would step in and take care of Julius Reed, and then he could seek his revenge! Even how to beat up Julius Reed, he had already figured out! But the turn of events was completely unexpected. Allen slapped his employee Big Dog flying without any forewarning. Everyone was stunned, including Allen¡¯s own bodyguards who were behind him. ¡°Brother Allen, what kind of play are you acting out?¡± An employee risked being hit and stepped forward to help Big Dog up. ¡°Brother Davenport, how do you want to handle this?¡± Allen didn¡¯t bother with these thugs, instead he looked straight at Julius Reed. ¡°Brother Davenport?¡± This was the question on everyone¡¯s mind. Who was Brother Davenport? If Allen was calling him Brother, he surely couldn¡¯t just be a nobody. It wasn¡¯t just him; Simeon Kensington and the others were also puzzled. Shouldn¡¯t the two groups of thugs be on the same side? Why were they fighting as soon as they came out? And who was Brother Davenport? ¡°Elize, what¡¯s his name?¡± ¡°Julius Reed, of course!¡± After Elize Yarrow finished speaking, she then realized who Allen was referring ¡°Damn, what a formidable scumbag!¡± She suddenly burst into laughter.. Chapter 149 - Chapter 149: Chapter 148 Women ‘s Thoughts_1 Chapter 149: Chapter 148 Women ¡®s Thoughts_1 Translator: 549690339 Elize Yarrow¡¯s shout instantly attracted everyone¡¯s attention, These individuals standing together already exuded an aura of grim determination. But her laugh easily shattered that atmosphere. And it made everyone seem quite awkward. ¡°Cough, cough! Elize, if you want to die, don¡¯t drag us down with you!¡± A wave of fear swept through the group. Being together, tensions were already running high. Now, with Elize¡¯s laugh, she had directed all the hostility onto them. Feeling everyone stare her down in unison, Elize realized she¡¯d behaved inappropriately. ¡°What the are you laughing at over there!¡± A burly man strode towards them, seething with anger. ¡°It has nothing to do with us!¡± A man quickly retreated, not forgetting to pull Simeon Kensington and others with him. In an instant, Elize was left standing alone on the spot, utterly desolate. The autumn breeze blew by, and she just felt a bit cold. ¡°Stop! Do you want to end up like him?¡± Julius Reed raised his head to look at the burly man, his tone icy. ¡°Ha! Let go of him, and let¡¯s have a one-on-one if you¡¯re so tough!¡± The burly man sneered. As long as they could free Carl, the people behind him were ready to charge! At that moment, death would be certain for Julius Reed! And he would become a hero. To achieve his goal, the burly man provoked further, ¡°Kid, you¡¯re not a coward, are you? Right now, I¡¯m challenging you, big guy. Do you dare?¡± While speaking, he switched up hand signs behind his back. The staff, receiving their instructions, were always ready to rush in as soon as Carl was out of danger! But! Julius Reed wouldn¡¯t give them the chance. ¡°To kill you, do I even need to lift a hand?¡± He smirked, flicking Carl¡¯s sunglasses from his head with his right foot and savagely kicking them out! Splurch! The temple of the sunglasses, like a sharp blade, plunged directly into the burly man¡¯s body. Sudden bloodshed ensued, and the burly man collapsed to the ground in pain. Hisss! Everyone gasped, what kind of power was this! It was terrifying! ¡°You¡¯re ing asking for it!¡± Seeing the burly man¡¯s provocation, Allen strode forward, lifted him off the ground with one hand! ¡°Who thinks they are fit to challenge Brother Davenport?¡± Bang! Without giving the man a chance to speak, Allen hoisted him up and violently slammed him down! Splat! The burly man spat out a mouthful of blood from the brutal impact, his complexion turning deathly pale. ¡°Anyone who dares to speak disrespectfully to Brother Davenport from now on, this is what happens! ¡± Allen declared loudly after scanning the crowd. Suddenly. Silence fell. No one dared to ask why, and no one else inquired about who Brother Davenport was. Anyone who hadn¡¯t grasped the situation by now was a complete fool. ¡°I¡¯ll leave this to you to handle, I can¡¯t be bothered with them!¡± Julius Reed stepped away from Carl. He was quite pleased with Allen¡¯s performance today. Doing so not only obligated Carl to owe Allen a favor but also ensured a perfect resolution. ¡°Thanks, Brother Davenport!¡± After all these years, how could Allen not understand his intention? ¡°And take care of Elize as well. At least until I leave Five-river Province, she must not encounter any trouble!¡± Before departing, Julius Reed did not forget to instruct. ¡°Rest assured, Brother Davenport. As long as I, Allen, am here, nothing will happen to the lady!¡± Allen¡¯s strong voice sent a shiver through everyone, including Carl on the ground. Everyone knows that Elize Yarrow is already engaged to Atlas Leopold! This is common knowledge in Five-river Province! But! Now, Allen is actually calling Elize Yarrow sister-in-law, and calls Julius Reed big brother! Adding to that, Elize Yarrow dressed as a bunny girl, everyone can¡¯t help but let their imaginations run wild. Clothes in disarray, and she stayed in the hotel all night! At this moment, everyone is startled, as if they remembered something. The rumors that spread through the streets last night, that Atlas Leopold was cuckolded, could it be true? The great young master of the Leopold Family, one of the four distinguished young men of the provincial city, actually cuckolded? When the news came out, everyone was in disbelief. Who would think that someone had the audacity to mess with Atlas Leopold¡¯s woman? But the people spreading the news described it so vividly, it was hard to doubt its authenticity. It¡¯s only now that everyone finally understands, the man who cuckolded Atlas Leopold is none other than the one before their eyes. But from the look of Allen¡¯s attitude, he must be very close with Miguel Abbott and Julius Reed, otherwise, why would Allen call him Brother Davenport? Even if he¡¯s just a thug under Miguel Abbott, his status is still higher than that of your average big shot in Five-river Province! ¡°This is¡­¡± A thug couldn¡¯t help asking. ¡°If it¡¯s not your place to ask, don¡¯t ask! Remember, whoever dares to touch my sister-in-law, I¡¯ll take his life! And, if anyone sees Brother Davenport and doesn¡¯t show respect, better prepare their coffins!¡± Allen said coldly. Julius Reed didn¡¯t return to the Pearl on the Water but darted quickly, finding cover behind a rockery at the back of the Pearl on the Water. This place could be considered a scenic spot, complete with a man-made IUU11Ld111. At night, the fountain would spray water continuously accompanied by music. But it was day, and there were hardly any people around. ¡°Come out!¡± Julius Reed called out softly, hands clasped behind his back. ¡°How did you know I was here?¡± A moment later, a woman emerged from behind the rockery. ¡°Your little tricks are nothing in front of me!¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t give the woman any face and didn¡¯t even turn around from beginning to end. ¡°True! You saved my life back then, and I still can¡¯t catch up with you now.¡± Red Widow sighed and slowly walked up beside Julius Reed. She took out a cigarette from her bag and lit it, trembling. ¡°How was the battle last night?¡± Julius Reed asked, staring ahead at the fountain. Given Red Widow¡¯s explosive temper, she would have surely gone back to fight, and not let things go so easily. ¡°I was only five meters away from him, but the cost for these five meters was too great!¡± Red Widow took a deep drag of her cigarette, and the shaking of her body began to subside. ¡°But I did manage to kill more than half of the Shadow Warriors he hired! Now, he¡¯s probably busy compensating, and as far as I know, it¡¯s going to be an astronomical sum.¡¯ Drip, drip! The sound of liquid falling echoed continuously. ¡°Your skills are not that impressive, huh!¡± Julius Reed teased. ¡°Not bad. I can¡¯t compare to you, but dealing with those guys is more than enough. There was a formidable Martial Artist last night, seemed like he was with Deep Cold, I think he was after you.¡± Red Widow said between puffs, her breathing getting faster and faster. ¡°You should worry about yourself first!¡± Julius Reed shook his head: ¡°Hit by seven darts and still not dead, you really are a tough one to kill!¡± Red Widow was covered in blood, still dripping. To have run all the way here after killing her way out of the Leopold residence, you can imagine the brutality of it! ¡°It¡¯s okay, you won¡¯t let me die.¡± Red Widow forced a smile and tossed the cigarette butt on the ground. ¡°You¡¯ve saved me once before, it won¡¯t hurt to do it a second time!¡± She ground the cigarette butt under her foot, closed her eyes, and fell backward in an instant. ¡°The schemes of a woman are indeed heavy!¡± Julius Reed shook his head, somewhat helpless. In Five-river Province, there¡¯s no place safer than by his side. And Red Widow knew, Julius Reed would definitely not let her die. He wouldn¡¯t have before, and even less so now! ¡°I guess I¡¯ll have to play the good guy one more time!¡± Julius Reed picked up Red Widow, smiling as he spoke.. Chapter 150 - Chapter 150: Chapter 149 The Owner of Willson Building_1 Chapter 150: Chapter 149 The Owner of Willson Building_1 Translator: 549690339 Inside the Pearl on the Water Hotel. The Red Widow lay on a large bed while three doctors bustled around, examining her. ¡°Mr. Reed, is this lady your¡­¡± Miguel Abbott cautiously inquired from the side. Half an hour ago, he had received a call from Julius Reed. Asking him to prepare a bed, a room, and three doctors. The somewhat bewildered Miguel Abbott brought these things to Julius Reed, only to see a woman covered in blood. For a boss of his level, there were several private doctors at his disposal. Not only were they highly skilled, but they were also residing inside the Pearl on the Water Hotel. As for the bed and room, there were plenty to spare in the Pearl on the Water. Once in the room, the doctors began their hurried examination. Watching from the side, Miguel Abbott felt a chill down to his bones. Not to mention the woman¡¯s excessive blood loss, the doctors extracted several dart heads from her body. And some of the most dangerous ones had nearly punctured her heart. The doctors carefully operated, with sweat dripping constantly from their foreheads. ¡°An old acquaintance, just didn¡¯t want her to die. If she really can¡¯t be saved, I wouldn¡¯t have any regrets,¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, hands clasped behind his back. The Red Widow was very cunning; though she was injured many times, none were lethal. Besides, in Five-river Province, no one but Julius Reed could guarantee her safety while she was unconscious. She appeared to be gravely injured, but she was not going to die. ¡°Who did this?¡± Miguel Abbott couldn¡¯t help asking. The injuries were so severe that he had thought they couldn¡¯t save her at first. But under the frenzied effort of the sweating doctors, a life was ultimately snatched back from the brink. ¡°The Leopold Family! You might want to inquire about what happened to the Leopolds last night. I think you, Boss Abbott, would be very interested, ¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t conceal a thing. Since Miguel Abbott had boarded his ship, there was no turning back. In Five-river Province, he was already completely opposed to the other major players. Although they hadn¡¯t openly fallen out yet, it was only a matter of time. ¡°Go find out!¡± He gestured to a bodyguard standing behind him. The bodyguard nodded and strode out of the room. ¡°What kind of vendetta led her to seek death at the Leopold residence?¡± Miguel Abbott shook his head. As a prominent family in Five-river Province, the Leopolds¡¯ financial and human resources were far beyond compare. How could this woman possibly have breached the Leopolds¡¯ defenses single-handedly? It seemed a miracle she hadn¡¯t died. ¡°No real vendetta, she was shot by a Leopold yesterday while chatting with me. Temper got the best of her, and she went straight over for revenge. I couldn¡¯t stop her,¡± Julius Reed said with a sense of helplessness. Her attempt at revenge was unsuccessful, and now she had become his problem. ¡°It¡¯s good that she¡¯s alive,¡± Miguel Abbott shook his head. Such rash behavior. Before long, the bodyguard returned to the room and whispered in his ear. ¡°What!¡± Miguel Abbott¡¯s face changed dramatically, ¡°Are you sure about this news?¡± ¡°No mistake! This news is already well-known, only we were unaware! The intelligence networks within the circle had wind of this since last night,¡± the bodyguard answered in a low tone. ¡°Alright, you can leave,¡± Miguel Abbott¡¯s expression shifted, and finally, he turned to Julius Reed, ¡°Last night, the Leopold Family suffered an attack by a Shadow Warrior. The casualties were severe, and that Shadow Warrior even made it to the villa¡¯s doorstep, less than ten meters from Atlas Leopold!¡± When the bodyguard spoke these words, he could hardly believe them. Who would dare to strike at the Leopold villa? But hearing about the severe casualties, he found it even more incredible. Armed with nothing but a single weapon, one man was able to make the Leopold Family apprehensive! ¡°I had known that much already.¡± Julius Reed calmly responded. The person involved had already told him everything, did he need someone else to repeat it? ¡°That¡¯s incredible! Is it the person right here?¡± Miguel Abbott¡¯s heart stirred with emotion. His earlier disdain had turned into admiration and fear in just a fleeting moment. Now, when he looked at the woman on the bed, his gaze had changed somewhat. ¡°Let me correct you!¡± Julius Reed turned his head, looking at Miguel Abbott, ¡°It wasn¡¯t ten meters, it was five meters.¡± The Red Widow had said so herself, there could be no mistake. ¡°This¡­¡± Miguel Abbott was completely stunned. What kind of monster was the other party to have gone alone and faced Atlas Leopold? Five meters was practically face to face. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± After watching the doctor finish the surgery, Julius Reed left the room with Miguel Abbott. The elevator went straight down to the first floor. ¡°Mr. Reed, about the person upstairs¡­¡± Miguel Abbott¡¯s mind was filled with the scene of the Red Widow storming into the Leopold villa. It was too thrilling! ¡°It¡¯s alright, once she¡¯s healed, she will leave on her own. Now, you¡¯re coming with me to Willson Building.¡± Julius Reed wanted to see how well Truman Ridge had handled things. ¡°Willson Building?¡± Miguel Abbott was obviously taken aback. ¡°That¡¯s the most bustling area in Five-river Province, many people want to buy it, but they can¡¯t get it. I don¡¯t know who bought the Willson Building back then, but to this day it¡¯s still vacant.¡± He spoke with regret, ¡°It¡¯s such a waste, just think, even if it was just rented out, the annual rent would be a large amount of money! But many years have passed, and there¡¯s been no action there. I wonder if the person who bought the building is dead, or not in this world.¡± Businessmen surely value profitability. Yet the Willson Building, such a bustling office tower in the prime location of Five-river Province, remains unsold. Not even rented out. The evaporation of huge sums of money every year would pain anyone, wouldn¡¯t it? ¡°If it was really for sale, would you buy it?¡± While chatting, Julius Reed got into his Mercedes. ¡°My! With the current land prices, I truly can¡¯t afford it!¡± Miguel Abbott said jokingly. If he really wanted to buy, he could afford it. But after the purchase, there wouldn¡¯t be much money left. It was the same for the other tycoons in Five-river Province. Sometimes, when these people got together, they would occasionally discuss the Willson Building. The Mercedes started slowly and gradually headed towards the Willson Building. ¡°Brother Reed, I recently heard something.¡± Miguel Abbott drove the car himself, heading for the Willson Building while speaking to Julius Reed, ¡°According to inside information, the owner of the Willson Building is about to make an appearance. And it seems they intend to establish their own company!¡± He had previously heard rumors, and now that Julius Reed mentioned the Willson Building, he elaborated a bit more. ¡°What do you think? If the other party really starts a company, will it have a future?¡± Sitting in the Mercedes, Julius Reed asked calmly. ¡°With all due respect!¡± Miguel Abbott huffed slightly, ¡°The landscape of Five-river Province is set in stone, anyone else who dares to come here would absolutely be chased out with their tail between their legs. After years of struggle, every power standing in the limelight is deeply entrenched. Can any outsider hoping to make a move really outfight the local snakes?¡± No matter what kind of company, as soon as it tries to set up in Five-river Province, it would face the encirclement of the major enterprises. The current situation is hard to break. If it weren¡¯t so, the ambitious Miguel Abbott wouldn¡¯t have thrown his lot in with Julius Reed, trying to be a game-changer. ¡°Five-river Province has been quiet for too long, it¡¯s time for a change of weather!¡± Julius Reed said in a soft voice.. Chapter 151 - Chapter 151: Chapter 150: Meeting Ives Abbott Again_l Chapter 151: Chapter 150: Meeting Ives Abbott Again_l Translator: 549690339 As he passed by the Willson Building, Julius Reed didn¡¯t get out of the car but took a distant glance and followed Octavius Abbott back to the Pearl on the Water. When he arrived at the hotel, he even ran into Octavius Abbott¡¯s nephew. However, because of offending Julius Reed, the man had been demoted to an ordinary waiter. Julius Reed was very satisfied with Octavius Abbott¡¯s way of handling matters. Great achievers do not dwell on minor details. Such a person has great ability. When he expanded his own corporation in the future, he might bring Octavius Abbott into the fold. ¡°Dad!¡± Right at that moment, Ives Abbott suddenly ran over. Because of the incident last time, she had been locked up at home for many days. Now that she was finally let out, she wanted to find her dear dad. Little did she know that she would bump into the nightmare of her dreams. Having been spoiled since childhood, she had suffered brutal mistreatment over the past few days. Never having been hit before, these past days she was beaten until she bled. So much so, that the moment Ives Abbott closed her eyes, she could see Julius Reed¡¯s face. ¡°Dad! How come you are with him!¡± Ives Abbott shouted angrily. After coming back, she had wanted more than once to have Octavius Abbott seek revenge for her. Yet her dad, who always doted on her, scolded her mercilessly. It was even the first time in many years that he had raised a hand to hit her. This caused Ives Abbott to direct all her hatred towards Julius Reed. Now, seeing her enemy, her eyes blazed with resentment. ¡°Shut up! Imbecile!¡± Octavius Abbott made a move as if to strike her with his hand, a slap poised to land. ¡°Hey, child, there¡¯s no need!¡± Just as Ives Abbott was frightened and hastily dodged, Julius Reed stopped Octavius Abbott. Since Octavius Abbott was sufficiently loyal to him, he wouldn¡¯t let things become too embarrassing for him. After all, as a big shot from Five-river Province, he still needed to save some face. ¡°Hey, my daughter doesn¡¯t understand, I hope Mr. Reed won¡¯t take her too seriously.¡± Octavius Abbott was so frustrated his teeth itched. Why couldn¡¯t his daughter understand anything? If this matter left a bad impression with Julius Reed, he wished he had never had such a daughter. ¡°It¡¯s my fault for spoiling her since she was a child!¡± ¡°Your concern is unnecessary!¡± Ives Abbott did not appreciate the gesture. ¡°Forget it! Wellington Radcliffe is no good man; you¡¯d better stay away from her ¡± Thinking of his younger brother-in-law, he really felt helpless. Apart from Quella Radcliffe, the Radcliffe Family were basically useless. ¡°Hmph! Don¡¯t bother taking care of me! That useless trash has already been kicked to the curb by me! Not at all like a man!¡± After saying this, Ives Abbott¡¯s eyes flicked, ¡°Handsome, why don¡¯t you be my boyfriend? Aren¡¯t you obsessed with doting on your wife? Wouldn¡¯t you seek revenge for me if someone else hurt me?¡± Thinking of how Julius Reed had protected Quella Radcliffe that day, she felt envious. On the other hand, looking at her own boyfriend, that Wellington Radcliffe was simply useless. Before, Wellington Radcliffe had said how terrible Julius Reed was, but later Ives Abbott discovered that Wellington Radcliffe himself was the real piece of shit! An absolute waste! On the contrary, the brother-in-law whom Wellington Radcliffe belittled, turned out to be a real man! ¡°Mr. Abbott, you go ahead, I absolutely won¡¯t stop you!¡± Julius Reed looked at Octavius Abbott. ¡°Okay, okay! My mistake! Big brother, I apologize to you! ¡± Ives Abbott quickly clasped her fists together and made a deep bow to Julius Reed, ¡°From today on, you are my big brother, Big Brother Julius!¡± ¡°Out of here!¡± Octavius Abbott shouted angrily. ¡°Uh, Dad, I¡¯m going to a party today, the one hosted by Elize Yarrow, it¡¯s called some ¡®Liberation Assembly¡¯. I tell you, a buddy of mine gave me a tip, Atlas Leopold is going to deal with that woman!¡± Ives Abbott spoke with an air of mystery. ¡°Really?¡± Upon hearing Elize Yarrow¡¯s name, Julius Reed asked. ¡°Of course! In my circle, I can contact all the rich young ladies in Five-river Province! Why, you want to go?¡± Ives Abbott sized up Julius Reed, somewhat questioning, ¡°You rarely speak to me so politely!¡± ¡°Take me with you.¡± Julius Reed said indifferently. Elize Yarrow¡¯s affair would somehow be connected to him no matter what. If it was as Ives Abbott said today, Elize Yarrow would probably face disaster. ¡°Why should I!¡± Ives Abbott was somewhat indignant! ¡°You want to go just like that, treating me, your lady, as what!¡± Seeing that he finally came to her for a favor, she felt quite elated. ¡°Cut the crap! I¡¯m telling you today, Ives Abbott! If you dare to make Mr. Reed the slightest bit dissatisfied, I¡¯m severing our father-daughter relationship! Then you won¡¯t have a penny, and you can get out of this family!¡± Lines of frustration marred Miguel Abbott¡¯s face. Couldn¡¯t this girl give him a break? Having finally climbed aboard Julius Reed¡¯s bandwagon, if anything were to go wrong, Ives would be the criminal! ¡°Fine! Mr. Abbott, I promise you! Even though he hit me, he¡¯s man enough! I quite admire that!¡± Ives Abbott, still so young, put on a remarkably seasoned act, which Julius Reed found amusing. ¡°Have Allen bring bodyguards and accompany you.¡± Miguel Abbott was somewhat worried. Even though Julius Reed was strong, this was still Five-river Province after all. In Five-river Province, it was too easy for the Leopold Family to take action! He wanted a bodyguard to follow as a precaution, to be there just in case something happened. ¡°No worries, I¡¯ll protect your daughter well, not letting even a hair on her head be harmed.¡± Julius Reed said with a smile. He was confident enough to protect Ives Abbott. ¡°Alright! You said it! If my lady is in danger, you¡¯re done for!¡± After saying this, Ives Abbott strode towards the door. ¡°Mr. Reed¡­¡± ¡°The matter with Elize Yarrow started because of me; she needs my help.¡± Julius Reed interrupted Miguel Abbott and followed Ives Abbott. No matter what, he couldn¡¯t just watch Elize Yarrow be retaliated against by Atlas Leopold. At that moment, at the Leopold Family estate. Atlas Leopold was bare-chested, with bandages wrapped around his arm. ¡°Young master, the wound is not serious. But you still need to rest.¡± After the doctor finished speaking, he left the room with his kit. ¡°Damn woman! Even if I have to dig three feet into the ground, I will catch you!¡± Atlas Leopold said viciously. Last night, the Red Widow charged in alone! She directly took down the Leopold Family¡¯s best fighters. If he hadn¡¯t hired a bunch of strong fighters in advance, and even had Shadow Warriors from Deep Cold stand guard, he might already be dead. Even with such a solid defense, the Red Widow came close to killing him! And what Julius Reed didn¡¯t know was that at the time, the Red Widow was only three meters away from Atlas Leopold, her dagger had even flown past his arm! ¡°Young master, everything is arranged!¡± At this moment, a butler walked in. ¡°Good! Today we¡¯ll deal with that little wretch first!¡± A vicious glint flashed in Atlas Leopold¡¯s eyes. He dressed himself and strode out of the villa. If Elize Yarrow dared to insult him in front of everyone and put a green hat on the young master of the Leopold Family, she should not blame him for being ruthless! Chapter 152 - Chapter 152: Chapter 151 Is He a Jerk or Not 1 Chapter 152: Chapter 151 Is He a Jerk or Not 1 Translator: 549690339 Five-river Province, Azure Water Entertainment City. It was the largest entertainment city in Five-river Province, covering nearly all kinds of entertainment activities. Due to its high class, the consumption there was naturally not low. Most of those who came to have fun here were the sons and daughters of wealthy families. At this moment, inside a private room on the fifth floor, Elize Yarrow and Simeon Kensington were having fun with a group of young men and women. Everyone had their own circle. Although not the top second-generation rich, everyone in Elize¡¯s group was quite wealthy. Apart from the Four Young Masters and some super-rich second-generation, these people could be considered wealthy too. So they naturally gravitated towards each other. They were of similar ages, similar tastes, and similar interests. ¡°Elize!¡± A boy raised his glass, ¡°To freedom!¡± ¡°Freedom! ¡± ¡°Cheers to freedom!¡± Everyone raised their glasses, looking at Elize Yarrow, ¡°Congratulations, you got what you wanted and escaped that marriage!¡± ¡°Cheers to that!¡± Elize Yarrow raised her glass and drained it. ¡°Wow! From now on, I¡¯m free!¡± She shouted, appearing extremely happy! ¡°Elize, do you think the Leopold Family will just let things go? You¡¯ve made Young Master Leopold wear a green hat!¡± ¡°Exactly! The Leopold Family cares so much about their face, you dared to make them wear a green hat!¡± ¡°Be careful, from what I know of Atlas Leopold, he definitely won¡¯t let this go!¡± Everyone was talking at once, discussing Elize Yarrow¡¯s future. Being in top circles, they had some understanding of the situation. ¡°I heard that the Leopold Family is furious! That¡¯s what my uncle told me, after finding out you slept with another man, Atlas Leopold¡¯s dad was so angry he almost had a heart attack!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve also got news that Atlas Leopold is planning to lay a hand on you, Elize. The Leopold Family are ruthless, you must be careful!¡± Her friends incessantly reminded her. Although they were happy for Elize¡¯s escape from marriage, they also started to worry. A family like the Leopold¡¯s always held face above everything else. Given this incident, any other family would not let it go, let alone the Leopold Family at their zenith! ¡°It¡¯s fine! My dad already scolded me, said I lost the Yarrow Family¡¯s face and didn¡¯t deserve to stay at home.¡± Elize Yarrow shrugged, ¡°So I came out to relax a bit, I don¡¯t even want to go back to that broken home!¡± The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. A place where she lived for over a decade cared about her less than a stranger. Thinking of this, she couldn¡¯t help but miss Julius Reed. Although he was fierce, he was a good man. He not only stood up for her, but also took care of her thoroughly. What a pity, he already had a wife¡­ ¡°Elize, which kind of man conquered you in the end? I heard you even wore a bunny girl costume?¡± A boy asked eagerly. The news was almost universally known and had already spread throughout Five-river Province¡¯s circles. ¡°About that¡­¡± Simeon Kensington said with some difficulty, ¡°Can you please not ask about such embarrassing matters!¡± She was also a girl, and due to her conservatism, she blushed at hearing these matters. ¡°What¡¯s there to be afraid of!¡± The person in question, however, appeared unconcerned. After all, nothing happened, so what was there to be afraid of? ¡°I¡¯ll tell you, that man was a married man, not only handsome but also really great!¡± Elize Yarrow had a content look on her face. She couldn¡¯t help but laugh when she remembered Julius Reed standing up for her. Especially seeing Atlas Leopold being pinned to the ground and beaten up, it was incredibly satisfying for Elize Yarrow! But when others heard it, it took on a different meaning. Really great? ¡°Ahem, Elize. Be modest! That kind of thing, there¡¯s no need to say it out loud!¡± ¡°Right! If he¡¯s good, he¡¯s good!¡± The rest had odd expressions on their faces. ¡°Oh my God! What are you thinking?!¡± Elize Yarrow wasn¡¯t dumb, she immediately realized what was going on. ¡°Alright, alright! You win! Pretend I didn¡¯t say anything!¡± She was somewhat angry. But it seemed she couldn¡¯t blame anyone else, since she had not made herself clear. ¡°Let me tell you, he truly is a Prince Charming! I¡¯ve never seen such an outstanding man in my life!¡± The more Elize Yarrow thought about it, the more she was convinced that Julius Reed was her Prince Charming. But after all, he was a married man¡­ However, that seemed to be irrelevant. ¡°Pfft! How can I not be skeptical! Elize Yarrow, have you lost your mind to love?¡± ¡°Exactly! How can I believe that there is such a perfect man in this world!¡± ¡°Nine out of ten, you¡¯re making this up! You haven¡¯t been fooled, have you?¡± Everyone had something to say, all thinking that Elize Yarrow was talking nonsense. After all, they were among the elite, what kind of outstanding men hadn¡¯t they seen? Now to suddenly claim he¡¯s Prince Charming, it sounded like a bunch of baloney. But just then, someone pushed open the door of the private room. ¡°Hello!¡± Ives Abbott pushed open the door, greeting everyone. And Julius Reed, following behind her. The moment Elize Yarrow saw Julius Reed, she froze. How did those two get together? And how did Julius Reed know about today¡¯s gathering? She didn¡¯t notify him! ¡°Ives! Why did you only just arrive?¡± Although Ives Abbott was the Abbott family¡¯s daughter, she liked to play with these people. Usually, there wasn¡¯t so much restraint among them, just like with peers of the same age. This was indeed a commendable aspect of Ives Abbott¡¯s character. In theory, a young lady of her status should be playing with the upper crust. But Ives Abbott had no airs; she was even more uninhibited than the rest. ¡°And this is¡­¡± Seeing Julius Reed, everyone turned their gaze to Ives Abbott. Just as Elize Yarrow was about to stand up and introduce him, she heard Ives Abbott say, ¡°This guy! This guy is my boyfriend!¡± She hadn¡¯t originally intended to, but seeing that everyone else had their boyfriends or girlfriends with them, she naturally couldn¡¯t be left behind. Besides, since Julius Reed was so likeable, she definitely wanted her boyfriend to be like him. But to everyone else, this declaration was utterly unbelievable! ¡°Ives! Stop messing around!¡± ¡°Seriously! We¡¯ve never heard anything about this. When did you start dating him without anyone noticing?¡± ¡°Does your father know about this! I¡¯ve never seen this guy before! He¡¯s not some pretty face you¡¯ve been fooled by, is he?¡± Everyone chattered one after another, starting a discussion. ¡°Shut up! Moses, if you dare say another bad word about my boyfriend, I¡¯ll tear open your mouth!¡± Ives Abbott, with her hands on her hips, scolded a boy. The boy named Moses, upon hearing this, cowered and didn¡¯t dare to speak. ¡°Heh! Jerk!¡± Elize Yarrow couldn¡¯t stop sneering. Just yesterday, she was wondering why Miguel Abbott was so close to Julius Reed, and it seemed like they had a very intimate relationship. Now she finally understood, Julius Reed was Miguel Abbott¡¯s son-in-law. With this bit of information, everything made sense. But who was the woman last night? Could it be that he was two-timing? No way! Elize Yarrow decided she had to expose him! Chapter 153 - Chapter 153: Chapter 152: How Am I Supposed to Respond to What You Just Said_l Chapter 153: Chapter 152: How Am I Supposed to Respond to What You Just Said_l Translator: 549690339 ¡°Ives! Your boyfriend does seem impressive, but how long have you known each other?¡± Elize Yarrow looked at Julius Reed, a playful glint in her eyes. As if to say, keep acting; I want to see how long you can keep this up! Pretending to be in love! Two-timing jerk! ¡°Not many days, but it was love at first sight! ¡± Ives Abbott replied, tilting her head upwards. They had Imown each other for a while, and Julius Reed had even hit her. But to truly know each other, that had only started today. ¡°I knew it!¡± Elize Yarrow was secretly pleased inside; it was all a ruse. ¡°Ives, but do you really know him? What if he has a wife? What if he¡¯s slept with other women?¡± She hinted darkly. Any normal woman would be highly sensitive to such topics. And it was clear to anyone with eyes that Elize Yarrow was insinuating something. Otherwise, who would bring up such things out of the blue? ¡°That¡­ well, he probably doesn¡¯t! How could he have one!¡± Ives Abbott glanced at Elize Yarrow and then at Julius Reed, pondering silently to herself. ¡°You know the saying, ¡®One can know a person¡¯s face but not their heart.¡¯ Don¡¯t be deceived by a jerk! ¡± Elize Yarrow said in a mocking tone. She had really liked Julius Reed, but now¡­ well. Having seen through the ways of a jerk, she didn¡¯t feel any attraction anymore. And now, she was ready to expose him! There¡¯s a saying that goes, a jerk must die! ¡°No¡­ I don¡¯t think so!¡± Ives Abbott¡¯s eyes darted around, resting on Julius Reed. ¡°No! You all don¡¯t need to worry; we¡¯re doing great!¡± ¡°Ives, don¡¯t let love cloud your judgment! If you encounter a real jerk, you will regret it deeply!¡± Elize Yarrow spoke earnestly, ¡°As someone who¡¯s been through it and been hurt first-hand, I tell you, it really hurts!¡± Upon her words, everyone¡¯s expression changed. ¡°Elize! Aren¡¯t you just someone who had a marriage agreement with Atlas Leopold, then slept with someone just once, where do you get your experience from!¡± ¡°Exactly! You can talk about anything else, but ¡®been through it¡¯? You¡¯ve never been in love!¡± ¡°This is too funny, I¡¯m dying of laughter!¡± Everyone was surprised and laughed even more joyously. Elize Yarrow in love? Ridiculous. ¡°You all! Fine! Now I¡¯m going to unmask the jerk!¡± Angered by the laughter, Elize Yarrow stood up and pointed at Julius Reed, ¡°You all want to know who slept with me last night! It was him, his name is Julius Reed. He already has a wife, and a gorgeous younger aunt to boot! ¡± The angrier she spoke, the more indignant she became! She mistook Cosmo for Quella Radcliffe¡¯s sister, which is why she referred to her as Julius Reed¡¯s younger aunt. ¡°Now, you know who the jerk is!¡± She sat back down furiously, facing Julius Reed, ¡°Jerk! Bet you never thought you¡¯d be exposed by me.¡± Clatter! Someone¡¯s chopsticks fell to the ground. Someone¡¯s beer fell to the ground. Someone¡¯s eyeballs almost fell to the ground. What is even happening here! This is too much of a coincidence! ¡°Elize, you¡¯re drunk!¡± Someone whispered quietly. ¡°Drunk my foot! I¡¯m perfectly sober! Last night it was him! You were asking who slept with me!¡± Elize Yarrow was seething with rage. To think he¡¯d deceived her feelings! She stood up, turning to Ives Abbott, ¡°He really has a wife!¡± After saying that, she looked at Julius Reed with a victorious expression in her eyes! ¡°T know that!¡± But what Ives Abbott said next left her completely speechless. ¡°So what if he has a wife! I like him, it¡¯s him as a person that I like, what does it have to do with whether he has a wife or not!¡± After this statement, everyone¡¯s jaws dropped once more! The distinguished Ives Abbott, daughter of the Abbott Family, was involved with a married man? And she didn¡¯t care? Moreover, this man had slept with Elize Yarrow? Made a cuckold out of Atlas Leopold? Who on earth is this deity! ¡°Him! Even if he has a wife, I can understand, but last night, he slept with me at your family¡¯s hotel! I was dressed as a bunny girl!¡± Anyway, to hate someone is to throw dirt on him! Even though she knew nothing happened, she insisted that Julius Reed had slept with her, Anyway, it¡¯s already the talk of the town, and everyone believes it¡¯s true. ¡°You¡­¡± Ives Abbott turned her head and looked at Julius Reed, ¡°You have such low standards!¡± Pfft! Elize Yarrow almost spat out a mouthful of old blood. ¡°He betrayed you!¡± Elize Yarrow shouted again. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, if I love him, I let him be!¡± Ives Abbott said with a mature tone. Bang! But at this moment, the door of the private room was kicked open! ¡°Yo! Having fun?¡± A brawny man with glasses scanned the room. ¡°Hmm! Having fun!¡± Julius Reed responded. Knowing that this was the top circle of Five-river Province and that someone dared to cause trouble, one could guess whose doing it was without thinking. ¡°Ha! Did I fucking ask you?¡± The man scoffed loudly, ¡°Did I ask you anything!¡± Julius Reed answered truthfully. ¡°Then shut the fuck up when I¡¯m not talking to you!¡± The brawny man was furious! He had come up to ask a question intending to intimidate, but now that his question was answered, he didn¡¯t know what to say next. ¡°Damn! What the hell should I say now!¡± The brawny man rubbed his bald head, unsure of what to say next. ¡°Forget it! Who¡¯s Elize Yarrow!¡± He rubbed his head and bellowed angrily, ¡°Kid, I¡¯ll deal with you in a bit!¡± ¡°Sure!¡± Julius Reed nodded and said to the brawny man, ¡°When? I¡¯m in a hurry!¡± ¡°Fuck! Are you fucking picking a fight with me on purpose!¡± The brawny man¡¯s eyes widened as he pointed to his face, ¡°Do I not look scary? I¡¯m about to beat you up, and you¡¯re not afraid!¡± He hadn¡¯t expected this kid to be fearless. ¡°I¡¯m scared! Of course, I¡¯m scared. But if I show fear, will you not hit me?¡± Julius Reed tilted his head up, looking on amusedly. ¡°Fine!¡± The bald brawny man nodded, ¡°You just wait for it!¡± ¡°Someone, drag that Elize Yarrow out of here!¡± He gestured with his hand, and immediately a few people stepped forward from behind him. ¡°What are you doing! In broad daylight, is there no law!¡± A young man stood up, speaking with a hostile tone. ¡°Exactly, do you know who we are! You dare to mess around here!¡± ¡°I¡¯m Ives Abbott, my dad is Octavius Abbott, you better leave right now!¡± For a moment, these young people one after another disclosed their identities. ¡°Everyone calm down! Don¡¯t make me be rude!¡± The bald brawny man pointed at the youngsters, ¡°Stay quiet!¡± After he said those words, a group of people immediately went towards Elize Yarrow. ¡°I¡¯m Ives Abbott!¡± Ives Abbott stood out again. ¡°It¡¯s useless!¡± Julius Reed pulled her back down. ¡°If they dare to do this after you¡¯ve all revealed your names, do you think they¡¯ll care? Who else in Five-river Province would dare to do such a thing?¡± After he spoke, Ives Abbott immediately understood. ¡°Atlas Leopold?¡± She asked with furrowed brows. ¡°What do you think? In Five-river Province, who would dare to offend so many families, and not even give any face to the Abbott Family?¡± After Julius Reed finished speaking, he walked to the table and picked up a beer bottle.. Chapter 154 - Chapter 154: Chapter 153 The Abbott Family Has Arrived_1 Chapter 154: Chapter 153 The Abbott Family Has Arrived_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Hey, what are you doing!¡± Ives Abbott immediately grabbed Julius Reed when she saw him pick up a beer bottle, scared. With the other side having the upper hand in numbers, acting now would definitely be a big loss! And judging by these hooligans¡¯ demeanor, it was just like Julius Reed had said, they clearly had the support of the Leopold Family behind them. Going up now would be purely looking for discomfort. As a young lady from a prominent household, Ives Abbott had seen much and had broad knowledge, naturally understanding the wisdom that a true hero does not suffer immediate losses. As long as they left, she could immediately call her family for support. ¡°Just a drink, no panic,¡± Julius Reed said. Julius Reed pushed her hand away and walked up to the hooligan leader. ¡°What are you doing! Kid, let me warn you, mind your own business today, young master here doesn¡¯t want to get his hands dirty!¡± The hooligan¡¯s face turned ashen when he saw Julius Reed approaching. He was acting on orders from Atlas Leopold to take revenge on Elize Yarrow. For the others, he had been commanded to avoid provoking them as much as possible. Because those gathered were all influential figures from Five-river Province. Offending any family by mistake could end up difficult to handle. The Leopold Family would not easily stand out, so those who would suffer first were them, these men. But while everyone else had been intimidated, this one young man in front of him was stubbornly ungrateful. This made it tough for him! ¡°You, this person,¡± Julius Reed said, shaking his head. ¡°Seeing how you¡¯ve come all this way, I wanted to offer you a drink. Why would you refuse this courtesy?¡± This actually stunned the thug for a moment. He was here to wreck the place and had to target the people in this house. Now he¡¯s coming over to offer a drink, what does it mean? ¡°I say, are you out of your mind! I¡¯m here to wreck the party! That Elize Yarrow, I¡¯m going to take her! Aren¡¯t you supposed to despise me, why are you offering me a drink?¡± He rubbed his head, feeling completely confused. What was this all about? ¡°Oh! So it¡¯s a toast you refuse, and punishment you choose!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyebrow twitched, and he swung down the beer bottle! Bang! Beer and shards of glass flew everywhere. The hooligans who were about to drag Elize Yarrow away released their grip when they saw this scene. ¡°Let go of me!¡± Elize Yarrow also struggled to move back, while threateningly saying, ¡°If you dare lay a finger on me, the Yarrow Family will not let you off!¡± Though the Yarrow Family could not compare to some of the major clans, they still held status in Five-river Province. Dealing with these minor hooligans was still well within their capability. ¡°Heh! The Yarrow Family! Why don¡¯t you call your Yarrow Family and see if anyone dares to answer?¡± The thug wiped the blood from his forehead and laughed in defiance, ¡°Kid, you are going to die with her today!¡± He had been mixing it up in the underworld for many years, but this was the first time someone had hit him over the head with a bottle. ¡°You wait! I¡¯m making a call!¡± Elize Yarrow frantically took her cell phone out of her pocket and called her father. But the line was busy, and she could not get through. ¡®What¡¯s going on!¡± She anxiously hung up and called other family members. But without exception, nobody answered. ¡°How about it! I wasn¡¯t lying to you, was I?¡± The thug sneered coldly, ¡°Now, you should understand the situation you¡¯re in, right?¡± Before he had arrived here, the Leopold Family had already arranged everything. The Yarrow Family was already deeply troubled by this issue; now that the Head of the Leopold Family offered to deal with Elize Yarrow, they immediately agreed to cooperate. Sacrificing a girl to secure peace for the Yarrow Family was an opportunity they would not pass up. ¡°Impossible! My family wouldn¡¯t abandon me!¡± Elize Yarrow simply could not accept this reality. Her own family giving up on her was something no one could bear. ¡°Take these two out!¡± The thug waved his hand, and his minions immediately surged forward. ¡°Kid, you gave me a bottle, now I¡¯m going to return the favor double!¡± He walked to the table, picked up two beer bottles, and headed toward Julius ¡°Thanks!¡± Crack! With the sound of two bones breaking, Julius Reed directly snapped the arms of two punks and quickly darted in front of the burly man! Stretching out both hands, he snatched the beer bottles from the burly man¡¯s grasp. Bang! Before the burly man could react, Julius smashed both bottles down, knocking him out cold on the ground. ¡°Big bro!¡± Seeing their leader down, the punks quickly rushed over to lift him up. ¡°F*ck! You¡­ you dare hit me!¡± The burly man¡¯s face was covered in blood, making his pain all the more acute under the influence of alcohol. ¡°Get him!¡± Bang! Just then, the door to the private room was kicked open. ¡°Brother Allen?¡± Seeing the newcomer, the burly man¡¯s face turned sour. Ives Abbott was still here, and just now he hadn¡¯t shown the Abbott Family any respect at all. Now that Miguel Abbott¡¯s personal bodyguard Allen had come over with his men, the situation was obviously tricky for him. ¡°Nathan Abbott, you¡¯ve got some nerve!¡± Allen glanced at Ives and said to the burly man, ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this? You dare to mess with the people of our Abbott Family?¡± ¡°Brother Allen, it¡¯s a misunderstanding!¡± Nathan wiped the blood from his face and painfully explained, ¡°I didn¡¯t mess with the miss; if you don¡¯t believe me, ask her.¡± Now that the other party had stepped in, his trouble was truly piling up. He had calculated everything but had not expected the Abbott Family to show up here. Nathan was a small-time thug, who had made a somewhat decent name for himself in Five-river Province under Cesar Pendleton¡¯s wing. Now that he had some renown and had connected with the Leopold Family, when Atlas Leopold approached him, Nathan agreed without conditions! If he could pull this job off, with the coverage of the Leopold Family and Cesar Pendleton, who in Five-river Province wouldn¡¯t give him face? But offending the Abbott Family was the last situation he wanted to see. ¡°Miss, are you alright?¡± Allen didn¡¯t pay him any attention, instead, he approached Ives Abbott and carefully asked. ¡°This stinking thug, clean him up for me!¡± Ives was already furious, and now that her family¡¯s bodyguard had arrived, she wanted to vent her anger. In Five-river Province, the Abbott Family was a major clan, and Ives had been pampered and privileged from a young age, always getting her way. When that burly man came in just now, he hadn¡¯t shown her any respect at all. Now that her reinforcements had arrived, naturally, she wanted to punish him. ¡°Can¡¯t you hear? The miss is ordering you to teach him a lesson!¡± Allen shouted, and the bodyguards immediately moved toward Nathan. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Nathan¡¯s lackeys quickly charged forward, standing in front of their big brother. On usual days, relying on Cesar Pendleton¡¯s protection, they were equally arrogant and domineering. ¡°Heh! Nathan, your lackeys are pretty bold!¡± Allen chuckled, nodded his head, and sauntered over to the punks. ¡°Didn¡¯t your big bro teach you what to do when you meet someone stronger than you?¡± ¡°Who the hell are you talking to!¡± The punk was a calf not afraid of tigers! Bang! Without warning, Allen threw a punch, knocking the punk to the ground. ¡°F*ck! Get him!¡± Seeing their comrade hit, his companions were ready to rush forward. ¡°Come on! Move and try me!¡± The next moment, Allen pulled out a gun and pressed it against a punk¡¯s head. Chapter 155 - Chapter 155: Chapter 154 Atlas Leopold Gets Trapped_1 Chapter 155: Chapter 154 Atlas Leopold Gets Trapped_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°This¡­¡± Clutching the bottle in his hand, he didn¡¯t know what to do for a moment. Put it down? But he didn¡¯t dare to move! These people usually relied on their numbers. Most of the time, fights wouldn¡¯t even start. With Cesar Pendleton backing them, ordinary people wouldn¡¯t dare to offend them. If they encountered someone with a bit of strength, they would count on their superior numbers, making the other party hesitate to make a move. In other words, they could go out a hundred times a year, and chances are they might not even get into a single fight. Now, he was suddenly so scared that he felt like an idiot. ¡°Move it! Aren¡¯t you damn tough?¡± Allen swung his hammer, directly smashing the guy¡¯s head and causing blood to flow. ¡°Ouch!¡± The guy fell to the ground, attempting to feign unconsciousness to bluff his way out of the situation. Bang! Allen kicked him in the leg. The man curled up in pain on the ground. ¡°Now, what about you guys!¡± Allen pointed with his finger, and those people immediately scattered to one side, exposing Nathan. ¡°Stand up!¡± He shouted at Nathan. ¡°Brother Allen, this is a misunderstanding!¡± Nathan quickly scrambled to his feet, raising his hands, ¡°Can we step aside to talk?¡± This matter was orchestrated by Atlas Leopold, but he obviously couldn¡¯t reveal it in front of everyone. But if he didn¡¯t speak up, he was sure in for trouble today. ¡°Spit it out fast!¡± Allen said impatiently. ¡°Brother Allen, it¡¯s really not convenient to speak here, can we step aside¡­¡± Nathan was in a difficult position. ¡°You gonna talk or not!¡± Bang! Allen charged over and kicked Nathan, sending him tumbling to the ground. ¡°Ouch!¡± Falling onto the marble floor, he felt excruciating pain. Combined with the injury on his head, Nathan almost passed out. But he knew he couldn¡¯t faint! If he did, Allen would mercilessly break his legs! After mixing in these circles for so long, he was very clear about the characters of these big shots. Someone like Allen, when he said he would do it, he did it! ¡°Brother Allen! I was instructed by someone!¡± Nathan stood up, saying in extreme pain, ¡°But I really can¡¯t name this person! Give me a chance to speak quietly!¡± As soon as he said this, everyone¡¯s faces changed. Especially Elize Yarrow, whose eyes blinked rapidly, obviously very concerned about the matter. Even a fool could see it. The whole incident today was aimed at Elize Yarrow. But who could this person be! ¡°Say it out loud!¡± Allen roared. ¡°Brother Allen, I¡­¡± Bang! ¡°I¡¯ll say it! I¡¯ll say it! It was Atlas Leopold, Young Master Leopold who told me to do it!¡± Nathan was so scared that his legs shook, and he nearly wet his pants. He knew if he didn¡¯t speak up, the other party would really kill him. ¡°I knew it!¡± Elize Yarrow¡¯s face was grim: ¡°That son of a bitch!¡± She had suspected that the matter wouldn¡¯t end so simply, but the Leopold Family¡¯s attitude seemed completely indifferent. She had thought that a prestigious family like theirs would choose to quell the issue quietly, but she didn¡¯t expect them to resort to such sleazy tactics. Outwardly generous, yet engaging in despicable undertakings behind the scenes. ¡°These really have nothing to do with me! I¡¯m just a runner!¡± Nathan was close to tears; he just wanted to show off a bit. Moreover, Atlas Leopold had said he would take care of everything, and his only job was to take Elize Yarrow away. But in the end, how come he still got beaten up and nearly lost his life in the private room? Especially since the Abbott Family stepped in unexpectedly, something he had never anticipated. After all, how could he compare with the Abbott Family¡¯s direct lineage? It can be said that outside, Allen represents Miguel Abbott¡¯s will essentially. Even if he were killed today, the Abbott Family wouldn¡¯t have to pay any price. ¡°Fine! Call Atlas Leopold now, tell him to come here. Say that the job is done. If there¡¯s any slip-up, I¡¯ll make you regret it profoundly,¡± Julius Reed said. He had held back from taking action earlier, but as soon as Nathan mentioned the name Atlas Leopold, he knew there was no easy way to end today¡¯s matter. He wouldn¡¯t kill Atlas Leopold now; there¡¯s no benefit to killing him, plus it would only make the Leopold Family act desperately. And sometimes, being alive is more painful than being dead. ¡°Okay! I¡¯ll call, I¡¯ll do it right now!¡± Nathan took out his cell phone with trembling hands and dialed Atlas Leopold¡¯s number. In a gesture of sincerity, he put the call on speakerphone. ¡°How did things go?¡± The voice of Atlas Leopold came through the phone. Upon hearing this voice, Elize Yarrow¡¯s face darkened and she couldn¡¯t help but clench her fists tightly. The other young lords and ladies present also seemed rather displeased. Although these people were not comparable to the Leopold Family, there was strength in numbers. Today¡¯s event would quickly spread within the Five-river Province circle. By then, Atlas Leopold¡¯s reputation would surely take a hit. Even if the young elite didn¡¯t express anything openly, they would surely detest him inwardly. The Four Great Young Masters, is this their true character? ¡°Young Master Leopold, the job is done! I¡¯ve got Elize Yarrow, and in front of everyone, gave her a good beating,¡± Nathan replied excitedly, as if he had just given someone else a beating. In reality, he was the one who ended up quite beaten. ¡°Good! I¡¯m on my way! Keep them under control, no one is allowed to leave!¡± Atlas Leopold sounded very excited! After being publicly humiliated by Elize Yarrow, the news had spread across the entire circle. How could Atlas Leopold, one of the Four Great Young Masters of Five-river Province, swallow the insult of being cuckolded? Clearly, he couldn¡¯t! So he put on an act as if mending the pen after the sheep are lost. On the surface, showing the Leopold Family¡¯s magnanimity, while secretly arranging people to trouble Elize Yarrow. ¡°Understood!¡± After hanging up the phone, Nathan took a deep breath. He almost suffocated while lying! This was deceiving the Young Master of the Leopold Family! Atlas Leopold! No matter the outcome, he was finished today. Better to bring down Atlas Leopold, who saw him as disposable, than to face certain death. ¡°You¡¯ve done well. I¡¯ve decided to let you go,¡± Julius Reed, looking at Nathan, said with a smile, ¡°Do you want to live?¡± ¡°Of course I do!¡± Nathan¡¯s face was bloodied, and he looked utterly panicked. Now that he had offended both sides, it was probably difficult for him to leave Five-river Province alive. ¡°Then, when Atlas Leopold arrives, beat him up fiercely! If I¡¯m satisfied, you can leave alive. And I promise you, no one will dare trouble you,¡± Julius Reed looked at Nathan, a smile playing on his lips. If Atlas Leopold wanted to hurt Elize Yarrow, then Julius would return the favor. To have the man Atlas Leopold sent beat him up instead! ¡°Are you serious?¡± A glimmer of excitement flashed in Nathan¡¯s eyes. This was a gamble; if the other party lied, the Leopold Family would definitely have him killed on the spot. If what the other party said was true, it could change his destiny. ¡°I never lie,¡± Julius Reed said indifferently.. Chapter 156 - Chapter 156: Chapter 155 Atlas Leopold Comes to Seek Revenge_l Chapter 156: Chapter 155 Atlas Leopold Comes to Seek Revenge_l Translator: 549690339 Atlas Leopold was very pleased. After swallowing his humiliation for so long, he could finally seek his revenge. The Leopold Family was a major clan that had been quite affluent since their ancestors¡¯ days. Even Atlas¡¯s great-grandfather had been an admiral in the Ancient Times. In Five-river Province, they were considered true landed gentry. He, who had grown up with a silver spoon in his mouth, when had he ever suffered such indignity? But out of fear of losing face, the Leopold Family chose not to take overt action. This did not mean, however, that the illustrious clan would opt for compromise. ¡°Elize Yarrow, you fucking bitch, you¡¯ll soon regret this!¡± Atlas Leopold sat in the Bentley, gently adjusting his tie. Instilling fear in the Yarrow Family like a thorn in their side was not something he could achieve alone. These matters naturally involved the push from the Leopold Family. All the preparations had been laid out, just waiting for him to make his move and deal with Elize Yarrow. Today, Atlas Leopold had dressed very finely, including the suit and tie, all of which were his favorite styles. To have a woman who betrayed him kneel at his feet like a dog, what could be more satisfying than that? Just thinking of Elize Yarrow crying her eyes out made him unable to suppress a smile. ¡°Young master, we¡¯re nere!¡± The driver slowly parked in the lot, and the bodyguard in the front passenger seat immediately got out to open the door for him. ¡°Should I bring a few people in with me?¡± asked the bodyguard softly. It was just the three of them on this trip. While the bodyguard was strong, in the end, there could only be one main fighter. ¡°No problem! Nathan¡¯s men are inside, nothing will go wrong.¡± Atlas Leopold straightened his clothes, walked into the entertainment city with his hands clasped behind his back. Nathan had some influence in the locality, and today¡¯s mission was just to keep Elize Yarrow in check, with no major conflict expected. Thus, he did not bring extra bodyguards on this trip, and he hadn¡¯t informed any of his employees either. Following the address given by Nathan, they soon arrived at the door of the private room. ¡°You wretched woman, bet you didn¡¯t expect that I¡¯d already be at the door!¡± Atlas Leopold muttered to himself and slowly pushed open the door of the private room. Inside, everyone obediently sat on the couch, while Nathan¡¯s men stood in the room. And Elize Yarrow was shivering in the farthest corner, with several men in black standing in front of her. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, sorry for the disturbance to your entertainment!¡± Atlas Leopold brought his hands together in apology. ¡°Atlas Leopold, what the hell are you up to! Even daring to detain grandma¡ª you believe I won¡¯t go to your father and let him judge this?¡± Upon seeing Atlas Leopold walk in, Ives Abbott immediately flared up. We are all from the upper circles; what right do you have to touch me? She spoke with deep resentment, ¡°Since when did Young Master Leopold start dabbling in such petty thievery!¡± Letting Nathan strike first then appearing himself, it was a classic case of acting overtly but with a hidden intent. In the past, Atlas Leopold had been domineering and bold in his actions, arrogant but also steady. Now his maneuvers were cautious, clearly having suffered from setbacks. ¡°Miss Abbott, I truly apologize for today¡¯s incident. After resolving this matter, I will surely apologize to you in person!¡± Atlas Leopold managed to squeeze out a thin smile. Although he could disregard others¡¯ feelings, Ives was the daughter of Miguel Abbott. Miguel Abbott¡¯s affection for his daughter was notorious. If the Abbott Family were to find out about this, it wouldn¡¯t be easy for the Leopold Family to handle. Both families were big shots in Five-river Province; neither was less than the other in any respect. ¡°Damn it! What the fuck is your attitude!¡± Ives Abbott cursed outright, ¡°I was having a good time here, and you burst in, spoiling my fun! What if you were the one playing here today, and I barged in with my men? Would a simple apology suffice? If it¡¯s that easy, I¡¯ll beat you up right now and apologize afterward!¡± Having said this, Ives Abbott stood up and walked over to Atlas Leopold. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Atlas Leopold¡¯s personal bodyguard instantly stepped forward, blocking her firmly! ¡°Miss Abbott, it¡¯s best not to be impulsive!¡± The bodvguard threatened in a cold voice- Smack! Ives Abbott went up and slapped him across the face. ¡°How dare you speak to me like that! Huh? Kid, you¡¯re nothing but Atlas Leopold¡¯s dog, what right do you have to speak to me!¡± The bodyguard clenched his teeth, his fists tightly balled together. He was Atlas Leopold¡¯s personal bodyguard, holding a high status within the Leopold Family. Even if he left the Leopold Family, others would still call him ¡°brother.¡± But now, someone had called him a dog! And slapped him! Yet he had to endure it! The person in question was Ives Abbott, Octavius Abbott¡¯s daughter! And he was just a bodyguard. ¡°What, not convinced?¡± Ives Abbott snorted coldly, looking at the bodyguard whose face was red with anger. ¡°How could I be, Miss Abbott¡­¡± Smack! Ives Abbott slapped him again. ¡°Good that you know! It¡¯s an honor for you to be slapped by me!¡± At this moment, she invoked her family background to overwhelm him, yet it didn¡¯t make her any less likable. On the contrary, those inside the private room found it quite satisfying. If it weren¡¯t for Atlas Leopold¡¯s presence, they would have applauded and cheered already. ¡°Miss Abbott, don¡¯t go too far! I treat him like my own brother, yet you call him a dog?¡± Atlas Leopold stepped in front of Ives Abbott. No matter what, this was his most capable bodyguard. To take a step back, even if this was just the most ordinary servant of the Leopold Family, they shouldn¡¯t be subjected to such treatment by others! As the saying goes, to strike a dog, you must look at its owner; Ives Abbott was really too presumptuous! ¡°Wow, fine! Atlas Leopold, this isn¡¯t over yet!¡± After feeling satisfied with the slap, Ives Abbott sat back down in her chair. After all, with Julius Reed there, the real drama was just beginning. ¡°Elize Yarrow, you whore!¡± Having composed himself, Atlas Leopold slowly approached Elize Yarrow. He was holding back a belly full of rage, ready to vent it all on Elize Yarrow. Including the humiliation he received at the Pearl on the Water. ¡°Don¡¯t come any closer! ¡± Elize Yarrow tried to back away, but there was a wall behind her, with no place to retreat. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­¡± She looked at Atlas Leopold in fear and desperation, her eyes filled with dread. ¡°Haha, what were you thinking at the time? You stinking woman! Let me tell you the truth, starting now, I¡¯m going to make your life a living hell. You¡¯ll spend the rest of your days in endless agony! I¡¯ll make sure you live every day in fear and regret!¡± Atlas Leopold took a deep breath and raised his hand to slap Elize Yarrow! Bang! But at that moment, Nathan, with no warning, grabbed a bottle of beer and smashed it hard on Atlas Leopold¡¯s head! ¡°Are you fucking mad!¡± The bodyguard took a while to react. Someone dared to strike Atlas Leopold? And it was someone arranged by Atlas Leopold himself? He grabbed Nathan by the neck and pushed him against the wall: ¡°Even the Young Master Leopold is not safe from you, are you tired of living!¡± Even though Cesar Pendleton had Nathan¡¯s back, Atlas Leopold was not afraid. In Cesar Pendleton¡¯s eyes, Nathan was just a dog! And now that the dog had gone mad, it had to be put down! ¡°You hit me?¡± Atlas Leopold shook his head, cleaning the shards of glass from his scalp. ¡°Give me a reason.¡± Bang! Just then, the door to the private room was kicked open again.. Chapter 157 - Chapter 157: Chapter 156: Well, I’ll Give It a Try_1 Chapter 157: Chapter 156: Well, I¡¯ll Give It a Try_1 Translator: 549690339 When the sound of the door echoed, everyone¡¯s gaze was instantly drawn to it. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± Upon seeing who was at the door, Atlas Leopold¡¯s pupils shrank drastically, and he became visibly unsettled. Because it was none other than his worst nightmare, Julius Reed. After being humiliated at the Pearl on the Water, he had immediately dispatched a Shadow Warrior. Yet not only had all the men he sent out died, but he had also been attacked! The Shadow Warrior had even managed to reach him; if not for the intervention of a Deep Cold Shadow Warrior, he would likely be dead by now. As for that Shadow Warrior, they probably lay dead somewhere on the road already. After all, shot multiple times and bleeding profusely. Moreover, through the connections of the Leopold Family, he had confirmed that not a single hospital in the city held any record of that female Shadow Warrior. With injuries that severe, avoiding a hospital spelled only certain death. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s me.¡± Behind Julius Reed, stood Allen and members of the Abbott Family. ¡°Fate really does make enemies cross paths!¡± In his mind, Atlas Leopold suddenly felt as if he had been duped and deceived. If he had known Julius Reed was here, he would have never come! Facing such a devil without a well-thought-out plan to deal with him wasn¡¯t this just courting death? But now, he only had one employee in front of him. That was far from enough! ¡°Did you hit him?¡± Julius Reed looked at Nathan Abbott. At that moment, Nathan Abbott was being pressed against the wall, his neck squeezed by a bodyguard. Although he couldn¡¯t speak, he still managed to nod vigorously. ¡°That¡¯s good!¡± After getting the answer, Julius Reed appeared quite pleased. ¡°You all conspired against me!¡± By now, even a fool like Atlas Leopold could understand what was happening. Clearly, two groups had colluded to set him up! ¡°Nathan, you dare trick me!¡± His face darkened to the extreme. Ordinarily, it was him, Young Master Leopold, who played tricks on others! But who could have anticipated that today he would be the one to be played! ¡°So what if I played you?¡± Julius Reed walked over with a smile. ¡°You sent people to harass Elize Yarrow, is that something a gentleman does? She¡¯s just a girl, you¡¯re really heartless!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t come any closer!¡± Atlas Leopold took a deep breath, his entire body tensing up. He had witnessed Julius Reed¡¯s methods and knew all too well how formidable his opponent was. ¡°Get lost! ¡± The moment Julius Reed neared them, the bodyguard immediately let go of Nathan and threw a fierce punch! Bang! Julius Reed did not retreat, countering with a punch of his own! Crack! The bodyguard¡¯s bones instantly snapped! Before he could react, Julius Reed¡¯s other hand was already upon him! ¡°Don¡¯t block my way!¡± With a powerful heave, he tossed the bodyguard to the ground. Everyone was shocked. This bodyguard was highly skilled; they had all witnessed him subduing Nathan just moments ago. But now, faced with Julius Reed, the man didn¡¯t even have the strength to fight back! He was instantly overpowered! ¡°Stop! Don¡¯t come any closer!¡± Atlas Leopold swallowed hard, shaking slightly in fear. This scene mirrored exactly what Elize Yarrow had gone through just a moment ago. ¡°Since you came looking for trouble with me, you should have known this day would come. But I¡¯ve changed my mind ¨C initially, I wanted to rescue Elize Yarrow, but after she repeatedly slandered me, I now want to see how you¡¯ll deal with her.¡± As soon as Julius Reed uttered those words, Elize Yarrow¡¯s face immediately turned pale. Not just hers, the expressions on the faces of everyone else were also unsightly. They had thought the matter was over, and everyone was even ready to applaud and cheer. But then Julius Reed suddenly pulled this move, catching everyone off guard. ¡°Jerk! How can you be so petty! I was just¡­ just kidding around¡­¡± Elize Yarrow was somewhat afraid. Previously, when Atlas Leopold bullied her, it was Julius Reed who stood up for her. Today, when she heard that Atlas Leopold was going to make a move, Reed even personally rushed over. But what did she do? As soon as they met, she was sarcastic, mocking, and jeering at him, completely biting the hand that fed her! ¡°I was wrong! Bro¡­¡± She begged with a cry in her voice. ¡°Brother Reed, leave this to me, I promise I¡¯ll handle it to your satisfaction!¡± A hint of a smile crossed Atlas Leopold¡¯s eyes. It seemed that there had been a conflict between the two before! In this case, he and Julius Reed had become fellows in the same boat. Adept at calculating, Atlas Leopold naturally knew this was an opportunity, and if played well, he might even use this excuse to extricate himself and curry favor with Julius Reed! As long as he returned to the Leopold Family, he would fear nothing. In Five-river Province, no one dared to openly mess with the Leopold Family! ¡°You vile woman! How amusing!¡± Atlas Leopold looked at Elize Yarrow with malice and began to walk towards her. ¡°Hey! How can you do this? Elize just spoke in anger, you¡¯re a man, don¡¯t be so petty!¡± Ives Abbott saw Atlas Leopold walking over and couldn¡¯t help but break out in a cold sweat. Being friends who hung out together, naturally they didn¡¯t want anyone to suffer any mishap. ¡°Exactly! I was just joking!¡± Elize Yarrow¡¯s previous confidence all stemmed from Julius Reed. But now that Julius Reed had raised the white flag, she found herself in immediate danger. Now, Elize Yarrow almost regretted green with it. If it wasn¡¯t for her indulgence in a moment¡¯s verbal victory, she wouldn¡¯t have ended up in such a dangerous situation. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll forgive you this once. If there¡¯s a next time, you better be prepared to feed the fishes!¡± Julius Reed waved his hand, and Nathan¡¯s employees immediately lifted Atlas Leopold up. ¡°What are you doing! I¡¯m Atlas Leopold! Of the Leopold Family! Offend me, and you won¡¯t end well!¡± Atlas Leopold struggled incessantly, but he lived a life of luxury and had no real strength! He was now lifted off the ground! ¡°The Leopold Family? Let me ask you, haven¡¯t I already offended the Leopold Family enough? What are you, always shouting and making a fuss!¡± Slap! Julius Reed slapped him across the face, immediately drawing blood from Atlas Leopold¡¯s nose. Remembering the chain of events triggered by the video of Quamaine Potter getting beaten up, which Atlas Leopold had arranged to be released, made him angry. If it wasn¡¯t for that video, Quella Radcliffe wouldn¡¯t have fallen into such danger. The two of them would still be living carefree in Gonzalez City, not in such peril. So when he threw his punch, Julius Reed put a lot of force into it. All the young people present were scared stiff. The Young Master Leopold, one of the four young masters of Five-river Province, actually got his nose bloodied by a slap! ¡°How bold must one be? I¡¯m really curious now, who exactly is Ives Abbott¡¯s boyfriend!¡± ¡°First, he slept with Elize Yarrow, putting a green hat on the young master, and now he¡¯s with Ives Abbott. Honestly, I¡¯m very curious, who is he really!¡± ¡°I heard it¡¯s him, the same one who previously gave Atlas Leopold a good thrashing! ¡± Everyone began to speculate about the identity of Julius Reed. To dare to beat up Young Master Leopold so brazenly in Five-river Province, who would believe he had no backing? Even if Ives Abbott claimed that this man was her boyfriend, the Abbott Family wouldn¡¯t dare to flagrantly attack Atlas Leopold, right? ¡°You hitting me, you won¡¯t end well! ¡± Atlas Leopold threatened through gritted teeth, filled with malice. By now, he hated Julius Reed to the core and had even thought of how to take revenge after getting away! ¡°Is that so? I¡¯d like to try that!¡± Slap! Julius Reed swung another heavy slap.. Chapter 158 - Chapter 158: Chapter 157 Unlucky Guy_l Chapter 158: Chapter 157 Unlucky Guy_l Translator: 549690339 When Julius Reed¡¯s slap descended, everyone fell silent, not daring to speak. This was Young Master Leopold of the Leopold Family. Even if one didn¡¯t want to give face, crippling that bodyguard would have been enough. But now, things had taken a turn for the worse, Julius Reed had actually slapped Atlas Leopold across the face. Could the Leopold Family let this slide? No one believed the Leopold Family would be so magnanimous. Even if it had been someone else, they would likely have chosen vengeance. ¡°You¡­ dare to hit me?¡± Atlas Leopold licked the blood at the corner of his mouth, a malicious glint flashing in his eyes. He¡¯d been bested by the same person twice in a matter of days, which was something he found hard to accept. And each time, it had been in front of a crowd, as if he, Young Master Leopold, was being completely and utterly humiliated. Should word get out, he would really have no standing left in Five-river Province. ¡°Hit you? Haven¡¯t I hit you more than once already?¡± Julius Reed smiled and swung his hand for another slap! Slap! At that moment, everyone became restless. ¡°Brother, there¡¯s a limit to everything; maybe it¡¯s time to let it go,¡± someone said. ¡°Indeed, there¡¯s no big feud here. Besides, isn¡¯t Little Mei here all fine? Just spare Young Master Leopold,¡± another chimed in. ¡°You¡¯ve taught him a lesson already, no need to take it too far,¡± was yet another plea. One by one, they voiced their entreaties. The matter with Atlas Leopold clearly had escalated. Once word got back, it would surely alarm the Leopold Family. If the Leopold¡¯s were to pursue this further, none of those present would likely escape implication. Seeing Atlas Leopold beaten in a private room, the Leopold Family would certainly direct their anger at those who had stood by idly. If their families were to face disaster, they could not bear it. Seeing these people stating their positions, Atlas Leopold snorted coldly, ¡°Julius Reed, haven¡¯t you realized the reality yet? This is Five-river Province, my territory! Here, I am the king! No matter who you are, if you dare to treat me this way, you¡¯ll surely die!¡± At this moment, he no longer hid the murderous intent in his heart. The attitudes of the young men had emboldened him! ¡°Are you afraid now? Do you regret everything you¡¯ve done to me?¡± Atlas Leopold let out a loud laugh, ¡°Too late! Both you and this bitch must die!¡± Slap! Julius Reed swung another slap. ¡°Afraid? I¡¯ve hit you so many times already, what¡¯s one more?¡± Thump! He kicked out, hitting Atlas Leopold directly in the stomach. ¡°Ugh.. Atlas Leopold grunted, curling up in pain. ¡°Enough!¡± someone called out again. ¡°Young Master Leopold has been punished already, don¡¯t be unreasonable!¡± Thump! Julius Reed picked up a bottle of beer and smashed it over the young man¡¯s head. The force was so strong that the young man collapsed to the ground, blood covering his head, unconscious. ¡°Now, does anyone else want to plead for Atlas Leopold?¡± Julius Reed looked around coldly and asked. These people chose to protect themselves, trying to curry favor with Atlas Leopold, so they couldn¡¯t blame him for being impolite! ¡°I will!¡± Another person stood up. Fortune comes with risks. By standing up now, he appeared commendable, and it also made Atlas Leopold feel moved. A group of people pleading might not remember who specifically did so. But now, only one person, risking being beaten, stood up; surely, Young Master Leopold would remember him. He was taking a gamble. A right gamble could instantly connect him with the support of the Leopold Family. ¡°Even if you hit me, I still have to say, you¡¯ve gone too far with this!¡± The young man declared with a righteous air. ¡°What a clown!¡± Julius Reed shook his head, grabbed the young man by the hair, and forced him down in front of Atlas Leopold. ¡°Come, be a good dog!¡± Thump! He exerted force in his hand and made the young man kneel on the ground. The head hitting the floor caused a profuse flow of blood. ¡°Ouch!¡± The young man let out a pained howl. But clearly, this was just the beginning, not the end of it. Thump! Another one! Bang! Bang! Julius Reed kept pressing his head down, forcing him to kowtow repeatedly! ¡°Brother! I was wrong!¡± The youth wailed in agony. Before, there had been others like the young man, who chose to risk danger for wealth and status. Only, because the young man was the first to have his status cleared, they were full of regret. Now, they were truly relieved they hadn¡¯t stepped forward at the time. This was just too cruel! Before long, the young man¡¯s head was covered in blood, and his entire being sunk into despair. ¡°Please, I beg you, let me go!¡± All of them were noble young masters raised in luxury, who had ever suffered like this? The delicate flesh on his head, struck repeatedly against the floor, was already rubbed raw. ¡°Do you regret it now?¡± Julius Reed lifted his head, asking with a smile. ¡°I regret it! Very much so! Brother, I was wrong! Please spare me!¡± The young man¡¯s tears flowed freely, and his body trembled with fear. ¡°So, do you think Atlas Leopold deserves to be beaten?¡± Julius Reed asked again. ¡°That¡­¡± Bang! As the young man hesitated, his head once more violently struck the floor. The pain from the wounds was amplified by the impact, nearly causing him to faint. ¡°He deserves it! He needs to be beaten!¡± The young man shouted loudly. Meanwhile, Atlas Leopold¡¯s face opposite him turned exceedingly grim. ¡°You all tell me, does Atlas Leopold deserve to be beaten?¡± Julius Reed stood up, glancing around at the people in the room. ¡°He does! He very much does!¡± Seeing his gaze, everyone immediately scrambled away as if they had seen a viper. With the lesson learned right in front of their eyes, who would dare to play the hero? ¡°Right! Well beaten!¡± ¡°A bully! He deserves it!¡± Instantly, everyone¡¯s tune changed. Those who had pled for Atlas Leopold before were now the ones claiming he was rightly beaten. ¡°Very well! ¡± Julius Reed nodded, looking down at the man at his feet, and said softly, ¡°Slap Atlas Leopold, and I will let you go.¡± ¡°What!¡± The young man was startled, his body jolting. Hit Atlas Leopold! Was he seeking death? ¡°1¡­¡± He started to announce his family name but instantly swallowed the words back down. Was his family powerful? The Leopold Family was powerful, right? But now Atlas Leopold was on his knees like a dog. ¡°If you don¡¯t slap him, I¡¯ll hit you. You can believe that I won¡¯t kill you, but I¡¯ll definitely make you wish you were dead,¡± During this, Julius Reed squatted down, his face full of smiles. That smile made the young man¡¯s skin crawl. ¡°I¡¯ll do it! I¡¯ll slap him!¡± He took a deep breath, looking at Atlas Leopold in front of him: ¡°Young Master Leopold, I had no choice, you see, I got beaten up just trying to plead for you!¡± He brought his hands together, prayed for a moment, then gently slapped Atlas Leopold¡¯s face. ¡°Too light, doesn¡¯t count!¡± Julius Reed shook his head. ¡°My apologies!¡± The young man closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and fiercely delivered a slap! Slap! At that moment, everyone¡¯s hearts hung in suspense. ¡°Not hard enough, do it again!¡± Julius Reed repeated. ¡°Use some damn strength!¡± Atlas Leopold roared angrily. He wanted to get hit less, too! Slap! This time, the young man put all his strength into it as if he were drawing it from his mother¡¯s milk. Under the force of that slap, Atlas Leopold fell straight to the ground.. Chapter 159 - Chapter 159: Chapter 158: Winning People Over with Virtue 1 Chapter 159: Chapter 158: Winning People Over with Virtue 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Indeed! Go back!¡± Julius Reed nodded satisfactorily. ¡°Young Master Leopold, I¡­¡± The young man wanted to explain, but catching Atlas Leopold¡¯s venomous gaze, he immediately returned to his place, daring not to say more. At the same time, he silently prayed in his heart, hoping that Atlas Leopold would not blame him. But was that even possible? Though resentful, Atlas Leopold also took a deep breath of relief. He felt that his torment should finally be over. ¡°You all! Come here! I want to see one slap from each of you!¡± But Julius Reed¡¯s next words sent him plummeting to rock bottom. ¡®You¡­¡± ¡°What about me?¡± Julius Reed looked at him, sneering, ¡°Do you think you still have the capital to talk to me now?¡± ¡°1¡­¡± Atlas Leopold took a deep breath, managing to put on a forced smile, ¡°Brother Davenport, I admit I was wrong today. Everyone has been hit, and I apologized. Can you let me go back?¡± Fearing that Julius Reed might have reservations, he quickly explained, ¡°Please rest assured, today¡¯s incident started because of me. I won¡¯t tell my family anything about it, and you don¡¯t have to worry about the Leopold Family seeking revenge.¡± But in his heart, he was calculating an insanely vengeful comeback once he returned. After all, suffering two setbacks within a week would be too much for anyone to bear. Moreover, it happened in front of all the young gentleman and ladies from Five-river Province. Within half a day, the news would spread throughout Five-river Province. How would one of the proud Four Young Masters face this? ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s already too late!¡± Julius Reed shrugged slightly, pointing at the people, ¡°Whoever doesn¡¯t come over will end up like the guy just now. I don¡¯t like to force people; I prefer to win them over with morality. Rest assured, whoever doesn¡¯t come to slap, I won¡¯t insist.¡± He looked around the room, seeing fear in the eyes of those youngsters. Anyone would be scared in their place. The person they were supposed to hit was none other than Atlas Leopold of the Leopold Family from Five-river Province! If they slapped Atlas Leopold today, their own misfortune might seem minor, but they feared that their entire family would suffer because of it. After all, they represented their respective families. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t want to hit¡­¡± A young man stepped forward from the crowd. After all, Julius Reed had stated he never forced anyone. There¡¯s still something to be said for integrity, right? Bang! Just as others began to stir, Julius Reed kicked out, sending the young man tumbling to the ground. ¡°I was wrong!¡± The young man immediately scrambled up and walked over to Atlas Leopold, ¡°Mr. Leopold, I¡¯m truly sorry!¡± Smack! After slapping him, he didn¡¯t even wait to see Atlas Leopold¡¯s murderous look before scurrying back to his seat. ¡°Next!¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a smile on his face. ¡°I¡¯ll go!¡± Ives Abbott sauntered up to Atlas Leopold, smiling, ¡°Little brother, you seemed quite cocky at the beginning! Do you remember what you told Sister Abbott?¡± She had not forgotten Atlas Leopold¡¯s disrespectful attitude towards her when he first entered the room. ¡°Heh, Ives Abbott! You¡¯d better think carefully about the consequences of what you¡¯re about to do! Let me tell you, if you proceed with this, first ask yourself if your father would agree! They are forced by threats, doing it against their will ¡ªI might let that go.¡± Atlas Leopold glared at Ives Abbott fiercely, ¡°But you, you¡¯re choosing to hit me voluntarily! I will not forget this vendetta, and I¡¯ll tell your father about it! If our families break ties, have you considered whether you can bear the consequences¡­¡± Smack! Ives Abbott¡¯s slap cut him off, ¡°There¡¯s no need for you to instruct me on what to do! Atlas Leopold, don¡¯t think that just because you carry this title of ¡®Four Young Masters,¡¯ you¡¯re something special! To tell you the truth, I never saw you as anything valuable!¡± After delivering the slap, Ives Abbott returned to her chair with an air of superiority. Meanwhile, she quietly unlocked her phone and started recording a video. Smack! One by one, the others made their way to Atlas Leopold, first saying sorry, then giving an explanation, before viciously slapping him across the face! It didn¡¯t take long before Atlas¡¯s face had swollen up like a pig¡¯s head. And his hearing was almost gone, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins. ¡°Done!¡± Ives Abbott clicked to share the video to her social circle, also adding a line of text: ¡°Guess who the pig in front of me is! ¡± Soon enough, comments began to appear beneath the post. ¡°Ives, you¡¯re bullying someone again! Who is this?¡± ¡°It looks hilarious, it couldn¡¯t actually be a pig, could it?¡± ¡°Why do I feel like it¡¯s Mr. Leopold? Haha!¡± Under this post, various rich kids started leaving comments. Their circle was just that small; they got wind of everything almost immediately. Ives Abbott may be the Abbott Family¡¯s heiress, but she enjoyed hanging out with people beneath her status. Because she found those at the top insufferably hypocritical. Over time, among the daughters of Five-river Province, her circle was the largest. Furthermore, some of the older generation had added her as a friend, and they were liking the post too. ¡°Ives, who is that pig-head?¡± Many people messaged her privately on WeChat, all wanting to know who the unlucky soul was! A very few joked that it could be Atlas Leopold. But nobody really thought it was Atlas Leopold. This was Five-river Province, after all, where the Leopold Family¡¯s influence was immense. Who would dare do such a thing? Besides, even if someone wanted to, they would have to possess the power to do it! Thinking about messing with Atlas was like a daydream! Ives Abbott couldn¡¯t be bothered to reply directly, so she simply added a line under the post. ¡°Live broadcast of Atlas Leopold getting thrashed!¡± Immediately, her social circle blew up. ¡°You¡¯re not kidding, right! If Mr. Leopold sees this, you¡¯ll inevitably get a scolding from him again!¡± ¡°Ives! Did Atlas offend you or something?¡± ¡°If that¡¯s really Atlas Leopold, I would live stream myself eating shit standing on my head!¡± Quickly, everyone started to respond. But looking at the video, it really did look a bit like Atlas Leopold. In the video, a man was kneeling on the ground, getting slapped on the face by everyone in turns. ¡°Atlas Leopold, you¡¯re trending!¡± Ives Abbott didn¡¯t pay further attention, instead she pocketed her phone and excitedly said. ¡°Buzz!¡± Soon, Atlas Leopold¡¯s phone rang. Because he had been knocked down so suddenly by Julius Reed, Atlas had no chance to even touch his phone. He hadn¡¯t even found a chance to call for help. Now that his phone started ringing, Atlas became very agitated. ¡°Don¡¯t move! Your lady here will answer for you!¡± Ives Abbott leaped beside Atlas, snatching the phone from his embrace in a flash. When she saw the incoming call number, she chuckled and answered the call. ¡°Mr. Leopold, that bitch Ives Abbott has posted something on her social network, saying you got beaten up! Hurry over there and ask her for an explanation!¡± A young voice full of urgency came through on the other end of the line. ¡°Lapdog! Dare to call me a bitch? Fine! Elijah Leopold, we¡¯re not done with today¡¯s business!¡± Ives Abbott let out a cold laugh: ¡°You sweet-talk Sister Abbott to her face but call me a bitch behind her back, just you wait!¡± With that, she immediately hung up the call.. Chapter 160 - Chapter 160: Chapter 159 Regretful Ives Abbott_l Chapter 160: Chapter 159 Regretful Ives Abbott_l Translator: 549690339 ¡°Dear, I helped you spread the word. Now everyone in Five-river Province knows that the Leopolds are like dogs under your thumb!¡± Ives Abbott swayed her cellphone in her hand, her face brimming with excitement. She was ultimately a child, deeply intrigued by this kind of thing. Add to that the Abbott Family¡¯s great wealth and influence, which had fostered her reckless nature without regard for consequences. A matter like today¡¯s was bound to cause a sensation in Five-river Province. But Ives Abbott didn¡¯t see it that way. As long as it could embarrass Atlas Leopold, she wanted everyone to know. If someone missed out, she would actually feel a twinge of regret. ¡°You¡­¡± Julius Reed was truly at a loss for words. Today, he had hit Atlas Leopold. Had it not been broadcasted, the Leopold Family might have dealt with the matter more discreetly. But now, with the whole Five-river Province in the know, if the Leopold Family didn¡¯t make a move, they would likely be the laughing stock of all the big shots. ¡°I helped you today, but if there¡¯s a next time, you¡¯d better look out for yourself.¡± He glanced at Elize Yarrow. This woman, he had come all the way to save her, yet instead of being grateful, she was trying to sling mud on him. ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Elize Yarrow was completely terrified after what Atlas Leopold had done. Without the Yarrow Family¡¯s support, what could she rely on? Without her family, she was even less than an ordinary girl. ¡°Too late!¡± Julius Reed turned and left the entertainment club without looking back. Behind him, Allen approached Ives Abbott, ¡°Miss, this behavior of yours is quite capricious! Not only could this put Mr. Reed in grave danger, but even the Abbott Family might suffer the consequences!¡± He may have just been a bodyguard, but Ives listened to him intently. She had been with the Abbott Family for so long, she treated him like her own family, and would even call him uncle when they were alone. Now that even Allen was saying this, she felt a hint of fear. ¡°What should I do then!¡± Ives felt somewhat wronged. ¡°Forget it! Let¡¯s go home first. We must inform Boss Abbott about this. Atlas Leopold being hit in public is a huge incident that can shock the whole Five-river Province. The Leopold Family is certainly going to take bold measures this time!¡± Allen sighed deeply and prepared to escort Ives back home with the other bodyguards. Just as they were about to leave, the youths¡¯ phones in the private room started ringing one after another. ¡°Leviticus Martin, did you hit Young Master Leopold?¡± ¡°Dad, I had no choice¡­¡± ¡°Get out! I don¡¯t have a disobedient child like you. Go to the Leopold Family now, kneel before Uncle Leopold, and beg for his forgiveness! If the Leopold Family doesn¡¯t forgive you, you can get out and never set foot in this house again in your life!¡± ¡°Dad¡­¡± ¡°Beep beep¡­¡± It wasn¡¯t just him; the others were in a similar situation. ¡°You disobedient child, daring to hit Atlas Leopold! You really want to kill me! Get out! From today on, our father-son relationship is over!¡± ¡°Dad, listen to me, I can explain¡­¡± ¡°You explain to the Leopold Family! If they don¡¯t forgive you, slap yourself until you¡¯ve beaten yourself to death, you unfilial child!¡± Soon, almost all the youths in the private room had received calls. They looked ashen-faced, uncertain about what to do next. Someone shouted, ¡°Ives Abbott, damn you for posting on Moments! Damn it! That¡¯s how my family found out about this!¡± ¡°What! Ives Abbott, are you out of your mind!¡± ¡°Damn it! You¡¯re crazy! You¡¯ve really screwed me over!¡± Everyone hurried to open their phones, only to see a video of themselves walking up to Atlas Leopold and delivering a resounding slap. Now they had no chance to deny it, Atlas Leopold was initially stunned by the blow and might not remember who all had struck him. But now, thanks to Ives Abbott volunteering evidence, they were directly pushed into the pit of fire. ¡°I really can¡¯t believe you! You think we¡¯re all dying too slowly!¡± ¡°Your Abbott Family has wealth and power, not afraid of the Leopolds! Can we say the same? If the Leopolds take revenge, my dad would wish he could kill me!¡± ¡°Exactly! You have a backer, you don¡¯t care about our lives and deaths! Ives Abbott, from now on just go hang out with your rich friends. We can¡¯t afford to play with you. If this goes on, you¡¯ll get us killed sooner or later!¡± The young men were full of righteous indignation. Even those with weaker mentalities had begun crying on the couch in the private room. They had become instantly famous via the video. This was a slap in the face to Young Master Leopold! ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t think things would turn out this way! I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ll delete it now, I¡¯ll remove it right now!¡± As Ives Abbott opened the Moments to delete the video, she explained: ¡°Sorry! I really didn¡¯t expect things to turn out like this. Don¡¯t worry, once I delete it, they won¡¯t be able to see it!¡± Having said that, she clicked delete. ¡°Look, isn¡¯t it all taken care of now! Always panicking over nothing!¡± Although she knew she was in the wrong, it was still very difficult for Miss Abbott to admit her mistake. ¡°Damn it! Who the hell posted it in the group chat!¡± Just then, a young man couldn¡¯t help but curse out loud. ¡°Oh my god! Ives Abbott, you¡¯ve screwed us over!¡± In their circle¡¯s WeChat group, someone had sent the complete video into the group chat. ¡®Everyone, none of you think about escaping!¡± After such a line was attached, everyone¡¯s faces turned instantly pale. ¡°Elijah Leopold, you son of a bitch!¡± Ives Abbott started cursing outright. She sent a voice message: ¡°Elijah Leopold, withdraw it immediately! Otherwise, I¡¯ll bring people to tear down your house!¡± A moment later, a text message from Elijah Leopold appeared in the group chat. ¡°Ives Abbott, you lot bully others because of your power! Let me tell you the truth, even if you kill me, I won¡¯t withdraw the message! Brother Leopold treated me like a true brother. I, Elijah Leopold, won¡¯t let this go with you!¡± ¡°Damn! What a brownnoser!¡± Ives Abbott let out another curse. It was common knowledge that Elijah Leopold was Atlas Leopold¡¯s lapdog. Now that he had posted the video to the group chat, it was definitely beyond retrieval. ¡°Everyone! I¡¯m sorry!¡± Ives Abbott put her hands together in front of her, bowed deeply to the crowd, and ran out of the private room crying. Although she was bossy, she had always been a good person, and knowing she had gotten so many people into trouble, her anguish was imaginable. ¡°Regretting it now?¡± As she rushed out of the private room, she realized that Julius Reed hadn¡¯t left, but was leaning against the wall near the room. ¡°None of your business!¡± Ives Abbott cried out, unable to stop her tears from falling any longer. ¡°Forget it! For the sake of your father, I¡¯ll help you out one more time. Now come in with me.¡± Julius Reed shook his head, sighing. He had come to Five-river Province to solve problems, so how had he run into even more troubles since his arrival? ¡°Really?¡± Ives Abbott was somewhat skeptical but still followed him closely. ¡°Take out your phone and start recording. Everyone should do the same, every single one of you start broadcasting, make sure everyone sees it!¡± Julius Reed directed the people inside the room. Although they didn¡¯t know what he was planning, everyone obediently took out their phones. The reason was simple; these people didn¡¯t dare disobey. Julius Reed sighed deeply and suddenly lifted the table inside the private room. Chapter 161 - Chapter 161: 160 Chapter Send you on your way_1 Chapter 161: 160 Chapter Send you on your way_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°What are you doing!¡± Although Atlas Leopold was beaten, his mind was still clear. Seeing Julius Reed lift the table, panic immediately surged within him. ¡°I¡¯m telling you¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯ve told me enough already, but when have I ever listened?¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, ¡°You know, what you¡¯re doing is pointless. When I set my mind to something, I never listen to anyone else, because no one can stop what I want to do!¡± Crack! Under the stunned gaze of everyone, Julius Reed smashed the table harshly onto Atlas Leopold¡¯s leg! Accompanied by a heart-wrenching scream, Atlas Leopold passed out completely. The bones in one of his legs were completely shattered. The people present felt a chill running down their spines. Before, it was just hitting! Hitting Atlas Leopold, who suffered merely superficial injuries, would heal with time. But now it was for real! Injuring tendons and bones, and moreover, with such cruelty! One could say, if the hospital visit was delayed even slightly, Atlas Leopold might have faced amputation. But as they came to their senses, excitement appeared on their faces. Given such a grave incident, would the Leopold Family still have the mind to pursue them? Would a few slaps even count as an issue now! Atlas Leopold had his leg clearly broken in front of everyone! Soon enough, after recording the video, these individuals quickly posted it in their own social circles. ¡°I did this favor because Ives Abbott asked me to! Every one of you is involved for your own gain, so you¡¯d better keep it secret. Hurt yourself a bit harder later on, and say I forced you to do so. Throw all the dirty water on me. This way, the Leopold Family won¡¯t trouble you anymore.¡± After finishing all this, Julius Reed stepped out of the private room. ¡°Thank you.¡± Ives Abbott followed behind. She knew that after this incident, these young men would hold a bit of gratitude towards her. But the Leopold Family¡¯s retaliation against Julius Reed could become public. Breaking one of Atlas Leopold¡¯s legs! That was the future of the Leopold Family, one of the Four Young Masters of the provincial city! Where would the Leopold Family put their face? Once the news spread, everyone would see the Leopold Family as an easy target. ¡°I told you, I did it out of respect for your father.¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t pay attention to her, instead, he got into Miguel Abbott¡¯s car. Ives Abbott wasn¡¯t shy, directly squeezing into the back seat to sit next to him. ¡°Hey! Now that you¡¯ve offended the Leopold Family so severely, have you thought about what you¡¯re going to do next?¡± Although she didn¡¯t know Julius Reed¡¯s specific background¡ªsomeone capable of beating her up like that, and getting Miguel Abbott to willingly pay a ransom certainly couldn¡¯t be simple! She had sent people to investigate, but after all, she was just a young girl, unable to mobilize most of the Abbott Family resources. Thus, the information she found was meager, just trinkets and trivial matters. ¡°Sorry, I have no obligation to answer you.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes were slightly closed as he sat in the car, resting with his eyes shut. And Allen personally drove towards the direction of the Waterfront Pearl. Miguel Abbott was still there, and with such a big incident, they definitely needed to consult with Boss Abbott. After all, in that video, everyone else was forced to take part; it was clear from the video that they were coerced. Later on, after inflicting severe punishment on themselves and adding the broken leg incident, it would be easy to clear their names. But Ives Abbott didn¡¯t, when recording the video, she actually included herself in it. It seems she wanted to show off that she could hit Atlas Leopold, but she didn¡¯t anticipate that by doing so, she implicated herself and, by extension, the Leopold Family behind her. After all, she was just a child, too playful for her own good. The car gradually made its way along the road. Because it was daytime, it wasn¡¯t too deserted. But the road to the Water Pearl Hotel had very few people. This was unusual. As one of the few large hotels in Five-river Province, the Water Pearl Hotel could almost be considered a landmark. Usually, it would be bustling with a large influx of people, but today it was unusually quiet. ¡°Stop the car!¡± Just then, Julius Reed suddenly spoke. Without any hesitation, Allen immediately pressed the brake and pulled over to the side of the road. The underlings traveling with him followed suit and stopped. Julius Reed directly opened the car door and got out. ¡°Head back, don¡¯t worry about me. When you return, tell Octavius Abbott exactly what happened today, he¡¯ll know very well how to handle it.¡± After giving his instructions, Julius Reed glanced at a black sedan parked not too far from him and turned to walk towards the woods. Because the Water Pearl Hotel was relatively close to the suburbs, there were woods on both sides of the road. ¡°Big brother, where are you going? Ives Abbott called out from inside the car. After what had just happened, her attitude towards Julius Reed had changed significantly, even if she had been beaten and humiliated by others, none of it mattered. What mattered was that Ives Abbott found that Julius Reed possessed all the charm a man should have. ¡°Go home with them!¡± Julius Reed gave a brief order and instantly disappeared into the woods. ¡°I want to go down and take a look!¡± Ives hesitated, ready to get out of the car. ¡°Miss! Don¡¯t be willful! Everything that happened in the entertainment city was because of your naivety! Mr. Reed must have his reasons for acting this way, and what use will it be for you to go now but to cause more trouble?¡± Allen rarely spoke to Ives Abbott with such severity. This had never happened before. ¡°But I¡¯m worried! The Leopold Family will definitely seek revenge against him!¡± Ives Abbott sat anxiously in the car. Although she was naive, she understood how formidable the Leopold Family was. If anyone dared to hit her like that, the Abbott Family would surely use all their power to kill that person! Of course, Julius Reed¡¯s action had taken Ives Abbott by surprise. She had thought that Miguel Abbott would lead people there to exact revenge, but unexpectedly, Miguel Abbott chose to keep the peace. Not only did he pay a huge ransom, but after Julius Reed arrived in Five-river Province, they even became friends? If Ives Abbott knew that her father was merely an underling to Julius Reed, it¡¯s hard to say how the Abbott Family¡¯s young mistress would feel. ¡°There¡¯s a pair of binoculars here, there¡¯s higher ground up ahead. If you really want to see, then go there!¡± Allen tossed a pair of binoculars over from the driver¡¯s seat and immediately started the car to leave the area. As his car moved off, the other vehicles quickly followed behind and disappeared into the streets. After they left, the black sedan slowly moved forward and stopped at the roadside, and four men in black got out. ¡°Been following for such a long time, you must be tired!¡± As they walked into the forest, they heard Julius Reed¡¯s voice coming from behind them. Shortly after leaving the entertainment city, Julius Reed had noticed a car closely following him. And it maintained a patient distance, neither too close nor too far. So Julius Reed decided to stay behind and take care of these tails himself! ¡°Ha, didn¡¯t expect you to have such guts! Knowing we were tailing you, you didn¡¯t rush to hide at the Abbott Family. You even dare to face us!¡± The men said sarcastically, hands behind their backs, as they looked toward Julius Reed with a sneer. ¡°If I didn¡¯t stay behind, how would I send you on your way?¡± Julius Reed slowly extended his right hand, pointing at the men, ¡°You, all come at me together!¡± Chapter 162 - Chapter 162: Chapter 161: The Four Heroes of the Wen Family_l Chapter 162: Chapter 161: The Four Heroes of the Wen Family_l Translator: 549690339 ¡°You¡¯re quite arrogant! Nearly as we¡¯ve gathered from our information. But today, you¡¯ve met us, and you¡¯re destined for a dead end!¡± A man dressed in white among the four stepped forward, chuckling as he said, ¡°Julius Reed, it¡¯s said that many Shadow Warriors have fallen by your hand. Today, the Wen Brothers wish to see for themselves whether you are as strong as the legends claim!¡± The four men¡¯s clothing was different, yet they bore an extremely similar appearance. ¡°So it¡¯s the Wen Brothers, what a pleasure!¡± Julius Reed clasped his fists together, looking at the four men in front of him, ¡°What do you think of this place, would you consider it a feng Shui treasure spot?¡± They were now in a small grove in the suburbs. The woods were surrounded by trees, the ground beneath lush with green grass. At first glance, the scenery was quite pleasing. ¡°Julius Reed, you¡¯re in mortal danger and yet you still have the mood to consider feng shui? Haha, don¡¯t harbor any illusions. We, the Wen Brothers, have never failed once we take action!¡± The man in yellow shook his head, a hint of contempt showing on his face. If it weren¡¯t for the hefty bounty, they would not have bothered to muddy these waters. Mere nobodies, the Wen Brothers had killed countless over the years, establishing their own fearsome reputation. To kill a nobody like him today somehow felt beneath them. But they had no choice, the bounty was too high, and it was double. It was said that many Shadow Warriors had come here to complete missions and never returned. This very thing had sparked their fighting spirit, prompting them to travel thousands of miles to Five-river Province to test the strength of their adversary. But now, to their disappointment, they might have set their expectations too high. Their opponent was so young, too young for them to believe. Such a high bounty for a mere youth! It¡¯s well-known that a person¡¯s abilities are often linked to their age; it¡¯s usually in middle age when strength is at its peak! How could a youngster like the one before them possibly be all that strong? ¡°I was wondering if considering this location as a grave for the four of you would be fitting?¡± Julius Reed stood with hands clasped behind his back, smiling faintly. As he saw it, these four men were simply no match. He had heard of the Wen Brothers, but they were nothing more than trivial, low-level characters. Over the years, they must have used some means to pull off a few significant jobs, and only then they gained fame in the underworld. ¡°Arrogance! Today, I will make you understand what ¡®death¡¯ really means!¡± The man in yellow took a decisive step forward, his right fist coming down furiously! In his view, the youth before him was as good as dead! In fact, the other three didn¡¯t even bother to move, standing still on their spots. Bang! Facing the punch, Julius Reed didn¡¯t dodge, but countered with a punch of his own! Crack! As their fists collided, the man in yellow¡¯s bones shattered instantly! He gasped for air, his body instinctively retreating backward. But how could Julius Reed let him get away? Whoosh! Julius Reed lunged forward with a lightning step, his right hand shaped like a blade as it struck down fiercely! Crack! The man in yellow couldn¡¯t dodge in time and was hit by the hand blade at the back of his head, falling silent on the spot. Thud! His body fell heavily to the ground, his eyes still showing unvanished fear. ¡°Second brother!¡± ¡°Second brother!¡± Along with the three calls, the remaining three Wen Brothers showed grief-stricken faces, their fists clenched tight! ¡°Today, I will make you wish for death!¡± The man in white charged forward furiously, while at the same time, the other two, not daring to take any chances, rushed to help from both sides. The death of the second brother made them realize the terrible extent of their opponent¡¯s strength! No longer arrogant, they even pulled out their full strength to face this enigmatic opponent! Boom! The man in white¡¯s fists came thundering down, carrying a tremendous force! And the people on both sides also instantly kicked out, attempting to force Julius Reed into a dead end! ¡°Is this all the skill you¡¯ve got? I must say I¡¯m a bit disappointed!¡± Julius Reed narrowed his eyes and leapt into the air! Crack! His hands suddenly reached forward and, at an unbelievable angle, crushed the white-clad man¡¯s wrists! At the same time, he plummeted down rapidly! His legs split apart in mid-air, smashing onto the legs of the two men! Accompanied by the sound of two sets of bones breaking, the remaining three of the Wen Clan¡¯s four aces were all crippled! ¡°Who exactly are you? Why are you so powerful!¡± The man in white bore the intense pain and asked with a trembling voice. In his eyes, the opponent was incredibly strong, to the point of being called a monster! The Wen Clan¡¯s four had been strong enough to deal with some professional Shadow Warriors; the four of them were more than capable of handling themselves. But now, one was dead and three injured, the remaining three of them were no different from incapacitated men! ¡°I don¡¯t believe it! How can you be so powerful at such a young age!¡± The man in black was equally incredulous. They had been renowned for many years, traversing north and south, and had experienced numerous battles. The one who could kill one of them with a strike and cripple the three of them with another, could only be one of those top-ranking Shadow Warriors from the underground world. Otherwise, if the four wanted to escape with their meticulous coordination, nobody could keep them! ¡°Whether you believe it or not, I¡¯m standing right here in front of you, not moving an inch. If you have the ability, kill me and leave. If you don¡¯t, I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll have to take lives! ¡± Julius Reed showed a slight smile, looking like a serene young man. But the three remaining people knew very well that this youth was terrifyingly fearsome! Even after one round of fighting, they were utterly defeated! ¡°Could you give us a chance to have a proper talk?¡± The white-clad man took a deep breath, his forehead already covered with sweat due to his broken wrist. ¡°Sorry, you¡¯re not qualified.¡± Julius Reed sneered and walked directly up to the man in white. ¡°Yeah¡­ we¡¯ve been beaten so badly, what bargaining power do we have left¡­¡± The white-clad man gave a wry smile, closed his eyes, and waited for death. He had completely given up struggling, resigned to being slaughtered. ¡°Die!¡± Just then, the two men behind him suddenly mustered their last bit of strength and leapt fiercely! Bang! Bang! Julius Reed had been watching their movements all along, so when they rushed at him, he whirled around and kicked fiercely at the chests of the two men! Pfft! As the fresh blood sprayed out, they were thoroughly dead! Woosh! At the same time, the white-clad man without hands spat out a silver needle from his mouth! Julius Reed leaned forward, and the silver needle flew past the top of his head. ¡°Promise me, be a good person in your next life!¡± His hand pressed down forcefully, snapping the neck of the man in white. In an instant, four corpses were left on the ground. And from the time he entered the woods until now, it had been just a short five minutes. ¡°Allen, come and clean up the scene.¡± Julius Reed took out his cellphone and called Allen, not far away. ¡°Okay¡­¡± On a small hillside not far away, Allen and Ives Abbott, holding a pair of binoculars, were agape, their eyeballs nearly falling to the ground. Was this even human? His movements were efficient and decisive! Those four men had been strong enough, but for some reason, in front of Julius Reed, they were utterly powerless to fight back! In just a few exchanges, all were dead in the woods. ¡°You guys, come with me over there!¡± Allen, suppressing the shock in his heart, led a few employees over to deal with the scene.. Chapter 163 - Chapter 163: Chapter 162 Leopold Family’s Fury_1 Chapter 163: Chapter 162 Leopold Family¡¯s Fury_1 Translator: 549690339 After returning to the Pearl on the Water, Miguel Abbott was already anxiously pacing back and forth at the front gate. Unlike before, there were noticeably more security guards and bodyguards around the Pearl on the Water. Even the customers coming to the restaurant had to go through several checks. It was evident that Miguel Abbott was taking security very seriously. ¡°Daughter, Mr. Reed, you¡¯re finally back!¡± Seeing the convoy returning, Miguel Abbott couldn¡¯t wait to go out and greet them. The news of Atlas Leopold being beaten spread rapidly among the upper echelons of Five-river Province. The initial superficial injuries didn¡¯t make Miguel Abbott so vigilant. After all, it¡¯s normal for young people to have bumps and scrapes. What kid doesn¡¯t get into fights? But later, when Julius Reed lifted a table and broke one of Atlas Leopold¡¯s legs, Miguel Abbott could no longer sit still. He knew that the Leopold Family¡¯s retaliation would soon be upon them! Not only did he know, but all the big shots in Five-river Province were crystal clear about it. Some, who were on very good terms with Miguel Abbott, had already called to inquire and even wanted him to make a declaration of allegiance by personally capturing Julius Reed and delivering him to the Leopold Family. Only by doing so could they mollify the wrath of the Leopold Family and allow Miguel Abbott to stay out of the fray. Otherwise, given how close he and Julius Reed were, it was feared that if the Leopold Family, the Potter Family, and the Three Blade Group joined forces, the Abbott Family would be in big trouble. But Miguel Abbott alone knew just how powerful Julius Reed was! He had already picked a side, and there was no turning back. So, for safety¡¯s sake, he had summoned all the manpower he could mobilize to guard the Pearl on the Water Hotel. At least here, they were absolutely safe. ¡°Dad¡­¡± Ives Abbott suddenly threw herself into Miguel Abbott¡¯s arms, her voice tinged with tears, ¡°It¡¯s my fault, dragging Brother Davenport into this. You have to help him! So many people want to kill him, on our way back, we even encountered Shadow Warriors¡­¡± ¡°What!¡± Miguel Abbott looked at Julius Reed and asked, ¡°Mr. Reed, they¡¯ve acted so quickly?¡± It had been less than an hour since Atlas Leopold¡¯s leg was broken, and within this hour, Shadow Warriors had already been mobilized? Such operational efficiency greatly shocked Miguel Abbott. ¡°No matter! These people were not sent by the Leopold Family. Some people always want me dead, and I can¡¯t help it, I can only send them on their way.¡± Julius Reed spoke lightly. Indeed, these people were not sent by the Leopold Family, but were bounty hunters who had taken the job on the dark web. Clearly, his earlier actions at the Pearl on the Water had reached the ears of these Shadow Warriors, who had now rushed from Gonzalez City and were lurking in Five-river Province. The Wen Four was the first, but definitely not the last. In Five-river Province, there were at least ten Shadow Warriors or organizations in hiding. On the way back, Cosmo had already reported to him based on the information they had. According to intelligence, there are still three groups of Shadow Warriors remaining in Gonzalez City. Cosmo had taken out one of them, but the other two were too well-hidden for her to strike. However, with the protection of Willson Pavilion and Cosmo, Quella Radcliffe would not be in any danger, allowing him to flex his muscles here. It¡¯s best to resolve all troubles at once. ¡°Mr. Reed, as I understand, Cesar Pendleton has already made contact with the Leopold Family and even the Potter Family, and they have decided to take action against me.¡± Miguel Abbott sighed, sounding somewhat helpless. If it was just one family, he wouldn¡¯t be scared at all! But now, several tycoons had joined forces, and the situation was obviously not that simple. The Potter Family was one of the leading figures in Five-river Province, considered the strongest entrepreneur on the surface. The Leopold Family was an established clan, operating in the province for many years, with connections and financial resources far beyond that of other families. Cesar Pendleton was the toughest boss to deal with in Five-river Province. Although his assets did not compare with the others, when it came to ruthless actions, he was undoubtedly the strongest! After all, having started from the streets and then running a pleasure city, his strength has become the most formidable over the years. He even vaguely heard rumors that the Three Blade Group was also involved. If the situation were true, then they would truly be besieged on all sides, facing enemies both front and back. ¡°There¡¯s no need to panic, I will resolve this matter!¡± Julius Reed waved his hand dismissively and strode into the Pearl on the Water. As long as his group was backing him, what did it matter if several families united against him? The Ridge Family¡¯s assets were vast; the several bigwigs of Five-river Province combined might not even match a fraction of the Ridge Family¡¯s wealth. Hearing this statement, Miguel Abbott finally took a reassurance pill. He was very aware that Julius Reed never did anything uncertain, nor would he make uncertain statements. Since he dared to say so, he must have full confidence and already had a plan in mind. ¡°You better behave yourself from now on! ¡± Miguel Abbott looked at Ives Abbott in his arms and scolded her with a tinge of heartache. He had a rough idea of what happened today, and with Allen¡¯s explanation, he knew that Ives Abbott had caused the trouble. And Julius Reed, he had even personally taken charge to solve the problem for Ives Abbott. Miguel Abbott knew that this was entirely out of consideration for his own face. He sighed deeply and led Ives Abbott back into the Pearl on the Water. Meanwhile, at the Leopold Family¡¯s private hospital. As a native great family of Five-river Province, the Leopold Family¡¯s strength was among the upper echelon. And although Atlas Leopold was a super-rich second generation, he was not like those prodigal sons who indulged in nothing but eating, drinking, and merrymaking all day long. On the contrary, he managed affairs everywhere, showing great intention of taking over the family business. The Leopold Family was pleased to see such a scenario. Compared to the other families, Atlas Leopold was already outstanding! This was what the Leopold Family found most comforting. But now, their hope had been cruelly shattered! Atlas Leopold lay comatose in the private hospital¡¯s bed. Several provincial top-tier doctors crowded around the operating table, sweating profusely as they worked on medical treatment. The Leopold Family had the capital to build a hospital in the house. Even the medical equipment was the best in the province. Including the doctors present, they could all be summoned at the first notice. ¡°Mr. Leopold, we have done our utmost, the young master¡¯s life is saved, but his leg¡­¡± At this point, the doctor seemed somewhat troubled. ¡°What about his leg!¡± Hearing that Atlas Leopold was out of danger, Old Master of the Leopold Family was visibly delighted, but upon hearing the rest, his concern quickly grew. ¡°Despite our best efforts, the force was simply too great¡ªhis leg couldn¡¯t be saved.¡± The doctor¡¯s voice grew softer as he spoke. ¡°Useless!¡± Old Mr. Leopold bellowed, pointing his cane at the doctor: ¡°You quack! You must save Atlas¡¯s leg by any means necessary today! How could the future successor of the Leopold Family be a Limping Man!¡± ¡°Mr. Leopold, Dr. Cook is already the top orthopedic surgeon in the province. If he says it¡¯s impossible, then it really is impossible!¡± Another doctor stepped forward to support his colleague. The rest of them also removed their masks and bowed their heads in silent agreement. ¡°Is there truly¡­ no other way?¡± Old Master of the Leopold Family looked at Atlas Leopold on the operating table, tears streaming down his aged face.. Chapter 164 - Chapter 164: 163 chapter The Gathering of the Five Rivers 1 Chapter 164: 163 chapter The Gathering of the Five Rivers 1 Translator: 549690339 Five-river Province, Domenico Building. This is one of the landmark buildings in Five-river Province and also the most bustling office building in the province. On the forty-third floor, the conference room. The conference room was full of people, all with serious expressions, each with a bodyguard standing behind them. ¡°This matter must be resolved!¡± Stanislaus Potter was the first to speak. He surveyed the powerful figures of Five-river Province and said, ¡°At first, when he hurt my Potter Family and opposed me, everyone chose to wait and see! Now, I really want to see what you all have to say!¡± During the financial war that ensued, although various magnates lent their support, they withdrew their funds and fled when the tide turned unfavorable. And Stanislaus Potter, the chairman of Golden Eagle Group, suffered a hefty loss due to being caught off guard. That¡¯s why he especially hated these fair-weather friends, who not only caused Golden Eagle Group¡¯s market value to plummet but also left him with an indigestible grudge that he could never vent. Harlan Potter met a tragic death, while Quamaine Potter lay in a hospital bed, possibly crippled for life. Now, Atlas Leopold of the Leopold Family had also had a leg broken by the same man. This couldn¡¯t help but bring a dark sense of satisfaction to Stanislaus Potter¡¯s heart. This meeting was organized by the Leopold Family, calling together the magnates to unite against the Abbott Family and that man who had repeatedly made the bigwigs of Five-river Province stumble. ¡°Three Blade Group had learned the hard way! Excuse my bluntness, but this matter shouldn¡¯t be approached recklessly! You know, due to my underestimating the enemy, I lost a significant amount of ransom money!¡± Maurice Yarrow snorted coldly, seeming rather irritated. And beside him, Bridger Davenport appeared somewhat embarrassed. After all, the massive ransom had practically been for him. Later, during that encounter in Gonzalez City, Bridger Davenport risked offending Cesar Pendleton and chose to stand by and watch. As it turned out, his decision was incredibly wise. As the bigwigs of Five-river Province stumbled one after another, Bridger Davenport discussed with Maurice Yarrow and decided to watch from the sidelines, not muddying the waters themselves. Thus, from start to finish, Three Blade Group made no moves. But that doesn¡¯t mean they did nothing; during this time, they were gauging Julius Reed¡¯s true strength, including the assassinations by the Shadow Warriors. The results shocked Bridger Davenport. The Shadow Warriors vanished without a trace as if swallowed up by the sea, never to return. This included some well-known Shadow Warriors who disappeared one after another. But Julius Reed remained lively and active, appearing before everyone as if he had never experienced anything at all. This further firmed up Three Blade Group¡¯s resolve. They must not become enemies with him! ¡°Ridiculous! We, the prominent figures of Five-river Province, gather here to discuss how to deal with a young man!¡± Cesar Pendleton slammed his fist on the table, roaring in anger, ¡°Back in Gonzalez City, when I had a confrontation with this kid, Bridger Davenport of Three Blade Group actually stood by and watched! He came with over a hundred men from Three Blade Group and just stared as I was humiliated, without lifting a finger!¡± Whenever he thought of this, it infuriated him. For a prominent figure from Five-river Province to trip up in a small place like Gonzalez City. Since rising to power, when had Cesar Pendleton ever suffered such an insult? He even placed all his resentment on Bridger Davenport. After all, with so many from Three Blade Group present at the time, if they had forcefully taken action, Cesar Pendleton didn¡¯t believe that Aron Jackson could have dealt with it so easily! ¡°There¡¯s such a story?¡± Hearing Cesar Pendleton¡¯s words, everyone turned their gaze toward Three Blade Group. They found it hard to believe. Cesar Pendleton had good private relations with Three Blade Group, and even addressed Bridger Davenport as a brother. On normal days, the two had related interests, and with Three Blade Group¡¯s presence in Gonzalez City, opposing Aron Jackson wouldn¡¯t have been difficult. Could it be that Three Blade Group did nothing but watch as Cesar Pendleton was subjected to shame? This went completely against common sense! ¡°Ha! That day Mr. Pendleton was drunk and even harassed someone¡¯s wife! What could I say if I went over there! While Three Blade Group is indeed powerful, we have our own code of conduct! A magnate from Five-river Province ran to a small place to harass someone else¡¯s wife! Excuse me for speaking frankly, but what would you do if your wife was harassed?¡± Maurice Yarrow retorted back directly. There were some words Bridger Davenport couldn¡¯t comfortably say, and he had to have his boss step in to resolve the issue. ¡°You¡­¡± Cesar Pendleton was so furious he couldn¡¯t find the words to speak. It was completely illogical and unreasonable. Who didn¡¯t know what kind of organization Three Blade Group was? They committed all kinds of evil on a regular basis. And now, they had the audacity to talk about justice, acting as if they were the righteous enforcers of the heavens. But on that day, he had indeed harassed someone else¡¯s wife, which was indeed embarrassing to admit. ¡°Mr. Pendleton! With all your wealth, if you wanted to play around, couldn¡¯t you find someone elsewhere? It¡¯s not like you¡¯ve not been with your fair share of young starlets, and now you¡¯ve gone to a small place like Gonzalez City to harass someone¡¯s wife!¡± ¡°You can¡¯t blame Bridger Davenport for this; you went too far! If it had been for something else, I might have condemned Bridger Davenport, but in this case, he did the right thing!¡± ¡°After three bottles of alcohol, have you lost all your self-control, Mr. Pendleton?¡± Everyone has a wife, and they all expressed empathy, If their own wives had been harassed, they too would have wanted to deal with the culprit. So, they all came out in support of Bridger Davenport, leaving Cesar Pendleton with nothing to say. What could he say? Like a mute tasting bitter herbs, he had misery but no way to express it. ¡°Fine! It¡¯s my fault!¡± He took a deep breath, his eyes filled with irate frustration. ¡°Enough! Stop arguing! We didn¡¯t come here to fight today, but to discuss how to deal with this young man who has suddenly burst onto the scene!¡± An elder of the Leopold Family slammed the table forcefully, and the room instantly fell silent. The person the Leopold Family had dispatched today was an elder in charge of overseeing finances, a person with a very high level of influence within the family. As for Atlas Leopold¡¯s grandfather and father, they were at his bedside at this moment, with no desire to come here. The elder sighed deeply. ¡°The future hope of the Leopold Family has been nearly destroyed! If you continue to fight amongst yourselves, the next to suffer might very well be you!¡± He shook his head, his face full of sorrow. Atlas Leopold was the hopeful star of the Leopold Family, a universally recognized prodigy! In terms of financial management and leading the family, he demonstrated impressive talent. People even believed that in ten years, Five-river Province would be Atlas Leopold¡¯s dominion! Compared to the Leopold Family, the children of other families were simply inadequate! But now! Atlas Leopold had one leg amputated and was currently in a coma. The entire family was shrouded in darkness. The elder was entrusted by the family to gather the bigwigs of Five-river Province here, ready to avenge Atlas Leopold! ¡°If the Leopold Family wants to take action, I, Cesar Pendleton, am in!¡± Cesar Pendleton said venomously. The humiliation he had suffered was no less than that of the Leopold Family. Especially that day in the park, he had lost face in front of countless employees! ¡°What about you all?¡± The elder looked around, waiting for others to declare their stance. ¡°Same here!¡± Stanislaus Potter said coldly. He had been fighting alone, and now that he had allies, he was naturally happy to join. But just then, a discordant voice rang out. ¡°I object!¡± Chapter 165 - Chapter 165: Chapter 164 Uninvited Guest Miguel Abbott 1 Chapter 165: Chapter 164 Uninvited Guest Miguel Abbott 1 Translator: 549690339 The once harmonious atmosphere was shattered once again. Everyone followed the gaze and discovered that the speaker was actually Maurice Yarrow! You should know that the Three Blade Group and Aron Jackson had a deep enmity, and according to the information they were currently investigating, Aron Jackson was closely related to Julius Reed. As such, the young man they were after naturally became the sworn enemy of the Three Blade Group. Both emotionally and rationally, Maurice Yarrow had no reason to refuse. In fact, he should have been the one leading the charge! Being extorted for several billions in ransom, who could bear that? Especially since the Three Blade Group had been flourishing in recent years, growing ever larger. Now that Black-wind Entertainment was forced to close and its influence in Gonzalez City was being continuously squeezed, could Maurice Yarrow, the boss himself, really give up this opportunity? But what they didn¡¯t know was that Maurice Yarrow had long experienced the formidable nature of Julius Reed. Although the pro-war faction within the gang was strong, Bridger Davenport¡¯s analysis of the pros and cons made Yarrow choose to wait and see. Sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, without having to enter the battlefield himself? Moreover, these families all harbored deep hatred toward Julius Reed, and the Three Blade Group wanted to be the oriole, not the mantis. Although they all said it was just a young man, who would really consider that youth just an average young person? To have these bigvvigs trampled beneath the feet of a young man? That¡¯s simply nonsense! ¡°Mr. Yarrow, what do you mean? The overall situation in the Five-river Province is paramount. Now everyone is working together to eliminate this menace, and yet you¡¯re thinking of retreating at the last moment! As I know, you want to develop in Gonzalez City! If we can settle this matter today, we can help you eliminate Aron Jackson and take back your property!¡± Stanislaus Potter tried to offer reassurance in his address. If we¡¯re talking about combat power, within the Five-river Province, only Cesar Pendleton and Maurice Yarrow could be considered top-notch. The other big shots were financially strong, but when it came to manpower, they were somewhat lacking. Stanislaus Potter had long harbored intense hatred for Julius Reed, dreaming of the day the latter would die, and thus he treasured this opportunity greatly! Now that Maurice Yarrow wanted to back out, he had no choice but to dangle the carrot of Gonzalez City. After all, they didn¡¯t care about the tiny piece of land that was Gonzalez City; they hadn¡¯t even developed over in Five-river Province, who would bother with a small city? But Maurice Yarrow was different, his business relied heavily on the port. Especially the now-closed Black-wind Entertainment, which could bring in quite a profit. Thus did Stanislaus Potter speak, attempting to tempt the Three Blade Group. One had to admit, Maurice Yarrow was indeed somewhat tempted. He was even hesitant about whether to take action or not. The allure of Gonzalez City was simply too great for him! Near the port, with a large number of tourists every year, and they were all wealthy at that. As long as he could take control of Gonzalez City, he could expand the revenue of the Three Blade Group by at least twenty percent! Black-wind Entertainment, that¡¯s a veritable gold mine! But just at that moment, Bridger Davenport gently kicked Maurice Yarrow in the thigh, causing the latter to quickly regain his composure. As the mastermind of the Three Blade Group, Bridger Davenport¡¯s approach to issues was always strategic and farsighted. He often resists the temptation of immediate benefits, securing lasting gains instead. The rapid expansion of the Three Blade Group in recent years was not unrelated to Bridger Davenport¡¯s decision-making. Therefore, Maurice Yarrow followed his advice obediently, even if he had some tempting ideas himself, he respected Bridger Davenport¡¯s opinion greatly. In fact, Bridger Davenport¡¯s vision proved to be quite unique. He often saw the bigger picture, winning huge benefits for the Three Blade Group. ¡°This matter is of great importance; I need to discuss it with the brothers first,¡± he said. Maurice Yarrow stood up and looked at the bosses in the conference room. ¡°Mr. Yarrow! As the boss of the Three Blade Group, can¡¯t you even make this decision?¡± ¡°Exactly! Who doesn¡¯t know that you have the final say? You founded the Three Blade Group all by yourself, what¡¯s there to discuss! Are you thinking of backing out?¡± ¡°If we¡¯re going to go, we should move quickly. If you miss this opportunity, we won¡¯t help you anymore! If I¡¯m not mistaken, you must have faced a huge setback in Gonzalez City; otherwise, why would you be stuck without progress?¡± One by one, they expressed their dissatisfaction with Maurice Yarrow¡¯s equivocal attitude. They could hardly believe that a boss known for being autocratic would listen to the opinions of subordinates. After leaving the conference room, Maurice Yarrow frowned and asked, ¡°Why not agree to their demands? You should know Gonzalez City is a huge economic source for us, and for the Three Blade Group, it¡¯s a place we must fight for!¡± Maurice Yarrow voiced his confusion, ¡°Bridger, you¡¯ve been insisting that I don¡¯t make a move! But now that everyone is joining forces and several big shots are taking action together, if we¡¯re too slow we might not even get a sip of the soup! And if we don¡¯t participate today, we¡¯ll inevitably be ostracized by those people! The Three Blade Group doesn¡¯t have the strength to contend with so many people uniting!¡± As the boss of the Three Blade Group, he very much wanted to join in with those people. Because if he missed this chance, it was very likely that those people would not agree to share the cake with him again in the future. The terms offered by Stanislaus Potter were even more tempting. Gonzalez City, such a big piece of cake! ¡°Boss, why don¡¯t you think about it? If those people were confident, why would they join forces? To deal with a young man, do they really need such a big show? I don¡¯t buy their story!¡± Bridger Davenport shook his head and said, ¡°If things are really as such, it tells us one thing! These people have taken a loss, and a big one at that! Think about the Leopold Family, they were once so glorious, and now Atlas Leopold has had one of his legs broken! As for Cesar Pendleton, I believe you¡¯re even more aware of the humiliation he has faced.¡± He sighed deeply, looked at the arguing bosses in the room, and shook his head, ¡°Stanislaus Potter¡¯s son has also been crippled. And us? We¡¯ve lost some money, that¡¯s all! Strictly speaking, we have the least motivation to become Julius Reed¡¯s adversary. I wonder why you are so proactive, just for Gonzalez Hearing Bridger Davenport¡¯s words, Maurice Yarrow began to calm down. Although it was a substantial sum of money, compared to the people in the room, he indeed had no deep grudge or hatred against Julius Reed. But at the same time, he realized that his opponent was indeed very powerful. ¡°So what should we do?¡± he asked. ¡°We watch and wait! The Three Blade Group won¡¯t become anyone¡¯s sacrificial gown, nor will we be cannon fodder! While Julius Reed is at odds with these big shots, why not take the opportunity to develop ourselves? This is a golden opportunity that comes once in a blue moon!¡± Bridger Davenport advised. He knew that even if those people in the room could bring down Julius Reed, they would pay a price. And when that time came, the strongest Three Blade Group would surely be able to swallow up others¡¯ assets. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll listen to you!¡± After struggling for a while, Maurice Yarrow chose to give up the temptation. But just then, a group of people slowly walked in through the long corridor. ¡°Miguel Abbott!¡± Seeing the incoming person, Maurice Yarrow couldn¡¯t help but frown, ¡°What¡¯s he doing here!¡± Chapter 166 - Chapter 166: Chapter 165: The Mysterious Video_l Chapter 166: Chapter 165: The Mysterious Video_l Translator: 549690339 This meeting of the Five-river Assembly, all the big shots deliberately avoided Miguel Abbott. Now even the blind can see, there is definitely something going on between the two of them. Otherwise, why would Miguel Abbott offend the Leopold Family, and leave Atlas Leopold to die without helping? And on that day at the entertainment city, it was Ives Abbott who led the way in dealing with Atlas Leopold, the video has already spread. If you say it wasn¡¯t on Miguel Abbott¡¯s orders, I¡¯m afraid no one would believe it. ¡°Mr. Abbott, you¡¯ve arrived.¡± Although surprised, Maurice Yarrow still smiled and walked over to greet since they were all high-level figures from the Five-river Province. ¡°Boss Yarrow, it¡¯s been a long time, good to see you!¡± Miguel Abbott walked over and shook Maurice Yarrow¡¯s hand, saying very cordially, ¡°I heard there was a meeting, how could you leave me out, Brother? That¡¯s not very considerate of you!¡± ¡°Brother Abbott, you¡¯ve wronged me!¡± Maurice Yarrow pointed towards the conference room, ¡°This time it¡¯s the Leopold Family leading the meeting, it really has nothing to do with us. As you know, today¡¯s meeting is about dealing with that person. From start to finish, my Three Blade Group hasn¡¯t shown its face at all.¡± Although in his heart he was cursing Miguel Abbott nonstop for indulging his daughter in creating trouble and breaking Atlas Leopold¡¯s leg, he still explained with a smile. In this circle, you always have to be a smiling tiger. Whatever you say, you have to present it amiably to their face. ¡°Is that so! Well then, let¡¯s head over and take a look!¡± Miguel Abbott patted Maurice Yarrow on the shoulder and pulled him to enter together. But in the moment Maurice Yarrow turned around, he unexpectedly saw a familiar face! ¡°Julius¡­ how come you¡­¡± Behind Miguel Abbott, Julius Reed, wearing a baseball cap, was blending in with the bodyguards. For high-status figures like Miguel Abbott, ordinary bodyguards wouldn¡¯t dare to scrutinize too closely. Even though the room was filled with big shots, the bodyguards outside wouldn¡¯t be too presumptuous. This way, Julius Reed blending in amongst them, no one could possibly notice. ¡°Shh!¡± Julius Reed gave a faint smile and asked, ¡°How have you been recently, Boss Yarrow? ¡°Good!¡± For some reason, Maurice Yarrow actually felt a trace of awe in his heart. This was something he would never have dared to imagine before. Even when facing the other big shots of the Five-river Province, he had never felt like this. ¡°Let¡¯s go in first!¡± Miguel Abbott gestured and the group marched into the conference room. ¡°No matter what, I must have my revenge! If you all shrink back, then I will do it myself!¡± Cesar Pendleton was righteously roaring at that moment. ¡°Gentlemen, for such an important meeting, why wasn¡¯t I called?¡± Miguel Abbott pushed open the door of the conference room and sat down in one of the chairs. ¡°Humph! You, Mr. Abbott, are getting along so well with outsiders that we dared not deal with you!¡± Stanislaus Potter snorted coldly and turned his head away. He and Julius Reed had a deep-seated hatred, and anyone who hindered his revenge would become his opponent! The wound of Quamaine Potter made him lose sleep and peace. ¡°You¡¯re wrong there! Brother Potter, I think you might be interested in something.¡± Miguel Abbott leaned back in his chair and said with a faint smile, ¡°About your son¡¯s matter, you must be interested, right?¡± The moment he said this, Stanislaus Potter¡¯s body jerked! Quamaine Potter was his sore spot now, anything related could touch his raw nerve! ¡°Mr. Abbott, if you¡¯re joking about this, don¡¯t blame me for turning hostile!¡± Quamaine Potter was his untouchable scale now ¡ª touch it and die! ¡°Alright! We¡¯ve been like brothers, and there are some things I don¡¯t want you to be in the dark about.¡± Miguel Abbott pushed his cellphone gently on the table, sliding it towards Stanislaus Potter. ¡°Miguel Abbott! Your timing is perfect! Today at the Five Rivers Assembly, let¡¯s discuss which side you¡¯re really on!¡± The elder of the Leopold family spoke out. As the initiator of the meeting, his direct questioning left Miguel Abbott no room for retreat. They were either friends or enemies! There were only two paths, absolutely no third option! Everyone held their breath, wanting to see what stance Miguel Abbott would take. After all, it was the Abbott family who had been closest to that man recently. ¡°What stance? Am I, Miguel Abbott, not loyal enough as a friend? To tell you the truth, meeting Brother Reed was a delight missed for too long. If you dare to oppose him, you must first get past me, Mr. Abbott!¡± Miguel Abbott behaved out of character, directly tearing off the veneer in the meeting room. Even the other bosses hadn¡¯t expected Miguel Abbott to take such a firm stance! This was tantamount to making enemies with the better half of Five-river Province! Too direct, wasn¡¯t it! ¡°Miguel Abbott! What do you mean by this! Are you going to stand against us?¡± The elder of the Leopold family obviously did not expect Miguel Abbott to respond this way. Slapping the table, he rebuked, ¡°Miguel Abbott! You¡¯re making an enemy of the entire Five-river Province! Just to let you know, our families have already united. If you remain deluded, don¡¯t blame us for treating you as an enemy!¡± His words were heavy indeed; it was almost as if they were about to start a war right there on the table. Oftentimes, some matters are left unspoken, out of consideration for each other¡¯s face. Now that the elder of the Leopold family had made his stance clear, the Leopold family was evidently determined to win at all costs! Seeing the elder¡¯s firm attitude, the other bosses grew resolute as well. With the Leopold family leading the charge, they just had to follow suit, and that would be that. Once the Abbott family fell, it would be a delectable piece of cake. ¡°Mr. Abbott, what do you mean by this!¡± Just then, Stanislaus Potter flipped open his phone, pointed at the video on the screen, ¡°Are you trying to shame me? There¡¯s no need for that!¡± He threw the phone back, scoffing, ¡°What¡¯s the point of doing this?¡± The video had already spread throughout Five-river Province; almost everyone had a copy. Miguel Abbott brought it up now, and Stanislaus Potter subconsciously thought the other party was humiliating him! ¡°Mr. Potter, didn¡¯t catch any tricks?¡± Miguel Abbott asked, tilting his head. ¡°I¡¯ve watched this video countless times. Isn¡¯t it just my son getting beaten up, a video that spread across Five-river Province? What¡¯s the point of bringing this up now!¡± Stanislaus Potter¡¯s nose twitched slightly, clearly irritated. But he was, after all, in this place, striving to suppress his anger to keep his head clear. ¡°Watch it again! Pay attention to the last part!¡± Miguel Abbott tossed the phone over again. ¡°Just don¡¯t play me for a fool!¡± Stanislaus Potter, half-doubtful, opened the video, skipping directly to the last segment. Moments later, his face turned ashen! Then, his teeth clicked in anger. ¡°Who would have thought, who would have thought!¡± He gently placed the phone on the table, his eyes locked onto the elder of the Leopold family. ¡°Your Leopold family, truly duplicitous!¡± As he spoke, his tone was exceedingly cold. This moment left everyone at a loss. Why was Stanislaus Potter, who had been fine just moments ago, lashing out at the Leopold family? Shouldn¡¯t he be angry with Miguel Abbott instead! ¡°Mr. Potter, have you lost your mind! What has Old Mr. Leopold done to offend you, this should be directed at Miguel Abbott!¡± Cesar Pendleton was utterly confused. ¡°Secretary, play the video!¡± Stanislaus Potter held up his phone, and the secretary immediately walked over, connecting it to the projector.. Chapter 167 - Chapter 167: Chapter 166 Alliance Breakdown 1 Chapter 167: Chapter 166 Alliance Breakdown 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± ¡°What¡¯s gotten into Mr. Potter!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t get it, it¡¯s totally baffling!¡± Everyone was voicing their confusion, one after another, expressing their lack of understanding. Miguel Abbott¡¯s attitude had been very clear just now¡ªhe was opposing everyone present. Yet Stanislaus Potter, as one of the primary victims, had seemingly disregarded the matter. It¡¯s illogical! ¡°Quiet!¡± Stanislaus Potter shouted, and the noisy conference room instantly fell silent. Everyone wanted to see what the Chairman of the Golden Eagle Group was up to. As the secretary continued to operate, the video was instantly projected onto the screen in the conference room. The equipment was highly advanced, as it was a high-end conference room. The first scene was at Gonzalez City¡¯s Ocean Park, where Julius Reed was beating Quamaine Potter, forcing him to kneel on the ground and mimic a dog. At the sight of this scene, everyone couldn¡¯t help but look towards Stanislaus Potter. The complexion of the Golden Eagle Group¡¯s Chairman darkened, clearly touching a sore spot. But this was no surprise, as the video had been widely circulated¡ªalmost everyone had seen it. The Potter family had tried to suppress the incident as soon as it happened, but exceptionally, it was not contained. It seemed as if someone was assisting from behind, spreading the news rapidly. Stanislaus Potter felt something was amiss at that time, and now it appeared certain that the Leopold Family was the pusher behind the scenes! Only, at that time, he was blinded by rage, intent on revenge, and had forgotten such an important matter. But the people present were very curious, wondering why this video was being shown for no apparent reason. To humiliate oneself? To let everyone relive the video of Young Master Potter imitating a dog¡¯s bark? Despite their doubts, there had to be a reason why Stanislaus Potter had made such a big fuss. The helmsman of the Golden Eagle Group wouldn¡¯t act so irrationally¡ªhow else could he have created his empire in Five-river Province? The video continued to play in an orderly manner, quickly reaching the part everyone thought was the end. But the video kept on playing. And then came a voice-over: ¡°This video is enough to provoke the anger of the Potter family. By then, my Leopold Family will reap the benefits of the fisherman and will surely dominate Five-river Province.¡± ¡°Young Master, this man doesn¡¯t seem very capable. Although he can fight, couldn¡¯t the Potter family easily kill him? Aren¡¯t we making a mountain out of a molehill with this?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry! I was there that day when he trashed the Three Blade Group¡¯s venue. The fact that Maurice Yarrow is now playing the tortoise shows that this kid has an unusual background!¡± As this statement was heard, Maurice Yarrow showed a hint of displeasure. Being called a tortoise was understandably upsetting. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll edit the video and upload it to the internet when I get back.¡± ¡°Make it clean, leave no trace! Don¡¯t even let anyone guess our location, in case someone checks the surveillance and discovers us.¡± ¡°Rest assured! You can trust in my work!¡± At the end of the video, Atlas Leopold shook his head with a smile. There it abruptly ended. The complete version of the video! ¡°Leopold, you¡¯ve got some explaining to do!¡± Stanislaus Potter slammed the table fiercely, pointing at the elder Leopold and cursing, ¡°Mr. Dog, Atlas Leopold has tried to stir up trouble between us, ruin my family, and you¡¯ve all played your hand well! Good, good, good!¡± He said ¡°good¡± three times, scoffed, and added, ¡°It was a fine thing that Atlas Leopold¡¯s leg was broken! Why weren¡¯t both of them!¡± ¡°Say that again!¡± Bang! The elder Leopold slammed his cane down hard on the table: ¡°Stanislaus Potter, don¡¯t slander me! This has nothing to do with my family! Where did you get this video? Have you never suspected it might be fake? You are slandering my family¡¯s young master, and this is not over!¡± The incident of Atlas Leopold¡¯s broken leg had long been a sore point for the Leopold Family. Now, with Stanislaus Potter bringing it up again and maliciously cursing the young man, the elder was provoked to rage. ¡°Doesn¡¯t your family know whether the video is fake or not?¡± Stanislaus Potter¡¯s lips trembled slightly, his heart filled with extreme anger! As the chairman of Golden Eagle Group, he had actually been played for a fool by a junior; if it wasn¡¯t for seeing the complete video today, he might have been kept in the dark until the very end. It was an ironic turn of events how the Leopold Family designed a trap for the Potter Family and now had reversed roles to join hands with them. As for the authenticity of the video, Stanislaus Potter had of course harbored doubts. However, Atlas Leopold had been in the diplomatic circle for many years, and his voice had long been familiar to everyone. In addition, Atlas Leopold appeared at the end of the video, an impossibility to fake! This segment of the video was exactly the same as the one online! ¡°Stanislaus Potter! I warn¡­ ¡°Say it again!¡± Stanislaus Potter pointed at the elder of the Leopold Family: ¡°I¡¯m telling you to say it again!¡± His eyes were bloodshot, and at the same time, the Leopold Family¡¯s bodyguards stepped out, surrounding Stanislaus Potter. ¡°Speak!¡± Stanislaus Potter, without a hint of fear. ¡°Mr. Potter, you need to stay calm! If you act rashly and start internal strife, wouldn¡¯t that be playing into their deceitful schemes?¡± When Cesar Pendleton said this, he clearly glanced at Miguel Abbott. He believed that Miguel Abbott was the one stirring up trouble behind the scenes. ¡°Mr. Pendleton, if it was your son whose leg was broken, could you bear it! Go watch the video yourself!¡± Maurice Yarrow immediately countered. The phrase ¡°head-shrinking turtle¡± previously uttered by Atlas Leopold had made him very uncomfortable. Since they made him feel uncomfortable, then the Leopold Family should not expect to have it easy. Maurice Yarrow, who had once harbored fantasies about the alliance, now stood completely opposed to Atlas Leopold. ¡°You¡­¡± Cesar Pendleton¡¯s brow furrowed, and he fell silent. Now he could see the situation clearly. The wavering Three Blade Group was leaning towards Miguel Abbott, and now that Stanislaus Potter had also had a fallout with the Leopold Family, it was time for him to consider his future. Should he still stick with the Leopold Family? It would be a shame if he ended up neither enjoying the benefits nor suffering losses to his own interests. ¡°Stanislaus Potter, calm down!¡± The elder of the Leopold Family did not dare cross the bottom line of the chairman of the Golden Eagle Group but instead took a deep breath to maintain his composure. ¡°The video, where did it come from!¡± He looked at Stanislaus Potter, his eyes filled with resentment. Miguel Abbott raised his hand from the side: ¡°I provided the video, any problem with that?¡± ¡°No problem?¡± The elder sneered coldly: ¡°Miguel Abbott, everyone knows now that you and Julius Reed are quite close! By bringing out the video, aren¡¯t you just trying to make us fight among ourselves? Yet, there are really people who believe it!¡± He spoke with considerable dissatisfaction. Since they were already at odds with the Abbott Family, there was nothing he couldn¡¯t say. ¡°Isn¡¯t this enough? What else is there?¡± At that moment, Julius Reed, who was standing behind Miguel Abbott, took off his hat, revealing his face. He also took a stack of photos from his chest and threw them on the table. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± Everyone called out in unison, pointing their weapons at Julius Reed. ¡°Finish looking at the photos before settling accounts!¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, not taking these people seriously. ¡°Alright!¡± Stanislaus Potter now had no doubts; he picked up the photos and began to look at them carefully.. Chapter 168 - Chapter 168: Chapter 167 Escape Unscathed_l Chapter 168: Chapter 167 Escape Unscathed_l Translator: 549690339 The moment Stanislaus Potter took the photo, the elder of the Leopold family felt his heart trembling in disarray. Although he didn¡¯t know whether Atlas Leopold had done this, judging from the video and the voices alone, he believed it was real. Atlas Leopold had a very high authority within the Leopold family, and often, the Leopold family members would let him do whatever he wanted. Even if he messed up something, the family would step in to resolve it. It was precisely because of this that Atlas Leopold¡¯s abilities became so strong, and he was hailed as the helmsman of the Leopold family¡¯s resurgence. Being granted such honor at such a young age, it was clear how deep and sophisticated his strategies were. Not just him, the other bigwigs also turned their attention to Stanislaus Potter. The fact that the chairman of Golden Eagle Group had openly turned against the Leopold family had already caught them off guard. The decisions Stanislaus Potter would make next would surely affect the power dynamics of Five-river Province. But the more they watched, the more worried they became. Because Stanislaus Potter was examining the photo carefully, looking very serious. And his expression was growing angry. Clearly, the contents of the photo had caught his attention, and they made him lose his temper. Considering the previous video, these people suspected the photo targeted the Leopold family as well. Smack! Sure enough. after Stanislaus Potter slapped the photo onto the table. he looked coldly at the Leopold family elder, ¡°Take a look for yourself!¡± After saying this, he turned his head to look at Julius Reed, ¡°One matter at a time, our score isn¡¯t settled so simply!¡± ¡°Happy to oblige!¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, not minding Stanislaus Potter¡¯s attitude in the least. Just as the photo was laid on the table, before the Leopold family elder had a chance to look at it, the other bigwigs of Five-river Province hurried over to see for themselves. The content was simple; it was a surveillance angle from an ocean theme park. Within the red circle marked on the photo, Atlas Leopold was wearing sunglasses, laughing and chatting with the employees¡¯ bodyguards. The subsequent photos were all similar scenes, only the movements of the people kept changing. The later photos even captured Quamaine Potter being beaten not far away. Now with the evidence irrefutable, the Leopold family had no chance to deny it even if they wanted to. ¡°Explain!¡± Stanislaus Potter leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs. As chairman of the gigantic Golden Eagle Group, what storms hadn¡¯t he seen? Now that things had come to light, he appeared especially composed. ¡°I had no knowledge of this!¡± The complexion of the Leopold family elder changed unpredictably, and he began to panic inside. Now he was convinced that Atlas Leopold had indeed done such things. But with the young master of the Leopold family lying on a sickbed, how could he possibly go back and question him? ¡°You didn¡¯t know? Then bring someone who does!¡± Stanislaus Potter roared, pointing at the head of the Leopold family elder, ¡°Take him away! Anyone who dares to resist, kill without mercy!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± A burly man walked over to the side of the Leopold family elder. ¡°My apologies!¡± Stanislaus Potter was not afraid to take drastic measures; his son was beaten to such a state, he was willing to pay any price! But the Leopold family dared not; if Stanislaus Potter died here today, everyone involved would not be able to escape the consequences. The bigwigs attending the meeting would inevitably be implicated, and the whole Five-river Province would then fall into a dilemma. Moreover, it was clear that the Leopold family was at fault in this matter. ¡°In this matter, I think the Leopold family needs to give an explanation.¡± ¡°We can understand Mr. Potter¡¯s feelings.¡± Suddenly, the bigwigs of Five-river Province were voicing their opinions one after another, and their comments heavily favored Stanislaus Potter. The Leopold family was at fault to begin with, and they didn¡¯t want to get dragged in. Otherwise, they might not get a piece of the cake and instead attract a lot of trouble for themselves. ¡°Fine!¡± The Leopold family elder sighed and said aloud, ¡°No one resist!¡± The bodyguards exchanged glances. ¡°Send someone to the Leopold family with the photos and video, have them give me an explanation! If there¡¯s no news within a day, Golden Eagle Group doesn¡¯t mind going down with them!¡± Stanislaus Potter flicked his finger, then looked at Julius Reed, ¡°Now, it¡¯s our turn to settle accounts!¡± As he spoke, Smack! ¡®You¡­¡± ¡°Protect the boss!¡± As Stanislaus Potter stood dumbfounded, the bodyguards quickly reacted and surrounded Julius Reed. It seemed they would pounce the moment he made a move. ¡°If you dare lay a hand on me, don¡¯t expect to leave here alive.¡± Stanislaus Potter let out a cold laugh, quickly suppressing his shock. ¡°What? Want to test me?¡± He didn¡¯t believe anyone was unafraid of death. Could a person even be called human if they had no fear? But he was wrong. Julius Reed¡¯s elbow slammed hard into his head. ¡°What I dislike the most, is being threatened!¡± ¡°You dare!¡± Stanislaus Potter clutched his head, from which blood was now flowing freely. ¡°I warn you, if you dare touch our boss again, you¡¯ll be buried here!¡± The bodyguard roared angrily. If it weren¡¯t for Miguel Abbott standing beside them, the bodyguards would have lunged without hesitation. But as it stood, Mr. Abbott, the chairman of Moonlight Group, was present, and they still harbored some reservations. In terms of status, Miguel Abbott was no less prestigious than anyone present. ¡°Is that so!¡± Julius Reed turned around and looked at the bodyguard, replying with a faint smile, ¡°What I find most obnoxious is being threatened.¡± Miguel Abbott unbuttoned his jacket and slowly stood up! Hiss! The crowd sucked in a breath of cold air. ¡°Mr. Abbott, what are you doing!¡± ¡°Please, sit down! Let¡¯s talk this out calmly!¡± They were sweating cold beads of fear. Attached to Mr. Abbott¡¯s body was a string of poison gas packets. As people who owned tens or hundreds of billions, they naturally cherished their lives. ¡°Let¡¯s talk this out!¡± Maurice Yarrow mentally cursed continuously. Bridger Davenport had told him not to come, but he insisted on coming. And now, well, he was terribly unlucky. Even Stanislaus Potter seemed somewhat bewildered. He swallowed and took a deep breath, ¡°Mr. Abbott, have you gone mad?¡± Miguel Abbott was just like them, a long-established bigwig. What could have driven him to such extremes? Even if he truly wanted to arm someone, why not strap it to one of his bodyguards? Why did he take the field himself? ¡°Heh! I have gone mad!¡± Miguel Abbott chuckled softly and snapped his fingers. In an instant, his bodyguards behind him began to open their jackets. On those bodyguards¡¯ bodies, poison gas packets were strapped all over. ¡°Today, I just want to ask, does anyone have the courage to join me on the journey? Miguel Abbott looked around the room as everyone fell silent. ¡°If you don¡¯t have the guts! Then I¡¯m sorry, today I¡¯ll be the host!¡± Miguel Abbott put his clothes back on and looked at Julius Reed, ¡°Brother Reed, you may speak now..¡± Chapter 169 - Chapter 169: Chapter 168 Assassination in the Old City_l Chapter 169: Chapter 168 Assassination in the Old City_l Translator: 549690339 When Miguel Abbott finished speaking, everyone looked at him with strange expressions. His identity yet he showed such reverence toward Julius Reed. It was like a subordinate showing humility in front of their boss. ¡°Come at me with your vengeance in Five-river Province,¡± he announced. ¡°Better if you all come at once, so I can deal with you in one go.¡± Julius Reed stood up, looked around, and said, ¡°You only get one shot. There¡¯s no turning back once you¡¯ve loosed an arrow. If you¡¯ve made up your mind, bring it on!¡± After these words, he left the conference room with long strides. Miguel Abbott and others followed right behind him. No one dared to stop them, this was no time for games! If things went wrong, none of them would make it out alive! Maurice Yarrow sighed in relief as he watched them leave the building. ¡°My Three Blade Group is tied up with business, let¡¯s talk another time!¡± he said as he stood up and unhesitatingly left the conference room. ¡°I¡¯ve got something too!¡± ¡°There are too many troubles at the company.¡± ¡°My child is sick.¡± One after another, many influential people also stood up and left. No one dared stay seated, it was too dangerous. In the end, only Stanislaus Potter and the Leopold Family remained. These people came and left in a hurry, and in just an hour, their attitudes had completely changed. ¡°Until your Leopold Family gives me an explanation, you¡¯re not going anywhere,¡± Stanislaus Potter said, touching the blood on his forehead. ¡°Take them, back to Golden Eagle Group!¡± Inside Miguel Abbott¡¯s dedicated vehicle. ¡°Mr. Reed, that was masterful. Even though it was fake, you scared them silly.¡± Even if it was fake, the direct intimidation had set those people scurrying. ¡°Now Stanislaus Potter will likely focus his attention on the Leopold Family.¡± Looking at the passing scenery, Miguel Abbott pondered for a moment and then said, ¡°Mr. Reed, what should we do next?¡± He had not expected Julius Reed to secure such damning evidence. Even a fool would recognize it was Atlas Leopold¡¯s doing when faced with the video and photos. With this evidence, the alliance that was about to be formed instantly splintered. ¡°Watch and wait.¡± Julius Reed sat in the back, eyes closed, conserving energy. Remaining unchanging as a response to myriad changes was the simplest method. ¡°Squeak!¡± Suddenly, the car came to a halt. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Miguel Abbott yelled angrily, ¡°Can¡¯t you drive?¡± His driver was specially trained, not only exceptional in driving skills but also good in a fight. In critical moments, he was like a personal bodyguard. An abrupt situation like today was a first for him. Especially with Julius Reed in the back seat, it made Miguel Abbott even more displeased. ¡°Boss, look¡­¡± The driver pointed to a suddenly collapsed concrete pillar ahead, his eyes wary. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t hit the brakes in time, that pillar might have crushed our car by now.¡± After he spoke, Miguel Abbott noticed a concrete pillar had indeed collapsed in front of them, with the dust from the ground still unsettled. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± This was the old city area, hardly populated anymore. But it was the essential route to the Pearl on the Water. The old, rundown city had many of its electric poles made of old concrete pillars. To call it a coincidence due to wear and tear seemed too convenient. Had it been another time, Miguel Abbott might have believed it, but given the sensitive timing, he couldn¡¯t help suspecting otherwise. Around them were deserted brick buildings. These red brick buildings were ancient, and due to the enormous cost of demolition, they had been neglected. After the electricity and water became inconvenient, many residents moved out in succession. By now, basically no one was left, and the town was essentially a ghost town. The bodyguards immediately got out of the car and surveyed their surroundings. They were on high alert, some clearing barricades in front of them, others circling around Miguel Abbott¡¯s vehicle and inspecting it closely. After all, at such a sensitive time, one couldn¡¯t rule out someone losing their restraint. Whiz! Just then, an almost inaudible sound rang out. A bodyguard standing in front of Miguel Abbott¡¯s car fell in response to the sound. A dart appeared in his forehead, and he was killed instantly. ¡°Attention! There¡¯s a hidden assailant!¡± The lead bodyguard shouted, and immediately someone guarded Miguel Abbott¡¯s side. ¡°Boss, please step back for a moment!¡± In this critical moment, the bodyguards formed a barrier with their lives, protecting Miguel Abbott¡¯s safety. At the same time, the bodyguards all drew their weapons. Some of them ran towards the general direction of the attacker while others provided cover in the direction of the town. Luckily, there were no people left here, so no matter how intense the fight, it wouldn¡¯t draw any attention. Whiz! Another bodyguard fell into a pool of blood. ¡°At least two assailants with hidden weapons, everyone be careful!¡± They were attacked from both front and rear. It seemed the enemy had planned this well in advance. ¡°Stay in the car, don¡¯t move!¡± Julius Reed instructed Miguel Abbott, then he flung open the car door and bolted out. ¡°Mr. Reed¡­¡± Miguel Abbott had just tried to stop him when Julius Reed had already darted out more than ten meters away. Whiz! Whiz! The sounds arose simultaneously, but they all hit the ground under Julius Reed¡¯s feet. Whiz! Another one. Yet even so, Julius Reed was still unharmed. Whoosh! The instant he heard the sound, Julius Reed quickly locked onto the Shadow Warrior¡¯s position. He sprinted with all his might, and when the distance narrowed to less than twenty meters, he violently hurled a flying knife! Hiss! The sharp blade slashed through the air, stabbing straight into the assailant¡¯s forehead. The Shadow Warrior on the fifth floor did not even have time to react before he was dead. But Julius Reed did not pay attention to the other two, he charged straight into the building where the Shadow Warrior was located. ¡°Clang! ¡± As he reached the fourth floor, a long knife swept past his body and chopped into the stairwell wall. Whiz! Julius Reed punched out directly, knocking the Shadow Warrior to the ground. Then, before the other could react, he grabbed the steel knife and ended the life of the Shadow Warrior. Both people inside the building were dead. At that moment, he walked over to the first slain assailant. Whiz! A streak of cold light grazed his body and hit the wall behind him. In an instant, Julius Reed locked onto the position of the other party. Whiz! This time, it was his turn. With a practiced move, he sent the dart flying straight into the assailant¡¯s body. Although the Shadow Warrior was trying hard to dodge, he was still hit in the shoulder. The next moment, Miguel Abbott¡¯s bodyguards had already charged up the stairs and pinned down the Shadow Warrior. Seeing the dire situation, the last remaining person prepared to leave. But how could Julius Reed let him escape? He leapt from the fifth floor in a single bound! A normal person would have been injured, even without breaking any bones, but Julius Reed rolled lightly on the ground using the force from the walls and then sprinted away quickly! Chapter 170 - Chapter 170: Chapter 169 Arrogant Opponent_1 Chapter 170: Chapter 169 Arrogant Opponent_1 Translator: 549690339 Whoosh! The moment the man left the old building. The dart, like an eye opening, struck the man directly in the left leg, piercing the knee! Whoosh! Another dart sound, and the man¡¯s other leg splattered blood, falling to the ground and struggling to move forward. Quickly, he realized there was no chance of escape, so he prepared to commit suicide. Whoosh! Just as he was about to bite the poison in his mouth, Julius Reed lunged forward and slammed his fist into the man¡¯s jaw! The poison, along with shattered teeth and blood, sprayed out of the Shadow Warrior¡¯s mouth. ¡°Now, are you ready to talk?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s foot was planted on the Shadow Warrior¡¯s head, looking down as he asked. The Shadow Warrior sneered coldly, closing his eyes ready to embrace death. ¡°Crack! ¡± But death was not so simple; at such a time, it was a luxury. Facing the Shadow Warrior¡¯s righteous appearance, Julius Reed suddenly snapped one of his arms! No matter how tough someone¡¯s mouth was, they couldn¡¯t withstand his torture. From the ancient times to the present, not a single person was an exception! The Shadow Warrior grunted, and his entire body began to convulse. Even though his eyes were bloodshot and his lips were already bitten through, he still kept his mouth tightly shut. ¡°Still a tough nut to crack.¡± Julius Reed hummed lightly, slowly squatting down. This time, before he could act, the Shadow Warrior had already gasped for air, his throat undulating continuously. And his body tensed up. ¡°What¡¯s the point of holding out? I can make you wander endlessly between death and pain. Let me tell you the truth, today you¡¯re not going to live. However, I can grant you a quick end.¡± With that said, he grabbed the Shadow Warrior¡¯s arm with one hand and began to slowly exert force. ¡°Stanislaus Potter¡­¡± Whoosh! After Julius Reed smashed his head with a punch, he slowly stood up from the ground. ¡°Mr. Reed, are you alright?¡± As he made this move, Miguel Abbott was hurrying over, breathless, with his employees to provide support. Even for those who have been in the underworld for years, the scene in front of them made the spine chill. ¡°Should we teach the Golden Eagle Group a lesson?¡± He just happened to hear this conversation. Since Stanislaus Potter dared to send a Shadow Warrior, he would naturally not be polite in return. Although the Golden Eagle Group is one of the top players in Five-river Province, the Moonlight Group is no less significant. Adding to that, the last business war dealt a heavy blow to the Golden Eagle Group¡¯s vitality, and now Miguel Abbott is fully capable of going to war with Stanislaus Potter. ¡°He lied.¡± Julius Reed, with his hands clasped behind his back, slowly looked towards a building not far away. ¡°Stanislaus Potter isn¡¯t that stupid, and neither am I.¡± Having said that, he slowly extended his hand: ¡°Bring me the dart box.¡± ¡°Quick! Bring Mr. Reed the darts!¡± Miguel Abbott waved his hand and the bodyguard immediately went to pick up the darts. ¡°Mr. Reed, what do you need this for?¡± After handing over the dart box, he instructed his employees: ¡°Immediately clean up the scene, don¡¯t leave any traces.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The employees nodded and immediately started dealing with the bodies. While Miguel Abbott was curious, Julius Reed skillfully adjusted the dart box in his hand. Suddenly, he raised the barrel of the dart box and triggered the mechanism towards the distance! Whoosh! After the shot, he casually tossed the dart box aside and strode back into the car. Meanwhile, in a building a distance away, a man sat slumped on the ground, panicked. Even though this was almost at the limit of the dart box¡¯s range, it still precisely shattered the binoculars in his hand. ¡°Julius Reed, someday I will make you wish for death!¡± After saying this, the man hurriedly put on his clothes and quickly disappeared in the room. After this turmoil, the group safely returned to the Pearl on the Water. All the way, Miguel Abbott was on tenterhooks, fearing another assassination attempt. And he still had no idea who the other party was. He wanted to ask, yet dared not to ask. ¡°Stop guessing, it¡¯s not someone from your Five-river Province. This person is here for revenge, it¡¯s got nothing to do with you,¡± Seeing his concerns, Julius Reed opened the car door and slowly walked towards the Pearl of the Water. The remaining bodyguards hurriedly surrounded him, and the group marched grandly into the hotel. At that moment, a waiter hurried over. ¡°Boss, our hotel welcomed a high-profile guest today.¡± He reported to Miguel Abbott. ¡°Who is it!¡± Miguel Abbott frowned slightly upon hearing this. The Pearl of the Water was a well-known large restaurant; isn¡¯t it normal for customers to come? As for high-profile, who could it be? ¡°We¡¯re not sure, but these people have a strong presence, and they walked in with such arrozance, immediatelv iniurinz several of our waiters.¡± The waiter said softly. ¡°Damn! Who the hell, dares to cause trouble in my Pearl of the Water!¡± Allen rolled up his sleeves, ready to lead people over there. For many years, no one had dared to cause trouble in the Pearl of the Water. The place was teeming with bodyguards; wasn¡¯t causing trouble akin to seeking death? ¡°Let¡¯s all go and see!¡± Miguel Abbott¡¯s brow was tightly furrowed, clearly somewhat angry. ¡°Haha! Zhou, your skills suck!¡± When they walked into the hotel, they saw a black man standing on a chair, trying to toss chopsticks into a tea cup on the table. But his skills were clearly lacking; the black man had already thrown in five chopsticks, yet he hadn¡¯t managed to get a single one in. ¡°Waiter, bring more chopsticks!¡± The black man quickly ran out of chopsticks and immediately stretched out his hand. ¡°Fuck, make it quick!¡± Seeing no one move, he looked impatiently at the closest waiter. ¡°Go and get them!¡± ¡°This is a hotel, not a playground!¡± Seeing the black man so rampant, Miguel Abbott stepped forward and scolded the group: ¡°If you¡¯re going to eat, then eat; if not, get out!¡± ¡°Yo, yo, yo, yo! Who is this, daring to meddle in our business?¡± The black man sized up Miguel Abbott, shaking his head and said, ¡°Old man, who are you!¡± ¡°I am the owner of this restaurant, and you are not welcome here. Please leave immediately! ¡± Being called an old thing, even if Miguel Abbott was the most patient man, he couldn¡¯t tolerate it. ¡°Yo, yo! You¡¯re the boss? Good, serve us personally!¡± The black man turned around with a face full of mockery. At the same time, the men and women at the table also stopped and watched the scene with an onlooker¡¯s interest. ¡°Looking for death!¡± A bodyguard immediately lunged forward! Whoosh! Crack! But before he could strike, the black man kicked out, breaking the bodyguard¡¯s ribs with a single blow! ¡°Sick man!¡± The black man shook his finger, full of disdain. He provocatively said, ¡°Who¡¯s next?¡± Allen narrowed his eyes and pounded his fists down hard! Whoosh! The black man didn¡¯t dodge, meeting the blow with his own hard punch! Both took a step back, but clearly, Allen was at a disadvantage. ¡°Some skill, but nowhere near enough to beat me!¡± The black man sprang forward, his right fist smashing down fiercely! At the same time, his left leg delivered a vicious spinning kick! Whoosh! Allen was sent staggering back several steps, his eyes filled with a sense of powerlessness. ¡°Sick man! Is that all you got!¡± The black man sneered coldly, his eyes brimming with contempt. ¡°I¡¯m up!¡± Just then, another voice rang out.. Chapter 171 - Chapter 171: Chapter 170: Deal with Him_1 Chapter 171: Chapter 170: Deal with Him_1 Translator: 549690339 Allen was the strongest combatant among Miguel Abbott¡¯s employees, and now even he was no match for the black man, leaving no one else with the courage to compete. The opponent saw their hesitance and took the opportunity to mock them without restraint. Miguel Abbott felt both angry and hateful internally, yet he was utterly helpless. What could he do? If even Allen was no match, calling someone stronger wouldn¡¯t be possible in a short amount of time. It was then that Julius Reed declared, ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± causing Miguel Abbott¡¯s eyes to sparkle with anticipation. Julius Reed¡¯s strength was something he knew very well, having only recently dispatched a group of Shadow Warriors. ¡®You?¡± The black man raised an eyebrow, finding it somewhat unbelievable. Anyone with a bit of skill tended to have a huge, muscular build, with formidable strength evident in their physique. But Julius Reed looked like nothing more than a college student, hardly the image of someone capable. The black man even thought that just one punch would be enough to kill his opponent. ¡°Leave it to me!¡± Right then, a woman stepped out from the crowd. She appeared to be around twenty-three or twenty-four years old, dressed in a tight-fitting blazer and sporting neatly trimmed short hair that gave her an air of sophistication. ¡°Fintan Michael, are you sure?¡± The black man turned around, his attitude toward the woman obviously respectful. ¡°Leave it to me!¡± The woman repeated, and walked straight up to Julius Reed. ¡°Hope you don¡¯t die too miserably!¡± ¡°The same to you,¡± replied Julius Reed with a light smile, his eyes betraying no sign of tension. Whoosh! In an instant, the woman made her move! Her attack was swift, accurate, and ruthless, aiming straight for Julius Reed¡¯s throat! After making her move, the woman¡¯s lips curled into a smile. But the smile quickly froze. ¡°What are you doing? Don¡¯t even think about taking advantage of me.¡± Julius Reed smiled lightly, grabbing the woman¡¯s wrist decisively and rendering her immobile. The scene clearly took the woman by surprise, and despite her shock, she quickly countered! Whoosh! Her fist, accompanied by the sound of rushing air, aimed straight for Julius Reed¡¯s wrist. But at the same time, Julius Reed swiftly let go of her hand, using both of his hands to lock down both of her wrists. ¡°Hmm?¡± The woman raised an eyebrow, her right leg shooting up fiercely! Swoosh! Julius Reed pulled his hands together, locking both the woman¡¯s wrists with one hand, while his right hand went down with a slap! ¡°Mmm¡­¡± With a muffled grunt, the woman felt her right leg hit something as hard as a steel plate, numbing with pain. ¡°You lost!¡± As she regained her composure, Julius Reed¡¯s hand was already poised at the woman¡¯s neck. ¡°Let her go, you despicable man!¡± The black man, seeing the woman captured, immediately attacked! And he went directly for the kill! Whoosh! His left leg chopped down viciously, a blow that could kill or, at the very least, leave one critically injured! Crack! Julius Reed let go of the woman and took a step forward to meet the black man¡¯s advance, his fist smashing hard into the man¡¯s knee! As the sound of breaking bones echoed, the black man screamed in agony. ¡°You dare speak to me like that?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes turned cold as he lunged forward. He grabbed the black man¡¯s arm and threw him down with force! Swoosh! The black man¡¯s body was flung to the ground! The impact was so powerful that it felt as if his internal organs had shattered! Thud! The black man spat out blood, his lips twitching ceaselessly. ¡°Say, who is the despicable one now!¡± His foot planted firmly on the man¡¯s chest, his tone devoid of any emotion. ¡°You¡­¡± Crack! Julius Reed increased the pressure, snapping the ribs in the black man¡¯s chest with his foot! ¡°I! I am a despicable person!¡± The black man grimaced in pain, his whole body shaking. ¡°Enough!¡± Just then, the man who had earlier asked the black man to toss chopsticks stepped forward to intervene. ¡°Spare someone when you can, don¡¯t go too far!¡± He walked up to Julius Reed and said coldly, ¡°Apologize to him right now!¡± ¡°Are you talking to me?¡± ¡°Yes! Apologize to my friend immediately and kneel before him!¡± The young master Springs spoke very forcefully, clearly coming from wealth and used to giving orders. Smack! No sooner had the words left his mouth than Julius Reed slapped him across the face! ¡°You dare hit me¡­¡± Smack! The second slap was full of force, sending the man flying to the ground. ¡°Young master Springs!¡± The other young men in the group immediately went over to help him up. At the same time, a peculiar light appeared in the woman¡¯s eyes. She could tell that Julius Reed had been lenient with her specifically, otherwise her fate would not have been better than these two men¡¯s. ¡°You dog, how dare you hit me!¡± Young master Springs wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, pointed at Julius Reed, and said, ¡°Whoever can cripple him, I¡¯ll reward a hundred million US dollars!¡± Hiss! The Abbott Family bodyguards present gasped. With the current exchange rate, that¡¯s seven hundred million! To offer seven hundred million just like that, what a generous hand! As the saying goes, with a heavy reward comes bold warriors! A man from the West stepped out from the crowd, glanced at Julius Reed, and said softly, ¡°My apologies!¡± Boom! As soon as his voice fell, the Western man threw a punch! ¡°All of you, come at me!¡± Julius Reed shook his head, stepped over the black man, and rushed towards the fist of the Western man! Crack! From grabbing the arm to breaking it, it took Julius Reed less than a second! Such speed left people speechless. Even the group of young men, who knew Julius Reed was capable, did not expect him to be this proficient. ¡°Swoosh!¡± Before anyone could react, Julius Reed threw a punch and sent the Western man flying onto a table. The Western man lay there, tasting blood, gasping for breath, obviously unable to stand. ¡®You¡­¡± It was clear to Young master Springs the gravity of the situation, and he began to panic. But Miguel Abbott and the others felt completely different! Exhilarating! Thrilling! Satisfying! The oppression they¡¯d felt before was swept away in this moment! Especially seeing the other side¡¯s crestfallen look, they couldn¡¯t express how much relief they felt. ¡°What are you going to do!¡± The strongest among them were already down; unless the rest wanted to die, who would dare step forward? ¡°Weren¡¯t you acting all high and mighty?¡± Julius Reed waved his hand and immediately, a staff member brought over a chair. He sat in the chair, looking at Young master Springs: ¡°Come here, lick my shoes.¡± For such an arrogant person, the best method was to completely strip them of their dignity! This was more painful than beating them up! ¡°Never!¡± Young master Springs¡¯s eyes reddened, his body starting to shake. ¡°Go, beat him until he submits, and anyone who intervenes will end up the same!¡± Julius Reed glanced at the group of young people, scaring them into retreating several steps. ¡°Heh, heh! This is for not behaving! How arrogant!¡± ¡°You motherfucker, so tough, huh! Pretend! Why the soft act now!¡± Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Everyone started to beat and kick without holding back. The mockeries from Allen earlier had already left them simmering with rage, and now they could vent it all out.. Chapter 172 - Chapter 172: Chapter 171 People of Willson Pavilion_1 Chapter 172: Chapter 171 People of Willson Pavilion_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Stop!¡± The woman¡¯s face darkened as she saw her companion being beaten. They were all part of the same circle; if one person lost face, it would be tough for everyone. ¡°I said stop!¡± Seeing that nobody around her paid any attention to her words, the woman couldn¡¯t help but yell again. But the bodyguards might as well have been deaf, viciously greeting the two people on the ground with blows. The cries and screams of the man surnamed Zhou and the black man kept rising, even turning into howls and wails. The expressions on the faces of their companions were extremely uncomfortable; some even covered their eyes with their hands. ¡°If you don¡¯t stop now, you will regret it beyond repair!¡± The woman strode up to Julius Reed, immediately stopped by Allen. ¡°I¡¯m not joking with you! Do you know who he is? He¡¯s someone you can¡¯t afford to provoke! If you continue to lay your hands on them, I guarantee none of you will escape!¡± Her eyes were filled with coldness, and even in such dire circumstances, she maintained an attitude of superiority. ¡°Stop!¡± Julius Reed glanced at her and commanded the bodyguards to stop beating the men. The woman finally breathed a sigh of relief as the men stopped. ¡°Tell your people to apologize and make compensation.¡± She resumed her detached demeanor. The bodyguards were already reluctant to stop, anger visible in their eyes. The woman¡¯s arrogant tone now sparked their anger once again. ¡°You dare to beat me, just wait for death!¡± On the ground, Zhou surnamed man curled up in pain but still spat out threats continuously. ¡°What? Say that again?¡± Julius Reed turned his ear towards the man, asking with a smile. ¡°If you dare, kill me!¡± Zhou surnamed man¡¯s eyes were filled with malice, and despite his agony, he was resolute when issuing threats! ¡°Apologize, right now!¡± The woman urged from the side. She wasn¡¯t joking; the power behind the man surnamed Zhou was so great that even the entirety of Five-river Province wasn¡¯t enough to concern them! ¡°Do as told!¡± Julius Reed gave the woman a meaningful look as he said this. ¡°Big brother, this¡­¡± The bodyguards wore faces of reluctance. Asking them to stop was already quite unwilling for them, and now they had to apologize? But they didn¡¯t dare disobey Julius Reed¡¯s words. ¡°Can¡¯t you hear Mr. Reed¡¯s words?¡± Miguel Abbott rebuked the hesitating bodyguards. After all, he was their immediate superior. If these bodyguards couldn¡¯t satisfy Julius Reed, then the responsibility would fall entirely on him. ¡°Yes!¡± The bodyguards took a deep breath and, extremely reluctantly, walked in front of the woman, saying, ¡°Sorry.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the use of telling me? Apologize to Mr. Zhou!¡± The woman¡¯s face was stern, and her tone was very harsh. ¡°Apologize, I will only accept it if you kneel down! Otherwise, forget about it!¡± Zhou surnamed man became incredibly arrogant as soon as he saw the others soften. Even though his bones were nearly falling apart, he was still full of energy. ¡°Fine!¡± The bodyguards took a deep breath; they had no choice but to listen to their boss! But as they were about to bend their knees, they heard the voice of Julius Reed: ¡°When I said do as told, it wasn¡¯t for you to follow her instructions!¡± Julius Reed pointed at the woman. ¡°I meant for you to do as he said!¡± Then he pointed at the man. ¡°Understood ! ¡± The bodyguards immediately grasped the meaning. Zhou surnamed man had said to see if they had the guts to kill him, didn¡¯t he? ¡°Heh heh!¡± After being scolded by the woman, the bodyguards were full of rage, just waiting to vent it! ¡°What are you going to do!¡± Sensing the change in the other party, Zhou surnamed man swallowed nervously, his body retreating continuously. But with bones nearly broken from the beating, where would one find the strength to retreat? Already panicked, being startled like this left them utterly immobilized. Beside him, the black man had been beaten to the point of spitting blood, nearly fainting away. ¡°You dare touch him, and you all die!¡± The woman turned her head to look at Julius Reed, pronouncing each word clearly, ¡°He¡¯s from Willson Pavilion!¡± ¡°Willson Pavilion?¡± Julius Reed frowned and asked aloud, ¡®What the hell is that?¡± He was somewhat surprised. This man actually had ties with Amadeus Fairbanks? It seemed he would have to clean house for Willson Pavilion. ¡°Heh, ignorant fools, Willson Pavilion is¡­¡± ¡°Shut up, just make a call, a video call, to your boss!¡± Just as the woman was about to give an introduction, Julius Reed cut her off. She didn¡¯t want to comply, but faced with danger and having kicked an iron, she had no choice but to do as told. ¡°You will regret this!¡± The woman let out a cold huff. ¡°I never hit a woman, don¡¯t make me break that rule!¡± Julius Reed pointed at her, his gaze becoming terrifying for the first time. Even with her strong disposition, she couldn¡¯t help but feel fear at this point. She quickly took out her cell phone and dialed a video call to her master. A moment later, the call connected. ¡°Feifei, what made you think of calling your master?¡± On the screen, an elder with white hair viewed the woman with doting eyes. ¡°Master, Brother Springs¡­¡± The woman said with furrowed brows, ¡°Brother Springs has been beaten.¡± As she spoke, her face flushed slightly. Who were the people from Willson pavilion? Unbeatable beings! They could even clash head-on with the Shadow Warrior organization Deep Cold, a behemoth in their own right. Yet here she was, as the disciple of the manager of the Far East Branch, defeated so thoroughly. The man with the surname Springs, Quantez Springs, was the old man¡¯s only son. The old man was exceptionally fond of him, having imparted all his skills to this son. Today¡¯s battle was a disgrace for Willson Pavilion. ¡°What! Who did it!¡± The old man¡¯s tone instantly turned chilly, and even through the screen, the people present could feel a cold shiver. Julius Reed snatched the phone, looking at the old man on the screen, ¡°Your son?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are, you better prepare to die!¡± The old man¡¯s eyes blazed with fury, ¡°You dare touch the son of Willson Pavilion¡¯s branch manager! I advise you to take your own life now, or I¡¯ll ensure your family joins you in death!¡± He was clearly enraged. The manager of the Far East Branch was an unbeatably powerful figure. And with Willson Pavilion¡¯s colossal backing, his arrogance knew no bounds. How could he swallow the insult of his beloved son being beaten? ¡°Is that so? Then take a good look!¡± Julius Reed grinned, adjusted the camera to the rear-facing view, and zoomed in on Quantez Springs covered in blood. ¡°You dare!¡± The old man¡¯s voice was filled with the intent to kill! ¡°Of course, I dare! Strike!¡± Upon Julius Reed¡¯s command, the bodyguards threw punches like rain, pounding on Quantez Springs. Quantez Springs, already severely injured, started bellowing from the brutal beating. ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°What about me? If you dare, come over, I¡¯m always ready!¡± Julius Reed tossed the cell phone back to the woman and turned to walk towards the elevator of the Pearl Over Water. After all, the situation had escalated unexpectedly, and he needed to inform Amadeus Fairbanks. Since Amadeus Fairbanks showed him enough respect, he would be considerate of the Pavilion Master¡¯s face when killing someone. ¡°Beat him until he has one breath left, and anyone who blocks, I will kill him immediately!¡± Leaving these words behind, Julius Reed vanished from sight.. Chapter 173 - Chapter 173: Chapter 172 Maurice Springs_l Chapter 173: Chapter 172 Maurice Springs_l Translator: 549690339 Finally, when the bodyguards felt that they had done enough, they withdrew and returned to their posts. The companions who had come with Quantez Springs dared to tremble and go forward to pull away what no longer even resembled a human being¡ªQuantez Springs. They had wanted to intervene; with their abilities, snatching their companion from the security was not a difficult task. But who would dare? The young psycho¡¯s combat strength was still vivid in their minds, and if they were to return, they wouldn¡¯t stand a chance of leaving! These young men, merely guests on this earth, dying far from their hometowns? Even if they didn¡¯t die, ending up like Quantez Springs meant living as a cripple. So all they could do was watch as Quantez Springs got beaten without being able to move a muscle. Their master, Maurice Springs, had long since hung up the video feed; he couldn¡¯t bear to watch his son being beaten. ¡°Master!¡± After leaving the Pearl on the Water, Miles Cook made a call to her master with a heart full of trepidation. ¡°How is Quantez?¡± Maurice Springs asked with a voice full of urgency. ¡°We¡¯ve rescued him and are taking him to the hospital right away!¡± Miles Cook looked at the barely alive Quantez Springs; he was nothing but a breath away from death! It wasn¡¯t just the bones, nearly all the soft tissues in his body had sustained damage from being beaten¡ªif not treated promptly, he probably wouldn¡¯t live much longer. And judging by his current state, even if he survived, he would essentially be disabled. But Miles Cook couldn¡¯t say that; admitting such would only make Maurice Springs hold a grudge against her. ¡°A regular hospital definitely won¡¯t do! You first take him to the best hospital, I¡¯ll immediately send someone to bring the best medicine from Willson Pavilion!¡± After giving his instructions, Maurice Springs shouted to someone nearby, ¡°Arrange a plane immediately, I need to go to Five-river Province!¡± Hearing that her master was coming, Miles Cook¡¯s heart sank. ¡°Master, you¡¯re coming in person?¡± She was quite aware of Maurice Springs¡¯ abilities. Within Willson Pavilion, the Pavilion Master had the highest status, followed by the Left and Right Envoys, and then the Elders. All these were high-ranking core members stationed at headquarters. Apart from them, the most powerful individuals were the managers of the branch offices. There are also larger and smaller sects within the branches. Maurice Springs was the manager of the Far East Branch, holding considerable power. Apart from him, there were seven other managers at the Far East Branch. These eight managed all the affairs of the Far East together. Now that Maurice Springs was personally coming, he was undoubtedly coming to avenge his son. ¡°Indeed! I¡¯m coming to avenge Quantez! Also, to kill those who have disrespected me, and to see for myself what the Disciples accompanying Quantez have done!¡± The tone of Maurice Springs was very strict. His son being beaten to such an extent, it was strange for him not to be angry. Hearing these words made Miles Cook¡¯s heart pound. ¡°Yes¡­¡± ¡°What? Did you simply stand by and watch?¡± Maurice Springs retorted with a question. This single question scared Miles Cook to the point of breaking out in a cold sweat. ¡°Master, we did our best, but we were no match for that person. Fearing that intervening would put Quantez in greater danger, we didn¡¯t dare to try to rescue him¡­¡± Miles Cook hurriedly explained. Hearing her explanation, the other Willson Pavilion Disciples also trembled. This incident¡¯s main character was Quantez Springs, Maurice Springs¡¯ son, and they feared this could cast a shadow on their future prospects. ¡°Rest assured! I will certainly investigate thoroughly! Those who tried their best, I will not hold accountable, but those who dare to dishonor Willson Pavilion, don¡¯t blame me for being impolite!¡± After saying this, Maurice Springs hung up the phone. ¡°What did the master say?¡± One person was carrying Quantez Springs while the rest followed closely behind. ¡°Master is coming over. After taking revenge, he will seek out those responsible!¡± Miles Cook said with a furrowed brow. Today, although she did take action, the young man didn¡¯t make it difficult for her. But this is actually bad news. Looking at the black man who was beaten beyond recognition, she felt somewhat envious. If she were knocked unconscious, could she avoid the punishment from her sect? Hearing her words, the disciples of Willson Pavilion were like frostbitten eggplants, all disheartened and dejected. But what could be done, given that Quantez Springs was Maurice Springs¡¯ son? ¡°I¡¯ll see how long you can keep up this arrogance!¡± Miles Cook turned to look at the Pearl Above the Waters, cursing Julius Reed in her heart. As soon as Maurice Springs made a move, there would be no doubt about his opponent¡¯s certain death; there was absolutely no chance of survival. To sit in the position of Willson Pavilion¡¯s manager, one had to be highly capable. ¡°Oh! My dear Young Master! What has moved you to call me personally!¡± Within the luxurious private room of Pearl Above the Waters, Julius Reed leaned back in his chair, watching Amadeus Fairbanks get his hair cut opposite him. As the highest commander of Willson Pavilion, Amadeus Fairbanks led a rich life and was particularly concerned about his appearance. He had changed his barbers countless times. Amadeus Fairbanks even went so far as to set a precise length for his hair and called in a barber every morning to cut his hair to that exact length. Not even a millimeter could be off. Yet, there were still barbers whose hands trembled. After all, everyone is human; who could guarantee perfection without a trace of error? But should there be any mistake, one would be kicked out of Willson Pavilion and lose a massive array of benefits. At this moment, upon seeing Julius Reed, Amadeus Fairbanks became animated, which made the barber cutting his hair nervous. ¡°Your employee might be coming over to kill me. I¡¯ve decided to clean house for you. If you have any objections, speak now.¡± Julius Reed casually flicked his fingers, speaking nonchalantly. If bystanders witnessed this scene, their jaws would certainly drop! This was the Pavilion Master of Willson Pavilion, a local overlord! Someone dared to clean house for Willson Pavilion! Are they courting death? Yet, upon hearing these words, Amadeus Fairbanks suddenly leaped from his chair. ¡°Pavilion Master, your hair¡­¡± ¡°Get out!¡± With a furious shout, Amadeus Fairbanks sent the barber scurrying away. ¡°Young Master, who is it?¡± He dropped his laughing demeanor and became extremely serious. ¡°I am not very clear, but if he dares to come, I will kill him! Even if it¡¯s for your sake, it¡¯s not allowed! No one can leave alive after talking tough to me!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s expression was cold, his words devoid of any emotion. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will investigate this thoroughly!¡± Amadeus Fairbanks¡¯ expression was somber. He had never anticipated that his own employee would offend Julius Reed! To think, even as the Pavilion Master, he didn¡¯t have the guts for it! ¡°It¡¯s not an issue, the purpose of my call was just to let you know. Let them come; I¡¯m getting bored! ¡± Julius Reed continued speaking with utmost calm. Proclaiming the intent to kill members of Willson Pavilion and remaining so composed, surely there was no one else in the world like him. ¡°I understand!¡± Amadeus Fairbanks certainly got the message. He was well aware of Julius Reed¡¯s abilities. Forget the elders, even the Deputy Pavilion Masters were no match! This call from the other party was undoubtedly a favor to him, rather than a directive to manage his employees better. ¡°Alright, I have some things to attend to, goodbye.¡± Julus Reed ended the call, massaging his temples.. He then instructed Miguel Abbott in front of him, ¡°Keep a close eye on the airport, and report back to me immediately at the slightest sign of trouble!¡± Chapter 174 - Chapter 174: Chapter 173 Good Intentions Sending a Letter 1 Chapter 174: Chapter 173 Good Intentions Sending a Letter 1 Translator: 549690339 Miguel Abbott dared not show the slightest neglect, immediately dispatching people to keep a close watch around the airport, while also mobilizing internal informants to stay alert at all times. To make a name for himself in Five-river Province, Miguel Abbott had secret contacts unknown to ordinary people, and his covert network spread throughout the entire province, even inside some of the large families, where he had his spies. ¡°Mr. Reed, do we need to gather more men?¡± After instructing his employees to shadow their targets, Miguel Abbott returned to Julius Reed¡¯s side, cautiously asking for instructions. The fight just now had made him once again recognize the gap between them. Allen had no chance to fight back, while Julius Reed made his move effortlessly. This wasn¡¯t because Allen was too weak, after all, he was close to being Miguel Abbott¡¯s bodyguard, so how could he be weak? It was just that the opponent was too strong, unreasonably strong! Looking around Five-river Province, there were few who could stand against that Black man. But. Julius Reed was stronger! This also made Miguel Abbott realize that he hadn¡¯t followed the wrong person. Ever since he met Julius Reed, he had never seen the young man take a loss. Moreover, every time he thought he had figured out Reed¡¯s strength, Julius Reed would refresh his understanding. ¡°If he comes, he will come alone, and he won¡¯t take away a single soldier or pawn from Willson Pavilion!¡± Julius Reed put his leg on the table and said calmly, looking out the window. ¡°Willson Pavilion?¡± Miguel Abbott frowned and asked, ¡°What kind of organization is this?¡± Downstairs, the woman had claimed to be from Willson Pavilion, and her attitude had been very arrogant. At that moment, Miguel Abbott had wanted to ask what exactly Willson Pavilion was. Although wealthy and powerful, this place was after all just Five-river Province; he might be someone of note within the province, but outside it, there were countless stronger than him. The attitude of the other party had made it clear to Miguel Abbott that their background was not simple. And Julius Reed seemed to understand this organization very well, and even assaulted Quantez Springs in front of everyone after the woman made a video call. What did this imply? It implied that Julius Reed had an even more formidable background supporting him. This was enough to shock Miguel Abbott! Moreover, just now, the person Julius Reed was speaking to on the phone was obviously related to that organization and seemed to be a big boss! Yet such a big boss was so respectful towards a young man! ¡°There are some things you don¡¯t need to know.¡± Julius Reed stated indifferently. ¡°Yes!¡± Miguel Abbott dared not ask further about Willson Pavilion, but instead inquired, ¡°Should we track the whereabouts of those few people?¡± Quantez Springs and the Black man had sustained such serious injuries that it was impossible for them to leave Five-river Province in a short time. If they left, their lives could be in danger. They would definitely look for a hospital first, and only after getting the injuries somewhat under control, would they quietly leave. In the entire Five-river Province, there were only a few hospitals capable of this! ¡°Good, go and handle it!¡± Julius Reed nodded, knowing that the first thing Maurice Springs would do after arriving here would be to visit Quantez Springs, and only then would he think of revenge. Amadeus Fairbanks might be the Pavilion Master of Lily¡¯s Pavilion, but orders given outside the military are not always followed. Maurice Springs might come here alone to avenge his son. In that case, having a head start on their movements could be a good thing. ¡°Understood! I¡¯ll handle this immediately!¡± Miguel Abbott immediately pulled out his phone and instructed the person on the other end, ¡°Keep a close watch on the group of young people who just left the hotel, and report back to me at the first sign of anything unusual!¡± After everything was set, he stood quietly beside Julius Reed. Meanwhile, Julius Reed leaned back in his chair, legs propped up on the office desk, his eyes closed, seemingly lost in thought. Five-river Province, Bright Hospital. ¡°Doctor, please, you must save him! As for these two legs, I don¡¯t care what method you use, you must save them for me!¡± Outside the operating room, Miles Cook looked at the lead surgeon, his expression grave. ¡°There must not be any mistakes!¡± She stuffed a card into the doctor¡¯s hand, ¡°There¡¯s half a million in here, with no password. Remember what I just told you!¡± The doctor frowned and tucked the card into his pocket, ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about doing your best, it¡¯s about getting it done!¡± Miles Cook¡¯s eyes were fixed on the doctor, instilling deep fear in him. ¡°Alright!¡± For some reason, the doctor didn¡¯t dare argue; he quickly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and hurried into the operating room. ¡°Sister, when will Master come over?¡± The rest of them were at their wits¡¯ end, unsure of what to do. ¡°It¡¯s not my place to arrange the old Master¡¯s schedule!¡± After speaking in a heavy voice, Miles Cook gave orders to the others, ¡°Watch this place; I¡¯m stepping out for a bit.¡± She was always curious why Julius Reed held back when it came to his own employees. And with Quantez Springs¡¯ surgery not going to be done anytime soon, with these people at the door, nothing can go wrong. After she left the hospital entrance, she made several turns to make sure no one was following her. Then she took a taxi to the Waterside Pearl. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Seeing the woman return, the bodyguards at Waterside Pearl were all on alert. They were very clear about what this woman was capable of. ¡°That young man, who is he?¡± Miles Cook asked coldly. She was always curious; the young man seemed completely unafraid of Lily¡¯s Pavilion! After all, having such capabilities meant he was definitely not ordinary. In the half-year since they left the mountain and wandered around half of China, they had never been bested. Yet this time, they had been utterly defeated! ¡°You mean Mr. Reed? He¡¯s not someone you should be inquiring about!¡± The bodyguards immediately knew whom the woman was referring to. The youngest in the whole Waterside Pearl is now Julius Reed. ¡°You¡¯d better leave! Otherwise, don¡¯t blame us for being impolite!¡± The bodyguards may not be able to beat her, but they had never lost in terms of presence. ¡°Impolite?¡± The woman let out a cold laugh, ¡°You don¡¯t have the skills for that, calling for him would be more like it.¡± After saying that, she looked up at Waterside Pearl and patiently said, ¡°Could you send him a message saying I would like to meet him?¡± Regardless, the other party had shown some leniency. Of the three who struck, two are already half-dead, with only herself completely unharmed. Is it really because she¡¯s a woman? ¡°Fine! Just wait!¡± The bodyguards hesitated, but still called Allen, ¡°Brother, that lady has come back. She wants to see Mr. Reed.¡¯ Ever since Julius Reed¡¯s display of prowess, the bodyguards held him in even higher regard. Even mentioning the words ¡®Mr. Reed¡¯ filled them with indescribable pride. A moment later, a figure swiftly stepped out from the lobby. ¡°What is it?¡± Julius Reed looked at the woman indifferently and asked softly. ¡°May I have a word with you alone?¡± The woman stepped back several paces, creating a large open space. Julius Reed stepped forward, gazing fixedly at her. ¡°My master is the manager of the Willson Pavilion branch, Maurice Springs. He will soon arrive with the people from Willson Pavilion; you should be careful.¡± For some reason, at this moment, she was actually helping a stranger. For some reason, at this moment, she was actually helping a stranger. Perhaps it was because the employees had shown leniency? Chapter 175 - Chapter 175: Chapter 174 Will the Master Come After All_l Chapter 175: Chapter 174 Will the Master Come After All_l Translator: 549690339 When mentioning the three words ¡°Willson Pavilion,¡± Miles Cook¡¯s eyes stayed on Julius Reed. She wanted to know what his reaction would be. After all, based on the previous events, it was clear that Julius Reed was aware of the existence of Willson Pavilion. But to know about Willson Pavilion and still dare to strike with a lethal hand, what was the reason? This was enough to pique her curiosity. However, to Miles Cook¡¯s disappointment, from beginning to end, Julius Reed¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change once. It was like the calm surface of a lake, without a single ripple. ¡°Have you come all this way just to tell me this?¡± Julius Reed looked into the distance and asked softly, ¡°What¡¯s the reason? I did injure your people, and I can assure you, they¡¯re ruined for life.¡± The bodyguards struck without holding back, yet Julius Reed could assess the physical condition of Quantez Springs. Under those circumstances, if they had beaten him for another minute, it¡¯s very likely Quantez Springs would be dead by now. And when he called off those bodyguards, it was right at a critical point. After all, being alive can be more agonizing than being dead. ¡°Consider it gratitude for sparing their lives,¡± said Miles Cook with a bitter smile. She was a beloved daughter of heaven, with considerable abilities. But now, to actually thank someone for sparing life¡­ This huge psychological gap brought her completely down to earth, changing her previously haughty attitude. ¡°Well, thank you for that, but what I want to tell you is that Maurice Springs might not be able to make it, and even if he does, he¡¯ll be alone.¡± Julius Reed turned around, looked Miles Cook in the eyes, and spoke deliberately. ¡°Impossible!¡± Miles Cook said emphatically: ¡°I know Master¡¯s personality very well. With Quantez Springs injured like this, he could arrive as early as tomorrow morning! And we at Willson Pavilion have always been united; we will surely send a large number of elites.¡± As a Disciple, how could she not understand her own Master¡¯s personality? Maurice Springs had only one son, Quantez Springs, whom he cherished greatly. Now that his only son had been beaten to such a state, with Maurice Springs¡¯s unforgiving nature, he would certainly rush here overnight. She felt Julius Reed was being somewhat naive. ¡°That¡¯s all I have to say. Perhaps he will tell you he won¡¯t come, but he will definitely come back.¡± Julius Reed shook his head, talking to himself. These words completely confused Miles Cook. How could they contradict each other? ¡°You¡­¡± But just as she was about to speak, her phone suddenly rang Seeing the caller ID, Miles Cook paled in shock! ¡°Master.¡± She answered the phone with furrowed brows. Could it be that her Master was already on his way? ¡°I have something to do, so I won¡¯t be coming over. You must, you must take good care of Quantez! Did you hear me!¡± From the other end of the phone, Maurice Springs¡¯s angry voice came through. Clearly, his tone was tinged with indignation, anger, and murderous intent. ¡°Master, are you not coming?¡± Miles Cook doubted what she¡¯d heard. How could this be possible? With Quantez Springs nearly beaten to death, could this father, who cherished his son, really endure this? ¡°I¡¯m not coming, just take good care of Quantez!¡± After saying these words, Maurice Springs abruptly hung up the phone, leaving Miles Cook dumbfounded. ¡°Master¡­ he¡¯s not coming¡­¡± Miles Cook looked at Julius Reed, her expression dull. Unexpectedly, he had guessed right. But what was the reason? ¡°He will come, by tonight at the latest.¡± Julius Reed raised his head to glance at the sky and said with a smile. ¡°This¡­¡± Now, Miles Cook was thoroughly confused. But Julius Reed¡¯s manner suggested he wasn¡¯t making things up; he appeared to know some insider information. ¡°I should go.¡± Miles Cook lowered her head, intending to leave. Now that Maurice Springs wasn¡¯t coming, her warning was meaningless. ¡°No need to thank me!¡± Whoosh! Julius Reed slapped his palm on the back of Miles Cook. This female disciple from Willson Pavilion had no defenses up and was abruptly sent flying five meters away, collapsing on the ground and coughing up blood profusely. In an instant, Miles Cook felt as though she was about to die, her internal state becoming utterly chaotic, and blood spurted out one mouthful after another. From a distance, Miguel Abbott and that group of bodyguards were completely dumbfounded. What exactly was happening? Just a moment ago, the two were chatting and laughing, so why did Julius Reed suddenly make a move? And such a heavy one at that? ¡°Thank you¡­¡± Miles Cook got up from the ground, her pale face devoid of color. ¡°Tonight, he will come!¡± Julius Reed still looked as calm as ever. ¡°Okay!¡± Miles Cook took a deep breath, feeling like her whole body would fall apart with each step she took. But she was very clear in her mind that Julius Reed was helping her. And the fact that the other party was so confident that Maurice Springs would come did not seem like a lie. Miles Cook did not believe it when Julius Reed prophesized that Maurice Springs wouldn¡¯t come before. This time, she chose to believe. If Maurice Springs saw Quantez Springs in such a terrible state while other disciples were unharmed, he would surely take his anger out on these people! Now, Julius Reed had injured her, providing her with a perfect excuse. That was why she said thank you. As for Miguel Abbott and the others, they were completely confused. Being beaten up and still saying thank you, just what kind of people were these two? But none of them dared to ask. Julius Reed did so for a good reason, certainly. Soon, Miles Cook disappeared into the Shining Pearl over the water, and Julius Reed returned to the top floor VIP room to rest quietly. Tonight, there would be a fierce battle! By the time Miles Cook returned to the hospital, Quantez Springs¡¯s surgery had just finished. The top surgeon in the province had nearly exhausted all his efforts to barely save his limbs. But even with them saved, they weren¡¯t of much actual use. For the rest of his life, Quantez Springs would have to spend it in a wheelchair. Even walking had become a luxury. As the night grew deeper, the group guarded in the sickroom with heavy hearts. ¡°Senior sister, what did Master say?¡± What everyone cared about was the issue of Maurice Springs. Quantez Springs was seriously injured, and it was already a miracle he had survived. If Maurice Springs saw this scene, it would be unavoidable to get involved. ¡°Master said he won¡¯t come.¡± Miles Cook raised her head and saw the various thoughts in everyone¡¯s eyes. Usually, it¡¯s fine when nothing happens, but in times of crisis, these people all rush to shirk responsibility. ¡°Not coming?¡± Upon hearing this news, the youths first felt surprised, then became excited. If Maurice Springs did not come, he wouldn¡¯t witness such a tragic scene, and their guilt would be greatly reduced. But just then, the door to the sickroom was pushed open. Everyone turned their gaze towards the entrance to the sickroom. This was the highest level VIP sickroom, costing tens of thousands of yuan for just one night¡¯s stay. To have someone daring to barge in now? But when they saw clearly who the visitor was, they couldn¡¯t help but break out in a cold sweat! Because the person who came was Maurice Springs, the very person Miles Cook said would not come! Differing from before, Maurice Springs came alone this time, without bringing any disciples from Willson Pavilion. ¡°Master!¡± Everyone stood up and gave Maurice Springs a deep bow. But Maurice Springs did not pay attention to them, instead walking to Quantez Springs¡¯s bedside.. Chapter 176 - Chapter 176: Chapter 175 Showing Mercy_1 Chapter 176: Chapter 175 Showing Mercy_1 Translator: 549690339 In Wilson Pavilion, Maurice Springs acted despotically, his decisions irrevocable. Moreover, his capricious nature made his disciples feel extremely apprehensive. Now that Quantez Springs was injured like this, their hearts were in their throats. ¡°Master¡­¡± ¡°Shush! Don¡¯t disturb Quantez.¡± As a disciple was about to speak up, Maurice Springs immediately made a silencing gesture. The infirmary was utterly silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone¡¯s eyes were fixed on Maurice Springs, eager to gauge their master¡¯s attitude. Normally, Maurice Springs¡¯s doting on Quantez Springs was well known, as he was his only son. It was precisely for this reason that Quantez Springs had developed such a haughty and arrogant disposition. To prevent any mishaps, every time Quantez Springs went out, a group of Wilson Pavilion disciples would follow close behind to escort and protect him. Although they occasionally encountered some who were foolish enough to provoke them, they all inevitably bowed down under the overwhelming power of Wilson Pavilion. This only served to further inflate Quantez Springs¡¯s arrogance, making him even more reckless in his actions. Today, he finally met his match in Five-river Province. On the sickbed, Quantez Springs¡¯s eyes were tightly shut, his face pale to the extreme. Even after the doctor¡¯s treatment, the horrifying wound on his face was still strikingly evident. Maurice Springs¡¯s hands trembled as he gently undid Quantez Springs¡¯s clothes. Even though he had mentally prepared himself, his hands shook uncontrollably. What kind of human figure was this? Across his chest, purplish bruises covered his body, and even through the bandages, Maurice Springs could feel the pain Quantez Springs must have endured. ¡°What were you doing at that time?¡± He slowly turned around, looking at the disciples in front of him. ¡°This¡­¡± ¡°Master, the opponent was too strong. We were afraid that intervening might cause our senior brother even more harm¡­¡± As one disciple finished explaining, the others quickly chimed in, ¡°At that time, the opponent was too powerful, and we were no match. We were worried that acting would infuriate them further, so we didn¡¯t dare to make a move.¡± ¡°Master¡­¡± Bang! Maurice Springs struck out with a palm in mid-air, hitting the speaking disciple squarely on the shoulder. ¡°Puh!¡± Crack! With the sound of breaking bones, the young man spat out blood and convulsed on the ground. Clearly, this strike had nearly cost him his life. The young man convulsed on the ground, coughing up blood, his body contorted in agony, and he was nearly unconscious. This caused the rest to break out in cold sweat, shivering with fear. ¡°Master!¡± Thump! The young men all knelt down in unison, their heads pressed firmly against the ground. Each of them dared not make a sound, their hearts in turmoil. ¡°You all, I need an explanation.¡± Maurice Springs, with hands clasped behind his back, looked down at the young men kneeling before him. Disciples? What did they count for! His own son was now no different from a cripple! What use did he have for these disciples! ¡°Master, our abilities were insufficient! Please grant us a chance to kill the culprit who injured our senior brother!¡± The young men begged softly, their voices trembling. Within Wilson Pavilion, no one was unaware of Maurice Springs¡¯s methods. Cruel, heartless. ¡°Oh? Weren¡¯t you unable to defeat them? What difference is there now from seeking death?¡± Maurice Springs continued to speak indifferently. ¡°Even if it means death, we must kill the adversary! We beg you, Master, to grant us this opportunity!¡± Hearing their master¡¯s words, the disciples were even more terrified, trembling all over. Normally, they held themselves in high esteem, but now they were like dogs, begging just to stay alive. ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you take action in the first place!¡± Maurice Springs roared angrily, terrifying the disciples into near unconsciousness. Boom! Before they could speak, Maurice Springs swung his sleeve, striking each person¡¯s spine! ¡°You, don¡¯t deserve to live!¡± Sputter! As the sound of coughing up blood followed, the hospital floor was stained blood-red. The disciples all fell to the ground, unconscious. ¡°You can¡¯t even protect my son, what use are you trash!¡± He looked coldly at his own disciples, his eyes void of any emotion. It was as if he was looking at a herd of livestock, full of arrogance. ¡°Feifei, I expect an explanation from you.¡± After doing all this, Maurice Springs turned to Miles Cook. Of all his disciples, he favored Miles Cook the most. Not only because of Miles Cook¡¯s exceptional talent, but more importantly, he wanted to make Miles Cook his daughter-in-law. The women who could enter the Springs Family¡¯s door were not ordinary. Moreover, Willson Pavilion had a rule to Drevent outsiders from infiltratinz, the people of the pavilion could only marry among themselves. Now that his son had become a cripple, he no longer planned to keep Miles Cook. Even at this moment, Miles Cook¡¯s situation was no different from those disciples lying on the ground, not worthy of any sympathy. ¡°Master, I¡­¡± Miles Cook leaned against the wall, unsure of how to begin. Now that their fellow disciples were crippled, she had no illusions about escaping unscathed. ¡°Go with them! Miles Cook, you¡¯ve disappointed me greatly!¡± Maurice Springs let out a long sigh and struck towards Miles Cook¡¯s forehead with his palm! With this palm strike, no one would survive. But when Miles Cook awaited death, she found that she did not feel any pain, nor did she die. She opened her eyes and saw Maurice Springs standing in front of her with a solemn expression. ¡°You¡¯re injured?¡± Maurice Springs¡¯s palm hovered in front of Miles Cook, his tone as cold as before. ¡°Yes.¡± Miles Cook nodded, her body trembling slightly. No one isn¡¯t afraid of death; if someone says they aren¡¯t, it¡¯s because death hasn¡¯t arrived yet. Maurice Springs had shown no mercy when he killed those disciples. Now, would he show mercy to her? ¡°Is it serious?¡± Maurice Springs examined her for a moment and took hold of Miles Cook¡¯s hand. ¡°You¡­ Your meridians have been broken!¡± His eyes widened suddenly, and then his gaze softened. ¡°At that time, you tried to intervene?¡± ¡°Yes, but my cultivation is too weak. I¡¯m no match for him. I was defeated in just three moves¡­¡± Miles Cook couldn¡¯t help but smile bitterly. Unbeaten in daily life, now she was thoroughly defeated. Three moves¡ªit was essentially an instant kill. ¡°It¡¯s rare for you to have made a move.¡± Once Maurice Springs confirmed that the injury was not self-inflicted, he took out a medicinal pill from his chest: ¡°Take this, it will alleviate your injuries.¡± ¡°Master, you¡­ you¡¯re not going to kill me?¡± Hearing this, Miles Cook¡¯s eyes were filled with surprise. The fact that he gave her a medicinal pill meant that Maurice Springs had no intention of pursuing the matter. ¡°With your meridians broken, you have no fighting capacity. The Master isn¡¯t someone who can¡¯t distinguish right from wrong. Get ready to go back and marry Quantez Springs; his injuries will be taken care of by you.¡± Maurice Springs let out a long sigh, gazing at Quantez Springs on the hospital bed, clenching his fists tightly. ¡°Yes¡­¡± Upon hearing the mention of marriage, Miles Cook froze for a moment, then regained her composure. ¡°Take good care of Quantez, I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± Maurice Springs sprinted out and leapt directly from the thirteenth floor! Chapter 177 - Chapter 177: Chapter 176 Red Widow’s Concerns 1 Chapter 177: Chapter 176 Red Widow¡¯s Concerns 1 Translator: 549690339 The night was deep. At this hour, the Pearl on the Water was extraordinarily lively. After all, it wasn¡¯t the weekend, and night was the time for everyone¡¯s revelry. As time ticked away, the nightlife officially began. Here, there was not only a delicious top-tier restaurant but also an extremely comfortable grand hotel. Men and women could conveniently rest at the Pearl on the Water after their dates, without the need to hurry back home overnight. But behind this bustle, there was a quiet place. ¡°You¡¯re awake?¡± At the top floor¡¯s private room, Julius Reed stood by the window, overlooking the beauty of Five-river Province. The location was high, and with the towering architecture of the Pearl on the Water, one could clearly see the brightly lit city in the distance. ¡°How did you know that I was awake?¡± The Red Widow coughed lightly and pushed the door open. She was somewhat surprised that the other party could sense her presence even outside the door. It was a bit too formidable. ¡°If I didn¡¯t even know that, how could I have rescued you all back then?¡± Julius Reed turned to look at the Red Widow and shook his head, ¡°In the future, try to avoid such reckless acts.¡± If it weren¡¯t for his presence in Five-river Province, the Red Widow¡¯s injuries would have been incurable by anyone else. Go to the hospital? The Leopold Family would have probably been watching there long ago. ¡°Thank you! ¡± The Red Widow felt embarrassed by his words. ¡°Anyway, I have to thank you for saving me twice.¡± She walked to the window and joined Julius Reed in looking out at the scenery. ¡°I heard that you¡¯ve offended the people at Willson Pavilion?¡± ¡°Your information is quite up-to-date.¡± Julius Reed tacitly acknowledged the matter. ¡°You¡¯re in trouble, it¡¯s best to leave Five-river Province quickly. Willson Pavilion is not something we can afford to provoke.¡± Even with the information at hand, the Red Widow was still shocked to hear about the incident. Others might not be clear about Willson Pavilion¡¯s strength, but she was very much aware. Having been part of that world for many years, she was well-informed. And even with her current power, she was still oblivious to what Willson Pavilion truly represented. Anyway, one thing to remember was to never provoke them. But now Julius Reed had actually tangled with Willson Pavilion, would he be able to get out unscathed? ¡°Leave? Impossible.¡± Junus Keea turnea arouna, 100K1ng ac me cenpnone on me came. At that moment, the screen of the cellphone began to flicker, signaling an incoming message. ¡°Take a look.¡± He unlocked the screen and handed the cell phone to the Red Widow. ¡°The man has set off.¡± The message contained only four short words. ¡®Who?¡± The Red Widow sensed something ominous. Generally, the shorter the message, the more significant the matter. ¡°A person from Willson Pavilion, manager of the Far East Branch, Maurice Springs. ¡± Julius Reed tossed the cellphone onto the table, walked over to the coat rack, and picked up an outfit. ¡°Maurice Springs? My goodness, who have you provoked to the extent that even the manager of the Far East Branch has been alerted?¡± The Red Widow was astonished. Although she was somewhat prepared, now that even the branch manager was involved, it indicated that the situation was extremely serious. Willson Pavilion was a proud organization; they rarely moved their top brass. Now that the branch manager himself was in motion, it testified to the severity of the trouble Julius Reed had caused! ¡°I only disabled his son, that¡¯s all.¡± After saying this, Julius Reed put on a light purple suit, straightened his clothes in front of the mirror, and strode out. Seeing him in this attire, the Red Widow was flabbergasted. When Julius Reed had rescued them years ago, it was in this very outfit. The Suit Thug. The Red Widow did not follow, as she knew that with her injuries not yet recovered, she would only be a burden if she went. And considering the confidence Julius Reed exuded, there likely wouldn¡¯t be any problems. ¡°Could it be, you¡¯re really that strong?¡± She shook her head, a bitter smile on her face. Miguel Abbott had long since sent people to lay a net of heaven and earth, seizing firm control over Maurice Springs¡¯ movements. Even though the other party was very careful, his whereabouts were still unquestionably exposed. After walking downstairs, Julius Reed took a deep breath of air and slowly made his way toward a patch of woods. This place was an unavoidable path for Maurice Springs; to get to the Pearl on the Water, he had to pass through here. Inside the hotel, the crowd was bustling, everyone toasting and celebrating merrily. Yet within the woods, there was a chilling silence, appearing rather frightening. Even small animals scurried through this place from time to time. The birds in the woods sometimes flew about chaotically, causing a mess of noises. Before long, the sound of footsteps came slowly. The sounds were very steady, and each step was trodden with such solidity. If someone was an expert, they would surely understand that the comer was profoundly skilled. He must be a tough character. The footsteps soon stopped. ¡°Are you from the Pearl on the Water?¡± A voice rang out from behind Julius Reed without warning. Others would have been startled by now. Julius, however, sat in place without speaking. Clearly, Maurice Springs also felt something was off. The other person wasn¡¯t scared? Yet he still patiently asked, ¡°Who are you!¡± Sitting here at this moment clearly indicated a connection with the Pearl on the Water. In the ten miles around, aside from this hotel, there were no other buildings. ¡°Who am I? I don¡¯t know either¡­ After Julius Reed said these words, he stood up and turned his head, ¡°Who are you looking for?¡± ¡°You¡¯re looking for death!¡± Seeing such a hostile attitude from the other person, Maurice¡¯s anger surged! Swish! With a claw strike, he aimed straight for Julius Reed¡¯s throat! If this strike landed, even if it wasn¡¯t fatal, it would leave half a life at best! ¡°Ignorant fool!¡± Maurice Springs let out a cold laugh, as if he was crushing an ant. Whiz! But at that moment, Julius Reed quickly launched a punch! His speed was so fast that Maurice hadn¡¯t even reacted when their fist and claw collided ! ¡°Hiss!¡± Mighty power erupted between the two, Maurice stepping back, unable to help but inhale sharply. Now, he put aside his previous scorn, his eyes filled with solemnity. ¡°Who on earth are you?¡± Persons who could take one of his moves and still stand were few and far between! And those who could push him back were even fewer within Willson Pavilion! But now, this youth in front of him actually possessed such formidable strength. ¡°I am the person you¡¯re looking for.¡± Julius Reed raised his head to look at Maurice Springs, ¡°You¡¯ve come a long way to find me for revenge, haven¡¯t you? Now that I stand before you, go ahead and make your move.¡± ¡°You¡¯re courting death!¡± Nemesis meeting, extra loathing! Maurice had long harbored this suspicion, but since the other party hadn¡¯t openly admitted it, he remained uncertain. Now it seems that Quantez Springs¡¯ loss was not unjustified! The other party was indeed strong! ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m courting death, but rather, you¡¯re bringing it upon yourself.¡± Julius Reed said with a light smile, casually undoing the buttons on his suit jacket. As he undid two buttons, he suddenly lunged forward! Woosh! The fierce fist seemed as if it would tear through the void itself, smashing over without warning! Chapter 178 - Chapter 178: Chapter 177: Defeat and Escape_l Chapter 178: Chapter 177: Defeat and Escape_l Translator: 549690339 When he saw Julius Reed make the first move, a smile flickered across Maurice Springs¡¯ lips. In Willson Pavilion, he was considered a master among masters, and now here was this young man, foolishly taking the initiative to attack? If he was seeking death, then so be it! In their previous exchange, Maurice Springs hadn¡¯t used his full strength, holding back a significant portion of his power. After all, as a renowned master, he didn¡¯t need to exert too much effort against a young man. ¡°Arrogant youth, you will learn a lesson with your life!¡± he said with a maniacal laugh, as he suddenly stepped forward! Whoosh! Similarly, a punch driven by formidable force tore through the air, colliding with Julius Reed¡¯s fist! Maurice Springs even envisioned the young man¡¯s bones shattering, kneeling on the ground and dying miserably! But the very next moment, the smile on his face suddenly froze, then turned to shock! Thump! Thump! Thump! He staggered back three steps, his right arm completely numbed by the impact! Meanwhile, the young man stood still, unmoved from his spot. ¡°Is that so? Well, I¡¯ll pay the tuition, but let¡¯s see if you dare to collect it!¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, his body darting out like lightning! Bang! Another punch! Maurice Springs couldn¡¯t even react in his shock, and his distraction caused him to hesitate for a moment with his counterstrike. It was that moment of hesitation that Julius Reed seized, smashing hard against his shoulder! Thump! Maurice Springs stumbled backwvard, flying through the air and crashing to the ground, instantly rolling to absorb the impact. ¡°You are strong!¡± Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Maurice Springs showed a grave expression: ¡°But sadly, you¡¯re still a bit weak. Just now was your best chance to defeat me, yet even so, you failed to injure me seriously!¡± He licked the blood at his mouth and showed a fierce grin: ¡°Is this all the strength you have? I¡¯m rather disappointed! You¡¯ve missed your best chance. Now, you will bear my wrath!¡± Having defeated Miles Cook and Quantez Springs, and intimidated those disciples from taking action, Maurice Springs had already estimated Julius Reed¡¯s strength. But only during the exchange did he realize that the opponent was really strong, and that he had underestimated him somewhat. Still, Maurice Springs remained confident. As the branch leader of the Far East Division, if he didn¡¯t have this much capability, how could he lead his troops? Moreover, Willson Pavilion¡¯s branch leaders tell into two categories: one was the War God faction like Maurice Springs, responsible for combat and handling disputes. Whenever there was a mission, these people would charge at the forefront and fight against overwhelming odds! The other was responsible for managing the gang¡¯s affairs and overseeing the big picture. That would be what¡¯s referred to as the Think Tank. Although the strategists were also strong fighters, compared with the War God faction, there was a significant difference. ¡°Come at me, and hopefully you won¡¯t disappoint me too much!¡± Julius Reed wasn¡¯t provoked but instead stood casually with his hands behind his back, looking down from the hill with a superior air. ¡°Heh, truly a young and rash one. Not bad, with your skill at such a young age, you indeed have the right to be proud. But do you know there¡¯s always someone out there who is better?¡± Maurice Springs didn¡¯t rush to make a move. Indeed, even as adversaries, he had to admit the young man was a prodigy. With such skill at a mere teen, his potential was unlimited. Even Maurice Springs, powerful as he was, wasn¡¯t half as good as Julius Reed when he was that age. But in real combat, no one cares about your age. The victor is king. The loser¡­ dead. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t injured my son Quantez, perhaps I would have considered taking you as a disciple and nurturing your talent thoroughly!¡± Maurice Springs said with regret as he looked at Julius Reed: ¡°But now, you must be eliminated! Given time, you would certainly become a huge problem! Young man, be more prudent in your next life!¡± In another ten years, the young man¡¯s cultivation might even surpass his own, so Maurice Springs would certainly not spare him. Such a monstrous talent, if not killed, would definitely become a major threat! ¡°Do you know why I didn¡¯t kill your son?¡± Julius Reed still remained calm, asking coldly from his vantage point on the hillside. It was as if facing such a powerful opponent, he was still completely confident. ¡°Why?¡± It was only when Julius Reed asked this that Maurice Springs came to his senses. Although Quantez Springs hadn¡¯t died, he was extremely close to death. Was this merely a coincidence, or had heaven intervened? Now, it seemed more like the doing of the young man before him. Being able to control one¡¯s strength so precisely was absolutely no accident! ¡°Because sometimes, living is more painful than dying.¡± Julius Reed said softly. If Quantez Springs had died in his coma, it would have been too easy on him! Now, being disabled for life, even unable to walk, was this not the ultimate cruelty towards a young man? No one knew how painful this really was. Without having experienced it, one couldn¡¯t understand such difficulties. ¡°You¡¯re asking for death!¡± At this moment, Maurice Springs was thoroughly enraged! Quantez Springs was his Achilles heel, untouchable by anyone! Thump! Thump! Thump! Blind with rage, he charged forward, his fists pounding down with force! By then, Julius Reed had already sensed the overwhelming intent to kill and the extremely strong presence! Previously, Maurice Springs had clearly held back, but now, he was letting it all out! Yet, Julius Reed still did not move an inch, as if frozen by fear, standing with his hands clasped behind his back upon the hillside. Whoosh! The fist arrived before Julius Reed in the blink of an eye. At that moment, he thrust out his right hand with lightning speed and fiercely grabbed Maurice Springs¡¯ wrist! Then! He twisted it hard! Crack! Boom! After breaking Maurice Springs¡¯ wrist, Julius Reed sidestepped and flew past his body! The tree behind Julius Reed was instantly broken in two! One could only imagine how a punch that could break a tree would have crushed a man! ¡°Ssss!¡± The intense pain spread instantly throughout Maurice Springs¡¯ body. Even though he was very strong and his endurance was at its limit, this was a broken bone! Had it been someone else, they would have passed out long ago. That Maurice Springs was still standing in front of Julius Reed showed just how strong he really was! ¡°I underestimated you.¡± Maurice Springs looked at his exposed bone and a slight smile spread across his lips. ¡°But, you must die!¡± Whoosh! As he spoke, Maurice Springs bolted out like lightning! In his hand, a dagger flashed coldly! Swipe! Julius Reed dodged to the side and hastily retreated baclwards! With that deadly strike, Maurice Springs slammed heavily into a tree, cutting a tree trunk half a meter thick clean in half! ¡°Again!¡± He shouted, roaring with fury as he chased after Julius Reed once more! As the head of the Eastern Branch Pavilion, Maurice Springs had been undefeated in battle! But now, his arm had been broken by a teenager! If word got out, it would be an enormous disgrace! Therefore, the other must die! ¡°If one of us must die, it can only be you!¡± Julius Reed narrowed his eyes and charged toward Maurice Springs! Bang! He suddenly kicked forward, striking directly at Maurice Springs¡¯ injured arm! Chapter 179 - Chapter 179: Chapter 178: The Leopold Family Enters the Chapter 179: Chapter 178: The Leopold Family Enters the Game 1 Translator: 549690339 The sharp dagger soared into the air, completely out of Maurice Springs¡¯ control! The manager of the Far East Branch was filled with astonishment! Even though he had once again overestimated his opponent, he now realized that he had still underestimated him! ¡°I don¡¯t believe it!¡± He let out an angry roar, dodging Julius Reed¡¯s attack at an eerie angle and darted to the side of a large tree! ¡°Rise!¡± As Maurice Springs¡¯ thunderous shout rang out, that large tree was actually uprooted by him! This strength had completely exceeded the realm of human beings! ¡°Go to hell!¡± Boom! He held the tree with both hands and smashed it viciously toward Julius Reed! If this blow was to hit, even if he didn¡¯t die, he would be left with half a life at most! But just then, Julius Reed pushed off the ground and soared into the air! Slash! He grabbed the dagger in mid-air and plunged it ferociously towards the tree! Crack! The thick tree was actually split in half by the penetrating dagger! Afterward, the crack continued to spread towards the base of the tree. Julius Reed ran towards Maurice Springs¡¯ position, holding the dagger in one hand! All the way, he was unstoppable! ¡°This¡­ Even though Maurice Springs was well-experienced, he was still frightened by this scene! Is this even a human? He¡¯s simply a monster! ¡°We¡¯ll meet again!¡± Seeing the turn for the worse, Maurice Springs took to his heels and ran! An old hand who had survived countless life-and-death battles would naturally not act on impulse! It was clear now, injured as he was, he was no match for his opponent, and to keep fighting meant there was only one path left: death! Thus, he sprinted with all his might, trying to escape from this place. Slash! A dagger flew through the air behind him! Thwack! The dagger struck true, embedding in Maurice Springs¡¯ back! If he hadn¡¯t dodged in advance, that blow would certainly have struck his heart! His figure paused for a moment, then quickly vanished into the night. ¡°Sigh! If I could have regained a bit more of my power, I would have definitely stopped him.¡± Looking into the night, Julius Reed shook his head and slowly walked towards the Water Pearl. The opponent was strong, the strongest enemy he had faced so far. It wasn¡¯t that Julius Reed didn¡¯t want to pursue, it was that Maurice Springs was fully intent on escaping, and he simply couldn¡¯t keep him there. As the manager of the Far East Branch of Willson Pavilion, Maurice Springs had this much ability. ¡°Get to the hotel entrance 500 meters outside the hospital with Quantez immediately!¡± Miles Cook, who was on watch at the hospital for Quantez Springs, suddenly received a call from Maurice Springs. Looking at the young man on the hospital bed, now severely disabled, she was filled with sorrow. Maurice Springs sparing her life was clearly so she could take care of his son for life. As long as Willson Pavilion existed, she had to do just that! But for a girl in her prime, it was a bit too cruel! Now that the call had come through, Miles Cook was startled. Could it be that the young master had perished? ¡°Master, Quantez¡¯s injuries¡­¡± ¡°Right away! In five minutes, bring Quantez over!¡± Maurice Springs¡¯ agitated yell came through the phone. ¡°Understood ! ¡± Miles Cook knew that if her master wasn¡¯t facing something urgent, he would never make such a decision. How could the old man, who dearly loved Quantez Springs, possibly take his son out of the hospital when he was in a critical condition? But the command was as firm as a mountain, and Miles Cook, organizing her thoughts, picked up Quantez Springs and started walking out. Time passed swiftly, and when Miles Cook reached the hotel entrance, Maurice Springs was already there waiting. ¡°Master¡­¡± Seeing her master, Miles Cook¡¯s heart sank. Could it be because Maurice Springs had killed that young man, and by coincidence, that young man¡¯s background was enormously powerful, forcing the branch manager to flee in the night? If that were true, Miles Cook couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of loss. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Without any superfluous words, Maurice Springs, with a grave face, walked ahead. It was not until then that Miles Cook realized that Maurice Springs was covered in blood, and one of his arms seemed to be injured. ¡°Be careful!¡± Just at that moment, Maurice Springs suddenly stopped, forcefully pushing Quantez Springs and Miles Cook away! Whoosh! A dart whizzed by them and struck the wall in the pitch-black night, sparking a burst of flames. ¡°Ambush! Protect Quantez!¡± Having given that instruction, Maurice Springs dashed toward the direction from where the dart had come! Although the sound of the dart was muffled, he still managed to pinpoint the attacker¡¯s location immediately! Whoosh! Whoosh! A series of darts followed, but Maurice Springs, as if able to precisely predict their trajectory, kept dodging without stopping, narrowly escaping each attack! ¡°Courting death!¡± He struck out with his palm, instantly killing the Shadow Warrior hiding behind the wall! At the same time, Maurice Springs turned sharply around, grabbed the throwing spikes from the dead Shadow Warrior¡¯s hand, and shot them towards a corner. Then he quickly darted forward! Whoosh! Whoosh! Two punches thundered out, leaving only a trail of corpses and a seriously injured Shadow Warrior. ¡°Speak! Who sent you!¡± Maurice Springs, bearing extreme pain, stepped on the Shadow Warrior¡¯s neck. Although he was greatly weakened and covered with wounds, dealing with this kind of Shadow Warrior was still well within his capabilities. The resentment left from his defeat to Julius Reed was fully unleashed in this moment! ¡°1¡­¡± ¡°Speak!¡± The Shadow Warrior began to stammer, but Maurice Springs increased the pressure under his foot again. Although he suspected that Julius Reed was behind this, he also felt it was impossible! If even Julius Reed in person couldn¡¯t keep him, what was the point of sending these people? To die? Clearly, that was unrealistic. ¡°It¡¯s the Leopold Family¡­¡± The Shadow Warrior trembled as he spoke, ¡°It was the Leopold Family that ordered us to do this, please have mercy, spare me¡­¡± This Shadow Warrior had carried out many missions, yet had never come across someone so vicious! Unable to be hit by darts, instantly using lethal moves upon engagement! Several brothers were ambushed here, yet in the blink of an eye, they were all wiped out! Who in the world was this! ¡°Which Leopold Family?¡± Maurice Springs frowned. Judging by the other¡¯s demeanor, he didn¡¯t seem to be lying. Although he had innumerable enemies, he didn¡¯t recall making an enemy of anyone named Leopold. Now that the other party had sent over a dozen Shadow Warriors to take his life, he was even more determined to unearth the truth! Daring to assassinate the Young Master of the Willson Pavilion¡¯s Far East Branch, not to mention their overreaching, even if they succeeded, could they withstand the wrath of Willson Pavilion? ¡°Five-river Province, there¡¯s only one Leopold Family!¡± The Shadow Warrior didn¡¯t know how to answer. They had received intelligence that Julius Reed had called for reinforcements, who were near the hospital. Furthermore, they conveyed precise information about their whereabouts to these people from the Leopold Family. Afterward, the Leopold Family decided after consultation that a preemptive strike was best, so they ambushed the reinforcements around the hospital, waiting to take out Julius Reed¡¯s help. Now that their entire force had been annihilated, the man was asking which Leopold Family it was? ¡°Alright, your time has come.¡± Crack! After ending the life of the Shadow Warrior, Maurice Springs clutched at his chest. Seriously injured, he needed to find somewhere to recover. Later, he would seek out the Leopold Family to understand why they dared to take his life! Chapter 180 - Chapter 180: Chapter 179 Leopold Family Struggle_1 Chapter 180: Chapter 179 Leopold Family Struggle_1 Translator: 549690339 Five-river Province, the Leopold Family mansion. As a well-established large clan, the villa of the Leopold Family was very luxurious, and the security facilities were extremely comprehensive. Villas like this one, the Leopold Family owned a total of ten in Five-river Province. Moreover, the security measures of each villa were exactly the same. It was very difficult for outsiders to determine in which villa the important members of the Leopold Family actually lived. At this moment, in a villa on the outskirts of Five-river Province, members of the Leopold Family gathered together, their expressions grave. ¡°It¡¯s uncertain whether our dispatched people are up to the task,¡± an elderly man stroked his beard, clearly worried. Before Atlas Leopold was incapacitated, these people had never taken a young man from out of town seriously. Even the local heavyweights would have to think twice before challenging the Leopold Family, let alone someone from out of town. Yet it was not until Atlas Leopold was lying on a hospital bed, nearly disabled, that they realized their opponent was strong. Still, these individuals did not give their situation adequate importance; after all, what kind of turmoil hadn¡¯t a great family with a heritage of over a hundred years seen? But things did not go as they wished. During the Five-river Province meeting convened by the Leopold Family, Julius Reed barged in on the spot. The alliance they thought was impregnable, shattered in an instant. It wasn¡¯t the most important thing that other families did not unite with the Leopold Family. The Leopold Family had their pride; they firmly believed they were capable of dealing with this young man. The prerequisite was at any cost. But when Stanislaus Potter made a move, he directly detained the members of the Leopold Family, making the situation in Five-river Province instantly delicate. In the initial expectations of the Leopold Family members, after Quamaine Potter¡¯s legs were broken, Stanislaus Potter previously spared no effort in launching a business war. Though he returned defeated, no one doubted the Potter Family¡¯s determination for revenge! The Golden Eagle Group was an emerging power in Five-river Province; although it could not compare with the Leopold Family, their assets on paper were already on par. What they lacked was deep-rooted connections and influence. But to everyone¡¯s surprise, this most solid partner turned their hands against them and captured them! This incident had already spread throughout Five-river Province, and nearly all the prominent figures were well aware. They were also watching to see what the Leopold Family would do! Would this established noble family lower their heads or not! ¡°Gentlemen, what do you think?¡± Whitley Leopold asked in a deep voice with his eyes slightly closed, leaning on the chair. He was the most authoritative elder in the Leopold Family and the true helmsman of the family. But due to his advanced age, he had not been involved in world affairs in recent years, living a pastoral and reclusive life. All Leopold Family affairs had been handed over to the middle-aged and younger generations. As it turned out, Atlas Leopold was indeed a rare talent. At a young age, he was already able to control nearly a quarter of the Leopold Family¡¯s assets. While other wealthy second-generation kids spent their days in indulgence and pleasure, Atlas Leopold was already strategizing and successfully completing several big deals. With the support of the old man, others paved the way for Atlas Leopold without daring to have second thoughts. At least as long as the Leopold Family was strong, there were benefits for everyone, and they saw no need to manage things on their own. But now, Atlas Leopold had become almost a cripple. Whether he would ever wake up was one thing, and even if he did, he was already unable to live a normal life. The Leopold Family could never be handed over to a disabled person! The young men who had lost their ambition now saw hope and wanted to take his place! ¡°I think the Shadow Warrior we sent out is entirely capable of killing that person! You must know, he¡¯s someone I¡¯ve gone to great lengths to hire, and together with my personal bodyguard, that man has nowhere to escape!¡± Brayden Leopold stood up, saying proudly. Seeing how outstanding Atlas Leopold was, Brayden Leopold had already prepared himself to live the life of a super-rich second generation. After all, no matter how hard he tried, he could never catch up to his brother. But now, Atlas Leopold had completely fallen! He couldn¡¯t stand up at all! He, Brayden Leopold. Was going to take his place! After receiving the false intelligence passed on by Atlas Leopold¡¯s personal bodyguard through Julius Reed. Brayden Leopold volunteered himself, dispatching his own personal bodyguard with a few skilled men to intercept Julius Reed¡¯s assistants. In his view, this was somewhat making a big deal out of a small issue. In the face of firearms, any martial arts are just for show! Brayden was very confident in his own bodyguards. And this was his first move after Atlas Leopold¡¯s fall! He had to win beautifully! ¡°Brayden¡¯s work, I¡¯m relatively at ease,¡± Whitley Leopold nodded. They were all his grandchildren; he did not favor one over the other. The reason the Leopold Family had prospered for so many years rested on a single phrase: The capable one should hold the position! Competition was acceptable, but it must be benign. It was impossible to do anything that would harm the family¡¯s interests. Now that Atlas Leopold had fallen, the Leopold Family still had to continue moving forward. Although it wasn¡¯t said aloud, the selection of a new successor had all but been finalized. ¡°Not bad, Brayden¡¯s bodyguard, I have also seen him before. Now that we¡¯ve got the intelligence and take action from the shadows, even if he has three heads and six arms, he still won¡¯t escape!¡± Jaylon Leopold, Brayden¡¯s father, stood up with a smile on his face. When Atlas had the upper hand previously, their branch was the most oppressed. Now that the clouds had cleared and the sun shone brightly, how could he not be happy? ¡°Let¡¯s not discuss such minor matters for now. It¡¯s just an assistant we¡¯re dealing with. If our Leopold Family can¡¯t handle this capacity, we might as well roll up our bedding and leave Five-river Province!¡± Isidore Leopold was obviously displeased. He was very dissatisfied with Jaylon¡¯s attitude. On one side, Atlas was still in a coma and had not fully awakened. On the other side, Jaylon and his son were already secretly conspiring on how to secure the position of successor. The Leopold Family couldn¡¯t be so heartlessly disloyal! ¡°What do you mean, Uncle? If you had said this earlier, I wouldn¡¯t have argued with you over the matter, and you could have tried to handle it yourself to see if you could succeed!¡± Brayden was very unhappy. It was his first time making a move, yet his uncle spoke like this. Did he not care for his own face? The Family Head was there in the central seat, and this was his best opportunity to show proactive effort. But with Isidore¡¯s words out in the open, it was as if Brayden was impatient for credit, leaving a very bad impression with the Family Head. ¡°Enough, quiet down!¡± Whitley Leopold slammed the table with a sudden force, his eyes sparking with fierceness, ¡°What¡¯s all this noise about? I¡¯m not dead yet! Are you trying to argue to the death here and make me angry?¡± With that shout, everyone fell silent. The Leopold Family still followed the old Family Head¡¯s word. ¡°In this matter, Brayden has done well. At the very least, he has put effort into our Leopold Family. Even if it¡¯s for competing for the position of successor, it is understandable! Are we supposed to cease just because we¡¯re without Atlas Leopold? The Leopold family¡¯s centuries-old legacy cannot tolerate any negligence!¡± Whitley Leopold looked around at the Leopold family members present: ¡°Remember this, a Saint is judged by deeds, not motives! As long as you take action, even if you stand here and tell everyone that you aim to compete for the position of Family Head, it¡¯s alright!¡± ¡°But remember, you must have the capability! If not, you¡¯d better get lost early! Chapter 181 - Chapter 181: Chapter 180: Seizing the Throne_l Chapter 181: Chapter 180: Seizing the Throne_l Translator: 549690339 The patriarch made his intentions clear, driving those with restless hearts completely insane. This was a royal decree; it was an unchallengeable order! Now that the patriarch had given his permission for everyone to vie for the position of the successor, there was no need for anyone to hide their ambitions any longer. Let the capable ones take the lead! ¡°Report! ¡± Just then, a Leopold family servant hurried to the doorway, his expression one of panic. ¡°Speak!¡± At such a time, Whitley Leopold didn¡¯t bother to reprimand the servant for his disrespectful manner. He knew all too well that something serious must have occurred to cause his family¡¯s servant to act so recklessly. ¡°Everyone we sent out is dead!¡± The servant¡¯s face was flushed with panic, his tone shaking. He had just received news that the Shadow Warriors ambushed near the hospital had all been killed. Other servants of the Leopold family had already rushed to take care of the aftermath. This kind of incident, if it escalated, would surely bring trouble upon the Leopold family. In the city, deaths couldn¡¯t be easily smoothed over without raising issues. ¡°What!¡± Brayden Leopold stepped forward to the servant and roared, ¡°Say that again!¡± He couldn¡¯t believe that his personal bodyguards, along with several skilled martial artists, so adept at their craft, had been entirely wiped out? ¡°It¡¯s true!¡± The servant swallowed and took out his cell phone, showing the photos sent from the scene. ¡°They¡¯re all gone!¡± His hand was still trembling. The state of the dead was so gruesome it even frightened him. ¡°This¡­ this can¡¯t be possible!¡± Upon seeing the photos, Brayden Leopold staggered backwards, shaking his head and saying, ¡°How could this happen! My people were supposed to succeed, could there be some mistake!¡± ¡°Get it on the screen for everyone to see!¡± The patriarch¡¯s voice came from inside. ¡®Yes!¡± The servant glanced at Brayden Leopold, then quickly walked to the corner and plugged the data cable into his phone. ¡°This¡­¡± The next moment, picture after picture appeared on the large screen in the conference room. Hisss! The members of the Leopold family sucked in a cold breath; what kind of opponent were they facing! Although Brayden Leopold¡¯s staff were not as shrewd and capable as Atlas Leopold, and they were only targeting an assistant this time. They were lying in wait for a catch, but had the rabbit turned around and bitten them? Brayden Leopold collapsed on the floor in an instant, his eyes full of fear. Others might not understand the capabilities of these men, but he had seen them with his own eyes! Even though the family members had overestimated the combat ability of those mercenaries, the mercenaries turned out to be stronger than they had imagined! ¡°How could this be!¡± He took a deep breath, struggling to keep calm. ¡°Brayden Leopold, you have botched a crucial task for our Leopold family. Such an important matter, and yet you failed miserably!¡± Soon, someone stood up to kick a man when he was down. Now that the patriarch had allowed everyone to fight for Atlas Leopold¡¯s position, these people could no longer conceal their inner greed. Since Brayden Leopold was the first to stand up, he should have been prepared to take the brunt of the criticism! If you wanted to take the credit, you had to be prepared for failure! ¡°At this crucial moment, we can¡¯t afford any mistakes! Having received advance intelligence, Brayden Leopold became complacent, missing a golden opportunity! Had someone else been in his place, they would have surely eliminated that assistant, instead of giving our enemy more power!¡± ¡°Brayden Leopold is stubborn and self-willed, by no means as steady as Atlas Leopold. Now, in his eagerness to claim credit, he has committed such a basic blunder! If we let him control the Leopold family, our legacy of a hundred years would be doomed!¡± I propose that Brayden Leopold be barred from any involvement in this matter until our Leopold family has resolved this issue!¡± Everyone spoke at once, all of them turning their contradictions toward Brayden Leopold. Now Brayden Leopold was their common enemy; to overthrow one was to eliminate a competitor. ¡°You¡­ you are all kicking a man when he is down!¡± Brayden Leopold¡¯s father trembled with anger. Prohibiting Brayden Leopold from participating in current affairs was tantamount to sentencing him to death! Now everyone understood that the Leopold Family was facing a critical moment. Whoever could turn the tide and eliminate Julius Reed at this time would have the hope of becoming the future heir of the Leopold Family! Miss this opportunity, and there would be no chance of recovery! These people were so ruthless that they directly obliterated Brayden Leopold¡¯s hopes! ¡°Silence!¡± Whitley Leopold looked at the sequences of photographs on the wall, his face showing no fluctuation, as though he were witnessing something entirely normal. How could one hold the position of Family Head of the Leopold Family without experiencing great trials and tribulations? Such a matter was truly nothing to him! ¡°Earlier, didn¡¯t you all say that this matter was easy and anyone could handle it? Now, why have you changed your tune?¡± The elder looked at the Leopold Family members who had just turned against each other and questioned them sharply! ¡°This¡­¡¯ Everyone looked at one another and then bowed their heads in embarrassment. The earlier discussion revealed that many believed the task held no difficulty. Some even thought it was letting Brayden Leopold off too easily. But upon closer consideration, were the people sent by Brayden Leopold really that incompetent? If the task were allocated to them, perhaps the fighters they would send out wouldn¡¯t even match up to Brayden Leopold¡¯s. After all, it was about ambushing a foreigner at the door, striking from the shadows! Moreover, the adversary was unarmed, while they wielded firearms! But the reality was as it stood. Brayden Leopold had suffered a crushing defeat, with all his dispatched men meeting their demise in the alleyways, not one surviving. As for the assistant of Julius Reed, he left no trace to be found. ¡°When there¡¯s a problem, you should think of a solution, not shirk responsibility! The Leopold Family is in crisis, and yet you¡¯re not uniting?¡± The elder shook his head, unable to hide the disappointment on his face: ¡°The people of the Leopold Family, being secure for too long, may have forgotten what they once were.¡± After his words, everyone fell silent. The Leopold Family¡¯s legacy of hundreds of years had mostly progressed smoothly. No one dared to provoke the Leopold Family, and they merely had to guard their enterprises to sit on mountains of gold and silver. Over the years, aside from Atlas Leopold, there had been few who took proactive measures. After all, the Leopold Family had plenty of money, and their industries were the pillars of Five-river Province. Outsiders would surely show them respect. If that was the case, why make an effort? Wasn¡¯t that something the Family Head should be concerned with? Even better, they felt that everything Atlas Leopold did was nothing but right and expected. Only now did everyone realize how difficult Atlas Leopold¡¯s journey had been. ¡°However, Brayden, you are indeed not suitable for handling this matter anymore!¡± With that sentence from the elder, Brayden Leopold¡¯s hopes plummeted to rock bottom. He knew that the position of Family Head was no longer within his reach. Others, though secretly feeling fortunate, dared not show it. No one knew who would become the next Brayden Leopold. The enemy was even more cunning than they seemed! ¡°Now, think of a way to rescue Fernando, and as for the rest, there¡¯s no rush.¡± Whitley Leopold once again closed his eyes, waiting for everyone to voice their opinions. Fernando Leopold was the elder who convened the Five-river assembly and held a certain prestige within the Leopold Family. It was supposed to be a favorable situation, but the outcome was something nobody anticipated. ¡°Whoever can rescue Fernando will become the foremost candidate for the heir!¡± Upon the elder¡¯s declaration, a glimmer of ambition shone in everyone¡¯s eyes.. Chapter 182 - Chapter 182: Chapter 181 Brayden Leopold’s Racing Heart 1 Chapter 182: Chapter 181 Brayden Leopold¡¯s Racing Heart 1 Translator: 549690339 After the Leopold family meeting, various groups went back to their own businesses. Old Master of Leopold Family said in passing, ¡°Let those with the ability display their Divine Skills. Everyone is free to act, but under the condition that the family interests must not be harmed.¡± Otherwise, be expelled from the Leopold Family! At such a time, whoever makes the first move will undoubtedly have the upper hand. Brayden Leopold had already been eliminated. In the first step of the battle for succession, he had already fallen behind. The rest of the branches were discussing how to rescue Fernando Leopold. Meanwhile, the Leopolds were also actively negotiating with the Potter Family. The videos and photos in Stanislaus Potter¡¯s hands had nearly sealed the deal. As long as the Leopolds were not fools, they wouldn¡¯t attempt to deny it. Not only would that bring no benefits, but it would also enrage the Potter Family. But in this period, other members of the Leopold Family could make the most of Divine Skills, unscrupulously working to rescue their own. After leaving the Leopold residence, a man took out his phone, looked around to see that no one was there, and quietly made a call. ¡°It¡¯s just as you predicted; Brayden Leopold has been kicked out of the running. The rest of the Leopolds are rolling up their sleeves, ready to make their move to save him!¡± Whatever the person on the other end of the line said made the man¡¯s face change dramatically. ¡°Can we really do this¡­ Is this going to work?¡± His tone carried a hint of panic, even filled with fear. ¡°Alright! I will carry it out to the letter, don¡¯t worry!¡± The man wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling his hands trembling. After taking a deep breath, he headed back towards the gate of the Leopold¡¯s villa. ¡°Young Master Leopold.¡± As he arrived at the villa¡¯s gate, he saw a downhearted Brayden Leopold. ¡°Black Dog, what do you want?¡± He had thought he would be the first to act, getting a step ahead of everyone But who could have known he would stumble right out of the gate and begin at a disadvantage? Not only did he fail to gain the upper hand, but he was also out of the game early! ¡°Young Master Leopold, it¡¯s not convenient to speak here. Can we talk in the car for a moment?¡± Black Dog asked cautiously. Although he was previously an employee of Atlas Leopold, he had a certain standing in the Leopold Family. Especially after Bane Cook kidnapped and nearly beat him to death, the Leopolds trusted him even more. But faced with the unpredictable Brayden Leopold, Black Dog was still somewhat frightened. After all, the young master was quite agitated at the moment. ¡°Fine! What are you up to!¡± Although Brayden Leopold wanted to lose his temper, on further thought, he realized that Black Dog must have his reasons for acting this way. Stepping into his imported Land Rover, Brayden Leopold shut the car door and asked irritably, ¡°Out with it, what is it?¡± He was still seething with anger and had no patience for trivial matters. If Black Dog brought up something trivial, Brayden Leopold really would lose his temper. After all, Black Dog was just a servant. ¡°Young master, the old master¡¯s words today have basically sentenced you to death. I just don¡¯t know what plans you have for the future?¡± Black Dog asked tentatively. This matter was sensitive, and one misstep could mean life or death. Brayden Leopold was still a member of the Leopold Family, directing him to harm the family interests might result in his own tragic demise. In other words, this was an opportunity for Brayden Leopold to weed out the traitors and earn credit for the family. Sure enough, upon hearing Black Dog¡¯s words, Brayden Leopold asked with some alertness, ¡°What are you implying? At such a critical moment, the fact that Black Dog spoke these words was clearly loaded with deeper meaning. Brayden Leopold was no fool; besides Atlas Leopold, he was one of the more capable members of the Leopold Family. He would not naively believe that Black Dog had come without an ulterior motive. Anyone who had attained such a position in the Leopold Family was no fool! ¡°I have an idea that could restore Young Master to the position of heir!¡± Black Dog said, blinking. After uttering those words, he swallowed his saliva because what came next was the main event. Whether he could walk away alive from this Land Rover depended on what Brayden Leopold was thinking. ¡°Speak!¡± Upon hearing Black Dog¡¯s words, Brayden Leopold squinted his eyes, and his entire demeanor became vigilant. With Atlas Leopold¡¯s fall, Black Dog naturally lost his standing, so it made sense for him to now come to offer his allegiance to Brayden. But for a servant to claim he could assure a return to the struggle for the heir position was something that warranted suspicion. Those were words spoken from the Old Master of the Leopold Family during the family meeting, tantamount to a decree! To expect Whitley Leopold to take back his words was like waiting for the sun to rise from the west. Did Black Dog have that kind of ability? When he followed Atlas Leopold, he indeed proved to be a valuable assistant, but he had never been this formidable. ¡°You¡¯d better not be toying with me!¡± Brayden Leopold reiterated, his tone very stern. What remained unspoken was that if Black Dog failed to satisfy him, he would not get off easily today. ¡°Young Master, if you could rescue Fernando Leopold before anyone else, wouldn¡¯t the Old Mr. Leopold look at you in a new light?¡± Black Dog cautiously suggested. ¡°Nonsense! I¡¯m already unable to intervene in the affairs of the Leopold Family; if I could, why would I sit by idly? Those incompetents, who among them can deal with matters as efficiently as I?¡± Brayden Leopold spoke with bottled -up frustration and rage. This should have been his moment to shine. Even though Atlas Leopold had secured his position in recent years, Brayden had not been idle. He had invested heavily in training his own bodyguards and had amassed a group of formidable individuals around him. Now with such strength at his disposal, to be kept from using it was frustrating. But the Old Master¡¯s word was final, and his disapproval made no difference! Now, what Black Dog had said was no different from nonsense! ¡°Young Master, don¡¯t be hasty. If you rescue him directly, it might seem too easy. After the last failure, though no one says it aloud, everyone in the Leopold Family knows Julius Reed is not to be trifled with,¡± Black Dog explained. ¡°Therefore, for this rescue mission, everyone will certainly give their all!¡± ¡°I¡¯m well aware of that! Whoever fails will suffer; even if they are not ousted like me, their fate would not be much better,¡± Brayden Leopold said with deep resentment. ¡°That¡¯s right! After their failure, you could then rescue Old Mr. Leopold. What do you think Whitley Leopold¡¯s opinion of you would be then? He might even take back his word and restore his confidence in you!¡± Black Dog whispered cautiously, ¡®Young Master, a great man should not be bound by trivialities!¡± ¡°What do you mean!¡± Brayden Leopold¡¯s eyes narrowed as he confronted Black Dog, ¡°Are you suggesting that I should strike against our own Leopold Family members?¡± If the Leopold Family were to employ their full strength, extricating someone from the Potter Family employees would not be difficult. By saying this, Black Dog implied only one possibility: that Brayden should obstruct them! ¡°The Old Master¡¯s words have just been spoken, and now you betray us, trying to sow discord within our Leopold Family?¡± He pulled a dart from his waistband and pressed it hard against Black Dog¡¯s head: ¡°Speak! Who sent you here!¡± ¡°Young Master, I, Black Dog, have only your best interests in mind! With Young Master Atlas toppled, I had to align myself with someone! Of all the young masters, I believe it is you who could truly make great things happen,¡± Black Dog quivered yet did not give in.. Chapter 183 - Chapter 183: Chapter 182 Joint Scheme_l Chapter 183: Chapter 182 Joint Scheme_l Translator: 549690339 ¡°Black Dog! The Leopold Family has treated you well, and yet you betray us!¡± Brayden Leopold appeared somewhat agitated while pressing the dart even tighter. His eyes constantly surveilled Black Dog, attempting to detect a hint of betrayal on his face. ¡°Young master, men die for money as birds die for food. I, Black Dog, do this only in hopes that you will ascend to the position of Family Head and I too can enjoy the fruits of wealth and luxury! If you don¡¯t believe me, you can shoot!¡± The corners of Black Dog¡¯s mouth trembled slightly, his heart pounding wildly. He even profoundly regretted, regretted uttering those words that sealed his certain death! ¡°Do you really think these words of yours could get you beaten to death with sticks in the Leopold Family ancestral hall?¡± Brayden Leopold growled softly. The rules of the Leopold Family were strict, and the methods of executing traitors, even more horrifically striking! Thus, over the years, no one had dared to harbor a second heart! ¡°Young master, I am but a menial servant! Even if you send me to the ancestral hall, aside from losing a dog¡¯s life, what will you gain? Will the old master change his opinion of you because of a dog doomed to be destroyed like me?¡± Black Dog forced out a faint smile, ¡°Such is an impossibility. The only thing that can allow you to make a comeback is this opportunity!¡± Now that the bow was drawn, there was no turning back. If he persisted, there might be a glimmer of life! But if he recanted, that would signify a complete and utter checkmate! There would be no chance of survival! ¡°Indeed! Since it is so, then I shall send you on your way, to rid the Leopold Family of a disaster!¡± Brayden Leopold narrowed his eyes and nodded, his finger placed on the trigger. ¡°Last chance, tell me, who sent you!¡± ¡°No one! If the young master wants to kill, then blame it on Black Dog for misjudging the person!¡± Black Dog closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair, waiting for death. Click! Brayden Leopold pulled the trigger, and the sound of an empty chamber echoed forth. But in that instant, Black Dog¡¯s body quivered, a feeling of helplessness flooding through him. ¡°Black Dog, I can¡¯t help but guard against you, wondering if someone else from the Leopold Family sent you to test me!¡± Brayden Leopold sheathed the dart at his waist and said languidly, ¡°Speak up, what are your thoughts?¡± The overlap of Black Dog¡¯s arrival with his own rebellious thoughts was far too coincidental. At such a critical moment, he couldn¡¯t trust anyone! If it had been a test sent by the old master and he showed further signs of betrayal, wouldn¡¯t he risk losing even his current status? ¡°Phew!¡± Black Dog took a deep breath, struggling to calm his emotions. ¡°Young master, you scared me to death¡­¡± His complexion was pale, his body uncontrollably trembling. Just a moment ago, he really wanted to say he was sent by someone, but he held back. It proved that Julius Reed was right; Brayden Leopold harbored thoughts of rebellion. ¡°It¡¯s a special time, understand!¡± Brayden Leopold casually tossed over a handkerchief and asked nonchalantly, ¡°What¡¯s your plan?¡± ¡°Young master! I will handle this matter. If it fails, it has nothing to do with you! If it succeeds, all the credit is yours, and as long as you look after Black Dog once you become the Family Head, I will be fully satisfied!¡± Black Dog patted his chest, regaining his previous composure. Now that Brayden Leopold had taken the bait, there was nothing more to worry about. As long as everything proceeded according to Julius Reed¡¯s plan, he could push Brayden Leopold down a point of no return! ¡°Oh! Tell me how it¡¯s done!¡± Brayden Leopold¡¯s eyes rolled as he pondered internally. This was indeed a no-lose proposition! After all, if anything went wrong, it had nothing to do with him! The Black Dog is Atlas Leopold¡¯s man, and since Atlas Leopold is still bedridden, it must be this servant acting on his own initiative. If successful, he could claim that The Black Dog had long since defected to him, and now he was merely handling matters on his behalf! All the merits would be his own, so what did he have to fear? ¡°I need your men! Just give me a team, and I guarantee the completion of the mission! Not only will I clear those who block the way for you, but I will also rescue Old Master of Leopold Family and safely deliver him to you.¡± Desire blazed in The Black Dog¡¯s eyes. ¡°Very well! Tomorrow, I will reveal to you the whereabouts of these men! Black Dog, remember this! If anything goes wrong, no one will save you!¡± Brayden Leopold said in an icy tone. He had to take a gamble! Otherwise, he would be completely eliminated by the Leopold Family! And he would lose everything he owned! No guts, no glory! As night fell, Julius Reed stood alone at the top of Pearl on the Water, surveying the night scene. ¡°Mr. Reed, the Leopold Family is in chaos now, everyone is eager to rescue Fernando Leopold!¡± Miguel Abbott stood behind Julius Reed, reporting respectfully. The longer he knew this young man, the more he admired him! He even felt lucky about how wise his choice had been back then! If he had chosen to oppose Julius Reed at first, he might have ended up just like Stanislaus Potter and Atlas Leopold, or even a scoundrel like Cesar Pendleton, who was still kneeling at his feet, no? What was Five-river Province, after all! ¡°As expected.¡± Julius Reed nodded, without saying much more. Through The Black Dog, he had learned in detail about every move of the Leopold Family. He even knew clearly what was being said within the Leopold Family. ¡°What should we do? When two tigers fight, one is bound to get hurt! Stanislaus Potter is on a rampage right now, and the Leopold Family is no pushover either. Should we watch as events unfold, or should we take advantage of the situation?¡± Miguel Abbott asked again. Such an opportunity was rare! The major families had kept a peaceful coexistence for decades and had never before torn each other¡¯s faces like this! Now that Whitley Leopold himself had come out of retirement, it was clear that he intended to re-establish the Leopold Family¡¯s reputation! ¡°Between the Potter Family and the Leopold Family, which has the greater chance of winning?¡± Julius Reed asked. ¡°The Leopold Family!¡± Miguel Abbott explained thoughtfully, ¡°On the surface, our major forces are about evenly matched. But we all know that we are just the latecomers and do not have the deep roots that the Leopold Family has! It¡¯s said a strong dragon cannot repress a local snake, let alone a local dragon like the Leopold Family!¡± ¡°Once the two families break, all forces must make a choice! Choosing neutrality is the most unwise action. It pleases neither side, and the end result is worse than anyone else¡¯s. Moreover, the Leopold Family has connections all over Five-river Province. As soon as war breaks out, they will immediately corner the Potter Family into a hopeless situation!¡± Miguel Abbott understood the landscape of Five-river Province all too well. That¡¯s also why he wanted to dominate this place but always dared not take action. No one could break the balance! ¡°Since the Potter Family is bound to lose, does Stanislaus Potter not know it? Call Stanislaus Potter now!¡± Julius Reed gestured, and Miguel Abbott, without even a moment¡¯s hesitation, immediately took out his phone and called Stanislaus Potter. ¡°Mr. Abbott, calling at this time, what do you mean?¡± Soon, a very subdued voice came from the other end of the phone. They were like fire and water right now, and he was still calling? ¡°Stanislaus Potter! The Leopold Family is about to make a move on you, and the Golden Eagle Group could be destroyed in an instant. But I have an idea that can help you take down the Leopold Family, it just requires your cooperation. ¡± Julius Reed said leisurely.. Chapter 184 - Chapter 184: Chapter 183 Meticulous Deployment_1 Chapter 184: Chapter 183 Meticulous Deployment_1 Translator: 549690339 When Julius Reed heard the voice on the phone, silence fell instantly on the other end. The air was terrifyingly quiet. Stanislaus Potter didn¡¯t speak, and neither did Julius Reed. Quella Radcliffe, like an attendant, stood behind Julius Reed, not daring to take a deep breath. Time seemed to slow down at that moment. After an unknown amount of time, Stanislaus Potter asked, ¡®Why should I believe you?¡± It was only when he heard this sentence over the phone that Quella Radcliffe exhaled in relief. Based on his knowledge, Stanislaus Potter was extremely arrogant and terrifyingly proud. It was difficult for him to bow down before his enemy. Yet now, Stanislaus Potter hesitated. ¡°You are well aware of the Leopold Family¡¯s resolve! If Golden Eagle Group fights to the death, it might severely damage the Leopold Family. But you, your end will be even more miserable!¡± Julius Reed turned around, spoke leisurely into the phone, ¡°We will settle our accounts sooner or later. But this matter started because of the Leopold Family, I¡¯m helping you because I do not wish you to die at someone else¡¯s hand.¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s body shuddered upon hearing these words. Could such arrogant speech provoke Stanislaus Potter? No matter what, Stanislaus Potter was a formidable figure. Now being reprimanded and even slighted, could he bear it? But soon, Quella Radcliffe realized he had worried too much. ¡°Good.¡¯ Stanislaus Potter uttered just one word. But that one word contained compromise and submission. ¡°Later, my people will contact you. Following my plan, you can kill a number of Leopold Family elites. However, Fernando Leopold, you must hand him over to me; I have great use for him!¡± After Julius Reed finished speaking, Stanislaus Potter hesitated for five seconds before responding, ¡°I hope you are not deceiving me!¡± ¡°You have no choice!¡± After saying that, Julius Reed walked out of the private room, heading to the rooftop of the Water Pearl Tower, and dialed a video call to Quella Radcliffe. He had been there for quite a while, and had no idea how his wife was doing. But the video call went unanswered for a long time. Presumably, Quella Radcliffe was busy, so he didn¡¯t mind. Now, Five-river Province was in total chaos. The Leopold Family, uncharacteristically, had taken the initiative to strike. Other clans were also considering which side to take, as no one could remain unaffected by this raging storm. At that moment, Julius Reed¡¯s phone rang. He had thought it was Quella Radcliffe calling, but unfortunately, it was not. It was his mole inside the Leopold Family, Black Dog. Ever since Bane Cook had captured Black Dog and brought him to Titan Group, he had been completely compliant to Julius Reed, not daring to harbor the slightest bit of betrayal. Even that video of Atlas Leopold was obtained secretly by Black Dog and delivered into Julius Reed¡¯s hands. Now, he carried the responsibility of turning the entire Leopold Family. ¡°Big Brother, Brayden Leopold has already agreed. I¡¯m currently leading his personal guard, preparing to head towards the Potter Family¡¯s place where they are detaining Fernando Leopold. And the movements and intentions of other Leopold family members are also firmly in my grasp. Brayden Leopold truly is the most capable person after Atlas Leopold, only too narrow-minded! In just one afternoon, he has completely figured out his clan members¡¯ plans!¡± After Black Dog finished his report, an email came through to Julius Reed¡¯s phone. ¡°Inside, there are the action plans of most of the Leopold Family people.¡± ¡°Very well. ¡± Julius Reed stood on the rooftop, carefully sifting through the email. The more he read, the more surprised he became at the content. The Leopold Family truly lived up to its reputation as a century-old clan. Even though its branches acted independently, they still had significant fighting capabilities and meticulous plans. If we really act according to this, not to mention that rescuing Fernando Leopold will be a piece of cake, even Stanislaus Potter¡¯s life might not be guaranteed! Some clan members have even hired assassins to seize the opportunity to eliminate members of the Potter Family! ¡°Black Dog, you did an exceptional job with this matter. Next, follow my plan, and after taking Fernando Leopold away, kill those surviving Leopold Family members, but remember to leave some alive!¡± Julius Reed once again instructed. ¡°Understood!¡± After receiving a response, Black Dog hung up the phone. Meanwhile, at another location. At the Golden Eagle Group, the Chairman¡¯s office. ¡°Boss Potter, we have arranged a large number of bodyguards to defend this place! No one can take Fernando Leopold away!¡± ¡°We¡¯ve brought in one of the strongest mercenary organizations from South Africa to guard the interior of the building. And our own people are all armed. As long as someone dares to break in, we¡¯ll ensure they won¡¯t leave alive!¡± ¡°The entire perimeter of the Golden Eagle Building is covered by our hidden weapon experts, with no blind spots covering the entire building. Please rest assured!¡± Several of the Potter Family¡¯s most capable men gathered in the Chairman¡¯s office, fully armed even wearing bulletproof vests. ¡°I trust the way you handle things! However, the Leopold Family is an old and established one, not to be underestimated.¡± Looking at the spirited young men before him, Stanislaus Potter leaned back in his chair, gently massaging his temples. These men, known as the Seven Guardians, had been with him since the beginning of his rise to power and were highly trustworthy! Over the years, as the Golden Eagle Group prospered, Stanislaus Potter likewise did not neglect to build his own private security team. After all, everyone values their life more once they have money, and there is always the fear that something unexpected might happen. Like today¡¯s situation, if he didn¡¯t have his own power, money alone wouldn¡¯t solve the problem! ¡°Stanislaus Potter! We could have sat down and talked this out. What good does this do for you?¡± Behind him, Fernando Leopold, with a head full of white hair, shook his head and sighed deeply. ¡°The Leopold Family¡¯s century-old foundation would certainly give you a satisfactory resolution if it did something wrong! By proceeding this way, you¡¯re undoubtedly letting others reap the benefits!¡± ¡°Resolution? What kind of resolution can the Leopold Family give me?¡± Hearing this, Stanislaus Potter¡¯s face grew darker again. He walked up to Fernando Leopold and roared, ¡°Can you make my son¡¯s legs heal, or can you bring Harlan Potter back to life!¡± Harlan Potter had followed him for so many years, only to meet a tragic death! And Quamaine Potter, his beloved son, now lay on a bed, no different from a cripple! ¡°This matter has nothing to do with my Leopold Family! The person you should be seeking revenge on is Julius Reed, not us!¡± Fernando Leopold spoke with dignity and calmness, befitting an elder of the Leopold Family, naturally carrying a sense of pride. ¡°If Atlas Leopold hadn¡¯t set this trap, how could there be such a situation today! But justice has eyes, and finally, he got his retribution!¡± Hearing the Leopold Family still carrying on with their arrogant attitude, Stanislaus Potter exploded with fury! Ding! Just at that moment, his mobile phone suddenly rang. It was the sound of an email. When he saw the sender and the subject of the email, he walked alone to the window to read through its contents. After reading the entire email, Stanislaus Potter¡¯s face turned ashen, and his hand holding the phone began to tremble slightly. The plan laid out was detailed. If it really went according to the plan, not only would Fernando Leopold be rescued, but his own life might not even be guaranteed! The defense he believed to be impregnable was actually full of holes from the start! Because among his people, there was a mole! Chapter 185 - Chapter 185: Chapter 184: The Mole_l Chapter 185: Chapter 184: The Mole_l Translator: 549690339 ¡°Quadir Cook, you started following me when you were eighteen, right?¡± After putting away his cell phone, Stanislaus Potter sat back in his chair as if notmng nad nappened. He lit a cigarette, crossed his legs, and looked at a young man in front of him. ¡°Indeed, it was Brother who lifted me up, giving me the life I have today!¡± Quadir Cook nodded. In his eighteenth year, he got into a fight with a dockvvorker over a job. At that time, Stanislaus Potter¡¯s business was just getting started. He was at the docks to pick up goods when he saw Quadir Cook fighting three men by himself. Even though he was clearly outmatched, he didn¡¯t back down! It was this fighting spirit that touched Stanislaus Potter. After picking up the goods, Quadir Cook followed Stanislaus Potter to the not-so-large Golden Eagle Trading, the precursor to the Golden Eagle Group, and began his struggle. For ten years, Quadir Cook was always at the forefront, as brave as ever! In the group, he was ranked third, a position of high status! Every year, he could make over a hundred million from the group¡¯s dividends! ¡°Good that you remember, I, Stanislaus, have always had my own rules in doing things. As long as you are loyal, I will naturally not mistreat you. But if anyone betrays me, I think you know what their end will be.¡± Stanislaus Potter took a deep drag on his cigarette and slowly exhaled the smoke. ¡°Big Brother, why are you suddenly bringing this up? ¡°Boss,¡± Alastair Martin spoke up. He had been with Stanislaus Potter the longest. Although his abilities were not as good as others¡¯, he had always been meeting Stanislaus Potter¡¯s expectations, coordinating, and wielding the greatest power. Moreover, as a kind person, he got along extremely well with the other six. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I might just be feeling sentimental because of age!¡± Stanislaus Potter said casually. But his words, suggestive as they were, instantly tensed everyone up. ¡°Boss, whoever the fuck dares betray you, I¡¯ll blow their head off!¡± Snap! Austin Yarrow slapped his handgun on the table and pounded his chest, saying, ¡°I swear on my honor to you that I will never have a second heart in this life toward Big Brother!¡± He was ranked sixth because of his extremely strong combat ability and was usually in charge of Stanislaus Potter¡¯s security. Even some of the personal guard were personally trained and selected by him. It could be said that among the people Stanislaus Potter trusted, Austin Yarrow was one, a person to whom he trusted his life and fortune. ¡°Exactly! Big Brother, we brothers are definitely not the ungrateful type!¡± The others also expressed their stances one after another. Anyone who had made it to this position today was no fool. Without any hesitation, Austin Yarrow took out a crystal cube from his bosom and handed it to Stanislaus Potter. The so-called Token was a highly encrypted electronic chip. It was a sophisticated electronic device that Stanislaus Potter had invested heavily in to bring in from abroad. Similar to the ancient Chinese Commander¡¯s Seal. The unique password was Stanislaus Potter¡¯s iris. Within the group, every squad leader would have a similar cube. Only these two cubes could activate the rest of the crystal cubes. Even if one wanted to forge it, it would be impossible! Once the cube was activated, it signified Stanislaus Potter¡¯s will, and everyone was to obey unconditionally. ¡°You, come here!¡± Upon seeing the cube, instead of hastening to verify it, Stanislaus Potter waved a squad leader over in the office. ¡°Chairman! ¡± The squad leader quickly came over. ¡°Take out your cube.¡± Stanislaus Potter gestured, and the squad leader immediately took out the cube from his bosom. ¡°Light it up!¡± Stanislaus Potter looked towards Austin Yarrow, his gaze also filled with desire. He didn¡¯t want to believe that what was written in the email was true. If it really was, then Stanislaus Potter couldn¡¯t forgive himself for his failed life! ¡°Understood!¡± Austin Yarrow picked up the cube and placed it on top of the squad leader¡¯s cube, his face even showing curiosity. He didn¡¯t understand why the chairman would do such a thing at this time. But then, he expressed shock, saying, ¡°What! How could this be!¡± The two cubes, upon contact, didn¡¯t react at all! This could only mean one thing ¨C the Token in his hand was a fake! ¡°Austin Yarrow, you motherfucker, dare to betray the boss!¡± Alastair Martin¡¯s eyes narrowed, he instantly took out his dart from his waist and pointed it at Austin Yarrow, cursing, ¡°The boss entrusted his life and fortune to you, and now you actually dare betray him!¡± The atmosphere in the entire office became somewhat eerie. ¡°Big Brother! My loyalty to you is witnessed by heaven and earth!¡± Thump! Austin Yarrow knelt on the ground, pointing to his head, saying, ¡°If I have a second heart, may I never die a good death!¡± In his important role, he was the one who spent the most time with Stanislaus Potter. Especially after Harlan Potter died, he almost became the successor! Now, seeing the Token ineffective, his first instinct was that it had been switched! ¡°Big Brother, I have been wronged!¡± ¡°At this point, you still dare to deny it!¡± Quadir Cook walked up to Austin Yarrow and questioned him coldly, ¡°Tell me! Is it the Leopold Family who sent you here?¡± At this question, everyone¡¯s eyes shift in unison. The Leopold Family, had actually infiltrated the Golden Eagle Group¡¯s ranks. If someone here were to betray, the consequences were unimaginable! ¡°I did not!¡± Austin Yarrow widened his eyes, looking towards Stanislaus Potter, ¡°Big Brother, believe me!¡± ¡°It seems without serious coercion, you won¡¯t open up!¡± Quadir Cook narrowed his eyes, saying, ¡°Please allow me to pry open his mouth!¡± ¡°What¡¯s your hurry!¡± Stanislaus Potter rubbed his temples, somewhat helplessly saying, ¡°Quadir Cook, what¡¯s that on your waist?¡± Quadir Cook tensed up instantly when asked this. And Alastair Martin, standing by, also sensed something amiss. Having followed Stanislaus Potter for so many years, he naturally understood the boss¡¯s meaning. ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Alastair Martin pointed his dart at Quadir Cook and reached tor his waist. ¡°The Token?¡± Moments later, Alastair Martin, holding a crystal cube, lit up the cube that the squad leader had previously held! ¡°Now, what do you have to say for yourself!¡± Stanislaus Potter slammed the table hard, standing up and bellowing, ¡°Quadir Cook, you¡¯re ungrateful!¡± He was trembling all over, and his eyeballs turned bloodshot! ¡°Fuck, Quadir Cook, you motherfucker set me up!¡± Austin Yarrow also leaped up from the ground and grabbed Quadir Cook by the neck, ¡°Speak! Why did you betray the boss!¡± Chapter 186 - Chapter 186: Chapter 185 Stanislaus Potter’s Anger_1 Chapter 186: Chapter 185 Stanislaus Potter¡¯s Anger_1 Translator: 549690339 Austin Yarrow had been on edge due to the loss of the Token. At such a critical juncture, not to mention losing the trust of Stanislaus Potter, it seemed impossible for him to shake off the label of a traitor. Even if he didn¡¯t die today, he would be despised by the people of Five-river Province. Now that he had found the person who framed him, how could Austin Yarrow not be furious? Not just him, everyone present was unusually angry. Facing such a formidable enemy, it should have been a time for these people to unite and work together, yet there was a traitor in their midst! This thought made those who had issues with Quadir Cook in the past stand out one after another! ¡°The ingrate! The boss has been so good to you, and yet you return kindness with enmity!¡± ¡°Quadir Cook, it turns out you can¡¯t judge a book by its cover! While the brothers are fighting with blood, you¡¯re stabbing us in the back! Is this how you treat your brothers?¡± ¡°Despicable dog, you¡¯re not fit to be human!¡± The thought of a traitor among them sent a chill down everyone¡¯s spine. If Quadir Cook really did take away the Token and shifted Stanislaus Potter¡¯s men, wouldn¡¯t the Leopold Family be walking into uninhabited territory? Moreover, Quadir Cook was not just betraying these men, he was practically pushing the Golden Eagle Group into the fire! Without the Golden Eagle Group, where would their wealth and status come from? Cutting off someone¡¯s livelihood is akin to killing their parents! ¡°Boss, 1¡­¡± The moment Quadir Cook was found with the Token, his entire body collapsed to the ground, and although he was being choked, his eyes were filled with fear. He had acted so covertly, one could say flawlessly. Besides, no one knew about this matter except for a few high-level members of the Leopold Family! With the operation imminent and success within reach, why had it all come to light? Having followed Stanislaus Potter for so many years, Quadir Cook naturally knew what the consequences of betrayal were! Death! There was no chance of survival! ¡°Stanislaus Potter, let him go!¡± Stanislaus Potter sat in the boss chair, silently lighting a cigarette. Quadir Cook had been with him since he was eighteen, and now, ten years later, he had come to see him as his own brother! Over the years, whenever anyone spoke ill of Quadir Cook, Stanislaus Potter would vehemently suppress it. After the Golden Eagle Group grew, all these guys became somewhat inflated, indulging in women, and hardly missing any opportunity for drinking, gambling, and vice. To these, Stanislaus Potter had turned a blind eye, after all, they were his brothers. Besides, what was the purpose of earning money if not to enjoy it? Otherwise, money in the bank is just a string of numbers. But Stanislaus Potter had never imagined that the person he trusted the most would betray him! ¡°Big Brother¡­¡± A bitter smile crossed Quadir Cook¡¯s face: ¡°Three years ago, I met a woman. And that woman is Whitley Leopold¡¯s granddaughter, Flint Leopold. In this lifetime, I never thought to betray Big Brother, but I can¡¯t lose her¡­¡± After finishing his words, he knelt on the ground, bowing his head in silence. ¡°For a woman, you¡¯re willing to betray Big Brother?¡± Alastair Martin slapped him across the face, roaring, ¡°All that you have now was given to you by Big Brother! Quadir Cook, you¡¯re ungrateful!¡± As the leader of the Seven Guardians, he had a particularly close relationship with these men. They often drank together, whether there was a matter or not, and they shared deep bonds. Now that his former brother had become a traitor, Alastair Martin felt not only anger but also bitterness. ¡°Flint Leopold is carrying my child. Now, Whitley Leopold is blackmailing me with this. He said as long as I get the Token, he will let the woman and the child go!¡± Quadir Cook suddenly looked up, his face streaked with tears: ¡°Big Brother, I can¡¯t lose them, but I assure you, as soon as the Leopold Family releases them, I will report to you immediately!¡± After this explanation, the anger of the others also somewhat subsided; after all, they were brothers who had spent time together. There was still some affection in their hearts. ¡°Even if you are threatened, you should not do something that betrays Big Brother. Quadir Cook, why are you so foolish!¡± Alastair Martin shouted like an elder brother, in agony: ¡°Quickly apologize to Big Brother!¡± This was an offer of a way out for Quadir Cook; everyone knew that Stanislaus Potter was a sentimental man. If Quadir Cook admitted his mistakes, there was a high chance that Stanislaus Potter would spare his life. Though glory and riches may be gone, being alive was better than anything else. ¡°Apologize now!¡± The others understood Alastair Martin¡¯s intention, openly scolding while covertly pleading for leniency. ¡°Big brother, I¡­¡± ¡°Quadir Cook!¡± Stanislaus Potter stood up, interrupting him directly, ¡°If I hadn¡¯t obtained the intelligence, I would never believe you could betray me. Even now, I am inclined to soften my heart and forgive you.¡± ¡°Alas!¡± He sighed deeply and asked coldly, ¡°Whitley Leopold promised you that once I die, you¡¯ll be the owner of the Golden Eagle Group! Flint Leopold, that person doesn¡¯t exist in this world!¡± Whoosh! He violently smashed the teacup from the table onto the floor. When Stanislaus Potter received the email from Julius Reed, he didn¡¯t believe it. He couldn¡¯t imagine that an employee who had followed him for so many years would betray him. But it wasn¡¯t until the Token was found that he knew it was all true! The human heart is unfathomable! And Quadir Cook¡¯s true motives were clearly laid out in the email. Stanislaus Potter gave Quadir Cook chances until the very last moment. If an employee who had been with him for ten years could come clean, he wouldn¡¯t make things difficult. Giving a sum of money and sending Quadir Cook abroad was a very normal thing to do. Stanislaus Potter was a man of deep emotion. But Quadir Cook had been deceiving him all along! From beginning to end, he never spoke a single truth! ¡°Big brother, I¡­¡± Quadir Cook¡¯s eyes were filled with terror, and his face turned pale in an instant! He couldn¡¯t understand how this matter had come to light? ¡°Big brother, please listen to my explanation!¡± Now, for the first time, he experienced fear. ¡°Austin Yarrow, take him out!¡± Stanislaus Potter closed his eyes and instantly aged a great deal. The betrayal by someone closest is such a painful realization! ¡°Understood!¡± Austin Yarrow narrowed his eyes and, lifting Quadir Cook with one hand, walked out of the office. Whoosh! He briskly walked back in. The office returned to silence once again. Even Fernando Leopold, standing nearby, was so astonished that he couldn¡¯t speak. ¡°Stanislaus Potter, did you know about this all along?¡± He was unaware of the Leopold Family¡¯s plans, but since Quadir Cook had been dealt with, it implied that their suspicions were almost certainly correct. But how could such top-secret intelligence leak out? Did Stanislaus Potter really have the ability to gather intelligence from the Leopold Family¡¯s inner circle? If that were true, then the Leopold Family had lost right from the start! ¡°Big brother, it¡¯s truly a frightening thought! While the brothers were busy preparing, I never imagined the enemy would strike from within! If it weren¡¯t for your wise leadership¡­¡± Alastair Martin stopped mid-sentence. Because he could tell that Stanislaus Potter was somewhat displeased. ¡°Everyone, get ready! Be on one hundred and twenty percent alert!¡± After saying this, Stanislaus Potter left Austin Yarrow and Alastair Martin behind and had the rest leave the office. ¡°Old Mr. Leopold, would you like to go back?¡± He looked toward Fernando Leopold and asked this question.. Chapter 187 - Chapter 187: Chapter 186 The Traitor of the Leopold Family_l Chapter 187: Chapter 186 The Traitor of the Leopold Family_l Translator: 549690339 The pitch-black night was especially quiet. The time had already reached twelve midnight, and pedestrians had all vanished from the streets. One by one, dark figures appeared around the Golden Eagle Group, then quickly concealed themselves on the streets. ¡°Young master, we are ready.¡± A leading man holding a walkie-talkie asked softly, ¡°Shall we proceed?¡± Whoosh! Before a reply could be received, a gunshot shattered the silence. And the man who had been speaking had a dart in his forehead, collapsing straight to the ground. ¡°Brother Cook! ¡± The rest were horrified, unsure of what to do. They looked around warily, each feeling a chill run down their spine. The assailant¡¯s weapon, hidden somewhere unknown, had managed to take out their squad leader in such a short time. ¡°Hey! Cook! What the hell is going on? What was that sound on your end?¡± An anxious shout came from the walkie-talkie. ¡°Young master, someone used a dart, Brother Cook has been taken out! What should we do now?¡± Quickly, someone picked up the walkie-talkie to communicate with the person on the other end. ¡°What! Say that again! Cook is dead?¡± The person on the other end clearly couldn¡¯t believe it. If their leader was down before they even started, how could they proceed? ¡°Yes! There¡¯s someone with hidden weapons around us!¡± The speaker looked around cautiously, his voice trembling. ¡°Retreat!¡± Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, the order came through the walkie-talkie again. ¡°Young master has ordered a retreat!¡± The man put down the walkie-talkie and waved his hand at the employees. Whoosh! Just then, countless Crossbow Arrows flew through the air. Before long, the street fell silent once again. ¡°What¡¯s going on? What was that noise?¡± The person on the walkie-talkie was clearly puzzled, even a little worried. But no one answered him. Only an endless silence. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve taken care of your men for you!¡± After a cold voice was heard, the walkie-talkie was crushed underfoot. ¡°Clean up the scene, waiting for the next group!¡± Black Dog waved his hand, and his group of men in black immediately carried the bodies away. And they concealed themselves once more. Meanwhile, in a villa belonging to the Leopold Family, Yates Leopold fiercely smashed the device in his hand, his entire body trembling. This was his heavily financed personal bodyguard team, all gone just like that. And whether or not the person behind it all was Stanislaus Potter, he had no idea. But not long after his men were taken out, various members of the Leopold Family began to close in on the Golden Eagle Group. Black Dog, who knew their plans inside out, was practically waiting at the predetermined spot, effortlessly taking out these Leopold Family members. Leaving behind a few survivors, and mentioning the name of Brayden Leopold, he led his men to a motel not far from the Golden Eagle Group. Whoosh! After kicking open the door, they found Fernando Leopold, who had been tied up like a zongzi. There were no other people in the room. ¡°Old Mr. Leopold, I am an employee of Brayden Leopold, I¡¯ve specifically come to rescue you!¡± Black Dog immediately walked forward and tore off the tape that was stuck on Fernando Leopold¡¯s mouth. ¡°Black Dog, weren¡¯t you with Atlas Leopold?¡± Fernando Leopold, an active elderly member of the Leopold Family, had a good understanding of the family¡¯s dynamics. ¡°Atlas Leopold is currently bedridden, so I came to work for Brayden Leopold to seek revenge for him,¡± Black Dog made up an excuse on the spot. Sure enough, Fernando Leopold believed it to be true. ¡°Hmm, at least you have a conscience. Remember to avenge your young master!¡± In his view, whether Atlas or Brayden, both were young masters of the Leopold Family. Whichever young master¡¯s employee he was under made no difference to him. Moreover, Atlas Leopold had his legs broken and still hasn¡¯t regained consciousness to this day. Black Dog wants revenge and truly can only rely on other young masters. ¡°Let¡¯s leave quickly before Stanislaus Potter¡¯s people arrive here!¡± Although Fernando Leopold was somewhat aged, he was still robust. Despite experiencing such a tragic ordeal, he was still spirited and led the way out of the hotel. Once they were in the car that had been prepared in advance, the group headed straight for the Leopold family villa. ¡°Done!¡± Black Dog sent a message to Brayden Leopold. ¡°Not bad!¡± Brayden Leopold replied with just two words, yet it represented recognition of him. At the same time, Julius Reed also received the message. He smiled, picked up his phone, and dialed a strange number. Soon, someone on the other end answered. ¡°Hello, who¡¯s this?¡± The voice was somewhat aged but full of vitality. ¡°Mr. Whitley Leopold, it¡¯s a pleasure!¡± Julius Reed stood on top of the Water Pearl Building, gazing at the starry sky, ¡°How about we make a deal?¡± ¡°You are¡­ Julius Reed?¡± Whitley Leopold, as someone who had lived many years, guessed Julius Reed¡¯s identity almost immediately. ¡°Right, the old man¡¯s quite capable.¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t deny it. ¡°Excellent! You¡¯ve got some guts calling me!¡± Whitley Leopold laughed loudly, ¡°Although I¡¯m curious how you got this number, I¡¯m more interested in what kind of deal you want to make with me.¡± This number was only known to inner core members of the Leopold family. If someone outside knew, it certainly meant there had been a leak. In other words, there was a mole within the family. ¡°Forget it, I¡¯ve changed my mind.¡± Julius Reed gave a faint smile and hung up the phone quickly. But on the other end, Whitley Leopold was not so relaxed. His face darkened, and he turned to an older man beside him, ¡°Chad, investigate at once, we have a mole inside our family!¡± ¡°Old Master, the Leopold family has a mole?¡± The middle-aged man called Chad didn¡¯t quite understand. ¡°My number, no outsider knows! Those who do are only a few family inner members, check one by one, we must find the mole!¡± Whitley Leopold¡¯s eyes narrowed as he sneered coldly, ¡°I do want to see who¡¯s so audacious!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Chad nodded and quickly left. In the vast room, only Whitley Leopold was left alone. He sat by the window, his hands on his cane, muttering to himself, ¡°Julius Reed, you¡¯re truly something. But you shouldn¡¯t have played, especially shouldn¡¯t have come to Five-river Province. As long as you come here, you have to submit to me!¡± Ding-a-ling-a-ling! Just then, the phone by his bed rang. ¡°Hello!¡± After picking up, Whitley Leopold resumed his previous tone. ¡°Old Master of Leopold Family, we have a mole! All the people we sent out are gone!¡± An angry voice came through the phone. ¡°What did you say?¡± Whitley Leopold frowned, sensing a bad premonition. ¡°All our people sent out were wiped out on the road! The enemy completely knows our moves, to the letter!¡± The phone was filled with rage. ¡°Wait for my instructions!¡± Whitley Leopold quickly hung up the phone, wanting to call other Leopold family members. But as soon as he hung up, another call came in immediately. ¡°Old Master, my thirty-some staff, all gone! I suspect there¡¯s a traitor within the family!¡± It was another internal call. Whitley Leopold¡¯s expression was like still water, and his hand gripping the cane trembled slightly. ¡°I understand!¡± After taking a deep breath, he put the phone back and shouted toward the doorway, ¡°Call a family meeting!¡± Chapter 188 - Chapter 188: Chapter 187 Regaining Trust_l Chapter 188: Chapter 187 Regaining Trust_l Translator: 549690339 Stanislaus Potter¡¯s people waited all night until dawn and faced no attack from the Leopold Family. They found this very surprising. Nerves had been taut for hours, and they still didn¡¯t dare to relax even now. Could it be that the Leopold Family had given up? But that was obviously impossible. All the intelligence gathered from various sources showed that the Leopold Family would launch a frenzied attack last night. ¡°Withdraw everyone! ¡± Stanislaus Potter appeared behind Alastair Martin without notice, patted him on the shoulder, ¡°Everyone¡¯s also tired. Get some good rest; there won¡¯t be any major events happening in the near future.¡± ¡°Brother, we¡¯re fine! The Leopold Family is watching us closely, and we must not be careless! As long as we have Fernando Leopold in our hands, the Leopold Family won¡¯t let it go.¡± Alastair Martin flatly refused. Compared to Stanislaus Potter¡¯s safety, their tiredness was nothing. As long as they could protect the Golden Eagle Group, it would be of great benefit to everyone. After all, they all had interests at stake. ¡°The Leopold Family won¡¯t act anymore, the storm has passed for now, everyone rest up.¡± Stanislaus Potter smiled lightly and turned back into the CEO¡¯s office, his face instantly darkened. Everything was just as the email had described! Not a single detail was off! He, on the contrary, wished it wasn¡¯t accurate, but unfortunately, there was not a single error. ¡°Who exactly are you!¡± Whiz! He punched down on the desk, unable to stop his body from trembling. Originally, he too thought Julius Reed was just an ordinary youth, but now, even this old fox couldn¡¯t help but deeply dread him. Too terrifying! And yet such a person was still his opponent. ¡°Whew!¡± Stanislaus Potter took a deep breath and dialed Julius Reed¡¯s number. ¡°Mr. Potter, how are things?¡± ¡°I have to admit, you¡¯re very strong. Everything happened just as you predicted, not a half step off. But, our grudge isn¡¯t settled!¡± Every time Stanislaus Potter thought of Quamaine Potter, a rage he couldn¡¯t suppress rose in his heart. He had always cherished this son of his the most. Now, to see him disabled, how could he as a father accept this? ¡°You¡¯re taking yourself too seriously.¡± After leaving these words, Julius Reed hung up the phone, leaving Stanislaus Potter alone to space out in his office. Through his unique network of intelligence, Stanislaus Potter already Imew that the entire Leopold Family was shaken! Would he be next? Thinking this, he trembled as he lit a cigarette. At the Leopold Family villa. Whitley Leopold sat with his eyes closed, leaning on a chair, his mind unreadable. The rest of the Leopold Family people sat in their places looking defeated, like dogs that had lost their homes, spiritless and downcast. The meeting had been going on for several hours, but so far, it had not concluded. ¡°Today is the greatest disgrace for the Leopold Family!¡± As Whitley Leopold¡¯s voice rose, everyone sitting jerked, and they all lifted their heads to look at the helmsman. ¡°A century of foundation, a century of heritage!¡± The elder looked over those assembled, ¡®Gone in an instant!¡± No one spoke. The Leopold Family People had tried everything they could, yet they returned in defeat. No one was spared! More than ten operations, all ended in complete failure. ¡°Elder Master, there¡¯s definitely a mole! My plan was seamless, so how could there be an ambush en route, with such precision to take out all my staff!¡± Someone stood out and questioned loudly. ¡°Indeed! Stanislaus Potter seemed to know our plan in advance! The moment my people arrived at the designated location, they were wiped out! How is this possible? Could it be that the Potter Family People are clairvoyant?¡± ¡°Now that you mention it, I also feel something is off!¡± Everyone began to talk at once, speculating about who the mole could be. ¡°I never expected that there would be a traitor within the family! This is my oversight, please give me a little time, and I will provide everyone with an explanation!¡± Whitley Leopold sighed heavily, looking much older in an instant. In the past, no matter what happened, the Leopold Family always pulled together, united as one. But now, with the problem originating from within, it means that someone has betrayed the family. Without capturing the traitor, the Leopold Family will fall into trouble. ¡°Big brother!¡± At that moment, the door to the meeting room was pushed open, and Fernando Leopold walked in, trembling. ¡°Fernando!¡± Seeing Fernando Leopold, a spark flared in Whitley Leopold¡¯s eyes. Initially, with the Leopold Family¡¯s complete defeat, he had planned to capitulate to the Potter Family, first ensuring Fernando¡¯s safety before hunting the mole! But now, Fernando had unexpectedly returned on his own, which was a delightful surprise! ¡°Fernando, did Stanislaus Potter let you go?¡± Whitley Leopold rushed over and grabbed Fernando¡¯s hand, ¡°I was so worried about you!¡± ¡°There¡¯s a traitor within Potter¡¯s ranks too, is that Quadir Cook the one you bought over?¡± Fernando asked aloud. This question had puzzled him all night, and he was desperate for confirmation. ¡°Indeed! How did you know?¡± Whitley Leopold raised an eyebrow and whispered, ¡°I promised him that if he killed Stanislaus, I would help him rise to the top! But now, it seems like we¡¯ve suddenly lost contact with Quadir Cook.¡± This matter was highly confidential, known to fewer than ten people. But now with the Leopold Family¡¯s devastating loss, and those seated being core members, even with a mole among them, it didn¡¯t matter anymore. Because any mole who knew all the plans would surely know about this too, wouldn¡¯t they? ¡°Last night, before taking action, Stanislaus received a message from a mysterious person. He immediately confronted Quadir Cook, and found Stanislaus¡¯s magic cube token on him. Afterwards, Stanislaus deployed his forces according to that information, and I fear our people were in grave danger!¡± Fernando¡¯s frown deepened. Now he didn¡¯t know who had that much power, to secretly help Stanislaus and even possess such thorough knowledge of the Leopold Family¡¯s secrets. ¡°Does such a thing exist?¡± Hearing Fernando¡¯s story, Whitley Leopold blinked and said, ¡°No wonder! We were supposed to work from the inside and the outside to rescue you and even had a chance to thoroughly take care of Stanislaus! Fernando, what you don¡¯t know is that our operation last night ended in complete failure, and the strength of the Leopold Family has been nearly destroyed!¡± ¡°What!¡± Fernando was so shocked he was speechless. ¡°To think that my Leopold Family would suffer such a catastrophe!¡± ¡°There¡¯s a mole! I¡¯m investigating it now. By the way, how did you escape?¡± Whitley Leopold was even more concerned about how Fernando escaped from danger. He had thought that after such a crisis, Stanislaus would be furious, even threatening Fernando¡¯s life. But now, he was unharmed. ¡°It was Brayden Leopold; his men rescued me.¡± Fernando called out to the door, ¡°Brayden, come in!¡± As soon as he spoke, Brayden Leopold entered, head bowed. ¡°Brayden was afraid of your criticism, so he didn¡¯t dare to enter. Last night, amidst the chaos, he arranged for Black Dog to lead men to rescue me from Stanislaus. Without Brayden, I would probably still be in the Golden Eagle Building.¡± Fernando explained with a smile to Whitley Leopold. ¡°Well then! Although I said you shouldn¡¯t get involved in this matter, being able to rescue Fernando is indeed a great feat! Your previous failure, and this one, I will erase them both.¡± Whitley Leopold nodded, rescuing Fernando meant one less vulnerability for the Leopold Family in Potter¡¯s hands, allowing them to be bolder in their actions. Moreover, through this incident, he confirmed Brayden¡¯s capabilities all over again.. Chapter 189 - Chapter 189: Chapter 188: Three Great Masters_1 Chapter 189: Chapter 188: Three Great Masters_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Brayden Leopold, we¡¯ve all failed, how come you¡¯re unscathed!¡± Just then, a questioning voice arose. ¡°That¡¯s right! Not a single one of the people we sent out has returned, so why were you able to come back safe and sound?¡± ¡°The traitor might be you!¡± ¡°The old man already told you not to meddle in Leopold Family affairs, and you dared to act on your own! ¡± The clan members began to question one after another. Just as Whitley Leopold was still immersed in the relief of Fernando Leopold¡¯s safe return, he suddenly realized that something was amiss. Indeed, just as everyone said. Not a single one of the Leopold Family members dispatched had survived! But why hadn¡¯t Brayden Leopold been ambushed, and how was he even able to rescue Fernando Leopold from Stanislaus Potter¡¯s employees? ¡°Brayden, indeed everyone needs an explanation!¡± Whitley Leopold asked with a stern face. This was of critical importance; he couldn¡¯t just let Brayden Leopold off easily. Every person present was a suspect! ¡°Grandfather, this matter is quite simple!¡± Brayden Leopold was well-prepared; Black Dog had already prepped him with the answers he should give, and all he needed to do was recite them. ¡°Every move requires planning and all your plans had to be approved by Old Mr. Leopold. With this many procedures, if there weren¡¯t ten people involved, there were at least eight! Since I was ordered not to interfere, I had no choice but to act on my own.¡± At this, he bowed apologetically to Whitley Leopold, ¡°Old Mr. Leopold, please forgive my rash actions. But since Grandpa Fernando watched me grow up from a young age, Brayden used his capabilities to take a risk against Grandfather¡¯s wishes and went alone into danger. I am willing to accept any punishment!¡± Having said this, he knelt to the ground with a thud and deeply kowtowed. ¡°This¡­ ah! Whitley, the boy did it for my sake!¡± Fernando Leopold quickly helped Brayden Leopold up, comforting him, ¡°Child, as long as you remember that you are a member of the Leopold Family, and are willing to put forth effort for the family, that¡¯s what counts!¡± With him saying so, the others felt awkward about speaking out. After all, Fernando Leopold was the one who had been saved; if they continued to target Brayden, it would be somewhat disrespectful to the elder. And Whitley Leopold, upon hearing this, suddenly felt a twinge of guilt. The Leopold Family¡¯s younger generation had risked their lives to save someone; further criticism seemed somewhat unjustifiable. ¡°Stand up, Brayden! During extraordinary times, one must take extraordinary actions! I hope you can understand your grandfather.¡± Whitley Leopold waved his hand, indicating Brayden Leopold to take his seat, ¡°Everyone, now I must tell you something.¡± Under the intensely expectant gazes of everyone, Whitley Leopold began, ¡°The Leopold Family has invited three great masters! The Western Swordsman, the Eastern Bay Warrior, and Master Pendleton!¡± As soon as these words were said, the conference room instantly erupted. ¡°What! The three great experts are coming out of seclusion together!¡± ¡°How could the Leopold Family fail to eliminate the Potter Family?¡± ¡°Today is our lucky day; we are fortunate to witness the strength of the three masters!¡± These three individuals were renowned throughout Five-river Province, all being hidden experts. The century-long heritage of the Leopold Family was manifested here. Many outsiders were unaware of certain things, yet the Leopold Family had a firm grasp of them. For many years, Whitley Leopold had spent a great deal of wealth to support these three individuals so that at a critical moment, they could save the Leopold Family from a crisis. ¡°Indeed! The agreement of the three masters to come out of seclusion is a great joy for our Leopold Family! We might not even need all three to take action at the same time to eliminate Julius Reed and Stanislaus Potter!¡± Whitley Leopold was very excited. The strength of these three masters was crystal clear to him. Throughout the entire Five-river Province, it would be hard to find their match! Clang! Just then, a longsword was thrust into the table. Following that, a person dressed in black entered the conference room. ¡°Old Mr. Leopold, who is the enemy? Isn¡¯t it overkill for the three of us to act together?¡± The man in black was extremely arrogant; he didn¡¯t even glance at the others. ¡°Swordsman, this person is very strong. Many of our capable men were sent, but none returned! It is indeed using a sledgehammer to crack a nut for three of us to take action together, but we had no choice. Please forgive us!¡± At this moment, Whitley Leopold showed extreme respect. ¡°No problem! We take your money and do your bidding!¡± A voice came from the entrance, followed by a samurai dressed in the attire of the island nation, with a white cloth tied around his head. ¡°Thank you all, my Leopold family¡¯s security, is entirely in your hands now!¡± Whitley Leopold bowed deeply, then with a wave of his hand, the assistant immediately projected all of Julius Reed¡¯s information onto the large screen in the conference room. Including his appearance and any other information the Leopold family could get ahold of. ¡°Such an ordinary person, I wouldn¡¯t even need to draw my sword to kill him!¡± The face of the swordsman from the west showed a trace of disdain. ¡°Exactly, I could finish him with just one finger!¡± The Eastern Bay Warrior nodded in agreement. ¡°In that case, let us get to work. In half an hour, we will present his head to you!¡± The two exchanged a glance and disappeared from the conference room like the wind. ¡°Phew!¡± Only after they had left did the people from the Leopold family in the conference room dare to breathe a sigh of relief. Too terrifying! That presence was simply the aura of death! ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, let¡¯s wait here together for the good news!¡± Whitley Leopold revealed a smile that had been missing for a long time. Meanwhile, at Pearl Waterside. ¡°Wife, why have you lost weight? Has Cosmo not been taking good care of you?¡± Julius Reed sat on the outdoor grandstand, chatting with Quella Radcliffe on video. ¡°Master! Don¡¯t talk nonsense! Though I, the great empress, have been reduced to a maid, that¡¯s not an issue! After all, I am serving the mistress, but if you say I haven¡¯t taken good care of her, I won¡¯t be happy!¡± Cosmo poked her head out from the side, pouting and looking very dissatisfied. ¡°It¡¯s nothing! Don¡¯t listen to his nonsense!¡± Quella Radcliffe said with a laugh, ¡°Julius, when are you coming back? Be careful there, I heard you¡¯ve stirred up trouble again.¡± Now that she controlled the Radcliffe Group, she also had her own channels of information. With Julius Reed causing such a stir in Five-river Province, how could others not know? ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just a little trouble! By the way, has anyone been troubling you lately?¡± What Julius Reed was most worried about now was that some Shadow Warriors might still be lurking in Gonzalez City, posing a threat to Quella Radcliffe¡¯s safety. ¡°Don¡¯t worry! Those who still dare to linger around have been thrown into the docks to feed the fish by me! You just go ahead and cause a stir over there!¡± Cosmo cut in once again. Julius Reed believed her words. Being called an empress, Cosmo¡¯s strength was naturally formidable. Dealing with some Shadow Warriors lurking in Gonzalez City was not an issue for her. ¡°Ding! ¡± Just then, a message came through. ¡°I have some matters to attend to here, I¡¯ll contact you later.¡± After reading the content of the message, Julius Reed¡¯s expression changed slightly, ¡°Okay!¡± Quella Radcliffe knew her husband well, and as soon as Julius Reed said that, she immediately hung up the call. ¡°Come out!¡± After ending the call, Julius Reed muttered to himself. ¡°Hehe, you do have some skill!¡± No sooner had his words ended than a swordsman in black leaped up, landing on the massive grandstand of Pearl Waterside.. Chapter 190 - Chapter 190: Chapter 189 Temporary Defection_l Chapter 190: Chapter 189 Temporary Defection_l Translator: 549690339 Julius Reed had already sensed the approach of the Eastern Bay Warrior. It seemed that the situation at Brayden Leopold¡¯s was quite inconvenient, which is why Black Dog had failed to deliver the news in time. But it didn¡¯t matter, for Julius Reed feared no one. With time, coupled with his intensive daily training, his abilities had greatly improved since before. Now facing an opponent like the Eastern Bay Warrior posed no difficulty at all. Whoosh! Clang! A black iron sword descended from the sky, embedding itself upright on the rooftop of Pearl-on-the-Lake. Following that, the Western Swordsman leaped onto the roof, landing behind Julius Reed. The two of them stood one in front of the other, creating a pincer attack. ¡°No need for both of us to go up together! Samurai, leave him to me!¡± The Western Swordsman laughed loudly, unhitching a flask from his belt and taking a big swig! ¡°Delicious!¡± After downing the entire flask, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve and tossed the flask aside. ¡°Meet your doom!¡± Slice! The longsword sparked as it grazed the concrete roof of Pearl-on-the-Lake. Leap! At the same time, Julius Reed made his move! He sprinted with his feet, not advancing but retreating, charging towards the Western Swordsman! Boom! In the instant they clashed, Julius Reed kicked out fiercely, his foot connecting with the wrist of the Western Swordsman! The longsword merely cut through the air, striking where Julius Reed had been moments before. Leap! Leap! Leap! The Western Swordsman stepped back, his face showing a strange expression. ¡°Recognized me?¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands clasped behind his back, asking with a chortle. ¡°My apologies!¡± The Western Swordsman narrowed his eyes and knelt on one knee. ¡°It¡¯s you! My previous actions were offensive, please punish me!¡± In that moment, the previously unruly Western Swordsman spoke with surprising respect. ¡°Lucan Davenport. What game are you playing? To kneel before your enemy! I¡¯m utterly disappointed in you!¡± The Eastern Bay Warrior, upon witnessing this scene, furrowed his brows in confusion. Although they had not known each other long, they understood each other¡¯s character quite well. Both were proud due to their martial prowess, but now, seeing the Western Swordsman kneeling, he felt an indescribable shock. The disparity in their strength couldn¡¯t be that vast, could it? Just one round, and the swordsman conceded? ¡°Worthless!¡± he cursed angrily, drawing his katana and charging towards Julius And just then, the kneeling Western Swordsman suddenly rose, his longsword whistling towards the Eastern Bay Warrior! Clang! As blade met blade, both men took a step back! ¡°What are you doing!¡± the Eastern Bay Warrior asked with a darkened face, extremely displeased. They were supposed to fight together against the enemy, and now one was betraying their side, what did that make of the situation? ¡°Don¡¯t forget, we¡¯ve taken money from the Leopold Family! If you take the money but don¡¯t do the job, do you no longer care for your reputation?¡± The Eastern Bay Warrior asked with a grim face, ¡°Lucan Davenport, I hope you don¡¯t make me lose respect for you!¡± If they really came to blows, he would essentially be facing two-on-one! Although Julius Reed had only made a move once earlier, the Eastern Bay Warrior knew full well the strength contained within. He still had confidence in himself in a one-on-one fight, but if it were truly two-on-one, he feared¡­ With this thought in mind, he was even less willing to engage with Lucan Davenport. ¡°Do you know who the person behind me is?¡± Lucan Davenport, faced with the Eastern Bay Warrior¡¯s mockery, showed no sign of anger, but instead spoke with a smile, ¡°The reason I was able to make a name for myself back in the day was all thanks to this gentleman¡¯s guidance!¡± ¡°Gentleman?¡± The Eastern Bay Warrior couldn¡¯t help but frown, ¡°You refer to him as ¡®gentleman¡¯?¡± In their world, the title ¡®gentleman¡¯ was the utmost respect one could show to another person. Even surpassing one¡¯s own master! Yet now, the Western Swordsman was actually calling Julius Reed ¡®gentleman¡¯! ¡°Exactly! So if you want to kill him, you¡¯ll have to do it over my dead body!¡± Lucan Davenport¡¯s lips curled into a smile as he caressed his longsword, ¡°But, I¡¯ll have to kill you as well! Anyone who tries to harm him must die!¡± Twenty years ago, Lucan Davenport was just a wandering youth, holding a wooden sword every day, fantasizing about being a hero like in the martial arts novels ¨C righteous and upholding justice to support the good of the world. But in the end, he had to bow to the most basic needs of warmth and sustenance. By chance, he rescued a woman during a robbery, but he himself was severely injured, and the woman fled in panic, leaving Lucan Davenport alone in the alley waiting for death. But he had no regrets, feeling that if he could do it all over again, he would still lend a hand to save someone. So, as he was about to leave this world, a young face appeared in his blurry vision, and he was asked, ¡°Do you truly wish to become a swordsman?¡± Thus, five years later, Lucan Davenport, wielding an iron sword, became the Western Swordsman! He was feared by all evil forces. The reason he affiliated himself with the Leopold Family was to use their power and influence to find the very same Julius Reed who had helped him before. Although supported by the Leopold Family for so many years, he never once made a move. It wasn¡¯t until he saw a picture of Julius Reed that something stirred in his heart, prompting him to come out of seclusion! Time had passed, but that man still looked as young as ever. It was only when Julius Reed executed that kick, a move often used while training Lucan Davenport, that he knew he had finally found that person! ¡°Now, draw your sword!¡± Lucan Davenport laughed heartily, shouting, ¡°Gentleman, let¡¯s see if I¡¯ve lived up to your expectations!¡± Schwaa! The mighty longsword split the air, hurtling straight towards the Eastern Bay Warrior! ¡°Lucan Davenport, you¡¯re courting death!¡± Clink! The Eastern Bay Warrior frowned deeply, with no choice but to steel himself to receive the strike! The immense impact caused both men to take a step back. ¡°You hid your true strength?¡± The Eastern Bay Warrior asked in shock. Previously, when they had sparred, the difference in their strengths wasn¡¯t significant! But now, he suddenly found that Lucan Davenport¡¯s power had increased by thirty percent! That one strike sent a numbing pain through his palms! This meant that throughout their time together, Lucan Davenport had never revealed his true strength! ¡°See you when fate allows!¡± A wise man knows when to retreat, and the Eastern Bay Warrior decided to make a hasty exit! But if he wanted to leave, how could Lucan Davenport let him escape? Whoosh! The longsword, accompanied by a howling wind, sliced straight down! ¡°This is too much!¡± Feeling a cold wind rising behind him, the Eastern Bay Warrior had no choice but to turn around and wildly swing his katana! This was his special technique, River-Wind Slash! Clink! Clink! Clink! The katana¡¯s relentless strikes unexpectedly forced Lucan Davenport back for the first time! Seizing this opportunity, the Eastern Bay Warrior leapt down from the dozens of stories of the ¡°Pearl Over the Water,¡± his katana sparking against the building¡¯s wall as he descended! ¡°No need to chase him! Let him go back!¡± Julius Reed stopped Lucan Davenport and said with a smile, ¡°If he wants to leave, he¡¯ll have to lose a layer of skin!¡± The Eastern Bay Warrior, originally plummeting wildly from the tenth floor, suddenly flipped backward as he approached a window! A dagger, still wet with blood, protruded from the position of the window. Splat! The Eastern Bay Warrior plummeted rapidly from the tenth floor, then rolled awkwardly on the ground before quickly vanishing from everyone¡¯s sight.. Chapter 191 - Chapter 191: Chapter 190 Elize Yarrow’s Predicament_1 Chapter 191: Chapter 190 Elize Yarrow¡¯s Predicament_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡®Who is that?¡± Seeing the figure wielding a knife at the window, Lucan Davenport was somewhat puzzled. Such precise technique clearly did not belong to an ordinary person. Could it be that this building harbored hidden masters, other strong fighters? However, given Julius Reed¡¯s strength, having a few helpers by his side was normal. ¡°Red Widow, the one who almost took out Atlas Leopold before.¡± Julius Reed replied indifferently. Although she was no match for him, Red Widow¡¯s capabilities were not to be underestimated. ¡°Is it that crazy woman who stormed the Leopold villa alone with a gun?¡± Lucan Davenport raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°She couldn¡¯t possibly kill Atlas Leopold. I was in that villa at the time. Even though I wouldn¡¯t help the Leopold Family now, back then, if Atlas had been in danger, I definitely would have intervened.¡± As he spoke, his confidence returned. On the day Red Widow attacked, he was on the second floor of the Leopold villa. At that time, the Leopold Family had not yet asked for their help, and Lucan didn¡¯t know that Julius had a grudge against the Leopold Family. So he wouldn¡¯t stand by and watch someone die. ¡°If she heard you say that, the two of you would probably end up fighting.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly and did not deny Lucan¡¯s words. In terms of strength, Red Widow was indeed no match for Lucan, and there was a significant gap between them. Even the Eastern Bay Warrior, who had just fled, had always hidden his true power. He knew well that he was no match for the two, so he simply chose to escape. Experts usually do this¡ªthey aren¡¯t foolish enough to embrace death. ¡°Ding! ¡± Just then, Julius Reed¡¯s phone suddenly rang. ¡°Big brother, Elize Yarrow is here, causing a scene downstairs with her friends!¡± Miguel Abbott¡¯s urgent voice came through the phone. ¡°Tell her to come out! Just say I¡¯m pregnant! That bastard better not think he can hide!¡± Before he could finish, Elize Yarrow¡¯s sharp voice was heard. ¡°Hey! Wait a minute, I really don¡¯t know where Mr. Reed is!¡± Miguel about was extremely helpless. If it weren¡¯t for his consideration of Julius Reed, Elize Yarrow? He would have had her thrown out long ago! The Yarrow Family meant nothing to him, let alone a woman. But so far, Julius Reed had not clarified the relationship between the two, which gave him a headache! To drive her away or not? After some thought, Miguel Abbott decided to ask for instructions. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m coming down right away!¡± Julius Reed frowned slightly, putting aside the fact that nothing had happened between them, even if it had, how could there be a pregnancy after just a few days? Wasn¡¯t this just nonsensical? ¡°Big brother, are you in trouble?¡± Lucan Davenport, having slung his iron sword over his back, came over to inquire. He was not ignorant of world affairs. After learning about Julius Reed¡¯s situation, Lucan had used the resources on his phone to find out information about him. This investigation was worrisome¡ªhe discovered his own guide had offended all the influential figures of Five-river Province! But on reflection, he understood. How could such a domineering and high-profile person not have enemies? ¡°Just a woman, but indeed a trouble!¡± Julius Reed waved his long sleeves, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go down and take a look!¡± He¡¯d protected Elize Yarrow before because he had used her to humiliate Atlas Leopold. Thus, he couldn¡¯t just watch her die. Now that the Leopold Family was in trouble themselves, the entire Five-river Province, after decades of stability, was once again entering a state of chaos. The Yarrow family, being such a small clan, naturally went unnoticed by most. Therefore, Julius Reed had already stopped bothering with Elize Yarrow, having done all that was right and proper , without owing her anything. Soon, the elevator arrived on the first floor. Just as Julius stepped out of the elevator, he saw Miguel Abbott coming towards him. ¡°Mr. Reed, something¡¯s not right. Elize Yarrow, against her usual behavior, is causing a ruckus nonstop. And there are several men around her who don¡¯t look like good company.¡± Miguel Abbott, being a prominent businessman, instantly recognized the underlying situation. ¡°Good!¡± Julius nodded his head and instructed him, ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, she seems to have a good friend called Simeon Kensington. Help me look up the phone number for this Simeon Kensington and find out if she knows anything about Elize Yarrow¡¯s situation.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± With a wave of his hand, Miguel¡¯s bodyguards immediately scattered to gather information. ¡°Miss Yarrow, what do you need me for?¡± Julius strode over and greeted Elize Yarrow from a distance. At the same time, he noticed the men around Elize Yarrow, who were watching him warily, radiating a murderous aura. It wasn¡¯t just the three men sitting by Elize Yarrow; taking into account others lurking in the restaurant, there were a total of seven! ¡°Scumbag, you dare to toy with me and then abandon me!¡± But from beginning to end, she dared not take a step. ¡°Is there a matter? If you¡¯ve come just to hurl insults, then I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯ll have to show you out!¡± Julius said, sitting nonchalantly in the chair across from her. If anyone else witnessed this scene, they would surely think of him as a genuine scumbag. It was clear that he was the type to pull up his pants and not recognize a person afterward, callously turning his back on them! ¡°What¡­ can I possibly have to say to you! I¡¯m just leaving and wanted to say goodbye before I go. Later, when the baby is born and looking for you, at least you¡¯ll know he is your own flesh and blood!¡± Elize Yarrow¡¯s tone carried a hint of sorrow. It was evident that she was indeed sad. ¡°Mr. Reed, I¡¯ve got through to Simeon Kensington! She says Elize Yarrow¡¯s father sold his own daughter to Irving Harris!¡± Miguel Abbott quietly whispered into Julius¡¯s ear, detailing the situation. ¡°Irving¡­¡± ¡°Irving Harris is a notorious human trafficker in Five-river Province, infamous, but very powerful! If taken by him, it¡¯s almost certain she will be sent abroad and might never return.¡± Seeing Julius¡¯s lack of understanding, Miguel hurriedly explained. Julius tapped his fingers on the tabletop, starting to think things through slowly. It appeared that Elize Yarrow had come here seeking help from him. Or perhaps, to say farewell? The saying goes that even a tiger won¡¯t eat its cubs, yet the Yarrow family members were heartless enough! ¡°The Yarrow family fears retribution from the Leopold Family and decided to hand over Elize Yarrow to Irving Harris, hoping to sever ties with their own daughter.¡± Miguel relayed all the information he had obtained. ¡°Don¡¯t look so wronged. If you don¡¯t want to go, then don¡¯t. There are so many rooms here, why not just stay?¡± After knowing the full story, Julius slammed the table and pointed at Elize Yarrow, ¡°Stay and focus on your pregnancy!¡± His words made the men accompanying her restless. Previously, having pleaded bitterly and offering several hundred thousand of her own savings to them, Elize Yarrow secured an opportunity to meet with the father of her unborn child. But now, someone was actually stopping Elize Yarrow from leaving? ¡°No need, take good care of yourself!¡± A glimmer of surprise, followed by disappointment and helplessness, flashed in Elize Yarrow¡¯s eyes. Irving Harris was too formidable; she didn¡¯t want to cause any trouble for Julius. ¡°I said stay, so stay! What¡¯s with the dithering? Julius waved his hand: ¡°Go, take her upstairs!¡± Chapter 192 - Chapter 192: Chapter 191 Conquest_l Chapter 192: Chapter 191 Conquest_l Translator: 549690339 Julius Reed¡¯s words had just left his mouth when the bodyguards of Water Pearl immediately stepped forward, intending to bring Elize Yarrow over to him. But the man beside Elize Yarrow had already stood up in advance, blocking the path of these bodyguards. Others also began to converge on this spot, their expressions unfriendly. ¡°Brother, what do you mean?¡± A tattooed youth, bare-chested, revealed a white tiger tattoo on his chest, frowning as he looked at Julius Reed. His face and tone revealed arrogance. Irving Harris kept a low profile in Five-river Province, after all, his business was not something people could see. But that didn¡¯t mean his strength wasn¡¯t formidable. If one were to rank based on ability, Irving Harris would definitely make it into the top five. It was just that he disliked showing off, so not many knew of his influence. ¡°She¡¯s carrying my child, I want to keep her. What, got a problem?¡± Julius Reed looked back at the youth with an equally disdainful gaze. ¡°What rubbish, you think you can talk to me like this.¡± He shook his head and turned, preparing to leave. In Octavius¡¯ industry, if a few people couldn¡¯t settle the matter, then he might as well go home and rear pigs. ¡°Say that again, stop right there!¡± The man appeared very irritable. Used to strutting around, today¡¯s mockery by you definitely stuck in his throat. At his shout, the employees immediately stood up. A few directly overturned the tables, their faces vicious. ¡°Everybody stay put!¡± Just then, Allen came over with his people, and seeing the mess in front of him, he asked sharply, ¡°Who did this?¡± ¡°Your grandfather I!¡± The tattooed youth walked up to Allen, prodding him in the chest, ¡°I¡¯m handling things here, and you dare to meddle?¡± ¡°Davonte Cook?¡± Upon hearing this name, Allen frowned. One of Irving Harris¡¯ men, indeed one of the few most favored employees, was indeed a bit troublesome. ¡°You know me? If you do, then scram! Don¡¯t get in my way of handling things!¡± Seeing Allen hesitate for a moment, Davonte Cook muttered impatiently, making a move to push him aside to settle the score with Julius Reed. But how could Allen possibly dodge? That was a big shot, even Octavius couldn¡¯t afford to offend him! Steeled himself, he stood in front of the youth, ¡°This gentleman is a distinguished guest of our hotel, you can¡¯t be reckless!¡± If Davonte Cook was really allowed to go past, he might as well pack up and leave. ¡°Haha! Interesting! All highbrows here in this hotel! I¡¯ve been swaggering around Five-river Province for so many years, and today I¡¯ve actually come across two who dare to stand up to me!¡± Davonte Cook laughed aloud and pointed at Allen, yelling, ¡°You¡¯re really asking for it! Fine, today I¡¯ll indulge you!¡± A cold expression washed over his face, and his right hand swiftly aimed a slap! This slap had a lot of force behind it; if it connected, bloodshed would be inevitable! But Allen, being Octavius¡¯ personal bodyguard, certainly had some exceptional skills. The instant Davonte Cook made his move, Allen directly caught the slap and kicked forward with his right foot! Thump! Davonte Cook, caught off guard, fell straight to the ground, cursing, ¡°You¡¯re all dead meat today!¡± His words had barely faded when his associates immediately charged forward! Some among them were indeed experts, and they instantly took down those ordinary bodyguards! Two people grappled with Allen, while the rest went directly towards Julius Reed. And the injured Davonte Cook also dragged a chair along, walking viciously towards Julius Reed. ¡°Waste him!¡± After wiping the blood from his mouth, Davonte Cook swung the chair in his hand viciously! Crack! A cold light flashed, and Lucan Davenport¡¯s Longsword was drawn, cutting the chair in two! The next moment, the sword¡¯s edge was pressed against his throat. ¡°You want to die?¡± Lucan Davenport laughed and asked. ¡°I¡¯m telling you¡­¡± Just as Davonte Cook was about to threaten, before he could finish his words, the sword in Lucan Davenport¡¯s hand had already moved an inch closer. ¡°My patience is limited. If you want to die, just say it. Don¡¯t waste my time!¡± After he finished speaking, he applied even more pressure! ¡°No! Brother, let¡¯s talk this out nicely!¡± Davonte Cook shelved his sharpness and begged, somewhat fearfully. He was now very clear that he was at a disadvantage. What he needed to do was to leave this place as quickly as possible. Once he returned to his stronghold, he would bring all his brothers, and no one would be able to escape! ¡°Oh! Then kneel down and apologize.¡± Lucan Davenport said casually. ¡°This¡­¡± Davonte Cook¡¯s eyes darted around, seemingly weighing the pros and cons. ¡°I¡¯ve said it before, my patience is limited!¡± Lucan Davenport narrowed his eyes, frightening Davonte Cook until his scalp tingled. ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll kneel!¡± He fell to his knees with a thud, but inwardly, he silently vowed to cripple these men! When had he ever suffered such humiliation? ¡°Sing ¡®Conquered.¡±¡® Lucan Davenport licked his lips and dragged over a chair, sitting down in front of Davonte Cook. ¡°Fine!¡± Davonte Cook¡¯s mouth twitched, but he dared not retort. After all, Lucan Davenport¡¯s patience was limited. Since he had already knelt, what was singing a song? ¡°I was conquered like this by you¡­¡± The others turned their heads away, unable to bear witness to the scene. Even Davonte Cook¡¯s employees were holding back, for fear they might burst out laughing. After the song was over, Lucan Davenport turned around and looked at Julius Reed, asking, ¡°Big brother, how should we handle this?¡± ¡°Deal with that scum however you see fit,¡± came the response. Having said that, Julius Reed turned and walked inside. Elize Yarrow was no fool, naturally seeing that Julius Reed was willing to help her, so she quickly followed him. Davonte Cook wanted to stop them but didn¡¯t know what to do! After all, the sword was still at his throat. ¡°Scram! All of you crawl out of here, or else¡­¡± Before Lucan Davenport could finish, those guys were already nodding quickly, ¡°Understood ! ¡± Under the leadership of Davonte Cook, they crawled out like dogs, quickly scurrying to the door, then sprinted onto the jeep and roared away. At that time, there were still many customers inside the Pearl on the Water. Seeing this spectacle, everyone burst out laughing. After fleeing from the Pearl on the Water, Davonte Cook sat in the back seat of the jeep, and said viciously, ¡°Call the brothers immediately, surround the Pearl on the Water! I don¡¯t want a single person to escape!¡± He had made up his mind to teach these people a lesson! ¡°Big brother, about the boss¡­ after all, the Pearl on the Water is Miguel Abbott¡¯s property. Should we first consult with big brother?¡± One of his subordinates voiced a concern. Surrounding the Pearl on the Water was akin to slapping Miguel Abbott across the face. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll let big brother know! How could Miguel Abbott be oblivious to such a commotion?! Since he¡¯s playing dumb, he can¡¯t blame us brothers for not showing respect!¡± Davonte Cook was arrogant by nature. Plus, with the ongoing discord between his boss, Irving Harris, and Miguel Abbott, conflicts had long been brewing. This time, he could use this opportunity to seek revenge for his boss. And while he was at it, capture Elize Yarrow once more and give her a good torture! Chapter 193 - Chapter 193: Chapter 192: Surrounding the Building_l Chapter 193: Chapter 192: Surrounding the Building_l Translator: 549690339 Five-river Province, the Eight-in-One Villa Complex! This place was Irving Harris¡¯s headquarters, as well as his usual residence. The sprawling villa complex, spanning several square kilometers, was heavily guarded. Day and night, any approaching vehicles or people would be driven away! Because the nature of his business was disreputable, Irving Harris cared deeply about his personal safety. At this moment, inside the teahouse of the Eight-in-One, two people were playing chess. ¡°I lose! Brother Irving, your chess skills are still formidable. I¡¯m thoroughly convinced by my defeat!¡± Cesar Pendleton chuckled wryly, conceding the game by tossing in his piece. ¡°Little brother, you¡¯re just letting me win! ¡± Irving Harris smiled as he picked up his teacup and sipped lightly, ¡°Brother Cesar, what brings you to me this time?¡± Cesar Pendleton had a decent relationship with Irving Harris. Over the years, the two of them often played chess together and discussed the situation in Five-river Province. Although Irving Harris was different from those high-profile bosses and even seemed overly low-key, his ambition was in no way inferior to theirs! ¡°To tell you the truth, Brother Irving must be aware of the recent chaos in Five-river Province, right?¡± Cesar Pendleton got straight to the point, studying Irving Harris as he spoke. ¡°Indeed! With such a commotion, it seems it would be even harder not to Imow! ¡± Irving Harris nodded. Lately, Five-river Province was stirring with activity, and the region that had been quiet for decades seemed to be on the verge of great change. How could he miss this opportunity? Although he rarely dealt with those big shots, Irving Harris¡¯s determination to reach the top of Five-river Province was not a bit less intense than theirs! People looked down on the dirty business Irving Harris was involved in, but he similarly despised their hypocritical airs. ¡°To be honest!¡± Cesar Pendleton chuckled wryly, looking a bit troubled, ¡°I recently took a big fall in Gonzalez City! Because of a woman, I was beaten!¡± He furrowed his brow, speaking grimly, ¡°I thought that would be the end of it. But who would have known that the person who beat me came here. I wanted to get even, but then Miguel Abbott stuck his nose into it!¡± ¡°Miguel Abbott?¡± Irving Harris frowned, ¡°What does he have to do with this? He¡¯s really reaching too far!¡± The two men had past grievances. So the moment Irving Harris heard the name Miguel Abbott, he became serious. ¡°That young man, somehow, he got involved with Miguel Abbott! Now with Miguel backing him, it¡¯s difficult for me to deal with him!¡± Cesar Pendleton gritted his teeth, ¡°I must get revenge for this indignity!¡± Being forced to lick shoes, especially in front of so many of his own employees. How could he swallow such an affront? Just then, Irving Harris¡¯s phone suddenly rang. After answering, he quickly hung up. ¡°Little brother, you¡¯ve come at the right time!¡± Irving Harris smiled at Cesar Pendleton, ¡°My men have already surrounded Pearl on the Water! You want revenge, right? Come with me, and I guarantee we¡¯ll make the Abbotts hand him over!¡± He leaned on his cane and rose from his chair, and immediately employees came over to assist him. This was an old injury from when he started his rise to power, with his leg broken by an assailant! And the person who did it was none other than Miguel Abbott¡¯s brother, Benjamin Abbott. After Irving Harris rose in power, he retaliated by crippling both of Benjamin¡¯s legs. And so their enmity was formed. ¡°Brother Irving, you¡¯re going to confront him directly?¡± Cesar Pendleton was astonished. Are they going to go to war just like that? ¡°Isn¡¯t that a bit too ruthless?¡± He had originally intended to win over Irving Harris to put some pressure on Miguel Abbott. Who would have known Irving Harris would go as far as to directly surround Miguel Abbott¡¯s stronghold with his men. ¡°Miguel Abbott, what¡¯s he got?¡± With a light snort, Irving Harris limped towards the villa¡¯s main entrance. ¡°Good!¡± A gleam flashed in Cesar Pendleton¡¯s eyes, ¡°Then I shall join Brother Harris in this endeavor!¡± Having said that, he pulled out his phone and called his employees. ¡°Cut the crap! If the sky falls, I will hold it up, get over here now!¡± After hanging up the phone, Cesar Pendleton laughed out loud, ¡°Mr. Abbott, did you expect this? It¡¯s your turn today!¡± Irving Harris¡¯s strength was greater than that of Miguel Abbott. Previously, since Five-river Province was extremely stable, no one dared to take the risk of offending the big families by making the first move. Especially Irving Harris, whose unique methods were shunned by all the Bosses in Five-river Province. Including the Leopold Family and the Potter Family, all considered his business as something not fit for public display! But now, with Five-river Province in chaos, who could afford to worry about so much? ¡°Brother, something bad has happened!¡± While dealing with business in his office, Miguel Abbott looked up impatiently at the panicking Allen: ¡°How many times have I told you not to panic when something happens He put aside his work and looked up, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Boss, Davonte Cook is outside with his men. They¡¯ve smashed the front door of our hotel and are causing a commotion!¡± Allen swallowed, his forehead dotted with sweat. ¡°What are you all doing! If someone dares to cause trouble here, take them down for me!¡± Upon hearing that someone dared to stir up trouble at his very stronghold, Miguel Abbott¡¯s anger flared immediately! Such a loss of face! ¡°Boss, it¡¯s not that we don¡¯t want to, but these people are elite; our men can¡¯t withstand them!¡± Allen¡¯s expression showed difficulty. They came in directly and started trashing the place without saying a word¡ª who could stand that? ¡°What does Irving Harris want!¡± Miguel Abbott stood up, his face full of grave concern. With more than five hundred people, this was undoubtedly Irving Harris¡¯s doing. The two had long been at odds with each other. With hostilities at hand, he had to think carefully. ¡°How many of our people are left at the Pearl on the Water?¡± He inquired aloud. ¡°Fifty! ¡± Allen said anxiously, ¡°Our people are too scattered; it is very difficult to assemble them in a short time!¡± The Abbott Family did not just have this one property, so their personnel were more dispersed. Besides, with no preparation, where could they instantly gather so many people? It was clear that the opponent had come prepared to catch them off guard! ¡°People have already rushed to the elevator; they¡¯re trying to get up, and we can hardly stop them!¡± Just then, shouts and the sound of shattering glass came through Allen¡¯s walkie-talkie. ¡°Cut the power immediately!¡± Miguel Abbott pointed at Allen, ¡°Now call people for me, rush over here as fast as possible, as many as you can get!¡± He could no longer care about anything else; it was clear that they were targeting him specifically. Now he was on the 28th floor; it would take some time for those people to climb the stairs. Moreover, climbing stairs was exhausting, which could buy him a little more time. Miguel Abbott walked to the bedside, unable to help but inhale sharply. Irving Harris clearly had come prepared to catch him off guard! But before he could regain his composure, Cesar Pendleton drove up to the building again.. Chapter 194 - Chapter 194: Chapter 193 Irving Harris Visits_l Chapter 194: Chapter 193 Irving Harris Visits_l Translator: 549690339 One Irving Harris was enough of a headache for Miguel Abbott, and now with Cesar Pendleton, it became an even bigger problem. ¡°Quick! Take me to see Mr. Reed!¡± In his urgency, Miguel Abbott thought of Julius Reed who was still inside the Pearl on the Water, and he immediately felt a bit more confident. Whatever the case, this was his last straw! ¡°Yes!¡± Several bodyguards turned around and immediately led him upstairs. Since the electricity had been cut off, the elevator was completely sealed off, and so Miguel Abbott had to take the stairs with his men. Shortly after, they arrived at the door of Julius Reed¡¯s room. Taking a deep breath, Miguel Abbott knocked on the door. Soon after, Elize Yarrow opened the door from inside and invited them in. Julius Reed was sitting next to the table, leisurely sipping tea. ¡°Mr. Reed, we¡¯ve got a big problem! Irving Harris and Cesar Pendleton¡­¡± Before he could finish, Julius Reed interrupted, ¡°I saw everything from upstairs.¡± ¡°Then¡­ then what do you think we should do about this?¡± Miguel Abbott was somewhat anxious. Before, when all parties kept each other in check, Irving Harris and the like weren¡¯t as brazen as they are now. But now, the Leopold Family was preoccupied with their own issues, and the Potter Family was also drawn into the struggle, making all the major factions in Five-river Province hesitant. The previously scorned Irving Harris had transformed into the most powerful boss. ¡°Let¡¯s go down and meet them!¡± Julius Reed stood up and, after straightening his clothes, walked towards the door. ¡°Absolutely not!¡± Miguel Abbott immediately blocked him, ¡°Mr. Reed, they¡¯ve surrounded this place, partly wanting me to give in and cede some interests. The other matter, I fear, is that they¡¯ve come for revenge against you! There¡¯s no need to go into detail about the animosity between you and Cesar Pendleton.¡± Pointing outside the door he said, ¡°Neither Cesar Pendleton nor Irving Harris are good news; their collaboration surely targets you!¡± When he saw Cesar Pendleton make an entrance, he knew there was nothing simple about this matter. Truth be told, when Julius Reed humiliated Cesar Pendleton back in the day, he had considered intervening to prevent it. Among these people, Cesar Pendleton had always been a rogue, acting unpredictably and being sinister and vicious. And now, as expected, he was taking advantage of the situation to loot in the midst of chaos while Irving Harris caused trouble. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid, what are you afraid of?¡± Julius Reed gently pushed him aside and strode toward the elevator, ¡°Take me down.¡± ¡°This¡­¡¯ The bodyguards were uncertain what to do for a moment. ¡°Do as he says!¡± Miguel Abbott steeled his nerves and followed behind Julius Reed, ¡°If Mr. Reed insists on going down, I will risk my life to accompany him!¡± After speaking, he gestured, and the bodyguards immediately called the elevator. Julius Reed did not say anything. It was a simple matter, and it was far from a life-and-death situation. The descent of the elevator was swift, and without any interruptions on the way down due to the control room¡¯s operation, it reached the ground floor directly. ¡°You still have the guts to come down?¡± Davonte Cook raised an eyebrow at Julius Reed, a malicious smile playing on his lips. After having been mixed up with Irving Harris for so long, he had never been beaten by anyone. Moreover, suffering such humiliation today was worse than death for him! So Davonte Cook had sworn long ago that today he would make Julius Reed wish he were dead! Now that the latter had delivered himself into his hands, Davonte Cook licked his lips and strode over, ¡°Tell me, how do you want to die?¡± His face was adorned with a contented smile, as if avenging a great wrong and already envisioning Julius Reed begging on his knees, writhing in agony. Smack! Without a second word, Julius Reed slapped him across the face, sending the once haughty Davonte Cook tumbling to the ground. With so many standing behind him, it never occurred to Davonte Cook that he could be on the receiving end of a slap! Taken completely by surprise, he lay on the ground, his head buzzing, unable to recover his wits for a long time. The other employees stepped forward but didn¡¯t dare to make a move. Boss Abbott, standing to one side, was dripping with cold sweat, his heart in his throat. This was Davonte Cook! The Davonte Cook who had hundreds of men at his back! When there were just a few men before, a fight would have been a fight, as after all, he was just a dog belonging to one of Irving Harris¡¯s employees. But now, with overwhelming manpower, it clearly wasn¡¯t the time to show off bravado. As expected, after being helped up from the ground by his employees, Davonte Cook wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said viciously, ¡°Kill him for me!¡± ¡°Hold on! I am Miguel Abbott!¡± At this point, it was no longer possible for Miguel Abbott to stay out of it. ¡°You?¡± Davonte Cook eyed the middle-aged man before him, asking, ¡°You¡¯re Miguel Abbott?¡± Abbott?¡± Irving Harris¡¯s employees were unlike others; they didn¡¯t care who held power in Five-river Province but rather focused on how to make big money. Being none too scrupulous themselves, and backed by Irving Harris, they acted even more rampantly. They didn¡¯t care who you were; provocation meant insane retaliation! Irving Harris obviously condoned such behavior, and would even take matters into his own hands if his employees couldn¡¯t handle a situation. It was for this reason that Irving Harris¡¯s faction had a notorious reputation. ¡°Indeed! I, the humble one, am Miguel Abbott! Davonte Cook, after all, I hold a position equal to your boss¡¯s, and now you¡¯ve surrounded my hotel with men¡ª what is this supposed to mean?¡± In the group, rank mattered. In a strict sense, Davonte Cook truly wasn¡¯t qualified to speak with Miguel Abbott. He was, after all, just an employee of Irving Harris¡¯s, and under normal circumstances, would never have had the chance to meet with Miguel Abbott. But the situation was different now, wasn¡¯t it? With his own men surrounding them, why should he be afraid? ¡°Boss Abbott! That¡¯s not very sportsmanlike of you!¡± Davonte Cook sized up Miguel Abbott, snorted coldly and said, ¡°When he hit me just now, you just stood there watching! What¡¯s that supposed to mean? Enjoying the sight of me being beaten up? I may not be a big shot, but I won¡¯t let myself be bullied like this! Let me be straight with you¡ªI¡¯m not buying what you¡¯re selling today, Boss Abbott!¡± Remembering how he had just been humiliated, with Miguel Abbott standing by doing nothing, Davonte Cook¡¯s anger flared up even more. But Miguel Abbott could only be spoken to by his own boss, so he had to swallow his anger. As for Julius Reed, he had no such reservations. ¡°Finish him off now! Anyone who dares to stop me will end up the same!¡± Davonte Cook extended his hand, and immediately an employee handed him a club. But just at that moment, a commotion arose at the door. ¡°The boss is here!¡± No one knew who shouted, but everyone turned in unison to look behind themselves. At the entryway of the Pearl on the Water, a middle-aged man in black clothes slowly approached, leaning on a cane, wearing dark sunglasses, and sporting a goatee, surrounded by a crowd of bodyguards. ¡°Irving Harris?¡± Upon seeing the newcomer, Miguel Abbott swallowed, whispering anxiously into Julius Reed¡¯s ear, ¡°That¡¯s Brother Elias Cook, Irving Harris. He¡¯s not a good person, and he¡¯s capricious.. You must be careful!¡± Chapter 195 - Chapter 195: Chapter 194 The Price of a Slap_1 Chapter 195: Chapter 194 The Price of a Slap_1 Translator: 549690339 In his early years, Irving Harris¡¯s business was anything but glorious, but after expanding over the years, he became much more restrained and no longer ran afoul of the law. However, many still believed he was involved in his old trades, while in truth, Irving Harris had accumulated substantial resources and was now involved in various industries, far from the person he once was. With the Leopold Family recently taking a hit, Irving Harris¡¯s major concern had been eliminated, and he was free from any further worries! After lying low for decades, he could finally raise his eyebrows and breathe easily, making a bona fide appearance among the people. Leaning on a gold-inlaid cane, Irving Harris approached unhurriedly, emanating a murderous aura. Even from a distance, Miguel Abbott couldn¡¯t help but feel an immense pressure weighing down on his heart. He knew very well that today¡¯s events were no coincidence! Rather, they were the culmination of Irving Harris¡¯s long-premeditated plan! And today¡¯s events would, in all likelihood, not end well. ¡°Abbott Brother, long time no see!¡± After entering the Aqua Pearl, Irving Harris outstretched his hand, and immediately an employee pushed a wheelchair over to him. Sitting down, he turned to Miguel Abbott with a very natural smile on his face. ¡°01¡ä Bro Irving, it¡¯s been many years, but you¡¯re still as robust as ever!¡± Miguel Abbott also quickly stood up and responded with a joking smile. Although the atmosphere was as tense as drawn bows and ready crossbows, the two appeared more like old friends catching up after many years. ¡°Indeed! I know many are eager to see me dead, and Abbott Brother, you¡¯re one of them, ¡± Pointing at Miguel Abbott with a shake of his head and a chuckle, Irving Harris continued, ¡°But alas, I¡¯m only growing stronger with time, and have even become the nightmare of some.¡± His gaze suddenly turned icy cold. It might be a good time to settle the scores that had accumulated between them over the years. ¡°What are you saying, Ol¡¯ Bro Irving! I truly wish you live a long and prosperous life,¡± Miguel Abbott¡¯s heart skipped a beat, but he kept up a welcoming smile. He certainly hoped for Irving Harris¡¯s death, for the grudge between them was beyond reconciliation! Even after so many years, each was still seeking revenge. ¡°We¡¯ll settle our matters slowly today! But I heard that your friend hit one of my employees, and I need to inquire about that first,¡± Irving Harris pointed to Davonte Cook and asked coldly, ¡°Cook, who did it?¡± When reporting the incident, Davonte Cook did not hide anything and recounted the details thoroughly. As his employee, Irving Harris naturally wanted to stand up for Davonte Cook. It also served to inform everyone that whoever dared to make life difficult for his employees would end up like this! ¡°Brother, it was him!¡± Davonte Cook wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, the imprint of a slap apparent on his face. ¡°What happened! ¡± Seeing the fresh injury on Davonte Cook¡¯s face, Irving Harris asked as he wheeled himself over, ¡°Who did this!¡± ¡°Brother, I¡¯ve embarrassed you! I wasn¡¯t prepared, and that bastard hit me again!¡± Davonte Cook¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment as he spoke. To show up with five hundred people to settle scores, only to be beaten again! Where could he put his face? Does he have no sense of shame? ¡°Huh! Interesting!¡± Irving Harris let out a cold chuckle, looking at Julius Reed: ¡®Young man, you sure are arrogant!¡± After sizing him up, contempt flashed in his eyes. With such arrogance at a young age, he must be some rich second generation or a distant relative of Octavius. Accustomed to wielding Octavius¡¯s influence and causing trouble, but today, he had met his match! Irving Harris was naturally aware of the recent turmoil in Five-river Province. But he was arrogant by nature and had not paid much attention to this young man. Thus, he was unaware that the youth standing before him was the one stirring up chaos in Five-river Province! ¡°You think you¡¯re worthy of speaking to me like this?¡± Julius Reed walked with his hands clasped behind his back, his face betraying no trace of fear. On the contrary, the disdain in his eyes was even greater than Irving Harris¡¯s! This made the long-established Irving Harris feel very uncomfortable. ¡°Irving, this man is my friend! Whatever the case, I hope you can grant me this favor. Let¡¯s put today¡¯s incident aside for now, you name your price, and as long as I, Miguel Abbott, can afford it, I won¡¯t say no!¡± Miguel Abbott stood in front of Julius Reed, his heartbeat quickening. From the incident of giving money to Julius Reed initially, it was clear that Miguel Abbott was a thorough businessman. If he could maximize his profit, he did not mind taking some losses. As long as he could get through today safely and be on guard afterward, spending a lot of money was worth it! He had been caught off guard today, he would be willing to lose money to avert disaster. ¡°Ha! Abbott Brother, you are indeed a businessman, never straying from your trade. Look at the injury on my brother¡¯s face, a billion per slap, isn¡¯t that a fair price?¡± Irving Harris raised his eyebrows, inwardly feeling some admiration for Miguel Abbott. Many people, including Cesar Pendleton, would rather die than part with their wealth. The richer the person, the more they care about money, the less they are willing to spend it. But Miguel Abbott¡¯s willingness to make painful sacrifices was indeed beyond his expectations. ¡°A billion? Alright then, let¡¯s round it up!¡± Julius Reed stepped forward and fiercely slapped Davonte Cook¡¯s face! Smack! The crisp sound of the slap echoed throughout the Pearl on the Water, and before Davonte Cook could stabilize himself, he received another solid slap! This time, the force was even stronger! ¡°Pah!¡± Davonte Cook lay on the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood. There were even a few teeth mixed in. Clearly, he had just had his teeth knocked out. ¡°Kid! Don¡¯t think that having Miguel Abbott to back you up means you can show off in front of me! To tell you the truth, you¡¯re not qualified enough!¡± Irving Harris slammed down his wheelchair violently, saying fiercely, ¡°You mess with my brother in front of me, you¡¯re looking for death!¡± ¡°Irving, let¡¯s talk this out!¡± Miguel Abbott¡¯s forehead broke out in a cold sweat, hitting Davonte Cook in front of Irving Harris was like slapping Irving Harris in the face! Especially with so many people watching, if he couldn¡¯t give a satisfying answer to his brothers, what would the staff present think afterward? Would they still be loyal to him? ¡°Talk this out?¡± Irving Harris chuckled lightly and pointed at Julius Reed, ¡°Brother, today¡¯s incident isn¡¯t about me not giving you face, but about him not giving me face! I¡¯m sorry, please step aside! If you don¡¯t, don¡¯t blame me for turning my face and denying I know you!¡± After he finished speaking, his staff immediately began to approach. ¡°Who would have thought Irving Harris would be one to break his promises!¡± Julius Reed shook his head, his face full of disappointment. ¡°Ha! How have I broken my promise?¡± Irving Harris valued his reputation, particularly at such a critical juncture, he aimed to win people over with virtue. Building a good reputation was necessary to have the right to enter Five-river Province and redistribute the cake. ¡°You just said, a billion per slap! I gave two slaps, that makes two billion, isn¡¯t that just right?¡± Julius Reed said with a smile. This put Irving Harris in a bit of a dilemma. His previous statement was just intended to make Miguel Abbott bleed a little. But now, nobody expected Julius Reed to actually dare to hit someone! ¡°Alright! Davonte Cook, consider these two billion as compensation for you! You¡¯re not at a loss!¡± Irving Harris looked at Davonte Cook, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.. Chapter 196 - Chapter 196: Chapter 195: The Scar is Revealed 1 Chapter 196: Chapter 195: The Scar is Revealed 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°A slap for a hundred million, that¡¯s a surefire profit!¡± Although Irving Harris is now immensely wealthy, the money he gives Davonte Cook amounts to only a few tens of millions a year. Plus, with Davonte Cook conducting his own businesses, he can only make around a hundred million from the beginning to the end of the year. Now a slap for a hundred million, two slaps equal to Davonte Cook¡¯s earnings for two years¡ªby this calculation, it¡¯s quite the deal. ¡°Thank a lot, big brother!¡± Davonte Cook naturally understood this as well; once the money was in hand, Irving Harris was not the type to let things go easily. Given the big brother¡¯s temperament, whether Julius Reed could stay alive was uncertain, so why not take the money? ¡°Hmm!¡± Irving Harris nodded, then looked at Julius Reed, ¡°Little brother, hand over the two billion first!¡± Once the money was in hand, he would make his move. Anyone who dares to hit Irving Harris is simply asking for death! ¡°Alright!¡± Julius Reed looked at Miguel Abbott and said, ¡°Transfer two billion to him, we keep our word.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± At this point, Miguel Abbott had no other choice. He asked for Davonte Cook¡¯s account number and arranged for his secretary to make the transfer. Soon, the two billion was deposited into the account. ¡°Big brother, the money is in the account!¡± Davonte Cook grinned from ear to ear when he saw the message alert. But soon, the intense pain on his face made him have to restrain his smile. ¡°Damn it, I can make you go bankrupt!¡± After carefully checking the account balance again, Davonte Cook pointed at Julius Reed and provocatively said. A slap for a hundred million, that¡¯s a guaranteed profit! ¡°Is that so? Then can I slap you one more time?¡± Julius Reed asked with a smile, ¡°This slap for two hundred million, cash first.¡± ¡°Yeah! I can make you go bankrupt!¡± Davonte Cook winced in pain and moved his face forward, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s see if you have more money, or if my face is thicker!¡± ¡°Transfer the money!¡± Julius Reed gestured, and Miguel Abbott immediately arranged for the secretary to transfer the funds. Soon, another two billion was in place. ¡°I¡¯m going to slap now, alright?¡± Julius Reed looked at Davonte Cook with a grin. ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense! I¡¯ve said it before, I¡¯ll make you go¡­¡± Slap! Julius Reed swung his arm violently, sending Davonte Cook flying five meters away! ¡°Cook! ¡± Irving Harris frowned and immediately arranged for people to check on him. ¡°He¡¯s still breathing, but he¡¯s unconscious!¡± An employee checked and reported back to Irving Harris. ¡°Take him to the hospital!¡± Irving Harris¡¯s face darkened, he turned to Julius Reed, ¡°Little brother, it¡¯s time for us to settle the score.¡± Being knocked unconscious in front of Irving Harris¡ªif word spread, how could he maintain authority in the future? ¡°I paid the money, and you agreed. What¡¯s this now, breaking your word?¡± Julius Reed shrugged, asking helplessly. ¡°I, Irving Harris, don¡¯t need a lot of reasons to act! But if you really want one, it¡¯s simple: I think you deserve a beating!¡± Irving Harris pointed his walking stick at Julius Reed, his face ashen, ¡°Kid, remember this! In this world, there are some people you just can¡¯t mess with!¡± After he spoke, the employees behind him came forward, full of anger! ¡°Oh! Isn¡¯t this the endlessly glorious Mr. Reed? Strutting around with your nose in the air, acting invincible, what¡¯s the matter now?¡± Cesar Pendleton¡¯s voice arose just at the right moment. He had seen everything that had happened before. Beating Davonte Cook to that extent, Julius Reed was not going to leave here on his feet today. So, Cesar Pendleton stepped forward, seeking to avenge his earlier humiliation! ¡°Those slaps you gave just now, very manly!¡± Cesar Pendleton mocked in a mocking tone, while straightening his sleeves, he taunted, ¡°What¡¯s the matter now? Chickened out?¡± Ever since he was humiliated in the park, he had dreamed of tearing Julius Reed apart. Roaming Five-river Province for so many years, it was the first time someone dared to mess with him like this! ¡°This one is¡­?¡± Julius Reed assessed Cesar Pendleton and then realized, ¡°Ah, I remember now, you¡¯re the one from the park who licked my shoes. I even mentioned it to Boss Abbott yesterday, said you did a good job, you licked them clean. What is it? Back for more money?¡± ¡°Shut your mouth!¡± Hit right where it hurt, Cesar Pendleton was like a lion with its mane on end, eyes gleaming with fierceness. ¡°What, Mr. Pendleton did something and won¡¯t admit it? Back then, among your employees, there were quite a few who witnessed that moment. If you can¡¯t remember it, fine, let me help refresh your memory!¡± Julius Reed spoke at a leisurely pace while snapping his fingers. ¡°Big brother, I was wrong¡­ I¡¯ll lick, I¡¯ll lick, isn¡¯t that enough¡­¡± On the huge screen of the Water Pearl, Cesar Pendleton¡¯s actions in the park that day were clearly displayed. A powerful figure of the underworld, crawling at the feet of Julius Reed like a dog, with fear written all over his face. ¡°You¡¯re f* *king asking for it!¡± Cesar Pendleton¡¯s eyes were bloodshot. He grabbed a chair in one hand, quickly ran up to the big screen, and violently hurled the chair at it! Crack! The huge screen dimmed instantly upon being struck. ¡°Why the rage, Mr. Pendleton?¡± Julius Reed lifted his eyelids and shook his head, ¡°Anger is harmful to health.¡± ¡°If I don¡¯t cut you down today, I¡¯m not a true Pendleton!¡± Cesar Pendleton approached, murder in his eyes. He had thought no one knew about that incident, but who would have thought that Julius Reed actually had people record it. Now, in front of this large public gathering, these people were feeling rather embarrassed. Many couldn¡¯t even conceal the laughter on their faces. Who would have thought that the imposing Cesar Pendleton would have such a moment? ¡°Whoever the hell dares to laugh, I¡¯ll kill them!¡± Cesar Pendleton roared, and everyone immediately straightened their faces, not daring to laugh. ¡°Hold on!¡± Just as he was about to reach Julius Reed, Irving Harris blocked his path. ¡°Irving, what is this supposed to mean!¡± Cesar Pendleton, blinded by anger with a red face, asked, ¡°Today, I must break him!¡¯ Humiliated to this extent, all he could think about was revenge! ¡°I never imagined, little brother Cesar, that you had such a grudge against him. As your elder brother, I might have overlooked it before, but now, no matter what, I must seek this vengeance for you! ¡± Irving Harris¡¯s gaze held a touch of calm, even flashing with a hint of brilliance: ¡°Killing him would be letting him off too easily, wouldn¡¯t it? Didn¡¯t he order you to lick his shoes at that time? Now turn it around! Make him lick your shoes in front of nearly a thousand people!¡± Murdering someone only ends their life, but he wanted to humiliate this young man. After all, death is too luxurious a thing. ¡°Haha! Big brother is right!¡± Cesar Pendleton clapped his head and looked ominously at Julius Reed, ¡°Come on, press him down under my feet!¡± Because of the sheer embarrassment, he was infuriated but had almost forgotten such a good chance for revenge. ¡°Mr. Pendleton, you¡¯ll have to get through me first if you want to lay a hand on him! Miguel Abbott saw that things were taking a bad turn and quickly stepped forward, blocking in front of Julius Reed. His bodyguards also followed closely behind. For a moment, tensions rose, and it looked like the two groups were ready to come to blows. But since neither of their leaders had spoken, they stood facing off.. Chapter 197 - Chapter 197: Chapter 196: Can ‘t Walk Out the Front Door? Chapter 197: Chapter 196: Can ¡®t Walk Out the Front Door? 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Mr. Abbott, this matter doesn¡¯t concern you. If you insist on getting involved, I won¡¯t stop you. But you¡¯d better think through the consequences,¡± Irving Harris said leisurely from his wheelchair. With a wave of his hand, an employee immediately handed him a cigar, which he lit. ¡°Hiss! ¡± After taking a deep drag on the cigar, Irving Harris slowly exhaled the smoke: ¡°I came to you today indeed to settle old scores. But you, Abbott Brother, are a local strongman in your own right, and I am a man of wealth, I will give you all the face you¡¯re due.¡± After finishing his words, he pointed his cigar-holding finger at Julius Reed: ¡°As for him, there¡¯s no way he¡¯s leaving here alive today.¡± ¡°Mr. Abbott, we all know each other. Don¡¯t push me too far!¡± Cesar Pendleton, seeing that Irving Harris was backing him up, immediately felt emboldened. If he had been alone, he might still fear Miguel Abbott, but with the alliance of two groups, the situation had completely turned around. ¡°I¡¯m not going to live?¡± Julius Reed pointed at himself and chuckled: ¡°Do you, Irving Harris, tell fortunes?¡± ¡°On the brink of death, and you can still laugh? You¡¯ve got quite the attitude. But, in fact, I, Irving Harris, am the king of hell himself! Today, if I say you won¡¯t live, you won¡¯t! Even if the Jade Emperor himself comes, he can¡¯t change this reality!¡± Irving Harris took another puff of his cigar, his eyes squinting, concealing his thoughts. ¡°And what if I manage to leave here alive? What will your response be?¡± Julius Reed countered. ¡°That¡¯s impossible! But if you do survive today, I¡¯ll call you ¡®big brother¡¯, and wherever I meet you in the future, I¡¯ll show you respect and call out ¡®big brother¡¯. How¡¯s that?¡± Irving Harris¡¯s tone was laced with mockery, clearly speaking of an impossibility. ¡°Heh heh! If you can walk out of here alive, step outside that door, I, Cesar Pendleton, will lick your shoes one more time. Cesar Pendleton also joined in the mockery. In their eyes, Julius Reed was as good as dead. ¡°Oh! Then please step aside, I need to get going!¡± Julius Reed nodded and walked out from behind Miguel Abbott. ¡°Mr. Reed, don¡¯t act rashly out of pride!¡± Miguel Abbott¡¯s brow furrowed, but Julius Reed acted as though he heard nothing, heading straight for Irving Harris. ¡°Protect the boss!¡± At the shout, Irving Harris¡¯s men immediately surrounded them, looking ready to strike. Just then, Julius Reed¡¯s phone rang. He glanced down at it, then with a smile, said to Irving Harris: ¡°Would you mind making way? ¡°Ha ha! You think you¡¯re capable? Then let¡¯s see you walk out of here on your own!¡± Irving Harris tossed his cigar to the ground, a playful look in his eyes. Really walk out of here? Unless the sun rises from the west. ¡°Alright.¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t say anything more but answered the phone, putting it on speaker. ¡°Daddy! Save me¡­ Irving¡­ is that you, Irving! Let us go quickly!¡± From the phone came the plea of a mother and child, the child clearly terrified, breaking into sobs. The woman, despite her calmness, already had a hoarse voice. ¡°Zayn, Joseph!¡± Hearing the plea, Irving Harris abruptly stood up from his chair. With one leg disabled, he nearly toppled over. Fortunately, his bodyguards were quick enough to catch him as he fell from his wheelchair. ¡°Husband, save us!¡± Upon hearing Irving Harris¡¯s voice, the woman on the phone started screaming. ¡°Bastards! Dare to touch my family!¡± Stimulated by his wife¡¯s cry, Irving Harris pointed at Julius Reed: ¡°If you harm them at all, I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re buried with me!¡± His eyes were bloodshot, and his whole body shook with rage. ¡°Is that so? Then show me your dart-throwing skills.¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders and said into the phone with a smile: ¡°Give them a little stretch.¡± Smack! Smack! Following a burst of fighting noises from inside, the boy¡¯s cries grew even more intense. ¡®Go to hell!¡± Irving Harris clenched his jaw, seething with rage! His finger almost pressed down, but then it hovered there, motionless. If he launched the dart, it was likely that his wife and child¡¯s lives would be over as well. That Irving Harris could reach his current position was naturally related to his strong state of mind. Even in the face of such anger, he still managed to restrain himself and maintain a cool head. ¡°If you don¡¯t throw the dart, I¡¯m going to leave.¡± Julius Reed put away his phone and strolled leisurely towards the door. Without their big brother¡¯s word, the other employees stepped aside, creating a clear path. Just as Julius Reed was about to reach the entrance of the Pearl on the Water, Cesar Pendleton picked up a wooden stick, ready to charge at him. Whoosh! At that moment, the sound of a dart rang out. The marble floor tile half a meter in front of Cesar Pendleton was pierced with a hole. The space fell quiet instantly. ¡°Bro Harris, what do you mean by this?¡± Cesar Pendleton stood stunned for a long while before slowly turning to look at Irving Harris. If they let Julius Reed leave, wouldn¡¯t that make what he said earlier come true? But now, Irving Harris had interfered like this! ¡°My wife and kids are in his hands, what do you want me to do!¡± Irving Harris roared, feeling an indescribable rage. ¡°Bro Harris, your villa is heavily guarded; how could he get in?¡± Cesar Pendleton asked with furrowed brows. When he had visited the Eight-in-One earlier that day, he was surprised by the security! There seemed to be patrols at every few steps. There were countless visible and hidden guards, and ordinary people would be detected long before they could get close to the villa. And Irving Harris¡¯s wife and children were at the very center; there was no way Julius Reed could have gotten near them. Triggered by his words, Irving Harris also began to realize the situation. In his desperation to save his loved ones, he had hardly given it any thought. Now, it seemed very possible that the other party was just bluffing. He immediately took out his phone and called his wife, Zayn Leopold. ¡°Mr. Harris, it seems you truly have an astonishing confidence! With such poor security, do you really think you can stop us?¡± An unfamiliar male voice came through the phone. Irving Harris¡¯s hand shook, nearly dropping the phone to the ground. ¡°Who are you! What do you want! I warn you¡­¡± ¡°If I were you, Mr. Harris, I would cooperate nicely with Mr. Reed. As long as he is satisfied, your wife and children will naturally be safe. You are well aware of Mr. Reed¡¯s style, he stands by his word and never breaks a promise!¡± The man laughed coldly, speaking ominously, ¡°But if he isn¡¯t satisfied, you¡¯d better be ready for a coffin!¡± ¡°Beep beep beep!¡± The phone was hung up once again. Irving Harris felt a shock in his heart, and his only good leg began to tremble. His villa was fortified, and his bodyguards were top-notch. And they were breached without a trace? He could not accept it, dialing his security team leader¡¯s number once more. ¡°Are you annoying or what! I¡¯ll say it one last time, if Mr. Reed is not satisfied, prepare to collect the bodies!¡± The man¡¯s voice was heard again. Clatter! The phone in Irving Harris¡¯s hand fell to the ground, and he stood there, dumbfounded.. Chapter 198 - Chapter 198: Chapter 197 Master Pendleton_1 Chapter 198: Chapter 197 Master Pendleton_1 Translator: 549690339 Just as Julius Reed was about to reach the gate of the Pearl on the Water, Cesar Pendleton felt a sense of urgency burning inside him. In front of himself and Irving Harris¡¯s employees, he had just boasted arrogantly. If he just let the opposition walk away like this, how would he have any face left? Losing face twice in one day, who could stand it! With that thought, Cesar Pendleton steeled his heart and, gripping his wooden stick, prepared to make a move again! Whoosh! But before he could take two steps, the gun in Irving Harris¡¯s hand went off again. ¡°Today, anyone who dares to cause the death of my wife and child will have their entire family join them in burial!¡± Irving Harris looked at Cesar Pendleton coldly, and said word by word, ¡°Don¡¯t make this hard for me! Today, consider it as owing you a favor, and I will repay it double in the future!¡± If it were himself being controlled, he could risk everything and fight to the death. But now, it was his wife and children who were under control. Even if Irving Harris were more ruthless, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to gamble with their lives. He couldn¡¯t afford to lose. ¡°Old Harris, I¡¯m sorry for today, but he must die!¡± Cesar Pendleton was equally enraged! After that video was released, he was already nearly ruinously disgraced. If this matter spread throughout Five-river Province, his status would inevitably be affected, and many people would also look down on him inwardly. If he let Julius Reed walk away unscathed, especially after what he had just said, then it would be impossible for him to ever recover his reputation. What employee would want to follow a boss who was so humiliated? So even if Irving Harris intervened, he didn¡¯t care! ¡°Then you¡¯ll have to get past me first!¡± Irving Harris suddenly slapped his wheelchair, and the employees behind him immediately charged forward. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Cesar Pendleton¡¯s bodyguards saw the situation turning grim and immediately stepped in front of their boss to protect him. The once-close partners became adversaries in an instant. Miguel Abbott stood by, gaping, somewhat dazed and confused. The crisis was resolved just like that? But he had no idea when Julius Reed had sent people to the Eight Unity Place. The two were practically inseparable, with Miguel Abbott always by Julius Reed¡¯s side. Had Julius Reed anticipated that Irving Harris would cause trouble? And in such a short amount of time, sent people to breach Eight Unity Place¡¯s defenses and take control of Harris¡¯s wife and children? Thinking this, Miguel Abbott felt a chill down his spine. ¡°Gentlemen, it is not worth harming the harmony over this!¡± As the big boss of the Pearl on the Water, he had to step in and play peacemaker. After all, with Irving Harris¡¯s wife and children in Julius Reed¡¯s hands, today¡¯s matters were very likely to end amicably. His intervention was to give both sides a way out, as face-saving was important, and it wouldn¡¯t look good for either to back down first. It was all about preserving dignity. ¡°Today, whoever dares to oppose me, let them come and try!¡± Irving Harris shot a cold glance at Miguel Abbott and said, ¡°First ask if I agree to it!¡± ¡°Brother Harris, are you determined to be against me?¡± He took a deep breath, quickly weighing his options. A complete falling out would likely make his future in Five-river Province even more difficult. But if he did a favor now, he would be finished for good. In the future, he would have no dignity left to face his employees. ¡°Benefactor, you have too much killing intent! I believe you should rest for a while, or else your malevolent energy will lead you to a bad end,¡± said a monk, suddenly appearing at the door. He was draped in a black kasaya, clutching a string of Buddha beads in his hand, but strangely, he had no eyebrows above his eyes. At first glance, it seemed very strange. ¡°Those who block my path will die,¡± Julius Reed said with a smile as he looked at the monk standing at the doorway. According to the intelligence Black Dog had provided earlier, the Leopold Family had invited three experts this time. The Western swordsman, Lucan Davenport, had already turned his coat and was now enjoying tea at the Eight Harmonies Pavilion. On the other hand, the Eastern Bay Warrior was seriously injured and needed proper recuperation for a short period. The Red Widow¡¯s strike had been quite ruthless. If it hadn¡¯t been for the Eastern Bay Warrior¡¯s early detection of danger, he might have already died beneath the balcony of the Water Pearl Pavilion. Now, the one who had come was the most skilled of the three, Master Pendleton. Without any contact, Julius Reed could already feel an intangible Evil Qi emanating from his opponent! Clearly, one must have killed quite a few people to possess such an aura, and even the degree of this Evil Qi was denser than that of some Shadow Warriors. Wasn¡¯t it a joke for such a person to say they had too heavy a murderous aura? ¡°Benefactor, this old monk only wishes to lead you away from the sea of suffering, to distance you from the perils of this mortal world,¡± Master Pendleton put his hands together and displayed a most compassionate smile. If one did not understand him, they might truly believe he was an accomplished and virtuous monk. ¡°A good dog doesn¡¯t block the way, please step aside,¡± Julius Reed did not rush to make a move but waited for the other party to reveal his true colors. ¡°Even though you speak harshly to me, benefactor, it is my duty to save all sentient beings. As long as you are willing to leave with me, I assure you escape from the sea of suffering and the joy of the Western paradise!¡± Master Pendleton slowly opened his eyes, his gaze containing a hint of Evil Qi. ¡°What if I refuse?¡± Julius Reed asked with a smile, without a trace of fear or panic on his face. This, indeed, seemed strange to Master Pendleton. Usually, as soon as he made an appearance, his adversaries would immediately shake in terror, kneel to beg for mercy, and even lose the courage to fight back. After all, Evil Qi truly can intimidate people. ¡°Then, I can only inconvenience you, benefactor,¡± Master Pendleton¡¯s face dropped its smile, replaced by a full display of murderous intent! ¡°If you have the ability, of course you can!¡± Julius Reed remained calm and even kept his hands behind his back as if oblivious to the danger. ¡°Amitabha Buddha!¡± Master Pendleton, with one hand, held onto the Buddha Beads and slowly rotated them. At the same time, he chanted under his breath. Everyone present seemed to be captivated by the sound. The gentle chanting relaxed everyone; even Cesar Pendleton and Irving Harris, who exuded murderous Qi, became calm at that moment. Everybody appeared to be inside a grand temple, with Master Pendleton¡¯s body shining with golden light, seemingly a true accomplished monk. As time passed, everyone could not help but kneel before Master Pendleton, reveling in the sensation of being bathed in golden light, their hearts utterly submissive! At that moment, in their eyes, Master Pendleton seemed like a divine being who relieved suffering, providing an unparalleled comfort to their bodies and souls. Whoo¡­¡± With the sound of a flute suddenly rising, the people inside the Water Pearl Pavilion were snapped back from the illusion of nothingness! What chilled them even more was that each person was clutching someone else¡¯s neck, and some with weaker constitutions had already fainted due to a lack of oxygen! An illusion! ¡°That was close!¡± Irving Harris¡¯ forehead instantly beaded with cold sweat. Having dealings with various countries, he was naturally aware of these means. Similar to Western hypnotism, yet far surpassing hypnotism! When everyone came to their senses, they discovered that Julius Reed was standing in front of Master Pendleton, playing a jade flute! And it was the sound of this flute that had pulled them out of the illusion! Chapter 199 - Chapter 199: Chapter 198: It’s Time to Settle Accounts_l Chapter 199: Chapter 198: It¡¯s Time to Settle Accounts_l Translator: 549690339 The tranquil and harmonious chanting sounded exceptionally violent and brutal at this moment! As the sound of the jade flute grew stronger, Master Pendleton suddenly opened his eyes. ¡°The old monk has indeed underestimated your state of mind,¡± he said, bringing his hands together in prayer and ceasing his chanting. For the first time, a solemn expression appeared on his face. ¡°How can you enlighten others when you haven¡¯t even enlightened yourself?¡± Julius Reed fixed the jade flute at his waist, smiling at Master Pendleton, ¡°Perhaps the master would take the lead to the Western Paradise to see if it suits us to go there.¡± ¡°I wonder if you have the ability?¡± While talking, the kind-eyed, benevolent Master Pendleton narrowed his eyes and his right palm struck out in an instant! Whoosh! Julius Reed didn¡¯t retreat, facing Master Pendleton¡¯s palm head-on! With a loud boom, both men took a step back. ¡°It seems the old monk must unleash a slaughter today!¡± Master Pendleton muttered under his breath and yanked the glass door off the Water Moon Pearl Pavilion! Boom! He threw the glass door, weighing over a hundred pounds, forcefully at Cesar Pendleton and Irving Harris¡¯s employees! ¡°Save me¡­¡± Accompanied by wails, dozens of employees were struck by the glass door. Aside from a few lucky ones who were severely injured, the rest were killed instantly. ¡°This¡­¡± Irving Harris and Cesar Pendleton gasped, at the same time feeling secretly relieved. As big bosses who had a strong influence in Five-river Province, what kind of experts hadn¡¯t they seen? But their most capable fighters were nothing compared to this high monk! Facing such a tyrannical opponent, Julius Reed was surely on a path to death! No one was happier than Cesar Pendleton. But Irving Harris was somewhat worried, wondering if he would be held accountable once Julius Reed died? Miguel Abbott was equally shocked. Having followed Julius Reed for so long, he had seen his share of capable people. Including the tenacious Red Widow and the scene where Julius Reed leapt from a building in pursuit of someone. But he had never seen anything like what was happening in front of him, feats that seemed beyond human capability. It made him break out in a cold sweat internally. If Julius Reed died, his own achievements would be for naught. He would lose his biggest support and it would be difficult to maintain his position in Five-river Province. But could Julius Reed, who had performed miracles time and again, create another miracle today? No one knew. The glass door lay tilted on the ground, creating a barrier between these people and Julius Reed. ¡°Benefactor, since you are blindly obstinate, the old monk must take action to enlighten you!¡± Master Pendleton said with a gentle smile, as he leaped into the air! Leap! At the same time, Julius Reed dashed forward, grabbed the crystal dining table with one hand, and flung it fiercely into the sky! The glass table, weighing two or three hundred pounds, was tossed casually as if it were a light wooden board! Hiss! Everyone inhaled sharply! What kind of person is this? This was a fight between gods! They couldn¡¯t bear to blink, afraid of missing any thrilling moment. Seeing the crystal dining table flying towards him, Master Pendleton in the air quickly transformed his hands into chopping blades and chopped down fiercely! Crack! The two-centimeter-thick glass tabletop was shattered by his palm! Glass fragments scattered all over the floor, like a celestial maiden scattering flowers! The three big shots present were dumbfounded, swallowing hard. This was simply the War God! However, after shattering the crystal tabletop, Master Pendleton didn¡¯t stop but punched down directly! The speed was too fast! The air itself seemed to be torn apart, emitting noise! Facing this deadly strike, Julius Reed pressed his hands together and violently pushed forward! Boom! A vast sound erupted, and Julius Reed stumbled back two steps, with a sizzling noise coming from beneath his feet. Master Pendleton was likewise repelled by the intense force, staggering and falling back onto the ground. He clasped a hand on the iron column beside the door, tearing it down to just barely steady his retreating figure. ¡°You are the strongest opponent I¡¯ve ever encountered!¡± Master Pendleton took a deep breath, stabilizing the Qi within his body. In front of him, the entire door to the Waterfront Pearl was utterly destroyed! The thick steel pipes were torn and deformed, leaving a mess all over the floor. Julius Reed ignored his words and dashed forward fiercely, then immediately threw a punch! ¡°Courting death! ¡± Master Pendleton was completely enraged, and at that moment, his eyes reddened instantly, as the murderous aura on his body kept climbing! Boom! Confronting Julius Reed¡¯s fist, he fiercely kicked out! Crack! Accompanied by the sound of bones breaking, Master Pendleton¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as he bellowed, ¡°Annihilation!¡± Whish! The Buddha Beads in his hand were abruptly pulled apart! A dozen or so beads hovered in the air, then whistled towards Julius Reed! Seeing this spectacle, Julius Reed¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, and he stepped back, lifting the heavy glass door from the ground with inconceivable speed, throwing it at the Buddha Beads! Crack! After the Buddha Beads pierced through the glass door, their trajectory deviated, scattering onto the bodies of the attendants around them. Thud! As the sounds of piercing rose, those attendants didn¡¯t even have time to realize what was happening before they fell into pools of blood. Afterward, Master Pendleton, limping, ran towards Julius Reed, his hand bursting with golden light! ¡°The Purple Gold Dagger?¡± Seeing this weapon, Julius Reed¡¯s eyes narrowed. In his younger days, as he traveled the world, he had encountered this Purple Gold Dagger. The owner of the dagger then was a violent and brutal pirate, who after slaughtering more than a dozen villages, met Julius Reed who happened to pass by. The dagger contained endless murderous intent; anyone who possessed it would become extremely violent and prone to killing! After annihilating the band of pirates, Julius Reed sealed it in a cave beneath the Southern Sea Mountains. That was nearly two hundred years ago! The reappearance of the Purple Gold Dagger in the martial world indicated that someone had gone to the Southern Sea Mountains. Swoosh! The dagger sliced through the void, emitting an extremely piercing sound. Whoosh! Julius Reed suddenly lurched forward, his right hand smashing down fiercely! Crack! Master Pendleton¡¯s arm was instantly severed, and the Purple Gold Dagger slipped from his grasp, embedding itself straight into the hotel wall! Three inches deep! Seizing the moment, Master Pendleton rolled vigorously on the ground, using the force to shatter the hotel¡¯s glass and fled in panic. ¡°Think you can escape!¡± How could Julius Reed let him go? Yet, as he stepped forward, a burst of machine-gun fire whizzed past his feet. Clearly, someone at a distance was aiming at him! ¡°Next time, you won¡¯t be so lucky!¡± Watching Master Pendleton¡¯s figure vanish instantly, Julius Reed sprinted, leaped onto the wall, and as he plucked the dagger from it, he fiercely threw it in the direction of the gunfire! The next moment, the sounds of the darts ceased. Julius Reed landed on the ground. A series of movements flowed smoothly, executed to perfection! Those present felt a chill run straight from the base of their spine to the crown of their head, their bodies shivering uncontrollably. ¡°Now, it¡¯s our turn to settle the score! ¡± Julius Reed brushed the dust off his clothes and looked towards Cesar Pendleton and Irving Harris.. Chapter 200 - Chapter 200: Chapter 199 Escapeless_l Chapter 200: Chapter 199 Escapeless_l Translator: 549690339 If it had been before, Cesar Pendleton might have laughed out loud. ¡°Even if a Daluo Golden Immortal came, they wouldn¡¯t be able to escape!¡± But now, his hand holding the baton was trembling slightly, and cold sweat was streaming down his forehead uncontrollably. ¡°You¡­ what are you going to do¡­¡± He staggered back a few steps, hiding behind his own entourage. But his followers were shaking just as much, without any intention of moving. The fight between the two had just now been very clear to everyone; who would dare to act out of turn? ¡°I¡¯m warning you¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re warning me?¡± Julius Reed interrupted Cesar Pendleton, smiling as he asked, ¡®With just you, you think you¡¯re fit to threaten me?¡± That question left Cesar Pendleton speechless. Indeed, now that Irving Harris had positioned himself against him, with just these few people, what waves could he possibly stir? ¡°Sever your legs yourself and crawl out from here!¡± Julius Reed looked at him indifferently, adding coolly, ¡°Not killing you is already a tremendous act of mercy on my part. You can try to resist, I assure you, you will regret it deeply.¡± A blatant threat! But Cesar Pendleton didn¡¯t dare utter a single word of dissent. This was the overwhelming force of strength! ¡°Brother Reed, I¡­¡± ¡°If you can¡¯t bring yourself to do it, I can ask someone to help you.¡± Julius Reed once again cut Cesar Pendleton off, pointing to one of the staff members next to him: ¡°Help your boss out.¡± The staff member glanced at Cesar Pendleton and stood rooted to the spot, not daring to move. Breaking their boss¡¯s legs wasn¡¯t something to joke about! Let alone the repercussions after this event, where Cesar Pendleton would seek revenge, just this act alone would be enough to burden him with a curse for life! And his prospects would be thoroughly destroyed. ¡°Seems like he doesn¡¯t listen to me.¡± Seeing the staff member standing still, Julius Reed turned to Irving Harris with a smile. ¡°Shoo!¡± Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Irving Harris, who had been around the block for many years, raised his hand and a dart flew straight toward the staff member¡¯s knee! A heart-wrenching scream echoed as the staff member fell to his knees with veins bulging on his face and his body convulsing uncontrollably. The rest of the people gasped, leaning back slightly. ¡°You!¡± Julius Reed pointed at another man. The moment he was pointed at, the man¡¯s legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground. ¡°Boss, please¡­¡± Shoo! ¡°Ah¡­ my arm!¡± Before he could finish his plea, Irving Harris¡¯s flying dart shot out, piercing straight through his arm! Blood gushed out, instantly staining the staffer¡¯s clothes red. After the two darts, the others were filled with trepidation. Irving Harris still showed some restraint; both shots were not aimed at vital points. While effective for intimidation, they still allowed the two men to survive. Although they¡¯d inevitably be disabled in the future, it was still better than dying. ¡°Call my people over, let¡¯s not trouble the boss¡¯s staff anymore.¡± Irving Harris spoke up. Having Cesar Pendleton¡¯s own staff do this would likely leave them short on darts. Inflicting harm on their own boss would stain them for life, a blemish impossible to wash away. Reputation is often more important than life itself. ¡°Sure!¡± Julius Reed nodded, smiling as he glanced at Cesar Pendleton. If it hadn¡¯t been for Quella Radcliffe¡¯s kindheartedness, Cesar Pendleton might already be a dead man because of that previous incident. But some people just don¡¯t wise up, failing to cherish the chances they get and instead digging their own graves. Then let him learn that dying is actually quite a luxury. ¡°Sigh!¡± Irving Harris let out a long sigh and looked to the bodyguard on his right, ¡°Jentzen, make it quick!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The man named Jentzen extended his hand and immediately someone handed him a stout iron rod. ¡°What are you going to do!¡± Cesar Pendleton hid behind the crowd, clearly still harboring a sliver of hope. ¡°Mr. Harris! Do you really think he¡¯ll let your family go? Stop dreaming! If you and I join forces today, we might stand a chance! If we fight among ourselves, he¡¯ll easily take us both down!¡± As he spoke, he took a few steps back and shouted, ¡°After all these years, don¡¯t you understand this simple truth?¡± Since his people had arrived later than Irving Harris¡¯s, he was closer to the exit. Now, using the crowd as a cover, Cesar Pendleton intended to make his way to the door and escape! If his legs were truly broken, he¡¯d be no different from a cripple. How could he seek revenge then? Jentzen weighed the iron rod in his hand but did not move. His boss hadn¡¯t made a final decision yet. Striking with the rod would mean complete enmity between the two families. Irving Harris looked up at Julius Reed, then lowered his head and said in a deep voice, ¡°Mr. Pendleton, I have no choice!¡± He had been a hero all his life, but he couldn¡¯t gamble with the lives of his wife and children. ¡°Master Pendleton, no offense!¡± Jentzen took a deep breath, gripped the iron rod with one hand, and walked towards Cesar Pendleton. Behind him, several employees followed closely. ¡°Stop them for me!¡± Seeing Irving Harris determined to cripple him, Cesar Pendleton could only make a desperate attempt! He wanted his employees to buy time so he could flee through the door! Whoosh! ¡°Anyone who dares stand in my way will die!¡± Irving Harris coldly watched Cesar Pendleton¡¯s employees. At the same time, the people behind him also readied themselves for action. If any of the Taylor Family¡¯s followers moved, they would immediately rush forward. Under this threat, Cesar Pendleton¡¯s people stood still, not moving an inch, allowing Jentzen and his group to pursue. ¡°Mr. Harris, I will remember this grudge!¡± Cesar Pendleton, seeing the tide turn against him, immediately tried to run. But how could Jentzen let him leave? A dagger appeared in Jentzen¡¯s hand out of nowhere, and as he ran forward, he tossed it accurately and it stabbed into Cesar Pendleton¡¯s calf! Cesar Pendleton stumbled and fell right at the entrance of the Pearl Water Mansion. The shattered glass on the ground punctured his knees, covering them with wounds. ¡°Master Pendleton, we have our orders. Please understand!¡± Jentzen motioned with his hand, and the employees behind him immediately went over and pinned Cesar Pendleton to the ground. ¡°If you dare touch me, I¡¯ll kill you! In the Five-river Province, I, Cesar Pendleton, am not a vegetarian!¡± Cesar Pendleton attempted one last struggle. Now, all his men stood still, not even daring to turn around. ¡°Sorry about this!¡± Jentzen narrowed his eyes, and the iron rod in his hand came crashing down hard! Crack! With one swing of the rod, Cesar Pendleton¡¯s legs were instantly deformed, and he passed out. By the looks of it, he would never stand again. Even the most skilled doctor would likely be unable to save him. Meanwhile, Miguel Abbott watched in horror. A moment before, the situation seemed utterly disadvantageous, and now it had been reversed just like that? His heart raced, and he felt somewhat unsteady on his feet. Cesar Pendleton, a man of his stature, disposed of just like that. Afterwards, everyone¡¯s gaze settled on Irving Harris. With Cesar Pendleton¡¯s legs wasted, what would become of him? Chapter 201 - Chapter 201: Chapter 200: So What If I Bully You?_l Chapter 201: Chapter 200: So What If I Bully You?_l Translator: 549690339 ¡°Kings rise and fall! Today my wife and children are in your hands, Mr. Reed, go ahead!¡± Irving Harris¡¯s expression was calm, much stronger than Cesar Pendleton¡¯s. Having developed in the shadows over the years, he had naturally experienced far more than these overt businessmen. He had even been on the brink of life and death, so many times that he had lost count. Therefore, today¡¯s situation really didn¡¯t scare Irving Harris. ¡°You did quite well when you helped me just now. But trashing Boss Abbott¡¯s shop today is a bit much, isn¡¯t it?¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands clasped behind his back, smiling as he looked at Irving Harris: ¡°A fine hotel, and look what you¡¯ve done to it. Look at this mess, how do you expect Mr. Abbott to do business?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll pay for the damages! As soon as Boss Abbott comes up with the figure, I¡¯ll send the money without another word! In Five-river Province, although my reputation isn¡¯t great, what I say goes!¡± If it was really just about the money, that would be easy to handle. In recent years, Irving Harris had amassed assets worth tens of billions. Spending some cash was no big deal. ¡°It¡¯s best to count the money face to face.¡± Julius Reed gestured to Octavius, who immediately scampered over. ¡°How much is the daily turnover? How much will it cost to refurbish these things, and how many days will it take?¡± After hearing these questions, Octavius pondered for a moment, then summoned his hotel manager and whispered in his ear. After a brief discussion, Octavius nodded to Julius Reed and said, ¡°The daily revenue of The Pearl on the Water is about 1.2 million, and the specific profit¡­¡± ¡°Let¡¯s round up and make it an even 10 million! Now tell me, how much for the refurbishment and how long will it take?¡± Julius Reed cut him off. Everyone present, including Octavius, shuddered at his interruption. 1.2 million, rounded up to 10 million? That was almost a ninefold increase! This was surely too much to ask. The corner of Irving Harris¡¯s mouth twitched slightly, but he said nothing. This was within his expectations. Just taking advantage of the situation. ¡°Actually, it doesn¡¯t need that much¡­¡± Even Octavius felt a bit embarrassed. The gross profit didn¡¯t even come close to that amount, subtracting the costs. Only a portion of the tables were damaged, while the hotel accommodations were unaffected. Dining was a decent source of income, but it was far from the main one, amounting to less than thirty percent at most. His relationship with Irving Harris wasn¡¯t exactly friendly, but they weren¡¯t outright enemies either. They competed both openly and covertly, but at the end of the day, business was business, and neither wanted to cause too much discomfort. If the damage were really assessed at 10 million a day, word would get out, and Octavius might end up with a bad reputation. The circle was small, and nothing that happened could escape everyone¡¯s notice. ¡°Someone¡¯s trashing your place and you¡¯re still considering others? Mr. Abbott, have you gone soft in the head?¡± Julius Reed cast a glance at Octavius, then looked at Irving Harris: ¡°Not too much, Boss Harris, is it?¡± ¡°Not too much! Not at all!¡± Irving Harris forced a laugh: ¡°And here I thought Boss Abbott¡¯s hotel was pulling in over a billion a day! To think it was only 10 million, what a bargain for me!¡± His tone carried a hint of sarcasm, making the victim, Octavius, feel slightly embarrassed. ¡°Forget it, let¡¯s settle on a lump sum, 30 billion! Look, I just gave you a slap earlier, and I¡¯m throwing in an extra billion, money isn¡¯t really worth much, right?¡± At this question from Julius Reed, Irving Harris¡¯s body quivered and his hands began to tremble. Octavius, too, was startled. Wasn¡¯t this robbery? However, recalling his own previous demand for several billions, he quickly felt much more at ease. ¡°Not too much! How could it possibly be too much?¡± Inwardly, Irving Harris despised Julius Reed so much he wanted to flay him alive, yet now he had no choice but to greet him with a smile. ¡°If Mr. Reed stops raising the price, I will be eternally grateful!¡± It¡¯s hard to watch as a formidable overlord gets pushed to such extremities, and it caused Miguel Abbott to avert his eyes in discomfort. Faced with a similar choice in the past, he chose to compromise. As a result, not only did he manage to save himself, but he also solidified his position in Five-river Province. And the once exalted families that overshadowed his own now lie disheveled and utterly defeated. All of this had happened under the watchful eyes of Miguel Abbott, step by step. ¡°So, adding one of your legs to the deal isn¡¯t asking for too much then, is it?¡± Julius Reed walked up to Irving Harris and slowly circled around his wheelchair. After these words were spoken, the nerves of Irving¡¯s employees who stood behind him tensely tightened. It was they who had incapacitated Cesar Pendleton before. But that was by Irving¡¯s orders, and since it wasn¡¯t their own boss who got disabled, spreading the news didn¡¯t matter much. It could even become a gleeful topic of conversation for Jentzen. After all, personally breaking the legs of a local boss was something countless people wanted to do, yet didn¡¯t dare to carry out. But if they were to break Irving¡¯s legs, it would put them in the same tricky situation as Cesar Pendleton¡¯s employees. And for a ruthless man like Irving, who had already lost one leg, would he really disable his other one? Only those in wheelchairs truly understand the preciousness of having all four limbs intact. He would likely choose to fight to the bitter end and self-destruct rather than submit. His wife and children might be in the hands of his enemies, but the experiences Irving has gone through to reach this day were surely more numerous than this. Even cornered rabbits will bite, let alone Irving who came here with over a hundred men to make a scene? Less than ten meters from them, Miguel Abbott clenched his fist with anxiety inside. He wanted to advise Julius Reed to quit while he was ahead, but would the latter even listen to him? Moreover, the current situation deviated entirely from his initial expectations. Julius Reed, wielding such power, must have his own agenda. For him to step in as a peacekeeper now seemed utterly inappropriate. ¡°Brother Reed, isn¡¯t this going a bit too far?¡± Irving was stunned for a moment before he raised his head and looked at Julius Reed with a cold sneer. Having already lost one leg, the loss of another would indeed render him ¡°Vann Harris¡±. ¡°Sure! I¡¯m bullying you. What about it?¡± Julius Reed stood in front of him, replying with a similar smile. Yet the smile was filled with contempt, even looking down on him. From a position of superiority. ¡°Since Brother Reed is so insistent!¡± Irving Harris pulled out a dart and, with a big laugh, said, ¡°Then I shall oblige you!¡± ¡°Mr. Reed, watch out!¡± Seeing Irving draw the dart, Miguel Abbott cried out in alarm. He thought the other was at the end of his tether and might do something dangerous. But Julius Reed remained with his hands clasped behind his back, appearing completely unconcerned. As it turned out, Miguel Abbott worried needlessly. Irving aimed the dart at his own knee and said with a grin, ¡°I won¡¯t trouble my brothers to do it themselves. After all, the infamy of crippling one¡¯s own boss isn¡¯t something pleasant to carry!¡± Whoosh! Having said that, he pulled the trigger. Blood splattered everywhere, Irving¡¯s body trembled slightly, but he restrained himself from showing it. However, his face had started to go pale, and his eyes were bloodshot. ¡°Now, may I leave?¡± Chapter 202 - Chapter 202: Chapter 201: Shared Hobbies_1 Chapter 202: Chapter 201: Shared Hobbies_1 Translator: 549690339 When the sound of the dart rang out, everyone¡¯s body trembled in unison. The actions of Irving Harris shocked countless people present. Even Julius Reed was slightly taken aback for a moment. Indeed, he was a ruthless man. It wasn¡¯t without reason that he could break out from the relentless joint assassination attempts by peers. ¡°The ruthless energy you displayed today could make me consider you too dangerous to keep alive,¡± Julius Reed looked at Irving Harris¡¯s pale face and said with a faint smile, ¡°But I won¡¯t kill you today. Go back, think of a foolproof plan, I will grant you a dignified death. Remember, you only have one chance; next time, you will surely die! ¡± After finishing all this, he took out his phone and dialed a number: ¡°Come back, and give my regards to their mother and son.¡± Seeing Julius Reed make this move, Irving Harris finally breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Then, there will be a long future for us!¡± He clasped his fists, waved to the bodyguards behind him, and Jentzen immediately began pushing the wheelchair towards the exit. The remaining hundred or so people were also very vigilant, watching Julius Reed closely, afraid he might suddenly strike. ¡°The money¡¯s here!¡± Just as Irving Harris¡¯s men left, Miguel Abbott received the computer from the secretary, chuckled wryly, and handed it to Julius Reed. The money was exact to the last penny, and had fully transferred. Cesar Pendleton¡¯s men also left one after another, running out carrying their boss like defeated dogs. The once bustling first-floor restaurant of the Waterfront Pearl was now eerily silent. Miguel Abbott and his men felt like they were dreaming, everything was so magical, so unreal. But it had indeed happened- ¡°Mr. Reed, I will immediately arrange for the money to be transferred to your account!¡± Miguel Abbott asked respectfully, ¡°Could you provide me with your account details?¡± He dared not, and did not intend to, keep this money for himself. A businessman should not only look at the immediate profit. Compared to the future, what does this amount to? ¡°Am I lacking money?¡± Julius Reed retorted, ¡°I feel it¡¯s still quite manageable.¡± Money, to him, seemed really just a number. Lately, Miguel Abbott had been busy, and even the money given to Davonte Cook earlier came from him, so Julius Reed had intended to give this money to Miguel Abbott all along. He wanted to give it, but Miguel Abbott did not want to accept it. ¡°Mr. Reed, serving you has truly been an honor! I hope you will accept this money; otherwise, Mr. Abbott will feel awkward,¡± Miguel Abbott was sincere and especially stubborn at that moment. ¡°All right! When you have time, you might want to pay attention to the Radcliffe Group , ¡± With one sentence, Julius Reed enlighten Miguel Abbott. He had researched before and knew that the current chairman of the Radcliffe Group was Julius Reed¡¯s wife. ¡°Ah, my head!¡± Miguel Abbott slapped his forehead, wondering how he had not thought of such a simple thing. Just then, Truman Ridge¡¯s phone call suddenly came in. It was a simple and clear message, inquiring about Julius Reed¡¯s progress with setting up the group. Everything had already been prepared, but hearing that Julius Reed had been busy lately, he didn¡¯t dare to disturb him. The Willson Building was now ready, with all the group¡¯s facilities and staff standing by, just waiting for Julius Reed¡¯s approval. With the connections and capabilities of the Ridge Family, pulling together such a commercial aircraft carrier was no difficult task. After simply confirming a time, Julius Reed hung up the phone. ¡°I¡¯m in a good mood today, made a small profit, why not go out and have some fun?¡± He looked at Miguel Abbott and the others behind him, who looked somewhat exhausted. Recently, Five-river Province has been engulfed in chaos, and no one can sleep peacefully. In these turbulent times, a misstep can leave you trampled underfoot. ¡°All right! It¡¯s on me!¡± Just then, Ives Abbott popped up out of nowhere. She seemed to have forgotten the beating she received from Julius Reed, especially after that incident at the pleasure park; she became even more obedient and admiring towards Julius Reed. She probably didn¡¯t dare to come out earlier because of the significant momentum below. Now that things have settled, Ives Abbott dared to sneak out quietly. ¡°Mr. Abbott, one must make a clear distinction between life and work! Although it¡¯s a bit busy, don¡¯t work yourself into a frenzy.¡± Julius Reed glanced at Ives Abbott and said to Miguel Abbott again. ¡°Okay!¡± Even with all his courage, Miguel Abbott wouldn¡¯t dare to refuse Julius Reed. His mood was also quite suppressed; the drastic ups and downs of the day would have triggered a heart condition in anyone else. Going out to unwind seemed like a decent option. ¡°Allen, go prepare the car!¡± He immediately made arrangements. ¡°Living every day in this life of glitz and glamour, don¡¯t you ever want to change it up? Julius Reed stopped Allen, who was ready to drive out, and asked aloud, ¡°Is there any night market, a street full of snacks and food stalls?¡± In reality, Julius Reed preferred mingling with the common folk rather than lavish hotels. From ancient times to the present, from the agricultural era to the industrial era, he found the most interesting places weren¡¯t the skyscrapers but what people considered backwards areas. It¡¯s been nearly four years since he last ate at a snack street. The Radcliffe Family didn¡¯t give him money, and being a son-in-law with amnesia for three years was quite suffocating. Thinking of this, Julius Reed gave a wry smile and shook his head. Fortunately, everything was on the right track now, and as his memory continued to recover, he could seek out the real reason for his amnesia. ¡°Mr. Reed, are you sure you want to go?¡± Upon hearing this, Miguel Abbott was visibly taken aback. For someone of Julius Reed¡¯s age, he surely came from an extremely wealthy background, born with a silver spoon, and enjoyed all the riches and honors. And he liked this sort of thing? ¡°What? Does Boss Abbott think these places are no good?¡± Julius Reed glanced at him. ¡°No! Don¡¯t get me wrong, Mr. Reed! I just thought that with your status, you might not like such places. After all, they¡¯re crowded, noisy, and unsanitary¡­¡± Miguel Abbott hurriedly explained. ¡°Boss Davenport, let me tell you, Dad loves those places the most! He used to take me to the Five-river Province night market every month to feast!¡± Ives chipped in cheerfully from the side. ¡°But none of my friends like it. Every time I take them, they just complain about this and that! Speaking of family background, are they better off than me? Pretending and posturing, it¡¯s so annoying!¡± As she spoke, Ives¡¯s face showed her displeasure. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Boss Abbott to enjoy this too?¡± Julius Reed laughed, surprised that Miguel Abbott also liked going to such places. He had assumed that a big boss like him, indulging in luxury and vice, wouldn¡¯t even know where the night market was! ¡°Honestly, I grew up in the countryside, and despite constantly striving over the years, I have never forgotten where I came from,¡± said Miguel Abbott with a big laugh. ¡®We are all ordinary people; we can¡¯t forget our roots just because we have some money, right? To be honest, I think the food at those roadside stalls tastes great!¡± ¡°People around me don¡¯t get it, claiming it¡¯s unsanitary. Yet, over the years, several of my old buddies got sick and died, and it turned out I¡¯m the healthiest! What people fear most is forgetting their origins!¡± ¡°So, shall we go?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Chapter 203 - Chapter 203: Chapter 202 Old City Night Market_l Chapter 203: Chapter 202 Old City Night Market_l Translator: 549690339 Five-river Province was home to the most bustling night market, located on a street in the northern district. In its early days, this place was very prosperous and was once a central area. However, as the years passed, developers were reluctant to foot the bill for demolition, and with the local support for the construction of the New District, the area gradually fell into neglect. In the boom of the construction industry over the last few years, buildings sprung up everywhere! The city¡¯s boundaries were planned further and further out, and houses were built increasingly off-center, while both administrative and commercial centers accelerated their move away. What was once the central business district, in just a short decade, became the old city district. Many people moved to the New District to live, and the influx of newcomers also chose to buy houses there, so gradually, the population here thinned. But those who remained were mostly older folks, along with some of their children. After the local administration moved away, the management here was relatively relaxed. There was no need for environmental efforts like those in the New District, nor was there anyone checking on health and sanitation every other day. Over time, one of the streets evolved into a night market. The old residents were mostly down-to-earth with exquisite craftsmanship. Not to mention the low prices, the food was delicious. Many people came here drawn by its reputation, but most of them were of the older generation. After all, with the constant influx of new things, fast-food chains like KFC and McDonald¡¯s had already taken over the diet of many young people, so naturally, no young people would come to this kind of night market. Transportation in the old city district was also not very convenient, so mostly locals frequented here, and some, like Octavius, who had a love for the old flavors. This outing involved only four people. According to Julius Reed¡¯s wishes, going out was meant to be relaxing, and there was no need to bring so many bodyguards. Aside from Allen, who was responsible for spending money and carrying things ¨C a necessary hard labor ¡ª Octavius only brought his daughter, Ives Abbott. They didn¡¯t even drive; after three bus transfers and a one-kilometer walk, they arrived at Neil Street. Octavius gasped for breath and couldn¡¯t help but feel that he was getting old and his body couldn¡¯t keep up. Ives, on the other hand, found everything fresh and exciting, as the rich second-generation who normally drove luxury cars around town, suddenly found riding the bus a bit novel. If she knew that back in the day, Julius Reed even rode tigers, elephants, and even upon a white crane, she would probably be even more envious. They had set out when it was still daylight, and by the time they arrived, the sky had gradually darkened. Octavius, knowing his way around, quickly located a large food stall in the center of the night market and took a seat like a regular citizen. ¡°Hey! Mr. Abbott, you¡¯re here! What¡¯s been going on lately, haven¡¯t seen you for a few days!¡± The food stall was owned by a couple around forty years old, very amiable in nature; upon seeing Octavius and his company, they quickly came over to greet them. Clearly, Octavius was a regular here. ¡°Just been a bit busy lately!¡± Octavius chatted amiably, without any of the airs he usually had. ¡°Busy with what, you? I was wondering if you were up to no good and got yourself locked up!¡± The owner turned and brought over a few bottles of soda, opened them with a bottle opener, and placed them in front of the four, ¡°That widow Liu over there has been missing you! ¡± After saying this, he glanced around the night market. ¡°Go on! Don¡¯t talk nonsense! My daughter is here!¡± Octavius kicked the stall owner in the backside and scolded with a laugh, ¡°The usual rules, give us four servings!¡± He turned to Julius Reed, ¡°Brother Reed, take a look at what you want to eat!¡± The stall owner had already placed the worn menu on the table and looked at Julius Reed, ¡°Mr. Abbott, your son-in-law?¡± They only knew Octavius had a daughter, and suddenly a handsome young man appears, naturally leading to wild speculations. Getting on in years, they couldn¡¯t help being a bit gossipy. ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense! Just a friend!¡± Octavius¡¯s hand shook, and he nearly dropped his soda. Having Julius Reed as a son-in-law? That would be the death of him! I don¡¯t have the guts to do that! Besides, the man¡¯s already got a wife. Thinking about this, he really kind of envied Julius Reed¡¯s father-in-law. Yet, Burl Radcliffe seemed to be filled with regret¡­ ¡°Mr. Abbott, these days, if you can have a young man join you for a meal here, be content with that! I see this young brother with clear eyebrows and bright eyes, but not a hint of arrogance, really not bad!¡± The owner sized up Julius Reed, his smile growing even broader: ¡°If he weren¡¯t your son-in-law, I¡¯d consider setting him up with my own daughter!¡± He had operated the food stall for many years and had seen all sorts of people. Someone like Julius Reed, handsome yet approachable, was truly rare. And it looked like he came from a good family background, a child of a wealthy family. For a rich kid to be like this these days was quite uncommon. Julius Reed didn¡¯t say much, instead, he picked up a soda and took a sip: ¡°Tastes good!¡± It¡¯s not easy to find a taste from twenty years ago nowadays. ¡°Enjoy the soda, it¡¯s on the house!¡± The owner patted his chest and called inside: ¡°Denzel Leopold, bring out a case of soda!¡± ¡°Right on!¡± With a sweet voice, a girl around twenty years of age carrying a case of soda hurried over. The soda was quite heavy, but the girl was strong. Her face was not made up, but she was very pretty. ¡°Your daughter¡¯s not bad!¡± Julius Reed nodded his head. They say children from poor families take on responsibilities early. While other girls her age were indulging in fun, this young girl was helping out with the family business. ¡°Heh heh. She¡¯s going to university in the provincial capital. She¡¯s made us as parents proud, hardly spending any money. She¡¯s at the University of Finance and Economics, it¡¯s a top-tier school!¡± The owner¡¯s face was full of pride when he talked about his daughter.Y0u can read sh0rt, t0uching, and r0mantic st0ries ab0ut c0uples, as well as children¡¯s st0ries f0r free 0n sitest0rys . c0m They had only one child, who was well-behaved and clever, with excellent academic results. In stark contrast was Ives Abbott, standing beside them in a daze. She was the typical rich second generation: ignorant and incompetent, idling her life away. ¡°Good! Keep studying hard, repay your parents, and save them from such toil.¡± Miguel Abbott looked at the young girl with a beaming smile, as if he were looking at his own daughter. ¡°You two keep talking, I¡¯ll go and get started on your food!¡± The owner took his daughter¡¯s hand and headed toward the kitchen. By this time, it was getting late, and a steady stream of customers began to fill the shop. Julius Reed and Octavius began an intense discussion about folk cuisine. Octavius thought of himself as well-traveled and knowledgeable, but Julius Reed mentioned a few dishes he¡¯d never heard of, and by the end, he could only admire him! In the midst of their casual chat, a group of young people walked in from outside. The leader had dyed yellow hair, a large gold chain around his neck, and behind him were several young men with unfriendly expressions. Their demeanor didn¡¯t seem like they were here to eat. ¡°Goddamn, the hygiene fee has been overdue for three months, Alton Bread has spoken, if you can¡¯t come up with the money today, we¡¯ll smash up your shabby shop!¡± The yellow-haired guy looked around, violently knocked over a table, and shouted at the customers inside: ¡°Get the hell out of here!¡± The crowd, seeing the situation, quickly left. ¡°Jett, take a seat!¡± Hearing the noise, the owner hurried out and greeted them with a smiling face.. Chapter 204 - Chapter 204: 203 Chapter 204: 203 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Mr. Marsh, I don¡¯t have time to cozy up to you! Give me a straight answer, can you cough up the money or not?¡± The man known as Jett reached out his hand, and an employee behind him immediately handed over an axe. Crack! Jett swung the axe down onto the wooden table of the food stall, speaking viciously, ¡°The word from above is clear, if you can¡¯t produce the money today, we¡¯ll start by taking one of your hands!¡± ¡°Dad!¡± Hearing the noise, Lory Shaw ran out from the back kitchen, standing in front of Jett and the others, ¡°You gangsters, what do you think you¡¯re doing!¡± ¡°Wife, take Ives and leave, I¡¯ll talk it over with Jett.¡± ¡°Wife, take Ives and leave, I¡¯ll talk it over with Jett.¡± Mr. Marsh quickly pushed his daughter into his wife¡¯s arms, explaining with a forced smile, ¡°Jett, it¡¯s not that I won¡¯t pay, but the sanitation fee you¡¯re demanding is too high. This small stall of mine only makes a few thousand a month, and you¡¯re asking for five thousand right off the bat, I really can¡¯t afford it!¡± ¡°Damn it! Today you have to pay, whether you have it or not! Let me tell you straight, Alton Bread has already put out the word: without the money today, don¡¯t even think about leaving this street!¡± Jett clearly was not buying it, tilting his head slightly, and the employees behind him immediately surrounded the mother and daughter, blocking their attempt to leave. ¡°Jett, let the mother and daughter go, can¡¯t I stay behind instead?¡± At that moment, Mr. Marsh spoke with a pleading tone. ¡°Mr. Marsh, we¡¯re all from the old neighborhood, I don¡¯t want to make things too hard for you! Just hand over the money, and we can put this matter to rest. Otherwise¡­ Jett glanced at Lory Shaw, chuckling with a sneer. This chuckle not only terrified Lory Shaw to lose all color, but Roosevelt Shaw also shuddered with fear. This was his only daughter, he couldn¡¯t afford to take any chances with her. ¡°Jett, I¡¯ve only got three thousand on me, you take this first, I¡¯ll figure out a way to come up with the rest!¡± Roosevelt Shaw quickly turned to the cash register, pulling out a wad of crumpled bills. ¡°Mr. Marsh, the sanitation fees for three months come to fifteen thousand! That¡¯s not even including interest! This three thousand you¡¯re giving can be considered as interest. When are you going to pay off the remaining fifteen thousand?¡± Jett passed the money he received to his employee behind him, still relentlessly pressing the issue. At barely over twenty, he was already thoroughly corrupt. ¡°You¡¯re bandits!¡± Lory Shaw, biting her lip in anger, tears continuously streaming from her eyes, exclaimed. ¡°Bandits? Heh heh!¡± On hearing her words, Jett laughed, ¡°You should just be grateful you were born in this era; otherwise, my brothers would have executed you a long time ago! You wouldn¡¯t have made it to today!¡± While speaking, he didn¡¯t bother hiding the desire in his heart. Lory Shaw was twenty years old, in the prime of youth, not just sweet-looking but also with a top-notch figure. ¡°But we don¡¯t dare, that doesn¡¯t mean Alton Bread doesn¡¯t! On this street, as you know, there¡¯s nothing Alton Bread wants to do that anyone can stop!¡± While verbally threatening Roosevelt Shaw, he squinted at Lory Shaw, even swallowing hard. ¡°Jude, check the other cash registers for more money!¡± ¡°Got it!¡± A youngster with a mischievous smile strode toward the cash registers. That was where Roosevelt Shaw had just taken the money from. ¡°Jett, give me a few days¡¯ grace!¡± Seeing the youngster heading for the cash register, Roosevelt Shaw felt a pang of fear and hurried over to stop him. The cash hidden there was for Lory Shaw¡¯s school fees for the start of the term. If these hooligans took it, what would Lory Shaw do when school started in half a month? ¡°Get lost! ¡± Whoosh! The hooligan unceremoniously kicked Roosevelt Shaw in the chest. ¡°Roosevelt!¡± ¡°Dad!¡± Mother and daughter cried out together, rushing from behind to support Roosevelt Shaw. During the commotion, the hooligan had already rummaged through the register and found a stack of bills. ¡°Fuck! Eighteen thousand! Roosevelt Shaw, you old bastard, playing so dirty. Got money but not paying the sanitary fee, you¡¯re asking for trouble!¡± Upon seeing so much money, Jett immediately couldn¡¯t hide his grin. The sanitary fee was split seventy-thirty, they took thirty percent, and the rest went to Alton Bread. Today, with over ten thousand in hand, each of the brothers could pocket at least three thousand, not including the money from other merchants. Even Jett had already figured out where to enjoy himself that night. ¡°That¡¯s Lory Shaw¡¯s school tuition, nobody touches it!¡± Roosevelt Shaw rushed in front of the hooligans, trying to snatch the money back. ¡°Beat him up!¡± Whoosh! A few charged in, pummeling with fists and feet. ¡°Dad!¡± Seeing her father getting beaten, Lory Shaw grabbed a beer bottle and smashed it hard onto Jett¡¯s head! Crack! The girl mustered all her strength, shattering the bottle! ¡°Motherfucker, you¡¯re asking for it!¡± Jett, gnashing his teeth, slapped Lory Shaw across the face. ¡°Today I¡¯ll deal with you too!¡± Having said that, he rolled up his sleeves, furious and ready to hit someone. ¡°I¡¯ll fight you all!¡± Roosevelt Shaw on the ground, seeing his daughter hit, found strength from somewhere, pushed the young man in front of him away, and rushed to the back kitchen to grab a cleaver. ¡°Roosevelt Shaw, have you gone fucking mad!¡± Seeing Roosevelt Shaw coming at him with red eyes, Jett quickly got out of the food stall, threatening fiercely, ¡°Just you wait, even Alton Bread isn¡¯t afraid of your shit!¡± After that, he and a few hooligans fled in panic. When everyone had left, the family hugged each other and burst into tears. ¡°Lory, your tuition is gone, daddy is so sorry¡­¡± The forty-something Roosevelt Shaw squatted on the ground, crying like a child. ¡°Dad, it¡¯s okay; I won¡¯t go to school. I¡¯ll stay and help you and mom with the business!¡± Lory Shaw said sensibly. Meanwhile, at a nearby table, Ives Abbott¡¯s eyes reddened. If it weren¡¯t for her father holding her back, she would have gone up to beat those thugs long ago. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you let me go!¡± She looked at Miguel Abbott with teary eyes and asked. Lory Shaw was her age. Seeing her bullied made Ives Abbott feel incredibly upset. ¡°Sometimes you can help momentarily but not for a lifetime. These are problems they must ultimately face themselves. If we weren¡¯t here today, what would they do?¡± Julius Reed, seeing a choking Ives Abbott, said, ¡°The world is just that cruel. Your dad went through the same once. If you weren¡¯t Miguel Abbott¡¯s daughter, what you¡¯d face could be even worse than hers!¡± Ives Abbott, never wanting for anything and pampered from childhood, whereas Lory Shaw worried over tuition and even when others her age dated or traveled, she stayed home to help with work. ¡°Boss, here¡¯s the money for the meal. If it¡¯s convenient, please help by making it. After all, we¡¯re hungry. If it¡¯s inconvenient, we¡¯ll leave.¡± Julius Reed took out five thousand from his pocket and handed it to Roosevelt Shaw. ¡°This¡­ A meal costs only one hundred and eighty; what are you doing!¡± Seeing the thick stack of money, Roosevelt Shaw immediately tried to refuse it, ¡°Thank you for your kindness, but trouble will come looking soon. You better ¡°Mr. Marsh, quit acting like a woman! Just cook, and we¡¯ll eat. I want to see who dares to trouble me!¡± Miguel Abbott took the money from Julius Reed and stuffed it into Roosevelt Shaw¡¯s hands, ¡°We¡¯ve known each other for years, right? This money is for Lory¡¯s schooling; you can pay it back slowly. I¡¯ll come eat here every day, deduct a meal¡¯s cost from this. If you delay her schooling, you are the sinner!¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Roosevelt Shaw stomped his foot and sighed, ¡°Thanks, brother.. Wife, start cooking! ¡° Chapter 205 - Chapter 205: Chapter 204: Disturbed My Meal_l Chapter 205: Chapter 204: Disturbed My Meal_l Translator: 549690339 Although Roosevelt Shaw was always worried about dragging Octavius Abbott and the others down and kept urging them to leave, Octavius Abbott refused to go under any circumstances, insisting on finishing their meal first. Unable to persuade Octavius, Roosevelt Shaw hurried to finish grilling the skewers, hoping they could quickly finish eating and leave. He wanted to avoid trouble when Jett arrived with his gang, so as not to get his old friends involved. Just as Roosevelt Shaw served up twenty skewers, the sound of car engines roared outside the food stall, and then two Wuling Hongguangs stopped at the entrance, with over twenty people jumping out from inside. These people were holding clubs, clearly experienced, and the aura of violence around them was much stronger than that of Jett and his men. ¡°Roosevelt Shaw, you¡¯ve got some nerve, huh?¡± A middle-aged man in a floral shirt, with a cigarette hanging from his mouth, emerged from the crowd. ¡°Remus Smith, you go too far! The old local vendors are just trying to make a living, and you guys come here extorting ¡®sanitation fees¡¯! And five thousand at that, are you robbing us?¡± Roosevelt Shaw Imew that being timid wasn¡¯t going to solve the problem; he became incredibly confrontational. Behind him, his wife was holding Lory Shaw, looking somewhat clueless. Through the earlier small talk, Julius Reed and his companions learned that this man was named Remus Smith. Half a year ago, Remus Smith came here with his people, demanding a monthly ¡°sanitation fee¡± from everyone. If any vendor refused to pay, he would bring his men to smash their carts in the street, even to the point where they couldn¡¯t do business anymore. Over time, a portion of the better-off businesses begrudgingly paid up, while those with thin margins simply packed up and left to seek livelihoods elsewnere. It wasn¡¯t that no one had thought of resisting; previously, the owner of a grilled cold noodle stall had fought Remus Smith¡¯s men and ended up in the hospital. Since then, no one dared to resist. ¡°Mr. Marsh, I thought we¡¯d give you some face, seeing as we¡¯re all from the same neighborhood! But you, you truly don¡¯t appreciate it! Since that¡¯s the case, don¡¯t blame me for being ruthless!¡± Remus Smith¡¯s face showed a ferocious look as he threw his cigarette butt on the ground and stomped it out: ¡°Smash it!¡± Crash! A few thugs barged into the place and started flipping over the tables. When they saw Julius Reed and his group sitting and enjoying their meal, the thugs were temporarily taken aback. Usually, the patrons would run off at the first sign of trouble. And here they were, still in the mood to eat? ¡°Get out! We¡¯re closing up!¡± One of them approached the table, shouting impatiently. ¡°The boss hasn¡¯t said we¡¯re closing. What are you, anyway? Scram! Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m eating here?¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t even look up; after taking a bite of a lamb skewer, he couldn¡¯t help but praise, ¡°Mr. Marsh has great skills, give me fifty more skewers!¡± ¡°Indeed, would I keep coming otherwise!¡± Octavius Abbott licked his lips, still wanting more. ¡°Hey! Are you taking my words for a fart?¡± The thug raised his eyebrows, filled with rage. To completely ignore him was such a sign of disrespect! His anger rising, he moved to flip the table, ¡°I told you to eat!¡± But as soon as his hand touched the table, it was caught by Allen: ¡°What are you doing, buddy?¡± ¡°Ouch!¡± Allen¡¯s grip was strong, causing the thug to scream in pain and even fall to his knees beside the table. ¡°Big guy, what are you doing? Can¡¯t afford skewers, so kneeling to beg?¡± Julius Reed laughed, shoved a bone in the thug¡¯s mouth: ¡°Take your time eating! Dogs love bones!¡± ¡°Ptooey! ¡± The thug quickly spat out the bone, cursing, ¡°You sons of bitches¡­¡± Smack! Allen slapped the thug across the face, gripping his wrist tightly, and asked through clenched teeth, ¡°What, you ungrateful for the bone our boss gave you?¡± This commotion stunned Roosevelt Shaw and the others. Even the other thugs who were smashing up the place stopped and watched what was happening here. ¡°Ouch! On this street, someone dares to mess with my brother?¡± Remus Smith laughed lightly, touched his head, and shouted to his men, ¡°Let him understand who Alton Bread is!¡± ¡°Alright!¡± The punks readied themselves, crowding around one by one. ¡°Boss Davenport, didn¡¯t you say you wouldn¡¯t get involved?¡± Ives Abbott blinked and looked at Julius Reed. Just a moment ago he was preaching a bunch of morals, so why was he helping now? If she didn¡¯t have Boss Davenport¡¯s approval, she was not going to let Miguel Abbott do as he pleased. In the past few days at the Pearl on the Water, she had seen everything very ¡°Do I need a reason to do what I do?¡± Julius Reed looked up at Ives Abbott. The latter was initially stunned, then burst into laughter. However, to the punks, this seemed like blatant mockery. In this area, they were used to being the tough guys; this was the first time someone had so blatantly disregarded them. ¡°Brothers, don¡¯t recognize Alton¡­¡± Whoosh! The leader approached the table, had barely spoken half a sentence when Allen¡¯s fist slammed into his face, instantly splattering blood everywhere. ¡°Can¡¯t you see we¡¯re eating? Get lost!¡± Being Octavius¡¯ personal bodyguard required substantial strength. It was only because he had encountered such an abnormal opponent earlier that he found himself in an incredibly awkward situation. Now, dealing with a bunch of punks was child¡¯s play for him. ¡°You¡¯re asking for it!¡± Seeing their brother hit, the rest of the punks charged over with wooden clubs raised. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Allen grabbed one punk¡¯s hand, snatched the wooden club straight away, and fiercely swung it at the heads of several others! These punks usually got by just by intimidating their neighbors; although they had some fighting ability, they were no match for Allen! A few strikes and there was already a group knocked down on the ground. ¡°This¡­¡± Not only Roosevelt Shaw but even Remus Smith, who stood at the entrance, were stunned. One against ten, and it seemed effortless. He had met his match! ¡°Do you know who I am? You dare to attack my people?¡± Regaining his senses, Remus Smith immediately showed his true colors, ¡°You must be new here? You little bastard, are you blind!¡± He said, threatening them. ¡°Trying to have a meal here, why are there always dogs barking? Go, shut him Julius Reed threw his chopsticks down on the table and wiped his mouth: ¡°Such a turn-off!¡± ¡°Understood ! ¡± Allen nodded respectfully, picked up a chair, and walked towards Remus Smith. ¡°What are you trying to do!¡± Seeing Allen approach aggressively, Remus Smith felt somewhat frightened. ¡°Trash him!¡± He shouted, but the people nearby lost all the sharpness they had when they got out of the car. At that moment, they all stood frozen, their minds preoccupied with who knows what. ¡°A bunch of good-for-nothings!¡± Remus Smith steeled his heart, grabbed a wooden club, and rushed at Allen! Whoosh! Allen delivered a flying kick, sending him tumbling to the ground, then the chair in his hands came crashing down heavily! Chapter 206 - Chapter 206: Chapter 205 Call for Reinforcements 1 Chapter 206: Chapter 205 Call for Reinforcements 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Ah¡­ my leg!¡± As the sound of the wooden chair shattering and bones breaking filled the air, Remus Smith let out a miserable scream and curled up on the ground. ¡°Come on, tell me, how tough are you?¡± Allen stepped hard on Remus Smith¡¯s face and asked with a sneer, ¡°Now that I¡¯ve got you under my foot, you can only beg for mercy like a dog! I¡¯m giving you a chance now, kneel before the boss and apologize to his family of three. If you put on a good show, I might just let you off.¡± This scene completely dumbfounded Roosevelt Shaw¡¯s family of three, as well as the employees Remus Smith had brought along, who lay on the ground equally shocked. Ever since Remus Smith began collecting sanitation fees with his crew, he had never suffered such a huge loss. With Irving Harris, the big Buddha, backing them, no one dared stand up against them. So they acted unruly, without ever facing any trouble. Today, however, they failed to collect the sanitation fees, and getting their brothers beaten up was one thing, but even Remus Smith himself was knocked down, now trampled underfoot. It was just like a dream. ¡°You all wait for me! When my brother-in-law arrives, you¡¯re all dead!¡± Remus Smith¡¯s face was red with rage, his teeth clattering with anger. Blood was seeping from his left leg, clearly indicating the bone had been broken by the blow. ¡°Oh! Still got a tough mouth!¡± Allen lifted his foot from Remus Smith¡¯s face and asked with a smile, ¡°Who¡¯s your brother-in-law?¡± ¡°Ha! Kid, you¡¯ve got bad luck! Today you broke my leg, and I¡¯m going to make sure you all stay here!¡± Remus Smith took a deep breath, enduring the severe pain in his body, and looked at Roosevelt Shaw: ¡°And you! No one¡¯s getting away from this! Roosevelt Shaw, don¡¯t you care about your daughter? Tonight, I¡¯ll see her punished ! ¡± After saying this, Roosevelt Shaw trembled and quickly stepped in front of his wife and child: ¡°Quick! Take Denzel Leopold and leave!¡± Remus Smith was arrogant, and with that brother-in-law backing him, there was nothing he wouldn¡¯t dare do. Now that he¡¯d been humiliated like this, he certainly wouldn¡¯t let it go easily. ¡°Trying to run? Too late! Roosevelt Shaw, I¡¯m going to make you regret this!¡± Although Remus Smith was in pain with a contorted expression, seeing Roosevelt Shaw¡¯s panic excited him strangely. ¡°Alton Bread, I¡­¡± Roosevelt Shaw was an honest and simple civilian; how could he fight against such a villain? If killing Remus Smith could ensure Lory Shaw¡¯s safety, Roosevelt Shaw might even be willing to go to prison. But he knew very well that if Remus Smith died, things would only get more complicated! Azai Martinez was Remus Smith¡¯s brother-in-law, and he had considerable influence in this area. It was by relying on Azai Martinez that Remus Smith dared to be so brazen. ¡°He doesn¡¯t seem to be hurt at all!¡± Julius Reed sat in a chair, laughing as he looked at Remus Smith. ¡°Hit him harder!¡± Miguel Abbott immediately understood the implication and nodded at Allen. ¡°Heh heh!¡± Allen grinned and then stomped on the broken part of Remus Smith¡¯s leg! ¡°Aaah¡­¡± A scream like that of a pig being slaughtered echoed, and Remus Smith¡¯s face turned red and his neck swelled; his whole body was twitching. ¡°Keep going, I quite enjoy listening to your boasts!¡± Allen smiled as he continued grinding the wound relentlessly. ¡°Ah¡­ I was wrong!¡± The once arrogant Remus Smith was now begging like a grandson, his pleas reaching an extreme level of desperation! ¡°Not so cocky anymore?¡± Allen squatted down, still smiling and asking. ¡°No more! I was wrong!¡± A wise man does not eat the loss in front of him; Remus Smith now felt like he wanted to die. To suffer a little less, he decided to give in. Just as soon as he got out of this diner, his brother-in-law would immediately come with people. Then, all those who had hurt him would have to die! ¡°How have I not noticed? You¡¯ve got to show some sincerity, right?¡± Allen picked at his ear, asking in a nonchalant manner. ¡°Boss, what kind of sincerity are you looking for?¡± Remus Smith¡¯s facial features were already twisted in a frightening way, and with a sobbing tone, he pulled out a wad of cash from his pants pocket, ¡°This is the sanitation fee I collected today, all the money I have is here, and if it¡¯s not enough, I¡¯ll go back and get more for you! ¡± In his hands, there were about twenty thousand yuan. This was the hard-earned money of the small business owners in the neighborhood, who had risen at dawn and toiled till dusk. Now, a large portion of it was being taken away in the name of a sanitation fee. ¡°Give this money back to the neighbors, aside from your cut,¡± Julius Reed said to Roosevelt Shaw, pointing at that stack of money. But Roosevelt Shaw dared not take it. He was afraid. Once Remus Smith settled scores after the fall, he surely couldn¡¯t just abandon his home and flee from Five-river Province. Even if he left, how would he survive? Lory Shaw hadn¡¯t even finished college¡ªwas she supposed to drop out? ¡°Take it, trust me, brother!¡± Miguel Abbott stood up, walked over to Roosevelt Shaw, and stuffed the money into his hand, ¡°We¡¯ve known each other for years, I wouldn¡¯t screw you over!¡± After speaking, he turned to look at Remus Smith and said coldly, ¡°I know you¡¯re not convinced, that¡¯s great! Now I give you a chance, call over everyone you can! I¡¯m quite busy, and I like to handle things all at once!¡± If things weren¡¯t resolved today, Roosevelt Shaw was surely going to face trouble. And judging by Julius Reed¡¯s intention to help, he might as well do a good deed for once. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare! How could I dare, boss!¡± Sweat covered Remus Smith¡¯s forehead, and his face turned pale. But he still shook his head, managing to squeeze out a faint smile. Call for help? He¡¯d have to wait until he was out of danger. ¡°If you don¡¯t call anyone, I¡¯ll break your other leg!¡± Miguel Abbott waved his hand, and Allen strode to the table, picked up a chair, and walked over. ¡°I¡¯ll call! I¡¯ll call!¡± Seeing that the other party was serious, Remus Smith didn¡¯t hesitate and immediately took out his phone from his pocket. But the phone had been smashed by the chair and was already broken. ¡°Give me a cellphone!¡± He gestured to a staff member, and someone immediately handed him a phone. ¡°I¡¯m really going to make the call?¡± Remus Smith swallowed, asking tentatively. He was unsure whether the other party was testing him or was serious. ¡°Hurry up!¡¯ Miguel Abbott waved his hand impatiently, feeling quite frustrated and angry. It was rare for him and Julius Reed to find a common interest, getting chummy with each other, and these people had to disrupt it. ¡°Okay!¡± A sneaking delight grew inside Remus Smith; if the other party wanted to court death, he was happy to oblige. Soon, the call went through. ¡°Brother-in-law, I¡¯m at the seafood stall, and someone¡¯s broken my leg. Come over with some people! The other guy can really fight,¡± Remus Smith pleaded in a whining tone. ¡°Damn it! Who¡¯s got the guts of a bear and the boldness of a leopard to mess with my brother-in-law! Remus, stay there, five minutes!¡± An angry roar came from the phone. ¡°Okay, boss, I¡¯ll wait for you!¡± After hanging up the phone, a subtle smile lifted the corners of Remus Smith¡¯s mouth.. Chapter 207 - Chapter 207: Chapter 206: Do You Know Miguel Abbott?_l Chapter 207: Chapter 206: Do You Know Miguel Abbott?_l Translator: 549690339 ¡°Abbott Brother, you¡¯re unaware, Remus Smith¡¯s brother-in-law is named Azai Martinez, and he¡¯s a well-known local tyrant here! Have you ever heard of ¡®Irving Harris,¡¯ ¡®Vann Harris¡¯?¡± Roosevelt Shaw pulled Miguel Abbott aside and whispered. Having offended Remus Smith today, he was already somewhat concerned for Miguel Abbott, and now bringing Azai Martinez into the picture was simply courting death! The two had known each other for so long, and today, with Miguel Abbott helping so vigorously, he truly couldn¡¯t bear to see his good brother get dragged into trouble. ¡°Vann Harris?¡± Miguel Abbott raised his eyebrows and said, ¡°I¡¯ve heard a bit about him!¡± It was more than just a bit, in fact, just today, the two had just made a deal. But these were not words that Miguel Abbott could say out loud. Anxiety was written all over Roosevelt Shaw¡¯s face. As a longstanding local, he knew very well how serious these connections were here. Remus Smith wasn¡¯t really a big shot. But Azai Martinez was different; he was one of Vann Harris¡¯s men! ¡°Is that so?¡± Miguel Abbott thought carefully, but he couldn¡¯t recall anyone by the name of Azai Martinez. Even though he didn¡¯t know Irving Harris all that well, owing to a feud between them, he still knew some of the other man¡¯s secrets. Irvung Harris¡¯s employees were known to him, but there was no one named Azai Martinez. There was no need to think further; this person must be someone trying to pose as a big shot. ¡°Indeed! You¡¯d better go quickly!¡± Roosevelt Shaw was very anxious: ¡°We can¡¯t afford to offend them!¡± He looked at Lory Shaw, then grabbed Miguel Abbott¡¯s hand: ¡°Brother, in my life, I ask this one thing of you! You must take Lory away for me, the old couple can manage, but Lory is my life!¡± There was no way he could just watch his daughter fall into a trap. He knew all too well what sort of people they were! ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Lory won¡¯t be in any trouble.¡± Miguel Abbott patted Roosevelt Shaw¡¯s shoulder and asked, ¡°Have you ever heard of Miguel Abbott?¡± ¡°Heard of him! What¡¯s up? Roosevelt Shaw was stunned, unsure why the other suddenly asked about this. ¡°What do you think about Miguel Abbott compared to Irving Harris?¡± Miguel Abbott asked with a hint of pride. ¡°Miguel Abbott I know well enough, that swindler, early riser for profit! I heard he started from scratch and now he¡¯s become a big shot in Five-river Province! Irving Harris might be a bit unscrupulous, but he really has some ability. Miguel Abbott? A hypocrite, neither of them are good birds!¡± Roosevelt Shaw spoke from the heart. ¡°Hahaha! That¡¯s hilarious!¡± Ives Abbott, who was nearby, burst out laughing after hearing this! Seeing her own father¡¯s face turn iron blue, she couldn¡¯t feel more pleased inside. Julius Reed also laughed without saying a word; it seemed Miguel Abbott¡¯s attempt at showing off hadn¡¯t gone as planned. ¡°Ahem!¡± Miguel Abbott cleared his throat with a hint of embarrassment. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, not feeling well?¡± Roosevelt Shaw, seeing his old buddy with a red face, thought it was due to fright. ¡°It¡¯s nothing! Nothing! Miguel Abbott, that guy is really no good!¡± Miguel Abbott said in a sarcastic tone. While the two men were chatting, another Mercedes arrived at the door, followed by a bunch of Hondas. Once the car stopped, such a big commotion immediately attracted the onlookers from the neighborhood. When Remus Smith had arrived earlier, it had already drawn quite a bit of attention. But everyone was reluctant to see Roosevelt Shaw bullied, and since they dared not speak up, they pretended not to notice. Now, seeing the situation was getting out of hand, the neighbors quickly gathered around. And Azai Martinez, wanting to use the opportunity to intimidate the naiahhnrc didn¡¯t tho ha cont ¡°Rowley!¡± Seeing Remus Smith collapsed on the ground, Azai Martinez¡¯s face changed dramatically! ¡°Get them, take them down!¡± With a wave of his hand, the employees behind him immediately charged forward! ¡°Brother-in-law! Save me!¡± Remus Smith howled in pain. The blow just now had shattered his bones; luckily, Remus Smith had thick skin and tough flesh. Otherwise, an ordinary person would have probably passed out from the pain long ago. ¡°Damn it! Roosevelt Shaw, I¡¯m going to kill you today!¡± Seeing his nephew-in-law in such agony, Azai Martinez gritted his teeth in anger. He drew a long knife from the waist of an employee beside him and pointed it at Roosevelt Shaw, ¡°Today, I¡¯ll chop off five of your fingers first, to teach you a lesson!¡± Finished speaking, Azai Martinez strode towards Roosevelt Shaw. ¡®What are you doing!¡± At that moment, Allen stepped forward to block him. ¡°Move aside! Or I¡¯ll chop you up too!¡± Azai Martinez pushed forcefully, trying to shove Allen aside, but unexpectedly Allen didn¡¯t dodge at all and instead directly grabbed his fingers! Crack! His little finger was instantly broken by Allen! ¡°You¡­¡± Azai Martinez swung his knife instinctively! The blade whooshed towards Allen! But Allen dodged backwards, and the knife cut through empty air. ¡°Brother, can¡¯t we talk this out nicely? Why wave knives and guns around, it¡¯s bad for harmony!¡± Allen grinned and suddenly applied force! Crack! Another finger was broken! Azai Martinez inhaled sharply, the excruciating pain causing his entire body to tremble. Meanwhile, in the room, a hundred or so people each pulled out their weapons, preparing to fight! ¡°Attack, cripple them all!¡± Azai Martinez exerted force with agonizing pain to pull his hand back, already too pained to stand steadily. ¡°Brother-in-law, it¡¯s him, he broke my leg!¡± Seeing Azai Martinez take a beating, Remus Smith felt extremely delighted. His brother-in-law was not one to suffer losses. Having suffered so much today, it did not bode well for the people in this room. As expected, the retreating Azai Martinez had a vicious look! ¡°This Azai Martinez, truly up to no good! Roosevelt Shaw¡¯s family is honest and kind, yet he¡¯s riding roughshod over them!¡± ¡°Exactly! These bastards, they¡¯re really good for nothing!¡± ¡°Pity the customer who boldly stood up for justice; having offended Azai Martinez, it¡¯ll be hard for him to leave today!¡± The local residents let out a long sigh, feeling somewhat upset. They didn¡¯t want to avoid helping; they truly couldn¡¯t afford to offend anyone, With families to care for, all they could do was quietly endure. ¡°Azai Martinez, is it? I hear you¡¯re an employee of the Limping Man?¡± Just then, Julius Reed came over with a bottle of soda in hand. ¡°Our boss¡¯s name is not something you can just call out!¡± Azai Martinez¡¯s mouth twitched slightly, full of anger. Julius Reed looked at him, took a sip from the soda bottle, then suddenly smashed it forward! Chapter 208 - Chapter 208: Chapter 207 Azai Martinez Brings Reinforcements 1 Chapter 208: Chapter 207 Azai Martinez Brings Reinforcements 1 Translator: 549690339 Crack! The soda bottle shattered instantly, and glass splinters flew everywhere. Azai Martinez didn¡¯t even have time to react. He just felt dizzy for a moment and staggered backward. The employee behind him immediately caught Azai and asked with concern, ¡°Are you okay?¡± This took everyone by surprise. Especially Roosevelt Shaw¡¯s family of three. Remus Smith was notoriously aggressive, and it was all because of his brother-in-law backing him up. Now that Azai had stepped up and was hit with a bottle right from the start, how bold was this kid? ¡°A bunch of trash!¡± Smack! Azai pushed the employee beside him away and slapped him across the face, ¡°My head was almost split open, and you ask if there¡¯s a problem?¡± He touched his head and felt a warm, sticky blood on his hand. Julius Reed had used a lot of force; otherwise, that sturdy bottle wouldn¡¯t have exploded instantly. ¡°Hiss! ¡± Azai sucked in a deep breath and felt unsteady on his feet. He didn¡¯t even have to think about it; a hospital diagnosis would definitely indicate a concussion. But he didn¡¯t have time to worry about that now, his pride had been injured, and he had to get it back! Not just in front of his own employees and brothers, but also the neighbors on this street¡ªall eyes were on him! ¡°Take him down first!¡± Azai¡¯s hands trembled as he took a cigarette from his pocket, and an employee quickly lit it for him. After a puff of the cigarette, Azai¡¯s head cleared a little, but he still felt nauseous. ¡°Damn it! You dare mess with our boss, fellas, take him down!¡± A bald man rubbed his head and picked up a wooden club, walking towards Julius. The other employees also picked up whatever they could and rushed forward menacingly. Allen faced the bald man and walked towards him, unarmed and without any weapons. ¡°Hey! I really don¡¯t believe this!¡± The bald man let out a sinister laugh and brought the wooden club down with force! As the club came crashing down towards him, Allen suddenly sprinted forward, closing the gap! At the same time, he grabbed the bald man¡¯s arm with both hands! Whoosh! With a kick from Allen, the bald man stumbled back several steps and fell to the ground! Seizing the opportunity, Allen quickly turned around swinging the wooden club non-stop. ¡°Hey, not bad at all, you¡¯ve got some skills!¡± Azai pressed a towel against his head, ¡°All of you, attack together! He thinks he can fight, let¡¯s see!¡± Just then, the roar of a car engine approached. ¡°Who called for backup?¡± Seeing the newcomers, Azai was somewhat slow to react. He thought his employees had called for reinforcements. ¡°Brother, who are you from?¡± When his employees expressed ignorance, Azai walked up to the group in confusion. ¡°Get lost! ¡± The leader paid no attention to him and shoved past directly to where Miguel Abbott stood, ¡°Boss!¡± This shocked everyone present. It turned out the new arrivals were from their rivals? Azai grew wary and immediately sent a text to his boss above. Having completed all that, he walked up to Miguel Abbott and gave a salute with his fists, ¡°May I ask, brother, from which side are you?¡± The other party had quite a few people, and they were armed, but from the look of it, Azai Martinez knew these were not a group to be trifled with. He had been in the mix for many years and had the eye for it. If he really encountered some big shot, he would have to rely on his own boss to step in. Now Five-river Province was extremely unsettled, with constant conflicts between the major families, giving the employees of Irving Harris a lot more confidence. ¡°You¡¯re not worthy of knowing our boss¡¯s name!¡± Allen stepped in front of Azai Martinez, sneered, and said, ¡°Today, you¡¯re out of luck! ¡± ¡°Ha! It¡¯s still not clear who will be the hunter and who the hunted! As if I¡¯d be afraid of you!¡± Azai Martinez fired back. It wouldn¡¯t be long before his own boss arrived here, and when the time came, no matter who it was, they would have to apologize earnestly! On the other hand, Roosevelt Shaw was completely confused. He quietly approached Miguel Abbott and asked, ¡°Mr. Abbott, who are all these people?¡± He had known Mr. Abbott for several years, knew that Abbott had a bit of money, and had his eyes on the widow across the street. Beyond that, he knew nothing. Now that so many people had arrived, Roosevelt Shaw was totally baffled. ¡°I¡¯ve got a brother who works under Octavius. He ran into trouble today, so I got hold of him!¡± Miguel Abbott explained with a smile. It¡¯s not that he didn¡¯t want to be honest, but even if he had told the truth, Roosevelt Shaw might not have believed it. Even if he did believe it, their relationship from then on wouldn¡¯t be as easy as it was now. ¡°Ah! You really saved me today!¡± Roosevelt Shaw sighed, grasping Miguel Abbott¡¯s hand, ¡°The brothers who came today, drinks are on me!¡± That was all he could do. ¡°Okay!¡± Miguel Abbott nodded with a smile and patted Roosevelt Shaw¡¯s shoulder, ¡°You go and start cooking. Leave the situation here to me. Denzel Leopold, you all go help out too! ¡± Having said that, even a simple fellow like Roosevelt Shaw understood the implication. He immediately led the mother and daughter to the kitchen, leaving the space completely to Octavius and his crew. ¡°Call your boss over.¡± Once Roosevelt Shaw had left, Octavius¡¯s expression immediately turned grim. He approached Azai Martinez and said coldly, ¡°This is your last chance!¡± ¡°Do you know where this is?¡± Azai Martinez couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°This is my turf! No matter where you¡¯re from, show some respect when you talk to me!¡± In this old district, besides his own boss and Irving Harris, he really wasn¡¯t afraid of anyone! Everyone had their own turf, and as the saying goes, even a mighty dragon cannot crush a local snake¡ªthat was the logic. Seeing the other side had more people, but with his boss about to arrive, Azai Martinez spoke with an even more defiant tone. ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll make you fully convinced!¡± Miguel Abbott nodded, turned to Julius Reed with respectful inquiry, ¡°Mr. Reed, how would you like to deal with him?¡± He needed to ask Julius Reed how to proceed. ¡°People like him are only good for causing harm to the civilians if they¡¯re kept around. Along with Remus Smith, break them and throw them out on the street. Let them learn a lesson, and anyone who dares to trouble this family again, throw them straight into the river to feed the fish.¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands behind his back, watching all this coldly. He always had a strong aversion to such bullies. Fancy bullying others with one¡¯s power? Under heaven, in terms of ability, who could compete with him? Yet even Julius Reed himself was a law-abiding good citizen, helping others when he could. Where did these people get the audacity to bully others? ¡°Done! Everyone heard Mr. Reed¡¯s words, right? Break those two!¡± With a wave of his hand from Miguel Abbott, his men immediately moved in. ¡°Who dares to touch my people?¡± Just then, a voice came from outside.. Chapter 209 - Chapter 209: Chapter 208 Embarrassing Maddox Ridge_1 Chapter 209: Chapter 208 Embarrassing Maddox Ridge_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Boss?¡± Upon hearing the voice, Azai Martinez was overjoyed! Because the person who came was none other than his immediate boss, Maddox Ridge! Following the voice, a succession of footsteps could be heard at the doorway. Clearly, Maddox Ridge had not come alone. Inside the room, upon hearing this voice, Julius Reed didn¡¯t say a word as he grabbed a chair and walked toward the door. ¡°Protect Mr. Reed!¡± Miguel Abbott bellowed. Quickly, a scarred man wearing sunglasses and dressed in a white suit strode into the eatery. But before he could react, he saw a chair smashing toward him! Maddox Ridge¡¯s eyes widened as he stood frozen in place, watching the chair come at him. Crack! Julius Reed swung his arm around and knocked Maddox Ridge to the ground. The air instantly fell silent. Everyone was stunned. This was Maddox Ridge, one of Irving Harris¡¯ most trusted men! To say that Azai Martinez and Remus Smith were beaten, that was nothing; they were just a rabble. But Maddox Ridge was different ¨C he was Irving Harris¡¯ true die-hard loyalist! ¡°You dare to hit our boss?¡± About five seconds later, Maddox Ridge¡¯s employees came to their senses. They quickly helped their boss up while preparing to fight back. ¡°Stop right there!¡± With his heart burning with rage after the blow, Maddox Ridge shouted. But when he saw the face of the person who had hit him, a chill ran up his spine. Just that morning, this young man had crippled one of Irving Harris¡¯ legs! Maddox Ridge had been right behind Irving Harris, watching his invincible boss getting his only good leg crippled. And after paying a hefty compensation, he still had to smile as he was pushed out of the Water Pearl. Later, Irving Harris issued a death order: anyone who dared to provoke Julius Reed during this time would be punished severely! Now the very person was standing before him; how could Maddox Ridge not be afraid? If he had not witnessed the might of Julius Reed with his own eyes, Maddox Ridge might have taken a chance! After all, running into his own turf, if he could take down this kid, it would be a great service to his boss! But the morning¡¯s battle had chilled them all! However strong they were, were they stronger than Master Pendleton? Yet even Master Pendleton proved no match. And Maddox Ridge, taking a closer look, noticed Miguel Abbott and his employees standing in the room. If a real fight broke out, he definitely wouldn¡¯t have the upper hand. ¡°Boss, this bastard is too arrogant! He dared to touch you! We must cripple him! An uninformed employee roared with anger. Right at their own doorstep, their boss had been attacked, and it was impossible for the employees to save face. ¡°Everyone, stop: ¡® After taking such a hit, Maddox Ridge, with a thunderous face, shouted and, while wiping the blood from his forehead, walked over to Azai Martinez and demanded, ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Upon receiving Azai Martinez¡¯s message, he had rushed over with his men and still hadn¡¯t figured out what was happening. ¡°They broke my cousin¡¯s leg!¡± Azai Martinez pointed to Remus Smith on the ground writhing in agony, and then to his own head: ¡°I brought men over, but who would have known my head would get cracked open! Boss, they¡¯re not taking you seriously at all! It¡¯s nothing if I get beaten, but this is a slap in your face!¡± Seeing Maddox Ridge arrive, Azai Martinez felt immensely confident. Plus, with Maddox Ridge getting hit as soon as he entered, his heart was secretly delighted. He knew his boss¡¯s character all too well. A fierce warrior among Irving Harris¡¯ employees, who carried himself with disdain for everyone on a normal day. Now having been beaten at his own turf, Maddox Ridge wouldn¡¯t just let it go. ¡°Who the fuck told you to come here!¡± Maddox Ridge slapped Azai Martinez, sending him tumbling to the ground. This left everyone stunned once again. ¡°Boss, brother Azai was just following your orders¡­¡± Whack! An employee beside him was about to defend Azai Martinez, but before he could finish his sentence, he received a slap on his face. ¡°Say that again!¡± Maddox Ridge pointed at the employee and demanded harshly, ¡°Did I say that?¡± ¡°No¡­ you didn¡¯t say that, boss!¡± The employee, clutching his face, stammered in reply. ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Maddox Ridge swallowed hard and barked at the people around him, ¡°How do I usually teach you, to maintain good relations with the locals! And look at you, bullying the people, what is this? Banditry?¡± His scolding left everyone utterly bewildered. With Maddox Ridge disowning it, and the truthful employee also getting a beating, even the dimmest person could see what was happening. They certainly wouldn¡¯t be foolish enough to talk back to their own boss! ¡°Yes! The boss is right in his teachings!¡± The employees humbly accepted the criticism. Meanwhile, Remus Smith and Azai Martinez, lying on the ground, were somewhat at a loss. Something seemed amiss! Maddox Ridge had been hit, and his first reaction wasn¡¯t to seek revenge, but to shift the blame! A chill ran down Azai Martinez¡¯s spine as he looked at Julius Reed with an utterly shocked expression, as if realising something. ¡°Mr. Reed, I apologize for my poor management of my employees. I ask for your forgiveness!¡± Under the gaze of more than a hundred people, Maddox Ridge walked up to Julius Reed with a red face and bowed respectfully. This left all the employees dumbfounded. These people, who had been full of murderous intent, now all stood aside, feeling mixed emotions. Maddox Ridge was known for his fiery temper; all the employees knew that. But what kind of person could make Maddox Ridge not only take a beating but also proactively apologize? ¡°It apologies were helpful, what would we need laws for.d¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands clasped behind his back, showing no sign of accepting the apology. This put Maddox Ridge in an awkward position. He faced two choices: to fight it out, or to submit completely. But even Irving Harris had failed, and Maddox Ridge wasn¡¯t going to court death. ¡°Mr. Reed, since this situation has occurred because of me, and since you¡¯ve already hit back, please calm down,¡± Maddox Ridge managed a strained smile and negotiated with Julius Reed, ¡°Tell me what would satisfy you.¡± A man who stands under a roof has to bow his head. Maddox Ridge, who was usually so arrogant, couldn¡¯t express how stifled he felt inside! ¡°Keeping such scum around you will only tarnish your reputation! I think you should clean your own house! As for Roosevelt Shaw and his wife, it¡¯s not easy; they still have to send their kid to college.¡± Julius Reed pulled out several thousand dollars in cash from his pocket and put it in Maddox Ridge¡¯s hand.. Chapter 210 - Chapter 210: Chapter 2091500000 1 Chapter 210: Chapter 2091500000 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Oh no! Mr. Reed, this absolutely won¡¯t do!¡± Maddox Ridge withdrew his hand as if electrocuted and explained to Julius Reed, ¡°Mr. Reed, you¡¯re embarrassing me! If I had known that Roosevelt Shaw and you knew each other, even with ten times the courage, I wouldn¡¯t have dared to come!¡± Realizing he had slipped up, he quickly corrected himself, ¡°No, it¡¯s my lack of supervision! Taking in these good-for-nothings, all they know is to bully the locals! Mr. Reed, I promise you, this will never happen again!¡± Reminded of the sorrowful experiences at Pearl on the Water, Maddox Ridge didn¡¯t want to stay at the food stall for another moment. ¡°Take it! It¡¯s hard for everyone to come out, and it must have cost you quite a bit to rally the troops!¡± Julius Reed stuffed the money into Maddox Ridge¡¯s trembling hands and waved his hand, ¡°Folks, stop gawking, get back to work! From now on, the sanitation fees will be paid by this brother by my side. You all just focus on your businesses.¡± He pointed at Miguel Abbott, which made Maddox Ridge shudder inside. This was a person on par with Irving Harris; if it really came to paying the sanitation fees, he wouldn¡¯t have the guts to collect them. ¡°Cough cough! Leave it to me!¡± Miguel Abbott coughed and quickly made a statement. Now was the time to show his capability, and since Julius Reed was giving him the opportunity, he couldn¡¯t fail to accept it. Meanwhile, Maddox Ridge was dying of embarrassment. He held the money, not knowing what to do with it. He never dreamed that one day he would find money so hot to touch that he wouldn¡¯t dare to throw it away. ¡°Mr. Reed, 1¡­¡¯ Holding onto the money, he feared he wouldn¡¯t be able to walk out of the food stall. Not taking it, but since the money was already stuffed into his hand, wouldn¡¯t that be like slapping Mr. Reed¡¯s face? He feared the consequences would be even worse. ¡°This is what you deserve!¡± Julius Reed patted him on the shoulder and pointed to the mess on the floor, ¡°Look, your employees¡¯ brothers have smashed up the place like this, and Roosevelt Shaw isn¡¯t exactly wealthy¡­¡± ¡°I understand! I understand!¡± Once Maddox Ridge heard this, a multitude of feelings flooded his heart. The sad thing was, he feared his wallet was going to suffer. The happy thing was, he finally felt assured about taking the money. ¡°Mr. Marsh, come out!¡± Miguel Abbott called into the kitchen, and Roosevelt Shaw immediately crawled out from inside. ¡°What¡¯s up!¡± He wiped his hands on his clothes and assessed the situation around him. After confirming that Miguel Abbott and the others were okay, he then let out a long sigh of relief. ¡°Boss Shaw¡¯s employees don¡¯t know the rules; they accidentally smashed up your shop. Now Boss Shaw himself has come, and to show sincerity, he¡¯s decided to compensate you for your losses. Calculate how much all the smashed items in this room are worth.¡± Miguel Abbott pointed to the wreckage and asked aloud. He knew very well that no matter how much Roosevelt Shaw claimed, Maddox Ridge would definitely be bleeding money. According to what he knew about Julius Reed, it wouldn¡¯t be under a hundred and fifty thousand. ¡°Hey! It¡¯s not much money, let¡¯s just forget about it!¡± When he heard Miguel Abbott say this, Roosevelt Shaw was initially stunned, then hastily shook his head to refuse, ¡°They¡¯re all worthless things, I can fix them up myself, it won¡¯t be much trouble!¡± To ask for money from Irving Harris¡¯s people was something Roosevelt Shaw dared not do. What if, after Miguel Abbott left, these guys came to settle scores later? Thugs are never known to be good people. ¡°No! Mr. Marsh, today¡¯s incident was a complete misunderstanding! My employees behaved foolishly, causing chaos in your place. Please be honest, and brother, I guarantee you, to the last penny! And if any bastard dares to come for payback, I¡¯ll break his legs personally!¡± Maddox Ridge quickly spoke up, cutting off any of Roosevelt Shaw¡¯s potential worries for the future. With Julius Reed here, he wanted to leave standing tall; what¡¯s a little money in that case? The attitude had to be correct! After saying that, Roosevelt Shaw¡¯s face turned red, unsure of what to do. He was an honest and simple man, just wanting to lead a quiet life without getting involved in trouble. ¡°No worries, just tell the truth, and we, your brothers, will take care of you!¡± Miguel Abbott patted his shoulder, giving Roosevelt Shaw yet another reassurance. ¡°All right! For these tables and chairs, one thousand five hundred bucks will be enough! ¡± Roosevelt Shaw steeled his heart and quoted a few hundred less than the actual cost. Azai Martinez¡¯s men did a ruthless job; they basically trashed everything in the room. If the food stall was to reopen, it would certainly take the couple a few days of hard work. ¡°Agreed!¡± Miguel Abbott nodded and said to Maddox Ridge, ¡°Pay up!¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Maddox Ridge didn¡¯t dare to delay and immediately took out his wallet, from which he pulled out a stack of cash and stuffed it into Roosevelt Shaw¡¯s hands. At a rough estimate, there seemed to be about five thousand dollars. ¡°Ah! There¡¯s no need for so much, Boss Ridge, this is too much for me!¡± Roosevelt Shaw dared not accept this money. If it hadn¡¯t been for Miguel Abbott¡¯s insistence, he would have let today¡¯s incident pass. ¡°It¡¯s not too much!¡± Maddox Ridge thrust the money forward, his face stern as he said, ¡°Mr. Marsh, we¡¯re all old acquaintances here. If you don¡¯t take the money, you¡¯re not giving me, Maddox Ridge, face!¡± Seeing his determination, Roosevelt Shaw didn¡¯t dare to say more and quickly pocketed the money, thanking him profusely, ¡°Thank you so much, Brother Ridge!¡± ¡°Maddox Ridge, how come I heard Roosevelt Shaw say one hundred and fifty million? You didn¡¯t mishear, did you?¡± Julius Reed asked nonchalantly with his hands clasped behind his back. The statement jolted Maddox Ridge. Indeed, to walk away scot-free, one truly had to shed some skin. But more than a hundred million was still an acceptable loss to him. Over the past few years, Irving Harris¡¯s business had been quite profitable. Their core employees, each had been able to pocket tens of millions annually. If it could guarantee his safety, spending the money was worthwhile. After all, his boss had spent money and still ended up with a broken leg. ¡°Yes! Mr. Reed is right! I got so flustered by these good-for-nothing employees that I heard the amount wrong. One thousand five hundred and one hundred fifty million are quite different!¡± Maddox Ridge turned his head back and called to one of his employees, ¡°Go to my house immediately, the first safe in the bedroom, and bring one hundred fifty million in cash!¡± Due to the nature of their profit-making businesses, Irving Harris and others usually kept large sums of cash on hand for emergencies. In Maddox Ridge¡¯s house alone, there was a stash of five million in cash! ¡°Boss!¡± The employee stood still, showing no intention of moving. They were so arrogant and domineering on a regular day, and now they were being robbed by someone? If they really brought the money, how could they face anyone in the future? Moreover, he didn¡¯t believe that Maddox Ridge, such a formidable figure, would be scared of a teenager. A hundred or so men, better to charge forward and fight it out! ¡°Can¡¯t you hear what I¡¯m saying?¡± Maddox Ridge glared and kicked the employee on the backside, ¡°You have fifteen minutes. If you don¡¯t bring the money, I¡¯ll break your legs!¡± ¡°Got it!¡± Seeing his boss so enraged, the employee quickly scrambled up and dashed to a car, speeding off with a screech. ¡°Please wait a moment!¡± Maddox Ridge said with an awkward smile.. Chapter 211 - Chapter 211: Chapter 210: Calling a Deer a Horse 1 Chapter 211: Chapter 210: Calling a Deer a Horse 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Young man, you¡¯ve misunderstood!¡± Roosevelt Shaw stood rooted to the spot in complete bewilderment. He had said one thousand and five, not one hundred and fifty thousand! Even his shabby little shop wasn¡¯t worth fifteen thousand! A simple canopy and some seats were hardly any expense. ¡°One thousand and five!¡± He explained again. ¡°Yes, one hundred and fifty thousand! That¡¯s what you said before, one hundred and fifty thousand!¡± Miguel Abbott added from the side. ¡°Buddy, you must have heard it wrong, right?¡± Roosevelt Shaw looked at Miguel Abbott, his face a picture of disbelief. What was going on? Had he not made himself clear, or was this guy¡¯s hearing off? ¡°Yes, Boss Shaw indeed said one hundred and fifty thousand, and that five thousand was just the interest for these fifteen minutes.¡± Maddox Ridge quickly chimed in. Get the money, sort out the matter, so he could leave as soon as possible. He really didn¡¯t want to stay here a moment longer. ¡°I said one thousand and five!¡± Roosevelt Shaw was starting to feel anxious. ¡°Yes, you said one hundred and fifty thousand! Don¡¯t believe me? Ask anyone.¡± Julius Reed said smilingly. ¡°Fine!¡± Roosevelt Shaw walked up to one of Miguel Abbott¡¯s employees and asked, ¡°Kid, did I just say one thousand and five?¡± ¡°Yes! You said one hundred and fifty thousand!¡± The employee replied with no change in expression. One had to be shrewd to work for Miguel Abbott; anyone else would have been kicked out long ago. Now that their boss had made his stance clear, how could they not understand what he meant? ¡°Hey, this is crazy!¡± Roosevelt Shaw shook his head and approached an employee of Maddox Ridge¡¯s. If Miguel Abbott¡¯s people were in on the deception, surely Maddox Ridge¡¯s people would tell the truth, right? After all, the two sides were not familiar. ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°You said one hundred and fifty thousand, I heard it loud and clear. Fellows, how much did Boss Shaw say? ¡°One hundred and fifty thousand!¡± Before Roosevelt Shaw could even speak, the employees behind all shouted in unison. He began to doubt himself. Could it be an illness, like that cerebellar atrophy mentioned on TV? ¡°Tell me, how much did you hear just now?¡± He crouched down, looking at Remus Smith, who was nearly in shock. The two had bad blood between them, and because of Roosevelt, Remus¡¯s leg was broken; surely a man like that wouldn¡¯t help him out, right? ¡°One¡­ one hundred and fifty thousand¡­¡± Remus Smith replied in a weak voice. If Roosevelt Shaw hadn¡¯t asked, everyone would have almost forgotten about Remus¡¯s presence. ¡°You guys too, he¡¯s like this already, why not send him to the hospital?¡± Julius Reed pointed at Remus Smith, who was close to fainting, and said with a hint of distress. It was as if the injured person was his good brother. ¡°Right! Didn¡¯t you hear Mr. Reed? Hurry up and take him to the hospital, stop getting in the way here! And take Azai Martinez too! Just looking at him annoys me!¡± Maddox Ridge immediately gave the order. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t want to send them to the hospital; after all, they were his employees. But without Julius Reed¡¯s permission, he wouldn¡¯t dare! ¡°Since they¡¯re going to the hospital anyway, I presume they won¡¯t die. Here¡¯s what you¡¯ll do: break both their legs, then send them to the hospital, no problem, right?¡± As soon as Julius Reed finished speaking, a chill emanated from behind Maddox Ridge. Indeed, this young man was no pushover. He wondered how there could be any thoughts of peace. ¡°Losing two legs is certainly better than losing life! Come on, do it!¡± Maddox Ridge steeled his heart and waved his hand behind him. ¡°Boss! Boss, you can¡¯t do this¡­¡± Azai Martinez let out pitiful howls, while Remus Smith fainted on the spot. Without a word, the employees picked up steel pipes and relentlessly beat the two men¡¯s legs! Soon, Azai Martinez also passed out from the pain. Then the employees dragged the two men like dead dogs, threw them into the van, and sped towards the hospital. As soon as they left, an employee with cash arrived on their heels. Two large suitcases, exactly one million and five hundred thousand. ¡°This money should, after all, be taken from the people and used for the people! ¡± Julius Reed looked at the pile of cash and then at the dilapidated old district: ¡°Although it¡¯s not a lot of money, it¡¯s still enough to build a trade market for the neighbors. At the very least, you won¡¯t need to occupy the streets anymore, and it will bring poverty alleviation opportunities to more people.¡± Although Julius Reed was not usually concerned with these matters, when encountered, he felt obligated to do something about it. ¡°This¡­¡± Hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, Roosevelt Shaw knelt down excitedly: ¡°Young man, on behalf of the villagers, thank you!¡± Planning a farmers¡¯ market had always been everyone¡¯s wish. The old district was almost neglected, with many areas abandoned. Next to the street, there was a vacant lot. But the thought of coming up with such a large sum of money made many hesitant. Add to that the issue of who would contribute how much, which was a big nroblem. Now, with this one million and five hundred thousand, plus the free labor of the neighbors, everything could be settled quickly. After all, no one had to pay a penny and someone was willing to invest, which motivated everyone greatly. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just lending a hand. That Maddox Ridge, since Roosevelt Shaw isn¡¯t too nimble, you and the others help him clean up his place, and replace any tables and chairs that need replacing. And when the market is built, you better pitch in!¡± Julius Reed helped Roosevelt Shaw up, comforting him: ¡°Focus on getting your daughter through university, don¡¯t hold her back! We¡¯re also getting hungry, shouldn¡¯t you show us some gratitude?¡± ¡°Done!¡± Roosevelt Shaw sprang up from the ground and ran to the back kitchen to fire up the barbecue. Meanwhile, the other small vendors outside, hearing that Julius Reed was financing the farmers¡¯ market, also brought over their signature delicacies for Miguel Abbott and his companions to taste. Allen brought his people to take their seats and began to eat and drink merrily within the food stall. Maddox Ridge¡¯s men brought a large number of tables and chairs in less than thirty minutes, set them up for Roosevelt Shaw, and then quickly left. After drinking through three rounds, Julius Reed glanced at his watch, stood up, and prepared to leave. It was getting late, already past eleven without him realizing it. Although he had lived for countless years, he didn¡¯t eschew the pleasures of the Mortal World. Enjoying some street food was also a long-lost pleasure. Otherwise, what a long hardship the march of time would be. But as he left the food stall, he felt something was amiss. Someone was following him. At that moment, the night market was bustling, full of people. Taking advantage of the chaos, Julius Reed quickly weaved through the crowd and entered an old residential complex. Due to years of disrepair, no one lived there anymore; the glass was all broken, leaving behind empty frames. ¡°Come out!¡± After confirming there was no one around, Julius Reed turned around and stared at a corner of the old residential complex. ¡°Hehe! Julius Reed, you really are quite capable!¡± A group of people emerged from the corner, each holding a weapon. ¡°Today, this will be your final resting place!¡± The leader stepped out of the shadows, his steel knife glinting in the moonlight. ¡°You¡¯ve chosen a fine grave for yourselves!¡± Julius Reed looked at the approaching figures and said with a smile.. Chapter 212 - Chapter 212: Chapter 211: A Man Appears on the Way_l Chapter 212: Chapter 211: A Man Appears on the Way_l Translator: 549690339 Under the clear moonlight, several Shadow Warriors quickly surrounded Julius Reed. This place was a distance away from the night market, so quiet that not even the clamorous noise over there could be heard, clearly, they had come prepared. ¡°Before I send you on your way, I¡¯d like to ask a question.¡± Julius Reed straightened the buttons on his cuff and casually asked, ¡°Who sent you?¡± Whenever he thought of his enemies, Julius Reed would begin to feel a headache coming on. These people were like flies; although they couldn¡¯t bite him, they were so annoying! No matter where he went, there was always someone following him. ¡°Well, good! Today, you¡¯ll die knowing why!¡± The person in charge approached slowly, a black-clothed man with his face covered, whose voice suggested he was around forty years old. He was burly, exuding an air of death; obviously, he had claimed many lives. ¡°Young Master Jaxen Brandon, you remember him, don¡¯t you?¡± When the man spoke, Julius Reed understood. It turned out to be people sent by the Brandon Family, but the reach of the Brandon Family was truly long; they even extended their hand into Five-river Province. After Cameron Brandon had been defeated and fled in a panic, Julius Reed thought he would escape abroad and not dare to return to the country for a while. However, he didn¡¯t expect that they would be so impatient and send someone to assassinate him so soon. ¡°Of course I remember, the way he died in front of me was truly laughable,¡± Julius Reed said with a shake of his head and a smile. ¡°What a pity, I forgot to record it to show you.¡± If Jaxen Brandon dared to abduct Quella Radcliffe, then the Brandon Family would have to follow him to the grave. Once he made the time, he would take care of the Brandon Family properly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! We don¡¯t care about Jaxen Brandon¡¯s death!¡± The man shrugged and said, ¡°We get paid to do a job, we don¡¯t concern ourselves with your grudges. Right now, we only know one thing, that head of yours on your shoulders is worth fifty million!¡± So, they were professional Shadow Warriors. ¡°So you¡¯re saying that I¡¯m walking around every day with something worth tens of millions on my head? Isn¡¯t that a bit like showing off wealth?¡± Julius Reed wasn¡¯t nervous; instead, he clasped his hands behind his back and looked at the group of Shadow Warriors with a grin. Interesting. The Brandon Family not only took action themselves but even spent money to hire killers. It seemed that Jaxen Brandon¡¯s death had greatly affected them. Gonzalez City was under Aron Jackson¡¯s control¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t let the Brandon Family¡¯s men act rashly. Currently, aside from a few power groups, almost all of Gonzalez City was under Aron Jackson¡¯s surveillance. Still, the fact that the Shadow Warriors hired by the Brandon Family could infiltrate Five-river Province was enough to show their determination. ¡°Fifty million, this is the biggest bounty I¡¯ve ever taken on! I thought I was after someone really impressive, and I even brought out all my resources. Yet when I saw you today, it turns out you¡¯re just a young man!¡± Even though the man¡¯s face was covered, his tone carried a sense of disdain, ¡°Isn¡¯t this just like picking up money? I¡¯m starting to doubt if I¡¯ve got the wrong person!¡± The man named Bianca Leocadia was a desperado. In his life, he did nothing but kill and plunder. When he first took on this job, he thought he was dealing with someone very impressive. After all, a fifty million bounty is not something ordinary people get. He even gathered all his martial artist buddies, ready to make a big score! But who would have thought that after sneaking all the way to Five-river Province, they would find their target was just a young man. And not even some ultra-rich second generation, just a son-in-law who had married into a family. Bianca Leocadia was both pleased and regretful. Pleased because the job was almost like picking up free money. Regretful because he and his brothers were all set for a major clash, but now there was nowhere to exert their strength. ¡°Once I take your head and get the money, I¡¯ll burn some ritual paper for you on the fifteenth of July.¡± Bianca Leocadia wiped the triangular military thorn on his body, revealing a gleaming cold light. ¡°Fifty million, is that a lot?¡± Julius Reed shook his head and said, ¡°This offer is an insult to me. There was once a bounty of one billion on my life, and yet here I am, alive and well, while the person who offered the money may have already been reincarnated!¡± During the Republic of China era, Julius Reed, out of boredom, strolled into a foreign tycoon¡¯s mansion and casually took with him some national artifacts that had been stolen. Before leaving, Julius Reed wrote a line in the tycoon¡¯s mansion. Uninhabited territory. It was these four characters that deeply irritated the tycoon. His home security was comparable to a museum¡¯s, and yet someone had broken in without any detection. The news spread quickly, and to save face, the tycoon offered a bounty of US dollars that was almost equivalent to ten billion today. Thus, one after another, the Shadow Warriors were all eliminated, and the tycoon, terrified, chartered a cargo ship to flee with his wealth. That night, the ship sank. The tycoon became dinner for the fish. Now, what¡¯s fifty million in comparison? ¡°Big talk! Number Three, go and see what he¡¯s made of, try to capture him alive. I want to see just how tough this kid can be!¡± Being ignored made Bianca Leocadia somewhat angry. He decided to torture his victim before killing him, to satisfy his twisted craving. ¡°Alright! Boss, you just watch!¡± A muscular man of about one and a half meters tall, but with immense strength, stepped out from the crowd. Just as he was about to make his move, Julius Reed lifted his head, looking at the dilapidated old building and asked, ¡°Which of you is coming first?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± After hearing his words, Bianca Leocadia frowned and took a look, then said sternly, ¡°Stop playing tricks on me!¡± Bianca Leocadia thought Julius Reed was scared and trying to distract them to seize an opportunity to escape. But before he could finish his sentence, a figure dropped from the sky, landing in between the two groups. ¡°This¡­¡¯ Bianca Leocadia was shocked inside. He pointed the triangular military thorn in his hand at the man and asked, ¡°Who are you!¡± Instinctively, he thought it was a helper called by Julius Reed. The ability to appear silently and unnoticed by so many people undoubtedly meant this was no ordinary person. At the very least, his capabilities must be above his own. ¡°You? You also want to know who I am?¡± As soon as the man spoke, everyone sensed something was off. This voice, it¡¯s not a local¡¯s. Clearly, he¡¯s a foreigner! ¡°Stop with your tricks! If you know what¡¯s good for you, get lost, or I¡¯ll take care of you too!¡± Bianca Leocadia didn¡¯t want any complications at this moment. He just wanted to kill Julius Reed and collect the fifty million reward. ¡°Hey! Mind your tone!¡± The man turned around, and by the moonlight, they could see that he was a blonde, blue-eyed man wearing a black jacket, his entire outfit giving off a metallic vibe. ¡°Heh! I¡¯ll say it one last time, if you don¡¯t leave, we will kill you too!¡± Bianca Leocadia warned with a frown. Not knowing the stranger¡¯s strength, he dared not act rashly. ¡°Can¡¯t you hear what our boss is saying? Scram!¡± Although Number Three was short, he stepped forward, pointing at the man: ¡°Scram!¡± Whoosh! The man suddenly raised his hand. ¡°Futile rage!¡± Thump! Number Three¡¯s body instantly fell to the ground, while several darts had somehow appeared in the man¡¯s hand.. Chapter 213 - Chapter 213: Chapter 212 The Sore Spot of the Night wolf 1 Chapter 213: Chapter 212 The Sore Spot of the Night wolf 1 Translator: 549690339 Whoosh! After the third man¡¯s horrendous death, the rest of the people raised their weapons and pointed them at the man. ¡°You dare kill my men!¡± Bianca Leocadia clenched her teeth tightly, her voice filled with anger. ¡°Too noisy, I don¡¯t like incompetent people who talk too much. And today, you definitely can¡¯t leave here alive, I won¡¯t kill you, but the person in front of you will.¡± The blond man shook his head, not caring at all about the people before him. In his eyes, these people posed no threat at all. ¡°You¡¯re being too arrogant!¡± Bianca Leocadia gritted her teeth and suddenly thrust her military thorn out! At the same time. The mechanisms behind her were triggered, and darts flew toward the blond man! ¡°Interesting!¡± The blond man laughed loudly and his body plummeted downward! Then, he disappeared from the spot! ¡°Where is he!¡± Bianca Leocadia stabbed into thin air, her heart instantly turning cold. Whoosh! Whoosh! Bang¡­ The next moment, the sound of darts erupted. As the sound of heavy objects hitting the ground continued, Bianca Leocadia¡¯s people fell one after another. In the end, only she remained standing there. And all her companions had perished by the Left-handed Dart. ¡°Who the hell are you!¡± Bianca Leocadia was in complete panic. In her early years, she graduated from a martial arts school, where she was the best fighter in her class. Later, due to her crimes, she lived a fugitive life. After getting in touch with old classmates, they formed a Shadow Warrior organization, engaging in unsavory deeds. Domestically, their skill level was already very high. Over the years, they had completed at least ten missions! But who would have thought that today¡¯s fifty million business would end up costing them their lives in Five-river Province. ¡°I told you, you¡¯re not worthy to know! ¡± The man tossed the Left-handed Dart forward, ¡°Here¡¯s the dart, kill me and you can live!¡± As he spoke, he pounced forward like a ferocious tiger! ¡°Die!¡± But in an instant, the strength in his body began to be drained, making even the act of triggering the mechanism extremely difficult. The blond man now stood in front of him, with the triangular military thorn already plunged into Bianca Leocadia¡¯s body. ¡°Try this, throw the dart!¡± The blond man pointed the dart at his own head, a look of scorn on his face. Bianca Leocadia¡¯s eyes nearly bled with rage, letting out an unwilling roar, but her hand simply didn¡¯t have the strength! Thinking of her brothers¡¯ deaths, she felt indignant! The person was right below the dart. If only she could press the trigger, she could have her revenge! But! This finger, it didn¡¯t even have the strength to pull the trigger! Spurt! The blond man pulled out the triangular military thorn and gently pushed Bianca Leocadia. Her body fell to the ground with a thud. Until her death, Bianca Leocadia¡¯s eyes still held indignation. She died with her eyes open. ¡°A bit too cruel.¡± Julius Reed had been watching all this. ¡°Oh! Bruce Lee, you think this is cruel? Don¡¯t you think that incompetent people are doomed to this fate?¡± The blond man cracked a smile, as if he had just done something very ordinary. On his face, there was no trace of pity, nor the weight of murder. On the contrarv, his eves onlv held iov. ¡°You must be the Shadow Warrior ranked eleventh on the list, Night Wolf, Levi, right?¡± Looking at the blond man in front of him, Julius Reed had already guessed as much. With such nimble movements and that outfit, it was almost a certainty. ¡°That¡¯s right! Reed, you really have a good eye! If you hadn¡¯t killed Deep Cold, I think we might have become friends.¡± Levi slowly unbuttoned his jacket to reveal a vest underneath. Emblazoned on the vest was the head of a wolf! ¡°It is said that Night Wolf excels at ambushes and rarely engages in open combat. Even at night, you can see as clear as day, though I wonder if that¡¯s true or false.¡± Julius Reed still had a smile on his face, calm and collected. He knew very well about this Night Wolf. Out of boredom, he had once reviewed the information on top Shadow Warriors thoroughly, even tracking some of them for a while to see their true capabilities. Of course, none of them noticed. ¡°Hmm?¡± As expected, upon hearing the description of himself, Levi raised his eyebrows, shedding his arrogant demeanor. ¡°You¡¯re right! Reed, I¡¯m very curious, how do you know about me?¡± Levi was not in a hurry to make a move, because in the darkness, no prey could escape his attack. He too was commissioned by Deep Cold to take out this man. Of course, that was after knowing his target was strong, worthy of his effort, and after receiving a hefty commission. All the prey that had seen him, had died. So how did this young man before him come by this information? ¡°Is it that difficult? I even know what you¡¯ve done over the years.¡± Julius Reed looked at Levi and slowly began, ¡°Ten years ago, the death of your master¡­¡± ¡°Shut up! ¡± At the mention of his master, Levi immediately became hypersensitive. ¡°My master died under the Himalayas saving me, and I will not allow anyone to bring up his name again!¡± His expression turned grave, and a murderous aura began to spread from his body. At this moment, Night Wolf was like a food-guarding dog, in an extremely violent state. ¡°That¡¯s right! Your master did save you. But in the final moments, you had the chance to rescue him as well. Yet what you repaid your master with was the thrust of your dagger!¡± Towards the end, Julius Reed¡¯s voice grew heavy! ¡°Shut up! I¡¯m going to cut out your tongue!¡± Levi¡¯s eyes turned bloodshot, and his body trembled. What was more overwhelming was his disbelief! Only two people knew about what happened then! One was himself; the other was his now deceased master! How could this young man before him know about it? Levi wanted to silence him permanently, but he had to understand first! ¡°Is that so! ¡®If one wishes to be unknown, one should not have done it in the first place.¡¯ Levi, when you and your master went to the Himalayas on a mission to assassinate a wealthy businessman, you didn¡¯t expect that the businessman¡¯s bodyguards were quite formidable. Even though you and your master managed to take out the businessman and his bodyguards after a fierce fight, you both were also gravely injured in the process.¡± Julius Reed gave Levi a glance and shook his head, ¡°At the critical moment, your master gave you a piece of blood jade to carry down the mountain and send word for help. But who would have thought, after learning the secret of the blood jade, you would harbor a murderous intent! And your master never imagined to the end that he would die at the hands of his most trusted disciple!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Slice! Levi roared with anger, and the short sword in his hand suddenly thrust forward! Even the air was sliced with a sharp sound! Whoosh! Julius Reed stepped back and flicked the blade of the short sword with his middle finger! The tremendous force made Levi step back, and his hand holding the sword trembled. ¡°Tell me, how do you know all this!¡± Levi¡¯s face had gone almost ashen! ¡°Because, I was right there beside you.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he lunged forward! Chapter 214 - Chapter 214: Chapter 213: Leaving a Way Out_l Chapter 214: Chapter 213: Leaving a Way Out_l Translator: 549690339 Under the moonlight of the night, Julius Reed was like an unsheathed sword, leaving behind only a shadow in the air! The Night Wolf had survived countless life-and-death battles, and even he, known for his agility, could feel the breath of death coming straight at him! This caused Levi, whose mind had been clouded by anger and irritation, to calm down instantly. Slice! Relying on the sound, he swiftly brought down the dagger in his hand! Clang! The next moment, a dark figure appeared behind him, and the dagger in Levi¡¯s hand was also hit by a powerful force, causing his whole body to be shaken backward! The dagger flew from his hand and nailed into the old building¡¯s wall, burying itself up to the hilt. Levi¡¯s hand felt as though it had been broken, as intense pain continued to radiate through it. Such a wretched state was in stark contrast to his earlier domination over Bianca Leocadia and the others. The hunter he was just now, like prey at this moment, was being toyed with by others. ¡°Damn it! I¡¯ll tear you to pieces!¡± With his scales touched in reverse, Levi became incredibly violent. He steadied himself, placed both hands on the ground, and viciously kicked off with his feet! Dust flew up from the ground, and Levi lunged at Julius Reed like a starving wolf! Faced with Levi¡¯s gamble of a last stand. Julius Reed smiled. shook his head. Whoosh! Levi¡¯s body slammed hard against the outer wall of the old building! ¡°Cough cough.. He knelt on one knee, blood dripping constantly from the corner of his mouth, looking utterly pitiful. ¡°Continue!¡± Julius Reed looked down at him from a higher position, his tone filled with mockery. This stimulated Levi once again, but any movement made his body feel like it would fall apart. ¡°Why have I never heard your name before!¡± Levi¡¯s eyes were filled with unwillingness and shock. After receiving an invitation from Deep Cold, he had briefly looked at Julius Reed¡¯s information. Although he had overestimated the young man in his mind, he still underestimated his strength. He himself was a ranked individual, but now he found himself being beaten without the power to fight back. What was even more strange was that such a formidable person was an unknown? ¡°You think everyone¡¯s like you guys, afraid the whole world won¡¯t know when they have some skills?¡± Julius Reed replied with a laugh, his tone clearly conveying contempt. ¡°My master¡­¡± ¡°I told you, I was right beside you at the time!¡± Julius Reed interrupted Levi¡¯s words. When master and apprentice had been in danger back then, Julius Reed was skiing in the Himalayas. By chance, he saw a bitter fight and, out of boredom, stood not far away, witnessing everything that happened. Having seen the coldness and warmth of human relationships for thousands of years, such an incident was really nothing to him. ¡°Ha! Since you¡¯re unwilling to reveal it, then forget it! Today I¡¯m in your hands, make your move!¡± The Night Wolf certainly didn¡¯t believe that Julius Reed had been nearby at the time. To his mind, that was just a perfunctory remark. But it¡¯s the survival of the fittest¡ªhaving lost so thoroughly, he had no right to inquire. He hadn¡¯t been without thoughts of fleeing, but the enormous gap in strength between them made him utterly abandon that idea. No possibility of escape. Better to die with some dignity. Recalling Deep Cold¡¯s words from before made him curse those generals in his mind. ¡°I could give you a chance! If you are set on dying, then forget I said anything.¡± Julius Reed shrugged and showed no intention of making a move. Yet, these words were a lifeline for Levi. Having reached the pinnacle that countless people yearned for, how could he be willing to die just like that? Even now that he had retired, he possessed a wealth that could not be spent in several lifetimes. Only a fool would choose death. ¡°I hope you are not playing games with me!¡± He suddenly became tense. Was he being given hope only to be plunged into despair? After all, in a world where the strong preyed upon the weak, the victors typically killed the losers as a mark in their own careers. Including Bianca Leocadia and others just now, Levi hadn¡¯t thought about showing mercy when he struck. ¡°Actually, it¡¯s very simple. You are a Shadow Warrior, a very strong Shadow Warrior. Although you¡¯re not enough to take on with just one of my hands, it¡¯s undeniable, your ability is strong!¡± The words of Julius Reed made Levi both happy and sad. Such a powerful figure praised him, but the phrase about not being enough to take on with just one hand also stabbed at his heart. There was no helping it; in the world of Martial Artists, strength was paramount. ¡°What would Mr. Reed have me do?¡± Levi asked bitterly. In Europe, he was the renowned Night Shadow Warrior, whose time to harvest lives began as soon as night fell. But now, in a city in the East, he was kneeling on the ground, begging like a dog with its tail between its legs! If others on the list knew, they would surely ridicule him. ¡°Kill a few people for me, how many exactly, I have yet to decide. But the first one is from the Brandon Family of Gonzalez City. I don¡¯t care how you do it, just make it clean!¡± Julius Reed commanded coldly. Yet these words felt unbearably hard on Levi¡¯s ears. Not yet sure how many, so he was to remain on call at all times? ¡°Exactly how many?¡± He lifted his head to ask. Whoosh! In reply, Julius Reed¡¯s powerful and heavy kick broke two of his ribs on his chest. ¡°You can leave, but as long as you¡¯re still in this world, killing you would be as easy as flipping my hand! ¡± Julius Reed looked down at Levi lying on the ground, speaking with a tone devoid of any emotion. ¡°Understood!¡± Levi no longer bore any semblance of a Western gentleman; instead, he struggled to get up, covered in dust like a homeless wanderer. ¡°Damn Deep Cold! ¡± He cursed those few people again in his heart. With nothing better to do, why did he have to offend such a formidable character? ¡°Someone from the Brandon Family, or¡­¡± Levi kept his head down, not daring to look into Julius Reed¡¯s eyes. But Julius Reed did not answer him; he simply walked away from the uninhabited old building, heading toward the night market. Boom! Levi let out a roar of anger, smashing a brick wall to smithereens! By the time Julius Reed reached the entrance of the food stall, he saw Miguel Abbott and others looking around anxiously. They didn¡¯t know where Julius Reed had gone and could only wait for him there. ¡°Mr. Reed, you¡¯re back!¡± Upon seeing Julius Reed¡¯s figure, the group hurried over to him. ¡°Should we send someone to keep an eye on Roosevelt Shaw?¡± Miguel Abbott explained with some concern: ¡°Irving Harris is by no means a good sort! By letting him go today, he will not be grateful, but will intensify his efforts to retaliate against you! Now that Irving Harris has been thwarted, his employees have been extremely accommodating, but what if one day Irving Harris strikes back¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a Saint; I have no interest in managing so many affairs, you deal with these minor matters on your own in the future. However, there is one thing I want you to remember!¡± Julius Reed looked coldly at Miguel Abbott: ¡°No one can escape from the palm of my hand. Today I let him go because I can kill him as easily as flipping my hand.. Whenever I wish, he goes straight to heaven!¡± Chapter 215 - Chapter 215: Chapter 214 Mysterious Boss_l Chapter 215: Chapter 214 Mysterious Boss_l Translator: 549690339 The debilitation of Irving Harris and Cesar Pendleton spread much quicker than imagined! By merely the next morning, every notable family in Five-river Province was aware of the incident! The most panicked of all was the Yarrow Family. Elize Yarrow¡¯s father was so anxious that he paced around the house, unable to think of any solution. What¡¯s even more crucial is that his daughter Elize Yarrow hadn¡¯t returned home all night, and he had no opportunity to send someone to pass on a message. Previously fearing offending the Leopold Family, he had contacted Irving Harris¡¯s employees to attempt to marry off Elize Yarrow. But now it was like lifting a rock only to drop it on his own feet! Moreover, rumors were circulating that Elize Yarrow might have had an affair with that young man, as many people saw her dressed as a bunny girl entering the VIP room. This left the small Yarrow Family completely at a loss. The opportunity to rise to the heavens was right in front of them, but these people didn¡¯t cherish it and instead pushed themselves step by step into the pit of fire. However¡­ At this moment, Elize Yarrow was playing poker with Simeon Kensington in the grand Water Pearl VIP room. After all, Julius Reed met one small request from Elize Yarrow, who had once been used as a pawn, by bringing Simeon Kensington over. The two were best friends, and considering the recent soaring prestige of Miguel Abbott, when the Abbott Family¡¯s car stopped at the Kensington Family¡¯s doorway, the Kensingtons sent Simeon over. In another VIP room, Julius Reed was discussing the establishment of the new company with Truman Ridge. The date had been set, in three days, at the Willson Building! This building, the most famous throughout the Five-river Province, and coveted by many, had already begun to see the entry of employees, preparing for the company¡¯s inauguration! At this turbulent juncture, the soon-to-be-established company in the city drew countless people¡¯s attention. According to the intelligence obtained by the major families, the company¡¯s owner is a businessman from the Treasure Island, establishing a company simply to fulfill his late family elder¡¯s last wish. Putting everything else aside. just being able to purchase the Willson Building was enough to shock people! Many families might seem very wealthy, but their assets would not suffice for the smooth operation after buying the Willson Building, and they might even collapse! But some old and established families, like the Leopold Family, and some up-and-coming entrepreneurs, like Stanislaus Potter, indeed had the ambition to purchase the Willson Building to solidify their status in the Five-river Province. It¡¯s not merely a symbol of wealth but a symbol of the overlord of the Five-river Province! Whoever captures the Willson Building will be the Boss! However, the owner of this massive building remained a mystery. Many have tried to investigate but ended up without any results. The Leopold Family exerted all their resources and barely got some clues, but the other party flatly refused! The Willson Building, not for sale! Now that this Treasure Island businessman has bought the Willson Building, it leaves the local power brokers in Five-river Province full of anticipation. With the prevailing fragmented power dynamics, no one would be foolish enough to contend with this Crossing the River Dragon. On the contrary, many families even vied to curry favor, hoping to use this new force to accomplish their family¡¯s revival and to combat Julius Reed¡¯s capital. Beneath the storm, everyone feels insecure. Even the Leopold Family, after Master Pendleton returned pale and defeated, became exceedingly cautious. ¡°Master, are you feeling any better?¡± Inside a villa of the Leopold Family, Whitley Leopold asked cautiously. In front of him, Master Pendleton sat with his eyes closed, his face deathly pale. ¡°No harm! The old monk was overconfident and underestimated the enemy, nearly losing his life at his hands.¡± Moments later, Master Pendleton slowly opened his eyes, looking at Whitley Leopold with his hands clasped together, ¡°I have already notified my senior brother to come and help! This man is too evil; if he isn¡¯t eliminated, I¡¯m afraid disaster will befall the people!¡± ¡°Master¡¯s words are true! Such a cruel and ruthless person must be reformed. The longer we wait to remove him, the more danger the world will bear!¡± Whitley Leopold, with hands also clasped, spoke with great piety. ¡°The old monk desires peace; benefactor, please leave!¡± Master Pendleton closed his eyes again, issuing an order for the guest to depart. ¡°Then I won¡¯t disturb the Master¡¯s medita tion. Should you need anything, simply summon the servant at the door!¡± Whitley Leopold bowed and slowly left. As he exited the villa, the people of the Leopold Family outside swarmed around, ¡°Patriarch, what did Master Pendleton say?¡± ¡°This is our last hope! If Julius Reed comes to kill, I¡¯m afraid no one here can stop him!¡± ¡°Exactly! This matter is of utmost importance!¡± The members of the Leopold Family talked over each other, all wearing a look of panic. They had long heard of Master Pendleton¡¯s reputation! Add to that the Eastern Bay Warrior; it was supposed to be a sure-win situation, but to their surprise, Master Pendleton was injured and retreated, and the Eastern Bay Warrior disappeared. And Cesar Pendleton and Irving Harris, who had gone to cause trouble, were utterly defeated at the Waterfront Pearl. This plunged them into an unprecedented crisis. ¡°Grandfather! Where did the Eastern Bay Warrior go? We haven¡¯t seen him,¡± Brayden Leopold asked aloud. Atlas Leopold had just awoken, but his mood was low. And with Brayden Leopold¡¯s merits for rescuing Fernando Leopold, he had once again become prominent in the Leopold Family, becoming one of the potential successors. ¡°Ha! The Eastern Bay Warrior naturally has things to do! You think you can disturb the peace of my family, so I¡¯ll let you taste what it¡¯s like to have a family member captured!¡± A vicious look flashed in Whitley Leopold¡¯s eyes, but it quickly disappeared. ¡°A gigantic corporation will soon be established in the Willson Building. Whether it¡¯s financial or social power, it will be immense! I cannot believe that the person who takes over the Willson Building is just an ordinary individual! ¡± Whitley Leopold looked around at the Leopold Family members before him and asked aloud, ¡°What do you all think?¡± The Leopold Family had long heard about this matter, but they did not expect the other party to act so swiftly. In just half a month, the preparations were completed. One could only imagine the power behind it. ¡°I think it¡¯s an opportunity! In the current situation, with someone entering the scene, there will inevitably be a clash with the rising Miguel Abbott. We should use their strength against each other; after dealing with Julius Reed, we can unite the major families and drive them out of our industry!¡± A middle-aged man in the Leopold Family pushed his glasses up and began to express his opinion. ¡°Correct! At this time, we need to unite all our forces to remove the greatest threat!¡± ¡°Agreed!¡± Quickly, the clan members reached a consensus: to get on good terms with this powerful new enterprise, understand them thoroughly, and then make a decision! ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, Fernando Leopold, as a representative of our Leopold Family, go and pay them a visit! At all costs, cling to them and try to provoke discord between Miguel Abbott and them as much as possible.¡± Whitley Leopold looked at Fernando Leopold, his eyes filled with resignation. The once illustrious Leopold Family had fallen to a point where they were dependent on others. ¡°Understood! I will do my best. If they are willing to make a move, Miguel Abbott¡¯s good days may be coming to an end,¡± Fernando Leopold nodded, sighing, ¡°Troubles abound, troubles abound.¡± ¡®Master Pendleton has already asked for reinforcements; our Leopold Family will soon rise to the dominant position again! Gentlemen, I ask for your assistance!¡± Whitley Leopold crossed his arms, his turbid eyes flashing with excitement.. Chapter 216 - Chapter 216: Chapter 215 The Dispute of the Board of Directors 1 Chapter 216: Chapter 215 The Dispute of the Board of Directors 1 Translator: 549690339 The news that Willson Building had been entered by a mysterious tycoon from Baodao spread quickly, as if someone had deliberately leaked the information, claiming that this wealthy businessman was staying in the dedicated hotel on the 21st floor of Willson Building. The speed at which the news spread was astonishing, and in less than half a day, the entire Five-river Province was well aware of it. Even Quella Radcliffe, who was far away in Gonzalez City, received the news and asked Julius Reed whether their Radcliffe Group needed to send someone over. Such a significant event was something no businessman wanted to miss. Of course, Quella Radcliffe was unaware that her husband was actually the behind-the-scenes owner of Willson Building, so Julius Reed directly asked her to come over. The two had been apart for some time and missed each other to some extent. Julius Reed, who claimed to have seen through the vanity of life, had also reclaimed the joy of living during these three years of amnesia. But what he didn¡¯t know was that during his absence from Gonzalez City, the power of Zade Radcliffe and others showed signs of resurging from the ashes. The elder of the Radcliffe family first tried to persuade with emotion and moved them with courtesy, playing heavily on the sentiment card. Finally, after the married couple Burl Radcliffe made a scene with crying, making a fuss, and threatening to hang themselves, Quella Radcliffe eventually agreed to Otis Radcliffe and Zade Radcliffe¡¯s return to the company. She kindly believed that after experiencing so much, the grandfather and grandson should feel grateful. After all, the compensation they received for working here was very generous. But human greed knows no bounds, and Zade Radcliffe had already sent Otis Radcliffe to contact other local enterprises, ready to seize power at the opportune moment. And within the Radcliffe family, upon seeing the return of the elder, they had begun to gradually sideline Quella Radcliffe, complying entirely with Zade Radcliffe¡¯s commands at work. They even went to great lengths to flatter Otis Radcliffe. Originally, the grandfather and grandson had some reservations at the start, but seeing the mysterious disappearance of Julius Reed for such a while, they began to grow bolder in their hearts. But what they didn¡¯t know was that after receiving a message from Black Dog passed on from the Leopold Family, Julius Reed had already taken a helicopter prepared by Miguel Abbott and hurried back to Gonzalez City. In his heart, nothing was more important than the safety of Quella Radcliffe. Meanwhile, the Shadow Warriors from her previous husband in Five-river Province had not noticed Julius Reed¡¯s departure. After seeing their fellows disappear one by one, they too became more cautious. At that moment, at the board meeting of the Radcliffe Group, there was incessant debate over who should attend the Willson Group¡¯s banquet in Five-river Province. Burl Radcliffe and others believed that the highly respected elder of the Radcliffe family was the only one suited to represent the Radcliffe family, apart from him, no one else could. Quella Radcliffe¡¯s trusted proteges, naturally hoped that the young new chairman would take the forefront. The two sides had been arguing from the start of the meeting, and by noon, no resolution had been reached. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, although you are the current chairman, everyone knows in their hearts that you do not represent the Radcliffe family! Our Radcliffe Group was built single-handedly by grandfather and he poured his heart into it. Only his presence would be the most appropriate!¡± Otis Radcliffe had no trace of gratitude towards Quella Radcliffe for allowing him to return to the company, on the contrary, he was filled with resentment. In the past, he was the general manager. But now, he was merely a minor department head. The manager had been replaced by someone Quella Radcliffe trusted immensely, and they verified his expense claims repeatedly. This undeniably caused Otis Radcliffe¡¯s personal coffers to begin to see deficits; his usual lavish spending habits were unsustainable on his current salary! ¡°Otis Radcliffe, you are now merely a department head, please correct your attitude when speaking to the chairman! The establishment of Willson Group is imminent, and such a grand occasion calls only for the chairman to represent us. Though elder Burl Radcliffe is highly respected, he is nonetheless of advanced age, and the company needs fresh blood, fresh faces!¡± Dempsey Davenport, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s newly promoted finance director, countered Otis Radcliffe¡¯s remarks with her own opinion. She and Quella Radcliffe were classmates, and after returning from studying abroad, she worked for a real estate company in Gonzalez City. Following Quella Radcliffe¡¯s successful rise to power, she was determined to place her own people. Thus, upon becoming the chairman, she poached Dempsey Davenport with a high salary to occupy the most crucial position. After Dempsey Davenport became the financial director, she was incredibly strict with the financial auditing of the Radcliffe family members, preventing any chance of false accounting or embezzlement. Accordingly, she became one of the most despised figures in the clan, second only to Quella Radcliffe. Although the company was thriving day by day, these members of the Radcliffe clan were not having an easy time. ¡°Dempsey Davenport! You¡¯re just an outsider, how dare you give orders to the old master! Even Quella Radcliffe wouldn¡¯t dare speak to the old master in such a way!¡± Wellington Radcliffe slammed the table violently and pointed at Dempsey Davenport, ¡°Even though this is about the company, strictly speaking, the Radcliffe Group is a family business! So, as an outsider, it¡¯s not your place to comment on our affairs!¡± ¡°You! Wellington Radcliffe! This is a company, not your house!¡± Dempsey Davenport stood up and stared intently at Wellington Radcliffe, ¡°Stop spewing your family theories here! The chairman has said more than once, a business is a business, a family is a family! As long as one works within the group, one must follow the rules and regulations here!¡± Dempsey Davenport had always opposed the return of the Radcliffe family members to the company. After finally driving these people away and starting to take control of power, how could she let them come back so easily? But Quella Radcliffe was sentimental, and no matter what, that was ultimately her grandfather and brother. They shared the same blood, how could she watch them being driven out of the company? Furthermore, with the wailing and pleading from those two at home, Quella Radcliffe really had no choice. If she truly decided to harden her heart and refuse, she feared it would chill the hearts of many within the company. After all, under Zade Radcliffe¡¯s leadership, most of these people were members of the Radcliffe clan. Now that the company¡¯s founder had been expelled, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s own position was also unstable. ¡°Enough! Stop arguing!¡± With a cough from Zade Radcliffe, the meeting room instantly fell silent. To Dempsey Davenport, this scene was even more infuriating. The chairman¡¯s words didn¡¯t carry as much weight as Zade Radcliffe¡¯s, how would she manage the company in the future? ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, it¡¯s not that I, the old master, want to show off on this occasion! You all are well aware that the people who go to congratulate the Willson Group will not be few in number!¡± Zade Radcliffe slowly lifted his head and addressed the people in the meeting room, ¡°The entire Five-River Province, even the local major enterprises have to scramble to pay their respects. One can imagine just how many people will be at that banquet!¡± After hearing his words, everyone nodded in agreement. The Willson Group¡¯s sudden strong emergence would usually prompt the lar financial consortia in Five-River Province to suppress it to stabilize the alre established situation. But now, instead of banding together to resist, they were even starting to curry favor with this mysterious tycoon, a clear sign of the immense power the owner behind the Willson Group possessed. Everyone held their breath, eager to hear what Zade Radcliffe would say next. ¡°You, Quella Radcliffe, can go, but with such a young age and no connections, do you really think you¡¯ll be taken seriously?¡± Zade Radcliffe shook his head and said, ¡°After all, I built the Radcliffe Group from the ground up, and over the years, I¡¯ve developed quite a network of contacts in Gonzalez City. With some maneuvering, perhaps an opportunity could arise..¡± Chapter 217 - Chapter 217: Chapter 216: Cooking Personally_l Chapter 217: Chapter 216: Cooking Personally_l Translator: 549690339 After Zade Radcliffe finished speaking, the conference room became lively again. Corporate giants like the Willson Group would definitely have high standards. Quella Radcliffe was a new face and had no connections in Five-river Province; it was a miracle that she could attain the position of chairman. Although her capabilities were unquestionable, she still fell somewhat short in terms of social tact and worldly wisdom. Quella Radcliffe was well aware of this, so she had been hesitant to make a decision. The main issue was that the Willson Group had not sent out an invitation, which was a major concern for the Radcliffe Family. They had been arguing back and forth, and it would be a joke if they ended up not even qualifying in the end. Just at that moment, someone knocked on the conference room door. It was the manager of the company¡¯s public relations department, who was also Zade Radcliffe¡¯s niece, Zalmon Martin. Zalmon Martin had been in charge of gathering information about the Willson Group recently. ¡°Zalmon, how¡¯s the investigation going? Seeing Zalmon Martin enter, hope filled Zade Radcliffe¡¯s eyes. If he could represent Radcliffe Group, it would speed up his return to the chairman¡¯s position. Although he had discussed this with local businesses, due to the fact he and others held no shares, most entrepreneurs were still watching and waiting. Apart from a few old friends who had explicitly offered support, the others were unwilling to get involved in this troubled situation. It was precisely because of this that Zade Radcliffe had decided to take a trip to Five-river Province to discuss with the major families. After all, Julius Reed had offended the Potter Family, and the Golden Eagle Group¡¯s size was more than enough to devour Radcliffe Group! ¡°I¡¯ve inquired, and many local businesses in Gonzalez City have received the Willson Group¡¯s invitation. This time, the Willson Group seems very eager for everyone to come and celebrate, even the owner of the North City Cement Yard has received an invitation.¡¯ Zalmon Martin said this with an embarrassed look on her face: ¡°But our company has yet to receive one; it¡¯s possible that the Willson Group has forgotten us?¡± Upon hearing that even the cement yard owner had received an invitation, the Radcliffe Family was blown away! ¡°It must be because our chairman is young, which is why the Willson Group looks down on us, or rather, doesn¡¯t trust us!¡± ¡°Quella, even though you are now the chairman and hold absolute share control, I still have to say, besides the old man, no one else is suited for this seat!¡± ¡°In the past, under the old man¡¯s leadership, Radcliffe Group was still a well-known enterprise in Gonzalez City! Now look at us, we¡¯re not even as good as a cement factory! Where do we put our faces!¡± The family members babbled, each turning their guns on Quella Radcliffe. And the employees who were not from the Radcliffe Clan didn¡¯t dare to speak up. They all knew about the North City Cement Yard, whose scale simply couldn¡¯t compare to Radcliffe Group. The Radcliffe Group was in the high-tech business, often collaborating with major electronics giants, and now they were humiliated, being considered worse than a cement maker. ¡°Perhaps the Willson Group, which is a real estate conglomerate, isn¡¯t that sensitive to our high-tech industry!¡± Burl Radcliffe leaned back in his chair, frowning: ¡°I¡¯ve already sent people to Five-river Province to work on it; many enterprises should respect my old face and help speak for us. Logically, we shouldn¡¯t have been omitted!¡± The fact that the North City Cement Yard had received an invitation was a great surprise to him. The delay in receiving an invitation for the Radcliffe Family was also causing him anxiety. ¡°Old man, Wooden Technology has already received an invitation,¡± Zalmon Martin said somewhat awkwardly: ¡°And their seats are more forward than the cement yard¡¯s. North City Cement Yard only has one seat, near the door. Wooden Technology¡­ has two seats¡­¡± ¡°What!¡± Zade Radcliffe asked, widening his eyes: ¡°Are you sure?¡± Wooden Technology was a company in Gonzalez City, similar in nature to Radcliffe Group. But in terms of scale, it was significantly smaller than Radcliffe Group. Years ago, Burl Radcliffe had good foresight and invested in electronics as one of the earliest electronics manufacturing companies in Gonzalez City. Despite many detours over time, Radcliffe Group, with its foundation and Burl Radcliffe¡¯s relationships, continued to outperform Wooden Technology. Now that even Wooden Technology had received an invitation, wasn¡¯t Zade Radcliffe¡¯s earlier statement slapping his own face? ¡°Absolutely certain! The general manager of Wooden Technology and I are friends; just now on my way back, we happened to meet on the road. She also told me that Wooden Technology received the invitation last night. She even asked if we had three seats, wanting to know if we would be seated together¡­¡± By the end, Zalmon Martin felt somewhat embarrassed herself. It was hard to imagine how she had answered in that awkward atmosphere. ¡°If the Radcliffe Group doesn¡¯t receive an invitation, then we have no face to mingle in these circles!¡± ¡°Quella Radcliffe, as the chairman, you represent the company. You must take primary responsibility for this!¡± The anger was written on the faces of every member of the Radcliffe Clan present. ¡°Heh, sister, your husband is very capable, isn¡¯t he? Let him get an invitation if he¡¯s so able! Has he been hiding like a shrinking turtle these past few days?¡± Wellington Radcliffe had become even more vicious after being beaten up by Julius Reed. He had originally thought that by clinging to the Abbott family and winning Ives Abbott¡¯s favor, he could help his grandfather regain the chairman¡¯s position. But for some reason, after his experience of being beaten up in the market, the Abbott family actually sent people to warn him and threatened Wellington Radcliffe to stay away from Ives Abbott. ¡°Enough!¡± Zade Radcliffe glanced at Quella Radcliffe and sighed, ¡°I will take care of this matter! No matter what, I will not let the Radcliffe Group lose face!¡± After finishing his statement, he didn¡¯t wait for Quella Radcliffe to adjourn the meeting and left with big strides. The rest of the members of the Radcliffe Clan also stood up one after another and left the conference room in succession. A minute later, the spacious conference room was left with less than ten people. These were all people Quella Radcliffe had promoted herself, they were silent, waiting for the chairman to speak. ¡°Just disperse!¡± Quella Radcliffe stood up and said weakly. This matter had indeed been unexpected. If the group fell to a lower status than Wooden Technology during her term as chairman, it meant she indeed had failed. This was about the company¡¯s honor, and it would be a laughing stock among peers if it got out. After leaving the group, Cosmo had already been waiting in the car at the main entrance. Although the assassins had been lured to Five-river Province by Julius Reed during this period, she did not dare to let her guard down at all. Fortunately, nothing happened on the way and she safely returned home. ¡°You¡¯re back?¡± Just as Quella Radcliffe entered the front door, she heard Julius Reed¡¯s voice. ¡°Julius?¡± At that moment, she swept away the previous gloom, and without even changing her slippers, she ran inside. She saw Julius Reed busy in the kitchen, while a fragrant smell wafted from the pot. Quella Radcliffe, who had been troubled by the incident and had no appetite, now felt her stomach rumbling. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me in advance?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked somewhat reproachfully, but her eyes were full of happiness. ¡°I came back on a whim, wanted to surprise you!¡± Julius Reed turned around with a faint smile and walked with two dishes to the dining room. ¡°It smells so good!¡± Quella Radcliffe took a deep breath, and her stomach started growling uncontrollably again. Julius Reed had lived for many years and naturally knew how to cook countless delicious dishes, after all, cooking was also a way to pass the time. ¡°Yo! What¡¯s that delicious smell?¡± Just then, the door was opened again.. Chapter 218 - Chapter 218: 217 Chapter Did You Eat? 1 Chapter 218: 217 Chapter Did You Eat? 1 Translator: 549690339 Both of them looked up and saw Burl Radcliffe and his wife returning from playing mahjong. As Quella Radcliffe¡¯s status rose, her old parents lived an increasingly comfortable life. Apart from their fear of crosses with Zade Radcliffe, they didn¡¯t even have to work¡ªas soon as they were out of money, they would just ask Quella for more. Even Knox Ridge¡¯s relatives began to extend their hands for money. If they refused to lend, Knox Ridge would create a commotion at home. Over time, the rest of the relatives who didn¡¯t get the money felt disadvantaged and lined up to borrow money. Although Quella was a chairman and had quite a lot of money, she wasn¡¯t willing to give it to these idle people. But she could not stand up to her own mother¡¯s daily wailing and crying. During Julius Reed¡¯s absence, those relatives became even more audacious, borrowing tens of thousands in total. Even so, Knox Ridge and those relatives were still unsatisfied, even saying that Quella treated them like beggars. Not only did Burl Radcliffe not stop them, but he also joined Knox Ridge in berating Quella. Quella was a filial daughter after all, and had no choice but to lend the money. Because of these issues, she often cried alone secretly. Even Cosmo couldn¡¯t stand it, and if Quella hadn¡¯t strongly stopped him, Cosmo would have wiped out these relatives long ago! ¡°Back already?¡± Seeing the two, Julius Reed asked coldly. If it weren¡¯t for Quella¡¯s parents, these two would have died countless times already. Even without lifting a finger, there would have been plenty of people eager to finish off these two. ¡°Dad, Mom, we¡¯re back.¡± Quella forced a faint smile; after all, they were her biological parents, and she was powerless to change that. Although they could be quite brazen, as their daughter, she had no choice but to endure, both emotionally and rationally. ¡°Ah¡­ back already!¡± Burl Radcliffe was somewhat startled because he didn¡¯t expect Julius Reed to be back so soon. During the son-in-law¡¯s absence, the old couple had it extremely easy. Knox Ridge even turned Julius Reed¡¯s bedroom into a mahjong room, frequently bringing old friends over to play mahjong, acting as if she were the master of the house. Quella was often working overtime at the company until late at night, which left her no time to care for the house, something that the old couple took full advantage of. Now with Julius Reed¡¯s return, Knox Ridge¡¯s mood took an instant turn for the worse. ¡°Yo! Julius Reed, when did you get back?¡± Knox Ridge slipped into her slippers, threw her bag onto the sofa, and leisurely strolled toward the dining room. ¡°Julius just got back.¡± Quella quickly took over the conversation, as her parents considered Julius Reed to be just a freeloader, especially after she assumed the CEO position, which made Knox Ridge revert to her true aggressive nature. During the time Julius Reed wasn¡¯t home, the old couple tried persuading Quella to divorce, even suggesting that she take all of Julius Reed¡¯s money and kick him out with nothing. ¡°I wasn¡¯t talking to you!¡± Knox Ridge glared at Quella annoyedly. If only the girl would listen to her, the old couple could be enjoying their peaceful life right now. Why bother feeling dependent on someone else¡¯s charity! ¡°Julius Reed, your father and I have come back, can¡¯t you see? I just asked you a question, why didn¡¯t you answer!¡± Knox Ridge sat at the dining table with a stern face, questioning him irritably. From the first day Julius Reed entered their home, Knox Ridge had despised him to the core! This conception had become deeply ingrained, and despite the growing conflicts, even after Julius Reed had demonstrated strong capabilities, the Ridge couple still looked down on him. Even after Radley Ridge withdrew, they were still not satisfied; they looked all over for someone to replace Quella¡¯s partner. ¡°I¡¯m in a good mood today, I don¡¯t want to argue with you.¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t even glance at Knox Ridge, instead placed a chicken leg into Quella¡¯s bowl. ¡°This is something my friend got from abroad, it tastes really good, and despite their wealth, many people can¡¯t find it here in the country!¡± ¡°Then let me have a taste!¡± Quella Radcliffe giggled and gently took a bite. True to form, she couldn¡¯t help but praise, ¡°Julius, you¡¯re amazing!¡± It was, by all accounts, the best chicken leg she had ever eaten. Although the ingredients were precious, provided by Miguel Abbott, Julius¡¯s cooking skills were likewise exquisite. Otherwise, even the finest ingredients would not make a delicious dish without a good chef. ¡°Hey! ¡± Seeing herself ignored by the two, Knox Ridge slammed the table and exclaimed, ¡°Don¡¯t you have manners? We haven¡¯t come back yet and you started eating without us. That¡¯s so rude!¡± She glanced at Julius and said sarcastically, ¡°Our Quella has always been well-mannered. I don¡¯t know when she started to be led astray! Disrespectful and completely lacking in propriety, it¡¯s true what they say: ¡®He that touches pitch shall be defiled.¡¯ Burl Radcliffe saw her like this and hurriedly kicked her under the table. Despite his wife¡¯s strictness, he at least understood one thing: it was difficult to separate Quella and Julius. Now the two of them were not like before but truly like a couple. This could be seen from the happy expression on Quella¡¯s face; she was completely a woman in bliss. Though reluctant to admit it, he had accepted the reality. It¡¯s only that his wife wouldn¡¯t agree and insisted on splitting them up; he didn¡¯t dare to say anything and had to let her have her way. ¡°Mom, please don¡¯t speak so much!¡± Quella said with a frown and then put a piece of meat into Julius¡¯s bowl, ¡°You¡¯ve been working hard outside recently. From now on, I¡¯ll go with you!¡± ¡°Mm!¡± Julius nodded, not saying anything more. Quella¡¯s intention was clear; she wanted to divert the topic and ease the awkward atmosphere. Others might not know the inside story, but she knew it crystal clear. The things Julius did recently in Five-river Province were well understood by Quella through Cosmo. Her parents causing trouble for Julius, what was that if not seeking their own doom? But to Knox Ridge, it seemed like a blatant disregard for her authority as an elder. The couple¡¯s amiable and harmonious interaction was incredibly grating to her. ¡°Slap!¡± With a slap on the table, Knox Ridge sternly scolded, ¡°From today on, no one is allowed to eat until your father and I come back!¡± She was looking for a reason to drive someone away, and this incident conveniently gave her an excuse. ¡°All right, calm down. Let¡¯s eat for now. You¡¯ve been playing mahjong all day and haven¡¯t had anything to eat!¡± Burl Radcliffe gently nudged Knox Ridge. With that, plus the tantalizing food Julius had made, Knox Ridge¡¯s stomach also began to rumble. She had been only focused on getting angry before and hadn¡¯t noticed the dishes on the table. Upon looking, it didn¡¯t matter that she had lived so many years; she actually started to drool. This wasn¡¯t because Knox Ridge lacked experience, but rather Julius¡¯s cooking was simply too delicious. In addition, the ingredients were extremely rare deep-sea creatures, giving off a unique fragrance. ¡°Hmph! This isn¡¯t over!¡± After saying that, Knox Ridge picked up the chopsticks on the table, ready to give it a try. ¡°Hold on, who said you could eat?¡± Just as her chopsticks touched the food, Julius¡¯s voice came through coldly.. Chapter 219 - Chapter 219: Chapter 218 Moving Out_l Chapter 219: Chapter 218 Moving Out_l Translator: 549690339 Just as she was eagerly anticipating a taste of the delicious Knox Ridge, she was startled by this scolding. She turned around and looked at Julius Reed with a strange expression, ¡°What did you say?¡± In Knox Ridge¡¯s memory, Julius Reed had always been a pushover. Even though Julius Reed had become more assertive lately and strange people had started appearing around him, it didn¡¯t change her perception of him. In her eyes, scolding this son-in-law who had married into the family was a matter of course. But now, this son-in-law was actually talking back? ¡°I said, this isn¡¯t something you can eat!¡± Julius Reed looked up and stared coldly at Knox Ridge. His eyes seemed like an endless abyss, instilling a chill even in the fiery Knox Ridge. ¡°Is this how you speak to your mother?¡± Burl Radcliffe was under his wife¡¯s thumb and, seeing his wife being humiliated, was the first to stand up. ¡°Julius Reed, it seems you¡¯ve forgotten your place! Don¡¯t forget, you¡¯re just a son-in-law who married into the family!¡± He approached Julius Reed like an enraged lion, furiously walking up to him and knocking the food onto the floor, ¡°What is this?! Apologize immediately!¡± ¡°Apologize? That¡¯s up to me to accept!¡± Knox Ridge scoffed, slowly standing up from her chair, ¡°Quella, come with me to the Civil Affairs Bureau right now and divorce him!¡± Having said that, she threw the household register and the marriage certificate onto the table with a ¡°snap.¡± Seeing this, both Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed didn¡¯t look very pleased. Placing the household register and marriage certificate together clearly meant she was ready for them to divorce at any moment. It was evident that Knox Ridge hadn¡¯t been at peace lately either. ¡°Quella, your mother is right! Even now, haven¡¯t you seen his true colors? It¡¯s better to leave a man like that sooner rather than later!¡± Zade Radcliffe walked up to Quella¡¯s side and pulled her up, ¡°Let¡¯s go! You saw how he treated your mother just now! If this goes on, your mother and I will be harassed to death by him sooner or later! Quella, if you¡¯re still our daughter, then go and divorce him!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! If you don¡¯t do it today, I will sever our mother-daughter relationship!¡± The furious Knox Ridge naturally wouldn¡¯t let things go and began pulling Quella toward the door. ¡°Dad, Mom! Can¡¯t you two just be quiet for a moment!¡± Quella pushed away their grip, feeling very helpless, ¡°Julius has just come back, and you start mocking him immediately! If there¡¯s anything to discuss, can we at least talk about it after we¡¯ve calmed down, please!¡± Her eyes were full of pleading as she looked at her parents. After all, they were family and without Julius Reed, would their family have had such good days? Could Burl Radcliffe and Knox Ridge still spend their days doing nothing, heading to the mahjong halls to play mahjong? And those relatives, swarming in like locusts to suck them dry. But since Julius Reed had forbidden her to speak, Quella had no choice but to keep it a secret. ¡°Quella! I warn you, don¡¯t challenge my authority again! In this house, I¡¯m the one who calls the shots! I¡¯ll have you know, I¡¯ve tolerated this Julius Reed for a long time. The way he spoke to me today, he¡¯s crossed the line!¡± Knox Ridge trembled with rage, ¡°We must divorce!¡± She had planned this for some time, and it just so happened that Julius Reed had given her a pretext. Now, with all four of them present and even the divorce documents prepared, it was perfect. ¡°Quella, stop upsetting your mother! We¡¯ve raised you all these years, don¡¯t we even have this right? Besides, weren¡¯t you also strongly opposed to it, extremely unwilling? Before Quella could speak up in protest, Burl Radcliffe started pulling her towards the door. It was three o¡¯clock in the afternoon, just in time to get to the Civil Affairs Bureau before it closed to finish the matter. ¡°Fine! Then you guys pack up your things!¡± Julius Reed stood up from his chair, pointing at the scattered vegetables on the ground, ¡°Since we¡¯re getting a divorce, let¡¯s settle the accounts. That dish you knocked to the floor, the raw materials alone cost two hundred thousand. Pay up!¡± After saying that, he put his hands in his pockets and looked at Knox Ridge with a smile. ¡°Tsk tsk tsk! Such a poor thing! I was against bringing someone as unreliable as you into this in the first place. And now, would you look at that, we¡¯re about to get divorced and here you are trying to scam me!¡± Knox Ridge, believing she saw through everything, shook her head with a smile, ¡°Too bad! You¡¯ve met me! Julius Reed, if you think you can scam me, first check if you¡¯ve got the skills to do so!¡± ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t quibble over these things with you. But, before we finish our divorce procedures, please throw this trash out!¡± After finishing his sentence, Julius Reed walked to the balcony, grabbed a flower pot, and threw it downstairs! It was a detached cottage with a garage on the first floor, so there wasn¡¯t anyone around. Crash! In just an instant, the sound of the flower pot shattering echoed from below. After a moment of silence, Knox Ridge¡¯s roar erupted from the room, ¡°Julius Reed, you bastard! That was my favorite flower, brought all the way from the south! You¡­ you dared to throw it away!¡± Although the flower wasn¡¯t particularly expensive, it was quite rare. It was a precious gift from an old classmate in the south, who had purchased it for a hefty sum from a flower cultivation base in the mountains, as a testament to their friendship. But now, Julius Reed had just casually tossed it downstairs. Knox Ridge hurried to the balcony and looked down. She saw the broken pieces of the flower pot scattered on the ground, with soil and broken stems and leaves creating a messy sight, beyond any hope of salvage. Quella Radcliffe was also stunned on the spot, not expecting Julius Reed to become so domineering upon his return. That flower pot was Knox Ridge¡¯s most cherished possession, which everyone was well aware of. She watered it religiously every morning and evening, loosening the soil and adding fertilizer. This flower was Knox Ridge¡¯s favorite thing in the house, even more so than Burl Radcliffe. Yet now, it was casually discarded by Julius Reed. Broken beyond repair. ¡°Sorry, my house, I don¡¯t like such flowers and plants. Since we¡¯re getting divorced, you should also move out!¡± In the face of Knox Ridge¡¯s rage, Julius Reed¡¯s face only bore a smile, not showing the slightest bit of anger. During his return, he had resolved to get his old folks to toe the line, otherwise their life together would never settle down. ¡°Move out?¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s eyes shifted as she scoffed, ¡°Isn¡¯t this considered marital property? Even if you bought it, we still own the other half! Not stripping you to the bone is already a grand mercy from me, and you still dare to quibble over this with me!¡± Ever since Quella Radcliffe said this house wasn¡¯t hers, Knox Ridge had been making inquiries everywhere. Today she had dared to propose a divorce, already prepared for it in her heart. After all, it was public knowledge that Julius Reed was penniless when they first got together. Now, three years into the marriage, he suddenly had some money, which no doubt counted as marital property. She would let Quella Radcliffe give him some cash to send him on his way; the house would still be theirs. With a nuisance gone, the old couple could finally feel at ease. The longer Knox Ridge lived in the house, the more she loved it. A single-family villa in the upscale district of Gonzalez City. Not just living in it but even mentioning it was a matter of pride. ¡°Who told you, this is marital property?¡± Julius Reed turned, looking at Knox Ridge with eyes full of disdain.. Chapter 220 - Chapter 220: Chapter 219 Divorce Procedures 1 Chapter 220: Chapter 219 Divorce Procedures 1 Translator: 549690339 Hearing Julius Reed ask like that, Knox Ridge sensed something was amiss. ¡°What? Could it possibly be from before the marriage?¡± She furrowed her brows and said, ¡°When you married into the Radcliffe Family, you didn¡¯t have a penny to your name! You¡¯re clearer about that than I am!¡± At that time, Julius Reed had cured Zade Radcliffe¡¯s illness, and the old man thought he had encountered a prodigy, impulsively deciding to marry Quella Radcliffe to him. But later on, everyone slowly realized that not only did this guy have amnesia, but he was also a good-for-nothing who couldn¡¯t do anything. Of course, it wasn¡¯t that he couldn¡¯t do anything at all. After all, doing laundry, cooking meals, and tidying up the house¡ªthese were all Julius Reed¡¯s chores, and the Radcliffe Family had reduced his status from a son-in-law to that of a house servant. Even sometimes, the respect Julius Reed received was less than that given to a doorman at the Radcliffe Group. If Julius Reed had such a big house back then, he wouldn¡¯t have had to tolerate such humiliation at the Radcliffe household, right? ¡°I¡¯m asking you one last time, do you really want us to get a divorce or not?¡± Julius Reed did not respond to Knox Ridge¡¯s words, but stared straight at her. With that question, Knox Ridge actually hesitated. The matter was nearly a sure thing, she had even prepared all the paperwork and hired a lawyer in anticipation. But now, she felt unexpectedly uncertain. However, she quickly recovered. ¡°Wow! Trying to scare me now! Julius Reed, I know all about your financial situation! Don¡¯t try to act tough in front of me! Today I said to go get a divorce, and there will be no turning back!¡± She slammed the table violently, reverting to her shrewish demeanor. For three years, she had been longing for this moment, how could she possibly give up at the last minute? ¡°Yes! Julius Reed, accept reality! You and Quella Radcliffe were never from the same world, it¡¯s better for both of you to part ways. Now if you behave, we can at least let you leave with some dignity.¡± Burl Radcliffe also chimed in from the side. No matter how it went, he had to support Knox Ridge¡¯s decision. ¡°So it¡¯s decided? Just don¡¯t regret it later.¡± Julius Reed clapped his hands, and Cosmo appeared behind him somehow. ¡°Bring out the property deed, for the elders here to review!¡± After he finished speaking, Cosmo promptly walked over to Knox Ridge with the property deed, and slowly opened it. Although the sudden appearance of Cosmo frightened the old couple quite a bit, driven by curiosity, they still leaned in to see. And what they saw shocked Knox Ridge so much that her eyes bulged like eggs. The name on it was neither Quella Radcliffe¡¯s nor Julius Reed¡¯s, but Aron Jackson¡¯s. ¡°Aron Jackson? Who is he!¡± She had assumed that at worst the name on it would be Julius Reed¡¯s, but now it was someone completely unknown to them, which surprised Knox Ridge. ¡°Aron Jackson? He¡¯s a friend of mine. Why, is there a problem?¡± With a wave of his hand, Julius Reed signaled for Cosmo to put away the property deed. ¡°You¡­ Hah! Julius Reed, it¡¯s just a house. We, Quella Radcliffe, are now the chairperson of the Radcliffe Group. Do you think we covet your money? Go! Let¡¯s proceed with the divorce right now!¡± Knox Ridge was facing the situation head-on, adamant about getting the divorce done. She was someone who would rather die than lose face and couldn¡¯t back down easily. The argument on both sides grew heated, with Quella Radcliffe caught in the middle. ¡°Stop fighting for a moment!¡± Quella Radcliffe pulled Julius Reed into a room, then locked the door behind them. ¡°What do we do now?¡± Her eyes were filled with plea. The situation had escalated to this point, and she could no longer avoid it. Some things must be confronted eventually. ¡°Since your parents want us to get a divorce, let¡¯s just give them what they want to see.¡± Julius Reed shrugged, his face unreadable. ¡°Twelve! You¡­ forget it, if you want a divorce, then let¡¯s divorce!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s eyes flashed with a hint of loss, followed by a slight moistening. During this time, she had come to depend on Julius Reed, or perhaps, truly regarded him as her husband. If someone truly didn¡¯t deserve the other, it was she who was not worthy of being Julius Reed¡¯s wife, not the other way around. Yet her own parents were relentlessly pressuring her. Maybe it would be better for everyone if they separated. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it, it¡¯s all an act. I¡¯ll arrange it later, get a fake divorce certificate to show them. But you¡¯ll need to cooperate with me, it might mean making your parents suffer a little.¡± Julius Reed smiled and stroked Quella Radcliffe¡¯s head, having seen her earlier reaction. ¡°You!¡± Quella Radcliffe laughed through her tears, lightly hitting Julius Reed¡¯s chest a few times, ¡°I knew it, you heartless man!¡± When the two opened the door and stepped out of the room, Knox Ridge was glaring at them, fuming with anger. ¡°Well, have you thought it through?¡± ¡°Yes! We¡¯re off to get a divorce right now.¡± Quella Radcliffe went to the wardrobe, put on her coat, grabbed her backpack, and walked out. Julius Reed, without uttering a word, followed behind her. ¡°Has our daughter come to her senses? Burl Radcliffe nudged Knox Ridge, asking quietly. ¡°Who cares! This is good news!¡± Knox Ridge, clearly not at ease, dragged Burl Radcliffe along with her, following Quella and the others downstairs. After Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe got into the Rolls-Royce, Knox Ridge also tried to open the car door, but just then, the door was locked from the inside. ¡°Hey! You¡­¡± Knox Ridge placed her hands on her hips, about to explode in anger, when the window of the Rolls-Royce slowly rolled down. ¡°Now that we¡¯re divorced, this car belongs to my relative, so I guess you¡¯re no longer entitled to ride in it, right?¡± Julius Reed smiled from inside the car, looking at the couple. ¡°Fine! You¡¯ve got nerve!¡± Knox Ridge. suppressing a flare of race unwillingly walked over to Burl Radcliffe¡¯s Passat. Accustomed to riding in luxury cars, sitting in that Passat was incredibly irritating for her. But the thought of finally getting rid of Julius Reed, the thorn in her side, improved Knox Ridge¡¯s mood considerably. And so, the two cars left the compound one after the other, heading towards the civil affairs office. On the way there, Julius Reed had already made arrangements with Aron Jackson, asking for help from his friends at the civil affairs bureau. Therefore, under the watchful eyes of the old couple, they got a fake divorce certificate. Seeing that the matter was finally settled, Knox Ridge¡¯s hanging heart at last settled down. ¡°From today onward, our Radcliffe Family has nothing to do with you!¡± She looked at Julius Reed with immense satisfaction. After three years, her wish had finally come true. She was even eager to bring over the suitor she had already picked out, to introduce to Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Take care of yourselves, I hope you won¡¯t regret this!¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t say anything more but walked to the Rolls-Royce alone and slowly disappeared down the street. ¡°There¡¯s something I need to tell you both,¡± Once the three of them were in the Passat, Quella Radcliffe looked at her parents very seriously: ¡°The money you borrowed before was all from Julius Reed¡¯s friend. It¡¯s time for them to prepare to pay it back. We¡¯re no longer related, and we can¡¯t keep spending someone else¡¯s money, right?¡± ¡°Hmph! We¡¯ll talk about it later!¡± Knox Ridge snorted. The meat was already in her mouth; how could she think of spitting it out? The ride back was silent, with each of them lost in their own thoughts. But when the car arrived at the entrance of the compound, Burl Radcliffe braked suddenly, coming to a halt. There, at the entrance of the building, were neatly packed suitcases and plants scattered all over the ground.. Chapter 221 - Chapter 221: Chapter 220 Knox Ridge’s Troubles_l Chapter 221: Chapter 220 Knox Ridge¡¯s Troubles_l Translator: 549690339 When Knox Ridge saw those shattered flower pots at the door, she felt like killing someone. Ever since she got older, she had grown fond of planting flowers and growing grass. In the beginning, when Julius Reed was around, things were still okay. Although she harbored resentment, she didn¡¯t dare to behave too recklessly. During the time Julius went to Five-river Province, she completely took charge of the house, repeatedly moving a decade¡¯s worth of possessions into this stand-alone western-style house. So much so, that Quella Radcliffe was forced to vacate a room just for Knox Ridge to use for her flowers. And now, look what happened¡ªthe floor was covered in broken flower pots and scattered soil mixed with fallen leaves. ¡°This¡­¡± Knox Ridge pushed open the car door, her body trembling with rage. ¡°Be careful!¡± Just then, Burl Radcliffe quickly pulled her back. With a crack, another flower pot fell from above, shattering to pieces right in front of Knox Ridge. ¡°Clean up all this junk; it¡¯s an eyesore!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s voice came from upstairs, followed by the people from Willson Pavilion who came out one by one, heartlessly throwing out bags and luggage. ¡°Julius Reed! You bastard! How dare you treat me like this! The Radcliffe Family fed you for three years, and it was all wasted on a dog!¡± Seeing all her belongings thrown out, holding onto a sliver of hope that she might still live in the house, Knox Ridge cursed loudly. In fact, the moment Julius produced the property deed, Knox Ridge regretted her actions, but as a person who cared about face, even if she knew the consequences could be severe, she insisted on pushing forward. ¡°Since we¡¯re divorced, there is no relationship between us! Besides, did I freeload at your house for three years? Doing housework, washing clothes¡ªif you hired a maid, it would have cost a fair amount of money, right?¡± Julius Reed looked down from upstairs at the exasperated Knox Ridge, shaking his head with a smile. There¡¯s only one way to deal with a scoundrel like this¡ªby being an even bigger scoundrel. ¡°Mr. Radcliffe! Let¡¯s go! My daughter is the Chairman of the Radcliffe Group. This lousy house¡ªI could buy ten of them!¡± Fuming with rage, Knox Ridge pulled Burl Radcliffe back into the car, even considering leaving the luggage behind. But without luggage and daily necessities, where would the elderly couple live? So, Burl Radcliffe reluctantly thickened his skin and, together with Quella Radcliffe, packed up some essential items and tossed them into the trunk of the Passat. Otherwise, once they got home and had nothing, Knox Ridge would surely delegate the task to him. Nobody dared to initiate conversation on the road, knowing that Knox Ridge was still furious. Burl Radcliffe obediently kept his mouth shut, while Quella Radcliffe quietly exchanged messages with Julius Reed on her phone. Although she felt a little sorry for her parents, if they didn¡¯t do this, the old couple might endlessly try to persuade them to separate. Arriving downstairs at the old house, Knox Ridge walked up the stairs in a huff, not even waiting for the two of them. After getting used to living in a detached western-style house, it was awkward for her to return to such an old community housing. ¡°Quella, hurry up and buy a house!¡± After Burl Radcliffe had moved all the stuff upstairs, Knox Ridge sat on the sofa with utmost seriousness, looking at Quella. Now that her daughter was the Chairman of the Radcliffe Group, although Knox Ridge still had some fear of Zade Radcliffe, she was much bolder. Usually arrogant towards the three of them, now they didn¡¯t even dare to breathe too loudly. Knox Ridge enjoyed this feeling very much. ¡°Mom, although I¡¯m the chairman of the company, to show my determination in restructuring finances, I specifically set up a financial monitoring department. Including myself, no employee can touch the company¡¯s money,¡± Quella explained helplessly. To prevent rumors from spreading within the company and to put an end to the bad habits left by the Zade Radcliffe¡¯s era, Quella established the financial monitoring department with the help and advice of Dempsey Davenport. No matter who it is, any involvement with the company¡¯s finances must go through the Auditing Department. That wav _ those who intend to slander Oilella Radcliffe will find themselves without a starting point. Many Radcliffe Clan members were accustomed to taking money from the company on a regular basis, and now they are finding the recent crackdown quite unbearable. ¡°Don¡¯t give me that useless talk! Just tell me, how much money can you pull out now! ¡± Knox Ridge asked impatiently. In her view, when the old man had been the chairman, Otis Radcliffe, who was merely a general manager, had managed to rake in a good amount of money every year. Now that Quella Radcliffe had taken the chairman¡¯s seat, wouldn¡¯t it be a piece of cake to squeeze out some money? Even if it wasn¡¯t tens of millions, surely a few million would still be easy, right? Although Knox Ridge had long since left her position at Radcliffe Group, she had heard that the group had been thriving lately, with its valuation rising higher than ever, even surpassing the market value during Zade Radcliffe¡¯s time. With such a profit-making company, the chairman must be making a killing, ¡°Currently, for my personal disposal, I have roughly six or seven hundred thousand at most!¡± Quella Radcliffe said helplessly. It was a rule she had set herself that no dividends would be distributed until the end of the year. Intending to overhaul the Radcliffe Group completely, how could she possibly break her own rule first? Down below were countless eyes watching her, just waiting for her to slip up and create momentum for Zade Radcliffe and others. However, based on the company¡¯s current development, distributing tens of millions at the end of the year shouldn¡¯t be a problem. Even though Quella Radcliffe had lowered her own share quite a bit, she was still the actual controlling shareholder, and Radcliffe Group was now in a strong position, on track to joining the top ranks of Gonzalez City businesses. ¡°What? Only a few hundred thousand?¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s face was filled with disbelief upon hearing her daughter¡¯s response. ¡°Right! A little over six hundred thousand¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t include the money Julius Reed had given her and simply calculated her own salary. If she was to teach her parents a lasting lesson, she had to be ruthless and make them suffer a bit. ¡°A little over six hundred thousand can¡¯t buy a damn house!¡± Knox Ridge said angrily before turning to head back to her bedroom. But before she could return, her phone rang. Upon seeing the caller, Knox Ridge¡¯s demeanor immediately shifted, ¡°Third sis, what is it?¡± ¡°Sis, I just came to see you and was turned away! I was at your place this morning; how come I wasn¡¯t allowed in this afternoon? And my clothes, why were they thrown outside the door?¡± The inquiry from Knox Ridge¡¯s younger sister came through the phone: ¡°Sis, what is the meaning of this?¡± ¡°Ah, third sis, I¡¯m not at home right now, it might be the maid¡¯s mistake. Don¡¯t worry for now, I¡¯ll call the housekeeper and find out what¡¯s going on.¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s face turned red with embarrassment as she hurriedly made up a defense out of thin air. Ever since moving into the mansion, it seemed she couldn¡¯t wait to let everyone know, informing all her relatives. This morning, her younger sister came up from the county town by bus, planning to stay for a few days. Who would have expected that after a short trip to the mall to buy some clothes, she would come back to find herself barred from entering the house? The bodyguards were so furious that Grayson Ridge didn¡¯t dare say a word. ¡°Hurry up! I¡¯m still carrying things!¡± Grayson Ridge¡¯s impatient voice resonated once again through the phone.. Chapter 222 - Chapter 222: Chapter 221 Restaurant Encounter 1 Chapter 222: Chapter 221 Restaurant Encounter 1 Translator: 549690339 Julius Reed, from the third floor, had seen it all. This was exactly the effect he wanted. Knox Ridge wanted to save face, didn¡¯t she? Well, then let her be utterly humiliated! Throughout thousands of years, countless stoic and unwavering figures had been forcefully made to bow their heads by Julius Reed, let alone an utterly ordinary middle-aged woman. ¡°Go, notify all of Knox Ridge¡¯s relatives, in her name, inviting them to a meal at her new house.¡± After Julius Reed finished speaking, Cosmo immediately went to carry out the orders. Meanwhile, Knox Ridge at the old house was like an ant on a hot pot. For some unknown reason, even the relatives she wasn¡¯t close to obtained her contact information. One after another, these people called, saying they had been informed that Knox Ridge was celebrating moving into a new house and, additionally, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s successful promotion to Chairman of the Radcliffe Group, so she was preparing to host a meal for these relatives. And as the news spread from one person to ten, and then to a hundred, everyone knew that Knox Ridge¡¯s status was no longer what it used to be, and her prestige had skyrocketed. While making these calls, the relatives also took the opportunity to express their thanks, saying they were looking forward to strolling around Gonzalez City. That was because the person who passed the message said that Knox Ridge had promised to reimburse their travel expenses. This completely stumped Knox Ridge. If she were to refute it, the matter had already been widely spread among the relatives; how would she face going back to her maternal home in the future? Where would she put her face? And now, her younger sister was standing right outside Julius Reed¡¯s door. If her son-in-law, whom she had kicked out of her house, said anything bad, she would be utterly disgraced. ¡°Mr. Radcliffe, go fetch my sister back quickly!¡± After much consideration, Knox Ridge decided to first make sure Grayson Ridge was calm, with the other matters to be dealt with later. ¡°Will it work? What will you say when the time comes? Old woman, you¡¯re just too obsessed with face. If you ask me, we should come clean. The house belongs to Julius Reed, and now that Quella Radcliffe is divorcing him, it¡¯s naturally none of our business anymore. But you, you just have to maintain your pride even if it means suffering!¡± Burl Radcliffe was almost unable to watch any longer. His wife was not only vain but also obsessed with saving face. ¡°Bullshit! Mr. Radcliffe, even if I, Knox Ridge, were to die, I can¡¯t lose face! If my sister finds out about this, then my family back home will mock me to no end! It¡¯s all because you¡¯re useless; if you had been a bit more successful, would I need to be so vain? It¡¯s because you have nothing, and I can¡¯t afford to lose this face!¡± Knox Ridge was already furious, and Burl Radcliffe¡¯s words only inflamed her anger further. The truth was, her authoritative nature was indeed because Burl Radcliffe was weak and incompetent; without someone tough in the house, it certainly would not do. ¡°All right, all right, all right!¡± After being scolded mercilessly, Burl Radcliffe didn¡¯t dare say anything else, meekly picked up the car keys, and went downstairs to pick up the person. ¡°And you! Lend me that few hundred thousand first, I need it urgently!¡± Thinking of the many relatives coming, just accommodating them for food and lodging would cost quite a bit of money. Therefore, she had no choice but to ask Quella Radcliffe for a loan. ¡°I won¡¯t lend it!¡± Quella Radcliffe firmly refused, ¡°I have matters to attend to, plus that money can¡¯t be touched.¡± Saying this, she picked up her bag and walked out without looking back. To change her mother¡¯s character, she had to administer a strong dose! ¡°You come back here!¡± Just as Quella Radcliffe closed the door, she heard the roar of Knox Ridge from behind. Gonzalez City, Twilight Mansion. This was a restaurant under the Titan Group, a project that Ovidiu Cook had personally participated in creating. Many of the influential figures in Gonzalez City would come here to dine. After all, a restaurant invested in by the wealthiest person in Gonzalez City to indulge their love for gourmet food was bound to be top-notch. Many delicacies unavailable elsewhere can be enjoyed here. As long as you have money, there¡¯s nothing you can¡¯t do. After leaving, Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t go to Julius Reed¡¯s place, but spent the whole night with her best friends Lance Casey and Olayinka Davenport. The three sisters chatted and laughed, their mood instantly becoming much lighter. Later, on Quella Radcliffe¡¯s suggestion, the trio decided to visit Twilight Mansion for a feast. Both knew that Quella Radcliffe was now wealthy, and as Lance Casey put it, it was like dividing up the spoils from a tyrant, so they should enjoy a few more feasts. When they arrived at the entrance, as per routine, they had to show a membership card. This posed a bit of a difficulty for Quella Radcliffe. She hadn¡¯t been to such a high-end place before, and even after becoming the chairperson, she hadn¡¯t had time to come and spend due to company business. But according to the rules of Twilight Mansion, one must show a membership card to enter. ¡°Can I top up now?¡± Quella Radcliffe was stopped at the entrance, feeling somewhat embarrassed. But if money could solve the issue, it wasn¡¯t really a problem. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but our membership card is not related to topping up.¡± The security personnel at the door apologized with a slight smile. Unlike other upscale restaurants, even if you¡¯re not qualified or can¡¯t afford it, if you come here, the security will welcome you with a smile and explain why you can¡¯t go in. This way, even if one is turned away, they still feel quite at ease. Ovidiu Cook had set these rules in place when building the restaurant, which is why it was so popular. Even those who couldn¡¯t afford to dine there held a good impression of the place. ¡°So, how does one become a member?¡± Looking at her two sisters behind her, Quella Radcliffe felt a little uneasy. They had all come in high spirits and couldn¡¯t just go back dejected. No matter what, she had to get that card. ¡°Our Twilight Mansion uses a member referral system. If you are recommended by a Silver member, you become a Bronze member. If recommended by a Gold member, you become a Silver member, and so on. As long as you are recommended by a Silver member or above, you can enjoy our services.¡± A manager from the restaurant came over and patiently explained. This membership system ensured the overall quality of the clientele, preventing the nouveau riche¡ªwho could afford it but had no recommendations¡ªfrom entering. Moreover, every member had a limited number of invitations and had to be reviewed by the restaurant before being allowed to dine there. ¡°Lance Casey?¡± Just then, a male voice came from behind the three women. ¡°Xavier Lake?¡± Lance Casey turned around to see a familiar face. It was Xavier Lake, who had been pursuing her but got rejected. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to meet you here, what a coincidence!¡± Xavier Lake walked over with a smile and asked the security, ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± ¡°Sorry! These three ladies are not members of our restaurant. According to the rules, we can¡¯t let them in.¡¯ The security responded truthfully. ¡°Jentzen, are these three ladies your friends?¡± Behind Xavier Lake, a few more young men approached, dressed in suits; their outfits alone were worth tens of thousands. Clearly, they were another group of rich second-generation kids. ¡°Yes, my friends. Lance, why don¡¯t you introduce your two friends?¡± Xavier Lake had one hand in his pocket, smiling at Lance Casey. ¡°Hello, my name is Abigail Martin, and I¡¯m the General Manager at Sawyer Group.¡± Before Lance Casey could introduce anyone, Abigail Martin went up to Quella Radcliffe and extended a hand.. Chapter 223 - Chapter 223: Chapter 222: Silver Membership Card_l Chapter 223: Chapter 222: Silver Membership Card_l Translator: 549690339 The Sawyer Group is a local enterprise in Gonzalez City, and because its founder was once Ovidiu Cook¡¯s assistant, it has always been well looked after in Gonzalez City. In just ten short years, it has successfully joined the ranks of Gonzalez City¡¯s top businesses and has become a leading figure in the city¡¯s tech industry. Including the Radcliffe Group, all tech companies have to look up to this giant¡¯s mood for their meals. ¡°Quella Radcliffe.¡± Quella Radcliffe responded indifferently, without shaking hands with Abigail Martin. She didn¡¯t like such extremely hypocritical people, and they were also ill-intentioned. ¡°Miss Radcliffe is really not giving face, huh!¡± Seeing that she didn¡¯t show him any respect, Abigail Martin smiled faintly and withdrew his hand. ¡°Haha! Mr. Henry Green is unaware that Miss Radcliffe¡¯s nature has always been aloof, don¡¯t take offense!¡± Xavier Lake said with a smile, trying to diffuse the awkwardness. He and Lance Casey had been classmates and he had pursued her, but had failed. Abigail Martin glanced at Quella Radcliffe , making no attempt to hide his desire. ¡°It seems that Miss Radcliffe has encountered some trouble; I think I might be able to help.¡± Immediately, he resumed his gentlemanly appearance. ¡°Thank you for your kindness, but I think we won¡¯t be needing it.¡± Quella Radcliffe offered a polite smile, ready to pull Olayinka Davenport and Lance Casey away. Being around these people for too long always made her feel uncomfortable. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, since you¡¯re already here, what¡¯s there to fear!¡± Lance Casey looked at Xavier Lake with a provocative eye, ¡°So, can the great young master Xavier help us handle it?¡± She felt some dislike for Xavier Lake in her heart, but at this moment, she didn¡¯t want to admit defeat. ¡°Heh! Xavier Lake isn¡¯t up to it, but if you really want to get in, maybe I, the Crown Prince, can help you.¡± Hearing Lance Casey¡¯s words, Abigail Martin once again took on his arrogant demeanor. ¡°Quite frankly, I¡¯m a Silver Member. With this membership card, I can help you become Bronze Members. However, that¡¯s only if Miss Radcliffe asks.¡± After saying this, he turned to look at Quella Radcliffe, seemingly waiting for her response. ¡°Mr. Henry Green may not know that this Miss Radcliffe is the chairwoman of our Gonzalez City¡¯s Radcliffe Group.¡± Xavier Lake interjected a reminder. ¡°What? I knew this name seemed familiar!¡± Abigail Martin was first startled, then laughed loudly, ¡°Turns out it¡¯s Miss Radcliffe, my apologies! Speaking of which, our two companies have a lot of collaboration. Please do me the honor of having a meal together today.¡± He said this with a forced smile. Though these words appeared harmless, they were filled with threats. Abigail Martin deliberately emphasized the extensive collaboration between the two companies, implying that if Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t give him face today, his Sawyer Group could make things difficult for the Radcliffe Group. Xavier Lake also frowned slightly, knowing Abigail Martin¡¯s greed for wealth and lust for women, realizing he certainly didn¡¯t have good intentions this time. But now, making money with Abigail Martin, he was in no position to intervene. ¡°Indeed, we do have a great deal of cooperation, but the relationship has always been mutually beneficial, which I think we can maintain.¡± Quella Radcliffe spoke firmly yet respectfully. Although the Radcliffe Group was at a disadvantage, when it came to cooperation, it was always about both companies making money together. The Radcliffe Group wasn¡¯t taking advantage of the Sawyer Group. ¡°I heard that Wooden Technology has plans to expand its market lately. I¡¯ll talk to my father about it when I get back. After all, we¡¯ve been collaborating for a long time, and we need new blood, don¡¯t you think, Miss Radcliffe?¡± Abigail Martin spoke coolly and composedly. Given the current situation, if the Sawyer Group was willing to support Wooden Technology, then Wooden Technology could very well surpass the Radcliffe Group in a short year or two. ¡°Doing business is all about making money, what difference does it make who you cooperate with?¡± As if afraid that Quella Radcliffe hadn¡¯t seen the logic, Abigail Martin spoke again in a relaxed manner. Within his words, there was an invisible pressure. This made Quella Radcliffe feel extremely uncomfortable, yet she was without any means to counter it. In the tech industry of Gonzalez City, as long as Sawyer Group was willing to support, Wooden Technology would inevitably rise. Then she, as the Chairwoman of Radcliffe Group, would inevitably have to face the decline of the company¡¯s revenue and pressure from all sides. ¡°Since we¡¯re all in the same industry and acquaintances, meeting is fate. Mr. Henry Green is hosting today; could the three beauties grace us with their presence?¡± Xavier Lake was smoothing things over from the side. Regardless of the situation, since he was interested in Lance Casey, and Quella Radcliffe was Lance¡¯s close friend, Xavier Lake felt the need to lend a hand. Although he knew that Abigail Martin wasn¡¯t exactly a good person, he guessed that nothing untoward would happen in public. ¡°Alright then, Mr. Henry Green will have to spend a bit more today.¡± Quella Radcliffe gave a faint smile, tacitly agreeing to Xavier Lake¡¯s words. Eating a meal was no big deal, but if the other party had any improper intentions, she would leave immediately. ¡°Having such a beautiful woman as Ms. Radcliffe give us the honor, I am somewhat flattered.¡± Abigail Martin smiled proudly and took a silver membership card from his pocket, handing it to the security at the front desk. After verification, the security bowed respectfully and immediately let them through. As they passed the entrance, Abigail Martin proudly said, ¡°Miss Radcliffe, if you wish, I could introduce you later. Then you wouldn¡¯t need to go through such trouble to come to Twilight Mansion.¡± In fact, he had obtained the silver membership card thanks to his father, who owned a gold membership card. Jett Martin had been loyally following Ovidiu Cook from the beginning and was the most faithful lackey. Even when Jett Martin started out on his own, Ovidiu Cook had given him the greatest support. Including within the first batch of gold members of Twilight Mansion when it was established, there was Jett Martin. It was with this gold membership card that he had pulled off many business deals within Twilight Mansion, which led to the success of Sawyer Group today. The group was received and led to an exclusive dining area for silver members in the hall. ¡°Mr. Henry Green is truly capable. I¡¯ve heard the food here at Twilight Mansion is delicious, but without a membership card, one can¡¯t get in!¡± ¡°Exactly, our Mr. Henry Green is now the General Manager of Sawyer Group. ¡°It so happens that Miss Radcliffe is also in technology, a perfect match with our Mr. Henry Green!¡± The young men who had come along were chattering non-stop, all of them flattering Abigail Martin. As long as the Crown Prince of Sawyer Group was pleased, a casual handout from him could be hundreds of thousands. ¡°Heh, don¡¯t say that; Miss Radcliffe is a married woman after all.¡± Abigail Martin¡¯s eyes kept darting toward Quella Radcliffe, and his mind was already entertaining some dishonorable thoughts. With a net worth of several hundred million, he had no idea how many small celebrities he had rendered senseless with money, and the number of women he had encountered was countless. Yet, from the first moment he saw Quella Radcliffe, he felt an urge to conquer her. ¡°I heard from Lance Casey that you got divorced?¡± Xavier Lake mentioned casually. ¡°Lance Casey!¡± Quella Radcliffe turned to look at Lance Casey, anger in her tone. Today, she had come to relax with her two friends and intended to spread the news of her divorce as a way to deceive Knox Ridge¡¯s watchful eyes. But who would have thought that Lance Casey, the blabbermouth, would spill everything, and now Xavier Lake brought it up, leaving her feeling very embarrassed. ¡°Oh? Is that so?¡± After hearing this news, Abigail Martin was clearly excited.. Chapter 224 - Chapter 224: Chapter 223: Falling Out_l Chapter 224: Chapter 223: Falling Out_l Translator: 549690339 The wedding three years ago was well-known to all. Although Radcliffe Group was considered a second-tier enterprise, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s reputation was far from small. A top student in domestic financial management, hailed as the successor of the Radcliffe Family, Quella Radcliffe unexpectedly married a good-for-nothing. Many people attended that wedding, with nearly half of Gonzalez City¡¯s dignitaries present. Being a colleague in the tech industry, Abigail Martin also appeared at the wedding. However, having not seen her for three years, he had long forgotten what Quella Radcliffe looked like. Now meeting again, Quella Radcliffe had become even more beautiful than before, and her demeanor more refined. ¡°You¡¯d better not pry into my personal life,¡± Mr. Henry Green said. Quella Radcliffe¡¯s expression darkened, and she spoke somewhat displeased. ¡°No worries, I was just asking,¡± Abigail Martin said with a smile before starting to order food from the menu. However, during this time, he quite obviously began to draw Quella Radcliffe into conversation and chatted with ulterior motives, which were quite clear. If it weren¡¯t for the consideration of maintaining a facade in the business world, Quella Radcliffe would have really wanted to leave immediately. But not giving Abigail Martin face in front of so many people, no one knew whether the Sawyer Group would actually switch partners. Currently, without an invitation from the Willson Group, there was already a lot of discordant voices within the group. Many supporters of Zade Radcliffe within the Radcliffe Clan were waiting for an opportunity, hoping to use the overwhelming public pressure to force Quella Radcliffe to step down and for Zade Radcliffe to take back the chairman position. At such a time, if the Sawyer Group pulled out support, the consequences would be very serious. After the dishes were served, the wealthy heirs raised their glasses in toast and occasionally came over to the three ladies to offer drinks. Quella Radcliffe and Lance Casey could only cope reluctantly, while Olayinka Davenport did not give any face at all, straightforwardly stating she couldn¡¯t drink alcohol. Although those offering toasts were a bit unhappy, they did not say much. ¡°Mr. Green, what is that private room above for?¡± One of the rich heirs questioned while sipping red wine, pointing at the private room above Twilight Mansion. Their current location was a silver member exclusive area on the southern side of the first floor lobby, while the north side was the dining area for bronze members. As for further up, it was unclear. But there was laughter and chatter above, indicating clearly that there were guests there as well. ¡°Above is the private room for gold members. I¡¯ve been here to eat with my dad a few times. You wouldn¡¯t believe it, each table is served by three waiters. As long as you give the word, they¡¯ll sort everything out for you in half a minute!¡± Abigail Martin explained proudly. His companions looked on with envy, and he felt downright satisfied. ¡°Mr. Green sure has a lot of experience! Without you bringing us, I¡¯m afraid we brothers would never have been able to come to Twilight Mansion in this lifetime!¡± another chimed in with flattery. ¡°Exactly, my family has some money too, but without an introduction, what¡¯s the use of money? It¡¯s Mr. Green who has both wealth and face,¡± another person added while pointing upwards, and asked again, ¡°Mr. Green, what kind of people can go even higher up? Only the second floor was visible from the first floor, but looking from the outside, it was known that Twilight Mansion had a total of five floors. If the second floor is for gold members, then what about the third floor and above? ¡°What kind of question is that! Isn¡¯t Mr. Green¡¯s father impressive? He¡¯s close friends with Gonzalez City¡¯s richest man, Ovidiu Cook; even with such a close relationship, they¡¯ve only got the gold membership. If you ask Mr. Green, even he¡¯s not clear!¡± Xavier Lake interjected with a deflection. In fact, if it wasn¡¯t for Jett Martin¡¯s relationship, some of them would never have made it inside in their lifetimes. But thanks to the Ovidiu Cook card, the Sawyer Group¡¯s standing in Gonzalez City¡¯s upper circles was on the rise. ¡°True, guess only immortals could go up there!¡± the group speculated noisily. ¡°I won¡¯t lie, I actually do know!¡± Abigail Martin glanced at Quella Radcliffe , showing off somewhat, ¡°Up there are seats exclusively for platinum members, and from what I¡¯ve heard, our entire Gonzalez City doesn¡¯t even have a single platinum member!¡± In fact, he had no idea who frequented the upper floors, but with so many people watching, men always want to save face. His own father was only a gold member, but by saying this, he directly elevated Jett Martin to the top tier of people in Gonzalez City. ¡°Mr. Henry Green truly knows his stuff! To know even this!¡± ¡°I wonder what kind of entrepreneurs are allowed on the third floor!¡± Everyone shook their heads and sighed; in their lifetimes, they might not even have a chance at a bronze membership, so how could they dare to think about the people on the third floor? ¡°Come! Let¡¯s drink!¡± Seeing that the crowd was a bit downcast, Abigail Martin picked up a glass and walked over to Quella Radcliffe, ¡°Miss Radcliffe, let¡¯s have a drink together!¡± ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve already drunk enough today.¡± Quella Radcliffe declined outright. These people had malicious intentions to get them drunk; how could Quella Radcliffe not be aware? ¡°Miss Radcliffe, this is a bit disappointing!¡± ¡°Mr. Henry Green is giving you face, don¡¯t throw that away!¡± ¡°Drink up!¡± Under the influence of alcohol, these second-generation rich kids began egging her on. ¡°Miss Radcliffe, as you can see, if you don¡¯t drink this, my buddies here will think you¡¯re looking down on me!¡± With a faint blush on his face and a forced smile, Abigail Martin said, ¡°If word of this got out¡­¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Quella Radcliffe abruptly stood up and grabbed her bag, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Henry Green, for your hospitality, but I have something to attend to and must leave now.¡± Continuing like this was bound to lead to trouble. But if she wanted to leave, how could Abigail Martin let her go? With such a good opportunity within reach, could he really let it slip away? ¡°Stop right there!¡± Abigail Martin said sternly, and the young men behind him quickly stood up and surrounded the area. ¡°What do you think I am? Someone you can summon and dismiss at will? Miss Radcliffe, that seems quite improper!¡± He looked at Quella Radcliffe, his gaze suddenly turning a bit chilling. It¡¯s common knowledge that the Radcliffe Group is unstable and has offended the Golden Eagle Group. ¡°Please step aside!¡± Just as Olayinka Davenport was about to push past the man in front of her, she felt a gust of wind on her face. Slap! The man in front of her slapped her, causing Olayinka Davenport¡¯s mouth to bleed, ¡°What are you worth? Can¡¯t handle Miss Radcliffe, can¡¯t I handle you?¡± Seeing as Abigail Martin seemed somewhat displeased, he decided to make an example of the young woman. Xavier Lake fancied Lance Casey, and Abigail Martin wanted Quella Radcliffe, so that left Olayinka Davenport without any support. Thus, this loyal crony directly struck Olayinka Davenport. ¡°What are you doing?! What are you going to do?!¡± Seeing Olayinka Davenport being hit, Quella Radcliffe immediately went over to help her up, glaring at the man who hit her: ¡°You even hit a woman, do you still count as a man?¡± ¡°Quella, I¡¯m fine, let¡¯s just go!¡± Olayinka Davenport, holding her reddened face, wanted to leave quickly. ¡°Go? Where are you going?¡± Abigail Martin slammed his glass down on the table and stood up coldly, ¡°How did you three without membership cards even sneak in? According to the rules of Twilight Mansion, sneaking in without a card means getting a leg broken!¡± Chapter 225 - Chapter 225: Chapter 224 Sister’s Husband, Come Quick_1 Chapter 225: Chapter 224 Sister¡¯s Husband, Come Quick_1 Translator: 549690339 Without rules, there can be no squares or circles. When Twilight Mansion was established, Gonzalez City¡¯s wealthiest man, Ovidiu Cook, and other high-level individuals decided on a rule: Anyone who entered Twilight Mansion without a membership card would either have a leg broken or pay a fine of fifty million. The broken leg was a rule set for those without money, not only to deter those trying to sneak in but also to ensure the exclusivity of Twilight Mansion¡¯s clientele. It ensured that everyone who came here to dine was part of high society, sharing common topics and often striking unexpected business deals on the spot. The heavy fine was for the wealthy, after all, being rich didn¡¯t guarantee access. The very existence of Twilight Mansion also indirectly imparted a lesson to the people of Gonzalez City: even if you are wealthy, it¡¯s not very useful. If you don¡¯t integrate into this circle, you will always be an outsider. This was Ovidiu Cook¡¯s original intent in founding Twilight Mansion: to rally allies and exclude dissidents. Now, as Abigail Martin spoke such words, it was clear that she was threatening Quella Radcliffe to comply. Fifty million? This was no small figure. ¡°Mr. Henry Green, what do you mean by this!¡± Miss Radcliffe shielded Olayinka Davenport behind her back and asked with a hostile tone. Olayinka Davenport was one of her best friends, and now she was beaten because of her, which Quella felt very remorseful about. But their current situation was quite unfavorable; a group of youths drunk and befuddled surrounded them, and it was unpredictable what they might do. ¡°Miss Radcliffe, your friend, by all rights, should be my guest as well. However, it seems this young lady has been somewhat disrespectful, so my brothers took the liberty of teaching her a lesson, no problem there, right?¡± Abigail Martin looked at Quella Radcliffe with a smile, his tone brimming with contempt. ¡°Exactly! So what if I hit her? This sort of trash, as long as I¡¯m willing, should be rolling obediently into my bed!¡± The son of wealth who had struck the blow pointed at Olayinka Davenport: ¡°I¡¯ll never believe that there¡¯s a woman in this world who doesn¡¯t love money!¡± ¡°Sonny Ridge, watch your words!¡± Xavier Lake quietly reminded from the side. After all, his relationship with Lance Casey was relatively close, and he could not just stand by and do nothing. ¡°Mr. Lake, you¡¯re ordering me around?¡± Buoyed by his drunkenness, Sonny Ridge walked up to Xavier Lake and jabbed a finger in his chest: ¡°Buddy, even your dad wouldn¡¯t dare speak to me like that! You¡¯re quite bold, aren¡¯t you?¡± In this circle, Xavier Lake held the lowest status; his stature was clearly not on par with the other young magnates. Usually, that was fine¡ªas everyone gave him some face since the central figure in this ¡°circle¡± was Abigail Martin. But now, with the alcohol flowing and the feast progressing, everyone was a bit tipsy. Coupled with the male tendency to show off in front of women, Sonny Ridge was being somewhat irrational. ¡°Brother Dragon, such words shouldn¡¯t come from you. I¡¯m merely giving you a heads-up; after all, this is Twilight Mansion. If you really stir up trouble, it wouldn¡¯t be good for you either, would it?¡± Xavier Lake¡¯s face alternated between shades of clear and dark. Although angry inside, he still managed to put on a smile. Sonny Ridge¡¯s family was a building material supplier, and in recent years, they had made a fortune from the real estate boom. Xavier Lake clearly looked down on such nouveau riche but couldn¡¯t voice it outright. ¡°Heh! Alright, I¡¯ll be more careful in the future. Today, for Mr. Henry Green¡¯s sake, I won¡¯t take this matter to heart!¡± Once again, Sonny Ridge jabbed Xavier Lake¡¯s chest, who could only offer an apologetic smile. ¡°Sonny Ridge, you¡¯ve had too much to drink!¡± Witnessing Xavier Lake being spoken to in such a manner, Abigail Martin also couldn¡¯t stand idly by. After all, that was her henchman. ¡°Haha! What words are these, Mr. Henry Green? I¡¯ll punish myself with a drink! ¡± Seeing Abigail Martin speak up, Sonny Ridge immediately scurried over with two glasses of wine and approached Quella Radcliffe: ¡°Come on, have a drink with Mr. Henry Green!¡± Even a fool could see that Abigail Martin was interested in Quella Radcliffe. Sonny Ridge dared not take Xavier Lake seriously but didn¡¯t dare to offend Abigail Martin. ¡°Sorry, but I don¡¯t drink!¡± Quella Radcliffe gave him a glance and declined directly. ¡°What! Not giving face to Mr. Henry Green? In Gonzalez City, offending Mr. Henry Green spells no good ending!¡± Another young man approached, his tone equally unfriendly. ¡°I¡¯ll drink it for her!¡± Seeing the situation turning dire, Olayinka Davenport stepped out from behind Quella Radcliffe, took the wine glass, and was about to drink. Among them, she was the eldest¡ªa real big sister figure. Now that Quella Radcliffe had run into trouble, she immediately stepped forward. Whoosh! Sonny Ridge directly splashed wine onto Olayinka Davenport¡¯s face, cursing as he said, ¡°Do you even deserve to drink the wine poured by this young master?¡± The crowd burst into loud laughter; slightly inebriated, everyone was waiting to see the show unfold. Sensing he had become the center of attention, Sonny Ridge became even more unbridled. ¡°Go! Pour wine for my brothers!¡± He pointed at the young men by the table, treating Olayinka Davenport as if she were a servant. Just then, the restaurant erupted in commotion. Someone started shouting ¡°The lights on the fifth floor are on,¡± and everyone¡¯s gaze turned towards the fifth floor. The third and fourth floors were out of sight, but the fifth floor could be seen clearly. Because the fifth floor was right at the top, above their heads! To emphasize exclusivity, the fifth floor had only one private room that was open-air, hanging from the ceiling. Whoever came to this room could look down upon those below, reigning high above like an emperor. It was said that the last time the fifth floor was used was two years ago. ¡°Who could it be, wielding such clout?¡± ¡°Who cares! It¡¯s none of our business. Even Mr. Henry Green doesn¡¯t recognize them, let alone us!¡± ¡°Right, just pour the wine already!¡± After a brief exchange, the youngsters didn¡¯t think much of it. The guests of the fifth floor were high above and beyond, unlikely to have any intersection with them. Sonny Ridge, once he came back to his senses, targeted Olayinka Davenport again. ¡°Anna Harris, why should we pour wine for them! Come on, if something happens, I¡¯ll take the blame!¡± Quella Radcliffe grabbed a wine bottle from the table and splashed the contents fiercely onto Sonny Ridge¡¯s face, ¡°Please learn how to behave first, like someone who wasn¡¯t born without a mother¡¯s upbringing!¡± After speaking, she pulled Lance Casey and Olayinka Davenport, ready to leave. ¡°Stop right there!¡± Sonny Ridge roared and directly stepped in front of the three. Including Abigail Martin, everyone¡¯s faces showed a playful expression. Sonny Ridge¡¯s mother had abandoned him and his father in the early years to run off with another man. This was Sonny Ridge¡¯s Achilles¡¯ heel, and now Quella Radcliffe had struck a nerve with her inadvertent words. With matters having escalated to this point, even Xavier Lake, wanting to say something, found himself unable to speak. ¡°Say that again, what you just said?¡± Sonny Ridge, pointing at Quella Radcliffe, had bloodshot eyes. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, don¡¯t be mad¡­¡± ¡°Forget it.¡± Olayinka Davenport and Lance Casey, one on each side, whispered persuasively. The wise do not fight when the odds are against them, and the situation was clearly not in their favor. ¡°I said you were born with a mother but raised without one!¡± Facing Sonny Ridge¡¯s aggression, Quella Radcliffe showed no hint of fear. ¡°I said it, what do you want to do about it!¡± Anger was evident in her eyes. ¡°Good! You wretched woman, today I¡¯ll make you regret it!¡± Sonny Ridge sneered coldly, and fiercely snatched up a wine bottle. ¡°Brother-in-law, Quella Radcliffe is being bullied, come quick!¡± At that moment, Lance Casey shouted loudly towards the entrance.. Chapter 226 - Chapter 226: Chapter 225: Next, I’m Going to Hit Someone Chapter 226: Chapter 225: Next, I¡¯m Going to Hit Someone ¡ª Part 1 Translator: 549690339 Upon hearing the voice, Julius Reed turned around, just in time to see Lance Casey calling for help, and Quella Radcliffe. He had been invited by Ovidiu Cook to meet a group of top businessmen from Gonzalez City at Twilight Mansion. Of course, these people weren¡¯t qualified to go up to the fifth floor; they merely had some interactions on their way. Julius Reed¡¯s focus was currently on Five-river Province. He mostly left matters in Gonzalez City to Ovidiu Cook and Aron Jackson. However, he was still somewhat worried about the Radcliffe Clan, so under Ovidiu Cook¡¯s leadership today, he prepared to send a message to the local businesses. ¡°Hold on, I¡¯ve got something to deal with! ¡± After smiling and greeting Ovidiu Cook¡¯s group, Julius Reed turned and walked in the opposite direction from where Quella Radcliffe and her party were, his face already showing traces of murderous intent. ¡°Boss Cook, I hope you can put in some good words for me with Mr. Reed, so that my Sawyer Group can also benefit!¡± Jett Martin looked at Ovidiu Cook with a fawning expression. As Ovidiu Cook¡¯s right-hand man, Jett Martin naturally participated in this gathering. Hearing that Mr. Reed¡¯s wife was the Radcliffe Group¡¯s chairwoman, he immediately decided to enhance cooperation with Radcliffe Group. Before this, Ovidiu Cook had shared a hint or two with him, suggesting that Julius Reed had considerable power and should be curried favor with. ¡°Don¡¯t worry! You¡¯re my good brother, and I, Ovidiu Cook, am someone who values relationships. I brought you here today just for you to get acquainted. Let me tell you the truth, as long as you make the Radcliffe Group money, Mr. Reed on his side won¡¯t let you suffer!¡± Ovidiu Cook whispered into his ear. ¡°Understood! Understood!¡± Jett Martin nodded repeatedly. He never imagined that the useless fool who married into the Radcliffe Family three years ago would have such a powerful background. Fortunately, not many people knew of this news. He could take the initiative and curry favor with Quella Radcliffe, the chairwoman of the Radcliffe Group. Meanwhile, Sonny Ridge¡¯s face was gloomy, as he was getting ready to make a move. ¡°Quick, apologize to Brother Dragon, and punish yourself with a drink.¡± Xavier Lake couldn¡¯t help but speak up. ¡°Go to hell! Xavier Lake, do you believe I can beat you up too!¡± Hearing this, Sonny Ridge abruptly turned around, his anger flaring at Xavier Lake. ¡°Sonny Ridge, don¡¯t make trouble with your own brothers!¡± After saying this, Abigail Martin patted his shoulder, ¡°I¡¯ll back you up on today¡¯s matter. Go for it!¡± ¡°Thanks a lot, Mr. Henry Green!¡± Sonny Ridge gave Xavier Lake a venomous look and then turned toward Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Today, I¡¯ll let you know what happens when you offend Sonny Ridge!¡± He raised the bottle and smashed it down with force! But suddenly, a hand appeared out of nowhere, firmly catching the bottle. ¡°Hm?¡± Sonny Ridge looked at the man who had appeared out of the blue before him, sneering, ¡°Looking for death? I can accommodate you!¡± He was already furious, and stumbling upon an uninvited challenger made his blood boil even more! ¡°Mind your own business, and you¡¯re minding it over mine? As he spoke, the other young men immediately crowded around. Previously, Sonny Ridge had hesitated to deal with Quella Radcliffe and her party, but now an ignorant youngster had blundered in, and these young masters had no such reservations. ¡°Buddy, do you know who we are? Is this a matter you can meddle in?¡± One young man approached, speaking disdainfully. ¡°See this guy here? The Crown Prince of the Sawyer Group, Abigail Martin, Mr. Henry Green!¡± ¡°Can you afford to offend him?¡± ¡°Getting involved in other people¡¯s business, don¡¯t you know your place? The youths jeered coldly. ¡°Brother-in-law, you¡¯re finally here!¡± Lance Casey cried out from the side, ¡°They¡¯ve been bullying Quella Radcliffe all this time. Olayinka Davenport was hit too, why did you only come now!¡± She had once witnessed how strong Julius Reed was. Seeing him now, an unexplained sense of security suddenly washed over her, and the tension in her nerves began to relax. ¡°Brother-in-law?¡± Hearing this term, Abigail Martin¡¯s eyebrows knitted together, ¡°You¡¯re her ex-husband? That loser?¡± It was obvious that they immediately thought of the loser who had married into the family in the past. ¡°Who do I think it is, turns out it¡¯s the pathetic loser who got kicked out!¡± Sonny Ridge let out an unrestrained laugh and mocked, ¡°Could it be that someone cuckholded you and then kicked you ¡­¡± Smack! Before he could finish, Julius Reed backhandedly slapped him, directly Imocking Sonny Ridge to the ground. ¡°Ptui!¡± Sonny Ridge spat out blood and viciously got up from the ground: ¡°Today I¡¯m going to destroy you!¡± It wasn¡¯t just him; the other youths also gathered around, ready to make their move. They never thought that the well-known waste of Gonzalez City would dare to hit someone? ¡°Who¡¯s bullying you?¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t bother with them at all but instead turned around and looked at Quella Radcliffe with eyes full of doting, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m late.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, let¡¯s go!¡± Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t want to cause trouble and just wanted to leave there quickly. ¡°Lance, who bullied her, point them out!¡± Seeing that Quella Radcliffe wouldn¡¯t speak, Julius Reed looked at Lance Casey, his voice tinged with endless chill. Dare to bully his woman? ¡°It¡¯s this Sonny Ridge, and Abigail Martin as well had no good intentions, he kept pouring drinks for Quella Radcliffe. These bastards even hit Olayinka Davenport!¡± Lance Casey blurted out everything, she had never felt as wronged as she did today. ¡°Huh! What my brothers and I do, is it your place to point fingers?¡± Abigail Martin pulled back Sonny Ridge, who was about to rush forward, and shouted, ¡°Waiter, someone sneaked in!¡± No sooner had he spoken than Rasheed Ridge burst out laughing loudly. Everyone knew Quella Radcliffe¡¯s husband was a waste. Even Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t have a member¡¯s card for Twilight Mansion; how could her good-for-nothing husband have gotten in? According to the rules, his leg should be broken first! They would make their move after the staff of Twilight Mansion had dealt with him. ¡°Kid, you¡¯ve got guts!¡± Sonny Ridge wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, wincing in pain, ¡°I¡¯m actually quite interested, how did you sneak in?¡± The security system of Twilight Mansion was very strict; anyone who could sneak in must have some skills. ¡°The way you speak, isn¡¯t sneaking around exactly what this brother here is good at?¡± As soon as Abigail Martin said this, the crowd burst into laughter again. And the security of Twilight Mansion had already arrived. ¡°Who sneaked in?¡± They looked around with a serious expression. ¡°It¡¯s this guy!¡± Abigail Martin pointed at Julius Reed. ¡°Sir, please show your membership card!¡± The head of security turned and extended his hand to Julius Reed, ¡°Thank you for your cooperation!¡± The rest of the security immediately surrounded him, just in case Julius Reed tried to run. ¡°Membership card!¡± Julius Reed, with his hands in his pockets, smiled at the head of security, ¡°I really don¡¯t have that! However, you can go ask your boss about it, he¡¯s right there!¡± After saying that, Julius Reed pointed toward the entrance. There, Ovidiu Cook was having a grand time talking and laughing with the top people of Gonzalez City. ¡°If you¡¯re not a member of this establishment, according to the rules, you would have to¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t rush, let me show you something first.¡± Julius Reed interrupted the head of security, stepped up to Sonny Ridge, ¡°See this? Next, I¡¯m going to hit someone!¡± Bang! Having said that, he brutally punched and broke Sonny Ridge¡¯s nose! Chapter 227 - Chapter 227: Chapter 226 Lack of Respect_l Chapter 227: Chapter 226 Lack of Respect_l Translator: 549690339 The punch came so suddenly that nobody managed to react in time. Although Twilight Mansion was established by Ovidiu Cook, it was a place where the elite of Gonzalez City gathered, and order was naturally maintained by everyone¡¯s joint efforts. In the years since its founding, no one had ever dared to cause a disturbance. At most, some super-rich second-generation individuals from other provinces would sneak in to take a look and, if caught, would be released after paying a fine. Now, someone dared to cause trouble? Even in front of the security guards of Twilight Mansion, boldly knocking a member¡¯s guest to the ground? Sonny Ridge let out a pained howl as blood gushed from his nose and mouth. The punch was so powerful that it collapsed his nose, creating a terrifying sight. ¡°Sonny Ridge! Are you okay?¡± Abigail Martin rushed over to help Sonny Ridge up and then looked at Julius Reed with fury, ¡°You¡¯re finished!¡± That simple sentence was full of threat. Sonny Ridge was his guest, and as his elder brother, he would definitely have to bear the consequences, and this incident would also be highly damaging to Abigail Martin¡¯s position in Gonzalez City. The idea of someone beating up the brother of Sawyer Group¡¯s Crown Prince at Twilight Mansion¡ªwhere could he put his face? Jaxen Brandon died suddenly, leaving Gonzalez City¡¯s rich second -generation group leaderless. In recent days, Abigail Martin had been working hard to secure the position as the top tier of Gonzalez City. But all that effort went up in smoke the moment Sonny Ridge was beaten. ¡°Really? I heard you¡¯ve been bullying my wife?¡± Julius Reed, casually rolling up his sleeves, wore a mocking smile on his face as if Abigail Martin were just making a joke. ¡°Heh! Your wife? She is going to be my woman sooner or later! ¡± Abigail Martin stood up from the ground, a cold smile playing on his lips. Only by sleeping with Julius Reed¡¯s wife could he regain his dignity after today¡¯s disgrace! ¡°You lack the ability. I¡¯ve never heard of a eunuch having a woman.¡± After adjusting his sleeves, Julius Reed looked at Abigail Martin with his hands clasped behind his back, contempt in his eyes. ¡°Ha ha! Whether I¡¯m a eunuch or not, your woman will tell you tonight!¡± Licking his lips, Abigail Martin gazed at Quella Radcliffe with a lecherous smile, ¡°Brothers, take this woman to my car.¡± Bang! No sooner had he spoken than Julius Reed suddenly lashed out with a kick! Abigail Martin let out a scream like a pig being slaughtered, kneeling on the ground with a purplish face, trembling all over. He held his crotch with both hands, his facial features twisted in a ferocious way, his eyes even a bit vacant. ¡°Mr. Henry Green!¡± The young men around immediately gathered together. But Abigail Martin was in so much pain that he was on the verge of losing consciousness. How could he hear the shouts of those around him? ¡°Quick! Call an ambulance!¡± A young man approached the security guard, grabbed his collar, and demanded, ¡°What are you staring at! Call the hospital!¡± ¡°And make sure to catch the perpetrator, don¡¯t let him get away!¡± After the young man roared with anger, he shakily took out his cell phone from his arms, momentarily unsure who to call. Since the Brandon Family fell, Abigail Martin had become the core of Gonzalez City¡¯s young generation. Normally, they sought his support whenever they faced difficulties. But now that Abigail Martin was dealt with, who should they turn to? ¡°Seize him first!¡± The captain of the security wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling somewhat panicked. He, of course, recognized Abigail Martin, Jett Martin¡¯s son. Jett Martin was also a close brother under Ovidiu Cook¡¯s wing. Twilight Mansion was Ovidiu Cook¡¯s property, and with such a mess unfolding, the captain¡¯s panic was no less than that of the young gentlemen. He took a deep breath, preparing to take action against Julius Reed. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Just then, Ovidiu Cook and others strode over. The shrill scream of Abigail Martin had disturbed many of the dining guests, and even Ovidiu Cook and others at the door heard it loud and clear. After all, this was his Gonzalez City¡¯s richest property, and since someone dared to make trouble, he had to come and see for himself. ¡°Boss!¡± Upon seeing Ovidiu Cook, the security captain¡¯s legs went weak, nearly collapsing to the ground. An unusual incident had occurred at Twilight Mansion, and it had happened to be discovered by the boss himself; the captain feared his bright future was now in jeopardy. But when he saw Jett Martin behind Ovidiu Cook, he directly knelt down on the ground. ¡°Speak, what happened!¡± Ovidiu Cook asked harshly. At this moment, Julius Reed happened to be blocked behind a group of security guards, so Ovidiu and the others had not yet noticed him. ¡°Uncle John Martin!¡± A young man who clearly recognized Jett Martin quickly came over and said with an extremely grieving tone, ¡°Mr. Henry Green brought us here to dine when suddenly a young man burst in. He wasn¡¯t a member of this place, and as per the rules, Mr. Henry Green called for security. But who would have thought that this person would be so audacious, first breaking Sonny Ridge¡¯s nose, and then¡­ then he¡ª¡± ¡°What happened to my son!¡± Jett Martin grabbed the young man¡¯s collar. ¡°Mr. Henry Green was kicked in the groin, I fear¡­¡± The young man said up to this point, then dared not continue. ¡°Dad¡­¡± Abigail Martin, blocked by a group of young men, uttered softly, his face turning black, on the verge of shock. ¡°Son!¡± Upon seeing his son in such a state, Jett Martin pushed the group of young men away. ¡°This¡­¡± Seeing the blood flowing continuously from between Abigail Martin¡¯s legs, Jett Martin¡¯s eyes widened, unsure what to do for a moment. Then, he became incredibly angry! ¡°Who did this!¡± Not just him, Ovidiu Cook was also very angry. Before the eyes of all the wealthy businessmen of Gonzalez City, an incident like this had occurred in his own restaurant, which was quite embarrassing for him. What was his status now? The richest man in Gonzalez City, even the Brandon Family, which could once rival him, had been surpassed by him, becoming unquestionably the number one power. Now with someone causing a scene, he had to show his stance. ¡°What are you all doing! You let someone mix in, which is bad enough, but to then commit violence without stepping in to stop it, I¡¯ve got no use for you bunch of good-for-nothings!¡± He pointed at the security captain and scolded him fiercely. ¡°Bring the person here!¡± ¡®Yes!¡± The security captain was also at a loss. Who could imagine that someone would dare make trouble in Twilight Mansion? And Julius Reed¡¯s actions were too quick, completely without warning. By the time they tried to intervene, it was already too late! ¡°Uncle John Martin, you must seek justice for Mr. Henry Green!¡± His nose was still bleeding, staining a large spot red on his shirt. ¡°What, even I¡¯ve been cleaned up?¡± After the guards stepped aside, Julius Reed, holding Quella Radcliffe in one hand, looked at Ovidiu Cook with a beaming smile. ¡°The one being cleaned up is you!¡± A young man stepped forward, pointing at Julius Reed, ¡°You damn brat, this man is the chairman of the Sawyer Group, Mr. Jett Martin! Your end is nigh!¡± The ferocity of Jett Martin was well-known to all. Now that his son had been crippled, what sort of outrageous act might he commit? No one knew. ¡°The chairman of the Sawyer Group?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow and said with a faint smile, ¡°My apologies, my apologies!¡± ¡°Knowing is good! Now kneel down and apologize!¡± The young man became even more arrogant. But behind him, Jett Martin¡¯s legs went weak, and with a thumping sound, he knelt on the ground.. Chapter 228 - Chapter 228: Chapter 227 Recognize This Face_1 Chapter 228: Chapter 227 Recognize This Face_1 Translator: 549690339 Jett Martin¡¯s kneeling had indeed startled the gathered youths. ¡°Uncle John Martin, please don¡¯t be upset!¡± The youth who had just spoken immediately walked over, helping him up with flattery, ¡°Today, we brothers will help you scrap this kid, to take revenge for Mr. Henry Green!¡± ¡°Yes! Uncle John Martin, rest assured! I, Sonny Ridge, will make sure he¡¯s dead!¡± Taking this opportunity, the youths all wanted to show themselves off. Slap! The first thing Jett Martin did after standing up was to backhand slap that youth. ¡°Uncle, why did you¡­¡± The youth, covering his face with his hand, looked at Jett Martin incredulously. He hadn¡¯t said anything wrong, and the one who messed with Abigail Martin was right there¨C why hit him? ¡°Say that again!¡± Jett Martin pointed at the youth, asking with a fierce gaze. This scene startled everyone present, only Ovidiu Cook and a few others understood what was going on. They had invited an important person, who Jett Martin¡¯s son had just offended! Setting aside how difficult it was to invite this VIP, once he had finally agreed to meet with them, Jett Martin¡¯s son had the audacity to harass his wife. Hadn¡¯t that dragged down the entire impression of the Gonzalez City rich? Ovidiu Cook was fuming with rage. Everyone knew that Jett Martin belonged to him, and now that Abigail Martin had offended the important person, even if the rich of Gonzalez City didn¡¯t speak of it aloud, they would hold him responsible. Although he was the richest man in Gonzalez City, raised high by everyone, it was because he united these rich businessmen. That was exactly the purpose of Twilight Mansion¡¯s existence in the first place. If these rich started harboring complaints, Ovidiu Cook would not have an easy time. Slap! Another crisp slap sound brought everyone back to their senses. ¡°Mr. Reed, I¡­¡± Jett Martin knelt once more before Julius Reed, stammering, at a loss for words. ¡°Please, don¡¯t remember the offense of the lesser man¡­¡± ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m quite vindictive, and when I¡¯m wronged, I repay it on the spot,¡± Julius Reed interrupted him, smiling as he looked at Jett Martin. ¡°I¡¯ve heard your Sawyer Group is very impressive, even planning to terminate collaboration with my wife¡¯s company.¡± ¡°Mr. Reed, it¡¯s a misunderstanding¡­¡± ¡°Sawyer Group is a leading tech group in Gonzalez City? I don¡¯t think that position should belong to you, right?¡± ¡°Mr. Reed¡­¡± ¡°Good! You and Ovidiu Cook were brothers in the past. I heard you two were inseparable. Sawyer Group grew so large only because Titan Group supported it from behind, right?¡± Thud! Ovidiu Cook¡¯s legs went weak and he knelt straight to the ground. ¡°Mr. Reed, I wasn¡¯t aware of this! Please give me another chance¡­¡± In front of all the businessmen, Ovidiu Cook didn¡¯t care about his own face, simply kneeling straight down. The businessmen were stunned. They had just heard how formidable this person was, but no matter what, Ovidiu Cook was the wealthiest man in Gonzalez City, a representative of the business community there. Even in the face of wealthy peers, it shouldn¡¯t come to such an abject display. But now, the wealthiest man of Gonzalez City was kneeling on the ground. ¡°The woman of Julius Reed, even if it¡¯s the Lord of Heaven, must show me some respect!¡± The previously smiling Julius Reed suddenly became very serious. With a stern face, he yanked Ovidiu Cook up from in front of him, ¡°Do you understand?¡± Other people might not understand who Julius Reed was, but Ovidiu Cook knew all too well. Now, so frightened he didn¡¯t know what to say, his whole body was shaking. Bang! Julius Reed pushed forcefully, sending Ovidiu Cook crashing to the ground. He looked at the rich of Gonzalez City before him, pointing at Quella Radcliffe repeatedly enunciating, ¡°Remember this face well. Anyone who disrespects her, dies!¡± When the word ¡°die¡± was uttered, Jett Martin¡¯s face turned ashen, and he collapsed to the ground. ¡°Uncle John Martin, this¡­¡± The youngsters were even more bewildered. All present were business tycoons who, due to their forebears, had met on various occasions. But now, these tycoons were actually showing utmost respect to a teenager. ¡°Get out!¡± Crack! Jett Martin suddenly got up from the ground, grabbed a beer bottle, and smashed it onto the young man¡¯s head. ¡°It¡¯s all because of you bastards, always taking Abigail out to mess around! Now¡­ now I¡¯ve been screwed over by him too!¡± Bang! He acted like a madman, pinning the young man to the ground, brutally beating him. ¡°Let¡¯s go home, this meal at Twilight Mansion, we can¡¯t afford it!¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly and embraced Quella Radcliffe in his arms. This startled Ovidiu Cook. ¡°Mr. Reed, it was my fault for not taking care enough! If I had known¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯d better shut up while I¡¯m not angry! ¡± Julius Reed turned around, his face dark as he looked at him: ¡°Ovidiu Cook, you really disappoint me!¡± ¡°Mr. Reed¡­ Ovidiu Cook clenched his fists, his complexion already ghastly pale. The position of Gonzalez City¡¯s wealthiest man was all given by Julius Reed. What was given could be taken back! ¡°I don¡¯t want today¡¯s incident to leak out.¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t pay attention to him, instead, he looked at the wealthy businessmen present. ¡°Understood ! ¡± The businessmen were silent as cicadas in winter, each one scared out of their wits. ¡°And one more thing.¡± After getting a response from the businessmen, Julius Reed nodded, pointing to the group of petrified youngsters: ¡°These people, their lives don¡¯t seem to have any meaning, do they? Taking advantage of men, bullying women, they¡¯re a blight on Gonzalez City¡¯s atmosphere.¡± ¡°No! We were wrong!¡± Even a fool could see what the situation was now. One by one, they knelt on the ground, all pointing at Abigail Martin, crying out: ¡°It was all Abigail Martin¡¯s idea, it has nothing to do with us!¡± ¡°Right! It was all Mr. Henry Green¡­ Pah! It was that bastard Abigail Martin¡¯s idea, his family has money and power, who dares not to listen to him?¡± ¡°Please, have mercy on us!¡± The youngsters, whose families had some money, usually followed Abigail Martin doing whatever they pleased, never knowing restraint. Now that they¡¯d hit a snag, they were all terrified. ¡°And their family businesses, let¡¯s forget about them too. Raising such kids, their parents must be troublemakers as well.¡± Julius Reed glanced at these people indifferently and left the place without looking back. Not long after he walked away, Ovidiu Cook, who had come to his senses, suddenly stood up from the ground and glared at the wealthy businessmen: ¡°Whoever dares to utter a word about today¡¯s events, die!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The businessmen wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads, still trembling. ¡°Brother, brother please help me!¡± Jett Martin crawled to Ovidiu Cook¡¯s feet, pleading: ¡°Give me another chance, say some good words for me, you and I are brothers¡­¡± ¡°Jett Martin! My biggest mistake was becoming brothers with you!¡± Ovidiu Cook shouted angrily and waved to the security guards: ¡°Make it clean!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The security guards, who were extremely fearful at first, immediately turned fierce and menacing! ¡°Turn off the lights!¡± Click! The lights in the restaurant¡¯s first floor were instantly turned off.. Chapter 229 - Chapter 229: Chapter 228 You ‘Il Be Even More Surprised_1 Chapter 229: Chapter 228 You ¡®Il Be Even More Surprised_1 Translator: 549690339 Having gone through such an ordeal, both Olayinka Davenport and Lance Casey had little appetite for food. After sending the two home, Julius Reed took Quella Radcliffe back to their previous residence. ¡°Don¡¯t go out alone in the future, it¡¯s not very safe.¡± Julius Reed glanced at Quella Radcliffe, who was gloomy in the passenger seat, and softly cautioned her. In front of others, he could kill without blinking an eye, but to his own wife, Julius Reed was only tender. Instead of living in confusion for countless years, it is better to treasure the present and spend every day with the person before you. Quella Radcliffe hummed softly, the look of worry on her face not easing. Just then, her phone suddenly rang. ¡°Amanda, what¡¯s happening so late at night?¡± The caller was Dempsey Davenport, the Finance Director appointed by Quella Radcliffe, and the person she trusted the most. It was already nine in the evening, and given Dempsey Davenport¡¯s style, she definitely wouldn¡¯t make urgent calls without something important. ¡°Quella, today I had drinks with a junior assistant from the company, who is one of the Radcliffe Clan. She drank a few more glasses than usual today and let slip that at the board meeting tomorrow, Zade Radcliffe will impeach you on the grounds of impeding the company¡¯s development. Even though you hold most of the shares, Zade Radcliffe has invited several major figures from the Gonzalez City business community to pressure you into a corner!¡± Dempsey Davenport stated anxiously over the phone. Having returned from studies abroad, she was not only excellent in business skills but also adept at handling interpersonal relationships. Sensing the recent whiff of gunpowder within the company, Dempsey Davenport immediately drew in ignored members of the Radcliffe Clan to gather some intelligence. It turned out that capitalizing on the establishment of Willson Group, Zade Radcliffe was making a big deal out of it, intending to use the fact that Quella Radcliffe wasn¡¯t invited to push her out of the chairman¡¯s position. Otis Radcliffe was actively moving in the circles of Gonzalez City with his funds, leveraging his grandfather¡¯s networks, and had reached agreements with many local enterprises to garner their support. ¡°Alright, I got it!¡± After hanging up the phone, Quella Radcliffe clenched her phone with both hands, her face showing a pained expression. Even though she could sweep Zade Radcliffe and his grandson out of the house, even though she could purge the Radcliffe Clan members within the company, she herself was ultimately a Radcliffe, and Zade Radcliffe was her biological grandfather. The pain in Quella Radcliffe¡¯s heart wasn¡¯t about the gain and loss of the chairman¡¯s position, but the anguish of being betrayed by family. No matter what she did, how she proved herself, even with the Radcliffe Group thriving under her leadership, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s status in the hearts of Zade Radcliffe and other clan members would never be even a fraction of that of Otis Radcliffe. ¡°Trouble?¡± Julius Reed, with his sharp hearing, had already clearly heard Dempsey Davenport¡¯s words. Actually, during his time in Five-river Province, he had been paying attention to the Radcliffe Group, worried about these people working against Quella Radcliffe. As expected, the old fox couldn¡¯t hold back and was ready to make a move. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I can handle it.¡± Quella Radcliffe forced a faint smile and looked at Julius Reed, ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about me, there won¡¯t be any problems.¡± Now she was very aware that Julius Reed was a man meant for great things, surrounded by influential figures. If she couldn¡¯t lend a hand from behind, then she would strive not to become a burden to her husband. ¡°About the invitation from Willson Group?¡± Julius Reed had heard everything clearly on the phone just now. If he remembered correctly, Willson Group indeed sent an invitation to Radcliffe Group, and though it didn¡¯t contain anything special, it did, like other enterprises, send an invite for one seat. Quella Radcliffe hummed in acknowledgement, leaning back in her seat and rubbing her temples. This matter was giving her a headache¡ªif other technology-type enterprises in Gonzalez City hadn¡¯t received an invitation, that would be another story. But when even a company like Wooden Technology, which was lesser than Radcliffe Group, had received an invitation, it inevitably made people talk. ¡°Willson Group emerged too strong; virtually the entire Five-river Province¡¯s enterprises want to jump on this huge ship. At this juncture, our Radcliffe Group not receiving an invite is indeed questionable. But it¡¯s nothing, I will send someone tomorrow to pull some strings, to inquire.¡± There wasn¡¯t much to hide between them, and since Julius Reed had asked, Quella Radcliffe gave it to him straight. ¡°That doesn¡¯t make sense! I have a friend who is an executive at Willson Group, and he mentioned to me before that basically any slightly reputable company would be present at the ceremony. Radcliffe Group isn¡¯t a small enterprise in Gonzalez City, so they should have received an invitation.¡± Julius Reed felt that something was fishy. When the invitations were initially sent out, he had personally reviewed the invited companies; there couldn¡¯t be a mistake. ¡°I also find it strange, could it really be because I¡¯m too young that Willson Group looks down on Radcliffe Group?¡± Quella Radcliffe sighed deeply, feeling very complicated. ¡°Hold on, I¡¯ll make a phone call to ask my friend.¡± Julius Reed pulled the car over to the side of the road and stepped out to make a call. ¡°The invitation for Radcliffe Group, has it been sent out?¡± ¡°Mr. Reed, it was dispatched the day before yesterday, by my estimation, Radcliffe Group should have received it yesterday. Is there a problem?¡± A supremely respectful voice came from the other end of the phone. ¡°But my wife hasn¡¯t received it, check it out for me right away,¡± Julius Reed glanced at his watch, ¡°I¡¯ll give you half an hour, is that enough?¡± Originally, he only wanted to give the other party five minutes, but clearly, five minutes wasn¡¯t realistic. After making the call, Julius Reed got back into the car and continued driving home. ¡°Julius, you still have friends inside Willson Group?¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at her husband with great curiosity. It was all so mysterious. The Willson Group seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, without any warning, and no one even knew who the real boss was behind it. Yet her own husband actually had friends there? ¡°Does that surprise you?¡± Julius Reed gave a faint smile, driving the car steadily. Soon, the two of them arrived back at the mansion. In the periphery of this upscale community, people from Willson Pavilion lurked, constantly protecting Quella Radcliffe¡¯s safety. But up until now, the Eastern Bay Warrior had not shown up. Although Cosmo kept investigating, there were no leads. Just as they were about to go upstairs, Julius Reed¡¯s phone rang. Twenty-four minutes. ¡°Mr. Reed, we have figured it out! It was the manager of Radcliffe Group¡¯s public relations department who personally withheld the invitation. As for who instructed this, I still need a little more time,¡± ¡°Very well, ¡± Julius Reed nodded, the situation was almost as he had anticipated, the troublemaker was inside the group. If someone wanted to play, then he would play along to the end. ¡°I have already spoken to my friend, and they will deliver the invitation tomorrow, don¡¯t worry.¡± After hanging up, Julius Reed patted Quella Radcliffe¡¯s head. ¡°Really? Your friend has such great influence?¡± Quella Radcliffe was incredulous. ¡°It¡¯s a small matter, you¡¯ll be even more surprised in the future.¡± If Quella Radcliffe knew that the real boss of Willson Group was actually him, it¡¯s hard to say how this girl would react.. Chapter 230 - Chapter 230: Chapter 229 Sudden Change in Style_l Chapter 230: Chapter 229 Sudden Change in Style_l Translator: 549690339 Early the next morning, the Radcliffe Group¡¯s boardroom was filled with a large number of executives and members of the Radcliffe Clan. Zade Radcliffe sat near the entrance, with Otis Radcliffe by his side. Both appeared to be in good spirits. Otis Radcliffe had shaken off the shadow of the previous beating, and though he still limped, his face was radiant with vigor. Zade Radcliffe, with his eyes closed as if in meditation, assumed a posture of someone strategizing behind the scenes. The other family members were still talking incessantly, each voicing their opinions. ¡°The chairman has arrived!¡± With Dempsey Davenport¡¯s sudden exclamation, the boardroom fell silent in an instant. ¡°Mr. Chairman, there are less than three days left until the Titan Group¡¯s gala. How do you plan to resolve this?¡± ¡°I inquired yesterday¡ªin all of Gonzalez City, every enterprise with assets over a hundred million has received an invitation. Why hasn¡¯t the Radcliffe Group received our invitation yet?¡± ¡°When asked about it outside, as a member of the group, I feel disgraced!¡± The Radcliffe family members spoke up one after another, following the script Zade Radcliffe had given them to attack Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Chairman Radcliffe, you should give us an explanation, shouldn¡¯t you?¡± Otis Radcliffe watched Quella Radcliffe with a smug smile. Next to him, Zalmon Martin also wore a smiling expression. The invitation had actually arrived early, but following Zade Radcliffe¡¯s instructions, it had been intercepted by her privately. Now, that invitation was in Zade Radcliffe¡¯s hands. Once Quella Radcliffe failed to resolve this issue, Zade Radcliffe would openly produce the invitation, claiming that he obtained it through his connections. With the support of business leaders from Gonzalez City, he would surely be able to return to his position as chairman, and this matter would naturally be put to rest. ¡°Exactly! Chairman Radcliffe, please explain quickly?¡± ¡°If even this is beyond your capability, we won¡¯t accept it!¡± The Radcliffe family members were constantly making a fuss below. ¡°About this issue, I have already communicated with the Titan Group. They have confirmed that they indeed sent us the invitation. However, for some reason, we did not receive it.¡± Quella Radcliffe said expressionlessly. These words were all instructed by Julius Reed. ¡°Is that so?¡± Zade Radcliffe frowned, feeling somewhat unsettled inside. Zalmon Martin, on the other hand, was startled, casting a somewhat fearful glance at Zade Radcliffe. Should this matter come to light, she would be the first to be held accountable. ¡°Impossible! In all of Gonzalez City, no one has been able to contact the Titan Group yet. Quella Radcliffe, if you¡¯re lying, at least make it believable to us.¡± Zade Radcliffe quickly came to his senses, believing that Quella Radcliffe was deceiving everyone. He had also followed the Titan Group and talked with his old buddies about it. Up to now, even the richest man, Ovidiu Cook, hadn¡¯t been able to get in touch with the Titan Group. This suddenly-emerged group was extremely mysterious, and outsiders simply couldn¡¯t grasp any information. Even those entrepreneurs with Divine Skills had no way of doing so; how could Quella Radcliffe, a mere greenhorn, achieve it? ¡°Although I must admit, you managed to speak with the Titan Group, to claim you could contact the Titan Group is somewhat of an exaggeration.¡± He looked towards Quella Radcliffe, his eyes gleaming, as if trying to see through her thoughts in one glance. However, to his disappointment, Quella Radcliffe had no reaction. ¡°The chairman seems to be speaking rather grandiosely.¡± After hearing what Zade Radcliffe said, Zalmon Martin realized it was a false alarm. Previously, due to a guilty conscience, she¡¯d been somewhat scared. Now, she had no fear. ¡°Zalmon Martin, it¡¯s not your turn to speak.¡± Quella Radcliffe glanced at Zalmon Martin and said coldly, ¡°I am still the chairman. You, a public relations manager, dare to question me?¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± Although Zalmon Martin was resentful inside, she dared not act out any further. After all, she still doesn¡¯t have the qualifications. ¡°Empty words provide no proof, why should we believe you? President Radcliffe, give us a reason!¡± Otis Radcliffe lashed out again. ¡°I am the Chairman, do I need your belief?¡± Quella Radcliffe became exceptionally assertive at this moment. When she said this, Zade Radcliffe was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter. That was nothing but a furious embarrassment, nothing more. ¡°Good! Very good!¡± Zade Radcliffe applauded from his seat, ¡°Unfortunately, today I¡¯ve invited all the local tycoons here, wanting them to judge whether you have the qualifications to sit in this position or not!¡± After speaking, the doors to the meeting room were opened. A group of middle-aged men in suits and leather shoes slowly walked in afterward. ¡°Oh! Mr. Radcliffe, long time no see! How have you been lately?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard someone has taken your Chairman position, and we are quite curious as to who this remarkable person might be?¡± ¡°No matter what, in Gonzalez City, I only recognize you, Mr. Radcliffe!¡± Most of the people who came were familiar faces, either suppliers of materials to the Radcliffe Group or business partners. One could say that everyone was part of a community of interests; losing cooperation would plunge the Radcliffe Group into an unprecedented predicament. Finding replacements in a short time was simply impossible. Moreover, the Titan Group¡¯s huge orders were being produced overtime; they couldn¡¯t afford the loss brought by stockouts. ¡°Everyone is too kind! I truly have limited abilities, but you all are well aware of the current situation. At the Willson Group¡¯s ceremony, they didn¡¯t even invite the Radcliffe Group. Now tell me, where should I put my old face?¡± Zade Radcliffe stood up from his chair, his face filled with a confident smile. The arrival of these suppliers and vendors today would bring tremendous pressure to the Group. ¡°What are you saying, old friend! If the Titan Group really didn¡¯t send an invitation to the Radcliffe Group, perhaps their Chairman should step down too, right? Back when you, Mr. Radcliffe, were around, those were the days of glory! ¡± ¡°Indeed, I want to see just who has the ability to lead the Radcliffe Group¡­¡± The material supplier¡¯s words were cut off halfway when he became startled. Because he saw Quella Radcliffe. Julius Reed¡¯s words from last night at Twilight Mansion were still vivid in his memory. ¡°Remember this face, or it¡¯s death!¡± He hurriedly rubbed his eyes, confirming he hadn¡¯t mistaken the person. The woman from last night was sitting in the Chairman¡¯s seat. A person who could make Ovidiu Cook kneel¡ªhow could they possibly afford to provoke her? ¡°Mr. Bread, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Seeing Mr. Bread stop mid-sentence, the others turned to look at him. ¡°She¡­¡¯ Mr. Bread was at a loss for words for a moment, so he could only point at Quella Radcliffe. ¡°This¡­¡± Most of the people present had witnessed last night¡¯s events. Although they hadn¡¯t seen everything clearly, they roughly knew that it was indeed the woman in front of them. ¡°Haha! This is my granddaughter, ambitious indeed, but her abilities can¡¯t back it up! That¡¯s why I, an old brother like me, have no choice but to take her place!¡± Seeing everyone¡¯s reaction, Zade Radcliffe thought they were dismissing Quella Radcliffe, and his heart suddenly blossomed with joy. ¡°Mr. Radcliffe, I think it¡¯s good for you to retire. President Radcliffe is highly talented and will surely lead the Radcliffe Group to greatness. Today, right here, I, Mr. Bread, am taking a stand¡ªif President Radcliffe needs it, my warehouse will prioritize supplying you, and with a 10% discount!¡± ¡°Mine too, President Radcliffe can take the materials first, and can pay whenever!¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to sign a contract with President Radcliffe right now, 15% off!¡± In an instant, the mood in the room changed drastically.. Chapter 231 - Chapter 231: Chapter 230 1 Want to Talk to You 1 Chapter 231: Chapter 230 1 Want to Talk to You 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡®Mr. Bread, what are you up to!¡± Zade Radcliffe was utterly baffled. ¡°I¡¯m not the chairman yet, how can you call me President Radcliffe? If my granddaughter hears this, it¡¯ll seem as though this old man is dead set on snatching the position from her!¡± As he spoke, the people who had been somewhat startled immediately realized that the suppliers were pressuring Old Master Radcliffe! The Radcliffe Clan members¡¯ eyes were brimming with excitement at the generous offers being made. These material suppliers and distributors had been working with the Radcliffe family for no less than ten years, but the biggest discount had always been a mere two percent, and many times payment was required upfront. Today, these profit-first businessmen were willing to make such significant concessions, deeply moving Zade Radcliffe. ¡°Zalmon Martin, book a hotel for me right away! Today I¡¯m going to drink with these old brothers until we¡¯re drunk and can¡¯t return home!¡± Zade Radcliffe couldn¡¯t stop smiling; these old buddies had really shown him great respect! ¡°The matter has come to this, and I think the old master is more suitable for that chair. Quella, you¡¯re really not appropriate for it!¡± With his hands tucked into his pockets, Otis Radcliffe limped over behind Quella, his face beaming with smug satisfaction. ¡°Be smart and hand over your shares. You can still be my assistant within the Group and hold a hefty income! How about it, think it over?¡± Even before this, Zade Radcliffe had borrowed a lot of money with the intention of regaining the shares that Quella controlled, to completely take over the Group. To show their loyalty, many in the Radcliffe Clan had also volunteered their own funds, which would eventually be transformed into equity and distributed to those who contributed. ¡°It seems I have no choice but to vacate this position, do I?¡± Quella looked at Otis with a cold laugh. If it weren¡¯t for the words Julius Reed had shared with her the previous night, she might have really had to give up her Dosition todav! ¡°You don¡¯t want to give it up? Fine! But you see, with just a word from Grandpa, these friends of his will cut off your supplies. What will you use to fill those massive orders? When the time comes for astronomical compensation, I¡¯d like to see where you will get it from!¡± Otis¡¯s face darkened. He was usually willful and unyielding, but his leg had been broken by Julius Reed. This incident had left him harboring all his hatred for Quella. Today, Otis felt like he was finally getting his revenge! ¡°In the end, you will lose everything! Not only will you be kicked out, but your shares will also become worthless! Quella, do you really want to drag the entire family down with you?¡± The words of Otis unsettled the Radcliffe Clan members. Although Quella was the chairman and they couldn¡¯t pad their wallets, the dividends were indeed substantial. However, on one hand, Quella had always been ostracized by the Radcliffe family; on the other, they didn¡¯t dare to disobey Old Master Radcliffe. But if the Group went bankrupt, they would be left with nothing, a situation nobody wanted to see. Many who hadn¡¯t planned to support Zade Radcliffe changed their stance decisively in favor of him after seeing the unanimous front from suppliers and distributors. ¡°Exactly! Quella, don¡¯t drag us into this. The Radcliffe Group has been built over tens of years; after all, you are a member of the Radcliffe family too¡ªwhy go to such lengths?¡± ¡°Otis has already put it out there; just give up your equity and you¡¯ll receive a substantial amount of money, and you¡¯ll still hold an executive position within the company¡ªwhy cause such trouble?¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t take us down with you!¡± The relatives were talking over one another, directing all their criticism at Quella instead of Zade Radcliffe, who had brought the businessmen over. Some were even pounding their fists on the table in extreme anger. But no matter who it was, none looked for the root cause of the problem. If Zade Radcliffe hadn¡¯t brought these people here to strong-arm them, perhaps the Radcliffe Group would have been in a better position. But within the family, no one dared to¡ªand none would¡ªdo such a thing. ¡°Ah! What are you all doing!¡± Mr. Bread, who was watching from the side, was completely panicked. That morning, he had specially inquired about some of the people who appeared at Twilight Mansion that night, and found that their family businesses were also experiencing turmoil. Take the Sawyer Group as an example¡ªit was the company that countless people envied, they flaunted their close relationship with Ovidiu Cook as if they had the inside track. Once you climbed up the ranks, success was inevitable. But it was precisely such a group that announced changes overnight. Jett Martin and Abigail Martin suddenly disappeared, and the company also temporarily went into a shutdown. Even Ovidiu Cook couldn¡¯t save them; were they courting death? ¡°Mr. Bread, it¡¯s okay!¡± Quella Radcliffe naturally knew why Mr. Bread stood up, so she signaled to him that it was okay. ¡°Quella, Mr. Bread is speaking; isn¡¯t it rude to interrupt like this?¡± Zade Radcliffe looked at Quella Radcliffe with displeasure, then turned around and explained with a smile, ¡°My granddaughter does not understand the rules; please don¡¯t take it to heart!¡± The fact that these old brothers showed up to offer such strong support was indeed touching for Zade Radcliffe. For a businessman, pursuing profit is not wrong. ¡°Old Radcliffe, what do you know! I was talking to President Radcliffe; you are now just a staff member of the Group. What right do you have to talk to me!¡± Mr. Bread directly interrupted Zade Radcliffe, scolding him, ¡°Although we have been friends for many years, I have seen no hope in the Radcliffe Group under your management. The performance is losing money, and the employees are ineffective! If it wasn¡¯t for President Radcliffe¡¯s face, I would have come today to end our cooperation with you!¡± ¡°This¡­ Mr. Bread, what were you saying yesterday?¡± Zade Radcliffe frowned, feeling that something was not right. He had been working with Mr. Bread for more than twenty years. Even if he wouldn¡¯t help, he wouldn¡¯t kick a man when he¡¯s down, right? ¡°Zade Radcliffe, show some respect! You call me Mr. Bread? Please call me Mr. Bread! Madeline Pendleton, with a stern face, showed no respect for Zade Radcliffe, even in front of so many members of the Radcliffe Clan. ¡°Exactly! Old Radcliffe, you are already of an age and still thinking about usurping power? If I were you, I would live out my days in peace at home. President Radcliffe is young, but when it comes to controlling the company, he is far better than you in more ways than one!¡± ¡°We are here today specifically for President Radcliffe¡¯s sake; Old Radcliffe, you don¡¯t have the right to talk to us yet!¡± The businessmen took turns berating, their words sharp as knives, each one stabbing into Zade Radcliffe¡¯s heart. Otis Radcliffe and the Radcliffe Clan members standing beside weren¡¯t foolish; seeing Quella Radcliffe¡¯s relaxed demeanor and Zade Radcliffe¡¯s ashen face, they immediately understood the situation. ¡°Um, I have something else to attend to, so I¡¯ll be leaving now!¡± With an awkward smile, Otis Radcliffe pulled Zade Radcliffe to leave. ¡°Grandpa, ¡®A small impatience ruins a great plan¡¯!¡± Even a fool could see that Quella Radcliffe held the winning cards today; what was the point in staying, other than to humiliate oneself further? ¡°I advise you, ¡®Those who commit injustices will ultimately bring about their own downfall¡¯!¡± Quella Radcliffe stood next to the chairman¡¯s position and reprimanded the two sternly. ¡°I also have matters to attend to and must leave first.¡± Seeing that things were going badly, Zalmon Martin also picked up her handbag, ready to leave. ¡°Wait! Zalmon Martin, the matter concerning you damaging the company¡¯s interests is not over. I would like to talk to you about it.¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s voice came from behind her.. Chapter 232 - Chapter 232: 231 Chapter Representatives from Willson Group_l Chapter 232: 231 Chapter Representatives from Willson Group_l Translator: 549690339 Indeed, what one fears, one brings upon oneself. Zalmon Martin, who had been worried sick about this matter being exposed, never imagined her name would still be called out. However, she quickly regained her composure. As the PR manager, her ability to regulate her emotions was incredibly strong¡ªmerely by turning around, she seemed as composed as though nothing had happened. ¡°President Radcliffe, what do you mean by that?¡± The matter of withholding the invitation was instigated by Zade Radcliffe, and only a very small circle of no more than five people were aware of it. Moreover, these five individuals were core figures of the Radcliffe Family, and would under no circumstances betray the elder. Zalmon Martin considered herself a startled bird, perhaps overly anxious. ¡°Do you not have an idea of what you have done?¡± Quella Radcliffe leaned her body slightly forward, hands pressed on the conference table, staring intently at Zalmon Martin. ¡°President Radcliffe, I truly do not understand. While I, Zalmon Martin, may have limited capabilities, I demand that you present evidence if you claim I have acted against the company¡¯s interests. Otherwise, this is nothing but a barefaced defamation!¡± Zalmon Martin shifted her tone, somewhat sneeringly saying, ¡°Could it be that you are trying to eliminate dissidents, suppressing us Radcliffe clan members?¡± With these words, she bound herself firmly to the Radcliffe family¡¯s ship. Although Quella Radcliffe controlled the company¡¯s power, she had yet to touch upon the most sensitive nerves of the Radcliffe clan members. Even though they were not as economically powerful as before, the Radcliffe members were still employed by the company and had not been cast out. If Quella Radcliffe was indeed trying to remove dissidents as Zalmon Martin suggested, they could not remain seated. ¡°Zalmon Martin, I only have one question for you¡ªwhere is the invitation sent by the Titan Group? Why did you withhold it for yourself?¡± When she reached the last few words, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s pronunciation was emphatic. And after she finished speaking, Zalmon Martin¡¯s complexion turned pale in an instant, but she quickly adjusted her demeanor, ¡°Quella Radcliffe, the group has not received an invitation; this matter is extremely detrimental to you. But you need not fabricate such lies and sling mud at me, do you?¡± Ovidiu Cook, who stood by, was just about to speak when he heard Zalmon Martin¡¯s retort, his expression softening considerably. Indeed, she was a product of the PR department, with a sharp tongue that spared no one. The Radcliffe clan members who had taken the claims at face value just a moment before were swayed by Zalmon Martin¡¯s words; they realized Quella Radcliffe was looking for a scapegoat! ¡°President Radcliffe! Zalmon Martin is also a member of the company, and she has contributed her fair share. To dispose of her like an outdated tool is somewhat unkind!¡± ¡°Everyone knows that the company wasn¡¯t invited, and while you may lack capability, you shouldn¡¯t make Zalmon Martin take the fall, should you?¡± ¡°This could dishearten our employees!¡± The attendees began to speak one after another, collectively censuring Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Quiet! Can you let the chairman finish speaking?¡± Dempsey Davenport slammed the table fiercely, and the room fell silent instantly. With so many wealthy businessmen present today, she had thought for a moment that Quella Radcliffe was finished. However, their attitude came as a surprise to her. Now that Quella Radcliffe openly accused Zalmon Martin of scheming behind the scenes, she believed it could not be without basis. ¡°You want evidence, is that right? Well then, the employee from the Titan Group is right outside; I can ask him to come in and testify!¡± As Quella Radcliffe said these words, she also lacked confidence within. The Titan Group, a very secretive mega-conglomerate, remained shrouded in mystery, with no one having any clear insight into its workings thus far. Even the major families of Five-river Province had no knowledge of this conglomerate that seemed to have come from nowhere. When Julius Reed mentioned to her that a representative from the Titan Group would come over, her initial reaction was disbelief. But she chose to trust her husband¡¯s words. However. Would the Titan Group truly send someone? Did her husband possess such influence? ¡°Quella Radcliffe, you¡¯ve taken the joke too far!¡± Zade Radcliffe was at first taken aback, then burst into laughter. The others, realizing the situation, could not help a burst of schadenfreude. This is simply boasting. ¡°Sis, how come you¡¯re so amazing? Grandpa has been inquiring everywhere and hasn¡¯t caught a whisper of this. And here you are, even contacting people from the Willson Group?¡± Otis Radcliffe also wore a mocking expression, hardly believing Quella Radcliffe could be so capable. When Zade Radcliffe was making inquiries, Otis Radcliffe had been right by his side. Based on the confidences of various big bosses in Gonzalez City, he knew no one had seen people from the Willson Group. Even the wealthiest man, Ovidiu Cook, had no way to do so. Now, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s words seemed nothing more than the ramblings of a fool. He faintly sensed that an opportunity might have come. ¡°Empty talk is useless; we need to see evidence!¡± Zade Radcliffe asked sternly, ¡°Suspecting our company¡¯s employees without cause, how can such a leader take the group to new heights?¡± ¡°Exactly! Show us the evidence!¡± ¡°We would like to see if you really have such great abilities!¡± The employees, one after another, no one believed Quella Radcliffe could truly bring an employee from the Willson Group. ¡°Fine! Since that¡¯s the case, I will make you thoroughly convinced!¡± Quella Radcliffe said expressionlessly. But in reality, she was already panicking inside. Julius Reed had said the Willson Group employee would return, but they still hadn¡¯t arrived. Could there have been a problem? If that employee didn¡¯t show up now, she feared she would make a huge fool of herself. Bang! Just at that moment, the conference room door was kicked open. A man in a suit entered, followed by two men dressed similarly. The trio emitted an aura of menace, and the moment they entered, everyone felt an invisible pressure bearing down on them. ¡°Who are you, and why are you trespassing in our company!¡± Zade Radcliffe yelled angrily, ¡°Security, get them out!¡± ¡°Hold on! I am the head of the special operations group at the Willson Group, Sheamus Young.¡± The leading man took out a business card from his chest pocket and handed it to Zade Radcliffe, ¡°We¡¯re here to investigate a matter.¡± Zade Radcliffe took the business card and saw that it was made of pure gold with a few diamonds embedded in it. It read: Head of Group One, Special Operations, Willson Group, Sheamus Young. Just by the extravagance of the business card, it was more ostentatious than even the Titan Group¡¯s. More importantly, the diamonds were genuine. ¡°This¡­¡± Zade Radcliffe was somewhat at a loss. Sheamus Young snatched the business card back and asked coldly, ¡°Who is Zalmon Martin!¡± Zalmon Martin also felt an invisible force bearing down on her. Faced with the powerful presence of the three men, she felt somewhat frightened inside. ¡°Our people sent an invitation to your company early on; how come President Radcliffe is unaware of this?¡± Sheamus Young walked over to Zalmon Martin and asked without expression, ¡°Did you keep the invitation to yourself!¡± Confronted by his questioning, Zalmon Martin shivered in fear and hurriedly made excuses, ¡°Don¡¯t spout nonsense here. I don¡¯t know anything about an invitation; it has nothing to do with me. I have something urgent at home and must leave now!¡± After speaking, she turned to leave. ¡°Stop right there!¡± The other two men stretched out their arms and blocked Zalmon Martin at the door. ¡°You must be very aware of how powerful my Willson Group is! The invitation¡¯s code, 0328, that¡¯s President Radcliffe¡¯s birthday.¡± No sooner had Sheamus Young finished speaking than Zalmon Martin collapsed onto the floor.. Chapter 233 - Chapter 233: Chapter 232 The Plot is Revealed 1 Chapter 233: Chapter 232 The Plot is Revealed 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Zalmon Martin! Seeing Zalmon Martin fall to the ground, Zade Radcliffe was alarmed. He hurried over, helped her up from the ground, and pointed at the three men in suits, scolding, ¡°You must be hired by Quella Radcliffe, daring to impersonate people from the Willson Group! Now I¡¯m going to hold you accountable, get ready to go to jail!¡± Zade Radcliffe didn¡¯t believe that the mere Radcliffe Group warranted the Willson Group to send people personally, especially setting the invitation number to Quella Radcliffe¡¯s birthday. After some investigation over the past few days, he had learned something about the Willson Group ¡ª it was mysterious! So mysterious that even Ovidiu Cook wasn¡¯t qualified to meet the boss of the Willson Group. Therefore, Zade Radcliffe was certain that these men were impostors! ¡°Whether it¡¯s real or fake, I don¡¯t need to explain to you!¡± Sheamus Young said arrogantly, ¡°The invitations we sent out have already been delivered to Zalmon Martin. As for whether what I said is true or false, you can check the invitation code to understand.¡± Having said that, he turned around and looked at the suppliers behind him. ¡°Madeline Pendleton, invitation number 1150. Leonardo Leopold, invitation number 0877. Jeremy Martin, invitation number 0912¡­¡± Sheamus Young named a number with each person he looked at. Those called out, considering the Willson Group¡¯s invitation very important, Then they took out their invitations from their clothes and looked at the numbers. And one by one, their expressions changed dramatically. Because each number Sheamus Young recited was completely accurate. This indicated that these three men were indeed personnel of the Willson Group! ¡°We had no idea that staff from the Willson Group had come to Gonzalez City; we neglected you!¡± Facing a business giant, they, merely small boats, dared not make any transgressions! Now, they greeted them with smiles, trying to leave a good impression. ¡®You¡­¡± Zade Radcliffe was equally shocked; he quickly went over, one by one, looking at the invitation numbers of his old friends, his face turning deathly pale instantly! Not a single mistake! ¡°Since this old man claims we three are impostors, I will surely report this to the boss when I return! Then you Radcliffe Group, wait to face the consequences!¡± Sheamus Young snorted coldly and turned to leave. Just like when they had arrived, they disappeared before anyone could react. The conference room was very quiet; you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was pondering, all the while making difficult decisions. Nobody was foolish enough to doubt the identity of these three men anymore. ¡°Everyone, our company now needs to deal with some internal matters.¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at the wealthy businesspeople from Gonzalez City at the door and revealed a polite smile. ¡°Understood! Since President Radcliffe has matters to attend to, we won¡¯t disturb you! Just contact us whenever you need anything! I, Madeline Pendleton, may not dare to guarantee much, but I can assure you the lowest prices in town!¡± Knowing that Quella Radcliffe was giving them the hint to leave, the businessmen tactfully departed. The other businesspeople also expressed their sincerity before quickly leaving the place. Once the outsiders had left, Quella Radcliffe, looking at the ashen-faced Zalmon Martin, asked softly, ¡°Tell me, what exactly is going on. You heard what has just been said; if the Willson Group directs their anger at us, we¡¯re all doomed.¡± She glanced around at the members of Radcliffe Clan present, smiling slightly, ¡°Not only won¡¯t you be able to keep your current interests, but you¡¯ll also be left with nothing in the future. Let¡¯s make money together; since I took office, the company¡¯s funds have been tightly controlled, but we¡¯ve been on the right track.¡± Quella Radcliffe glanced at the watch on her hand, ¡°It¡¯s ten in the morning now, and last month¡¯s dividends should have been deposited into your salary accounts. Cherish this last dividend, because once the Willson Group applies pressure, we¡¯ll lose all room to survive.¡± Ding! One by one, the buzz of vibrating phones and the occasional text message alert filled the conference room. Everyone took out their phones, and all bore expressions of surprise as they looked at the figures on their screens. ¡°There¡¯s no need for doubt; thanks to everyone¡¯s hard work last month, the company has seen significant profits,¡± Quella Radcliffe said with a faint smile, ¡°Meeting adjourned.¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± A member of the Radcliffe Clan Stand 1110 from his seat. Innked around the room, and shouted, ¡°Let¡¯s be frank, although President Radcliffe manages us strictly and can¡¯t embezzle company funds, this profit sharing amount is indeed substantial!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! I just received fifty thousand, when I used to get only sixty to seventy thousand at the end of the year.¡± ¡°Yes! Even though we used to do it on the sly, we never got much, but now I¡¯ve received a single-month bonus of one hundred thousand. At this rate, I can make at least one and a half million a year!¡± ¡°We¡¯ve misjudged President Radcliffe!¡± Many of those present were from the Radcliffe Family¡¯s side branches and didn¡¯t have high salaries. Aside from people like Otis Radcliffe, who easily moved tens of thousands, others could at best meddle with amounts around one hundred and twenty to a hundred and thirty thousand. Usually, even getting thirty to fifty thousand required stealth, but now the distribution was open and above board¡ªwho wouldn¡¯t want to make money with their head held high? ¡°Zalmon Martin! Give it to us straight. Did you do this? Are you trying to cut off everyone¡¯s source of income?¡± Soon, the accusatory fingers pointed straight at Zalmon Martin. Just now, Sheamus Young had personally admitted that he handed the invitation to Zalmon Martin. ¡°That¡¯s right! You actually betrayed the company!¡± ¡°Spill it!¡± People began rising to their feet, filled with righteous indignation. Scared, Zalmon Martin took a few steps back, not knowing how to begin speaking. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing? A few tens of thousands, and you¡¯ve sold yourselves? Are you still members of the Radcliffe Clan with attitudes like these?¡± Zade Radcliffe¡¯s heart tightened as he quickly stood up to rebuke them. Usually, when he scolded them like this, no one dared to make a sound. But this time was an exception. ¡°Old Master, Quella Radcliffe is your own granddaughter and is also part of our Radcliffe Family, right? Besides, back in the day, apart from Otis Radcliffe and Wellington Radcliffe and your direct relatives, we didn¡¯t make much money!¡± ¡°Exactly! Otis Radcliffe takes away millions from the group every year, and you turn a blind eye; but when we get a little more, we¡¯re immediately met with a barrage of scolding!¡± ¡°You play favorites; when have you ever considered us one of your own!¡± As one person started, others also stood up to accuse. ¡°You¡­ you all¡­¡± Zade Radcliffe was so angry he couldn¡¯t find the words to speak, flabbergasted that his usually obedient clan members dared to confront him! In truth, these grievances had been building in everyone¡¯s hearts for a long time; they just exploded today, taking advantage of the occasion. ¡°Zalmon Martin! Speak up!¡± Some surrounded her, demanding answers harshly. ¡°It was the Old Master!¡± Taking a deep breath, Zalmon Martin lowered her head, not daring to look at Zade Radcliffe, ¡°It was the Old Master who instructed me to do it. I really had no choice!¡± At this point, she knew she couldn¡¯t hide it any longer; it was better to expose Zade Radcliffe. ¡°The invitation arrived long ago, and the Old Master told me to withhold it, hoping to use this opportunity to bring Quella¡­ no, President Radcliffe, down from the chairman position..¡± Chapter 234 - Chapter 234: Chapter 233 Someone Goes to Collect a Debt 1 Chapter 234: Chapter 233 Someone Goes to Collect a Debt 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Zalmon Martin, you¡¯re slandering me!¡± Upon hearing that the matter had been exposed, Otis Radcliffe immediately walked up to Zalmon Martin and fiercely slapped her across the face! Slap! ¡°Grandpa has always treated you well, and now that something has happened, you actually have the audacity to tarnish his name! Tell me, are you even human?¡± Otis Radcliffe pointed at her, cursing furiously. Seeing this, the rest of the Radcliffe Clan members were at a loss for what to do. ¡°Zalmon Martin, if what you¡¯re saying is true, I¡¯ll consider being lenient with you.¡± Quella Radcliffe stared intently at Zalmon Martin, her gaze growing colder and colder. It seemed the matter was exactly as Julius Reed had guessed, involving Zade Radcliffe and the hardliners of the Radcliffe Family plotting behind the scenes. ¡°President Radcliffe, I¡¯m really not lying!¡± Zalmon Martin, covering her swollen face, couldn¡¯t hold back her tears. ¡°Security, take control of Otis Radcliffe! Also, search Mr. Radcliffe!¡± The financial director, Dempsey Davenport, stood up from her seat and began issuing orders. The security guards burst in instantly and pinned Otis Radcliffe against the wall. ¡°You¡¯re all rebelling! You even dare to lay hands on me! Just wait, and see how I deal with all of you!¡± While pressed against the wall, Otis Radcliffe cursed incessantly, ¡°You eat and drink at our expense, and now you dare to touch me!¡± But when he turned his head and saw the faces of the security guards, he couldn¡¯t help but his expression drastically changed. All these people had unfamiliar faces; he had never seen them before. Having been the general manager of the Radcliffe Group for many years, Otis Radcliffe had a clear impression of the security staff. All of the people in front of him were strangers, and none of the security guards who used to follow his and Zade Radcliffe¡¯s orders were present. This gave Otis Radcliffe an extremely bad premonition. ¡°You eat and drink at our expense?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked with a smile, ¡°Otis Radcliffe, are you the one who pays the security guards¡¯ salaries?¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Otis Radcliffe was at a loss for words but still attempted to argue, ¡°What right do you have to pin me against the wall?¡± ¡°You hit Zalmon Martin, and for that, you must be held criminally responsible. Once I settle the matter with the invitations, I will naturally hand you over to the police station. As for the compensation, it will depend on what Zalmon Martin decides.¡± Quella Radcliffe turned away, looking at Zade Radcliffe, ¡°Grandpa, I apologize for the offense!¡± ¡°You dare!¡± Zade Radcliffe shouted furiously, emitting the authority of the Family Head, ¡°Quella Radcliffe, do not cross the line! Do you really think I, Mr. Radcliffe, will let you manipulate me? Don¡¯t forget, I am the Clan Leader!¡± After saying this, he looked at the security guards, ¡°You¡¯d better think about the consequences, and see if I, Zade Radcliffe, will let anyone who has offended me get away!¡± Usually, being intimidated like this, the security guards would definitely stand still. After all, Zade Radcliffe was once the chairman of the Radcliffe Group, and no one Imew for sure if he might make a comeback. But now these people were professional security guards hired by Dempsey Davenport for a hefty sum. They only listened to the chairman and followed orders without fail. ¡°If Grandpa is innocent, I will naturally apologize, and I will relinquish the chairman¡¯s position as compensation for your emotional distress!¡± Quella Radcliffe gave a signal, and the security guards immediately began their search. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, you¡¯ve really got some nerve, daring to even¡­¡± ¡°Chairman, we¡¯ve found it!¡± A security guard pulled a red invitation out of Zade Radcliffe¡¯s bag. ¡°Open it, and check the number on it.¡± Quella Radcliffe commanded with a stern face. ¡®Yes!¡± After unfolding the invitation, the security guard announced to everyone, ¡°The number on it is 0328!¡± The room erupted into an uproar. The faces of the Radcliffe family members flickered between light and dark as they pondered incessantly. Although Zade Radcliffe was a sly old fox, the fact that he had been defeated time and again meant that these family members had lost faith in him from the bottom of their hearts. The ability displayed by Quella Radcliffe, on the other hand, was indeed convincing. The opposition from these family members was only due to their own interests. Now that the cash had been sent to their cards, their last concerns had almost dissipated. ¡°Grandpa, do you have anything else to say?¡± Quella Radcliffe smiled faintly, but her heart was filled with bitterness. She would rather Zade Radcliffe had nothing at all and step down from the chairman position herself, than believe her grandfather would scheme against her like this. ¡°Chairman, what should we do?¡± According to the rules, an action like Zade Radcliffe¡¯s, which seriously harmed the company¡¯s interests, was grounds for accountability. ¡°Let him go, let him walk.¡± Quella Radcliffe waved at the security guards, who immediately backed off. ¡°Grandpa, from now on, you¡¯ll be the head of the company¡¯s Inspection Department, responsible for overseeing all departments. As for your salary, based on your experience, I will convert it into equity and give it to you!¡± Watching a disgraced Zade Radcliffe, Quella Radcliffe said this indifferently. As if she didn¡¯t mind at all the things he had done before. ¡°Humph!¡± Feeling humiliated, Zade Radcliffe left in a huff, storming off. Otis Radcliffe also followed closely behind, fleeing with his tail between his legs. After dealing with the company affairs, the enthusiasm of the employees increased greatly. Many of the older employees, who used to be perfunctory towards Quella Radcliffe, would now sincerely address her as President Radcliffe when they saw her. But a phone call from Knox Ridge instantly dispelled Quella Radcliffe¡¯s good mood. ¡°Girl, where are you?¡± ¡°Mom. What¡¯s the matter?¡± Hearing the urgent tone, Quella Radcliffe knew it couldn¡¯t be good news. ¡°Remember the 150,000 yuan we lent to your aunt? Now someone is at her house blocking the door demanding the money! Your aunt even called me, asking if it was me who sent someone to collect it!¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s tone was very anxious. ¡°Isn¡¯t it about time that debt was paid back? Mom, you said it would only take half a month, and now it¡¯s been almost a month, right?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked, frowning. Initially, when these relatives came to borrow money, if Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t lend it, Knox Ridge would make a scene at home. Later, promising it was only for half a month, the matter was dropped. But borrowing money was easy, getting it back was hard. Once these relatives took the money, they all vanished without a trace. When Quella Radcliffe called to remind them, she was met with a message that nobody was available to take the call, and Knox Ridge did nothing about it. ¡°What in the world is going on! Both of your aunts and three of your uncles have called, saying someone has come to collect the debt!¡± Knox Ridge was at her wit¡¯s end. How could things coincide so perfectly? Nothing had happened for so long after lending the money, but now, just as Quella Radcliffe had divorced Julius Reed, debt collectors had shown up. ¡°Mom, that money is Julius¡¯s, it has nothing to do with me. From now on, take charge of your own affairs and do not discuss anything with me,¡± Quella Radcliffe said before hanging up the phone and taking a deep breath. Julius Reed had done the right thing by doing this; otherwise, these relatives would become even more outrageous in the future. ¡°Mr. Radcliffe, prepare the car!¡± After being hung up on, Knox Ridge walked downstairs, furious. ¡°I don¡¯t believe it, they¡¯ll just have to leave without their money, what can they do to me!¡± She grabbed her small purse and, dragging Zade Radcliffe behind her, left the house. ¡°Let¡¯s go to my second brother¡¯s house first, it¡¯s the closest to us!¡± Chapter 235 - Chapter 235: Chapter 234 Billionaire 1 Chapter 235: Chapter 234 Billionaire 1 Translator: 549690339 Gonzalez City, North District. Rivers Homestead. Hendrix Ridge, Knox Ridge¡¯s elder brother, lived in this housing complex. The Ridge Family used to be quite decent, earlier on Ulysses Ridge had set up a leather shoe factory, and had accumulated a modest amount of assets. It was around the time when Radcliffe Group had just started, and Zade Radcliffe and Ulysses Ridge happened to know each other, which facilitated this marriage. Later, as times rapidly progressed, Ulysses Ridge¡¯s poor management led to the bankruptcy and closure of the factory, and consequently, the decline of the Ridge Family. Before the factory closed, the Ridge siblings were all arrogant and ostentatious, showing off whenever they had the chance. After the factory¡¯s closure, the Ridge family fell from heaven to hell, and their quality of life dropped more than a notch. This should have been Knox Ridge¡¯s perfect opportunity to hold her head high with pride, but unexpectedly, Burl Radcliffe became a disappointment, being virtually insignificant within the group and unnoticed by Zade Radcliffe. As a result, some of the younger generations of the Radcliffe Family even dared to boss them around. Now with a hard-won opportunity to show off to these relatives, how could Knox Ridge let it slip by? So she ended up lending over a million to her brothers and sisters consecutively. As the saying goes, it¡¯s easy to lend money, but hard to get it back. Moreover, Knox Ridge couldn¡¯t bring herself to demand the money, and the debt dragged on for a month. Now faced with debt collectors at his doorstep, Hendrix Ridge naturally vented his anger on Knox Ridge, even telling her not to pretend to have money if she didn¡¯t. These words deeply stung Knox Ridge, and she decided to personally go over and sort the matter out. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, this has nothing to do with me, I didn¡¯t borrow your money! If you don¡¯t leave now, don¡¯t blame me for calling the police!¡± Clutching a slab of two pounds of pork, Hendrix Ridge stood at the entrance of the housing complex arguing with someone. A few young thugs surrounded him. ¡°Bro, you¡¯re not being fair! We¡¯ve come all this way to collect the money, and you refuse to pay up, but now you want to back out of your debt?¡± One of the thugs, wearing a black leather jacket and bald head, arrogantly spoke with a cigarette dangling from his mouth. Behind him, the other thugs instigated further, ¡°Pay up! I¡¯m telling you, after today, interest comes into play! Ten thousand a day, you better think about paying it back!¡± ¡°Building 6, Unit 5, Apartment 2310. Bro, be careful walking at night!¡± ¡°Right! If someone knocks on your door in the middle of the night, don¡¯t get scared!¡± The thugs wore evil grins on their faces. ¡°You¡­¡± Hendrix Ridge¡¯s face flickered dark and light. His home address was now memorized by these people; if they splashed red paint on it, how embarrassing would that be? One thing common to the Ridge Family was their obsession with face. If someone really splattered paint on his door, it would definitely be gossiped about in the community group. How could he face the neighbors when stepping out of the house? They all gambled together on ordinary days, and if the word got out, he would never be able to set foot in the mahjong parlor again. Embarrassing! ¡°I warn you! I don¡¯t owe you any money, I don¡¯t even know who you are!¡± Infuriated, Hendrix Ridge breathed heavily, ¡°If you dare to pester me any further, I¡¯ll call the police right now! ¡± Having said that, he took out his mobile phone, trying to scare the thugs. ¡°Make the call! Go ahead! We¡¯re just strolling around here, what evidence do you have that we¡¯re threatening you? Besides, we look like upstanding young men, call them quickly!¡± The lead thug waved his hand impatiently, urging Hendrix Ridge to make the call. ¡°If you don¡¯t call, you¡¯re a coward! All our brothers are watching!¡± ¡°Call! Don¡¯t let us look down on you!¡± The thugs were not scared at all, after all, they hadn¡¯t done anything, they were just discussing life with Hendrix Ridge. Call the police? Under what pretext? ¡°You! Just wait!¡± Hendrix Ridge trembled as he dialed, but truly didn¡¯t have the guts to make the call. Yeah, on what grounds? There¡¯s no evidence! ¡°Big brother! ¡± Right at that moment, a Passat stopped at the entrance of the residential complex. Knox Ridge hurriedly opened the car door, carrying her bag as she got out. ¡°What¡¯s going on! Who sent you people!¡± She stormed up to those men, face set in a frown, and asked, ¡°Do you think the Ridge family is easy to bully?¡± ¡°Oh! Look what the cat dragged in, a crazy hag!¡± The man in charge rubbed his head, raised his eyebrows, and said, ¡°Scram! This has nothing to do with you!¡± ¡°What did you say? Hands on her hips, Knox Ridge spoke furiously, ¡°You dare tell me to scram? Who the hell do you think you are! I¡¯m Knox Ridge, the money was lent by me, what debt are you here to collect!¡± Seeing the grim look on Hendrix Ridge¡¯s face, Knox Ridge suddenly felt a sinking feeling in her heart. If this incident got out, how could she ever show her face at the Ridge family again? Not only would she not have retrieved her dignity, but she¡¯d also be utterly humiliated! ¡°So it¡¯s you!¡± Hearing Knox Ridge¡¯s name, the thugs seemed to have an epiphany. ¡°Fine! This money belongs to our boss. Now that both of you are here, tell me, who¡¯s going to pay it back?¡± The little ruffian leader stepped forward, standing in front of Knox Ridge: ¡°Here, we have the transaction record of the bank card; the money you loaned out has all gone through my boss¡¯s account. Besides, this is all pre-marital property. ¡± He took his hand out of his pocket, revealing a long bank statement. ¡°Now that your daughter is divorced from my boss, sorry, but my boss has decided to take the money back!¡± ¡°Let me see that!¡± Knox Ridge snatched the bank statement and scrutinized it carefully. As she looked, her heart skipped a beat! ¡°Impossible!¡± Her hands holding the statement trembled, ¡°How can this be him! When he came to the Radcliffe family, Julius Reed was penniless, not even a single dollar on him! Three years, three years! During these three years, everything he ate and drank was ours, how could this possibly be his bank statement!¡± Knox Ridge repeatedly checked the balance on the statement. She even rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn¡¯t seeing things. ¡°Big brother, take a look for me, what¡¯s this number?¡± Knox Ridge handed the statement to Hendrix Ridge, her body quivering slightly. ¡°Let me see!¡± Hendrix Ridge, seeing Knox Ridge in this state, felt disdain in his heart. After all, she was from a wealthy household; how could she be so ignorant! But when his eyes fell on that number, he couldn¡¯t help but rub his eyes too. ¡°Billions! Damn it! This¡­ this is your son-in-law?¡± Hendrix Ridge¡¯s voice also trembled. Billions in assets! ¡°Give me that! Who told you to look at this! I told you to pay the money back, did you hear that!¡± The thug snatched the bank statement back impatiently and pointed at the two, saying, ¡°You have one day. If you don¡¯t pay back the money, I¡¯ll send people to your mahjong parlor, your neighborhood, even to your doorstep, to hang banners!¡± At that moment, several vans drove over from a distance. ¡°What¡¯s happening!¡± Several young men got out of the vehicles, and the one leading them approached Knox Ridge and Hendrix Ridge: ¡°Dad, aunty, are these the sons of bitches?¡± ¡°Yes! It¡¯s them!¡± Seeing his son come over, Hendrix Ridge¡¯s mood instantly became much more serene. Pierce Ridge was an employee of Aron Jackson, usually helping to manage venues and making quite a name for himself locally. Now facing trouble, Hendrix Ridge had made a call to his son, not expecting him to arrive so quickly.. Chapter 236 - Chapter 236: Chapter 235: Tripped by Oneself_1 Chapter 236: Chapter 235: Tripped by Oneself_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Softshell turtle grandkid?¡± Upon hearing Pierce Ridge¡¯s nickname for him, his face instantly darkened, ¡°Buddy, which gang are you from?¡± ¡°Ha! Really impressive!¡± Pierce Ridge sized up the group of men, speaking with disdain, ¡°You guys are something, trying to squeeze money out of my old man! Say my name and you¡¯ll probably pee your pants in fright!¡± His boss was Uriah Cook, the big shot of Gonzalez City¡¯s North District. Having followed Aron Jackson for a while, his position was rather high. Previously, the area was under the control of the Three Blade Group, but recently, for some unknown reason, the group had collectively pulled out, and many of the bars and entertainment venues had been rapidly snapped up by Aron Jackson. And with Uriah Cook, Pierce Ridge¡¯s fortunes soared as well. ¡°Ha-ha! Guys, I haven¡¯t wet my pants since I was ten years old! Anyone want to see that today?¡± The man, as if hearing some funny joke, laughed loudly with the others around him. ¡°Boss, we all really want to see you pee just once, but let¡¯s see if this young brother here gives us the chance!¡± ¡°Exactly! I want to follow the boss¡¯s lead and wet my pants too. Heizi, go to the supermarket and get some adult diapers for me and the boss!¡± They laughed unapologetically, not taking Pierce Ridge seriously at all. ¡°Damn! You truly won¡¯t shed a tear until you see the coffin!¡± Pierce Ridge¡¯s expression darkened and he became extremely irritated. Usually, everyone called him Brother Zhao, but today, right in front of his own father, he found himself being mocked by a bunch of guys! ¡°You all better behave! Do you know who our boss is? Pierce Ridge! North District¡¯s Pierce Ridge!¡± One of Pierce Ridge¡¯s men came forward, saying arrogantly. In the North District, many had heard the name Pierce Ridge. Uriah Cook had stayed behind the scenes, so many of the face-to-face dealings, including the entertainment venues, involved Pierce Ridge. Perhaps the average citizen didn¡¯t know, but those involved in the underworld, especially those from the North District, would definitely have heard of the infamous Pierce Ridge! ¡°What! You are Pierce Ridge?¡± The man showed obvious surprise upon hearing Pierce Ridge¡¯s name. ¡°The Brother Zhao from the north of the city?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! Now you know who I am, don¡¯t you?¡± Seeing the man¡¯s expression, Pierce Ridge felt a burst of pride inside, ¡°I already told you not to pee your pants! In the North District, you dare oppose me?¡± ¡°Son, these bastards were being so arrogant just now! You have no idea, they even wanted to go to the mahjong parlor and say that I owe money, and they planned to throw paint on our house door!¡± Hendrix Ridge, noticing the other¡¯s demeanor, also knew that his son was someone formidable. He straightened his back and the look in his eyes towards Knox Ridge also carried a hint of boastfulness. It¡¯s as if he was saying, look at my son, isn¡¯t he formidable? ¡°Ha! The nerve, planning to throw paint on my front door?¡± Hearing his father¡¯s complaint, Pierce Ridge¡¯s face darkened somewhat, ¡°Guys, what do you say we do with this?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s teach them a lesson! Make them pay!¡± ¡°Exactly, they want money from our boss¡¯s old man? They must have a death wish!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s handle it!¡± The men immediately moved in, surrounding the troublemakers who had come looking for a fight. ¡°Now that you know I¡¯m Pierce Ridge, any thoughts on that?¡± Pierce Ridge asked from a position of victory, wearing a highly smug expression. In contrast, the once overly arrogant hooligans now appeared fearful. ¡°What do you expect me to see! What were you thinking when you came here to collect a debt? Didn¡¯t you say you wanted to pee your pants? Come on, show me how you pee, and if I¡¯m satisfied, maybe I¡¯ll let you go!¡± Pierce Ridge laughed loudly, not concealing his arrogance at all. The group exchanged glances and then burst into laughter. ¡°Laughing at what!¡± Pierce Ridge frowned, slightly confused. Those people were clearly scared stiff by him just moments ago, how could they still laugh now? Such a huge contrast¡­ could it be they were scared silly? But they couldn¡¯t all have gone silly, could they? ¡°North District¡¯s Pierce Ridge? Your boss is Uriah Cook, right?¡± The man asked, while taking out a cigarette from his pocket. Behind him, an associate immediately lit it for him. ¡°You really think I¡¯m scared of you? I was just messing with you!¡± ¡°Fuck! Are you playing me?¡± Pierce Ridge¡¯s face changed dramatically as he instantly realized what was happening. Wasn¡¯t this just making a monkey out of him? ¡°Call your boss Uriah Cook, and tell him we¡¯re here to collect money on behalf of Mr. Reed, Julius Reed. Ask him to come over and apologize in person!¡± The punk took a drag of his cigarette and said through the smoke, ¡°And by the way, give him my name, Tuna.¡± ¡°Tuna¡­ Tuna?¡± At the mention of the name, Pierce Ridge visibly shuddered. ¡°Tuna?¡± The color drained from the faces of his men as well. ¡°You are¡­ one of the five tiger generals of Aron Jackson¡¯s staff, Tuna?¡± Pierce Ridge swallowed hard, cold sweat streaming down his forehead. Tuna¡¯s reputation was already well known to them. As one of the earliest veterans who had fought alongside Aron Jackson, Tuna typically kept a low profile, but whenever there was a serious incident, Tuna was always at the forefront, regarded as one of Jackson¡¯s most trusted men alongside Dominating Tiger. In front of Tuna, Uriah Cook had no choice but to bow and scrape! ¡°Make the call, and you might still have a chance!¡± Tuna took another puff of his cigarette, speaking indifferently. ¡°Tuna? Why don¡¯t you just say you¡¯re Patrick Star?¡± Knox Ridge scoffed upon hearing the name. She wasn¡¯t from the criminal underworld, so naturally she didn¡¯t recognize Tuna¡¯s notoriety. Plus, given how imposing Pierce Ridge had been just moments ago, she assumed the other party was just bluffing. ¡°Let me tell you, apologize to me nicely, and we might still talk. Otherwise, don¡¯t blame my nephew for dealing with you!¡± Knox Ridge returned to her domineering and unyielding demeanor, her tone laced with provocation. ¡°Aunt!¡± Pierce Ridge quickly moved her behind him. ¡°What are you doing! Pierce, take this son of a bitch down for me! Beat them up real bad. Daring to come to the Ridge Family¡¯s doorstep to ask for money, they must be out of their minds!¡± Now that she finally had someone to vent her anger on, why would Knox Ridge let it go? ¡°Oh? Is that so!¡± Tuna flicked his cigarette butt away, casually snuffed it out, and then walked toward Knox Ridge. ¡°Boss, my aunt she¡­¡± ¡°Out of the way!¡± Tuna pushed Pierce Ridge aside and walked straight up to Knox Ridge. ¡°What are you going to do! Hit me? Ouch! Try touching me and see, I¡¯ll go to the hospital right now and make you go bankrupt!¡± Knox Ridge was back to acting like a shrew. Slap! Tuna slapped her across the face, sending her tumbling to the ground. ¡°Auntie, how come you fell over by yourself?¡± ¡°You¡­ you dare hit me!¡± Disbelief was written all over Knox Ridge¡¯s face. ¡°Pierce, beat him up for me!¡± But Pierce Ridge didn¡¯t have the guts. If the man really was Tuna, Pierce wouldn¡¯t be able to extricate himself from today¡¯s events! ¡°Really? I hit you? Clearly, you tripped by yourself. Everyone here saw that, right?¡± Tuna turned around, looking at the punks around him. ¡°Right! We all saw it. This old lady must be blind, tripping over nothing on the ground!¡± ¡°Blind, maybe?¡± ¡°Falls by herself and tries to accuse others? Utterly shameless!¡± Everyone chimed in, one after another, criticizing Knox Ridge¡¯s behavior of trying to frame others. ¡°You people! You¡¯re all a bunch of ruffians!¡± For a moment, Knox Ridge didn¡¯t know how to respond. She thought of herself as a troublemaker, but it seemed the other party was even more troublesome than she was! ¡°Calvin, someone calling themselves Tuna wants to see you¡­¡± On the other side, Pierce Ridge sneakily made a call to Uriah Cook.. Chapter 237 - Chapter 237: Chapter 236 Relatives Have Arrived_l Chapter 237: Chapter 236 Relatives Have Arrived_l Translator: 549690339 The other party appeared very arrogant, but Pierce Ridge was also unsure whether this person really was Brother Roman Ellsworth. As one of the Five Tigers Generals, Brother Roman Ellsworth was not someone their low-level contacts could meet, and the only people who really could meet him were on the level of Uriah Cook. ¡°Brother Roman Ellsworth? Impossible! I saw him this morning during Aron Jackson¡¯s meeting, he said he was assigned an important task!¡± On the phone, Uriah Cook hesitated for a moment and then spoke, ¡°It hasn¡¯t been an hour since then, how could Brother Roman Ellsworth have finished the task already? And as one of the group¡¯s bosses, would he personally come to collect a debt? I bet nine out of ten times, this guy¡¯s an impostor!¡± ¡°Damn! If it weren¡¯t for you, Boss, I would have been totally taken in! You¡¯re right, at Brother Roman Ellsworth¡¯s level, why would he come knocking for money in person!¡± As he slapped his head, Pierce Ridge felt the anger in his heart reignite. ¡°Boss, I have to take care of him today!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t rush! I¡¯m on my way there. Aron Jackson just sent instructions, telling me to assist Mr. Reed. The location happens to be at Rivers Homestead. I want to see who dares to impersonate Brother Roman Ellsworth!¡± ¡°Great! Boss, come quickly. I¡¯ll rough him up a bit first! By the way, the Mr. Reed you mentioned, is it the one who recently¡­¡± ¡°Correct! It¡¯s him! Being able to serve Mr. Reed is my honor!¡± Over the phone, Uriah Cook¡¯s voice trembled slightly, ¡°Our Boss Aron Jackson and Mr. Reed have a profound relationship, inseparable! Now that he has assigned this task to me, it truly shows his trust in me! Wait for me, I¡¯ll be there in ten minutes!¡± ¡°Alright, Boss!¡± After hanging up the phone, Pierce Ridge returned to his usual indifferent demeanor. ¡°Kid, you¡¯re saying you¡¯re Brother Roman Ellsworth, right?¡± He walked over to Brother Roman Ellsworth, resting a hand on his shoulder. According to Uriah Cook, Brother Roman Ellsworth was on an important task. Coming here to collect money as that task? That¡¯s laughable! ¡°Don¡¯t believe it?¡± Brother Roman Ellsworth grinned, his face showing no other expression. ¡°I really don¡¯t! Unless you can make me believe!¡± Pierce Ridge waved his hand, and his men gathered around him again. Seeing their boss like that, they knew they had been played, and that the man before them was not Brother Roman Ellsworth! If he wasn¡¯t Brother Roman Ellsworth, then it was time for revenge! Whoosh! Before anyone could react, Brother Roman Ellsworth threw a punch that landed right on Pierce Ridge¡¯s nose! After that, he forcefully kicked, sending him sprawling to the ground. ¡°Now, do you believe it?¡± Having done all this, Brother Roman Ellsworth twisted his neck, his face smug with disdain. ¡°You¡­¡± Pierce Ridge felt a convulsion in his stomach and curled up on the ground. ¡°Attack! Kill him!¡± Now that he couldn¡¯t move, all he could do was hope his employees would take down this fake Brother Roman Ellsworth. ¡°Stop!¡± But just then, Uriah Cook¡¯s voice suddenly rang out. ¡°Boss?¡± Hearing the voice, Pierce Ridge struggled to his feet and jogged over to Uriah Cook¡¯s Mercedes: ¡°That¡¯s the guy, the fake Brother Roman Ellsworth, and he hit me!¡± With his boss there, Pierce Ridge felt confident again. ¡°Calvin, your people are well-disciplined, aren¡¯t they?¡± Brother Roman Ellsworth approached leisurely upon seeing Uriah Cook. ¡°Hmph! Still pretending? Our Calvin knows Brother Roman Ellsworth, wait until you pay the price!¡± Pierce Ridge said viciously from the side. His teeth chattered with pain, and his hatred swelled. ¡°Brother¡­ Brother Roman Ellsworth?¡± However, Uriah Cook stood frozen in place, speaking in a flustered manner: ¡°Aren¡¯t you, aren¡¯t you on an important mission?¡± At today¡¯s meeting, Aron Jackson personally said that Brother Roman Ellsworth had to carry out a very important mission! In just one hour, the mission was finished? ¡°Aren¡¯t I on a mission here? But your employee seems clueless, directly opposing me and even wanting to fight me?¡± Brother Roman Ellsworth straightened his clothes and slowly approached Uriah Cook, ¡°I will report this incident to Aron Jackson exactly as it happened.¡± ¡°Brother Roman! I had no idea it was you! The employee can¡¯t see straight, please don¡¯t hold it against me!¡± Uriah Cook¡¯s voice trembled with fear. If Aron Jackson followed up on this, he would lose everything he currently had! ¡°Alright! There are things I don¡¯t want to talk about. Keep today¡¯s incident to yourself and take your people and get out of here!¡± Brother Roman Ellsworth glanced at Pierce Ridge and shook his head helplessly, ¡°A bunch of rabble.¡± ¡°Understood! Understood! But Mr. Reed instructed me to come here.¡¯ Uriah Cook said uncomfortably. ¡°You go back. I¡¯ll explain this to Aron Jackson on your behalf. Moreover, your employee has already offended Mr. Reed.¡± After finishing his sentence, Brother Roman Ellsworth turned coldly and approached Hendrix Ridge, ¡°Pay back the money!¡± ¡°Dad! Give them the money quickly!¡± Although Pierce Ridge was scared enough, he was still rational. If they didn¡¯t pay now, things could get much worse. ¡°Alright! Alright! Alright! I¡¯ll pay back the money!¡± Hendrix Ridge flashed a look at Knox Ridge, took a bank card out angrily, ¡°All the borrowed money is in here, I haven¡¯t touched a cent of it!¡± ¡°Good! Then I won¡¯t bother you further!¡± Brother Roman Ellsworth snatched the bank card and vanished from Rivers Garden with his employees. Meanwhile, the Ridge Family¡¯s relatives, anyone who had borrowed money, were all harassed by the debt collectors and forced to pay back the money. Many people cursed loudly in the family WeChat group, pointing their fingers directly at Knox Ridge. ¡°Wife, what do we do!¡± After bringing Knox Ridge home, Burl Radcliffe asked cautiously. She saw the chat in the Radcliffe siblings¡¯ group, and including words from Hendrix Ridge, many people were saying very unpleasant things. If you don¡¯t have the ability, don¡¯t pretend to be something you¡¯re not, you¡¯ve ended up dragging everyone down! And those siblings echoed these sentiments. ¡°What do we do! What else can we do! I just can¡¯t believe it, as if we can¡¯t make it without a useless husband!¡± Knox Ridge, touching her swollen face, remembered the string of numbers in Julius Reed¡¯s bank account and still found it hard to accept. Was the money in there real? It was definitely fake! If Julius Reed was so rich, how could he possibly stay in the Radcliffe Family enduring humiliation, doing laundry and cooking every day, and still facing cold stares? Also, in Gonzalez City, how could someone with a fortune of tens of billions have no information about him? But what about those people? Knox Ridge suspected they were acting! The more she thought about it, the angrier she became! ¡°No, I¡¯m not talking about that! Didn¡¯t the relatives get our notice before, saying you invited them to dine? In just half a day, I¡¯ve received so many calls already, everyone is asking when you will show up to treat them to a meal, provide accommodation, and reimburse their travel expenses!¡± Burl Radcliffe explained at his side. Those distant relatives of the Ridge Family had already started to arrive in Gonzalez City one after another, many waiting at the station, not knowing where to go next. ¡°How would I Imow where to go!¡± Knox Ridge slammed the cup she was holding onto the ground, furious, ¡°Let¡¯s go! Find my daughter! I really can¡¯t believe she¡¯d leave us to die! After all, I am her biological mother! ¡± ¡°Right! I think we should also find Quella Radcliffe, since she¡¯s the chairman of Radcliffe Group, she must have money! We should ask for more, to prepare for emergencies!¡± Burl Radcliffe agreed.. Chapter 238 - Chapter 238: Chapter 237: Chief Monge_l Chapter 238: Chapter 237: Chief Monge_l Translator: 549690339 Knox Ridge and Zade Radcliffe were plotting against their own daughter, yet Quella Radcliffe was unaware. Cosmo waited for her in the car downstairs, ready to return to the previous mansion. There were people from Willson Pavilion guarding it, which would be significantly safer. ¡°Cosmo, have you noticed anything unusual?¡± Quella Radcliffe, sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly asked. ¡°Madam, what seems amiss?¡± Cosmo carefully surveyed the surroundings but did not spot any suspicious people or vehicles. As a Shadow Warrior, she possessed that instinct, capable of detecting danger in her vicinity immediately. ¡°Normally at this time, North Lake Road has quite a bit of traffic. But today? It¡¯s just us on the road.¡± Upon hearing Quella Radcliffe¡¯s words, Cosmo instantly realized the problem. She was always on the lookout for suspicious people or vehicles tailing them, but never paid attention to the changes on the road. In Julius Reed¡¯s absence, it had been Cosmo who escorted Quella Radcliffe. North Lake Road was their inevitable route, and though it usually wasn¡¯t too busy, there ought not to have been several minutes without a single vehicle in sight. Abnormalities signaled the presence of demons! ¡°Check for me what¡¯s happening on North Lake Road!¡± Cosmo picked up her phone and called her staff in Gonzalez City. As the Empress, she naturally had her own underground kingdom. After settling in Gonzalez City, she had gathered a significant number of intelligence experts, just in case someone attempted to scheme against her. ¡°Empress, a serious car accident occurred at the northern exit of North Lake Road, and traffic is expected to be flowing again in half an hour.¡± ¡°And the southbound direction? Why is there no one there either?¡± Cosmo glanced at the rearview mirror. Even though she had slowed down, she still saw not a single car in sight. ¡°A car accident also happened southbound. People are handling it, but it¡¯s impossible to move the damaged vehicles out of the way quickly.¡± The employee¡¯s report came over the phone. ¡®Empress, this situation is quite strange. The accidents involve large vehicles that have completely blocked the exits, and the ground is covered with broken glass and nails, making it impossible to clear the way for a while. Where are you right now?¡± ¡°I¡¯m on North Lake Road! Just me alone on the entire road!¡± Cosmo¡¯s expression instantly turned grim. To block the road to such an extent, this was definitely not something an ordinary person could achieve. ¡°Do you need our support?¡± ¡°No need!¡± Just then, Cosmo¡¯s pupils contracted sharply, and she violently turned the steering wheel to the right! Boom! The car crashed into the guardrail, the immense force causing Quella Radcliffe to lurch forward, but thankfully the seatbelt and the slow speed of the car prevented her from getting injured. The spot where they had just stopped was now a deep crater. ¡°Cosmo, what happened?¡± A startled Quella Radcliffe asked, clearly something critical had happened. ¡°Someone¡¯s trying to kill us!¡± Cosmo pressed hard on the accelerator, trying to quickly flee this troublesome spot. But just less than a hundred meters away, a roadblock materialized out of thin air! Screech! The sound of violent braking reverberated, and almost instantly, Cosmo had unbuckled Quella Radcliffe¡¯s seatbelt, flung herself to the passenger¡¯s side, opened the door, and jumped out with her! Boom! The car fiercely crashed into the roadblock, exploding with a loud bang! Flames erupted, chilling both of them to the bone. ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk! Worthy of an empress, indeed skilled!¡± A figure suddenly appeared, greeting with not- too-fluent Chinese. ¡°General Monge, the Empress¡¯s abilities should not be underestimated; we should act quickly!¡± Behind him, two more figures emerged. ¡°Exactly! As long as we capture that woman, we need not worry about Julius Reed not complying!¡± The speaker was Cameron Brandon, filled with resentment as he mentioned Julius Reed¡¯s name. His younger brother and other family members had all died at the hands of Julius Reed! Even last night, their house had been attacked by the Night Wolves, and his parents had died at the hands of Night Wolf employees. If his employees hadn¡¯t fought to the death to protect him, Cameron Brandon might well be a corpse by now. After escaping from the Brandon Family¡¯s clutches, he gathered forces to seek revenge when the Eastern Bay Warrior brought a Western man to him, proposing a partnership. Because of his identity, the Western man couldn¡¯t bring many people, while Cameron Brandon, being a local, had numerous resources at hand. The two major traffic accidents today and these roadblocks were all Cameron Brandon¡¯s doing. As introduced by the Eastern Bay Warrior, the Western man was one of the generals of the Deep Cold organization, named Monge. Upon hearing they had a common enemy, Cameron Brandon immediately agreed. Now, seeing the enemy¡¯s wife right in front of him, he clenched his fists tightly. ¡°Monge? You¡¯re one of the generals of the Deep Cold organization?¡± Seeing the Western man before her, Cosmo subconsciously shielded Quella Radcliffe behind her. She was, of course, familiar with Monge¡¯s name; those who held the position of general were all monstrous figures. Now that a general of the Deep Cold organization had personally taken action, Cosmo felt an intense pressure. ¡°Indeed! Meeting the Empress is also a pleasure for me! But unfortunately, we might have to become enemies.¡± Monge shrugged his shoulders, standing there with a gentlemanly smile. ¡°We have no grudges from the past, and no enmity recently! Monge, why do you oppose me?¡± Cosmo furrowed her brows at Monge, starting to ponder secretly. Both hailing from the underworld, though Cosmo¡¯s kingdom was not as vast as Deep Cold, it too was renowned and few dared to oppose her! Even though Monge was one of the generals of Deep Cold, his actions also required consideration of the consequences. Their factions usually didn¡¯t have conflicts, which made Monge¡¯s actions today somewhat baffling to Cosmo, but should a fight ensue, she was not afraid! Being called an empress, how could she be weak? Especially since her signature skills, under Julius Reed¡¯s guidance, had been further enhanced. ¡°We might not have any grievances, but I need the woman behind you! Empress, would you kindly hand her over? If you could do us this favor, Deep Cold would surely be thankful!¡± Monge spoke very sincerely. Starting a war with the Empress was not his wish. Deep Cold was already at war with Willson Pavilion, suffering heavy losses during this period, having even been forced to shrink their sphere of influence to avoid contact with Willson Pavilion¡¯s people. Even so, Willson Pavilion continued relen tless, attacking Deep Cold regardless of the cost, with the generals¡¯ attempts to negotiate with Amadeus Fairbanks flatly refused. If they had to contend with Cosmo as well, their situation would be even more challenging. But there was no choice; to take Quella Radcliffe away, they needed to get past Cosmo. ¡°Monge, that¡¯s impossible! In fact, I would like to witness the capability of Deep Cold firsthand and see if you, a general, are just full of hot air!¡± Cosmo shielded Quella Radcliffe behind her, silver needles appearing on her fingers. ¡°Sorry, but offense taken!¡± Monge narrowed his eyes, speaking to the two people behind him: ¡°I¡¯ll hold off the Empress while you take the person away!¡± With those words, he charged recklessly forward, his iron staff scratching sparks on the ground! ¡°Attack!¡± The Eastern Bay Warrior and Cameron Brandon exchanged a glance, quickly following behind Monge.. Chapter 239 - Chapter 239: Chapter 238 Borrowing a Stick for Use 1 Chapter 239: Chapter 238 Borrowing a Stick for Use 1 Translator: 549690339 Monge, as one of the chiefs of Deep Cold, was renowned for his strength. Within the Shadow Warrior organization, few could surpass Monge in terms of power. Now, with a heavy iron rod in hand, he sprinted furiously toward Cosmo! Behind him, the Eastern Bay Warrior joined with Cameron Brandon, attacking from both sides! If facing only Monge, Cosmo might have had some confidence, but now, confronting the attacks of three people, she could¡¯ve run away. But what about Quella Radcliffe? Her greatest weakness was Quella Radcliffe; otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t necessarily be at a disadvantage even in a three-on-one fight! ¡°Empress, my apologies! The woman behind you is very important to me, very important to our Deep Cold organization. Today, I am determined to have her!¡± In a flash, Monge rushed up to Cosmo, and his iron rod suddenly swung up! Whoosh! The iron rod, weighing dozens of pounds, tore through the air, bringing a whistling wind as it smashed down towards her! ¡°Monge, the person is right behind me. Whether you can take her away depends on whether you have the ability!¡± Cosmo couldn¡¯t possibly take the blow head-on. She stepped back, directly grabbing Quella Radcliffe and dove to the side of the road! Boom! With a muffled sound, the iron rod slammed straight into the SUV behind them both! In an instant, the car was turned into scrap metal, as flames began to furiously burn. Slash! Meanwhile, the Eastern Bay Warrior, holding a long sword, slashed through the air! ¡°Die! t, Cosmo¡¯s pupils shrank sharply as silver needles shot out from her hand! These silver needles, after being modified by Julius Reed, were even more powerful than before! Clang! Clang! Clang! The Eastern Bay Warrior suddenly retreated, his long sword frantically blocking! On the other side, Cameron Brandon, utterly unprepared, made a misstep and was directly stung into a hornet¡¯s nest by the silver needles. Among the three, he was the weakest, relying entirely on firearms and assistance; when Cosmo suddenly attacked, Cameron Brandon couldn¡¯t dodge in time and was killed on the spot! Clang! As the Eastern Bay Warrior chopped down the last silver needle, the situation once again became tense. ¡°The Empress truly lives up to her name. I nearly fell for it! If I had been a half step slower just now, I would be the one lying on the ground!¡± Looking at Cameron Brandon on the ground, already purple-faced and breathless, the Eastern Bay Warrior felt a chill run through him. He had underestimated her. ¡°Indeed! I¡¯ve long heard of the Empress¡¯ unique move, and seeing it with my own eyes today is truly a feast for them!¡± Monge laughed out loud, slowly approaching Cosmo: ¡°Empress, if we were to fight without any restraints, I¡¯d not be sure of winning against you. But now, with someone dragging you down, it¡¯s inevitable that you¡¯ll be restricted.¡± ¡°Enough talk! If you want to take her away, you¡¯ll have to kill me first!¡± Cosmo narrowed her eyes and instantly drew a Soft Sword from around her waist! Following that, she spun like a whirlwind, charging forward! The air around her was instantly torn apart, emitting sharp tearing sounds! ¡°Interesting!¡± Monge laughed heartily as he thrust his long rod forward! Clang! Soft Sword struck the iron rod, sparking a shower of sparks! Yet Monge was pushed back three steps by the tremendous force! ¡°Hmm?¡± He frowned slightly, his expression becoming serious. He knew Cosmo was strong, but he hadn¡¯t expected that, with all his strength behind his swing, it would be repelled so forcefully by her! Without hesitation, Monge once again lifted his iron rod, swinging down with enough force to shatter the heavens and obliterate the earth! Boom! Sword and rod collided yet again! Spurt! Cosmo spat out a mouthful of blood, her body thrown backward, heading straight for where Quella Radcliffe was! She could have gone all out and Monge would definitely not have gained the upper hand. But at that exact moment, the Eastern Bay Warrior was already charging towards Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Thinking of leaving! ¡± Seeing Cosmo set out to rescue someone, Monge naturally refused to agree! He planted his iron staff on the ground, leapt into the air, and smashed it toward Cosmo! However, at this moment, the Eastern Bay Warrior was less than five meters away from Quella, and though she was running, she was no match for the speed of the Eastern Bay Warrior. In such a situation, Cosmo had no choice but to fend off the attack, attempting to break free to save Quella! Whoosh! Monge¡¯s foot came crashing down, striking Cosmo¡¯s arms heavily! Under the impact of this formidable force, Cosmo was thrown to the ground, her muscles and bones feeling as if they had snapped! She wanted to save Quella, but the Eastern Bay Warrior had already run behind her, reaching out his hand to grab her! Cosmo, unwilling to accept this, struggled to rise from the ground, but couldn¡¯t muster the strength to rush forward. ¡°Give it up, Empress! Now that I have her, show me what you¡¯ve got and fight me!¡± Monge moved behind her, slowly lifting his iron staff: ¡°I can¡¯t believe that someone called the Empress can be taken down so easily!¡± Swish! Just as the Eastern Bay Warrior¡¯s hand was about to touch Quella, a golden playing card sliced through the air! Thud! In the blink of an eye, half of the Eastern Bay Warrior¡¯s arm was severed by the golden playing card! The playing card continued with the trail of blood, embedding itself into the road. It was only moments later that the Eastern Bay Warrior let out an agonizing scream! The speed was so fast, he didn¡¯t feel the pain even as he saw his arm being chopped off. ¡°Master?¡± Seeing the golden playing card, Cosmo¡¯s spirits rose! ¡°Monge, go to hell!¡± She suddenly exerted force and sprang up from the ground! At the same time, a dagger appeared in her hand, its cold light slashing towards Monge¡¯s neck! Clang! Monge took a forceful hit, staggering back two steps! ¡°Who¡¯s there, sneak around all you like!¡± He didn¡¯t want to get entangled with Cosmo. After swinging his staff, he rushed straight towards Quella! ¡°Touch my woman, and you guys are really bold!¡± A voice full of authority resounded through the air. ¡°Cut the crap! Julius Reed, today I will kill your wife first!¡± Monge¡¯s eyes reddened, and he swung his staff furiously towards Quella! Previously, he wanted to capture Quella just to lure Julius out. Now that he has arrived, this woman¡¯s life was no longer necessary. But the staff, just twenty centimeters from Quella¡¯s head, could no longer advance an inch. ¡°You¡­¡± Monge¡¯s eyes bulged in disbelief at what was happening before him. ¡°What about me? You hit my wife, and you think you have a reason?¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, his hand on the staff gradually exerting force! ¡°Hiss!¡± Monge took in a sharp breath, his face starting to turn red. Within Deep Cold, he was the strongest, but now he found himself being pressured to the point of breathlessness. ¡°Eastern Bay Warrior, what are you looking at!¡± He bellowed, and the one-armed Eastern Bay Warrior roared and charged over! ¡°For the vengeance of a severed arm, you will pay with your life!¡± The Eastern Bay Warrior, having lost an arm, was like a lion gone mad. He held his sword in one hand and slashed down without care! ¡°Brother, lend me your staff for a moment!¡± Julius Reed suddenly turned around, his hands exerting force simultaneously, and in an instant, he wrested the iron staff from Monge¡¯s hands! Then, he swung it in a full circle and smashed it down onto the Eastern Bay Warrior! Chapter 240 - Chapter 240: Chapter 239: The End of the Commander_1 Chapter 240: Chapter 239: The End of the Commander_1 Translator: 549690339 Crack! The iron rod descended from the sky with the force of cleaving Uriah Mount in twain! The Eastern Bay Warrior felt a shock in his heart, wielding his sword single-handedly in an attempt to fend off the assault! But when sword and rod collided, the long sword in the Eastern Bay Warrior¡¯s hand exploded into fragments! And he himself was slain upon the ground. ¡°You¡¯re Julius Reed!¡± After witnessing Julius Reed¡¯s decisive killing of the Eastern Bay Warrior, Monge felt cold sweat streaming down his forehead. In the area of strength, where he was most proficient, he was no match for Julius Reed, to say nothing of the other aspects in which the disparity was likely far greater. But as the leader of Deep Cold, Monge wouldn¡¯t choose to surrender. ¡°Indeed, and who might you be?¡± Julius Reed held the iron rod in one hand, the only sound remaining was that of blood dripping onto the ground. On the car driven by Cosmo, Julius Reed had already installed a security system. The moment the two encountered danger, he was alerted immediately and rushed here at top speed. Quella Radcliffe¡¯s safety was of great importance to Julius Reed. ¡°Monge, the leader of Deep Cold.¡± Monge slowly took off his shirt, revealing the grey vest underneath. Even Imowing well the strength of his opponent, he had to fight! The title of leader of Deep Cold was not just a name; it represented the honor of the entire Deep Cold organization! Moreover, Monge had yet to reveal his trump card, so he wasn¡¯t flustered. ¡°Deep Cold? Interesting! Initially, I had no intention of clashing with you all, but your people truly have a death wish.¡± Julius Reed shrugged helplessly, lamenting the Weakness of the Shadow Warriors he had encountered initially, who were simply not worth killing. Even several subsequent attackers with formidable abilities proved no match for him. Against Deep Cold, Julius Reed harbored thoughts of uprooting them completely. Amadeus Fairbanks was fighting tirelessly against Deep Cold, and once Julius Reed was free, he could arrange for Cosmo to eliminate the largest Shadow Warrior organization! To those in the martial world, Deep Cold was the ultimate honor, representing the Hall of Fame and the strongest existence among Shadow Warriors! They revered it as divine and saw it as a place they wished to join in their lifetimes! If anyone heard talk of overthrowing Deep Cold, they would laugh it off. Because no one believed there was anyone in the world with the power to do so. Only Julius Reed could. ¡°Mr. Reed, my Deep Cold comrades have died at your hands repeatedly, and this score must be settled! As one of the leaders, I¡¯ve come today to take your head!¡± Monge stretched his limbs and said with a faint smile, ¡°You are indeed very strong, so strong that we felt confident only by deploying a leader.¡± Within the Deep Cold organization, experts were as numerous as clouds! Often, they would only send out their elite ranks when dealing with highly important figures or very troublesome enemies. As for leaders? It seemed that this was the second time since the establishment of Deep Cold that a leader had carried out a mission in person! The last time was thirty years ago during their assassination attempt on Amadeus Fairbanks. If Julius Reed hadn¡¯t happened to be fishing on the island when Deep Cold¡¯s men startled the fish away and he intervened to chase off those would-be assailants, Amadeus Fairbanks might indeed have died at the hands of Deep cold. It was precisely because of this incident that Amadeus Fairbanks held Julius Reed in the highest regard, even seeing him as a deity. Meanwhile, the friction between Willson Pavilion and Deep Cold continued. ¡°Indeed, those rotten fish coming to their deaths, I really can¡¯t bring myself to deal with them. Forgive my frankness, but it¡¯s time for Deep Cold to change its people!¡± Julius Reed spoke arrogantly, showing no sign of tension even in the face of one of the terrifying leaders. ¡°Cosmo, take Quella Radcliffe to a safe place.¡± With a wave of his hand, Cosmo immediately went behind Quella Radcliffe, protectively on guard. Although, because she was hindered from going all out in order to protect Quella Radcliffe and was thus injured by Monge, Cosmo chose to swallow her pride in the face of her master¡¯s peril. Had it been any other time, faced with such a frustrating situation, she would definitely have gone all out to test her strength against Monge! ¡°Mr. Reed, you¡¯re simply too arrogant!¡± Upon hearing the disparaging words ¡°stinking fish and rotten shrimp,¡± Monge¡¯s face clearly showed displeasure. ¡°They are our elites! Although I must admit, your strength is indeed much greater than I had anticipated, but you cannot just insult them because you defeated our members, can you?¡± Deep Cold represents the highest echelons of the Shadow Warrior world, with each member being a figure of imposing reputation. Including the two elites who perished at the hands of Julius Reed, they were figures who commanded respect in their own right. To be vilified after death was extremely distasteful to Monge. Don¡¯t high-ranking experts possess any dignity? Insult? When you were even willing to kill my wife, are you even human? You boast of being the elite of the Shadow Warrior world, yet you attempt to kill a woman who knows nothing of martial arts, and now you lecture me on morality?¡± Julius Reed huffed coldly and pointed at Monge, ¡°After I kill you, I will eradicate Deep Cold completely within half a year!¡± Currently, with continuous troubles in Gonzalez City and Five-river Province, Julius Reed had no time to deal with them. Moreover, taking out Deep Cold would be a major move, inevitably alarming his enemies. To this day, Julius Reed still couldn¡¯t remember how he lost his memory! And the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance was already in a precarious state. Julius Reed had already heard some rumors, but he couldn¡¯t make an appearance now. The substantial loss of memory prevented him from making accurate judgments. Rashly revealing himself would only lead his adversaries to a frenzied spree of killing. Then, every person including Quella Radcliffe would be at risk. ¡°In this world, I¡¯ve seen many with great abilities, but those as boastful as you, this is the first time!¡± Monge laughed heartily as a rising killing intent emanated from him, ¡°Do you really think that I could serve as the Chief of Deep Cold without any special skills? Young man, you are far too arrogant!¡± After these words, the muscles in his body began to swell rapidly. ¡°Oh? Finally ready to go all out with your full strength?¡± Julius Reed smiled indifferently and casually tossed his iron staff on the ground, ¡°Today I¡¯ll let you see for yourself what happens when you cross me!¡± Thump! He pushed off with his feet and shot through the air! At the same time, his arm came crashing down heavily! ¡°Go to hell!¡± Seeing Julius Reed relinquish his weapon, Monge narrowed his eyes, and a surge of power instantly erupted from him! He roared angrily, his fists carrying a destructively powerful aura as they hammered down! Boom! Fists collided with fists! With a pained step back, Monge¡¯s hands felt as though he had struck an iron plate, the pain was excruciating. Yet Julius Reed stood in his original spot, not showing any signs of disruption. ¡°You¡¯re a bit of a disappointment!¡± Julius Reed shook his head while simultaneously gesturing downwards with a single finger. ¡°I don¡¯t believe it!¡± Monge clenched his teeth, his body¡¯s muscles surging to the extreme! In this moment, he no longer held back, instead focusing all his power into his arms, ready to settle the outcome with a single strike! Whoosh! Just as he was about to charge at Julius Reed, the sound of a dart suddenly rang out. Monge¡¯s eyes widened, a dart embedded in his forehead. And in front of him, Julius Reed had turned to leave.. Chapter 241 - Chapter 241: Chapter 2401 am Biased_l Chapter 241: Chapter 2401 am Biased_l Translator: 549690339 The day for the Willson Group¡¯s ceremony had arrived before anyone knew it. Notables from Five-river Province and rich businessmen from the cities below all arrived at the building ahead of time, taking their seats according to the sequence number indicated. The Radcliffe Group was no exception, surprisingly receiving two spots on the invitation. However, Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t attend with Zade Radcliffe, but instead rushed to Five-river Province with Dempsey Davenport in tow. In just two short days, the world of martial arts was in turmoil. It began with the demise of the leader of Deep Cold in Gonzalez City, followed by the queen¡¯s employees who infiltrated Five-river Province en masse, commencing a thorough purge. Many Shadow Warriors ambushed here didn¡¯t even have a chance to flee before they were tragically killed. But for the ordinary businessmen, these events had nothing to do with them. ¡°Mr. Leopold! I didn¡¯t expect you to arrive so early!¡± Irving Harris was sitting in a wheelchair, with someone slowly pushing him from behind. After the incident at the Pearl on the Water, Irving Harris chose to lay low completely. Even though rumors swirled endlessly in Five-river Province, it seemed the Limping Man didn¡¯t care and remained unmoved. On the other hand, the Leopold Family had been actively contacting various parties, attempting to corner Julius Reed within Five-river Province. ¡°It turns out to be Brother Harris, now¡¯s your leg Injury(¡± Whitley Leopold asked as if without care, but in reality, he was provoking Irving Harris. The news about the crippling of his leg had already spread throughout Five-river Province; any somewhat capable businessman had heard of it. It was hardly a secret any longer. Yet, Irving Harris acted as if he couldn¡¯t hear the insinuation in Whitley Leopold¡¯s words, replying with a chuckle, ¡°Everyone calls me Vann Harris, and I¡¯ve always said that name was bad luck! I used to have one good leg at least, but now look, I¡¯m completely a limping man!¡± Confronting Whitley Leopold¡¯s intentional or unintentional mockery, Irving Harris didn¡¯t care in the slightest, instead choosing to laugh at himself. ¡°Ah! Brother Harris was once a hero, seeing you like this truly makes one feel regretful!¡± Whitley Leopold sighed and his words carried a tone of pity. Actually, he was only trying to irritate Irving Harris, aiming to have them both back on the same side to face a common enemy, Julius Reed. ¡°It¡¯s fine!¡± Irving Harris laughed out loud, shaking his head, ¡°I¡¯m old now, I just want to live out my days in peace.¡± With such a simple sentence, he directly cut off Whitley Leopold¡¯s intentions. ¡°Brayden, this man is extremely cunning, you must be careful in your dealings!¡± Watching Irving Harris¡¯s departing figure, Whitley Leopold whispered to Brayden Leopold, advising him. ¡°Understood, Grandfather!¡± Brayden Leopold nodded his head. With the help of Julius Reed, he had almost earned Whitley Leopold¡¯s trust, subtly becoming the next young successor. Atlas Leopold had awoken, but after such a heavy blow, he was in a state of dejection, hardly any different from a disabled person. The extensive Leopold Family naturally wouldn¡¯t let someone incapacitated become the Family Head, and Atlas Leopold being reduced to such a state also fully revealed his inadequacies, proving he wasn¡¯t suitable to lead the Leopold Family. This time, the Willson Group gave a generous allotment of spots to local tycoons of Five-river Province at their guest reception. A major family like the Leopolds could bring ten people. As wealth and status declined, the number of people invited from each enterprise gradually reduced. The Radcliffe Group¡¯s position was towards the back of the middle, and although it couldn¡¯t compare with other large enterprises, within the small area of Gonzalez City, it was already considered the best spot. ¡°President Radcliffe, look, who is that!¡± Dempsey Davenport furrowed her brows, pointing to a location not far from where they were. Following her gaze, Quella Radcliffe was surprisingly able to see Zade Radcliffe and Otis Radcliffe, the grandfather and grandson duo. They were sitting together with the president of the Far East Group from Five-river Province, chatting and laughing. Seemingly sensing Quella Radcliffe looking in that direction, Otis Radcliffe turned his head and their eyes met. In Otis Radcliffe¡¯s eyes, there was actually a sense of disdain and mockery. Their seats were not bad, located in the middle and towards the front, significantly better than the Radcliffe Group¡¯s. ¡°The president of Far East Group had a good relationship with Grandpa when they were young. In fact, our Radcliffe Group even collaborated with them, but eventually, the Far East Group moved to Five-river Province, and our contact ceaseu explained Quella Radcliffe patiently to Dempsey Davenport. Although it was not clear what benefits Zade Radcliffe had offered the Far East Group, being able to bring two people at once must have cost a pretty penny. After all, businesspeople are not known to wake up early without the prospect of profit. ¡°No wonder!¡± Dempsey Davenport shook her head and muttered softly, ¡°President Radcliffe, your grandfather is no simple man. Having just been setback, he managed to find a new backer in such a short time. You must be vigilant!¡± Despite Zade Radcliffe being Quella Radcliffe¡¯s grandfather, Dempsey Davenport still felt compelled to voice a warning. Quella Radcliffe had been kind to her, and although Dempsey Davenport was quite capable, had she been anyone else, it would have been impossible for her to be immediately seated in the position of chief financial officer. ¡°I know.¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded and said no more. At this moment, there was still half an hour before the celebration would begin, and everyone started chatting and discussing in turns. After all, the rather mysterious company was about to slowly unveil its veil. ¡°Miss, why do you look somewhat familiar?¡± As Quella Radcliffe and Dempsey Davenport were discussing the company matters, a particularly discordant male voice reached their ears. Quella Radcliffe looked up and saw a man in his thirties wearing a black suit, looking towards her. ¡°You may be mistaken!¡± Quella Radcliffe promptly responded when she realized she did not recognize the man. ¡°Hello, my name is Richard, the owner of Fast Logistics in Five-river Province. Stanislaus Potter is my uncle, and we have a long-term cooperation with Golden Eagle Group,¡± said the man, taking a seat next to Quella Radcliffe, and introducing himself with a smile. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, chairman of the Radcliffe Group.¡± Dempsey Davenport also introduced Quella Radcliffe politely. ¡°It really seems to be fate. On my way here, I was thinking if I might meet a lovely lady friend at the banquet!¡± Richard placed his briefcase on the table; his eyes gleaming with smiles as he looked at Quella Radcliffe. ¡°I returned from abroad just last year, and after establishing Fast Logistics, I briefly went overseas for further studies. A few days ago, I received a notification from my uncle and hurried back home. I have heard of the Radcliffe Group, the pacesetter in the electronics industry in Gonzalez City. I think there will be opportunities for us to collaborate in the future.¡± While introducing himself, Richard made no attempt to hide the boasting in his tone. At the same time, the look he gave Quella Radcliffe started to become rather unguarded. ¡°Golden Eagle Group can be considered a boss in Five-river Province. Congratulations to you for having such a good uncle,¡± Quella Radcliffe replied, her words tinged with a hint of sarcasm in response to such a character. ¡°While you say that, I only took a small sum of money from my uncle. Thanks to my years of study abroad and my extremely well-honed corporate management skills, I¡¯ve built Fast Logistics into a behemoth in just a few years. Did you know, most e-commerce, they all ship their goods through me!¡± Richard laughed, ¡°Miss Radcliffe seems to have a bit of prejudice against me?¡± ¡°She doesn¡¯t, I do.¡± Unbeknownst to when he appeared, Julius Reed stood behind Richard.. Chapter 242 - Chapter 242: Chapter 241 Running Off at the Mouth_l Chapter 242: Chapter 241 Running Off at the Mouth_l Translator: 549690339 Richard¡¯s speech was interrupted, and his face was decidedly unhappy. However, since this was a Willson Group event, he had no choice but to suppress his dissatisfaction and turned to Julius Reed: ¡°And this gentleman is¡­¡± ¡°My husband.¡± Quella Radcliffe introduced with a smile. The appearance of Julius Reed was somewhat unexpected for Quella Radcliffe; she stood up and, in a low voice, asked, ¡°Why have you come?¡± She had asked before, but Julius had said he was busy; thus, Quella didn¡¯t inquire further. Her unexpected delight at his arrival was evident. ¡°This kind of gala is teeming with all sorts of people; any Tom, Dick, or Harry could slip in. I was worried about you, so I came to have a look.¡± Julius Reed smiled lightly and pulled Quella Radcliffe into his embrace: ¡°If there¡¯s anything that¡¯s not taken care of properly here, just let me know, and I¡¯ll sort them out.¡± ¡°Alright, got it!¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded, her face blooming with a genuine smile. ¡°Heh heh, brother, you don¡¯t lack confidence, do you!¡± At that moment, Richard let out a sneer: ¡°We¡¯re all men here, I understand that you want to show off in front of your woman. But we¡¯re at a Willson Group ceremony; who exactly are you going to complain to if the service is inadequate? There¡¯s a limit to bluffing.¡± He had intended to hit on Quella Radcliffe, but now with Julius Reed showing up, his mood took a turn for the worse. With the couple¡¯s status clear, Richard felt a twinge of disappointment, but he also wanted to put Julius Reed down a peg. Having long cavorted with women, he was confident he could charm Quella Radcliffe. What did a husband matter? It was all just a bit of fun for him. ¡°And this gentleman is?¡± Julius Reed turned to look at Richard, his eyes full of contempt as if he were looking at something utterly trivial. A seasoned businessman, Richard could not help but notice the overt hostility in the other man¡¯s gaze. Very straightforward. ¡°Fast Logistics Chairman, Richard. Might I ask who you are?¡± Richard, upon mentioning his own name, was filled with pride. At his age, to have such a business empire was quite an achievement. Even within Five-river Province, he was known as a prominent young entrepreneur. With the backing of Stanislaus Potter from Golden Eagle Group, his confidence was even greater. After all, his uncle was a Boss-level figure in the business community of Five-river Province, and this was his capital for boasting. Apart from the so-called ¡°Four Young Masters of Five-river Province,¡± he, Richard, was a rising star. As for this young man before him? He had never heard of him; probably just a freeloader. ¡°Oh! So you¡¯re a foreigner; no wonder you don¡¯t look Chinese!¡± Julius Reed smiled lightly, ignoring Richard, as he turned to give Quella Radcliffe a reminder: ¡°I still have some matters to take care of. If you need anything, just look for someone called Miguel Abbott. She¡¯ll help you resolve any issues on my behalf.¡± ¡°Okay. Go on; I won¡¯t worry you here.¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded, no longer acting like an assertive President Radcliffe, but rather like an obedient wife. ¡°Miguel Abbott? President of Moonlight Group?¡± Richard overheard and couldn¡¯t help but raise his eyebrows: ¡°Brother, you sure talk a big game! Do you also claim to know Stanislaus Potter from Golden Eagle Group?¡± Miguel Abbott¡¯s reputation in Five-river Province was known to everyone; a figure as notable as Stanislaus Potter, a very dominant businessperson. Richard had heard a lot about Miguel Abbott from Stanislaus Potter¡¯s mouth. His uncle had said that he was a gambler and a fierce competitor, one not to be lightly provoked. ¡°Stanislaus Potter, the chairman of Golden Eagle Group, I know him, and we have a pretty good relationship!¡± Julius Reed nodded, patted Quella Radcliffe on the shoulder, and then turned to ¡°Tsk! ¡± Richard snorted disdainfully and turned his head to Quella Radcliffe, ¡®Miss, your husband really has a talent for bragging. If I¡¯m not mistaken, he¡¯s being kept by someone else, right? You should be careful with this kind of man!¡± Golden Eagle Group¡¯s Stanislaus Potter was his uncle, would Richard not know if they really were acquainted? Moreover, Stanislaus Potter was proud by nature, barely interacting with others outside of a few major businessmen in the Five-river Province, especially not with someone young and prone to spouting nonsense like that. ¡°You know all this?¡± Dempsey Davenport said mysteriously, ¡°That guy who just left is the son-in-law who married into President Radcliffe¡¯s family. He doesn¡¯t do anything; just eats up their food! Unlike you, so young and promising, truly a role model for the youth!¡± Although she and Quella Radcliffe had a superior-subordinate relationship, they got along quite well privately. Although she wasn¡¯t as intimate with Quella Radcliffe as Lance Casey and Olayinka Davenport, she could still be considered a close friend. Dempsey Davenport knew about the Radcliffe Family affairs somewhat, including how Julius Reed had miraculously helped Quella Radcliffe take the chairman position. Dempsey wasn¡¯t foolish; in fact, she was quite intelligent. She had already guessed that Julius Reed had a very powerful background, unlike those in the Radcliffe Family who saw him as a worthless son-in-law. ¡°Amanda, don¡¯t talk nonsense!¡± Quella Radcliffe knew exactly what Dempsey Davenport was up to; she was trying to set Richard up, so she glared at her. To Richard, this scene looked like Quella Radcliffe was infuriated after being exposed. That pretty much confirmed his suspicion. ¡°It¡¯s fine! Miss Radcliffe, don¡¯t mind it. I just wanted to be friends with you. I truly sympathize with your situation.¡± He immediately feigned concern, ¡°Such an outstanding woman like you ended up with a kept man! It would be okay if he worked hard, but unfortunately, he¡¯s all talk and not at all practical! I hope you¡¯ll seriously consider your future; don¡¯t waste your youth. ¡± It seemed like earnest advice, but he was actually sowing discord. Thinking that the other party was just a son-in-law living off his wife¡¯s family made Richard excited once again. ¡°Thank you, I¡¯m currently focusing all my energy on my career, not thinking about much else.¡± Quella Radcliffe replied dismissively. If it weren¡¯t for the importance of the Willson Group¡¯s event, she would¡¯ve wanted to switch tables, to get away from Richard. ¡°Hey! Richard!¡± Just then, a few more people walked in from the entrance and made their way directly toward their table. ¡°Zalman Michael, what a coincidence you¡¯re here too?¡± Upon seeing the approaching woman, Richard hurriedly stood up, his face oozing sycophancy, ¡°About last time, how did your discussion go?¡± ¡°Zalman Michael, a renowned female entrepreneur from Five-river Province, the chairman of Maxwell Davenport Cosmetics Group. And she has another identity.¡± Dempsey Davenport looked at the woman mysteriously and whispered to Quella Radcliffe, ¡°She¡¯s also Miguel Abbott¡¯s mistress, but there are rumors that their relationship is more about mutual use, and Miguel Abbott doesn¡¯t really like this vixen.¡± ¡°You know all this?¡± Quella Radcliffe raised an eyebrow at Dempsey Davenport. This didn¡¯t seem like a Chief Financial Officer at all, more like the chief of the paparazzi! ¡°You mean the logistics matter? Oh my, I actually forgot about that, but I¡¯ll go back and discuss it with them, see what the different departments think.¡± Zalman Michael walked straight to the table and sat down next to Dempsey Davenport.. Chapter 243 - Chapter 243: Chapter 242 Can You Be Even More Shameless 1 Chapter 243: Chapter 242 Can You Be Even More Shameless 1 Translator: 549690339 Zalman Michael¡¯s cosmetics company rose rapidly from Five-river Province in just ten years. The biggest shareholder was none other than Miguel Abbott, the chairman of Moonlight Group. The implications of this were clear to those who understood, so many went out of their way to assist Zalman Michael, enabling her swift rise to become a top enterprise in Five-river Province. Of course, this was inseparable from Zalman Michael¡¯s savvy and capability. As for the exact nature of their relationship, it seemed that no one knew except Miguel Abbott himself. Cosmetics cannot rely solely on offline sales, and Zalman Michael dominated online just as fiercely. Naturally, this involved logistics, which is why Richard from Fast Logistics had his own little schemes. According to his research, the courier fees Zalman Michael paid annually were an astronomical figure, amounting to hundreds of millions. The sales channels of Maxwell Davenport Group¡¯s cosmetics were widespread, but currently, they used a cooperative system with four major logistics companies, including Fast Logistics. However, Richard¡¯s ambition didn¡¯t stop there. After returning from abroad, he aspired to monopolize the courier market in Five-river Province and completely take over all courier business for the Maxwell Davenport Group. ¡°Sister, as you know, I¡¯m also well-acquainted with the bosses of the other three courier companies. This puts me in a very difficult position!¡± Zalman Michael appeared troubled and quite helpless. ¡°Sister, just accept my proposal. On top of the original price, I¡¯ll give you an additional five percent discount! And we will station a dedicated collections officer at your company, setting up a courier department exclusively for you, solely responsible for handling your affairs!¡± Richard spoke with a serious tone, devoid of his previous jocular demeanor. If he could land this deal, he would be able to form ties with Miguel Abbott and further establish cooperation with Moonlight Group. Richard was someone who believed in rumors; securing Zalman Michael¡¯s business would significantly increase his chances of success with Miguel Abbott. ¡°Hmm? I¡¯ll consider it!¡± Zalman Michael couldn¡¯t help but be tempted upon hearing such an attractive offer. She often received complaints from customers, and the randomized shipments from four different couriers indeed complicated management. If Richard truly set up a dedicated department to handle their affairs, courier efficiency would undoubtedly improve. Previously, same-city deliveries took until the next day, but with Fast Logistics, they could achieve order placement in the morning and delivery by afternoon. But her keen understanding of business dealings naturally meant she wouldn¡¯t agree immediately. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, I just had an idea!¡± As the two discussed business matters, Julius Reed appeared behind Quella Radcliffe like a specter, once again. ¡°Good heavens! Could you make less noise when you walk? You scared the life out of me!¡± Zalman Michael was startled by his sudden interjection and her expression turned displeased. She wasn¡¯t as hypocritical as Richard; with Miguel Abbott backing her, no one in Five-river Province dared to disrespect her. ¡°What idea?¡± Quella Radcliffe was also somewhat taken aback, not expecting her husband to return so soon. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t our Radcliffe Group also get into the courier business? I think this foreigner¡¯s courier service is quite good. I inquired about it just now, and it seems to be highly profitable.¡± Julius Reed spoke leisurely, hands in his pockets. ¡°Sir, please mind your words! I am a native-born citizen of Huaxia, not some foreigner!¡± Richard was very displeased, especially being insulted in front of several ladies, which soured his mood further. ¡°Really? With a name like yours, I thought you were a foreign friend. Turns out you¡¯re a faux foreigner!¡± Julius Reed expressed an exaggerated shock, as though he had never imagined that Richard could be Chinese. Since he dared to covet his wife¡¯s business, he had to pay a price. ¡°Hmph! A man living off a woman, putting on airs here!¡± Richard sneered and turned to look at Zalman Michael, ¡°Sis, he says he Imows Octavius Abbott, sounds like a pretty big deal! Although he¡¯s just a live-in son-in-law now, people who know our Mr. Abbott aren¡¯t that common!¡± Everyone was spreading rumors that Zalman Michael and Octavius Abbott were lovers, so Richard brought it up on purpose hoping to make Julius Reed embarrassed. Can¡¯t you play tough? Then let¡¯s see you squirm! Especially in front of your own wife! ¡°Mr. Abbott?¡± After hearing this, Zalman Michael also looked up at Julius Reed, sized him up, and shaking her head said, ¡°I haven¡¯t actually heard of Mr. Abbott knowing such a person. But then, who in Five-river Province doesn¡¯t know President Radcliffe?¡± With that, the two of them smiled at each other. The meaning behind Zalman Michael¡¯s words was clear¡ªYou claim to know Octavius Abbott, but Octavius Abbott doesn¡¯t know you! ¡°And who might this lady be?¡± Julius Reed gave Zalman Michael a once-over and asked aloud. ¡°Kid, you don¡¯t even recognize Mr. Michael? She¡¯s the boss of Maxwell Davenport Group from Five-river Province. I bet you¡¯re even using our Mr. Michael¡¯s products while staying at home doing the laundry and dishes!¡± sneered Richard, mocking Julius Reed. Live-in son-in-laws, supported by their wives, doing house chores is just the norm! ¡°Oh! So it¡¯s Mr. Michael!¡± After hearing the introduction, Julius Reed wasn¡¯t angered but instead acted as if he had an epiphany. ¡°Well now you know, brag all you want in front of me, just don¡¯t make a fool of yourself in front of our Mr. Michael!¡± Richard thought his opponent was without face and trying to find a way out. ¡°It¡¯s alright, just a man living off a woman, it¡¯s normal not to recognize me,¡± Zalman Michael said scornfully. ¡°Isn¡¯t this the woman who¡¯s rumored to be Boss Abbott¡¯s mistress! I knew she looked familiar, from miles away, you could smell a distinct air about her!¡± said Julius Reed, even pretending to sniff the air. Zalman Michael¡¯s face immediately changed, and everyone¡¯s, including Richard¡¯s, turned ugly. Everyone was well aware of the fact that she was Octavius Abbott¡¯s mistress, but no one would be foolish enough to say it out loud. These people all had their own principles of conduct and would never publicly speak of such shortcomings. Did Zalman Michael really not mind? Clearly impossible! No woman could be proud of being a mistress, and yet such a disgraceful matter was pointed out bluntly by Julius Reed, causing her great embarrassment. Even Quella Radcliffe was surprised, after all, this was the Willson Group¡¯s ceremony, not just any place outside, where one should be more careful with what they say and do. But now, her own husband had publicly revealed her shortcoming, and it was Octavius Abbott¡¯s shortcoming at that! Dempsey Davenport quietly raised her thumb up, her face alight with schadenfreude. ¡°Sir, you say I¡¯m Boss Abbott¡¯s mistress, do you have any proof?¡± Zalman Michael asked with a stern face. If it weren¡¯t for being at the Willson Group¡¯s property, she wouldn¡¯t hesitate to have the staff throw Julius Reed out and beat him half to death! But she couldn¡¯t do that now, not in front of all these rich and influential people, there was no need to create trouble for herself. ¡°Do you have no shame! Taking pride in being ¡®the other woman¡¯ is disgraceful enough for you to keep to yourself, yet you demand evidence from me? Can you get any more shameless?¡± Julius Reed pointed to his cheek, his expression one of utter helplessness.. Chapter 244 - Chapter 244: Chapter 243: Exposing Shortcomings_l Chapter 244: Chapter 243: Exposing Shortcomings_l Translator: 549690339 Actually, Julius Reed didn¡¯t want to embarrass them like this, but just after he left, Richard still didn¡¯t know when to stop, even intentionally demeaning himself. Sorry. Julius Reed is no saint, and he prefers to settle scores face-to-face. But at that moment, Zalman Michael, who didn¡¯t know whether he was coming or going, decided to join in, and that was simply asking for trouble. Regarding this woman, Julius Reed was very clear about her background. Just as the outside world rumored, Zalman Michael was Miguel Abbott¡¯s mistress. Over the years, she had helped manage the Moonlight Group and had contributed significantly to Miguel Abbott¡¯s business. Later on, as the Moonlight Group grew and Miguel Abbott gained some power, Zalman Michael took the opportunity to set up the Maxwell Davenport Group, leveraging Miguel Abbott¡¯s connections and funding to rapidly expand it! Though she always wanted to shake off the label of mistress, the rumors had already taken deep root in people¡¯s hearts. It¡¯s just that nobody would say it outright. ¡°Impertinent! Who allowed you to speak to Mr. Michael this way!¡± Richard, having nowhere else to vent his frustration, saw the matter with Zalman Michael as an opportunity to get back at Julius Reed! A mere live-in son-in-law, even if the Radcliffe Family wanted to protect him, he had offended Boss Abbott, and the matter wouldn¡¯t end that easily! ¡°Richard, since when is it your place to interrupt a conversation between me and Mr. Michael? Or do you want me to spill the beans about your dirty little secrets? That wouldn¡¯t be nice, would it? Young entrepreneur?¡± Julius Reed simply pulled a chair over from a nearby table and sat down beside Richard. ¡°Julius, let it go! This is Willson Group¡¯s property, don¡¯t cause trouble, behave!¡± Quella Radcliffe stood up and pushed Julius Reed, trying to get him to leave quickly. Having offended both Stanislaus Potter and relatives of Miguel Abbott, she was worried about Julius Reed¡¯s safety. After all, this wasn¡¯t Gonzalez City, and Aron Jackson¡¯s influence couldn¡¯t reach here. Moreover, for businesspeople like Stanislaus Potter and Miguel Abbott, if they truly decided to take action, the Radcliffe Family wouldn¡¯t be able to influence the situation at all. ¡°Thinking you can leave? It won¡¯t be that easy!¡± Seeing Quella Radcliffe trying to make Julius Reed leave, Zalman Michael¡¯s face turned dark: ¡°My people are just outside the door, and speaking out of turn comes with a price!¡± Her implication was clear, even if you wanted to leave, you wouldn¡¯t be able to get out of this door! In Five-river Province, Zalman Michael indeed had the power to make that happen with ease. ¡°And what would you have me do?¡± Julius Reed gestured to Quella Radcliffe not to worry and turned his head to look at Zalman Michael: ¡°A mistress is just like a chamber pot, taken out and used when needed, then tossed aside when not.¡± ¡°You!¡± Zalman Michael was so angry that her face turned purple. After all, she was the head of a group, a well-known businesswoman in Five-river Province. Even Stanislaus Potter and others, out of respect for Miguel Abbott¡¯s face, would nod in greeting with a smile But today, she was being called a chamber pot by a freeloader! To be equated with a chamber pot was a grave insult! ¡°You¡¯ve gone too far! You¡¯re nothing but a freeloading loser. Get down on your knees and apologize to Sister Michael immediately, or once you step out of this door, no one can guarantee your safety.¡± Richard glanced at Julius Reed and then turned to look at Quella Radcliffe: ¡°Even your family members could get dragged into this!¡± For a son-in-law who had come into the family through marriage, Richard felt he was completely justified. Not only could he get his revenge, but he could also win over Zalman Michael¡¯s favor, and he might even coerce Quella Radcliffe into keeping him company¡ªa classic case of killing three birds with one stone! ¡°Is this supposed to be a threat?¡± Julius Reed tilted his head to look at Richard: ¡°Do you despise sons-in-law who marry into the family?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! I indeed look down on freeloaders!¡± Richard let out a cold laugh, responding in a tit-for-tat manner. ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk.¡± Julius Reed shook his head, looking at him: ¡®What¡¯s wrong with being a son-in-law who married into the family? At least I earn my keep. Living off your spouse can also be considered a skill, certainly better than a bastard like you, right?¡± ¡°What did you say!¡± Upon hearing the words ¡°illegitimate child,¡± Richard¡¯s face changed dramatically, and he stood up from his chair like a rooster whose feathers had been ruffled! ¡°I said you¡¯re an illegitimate child! Isn¡¯t that right? Your mother was once Stanislaus Potter¡¯s mistress. Later, she married an honest man, only to discover that she was already pregnant after the marriage. You didn¡¯t find out about this until you were fifteen years old, when she finally told you.¡± As he spoke, Julius Reed crossed his legs and said with a chuck, ¡°And after you learned about this, you ran straight to the Golden Eagle Group and shamelessly revealed your origins. It¡¯s lucky that Stanislaus Potter is sentimental, for he sent you abroad to study and allowed you to start a business locally.¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Richard bellowed, pointing at Julius Reed with shaking fingers, ¡°Shut your mouth!¡± This scene caught Zalman Michael¡¯s eye, immediately setting her mind racing. If what Julius Reed said wasn¡¯t true, why would Richard be so furious? Moreover, knowing Stanislaus Potter as she did, such a domineering man unusually helped a young man who claimed to be a distant relative of his. There must be something fishy going on. ¡°Oh! That¡¯s right, now I know why you like hanging out with Zalman Michael so much ¨C because both of you have a thing for lovers!¡± Julius Reed continued to speak in his shockingly frank manner. It took less than five minutes for his intelligence network to strip clean the young Richard Willson¡¯s background. In front of him, Richard was like a blank piece of paper, all his secrets clearly written upon it. ¡°You!¡± Zalman Michael hadn¡¯t expected to be insulted again and immediately stood up, threatening, ¡°You will pay for this!¡± ¡°Sure thing!¡± Julius Reed shrugged nonchalantly. ¡°Say that again!¡± With his shortcomings exposed, Richard¡¯s eyes were bloodshot and his teeth gnashed audibly. His voice was so loud that many guests present turned to look in their direction. ¡°Calm down, this isn¡¯t the place to handle this!¡± Zalman Michael kindly cautioned, but Richard was beyond listening; the secret that he was an illegitimate child was known to no one! If it got out today, it would ruin him completely! The self-proclaimed young talent, what face would he have to boast in front of others then? Where could he put his face after this! ¡°What is going on!¡± Seeing Richard throwing a tantrum, Stanislaus Potter and Miguel Abbott immediately approached him, leaving their front-row seats. Being seated at the same table and noticing that Zalman Michael was also there, they decided to come over and see what was happening. Causing a scene at the Willson Group¡¯s ceremony was not a wise move. ¡°Uncle, this person¡­¡± ¡°Uncle? Shouldn¡¯t you be calling him dad? Richard, don¡¯t you recognize your own father anymore?¡± Julius Reed cut Richard off mid-sentence with a laugh. As soon as he finished speaking, everyone¡¯s expressions changed. This was Stanislaus Potter, after all! The Chairman of the Golden Eagle Group, one of the most powerful people in the Five-river Province! Even Quella Radcliffe and Dempsey Davenport were shocked and hurried to pull him, trying to get Julius Reed to say less. ¡°So it¡¯s¡­ Mr. Reed!¡± After his expression shifted several times, Stanislaus Potter only managed to utter that phrase.. Chapter 245 - Chapter 245: Chapter 244 Why I Don’t Dare 1 Chapter 245: Chapter 244 Why I Don¡¯t Dare 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Reed? Mr. Reed?¡± Upon hearing Stanislaus Potter¡¯s address, not only Richard and his associates, but also Quella Radcliffe and Dempsey Davenport¡¯s faces all changed. In Five-river Province, the number of people who could be respectfully called Mr. by the chairman of Golden Eagle Group could be counted on one hand! ¡°Uncle, what are you talking about?¡± Richard¡¯s face went pale, and he felt a sense of foreboding in his heart. Stanislaus Potter was indeed his biological father, and Julius Reed was not wrong. But this matter was very secretive, and no one else knew about it. Because it involved the interests of the Golden Eagle Group, Stanislaus Potter always kept it a secret, to the extent that Quamaine Potter didn¡¯t even know he had a half-brother. In public, Stanislaus Potter claimed that Richard was a distant relative, and Richard always addressed him as uncle at public events. With the backing of Golden Eagle Group, who in Five-river Province would dare to disrespect Richard? Furthermore, with a substantial amount of funds invested, Fast Logistics quickly rose to prominence in Five-river Province and established cooperation with many large enterprises. Now that this matter was being publicly revealed, Stanislaus Potter should, by all rights, have been even more furious. After all, one does not air one¡¯s dirty laundry in public, and this had not just been aired but announced to everyone. But Richard did not see even a trace of anger on his biological father¡¯s face; he even sensed a hint of fear. ¡°What exactly happened just now?¡± Stanislaus Potter also realized that he had somewhat lost his composure, so he quickly resumed his normal demeanor, returning to the imposing boss he was known to be. Behind him, Miguel Abbott also had a stern expression, his eyes constantly sizing up Zalman Michael. Although the two of them were closely related, in front of Julius Reed, would Octavius Abbott, who wouldn¡¯t hesitate to abandon his own daughter, even care for a mistress? ¡°Uncle, this man insulted me and Sister Zalman. Had it not been for the sake of Willson Group, I would¡¯ve taken care of him long ago!¡± Richard quickly vented to Stanislaus Potter, his previously confident self never having to endure such humiliation. In Five-river Province, while he did not compare to the Four Masters, with Stanislaus Potter backing him, everyone respectfully called him young master. Even when facing Zalman Michael, he could negotiate with his back straight. But today, he had been insulted by a man who had married into the family, and what was more, Julius Reed had disclosed his biggest secret, leaving him no place to hide his face. ¡°That¡¯s right! I can testify for Richard. We were discussing a business deal when this nobody came out of nowhere and insulted me!¡± Zalman Michael frowned slightly, looking at Stanislaus Potter: ¡°I, Zalman Michael, have been in Five-river Province for so long, and yet no one has dared to point their finger and curse at me. Richard couldn¡¯t stand seeing me being insulted and wanted to seek justice, but this man responded with even more foul language!¡± Today¡¯s events had surprisingly involved both Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter, which was somewhat unexpected for Zalman Michael. But if she could garner even a little more favor from Stanislaus Potter, Zalman Michael was happy to do so, especially since she had the support of Octavius Abbott. When Octavius Abbott heard the term ¡°nobody,¡± his heart gave a shudder. It was the great Buddha he had nourished, and this foolish woman had offended him! He wiped the sweat from his forehead, calculating how to extricate the situation. Considering his understanding of Julius Reed ¡°Boss Potter, hear me out!¡± Seeing Zalman Michael pointing the finger first, Quella Radcliffe quickly stood up, bowing respectfully: ¡°Things are not as they seem. Ever since I sat down here, Richard has been verbally harassing me, and Julius Reed is my husband, naturally he wouldn¡¯t tolerate this. But Richard was pressing and constantly insulting my husband, so in a fit of anger, Julius merely blurted out a retort.¡± In the face of the well-known Stanislaus Potter, Quella Radcliffe dared not harbor any illusions of luck. If he really went after Julius Reed, the situation could turn very bad. What Quella did not know was that Julius Reed had already put Stanislaus Potter in his place. ¡°A retort?¡± Hearing Quella¡¯s words, Richard sneered: ¡°That¡¯s called a retort? Calling Miss Zalman the mistress of Boss Abbott, claiming that I¡¯m the son of my Uncle, that¡¯s outright slander! Miss Radcliffe, if I were to say that you¡¯re someone else¡¯s mistress¡­¡± Slap! Before Richard could finish his words, Julius Reed slapped him across the face. ¡°Say that again.¡± He looked towards a baffled Richard. Quella Radcliffe was her own inner sanctuary, which no one was permitted to dishonor, or else. Death. ¡°You dare¡­¡± Whoosh! Julius Reed grabbed Richard¡¯s head and slammed it violently against the glass tabletop of the restaurant. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I dare?¡± The immense force made Richard dizzy and nearly pass out. ¡°What¡¯s going on here!¡± The restaurant¡¯s security guards immediately surrounded them, and, seeing the commotion, prepared to reach for their radios to call for backup. ¡°This brother here, we¡¯re all our own people, just kidding around.¡± Miguel Abbott hurried to stop the security guard, then looked towards Stanislaus Potter: ¡°Isn¡¯t that right, Brother Potter?¡± They were still unaware that Julius Reed was the real boss behind the scenes, but they were very clear about Julius Reed¡¯s strength. How could they afford to lose someone they had just managed to befriend? Moreover, causing trouble in Willson Group territory was bound to be troublesome if investigated. ¡°Is that so?¡± The security guard naturally recognized Miguel Abbott, but with Stanislaus Potter standing beside him, if Potter said something different, they would have no choice but to proceed with their duties. ¡°Just messing around, didn¡¯t mean to disturb you!¡± Stanislaus Potter said with a faint smile, casually pulling out a card from his pocket: ¡°There¡¯s a hundred thousand in here, no pin. Have a drink on me, brothers.¡± Since the operation against the Leopold Family was extremely successful, Stanislaus Potter began to reevaluate the pros and cons. If even the Leopold Family couldn¡¯t withstand it, what would be the outcome if he kept seeking revenge? Now that he had cooled down from the heat of passion, he began to reassess the situation. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, we won¡¯t disturb Boss Abbott and Boss Potter¡¯s drinking any longer! ¡± The security tucked the card into his pocket and left quickly with the staff after nodding and smiling. Money aside, they wouldn¡¯t dare to offend these two big bosses even without a bribe. ¡°Brother Potter, you sure have quite a few bank cards there!¡± Miguel Abbott eyed Stanislaus Potter and asked with a grin. ¡°It¡¯s a habit! Before Golden Eagle Group grew big, I inevitably had to deal with all sorts of people. As they say, little ghosts are hard to deal with; these were all unavoidable.¡± Stanislaus Potter smiled faintly, sliding his hand into his pocket and then pulling it out quickly. Inside, there were indeed several bank cards! ¡°Uncle¡­¡± Richard staggered up from the table, his face smeared with streaks of blood. ¡°You must stand up for me!¡± He sat painfully on a chair, looking incredibly ferocious. ¡°To dare to hit someone right in front of us, Boss Potter, why didn¡¯t you let the security handle this?¡± Zalman Michael also didn¡¯t understand; it was such a great opportunity! To kill with a borrowed knife. Did anyone who caused trouble on Willson Group territory expect to leave alive? But Stanislaus Potter actually ordered the guards to leave! What kind of medicine was really being sold in this gourd? Chapter 246 - Chapter 246: Chapter 245 The Revealed Secret_1 Chapter 246: Chapter 245 The Revealed Secret_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Can¡¯t you just talk less!¡± Seeing that Stanislaus Potter was in an awkward position to speak, Miguel Abbott simply opened his mouth and scolded, ¡°Mind your own business and stop meddling in others¡¯ affairs from now on!¡± Zalman Michael was very capable. When the Moonlight Group was founded, Zalman Michael and Miguel Abbott struggled together to achieve today¡¯s grand scale. Later, after the Moonlight Group stabilized, Zalman Michael set up his own company, which was still supported financially by Miguel Abbott. In their circle, everyone would call each other ¡°sister-in-law¡± in private, and Zalman Michael really enjoyed this title, while Miguel Abbott turned a blind eye, pretending not to know. So, with Zalman Michael talking at this time, it was really inconvenient for Stanislaus Potter to scold him. ¡°Boss Abbott, do you know what he said?¡± Zalman Michael, having been rebuked by Miguel Abbott like this, clearly did not understand what was going on. Usually, if someone insulted him, Miguel Abbott would definitely stand up for him. Yet now, with the person who insulted him right in front of him, Miguel Abbott remained silent! ¡°He said I¡¯m your mistress!¡± Zalman Michael cried out with a wronged expression, ¡°I¡¯ve worked hard to establish the Maxwell Davenport Group, only to be called your mistress. If this gets out, won¡¯t both of our reputations be ruined?¡± The affair between the two of them, like the emperor¡¯s new clothes, was very clear in everyone¡¯s mind, yet nobody would speak of it. Because as soon as it was spoken, it would embarrass both parties, and the speaker would certainly face retribution. Nobody was foolish enough to defy this taboo. ¡°You are indeed my mistress! Who in the Five-river Province doesn¡¯t know that? Don¡¯t play the whore and then expect to be thought a saint; did someone say even half a word wrong? You became a mistress, so why can¡¯t you admit Miguel Abbott pointed at Zalman Michael¡¯s nose and said, ¡°You truly disappoint me!¡± All the people around the table were stunned as he uttered these words. Quella Radcliffe sat at her seat, blinking, completely failing to understand what had just happened. The situation had not developed as she had expected, not at all! Dempsey Davenport was like a child listening to a story, afraid to miss a single word. An affair like that of a mistress that cannot be presented upfront was spoken of by Miguel Abbott without a hint of shame. ¡°Mr. Abbott, you¡­¡± Stanislaus Potter blinked and reminded him in a voice, ¡°This is a public place!¡± Some matters, as long as they are not mentioned, are conveniently agreed to have never happened. But now that Miguel Abbott had openly acknowledged their relationship, there would inevitably be much gossip in the Five-river Province, as people are apt to fear rumours, and who knows how the story might evolve. ¡°Mr. Abbott, what are you saying?¡± Zalman Michael¡¯s eyes widened, unable to believe what Miguel Abbott was saying. ¡°I¡¯m saying that you are indeed my mistress, and they¡¯ve merely spoken the truth. Is it worth reacting like this?¡± Miguel Abbott was furious to the extreme. This foolish woman had offended Julius Reed; who knew if Julius Reed would take out his anger on him. Just as the Moonlight Group was boarding the great ship and ready to overtake old families like the Leopold Family, this foolish woman, Zalman Michael, was actually jumping out trying to ruin it all. ¡°1¡­¡± Zalman Michael was momentarily at a loss for words. ¡°Apologize right now!¡± Miguel Abbott waved his hand, speaking very sternly, ¡°They didn¡¯t say anything wrong; you want to pin a charge on them? From now on, you and I have nothing to do with each other. From now on, whatever happens to the Maxwell Davenport Group, I will not inquire, and all the capital from the Moonlight Group invested in it will be withdrawn by tomorrow!¡± ¡°Mr. Abbott, what are you saying?¡± Zalman Michael¡¯s eyes widened, not daring to believe these words had come from Miguel Abbott¡¯s mouth. Once he loses the protection of the Moonlight Group, other powers will certainly pounce and eat away at the market share of the Maxwell Davenport Group. And once Miguel Abbott withdraws his investment, it would be a fatal blow to the Maxwell Davenport Group, which is currently expanding its business. ¡°What am I saying? Can¡¯t you hear what I am saying?!¡± Miguel Abbott pointed at Zalman Michael, shaking with anger, ¡°You really are an idiot!¡± ¡°Oh! What is Boss Abbott saying here? Why are you so angry?¡± At that moment, Maurice Yarrow strolled over leisurely, holding a wine glass. On normal days, the relationship between them was considered decent, and everyone was clear about the relationship between Zalman Michael and Miguel Abbott. If anyone could publicly declare that Zalman Michael was Miguel Abbott¡¯s mistress, Maurice Yarrow would definitely be among them. As Three Blade Group was the dominant force in Five-river Province, it was naturally invited to the banquet. Seeing Miguel Abbott losing his temper from far away, Maurice went over to check what was going on. ¡°General Yarrow, Boss Abbott is scolding me!¡± Zalman Michael began to cry plaintively. Although she was Miguel Abbott¡¯s mistress, there weren¡¯t really any conflicts between them on a daily basis, and Miguel Abbott doted on her a lot, hardly ever losing his temper with her. ¡°Boss Abbott, what¡¯s going on? What did Zalman do to get scolded like this by Maurice Yarrow was also very curious about what was wrong with Miguel Abbott today. ¡°This stupid woman has offended Mr. Reed. You tell me, shouldn¡¯t I scold her!¡± Miguel Abbott turned his head to look at Maurice Yarrow, sneering coldly. ¡°What Mr. Reed, when have I ever insulted him?¡± Zalman Michael cried with tear-stained cheeks, not caring about how she looked. ¡°Mr. Reed¡­¡± Maurice Yarrow followed Miguel Abbott¡¯s gaze and immediately noticed Julius Reed sitting at a nearby table. ¡°Mr. Reed, you¡¯re here!¡± He instinctively shivered, spilling the wine from his glass onto the ground. ¡°Well scolded, Boss Abbott! A wasteful woman, she shouldn¡¯t be indulged!¡± With Bridger Davenport¡¯s warnings, Maurice Yarrow already seldom clashed with Julius Reed and would even avoid him from a distance. Now that Zalman Michael had offended Julius Reed, he definitely wouldn¡¯t take her side. ¡°Sure!¡± Zalman Michael sneered, nodding and said, ¡°You all side with Miguel Abbott, so what about Boss Potter? Just now, this brat claimed Richard is your illegitimate child!¡± As soon as she finished speaking, everyone¡¯s expressions changed. The mistress relationship between Miguel Abbott and Zalman Michael was known by many in Five-river Province. But the relationship between Richard and Stanislaus Potter was almost unknown to anyone. That was truly a secret! ¡°Shut your mouth, stop spouting nonsense!¡± Smack! Miguel Abbott walked over and slapped Zalman Michael across the face, ¡°Have you lost your mind, saying such things?!¡± ¡°It was that young man who said it, why are you being fierce with me!¡± Zalman Michael touched her swollen face, looking at Miguel Abbott with deep resentment, ¡°You¡¯re hitting me now?¡± This was the first time Miguel Abbott had ever hit her during their long relationship. ¡°It¡¯s nonsense, don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± Miguel Abbott didn¡¯t pay attention to Zalman Michael but looked at Stanislaus Potter. This kind of rumor was enough to ruin Stanislaus Potter¡¯s reputation. ¡°Regarding this matter¡­¡± Stanislaus Potter took a deep breath, somewhat troubled, ¡°Mr. Reed didn¡¯t lie, Richard indeed is my illegitimate child..¡± Chapter 247 - Chapter 247: Chapter 246 Secret Evidence 1 Chapter 247: Chapter 246 Secret Evidence 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°What!¡± Upon hearing Stanislaus Potter¡¯s words, Miguel Abbott froze on the spot. In their position, it was clear to them what consequences would follow if such a thing were to leak out. Even if it were true, one could not admit it in front of so many people! Besides, Stanislaus Potter was known for his meticulousness and would not easily reveal his true intentions. His rash disclosure today was completely out of character for the chairman of Golden Eagle Group. Zalman Michael was equally wide-eyed. If Miguel Abbott did not help him for some reason, why then would Stanislaus Potter speak up against such rumors and slander? This was no longer simply mud-slinging; it was an insult! Based on what she knew of Stanislaus Potter, by now, a group of bodyguards should be dragging that son-in-law out and beating him half to death as a warning to those with similar intentions. Everyone¡¯s behavior today was beyond Zalman Michael¡¯s expectations; nothing made sense to her. ¡°Uncle, don¡¯t talk nonsense!¡± Richard¡¯s face went pale. How could such a thing be said openly? How would others view him after this? And would Quamaine Potter let him off the hook once he found out about it? That notorious playboy was cruel and merciless when it came to matters of concern, how could he tolerate someone threatening his position as the heir to Golden Eagle Group? If this matter were to spread, he feared he might lose everything he had and leave Five-river Province in disgrace. This was a reality Richard could not accept! It is easy to adapt to luxury, but difficult to return to frugality! He was accustomed to a life of luxury; he could never go back to being the son of a worker! ¡°Have I spoken out of turn? Richard, apologize to Mr. Reed immediately!¡± Stanislaus Potter¡¯s face was grim. Although Richard was his illegitimate son, Stanislaus Potter did not skimp on his treatment. He sent him abroad to study, founded companies, and even paved the way for Richard in Five-river Province, which enabled the smooth operation of Fast Logistics. What Stanislaus Potter did not know was that ever since Quamaine Potter got injured, Richard had been plotting to legitimize his position and take over the industries of Golden Eagle Group. His collaboration with Zalman Michael was just an excuse to get close to Miguel Abbott, preparing for future use. Indeed, having witnessed Quamaine Potter neglecting his duties, Stanislaus Potter once had the same idea. However, Quamaine Potter¡¯s mother would never agree. Therefore, he invested a lot of money, hoping that Richard could develop on his own, using his abilities to establish his own business empire in Five-river Province. Now, having Richard apologize was also to protect him. After all, Atlas Leopold had been battered into disability, how much trouble could an illegitimate child stir up? Stanislaus Potter did not want both of his sons to end up disabled. ¡°Why? It was he who insulted us, Uncle¡­¡± ¡°Boss Potter, indeed, I misspoke,¡± Julius Reed interrupted Richard¡¯s words, speaking leisurely while sitting in his chair. ¡°Mr. Reed, this matter is exactly as you have said. I, Stanislaus Potter, am an open person, but indeed, I had intended to conceal this affair. After all, Golden Eagle Group cannot do without my wife, and if she were to learn of this, I fear¡­¡± Stanislaus Potter did not finish his sentence. ¡°Could it really be true?¡± Zalman Michael¡¯s eyes widened. She could hardly believe that this son-in -law before her knew such a well-hidden secret of Stanislaus Potter¡¯s and, having revealed the secret, had not shown anger but rather acted in a very humble manner. ¡°No, when have I, Julius Reed, ever taken back my words? If I say he¡¯s not lying, then he¡¯s not lying!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes fixed sternly on Richard¡¯s face, and he spoke deliberately: ¡°He is not your illegitimate son.¡± After this statement, everyone was stunned. Everyone failed to understand the meaning behind Julius Reed¡¯s words. To reveal someone¡¯s secret, to make them publicly humiliated, and then to wait for that person to admit it only to say it isn¡¯t true afterward. Who would believe that? ¡°What exactly are you trying to say!¡± Richard¡¯s complexion grew worse, and he even forgot about the wound on his face, appearing utterly ferocious. ¡°Stanislaus Potter, come to think of it, you still owe me a favor, don¡¯t you!¡± Julius Reed did not pay him any attention but snapped his fingers and, with a smile, looked up at Stanislaus Potter, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Still holding a grudge against me? I¡¯ve said before, come at me if you want revenge, and I won¡¯t hold back when I hit back. Oh, and to prevent your son from dying at someone else¡¯s hands, I¡¯ve placed one of my men by his side, ready to take his life at any moment.¡± After these words, Stanislaus Potter¡¯s complexion went berserk! And the people around the dining table were so tense they could barely breathe! Miguel Abbott and Maurice Yarrow were still okay since both had some understanding of Julius Reed. But Zalman Michael and Quella Radcliffe were completely stunned. How dare this young man threaten Stanislaus Potter? What was he really about? Zalman Michael subconsciously looked towards Miguel Abbott, but the latter showed no surprise and remained composed as usual. Irving Harris¡¯s legs had already been crippled by Julius Reed; what was it to him to threaten Stanislaus Potter a little? In Miguel Abbott¡¯s eyes, it wouldn¡¯t be surprising if Julius Reed went ahead and beat up Stanislaus Potter right now. Quella Radcliffe and Dempsey Davenport were so frightened they began to tremble. Girls were generally more timid, and added with Julius Reed¡¯s blunt threat to Stanislaus Potter, they felt completely unsettled. Dempsey Davenport cast a questioning look at Quella Radcliffe, but all she saw in the other girl¡¯s eyes was the same worry and helplessness. Even though he was her husband, Quella Radcliffe really had no idea about Julius Reed¡¯s background. ¡°Mr. Reed, you must be joking, right?¡± Stanislaus Potter awkwardly laughed as he said. ¡°If I were joking, then your son really would have died more than once!¡± Julius Reed reached into his chest and pulled out a stack of photos from the inner pocket of his clothes, throwing them on the dining table, ¡°Your illegitimate son really has some skill, huh? Actually bribing someone to try to kill Quamaine Potter and then take his place!¡± ¡°What nonsense are you talking about!¡± Upon seeing the photos, Richard¡¯s pupils shrank sharply. He lunged forward to destroy the evidence but was kicked away by Stanislaus Potter! ¡°This¡­ this¡­¡± Stanislaus Potter grabbed the photos, looking through them one by one. The more he saw, the more shocking it became! During Ouamaine Potter¡¯s recovery, someone actually tried to disrupt his oxygen supply, and later, they attempted to inject air into his body! Photograph after photograph was of Stanislaus Potter¡¯s own bodyguard, Thayer Taylor, whom he trusted the most! ¡°Why did you betray me!¡± After seeing the photos, Stanislaus Potter spun around and glared at Thayer Taylor, who was not far from him. Within the Golden Eagle Group, aside from the Seven Guardians, Thayer Taylor was the most trustworthy. After Quamaine Potter was injured, Thayer Taylor was responsible for taking care of the young master, and he also accompanied him to the banquet. When suddenly questioned by Stanislaus Potter, Thayer Taylor¡¯s complexion changed drastically, and he stood up from his chair to run towards the door! ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going!¡± Maurice Yarrow, from the group¡¯s background, picked up a chair and violently threw it! Thump! The chair landed squarely on Thayer Taylor¡¯s legs, causing him to stumble forward and collapse onto the ground.. Chapter 248 - Chapter 248: Chapter 247 Unreasonable Demands_l Chapter 248: Chapter 247 Unreasonable Demands_l Translator: 549690339 Thayer Taylor was the most guilty and desperate to escape, but just as he struggled to his feet from the ground, he was kicked back down by Austin Yarrow! Austin Yarrow was the best fighter of them all; no matter where he went, he always followed closely by Stanislaus Potter¡¯s side, especially lately as the situation in Five-river Province was unstable, and the surroundings had become very unsafe. ¡°Boss, what did Mr. Pendleton do wrong?¡± Austin Yarrow kept his foot on Thayer Taylor¡¯s back, his hands bending Thayer Taylor¡¯s arms and firmly controlling him. No matter what Thayer Taylor did, as long as Stanislaus Potter gave the word, Austin Yarrow wouldn¡¯t go easy on him! ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Such a big commotion inevitably attracted everyone¡¯s attention. Many people at the large venue cast curious glances to see what was happening. The security guards, once again disturbed, became somewhat stern in their tone. The Willson Group was now rising abruptly, and its security personnel were all professionally trained. It could be said without hesitation that anyone daring to cause trouble at the Willson Group would be boldly thrown out¡ªeven if it were Stanislaus Potter himself! ¡°Boss Potter, what are you doing?¡± Watching Thayer Taylor being stepped on the ground, the head of security asked rather unpleasantly, ¡°Today is the ceremony for the Group. Isn¡¯t it a bit disrespectful to cause trouble now among all the executives?¡± Usually, if anyone dared to speak to Stanislaus Potter like this, his bodyguards would have rushed up to beat them up a long time ago. But this was the Willson Group¡¯s territory. Even though Austin Yarrow¡¯s frown was as deep as a crevice, he still stood still, not daring to recklessly act. Making a move would bring considerable trouble to Stanislaus Potter, and of course, Austin Yarrow understood that. ¡°Just some family affairs, these are all my own people. We¡¯re really sorry for causing a disturbance earlier.¡± Stanislaus Potter explained politely, knowing that offending the Willson Group over today¡¯s issue would be a huge loss. As everyone knows, the Willson Group could potentially change the current chaotic situation in Five-river Province. The ambitious Stanislaus Potter naturally wouldn¡¯t give up; he was determined to try his luck. ¡°I don¡¯t know him! Security bro, I really don¡¯t know him! Please, save me!¡± Thayer Taylor, as if grasping at a lifeline, was shouting desperately, hoping to escape the hotel with the help of the security guards. Once taken away, his fate would be nothing but death! ¡°What did you say!¡± The security guard frowned at Thayer Taylor, pondering in his mind. Because the shouting had been too loud, it had already reached many people¡¯s ears. The security guard could obviously no longer dismiss the situation. After all, so many eyes were watching. ¡°Security bro, this is indeed one of my people. He¡¯s just scared of being punished by me for his wrongdoings, trying to seek your protection!¡± Stanislaus Potter had also realized that the situation was becoming difficult to deal with. Now, with everyone watching, if he insisted on taking Thayer Taylor away, it would be opposing the Willson Group. But if he let him go, recalling how Quamaine Potter had nearly lost his life made him furiously angry! This vengeance must be avenged! Moreover, through Julius Reed¡¯s words, he suspected that it might also involve Richard. ¡°Sorry, this here is the Willson Group¡¯s territory, not the Golden Eagle Group! As long as you¡¯re here, you must follow our rules!¡± Just as the security chief wasn¡¯t sure how to deal with the situation, a middle-aged man slowly walked over. He pointed to a golden nameplate on the chest of his suit, introducing himself, ¡°Head of Security at the Willson Group, responsible for handling all conflicts. If you¡¯re dissatisfied with today¡¯s events, you can give feedback to our manager afterwards!¡± After speaking, he gestured, ¡°Take him away!¡± Austin Yarrow, seeing Stanislaus Potter¡¯s displeasure, knew that Thayer Taylor must have committed some serious offense to upset his boss so much. Thus, he didn¡¯t plan to let the man go! ¡°You dare to cause trouble here! Take them all down!¡± Facing Austin Yarrow¡¯s defiance, the head of security was clearly angered, ¡°Today, no matter who it is, anyone who dares to cause trouble will be arrested!¡± Several security guards exchanged glances and rushed towards Austin Yarrow. ¡°Austin Yarrow, let him go!¡± Stanislaus Potter¡¯s face was exceedingly grim, but he also knew very well that it was virtually impossible to keep Thayer Taylor there! The Willson Group was already dominant, and with so many eyes watching now, they had to assert their power, a perfect opportunity to kill the chicken to scare the monkey! Stanislaus Potter wasn¡¯t foolish¡ªdespite the rage inside, he understood the need to endure. ¡°Phew!¡± Austin Yarrow took a deep breath, his reluctance apparent as he stepped away from Thayer Taylor. His fists were clenched tightly, his heart filled with malice. ¡°Haha! Mr. Potter, sorry to disappoint you!¡± As Thayer Taylor regained his freedom, he laughed out loud, looking at Stanislaus Potter triumphantly: ¡°Sorry, brother, I¡¯m leaving first!¡± The moment he saw Stanislaus Potter get angry, he already knew that the plot against Quamaine Potter had been exposed. After all, having been with Stanislaus Potter for so many years, he understood his boss quite well. ¡°Thayer Taylor, you have followed me for many years, do you really think you can escape?¡± Stanislaus Potter said coldly, ¡°In Five-river Province, whether you take to the skies or burrow into the ground, you cannot hide! Those who betray me must pay the price! And this price, you simply can¡¯t afford!¡± That someone dared to harm his own son, especially an employee who had served him for many years, was something Stanislaus Potter couldn¡¯t tolerate! He was determined to make Thayer Taylor¡¯s life a living hell! First, it was Quadir Cook¡¯s betrayal that made him feel even the Seven Guardians couldn¡¯t be completely trusted, and now Thayer Taylor, who had followed him for years, had acted with such vicious intent. ¡°Mr. Reed, was this all you?¡± As these thoughts crossed his mind, Stanislaus Potter suddenly realized something. Quamaine Potter had survived so many assassination attempts, could it be because¡­ ¡°That¡¯s right! You don¡¯t have to thank me!¡± Julius Reed nodded, ¡°The person I placed by his side wasn¡¯t there to kill him! Do you think if I really wanted him dead, anyone could stop me?¡± He stood up, looking directly at Stanislaus Potter, ¡°I want you to regret! I want you to understand just how wrong your decision was back then!¡± ¡°I¡­ I failed to recognize a real giant among men!¡± Stanislaus Potter bowed deeply, his voice solemn, ¡°Regardless, you saved my son¡¯s life, and for that, I must personally thank you! Thank you!¡± As the chairman of the Golden Eagle Group, a prominent entrepreneur in Five-river Province, this was the first time in ten years he had lowered his head to someone. ¡°I¡¯ll be going now, Mr. Potter, take care!¡± On the side, Thayer Taylor laughed out loud as the security guards were about to take him away, a cold sneer crossing his face. He was provoking, trying to infuriate Stanislaus Potter, to make him blunder in the Willson Group¡¯s territory. ¡°This guy seems like he really needs a beating!¡± Julius Reed said indifferently. Thayer Taylor¡¯s smug expression was the kind that made people want to beat him up on sight. ¡°Hehe! Then why don¡¯t you come and try?¡± Thayer Taylor spoke with a provocative tone. Who would dare cause trouble on Willson Group¡¯s turf? Even Stanislaus Potter had to watch him leave, let alone a youngster! ¡°I can¡¯t believe someone would make such an unreasonable request! Fine, I¡¯ll grant your wish!¡± Julius Reed straightened his clothes and slowly stood up from his seat.. Chapter 249 - Chapter 249: Chapter 248 Fulfilling Your Request_1 Chapter 249: Chapter 248 Fulfilling Your Request_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Hah! You really don¡¯t know whether you¡¯re alive or dead. Kid, let me tell you the truth, this is the property of Willson Group! No matter who you are, don¡¯t even think about messing around here!¡± Seeing Julius Reed stand up, Thayer Taylor sneered, not taking him seriously at all. Do they really think the security here is a joke? Even Stanislaus Potter had to obediently watch himself leave, what¡¯s a mere youth in comparison? If he dares to come over, I¡¯m afraid he won¡¯t even make it to my face before the security here beats him to death! ¡°Really? Then I would like to try!¡± Julius Reed walked over with a smile. ¡°Mr. Reed, this is Willson Group property, you must not act rashly! Rest assured, even if this traitor leaves here, he won¡¯t be able to escape from Five-river Province!¡± Stanislaus Potter quickly tried to stop him. Even though his son was crippled by this young man, in all conscience, Julius Reed had saved Quamaine Potter¡¯s life. Besides, the conflict between the two was entirely orchestrated by the Leopold Family. Therefore, at this juncture, he naturally didn¡¯t want Julius Reed to offend the Willson Group. ¡°No one can stop me from hitting the person I want to hit!¡± Julius Reed gently pushed away Stanislaus Potter¡¯s hand, not hurried, not slow, arranging his shirt cuffs, appearing completely unconcerned about the security in front of him. ¡°Stanislaus Potter, how do you plan to repay me for today¡¯s matter?¡± Julius Reed said with his head down, ¡°I¡¯ve saved your son and now helped you catch the culprit. If you can¡¯t show some sincerity, I¡¯m afraid the Golden Eagle Group really won¡¯t be able to hold on!¡± For Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter, such threatening words were no joke. But for others, they didn¡¯t understand what was going on at all. Zalman Michael was getting more confused. She really couldn¡¯t understand, what kind of leverage did this young man have over Stanislaus Potter? Subject to such threats, he didn¡¯t utter a word of resistance. This did not seem to fit Stanislaus Potter¡¯s style of doing things at all! ¡°Mr. Reed¡¯s kindness, naturally, I will remember it in my heart! Some things are not suitable to be said in such a setting. If Mr. Reed doesn¡¯t mind, I will host a dinner tonight at the Golden Eagle Building to welcome and honor you!¡± Stanislaus Potter¡¯s eyes narrowed as he quickly made a decision! The difficult thing in this world is to retreat. Take one step back, and the world opens up. ¡°Fine, but you better not disappoint me!¡± Julius Reed gave a faint smile and walked straight towards Thayer Taylor. Between the two men stood the Willson Group¡¯s head of security and several exceptionally strong security guards. The hearts of Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter were hanging in the balance, once Julius Reed offended the Willson Group, they couldn¡¯t extricate themselves from the situation either. But if Miguel Abbott could follow unswervingly, that made Stanislaus Potter too resolve to stand on the same boat with Julius Reed. ¡°President Radcliffe, do you think he will be in trouble?¡± Dempsey Davenport asked anxiously, with a glimmer of anticipation in her heart. This is the Willson Group we¡¯re talking about! The colossal entity that no one in Five-river Province dared to provoke, was Julius Reed really going to stand against the Willson Group? ¡°He¡¯ll be fine! I believe in him!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face was already pale, and her palms were drenched in sweat. She said she wasn¡¯t worried out loud, but she was very anxious inside. If it had been before, she wouldn¡¯t have been so worried about Stanislaus Potter and the others, after all, Julius Reed had previously broken Quamaine Potter¡¯s leg and nothing had happened so far. But the Willson Group, with its legendary reputation, even the local centennial family, the Leopold Family, would actively ingratiate themselves with it. Was Julius Reed¡¯s direct approach really going to work? ¡°Sir, please do not challenge us!¡± When the head of security at the Willson Group saw Julius Reed approaching, a cold smile appeared on his face. They have carte blanche to act first and report later in their operations, no matter who it may be! This was an order from the top, aimed at deterring these local strongmen and ensuring they keep a respectful distance from the Willson Group! ¡°Kid, you really don¡¯t know what¡¯s good for you. You dare come to me with that audacity? Even Stanislaus Potter doesn¡¯t have that guts, who do you think you are?¡± Thayer Taylor sneered mockingly. He was acting under someone¡¯s orders, and was in cahoots with Richard. Once Quamaine Potter suddenly died, it was impossible for the vast Potter¡¯s empire to be without a successor. As the illegitimate child, Richard would naturally be pushed forward to take Quamaine¡¯s place. And because of Richard, Thayer Taylor would be highly regarded and gradually usurp Stanislaus Potter¡¯s position as one of the Seven Guardians. But Thayer Taylor¡¯s attempts had all failed¡ªstrangely so! Many times Quamaine Potter was in deadly situations, yet somehow, he miraculously survived each one. Now that the matter was exposed, as long as he could leave this hotel, he could depart Five-river Province in no time, rendering Stanislaus Potter incapable of catching him! His escape route had been prepared long ago, which is why he dared to mock so recklessly. ¡°You little bastard, wait until I rise again, I¡¯ll thoroughly deal with you, a meddler who¡­ ¡± Whoosh! Before he could finish his sentence, Julius Reed threw a punch that sent him flying past the security guards, slamming straight into Thayer Taylor¡¯s face! With a scream, Thayer Taylor was knocked back and fell to the ground, clutching his face in pain. The punch was extremely powerful and had broken Thayer Taylor¡¯s nose bridge, blood seeping out non-stop between his fingers. ¡°You dare hit someone!¡± Seeing this, the head of Willson Group¡¯s security narrowed his eyes, a murderous intent emanated from him. ¡°Go, all of you, go back to doing what you¡¯re supposed to do!¡± Julius Reed glanced over at him, lightly pulling out a golden card from his jacket pocket before swiftly slipping it back. ¡°This¡­¡± The moment the head of security saw the golden card, he was so excited that his whole body trembled. That was the symbol of the highest position in the Willson Group, only a few people in the board of directors had the privilege to carry this golden card! Within the Willson Group, it represented the ultimate authority! Because it involved many employees, there would be awkward situations of subordinates not recognizing their superiors. Having such a badge that symbolizes one¡¯s rank and identity made things much more convenient. ¡°Can¡¯t you hear what I¡¯m saying?¡± Julius Reed frowned slightly. ¡°Understood! Everyone, withdraw!¡± The head of security bellowed, then turned and bowed respectfully. ¡°But chief, he hit someone¡­¡± Smack! The security team captain had just opened his mouth when he was slapped by the head of security, ¡°Can¡¯t you hear what I¡¯m saying?!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The security guards immediately stood up straight, returning to their posts in an orderly fashion. Now everyone was stunned. Including Thayer Taylor on the ground. ¡°What are you doing! Someone is assaulting someone, and you just stand by? Is this what the Willson Group is about? Are you so afraid of a teenager? Shameful!¡± He watched the retreating figures at the south gate, shouting frantically. This was his protective talisman. If the Willson Group didn¡¯t handle this matter, he wouldn¡¯t be able to step through that door, and what he would face would be torture worse than death! But no one gave him any attention. ¡°Keep shouting, I¡¯m listening!¡± Julius Reed walked up, picked him up from the ground, ¡°Right now, I¡¯m going fulfill your wish for a beating.¡± After speaking, he lifted Thayer Taylor with one hand and threw him down hard to the ground! Chapter 250 - Chapter 250: Chapter 249: The Illegitimate Child’s Ambition 1 Chapter 250: Chapter 249: The Illegitimate Child¡¯s Ambition 1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°What are you looking at!¡± The security guards not only did not stop the act of beating someone in the hotel but also bellowed at the onlooking guests. And checked their phones, deleting all the video footage. Although these people were usually quite influential as business elites, they were as submissive as grandsons in the hotel, obediently complying. ¡°Boss, I was wrong! Please spare my life!¡± Thayer Taylor lay sprawled on the hotel floor, feeling as if several of his ribs were broken, with blood constantly surging up his throat, his body feeling like it was falling apart. ¡°Is that so?¡± Julius Reed sneered, squatting down and pressing Thayer Taylor¡¯s head: ¡°Just now you were begging me to hit you, and now you change your tune? If I hit you when you ask and stop when you say, wouldn¡¯t I look rather foolish?¡± After speaking, he slowly stood up and single-handedly picked up a chair from beside the dining table. Crack! Without the slightest pause! The chair smashed directly onto Thayer Taylor. ¡°Pfft!¡± A mouthful of fresh blood spurted out, and Thayer Taylor¡¯s body twitched. ¡°The rest is up to you.¡± Julius Reed clapped his hands and sat down beside Quella Radcliffe: ¡°I guarantee you¡¯ll have a huge gain!¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Reed!¡± Seeing the people from Willson Group leaving, Stanislaus Potter was unable to calm his heart for a long time. Every time he thought he had sufficiently estimated his opponent, he was surprised again. Daring to make trouble during a Willson Group ceremony, he was the first, and there would definitely not be a second. ¡°Boss Potter, please spare me! Considering the many years I¡¯ve served you, if not for my achievements, at least acknowledge my hard work! Please, grant me a way out!¡± Thayer Taylor was utterly despairing, knowing it would be very difficult to leave the hotel alive today. Moreover, the forces behind him would never dare to snatch someone from the Willson Group¡¯s territory. ¡°Knowing that you have followed the boss for so many years, you should be aware that the boss hates traitors the most!¡± Austin Yarrow yanked Thayer Taylor up, his eyes red as he demanded, ¡°Spit it out, who made you do this!¡± Quadir Cook¡¯s incident had made Austin Yarrow feel that the Seven Guardians were deeply insulted! Now Thayer Taylor¡¯s betrayal had pushed Austin Yarrow¡¯s anger to the brink! ¡°Not talking?¡± Stanislaus Potter looked at the silent Thayer Taylor, feeling even more irascible. That this trusted veteran had almost taken his son¡¯s life! ¡°I¡¯ve always treated you fairly! Even within the entire Golden Eagle Group, aside from the Seven Guardians, you had one of the highest incomes. Yet, you backstabbing scum dared to touch my son!¡± Stanislaus Potter turned to look at Julius Reed: ¡°Mr. Reed, if I were to take some action, would it cause you any trouble?¡± ¡°Not at all!¡± Julius Reed gestured dismissively: ¡°Do as you wish, without any reservations!¡± He admired Stanislaus Potter for his ruthlessness. Even though they had once been enemies, it didn¡¯t stop Julius Reed from appreciating him. After living for thousands of years, who really qualified as his enemy? More often than not, they were simply overestimating themselves! ¡°Thank you! ¡± Stanislaus Potter bowed deeply and nodded to Austin Yarrow. ¡°Thayer Taylor, how dare you betray the boss!¡± Austin Yarrow¡¯s eyes narrowed, all the hatred pouring out of his heart! He gripped Thayer Taylor¡¯s fingers with one hand and forcefully twisted! Crack! The fingers were broken instantly! Before Thayer Taylor could scream, Austin Yarrow had already pulled a towel from his pocket and stuffed it forcefully into his mouth! ¡°Whimper¡­ Whimper¡­¡± Thayer Taylor wanted to scream, but he couldn¡¯t make a sound. ¡°Traitors get what they deserve!¡± Crack! Austin Yarrow placed his hand on Taylor¡¯s next finger and forcefully snapped it again! After two fingers were broken in succession, Taylor¡¯s eyes were completely bloodshot, veins on his face popped, and his body shook violently. It¡¯s common knowledge that each finger is connected to the heart; the pain he must be enduring is unimaginable! But that was far from the end. Austin didn¡¯t even give Taylor a chance to speak before he broke the third finger. Crack! Everyone present sharply inhaled in shock. Zalman Michael¡¯s face was pale, his hands trembling so badly he couldn¡¯t pick up his bag. Dempsey Davenport swallowed hard, equally pale-faced. ¡°It¡¯s alright!¡± Julius Reed hugged Quella Radcliffe tightly, signaling her not to be afraid. ¡°Yeah, as long as you¡¯re here, I¡¯m not scared!¡± Radcliffe whispered, burying her head in Reed¡¯s embrace. Even Miguel Abbott, who considered himself cold and ruthless enough, couldn¡¯t help but turn his head away, refusing to witness the gruesome scene. Finally, after Taylor¡¯s five fingers were all broken, Austin removed the towel from his mouth. ¡°If you scream or tell one lie, I¡¯ll do the same to your other hand!¡± ¡°Speak!¡± Stanislaus Potter stared straight into his eyes. ¡°It was¡­ Richard who made me do it. He said that once Quamaine Potter was dead, he would become your only son and inherit the family business! Then I would be above the Seven Guardians, enjoying the highest honor!¡± Taylor said weakly. His voice was hoarse, and his gaze somewhat vacant. Anyone else might have passed out long ago, but the fact that he remained conscious was an extraordinary feat. ¡°You slanderer! Taylor, we don¡¯t know each other, why would you frame me!¡± Upon hearing this accusation, Richard¡¯s legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed to the floor. The next moment, he picked up a steel fork from the table and stabbed viciously at Taylor: ¡°Die!¡± Whoosh! Austin moved quickly, stepping forward and kicking hard at Richard¡¯s wrist. The steel fork fell to the ground with a clang. ¡°Taylor, you better not be lying!¡± Stanislaus Potter¡¯s expression became even darker. If what Taylor had said was true, then everything made sense. However, he couldn¡¯t understand how Richard could have bought Taylor off since the two of them hardly interacted. There must be someone behind all this! ¡°Boss Potter, everything I¡¯ve said is true! At this point, I don¡¯t harbor any hopes of living. I just ask for a quick death! I¡¯ve been indebted to your kindness for many years, yet I ended up betraying you!¡± Taylor said faintly: ¡°This matter was coordinated by someone named ¡®Xiaocang.¡¯ As for who is behind Xiaocang, I really have no idea!¡± ¡°Take him away, give him a swift end!¡± Stanislaus Potter gestured with a wave of his hand, and Austin dragged Taylor out of the hotel like a dead dog. ¡°Speak! Why would you do this!¡± Stanislaus Potter took a deep breath and glared at the fallen Richard: ¡°You want money, I¡¯ll give it to you! You want connections, I¡¯ve already paved the way for you! You were only a commoner, but I gave you more money than you could ever spend in a lifetime! Why!¡± In the end, he was practically roaring the question. ¡°Uncle ¡ª no, Dad, I was wrong! Please give me another chance!¡± Richard knelt and crawled to the feet of Stanislaus Potter, pleading desperately.. Chapter 251 - Chapter 251: Chapter 250 Paternity Test Report_1 Chapter 251: Chapter 250 Paternity Test Report_1 Translator: 549690339 After listening to Thayer Taylor¡¯s words, Stanislaus Potter¡¯s face shifted unpredictably. He wondered, were Thayer Taylor¡¯s words true or false? If they were false, and the previous conversation hadn¡¯t reached his ears, then how did Thayer Taylor know that Richard was his illegitimate son? Even the Seven Guardians were unaware of this matter, let alone him. But if it were true, why would Richard do such a thing? However, now that Richard was kneeling at his feet begging for mercy and attempting to kill to silence the witness, it seemed to confirm Thayer Taylor¡¯s words. ¡°Whether you have anything to do with this matter, I will judge myself! If it truly has nothing to do with you, I will ensure that your current interests will not be harmed. But if it is related to you¡­¡± At this point, Stanislaus Potter did not continue. No matter what, this was his own bloodline, even if it was an illegitimate son. If it really was Richard who had instigated this from behind, how to deal with it truly troubled Stanislaus Potter. ¡°I¡­¡± Richard only then realized how panicked he had been, almost exposing his crime. ¡°Dad, I really had no part in this matter! But I did hear some rumors, and because I wasn¡¯t sure if they were true or not, I didn¡¯t dare to report them to you, fearing that I would be accused of sowing discord!¡± Richard¡¯s eyes flickered as he quickly thought of an excuse. Although this might earn him a scolding, it was still better than being charged with murder. Upon hearing this, Stanislaus Potter also began to waver. After all, it was his own bloodline; he pondered again. ¡°Mr. Potter, this doesn¡¯t seem to match your decisive and swift style of doing things!¡± Julius Reed smiled, took out a photo from his pocket, and flicked it lightly! Stanislaus Potter reached out to catch it and held the photo in his hands. This was a long-distance candid shot. In the photo, Brayden Leopold, Richard, and Thayer Taylor were seen enjoying their drinks and conversation with smiles on their faces. If they were not familiar with each other, why would they be laughing so heartily? Slam! Stanislaus Potter furiously threw the photo onto Richard¡¯s face, quivering with anger, ¡°You beast, you even dared to deceive me!¡± Although on the surface the two had always referred to each other as uncle and nephew, from the moment Stanislaus Potter recognized him, he had treated Richard as his own son. Whether it was money or connections, he had taken care of everything to ensure that Richard had a smooth sailing in Five-river Province. But now, his own trusted relative had betrayed him! ¡°This¡­¡± The moment Richard saw the photo, his body softened, and he leaned directly on the dining table. With such incontrovertible evidence, he couldn¡¯t possibly argue his way out. ¡°Who are you! Why are you doing this to me!¡± His angry gaze turned to Julius Reed; his eyes filled with unwillingness and despair! Richard could not understand why everyone so greatly respected this son-in-law, who had just entered the family, and how the man had been able to understand him so thoroughly from the start! That photo was taken half a month ago, at the exact meeting where the three conspired to murder Quamaine Potter and thereby enable Richard to inherit the Potter Family¡¯s rights. That meeting was extremely secretive, nearly no one else was aware of it, and the venue was Richard¡¯s own private winery! How could this be possible! ¡°Why am I doing this to you? Sorry, but I simply couldn¡¯t let live someone who covets my woman,¡± replied Julius Reed with a light smile, and gestured to Stanislaus Potter, ¡°Mr. Potter, are you reluctant to take action?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that, it¡¯s just¡­¡± A bitter taste filled Stanislaus Potter¡¯s heart. No matter how one put it, Richard was his own flesh and blood. Even if he had erred, even if he wanted to kill Quamaine Potter, that was, after all, his son! A tiger doesn¡¯t eat its cubs, much less a human being. ¡°Come here!¡± Julius Reed continued to beckon. ¡°Yes!¡± Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Stanislaus Potter moved quickly toward him. ¡°Actually, he is not your son, it¡¯s just that¡­¡± Before Julius Reed could finish, Stanislaus Potter glared and muttered softly, ¡°I have had a paternity test done, and at three different places no less!¡± As the chairman of Golden Eagle Group, how could Stanislaus Potter not be meticulous in such matters? When Richard appeared, Stanislaus had already secretly commissioned paternity tests from three different institutions. The test results had always been true. If one could be wrong, how could all three be falsified? ¡°Exactly! Three tests definitely wouldn¡¯t be wrong. But!¡± At this, Julius Reed pulled out three pieces of paper from his pocket again and handed them to Stanislaus Potter, ¡°The same person got these three reports for you! What you¡¯re holding in your hands now is the real paternity report!¡± At the sight of the three pieces of paper, Stanislaus Potter¡¯s face turned ashen. He never dreamed that, shrewd as he was, he could be played for such a fool in this matter. The person who collected the reports was Thayer Taylor! ¡°Father, I¡­¡± Slap! As Richard realized something was amiss and just as he was about to ask, Stanislaus Potter backhanded him with a slap! ¡°Who told you to call me that?¡± Stanislaus Potter¡¯s face was as still as dead water, and he couldn¡¯t help but tremble. A disgrace! Such a disgrace! To be played like a puppet in someone¡¯s hands for so many years after living half a lifetime! ¡°I¡­¡± Whoosh! Before Richard could speak, Stanislaus Potter kicked him and at the same time looked toward Austin Yarrow, ¡°Take him away, lock him in the dungeon at the villa! If he escapes, I will have your life!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, boss! I, Austin Yarrow, might not have many skills, but keeping an eye on him is a piece of cake!¡± Austin Yarrow patted his chest, picked up Richard from the ground like he was picking up a chicken, and dragged him outside the hotel. Zalman Michael was completely dumbfounded. She had believed without a doubt that Richard was Stanislaus Potter¡¯s illegitimate son, especially since Stanislaus himself had acknowledged it, and Richard had already called him ¡°Dad.¡± So what was this act now? ¡°Thank you so much, Mr. Reed!¡± After taking a deep breath, Stanislaus Potter managed to squeeze out a faint smile. He knew that Julius Reed had left him with enough face. If today¡¯s events were exposed, it would undoubtedly be a devastating blow to him. By then, his business rivals would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to kick him when he was down and push Golden Eagle Group to a dead end. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it, you still owe me a favor that you haven¡¯t quite repaid yet!¡± Julius Reed laughed heartily, stood up from his chair, ¡°I have some things to attend to, so I won¡¯t be joining you any longer! Oh, and take good care of my wife for me.¡± ¡°Rest assured!¡± Stanislaus Potter wiped the sweat from his forehead and hastily assured, patting his chest, ¡°As long as people still listen to Stanislaus Potter, your sister-in-law will definitely not receive any differential treatment!¡± Although he was much younger than Julius Reed, he nonetheless referred to Quella Radcliffe as sister-in-law. ¡°And this woman, she¡¯s a bit annoying! Chirping all the time, it¡¯s displeasing!¡± Julius Reed indicated towards Zalman Michael. ¡°Get out! Get out at once! Don¡¯t be an eyesore here!¡± Miguel Abbott was smart and immediately pulled Zalman Michael up from her seat. ¡°But, Mr. Abbott, I was invited by the Willson Group, I can¡¯t just¡­¡± Slap! Miguel Abbott slapped her, ¡°Even if it was the Jade Emperor who invited you today, you would still have to get out!¡± Chapter 252 - Chapter 252: Chapter 251: The Roadblocker_1 Chapter 252: Chapter 251: The Roadblocker_1 Translator: 549690339 Zalman Michael finally left, carrying with him unwillingness and anger, as he departed amidst Julius Reed¡¯s unrestrained laughter. Meanwhile, the ceremony was unknowingly already underway. Because Zade Radcliffe and his grandson Otis Radcliffe had been focusing their attention on the stage, they had not noticed what had just occurred. They hoped to use this opportunity to reclaim the corporation that belonged to them. However, from the beginning to the end, other than a director and general manager showing up, the truly influential figures had not appeared at all. This inevitably left the attendees feeling somewhat disappointed, but being able to attend the Willson Group¡¯s grand celebration also brought them a sense of honor. After the third round of toasting, Zade Radcliffe got acquainted with a wealthy businessman from Five-river Province. This person had followed Stanislaus Potter in his early years and later set up his own business, amassing assets of several billion. When Zade Radcliffe heard this news, his heart surged with excitement. Everyone knew that Stanislaus Potter and Julius Reed had a feud, and if they could get to know Stanislaus Potter through this businessman, it would definitely help them pull Quella Radcliffe down from the chairman¡¯s position. But the businessman did not agree on the spot. Zade Radcliffe understood what this meant. But now that he had been expelled from the Radcliffe Group, he simply had no money. So he could only promise to show his gratitude generously once he regained control of the company. With that, the businessman nodded in agreement and led them to Stanislaus Potter¡¯s table. By that time, everyone was free to move about, and the Willson Group had merely given a brief speech before inviting everyone to eat and drink freely. ¡°Boss Potter, I have a friend who would like to meet you!¡± Derrek Michael approached with Zade Radcliffe and his grandson, smiling as he made the introduction. He had been Stanislaus Potter¡¯s assistant in the early days and, even though he later became independent, he had not cut off contact with Stanislaus Potter. On the contrary, their relationship was still very close. ¡°Boss Potter, hello!¡± Zade Radcliffe, a man accustomed to social interactions, immediately extended his hand, wanting to shake hands with Stanislaus Potter, ¡°I have long heard of Boss Potter¡¯s renown, and seeing you today, you truly are a giant amongst men!¡± But Stanislaus Potter did not take his hand, instead, he nonchalantly nodded. Not just anyone could shake hands with him. If it weren¡¯t for Derrek Michael¡¯s sake, Zade Radcliffe wouldn¡¯t even have the chance to talk to him. ¡°Boss Potter, I have a matter I wish to discuss privately with you!¡± Zade Radcliffe looked around at the people nearby and spoke in a secretive manner. The table was filled with wealthy businessmen from Five-river Province, all of whom he recognized, but none of whom recognized him. Furthermore, since this matter was related to the Radcliffe Family, he did not wish to let more people know about it. ¡°Speak directly! If it¡¯s inconvenient, feel free to decline, as my time is limited!¡± Stanislaus Potter¡¯s face remained stern, giving Zade Radcliffe no face at all. The gap between them was not just a little bit; apart from his respectful treatment of Julius Reed that day, he showed no favor to anyone else. In other words, Zade Radcliffe was not qualified. ¡°Alright!¡± Zade Radcliffe nodded awkwardly but still kept a smile on his face. He needed a favor and being able to meet Stanislaus Potter was already a great honor, so he dared not ask for too much. ¡°Who is this? Chattering on and on!¡± Miguel Abbott leaned back in his chair, raising his eyebrow inquisitively. Their table was located in the front row, seated with the top businessmen of Five-river Province. Including the adjacent tables, all were of this caliber. The levels of hierarchy were clearly defined. The sudden appearance of an old man naturally made them a bit displeased. ¡°I am the chairman of the Radcliffe Group, Zade Radcliffe!¡± Upon hearing this title, the attitudes of Stanislaus Potter and Miguel Abbott changed drastically. Aren¡¯t these the relatives of Julius Reed¡¯s wife? How can that be overlooked? Must not neglect them! ¡°So it¡¯s Mr. Radcliffe!¡± Although they knew that Julius Reed had some unpleasantness with them, wasn¡¯t Quella Radcliffe also here? Who knew if a whisper in the ear could lead to their downfall? Miguel Abbott was the first to stand up and walk to Zade Radcliffe, taking his hand, ¡°Mr. Radcliffe, how could you come yourself! If I had known you were coming, I would have personally gone to toast you!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, for you to toast me, wouldn¡¯t that be too much!¡± Stanislaus Potter also picked up a glass of wine and handed it to Zade Radcliffe, ¡°Let¡¯s drink this one first!¡± ¡°And this is?¡± Miguel Abbott asked, looking at Otis Radcliffe behind him. ¡°The General Manager of Radcliffe Group, my grandson, Otis Radcliffe!¡± Zade Radcliffe was a bit flattered; he had not expected his old bones to be so highly regarded. At the same time, he couldn¡¯t help feeling proud. ¡°Otis, take a picture for grandpa quickly, drinking with the business elites of Five-river Province is such a fortunate event!¡± After instructing him, Otis immediately took out his phone and began snapping photos. ¡°Mr. Radcliffe, you are too polite! When it comes to business, you are the senior,¡± Miguel Abbott said after finishing his drink, placing the glass on the table, ¡°Next time you visit Five-river Province, let me know in advance, and I will certainly host you!¡± This address as ¡°young brother¡± completely delighted Zade Radcliffe. ¡°Boss Abbott, I¡¯m not worthy of such an honor! It¡¯s my privilege to have a conversation with you!¡± Zade Radcliffe couldn¡¯t stop smiling. He hadn¡¯t expected that merely trying his luck would result in connecting with two bosses in a row. ¡°Absolutely! Mr. Radcliffe, if you have any requirements, just tell me! My Golden Eagle Group had some unpleasantness with your Radcliffe Group before, but I hope you won¡¯t take it to heart! By the way, in a few days, I¡¯ll personally visit your company to discuss a business cooperation,¡± Stanislaus Potter replied very officially, with a constant smile on his face. Derrek Michael was stunned watching this unfold; he had known Stanislaus Potter for many years and was well aware of Potter¡¯s personality. Being so courteous to a small businessman from Five-river Province was simply unbelievable! Even when dealing with those wealthy businessmen, Potter had never been this polite! And Miguel Abbott¡¯s attitude was the same as Potter¡¯s, which completely baffled Derrek Michael. Who on Earth could be worthy of such initiative from the two bosses to make their acquaintance? ¡°Oh! Boss Potter, you¡¯re too kind! The past issues were our fault, and being able to cooperate with the Golden Eagle Group is like a blessing I¡¯ve cultivated across three lifetimes!¡± One would have thought that prior grievances would cause some awkwardness at the meeting, but who could have guessed that Stanislaus Potter would bring it up first and even propose a collaboration! Naturally, Zade Radcliffe wouldn¡¯t bring up Julius Reed¡¯s issues again. With Stanislaus Potter¡¯s pressure, alongside the prospective cooperation with the Golden Eagle Group, it was enough to force Quella Radcliffe out and let himself retake the chairman position. ¡°No worries, I of Moonlight Group also wish to cooperate with you. Let¡¯s find an opportunity, and I will visit alongside Boss Potter!¡± Miguel Abbott wouldn¡¯t be outdone. Clearly, he had been aligned with Julius Reed first and he wouldn¡¯t let Stanislaus Potter overtake him. ¡°Then I¡¯ll prepare as soon as I return, and will surely welcome you! Welcome both of you, the great bosses!¡± Zade Radcliffe could hardly speak for excitement; now when he would return, Quella Radcliffe would certainly have to make way for him! After exchanging pleasantries, everyone went their separate ways. As the ceremony concluded, people began to leave one after another. Meanwhile, not far from Willson Building, on a street, a monk was sitting cross-legged at the roadside. Chapter 253 - Chapter 253: Chapter 252 Effortless_1 Chapter 253: Chapter 252 Effortless_1 Translator: 549690339 After leaving the Willson Building, Julius Reed didn¡¯t follow Quella Radcliffe back. Instead, he commanded Miguel Abbott and Cosmo to ensure Quella¡¯s safety before he left alone in his car. Thanks to Brayden Leopold¡¯s role as an inside agent in the Leopold Family, Black Dog had already sent the information to Julius Reed without anyone noticing. Since Master Pendleton¡¯s senior fellow-disciple had personally descended the mountain, and given that his skills were rumored to be profound, Julius Reed naturally chose to separate from those around him to avoid innocent casualties. Julius was not at all worried about his own safety; even during the time he had amnesia, his life had never been threatened. Once his memory returned, there were almost no people in this world who could kill him! Master Pendleton¡¯s senior fellow-disciple was known as Long Eyebrow. The duo had wandered the world, and wherever they went, wealthy merchants vied to offer their tribute, heeding their every command. The two committed all kinds of evil acts, and ever since they left their mountain retreat, they had done every conceivable bad deed with the money they took. Yet, because their powers were so great, and with the merchants covering their tracks, they remained unscathed. Now, enticed by the Leopold Family¡¯s hefty reward, and with Master Pendleton severely injured, the Long Eyebrow master had traveled thousands of miles to get there. After the banquet had ended, the people from the Leopold family had been secretly following Julius Reed. They had witnessed Master Pendleton¡¯s abilities and thus held even greater reverence for Long Eyebrow, regarding him as a godlike figure. Whitley Leopold went so far as to declare outright that Julius Reed could not escape his fate today! On Black Dog¡¯s advice, Brayden Leopold didn¡¯t join the Leopold family in watching the battle. Instead, he quietly slipped back to the Leopold residence, ready to take out Atlas Leopold without making a sound! There were rumors that Atlas Leopold had almost fully recovered, and the Leopold family had begun to entertain the idea of handing the reins back to him. This was something Brayden Leopold could not tolerate. The car moved slowly, and Julius Reed¡¯s eyes never stopped scanning. He could feel the killing intent nearby, growing stronger and stronger. Cosmo had intended to stay and protect Julius Reed but was rejected. To Julius, the safety of Quella Radcliffe was of the utmost importance. Moreover, he firmly believed he could easily handle these petty thieves. Finally, as the car reached a red light intersection, a monk wearing a yellow robe slowly walked onto the crosswalk and stood in front of Julius¡¯s car. Julius Reed smirked and slammed down on the accelerator! Bang! With the roar of the engine, the car sped towards the monk at breakneck speed! If an ordinary person were to be hit, they would be killed on the spot! Yet the monk standing on the crosswalk didn¡¯t even attempt to dodge. He quickly turned around and thrust his hands forward with tremendous force! Bang! The car might as well have hit a wall of stone; it shook violently and was unable to advance any further. The monk who stood in the path of the car merely stepped back a few paces and left footprints half a meter long on the asphalt. The front end of the Mercedes was utterly wrecked, the car was dead, and the hood emitted trails of black smoke. Inside the cabin, Julius Reed slowly pushed away the airbag in front of him and shoved the car door open. ¡°Are you all right?¡± He looked at the monk in front of him and asked, ¡°Do you need me to call an ambulance or take you to the hospital? I don¡¯t want to be responsible for getting hit by a car!¡± The sudden question stunned the Long Eyebrow master, but he then burst into laughter, ¡°No harm done! This old monk has tough skin; that metal contraption can¡¯t hurt me. What about you, benefactor? Are you injured?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine! A car worth over a million has high safety standards. With the airbags deployed, I didn¡¯t suffer much. Still, I think it¡¯s best to take you to the hospital to avoid being accused of hit-and-run¡ªthat¡¯s a responsibility I can¡¯t afford to take!¡± Julius Reed leaned against his Mercedes, speaking with a smile. ¡°Such courtesy, benefactor! If you truly feel uncomfortable about it, why not accompany this old monk to meet someone?¡± The Long Eyebrow master spoke with a benevolent and friendly air. Julius Reed took a harder look at the monk who had stopped a speeding car with his flesh and blood body without a scratch, and admiration flickered in his eyes. Compared to Master Pendleton, Long Eyebrow Master¡¯s spiritual power was clearly much deeper. ¡°Now that you¡¯re okay, I guess I¡¯ll be taking my leave! Let¡¯s get one thing straight, it¡¯s not that I won¡¯t take you to the hospital, it¡¯s that you yourself don¡¯t want to go!¡± Julius Reed pointed at him and, after confirming once more, turned to leave. At the same time, he took out his phone and called Miguel Abbott: ¡°My car broke down on Fly Leap Road, and it seems to be blocking traffic. Send someone to take it away.¡± Leaving the car at the intersection would inevitably cause a lot of trouble for traffic, and if a passing traffic police were to investigate, things could get a bit tricky. ¡°Mr. Reed, have you encountered¡­¡± ¡°A minor issue, I¡¯ve got it under control, just remember to move the car. I don¡¯t have time to explain now, got to hang up!¡± After Julius Reed hung up, he realized that Long Eyebrow Master had somehow appeared before him without notice. ¡°Old man, are you trying to scare me to death!¡± Julius Reed patted his chest, pretending to be startled. ¡°Patron, the fact that you ran into me is no big deal. I can still walk and jump; there¡¯s no need for panic. But in this world, every cause has its effect, and the evil seeds you¡¯ve sown, you must reap!¡± Long Eyebrow Master said cheerfully, ¡°Today, I am here to carry out Heaven¡¯s will!¡± Seeing him say this, a smile crept up on the corners of Julius Reed¡¯s mouth; it seemed the fox¡¯s tail was finally showing. Yet he still feigned ignorance: ¡°Master, what do you mean? I¡¯m more and more confused the more I listen.¡± ¡°As long as you come with me, you¡¯ll naturally understand what has happened!¡± Long Eyebrow Master brought his palms together and whispered, ¡°If you come with me, there¡¯s a chance to cleanse your sins. Otherwise, you may end up in hell!¡± ¡°Monk, don¡¯t scare me!¡± Julius Reed took a step back in fright, pointing at Long Eyebrow Master: ¡°In my life, I¡¯ve done all sorts of things except good deeds. If you want to take me away, I¡¯ll have to call for help!¡± ¡°Patron, what you have to face, you must confront. This evading will lead you nowhere!¡± Long Eyebrow Master raised his head, looking at Julius Reed: ¡°Come with me!¡± ¡°I won¡¯t!¡± Julius Reed shook his head. ¡°It seems the old monk really has to convert you by force!¡± Long Eyebrow Master narrowed his eyes, stepped forward, and firmly grabbed Julius Reed¡¯s arm! At the same time, he delivered a heavy blow behind his neck with his right hand! Julius Reed, seemingly with no defenses, passed out immediately. And Long Eyebrow Master lifted him onto his shoulder and vanished from the street in an instant. Meanwhile, in a villa in the development zone of Five-river Province, Master Pendleton slowly stood up from his seat and leapt from the third floor, sprinting toward the door. ¡°Master! What are you doing?¡± A member of the Leopold Family responsible for taking care of Master Pendleton asked, following him breathlessly. ¡°My elder brother has returned, prepare a room, it¡¯s time for revenge!¡± Master Pendleton laughed heartily, becoming invigorated: ¡°Foolish lad, daring to harm me! Today, I will make sure you die without a burial place!¡± Boom! The next moment, Long Eyebrow Master appeared out of nowhere, with the man on his shoulder being none other than Julius Reed: ¡°Junior brother, he was too weak!¡± Chapter 254 - Chapter 254: Chapter 253: Obtaining the Zen Staff_1 Chapter 254: Chapter 253: Obtaining the Zen Staff_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Elder Brother, did you not have to exert much effort?¡± On hearing Master Long Eyebrow¡¯s words, Master Pendleton felt extremely surprised! Although there was some gap in cultivation between the two brothers, it wasn¡¯t too obvious. After all, disciples from the same master inevitably were elites! Yet, Master Pendleton had nearly lost his life over the Water¡¯s Surface Pearl, even if Master Long Eyebrow had a higher level of cultivation, how could it have been so simple? Master Pendleton even planned to go assist, but due to his injuries not having fully recovered, he had temporarily given up the thought. ¡°Elder Brother, you¡¯re not injured?¡± He observed him from head to toe and found that Master Long Eyebrow didn¡¯t even have a trace of battle on him; not only was his breathing extremely steady, but even his complexion was very ruddy! He didn¡¯t look like someone who had been through a fierce battle at all! ¡°Junior Brother, Master once admonished us to diligently cultivate! Since you have been involved in the secular world, regarding cultivation, you have hence encountered this tribulation! This person does have some skill, but because he was causing trouble, I knocked him out in one move and brought him back!¡± Master Long Eyebrow placed one hand on his chest and gently nodded his head, ¡°In the future, you must diligently cultivate and must never slack off like this again!¡± ¡°Elder Brother¡¯s lesson is well taken, but this person¡¯s cultivation is indeed profound! I broke my Buddha Beads and still failed to kill him!¡± As Master Pendleton listened to his elder brother¡¯s teachings, he still looked at Julius Reed with full-hearted doubt. The scene of their confrontation that day was vivid in his memory; he couldn¡¯t have remembered it wrongly! If it weren¡¯t for the gunmen on the perimeter coming to his aid in advance, he might have been dead by now. But how could such a formidable opponent be so easily defeated? ¡°Junior Brother, you might be exaggerating a bit!¡± Master Long Eyebrow patted his shoulder and casually threw Julius Reed onto the ground, ¡°How you decide to convert him is up to you, Junior Brother!¡± ¡°Thank you, Elder Brother!¡± Enemies meeting face to face bristled with anger. At the moment, Master Pendleton couldn¡¯t think too much; all he wanted was revenge, yet he still hypocritically said, ¡°This person is steeped in monstrous crimes; there is hardly a place in this world where he can stay! We, out of great compassion, shall deliver him to the Western Pure Land!¡± ¡°Exactly! If Junior Brother can accomplish this, it will indeed be a boundless merit!¡± Master Long Eyebrow nodded in approval on the side. Just then, the Leopold Family members finally ran to the entrance, and upon seeing the person lying on the ground was Julius Reed, they immediately broke into joyful smiles, ¡°Two honored masters, have you captured him?¡± ¡°Amitabha!¡± Master Pendleton folded his hands in prayer, looking at the Leopold Family member, ¡°This man is vicious and evil; even the Buddha couldn¡¯t enlighten him. We are merely sending him to the Western Pure Land, how can that be called a capture?¡± ¡°What the master says is most true! I will immediately inform the old master and let him know this good news!¡± The Leopold Family member, seeing Julius Reed caught, instantly felt overjoyed and immediately took out his phone to call Whitley Leopold. ¡°Elder Brother, this person has committed egregious acts; I want him to suffer the consequences of his own actions, please consent to this!¡± Master Pendleton looked towards Master Long Eyebrow, seeking his elder brother¡¯s opinion. ¡°Junior Brother, as you wish!¡± Master Long Eyebrow nodded slightly, preparing to return to the villa to continue his meditation. But just at that moment, Julius Reed, who was originally unconscious on the ground, suddenly began to speak, ¡°Honored monks, may I ask what sins have I committed?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± On hearing the voice, Master Long Eyebrow frowned slightly, turned around, and looked at Julius Reed, who was standing in front of him with a grin, feeling a flicker of disturbance in his heart. ¡°Benefactor, are you pretending?¡± Master Long Eyebrow¡¯s kasaya stirred without any wind, and he carried an air of lofty dignity about him. ¡°What do you mean by pretending, and what do you mean by not pretending? I just wanted to see where you two distinguished monks live,¡± said Julius Reed, taking in the heavily guarded villa and nodding, ¡°The Leopold Family is indeed a century-old family, with rich heritage! It seems somewhat wasteful to give such a luxurious villa to two monks like yourselves!¡± The villa was surrounded by many trees, and one couldn¡¯t see what was happening inside from the outside. Moreover, the area was quite remote, with a number of guards watching over the perimeter. ¡°Heaven has a path that you refuse to take; hell has no gate yet you barge in!¡± After a slight surprise, Master Pendleton¡¯s mood gradually calmed down. The last battle had left a significant shadow on him, to the point that he always felt a bit of fear when facing Julius Reed. But now, with Master Long Eyebrow right behind him, Master Pendleton wasn¡¯t too panicked. He knew full well the fighting prowess of his senior brother. ¡°Last time I let you escape, but this time I won¡¯t be lenient!¡± Julius Reed, with his hands clasped behind his back, said coldly, ¡°The two of you, come at me together!¡± ¡°Junior brother, step back! This man is obstinate and refuses to be saved. I must take action myself to eliminate this scourge!¡± Master Long Eyebrow took a step forward, and a strong wind suddenly arose in the originally calm villa! The trees began to sway with the gusts, and the leaves rustled sharply. In just an instant, the only thing that remained between heaven and earth was a murderous aura! ¡°Benefactor, make your move! I don¡¯t want you to harbor any resentments before dying; though the outcome will be the same, allowing you to repent before you perish is my merciful Buddhist duty!¡± Master Long Eyebrow¡¯s eyes were slightly closed as he chanted softly. The raging wind became more and more severe, and with the chanting, illusions began to faintly appear before Julius Reed. Another trick like Master Pendleton¡¯s, designed to bewilder the mind! ¡°Since it¡¯s like this, I won¡¯t hold back!¡± Julius Reed turned his right hand into a fist and smashed it towards Master Long Eyebrow in the air! Boom! Master Long Eyebrow struck out with a palm, directly repelling Julius Reed! But at the same time, a stream of Inner Strength followed along his palm and entered directly into his body! ¡°Inner Strength!¡± Master Long Eyebrow¡¯s brow creased as he rapidly retreated, pressing a palm fiercely against the ground! Boom! The boulder-laid path cracked wide open with a pit! And with that, the illusions also completely vanished, as if they had never existed at all. Only after discharging that force of Inner Strength onto the boulders, did Master Long Eyebrow finally take a deep breath, his face revealing a grave expression. ¡°Who exactly are you!¡± Now, he truly understood why his junior brother had repeatedly confirmed it. The opponent really was a master, and not just any master but a superb one of the rarest kind! ¡°A master of Inner Strength, definitely not a simple man!¡± He tried to see through Julius Reed, but Reed¡¯s expression remained utterly undisturbed. ¡°I¡¯m just an ordinary person, but unfortunately you insist on opposing me and even want to forcibly convert me. I have a wife at home beautiful as flowers, how could I bear to die?¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders, speaking with a helpless tone, ¡°You really are annoying!¡± ¡°It seems you refuse to speak then? Young man, your skills are impressive, and in time, you will surely become a formidable force! It is just a great pity that I have to eliminate you now! Otherwise, in the future, there will be endless trouble!¡± Master Long Eyebrow tried hard to recall but couldn¡¯t remember a junior like this. So young yet possessing such high cultivation! Being in his twenties and already mastering Inner Strength was exceedingly rare; in his memory, such people simply didn¡¯t exist! When cutting grass, one must remove the roots! ¡°Junior brother, bring me my Buddha Beads!¡± With a loud shout from Master Long Eyebrow, Master Pendleton vanished from the spot immediately. Chapter 255 - Chapter 255: Chapter 254 Fruit Knife_1 Chapter 255: Chapter 254 Fruit Knife_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°For someone so young to have achieved such feats is indeed rare in this world! Alas, the malice in your heart is too great; if today this old monk does not guide you onto the right path, you will surely become a demon!¡± Master Long Eyebrow brought his hands together in prayer; his expression started to turn solemn. Julius Reed¡¯s abilities far exceeded his expectations, especially his mastery of Inner Strength, which piqued Master Long Eyebrow¡¯s curiosity. At the same time, this also solidified his resolve to root out the problem! As long as the man died, he was confident he could erase all traces of Julius Reed from this world so thoroughly that even if the sect behind him were to investigate, they would never discover his involvement. ¡°The Master flatters me! However, you needn¡¯t worry; I have no great power behind me, merely a solitary individual.¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands clasped behind his back, grinning at Master Long Eyebrow. He firmly believed that behind Master Long Eyebrow there must be an even more powerful character, the one they referred to as ¡®master.¡¯ Once back, Julius Reed planned to investigate the backgrounds of the two monks in order to better prepare for the future. ¡°Young brother, your sins are grave; better to surrender without a fight! Today there is no escaping your fate!¡± Master Long Eyebrow watched Julius Reed warily, thinking the other¡¯s words were but an excuse, hoping to be spared this once. But having spent years within the martial world, could he be unaware of such things? If word got out, not only he and his junior disciples would be implicated, but even his own master would suffer the consequences. After all, a martial artist of such young age and skill in Inner Strength was exceedingly rare! ¡°It seems the Master doesn¡¯t intend to let me go?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyebrows rose, and simultaneously, the aura of death around him began to spread. As time passed, he remembered more and more, and his abilities grew increasingly stronger. Compared to when he first awoke his memories, his strength had increased by at least two whole levels! ¡°Your wrongdoing is profound, and this old monk cannot stand idly by!¡± Master Long Eyebrow brought his hands together in prayer once more and began chanting scriptures again. Deep and low voices permeated the villa¡¯s courtyard, and at first listen, it felt as though a mighty army thundered toward them! At that moment, a dazzling golden light burst forth from Master Long Eyebrow, and his figure began to grow larger. In the end, he became as large as a Buddha statue in a temple. ¡°Benefactor, you have gravely sinned. If you are willing to stay by my side, Buddha will forgive your transgressions!¡± The figure of Buddha that Master Long Eyebrow had transformed into spoke with a deep voice, not loud, but ringing in the mind like a great bell. The member of the Leopold Family who had just finished calling Whitley Leopold did not leave, but instead stood at a distance, silently observing. He could never have dreamed of witnessing a battle of this level with his own eyes. Yet as soon as the Buddha figure appeared, this member of the Leopold Family seemed to lose his soul, laboriously stepping out from the woods and slowly making his way to Master Long Eyebrow¡¯s feet. Then, with a ¡°thump,¡± he knelt on the ground. ¡°Buddha, please forgive my sins! In my life, I, Leopold of the North, have killed three people, and I secretly plotted against a female college student, causing her to lose her mind, and to this day she has not recovered her senses!¡± ¡°Amongst the three people I killed was my best friend, merely because of uneven distribution of assets in our business venture, so I quietly murdered him and disposed of his body in the river, claiming he went abroad to start a business.¡± ¡°Buddha, please forgive my sins!¡± Leopold of the North¡¯s eyes were vacant, no longer aware of what he was saying. Drool flowed continuously from the corner of his mouth, no different from someone insane. But the next moment, a smile of relief appeared on his face. Then, Leopold of the North took a small knife from his pocket and plunged it into his heart! Until death, his face bore a smile of liberation. ¡°You have killed countless in your life, but Buddha is merciful, offering you a chance for redemption!¡± The illusion Master Long Eyebrow had conjured was still unfolding, beginning to invade Julius Reed¡¯s consciousness. ¡°Master, how may I cleanse myself of my sins?¡± Julius Reed pressed his hands together in prayer, his gaze as vacant as Whitley Leopold¡¯s had been. Seeing this, a hint of a smile appeared on the face of the ¡°Buddha¡± statue, vanishing as quickly as it had come. ¡°To lay down the butcher¡¯s knife is to become a Buddha on the spot. Do you see the dagger below? Simply drive it into your heart, and you will wash away the sins you have committed!¡± An exceedingly compassionate voice came from all directions, instantly enveloping Julius Reed. ¡°Thank you, Buddha!¡± Julius Reed bowed deeply in devotion and slowly walked towards Whitley Leopold¡¯s corpse. ¡°The sea of suffering is boundless, yet turning back is the shore.¡± The sound, like a great bell, resounded once more! Amidst the chanting, Julius Reed reached Whitley Leopold¡¯s corpse, pulled out the dagger, and pressed it against his heart. Upon seeing this, the golden statue in the sky once again revealed a smile, and the chanting from its mouth quickened. Just as the razor-sharp blade was about to touch his chest, Julius Reed abruptly looked up, the dullness in his eyes vanishing in an instant, replaced by a killing intent! ¡°If it must be so, today I will slay gods as they block my path, and Buddhas too!¡± Slice! The dagger in his hand shot out, tearing through the air, and stabbed towards the Buddha statue¡¯s third eye! ¡°Boom!¡± The Buddha statue in the sky, with a solemn expression, swiftly struck out a palm! To everyone¡¯s surprise, the golden light, upon contact with the dagger, was outright torn apart! Boom! The Buddha statue exploded in an instant! The world reverted back to how it had been before. In front of Julius Reed, Master Long Eyebrow took a step back, his expression more serious than ever. ¡°You ambushed me!¡± He slowly extended his right hand, revealing a dagger shimmering with a red light impaling the palm; blood was dripping down steadily. ¡°Not at all! I just covertly replaced that ordinary dagger with the ¡®Divine Punishment¡¯.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly without haste to make a move. ¡°Your mind is truly strong; this old monk has exhausted all his life¡¯s work and yet failed to hypnotize you!¡± Master Long Eyebrow looked at the dagger embedded in his palm, shook his head, and said, ¡°Indeed, I have been complacent and underestimated you, falling for your ruse! ¡®Divine Punishment¡¯ is a treasure of Ghost Punishment, how did it come into your possession?¡± The red light from the dagger grew stronger, and the surrounding skin began to wither at a visibly rapid pace, the decay showing signs of spreading further. ¡°Once, there was someone just as arrogant and vain as you, who tried to assassinate me while I was eating an apple. Consequently, this knife became my tool for peeling fruit.¡± Julius Reed spoke calmly, but his words made Master Long Eyebrow shudder. Ghost Punishment was an extremely secret organization, often undertaking various assassination missions, moving without a trace. Ordinary people found it difficult to follow their trail. Now that this Ghost Punishment Treasure was in his palm, could it be true, as the young man said, that it had been wrested from the hands of the Ghost King? ¡°It matters not who you are, I must convert you today!¡± After chanting to himself, Master Long Eyebrow¡¯s eyes suddenly shot open! At the same time, his left hand chopped down! Severing his right arm, which had already withered to half its former self! Chapter 256 - Chapter 256: Chapter 255 Playing the Sorcerer_1 Chapter 256: Chapter 255 Playing the Sorcerer_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Master truly is a ruthless man!¡± Gazing at Master Long Eyebrow, who had amputated his own arm to save his life, Julius Reed¡¯s face revealed a faint smile. Divine Punishment was forged from a meteorite from beyond the heavens, only completed after more than three hundred years! This dagger was filled with malevolent energy; once it stabbed someone, the skin and blood at the wound would instantly dry up and continue to spread throughout the body. If Master Long Eyebrow had hesitated for even a moment, he would surely have died a violent death! The entire Divine Punishment dagger exuded a sinister aura. Should anyone attempt to pull it out, an explosive force would instantly erupt, powerful enough to blast a person to pieces! Zzzap! With that sound, Master Long Eyebrow¡¯s severed right arm had already turned into a skeleton, even the color of the bones had blackened. Only then did the red light on the Divine Punishment start to fade, making it look no different from an ordinary dagger. ¡°Brother, catch the staff!¡± Just at that moment, Master Pendleton came sprinting from the garden, tossing his golden staff straight out! Master Long Eyebrow squinted his eyes and vigorously pressed on his acupoints to stop the bleeding, then leaped into the air! Bang! His left foot fiercely kicked the staff, instantly changing its trajectory, sending it straight towards Julius Reed! Slash! Accompanied by a whistling sound, the staff, weighing hundreds of pounds and carrying a destructive force, charged toward Julius Reed! ¡°Die!¡± Master Long Eyebrow leaped up again, fiercely striking the end of the staff with his left hand! Faced with such a ferocious strike, Julius Reed¡ªuncharacteristically¡ªknitted his brows! This staff was no ordinary weapon; receiving it head-on would inevitably lead to internal injuries given his current level of cultivation! Even from several meters away, he could already feel the devastating energy within the staff! Without any hesitation, Julius Reed took a step back, his body leaning aside at an inconceivable angle! In an instant, the staff reached the spot where he had just stood, grazing past Julius Reed¡¯s clothes! Boom! The staff hit a large tree head-on, pulverizing the tree, one meter thick, right behind Julius Reed! Seizing the opportunity, Julius Reed smashed down with a palm strike! ¡°Hum!¡± When massive force met the staff, it encountered a fierce recoil! Julius Reed stepped back and hurled another punch! Hum! When the punch hit the end of the staff, the tremendous rebound forced Julius Reed to stumble back several steps, while the staff, as a result, changed its trajectory and sprung back into Master Long Eyebrow¡¯s hands. ¡°Brother, your right arm¡­¡± Master Pendleton stared intently at Master Long Eyebrow¡¯s amputated arm, filled with astonishment. ¡°It was accidentally broken during the fight.¡± In response to his junior brother¡¯s query, Master Long Eyebrow casually replied, ¡°It¡¯s just an arm. If it can eliminate this demon, what does it matter?¡± ¡°What Brother says is very true! However, this opponent seems rather formidable!¡± Glancing at the severed arm, Master Pendleton felt a surge of alarm, He had thought his senior brother capable of easily handling this youngster, yet after just a few simple exchanges, an entire arm had been lost! In the entire martial world, Master Long Eyebrow was quite renowned. Although he couldn¡¯t claim to be unmatched under the heavens, he was definitely among the top masters. ¡°Thank goodness for the staff!¡± With his hands pressed together, he stood by, silent. ¡°I never thought this staff, which I presumed would remain dust-covered, would actually be used!¡± Looking at the golden staff in his hand, a faint smile appeared on Master Long Eyebrow¡¯s lips. Ordinary people would likely have fainted from the unbearable pain of losing an arm, but on Master Long Eyebrow¡¯s face, there wasn¡¯t a hint of suffering to be seen. ¡°To die under this Zen staff is an honor for him.¡± Master Pendleton sat cross-legged on the ground and began to recite scriptures without pause. ¡°Benefactor, this old monk is going to enlighten you now!¡± With the staff in one hand, Master Long Eyebrow suddenly burst forth with endless murderous intent! In just an instant, a fierce wind whipped up inside the villa, sand and dust churning in the air! ¡°This staff indeed seems quite mystical, not an ordinary weapon.¡± As Julius Reed observed the staff in Master Long Eyebrow¡¯s hand, he tried to remember, but he couldn¡¯t recall such a treasure existing in the world. Even from this distance, he could feel the towering murderous intent within the Zen staff. ¡°Whoosh!¡± Master Long Eyebrow, without saying much, swung the staff down from the air with one hand! Confronted with such a formidable strike, Julius Reed didn¡¯t back down. Instead, he lifted a fallen tree with both hands and smacked it fiercely toward Master Long Eyebrow! The thick tree, over a meter in diameter, seemed like a mere stick in his hands, wielded with effortless ease. Crack! In an instant, the staff, with the force of cleaving through Uriah Mount, smashed down fiercely! The originally sturdy trunk was promptly shattered by the staff, splitting in the middle. Julius Reed retreated a step, his gaze turning grave! This Zen staff was too bizarre, the aura contained within it extremely terrifying! And yet, he couldn¡¯t remember such a weapon. Could it be due to memory loss? But since the awakening of his memories, apart from some vague recollections, Julius Reed hadn¡¯t missed a single Divine Weapon. Yet no matter what, he couldn¡¯t recall this lethally powerful staff. Bang! The staff landed two meters in front of Julius Reed, directly smashing the stone path into a crater over two meters deep. Seizing the opportunity, Master Long Eyebrow raised his staff and poured the dust over Julius Reed. But in that instant, instead of retreating, Julius Reed advanced. Stepping on the staff, he used the force to spring forward, positioning himself right in front of ¡°Divine Punishment.¡± Facing the staff, he couldn¡¯t barehandedly parry. Instead, he would resolve it using a weapon. ¡®Divine Punishment,¡¯ upon contact with Julius Reed, blossomed with a dazzling light once more! Clang! Simultaneously, the staff in Master Long Eyebrow¡¯s hand came smashing toward him, striking right against Julius Reed¡¯s dagger! If an ordinary person were struck by this staff, they would be reduced to ashes in an instant! But upon hitting the dagger, it unexpectedly rebounded, forcing Master Long Eyebrow to stumble back several steps. Amidst this brief moment, Julius Reed dashed out, ¡®Divine Punishment¡¯ in hand directly thrust into the staff, then forcefully tore it apart! Sizzle! Accompanied by a sound like metal fibers splitting, the golden staff was cleft in two right down the middle! And within the shell of this staff lay a black iron rod! ¡°A tricksters¡¯s staff?¡± Upon seeing this black iron rod, the puzzle in Julius Reed¡¯s mind instantly unravelled. So, it wasn¡¯t a Zen staff at all, but rather a trickster¡¯s rod wrapped in a layer of metal, fashioned to merely look like one! ¡°You actually knew¡­¡± Just as he said this, Master Long Eyebrow once again gathered his startled expression and gripped the trickster¡¯s rod tightly, his gaze sharpening immensely! ¡°Master, how admirable for one who claims to be from a venerable and righteous sect to carry such a wicked object! If I remember correctly, this trickster¡¯s rod, being excessively evil, was buried deep atop a snowy mountain by True Man of Cavity Eye. Who would have thought that, after more than three hundred years, it would appear in your hands!¡± Julius Reed said casually. Chapter 257 - Chapter 257: Chapter 256 Decisive Assassin_1 Chapter 257: Chapter 256 Decisive Assassin_1 Translator: 549690339 Five hundred years ago, a remarkable individual roamed the land, wielding a dark wooden stick and causing the death of many, bringing untold suffering to all creatures under heaven. Moreover, with his extremely strong appeal, he gathered a group of desperate outlaws around him and kept killing those who represented justice. It was only after many reputable martial artists united and paid a terribly heavy price that they were able to execute this person at the foot of Black Mountain. The dark wooden stick, which killed countless, came to be known as the Divine Weapon. Its murderous aura was so intense that the victorious powers held a meeting and, after exhausting all means, managed to split the Divine Weapon into three. One piece is the one in Master Pendleton¡¯s possession, and it is also the segment with the weakest murderous aura. Yet even so, it¡¯s not something that ordinary people could withstand. ¡°Young man, you are well-informed to recognize the Divine Weapon! Since this is the case, I cannot let you live!¡± Master Pendleton held the stick in one hand while his kasaya moved without any wind. To this day, the Divine Weapon is still considered forbidden. If it were known that the Divine Weapon was in one¡¯s possession, even his sect would be implicated. ¡°Do you think you can simply choose to keep me here?¡± In Julius Reed¡¯s hand, ¡°Divine Punishment¡± kept spinning, his gaze towards Master Pendleton was full of disdain. The Divine Weapon? That¡¯s nothing remarkable in front of me! Even if the world¡¯s ten greatest Divine Weapons were to appear, Julius Reed would not be afraid. ¡°Then taste the flavor of fresh blood!¡± By then, Master Pendleton had lost all semblance of kindness, replaced by the fierce and malevolent visage of a demon. Like a demon straight out of hell, he approached step by step with a ferocious face. ¡°Even if it¡¯s blood, it will be your blood!¡± The moment Julius Reed¡¯s words fell, he sprang forward like an arrow shot from a bow! Clang! Master Pendleton¡¯s Divine Weapon swept through the air, colliding with ¡®Divine Punishment¡¯! Taking advantage of the force, Julius Reed struck out with a single palm, hitting Master Pendleton directly on the shoulder. Master Pendleton, in turn, swept out a kick, forcing Julius Reed back! Splurt! A spurt of fresh blood sprayed from Master Pendleton¡¯s mouth, making him stagger slightly. ¡°Your Inner Strength is so profound!¡± Shock was evident on Master Pendleton¡¯s face, and he found it difficult to hold the Divine Weapon steady. The opponent¡¯s movements were too fast; by the time he saw the attack, it was too late to dodge! And such an adversary, Master Pendleton, who had been out of retreat for decades, had never encountered before! ¡°Who exactly are you!¡± He coughed, blood trailing down the corner of his mouth. ¡°Brother, with our combined strength, we must kill him here today to prevent the common people from suffering any harm!¡± Master Pendleton immediately moved to Master Pendleton¡¯s side, his eyes filled with complex emotions. His own brother was so formidable and yet not Julius Reed¡¯s match ¡ª how powerful was this young man? ¡°Very well! If not I, who will walk into hell? Today, as brothers, we must execute this vermin right here, lest he harm the innocent!¡± Master Pendleton steadied his breath and slammed the Divine Weapon onto the ground with force! Boom! With the appearance of a puff of black smoke, the previously unsettled air spread, and the Windy Johnson, which was blowing, came to a halt, allowing dust to fill the air. In an instant, the sunlit villa was shrouded in darkness, filled with yellow and black dust so thick that one couldn¡¯t see what was in front of them. Julius Reed slightly closed his eyes, beginning to sense this small world around him. When eyes fail to see clearly, ears become the best sensors. But the other two seemed to have realized this and began to continually emit chanting sounds. The entire space presented an extremely bizarre scene. The world was shrouded in darkness, yet the chanting made it feel as if there was light all around, involuntarily relaxing one¡¯s vigilance and wishing to enjoy the peace of this world. But! The moment the chanting stopped, murderous intent surged from every direction! Slash! After two sharp whistling sounds, Master Pendleton and Master Long Eyebrow surrounded Julius Reed, one in front and one behind! Three palms reached out towards Julius Reed in an instant, as if to crush him into dust the very next moment. Yet Julius Reed¡¯s figure suddenly vanished, as if he had never been there! ¡°Damn!¡± Master Pendleton cursed inwardly, realizing it was too late to turn around! Bang! At that moment, Julius Reed¡¯s figure suddenly appeared behind him, throwing a fierce punch! Crack! Caught completely off guard and already injured, Master Pendleton was unable to defend himself. His spine shattered upon impact, and he fell heavily to the ground! ¡°Junior Brother!¡± Seeing Master Pendleton¡¯s tragic state, Master Long Eyebrow swung his divine staff with all his might, tearing through the void and pressing towards Julius Reed! Clang! Julius Reed dodged to the side, his Divine Punishment once again clashing with the divine staff! It was in this instant that Master Long Eyebrow vanished as if he had never existed. ¡°Ah!¡± Looking at Master Pendleton¡¯s corpse on the ground, Julius Reed couldn¡¯t help but sigh. Although his spine was broken, Master Pendleton wouldn¡¯t have died, but Master Long Eyebrow¡¯s staff had struck straight down, piercing through Master Pendleton¡¯s body and killing his junior brother on the spot! There was only one reason: Master Pendleton was unable to escape and had to be silenced or else their entire lineage would be exposed! Once the forces behind Julius Reed sought revenge, it would bring about the destruction of their order! After killing Master Pendleton, Master Long Eyebrow had already fled the villa, whereabouts unknown! But this escape came at a severe cost; he would not be able to return to his physical prime for at least five years! Looking at the body on the ground and the villa¡¯s guards lying scattered and motionless, Julius Reed turned and left. In the recent fight, Master Long Eyebrow had directly used a psychic attack, putting the guards to sleep and driving them to suicide. Not long after Julius Reed left, five sedans slowly drove into the villa¡¯s entrance. Seated inside were members of the Leopold Family, who had received the news! ¡°Old master, I offer my early congratulations for finally dealing with this thorn in our side!¡± Fernando Leopold clasped his hands and looked at Whitley Leopold with a beaming smile. They had received a phone call stating that Master Long Eyebrow had effortlessly captured Julius Reed and was now tormenting him. The Leopold Family didn¡¯t dare delay, rushing to take their revenge on Julius Reed before his last breath, to avenge Atlas Leopold! It had been many years since anyone dared to provoke the Leopold Family like this. ¡°Fernando, what are you saying? This is clearly a stroke of luck for the entire Leopold Family! But in the end, it¡¯s all thanks to Master Long Eyebrow¡¯s profound cultivation, capturing Julius Reed so easily. I even thought it would take a lot of effort!¡± Whitley Leopold couldn¡¯t hide the smile on his face, knowing that once Julius Reed was killed, Miguel Abbott would be left alone and become the prime target for Gonzalez City¡¯s wealthy businessmen! ¡°Let¡¯s hurry inside, lest we¡¯re too late and miss out on dealing with Julius Reed, which would be a great pity indeed!¡± Having said that, he led the way towards the villa. Chapter 258 - Chapter 258: Chapter 257: Strange Way to Die_1 Chapter 258: Chapter 257: Strange Way to Die_1 Translator: 549690339 The Leopold Family were all overjoyed, even Whitley Leopold¡¯s pervading gloom lifted, becoming excited. During this period, the Leopold Family had suffered continuous failures, faced united encirclement and suppression from all fronts in the business arena, and fractures had even begun to appear internally. Many clan members had lost trust in the family and had started to seek other ways out. In the face of such a situation, Whitley Leopold could only turn a blind eye, knowing that people¡¯s hearts were never something that could be forced. However, in his view, this was also a good thing. After all, the Leopold Family had been too comfortable for hundreds of years, never having a competitor capable of threatening them, which had led the clan members to become arrogant, extravagant, and dismissive of everything. Besides, given the size of the Leopold Family, they could not be brought down simply by the alliance of Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter. A skinny camel was still bigger than a horse, and the Leopold Family had a strong economic foundation from centuries of stable development. The only thing that troubled him was the mysterious appearance of Julius Reed. This man had no background that could be checked, yet he had managed to offend all the major bosses in Five-river Province one by one, and then arrived in Five-river Province alone, unharmed! Extorting Maurice Yarrow and Miguel Abbott, he asked for several billion with a single word, and these two tycoons actually showed no sign of resistance and agreed directly. Miguel Abbott was even worse; his favorite daughter got beaten up badly, and despite being humiliated in front of everyone, he not only didn¡¯t get angry but also paid an additional sum of money. Moreover, when Julius Reed first arrived in Five-river Province, Abbott had come out to welcome him and took the initiative to show goodwill. It would seem that the Moonlight Group was one of the leading players in Five-river Province, both powerful and sizable. Whitley Leopold could not understand what had made Octavius such a judgment. According to the common way of thinking, someone of high status who lived a life of luxury and was now humiliated would definitely want to regain face! Moreover, once the fact that they had been extorted got out, it would be a huge blow to Abbott¡¯s personal reputation. Yet, against such a backdrop, faced with an unfounded young man, Abbott made the extremely correct decision to befriend, not to oppose! No other boss in Five-river Province would have been able to do that! In fact, Whitley Leopold was already regretting it. Even though Julius Reed had been captured by Master Pendleton, the price the Leopold Family had paid was too high. The future successor, Atlas Leopold, had been beaten into disability, essentially unable to re-enter the core circle of the Leopold Family. Furthermore, the internal conflicts had led to heavy losses during the plan to strike Stanislaus Potter secretly and rescue Fernando Leopold. Later on, hiring three top experts, each came with a sky-high price! And right from the start, Master Pendleton asked for ten billion. Although it was extremely painful for the Leopold Family, they had no choice but to pay the money. But fortunately, Julius Reed was finally dead, and the Leopold Family could chalk up another victory, bringing the people¡¯s hearts together! ¡°Old Patriarch, why do I feel something isn¡¯t quite right?¡± A bodyguard, following closely beside Whitley Leopold, asked cautiously. He had followed the Leopold Family for many years, grappling with life and death on numerous occasions, and his sense of danger was exceptionally sharp. ¡°What isn¡¯t right? Malcolm, you needn¡¯t overthink it. With Master Pendleton¡¯s intervention, no matter who it is, they¡¯ll be caught without fail!¡± Whitley Leopold was immersed in joy and didn¡¯t realize anything amiss. After all, with Julius Reed captured, the greatest enemy of the Leopold Family had been swept away, and he had no interest in other matters. ¡°Old Patriarch, I indeed feel something is off! But, I can¡¯t quite put my finger on it; this villa feels very strange today!¡± Malcolm, still obstinate after what Whitley said, continued to express his thoughts. ¡°Old Patriarch, now that Malcolm mentions it, I just realized, where are the guards in this villa?¡± Fernando Leopold looked around, his brow furrowed, and asked, ¡°How many guards do we have stationed here in our Leopold Family?¡± ¡°Forty-seven men! All of them capable, ex-boxers.¡± replied Malcolm after a moment¡¯s thought. The Leopold Family had many such villas, and Whitley Leopold often had no fixed abode, to prevent those with malicious intent from knowing his whereabouts and plotting assassinations. And the one responsible for arranging the guards was Malcolm! Because Master Pendleton had taken up residence, more than twenty guards were drawn away to reinforce the old master¡¯s security. After all, with someone as formidable as Master Pendleton, there was no need for bodyguards to assist. ¡°Over forty people, so why can¡¯t I see a single one?¡± Atlas Leopold swept his gaze around and saw no sign of anyone. The gate was left wide open, which allowed them effortless entry into the villa. ¡°Atlas, now that you mention it, something does seem off! Such a large villa must have many guards; at the very least, they should have come out to greet us when we got out of the car.¡± Whitley Leopold, leaning on a Boss cane, furrowed his brows deep in thought. ¡°Call someone!¡± He turned and looked at Malcolm Percival. The latter nodded and blew a loud whistle. But there was dead silence throughout the villa; not a sound could be heard! After witnessing this, Malcolm Percival blew the whistle again! Yet after the sound dissipated, it was like a stone sinking into the ocean, with no response whatsoever. However, at the gate, there were no traces of a struggle, and besides, the Leopold Family had two masters in attendance¡ªchaos was simply impossible! ¡°Call Atlas North!¡± Whitley Leopold commanded with a frown. ¡°Understood!¡± Malcolm Percival immediately took out his phone and called Atlas North. But after several rings, there was no answer from the other end of the line. ¡°What on earth is going on!¡± Whitley Leopold slammed his cane onto the ground in anger and bellowed, ¡°What¡¯s happening! Everyone is gone, and you have no clue about the situation! What if one day someone points a gun at my head, and you don¡¯t even know who¡¯s behind it!¡± In that grand villa, with dozens of people, the fact that not even one was reachable drove Whitley Leopold to the edge of rage! ¡°Alright! Old master, please calm your anger. I¡¯ll go check things out right away!¡± Malcolm Percival wiped the cold sweat from his forehead hastily and took out his gear; he and several bodyguards headed deeper into the villa. The deeper he went, the more unsettled he became. The villa was too spacious, as if it had been uninhabited for a long time. This was utterly not right! By the time he went further inside, he was so shocked that he was speechless! Several bodyguards were neatly kneeling on the ground, forming a circle. Every face was turned toward the center with an expression of sheer bliss, as if each person had found peace. What shocked him even more was that the sharp weapons in their hands were all turned on themselves, striking at vital points¡ªit absolutely didn¡¯t appear to be the work of an assailant! A complete suicide! A suicide done willingly! Malcolm Percival swallowed hard, his back tingling with numbness. His legs buckled, and he collapsed to the ground. ¡°Quick¡­ get the old master here! Wait¡­ call someone to check around first, see if there¡¯s any danger. Once it¡¯s safe, then bring the old master!¡± Chapter 259 - Chapter 259: Chapter 258: For Foot Soaking_1 Chapter 259: Chapter 258: For Foot Soaking_1 Translator: 549690339 Whitley Leopold fell ill. Overnight, the Leopold Family lost its pillar, instantly plunging into chaos. No one knew what exactly had happened, as the Old Master of Leopold Family, who had been full of vigor just the day before, was now bedridden and incoherent. And those members of the Leopold Family who had been in his company were all ill in bed, including his personal bodyguard, Malcolm Percival, who was admitted to the hospital as well. There were rumors that the Old Master of Leopold Family encountered some strange incident, but no one was willing to speak of it. Those who went with him kept tight-lipped, not uttering a word about the trip. Seeing the state of the Leopold Family, Brayden Leopold naturally began to have ambitious thoughts. Previously, under the instigation of Julius Reed, Black Dog had already started inciting Brayden Leopold to step forward and fight for power, but as a young man of some talent, Brayden naturally wasn¡¯t willing to take risks rashly. It wasn¡¯t until he visited Whitley Leopold personally that Brayden let go of his worries. It seemed that the Family Head was indeed severely ill. At least for now, he was somewhat muddled and completely unable to make decisions on family affairs. ¡°Boss, I¡¯ve arranged a meeting for you tonight with someone who could help you achieve great things!¡± After leaving the most lavish Azure Water Villa of the Leopold Family, Black Dog whispered into Brayden Leopold¡¯s ear. Within the Leopold Family villa, the most expensive and secure one was this Azure Water Villa, which also was the residence where Whitlely Leopold had spent the longest time. In a year¡¯s time, Whitley Leopold would live there for nearly half the year. Now that he was seriously ill, it was naturally the best choice for his recovery. ¡°Black Dog, when did you get in touch with this person for me? Such a big matter can¡¯t be leaked. If it gets out, all my efforts will have been in vain! If I get kicked out, you¡¯ll be the first I take down with me!¡± Brayden Leopold frowned upon hearing this, feeling somewhat displeased in his heart. Ever since Atlas Leopold¡¯s downfall, and Black Dog choosing to join his side, things had indeed been handled beautifully. After all, Black Dog had been a capable right-hand man to Brayden in the past. But as for loyalty, Brayden still had some concerns. After all, Black Dog wasn¡¯t always by his side. Although Brayden had begun to entrust him with many confidential matters, his trust in Black Dog never reached a hundred percent. Now that Whitley Leopold had fallen, the biggest obstacle in front of Brayden was eliminated, presenting a godsent opportunity. If at this time, news of his intent to seize power got out, it would certainly provoke collective rejections within the Leopold Family. Not only would he lose his current status, he would also face the family¡¯s punishment! Black Dog, making contact with important people outside without consulting him, carried the risk of information leakage to a certain extent. ¡°Please rest assured, young master! Black Dog operates with discretion. After all, if I want to be rich and powerful, it¡¯s all thanks to you, young master. The reason I made a decision without your agreement is because opportunity knocks but once. If missed and others collaborate against you, it would be a huge loss for you, young master!¡± Black Dog explained respectfully, showing no dissatisfaction from Brayden Leopold¡¯s reprimand. Having seen this, Brayden felt much more at ease. After all, it¡¯s hard to hit a smiling face, and even though Black Dog was Atlas Leopold¡¯s confidant, after coming over to his side, he had shown extreme loyalty and handled things with efficiency and decisiveness. ¡°Who exactly is it!¡± Checking there were no onlookers, he quietly inquired. Since Black Dog was being so secretive, he had become quite interested in this person of legend. Black Dog was not someone who acted recklessly. Having been his employee for so long, this was the first time he had taken the initiative and acted without Brayden¡¯s knowledge. ¡°If the young master trusts me, there¡¯s no need to ask. Just follow me, and you¡¯ll understand when we get there. If you don¡¯t trust me, then let¡¯s forget about it.¡± Black Dog replied with a simple smile. This response surprised Brayden even more. Usually, Black Dog thought everything through for his benefit, shouldering all the blame and leaving all credit to Brayden himself. Today¡¯s conversation was somewhat different from usual, extremely thought-provoking. ¡°Black Dog, what do you mean by this?¡± Brayden Leopold stood in front of Black Dog, staring straight into his eyes, ¡°Is there something you can¡¯t say? Stop being so mysterious. Who is it, exactly?¡± ¡°Young Master, if I told you, you definitely wouldn¡¯t go! But this person is crucial, Black Dog means no harm, I just don¡¯t want you to miss out on the best opportunity because of a moment of anger!¡± Black Dog still hadn¡¯t disclosed who that person was. Instead, he reminded him, ¡°Now that the Old Master is seriously ill, there certainly isn¡¯t a shortage of people with active minds. Just as you, Young Master, who doesn¡¯t want to fight for power and become the new Family Head of the Leopold Family? If you¡¯re half a step too late, you might live to regret it!¡± ¡°Still not saying?¡± Brayden Leopold¡¯s face immediately darkened. Indeed, Black Dog was right, but he still didn¡¯t want to take the risk. He had never fully trusted Black Dog. If Black Dog was really a spy planted by others, specifically by Atlas Leopold with premeditated intentions to betray him, that would be a loss not worth the risk. ¡°Young Master, I still say the same thing! You will definitely regret it if you don¡¯t go. If you do, great achievements can be made!¡± Black Dog stubbornly insisted. ¡°Come in!¡± At Brayden Leopold¡¯s command, the bodyguards behind him immediately rushed forward. ¡°Take him down!¡± Brayden Leopold looked coldly at Black Dog, ¡°Use harsh interrogation tactics, pry his mouth open!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The bodyguards immediately apprehended Black Dog and dragged him to a van. ¡°If I find out you¡¯ve betrayed me,¡± Brayden Leopold looked at Black Dog coldly, ¡°I¡¯ll make you regret ever coming into this world!¡± ¡°Young Master, all I want is to enjoy riches and honor by your side, but it seems I, Black Dog, have misjudged you! Who would have thought you are someone who fears for his life, with such little courage how can you fight for the Leopold Family? A century-old foundation is not so easily uprooted!¡± Black Dog looked back coldly at Brayden Leopold, as if he had long been prepared mentally. ¡°Give me an answer by tonight! Remember, don¡¯t kill him, I¡¯m keeping him around for a reason,¡± Brayden Leopold whispered to his employees, then got into his Range Rover and disappeared in front of the Azure Water Villa. Meanwhile, at the Pearl on the Water, Julius Reed was leisurely savoring the tea served up by Miguel Abbott. ¡°Mr. Reed, this tea was quite expensive, truly a top-grade product!¡± Miguel Abbott poured tea for Julius Reed with a smile, a triumphant look on his face, ¡°I can¡¯t guarantee anything else, but even the generational wealthy Leopold Family might not have tasted it more than a few times!¡± This canister of tea leaves was something he had spent tens of millions to obtain from a tea merchant, and even that price was after calling in a favor to clinch the deal. He had truly splurged. ¡°It doesn¡¯t smell all that great! Let me taste it,¡± Julius Reed, looking at the tea cup in his hand, shook his head and said, ¡°Tea leaves, how much could they be worth? In the past, this stuff was everywhere, many people had access to it and didn¡¯t find it particularly delicious! But now, you¡¯ve inflated its value, turning a drink into a treasure!¡± After a light sniff, Julius Reed set the tea cup back on the table, ¡°In the past, I¡¯d have used this tea to soak my feet!¡± Chapter 260 - Chapter 260: Chapter 259 Meeting at the Cafe_1 Chapter 260: Chapter 259 Meeting at the Cafe_1 Translator: 549690339 Miguel Abbott¡¯s hand, which had been about to bring the teacup to his lips, froze awkwardly mid-air. Having paid such a high price, he wanted to taste what it was really like. Although he knew a bit about tea culture, the tea Miguel Abbott normally drank was nowhere near this luxurious. Self-made and thrifty, he was careful with money, even though his daughter was quite wasteful. Footwash water¡ªis it drinkable or not? This dilemma troubled Miguel Abbott, but in the end, he decided to put the teacup back. ¡°Mr. Reed must be joking¡­ this is so expensive¡­¡± ¡°It really was for soaking feet, but later I felt it wasn¡¯t very good, so I switched to something else.¡± Julius Reed glanced at the tea leaves on the table and spoke, ¡°But I haven¡¯t used this for soaking my feet in many years. I¡¯ll take it to my room tonight and give it a try!¡± ¡°Agreed!¡± Although it pained Miguel Abbott to agree, he nodded his head in acceptance. After all, he had bought the tea as a gesture of respect for Julius Reed. Whether it was used for soaking feet or drinking, it was the thought that counted. ¡°Mr. Abbott, accompany me to meet someone tonight!¡± As Julius Reed approached the door, he turned his head and spoke. ¡°Agreed! Who are we meeting?¡± Miguel Abbott continued to organize the tea leaves while nodding in agreement. ¡°You¡¯ll know when the time comes!¡± Bang! Julius Reed closed the door, leaving Miguel Abbott alone. However, Miguel Abbott completely understood such situations. He now believed even more firmly in Julius Reed¡¯s capabilities. As long as he was obedient, riches and honor would surely be within reach. While there were light-hearted talks and laughter on this side, the Leopold Family was enveloped in an extremely tense atmosphere. Leopold Family¡¯s South Creek Villa. This was Brayden Leopold¡¯s home. Although not as luxurious as Azure Water Villa and somewhat inferior to the other Leopold family villas, this was Brayden Leopold¡¯s private territory! Most of the family¡¯s villas were owned by the clan, with family members having residence rights but not complete ownership. Yet in South Creek Villa, Brayden Leopold was the undisputed emperor. He bought the villa three years ago, and since then it had become Brayden Leopold¡¯s core operational area. The loyal warriors he raised also lived here. In a basement room of the South Creek Villa, Brayden Leopold watched the situation inside through a sheet of glass. Standing before the window, he could see everything inside clearly and even the slightest breathing could not escape his ears. However, from inside, Brayden Leopold¡¯s position was just another wall. ¡°Speak up! Who put you up to this?¡± A man with his torso bare lashed hard against a black dog with a whip! Instantly, the skin split and flesh burst open! The black dog was tied to an iron post, his limbs bound with iron chains, covered in scars. ¡°No one! I¡¯m telling you, I haven¡¯t betrayed the young master! I just wanted him to seize the opportunity to rise! On the contrary, what right do you have to treat me like this!¡± The black dog, barely hanging on to life, shouted with all his might. But the answer he received was even more cruel punishment! ¡°Black Dog! We¡¯ve been through things together after all. Just confess, and the young master will naturally spare you a lifeline. Then you can take the money, leave, and we¡¯ll act like strangers. But if you stubbornly refuse to admit, don¡¯t blame me for not showing mercy with my knife!¡± As the man spoke, he placed the knife against the black dog¡¯s throat, ¡°Here, you¡¯ll die silently, and no one will ever know where you are! We can tell your family you went abroad to handle business for the young master!¡± By the time he had finished speaking, his knife had already begun to slice open the skin on the black dog¡¯s neck, ¡°Last chance, in five seconds, I¡¯ll slit your throat!¡± But the black dog showed no intention of opening his mouth, even as the blade gradually sank millimeters into his skin. ¡°Stop!¡± Just then, the interrogation room door was kicked open. ¡°What are you doing! I just told you to ask him some questions, and you go this far!¡± Upon seeing the black dog covered in scars, Brayden Leopold pretended to be furious and quickly walked over. Slap! He fiercely slapped the man across the face, ¡°Who told you to do this! Are you taking out personal vendettas against Black Dog because he gets more credit on a regular basis!¡± ¡°Young Master, I¡­¡± The man, clutching his face, had no idea how to respond. This whole affair was actually orchestrated by Brayden Leopold, and now he was making the man take the fall. How could a mere servant dare not accept the blame? ¡°Get out! You¡¯ve lost this month¡¯s salary. Disappear immediately and go watch the gate!¡± Brayden Leopold picked up a wooden stick from the ground and harshly struck the man on the waist, ¡°You scoundrel!¡± After all this, he hurried over to Black Dog, saying with feigned compassion, ¡°Someone come quick, take these iron chains off Brother Black Dog!¡± The servants would not dare disobey. They immediately moved to release Black Dog from the iron post. ¡°Brother Black Dog, I just wanted them to give you a little scare. Who would have thought these bastards¡­¡± At this, Brayden Leopold sighed deeply and helped Black Dog up, ¡°Please don¡¯t blame me for treating you this way! The Leopold Family is in a precarious position right now and every move we make is risky. I hope you can understand!¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay! The Young Master must be cautious in what he does. Black Dog is loyal only to his master, and I¡¯m not afraid of these things.¡± Inside, Black Dog sneered continuously. The Leopolds were all the same, utterly hypocritical! Starting with Whitley Leopold and continuing to Atlas Leopold, and now to Brayden Leopold, they were all incredibly fake! But outwardly, he acted as if he didn¡¯t care and remained the picture of a loyal, subservient dog. This, in turn, reassured Brayden Leopold considerably, and he began to trust him more in his heart. ¡°What time is it tonight?¡± He looked at his watch. It was noon now, some time away from evening. ¡°Five in the afternoon, at Truth Caf¨¦.¡± Black Dog spoke weakly. He had suffered severe torture that morning and was even trembling as he walked. ¡°Truth Caf¨¦? Isn¡¯t that the coffee shop not far from us? Why choose to meet there?¡± Brayden Leopold asked aloud. The Truth Caf¨¦ was located in the city center, very close to the areas where the Leopold Family was active. It was busy with people coming and going on a regular basis. Choosing this location made Brayden Leopold feel rather at ease, as it was nearby his family¡¯s members and amidst the bustling city, unlikely for the other party to have any ulterior motives. ¡°They want to make you feel safe.¡± After saying this, Black Dog¡¯s legs gave out, and he fainted. After resting for a few hours and without waiting for Black Dog to regain his strength, Brayden Leopold took him and dozens of men with a grand display on their way to the Truth Caf¨¦. These subordinates, posing as ordinary customers, scattered and entered the Truth Caf¨¦, exchanging information with the bodyguards who had already been lurking inside. Once safety was confirmed, Brayden Leopold then entered with Black Dog. ¡°Where is he?¡± Brayden Leopold surveyed the room, his gaze falling on his men all around, which brought him some comfort. ¡°Over there!¡± Black Dog pointed to a table in a corner. Three people sat there, all with their heads lowered, their faces not visible. ¡°Come, follow me!¡± With a gesture from Brayden Leopold, several bodyguards holding up Black Dog quickly approached. Chapter 261 - Chapter 261: Chapter 260 Mysterious Video_1 Chapter 261: Chapter 260 Mysterious Video_1 Translator: 549690339 Five-river Province was in turmoil, and Brayden Leopold was especially cautious. Despite being accompanied by dozens of people, he still didn¡¯t feel safe enough. Nevertheless, this was a bustling market, where no one dared to cause trouble. After arriving at a corner table with Black Dog and several highly capable personal bodyguards, Brayden Leopold spoke up, ¡°May I ask who it is that wishes to meet with me?¡± All three people in front of him kept their heads down, which made him feel somewhat uneasy. ¡°Young Master Leopold, I¡¯ve long admired you!¡± At that moment, a middle-aged man closest to him raised his head, revealing a smile. ¡°Miguel Abbott? How could it be you?¡± Brayden Leopold was taken aback, his mind quickly calculating the other¡¯s intentions. Lately, the major families had been in constant strife, but on the surface, there was no conflict between the Abbott Family and his own. ¡°The one who wishes to meet with you today isn¡¯t me, it¡¯s Mr. Reed.¡± After Miguel Abbott spoke, Julius Reed, sitting opposite, removed his hat and said with a faint smile, ¡°Please take a seat, Young Master Leopold!¡± ¡°Black Dog! You traitor, how dare you betray me!¡± As soon as he saw Julius Reed, Brayden Leopold¡¯s heart turned cold, and he immediately drew a dagger from his waist and held it against Black Dog¡¯s chest! In his view, Julius Reed had many grievances with the Leopold Family and it was clear he intended to stake Brayden¡¯s life. ¡°There¡¯s no need to panic, Young Master Leopold. If I wanted to kill you, you wouldn¡¯t be able to escape today!¡± Julius Reed said slowly, and the person next to him too raised his head. It was none other than the Western swordsman who had once betrayed the Leopold Family! Lucan Davenport! ¡°You all¡­¡± Brayden Leopold felt a chill down his spine. He was well aware of the Western swordsman¡¯s strength; after all, that was one of the top three henchmen of the Leopold Family. Now that Master Pendleton was missing, and the Eastern Bay Warrior had vanished, it seemed the Leopold Family didn¡¯t have anyone who could stand up to Lucan Davenport. Moreover, at such a close distance, if Lucan Davenport wanted to act, Brayden had no chance of escape. ¡°What¡¯s the rush, Young Master Leopold? We simply want to invite you for a cup of coffee, you¡¯re being overly sensitive!¡± Miguel Abbott grabbed the knife-wielding hand of Brayden Leopold, snatched the knife away with force, and pressed him down beside himself. ¡°What are you all trying to do?¡± Seeing this, one of the bodyguards quickly reached toward his waist, and the other bodyguards in the cafe also prepared to act. ¡°Get out!¡± Julius Reed gave the bodyguard a glance and said coldly. ¡°The rest of you, withdraw now!¡± Being in a precarious situation, Brayden Leopold still remained rational. If they wanted to kill him, there was no need for such elaborate schemes. At least on the way here, with Lucan Davenport¡¯s skills, Brayden could have easily been killed on the road. ¡°But your safety, Young Master¡­¡± The bodyguard hesitated, knowing if they left and anything happened to Brayden Leopold, the Leopold Family would not forgive them! ¡°Can¡¯t you hear what I¡¯m saying? Leave at once, and wait for me!¡± Brayden Leopold roared. These bodyguards were no match for Lucan Davenport; rashly acting would only put Brayden in even more danger. ¡°All right!¡± The bodyguards steeled their hearts and turned to leave. Even those who were pretending to be guests stood up all at once and began to leave the caf¨¦ in succession. This unexpected exodus caught both the other patrons and the caf¨¦ owner by surprise¡ªwhy had so many people left all at once! ¡°Speak up, what do you want!¡± Brayden Leopold¡¯s complexion fluctuated between light and dark. He had a premonition that today his chances were more grim than favorable, and internally cursed Black Dog until he was blue in the face. If he had known that this so-called important figure was his enemy, Brayden would not have come even if it killed him. But this was exactly as Black Dog had said; if he had known, he certainly wouldn¡¯t have agreed to the meeting. He could only blame himself for not being more cautious. ¡°I hear the Old Master of Leopold Family is gravely ill, and has Young Master Leopold been contemplating taking his place?¡± Julius Reed slowly swirled the coffee in his hand, seemingly asking without intent. But to Brayden¡¯s ears, those words sounded so grating! Black Dog was aware of everything, and he suspected that he had truly been betrayed! ¡°There¡¯s no need to panic, Black Dog has nothing to do with me. He sought me out on his own, begging me to help you,¡± Julius Reed lifted his eyelids and gave him a glance, ¡°With the little weight your Leopold Family carries, I honestly wouldn¡¯t even bother!¡± ¡°Of course, Mr. Reed has grand ambitions. Even Boss Abbott is willing to take your orders, how could you possibly care about our Leopold Family?¡± Brayden said with his lips, but a cold smirk played across his heart. The Leopold Family was massive, a century-old clan, their true strength utterly unknown to outsiders. They had merely been adhering to the ancestral teachings, keeping a low profile and expanding quietly. If the Leopold Family truly flexed its muscles, no other family within Five-river Province would have mattered in the slightest. The saying goes, ¡°A big tree catches the wind.¡± The ancestors of the Leopold Family warned them not to be too conspicuous, lest they attract unwanted attention. Except for a few truly influential members within the family, no one knew the full extent of the Leopold Family¡¯s strength. What they were showing now was just the tip of the iceberg. But now he had no need to reveal this secret. It would be better to pretend to defer to the other party¡¯s words. ¡°Your brothers are just as eager as you. After all, with such a juicy piece of meat up for grabs, who wouldn¡¯t be interested? I can help you, but there¡¯s a condition,¡± Julius Reed¡¯s tone shifted as he stared straight into Brayden¡¯s eyes, ¡°It was Black Dog who caught wind of this situation and stood outside the Pearl on the Water all night long. That¡¯s why I¡¯m giving you this opportunity!¡± ¡°Black Dog?¡± Upon hearing this, Brayden couldn¡¯t help but furrow his brows. Indeed, there was one night when Black Dog didn¡¯t return home. Although he chose to trust Black Dog, his suspicious nature still prompted him to place many spies around him. ¡°Correct! He is very loyal to you! You can see, he¡¯s a man who knows the score. After Atlas falls from power, you will be the most promising youth in the Leopold Family.¡± Julius Reed nodded, sipping his coffee with a smile, ¡°Just help me kill Atlas, and I will help you secure the position of Family Head. How about that?¡± ¡°Atlas?¡± Brayden shook his head with a steely face, ¡°Impossible! No matter what, Atlas is my brother. How could I possibly raise a hand against my own brother!¡± The risk was too great. Although Atlas was already disabled, he had been more lucid in recent days. He simply stayed out of sight, no longer meddling in the family affairs. Even though he had lost power, Atlas¡¯s father still wielded some influence within the Leopold Family. If the plot were to be exposed, not only would Brayden be punished, but his elders could be implicated as well! The risk was too great! ¡°What if I told you that Atlas has been plotting to eliminate you?¡± The moment Julius Reed said this, Brayden¡¯s eyes widened as he shook his head, ¡°Impossible! Atlas has been deeply affected and is mentally unstable. Even his own men have come to join me. What can that invalid possibly do to contend with me?¡± Ever since Atlas regained consciousness, Brayden had people watching him. It turned out that Atlas had completely crumbled; his will to fight was utterly broken. All day long, apart from crying out loud, he did nothing but drown his sorrows in drink. He was nowhere close to his past suave posture as one of the four distinguished young masters. Now Julius Reed spoke thus; naturally, Brayden assumed that the man was fear-mongering. ¡°Then take a look at this!¡± Julius Reed slid his phone across, pushing it in front of Brayden. Chapter 262 - Chapter 262: Chapter 261 Atlas Leopold Feigns Illness_1 Chapter 262: Chapter 261 Atlas Leopold Feigns Illness_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°What is this?¡± With suspicion, Brayden Leopold raised his eyebrows and scrutinized the content on the video closely. He saw a man pacing back and forth in the room, occasionally pulling out a cigarette from his pocket to smoke. This figure looked very familiar, but Brayden Leopold couldn¡¯t recall who it was at the moment. The video was very dark due to being taken covertly. Plus, it was getting close to dusk and no lights were on in the room. Suddenly, a group of people walked into the room, the curtains were drawn in an instant, and the lights came on. ¡°Atlas Leopold!¡± Seeing the person in the video, Brayden Leopold¡¯s eyes nearly popped out. ¡°How could it be him! Didn¡¯t you break his legs? How could he possibly be standing so soon!¡± Brayden Leopold couldn¡¯t believe it; he had also visited Atlas Leopold and bribed the attending doctor, learning that Atlas Leopold was doomed to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair, with no chance of his legs ever recovering. But now, the person in the video was clearly shown to be Atlas Leopold! And his body, due to having been bedridden, was visibly thinner, matching Atlas Leopold¡¯s current condition! The video gradually zoomed in, showing Atlas Leopold limping, with someone immediately coming over to support him. Those mysterious men gathered around Atlas Leopold, constantly communicating. Among them, someone even made a ¡°throat-slitting¡± gesture. This gesture sent chills down Brayden Leopold¡¯s spine, for if Atlas Leopold really was about to move against someone, it was likely to include himself. After all, the biggest threat to his inheritance of the Leopold Family was himself. It seemed that Atlas Leopold had recovered quite a bit and was showing signs of a comeback. Otherwise, how to explain these mysterious men? Could they possibly be here just to visit Atlas Leopold? Just then, the ¡°Atlas Leopold¡± in the video took off his outer clothes and quickly changed into patient attire. But in that moment, Brayden Leopold¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits. With the lights on, the video was now a lot clearer. On Atlas Leopold¡¯s back, there was a long scar! This detail made Brayden Leopold even more convinced that this person was undoubtedly Atlas Leopold! As a child, Atlas Leopold had fallen from an artificial mountain in their home because he was too playful, and had gotten a long gash on his back from a rock. ¡°It really is him!¡± Brayden Leopold clenched his fists tightly, a wave of anger surging to his chest. It seemed that everything Atlas Leopold had done before was to lull himself into complacency! ¡°But the doctor clearly told me that Atlas Leopold¡¯s legs couldn¡¯t possibly recover!¡± He lifted his head and stared hard at Julius Reed. This matter was so difficult to discern as being true or false. The condition of Atlas Leopold¡¯s injury was well known by everyone; after all, when he had just returned, the whole clan had visited him, and it supposedly could not be faked. Was Atlas Leopold relying on deceit again? If he really wasn¡¯t seriously hurt, Whitley Leopold would certainly give the heir position back to him! ¡°What kind of society are we in now? Didn¡¯t you also say that your Leopold family has great influence? I guess making someone stand up wouldn¡¯t be too difficult, right?¡± Julius Reed chuckled dismissively, looking at Brayden Leopold with a disdainful gaze: ¡°Moreover, I was the one who hit him. I know better than you what condition I left him in! Those few blows were only meant to deter the Leopold family and weren¡¯t intended to leave him crippled.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Brayden Leopold felt a shock in his heart. The perpetrator was right in front of him, and according to what the Leopolds said, Julius Reed was incredibly strong in a fight, so naturally, he could control the force of his blows! Facing his questioning, Julius Reed didn¡¯t speak. ¡°How are you going to help me take the position of Family Head?¡± Murderous intent ignited in Brayden Leopold¡¯s eyes, and his expression turned extremely grim. He was actually being played for a fool! He had thought Atlas Leopold was a cripple, eliminating the first threat. With Whitley Leopold fallen ill, it was the best opportunity for him to vie for position. But who would have known that Atlas Leopold was secretly making moves behind the scenes? Thinking of this, he broke out in a cold sweat. If, at the critical moment, Atlas Leopold emerged out of nowhere, he would have no defenses ready! Then, everything he had worked hard for could easily be snatched away by someone else. ¡°Many of you Leopold Family members have already been bought by me! As long as you can take care of Atlas Leopold, I will have them support you,¡± Continuing, Julius Reed glanced at Brayden Leopold, ¡°I know you might not believe me. So, consider this: tomorrow your Leopold Family will have a family meeting to discuss how to get through the period of Whitley Leopold¡¯s severe illness.¡± ¡°By rights, that position should go to Fernando Leopold. However, I can make you the most important person among the younger generation, that is, in charge of the entire Leopold Family¡¯s security. Once something happens to Fernando Leopold, everything will be under your control,¡± After hearing all this, Brayden Leopold¡¯s eyes kept darting around. This was a low-cost gamble. Whether Julius Reed was telling the truth or not would naturally be revealed tomorrow. If he could really take on this important role, his status within the Leopold Family would undoubtedly rise. And with control over the entire security operation, it would be much more convenient to make a move. That was the most important part. Even if Julius Reed wasn¡¯t telling the truth, at least he had unknowingly gained intelligence on Atlas Leopold and would be on guard. Though not necessarily to kill him, staying vigilant and planning ahead in secret was also good. At least he would not be caught completely off guard by Atlas Leopold. ¡°Fine, if you haven¡¯t deceived me, I am willing to work with you!¡± Brayden Leopold stood up, ready to leave. Miguel Abbott and Lucan Davenport clearly had no intention of keeping him. That made him leave the cafe with peace of mind. A close call, but a rewarding one. ¡°Black Dog baulked at dealing with Atlas Leopold because he¡¯s the Family Head¡¯s favorite. That¡¯s why he asked me to cooperate with you!¡± After saying this, Julius Reed lifted his coffee cup again and leisurely sipped. Brayden Leopold paused, then strode off. ¡°Young master! Are you alright?¡± The bodyguards waiting outside rushed over. At this moment, Black Dog was pinned to the ground by them, with a few bodyguards even stepping on his back. Traitors, naturally, should be punished. However, since Atlas Leopold had come out safe and sound, they were relieved, too. ¡°Young master, what should we do with the traitor?¡± A bodyguard grabbed Black Dog¡¯s hair, pulling him up from the ground, ¡°Should we take him back to the villa, or take him out right here?¡± The bodyguard spoke fiercely. By now, they had nearly concluded that this mess was Black Dog¡¯s doing! ¡°Slap!¡± Brayden Leopold slapped the face of the bodyguard, drawing blood from the corner of the bodyguard¡¯s mouth. ¡°Big brother! Wha¡­¡± The slapped bodyguard covered his face, standing there bewildered, not understanding what had just happened. The others also stood there in a daze, somewhat confused. Brayden Leopold¡¯s strike was so sudden that they didn¡¯t have time to react. ¡°Let Black Dog go!¡± Brayden Leopold shouted, then turned to the bodyguards, ¡°Whoever touched him, step forward!¡± Chapter 263 - Chapter 263: Chapter 262 Airport Pickup_1 Chapter 263: Chapter 262 Airport Pickup_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Mr. Reed, this video¡­¡± After Brayden Leopold left, Octavius looked very serious. Since Atlas Leopold was injured, he had sent many people to follow him, even including Atlas¡¯s personal nursing staff among his spies. However, so much time had gone by without Octavius hearing anything about Atlas¡¯s recovery. You have to know that he had already spent millions trying to bribe those nursing staff members to get information. Were these people taking his money and not doing anything? But Octavius felt that wasn¡¯t the case, at least the information he received before had been accurate. ¡°Haven¡¯t you heard of AI face-swapping?¡± Julius Reed took back his phone, stood up from the caf¨¦, ¡°Brayden Leopold has wanted to get rid of Atlas Leopold for a long time, I just gave him a suitable excuse to convince himself!¡± Then it dawned on Octavius. Not long after the three had left, they received a phone call from Quella Radcliffe. Over the phone, Quella Radcliffe told Julius Reed in a worried tone that a good friend from her university days had come back and would be staying in Five-river Province for a while before returning to Gonzalez City, hoping he could help with the reception. Julius Reed was very reluctant to do such a boring task, but since Quella Radcliffe had asked, he didn¡¯t feel good about refusing. So, he arranged for Lucan Davenport to go back first, and Octavius followed Julius Reed to the Five-river Province airport. Octavius, the Chairman of Moonlight Group, initially planned to pick them up in his own luxury car to show support for Julius Reed, but was once again rejected. The two of them simply took a taxi to the airport. It wasn¡¯t until they were on the road that Octavius realized that someone like Julius Reed must be accustomed to keeping a low profile! But actually¡­ When the two got married, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s close friend wasn¡¯t in the country; she only sent a red envelope through WeChat and even made fun of Julius Reed. Despite having lived for countless ages, that didn¡¯t stop him from holding grudges. Soon, the taxi arrived at the airport, Octavius stayed in the taxi, while Julius Reed got out alone to meet the person. About five minutes later, two men and three women came out laughing and talking, among them was one of Quella Radcliffe¡¯s best friends, Anna Harris. Anna Harris and Quella Radcliffe were college classmates, and later went to study abroad, only now returning to her homeland for the first time. Because she hadn¡¯t been back to Five-river Province for a long time, she thought of asking Quella Radcliffe over to hang out. But when did Quella Radcliffe have the time? Under Ovidiu Cook¡¯s suggestion, many companies had already started to form partnerships with the Radcliffe Group. At this point, the task of playing host naturally fell on Julius Reed. But there was another reason Quella Radcliffe did this, which was to better integrate Julius Reed into her own life, become familiar with all her good friends. After all, over these three years, many of Quella Radcliffe¡¯s friends were not satisfied with Julius Reed, feeling that this son-in-law had held Quella Radcliffe back. ¡°Miss Anna Harris!¡± Upon seeing Anna Harris, Julius Reed waved his hand. Though he was reluctant, he still had to do what his wife had asked of him. ¡°Wow! Who is that? He looks good! Anna, is he your lover here in the country?¡± A woman in a bodysuit wearing sunglasses and holding a cup of coffee asked. ¡°That¡¯s not it at all! Anna, it¡¯s really mean of you not to mention such a big deal to us!¡± Another woman in a white dress also removed her sunglasses and scrutinized Julius Reed carefully. ¡°Oh, does our Anna have a suitor now?¡± The expression on the face of a man behind them changed for the worse for a moment, but he quickly covered it up. His name is Joel Martin, he is Stanislaus Potter¡¯s nephew, and these years abroad he¡¯s been indulging in pleasure and leisure, just happening to run into Anna Harris and her group. During this time, he has been pursuing her openly and secretly, but Anna Harris doesn¡¯t really like him that much. It¡¯s just that, out of concern for appearances, she hasn¡¯t explicitly rejected him. ¡°Hehe! Young Master of the Martin Family, little Anna Harris is already taken, what do you think about me?¡± The long dress woman looked at Joel Martin with a giggly smile. She actually fancied Joel Martin quite a bit, after all, coming from a wealthy family, and with her uncle being a local tycoon, if she truly managed to latch onto him, she¡¯d definitely soar to great heights. ¡°I don¡¯t know you!¡± It was at this moment that Anna Harris took a careful look at Julius Reed, shook her head after confirming she had not mistaken him for someone else. ¡°No way! Could he be your famous admirer? Miss Anna Harris, you¡¯re so impressive! You¡¯re even famous domestically!¡± Another woman in a tight black outfit pursed her lips and let out a laugh. Her name is Heather Gonzalez, from the local Gonzalez¡¯s Family, and although they couldn¡¯t compare to Stanislaus Potter¡¯s family, they were still quite a well-known clan in Five-river Province. ¡°Get lost!¡± Anna Harris said irritably, while she sized up Julius Reed again, making sure she really didn¡¯t know this stranger. Although she had seen Julius Reed before in Quella Radcliffe¡¯s wedding photos, no matter what, Anna Harris could not associate the man before her with that good-for-nothing son-in-law of the Radcliffe Family. ¡°Anna Harris!¡± Seeing that she seemed to be ignoring him, Julius Reed raised his voice again. ¡°Who are you!¡± Upon hearing Anna Harris say she didn¡¯t know this person, Joel Martin obviously saw the other man as a potential threat; after all, a man calling out a woman¡¯s name was unlikely to mean anything good. He quickly stepped in front of Julius Reed and asked with an unfriendly tone, ¡°Stop shouting around here!¡± The snub he had received from Anna Harris earlier was fully avenged in this moment. ¡°My name is Anna Harris, what¡¯s that to you?¡± Julius Reed raised his eyebrows, waving his hand impatiently, ¡°Beat it! I¡¯m busy and I have to go after picking someone up! You got that? I¡¯m in a rush!¡± Picking up Anna Harris was something that already displeased Julius Reed; he hadn¡¯t any particular liking for the woman, and if not for Quella Radcliffe¡¯s repeated instructions, he would have asked Miguel Abbott to just assign someone to send her off. ¡°Hehe! Do you even know who I am?¡± Joel Martin was actually amused by Julius Reed¡¯s remark, ¡°Do you believe I could have you crippled in minutes?¡± Relying on his family¡¯s wealth, he had been a schoolyard bully, always surrounded by a crowd of young followers calling him ¡®big brother¡¯. Though he was now out of the school environment, this attitude hadn¡¯t faded but had grown increasingly severe. ¡°Whether I know you or not, what¡¯s that to me? Beat it!¡± Julius Reed pushed Joel Martin to the ground with one shove and strode toward Anna Harris. ¡°What are you doing! I¡¯m calling security!¡± Anna Harris became somewhat frightened as Julius Reed approached aggressively and even pushed Joel Martin to the ground, thinking she might be the target of some retaliation. And another man hurried over to block the way, ¡°This is a society governed by law. Dare to mess around again, and I¡¯ll send you to jail!¡± The man spoke with icy coldness. As for the long dress woman, seeing Joel Martin pushed down, she was even more enraged. She stepped forward, looked at Julius Reed, and said angrily, ¡°What right do you have to push people around!¡± ¡°What a hassle! Anna Harris, why don¡¯t you just call Quella Radcliffe, tell him I came to pick you up, but you refuse to go with me so I can be done with this duty, okay?¡± Julius Reed sighed, finding himself in unnecessary trouble. Chapter 264 - Chapter 264: Chapter 263 Isandro Jackson’s Little Scheme_1 Chapter 264: Chapter 263 Isandro Jackson¡¯s Little Scheme_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Quella Radcliffe?¡± Startled to hear her good friend¡¯s name, Anna Harris asked, ¡°You are Julius Reed?¡± She would naturally not forget that name, as in this day and age, there aren¡¯t many people who use numbers as names, and he is furthermore her best friend¡¯s husband. At the time, she had teased Quella Radcliffe, saying that twelve put together resembled a prince, telling Quella that she had met a prince on a white horse. But the man in front of her was young and handsome, and although slim, very fit¡ªsimply the epitome of a male god! Was this the same person as the good-for-nothing son-in-law? Just then, Joel Martin grabbed a fire extinguisher and walked over furiously, cursing as he came, ¡°Dare to push me! No one has ever been so rude to me in my entire life!¡± ¡°Stop it!¡± Seeing this scene, Anna Harris quickly intervened to stop Joel Martin, ¡°This is my best friend¡¯s husband. I had called her when I was coming over, hoping she could take us out, after all, I haven¡¯t been back to Five-river Province for many years.¡± After speaking, she looked at Julius Reed, her expression complex, ¡°But my best friend is really too busy, so she sent her husband to meet us. I remembered wrong, which led to this misunderstanding.¡± After all, he was Quella Radcliffe¡¯s husband, and it was their first meeting; she didn¡¯t have any dislike for Julius Reed, so naturally, she stopped Joel Martin. Anna Harris didn¡¯t particularly like such spoiled and ignorant rich kids who, relying on their family¡¯s wealth, engaged in unseemly behavior, and were good for nothing apart from living off their parents. ¡°Even if he¡¯s your best friend¡¯s husband, he shouldn¡¯t be so rude, right? Calvin just asked a question, and you pushed him down, at least an apology is in order, isn¡¯t it?¡± The woman in the white dress was named Isandro Jackson, an overseas Chinese whose family had sailed across the oceans to set up business earlier on, and while they had some wealth locally, they still fell short compared to Stanislaus Potter. After all, Five-river Province is one of the most prosperous provinces in the country, and Golden Eagle Group is an international conglomerate, a name recognized by many. ¡°Apologize? Are you kidding me? I would indeed like to apologize¡ªask him if he dares to accept it?¡± Julius Reed sized up Joel Martin from head to toe, raised an eyebrow, and asked, ¡°So, which rich second-generation are you from? Just by looking, I can tell you¡¯re indulging in pleasures¡ªpushed and fallen so easily. Have you been frequenting nightclubs too much?¡± After this remark, Joel Martin¡¯s face turned exceedingly awkward, Julius Reed had hit the nail on the head; he had learned bad habits from a group of classmates during school, still went to nightclubs every few days, and often had relations with women. Now, being called out by Julius Reed, especially in front of Anna Harris whom he liked, made Joel Martin¡¯s anger surge uncontrollably. ¡°Enough! Stop arguing! Let¡¯s just do it for my sake.¡± Seeing the situation worsening, Anna Harris had to step in to mediate. ¡°That¡­ Julius Reed, thank you for coming out especially to pick me up, tell Quella Radcliffe I appreciate her kindness. I¡¯m here with a few friends now, so it¡¯s not convenient to trouble you. I¡¯ll be staying here for a few days, then I¡¯ll visit her in Gonzalez City.¡± Keeping Julius Reed around would surely not end well, as these people would not let things go and might even secretly seek revenge on Julius Reed. No matter what, he was still her best friend¡¯s husband who, even including her friend, wasn¡¯t particularly liked, even somewhat disliked. But having interacted with him, Anna Harris actually found Julius Reed quite interesting; he had managed to anger Joel Martin, who was usually so arrogant, to the point of fuming. ¡°Alright! Since that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll be leaving! Make sure to tell Quella Radcliffe, don¡¯t make it look like I never came to pick you up, making me seem unreliable.¡± Julius Reed turned around and took out his phone to message Quella Radcliffe. He had come, but the other party didn¡¯t need him. ¡°Anna, you said he is your best friend¡¯s boyfriend, responsible for meeting you?¡± Isandro Jackson¡¯s eyes flickered, and his mind suddenly became active. ¡°Right! What¡¯s the matter?¡± Anna Harris gazed at her classmate, somewhat puzzled by what she meant. ¡°Since he¡¯s already here, and he¡¯s also your best friend¡¯s husband, why drive him away!¡± Within Isandro¡¯s heart, scheming away, he believed that only by keeping Julius Reed could he have the chance to get back at Joel Martin. If he let him go just like that, he couldn¡¯t swallow his pride. ¡°Heather Gonzalez, don¡¯t you think so?¡± He then turned to look at Heather Gonzalez. ¡°Sure¡­ Sure, since he¡¯s here, let¡¯s not send him away.¡± Heather usually got along with Isandro, and now, with Isandro furiously blinking, Heather naturally knew what she meant. Anyway, this matter had nothing to do with her, they could make as much noise as they wished. ¡°Right! So he¡¯s Anna¡¯s best friend¡¯s husband. I didn¡¯t know, no offense!¡± Joel Martin might not have been the smartest, but he was very proficient in schemes that hurt people. He naturally understood Isandro¡¯s intentions, so he quickly shifted from angry to beaming with joy. ¡°Mr. Reed is already here, and he¡¯s from here anyway, why not have him show us around? Anna, you shouldn¡¯t refuse.¡± He hurriedly chimed in. Once Julius left, although he could still take revenge, what could be better than making the other party embarrass themselves in public? ¡°Forget it! Joel Martin, your family is local too, that¡¯s enough for us. We don¡¯t need him.¡± Anna Harris certainly knew what they were up to and definitely would not let Julius suffer the consequences for nothing. After all, this was her best friend¡¯s husband, and even just for Quella Radcliffe¡¯s sake, she couldn¡¯t stand by and watch Julius get trapped. ¡°Hey! That being said, my family, although from Five-river Province, have also, just like you, not been back for many years.¡± Joel Martin spoke with animation: ¡°Like this airport, for instance, it was very shabby when I left, and now, just a few short years later, it¡¯s almost like an international airport! It seems that Five-river Province has changed a lot recently; why not let Brother Reed give us a tour?¡± His eyes kept stealthily glancing at Julius Reed while calculating how to mess with him. Having studied abroad for years, Joel Martin hadn¡¯t learned much else, but his skill in tormenting people had definitely improved. He hung out with the scions of wealthy families, thinking of nothing else but how to demean others day after day. And, incidentally, enjoying the pleasure that money brings. ¡°Julius has his own matters to attend to, we shouldn¡¯t bother him.¡± Anna Harris frowned tightly, growing even more disgusted with these people while hoping Julius would understand her hint and find an opportunity to leave soon. However, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s husband was quite rash indeed; how could he simply shove someone without considering the other person¡¯s status. Stanislaus Potter¡¯s nephew was not so easy to provoke. ¡°No problem at all! After all, you are my wife¡¯s best friend, I can¡¯t let my wife lose face just because I¡¯m back!¡± But Julius Reed responded as if he couldn¡¯t understand her words at all, directly agreeing to the plan, believing that no matter what little tricks the other side played, it would only backfire on them. In the face of absolute power, what use were conspiracy and tricks! Chapter 265 - Chapter 265: Chapter 264 Taxi_1 Chapter 265: Chapter 264 Taxi_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°Julius Reed, what are you playing at, acting all high and mighty here! It¡¯s gonna be a hefty bill with the five of us eating, drinking, and having fun¡ªwhat kind of money can you have as a son-in-law staying at the Radcliffe Family! If Quella were here today, I wouldn¡¯t mind one bit, but you¡¯re spending the Radcliffe Family¡¯s money, so stop putting on airs!¡± Seeing that Julius Reed was about to fall for her trap, Anna Harris could only use such provocative words to needle him. Over the years since marrying into the Radcliffe family, Quella had grown quite close to Anna Harris, telling her everything without holding back, including the details of her family life. As for this live-in son-in-law, Anna Harris naturally had some understanding of him. He didn¡¯t like to go out and earn money but rather stayed at home all day doing house chores and laundry, seemingly quite content with this routine. Moreover, according to Quella, the Radcliffe family basically only gave him an allowance for groceries, leaving Julius Reed without any excess funds. If he were to lead everyone in their outing, where would he find the money for all the expenses? Feeling that she might have been too harsh, Anna Harris quickly explained, ¡°Young Master of the Martin Family¡¯s family is local, and his uncle is loaded with cash. We came to Five-river Province this time to take down local tycoons, don¡¯t be the scapegoat, okay!¡± ¡°Anna! I¡¯ll get my hands on those local tycoons sooner or later, but look at Brother Reed¡¯s outfit¡ªit doesn¡¯t look cheap. He can¡¯t be broke! Besides, how much could the five of us really spend on food and drink? As the husband of your best friend, you wouldn¡¯t be too stingy to spend that little bit of money, would you?¡± Joel Martin, seeing Anna Harris defend Julius Reed, felt a surge of jealousy, yet he kept a smile on his face. Having muddled through abroad for so many years, if he hadn¡¯t learned anything else, he had certainly mastered the art of concealing daggers with smiles. How could he miss such a golden opportunity? ¡°Exactly! Anna, are you worried about hanging out with us? If that¡¯s the case, it would be like not even being friends. If you¡¯re worried about the spending, I can cover it,¡± Isandro chimed in. Isandro certainly had to side with Joel Martin, understanding that only by making a good impression could he hope to gain Joel¡¯s favor. And demeaning Julius Reed was also a jab at Anna Harris¡ªhow could Isandro resist such an opportunity? ¡°Come on! Are you folks looking down on me that much? Just food and lodging for five people¡ªhow much could that possibly cost? Quella is my wife, and I won¡¯t do anything to embarrass her!¡± It was all just money to Julius Reed, whose concept of finances was basically limited to¡­ Someone else paying. He didn¡¯t even know how much wealth the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance really had, but at least he knew the money was endless. ¡°Ha-ha! Brother, you¡¯re quite something¡ªI wouldn¡¯t even dare say what you just did!¡± Another man chuckled lightly from the side, then fell silent again. His family was a household of merchants from a neighboring province, and having encountered these folks abroad, they had ended up traveling together. As such, he wasn¡¯t particularly interested in their personal grievances. ¡°Anna, now that he¡¯s said that, wouldn¡¯t it be rather disrespectful for you to refuse as your best friend?¡± Joel feigned a touch of discontent as he asked. ¡°All right then!¡± Seeing Julius Reed speak so, Anna Harris nodded her head reluctantly. With Isandro and the others already suggesting they would pay, if Anna persisted in her refusal, it would indeed be a slap in the face to her friends. ¡°Just don¡¯t go putting on big airs and carelessly spend our Radcliffe family money!¡± She glanced at Julius with annoyance, the flicker of positive feelings she had for him just moments ago disappearing in an instant. Even though Quella was born into the Radcliffe family, Anna knew all too well the difficulties she had faced in recent years. Despite being better off than most, that didn¡¯t warrant Julius squandering their wealth. Especially when recalling Quella¡¯s past remarks about Julius staying at home without going out to earn money, Anna found him all the more hypocritical. Using his wife¡¯s money to save face made him utterly worthless in Anna¡¯s eyes. ¡°Ah! Fine! Then what plans do you all have?¡± Julius was hardly bothered by these matters, knowing that the total sum wouldn¡¯t amount to much. Moreover, all the influential people in Five-river Province were his underlings, and nearly everything could be had for free. ¡°Let¡¯s find a hotel first!¡± Joel¡¯s eyes darted about, and he turned to Isandro, ¡°Isandro, where would you like to go?¡± ¡°I¡¯m here for the first time; how would I know where to go!¡± Isandro Jackson glanced at him disdainfully and turned to Heather Gonzalez, ¡°Your family is local, do you know where we should go?¡± ¡°Right! Heather¡¯s family is from around here, so why don¡¯t we just go to her place? That way, we all get to visit and it¡¯s convenient, isn¡¯t it?¡± Anna Harris immediately picked up the conversation. Everyone knew the Gonzalez family was wealthy, and although they weren¡¯t on the same level as the Potter Family, they still owned their own villa in Five-river Province. Their villa could accommodate all of them, even fifty people if necessary. This would not only solve everyone¡¯s accommodation problem but also bail out Julius Reed and save Quella Radcliffe a bundle. ¡°Alright¡­¡± ¡°No rush! Let¡¯s not alert our families about our return this time. We can just go to Heather¡¯s place after we¡¯ve had our fun!¡± Joel Martin immediately cut Heather off. He had not easily secured this chance; how could he miss it? ¡°Hurry up! I don¡¯t have time to dawdle with you all! If you¡¯re staying with someone, let¡¯s go, if not I¡¯ll book a top-tier hotel for your service!¡± Julius Reed was getting impatient. Did they not understand how precious his time was? What was the big deal about staying in a hotel and eating food? He had even stayed in the Imperial City, yet he still preferred sleeping on the mountains. ¡°Look! He¡¯s announced it, a top-tier hotel! Heather, what are some of the top-tier hotels in Five-river Province?¡± The more Julius acted like this, the happier Joel Martin became. He was digging his own grave, and no one was stopping him. ¡°The Water Pearl, I¡¯d say. It¡¯s quieter there and the view is nice. Whether it¡¯s eating, drinking, or having fun, they¡¯ve got it all pretty much covered.¡± Heather considered for a moment before responding. As soon as she finished speaking, Anna Harris immediately seemed displeased. She knew, of course, about The Water Pearl, a place that would cost thousands per person a night, and with meals, the six of them could end up spending tens of thousands on just one occasion. And that was just the initial expense upon arrival. If they kept spending at this rate over three to five days, they would need at least hundreds of thousands. While this amount might not mean much to these wealthy second-generation heirs, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s income simply wasn¡¯t enough to cover such expenses. In fact, Anna Harris¡¯s own annual income was only about two hundred thousand, so she could especially empathize with Quella. ¡°Then it¡¯s decided, The Water Pearl! Let¡¯s go quickly, or I won¡¯t wait for you anymore!¡± Julius turned and walked straight out of the airport. The Water Pearl belonged to Miguel Abbott, and they could eat and drink there completely free of charge. But Julius still preferred to keep a low profile; he couldn¡¯t reveal his identity. So, he reminded Miguel Abbott not to act like they knew each other. Soon, the group, each with their own thoughts, arrived at the airport entrance. ¡°Hey, buddy, how are you going to pick us up?¡± Joel Martin looked around but didn¡¯t see any decent-looking private cars. He was well aware that Julius Reed might not have a car, but his question was more about shaming than genuine curiosity. ¡°We¡¯ll just take a cab!¡± Julius casually hailed a taxi. He turned to the people behind him: ¡°Get in.¡± ¡°Just this?¡± Joel Martin frowned once more. Chapter 266 - Chapter 266: Chapter 265 Crispy Man_1 Chapter 266: Chapter 265 Crispy Man_1 Translator: 549690339 While abroad, Joel Martin had used his family¡¯s money to buy a luxury car and would often take female classmates out for fun when he had nothing else to do. Previously, when he returned home for holidays, his family would wait for him at the door with a car worth millions. This time, he had intended to notify his family, but Anna Harris and the others decided to have fun on their own first and didn¡¯t want to disturb their families. Moreover, Quella Radcliffe, upon hearing of Anna Harris¡¯s return, insisted on coming to greet her in person. However, Radcliffe Group had so many partnership projects going on recently that they could only send Julius Reed to replace her. ¡°Bro, are you kidding me?¡± Seeing Julius Reed get into the taxi, Joel Martin¡¯s eyebrows immediately furrowed. ¡°Who knows how many people have been in this taxi, plus it¡¯s full of odors everywhere, and the seats are hard. How is this supposed to be for us?¡± His dissatisfaction was immediately evident on his face. Accustomed to luxury cars, having them ride in a taxi was more unbearable than killing them. Isandro Jackson also covered his nose with his hand, his face full of disdain. ¡°Are you going to ride or not?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s distaste for these people grew as he watched them; wasn¡¯t he worth far more than them? So why didn¡¯t he have so much trouble? What do these people have to compare with him! And they were full of complaints everywhere! ¡°I¡¯m riding with you.¡± Anna Harris steeled her heart, ignoring the reactions of the others, and went straight into the taxi. ¡°Hey! Anna, you¡¯ll dirty your clothes!¡± Isandro Jackson anxiously yelled from the outside, as if Anna Harris had walked into a dangerous place. But Anna Harris was indifferent, ¡°What¡¯s the big deal, are you coming or not?¡± ¡°Anna¡­¡± ¡°Damn it with all these issues! If you want a ride, I¡¯m not going to bother now! All dressed up, shiny on the outside but rotten on the inside! What kind of thing are you!¡± The taxi driver directly interrupted Joel Martin¡¯s words, shifted gears, and drove away. ¡°Master, well scolded!¡± Julius Reed gave a thumbs-up, he liked people with a fiery temper. ¡°Hey! I¡¯ve been driving a taxi for so many years, what kind of people haven¡¯t I carried? I¡¯ve even driven for high-ranking officials in the earlier years, and they were so amiable! Take the big bosses from Five-river Province, I¡¯ve driven quite a few of them.¡± Through the rearview mirror, the taxi driver looked at Julius Reed and Anna Harris: ¡°You two youngsters stay away from them, they say wealth doesn¡¯t last more than three generations, and there¡¯s a reason for that! Look at these people, swaggering around with just a bit of stinking money!¡± ¡°Master, we¡¯re not a couple.¡± Anna Harris said sternly. ¡°Ah! Then forget I said anything!¡± The driver¡¯s face flushed red with embarrassment, and he laughed awkwardly before stepping hard on the gas. It didn¡¯t take long for them to arrive at Water Pearl. ¡°Uh, just a kind reminder, uncle here says, if you¡¯re not boyfriend and girlfriend or something like that, be safe. I drive here often, carrying quite a number of people, and I¡¯ve heard many people have caught diseases.¡± The driver spoke in a strange tone as he collected the fare. Obviously, he thought Julius Reed and Anna Harris were here for a hookup¡ªwhy else would a single man and a single woman come to the Water Pearl Hotel? Could it be to discuss life? Embarrassed by his words, Anna Harris quickly got out of the car. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, master, I¡¯m married!¡± After getting out of the car, Julius Reed didn¡¯t forget to greet the driver. ¡°Got it! I understand! What man doesn¡¯t stray, but do it in moderation, don¡¯t get caught.¡± The driver once again offered good-natured advice. ¡°Sure! Take care!¡± Julius Reed waved with a smile and turned around to find Anna Harris with a face full of black lines. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± He suddenly felt that perhaps Quella Radcliffe had put him in a tough spot. ¡°Nothing!¡± Anna Harris said irritably, anyone spoken to that way by the driver would get upset, right? And judging by Julius Reed¡¯s smug look, he¡¯s probably not new to this. ¡°Here¡¯s thirty thousand yuan, spend it wisely, it¡¯s for the expenses of these next few days.¡± Anna Harris pulled out a bank card from her pocket and stuffed it into Julius Reed¡¯s hand, ¡°Don¡¯t refuse! Quella Radcliffe is having some difficulties right now, when you two are well-off, you can host a banquet to treat us. Also, as a grown man, can¡¯t you go out and work to earn money?¡± ¡°What is this for!¡± Julius Reed directly shoved the card back, ¡°Don¡¯t need money here, stay as you please. Besides, are you insulting me or Quella Radcliffe with just a few tens of thousands of yuan?¡± ¡°You¡­ forget it! If you really run out of money, you must tell me. Also, Joel Martin is not a good person, be careful around him.¡± Anna Harris sighed deeply, feeling distressed about how her best friend ended up with such a husband. ¡°And, just arrange for a regular hotel, it doesn¡¯t need to be too expensive, just say it¡¯s my suggestion. I¡¯ll order the food, try to make them eat less.¡± As she spoke, Anna Harris frowned slightly, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have been so stubborn in the first place, you pushed Joel Martin away, and now he¡¯s plotting against you!¡± ¡°Okay! Don¡¯t worry about these things, since she¡¯s my wife¡¯s best friend, it¡¯s only right that I look after you a bit. Wait, I¡¯ll book five rooms for you.¡± Having said this, Julius Reed walked with Anna Harris to the reception desk. ¡°Why, Mr. Reed!¡± The front desk manager was naturally friendly to Julius Reed, this was a personage akin to a deity! In the past, he single-handedly crippled Irving Harris¡¯s leg, and they were all there to witness it. Seeing Julius Reed returning alone now, the manager was naturally extremely respectful. ¡°So familiar?¡± Seeing how enthusiastic the front desk manager was toward Julius Reed, Anna Harris sarcastically commented, ¡°Looks like you come here often, even the staff here recognize you!¡± She was already planning to report this to Quella Radcliffe, to prevent her friend from being deceived by a scoundrel. Spending Radcliffe Group¡¯s hard-earned money, fooling around with other women! Pah! She spat out in her mind. ¡°Of course I¡¯m familiar!¡± The manager, obviously not understanding the meaning behind Anna Harris¡¯s words, said with a smile, ¡°Mr. Reed is a regular here, stopping by every three days!¡± This statement, however, took on an entirely different meaning when it reached Anna Harris¡¯s ears. An occasional affair might be understandable, after all, they had been married for three years and slept separately. But if he was running here every three days, that was way beyond acceptable! ¡°Give me five rooms!¡± Julius Reed held out a hand to the manager. ¡°Understood! Here are your room cards!¡± The manager quickly instructed, and the staff beside him immediately made the arrangements. But just as they were about to leave, the manager spoke again. ¡°Mr. Reed, that girl you brought back last time was looking for you!¡± After Julius Reed left in the morning, Elize Yarrow indeed came looking for him. ¡°Which one?¡± Since the Red Widow was also staying there, Julius Reed wasn¡¯t sure who the manager was referring to. ¡°The one wearing the bunny girl outfit and was in a private room with you last time!¡± The manager was a straightforward person and spoke bluntly. There was no helping it; Elize Yarrow¡¯s wearing the bunny girl outfit had become common knowledge. ¡°Several of them? Bunny girl outfits? And booking rooms?¡± Anna Harris¡¯s eyeballs almost popped out. This wasn¡¯t just being a scoundrel, this was utterly spineless! ¡°No way! I must tell Quella Radcliffe about this!¡± Anna Harris pulled out her phone, her face flushed with anger. Chapter 267 - Chapter 267: Chapter 266 Arranging Hotels_1 Chapter 267: Chapter 266 Arranging Hotels_1 Translator: 549690339 ¡°What¡¯s all the fuss about!¡± Seeing Anna Harris exploding in rage, Julius Reed was utterly bewildered. It was just a few women, after all, he hadn¡¯t done anything, heaven and earth could attest! Moreover, Quella Radcliffe hadn¡¯t said a thing, when did it become the business of a stranger to meddle in family affairs? Isn¡¯t this the hen crowing at dawn? But this incident had infuriated Anna Harris. Having already a bad impression of Julius Reed, the thought of her best friend working hard to earn money, only for this pretty boy to squander it on fooling around with other women! And at the Water Pearl, such an expensive hotel at that! Even with two women at the same time! She had been calling for a long time, but no one picked up on the other end. ¡°You just wait, this isn¡¯t over!¡± Anna Harris was so angry that her face turned red and her neck thickened, wishing she could get as far away from Julius Reed as possible. Yet thinking that if she left, he might just mess around even more, she endured her disgust and stood with Julius Reed. Even more so, she planned to expose Julius Reed¡¯s true colors later on, so those women could see the true face of this pretty boy¡¯s actions. Five minutes later, two white BMWs stopped in front of the Water Pearl, and Joel Martin and others got out one after another. Without a thought, one could tell that these cars were sent by the Martin Family. After greeting Joel Martin, the drivers quickly left the scene. ¡°Anna, sorry to have kept you waiting!¡± As soon as Joel Martin got out of the car, he reverted to his previous arrogant demeanor. ¡°The drivers are my uncle¡¯s men; I just made a call and they came over. It¡¯s very convenient. You shouldn¡¯t take a taxi anymore.¡± He cast a glance at Julius Reed and asked with a smile, ¡°Mr. Reed, we¡¯ve always stayed in five-star hotels before, if you don¡¯t book us a nice room, I¡¯m afraid it will affect Anna¡¯s rest.¡± Now that everyone had arrived, the revenge could begin. ¡°I¡¯m not as delicate as you are. Any place to stay is fine by me, and I have no issue with the room. Heather Gonzalez, you¡¯re not picky, are you?¡± Although Anna Harris was disgusted by Julius Reed, the money was, after all, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s. She had to bear with the nausea and make sure the money was well spent. ¡°Ah! I¡¯m fine with anything, no problem!¡± Heather Gonzalez nodded her head, feeling quite helpless. It was supposed to be a leisure trip, and yet why was there tension everywhere? ¡°Alright! Since the two of us girls have no complaints, you guys shouldn¡¯t be too precious either!¡± Without giving Isandro Jackson and Joel Martin a chance to speak, Anna Harris pulled Heather Gonzalez¡¯s hand, took the room card, and headed for the elevator. ¡°Hey¡­¡± Isandro Jackson just opened his mouth to speak but was stopped by Joel Martin, ¡°What¡¯s the rush! Right now, Anna Harris wants to protect him, wait till we get to the room, then you can find fault!¡± After all, they were convinced that Julius Reed had little money and naturally wouldn¡¯t book them nice rooms. Once everyone checked into the hotel, they¡¯d have the chance to embarrass Julius Reed in front of Anna Harris. ¡°Good!¡± Isandro Jackson obediently followed Joel Martin¡¯s plan, with the three other men quickly following behind. No one spoke in the elevator, but it was crystal clear to everyone that this was the calm before the storm. Ding! When the elevator reached the sixteenth floor, the doors suddenly opened. Then, a group of welcomers stood in front of the elevator doors, smiling at them. ¡°Welcome to the Water Pearl Hotel, please follow us!¡± Anna Harris quickly counted, and there were roughly a dozen welcomers; quite a grand gesture. In the past, they were usually led by a few individuals, but now suddenly so many people appeared, surprising everyone. ¡°Uh, you guys must be mistaken?¡± Joel Martin stepped forward and said to the greeter, ¡°We¡¯re together, and the person you¡¯re expecting is not us.¡± Even when Joel Martin himself stayed at top-tier hotels, he never encountered such an entourage, and if anyone could command that level of prestige, Stanislaus Potter might be one. Apart from Stanislaus Potter, it seemed no one else could match this standard. ¡°We¡¯re just here to check in; we¡¯ll handle it ourselves.¡± Anna Harris¡¯s face turned red as she explained, embarrassed. Clearly, they had mistaken them for someone else. When Anna thought about the fact that the rooms Julius had booked for them were just ordinary hotel rooms, she felt somewhat awkward facing such a welcoming lineup. Conversely, Isandro Jackson¡¯s eyes gleamed as he laughed out loud, ¡°Anna, your friend sure is something, always crying poor around us. Look how prestigious he is!¡± She finally had the chance to humiliate Julius Reed¡ªhow could she let it go? ¡°This lady is a friend of my wife, and these people are friends of my wife¡¯s friend, you get it?¡± Julius didn¡¯t care about these things, and he gave instructions to the greeters, causing Isandro Jackson and Joel Martin to snicker to themselves. They were internally eager to see Julius embarrassed when someone exposed him. ¡°I¡¯ve got something else to take care of, make yourselves at home. Order whatever you want, and if you need me, just tell the staff, they¡¯ll know how to find me.¡± After Julius had arranged everything, he turned to Anna Harris, ¡°Since you¡¯re a friend of my wife, I¡¯ll take good care of you!¡± ¡°Hmph! You¡¯re leaving just like that?¡± Isandro Jackson scoffed, ¡°It¡¯s really something, Mr. Reed, such a grand entrance you make! Even going up a floor requires a reception by more than a dozen greeters.¡± ¡°Right! Brother Reed, don¡¯t leave yet! You can go after everyone has checked in.¡± Joel Martin also moved in front of Julius Reed to stop him. This was an opportunity he wouldn¡¯t miss. After all, he was just a man living off a woman, and the family he married into wasn¡¯t even significant. What was he pretending for? ¡°Get lost! If it weren¡¯t for Anna Harris¡¯s sake, what do you think you are!¡± Julius didn¡¯t bother with him and simply pushed him aside before striding arrogantly into the elevator. ¡°You¡­¡± Joel Martin choked with rage, stood up, and was about to rush into the elevator to have it out when the security behind him stopped him, ¡°Sir, fighting is prohibited here! Please try to restrain yourself.¡± Each floor of the Pearl on the Water was staffed with several security guards to ensure the safety of the guests. ¡°Calvin, let¡¯s not stoop to the level of a barbarian! It¡¯s obvious he has no class, just a poor man!¡± Isandro Jackson quickly pulled Joel Martin back and hurled insults at Julius Reed, but Julius had already taken the elevator down and completely ignored them. ¡°Damn it! Just you wait!¡± Joel Martin took a deep breath, starting to ponder how he would get revenge. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, this way, please.¡± a female greeter said with a smile, directing them. ¡°Let¡¯s go and see! We¡¯ll also check what sort of rat¡¯s nest this kid got us into. I¡¯ll pay to change all your rooms later!¡± Joel Martin was seething with anger. ¡°Alright then! Let¡¯s take a look first.¡± Anna Harris didn¡¯t know what to say to mediate the situation, torn between her friend and her best friend¡¯s husband. And Julius had indeed gone too far, pushing Joel Martin not just once, but twice. But as they took only a few steps away, a greeter suddenly took out room keys and opened a door. ¡°Everyone, from here to there, the five rooms in a row are yours.¡± ¡°Wow!¡± Isandro Jackson took one look and his eyes instantly widened in surprise. ¡°Haven¡¯t you made a mistake!¡± Chapter 268 - Chapter 268: Chapter 267 Presidential Suite_1 Chapter 268: Chapter 267 Presidential Suite_1 ¡°This¡­ this is our room?¡± Anna Harris had mentally prepared herself, but she was still stunned when she saw the scene before her. Two words. Luxurious. The golden and dazzling room was very spacious, and even the carpet at the entrance was exceptionally valuable. Although they were not particularly wealthy, they had seen a lot over the years, but such a luxurious room was beyond their wildest dreams. The only thing that came close to this level of luxury was a room Joel Martin had reluctantly stayed in, but it still fell far short in comparison. Luxury! Extreme luxury! ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but you must be mistaken,¡± Anna Harris said reluctantly, reluctantly taking her eyes off the room and turning to the greeter. ¡°What¡¯s the standard of this room, and how much does it cost?¡± Joel Martin asked. Since everyone liked it, he clenched his teeth¡ªbooking five rooms would also save face for himself, right? ¡°The highest standard Pearl Suite over the water, 288,800 per night,¡± the greeter answered with a smile. ¡°Ah!¡± Joel Martin blinked and swallowed the words he had been about to say. Over a million for five people¡ªhis family had money, but not to that extent. Such extravagance would have his father breaking his leg. Upon hearing the price, Anna Harris quickly waved her hand, ¡°You must have mistaken us for someone else! We¡¯re not staying in this kind of room.¡± What money could Julius Reed have? All his money was earned by Quella Radcliffe. But Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t possibly have saved over a million in just a few years, let alone have Julius Reed spend it all at once. ¡°Exactly! How could that poor guy afford to give us such a nice room to stay in!¡± Isandro Jackson said sourly on the side, but his eyes kept darting into the room. He used to think a hotel was just a place to rest, as long as you could stay in it. But this room in front of him was pure enjoyment! ¡°We haven¡¯t made a mistake! Look, it says the room number right here!¡± the greeter explained with a smile. Only then did Anna Harris notice that the room card in her hand was indeed for the room in front of her. Now she was somewhat puzzled. ¡°If there¡¯s no problem, then let¡¯s move in!¡± Isandro Jackson glared and immediately took his room card and went inside. But when he pushed the door open, he realized his room seemed a bit different¡­ This was just an ordinary hotel. ¡°Hey! What¡¯s going on? Why are the two rooms different?¡± Isandro Jackson asked, furrowing his brows. From his experience, such a hotel would probably cost just a few hundred a night. But because it was the Pearl over the water, the hotel wasn¡¯t too bad actually. It¡¯s just that without a comparison, there¡¯s no harm done. But having seen the opulence of that previous room, this one seemed like nothing more than a dog¡¯s kennel in comparison! Hearing Isandro Jackson say this, the other three also went to their rooms with their respective room cards. Indeed, just like Isandro Jackson¡¯s. Their rooms were all very ordinary, just the standard of a budget hotel. ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this?¡± Joel Martin also walked over and asked, his tone quite unpleasant. ¡°Sir, your room was always of this standard. Only Miss Anna Harris¡¯s room is of our Presidential Suite standard,¡± the greeter explained with a smile, then turned to Anna Harris: ¡°Mr. Reed instructed that if you have any needs, just tell us directly. As long as we can fulfil them, we will do our best to accommodate you.¡± She finished speaking and pointed to the several service staff behind her: ¡°These individuals are your personal service staff, on duty 24 hours a day outside your door. Whatever you need, they will take care of it for you.¡± ¡°Miss Anna Harris!¡± Four waiters bowed in unison. This scared Anna Harris quite badly: ¡°No need! I¡¯m not used to this, please send them away.¡± By now, she had reluctantly accepted the reality. Julius Reed really did spend a small fortune of thirty thousand to book a room for herself, while the others had ordinary rooms. So that thirty thousand¡­ Thinking about her best friend¡¯s economic situation made Anna Harris feel somewhat guilty. ¡°Perhaps this was Quella Radcliffe¡¯s intention¡­¡± Anna Harris pondered in her heart. The two met in high school, attended the same university, and their friendship was very deep. Maybe it was because they hadn¡¯t seen each other for so many years that Quella Radcliffe had Julius Reed arrange such a luxurious hotel for her. She didn¡¯t believe that Julius Reed would be so bold as to spend so much money without permission. Above all, she didn¡¯t think Julius Reed would be willing to spend that money on her. With resentment and unwillingness, the others stayed in a regular hotel, while Anna Harris took Heather Gonzalez to live in this luxurious presidential suite. Anna Harris claimed she was afraid to stay alone, but actually, she just wanted to put Isandro Jackson in his place. After all, such a big room could easily accommodate three girls without any issue. After entering the room, Joel Martin violently punched the wall! ¡°Idiot! Where did you get so much money?¡± The more he thought about it, the more suffocated he felt, having lost face in front of Anna Harris. The moment he walked into the hotel, he clearly saw surprise on Anna Harris¡¯s face! Thinking of this, Joel Martin pulled out his phone and made a call. ¡°Hello! What¡¯s up?¡± Noises of a noisy bar came through the phone, clearly a nightclub with the continuous shrieking of women. ¡°Piran, I¡¯ve run into some trouble here. Can you help me handle it?¡± Joel Martin spoke gravely. ¡°Calvin, who¡¯s giving you a hard time? Your uncle is the chairman of Golden Eagle Group. Who¡¯s the blind fool who offended you?¡± Laughter came through the phone; the person on the other end obviously wasn¡¯t taking it seriously. ¡°Some hick from out of town. He shoved me twice and did it in front of the girl I like.¡± Joel Martin¡¯s face grew darker and darker. ¡°Where are you?¡± ¡°Pearl on the Water.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that Boss Abbott¡¯s turf? This is a bit of a headache, your uncle has been in a delicate situation with Boss Abbott lately.¡± The noise on the other end of the phone grew quieter, clearly the person taking the call had stepped out of the bar. ¡°Piran! This guy has gone too far. I want to teach him a lesson in front of the girl I like!¡± Joel Martin couldn¡¯t swallow his pride. He had intended to shame Julius Reed, but instead, he had been humiliated. ¡°Alright! If he¡¯s daring to show off to you, I need to teach him a lesson! Pearl on the Water, you said? I¡¯ve got brothers there. I¡¯ll tell them to turn a blind eye for a bit.¡± Then, a shout came through the phone: ¡°Mr. Donkey, take the boys over there. Boss Potter¡¯s nephew has been bullied. Make it look good!¡± After speaking, he laughed into the phone: ¡°Calvin, I sent Mr. Donkey with some guys over. Don¡¯t worry!¡± ¡°Thanks, Piran!¡± Joel Martin hung up the phone with a cold smile creeping onto his face. ¡°Julius Reed, think you can show off to me? Just wait until you make a complete fool of yourself!¡± Every time he remembered the humiliation he¡¯d received, it filled him with rage. ¡°Calvin, dinner¡¯s ready!¡± Just then, Isandro Jackson knocked from outside: ¡°Miss Anna Harris¡¯s friend¡¯s husband is treating everyone to dinner, in the lobby on the first floor!¡± ¡°Coming!¡± Joel Martin straightened his clothes and walked out beaming with smiles. Chapter 269 - Chapter 269: Chapter 268: This Dish Can’t Be Made_1 Chapter 269: Chapter 268: This Dish Can¡¯t Be Made_1 By the time Joel Martin emerged from the room, he realized that only Isandro Jackson was standing at the door. ¡°Where are the others?¡± He looked around but couldn¡¯t see Anna Harris or Heather Gonzalez anywhere. Could it be that they didn¡¯t want to get up from the comfort of the Presidential Suite? At that thought, Joel felt a sour pang in his heart. And in his mind, he cursed Anna Harris as a woman who coveted vanity. ¡°No, they went down a while ago, I¡¯m the only one waiting here for you,¡± Isandro said, reluctantly. He knew he was just as good-looking as any, but for some reason, Joel was fixated on Anna. Despite being repeatedly rejected, he was not disheartened; on the contrary, he became even more determined. As for himself, who had made advances, Joel wouldn¡¯t even give him a proper look. ¡°What?¡± Joel was visibly angry to hear that the others had gone down ahead, leaving just the two of them, but his expression softened considerably afterwards. ¡°Just wait and see, there¡¯s a good show in store today!¡± Theon Falls had already sent people over, and today would be the day Julius Reed would be thoroughly humiliated, providing Joel the satisfaction he craved. Once Anna left, he could use the influence of the Martin Family to make Julius Reed¡¯s life in Five-river Province unbearable. To think someone dared to reject him; they must be tired of living! ¡°Calvin, what kind of show?¡± Realizing something significant was about to happen, Isandro felt a secret thrill. Knowing Joel¡¯s personality, how could he ever let himself be slighted at his own doorstep? ¡°You¡¯ll find out! I¡¯m going to have that Mr. Julius Reed kneeling before me, begging for mercy!¡± The thought of the upcoming scene brought a smile to Joel¡¯s lips: ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± When they both got downstairs, they saw Anna Harris engaged in cheerful conversation with Julius Reed. Thinking of the changing attitudes between the two before, Joel¡¯s resentment grew deeper. Yet he remained calm on the surface: ¡°Anna, why didn¡¯t you let me know when you came down?¡± Despite the hint of reproach in his voice, it betrayed the closeness of their relationship. ¡°Didn¡¯t Isandro tell you? Julius called us down to order ahead. I thought everyone must be hungry, and the sooner we order, the sooner we can eat,¡± Anna said with a light smile, pulling out a chair: ¡°Take a seat!¡± ¡°What have you ordered?¡± After Joel sat down, he snatched the menu from the waiter and asked, ¡°What specialties do you have here at the hotel?¡± Since it was Julius paying, he might as well order the expensive dishes. ¡°Our Water Pearl offers all dishes as specialties, you won¡¯t find a second one like it in all of Five-river Province!¡± The waiter replied with a smile. ¡°What do you mean by that? It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve ever heard that every dish is a specialty! Can your plain rice somehow be made into something extraordinary?¡± Joel was somewhat dissatisfied after hearing the waiter¡¯s words. It sounded like the waiter was quibbling! ¡°Sir, you¡¯re actually right! Our rice is scented with osmanthus, why not order a portion and try it?¡± The waiter kept a smile on his face the whole time. ¡°Hey! What are you talking about!¡± Though Joel was not pleased, he tried to maintain his dignity in front of everyone, and pointed to a few dishes that cost over ten thousand each: ¡°This one, this one, and this one, bring them all!¡± He ordered three dishes in a row, totaling one hundred thousand. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but we can¡¯t make the dishes you¡¯ve requested today due to ingredient issues, and I apologize for the inconvenience,¡± The waiter explained, full of regret. ¡°Damn! They say the Water Pearl is a landmark of Five-river Province, but it¡¯s all just for show!¡± Slapping the menu on the table, Joel pushed it towards Anna: ¡°You order!¡± The more he thought, the more frustrated he became. When he turned his gaze to Julius, he found him grinning at him. ¡°Then let¡¯s go with these four dishes!¡± Anna Harris circled four items on the menu, and the waiter immediately transmitted the order to the kitchen using the handheld ordering device. ¡°Get me a Golden Soup!¡± Looking at a soup dish on the menu priced at twenty-three thousand, Joel Martin thought about giving it a try. ¡°Sorry! Due to a temporary shortage of ingredients, could you please choose another dish?¡± The waiter explained once again. ¡°What do you mean by this!¡± Joel Martin slammed the table and thundered, ¡°Everything I order is out of stock! Call your manager to see me, right now, immediately!¡± He assumed the airs of an arrogant young master, intending to intimidate the waiter. Even a fool could tell that the waiter was targeting him. ¡°Exactly! We thought this Pearl on the Water was known for great service, but who would have thought the waitstaff could be so rude!¡± Isandro Jackson chimed in from the side, ¡°Call your manager over, I want an explanation!¡± ¡°Sorry! I am the manager.¡± The waiter who had been standing beside them pointed to the nameplate on his chest, ¡°Do you have any issue? As a top hotel in Five-river Province, Pearl on the Water will make sure to resolve any problems you encounter.¡± It was only then that everyone noticed the nameplate on the waiter¡¯s chest, prominently displaying the title General Manager of Pearl on the Water Hotel. ¡°This¡­¡± Joel Martin¡¯s complexion fluctuated, and for a moment, he didn¡¯t know what to say! ¡°You¡¯re the general manager, acting like a waiter?¡± Isandro Jackson asked somewhat reluctantly. With the person standing right in front of him, what was there left to complain about? Surely, they couldn¡¯t possibly call over the owner of Pearl on the Water, could they? Miguel Abbott and his circle were beyond their reach; they would need someone of Stanislaus Potter¡¯s caliber for a proper dialogue. ¡°Because there is a distinguished guest at this table, I was instructed to attend to you personally.¡± The general manager answered with a smile. ¡°A distinguished guest?¡± Joel Martin¡¯s eyes darted around. Of everyone at the table, he had the highest status. Could it be that Miguel Abbott had arranged special care for him? But even though he was Stanislaus Potter¡¯s nephew, surely it wouldn¡¯t come to this, would it? After scanning the people around him, Joel Martin was sure that he was the distinguished guest. Because the status of the others was far below his own. ¡°Ahem! Please thank Boss Abbott for me, and I will certainly mention this to my uncle once I¡¯m back.¡± How could Joel Martin miss such an opportunity to save face? No sooner had he finished speaking than Isandro Jackson¡¯s face broke out in joy. ¡°Exactly, out of all of us at this table, only Calvin Leopold has such influence. Boss Abbott and Boss Potter are good friends, so knowing that Calvin Leopold was coming, he even arranged for the general manager to serve us personally.¡± Isandro Jackson grinned from ear to ear, as if he was Joel Martin himself. ¡°That¡¯s the thing, some people might have a bit of money, but they can¡¯t break into our circle! After all, how can any common upstart compare to a young master like our Calvin Leopold?¡± As she spoke, she glanced at Julius Reed, her tone full of mockery. ¡°Well!¡± Julius Reed grabbed the menu and turned to Anna Harris, ¡°Golden Soup is one of the specialties here. Don¡¯t you want to try it?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t they say they were out of ingredients?¡± Anna Harris looked at Julius Reed with a surprised gaze. The general manager had just made it very clear; did Julius Reed not hear? ¡°How ridiculous! You say that because you know it¡¯s not available, so you dare to offer it, knowing well that the dish can¡¯t be made and you won¡¯t have to pay for it!¡± Isandro Jackson said disdainfully. ¡°Who says it¡¯s not available?¡± Julius Reed pointed to the menu, addressing the general manager, ¡°I¡¯ll have one, please.¡± ¡°Alright! One Golden Soup coming up!¡± The general manager picked up the walkie-talkie, ¡°Prepare the Golden Soup for table number 13 immediately, and make it fast!¡± Chapter 270 - Chapter 270: Chapter 269 Do you know who she is?_1 Chapter 270: Chapter 269 Do you know who she is?_1 When the hotel manager spoke into the intercom, everyone¡¯s jaws almost dropped. ¡°What the hell! Didn¡¯t you just say it couldn¡¯t be done?¡± Joel Martin slammed his hand on the table and stood up, grabbing the manager by the collar: ¡°Are you fucking playing me?¡± The manager had just said that the ingredients for Golden Soup hadn¡¯t arrived and that it absolutely couldn¡¯t be made. Everyone had heard that loud and clear. But in the blink of an eye, as soon as Julius Reed ordered the Golden Soup, the manager immediately instructed the kitchen to prioritize it. Could it be that the legendary VIP was Julius Reed? Anna Harris sized him up with her eyes and thought it impossible. If Julius Reed really had that kind of influence, how could the Radcliffe Family try every means to drive him out! Even Quella Radcliffe¡¯s parents were nearly forcing their daughter to divorce every day. ¡°I apologize, I¡¯ve just received the news that the ingredients for Golden Soup have just arrived, that is, half a minute ago.¡± The manager still spoke calmly, as if worried that Joel Martin wouldn¡¯t believe him, he picked up the intercom again: ¡°Warehouse, come here for a second.¡± Half a minute later, a panting portly man ran over. ¡°Manager, you called for me?¡± ¡°When did the South Sea Turtles arrive at the warehouse?¡± The manager asked in front of Joel Martin. ¡°Three minutes ago!¡± The portly man looked at his watch, very certain: ¡°They were stored at two minutes and forty-three seconds.¡± ¡°You see, it really was just a coincidence. We¡¯re both here to make money; why would we want to clash with you?¡± The manager shrugged slightly, indicating he was helpless. ¡°This¡­¡± Joel Martin¡¯s eyes spun wildly, beginning to speculate wildly in his mind. Could it really just be a coincidence? Only the other man sitting aside remained silent, a sharp glint flickering in his eyes. Being a rich second-generation from another province, he naturally had no ties with the locals. By Julius Reed¡¯s actions and words, he had roughly inferred what was really going on. Compared to the sly Julius Reed, Joel Martin was just too na?ve! But he didn¡¯t say anything. He was content to watch the drama unfold. ¡°Julius Reed! I¡¯ve finally found you!¡± Just then, Elize Yarrow came running over. Today she was wearing a very short skirt, and her upper body was in a strapless top, looking exceptionally sexy. ¡°What do you want!¡± Julius Reed frowned slightly, pointing at Anna Harris and the others: ¡°I¡¯m treating friends to a meal here, don¡¯t make trouble!¡± ¡°Tch! Jerk! You truly are heartless!¡± Elize Yarrow cursed with a smile and slowly walked behind Julius Reed, warily glancing at Anna Harris: ¡°Who are you, and why are you eating with Julius Reed?¡± That wary look was just like the one found in love! Anna Harris¡¯s previously relaxed mood tensed up again. What a scumbag! No, I must tell Quella Radcliffe! ¡°I¡¯m a close friend of Julius Reed¡¯s wife!¡± Anna Harris pulled out her phone while replying. When she mentioned the word ¡°wife,¡± her tone was particularly emphatic. ¡°Oh! No big deal, but don¡¯t get too close to Julius Reed. These days isn¡¯t it about guarding against fire, theft, and close friends?¡± Elize Yarrow, lacking any self-awareness, as if she were the legitimate wife herself, directly ordered the manager: ¡°Add a chair for me!¡± ¡°Right away!¡± The manager smiled and nodded, and a waiter immediately brought over a chair. Elize Yarrow had been here long enough for everyone to know she was quite familiar with Julius Reed. So everyone treated her with extra courtesy. ¡°Yo! What brings me up, young lady?¡± Anna Harris quietly started recording a video on her phone, speaking with a bit of mockery: ¡°On the contrary, why are you getting so close to a married man? Aren¡¯t you afraid of rumors and misunderstandings?¡± ¡°Misunderstandings! If they misunderstand, then let them be, I¡¯m not afraid!¡± Elize Yarrow faced Anna Harris without any fear. The manager, seeing the scene, quickly excused himself to go prepare the meal. ¡°Ha! You really have no shame!¡± Anna Harris said harshly, She couldn¡¯t stand by and watch her best friend¡¯s husband behave so outrageously, regardless of the situation. She had expected the other party to fly into a rage, but to her surprise, Elize Yarrow seemed completely unfazed. ¡°Julius Reed¡¯s wife hasn¡¯t said a word, who do you think you are?¡± This comment immediately made Anna Harris¡¯s face turn an ugly shade. Seeing this, Joel Martin knew his opportunity to shine had arrived. ¡°What kind of language is that! You have no sense of shame at all! It¡¯s really a case of a bitch and a mutt, a match made in heaven!¡± With those words, he managed to insult both Julius Reed and Elize Yarrow. ¡°The two of you really do match!¡± After Joel Martin spoke, Isandro Jackson immediately chimed in, ¡°Exactly, a match made in heaven!¡± ¡°Who are you talking about?¡± While Elize Yarrow hadn¡¯t gotten angry with Anna Harris, being spoken to like that by Joel Martin and Isandro Jackson made her stand up from her chair. ¡°Whoever knows, knows deep down. I¡¯ve heard of people picking up money, never of people picking up insults!¡± Isandro Jackson turned and spat contemptuously on the ground, ¡°Pah! It¡¯s truly sickening!¡± ¡°Say that again!¡± Elize Yarrow was not one to be easily bullied, and she immediately walked up to Isandro Jackson and demanded, pointing at her nose, ¡°Say that again?¡± ¡°Yeah! I just said it, what are you going to do about it?¡± Isandro Jackson also stood up unyieldingly and sneered, ¡°What I said was¡­¡± Smack! Elize Yarrow slapped her across the face. ¡°You¡­ you dare to hit people!¡± Isandro Jackson¡¯s eyes widened, seemingly astonished that Elize Yarrow would actually resort to physical violence. Smack! Before she could react, Elize Yarrow backhanded her again, ¡°Watch your mouth!¡± ¡°You dare hit me!¡± Isandro Jackson raised her hand to strike back but was quickly grabbed by the hair and violently pushed to the ground by Elize Yarrow. When women fight, it can sometimes be even more vicious than men. ¡°Enough! What do you think you¡¯re doing!¡± Joel Martin, though he didn¡¯t like Isandro Jackson, felt his own dignity was at stake now that she was being beaten. ¡°Calvin Leopold, she¡¯s bullying me!¡± With her face red, Isandro Jackson couldn¡¯t hold back her tears of grievance. ¡°Apologize immediately!¡± Joel Martin glanced at Julius Reed, partly intending to kill the chicken to scare the monkey. Anyway, this woman must have a relationship with Julius Reed. ¡°Me, apologize? You wish, make her apologize to me right now!¡± Elize Yarrow, pointing at Isandro Jackson, said, ¡°If she doesn¡¯t apologize, I¡¯ll keep hitting her until she does!¡± In that moment, a strong aura burst forth from her. ¡°Ha! You dare demand an apology from my friend, do you know who I am?¡± Joel Martin sneered smugly, ¡°My name is Joel Martin, nephew of Stanislaus Potter from Golden Eagle Group. If you know what¡¯s good for you¡­¡± ¡°Do you know who she is?¡± Julius Reed interrupted Joel Martin, smiling as he asked. ¡°Who is she?¡± Joel Martin frowned slightly, sensing an uneasy premonition. ¡°Elize Yarrow, Atlas Leopold¡¯s fianc¨¦e.¡± Julius Reed said coolly. ¡°Young Master Leopold¡¯s fianc¨¦e?¡± Joel Martin¡¯s eyes widened. He naturally knew who Atlas Leopold was, one of the Four Young Masters of the Five-river Province. Even after many years away from home, he had heard about these matters. And he had heard from his uncle that Atlas Leopold¡¯s fianc¨¦e¡¯s family name really was Yarrow¡­ Chapter 271 - Chapter 271: Chapter 270 Did you see that?_1 Chapter 271: Chapter 270 Did you see that?_1 ¡°Atlas Leopold, who is that! Even in the Five-river Province, if you dare to offend our Calvin, even Augustus would have to kneel and apologize!¡± Isandro Jackson is an overseas Chinese who often lives abroad, so he doesn¡¯t know about the situation in the Five-river Province. Joel Martin always likes to boast to his friends and classmates, which has left the impression on everyone that he is omnipotent in the Five-river Province. So when Julius Reed mentioned that Elize Yarrow is Atlas Leopold¡¯s fianc¨¦e, Isandro Jackson couldn¡¯t care less. Could Atlas possibly be more formidable than Joel Martin? But as soon as these words came out, the expressions of everyone at the dining table changed. Especially Joel Martin. Atlas Leopold is the direct heir of the Leopold Family, the foremost of the four young masters of the Five-river Province. And him, he couldn¡¯t even compare to Quamaine Potter, the unanimously recognized dud among the four young masters. In the end, he¡¯s just a nephew of the Potter Family, not a direct heir at all. ¡°Stop talking!¡± But to save face, Joel Martin could only tug at Isandro¡¯s arm, hoping he would say less. However, in Isandro¡¯s eyes, this gesture only seemed like Joel was feigning modesty. She stood up again, walked over to Elize Yarrow, and fiercely slapped her! Slap! In an instant, the humiliation felt from being slapped earlier dissipated. In its place was a sense of superiority. Clearly, Elize had not expected Isandro to dare to slap her and was stunned on the spot. Julius Reed was also stunned. This really was a case of not knowing whether to live or die! To hit the fianc¨¦e of Atlas¡­ Of course, she was no longer that now, but nominally Elize was still considered to be. To dare to strike the fianc¨¦e of Atlas, one would either have to be ignorant or fearless. Obviously, Isandro belonged to the latter. ¡°Call that what¡¯s-his-name, Atlas Leopold, to come and apologize to our Calvin!¡± She stood with her hands on her hips, proudly saying, ¡°If Atlas Leopold doesn¡¯t come to apologize in person within half an hour, then don¡¯t leave this place!¡± Listenting to Joel bragging about how powerful he was almost every day, Isandro naturally believed him without a doubt. Moreover, getting two BMW 7 series as their dedicated cars right after getting off the plane further strengthened Isandro¡¯s belief in Joel¡¯s omnipotence. ¡°Isandro, you come back here!¡± Joel felt a burning sensation on his face and was at a loss for a moment. If he really had Atlas come over, wouldn¡¯t that be tantamount to seeking death? It might end up requiring Stanislaus Potter to intervene before the situation could be resolved. But if he admitted he was inferior to Atlas Leopold? That would cause his standing in the eyes of people like Anna Harris and Isandro to plummet. Upon returning, the story would certainly spread, and he would surely be labeled a braggart. ¡°What? Young Master Martin is that afraid of Atlas Leopold?¡± Julius Reed asked languidly. ¡°Haha, what are you talking about!¡± Joel Martin¡¯s eyes shifty, he countered, ¡°Brother Reed and Young Master Leopold¡¯s fianc¨¦e seem so intimate, aren¡¯t you afraid that it might lead to some gossip? I don¡¯t think Miss Yarrow would want to disturb Young Master Leopold, would she?¡± He¡¯d already conceived a plan to bring Julius Reed to his downfall by getting involved with Atlas¡¯s wife. But for just this offense, the Leopold Family wouldn¡¯t let him off. Meanwhile, Anna Harris was surprised; she hadn¡¯t expected Julius Reed to be so bold as to dare to get involved with Atlas Leopold¡¯s fianc¨¦e! This was audacity to the extreme! If the Leopold Family found out about this, there was a very good chance it would bring trouble to Quella Radcliffe. What she didn¡¯t expect was for Julius Reed to act as if nothing was wrong, saying cheerfully, ¡°Elize Yarrow, it¡¯s not like you to take a beating without fighting back! I¡¯ll call for help; feel free to hit back.¡± After finishing his words, he took out his phone and made a call, ¡°Tell the Leopold Family that Atlas Leopold¡¯s fianc¨¦e has been hit at the Water Pearl.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t believe you¡¯d actually dare to call the Leopold Family!¡± Joel Martin looked at Julius Reed, his face brimming with scoffing. Even Atlas Leopold dared to be cuckolded, when the time came, Julius Reed and Elize Yarrow wouldn¡¯t be able to escape! The extent to which the major families cared about face far exceeded that of ordinary people. ¡°Then just you wait and see!¡± Julius Reed shrugged slightly, his face filled with an unconcerned expression. Slap! On the other side, Elize Yarrow reacted, charging over and delivering a slap! ¡°You filthy bitch, even daring to hit your auntie!¡± Not satisfied with just a slap, Elize Yarrow pushed Isandro Jackson onto the ground, mounted her, and started to slap her fiercely! The previously triumphant Isandro Jackson instantly became like a defeated rooster, completely unable to resist. ¡°Calvin, quick, help me¡­ get this crazy woman off me!¡± She tried to shield her face with her hands while she cried out to Joel Martin for help. Joel Martin sat in his chair, not sure what to do for a moment. He dared not lay a hand on Elize Yarrow. If the Leopold Family pursued the matter, he lacked the capital to bear the consequences. But he couldn¡¯t just watch Isandro Jackson being beaten either¡ªwouldn¡¯t that mean his face was lost? ¡°Tell them to stop now!¡± Anna Harris was also looking anxious. It was supposed to be just a dinner, and she hadn¡¯t expected a fight to break out. Seeing the woman he fancied pleading, Joel Martin could no longer pretend to turn a deaf ear. He had a stroke of inspiration and shouted toward the entrance, ¡°Security, there¡¯s a fight going on here!¡± After that, he turned back to Julius Reed, ¡°I don¡¯t bully women, but if it were you, I would beat you until you knelt and begged for mercy!¡± ¡°Calvin¡­ hurry¡­ ah¡­¡± Isandro Jackson was letting out screams from the floor, her face already bloody from Elize Yarrow¡¯s onslaught. ¡°Old hag, even daring to hit me, today I will make sure you¡¯re disfigured!¡± The violent Elize Yarrow kept scratching Isandro Jackson¡¯s face with her nails, completely disregarding her image. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Following Joel Martin¡¯s shout, a team of security guards quickly ran over. ¡°This woman was bullying my companion, and I can¡¯t hit a woman, so hurry up and separate them!¡± Once he saw the security guards, Joel Martin breathed a sigh of relief, his face finally saved. ¡°Who gave you the audacity to fight at Waterfront Pearl! If you want to fight, take it outside!¡± The security team leader gestured, and the guards behind him immediately charged to separate the two women. ¡°Quick! Take this crazy bitch away! My face¡­¡± Isandro Jackson saw them like a lifesaver, calling out frantically. Facing Elize Yarrow, she didn¡¯t even have the strength to resist. ¡°Where¡¯s the fight? I didn¡¯t see anything!¡± Just as the security was about to intervene, Julius Reed slowly rose from his seat, he looked around and asked doubtfully, ¡°Did anyone else see it?¡± Julius Reed had been at Waterfront Pearl for a long time, often frequenting it with Miguel Abbott, and Miguel Abbott¡¯s respect for Julius Reed was well known at Waterfront Pearl. Seeing him, the security team leader immediately knew what was going on. ¡°Where¡¯s the fighting! Stop causing a ruckus for no reason! You¡¯re disturbing the peace of our hotel!¡± With the security team leader¡¯s shout, the other guards quickly caught on, as they were shrewd people, and promptly pretended to see nothing. ¡°What are you playing at! She¡¯s already beaten up like this!¡± Joel Martin stood up with a ¡°whoosh¡± from his chair, pointing at the two tangled figures, ¡°Are you blind! Look at the state of her! If someone ends up dead, can you bear the responsibility?¡± The security team leader subconsciously looked toward Julius Reed but found him not paying attention, so he completely ignored Joel Martin, turning to leave with the security guards. Chapter 272 - Chapter 272: Chapter 271 He is My Sister-in-Law_1 Chapter 272: Chapter 271 He is My Sister-in-Law_1 Andersen once wrote ¡°The Emperor¡¯s New Clothes.¡± But. Now this very scene was actually unfolding right in front of everyone. Isandro Jackson and Elize Yarrow were fighting below while the security guards, after making a round, simply walked away as if nothing had happened. They completely ignored them. Even Isandro Jackson on the ground forgot the pain of being beaten as he watched his hope turn to despair. Joel Martin did want to call the police but what should he do if he startled the Leopold Family? His return to Five-river Province this time was because he¡¯d heard that Quamaine Potter had run into some trouble¡ªhe wanted to use this opportunity to establish a foothold in Five-river Province. Or rather, to gain the recognition of Stanislaus Potter and make a name for himself within the Golden Eagle Group. But not calling the police would truly leave him without dignity. ¡°Alright, stop tiring yourself out!¡± In the end, it was Julius Reed¡¯s phrase that made Elize Yarrow reluctantly get off of Isandro Jackson, spitting a mouthful of saliva on his face while doing so, ¡°You little stinker, we¡¯ll see if you still dare to act all high and mighty with me after this!¡± Isandro Jackson¡¯s face was covered in scratches; it was as if his face had been ruined. He cried as he threw himself into Joel Martin¡¯s arms, sobbing uncontrollably, ¡°Calvin, avenge me!¡± Another man nearby also spoke up, ¡°This is a bit too much.¡± Even though he didn¡¯t talk much on normal days, today Julius Reed¡¯s actions were indeed somewhat humiliating. ¡°Bang!¡± Joel Martin¡¯s fist slammed down on the table, pointing at Julius Reed, ¡°Apologize immediately, or I¡¯ll tell the Leopold Family about your dirty laundry! You should know what that will mean!¡± If he didn¡¯t show some spine at this moment, he might dampen everyone¡¯s spirit and also plummet in Anna Harris¡¯s eyes. But did he really dare to tell the Leopold Family about this matter? Clearly, he did not. ¡°Members of the Leopold Family will be here soon, go tattle then!¡± Julius Reed pointed behind him, a mischievous smile spread across his face. ¡°Stop beating around the bush here with me! If you don¡¯t come over and apologize soon, don¡¯t blame me for being rude!¡± Joel Martin spoke fiercely, at the same time calculating when Theon Falls¡¯ people might arrive. Just then, a group of people hurried in. Hearing the footsteps, Joel Martin¡¯s face showed a hint of a smile, Mr. Donkey had arrived with his men. All he needed to do was to pretend not to recognize them and just enjoy the show. ¡°You¡¯ll get your comeuppance for this!¡± Joel Martin looked at Julius Reed, gently consoling Isandro Jackson. ¡°I¡¯ve never believed in comeuppance; if it really existed, would you be alive today?¡± Julius Reed retorted sharply. ¡°Julius Reed, you better apologize right now!¡± Anna Harris finally spoke up. Although she was disgusted with Julius Reed, if this matter really got taken to the Leopold Family by Joel Martin, Quella Radcliffe would certainly be implicated. Even the entire Radcliffe Family would be held accountable. Being very aware as a local, Anna Harris understood the centuries-old status of the Leopold Family. Julius Reed glanced at her, but said nothing. ¡°Hey! This chick¡¯s not bad!¡± A burly man with his employees swaggered in, stepping back several times as he walked past Julius Reed, taking a good look at Elize Yarrow. ¡°No kidding! Would an ugly one be near me?¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t get angry but chuckled as he looked at the robust man. This surprised Mr. Donkey. His woman was being harassed, and he was not even angry? Could he even be considered a man? But he quickly composed himself, walking straight up to Elize Yarrow, ¡°How about a few drinks with me, darling?¡± Angering Julius Reed was too easy! ¡°Hurry up, it¡¯s rare for someone to show interest in you, go keep them company!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s words once again made Mr. Donkey¡¯s jaw drop. Is this still a man? But what he didn¡¯t know was that Julius Reed had no relationship with Elize Yarrow whatsoever. Anna Harris, Joel Martin, and others at the table were also surprised. Anna Harris was surprised that Julius Reed, true to his reputation as a scumbag, was quick to push Elize Yarrow out. Joel Martin was surprised that Mr. Donkey was actually flirting with Atlas Leopold¡¯s wife. ¡°Ahem! I mean, it¡¯s daylight out here, harassing a decent woman is not a good look!¡± He tried to use his words to signal to Mr. Donkey that this was a woman not to be messed with. But Mr. Donkey misunderstood his point, thinking Joel Martin wanted to play the hero to impress the woman he liked. He slammed the table emphatically and pointed at Joel Martin, ¡°I advise you to mind your own business! No one can mess with the woman I¡¯ve set my sights on!¡± ¡°Impressive! A real man!¡± Julius Reed sat in his chair, clapping non-stop while giving a thumbs-up: ¡°If you can take her away, I¡¯ll acknowledge you as a real man!¡± ¡°Ha! Playing tricks on me, huh? You think I don¡¯t dare?¡± Mr. Donkey frowned slightly, thinking Julius Reed was just pretending to not care about Elize Yarrow, to deceive them. Before arriving, Theon Falls had already passed on the message to the security team at Pearl on the Water, so the guards had quietly retreated when Mr. Donkey entered. But if they had known that the person Mr. Donkey was going to provoke was Julius Reed, they probably would have thrown him out long ago. ¡°Yo! Finally you¡¯ve arrived, if you were any later, your future sister-in-law would have been kidnapped!¡± Julius Reed looked toward the entrance and suddenly spoke. ¡°Stop pretending! If she doesn¡¯t have a drink with me today, none of you are leaving!¡± Mr. Donkey put one foot on the table, exuding an aura of dominance instantly. ¡°You¡¯re going to touch her?¡± Just then, a young man with a cigarette in his mouth walked over slowly. One hand in the pocket of his suit pants, the other holding a cigarette, he asked coolly, ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Who are you? Don¡¯t meddle in this! Get lost, or I¡¯ll take care of you too!¡± Mr. Donkey rebuked with a stern face. He was just following Theon Falls¡¯s order to deal with the man who troubled Joel Martin. He didn¡¯t want any extra trouble at Pearl on the Water. ¡°I¡¯m just asking you, is it, or is it not?¡± The young man took a deep drag of his cigarette, staring straight at Mr. Donkey. ¡°How are you talking to my big brother!¡± Just then, an employee stepped forward, saying fiercely, ¡°Do you know who our big brother is?¡± ¡°Does it matter who he is to me?¡± The young man lifted his head, looking coldly at the employee, ¡°Are you even qualified to speak to me?¡± ¡°Oh man! You won¡¯t cry until you see the coffin, will you?¡± The employee laughed out loud, then with a menacing look said, ¡°Let¡¯s go outside and see who¡¯s stronger!¡± This was Pearl on the Water, they didn¡¯t want to make a big scene. Bang! The young man kicked out for no reason, sending the employee tumbling to the ground. ¡°You dare touch my people!¡± Seeing this, Mr. Donkey walked over from Elize Yarrow¡¯s side and pointed at the young man, ¡°I will make you regret this.¡± ¡°Do you know who she is?¡± The young man pointed at Elize Yarrow, saying coldly, ¡°Her name is Elize Yarrow, Atlas Leopold¡¯s fiancee. Now, do you know who I am?¡± ¡°What!¡± Upon hearing the name Atlas Leopold, Mr. Donkey¡¯s face turned pale with shock! He was someone from the Leopold Family! Before he could recover from the shock, the young man flicked his cigarette butt onto the ground, ¡°I¡¯m Brayden Leopold, you should call her sister-in-law.¡± Chapter 273 - Chapter 273: Chapter 272: Did I Mention Who My Brother Is?_1 Chapter 273: Chapter 272: Did I Mention Who My Brother Is?_1 ¡°Young Master Leopold?¡± Ever since Atlas Leopold had fallen from power, Brayden Leopold had taken the stage, leading his elite forces here and there to put out fires for the Leopold Family, already becoming the newest spokesperson for the family. Mr. Donkey, being a subordinate of Stanislaus Potter, naturally knew of Brayden Leopold¡¯s big name. ¡°Young Master Leopold, I was blind and didn¡¯t recognize Mount Tai, it was a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!¡± Mr. Donkey was aware of how ruthless Brayden Leopold could be and couldn¡¯t help but feel some fear in his heart. He had thought he was only coming out to teach a lesson to some rich second generation who lacked foresight, only to find out that he had harassed the fianc¨¦e of Brayden Leopold. Although the Leopold Family was showing signs of decline, a thin camel was still bigger than a horse, far beyond the status of someone like him to provoke. With this in mind, Mr. Donkey cursed Joel Martin fiercely in his heart. ¡°You still recognize me, huh?¡± Brayden Leopold, with both hands in his pockets, looked at Mr. Donkey with a smile, ¡°Daring to let my sister-in-law toast you, you¡¯re quite arrogant!¡± ¡°No! It¡¯s a misunderstanding! A real misunderstanding! If I had known she was from the Leopold Family, even if you lent me a hundred guts, I wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± Mr. Donkey, scared to the point his legs went weak, with his employees who had been riding on his coattails also looking as good as dead. This was truly like touching a tiger¡¯s butt¡ªto not die would mean losing half of his life. ¡°However, the fact is, if I had come just a few minutes later, the reputation of the Leopold Family might have been dragged through the mud. This is an open challenge to my family, even a deliberate insult!¡± Brayden Leopold¡¯s face suddenly turned cold, as more than a dozen bodyguards in black suits rushed over from behind him. ¡°Young Master Leopold, if you, being the greater person, could let go of my small mistake, please let me off this once! I beg you, I won¡¯t dare again!¡± Mr. Donkey was truly scared, with fear coming from the depths of his heart. As an employee, he had no capital to negotiate any conditions with the Leopold Family. Even if Theon Falls was here today, he couldn¡¯t be sure to persuade Brayden Leopold to show mercy, let alone a mere employee like him. ¡°Break one hand!¡± Brayden Leopold once again took a cigarette out from his pocket, lit it, and looked at Mr. Donkey, ¡°Will you do it yourself, or shall I help you?¡± ¡°Wait a minute!¡± Just at that moment, Joel Martin stood up from his seat. Mr. Donkey had come to help him, and if he remained silent, how would he face Theon Falls later? How would he face Stanislaus Potter? ¡°Who are you?¡± Brayden Leopold looked over at Joel Martin, frowning slightly, ¡°I don¡¯t like to be disturbed when I¡¯m handling matters.¡± ¡°Young Master Leopold, I am¡­¡± ¡°Here comes Young Master Joel Martin! That Elize Yarrow is your sister-in-law? Call her over here to apologize nicely! And you, if Calvin Leopold is in a good mood, he might let you go, otherwise¡­¡± Isandro Jackson stood up and cut off Joel Martin¡¯s words, looking coldly at Atlas Leopold. In her eyes, this was a good opportunity for revenge! Since someone from the Leopold Family had come, it was time to settle all scores! ¡°Oh? Joel Martin?¡± Brayden Leopold dug at his ear, chuckling, ¡°Why haven¡¯t I heard of such a character in Five-river Province?¡± As the Boss Family in Five-river Province, aside from knowing young people like the ¡®Four Young Masters,¡¯ they would at most recognize the descendants of major merchants like Ives Abbott. For a rich second generation from a side branch like Joel Martin, they had no energy to acknowledge. ¡°You don¡¯t even know Calvin Leopold and you dare to step out¡­¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Joel Martin cut off Isandro Jackson¡¯s words sharply, his heartbeat racing faster and faster. Didn¡¯t this brazen woman know that by speaking to Brayden Leopold like that, she was asking for death? ¡°Calvin Leopold, this damn woman has beaten me to a pulp, I want them on their knees begging for mercy!¡± Isandro Jackson, touching her face covered with scars, yelled furiously. Clearly, even now she believed Joel Martin was a ¡®young master¡¯ of Five-river Province and that the Leopold Family was nothing compared to the Martins and the Potters! Slap! Joel Martin sent a slap flying, his hand already beginning to tremble. Face and future prospects, naturally the latter is more important. If I offend the Leopold Family today, how would my uncle look at me? ¡°Calvin Leopold, you¡­ you hit me?¡± Isandro Jackson¡¯s face was full of disbelief. She couldn¡¯t understand why Joel Martin would hit her. ¡°Young Master Leopold, my associate spoke out of turn, please don¡¯t take it to heart!¡± Joel Martin¡¯s eyes shifted, immediately trying to deflect the blame: ¡°I am Stanislaus Potter¡¯s nephew, Joel Martin. There is a matter today that concerns the reputation of the Leopold Family, and I would ask Young Master Leopold to step aside for a word!¡± Seeing his sycophantic attitude, everyone immediately understood what was happening. Isandro Jackson especially, with her eyes wide open, couldn¡¯t believe that the Leopold Family was so powerful. They could make Joel Martin grovel like a dog. ¡°Speak your piece! If you weren¡¯t Stanislaus Potter¡¯s nephew, I¡¯d break your legs right now!¡± Atlas Leopold didn¡¯t give Joel Martin any chance to talk privately. But he hadn¡¯t yet secured his position as the successor of the Leopold Family, and it wasn¡¯t a good idea to completely fall out with the Potter Family. ¡°You¡­¡± Joel Martin thought for a moment, deciding that deflecting the problem was still the best way to save Mr. Donkey. ¡°Your sister-in-law seems to have an¡­ an inappropriate relationship with this man called Julius Reed.¡± After Joel Martin spoke, he quickly added, ¡°Of course, there might be some misunderstanding, but I still want to give you a heads-up.¡± This matter was about the face of the Leopold Family, and Joel Martin had to tread carefully. If the Leopold Family felt humiliated, they would inevitably seek revenge. ¡°Shut your fucking mouth! I¡¯ll do whatever the hell I want, who are you to interfere?¡± Elize Yarrow stood up from her chair, holding a cup of hot tea, and approached Joel Martin. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Seeing her coming at him aggressively, Joel Martin stepped back in fear. Brayden Leopold was right in front of him, so he dared not raise his hand to Elize Yarrow. Whoosh! Elize Yarrow forcefully splashed the scalding hot tea right onto his face. ¡°To tell you the truth, I am involved with Julius Reed, what can you do about it?¡± Elize Yarrow, with her hands on her hips, stood in front of Joel Martin: ¡°I¡¯ll do what I want. What do you count for, daring to meddle in my affairs?¡± Everyone was stunned. They hadn¡¯t expected Elize Yarrow to admit it so boldly, and with no regard for Brayden Leopold¡¯s presence. This was an insult to the Leopold Family! ¡°What¡­ what did you say?¡± Joel Martin, not bothering to wipe the tea off his face, blinked and said excitedly, ¡°You admitted it?¡± Brayden Leopold was right beside him, and Elize Yarrow¡¯s comment was akin to dragging Julius Reed down with her. A prideful family would never tolerate such a scandal. He seemed to already see the tribulations that Julius Reed was about to face. ¡°What do you mean ¡®I admitted it¡¯?¡± Elize Yarrow was never easy to deal with, and now backed by Julius Reed, she had become even more defiant: ¡°I never denied it, for your information.¡± ¡°Young Master Leopold, you heard it all. These two¡­¡± Bang! Atlas Leopold stood up in one swift motion, kicking Joel Martin and knocking him to the ground. ¡°Young Master Leopold, you got the wrong person!¡± Joel Martin scrabbled up from the ground, pointing at Elize Yarrow and Julius Reed: ¡°They are the ones you should deal with! They¡­ They are the ones sullying the Leopold Family¡¯s name!¡± ¡°I only said she was my sister-in-law. Did I mention who my brother was?¡± Atlas Leopold, with a grim face, walked over to Joel Martin, pulled over a chair and sat down. ¡°You dare to insult my sister-in-law, today¡¯s matter won¡¯t be so simple.¡± Chapter 274 - Chapter 274: Chapter 273 You Can’t Be An Exception_1 Chapter 274: Chapter 273 You Can¡¯t Be An Exception_1 Seeing Brayden Leopold¡¯s attitude, the eyes of the people around the dining table nearly popped out of their sockets. Elize Yarrow shamelessly admitted, and Brayden Leopold acted as if he hadn¡¯t heard a thing, instead allowing Joel Martin, who had exposed her, to carry the stigma of insulting the Leopold Family. ¡°Sir, your dishes!¡± Just then, a Pearl on the Water waiter came to the table with the dishes in hand. Seeing the somewhat chaotic scene, he tentatively asked, ¡°Should I serve them now, or¡­¡± ¡°Put them down, everyone¡¯s hungry, it¡¯s just in time to fill our stomachs!¡± Julius Reed waved his hand, and the waiter obediently placed all the dishes on the table. Then, one by one, the remaining dishes were also presented. The culinary skills at Pearl on the Water were first-rate; at least the smell of the food made one¡¯s appetite surge. But at this juncture, who was in the mood to eat? Heather Gonzalez and Anna Harris were locals and naturally knew of the Leopold Family¡¯s power, feeling fear in their hearts as well. The only person at the scene who showed no sign of fear, though, was the person involved, Julius Reed. Teasing Elize Yarrow, he didn¡¯t seem the slightest bit afraid in the face of the Leopold family members. Was this an act, or did he really have the confidence? Strangely, from the moment Brayden Leopold walked into the restaurant, it was as if he couldn¡¯t see Julius Reed at all, the two sharing an unspoken understanding. ¡°Young Master Leopold, she has admitted it!¡± Joel Martin, who had been beaten, was still not content and repeated his previous words. He felt that the Leopold Family would not disregard their reputation so easily, at least taking care of Elize Yarrow was possible. Moreover, if Julius Reed was truly as Anna Harris had said, he was nothing more than a son-in-law joining a family. For the Leopold Family, to kill him was simpler than stepping on an ant. ¡°Your issue, I¡¯ll settle with you later!¡± Brayden Leopold didn¡¯t bother with Joel Martin anymore, instead turning to face Mr. Donkey and the others: ¡°Speak, who put you up to this!¡± ¡°No one put us up to it, we guys just couldn¡¯t recognize Mount Tai, please be lenient, Young Master Leopold! If we had known she was your sister-in-law, we¡¯d never dare to do such a thing!¡± Mr. Donkey was, after all, Theon Falls¡¯ subordinate, and if he betrayed his own boss, not to mention the likelihood of being hunted down, even if Theon Falls let him go, how could he continue to mix in the underworld? ¡°It looks like you¡¯re not ready to tell the truth.¡± Brayden Leopold shook his head and took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, slowly tearing it open: ¡°Pry open their mouths.¡± As if remembering something, he instructed again, ¡°This is Boss Abbott¡¯s turf, clean this up outside, don¡¯t cause trouble for Chairman Abbott.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The men in black nodded, grabbed Mr. Donkey and the others by the neck, and dragged them out of Pearl on the Water like dead dogs. Meanwhile, Joel Martin sitting inside the room was shivering, calculating how he could extricate himself from this situation. The worst outcome would be to call his uncle, asking Stanislaus Potter for help in getting out of this mess. However, that would inevitably mean losing all his dignity in front of Anna Harris and the others. ¡°Joel Martin? Stanislaus Potter¡¯s nephew?¡± Brayden Leopold sized up Joel Martin, his eyes revealing a chilling coldness. Previously, Fernando Leopold¡¯s capture had escalated the feud between the Leopold and Potter Families to an extreme. Later, during the rescue operation, the Leopold Family suffered losses; many bodyguards perished under the Golden Eagle Building, adding a blood debt to the existing grudge. Now, facing the nephew of Stanislaus Potter who had humiliated his nominal ¡°sister-in-law,¡± Brayden Leopold saw an opportunity to unite people¡¯s hearts. ¡°Yes! My uncle is Stanislaus Potter, today¡¯s incident was purely an accident, and I had no intention of offending Young Master Leopold.¡± Joel Martin was somewhat emboldened, after all, as Stanislaus Potter¡¯s nephew, he still had some clout in Five-river Province. However, to his surprise, upon hearing these words, Brayden Leopold went over, grabbed Joel Martin¡¯s head, and slammed it hard onto the dining table! Bang! In an instant, Joel Martin¡¯s head was covered in blood. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Isandro Jackson, standing nearby, was so scared that her face turned pale, and she couldn¡¯t help but let out a scream. ¡°So annoying!¡± Brayden Leopold said impatiently, and immediately his bodyguard came over and covered Isandro¡¯s mouth. ¡°Brother, always leave room for maneuver.¡± Just then, another man at the dinner table finally spoke up. ¡°And who are you!¡± Brayden Leopold looked at the stranger and frowned again. ¡°Ganny Province, Benson Michael. If you don¡¯t know me, perhaps you have heard of my father, Harris Michael,¡± the man said calmly. Just from his appearance, it was clear that he was no ordinary man. ¡°Harris Michael?¡± That name was very familiar to Brayden Leopold. Ganny Province bordered Five-river Province, and Harris Michael was the chairman of Arctic Fox Tech Company, a leading enterprise in Ganny Province. Arctic Fox had made its beginnings in social software and seized the opportunities in the information era, propelling the Michael Family to become one of the top enterprises in the country. Even Anna Harris and Joel Martin found it unbelievable when they heard that name. They had known Benson for a long time, but only knew he was another rich second-generation kid; no one had speculated about his family background. Now that they knew his true identity, Joel felt extremely complicated inside. He was just the nephew of the chairman of Golden Eagle Group, and his status was far from Benson¡¯s. Remembering how he bragged in front of Benson, he felt a burning shame on his face! At the same time, Joel felt a flicker of joy. With Benson stepping in, Brayden would have to show some respect. ¡°Joel is my friend. You¡¯ve hit him, and you¡¯ve scolded him. Isn¡¯t it time to stop?¡± At this moment, Benson showed his edge, contrasting sharply with the unremarkable young man he appeared to be before. ¡°Don¡¯t overdo it.¡± These words weighed heavily. ¡°So it¡¯s Brother Michael. Since you¡¯ve come to Five-river Province, why didn¡¯t you tell me, so I could extend the courtesy of a host!¡± Brayden¡¯s eyes shifted as he quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind. Offending someone at this juncture would be unwise. The Leopold Family was still in turmoil, and the current need was to unite all possible forces, not create enemies. Moreover, there were some business dealings between the Leopold and Michael Families that shouldn¡¯t be jeopardized. ¡°No need for host¡¯s courtesy,¡± Benson shook his head and pointed to Joel, ¡°Let¡¯s just let this go, shall we?¡± The room fell silent for a moment. Brayden was weighing the benefits of either continuing to deal with Joel or choosing to stop. Dealing with Joel was Julius Reed¡¯s intention, and although they didn¡¯t associate openly, they had already come to an agreement in private. Considering the risk of offending the Michael Family, Brayden was already preparing to compromise. But just then, Julius Reed came over with a bowl of Golden Soup and placed it in front of Benson, ¡°So Brother Michael turns out to be a wealthy landowner! My apologies for any disrespect! This Golden Soup is exquisite; would you like to try some?¡± He wore a sycophantic expression, which made Anna sneer in disgust and caused Joel and Benson to sneer inwardly. Such a bully when it comes to the soft and a coward when it comes to the tough! ¡°Not interested!¡± Benson refused directly, despising such people the most! The ones without a stance of their own! ¡°This soup I personally brought over, no one dares not to drink it.¡± Julius chuckled lightly and poured the soup over Benson¡¯s head, ¡°You¡¯re no exception.¡± Chapter 275 - Chapter 275: Chapter 274: Can’t You See I’m Drinking Soup?_1 Chapter 275: Chapter 274: Can¡¯t You See I¡¯m Drinking Soup?_1 ¡°What the hell!¡± Benson Michael had never expected that even after knowing who he was, Julius Reed would dare to dump scalding hot soup over his head. ¡°You¡¯re asking for death!¡± Benson Michael stood up, his previously calm gaze replaced by a ferocious glint in his eyes. Furiously, he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and began wiping the soup from his head. It wasn¡¯t just him; even Brayden Leopold was somewhat taken by surprise. Benson Michael was not like Joel Martin. The Michael Family was a genuine big business in Ganny Province, and even in Five-river Province, the words of a member of the Michael Family carried weight. However, with Julius Reed¡¯s action, he had given Brayden Leopold a dose of reassurance. The toughest one had been dealt with; how could Joel Martin possibly be his match? The only one who was truly worried for Julius Reed was Anna Harris. She couldn¡¯t believe that the former pushover her best friend spoke of, the husband who could only stay at home doing laundry and cooking, had become so domineering and assertive! But was this genuine confidence, or just asking for trouble? After offending so many young masters, wasn¡¯t he afraid of retaliation? ¡°Boy, you are the first one who¡¯s ever dared to pour soup on my head!¡± Ever since he had revealed his true identity, Benson Michael¡¯s aura had become incredibly dominating. In the face of Julius Reed¡¯s insult, he managed to remain angry while still keeping his composure. ¡°Oh! But before that, has anyone ever hit you?¡± Julius Reed asked languidly, his face completely devoid of fear. As if the identity of the young master of the Michael Family was worthless in his eyes. ¡°Who would have the guts¡­¡± Slap! Before Benson Michael could finish his sentence, Julius Reed slapped him to the ground. ¡°Sorry, I just have big guts,¡± he said with a smirk, then turned back to his chair and continued to eat his meal nonchalantly. Even Brayden Leopold¡¯s heart skipped a beat at this. Too fierce, right? He even dared to lay hands on a member of the Michael Family? Considering this, it seemed like Atlas Leopold falling into his hands wasn¡¯t a loss at all. With this thought, Brayden Leopold steeled his heart, picked up Joel Martin who was in front of him, and shoved him harshly to the ground. The scene once again became awkward. ¡°Kid, I¡¯ll make you regret this!¡± Benson Michael got up slowly from the ground and angrily turned to leave the Pearl on the Water Grand Hotel. ¡°Julius Reed, get out of here quickly!¡± Seeing Benson Michael leave, Anna Harris naturally knew he was going out to call for backup. A proud person like Benson Michael would never let such a huge indignity go without retaliation. ¡°Get out? The meal isn¡¯t even finished!¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t care at all and continued to eat his food leisurely. Just then, the person Brayden Leopold had sent out to interrogate Mr. Donkey came in. ¡°Young Master, this whole situation was instigated by Joel Martin. Because he couldn¡¯t stand Mr. Reed, he called Theon Falls and had Mr. Donkey come over to cause trouble,¡± said a black-clad bodyguard in a low voice. ¡°Theon Falls? One of the Seven Guardians who work for Stanislaus Potter?¡± Brayden Leopold hesitated a bit at the mention of Theon Falls¡¯s name. The Seven Guardians were crucial to the Golden Eagle Group. Even within the entire Group, aside from the chairman Stanislaus Potter, these seven people were the most influential. After Quadir Cook was taken out, only six of the Seven Guardians remained, but this did not diminish their influence in Five-river Province. ¡°Yes! It¡¯s Theon Falls, Mr. Donkey is his employee. Young Master, what should we do now?¡± The man in black asked for instructions again. They had been a bit too harsh during the earlier interrogation, and Mr. Donkey and his people were tortured almost to death. Although the Leopold Family and the Potter Family had deep-seated grievances, things hadn¡¯t escalated to the point of outright hostility. Especially since the patriarch was seriously ill and with the Leopold Family without a clear leader, angering Stanislaus Potter could potentially bring losses to the family. ¡°What to do? Even if Theon Falls were to show up, I¡¯d still dare to reason with him for daring to touch my Leopold Family¡¯s fiancee!¡± Remembering how Julius Reed had put Benson Michael in his place when he tried to intervene, Brayden Leopold suddenly felt emboldened. Today was supposed to be about him cleaning up for Julius Reed, and now that Julius Reed had shown his capability, what was there left for him to worry about? ¡°Joel Martin, today I must teach you a lesson!¡± Brayden Leopold waved his hand, and his bodyguards didn¡¯t hesitate, quickly gagging Joel Martin¡¯s mouth. Then, another man took out a towel from his pocket and slowly wound it around his fist. Whoosh! ¡°Mmph¡­¡± Joel Martin¡¯s eyes turned bloodshot, and his face turned purple, but he couldn¡¯t make a sound because his mouth was stuffed. Whoosh! Whoosh! After two more punches, Joel Martin was in so much pain that his eyes rolled back, and his body began convulsing uncontrollably. ¡°Enough!¡± Anna Harris could no longer bear to watch and turned to look at Brayden Leopold, ¡°Don¡¯t you guys have any respect for the law?¡± No matter what, they were friends to some extent. Although she felt a strong sense of disgust towards Joel Martin when she learned he had staged the incident, she couldn¡¯t bear to watch him being beaten like this. ¡°Mind your own business!¡± Brayden Leopold narrowed his eyes and slowly moved beside Anna Harris, ¡°Do you want to get involved in the Leopold Family¡¯s affairs?¡± ¡°No! Young Master Leopold, my friend didn¡¯t mean that!¡± Heather Gonzalez quickly pulled Anna Harris aside, smiling apologetically as she explained to Brayden Leopold, ¡°Please don¡¯t stoop to our level, girls just don¡¯t understand these things.¡± After speaking, she pushed Anna Harris again, ¡°Anna, right?¡± Brayden Leopold had given Isandro Jackson a tough time, and who were outsiders to comment on the ways of the Leopold Family? ¡°He¡¯s been hit enough, hasn¡¯t he?¡± But looking at Joel Martin in such agony, Anna Harris still couldn¡¯t bear it. ¡°His calling people to trouble your Leopold Family was wrong. But now you¡¯re being so harsh, and he has apologized. Even if it¡¯s just for his uncle¡¯s sake, you should let bygones be bygones!¡± After saying that, she took a deep breath, ¡°If this goes on, someone could get killed.¡± ¡°Little girl, you¡¯ve got spunk. But I never hit women, though today might be an exception!¡± Brayden Leopold circled around the chair, slowly unbuttoning his suit¡¯s cufflinks, ¡°Now it¡¯s come to a point where any Tom, Dick, or Harry thinks they can interfere with the Leopold Family¡¯s business!¡± Anna Harris¡¯s brows furrowed, but she didn¡¯t know what to do; even her palms were sweating. ¡°Hey! That Julius Reed, Anna Harris is your wife¡¯s close friend. If she gets beaten today, how are you going to explain it to Quella Radcliffe?¡± At the critical moment, Heather Gonzalez slammed the table, looking at Julius Reed, who was busy eating meat. She wasn¡¯t stupid; seeing how Julius Reed had dared to confront Benson Michael, she knew this man was no simpleton! He certainly wasn¡¯t the useless man that Anna Harris had described! ¡°Cough, cough!¡± Julius Reed, who was drinking soup, was startled by the shout. ¡°I say, didn¡¯t you see that I was drinking my soup? With all your shouting, you almost scared me to death!¡± He cleared his throat and looked at Anna Harris, ¡°You too, what¡¯s with meddling unnecessarily after having a full stomach? The Leopold Family is the biggest local family; what do you have to go against them? If you want to die, go do it outside, don¡¯t drag me into it!¡± ¡°You!¡± Anna Harris was so angry she was at a loss for words, and it was quite a while before she could speak, ¡°Even if I die, it¡¯s none of your business! Rest assured, I won¡¯t say a bad word about you to Quella Radcliffe! But don¡¯t blame me if I bring all your indiscretions to light!¡± Chapter 276 - Chapter 276: Chapter 275 Theon Falls Rescue_1 Chapter 276: Chapter 275 Theon Falls Rescue_1 Julius Reed had just picked up his soup when he nearly choked. His comments before were just to annoy Anna Harris, who was, after all, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s best friend. He wouldn¡¯t let anything happen to her. ¡°Young Master Leopold, she¡¯s my wife¡¯s best friend. Although she tends to be a bit sharp-tongued, she¡¯s really a good person. They say beauty is a curse, but just look at her¡ªshe clearly looks like a nice person!¡± Julius Reed picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, then gestured toward a chair, ¡°Today¡¯s meal is on me, consider it my way of apologizing to her!¡± ¡°Who are you calling ugly?!¡± Today, Anna Harris was beyond upset, she had lost all appetite. But she was very clear that by doing so, Julius Reed was risking offending the Leopold Family to get her out of trouble. How was this the same man Quella Radcliffe talked about as her husband? He wasn¡¯t the least bit humble! ¡°This¡­¡± Brayden Leopold¡¯s eyes quickly shifted, immediately understanding what was going on, but he couldn¡¯t let anyone see through him, especially not in front of so many people. Julius Reed was the sworn enemy of the Leopold Family, everyone wanted to get rid of him! If anyone found out about a private agreement between Brayden and Julius, Brayden might very well be driven out by the furious members of his family! ¡°Ha! You think you can send me off with just a meal?¡± Brayden Leopold scoffed coldly, his gaze fixed on Julius Reed, ¡°You¡¯re seriously underestimating me!¡± After saying those words, Anna Harris internally panicked. Interceding for Joel Martin was merely for the sake of their school days¡¯ friendship. But what about Julius Reed? Joel Martin had used his connections to teach Julius Reed a lesson, and if Julius got dragged into this again because of it, Anna would regret it deeply. ¡°Young Master Leopold, one should be responsible for one¡¯s actions! I spoke those words; it has nothing to do with him!¡± She didn¡¯t want to get her best friend¡¯s husband involved. ¡°This is out of your hands now! Lately, there have been rumors in Five-river Province saying that the Leopold Family is in decline. It seems you all are really asking for trouble, and if I don¡¯t assert authority now, anyone will dare to speak ill of my family¡¯s affairs!¡± Brayden Leopold looked up, his tone unusually cold. ¡°Great, now I¡¯ve dragged myself into this mess too. Are you happy now?¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders, looking towards Heather Gonzalez. ¡°Ah!¡± Heather Gonzalez frowned, unsure what to do at the moment. She also cursed Joel Martin in her heart¡ªwho would offend the Leopold Family of all people! ¡°Why don¡¯t you try appealing to him?¡± It was then that Julius Reed turned to Elize Yarrow sitting nearby. ¡°Beg me for help! If you do, I¡¯ll help you out!¡± Elize Yarrow, of course, knew Julius Reed¡¯s capabilities; dealing with the Leopold Family was a walk in the park for him. At the entertainment city, Julius Reed had directly crippled Atlas Leopold and now was living just fine. What did that tell you? The Leopold Family couldn¡¯t touch Julius Reed! However, since she had to play along, she might as well set some terms. ¡°Sleep in my room tonight?¡± She sat beside Julius Reed, her eyes filled with affection. This scene made Brayden Leopold somewhat uncomfortable; his brother was still one of the top four elites, after all. Even though he had chosen to marry her for the sake of the Yarrow Family¡¯s heirloom, this woman was a bit too¡­ He couldn¡¯t help but feel sorry for Atlas Leopold. Anna Harris was even more disgusted, finding it repulsive! She decided, no matter what, to tell Quella Radcliffe about this! Let her best friend make plans early! ¡°Get lost! Don¡¯t disgust me here!¡± Julius Reed rejected her mercilessly. The two of them blatantly flirting like this caused Heather Gonzalez and Anna Harris to break out in a cold sweat. Weren¡¯t they slapping the face of the Leopold Family? If Brayden Leopold were provoked, no one would end up with a good outcome. ¡°Look, don¡¯t stoop to arguing with women; all this was stirred up by this guy named Joel Martin, oh! And that woman!¡± Elize Yarrow pointed seriously at Isandro Jackson: ¡°It was just the two of them who instigated this. Just deal with those two, and do not harm the innocent.¡± If someone didn¡¯t know better, they¡¯d think Elize Yarrow was Young Master Leopold¡¯s wife. But in fact, the two had effectively called off their engagement. Elize Yarrow had nothing to do with the Leopold Family anymore. After she finished speaking, Anna Harris and Heather Gonzalez carefully watched Brayden Leopold¡¯s reaction, eager to see how Young Master Leopold would respond. After all, Julius Reed had just been seen getting very close to Elize Yarrow, practically in front of them. Contrary to the women¡¯s expectations, Brayden Leopold acted as if he didn¡¯t see a thing: ¡°Since my sister-in-law has spoken, I must show some respect! Stop your hands!¡± Once Brayden Leopold spoke, the bodyguards immediately stopped and took the towel out of Joel Martin¡¯s mouth. By then, Joel Martin was trembling all over from the pain, his eyes slightly unfocused. ¡°You! Go slap that woman a few times!¡± Brayden Leopold pointed at Isandro Jackson. ¡°Young Master Leopold, please! I beg you!¡± Realizing her situation, Isandro Jackson understood exactly what was happening. She now loathed Joel Martin. If he hadn¡¯t bragged about being the number one playboy in Five-river Province, she never would have dared to curse Brayden Leopold like that! And now, she was implicated as well. Conversely, Anna Harris and Heather Gonzalez looked completely surprised. They couldn¡¯t understand why Brayden Leopold was giving Elize Yarrow so much face, to the point that even when Elize Yarrow spoke provocatively to Julius Reed, Brayden Leopold remained unmoved, as though he heard nothing. But little did they know, Brayden Leopold would be delighted if Elize Yarrow engaged in any mischief, as it could tarnish Atlas Leopold¡¯s reputation. After all, Atlas Leopold was his rival, and Elize Yarrow was his fianc¨¦e in name only. Brayden Leopold was sure to support anything that might disadvantage Atlas Leopold. ¡°Madam Leopold, if you could forget my minor offences and let me go just this once! I won¡¯t dare to do it again! I beg of you!¡± Isandro Jackson no longer had her previous arrogance, and now knelt in front of Elize Yarrow, pleading desperately. At this moment, she even forgot about the scars on her face and completely cast aside her dignity. In the territory of Five-river Province, even if her family was rich, it was not on par with here. ¡°You wretch!¡± Just then, Joel Martin, like a madman, rushed over and grabbed Isandro Jackson by the hair. Slap! Slap! He gave her two solid slaps with all his might! If it weren¡¯t for Isandro Jackson¡¯s defiance towards Brayden Leopold, he wouldn¡¯t be in such a sorry state! ¡°Calvin Leopold, you hit me¡­¡± Isandro Jackson¡¯s mouth was bleeding, her eyes filled with terror. She seemed unable to believe that Joel Martin would really hit someone, and hit so hard at that! ¡°Stop!¡± Just then, a group of people burst in from outside, in great haste. Following behind them were several people supporting Mr. Donkey, who could no longer stand. ¡°Piran Wilson!¡± Seeing the arrivals, Joel Martin, like clinging to a lifesaver, frantically crawled to Theon Falls: ¡°Piran Wilson! Avenge me! Where¡¯s my uncle? Where¡¯s my uncle?¡± Theon Falls held significant sway in Golden Eagle Group, and his arrival gave Joel Martin hope. ¡°How did this happen!¡± When Theon Falls saw Joel Martin battered and bruised, he was shocked. This was Five-river Province; who would dare to treat Stanislaus Potter¡¯s nephew like this? If Mr. Donkey hadn¡¯t been out of touch for half a day, he wouldn¡¯t have come with his men. ¡°Who did this!¡± Theon Falls clenched his fists, his tone unnervingly cold! Chapter 277 - Chapter 277: Chapter 276 I’m Eating_1 Chapter 277: Chapter 276 I¡¯m Eating_1 ¡°Yes¡­¡± Though Joel Martin was often irresponsible in his business dealings, his mind was anything but dull. Having mingled in high society for so long, he had come to understand certain truths. Assailing Brayden Leopold was simply unthinkable; Theon Falls was but a henchman for Stanislaus Potter. Despite his considerable influence, he would not dare to act recklessly against a direct descendant of the Leopold Family. Moreover, no one knew the exact nature of the relationship between the Leopold and Potter families. If this incident were to deepen a rift between the two, Stanislaus Potter¡¯s treatment of him would certainly suffer. Thus, after much consideration, he pointed at Julius Reed, the person who appeared to have the least background but was also the most arrogant on the surface. ¡°Piran Wilson, it was him. He¡¯s the one who hit me!¡± Although Joel Martin had been brutally beaten by Brayden Leopold, he dared not harbor any resentment towards the Leopold Family. Instead, he shifted the blame onto Julius Reed, looking to use Piran as a proxy for his revenge. Dealing with a young man like Julius Reed, who had no background, was like catching a fish with bare hands for Theon Falls; it required no effort at all. ¡°Joel Martin! How can you blatantly lie! The one who hit you was clearly¡­¡± Anna Harris stood up abruptly, but after a glance at Brayden Leopold, she swallowed her words and corrected herself, ¡°The person who hit you wasn¡¯t Julius Reed; he didn¡¯t even touch you!¡± While she did not dare to accuse Brayden Leopold directly, she still wanted to stand up for Julius Reed¡¯s innocence. ¡°Anna Harris! Shut your mouth!¡± Joel Martin snarled, ¡°Piran Wilson, and this damn woman too. It¡¯s because of her that I was beaten to this state!¡± Bereft of dignity, he didn¡¯t care whether he liked it or not; if he couldn¡¯t have her, he¡¯d rather destroy her! ¡°You¡¯re truly a mad dog!¡± An expression of disgust crept into Anna Harris¡¯s frown. ¡°Juli¡­¡± Upon hearing the name Julius Reed, Theon Falls was startled. At the last Willson Group banquet, Julius Reed had viciously assaulted Richard, and it was done right in front of Stanislaus Potter. People from the Golden Eagle Group all knew that Stanislaus Potter had a close relationship with Richard, who he heavily supported and favored nearly as much as Quamaine Potter. Yet, such a man, dear to Stanislaus Potter, had been reduced to a vegetative state and now lay in a hospital, barely distinguishable from the dead. And Stanislaus Potter acted as if nothing had happened, showing no interest in pursuing the matter. Bonds existed among the Seven Guardians, with some being closer than others. Austin Yarrow and Theon Falls were such friends. Austin had personally dealt with Thayer Taylor and later told Theon Falls about it, frankly discussing Boss Potter¡¯s exceedingly complex relationship with Julius Reed. It even seemed somewhat respectful. Previously, Julius Reed had been considered an arch-enemy of the Golden Eagle Group for breaking Quamaine Potter¡¯s legs, prompting Stanislaus Potter to use the Group¡¯s vast wealth in an attempt to strike at the Radcliffe Group. This left Theon Falls even more puzzled. Were the two friends or foes? Moreover, rumors circulated that Julius Reed was a formidable fighter; no one seemed to be his match. ¡°I need to make a call!¡± In an uncharacteristic move, Theon Falls abruptly turned and left the Waterfront Pearl. His unusual behavior baffled everyone present. Brayden Leopold subconsciously thought Theon was calling for backup to deal with him, and promptly signaled his own men with a glance, making a quick exit. If they were impeded, they would fight; if not, they would take the opportunity to escape. At this critical moment in the succession battle, Brayden Leopold did not want any mishaps. Oddly enough, when Brayden Leopold reached the entrance, he made eye contact with Theon Falls and was able to leave without any hindrance. This made Joel Martin even more puzzled about what the normally aggressive Big Brother was plotting. Ten minutes later, Theon Falls finally re-entered the restaurant, accompanied by Stanislaus Potter, the Chairman of the Golden Eagle Group. ¡°Uncle!¡± Seeing Stanislaus Potter, Joel Martin¡¯s grievances surged out. Running towards him like a man possessed, he cried out, ¡°Uncle, you must stand up for me!¡± Bang! By the time he reached Stanislaus Potter, Stanislaus Potter had already kicked out, sending him tumbling to the ground. Afterwards, Stanislaus Potter walked straight towards Julius Reed. ¡°Mr. Reed¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m eating.¡± Julius Reed picked up a large lobster and leisurely began to eat. ¡°Quit pretending!¡± Anna Harris cursed inwardly; this was Stanislaus Potter, the Chairman of Golden Eagle Group. A sneeze from him, and the whole Five-river Province would catch a cold. It was understandable to put on an act in front of those youngsters, but posturing in front of Stanislaus Potter was akin to seeking death. Theon Falls even walked over, ready to throw punches if needed. Unexpectedly, Stanislaus Potter actually stood by Julius Reed, silently waiting without uttering a word. Joel Martin was downright astounded; what on earth was going on? Why did his normally affectionate uncle, without any concern for his own injuries, kick him as soon as he approached? And why was he so respectful and reverent in front of Julius Reed? From what he remembered, Stanislaus Potter was a very dominant person! About ten minutes later, just as Anna Harris was about to step forward and speak, Julius Reed finally finished eating. ¡°What is it?¡± He took a napkin and gently wiped his hands, which were covered in sauce, without even glancing at Stanislaus Potter. ¡°My nephew has offended you, and about that matter¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing; he has already been beaten up. Moreover, he was beaten severely enough to kneel and beg for mercy.¡± Julius Reed looked over at Joel Martin, a smile creeping across his lips. That sentence stabbed deeply into Joel Martin¡¯s heart, even more painful than being killed. Although bruised and swollen, one could still discern the deep flush on his face. ¡°Bastard, come over here and apologize!¡± Stanislaus Potter roared, scaring Joel Martin into a tremble. Taking a deep breath, Joel Martin, dragging his unbearably painful body, slowly approached Julius Reed, his face filled with terror. ¡°Apologize!¡± Stanislaus Potter commanded in a stern voice. This shout caused Joel Martin to collapse to his knees in fear, mumbling unclearly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I was blind to recognize a lofty person¡­¡± ¡°Anna Harris, all expenses for food and accommodation at this hotel are on my tab. If you need me for anything, just ask the waiter to get in touch.¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t bother with Joel Martin, who was kneeling on the ground like a dog; he simply got up and headed towards the entrance of the Pearl on the Water. ¡°Mr. Reed¡­¡± Stanislaus Potter caught up from behind, slightly apologetic, ¡°About this matter¡­¡± ¡°I have some matters to attend to; let¡¯s talk about this later,¡± Julius Reed said without giving any further attention to Stanislaus Potter and quickly disappeared at the entrance of the Pearl on the Water. Talk later¡ªhe hadn¡¯t clarified whether he would pursue the issue or not, leaving the matter hanging over Stanislaus Potter¡¯s head like a knife, causing him continual unease. ¡°Lock this bastard up! Don¡¯t let him step outside for half a year, or else I¡¯ll break his legs! He¡¯s really good for nothing but causing troubles!¡± Turning around, Stanislaus Potter looked at Joel Martin with a mix of frustration and anger, his teeth grinding audibly. Chapter 278 - Chapter 278: Chapter 277: The Grand Formation of the Four Symbols_1 Chapter 278: Chapter 277: The Grand Formation of the Four Symbols_1 After leaving the Water Pearl, Julius Reed took out his cell phone and asked on the other end of the line, ¡°When did Maurice Springs come?¡± The battle at the Water Pearl had led to Maurice Springs being expelled from Willson Pavilion, fleeing the province with the injured Quantez Springs and Miles Cook in tow. But in just half a month¡¯s time, Julius¡¯s spies noticed that Maurice Springs had reappeared in Five-river Province. As the former manager of Willson Pavilion¡¯s Far East Branch, Maurice Springs had considerable connections, and with the Pavilion¡¯s immense power, it was inevitable that some would defy the wishes of Amadeus Fairbanks, helping Maurice Springs in secret. Otherwise, how could a severely injured man enter and leave Five-river Province without notice, undetected by the Pavilion¡¯s people? Julius would not doubt the resolve of Amadeus Fairbanks, but the same could not be said for those under him. Along with the news of Maurice Springs entering Five-river Province, there was also news about Benson Michael. After being ridiculed by Julius Reed, the son of Ganny Province¡¯s richest man summoned a large group of helpers in a short time and was now driving several sedans, heading towards the Water Pearl with aggressive force. According to the intelligence from Lucan Davenport, among these people was a Grandmaster-level figure who had been a disciple at the Martial Temple in his youth, with extremely formidable combat abilities. Over the years, he had become a bodyguard for the Michael Family of Ganny Province, specifically responsible for Benson Michael¡¯s safety. Being the Michael Family¡¯s only son, he was exceptionally well-protected. This time, when Benson Michael returned to the country, he had all these people dispatched to experience life with Joel Martin and others. Little did he expect to stumble in Five-river Province, suffering the greatest humiliation of his life. With two groups of enemies appearing out of the blue, Julius Reed felt somewhat troubled. It was not that the enemies were too strong, but rather the weather was turning colder as the year neared its end. The Radcliffe Group was looking to relist soon and expand its scale. With Quella Radcliffe alone in the Radcliffe Family, Julius Reed was somewhat worried. Thinking this, Julius took a glance at his watch and ran wildly towards the east. About five minutes later, he met an old man in the vicinity of the park. The elder sat in a wheelchair, dressed in thick clothing, closing his eyes and basking in the sun on the wheelchair. Though it was nearing evening, the park was strangely empty. Blown by a gust of autumn wind, the scene seemed especially desolate. ¡°You¡¯ve already come, why be so sneaky?¡± Julius Reed looked at the nearly eighty-year-old man in front of him and asked indifferently. Yet the elder seemed as if he heard nothing, still bathing in the sunset light, his body gently twisting as if to prove he was still alive. ¡°If you won¡¯t strike first, don¡¯t blame me for making the first move.¡± Julius Reed lunged forward in a step, his right hand forming a finger, aiming straight for the elder¡¯s brow! Zrrp! Just as his finger was about to touch the elder¡¯s forehead, the previously unresponsive elder suddenly opened his eyes, and the wheelchair spun rapidly in place! At the same time, the elder threw off the blanket on him and struck out with both fists mightily! Whoosh! Both fists met, and Julius Reed stood with his hands behind his back, calmly watching the elder. ¡°You¡¯re very strong! I had people investigate you, but they found nothing! This is too abnormal; being as capable as you are, how could you be a complete unknown?¡± The elder slowly tore off the mask from his face, revealing his true identity. ¡°Maurice Springs, you barely escaped with your life the last time, why insist on courting death now?¡± Julius Reed looked at Maurice Springs coldly, as his aura began to rise continuously. ¡°You beat my son within an inch of his life, this vendetta I cannot leave unavenged!¡± Maurice Springs lightly snapped his fingers, and four youths appeared around the park. ¡°This is the Four Symbols Formation I¡¯ve newly created, I wonder if you¡¯d like to take a lesson?¡± As he spoke these words, confidence beamed across his face, and those four disciples quickly surrounded Julius Reed. ¡°Last time I used the Four Symbols Formation, I successfully killed an expert ranked fifteenth on the Heaven List. Today, even if you die, you need not have any regrets.¡± Maurice Springs slowly rose from the wheelchair, then with a single palm strike, he split the wheelchair in half! Crack! Accompanied by a loud sound, the wheelchair was smashed to pieces. Maurice Springs slowly bent down and took out a Longsword from inside. Clearly, after suffering a major loss last time, this time he came prepared, vowing to slay Julius Reed in Five-river Province! ¡°You¡¯ve been expelled from Willson Pavilion by Amadeus Fairbanks, yet you can still mobilize four core Disciples!¡± Julius Reed sized up the four youths around him, shaking his head, ¡°You all had bright futures ahead, why follow him and ruin your prospects?¡± Amadeus Fairbanks is the Pavilion Master of Willson Pavilion, and his word represented everything within the Pavilion. Now that Maurice Springs had been expelled from the organization, those four young Disciples would face punishment as well. ¡°Haha! That fool Amadeus Fairbanks isn¡¯t worth mentioning!¡± Pride covered Maurice Springs¡¯s face: ¡°After all, you are a dead man, so there¡¯s no harm in telling you! I have already taken them to join Deep Cold! Do you know what my current position is? I¡¯m the person in charge of the Deep Cold¡¯s Far East region, second only to a few chiefs in the organization!¡± ¡°Indeed! The Pavilion Master failed to distinguish between right and wrong, and my master, after decades of service to Willson Pavilion, ended up being expelled from the organization!¡± ¡°We joined Deep Cold and received much better treatment than before! Moreover, the chiefs said, as long as you¡¯re killed, my master can become the new chief!¡± These young Disciples had faces full of arrogance, obviously flattered often in daily life. However, it was understandable, considering they could dominate an area at such a young age, they were surely treasured wherever they went. ¡°Julius Reed, I should thank you! Without you, how could I have gained Deep Cold¡¯s favor? Besides, the hatred for you inside Deep Cold is not one bit less than ours! Killing you will not only be revenge but will also serve as a stepping stone on my path forward!¡± Maurice Springs held the sword in both hands, slowly raising it: ¡°Meet your end!¡± ¡°Heaven!¡± ¡°Earth!¡± ¡°Mystery!¡± ¡°Yellow!¡± Four Disciples shouted, each pulling out a Longsword from behind them! ¡°Annihilate!¡± Maurice Springs¡¯s eyelids drooped slightly, and like lightning, he shot forward! At the same time, his Longsword was crazily slashing down! Whoosh! Julius Reed took a step back, violently pushing forward with both hands! The young Disciples¡¯ sword blades directly slashed at the ground beneath Julius Reed, shattering the bricks and stones! Hum! As Maurice Springs¡¯s Longsword stabbed towards Julius Reed¡¯s chest, Julius Reed firmly grasped it with both hands! Bare-handed sword capture! ¡°You¡¯re seeking death!¡± Maurice Springs sneered coldly, as the Longsword in his hand abruptly reversed direction! Clang! Julius Reed immediately released his hands and fiercely tapped his fingers on the blade of the sword. With the Longsword trembling, Maurice Springs felt a numbing sensation in the base of his thumb. Although he still held the sword, a sense of dread began to weigh on him. Seizing this moment, Julius Reed quickly retreated backward, dodging the sword¡¯s edge and appearing behind a Disciple! He then struck out with his palm! Thud! The male Disciple didn¡¯t have time to swing his Longsword and was sent flying into the sky, then crashed down heavily! ¡°How can this be!¡± Maurice Springs looked at the lifeless Disciple, shock filling his heart. The Four Symbols Formation was extremely meticulous; how could it be broken so easily? ¡°The books on formations you¡¯ve studied might have been written by me.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s mouth curved into a smile, then he rapidly vanished from the spot. Chapter 279 - Chapter 279: Chapter 278 Narrow Road for Enemies_1 Chapter 279: Chapter 278 Narrow Road for Enemies_1 The so-called Four Symbols Formation was nothing more than a strategy deduced from the Strange Skill, analyzing the directions in which the besieged might dodge, and then, based on these possibilities, specifically arranging for young disciples to supplement the attack, in coordination with Maurice Springs to kill the opponent. Not only was Maurice Springs proficient in martial arts, but he also often studied these Strange Skills. Unfortunately, many of these were indeed the ¡°dregs¡± casually left behind by Julius Reed. But even these dregs were later regarded as treasures by others. ¡°I still underestimated you!¡± A serious expression appeared on Maurice Springs¡¯s face, for he hadn¡¯t expected to lose a disciple this early in the battle. ¡°This is normal, if you knew my strength, you might not even dare to think about revenge.¡± Julius Reed turned around, looked at them, and with a fierce stomp of his foot¡ª The sword that had fallen to the ground from the deceased disciple was suddenly shaken and flew straight up! Whoosh! Thunk! With a light push of his hand, Julius Reed sent the sword flying at a lightning-fast speed, piercing through the body of one of Maurice Springs¡¯s disciples! ¡°I¡¯m busy, goodbye! My help will arrive soon; if you don¡¯t want to die, you¡¯d better leave quickly!¡± After doing all this, Julius Reed leaped up and instantly disappeared within the park. ¡°Chase!¡± Maurice Springs¡¯s eyes were bloodshot, and he was completely enraged! Even if the enemy called for help, he was determined to kill them as well! Having already lost two elite disciples without much of a fight, how could he stand his ground upon returning to Deep Cold? It¡¯s known that this was his proving ground after joining Deep Cold! If his first battle ended with such loss and no achievement, he would probably never be able to hold his head up in Deep Cold again! Though the two remaining disciples were timid, they had to follow closely behind Maurice Springs. Having betrayed Willson Pavilion, he was their only reliance. If Julius Reed really wanted to escape, no one would be able to catch him, and Maurice Springs wouldn¡¯t even be able to detect his whereabouts. Even though the latter had once been the manager of the Far East Branch of Willson Pavilion, with a martial strength that was one in ten thousand. But Julius Reed just had to leave traces intentionally, luring Maurice Springs into a trap. Meanwhile, on a highway roughly more than ten kilometers from the Pearl on the Water, a number of black cars were driving in neat formation. ¡°Young Master, please rest assured! I will make this ignorant person kneel at your feet, begging you for mercy with wails!¡± Inside one of the Mercedes, a bald man in the back seat spoke indifferently to Benson Michael, who was expressionless. Even uttering such harsh words, there was still no hint of murderous intent perceptible from him. ¡°Idriss! I don¡¯t care how you do it, but you must make him kneel and beg for mercy! In all my life, I¡¯ve never suffered such humiliation!¡± Whoosh! Benson Michael punched the seat in front of him, clenching his hands tightly. His face also bore indelible anger. It seemed that recalling the soup that had been poured over his head, Benson Michael picked up his collar and took a light sniff. Even though he had changed into new clothes and had a bath in the hotel, Benson Michael still felt there was a smell clinging to him. ¡°Rest assured, my lord, my informants tell me he just left the Pearl on the Water. But he cannot escape; it will only take twenty minutes for me to make him and his people behind him stand before you to apologize!¡± Idriss¡¯s eyes were slightly closed, constantly rotating a string of faded wooden beads in his hand. Screech! All of a sudden, the Mercedes came to an abrupt halt. ¡°What the hell!¡± Benson Michael was caught off guard, nearly slamming into the seat in front of him. ¡°Young Master, the cars ahead have suddenly all stopped; I¡¯ll go right now and see what¡¯s happened!¡± A bodyguard in the passenger seat immediately opened the door and hurried to the front. After a short while, the bodyguard returned panting and pointing ahead, ¡°There¡¯s a young man standing in the middle of the road, blocking our way.¡± ¡°Who is so ignorant of death! Drive him away!¡± Benson Michael, with revenge on his mind and now held up by someone, was even more irritable. ¡°Our men went up to him, and all were beaten down!¡± The bodyguard explained somewhat awkwardly, ¡°The other party seems very strong; our four or five people together were no match for him!¡± ¡°Trash! Run him over with the car!¡± Benson Michael grew even more irritable. Anyone who hindered his revenge at this moment was his enemy! ¡°Young Master, allow me to go and investigate.¡± Idriss opened his eyes and pushed open the car door, walking to the very front of the convoy. ¡°I want to see, within this day, just who dares to repeatedly oppose me!¡± After Idriss got out of the car, Benson Michael followed behind. Today, anyone who opposed him would not have a good end! When the group arrived at the front of the convoy, they saw a young man standing in the middle of the road with a beaming smile. Around him lay guards in black suits, scattered in disarray. These men writhed on the ground, emitting painful moans. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± Upon seeing the young man, Benson Michael¡¯s pupils shrank, and he clenched his fists again. ¡°Idriss, it¡¯s him! Today, he poured soup on my head and even slapped me across the face!¡± As he spoke, a smile actually appeared on Benson Michael¡¯s face: ¡°You had the choice of heaven¡¯s path but didn¡¯t take it, and there¡¯s no door to hell yet you break in! Julius Reed, I was just thinking of looking for you, but I didn¡¯t expect you to deliver yourself to death!¡± He waved his hand and asked one of the guards beside him: ¡°Is he alone?¡± Although the Michael Family was a big household in Ganny Province, this place was still Five-river Province after all. He knew the saying, ¡®A strong dragon cannot suppress the local snake.¡¯ Even though Julius Reed was not the local snake. ¡°He¡¯s by himself, our men have already dispersed, there¡¯s no one around!¡± The guard hurriedly replied. ¡°Such ignorance of life and death!¡± Benson Michael gave a cold laugh and strode forward: ¡°Kneel down now and beg for mercy, and I might spare you a path to live. If you dare to go against my will, I wouldn¡¯t mind arranging an ¡®accidental death¡¯ for you!¡± He glanced at the SUV behind him and laughed loudly: ¡°Since you¡¯re standing in the middle of the road, there¡¯s always someone who¡¯s had too much to drink and will run you over, right?¡± This was an overt threat! The location of the crowd was on a national highway in Five-river Province, which usually had scant traffic. Especially now as it neared evening, the road was even more deserted. Only in the middle of the night would the large trucks quietly get on the road for overloaded transport through this place. The words of Benson Michael were not just a threat, but a possible reality. ¡°Sorry about that!¡± Julius Reed looked at Benson Michael apologetically: ¡°My knees are too stiff to bend! How about you kneel down instead, and I won¡¯t kill you today, how¡¯s that?¡± ¡°You!¡± Benson Michael, enraged, pointed at Julius Reed and yelled at the driver: ¡°Run him over!¡± The guard nodded, walked back to the driver¡¯s seat, and also took out another bottle of white liquor from the storage box, downing it in one gulp! As the smell of alcohol began to fill the air, the driver directly shifted to drive and pressed down hard on the accelerator! Boom! With the intense roaring of the engine, the SUV accelerated towards Julius Reed! If he were hit, he would certainly be dead beyond doubt! ¡°You, daring to fight against me!¡± Watching the speeding SUV, Benson Michael¡¯s face broke into a smile, and the oppressive feeling in his heart vanished completely! The distance closed in fast! Ten meters! Eight meters! Five meters! One meter! Benson Michael didn¡¯t even blink, staring straight ahead, waiting to see the scene of Julius Reed being hit and flying into the sky! Boom! Finally, the SUV crashed heavily into Julius Reed! Chapter 280 - Chapter 280: Chapter 279 Borrowing a Knife to Kill Someone_1 Chapter 280: Chapter 279 Borrowing a Knife to Kill Someone_1 Contrary to expectations, there was no scene where Julius Reed was sent flying into the sky. The driver, as if having hit a solid object, had all the airbags in the cab deploy! And from where the engine was, black smoke began to billow out¡ªthe entire front of the car was unrecognizable, severely damaged. In front of this crumpled hood, Julius Reed had one foot on the car¡¯s engine cover, and the other foot slid nearly half a meter backward due to the car¡¯s tremendous force of impact. The asphalt on the ground was left with a deep, long gouge as a result. ¡°How¡­ how is this possible!¡± Benson Michael couldn¡¯t believe what he was seeing was real! How could ordinary human strength ever contend with these steel machines! He rubbed his eyes, only to find that Julius Reed was standing right in front of the car, smiling at him. ¡°I¡¯ve seen a ghost!¡± Just by being stared at by Julius Reed, Benson Michael felt a chill run down his spine, and he slumped to the ground. He¡¯d never seen anything so defying the heavens in his life! ¡°Sorry, your driver was drunk driving. The car is destroyed, and the person is likely dead!¡± Julius Reed stepped off the car, and by that time, the engine had died, the inside of the cab was covered in blood, and the driver was unsure whether he was dead or alive. ¡°Who are you exactly!¡± Benson Michael gasped in shock, his words somewhat panicked. Being born into a wealthy family, he¡¯d seen his fair share of capable individuals but had never heard of anyone daring to confront a steel machine head-on. Even Idriss furrowed his brows, the wooden beads in his hand spinning faster. ¡°Young man, who on earth are you to choose this path to nowhere?¡± Julius Reed strolled leisurely, each step he took causing the other¡¯s heart to tremble. ¡°What do you want! I warn you, my family is the Michael Family, and we are second to none in Ganny Province!¡± Despite his fierce words, Benson Michael¡¯s feet were frantically scraping the ground as he panickedly retreated backward. ¡°Stop!¡± Just then, Idriss flew over, his right palm striking towards Julius Reed without warning! If this palm struck true, death was certain! Bang! Faced with the sudden attack from Idriss, Julius Reed counterattacked with a palm strike! Whoosh! After the two exchanged a palm strike, Idriss stepped back three paces, while Julius Reed remained unmoved. ¡°Your skills are exceptional, sir. May I ask where you hail from?¡± Idriss asked, his brow slightly furrowed. In a duel between experts, it only takes one move to gauge the depth of the opponent¡¯s strength. After this palm exchange, Idriss believed he had a clear understanding of Julius Reed¡¯s strength. Although shocked, he still wanted to ascertain Julius Reed¡¯s background. Such formidable power couldn¡¯t possibly belong to a nobody! ¡°Too much nonsense! Fight if you¡¯re going to fight, leave if not! To be frank, my senior brother will be here in no time, and when he arrives, you¡¯re all going to die!¡± Julius Reed spoke with extreme arrogance, not taking Idriss seriously at all. This kind of haughty attitude undoubtedly made Idriss, a well-known figure for many years who commands respect as an elder in the world of martial arts, feel extremely irked. Now, to be ridiculed by a wet behind the ears youth was enough to inflame murderous intent! Furthermore, thinking of Julius Reed¡¯s mention that his senior brother was nearby, Idriss was even more resolved to silence them by killing. Although the opponent was strong, Idriss was confident that he could carry out the assassination based on their previous exchange. Julius Reed was very powerful, but for Idriss, killing him was still not an issue. ¡°Kill him!¡± Benson Michael, who had been scared stiff on the ground, let out a roar, almost like a hysterical howl. ¡°Since you refuse to reveal your school, then don¡¯t blame me for bullying the young!¡± Idriss violently snapped the string of wooden beads, shooting them out with immense force! Whizz! The beads, carrying a destructive force, streaked through the air, heading straight for Julius Reed! Once Idriss made his move, it was a lethal one, looking to finish the fight quickly and escape with Benson Michael. After all, no one knew how powerful the eldest disciple in Julius Reed¡¯s mouth was. If he was a top-notch master, it was very easy for him to be at a disadvantage in a two-against-one fight. Bang! Bang! Several beads grazed past Julius Reed¡¯s body, directly piercing through the metal of the speeding car and exiting from the other side! If such powerful force had hit a person, they would probably have died on the spot! After witnessing Idriss¡¯s strength, Benson Michael became excited. He had only heard about how formidable this bodyguard was, but witnessing it firsthand, he realized this was nothing short of a superhuman! Being able to strike wooden beads with bare hands, achieving an effect similar to firearms, Benson Michael had never seen such a thing in his life. It wasn¡¯t just him; the accompanying bodyguards were also dumbstruck! Turns out the uncle who was always with them was this powerful! But what came next was even more shocking to them! Facing such a strong attack, after dodging several beads, Julius Reed suddenly thrust his hands forward! He directly crushed the incoming wooden beads into powder! ¡°My eldest disciple is here, you¡¯re dead meat!¡± Julius Reed glanced at Idriss, stamped on the ground, and, just like qinggong from the movies, instantly vanished in front of everyone. Seeing the opponent escape, how could Idriss give him a chance? He thought that Julius Reed was simply unable to defeat him and was trying to run away. Letting go of such an adversary was like releasing a tiger back to its mountain, a source of endless trouble. ¡°You protect the young master, I will go catch this person!¡± Idriss instructed the bodyguards and made a move to pursue! Whoosh! But at that moment, a cold light flashed by, stabbing straight at Idriss¡¯s neck! Clang! In a critical moment, Idriss twisted his body at an unbelievable angle, avoiding the deathly sharp hidden weapon. ¡°Ah!¡± Behind him, one of the bodyguards failed to dodge in time, and was impaled by the longsword, pinned dead next to a large tree. Whir! Simultaneously, Maurice Springs arrived with three disciples in front of Idriss, naturally assuming that they were the helpers Julius Reed had called for. And Idriss, seeing the other party make the first move, assumed that Springs was the eldest disciple mentioned by Julius Reed. Without any superfluous words, Springs narrowed his eyes and bellowed, ¡°Kill!¡± He had been tracking Julius Reed and had just arrived here, discovering that his opponent was also a master. ¡°Seeking death!¡± Idriss sprinted, charging towards the two disciples of Maurice Springs who were holding longswords. Bang! Bang! Facing the two young disciples with longswords charging at him, Idriss grabbed with both hands, directly snapping both longswords! He then slapped his palms on the bodies of Springs¡¯s disciples! Thump! The two young disciples were sent flying and crashed to the ground, convulsing once before losing all signs of life. ¡°Indeed a master! Today, for daring to kill my disciples, prepare to lose your life!¡± Maurice Springs¡¯s eyes gleamed with a cold light as he wielded his sword to strike! Slice! This strike was incredibly swift, the air itself seemed to tear, emitting a sharp noise. Clang! Idriss rapidly retreated, grabbing a car door with one hand and slamming it hard onto Springs¡¯s sword! ¡°Today, even if it costs me my life, I must kill you!¡± Idriss violently bent the car door in half and frantically smashed it forward! Crack! The thick iron of the car door was cut in half by Springs¡¯s sword, just as easily as if it were a watermelon! Chapter 281 - Chapter 281: Chapter 280: Fool_1 Chapter 281: Chapter 280: Fool_1 Translator: 549690339 Both sides believed the other had reinforcements, so they sought a quick battle, not wanting to drag out the fight. Especially when Maurice Springs saw the large number of bodyguards standing behind Idriss, his pressure doubled. He knew that Julius Reed had colluded with some tycoons in Five-river Province and subconsciously thought these people were helpers sent by those merchants. Ultimately, not fighting on his own turf, Maurice Springs only thought about killing quickly and then returning to Deep Cold to report. Having betrayed Willson Pavilion, he had already been pursued by the organization, with a Killing Order personally signed by Amadeus Fairbanks. This made him feel that every moment he stayed outside, the danger increased. Idriss¡¯s thoughts were almost the same as Maurice Springs¡¯s. Facing such a strong opponent, especially in Five-river Province, the dragon cannot crush the local snake, a principle he understood well. His main task was not to kill Julius Reed, but to ensure the safety of Benson Michael. With the power of the Michael Family, killing a young man with a relatively weak background was easy! But Benson Michael was the Michael Family¡¯s only son, and no mishap could be tolerated! ¡°I see you also wish for a swift resolution. Why don¡¯t we have a direct duel?¡± Idriss removed his jacket, and his muscles started to bulge! ¡°That¡¯s exactly my intention!¡± Maurice Springs planted his Longsword into the ground, twisted his neck, and took a deep breath, ¡°Ultimately, a fight to the death must be had, let¡¯s make it count!¡± Both men put down their weapons, ready to use the most practical moves in a desperate fight. ¡°Please enlighten me!¡± Wham! Idriss shot forward with a powerful push of his feet, reaching Maurice Springs in the blink of an eye like a gust of wind! And Maurice Springs did not even try to dodge, nor did he defend. Instead, he chose to smash his fists fiercely into Idriss¡¯s chest! Whoosh! The violent collision immediately separated the two! Blood seeped from the corner of Maurice Springs¡¯s mouth, and his body also trembled slightly. ¡°Puh!¡± Idriss spat out a mouthful of blood and staggered against a nearby car. ¡°Who exactly are you!¡± His eyes were full of shock. This punch had shattered three of his ribs, an occurrence that was previously impossible! Idriss, having been raised in Martial Temple and later returning to secular life, had cultivated the Golden Bell Shield and Iron Shirt techniques. Ordinary human strength could not harm him in the slightest. This was also why Idriss dared to directly clash with Maurice Springs. With the Iron Shirt technique he had practiced for years, a punch would at most cause internal injury, but not harm to the bones. But he never expected his ribs to be broken, and the flow of energy in his body to start becoming chaotic. ¡°The former manager of Willson Pavilion¡¯s Far East Branch¡­ uh¡­¡± As he spoke, Maurice Springs felt blood surging in his chest, and his complexion started turning pale. ¡°Manager of the Far East Branch, currently in charge of Deep Cold Far East, deputy chief.¡± Having said this, Maurice Springs slowly closed his eyes and adjusted the extremely disordered energy within his body. ¡°Willson Pavilion? Deep Cold?¡± Hearing these two names, Idriss¡¯s eyes widened: ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be so significant!¡± As a martial artist, he naturally had heard of Willson Pavilion and Deep Cold. However, according to past knowledge, these two were bitter enemies. ¡°Now that you know I¡¯m not a nobody, you can die with your eyes closed!¡± Without giving Idriss a chance to catch his breath, Maurice Springs sprang out like a cheetah, his fists thundering forward again! Seeing this, Idriss also summoned all his strength, desperately resisting! Bang! Maurice Springs¡¯s fists smashed into Idriss¡¯s arms, the tremendous force flipping over the Mercedes sedan behind him! ¡°Ah!¡± Several bodyguards who couldn¡¯t dodge in time were crushed under the car, emitting painful cries. ¡°Quick, take the young master and leave!¡± Idriss roared, his hands gripping Maurice Springs¡¯s arms. Knowing he was no match, he could only try his best to hold off the enemy, buying time for Benson Michael¡¯s escape. ¡°Want to leave? Impossible! You all must die!¡± Maurice Springs also exerted all his strength, directly twisting Idriss¡¯s arms! ¡°Crack!¡± Accompanied by the sound of breaking bones, Idriss¡¯s arms dangled limply; he¡¯d completely lost the ability to fight. Although struggling against a monster like Julius Reed, Maurice Springs found it fairly manageable against an opponent like Idriss¡ªwith some injuries, the situation still wasn¡¯t too bad. ¡°Spill it! Where¡¯s Julius Reed?¡± Maurice Springs grabbed Idriss by the neck with one hand and hoisted him up. ¡°I don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t know¡­¡± How would Idriss know Julius Reed¡¯s whereabouts? ¡°Since you won¡¯t talk, then die!¡± Maurice Springs forcefully twisted, snapping Idriss¡¯s neck on the spot. Benson Michael, on the ground, had long turned deathly pale from fear. ¡°Don¡¯t kill me¡­¡± If even a formidable expert like Idriss couldn¡¯t escape death, how could Benson Michael not be afraid? He tried to stand up and run, but his legs gave out, sending him crashing to the floor. ¡°Protect the young master!¡± Seeing this, the bodyguards ran over despite their fear, and formed a circle in front of Benson Michael. ¡°You all have to die!¡± Maurice Springs frowned slightly, blood surging to his throat, but he fought to keep it down with all his might. Idriss was strong, and had injured him to the core. ¡°All of you go to hell!¡± Maurice Springs leaped into the air, pulled the Longsword out of the ground, and in an instant arrived in front of the bodyguards! Splurt! A flash of silver, and several men fell into puddles of their own blood. Whoosh! In a critical moment, a bodyguard quickly drew his gun and aimed at Maurice Springs, firing! Although Maurice Springs tried to dodge, a lack of strength resulted in his arm being pierced by the cold dart! Splurt! At the same time, he decapitated the bodyguard with a single stroke. ¡°My family has a lot of money, I can give you money, please don¡¯t kill me¡­¡± When had Benson Michael ever witnessed such carnage? He lay on the ground, body shaking uncontrollably, even his tongue seemed to knot. ¡°Please, spare my life! I¡¯ll agree to any terms if you let me go!¡± Benson Michael¡¯s tone was pleading; he even mustered his last bit of strength to kneel before Maurice Springs, repeatedly kowtowing. ¡°Since you chose to help Julius Reed, you should be prepared to die!¡± Maurice Springs slowly raised the Longsword, his voice cold as ice. ¡°What? I came to kill him!¡± Hearing this, Benson Michael looked up, his eyes wide and filled with disbelief. ¡°What did you say?¡± Maurice Springs was equally shocked. Wasn¡¯t this Julius Reed¡¯s mentioned helper? ¡°Aren¡¯t you his senior brother?¡± Benson Michael had heard it loud and clear: Julius Reed said his senior brother would come to help. If this man wasn¡¯t Julius Reed¡¯s senior brother, then why was he bent on fighting to the death? ¡°Idiot!¡± Maurice Springs, furious, slashed out with his sword! Thud! Benson Michael¡¯s eyes widened as he collapsed to the ground. ¡°Julius Reed! I will find you, whether you¡¯re in heaven or earth!¡± Maurice Springs roared, gripping his sword as he disappeared into the darkness, unwilling to resign himself. Having committed such a heinous crime, he was no longer one of Willson Pavilion¡¯s people and couldn¡¯t manage the crime scene; his only option was to temporarily leave Five-river Province. After he left, a team quickly arrived and cleaned up the scene in just ten minutes. Chapter 282 - Chapter 282: Chapter 281: The Old Place_1 Chapter 282: Chapter 281: The Old Place_1 After watching the thrilling fight, Julius Reed left the scene while munching on an apple. He didn¡¯t kill Maurice Springs because he wanted him to know that there are things in this world more painful than death. ¡°Mr. Reed, you¡¯re finally back!¡± When Reed returned to the Pearl on the Water, he saw Miguel Abbott anxiously waiting at the hotel entrance. Upon seeing him, he quickly ran over. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± In Reed¡¯s memory, it was the first time Abbott was so visibly distraught. ¡°Do you remember the night market I took you to in the old town?¡± Swallowing hard and shaking his hands, Abbott said, ¡°I just received news that some group has suddenly appeared in the old town. They¡¯ve actually pushed Irving Harris out of the area and set up their own operation there.¡± ¡°The old town is a piece of fat meat. Although it doesn¡¯t seem valuable on the surface, it¡¯s an area lacking in management, suitable for shady dealings; it¡¯s normal for outside forces to take an interest. But I¡¯m surprised that Irving Harris was forced out,¡± Reed nodded, signaling Abbott to continue. Even when the old town was under Harris¡¯s control, there were already some illegal activities. But anyone who could snatch food from Harris¡¯s mouth certainly wouldn¡¯t be simple. Either they had a strong backing, or Harris let them do it on purpose. But seeing how tense Abbott looked, something unexpected must have occurred. ¡°Lory Shaw, who is also Roosevelt Shaw¡¯s daughter and whom I consider my goddaughter, was living happily in the old town, thanks to your support. But ever since these people arrived, they¡¯ve taken over the market you funded and built, evicting the local residents.¡± Abbott burst out angrily, ¡°Those bastards! After the locals protested, they even detained the lead protester Roosevelt Shaw¡¯s family. As soon as Lory Shaw got out of school, someone snatched her right into a warehouse.¡± The tense expression on his face made it clear that he truly regarded Lory Shaw as his own goddaughter. ¡°There¡¯s something like this going on? How did you know?¡± Upon hearing the news, even Reed couldn¡¯t help but frown. This new gang was surely too brazen, kidnapping people without a second thought? ¡°It was the widow who sells tofu who called me,¡± Abbott¡¯s face turned red as he scratched his head, ¡°I feel that there¡¯s more to this matter than meets the eye. What do you think we should do?¡± At this point, he hurriedly added, ¡°I¡¯m not intentionally causing trouble for you, but I¡¯m afraid acting rashly might have a bad impact on you.¡± ¡°No worries, I¡¯m quite fond of Roosevelt Shaw¡¯s craft too. Besides, if your goddaughter is in trouble, I can¡¯t just stand idly by.¡± From the time Abbott first extended an olive branch until now becoming his staunch ally, how could Reed refuse to help him with this matter? ¡°Well, in that case, let¡¯s call Allen to gather our people, and we¡¯ll head over there to demand the release of the hostages!¡± Abbott pulled out his phone, ready to gather his private security team. ¡°No need, let¡¯s first find out exactly what¡¯s going on. Besides, if I want to save someone, who can stop me?¡± Reed waved his hand with supreme confidence and got in a Volkswagen car with Abbott, heading straight for the old town. His instincts told him that this was likely a conspiracy and definitely not as simple as it sounded. Roosevelt Shaw was an honest man. If there was truly a disturbance, there would certainly be others causing more trouble than him, so why were his family specifically taken? Inside the car, Abbott had no time to ponder these questions; his brow furrowed with concern, obviously worried about the safety of his old friend¡¯s family. A self-made man like Abbott cared deeply about personal relationships, which was something commendable. The driver quickly navigated the car into the old town area. By then, it was already evening, and the streets were deserted, hardly a soul in sight. The previously bustling night market had vanished, and occasionally they passed customers with faces filled with disappointment. It¡¯s likely they had traveled a long distance only to find there was nothing left. ¡°Hey! Stop right there!¡± When the car entered the street, a group of youths suddenly appeared in front of them. These people had dyed hair and were holding steel pipes, walking up to the car window and tapping on it continuously with their rods. The force was not strong, signaling to roll down the window. ¡°What¡¯s this all about?¡± Miguel Abbott rolled down the window and spoke with clear displeasure in his tone. ¡°Where are you going?¡± After sizing him up, he asked coldly. ¡°My uncle and I have come to visit my aunt.¡± Julius Reed spoke from inside the car, looking at the man and pointing to the roadblock ahead: ¡°Brother, what¡¯s going on up there?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing! Don¡¯t ask too many questions! If you¡¯re here to visit relatives, just do that and don¡¯t loiter around, otherwise, no one will take responsibility if something happens!¡± After pulling open the car door and making sure there were only three people inside and after checking the trunk, he finally let them go. ¡°What a bunch of assholes! I really wanted to give him a beating just now! Brother Reed, should I call my bodyguards?¡± Miguel Abbott was fuming at the sight of these people. He was the head of Moonlight Group, with great influence in Five-river Province, and now he was being stopped for a car inspection, which naturally upset him. ¡°Hold on! Haven¡¯t you noticed something different about these guys?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly as he began to ponder. ¡°What¡¯s different?¡± Miguel Abbott had been too busy being angry to notice anything unusual. ¡°These guys just dyed their hair and dressed up like small-time thugs. You believed that too easily.¡± Julius Reed looked at Miguel Abbott: ¡°The calluses on their hands are very thick, clearly indicating they¡¯ve been around for many years. If your bodyguards had really come, it would have been a death sentence!¡± With these words from Julius, Miguel Abbott slapped his thigh, suddenly realizing, ¡°I knew it, there was a hint of killing intent in their eyes! It¡¯s all because I was thinking about my goddaughter, I almost screwed it all up.¡± Thinking about the scene if his bodyguards had shown up, Miguel Abbott felt a chill. Although his personal guard was strong in combat, they were no match for mercenaries. ¡°This is more complicated than we thought.¡± Julius Reed tapped his thigh lightly with his fingers, starting to mull over the potential situations that might arise. The car entered the old city district and encountered no further obstructions. But on the main street, there were still some people wandering about, many leaning against the roadside smoking, occasionally glancing at them. ¡°It¡¯s eerily quiet today. If we don¡¯t find a place to park soon, we¡¯re definitely going to draw suspicion.¡± Julius Reed had a sudden idea, looking at Miguel Abbott: ¡°Go straight to that widow¡¯s place you fancy, for starters we can gather some information, and it¡¯ll also dispel any suspicions from these people.¡± After driving around in the city district for several turns, it was quite obvious that the local thugs had become vigilant, with several of them starting to approach their car. ¡°Okay!¡± Miguel Abbott nodded and instructed the driver, ¡°The usual spot!¡± After saying that, he paused for a moment, then explained awkwardly, ¡°Slip of the tongue¡­¡± ¡°Got it!¡± Julius Reed patted his shoulder. The ¡®usual spot,¡¯ huh? Seems like he must have visited quite often. Chapter 283 - Chapter 283: Chapter 282 Mysterious Organization_1 Chapter 283: Chapter 282 Mysterious Organization_1 Upon hearing Miguel Abbott¡¯s words, the driver, knowing the way well, quickly parked the car downstairs of an old residential building. ¡°Mr. Reed, follow me.¡± To prevent the locals in the old city district from getting suspicious, not a single person stayed in the car, not even the driver; everyone went upstairs together. After walking into the dark corridor, the three of them stood in front of door 401 on the fourth floor. ¡°Anyone home?¡± Miguel Abbott knocked on the door gently. ¡°Mr. Abbott, you¡¯ve come?¡± Soon, the door opened from the inside, and a woman in her thirties stepped out. Although she was a bit older and not meticulous about her appearance, she still had a lingering charm. ¡°Let¡¯s talk inside.¡± Miguel Abbott stretched out his hand, and Julius Reed and the driver hurriedly went in. And the woman, after ensuring there was no one else outside, closed the door. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, nothing¡¯s happened to Roosevelt Shaw and the others, has it?¡± As soon as he entered the room, Miguel Abbott asked anxiously. It was clear that he was quite concerned about his friend and goddaughter. ¡°Just wait a moment, I¡¯ll pour you some water.¡± The woman turned and went into the kitchen, took out a teapot, and poured tea for the three men. ¡°Roosevelt Shaw was arrested this morning. Old Four and I went to have a look; it was nothing serious.¡± After putting down the teapot, the woman glanced at Julius Reed: ¡°This gentleman¡­ is he the benefactor who helped us build the market?¡± That day at the food stall when she had taken a fleeting glance and listened to the recounting of those present, she didn¡¯t get a good look at Julius Reed. Therefore, she wasn¡¯t very familiar with him. ¡°Indeed, this is Mr. Reed.¡± Miguel Abbott nodded: ¡°Mr. Reed heard about this situation and rushed over with me in great haste. He wants to clarify what exactly is going on.¡± ¡°This matter is somewhat complicated.¡± The woman frowned slightly and began to recall: ¡°About half a month ago, a group of people suddenly burst into our old city district and got into conflict with Irving Harris¡¯s gang. After that incident, for some reason, Irving Harris suddenly withdrew, yielding control over this area to the newcomers.¡± ¡°Since then, this group has started to behave like tyrants, oppressing the neighbors. They even prohibit us from trading in the farmers¡¯ market that Mr. Reed funded the construction of, and they don¡¯t even allow street vending at night.¡± ¡°With a reputation in Five-river Province as a first-rate force, how could Irving Harris easily step aside?¡± After hearing the woman¡¯s story, Miguel Abbott leaned on the sofa, struggling to understand. Since the collapse of the Leopold Family, Irving Harris had the strongest power in Five-river Province. It¡¯s just that his business dealings were somewhat unsavory, making him less well-known than star entrepreneurs like Stanislaus Potter and Miguel Abbott. But Miguel Abbott, being a rich businessman himself, knew very well that Irving Harris was like a sleeping lion. Once enraged, none of them could resist him alone. Moreover, Irving Harris was originally from a corporate background, a daring fighter. How could he possibly hand over his territory on a silver platter? Especially to an adversary whose origins were completely unknown. ¡°It seems there¡¯s a lot we don¡¯t know about this situation!¡± Julius Reed looked out the window and mumbled to himself: ¡°At such a time, it¡¯s not the moment for Irving Harris to back down. Not long ago, I broke his other leg, bringing his pride to the ground. If Irving Harris chose to retreat again, it would undoubtedly dishearten his staff and be very detrimental to his own standing!¡± The struggle between powers is often to the bitter end; it¡¯s rare to see such a clean, easy surrender. After all, yielding his enterprise in such a way would be a huge blow to the face of Irving Harris¡¯s employees. It would also signal to his brothers that their boss was incompetent. Ding-dong! Just then, Julius Reed¡¯s cellphone suddenly rang. ¡°Boss, I¡¯ve found out that Irving Harris had personally visited the old town half a month ago. But upon returning, he seemed extremely panicked and demanded that the staff quickly withdraw from there and not to interfere with anything in the old town,¡± a deep voice came from the phone. ¡°Could you find out whom he met with?¡± Julius Reed asked calmly. ¡°Not yet, but the people who appeared in the old town are a group of highly skilled and strong combatants. The mastermind behind them is currently under investigation, which will need some time.¡± On the other end of the phone, the man continued to report the situation he had in hand. ¡°Ok, let me know once you have results.¡± After Julius Reed hung up the call, he turned to the woman, ¡°Where do these people usually live?¡± According to the intelligence, the number of people in this group couldn¡¯t possibly be small, so they must have found a place to live. ¡°Right up ahead!¡± The woman stood up, walked to the window, and pointed to an old, brightly lit building not far away, ¡°That building has been abandoned for five years. Ever since these people arrived, they didn¡¯t care about the lack of ventilation, and just set up tents inside, living there normally.¡± ¡°Where do they eat?¡± Julius Reed looked at the building in front of him, his speculations gradually being confirmed. Would ordinary people live in such a leaky place? Coming out to mix was all about eating and drinking well; who would suffer like this? Only those Hidden Guards who are not afraid of death could maintain such organization and discipline, completely disregarding the harsh environment. ¡°Just ahead, there¡¯s a Horse Meat Restaurant. All the businesses on our street were driven out, but that place has a storefront, so it stayed open. Moreover, these people do pay for their food, not causing any trouble for the boss at all,¡± the woman said, finding it a bit strange herself, ¡°What are these people really up to? They won¡¯t let us set up stalls, but besides that, they haven¡¯t done anything too extreme. Even the catching of Roosevelt Shaw was because we kept causing trouble, and Mr. Marsh was at the forefront when he was caught.¡± ¡°Mr. Abbott, let¡¯s go down and have a meal,¡± said Julius Reed after getting the answers he wanted and standing up from the couch. ¡°No need, it¡¯s quite dangerous there. Whatever you want to eat, I¡¯ll cook it for you,¡± the woman quickly stood up and opened the refrigerator to start cooking. ¡°No need. I actually want to try this Horse Meat Restaurant myself, to see how good it is that these people favor it so much,¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, waving his hand and walking out of the room with Miguel Abbott. ¡°Be careful!¡± After they left the room, the lady admonished from behind. ¡°She¡¯s indeed a good woman.¡± Julius Reed looked at Miguel Abbott, who had a happy expression. ¡°My daughter doesn¡¯t agree.¡± Miguel Abbott scratched his head, ¡°You know, I tend to spoil her too much.¡± ¡°No problem, I¡¯ll sort this out for you, consider it a favor you owe me,¡± Julius Reed patted his shoulder. Knowing Ives Abbott¡¯s character, he could easily make her listen. As for the lady, she had genuinely devoted herself without knowing that Miguel Abbott was a big boss in the Five-river Province, which really marked her as a decent person. They had not walked far from the residential area when they saw the Horse Meat Restaurant. At the moment, a group of people were smoking at the entrance, and the place was bustling inside. ¡°Come on, you¡¯re buying today,¡± Julius Reed said, waving his hand, with Miguel Abbott immediately following behind. Chapter 284 - Chapter 284: Chapter 283 What is Called Being Rich_1 Chapter 284: Chapter 283 What is Called Being Rich_1 ¡°What are you doing?¡± Seeing Julius Reed and Miguel Abbott walking towards the restaurant, several people called out to ask. ¡°If you¡¯re not here to eat at the restaurant, then what, to cause trouble?¡± Julius Reed walked towards them, and the two of them just looked at each other. ¡°Nice cigarette, from Europe, worth over five hundred yuan a pack.¡± Looking at the cigarette in the man¡¯s mouth, Julius Reed said with a smile. ¡°Pah!¡± The man frowned, spat the cigarette out on the ground, and quickly stamped it out. Ignoring him, Julius Reed walked into the Horse Meat Restaurant with Miguel Abbott. Because this was the old city area, with sparse population and houses that weren¡¯t very valuable. The restaurant spanned over five hundred square meters, which was considered quite large for the old city area. As soon as the two walked in, the noisy room suddenly fell silent, everyone¡¯s gaze turned to them. ¡°Boss, bring us five pounds of horse meat to try first.¡± After Julius Reed found a table and sat down, he ordered from the counter. ¡°Buddy, we¡¯ve booked this place, so if it¡¯s convenient for you, please find another restaurant.¡± A few people walked up to their table and said unpleasantly. The patrons at the other tables also gathered around quickly, surrounding the two of them. It looked like there might be trouble if they didn¡¯t leave. ¡°Oh! Sorry to bother you!¡± Julius Reed put his hands together in a gesture of alarm and hurriedly got up to leave. The others immediately made way, seemingly without wanting to cause trouble. But just as Julius Reed took a step to leave, he turned around and looked at one of them, ¡°Hey! Why should we leave just because you say so?¡± As soon as he asked this, the man immediately frowned, ¡°Because we¡¯ve booked the place and aren¡¯t allowing any other customers.¡± Behind him, the rest of the group came forward again, all with unfriendly expressions on their faces. ¡°Boss!¡± Julius Reed called out to the restaurant owner, ignoring the others. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± A middle-aged man ran over with a clear look of fear on his face. Anyone would be scared in a room full of people like this. ¡°How much did they pay you to book this restaurant?¡± Julius Reed looked at the owner, signaling him not to be nervous. ¡°They pay us ten thousand a day. What, you have a problem with that?¡± Before the owner could answer, someone else replied first. ¡°Ten thousand? Fine! I¡¯ll give twenty thousand, and I¡¯ll book the restaurant!¡± Julius Reed sat back down and gestured to Miguel Abbott to get the money. Slap! Without a word, Miguel Abbott took twenty thousand cash from the briefcase he carried and slapped it on the table, ¡°Twenty thousand! Just withdrawn from the bank, good serial numbers.¡± The two brand-new stacks of cash sitting there were quite the display of a second-generation rich kid showing off wealth. ¡°What do you mean by this!¡± One of them stepped forward, ready to argue, ¡°There¡¯s a first-come, first-served order to things. This place was ours first; it¡¯s not about who can pay more!¡± ¡°Are you deliberately looking for trouble?¡± ¡°Kid, don¡¯t overdo it!¡± In an instant, they all rushed forward, each one of them looking ready to kill. ¡°Quiet!¡± The leader gestured with his hand, and the room fell silent at once. ¡°Young man, are you here to pick a fight?¡± A teenager who could casually take out twenty thousand and seemed to not care at all might well be a well-known local rich second-generation. Such people have complicated identities, and they didn¡¯t want to offend them. If they provoked the power behind the teenager, things would become even more complicated. ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Julius Reed tapped his middle finger gently on the table, ¡°I¡¯m just trying to eat, and you insist on kicking me out. Isn¡¯t that deliberately picking a fight with me? Since we¡¯re talking about money, let me show you what it means to be rich!¡± After he finished that sentence, Julius Reed slightly moved his head. Miguel Abbott immediately understood and handed a stack of US Dollar to the man in front of him. ¡°See for yourself, is this real money or not?¡± The man didn¡¯t say a word. He grabbed the money and started counting it. Then, he nodded and said, ¡°Alright, but what are you going to do?¡± Whoosh! Under the astonished gaze of those around him, Miguel Abbott lit the stack of money on fire and then handed it over to Julius Reed. Meanwhile, a cigar had found its way into Julius Reed¡¯s mouth without anyone noticing, and he lightly drew on it from the burning US Dollar. ¡°See that? This is what being rich looks like!¡± After taking a deep drag on the cigar, Julius Reed blew a puff of smoke into the man¡¯s face. ¡°How dare you!¡± Crack! A man slammed his fist hard on the table, shattering the wooden table of the Horse Meat Restaurant into pieces. Such strength was beyond that of an ordinary man. ¡°Oh! Resorted to brute force, huh?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow and pressed the cigar against the man¡¯s chest, ¡°Show some respect to me!¡± Sizzle! The burning cigar pierced through the shirt, scorching the man¡¯s flesh underneath. ¡°You¡¯re courting death!¡± The man immediately swatted away the cigar and charged at Julius Reed. Whoosh! Julius Reed rose to his feet with a kick, toppling the man to the ground. ¡°Attack!¡± Seeing the situation take a turn for the worse, the leader, no longer caring for caution, led his men to rush forward. Whoosh! Whoosh! After knocking down two men, Julius Reed got caught off guard and was captured. ¡°You little rabbit! Daring to touch me!¡± The man who got burnt walked over with a vicious look, raising his fist, ready to get revenge. ¡°Wait! You better be sensible! If I don¡¯t return, my family will definitely send someone to look for me. With my family background, finding out where I am will be a piece of cake!¡± Julius Reed had already figured out their plans¡ªthey wanted to avoid making any waves. If he wasn¡¯t wrong, this group was surely brewing some conspiracy and thus were being extremely cautious in their actions. ¡°Stop! As expected, upon hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, the leader stopped his man, ¡°Don¡¯t ruin the big plan!¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Retreating unwillingly, the man also looked at Julius Reed with murderous intent in his eyes. The burn on his chest was throbbing with pain. ¡°Take them away and lock them up. I¡¯ll go report to the boss!¡± Following the leader¡¯s order, Julius Reed and Miguel Abbott were immediately taken away. The street was pitch black, the streetlights long out of service. A few hundred meters out, they were brought into a decrepit old building, ending up in the same room as Roosevelt Shaw and his people. The windows of this room had been sealed with steel bars, and there were a few people guarding the exit. It was obvious these weren¡¯t just street thugs but organized Hidden Guards. ¡°Godfather!¡± ¡°Brother Abbott! How did you end up here too?¡± Seeing Julius Reed and Miguel Abbott, Roosevelt Shaw and his family of three quickly ran over. ¡°Shush!¡± Miguel Abbott made a silencing gesture, indicating for them to keep quiet. ¡°Call your boss out to see me! Are you trying to die by locking up me here?¡± Julius Reed stood at the door, shouting loudly to the outside. ¡°Who wants to see me?¡± Just then, a voice came from inside the stairwell. Chapter 285 - Chapter 285: Chapter 284 Skyfire Sect_1 Chapter 285: Chapter 284 Skyfire Sect_1 As the words fell, a flurry of hurried footsteps came from outside. Following this, several men walked in, with a middle-aged man in a blue suit leading the way. ¡°I heard someone dared to cause trouble on my property,¡± said the man arrogantly. ¡°I know quite a few wealthy businessmen in Five-river Province, and today, I¡¯m eager to see which family¡¯s son is so audacious!¡± After entering the room where Julius Reed and the Roosevelt Shaw family of three were detained, the man in the suit surveyed his surroundings with an extremely haughty demeanor. ¡°It¡¯s me, is that a problem?¡± Julius Reed stood up, gazing intently at the man in the suit. ¡°Stop! Do not show off your abilities now!¡± Seeing this, Roosevelt Shaw quickly rushed to restrain Julius Reed and smiled apologetically at the man in the suit, ¡°This young brother is just young and rash; please, don¡¯t mind him. I apologize on his behalf right here!¡± Julius Reed had been good to everyone in the old district, so naturally, Roosevelt Shaw could not stand to see him aggrieved. These people were armed and clearly not good men, and moreover, one must bow their head under another¡¯s roof. Even if he really wanted revenge, it would have to wait until they got out. However, when the man in the suit glimpsed Julius Reed¡¯s face, his expression suddenly changed drastically, ¡°Julius¡­¡± ¡°He¡¯s a friend of mine!¡± Julius Reed saw that the other man was about to shout out his name and quickly went over to interrupt him. ¡°Who are you to dare imprison me here!¡± He still maintained an extremely arrogant attitude. This scared Roosevelt Shaw out of his wits, and just as he was about to go up and stop him, he was held back by Octavius. ¡°Ahem!¡± The man in the suit was Bridger Davenport, Think Tank for Maurice Yarrow of the Three Blade Group, and it was on his advice that the Group had refrained from seeking revenge. ¡°That is¡­¡± Davenport¡¯s eyes kept darting around. He was a clever person and immediately understood what Julius Reed meant. However, he couldn¡¯t fathom why this man, who could stir up trouble in Five-river Province with his own strength, came here. ¡°There are things I really don¡¯t want to say because once I do, none of you will get away with it!¡± Julius Reed continued to display a high and untamed attitude. Seeing his arrogant behavior, a few men wanted to go over and teach him a lesson but were stopped by Davenport, ¡°Take him to my room. I need to interrogate him thoroughly!¡± ¡°OK!¡± The men nodded and escorted Julius Reed away from the derelict room. ¡°Brother, this trip is more perilous than fortunate, why didn¡¯t you stop him! This gang doesn¡¯t play by the rules; for Mr. Davenport, this bodes more ill than good!¡± Seeing Julius Reed taken away, Roosevelt Shaw beat his chest in distress, worried about unexpected trouble. This was a group of extremely vicious people, and no one knew what they were capable of doing. ¡°It¡¯s okay, the person who came in just now is his friend.¡± Octavius patted Roosevelt Shaw¡¯s chest, signaling him not to panic. Being a renowned figure in Five-river Province himself, Octavius naturally recognized Davenport, and although he was unsure why he was here, it surely had something to do with the Three Blade Group. ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s nothing serious?¡± Roosevelt Shaw was still not at ease. He knew Octavius and Julius Reed were risking themselves to save his family. If something really went wrong here, he would feel guilty for the rest of his life. ¡°Mr. Davenport could leave, and not even gods could stop him,¡± Octavius walked to the corner, leaned against the wall, and began to sleep. ¡°You stay at the door, no one is allowed in! If the envoy asks, just say I¡¯m interrogating a hostage!¡± After reaching a relatively decent room upstairs, Bridger Davenport waved his hand at several men, signaling them to leave. Once the men had left, Bridger Davenport hurriedly moved a chair over respectfully, ¡°Mr. Reed, what brings you here?¡± He was quite surprised to see Julius Reed here. The old district in Five-river Province was almost lawless, and apart from its location near the coast with a nearly abandoned dock, there was nothing of value to be found. ¡°First, tell me how you ended up here.¡± Julius Reed sat down unceremoniously and looked at Bridger Davenport, ¡°Instead of serving as the strategist of the Three Blade Group, you¡¯re here mixing with a bunch of Hidden Guards. Could it be that you¡¯re tired of the easy life and looking for some excitement?¡± ¡°Nothing can escape the discerning eyes of Mr. Reed.¡± Bridger Davenport felt awkward and then began to explain, ¡°This place is desolate; I wouldn¡¯t have come here if I had a choice. But a month ago, two men came to our Three Blade Group and started negotiating with the boss directly.¡± ¡°These people promised that as long as we were willing to help, they would support the Three Blade Group, and also¡­¡± At this, Bridger Davenport stopped midsentence. ¡°And also eliminate me.¡± Julius Reed spoke casually, which startled Bridger Davenport! ¡°Mr. Reed, how¡­ how did you know?¡± Realizing he had lost his composure, he quickly said, ¡°I have always opposed this! Ever since we met in Gonzalez City, I have been well aware of your capabilities. But our boss has been seduced by their words and insisted on following through, and it¡¯s simply unstoppable.¡± Bridger Davenport gave a wry smile, ¡°In the Three Blade Group, no one can stop Boss Yarrow from doing what he wants.¡± ¡°I believe that. Like we said when we first met, you¡¯re a smart man. You ought to know what¡¯s in your best interest,¡± Julius Reed lifted his eyelids to look at Bridger Davenport, who was sweating profusely, and said lightly, ¡°In fact, if you had ever harbored ideas of harming me, I would have fed you to the fish long ago. You wouldn¡¯t have lived to see this day.¡± ¡°Yes! Rest assured, Mr. Reed, even if I had the courage of a lion, I wouldn¡¯t dare to cross you!¡± Bridger Davenport wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, feeling his legs go weak. Taking a deep breath, he asked in a low voice, ¡°But Mr. Reed¡­ how did you know about the condition our boss offered?¡± This matter had been tightly kept within the group, known only by less than five senior members and those two men. The Three Blade Group had maintained strict confidentiality, so how could it have leaked? ¡°Maurice Yarrow has always borne a grudge against me. If the Leopold Family hadn¡¯t run into bad luck and I was still safe and sound, he probably would have made his move long ago.¡± Julius Reed stood up from the chair and said with a smile, ¡°Now that he has such a large group to do his bidding, how could he miss this opportunity?¡± ¡°Mr. Reed is absolutely right.¡± Bridger Davenport, soaked with sweat, stood there trembling. ¡°What kind of people are they, really? Do you know what they are up to by occupying this place?¡± Julius Reed walked to the window and looked down at the Black Hidden Guards patrolling non-stop, growing even more puzzled. ¡°This matter is too confidential; I only know bits and pieces. From Boss Yarrow, I learned that the two leading men are called envoys, and they want to occupy the old district because a person called Saint Heir is coming. The old district has a dock that¡¯s convenient for landing. As for¡­¡± ¡°Saint Heir? Did they ever mention Skyfire Sect?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s gaze suddenly turned icy, and the ring on his finger began to emit a red glow. Chapter 286 - Chapter 286: Chapter 285: Enemies on a Narrow Path_1 Chapter 286: Chapter 285: Enemies on a Narrow Path_1 ¡°It does seem like there¡¯s such a thing!¡± Bridger Davenport slapped his forehead as if he had suddenly remembered something, ¡°During the exchange with the two special agents, they mentioned this matter in Greek. I didn¡¯t pay attention at the time, but now that you mention it, it seems they were referring to Skyfire!¡± ¡°I studied abroad in my early years and have a particular interest in foreign languages. They must have thought I didn¡¯t understand their language, which is why they chatted so recklessly.¡± At this point, he hurriedly asked, ¡°Mr. Reed, what is this Skyfire all about?¡± ¡°Enemies often do cross paths; eight or nine times out of ten, these people are targeting me!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes narrowed, and the intent to kill began to climb steadily on him. Fifty years ago, the Skyfire Saint Heir sought the ¡°Yin Yang Jade¡± and clashed with Julius Reed in the Caucasus Mountains, only to be knocked off the mountain by Julius Reed in the end. After returning, she soon died of her severe injuries. Half a year later, Skyfire issued a Killing Order, announcing a bounty of one billion US dollars for Julius Reed¡¯s head. In the next half a month, Julius Reed specifically visited the Skyfire headquarters and extinguished Skyfire by himself. The Sect Hierarch and Saint Heir, stripped of their clothes, were hung in the grand cathedral of Skyfire, making it the laughingstock of the martial world for a time. Latterly, it was heard that a new generation Saint Heir was elected as the Sect Hierarch, and Skyfire officially resumed its doctrine. Now it seems they must have learned of my presence in Five-river Province, thus making such a significant move. But what must come, always comes. Skyfire also had a hand in the plans to assassinate me back then. Although I managed to dodge that calamity with my formidable abilities, I lost my memory as a result and have yet to fully recover to this day. The fact that Skyfire has heard the news means that more people are beginning to learn that I¡¯m not dead. Up next, there might be a bloody storm. As Julius Reed¡¯s emotions gradually stabilized, the red light on the ring began to dim, and finally disappeared. ¡°Mr. Reed, does this matter have something to do with you?¡± Having heard everything, Bridger Davenport was also shocked. During this period, he had been speculating about the other party¡¯s intentions. Why so many Hidden Guards stealthily entered and their security was kept tight. It seemed they were preparing to welcome some prominent figure. He never imagined that these people were actually targeting Julius Reed. ¡°Otherwise, do you think these people would agree to Maurice Yarrow¡¯s request? Skyfire wouldn¡¯t take you seriously!¡± As he said this, Julius Reed suddenly turned around and thoughtfully asked, ¡°When Irving Harris came with his men looking for trouble, was it you who resolved the situation?¡± To make Irving Harris back down peacefully, there must have been a promise of some benefit. Otherwise, given Irving Harris¡¯s temperament, even if you belonged to Skyfire, you¡¯d have to suffer a loss here. ¡°Indeed!¡± A look of surprise once again flashed across Bridger Davenport¡¯s face, curious as to how Julius Reed knew so much. ¡°Irving Harris came with his men to the old town area, and it was our boss who stepped in to mediate, promising to kill you within a month. That¡¯s why Irving Harris left with his men.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve ended up as a bargaining chip.¡± Julius Reed smiled and shook his head, ¡°Maurice Yarrow will be doomed sooner or later. You¡¯d best make plans early.¡± ¡°Understood! If Mr. Reed doesn¡¯t mind, I am at your command! During this time, I will try to gather intelligence and convey the news to you as quickly as possible!¡± Bridger Davenport knelt on the ground to express his loyalty. The Think Tank of the Three Blade Group, taking the lead to defect, is probably something Maurice Yarrow could never dream of. But Bridger Davenport knew very well that these people were no match for Julius Reed. ¡°Good! First, have someone release Roosevelt Shaw and his family along with us. Once you know the arrival time of the Saint Heir, be sure to tell me immediately!¡± Julius Reed pointed at Bridger Davenport, his tone gradually growing colder. ¡°Please rest assured, Mr. Reed!¡± Bridger Davenport bowed deeply, then walked to the door to open it, resuming his previous expression, ¡°This rich second generation is my friend¡¯s son, and he has already been taught a lesson. There¡¯s two hundred thousand in this card, a little token of his apology, give it to the brothers to split! Also, release that family of three, so we don¡¯t create more trouble.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± The two men took the bank card, exchanged a look, and then escorted Julius Reed and Roosevelt Shaw, among others, out of the building. ¡°If there¡¯s a next time, we won¡¯t be so lenient! Keep your mouth shut, or my darts will send you to heaven!¡± They didn¡¯t forget to threaten before leaving. ¡°Of course, of course!¡± Roosevelt Shaw hurriedly nodded, ¡°We didn¡¯t see anything!¡± After the group walked out of the old city district, they got straight into Miguel Abbott¡¯s car. Miguel Abbott decided to take the family of three to his own Pearl on the Water, since he was worried about them suffering further harm. Julius Reed, however, acted alone and didn¡¯t join the others. Even if he wanted to go with them, the car was too full to accommodate him. The car slowly drove out from the old building, passed the checkpoint, and then sped towards the downtown area. But less than three hundred meters from them, a man was aiming a rocket launcher at the sedan that was in motion. Since the car was still within the old city district, even if blown up, it wouldn¡¯t attract too much attention. ¡°Hey! Got a light?¡± Just as the black man was about to launch the rocket, someone suddenly slapped him on the back. ¡°Beat it! Don¡¯t you see I¡¯m busy!¡± The black man frowned deeply, keeping his eyes glued to the car. But the next moment, his expression changed drastically, and he turned around to pull out a dart, ¡°Who are you!¡± Behind him, unknown when, a teenager had appeared, who was now looking at him with a grin. ¡°How can it be you!¡± After seeing Julius Reed more clearly, his frown deepened! He had just watched Reed squeeze into that sedan; how could he suddenly appear behind him? ¡°Why so angry, pointing a dart at me like that is really rude, you know!¡± Julius Reed was not the least bit bothered. ¡°No one can walk away from here alive! You¡¯ve seen our people, if you talk, our plans will be ruined!¡± The man chuckled with a sinister smile, as his finger on the trigger gradually applied more pressure, ¡°Die!¡± Click! Just as he was about to fire the dart, Julius Reed stepped forward like a specter, grabbed the dart mid-air, and then forcefully bent it! ¡°God, are you human or ghost!¡± The man¡¯s hand trembled, dropping to the ground. ¡°Of course I¡¯m a god, but you might be headed for hell.¡± Click! In a blink of an eye, Julius Reed appeared behind the man and quickly twisted his neck, breaking it. ¡°Skyfire, you didn¡¯t learn your lesson after being eradicated once, seems like I, the Young Master, will have to do it again!¡± Looking up at the dark night sky, Julius Reed took out his phone and dialed a short number. ¡°Hello, this is the Northern-mount Trade Group after-sales service hotline.¡± After hearing a sweet customer service voice, Julius Reed coldly replied, ¡°This is the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, tell Cold Nelson to see me within twelve hours.¡± Chapter 287 - Chapter 287: Chapter 286 Riding to the Banquet_1 Chapter 287: Chapter 286 Riding to the Banquet_1 By the time Julius Reed returned to the Aquatic Pearl, it was already past ten in the evening. Roosevelt Shaw and his family of three were dining in the restaurant while Ives Abbott was pulling Lory Shaw to the side, making small talk as though she were treating her own elder sister. This indeed surprised Julius Reed. It was his first time seeing such a domineering young lady exhibiting such kind and warm behavior. Roosevelt Shaw and his wife obviously felt somewhat uncomfortable and were also a bit restrained when talking to Miguel Abbott, clearly aware of a bit of his identity. Thinking about it, he could understand¡ªif anyone found out that the person they used to call brother was actually a well-known wealthy merchant from Five-river Province, it was inevitable they would become somewhat restrained. ¡°Denzel, I¡¯ll take you out later to see the world, do you want to go?¡± After everyone had finished eating, Ives Abbott looked at Lory Shaw with a mysterious air of anticipation on her face. ¡°Forget about it¡­ It¡¯s so late, there¡¯s no need to trouble you.¡± Lory Shaw, being a good girl and not very familiar with Ives Abbott, tactfully declined. ¡°Oh! Denzel, today the little princess of the Leocadia Family from Jingcheng has come to our Five-river Province, holding a birthday banquet at the Global Hotel. Everyone present is a wealthy and prestigious figure, a rare sight for many years!¡± Ives Abbott was still not giving up, insisting on dragging Lory Shaw along to take a look. ¡°The little princess of the Leocadia Family? Sophia Leocadia?¡± Miguel Abbott¡¯s interest was piqued upon hearing this name. ¡°Exactly! None other than Jingcheng¡¯s first talented lady, Sophia Leocadia. Her mother is from Five-river Province, which is why she chose to celebrate her eighteenth birthday here.¡± Ives Abbott¡¯s face was filled with excitement: ¡°I received the invitation at noon. Apparently, the Global Hotel has been booked out just for the birthday celebration of the Leocadia Family¡¯s princess!¡± ¡°The Leocadia Family has the resources to do this, so in that case, Denzel, you should go along for a look, consider it as broadening your horizons. It¡¯s good for girls to broaden their view, no harm in seeing more.¡± Miguel Abbott nodded his approval, considering Sophia¡¯s appearance in Five-river Province to be quite the news. The Leocadia Family had great prestige in Jingcheng, with countless assets, and their most favored granddaughter was the newly-adult Sophia Leocadia. This was an opportunity¡ªif the Abbott Family could use this chance to forge a connection with the Leocadia Family, it would certainly be greatly beneficial. ¡°I¡¯ll have someone prepare a few gifts for you all, Denzel is also a goddaughter of mine after all, just go along with them. In the future, you need to interact more with these people and grow up quickly.¡± With a wave of his hand, Miguel Abbott signaled, and immediately the waiter behind him stepped forward. ¡°Go to my collection room, take out the Jade Ruyi and the Luminous Pearl, and bring them for Denzel and Ives.¡± After giving his instructions, he did not forget to add: ¡°Use the finest wooden gift box you have and make sure it looks nice.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The waiter immediately turned around and scurried upstairs. ¡°Dad! Those two items are worth a lot of money, are you really willing to part with them?¡± Ives Abbott was very aware of the family fortune; together, the Jade Ruyi and the Luminous Pearl were worth nearly a hundred million. Even for their net worth, this was not a small sum. ¡°If we can really establish ties with the Leocadia Family, what¡¯re those sums of money?¡± Miguel Abbott laughed lightly: ¡°In life, one must look at the bigger picture.¡± ¡°All right, Boss Davenport, why don¡¯t you come with us too?¡± Ives Abbott looked at Julius Reed with pleading eyes, knowing that with him by her side, there wouldn¡¯t be any dangers. After all, this was a man who dared to incapacitate Atlas Leopold in public. In Five-river Province, was there anything he was afraid to do? ¡°No time!¡± Julius Reed flatly refused and casually picked up an apple from the table, taking big bites from it. ¡°Denzel¡­¡± Ives Abbott immediately looked at Lory Shaw with a face full of entreaty. ¡°I¡­¡± Lory Shaw flushed, not knowing what to do. She was inherently an introverted girl, unused to these kinds of situations. ¡°If I say I¡¯m not going, then I won¡¯t go. It¡¯s just a birthday party, after all. Can¡¯t people from the capital ensure proper security? Don¡¯t think you can parade me around to bolster your own status.¡± Julius Reed saw right through Ives Abbott¡¯s intentions. With Sophia Leocadia born into such a powerful family, today¡¯s event would surely be filled with children of the super-rich. Given Ives Abbott¡¯s competitive and aggressive nature, she would undoubtedly want to steal the spotlight. And then, he¡¯d have to clean up after her. ¡°I¡¯m not going!¡± Ives Abbott rarely lost her temper, but now she stood up and pulled Lory Shaw along, ¡°Sister Denzel, let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Lory Shaw blinked and was led away from Luminous Pearl by Ives Abbott. ¡°You guys, take good care of Miss Ives!¡± Seeing his daughter storm off, Miguel Abbott quickly instructed the bodyguards behind him. ¡°That¡¯s just how my girl is, doesn¡¯t know the ways of the world, don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± After instructing the bodyguards, he turned to Julius Reed to explain. ¡°I¡¯m not that petty!¡± Julius Reed laughed and shook his head, but just then, his phone suddenly rang. Upon seeing the caller¡¯s number, his brow furrowed, and he quickly got up from his seat, heading to the entrance of Luminous Pearl to answer the call. ¡°Aron Jackson, what¡¯s happened?¡± Julius Reed asked anxiously. If it weren¡¯t something urgent, Aron Jackson wouldn¡¯t be calling so late. ¡°Is it your sister-in-law who¡¯s in trouble?¡± Subconsciously, he thought Quella Radcliffe might be in trouble. ¡°Sister-in-law is very safe! With your student by her side, no ordinary person can get close!¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s voice came through the phone, ¡°Boss, tonight Sophia Leocadia from Five-river Province is celebrating her birthday at the Global Hotel.¡± ¡°Her again?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s brow slightly tightened as he asked into the phone, ¡°Are you also interested in her now?¡± Ives Abbott had just finished speaking, and now Aron Jackson was calling, as if it were some major event. ¡°Boss, according to my source, there will be someone at the dinner tonight that you might be interested in,¡± Although scolded harshly, Aron Jackson still reported mysteriously, ¡°Back when you and your sister-in-law had your grand wedding in Gonzalez City, a young man happened to pass by and smashed your wedding car; remember that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s him!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted, and a chill surged through him. The Radcliffe family was considered a wealthy and important family in Gonzalez City, so their wedding had been quite sensational. However, on their way to the hotel, they encountered a youth in a Bugatti who bluntly stated that such a shabby place as Gonzalez City shouldn¡¯t host such a lavish wedding, and then had his staff smash their wedding car on the street. Eventually, the Radcliffe family let the matter go. Years later, Julius Reed had always wanted to find that youth. ¡°Exactly! That kid is the third young master of the Lee family from the capital. He was visiting the seaside of Gonzalez City for fun and just happened to come across your and your sister-in-law¡¯s wedding.¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s voice also turned somewhat icy, ¡°Boss, shall I have someone take him out?¡± ¡°The Lee family? Now, this is getting interesting!¡± Julius Reed suddenly laughed out loud. The Lee family from the capital was exceedingly wealthy, with their Lee¡¯s Jewellery known for having opened thousands of branches nationwide. Even within the capital, they were a famously prominent family. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about this; I¡¯m on my way to the banquet now.¡± After hanging up the call, Julius Reed asked Miguel Abbott to arrange a bicycle for him and leisurely set off towards the Global Hotel. Chapter 288 - Chapter 288: Chapter 287 Night Pot_1 Chapter 288: Chapter 287 Night Pot_1 The Global Hotel is part of the Bright-Sky International Group, with its presence in every provincial capital city. In Five-river Province, this bustling city is not far from the Willson Building. As it turned out, Julius Reed¡¯s decision was extremely wise. Luxury cars gathered at the entrance of the hotel, and the underground parking lot was already packed to capacity, the entire street clogged with traffic. Although traffic police were continuously directing cars, the helpless drivers could only honk their horns from time to time to express their dissatisfaction. At this moment, Julius Reed was like a breath of fresh air, cycling on the four-meter-wide sidewalk, singing: ¡°Riding my beloved bicycle, it will never get stuck in traffic¡­¡± Under the glaring eyes of the irate drivers, he locked his bicycle at the hotel entrance and swaggered inside. At this time, the security check was especially strict at the hotel, with dozens of security guards standing inside and out. Upon seeing Julius, one of the guards came over to inspect him and requested to see an invitation. An invitation? How could there be one? Thus, Julius had no choice but to call Ives Abbott, who then let him in. ¡°Thought you weren¡¯t coming?¡± Ives was quite surprised to see Julius. Based on her understanding of Julius, no one could force him to do anything. ¡°Could it be you fancy Sophia Leocadia?¡± Ives raised an eyebrow and huffed, ¡°Sure enough, not a single man is good! Denzel, you better watch out, all these men are nothing but lechers.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Lory Shaw still kept her head down, cautiously surveying the surroundings. At this time, the Global Hotel was entirely booked, and anyone without an invitation could not enter. Inside the hotel was bustling, a mix of lights converging, with men and women standing together, laughing and cursing jovially, all brimming with youthfulness. ¡°Sophia Leocadia sure knows how to put on a grand show!¡± After walking into the hotel, Julius looked around and saw that the entire hall had been carefully planned with birthday elements everywhere. In the center, a huge banner was hanging, reading ¡°Happy Birthday Sophia Leocadia!¡± Even the cups and cutlery used in the hotel were specially customized. Every plate bore the name of Sophia Leocadia. At the center of the tables, a photo of Sophia Leocadia wrapped in crystal was prominently placed. Looking over the entire hall, there must have been at least a hundred tables. The men and women here were all dressed extravagantly, aside from some local familiar faces, the rest were from out of town. ¡°Quiet!¡± ¡°Shh¡­¡± Following a clamor, the hall instantly became silent. Everyone¡¯s eyes turned towards the hotel¡¯s second floor. About a minute later, a colorful beam of light shone on the staircase, and then a woman slowly descended, surrounded by companions. ¡°This is the Leocadia Family¡¯s princess, Sophia Leocadia. How about that, isn¡¯t she beautiful?¡± Ives couldn¡¯t take her eyes off the staircase, her eyes filled with envy. ¡°How can she be so beautiful?¡± The usually brash Ives, at this moment, admitted defeat wholeheartedly. ¡°That¡¯s because you lack experience,¡± Julius said with a lack of patience. When Sophia Leocadia descended the stairs, a thunderous applause erupted from the crowd. Today, Sophia Leocadia was dressed in a long white gown, looking like a celestial being descending to earth under the soft lighting, drawing endless praise from the men. ¡°Who knows who will be so fortunate to win Sophia Leocadia¡¯s heart!¡± ¡°If one could marry such a wife, it would truly be a life well spent!¡± ¡°I heard that the third young master of the Lee family from the capital, Fernando Lee, is also present today. There has been heated discussion about a potential marriage alliance between the Leocadia and Lee families; who knows if it¡¯s true or not!¡± All those present were wealthy young men from various places, and they conversed without any barriers. When Fernando Lee¡¯s name was mentioned, many men shook their heads and sighed. It was rumored that the Leocadia family was planning a marriage alliance with the Lee family, and it was expected that this news would be announced soon after Sophia Leocadia returned to the capital. These rich young men certainly didn¡¯t dare to offend Fernando Lee. After a series of complex ceremonies, Sophia Leocadia blew out the candles on her cake and began to make a wish. ¡°Sophia, what wish did you make?¡± A group of girls surrounded Sophia Leocadia, asking curiously. ¡°If I tell you, it won¡¯t come true! Sophia certainly won¡¯t tell you guys!¡± ¡°Exactly! We hope that Sophia will marry a good man in the future.¡± Facing her friends¡¯ well-wishes, Sophia Leocadia smiled faintly. Since the age of thirteen, her wish had been the same every year. It was to see again the boy who had saved her from in front of a truck that day. If it wasn¡¯t for that boy¡¯s appearance, perhaps her life would have ended then and there. Although the Leocadia Family mobilized a large number of people afterwards to find the kind-hearted person who saved Sophia Leocadia, they gained nothing. ¡°Today is Sophia¡¯s birthday, and I specially spent five hundred million to buy a jade cup. Only a goddess-like person like Sophia is worthy of this pure jade stone!¡± Just at this moment, a young man in a white suit stepped out from the crowd, then clapped his hands. A few servants carefully carried a glass box, inside which was a white jade cup. ¡°Five hundred million! Young Master Lee is really generous!¡± ¡°The Lee family from the capital, sure enough, is rich and powerful!¡± ¡°It seems that the marriage alliance is nine out of ten true!¡± After witnessing Fernando Lee¡¯s gift, these second-generation rich kids chose to remain silent. They all brought gifts too, but Fernando Lee¡¯s grand gesture made it embarrassing for anyone else to present theirs. Seeing the generous gift from Fernando Lee, although Sophia Leocadia was feeling quite annoyed inside, she still showed a smile. Many people might envy her family background, but only Sophia Leocadia knew how involuntary her life was. From the moment she was born, she was nothing but a tool for a family alliance. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Don¡¯t you like it?¡± Fernando Lee saw that Sophia Leocadia had not said anything, and smiled as he opened the glass box, ¡°Drink a cup of water from it every day, and you can maintain eternal youth. This white jade cup is a Cassius Dynasty relic. Even spending five hundred million, I had to pull some strings to get it.¡± While introducing the white jade cup, a smug look naturally appeared on Fernando Lee¡¯s face. ¡°Of course she wouldn¡¯t like it!¡± Just then, a highly discordant voice sounded, ¡°That was originally a chamber pot. You¡¯re asking her to drink water from it; who would be happy with that?¡± After the words fell, the whole place burst into an uproar. This was crashing Young Master Lee¡¯s scene! Looking toward the source of the voice, they saw two women and a man sitting at a table, with the man being the speaker. ¡°What did you just say?¡± Fernando Lee¡¯s expression darkened, yet he still maintained his gentlemanly demeanor. ¡°I said, you¡¯re handing out a chamber pot and asking someone to drink from it. If it were you, would you be happy?¡± Julius Reed stood up from his seat and met Fernando Lee¡¯s gaze, ¡°I thought it was some rare treasure. Turns out it¡¯s a chamber pot! You bring this as a birthday gift; isn¡¯t it inauspicious?¡± ¡°Which family¡¯s young master are you? Why have I never seen you before? And please, show your invitation!¡± Fernando Lee¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly, and a glint of killing intent began to emerge in his eyes. Chapter 289 - Chapter 289: Chapter 288 He Is the Guest I Invited_1 Chapter 289: Chapter 288 He Is the Guest I Invited_1 People in the capital city¡¯s circles, Fernando Lee knew them all. Even those he didn¡¯t know wouldn¡¯t dare to wreck the scene like this. Mere mention of the Lee family¡¯s power would discourage anyone from such action, as it was tantamount to digging one¡¯s own grave. Bad luck upon oneself was one thing; worse could drag their entire family into the mess. Thus, Fernando Lee speculated that this must not be a rich scion from the capital but very likely a second-generation rich from the Five-river Province. This time, for Sophia Leocadia¡¯s birthday, young people from other provinces who received invitations were either children of local tycoons or outstanding entrepreneurs, but the criteria for the Five-river Province was much looser. Because Sophia Leocadia¡¯s mother was from the Five-river Province, so generally, prominent families there would receive an invitation. ¡°An invitation? Sorry, I don¡¯t have one!¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders, showing an indifferent expression. ¡°Without an invitation, how did you sneak in! Security, get him out and break his legs!¡± With a wave of his hand, Fernando Lee summoned the security guards of the Global Hotel, who immediately ran over and approached Julius Reed to take action. In such a situation, as security personnel, they could not shirk their responsibility; if the issue was not promptly dealt with, they themselves might be implicated. ¡°Wait a moment!¡± Just as the security was about to move, Sophia Leocadia suddenly spoke up. Her body trembled, and she looked at Julius Reed with extremely complex eyes. Could this be fate? Or was the wish she had just made realized so quickly? But why, after so many years, had that young man not changed at all, just like back then? At this moment, tears welled up in her eyes. ¡°Hold on!¡± Seeing Sophia Leocadia speak, Fernando Lee quickly stopped the security about to take action. ¡°Sophia, this man has malicious intentions, daring to come and find trouble at your birthday! But rest assured, after tonight, I will make him pay!¡± As he spoke, an unconscious air of arrogance exuded from Fernando Lee. ¡°He is a guest I invited.¡± After calming herself down, Sophia Leocadia said lightly. ¡°What!¡± Fernando Lee¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief: ¡°How is that possible! I know all your friends; when did this person show up?¡± Both of their circles were in the capital, and they generally knew each other¡¯s friends. But the young man before him was quite unfamiliar. Fernando Lee could even be sure that he had definitely not seen this person before! Not only him, but Julius Reed was also somewhat surprised. He took a careful look at Sophia Leocadia and found no recollection of her. Before his amnesia, he was the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, and the Leocadia Family from the capital wasn¡¯t qualified to be acquainted with him. Such so-called prominent families couldn¡¯t even catch the attention of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. ¡°Yo! So it turns out you¡¯ve known each other already! Yet you told me you wouldn¡¯t come, haha, men!¡± Ives Abbott commented sourly from the side, her curiosity piqued about when the two had become acquainted. ¡°Since when must I report to Young Master Lee about whom I befriend?¡± Sophia Leocadia returned to her detached demeanor, staring straight at Fernando Lee. ¡°No! That¡¯s not what I meant. Since he¡¯s a friend of Sophia¡¯s, he¡¯s also my friend!¡± Fernando Lee chuckled awkwardly and walked up to Julius Reed, extending a hand: ¡°Hello, my name is Fernando Lee. Since you¡¯re a friend of Sophia¡¯s, you¡¯re also my friend. It¡¯s good to meet you today. May I ask where you¡¯re from?¡± ¡°Local!¡± Julius Reed showed no intention of shaking hands, which once again left Fernando Lee in an awkward situation. ¡°What should I call you?¡± Fernando Lee shook his hand as if nothing happened, but a barely noticeable gleam of murderous intent flashed in his eyes. As for the young men and women around, they were all stunned. How dare he show such disrespect to Young Master Lee? Did he not want to live anymore? Not to mention the people from a small place like Five-river Province, even the influential youths from the capital, how many would dare to disrespect Fernando Lee? ¡°Are you from an intelligence background?¡± Julius Reed, with an arched eyebrow, asked aloud. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Fernando Lee blinked, failing to grasp the meaning immediately. ¡°If you¡¯re not from intelligence, why are you scrutinizing me so closely? Are you sick!¡± Julius Reed huffed and sat back down in his chair, as if it was none of his business. The hall erupted into an uproar. Directly calling Fernando Lee sick was tantamount to not taking the Lee Family seriously at all. They couldn¡¯t understand, what kind of capital did a local family have to offend the Lees from the capital? Fernando¡¯s expression fluctuated between light and dark; if not for his consideration of Sophia Leocadia, he would have ordered his men to kill this young man right on the spot! After all, it was at Sophia Leocadia¡¯s birthday banquet, elsewhere, this person would have been dead long ago. ¡°Good! I like your spirit! But how do you explain saying that the gift I brought for Sophia was a chamber pot?¡± Fernando Lee said with a smile, and casually motioned for someone to bring over the white jade cup. ¡°I spent a lot of money on this, and it has been appraised by several experts! Even the certificate of appraisal is in this glass cabinet! And you, as Sophia¡¯s friend, dare to say at her birthday banquet that my gift is a chamber pot, what exactly is your intention!¡± By the end of his speech, his voice had become extremely cold, ¡°You are insulting Sophia!¡± Once these words were spoken, the scene plunged into dead silence again. Fernando Lee was clever; he directly framed Julius Reed with the accusation of insulting Sophia Leocadia, instead of opposing himself. That way, even if he took action to teach a lesson, it would be for Sophia¡¯s sake, not because he wanted to cause trouble at the birthday banquet. Sophia Leocadia herself was at a loss for words. ¡°Who is this Young Master, courting death? Talking to Young Master Lee like this, he really thinks he is something!¡± ¡°I think there¡¯s more to this than meets the eye. If he¡¯s really a local elite of Five-river Province, how could he dare to oppose Young Master Lee? Besides, Sophia said this young man is her friend¡ªthere must be some story there!¡± ¡°No wonder Young Master Lee is so angry! Any man would be unhappy if his future wife had any sort of relationship with another man. This is going to end badly, Young Master Lee will surely not let this go easily!¡± The young men and women buzzed with gossip, all with the eager look of onlookers at a spectacle. After all, there were very few people who dared to oppose Fernando Lee these days. ¡°Young Master Lee, he¡¯s my friend, let¡¯s let this matter go,¡± Sophia Leocadia walked up to Fernando Lee and glanced at Julius Reed, ¡°Let¡¯s all have some cake first.¡± She knew that he did not recognize her, after all these years. Women change a lot after eighteen; she was no longer the teenage girl of those days. Then they would get to know each other slowly. Since fate had granted her this wish, there was no reason to lose him again. ¡°No! Such a friend will harm you in the future!¡± Fernando Lee, rarely denying Sophia face, shook his head, ¡°If you can be friends with this kind of person, Sophia, you really have made a poor choice of friends!¡± Hearing this, Sophia¡¯s face showed a slight change, but before she could speak, she heard Julius Reed saying, ¡°A chamber pot is a chamber pot; even a thousand years won¡¯t change that fact!¡± ¡°Haha! Look at that, Sophia, he¡¯s still being stubborn! I¡¯ll expose him today and ruin his reputation!¡± Fernando Lee walked over to the glass case and carefully took out the white jade cup, ¡°Here is the certificate of appraisal by experts. This white jade cup in my hand is a drinking cup used by the Western Han imperial family! If you can¡¯t clarify today, don¡¯t think about leaving!¡± Chapter 290 - Chapter 290: Chapter 289 Two Lines of Poetry_1 Chapter 290: Chapter 289 Two Lines of Poetry_1 The atmosphere tensed up once again. Sophia Leocadia wanted to intervene, but Fernando Lee left no room for retreat. Now there were only two possibilities. She could offend the Lee Family by forcefully protecting Julius Reed. Not only would this cause disputes between the two families, but letting Fernando Lee lose face in front of so many people would lead to repercussions that Julius Reed simply couldn¡¯t withstand. If she chose to remain silent, then Julius Reed might not even make it out of the Global Hotel tonight. Fernando Lee was forcing Sophia Leocadia to make a choice, while also using the pressure of the surrounding youngsters to have Sophia Leocadia stand on his side. He could demonstrate the Lee Family¡¯s strength and also take out a potential rival, serving as a warning to anyone thinking of crossing Sophia Leocadia. ¡°Experts, huh? You believe what experts say?¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t feel any danger and continued to speak calmly, ¡°If I prove this is a chamber pot, what will you do?¡± ¡°If it really is a chamber pot, I¡¯ll grant you any condition! But if it isn¡¯t, I want your four front teeth!¡± Fernando Lee faced Julius Reed and said, ¡°Dare or not dare?¡± This jade piece has been appraised by top national experts and has been confirmed to have been unearthed from the Cassius Dynasty and was once used by royalty. The appraisal certificate is in the glass case. Claiming this is a chamber pot? Has he gone mad? ¡°If it¡¯s true, let me slap you twice, and I¡¯ll take your Bugatti, how about that?¡± Julius Reed asked with a smiling face, ¡°If you don¡¯t dare, forget it, I won¡¯t insist.¡± ¡°Good! Everyone here is listening. I, Fernando Lee, am a man of my word! If you really prove that the white jade cup in my hands is a chamber pot, then I will give you the Bugatti parked outside and let you slap me twice! But if you lose, don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t give Miss Leocadia this face,¡± Fernando Lee readily agreed. Why would he turn down such a business opportunity presented on a silver platter? He was just worrying about how to get revenge! It never occurred to him that the other party would be so proactive in coming forward, especially in front of so many people. Even Sophia Leocadia wouldn¡¯t be able to say anything. As for his Bugatti, it¡¯s a global limited edition, one that not even money could necessarily buy. He figured the other party must have gone mad with poverty to dare make such a bet. ¡°Now I have an appraisal certificate in my hands, what do you have?¡± Fernando Lee took out an appraisal certificate from the glass case, pointed to the seal and name on it, and spoke with great pride, ¡°This is from a top national expert, not only with his personal signature but also a seal! Now, what more do you have to say?¡± This whole affair was nothing short of a sure win. The ironclad facts were right before his eyes; no amount of talking would change them! ¡°Today is Sophia¡¯s birthday, and I don¡¯t want her to see blood.¡± Fernando Lee put the appraisal certificate back in the glass case and ordered the bodyguards behind him, ¡°Take him outside, make it clean!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Several security guards nodded, grinning evilly as they walked towards Julius Reed. ¡°Young Master Lee, what¡¯s all this fuss? If I say it¡¯s a chamber pot, then it is a chamber pot!¡± Julius Reed still appeared calm, showing no signs of fear whatsoever. ¡°For fairness¡¯ sake, why don¡¯t you hand this cup to Sophia Leocadia, let her see what¡¯s written underneath! But before that, I have to ask you one question, when it comes to the purpose of this item, do the ancients have the final say, or do the experts?¡± ¡°Naturally, the ancients! Experts are merely making conjectures, who wouldn¡¯t know better about their own items than themselves?¡± Fernando snorted coldly. This was an object from the Cassius Dynasty; could they dig up a mummy to explain the use of this white jade cup? Absurd! ¡°Young Master Lee, don¡¯t go back on your word now,¡± Julius Reed reminded as he pointed at Sophia Leocadia, ¡°Please, Miss Leocadia, look at the bottom of this white jade cup and tell us what is written.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Previously, Sophia Leocadia had been extremely worried, but seeing Julius Reed¡¯s composure, she also began to feel much more relaxed. She carefully picked up the white jade cup and examined the text underneath. ¡°Hey, there¡¯s no need to look anymore. An expert has already deciphered it. It¡¯s a line of poetry, all detailed in this appraisal report.¡± Fernando Lee took out the appraisal report from the glass case, impatiently and read the line aloud, ¡°Stars as birds fly into the night, murky waters fill a pot. This implies the long, endless night tires even the birds, but the lifetime owner of this cup cannot sleep alone, resorting to drinking in the dead of night. Well, is there anything you want to say?¡± A smug expression once again spread across his face. An ironclad fact, denial is futile! Sophia Leocadia examined it carefully and found that indeed the sentence was written as such. But Julius Reed had asked her to look at it¡ªwhat could it mean? Could there be some secret in the poetry? Yet, this white jade cup was a private possession of the Lee Family, never seen by outsiders. So how could anyone know there was something written underneath? ¡°Bullshit!¡± Julius Reed cursed loudly, ¡°What a random interpretation! I ask you, when you read the last two words of the poem together, what do you get?¡± ¡°The last two words?¡± Fernando scrutinized the appraisal report and blurted out, ¡°A night pot, right?¡± As soon as he said that, his face drastically changed! The well-dressed young men and women spectating gasped in shock! ¡°Impossible! This is just a coincidence! You are being argumentative for no reason! This is simply a poem written by the owner of the cup, and you¡¯re maliciously twisting it!¡± A knot formed in his stomach. He had owned the cup for so long; how had he never noticed this issue? What scared him more was how the other party knew there was poetry under the cup. He didn¡¯t believe for a second that Julius Reed had no idea about the inscription until just now. It appeared that the other party not only knew the secret of the cup but also the content underneath! A shiver ran down Fernando¡¯s spine. But merely two words were not enough to convince others. Even though he was starting to believe it himself. Sophia Leocadia was too shocked to speak. She suddenly felt that Fernando didn¡¯t stand a chance against this man, even though she knew nothing about him, the man who had once saved her. This was, in fact, only their second meeting after many years. ¡°What nonsense about the long night! I tell you, that turbid water is piss! A pot of piss, do you understand!¡± Julius Reed showed no consideration for Fernando, walked over, and pointed at the two lines of poetry on the appraisal certificate, ¡°Bullshit about drinking! Your Lee Family drinks piss?¡± As he finished, the crowd erupted into chaos. In the capital, nobody dared to speak ill of the Lee Family. Yet here in Five-river Province, someone had the audacity to accuse the Lee Family of drinking piss? ¡°Shut your mouth! That¡¯s all nonsense you¡¯re spouting!¡± Fernando grew furiously embarrassed and panic began to set in. But as long as he didn¡¯t admit it, no one could prove he was wrong. ¡°Then what does ¡®stars as birds fly into the night¡¯ signify?¡± Sophia Leocadia, on the other hand, was quite intrigued. She stepped forward to look at Julius Reed, eyes full of curiosity. ¡°Cough, cough! The bird, you know¡­ It¡¯s a man¡¯s¡­unique,¡± Julius Reed¡¯s face turned red, suddenly feeling rather embarrassed. It was a white jade cup he had casually used as a night pot to relieve himself while drinking in the sleeping chambers of the Emperor of Crimsonal. And then he composed an impromptu poem. Who could have known that the Emperor of Crimsonal would order craftsmen to engrave it underneath and recreate an identical white jade cup¡ªthe very treasure Fernando Lee held in high esteem. ¡°Ah!¡± Only then did Sophia Leocadia realize, and in an instant, her face blushed red like a ripe peach. Chapter 291 - Chapter 291: Chapter 290: Seeing a Patient On-Site_1 Chapter 291: Chapter 290: Seeing a Patient On-Site_1 ¡°Nonsense!¡± Fernando Lee¡¯s brows were so furrowed they almost seemed to squeeze out water. Being confronted by Julius Reed in this manner, the more he thought about it, the more disgusted he felt, as if he were holding a chamber pot in his hands. Taking into account those two poems and the final two characters, most of the people present were inclined to believe Julius Reed¡¯s explanation. But Fernando absolutely could not admit it! Once he admitted it, he would lose all his dignity, and his status within the circle would plummet drastically! More importantly, how would Sophia Leocadia view him afterward? ¡°These are all your speculations! They¡¯re not convincing at all. If you don¡¯t provide any other evidence, I will abide by our wager and knock out your four front teeth,¡± he threatened. Fernando¡¯s face was grim, and his fists were clenched tightly. From his childhood to adulthood, no one had dared to make him lose face like this! Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he had enjoyed the adoration of everyone around him, whether in school or in society. The mere mention of the Lee Family name would make any boss bow respectfully. Yet today, someone had challenged him repeatedly, intentionally making him endure humiliation in front of Sophia Leocadia and a group of attractive young men and women! ¡°Kid, are you looking for trouble on purpose?¡± Just then, a young man stepped out from the crowd. He walked up to Julius Reed and said with utmost arrogance, ¡°If you know what¡¯s good for you, you¡¯ll knock out your own teeth and crawl out like a dog! Otherwise, the brothers here won¡¯t mind sending you out on your back.¡± After issuing the threat, he gave a cold laugh, ¡°Whether you¡¯re carried into the crematorium or the morgue afterward, we can¡¯t guarantee.¡± ¡°Exactly! You¡¯re really overestimating yourself, refusing the kindness offered to you. Betting with Young Master Lee, who do you think you are?¡± ¡°Will you do it yourself, or shall we assist you?¡± Knowing that Fernando had no way to take action himself, his employees¡¯ employees immediately swarmed forward, threatening Julius Reed with fierce and demonic expressions. Performing well in this situation could potentially garner their families favor from the Lee Family; even a minor collaboration could mean endless money. They understood this principle very clearly. ¡°Oh! So Young Master Lee knows he¡¯s lost and has brought a pack of dogs to back him up?¡± Surrounded by a group of young men, Julius Reed showed no fear whatsoever: ¡°Look at this bunch!¡± He looked at one of the young men: ¡°Pale complexion and weak legs, clearly a case of excessive indulgence. You¡¯re completely impotent, just for show.¡± ¡°You!¡± The young man Julius Reed had pointed out flushed red with anger and retorted, ¡°You¡¯re full of shit!¡± Not far from the young man, everyone¡¯s gazes shifted uniformly onto a woman. ¡°What are you all looking at me for! How embarrassing! Primrose Leocadia, you worthless thing, I¡¯m breaking up with you!¡± The woman, her face also turning crimson, turned away and ran outside. ¡°Valentino Michael, don¡¯t go!¡± The young man stomped his foot and chased after her like a rabbit. A burst of laughter filled the tense lobby instantly. ¡°You¡¯re a chronic smoker, often waking up in pain in the middle of the night, and you constantly suffer from a swollen throat. If you don¡¯t get it treated soon, it¡¯s mostly lung cancer,¡± Julius Reed turned to another young man: ¡°But it¡¯s pretty much too late now.¡± ¡°Divine Doctor, please save me!¡± Having heard Julius Reed¡¯s words, the previously arrogant young man dropped to his knees on the ground, his face deathly pale. ¡°Please¡­ save me!¡± What Julius Reed described matched the young man¡¯s symptoms exactly; every night, he would wake up in pain, and recently, his throat was often swollen. Despite visiting the hospital, the doctors hadn¡¯t been able to diagnose the problem. Today, after what Julius Reed had said, coupled with the previous encounter with the young man suffering from kidney deficiency. In fact, everyone in the circle knew that the young man was indeed incapable, but no one had pointed it out. ¡°Why should I save you? Cure you just so you can come and hit me? Please, I¡¯m not sick in the head!¡± Julius Reed turned to look at another man, paying him no attention whatsoever. When his gaze fell on the man, he got quite a fright. ¡°I was just passing by, got nothing to do with this, I¡¯ll be going now!¡± Without waiting for Julius Reed to speak, the young man promptly left. In just an instant, the crowd that had gathered around Julius Reed scattered, leaving only the young man with lung pain still kneeling at Julius Reed¡¯s feet. With just a few words, the hotel lobby fell silent. Could this young man be the Divine Doctor? Sophia Leocadia¡¯s eyes were filled with surprise, no one wished for Julius Reed to be outstanding more than she did. ¡°Stop bewitching the crowd with your nonsense!¡± Seeing his loyal employee scared away, Fernando Lee could not save face, and with a stern look, he asked, ¡°The bet must be honored! Everyone here heard it loud and clear, don¡¯t think of denying it!¡± Wooosh! The hotel¡¯s main door was tightly closed by the security guards, it seemed that Julius Reed couldn¡¯t leave the Globe Hotel unless he handed over his four front teeth. ¡°Young Master Lee, one should not burn all bridges, to have more pleasant encounters in the future! What this gentleman said makes no sense, but taking it at face value, this is indeed a chamber pot, and since you deny it, none can persuade the other. Why not call it a draw?¡± As the main character of the banquet, Sophia Leocadia once again played the peacemaker. She had been better off not speaking, for her words completely enraged Fernando! Men usually have a sense of possessiveness, especially those like Fernando Lee, who come from major families. His future wife was actually defending a stranger, something he couldn¡¯t tolerate! ¡°A bet can only result in win or lose, how could there be a draw! Sophia, I know he¡¯s your friend, but the bet has been made today, you can¡¯t expect me to break my word, can you?¡± He turned around, addressing the hundreds of handsome men and beautiful women behind him: ¡°Everyone, am I right?¡± ¡°Right!¡± The crowd shouted in unison. They were just there for the excitement, and since no one dared to offend Fernando Lee, they naturally sided with him. With everyone saying this, Sophia Leocadia frowned deeply, and her eyes filled with disgust when she looked at Fernando. She didn¡¯t like arrogant and conceited people, especially those who had no real abilities and relied entirely on their family¡¯s legacy. ¡°None of us wanted things to get to this point. But even in a bet, rules must be observed! I think if Young Master Lee lost, he would fulfill his promise, wouldn¡¯t he?¡± A young man stepped out of the crowd, dressed in a flashy suit, looking frivolous, but his demeanor was quite generous. ¡°Young Master Lawrence Koller, you¡¯re right. If I lose today, he can slap me twice, and the Bugatti outside will be presented with both hands!¡± Fernando Lee¡¯s tone softened when he saw the young man. The young man¡¯s name was Bryson Stephen, a scion of the Koller Family from the capital. The Koller Family and the Lee Family were nearly equal in influence, just involved in different fields with no conflicting interests. Today, being Sophia Leocadia¡¯s birthday and as one of her potential suitors, Bryson Stephen naturally showed up at the Globe Hotel. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, please present us with evidence that convinces everyone. Otherwise, the bet can naturally be considered a win for Young Master Lee!¡± Bryson Stephen stood with his hands in his pockets, grinning at Julius Reed: ¡°You don¡¯t have much time left.¡± Chapter 292 - Chapter 292: Chapter 291 I Don’t Hit Women_1 Chapter 292: Chapter 291 I Don¡¯t Hit Women_1 Young Master Lee and Young Master Lawrence Koller of Lancas City spoke at the same time, leaving Sophia Leocadia no room to continue pleading for Julius Reed. After all, her defending a man to such an extent was illogical by any means. In the circles of Lancas City, as big as it may be said, it¡¯s also quite small. Not knowing who Julius Reed was meant that everyone present would take Fernando Lee¡¯s side. If any rumors spread, it would damage both her and the Leocadia Family¡¯s reputation. ¡°Although I don¡¯t know this young man, to be able to make such a wager with Young Master Lee, especially at Leocadia¡¯s birthday dinner, he must certainly be somebody!¡± Bryson Stephen looked at Julius Reed, offering a slight smile as he said, ¡°To be honest, I¡¯m somewhat looking forward to seeing you win the bet. After all, no one in Lancas City has ever dared to slap Young Master Lee.¡± Though the Lee Family might not be the top-tier family, at their level, everyone knows you don¡¯t hit someone in the face. No one would let emotion impair their judgment. It was the first time anyone, like Julius Reed, had directly announced an intention to slap Fernando¡¯s face. Without a doubt, the consequences would be dire. Fernando might not be very capable, but he was exceptionally petty at heart. Even if Julius lost, Fernando would frenzy in his retribution. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, I certainly won¡¯t disappoint you.¡± Julius Reed turned to face Sophia Leocadia, ¡°This white jade cup belongs to you now, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Sophia Leocadia did not speak, but looked towards Fernando Lee. The cup was still in her hands, but after all, it was the property of the Lee Family. ¡°Of course! The birthday gift I gave to Leocadia is clear for all here to see! From now on, it¡¯s her personal property,¡± Fernando said with extreme pride. Giving away an item worth hundreds of millions so casually incited envy among the surrounding women. Even though those young men and women present at the dinner weren¡¯t short of money, compared to the Lee Family, calling them poor wouldn¡¯t be too far off. ¡°Then now it¡¯s mine.¡± Sophia Leocadia, having received Fernando¡¯s acknowledgment, turned to look at Julius Reed. She was very curious about what he intended to do. ¡°This, sell it to me.¡± Without waiting for Sophia to react, Julius Reed snatched the white jade cup and then violently smashed it to the ground! Crack! The once invaluable cup was shattered into two pieces. An eerie silence fell. Everyone¡¯s eyes were wide open with shock as they gazed at the broken jade cup on the ground, feeling a sense of malicious glee. Five hundred million gone in an instant, and it was a birthday gift from Fernando Lee to Sophia Leocadia. How would he compensate for this? Or would Fernando not unleash the Shadow Warrior? ¡°The means are a bit crude!¡± Bryson Stephen, who was the closest, shook his head and sighed, ¡°I thought you were somebody special, but now by resorting to such primitive tactics to escape your predicament, it¡¯s truly disappointing. Do you think that by breaking the cup, you can avoid proving your loss? Not only do you have to honor the terms of the wager now, but you¡¯ll also have to compensate with five hundred million and bear Young Master Lee¡¯s wrath.¡± It was clear, this was an act of desperation. Thinking that by shattering the cup, he could lose the proof and avoid the bet? That would be wishful thinking. Sophia Leocadia also found it difficult to conceal the disappointment in her eyes. In her memory, this man wasn¡¯t one to shirk responsibility for his actions. If that were the case, why had he risked his life to save her from the truck only to leave quietly? Or perhaps, over the years, people change? She couldn¡¯t articulate it or figure it out. ¡°Kid, you¡¯re finished! Today, I¡¯m not only going to knock your teeth out, but I¡¯ll also ensure you spend your life as a cripple!¡± Fernando Lee said viciously as he looked at the halved white jade cup on the floor: ¡°You¡¯ll compensate five hundred million right now; if you can¡¯t pay, get ready to rot in jail!¡± This was no longer just about a wager; it was outright insult! Fernando gestured with his hand, and the security guards by the door circled closer once again. ¡°What¡¯s the rush?¡± Just as everyone thought Julius Reed was a dead man, he bent down to pick up the two halves of the cup and brought them to Sophia Leocadia, ¡°Take a close look, what do those two characters on the fracture say?¡± With his prompt, Sophia Leocadia inspected it carefully, and then her expression changed drastically. ¡°This! How is this possible!¡± Her mouth hung open, and her eyes went wide in astonishment. ¡°Hmm? What¡¯s going on?¡± Bryson Stephen also leaned over to look and likewise jumped in shock. The broken surface bore four big characters: ¡°Emperor¡¯s Chamber Pot.¡± Though the writing was crooked, the characters were still very clear. And they were in simplified Chinese! This was simply impossible during the Cassius Dynasty! ¡°Young Master Lee, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯re going to lose.¡± Bryson Stephen looked puzzled, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words. ¡°How could this be?¡± Fernando Lee hurried over upon seeing their abnormal reactions, and when he saw those four words, his face was filled with disbelief! But how would he know that these were the very words Julius Reed had carved onto it at that time! Using someone¡¯s previously utilized chamber pot for a bet, wasn¡¯t this just courting death? ¡°Young Master Lee?¡± Julius Reed called out lightly. ¡°Ah?¡± Fernando Lee blinked, his mind going blank. It had been authenticated by experts, how could such a huge mistake occur? Slap! Before he could react, Julius Reed slapped him across the face! Thump! Due to the great force, Fernando Lee, who was completely unprepared, was knocked straight to the ground, clutching his face as his shock turned to anger. ¡°You dare hit me?¡± He clenched his teeth tightly, his body trembling uncontrollably. In front of such a large audience, being slapped across the face, how could he ever mix in these circles again if word got out? ¡°Young Master Lee, you should accept the loss according to the bet. So many people are watching, do you really want to earn a reputation for being untrustworthy?¡± Bryson Stephen said sternly from the side. Although he was in the same circle as Fernando Lee, they were rivals in love. Now that someone could make Fernando Lee lose face, he naturally enjoyed seeing this. ¡°You just wait!¡± Provoked by Bryson Stephen¡¯s words, Fernando Lee took a deep breath and threatened Julius Reed fiercely, ¡°I will pay you back double for this!¡± ¡°What¡¯s the rush, I¡¯m not finished yet!¡± Julius Reed walked over, helped Fernando Lee up, and casually removed his hand from his face. ¡°What are you going to do!¡± Fernando Lee asked with a face full of fear. Slap! Another vehement slap! After this, the hall fell completely silent. Who is Fernando Lee? The most favored young master of the Lee family! He swaggered through the capital city, and no one dared to slap him. Let alone slapping, they didn¡¯t even dare to criticize him. But here in this small Five-river Province, in the ordinary coastal city of Lancas City, he was being slapped twice in a row by an unknown youth! And with such force, now the palm prints could be clearly seen on Fernando Lee¡¯s face, one on each side, very conspicuous. Even the corner of his mouth was bleeding. ¡°There, I have finished hitting you. The car is mine now, right?¡± Julius Reed shook his hands, looking at Fernando Lee with a smile on his face. Hiss! The people present took in a cold breath. What¡¯s meant by taking an inch and wanting a mile, what¡¯s meant by not knowing whether one is alive or dead? What Julius Reed was doing now was a perfect interpretation of those phrases. ¡°Don¡¯t go too far!¡± Even Sophia Leocadia quietly reminded from the side. The Lee family was not an ordinary family, with Fernando Lee being slapped twice, the Lee family would certainly retaliate! ¡°Exactly, you¡¯ve done your hitting, don¡¯t get carried away.¡± Bryson Stephen also couldn¡¯t bear to watch any longer, he hadn¡¯t expected the young man to really dare to slap those two times. The incident had escalated to such a point that what Julius Reed had hit was not just Fernando Lee¡¯s face, but the face of their whole circle. ¡°I¡¯ll ask one last time, can Young Master Lee afford to lose? If you¡¯re still a man, then please honor the bet. If you¡¯re a woman¡­ oh, I never hit women.¡± Julius Reed stood beside Fernando Lee, asking with a cheeky smile. Chapter 293 - Chapter 293: Chapter 292 Smashing My Own Car_1 Chapter 293: Chapter 292 Smashing My Own Car_1 After Julius Reed finished speaking, both Bryson Stephen and Sophia Leocadia furrowed their brows. This was a battle to the death, wasn¡¯t it! He didn¡¯t leave any face for Fernando Lee. To kill someone¡¯s spirit is precisely this. ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll give you the car!¡± Fernando Lee took off the car keys from his waist, ¡°But how will you compensate for this jade cup worth five hundred million?¡± He didn¡¯t believe that such an insignificant punk, unknown to anyone, could come up with five hundred million! If he couldn¡¯t produce the amount, just this fact alone would allow him to make his opponent¡¯s life a living hell! But when he handed over the car keys, Fernando Lee still felt a pang of regret. This Bugatti was exorbitantly expensive and extremely rare. He was able to buy it only because of connections he had pulled in favors from. Now, even if he wanted to buy another, it was not available. It could be said to be a limited edition car. Although he was reluctant, under the watchful eyes of many, he had no choice but to keep his promise. But it didn¡¯t matter, in a few hours, the car would return to his side. It was just that the car keys would be in someone else¡¯s hands for a short while. At the Global Hotel, Julius Reed couldn¡¯t possibly leave on foot! All the security guards here were under Fernando Lee¡¯s command. ¡°Five hundred million, if you can¡¯t come up with it, get ready to eat prison food!¡± Fernando Lee climbed up from the ground, his face in disarray. ¡°If I remember correctly, this cup belongs to Miss Leocadia, it doesn¡¯t seem to have much to do with you. Even if I were to compensate, it wouldn¡¯t be to you, right?¡± Julius Reed looked at the car keys in his hand and couldn¡¯t help but snicker. When he and Quella Radcliffe got married, it was Fernando Lee who smashed his wedding car with this Bugatti, right in the middle of the street! It wasn¡¯t until half an hour later, when the Radcliffe Family brought another car, that the wedding was able to continue. ¡°Sophia, let him pay the money!¡± Fernando Lee turned to look at Sophia Leocadia and shouted urgently, ¡°Make him pay immediately!¡± ¡°Forget it. Today is my birthday. I just want peace and safety for a lucky day.¡± After Sophia Leocadia finished speaking, her face felt burning hot. Even if she went back home, knowing that this young man was her lifesaver, her parents would surely support her in doing this. ¡°Sophia Leocadia? You¡­¡± Bryson Stephen blinked, doubting his ears. For the sake of a man she didn¡¯t know, Miss Leocadia of the Leocadia Family was willing to let go of five hundred million like that? And she also slapped Fernando Lee¡¯s face in the process! Julius Reed was also taken aback. He honestly hadn¡¯t recognized who Sophia Leocadia was, let alone understood why she kept siding with him. Being able to stand up to Fernando Lee time and again was already surprising for Julius Reed, but to hear five hundred million spoken of so casually, was it because he looked handsome? Clearly, Julius Reed was not that foolish. ¡°The money still needs to be given! I appreciate your kindness, Miss Leocadia. Besides, today is your birthday, and I don¡¯t have any decent gift to give you. Why not, let me give this car to you then.¡± Julius Reed passed the car keys over, his face earnest. Now Sophia Leocadia felt awkward. And Fernando Lee¡¯s heart convulsed! This was the tool for his show-offery! Something money couldn¡¯t buy, he could not care about five hundred million, but if this car really was given to Sophia Leocadia, what would he do? Thinking this, he glared at Julius Reed with even more venom. ¡°No! I can¡¯t accept this!¡± Thankfully, Sophia Leocadia refused, which allowed Fernando Lee to breathe a sigh of relief. As long as the car wasn¡¯t in Sophia Leocadia¡¯s hands, it would still be his in a few hours. ¡°Since Miss Leocadia doesn¡¯t want it, then I won¡¯t insist!¡± Julius Reed threw the keys forward, tossing them directly into Fernando Lee¡¯s hands. ¡°Take it back, it¡¯s no use to me anymore.¡± ¡°You know what¡¯s good for you!¡± Fernando Lee was initially startled, then subsequently burst into laughter. It seems the other party was afraid; that¡¯s why they offered to concede. But it was already too late; once the party ended, his people would turn Julius Reed into a vegetable! Dare to slap Young Master Lee in the face and expect to live? Bryson Stephen watched in silence, somewhat perplexed. If he intended to return the car keys, then what was the point of coming over in the first place? Just to save face? But to lose one¡¯s life over it was clearly unwise. Fighting over such petty matters, it seemed difficult to achieve greatness. He was a bit disappointed in Julius Reed. But just then, a panicked security guard rushed in and reported to Fernando Lee, out of breath, ¡°Young Master, someone has smashed your car outside!¡± ¡°What! Who is so courting death! Capture them!¡± Fernando Lee¡¯s heart quivered, and he shouted with a murderous air. He had just been slapped twice, and now his beloved car was smashed? ¡°Yes!¡± The security guard nodded and turned around to catch the perpetrators. ¡°It was my order to smash it! Young Master Lee, if I¡¯m not mistaken, this car seems to be mine. What does my smashing my own car have to do with you?¡± Julius Reed spoke leisurely. ¡°What!¡± Fernando¡¯s lips trembled faintly. It was only at this moment that he understood what Julius Reed meant by saying ¡®it¡¯s already of no use.¡¯ The noise outside grew more intense; each thud was like a dagger, piercing straight into Fernando Lee¡¯s heart! It was his eighteenth birthday gift, and the capital he had boasted about for so many years! Now, it was smashed to pieces! ¡°I will make sure you don¡¯t have a grave to be buried in!¡± Fernando Lee¡¯s eyes were bloodshot, and he couldn¡¯t stop trembling. ¡°Miss Sophia Leocadia, I¡¯m really sorry for breaking your cup just now. I¡¯m a bit crude, believing that money can buy everything. Instead of giving you a gift, I thought it would be more substantial to give money.¡± Julius Reed looked at Sophia Leocadia with utmost gentility and said with a faint smile, ¡°Ten billion, happy birthday to you!¡± Having said that, he walked out of the Global Hotel as if nothing had happened, swaggering along. When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and snapped his fingers. Snap! The crisp sound of the snap quieted the grand hall, and the men and women present all wanted to know what trick this young man was playing. Swoosh! ¡°Look up!¡± At that moment, someone shouted, and everyone raised their heads to look at the sky above the hotel! Countless banknotes floated down like snowflakes! ¡°It¡¯s real money!¡± The first teenager to grab the money touched it lightly and immediately became excited. ¡°Wow! Happy Birthday, Sophia Leocadia!¡± ¡°Long live the little fairy!¡± Countless men and women scrambled for the money falling from the sky, their hormones erupting in frenzy. They were not short of money, but none of them had ever witnessed the scene of ten billion in banknotes falling from the sky! Sophia Leocadia watched the banknotes floating like snowflakes with a dazed expression, gently catching one and holding it in her hand. ¡°Who are you really¡­¡± She murmured to herself, but when she turned back, the figure had already disappeared. In the midst of the frenzied crowd, only Fernando Lee had a grim expression. He took out his mobile phone, shaking, and dialed a number: ¡°I want him dead!¡± After nearly roaring, Fernando Lee half-kneeled on the ground, on the verge of collapse! ¡°Goodness gracious! Julius Reed, oh Julius Reed, your flirting tactics are really high-level!¡± Ives Abbott looked at the flying banknotes and felt so dizzy that she passed out. ¡°Get me information on someone! The more detailed, the better!¡± In the corner, Bryson Stephen¡¯s face was solemn. Chapter 294 - Chapter 294: Chapter 293 Lee Family Conspiracy_1 Chapter 294: Chapter 293 Lee Family Conspiracy_1 The once lively birthday dinner fell into an eerie silence with the appearance of Julius Reed. And then, it reached a complete climax under Julius Reed¡¯s sky of banknotes. Sophia Leocadia entirely lost sleep, her mind filled with the image of Julius Reed. She could never have anticipated that this boy, who haunted her dreams, would appear on her eighteenth birthday. Not only had he slapped Fernando Lee¡¯s face but also left with extreme arrogance. What background did he come from? And where was he from? Was he married? Were the two girls following him his girlfriends? Sophia Leocadia couldn¡¯t help but let her thoughts run wild. However, at that moment by the Birch River, the very Julius Reed she yearned for was standing by the riverside, hands clasped behind his back, looking ahead. The moonlight illuminated Julius Reed¡¯s handsome face, clearly revealing his features. In front of him lay several bodies strewn about. Blood slowly flowed into the river and then dispersed. ¡°Young Master!¡± A man in black emerged from behind a tree at some unknown time, bowing respectfully. ¡°Did you do this?¡± Julius Reed pointed at the bodies on the ground, still without turning around. ¡°These people planned to harm the Young Master; they deserved to die! I¡¯ve extracted the name of the mastermind behind them, a rich young master named Fernando Lee. Young Master, do you need me to help you eliminate the problem at its root?¡± The man in black¡¯s voice was low but extremely respectful. ¡°No need. I¡¯ll handle this matter myself. Death is a bit too luxurious for him. I am not a kind man¡ªI¡¯m used to exterminating both people and their ambitions.¡± Julius Reed slowly turned around, looking at the man in black in front of him: ¡°Cold Nelson, do you know why I called you here?¡± ¡°This subordinate doesn¡¯t know! But as long as the Young Master commands, even if it¡¯s death, Cold Nelson will not frown!¡± Cold Nelson kept his head bowed from beginning to end. He hesitated slightly, then asked, ¡°Young Master, these past three years¡­¡± ¡°Three years ago, I was betrayed and lost my memory. None of that matters now; I have returned.¡± Julius Reed looked up at the moon, the ring in his hand beginning to shine brightly. ¡°Young Master! In your absence, the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance crumbled, with nearly a third of the organization leaving. The rest, although still members in name, had already gone their separate ways. Those who remain at headquarters don¡¯t exceed twenty percent!¡± Cold Nelson¡¯s voice was somewhat choked up, but it was filled with more excitement! Three years! Nobody knew how they had survived those three years! Everyone said that Julius Reed had died and that the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance should establish a new Young Master! Only these few people had desperately held on, maintaining the current situation. ¡°Don¡¯t tell anyone about my matters,¡± Julius Reed looked at his hands and sighed, ¡°My memory has not fully recovered, and my strength has been greatly damaged. Within the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, I trust you the most.¡± The conspiracy three years ago was definitely not something one person could have easily accomplished. Now, with his cultivation not yet fully restored, it was not the time to confront those people head-on. ¡°Please rest assured, Young Master! Cold Nelson will protect your safety with my life!¡± By the riverside, Cold Nelson knelt on one knee, his voice slightly choking. ¡°The Skyfire people are looking for trouble with me in Five-river Province. I¡¯ll leave this matter to you, and once the Saint Heir lands, notify me immediately!¡± Julius Reed gently caressed the ring on his hand, muttering to himself, ¡°Even if my strength is greatly reduced, how is Skyfire¡¯s action any different from a mantis trying to stop a chariot?¡± This time, he was determined to uproot Skyfire completely, to erase them from the martial world! ¡°Understood, my lord! My people are not far from here, and if anyone from Skyfire dares to set foot here, they will surely not return alive!¡± Cold Nelson raised his head and asked, ¡°Fernando Lee¡­?¡± ¡°If such a person could pose a threat to me, then it¡¯s truly time for the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance to find a new Young Master!¡± Julius Reed looked at the corpses strewn across the ground and strode toward the downtown area. ¡°In three months, I will reconsolidate the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance!¡± ¡°This subordinate offers congratulations in advance, Young Master!¡± Cold Nelson clasped his hands in front of him, his face full of excitement. ¡°Give Fernando Lee a generous gift for me; place all the heads from these corpses at the front door of the hotel where he¡¯s staying.¡± From afar, Julius Reed had already vanished, leaving only his voice echoing. ¡°Now go and do it!¡± As Cold Nelson stood up from the ground, several figures emerged from the darkness. These men each unsheathed the knives at their waists and walked toward the haphazardly scattered bodies. ¡°Hmph! To dare oppose the Young Master, the Lee Family really must want to be eliminated from the capital city!¡± Cold Nelson turned his back, his expression returning to one of cold sternness. ¡°Father, don¡¯t worry! I will make sure he does not live to see tomorrow¡¯s sun! It¡¯s just a shame about my limited-edition car, smashed to smithereens!¡± In a hotel room at the Global Hotel, Fernando Lee lay on the bed, video calling with Nikodem Lee on his phone. ¡°Son, a car is trivial. Wealth is dispensable, our Lee Family doesn¡¯t lack money. Since your grandfather¡¯s generation, our family has been affluent! Over the years, the Lee Family¡¯s reputation has risen in the capital, anyone who sees us pays threefold respect!¡± On the other end of the video call, Nikodem Lee spoke gravely and earnestly, ¡°What we cannot afford to lose is face. A mere Five-river Province producing a greenhorn who struck you and smashed your car! By tomorrow, everyone in the capital will know, where shall I put the Lee Family¡¯s face then?¡± ¡°Father! I will have my revenge!¡± Fernando Lee clenched his fists, his face flushed with rage. ¡°Make it look good! Don¡¯t give anyone a handle against you, and you know, quite a few people in the capital are waiting for our Lee Family to slip up. As for Sophia Leocadia, you should finalize the matter promptly. The Leocadia Family has but one daughter, if you are too slow, it would be a tremendous loss for our family!¡± Nikodem Lee sat on the sofa, his face lined with worry, ¡°Lately Old Master Leocadia has been ill, and the family is not united. Many wish for the old man to pass away so they can divide the family assets. You must secure the marriage before Old Master Leocadia dies! Then the Leocadia family¡¯s wealth will also have a share for you!¡± ¡°Dad, it¡¯s not that I lack confidence, but Sophia Leocadia really isn¡¯t interested in me, and Old Master Leocadia won¡¯t agree either. I remember Sophia¡¯s grandfather has always been quite healthy, how did he suddenly become ill?¡± Fernando Lee was curious; when he arrived, Sophia Leocadia had not mentioned her grandfather being ill. And how did his own father know so quickly? ¡°Haha! Rest assured, whether Sophia Leocadia wants to or not, she will be the bride of the Lee Family! But we must act quickly. To tell you the truth, I spent a lot of money on the medicine. Imogen Leocadia added it into the old man¡¯s bowl. In less than half a month, he¡¯ll ascend to the heavens! Then, most of the Leocadia family will agree to the marriage!¡± Nikodem Lee laughed loudly, shaking his head, ¡°Do you think Sophia Leocadia is some unattainable fairy? Once I take control of the Leocadia¡¯s assets, she will simply be your plaything! But until then, you have to take care of your own business! No one who slaps the face of our Lee Family can live.¡± Thump! Thump! Thump! Just then, there were several knocks on Fernando Lee¡¯s door. Chapter 295 - Chapter 295: Chapter 294: Come and Get It_1 Chapter 295: Chapter 294: Come and Get It_1 ¡°Who¡¯s there!¡± It was now past one in the middle of the night, and knocking on the door at this time inevitably irritated Fernando Lee. ¡°Alright, father, go rest. Just remember to take care of business cleanly, without leaving any loose ends behind. I don¡¯t want to have to clean up after you!¡± On the other end of the video call, Nikodem Lee yawned and then went to bed after hanging up. ¡°Coming!¡± After hearing about the Leocadia Family¡¯s misfortune, Fernando Lee was in an unexpectedly good mood. He had long had his eye on Sophia Leocadia, but he was hopeless and never managed to gain her admiration. Now that the Leocadia Family members were actively helping, the marriage was all but confirmed. He slipped on his slippers and walked to the door, gently opening it. But strangely, there was no one outside. Who would knock on the door at past one in the middle of the night? At that thought, a chill ran down his spine. Two security guards had originally been stationed outside the door, so why was there no one in sight now? ¡°Daring to slack off! I¡¯ll break your legs!¡± Fernando Lee¡¯s brow furrowed, ready to go back to his room to call the security captain and give the two negligent guards a piece of his mind. But just as he was about to close the door, he instinctively looked down. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Fernando Lee¡¯s legs gave way, and he collapsed to the floor. A mysterious liquid slowly flowed from his crotch, soaking a large area of his pants. ¡°Help¡­ help¡­¡± He tried to call for help, but his throat was already out of control, and he felt as if all the strength had been drained from his body, only able to stare at the ¡®faces¡¯ that were now within arm¡¯s reach. These were the employees he had sent out to kill Julius Reed, and now they were neatly arranged at his doorstep. Their eyes were fixed on him. ¡°I¡­¡± Fernando Lee¡¯s body convulsed, his vision darkened, and he fainted. The next day, the young men and women from the Capital hurriedly returned home. They had planned to stay for a few days, but as soon as it was daylight, they all evacuated. And the Global Hotel inexplicably closed for reorganization without announcing a reopening date. But none of this had anything to do with Julius Reed, who was currently watching a sports game at the Water Pearl Grand Hotel. Life was so boring, it always needed a bit of entertainment time. ¡°Boss Davenport, how do you know Sophia Leocadia? Yesterday, she went to great lengths to protect you, even risking offending Fernando Lee!¡± Ives Abbott stood behind Julius Reed, asking with interest. She had thought about it all night and still couldn¡¯t understand what had happened. The two of them didn¡¯t have the slightest connection, and from Julius Reed¡¯s expression, she knew that the two parties were complete strangers. What on earth could have made the Leocadia family heiress go so far as to protect him like that? ¡°Scram! Don¡¯t you see I¡¯m watching TV? Go somewhere cool, little kid¡ªand don¡¯t ask about adult matters!¡± Julius Reed scolded her in the tone of an elder. But not only was Ives Abbott not angry, she actually enjoyed the feeling. ¡°Boss Davenport, you¡¯re really a master! You connected with Miss Leocadia without anyone detecting a thing. Hey! You didn¡¯t cast a spell on her, did you? Teach me, I¡¯ll take you as my mentor!¡± Ives Abbott¡¯s eyes lit up, showing a look of sudden realization: ¡°No wonder my father respects you so much; you¡¯re a spell caster!¡± ¡°Go where it¡¯s cool!¡± Julius Reed felt very helpless, had the kid read too many novels or watched too many TV dramas? Always talking about bewitching people, if it were really that magical, wouldn¡¯t it have been promoted all over the world by now? ¡°I just feel cool right here! Boss Davenport, haven¡¯t you heard that curiosity killed the cat? Please, I¡¯m begging you, tell me what tricks you¡¯ve used to make Miss Leocadia so head over heels for you!¡± Ives Abbott simply walked up to Julius Reed, plunked herself down on the sofa, ¡°We¡¯re both women, I could see it in her eyes that she¡¯s interested in you. Tsk tsk tsk, those looks she gave you yesterday were really something!¡± ¡°And let¡¯s not even start on all that cash! Julius Reed, my dad is rich, right, but this is the first time I¡¯ve ever seen anything like it in my entire life! My goodness, money was raining from the sky like it was nothing, you are seriously loaded!¡± ¡°That¡¯s your dad¡¯s money.¡± Julius Reed said agitatedly. ¡°Damn! You¡¯re using our family¡¯s money to squander and court women!¡± Ives Abbott was first stunned, then flew into a rage, ¡°You¡¯re eating at my place, staying at my place, and now you¡¯re even using my mom¡¯s money to flirt with other women!¡± ¡°That¡¯s your dad¡¯s money, what does it have to do with you?¡± Julius Reed gave her an indifferent glance. ¡°I¡¯m my dad¡¯s only daughter! Isn¡¯t his money my money too?¡± Ives Abbott said resentfully. Ten billion ah! Just thinking about it hurt. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re the only child your dad has? Forgive my bluntness, but these days which wealthy person doesn¡¯t have an illegitimate child or something¡­¡± Julius Reed said slowly, instantly sending Ives Abbott into a furious rage. ¡°What did you say! My dad has a love child out there?¡± She burst into tears with a ¡®waah¡¯ and ran straight out of the private room, perhaps to confront Miguel Abbott. ¡°The Young Master is really in high spirits, even tricking a little girl.¡± After Ives Abbott left, a woman emerged from within the room. ¡°Do you know why I haven¡¯t killed you?¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t even spare a glance at the foreign woman, his eyes still fixed on the TV. ¡°You?¡± The woman was first taken aback, then burst into laughter, ¡°Julius Reed, do you really still think you¡¯re the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance? Would the alliance have fallen apart like it did three years ago if not for your arrogance? Hand over the Alliance Hierarch¡¯s ring, and I¡¯ll spare your life!¡± The woman¡¯s voice suddenly turned cold, and the atmosphere in the private room instantly solidified. ¡°You were involved in that rebellion three years ago, weren¡¯t you?¡± Julius Reed turned his head and looked at the foreign woman who was no more than three meters away from him, and asked coldly, ¡°You broke the rules of our alliance back then, and I spared your life. Did it never cross your mind to wonder why someone like me, who is strict about rewards and punishments, would unexpectedly let you off the hook?¡± ¡°Heh! I¡¯m the leader in North River, and if you really wanted to kill me, you¡¯d have to ask the Western Royal Court! Besides, back then, both the Wild Fire Envoy and the Ice Envoy pleaded for me. You didn¡¯t kill me but you stripped me of everything and turned me into a maid!¡± The woman¡¯s face was filled with resentment, clearly holding a grudge about the events of three years ago. ¡°How enjoyable were these three years of exile?¡± Speaking of which, the woman¡¯s face once again broke into a smile, ¡°The great Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance reduced to becoming a door-to-door son-in-law. If word got out, I suppose the entire martial world would be laughing their heads off, right?¡± ¡°Oh! Did you come to me just for the ring?¡± Julius Reed tapped his fingers lightly on the coffee table and casually crossed his legs, ¡°This ring hasn¡¯t been in my possession for long.¡± ¡°Hmph! Those old stubborn fools still dream of you revitalizing the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance! If they had handed over the ring earlier, we could have already led the alliance to a rebirth. While I don¡¯t know who gave you the ring, you¡¯d best hand it over willingly if you know what¡¯s good for you!¡± The woman slowly drew the dagger from her waist, ¡°Considering you were once my master, I can make it quick for you. Otherwise, I¡¯ll carve the flesh from your bones piece by piece!¡± ¡°The ring is right here, if you¡¯re capable, come and take it!¡± Julius Reed raised his thumb, upon which the ring faintly glowed red. Chapter 296 - Chapter 296: Chapter 295 Chain Plan_1 Chapter 296: Chapter 295 Chain Plan_1 ¡°So, you¡¯re choosing the penalty drink over the toast? Three years ago, that battle already cost you your cultivation, reducing you to a cripple!¡± Seeing the Alliance Hierarch¡¯s ring, a gleam of sharpness flashed in the woman¡¯s eyes. It was the very thing she had longed for in her dreams. The position of Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance was not one that just anyone could hold. As long as Julius Reed was not dead, anyone who dared to claim the title of the new Young Master would face the wrath of the various alliances. And succeeding as Young Master required satisfying two conditions. First, the current Young Master, Julius Reed, must be confirmed dead. Second, the designated successor must possess the Alliance Hierarch¡¯s ring. However, Julius Reed was a man of eternal life; throughout the centuries since the foundation of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, numerous faction leaders had died of illness, yet not a single person had the chance to become the new Young Master. Later successors were clearly aware of this, and thus they secretly prepared to kill Julius Reed, seize the Alliance Hierarch¡¯s ring, and ascend to the position of Young Master! This plan continued for three generations and was only completed three years ago. However, in that battle, the rebels suffered heavy casualties and, in the end, barely managed to defeat Julius Reed by ambush at Mount Everest. For the following three years, there was no news of him. The consequences of rebellion were severe; in the past, whenever there was a rebel within the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, the entire organization involved was summarily expelled. ¡°I once said I don¡¯t hit women, but today I might have to make an exception,¡± Julius Reed looked at the ring on his hand as its red glow grew increasingly intense. ¡°Stop posturing here. After that battle, it¡¯s impossible for you to have recovered! And I¡¯ve been tracking you for a day, watching your every move. Forgive me for being blunt, but you¡¯re not even a paper tiger now.¡± The woman licked the blade and a smile flashed across her face, ¡°Dear Young Master, allow me to escort you on your final journey.¡± Having said that, she thrust the dagger in her hand towards Julius Reed with a whoosh! Slish! The blade was incredibly fast, tearing through the air and aiming straight for Julius Reed¡¯s neck! She launched a killing move the moment she struck! Whoosh! Just as the dagger was about to reach Julius Reed, he suddenly stood up, pinched the blade between two fingers of his right hand, and directly caught the blade in his grasp. ¡°Impossible! You can¡¯t be¡­¡± ¡°You think you can?¡± Bang! Without giving the woman any time to react, Julius Reed kicked out fiercely, landing a kick in the woman¡¯s abdomen! He then dashed forward and with a mid-air kick, sent the woman flying into the wall! Boom! The solid hotel wall was hit so hard that it created a large hole, filling the room with dust. ¡°You¡­¡± Spurt! The woman collapsed to the ground, a mouthful of fresh blood spewing out of her throat, her body weakly slumping to the floor. ¡°Why are you¡­ so strong¡­¡± She looked at Julius Reed with an unwilling gaze, pinned beneath the rubble of the shattered wall, struggling but finding herself completely unable to move. Fear began to spread throughout her body. ¡°Janet Carmichael, did you really think you could track my movements with your own abilities?¡± Julius Reed walked towards her step by step, making Janet Carmichael¡¯s heart feel as though it was being crushed by a heavy stone, leaving her breathless. ¡°Could it be¡­¡± Janet Carmichael¡¯s face turned ashen, blood continuously pouring from her mouth. ¡°That¡¯s right, I had Cold Nelson release the news, all to lure you here!¡± Julius Reed stood in front of Janet Carmichael, his foot pressing down on her face, ¡°Janet Carmichael, oh Janet Carmichael, your father devoted his life to building North River, and you? You squandered it in a blink of an eye! But there was no choice, as it was very difficult for me to find you, so I had to let you come to me willingly.¡± After meeting with Cold Nelson last night, Julius Reed had already planned to start investigating that incident three years ago. If it hadn¡¯t been for his extraordinary constitution, he would never have survived that disaster. But he had always felt that things were far from being as simple as they seemed. The Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance was in upheaval, with over half of its members rebelling without any prior warning! Janet Carmichael was one of them and, among the multitude of traitors who witnessed Julius Reed fall from Mount Everest, held the lowest position. ¡°Young Master, you think you can pry secrets from my lips? Don¡¯t forget, I¡¯m the leader of North River!¡± Janet Carmichael suddenly burst into laughter, then shouted loudly, ¡°Warriors, come out and kill him!¡± However, after her call, there was no movement outside. ¡°Hm?¡± Janet Carmichael¡¯s brow furrowed as she yelled through the searing pain, ¡°Warriors!¡± Bang! The door was kicked open. ¡°Prepare to die! With the elites of North River gathered here, even if your cultivation has recovered, you won¡¯t escape this calamity!¡± Janet Carmichael was confident that even if Julius Reed could recover a bit of his cultivation, it would be insignificant. After all, the battle three years ago was fierce enough to kill an ordinary person a hundred times over! But in the next moment, she was stunned. Because the person who walked through the door wasn¡¯t anyone else, it was Cold Nelson! ¡°Young Master! The task is complete!¡± Cold Nelson bowed with both hands respectfully speaking. ¡°Bring them in!¡± At the wave of Julius Reed¡¯s hand, corpses were immediately carried in from outside. After they were laid down, there were twenty-three in total! ¡°You¡­¡± Seeing the bodies on the ground, Janet Carmichael¡¯s pupils shrank sharply! They were all her warriors from North River! A one in ten thousand force! Her father had spent his life¡¯s efforts to build this team! And now, these elites, not a single one spared, had all been killed, their throats cut. ¡°Cold Nelson! Why would you do this!¡± Janet Carmichael screamed heartrendingly. Despite the pain in her chest, she no longer cared. Without North River, even if she could escape from here, her status within the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance would plummet! ¡°Janet Carmichael! I, Cold Nelson, am loyal to the Young Master, something a traitor like you could never understand!¡± Cold Nelson pointed at Janet Carmichael, harshly rebuking, ¡°Now confess quickly, who was it that incited you to rebel!¡± In the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, assassinating the Young Master is a capital crime! The entire organization would be eradicated! But after Julius Reed suddenly disappeared, a special investigation team interrogated for half a year, only catching some peripheral small organizations, without unearthing any valuable individuals. This indicated one thing, there were high-ranking members involved, and more than one at that! As for who the rebels were, no one knew. Julius Reed lured Janet Carmichael here because he knew she was one of the rebels, and North River held a not insignificant status within the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, having eluded capture for so many years, it meant someone was providing protection! In the three years, Janet Carmichael and her North River had acted like nothing was amiss, engaging as usual within the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. Not a soul suspected them. If Julius Reed had not disclosed this matter, even in death Cold Nelson would have never believed that Janet Carmichael was one of them. ¡°Young Master! Let me handle her!¡± Cold Nelson glanced at Janet Carmichael, saying angrily, ¡°I will make her talk!¡± ¡°No need! Janet Carmichael, being able to lead North River, is not someone whose mouth can be easily pried open. Leave this to me, and focus on keeping an eye on the docks. The moment the Saint Heir lands, strike to kill!¡± Julius Reed, with his hands clasped behind his back, removed his foot from Janet Carmichael¡¯s face, ¡°Red Widow, I¡¯ll trouble you to deal with this woman.¡± ¡°I am willing to serve.¡± The Red Widow slowly walked in from outside, looking down at the prone Janet Carmichael with an amused expression, ¡°I have a hundred ways to make her talk.¡± Chapter 297 - Chapter 297: Chapter 296 Preparing the Parachute_1 Chapter 297: Chapter 296 Preparing the Parachute_1 Julius Reed fully entrusted the interrogation of Janet Carmichael to the Red Widow. The latter had experienced inhuman torture since she was a child, and was lucky to have survived from among hundreds of children, so her methods were naturally not poor. Moreover, with years of life on the run, it was not a difficult task for her to get information out of Janet Carmichael. Willson Group had already been set on the right track, and Julius Reed no longer needed to worry about anything. Most importantly, during his time in Five-river Province, the western swordsman Lucan Davenport had already taken his men and wiped out all the Shadow Warriors who followed them. Apart from a few old Shadow Warrior organizations that were still watching, no one inside the reward list dared to take Julius Reed¡¯s offers anymore. Even though the amount of money was getting larger and more people were offering rewards. There¡¯s money to be made, but you always need to have a life to spend it. Otherwise, what¡¯s the difference from waste paper? Having left Gonzalez City for so long, Julius Reed was starting to miss Quella Radcliffe. They had deceived Knox Ridge by saying they were already divorced, and Quella Radcliffe had moved out to live separately; he guessed that his in-laws might finally take it easy. In the afternoon, Julius Reed took a private plane arranged by Miguel Abbott, bringing Anna Harris back to Gonzalez City with him. This was something Quella Radcliffe repeatedly entrusted him to do, to bring her good friend back along the way. Previously, Quella Radcliffe had been too busy with company affairs to properly accompany Anna Harris, but now that her work was almost done, she wanted to catch up with her old friend. ¡°Who exactly are you?¡± Sitting on the private plane, Anna Harris felt extremely complicated. These past few days, she had used her connections to try and investigate Julius Reed, but she had found out nothing. Yet the little she had roughly heard was enough to startle her. This seemingly somewhat bad young man had managed to place a big green hat on Atlas Leopold, the most capable son of the Five-river Province. And the Leopold Family had actually acquiesced to this, with no retaliation whatsoever. Later on, Atlas Leopold was strangely paralyzed, and the Leopold Family¡¯s most outstanding successor became disabled like that. As for the cause, opinions were all over the place. There were even rumors that this was Julius Reed¡¯s doing. But Anna Harris didn¡¯t believe it. The Leopold Family was a century-old clan in Five-river Province. If Julius Reed really had broken Atlas Leopold¡¯s legs, could he still be sitting in a plane, admiring the view? ¡°I¡¯m the husband of your best friend.¡± Julius Reed leaned back in his seat, his eyes slightly closed, not knowing what he was thinking. ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me that!¡± Anna Harris was somewhat angry, ¡°Don¡¯t think by taking me back, I¡¯ll cover up your affair! Julius Reed, you better not forget, when you were so down and out back then, our Quella Radcliffe still married you. They say when a man gets rich, he turns bad, and I see it¡¯s really true.¡± Every time she thought of how close Elize Yarrow was with Julius Reed, Anna Harris felt it was unfair on behalf of Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Scumbag!¡± She muttered under her breath. Indeed, the good-looking guys are all bad. Not a single good one among them. ¡°With your eloquence, why don¡¯t you become a host?¡± Julius Reed, with his eyes closed, asked in an unhurried manner. He didn¡¯t dislike Anna Harris, but he couldn¡¯t say he felt particularly fond of her either. Out of consideration for Quella Radcliffe, he had to look after her to some extent. Otherwise, the feelings he had worked so hard to cultivate with Quella Radcliffe would have to start all over again. ¡°Are you complimenting me or insulting me? Julius Reed, can you not be a decent person? Must you do things that warrant divine punishment? Also, this private plane, did you charm some rich and beautiful woman into lending it to you?¡± Anna Harris, after all, was a returnee from overseas and understood the price of the helicopter quite well. Just relying on Quella Radcliffe¡¯s current wealth, it was far from enough to pay for this massive expense. ¡°Prepare a parachute.¡± Julius Reed opened his eyes and looked at the bodyguard in front of him. ¡°Yes!¡± The bodyguard immediately started preparing. ¡°What are you going to do?¡± Anna Harris raised an eyebrow, not understanding why Julius Reed would suddenly say something like this for no reason. Could there be a problem with the plane? But it didn¡¯t seem like there was anything abnormal, right? ¡°I think you¡¯re a bit noisy.¡± Julius Reed glanced below the aircraft, ¡°If you¡¯re unlucky and end up hanging from a tree branch, you might get eaten by the wild animals here.¡± ¡°Who are you trying to scare? What era do you think this is? There are still wild animals? At best, there might be a few squirrels or monkeys!¡± ¡°Then you can try it! If there really are any, you might even make the news!¡± ¡°Julius Reed¡­ I need to call Quella Radcliffe!¡± ¡°A soldier outside of his command may not accept orders.¡± ¡°I was wrong¡­¡± ¡°Take the parachute back.¡± Half an hour later, the helicopter finally landed on the rooftop of the Titan Group International Building in Gonzalez City. The Titan Group was the leading enterprise in Gonzalez City, and Ovidiu Cook even had three private helicopters; landing here was the most convenient option. When Anna Harris set foot on the rooftop, she finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as though the air was fresher. She had just entertained a terrifying thought¡ªif Julius Reed was worried that she would snitch and really threw her off the plane, how grievously unjust her death would be. What a relief. Julius Reed had been sleeping the whole time and didn¡¯t pay any attention to her. ¡°Mr. Reed!¡± From afar, Ovidiu Cook approached with a group of black-clad bodyguards to greet him. ¡°Welcome back to Gonzalez City! I¡¯ve arranged a banquet to refresh you after your journey!¡± As soon as he learned of Julius Reed¡¯s return, he had reserved a spot in his family restaurant to welcome his boss. ¡°Forget it, I¡¯ve just come back to Gonzalez City, and I¡¯m planning to eat at home tonight.¡± Julius Reed waved his hand with a smile, rejecting Ovidiu Cook¡¯s kindness. He and Quella Radcliffe hadn¡¯t seen each other in a long time; it was about time they had dinner at home. He just didn¡¯t know whether Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe had come to their senses these past few days. The debts that had accumulated were almost all collected, and every member of the Ridge Family who had borrowed money was hounded by debt collectors, leading to Knox Ridge¡¯s complete loss of face. It was said that at the Ridge family patriarch¡¯s birthday a few days ago, Knox Ridge hadn¡¯t been invited. And after Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe shamelessly showed up, not a single person gave them a warm welcome. The wicked have their own grind. ¡°I¡¯ve arranged a car outside to take you straight home,¡± said Ovidiu Cook before turning to Anna Harris, ¡°And this lady is¡­?¡± He tried to remember but couldn¡¯t recall ever encountering such a person. ¡°Oh, her! She¡¯s here to visit a girlfriend in Gonzalez City, don¡¯t worry about her.¡± Julius Reed ignored Anna Harris¡¯s murderous gaze and strode into the Titan Building, heading straight down to the first floor in the elevator. Outside, a brand-new Maybach was parked at the entrance of the building. ¡°Julius Reed, aren¡¯t you afraid I¡¯ll tattle? If Quella Radcliffe finds out about your dirty laundry, she¡¯ll have you kneeling and scrubbing the washboard!¡± Anna Harris followed behind, grumbling discontentedly. This was completely different from the husband Quella Radcliffe had described! One was an honest and dutiful son-in-law who endured hardship without complaint and never talked back or retaliated when scolded or beaten. But now? This was practically thuggish behavior! Anna Harris couldn¡¯t even imagine, with Julius Reed¡¯s personality, how he could possibly stay at home and do household chores obediently. ¡°Could it be that Quella Radcliffe has changed husbands?¡± A daring idea suddenly popped into her mind. Chapter 298 - Chapter 298: Chapter 297 Jumping Out of the Car_1 Chapter 298: Chapter 297 Jumping Out of the Car_1 Julius Reed ultimately still didn¡¯t let Anna Harris take a taxi back. If he really did that, this woman would probably spend all day mouthing off about it in Quella Radcliffe¡¯s ear. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he took Anna Harris in his Maybach, heading towards his small western-style house in Gonzalez City. On the car ride, Anna Harris didn¡¯t speak anymore. Now, she was worried about being dumped on the roadside halfway, because after all, Julius Reed was entirely capable of doing such a thing. But at the same time, in her heart, she had already prepared a list of the ten major crimes of Julius Reed, ready to accuse him once she saw Quella Radcliffe. If she couldn¡¯t handle him, surely someone could, right? Yet, she couldn¡¯t help but be curious, looking at Julius Reed beside her, ¡°Who were those people just now? Why were they so polite to you?¡± More than ten black-clad bodyguards and a private helicopter landing pad ¨C if one were to say these belonged to just an ordinary person, Anna Harris would never believe it. After all, as someone who had studied abroad for several years, she had that much insight. ¡°A friend. What, you¡¯re interested? He¡¯s rich, so how about I introduce you as his god-daughter?¡± Julius Reed joked, ¡°Then you wouldn¡¯t have to worry about food or drink, and just by calling out ¡®godfather¡¯ you could have planes and yachts at your disposal. Do you need my help with that?¡± ¡°Screw off!¡± Anna Harris¡¯s face had turned as dark as could be. So she simply turned her head away, looking at the high-rise buildings of Gonzalez City. The car drove at a steady pace. The driver was handpicked by Ovidiu Cook, and since Julius Reed was skilled in self-defense, no bodyguards had been assigned to him. The three people in the car said not a word, only the sound of the tires rubbing against the ground could be heard. As they crossed Danvers Bridge, they were less than twenty minutes away from the western-style house. All of a sudden, Julius Reed¡¯s expression changed and he frowned as a faint, almost inaudible noise reached his ears. ¡°Get out!¡± In an instant, his right hand moved swiftly to the car door, flinging it open! As the car alarm sounded off, Julius Reed, with a confused-looking Anna Harris in tow, leapt out of the car and plunged into the river below Danvers Bridge. Boom! Just as they hit the water, the bridge above them collapsed with a thunderous crash. ¡°What¡¯s happening! Blub¡­¡± Anna Harris floated on the water, struggling incessantly and swallowing mouthfuls of river water in the process. ¡°Shut up!¡± Julius Reed was uncharacteristically serious, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to die, from now on, don¡¯t say a word!¡± Anna Harris blinked, completely stunned. In her memory, during the few days she had been in contact with Julius Reed, he had never been this serious. She nodded dumbly, instinctively paddling in the water. Fortunately, she had learned to swim before, or she would have been in an even more sorry state. Danvers Bridge was situated between two districts of Gonzalez City and was originally desolate. But lately, the real estate market was too hot, and people with money wanted to live healthier lives. To meet the needs of the citizens and make a hefty profit along the way, the Imperial Water Bay community was created. The developers gradually built high-rise buildings on both sides of the riverbank, but since the buildings weren¡¯t completed yet, only construction workers were there. On the other side of the river was a hill where blasting was often needed for the construction projects¡ª a sound that would hardly attract the attention of the citizens of Gonzalez City. Julius Reed, with Anna Harris in tow, swam to a stone and hid behind it, warily surveying the surroundings. Who could know his movements so well? To have his route scouted out so thoroughly! Even though the entire situation was arranged by Ovidiu Cook, Julius Reed was sure it was not Ovidiu Cook¡¯s doing. Killing him brought no benefit to Cook! Even Cook¡¯s current interests would suffer. But there must be a mole within Titan Group! Otherwise, the bomb could never have been planted inside the car, and if it weren¡¯t for Julius Reed¡¯s extraordinary hearing, by now he and Anna Harris would probably be two dead bodies. Julius Reed¡¯s gaze was cold. Moments later, a figure flashed by, as if searching for something. ¡°Inhale! Do it now!¡± Julius Reed suddenly shouted. Although she didn¡¯t understand why, Anna Harris instinctively took a deep breath. Immediately following, before she could react, her head was pushed underwater by Julius Reed. Clang! Clang! Clang! What followed was the sound of shattering. At the head of the bridge, a man in black held a box of throwing weapons, spraying towards the spot where Julius Reed and Anna Harris had just been. The large rock next to them shattered into pieces, and the surface of the water erupted into waves. Under the water, Anna Harris let out a stifled groan, her eyebrows involuntarily furrowing. She was hit by a dart in the calf, and blood instantly stained the water nearby red. ¡°Hold on!¡± Julius Reed roared, bubbles bursting from his mouth as he dragged Anna Harris quickly towards the other end. About half a minute later, when Anna Harris was almost out of breath, the two finally surfaced. ¡°Hiss¡­¡± Anna Harris breathed in the air as if she were starving, gulp after gulp. In the half-minute underwater, she had forgotten the pain. But as soon as they emerged, her calf was agonizingly painful. The river water was dirty, and the wound was very likely already infected. Whoosh! Whoosh! Before they could catch their breath, more darts struck the ground behind them. ¡°Bear with it a little!¡± Julius Reed took a deep breath and hoisted Anna Harris across his waist, sprinting towards an abandoned factory building. This was originally a chemical production company, but it had to shut down after being reported for water pollution. For years, the machinery and equipment had been removed, leaving behind only this unmanaged shell. After running into the factory, Julius Reed set Anna Harris down and stripped off his shirt. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Anna Harris, shaking all over, watched Julius Reed warily. Although she was already pale from excessive blood loss, the surroundings still filled her with concern. ¡°I¡¯m Quella Radcliffe¡¯s best friend, you can¡¯t do such beastly things to me!¡± Recalling Julius Reed¡¯s scumbag behavior, she even suspected this was all his ploy to take advantage of her. Or perhaps, to kill and silence her. ¡°I promise you, I won¡¯t say a word to Quella Radcliffe about you.¡± Anna Harris curled up, her eyes slightly red and swollen. Pain shot through her calf, causing tears to flow involuntarily. Ignoring what Anna Harris had said, Julius Reed wrung out his shirt and grabbed her leg, wrapping the shirt around the wound. ¡°Stay here and don¡¯t move. No matter what happens, don¡¯t make a sound! Otherwise, there¡¯s only one way out for you¡ªdeath!¡± After speaking, he grabbed Anna Harris with one hand and stuffed her into an old metal cabinet. Then he walked alone towards the warehouse¡¯s main gate. Tap! Tap! Tap! The sound of leather shoes echoed from outside the warehouse, exceptionally grating in the silence. Anxiety made Anna Harris instinctively shrink back, peering through the gap of the metal cabinet at the outside, not daring to even breathe heavily. ¡°Julius Reed, you sure have good luck surviving!¡± The footsteps came to an abrupt halt. A blond man stood at the warehouse entrance with darts, smiling. Chapter 299 - Chapter 299: Chapter 298 Joel Martin’s Conspiracy_1 Chapter 299: Chapter 298 Joel Martin¡¯s Conspiracy_1 ¡°I, too, wish to die, but it seems there¡¯s no one capable of killing me yet.¡± Facing such a formidable Shadow Warrior, Julius Reed stood in the middle of the warehouse, his eyes like those of an eagle, staring intently at his opponent. ¡°If you have the skills, then I don¡¯t mind dying. Unfortunately, the one to die today will be you.¡± At this moment, Julius Reed, having removed his shirt to bandage Anna Harris¡¯s wounds, revealed his strong upper body muscles. Although the lighting inside the warehouse wasn¡¯t very good, Anna Harris, hiding inside a metal cabinet, could still see Julius Reed clearly. This was the first time she had witnessed such well-built muscles. Anna Harris had lived abroad for several years and often frequented the gym, where the foreign men had even bigger muscles, but they seemed a bit too bulky and lacked grace. The muscles on Julius Reed¡¯s body were not excessive, but they conveyed an astonishing explosive power. Even from inside a metal cabinet, facing the enemy, Anna Harris still felt completely safe. ¡°Julius Reed, I know you¡¯re somewhat talented. Before I came, I did my research; many skilled fighters have fallen to you. But I still dared to come. Do you know why?¡± The man didn¡¯t seem to have the intention to start fighting just yet, still smilingly watching Julius Reed. Plip! Plop! The droplets of water falling from Julius Reed¡¯s body hit the ground, sounding particularly harsh in the silent warehouse. ¡°Who sent you.¡± His tone was icy as he sternly questioned the gunman at the warehouse entrance. ¡°Hm?¡± The man furrowed his brow slightly, then laughed loudly, ¡°Mr. Reed, I think you might be a bit confused about the situation. It¡¯s not for you to interrogate me, but for me to kill you.¡± Whoosh! Julius Reed didn¡¯t say another word; his entire body leaped into the air, and in the blink of an eye, he reached the top of the warehouse. Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat! The man took a cautious step back and pulled the trigger of the device in his hand! Clang! Clang! Clang! The darts hit the steel beams at the top of the warehouse, making a crackling noise. And Julius Reed, like a ghost, ran swiftly across the steel beams, arriving above the man¡¯s head in the blink of an eye! Anna Harris¡¯s palms were soaked with sweat inside the metal cabinet. She had only seen this kind of scene in movies before, but now witnessing it live right before her eyes, Anna Harris¡¯s heart felt like it would leap out. Too thrilling! She found it difficult to associate the Julius Reed who used to joke and laugh with the youth before her now. ¡°You won¡¯t be able to dodge my darts!¡± Seeing that he couldn¡¯t harm Julius Reed at all, the man rolled out of the warehouse. At the same time, during the roll, he quickly adjusted the angle of the concealed weapon box in his hand, firing another stream of fire! Click! Facing the barrage of darts flying towards him, Julius Reed snapped off a piece of rebar with one hand and hurled it sideways! Thwack! Before the man could react, the rebar accurately impaled his shoulder! ¡°Ah!¡± With a cry of pain, the sound of darts ceased completely. The air once again became quiet, aside from the blonde man¡¯s agonized wailing. ¡°Sending someone so unprofessional to kill me, I¡¯m afraid they¡¯re not a foe worth my attention.¡± Julius Reed walked toward the man step by step, not quickly, but with enough pressure to make the man feel overwhelmed. ¡°Go to hell¡­¡± The man endured the pain in his shoulder and tried to aim his other hand at Julius Reed to fire. Whiz! But before he could act, Julius Reed kicked a pebble, directly breaking the man¡¯s wrist. ¡°Hiss¡­¡± The man gasped, his body trembling non-stop. His gaze toward Julius Reed had shifted from contempt to fear. ¡°Don¡¯t come any closer¡­¡± The man gasped for air and tried to push himself backward with his legs, ignoring the blood flowing from his wound. ¡°I¡¯ll give you one last chance.¡± Julius Reed approached the man and asked coldly, ¡°Who sent you, and what does the bridge collapse have to do with you?¡± The other party was weak, obviously no match for myself. Even placed in the underworld, the price of such a Shadow Warrior wouldn¡¯t be high. ¡°I¡¯ll talk, I¡¯ll tell everything¡­¡± The man had completely lost the arrogance he had shown before and tentatively asked, ¡°If I tell you everything, will you let me go?¡± His eyes were filled with pleading and fear. ¡°Do you think you¡¯re in a position to negotiate with me now?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s foot was pressed on his leg, and he suddenly applied more pressure! Crack! As the sound of breaking bones was heard, the man¡¯s eyes turned bloodshot as he begged incessantly, ¡°I¡¯ll talk! I¡¯ll talk!¡± ¡°You¡¯d better be quick.¡± Julius Reed lifted his foot from the man¡¯s leg. ¡°It¡¯s Joel Martin! The one who asked me to kill you is Joel Martin! He gave me five million, said all that mattered was you dead!¡± The man wailed in agony. ¡°What¡¯s the story with the bomb in the car!¡± Hearing the name Joel Martin, Julius Reed felt it was both unexpected and yet made perfect sense. Originally, because of Stanislaus Potter, he had let Joel Martin off once before. Now it seemed like being too kind was not always the right choice. If it really was Joel Martin¡¯s doing, then it wouldn¡¯t be much of a problem. It was impossible for Joel Martin to install a bomb under his car without Ovidiu Cook knowing anything about it! ¡°I don¡¯t know about this¡­¡± It seemed like the man thought Julius Reed wouldn¡¯t believe him and hurriedly explained, ¡°Joel Martin only told me about the place you would pass through, and that the bridge would collapse. If you died, I could pocket the five million for nothing. If by some fluke you survived, and it¡¯s a man¡­¡± Here he suddenly stopped. ¡°Speak!¡± Julius Reed said in a heavy voice. ¡°I¡¯ll talk! I¡¯ll talk!¡± The man swallowed, his face pale as he recited, ¡°The man needs to be captured alive, have both legs and feet broken, the woman¡­ ¡®have fun¡¯ with first, then kill.¡± ¡°But this wasn¡¯t my idea, it was all his idea!¡± ¡°After the deed is done, where do you meet?¡± Since he had to bring the person back, there must be a designated place. ¡°It¡¯s in the broken-down warehouse in the northern part of Gonzalez City, but there are a few of his men there, quite difficult to handle.¡± The man dared not hide the slightest detail. ¡°Now, call Joel Martin and tell him you¡¯ve done it.¡± Julius Reed ordered expressionlessly. ¡°Right now¡­¡± Painfully, the man looked at his broken leg and his immobile arms, his forehead creased with torment. ¡°I¡¯ll help you!¡± Julius Reed bent down and searched the man¡¯s chest for the phone, ¡°Which is it?¡± ¡°The top one!¡± The call quickly connected and was answered right away. ¡°How¡¯s it going?¡± An anxious voice from Joel Martin came from the other end of the phone. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve injured the man, and I¡¯ve also captured the woman. Are you still at the warehouse? I¡¯ll bring them to you!¡± The man stammered out his words. ¡°What happened?¡± Joel Martin was somewhat vigilant. ¡°I¡¯m injured! Broke one leg, but luckily I¡¯m quick with a gun, otherwise I might have gone down the drain! Mister Martin, you¡¯re not being fair! Didn¡¯t you say he wasn¡¯t that strong? I nearly lost my life!¡± The man cursed loudly. Fooled by his cursing, Joel Martin¡¯s caution dissipated completely, ¡°Haha! It¡¯s good you¡¯re okay! Who knew that kid had such a big life, the bomb didn¡¯t kill him. Lucky for me I had a backup plan! Bring them here, and I¡¯ll give you another three million!¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be waiting for you!¡± Click! After saying these words, the man¡¯s neck was twisted and broken by Julius Reed. Chapter 300 - Chapter 300: Chapter 299 Encirclement Breaks the Warehouse_1 Chapter 300: Chapter 299 Encirclement Breaks the Warehouse_1 ¡°I want you to forget everything you¡¯ve heard and seen today, and also, don¡¯t mention anything to Quella Radcliffe.¡± Julius Reed picked up the man¡¯s cell phone and said coldly, ¡°You¡¯re a smart person, you should know what to do.¡± After speaking, he dialed a number. ¡°I¡­ Julius Reed, who exactly are you! Quella Radcliffe will be killed sooner or later following you!¡± Anna Harris had emerged from the iron cabinet at some point and was now looking at the scene at the entrance of the warehouse. Her face was pale, both from losing too much blood and from witnessing Julius Reed kill a man. How could Quella Radcliffe ever have a good life beside such a remorseless killer? ¡°If you weren¡¯t Quella Radcliffe¡¯s best friend, you would be dead already.¡± Julius Reed turned around and looked coldly at Anna Harris, ¡°I can protect my own woman.¡± ¡°Hello! Who is it?¡± At this moment, a man¡¯s voice came from the phone. ¡°Aron Jackson, it¡¯s me.¡± Julius Reed said indifferently. After all, this was the city center. If he left the corpse here, it might make the headlines. He was now going to kill Joel Martin. Somebody daring to plot his murder couldn¡¯t be allowed to live in this world. Having Aron Jackson handle the scene and incidentally taking Anna Harris to the hospital would be ticking two boxes at once. Injuries underwater could lead to infections, the consequences of which were unimaginable. ¡°Boss? When did you get back to Gonzalez City? How come I knew nothing about it?¡± Aron Jackson became excited upon hearing Julius Reed¡¯s voice, ¡°Where are you now?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a run-down warehouse by Danvers Bridge, come here and dispose of a body for me, and also take a woman to the hospital. We¡¯ll talk about the rest when I¡¯m free.¡± ¡°Is sister-in-law injured? Dominating Tiger, gather the brothers, let¡¯s head to Danvers Bridge now!¡± ¡°If it were your sister-in-law, would I still be calling you now?¡± Julius Reed gave a faint smile, ¡°Just get someone on your staff to handle these things, you drive straight to the broken warehouse.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Aron Jackson agreed succinctly. After hanging up, Julius Reed looked back at the ghastly pale Anna Harris, ¡°Quella Radcliffe will not be harmed. If such a day ever comes, it will only be over my dead body.¡± Ignoring Anna Harris¡¯s complex gaze, Julius Reed stripped the clothes off the man¡¯s body, put them on, and then quickly disappeared around the factory building. ¡°Julius Reed, who exactly are you¡­¡± Anna Harris could no longer hold on and slumped to the ground, vacantly staring into the distance. Is this the ¡®good-for-nothing¡¯ Quella Radcliffe spoke of? The son-in-law? More like a demonic killer¡­ The reason the place was called the broken warehouse was that here stood a dilapidated warehouse. In the north part of the new district of Gonzalez City, there was a demolition site, originally called Broken Warehouse Village. After the developers got the land and paid for the relocation, all the villagers left. All that was left were broken-down houses. At this moment, Joel Martin was sitting in a chair, fantasizing about how to torture Julius Reed. ¡°Young Master, how should we deal with this bastard later?¡± A young man behind him was smirking maliciously. ¡°Heh! Daring to steal my woman and slap me in front of so many people. Julius Reed, you never imagined you would have a day like this at the hands of Young Master Martin!¡± Joel Martin¡¯s face showed a ferocious grin as he clutched the armrests of the chair tightly, ¡°And Anna Harris that bitch! I¡¯ll execute her today! No matter how nice I was to her, she pretended not to see. This time I¡¯ll drug her, let her get loose!¡± ¡°Heh heh! Can you share the spoils with us?¡± ¡°Exactly! After Young Master¡¯s done, let us have a go too?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry! A woman like that should know what it¡¯s like to be with any man!¡± Thinking about what was going to happen next, Joel Martin could only feel a burning excitement: ¡°Once Julius Reed is brought here, make sure you torment him well! Also, doesn¡¯t he have a wife? Have you guys kidnapped her yet?¡± ¡°Rest assured! The ones sent are skilled, and I¡¯ve heard his woman is also a female CEO, looking very handsome!¡± The young man behind Joel Martin smirked sleazily, ¡°Will the Young Master be enjoying a ¡®dragon and two phoenixes¡¯ later?¡± ¡°Haha! Julius Reed, I want you to watch with your own eyes how this young master conquers your woman!¡± Joel Martin was extremely excited to hear his employee¡¯s words. The one sent to assassinate Julius Reed was a Shadow Warrior, introduced by a master he knew, who had a small reputation in the underworld. Every time he thought of this master he knew, he couldn¡¯t help but admire him to the point of bowing down completely. Meanwhile. Julius Reed was driving at breakneck speed, rushing towards the broken warehouse. Behind him, Aron Jackson, with a dozen black limousines, was following closely. Halfway down the road, Ovidiu Cook¡¯s phone suddenly rang. ¡°Mr. Reed, I¡¯ve heard that you¡­ You¡¯re alright, aren¡¯t you?¡± Even from this distance, one could sense Ovidiu Cook¡¯s nervousness, perspiring profusely. ¡°Some say you guys are good for nothing.¡± Julius Reed spoke only those words before focusing back on driving. ¡°I understand! As long as you¡¯re safe, that¡¯s good!¡± Because of his nervousness, Ovidiu Cook¡¯s voice was somewhat hoarse, ¡°Within an hour, I will give you an immediate response!¡± It was known that the department under Bane Cook¡¯s command had top-notch counter-surveillance capabilities, monitoring the entire building every day. The fact that they were able to find out it was Atlas Leopold who released the video years ago spoke volumes of their abilities! Yet it was in such a talent-filled place that when Ovidiu Cook heard from Aron Jackson that the bridge Julius Reed was crossing had collapsed, he collapsed to the ground in a panic. After hanging up the phone, he immediately organized an investigation. The convoy raced to the outskirts and drove straight into the broken warehouse. ¡°Young Master, the car is here.¡± A young man, peering through the window of a brick house, saw a black limousine coming. ¡°Where!¡± Joel Martin got up excitedly, rubbing his hands together, ¡°Julius Reed, today I¡¯ll show you how I deal with you!¡± He picked up an iron rod from the ground and quickly led his employees out of the house. ¡°Young Master Martin, long time no see!¡± The car door opened slowly, but instead of the blonde Shadow Warrior, it was Julius Reed who stepped out. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Joel Martin gripped the iron rod tightly, staring fixedly at the limousine, but did not see the person he had sent out. Before he could react, a dozen more black limousines drove into the courtyard, completely surrounding the area. Men in black suits stepped down from the cars, each holding a weapon in their hand. ¡°Who are you!¡± Joel Martin pointed his iron rod at Aron Jackson and the others. ¡°Your killers!¡± On the road, Aron Jackson had already investigated the matter thoroughly and was fuming with rage. Daring to make a move on his boss meant there was only one way out¡ªdeath! ¡°Haha! You think you can?¡± Facing the encirclement, Joel Martin did not show any trace of fear; instead, he laughed uncontrollably, ¡°Mister Leocadia, please make your move!¡± After he spoke those words, an old man in a black Chinese tunic suit stepped forward from behind him. ¡°Pendletoni Mountain¡¯s Leocadia Winters, at your service!¡± The old man faced the forty or fifty people in front of him, clasping his hands lightly in front of him as a greeting. Chapter 301 - Chapter 301: Chapter 300 I’m Going to Make a Move_1 Chapter 301: Chapter 300 I¡¯m Going to Make a Move_1 The elder¡¯s face was calm, and although he appeared to be over seventy years old, he had the aura of an immortal. ¡°Julius Reed, the expert was right. The Shadow Warriors I sent out are likely to fall into your hands. I didn¡¯t believe it before, but thankfully, the expert had Mister Leocadia accompany me, or else today would have truly been unfortunate.¡± Although Joel Martin was somewhat surprised by Julius Reed¡¯s strength, he quickly composed himself. It was clear that he had great confidence in the strength of the elder who had stepped forward. ¡°You guys, go!¡± Seeing the elder take the initiative to challenge, Aron Jackson immediately ordered his employees to go forward, each gripping a segment of steel pipe in their hands. With their strength, a blow from the steel pipe would leave the old man half-dead if not dead. Whoosh! The steel pipe, with a whistling wind, was swung towards Mister Leocadia. But the elder didn¡¯t seem to have any intention of dodging. With a sudden grasp forward, he directly caught the steel pipe in his hands. ¡°Young man, you¡¯re somewhat impetuous,¡± he said. Crack! With a forceful grip, the elder bent the steel pipe and then slammed it down on his shoulder. With just one encounter, the first five men to approach all fell to the ground, emitting pained wails. ¡°Excellent! Mister Leocadia is truly a master! Julius Reed, let¡¯s see how you¡¯ll escape now!¡± Having seen the elder¡¯s skills firsthand, Joel Martin¡¯s face beamed with a smile once again. Initially, he wasn¡¯t very confident; the blond man he had found before was strong, but still ended up taking a fall. But with the elder dispatching five men in one move, Joel Martin immediately regained his confidence. ¡°Damn! That actually took some skill!¡± Seeing the first group of employees get taken down, Aron Jackson snatched a weapon from one of them and charged again with his men. He had lost so much face in front of Julius Reed that he felt humiliated. ¡°Come back, you¡¯re no match for him.¡± As Aron Jackson was about to step forward, Julius Reed reached out and stopped him. The elder might have been advanced in age, but his explosive power was astonishing! Even if Aron Jackson and his men went forward, they would probably end up just like those on the ground. Such a loss was completely unnecessary. ¡°Boss, I can¡¯t swallow this insult!¡± Gazing at the elder across from him, Aron Jackson took a deep breath, clutching the steel pipe tightly. Ever since Julius Reed went to Five-river Province, there had been virtually no rivals left in Gonzalez City. To have several employees beaten down in succession today, one could imagine the rage in Aron Jackson¡¯s heart. ¡°Julius Reed! Kneel down and beg for mercy now, and I might just spare you this one time. If you¡¯re too late, you won¡¯t even have the chance to live!¡± Joel Martin thought Julius Reed was scared and immediately threatened, full of arrogance. In his view, although the opponent had dozens of people, they were no match for the present Mister Leocadia. ¡°Really?¡± Hearing Joel Martin¡¯s words, Julius Reed walked over with a smile, raised an eyebrow, and said, ¡°I dare to kneel, but can you bear it?¡± ¡°A joke! Who am I? You¡¯re not just talking about kneeling; even if you were to lick my shoes, I¡¯d dare to accept it!¡± Joel Martin pointed at Julius Reed and sneered, ¡°Do you really think you¡¯re some kind of master? I don¡¯t know what uncle is thinking, sheltering you, but today I will make sure you wish you were dead! You should have known this day would come when you made me lose face back then!¡± Quamaine Potter was injured, and when he returned to Five-river Province, he wanted to perform well in front of his uncle to secure some properties. But he never expected that on the very day he got off the plane, he would be humiliated by Julius Reed at the Pearl On The Water, and even after returning home, Stanislaus Potter fiercely beat up Joel Martin in front of his family! The circle in Five-river Province is just that small; it didn¡¯t take half a day for the news to become common knowledge. Many classmates and friends who don¡¯t usually keep in touch sent messages one after another, claiming to be concerned, but in fact, they were all just watching the excitement. It was precisely when he was beset with unbearable shame that a wise man found him and gave him this idea. Initially, he approached the suggestion with a try-it-and-see attitude, but the elderly man before him now seemed to be an invincible presence. ¡°Joel Martin, I gave you a chance to live, but you didn¡¯t cherish it.¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands clasped behind his back, glancing at the old man, ¡°Step aside, or die.¡± Although the old man was strong, compared to himself, he was still far inferior. As time passed, Julius Reed¡¯s memories were starting to recover extensively, and his strength grew stronger and stronger. ¡°Young man, don¡¯t you know what it means to respect the elderly and love the young?¡± The old man¡¯s murky eyes suddenly shone with a bright light, his body emitted crackling noises, and he seemed to look a few years younger. ¡°I gave you a chance to leave, which was already a courtesy to the weak. But such an opportunity won¡¯t come a second time!¡± Julius Reed looked coldly at the old man, his eyes brimming with disdain. In terms of age, who could possibly be older than himself? To him, these septuagenarians and octogenarians were no different from children. ¡°Youthful arrogance!¡± The old man¡¯s lips curled into an arc, seemingly not believing that Julius Reed had the capability to fight with him. ¡°Mister Leocadia, leave one alive! I want to torture him properly!¡± Joel Martin reminded from behind. He believed that killing Julius Reed outright would be letting him off too easily. ¡°I have fought battles all my life, without a single defeat! If he can¡¯t take the beating and I accidentally kill him, there¡¯s nothing I can do! I only need one move to make him kneel and beg for mercy!¡± The old man abruptly changed from his previously low-key style to becoming incredibly dominant. ¡°Young man, you make the first move! I don¡¯t want to be known for bullying the young,¡± he said, slowly straightening his Cheongsam, starting from the top row of buttons and leisurely undoing them. ¡°You see that? That¡¯s a master for you. Even in a fight, he still retains his elegance! His composure is unshaken even as Mount Tai crumbles before him!¡± Joel Martin nodded, filled with admiration in his heart. With such formidable strength, he truly wished he could recruit the old man. ¡°A master indeed! The helper sent to aid you, young master, is so powerful; with him, you¡¯re likely to make your way sideways through Five-river Province!¡± An employee immediately offered compliments. ¡°Brothers, let¡¯s congratulate the boss in advance for becoming the Boss of Five-river Province!¡± ¡°Calvin Leocold, there once was a Jettison Smith in the Shanghai Bund, and today we have Joel Martin in Five-river Province! With the assistance of a celestial being, the boss is surely destined to ascend!¡± Facing the employee¡¯s flattery, Joel Martin grinned from ear to ear. He looked at the old man undoing his buttons, and with a smile on his face, said, ¡°It¡¯s the Shadow Warrior who is powerful; when I return, I will take him as my mentor! Then, who in Five-river Province could stop us? The Leopold Family? The Potter Family? Not worth mentioning!¡± Just thinking about that enigmatic Shadow Warrior made Joel Martin¡¯s blood surge with excitement. It¡¯s a pity that he never managed to see the person¡¯s true face. ¡°Old man, I¡¯m going to make a move now!¡± Julius Reed said indifferently. Chapter 302 - Chapter 302: Chapter 301: Feng Shui Treasure Land_1 Chapter 302: Chapter 301: Feng Shui Treasure Land_1 ¡°Make your move, this will be the last time you do so in your life. If you don¡¯t want to leave any regrets, please give it your all.¡± The elder didn¡¯t even glance at Julius Reed, instead busying himself with straightening his clothes. ¡°You old fart!¡± Aron Jackson beside him was so filled with hatred that he was gnashing his teeth; the other party¡¯s disdainful demeanor was simply intolerable! He was dying to rush up and give the old man a thorough beating, but his brother had told them not to move, so he could only suppress his anger. Whoosh! Julius Reed burst forth from where he stood, pouncing toward the elder like a fierce tiger! ¡°Too weak!¡± The elder still did not deign to look at him, casually reaching out with one hand to block. But the next moment, his expression suddenly changed drastically! Bang! The previously composed elder, like a kite with its string cut, was sent flying backward for over a dozen meters, crashing heavily to the ground. Splutter! After spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood, he trembled as he pointed at Julius Reed, his eyes full of fear! The next instant, his eyes began to lose focus, and the life faded from him. One move. Instant kill. ¡°Now, who else wants to come forward?¡± Julius Reed looked around at Joel Martin and the others, expressionless. He achieved the effect he wanted, to strike terror into this group of people so they would reveal what he desired to know. As for getting information from the elder? Sorry, the weak don¡¯t even have the right to speak. Faced with Julius Reed¡¯s challenge, Joel Martin¡¯s subordinates looked at each other, each lowering their heads. ¡°I¡¯ll ask one more time, if no one steps forward, I¡¯ll take it you all want to come at me together!¡± Julius Reed pointed at the group of people, his voice cold as he said, ¡°I can assure you, I¡¯ll make it quick!¡± ¡°Brother, I don¡¯t want to die!¡± Thump! Faced with such a threat, the young men couldn¡¯t bear it, and they all knelt to the ground, repeatedly kowtowing and begging for mercy. ¡°Mr. Reed, Brother Davenport, this whole thing was entirely orchestrated by Joel Martin, we had no idea! Please, we beg of you to be generous, spare us!¡± ¡°Exactly! It was all Joel Martin¡¯s idea! We brothers were also forced into a corner. You see how powerful that elder was¡ªif we didn¡¯t obey, we would have been killed long ago.¡± Seeing the dire situation before them, the young people promptly shifted the blame onto Joel Martin, trying to kick him while he was down. ¡°You¡­ you!¡± Seeing his subordinates betray him, Joel Martin trembled with rage as he bellowed, ¡°What were you saying before? Now, when there¡¯s danger, you scatter faster than rabbits!¡± ¡°Big brother, we¡¯re still young, we haven¡¯t got wives, we don¡¯t want to die, you know!¡± These men pressed their heads to the ground, not daring to say another word. ¡°Joel Martin, how do you wish to die?¡± With a wave of his hand from Julius Reed, Aron Jackson¡¯s men rushed forward, dragging Joel Martin to Julius Reed¡¯s feet. ¡°Hmph! I am Stanislaus Potter¡¯s close nephew, and there are powerful people standing behind me! Julius Reed, I really don¡¯t believe you¡¯d dare kill me!¡± Even though he was captured, Joel Martin still bore an air of superiority. His pretense of calmness and his bluster were one reason, but more importantly, he had the support of a powerful figure behind him. He didn¡¯t know the name of the powerful figure, but he was aware of their great ability, numerous skilled underlings, and their vast influence throughout Five-river Province. ¡°Aron Jackson, he¡¯s quite stubborn.¡± Julius Reed, pointing at Joel Martin, chuckled lightly, ¡°Pry his mouth open for me, let¡¯s see who this great person really is!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± A gleam flashed in Aron Jackson¡¯s eyes as he picked up a steel pipe and walked jovially towards Joel Martin. ¡°What are you going to do!¡± Now, he was in the suburbs, where his cries for help went unanswered by both heaven and earth. If he were to be killed, there wouldn¡¯t even be a place for his remains to rest. ¡°What are you doing? Loosening up your bones for you!¡± Aron Jackson weighed the steel pipe in his hand and bellowed, ¡°Hold him up for me!¡± At his command, his underlings immediately restrained Joel Martin. ¡°My uncle is Stanislaus Potter! If you dare touch me¡­ Ah!¡± Crack! The steel pipe in Aron Jackson¡¯s hands swung full circle and smashed into Joel Martin¡¯s calf, breaking the bone cleanly! The blow was so fierce that even the steel pipe was slightly bent out of shape. ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯ll kill you! Julius Reed¡­¡± Joel Martin screamed like a slaughtered pig, his mouth spraying saliva, his gaze starting to glaze over. This was the natural reaction to extreme pain; it was extremely difficult for Joel Martin not to have passed out. ¡°Last chance, speak or not.¡± Julius Reed glanced at the trembling Joel Martin, his voice as cold as if it came from hell itself. ¡°I¡­ If I tell you, will you let me go¡­¡± Joel Martin bit down hard, the effort to even breathe was becoming difficult. At his calf, fresh blood soaked his trousers red, perpetually dripping onto the concrete ground. ¡°Aron Jackson, give him a quick end. It¡¯s also a favor for Stanislaus Potter, whom I¡¯ve had the pleasure of knowing.¡± Julius Reed pointed at Joel Martin and turned to leave. ¡°I¡¯ll talk! I¡¯ll tell you everything!¡± Seeing Julius Reed about to walk away, Joel Martin shouted in despair, ¡°Whatever you want to know, I¡¯ll tell you everything!¡± No one is not afraid of death. Especially a fate worse than death. ¡°How was the bomb planted in my car?¡± Julius Reed turned around and asked coldly. This was the question he cared about most. If it were someone else today, there was no way they would have left alive! What worried him was that if the same thing happened to Quella Radcliffe, it would be far too dangerous! ¡°This was Divine Skills¡¯ arrangement, I¡¯m not clear on the specifics¡­ I only know the other party is a middle-aged man, with vast Divine Skills, and endless wealth,¡± said Joel Martin, glancing at the old man¡¯s corpse on the ground, his voice raspy. ¡°This old man claimed to be from Pendletoni Mountain, reportedly hired by Divine Skills for eighty million to come down from the mountain to deal with you! Moreover, Richard¡¯s acquisition of my uncle¡¯s property was also furthered by Divine Skills¡¯ meddling! And judging by the accent, it seems like he¡¯s a local from Five-river Province. I¡¯ve heard others referring to him as ¡®the steward¡¯?¡± He swallowed hard, in utter despair, ¡°After Richard fell from power, Divine Skills came to me, wanting to use me to take you out. Beyond this, I truly know nothing¡­¡± ¡°Richard?¡± Hearing this name, Julius Reed sniffed the scent of conspiracy. But why did this Divine Skills, mentioned by Joel Martin, hide and not show himself? And when had he offended someone of this caliber? If what Joel Martin said were true, this person was definitely a bigger problem than the Leopold Family. ¡°I¡¯ve told you everything I know, can you let me go?¡± Joel Martin¡¯s lips were pale, his eyes filled with pleading desperation. ¡°Send him on his way. I¡¯m not one for generosity. After you go down, say it was Julius Reed who killed you.¡± Julius Reed pointed at Joel Martin and returned to his car. Now, he had to do everything to protect Quella Radcliffe from unforeseen dangers. ¡°Brother, go in peace!¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s eyes narrowed as he brought the steel pipe crashing down! ¡°Big bro, what about these people?¡± His underlings, looking at the young men kneeling on the ground, asked for instructions. ¡°This is a geomantic treasure spot, suited for burying people.¡± Aron Jackson tossed away the steel pipe and turned to leave. Chapter 303 - Chapter 303: Chapter 302: Catching the Mole_1 Chapter 303: Chapter 302: Catching the Mole_1 Julius Reed had just settled back into the car when his phone received a call from Ovidiu Cook. Only a mere ten-plus minutes had passed since the last time he received a call from Ovidiu Cook. Clearly, in these ten-plus minutes, Ovidiu Cook, under immense pressure, had reviewed the situation from beginning to end. With such a vast Titan Group and over a thousand employees, it was indeed difficult to ascertain the truth. Even if the scope was narrowed down, who could be sure that this was definitely an inside job? ¡°Mr. Reed, after receiving the message, Bane Cook immediately took our core staff members into custody. After a ten-minute interrogation, it turned out to be my security chief, Winston Pendleton.¡± While saying these words, Ovidiu Cook¡¯s voice was clearly trembling. The occurrence of such an incident amongst his own staff was something he couldn¡¯t shirk responsibility for. And the issue arose in the security department, which made him feel like there was a knife pressed against his back, filling him with a sense of cold dread. ¡°Tell Bane Cook to bring him to me, I want to question him personally,¡± Julius Reed said coldly, and did not forget to add a warning, ¡°I want him alive, if he dies, I¡¯ll have your head!¡± From Joel Martin¡¯s testimony, Julius Reed felt that this mastermind was no simple adversary. Having someone infiltrate Titan Group under Bane Cook¡¯s watch, and someone as important as the security chief, fully demonstrated the behind-the-scenes mastermind¡¯s great power. Within Titan Group, the security department was one of the three divisions with the highest salaries, with the department head earning millions annually. And once one betrays the organization, the consequences are extremely grim. To make security chief Winston Pendleton a collaborator, the other party must have offered an irresistible deal. Moreover, daring to overtly covet Golden Eagle Group¡¯s businesses in Five-river Province was a testament to the adversary¡¯s formidable strength. ¡°Boss, where to?¡± Aron Jackson walked up to the car window and asked softly. ¡°Is your sister-in-law safe? You must ensure her absolute safety.¡± Thinking of Quella Radcliffe, Julius Reed felt somewhat anxious. If the other party had such detailed information, they would certainly know about his relationship with Quella Radcliffe. If anything were to happen to her, Julius Reed wouldn¡¯t be able to forgive himself. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Boss. I¡¯ve already dispatched a substantial number of people to protect her, and I¡¯ve also informed your apprentice Cosmo to ensure her complete safety,¡± Aron Jackson nodded. Upon learning that Julius Reed had been attacked, his first reaction was to send people to protect Quella Radcliffe. He was confident in his boss¡¯s skills but knew his sister-in-law was his greatest vulnerability. No sooner had he finished speaking, Aron Jackson¡¯s phone began to ring. ¡°Ben Carmichael, what¡¯s the situation over there?¡± Upon seeing the caller ID, Aron Jackson hurriedly answered. Ben Carmichael was one of the members he had assigned to protect Quella Radcliffe, and was also the overall leader of this operation. ¡°Immediately tighten protection, get my sister-in-law back to the villa! If anything happens, the boss will kill me first, and before that happens, all of you are dead!¡± After saying this, he took a deep breath, bent over, and reported, ¡°Boss, five minutes ago, your sister-in-law encountered a sudden attack. Fortunately, your apprentice is very skilled and wiped out the Shadow Warriors in a short amount of time. We lost about a dozen men, but your sister-in-law is now safely back in the villa.¡± Aron Jackson said fiercely, ¡°Let me find out who it is, and I¡¯ll tear him limb from limb!¡± Just as Julius Reed expected, they indeed went after Quella Radcliffe. Ten minutes later. A black SUV came barreling in. It stopped behind the broken warehouse, and a man in sunglasses got out of the vehicle, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth. ¡°Boss, I¡¯ve brought him to you,¡± the man said, as he pulled open the rear door of the SUV and dragged out a man dressed in a security uniform from the back seat. Like dragging a dead dog, he hauled the man in front of Julius Reed with large strides. The man¡¯s face was bruised, and there were traces of fresh blood on his body; he had clearly been beaten before. ¡°Winston Pendleton?¡± Julius Reed looked at the man on the ground whose eyes had been covered and whose mouth was stuffed with a towel, and called out to him. ¡°It¡¯s him! The Security Chief of Titan Group, joined the Willson Group five years ago, betrayed the Group three months ago.¡± Bane Cook took a deep drag on his cigarette and bent down to yank the towel from Winston Pendleton¡¯s mouth. Following that, he also removed the cloth that covered Winston Pendleton¡¯s eyes, and then cruelly pressed the cigarette butt into Winston Pendleton¡¯s eye! Sizzle! The scorching cigarette butt made direct contact with the eyeball, causing Winston Pendleton to let out a scream like a pig being slaughtered. ¡°Ah¡­ Bane Cook¡­ I¡¯m going to¡­ I¡¯m going to kill you!¡± The eyes, being one of the most sensitive parts of the human body, were burnt by the cigarette butt, causing Winston Pendleton to curl up on the ground, rolling around continuously. ¡°A bit heavy-handed.¡± Aron Jackson swallowed hard; even though he was a ruthless person himself, seeing Bane Cook¡¯s actions still made him shiver. When he himself tortured, it was because the other party wouldn¡¯t talk, Bane Cook, however, started torturing right off the bat without showing a shred of mercy; his expression was cold and indifferent from beginning to end. ¡°A traitor, eh? Should I have invited him for tea instead?¡± Bane Cook, smiling, glanced at Aron Jackson, grabbed Winston Pendleton by the neck, and shoved him in front of Julius Reed. ¡°Talk, why did you betray the boss. I can tell you in advance, today you¡¯re destined to die. Whether you talk or not, you¡¯re going to die. But if you don¡¯t talk, I¡¯ll make your life worse than death!¡± Bane Cook pulled out a small knife from his waistband and gently traced it across Winston Pendleton¡¯s face. ¡°Just kill me! I won¡¯t reveal a word! Bane Cook, I know your methods, but don¡¯t you look down on me, Winston Pendleton!¡± Winston Pendleton, with only one eye left, trembled and spoke. If he was doomed to die, why speak? This made Aron Jackson feel incredulous once again; who starts off by telling the other person that whether they speak or not, they¡¯re going to die, giving no last glimmer of hope, how to activate the will to live? How to get the information? ¡°Mr. Bread, we¡¯re all brothers, we¡¯ve worked together for so many years, aren¡¯t you making it difficult for me on purpose?¡± Bane Cook sighed and asked in a pleading tone, ¡°Just tell the boss, let me complete my mission, okay?¡± With that said, Julius Reed knew Winston Pendleton was in trouble. He had come to understand Bane Cook over the many years. Capable, ruthless, but with a terrible temper, getting along with no one. ¡°Bullshit! I¡¯m eventually going to die, why should I tell you!¡± Winston Pendleton sneered, enduring the extreme pain as he looked towards Julius Reed: ¡°I betrayed the boss, and I deserve to die. If you¡¯re going to kill, then kill, no need for idle talk¡­¡± Splat! Before he could finish his sentence, Bane Cook¡¯s knife swiftly cut off Winston Pendleton¡¯s ear! The bloody ear fell to the ground, and it took two seconds before Winston Pendleton felt the excruciating pain. ¡°Bane Cook! Even as a ghost, I won¡¯t let you off!¡± Winston Pendleton¡¯s screams were heart-wrenching, his facial muscles involuntarily twitching. ¡°Become a ghost? Even if you become a ghost, I¡¯d still be able to kill you!¡± As he spoke, his blade sliced down, chopping off Winston Pendleton¡¯s other ear! Chapter 304 - Chapter 304: Chapter 303: Don’t Be a Hypocrite_1 Chapter 304: Chapter 303: Don¡¯t Be a Hypocrite_1 Aron Jackson had weathered many storms, but at this moment even he couldn¡¯t help but furrow his brow. He wasn¡¯t familiar with Bane Cook, but he had heard of the other man¡¯s name. Today, upon meeting him, he realized that this man was even more ruthless than he had imagined. As for Julius Reed, he didn¡¯t feel much of anything. Traitors generally met with very miserable fates. Titan Group spent a huge budget to sustain them every year, and yet they ended up stabbing them in the back, helping outsiders kill their own bread and butter. Such people deserved to die. ¡°Going to talk or not?¡± Bane Cook, holding Winston Pendleton¡¯s head in one hand, asked emotionlessly. In his other hand, a knife was still dripping with fresh blood. ¡°Heh! Bane Cook, I¡¯m a man too. Since I took the money, I was prepared to meet death! Come on, don¡¯t fucking make me look down on you!¡± Winston Pendleton¡¯s face was pale, his clothes already soaked with blood. Having lost both ears, and with an eye gone, there was no point in living. Originally, as long as Julius Reed was willing to let him live, he could have revealed some secrets. Who would have thought that Bane Cook would be so fierce right from the start, pushing him towards a dead end? ¡°Someone, bring the salt!¡± Seeing that Winston Pendleton was still being defiant, Bane Cook extended a hand, and from inside his off-road vehicle, a man immediately stepped out, holding a bag of salt. ¡°People say that pouring salt on a wound hurts; I want to see if your, Mr. Bread¡¯s, bones are tougher, or if my, Bane Cook¡¯s, knives are blunter!¡± Having said that, he sprinkled salt on the open stub of Winston Pendleton¡¯s ear. ¡°Hiss¡­¡± Winston Pendleton clenched his teeth tightly, cracking sounds emanating as his entire body sweated profusely, shaking like a sieve. ¡°Bane Cook, you won¡¯t die a good death!¡± He screamed desperately, but it was in vain. ¡°Even if you were made of steel and iron, I¡¯d shatter you to pieces today!¡± Bane Cook threw the salt aside and took out a bottle of mustard oil from his pocket. ¡°Going to talk or not, Mr Bread? Don¡¯t blame a brother for not showing you mercy.¡± As he spoke, he dripped a few drops onto the wound. Thump! Winston Pendleton¡¯s eyes rolled back as he fainted from the pain. ¡°Wake him up!¡± Bane Cook walked past the body to another car and pulled out two children from inside. Whoosh! With a bucket of water poured on him, Winston Pendleton shivered and weakly opened his eyes. If it were not for his strong physique, he would have likely been tortured to death by now. ¡°Luka, Betty!¡± Upon seeing the two children, Winston Pendleton¡¯s body shook, and then he shouted venomously, ¡°Bane Cook, calamities should not involve family! Why did you bring my children here!¡± ¡°Sorry! I heard your kids went abroad last month; it took quite an effort to get them back from there.¡± Bane Cook squatted down to pat the two children¡¯s heads, speaking with a face full of affection, ¡°With such changes at the high level of Titan Group, as the person responsible, I absolutely can¡¯t ignore it! If you prove to be innocent, naturally, I will let the children go. But unfortunately, you are a traitor.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve suspected me all along?¡± Winston Pendleton¡¯s mouth twitched continuously, and he was also somewhat mentally fractured. ¡°Not at all!¡± Bane Cook shook his head, ¡°Even if it were Ovidiu Cook trying to move his relatives, I would still bring them back! It¡¯s my responsibility, and I can¡¯t afford any negligence.¡± He touched the children¡¯s heads and whispered softly, ¡°Quickly, call daddy!¡± ¡°Daddy!¡± Two little girls around the age of four looked at Winston Pendleton, calling out. This ¡®Daddy¡¯ completely broke through Winston Pendleton¡¯s psychological defense. ¡°Children are innocent, I tell you.¡± Winston Pendleton closed his eyes, speaking in extreme agony, ¡°Three months ago, a senior came to Five-river Province, handed me fifty million directly, and asked me to do something for them. I wanted to refuse at that time, but they promised me, once it was done, at least ten billion!¡± Having said this, he looked at Julius Reed with bitterness, ¡°I couldn¡¯t resist the temptation and betrayed you, boss. Then, he told me the whole plan, how I was to use my job¡¯s convenience to ensure absolute fatal outcomes, then I agreed.¡± ¡°Ten billion? Not a small amount, I would have done the same,¡± Julius Reed nodded, the other party really was willing to spend money. However, Ovidiu Cook was a real bastard, having the ordeal occur right under his nose without detecting a thing. It was Bane Cook who at least managed to control Winston Pendleton¡¯s family. ¡°I couldn¡¯t see the person¡¯s face very clearly, but he was around forty years old and very rich. The most important point, he¡¯s a local from Five-river Province,¡± At this point, Winston Pendleton swallowed his saliva, pleading, ¡°That¡¯s really all I know, please, let the children go.¡± ¡°Mr. Bread, I¡¯m asking you one last time, are you sure you haven¡¯t hidden anything?¡± Bane Cook crouched on the ground, staring fixedly at Winston Pendleton. ¡°I dare not hide a single thing! I have told you everything, I haven¡¯t lied to you at all!¡± Winston Pendleton nodded hastily, ¡°After you kill me, I only ask you to treat my children well. I have done things I shouldn¡¯t have while alive, I have no regrets in death!¡± ¡°Very good!¡± Suddenly, Bane Cook cracked a smile, but this smile sent shivers down everyone¡¯s spine. Thwack! He suddenly drew his knife and plunged it directly into a child¡¯s heart. ¡°No!¡± Winston Pendleton¡¯s eyes split with fury, trying to struggle and rush over, but he was firmly held down. ¡°Mr. Bread, I gave you your chance. Clearly, you didn¡¯t cherish it.¡± Bane Cook pushed the child away and walked behind the other little girl, ¡°You tell me the children are innocent? Isn¡¯t the boss¡¯s life innocent? Your sister-in-law was also attacked, only your daughter¡¯s life is precious, and theirs are not?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be hypocritical!¡± ¡°I say!¡± Winston Pendleton took a deep breath, closed his eyes and said, ¡°The person who approached me is Fabio Pendleton, originally planning to leave Five-river Province tonight. But since the boss isn¡¯t dead, I reckon he might leave earlier once he gets the news. He¡¯s at the Titan Group¡¯s Azure Wind Hotel, room 607.¡± ¡°That¡¯s more like it!¡± Bane Cook twirling his dagger, slowly approached Winston Pendleton, ¡°Actually, I didn¡¯t know this, it was just speculation that you might be hiding something. But I didn¡¯t expect I¡¯d actually be right.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Thwack! Winston Pendleton¡¯s eyes widened, just as he was about to speak, a knife pierced through his heart. ¡°Boss, I¡¯ll go catch him.¡± After pulling out the knife, Bane Cook wiped the blood off it. ¡°Aron Jackson, you go with him, I¡¯m going back to check on your sister-in-law. Get back to me with results immediately after the interrogation,¡± Julius Reed turned and walked to a sedan, started the engine, ready to head home. Quella Radcliffe having been attacked, despite nothing serious happening, was still something he couldn¡¯t let go of. ¡°Boss, I don¡¯t want to work with him.¡± Aron Jackson walked helplessly in front of Julius Reed, shrugging, ¡°That guy is too ruthless, his employees have no sense of security.¡± ¡°Aron Jackson, I¡¯ve heard a lot about you!¡± Bane Cook was unapologetic, wrapping an arm around Aron Jackson, laughing loudly, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s finish the job, then drink a few!¡± And his hand smeared blood directly on Aron Jackson¡¯s clothes. ¡°Fabio Pendleton, ah! I truly feel sad for you!¡± Thinking about the torture Fabio Pendleton was going to face, Aron Jackson sighed deeply. Chapter 305 - Chapter 305: Chapter 304 Chairman Jiang_1 Chapter 305: Chapter 304 Chairman Jiang_1 By the time Julius Reed returned to the mansion, he discovered that the atmosphere in the house was quite strange. Quella Radcliffe sat on the sofa, silent, while Anna Harris lay on a simple makeshift bed, receiving an IV infusion. With Aron Jackson¡¯s current standing, he could have the best doctor in Gonzalez City over with just a word and didn¡¯t need to be hospitalized at all. Even injuries like Anna Harris¡¯s could be treated at home. It seemed that before Julius Reed had returned, a doctor had already performed surgery on Anna Harris, and she was now receiving an IV for inflammation. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Julius Reed took off his coat and walked to the door to put it in the wardrobe. But no one answered his question. Quella Radcliffe still said nothing, staring straightforwardly at Julius Reed from the sofa; Anna Harris¡¯s eyes were fixed on the ceiling, seemingly as if she also couldn¡¯t hear him. The atmosphere grew increasingly peculiar. ¡°Pfft!¡± Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t hold back any longer and let out a light laugh. ¡°Quella! You can still laugh? Didn¡¯t we agree to teach him a lesson when he gets back? If we don¡¯t discipline such a scumbag, he might as well bring women right in front of your face later!¡± Seeing Quella laugh, Anna Harris spoke with some disappointment, ¡°What should I say about you, Miss Radcliffe? My impression was that you were very assertive, but how come you¡¯re so easy to bully now! No wonder¡ªif I were your husband, with your temperament, I¡¯d need to find seven mistresses!¡± As her close friend, Anna Harris became angrier the more she thought about it. She sat up straight but inadvertently pulled her wound due to sudden movement. ¡°Ouch!¡± The effect of the local anesthetic had just worn off, and the pain emerged along with it. ¡°Hey! Anna, be careful!¡± Quella Radcliffe hurried over, gently helped Anna Harris sit up, and propped a pile of blankets behind her back so she could lean back comfortably. ¡°Quella, today, in front of me, you have to give him a piece of your mind! Do you not know how much of a womanizer he is in Five-river Province? It¡¯s not enough for him to have women on each arm, he¡¯s got to have two more sitting in his lap!¡± Anna Harris clearly hadn¡¯t calmed down, and began to recount Julius Reed¡¯s various misdeeds in an exaggerated tone. As she ran out of things to say, she even checked her phone to review her notes before continuing her list of accusations. Throughout this time, Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed stayed silent, just listening to Anna Harris¡¯s nonstop diatribe. Suddenly, Julius Reed turned and went into the kitchen, returning with a fruit knife. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Anna Harris was startled at the sight of the fruit knife. She had seen Julius Reed kill someone with his own hands, in a dilapidated warehouse by the riverside, less than three hours ago. ¡°Quella¡­he¡­¡± As Julius Reed took step by step towards her, Anna Harris was completely cowed. She quickly grabbed Quella Radcliffe¡¯s arm, her eyes filled with fear. ¡°What are you afraid of? You look parched and tongue-tied after all that talking, I¡¯ll peel you an apple.¡± Julius Reed gave a faint smile, walked over to the fruit plate and picked up an apple, peeling it swiftly. In a juggling fashion, he completely peeled the apple in just a few seconds, without even breaking the peel. ¡°Wow! You¡¯ve got some skill there.¡± Anna Harris took the apple but then blushed, seemingly realizing she had overreacted moments before. ¡°Don¡¯t think a bribe is going to get you off the hook. Quella, I still have plenty of secrets to spill. I¡¯ll see how he behaves in the future; if he stops messing around, I might just turn a blind eye.¡± She looked at the apple in her hand, wondering, ¡°You¡¯re pretty good at peeling apples, huh?¡± ¡°Of course, how else could I live off a rich wife, right?¡± Julius Reed joked, and then sat on the sofa, laughing as he looked at the two of them. Anna Harris¡¯s injury was related to him. Evidently, she was just an innocent bystander, which made him feel somewhat guilty. Especially upon seeing the plaster on the other¡¯s leg, there was a tinge of guilt in their heart. Although Anna Harris usually acted carefree, in moments of crisis, she showed her strength. Other girls might have fainted from fear long ago. ¡°Psh!¡± With a light huff, Anna Harris bit into an apple and turned to start chatting with Quella Radcliffe, ¡°How have you been lately? Is your grandfather still as cold to you as before? If you ask me, with your ability and education, why not go somewhere else and stop putting up with the bad treatment at home?¡± She sighed with pity, ¡°You¡¯re just so stubborn, always wanting to prove yourself. They all know what you can do, they just can¡¯t stand you.¡± Anna Harris knew all too well the wrongs Quella Radcliffe had suffered over the years. Aside from Lance Casey and Olayinka Davenport, Anna Harris was the only one Quella Radcliffe could confide in. Though the two were an ocean apart, their friendship had remained strong all these years. ¡°You probably don¡¯t know what position our Quella Radcliffe holds now in the company.¡± Julius Reed said this with a chuckle. Previously, when the Radcliffe Family oppressed Quella Radcliffe, Julius wanted to help but found no way to intervene. However, after his memory was awakened, it only took him less than a month to overthrow the power structure and push Quella Radcliffe to the chairman¡¯s position. Three years, those three years hadn¡¯t been easy for Quella Radcliffe at all. If it weren¡¯t for Quella Radcliffe¡¯s consideration for familial affection towards the family members, Julius would¡¯ve loved nothing more than to kick them all out into the streets. Given Julius¡¯s current capabilities, making someone go bankrupt was a matter of seconds. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, you received a promotion?¡± Upon hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, Anna Harris¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°No way, has the old man in your family finally realized your worth and talent? Let me guess, are you the deputy general manager now?¡± Anna Harris was well aware of Quella Radcliffe¡¯s situation. Otis Radcliffe firmly held the position of general manager, an indisputable fact. So, even if Quella Radcliffe gained recognition, the highest she could aim for was the deputy general manager. But even that seemed impossible to Anna Harris. If that were the case, Quella Radcliffe would have already told her. But considering the detached house that Quella Radcliffe now lived in, Anna Harris estimated it must be worth at least ten million. Could it be that Quella Radcliffe has truly struck it rich? Did the patriarch of the Radcliffe Family have a change of heart? ¡°What are you thinking about!¡± Julius Reed shook his head, ¡°How could that be possible? If it was so, would I let you guess it?¡± His words made Anna Harris confused again. And Quella Radcliffe also shook her head with a smile. ¡°It can¡¯t be the position of general manager, right? My God, has Otis Radcliffe become the chairman? That¡¯s even less likely! If he were the chairman, he would¡¯ve sacked you long ago, not let you take over the position of general manager!¡± After all her guesses were negated, Anna Harris asked with a sense of mystery, ¡°Quella Radcliffe, you didn¡¯t get fired, did you?¡± If that were true, her dear friend would be truly unlucky. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding, who is Quella Radcliffe? My wife, and who am I? A man who lives off his wife.¡± Leaning back on the sofa, Julius Reed joked, ¡°With a husband like me who lives off his wife, could she maintain such a life if she wasn¡¯t the chairman?¡± ¡°Get out of here!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face turned red at the side, feeling somewhat shy. ¡°My goodness, Quella Radcliffe, is it true?¡± Anna Harris¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Hmm.¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded and softly affirmed. ¡°Boss, Aron Jackson is here.¡± Just then, knocking sounds came from outside the door. Chapter 306 - Chapter 306: Chapter 305: The Mysterious Master_1 Chapter 306: Chapter 305: The Mysterious Master_1 ¡°You two chat; I¡¯m going to step out to discuss some matters.¡± Julius Reed stood up from the sofa, put on his clothes, walked to the door, and turned back to look at Quella Radcliffe and Anna Harris, ¡°Do you want to eat in or go out?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll go out. You won¡¯t cook anyway, and it would just trouble Quella Radcliffe.¡± Anna Harris rolled her eyes and craned her neck, as if she was about to slaughter him. ¡°All right, I will arrange a room in a bit and call a car specifically to take you.¡± After Julius Reed finished speaking, he opened the door and walked toward the courtyard. At that time, Bane Cook, covered in blood, was squatting in the yard, smoking a cigarette. Behind him, Aron Jackson had his hands in his pockets. As soon as he saw Julius Reed approaching, he quickly came over, ¡°Boss, we¡¯ve got them.¡± ¡°Did you bring them here?¡± Julius Reed glanced around and saw that, aside from the bodyguards, it was just the two of them. ¡°I didn¡¯t bring them here¡ªI found it ominous!¡± Aron Jackson sighed and turned his head away. ¡°I¡¯ve already asked the necessary questions. Aron Jackson insisted on keeping a live one, saying that the boss should interrogate him personally. I was about to bring the guy over, but Aron Jackson complained about the bad vibes again and forced me to park the car at the entrance.¡± Bane Cook spit the cigarette butt from his mouth and stood up respectfully to greet Julius Reed, ¡°Boss, it¡¯s true that Winston Pendleton was bribed by Fabio Pendleton, but there¡¯s someone else behind Fabio Pendleton. Based on your previous interrogation of Joel Martin, the person who directed Fabio Pendleton, it might be this ¡¯eminent person¡¯ Joel Martin spoke of.¡± As he spoke, he took a cell phone out of his pocket and displayed the number on the screen, ¡°This number¡¯s call location has always been in the Five-river Province. I can almost assert that this ¡¯eminent person¡¯ is someone from the Five-river Province looking to get rid of you.¡± ¡°Did you call it?¡± Julius Reed pointed at the number on the phone. With current technological means, as long as the other party answers, their location can be pinpointed quickly. In the Five-river Province, Julius Reed could capture the person swiftly. ¡°The other party is cunning. After the assassination attempt failed, this number has been switched off.¡± Bane Cook pocketed the phone and spoke solemnly, ¡°They¡¯re too cunning, Fabio Pendleton is just a middleman, he doesn¡¯t know anything. The only thing he knows is that the other party is a butler, also working for someone else.¡± ¡°A butler?¡± When he heard these two words, Julius Reed¡¯s eyebrows slightly furrowed. Joel Martin had mentioned these words as well. But who could this butler be to wield so much power? ¡°Have someone keep a close watch on all the major families in the Five-river Province. As soon as anything is clear, act first, report later!¡± After Julius Reed said this, he walked straight towards the entrance. Now Saint Heir of Skyfire was also coming to trouble him, and the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance had begun to notice that Julius Reed was still alive, starting a frenzied power grab. At times like these, he must eliminate all potential threats so he could focus on dealing with his enemies. ¡°Boss, don¡¯t go look at it.¡± Aron Jackson hurried over, trying to dissuade him, ¡°It¡¯s a bit gruesome.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± Julius Reed had lived for over a thousand years; what kind of horrific scenes hadn¡¯t he seen? But when he opened the trunk, he was still somewhat surprised. ¡°Bane Cook, you are Aron Jackson. If it were someone else, they would no longer work with you.¡± Julius Reed slammed the trunk closed and pointed at Bane Cook, ¡°No wonder Ovidiu Cook has always been somewhat wary of you. I¡¯m handing you full authority to handle this matter. You must give me a result in the shortest possible time.¡± ¡°No problem! Boss, just wait for the news!¡± Bane Cook gave a toothy grin, cheerfully got into the car, and drove away from the mansion. ¡°Boss, that¡¯s a ruthless one.¡± Bane Cook had left, and Aron Jackson stared at the quickly fading car lights, unable to help but heave a sigh. ¡°Not bad, my firm really needs people like him. He¡¯s probably even scared of himself when he gets ruthless.¡± Julius Reed patted Aron Jackson on the shoulder, ¡°Oh, right. Your sister-in-law and her classmate want to have dinner, arrange it for me. Book a private room. In these extraordinary times, you must ensure their safety!¡± No matter what kind of dangerous whirlpool he found himself in, he had no intention of dragging Quella Radcliffe and other innocents into it. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, boss, I¡¯ll assign more staff.¡± Aron Jackson nodded and quickly disappeared into the courtyard of the foreign house. Half an hour later, two sedans drove into the foreign house. One of them let out two nurses who carefully lifted Anna Harris into the vehicle. Anna Harris was tough, bearing such a serious injury, yet acting as if nothing was wrong, her face alight with excitement. After getting ready, Quella Radcliffe joined Julius Reed in another car and headed towards Ovidiu Cook¡¯s private restaurant, Twilight Mansion. After the last incident, the rich businessmen had become more restrained at Twilight Mansion, aware that any carelessness might lead to their ruin. Ovidiu Cook¡¯s employees had fallen on their faces here, not to mention these businessmen. Knowing Julius Reed was bringing people over, Ovidiu Cook had prepared a private room well in advance and had even intensified the security checks. But due to the explosion incident, he didn¡¯t have the face to appear before Julius Reed and merely sent his employees to receive them. Julius Reed was indifferent to these gestures; the other party held considerable power, and even if Ovidiu Cook were aware, it was hard to guard against it all. ¡°Hey! Let¡¯s make it clear first, you¡¯re paying for this meal, and you can¡¯t use Quella Radcliffe¡¯s money.¡± The two nurses pushed Anna Harris into Twilight Mansion as she continued to chatter. ¡°Wow! Isn¡¯t this too lavish? Julius Reed, the money you spend in Five-river Province, is it all Quella Radcliffe¡¯s? I was wondering where you got so much money.¡± She leaned in with a threatening tone, ¡°Don¡¯t think that just because Quella Radcliffe has become a director, you can splurge all you want. Later, I¡¯ll have her cut off your allowance, and you can earn your own living.¡± Hearing these words, Julius Reed simply smiled faintly, without any retort. Quella Radcliffe also kept chuckling softly. Everything she had was given by Julius Reed. Strictly speaking, her becoming the chairman was only because Julius Reed had bought the stocks and then given them to her. If one were to really calculate, all of it belonged to Julius Reed. ¡°Fine! Fine! Fine!¡± Julius Reed nodded, ¡°As long as today¡¯s meal can shut you up, I¡¯m willing to spend whatever it takes!¡± ¡°Hmph! That¡¯s more like it.¡± Anna Harris, sitting in the wheelchair, looked around curiously, non-stop scanning the environment, She hadn¡¯t expected that in a place like Gonzalez City, there would be such a luxurious restaurant. Compared to the big-name restaurants abroad, it was not a bit inferior. Soon, under the guidance of the restaurant staff, their group arrived at the private room on the second floor. Initially, Ovidiu Cook wanted to arrange for them to be seated on the top floor, but Julius Reed declined, not wanting to draw attention. With the current situation being so volatile, there were too many people who wanted him dead; it was better to keep a low profile. After all, if a fight were to break out, dragging Quella Radcliffe and Anna Harris along would only be cumbersome. As they just entered the room, a man stood up from a table in the hall. ¡°Saint Heir, what¡¯s the matter?¡± The person at the same table inquired. ¡°I think I just saw my ex-girlfriend entering in a wheelchair.¡± The man known as Saint Heir said, raising an eyebrow. ¡°You must be mistaken, not just anyone can come to a place like this.¡± A fat, middle-aged man at the same table raised his glass and shouted, ¡°Cheers!¡± Chapter 307 - Chapter 307: Chapter 306: Encounter with an Ex_1 Chapter 307: Chapter 306: Encounter with an Ex_1 Inside the private room, Anna Harris was unaware that her ex-boyfriend was in the restaurant outside. The two had broken up during college, and four years had passed since then. Originally, she had been angry at her boyfriend for cheating on her, and had prepared to go abroad in a huff, successfully leaving as an exchange student the following year. She had thought that time would cool them both down, but as soon as she left, her boyfriend immediately got together with another girl. Thankfully, Anna Harris was quite conservative in thinking, and apart from a sincere heart, she hadn¡¯t lost much. ¡°This drink today is to welcome you back and to dust off the journey. Moreover, it¡¯s to express my guilt.¡± Julius Reed picked up his glass, looking at Anna Harris: ¡°I really feel bad about bringing a perfectly healthy person in front of Quella Radcliffe and ending up with one less leg.¡± ¡°Pfft! But seeing that your conscience has surfaced this once, I¡¯ve decided to accept your apology.¡± Though Anna Harris didn¡¯t spare anyone with her words, she still cheerfully raised her glass and downed it in one gulp. ¡°You can drink this much?¡± Julius Reed was taken aback; he hadn¡¯t expected Anna Harris, a woman, to drink so fiercely. He didn¡¯t notice this the last time they dined at Pearl on the Water. Then again, a lot had happened that day, probably leaving her with no mood for drinks. ¡°Our Anna is really strong when it comes to drinking. Back in college, during every class drinking session, she¡¯d drink all the guys under the table; she had no rival,¡± Quella Radcliffe laughed as she looked at her best friend, her mood finally easing a bit. When she¡¯d first heard about Anna Harris¡¯s injury, her heart had nearly leaped into her throat. ¡°Take these next few days to heal well. Quella, if you¡¯re not busy, keep her company at home; otherwise, she¡¯ll probably die of boredom. Leave the company matters to others; a few days won¡¯t make a difference,¡± Julius Reed advised while pushing the served dishes toward the two ladies. Anna Harris¡¯s injury would take some time to heal, and she¡¯d definitely be terribly bored at home during this period. If Quella Radcliffe kept her company, maybe her mood would improve, which would also benefit her recovery. ¡°No need!¡± Anna Harris shook her head vigorously like a tambourine. She knew Quella Radcliffe had just become the chairwoman, and many people underneath were not convinced; the Radcliffe Family also saw her as a thorn in their side. How could she allow Quella Radcliffe to be in danger over her own sake at such a crucial time? ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Quella Radcliffe pulled her hand. ¡°The company has already gotten on the right track, and the partnerships are pretty much settled. The rest can be handled by the people below. Besides, we haven¡¯t seen each other in so long, it¡¯d be good to catch up.¡± As long as Julius Reed was in Gonzalez City, Quella Radcliffe felt absolutely safe. If even Ovidiu Cook behaved respectfully around Julius, what kind of storm could Radcliffe Group possibly stir? Plus, she could feel that lately, Julius Reed¡¯s enemies were increasing, and staying at home would not only reduce his troubles but also protect Anna Harris. Bodyguards divided into two groups are never as safe as when they¡¯re together. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but Anna Harris suddenly needed to use the restroom. The security at Twilight Mansion was very strict, and outside, Cosmo was patrolling with his team, which is why Julius Reed allowed two nurses to push Anna Harris to the restroom and didn¡¯t follow along with Quella Radcliffe. Meanwhile, in the restaurant outside, Sheridan Isolde and his brothers, along with their business partners, were drinking and chatting messily. ¡°Isolde, if today¡¯s deal goes through, we¡¯re going to make a fortune!¡± The middle-aged man raised his glass, his speech somewhat slurred. ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to Brother Beaumont for giving me this land; otherwise, how could I, Sheridan Isolde, ever afford to build such a grand manor in Gonzalez City?¡± Sheridan Isolde wasn¡¯t one for many words and simply raised his glass to drink deeply. ¡°Heard there¡¯s a big shot in Gonzalez City?¡± Around the table, someone asked with a mysterious air. ¡°Right here in Twilight Mansion, I heard some big shot got angry not long ago and crippled quite a few people?¡± As soon as these words were spoken, everyone¡¯s eyes turned to Ashwin Lake. He was not only a local developer but also an employee of the legendary Aron Jackson. In Gonzalez City, Ashwin Lake wielded great power. Anyone coming to do business generally had to rely on him. Sheridan Isolde, wanting to build a mansion for the wealthy this time, sought out Ashwin Lake and managed to get a piece of land in a good location. ¡°Hehe! You guys are asking the right person about this!¡± Ashwin Lake belched, drunk and leaning on his chair, reeking of alcohol. With him saying so, everyone¡¯s interest was piqued. After all, this was a local big shot thriving in Gonzalez City. ¡°Brother Beaumont, spill the beans, what exactly happened? I heard several prominent families in Gonzalez City vanished overnight?¡± ¡°I heard these people went abroad, but to abandon such huge assets and just disappear? Sounds a bit fake!¡± ¡°Brother Beaumont, come on, tell us!¡± Hearing the persistent urging of the crowd, a smug look crossed Ashwin Lake¡¯s face, ¡°You know, I do know the person involved. Do you guys know why it happened?¡± ¡°Brother Beaumont, stop holding out on us!¡± The crowd urged him again. Only then did Ashwin Lake leisurely pick up a glass of wine and, making sure no one was around, he murmured, ¡°Today, it¡¯s just us brothers, otherwise I wouldn¡¯t say a word to anyone else.¡± ¡°Brother Beaumont¡¯s got style!¡± ¡°At that time, one of my brothers was on the scene. What kind of place is Twilight Mansion? Not every rich person can come here, you need status! To be someone reputable in Gonzalez City.¡± Ashwin Lake patted his chest, inadvertently showing off his status. Everyone knew that the Twilight Mansion in Gonzalez City, created by Boss Cook to flaunt status. The people present today got in all thanks to Ashwin Lake¡¯s membership card, which was obtained through a referral from Dominating Tiger. ¡°That day, a few rich second generations from our area came for fun and games. But they messed with a woman they shouldn¡¯t have! Boss Cook was here himself, and he ordered his men to throw these rich kids out and cripple them!¡± Reminiscing about the incident, a look of regret crossed Ashwin Lake¡¯s face, ¡°Whoever you offend, it had to be Boss Cook¡¯s relative!¡± ¡°That woman, is she Boss Cook¡¯s girl?¡± Someone asked. ¡°Not at all! After all, our Boss Cook is the richest man in Gonzalez City, and even those big shots in Five-river Province show a bit of respect to him.¡± Ashwin Lake gestured broadly, going on and on, ¡°A bright future, ruined by one¡¯s own doings! If you ask me, in this Gonzalez City, be careful with women, don¡¯t fall head over heels again!¡± With him saying this, everyone¡¯s respect for Ovidiu Cook deepened a little more. Before, they only knew Ovidiu Cook as a local wealthy businessman, but now it seemed he might be involved with the underworld as well. The saying that even a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake was something everyone understood. ¡°Whew!¡± Ashwin Lake lit a cigarette, took a silent drag, still seeming lost in his recollections. ¡°Anna Harris?¡± Just then, Sheridan Isolde suddenly saw Anna Harris being pushed in a wheelchair by a nurse. ¡°Sheridan, what¡¯s going on?¡± Everyone noticed the change in Sheridan Isolde¡¯s expression, their faces filled with excitement. ¡°I just saw my ex-girlfriend from college, entering in a wheelchair.¡± Sheridan Isolde pointed in the direction where Anna Harris had disappeared. Chapter 308 - Chapter 308: Chapter 307: Tell Your Boss to Meet Me_1 Chapter 308: Chapter 307: Tell Your Boss to Meet Me_1 Ever since they parted ways after college, Sheridan Isolde couldn¡¯t stop thinking about Anna Harris. It wasn¡¯t because their relationship had been particularly good, but rather because of regret. Sheridan Isolde came from a well-off family, and he was the playboy of his class in college. After graduation, he took over the family business, invested and built everywhere, and he had been with countless women. But Anna Harris was the only one who had never slept with him. Over the years, Sheridan Isolde had been searching for traces of Anna Harris, and he didn¡¯t expect to encounter her here today. ¡°Is that so?¡± Ashwin Lake took a drag of his cigarette and flicked the ash lightly, ¡°Sheridan, your ex-girlfriend¡¯s family is not bad, huh! To come to Twilight Mansion, she must have a net worth of at least a hundred million.¡± ¡°Impossible!¡± Sheridan Isolde furrowed his brows, ¡°Her family doesn¡¯t have much money. Even after graduating and starting work, it¡¯s impossible for her to have that much.¡± He knew Anna Harris quite well when they were together. Her parents were civil servants; they had some savings, but it was utterly impossible to speak of a hundred million. ¡°Holy shit! Brother Samuel, it¡¯s popular nowadays to keep a mistress. Maybe your ex-girlfriend¡­¡± A young man started to speak but suddenly realized something was amiss and quickly shut his mouth. ¡°What are you talking about!¡± Ashwin Lake slapped the young man on the head, ¡°But it¡¯s probably true! Not many young people can come here. I¡¯d say eight out of ten are brought in by someone. Sheridan, with Brother Beaumont here today, I will make the decision for you!¡± He thumped his chest and stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray. This was a non-smoking restaurant, but Ashwin Lake specifically smoked a cigarette to show how he stood out from the crowd. For the matter of acquiring land, he had taken over three million in facilitation fees from Sheridan Isolde, and many of those present were affluent heirs. Ashwin Lake wanted to use this opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities. Since Aron Jackson got rich, many businesses in Gonzalez City had come under their control. In Gonzalez City, both Ovidiu Cook and Aron Jackson had substantial influence. And recently, the increased interaction between Ovidiu Cook and Aron Jackson made these people become more inflated with pride. No matter who the wealthy magnate was, as long as it was on his turf, they all had to listen to him. ¡°If that¡¯s really the case, I¡¯ll be counting on Brother Beaumont!¡± Sheridan Isolde picked up a glass of wine and downed it in one go. Not seeing Anna Harris would have been fine, but seeing her now made him feel an itch like ants were crawling over him. He also recalled what everyone had said earlier, and a nameless anger started to rise in his heart. ¡°Come here!¡± Ashwin Lake pressed a button on the table, and a waiter immediately came over respectfully. ¡°The woman who just came in, who did she come with?¡± Ashwin Lake leaned back in his chair and asked. The others at the table, especially Sheridan Isolde, all perked up their ears to listen. ¡°Sorry, that¡¯s the privacy of our guests.¡± The waiter looked troubled. Those who could come here were all high-profile individuals, completely out of their league. Losing a job was a minor issue, but losing a life would be a real loss. ¡°Cough, cough! Buddy, I know it¡¯s not easy for you, but don¡¯t worry, no one but me will know about this. And your Boss Cook is also a friend of mine.¡± While speaking, Ashwin Lake pulled out ten thousand yuan from his wallet and slipped it into the waiter¡¯s pocket. ¡°It¡¯s not much, I know you guys make tens of thousands a month.¡± ¡°It was a young man.¡± After speaking, the waiter turned and left quickly, afraid that staying longer would lead to more questions. ¡°Brother Samuel, we can¡¯t let this slide! Let¡¯s say she¡¯s your ex-girlfriend, others shouldn¡¯t even come into the picture!¡± A young man followed up with encouragement. ¡°Exactly! This lady is a bit too saucy, eh? She hooked up with someone so quickly, and a rich one at that!¡± ¡°Shall we go over and take a look?¡± After listening to what everyone said and fueled by the alcohol, Sheridan Isolde was also itching to act. But this still wasn¡¯t his territory; he raised his head to look at Ashwin Lake, ¡°Brother Beaumont, you tell me what to do!¡± Ashwin Lake being a local, his opinion was critically important. And from the conversation among everyone, it seemed Ashwin Lake and Ovidiu Cook were somewhat acquainted, which would make handling this much easier. But everyone had forgotten the words Ashwin Lake had just said, that not long ago, many people had disappeared from here because of a woman. Even Ashwin Lake himself had forgotten completely. ¡°We¡¯re all brothers here! I¡¯ll make the decision on this matter for you! Never mind some pretty boy, even if it were the King of Heaven himself here today, he¡¯d have to give me some face!¡± Ashwin Lake slapped his chest and staggered to his feet, heading toward the private room. Behind him, a group of people immediately followed. Whoosh! Reaching the door of the private room Anna Harris had just entered, Ashwin Lake kicked it open. At that moment, Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe, along with Anna Harris, were all smiles and laughter. Not wanting to be disturbed, Julius Reed had only left two nurses inside the room, to facilitate Anna¡¯s movement. In case she hurt her wound, they could check it immediately. But now, as the door was kicked open, Julius Reed¡¯s mood instantly plummeted. Why can¡¯t I get some peace wherever I go? ¡°Yo! Brother, you¡¯re enjoying quite the charm!¡± Ashwin Lake swaggered over with a bottle of alcohol in hand and said drunkenly as he came to the table, ¡°Meeting today must be fate, let¡¯s have a drink.¡± With that, he poured the drink straight into Julius Reed¡¯s cup. The rest of the crowd also surged into the private room. ¡°Out.¡± Julius Reed spat out just one word, without so much as glancing at these people. ¡°How are you speaking to Brother Beaumont?¡± ¡°You blind pup! This is Ashwin Lake, open your eyes wide and look carefully!¡± ¡°Speak more politely!¡± The staff members crowded around, clearly intending to intimidate. ¡°Hey! What¡¯s all this! A bunch of hooligans, or bandits!¡± Ashwin Lake feigned an attempt to calm the shouting crowds, then turned around with a smiling face, ¡°The staff are rash, brother, please be forgiving! Here, I¡¯ll apologize by drinking this to myself.¡± Saying so, he raised his glass drunkenly, looking at Quella Radcliffe and Anna Harris, ¡°Two beauties, I wonder if¡­¡± ¡°Out!¡± Splash! Julius Reed splashed the contents of the wine glass directly into Ashwin Lake¡¯s face, dousing him with the liquid. The air instantly stilled. Ashwin Lake paused, then slammed the wine bottle on the table with a sneer, ¡°Brother, what do you mean by this?¡± ¡°Daring to splash our boss? Apologize!¡± ¡°Damn it, fed up with living, aren¡¯t you!¡± ¡°Looking for death!¡± The staff members immediately surrounded Julius Reed, ready to start a fight at any provocation. ¡°I told you to get out, didn¡¯t you hear me?¡± Julius Reed turned his head to look at Ashwin Lake, his eyes filled with limitless chill. Felt by that gaze, Ashwin Lake shivered, his drunkenness fading significantly. But remembering the numerous staff members standing behind him, he quickly regained his courage, ¡°I offer you a drink and you don¡¯t appreciate it. Kid, think of a solution!¡± Ashwin Lake glanced at his wet clothes and said, ¡°Three million, not too much, right? Not to mention, these two beauties have got to drink with me¡­¡± Whoosh! Before he could finish his sentence, Julius Reed picked up a wine bottle from the table and smashed it hard on Ashwin Lake¡¯s head. Thump! Ashwin Lake fell to the ground, seeing stars. ¡°Kid, our Brother Beaumont is Dominating Tiger! You¡¯re tired of living, aren¡¯t you!¡± Several staff members immediately helped Ashwin Lake up. ¡°Call your boss to see me. If he can¡¯t get here in ten minutes, I¡¯ll cripple both of your legs!¡± Julius Reed said coldly. Chapter 309 - Chapter 309: Chapter 308: Meeting Gift_1 Chapter 309: Chapter 308: Meeting Gift_1 ¡°First, help the boss up!¡± The employees, having seen Julius Reed¡¯s fast, accurate, and ruthless action, dared not make any rash moves. A group of them ran behind Ashwin Lake and helped him up from the ground. ¡°Boss, are you okay?¡± An employee took out a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped the blood off Ashwin Lake¡¯s face. Julius Reed¡¯s strike had been so powerful that he shattered the hefty wine bottle. Luckily for Ashwin Lake, his physical constitution was robust; anyone else would have suffered a severe concussion and passed out on the spot. ¡°Kid, you dare to hit me!¡± Ashwin Lake staggered to his feet as the effects of the alcohol nearly dissipated. Rubbing his eyes vigorously, he saw only stars and a black shadow. It took him about half a minute to finally make out Julius Reed¡¯s location. ¡°Take him down for me! If anything happens, it¡¯s on me!¡± A wave of nausea hit Ashwin Lake, and he turned to vomit against the wall of the private room. This was a typical reaction to a concussion. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear what Brother Beaumont said? Go!¡± The faces of several employees darkened as they lunged at Julius Reed from different directions. ¡°Be careful!¡± Anna Harris had just shouted when Julius Reed already moved. He caught an employee¡¯s arm with one hand and forcefully twisted it! Crack! A bone-snapping sound was followed by a heart-wrenching scream in the private room. ¡°Anna, come with me!¡± Just then, Sheridan Isolde walked in from outside, grabbed Anna Harris¡¯s hand, ¡°He¡¯s messed with the wrong person, you need to leave here with me quickly!¡± ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± Upon seeing Sheridan Isolde, Anna Harris was momentarily stunned, but then she reacted, wrenching her hand free, ¡°Why are you here? Is everything happening now your doing behind the scenes?¡± She wasn¡¯t a fool. It was too much of a coincidence that trouble arrived and Sheridan Isolde appeared right after. Clearly, it was a conspiracy. ¡°Anna, what are you talking about? I was just passing by and heard noises. When I took a look, I discovered you were here!¡± Sheridan Isolde feigned calm, ¡°I guess this is fate. We may have parted ways years ago, but I¡¯ve thought of you every single day since. Perhaps even heaven couldn¡¯t stand it, arranging for us to meet again.¡± ¡°Get lost! The biggest regret of my life is having been blind enough to agree to be your girlfriend!¡± Anna Harris pushed his hand away and pointed towards the door, ¡°Get out! I don¡¯t want to see your face!¡± The atmosphere turned awkward in an instant. Sheridan Isolde thought he¡¯d covered his tracks perfectly back home, only to discover one of his ex-girlfriends was actually Anna Harris¡¯s high school classmate. That former classmate, after being dumped, had told Anna Harris every single detail about Sheridan Isolde¡¯s behavior. So, to Anna Harris, Sheridan Isolde¡¯s seemingly heartfelt performance was utterly revolting! ¡°Brother Samuel, what¡¯s going on?¡± Noticing something amiss, two young men immediately approached. ¡°Ha! Sheridan Isolde, you all are obviously in cahoots!¡± Seeing that they knew each other, Anna Harris sneered and turned her head away. ¡°Fine! Anna Harris, we will wait and see!¡± With his deception exposed, Sheridan Isolde no longer bothered to feign innocence but coldly hummed and pointed at Anna Harris, ¡°Stop acting so pure with me! Tell me, how much for one night with you? Just name your price, and if it¡¯s right, I¡¯ll pay it!¡± In his eyes, there wasn¡¯t a woman who didn¡¯t love money; if there was, it simply meant the price wasn¡¯t high enough. He had once taken a fancy to a B-list celebrity who acted coy, refusing all advances. In the end, Sheridan Isolde managed to part her legs with ten million, making that seemingly innocent starlet spend the night in his bed. As for Anna Harris, if she hadn¡¯t been his ex-girlfriend, he wouldn¡¯t have given her a second glance. The unattainable is always in turmoil. ¡°Sir, please show some respect!¡± Quella Radcliffe was very displeased, standing between Anna Harris and Sheridan Isolde. She wasn¡¯t worried about Julius Reed; she knew exactly what kind of strength her husband possessed. If the Shadow Warrior armed with a Gatling gun couldn¡¯t beat Julius Reed, what chance did these drunken fools stand? As for Sheridan Isolde, Quella Radcliffe knew all about him through Anna Harris. Two words to describe him: scum. She could ignore him on any other day, but now he wanted to bully Anna Harris right in front of her? Unacceptable! ¡°Who are you?¡± Sheridan Isolde arched an eyebrow, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, ¡°What, you want to come with me?¡± Previously occupied with talking to Anna Harris, he hadn¡¯t even noticed such a stunning beauty beside him. Quella Radcliffe was already beautiful, but under the slightly dim light of the private room, she was even more enchanting. Even Sheridan Isolde, who had slept with countless women, found her breathtaking at first sight. ¡°Please have some decency!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face darkened, irritation already brewing within her. She despised such frivolous men the most in her life. ¡°One million, come with me.¡± Sheridan Isolde looked at Quella Radcliffe with a playful expression. Slap! But the response he received was the crisp sound of a slap. ¡°Interesting!¡± Sheridan Isolde was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter, ¡°Take her away for me!¡± Fueled by alcohol, he was becoming intoxicated and infatuated. Whoosh! Whoosh! But at that moment, Ashwin Lake¡¯s employees were already getting beaten up by Julius Reed, sprawled across the floor, searching for their teeth. ¡°Get lost!¡± Quella Radcliffe swung her hand, landing another slap! ¡°Damn it! You¡¯re getting addicted to this!¡± Sheridan Isolde felt immediate rage inside him, and he swung back with a slap! ¡°Careful!¡± Ana Harris, sitting in the wheelchair, quickly pulled Quella Radcliffe over, but ended up taking the hit herself. A clear slap mark appeared on her originally delicate and tender face. ¡°Daring to dodge!¡± Seeing that he had missed Quella Radcliffe, Sheridan Isolde rolled up his sleeves, ready to strike again! But as he raised his hand halfway, it was seized and held firmly by someone else. ¡°Scram! Don¡¯t interfere with me!¡± Sheridan Isolde, emboldened by alcohol, let out his young master¡¯s temper once again. Yet the other person didn¡¯t let go. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me speaking?¡± He turned around, facing Julius Reed who was standing behind him, staring emotionlessly. ¡°Let go of me!¡± Sheridan Isolde snapped impatiently. With Ashwin Lake there, everyone had to show some respect. However, what he didn¡¯t realize was that at that moment, Ashwin Lake was already leaning against a wall, unsure what to do. The staff members sprawled around, no match for Julius Reed. With no other choice, Ashwin Lake quietly sent a WeChat message to Dominating Tiger, asking for help. ¡°That hand hit people?¡± Julius Reed looked at Sheridan Isolde coldly, causing a chill to run down his spine. ¡°What are you doing! I warn you, this is Twilight Mansion! If you dare make a scene¡­¡± Sheridan Isolde hadn¡¯t finished his sentence when he was interrupted by Julius Reed, ¡°Never mind, it¡¯s all the same. Just leave both hands.¡± With that, Julius Reed picked up the steel fork from the table that was used for eating steaks. ¡°What do you want to do!¡± Sheridan Isolde felt a tightening in his chest, sensing big trouble. ¡°Brother Beaumont!¡± He shouted the name, and Ashwin Lake hurried over, saying with a hint of threat, ¡°Kid, restrain yourself! My boss, Dominating Tiger, is on his way. Let go of my brother today, and I might be able to plead on your behalf later!¡± Lately, Aron Jackson had gained significant influence, and Dominating Tiger¡¯s reputation soared along with it. At least in Gonzalez City, everyone knew who Aaron Martin was when mentioned. ¡°Then let¡¯s give Dominating Tiger a welcoming present.¡± Crack! Julius Reed acted swiftly, the fork descending straight onto Sheridan Isolde¡¯s wrist. Chapter 310 - Chapter 310: Chapter 309 Turmoil in Wujiang_1 Chapter 310: Chapter 309 Turmoil in Wujiang_1 ¡°Ah¡­¡± Sheridan Isolde shook all over in pain, his body convulsing as he leaned against the table in agony. Under the enormous force of Julius Reed, the steel fork ruthlessly pierced through his hand bone, puncturing Sheridan Isolde¡¯s arm straight through. Ashwin Lake took a sharp breath in, and the alcohol completely dissipated from his system. What kind of ruthless person was this? Luckily, Dominating Tiger was already on his way, or he would have run off long ago. Mingling in Gonzalez City for so long, yet it was his first time kicking an iron plate. ¡°I¡¯m going to kill you!¡± Sheridan Isolde was dripping with cold sweat, and his face turned deathly pale in an instant. He took a few deep breaths, his head trembling non-stop due to the severe pain. ¡°This meal has been rather disappointing.¡± Julius Reed paid no attention to his threat, instead turning to Anna Harris: ¡°Let¡¯s go back, it¡¯s too noisy here.¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Anna Harris nodded, casting a bitter look at Sheridan Isolde, and walked towards the door with the help of two young nurses. ¡°You all wait¡­¡± Clang! Before Sheridan Isolde could finish his sentence, Julius Reed drove the second steel fork down again, nailing his other hand to the wooden table. The intense pain caused Sheridan Isolde¡¯s vision to darken, and he fainted on the spot. ¡°I¡­¡± As he reached the doorway, Ashwin Lake¡¯s facial muscles twitched uncontrollably, and his speech began to slur. If he had known that such a ruthless person was sitting inside the private room, he would not have dared to come even if given the courage. ¡°Ten minutes, your boss still hasn¡¯t arrived.¡± Julius Reed glanced at his watch and waved his hand: ¡°Take the two ladies out first.¡± The nurses immediately pushed the wheelchair, escorting Anna Harris out of the private room, and Quella Radcliffe left quickly with a glance. ¡°Sir! Please don¡¯t hold this against me.¡± Ashwin Lake had never been so cowardly in his life. He was not dealing with a human, but a monster! None of the full room¡¯s staff who were beaten could stand up. ¡°Whose idea was it?¡± Julius Reed asked coldly, hands clasped behind his back. Even without seeing his face, Ashwin Lake felt an inexplicable pressure. ¡°He¡­¡± Ashwin Lake pointed at Sheridan Isolde, stammering: ¡°It was all¡­ all this guy¡¯s idea, said his ex-girlfriend was in this room, asked me to help vent his anger¡­¡± ¡°Very well.¡± Julius Reed nodded, then without warning lashed out with a kick! Crack! This kick landed directly on Ashwin Lake¡¯s knee, instantly causing him to sustain a comminuted fracture in both legs. ¡°Tell Dominating Tiger to come find me.¡± After leaving those words behind, Julius Reed walked away from Twilight Mansion with his hands still clasped behind his back. ¡°There won¡¯t be any trouble, will there?¡± Anna Harris asked worriedly as she waited at the door. Sheridan Isolde¡¯s family was very wealthy, involved in the construction business. As for Ashwin Lake, just by his bearing, it was obvious he was no good. If they really got into trouble, it would likely be difficult to deal with. Moreover, Anna Harris was unaware of Julius Reed¡¯s background and capabilities, and even Quella Radcliffe only partially understood. But at least Quella Radcliffe was still clear that both Aron Jackson and Ovidiu Cook treated Julius Reed with utmost respect. To be able to suppress the leaders of both the underworld and the righteous path was enough to illustrate the point. ¡°What¡¯s there to worry about? If there¡¯s trouble, I¡¯ll just run away! To a foreign country!¡± Julius Reed joked. The cars were already waiting at the entrance, and after the three of them boarded the two vehicles, they headed in the direction of home. Because she was taking care of Anna Harris, Quella Radcliffe was not in the same car as Julius Reed. As soon as they drove out of Twilight Mansion, a call from Red Widow came through. ¡°Janet Carmichael has started talking.¡± This first sentence clenched the hand that Julius Reed held his phone with tightly. Over the past three years, he had almost completely forgotten the memories associated with the rebellion; even what he could recall were fragmented and scattered pieces. The only useful information was knowing that Janet Carmichael was involved. ¡°Speak.¡± ¡°Among those involved in the rebellion were the leaders of Nexus border, Ayden Woody, and of the eastern wing organization, Archibald Sterling. There are too many others involved; I will send you the full list later.¡± ¡°Are you certain it¡¯s reliable? Could Janet Carmichael be indiscriminately accusing anyone?¡± ¡°Please trust me, esteemed Young Master. My, Red Widow¡¯s, interrogation methods are flawless! However, there are likely many uncertain parties involved. For example, the two leaders just mentioned; what Janet Carmichael said pertains to their subordinates. She is unclear on how their superiors think.¡± ¡°Keep Janet Carmichael under tight surveillance. I¡¯ll return in a day or two.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s expression was grave. The guard camp that belonged to the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance was responsible for the security of the sacred temple and was deemed the personal guard of the Young Master. The entire guard camp was divided into the east, west, south, and north branches. Although their strength was not that formidable, they were indeed the four most valued organizations. And now, two branches had been involved in the rebellion. Cold Nelson was unwaveringly loyal, while the people from West Mountain Residence were currently in an uncertain state. ¡°After treating you all so well, I never imagined the story of ¡®The Farmer and the Viper¡¯ would actually come to life around me.¡± Julius Reed shook his head and leaned back in his seat to close his eyes and rest. Now his power had greatly increased, and even though he had not returned to his peak, he was still more than capable of handling these enemies. The only reason he held back and had not dealt with the internal strife was that he had not been able to ascertain the loyalty of his staff. During that rebellion, more than half of the people had participated, and it would not have been possible without the help of someone close to him, leading to his loss of memory and a significant decline in his cultivation. But with damaged memory, he could not identify those who were involved in the rebellion, and even if he reorganized the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, it might still end up as loose sand. ¡°Janet Carmichael, what other secrets do you still hold?¡± Julius Reed tried to recall, but that segment of memory was like being locked in a cage, always out of reach. Each time he was close to touching it, his head would throb with unbearable pain. Luckily, not many people knew that he was still alive, and those who did were loyal to him. Such was the case with Janet Carmichael, who only knew because he had released the information; otherwise, she would have remained in the dark. Thinking this, Julius Reed suddenly opened his eyes. If the people from Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance were unaware, then why would Skyfire have targeted him this time? Skyfire was a foreign organization, completely ignorant of his whereabouts. What was the purpose of the Saint Heir traveling thousands of miles to Five-river Province? If Skyfire was prompting such an important figure to move, the force behind it must be significant. With this thought, he dialed Cold Nelson again, the most loyal leader of his guard camp. ¡°Young Master, Skyfire has been very active recently. If I¡¯m not mistaken, the Saint Heir¡¯s arrival should be within the next day or two. I¡¯ve prepared my men, and as soon as they land, I¡¯ll capture them all!¡± The phone conveyed Cold Nelson¡¯s confident voice. As a part of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance guard camp, eliminating an organization was not a problem. ¡°Don¡¯t kill them yet! Keep a close eye on them, see who they meet and what they¡¯re up to!¡± Julius Reed narrowed his eyes. ¡°I was attacked today, and I feel it may be related to these people. The legendary master who is elusive as a dragon could very well be connected to Skyfire.¡± Unless it was a coincidence, there was simply no other explanation for the Saint Heir¡¯s imminent arrival in Five-river Province. ¡°Understood!¡± Cold Nelson suddenly spoke up. ¡°Recently, it¡¯s not just the Saint Heir; a group of Shadow Warriors has quietly gathered in Five-river Province with an unknown purpose.¡± Chapter 311 - Chapter 311: Chapter 310 Sophia Leocadia’s Phone Call_1 Chapter 311: Chapter 310 Sophia Leocadia¡¯s Phone Call_1 ¡°Keep a tight watch on them!¡± Upon hearing Cold Nelson¡¯s words, Julius Reed¡¯s pupils shrank suddenly. The shadow warriors who had previously taken on the assassination mission had come to Gonzalez City in large numbers, and as a result of that battle, many were directly removed from the ranks of heaven. Of those who returned, barely one or two out of ten survived. Since then, even as Julius Reed¡¯s bounty was raised time and again, no shadow warrior dared to take on this job. Even Deep Cold, the largest empire of shadow warriors, fell into endless silence after losing their leader. Furthermore, with the information spread by Cosmo and others, anyone daring to come to Five-river Province at this time was purely seeking death. Yet under such circumstances, the fact that shadow warriors were gathering again within the province indicated that someone was definitely trying to hinder this unclear purpose operation from the shadows. Paired with the explosion incident and the master mentioned by Joel Martin, and even Fabio Pendleton¡¯s adamant certainty that the mastermind was a local, it was hard not to think there was a connection. If such large-scale assassination efforts were really aimed at himself, then it would be somewhat troublesome. With just Willson Pavilion¡¯s people and Cosmo, it would be very difficult to ensure the safety of Quella Radcliffe and others. ¡°Please rest assured, Young Master, I¡¯ve relocated most of my trusted people to Five-river Province, covering stations, docks, and even the airport! I¡¯ve recorded every individual coming and going from Five-river Province and report back to you,¡± said Cold Nelson with a sonorous and forceful voice, displaying the confidence and pride of an old-school shadow warrior. ¡°Good, report to me at the first sign of news, and don¡¯t act rashly.¡± After hanging up the phone, Julius Reed¡¯s car slowly followed behind the car carrying Anna Harris, ensuring the safety of the two women. The strange behaviors in Five-river Province made him increasingly uneasy. It wasn¡¯t the growing number of enemies that caused this unease, but rather the situation where he was in the light and the enemies were hidden in the darkness, which made Julius Reed extremely uncomfortable. Without any further incidents along the way, the car arrived safely at the villa. At this moment, Julius Reed¡¯s phone had already lit up with more than a dozen missed calls from Aron Jackson. Without thinking, it was evident that this was Aron Jackson calling to apologize after Dominating Tiger had relayed the situation. ¡°Boss, Ashwin Lake has already been thrown into the river, and Dominating Tiger is currently kneeling outside the door, what do you suggest¡­?¡± ¡°Tell your staff to restrain themselves, if such situations arise again, consider dissolving the group.¡± ¡°Understood boss, I¡¯ll be sure to discipline the staff properly!¡± came Aron Jackson¡¯s somewhat frightened voice, before he quickly hung up. But as soon as that call ended, another one came through. The number¡¯s area of origin was the capital, and it was extremely unfamiliar. After considering for a moment, Julius Reed finally answered. However, there was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone. Julius Reed glanced at his phone and was about to hang up when finally there came a voice. ¡°Are you asleep?¡± The owner of the voice was a woman. She sounded young and her tone was very gentle. ¡°I¡¯m Sophia Leocadia.¡± Probably fearing that Julius Reed would hang up, Sophia Leocadia quickly introduced herself. ¡°Is this the number Ives Abbott found for you?¡± Julius Reed asked. At that day¡¯s event, only Ives Abbott knew his number. ¡°Yes¡­ but I don¡¯t have any ill intentions¡­¡± Sophia Leocadia hurried to explain, seemingly afraid that Julius Reed might misunderstand. The fact that a well-known lady of the capital was calling him carefully in the middle of the night and behaving so cautiously was puzzling for Julius Reed. The two had no connection. If there had to be one interaction to mention, it would be that I slapped Fernando Lee hard in the face on Sophia Leocadia¡¯s eighteenth birthday, and smashed that limited-edition sports car worth over a hundred million into pieces. By the way, I also shattered the chamber pot I once used. Logically, after such an incident at the banquet, Sophia Leocadia should hold a grudge against me. A nice party, but it was ruined by me. ¡°Calling me so late, what is it?¡± Julius Reed still asked patiently, as he could tell that day Sophia Leocadia had been fiercely protecting him, even to the point of breaking with Fernando Lee. As for the real reason, he didn¡¯t know. ¡°The Lee Family¡­ I only heard that the Lee Family from the capital might send someone after you. And they started acting last night, I found out by eavesdropping on a phone call at home.¡± Sophia Leocadia said in a very soft voice, ¡°After Fernando came back, he was mentally disturbed, shouting that there were ghosts every time he saw someone. The Lee family called in many doctors, but none could cure him, and finally, after finding out about the conflict at my birthday party, they decided to send someone to deal with you.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Julius Reed said softly. The two of them were neither relatives nor close friends, so the fact that she would tell him such secretive information was already astonishing to him. ¡°Can I ask, why did you tell me such important information?¡± This question had been bothering Julius Reed for a long time, and he couldn¡¯t figure out what Sophia Leocadia¡¯s purpose was for doing this. He had not revealed his identity, and the Leocadia Family couldn¡¯t possibly know his true identity, so what was the point of Sophia Leocadia doing this? Especially at the risk of offending the Lee Family. ¡°Perhaps I felt like we were acquaintances.¡± Sophia Leocadia sighed, her spirits somewhat low, ¡°The people sent by the Lee Family are all skilled, you must be careful.¡± ¡°Thank you, I¡¯ll be careful.¡± Julius Reed answered calmly. After hanging up the phone, in a villa in the capital, Sophia Leocadia leaned in the corner of her room, clutching her phone tightly in her hands. ¡°Have you really forgotten me?¡± The morning sunlight in Gonzalez City was unusually splendid, and Julius Reed woke up to a delicious smell. It turned out to be Quella Radcliffe getting up early to cook, while Anna Harris had not yet gotten out of bed. Ever since Anna Harris arrived, she had been living with Quella Radcliffe, making Julius Reed, the host, end up living alone in a room. Julius Reed had intended to warm up his relationship with Quella Radcliffe, but it was completely disrupted by this Anna Harris. ¡°Today I want to visit the company; several wealthy businessmen from Five-river Province have all come to explore investment opportunities.¡± Quella Radcliffe wore an apron, busy making porridge in the kitchen. ¡°You know, it hasn¡¯t been easy for the Radcliffe Group to get where it is today. I know you¡¯ve been helping a lot behind the scenes, but I still have to do what I should.¡± She knew these businessmen were willing to invest probably because they wanted to give Julius Reed face. At that Willson Group banquet, she, as the wife, saw firsthand her husband¡¯s commanding presence. Even the chairman of the Golden Eagle Group had to speak with utmost respect. ¡°Alright, do what you have to do, and if anyone gives you trouble, just tell me, and I¡¯ll take care of them!¡± Julius Reed yawned and then turned to go to the bathroom to freshen up. The news from Sophia Leocadia yesterday was significant, prompting Julius Reed to shift his speculations about that ¡®expert¡¯ to the capital. Fernando Lee, having witnessed decapitated heads everywhere, it¡¯s no wonder he went mad. But did the Lee Family really have that much influence? ¡°The old man will be there too, and even people from my mother¡¯s side are going to attend.¡± Quella Radcliffe suddenly spoke up, ¡°I want my husband to go too.¡± Chapter 312 - Chapter 312: Chapter 311: Reunion with Grandparent and Grandchild_1 Chapter 312: Chapter 311: Reunion with Grandparent and Grandchild_1 Julius Reed, who was brushing his teeth, froze. ¡°Great!¡± Three seconds later, he nodded his head. In his memory, it seemed that Quella Radcliffe had never called him so intimately before. ¡°But we¡¯re divorced, aren¡¯t we?¡± Julius Reed said with a mix of laughter and tears. Even though it was a fake divorce, meant to deceive Knox Ridge and his spouse, they had announced it to the public a long time ago. What identity should he use to appear? ¡°Then, as an ex-husband.¡± Quella Radcliffe gave him a glance, really unromantic. ¡°Right, Grandfather and Otis invested in a company during this period and became major shareholders. They will also participate in the Radcliffe Group meeting today, and as former chairmen.¡± She carried a bowl of preserved egg and lean meat porridge over, looking a bit worried as she said, ¡°I¡¯ve always found this strange. How could the two of them rise again in such a short time? And on such a large scale, moreover, the partner is a large group from Five-river Province.¡± ¡°Which group?¡± Julius Reed sat at the dining table, waiting for his wife to serve all the dishes. ¡°Beineng Electronics. A company in Five-river Province that¡¯s great at making electronic components. Their technology and capabilities have already surpassed Radcliffe Group by at least five times. That¡¯s the present Radcliffe Group, but compared to the past, the difference is a hundredfold.¡± Quella Radcliffe went to the doorway of the room, woke up Anna Harris, then sat at the table and spoke to Julius Reed. The matter arose after Zade Radcliffe attended the Willson Group¡¯s banquet, and the next day, Zade Radcliffe and Wellington became shareholders of Beineng Electronics. ¡°Beineng Electronics? Then I know.¡± Julius Reed nodded his head. Beineng Electronics is a subsidiary of Moonlight Group, and the real big boss behind it is Octavius. Possibly at the Willson Group banquet, Octavius got to know that Zade Radcliffe was his wife¡¯s grandfather. He probably had his employees secretly facilitate their entry into the company and gave them a large share of the profits. Of course, this money is just a drop in the bucket for Moonlight Group. Anyway, the Radcliffe grandfather and grandson both come from electronic technology backgrounds, one a former chairman and the other a former general manager. They might as well do a favor and consider it paying a high price for hiring two technical staff members. ¡°You know?¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at Julius Reed, who seemed to be very familiar with Beineng Electronics. ¡°I¡¯ve had dinner with their boss, and I know him.¡± Julius Reed nodded his head. ¡°Bragging! You know everyone!¡± Anna Harris stretched and yawned as she slowly made her way out of the room. ¡°Every person our Quella mentions, you happen to know. Why don¡¯t you just claim that you are acquainted with every notable person in Five-river Province! Look at you, so capable!¡± She limped over, and it seemed her leg wound from the gunshot was no longer a major issue. In fact, in yesterday¡¯s meal at Twilight Mansion, Julius Reed had mixed all the best medicinal ingredients in it. Thousands of years of life had given him solutions for all sorts of diseases. As long as the raw materials were sufficient, minor injuries like Anna Harris¡¯s could essentially heal in three days. The fact that she could limp around on the floor now was evidence enough. ¡°Anna, your leg?¡± Quella Radcliffe was also very surprised. There¡¯s an old saying that injuries to muscles and bones take a hundred days to heal, but it had only been one night, and Anna Harris was already able to walk without a wheelchair or crutches. ¡°Oh my God!¡± Anna Harris also realized that she could actually walk, a thought that was beyond belief. ¡°Quella, I¡¯m going to the company with you today.¡± Anna Harris had actually been awake for a while, but was too lazy to move until then. Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed¡¯s conversation, she heard every single word. How could she not visit her best friend who had now become the chairperson and share in the joy? ¡°Your leg¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe was somewhat worried, as Anna Harris¡¯s recovery was surprisingly fast. She wanted to call the doctor to give Anna Harris a thorough examination, hoping for a swift recovery. ¡°My leg is fine, Quella, I might have just come back from abroad, why don¡¯t you take me out to get yelled at!¡± Anna Harris started to act coquettishly. She had known before that the Radcliffe Group was big, and had thought Quella Radcliffe belonged to that typical rich second generation. But as they became closer, she discovered that the Radcliffe Family, due to gender reasons, had always suppressed Quella Radcliffe. Even though Quella Radcliffe had always been very capable, Old Master Radcliffe clearly did not want to hand over his empire to his granddaughter, instead favoring outsiders. So when Quella Radcliffe joined the Radcliffe Group, not only did she earn less than in other companies, but her status was also very low. All of this stemmed from the suppression by Otis Radcliffe, Wellington Radcliffe, and others. Even regarding this issue, Old Master Radcliffe turned a blind eye. ¡°Since Anna Harris has already put it this way, give her the face and take her to have a look around,¡± Julius Reed said as he buried his head in eating, speaking while he ate. That actually had its advantages, saving the need to leave people behind to protect Anna Harris. Yesterday, Cold Nelson sent a message late at night; the people sent by the Lee Family had been taken out by him as soon as they got off the plane, their bodies disposed of without leaving a trace. This batch of eight men, all skilled fighters, hadn¡¯t even figured out what was happening before they disappeared from this world silently. The most troublesome opponent right now was the mastermind who kept making moves behind the scenes. Such fragile resistance led Julius Reed to temporarily remove the Lee Family from the list of suspects. ¡°You finally say something human!¡± Anna Harris looked at Julius Reed with a slightly triumphant gaze, ¡°After we¡¯re done, come with me to my brother¡¯s shop for a look, he¡¯s recently opened a hotpot restaurant, and the business is doing quite well. I guarantee you¡¯ll like the taste once you go.¡± ¡°Right, Julius Reed, you¡¯re paying. Treat me and Quella Radcliffe to hotpot,¡± A sly, triumphant smile appeared on her face. ¡°To your brother¡¯s place, and I still have to pay?¡± Julius Reed shook his head; what a petty ghost. ¡°My brother¡¯s house, not mine,¡± Anna Harris huffed and buried her head in her food. After breakfast, the three of them got into the same car and headed towards the Radcliffe Group building. Cosmo took the people from Willson Pavilion and followed closely behind, with Aron Jackson¡¯s employees controlling the whole situation up front to ensure safety. On the way, Quella Radcliffe checked Anna Harris¡¯s leg, only to be shocked to find that the gunshot wounds had really mostly healed. This was simply a medical miracle. When the motorcade arrived at the entrance of the Radcliffe Group, they found that the entrance was already packed with people. Zade Radcliffe and Otis Radcliffe, dressed smartly, stood at the entrance of the building, mingling with the Radcliffe Clan members. Many people wore smiles, still treating Zade Radcliffe as if he were the chairperson. Next to them stood a fat man, who looked to be the CEO of North Power Electronics. Zade Radcliffe was introducing the inner members of the family and some employees loyal to him to the fat man. He had clearly taken himself to be the chairman of the Radcliffe Group. This was also the issue that Quella Radcliffe most needed to solve. Even though she had replaced many managers, most of the company¡¯s people did not willingly accept her as the chairperson, still regarding Zade Radcliffe as the helmsman of the enterprise. ¡°Get out of the car!¡± Quella Radcliffe pushed the car door open and walked towards the building entrance. ¡°Yo, President Radcliffe!¡± Otis Radcliffe saw Quella Radcliffe and a smile suddenly appeared on his face. Chapter 313 - Chapter 313: Chapter 312 Uncooperative Security Guard_1 Chapter 313: Chapter 312 Uncooperative Security Guard_1 Zade Radcliffe and Otis Radcliffe had already been utterly defeated, like stray dogs kicked out of the Radcliffe Group. But who would have known fortune favors the bold? Just when the grandfather and grandson were at their lowest, Zade Radcliffe had an idea and actually attended the Willson Group¡¯s dinner party, meeting a group of wealthy businessmen from Five-river Province. That very night, the boss of Brogan Electronics Company, Ham Calliope, called with an enthusiastic greeting before plainly stating that his company was lacking talents like Zade Radcliffe, offered him a substantial salary, and directly landed him the position of General Manager. Otis naturally became the person in charge of the production line. Even the owner of Moonlight Group, Miguel Abbott, and the Chairman of Golden Eagle Group bought shares in Brogan Electronics and started collaborations with the Radcliffe Group. Zade and his grandson Otis realized that their chance to turn things around had come. This time, they were determined to trample Quella Radcliffe underfoot and avenge their past disgrace. Today, the grandfather and grandson had specifically gathered family members and local business magnates of Five-river Province to welcome the visit of two leading figures from the province. When Otis saw Quella Radcliffe, he couldn¡¯t help but proudly flaunt his new status. ¡°Come to think of it, I really should thank you. Otherwise, I would have only been able to sit as a Chairman in the Radcliffe Group, with probably not much room for growth in the future,¡± Otis Radcliffe snapped his fingers, saying arrogantly, ¡°A small place like this, how could it contain me, the Crossing the River Dragon!¡± He heaved a sigh, ¡°Heaven truly sees the truth. Isn¡¯t it said that a loss may turn out to be a gain? I am now the person in charge of Brogan Electronics¡¯ production line, pulling in millions a month. Oh right, do you know why those two distinguished guests came today? For our old man!¡± Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter, as if by prior arrangement, had both called the night before. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they proposed to visit the Radcliffe Group today to promote a cooperation significant enough to shake Gonzalez City. And hearing this news, Ham Calliope, the boss of Brogan Electronics, even personally escorted Zade and Otis Radcliffe back to Gonzalez City. It was indeed a triumphant return. ¡°You¡¯re Otis, correct?¡± Before Quella Radcliffe could speak, Anna Harris approached and gave him a once-over, ¡°Logically speaking, Quella is your sister. Do you speak to your own sister like that?¡± ¡°Who are you!¡± Otis Radcliffe, seeing a woman suddenly appear, waved his hand impatiently, ¡°Security, get rid of these bystanders! Mr. Abbott and Boss Potter are coming to inspect the Group personally. This visit is crucial for the lifeblood of the Group. Any slip-up, and you all won¡¯t be able to handle the consequences!¡± ¡°Yes! Young master!¡± These people were loyal to Zade Radcliffe, and even though Quella Radcliffe was almost secure in the Chairman¡¯s position, they still didn¡¯t respect her. Now that the Radcliffe family¡¯s grandfather and grandson had triumphantly returned, naturally, it gave hope to these old employees of the Radcliffe Family. They carried out the orders without any discounts. ¡°Lady, please leave!¡± Two expressionless security guards walked over with stern faces. ¡°What are you doing! I am the Chairman, and this lady is my friend. Step aside,¡± Quella Radcliffe frowned slightly and went straight to Anna Harris, rebuking harshly. ¡°Are you rebelling? Stop playing dumb, can¡¯t you hear the Chairman?¡± Dempsey Davenport, the Chief Financial Officer, noticed something amiss and immediately ran over as well. Being a direct subordinate of Quella Radcliffe, she also held significant clout within the company. The two security guards exchanged glances as if they hadn¡¯t heard a thing, still staring straight at Anna Harris. ¡°You two are now officially fired. Take your contracts and head to the HR department to process the relevant affairs immediately,¡± Dempsey Davenport, growing angrier the more she thought about it, found the two of them to be as stubborn as wood. Inside the Radcliffe Group, Quella Radcliffe had given Dempsey Davenport the authority to hire and fire, effectively making her the acting Chairman when Quella was not around. After all, most of the shares were in Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hands, so the board was nothing more than a formality. ¡°Who do you think you are to point fingers at our Group¡¯s people?¡± Seeing Dempsey Davenport stepping forward, Otis Radcliffe¡¯s face immediately darkened. ¡°I am the Chief Financial Officer and the Chairman¡¯s assistant of the Radcliffe Group. May I ask, Mr. Otis Radcliffe, what exactly are you in the Radcliffe Group?¡± Dempsey Davenport was naturally quick-witted, and when faced with Otis Radcliffe¡¯s provocation, she naturally wanted to retaliate. ¡°I¡­¡± Otis Radcliffe was at a loss for words for a moment. Even though he had risen to prominence and didn¡¯t need to exert much effort to acquire Radcliffe Group, at the end of the day, he was still someone who had been kicked out of the Radcliffe Family. Within Radcliffe Group, his name had long been removed. Moreover, the amount of money he embezzled and took as bribes during his tenure had all been made public by Dempsey Davenport to warn the members of the Radcliffe Family. If it weren¡¯t for Quella Radcliffe intervening, just based on those amounts, Otis Radcliffe would have had enough to be locked up for good. So, Otis Radcliffe had harbored resentment toward Dempsey Davenport for a long time. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, can¡¯t say anything?¡± Dempsey Davenport smiled triumphantly and looked at the two bodyguards in front of her, ¡°Since you¡¯re willing to work with him, then get out of this company! Let me remind you, as long as you¡¯re getting paid by Radcliffe Group, do your damn job!¡± ¡°You damn woman! Who do you think you are, acting all high and mighty!¡± Slap! Otis Radcliffe walked over and without warning, slapped her across the face. He had been holding back for a long time, previously unable to vent his anger, and now that he had returned in glory, he naturally wanted to show Dempsey Davenport some color. It was less a slap on Dempsey Davenport herself, and more a direct affront to Quella Radcliffe¡¯s dignity. ¡°Otis, what do you think you¡¯re doing!¡± Seeing Dempsey Davenport slapped, Quella Radcliffe immediately went over and shouted at the doorkeeper, ¡°Catch this man and call the police right now!¡± She had completely lost all hope in her own brother. Or perhaps, he had never really considered her as his sister. But as she spoke, the guards stood still like statues, not moving an inch. ¡°You¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe took a deep breath, her face filled with embarrassment. ¡°Otis, you dare to hit me?¡± Seeing that Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t command the guards either, Dempsey Davenport went straight over and scratched Otis Radcliffe¡¯s face. While scratching, she cursed, ¡°You heartless bastard, how dare you hit me!¡± ¡°Crazy bitch!¡± Otis Radcliffe hadn¡¯t been on guard and his face was immediately scratched by Dempsey Davenport¡¯s sharp nails. ¡°Grab her!¡± He dodged while giving orders to the security guards. In truth, they didn¡¯t need his commands, as the guards had already started to approach after Dempsey Davenport made her move. Dempsey Davenport¡¯s frail body was no match for a group of big men; she was captured in an instant like a small chicken. ¡°Let her go!¡± Quella Radcliffe was thoroughly enraged. To be bullied by outsiders at the entrance of her own company, and to have the security guards ignore her, the CEO, and instead assist Otis Radcliffe and his accomplices in their misdeeds was unacceptable. ¡°Pah!¡± Otis Radcliffe took a tissue from his pocket and wiped the blood off his face, ¡°You damn woman, today I¡¯m going to teach you a lesson! Let you understand what happens when you offend the young master!¡± As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves and walked step by step towards Dempsey Davenport. ¡°Stop!¡± At that moment, Julius Reed, who had been behind the group, suddenly stepped forward. Chapter 314 - Chapter 314: Chapter 313 Want to Fight, Then Fight_1 Chapter 314: Chapter 313 Want to Fight, Then Fight_1 Upon hearing the voice, Otis Radcliffe looked up and saw Julius Reed coming face to face. ¡°Is it you?¡± This man, who woke him up from his dreams countless times, was unforgettable to Otis Radcliffe for life. Initially, his legs had been broken by Julius Reed, and it had cost Zade Radcliffe a lot of money to save him. But now, Otis Radcliffe was no longer the same person, standing behind a huge financial group with a large share of Beineng Electronics in his hands. Facing Julius Reed, he was no longer as timid as he used to be. On the contrary, he wanted revenge! It was one of the reasons for his return to the Radcliffe Group. ¡°Who do I think it is! It¡¯s none other than the son-in-law of our Radcliffe Family, Julius Reed, Mr. Reed!¡± Otis Radcliffe said with a sneering tone. As if he had forgotten that not long ago, he was beaten up by Julius Reed and fled out of this building like a stray dog. ¡°You¡¯re really good at remembering the good, but not the bad.¡± Julius Reed pointed at Otis Radcliffe with a smile and said, ¡°Today, I¡¯m going to teach you some manners, call me your brother-in-law.¡± No sooner had he finished speaking than Anna Harris looked over with a strange expression in her eyes. What was the time for this? When he didn¡¯t even care about his own sister Quella Radcliffe, would he bother about a brother-in-law? And he was the one who had stepped forward. ¡°Haha! Are you joking?¡± Otis Radcliffe was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter: ¡°Julius Reed, you should really take a look at yourself before you splash around, you think you deserve to be called a brother-in-law? Let me tell you the truth, today, not only will I not call you brother-in-law, but I will also take good care of you!¡± He pointed to his legs, his eyes revealing a hint of resentment: ¡°You remember the time you broke my legs, right? I¡¯ve always kept that in mind.¡± The piercing pain was unforgettable to Otis Radcliffe to this day. It was the first time in his life that anyone had beaten him so badly. ¡°You still remember that, I thought you were good at remembering the good but not the bad.¡± Julius Reed nodded and pointed at Dempsey Davenport: ¡°With women, shouldn¡¯t you be a little less petty?¡± Inside the Radcliffe Group, there weren¡¯t many who were loyal to Quella Radcliffe, and Dempsey Davenport was one of them. ¡°Why should I listen to you? Who do you think you are?¡± Otis Radcliffe snorted coldly, once again reverting to his previous disdain. During his time at Beineng Electronics, he realized just how big the gap was between the two companies. The Radcliffe Group was considered a top tech consortium in Gonzalez City, but compared to Beineng Electronics, it was technologically a decade behind. The trip to Five-river Province not only paved a bright future for Otis Radcliffe but also broadened his perspective and made him even more disdainful of the Radcliffe Group. ¡°I am the ex-husband of Quella Radcliffe, and my ex-wife is the chairwoman of this corporation.¡± Julius Reed pointed to the floor tiles beneath his feet, grinning as he spoke: ¡°Strictly speaking, even after our divorce, I still own half the shares in this place. So now, you¡¯re talking to one of the owners of this corporation, better watch your tone!¡± Since he had already announced the news of their divorce to Knox Ridge and others, presumably the Radcliffe Family should know it all by now. If you are going to pretend, you have to do it thoroughly, wherever you go. ¡°Ex-husband?¡± Otis Radcliffe was initially stunned, then burst out laughing: ¡°You, this worthless loser, finally got dumped? That¡¯s unexpected. Back when you were so dedicated to making Quella Radcliffe the chairwoman, and now, you¡¯re only making a wedding dress for someone else. I¡¯m curious, how does it feel?¡± Previously, everyone in the Radcliffe Family was looking forward to Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed getting a divorce, so the family could completely rid themselves of the shame. But Otis Radcliffe did not wish for that to happen. Only as long as Julius Reed kept bothering Quella Radcliffe did he feel comfortable. Now that this eyesore of a brother-in-law and Quella Radcliffe were divorced, he somewhat couldn¡¯t feel happy about it. Doesn¡¯t that mean that Quella Radcliffe¡¯s only weak point has also disappeared? ¡°How does it taste? Not too good, because you haven¡¯t called me ¡®brother-in-law¡¯ enough yet!¡± Julius Reed still had a smile on his face, showing no signs of anger. It seemed that this grandfather and grandson had no idea what was happening back home in Five-river Province. ¡°Bah! Trash like you doesn¡¯t deserve to be called ¡®brother-in-law¡¯ by me!¡± Otis Radcliffe looked at Julius Reed with disdain and said impatiently, ¡°Wait until I deal with this woman, then I¡¯ll settle the score with you!¡± Now, without Quella Radcliffe as his umbrella, it was no challenge for Otis Radcliffe to take care of Julius Reed. He straightened his clothes and gently wiped the scars on his face, walking up to Dempsey Davenport, ¡°Kneel down, and perhaps I will let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, for the injuries on your face, I could bankrupt your family!¡± Shameless thing! Stop showing off here!¡± Dempsey Davenport glared at the security guards beside her and cursed loudly, ¡°You¡¯re nothing but treacherous mercenaries! Taking Quella Radcliffe¡¯s money but serving Otis Radcliffe, even a dog would be more loyal than you!¡± She was extremely disappointed in these people. Stupid woman, you still don¡¯t repent! Today, right in front of my sister, I¡¯m going to teach you a lesson! Otis Radcliffe looked at Quella Radcliffe triumphantly, rolling up his sleeves, ready to slap Dempsey Davenport. ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t anyone going to deal with the troublemaker here?¡± With just a casual remark from Julius Reed, several black-clad security guards swarmed from behind, dressed identically to those surrounding Dempsey Davenport, wearing the uniform issued by the Radcliffe Group. ¡°Who are you people!¡± The security team leader, upon seeing these men rush forward, suddenly felt a premonition that things weren¡¯t going to end well. Bang! Bang! The men didn¡¯t speak a word, just pulled out their batons and started savagely beating the security guards around Dempsey Davenport! After a mere dozen seconds, the guards who had obeyed Otis Radcliffe were lying on the ground, writhing in pain and howling. The fighting power of the two groups was not on the same level; they couldn¡¯t even last five seconds. ¡°Have you¡­ have you all rebelled!¡± Otis Radcliffe was also startled by this sudden turn of events, reflexively stepping back. But before he could get away, two pairs of hands suddenly appeared behind him, dragging him right in front of Dempsey Davenport. ¡°What are you going to do!¡± Fear flashed again in Otis Radcliffe¡¯s eyes. ¡°I warn you, after today, I will be the chairman of Radcliffe Group, and the Radcliffe Group will be acquired by North Energy Electronics and become a part of it!¡± He looked at the security guards on either side and spoke with a hint of threat, ¡°If you dare disrespect me, consider the consequences carefully! On the other hand, if you listen to me now, when North Energy Electronics acquires the Radcliffe Group, you will get even more money!¡± In the face of interest, he believed no one would oppose money. Yet these security guards stood still like robots, completely unmoved, with not a ripple on their faces. ¡°Otis Radcliffe, not learning from past punishment really isn¡¯t a good thing!¡± Julius Reed walked up to Dempsey Davenport and made a ¡®please¡¯ gesture, ¡°Do as you please, hit if you want to. If anything happens, I¡¯ll take the responsibility.¡± ¡°These people¡­¡± Dempsey Davenport was at a loss for a moment, the turnaround was too abrupt. She looked towards Quella Radcliffe, who also spread her hands to indicate she knew nothing. ¡°Otis Radcliffe you bastard, you dare hit a woman like me!¡± Dempsey Davenport steeled her heart, decided to hit first and think later, not considering the consequences. Thud! Chapter 315 - Chapter 315: Chapter 314 Knox Ridge Falls Ill_1 Chapter 315: Chapter 314 Knox Ridge Falls Ill_1 ¡°Let go of me!¡± Otis Radcliffe struggled to break free, but the security guard¡¯s large hand gripped him like a vice. ¡°Crazy woman, stop it!¡± He tried desperately to dodge, but Dempsey Davenport was no pushover. The high heel in her hand came crashing down like mad, instantly leaving Otis¡¯s head bloody and battered. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± The commotion was too loud and had clearly alarmed Zade Radcliffe and the people of the Radcliffe Clan at the entrance. ¡°Who gave you the audacity to do this! Release the young master at once!¡± Seeing Otis¡¯s face covered in blood after being hit by Dempsey Davenport, Zade Radcliffe was shocked and appalled. This time they had come in high spirits, purely to show Quella Radcliffe a lesson. Before setting out, Zade had already contacted members of the Radcliffe Clan, who then passed the message to the employees below. It was for this reason that the security guard had been listening only to Otis earlier. Now that his own grandson had been beaten like this, how could Zade Radcliffe let the matter rest! He was now the General Manager of Northern Power Electronics, and one purpose of this trip was to acquire the Radcliffe Group, as well as to finalize cooperation with Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter. Once this deal was successful, not only would his net worth surpass his previous fortunes, but he would also elevate the Radcliffe Family to the top-tier elite. ¡°Your grandson was disobedient, and someone¡¯s giving him the discipline you couldn¡¯t.¡± Julius Reed said in a slow drawl. ¡°A bunch of bastards!¡± Zade Radcliffe rushed forward, took the high heel from Dempsey Davenport, and slammed it fiercely on the ground: ¡°Who gave you the nerve to be so cruel to my grandson!¡± The high heel was sharp, and fueled by her thirst for vengeance, Dempsey Davenport had opened several gashes in Otis¡¯s head, with blood now streaming down his forehead. ¡°Grandson, are you alright?¡± He hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and frantically wiped the blood from Otis¡¯s face. ¡°You pack of dogs, daring to abet tyranny!¡± Zade Radcliffe raised his hand to strike the security guard¡¯s face, but before the slap could land, his hand was firmly grasped by the guard. These newly arrived security guards were loyal to Aron Jackson and had changed into Radcliffe Group security uniforms to ensure Quella Radcliffe¡¯s safety and the order within the Group. Julius Reed had anticipated that the Radcliffe grandfather and grandson would try to win hearts this way, so he had prepared in advance, not expecting it would actually come in handy. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Zade Radcliffe struggled, but the guard¡¯s strength was great, immobilizing him completely. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, you¡¯ve really outdone yourself! Getting security to restrain your own grandfather¡ªif word of this gets out¡­¡± ¡°Release them.¡± With a wave from Julius Reed, the guards immediately let go of Zade and Otis Radcliffe. ¡°You¡­¡± Watching the guards obey orders so swiftly, Zade Radcliffe looked at Julius Reed with a mix of wariness and respect. Even a fool could guess these were Julius¡¯s people. And his own trusted men had been beaten to the ground, wailing nonstop. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Zade Radcliffe snorted coldly and strode towards the Radcliffe Group building. Important guests were arriving soon, and he couldn¡¯t miss this chance to turn his fortunes around. ¡°Just you wait!¡± Otis Radcliffe wanted to take his revenge on Dempsey Davenport, but upon seeing the surrounding guards, he spat out a harsh threat and beat a sullen retreat. A wise man knows better than to fight a losing battle; that much he understood. Quella Radcliffe was also feeling down after such an incident, but hosting Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter was a matter of utmost importance, so she forced herself to enter the building. But just as she took a step forward, her phone rang¡ªit was Knox Ridge. ¡°Mom. What¡¯s up?¡± The mother and daughter hadn¡¯t been in touch much since their last argument. Even though the divorce from Julius Reed had finally made her parents happy, the ensuing financial pressures and facing inquiries from relatives and friends had kept Knox Ridge from feeling any joy. She had been busy with two things lately. One was to help Quella Radcliffe find a new boyfriend, and the second was to make overtures to Zade Radcliffe. After all, he was Burl Radcliffe¡¯s biological father and had recently become the general manager of North Energy Electronics, his prominence even greater than before. How could Knox Ridge dare to offend such an elder? ¡°Quella, I¡¯m your father. Your mom suddenly fainted and is now receiving treatment at the Central Hospital. The doctor said her condition is very serious, you need to come quickly!¡± Burl Radcliffe¡¯s urgent voice came through the phone. ¡°What happened!¡± At Burl Radcliffe¡¯s words, Quella Radcliffe felt a shock in her heart. Although Knox Ridge was usually haughty, she had always been in good health. Of course, this was inseparable from the three years of cooking by Julius Reed. And with such an urgent phone call, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s nerves inevitably tensed. ¡°The doctor said it¡¯s cerebral hemorrhage, the condition is extremely dangerous! Get here now, or you might miss seeing your mom for the last time!¡± Zade Radcliffe shouted loudly on the phone, ¡°Knox Ridge, you must hold on, our daughter is on her way, don¡¯t leave us father and daughter behind!¡± ¡°Dad, which room are you in? I¡¯m on my way!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s heart sank, and her hand holding the phone trembled slightly. The sudden illness of her biological mother made tears swirl in her eyes, but she held back and didn¡¯t let them fall. ¡°Fifth floor, room 503! You have to be quick! If you¡¯re late, you might not get to see your mom for the last time!¡± After Zade Radcliffe finished speaking, he hurriedly hung up the phone. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Noticing that Quella Radcliffe¡¯s mood was off, Julius Reed quickly went over. ¡°I need to go to the Central Hospital, Julius, come with me.¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s nose tingled as she fought back tears. ¡°Madam Chairman, what about Mr. Abbott and Boss Potter¡­¡± Dempsey Davenport looked troubled. It wasn¡¯t easy for Radcliffe Group to establish relations with two major enterprises. If the visiting CEOs discover that the Chairman is not present, what would they think? This meeting was crucial to the future of the Group. Moreover, with the Radcliffe grandfather and grandchild watching like tigers, who knew what might happen if Quella Radcliffe was absent. The Radcliffe Family was already following Zade Radcliffe¡¯s directives, and without Quella Radcliffe there, the Group would completely lose control. ¡°I can¡¯t worry about that now!¡± Quella Radcliffe steeled her heart and instructed Dempsey Davenport, ¡°Please receive the two CEOs on my behalf!¡± Having said that, she grabbed Julius Reed¡¯s hand and ran toward the parking lot. ¡°My mom¡¯s had a cerebral hemorrhage, I¡¯m afraid¡­¡± As she spoke, Quella Radcliffe finally couldn¡¯t hold back her tears any longer. ¡°Your mom is very healthy, how could she have a cerebral hemorrhage?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, feeling that something was amiss. In his years with the Radcliffe Family, through his own memories, he had balanced various ingredients in their diet, ensuring the Radcliffes wouldn¡¯t suffer from any illnesses. In fact, in the three years since he married into the family, aside from the occasional cold, the health of this small Radcliffe household was quite robust, and they were not expected to have any problems for years. ¡°It was a call from my dad. Julius, I know you have issues with my mother, but she is my birth mother, and at times like this, please don¡¯t hold it against her.¡± Quella Radcliffe took her seat behind the wheel, her words tinged with sadness. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll drive. After all, I can drive faster.¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t want to say more; too much talking would only lead to conflict between him and Quella Radcliffe. As long as he was there, Quella Radcliffe would be safe. ¡°Okay!¡± In such moments, Quella Radcliffe no longer argued with Julius Reed, and simply got out of the car to sit in the passenger seat. Boom! With the roar of the engine, Julius Reed sped toward the Central Hospital. Chapter 316 - Chapter 316: Chapter 316 Come Again Another Day_1 Chapter 316: Chapter 316 Come Again Another Day_1 Seeing Zade Radcliffe¡¯s number on the call record, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s mind went blank. ¡°This is¡­¡± She blinked her eyes, not knowing what this meant for a moment. ¡°It¡¯s simple, your grandfather wants your parents to lure you to the hospital.¡± Julius Reed walked up to the head of the bed, unceremoniously picked up a bunch of grapes, and started eating them with relish. ¡°Lure me there for what?¡± Quella Radcliffe still couldn¡¯t understand; she had gone through too much in just a half-hour, and her brain couldn¡¯t catch up. ¡°Today, two wealthy businessmen from Five-river Province, Stanislaus Potter and Miguel Abbott, returned to the Radcliffe Group for a visit. If you were there, naturally, you, the chairman, would greet them.¡± As he said this, Julius Reed tossed a grape into his mouth, ¡°But if you¡¯re not there, who among those present will become the representative?¡± ¡°Grandfather?¡± Quella Radcliffe instantly understood Julius Reed¡¯s point. Today, Zade Radcliffe brought the head of Beineng Electronics to the Radcliffe Group, and if she, the chairman, was not there, as a family enterprise, naturally Zade Radcliffe, the Clan Leader, would receive the two honored guests. In that case, the task of acquiring Radcliffe Group and reaching cooperation with the two big businesses would fall on Zade Radcliffe¡¯s shoulders. The Radcliffe Group, although developing well under Quella Radcliffe¡¯s management, was after all a local enterprise, and compared to larger companies, it was still smaller in scale. ¡°Dad, Mom. Is it really like this?¡± Quella Radcliffe held her phone, stared straight at Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe. ¡°This¡­ ah! We dare not defy your grandfather¡¯s wishes! And you know, Old Master Radcliffe and Otis Radcliffe are now among the controllers of Beineng Electronics, and the next step is to acquire Radcliffe Group. We dare not fail to cooperate, and moreover, this is for your own good.¡± Knox Ridge, accepting the inevitable, started to play the emotional card, ¡°Old Master Radcliffe is unstoppable now. Once he successfully acquires Radcliffe Group, the next step is to deal with you! Everything we do is for your good!¡± ¡°Yes! Your mother and I have the best intentions, all for you. Quella, give it up, you cannot win against Old Master Radcliffe!¡± Burl Radcliffe chimed in from beside her. ¡°Fine! From today on, you don¡¯t need to worry about my affairs!¡± Snap! Quella Radcliffe threw her phone on the floor and left the hospital room. ¡°More trouble than help.¡± Julius Reed shook his head, watching the bewildered couple, then turned to follow Quella Radcliffe. When he went outside, he found Quella Radcliffe sitting on the steps, crying. ¡°Come on! Look at all these people coming and going; they¡¯ll think I¡¯m bullying you if they don¡¯t know any better.¡± Julius Reed sat down on the ground, pulled out an apple, and quickly started peeling it with a small knife he had taken from his waist. Five seconds later, a peeled apple was placed in front of Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Where¡¯s it from?¡± Quella Radcliffe smiled through her tears, took the apple, and bit into it voraciously. ¡°Stolen from your mom. After putting me through that, I should at least collect a little interest.¡± As he spoke, Julius Reed pulled out a bunch of grapes from his sleeve, ¡°These grapes aren¡¯t bad, I must say, your parents do know how to enjoy life!¡± ¡°Twelve, it¡¯s definitely too late to rush back now.¡± Quella Radcliffe glanced at her watch; it was ten-thirty, and the two bosses should have just arrived at Radcliffe Group. ¡°Grandfather is really ruthless, with that one move to draw the tiger away from the mountain, he completely sidelined me.¡± Quella Radcliffe was somewhat disheartened. Beineng Electronics was indeed very strong, but not yet strong enough to directly swallow Radcliffe Group. But if Moonlight Group and Golden Eagle Group intervened, the situation would become quite different. ¡°What¡¯s there to fear? I¡¯ll tell them to go back. If your grandfather uses the tactic of drawing the tiger away from the mountain, then I¡¯ll undermine him at the base!¡± Julius Reed took out his phone, flashing a mischievous smile in front of Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Pfft!¡± Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Twelve, I¡¯m really curious, what kind of person are you, exactly?¡± An unknown son-in-law who has kept a low profile for three years. Ever since Old Master Radcliffe¡¯s birthday, the son-in-law who had joined the family became even more mysterious after they had a conversation that day. It was only Gonzalez City he stirred up initially, but now, even the wealthy businessmen of Five-river Province were connected to him. At the Willson Group banquet last time, Quella Radcliffe had personally witnessed those businessmen nodding and bowing in front of Julius Reed. The very picture of servility. ¡°I am your husband, you know!¡± Julius Reed chuckled and hugged Quella Radcliffe tightly in his arms. ¡­ Radcliffe Group. ¡°Mr. Abbott, Boss Potter!¡± Zade Radcliffe eyed the line of cars parked at the group¡¯s entrance and quickly walked over to greet them. Meanwhile, behind him, the CEO of Beineng Electronics silently followed, not advancing a step further. It was clear to everyone that Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter¡¯s inspection was to pay respect to the Radcliffe Family. ¡°Old Master Radcliffe, it¡¯s an honor¡ªa true honor!¡± After getting out of their cars, Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter shook Zade Radcliffe¡¯s hand enthusiastically, exchanging pleasantries. ¡°Where is Chairman Radcliffe?¡± Looking around, they couldn¡¯t spot Quella Radcliffe anywhere. Logically, for such a significant event, Quella Radcliffe, as the chairman of Radcliffe Group, should have been present. But even though she wasn¡¯t there, neither dared to ask¡ªafter all, she was Julius Reed¡¯s wife! Miguel Abbott was now one of Julius Reed¡¯s staunchest followers, and Stanislaus Potter was halfway there. The reason they were here for this inspection today was to curry favor with Julius Reed. ¡°My granddaughter had commitments today and couldn¡¯t receive you esteemed guests, which I hope you can forgive. But rest assured, it was I, Zade Radcliffe, who founded the Radcliffe Group years ago and as the clan leader, these people all listen to me,¡± Zade Radcliffe said animatedly, pointing at the employees. ¡°If Chairman Radcliffe is busy, we won¡¯t insist. The old master and the chairman are family; it¡¯s all the same who receives us!¡± Miguel Abbott looked towards Stanislaus Potter: ¡°Boss Potter, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡± ¡°Absolutely! Family is family! It doesn¡¯t matter who we meet,¡± Stanislaus Potter replied, not foolish enough to have any objections. ¡°Please, this way,¡± Zade Radcliffe said quickly, gesturing them inside with a ¡®please¡¯ motion. Their attitudes took him somewhat by surprise; he had thought that the absence of the chairman might upset such distinguished guests. Yet unexpectedly, Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter, usually so proud, turned out to be so easygoing and didn¡¯t pursue the matter of Quella Radcliffe¡¯s absence. In any other company, such an absence would have been seen as a slight and the CEOs would have just turned around and left. Especially since a few months ago, Stanislaus Potter had launched a corporate war against the Radcliffe Group, attempting to take over the company. ¡°Please! You¡¯re too courteous, Old Master Radcliffe,¡± the two said, offering each other the right of way as they walked toward the main entrance of Radcliffe Group. ¡°Grandpa, that move was brilliant!¡± Otis Radcliffe quietly raised his thumb in approval behind them while his gaze towards Dempsey Davenport and others was full of provocation. ¡°Heh! A green girl trying to compete with me?¡± Zade Radcliffe scoffed disdainfully, ¡°Do you really think I¡¯ve wasted the last few decades living like a dog?¡± Ding ling ling! Just then, Miguel Abbott¡¯s phone began to ring. ¡°It¡¯s Mr. Reed¡¯s call,¡± he said to Stanislaus Potter before answering the phone promptly. ¡°Turn back, come another day,¡± Julius Reed¡¯s voice came from the phone. Chapter 317 - Chapter 317: Chapter 317: Harris’s King Prawn_1 Chapter 317: Chapter 317: Harris¡¯s King Prawn_1 After a few brief words, Julius Reed hung up the phone abruptly. ¡°Mr. Abbott, what did Mr. Reed instruct?¡± Stanislaus Potter asked in a low voice. They had come here solely to curry favor with Julius Reed, so naturally, they intended to follow the main patron¡¯s wishes. ¡°That¡­¡± Miguel Abbott¡¯s eyes shifted but did not answer Stanislaus Potter¡¯s question. Instead, he turned to Zade Radcliffe, who was following closely behind: ¡°Old Master Radcliffe, I just received a call from the company. There¡¯s a financial issue, and the tax bureau¡¯s people have already arrived at the company for an inspection. I¡¯m very sorry about today, but it¡¯s an emergency, and I have to go back!¡± Upon hearing this, Stanislaus Potter immediately understood what was going on. Feigning surprise, he hurriedly asked, ¡°Could it be that business on the west side of the city?¡± ¡°Exactly! That¡¯s the one!¡± Miguel Abbott, cunning as always, quickly agreed: ¡°Mr. Potter, if I remember correctly, you have three properties in the west side of the city, could it be that¡­¡± ¡°Correct! If there¡¯s trouble on the west side, I certainly can¡¯t escape it!¡± Stanislaus Potter sighed and looked at Zade Radcliffe with a guilty expression: ¡°Old Master, today is just unfortunate. We thought everything was well arranged, and we planned to stay in Gonzalez City for a few days to have a good discussion with you. Who would have anticipated this situation¡­¡± The two sang in perfect harmony, as if performing a duet. ¡°It¡¯s alright, it¡¯s alright! Business executives like yourselves are busy men and should take care of company matters first. Radcliffe here is always ready to welcome you at any time!¡± Zade Radcliffe, having spent so long in the business world, naturally knew what was going on. Although he felt a bit disappointed about the deal slipping away at the last moment, it was still good to meet the two executives and gain some goodwill. ¡°In that case, we¡¯ll head back to the company to sort out the finances. We¡¯ll discuss the date for the next inspection after we return.¡± Stanislaus Potter shook hands with Zade Radcliffe once more. ¡°Until next time.¡± Miguel Abbott swiftly boarded his car and dialed Julius Reed¡¯s number. ¡°Mr. Reed, Mr. Potter and I are in the car, ready to head back to Five-river Province immediately.¡± ¡°Good! Don¡¯t make a move against Zade Radcliffe for now. Let him and Otis savor the joy for a bit longer, as the saying goes, ¡®The higher you fly, the harder you fall.¡¯ As for the electronics company up north, keep them appeased for now, I¡¯ll handle them when I have time.¡± ¡°Understood, I will follow all of Mr. Reed¡¯s instructions.¡± ¡­ ¡°They¡¯ve really left?¡± At the hospital entrance, Quella Radcliffe received a WeChat message from Dempsey Davenport. It said that for some unknown reason, the two executives received a phone call just as they were about to enter the company¡¯s gates and turned around and left. They left together. ¡°Of course! Your husband is quite impressive, you know.¡± Julius Reed stood up from the steps, patting the dust off his backside: ¡°Your mom¡¯s quality of life is really not bad, you should buy some of these fruits too when you go home.¡± ¡°Not going to the office?¡± Quella Radcliffe blinked her eyes. ¡°Why go now that the main players have left? Let¡¯s not clarify this matter with Zade and the others just yet, let them jump around for a few more days. I might need to leave for a few days, and you must stay at home during that time.¡± Julius Reed sighed, took Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand as he walked her to the car, and reiterated, ¡°Stay at home, it¡¯s the safest place there.¡± ¡°When are you leaving?¡± Quella Radcliffe was somewhat reluctant. He had just returned, and now he was leaving again. ¡°Tomorrow, perhaps. The situation has been a bit tricky lately, and I need to look into one matter. If this trouble isn¡¯t resolved, you could be in danger at any moment.¡± Julius Reed took Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand, smiling as he spoke: ¡°You¡¯ve suffered with me by your side.¡± Ever since his identity became clear, there had been a continuous stream of assassination attempts, and Quella had adapted through each one. But this still made Julius Reed feel guilty inside. ¡°Then this afternoon, accompany Anna to her brother¡¯s hotpot restaurant. If I leave, it might be dangerous for just the two of us to go.¡± ¡°Sure! I¡¯ve been craving hotpot too.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll give Anna a call, and we can head straight there. Now that you mention it, I¡¯m hungry too.¡± Quella Radcliffe showed a rare smile, pulling out her phone to call Anna Harris. At one o¡¯clock in the afternoon, Julius Reed picked up Anna Harris, and the three of them headed to the firepot restaurant together. It was a firepot restaurant named Harris¡¯s King Prawn. But today, the shop was deserted, with only one car parked at the door. ¡°Anna, didn¡¯t you say this place was booming? How come it looks deserted like a ghost town now?¡± After getting out of the car, Quella Radcliffe saw that the neighboring shops were bustling, only Harris¡¯s King Prawn was eerily quiet. ¡°That shouldn¡¯t be! My brother told me that you have to make a reservation at this time, and even with a reservation, there might not be a spot available.¡± Anna Harris also looked puzzled, glancing at the only car, she said, ¡°That¡¯s still my brother¡¯s car. When I used to video chat with him, I had to either get up early or in the middle of the night; he never had time during the day. Today is just weird.¡± ¡°Maybe he knows you¡¯re coming and cleared the place out for you,¡± Julius Reed joked with a laugh, walking inside. The firepot restaurant was deserted, and a young man at the reception quickly stood up to greet the guests. ¡°Brother!¡± Anna Harris limped over. ¡°Anna!¡± The young man was initially stunned, but as soon as he recognized that it was Anna Harris, he happily lifted her into a hug. ¡°My precious sister, you¡¯ve finally come back! Why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier, I was completely unprepared!¡± Sergei Harris¡¯s face was also brimming with a smile. Their parents had divorced ten years ago and each started their own families. All of Anna Harris¡¯s tuition fees over the years had been sponsored by Sergei Harris. Fortunately, this firepot restaurant was quite profitable in Gonzalez City, with an annual income of over a million, which allowed Anna Harris the chance to study abroad and make four to five hundred thousand a year after graduating. ¡°Brother, why is it so slow today?¡± Anna Harris looked around the room, where there were no waiters in sight. But to say the business was bad, the room was clean and tidy, nothing like it had been deserted for a long time. ¡°No¡­ nothing¡¯s wrong, these two are your friends, right?¡± Sergei Harris hemmed and hawed, and upon seeing Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed, he quickly turned to get two bottles of soda. ¡°This is Quella Radcliffe, and this man is her husband, Julius Reed.¡± Anna Harris said with a smile while introducing them. ¡°Julius Reed? Why does that sound so familiar?¡± Sergei Harris tried hard to remember, but couldn¡¯t recall where he had heard it. ¡°The well-known loser of Gonzalez City, the Radcliffe Family¡¯s son-in-law!¡± Julius Reed took the soda, grinning as he explained. Three years ago, that wedding made quite the stir in Gonzalez City, the couple was mismatched, and even the lead wedding car got smashed. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s you!¡± Sergei Harris suddenly realized, but then he quickly scratched his head and said, ¡°That¡¯s all nonsense. From what I see, you look like a person of talent, you can¡¯t be as bad as they say.¡± ¡°He¡¯s a scumbag!¡± Anna Harris muttered from the side, ¡°Brother, we want to eat firepot.¡± Harris¡¯s King Prawn firepot was quite famous, and it was one of the things Anna Harris had to eat every time she returned to Gonzalez City. ¡°This¡­¡± Upon hearing his sister¡¯s words, Sergei Harris looked troubled. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? He¡¯s paying! It won¡¯t be free!¡± Anna Harris said teasingly, not believing her brother to be stingy. ¡°How about we go out to eat¡­¡± Sergei Harris hesitated. Bang! At that moment, the glass door was kicked open. ¡°Sergei Harris, you still dare to keep your shop open? Didn¡¯t I tell you if you don¡¯t leave today, I¡¯d smash up your place?¡± With the shout, a group of thugs rushed into the firepot restaurant. Chapter 318 - Chapter 318: Chapter 318: Another bottle_1 Chapter 318: Chapter 318: Another bottle_1 ¡°Mr. Carmichael, please give me one more day. My sister is here today, please be accommodating.¡± When Sergei Harris saw this group of people, his face turned pale. He hurriedly walked to the front desk, took out a stack of hundred-yuan bills, and approached with a smiling explanation. At the same time, he stuffed the money into the gang leader¡¯s pocket. ¡°Get lost!¡± Whoosh! The leader of the gang kicked Sergei Harris in the stomach, causing him to fall to the ground, hissing in pain. ¡°I already warned you yesterday. If you don¡¯t get lost today, the guys are going to get serious!¡± Gang leader Parveen Carmichael rolled up his sleeves, pointed at Sergei Harris on the ground, and sneered, ¡°You of all people had to offend Master Isolde! Sergei, you¡¯ve ruined your own good business!¡± ¡°Guys, smash it up!¡± With a wave of Parveen Carmichael¡¯s hand, his employees immediately swarmed forward, ready to smash the place with wooden sticks in their hands. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Seeing this, Anna Harris hobbled over and stood in front of the gang, ¡°Is there no law in your eyes! In broad daylight, openly beating and smashing, do you believe I¡¯ll call the police!¡± She glared at the gang in front of her, anger burning inside her. ¡°Anna, get out of the way!¡± Sergei Harris struggled to get up from the ground and ran over, kneeling in front of Parveen Carmichael: ¡°Mr. Carmichael, my little sister doesn¡¯t know the rules. Please forgive her ignorance and don¡¯t stoop to her level.¡± His tone was almost pleading. It was only then that Anna Harris realized why her brother¡¯s hotpot restaurant had gone from bustling to deserted in just one day. ¡°Brother! Stand up! These thugs don¡¯t respect the law at all, let¡¯s call the police!¡± Anna Harris took out her cellphone, ready to call the police. ¡°Give it here!¡± One of the quicker thugs snatched Anna Harris¡¯s phone away and smashed it on the ground. ¡°Heh! Sergei, your sister is really something!¡± Parveen Carmichael crossed his arms and sneered, slowly walking towards Anna Harris, ¡°Little girl, I am the law!¡± Whoosh! With a kick, he sent Sergei Harris rolling on the ground, looking at Anna Harris, ¡°See that? I don¡¯t just smash places, I beat people too!¡± ¡°Yo! Mr. Carmichael is mighty!¡± ¡°You don¡¯t even know who our Mr. Carmichael is!¡± ¡°This chick¡¯s not bad looking!¡± The employees behind him started jeering. ¡°Mr. Carmichael, my sister is young and ignorant. She offended you. Please don¡¯t mind her!¡± Sergei Harris bore the pain as he picked himself up from the ground and pushed Anna Harris towards the exit of the store, ¡°Get lost! I don¡¯t want a sister like you! All you do is come back for money every year, and when you¡¯re not bringing your freeloading friends for food and drinks, you¡¯re nothing but trouble. Just go!¡± After speaking, he turned and gave a look to Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe. At this point, he didn¡¯t want to drag others down with him. ¡°Hold on!¡± Parveen Carmichael put out his hand to stop Anna Harris, ¡°Sergei, such a touching brother-sister act! Now that everyone¡¯s here, let¡¯s not be hasty! Little girl wanted to see the law, right? Today I¡¯ll let her see what it is! Guys, break one of Sergei¡¯s legs for me!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The thugs picked up their wooden sticks and walked towards Sergei Harris with evil grins on their faces. ¡°Let go of my brother!¡± Anna Harris limped forward but was pushed to the ground by a thug. ¡°Sister!¡± Sergei Harris¡¯s eyes reddened as he suddenly grabbed a chair and slammed it against one of the thug¡¯s head, but then three more thugs rushed over and started to punch and kick Sergei Harris. ¡°Brother!¡± Anna Harris cried out. But those people had no intention of stopping. ¡°Enough already! Aren¡¯t you just bullying an honest man?¡± Just when the thugs were about to intensify their beating, Julius Reed sauntered over. ¡°I advise you to mind your own business! Get lost right now, or you might not make it out today if I change my mind!¡± Parveen Carmichael frowned in annoyance, waving them off impatiently. His superiors had ordered him to take care of Sergei Harris, and beyond that, they didn¡¯t want to cause any unnecessary trouble. ¡°Oh! You¡¯re actually right about that!¡± Julius Reed casually dragged over a chair, sat down, and crossed his legs. ¡°You see, I have this habit of meddling in other people¡¯s business. Ever since I was little, I had to get involved whenever I saw something unfair. Otherwise, it just doesn¡¯t sit right with me!¡± He looked over his body, then sighed again. ¡°It¡¯s so uncomfortable all over!¡± ¡°Anna, come here!¡± Seizing the moment while the thugs paused, Quella Radcliffe quickly helped Anna Harris to her feet. ¡°Kid, do you know who I am?¡± Parveen Carmichael rubbed his head, speaking with some irritation, ¡°In this industry, you¡¯re the first one who dares to speak to me like that! Right, guys?¡± ¡°Sick of living? Daring to talk to Mr. Carmichael like that!¡± ¡°Kneel and apologize! Or I¡¯ll break your legs!¡± ¡°Where did this dumb kid come from!¡± The thugs roared with laughter, as if they had heard the funniest joke. ¡°Julius, you take Anna and the others and go. This has nothing to do with you, don¡¯t go against them!¡± Sergei Harris was bruised and swollen on the ground but still kindly reminded him. ¡°You want me to leave? Alright, they just need to kneel and apologize, and then each breaks one of their own hands, and I¡¯ll agree!¡± Julius Reed picked up a bottle of soda from the table and took a sip. ¡°Not bad!¡± He continued drinking, as if no one else was there. ¡°Hey! This kid¡¯s pretty arrogant! Go on, teach him a lesson!¡± With a wave of his hand, Parveen Carmichael signaled two employees to step forward. ¡°Hold on!¡± Julius Reed suddenly raised his hand to signal them to stop. ¡°What now?¡± Parveen Carmichael didn¡¯t understand, what was this kid¡¯s game? ¡°Wait till I finish my soda!¡± Julius Reed drained the soda bottle in one gulp, then violently hurled the empty bottle! Whoosh! The employee at the forefront was smashed hard and flew backwards, lying on the ground motionless. Blood continuously flowed from his head. ¡°Hiss!¡± The thugs inhaled sharply, witnessing a lethal blow right from the start. Usually, their fights and scuffles were relatively minor. But this was something else, a direct intent to kill! Sergei Harris was also shocked by Julius Reed. He had never expected the notorious loser from Gonzalez City to be an adept fighter! ¡°Kid, what¡¯s your name!¡± Parveen Carmichael swallowed hard, instinctively stepping back, ¡°Don¡¯t think you can oppose me just because you have some moves! Let me tell you straight, with one phone call, I could have hundreds of brothers surrounding this place!¡± ¡°Is that so? That scares me to death!¡± Julius Reed held out his hand with a bottle cap in it, ¡°Boss, I want to claim my prize!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Bearing the pain, Sergei Harris crawled over to Julius Reed and gently picked up the bottle cap. It had four words written on it. Get one more bottle. ¡°Deal!¡± It was strange, but Sergei Harris felt fearless at that moment. He picked up another soda bottle, opened it, and handed it to Julius Reed. Julius Reed gently shook the bottle and took out his phone to send a text message. ¡°I¡¯m at Harris¡¯s King Prawn.¡± Chapter 319 - Chapter 319: Chapter 319 The Boss is Here_1 Chapter 319: Chapter 319 The Boss is Here_1 ¡°Heh heh! Kid, do you think I¡¯m trying to scare you?¡± Parveen Carmichael burst into laughter, ¡°You¡¯re still too young! Let me tell you the truth, I only need ten minutes, and your end will definitely be miserable!¡± Since Aron Jackson¡¯s industries began to expand, they have been acting even more unbridled. As Parveen Carmichael made one call after another, there was an increasing air of menace. He wanted Julius Reed to see for himself just how powerful he really was! ¡°Are you done?¡± Julius Reed looked at Parveen Carmichael in front of him. ¡°It¡¯s done. Just you wait!¡± Parveen Carmichael pocketed his phone, his face alight with the look of someone watching a good show, ¡°You know what, you can offend anyone here, but me, your brother, I¡¯m the one you can¡¯t afford to offend!¡± ¡°Julius Reed, you¡¯d better leave! Parveen Carmichael has a lot of clout in this area, and he¡¯s a valuable asset to Dominating Tiger¡¯s employees. If you don¡¯t leave now, it¡¯ll be too late!¡± Sergei Harris whispered urgently into Julius Reed¡¯s ear. He knew the ins and outs of Parveen Carmichael, this bona fide boss of the area. Many restaurants and hotels had to maintain good relations with this boss or else face endless troubles. Even many local business magnates had to show up with generous gifts to kiss the ring during Parveen Carmichael¡¯s birthday celebrations as a sign of respect. A man like that, how could the average Joe afford to offend him? And Parveen Carmichael wasn¡¯t joking. The calls he made would indeed bring a crowd of people. ¡°Since you¡¯ve called all your people, it¡¯s my turn now.¡± Julius Reed stood up from his chair, casually stretching his limbs. Then he suddenly swung the chair with one hand, chopping it down on Parveen Carmichael¡¯s head with great speed! Crack! ¡°Ouch¡­¡± Parveen Carmichael was utterly unprepared, and he fell to the ground with his nose bleeding profusely. ¡°Beat him up!¡± A few employees immediately charged forward, but before they could strike, Julius Reed knocked them straight to the floor. ¡°Brother Reed, let¡¯s go, quick!¡± As Sergei Harris saw what was happening, he quickly tried to pull Julius Reed away to escape. After beating up Parveen Carmichael, how could they possibly get out ofthere? When those people arrived, there would be no chance of escape! ¡°What¡¯s the rush? Let the people come, then we¡¯ll talk. I really want to see how capable he is.¡± Julius Reed pushed away Sergei Harris¡¯s hand and walked up to Parveen Carmichael with a smile, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you represented the law? Now I¡¯ve hit you, so where¡¯s this law of yours?¡± ¡°Stand up and hit me then!¡± He squatted down, gently slapping Parveen Carmichael¡¯s cheek, tauntingly saying, ¡°Is this it? The law?¡± ¡°Kid! Just you wait! My guys¡­¡± Whoosh! With one punch, Julius Reed sent Parveen Carmichael sprawling, teeth skittering across the floor. ¡°I¡¯m waiting!¡± After saying this, he sat back down. Soon, the first group of people arrived at the hot pot restaurant. When they saw Parveen Carmichael lying on the ground, disbelief painted their faces. ¡°Mr. Carmichael, what happened! How come¡­ how come there¡¯s blood all over your face?¡± ¡°Brother Dragon! It was him who hit me, take revenge for me!¡± Because his teeth had been knocked out, Parveen Carmichael¡¯s words were somewhat slurred, ¡°Beat him¡­¡± ¡°Who did this!¡± A middle-aged man stepped forward with his hands clasped behind his back, demanding coldly. ¡°Me.¡± Julius Reed sat not far above Parveen Carmichael¡¯s head, legs crossed, looking at the man, ¡°Don¡¯t be in a hurry to make your move just yet. Wait. Let¡¯s see how this ends when all your people get here.¡± ¡°Kid, you¡¯re dead meat!¡± The man didn¡¯t rush into action but instead had the employees encircle Julius Reed. More and more people began to pour into the room, and everyone who walked in and saw Parveen Carmichael was astounded. Since the hotpot restaurant was no longer in business, the chairs had been removed, giving the room plenty of space. ¡°What¡¯s this, all our people are here; where are yours?¡± A tattooed young man stepped out from the crowd and said coldly to Julius Reed, ¡°If your people don¡¯t show up, I¡¯m going to start!¡± When he spoke, everyone else remained silent, clearly defaulting to the man¡¯s authority. ¡°Mr. Leopold, this has nothing to do with them, it was me!¡± Sergei Harris hesitated, then stepped forward and knelt on the ground, ¡°One who acts is one who bears the consequences! Please let them go!¡± The tattooed youth speaking was Nova Vista, whose martial skills were extremely formidable. Among the Dominating Tiger¡¯s staff, he ranked first on the hitman list! Against such a man, Sergei Harris dared not resist. ¡°Mr. Leopold, I hear this wasn¡¯t Sergei¡¯s doing, but that young man sitting on the chair. He was the one who had Parveen Carmichael call everyone here, saying there¡¯s only one chance.¡± A bystander pointed to Brother Reed and spoke. ¡°Not bad skills!¡± Nova Vista looked at Parveen Carmichael and the rest of the employees who had been beaten down on the ground and were yet to get up, applauding, ¡°Very strong! To take down a bunch of people single-handedly, and to do so cleanly and efficiently, you¡¯re a worthy opponent!¡± ¡°Much obliged!¡± Julius Reed folded his hands together, resembling an ancient chivalrous hero. ¡°Today, I¡¯ll give you a chance!¡± Nova Vista smiled faintly, ¡°If you can beat me, I¡¯ll let you leave. If not, then break both your arms!¡± ¡°Boss Nova, this matter started because of me, and he¡­¡± Whish! Before Sergei could finish speaking, Nova Vista kicked out, sending Sergei flying into the wall! ¡°I like quiet.¡± He bent down, gently wiping his leather shoes. ¡°Unlucky for you, I¡¯m someone who likes it lively.¡± After saying this, Julius Reed suddenly dashed forward, throwing a punch with a backhand! ¡°Seeking death!¡± A scorn flashed in Nova Vista¡¯s eyes as he immediately clenched both fists and swung them out! Crack! ¡°Hiss¡­¡± With just one punch, the veins on Nova Vista¡¯s face bulged, and beads of sweat the size of beans emerged on his forehead. ¡°Who are you!¡± For the first time, his face revealed a grave expression. ¡°With that meager ability, you dare to ask for my name?¡± Julius Reed extended his middle finger and gave it a slight shake. ¡°Get him! Slash him to death!¡± Nova Vista let out a low roar. ¡°Shameless! Didn¡¯t you say if someone beat you, they could leave?¡± Anna Harris shouted from behind, ¡°You untrustworthy, disgraceful scum!¡± ¡°Haha!¡± Nova Vista laughed out loud, ¡°There has never been anyone whom I¡¯ve wanted dead who was able to leave alive!¡± Just then, a commotion erupted outside the door. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Nova Vista asked with furrowed brows. Several of his bones were broken, and he was enduring the pain. The longer the delay, the more painful it became. ¡°The boss is here!¡± Someone yelled from outside the door. ¡°What! The boss?¡± Upon hearing this, Nova Vista¡¯s demeanor changed, and he immediately stood respectfully to the side, clearing a pathway. ¡°What are you all doing gathered here!¡± The glass door was flung open, and Aron Jackson walked briskly into the hotpot restaurant with the Dominating Tiger crew. Chapter 320 - Chapter 320: Chapter 320 Master Isolde_1 Chapter 320: Chapter 320 Master Isolde_1 ¡°Boss!¡± Upon seeing Aron Jackson walk into the firepot restaurant, the people standing on both sides respectfully shouted. In Gonzalez City, Aron Jackson was the sky. No matter how arrogant these people normally were, they didn¡¯t dare act recklessly at the mention of Aron Jackson¡¯s name. ¡°Boss!¡± Ignoring these people, Aron Jackson walked straight up to Julius Reed, bowing deeply. The Dominating Tiger behind him followed suit in succession. ¡°What¡­ what¡¯s going on here?¡± Nova Vista, enduring the intense pain of broken bones, stepped forward to ask. This was the first time he¡¯d seen Aron Jackson show such respect to someone since he¡¯d joined the group. ¡°Your hand, what happened to it?¡± Aron Jackson turned around, coldly looking at Nova Vista¡¯s hand. The collision a moment ago had fractured Nova Vista¡¯s fingers, and his fist was bleeding non-stop from the violent impact. ¡°Thank you for your concern, boss. I was just a little careless during a bout with someone, it¡¯s nothing serious.¡± Nova Vista replied with his head lowered. Known for his fighting skills, now with both hands bleeding, it was clear he had encountered no ordinary opponent. ¡°With whom?¡± Aron Jackson asked sternly. ¡°This person was extremely arrogant, first injuring our brothers, then calling Parveen Carmichael to gather everyone here. He is none other than that young man sitting in the center!¡± Nova Vista pointed his finger, and everyone¡¯s gaze turned to Julius Reed. Aron Jackson¡¯s heart tightened, the worst had happened. And next to him, Dominating Tiger was dripping with cold sweat, his lips turning pale. Last time, because of Ashwin Lake¡¯s incident, Aron Jackson had already disciplined the employees, and Dominating Tiger had repeatedly and emphatically cautioned his subordinates. But these people were used to bullying and throwing their weight around; how could they take those warnings to heart? So they all treated the words like a breeze by the ear, not taking them seriously at all. ¡°Boss, what should we do about this?¡± Aron Jackson walked up to Julius Reed with a bitter face and ¡®thump¡¯ knelt down. This startled everyone present. ¡°Aron Jackson, what are you doing? It¡¯s not really your concern if the employees make a mistake.¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t tell Aron Jackson to get up, nor did he blame him, simply sitting there. Uninvolved. ¡°I failed to manage my subordinates strictly, leading to an offense against Mr. Reed. It¡¯s been only 24 hours since the incident last time, and I feel a deep remorse in my heart!¡± Aron Jackson pressed his forehead firmly to the ground. He knew all too well how terrifying Julius Reed could be and what the consequences would be if this man lost his temper. ¡°Aron¡­ Aron Jackson?¡± Sergei Harris, seeing the man before him, could only feel his breathing becoming rapid, unable to catch his breath. In Gonzalez City, one might not have heard of anyone else, but Aron Jackson¡¯s name had been resounding like thunder in the past six months. Seeing their own boss on the ground, a group of employees were completely scared out of their wits. ¡°Big¡­ Boss, who is this person?¡± Even if Nova Vista were a fool, he would understand that he¡¯d troubled someone he shouldn¡¯t have. In Gonzalez City, he couldn¡¯t think of anyone else who could make Aron Jackson kneel in such fear. Especially in front of so many people. ¡°Someone, break both of Nova Vista¡¯s hands for me!¡± Aron Jackson raised his head, his face dark as he gave the order. ¡°Yes!¡± Several men dressed in black immediately entered from the entrance, heading straight for Nova Vista. These were members of Aron Jackson¡¯s employees from the Law Enforcement Hall, each possessing formidable skills, specially charged with dealing with those who violated the group¡¯s regulations. Once these people took action, the target would end up either dead or injured. Even if they were lucky enough to survive, they¡¯d be left crippled. ¡°Boss, give me another chance!¡± As the Law Enforcement Hall members drew closer, Nova Vista, desperate, prepared to fight his way out in a do-or-die effort! He knew what fate awaited him in their hands! Worse than death! ¡°Move aside!¡± Nova seized a weapon from an employee¡¯s hand and, disregarding the intense pain in his fingers, desperately charged towards the exit! ¡°Send him on his way!¡± Aron Jackson knelt on the ground, his face expressionless, as he spoke. ¡°Understood!¡± The men in black¡¯s eyes turned stern, and a number of sharp blades suddenly appeared in their hands! Puchi! In just a brief encounter, the already injured Nova Vista was stabbed to the core and felt a chill through his heart! ¡°I¡­ I won¡¯t accept this¡­¡± Using his last ounce of strength to say these words, he fell straight to the ground. The silence was terrifyingly oppressive. ¡®Thump!¡¯ The remaining people all knelt on the ground, not daring to say a word. ¡°Who else had a conflict with this gentleman before me?¡± Aron Jackson asked coldly, his back to them. But no one answered. ¡°If no one admits, then I¡¯ll just retrieve the video. If I find anyone, I¡¯ll kill them!¡± Aron Jackson asked emotionlessly. ¡°Boss, before we arrived, only Parveen Carmichael and his guys had taken action,¡± a middle-aged man said with a sigh, his hands clenched into fists, ¡°Although our guys got here, we never initiated a conflict. Only Nova Vista, with his rough personality, made a move, and he ended up being taught a lesson.¡± ¡°Parveen Carmichael!¡± Aron Jackson bellowed. ¡°Boss!¡± Parveen Carmichael¡¯s body trembled on the ground, his legs so weak from fear that he couldn¡¯t stand up. ¡°Aaron Martin, I¡¯ve followed you for three to four years, and during this time, if I¡¯ve had no merit, I¡¯ve at least endured hardship. Please consider my loyalty and plead to the boss on my behalf!¡± Parveen Carmichael swallowed hard, struggling to crawl towards Dominating Tiger, ¡°Aaron Martin, you¡¯ve got to save me!¡± He was an employee of Dominating Tiger, having never spared any effort to please Dominating Tiger over the years. Now faced with disaster, it was only natural for him to think of his boss. But he didn¡¯t realize that after experiencing the incident where Ashwin Lake crossed Julius Reed, Dominating Tiger now harbored a murderous intent and was praying that Parveen Carmichael wouldn¡¯t drag him into this mess. As luck would have it, what he feared came to pass; he was now fully implicated. ¡°Get lost!¡± Dominating Tiger pushed Parveen Carmichael away, staring fearfully at Julius Reed, ¡°Mr. Reed, this sort of character has nothing to do with me! Now I will personally kill him, please forgive me!¡± With that, Dominating Tiger drew the short sword from his waist and slowly rose to his feet, walking towards Parveen Carmichael. ¡°Aaron Martin!¡± Parveen Carmichael sat on the ground, his legs spread, eyes filled with fear. Seeing the attitude of Dominating Tiger, his face turned ashen instantly, but the instinct to survive made him continuously scoot backward. ¡°Hold on.¡± Just as Parveen Carmichael was about to faint from fear, Julius Reed suddenly spoke, halting Dominating Tiger. ¡°I am quite curious why Parveen Carmichael specifically targeted this hotpot restaurant and not some other establishment to cause trouble.¡± With his words, Anna Harris also came to her senses. There were dozens of shops in the vicinity. If it was because Harris¡¯s King Prawn was doing well, there were even better-performing shops. Out of the whole street, only her brother received such treatment, clearly indicating that Parveen Carmichael had a specific target in mind. ¡°Speak! What¡¯s going on?¡± Dominating Tiger asked gravely. ¡°Aaron Martin, it was Master Isolde¡¯s arrangement; he gave us three million to properly deal with Sergei Harris, preferably ruining his family and livelihood! As long as he refuses to leave Gonzalez City, we were to keep beating him, to the death if necessary!¡± With a sob in his voice, Parveen Carmichael took out a bank card from his chest and, trembling, handed it over to Dominating Tiger, ¡°Aaron Martin, I didn¡¯t touch any of the money, it¡¯s all here!¡± ¡°Who is Master Isolde!¡± Anna Harris rushed to Parveen Carmichael, her hands tightly grabbing his collar, ¡°Why does he want to do this to my brother!¡± Chapter 321 - Chapter 321: Chapter 321 Malicious Means_1 Chapter 321: Chapter 321 Malicious Means_1 Sergei Harris and Anna Harris had a particularly close relationship, so when she heard someone was targeting Sergei Harris unintentionally, she shook Parveen Carmichael frantically, ignoring the gunshot wound on her leg: ¡°Who exactly is it!¡± Women can be truly frightening when they lose control, even Julius Reed did not expect Anna Harris to get so agitated. The usually docile girl was now like a madwoman. ¡°It was Sheridan Isolde, Master Isolde¡­¡± At that moment, Parveen Carmichael was scared to death, eager to spill everything he knew. ¡°Sheridan Isolde?¡± Anna Harris blinked, stunned for a moment. ¡°Anna, why does this name sound so familiar? It feels like I¡¯ve heard it somewhere before.¡± Upon hearing the name of Sheridan Isolde, Sergei Harris also felt a sense of deja vu. ¡°My ex-boyfriend from university¡­¡± Anna Harris clenched her fists tightly: ¡°This beast, to stoop so low as to use such means!¡± If it had not been for her insistence on dining at her brother¡¯s restaurant, if Julius Reed hadn¡¯t been so well-connected, Sergei Harris might have been driven out of Gonzalez City by now. Years of hard work gone to waste, and even his life would have been in danger! ¡°Sheridan Isolde!¡± Anna Harris gritted her teeth in hatred. ¡°Master Isolde instructed us to drive Sergei Harris out. He has arranged manpower and vehicles on the unavoidable routes for Sergei Harris, intending to stage a traffic accident. To turn Sergei Harris into a vegetable, or cripple him for life¡­¡± Towards the end, Parveen Carmichael didn¡¯t even dare to look up at Anna Harris¡¯s gaze. ¡°What¡­¡± Sergei Harris only felt dizzy, nearly passing out. He thought all he had to do was leave Gonzalez City to avoid trouble, but little did he know that the other party was forcing him down a path with no return! Not even a chance to survive! How deep was this grudge? ¡°Such a ruthless person!¡± Even Aron Jackson, who was accustomed to harshness, couldn¡¯t help but feel it was cruel. It would have been one thing to target adversaries, but what¡¯s worse, they were targeting an ordinary person, an innocent, unarmed civilian. ¡°Julius, this Sheridan Isolde, is the young man whose wrist you stabbed with a steel fork in the restaurant! It seems he harbored a grudge because of that incident!¡± Quella Radcliffe frowned, feeling extremely distressed. Sergei Harris was Anna Harris¡¯s real brother; if something happened to him, she couldn¡¯t bear to think of the consequences. ¡°Everyone, this has nothing to do with me! I¡¯m just taking money for a job, and¡­ and I had no idea Sergei Harris knew you guys, the bosses. If I had known, even if you lent me a hundred guts, I, Parveen Carmichael, wouldn¡¯t dare harbor such thoughts!¡± Parveen Carmichael knelt on the ground, incessantly kowtowing. ¡°Where have they set up the planned traffic accident?¡± Julius Reed gently shook the soda bottle in his hand, asking leisurely: ¡°And where is Sheridan Isolde right now?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a truck at the intersection ahead, Master Isolde¡­ Sheridan Isolde is worried that won¡¯t be enough to kill him, so he¡¯s staged vehicles at the next three intersections. Once Sergei Harris steps out of this door, even with the strength of three heads and six arms, he will¡­¡± Parveen Carmichael said, lowering his head in fear and daring not say more. Sergei Harris was covered in cold sweat upon hearing this and felt a sense of weakness overcome him. ¡°Quella!¡± Anna Harris turned around and knelt down in front of Quella Radcliffe with a ¡®thud¡¯. ¡°Anna, what are you doing!¡± Quella Radcliffe hurried over, extending her hand to help Anna Harris up. They were best friends as well as close friends. ¡°No! I¡¯ve been with you for so long and have never asked you for anything!¡± Anna Harris¡¯s tears flowed uncontrollably. ¡°Please! Let me have my revenge! I know you have the power, Sheridan Isolde has gone too far, I beg you, take care of him for me!¡± By the end, Anna Harris was sobbing uncontrollably. If anything were to happen to Sergei Harris because of her, Anna Harris would never forgive herself for the rest of her life. ¡°I only hate that I was once blind, that I trusted others too easily! Quella, I, Anna Harris, am begging you!¡± With those words, Anna Harris heavily bowed her head in a kowtow. ¡°Julius!¡± Quella Radcliffe turned around and knelt directly in front of Julius Reed. ¡°Wife! What are you doing? Get up quickly!¡± Julius Reed, who was usually unshakable, jumped up as if he had sat on a needle. ¡°You¡¯re my wife! What¡¯s all this about!¡± Without thinking, he pulled Quella Radcliffe up. ¡°I¡¯m begging you, help Anna Harris this once.¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s eyes were resolute and angry, and filled with a murderous intent. This was the first time Julius Reed had seen such intention to kill in Quella Radcliffe¡¯s eyes in three years. ¡°Then why kneel? Just one word from you, whether heaven or earth, I await your command!¡± Julius Reed embraced Quella Radcliffe tightly: ¡°I promise you.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Quella Radcliffe closed her eyes, and two teardrops rolled down. ¡°Aron Jackson, take your men and come with me to find Sheridan Isolde!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s voice became stern and authoritative. ¡°Mr. Reed, about this matter¡­¡± Whoosh! Before Dominating Tiger could finish speaking, he was kicked by Julius Reed and slammed into the wall. ¡°Cough cough¡­¡± He knelt on one knee, blood oozing from his mouth. ¡°Next time, you¡¯ll be dead too!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s gaze turned frosty as he turned and stepped out of Harris¡¯s King Prawn. ¡°Anna Harris, if you want revenge, bring your brother and follow me!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Taking a deep breath, Anna Harris clenched Sergei Harris¡¯s hand and followed closely behind. In the vast hotpot restaurant, only Aron Jackson and Dominating Tiger were left. ¡°Boss, I¡­¡± Dominating Tiger¡¯s face was pale, his chest wracked with sharp pains. ¡°Mr. Reed is protecting you; anyone else would be dead today!¡± Aron Jackson took out a cigarette with trembling hands, clutched it, then placed it back into the pack. ¡°I know.¡± Dominating Tiger¡¯s face was filled with bitterness. ¡°Let¡¯s go. This Gonzalez City is about to experience another uprising of violent storms and bloodshed.¡± When Aron Jackson got up from the ground, he nearly fell over. ¡­ The Shangri-La of Gonzalez City Dragon Rise. ¡°Put some strength into it!¡± Sheridan Isolde was lying in a presidential suite, surrounded by several scantily clad women. They were massaging him at that moment. ¡°Serve me well later, and I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re well rewarded!¡± Sheridan Isolde took tens of thousands of US dollars from the nightstand and smacked them on a woman¡¯s buttocks. Another woman brought over a plate of grapes and fed them to Sheridan Isolde one by one. ¡°You dogs, bark for me!¡± While embracing women on both sides, he laughed uproariously. ¡°Woof!¡± One of the women immediately got on all fours on the bed and barked like a dog. ¡°Good girl! Here¡¯s your reward.¡± Sheridan Isolde flicked out ten Green Notes, sliding them into the woman¡¯s cleavage. ¡°Thank you, Master Isolde.¡± She gave him a flirtatious wink which only made Sheridan Isolde¡¯s arousal escalate. ¡°Haha! I wonder if that dog has died yet!¡± He pulled out his phone and called the several drivers he had arranged: ¡°So, is everything settled smoothly?¡± Whoosh! Just then, the door of the room was violently burst open! ¡°Ah¡­¡± The women exclaimed in shock, quickly diving under the covers. ¡°Who the fuck is blind!¡± Putting down his phone, Sheridan Isolde got out of the bed and strode toward the door. ¡°How could it be you!¡± When he saw Sergei Harris, his body suddenly froze. Chapter 322 - Chapter 322: Chapter 322 Breaking in_1 Chapter 322: Chapter 322 Breaking in_1 In Sheridan Isolde¡¯s plan, Sergei Harris should have had an accident by now, being accidentally overturned by a drunk driving truck, to the point of either death or vegetative state. He rubbed his eyes, making sure he wasn¡¯t seeing things. ¡°You¡­ Are you a human or a ghost!¡± Sheridan Isolde was somewhat panicked. He had arranged for four bodyguards at the door, all of whom were desperados known for their ruthless and ferocious actions. But now that Sergei Harris had broken in, it meant that the people outside had been silently taken out. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t Master Isolde know perfectly well whether I am a human or a ghost?¡± Sergei Harris squinted, his hand clutching the iron rod trembling to the point of madness. He was a decent businessman who would normally endure any unfairness. But there is a limit to being pushed too far, and even a cornered rabbit will bite! Moreover, after the Devil had finished with him, the next target would definitely be Anna Harris. ¡°Don¡¯t mess around!¡± Sheridan Isolde took a step back in fright and hurriedly ran to the bed to grab his cell phone, frantically dialing: ¡°I¡¯m calling the police! You just wait to rot in jail!¡± Usually, when he intimidated these ordinary people, most would choose to suffer in silence. After all, once you go to jail, you never know what might change when you come out. But then cold sweat started streaming down Sheridan Isolde¡¯s forehead, and his hand holding the phone began to shake. The cell phone that had full signal just a moment ago now had no service. No matter how he tried, the calls just wouldn¡¯t go through. ¡°Lend me your phone!¡± Sheridan Isolde threw his phone onto the bed and snatched a woman¡¯s phone: ¡°Hurry the hell up and unlock it!¡± He waved the phone in front of the woman¡¯s face, and suddenly stood frozen in place. Same as before, no signal. ¡°Yours!¡± ¡°And yours, give it here!¡± The more Sheridan Isolde looked, the more panicked he became inside. When he had entered the hotel earlier, he had been in contact with truck drivers over the phone, and the signal was very good. Full bars. But now, everyone¡¯s phone showed no service. Meanwhile, Sergei Harris stood there holding the steel rod, coldly watching Sheridan Isolde¡¯s futile struggles. Just like Julius Reed had said, first let him see hope, then plunge him into despair. ¡°What¡­ What are you doing here!¡± Sheridan Isolde quickly thought that if Sergei Harris was still alive, it meant that his plan had not succeeded, and as long as he denied everything, what could the other side do? ¡°It seems I got nervous for nothing.¡± He reassured himself mentally, and at the same time cleared his throat: ¡°Sergei Harris, what the hell are you doing! Breaking into my room without permission, get out now! Or I¡¯ll call security right away, and you can wait to be thrown in jail!¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Faced with Sheridan Isolde¡¯s question, Sergei Harris sneered coldly: ¡°Then what about Master Isolde¡¯s act of murder? Shouldn¡¯t you also rot in jail for that?¡± ¡°What nonsense are you talking about!¡± Sheridan Isolde walked to the bed to put on a shirt and yelled towards the door: ¡°Security! Security!¡± But after calling out twice, there was no response from outside. ¡°Sergei Harris, I warn you! If you don¡¯t get out now, I¡¯ll sue you for slander!¡± He still didn¡¯t forget to threaten, as this method never failed against such honest common folk. ¡°Really? Then sue me for assault! Come on!¡± Bang! Sergei Harris took a step forward, slamming the steel pipe hard onto Sheridan Isolde¡¯s head. ¡°Aah!¡± The several women on the bed screamed, each of them looking at Sergei Harris with fear in their eyes. ¡°Get out!¡± Sergei Harris swung his steel pipe, and the women, as if granted a special pardon, hurriedly put on some clothes and ran out barefoot. ¡°Someone call security for me¡­¡± Sheridan Isolde leaned against the wall, feeling dizzy and seeing stars. ¡°Sergei Harris, you¡¯ve gone mad! Just go, I won¡¯t hold today¡¯s incident against you! But if you don¡¯t know what¡¯s good for you, I swear I¡¯ll kill you within minutes!¡± He looked at Sergei Harris standing before him, feeling a chill run down his spine. This was no longer the honest man he saw yesterday; standing before him now was like a murderous Devil! What Sheridan Isolde hadn¡¯t expected was that Sergei Harris¡¯s only untouchable scale was Anna Harris. Anyone who dared to harm Anna Harris, Sergei Harris would risk his life to kill the murderer! ¡°Am I crazy? Were you in possession of your conscience when you instructed the truck driver to kill me? You arranged for three or four trucks to wait at the intersection, was that abiding by the law?¡± Sergei Harris took another step forward, his hand gripping the steel pipe trembling uncontrollably. ¡°Sheridan Isolde! I¡¯m going to damn your mother!¡± Bang! Accompanied by the sound of cutting air, the steel pipe in Sergei Harris¡¯s hand came crashing down fiercely! Sheridan Isolde tried to dodge, but the steel pipe smashed right onto his outstretched arms. Crack! ¡°Ah¡­ Sergei Harris, you lunatic!¡± With a crisp sound, Sheridan Isolde¡¯s arms were smashed and broken. He lay on the ground, his facial features twisted together in pain. ¡°Sheridan Isolde!¡± Sergei Harris roared, and his whole being seemed to go mad, ¡°Look at my face!¡± He squat down, his eyes reddened as he looked at Sheridan Isolde: ¡°You want to destroy my family, I¡¯ll kill you first today!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t want to kill you! Sergei Harris¡­ you, you madman! I know nothing, you¡¯ll regret this!¡± Even in such a moment, Sheridan Isolde kept a cool head, knowing that confessing would mean his end. Against a normal person, he could use his authority and even threats were effective. But the Sergei Harris now was no different from a madman! ¡°Parveen Carmichael¡­¡± Sheridan Isolde couldn¡¯t understand, with Parveen Carmichael handling things and his own men at the intersection, how could the plan have leaked and been exposed? Could it be¡­ He dared not think any further. ¡°Sergei Harris, let¡¯s talk this over. Do you want money? I¡¯ll give you as much as you want! I really have money back home!¡± Sheridan Isolde was truly scared; Sergei Harris¡¯s gaze was like that of a desperate fugitive, filled with endless murderous intent. ¡°Money?¡± Sergei Harris chuckled sinisterly, grabbing Sheridan Isolde by the collar: ¡°Do you think money can buy everything?¡± ¡°Then what do you want! I¡¯ll give you anything I can!¡± Blood streamed down his forehead, already blinding Sheridan Isolde. He planned to stabilize Sergei Harris and as soon as he left the hotel, he would immediately have someone kill Sergei Harris! And as for Anna Harris, he¡¯d have his way with her first, then throw her into the river to feed the fish! ¡°I want your life!¡± Bang! Sergei Harris howled and slammed the steel pipe down on Sheridan Isolde¡¯s head! ¡°Ah¡­ please, don¡¯t kill me!¡± Sheridan Isolde collapsed to his knees, pleading non-stop. ¡°This is really thrilling!¡± Just then, a voice that Sheridan Isolde found familiar yet strange suddenly came through, followed by a flurry of footsteps. ¡°Who¡¯s there!¡± Sheridan Isolde lifted his head, struggling to see who was opposite him. But when he saw the face of the person, he was startled. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± The person was none other than the young man who had pierced his wrist with a metal fork during the dinner, the same man who was in the private room with Anna Harris! ¡°Master Isolde, I have already released this video. I wonder how people in the circles will think of you now.¡± Julius Reed clapped his hands, squatting in front of Sheridan Isolde with a smiling face. ¡°Feeling good?¡± Chapter 323 - Chapter 323: Chapter 323: Not Being a Commoner_1 Chapter 323: Chapter 323: Not Being a Commoner_1 Comfortable? Sheridan Isolde just wanted to find a quiet place to rest for a while. But he knew that was pure wishful thinking. ¡°Sheridan Isolde, do you want to live?¡± Julius Reed squatted down and asked softly. ¡°Yes!¡± Without any hesitation, Sheridan Isolde¡¯s head bobbed like a woodpecker¡¯s. He wanted desperately to live! Here in Gonzalez City, surrounded by a bunch of desperados, Sheridan Isolde was truly frightened. ¡°You want to live? That¡¯s easy.¡± With a wave of Julius Reed¡¯s hand, a staff member immediately brought over a chair. ¡°Call your family, pay the ransom.¡± He sat on the chair with one leg crossed over the other, and handed the phone on the bed to Sheridan Isolde. ¡°The phone has no signal¡­¡± Sheridan Isolde hadn¡¯t finished speaking when he saw the phone¡¯s signal was restored to full strength. ¡°But just now¡­¡± Though he had taken a few blows to the head from steel pipes, he was not yet delirious. ¡°Ah! You¡¯re talking about the signal? Naturally, it comes back when I use it. Compose yourself and send a video to your family.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, but that smile sent a chill down Sheridan Isolde¡¯s spine. ¡°Okay!¡± Sheridan Isolde swallowed, wiped the blood from his face with his clothes, and nervously initiated a video call. ¡°Sheridan, when are you coming back¡­¡± The voice cut off halfway through. ¡°Sheridan! What happened to your face!¡± The voice became tense instantly. At that moment, Julius Reed nodded. Whoosh! Sergei Harris, standing behind Sheridan Isolde, suddenly swung a steel pipe! Crack! The phone dropped to the ground. But the other end of the video clearly saw Sheridan Isolde being hit. ¡°Who are you people! Release my son now; otherwise, I¡¯ll have you crushed to pieces!¡± The person on the other end of the video was obviously angry. ¡°Sorry, Mr. Isolde. Your son is in my hands.¡± At a gesture from Julius Reed, staff immediately picked the phone up from the ground. On the screen, there was an elderly man with glasses, looking exceptionally angry. ¡°Who are you? I warn you, if you don¡¯t release him immediately, I¡¯m calling the police! You can¡¯t handle the consequences!¡± The old man was trying hard to stay calm, thinking of stabilizing the people in front of him to ensure Sheridan Isolde¡¯s safety. ¡°I¡¯ve heard Mr. Isolde has only one son?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s face always wore a smile, showing no other emotion. It was this extreme calm that brought fear to Stanley Isolde¡¯s heart. All men have desires, whether for power or women. As long as there are weaknesses, he can exploit them! But in the face of Julius Reed, the experienced businessman Stanley Isolde was at a loss. From the other¡¯s unchanging smile, he could discern no useful information. ¡°Indeed! I have only this one son. Today, whatever your terms are, just state them! But one thing is certain; you must ensure my son¡¯s safety!¡± Stanley Isolde took a deep breath and quietly arranged for his wife to mobilize their staff nonchalantly, trying to figure out the location of his son. ¡°Your son is suspected of murder and is also suspected of kidnapping,¡± Julius Reed stepped on Sheridan Isolde¡¯s face, smiled faintly, and said, ¡°Family Head Isolde, how much money do you think can settle this?¡± ¡°As long as I can afford it!¡± Stanley Isolde said in a deep voice. He was initially shocked, but then he became incredibly calm. His son was arrogant and hiring someone to commit murder was not out of his character. But looking at this youth in front of him, who didn¡¯t seem familiar, he shouldn¡¯t be a well-known figure. Logically speaking, with bodyguards always by Sheridan Isolde¡¯s side, he shouldn¡¯t have been captured so easily. ¡°Family Head, the several bodyguards who follow the young master have all lost contact.¡± The butler wrote out this line in front of Stanley Isolde without Julius Reed seeing it. ¡°Young man, you¡¯re doing this just for the money. As long as you release Sheridan Isolde, I assure you, you will have enough money, and we can forget this matter. Besides, I won¡¯t call the police.¡± The bodyguards who followed Sheridan Isolde were all very formidable, a fact Stanley Isolde was well aware of. Now that these people had lost contact, it proved that this youth was no ordinary person. As long as he could rescue Sheridan Isolde, Stanley Isolde could use his connections to quickly freeze accounts and arrange for the Shadow Warrior to wipe out this entire group. ¡°Family Head, their address keeps changing, they must have a computer expert. We are unable to locate them,¡± Sheridan Isolde¡¯s mother also wrote out a line of text, placing it in front of Stanley Isolde. Could it be an organized, premeditated action? Stanley Isolde immediately thought of his business rivals; only they would be capable of such meticulous planning. ¡°Everyone always says being a worldly man, greedy for wealth and lust, is the way. However, I wish to be a sage who neither desires money nor power,¡± Julius Reed aimed the camera at Sheridan Isolde, smiled, and said, ¡°Family Head Isolde, tell me, what will it take to release him?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t go too far!¡± Stanley Isolde¡¯s face darkened, finally showing some anger. It was clear that these people weren¡¯t after money! ¡°You kidnap my son, then repeatedly humiliate me; what exactly are you after? No matter how much your employer pays you, I, Stanley Isolde will give you three times that!¡± Stanley Isolde slammed the table with a fierce motion: ¡°Otherwise, it will be a fight to the death!¡± ¡°Dad¡­¡± Upon hearing such harsh words, Sheridan Isolde shuddered inside, ¡°Please, I beg of you, you must rescue me!¡± Now his father was his only hope; as long as he could return alive, Sheridan Isolde swore to take his revenge. But looking at the current situation, it seemed as though the other party had no intention of releasing him. ¡°Sheridan! Calm down!¡± Stanley Isolde roared, looking at Julius Reed on the screen, and asked coldly, ¡°Speak, what are your conditions?¡± He didn¡¯t believe that the other party had gone to such lengths and efforts for nothing. Sheridan Isolde was very valuable, whether it was for money or for threatening the Isolde Family to make concessions in business, it was more practical than murder. ¡°Your son plotted a murder, and I plan to send him to prison. I know you¡¯re very curious about this place. Now let me tell you, Gonzalez City Shangri-La, if you dare send anyone, the more that come, the more that will die!¡± Julius Reed stood up, threw the phone to the ground, ¡°All life is equal, since he has committed many evils, I shall take him on behalf of Heaven!¡± ¡°Bastard!¡± Sergei Harris, who had been silent, rushed over to take the steel pipe from Sergei Harris¡¯s hands and viciously struck Sheridan Isolde. ¡°You bitch! So it¡¯s you! Ah¡­ I was wrong, my lady, spare my life!¡± ¡­ Ganny Province, Isolde Family Villa. Crack! Stanley Isolde fiercely smashed the teacup in front of him into powder. ¡°Contact that old man immediately, as long as he can rescue Sheridan Isolde, the Isolde Family agrees to whatever cost! But on one condition, bring that young man back to me alive!¡± ¡°Family Head, are you sure about this? Once we contact that old man, our Isolde Family may be drawn into a vast conspiracy, and it will be hard to stay uninvolved!¡± A young man hesitated. ¡°My son has been beaten to that state; if we don¡¯t act now, to whom shall I entrust this great family business? My mind is made up, contact the old man immediately, tell him my intentions, the Isolde Family is willing to join the Boulevard League!¡± Stanley Isolde closed his eyes slightly, his hands trembling incessantly. Chapter 324 - Chapter 324: Chapter 324 Boulevard League_1 Chapter 324: Chapter 324 Boulevard League_1 After Julius Reed stepped out of the room, he immediately arranged for Aron Jackson¡¯s people to keep a close watch on the airport, the docks, and the train stations. At the same time, he summoned a large number of men to guard the vicinity of Shangri-La; even the service staff inside were Aron Jackson¡¯s people. It was completely a posture of luring the enemy into a trap. As long as the Isolde Family dared to come, however many came would be killed! After all, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s kneeling had filled Julius Reed with a killing intent! Just as he walked out of the hotel¡¯s main entrance, Julius Reed received a call from an unknown number on his mobile phone. This number was extremely confidential; aside from people like Miguel Abbott, no one knew it. No telemarketing calls would ever make it to this number. ¡°Hello.¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t hesitate and immediately answered the call. ¡°Mr. Reed?¡± A faint voice came from the other end of the phone. ¡°You are¡­?¡± Julius Reed felt the voice sounded familiar, but he couldn¡¯t remember who it belonged to at the moment. Moreover, judging from the voice, it sounded like the other party might be in a cramped space, making the call secretly. ¡°Bridger Davenport.¡± ¡°It¡¯s you? How do you know my number?¡± Julius Reed felt it was incredible since though he had agreed with Bridger Davenport to report any news to him, the number left had been Miguel Abbott¡¯s. This way, it wouldn¡¯t arouse suspicion and could also achieve a secretive effect. ¡°Mr. Abbott gave it to me. Mr. Reed, it¡¯s urgent, please listen to me first.¡± Bridger Davenport¡¯s voice was so soft that Julius Reed had to listen carefully to make it out clearly. ¡°Yesterday, our gang leader Maurice Yarrow joined an organization called the Boulevard League. Many wealthy merchants and powers from Five-river Province have joined, including the Leopold Family and Kensington Family. However, people like Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter were not invited. On the contrary, Golden Eagle Group and Moonlight Group are the first to be targeted in the Boulevard League¡¯s initial plan!¡± ¡°To sum up, all the invitees are from large families that hold a grudge against you. Atlas Leopold of the Leopold Family was crippled by you, Quince Kensington¡¯s men were killed by you in Gonzalez City, and Maurice Yarrow has always wanted to eliminate you. The only one that doesn¡¯t fit is Stanislaus Potter, his son Quamaine Potter¡­¡± ¡°Stanislaus Potter has already pledged his allegiance to me; he is now my man.¡± Julius Reed spoke calmly. ¡°That explains everything then. The members of the organization aren¡¯t only from Five-river Province but also wealthy merchants from Ganny Province. The next step in their plan is to take out Stanislaus Potter and Miguel Abbott within the next few days.¡± Thud! Thud! At that moment, there were footsteps in the telephone call, and Bridger Davenport hurriedly hung up the phone. ¡°Big Brother, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Aron Jackson, seeing that Julius Reed looked a bit off, quickly came over to comfort him, ¡°Please rest assured, Big Brother! Even if the Isolde Family had the power of the divine, they couldn¡¯t escape from Gonzalez City!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that.¡± Julius Reed shook his head, muttering to himself, ¡°Boulevard League, Boulevard League, Boulevard? I want to see if you can really trap me!¡± He turned to Aron Jackson, ¡°I need to go to Five-river Province now; their people have already infiltrated here, and the bomb incident last time proves it. For your sister-in-law¡¯s safety, I only trust you.¡± ¡°Big Brother! What are you going to do?¡± Aron Jackson was a bit slow to react. Weren¡¯t they just waiting here for the Isolde Family to come to their doom? Why suddenly go to Five-river Province? ¡°This Boulevard League should be connected to the people who have been targeting me. If we find out who the organizers are, we can trace back from there and find out who the ¡®highly skilled individual¡¯ Joel Martin spoke of really is!¡± A flash of sharpness crossed Julius Reed¡¯s eyes, and his voice turned somewhat icy, ¡°Your sister-in-law¡¯s safety is more important than anything!¡± Having said that, he went over to confer with Quella Radcliffe and then headed straight to the Titan Group. Fifteen minutes later. A Jetta appeared in the underground parking lot of the Titan Group. At that moment, a man in a black trench coat approached the car window and tapped lightly on the glass, ¡°Got a light?¡± The window slowly rolled down, and the trench-coated man whispered upon seeing no one around, ¡°Ovidiu Cook remains without suspicion for now, at most, he¡¯s guilty of negligence. I¡¯ve checked even which newspaper he reads while using the toilet; the guy doesn¡¯t have the guts to betray you.¡± ¡°I need a plane, to fly to Five-river Province immediately. The operation must be kept confidential, no one else can know.¡± Julius Reed spoke from the driver¡¯s seat of the Jetta. ¡°Relax, the driver has been drugged by me and will suddenly drop dead in three hours. As for the others, you don¡¯t need to worry,¡± said Bane Cook, clad in a black trench coat, as he put on his sunglasses. ¡°Boss, the plane is on the rooftop, aside from you and me, no one else will know. By the time Ovidiu Cook discovers anything, you will have already landed.¡± ¡°Excellent!¡± Julius Reed looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then got out of the car and took the elevator to the rooftop. Behind him, Bane Cook followed all the way to the elevator. This was an elevator exclusively for senior staff. Once the emergency mode was activated, it wouldn¡¯t stop midway, but head directly to its destination. After Bane Cook swiped his card, the elevator went straight up to the rooftop. At that time, the helicopter on the rooftop was emitting a roaring sound. ¡°Hello¡­¡± ¡°I am Bane Cook, calling for the plane.¡± Before the security personnel could speak, Bane Cook promptly showed his ID. ¡°Minister Cook!¡± Upon seeing the name on the ID, a security guard hastily saluted him. Bane Cook¡¯s renown was well-known; he controlled the greatest power within the Titan Group¡¯s most secretive department. Moreover, the rumors about him were so extraordinary that everyone regarded Bane Cook with awe and fear. ¡°Does the chairman know about this, Minister Cook? Don¡¯t take it the wrong way, this is company protocol, even the chairman needs to explain in advance if he wants to use the helicopter.¡± Four security guards stood in front of Bane Cook, looking troubled: ¡°Maybe you could check with the chairman?¡± ¡°Who is this?¡± One of the security guards noticed Julius Reed and approached to investigate. ¡°Stop right there!¡± Bane Cook¡¯s expression darkened, and he addressed the security guard, ¡°This gentleman is a distinguished guest of the Titan Group. I have been ordered by the chairman to escort the guest away. Move aside immediately, or I will not be merciful!¡± ¡°This¡­¡± The security guards looked troubled, uncertain about what to do. Finally, they stepped aside to clear a path. No one dared to challenge Bane Cook, this madman who even dared to curse at the chairman. They certainly didn¡¯t think they ranked higher than the chairman. ¡°Please!¡± Seeing the way cleared, Bane Cook gestured for Julius Reed to proceed. Julius Reed nodded and quickly boarded the helicopter, which then took off slowly. ¡°Minister Cook, I need to confirm this with the chairman.¡± A security guard picked up a walkie-talkie, ready to report to the front desk. ¡°There¡¯s no need!¡± Thwack! In Bane Cook¡¯s hand appeared a dagger, which he drove straight into the heart of the security guard. ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°The path was your own choosing!¡± Bane Cook didn¡¯t even glance at him and pushed the security guard aside. In quick succession, he delivered two stabs, and before the other two security guards could react, they too had become corpses. ¡°Minister Cook¡­ Please spare me!¡± The remaining guard fell to his knees, so frightened that he lost control of his bladder and bowels. ¡°Why are you kneeling? They were corporate spies. You¡¯re new here, aren¡¯t you thinking too much?¡± Bane Cook wiped the dagger on the clothes of one of the bodies and reinserted it into his waistband. But before the guard could breathe a sigh of relief, Bane Cook turned around again. ¡°Minister Cook¡­ I didn¡¯t see anything!¡± The guard shivered with fright, thinking the man had changed his mind. ¡°Take care of the bodies. If you don¡¯t know how, call my subordinates to handle it,¡± said Bane Cook with a faint smile, as he turned to leave the rooftop. Chapter 325 - Chapter 325: Chapter 325 Sudden Incident_1 Chapter 325: Chapter 325 Sudden Incident_1 In the exclusive private room on the third floor of the ¡°Pearl of Water¡± in Five-river Province, Stanislaus Potter and Miguel Abbott, who had hurried back from Gonzalez City, were drinking. Ever since the incident with Richard occurred, Stanislaus Potter had become thoroughly convinced by Julius Reed, so much so that he had completely let go of even the matter of his son¡¯s broken legs. He was a shrewd man and knew that continuing the fight would lead to his downfall and losing everything. During this period, as Julius Reed¡¯s spokesperson in Five-river Province, Miguel Abbott made frequent contact with Stanislaus Potter, reaching cooperation on many matters. ¡°Mr. Abbott, what exactly did Mr. Reed mean today?¡± Stanislaus Potter picked up his glass and pondered for a moment, ¡°Could it be that we took the initiative, trying to please him excessively, only to end up kissing up to the wrong end of a horse?¡± They had not informed Julius Reed about the investment in Radcliffe Group, acting entirely on their own accord. However, it was a company controlled by Julius Reed¡¯s wife, and they had done so solely to express their stance. ¡°Impossible!¡± Miguel Abbott waved his hand, outright rejecting Stanislaus Potter¡¯s thought: ¡°Mr. Reed absolutely adores his wife! And do you think Mr. Reed wouldn¡¯t know about our actions? Why then would he choose the last moment to stop us?¡± Through their recent interactions, Miguel Abbott had come to roughly grasp Julius Reed¡¯s preferences. Despite being young and surrounded by beautiful women, Julius Reed had never been swayed, showing disdain for getting involved with such women. Moreover, every time he talked about Quella Radcliffe, his eyes shone with affection and happiness. It was a feeling that came from the heart and was not feigned. Furthermore, Julius Reed had countless spies by his side. He had been able to thoroughly investigate matters like Richard pretending to be the illegitimate son of Stanislaus Potter; how could they possibly hope to conceal their intention to scout the Radcliffe Group from Julius Reed? ¡°Or is it possible that Mr. Reed was deliberately sending us a message?¡± Stanislaus Potter had a habit of thinking of the worst in every situation, as it prepared him to make plans for the worst-case scenarios. The success of Golden Eagle Group today was not separate from his sense of crisis. ¡°Brother Stanislaus, you¡¯re overestimating the two of us and underestimating Mr. Reed,¡± Miguel Abbott raised his glass with a smile: ¡°By our own merits, we wouldn¡¯t even catch Mr. Reed¡¯s eye.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve learned a lot from drinking with you today, Brother Abbott. With that, I¡¯ll head back to the office and we can get together another day!¡± Stanislaus Potter picked up the jacket hanging on a nearby chair, his face slightly flushed, ¡°This liquor¡¯s good; send two bottles my way some time.¡± ¡°Rare for you to ask, Brother Stanislaus¡ªI¡¯ll send you a whole case!¡± Miguel Abbott also stood up to put on his clothes and whispered into Stanislaus Potter¡¯s ear: ¡°My people checked, and this morning, the chairman of the Radcliffe Group appeared at the company¡¯s entrance, waiting for us. She had to leave because of some matters, and then we received that call.¡± To claim indifference about the morning¡¯s events would be a lie. Miguel Abbott had already sent people to investigate on his way back, trying to surmise Julius Reed¡¯s thoughts. It wouldn¡¯t matter even if such activity were to be discovered. ¡°Brother, are you suggesting that¡­¡± Stanislaus Potter¡¯s eyebrows raised, sensing an underlying message in Miguel Abbott¡¯s words. ¡°I am not suggesting anything! It¡¯s just that I¡¯ve heard, well¡­ that the Radcliffe Family had quite the opposition towards Mrs. Reed in the past. Heh, it¡¯s getting late; let me walk you out!¡± Miguel Abbott¡¯s words, only half-spoken, allowed Stanislaus Potter to guess the gist of it based on his own intuition. The two did not dwell further and headed straight downstairs. ¡°Brother Abbott, you truly had a unique foresight back then. If I¡¯d been as obstinate as you were because of your daughter, both of us might have been struck off the register in Five-river Province by today,¡± Walking on the marble floors of ¡°Pearl of Water,¡± draped in his suit, Stanislaus Potter couldn¡¯t stop reflecting. The Leopold Family¡¯s plot, and he had been used; as a result, his son had both legs broken, and Harlan Potter died a tragic death. Even Golden Eagle Group had once faced the crisis of collapse. ¡°Let¡¯s put the past behind us. Trust me, Mr. Reed is a very magnanimous person. Starting today¡­¡± ¡°Boss, watch out!¡± Whoosh! As the two were conversing, a figure suddenly flashed past, knocking Stanislaus Potter and Miguel Abbott to the ground. ¡°Austin Yarrow, what the hell are you doing!¡± By the time Stanislaus Potter realized what was happening, he saw that the figure was Austin Yarrow, one of his close bodyguards from the Seven Guardians. Whiz! Whiz! Whiz! Before Austin Yarrow could explain, a violent barrage of darts erupted from the trees ten meters away. The firelight was particularly glaring against the dark night. The Pearl on the Water was secluded, and unless someone from the hotel rushed over, no one would notice. ¡°Boss, they¡¯ve got numbers, and they¡¯re all armed. Get out of here first!¡± Austin Yarrow roared in a low voice. ¡°My people will get here!¡± The ordeal had sobered Miguel Abbott, and to be assassinated right at his doorstep seemed brazen. Boom! But just then, a gas explosion occurred on the first floor of the Pearl on the Water! The blast shattered all the glass on the entire first floor with a towering inferno! Shortly afterward, a group burst out from the lobby, led by Allen, the head of Miguel Abbott¡¯s personal bodyguards. ¡°Boss, someone in the hotel detonated the gas tanks, get out of here quick!¡± Allen and his men ran up, gasping for breath. ¡°We¡¯re done for!¡± Miguel Abbott slapped his thigh as he sat on the ground, ¡°We¡¯re surrounded on both sides, who the hell is doing this!¡± ¡°Escort the two bosses to safety!¡± With a wave of Austin Yarrow¡¯s hand, the remaining men immediately helped Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter up and quickly made their way to the ground-level parking lot. There were three emergency off-road vehicles parked above, ready for quick evacuation in case of emergencies. ¡°Mr. Potter, who could be behind such a big move! They really want us dead!¡± Miguel Abbott watched the huge fire consuming the first floor of the Pearl on the Water, his hands clenched tightly. Fortunately, Ives Abbott and Lory Shaw were not here. ¡°Let¡¯s get to a safe place first!¡± Stanislaus Potter pulled out his phone, hoping to call his trusted people. But after glancing at it, he threw it forcefully to the ground, ¡°What a move, they¡¯ve even jammed signals in such a wide area!¡± It was only at this moment that the two realized their assailants truly intended to kill them. The car sped away, and the sounds of darts firing faded until they vanished altogether. ¡°Nowhere is safe right now, better head downtown where there are more people and cars, and we can hide better. Plus, they won¡¯t dare to cause a huge scene in the city, for fear of government accountability!¡± Miguel Abbott directed the driver toward the city. They hadn¡¯t gone far when the lead car suddenly stopped. ¡°Damn it!¡± The moment the car stopped, Miguel Abbott knew they were in trouble. What terrified them even more was seeing the vehicle¡¯s front end slowly rise, then the entire car levitated! Underneath the car stood a man whose face they couldn¡¯t see, but it sent chills down their spines. What kind of person could lift a car? Boom! The man then hurled the car forcefully, flipping it over in the middle of the road. Chapter 326 - Chapter 326: Chapter 326 Power Hall Appears_1 Chapter 326: Chapter 326 Power Hall Appears_1 ¡°Boss, watch out!¡± Several bodyguards immediately got out of the car behind them. The man did a forward roll and easily dodged the flying darts, instantly arriving in front of Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter¡¯s car. ¡°Jump!¡± The two men said in unison, simultaneously opening the door and jumping out of the car. Boom! At the same moment, the man¡¯s fists came crashing down, shattering the front windshield. ¡°What a hassle!¡± The man twisted his head, grabbed the car door with one hand, and hurled it violently at the dart-throwing bodyguards! Pfft! The thrown car door, like a giant blade, instantly slew several people! Afterward, the man walked at a leisurely pace toward Stanislaus Potter and Miguel Abbott. ¡°Who are you!¡± Even now, Miguel Abbott remained calm. By the light of the moon, he was finally able to see the man¡¯s face clearly. About forty years old, with abundant body hair and his muscular upper body exposed. ¡°Your killer.¡± After the man reached them, he didn¡¯t rush to take action but squatted down to light a cigarette. ¡°Guess who wants to kill you. I¡¯ll give you three chances to guess, and if you¡¯re wrong, I¡¯ll kill you both immediately.¡± Having said that, he took a deep drag on the cigarette, gently exhaling the smoke. ¡°Leopold Family?¡± Miguel Abbott thought hard, to this day the only ones who had opposed them should only be the Leopold Family. ¡°Right, but not quite.¡± The man turned his head. ¡°The Leopold Family is one of those who want to kill you. Let¡¯s say you guessed correctly.¡± ¡°Does guessing right mean you¡¯ll let us go?¡± Stanislaus Potter quietly reached for the cell phone he had thrown to the ground earlier, thinking of calling for help. ¡°Even if you guess correctly, you still have to die.¡± The man suddenly turned his head, the cigarette butt shooting out from his hand! Whoosh! The soft cigarette butt struck Stanislaus Potter¡¯s cell phone, shattering the screen instantly. ¡°Gentlemen, have a good journey.¡± The man grinned, striding toward the two. ¡°Mr. Harris Mountain, when did you become a lapdog?¡± Just as the man was about to strike, a slow and leisurely voice came from behind him. ¡°Who!¡± The man¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as he spun around. Someone who could approach without his awareness was definitely not an ordinary person! Ordinary people a hundred meters away could be sensed by him, but now they were less than ten meters apart, and this was what Mr. Harris Mountain was truly worried about. ¡°Mr. Reed?¡± Contrary to the man¡¯s reaction, Miguel Abbott was overjoyed upon hearing the voice! It was Julius Reed¡¯s voice! As long as Julius Reed was here, they wouldn¡¯t die! ¡°Mr. Harris Mountain, you seem to be a bit forgetful.¡± Julius Reed slowly turned around, looking at the muscular man in front of him and shook his head. ¡°As always, you have plenty of brute strength, but not enough brains.¡± ¡°Young¡­ Young Master!¡± Mr. Harris Mountain, upon seeing Julius Reed¡¯s face, was visibly shocked and at a loss for words. ¡°You¡­ You¡¯re not¡­ Aren¡¯t you dead?¡± Three years ago, the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance encountered betrayal from his employees and fell off a cliff, his body shattered to pieces. ¡°Are you that eager to see me dead?¡± Julius Reed walked leisurely towards Mr. Harris Mountain with his hands clasped behind his back. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to encounter an old acquaintance here.¡± ¡°Young¡­ Young Master¡­¡± As Julius Reed came closer, beads of sweat on Mr. Harris Mountain¡¯s forehead became denser. At last, he could no longer withstand the pressure and fell to his knees with a ¡®thud¡¯. ¡°Power hall¡¯s Mr. Harris, at your service, Young Master!¡± Mr. Harris bowed his head, his body trembling continuously. The Power hall was subordinate to the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, considered a medium-sized organization that rarely had the chance to touch core secrets. But compared to other loose alliances, the Power hall was quite formidable. Especially Mr. Harris¡¯s brute strength, even when facing Deep Cold¡¯s chief, he could hold his own. ¡°Why are you, here?¡± Julius Reed approached Mr. Harris and asked aloud. The Power hall located in the northwest was not allowed to enter the central region without instructions from the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. The appearance of the Power hall¡¯s leader in a coastal city like Five-river Province meant someone behind the scenes was pulling strings! ¡°I received an order from the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, commanding me to take my staff to Demarco Mount. After I arrived at Demarco Mount, I received another order, telling me to slay these two people right before me!¡± Mr. Harris kept his head lowered, his voice somewhat trembling. He had witnessed the might of Julius Reed, the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, unstoppable by anyone! But hadn¡¯t the rumors implied that the Young Master had perished beneath the mountain peaks? And after searching for his body for three years of internal turmoil within the alliance, they had come to accept this as fact. Had it not been for some diehard loyalists insisting on seeing the body if dead, the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance might have already appointed a new Young Master. ¡°I, the Young Master, am right here; who gave the order?¡± Julius Reed asked coldly. ¡°This¡­¡± Mr. Harris stuttered, unable to articulate a complete sentence. ¡°I¡¯ll ask one last time.¡± Julius Reed took a deep breath, ¡°You have been my employee for many years, I don¡¯t want to kill you upon our first meeting.¡± ¡°Nexus border, Ayden Woody!¡± Upon hearing these words, Mr. Harris¡¯s legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground. ¡°Ayden Woody? Good, it seems he really did take part in the rebellion.¡± Julius Reed flicked his finger lightly and said, ¡°Stand up.¡± Nexus border guarded Demarco Mount and was one of the four protector organizations. Now that Ayden Woody was issuing orders leveraging the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, it indicated he was involved in this upheaval. Ordering in secret in the absence of the Young Master was a capital offense! ¡°Young Master, the one who plotted this assassination wasn¡¯t Ayden Woody. He merely instructed me to come here and collaborate with a local person, and the command to kill these two was given by that local.¡± Mr. Harris moved closer to Julius Reed, speaking softly. He did not dare conceal the slightest detail. If the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance said to kill, he truly would kill! ¡°Hmm, has my Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance fallen so far, to the point where we must survive by killing for others?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s mouth curled into a smile, yet this smile sent a chill down Mr. Harris¡¯s back. ¡°Young Master, once the news that you are still alive spreads, the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance will surely return to its peak!¡± A flicker of resolve crossed through Mr. Harris¡¯s eyes. For so many years, the name Julius Reed had been like a gold plaque; wherever he went, enemies fled in terror. And since the Young Master¡¯s mysterious ¡®death,¡¯ the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance had crumbled and was now less than a tenth of what it had been at its peak. Major organizations withdrew from the alliance one after another, leaving it in utter disarray. Only by relying on some veteran organizations was it able to maintain its current state. ¡°Keep today¡¯s events to yourself; don¡¯t tell anyone!¡± Julius Reed looked straight into Mr. Harris¡¯s eyes, ¡°Now is not the time for me to appear. When you go back, find out the identity of that local person! And remember, keep the news that I¡¯m alive to yourself!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Mr. Harris wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, still shaking. ¡°When you go back, say that the mission was completed successfully, and find out exactly who this local is and what¡¯s their story!¡± Julius Reed closed his eyes and took a deep breath; perhaps all the recent changes in Five-river Province were related to this person. ¡°The organization is called the Boulevard League. The local Leopold Family, Three Blade Group, among others, have joined. I haven¡¯t been here long, so I don¡¯t know much.¡± As soon as Mr. Harris finished speaking, Julius Reed¡¯s eyes snapped open, murmuring to himself, ¡°The Boulevard League again?¡± Chapter 327 - Chapter 327: Chapter 327 I Didn’t Hear Clearly_1 Chapter 327: Chapter 327 I Didn¡¯t Hear Clearly_1 ¡°` An explosive piece of news swept through Five-river Province the next day. Miguel Abbott, Chairman of Moonlight Group, and Stanislaus Potter, Chairman of Golden Eagle Group, had suffered a severe car accident after drinking. The helmsmen of the two leading enterprises in the province had unluckily passed away. The news was so sudden that many people found it hard to believe. The Abbott Family and the Potter Family were draped in white, and relatives from the family came one after another to offer their condolences. Inside a villa in Five-river Province. ¡°Master, the man is dead.¡± A butler said quietly. ¡°Is it clear?¡± The old man leaned back in his chair, his eyes barely open. ¡°Confirmed dead, executed cleanly and succinctly, wrapped up as a drunk driving case, with the driver fleeing the scene. We¡¯ve already arranged for someone to take the fall and go to prison, this case will be closed immediately.¡± The butler reported while bending over. ¡°Be thorough. Once these two are dead, Julius Reed in Five-river Province is like a blind and deaf man, unable to see or touch anything.¡± The elderly man said slowly. ¡°I¡¯ve sent someone to check, and Miguel Abbott¡¯s daughter, Ives Abbott, has already fainted from crying three times. Moreover, our man in play is one in ten thousand, absolutely not prone to mistakes!¡± The butler, head lowered, had a smile on his face. ¡°Ha ha! Julius Reed, I will make you bow that noble head! Butler, immediately convene a meeting to discuss the next moves for the Boulevard League! Remember, it must be confidential; our identities should not be leaked!¡± The elderly man opened his cloudy eyes, his face bearing an expression of satisfaction, ¡°Also, the Willson Group must be brought over to our side. If we don¡¯t approach Willson Group, Julius Reed will notice, and once he suspects us, we will be utterly defeated!¡± ¡°Understood! I¡¯ve already sent someone to woo Willson Group, ensuring they won¡¯t harbor the slightest suspicion!¡± The butler bowed and retreated from the room. ¡°I will corner the dragon!¡± In the spacious room, only the old man¡¯s laughter remained. ¡­ ¡°Gentlemen, our first move has been so successful, what a way to start!¡± Inside a villa belonging to the Leopold Family, Maurice Yarrow held a wine glass, his face showing heartfelt joy. ¡°Boss Yarrow is right. Since its inception, Boulevard League hasn¡¯t really taken any action. I know there have been suspicions in everyone¡¯s minds. Yesterday¡¯s operation was to show everyone the strength of Boulevard League!¡± The butler raised his glass, ¡°What about Miguel Abbott? How about Stanislaus Potter, the business magnate? If we want them dead, they must die! And die without a trace! Even if the Abbott Family and the Potter Family investigate, they will come to only one conclusion: Drunk driving accident!¡± A roar akin to a mountain tide filled the villa. If any notable from Five-river Province were present, they would recognize many familiar faces here. These individuals were all elite top-tiers, either managing a huge conglomerate or having significant influence in their fields of expertise. Now, they were gathered here, conspiring for a major cause. ¡°Today, it is an honor for me, Atlas Leopold, to host a celebration in my home! Originally, Julius Reed emerged out of nowhere, and Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter abandoned the stance a local merchant should maintain, willingly becoming his henchmen! For Five-river Province, it was a disaster.¡± Speaking thus, Whitley Leopold, who should have been seriously ill in bed, raised his glass with a sigh, ¡°My grandson, Atlas Leopold, was set to be the helmsman of our family, the future successor. Yet this villain broke his legs, leaving him comatose to this day. Today, I am fortunate to have the Family Head organize this alliance, which has enabled me to take my revenge!¡± He approached the butler, raising his glass, the rim three notches lower than that of the butler¡¯s, ¡°A toast!¡± After that, he downed the drink. ¡°Although I planned this, it wouldn¡¯t have been possible without the contributions of everyone here. Let us celebrate together!¡± The butler raised his glass and lightly poured the wine onto the ground. Everyone stopped their activities, unsure of the meaning behind this action. ¡°May I ask, what is the butler¡¯s intention here?¡± Maurice Yarrow asked. Such an act was too unusual and shouldn¡¯t have occurred in such a setting. ¡°To Miguel Abbott, to Stanislaus Potter.¡± The butler smiled indifferently, then raised a second glass and drank it all. ¡°` Laughter once again filled the villa. Whoosh! But at that moment, the villa¡¯s wooden door was kicked to splinters. ¡°Who goes there!¡± Several bodyguards emerged from behind the butler, ready to charge forward. ¡°Stand down!¡± Before they could act, the butler immediately extended his hand to stop them: ¡°The Leopold family mansion is heavily guarded; it¡¯s impossible for anyone to break in unnoticed. Do not act rashly, let¡¯s watch and see.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The individuals quietly stepped back. A moment later, a muscular man with a bare chest strode in. ¡°It turns out to be Mr. Harris Mountain.¡± Maurice Yarrow was closest to the door, and he immediately went over with a glass of wine and offered it to Mr. Harris Mountain: ¡°Today¡¯s merit is all thanks to the butler and Mr. Harris Mountain¡­ ¡± Crash! Mr. Harris Mountain knocked the wine glass from Maurice Yarrow¡¯s hand and strode up to the butler. The villa fell into an eerie silence. No one knew what was happening. ¡°Mr. Harris Mountain, what is the meaning of this?¡± The butler frowned, it was a celebration, everyone was in high spirits, and Mr. Harris Mountain¡¯s actions were quite a dampener. But the one who had killed Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter was none other than the very Mr. Harris Mountain standing before him, so he had to tolerate the other man¡¯s rudeness and arrogance. ¡°I¡¯ve finished my business, yet your family head is still sneaking around, not daring to meet anyone!¡± Mr. Harris Mountain glared at the butler, his voice causing everyone¡¯s eardrums to ache. ¡°Mr. Harris Mountain, our family head has his reasons, and when the time comes for him to appear, he naturally will.¡± The butler suppressed his anger, not letting it show. Although he was just a butler, the family he served held him in the highest regard, and people outside were even more obsequious toward him. Faced with such questioning, if it were anyone else, they would have likely been dealt with by the butler by now. But the man in front of him was Mr. Harris Mountain, who was not only a strong man but also an expert sent by those from above to help. For such arrogance, he could only bear it for the time being. ¡°Nonsense!¡± Mr. Harris Mountain was not satisfied with the butler¡¯s answer. Standing less than half a meter from the butler, he said vehemently, ¡°I kill for you, I do your bidding, and in return, your family head hides like a turtle in its shell, not even allowing us a glimpse of his face! You should inquire, who would dare treat me like this? Not even your family head, not even the one who sent me, would dare treat me so!¡± ¡°Mind your language!¡± A bodyguard came over, his tone unfriendly. ¡°What did you say?¡± Mr. Harris Mountain turned his head and asked. ¡°I said, mind your¡­¡± Crack! Mr. Harris Mountain struck a punch that went straight through the bodyguard¡¯s torso. Drip, drip. Blood dripped ceaselessly from his fingers onto the floor, the bodyguard¡¯s body shuddering as he took his last breath. ¡°I didn¡¯t hear clearly, please someone repeat it for me.¡± Mr. Harris Mountain looked around the room, his gaze settling on the butler. ¡°Call your family head to see me, otherwise I won¡¯t do any more business for you!¡± After saying this, Mr. Harris Mountain wiped the blood onto the butler, then strode out of the Leopold family villa. Chapter 328 - Chapter 328: Chapter 328 Can You Trap Me?_1 Chapter 328: Chapter 328 Can You Trap Me?_1 ¡°You two will stay here for the time being, and communicate any needs directly to her. Remember, no matter how grief-stricken your families are, I want you to stay put.¡± Julius Reed looked at Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter before him, ¡°You¡¯re already dead, completely vanished from this world.¡± ¡°You are not Miguel Abbott, and you are not Stanislaus Potter.¡± ¡°You, are nameless individuals.¡± After saying this, Julius Reed waved his hand, and a woman in red immediately approached from the door. ¡°Red Widow, I¡¯m off to see Janet Carmichael. Look after these two for me. I don¡¯t trust anyone else, and after much consideration, you¡¯re the only reliable one right now.¡± He looked at the Red Widow in front of him, then turned and walked to the window. ¡°Please rest assured.¡± The Red Widow nodded, looking at Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter, ¡°Both of you, stay at ease here.¡± Last night, Julius Reed used the bodies of two bodyguards to fabricate a car accident, then ignited a huge fire to burn the corpses beyond recognition. Together with Mr. Harris Mountain¡¯s statement, those people were thoroughly convinced that Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter had died in the car crash. And Julius Reed did not allow them to inform their families; he directly brought the two men to the top floor office of the Willson Group. Only in this way, would both of their families believe it to be true, and the dark forces behind the scenes would also believe that the two of them had indeed died. ¡°I appreciate all your efforts.¡± Miguel Abbott sighed and slowly moved beside Julius Reed, ¡°If the Young Master had not come to our rescue yesterday, we might have been dead for good.¡± Even now, he still felt the cold sweat on his back. Miguel Abbott felt confident in his bodyguard skills, and the emergency measures he had prepared were perfect. But when faced with absolute power, they were nothing! The darts couldn¡¯t catch up with Mr. Harris Mountain¡¯s speed, and he could lift a car with one hand. Was such a monster something humans could contend with? ¡°I had a premonition.¡± Julius Reed said casually, ¡°Strictly speaking, your assassination attempt originated because of me. Protecting you is my responsibility.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Reed.¡± Miguel Abbott bowed deeply. ¡°Stay here with peace of mind, I must go and deal with some trouble. Remember what I said, don¡¯t show your faces at all costs.¡± Julius Reed turned to the Red Widow: ¡°If they take one step out of this room, execute first and report later.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, they¡¯ll be dead beyond doubt.¡± The Red Widow¡¯s eyebrows lifted as she drew a cold, gleaming dagger from nowhere, licked it with her mouth. This scene startled Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter into breaking out in cold sweat, and any prior touched feelings towards Julius Reed evaporated completely. After leaving the hidden room in the Willson Building, Julius Reed took the elevator to the presidential office. ¡°President!¡± Several men in black bowed respectfully. ¡°Let¡¯s hear it, what have each of you found.¡± Julius Reed leaned back in his executive chair, observing the men before him. These were his confidants, all sworn to die for their cause. After taking over the Willson Group, he had planted them inside the company, tasked with monitoring everyone¡¯s actions. He did not trust, nor dare to use, strangers. ¡°Recently, Maurice Yarrow visited our group several times, insisting on seeing you, with the general manager receiving him. In the first two visits, Maurice Yarrow refused to reveal his intentions, but on the third, he directly expressed his wish for you to join the Boulevard League.¡± ¡°This morning, the Percival Family of the North City sent people to the group, stating their business upfront, and brought a letter for you to open personally. They admired you greatly, but the bottom line of their message was one thing: they ask you to join their organization, the Boulevard League.¡± ¡°Fernando Leopold from the Leopold Family personally visited, inviting you to join the Boulevard League.¡± The men reported in turn, but it seemed the story was the same¨Conly the messengers were different. Everyone who comes here aims to invite the Willson Group to join the Boulevard League. ¡°That¡¯s interesting.¡± Julius Reed leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and slowly pondered. Something was amiss. The Willson Group was the largest consortium in Five-river Province, overtly surpassing the combined assets of the Leopold Family and the other major families. Moreover, after multiple reshuffles, the local tycoons of Five-river Province were greatly weakened, with only the Willson Group standing tall like an aircraft carrier. Any person in their right mind would prioritize courting the Willson Group. As long as the financial empire agreed, it would be smooth sailing for the other families. Who would dare contend with the newly risen Willson Group? That would be akin to a mantis trying to stop a chariot, a futile effort. Yet, the Boulevard League did not court the Willson Group from its inception; instead, they drew in the Leopold Family and the Three Blade Group among other organizations. It wasn¡¯t until after Miguel Abbott had trouble that the organization¡¯s members came to court the Willson Group. And when they came, they sent several local tycoons in succession to bombard them with offers. This move was too abnormal. ¡°I think I can almost guess who the puppet master behind this is now.¡± Julius Reed tapped his fingers lightly, picked up the phone, and dialed a number. A moment later, the call connected. ¡°Young Master.¡± An aged voice came through. ¡°Truman Ridge, have you heard of an organization called the Boulevard League recently?¡± Julius Reed asked casually. After a second of silence on the phone, Truman Ridge¡¯s voice came, ¡°I have not, what is this organization? I have been devoutly praying and meditating at home recently and am not aware of external affairs. If you wish me to investigate this organization, I will arrange for someone immediately.¡± ¡°Oh! It¡¯s nothing, I was just inquiring with you. Continue with your prayers. By the way, the Willson Group is operating very well, and I really need to thank you for that.¡± In that second of hesitation on the other end, Julius Reed almost got his answer. But verbally, he still acted as if it was all indifferent to him. ¡°It¡¯s my duty, and I¡¯m honored to be able to serve the Young Master.¡± Truman Ridge¡¯s tone was especially respectful, and even his voice was very low. ¡°How is your grandson, Finnian Ridge doing?¡± Julius Reed asked, ¡°Last time I might have been a bit too harsh, nothing serious, right?¡± ¡°My grandson did not know his own limits; the Young Master¡¯s discipline was correct! Now his face is disfigured, and I have confined him to the house, not allowing him a single step outside.¡± Truman Ridge¡¯s voice carried a hint of sorrow, though he tried hard to hide it, it did not escape Julius Reed¡¯s ears. ¡°Hm.¡± Having received the answer, Julius Reed hung up the phone. ¡°Go, find out the latest on Finnian Ridge! I want the most accurate results, and you have half an hour,¡± Julius Reed commanded, shaking his head as he sat in the chair, murmuring to himself, ¡°Truly overestimating one¡¯s capabilities.¡± The men in black immediately left the office, gathering intelligence at top speed. Ten minutes later, they returned. ¡°Finnian Ridge, unable to bear the pain of disfigurement, poisoned himself half a month ago. The Ridge Family kept the death a secret and buried him hastily,¡± reported the person in charge truthfully. ¡°Recently, Truman Ridge has indeed secluded himself and has been immersed in prayer, apathetic towards external affairs; the Ridge Family has been controlled by his sons.¡± ¡°Moreover, the Ridge Family¡¯s butler has been very active lately, making more appearances than in the past three years.¡± Hearing a series of reports, Julius Reed stood up from his chair, looking towards the distant high-rise buildings, ¡°If you are indeed a dragon, can you be truly trapped?¡± Chapter 329 - Chapter 329: Chapter 329 Michael Family Seeks Revenge_1 Chapter 329: Chapter 329 Michael Family Seeks Revenge_1 The preparatory work for the Willson Group was all completed with the help of Truman Ridge. Even the arrangement of internal staff was largely filled by members of the Ridge Family. In this world, besides Truman Ridge and his close followers, no one knew who the behind-the-scenes boss of the Willson Group really was. The fact that Boulevard League avoided the Willson Group so precisely at its establishment spoke volumes. After the incident, the frequency of them trying to win over the Willson Group was so high that it gave them away, further suggesting that they were guilty, or to put it another way, they hadn¡¯t been thorough from the start. Looking at the timeline of these events, it seemed that Truman had already been plotting after Finnian Ridge¡¯s disfigurement. However, Finnian¡¯s death completely drove the old man to madness. ¡°Boss, I¡¯ve ordered our men to wipe out the Ridge Family!¡± a man in black reported to Julius Reed, speaking out angrily. They were all guards loyal to the Young Master and would never allow such a thing to happen. ¡°Not for now,¡± Julius Reed shook his head and said with a smile, ¡°People from the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance are involved. If we rashly destroy the Ridge Family, we won¡¯t be able to dig out the mastermind behind this. I¡¯ve always wanted to know, who all were involved in that year¡¯s rebellion.¡± Mr. Harris Mountain¡¯s sudden appearance brought an immediate shift to the situation. This proved that Truman Ridge was not only in contact with local and provincial tycoons but had even reached out to members of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. But Mr. Harris Mountain was unaware that Julius Reed was still alive, showing that the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance was also unaware, simply conducting a transaction with Truman Ridge. If that was the case, the situation was even more complicated. According to Mr. Harris Mountain, the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance had already become involved in such a low-end business of being paid to kill, which was beyond imagination. Even though Julius Reed was gone and the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance was falling apart internally, the wealth accumulated by the Alliance over the years was enough for these people to spend for hundreds of years. Therefore, the purpose of Mr. Harris Mountain¡¯s emergence was deeply significant. ¡°Ring-a-ling!¡± A ringing sound snapped Julius Reed back from his thoughts. He glanced at the caller ID; it was Cold Nelson. ¡°Young Master, the Saint Heir is landing tonight. Shall we send people to intercept and eliminate him on the spot?¡± Cold Nelson asked. ¡°No need, let them in. I want to see if the person behind them is the same.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s voice was as cold as ice, ¡°Keep a close eye on them, don¡¯t miss a single detail!¡± ¡°Young Master, please rest assured, my people are following them every moment.¡± After saying these words, Cold Nelson quietly hung up the phone. The Saint Heir was not like ordinary people. Although Skyfire had been annihilated by Julius Reed, as a major Western sect, their strength was considerably formidable. Once, a Skyfire Saint Heir had injured a chief of Deep Cold, and the fact that the matter was ultimately unresolved indicated Skyfire¡¯s power. Moreover, Julius Reed¡¯s instructions made Cold Nelson dare not relax for a moment. ¡°This Five-river Province is really getting livelier,¡± Julius Reed mused. Julius Reed looked at the distant skyscrapers, silently pondering to himself. At this juncture, no one could be trusted. Earlier, he had contacted Black Dog to investigate the Leopold Family. But Black Dog was completely unaware of these matters, and Brayden Leopold was wholeheartedly preparing for a power grab, ignorant of the fact that Whitley Leopold had already left quietly to participate in affairs of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. The original plan to deal with the Leopold Family had to be moved up once again. He had to shatter them from within the Boulevard League in order to force out the real mastermind. Of course, Julius Reed didn¡¯t realize that Truman Ridge was the true mastermind. The Ridge Family itself would not dare to betray him. Although the Ridge Family had always called Julius Reed ¡°Young Master,¡± they did not fully understand the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance or even what the organization truly was. Otherwise, Mr. Harris Mountain certainly wouldn¡¯t have come to assassinate Miguel Abbott. Julius Reed did not doubt the loyalty of Power Hall. He decided to take a trip to the old city district to probe into the Saint Heir¡¯s true circumstances. Meanwhile, in the Leopold Family villa, the wealthy businessmen of Five-river Province had already left. Most of them were immersed in joy, while many others were pondering how to take over and divide the Moonlight Group of Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter¡¯s Golden Eagle Group. At this moment, three people were sitting inside the villa. And there was also a cell phone. ¡°How¡¯s the search for my son coming along?¡± Stanley Isolde was sitting on the sofa, his face ashen. After Sheridan Isolde received inhuman treatment the day before, Stanley immediately expressed his willingness to join the Boulevard League in exchange for his son¡¯s redemption. However, to his dismay, no one came to rescue Sheridan Isolde after a day had passed. So he took a flight from Ganny Province, hoping to discuss the matter in person. But what he didn¡¯t expect was to encounter his old acquaintance here, the richest man of Ganny Province, the Michael Family. ¡°Mr. Isolde, please don¡¯t worry.¡± The butler reassured with a smile, ¡°As you have seen, for big businessmen like Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter, if we want to kill, they could become a corpse within minutes.¡± ¡°Really? Are Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter dead?¡± Although Stanley Isolde had heard the news, he still found it unbelievable. Two great businessmen had died at the same time. And both from accidents. Even the death of one would be astonishing. At their level, life was more important than anything. They traveled with at least three cars, accompanied by bodyguards both in front and behind, such cautious means of travel wouldn¡¯t permit any danger. But now, both were dead. ¡°Of course, Mr. Isolde, when you have time, you can pay a visit to the Potter and Abbott families to offer condolences and verify the truth for yourself.¡± Abbott leaned back on the sofa, leisurely sipping a cup of tea. ¡°Boss Michael, what are you doing here?¡± Stanley Isolde looked at Tobias Michael, who was silent beside him, and began to ponder. The Michael Family rarely interfered with the affairs of Ganny Province, so why had Tobias come to Five-river Province like him and joined the Boulevard League today? ¡°Sigh!¡± Tobias Michael let out a long sigh, his face showing exhaustion and age, ¡°You still have a son to save, but my son will never come back.¡± ¡°Come on now, Boss, that¡¯s not a joke you can just make!¡± Stanley Isolde, thinking Tobias Michael was joking, quickly waved his hand and said, ¡°No one curses their own son like that.¡± Tobias Michael gave Stanley Isolde a glance, then took out his cell phone, placed it on the coffee table, and played a video: ¡°This footage was taken from the dashcam. Please take your time watching it.¡± As he spoke, Tobias Michael¡¯s face showed extreme pain, and his tone was filled with profound sorrow. The screen showed a man fighting with another. ¡°Julius Reed!¡± The Butler¡¯s pupils shrank. ¡°It¡¯s him!¡± Stanley Isolde was also surprised. The young man on the screen ¨C wasn¡¯t he the same one who had beaten his son? Soon, the footage showed the young man running away, followed by an older man who gave chase. In no time, everyone was killed off. The final image lingered on the body of Benson Michael. ¡°I want to kill these two people.¡± Tobias Michael took a deep breath, his body beginning to tremble. ¡°He¡¯s my only son, and I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to kill them! Especially that middle-aged man!¡± ¡°Please wait a moment, Mr. Michael, I¡¯ll look into the background of this middle-aged man for you.¡± The butler, shocked by what he saw, quickly forwarded the video to Truman Ridge. Chapter 330 - Chapter 330: Chapter 330 Vulgar Person_1 Chapter 330: Chapter 330 Vulgar Person_1 About half an hour later, the Ridge Family responded that there was no such person. However, Truman Ridge assured Tobias Michael that he would definitely help the Michael Family find the murderer and avenge the death of Benson Michael. And Tobias Michael also believed that the middle-aged man in the video was Julius Reed¡¯s henchman; the two sides hit it off and quickly formed an alliance. Benson Michael was dead, but Sheridan Isolde was still alive, so the Boulevard League¡¯s next target gradually shifted to the mission of rescuing Sheridan Isolde. As long as they could win over Stanley Isolde, getting him to willingly work for the Boulevard League, the other wealthy businessmen of Ganny Province would naturally join in. After all, the wealthiest man, Tobias Michael, was already here and was one of the important members of the Boulevard League. ¡°Tonight, we shall welcome a distinguished guest, and the day to slay Julius Reed is within our grasp!¡± The butler¡¯s face broke into a smile, ¡°And your grudges will also be avenged very soon.¡± Bang! Just then, the door was kicked open once again. ¡°Who dares to be so rude!¡± Sheridan Isolde stood up from the sofa upon seeing that the intruder was a muscular hulk, instinctively assuming he was a bodyguard for some rich businessman. After all, such attire hardly seemed fit for a successful merchant. Not to mention his getup, he lacked even the most basic courtesy. ¡°Who are you? It¡¯s none of your business what I¡¯m doing here, so stop your chattering.¡± Mr. Harris Mountain had come to cause trouble for the butler, and now that someone was courting death, he certainly did not mind. As long as the person behind the butler did not show up, he was determined to turn the Boulevard League upside down. ¡°Heh! Such a boorish fellow. Today I shall properly teach you what manners are!¡± Sheridan Isolde was already in a very bad mood because his son had been captured, and now Mr. Harris Mountain¡¯s direct provocation provided an outlet for his frustration. ¡°Bring that uncouth brute out and teach him a lesson!¡± As soon as he finished speaking, four bodyguards approached the door. ¡°Mr. Isolde, you mustn¡¯t¡­¡± The butler hurriedly shook his head. This was a disaster¡ªno one dared to offend him. With one of the Ridge Family¡¯s bodyguards recently dead, anyone in the Boulevard League who encountered Mr. Harris Mountain made sure to walk the other way. But now, Sheridan Isolde was actually looking to personally teach him a lesson¡ªwasn¡¯t this courting death? Clearly, Sheridan Isolde had not realized this, and given that the butler had the highest position within the Boulevard League, although there was a mastermind behind the scenes, he was generally seen as a representative of the master¡¯s will. Seeing this vulgar person being so arrogant in front of the butler was a perfect opportunity for Sheridan Isolde to show his worth. ¡°Please rest assured, butler. This sort of person does not know manners, and today, I will discipline him for you.¡± Sheridan Isolde pointed to the four black-clad men, ¡°These four have been by my side for over a decade, each capable of taking on ten men. Today will be an excellent opportunity to show you and Brother Michael the combat prowess of my troop of bodyguards.¡± He looked at the four men before him, ¡°Don¡¯t disappoint me!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The four men cracked their knuckles, all with disdain on their faces. They frequently dealt with such brawny types¡ªimpressive to look at, but unable to take a hit. ¡°Is this all? Just a stuffed pillow.¡± Mr. Harris Mountain shook his head, folding his arms and looking at Sheridan Isolde, ¡°Soon I will beat you so badly even your own mother won¡¯t recognize you!¡± ¡°Attack him!¡± Sheridan Isolde frowned, feeling insulted. ¡°Go!¡± The men moved quickly, attacking Mr. Harris Mountain from different directions. Bang! Bang! Bang! One man threw three punches in row, all landing on Mr. Harris Mountain¡¯s back. But Mr. Harris Mountain was unmoved; instead, the man who struck felt like he had hit an iron plate, his hand bones throbbing with pain and his forehead beading with cold sweat. The other three also exerted their full strength, but couldn¡¯t get Mr. Harris Mountain to so much as furrow his brow. Finally, one of them pulled a dagger from his waist, preparing to make a sneak attack. ¡°Young man, you¡¯re not playing fair.¡± Mr. Harris Mountain¡¯s lips curved into a smile, and the moment the dagger appeared, he spun around and caught it between his fingers, then violently thrust it back in! Thud! The handle pierced straight through the man¡¯s heart. ¡°Jentzen!¡± Stanley Isolde¡¯s heart sank, his face filled with grief. The four bodyguards had followed him for many years, and to call them bodyguards was more like calling them friends. But before he could recover, the other three were smashed in the head by Mr. Harris Mountain and slumped lifelessly to the ground. In just an instant, four bodies lay on the floor. ¡°Teach me a lesson, huh!¡± Mr. Harris Mountain threw the dagger aside and grabbed Stanley Isolde with his blood-stained hands, lifting him up. ¡°What do you want to do¡­¡± At that moment, Stanley Isolde was filled with fear; how could he know the hulking man before him was so formidable? ¡°Butler, save me!¡± Now his only hope was the motionless butler. ¡°Mr. Harris Mountain, let¡¯s talk this out,¡± the butler said, knowing he could no longer ignore the situation without risking Stanley Isolde¡¯s death. If Stanley Isolde died, it would greatly undermine the Boulevard League¡¯s prestige. ¡°Talk it out? I asked for your master to come see me; where is he?¡± Mr. Harris Mountain turned around, his eyes gleaming coldly. The butler flinched at that gaze, quickly explaining, ¡°I¡¯ll tend to this matter as fast as I can. The master has been unwell lately; he may need to recover in peace.¡± Truman Ridge could not possibly show up now¡ªonce his identity was exposed, the Ridge Family would face calamity. But to appease Mr. Harris Mountain, the butler had to promise first. ¡°I hope you¡¯re not lying to me.¡± Mr. Harris Mountain stared into the butler¡¯s eyes and violently threw Stanley Isolde to the ground. ¡°If I don¡¯t see someone by sunset, I will come again!¡± Having said that, he turned to leave. ¡°Mr. Harris Mountain, are you not afraid I¡¯ll report back to the one behind you, saying you¡¯re not cooperative and deliberately undermining the alliance?¡± the butler threatened out loud. It was after contact had been made with Truman Ridge and Mr. Harris Mountain¡¯s backer that Mr. Harris Mountain was dispatched. ¡°Ha ha! Afraid? Now I want to ask you, are you afraid of death?¡± Mr. Harris Mountain picked up the dining table with one hand and smashed it down in front of the butler! Crack! The glass dining table shattered with a loud noise. The butler shuddered; his face turned instantly pale. ¡°Remember my words!¡± Mr. Harris Mountain left with a smile, smashing through the villa¡¯s glass and disappearing from the room. The orders from the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance were informal, and now with Julius Reed behind him, what did he have to fear? If Julius Reed indeed returned, Ayden Woody would probably not live for an hour. Meanwhile, Julius Reed, whom the Boulevard League was desperate to kill, was wandering around the old town. The Saint Heir was about to arrive, and although he couldn¡¯t kill him, he still had to present a welcome gift. It would also allow the Boulevard League to gather all their forces, making it easier for him to wipe them out in one fell swoop. The old town had returned to normal life following the withdrawal of the mercenaries. Apart from the dock area being surrounded by many people, other places were completely back to normal. ¡°A light, please.¡± When Julius Reed approached a stall selling roasted cold noodles, a middle-aged man came over. ¡°The Saint Heir is arriving in half an hour, Maurice Yarrow won¡¯t come, and I need to prepare to leave now. But the opponent has many people; you should be careful.¡± The man was none other than Bridger Davenport. After saying this, he lit a cigarette, slid the lighter into Julius Reed¡¯s pocket, and said, ¡°Thanks for the light.¡± With that, he turned, climbed into a black sedan, and quickly disappeared from the old town. ¡°A bug?¡± When Julius Reed took the lighter out of his pocket, he realized there was a mini receiver attached to it. Chapter 331 - Chapter 331: Chapter 331: Saint Heir Lands_1 Chapter 331: Chapter 331: Saint Heir Lands_1 Such listening devices are common, yet costly. Bridger Davenport must have spent a considerable sum to acquire it, which clearly shows his sincere intent to defect to Julius Reed. These eavesdropping tools usually have a surveillance range of about one kilometer. Even though Bridger didn¡¯t mention where the device was located, it shouldn¡¯t be far from here. Seeing no one around, Julius Reed stealthily took the listener out and tucked it into his ear. The signal was intermittent, and the voices came in sporadic bursts. Walking towards a direction where the signal was slightly better, the sounds in the listener grew increasingly clear. It appeared the location where Bridger had installed the device was toward the direction of the docks. ¡°Utmost secrecy must be maintained. The arrival of the Saint Heir must not be known to others,¡± a man¡¯s voice came through the listener. Having traveled extensively, Julius was very familiar with these languages and had no difficulty understanding them. ¡°Rest assured, protector, our own men surround the area. After the Saint Heir lands, he will be immediately taken to the Leopold Family villa by car, and no one will be the wiser.¡± The voice of another person was notably more respectful. ¡°This matter is of great importance; we must protect the Saint Heir at all costs. And that person who destroyed our sacred sect years ago¡ªlet him taste death!¡± Anger was evident in the man¡¯s voice as he spoke. Having one¡¯s sect annihilated is an indelible disgrace for any faction, and the images of their Sect Hierarch and Saint Heir being hung up had circulated throughout the underworld. Even though Skyfire had been restored, their reputation in the underworld greatly diminished. At times, they were even mocked by other forces, a stain they could never wash away. ¡°I am looking forward to that moment! I hope he doesn¡¯t die too easily.¡± ¡°Quiet, the Saint Heir is to land in five minutes. Get the vehicles ready and ensure his protection all the way.¡± ¡°Understood! Team A has arranged everything, and I¡¯ll go clear a passage through the old town district right away.¡± ¡°Team B is in position, no suspicious individuals nearby.¡± ¡°Prepare to welcome the Saint Heir!¡± The listener fell silent, leaving only the sound of waves lapping against the dock. Julius Reed moved to a tall building and quietly took out a pair of binoculars. These were specially modified tools that wouldn¡¯t be detected, even in the sunlight. In the distance, a massive ship cut through the waves, heading straight for the dock. And near the dock, many were armed to the teeth, constantly on guard. There were guards in plain sight and those hidden. ¡°Quite the spectacle,¡± Julius Reed murmured with a faint smile, secretly observing from an old building. Finally, the ship stopped near the dock. Out of nowhere, a figure in red descended upon the waves! ¡°Welcome, Saint Heir!¡± the guards¡¯ voices echoed once more through the listener. ¡°It has been an ordeal,¡± the voice of the Saint Heir, weathered with age, speaking as someone who would be at least in their forties or fifties. But the ability to walk on water was truly extraordinary. ¡°Please, Saint Heir, get in the car. The people from the Leopold Family in Five-river Province are waiting here, and our personnel will accompany you the whole way to ensure your safe arrival at the Leopold Family villa.¡± A man in a yellow robe approached the Saint Heir, gesturing politely. ¡°Where are the Ridge Family now?¡± The Saint Heir asked, hands clasped behind his back, showing no haste to get into the car. ¡°The Ridge Family¡¯s butler is awaiting you at the Leopold Family villa. The Family Head of the Ridge Family is not in a position to meet you and is currently praying at home.¡± The man in yellow answered. ¡°It seems you are frightened? The Saint Heir of Skyfire has traveled a long distance to Five-river Province, and Truman Ridge dares to send only a butler to receive me? He¡¯s truly dismissive! Moreover, my coming here is to kill that madman; what should he fear?¡± With a sweep of his long sleeves, the Saint Heir said, ¡°Directly to the Ridge Family! Skyfire should show him some color!¡± ¡°Saint Heir, the Ridge Family here in Five-river Province wields overwhelming influence. Should we perhaps¡­¡± The man in the yellow robe stopped mid-sentence, not daring to continue. ¡°The Ridge Family? I could extinguish them with a flick of my wrist!¡± The Saint Heir turned and stepped up into the carriage, his voice grave, ¡°Notify the butler and tell him I¡¯ll be waiting for him at the Ridge Family estate!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, the man in the yellow robe immediately took out his phone to make the call. Meanwhile, the Saint Heir¡¯s car began to slowly move forward. Just then, Julius Reed¡¯s phone received a message, sent by none other than Bridger Davenport. ¡®One kilometer away from the dock, there is a trap. A lighter is the switch. Though it can¡¯t deal a fatal blow, it¡¯s enough to frighten.¡¯ Upon reading the message, Julius Reed took out his lighter. This affair made him reassess Bridger Davenport; indeed, the mind behind the Three Blade Group, so meticulous in his planning. Yet that one kilometer was exactly where Julius Reed found himself now. Gauging the speed of the car, he leapt from the old building, rolling forward and vanishing into the darkness. Boom! The moment he landed, he pressed the lighter in his hand down fiercely. A streak of flame shot up into the sky. In the midst of the flames, a figure shot into the air, slightly disheveled, but still managed to land steadily on the ground. ¡°Protect the Saint Heir!¡± The crowd immediately stirred, and the Hidden Guard scattered in search of the assailant. But after a long search, they found no trace of anyone. ¡°Who is responsible for the security of this operation?¡± The Saint Heir turned around, his cold gaze sweeping over the members behind him. Everyone he looked at felt a chill down their spine. ¡°It¡­ it was me¡­¡± Finally, a man dressed in field gear, clearly trembling, stood up. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you notice it?¡± The Saint Heir pointed to the burning car in front of him and asked aloud. His red clothes were somewhat tattered, but he hadn¡¯t been harmed. Had it been someone else, they might have been reduced to a corpse, just like the driver inside. ¡°Please forgive me, Saint Heir!¡± The man instantly knelt on the ground, his voice filled with extreme fear, ¡°It was my fault. I ask the Saint Heir to grant me a chance to redeem myself through meritorious service.¡± ¡°May the Lord finally redeem you.¡± The Saint Heir closed his eyes and slowly extended his hands. ¡°No! Please, give me a chance! Saint Heir, I have made great contributions to Skyfire. You can¡¯t¡­ Ah!¡± As he screamed, flames suddenly appeared on the man¡¯s body, slowly incinerating him. ¡°Saint Heir¡­ no¡­¡± Half a minute later, the man lay on the ground, completely reduced to ashes. ¡°I hope you learn from this and avoid an ignominious death like his.¡± The Saint Heir looked around, causing the people nearby to shiver with fear. ¡°I¡¯ll go check immediately!¡± Another subordinate, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, led his crew to quickly inspect the area to ensure that there were no further threats. Twenty minutes later, the Saint Heir got into another car and headed straight for the Ridge Family¡¯s place. And behind him, a dozen cars followed in pursuit. ¡°Lucan, go to this location and cause a car accident for me.¡± Watching the retreating cars, Julius Reed took out his phone and sent a GPS location to the Western Swordsman, Lucan Davenport. Chapter 332 - Chapter 332: Chapter 332 Traffic Accident_1 Chapter 332: Chapter 332 Traffic Accident_1 The convoy heading to the Ridge Family villa was somewhat scattered; many vehicles couldn¡¯t keep up with the Saint Heir¡¯s car due to the congested traffic. Skyfire had originally planned a route to the Leopold Family villa, but after the Saint Heir landed, he changed his course directly, causing the previously arranged route by Skyfire to be completely abandoned. The road to the Ridge Family villa had not been prepared at all, safety could not be guaranteed, and even the traffic route seemed a bit hasty. A subordinate in charge of the convoy¡¯s route was frantically busy inside the car, only then choosing a route that tried to circumvent the urban area as much as possible. As long as they didn¡¯t make their move in the bustling city, there was really no place they feared. After all, this was the Central Plains, with its stringent laws. If they wanted to do anything against the rules, they had to do it where no one else was around. Acting violently under the public eye might prevent them from leaving this land. Passing through a sparsely populated road, the convoy entered the midst of the city area. This stretch of road was approximately ten kilometers, and it was impossible to avoid. ¡°Why are we entering the urban area?¡± Upon seeing the brightly lit city ahead, the Saint Heir was somewhat displeased. They preferred to keep their movements secret and hated appearing in busy places. That¡¯s why the Saint Heir would rather take a ship and travel at sea for several days than take a plane to Five-river Province. ¡°Saint Heir, this is an inevitable path, we simply can¡¯t avoid it. Moreover, the original plan was to go to the Leopold Family villa, which is not far from the old town area to the Leopold Family villa, and the whole journey is sparsely populated,¡± the subordinate replied carefully from the passenger seat. The recent death of his colleague was still fresh in his mind; he dared not be careless. ¡°Troublesome.¡± The Saint Heir shook his head and closed his eyes again. According to the plan, in about ten or so minutes, the convoy would leave the urban area, then race along a highway and quickly reach the Ridge Family villa. Clang! But before the Saint Heir¡¯s eyes could fully close, the car suddenly shook and stopped urgently in the middle of the road. ¡°What happened!¡± The subordinate in the passenger seat instinctively placed his hand on the weapon at his waist. ¡°Don¡¯t act rashly; this is the urban area!¡± The Saint Heir frowned slightly but remained relatively calm. In this place, it was unwise to take any action, or they would get into big trouble. ¡°I¡¯ll go take a look.¡± The subordinate opened the car door and found a Maserati that had just crashed into the rear of their vehicle. ¡°It¡¯s a car accident, I¡¯ll handle it.¡± The subordinate reported back to the Saint Heir through the window. ¡°Hmm, give him some money; we need to hurry on our way,¡± the Saint Heir gestured with his hand. As long as the problem could be resolved with money, it wasn¡¯t a problem. Although Skyfire had been through a calamity, it was still immensely wealthy, with a fortune of tens of billions. In this foreign land, the Saint Heir didn¡¯t want to cause trouble but preferred to calm things down. ¡°Fuck, how the hell do you drive? Your eyes on your ass?¡± A man in sunglasses got out of the Maserati, swearing up a storm. ¡°A damn Mercedes dares to crash into my car? Can¡¯t recognize yourself, can you?¡± The man glanced at the car that had collided with his own and became even more arrogant. ¡°Mister, please show some respect when you speak.¡± The little leader was also fuming; he held a high position within Skyfire, usually being the one who scolded others, no one except for Saint Heir and the like dared to point fingers at him. Now, this Maserati owner dared to point at his nose and curse him, which made him extremely irritable. If it weren¡¯t for Saint Heir¡¯s orders, he¡¯d have tossed his darts and left already. ¡°Respect? Sure, I¡¯ll give you respect!¡± The man with sunglasses nodded, walked up to the little leader, ¡°Speak, what now?¡± ¡°How much money do you want? I¡¯ll pay it,¡± the little leader, holding back his rage, tried to negotiate calmly with the man in sunglasses. If it were a regular car owner, not only would the man in sunglasses not succeed in extorting them, but he would also have to pay up. It was a rear-end collision after all, no matter where, it was entirely the Maserati¡¯s fault. But Saint Heir¡¯s time was too precious, so consider it giving a break to the car owner. ¡°Hey! Let me tell you, I¡¯ve just bought this car, costs more than a million and a half, look at this collision, it¡¯s got to be worth seven or eight hundred thousand, right?¡± The man with sunglasses went over to where the cars had collided, crouched down, and wiped at the paint: ¡°Fuck, this is at least a million right here!¡± ¡°Are you robbing me?¡± The little leader was taken aback at first, then walked over to the spot where the cars collided, pointing to the slightly deformed car front: ¡°This is just a few coats of paint, adding up to a hundred thousand at most. Here, I¡¯ll give you two hundred thousand, get going! If this blows up at the traffic police, you¡¯ll be completely liable, not only will you not get a dime, but you¡¯ll also have to pay for my repairs!¡± This was simply extortion! A car worth over a million, casually demanding a million for a bump, people dare to extort as much as they have the audacity for. ¡°Are you out of your fucking mind? This is a Maserati!¡± The man with sunglasses grabbed the little leader¡¯s hand and walked to the front of the car, pointing at the emblem: ¡°See the Trident? This emblem alone is worth a million!¡± ¡°I¡¯m the one who¡¯s crazy? Really can¡¯t say who among us is insane! Your car hardly took any hit, just need a few touch-ups, you¡¯re scamming people, right?¡± The little leader¡¯s eyebrows were tightly knit, and his fists clenched. If this weren¡¯t happening in a bustling area, the man in sunglasses would already be dead. The crowd of onlookers was growing, with everyone pointing and whispering. The honking of cars stuck in traffic was incessant due to the congestion. ¡°Alright then, call the 4S shop, let¡¯s find out how much they will charge for repairs.¡± The little leader suppressed his fury, trying to find a solution. Saint Heir was still in the car; too much delay, and there¡¯d be hell to pay. ¡°Me call? Alright! But I¡¯ll tell you my call fees are expensive, let¡¯s get that settled. How are we dealing with the call fee?¡± The man with sunglasses was relentless, showing no sign of letting up. ¡°I¡¯ll reimburse you! Is a hundred enough?¡± The little leader pulled out a hundred yuan note from his pocket and handed it to the man with sunglasses: ¡°Make the call, now!¡± ¡°You think you¡¯re giving alms to a beggar? Do you know how much my phone bill costs? A hundred thousand a minute!¡± The man with sunglasses knocked the hundred yuan from the little leader¡¯s hand, boasting arrogantly: ¡°Driving a damn Mercedes, did you not know to give way to my Maserati?¡± ¡°You¡¯re the real lunatic! Desperate! What call fees are a hundred thousand a minute?¡± The little leader¡¯s patience was on the brink, fire almost spewing from his eyes. ¡°Hey! That¡¯s my value, nothing less than a hundred and eighty a minute, far beyond what a poor fuck like you can comprehend.¡± The man with sunglasses became more overbearing, almost making the little leader spit blood. He instinctively reached for his waist, but the countless eyes around him made him reconsider. ¡°Four hundred thousand, and get the fuck out!¡± The little leader gritted his teeth and offered the amount, This clearly was an accident for which the other party was fully liable; it wasn¡¯t about the money, it was just too frustrating. The little leader simply couldn¡¯t swallow his pride! ¡°A million, no room for negotiations!¡± The man with sunglasses walked up to the little leader and pulled out his phone to call the police: ¡°Didn¡¯t you say I¡¯m fully liable? Let¡¯s call the cops, have the traffic police assess the fault! If it turns out to be my fault, I¡¯ll give you a million!¡± Chapter 333 - Chapter 333: Chapter 333: The Sparrow Stalks Behind_1 Chapter 333: Chapter 333: The Sparrow Stalks Behind_1 ¡°Is this person sick or something? It¡¯s clearly his fault. I really don¡¯t know if his brain is rusted or he¡¯s got some mental issue!¡± ¡°He¡¯s obviously trying to pull a scam. People like this should never be indulged, or else once they taste success, who knows who they might swindle in the future!¡± ¡°Scumbag! I support calling the traffic police to bring justice! Acting all high and mighty with his Maserati. I drive a Bugatti and even I don¡¯t make a fuss!¡± ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that Mr. Leocadia? When did you buy a Bugatti? Why didn¡¯t I know about this? I¡¯ve been seeing you ride your electric scooter to work these days. Did you get a windfall or something?¡± ¡°No¡­ I was just saying things. I meant a BYD¡­¡± It was the rush hour at the end of the workday, and many passersby were attracted by the argument between the two men. Many vehicles, because of the traffic congestion, stopped and the drivers got out to join the debate. But the residents of Five-river Province are mostly wealthy and have high standards, so while they enjoyed watching the commotion, no one joined in on the argument. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, don¡¯t go too far!¡± The little boss was anxious. The Saint Heir had been sitting in the car for five minutes and might lose his temper if this went on longer. However, being swindled of a million by this rogue inevitably made him risk getting so angry he could fall ill. If he called the police, it would take at least half an hour just for the traffic police to handle the situation, and that was during the rush hour¡ªif there was a traffic jam, he might have to stay there for a whole hour. Asking the Saint Heir to change cars at a time like this would be like signing one¡¯s death warrant. Saint Heir was a loner by nature, not fond of crowds, and now he was amidst a bustling market surrounded by commoners. If a man in a red robe were to step out of the car, it would inevitably lead to gawking onlookers taking photos, which would go against the Saint Heir¡¯s way of conducting himself. ¡°I¡¯m asking you just one thing, will you pay or not? If you pay today, you can leave; if not, call the police! My car will stay parked right here, and I will stick it out with you to the end!¡± The man with sunglasses pointed to the road beneath his feet, righteously saying, ¡°I will absolutely not compromise with evil forces, and I am determined to fight to the end against scoundrels like you!¡± If it weren¡¯t for an urgent matter he had to handle, the little boss really felt like giving the guy in sunglasses an award for Best Actor. It was clearly your fault for rear-ending, clearly your full responsibility, and now you¡¯re not satisfied even with four hundred thousand and have the nerve to say you represent justice! Shameless is truly invincible! ¡°So, made up your mind yet? I¡¯m about to call the police!¡± the man with sunglasses said, gripping his phone and waving it in front of the little boss. ¡°Young man, listen to your auntie, call the police! Didn¡¯t he say he would give you a million if it was his full responsibility? We all heard that. We can be your witnesses! Showing off in a Maserati and can¡¯t even recognize yourself. Young people these days are so shallow!¡± An onlooking auntie couldn¡¯t stand it anymore, walked over to the little boss¡¯s side, and encouraged him out loud. ¡°Right! Call the police! Let the traffic cops handle this rotten scoundrel! Just a minor scratch, basically no damage at all, and he dares to ask for a million. That¡¯s just extortion! A scam!¡± ¡°He¡¯s fully responsible, what are you afraid of? Call the police!¡± The crowd joined in the commotion, accusing the man with sunglasses of behavior lacking any shame. The little boss had grievances that he couldn¡¯t express. Did he not know it was the other¡¯s full responsibility? But the problem was he was in a rush to get to the Ridge Family villa. If not for this urgent matter, he could take down the guy in sunglasses with ease! What¡¯s a broken Maserati worth, anyway? ¡°Auntie, what did you just say? My hearing is not good, I didn¡¯t catch that clearly.¡± The man with sunglasses held out several hundred-dollar bills toward the auntie. ¡°I said you are a shameless¡­¡± The auntie started, but then she saw the money in front of her. Seeing him waving the bills, the auntie tentatively took them into her hands, and her expression turned into one of glee, ¡°I said don¡¯t let rumors sway you, I support you in this. We shouldn¡¯t jump to conclusions before the traffic police arrive! Also, this Mercedes, man, your Maserati is brand new, wouldn¡¯t anyone be upset about their new car getting damaged?¡± The little boss furrowed his brows and his look toward the auntie changed. Thud! Thud! Right then, someone knocked on the window of the back seat. ¡°Saint Heir!¡± The underboss hurried to the window. ¡°Give him the money, and by the way, find a place to kill him.¡± Saint Heir lowered the car window and said indifferently. ¡°Understood!¡± The underboss took a deep breath and approached the man: ¡°One million is not a small sum, I can give it to you, but let my car go first, and I¡¯ll go with you to the bank to withdraw the money.¡± Letting Saint Heir go to the Ridge Family villa first, he would stay behind to quietly deal with this man and then disguise the death as an accident. This would not only vent his spleen but also solve the problem. ¡°Deal! Then you go ahead!¡± The man in sunglasses surprisingly agreed with the underboss and opened his own car door: ¡°Get in, I know where there¡¯s a bank nearby, and you better not think about reneging.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not short of money.¡± The underboss sat in the passenger seat, a wicked smile appearing on his face: ¡°I know there¡¯s a bank nearby, I passed it on the way here, now turn around and drive toward the old city district.¡± Once the car left the city area, he would have the man crash into a tree within minutes, creating the scene of a traffic accident. Even if there were a site investigation, no evidence would be found. He was rather professional at doing this kind of thing. ¡°Alrighty!¡± The man in sunglasses seemed to be oblivious to the danger, merrily driving in the direction of the old city district. Before long, the car left the city area, and there was no one on either side of the road. The underboss quietly reached for the knife at his waist but suddenly froze. How come the dagger he had placed at his waist couldn¡¯t be found? ¡°Looking for this?¡± The man in sunglasses drove with one hand while holding up a shiny small steel knife in the other. ¡°How did it end up with you!¡± The underboss¡¯s face turned pale with shock. Despite his superior skills, his weapon had been silently taken by the other party, and he felt a sudden chill down his spine. ¡°Giving it back to you, huh!¡± The man in sunglasses chuckled hehe, and in an instant, the dagger stabbed into the underboss¡¯s heart. ¡°You¡­¡± The underboss looked at the man in sunglasses and, until his death, couldn¡¯t believe that he had gone from being the hunter to the hunted. ¡°Boss, the job is done. Successfully delayed them for ten minutes; they should be just leaving the city area now,¡± the man in sunglasses said into his phone after sending a voice message. Meanwhile, on a road outside the South City Street, several trees suddenly fell down, completely blocking the traffic there. The trees were broken at two points, effectively sealing off a stretch of road about eight hundred meters long. No car from the front could get through, and no car from behind could enter. And trapped right in the middle of the road was Saint Heir¡¯s motorcade. ¡°Saint Heir, something doesn¡¯t seem right up ahead; I think someone might be lying in ambush,¡± a bodyguard, seeing the fallen trees, instinctively reached into his pocket and pulled out a weapon. ¡°I want to see who¡¯s courting death!¡± Saint Heir frowned slightly and instantly pushed open the car door, striding towards the location of the broken trees. This was the outskirts, with hardly any people around, so even if a fight broke out, it wouldn¡¯t be a big problem. Moreover, if someone dared to target him, Saint Heir was also determined to put the other party to death! Tap! Tap! Tap! Just then, the sound of leather shoes stepping on the ground came from not far away. Chapter 334 - Chapter 334: Chapter 334 Ridge Family Members Blocking the Road_1 Chapter 334: Chapter 334 Ridge Family Members Blocking the Road_1 ¡°May I ask who you are? Why skulk around in the shadows, afraid to show your face?¡± The Saint Heir walked to where the tree had been broken and stopped, staring straight ahead. Their attempt to invite me into the vat may very well be their own undoing. Had it been in the city, the Saint Heir might have been concerned about the impact and chosen not to make a move. But on this scarcely travelled road, anyone seeking discomfort, the Saint Heir wouldn¡¯t mind sending them to meet God. Of course, it might also mean descending to hell. ¡°The one who will kill you naturally can¡¯t stay hidden.¡± Julius Reed, clad in a black robe, slowly walked to the middle of the road, less than ten meters away from the Saint Heir. ¡°Heh, as expected of petty thieves, you don¡¯t even dare to reveal your true face! But I won¡¯t kill you; I will make your life a living hell.¡± The Saint Heir was not in a rush to act; in his eyes, the other party was not even worthy of being called an opponent. He had been bottling up a storm of fury since his arrival, and now it was the perfect time to vent it. It¡¯s just a pity for the man in the black robe before me, for he might just become the scapegoat. Unfazed by the Saint Heir¡¯s threats, Julius Reed took a step forward: ¡°In Five-river Province, do you know who is the most revered?¡± ¡°This tiny place is unworthy of discussing nobility!¡± retorted the Saint Heir, his tone filled with disdain. ¡°Is that so? But today I will tell you, even a mighty dragon cannot suppress the local snake! In Five-river Province, the Ridge Family is the sky!¡± Julius Reed said with a heavy tone. His intent in stopping here today was to instigate a feud between the Ridge Family and the Saint Heir. Once an irreconcilable conflict emerged between the two powers, the true mastermind behind the scenes would reveal themselves. To this day, Julius Reed did not believe Truman Ridge to be the mastermind. Even though everything seemed so logical, with the steward managing business at the forefront and Truman Ridge strategizing within the family. Yet such a family, one that Julius Reed had helped rise, couldn¡¯t possibly wield such vast influence despite its incalculable wealth. The Skyfire Saint Heir, a figure second only to the Sect Hierarch, such a ruthless character, the Ridge Family could not afford even with all their wealth! Furthermore, judging by the Saint Heir¡¯s arrogance and his direct detour to the Ridge Family villa, it was clear that the Skyfire Saint Heir did not take the Ridge Family seriously. Otherwise, why would he head straight to the Ridge Family? That is surely to ask for redress! ¡°The Ridge Family? May I ask which Ridge Family?¡± the Saint Heir asked, equally puzzled by Julius Reed¡¯s words. He was well aware of Truman Ridge¡¯s substantial wealth in Five-river Province. Calling it the most influential local family dynasty was not an overstatement. But what was this man in the black robe¡¯s relation to the Ridge Family? ¡°In Five-river Province, there¡¯s only one Ridge Family! Our Family Head has been fasting and praying recently, disliking the aura of slaughter, which is why you were arranged to stay at the Leopold Family villa.¡± Julius Reed raised his head to look at the Saint Heir: ¡°But it seems you didn¡¯t plan to give our Family Head face, bringing so many men with you¡ªwas it to go to the Ridge Family and seek justice?¡± Being able to articulate the situation with the Leopold Family villa and the detour so clearly, the Saint Heir grew somewhat convinced, though it was still only one side of the story. ¡°If you¡¯re seeking death, I might just oblige,¡± said the Saint Heir, looking at the man in the black robe, determined to test the truth. Upon hearing this, Julius Reed let out a faint smile, his voice filled with arrogance: ¡°In Five-river Province, please abide by the local rules. Otherwise, I won¡¯t be polite, and neither will the Ridge Family! Recognize the reality; this is Five-river Province, not your foreign land!¡± He had to provoke the Saint Heir, make him believe that this situation was Truman Ridge¡¯s doing. On the Ridge Family¡¯s end, Julius Reed had already arranged to rush there with a group, to wreak havoc and then leave behind a saying along with a corpse. And that corpse would be none other than the minor leader who had just died in the car. ¡°The Ridge Family? Is this Truman Ridge¡¯s intention?¡± Coldly spoke the Saint Heir: ¡°I hope he won¡¯t regret it!¡± As he spoke these words, a growing murderous intent began to climb over the Saint Heir. ¡°If you make a move, don¡¯t blame the Ridge Family for not showing respect to Skyfire! The Family Head isn¡¯t someone you can simply meet whenever you wish,¡± Julius Reed said with his arms crossed, staring down the Saint Heir. His robe, in the darkness of night, concealed his face so completely that people from afar couldn¡¯t make out his features. ¡°Let¡¯s try then, I think the one who will regret it is you,¡± the Saint Heir slowly raised both hands, his eyes seeming to burn with flames. Facing the Saint Heir¡¯s move, Julius Reed felt no fear. Back in the day, he had wiped out the entire Skyfire; even if his power hadn¡¯t fully recovered, dealing with a Saint Heir would not be a difficult task. Whoosh! A moment later, a tongue of fire erupted from the Saint Heir¡¯s palms, charging straight at Julius Reed. This flame was unlike ordinary fire; even the slightest contact would cause the skin to fester and the wound to grow, until death. ¡°Child¡¯s play, are you a street performer?¡± A smirk appeared on Julius Reed¡¯s lips as he fiercely rotated his black robe, instantly enveloping the flames within the fabric. ¡°How is that possible!¡± The sight completely shocked the Saint Heir. All these years, not even the Sect Hierarch had been able to catch such flame with bare hands and emerge utterly unscathed. ¡°Your turn!¡± With a forceful twirl, Julius Reed redirected the fire back towards the Saint Heir! Facing his own tactic being used against him, the Saint Heir cursed, ¡°Damn it!¡± He then leaped upward to the trees lining the road and, swinging rapidly, moved above Julius Reed. ¡°Die!¡± The Saint Heir roared, smashing down both fists towards Julius Reed¡¯s head, which were now ablaze with flames! Swish! Julius Reed swirled his robe, intercepting the punch in mid-air! Crack! The punch¡¯s immense force shattered the pavement beneath Julius Reed¡¯s feet. And the Saint Heir was rebounded away, stumbling back several steps, a gush of fresh blood surging up his throat. ¡°Let¡¯s call it quits for today, please comply with the arrangements of the Ridge Family Head,¡± Julius Reed said after landing a successful blow, his robe billowing as he vanished into the darkness. ¡°Pugh!¡± After Julius Reed disappeared, the Saint Heir spat out a mouthful of blood. ¡°Should we pursue?¡± His employees immediately surrounded him, eyes gleaming as they looked at the spot where Julius Reed had vanished. ¡°No need!¡± The Saint Heir waved his hand, gently wiping the blood from his mouth with his garment, ¡°Head straight to the Ridge Family, I want an explanation today!¡± The people sent by the Ridge Family were powerful, but the Saint Heir was even more confident in his own strength. He firmly believed that the injuries the other party sustained were definitely worse than his own, a feeling he had discerned in the instant their fists had met. The reason he chose not to pursue was to conserve his strength for settling the score with the Ridge Family! ¡°What should we do now¡­¡± The people of Skyfire spoke up, seeking guidance. Today¡¯s events had been far from smooth, starting with the dock explosion, followed by a car collision in the city, and now an unexpected roadside fight. ¡°Head to the Ridge Family, and by the way, give Truman Ridge a call. Tell him to wash his neck; I¡¯ll be coming for it anytime,¡± the Saint Heir said as he turned to climb into the carriage, his chest heaving. Chapter 335 - Chapter 335: Chapter 335: Battle at the Mountain Gate_1 Chapter 335: Chapter 335: Battle at the Mountain Gate_1 Having experienced this ambush, the people of Skyfire were extremely tense. The opponents were so powerful that they had managed to injure the Saint Heir. But at the same time, there was even more anger. The Ridge Family from the mere Five-river Province had actually dared to ride on the neck of Skyfire. Although the Saint Heir did not utter a word in the car, everyone clearly understood that this was the calm before the storm. Fortunately, no further incidents occurred on the way to the Ridge Family¡¯s villa. ¡°Wait!¡± After getting out of the car, the Saint Heir stopped the staff who were about to charge into the Ridge residence. The Ridge residence was located within a large mountain, which could only be entered if someone from the inside opened the gates, allowing a crack to form in the mountain for entrance. Otherwise, it would be very difficult to enter with external force. Previously, Julius Reed had entered the mountain because the Ridge Family had opened the gate from inside. ¡°Saint Heir, there¡¯s no need to worry. It¡¯s not difficult for us in Skyfire to open up this mountain!¡± said a black man wearing a tank top, waving his hand. They had had previous encounters with the Ridge Family and had been to the villa before, so they knew a thing or two about the structure of the place. Mountains like this one were just for show, to live quietly away from the world. Their defensive capabilities weren¡¯t truly strong. With today¡¯s technology, cutting through mountains is a piece of cake, and if they wanted to bury the Ridge Family under the mountain, it wouldn¡¯t be hard at all. ¡°There has been a battle here,¡± the Saint Heir said, closing his eyes and beginning to breathe lightly. His keen sense of smell picked up the scents around him, and then his brows slowly furrowed. ¡°People have died here, not a few.¡± As he said this, he suddenly opened his eyes and looked toward the direction of the Ridge Family¡¯s entrance. The tank-top-wearing man was somewhat confused by his words: ¡°Saint Heir, what do you suggest we do, then?¡± The leader responsible for combat was dealing with the car accident and was not following the team at the moment. Security and defense duties all fell on the man in the tank top. ¡°Wait!¡± The Saint Heir closed his eyes again, and his furrowed brows did not relax. ¡°Since they dared to attack us, they will certainly not close their doors and hide.¡± After hearing his words, the tank-top-wearing man called the staff to a halt, and everyone waited in silence on alert. The Saint Heir, who had been furious earlier, was now surprisingly calm. Facing the gate set into the mountain, he stood with slightly closed eyes, hands in sleeves, unmoving. It was already night, and the location of the Ridge residence was quite isolated with not a soul in sight. Apart from the chirping of birds, only the sound of the wind could be heard in the mountain forests. ¡°How long have we been here?¡± the Saint Heir suddenly opened his eyes and asked. ¡°To answer the Saint Heir,¡± the tank-top-wearing man looked at his watch and replied, ¡°Twenty-seven minutes have passed.¡± ¡°Then Anthony should be back by now, shouldn¡¯t he?¡± the Saint Heir asked again. Anthony was the group leader, responsible for coordinating the combat troops and ensuring Skyfire¡¯s safety. ¡°By the time,¡± the tank-top-wearing man opened the location tracker, and saw that the little red dot was motionless, staying in the position on the Ridge Family mountain. ¡°Saint Heir, Anthony is not moving,¡± the man with the tank top muttered in shock and immediately zoomed in on the map. After clearly reading the information, his pupils shrank sharply and he said in surprise, ¡°Saint Heir¡­ Anthony¡­ is dead! He died on the Ridge Family mountain!¡± People of some status in Skyfire all carried a miniature device with them. This device, implanted through special surgery and hidden within the body, was practically undetectable under normal circumstances. It could locate one¡¯s position, as well as check a person¡¯s health status. Thus, if someone was caught in an accident or faced danger, Skyfire could rush to provide support at the first moment and ensure the safety of its personnel. But now, the information indicated that Anthony¡¯s heartbeat was zero, his body temperature thirteen degrees; he had obviously been dead for a long time, even his body temperature was nearing the surrounding temperature. ¡°Let me see!¡± Upon hearing this terrible news, the Saint Heir stretched out his hand, and the tank-top-wearing man immediately handed the monitor to the Saint Heir. On the map, there were clusters of red dots representing their location, while Anthony¡¯s red dot on the Ridge mountain had turned gray, signifying that the person was dead. The Saint Heir smashed the monitor to the ground, flames nearly shooting from his eyes: ¡°Today Skyfire has suffered such humiliation, I will grind the Ridge Family into dust!¡± He was merely applying pressure, trying to coax the Ridge Family out of the mountain. ¡°Skyfire is overpowering to the extreme!¡± Sure enough, about three minutes later, a booming voice echoed from inside the mountain. The Ridge Family had set up numerous electronic surveillance systems on the mountain, and thus knew every move outside the mountain gates like the back of their hand. ¡°The Ridge Family sure is arrogant. In all my years, this is the first time I¡¯ve been turned away at the door!¡± the Saint Heir said, looking in the direction of the mountain gate, raising a finger, and shouting, ¡°One minute, if the gates do not open, I will give the order!¡± Once again, silence fell inside the mountain. Half a minute later, amidst a thunderous rumble, the mountain slowly split in two! Then, a passageway roughly five meters wide and several meters high appeared in the middle of the mountain. ¡°Skyfire is too much, daring to kill my household guards!¡± a group of about thirty people burst out from the pathway, the leader being none other than Truman Ridge. He was dressed in hemp garments, clearly mourning someone. The people in front of him wore green clothes and carried Longswords in their hands. ¡°Mr. Ridge, what grandeur!¡± the Saint Heir stated coldly. The Ridge family came out full of killing intent, making the already furious Saint Heir even more irate. Although he wanted to control the rage within him, he could not allow Skyfire¡¯s face to be lost. ¡°I have long heard of the distinguished ability of the Saint Heir in the art of the sacred flames. I would very much like to witness it today!¡± Truman Ridge said, looking directly at the Saint Heir with a challenging tone. He wouldn¡¯t have been so bold before, but three days earlier, a team of swordsmen had been sent to guard the Ridge residence and ensure Truman Ridge¡¯s safety. It was because of these swordsmen that Truman Ridge was emboldened. ¡°Indeed, Mr. Ridge has become bold, no longer the bending and scraping figure who invited me over,¡± the Saint Heir stated, his lips curling into a smile and deliberately emphasizing the words ¡°bending and scraping.¡± ¡°Do not think that just because you belong to a grand sect that you can insult us at will! Just a moment ago, your people from Skyfire came to the Ridge residence, and thankfully, with the protection of those behind me, we were able to slay that arrogant assailant!¡± Truman Ridge spoke with intense anger. ¡°Anthony, was it you who killed him?¡± The Saint Heir¡¯s eyes narrowed, and a terrifying killing intent burst forth once more. Anthony must have taken a detour to the Ridge residence to demand an explanation during the time the Saint Heir was trapped on the road, only to be killed and thrown outside the mountain. ¡°Die!¡± The Saint Heir roared furiously and flung his hands forward! Chapter 336 - Chapter 336: Chapter 336: The Swordsman in Green Clothes_1 Chapter 336: Chapter 336: The Swordsman in Green Clothes_1 ¡°` Whoosh! A streak of fire burst from Saint Heir¡¯s fingertips, racing straight towards Truman Ridge! The fire dragon let out a furious roar, nearly incinerating everything in its path. But at that moment, all the swordsmen in green robes sprang into action, their sword blades slashing through the flames, causing the fiery serpent to dissipate instantly. ¡°Stop!¡± Just then, the Ridge Family steward arrived with dozens of people from a distance. All these people were members of the Boulevard League, originally waiting at the Leopold Family villa for the Saint Heir, but suddenly received word that he had arrived at the Ridge Family¡¯s doorstep. How could this be allowed to happen? The steward immediately gathered everyone urgently and sped over in cars. ¡°Master, what on earth are you trying to do?¡± The steward was shocked to see Truman Ridge himself standing at the gate. This was definitely a fight that had broken out without so much as a word. The Ridge Family didn¡¯t originally have the capital for this, but a significant figure had quietly approached them, attempting to use the Ridge Family to achieve his own ends. In return, the Ridge Family would receive the full support of this significant figure. Truman Ridge, who had been wavering between Julius Reed and this significant figure, didn¡¯t have the courage or the guts to betray Julius Reed; after all, the ancestral teachings of the Ridge Family demanded constant loyalty to the young man. Moreover, Truman Ridge had personally witnessed the might of the woman by Julius Reed¡¯s side, who struck down the so-called Ridge Family experts, leaving them scrambling to find their teeth. However, the suicide of Finnian Ridge deeply pierced Truman Ridge¡¯s heart. His grandson had been his favorite in this lifetime, the apple of the family¡¯s eye and the future successor of the Ridge Family. Yet Cosmo, in front of Ridge Family members, scalded Finnian Ridge¡¯s face with boiling water, completely disfiguring the once-handsome young man, who then chose to end his own life, unable to face reality. The devastating loss of his beloved grandson cemented Truman Ridge¡¯s resolve to break free from Julius Reed¡¯s control and avenge Finnian Ridge! To reassure Truman Ridge, this significant figure immediately deployed these swordsmen in green robes to protect him. At the same time, he exercised his influence to establish the Boulevard League. Officially, Truman Ridge was the initiator, with the steward being the public face. However, all the plans were driven by that significant figure. The high-standing person Joel Martin spoke of was none other than the steward! In Five-river Province, it was extremely easy for the Ridge Family, with their financial power, to turn the tables. It was because they realized Stanislaus Potter had gone over to Julius Reed that the Ridge Family helped Richard seize control of the Golden Eagle Group¡¯s industry and, after failing, switched to supporting Joel Martin. After both plans failed, they directly took action to eliminate Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter. Now, having triumphed in Five-river Province, the Ridge Family¡¯s next step was to deal with Julius Reed, so how could the steward not be anxious about Truman Ridge confronting the Skyfire Saint Heir? At this crucial juncture, internal strife was to be avoided at all costs. And behind him, so many of Five-river Province¡¯s wealthy were watching. The Boulevard League had just been established, and unity was more necessary than ever at this time. ¡°This man, relying on his status, dared to slaughter the servants at my Ridge Family¡¯s doorstep. I, Truman Ridge, have always conducted myself this way¡ªif someone respects me a little, I¡¯ll respect them a lot. But if anyone oversteps, then they can¡¯t blame me for not giving them face!¡± Dressed in his hemp clothes, Truman Ridge faced the robed Skyfire Saint Heir without a shred of fear. Such boldness would have been inconceivable just half a month ago. And his reliance was on the swordsmen in green robes behind him. ¡°These people are skilled; who would¡¯ve thought the Ridge Family had such talents. Rare indeed, very rare.¡± The Saint Heir nodded, acknowledging the expertise of the swordsmen. Even with injuries, and even in a healthy state, bypassing these swordsmen to kill Truman Ridge would take some effort. He stood there, weighing the pros and cons. ¡°` Arriving here and fighting a life-or-death battle is truly not worth it, but if I were to swallow this grievance, Skyfire¡¯s reputation would be utterly destroyed. ¡°Saint Heir, I acknowledge your great strength and respect Skyfire, but you killed my household guards, and you must give an explanation!¡± Truman Ridge, facing so many wealthy merchants, did not want to completely tear off the facade. Today¡¯s incident is more about both sides looking for a way out. Moreover, these swordsmen in green only serve to protect the Ridge residence and do not follow Truman Ridge¡¯s orders, nor do they accompany members of the Ridge family when they go out. If Skyfire were patient enough, he could easily take out the members of the Ridge family one by one when they go out. This is what Truman Ridge is most worried about. ¡°So it¡¯s the swordsmen in green. It seems my guess was correct; there¡¯s definitely sabotage from within the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance.¡± Julius Reed watched all of this from a distance, a smile forming at the corner of his mouth. The swordsmen in green belong to one of the top three factions within the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, with formidable combat abilities. If it¡¯s as Mr. Harris Mountain said, and the person he sent is Ayden Woody, then the one mobilizing the swordsmen in green could not be this man. The Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance is divided into the top three factions, the middle three factions, and the lower three factions. The four major guard organizations protect Demarco Mount and belong to the Mount factions, but they do not have the authority to mobilize the swordsmen of the same top faction. To mobilize the swordsmen in green, one would need at least an elder of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance and must hold a Token to transfer personnel. This indicates that the hidden mastermind holds a position above the elders. ¡°You¡¯re hiding quite deep.¡± Julius Reed took out his phone and quietly made a call. ¡°Mr. Reed, what can I do for you?¡± Bridger Davenport¡¯s voice came through the phone. ¡°How come I haven¡¯t seen you among this crowd of wealthy merchants? Hasn¡¯t the Three Blade Group started suspecting you yet?¡± Julius Reed asked. Bridger Davenport is the brain behind the Three Blade Group and ranked second only to Maurice Yarrow within the group. In such a scene, he should not have failed to appear. ¡°To tell you the truth, my car broke down. The boss rode with someone else and went ahead. I am currently on the road fixing the car,¡± Bridger Davenport explained awkwardly. ¡°I think you¡¯re worried something might happen and don¡¯t dare to come, right?¡± Julius Reed snorted softly. ¡°Well¡­ ah! Nothing escapes Mr. Reed¡¯s notice. I really am a bit scared. Seeing as I haven¡¯t joined you yet, it would be a loss if I died beforehand.¡± Bridger Davenport chuckled, no longer pretending. He knew that Julius Reed was going to make a move at the docks. If he did, it was inevitable that it would be a thorough sweep. Being in the crowd, he would inevitably be a fish caught in the net. So he made the excuse that his car broke down, wanting to burn some time and see how things would evolve. ¡°Come on, I guarantee your safety absolutely. Send me your location, and I¡¯ll have someone send you something. When you receive it, just place it at your waist and walk past the swordsmen in green. You don¡¯t need to say a word, do nothing, and you¡¯ll be okay,¡± Julius Reed said coolly. ¡°Understood!¡± Bridger Davenport immediately hung up the phone and sent his location. After receiving the location, Julius Reed sent another message to Lucan Davenport to deliver a Token to Bridger Davenport¡¯s location. The Token of the enforcer of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance commands respect from anyone who sees it, obliging them to step aside. That¡¯s the rule. ¡°After the swordsmen in green leave, I really want to see how you, Truman Ridge, will deal with the Saint Heir.¡± Julius Reed stood in the forest, slowly stretching himself. Chapter 337 - Chapter 337: Chapter 337 Swordsman Leaves_1 Chapter 337: Chapter 337 Swordsman Leaves_1 In the face of Truman Ridge and the Saint Heir¡¯s standoff, the tycoons of Five-river Province dared not speak. One was Truman Ridge, rich enough to rival a nation, the founder of the Boulevard League, and could easily kill Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter. The other was an enigmatic Western elder who, at a glance, appeared to be formidable. Having clawed their way to their current positions, these men were as cunning as foxes¡ªthey would never recklessly talk or take sides. Observing in silence at this moment was the best choice. ¡°Truman Ridge, I need an explanation,¡± the Saint Heir, eyeing the swordsman in green before him, finally compromised. They were not yet secure in their position, and it seemed Truman Ridge had a powerful backer, so it was best not to offend him for the time being. They would wait for an opportunity to strike when they were about to set foot in Five-river Province. But Truman Ridge clearly had no intention of calming the conflict, and, as the saying goes, kicking an adversary when they¡¯re down, he shook his head and said, ¡°I too require an explanation. You, as the illustrious Saint Heir of Skyfire, sent someone to my residence to assassinate my servant, a heinous act! Without a perfect explanation, I will never agree!¡± The swordsman in green stood before him, and before the Saint Heir took action, Truman Ridge had some concerns. After all, he faced a master who had long been renowned. But to his surprise, these swordsmen proved even more formidable, managing to physically sever the Saint Heir¡¯s summoned flames. After the clash, Truman Ridge¡¯s confidence surged, and with the magnates of both Five-river Province and Ganny Province present, he desired to assert his dominance! Previously suppressed by Julius Reed, and in compliance with the last wishes of his family¡¯s ancestor, the Ridge family had conducted their affairs with discretion. But for the wealthy, living ostentatiously was torturously difficult. Until Finnian Ridge¡¯s generation, the Ridge family could no longer bear to dwell in obscurity, determined to bask in the joys of life. Yet, just as things were looking up, Finnian, only in his twenties, took his own life. The other Ridge family members had long been dissatisfied with their ancestor¡¯s directive, questioning why they couldn¡¯t flaunt their wealth¡ªwhat was the point then? Their resources and influence were second to none compared to the Leopold Family, who nevertheless became the preeminent family in Five-river Province. The mighty Ridge family, with hundreds of billions in assets, remained virtually unknown. Ultimately, the obstacle was Julius Reed. The title ¡°Mr. Reed¡± was like a sharp sword dangling over the Ridge family¡¯s heads, causing them tremendous discomfort. Using Finnian¡¯s death as their rallying cry, the family¡¯s internal calls for change grew louder. And Truman Ridge, having lost his dearest grandson and faced the white-haired sending off the black-haired, began to waver. If they were to step into the limelight, they had to take this opportunity to decisively slap the Saint Heir¡¯s face and show these magnates who was the most powerful syndicate in Five-river Province! ¡°Mr. Ridge, are you throwing away the face offered to you?¡± The Saint Heir, usually commanding respect from every direction, was naturally unwilling to swallow this indignity in front of everyone. If word spread, Skyfire¡¯s prestige would suffer another blow. Neither side was willing to swallow their pride, thus they remained deadlocked. But Truman Ridge held a slight advantage. ¡°This is your last chance¡ªdo you apologize, or not!¡± Truman Ridge, looking at the Saint Heir before him, pressed again. Just then, Bridger Davenport from the Three Blade Group stepped forward from the crowd, approaching the two factions: ¡°Gentlemen, I take the liberty of saying, let¡¯s not part in bad spirits! Elder Ridge, as our host, I humbly ask you to make some concessions for our ultimate goal.¡± ¡°Ha, Bridger Davenport? I¡¯ve heard of you, called the strategist of the Three Blade Group. But in front of me, you have no right to speak,¡± Truman Ridge sneered dismissively, waving his hand, ¡°Scram!¡± ¡°Mr. Ridge, the fault is mine for poor management, please don¡¯t take it to heart!¡± Maurice Yarrow rushed over when he saw what was happening, hurriedly pulling Bridger back. He couldn¡¯t understand why his shrewd advisor would act so foolishly today of all days. From the moment the Saint Heir set foot ashore, the Three Blade Group had offered full support, even dispatching Bridger to oversee the Old Town area, assisting with the preparations for the Saint Heir¡¯s arrival. And Maurice Yarrow, on his part, had joined the Boulevard League from its inception, always leading the charge in any matter. If he were to offend Truman Ridge because of Bridger, then all his efforts thus far would have been for nought. ¡°I apologize, Mr. Ridge, please forgive me.¡± Bridger Davenport clasped his hands together in deep remorse, bowing profoundly to Truman Ridge and inadvertently revealing the Token at his waist. By the time he had completed all this, his back was already soaked with sweat. Heaven knows whether the Token would work, if the other party would see it, and if Truman Ridge got angry and killed him on the spot, that would be a major loss. But he couldn¡¯t disobey the orders of Julius Reed. What surprised him though, was that Maurice Yarrow, the swordsman in green, turned around and walked towards the Ridge Family¡¯s gate the moment Bridger inadvertently revealed the Token. Neatly and without a word of nonsense. Everyone was stunned. Including Truman Ridge and the Saint Heir. With Maurice Yarrow, who had been standing between them, now gone, Truman Ridge was left to face the Saint Heir head-on. ¡°What are you doing?¡± When Truman Ridge saw Maurice Yarrow leaving, he immediately felt a surge of panic. What would he use to deal with the Saint Heir once these people left? ¡°Haha! Mr. Ridge, shall we have that talk now?¡± The Saint Heir was no fool; seeing Maurice Yarrow leave so decisively, he wouldn¡¯t pass up the opportunity, even though he didn¡¯t know what had occurred. He sprinted forward and in the blink of an eye, appeared before Truman Ridge. ¡°What¡­ what do you want!¡± Truman Ridge took a frightened step back, and the Ridge Family¡¯s bodyguards immediately gathered around him. Although these bodyguards were strong fighters, they were nothing compared to Maurice Yarrow! ¡°Just them?¡± The Saint Heir, with his hands clasped behind his back, appraised the bodyguards before him: ¡°Mr. Ridge, didn¡¯t you want to settle matters? I¡¯ll give you what you want right now!¡± As he spoke, his hands suddenly rose! Whoosh! Flames instantly ignited on the bodyguards, and one by one, in just a few seconds, more than a dozen bodyguards turned into men of fire, rolling on the ground and howling in pain. Hiss! The onlookers gasped, horrified at the sight. A group of living people were set ablaze, their agonizing screams slowly fading to ashes! Such power was certainly not of human making! ¡°Still want an explanation?¡± The Saint Heir smiled as he approached Truman Ridge, ¡°Now I¡¯ve killed your bodyguards again, before everyone and in front of you. But as I¡¯ve killed them, what are you going to do about it?¡± His words were provocative, and his eyes filled with contempt. The departure of Maurice Yarrow completely changed the dynamic between the two sides. Despite racking his brains, Truman Ridge couldn¡¯t understand why Maurice Yarrow turned and left, paying no attention to his welfare. Now faced with the relentless pressure from the Saint Heir, Truman Ridge felt an extreme sense of helplessness. ¡°If the Saint Heir kills someone, I dare not demand an explanation. If you kill, then you have killed.¡± Having lived for so many years, Truman Ridge knew the principle that one must bow their head under another¡¯s roof all too well. Without the protection of Maurice Yarrow, he had no right to challenge the Saint Heir. Slap! Upon hearing his words, the Saint Heir responded with a backhand slap! Chapter 338 - Chapter 338: Chapter 338 Mysterious Woman_1 Chapter 338: Chapter 338 Mysterious Woman_1 The sudden slap from the Saint Heir, not only left Truman Ridge stunned, but also the surrounding wealthy elite of Five-river Province completely frozen in place. No matter how you put it, Truman Ridge was at least nominally the Alliance Hierarch of the Boulevard League. On this point, even Tobias Michael, the richest man in Ganny Province, had no objections. Just the fact that he was able to kill Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter without leaving a trace fully proved Truman Ridge¡¯s capabilities. Or rather, the wealthy were simply too scared to challenge Truman Ridge, fearing they might become the next Miguel Abbott. Most of their abilities were on par with that of Miguel Abbott, or even less for some. Yet now, that slap from the Saint Heir directly shattered Truman Ridge¡¯s authority in the Boulevard League. The prestige that the Ridge Family had just started to establish, was gone in an instant. Their desire to be respected by all as soon as they appeared, was abruptly cut short. ¡°You¡­ how dare you hit me!¡± Truman Ridge¡¯s eyes bulged as he clenched his fists tightly. Although the Ridge Family, with its assets over a hundred billion, had kept a very low profile before, and not many outsiders had heard of the Ridge Family, a wealthy man stepping out would definitely receive respect. Including the family retainers, the Ridge Family had over a hundred people, and in recent years, the Ridge family members¡¯ interactions outside had already built up the Ridge Family¡¯s reputation through a great deal of money. Many prominent figures came to visit one after another, seeking to befriend Truman Ridge. Being pampered and held up by everyone like a star, Truman Ridge couldn¡¯t help feeling somewhat arrogant. In his life, always commanding winds and summoning rains, he couldn¡¯t believe that at over seventy years old, he would be slapped across the face! And it happened right before an audience, one could imagine the rage in his heart. ¡°How about it, Mr. Ridge? Are you not satisfied?¡± said the Saint Heir with a mocking look at Truman Ridge, snorting lightly, ¡°Not satisfied? Then just bear with it!¡± Just now, strutting around backed by the Shadow Warrior, had already made the Saint Heir very irritated. Now, with the Shadow Warrior having left for some unknown reason, he was even less likely to let go of the chance to humiliate Truman Ridge. ¡°You¡­¡± Slap! Before Truman Ridge could finish his words, the Saint Heir slapped him again, sending him tumbling to the ground. ¡°Master!¡± The housekeeper, momentarily stunned, then quickly rushed over to help Truman Ridge up from the ground: ¡°Master, are you alright?¡± ¡°Do I look alright to you?¡± Truman Ridge slowly stood up from the ground, softly wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve. The air was terrifyingly silent. The businessmen didn¡¯t dare to make a sound, even Tobias Michael stood still on the spot, quickly pondering over the situation internally. Seeing the unsatisfied look in Truman Ridge¡¯s eyes, the Saint Heir walked over again and said, ¡°I¡¯ll give you a chance now, why don¡¯t you try and take revenge?¡± With the Shadow Warrior having gone deep into the mountains, the Saint Heir, standing there, could no longer sense those people¡¯s presence at all. This made him even more confident in facing Truman Ridge. ¡°It seems that those people just now weren¡¯t your workers. Remember this, Mr. Ridge, you can only rely on your own people,¡± the Saint Heir said, patting Truman Ridge on the shoulder, then pressing down hard! Thump! Caught completely off guard, Truman Ridge fell to his knees! ¡°Mr. Ridge, what are you doing? You flatter me! Even if you wanted to apologize, there¡¯s no need for this, right?¡± the Saint Heir laughed heartily, then turned and boarded a sedan. The man in the tank top hurried into the car and then rolled down the window, shouting out to the merchants, ¡°Leopold Family villa, someone guide the way!¡± Everyone looked at each other, no one daring to dally. Truman Ridge didn¡¯t even regard his own family highly, let alone these people? ¡°Please follow me!¡± Whitley Leopold hesitated for a moment before getting into a car and leading the way. Seeing the Saint Heir gaining the upper hand, the others also returned to their cars and followed behind, heading together to the Leopold Family villa. In less than a minute, the convoy of dozens of people was left with only Cesar Pendleton sitting in a wheelchair, choosing not to leave. ¡°Cesar Pendleton, why aren¡¯t you leaving?¡± Truman Ridge slowly stood up with the help of the butler, his eyes already bloodshot, He looked at the only person who had stayed behind, Truman Ridge, feeling somewhat relieved in his heart. At least there was someone with conscience, not forced to follow anyone else. ¡°Mr. Ridge, my car was taken by Bridger Davenport; I can¡¯t leave even if I wanted to,¡± Cesar Pendleton said with an embarrassed face. ¡°Could you trouble Mr. Ridge to lend me a car first?¡± As soon as he finished speaking, not only Truman Ridge but also the butler¡¯s face darkened to the extreme. ¡°No escort!¡± Truman Ridge waved his sleeve and strode back into the courtyard. After he went back, he went straight to the main hall, where he saw all the martial artists in green who had left earlier sitting there in silence. ¡°Why did you leave! The order from above was to ensure the safety of my Ridge Family!¡± Truman Ridge slammed the table fiercely and roared, ¡°Right at my own doorstep, I was slapped in the face! If it weren¡¯t for the other party not wanting to send the Shadow Warrior, I might have died outside already! I will report today¡¯s events exactly as they happened!¡± His face turned ashen, his demeanor growing colder and colder. ¡°If Mr. Ridge wishes to report, then go ahead and report! It is indeed our duty to protect your safety. But you must know, we also follow orders!¡± A senior martial artist in green picked up a teacup and took a gentle sip, ¡°We have our rules for doing things, and we are not your bodyguards, Mr. Ridge. If you are dissatisfied, we will leave immediately.¡± ¡°You¡­ you!¡± Truman Ridge¡¯s lips turned white with anger, his body trembling, ¡°Fine! I¡¯m going to call the higher-ups right now and see how you explain this!¡± He touched his swollen face, turned around, and walked back to his room, where he pulled out a satellite phone from under the bed. ¡°Your people didn¡¯t follow the rules, and the Saint Heir and I were confronting each other. I had the situation under control, but the martial artists in green left inexplicably, humiliating me in front of everyone. The prestige I had established is now gone.¡± Truman Ridge vented his frustration into the phone. ¡°This isn¡¯t their fault,¡± after a while, a female voice came through the phone. ¡°They were just following orders, Mr. Ridge, we have our rules. Just now, someone from within our organization appeared, and the martial artists in green had to withdraw. You need to be careful now, try not to do anything out of line. As for the Saint Heir, I will send someone to deal with it.¡± After hearing the woman¡¯s words, Truman Ridge¡¯s frown deepened even more, and he said with some displeasure, ¡°So I got slapped for nothing? I don¡¯t know what your rules are, but being humiliated by the Saint Heir today is indisputably related to your people abandoning their posts at the last minute!¡± The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, having lost face in public at his age! If this were to get out, the Ridge Family would probably bear this humiliation for decades to come. ¡°Mr. Ridge, watch your words!¡± The woman¡¯s voice became cold instantly, making Truman Ridge shiver on the other end of the phone. ¡°If you are unwilling to be the Alliance Hierarch, I can replace you at any time.¡± ¡°You misunderstand me; Yannick Ridge didn¡¯t mean it that way,¡± Truman Ridge hurriedly explained. ¡°Apart from you, I want no one to know of my existence.¡± After saying this, the woman hung up the phone. Thump! At the same time, a corpse was thrown into Truman Ridge¡¯s room. ¡°Butler!¡± Recognizing the corpse¡¯s face, Truman Ridge¡¯s eyes nearly popped out. Chapter 339 - Chapter 339: Chapter 339: An Unfavorable Start_1 Chapter 339: Chapter 339: An Unfavorable Start_1 Truman Ridge¡¯s most trusted person was not his son, nor his grandson, but the butler who had already died before him. For all matters big and small concerning the Ridge family, Truman Ridge would consult with the butler. He had even secretly told the butler about his dealings with the mysterious woman. There were, it could be said, no secrets between the two of them. The butler had lived with the Ridge family since he was a child, and although his relationship with Truman Ridge was nominally that of master and servant, in reality, it was more like that of friends. Whenever something significant happened in the Ridge family, Truman Ridge always consulted with the butler first before informing the rest of the family. ¡°I¡¯m the one who caused your death¡­¡± Truman Ridge gently touched the still warm body of the butler, his hand shaking uncontrollably. If he hadn¡¯t told the butler about that matter, the butler would not have died. ¡°Old pal, I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± he took a deep breath, and with trembling hands, he gently closed the butler¡¯s eyes that had not yet ceased looking. The butler¡¯s death made him fully aware that he had embarked on a road of no return. The swordsmen in green clothes in the courtyard, ostensibly there to protect him, now seemed more like they were there to monitor him. Otherwise, how could they know that the butler was aware of this matter? ¡°Huh!¡± Truman Ridge took a deep breath and collapsed to the ground, his gaze empty. Meanwhile, at the Leopold family¡¯s villa, a completely different scene was unfolding. The Leopold family hosted a grand banquet in the villa to entertain the Saint Heir and the people from Skyfire who had traveled a great distance. Outside, a large number of bodyguards and Skyfire associates patrolled to ensure safety. Having witnessed the Saint Heir¡¯s might, businessmen who had previously sided with Truman Ridge immediately picked up their glasses to flatter the Saint Heir. In their view, even if the Boulevard League were powerful, it could not withstand a single person like the Saint Heir. If the Saint Heir took action, Julius Reed was doomed without a doubt. ¡°I am Maurice Yarrow, the boss of the Three Blade Group!¡± Maurice Yarrow raised his glass and approached the Saint Heir respectfully: ¡°During the Saint Heir¡¯s stay in Five-river Province, if you have any needs, you can ask me. Though I may not compare to those major businessmen, I can still satisfy your needs within the province.¡± Maurice Yarrow was typically opportunistic, having previously flattered Truman Ridge unceasingly, only to now start courting the Saint Heir. ¡°I know you,¡± the Saint Heir nodded and lifted his glass: ¡°My people have mentioned you before. The preparations in the old city district, they were all due to your employee Bridger Davenport.¡± ¡°It¡¯s an honor for my Three Blade Group to serve the Saint Heir! In the future, whatever you need, even if I have to climb a mountain of swords or descend into a sea of flames, I will not hesitate!¡± Maurice Yarrow raised his glass and drained it in one go. ¡°I will take care of the matter you asked for,¡± the Saint Heir nodded and likewise emptied the contents of his glass: ¡°Give me the details of that person¡¯s whereabouts, and I will arrange for someone to help you eliminate him.¡± He was unaware that the Julius Reed whom Maurice Yarrow wished to kill was the same person responsible for destroying their Skyfire. The reason for coming to Five-river Province was because he received a message from a mysterious organization claiming that the person who had toppled their Skyfire Sect years ago was in Five-river Province. After many years of rebuilding, the Skyfire Sect, though nearly restored, still remained a joke in the criminal underworld. To wash away this dishonor, they had to kill the person who had destroyed their sect! With the blood of their enemies, they would cleanse this disgrace. ¡°Thank you for your kind intentions, Saint Heir. I will arrange for someone to investigate immediately, but bear in mind that this person is very powerful. Many capable local figures have sought revenge against him and ended up dying at the hands of his employee,¡± Maurice Yarrow cautiously reminded. Ever since being blackmailed, he had been constantly thinking of ways to kill Julius Reed. Later, on the advice of Bridger Davenport, he had persevered and bided his time, ultimately witnessing the downfall of the Leopold family. That was when he decided to continue waiting. Now that he finally had hope with a powerful figure like the Saint Heir, how could he afford to miss this opportunity? ¡°I, Sheridan Isolde of Ganny Province, might be an insignificant merchant, yet I am willing to do everything within my power to help the Saint Heir,¡± Stanley Isolde had seen the Saint Heir¡¯s prowess that day and could only feel his heart racing! Was this even human? He was practically a Demigod! ¡°I heard your son was kidnapped? Such a minor issue, no need to dwell on it. If Truman Ridge refuses to help you, I will,¡± the Saint Heir said to the man before him, lightly smiling, ¡°By the way, I¡¯ll also capture the person responsible.¡± ¡°Thank you, Saint Heir!¡± Upon hearing these words, Stanley Isolde immediately knelt on the ground in excitement, trembling uncontrollably. He had discussed this matter with the butler in the morning, but although the Boulevard League had verbally agreed, they had yet to take any concrete action. Stanley Isolde, anxious for his son, could hardly bear the thought of his son being humiliated in Gonzalez City. Now that the Saint Heir had brought up the issue without him even asking, his admiration for the Saint Heir grew even further. ¡°Stand up, it¡¯s but a trifle,¡± the Saint Heir said with a wave of his hand, instructing the man in the tank top behind him, ¡°Arrange for people to rescue his son and capture the kidnapper while you¡¯re at it, leaving that person to this Mr. Isolde here for disposal.¡± ¡°Your command is my wish!¡± The man in the tank top nodded and immediately pulled out a cellphone, ordering the task right in front of Stanley Isolde. With these two examples set, those who were still hesitating between Truman Ridge and the Saint Heir immediately shifted their allegiance to the Saint Heir. There was, in fact, another reason they supported the Saint Heir. The Ridge Family coveted the top spot in Five-river Province, which was clearly something the wealthy merchants did not want to see. No one wished for a single family¡¯s dominance; even the Leopold Family was only slightly ahead, without completely outdoing the other families. If someone¡¯s influence grew too strong, they would naturally face joint suppression from other businesses. Balance was what the merchants most desired to see. Yet considering the Ridge Family¡¯s aggressive stance, it was obvious they expected these merchants to submit! ¡°Saint Heir, there¡¯s a call for you. It¡¯s from a woman who insists on speaking with you,¡± a Western man approached the Saint Heir with a custom-made phone during the toast. ¡°Who is it?¡± the Saint Heir asked, looking up. This was a communication device they used internally; outsiders didn¡¯t know the number, much less the encryption involved. ¡°The caller said you¡¯d recognize her once you answer,¡± the man presented the phone with both hands. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, please excuse me,¡± the Saint Heir said with a nod and a smile, taking the phone and walking towards the entrance. ¡°Who is this?¡± ¡°Who I am is not your concern. However, I wish to inform you that I founded the Boulevard League, not Truman Ridge. If you dare to disrupt this alliance, I don¡¯t mind teaching you a lesson, but if you two collaborate, I can fulfill your wish for revenge.¡± A cold female voice transmitted from the phone. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± the Saint Heir tensed up upon hearing this voice. Because not long ago, the owner of that voice had informed him that his enemy was in Five-river Province. ¡°Unbelievable, the Boulevard League is under your control. Were the swordsmen today also your men?¡± Thinking of those swordsmen gave the Saint Heir a headache. They were very strong, and he had found them difficult to fight. ¡°Correct, I just killed the Ridge Family butler. If you also choose to disobey, I could start by killing someone by your side to see how you react,¡± the woman said before bursting into laughter, ¡°Just kidding.¡± After that, the call ended. ¡°Saint Heir, our men sent to rescue the Isolde family, they¡¯re all dead!¡± At that moment, the man in the tank top ran over in a panic. Chapter 340 - Chapter 340: Chapter 340 Dark Arrow Wounds People_1 Chapter 340: Chapter 340 Dark Arrow Wounds People_1 ¡°How is that possible?¡± Hearing the news, the Saint Heir suddenly stopped in his tracks. He turned around and grabbed the man in the vest by the collar, ¡°Didn¡¯t we just send our people out?¡± At the banquet, the Saint Heir had announced in front of everyone his intentions to rescue Sheridan Isolde. And it had been only a matter of minutes since his staff had gone to follow through with this task. Even accounting for personnel movements and travel preparations, his people could have at most just stepped out of this villa. ¡°Yes¡­ Our people had just gone out and were ambushed right at the villa¡¯s entrance, their bodies not even a hundred meters from the gate¡­¡± The man in the vest turned pale, his words faltering and the muscles at the corners of his mouth twitching uncontrollably. He had followed Skyfire for many years, completing countless missions, but none had ever been as shocking as today. Deaths were common, how could a combat unit not suffer casualties? But the loss of a dozen skilled hands today¡ªeach of these men was a battle-hardened warrior of Skyfire and a devout follower of the Sect¡ªwas unprecedented. So far, they still had no idea who the mastermind behind the scenes was. The staff died inexplicably, and there wasn¡¯t even anyone to target for vengeance! ¡°Tell me again!¡± The Saint Heir stared intensely into the vest-wearing man¡¯s eyes, his face twitching uncontrollably. No sooner had he received the call from the woman than his people were completely wiped out; such a threat, such humiliation, was too much for the Saint Heir, who always saw himself as noble, to bear. ¡°Our people, they¡¯re all gone¡­¡± The man in the vest took a deep breath, answering with his head lowered. His voice carried a tone of dejection and helplessness, sprinkled with a hint of sorrow. In the past decade, Skyfire had never faced such humiliation. ¡°Take me to see,¡± the Saint Heir said, calming down from his anger, his grip on the man¡¯s vest collar gradually loosening. By now, getting angry would not solve anything. Even if he killed the man in the vest right in front of him, it wouldn¡¯t help the greater situation. The most important thing now was to find out who the culprit behind the scenes was, and see who was stirring up trouble. The moment he thought this, the voice of that woman echoed in the Saint Heir¡¯s mind. ¡°If it really was you, I will tear you to pieces!¡± he roared, flames suddenly erupting from his hand. The man in the vest didn¡¯t dare make a sound, promptly turned around, and, together with a few staff members, hurried to the scene of the incident with the Saint Heir. ¡°Gentlemen, please continue drinking, I¡¯ve got something to take care of and will join you for a toast later.¡± As they passed the dining area, the Saint Heir gave the merchants of Five-river Province a faint smile and strode out of the villa complex. ¡°Safe travels, Saint Heir, we can hardly wait!¡± ¡°We will wait here for the return of the Saint Heir!¡± Everyone spoke one after another, smiles on their faces, their hearts filled with utmost joy. Such an outsider, who had no conflicts of interest with them, and a figure like the Saint Heir, would unlikely remain in the inland for long. By leveraging the Saint Heir¡¯s power to eliminate Julius Reed and other threats, the merchants could effortlessly reap the benefits and share the remnants of Octavius¡¯ and Stanislaus Potter¡¯s assets. Moreover, the conflict between Truman Ridge and the Saint Heir today led several of them to boldly imagine what the outcome would be if two tigers cannot share one mountain. Would the Saint Heir return home in a pitiful state, or would Truman Ridge end up shattered and scattered? Or perhaps, both would suffer losses? Regardless of the outcome, it would be all to the advantage of those present without any harm done. ¡°Saint Heir, please be prepared for what you are about to see,¡± the vest-wearing man halted his steps at the villa gate, turning to look at the Saint Heir with a hint of fear in his eyes. ¡°Throughout my life, I¡¯ve seen all the ups and downs one can see, what¡¯s there to be afraid of? Go on, Hamza, how come after coming to the East, you¡¯ve become so timid? In the West, you were a warrior who struck fear into the hearts of many, with the courage of a thousand men!¡± The Saint Heir said with scorn in his eyes, his tone dripping with condescension. Within Skyfire, the Saint Heir was the designated successor to the Sect Hierarch, and once the Hierarch ascended to heaven, the Saint Heir would rise to take his place. But before becoming the Sect Hierarch, the Saint Heir¡¯s rights were not substantial; he couldn¡¯t even make staffing arrangements within the sect. Hamza was the Sect Hierarch¡¯s confidant, famed for his bravery. On the battlefields of the West, he always accomplished his missions with excellence, becoming the nightmare of his adversaries. However, Hamza¡¯s attitude towards the Saint Heir had always been ambiguous, and even somewhat intentionally distant. On this trip to the central plains, the Saint Heir specifically requested Hamza be brought along, partly to win him over and partly to serve as a warning. But along the way, Hamza wasn¡¯t receptive to the Saint Heir¡¯s attempts at drawing him closer, and even showed some resistance, causing the Saint Heir great dissatisfaction, to the point where he considered looking for an opportunity to thoroughly deal with Hamza. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that Hamza was the Sect Hierarch¡¯s confidant, he would have wished to kill Hamza outright in the far East. ¡°Saint Heir, it is not that I lack courage or that I am afraid of trouble. It¡¯s just that the events of today are too bizarre. Although I consider myself well-versed in dealing with tough situations, facing the corpses of these colleagues, I still feel a chill,¡± Hamza was well-prepared for the Saint Heir¡¯s derision. He was loyal to the Sect Hierarch and did not want the sect to split into many factions. ¡°Hmph, lead the way!¡± The Saint Heir shook his head and stopped talking. He was somewhat disappointed with Hamza. ¡°Please!¡± Hamza led the way in front, no longer speaking or interacting with the Saint Heir. They had walked less than five meters when the Saint Heir stopped, his nose keenly sniffing the scents in the air. He was always sensitive to these odors; it was one of his natural gifts. ¡°Something is amiss.¡± The Saint Heir stopped, closed his eyes, and began to sense the scents swirling in the air. Ordinary people¡¯s sense of smell could only distinguish basic odors, like fragrance or stench. But the Saint Heir, with his extraordinary talent, could detect the scent of unfamiliar people. Less than five meters ahead of them, the bodies of the previously encountered Hidden Guards were on the ground, dismembered. More than a dozen men, all killed in the same way, and it seemed they had no chance to resist at all. One could say that from the outset, this was a massacre. Seeing the Saint Heir¡¯s calm demeanor, Hamza was somewhat surprised. When he had first seen this scene, he had felt his stomach churn, and he vomited on the spot. Yet, the Saint Heir faced these severed limbs and mutilated bodies without the slightest hint of surprise. ¡°Who goes there, you coward at night!¡± Whoosh! The previously closed-eyed Saint Heir suddenly opened his eyes, and two flames burst forth from his palms, shooting directly toward a tree ten meters away! Rustle! As the flames reached the tree, a figure instantly dashed aside. ¡°There¡¯s someone!¡± Hamza also realized the presence of an enemy at the same time. He immediately took out the box of hidden weapons from his back and started shooting at the shadow in the air! Swish! At the same time, a cold gleam cut through the air, flying straight towards Hamza! Years of living on the edge had honed Hamza¡¯s skills. Facing this sudden attack, he dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow! But an arrow still pierced his arm! ¡°Hamza!¡± The Saint Heir, looking at the fleeing figure, hesitated for a moment before quickly running to Hamza¡¯s side. Chapter 341 - Chapter 341: Chapter 341 Internal Strife_1 Chapter 341: Chapter 341 Internal Strife_1 ¡°I¡¯ll be fine!¡± Hamza forced himself to rise from the ground, his intense pain notwithstanding, and he grabbed the Saint Heir¡¯s arm, ¡°There were two of them, one was the shadow in the sky, and the other, my companion, struck me with a secret arrow!¡± Just as he put all his strength into attacking the shadow in the sky, an arrow shot from the distance! If not for the timely arrival of the arrow, Hamza was certain he could have brought down the shadow. ¡°Enough of that now! You go back and heal up first; I¡¯ll urgently summon all disciples of Skyfire to prepare for the ensuing changes,¡± the Saint Heir said, lifting Hamza on his shoulders and sprinting towards the Leopold Family villa. ¡°Saint Heir, what has happened to Leader Eulalia¡­¡± The sight of Hamza¡¯s condition startled many disciples of Skyfire. The two had just left, and one was already injured? There weren¡¯t many in the world who could manage to injure Hamza. Of course, those were just the masters known to the disciples. ¡°Immediately assemble everyone; call an urgent meeting. And those merchants from Five-river Province, tell them to go back¡ªfor now, they are to await further orders,¡± the Saint Heir commanded after setting Hamza down in a large conference room. The medical team of Skyfire followed right behind, taking out their tools and starting to treat Hamza. ¡°Excuse me, sir, where might the Saint Heir be?¡± Upon seeing people from Skyfire enter the dining area, the wealthy merchants immediately gathered around to make polite inquiries. Many of them had not yet had the chance to curry favor with the Saint Heir, fearing that any delay might leave a poor impression on him. ¡°Indeed, we have many things we wish to discuss with the Saint Heir in person, please pass on the message,¡± they said. ¡°The Saint Heir left in such haste earlier, has something significant happened?¡± The merchants spoke one after another, as if they wanted to express all their concerns there and then. ¡°The Saint Heir is feeling unwell today; everyone is to return to their homes for now. As for what comes next, the Saint Heir will send for you to discuss the matter. But presently, he wishes to be left alone,¡± a Disciple of Skyfire said before planning to leave the dining area. ¡°Now, listen here, brother, what exactly is wrong with the Saint Heir? We are all members of the same alliance, and we have a right to know,¡± they said. ¡°Exactly! You can¡¯t just send us away without explanation¡ªshould we decide to leave, at least give us a reason, right?¡± ¡°Where has the Saint Heir gone to?¡± The merchants had been waiting for the Saint Heir for quite some time, so naturally, their mood was not the best. Now that they were being dismissed, especially while within the Leopold Family villa, it added to their discomfort. If the Saint Heir had been present, they would never dare show their discontent, but as he was absent and only a nobody had come, these merchants, used to having their way, immediately showed their true colors. No matter how powerful you are, you are still just a servant. ¡°The Saint Heir said he is unwell!¡± the man repeated firmly, ¡°If anyone has complaints, they can take them up with the Saint Heir directly; if not, you may all leave now!¡± He stood with his back to the dining area¡¯s entrance, hands clasped behind him, looking at the group of merchants inside. His eyes were full of disdain, mockery, and scorn. Those who had been clamoring to see the Saint Heir now bowed their heads in silence. Everyone looked at one another, but nobody dared to approach the Saint Heir directly. Truman Ridge was formidable, wasn¡¯t he? He founded the Boulevard League with his own hands, easily eradicated Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter using schemes, yet was slapped by the Saint Heir right in front of everyone. For anyone who sought to make trouble for themselves at this moment, it would be like playing with fire! A moment later, everyone set down their wine glasses and left the Leopold Family villa, visibly displeased. The most embarrassed among them was Whitley Leopold, who couldn¡¯t believe someone had just issued an eviction order in his own villa! But for the sake of the family¡¯s revival, he had no choice but to endure the humiliation and heavy burden. After eliminating the two biggest competitors, Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter, there weren¡¯t many who could call the shots in Five-river Province; the powerful Leopold Family would inevitably become a target for all. However, if the Leopold Family could form a good relationship with the Saint Heir, no one would dare to move against them. Even if they were green with envy, they would have to hold back. Once everyone had left, the villa immediately went on high alert, with Hidden Guards scattered around the perimeter and several leaders patrolling the yard non-stop. All the surveillance equipment was turned on, covering the entire Leopold Family villa without any blind spots. ¡°Everyone, please share your opinions,¡± the Saint Heir sat at the center of the conference room, the conference table laid with the neatly dissected corpses of Skyfire disciples. The corpses were cut so systematically that none was left whole. The worst-off had been chopped into seven pieces! Those present stifled their disgust, several stepping forward carefully to inspect the wounds. ¡°Saint Heir, judging by the precision of the wounds, the assailant¡¯s ability should be comparable to that of our protector. Such formidable swordsmanship is likely the work of a local Swordsman from the East.¡± One person reached this conclusion after casually touching and examining the wounds. Another walked over, took out a magnifying glass to inspect more closely, then turned to the Saint Heir, ¡°A single stroke was lethal; our people had no time to react. Judging by the breaks in the wounds, the opponent is formidable but must have delivered a surprise attack. Otherwise, no matter how strong, it would have been impossible to kill so many of us without making a sound.¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct, I agree,¡± someone said. ¡°Just who is this person who dares to attack the disciples of Skyfire? Do they really want to provoke us that badly?¡± ¡°If the other side didn¡¯t know these were our people from Skyfire, that would be one thing, but if they knew and still dared to act, they must have a powerful force behind them!¡± Everyone began discussing among themselves, one after another, gathered around the table. They were leaders within their respective departments of Skyfire, and they had followed the Saint Heir to the East to ensure the path of Skyfire¡¯s revenge was failproof. ¡°Actually, the person behind this is above Hamza,¡± the Saint Heir leaned back in his chair, very unwillingly revealing this conclusion. He was well aware of Hamza¡¯s abilities, but silently taking out so many was out of the question. Moreover, the bodies were less than ten meters from the front gate; any noise at such a close distance would have alerted the disciples of Skyfire inside the villa. ¡°Hamza, how did you find out our people had all been killed?¡± the Saint Heir asked, looking toward Hamza for an answer. If the incident was carried out so secretly, how could Hamza have discovered it so quickly? Even the guard responsible for securing the gate of the villa hadn¡¯t noticed anything! ¡°Saint Heir, are you suspecting me to be a traitor?¡± Hamza sat shirtless on a chair, with a doctor beside him disinfecting a wound. An arrow¡¯s force was so great that it pierced right through Hamza¡¯s arm and snapped the bone within. ¡°Hamza, I did not call you a traitor!¡± said the Saint Heir coldly, ¡°I¡¯m just very curious why you discovered it so quickly when we had no clue whatsoever!¡± With these words, everyone¡¯s gaze towards Hamza changed. Especially with the arrow in his shoulder, it was easier for people to think of a self-inflicted wound as part of a deception. ¡°What do you mean by that!¡± Whoosh! Hamza slapped the table hard and stood up angrily! Chapter 342 - Chapter 342: Chapter 342: The Ruse of Self-Infliction_1 Chapter 342: Chapter 342: The Ruse of Self-Infliction_1 ¡°Be more careful next time!¡± In a wooded area around the perimeter of the Leopold Family¡¯s villa, Julius Reed was tending to Lucan Davenport¡¯s wounds. Not long ago, Hamza¡¯s flying darts had burst forth, one of them striking Lucan squarely in the calf. If Julius hadn¡¯t arrived in time, Lucan might have ended up either dead or captured. ¡°I underestimated the situation,¡± Lucan said with a wry smile, scratching his head in embarrassment. He considered himself a master of swordsmanship and often engaged in risky ventures. For instance, this time, after killing the sect members who were out on a mission, he had quietly hidden in a nearby tree to watch the aftermath. But he didn¡¯t expect the Saint Heir, with his keen sense of smell, to detect his presence from over a dozen meters away. When a burst of Skyfire came hurtling towards him, he was so busy fleeing that he paid no attention to Hamza¡¯s hidden dart box. No matter how capable Lucan was, there¡¯s an old saying: if you frequently walk by the river, you are bound to get your shoes wet. ¡°I had a feeling something would happen to you. Remember this lesson, or next time I might not be able to look out for you. It would be such a waste if you died so young.¡± Julius patted Lucan on the shoulder, and they continued to watch the video feed from the meeting room of the Leopold Family. A week earlier, Julius had instructed Black Dog to sneak into various Leopold Family villas under the guise of Brayden Leopold inspecting the properties, seizing the opportunity to replace the security cameras with espionage cameras. With the correct password, one could access information from various locations in the Leopold Family. ¡°Saint Heir, I know you hold a lofty position within the sect and are the heir apparent to the Sect Hierarch. But you cannot make baseless accusations!¡± Hamza pointed angrily at the Saint Heir, ignoring the wound on his shoulder, and rebuked harshly, ¡°I¡¯ve given my life to the cause of Skyfire for decades, if not with merit, then with hard labor! But to accuse me thus is an insult!¡± Hamza¡¯s stance silenced many. They were also longtime devotees of Skyfire, having joined the sect for decades. If they met the same fate as Hamza, it would surely leave them feeling cold. Over the years, Hamza¡¯s contributions to Skyfire were well recognized, and everyone was aware of his merits. The well-known feuds between the Saint Heir and Hamza also didn¡¯t help matters. The implications were clear to anyone within Skyfire. However, factional strife was nothing new and was a common occurrence throughout history. ¡°Hamza, what are you getting worked up for?¡± The Saint Heir lifted his eyes, glancing at Hamza. ¡°I didn¡¯t say you were a traitor. I am just curious about this matter. All you need to do is answer truthfully, and everyone will make their own judgement.¡± The meeting room fell into silence once again. ¡°I¡¯ve been carrying out missions for many years, and no matter when, I like to accompany my troops for a while to ensure full success,¡± Hamza explained with furrowed brows and patience. ¡°Today, I felt uneasy after dispatching this group. I followed in the direction of their departure, and not ten meters out, I found a slaughterhouse of corpses.¡± Upon saying this, he stood up and faced his colleagues, hands clasped in salute. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, you must know what kind of person I, Hamza, am. My combat habits are even more familiar to you! More than half of the dangerous missions within Skyfire have been carried out under my lead!¡± Snap! With that, he tore open his shirt, revealing scars all over his body. On his chest and back, there were dozens of scars. Hamza clenched his fists tightly, his voice filled with passion. ¡°Step forth and see who has more scars than I do!¡± At his shout, everyone lowered their heads, not knowing how to begin speaking. Even the Saint Heir fell into awkwardness. Hamza charged into battle, often carrying out extremely dangerous missions; no one doubted his loyalty to Skyfire. This was also the reason he became the Sect Hierarch¡¯s confidant. Yet, the more he did so, the more uncomfortable the Saint Heir felt. ¡°Leader Eulalia, I will ask you one last thing,¡± said the Saint Heir, sitting in the chair with a grave expression. ¡°Since you were present where the follower died, why didn¡¯t the person nearby strike at you?¡± ¡°Indeed! When the Saint Heir discovered that person, there was only a ten-meter distance between you, and Hamza was completely unaware! If we estimate the distance at the time of the crime, the assassin must have been within three meters of Hamza! If the opponent was within three meters and still unnoticed, why didn¡¯t the Shadow Warrior make a move?¡± ¡°You¡¯re making sense! Such close proximity absolutely allows for a lethal strike! Leader Eulalia might be strong, but the Shadow Warrior is not weak at all!¡± ¡°It makes no sense! To kill so many followers, but not to kill a Skyfire leader? Unless the assassin is out of his mind!¡± Facing everyone¡¯s doubt, Hamza¡¯s face turned red, yet he was at a loss for words. Yes, the Shadow Warrior had been so close to him, and at that moment, he had been so frightened by the horrific deaths of the followers that he had never considered the murderer would stay behind. If the assassin had chosen to strike then, he would be a corpse by now. From the brief engagement earlier, it was clear that the perpetrator¡¯s strength was no less than his own, and had they attacked then, they surely would have succeeded. Yet, the assassin did not strike but instead fled chaotically after being discovered by the Saint Heir. ¡°But I was injured as well!¡± Hamza pointed to the wound on his arm, his bandage already soaked with blood due to the severity of his emotions. ¡°An arrow shot right through my bone. For anyone else, that would have been a fatal shot! It was only because I was agile that I barely managed to avoid the vital spot!¡± Now, he had no other way to prove his innocence except for the wound on his body. The steel arrow penetrated deep into the wood, and even someone as tough as Hamza had his bone broken by the shot. ¡°Have you ever heard of the Art of War from the East? It mentions a tactic called the stratagem of injury-to-self!¡± said the Saint Heir, slowly standing up from his seat and looking around at everyone before setting his eyes on Hamza. ¡°If it were not for this arrow, I might be inclined to believe in your innocence. But this arrow, it is precisely the ruse your accomplice used to protect you, employing the stratagem of injury-to-self!¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t you die? That arrow was extremely vicious, and even I cannot guarantee survival from it! It was a hidden arrow! But you, Leader Eulalia, managed to spot this arrow while dodging the flying darts meant for the assassin, avoiding the vital part and only breaking an arm!¡± The Saint Heir slowly walked up to Hamza. ¡°Leader Eulalia, what do you think?¡± ¡°Slanderer!¡± Hamza stood up suddenly from his seat, staring at the Saint Heir. ¡°You are the traitor! I, Hamza, have given everything to Skyfire, even my life is expendable!¡± ¡°How bold!¡± A person clad in armor stepped forward and said coldly, ¡°Leader Eulalia, you dare accuse the Saint Heir of being a traitor; this has already violated our doctrine. According to the laws of Skyfire, you must be confined! As for the verdict, we will wait for the Sect Hierarch¡¯s judgment.¡± The armored man gestured, and people in similar attire immediately entered the room. They were the Law Enforcement Hall of Skyfire, accompanying the action team and supervising everyone¡¯s movements. ¡°Spice it up for them.¡± Watching this scene on the screen, Julius Reed pressed the send button on his cell phone. Chapter 343 - Chapter 343: Chapter 343 Because You Have No Choice_1 Chapter 343: Chapter 343 Because You Have No Choice_1 ¡°I have made great contributions to Skyfire, who dares to arrest me! ¡°Hamza¡¯s eyes were bloodshot as he faced the approaching armored guards, his fists clenched tightly. ¡°Hamza! The authority of the Law Enforcement Hall of Skyfire extends only beneath the Sect Hierarch! Even if the Saint Heir is at fault, we still have the right to detain him! If you think you are innocent, you can wait for the Hierarch to decide,¡± said the elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, removing his mask and looking at the unwilling Hamza. ¡°You and I have been colleagues, and I don¡¯t want things to get too ugly. If you resist now, you will only confirm the accusation of treason. Otherwise, just wait for the Hierarch. Haven¡¯t you trusted the Hierarch all these years in Skyfire?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Hamza sighed deeply, his entire demeanor suddenly devoid of vitality: ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go with you.¡± He turned to look at the Saint Heir and said coldly, ¡°The innocent cleanse themselves, the corrupt reveal their own filth. I now give you this ancient Eastern saying.¡± ¡°I trust the Hierarch¡¯s judgment!¡± the Saint Heir said, folding his hands in a fist, looking towards the west with immense reverence, ¡°If the Hierarch finds you innocent, then I will personally apologize to you!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting!¡± Hamza turned his head and left the conference room under the escort of the guards. ¡°Gentlemen, what are your views on today¡¯s events?¡± the Saint Heir asked, looking around the room, hoping everyone would share their opinions. After all, not only he believed Hamza to be a traitor. Many had agreed with this conclusion during the conference. ¡°We have no objections; we¡¯d like to hear the Saint Heir¡¯s opinion.¡± After one spoke, the others nodded and agreed. Although many were reluctant to believe Hamza was a traitor, everyone seemed to think so, and if they spoke out, they would definitely be implicated. At this moment, everyone wanted to keep their own counsel. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, then¡­¡± Whoosh! Before the Saint Heir could finish speaking, the conference room door was suddenly pushed open. The Law Enforcement Hall elder who had just escorted Hamza, covered in blood, burst into the conference room, knelt on the ground, and pointed outside the door: ¡°Someone¡­ someone has rescued Hamz¡­¡± Before he could finish speaking, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and fell to the ground, breathless. ¡°George!¡± The Saint Heir was shocked, and immediately ran over to check on George. But to his surprise, George, who had been fit and robust just 30 seconds ago, had already died at this moment, his body suffering from multiple wounds, three of them fatal. George¡¯s struggle to bring news with his last breath was incredibly difficult. ¡°Someone has taken Hamza!¡± ¡°He is definitely a traitor!¡± ¡°Chase!¡± After a brief silence, the conference room erupted into chaos. Many people, armed with staff and weapons, rushed to the courtyard in pursuit. But when they arrived in the courtyard, they found only the bodies of the Law Enforcement Hall guards strewn on the ground, with no sight of Hamza. The Law Enforcement Hall guards lying on the ground had all been killed with a single sword strike, leaving no survivors. ¡°Traitor!¡± the Saint Heir bellowed. He had only suspected, never truly believing Hamza would betray them. His aim in framing Hamza was to suppress this Skyfire individual who would not listen to him. At the same time, it was to intimidate those within the sect who did not follow his command. But now, he was firmly convinced that Hamza really was a traitor! ¡°Saint Heir, I will lead men in pursuit, we must capture this traitor!¡± a young man stepped forward, volunteering. ¡°I also wish to apprehend Hamza, to seek justice for our deceased brothers!¡± ¡°Killing the traitor is every Skyfire person¡¯s duty. We are all willing to lead a search; the more people we have, the more strength we have, and the authority of Skyfire cannot be violated!¡± Seeing the bodies of his colleagues strewn on the ground, any last thread of belief that Hamza was innocent had completely evaporated. It was clear this was a case of abduction and rescue. If Hamza was not a traitor, then why didn¡¯t they just kill him? Why rescue him? Under Skyfire¡¯s intense surveillance, taking a living person out was easier said than done! ¡°Immediately pull up the video footage! See where Hamza fled to, and, moreover, show me how this person managed to infiltrate!¡± The Saint Heir¡¯s brow furrowed tightly once again; if someone truly had broken in, the guards around the villa perimeter would surely have been alerted. But up to now, he had not even heard a single gunshot. So, how exactly had the enemy mixed in? ¡°As you command!¡± After bowing deeply, several people immediately headed towards the surveillance room. Meanwhile, the Saint Heir, who had thought back but confirmed he could not detect the Shadow Warrior¡¯s scent, also followed to the Leopold Family¡¯s surveillance room. The Leopold Family¡¯s cameras were densely packed, with hundreds of them! The large villa was fully covered, with no blind spots! Just as Whitley Leopold had boasted before, there was nothing happening in the villa that he wasn¡¯t aware of! The sect followers got busy quickly, beginning to check the surveillance videos. To avoid the possibility that the murderer had blended in much earlier, they even rewound the footage, hoping to identify the individual who infiltrated the villa and to earn great merit. Five minutes later, nearly everyone was shaking their heads; in their videos, there was simply no trace of anything suspicious. If it was a person, they had to walk on solid ground; they couldn¡¯t just fall from the sky! However, at the camera location where the protector guards had died, footage suddenly appeared! ¡°There¡¯s someone here!¡± One person pointed at the screen, exclaiming in alarm. The screen showed Hamza, who had been walking obediently, suddenly stopping in his tracks, then freeing himself from the chains around his hands, snatching a Longsword, and swinging it wildly! The guards barely had time to react before they were down and dead, with only George managing to engage Hamza for a few moments before he too was defeated. In the video, George rushed to the conference room to report, while Hamza approached the main gate and left unhindered. The personnel guarding the perimeter of the villa even greeted Hamza voluntarily. ¡°Traitor!¡± Seeing this scene, no one doubted Hamza¡¯s loyalty anymore. This was a genuine traitor! ¡°Immediately alert the Sect Hierarch for a decision! As for you, first find the trace. Remember to not act rashly, it seems that Hamza has always been holding back, and his true abilities might be even stronger!¡± The Saint Heir had a deeply troubled expression, his fists smashing furiously against the surveillance room¡¯s iron door. Meanwhile, not far from the Leopold Family villa in the woods, Hamza was securely bound, even with his mouth gagged by a white towel. ¡°Hello, I hope we can work together,¡± said Julius Reed, looking at Hamza kneeling at his feet, and added with a faint smile, ¡°There¡¯s no need for such formality. Some things don¡¯t need to be spelled out, right?¡± Hamza did remember, but Bridger Davenport held his shoulder firmly down, making it impossible for Hamza to even stand. ¡°Who are you!¡± Hamza looked coldly at Julius Reed and demanded, ¡°Why should I help you?¡± As soon as he had stepped out the door, he was abducted and then, following the Leopold Family¡¯s underground tunnel, sneakily brought here. ¡°Because you have no choice!¡± Julius Reed burst into laughter. Chapter 344 - Chapter 344: Chapter 344: A Familiar Name_1 Chapter 344: Chapter 344: A Familiar Name_1 ¡°` ¡°If you think you can make me betray Skyfire, you might as well drop dead!¡± Hamza sneered coldly, his eyes filled with disdain: ¡°In my life, I, Hamza, have been loyal to the Sect Hierarch without ever harboring a second thought! I¡¯d rather die than live to see my late years dishonored!¡± Within Skyfire, Hamza¡¯s reputation was exceedingly noble. Had it not been for his outspoken and straightforward nature that offended many, Saint Heir would not have had a chance to succeed today. In fact, even Saint Heir believed that the Sect Hierarch would bypass Hamza, He had Hamza locked up by the Law Enforcement Hall just to give him a warning. After all, Hamza was the only one in Skyfire who treated Saint Heir with indifference. Through today¡¯s events, even if the followers within Skyfire were discontent, they would harbor second thoughts and dare not openly express themselves like this. And Hamza himself valued his reputation above all else, preferring death to becoming a traitor. ¡°If you want to die, that¡¯s very easy.¡± Julius Reed walked around Hamza once, saying lazily: ¡°In fact, there are many who wish you dead, but I am the one who least wants you gone.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Hamza couldn¡¯t help but ask. Since he had been captured and was being tempted to turn traitor, Hamza could be certain that this young man was an enemy, an enemy of Skyfire. Definitely not their friend! ¡°The assassination at the villa¡¯s gate¡­¡± ¡°I had it arranged.¡± Julius Reed interrupted before Hamza could finish, candidly admitting to it. ¡°Then the arrow in my shoulder¡­¡± ¡°The arrow in your shoulder was shot by me as well. I know what you want to ask. In fact, I deliberately aimed off target. Otherwise, even if you were a deity, you would be dead,¡± Julius Reed said, patting Hamza¡¯s shoulder, making no effort to hide his identity: ¡°I am your nemesis, and I am here to kill the Saint Heir in Five-river Province.¡± ¡°Why do this! Why didn¡¯t you just kill me!¡± Hamza roared, eyes blazing with anger. If it weren¡¯t for this arrow wound, even if someone was suspicious, they wouldn¡¯t dare to speak out in the meeting. Although Hamza¡¯s status within Skyfire was not the highest, he was synonymous with loyalty, having followed the Sect Hierarch through life and death for decades and achieving countless feats of valor. But today, because of the arrow wound on his arm, people stood up in the meeting to accuse him, leaving Hamza with no way to explain himself. The power of that arrow was immense; had it been meant to kill him, he would have had no chance to dodge! Saint Heir had seized upon this to smear Hamza¡¯s reputation. Now that he had been proven innocent, the Sect Hierarch¡¯s trust in him was bound to decrease by a notch. ¡°What use would killing you serve?¡± Julius Reed squatted in front of Hamza, smiling: ¡°Killing you would mean nothing more than the death of a minor Skyfire leader. But what if I were to cast suspicion upon you? That alone would be enough to cause a rift within Skyfire, and make you live a fate worse than death. People who are fond of their reputation, I particularly enjoy dragging it through the mud.¡± Julius Reed walked over and picked up a computer, playing a video in front of Hamza. In the video, Hamza breaks free from the guards, seizes a knife, and kills someone! ¡°This is impossible! You¡­¡± On seeing the footage, Hamza felt a chill run from his tailbone to the top of his skull! Even he himself believed that the person in the video was him! He couldn¡¯t detect the slightest trace of a body double, so what about others? It would be even harder for them! ¡°You¡¯re really trying to frame me to death!¡± Hamza sighed deeply, his breathing becoming more and more rapid. There were already those within Skyfire who supported Saint Heir, and now with this video getting out, Hamza¡¯s image as a traitor would undoubtedly be confirmed, and even the Sect Hierarch would be unable to absolve him. Death, Hamza was not afraid of it at all. He had followed the Sect Hierarch for decades, always taking the lead on the most difficult assignments. For decades, he had lived on the edge, licking blood from the blade, escaping death on countless occasions. ¡°` But being labeled a traitor was a thousand times worse than death itself. If a minute ago Hamza had been completely consumed by the desire to die, now his urge to live was overwhelmingly strong. Only by surviving could he have the chance to prove his innocence; death would most certainly cast an irremovable stain of injustice upon him. Hamza didn¡¯t wish to die with such infamy. ¡°How about it? I¡¯m not giving you much time to think,¡± Julius Reed drew a dagger from his waist and slowly pressed it against Hamza¡¯s neck, ¡°If you¡¯re so intent on dying, I¡¯ll oblige you and preserve your reputation for loyalty. Not only will I send your body back, but I¡¯ll also make it known in front of the Saint Heir that you remained defiant after being captured by me and ultimately died a hero.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Hamza was so angry he felt like his lungs might explode. Such actions would not prove his innocence at all, and worse, his body could end up being burned by the sect¡¯s extremists ¨C or even worse, tossed aside as refuse! ¡°Since you wish for death, I won¡¯t force you. After all, a melon forced off its vine is not sweet,¡± Julius Reed said, his dagger slowly piercing Hamza¡¯s skin to the point that a few beads of blood emerged. ¡°I agree¡­ I agree to surrender.¡± A sense of powerlessness swept over Hamza instantly, causing all his pride and resolve to die with it in a flash. Death leaves one with nothing. Reputation, prestige, or wealth and riches. But alive, just being alive, everything is within reach. ¡°Oh? You don¡¯t want to die now?¡± Julius Reed gently retracted the dagger, smiling, ¡°You better think carefully. If I dare to let you go, I will surely take precautions, so don¡¯t fantasize about living to clear your name or anything of the sort.¡± He pointed at the computer, ¡°Can you cleanse yourself of this affair? You simply can¡¯t! And if I could orchestrate it once, who¡¯s to say I can¡¯t do it a second time?¡± Clang! Julius Reed tossed the dagger onto the ground and said indifferently, ¡°Decide. If you truly wish to live, then serve me faithfully. After Skyfire is extinguished, I will grant you endless wealth and honors. But if you still want to prove your innocence, you might as well die now. I assure you, the more you try to clear your name, the dirtier it will become, and I will make sure you never get back on your feet!¡± After hearing these words, Hamza was struck as if by lightning. His thoughts had been completely seen through, leaving him with no privacy at all. To die or not to die? Gradually, desperation turned into anger, and then into hatred! ¡°Why should they insult me at will? Slander my innocence?¡± ¡°In my life, I have given so much to Skyfire, they reap the benefits while I, what¡¯s my fate? Thrown away after being used up like a spent hunting dog?¡± ¡°I will show you how terrifying human nature can truly be!¡± Hamza deeply kowtowed to Julius Reed, ¡°From today on, I will assist you in overthrowing Skyfire!¡± ¡°Very well! I am Julius Reed, you must have heard my name,¡± Julius Reed picked up the dagger from the ground and swiftly cut through the ropes. ¡°Julius Reed?¡± Hamza felt the name was familiar, yet he couldn¡¯t quite remember. Suddenly, his eyes widened, and he stammered, ¡°The one who¡­ exterminated the sect years ago¡­¡± ¡°Come, I¡¯m taking you to meet someone else,¡± Julius Reed patted his shoulder and turned towards an inner room. Chapter 345 - Chapter 345: Chapter 345: Leading the Disaster East_1 Chapter 345: Chapter 345: Leading the Disaster East_1 Hamza thought of the huge hole left on the Skyfire wall, which was punched open barehanded by the Destroyer of the Sect at the time of Skyfire¡¯s obliteration, shattering the walls of Skyfire Hall that stood for hundreds of years. Later, when Skyfire was reborn, the new Sect Hierarch ordered that this wall be left as it was to serve as a warning for future generations, reminding them to always seek revenge. Now, the legendary enemy was right in front of him, and Hamza¡¯s emotions were like riding a rollercoaster, soaring and plummeting. ¡°Mr. Reed, aren¡¯t you afraid that I might betray you? Skyfire has been searching for you for decades without the slightest clue. If I tell the Sect Hierarch about this, it would certainly be a great achievement and would also clear my name.¡± Hamza tentatively asked, truly astonished that the other party would be so forthright. Despite this, she still harbored doubts about Julius Reed¡¯s true identity. A mere youth, able to annihilate Skyfire all those years ago? Decades ago, likely that young man¡¯s father was but a child himself. ¡°I¡¯ve said that if you harbor the slightest inkling of betrayal, I can make sure you die without a whole corpse, and I suspect that Skyfire would not spare your family either, right?¡± Julius Reed turned around, wearing an extremely playful smile on his face. ¡°Then they¡­ ¡± ¡°Rest assured, by the time you agreed to join me, my employees far away in Europe had already moved your family to safety. They will soon be transferred to a secure location. Skyfire won¡¯t expend so much effort searching for your family, and frankly, they don¡¯t have the ability to do so,¡± Julius Reed interrupted Hamza¡¯s words again. This statement left Hamza frozen in place, trembling uncontrollably. Every step was so well thought out; he lost fairly. Now, setting aside his age, he truly believed that the youth before him was the one who had destroyed Skyfire that year. ¡°In fact, my friend spared you because he was too preoccupied with your startled expression, and by the time he thought to take action, you had left. As for that arrow, indeed, it was a spur-of-the-moment strategy I came up with on the fly,¡± Julius Reed pushed open the door of the room, pointing to a man inside with an injured leg: ¡°This is Lucan Davenport, my man. He¡¯s the one who killed your colleagues.¡± He walked over to Lucan Davenport, pointing to his wound: ¡°Although he was injured by you, Lucan thinks highly of you and wishes to befriend you.¡± ¡°The firepower of brother¡¯s hidden weapon box was too intense; I have always been exceedingly proud, but after receiving that dart, I am thoroughly convinced. Designing such a flawless plan in midair, something that ordinary people couldn¡¯t possibly achieve,¡± Lucan Davenport grinned, picked up the crutch from beside the bed, and moved toward Hamza: ¡°Well done.¡± ¡°At that time, we each served our own masters; I apologize if it was inappropriate,¡± Hamza, seeing that Lucan was injured by his hand, still maintaining a polite demeanor, couldn¡¯t help feeling somewhat ashamed. ¡°Is the injury serious?¡± he asked, concern evident in his voice. ¡°It¡¯s fine! It¡¯s fine!¡± Lucan nodded, turning back to return to the bedside. ¡°Since the two of you are already acquainted, I see no need for further introductions,¡± Julius Reed turned on the projector, pointing to the huge map on the wall: ¡°This is the map of the Leopold Family¡¯s villa. Although we have the capability to infiltrate the surveillance within your villa, your Skyfire¡¯s security layout is completely unclear to me.¡± ¡°To be honest, I don¡¯t plan to kill the Saint Heir; I want to capture him and force Skyfire to comply!¡± Having said that, he looked at Hamza: ¡°Do you have any objections?¡± ¡°I do not suggest such a course of action,¡± Hamza glanced at the map of the Leopold Family villa, still deeply shocked. The fact that they had access to so many of the villa¡¯s cameras indicated a complete absence of security and privacy. ¡°Speak your mind,¡± Julius Reed nodded and walked toward the map: ¡°You have lived here, you are more familiar with it. If it were up to you, how would you proceed?¡± In Skyfire, Hamza held a high position, responsible for security and protection year-round. The staffing of the Leopold Family¡¯s villa was entirely his handiwork; he knew these matters like the back of his hand. In his mind, the villa was a living map. ¡°Mr. Reed, my suggestion not to proceed as you planned is to catch a big fish with a long line!¡± Hamza respectfully spoke: ¡°We from Skyfire have sent so many people because, a month ago, the Saint Heir received a phone call from an unknown woman, who claimed to have found the person responsible for our destruction. The Saint Heir then hurried here overnight, only to find no one; instead, a conflict with the Leopold Family ensued.¡± He paused, then continued: ¡°Tonight, that woman called again, berating the Saint Heir, and threatening, with a disdain that could not belong to an ordinary person, to eradicate all of Skyfire.¡± Hamza laid out all his thoughts, not hiding a thing. Sincere in his defection, he left no room for misinterpretation. ¡°A mysterious woman?¡± Julius Reed stroked his chin, thinking slowly. In his memory, there didn¡¯t seem to be any interaction with such a woman. Moreover, it appeared that this mysterious woman wielded more power than Skyfire¡ªafter all, it¡¯s quite rare for someone to contact the Sect Hierarch directly! ¡°Have you heard the specifics?¡± Julius Reed frowned slightly. Who could this woman be? Holding such a grudge against him to want him dead? ¡°I heard some!¡± Hamza nodded: ¡°Tonight, the Saint Heir and Truman Ridge had a conflict at the Ridge Family¡¯s gate. The Saint Heir, feeling insulted, slapped Truman Ridge. It was concerning this matter that the woman called, reprimanding the Saint Heir and even threatening to kill all of Skyfire.¡± ¡°That fierce? It seems she¡¯s indeed ruthless!¡± Julius Reed nodded; it was rare these days to encounter such a venomous woman. ¡°Indeed! The Saint Heir is noble; how could he tolerate such treatment?¡± Hamza said, bitterness flashing in his eyes. ¡°But by the time we left, our people had already died. Even if the Saint Heir suspects me of being a traitor, he would most certainly blame the woman, not associating it with you.¡± ¡°The Saint Heir is very wary of this woman¡¯s words. If no results come of the investigation, I reckon the Saint Heir will communicate with the Sect Hierarch personally to expose the woman behind it all.¡± After listening to Hamza, Julius Reed had an epiphany. He had been wondering how to raise the Saint Heir¡¯s suspicions; now that the mysterious red-clad woman had appeared, he could use her to divert the Saint Heir¡¯s attention. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, let¡¯s use their plot against them and see if the Saint Heir takes the bait!¡± Julius Reed sat by the table, addressing both Hamza and Lucan: ¡°Hamza, you go to the Ridge Family and are responsible for killing a few of the Ridge Family¡¯s confidants. In about half an hour, I shall pay a visit to the Leopold Family villa to see if that woman can remain seated!¡± Chapter 346 - Chapter 346: Chapter 346 Awkward Hamza_1 Chapter 346: Chapter 346 Awkward Hamza_1 Hamza originally thought that he would have to march into the Ridge Family¡¯s territory alone and stir up trouble, even though that would be akin to seeking death. But he worried too much. Julius Reed had considered Hamza¡¯s grave injuries and the fact that he couldn¡¯t personally enter the fray to kill, so he specially sent a small team for Hamza to command. Hamza only needed to show up and confirm his identity as a Skyfire person. Looking at the team lined up in front of him, Hamza still felt uncertain. The Ridge Family¡¯s black-clad guards were formidable, even the Saint Heir was no match for them. Step back ten thousand paces, even if those black-clad swordsmen stayed put, the Ridge Family was teeming with experts. It was possible to break in, but whether one could get out was unclear to anyone. If he couldn¡¯t get out, it was still a dead end for him, only it would allow him to live a tiny bit longer than a direct suicide. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, these men are one in a hundred, far stronger than those useless employees of yours,¡± Julius Reed said, noticing Hamza¡¯s concerns and trying to comfort him. But Hamza didn¡¯t believe it. The Skyfire disciples he commanded were the most powerful fighters within the sect, with the most abundant methods of killing. Ordinary people couldn¡¯t even come close, let alone surpass them. But under someone¡¯s roof, one has no choice but to bow their head; besides, those employees were now a thing of the past. Having betrayed Skyfire, he could no longer return to the sect. ¡°It seems Leader Eulalia has some concerns. How about this, you all can spar with Leader Eulalia. Remember to hold back and take care not to hurt Leader Eulalia.¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands clasped behind his back in front of the group, speaking with a smile. ¡°Mr. Reed must be joking. I believe these men are one in ten thousand. It¡¯s just that you also know very well how formidable I am. If all these men were better than me, wouldn¡¯t I have gained an undeserved reputation in Skyfire?¡± Hamza said with a proud tone, although his words were arrogant, they carried a trace of nostalgia for the past. He didn¡¯t believe these men could be that powerful; survival was all he wanted. ¡°Leader Eulalia, seeing is believing. Why don¡¯t you spar with them?¡± Julius Reed appeared to have no intention of changing his mind, still eager for Hamza to try his hand against the men before him. ¡°Let¡¯s get something straight, stop at a touch and be careful with Leader Eulalia.¡± Even the ever-patient Hamza was starting to find it hard to bear. He had already deferred twice, giving Julius Reed face, and having just cast his lot with him, it was time to show his worth. ¡°Since Mr. Reed wants to see for himself, then I will choose the strongest one! This is just a sparring session for comparison; don¡¯t take it too seriously!¡± Hamza glanced around at the people before him and pointed at a muscular young man: ¡°You! You seem stronger than the rest.¡± The people before him were all lean, except for this young man who was muscular and looked like he had some training under his belt. But Hamza was still confident. As one of Skyfire¡¯s formidable leaders, if he were defeated by a young man, there was no point in him continuing. ¡°Leader Eulalia, are you sure you want him for the first round? I think you might want to pick the weakest one first, to avoid shaking your confidence,¡± Julius Reed said, still with a smile as if he had anticipated all this. ¡°No need! Mr. Reed, rest assured, I¡¯ll make sure they spit teeth! Just don¡¯t blame me for being too heavy-handed,¡± Hamza replied with a deep bow, his good arm gesturing the youth over: ¡°I have an injured arm, but to beat you, a single finger is enough!¡± His heart was full of rage. He felt looked down upon by Julius Reed, and saw all this as an insult! A bunch of lackeys needed him to personally handle them! Hamza clenched his fist tightly with his good hand, waiting to teach these ignorant youngsters a lesson and to show Julius Reed his true strength! ¡°The two of you go ahead and spar, I¡¯ll watch from the side. Oh, and since Leader Eulalia has an injured arm, you should let him use his good arm.¡± With a wave of his hand, Julius Reed had someone bring over a chair. He sat in the chair with one leg crossed over the other, waiting to watch the contest. ¡°No need!¡± Hamza took a deep breath and said coldly, ¡°Mr. Reed is taking me too lightly. Although I¡¯m just a minor leader in Skyfire, my skills are definitely not to be underestimated!¡± ¡°Then don¡¯t show any mercy.¡± Julius Reed waved his hand, and the young man narrowed his eyes, throwing a punch out of thin air! ¡°Child¡¯s play.¡± Hamza sneered coldly and didn¡¯t take the young man¡¯s punch seriously at all. He reached out with one hand to grab the young man¡¯s wrist! This was his signature move. Once Hamza locked onto a wrist, the arm was essentially rendered useless! He hadn¡¯t intended to be so heavy-handed, but Julius Reed¡¯s repeated provocations and insults, combined with Hamza¡¯s own desire to establish his authority, led him to choose to sacrifice the arm of this strongest young man! It had already been agreed beforehand that if anything were to happen, it would not be Hamza¡¯s responsibility. Moreover, he wanted to get a feel for his new subordinates. If they truly lacked fighting ability, then Hamza would definitely advise Julius Reed to abandon this plan. Swoosh! The two fists finally collided! Hamza only felt a numbness in his arm and was forced to retreat several steps, as a piercing pain immediately spread through him, making him involuntarily take a sharp breath! But the young man he was fighting didn¡¯t seem to have any problem at all. After landing a successful hit, the young man leaped up and aimed a kick directly at Hamza¡¯s face! Hamza hurriedly blocked with his arm, not realizing that the kick was so powerful it not only caused his arm excruciating pain but also knocked him to the ground. The young man struck with speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness, leaving Hamza on the ground, letting out a pained howl. But that wasn¡¯t the end of it. Hamza stood up from the ground, his face filled with embarrassment. After talking a big game, he was defeated in just two moves, especially in front of so many people. How was Hamza going to command these people after this? How could he expect them to follow his orders? ¡°Be gentler with your hits! Leader Eulalia is already injured, just stop when you¡¯ve made your point, how can you beat him so harshly?¡± Julius Reed quickly called out to the young man who was about to strike again, signaling him to stop. But to Hamza¡¯s ears, these words sounded incredibly harsh, making his face burn with pain. Having just boasted only to be immediately humiliated, could there be anything more embarrassing than that? ¡°I didn¡¯t adjust properly just now.¡± Hamza walked up to the group, pointed at a particularly skinny young man, and said, ¡°You come out, let¡¯s have a match.¡± This person was very skinny and seemed significantly less capable than the young man from before. Hamza consoled himself mentally, thinking that in the future, he shouldn¡¯t call on the strongest person first but start with the weakest, to avoid immediate embarrassment. ¡°Me?¡± The skinny man stepped forward, pointing at himself and asking. ¡°Make your move!¡± Hamza watched the skinny man warily, ready to defend against any attack. ¡°Then I¡¯ll make my move.¡± The skinny man vanished from his spot in an instant. Chapter 347 - Chapter 347: Chapter 347: Knocking on the Door_1 Chapter 347: Chapter 347: Knocking on the Door_1 Hamza, as one of the practical fighters within Skyfire, although his individual combat capability was far less than that of the Saint Heir and the other protectors, was more than capable of crushing others. That year, Hamza went alone to assassinate a leader of an organization, single-handedly and unarmed defeated dozens of men, and ultimately used his fists to kill the boss of that organization. Now, he couldn¡¯t even defeat a bunch of lackeys he looked down upon, which caused a burning pain on his face. Although he was injured, this was no excuse. He picked out the weakest one, which was somewhat shameful, but ultimately, it could salvage a bit of his dignity. However, the seemingly weak opponent disappeared the moment he made a move! Hamza felt a chill on his back and instinctively turned around. Whoosh! He saw the skinny man launch a kick in the air, sending Hamza tumbling to the ground. Spurt! Hamza was sent flying, spitting a mouthful of fresh blood. He only felt his blood and energy churn, as if all his bones had fallen apart. ¡°My apologies!¡± The skinny man chuckled, cupping his hands as he stepped back. ¡°No matter, I just wanted to see how strong you are, to see if you¡¯re suitable to follow my subordinates,¡± Hamza said awkwardly as he climbed up from the ground, forcing a smile, ¡°You¡¯re quite strong; following my orders won¡¯t be a disgrace.¡± ¡°Thank you for the compliment, Leader Eulalia!¡± The skinny man replied with hands cupped, his tone extremely respectful. ¡°Having defeated me, how come you don¡¯t seem the least bit happy?¡± Hamza approached the skinny man, about to praise his composure and calm demeanor. But before he could finish his praise, the skinny man spoke, ¡°Frankly, defeating Leader Eulalia was expected, nothing to be happy about. In terms of strength, you are no match for us.¡± ¡°You!¡± Hamza was so angered that his blood surged, nearly causing him to fall over. He turned to Julius Reed, gasping for breath, and asked, ¡°How can I lead such subordinates? On their first day, they have no respect for me at all, if we go out on a mission, we¡¯ll be nothing but a disorganized mess!¡± Just as Hamza was starting to feel a bit better, he immediately became irritable again, mainly because of the dissatisfaction with the humiliation he had endured. He was powerful, but standing in full view, he had been injured by a subordinate¡¯s soldier; if he were to lead these people out, he feared he wouldn¡¯t be able to command any of them. ¡°You can rest assured about this,¡± Julius Reed stood up and walked slowly towards Hamza, ¡°These are all my men, and they¡¯re all skilled. They may be strong, but they are straightforward in character. And they are right; you are indeed weak, but this doesn¡¯t hinder your ability to be their leader. When it comes to carrying out orders, my men never falter.¡± All these men were the elite forces sent over by Cold Nelson, who usually guarded the Demarco Mount of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance sanctuary, not to mention their formidable strength, their loyalty was impeccable as well. Even the leaders of the other three factions that guarded Demarco Mount would have to ask their subordinates for permission if they wanted to revolt. Hence, they could only act covertly, with no one daring to openly rebel. ¡°They¡¯re all your men?¡± Hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, Hamza was extremely surprised. To be able to summon so many experts so casually, Skyfire¡¯s downfall was not unjustified. Thinking this, he was even more relieved that he had defected to the enemy; otherwise, he would have faced certain death and his organization¡¯s destruction. ¡°Right! The number of men is not too many; if you need, I can call more at any time,¡± Julius Reed said, patting Hamza¡¯s shoulder and speaking softly, ¡°Please trouble yourself to make a trip to the Ridge Family and make sure Truman Ridge is beaten half to death. Only then will he be able to make a call to that mysterious woman, and we can provoke a rift between the two.¡± ¡°As you command!¡± Looking at the formidable subordinates in front of him, Hamza dared not harbor any more hopes of getting lucky. Even with an injured arm and hand, he would rush to the Ridge Family without stopping to ensure this task was done immaculately. ¡°Mr. Reed, I hope you will leave the Saint Heir to me!¡± He turned around and said in a low voice. If it wasn¡¯t for the Saint Heir pressing him hard, if it weren¡¯t for the Saint Heir¡¯s slanderous words, he would still be a small boss in Skyfire, enjoying a reputation for loyalty. But now, everything was over. Reputation completely ruined. However, in hindsight, it was a blessing in disguise, at least avoiding perishing alongside the ¡°Skyfire¡±. Even if I were to bear the name of a traitor, if I didn¡¯t side with Julius Reed, wouldn¡¯t I still be cursed as a traitor? ¡°No problem! As long as you help me uncover the secrets within, you can deal with the Saint Heir or even the master of Skyfire!¡± Julius Reed laughed heartily and turned to walk into the room inside. Watching Julius Reed¡¯s departing figure, Hamza let out a long sigh and beckoned to the people behind him, ¡°Follow me!¡± ¡­ The Ridge Family gate. ¡°Father, why did the butler die?¡± Anselm Ridge asked his elderly father, his emotions running high. The butler had seen them grow up; Truman Ridge¡¯s children regarded the butler as their own father, already forming a deep emotional bond. Now, the butler had been inexplicably murdered within the Ridge Family¡¯s home, and the perpetrator had not been found, naturally leaving the children extremely dissatisfied. ¡°The butler has been with the Ridge Family for over a decade, almost like a shadow of the father. If we ignore this matter, how will we face others when it gets out?¡± ¡°Indeed! Since the Ridge Family wishes to venture out, we must show some attitude to these people. To brazenly commit murder within our family, they clearly have no respect for the Ridge Family!¡± Upon learning of the elder Ridge¡¯s intentions of coming out of retirement, the younger generation of the Ridge Family, driven to the brink of madness, volunteered one after another, hoping to blaze a trail for the Ridge Family. After all, for these super-rich second-generation members, being confined to the mountains without the freedom to blatantly flaunt their family background and wealth was an excruciating experience. With the Ridge Family intending to step out and become the overt overlord of Five-river Province, these individuals would undoubtedly relish the feeling of being the center of attention and awe. The death of the butler, such an important figure, within Truman Ridge¡¯s room enraged the Ridge children. ¡°Silence!¡± Woosh! Truman Ridge struck the ground forcefully, his cane even becoming somewhat deformed from the impact. ¡°Father!¡± Anselm Ridge knelt on the ground, ¡°This matter, cannot simply be let go!¡± He was the most outstanding of the younger generation of the Ridge Family, and the first pupil Truman Ridge had sent out. Lately, Anselm Ridge had socialized with the prominent figures of the province, and flaunting his Ridge Family identity, he often spent money extravagantly, leaving such an impression of the Ridge Family within the province. Just wait for the Ridge Family to annihilate Julius Reed and make a high-profile return, and the whole world would realize this was the true Ridge Family! Moreover, most of the local wealthy merchants had already joined the Boulevard League; those who had not, like Miguel Abbott, met a perfectly reasoned death. The only thing standing in the Ridge Family¡¯s way of coming out was Julius Reed! ¡°Everyone, be quiet!¡± Truman Ridge sighed heavily, feeling a twinge of pain in his chest. The butler had been killed by a mysterious woman who commanded the green-clothed swordsman. Although the Ridge Family had numerous skilled fighters, they couldn¡¯t handle so many green-clothed swordsmen. ¡°I naturally¡­¡± ¡°Report! A group of Skyfire people are standing outside the gate, currently loudly hurling insults!¡± A Ridge Family servant rushed into the house in a panic, knelt on the ground, and reported. Chapter 348 - Chapter 348: Chapter 348: I’m in a Hurry_1 Chapter 348: Chapter 348: I¡¯m in a Hurry_1 ¡°Skyfire has gone too far! First, they killed the servants in my manor, then humiliated my father! Now they dare to provoke us by coming to our doorstep, thinking the Ridge Family has no one to answer them?¡± Anselm Ridge suddenly stood up from the ground and bellowed, ¡°Where are the warriors of the Ridge Family?¡± ¡°We are at the Ridge Family¡¯s service!¡± Immediately, more than a dozen men stepped out from beyond the gate. These men were all experts nurtured and paid for by the Ridge Family, usually helping with the family¡¯s affairs and safeguarding the family¡¯s security. Now that someone had come causing trouble, it was a good opportunity for these men to show their worth. ¡°Father, what are your orders?¡± Anselm Ridge turned and looked at Truman Ridge, bowing as he asked. Truman Ridge was the true Family Head, and even for a fight outside, it was necessary to ask the Family Head for instructions first. It was the rule. ¡°Hmph! Someone already warned Skyfire over the phone, but these people haven¡¯t held back in the slightest!¡± Even with his normally good temper, Truman Ridge was a bit irritable at this moment, due to the butler¡¯s death. ¡°Go! No matter how many you kill, it doesn¡¯t matter!¡± The woman on the phone had already made assurances, and since she could sneakily kill the butler without anyone noticing, it meant she certainly had the capability to deal with Skyfire. Now, since the other party had caused trouble first, even if the Ridge Family killed these people, the woman would still hold Skyfire accountable! ¡°Understood!¡± Anselm Ridge gave a deep bow to Truman Ridge, glanced at the other Ridge Family members in the great hall, and turned around to lead his men to the mountain gate. Meanwhile, Hamza had already started cursing the mountain. The Green-clothed Swordsman might be very powerful, but with these men as his support, Hamza wasn¡¯t too afraid. Furthermore, upon his arrival, Julius Reed had already assured him that the Green-clothed Swordsman wouldn¡¯t make a move! Thinking about the numerous miraculous feats of this young man before, Hamza was quite willing to believe it. Boom boom boom! With a series of thunderous noises, the mountain gate slowly opened. ¡°Skyfire, you¡¯ve bullied us too far!¡± Anselm Ridge walked out from the mountain gate with the experts of the Ridge Family, his tone filled with anger. Having been stepped on the face like this, if they didn¡¯t take action, they might become the laughing stock of the Five-river Province. ¡°We¡¯re bullying you alright, what are you going to do about it?¡± Hamza scrutinized, and upon confirming that the Green-clothed Swordsman hadn¡¯t followed, he felt even bolder. Following Julius Reed¡¯s instructions to the letter, he provoked aggressively, ¡°The Ridge Family must be blind to oppose Skyfire!¡± ¡°So it¡¯s you!¡± Seeing Hamza, Anselm Ridge grew even angrier, ¡°You¡¯re not following by the Saint Heir¡¯s side, but come here to curse our mountain gate, aren¡¯t you afraid of becoming a laughing stock if word gets out?¡± He remembered this man with a tank top very clearly, as he had been there when the Saint Heir took action. Any doubt Anselm Ridge had about Skyfire¡¯s provocation was now completely dispelled, and he fully believed it was their doing. ¡°A laughing stock? Only the weak get laughed at! The strong already killed those who would laugh.¡± Although his arm was in pain, Hamza, standing in front of the Ridge Family gate, spoke arrogantly and excitedly. Even the Saint Heir had to be cautious when facing the Ridge Family, but he did not have such concerns and could say whatever he wanted! Free from the constraints of Skyfire¡¯s rules, Hamza felt utterly liberated. ¡°Ulysses Reed, please teach me!¡± A burly man stepped out from the ranks of the Ridge Family, carrying a mountain axe and radiating a murderous aura! ¡°King of Strength, Ulysses Reed!¡± Anselm Ridge introduced from behind, ¡°With a mountain axe that can chop down trees three meters thick, he can crush a tiger to death with one hand! Those of you not afraid to die, come and challenge!¡± Upon Ulysses Reed¡¯s arrival, a smile appeared on Anselm Ridge¡¯s face. This was a samurai he had paid a hefty sum for, with unmatched brute strength! Looking back at Hamza¡¯s companions, they were clearly no match! One among them was as thin as a rake, looking like he could be blown away by a gust of wind. ¡°I am Ulysses Reed, anyone who wishes to¡­¡± Pfft! Before he could finish his sentence, the very man Anselm Ridge had mocked for being thin suddenly leapt forward, his longsword cutting through the air and precisely striking Ulysses Reed¡¯s throat. Zzzzt! The longsword returned to its sheath. ¡°Excuse the laughter!¡± The Skinny Monkey bowed with hands clasped, smiling at the Ridge Family members and Ulysses Reed in front of him. Plunk! Ulysses Reed fell to his knees, dead without closing his eyes. ¡°` A sword to the throat! ¡°This¡­¡± Anselm Ridge blinked, unconsciously swallowed saliva, and stood rooted to the spot, not knowing what to do. Ulysses Reed hadn¡¯t even made a move yet! Back then, he had witnessed the marvel that was Ulysses Reed firsthand, not to mention his immense strength, but also that axe which could split mountains and was an invincible weapon! Yet now, he hadn¡¯t even had the chance to fight back before he was killed by that tiny and weak-looking man he hadn¡¯t even taken seriously? It wasn¡¯t just him, even Hamza stood frozen in place, his eyes fixed on Ulysses Reed. Now he finally understood what the tiny man¡¯s words really meant. Even if his arm wasn¡¯t injured, he would definitely not be a match for the tiny man, perhaps he could last one or two moves, but certainly no more than three. There¡¯s nothing to be pleased about defeating someone so strong. Thinking about Julius Reed, who could easily command the men behind him, Hamza felt a chill pass through him once again. The last bit of rebel thought in his heart vanished. Defecting would lead to a miserable death, he didn¡¯t have the courage for that. ¡°Are these so-called experts of the Ridge Family all so vulnerable?¡± Hamza barely managed to regain his composure and continued with his provocations. He noticed a problem: the group of people behind him were fearsome fighters, but when it came to cursing, they were completely inept. They were the kind who were fierce in action but sparing with words. ¡°You¡­¡± Confronted with the provocation, Anselm Ridge was shaking with anger, yet he found himself speechless. His own man hadn¡¯t even made a move before dying, what dignity was left for him? ¡°Who will fight? If anyone can kill this Skinny Monkey, I¡¯ll give them fifty million!¡± Anselm Ridge bellowed, causing many to stir with excitement again. As the saying goes, monetary rewards can bring out the courage in men, and soon, three people stepped out of the crowd. ¡°We are willing to serve for the Ridge Family!¡± All three were strong, each with a little fame in the underworld. Thinking that Ulysses Reed might¡¯ve been careless before, Anselm Ridge felt a little better. Now that everyone was alert to his group of men, the earlier contempt in their hearts had vanished, and victory seemed likely without much issue. ¡°Osby Michael!¡± ¡°Nayden Leopold!¡± ¡°Jade Sinclair!¡± After announcing their names, each of them picked up their weapons. ¡°I wonder which one of you would like to spar first?¡± Anselm Ridge regained his confidence once more. All three were masters, and in the day-to-day, defeating ten men each was quite easy for them. ¡°Come at me all at once,¡± said the Skinny Monkey, glancing at his watch. ¡°I¡¯m short on time.¡± ¡°Audacious!¡± ¡°Disrespectful!¡± ¡°Prepare to die!¡± The three tightened their grip on their weapons, feeling insulted. ¡°So much nonsense!¡± The Skinny Monkey looked at the three men impatiently, then vanished on the spot! ¡°Where did he go!¡± The three felt a rush of panic, sensing a chill from behind! ¡°Be careful!¡± Anselm Ridge¡¯s pupils shrank, but his warning came too late. ¡°Pfft!¡± Three consecutive swords! The three hadn¡¯t even had time to turn around before all collapsed to the ground. Dead as doornails. Chapter 349 - Chapter 349: Chapter 349 Add Some Fire_1 Chapter 349: Chapter 349 Add Some Fire_1 The air was eerily still. Drip, drip! The slender man held his longsword, looking expressionless at Anselm Ridge. The blood dripping from his sword fell to the ground, the sound distinctly audible. ¡°Let¡¯s all attack together,¡± he said helplessly. Behind him, Hamza¡¯s blood was surging with excitement, even though the victim hadn¡¯t been killed by him, his heart still raced! This was the height of arrogance! He truly wished he could rush forward, stand behind the slender man, and shout, ¡°Who else dares?¡± But the response they got was nothing but silence. Everyone was no fool; with just one strike, they already knew the disparity in strength between the two sides. ¡°Master Ridge, I have urgent matters to attend to, so I¡¯ll take my leave for a while,¡± ¡°My wife is about to give birth, I need to go take care of her,¡± ¡°I¡¯ve just received word that my mother passed away back home, I must go back for a while,¡± Hearing everyone come up with all sorts of excuses, Anselm Ridge grabbed one of them, ¡°Didn¡¯t your mother just pass away last time, and you took leave to mourn her?¡± ¡°Stepmother! My stepmother just joined our family and she¡¯s gone too. I am truly sorry.¡± Not waiting for Anselm Ridge to say anything more, that person leaped up and disappeared in an instant in front of the Ridge family¡¯s gate. The rest also used their Divine Skills to scatter and escape. Fearful that if they were a moment too late, they might end up dead without a complete corpse. ¡°You lot!¡± Anselm Ridge, watching the departing experts, cursed at the sky: ¡°When I don¡¯t need you, each one of you steps forward to show loyalty! Now, when I need you, you all are nothing but cowards, afraid of death! Get lost, and never come back!¡± Whoosh! Before he could finish cursing, the slender man flew up with a kick, directly breaking Anselm Ridge¡¯s legs. Crack! The sound of bones breaking clearly reached everyone¡¯s ears, followed by Anselm Ridge¡¯s pig-like screams. ¡°Today, I leave you with your miserable life! Tell Truman Ridge that tomorrow at this time, I will come back with more men, until your Ridge family comes out and kowtows in apology to Skyfire!¡± Hamza cleared his throat and arrogantly looked down at Anselm Ridge, who was kneeling on the ground. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± If the play was to be full-fledged, the mysterious woman had to step in to stop it, or else Five-river Province would be thrown into complete chaos. Inside a residence of the Ridge family, Truman Ridge watched the scene on the video, clenching his fists tightly around his clothing, his eyes filled with rage. He picked up a phone and slowly dialed a number. ¡°What is it? It¡¯s late, and you¡¯re disturbing my face mask routine. So, you¡¯d better give me a reason to cool off, or else another corpse will be thrown into your room,¡± a woman¡¯s languid voice came through the phone. Exhausted, and somewhat impatient. ¡°My men, they were killed by Skyfire. Five minutes ago, Skyfire¡¯s people came to our Ridge family¡¯s mountain gate to curse and challenge us, and my thoughtless son led people out to fight. The results were disastrous; many were killed or injured, and my son¡¯s legs were broken!¡± Truman Ridge roared angrily: ¡°If you don¡¯t handle this matter, I will take my men and resolve it myself! Please don¡¯t accuse me later of acting recklessly, not listening to orders! Nobody, having people shit on their heads, would stand for it!¡± The Ridge family, a hundred-year-old clan with an extremely high status, had hoped to break free from Julius Reed¡¯s restrictions and enjoy the beauties of the Mortal World after coming out of seclusion. But they never expected the road out of seclusion to be so difficult, first losing troops and generals, and now their dignity trampled upon! ¡°Is that so?¡± The woman sounded somewhat disbelieving: ¡°Wait for me a moment.¡± Shortly after, the woman¡¯s voice came through again: ¡°I¡¯ve seen the video, and indeed Skyfire has gone too far. Two hours ago, I had already warned the Saint Heir; it seems he does not regard even me in his eyes.¡± ¡°Then, please decide,¡± Truman Ridge said in a deep voice, filled with resentment. ¡°Ten minutes later, I¡¯ll give you a reply.¡± The woman hung up the call right after she finished speaking. At that moment, the Saint Heir had just finished reporting to the Sect Hierarch, who was far in the West, informing him that Hamza had betrayed the organization and switched allegiance. Now there was one less opponent for him within the sect, and he also managed to suppress many who didn¡¯t show him enough respect. Killing two birds with one stone. But the next moment, a phone call completely shattered his good mood. ¡°What is it?¡± The Saint Heir picked up the call, with dissatisfaction in his tone. Just in one single night, two calls! And after the first call was over, his deployed squad was wiped out, even causing Hamza¡¯s defection! ¡°Did you make your move?¡± The woman asked in a calm voice, yet it was laced with murderous intent. ¡°Exactly!¡± The Saint Heir thought she was asking about his pursuit of Hamza, for that was his only action that night. ¡°What do you take my words for?¡± The woman¡¯s voice grew increasingly angry. ¡°I¡¯m warning you! Don¡¯t push me too far! No matter who you are, show some respect! The mighty Skyfire doesn¡¯t need anyone whispering and pointing fingers from behind!¡± The Saint Heir, seeing the woman displeased, also became angry. Skyfire was a very famous organization in the West, considered incredibly powerful. Although it was destroyed once, the reestablishment to this day still boasted numerous experts! Now stepping onto the land of the East, to be insulted and humiliated time and again was a blow to his pride. ¡°Say it again.¡± The woman said coldly, ¡°Even your Sect Hierarch wouldn¡¯t dare to speak to me like that.¡± ¡°Threatening me? How will you explain the death of my men? Give me an explanation!¡± The Saint Heir bellowed loudly, having already concluded the woman was behind the killing of his men the moment they left. ¡°Good.¡± The woman said just one brief word before hanging up the call. ¡°Someone come! Keep watch around the perimeter! I want anyone who comes to be stopped outside the villa!¡± The Saint Heir, enraged, smashed the phone and shouted outside the door. ¡°Understood!¡± People from Skyfire immediately rushed out, securing all the key positions of the villa to prevent any enemy infiltration. ¡°See that? The enemy¡¯s on the move.¡± Julius Reed, along with Lucan Davenport, was squatting on a tree not far from the villa gate, peering through binoculars and carefully observing every move inside the villa. Many from Skyfire, along with previous Hidden Guards, were guarding around the villa. They surveyed with extreme vigilance, clearly having raised the alert to the highest level. ¡°That woman will send someone over in a moment.¡± Julius Reed said with a cheery grin. ¡°Mr. Reed, how can you be so sure she will come later? According to Hamza, this woman should have eyes and ears everywhere. For her, dealing with a Skyfire Saint Heir would be as simple as showing up when she says,¡± Lucan Davenport asked, not understanding why such a formidable figure would need so much time to gather her forces. ¡°I have eyes within a ten-mile radius; if that woman has people around, they definitely can¡¯t escape my gaze! It seems now that the woman¡¯s control over Five-river Province is very weak; she must not be here, orchestrating from afar.¡± Julius Reed took out a box of hidden weapons from behind him and quietly aimed at the sentry at the gate. ¡°Let¡¯s add some fuel to their fire. When the next pile of wood arrives, let¡¯s make their blaze even bigger!¡± Whoosh! The moment the words fell, Julius Reed instantly triggered the mechanism! Chapter 350 - Chapter 350: Chapter 350: Dazzling Extravagance_1 Chapter 350: Chapter 350: Dazzling Extravagance_1 The force was tremendous, instantly sending the sentry at the door flying out. ¡°There are assailants with hidden weapons!¡± Following the alarm, all the Skyfire operatives and Hidden Guards within the villa lay flat on the ground. In such deep night, they could only rely on the sound of the darts to determine a general direction, as for where the person was, that was truly hard to judge. ¡°What! They¡¯re actually killing people!¡± Upon hearing this news, the Saint Heir¡¯s pupils shrank violently, his facial muscles twitching uncontrollably. ¡°I was previously concerned about saving face, not wanting to fall out with her. But now that she¡¯s insulted my Skyfire time and time again, this is intolerable! Find her people and take them out!¡± He roared furiously and strode out into the courtyard of the villa. At this moment, all the Skyfire operatives and Hidden Guards were crouched in dark corners, not daring to stand out. Facing assailants with hidden weapons was unlucky for anyone. ¡°They¡¯re here.¡± Julius Reed made a shushing gesture, signaling to immediately stay silent. On a narrow path not far from them, a succession of faint footsteps could be heard. Although very slight, they were still unable to escape Julius Reed¡¯s ears. Lucan Davenport also became aware of the presence of this group thanks to the warning. Strong indeed, from behind. ¡°Is this the group sent by that mysterious woman? If we catch these people, could we get some information out of them?¡± Lucan Davenport asked cautiously, afraid of startling the group nearby. ¡°It¡¯s useless! With the woman being so mysterious, acting rashly would definitely startle the snake. Besides, think about it, if someone captured our people we sent out, what could they find out? At most, they would get a name like Cold Nelson, but they definitely wouldn¡¯t be able to find Cold Nelson. And when these people are captured, Cold Nelson would notify me immediately.¡± Julius Reed shook his head, explaining that such a rash move would serve no purpose and only make the woman cautious, thereby wasting all his efforts. ¡°Right, so we just wait like this?¡± Although Lucan Davenport was a Swordsman, his heart was anything but calm. On the contrary, he even had a bit of an impulsive streak. ¡°We wait. After all, the performers are not in a hurry, so why should we, the audience, be?¡± Julius Reed took an apple out of his pocket, along with a fruit knife, and started skillfully slicing the apple. ¡°Mr. Reed, your peeling technique is truly unparalleled!¡± Lucan Davenport gave a thumbs up. Even he had to admit that Julius Reed¡¯s apple peeling was quite charming. ¡°You flatter me!¡± Crunch! Julius Reed bit into the apple, and everyone froze. That included Lucan Davenport. The group was right beneath them, and such a close-range noise could definitely be heard by any expert. In other words, they were exposed. ¡°Why are you looking at me?¡± Julius Reed continued eating the apple as if nothing had happened, savoring it with gusto. ¡°Emergency, let¡¯s go!¡± After eating it in just a few bites, he grabbed Lucan Davenport¡¯s shoulder and flew off towards the distance. Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Meanwhile, sounds of darts were emitted from within the Leopold Family villa. ¡°The fight has begun.¡± When they landed a hundred meters away from the Leopold Family villa, Julius Reed and Lucan Davenport stood there, overlooking the melee at the entrance of the villa. The person who just threw a dart to kill Skyfire has already angered the other side, and now the people sent by the woman probably have no chance to communicate with Skyfire. It¡¯s a straightforward fight to the death. The sounds of fighting grew louder, while Julius Reed, unbeknownst to him, had taken out an apple from his pocket and started eating it with big bites. ¡°Mr. Reed, who do you think will win?¡± Lucan Davenport asked curiously. ¡°What do you think?¡± As Julius Reed watched the battle situation through his binoculars, he continued to eat his apple. ¡°I think it should be the woman, but she definitely won¡¯t completely wipe out Skyfire. That would not only offend a religion, but also render her previous efforts futile.¡± Lucan Davenport began analyzing. The reason why the woman could make Skyfire¡¯s Truman Ridge submit must be that she has a strong hand! Even though she¡¯s remote controlling, if she wasn¡¯t powerfully capable, she wouldn¡¯t be able to command respect, much less establish the Boulevard League single-handedly. ¡°Although that¡¯s true, the woman won¡¯t win and will even suffer a crushing defeat.¡± Julius Reed tossed the apple core from his hand and took out his cell phone to send a WeChat message: ¡°Take action.¡± ¡°What are you doing?¡± Lucan Davenport blinked, not knowing when Julius Reed had arranged this move. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t there be some preparation?¡± Julius Reed chuckled, patted Lucan Davenport on the shoulder, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go out tonight for a good time, consider it a reward for your injuries.¡± ¡°We¡¯re leaving now? What about here?¡± Lucan Davenport pointed in the direction of the Leopold Family villa, reluctant to leave. Julius Reed had set up such a big game, and he really wanted to see it unfold. But firstly, he was injured, and secondly, Julius Reed didn¡¯t want him to go, so he turned around and gave up on the idea of finding out more. ¡°We should give the woman and the Saint Heir some time to cool down! In the middle of the night, neither side will act further.¡± Julius Reed turned and walked away leisurely, stretching languidly: ¡°Where do you want to go play?¡± ¡°Mortal World!¡± Lucan Davenport shouted, hurrying after Julius Reed. The two of them did not go to Mortal World but ended up at a place called Drunken Gold. This is a bar, one of the largest in Five-river Province. The only other entertainment venue of comparable size is Cesar Pendleton¡¯s entertainment city. But this place only operates as a bar, and the bar¡¯s owner is rumored to have strong backing ¨C no one in Five-river Province dares to mess with it. Although many people are curious as to who the bar owner really is, over the years, not a single person has seen them. Once, a rich young man from the capital thought his family background was substantial. He came here with a group of friends to eat, drink, and be merry, during which he also harassed a girl, leading to a brawl in the bar, As a result, several strong men immediately came out of the bar and dragged the young man outside, breaking his legs and dumping him on the street without a word. The young man cursed as he lay there, and his friends all made phone calls, angrily demanding that the bar be shut down. They stormed in with great fury, but just as they were about to step through the front door, the young man¡¯s father received a phone call that turned his face pale. He did not dare make any further outrageous moves. It¡¯s said that the young man¡¯s father personally visited the bar to apologize to the owner, but he never even got to see the owner¡¯s face and was turned away. Since then, the reputation of Drunken Gold only grew louder. However, in the recent years, troublemakers have started to show up, and many of the bar¡¯s competitors that had been suppressed began sending people to cause trouble. The bar hasn¡¯t been as forceful as it once was, more often choosing to act with restraint and seek peace. ¡°Sir, right this way, please.¡± Upon arriving at the entrance of the bar, the staff greeted them warmly. ¡°Come on! I¡¯ll accompany you for a night of fun, and all the expenses are on me.¡± Julius Reed generously led Lucan Davenport inside. He called over the waiter to arrange things and then found an excuse to slip away. Chapter 351 - Chapter 351: Chapter 351: Bar Owner_1 Chapter 351: Chapter 351: Bar Owner_1 Julius Reed¡¯s departure didn¡¯t catch Lucan Davenport¡¯s attention. After all, the fewer the people in a bar, the better. Having acquaintances around, on the contrary, hindered the fun. ¡°Sir, who are you looking for?¡± When Julius Reed approached the door of an office at the bar, a few security guards stepped forward to stop him. ¡°I¡¯m looking for your manager,¡± he said. Julius Reed pointed at the office of the general manager, ¡°Go and inform them.¡± ¡°What a joke!¡± The security guards said unhappily, ¡°Are you here to cause trouble? Kid, don¡¯t be too arrogant!¡± In recent years, there had been many troublemakers at the Paper Drunk Golden Tavern, and its authority was no longer as fearsome as it used to be. It seemed that since three years ago, the authority of the Paper Drunk Golden Tavern was already gone, relying solely on its past glory to deter current troublemakers. After all, no one knew how long their patience would last. Nor did anyone dare to provoke the final bottom line of the Paper Drunk Golden Tavern. ¡°I said, I want to see your manager!¡± Julius Reed frowned, ¡°At least report my request, okay? Whether I¡¯m causing trouble or not, won¡¯t your manager know once they come out? What if I am indeed an honored guest, wouldn¡¯t you be ruining a big deal for your manager? Think about the consequences, young man!¡± He placed particular emphasis on the words ¡°young man¡± when he spoke. Julius Reed didn¡¯t like people who behaved without any sense of protocol. When he himself was the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, he always met with people who personally wanted to see him. Of course, if the other party didn¡¯t have anything important, he usually killed them. Having killed many people, naturally only those with serious matters came looking for him. ¡°Young man? Look at yourself, you¡¯re even younger than me! Kid, are you asking for trouble? I¡¯m telling you, go sober up outside if you¡¯re drunk. Don¡¯t cause a scene here! If our manager finds out about this, you might not be able to walk away on both legs!¡± The security guard looked down disdainfully, considering Julius Reed to be just another drunkard in the bar. Many people acted this way after drinking too much, losing self-awareness and thinking they were somebody important, as if they owned the whole world. But in the end, they faced a beating to bring them back to reality. ¡°You say I¡¯m young?¡± Julius Reed pointed to his face, which appeared to be in his twenties, and smirked, ¡°I am more than enough to be your ancestor. Just go in and inform them, don¡¯t force me to take action!¡± Here, he didn¡¯t want to fight. They were all his own people, and fighting would harm the goodwill among them. ¡°Who are you cursing!¡± The security guard flared up suddenly and walked up to Julius Reed, ¡°Who¡¯s ancestor do you say you are? Kid, don¡¯t get too arrogant! Apologize right now, otherwise, when our manager comes out, don¡¯t expect to walk out of here standing!¡± Although the Paper Drunk Golden Tavern had kept a low profile these recent years, it was all under the manager¡¯s instructions to avoid as much conflict as possible with others. They were told to give way when possible and not to show off too much. Even though the guards were puzzled about the general manager¡¯s decision, they strictly obeyed. Used to strutting around, they actually found it a little uncomfortable to be so restrained now. ¡°What if I¡¯m someone your manager wants to see?¡± Julius Reed asked with his hands clasped behind his back, a look of helplessness on his face. Having lived for over ten thousand years, acting as their ancestor wouldn¡¯t be too far-fetched, right? By generations, perhaps it could even be true! But if his own descendants were really like this, it might be better to snuff them out. ¡°If you¡¯re someone our manager wants to see! Heh, I¡¯ll eat shit standing on my head! You should look at yourself, that sorry state of yours. If you were some rich second generation, it might still be believable! That fake watch you¡¯re wearing is so obviously knock-off. And these shoes, those clothes, did you get them from a street stall?¡± The guard shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s not that we¡¯re looking down on you, but with your outfit, it¡¯s ridiculous to claim you know our manager!¡± ¡°Exactly! With millions of people in Five-river Province, if everyone came looking for our manager insisting on a meeting, wouldn¡¯t it be chaos?¡± ¡°Brother, you might not know this, but the most powerful person in Paper Drunk Golden Tavern is the general manager. Even the boss behind the scenes has to listen to our general manager!¡± The security guards exchanged words, all of them looking down on Julius Reed, with a few immediately coming over to forcefully remove him. ¡°Don¡¯t believe me?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow and asked. This watch of his cost over five million, and the clothes on his body, all provided by Quella Radcliffe, were worth tens of millions. Although to him, this amount of money was no different from mere numbers. As long as he was comfortable, that was what mattered. But to be looked down upon like this, inevitably made Julius Reed a little unhappy. ¡°What¡¯s all the noise?¡± Just then, the door to the general manager¡¯s office opened, and a middle-aged man walked out. ¡°Manager! Someone wants to see you, but we¡¯re sending him away!¡± ¡°Exactly, just a beggar claiming to see you! I think he¡¯s had too much to drink and is here to cause trouble!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Manager, we¡¯ll handle him right now!¡± The security guards, realizing they had disturbed the manager, immediately became fearful. If the manager got angry, they would all lose their jobs, and none of them would end up well. The only thing they could do now was to deal with Julius Reed! ¡°Get out!¡± The security guards marched over, ready to push and shove. ¡°St¡­ st¡­ stop!¡± The moment he saw Julius Reed, the manager¡¯s eyes nearly popped out of his head. He wanted to kneel, but then he thought that if Julius Reed didn¡¯t want to reveal his identity, doing so would be a mistake. It had been three years since he last saw the man before him. ¡°Manager, do you want to teach them a lesson yourself? Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll do it, so you don¡¯t dirty your hands!¡± ¡°Exactly! People like him need a beating to learn; otherwise, they might come back and cause trouble at our tavern again!¡± ¡°Watch this, Manager, I¡¯ll beat this jerk so badly his own family won¡¯t recognize him!¡± The security guards, seeing the manager stopping them, thought he wanted to handle the matter himself. But this put the manager in a very awkward position; the person before him was someone he absolutely couldn¡¯t afford to offend! Yet, seeing Julius Reed¡¯s calm demeanor, he felt at a loss for what to do. ¡°I hear your manager holds more power than the boss?¡± With his hands clasped behind his back, Julius Reed asked with a smirk. ¡°Of course!¡± The guard said proudly: ¡°All the decisions at Paper Drunk Golden involve the manager. The boss doesn¡¯t understand these things. The bar¡¯s been established for so many years, and the boss hasn¡¯t shown his face once; it¡¯s all been the manager running it here.¡± ¡°Although the boss is rich, our manager has talent! Plus, in Five-river Province, who doesn¡¯t know our Paper Drunk Golden¡¯s Finn Carmichael? Go out and ask around; who knows who the owner of Paper Drunk Golden is?¡± ¡°To be honest, I¡¯ve been working here three years and I really don¡¯t know who the boss is!¡± The security guards were all kissing up, hoping to use this opportunity to curry favor with Finn Carmichael. But what they failed to notice was that Finn Carmichael was already sweating profusely, his face pale. ¡°With that said, your manager is quite impressive indeed!¡± As soon as Julius Reed finished speaking, Finn Carmichael immediately leaned against the wall, supporting himself to prevent from falling to the ground. ¡°No, that¡¯s not the case, the boss is ultimately the boss! I¡¯m just an employee; I have no real power, everything depends on the boss.¡± Finn Carmichael said, gasping for breath. ¡°Aw, come on, I think you should be the one running the tavern!¡± Julius Reed grinned broadly, directly causing Finn Carmichael to collapse to the floor in fright. Chapter 352 - Chapter 352: Chapter 352 The Secret of the Bar_1 Chapter 352: Chapter 352 The Secret of the Bar_1 ¡°Kid, you¡¯ve got an eye!¡± The security guards felt much better after hearing this. ¡°But don¡¯t think you can escape a beating! This is for your own good, to teach you a lesson. If it were anyone else, they would have broken your legs!¡± Finn Carmichael took a deep breath, knowing that if he didn¡¯t speak up now, he might have to stay silent forever. ¡°That, this person is my friend, you guys go on down.¡± He swallowed, sweat streaming down his forehead. ¡°What!¡± The security guards all paused, somewhat unable to accept this reality. Could this penniless drunk actually know the manager? ¡°Manager, are you mistaken?¡± The security guard pointed at Julius Reed: ¡°This piece of trash, how do you know him? Don¡¯t let him deceive you, I¡¯ll take care of him right now!¡± After speaking, a few guards exchanged glances and surrounded Julius Reed. ¡°Get lost! Can¡¯t you hear what I¡¯m saying? All of you, get lost!¡± Finn Carmichael hurried over, grabbed one of the security guards, and swung back with a slap! Smack! With that slap, all the security guards froze. Blinking their eyes, they quickly said, ¡°Manager, you¡¯re busy.¡± Like rabbits, they were ready to scurry away. ¡°Hold on!¡± Julius Reed spoke up. ¡°Stand still! Didn¡¯t you hear me? Get back here!¡± Finn Carmichael immediately called the guards back as they tried to run away. ¡°Manager, what is it¡­¡± The security guards, heads down, were all very fearful. Finn Carmichael was a tough man, otherwise, he couldn¡¯t have made a stance in Five-river Province. Now that they had offended him, they were scared out of their wits. But Finn Carmichael didn¡¯t speak. Instead, he looked to Julius Reed, his true master and the behind-the-scenes owner of the Paper Drunk Golden Tavern. ¡°I just heard someone say that if I knew the manager, he¡¯d stand on his head and eat shit, right?¡± Julius Reed asked with a grin. The guard who had spoken earlier turned green, his legs trembling with fear. Who would have expected this unknown young man to actually know the manager? ¡°Yes¡­¡± The guard murmured, face turning green. ¡°Louder, I can¡¯t hear you.¡± Julius Reed asked languidly. ¡°Can¡¯t you hear when people talk? Bring out the strength you had when you were nursing, and say it again for me!¡± Finn Carmichael strode over, grabbed the security guard by the collar, and bellowed, ¡°Repeat it!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The security guard yelled, his back already soaked. The others stood trembling, each having taken part in mocking Julius Reed earlier. ¡°What was it?¡± Julius Reed turned around and asked with a smile. ¡°I stand on my head and eat shit!¡± The security guard shouted, his body shaking like a sieve. ¡°That¡¯s fine, someone take him and watch closely! Make sure he eats plenty, fills up.¡± Julius Reed patted the guard¡¯s shoulder and said with a smile, ¡°Consider it my treat, don¡¯t be shy.¡± ¡°Thank you¡­¡± The guard¡¯s face was streaked with tears. ¡°Brothers, sorry about this!¡± The other security guards exchanged looks, choosing to protect themselves. They grabbed the guard and pushed him toward the restroom. ¡°After you¡­¡± Seeing that no one else was around, Finn Carmichael immediately opened the door to the manager¡¯s office, inviting Julius Reed inside. ¡°It should have been like this from the beginning.¡± Julius Reed strode in with large steps. The manager¡¯s office was luxurious, spanning over eighty square meters. It was fully equipped, not only with a bed but also many telephones, several safes, and a television set. ¡°You¡¯ve made it quite nice here, Finn Carmichael. You must have enjoyed yourself quite a bit these past years?¡± Julius Reed looked around and said indifferently. Thump! With no outsiders present, Finn Carmichael knelt directly in front of Julius Reed, trembling as he said, ¡°Please punish me, Young Master! Finn Carmichael¡¯s loyalty to you is unwavering, heaven and earth can bear witness! If there¡¯s even a hint of disrespect, may I be struck by lightning!¡± He thought Julius Reed¡¯s words were a warning to him, suggesting he had grown complacent and somewhat disobedient. If that were truly the case, there was only one outcome¡ªa dead end! ¡°Stand up and talk. If I really wanted to kill you, you wouldn¡¯t have made it through that door!¡± Julius Reed turned, waved his hand, took a seat in Finn¡¯s executive chair, and slowly spun around. ¡°This chair is really nice, quite soft! How much did it cost?¡± ¡°To answer the Young Master,¡± Finn got up from the floor, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. ¡°Not much, just over five million.¡± The chair was imported from overseas and was expensive, but compared to the income of Paper Drunk Golden Tavern, it was nothing! ¡°Wow! You really do throw your weight around now, thinking five million is not much. So, what is considered expensive?¡± Julius Reed smiled at Finn, but that smile sent chills down the latter¡¯s spine. Thump! Finn, who had just gotten up, knelt down once again. He was shaking all over with fear, ¡°Mr. Reed, I¡­I¡­ ¡± ¡°Why are you kneeling again!¡± Julius Reed sighed, ¡°We haven¡¯t seen each other for years, can¡¯t we talk standing up, without always kneeling?¡± ¡°Your subordinate spoke arrogantly, please punish me, Young Master!¡± Finn pressed his head firmly to the ground, his body shaking. He knew all too well the means of this young man before him¡ªunparalleled under the heavens! ¡°Finn, what is this!¡± Julius Reed gestured with his hand, ¡°Get up! After so many years with me, if you don¡¯t even have that bit of pride, you¡¯re truly incompetent!¡± ¡°Young Master, you¡­you¡­ ¡± Finn was utterly bewildered. Was the Young Master not blaming him? ¡°Stand up and talk, I need the intelligence you¡¯ve gathered over these past three years.¡± Julius Reed put away the smile on his face and pointed at the door, ¡°Is it safe?¡± ¡°Absolutely safe!¡± Finn walked to the door and locked it, ¡°The door is soundproof, no one can hear anything. Plus, the material is thick, even explosives would hardly blast it open!¡± ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Julius Reed nodded, ¡°Recently I encountered a mysterious woman, I want to know if you have any intelligence on her.¡± Paper Drunk Golden Tavern was an intelligence system he¡¯d established himself, the bar¡¯s mixed crowd made it particularly easy to collect information without attracting attention. Nobody would suspect anything happening here. ¡°It¡¯s all here.¡± Finn walked to the safe, took out a stack of files, and neatly laid them out in front of Julius Reed. ¡°As for the woman you mentioned, I honestly don¡¯t know who she is.¡± It¡¯s impossible to determine with just a vague description of a woman. But among these messages, there were many about women. ¡°Almost all the intelligence from the past three years is here. When you suddenly disappeared three years ago, I had nowhere to send these, so I kept them all.¡± Finn introduced in a low voice. Previously, every month, Julius Reed would send someone to pick up these reports from the bar. There was a bar like this in almost every city. But after the accident three years ago, he lost his memory, and it was only a few days ago that he recalled the existence of this bar. The entire Five-river Province was under the surveillance of this intelligence network. Setting up this network was a task that had cost Julius Reed a great deal of effort. Dang! Dang! Dang! Just then, there was a sudden knocking at the door. Chapter 353 - Chapter 353: Chapter 353 Hall Family’s Eldest Young Master_1 Chapter 353: Chapter 353 Hall Family¡¯s Eldest Young Master_1 ¡°` ¡°I¡¯m discussing with an important guest, deal with it yourselves!¡± After he heard the knocking, Finn Carmichael impatiently picked up the phone on the desk, shouted, and then hung up. Through this phone, the people outside could clearly hear the instructions from the speaker on the door. ¡°These servants don¡¯t understand the rules, Young Master, please forgive me,¡± Finn Carmichael said, wiping the sweat off his forehead carefully. But before he finished speaking, there was another knock on the door. Although the door was soundproof, the sound of forceful pounding still couldn¡¯t be completely blocked. ¡°What the hell is going on!¡± Finn Carmichael impatientaly picked up the receiver again, barking angrily. The staff were too ignorant of the rules, knocking on the door twice in succession. ¡°Boss, there¡¯s trouble at the bar, it looks like one party has an esteemed identity, we don¡¯t know what to do.¡± The anxious voice of the security came from outside the door. Through the phone, one could faintly hear the sounds of fighting and cursing. ¡°Go out and take a look, you¡¯ve been keeping a low profile for three years, they seem to have forgotten how awe-inspiring this glittering world once was!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s hearing was very good, and although he was two meters away, he heard everything said on the phone loud and clear. His sudden disappearance three years ago forced Finn Carmichael to keep a low profile to avoid revealing his identity. Now that he had returned, there was nothing to be afraid of. ¡°You guys go first and keep an eye on things, don¡¯t end up with a dead body, I¡¯ll be right there!¡± After he hung up the phone, Finn Carmichael stood up and said quietly, ¡°I¡¯ll go out and deal with this, Young Master, please wait a moment.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go out together, I have a friend out there anyway, I¡¯m bored just sitting around.¡± Julius Reed also stood up, ¡°You go ahead, I¡¯ll follow.¡± Finn Carmichael didn¡¯t dare say more. He hurried out of the manager¡¯s office to see which fool had chosen today of all days to cause trouble. The Young Master had returned, what was there to be concerned about? There was a ruckus, a fight would end it. ¡°What are you doing!¡± No sooner had he entered the bar than he saw two people wrestling each other with the rest of the crowd egging them on. ¡°Beat him to death!¡± ¡°You really don¡¯t know how formidable our Young Master is!¡± ¡°Go Mr. Fairbanks!¡± A man in a suit was on top of a smaller man, raining down punches like a torrential downpour. If someone didn¡¯t intervene soon, it appeared a life could be lost. Whenever the smaller man tried to turn over, a robust man rushed over and kicked him fiercely, leaving him without the strength to fight back. ¡°Stop!¡± Finn Carmichael pushed through the crowd, escorted by security, and approached the two men. The man was clearly out for blood, and another minute of assault probably would have snuffed the life out of the smaller man. ¡°Who the hell are you! Stop sticking your nose where it doesn¡¯t belong!¡± Before Finn Carmichael got close, two robust men immediately blocked his path, their tone extremely hostile. ¡°Oh! I¡¯ve been fighting here for so long, and finally someone dares to intervene. Interesting!¡± Seeing someone trying to intervene, the aggressor slowly stood up. Someone immediately handed him a towel to wipe the blood off his fists. ¡°Brother!¡± Just then, a woman¡¯s scream came from behind the aggressor. The voice was heart-wrenching, but the woman was firmly restrained by someone, utterly unable to move. ¡°Simeon Kensington?¡± But Julius Reed, not far away, recognized the woman at a glance, Elize Yarrow¡¯s good friend, Simeon Kensington. ¡°` Among those holding Simeon Kensington was someone he recognized. Quella Radcliffe¡¯s brother, Otis Radcliffe. ¡°Do you know where you are!¡± Finn Carmichael saw the man¡¯s arrogant attitude and his face instantly turned ashen. In the past, anyone who dared to cause trouble in the glitz and glamor would have their legs broken. Although low-key in recent years, whenever he stepped in, no one dared to disrespect him. ¡°I know all right!¡± the man sauntered over, chuckling, ¡°It¡¯s a bar, right? Could it possibly be somewhere else?¡± ¡°I am the manager of this bar. Have you thought about the consequences of hitting people and causing trouble here?¡± Finn Carmichael asked with a cold tone, hands clasped behind his back. Now that Julius Reed had reappeared in the world, he had nothing to fear; this was the perfect opportunity to restore the reputation of the bar. ¡°Consequences?¡± The man raised an eyebrow and shook his head, ¡°I¡¯ve never thought about the consequences when I hit people. I just hit them, and at worst, if they die, I¡¯ll just pay some money.¡± Such arrogance angered many of the bar¡¯s patrons, but given the man¡¯s status, they could only suppress their rage internally. ¡°Good, since you¡¯re the boss, this guy has made a mess of the bar, make him pay for it.¡± The man tossed the towel in his hand and turned to leave. ¡°Stop right there!¡± Finn Carmichael¡¯s face darkened, and he gestured for the security behind him to surround the man. ¡°Without rules, there¡¯s no square or circle!¡± He looked at the people before him and said coldly, ¡°If you cause trouble in the bar, you have to follow my rules!¡± ¡°Wow!¡± The man turned back, laughing instead of getting angry, ¡°You really are stepping out of line! Even if I smash this lousy bar to bits, what can you do to me?¡± ¡°Do you f**king know who our Young Master is! Sebastian of the Hall Family in the capital!¡± Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s bodyguards immediately stepped forward, glaring hostilely at Finn Carmichael, ¡°Blind your dog eyes, daring to speak to our master like this!¡± ¡°The Hall Family of the capital? Are you talking about the Hall Family that represents Bright-Sky Jewelry on the mainland?¡± ¡°They¡¯ve opened over a hundred stores with an annual turnover of over a hundred billion; truly a big shot of the capital city!¡± ¡°I heard the Hall Family has recently connected with the Leocadia Family, with considerable momentum for further advancement!¡± The bar¡¯s clientele were mostly local rich second generations, and they were more than familiar with the Hall Family of the capital. Boden Fairbanks, the Family Head of the Hall Family, started from scratch when he was young, and secured the Mainland distribution rights of Bright-Sky International Group ten years ago. Within a short decade, he had become a part of the capital¡¯s elite with a net worth in the hundreds of billions. It was rumored that the Hall Family now had a connection with the Leocadia Family of the capital, aiming to reach a further collaboration. Once this deal was completed, the status of the Hall Family would be elevated yet another notch. Listening to the people around discussing fervently, Sterling Fairbanks held his head high, pride written all over his face. And Finn Carmichael found himself in a quandary. He had thought the adversary was just a commonplace rich second generation, only to realize it was a scion of the Hall Family of the capital. If it had been some other family, he might have dared to give a lesson, but now facing the rising Hall Family, Finn Carmichael was unsure of what to do. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Scared after hearing the name of this master?¡± Sterling Fairbanks laughed boisterously, stepping up to Finn Carmichael, ¡°You¡¯ve made me very unhappy today. How about this, kneel down and give me several loud kowtows, and I might just let it slide because of my good mood.¡± He paused, then glanced at the bar, ¡°Otherwise, I am actually considering smashing this bar to smithereens. What do you think?¡± Hiss! The crowd gasped in shock. The fame of the bar still lingered, and although it was no longer as mighty as before, it remained a large local establishment. And now, just at a word from the Hall Family heir, it might be smashed to pieces? ¡°Even if you are a member of the Hall Family, you have to follow the rules here!¡± It was in that moment, Julius Reed stepped out from amongst the crowd. Chapter 354 - Chapter 354: Chapter 354 Waiting for a Call_1 Chapter 354: Chapter 354 Waiting for a Call_1 ¡°Julius Reed?¡± The moment he stepped out, both Simeon Kensington and Otis Radcliffe spoke up. ¡°You two know each other?¡± Turning around, Sterling Fairbanks looked at Otis Radcliffe and pointing at Julius Reed, he demanded, ¡°Who is this guy!¡± His visit to Five-river Province was because the Hall Family was opening a second ¡®Island of Love¡¯ franchise in the province and wanted Sterling Fairbanks to choose a location for the store and enjoy some sightseeing on the side. And Fairbanks directly sought out the local prominent Leopold Family, enjoying his time with Brayden Leopold, while Otis Radcliffe, through his own methods, successfully infiltrated this circle that originally didn¡¯t include him. And he even managed to become Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s lackey. ¡°It¡¯s more than just knowing him; it¡¯s a memory etched into my bones!¡± Otis Radcliffe snickered, pointing at his leg, ¡°Mr. Fairbanks, you always joke about the way I walk, right? Well, I have this man to thank for that! He broke my legs, and even after they were healed, they¡¯re still not quite right!¡± Otis Radcliffe¡¯s gaze towards Julius Reed was filled with venom. However, he actually owed Julius Reed his thanks. If not for being expelled from the Radcliffe Family, how could he have come to Five-river Province and become the head of North Power Electronics, making acquaintance with a whole host of rich young men? ¡°So there¡¯s such a story!¡± Upon hearing this, Sterling Fairbanks walked over to Julius Reed with his hands clasped behind his back, ¡°Dude, you¡¯re ruthless! Easily breaking people¡¯s legs¡­ How about I give you a taste of having your legs broken today?¡± ¡°What are you doing!¡± Hearing this, Finn Carmichael subconsciously rushed over, standing in front of Sterling Fairbanks. Anyone who wanted to harm the Young Master had to get past him first! And the bodyguards behind him surged forward, confronting Fairbanks¡¯s men. ¡°Gentlemen, we mustn¡¯t harm our good relations!¡± Just then, Atlas Leopold hurried out to make peace. He was in a cooperative relationship with Julius Reed, and while the Leopold Family and Julius Reed were sworn enemies on the surface, in reality, that was only the grievance between the Leopold Family and Julius Reed. Atlas Leopold didn¡¯t care about those details; as long as he could become the Family Head, he was willing to cooperate with anyone. The plan to murder Atlas Leopold had already been scheduled, just waiting for the right moment to seize power. Now, being on good terms with Sterling Fairbanks was for the same reason: to gain more support from powerful allies. ¡°Good relations?¡± Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s eyebrows shot up as he looked at Atlas Leopold somewhat displeased, ¡°Brother Leopold, you know these guys?¡± ¡°Not at all!¡± Atlas Leopold quickly shook his head, then leaned in and whispered into Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s ear, recounting some of the depraved tales of recent years. He hoped to get Sterling Fairbanks to back down a bit with these stories. But instead of calming down, Sterling Fairbanks became even more excited! ¡°I heard that a few years ago, a big shot from the capital caused trouble and ended up with his legs broken by you guys?¡± He propped a foot on the coffee table, pointing at his leg, ¡°That really shames those of us who come from the capital! Now here are my legs, if you¡¯ve got the guts, go ahead and break them!¡± ¡°If you actually manage to break them, I¡¯ll pay you!¡± His arrogant attitude once again stirred discontent in the bar. ¡°Who is this guy! Just because his family has some money, he comes here to behave outrageously!¡± ¡°Exactly, one should be kind. Offending people like that, he won¡¯t come to a good end!¡± Everyone had a word to say, wishing they could rush up and give Sterling Fairbanks a thrashing, but none had the guts to do so. ¡°Simeon Kensington, who is that on the ground?¡± Julius Reed did not pay attention to such provocation and instead looked at Simeon Kensington and another man pressing down Elize Yarrow. He had a very favorable impression of this young lady since their encounter at the airport with Elize Yarrow and Simeon Kensington. ¡°The one on the ground is my brother. Today I received my acceptance letter for a graduate study abroad, so I went out with my brother to celebrate. Who would¡¯ve thought this guy would harass me, and when my brother couldn¡¯t stand it, they started arguing, and then¡­¡± As she spoke, Elize Yarrow¡¯s tears streamed down her face. ¡°This person is my friend; let him go.¡± Julius Reed looked coldly at Otis Radcliffe and the other man as he spoke. ¡°Humph! Who do you think you are!¡± Otis Radcliffe sneered with contempt, full of provocation, ¡°Still think you¡¯re in Gonzalez City? Think I¡¯m the same as before? Julius Reed, today I¡¯m going to make you recognize yourself! A loser trying to turn over a new leaf is still a loser!¡± He had been holding in his breath for a long time, and now with Sterling Fairbanks by his side, it was the perfect opportunity to vent his animosity! ¡°Who am I? I¡¯m your brother-in-law!¡± Julius Reed strode forward. ¡°Stop right there!¡± A burly man stretched out his hand to block Julius Reed. ¡°Get lost!¡± Bang! Julius Reed threw a punch, sending the burly man flying backwards. The very next moment, he was standing in front of Otis Radcliffe. ¡°If your sister wasn¡¯t Quella Radcliffe, you would¡¯ve disappeared from this world a long time ago.¡± Slap! Julius Reed slapped Otis Radcliffe across the face, then backhanded another man, sending them both reeling and rescuing the sobbing Simeon Kensington. ¡°Take good care of her!¡± With a gentle push, the security guards immediately stepped forward and protected Simeon Kensington. ¡°Mr. Fairbanks, avenge me!¡± Otis Radcliffe looked at Julius Reed with a resentful gaze, yet his heart quietly rejoiced. Although he had been hit, indeed it was Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s face that got slapped. The face-conscious Sterling Fairbanks would definitely not let this go easily! Sure enough, seeing his two underlings getting beaten, Sterling Fairbanks turned around and looked coldly at Julius Reed, ¡°Who gave you the courage!¡± ¡°I am his brother-in-law. Would killing him have anything to do with you?¡± Julius Reed kicked Otis Radcliffe, ¡°For not learning your lesson, for hanging out with these people! This kick is on behalf of your sister, this is for your dad, this for your grandad, this is for your grandma¡­¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Otis Radcliffe rolled on the ground, clutching his fists, ¡°My grandma has been gone for many years¡­¡± ¡°The old lady must be rolling in her grave because of you!¡± Julius Reed continued kicking forcefully, causing those around to stifle their laughter. ¡°What¡¯s going on here!¡± Sterling Fairbanks asked impatiently, wondering how the two had become relatives. ¡°My sister divorced him!¡± Otis Radcliffe wailed, desperately protecting his head. ¡°If you¡¯re divorced, then it¡¯s not your place to discipline him!¡± Sterling Fairbanks gestured lightly with his hand, and his burly men immediately surrounded Julius Reed. ¡°Let¡¯s just break both your legs, that¡¯s not too much, right?¡± The woman he was interested in had been rescued, and his underlings had been beaten, which made Sterling Fairbanks feel humiliated. ¡°That¡¯s quite excessive.¡± Julius Reed glanced at Sterling Fairbanks and asked nonchalantly, ¡°I heard you¡¯re doing business with the Leocadia Family?¡± ¡°What¡¯s that got to do with you? It¡¯s none of your business!¡± Sterling Fairbanks pointed at Julius Reed, ¡°Prepare to die!¡± ¡°Protect him!¡± Seeing the dire situation, Finn Carmichael shouted an order, and the security guards rushed forward with batons, surrounding Julius Reed. ¡°You know Sophia Leocadia, right?¡± Julius Reed asked again. ¡°The name of the Leocadia Family¡¯s young princess is not for you to call!¡± Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s face darkened, grabbing a wine bottle from the table, ready to strike. ¡°Hold on.¡± Julius Reed took out his phone, browsed through the call log, and dialed a number. ¡°There¡¯s someone called Sterling Fairbanks who wants to break my legs. Help me smooth things over, I¡¯ll treat you to dinner sometime.¡± After finishing the call, he hung up and looked at Sterling Fairbanks, ¡°Take a look at your phone.¡± ¡°Who are you trying to fool!¡± Sterling Fairbanks scoffed coldly, but the next moment his phone did indeed begin to ring. When he saw the name on the screen, he was so scared he nearly dropped his phone. It displayed three words. Sophia Leocadia. Chapter 355 - Chapter 355: Chapter 355 Just So Much on the Body_1 Chapter 355: Chapter 355 Just So Much on the Body_1 ¡°Fuck, could it really be such a coincidence?¡± Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and after calming his emotions, he carefully answered the call. The Hall Family had finally managed to cling to the prominent Leocadia Family; if he offended Sophia Leocadia, he¡¯d surely be beaten to death by his father. ¡°Miss Leocadia, what can I do for you?¡± He asked with a face full of flattery. He didn¡¯t dare to provoke the daughter of the Leocadia Family. ¡°Sterling Fairbanks, Julius Reed is my friend.¡± Sophia Leocadia¡¯s voice was exceptionally cold, causing Sterling Fairbanks to break out in a cold sweat. ¡°I don¡¯t care what methods you use, but if my friend doesn¡¯t forgive you by tonight, I think our families¡¯ cooperation can be considered postponed to a later date.¡± ¡°Miss Leocadia, I¡­ I don¡¯t know your friend! I was in a bar in Five-River Province¡­¡± Sterling Fairbanks glanced at Julius Reed, his heartbeat suddenly accelerating¡ªcould it be that it was this young man? But Sophia Leocadia was from the capital, how could she have friends here? And of the opposite sex? It was unheard of! ¡°I know you¡¯re in Five-River Province, and my friend is right in front of you. Sterling Fairbanks, I¡¯ll repeat what I said, if I don¡¯t hear by tonight that my friend has forgiven you, your father will receive notice tomorrow morning that the cooperation with the Leocadia Family will be postponed.¡± Sophia Leocadia chuckled coldly, ¡°With my position in the Leocadia Family, it wouldn¡¯t be difficult to do this, right?¡± ¡°Not difficult at all! Not at all!¡± Beads of sweat fell from Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s forehead like raindrops. The reason the Hall Family could establish a cooperation with the Leocadia Family was all thanks to the Hall Family¡¯s persistent efforts over the past half a year. If it were all to be undone with just one word from Sophia Leocadia, Sterling Fairbanks could already envision his fate. Utterly tragic! ¡°Since you know it¡¯s not difficult, then you¡¯d better make sure it happens!¡± Beep-beep-beep! Sophia Leocadia hung up the call directly, giving Sterling Fairbanks no chance to explain. ¡°Who¡­ who is Julius Reed¡­¡± The call was disconnected, but Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s hand holding the phone was still trembling. He swallowed his saliva, gently wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, and asked with a shaking voice, ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°Him! The one who hit me!¡± Upon seeing this, Otis Radcliffe quickly stepped forward, took out a pack of tissues from his pocket, and wiped Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s sweat for him. Absolutely bootlicking behavior. ¡°Mr. Fairbanks, this person is too arrogant. You should sort him out and teach him a lesson!¡± While wiping, Otis Radcliffe fanned the flames. This was a chance for Julius Reed to never turn things around! The Hall Family from the capital was a major household! In Five-River Province, they had strong connections, and with people like Brayden Leopold behind him, a smile uncontrollably appeared on Otis Radcliffe¡¯s face. ¡°Him!¡± Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s eyes widened. Indeed, the scene he least wanted to witness had occurred. The young man in front of him was truly the friend Sophia Leocadia spoke of. How could the world be so coincidental! Sterling Fairbanks felt like crying without tears. In the vast Five-River Province, he just had to meet him in a bar and have a conflict! ¡°Mr. Reed¡­ May I have a word with you in private?¡± Sterling Fairbanks asked cautiously. With so many people watching in the bar, he still needed to save some face for himself. Otherwise, if it spread that the young master of the Hall Family from the capital was bending over backward for a local person, how would he continue to mix in society? If people from the capital found out, he definitely wouldn¡¯t be able to continue in that circle. The capital, the most prosperous city on the map. The people there are incredibly arrogant, valuing reputation above all else! Once news spreads that Sterling Fairbanks had to apologize here, I¡¯m afraid he will be completely ostracized; his prospects in the capital will also be shattered. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m just waiting to get dealt with by Mr. Fairbanks. I¡¯m so scared my legs are weak, I can¡¯t go anywhere!¡± Julius Reed helplessly shrugged his shoulders and stood his ground, arms crossed. ¡°Intentionally trying to embarrass me!¡± Sterling grumbled to himself, before quietly asking Otis Radcliffe, ¡°You know him, then tell me, what¡¯s his background? Only the important details! He could only first try to understand the other person, then figure out how to apologize, to report back to Sophia Leocadia. ¡°He used to be my brother-in-law, marrying into the family! Spent three years home washing clothes and cooking. Who knew what stroke of dumb luck he had, lately, he suddenly got to know quite a few people and even managed to drive my family out!¡± Otis Radcliffe said with deep resentment. ¡°So that¡¯s how it is!¡± Sterling had an epiphany. He approached Julius Reed, pulled out a card from his bosom, ¡°There¡¯s five billion in here. It¡¯s a misunderstanding, let¡¯s just be friends.¡± Since he was a son-in-law who had married into a family, he must be without money or status! Now, handing over five billion would be an astronomical figure to the young man before him. Sterling even already imagined Julius Reed accepting the bank card with joy and thanking him profusely. When dealing with the poor, smash them with money! While five billion was a lot, Sterling didn¡¯t mind, as long as it could solve the problem. ¡°What do you mean by this? Trying to buy me?¡± Julius Reed said with a faint smile, stretching out his hand to swat the bank card to the ground, ¡°It seems you still don¡¯t understand who you are. I¡¯ll call Sophia in a bit and recount everything truthfully.¡± After finishing his words, Julius Reed turned to leave. ¡°What are you so proud of! Mr. Fairbanks is giving you face; don¡¯t be ungrateful!¡± Otis Radcliffe didn¡¯t know why Sterling was doing this, but Julius Reed daring to knock Sterling¡¯s bank card away meant he did not take Sterling seriously at all. Seizing this chance, Otis Radcliffe stirred the pot, insisting on disciplining Julius Reed. Otherwise, he felt he wouldn¡¯t be able to relieve the suffocating rage inside him! ¡°Shut up!¡± Smack! Sterling reacted with a backhand slap across Otis Radcliffe¡¯s face! Those words from Otis Radcliffe had nearly ended Sterling! Otis Radcliffe couldn¡¯t curry favor, and now with those words, he had completely offended Julius Reed. ¡°Mr. Fairbanks, I¡­¡± ¡°Get out! Somebody, take him out and beat him to a pulp. Make sure his mouth swells up from slapping!¡± Sterling shouted furiously. ¡°Yes!¡± Two burly men hoisted Otis Radcliffe up and dragged him outside the bar. ¡°Mr. Davenport!¡± Thud! At this moment, Sterling completely put aside his pride. If something really went wrong with the Leocadia family¡¯s business, he might as well not even have the chance to kneel. ¡°Wow!¡± Julius Reed was initially startled, then burst out laughing, ¡°What¡¯s this, Mr. Sebastian Hall? You really gave me quite the scare! I was just waiting for your men to come and break my legs, so when are you going to start?¡± All of a sudden, everyone was caught off guard. How did the once arrogantly pompous Sterling end up kneeling on the ground like a lowly grandson, apologizing? Their brains weren¡¯t quick enough to process, and they were all dumbstruck. The air fell into silence. ¡°How would I dare!¡± Sterling pleaded with a wry smile, ¡°Mr. Reed, could you put in a few good words for me to Miss Leocadia? Please!¡± He had no other option; such is the power of family heritage. The reason Sterling had been able to act so high and mighty here was thanks to the Hall family¡¯s backing. Now, a single call from Sophia Leocadia would have him kneeling publicly, all because of the Leocadia family¡¯s influence! ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re saying!¡± Julius Reed crouched down to look at Sterling, took out a coin from his pocket, and tossed it in front of him, ¡°Get up, that¡¯s all I have on me.¡± Chapter 356 - Chapter 356: Chapter 356: Don’t Expect Me to Pay for You_1 Chapter 356: Chapter 356: Don¡¯t Expect Me to Pay for You_1 ¡°` Clang! The sound of the coin hitting the tile floor was particularly grating. This was humiliation! A humiliation to Sterling Fairbanks¡¯ character! The man was already kneeling on the ground, and to kill him would be no worse! But now, Julius Reed was treating Sterling Fairbanks like a beggar, tossing him a coin! And just a single coin! One yuan! The esteemed Mr. Fairbanks of the Hall Family, was his kneeling worth only one yuan? Once this got out, Sterling Fairbanks would be completely ruined! It would become an indelible stain on his life! Even in death, the tale would continue to be told! Ensuring he would never have the opportunity to turn things around! To kill a person, crush their spirit. ¡°Mr. Reed¡­¡± Sterling Fairbanks knelt on the ground, his fists clenched tightly, his teeth also grinding audibly. ¡°What, you think the money¡¯s too little? Sorry, this is all I carry with me when I step out, it¡¯s good enough you got a yuan. Get up already, quit while you¡¯re ahead. If you keep kneeling, I won¡¯t have any more money to give, right?¡± Julius Reed continued to feign foolishness, not picking up on the underlying meaning in Sterling Fairbanks¡¯ words. So arrogant just a while ago, now a little kneeling should help steady his heart. ¡°Young people these days, too impulsive.¡± He shook his head and turned to leave. ¡°Mr. Reed, I, Sterling Fairbanks, have been blind as a dog and offended you! I beg you to forgive this insignificant person and spare my wretched life!¡± Sterling Fairbanks shouted at the top of his lungs, his body trembling uncontrollably from anger. He wanted revenge, he wanted to kill! But not now¡­ Only by earning Julius Reed¡¯s forgiveness could he ensure the business dealings between the Hall and Leocadia families remained completely secure. After that, he would cut the man before him to pieces! Even the Leocadia family, lacking any real evidence, would have no choice but to let it go! ¡°Oh! Mr. Fairbanks of the capital, when did you become a dog?¡± Julius Reed stopped in his tracks, looking at Sterling Fairbanks with great interest. The surrounding guests also buzzed with speculation, unable to comprehend what was happening. ¡°Mr. Fairbanks was so domineering just a moment ago, why is he kneeling and begging now? What on earth happened?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know who called Mr. Fairbanks just now, but this young man is remarkable, to make Sterling Fairbanks kneel, he¡¯s got some sway!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think highly of this young man, though, too conspicuous! He publicly humiliated Sterling Fairbanks today and got his way, but what about later? What kind of fate awaits him? Sterling Fairbanks will certainly seek revenge!¡± Everyone had something to say, speculating on the relationship between the two men. Finn Carmichael watched, his blood boiling. Indeed, the Young Master had returned. The city of gold and booze had stood up! Three years of enduring humiliation were finally coming to an end! The esteemed Mr. Fairbanks of the Hall Family was compared to a dog in full view of the public. So what did that make the Hall family? A dog¡¯s kennel? Would the Hall family let this go easily after learning about this? ¡°If Mr. Reed is willing, I, Sterling Fairbanks, will be your dog!¡± Sterling Fairbanks roared. To maintain this partnership, he was willing to do anything! Afterward, he would find the opportunity to take his revenge! ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve got plenty of dogs at home, and they¡¯re all better than you. Even if you were a dog, you¡¯d be a vicious one!¡± Julius Reed said slowly. Yet this statement caused the surrounding guests to break out in a cold sweat! Daring to say right to Sterling Fairbanks¡¯ face that he is a dog? What sort of status did he have, to be so brazen! ¡°Who is this?!¡± At that moment, Lucan Davenport staggered over with a drink in hand. Seeing Sterling Fairbanks kneeling on the ground, he first paused, then burst out laughing: ¡°Brother, what¡¯s going on! Why have you brought begging to the bar, people here are stingy, they¡¯ll only give you a yuan at most!¡± ¡°` He had just finished speaking when he noticed a coin lying in front of Sterling Fairbanks. ¡°Damn, someone actually left you a dollar!¡± Lucan Davenport squatted down, picked it up, and stuffed it into his pocket: ¡°Heh, brother, I¡¯m taking this money!¡± Shameless! Everyone looked at Lucan Davenport with disdain in their eyes. Even Julius Reed cursed this formidable swordsman in his heart. ¡°Put it down!¡± Just as Lucan Davenport was about to leave, a cold voice came from behind him. ¡°That was given to me by Mr. Reed, you have some nerve to take it away!¡± Sterling Fairbanks lifted his head, eyes bloodshot as he stared at Lucan Davenport. A drunk with an injured arm, daring to walk into the line of fire! ¡°Break both his hands, teach him some manners.¡± Sterling Fairbanks glanced sideways, and the staff immediately gathered around. He was just looking to vent his pent-up rage, and here was an injured drunkard knocking at his door. It was a perfect opportunity for him to re-establish his authority. As for Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s response, Julius Reed didn¡¯t care. He didn¡¯t need to reveal his relationship with Lucan Davenport. Even with an injured arm, Lucan Davenport could handle these people like child¡¯s play, with no difficulty at all. Hearing Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s words, the burly men immediately surrounded Lucan Davenport, looking at him furiously: ¡°Kneel down and apologize to our Mr. Fairbanks!¡± They had a murderous look in their eyes while showing off their robust muscles! The sight made many bar patrons step back, afraid of getting hurt. ¡°What if I don¡¯t?¡± Lucan Davenport shook his glass, downing the drink in one gulp. ¡°Then we¡¯ll help you kneel and admit your mistake!¡± The muscular men sneered, slowly moving behind Lucan Davenport, ready to lay hands on him. ¡°Nice muscles, really solid.¡± Lucan Davenport placed the empty glass on the bar counter and threw a flirtatious look at the waitress: ¡°Fill it up.¡± After speaking, his uninjured hand grabbed the sturdy arm of one of the muscular men: ¡°What a pity, all brawn and no brains!¡± Crack! A sound of bone breaking was heard, and the burly man turned pale, then fell to the ground, wailing in pain. ¡°And you!¡± Whoosh! Before the rest could react, Lucan Davenport punched another man in the face, causing a gush of blood from the nose, and after stumbling back a few steps, he fell to the ground. ¡°Where¡¯s my drink!¡± After finishing all this, Lucan Davenport knocked on the bar counter: ¡°Miss, what are you waiting for, pour the drink!¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± The girl at the front desk was so startled by this scene that she stood frozen, completely forgetting to pour the drink. When she finally snapped out of it, she hurriedly took out a bottle of liquor with trembling hands but couldn¡¯t open it despite several attempts. ¡°Kill him for me! If anything happens, I¡¯ll take responsibility!¡± Seeing his staff beaten, Sterling Fairbanks was furious to the extreme! In just a few minutes, he was humiliated by two people! He was powerless against Sophia Leocadia, but now he couldn¡¯t even beat a cripple? ¡°You¡¯re dead!¡± A muscular man emerged from beside Sterling Fairbanks, pummeling his chest with his fists before striding towards Lucan Davenport. ¡°Miss, let me do it!¡± Seeing that the woman was struggling, her hands shaking too much to open the bottle, Lucan Davenport immediately snatched the bottle from her and smashed it on the head of the muscle man approaching him. Crack! The bottom of the bottle shattered instantly. Ignoring the remaining shards of glass, Lucan Davenport poured the liquor into his mouth. ¡°That¡¯s the stuff!¡± He lightly wiped his mouth with his sleeve, thoroughly enjoying himself. ¡°Agh!¡± The muscular man shook his head and with a roar tried to rush forward. Spurt! Lucan Davenport jabbed the broken bottle forward, instantly stabbing it into the body of the muscle man. ¡°Boss, need to use the restroom, will be right back.¡± He called out to Julius Reed. ¡°Go ahead, but remember to settle the bill for the drinks when you return, don¡¯t expect me to foot the bill,¡± Julius Reed said with a light chuckle. Chapter 357 - Chapter 357: Chapter 357 Teaching You_1 Chapter 357: Chapter 357 Teaching You_1 They knew each other? Not only Sterling Fairbanks, even Finn Carmichael hadn¡¯t expected that. The Young Master hadn¡¯t come to the bar alone; he had brought such a master with him! A single arm took down all of Sterling Fairbanks¡¯ employees! It was a complete overpowering! ¡°Mr. Reed¡­ Mr. Reed knows him?¡± Sterling Fairbanks asked with an embarrassed smile. He had come to despise Julius Reed, for in just a brief moment, he had been humiliated twice! He feared that after arriving in the capital, he would become a laughingstock and lose his chance to inherit the Hall Family. And his brother, who had been scheming for the position, would surely make a big deal out of this! Although. They were all members of the Hall Family. The capital had always been a place where relatives fought and blood was shed, especially among the great families; none were exceptions. ¡°Sort of, just drinking buddies,¡± Julius Reed said with a light smile, ¡°But rest assured, even if you killed him, it would have nothing to do with me.¡± Killing Lucan Davenport would be difficult, and not just ordinarily difficult. ¡°Mr. Reed must be joking. If I had known he was your friend, even if you lent me a hundred guts, I wouldn¡¯t dare to trouble him,¡± Sterling Fairbanks said with a smile on his face, without the slightest indication of the humiliation he had felt at the start. There¡¯s nothing greater than the death of the heart. He was now only thinking of revenge! To survive was to have hope. ¡°Simeon Kensington, come here.¡± Julius Reed waved toward the distance. There, Simeon Kensington was holding his injured brother, weeping loudly. ¡°Boss Davenport.¡± Simeon Kensington, struggling to support Ramsey Kensington, came in front of Julius Reed. She could never have imagined that her savior today would be the ¡®hoodlum¡¯ she had encountered at the airport. Even though Elize Yarrow¡¯s relationship with Julius Reed was unclear, Simeon Kensington still thought of him as a profligate young master. Not someone who seemed like a good person. But now, the one who saved her and her brother was this very playboy in her eyes. ¡°Thank you¡­¡± Simeon Kensington said, her head lowered and her voice choked with sobs. ¡°They¡¯re just skin wounds, nothing serious.¡± Julius Reed inspected briefly and found that Ramsey Kensington didn¡¯t have any serious problems, aside from a mild concussion. ¡°He¡¯s right here now, what do you want to do?¡± No matter what, Julius Reed had a fairly good impression of Simeon Kensington; he intervened today as a favor to Elize Yarrow. After all, he had used her to humiliate Atlas Leopold in the past, ending his promising future. Now the Yarrow Family saw him as an enemy, and the Leopold Family was even more eager to deal with her. ¡°Let¡¯s¡­ let it go¡­¡± Simeon Kensington sighed. They couldn¡¯t afford to provoke the Fairbanks family. ¡°Thank you, sir. But this was all an accident; I think we should just leave it at that,¡± Ramsey Kensington said weakly. Once Julius Reed left, the Hall Family would surely seek revenge, and it would be the entire family that would suffer. If he had known Sterling Fairbanks¡¯ identity earlier, he would have preferred to be beaten than to fight back. But for his sister, he would protect her even at the cost of his own life! ¡°Heh, at least you have some awareness. I¡¯ll let today¡¯s incident go, but if I see you again, your whole family will suffer!¡± Sterling Fairbanks snorted coldly, directly scaring Simeon Kensington into silence, The Hall Family in the capital wielded great wealth and power; just in the Five-river Province alone, they were going to open two Gem Love Jewelry shops in Island. His family couldn¡¯t afford to provoke such a great family. Even the Leopold Family would not dare to provoke the power of the capital city lightly. ¡°Mr. Fairbanks is still a bit arrogant!¡± Upon hearing such words, Julius Reed was really somewhat displeased. Bullying the weak is not a true skill. If one were to bully the weak, how many people under the heavens would dare to oppose me? The Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance could summon a multitude with just a call, and even Deep Cold wouldn¡¯t be worthy of holding their shoes. Even though the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance has now crumbled, to deal with Deep Cold, those leaders would have to wash their necks clean and let them be chopped. ¡°Mr. Reed, this is the power of family, just as I kneel before you today, it¡¯s because my Hall Family is no match for the Leocadia Family! Miss Leocadia personally decreed, and I absolutely dare not disobey. But have you considered? If the people of the capital city knew that Miss Leocadia is protecting a man, those wealthy youths would definitely kill you with pleasure!¡± Sterling Fairbanks changed his attitude and started threatening and tempting. ¡°Miss Leocadia is both talented and beautiful, and countless people want to marry her! Many young gentlemen are on high alert, and for someone like you with no money and no influence, facing them would only lead to a dead end!¡± He looked up at Julius Reed: ¡°I promise you, once I return, I¡¯ll keep my mouth shut, and ensure that today¡¯s events disappear. As for kneeling, it¡¯s because I can¡¯t beat you, and I lose with dignity!¡± ¡°You really have figured out a nice little scheme, haven¡¯t you!¡± Julius Reed looked at Sterling Fairbanks with a chuckle, nodding his head: ¡°Not being able to win and admitting defeat is nothing shameful for a spirited man! As for my affairs, who knows whether you¡¯ll keep your word? To keep this secret safe, you¡¯d have to silence someone permanently, wouldn¡¯t you?¡± Sterling Fairbanks, to ensure this incident doesn¡¯t get out, a dead man would indeed be the best solution. And as long as I die, Sterling Fairbanks¡¯ reputation would remain intact. Apart from Sophia Leocadia, no one else knows the content of this phone call, so whatever Sterling Fairbanks says afterward, everyone would believe. ¡°Mr. Reed, what are you talking about¡­¡± Sterling Fairbanks felt a sense of panic inside, although he quickly concealed it, he still failed to escape Julius Reed¡¯s eyes. ¡°Weren¡¯t you afraid that the wealthy youths of the capital city would find out about me?¡± Julius Reed asked with a smile. ¡°Exactly! Those who covet Sophia Leocadia are numerous, and many of them are very vigilant. Someone like you, without money or power, they could easily eliminate you.¡± Sterling Fairbanks was secretly delighted, thinking that Julius Reed was afraid. A mere son-in-law from Five-river Province, what waves could he possibly cause? Indeed, as timid as a mouse, truly useless. Everything Otis Radcliffe said was right on the mark! ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, I¡¯d trouble Mr. Sebastian Hall with one thing.¡± Julius Reed quickly helped Sterling Fairbanks up, his face full of smiles. ¡°By all means!¡± Sterling Fairbanks, seeing Julius Reed¡¯s attitude and expression, couldn¡¯t help feeling tremendously smug inside. Originally prepared for a do-or-die situation, now he easily resolved it and could lie about it when he returned to preserve his own face. He¡¯d go down as someone who dared to take responsibility. It¡¯s not shameful for a man to kneel for his honor. Thinking that Julius Reed would definitely ask him to keep the secret, his excitement grew even more. All he had to do was to feign agreement on the surface, leak a little bit after returning, and with those people¡¯s abilities, finding Julius Reed wouldn¡¯t be difficult! Using others to kill, Sophia Leocadia would be powerless! ¡°Everyone present, listen up!¡± Julius Reed shouted, and in an instant drew the attention of the onlookers. Sterling Fairbanks smiled. ¡°Now, I want to announce something!¡± Julius Reed spoke again. The smile on Sterling Fairbanks¡¯ face grew even wider as he unconsciously puffed out his chest. After all, he had fallen for his own trick. ¡°This man is Mr. Sebastian Hall from the capital city¡¯s Hall Family. My name is Julius Reed, a local from Five-river Province.¡± Sterling Fairbanks felt something was wrong with what was being said? Shouldn¡¯t he first clarify that it was all a misunderstanding, then give himself a way out? ¡°This man is arrogant and domineering, today I¡¯m teaching him a lesson on behalf of our townsfolk!¡± Whoosh! Before Amadeus Fairbanks could react, he was kicked to the ground by Julius Reed and knocked unconscious. Chapter 358 - Chapter 358: Chapter 358 Wolf Cavalry_1 Chapter 358: Chapter 358 Wolf Cavalry_1 ¡°Boss, the Hall Family from the capital has vast wealth and influence. What you did today is a bit troublesome!¡± In the general manager¡¯s office, Finn Carmichael looked at Julius Reed with a worried expression. ¡°The Hall Family has risen rapidly in recent years, all thanks to their ruthless and aggressive approach! Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s father is particularly well-connected and has a group of desperados at his disposal. What you¡¯ve done is too dangerous.¡± He wasn¡¯t worried about Young Master¡¯s abilities, as he was very clear about Julius Reed¡¯s capabilities. Of course, this was what he thought he knew very well. In fact, within the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, very few people knew just how strong Julius Reed really was. ¡°Insulting the Hall Family like this, I¡¯m afraid there could be reprisals.¡± Finn Carmichael paced back and forth on the floor. ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll divert some manpower over to secretly protect you!¡± ¡°Your employees are all part of the spy network, don¡¯t show yourselves so easily,¡± Julius Reed waved his hand, not scolding Finn Carmichael. It was praiseworthy for employees to be considerate of their own. ¡°Then you¡­¡± Finn Carmichael was still not reassured; if the Hall Family really took action, it could be very dangerous. ¡°We have him!¡± Julius Reed pointed to Lucan Davenport, who was eating fruit. ¡°You¡¯ve seen what¡¯s behind him, haven¡¯t you? With him around, there won¡¯t be any problems.¡± Lucan Davenport almost choked on his fruit. He was about to say something, but then thought better of it. He still relied on Julius Reed for protection, and he figured that there probably wasn¡¯t anyone born yet who could truly protect Julius Reed. ¡°Alright, I will inform the spies in Five-river Province to keep a close eye on the movements of the Hall Family. The moment someone enters the province, I will notify you at once.¡± Finn Carmichael nodded, having no other choice. ¡°By the way, check out the fight at the Leopold Family villa tonight, who were the people involved. Also, who have they been in close contact with recently?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s purpose in coming to this bar was to use the spy network he had set up years ago to ascertain the woman¡¯s true identity. Being able to mobilize the Shadow Warriors meant she was a high-ranking member of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, but the Alliance was large, and there were more than a dozen women with that kind of power alone. With the situation unclear, he couldn¡¯t check each one of them individually. Right now, everyone was a suspect. ¡°Young Master, there really is something!¡± Finn Carmichael hurried to the table and began flipping through files without stopping. A moment later, he brought a few sheets of paper to Julius Reed. ¡°Skyfire¡¯s people are staying at the Leopold Family villa. We¡¯ve not yet identified who they fought with, but a rough estimate suggests that they must be locals.¡± Finn Carmichael pointed to the text in the report and began to analyze, ¡°Our spy network is strong, I have confidence in that. Since three months ago, the skilled fighters who have been coming into the province have been just a few groups. Excluding the large number of Shadow Warriors who entered Gonzalez City for a few days and later all left.¡± ¡°I¡¯m aware of that,¡± Julius Reed interrupted. ¡°The Shadow Warriors came to kill me, but most of them held back a lot after being warned by Cosmo and Willson Pavilion and didn¡¯t dare to take on the secret bounty.¡± ¡°You knew about this?¡± Finn Carmichael looked at Julius Reed with a strange expression and pulled out another report. ¡°These people are very skilled and even more vigilant! Our people have failed every time they tried to get close. Such a small team that¡¯s starting to take shape, if they had come from another province, we definitely would have noticed.¡± He affirmed with certainty, ¡°So, I conclude that these people are definitely locals!¡± ¡°If that¡¯s really the case, then it gets interesting,¡± Julius Reed frowned slightly, acknowledging Finn Carmichael¡¯s conclusion. He had personally laid out the intelligence network in Five-river Province, so he was clear about the capabilities of this network. It was impossible for such a large team to go without any records, the only explanation being that they were locals. ¡°But locally, is there an organization that strong?¡± This was what Julius Reed didn¡¯t understand. He had been causing such a stir in the province for so long and yet had never discovered the existence of such an organization. Being able to fight Skyfire and still have the upper hand, he must not be an ordinary person! You should know that Skyfire has a certain reputation in the West. ¡°Within the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, there is no existence of such an organization. Although we are directly subordinate to you, we still understood the composition of the entire Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance at the beginning. There is no organization of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance within this province, except for Cold Nelson, who came over some time ago.¡± Finn Carmichael pointed to Cold Nelson¡¯s name. ¡°It¡¯s not him.¡± Julius Reed shook his head. ¡°Cold Nelson¡¯s people are in my hands, and moreover, I do not doubt Cold Nelson¡¯s loyalty.¡± ¡°If that is the case, could this group of people have descended from the sky?¡± Finn Carmichael was even more puzzled as he picked up the report on the table and flipped through it repeatedly. But no matter how much he searched, even going back three years, he could not find the existence of such a force in the province. Furthermore, lying dormant for three years is not realistic. ¡°Perhaps, you have overlooked one force.¡± Julius Reed narrowed his eyes and kept tapping on the table surface. ¡°You mean¡­¡± At this point, Finn Carmichael¡¯s eyes widened to the point they looked like they could fit an egg in his gaping mouth! ¡°There is such a force, independent of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance yet existing within it. This force is quite comprehensive, long responsible for assassination work, not only with formidable combat strength but also first-class anti-surveillance capabilities! If there¡¯s one force in this world that could bypass your spy network to come to Five-river Province, it would be this one.¡± Julius Reed took a deep breath, and his hand propped on the table also trembled a bit. This was not fear, but anger! Betrayal! This signified betrayal! Julius Reed took a deep breath and pulled out his phone from his bosom, dialing Cold Nelson. ¡°Help me check the movements of the Wolf Cavalry over the past month.¡± Hearing the name Wolf Cavalry, Finn Carmichael¡¯s face turned as pale as a ghost. However, Lucan Davenport beside him did not understand the significance and continued to eat fruit. But he felt that Julius Reed seemed truly a bit angry. This was the first time he had seen Julius Reed this angry since they met. After a moment, Cold Nelson¡¯s call came through. ¡°Young Master, last month the Wolf Cavalry redeployed, and when they regrouped, a squad from the third battalion went missing. The official statement was that they were carrying out a secret mission.¡± Crack! The phone was crushed to pieces by Julius Reed. ¡°Wolf Cavalry¡¯s third battalion, top-tier camouflage masters. Although their combat strength might not be very strong, they are capable of appearing and disappearing unpredictably, and not even the spy network I personally laid out could detect them!¡± ¡°Young Master, could this have been the doing of Barlow Huntington?¡± Finn Carmichael gasped in shock. Barlow Huntington, commander of the Wolf Cavalry¡¯s third battalion. Though she was a woman, her combat strength was astonishing! In the past, leading the Wolf Cavalry¡¯s third battalion to charge for thousands of miles, they ambushed the enemy unsuspectingly and killed them! ¡°Barlow Huntington¡­ It can¡¯t be her.¡± Julius Reed shook his head. ¡°Could it be the Wolf Cavalry¡¯s overall commander¡­¡± Finn Carmichael dared not continue his guess. ¡°If it were really her doing, would the Wolf Cavalry have only sent a small squad from the third battalion?¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly. ¡°If the five battalions truly came to kill, I¡¯m afraid you would be dead before your spy network could get the message to you.¡± Chapter 359 - Chapter 359: Chapter 359 Sterling Fairbanks’s Plan_1 Chapter 359: Chapter 359 Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s Plan_1 After leaving the bar, Julius Reed was weighed down with heavy thoughts. The Wolf Cavalry was the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance¡¯s strongest fighting force, directly under the jurisdiction of the Young Master. And the commander of the Wolf Cavalry wasn¡¯t restrained by anyone, independently responsible to the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. It could be said that the most elite troops of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance were the Wolf Cavalry! Now that the Third Regiment of the Wolf Cavalry had appeared within the territory of Five-river Province, the situation had become even more complicated and mysterious. ¡°Fortunately, it was only the Third Regiment that came; otherwise, not a single person from the Skyfire Sect would have been left,¡± Julius Reed and Lucan Davenport walked down the streets in the dead of night, chatting idly. Although Lucan Davenport wasn¡¯t a member of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, he was utterly loyal to Julius Reed. Some things he could be told without concern. ¡°The Wolf Cavalry is that formidable?¡± Although Lucan Davenport was unaware of the Wolf Cavalry¡¯s combat strength, he had guessed mostly correctly by their expressions back in the bar¡¯s office. Julius Reed sat down under a streetlight and gestured for Lucan Davenport to sit as well. He looked up at the stars in the sky and said, ¡°I personally formed the Wolf Cavalry, divided into five regiments! The First Regiment is responsible for guarding Demarco Mount and cannot leave it by even half a step. This is the elite of the elite, their ability to work as a team in combat is very strong, and it can be said that not any small team has the combat power to contend with the First Regiment.¡± Upon hearing this, Lucan Davenport asked curiously, ¡°I remember you mentioned before that Demarco Mount is guarded by four protective regiments, so this First Regiment¡­¡± In the time spent together, Julius Reed hadn¡¯t hidden much from Lucan Davenport; after all, he planned to have Lucan join them once the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance was purged. So he had disclosed quite a bit about the internal matters that were not vitally important. ¡°Who can truly trust certain people?¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, ¡°It¡¯s the human heart that is hardest to predict. It¡¯s precisely because of the existence of the First Regiment that those people, even if they harbored thoughts of rebellion, only dared to make a move outside.¡± ¡°As for the Second Regiment, they are responsible for monitoring every organization within the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. Once anyone is found to have a problem, they must immediately report to the Elder Council and to me. Although it may seem a bit terrifying, the results are not bad,¡± Julius Reed shook his head. ¡°The mole is in the Second Regiment, so the news of these people¡¯s betrayal was suppressed. I¡¯m afraid that even now, no one has discovered them.¡± ¡°You really have it rough,¡± Lucan Davenport smiled wryly. ¡°The Third Regiment is in charge of infiltration and long-distance, rapid assaults! Even my own spy network couldn¡¯t detect them. As for the Fourth Regiment, they usually carry out my orders, and while they are the weakest in combat power, they are the most prestigious presence.¡± ¡°The Fifth Regiment¡­¡± Upon mentioning the Fifth Regiment, Julius Reed suddenly stopped. ¡°Young Master, what¡¯s the matter? Is there a problem with the Fifth Regiment?¡± Lucan Davenport thought the Fifth Regiment was also involved in the betrayal, and he stopped eating his apple, tossing it aside. ¡°No, that¡¯s not the case. The Fifth Regiment has the strongest individual combat capabilities. In that battle back then, the Fifth Regiment suffered heavy casualties, and it was because of them that I had time to escape and live until today.¡± As he spoke, Julius Reed¡¯s ring started to flash with a red light. ¡°I must, must take revenge for them!¡± ¡°Definitely!¡± Lucan Davenport nodded in agreement, ¡°I believe you.¡± ¡­ The night was long, but there were those who simply couldn¡¯t fall asleep. Otis Radcliffe lay in a hospital bed, his legs broken, his complexion extremely pale. Standing by the hospital bed were Brayden Leopold and Sterling Fairbanks, along with many other local young notables. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about what happened today,¡± Sterling Fairbanks approached Otis Radcliffe, bowing deeply before him. ¡°Mr. Fairbanks, that¡¯s too much¡­¡± Otis Radcliffe, enduring his excruciating pain, forced a smile, ¡°To have my legs broken by Mr. Fairbanks is an honor for me.¡± Given the circumstances, he could only show loyalty to curry favor with Sterling Fairbanks; otherwise, his broken legs would be in vain. ¡°Blame it on Julius Reed!¡± Otis Radcliffe spoke through gritted teeth. ¡°Julius Reed¡­¡± As he uttered that name, Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s face turned an ashen hue in an instant. The day¡¯s events had already spread, and even though it was the middle of the night, several friends had sent messages asking if what happened to Sterling Fairbanks was true. By morning, it was expected that the entire circle would know the story without exception. ¡°Otis, tell me everything about this Julius Reed, and I promise you, he won¡¯t live past three days!¡± Sterling Fairbanks was determined, ready to pay any price to have Julius Reed killed. ¡°Julius Reed was originally my brother-in-law, married into the Radcliffe Family for three years, living like a dog!¡± Otis, filled with resentment, meticulously relayed all the information on Julius Reed, even including the rise of Quella Radcliffe. ¡°If that¡¯s truly the case, your sister may very well be a breakthrough point.¡± A strange smile crept over Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s lips, ¡°It seems he is deeply devoted to your sister! What kind of man doesn¡¯t have women? Yet he chooses to endure humiliation, all for the sake of your sister!¡± ¡°Exactly! Although he is a bastard, he has been genuinely devoted to my sister. It¡¯s just a pity that my aunt is not a good person and she spoiled the marriage,¡± Otis nodded in agreement. Ever since Julius Reed had his sudden awakening, he had been helping Quella Radcliffe steadily increase her status, and ultimately even took everything away from Zade Radcliffe and his grandson. He wouldn¡¯t have done all this if he didn¡¯t love Quella Radcliffe. Moreover, after Julius Reed made his fortune, he always stood by Quella Radcliffe¡¯s side, never raising his voice to her, no matter who else he was angry with. ¡°In that case, you tell a lie to lure your sister over! Remember my words, make sure, and I mean make sure, she doesn¡¯t talk to anyone. I don¡¯t care how you do it, but you must bring her here without anyone noticing!¡± Sterling Fairbanks smiled at the thought. ¡°This¡­¡± Otis¡¯s eyes darted around, unsure of what to do. ¡°What? You don¡¯t want to do it?¡± Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s attitude turned cold in an instant, frightening Otis into hastening to say, ¡°No problem at all, I¡¯ll lure her over here tomorrow. I am her brother after all, and our grandfather is still in Five-river Province.¡± Otis began to ponder how to ensure that this plan would be foolproof. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, once the deed is done, I will immediately support you to become the chairman of the Radcliffe Family. I can even give you the management of my family¡¯s second Sea of Love resort in the Five-river Province, with a seven-percent share of the yearly profit! And from then on, you will be my man!¡± Sterling Fairbanks skillfully offered both kindness and authority to win Otis over. ¡°Please rest assured, Mr. Sebastian Hall, I will complete the mission!¡± Otis attempted to stand to show his gratitude despite his injured leg. ¡°Take care of your injury. I¡¯ll go arrange this matter!¡± Sterling Fairbanks patted Otis¡¯s shoulder and walked out the door to make a phone call. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± A weathered voice came through the phone. ¡°Uncle Percival, I need a favor from you,¡± Sterling Fairbanks said. ¡°What favor?¡± ¡°To kill someone!¡± ¡°Alright, where are you?¡± ¡°Five-river Province!¡± ¡°I can be there by tomorrow morning.¡± ¡°Thank you, Uncle Percival!¡± After hanging up the phone, Sterling Fairbanks walked over to the window, gazing out at the dimly lit night. ¡°Julius Reed, so you have Sophia Leocadia to protect you! This time, I want to see how she¡¯ll guard you! I will make you kneel at my feet!¡± ¡°Like a dog! Begging for mercy!¡± Chapter 360 - Chapter 360: Chapter 360 Understanding Grandson_1 Chapter 360: Chapter 360 Understanding Grandson_1 ¡°Grandpa, I am at the hospital, can you come see me?¡± Zade Radcliffe, who was dealing with affairs in his office at Northern Energy Group, suddenly received a call from his grandson. He was also curious as to why he had not seen Otis Radcliffe in the workshop today. Just as he was thinking of finishing his work and then giving a call, his grandson beat him to it. ¡°Otis, what¡¯s wrong? What illness have you contracted?¡± Zade Radcliffe asked with utmost concern. His most beloved was this grandson. From a young age, he had raised Otis as his successor, always giving him the best of everything. As for the other Radcliffe children, they had to wait until Otis had made his pick. Now, hearing that Otis was sick, Zade Radcliffe became instantly anxious. How could a perfectly healthy person become ill all of a sudden? ¡°My legs were broken by Julius Reed. I am now lying in the hospital waiting for surgery,¡± Otis said in a pained tone, his voice even carrying a sob. ¡°What!¡± Upon hearing Otis¡¯s words, Zade Radcliffe roared in fury, ¡°What right does Julius Reed have to hit my grandson! Otis, which hospital are you at? I¡¯ll be right there! Rest assured, Grandfather will take care of Julius Reed for you!¡± As the General Manager of Northern Energy Group, he had made the acquaintance of many celebrities and tycoons within Five-river Province. Even though his former allies Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter had died in a car accident, Northern Energy Group still placed great trust in Zade Radcliffe. ¡°Grandfather, I¡¯m at Harmony Hospital in Five-river Province. Just come over, we¡¯ll talk about revenge later,¡± Otis said weakly, ¡°Grandfather, I¡¯m a bit tired, I¡¯ll get some sleep first.¡± ¡°Good! You rest well, grandson, I¡¯ll be there shortly,¡± Zade Radcliffe was heavily burdened after hearing the news of Otis¡¯s injury. He grabbed his overcoat hanging in the office, walked out, instructed his secretary to arrange the car, and headed straight to Harmony Hospital in Five-river Province. On the way, he started planning how to deal with Julius Reed. If he didn¡¯t kill Julius Reed for breaking Otis¡¯s legs twice in a row, Zade Radcliffe felt he would never calm his anger. Soon, the car arrived at the hospital entrance. Zade Radcliffe didn¡¯t wait for the driver; he hurried into Harmony Hospital by himself, took the elevator to the sixth floor where inpatients stayed, and followed the room number Otis had given him earlier. As soon as he entered the room, he saw Otis lying on the bed, both legs in casts and suspended in the air. ¡°Otis!¡± Zade Radcliffe¡¯s heart clenched¡ªthis was the apple of his eye! He silently cursed Julius Reed and rushed to Otis¡¯s bedside to take hold of his grandson¡¯s hand, ¡°My boy, your legs¡­¡± Once before, Otis¡¯s legs had been broken by Julius Reed. That time, Zade Radcliffe had spent a great deal of money to get treatment for Otis. Though he was eventually able to walk, he was left with a limp. Now, Julius Reed had broken Otis¡¯s legs again. Even a Divine Doctor would probably be powerless to reverse this. It meant that Otis might have to spend his life in a wheelchair. ¡°Grandpa!¡± Hearing Zade Radcliffe¡¯s voice, Otis suddenly opened his eyes, grabbed hold of Zade Radcliffe with his nearly strengthless hand, and said weakly, ¡°I¡¯ve let you down, Grandpa. I wanted to vent your anger for you, but Julius Reed broke both my legs.¡± ¡°What happened?¡± Hearing this, Zade Radcliffe felt a warmth in his heart. My own grandson, he really does care about me! If he was indeed beaten into having his legs broken by Julius Reed just to vent his anger on my behalf, Zade Radcliffe would risk his life to avenge Otis! ¡°Yesterday, I was drinking with friends and unexpectedly encountered Julius Reed in the bar. After seeing me, he insulted me, but knowing grandfather¡¯s plan, I kept my composure. Who would have thought that after a few drinks, he started to curse at grandfather in the bar!¡± Otis sighed, ¡°The insults were so unbearable, I lost control of my emotions.¡± ¡°What did he say about me!¡± Zade Radcliffe didn¡¯t furrow his brow tightly but instead grasped the bedsheets of Otis¡¯s hospital bed fiercely. ¡°He¡­¡± Otis appeared distressed and shook his head weakly, ¡°Never mind. It¡¯s too vile to repeat.¡± The more Otis held back, the more curious Zade Radcliffe became. ¡°Speak freely, it wasn¡¯t you who did the cursing! I¡¯d like to hear what this son-in-law, who once married into the Radcliffe Family, thinks of this old man!¡± Zade¡¯s eyes narrowed as a murderous intent flashed in them! ¡°He said you ungrateful old bastard, I cured your illness, yet you treated me poorly, even less than a dog in our house!¡± Otis¡¯s face showed difficulty speaking, he stuttered, ¡°That¡¯s not all, he also cursed you for being blind and not recognizing true talent, saying that an old man like you should just die¡­¡± Bang! Zade Radcliffe punched the wall of the hospital room, his face flushed red with anger: ¡°This beast! I fed him, clothed him, and even gave him my granddaughter in marriage! Now, he¡­ he really is an ingratitude!¡± Because Otis¡¯s account was all things Zade had indeed done for Julius Reed, he had no doubt about what Otis said. In fact, he had indeed planned to do so. But while it was one thing for himself to do it, it was completely another for someone else to criticize it. ¡°Grandson, you rest and recover. I¡¯m going to find him!¡± Zade Radcliffe huffed coldly, ¡°Now, our situation is not what it once was. If he wants to die, I will oblige!¡± During his time with Northern Energy Group, aside from amassing a substantial amount of money, Zade Radcliffe also made quite a few friends in high places. These people did their job for money, and as long as the price was right, Julius Reed, even if he had wings, wouldn¡¯t be able to escape! ¡°Grandfather! Patience leads to a better strategy! Your career is just getting started, and if your grandson loses a leg, so be it. We should both endure a little longer, and not act rashly because of me!¡± Otis struggled to sit up from the bed but was in such pain that he broke out in a cold sweat. ¡°I am truly content that grandfather came to see me! It¡¯s worth it, not just breaking both legs, but even if it cost me my life!¡± His face pale, he said weakly, ¡°All these years, I¡¯ve depended on grandfather¡¯s support. I always wanted to do something for you.¡± Moved by Otis¡¯s words, Zade Radcliffe¡¯s tears flowed freely. Although he had dearly loved this grandson for many years, the boy¡¯s waywardness had always disappointed him. But now, because of Julius Reed¡¯s insults, he went to confront him and ended up with broken legs, yet still advised him to consider the bigger picture. What a good grandson! Otis¡¯s words further solidified Zade Radcliffe¡¯s desire for revenge! ¡°Grandson, you rest easy here! Of all my grandchildren, you are the one I love the most. Now that this beast Julius Reed has broken your legs, your grandfather may not be capable of much, but I can at least make him pay a price!¡± Zade Radcliffe patted Otis¡¯s hand and stood up to leave. ¡°Grandfather!¡± Seeing Zade Radcliffe¡¯s resolve, Otis knew his chance had come. ¡°If you don¡¯t have a good plan, I thought of one overnight that has a great chance of killing Julius Reed! Even if it doesn¡¯t kill him, he won¡¯t live long!¡± He grabbed at Zade Radcliffe¡¯s clothes and whispered urgently behind him. Chapter 361 - Chapter 361: Chapter 361 Otis Radcliffe’s Plan_1 Chapter 361: Chapter 361 Otis Radcliffe¡¯s Plan_1 ¡°Do you have a plan?¡± Zade Radcliffe turned around, surprised, and looked at Otis Radcliffe. His grandson seemed to have become a different person entirely, not only deeply understanding the greater good but also learning to use his brain? This was something unimaginable in the past. If Otis had been like this from the start, Quella Radcliffe would have had no chance to rise to power, and he wouldn¡¯t have had to offend a whole host of people just to protect Otis. Now there are many complaints within the family, it¡¯s just that out of respect for his prestige, no one dared to voice them outright. But as long as the prodigal son returns, that is a good thing. ¡°I was up all night last night, thinking about this matter,¡± Otis coughed weakly and said, ¡°Since we are not stronger, we can only outsmart them, besiege Wei to rescue Zhao, and start from Julius Reed¡¯s weakest point!¡± ¡°Continue talking!¡± Zade Radcliffe¡¯s eyes lit up, he nodded, indicating Otis to continue. He had seen Julius Reed¡¯s abilities many times, and even many good martial artists might not be his match. It was exactly because of this that he had been hesitant to act, opting to observe and wait for the right opportunity. ¡°Julius Reed likes Quella Radcliffe!¡± Otis¡¯s mouth curled up in a cold smile, ¡°Even though he knows many rich people, he still dotes on Quella Radcliffe, even going so far as to expend great effort to help Quella Radcliffe seize power! If he didn¡¯t truly like her, with his current status and wealth, what kind of woman couldn¡¯t he find?¡± When put that way by him, Zade Radcliffe also recalled the events of the past three years. Although everyone cursed Julius Reed as useless, this so-called useless man had been utterly submissive to Quella Radcliffe for three years. Afterwards, when he became unexpectedly strong, his conflicts with the Radcliffe Family all stemmed from Quella Radcliffe. Julius Reed had never actively sought anything for himself, including taking over the position of chairman of Radcliffe Group, he even gave all his shares to Quella Radcliffe, continuing to be a good husband. If he didn¡¯t truly love her, why would a man do such a thing? ¡°Are you saying we should start with Quella Radcliffe?¡± Zade Radcliffe was exceedingly shrewd, and upon hearing Otis¡¯s words, he understood the matter clearly. Although the two were divorced, Knox Ridge had been interfering much more. Also, the last time at the group¡¯s entrance, the two were seen together, and Zade Radcliffe had always been doubtful of the authenticity of their divorce because of this. Previously, his thoughts had been only about how to kill Julius Reed, never considering starting from another angle. According to Otis¡¯s words, Quella Radcliffe really was Julius Reed¡¯s biggest weakness! His greatest vulnerable spot! ¡°What do you want to do?¡± He looked at his grandson, his eyes softening. On this path, he was sure to achieve great things. ¡°I found out before, that very impressive woman by Quella Radcliffe¡¯s side has a big connection with Julius Reed. If we rashly take control of Quella Radcliffe, I¡¯m afraid we won¡¯t even have the chance to make a move before dying at that woman¡¯s hand,¡± Otis said, starting to tell Zade Radcliffe the plan based on his analysis and the information Sterling Fairbanks had investigated overnight. ¡°Good! I know that woman. She¡¯s very beautiful, and she¡¯s fierce!¡± Zade Radcliffe nodded, Cosmo¡¯s relationship with Julius Reed wasn¡¯t a secret, after all, she only lived in their house under the pretext of being Julius Reed¡¯s sister. If they really were going to act, Cosmo would be the biggest obstacle. ¡°What is your plan?¡± He looked at Otis, feeling somewhat expectant. His grandchild was finally seeing reason. ¡°Grandpa, Quella Radcliffe is your granddaughter, after all. If you were critically ill, would she or wouldn¡¯t she come back?¡± Otis Radcliffe¡¯s eyes narrowed as he began to scheme. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Zade Radcliffe was taken aback, somewhat at a loss. He was living just fine; was he supposed to pretend to die? Although it¡¯s said that no man is a real man without poison, nobody wishes for a short life. ¡°Grandpa, don¡¯t worry! I know a friend who can get a kind of drug that, once injected, will put someone into a state of suspended animation that¡¯s indistinguishable from death. Half a day later, the drug wears off automatically, and you will be no different from any healthy person, without any side effects!¡± Otis Radcliffe seemed to see Zade Radcliffe¡¯s doubts and hastened to explain. Fearing that Zade Radcliffe wouldn¡¯t believe him, he added, ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯ll test this drug on myself first to ensure it¡¯s completely safe before you inject it.¡± As Otis Radcliffe spoke, he felt somewhat scared. What kind of drug in the world could do that? If he really injected it, he would likely either die or end up in a vegetative state. The reason he said this was to deceitfully gain Zade Radcliffe¡¯s trust. According to Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s promise, if Zade Radcliffe didn¡¯t die, then everything would become Zade Radcliffe¡¯s trophy, and he, as the grandson, wouldn¡¯t be able to operate independently of Zade Radcliffe. But if Zade Radcliffe were dead, the entire Radcliffe Family and the rights to run the Love Island store would all be in his hands! The profit involved was enormous! In the face of wealth, family ties meant nothing. ¡°There¡¯s no need, Grandpa believes you,¡± Zade Radcliffe, after hesitating, finally nodded in agreement. He couldn¡¯t believe that his most cherished grandson would use such means to harm him. ¡°Grandpa, you need to record a heartfelt video apologizing to Quella Radcliffe, something that moves her and makes her let down her guard. When the time comes, just say that your time is running out and you want to see her in secret one last time, not wanting anyone to know, especially Julius Reed. I think Quella Radcliffe won¡¯t refuse your request. Once she is outside of Julius Reed¡¯s protection, we can definitely succeed!¡± Otis Radcliffe was excited, knowing that capturing Quella Radcliffe was equivalent to seizing Julius Reed¡¯s Achilles¡¯ heel. He had even planned out how to humiliate Julius Reed, how to take his revenge, and release all the rage he had accumulated over this period! ¡°I have a friend in the capital city, who has invited an expert who will bring dozens of people to kidnap Quella Radcliffe and keep her at a location. If Julius Reed dares to go there, no matter how capable he is, he will have no place to bury his body!¡± ¡°Good! Otis, you haven¡¯t disappointed Grandpa. Not only do you have a meticulous plan, but you even have friends in the capital city. You¡¯ve grown up, and Grandpa is relieved.¡± Zade Radcliffe nodded, taking hold of Otis Radcliffe¡¯s hand: ¡°When do we start?¡± His hatred for Julius Reed was no less than Otis¡¯s. Being ousted from the company he founded himself had destroyed his credibility in the Radcliffe family, and he had even been insulted! The myriad acts of Julius Reed had filled Zade Radcliffe with deep-seated hatred! Now that he finally had an opportunity for revenge, how could he let it slip away? ¡°Grandpa, my friend is at this hospital. First, record a video expressing regret, to touch Quella Radcliffe¡¯s heart. After you get the injection, I¡¯ll send her the report,¡± Otis Radcliffe said with a heh-heh laugh, completely ignoring the intense pain in his leg. ¡°Quella Radcliffe is a filial person; she will definitely agree to your last request!¡± ¡°There¡¯s no time to lose, I¡¯ll get ready to record now,¡± Zade Radcliffe pulled out his phone, closed his eyes in thought, reminiscing over his actions towards Quella Radcliffe in the past few years. After a while, he turned on his phone, took a deep breath, and began his performance. Chapter 362 - Chapter 362: Chapter 362 The Drama King, Zade Radcliffe_1 Chapter 362: Chapter 362 The Drama King, Zade Radcliffe_1 Gonzalez City, Radcliffe Group office building. Since the Willson Group banquet, many well-known large groups within the province had sought cooperation with the Radcliffe Group. As chairman of the group, Quella Radcliffe had no choice but to become busy. ¡°Chairman, today two more groups have cancelled their cooperation with us and have also refused to pay the penalty.¡± ¡°Manager Leocadia of Blue Sky Real Estate called this morning, asking to terminate the cooperation on the West City project, and they do not plan to pay the remaining balance either.¡± ¡°The general manager of the International Trade Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. from Five-river Province called half an hour ago, saying that the company is in financial difficulties, and the fifty million payment for goods that was originally due at the end of the month is now postponed indefinitely¡­¡± Dempsey Davenport stood in front of Quella Radcliffe, reciting one piece of bad news after another. There were more than a dozen messages in total, all without exception seeking to cancel cooperation. Some were polite, expressing their intentions in a very tactful way. As for others, they were arrogant, showing none of the humility they had before. And all this had started after Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter¡¯s sudden deaths. ¡°All bad news?¡± Leaning back in the chairman¡¯s chair, Quella Radcliffe took a deep breath, ¡°If this continues, the large investment made by the company initially will likely be completely lost. And the vast business we have worked so hard to build up will also have to be cut back significantly.¡± Once business is reduced, it means that the Radcliffe family¡¯s dividends will decrease. If there is infighting in the family, it often leads to the rapid disintegration of the group. Although Quella Radcliffe had always been committed to restructuring the Radcliffe Group, intending to transform the family business into a purely private enterprise, the path to reform was fraught with difficulties. Members of the Radcliffe clan had been in the company for many years and had their unique networks, with many even controlling resources worth tens of millions. If the reforms were too radical and pushed these people to the opposite side of the Radcliffe Group, it would only benefit the competitors for free. In the past two days, Quella Radcliffe had heard nothing but bad news, not a single piece of good news. If this had happened before, she might have fallen apart. But now, having experienced so much, her resistance to pressure had also greatly increased. ¡°The only good news might be that I want to invite you to dinner tonight,¡± said Dempsey Davenport with a helpless shrug, unable to muster any happiness on her face. Officially, she and Quella Radcliffe had a superior-subordinate relationship. But in reality, the two of them got along very well, more like friends who could talk about anything. Originally Dempsey Davenport had rejected a high salary to come here and fight alongside Quella Radcliffe. She had to deal with various internal obstacles and take on the risks of her own choices. She had already offended a large group of people by joining the Radcliffe Group, and if the Radcliffe Group collapsed, she would definitely receive a lot of cold shoulders if she went to the same industry. ¡°That is indeed good news!¡± Quella Radcliffe snapped the file in her hand shut and stretched, ¡°Then let¡¯s have dinner together tonight.¡± ¡°With the company in this state, you still have the appetite to eat. Forget it, a relieved mood is important; everything will get better,¡± sighed Dempsey Davenport as she turned and left the chairman¡¯s office. She had to deal with so many contract terminations every day, it was practically making her head explode. Ding Dong! Just as Quella Radcliffe was preparing to continue with the company¡¯s business, a message arrived on her mobile phone. The moment Quella Radcliffe saw who the message was from, her heart skipped a beat. Because the message was from Zade Radcliffe, her grandfather! The two of them barely had any contact, especially after Julius Reed helped her seize the chairman¡¯s position, the blood-related grandfather and granddaughter had completely turned against each other. ¡°What could it be?¡± Quella Radcliffe, curious, unlocked her phone, only to discover that it was a video message. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, is it a surprise to receive such a message from your grandfather? Don¡¯t be. Grandfather¡¯s ill and might not wake up again.¡± ¡°A man on his deathbed will speak good words. Reflecting on my brief life, I¡¯ve realized the person I¡¯ve wronged the most is you.¡± ¡°I think you¡¯re well aware that Grandpa was very fond of you when you were young, and his love for you was no less than that for Otis. However, you were ultimately a girl, and Grandpa couldn¡¯t pass the company on to you. I also had to consider the dozens of Radcliffe Clan members who have dedicated their lives to the company and are an inseparable part of it.¡± ¡°I know you hate me for agreeing to your marriage to Julius Reed, making you the laughingstock of Gonzalez City. Grandpa is sorry and wants to apologize to you.¡± ¡°You are my favorite among all my granddaughters, but I couldn¡¯t show it. Once I did, it would have brought many against you, making your journey difficult.¡± ¡°Now Grandpa is not doing well, and I can finally tell you the truth. I¡¯ve saved tens of millions in assets, all of which are in a bank account, and the password is your birthday.¡± ¡°The bank card is in my pocket, and Otis doesn¡¯t know about this. Don¡¯t tell anyone else; let it be Grandpa¡¯s compensation to you.¡± ¡°If possible, I would like to see you one last time. I don¡¯t want to leave with regrets, not having your forgiveness before I die¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want others to know, and I certainly don¡¯t want Julius Reed to know. Although he¡¯s your husband, I just can¡¯t forgive him.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re not too busy, please come to see me one last time, so Grandpa can depart peacefully knowing he has seen you.¡± In the video, Zade Radcliffe was dressed in hospital garb, leaning against the wall with a smile on his face, but his expression was one of extreme pain. His pale face was full of guilt and self-reproach. There were many instances during the video when the elderly gentleman, in his seventies, was overwhelmed with tears and couldn¡¯t speak. ¡°Grandpa!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s eyes welled up, and tears began to fall uncontrollably. Although she harbored resentment towards Zade Radcliffe, at the moment she learned of his critical illness, all the resentment vanished into thin air. Swallowing her pain, she dialed the phone. ¡°Hello?¡± On the other side of the telephone, Otis answered. ¡°Where¡¯s Grandpa?¡± Quella asked anxiously. Having experienced Knox Ridge¡¯s feigned illness, Quella hoped Zade was deceiving her too, meaning the old man¡¯s health might still be fine. ¡°Grandpa just passed out, and the doctor says he might never wake up again!¡± Otis said with a choked voice, then couldn¡¯t hold back his tears any longer and began to sob. ¡°Where is Grandpa!¡± Quella felt a tightness in her chest, overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness. The old man¡­ was he really at his end? ¡°I¡¯ll send it to you right now.¡± After hanging up, Otis sent several pictures to Quella via WeChat. One picture showed Zade Radcliffe with his eyes closed, lying on the hospital bed. Another was Zade Radcliffe¡¯s medical report. And every other detail was there to prove, Zade Radcliffe was really not doing well. Thinking of what Zade had just said, Quella hesitated but then decided to go alone. The old man¡¯s last wish, for his final journey, she as his granddaughter hoped to be by his side. Moreover, Julius Reed and Zade Radcliffe had irreconcilable differences, and seeing Julius at this time might worsen Zade¡¯s condition. She picked up her phone and called Cosmo, who was in charge of security: ¡°Cosmo, take some people and check on Anna Harris. I don¡¯t feel comfortable leaving her alone at home. As for me, don¡¯t worry; Julius has already sent several experts to protect me.¡± To leave quietly, Quella had to send Cosmo away. ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°There are no buts, follow my orders.¡± Quella rarely asserted herself this way. Chapter 363 - Chapter 363: Chapter 363: Into the Tiger’s Mouth_1 Chapter 363: Chapter 363: Into the Tiger¡¯s Mouth_1 ¡°Madam, have you been threatened by someone?¡± At the first-floor reception desk, Cosmo asked with extreme vigilance. Officially, her role at the Radcliffe Group was as the reception manager, responsible for logging in visitors¡¯ information and notifying the office of reception matters. But in reality, guarding the entrance to the Radcliffe Group premises meant that many dangerous individuals were unable to get in. As for the floor where Quella Radcliffe was located, unless one could enter by breaking through a window via helicopter, the majority of Shadow Warriors would not be able to infiltrate it. If such a Shadow Warrior really did charge in, then Cosmo would not be able to stop them. Quella Radcliffe¡¯s sudden hard stance today inevitably led Cosmo to suspect that she had encountered danger. Through their brief interactions, the two of them had become as close as sisters, although Cosmo verbally addressed her as Madam, more often they referred to each other as sisters. This kind of sternness was unprecedented. ¡°I am sorry, I might have been a bit emotional,¡± Quella Radcliffe said with a sigh of slight guilt, ¡°The company is facing so many issues right now, and it¡¯s all bad news wherever I turn, making my mood pretty terrible. Don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± Thinking of her Grandfather¡¯s words and that video had brought Quella Radcliffe¡¯s mood to an all-time low. She just wanted to get rid of the people around her and listen to Zade Radcliffe¡¯s words one last time. No matter what, he was still her grandfather. And her husband had gotten into an irrevocable disagreement with Zade Radcliffe due to the Radcliffe Family¡¯s unfair treatment. Faced with this dilemma, Quella Radcliffe decided to visit Zade Radcliffe secretly, leaving herself with no regrets. As long as she didn¡¯t say anything, Julius Reed would not know. She didn¡¯t want Julius Reed to feel obliged to accompany her. Despite the little danger. If it really was as Otis Radcliffe had said, and the medical reports indicated, Zade Radcliffe might not have many days left to live. ¡°It¡¯s good that everything is fine.¡± Cosmo quickly typed on the computer, switching the surveillance footage to Quella Radcliffe¡¯s office. There, she had secretly installed a mini camera to ensure Quella Radcliffe¡¯s safety. Working with the automatic alarm system, the moment anyone forced entry, Cosmo would immediately get an alert. The sensitivity was so high that even a fly passing by would trigger the alarm. Once Cosmo confirmed that Quella Radcliffe was alone in her office, she took a long breath of relief, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll leave a few people to stand guard here, and you don¡¯t have to worry about Anna Harris.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have anything pressing here, and later when I go back, I will arrange for you to come and pick me up. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t step out of this office today. The main concern is about Anna¡ªshe just went through an assassination attempt, and I can¡¯t stop worrying about her,¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s voice softened considerably, ¡°Besides, I have security guards at my door; without my permission, no one can come up here.¡± Ever since the assassination attempt took place, Cosmo, along with her team, had completely revamped the security system of the Radcliffe Group. Now, to get to the floor where Quella Radcliffe was, one needed her personal consent; otherwise, there was no getting up. Regarding access cards, they now used the strongest iris recognition locks; unless Quella Radcliffe herself opened the door, no one else could pass through. This was merely an internal security detail. On the periphery of the Radcliffe Group, Cosmo had dispatched quite a few spies, monitoring any sneak attacks from the Shadow Warriors. If any suspicious individuals were spotted, they would be followed discreetly to determine if they presented any threat. In the reports of the last few days, Cosmo hadn¡¯t identified any dangers. ¡°Check the surroundings for any potential dangers.¡± Cosmo sent a message to the staff, posing as ordinary civilians nearby. Soon after, the hidden scouts reported that within several kilometers, it was absolutely safe. ¡°Phew!¡± With another long breath of relief, Cosmo gave a few final instructions before leaving the Radcliffe Group¡¯s main gate and heading towards the villa where Anna Harris was staying. Thinking of it as deep sisterly affection, Cosmo didn¡¯t overthink it. Meanwhile, back in the chairman¡¯s office, Quella Radcliffe, after ensuring that Cosmo had left, quietly had Dempsey Davenport change into the same clothes as hers and had her pretend to sleep by lying on the desk. Quella herself then switched into Dempsey¡¯s clothes and snuck out through the small rear door of the company. Both women were of similar height. Once outside, Quella climbed directly into Dempsey¡¯s BMW, exited the parking lot, and headed straight for the Harmony Hospital in Five-river Province. Cosmo¡¯s employees mostly paid attention to those entering; they generally weren¡¯t as vigilant with people leaving. Plus, since the BMW owned by Dempsey was well-known to most, it did not raise any suspicion. At this moment in Harmony Hospital of the Five-river Province. Zade Radcliffe was lying on the bed next to Otis Radcliffe¡¯s. Zade¡¯s eyes were tightly closed, his complexion pale, and he appeared grievously ill. He was covered in tubes with several doctors standing around him. ¡°Uncle, I¡¯m entrusting this matter to you.¡± Sterling Fairbanks grasped the hand of one of the doctors, smiling broadly as he spoke. ¡°How¡¯s your father doing?¡± The doctor gently adjusted some equipment and signaled for all the nurses in the room to leave. ¡°My father is doing very well. He specifically asked me to send his regards. He said when he has time, he¡¯ll visit the capital again and will host a meal for you to fulfill the duties of hospitality.¡± Sterling Fairbanks squinted his eyes, his face brimming with joy. The doctor in front of them was called Lazaro Brandon, a former classmate of Sterling¡¯s father. Their relationship had been good when they were young. The previous night, as soon as Sterling learned of Otis¡¯s plan, he immediately called home, and the Hall Family quickly got in touch with Lazaro Brandon, the attending doctor at Harmony Hospital, to play along with Otis¡¯s act. The injected substance given to Zade was Harmony Hospital¡¯s latest experimental drug, still not available for widespread use. Moreover, the drug included components that induced muscle relaxation. After being injected, Zade¡¯s muscles went limp, including a marked slowing of his heartbeat. As for whether he would wake up or become comatose was no longer their concern. After all, even if death occurred, it would be that of Otis¡¯s grandfather, which bore no relation to them. ¡°I¡¯m leaving.¡± Lazaro Brandon patted Sterling¡¯s shoulder and turned to leave the ward. If it weren¡¯t for his daughter needing money urgently for her overseas studies, he would never have gotten involved in this. If the hospital found out, it was the kind of act that could land him in prison. ¡°Take care, Uncle!¡± Once Lazaro left, Sterling¡¯s expression abruptly turned grim. ¡°Where did that woman go?¡± He turned to Otis, his eyes chilly. The incident at the bar had already spread through the capital, with many fair-weather friends calling to inquire. They claimed concern, but most were seizing the opportunity to mock and revel in his misfortune. ¡°I¡¯ll make a call and ask.¡± Otis took out his phone, dialed Quella¡¯s number: ¡°Sis, grandpa¡¯s condition is critical. Where are you now?¡± Unusually, he called her ¡®Sis.¡¯ At such a moment, Quella¡¯s fragile heart warmed, and she subconsciously let down her guard. ¡°I¡¯m about ten minutes away from the city¡¯s west highway toll booth in Five-river Province. How is grandpa now?¡± Talking on the phone while driving on the highway was dangerous, but Quella could not care less. All the way, she was overtaking recklessly, unusually pushing the car beyond 140 miles per hour. ¡°Be safe, grandpa and I will wait for you,¡± Otis said. After hanging up, Otis looked at Sterling: ¡°Mr. Fairbanks, she¡¯ll be at the west highway toll booth of Five-river Province in about ten minutes.¡± ¡°Heh heh! Julius Reed, today I¡¯ll make you regret everything!¡± Sterling Fairbanks took out his phone and sent a message: ¡°Uncle Percival, she¡¯ll be at the city west highway toll booth in ten minutes. I¡¯ll send you the photo later.¡± Chapter 364 - Chapter 364: Chapter 364 You Will Regret This_1 Chapter 364: Chapter 364 You Will Regret This_1 On the highway, Quella Radcliffe was unaware of the danger approaching. Her eyes were fixed on the approaching road signs, and her heart was filled with urgency. The clinical reports couldn¡¯t possibly be fake, and the video recorded by Otis Radcliffe was very real. She was certain that her grandfather was truly sick. And he was on the brink of death. She had cried many times on the road, and as she was about to reach Five-river Province, her mood became even heavier. But when her car approached the ETC, the machine suddenly malfunctioned. ¡°Good day, ma¡¯am.¡± An employee at the highway toll booth walked up to Quella Radcliffe¡¯s car window and gently knocked. ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± Quella Radcliffe lowered her window, asking anxiously, ¡°Is the machine broken? I¡¯m in a hurry, please make it quick!¡± She took out a hundred yuan from her wallet and passed it to the staff member: ¡°Can you let me go first?¡± The toll was seventy-five yuan, but right now, Quella Radcliffe just wanted to rush to the hospital. If she was delayed for even a few minutes and missed seeing Zade Radcliffe for the last time, she would feel guilty for the rest of her life. ¡°It¡¯s like this, ma¡¯am. We received a report that while you were driving on the highway, an object from your car broke the glass of the vehicle behind you. The car owner is currently in our office, please cooperate with us and go over there for a moment.¡± The female toll collector explained with a smile. The drivers in the ETC lane behind were impatiently honking, expressing their impatience. ¡°What¡¯s going on up front! Hurry up!¡± Beep! Beep! Beep! The people of Five-river Province are known for their fierce nature, and their honking grew louder and more frequent. ¡°I haven¡¯t thrown anything at all, you must be mistaken?¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at the toll collector, irritated. She hadn¡¯t opened the windows during the entire trip; how could she have thrown anything out? ¡°Please cooperate with us. As long as we confirm it wasn¡¯t you, we will let you go immediately.¡± The female toll collector still wore a smile, as if it was the only expression she had. ¡°Fine! Where is the person?¡± Quella Radcliffe took a deep breath, not wanting to argue with anyone upon arrival; she planned to simply pay them off and leave. As the CEO of Radcliffe Group, this amount of money was trivial to her; the most important thing was that her grandfather didn¡¯t have much time left, and she couldn¡¯t afford to waste it here. ¡°Please follow me.¡± Guided by the collector, Quella Radcliffe drove her car to a vacant area outside the toll station and followed the collector into the inner part of the highway station. As soon as she entered the room, she saw a middle-aged man holding a black umbrella, standing at the entrance. ¡°Is it you?¡± Quella Radcliffe opened her wallet, taking out a stack of money: ¡°This should be enough. If it¡¯s not, call me. No matter how much it is, I will give it to you without shortchanging you. I really have an emergency right now; can we settle it this way?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want money.¡± The man grinned: ¡°I want your life!¡± Whoosh! Before Quella Radcliffe could react, the black umbrella came crashing down! She felt only darkness before her eyes as she fainted. The female toll collector quickly caught her and hoisted Quella Radcliffe up, carrying her to the BMW car Dempsey Davenport drove. ¡°Mr. Fairbanks, it¡¯s taken care of. I¡¯m heading to the sewage plant in the west of the city. You can make the call now.¡± The middle-aged man put away the black umbrella and lit a cigarette from his pocket. At that moment inside the Paper Drunk Golden Tavern, Julius Reed sat with Lucan Davenport in Finn Carmichael¡¯s manager¡¯s office, gradually analyzing who was manipulating the Wolf Cavalry from behind the scenes. Now, Julius Reed didn¡¯t want to reveal his identity, letting more people know he was alive; that way, he wouldn¡¯t be able to dig out the people who betrayed him from the shadows. As the three of them were discussing, Cosmo¡¯s phone suddenly rang. Seeing this call, Julius Reed¡¯s heart tightened. Cosmo was responsible for guarding Quella Radcliffe¡¯s safety; it was very likely that something had happened to her. ¡°What happened!¡± Julius Reed answered the phone, his nerves immediately tensing up. Even Lucan Davenport and Finn Carmichael sitting beside him were surprised; Julius Reed had never seemed this anxious before. ¡°Master¡­ I¡­ I lost track of the mistress.¡± With a crying tone, Cosmo recounted the whole incident. When she returned to the villa, something felt off. But after checking the location tracker hidden on Quella Radcliffe, and finding that she had been in the office the whole time, she felt relieved. On the surveillance, she was also seen lying on the desk asleep. However, Dempsey Davenport hadn¡¯t anticipated being watched; she played with her cellphone for a while, and Cosmo immediately detected something amiss. After rushing back to Radcliffe Group, Cosmo interrogated Dempsey Davenport and learned that Quella Radcliffe had secretly left for several hours. ¡°Dempsey Davenport, if anything happens to Quella Radcliffe, I¡¯ll have you buried with her!¡± Julius Reed said coldly. ¡°Master, it¡¯s my fault, please punish me!¡± Cosmo was extremely remorseful on the phone, it was hard to imagine that the Shadow Warrior, known as the Empress of the underworld, would blame herself so much. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, if she wanted to sneak away, it was to shake you off. Check where Dempsey Davenport¡¯s car is.¡± Julius Reed took a deep breath, trying to console Cosmo. ¡°In Five-river Province, it was stopped at the highway exit, I¡¯ve retrieved the footage.¡± Cosmo quickly replied. Upon discovering that Quella Radcliffe was missing, she immediately traced Dempsey Davenport¡¯s BMW. ¡°Good, don¡¯t blame yourself. Since she¡¯s within the province, I¡¯ll handle it.¡± Julius Reed hung up the phone, then looked up at Finn Carmichael, ¡°Find the trace of this BMW for me.¡± He pushed the cell phone towards Finn Carmichael, but before the image could be brought up, the phone suddenly rang. ¡°Is this Julius Reed? Your wife is in my hands, you¡¯ve seen it, this is her cell phone. Be smart and come alone. If I find anyone following, your wife is done for!¡± A sinister voice came through the phone. ¡°West City Sewage Plant, you have half an hour!¡± ¡°If a single hair on my wife is harmed, I¡¯ll have your entire family buried with her!¡± Whoosh! Julius Reed slammed the desk fiercely and slowly stood up. At that moment, the ring on his hand sparkled with a dazzling red light. ¡­ West City Sewage Plant. Sterling Fairbanks was standing at the entrance to the sewage plant; despite the muggy air, he felt refreshed. ¡°Whimper, whimper, whimper¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe was bound to a chair, a rag stuffed in her mouth, unable to scream for help. ¡°Julius Reed is quite fortunate, I haven¡¯t encountered many delicate girls like you.¡± Sterling Fairbanks turned and walked up to Quella Radcliffe, surveying her from top to bottom with a very greedy gaze. Such a figure, such delicate skin, undoubtedly ignited his lustful fire. But first, there was business to attend to, killing Julius Reed! ¡°Once I¡¯m done, we¡¯ll have a good time together!¡± Sterling Fairbanks swallowed his saliva, glanced at his watch on his wrist. It had been fifteen minutes since he made the call. ¡°Boss, he¡¯s here. Just one person, no other helpers detected around.¡± The voice of Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s bodyguard employee came through the earpiece. ¡°Keep a tight watch! Make sure no one else comes close!¡± He turned to face the middle-aged man holding a black umbrella, ¡°Uncle Percival, he¡¯s here. Don¡¯t kill him; crippling him is enough, I want to torture him properly!¡± Having said that, he yanked the rag from Quella Radcliffe¡¯s mouth, ¡°Look closely, your man will soon be kneeling in front of me like a dog!¡± ¡°You will regret this!¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at Sterling Fairbanks coldly, her face showing no fear. Chapter 365 - Chapter 365: Chapter 365: I’ll Help You Save Face_1 Chapter 365: Chapter 365: I¡¯ll Help You Save Face_1 ¡°Still so defiant in the face of death!¡± Smack! Sterling Fairbanks slapped Quella Radcliffe across the face, ¡°Disgusting woman, I¡¯ve changed my mind. Your ex-husband won¡¯t be killed just yet. After he¡¯s been tormented enough, I want him to watch, eyes wide open, as you¡¯re under me, being enjoyed. Haha! That feeling, I think Julius Reed will like it very much.¡± After speaking, he looked at Quella Radcliffe with a face full of malevolence, ¡°I heard you two have been married for many years without ever consummating the relationship? What a treat for me, then. Such beauty, completely untouched, the thought alone is thrilling!¡± If it weren¡¯t for Julius Reed not showing up, he really would have wanted to find a place to enjoy himself first. Quella Radcliffe was different from other women, she did not carry the aura of the streets, which made her even more attractive. ¡°You will die a very horrible death! My husband will surely kill you!¡± Even with a clear handprint on her face, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s eyes remained fiercely sharp, ¡°Believe me, you will regret being born into this world.¡± After experiencing such an event, Quella Radcliffe also calmed down. The man didn¡¯t know her personally; if it was just an enemy of Julius Reed¡¯s, why would they have coincidentally timed it when she was getting off the highway ramp? Now thinking about it, it was very likely that Zade Radcliffe and Otis Radcliffe were involved as well. But, was Zade Radcliffe¡¯s illness fake? Yet, Otis Radcliffe wasn¡¯t here, and this brazen youth before her hadn¡¯t mentioned him, so what exactly was the relationship between this abduction and Otis Radcliffe? At that moment, her worry for Julius Reed was overwhelming. For one, the man with the black umbrella was very skilled, and secondly, she was restrained by someone else. If these people were just here to trouble Julius Reed, Quella Radcliffe wouldn¡¯t worry at all. Having been through so much together with Julius Reed, Quella Radcliffe was certain that if her husband wanted to leave, no one could stop him. ¡°Where is my wife.¡± Just then, a grim voice came from the entrance of the sewage plant. Following that, Julius Reed kicked the iron gate atop the sewage, toppling it over, and walked in slowly. Seeing this, Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s heart pounded wildly. Is this even human? Such a heavy gate was just kicked down with one foot. But Uncle Percival, Kairo Percival beside him, also possessed the same strength. Now, Sterling Fairbanks felt even more fortunate to have abducted Quella Radcliffe. If they didn¡¯t have this woman, even if they could kill Julius Reed, it would likely come at a tremendous cost. ¡°Isn¡¯t that Mr. Reed? Long time no see! Didn¡¯t you miss me?¡± Sterling Fairbanks, with hands clasped behind his back, slowly walked to the edge of the warehouse, smiling at Julius Reed, who was not far away, ¡°I¡¯m really sorry for inviting your wife over for a cup of tea and to enjoy the view. Apologies that the sewage plant doesn¡¯t have the best scenery, please endure it!¡± He feigned a salute with clasped hands but deliberately exposed Quella Radcliffe, who was tied up behind him. ¡°Speak, what will it take for you to release her.¡± Julius Reed looked at Quella Radcliffe, his ring starting to flash with a red glow, which got brighter and brighter! Until it turned blood red! In the martial world, the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance also had another title! The Hidden Dragon King! When the Dragon King is furious, rivers of blood will flow! Where his gaze falls, not a blade of grass grows! This Alliance Hierarch ring, also known as the Dragon Scale Ring! The dragon¡¯s reverse scale, untouchable! ¡°Mr. Reed, you were quite the imposing figure yesterday! I, the young master, was beaten by you, kneeling and begging like a dog for your forgiveness.¡± Sterling Fairbanks sneered, slowly approaching, and the bodyguards behind him immediately followed suit, circling around him. Ensure that nothing goes wrong. These bodyguards are all one in a hundred, highly skilled! And they are all desperadoes! ¡°I harbor no ill will today either, Young Master Sterling Fairbanks simply wants to taste what it¡¯s like to be begged for mercy. Of course, it would be best on your knees.¡± Sterling Fairbanks pinched the button on his sleeve and began speaking slowly: ¡°If I¡¯m in a good mood, Mr. Reed¡¯s ex-wife will naturally be unharmed, after all, we¡¯re all friends here!¡± His meaning was crystal clear, everything he had endured yesterday, Julius Reed would have to return today! You know that she¡¯s my ex-wife, so how can you be so sure that I would beg you for mercy because of her?¡± Julius Reed said with his hands behind his back, smiling at Sterling Fairbanks: ¡°Besides, haven¡¯t you forgotten something? I am friends with Sophia Leocadia. With just one word from her, I think the Hall Family would not dare defy me, right?¡± Upon hearing these words, Sterling Fairbanks¡¯ complexion instantly darkened. If it weren¡¯t for Sophia Leocadia yesterday, why would he have had to kneel and beg like a dog? ¡°Julius Reed! You¡¯ve destroyed my reputation! Just this morning, everyone in the capital knows that I knelt before you like a dog!¡± Sterling Fairbanks said fiercely: ¡°If you dare involve Sophia Leocadia, I¡¯ll kill both you and your ex-wife! Since I¡¯m already ruined, what do I have to fear! Don¡¯t believe me, just try me!¡± Desperadoes always carry a fierce energy. ¡°Don¡¯t say that, I¡¯m really scared now.¡± Julius Reed said helplessly: ¡°What needs to be done to let her go? I advise you to calm down, otherwise it will be very disgraceful. The Young Master of Hall Family, if discovered to be involved in kidnapping and murder, that would be quite undignified, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± By now, it was clear that the other party understood his relationship with Quella Radcliffe, otherwise, they would not have gone to great lengths to lure her from Gonzalez City. Speaking of the fact they had divorced was utterly meaningless and served no purpose. Everyone¡¯s no fool. ¡°Heh! Julius Reed, I really admire your composure. Anyone else probably would have fallen to their knees begging by now.¡± Sterling Fairbanks¡¯ mouth twitched incessantly, as the humiliation from yesterday seeped into his mind. At this moment, he thought only of revenge! Revenge! ¡°Sorry, but it seems there¡¯s no one in this world who could make me kneel.¡± Julius Reed shook his head, his face still devoid of any tension. This made Sterling Fairbanks doubt whether their reputed relationship was truly as important as it was made out to be. If Julius Reed really didn¡¯t care about his ex-wife, then today would likely turn into a fierce battle. ¡°I¡¯m asking you one last time!¡± Sterling Fairbanks slowly raised his hand, and Kairo Percival inside the warehouse immediately activated the umbrella mechanism, extending a sharp blade from the tip of the umbrella. And this blade pressed against Quella Radcliffe¡¯s neck, ready to stab at any moment. ¡°Are you going to kneel, or not! If you don¡¯t kneel, I¡¯ll kill her right now!¡± Sterling Fairbanks¡¯ eyes burned with a fiery red, raging to the extreme! He was the one who had kidnapped her, he was the one in a position of advantage! So why did Julius Reed always appear so nonchalant! He wanted to see fear in his eyes, fear. Only then would Sterling Fairbanks feel satisfied and able to release the humiliation burning inside him. But from the moment he entered the door, Julius Reed had been unfazed. ¡°I told you, there¡¯s no one who can make me kneel. And you, you¡¯re the least worthy of all.¡± Julius Reed took a step forward, and the bodyguards immediately drew their long knives, vigilantly watching. ¡°Do you want your wife to die?¡± Sterling Fairbanks roared. ¡°Your life, I¡¯ll take it. Since you, the Great Young Master Fairbanks, don¡¯t want to save face today, then I¡¯ll help you lose it!¡± After saying this, Julius Reed extended his hand forward, and instantly from his sleeve sprung a long whip! Chapter 366 - Chapter 366: Chapter 366: The Revenge of a Father’s Death_1 Chapter 366: Chapter 366: The Revenge of a Father¡¯s Death_1 ¡°Do you really think I¡¯m not afraid to kill your wife?¡± Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s heart lurched with fear. Prior to this, his plan was for Julius Reed to submit because of Quella Radcliffe, so he could torture him first, then violate Quella Radcliffe in front of Julius Reed, and finally throw them both into the sewage pit, creating the illusion of an accidental drowning death. But the first part wasn¡¯t going according to plan at all. Julius Reed¡¯s reaction when he saw Quella Radcliffe bound was not worry or fear, not even a hint of nervousness. From the moment he entered the door, his face was expressionless, punctuated only by the occasional smile. Now he was even ready to strike! Keep in mind, the knife in Kairo Percival¡¯s hand was still pressed against Quella Radcliffe¡¯s neck; a single thrust forward, and she would be gone. ¡°Who do you think you are? You think you can kill just because you wish to? Try touching my wife!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s right hand clutched a golden whip, his eyes filled with contempt. ¡°You¡¯re forcing my hand!¡± Sterling Fairbanks yelled, ¡°Uncle Moore, disfigure her face first!¡± Being provoked in such a manner, Sterling Fairbanks was fuming internally, nearly driven to madness. ¡°Understood!¡± Kairo Percival lifted his black umbrella slightly, speaking indifferently, ¡°No choice, bear with it.¡± After that, the knife blade was about to swipe across Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face. Whoosh! Just at that moment, a sharp sound of something cutting through air reached them! Kairo Percival instinctively took a step back, his black umbrella springing open in a flash! Clang! Clang! Clang! Three steel knives struck the umbrella, sparking brightly upon impact. ¡°Who dares to attack from the shadows!¡± Kairo Percival turned around, looking extremely serious at what was behind him. If he had been just a second slower, those three steel knives might have already pierced through his body! The blades were overwhelmingly powerful, leaving three marks even on his ancestral umbrella. ¡°Black Impermanence Kairo Percival, you do have some skills,¡± remarked a voice. Whoosh! A figure descended swiftly from the sky, followed by a barrage of flying knives! ¡°You low-life!¡± Kairo Percival was about to grab Quella Radcliffe and use her as a shield, but the knives were moving too fast. He was forced to retreat, spinning the black umbrella continuously. Meanwhile, another figure landed beside Quella Radcliffe, and with a fierce slash of the dagger, cut through all the ropes that bound her. ¡°Who on earth are you!¡± Kairo Percival¡¯s face was filled with seriousness. He felt that this person was strong, and if it came to a real fight, they might be evenly matched. But the assailant¡¯s movements were even more elusive, making Kairo all the more disadvantaged if caught by surprise. ¡°I am known as the Western Swordsman, Lucan Davenport.¡± Lucan Davenport slowly drew a longsword from his back, placing Quella Radcliffe behind him, ¡°Sister-in-law, sorry for the scare.¡± ¡°Thank you¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe, dazzled by the display, felt as if she were watching a fight between immortals. She loosened her hands and moved her limbs to relieve the stiffness. Being tied to the chair had left her hands and feet sore, with pale marks already appearing on her wrists. ¡°Why didn¡¯t my men detect you?¡± Kairo Percival closed his black umbrella, revealing the extremely sharp blade on its tip. ¡°They did notice me, but they didn¡¯t get the chance to utter a sound before I slaughtered them.¡± Lucan Davenport chuckled, ¡°The Jianghu calls Quella Radcliffe ¡®Black Impermanence,¡¯ known for her unique Soul Summoning Umbrella. Today, I would like to learn from you, I wonder if you have the time?¡± He held the Longsword with both hands and lightly licked his lips. ¡°How do you know me?¡± Quella Radcliffe gripped the handle of the umbrella tightly, feeling somewhat shocked inside. The title of Black Impermanence hadn¡¯t been mentioned in many years, and even fewer people knew the name of this umbrella. The fact that this young man before her could recite both her title and the name of her umbrella indicated that he must also be a fellow Martial Artist. The Percival Family had practiced martial arts for generations; the Soul Summoning Umbrella had been passed down through countless generations. Both the ribs and the material of the umbrella were extremely sturdy¡ªit could not even be penetrated by darts. Fifteen years ago, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s father, Arlo Percival, was defeated and died at Percivalset Peak, leaving this umbrella deeply embedded in the cliff¡¯s edge. It wasn¡¯t until ten years ago that Quella Radcliffe, with the support of the Hall Family, diligently mastered her family¡¯s martial arts and finally reached Percivalset Peak to retrieve the Percival Family¡¯s heirloom Soul Summoning Umbrella. Afterward, as the Hall Family made enemies continuously during their expansion, violent confrontations were inevitable. It was during this time that Quella Radcliffe¡¯s moniker ¡®Black Impermanence¡¯ became well-known. Over the past decade, the number of skilled fighters and wealthy merchants who had died at her hands was countless. Many people, who heard the name Black Impermanence, were too frightened to engage in any conflict, and even those who matched the Hall Family in strength and influence would obediently back down upon seeing Quella Radcliffe. No one thinks they have too long to live. How terrifying must a person be who can block darts with ease? Years ago, a business conglomerate kidnapped Sterling Fairbanks; Quella Radcliffe single-handedly, with an umbrella, charged into the crowd. Under the fire of several submachine guns, she killed everyone in the warehouse and brought Sterling Fairbanks safely home. To this day, it remains an eagerly discussed topic amongst the locals. But being too prominent invites trouble, and upon realizing this, Quella Radcliffe chose to keep a low profile. It was quite surprising for someone so young to recognize her now. ¡°Do you still remember the person who killed your father?¡± she immediately asked in a casual tone, her hands resting on the sword. Her posture was like that of two acquaintances having a chat, not resembling the quiet before a fight between sworn enemies. ¡°Renaldo Davenport! This name I¡¯ve always remembered! What a pity, ten years ago he died of illness, and no one knows the whereabouts of the Davenports. Why do you mention this?¡± Quella Radcliffe frowned slightly, not understanding why the other party would bring up her father at this time. Was he trying to get close to her? But she had long aligned with the Hall Family, and even if it were an old friend, she feared she would have to ruthlessly deal with a Shadow Warrior. ¡°Renaldo Davenport had a son, named Lucan.¡± Lucan Davenport chuckled, ¡°His son is me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s pupils shrank suddenly, and her hand holding the Soul Summoning Umbrella trembled. After mastering her skills back in the day, her first act was to avenge her father, but after searching the world over, she finally learned that Renaldo Davenport was already dead. Even the whereabouts of his only son were unknown. Now facing her enemy, she felt extreme enmity. ¡°You dare to show your face before me!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s eyes began to redden and her muscles tensed. The hatred for her father¡¯s killer was unbearable! ¡°My father¡¯s death had everything to do with the Percivals!¡± Lucan Davenport¡¯s face lost its previous smile, and he said coldly, ¡°Your father betrayed the organization. My father went to stop him. Although he killed the traitor on the spot, your father managed to poison him!¡± In this moment, his face bore the chill of frost, gone was the playful grin from before. ¡°Nonsense! There¡¯s no need for words between us, today¡¯s battle will settle life and death!¡± Quella Radcliffe lost her previous composure. In the face of her father¡¯s murder, everyone becomes crazed! ¡°Then let¡¯s do it!¡± Lucan Davenport gripped the Longsword, emitting a wave of killing intent. ¡°I say, it was supposed to be me saving my wife today. What are you two fighting about?¡± Julius Reed walked toward the warehouse, facing the approaching security guards. In his hand, the golden whip was like the scythe of the Grim Reaper, anyone it swept over would surely fall! Even though the security guards charged at him wave after wave, not one could stop Julius Reed¡¯s advance. It only took seven steps for blood to flow like a river. In front of him, only Sterling Fairbanks remained. Thump! ¡°Boss, please don¡¯t kill me¡­¡± The previously arrogant Sterling Fairbanks suddenly dropped to his knees, his eyes void of life. Chapter 367 - Chapter 367: Chapter 367 Unable to Transmit_1 Chapter 367: Chapter 367 Unable to Transmit_1 ¡°Young Master of Hall Family, how come you are kneeling on the ground?¡± Julius Reed stood beside Sterling Fairbanks, his eyes, however, were fixed on Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Brother Davenport, I was wrong¡­¡± Sterling Fairbanks begged for mercy while kneeling, sneaking glances at Kairo Percival and subtly gesturing for help. ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Lucan Davenport also noticed something amiss and produced a row of throwing knives in his hand, ¡°If you dare to move, I will make sure you die!¡± Kairo Percival frowned slightly, watching Lucan Davenport warily and daring not to make a rash move. Although he really wanted to save Sterling Fairbanks, after all, the Hall Family had shown him kindness. But to act now would mean being caught between two fronts, facing a dilemma. He wasn¡¯t afraid of confronting Lucan Davenport head-on, but he couldn¡¯t guard against Lucan¡¯s sneak attack while considering Julius Reed at the same time. Julius Reed had just made his way over, clearing the path with his golden whip, and those capable fighters all fell to the ground, dead beyond doubt. Against such a fearsome person, Kairo Percival dared not be the least bit careless. At the same time, he severely cursed Sterling Fairbanks in his heart¡ªwhat kind of monster had he provoked? Seeing that Kairo Percival couldn¡¯t move, Sterling Fairbanks quickly kowtowed to Julius Reed, ¡°Brother Davenport, please give me another chance. As long as you spare me, I swear from today onward I¡¯ll be your dog! Whatever you need, I will satisfy!¡± All he thought about was escaping back to the capital, now his last hope was Kairo Percival. He had thought that his men would be more than enough to handle Julius Reed, but they didn¡¯t even have the strength to resist, and the well-chosen bodyguards he had brought were all dead, not even having touched Julius Reed¡¯s clothes. Who on earth was this man? ¡°Mr. Sebastian Hall, as the esteemed young master of the capital, how can you kneel on the ground? I¡¯ve said before, you should conduct yourself with dignity.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, looking sideways at Sterling Fairbanks, ¡°Wasn¡¯t it just now you were demanding I kneel to you, threatening me with my wife? How come you¡¯ve become so spineless?¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, Brother Davenport, I¡¯m spineless, I¡¯m nothing but a dog! I swear to the heavens, I will never offend you again!¡± Sterling Fairbanks desperately kowtowed, pleading, ¡°Please give me one chance!¡± Now he was truly scared, and although he planned to arrange for revenge once he got back, at this very moment, his fear was palpable. A deep-rooted fear. ¡°I don¡¯t like spineless people. If you could stand up and face the consequences now, I might have a higher opinion of you,¡± the corner of Julius Reed¡¯s mouth quirked upward. But to Sterling Fairbanks, this smile looked utterly terrifying. Chilling! ¡°Hiss!¡± He took a deep breath, trembling as he stood up, only to find his back already drenched, and his forehead covered in sweat. ¡°I said, you Young Master Hall should carry himself with some dignity. If you don¡¯t want to be dignified, then I¡¯ll help you!¡± Crack! Julius Reed swung his golden whip, striking directly at Sterling Fairbanks¡¯s knee and shattering the bones! Crack! Before Sterling Fairbanks could even feel the pain, his other leg, too, was broken! ¡°Ahh¡­¡± Having lost the support of his legs, Sterling Fairbanks fell to his knees once again, his face contorted as he screamed in agony. How could a rich and pampered young master accustomed to being waited on hand and foot ever have endured such pain? If it were not for the relentless pain keeping him alert, Sterling Fairbanks might have fainted. ¡°Now that¡¯s more dignified! You¡¯re all kneeling anyway, but once down, don¡¯t think of standing up again.¡± Julius Reed patted Sterling Fairbanks on the head, then pushed him away harshly. ¡°You two, is there such a story between you?¡± He walked over to a chair and slowly sat down. Before arriving, Lucan Davenport had no idea that the opponent was the descendant of his own nemesis. This fully corroborated a saying: the world is small, step outside and you¡¯ll meet your enemies. ¡°This umbrella, I remember it well! It was because of the deadly poison on this umbrella that my father suffered for several years in agonizing pain,¡± Lucan Davenport looked at the Soul-Calling Umbrella, his expression growing darker. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for this umbrella, I wouldn¡¯t even have recognized this man as Kairo Percival, the Black Impermanence!¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s fight. If you can¡¯t beat him, I¡¯ll help you.¡± Julius Reed stuck the golden whip into the ground and assumed the air of a spectator, eager for the show. ¡°Let¡¯s end this!¡± Although Kairo Percival was wary of Julius Reed, he figured if he could kill Lucan Davenport first, the rest would not be so troublesome. He was confident in his own abilities, and with the indestructible black umbrella that even darts couldn¡¯t pierce, he wasn¡¯t afraid of a drawn-out battle! ¡°Agreed!¡± Lucan Davenport, wielding his Longsword, struck sparks off the ground. ¡°Fight!¡± The two men roared simultaneously, their weapons clashing with ferocious force! Whoom! The thunderous vibration made Quella Radcliffe involuntarily cover her ears, her face twisted in pain. Clang! Clang! Two rounds later, Lucan Davenport¡¯s shoulder injury had worsened due to the intense vibrations, and the wound had split open. He lightly touched it and saw the blood seeping slowly through his clothes. ¡°You¡¯re wounded?¡± Kairo Percival was first taken aback, then overwhelmed with joy. It seemed like the will of heaven! To win against an opponent with an injured arm seemed all too easy for him! Though he had been concerned about Lucan Davenport¡¯s exquisite swordsmanship, facing a one-armed adversary, Kairo Percival began to deliberately target Lucan Davenport¡¯s left shoulder! The Longsword whistled through the air, and with each collision against the black umbrella, Lucan Davenport experienced intense pain. The unceasing blood loss turned his complexion deathly pale, and his forehead was covered with cold sweat. Slice! Finally, confident that Lucan Davenport was at a disadvantage, Kairo Percival executed his killing move! The sharp tip of the umbrella, like a gleam of cold light, sliced directly towards Lucan Davenport¡¯s neck! Clang! Just as the blade was about to reach Lucan Davenport¡¯s neck, the golden whip arrived with a swish, knocking the black umbrella askew! ¡°If you¡¯re injured, don¡¯t push yourself so hard.¡± Julius Reed caught the golden whip in the air and couldn¡¯t help furrowing his brow upon seeing blood at Lucan Davenport¡¯s wound. ¡°Uncle Percival, kill them!¡± Sterling Fairbanks, though in excruciating pain, had witnessed Kairo Percival defeat Lucan Davenport! He wanted vengeance, he wanted to kill the young man who had broken his legs! ¡°Do you want him dead or alive?¡± Julius Reed turned to look at Lucan Davenport, whose face was already ghastly pale due to the severity of his injuries. Lucan Davenport took a deep breath and said in a low voice, ¡°Alive!¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s spare his life.¡± Julius Reed turned around, his ring starting to emit a red glow. ¡°Let¡¯s die together!¡± With the defeat of Lucan Davenport, Kairo Percival¡¯s confidence surged! In a one-on-one duel, he saw no difficulty. ¡°Beckoning Umbrella, the Percival Family heirloom?¡± Julius Reed held the golden whip, looking coldly at Kairo Percival before him. ¡°Indeed! Passed down through generations of my family, you wouldn¡¯t be wronged to die by this umbrella. Even Gatling¡¯s darts could not penetrate it; I doubt there¡¯s anything in this world that can!¡± Kairo Percival said proudly, his face lighting up at the mention of the umbrella. Throughout history, the appearance of this umbrella would trigger a frenzy of conflict among all powers! But the Percival Family had always been powerful and had safeguarded the umbrella through generations. If it weren¡¯t for his father¡¯s untimely death, he wouldn¡¯t have ended up dependent on the Hall Family. Clang! Before he could finish, Julius Reed burst forward! The golden whip collided with the black umbrella, piercing through the surface and stabbing into Kairo Percival¡¯s chest. ¡°This family heirloom ends with your generation.¡± Chapter 368 - Chapter 368: Chapter 368 Trouble_1 Chapter 368: Chapter 368 Trouble_1 The Soul-Calling Umbrella, the heirloom of the Percival Family. By the time it reached Kairo Percival, it had already been passed down through at least ten generations. The umbrella¡¯s surface bore many scars, all marks from battles fought over hundreds of years. No divine weapon, be it blade, spear, staff, or even modern firearms, could penetrate the Soul-Calling Umbrella. Yet now, in Julius Reed¡¯s hands, the golden whip actually pierced through it! A third of the golden whip was embedded in Kairo Percival¡¯s body, the whip¡¯s shaft, etched with a golden dragon, constantly dripping with fresh blood. drip! In the silent air, the only sound was blood falling on the concrete ground. Kairo Percival¡¯s eyes widened in fear and pain. But above all, disbelief! In this world, there was actually a weapon that could pierce through the Soul-Calling Umbrella! Spurt! Julius Reed violently pulled out the golden whip, casually wiped the blood on Kairo Percival, and said indifferently, ¡°Is this it? Just a piece of scrap metal!¡± Just a piece of scrap metal! These four words were a death sentence to the heart! Thud! Kairo Percival spat out a mouthful of blood and knelt on one knee, his body trembling uncontrollably. ¡°How is it possible! How could this¡­¡± He looked at the pierced hole in the umbrella, unable to believe it was real. A black hole about five centimeters wide appeared on the surface of the umbrella, with rough, ragged edges. And in Julius Reed¡¯s hands, that golden whip remained completely unscathed, not even a mark on it. Except for¡­ the bloodstains. ¡°You take care of it.¡± Julius Reed tossed the golden whip, and in an instant, it was back in his sleeve. Having lived for over ten thousand years, since the Xia Shang, Julius Reed had always enjoyed the best resources in the world. His immortality allowed him to go anywhere and do anything he dared. Including this golden whip, which was originally just a meteorite from outer space. It took Julius Reed a thousand years to craft it into the golden whip in his hands. The whip was rectangular, engraved with eight dragons, and from any direction, five dragons were always visible. Of course, the ninth dragon was none other than the Hidden Dragon King, Julius Reed himself. The supreme emperor, nothing less. In this world, there was nothing the golden whip could not penetrate! Calling the Soul-Calling Umbrella a piece of scrap metal was not an exaggeration at all for Julius Reed. ¡°Young Master, this¡­¡± Even Lucan Davenport, standing by, was too shocked to come back to his senses. The two feuding families knew each other very well. Lucan had long heard of the power of the Soul-Calling Umbrella. Who would have thought that in a direct confrontation, the widely proclaimed divine weapon, the Soul-Calling Umbrella, would immediately turn into trash. ¡°Go and do your thing.¡± Julius Reed waved his hand, indicating to Lucan Davenport to take his revenge. He himself stood up and walked over to Quella Radcliffe. The person who suffered the most from the kidnapping was his own wife. Her once peaceful life had been shattered, and now she spent her days in constant fear and apprehension. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Julius Reed approached and took her into his arms. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Quella Radcliffe shook her head and threw herself into Julius Reed¡¯s embrace. But suddenly, Julius Reed¡¯s breathing became faster, and his body tensed. ¡°Who slapped you on the face?¡± He saw clearly that there was a handprint on Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face! It was still very distinct even now! ¡°Sterling Fairbanks,¡± Quella Radcliffe said as she looked at Sterling Fairbanks kneeling on the ground, a flash of hatred in her eyes. ¡°Wait for me.¡± Julius Reed kissed her forehead lightly and turned toward Sterling Fairbanks. ¡°What are you going to do!¡± Sterling Fairbanks, sweating from pain, saw Julius Reed approaching and was so frightened that he shook all over. Disregarding his broken knees, he tried to crawl away from the scene. ¡°Don¡¯t come any closer!¡± He howled weakly while using all his strength, enduring immense pain as he crawled toward the door. But how could he escape when he could hardly cover half a meter per second? Thud! Thud! The footsteps of Julius Reed echoed like the death knell of the Grim Reaper, each step sending shivers of terror through Sterling Fairbanks! He was scared! Truly terrified. Had he known how invincible this man was, he would never have provoked him. But there¡¯s no medicine for regret in this world, truly none. ¡°Which hand did you use?¡± Julius Reed squatted above Sterling Fairbanks, calmly asking. This calmness sent chills down Sterling¡¯s spine! If it had been anger, he wouldn¡¯t have been so scared. But it was precisely this unexpected calm that made him shiver with fear, even forgetting the wound on his knee. ¡°Please, Brother Davenport, I beg you, give me a chance. Just one!¡± Sterling Fairbanks pleaded with a sob, crawling on the ground and kowtowing desperately: ¡°I beg you, I¡¯ll call you grandpa. Give me a chance to make amends, whatever conditions you set, I¡¯ll accept them!¡± He was truly on the verge of collapse. First, by kidnapping Quella Radcliffe, he thought he had gained the upper hand. Then he hired Black Impermanence, Kairo Percival, to guard this dilapidated sewage plant. He had the advantage of time, place, and people, but Julius Reed alone had foiled the plan! Indeed, in the face of overwhelming strength, any scheme or deceit was like a passing cloud. Utterly ineffective! Faced with such a formidable figure, whose whip could pierce through the soul-summoning umbrella, who could withstand it? Now, he wasn¡¯t seeking to come out unscathed; just to stay alive was to succeed. ¡°Forget it, no matter which hand you used, I¡¯ll just assume you used both.¡± Julius Reed gave a faint smile and quickly pulled out a dagger from his pants. ¡°You must never touch the dragon¡¯s reverse scale!¡± Pfft! He drove the knife down, piercing right through Sterling Fairbanks¡¯ palm! ¡°Ahh¡­¡± Sterling Fairbanks collapsed to the ground, his fingers trembling nonstop, yet he dared not move an inch. The excruciating pain made him wish for death, but the desire to live forced him to endure. ¡°Is this dignified enough for you?¡± Pfft! Julius Reed pulled out the dagger and stabbed it down viciously once more! This time Sterling didn¡¯t make it through and passed out. But Julius Reed didn¡¯t care about any of that; he pulled out the dagger and aimed it at the other hand! Clang! The blade of the dagger pierced through Sterling Fairbanks¡¯ palm and struck the cement floor heavily. ¡°Huff!¡± After doing all this, Julius Reed slowly stood up, and a golden whip shot out from his sleeve! Pfft! With one strike, Kairo Percival¡¯s hands neatly fell to the ground. Julius Reed then picked up his cell phone and dialed a number. ¡°You¡­ how come you decided to call me?¡± On the other end of the line, Sophia Leocadia expressed great surprise and excitement. She had not expected Julius Reed to actually reach out to her! At that moment, Sophia Leocadia felt like a young girl with a budding romance, suddenly receiving a gift from a prince. ¡°There¡¯s something I might need your help with. But it¡¯s a bit bloody, you need to be prepared,¡± Julius Reed said with a touch of guilt. Since their acquaintance, it had always been Sophia helping him, and though the reasons were unclear, he could see her sincerity. ¡°Is Sterling causing you trouble again? I¡¯ll call the Hall Family right away!¡± Sophia¡¯s voice, originally gentle, suddenly became assertive. ¡°That¡¯s not it, the trouble caused by the Fengs, I¡¯ve dealt with it. Now, I just want to spread Sterling Fairbanks¡¯ photo around your Beijing circles,¡± Julius Reed replied. ¡°Okay, send it over, and as for the Hall Family, I¡¯ll talk to them personally,¡± Sophia hesitated before asking, ¡°You¡­ are you alright?¡± She understood well what kind of person Sterling was, so she was particularly concerned about Julius Reed¡¯s safety. ¡°Let the Hall Family be, act as if nothing happened. How could I be in trouble? It¡¯s Sterling Fairbanks that¡¯s a bit¡­ oh, brace yourself. I¡¯m hanging up now.¡± After Julius Reed hung up, he took a few photos of Sterling Fairbanks with his phone¡¯s camera and sent them to Sophia Leocadia. On the other end of the phone, after a bout of retching, Sophia finally grasped the meaning behind Julius Reed¡¯s words¡ªHow could I be in trouble? Soon, she arranged for her people to quickly spread the news. ¡°Big brother, why spread this out?¡± Lucan Davenport squatted next to Julius Reed and asked, tilting his head. Wasn¡¯t this just making another enemy for no reason? ¡°I want to clean up the Hall Family, but going to Beijing seems too troublesome, so I thought I¡¯d invite them over,¡± Julius Reed walked into the warehouse and picked up Quella Radcliffe: ¡°Wifey, time to go home!¡± Chapter 369 - Chapter 369: Chapter 369 Not a Man_1 Chapter 369: Chapter 369 Not a Man_1 Quella Radcliffe had not seen Julius Reed for a long time, and deep down, she missed him. But her tough exterior and tender heart meant she would never express this feeling. Now, being carried by Julius Reed, a sense of security and happiness spread throughout her body, making her feel exceptionally comfortable. The awful feelings from being kidnapped and slapped had also been swept away. When they arrived above Sterling Fairbanks¡¯ head, Julius Reed kicked his head with his foot, ¡°Hey, stop playing dead. I won¡¯t kill you.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Sterling Fairbanks, who had kept his eyes tightly shut, opened them, asking with a hoarse and weak voice. His pupils revealed desperation and pain. Both his hands had been neatly severed; his legs were shattered, and his body, having lost too much blood, was already pale and powerless. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, once you go back, you must find someone to come after me for revenge, the stronger the better, you got that?¡± Carrying Quella Radcliffe on his back and standing over Sterling Fairbanks¡¯ head, Julius Reed said cheerfully. ¡°I dare not! Please rest assured, once I go back¡­ after I return, I definitely won¡¯t¡­ dare to trouble you again¡­¡± Even facing death, Sterling Fairbanks could not muster the courage to speak the truth. He only wanted to survive. As long as he could save his own life, he wouldn¡¯t worry about the lack of means for revenge. If he died in this sewage factory, it would be too pathetic. Once back in the capital, he could use the Hall Family¡¯s connections to exact a bloody revenge on Julius Reed! And on Julius Reed¡¯s family! He wouldn¡¯t let any of them go¡­ ¡°You¡¯re not honest, you know!¡± Julius Reed frowned slightly, looking at Sterling Fairbanks, who was shivering uncontrollably: ¡°I¡¯ve beaten you like this, why won¡¯t you seek revenge? Are you even a man?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a man, Brother Davenport, I really don¡¯t dare to seek revenge! I won¡¯t even think about it, opposing you is a dead end, please just let me go¡­¡± Sterling Fairbanks said weakly, on the verge of fainting. The pain in his limbs had long since numbed, leaving only fear lingering in his mind. Seeking revenge? He could only dream of it, but how could he possibly speak it now? ¡°Since you¡¯re not a man, you might as well become a eunuch.¡± Whoosh! Julius Reed delivered a kick directly to Sterling Fairbanks¡¯ groin! ¡°Ah!¡± Sterling Fairbanks let out a heart-wrenching scream and passed out. ¡°Boss, why leave a survivor?¡± Lucan Davenport asked, puzzled. For someone like Sterling Fairbanks, wouldn¡¯t it be easier to just kill him off, leaving him alive only created more trouble. ¡°Someday I will go to the capital, why not find someone to spread the word for me. You see what I mean?¡± Julius Reed glanced at Lucan Davenport, who then understood. ¡°The boss is the boss! Brilliant!¡± Lucan Davenport gave a thumbs up and dragged Kairo Percival into the trunk of the BMW like a dead dog. Once Sterling Fairbanks returned, coupled with Sophia Leocadia stirring things up from behind, the capital¡¯s elite would inevitably learn about a character like himself. If the truth about the past was to be unearthed, a trip to the capital was unavoidable, and it was the perfect opportunity to let the influential families there know of his impending arrival. After leaving the abandoned sewage treatment plant, the group drove to the Paper Drunk Golden Tavern. This bar had only come to mind for Julius Reed after regaining his memories a few days ago, and it had now become his base of operations in Five-river Province. Owning a powerful spy network, it was more than a suitable place. Quella Radcliffe had just gone through a kidnapping, and though she wasn¡¯t physically hurt, she was still a girl who ended up sleeping deeply in the passenger seat of the BMW. Julius Reed looked at Quella Radcliffe, her expression slightly tense even in sleep, and felt extremely distressed. Perhaps in her dreams, she was still unsettled, right? He gently lifted Quella Radcliffe and placed her on the sofa in Finn Carmichael¡¯s office. ¡°Boss¡­¡± ¡°Shh!¡± Julius Reed made a silencing gesture, signaling Finn Carmichael to keep quiet. ¡°Let¡¯s talk outside.¡± Finn Carmichael nodded, carefully stepping out of the general manager¡¯s office. The door was soundproof; even with the noise from the bar, it was practically silent inside. ¡°Young Master, we still can¡¯t find the Wolf Cavalry. These people are too mysterious; despite all my spies being top-notch, not a single one has caught a trace of Wolf Cavalry.¡± Finn Carmichael sighed, his face filled with frustration. His pride and joy, the spy network, was unable to gather even the slightest bit of information. The Wolf Cavalry seemed to vanish into thin air, leaving no trace at all. ¡°That¡¯s to be expected. The Wolf Cavalry was trained personally by me. If you found them easily, that would mean I¡¯m inferior to you, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± Julius Reed patted him on the shoulder, signaling it wasn¡¯t a big deal. Since the Wolf Cavalry was able to penetrate Five-river Province, it meant that those mobilizing them had long since made their plans. With their strong mobility and stealth, the Wolf Cavalry wouldn¡¯t be found so easily. ¡°Boss, what do you plan to do next?¡± Finn Carmichael asked, looking at Julius Reed. ¡°I want to go back and stay a few days.¡± Julius Reed pointed inside the room: ¡°My wife was kidnapped today, and she foolishly ran to Five-river Province alone, experiencing quite the fright.¡± ¡°As for the Boulevard League, they¡¯re probably busy with internal strife at the moment and have no spare time to deal with us.¡± Looking at the calendar on his watch, Julius Reed smiled faintly, ¡°The New Year is approaching fast, isn¡¯t it?¡± He used to have no sense of time because he couldn¡¯t die no matter what, making time the most boring thing. No matter who fell around him, he continued to exist in this world. But since marrying Quella Radcliffe, he started to cherish every minute. Lately, he had been too focused on investigating the truth behind his amnesia and hadn¡¯t spent proper time with Quella Radcliffe. Thinking of this filled Julius Reed with guilt. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, boss, my men will escort you safely! If anyone dares to trouble you and doesn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯ll send them to heaven right away!¡± Finn Carmichael said fiercely. Previously, when Julius Reed disappeared, he kept a low profile. Now that the Young Master had returned, Finn Carmichael was ready to be the most ferocious biting dog! ¡°I¡¯ll leave the matters of Five-river Province to you,¡± Julius Reed took a deep breath and leaned against the tavern¡¯s wall: ¡°This afternoon, I¡¯ll first take your sister-in-law back. Please help me investigate the situation here. I suppose these people won¡¯t cause any trouble before the New Year. Also, Janet Carmichael has already confessed. Spread the word that Janet Carmichael has spilled everything and is waiting for someone to silence her.¡± Janet Carmichael had lost her usefulness, but Julius Reed knew very well the truly important figures she wouldn¡¯t dare mention. If she did, the organization behind her would face annihilation. The bait was set, whether the fish would bite was up to fate. ¡°Understood! I¡¯ll arrange for it immediately,¡± Finn Carmichael nodded, adept at spreading messages. ¡°Also, keep a close eye on every move in the capital!¡± Julius Reed gave his final instruction before turning to enter the private room, waiting for Quella Radcliffe to wake up so he could take her home. There was less than half a month until New Year¡¯s. This would be the fourth year he and Quella Radcliffe spent together. Chapter 370 - Chapter 370: Chapter 370 Burl Radcliffe’s Car_1 Chapter 370: Chapter 370 Burl Radcliffe¡¯s Car_1 By the time Julius Reed returned to Gonzalez City, he found out about the incident at Radcliffe Group. He had originally thought that with Quella Radcliffe completely in power and Ovidiu Cook¡¯s strong support, the group would thrive. And at the beginning, it indeed did. But after Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter were reported dead, all the businessmen in the Five-river Province began to trouble Radcliffe Group. The reason they were willing to extend an olive branch for cooperation was precisely because of the inspection by Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter. Two top leaders from the province gathering in Gonzalez City, and planning to invest in a new project¡ªhow could such a business opportunity not stir action? However, with the bizarre deaths of both, coupled with some rumors, they quickly distanced themselves from Radcliffe Group. Some even added insult to injury, blaming the misfortune on Radcliffe Group. To expand the company¡¯s scale, Quella Radcliffe imported a large batch of equipment, and at the same time, built two new workshops. If put into production, according to the quantity of orders signed previously, it would take less than a year to break even, and they could even realize profits. After all, future orders were supposed to increase, logically speaking. But now, with everyone collectively canceling orders, it was akin to pulling the rug out from under Radcliffe Group, causing a complete break in the financial chain. These days Quella Radcliffe was roaming around Gonzalez City, seeking financing, but those banks that were previously welcoming with smiles had all become resolute. No loans! Even at high interest rates, no one was willing to lend money to Radcliffe Group in this emergency. As for those who had enmity with Radcliffe Group, they took the chance to kick them while they were down, frantically suppressing Radcliffe Group and snatching away a large number of distributors. Looking at the reports in front of him, Julius Reed lightly touched his nose. This was a sign of his anger. ¡°Master, do we need to get involved?¡± Cosmo asked in a low voice beside him. Julius Reed sat on the sofa at home, while Quella Radcliffe was not at home due to some matters. She even neglected the scare that happened during the day and went out to a party with Anna Harris. ¡°Is it safe?¡± Julius Reed looked up at Cosmo. If he were to have people follow Quella Radcliffe around all day, it would be like making Quella Radcliffe a bird in a cage, with no joy in life whatsoever. He wanted to have people outside to silently ensure Quella Radcliffe¡¯s safety, but without her feeling it. That would make her much more comfortable. ¡°Rest assured, our people are not far behind, making sure the mistress is safe.¡± Cosmo felt some guilt¡ªthe incident this morning resulted in Quella Radcliffe being kidnapped, but coming back Julius Reed did not utter a word of rebuke, leaving her feeling deeply remorseful to this moment. ¡°She should have a life of her own.¡± Julius Reed threw the document he was holding onto the couch and asked Cosmo, ¡°What kind of party is this?¡± Quella Radcliffe only mentioned going to a party and brought along her close friend Anna Harris but she never revealed what the party was about. ¡°It¡¯s a party organized by Bran Cook, the young master of the Cook Family in Gonzalez City. Bran Cook has been in the capital until recently and is said to have made over thirty billion this year. After returning, he organized this party with the aim of networking with local rich young masters to facilitate starting a company when he returns.¡± Cosmo had already investigated everything clearly. ¡°Bran Cook? First time I¡¯ve heard of him, but a man¡¯s instinct tells me, today¡¯s event is not that simple!¡± Julius Reed stood up, put on his coat, and said, ¡°Come with me, if it¡¯s just a simple party, then so be it, but if there¡¯s another purpose, I¡¯d like to join for a drink or two.¡± ¡°Should we inform the mistress?¡± Cosmo tentatively asked, as Quella Radcliffe did not bring Julius Reed, seemingly intending for him to follow along. ¡°No need, we¡¯re not going inside, just having a cigarette outside.¡± Julius Reed pushed open the door and strode out of the villa. ¡­ The Cook Family barely qualified as a second-tier family in Gonzalez City, a notch below the top tier but significantly stronger than the second tier. Families like the Radcliffe Family were considered second-tier, with a wealth gap in the tens of billions compared to the Cook Family. After returning to the country, Bran Cook established himself in the capital, mingling well with many wealthy young people there, and with his unique connections, he carved out his own niche. In just over a year, he turned a profit of over thirty billion, earning a reputation as a business prodigy. Of course, a significant portion of that was used to network with those wealthy individuals in the capital. His return to Gonzalez City was partly due to the upcoming Chinese New Year, which naturally called for a return home for the holidays. Additionally, he wanted to show off his achievements and share the fruits of his labor with his former classmates and friends. After all, wealth and honor undisplayed in one¡¯s hometown are like brocaded robes worn in the darkness of night. The wine party was held at a private club funded by the Cook Family. Half a year ago, Bran Cook had already begun preparing for this event, hoping to seize the same high-quality local resources as Ovid Cook. The club is not open to the public; entry is only possible with an invitation. Ever since the No. 1 young master of Gonzalez City, Jaxen Brandon, was killed, the whole city had fallen into a state of headless dragons, with the second-generation rich competing to flaunt their wealth, all vying for the title of the city¡¯s top scion. Unfortunately, as soon as Bran Cook returned, these people all paled in comparison. The club was not far from Julius Reed¡¯s villa; a twenty-minute drive brought them to the entrance of the club. But before they could park, a security guard approached, exuding an intimidating presence, and said, ¡°Get lost! Do you think this is a place for you?¡± ¡°Say that again!¡± Cosmo was about to take action, but was stopped by Julius Reed. There was no need for unnecessary conflict; stooping to the level of such people would only diminish their own value. ¡°Are you deaf? Get lost now! Look at what kind of cars are around here. With your piece of junk, don¡¯t embarrass us here!¡± The security guards quickly surrounded them, driving Julius Reed away from the place. But just then, a car caught Julius Reed¡¯s attention. Burl Radcliffe¡¯s Passat! Since it was a private club, the area was surrounded by luxury cars. So the dilapidated Passat stood out all the more obtrusively. What was Burl Radcliffe doing here at a party frequented by the youth? And without a doubt, wherever Burl Radcliffe appeared, Knox Ridge was sure to follow! The two were inseparable, always seen together wherever they went. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, if you don¡¯t leave now, we¡¯ll have to get physical¡­¡± Bang! Julius Reed instantly floored the accelerator, knocking several security guards to the ground. ¡°Damn it, you little bastard, stop right there!¡± The guards were caught off guard, tumbling and landing with bruises on their faces. Fortunately, the car wasn¡¯t going too fast, and the distance wasn¡¯t far, so aside from some bruises, there were no serious injuries. ¡°Bad luck!¡± ¡°I must kill him when I see him!¡± ¡°You little bastard!¡± After a round of curses, the security guards hurried back to the entrance of the club, directing the vehicles that were coming in. Less than a hundred meters from the club, Julius Reed stopped the car, pondering the reason for Knox Ridge¡¯s presence there. ¡°Are you¡­ Julius Reed?¡± But just then, a voice suddenly came from the Rolls-Royce in front of him. The Rolls-Royce slowly reversed, then rolled down its window and the person inside looked at Julius Reed, ¡°I haven¡¯t mistaken you for someone else, have I?¡± ¡°You are¡­¡± Julius Reed eyed the young man in front of him, but couldn¡¯t remember where he had seen him before. Cosmo, on the other hand, turned and walked away, pretending not to know Julius Reed, and quietly lurked in the shadows to protect him. ¡°I¡¯m Yasser Davenport! I even gave a gift when you married Quella Radcliffe!¡± Yasser Davenport got out of the car, approached with a jovial laugh: ¡°Who would have thought we¡¯d meet again! So, are you here for the wine party too?¡± Since the club was right there, Yasser Davenport naturally assumed Julius Reed was there to attend as well. ¡°I would have liked to, but the guards kicked me out, said my car was too crummy,¡± Julius Reed said, pointing to his modestly purchased Magotan, with a wry smile on his face. ¡°Damn! These bastards, follow me!¡± Yasser Davenport warmly pulled Julius Reed over to his Rolls-Royce, ¡°Brother, I¡¯ll get you in!¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll take you up on that offer,¡± Julius Reed nodded and sat in the passenger seat. Chapter 371 - Chapter 371: Chapter 371 Enthusiastic Yasser Davenport_1 Chapter 371: Chapter 371 Enthusiastic Yasser Davenport_1 Yasser Davenport, Julius Reed remembered him well. A local of Gonzalez City, a high school classmate from Quella Radcliffe High School and considered a close friend. On his wedding day, Yasser Davenport was even a member of the groomsmen. After all, Julius Reed wasn¡¯t a local and didn¡¯t have any relatives there, so the groomsmen were all arranged by the Radcliffe Family. The Radcliffe Family, being a large clan, had quite a few people turn up on the wedding day. Many were there to see the spectacle, and even the groomsmen arranged by the Radcliffes looked down on Julius Reed with contempt, utterly despising him in their hearts. It was only Yasser Davenport who was different; this chubby fellow even gave Julius Reed a red envelope with a thousand yuan in it, and although it was later confiscated by Quella Radcliffe, it was the only red envelope Reed had received. The reason he hadn¡¯t recognized him just now was that Yasser Davenport had changed too much in the past four years, having become completely unrecognizable. From the chubby boy before, he had slimmed down to just over a hundred pounds and, with a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, was utterly indistinguishable from the fat boy he used to be. Through their conversation, Julius Reed learned that Yasser Davenport went to the Northeast three years ago to start a plumbing business. He had made quite a bit of money in those three years, but he had spent a lot on bribes, leaving only a few billion to bring back to Gonzalez City. Such ability was indeed enticing, and Bran Cook had approached Yasser Davenport because of this achievement. Otherwise, relying on the nearly bankrupt factory owned by the Davenport Family alone, he wouldn¡¯t have been worthy of Bran Cook¡¯s attention. ¡°Brother, do you and Quentin Radcliffe have any children?¡± Yasser Davenport asked with a cheerful smile. This question indeed gave Julius Reed a bit of a headache. He replied with a wry smile, ¡°To tell you the truth, it¡¯s been almost four years now, and she still won¡¯t let me touch her.¡± This was common knowledge in Gonzalez City, and there was no need to hide it. ¡°Ah, be patient, constant dripping wears away the stone! Quentin Radcliffe, you know, is a sharp-tongued but soft-hearted person. Don¡¯t be fooled by how cold she seems all the time; she¡¯s actually very warm-hearted.¡± As someone who went to high school with Quentin, Yasser Davenport had a good understanding of her to be friends. ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± Julius Reed nodded his head. Yasser Davenport had just returned; surely he was unaware of Quentin Radcliffe¡¯s current situation. Since Julius Reed perceived himself subconsciously as that son-in-law, and out of respect for his friend, Yasser Davenport also maintained his enthusiasm towards Reed. This was rare, a man without any designs on Quentin Radcliffe. Their relationship was purely that of friends, utterly innocent. ¡°Back then, when I couldn¡¯t finish my homework, I relied completely on copying from Quentin.¡± Yasser Davenport chuckled, as if he was transported back to the junior high days. ¡°Later, when I got into a fight and injured someone, I didn¡¯t dare tell my family. It was Quentin who lent me her pocket money. So brother, try harder to become a dad sooner.¡± ¡°Sir, please park over this way.¡± As the car approached the entrance of the club, several security guards hurried over with smiles on their faces. Yasser Davenport¡¯s Rolls-Royce was worth over five million, and the guards might not know much else, but they certainly knew cars very well. Being a job that¡¯s all about sizing up people, the sight of the Rolls-Royce coming in made them behave completely differently from how they treated Julius Reed a short while ago. The guards eagerly stood in the hotel corridor, directing the parking. ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t this the same guy who bumped into our little guy just now? He even dares to come back?¡± No sooner had Julius Reed stepped down from the car than he was recognized by one of the security guards. ¡°Right! This son of a bitch made me really sore when he bumped into me. Today, we¡¯ve got to catch him and give him a good thrashing!¡± ¡°And the medical expenses!¡± As he spoke, the security guards cracked their knuckles and quickly surrounded Julius Reed. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Yasser Davenport had just parked his car when he saw Julius Reed being attacked by the security guards. He hurried over and fiercely slapped one of the guards across the face. ¡°Picking on someone just because you can! I¡¯m a guest of Bran Cook¡¯s son, and this is my friend! You¡¯re really a bunch of blind bastards. Try messing with him again and see what happens!¡± Having been slapped, the guard stood up from the ground and had to hold his face and apologize: ¡°Yes, yes, we won¡¯t dare to do it again.¡± Seeing Yasser Davenport¡¯s attitude, the other guards didn¡¯t dare to make another sound and quickly retreated to their positions. ¡°Brother, don¡¯t stoop to their level. They all look down on people; there¡¯s nothing we can do.¡± Yasser Davenport patted Julius Reed¡¯s shoulder and comforted him, ¡°Actually, the Radcliffe Family is a prominent household in Gonzalez City. If you claim to be Radcliffe¡¯s son-in-law¡­ Ah, nevermind. If you need anything in the future, just tell me.¡± Yasser Davenport clearly remembered how people called Julius Reed a freeloader and a worthless person, which made him stop mid-sentence. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯m used to it.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, somewhat moved by Yasser Davenport¡¯s friendly gesture. It was already commendable to stand by and watch when everyone was stepping on you, but Yasser Davenport was clearly someone willing to lend a hand. ¡°I tell you, the people in this room are all local rich second generations, quite arrogant. After you go in, try to speak as little as possible. I will introduce you to a few decent ones to get to know. Who knows, they might come in handy if you do business.¡± Although he hadn¡¯t returned to Gonzalez City for many years, he had heard plenty of rumors. Everyone said Julius Reed was a freeloader and a worthless person, so he thought of helping Julius Reed build some connections to start a business of his own. The private club was very large, even bigger than Ovidiu Cook¡¯s Twilight Mansion. Ever since Miguel Abbott ran into trouble, Julius Reed had told Ovidiu Cook to hold his forces and act low-key to avoid becoming a target of the Boulevard League¡¯s Shadow Warrior. And Bane Cook was also alert for enemies trying to invade, protecting the safety of Titan Group. Otherwise, if Ovidiu Cook got involved, these local businesses wouldn¡¯t dare to challenge the Radcliffe Family. At this moment, in the innermost part of the club, men and women were drinking and dancing, having the time of their lives. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, Bran Cook is generous with his spending. Accompany him well today, and you will certainly be able to borrow the money,¡± a seductive woman said to Quella Radcliffe, sitting beside her with a smile. ¡°Exactly, Quella Radcliffe. We are high school classmates after all. Aside from class reunions, we rarely get to meet. I heard today that your company urgently needs funds for cash flow, so I thought of connecting you with Bran Cook. Do you know? Bran Cook has many friends in the capital. In just one year, he¡¯s made a lot of money!¡± Two of Quella Radcliffe¡¯s high school classmates sat by the table, continuously urging her. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, I think they have bad intentions,¡± Anna Harris murmured with furrowed brows. However, the voice, though soft, reached the ears of the two. ¡°Who are you to talk nonsense here! If it weren¡¯t for the sake of our classmate¡¯s face, why would we make an exception to invite you to this classy place? Your company is about to go bankrupt, yet you dare put on airs here. In all of Gonzalez City, not even the banks are willing to lend you money; don¡¯t you realize what¡¯s going on?¡± One of the women scoffed coldly, looking at Anna Harris with disdain. ¡°Exactly, apart from Bran Cook, who would dare lend you money? Quella Radcliffe, you¡¯re now the rat that everybody wants to strike!¡± Another person chimed in. The Radcliffe Group had undergone a tremendous turn of events in just a few days, and the whole upper circle of Gonzalez City knew about it. Banks refused to provide loans, wealthy businessmen withdrew their investments¡ªalmost dooming the Radcliffe Group! ¡°Excuse me, is this Miss Quentin Radcliffe?¡± Just then, a handsome young man walked over, holding a glass of red wine. Chapter 372 - Chapter 372: Chapter 372: Strong Man?_1 Chapter 372: Chapter 372: Strong Man?_1 ¡°` ¡°Bran Cook!¡± Upon seeing the handsome man, Flower Falls and Hampton Ridge quickly stood up and said with obsequious smiles, ¡°Just now I was thinking, why is there a surge of handsomeness approaching us? I guess it¡¯s Bran Cook coming over, and sure enough, it¡¯s you!¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah! With such a presence, Bran Cook, who knows how many young ladies you¡¯ll charm tonight!¡± The two didn¡¯t hide their bootlicking when they saw Bran Cook. They were just short of stripping naked and lying down on Bran Cook¡¯s bed voluntarily. Of course, if Bran Cook nodded his approval, they would hate not to rush over immediately. ¡°Haha, you two flatter me. Cook here is but poorly learned and only gets by with the help of friends,¡± Bran Cook said with a chuckle. Today, he was dressed in a black tailcoat and with neatly trimmed short hair, and the unique fragrance of his cologne instantly attracted the eyes of many women. Today¡¯s banquet had many female socialites in attendance, their entry threshold being much lower than that for men. After all, the atmosphere of a party relies on women. When emotions are stirred and hormones are raging, these wealthy second-generation individuals also need an outlet. ¡°Bran Cook, you jest. With your outstanding appearance, you are a role model for successful people wherever you go. Unlike some people, born to be parasites who live off others, it¡¯s unbelievable how vast the difference between people can be,¡± said Hampton Ridge with a mix of sarcasm and flattery, trying to curry favor with Bran Cook while indirectly insulting Julius Reed. In Gonzalez City, the most well-known for living off others is this son-in-law of the Radcliffe Family. After all, he has been the talk of the town for as long as three years. Only a select few in Gonzalez City are aware of the series of changes; people like them have no idea how formidable Julius Reed really is. ¡°Don¡¯t speak like that! Every trade has its master, and living off others is a skill too. I would love to live such a carefree life, but as a man, I¡¯m not allowed to do that. I¡¯d rather struggle with my own hands to drive a Jetta than rely on others and ride in a Benz, only to be ridiculed behind my back,¡± Bran Cook said earnestly, holding a glass of wine. He had long been aware of Quella Radcliffe¡¯s situation. In fact, a long time ago, the Cook Family had considered a marriage alliance with the Radcliffe Family, but since Bran Cook had never met Quella Radcliffe at that time, he didn¡¯t have any special feelings about it. Then Julius Reed appeared out of nowhere, causing the Cook family¡¯s people to discard the idea. However, when Bran Cook returned to Gonzalez City this time, he happened to see Quella Radcliffe at a conference for entrepreneurs and, after some inquiries, learned she was the woman who nearly became his wife. If he had not known before, it would have been fine, but now that he knew, it felt like an obsession. No matter when he closed his eyes, he saw Quella Radcliffe¡¯s contemplative face. Women are enchanting; beautiful women are even more so. For a woman so beautiful and distinguished, and also the female president of a group, she was simply the ultimate gem in a man¡¯s heart! Every man with a sense of conquest would be eager to try. Hearing that Quella Radcliffe was married at first made him quite regretful. Then, through his subordinates¡¯ briefing, he learned that their three-year marriage was in name only, and Quella Radcliffe was still a maiden. And just recently, the two of them had actually divorced! Learning this news, Bran Cook was so excited he couldn¡¯t sleep, but what thrilled him even more was that the Radcliffe Group had fallen into a financial crisis. Quella Radcliffe was borrowing money everywhere, only to be met with rejection, even from the banks! To Bran Cook, this was an opportunity bestowed by heaven! Opportunities like this are fleeting and may never come again! Therefore, he brought various gifts and antiques filled with cash to the Radcliffe household and struck up a conversation with Knox Ridge. ¡°` ¡°` Who knew that Quella Radcliffe¡¯s mother was a complete money-grubber? After hearing about the matter, she took the initiative to get things rolling. Although Bran Cook looked down on Knox Ridge¡¯s petty peasant mentality and even despised it, having such a mother to egg him on made things much easier for him. In the end, he gathered a few of Quella Radcliffe¡¯s reasonably decent high school friends to plan this party, aiming to propose to her here. So when Hampton Ridge and others suppressed Julius Reed, he had to chime in, showcasing his own uniqueness. So young, yet earning billions a year, even in the capital, many prominent families wanted to marry their daughters to him. But Bran Cook still refused. ¡°Hmph! Just take care of your own business, eating a soft rice? Can anyone do it? Maybe some people like to eat soft rice,¡± Anna Harris was no fool; she naturally grasped the insinuation in their words. They were hitting at the mulberry tree while cursing the locust tree, ridiculing Julius Reed. In fact, Anna Harris knew how formidable Julius Reed was. She really wanted to tell them that the man they belittled for ¡®eating soft rice¡¯ was stronger than many, but Julius Reed had once asked her to keep a secret, and she had to hold it in. ¡°This little girl has quite a sharp tongue, quite adorable indeed!¡± The expression on Bran Cook¡¯s face changed slightly, but he quickly returned to normal. Since she was Quella Radcliffe¡¯s close friend, he had to leave a good impression. ¡°You¡¯re the one with a sharp tongue, your whole family has sharp tongues!¡± Anna Harris snapped, this was no party; it was clearly a trap! Looking again at Quella Radcliffe¡¯s two classmates, anger flickered in her eyes. What kind of classmates were they? Weren¡¯t they just pimps? Gossip woman from Water Margin? ¡°Mr. Smith is here too; only Julius Reed, the Strong man, is missing!¡± She cursed inwardly. Meanwhile, Julius Reed, standing at the entrance, sneezed without knowing why. ¡°How can you talk to Bran Cook like that! Mind your language!¡± Seeing the way Anna Harris spoke, a young man stepped forward from behind Bran Cook, pointing at Anna Harris and about to scold her. He was wearing a tank top with a White Tiger tattooed on his body, obviously not a good sort. ¡°Hey! Aaron Martin, don¡¯t scare the comrade. I¡¯ve told you about this many times, don¡¯t be so rude, try to be more gentlemanly. It¡¯s just a girl talking, she was only joking, and here you are, looking fierce and terrifying!¡± Bran Cook said sternly. ¡°Yes! You¡¯re right, Bran Cook, I¡¯ll change,¡± Aaron Martin quickly said with a forced smile. ¡°Bran Cook is truly a gentleman. I don¡¯t know which girl is so fortunate to be able to marry you,¡± Hampton Ridge looked at Bran Cook with infatuated eyes. She wanted to be Bran Cook¡¯s plaything, but she didn¡¯t even have the qualifications to be a toy. Flower Falls also nodded, ¡°Exactly, Bran Cook just doesn¡¯t fancy me, otherwise I would definitely throw myself at him! Where else can you find such a handsome and accomplished gentleman with such grace?¡± The two of them spoke so eagerly because they had received five hundred thousand from Bran Cook; they wanted to set him up with Quella Radcliffe. After all, Bran Cook had promised three million to each of them if the deal went through! This was an astronomical sum for them, perhaps they couldn¡¯t earn that much money in a lifetime! ¡°Miss Radcliffe, I¡¯ve heard that despite your young age, you are already a corporate president. Mr. Cook very much wants to get to know you. On the flight back from the capital to Gonzalez City, I had heard of your accomplishments. What a pleasure to meet you!¡± Bran Cook raised his glass with a smile on his face. ¡°Will you do me the honor of a drink?¡± Chapter 373 - Chapter 373: Chapter 373: Double Act_1 Chapter 373: Chapter 373: Double Act_1 ¡°` When Bran Cook said this sentence, his face was filled with anticipation. His language was genuine, and his gaze was sincere. Most girls found it difficult to refuse such a devastatingly potent man. But Quella Radcliffe was not most girls. She was only here because of the financial troubles her company was facing, having been introduced to this drinking event by a classmate. The Radcliffe Group was currently in crisis, and Quella Radcliffe was well aware that Julius Reed could solve this problem. But she didn¡¯t want to become a burden to her man; her assertive nature led Quella Radcliffe to the decision to handle the problem on her own. However, upon arriving at the party, she realized things were not that simple. Bran Cook, standing before her, made no attempt to hide his pursuit; he was almost at the point of kneeling down to propose. Especially Aaron Martin, the two playing good cop and bad cop, along with two classmates fanning the flames, were exceedingly zealous. This was clearly a trap laid out for her to fall into. ¡°Well, Young Master Cook, I¡¯ll drink with you!¡± Seeing that Quella Radcliffe was in a difficult spot, Anna Harris quickly picked up her glass and clinked it with Bran Cook¡¯s. That clink even caused Bran Cook¡¯s face to change slightly. Out of courtesy, after the clink, he had to drink with Anna Harris; otherwise, it would be seen as a lack of respect for women. Then the gentleman image he had just managed to build would collapse. But if he drank, then it was clear Anna Harris was there to stir trouble, and as long as she was there, Bran Cook wouldn¡¯t be able to communicate effectively with Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Then let¡¯s drink one.¡± He quickly resumed his smile, nodded at Anna Harris, and slowly lifted his glass to drink. At the same time, he gave Aaron Martin a look. ¡°Excuse me, miss, what¡¯s your name?¡± Aaron Martin picked up a bottle of beer, opened it, and held it in his hand: ¡°I see that the lady is forthright, quite similar to me in nature, why don¡¯t we have a drink together?¡± Seeing Bran Cook¡¯s glance, he knew what it meant. This light bulb was a bit of an eyesore; it was time to turn it off! ¡°I don¡¯t know you, why should I drink with you?¡± Anna Harris wouldn¡¯t care less, flatly refusing. ¡°What do you mean!¡± ¡°Dissing our boss like that? I¡¯ll tell you, in Gonzalez City, those who dare refuse my boss¡¯s drink can be counted on one hand!¡± ¡°Are you blind? You even dare to refuse Mr. Aaron Martin¡¯s drink?¡± Suddenly, a group of over a dozen young men surged around them. They were uniformly dressed in vests, adorned with tattoos, and spoke in an exceedingly arrogant manner, obviously not good people. Commonly known as ¡°societal people.¡± ¡°What are you doing¡­¡± Though Anna Harris was quite domineering, she was after all a girl, and against so many hooligans, she dared not be too arrogant. Who knew what these people might do? ¡°Miss Anna Harris, Aaron Martin is a friend of mine, and all these are his brothers. By not giving face like this, you make it difficult for him. And if his employees really were to do something rash, I might not be able to stop them,¡± Bran Cook said with apparent difficulty. And as soon as he finished talking, those people became even more excited. ¡°Sully Cook, if it weren¡¯t for your face, we would¡¯ve stripped her naked and thrown her onto the main street by now!¡± ¡°Right, we can¡¯t make Sully Cook uncomfortable, but if you really push us too far, we might have to say sorry to you, Sully Cook!¡± ¡°` ¡°Such ingratitude! Go outside and ask about Mr. Aaron Martin¡¯s fame; who in Gonzalez City doesn¡¯t recognize it?¡± With arms crossed, they encircled Anna Harris tightly. It looked like violence could erupt at any moment. This was still Bran Cook¡¯s private club¡ª even if she wanted to leave, it was unlikely she could right now. ¡°Sully Cook, my friend is just like this by nature, unaware of the severity of situations since childhood¡ªdon¡¯t take it to heart.¡± At times like these, Quella Radcliffe had no choice but to step forward and mediate. Although she despised these people, there was no choice since she was there. Get out of the situation first, then discuss the rest. ¡°Everyone, give me some face! Whoever doesn¡¯t today should not blame me, Bran Cook, for turning heartless!¡± Seeing Quella Radcliffe speak up, Bran Cook¡¯s attitude immediately became firm and unyielding. ¡°Sully Cook, it¡¯s not that the brothers don¡¯t want to give you face. I, Aaron Martin, am respected on the streets¡ªwho doesn¡¯t give me some deference?¡± Aaron Martin pointed to himself, speaking angrily, ¡°If word of today¡¯s incident spreads, where will my credibility be? How can I command respect in the future? You should ask the brothers behind me if they agree!¡± Having said this, he slammed a bottle down onto the table with a loud ¡°bang.¡± This startled several of the girls present. ¡°Exactly! Without giving us face, no one is acceptable!¡± ¡°If the boss loses face, what face do we have left to mix in the streets?¡± ¡°No way! We need an explanation!¡± The employees started to provoke further. ¡°Then what do you want to do? Don¡¯t go too far! Otherwise, we can¡¯t be brothers!¡± Bran Cook said, furrowing his brows and pointing toward Quella Radcliffe, ¡°This person is my honored guest, you¡¯d better have some limits! Otherwise, we can¡¯t be friends anymore!¡± The two of them once again played off each other. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, we are all friends here, so I¡¯ll give you some face. You, drink a bottle with me, and after you drink, I¡¯ll pretend nothing happened!¡± Aaron Martin passed a beer bottle over and then stretched out his hand; another bottle was passed up by the employees: ¡°One for each of us, just drink and I won¡¯t hold this matter against you anymore!¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Anna Harris looked at the bottle of beer, feeling uneasy. She didn¡¯t drink much, and could occasionally handle some red wine. But to start with a whole bottle and seemingly needing to chug it, it was a bit difficult for her. ¡°What? Is my, Aaron Martin¡¯s, face worth so little!¡± Aaron Martin¡¯s tone grew heavier, which startled a few of the girls. ¡°I¡¯ll drink for her.¡± Quella Radcliffe took a deep breath, picked up the beer bottle, and was about to drink. Anna Harris was brought by her, and in such a moment, she absolutely couldn¡¯t let Anna Harris be at a disadvantage. ¡°Forget it! I¡¯ll do it!¡± Anna Harris snatched the beer bottle from Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand and drank it down fiercely. The intense carbonation rushed into her stomach, and lots of beer, along with the foam, spilled out of Anna Harris¡¯s mouth, splashing everywhere. ¡°I¡¯ll do it too!¡± Aaron Martin burst out laughing, lifted his beer bottle, and guzzled it down, making sure to turn the bottle upside down afterward to show it was completely empty. Whereas Anna Harris, with a pained expression, drank just a few sips and then hurriedly threw the bottle away, dashing to the bathroom. With the strong beer in her stomach, all she wanted was to vomit properly and think of nothing else. ¡°Now that you have your face, please leave! Behaving unreasonably towards my friend like this, Aaron Martin, you are not someone worth engaging deeply with!¡± After seeing Anna Harris forced to leave, Bran Cook¡¯s face hardened once more as he scolded Aaron Martin. ¡°Sully Cook, you and I have been brothers for years, even risking our lives for each other. And now, for a woman you met for the first time, you want to break ties with me?¡± Aaron Martin looked shocked and disappointed, ¡°I really didn¡¯t expect you to be the sort of man who prioritizes a woman over friends! But be careful with such a woman¡ªthough she may be beautiful, make sure you don¡¯t give too much and get nothing in return!¡± ¡°Get out! My affairs are none of your business!¡± Bran Cook was angry once again. Chapter 374 - Chapter 374: Chapter 374 Borrowing Money_1 Chapter 374: Chapter 374 Borrowing Money_1 Someone else might have been moved by Bran Cook. For a woman he just met, he was even willing to abandon a friend of many years. Such grand love. The perfect man. But Quella Radcliffe just watched all this with a cold eye, seeing it as nothing but a performance. Even Hampton Ridge and Flower Falls beside her were so infatuated that they ogled Bran Cook like love-struck fools. ¡°Sully Cook, you¡¯re a real man! If it wasn¡¯t for the fact that you¡¯re out of my league, I¡¯d really want to be your lover,¡± Flower Falls supported her chin with both hands, looking at Bran Cook dreamily. ¡°I wonder if Bran Cook has someone he likes? If so, that person must be very lucky,¡± Hampton Ridge echoed the sentiment. With a reward of millions on the line, they would definitely spare no effort to help. If they actually got that money, they could buy many designer bags, travel abroad, and show off on their social media. All women are vain, but sometimes their strength does not support their ambitions. ¡°Of course, I have someone I like, it¡¯s just that¡­¡± Bran Cook¡¯s face showed difficulty as he spoke. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Bran Cook?¡± Hampton Ridge quickly asked. ¡°Before I went abroad, my family had arranged a marriage for me. I really liked her, and to be honest, it was the first time I felt so moved by a woman. Unfortunately, before my family could make a formal proposal, I learned that she had already married. I was so disheartened that I decided to go overseas,¡± Bran Cook said, his face full of regret. And the expression on his face seemed like he had lost the will to live. ¡°It¡¯s hard to believe that Bran Cook is such a devoted man! But what happened afterward? What happened to the girl?¡± enthralled, Hampton Ridge listened, envy on her face, ¡°To have such a man like Bran Cook adore her like that, she would die with no regrets.¡± ¡°Yeah! If she knew Bran Cook liked her, she would surely have turned down that marriage proposal and chosen to be with Bran instead!¡± Flower Falls nodded vehemently, agreeing with Hampton Ridge¡¯s statement. ¡°That¡¯s an exaggeration. At that time, I was just an ordinary person. During my years abroad, I kept on thinking, maybe she got divorced?¡± Bran Cook looked into the distance, deep in thought, ¡°When I finished my studies, I chose to start a business in the capital, just to prove myself. And when I returned to Gonzalez City, that¡¯s when I found out she had, indeed, gotten divorced! Do you know how excited I was then?¡± ¡°Bran Cook, it¡¯s just like something out of a novel, it¡¯s fate!¡± Flower Falls was equally excited, but then she seemed a bit disheartened. ¡°I¡¯m so envious of that girl!¡± Her demeanor was exactly that of a girl upset over losing something she cherished. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, Bran Cook, don¡¯t miss your chance again! Go ahead and confess your feelings boldly; what if that girl likes you too?¡± Hampton Ridge chimed in from the side. The two of them actually knew the script well and were simply playing along with Bran Cook¡¯s act. After all, those hundreds of thousands weren¡¯t going to be easy to come by. ¡°Exactly! So I¡¯ve decided, this time I want to take control of my own happiness,¡± Bran Cook stood up, a relaxed expression on his face, ¡°What does money mean to me? It can¡¯t buy joy, it can¡¯t buy happiness! Everything I want, I can¡¯t have!¡± Having said that, he turned to look at Quella Radcliffe, ¡°Miss Radcliffe, if it were you, what would you do?¡± Faced with this question, Quella Radcliffe let out a cold laugh. As expected, it had all come down to this last question, hadn¡¯t it? She had known about the marriage proposal from the start. Old Master Radcliffe wasn¡¯t very satisfied with the Cook Family; he wanted Quella Radcliffe to marry someone better, preferably someone from Five-river Province. Back then, in Gonzalez City, Quella Radcliffe was famous. Many people liked this beautiful girl with strong abilities. The Cook Family was not a prominent clan at the time, and like Radcliffe Group, it was merely considered second-tier. At that time, Bran Cook didn¡¯t stand out at all. How could he be as dazzling as he is now? As soon as Bran Cook started speaking, Quella Radcliffe knew what he was going to say. But when you¡¯re under someone¡¯s roof, you have to bow your head. If Bran Cook was just interacting like a friend, then Quella Radcliffe would owe him a favor, which she would repay with interest once the company recovered. But if Bran Cook had any improper thoughts, she would turn around and leave immediately. ¡°I think, let nature take its course, since we missed the chance in the past, isn¡¯t it also a kind of fate? There¡¯s no point in pursuing what¡¯s been missed.¡± Quella Radcliffe said with a faint smile, but the faces of Flower Falls and Hampton Ridge beside her froze. They clearly understood what this meant. Quella Radcliffe had rejected him, decisively rejected him. It wasn¡¯t even a gentle refusal; there was simply no opportunity given. But they had to pretend they didn¡¯t know, otherwise they would give themselves away. ¡°Miss Radcliffe is right, but I think it¡¯s always worth a try to see if we¡¯re suitable. Otherwise, wouldn¡¯t it become a major regret in life?¡± Bran Cook remained very gentlemanly, not seeming to care much even after being rejected. Women, they all love vanity, they all like money. Although Bran Cook was somewhat disappointed upon learning that Quella Radcliffe had become the chairman of the Radcliffe Group. After all, a female CEO certainly wouldn¡¯t lack money, which meant the success rate of his plan would be much lower. But what made him feel fortunate was that despite Radcliffe Group¡¯s initially rosy situation, it suddenly found itself deeply indebted. With the New Year approaching, they¡¯d even failed to pay the staff¡¯s wages for a month. Things inside the group were very unstable, and there were faintly emerging voices of discontent. And Bran Cook, he had money! His family was wealthy, and he himself had billions at his disposal, more than enough to solve Quella Radcliffe¡¯s urgent problems. The current state of Radcliffe Group, though the scale was large, had seen its market value plummet during this crisis, even dropping below five billion. For Bran Cook, buying the company now would not be difficult. So, he was not concerned about Quella Radcliffe¡¯s rejection. As long as he had money, he was confident he could make Quella Radcliffe climb into his bed and spread her legs willingly. ¡°I heard from your classmate that the Radcliffe Group has encountered some financial issues recently?¡± Finally, he began to discuss the main issue straightforwardly. ¡°Indeed, the group has encountered some internal issues, and our capital chain is temporarily broken. It¡¯s causing some liquidity issues.¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded, as she was here to borrow money, she was somewhat prepared mentally. It¡¯s inevitable to ask for help in situations like this. Now that banks are not granting loans, if she could get a sum of money, she would prefer to ask someone for it. ¡°How much do you need? We¡¯re all entrepreneurs here, and I fully understand it hasn¡¯t been easy for you. For a young woman to shoulder such a big company, and to face such serious problems without being knocked down, is already quite commendable,¡± Bran Cook continued to praise Quella Radcliffe without forgetting. At such a time, it¡¯s always good to leave a positive impression, to bridge the gap between the two. ¡°Around three billion,¡± Quella Radcliffe sighed, ¡°In no more than three months, I will repay you the principal with interest. Recently, things have been quite difficult, as for the interest¡­¡± ¡°Three billion, that¡¯s quite a large sum!¡± Bran Cook cut off Quella Radcliffe, leaning back in his chair to ponder. He was actually worried about lending too little. The more money, the greater his odds of success. Without this money, Radcliffe Group only faced a dead end! Chapter 375 - Chapter 375: Chapter 375 Fake Piano Bullet_1 Chapter 375: Chapter 375 Fake Piano Bullet_1 ¡°Does Bran Cook have some unspeakable difficulties? If it¡¯s troublesome, just pretend I didn¡¯t say anything,¡± Quella Radcliffe said, noticing Bran Cook¡¯s expression and feeling a sense of loss. It seemed that she was destined to leave empty-handed today. ¡°Oh no!¡± Bran Cook hastily gestured with his hands: ¡°Miss Radcliffe must be misunderstanding me.¡± He straightened his suit and said with a light smile, ¡°Although Cook may not be talented, I still have billions at my disposal, but¡­ why should I lend them to you?¡± After saying this, Bran Cook quickly waved his hands: ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong. You also know the current market situation; everyone fears the Radcliffe Group. My money doesn¡¯t just belong to me, it also belongs to my family, and even to the employees of my company.¡± Three billion¡ªif she couldn¡¯t get the money, Quella Radcliffe would go from a high and mighty CEO to a bankrupt debtor. She might even never be able to turn things around for the rest of her life. Given that Gonzalez City was becoming more and more aggressive in suppressing the big shots of the Radcliffe Group, lending out this money was almost like throwing it away. But to win a beauty with three billion, for Bran Cook, it was only gain without loss. It was a blood profit! ¡°I have to give everyone an explanation, right? If others ask, why did I lend money to a group that even the banks are unwilling to loan to, what should I answer? Can I say I was wrong?¡± He spread his hands, looking somewhat helpless: ¡°There¡¯s a high probability that you won¡¯t be able to pay back the money. I think Miss Radcliffe also knows that the people of Gonzalez City don¡¯t seem to be very friendly towards your Radcliffe Group.¡± As the saying goes, when the wall falls, everybody pushes it; when the drum is broken, every man will strike it. Some companies that had no grievances with the Radcliffe Group on ordinary days also took action to suppress it at this time. ¡°Bankers are not fools; they all dare not lend money to me. Why should I dare? Unless¡­¡± Bran Cook swirled the red wine in his glass. ¡°Unless what?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked with furrowed brows. Cook¡¯s reasoning was sound, but if it weren¡¯t so, why would she have sneaked in to attend this banquet, allowing Bran Cook to imply such things? ¡°If you were my woman, it wouldn¡¯t just be three billion¡ªeven thirty billion I, Bran Cook, wouldn¡¯t blink an eye! By then, quite a few people in Gonzalez City would respect Bran Cook¡¯s face and hold back from targeting the Radcliffe Group for the time being, and you might be able to turn things around,¡± Bran Cook realized Quella Radcliffe was a smart person, and since playing it softly didn¡¯t work, he had to be more forceful. ¡°Even if you can¡¯t turn things around, with me around, you could still have more money than you could ever spend!¡± He looked directly at Quella Radcliffe and snapped his fingers lightly. Clack! In an instant, the lights at the banquet all went out, and a beam of red light illuminated Bran Cook and Quella Radcliffe, making them the most eye-catching focus in the room. And a piano, already prepared to the side, was brought up and placed before Bran Cook. ¡°This piece, dedicated to the love of my life.¡± He put down his wine glass, walked slowly to the piano, and began to play. ¡°Wow! Bran Cook really is a lady killer, I can¡¯t take it anymore!¡± ¡°Is it not the most romantic thing? Bran Cook is not only handsome but also so talented! If I had a boyfriend like that, living ten years less would be worth it!¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that Quella Radcliffe, the talented woman of Gonzalez City from three years ago?¡± Under the light, there were only Bran Cook and Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Don¡¯t deny Bran Cook this face!¡± Someone cautiously reminded her from behind Quella Radcliffe. The sound of the piano slowly started, and more than a hundred people at the banquet held their breath, intently watching the scene before them. The melodious music came from all directions, soothing to the soul. Many people were intoxicated by the piano sound, simply closing their eyes to savor it slowly. Meanwhile, Bran Cook, like a prince, sat in white clothes on the chair, playing the piano at a leisurely pace. Every movement was so elegant, the epitome of a gentleman. ¡°Isn¡¯t that Quella Radcliffe?¡± Yasser Davenport nudged Julius Reed, who was eating, his eyes wide as they fixed on the two under the lights. ¡°What did you say?¡± Julius Reed took a sip of his drink, wiped his mouth, and walked over, only to find Bran Cook playing the piano with his wife. Around them, waiters had filled the space with roses. ¡°Bro, what¡¯s going on?¡± Yasser Davenport remained in shock. In his mind, Quella Radcliffe was a decent person who would never do something so shameless. ¡°Divorced!¡± Julius Reed said unhurriedly; half of Gonzalez City probably knew about Quella Radcliffe¡¯s divorce through Knox Ridge¡¯s mouth. Knox Ridge would surely spread the news and even claim that Julius Reed was a good-for-nothing who had not touched Quella Radcliffe once in their three years of marriage. In fact, that was exactly what Knox Ridge had done. But what was more outrageous was that she publicized that Julius Reed was impotent, a wretch! ¡°Brother, take comfort. You¡¯ll find someone better.¡± Yasser Davenport cast a meaningful look at Julius Reed and turned to grab two bottles of wine. ¡°Today, I¡¯ll drink with you and have a good time. Don¡¯t hold it in, it¡¯s tough, isn¡¯t it?¡± This would be unbearable for anyone. For a man, it was all about face! ¡°Have you noticed something¡¯s off?¡± Julius Reed pricked up his ears, listening to the piano sound. ¡°What thing? How could that be okay? Your wife¡­ oh no, your ex-wife, she¡¯s romancing with someone right now!¡± Yasser Davenport pressed the wine bottle into Julius Reed¡¯s hand and heaved a sigh. He had always thought Julius Reed was a decent person, not as terrible as people said. But Julius Reed didn¡¯t drink; instead, he pointed at the piano: ¡°His technique and pitch are entirely different! Look, the sound that comes out when he presses the keys is obviously not the same.¡± Julius Reed thought carefully and immediately understood what was going on. Bran Cook was faking it. Ostensibly playing the piano, he was actually playing a pre-recorded piece. With such mastery, Bran Cook could not possibly have achieved it. ¡°Brother! What are you thinking about at a time like this?¡± Yasser Davenport touched Julius Reed¡¯s forehead and mumbled to himself, ¡°Take care of your health. There are plenty of women out there. Don¡¯t get too worked up. Come on, have a drink!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll drink later!¡± Julius Reed set the wine bottle on the table, and taking advantage of the night, he stealthily moved to where the cord he remembered was located, then yanked it out with force! The piano sound stopped abruptly. But Bran Cook obviously didn¡¯t realize it, his hands still pressing on the piano keys non-stop. Someone immediately noticed something was wrong, and even Bran Cook¡¯s men realized something was amiss and hurried over, whispering in Bran Cook¡¯s ear, ¡°Young master, stop playing, you¡¯ll give it away!¡± Only then did Bran Cook stop his hands, his face stern as he spoke softly, ¡°What¡¯s going on? At such a critical moment, what are you messing up?¡± Although he could play the piano, it was only basic skills; he couldn¡¯t possibly play such a good piece. Now that the sound system was unplugged, Bran Cook had to turn around and look apologetically at the guests at the party: ¡°I¡¯m very sorry, there¡¯s a problem with the piano, I can¡¯t continue.¡± ¡°Is that so? May I sit down and give it a try?¡± Just then, Julius Reed, holding a bottle of wine, called out from among the crowd. Chapter 376 - Chapter 376: Chapter 376 Amos Davenport_1 Chapter 376: Chapter 376 Amos Davenport_1 Crash! Because Bran Cook stopped playing the piano, the lights at the party lit up again. Following the noise, everyone saw a young man holding a bottle of wine, completely drunk, with a piece of cake in his hand. The cake had a bite taken out of it, not whole anymore. Most importantly, this person was an unfamiliar face. It was well known to people in Gonzalez City that the Radcliffe Family¡¯s son-in-law was a good-for-nothing. But very few had actually seen what this son-in-law looked like. Julius Reed spent his days at home doing laundry and cooking, going out only to buy groceries, and since the spread of this story was more of a joke, no one was so idle or so painfully curious as to check out what this son-in-law looked like. So now, Julius Reed was standing right in front of them, but no one recognized him. After all, they were not from the same social circle and had no connections. When everybody¡¯s gaze was fixed on Julius Reed, he slowly stuffed the cake into his mouth, took a bite, and seemed to choke on it, then took a swig of wine. Not a bit of decorum. Especially when contrasted with Bran Cook¡¯s gentlemanly manner. ¡°Who is this?¡± Bran Cook looked at the somewhat unfamiliar Julius Reed, asking with confusion. ¡°Isn¡¯t it? Who is this guy! Such bad manners, eating with his hands, like a drunkard!¡± ¡°Is he crashing to freeload food and drinks? With that kind of air, he¡¯s definitely not one of us!¡± The crowd buzzed with comments, looking at Julius Reed with scorn. How could such a vulgar person have found his way in here? Seeing that Bran Cook had asked, Yasser Davenport quickly stepped forward and began to introduce, ¡°This is my friend, he¡¯s called¡­¡± ¡°My name¡¯s Amos Davenport, I¡¯m from the Northeast. I followed Yasser Davenport here from the Northeast because I wanted to see the wealthy Gonzalez City. Is there a problem with that?¡± Julius Reed interrupted Yasser Davenport¡¯s words and introduced himself. Since not many people knew him, why bother revealing his identity? And as for Bran Cook¡¯s coveting intentions towards his wife, Julius Reed could not stand for that. ¡°Huh, Yasser Davenport, you¡¯ll bring just anyone in here. What do you think this place is? A vegetable market? Look at this guy, does he deserve to be here?¡± ¡°Yasser Davenport, if it weren¡¯t for Bran Cook having a high regard for some of your abilities, just relying on your nearly bankrupt factory, what right would you have to be here, let alone bring someone else?¡± ¡°Such a mistake in choosing friends! Really, birds of a feather flock together, just look at your circle, it¡¯s all full of this kind of trash!¡± On hearing that Yasser Davenport brought him in, everyone started to attack again. Although Yasser Davenport was quite capable, his family business was indeed in a bad state, suffering losses for years, and had also accumulated a lot of debt. The present company spared no effort in speaking this way, which was nothing less than an insult to Yasser Davenport. In fact, in this circle, Yasser Davenport really didn¡¯t have much status. ¡°I heard that Rolls-Royce at the entrance is yours? Borrowed from someone, or did you buy it with a loan?¡± Someone who arrived late happened to see Yasser Davenport stepping out of a Rolls-Royce. ¡°With your home nearly going bankrupt, what are you trying to pretend? We¡¯re all from Gonzalez City, who doesn¡¯t know whom!¡± Another well-dressed young man stood out, scrutinizing Yasser Davenport with obvious contempt. They were all rich descendants of Gonzalez City, and naturally, they would relentlessly belittle the likes of Yasser Davenport, taking delight in making fun of him. ¡°That¡¯s right, and there¡¯s his friend, with that pretentious look, even wanting to play the piano? You, can you even play?¡± A burst of laughter echoed through the crowd. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the piano being out of order, I actually would¡¯ve liked to let this brother show off his talent. It¡¯s just not the right time, huh!¡± Bran Cook¡¯s face showed regret. He truly looked down on Yasser Davenport but had heard that Quella Radcliffe was on good terms with Yasser Davenport, so he had reluctantly invited Yasser. Who knew this fatso would even bring someone along, but since he was invited, he had to show magnanimity. ¡°No worries, anyone who comes is a friend.¡± After a slight smile, he turned and walked towards Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Clang!¡± Unexpectedly, when he had just turned around, Julius Reed, who had been feasting just moments before, swiftly sat at the piano and struck a note. The air instantly quieted. ¡°What are you doing! Stand up!¡± Bran Cook¡¯s security quickly approached Julius Reed, wanting to pull him up. ¡°Just now, Bran Cook said that if the piano wasn¡¯t broken, he would allow me to play. What does this mean? Could it be that the piano isn¡¯t broken at all, and it¡¯s just that Bran Cook can¡¯t play?¡± Julius Reed turned his head to look at the guards surrounding him. Seeing this scene, Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t help but purse her lips and laugh. Since Julius Reed was using a pseudonym, it meant he intended to cause trouble here, so she played along, pretending not to know him. Her previously somber mood was swept away. ¡°Clang!¡± At that moment, Julius Reed pressed another key. ¡°Wasn¡¯t the piano broken?¡± ¡°Yes! No one has touched it, how is it working now? Could it really be Bran Cook who¡­¡± ¡°Shh¡­ don¡¯t talk.¡± Everyone whispered among themselves as if they understood something. Ever since Bran Cook claimed the piano was broken, no one had touched it. How could it be fixed in just a few short minutes? No one believed there wasn¡¯t a problem with that. ¡°Silence!¡± Bran Cook¡¯s face darkened slightly; he hadn¡¯t expected this seemingly boorish man to be so utterly without manners, taking a seat at the piano without the host¡¯s permission. He had none of the etiquette of the upper class. He wasn¡¯t following the script. But on second thought, how could such a person possibly play the piano? Once everyone laughed at him together, they would forget about Cook¡¯s own pretense of playing. ¡°Move aside! I said before, as long as the piano is usable, this brother can play if he wants to. What are you doing, get lost!¡± With a wave of Bran Cook¡¯s hand, the guards hurriedly backed away, leaving Julius Reed sitting in front of the piano, the center of attention. ¡°What can this kid play, other than hitting keys at random?¡± ¡°These days, there are many people who don¡¯t know their limits. I reckon this might be his first time touching a real piano, huh? Drank a bit, forgotten who he is.¡± ¡°Exactly, such a disappointment! Just wait and see how I¡¯m going to humiliate him!¡± A group of people, with glee on their faces, waited for Julius Reed to make a fool of himself in public so they could mock him. After all, kicking someone when they¡¯re down was what they were best at. ¡°Shall I start, then?¡± Julius Reed put the wine bottle on the ground and looked towards Bran Cook. ¡°Go ahead!¡± Bran Cook smiled faintly, waiting inside for Julius Reed to embarrass himself. ¡°Well then, here¡¯s to making a fool of myself.¡± Julius Reed took a deep breath and began to play slowly. In an instant, everyone was captivated by the music. The elegant piano sounds seemed to transport them to a sea of flowers, with a waterfall in view. There were the calls of birds, the chirping of cicadas, and the high song of egrets. Bran Cook¡¯s expression changed; this wasn¡¯t someone who was unskilled, it was the playing of a master! Chapter 377 - Chapter 377: Chapter 377: The Qin is not broken_1 Chapter 377: Chapter 377: The Qin is not broken_1 Bran Cook had studied piano for several years and, although he hadn¡¯t achieved much depth of proficiency, he knew a thing or two. From the moment Julius Reed pressed the black and white keys, he knew he had been duped! This wasn¡¯t about making a fool of himself, it was clearly a show of prowess! Although the others were shocked as well, they were quickly captivated by the piece and became completely immersed in the piano music. When the sunlight faded, darkness descended! A fierce cold wind swept across the vast land, followed by a storm that ravaged all the beauty before them! And in the sky, countless dragons descended from the heavens, their flames devouring everything! At that moment, the piano music came to an abrupt halt. Fear was written on everyone¡¯s faces, and sweat beaded on their foreheads. It wasn¡¯t until the piano fell silent for a good half minute that people began to come back to their senses. ¡°My goodness, that scared me to death!¡± ¡°That¡¯s it? I was left wanting more!¡± ¡°Dude, you¡¯re more kickass than a piano master! What¡¯s the name of that piece? I¡¯ve listened to all the classics from ancient to modern times, but I¡¯ve never heard this one!¡± ¡°It¡¯s so majestic, it¡¯s terrifying!¡± After recovering, everyone¡¯s gaze towards Julius Reed changed. It was no longer filled with disdain or condescension; instead, it was a mix of admiration and disbelief. ¡°Handsome, what¡¯s your name? Amos Davenport, is it? My name is Shane Yarrow, and here¡¯s my WeChat.¡± A woman walked straight over, sat on Julius Reed¡¯s lap, and shook her phone: ¡°If you¡¯re up for it, I¡¯m yours for the night.¡± She threw a sultry look and lightly licked her red lips with her tongue. ¡°Sorry, I already have someone I like.¡± Julius Reed said with a smile as he declined. ¡°Yeah, right, men always say one thing and mean another. You¡¯ll miss out if you pass up this chance, you know. So many guys are trying their hardest to get me into bed, and I¡¯m not usually interested!¡± Shane Yarrow tossed her hair, full of allure. The men nearby were all looking on with anger, reeking of jealousy. Shane Yarrow was quite well-known in Gonzalez City, beautiful and with a good family background; she was the object of many men¡¯s pursuits. Now that Julius Reed had rejected her like this, many of the men wanted to beat him up. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, but I¡¯m used to being faithful,¡± Julius Reed firmly rejected, with Quella Radcliffe right in front of him. If he added Shane on WeChat, the relationship he had slowly cultivated might very well be ruined. He stole a glance and saw Quella Radcliffe watching him with a smile on her face. A woman¡¯s smile, how false! It hides a knife! And it¡¯s a dragon-slaying knife at that! ¡°Would you like to come to my house and be a piano teacher?¡± That¡¯s when a woman in red approached, and upon her arrival, Shane Yarrow hurriedly moved away. ¡°Itai Huntington¡­ when did she come back?¡± ¡°We haven¡¯t seen her for half a year; how would I know! She wasn¡¯t at the banquet earlier either¡­¡± When Itai Huntington made an appearance, everyone consciously stepped aside, even Quella Radcliffe¡¯s expression changed momentarily. ¡°Sister Huntington, when did you get here?¡± Bran Cook, abandoning his previous air of superiority, walked over with a smile to greet her. It was obvious that Itai Huntington¡¯s appearance had caught everyone off guard. ¡°I returned from the capital this afternoon. After being away and having my fun for half a year, it¡¯s time to come back for a rest. I heard you were holding a reception here, and Sister Huntington loves a lively scene, so she came uninvited. Hope I¡¯m not disturbing you all?¡± Itai Huntington, dressed in a red cheongsam with short, curled hair, leaned against the piano with a cigarette in hand, exuding elegance and grace. ¡°Sister, that¡¯s no way to speak! Had I known you were back, I would have sent someone to the airport to bring you here earlier. This reception would seem lackluster without you!¡± Bran Cook¡¯s face beamed with a smile, his flattery knowing no bounds. ¡°Young man, you still haven¡¯t answered my question.¡± Ignoring Bran Cook, Itai Huntington turned to face Julius Reed, gently blew smoke in his face, and then whispered in his ear, ¡°Promise me, will you?¡± ¡°Amos Davenport, Sister Huntington is speaking to you! Don¡¯t play dumb here! Answer her now!¡± Bran Cook stiffened his face, looking at Julius Reed, ¡°Sister Huntington is giving you great honor, don¡¯t be ungrateful!¡± ¡°Sorry, but back when I was in school, the thing I hated most was teachers, and now you want me to be a teacher, I¡¯m not comfortable with it, am I? Besides, someone of your status could easily invite a master, so count me out.¡± Julius Reed chuckled, easily sidestepped Itai Huntington, and stood up from his chair. ¡°You really are ungrateful! Do you even know who Sister Huntington is¡­¡± ¡°Never mind, I don¡¯t like to force others.¡± Itai Huntington lifted her head and gave Julius Reed a wistful look, ¡°I¡¯m really a bit disappointed.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know Bran Cook¡¯s prowess yet. Just now, he sat here and played a piece that was absolutely breathtaking! Now that the piano is fixed, why not have Bran Cook play a complete piece for you to see?¡± Julius Reed gave Itai Huntington a cheery look while gesturing ¡°please¡± to Bran Cook. Bran Cook¡¯s face instantly turned an ashen hue, for although he could play, he could merely play¡ªthe sounds he produced even he couldn¡¯t bear to listen to. This was clearly meant to embarrass him! Itai Huntington was also surprised, for she knew Bran Cook to some extent. The Cook Family¡¯s young master was indeed talented, but she wasn¡¯t aware he could play the piano. Could it be that he had learned during this last year in the capital? ¡°I should pass, I¡¯ve already played¡­¡± ¡°Bran Cook, you were interrupted in the middle of your performance, but everybody heard it, and it was truly of a master¡¯s level! It was a pity the piano broke and spoiled the mood. Now that the piano is fixed, why not perform a complete piece?¡± At that, Julius Reed slapped his forehead, ¡°Oh, right, you were about to confess to this lady, weren¡¯t you? This is the perfect opportunity¡ªyou can¡¯t miss it.¡± He glanced at Quella Radcliffe with a slight smile on his lips. ¡°Bran Cook plays very well; I quite enjoy it. It¡¯s just a shame it was only half a piece¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe, contrary to her usual demeanor, actually took the initiative to show sympathy toward Bran Cook. This once again put Bran Cook in an awkward position. He wanted his men to hook up the sound system and continue the charade, but not too far off, his men were displaying the broken audio plugs. When Julius Reed had unplugged it, he crushed the plug with his foot¡­ ¡°Sister Huntington, if Bran Cook can play a piece, maybe I¡­¡± Julius Reed looked shifty, as if hesitating to continue. ¡°Bran Cook, everyone heard you play the piano just now. Sister came late and didn¡¯t hear it. Now, you decide, if you feel Sister isn¡¯t worthy of your performance, then forget it.¡± Itai Huntington extinguished her cigarette and, with her arms crossed, turned to look at Bran Cook. ¡°Sister Huntington, you jest. Since you insist on listening, I shall, albeit embarrassingly.¡± Bran Cook¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment, his gaze toward Julius Reed filled with murderous intent! It¡¯s not just embarrassing¡ªit¡¯s downright humiliating! Dang! Dang! Dang! ¡°The piano isn¡¯t broken now.¡± Julius Reed pressed the keys thrice, his face mocking as he looked at Bran Cook. Chapter 378 - Chapter 378: Chapter 378 I Like Reserved People_1 Chapter 378: Chapter 378 I Like Reserved People_1 ¡°It¡¯s quite a coincidence, Brother Dragon really is a noble man, I must thank you properly.¡± Sitting on the piano bench, Bran Cook gritted his teeth as he spoke. When he said the words ¡®thank you,¡¯ they seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s give Bran Cook a warm round of applause to welcome his performance for us!¡± Julius Reed led the applause, and the others followed suit. After all, Bran Cook¡¯s playing just now wasn¡¯t half bad. Although it was far from Julius Reed¡¯s level. ¡°I¡¯ll be making a fool of myself.¡± Bran Cook took a deep breath and continued to play with determination. Before even five seconds had passed, everyone began to frown. This wasn¡¯t music, it was noise! The sound fluctuated wildly, and the rhythm was all over the place; it was completely haphazard. But that was Bran Cook, so everyone had to endure. Some even pretended to be entranced by the music, closing their eyes and nodding their heads, even though they felt like throwing up inside. With Julius Reed¡¯s previous piece as a backdrop, Bran Cook¡¯s flaws were now glaringly exposed! Even Itai Huntington couldn¡¯t help but frown, feeling somewhat disturbed. Meanwhile, a question arose in everyone¡¯s mind: What was going on with Bran Cook¡¯s earlier performance? Judging from now, he was clearly an amateur. How could he possibly have played at a master¡¯s level? But no one dared to say this aloud, unless they no longer wanted to be part of the scene in Gonzalez City. Three minutes later, Bran Cook, drenched in sweat, took a long breath and managed to squeeze out a faint smile: ¡°I¡¯ve made a fool of myself.¡± Relief was evident on everyone¡¯s faces. ¡°Bran Cook¡¯s piece is unparalleled through the ages; even by today¡¯s standards, it¡¯s at the level of a top master!¡± ¡°I really wish it could have gone on a few minutes longer; then my life would not have been lived in vain!¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that the truth? I¡¯ve heard many people play the piano, but only Bran Cook truly merges with the instrument in perfect harmony. Amazing! Truly amazing!¡± The rich second-generation kids of Gonzalez City collectively heaped praises, each outdoing the others in the art of flattery and sycophancy. A piece of noise had been transformed into a masterpiece. ¡°You flatter me, Cook is merely a beginner and has only grazed the surface,¡± Bran Cook said with an embarrassed face, fully aware that these people were merely flattering him. But this was better, saving him from losing face. Just then, a piano piece suddenly began to play at the gathering. Everyone was startled at first, then realized that this was the very piece Bran Cook had just played. But the piano was here, and no one was playing¡ªwhere was the sound coming from? The crowd quickly parted, all turning towards the source of the sound. They saw Julius Reed standing next to a stereo speaker, fiddling with something. Noticing people looking his way, he turned around and clapped his hands: ¡°Bran Cook has got some great stuff here! It sounds just like the real thing. This speaker must have cost hundreds of thousands, doesn¡¯t it?¡± With that said, everyone suddenly understood. The huge contrast in Bran Cook¡¯s performances was because the first time was pretense! But no one dared to voice it, choosing instead to remain silent. Caught in Julius Reed¡¯s trap, Bran Cook wished he could flay him alive, but with so many people watching, he had to awkwardly explain: ¡°This equipment, I bought it from abroad to add some atmosphere to the gathering.¡± ¡°Ah! So that¡¯s what it was. But the sound quality is really impressive, just like hearing someone play live. If Bran Cook weren¡¯t such a stand-up guy, I¡¯d suspect you were faking it!¡± Julius Reed squatted beside the speaker, scrutinizing it while sighing, ¡°It¡¯s really great! It must be nice to be rich!¡± He brazenly brought up the matter of the fake bullet, causing everyone to break out in a cold sweat for Julius Reed. Bran Cook¡¯s mouth twitched, filled with the urge to kill. ¡°Let¡¯s continue, people! Why are you all looking at me?¡± Julius Reed stood up and walked over to the piano, noticing a bouquet of roses on it. ¡°Is Bran Cook planning to propose to the woman he loves?¡± Julius Reed sniffed lightly, ¡°Fresh, real flowers.¡± His series of reckless actions sent shivers of horror through the onlookers. He was seriously offending Bran Cook to death! If you offend Bran Cook, could you even think of leaving Gonzalez City alive? Now with the downfall of the Brandon Family and the tragic death of Jaxen Brandon, the title of number one young master of Gonzalez City naturally fell onto Bran Cook. His return to Gonzalez City was to take over Quella Radcliffe and to establish his authority, securing the title of top bachelor in Gonzalez City. Nobody dislikes a title of honor. Moreover, Gonzalez City is a coastal city with vast commercial potential. Bran Cook had already discussed with many prominent families in the capital to set up a major corporation here, injecting tens of billions in capital. Now, there was this audacious nobody jumping around, ceaselessly provoking Bran Cook¡ªwasn¡¯t this a death wish? Yet, because Itai Huntington was present, Bran Cook didn¡¯t make a scene. ¡°They are real flowers, indeed meant for a girl I fancy,¡± Bran Cook said, glancing at Quella Radcliffe with a faint smile, ¡°It¡¯s just that perhaps she isn¡¯t ready yet.¡± A perfectly fine confession was reduced to shreds by Julius Reed, who had also stolen the spotlight. How could he continue, how could he confess? Any hint of romance was gone, instead, awkwardness scattered everywhere. ¡°Wow! Such a successful man as Bran Cook wouldn¡¯t have any woman out of reach, would he?¡± Julius Reed feigned surprise, exclaiming, ¡°Rich people are different, turning even the simplest of things complex.¡± He turned and picked up the bouquet of roses from the table, glancing around, ¡°Let¡¯s see which lady will be lucky enough today to receive a rose from me.¡± ¡°Pah! Shameless!¡± ¡°Absolutely, how can there be someone so utterly brazen in this world?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t mind at all. If he dares to offer me one, I¡¯ll gladly accept it. After all, he¡¯s not bad-looking, clean and neat, and plays the piano well, much better than those hypocritical men.¡± ¡°Indeed, I like this straightforwardness too.¡± Regarding Julius Reed¡¯s words, those present had two attitudes. The men cursed, while the women praised him. ¡°Brother Dragon sure is confident!¡± Bran Cook said coldly, and as he glanced over the women present, all of them fell silent. That was exactly the effect he wanted¡ªif Julius Reed sent out roses that nobody wanted, that would be the real embarrassment! ¡°I¡¯ve really never seen such a shameless person before!¡± Itai Huntington leaned slightly forward, her face breaking into a smile filled with emotion, ¡°If you give it to me, I wouldn¡¯t mind accepting it!¡± Her words once again made Bran Cook grind his teeth in fury. Yet, Itai Huntington was someone he couldn¡¯t afford to offend; the woman who made Gonzalez City tremble in fear had suddenly returned after half a year away, and nobody knew her intentions. But over the years, those who dared to oppose Itai Huntington all met with terrible fates. ¡°Sister, you¡¯re too bold, not demure at all. I don¡¯t like that,¡± Julius Reed said helplessly. As he finished, everyone was dumbfounded. That was Itai Huntington he was talking to¡ªwas he suicidal? Bran Cook rarely showed a smile, thinking this really was courting death! Itai Huntington was first stunned, then quickly regained her smile, ¡°But sister likes you.¡± ¡°Sorry, I prefer modesty.¡± Julius Reed turned around, looked at Quella Radcliffe sitting on the couch, and slowly walked over, ¡°Congratulations, you¡¯re indeed fortunate to have won my pursuit.¡± Chapter 379 - Chapter 379: Chapter 379 Be My Girlfriend_1 Chapter 379: Chapter 379 Be My Girlfriend_1 When Julius Reed approached Quella Radcliffe, the air froze once again. Most people were well aware that the reason Bran Cook was hosting the party today was first, to publicly confess his feelings to Quella Radcliffe. Second, it was to announce his plans to invest in building a factory in Gonzalez City, hoping for the support of those present. The first matter had already been messed up by Julius Reed, who not only thwarted the plan but also severely humiliated Bran Cook. This put the top bachelor of Gonzalez City in a very awkward situation. And now, amidst so many women, Julius Reed chose Quella Radcliffe of all people. Wasn¡¯t this rubbing salt in Bran Cook¡¯s wounds? If it was a coincidence, it was too much of a coincidence. While everyone else was extremely tense, Bran Cook felt rather unbothered, even appearing to enjoy the spectacle. Although he was irritated inside, the outcome might be very pleasurable for him. Quella Radcliffe was so proud that she didn¡¯t even spare a glance for a young talent like himself, let alone the man before her now¡ªan upstart with no name to speak of. Or rather, someone called Amos Davenport, but with no family background to speak of, and very arrogant to boot. Once she ridiculed Julius Reed, the young man would undoubtedly feel very humiliated, and those present would add insult to injury, stepping on Julius Reed mercilessly. It would be like beating a dog when it¡¯s down. ¡°Little brother, it¡¯s not nice of you to reject your sister like that. Am I not as charming as she is? Don¡¯t I attract you at all?¡± Itai Huntington looked at Julius Reed with a flirtatious gaze, threw him a coquettish wink, and made countless men envious and jealous. And hateful! But on second thought, they decided to let it go. This woman, Itai Huntington, was someone they dared not provoke. This widow, who tragically lost her husband right after their marriage, had created many storms in Gonzalez City over the years. Many men who wanted to take advantage of her had met with mysterious ends. No one knew the real background of Itai Huntington, but even the wealthiest man in Gonzalez City had to show her respect. Some said the Huntington family was a prominent family from the capital, some said Itai Huntington was a member of a mysterious organization, and there were even rumors that she was a succubus, born to bring bad luck to her husbands. But nobody knew the truth, and although men lusted after her body, none dared to step any closer. Above the word ¡°lust¡± hangs a sword, and this sword was a guillotine. But Julius Reed was not afraid. After all, Amos Davenport did not know who Itai Huntington was. Whoever she was, it was none of his business. ¡°Sister, I¡¯m afraid my body wouldn¡¯t be able to handle marrying you!¡± Julius Reed looked troubled and even scanned Itai Huntington¡¯s mature body with an extremely lecherous gaze, finally resting his eyes on her chest, ¡°I want to live a few more years, little brother does!¡± Flustered by his look, even Itai Huntington couldn¡¯t help but blush, spat, ¡°Little brother, you¡¯re not serious at all. But the less serious you are, the more I like it.¡± Their flirtatious exchange left the surrounding people stunned, while Yasser Davenport quietly gave a thumbs up, praising Julius Reed the brave. The untouchable Itai Huntington had been flirted with today! But once Bran Cook saw through it, he felt relieved. A greenhorn who didn¡¯t understand the severity, such a person would also meet a very miserable end. ¡°Why are you here!¡± At that very moment, Anna Harris, who had gone to the restroom to throw up and freshened up her face, rushed back to Quella Radcliffe, worried that if she took too long Radcliffe might run into trouble. But as she left the restroom, she was surprised to find Julius Reed holding a bouquet of roses, standing in front of Quella Radcliffe. Seeing him there, Anna Harris felt relieved but also wanted to unleash her frustration, hoping Julius Reed would vent it for her. When Julius Reed¡¯s eyes caught sight of Anna Harris, he inwardly cursed, ¡°Damn.¡± If this naive youth blurted out his true identity, things would no longer be fun. He immediately walked briskly to Anna Harris, saying somewhat displeased, ¡°I¡¯ve told you countless times, stop following me! It¡¯s impossible for us to be together. Don¡¯t think that by getting an abortion for me, I will be moved.¡± Anna Harris was completely baffled by this and immediately became furious! Wasn¡¯t this an insult to her innocence? Quella Radcliffe was still watching from the side; this was clearly an insult to her! But before she could erupt, she noticed Julius Reed winking at her. The smart Anna Harris, after a brief look at Quella Radcliffe¡¯s expressionless face, slapped Julius Reed hard without much thought! Smack! The slap caught not only Julius Reed but everyone present, including Quella Radcliffe, completely off guard. What kind of act was this? ¡°You scumbag! I¡¯ve been with you for three years, tolerating your affairs, but you even¡­¡± Anna Harris rolled her eyes and squeezed out a few tears as she sobbed, ¡°you even gave me a disease. I wanted to keep the child, but you didn¡¯t even give me the chance. You tricked me into the hospital and had the baby aborted. Then, you mingled with other women and took all my money!¡± At that moment, Julius Reed even had the illusion that he really did all these things? It had to be said that Anna Harris¡¯s acting was Oscar-worthy. Luckily she didn¡¯t go into show business, otherwise the so-called Best Actors and Actresses would have had to settle for the sidelines. ¡°What a jerk!¡± ¡°Damn deadbeat!¡± ¡°May you have a son without an anus!¡± The women at the scene became extremely angry after watching Anna Harris¡¯s performance! Many were on the verge of hitting someone. After all, it was Bran Cook¡¯s place, so they dared not act rashly. ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought the little brother is quite the playboy!¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s eyes also changed significantly after hearing these words. Any woman seeing Anna Harris¡¯s pathetic state would understandably get angry. But before Julius Reed could speak, Anna Harris suddenly knelt to the ground with a ¡°thump.¡± ¡°I beg you, give me another chance. As long as you¡¯re with me, I don¡¯t care how you mess around outside. I can give you my family¡¯s business, I can give you everything I have, please don¡¯t abandon me¡­¡± As she said these words, Anna Harris was sniveling and crying, the very image of a girl abandoned by a jerk. ¡°Damn it! Beast! Even I, a man, can¡¯t stand to watch this!¡± ¡°He¡¯s really a scumbag! Worse than pigs or dogs, this girl must be blind to have fallen for you!¡± ¡°You will be recompensed! As you do, so shall you reap! You won¡¯t end up well like this!¡± The crowd verbally and harshly condemned Julius Reed, wanting to tear him apart. ¡°Ah! The girl is set on revenge against me!¡± Julius Reed thought to himself, and sure enough, when Anna Harris sneaked a glance at him, the corner of her mouth revealed an imperceptible smirk. ¡°Then don¡¯t blame me for being merciless.¡± Julius Reed sighed, and with a heavy kick, knocked over the weeping girl onto the ground. After everything, he dusted off his clothes and said with utter calm, ¡°Cry again, and I¡¯ll break your legs! Keep it in!¡± Anna Harris was initially startled, having been kicked for no reason. Though it didn¡¯t hurt at all, she ended up lying on the ground because of him. At that moment, silenced by Julius Reed, she actually stopped crying. ¡°Get lost. I don¡¯t have time tonight!¡± Julius Reed waved his hand dismissively, turned around to pick up the roses, and knelt on one knee in front of Quella Radcliffe: ¡°Will you be my girlfriend?¡± Chapter 380 - Chapter 380: 380 Chapter 380: 380 Julius Reed¡¯s actions shocked everyone. He had just hit his ex-girlfriend, and now he was proposing love to a new flame? And to a girl he didn¡¯t even know at that? Even Itai Huntington frowned slightly, her last bit of goodwill towards Julius Reed vanished completely. Such a man was really too much. Then looking at the girl who had been hit, curled up on the ground, wanting to cry but not daring to, she looked so pitiful that it stirred sympathy. ¡°Brother Dragon, you just treated your ex-girlfriend like that, and now you turn around and¡­ and confess to Miss Radcliffe, do you think we are all blind or fools?¡± Bran Cook, who had always found Julius Reed displeasing, finally caught the opportunity to give him a good thrashing! ¡°Forgive my bluntness, but as a man, fists are not meant to be used on women! Especially a woman who has had an abortion for you, have you considered her future? If you never intended to be with her, why did you pursue her in the first place?¡± He snorted coldly, shook his head, and said, ¡°Such a person, Cook does not deign to associate with you! Please leave my party and don¡¯t bring us bad luck!¡± ¡°Get lost!¡± The crowd started to jeer. Itai Huntington also stood aside, watching with a cold gaze. ¡°Quiet!¡± Impatiently, Julius Reed interrupted everyone¡¯s insults. He turned to Bran Cook, ¡°Young Master Cook, even if you want to kick someone out, you should wait until I¡¯m done professing my love, right? As the saying goes, ¡®Rather demolish ten temples than destroy a single marriage¡¯. Isn¡¯t that a bit too unscrupulous of you?¡± ¡°You!¡± Bran Cook was so angry he was at a loss for words. He took a deep breath, smiled, and nodded: ¡°Fine, since you wish to humiliate yourself, I can¡¯t help it. Just wait, and let¡¯s see how you get your face slapped later!¡± Quella Radcliffe was innately proud and had not even taken a liking to herself, let alone such a scumbag? He knew Anna Harris was Julius Reed¡¯s best friend. Now that this Amos Davenport had gotten Anna Harris pregnant and was now professing his love to Quella Radcliffe, it was nothing short of a death wish, the epitome of self-humiliation! ¡°Then there¡¯s no need for Young Master Cook to worry. What if someone actually likes a scumbag?¡± Julius Reed gave a grin, turned with a rose in hand, and looked at Quella Radcliffe affectionately: ¡°Miss, I noticed you the moment I first saw you. I don¡¯t know what kind of magic it is, but when I close my eyes, it¡¯s you, and when I open them, it¡¯s still you. Now, with all the courage I can muster, I want to ask, would you be my girlfriend?¡± He took a deep breath, then continued, ¡°I promise you, I will only mess around once a week from now on, and I won¡¯t bring two women home at the same time. Even if I do, it will be when you¡¯re on a business trip or working overtime, I assure you won¡¯t see it.¡± ¡°Truly the scummiest of the scum!¡± Itai Huntington snickered coldly on the side. This man seemed to be sick in the head. Would any normal woman agree to such a man? To be honest, at the beginning, she had quite admired Julius Reed¡¯s demeanor. Young and frivolous, yet with a certain talent. In Gonzalez City, no one dares to confront Bran Cook like this unless they¡¯ve a death wish. But Julius Reed dared, and repeatedly made Bran Cook lose face. Just for that, Itai Huntington had wanted to recruit this young man. But the way he had treated Anna Harris just now had dispelled that thought. Morals, morals¡­ Without morality, one is absolutely unacceptable. Such a person could betray you for gain at any time, completely unreliable. Now seeing Julius Reed proposing to Quella Radcliffe, she felt more disappointment than anything. Arrogant people, if they lack the necessary strength, are probably courting death. ¡°Miss Radcliffe, would you like me to have someone throw him out? Such a man dirties your eyes,¡± Bran Cook gestured, immediately several security guards came over, ready to chase off the intruder. ¡°No need.¡± Quella Radcliffe shook her head. Then, under the bewildered watch of countless people, she took the rose from Julius Reed and said indifferently, ¡°I accept.¡± I accept. Four words struck everyone present like lightning. Itai Huntington¡¯s body shuddered, and she blinked, staring at Quella Radcliffe with the kind of look one reserves for the mentally ill. Had her mind gone awry? Just minutes ago, this man named Amos Davenport had just slept with her best friend and even tricked her into getting an abortion! And now, she was actually agreeing? Bran Cook also doubted his ears had heard correctly. He hurried over and asked, ¡°Miss Radcliffe, what did you just say?¡± ¡°I said, I agree to be his girlfriend.¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at Bran Cook with an expressionless face as she spoke. The crowd completely erupted! ¡°What is she thinking? Rejecting Young Master Cook and getting involved with such a scumbag?¡± ¡°Could it be that this guy is a super-rich second-generation heir? He doesn¡¯t look like it! If he really were so wealthy, how come we¡¯ve never heard of him?¡± ¡°There must be something wrong. I think Quella Radcliffe is playing him!¡± Everyone was talking at once. Bran Cook, after hearing the discussions, finally came to his senses. ¡°So that¡¯s how it is! Miss Radcliffe is right; that kind of person deserves to be insulted!¡± He nodded, his mood instantly lightening. Pretend to agree first, then verbally humiliate him ¨C a fatal blow to the heart! ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Quella Radcliffe frowned at Bran Cook, looking at him as if he were a fool. ¡°Isn¡¯t Miss Radcliffe agreeing first, letting this scumbag be happy, then pouring cold water on him to make him completely desperate?¡± Bran Cook, seeing Quella Radcliffe¡¯s expression, suddenly panicked within. Could it be that things were not as he thought? But that shouldn¡¯t be the case! Even a blind person wouldn¡¯t agree to such a scumbag. ¡°My word is as good as gold,¡± declared Quella Radcliffe, walking up to Julius Reed with a smile. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with scumbags? Scumming openly and fearlessly, unashamed in front of others, that¡¯s exactly what I like!¡± As she spoke these words, the wealthy heirs around felt as though they had been struck by lightning. Scumming openly and fearlessly? Is there even such a thing as being honorable in scumming? They started to doubt their life choices. ¡°Miss Radcliffe, such scum only lusts after your body! See for yourself, your best friend, your dear best friend ¨C that will be your fate too!¡± Bran Cook, eyes wide, could not accept this reality. Who is Quella Radcliffe? A beauty and a CEO! Not to mention top-tier looks, even her demeanor is unmatched in the whole of Five-river Province. And yet, this goddess whom everyone desires, she actually agreed to a scumbag¡¯s courtship? ¡°That¡¯s right. I do covet her body,¡± Julius Reed nodded without denial. ¡°See! He¡¯s a scumbag!¡± Bran Cook pointed at Julius Reed, his eyes full of rebellion as he looked at Quella Radcliffe. ¡°I¡¯ve heard,¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded: ¡°So what? Looks are a part of me too. I like honest men. His frankness is something many lack.¡± This is considered frankness? Bran Cook was befuddled. This is simply shameless! No bottom line to being human! But before he could continue questioning, Julius Reed directly asked, ¡°Young Master Cook, let me ask you just one thing ¨C don¡¯t you covet her body as well?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Bran Cook took a deep breath, unsure of how to respond. Chapter 381 - Chapter 381: Chapter 381: The Sudden Kiss_1 Chapter 381: Chapter 381: The Sudden Kiss_1 The air seemed to congeal. Everyone¡¯s beliefs were completely overturned. One was a scumbag who had just publicly rejected his infatuated ex-girlfriend, and the other was Quella Radcliffe, a goddess-level figure from Gonzalez City. These two people could not be connected in any way, but now, they had become a couple. ¡°Hah! I understand.¡± Bran Cook sneered coldly, looking at Quella Radcliffe, ¡°Miss Radcliffe, my affection for you is sincere. You don¡¯t have to choose such a scumbag as a shield just because you rejected me.¡± He subconsciously believed that it was his own words and actions that had provoked Quella Radcliffe, and that she had chosen to be with Amos Davenport out of spite. Besides that, he could find no other reason to explain why the normally rational Quella Radcliffe would accept this scumbag in public. Once he thought it through, Bran Cook wasn¡¯t so surprised any longer. It was within the bounds of reason, yet beyond his expectations. To cut off his own thoughts, she would actually be with a scumbag? Although it was just a shield, for Bran Cook, who prided himself on his mental purity, it was still unacceptable. He couldn¡¯t tolerate Quella Radcliffe being with another man, not even in name! ¡°I have not.¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at Bran Cook with a polite smile, ¡°I am aware of Young Master Cook¡¯s intentions, and now I will clearly tell you, the man I like is right here before me.¡± Her gaze was firm, and if not for Bran Cook guessing the reason, he almost believed her. ¡°Hehe, President Radcliffe, are you really willing to debase yourself and ruin your reputation for this? Today, in front of everyone here, I will ask you one more time.¡± Bran Cook¡¯s face lost its previous smile and he spoke seriously, ¡°As long as you¡¯re willing to be my woman, I guarantee that no one present will bother the Radcliffe Group again. Moreover, within a month, I will revive the Radcliffe Group from death!¡± ¡°There are so many people here, all listening clearly, I just want one promise from you¡ªto be my woman!¡± Bran Cook said, in a very masculine manner. His declaration made Itai Huntington, who had been silent, feel somewhat impressed. It was about time to be forthright, and avoid the sneaky tricks. ¡°I think you¡¯re mistaken.¡± Facing such a forceful confession, Quella Radcliffe shook her head and said, ¡°I will do my best to save the Radcliffe Group, and if it truly goes bankrupt in the end, then I will have done my best. I am willing to accept the consequences.¡± She turned to Julius Reed, ¡°I agreed to be with him, just as I said before. He is an open and upright man, a gentleman of integrity.¡± ¡°Miss Radcliffe, you don¡¯t have to¡­¡± As Bran Cook sneered, Quella Radcliffe suddenly embraced Julius Reed and gently kissed him on the lips. Bran Cook swallowed back the words he was halfway through saying. He stood frozen in place, feeling as if the world was spinning around him. Itai Huntington, who was closest to the pair, was equally shocked when she saw Quella Radcliffe passionately kissing Julius Reed. Known as the deadly widow, she had weathered countless storms, even frequent brushes with death. But now, she found the situation utterly unbelievable for the first time. Completely and utterly unbelievable. Quella Radcliffe really kissed Julius Reed¡ªit wasn¡¯t fake. It couldn¡¯t get any realer. The rich heirs at the party stood with their mouths agape, holding their breath while holding their wine glasses. Even now, they couldn¡¯t believe that the always cold Quella Radcliffe would take the initiative to kiss a man. And such a total scumbag at that! Their hearts were nearly shattered! Why? Why could such a scumbag win a beauty¡¯s favor, while they couldn¡¯t even get a glance from Quella Radcliffe? Bran Cook felt a spasmodic pain in his chest; he stepped back and leaned against the wall, his eyebrows tightly furrowed. For the first time in many years, he experienced a sense of defeat! Indifference! Rage! And hatred! Everything was prepared by him, even the flowers in Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand were intended as a tool for his confession. But now, it all tuned out to be making wedding dresses for others! He was left with nothing, all his efforts wasted! He found himself ridiculous, still thinking that Quella Radcliffe wanted a shield! According to everyone¡¯s understanding of President Radcliffe, a shield doesn¡¯t deserve that kiss. Meaning, everything was real. To the greatest surprise, was the person involved, Julius Reed. Three years, almost four now! The closest they got was holding hands! And now, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s first kiss! Julius Reed felt a rush of hormones, which was not embarrassing for a freak who had lived for ten thousand years. He tried to respond, and Quella Radcliffe immediately moved away from his lips, her complexion flushed, her eyes carrying a hint of resentment. ¡°We¡¯ll talk when we get back.¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s voice was barely audible, combined with her blushing cheeks, it told everyone. She was serious! ¡°You lost, Bran Cook.¡± Itai Huntington clapped her hands, smiling at Julius Reed: ¡°Sister underestimates you. But be careful with Miss Radcliffe, I suddenly realize I¡¯ve started to like a jerk too. Maybe one day you¡¯re working overtime, and I¡¯ll sneak into your house and have a taste of this jerk!¡± Her lips curled into a flirtatious smile. ¡°You¡¯re welcome to try, but I¡¯m confident she won¡¯t be into you. Who would trade delicacies for street food?¡± Quella Radcliffe retorted without any politeness. Everyone feared Itai Huntington, not her! Julius Reed was her husband, and if any woman dared to seduce him, she, the rightful owner, would certainly not be courteous. ¡°Heh, we¡¯ll see about that!¡± Itai Huntington raised an eyebrow, suddenly getting competitive with Quella Radcliffe. This exchange was a clash of titans, as Quella Radcliffe directly likened Itai Huntington to street food, which was an insult. An unabashed insult. In front of so many people, no less. And Itai Huntington¡¯s challenge was a direct declaration of war against Quella Radcliffe¡ªa war waged by women¡¯s methods! ¡°Anytime!¡± Quella Radcliffe was not intimidated. Everyone held their breath, not daring to speak. This gathering had too many big events for one night! ¡°Since¡­ since Miss Radcliffe now has a boyfriend, I don¡¯t need to think too much anymore.¡± Bran Cook, ever the standout among men, adjusted his emotions in just a few minutes. ¡°I have decided to acquire Radcliffe Group, and the brothers here will also support me! Since President Radcliffe is here, you¡¯d better be prepared.¡± He looked at Quella Radcliffe, the ambiguity in his eyes replaced with a killing intent. ¡°Within a week, I¡¯ll render Radcliffe Group bankrupt, and if I can¡¯t do it in seven days, I¡¯ll kneel and offer you a toast right here in this club!¡± Once he said this, there was no turning back. With Bran Cook¡¯s strength and connections at present, accomplishing this was as easy as turning his hand. The rest who were still hesitant could now join in without worry. ¡°I look forward to it!¡± Quella Radcliffe faced Bran Cook¡¯s stare with fearlessness. ¡°Indeed, you¡¯ve got spirit!¡± Bran Cook nodded in approval: ¡°Then, we¡¯ll see.¡± ¡°Great! I¡¯ll take my leave!¡± Quella Radcliffe took Julius Reed by the hand, heading towards the exit. ¡°Hold on, I¡¯ve invited a key guest today. Would Miss Radcliffe mind to hear how I plan to take over your company?¡± Bran Cook said coldly from behind. Chapter 382 - Chapter 382: 382 Chapter Bran Cook’s Tactics_1 Chapter 382: 382 Chapter Bran Cook¡¯s Tactics_1 ¡°A distinguished guest?¡± Itai Huntington raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°How come I don¡¯t know about any distinguished guest?¡± Her purpose today was to let the people of Gonzalez City know that she was back. She had planned to announce some big news at this cocktail party, but didn¡¯t expect Julius Reed to mess things up for her, causing her to lose interest. Now that Bran Cook mentioned a distinguished guest was coming, it naturally piqued her interest. ¡°Sister might not know, but I¡¯ve used some significant connections to invite the general manager of Willson Group. The reason I came back from the capital city was to invest in building a factory here in Gonzalez City, to benefit the local folks,¡± Bran Cook said, regaining his confident smile. ¡°The Willson Group emerged suddenly a few months ago, and even the young masters in the capital are paying great attention to it.¡± ¡°I know about the Willson Group. They appeared out of nowhere! Even those big families in Five-river Province are scrambling to curry favor with them!¡± ¡°I also know, very impressive indeed! At the last banquet held by Willson Group, my father and I took an interest and attended once. It was brilliantly golden and extravagantly luxurious!¡± ¡°I attended that banquet too. Not to mention anything else, just the location of Willson Tower and the building itself are worth a lot of money!¡± All the rich second generation here have very wealthy families; their fathers are some of the most prominent figures in Gonzalez City, so they basically all attended the Willson Group¡¯s banquet with their fathers. According to Julius Reed¡¯s instructions, the ingredients used for that banquet were all of the highest tier, and the entire dinner event was incredibly lavish. It was meant to show off the power of the Willson Group to the wealthy businessmen of Five-river Province. From the words of these wealthy second generations, it was clear that the Willson Group was a gigantic entity! Therefore, when they heard that Bran Cook had invited the general manager of Willson Group, everyone was very surprised. Even Itai Huntington was quite amazed. ¡°Bran Cook, I heard that the chairman of Willson Group is very mysterious, and to this point, nobody has seen him, right?¡± Itai Huntington also wanted to establish contact with the Willson Group, but she was in the capital city and had not been able to find the leader of the Willson Group. Despite leveraging numerous connections in the capital, all she got was some insignificant information. The Willson Group, unlike other conglomerates, had mysterious figures behind the scenes, possessing wealth that others couldn¡¯t fathom. It was said that the boss was a businessman from Taiwan, who, because of managing the family business, had not been able to come over to the mainland. For Bran Cook to have been able to invite the general manager of the Willson Group was quite impressive indeed. ¡°Of course, Sister might not know that this general manager of the Willson Group is the brother-in-law of Xiao Feng Leopold from the Leopold family in the capital,¡± Bran Cook said with a faint smile, brimming with confidence. ¡°If it were someone else, they definitely wouldn¡¯t have the chance to meet this general manager. I am friends with Xiao Feng Leopold, and only because of him did he agree to help. His sister pestered him for a long time before the general manager agreed.¡± ¡°Bran Cook is truly formidable!¡± ¡°Amazing! Amazing! Truly deserving of being called the number one young master of Gonzalez City!¡± ¡°Following Bran Cook, we¡¯re sure to make a fortune!¡± The rich second generations once again started to admire Bran Cook. The Willson Group was too mysterious. This company had a broad range of operations and was rumored to possess so much wealth that everyone lost count. If one could enter into a partnership with the Willson Group, it would certainly be a lucrative deal with no losses! Just thinking about making money by following Bran Cook excited everyone immensely. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to do my bit for our hometown brothers. After all, when there¡¯s money, we should all earn it together!¡± Bran Cook thoroughly enjoyed the flattery from these people; his return was all about chasing after this feeling of being the center of attention, In the capital, he was a lapdog for those powerful young masters, always bowing and scraping, behaving according to others¡¯ looks. Now that he had returned home in glory, he immediately straightened his back. No one can resist this feeling; everyone has vanity. Bran Cook was no exception. ¡°So you¡¯ll have to introduce me to your sister,¡± Itai Huntington said with a gentle smile, walking up to Bran Cook. ¡°My sister has also got a project recently, with money to be made together.¡± ¡°Since sister has spoken, I will definitely do my best to matchmake. It¡¯s just¡­ it¡¯s just that the General Manager of Willson Group is quite proud and dismissive, which might require some patience from you, sister.¡± Worried that Itai Huntington might misunderstand, Bran Cook quickly explained, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it that way, it¡¯s just that he might be a bit overbearing when he speaks. Please bear with him.¡± To bed Itai Huntington was probably more than even the General Manager of Willson Group dared to dream. It¡¯s not that he didn¡¯t dare, but that it wasn¡¯t necessary to invite that kind of trouble. ¡°No problem, it¡¯s all about making money!¡± Itai Huntington chuckled and turned around. ¡°Here they come!¡± At that moment, Bran Cook¡¯s previously arrogant demeanor vanished, as he quickly trotted toward the entrance with a smile, calling out, ¡°Director Thatch, you¡¯ve arrived.¡± A portly man with a big belly and a man in white walked in together. ¡°Boss?¡± Upon seeing the man in white, Aaron Martin hurried over to introduce him to Bran Cook, ¡°Bran Cook, this is my boss, Aron Jackson! I¡¯ve mentioned him to you before.¡± ¡°Aron Jackson! I¡¯ve heard so much about you!¡± Bran Cook quickly extended his hand and shook Aron Jackson¡¯s, politeness in his voice, ¡°Back in the capital, I¡¯ve long heard of the great name of Aron Jackson. Now that I see you, indeed you carry an air of valor!¡± Upon returning to Gonzalez City, he had immediately got to grips with the local situation. Learning that the entire martial world of Gonzalez City was in the hands of a man named Aron Jackson, he began to plot how to ingratiate himself with this formidable boss. He started by approaching Aron Jackson¡¯s employees, first enticing Aaron Martin with a hefty sum, then using him to contact Aron Jackson. To his delight, Aaron Martin personally invited Aron Jackson to today¡¯s social gathering, and his own boss honored the invitation. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you! I heard from my employee that Bran Cook has big plans for Gonzalez City, and of course, I had to come and see our young hero for myself. Don¡¯t forget us when you get rich, Bran Cook!¡± Aron Jackson also spoke politely. As the boss of the martial community, it was his duty to monitor everything happening in Gonzalez City on behalf of Julius Reed. The moment Bran Cook arrived and made such a scene, Aron Jackson had to come and assess the situation. ¡°On my way here, I happened to run into Aron Jackson, so we came together. There was a traffic jam on the road, and we¡¯re a little late,¡± Thatch Rose said with a glance at his watch, speaking cheerfully. He was another of Julius Reed¡¯s men, implanted in the company as a mole, not part of the Ridge Family. But apart from a few people like Julius Reed and Aron Jackson, no one else knew his true identity. ¡°No problem, the social just got started,¡± Bran Cook quickly extended his hand, making a welcoming gesture. ¡°Gentlemen, this way, please.¡± The crowd parted to create a pathway. Aron Jackson and Thatch Rose walked side by side towards the most secluded spot. Just as they reached the piano, Aron Jackson caught sight of Julius Reed. He was about to speak, but he saw Julius Reed shake his finger, signaling to pretend they didn¡¯t know each other, and Aron Jackson sat down in his place. Meanwhile, he wondered why Julius Reed hadn¡¯t notified him of his own arrival? ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, today we are honored to have both the General Manager of Willson Group and Aron Jackson with us. Let¡¯s discuss how we can invest in building factories in Gonzalez City!¡± Leading the applause, Bran Cook waited for the clapping to cease before smiling lightly, ¡°I propose we start by acquiring Radcliffe Group.¡± Chapter 383 - Chapter 383: Chapter 383 Cat and Mouse_1 Chapter 383: Chapter 383 Cat and Mouse_1 ¡°Young Master Cook, investing in a factory in Gonzalez City, how is that related to the takeover of Radcliffe Group? I¡¯ve heard of this Radcliffe Group; they seem to be facing the risk of bankruptcy and closure recently.¡± Thatch Rose sat in the chair, picked up a cup of tea that had long been brewed, and took a gentle sip. The taste was good; the price was probably not cheap. It was obvious that Bran Cook had really gone all out this time. ¡°The logic is simple. It¡¯s because Young Master Cook just expressed his affection to the chairwoman of Radcliffe Group, Ms. Quella Radcliffe here, and got rejected. So he¡¯s bent on retaliation! But someone as dignified as Young Master Cook certainly can¡¯t say that directly!¡± Julius Reed stepped forward from the crowd, looked at Bran Cook with a faint smile, and said, ¡°As for the wording, it¡¯s nothing more than that Radcliffe Group is burdened with debt, and now is the best time for a takeover. It only takes a low cost to acquire a company with over a decade of heritage.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t sling mud at me here!¡± Bran Cook¡¯s face changed slightly, as he stepped forward and snorted coldly, ¡°My acquisition of Radcliffe Group¡­¡± ¡°Your acquisition of Radcliffe Group, once publicized, will immediately spread the news, advertising your new company for free. Many unwilling people will have to beware of being taken over. Those who are aware of current trends will surely come to you on their own, allowing you to quickly gather a large number of collaborators and suppliers in a short time, right, Bran Cook?¡± Julius Reed interrupted Bran Cook and watched him with a smile. ¡°You¡­¡± Bran Cook took a deep breath; Julius Reed had said everything he wanted to say. How was he supposed to speak now? The takeover of Radcliffe Group certainly implied coercion for Quella Radcliffe to submit, but from a business perspective, Radcliffe Group¡¯s crisis was due to partners breaching contracts last minute, causing an abrupt withdrawal. Acquiring such a company wouldn¡¯t cost much, but it could be rapidly integrated under his control. The fact that he had been rejected by Quella Radcliffe was bound to get around, and acquiring Radcliffe Group was also a way of announcing that those with him would prosper, and those against him would perish. Moreover, with the local influence of the Cook Family, Bran Cook¡¯s reputation, and the Willson Group¡¯s investment, many local tycoons in Gonzalez City would be forced to join the business alliance that Bran Cook was about to establish. The painful example of Radcliffe Group was right in front of them¡ªwho would dare refuse? Unless they wanted to be acquired. Now, with his intentions laid bare by Julius Reed, it was impossible for Bran Cook to save face. ¡°Bring someone to throw out this unwelcome guest!¡± With a wave of his hand, Bran Cook gave his order, and Aaron Martin immediately moved towards Julius Reed with his men. He rolled up his sleeves, sneered, and said, ¡°Kid, want to come with us?¡± Seeing this, Aron Jackson leaned back and covered his forehead with his hand, taking a deep breath. How did his employees all become so blind, picking fights with someone they couldn¡¯t afford to provoke? However, at this time, Julius Reed did not want to reveal his identity, so Aron Jackson could not intervene, and could only feel sad for his employees. ¡°This brother with a¡­ a cat tattooed on him, where are you taking me?¡± Julius Reed carefully looked at the tattoo on Aaron Martin, asking innocently. At this question, many people tried to hold back their laughter. Aaron Martin had a tiger tattooed on his body, but because he had lost a lot of weight due to an illness years ago, the tiger on his body looked loose and baggy, more like a sickly cat. But no one had ever dared to mention it. After all, he was one of Aron Jackson¡¯s men, and even if he couldn¡¯t compare to the likes of Dominating Tiger, no one dared to offend him. It¡¯s like the eunuch beside the emperor, even though he is just a eunuch, try insulting him and see what happens? Taken off guard by Julius Reed¡¯s question, Aaron Martin¡¯s face instantly turned red. ¡°Fuck! Open your damn eyes! Look closely, this is a tiger!¡± Aaron Martin pointed to the tiger on his body that looked more like a pathetic cat, his face turning beet red. In the world of roughnecks, what do you consider important? Face! All those present were the second-generation rich from Gonzalez City, wealthy people. With Julius Reed speaking like that, how could Aaron Martin ever stand a chance in front of these people? How could he make money without fostering good relationships with the wealthy in their line of business? Was he supposed to compete with bosses for scraps? ¡°Then let me have a good look!¡± Julius Reed leaned in close, and Aaron Martin, infuriated, ripped off his shirt to bare his chest, glaring at Julius Reed. ¡°Open your eyes wide and take a good look!¡± Aaron Martin¡¯s breathing grew more and more rapid; if it weren¡¯t for his boss being right there, he would have started throwing punches already. There was a rule in their business: Aron Jackson was very averse to the idea of his employees hitting people at will. ¡°Now it might look the part.¡± Out of nowhere, Julius Reed pulled out a cartoon Mickey Mouse sticker and pressed it onto the spot over Aaron Martin¡¯s ribs. It looked just like a scene from Tom and Jerry, with Tom chasing the little mouse. Many people couldn¡¯t help but snicker. Those rich young ladies went even further, openly pointing at the cat and mouse on Aaron Martin¡¯s body and bursting into loud laughter. Some even went so far as to take out their phones, recording videos to show their best friends and pals. ¡°I¡ªfuck¡ª¡± Aaron Martin was about to clench his fist when Aron Jackson suddenly coughed loudly, forcing him to suppress his seething anger and tear the mouse sticker from his body, shredding it to pieces! ¡°Get lost! This is Bran Cook¡¯s turf, you¡¯re not welcome here!¡± Aaron Martin¡¯s veins bulged, his face flushed red with anger, his fists tightly clenched, every muscle tensed for action. It looked like if Julius Reed didn¡¯t leave, he would really start a fight. ¡°You think I¡¯m a sick cat when I don¡¯t act the tiger?¡± His subordinates also crowded around, one by one, rubbing their fists and palms together, ready to stand up for their boss. ¡°Aaron Martin, is it Mr. Martin to you?¡± Julius Reed said with clasped hands, ¡°I¡¯ve long heard of Mr. Martin¡¯s great reputation, and seeing you today really confirms your impressive demeanor. But this is Bran Cook¡¯s territory. What does his kicking people out have to do with you?¡± After saying this, Julius Reed turned to Aron Jackson, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Mr. Martin is the top warrior among your employees. Why then is he listening to Bran Cook? Could it be that you serve two masters at once? Aron Jackson, everyone says that in Gonzalez City, you and Ovidiu Cook represent the twin forces of black and white, of literature and martial arts. Why are you so harsh on your own employee, to the point where he¡¯s thinking of switching allegiance?¡± ¡°You¡­ don¡¯t talk nonsense!¡± Aaron Martin¡¯s heart missed a beat; he knew what Aron Jackson despised the most. He had indeed taken Bran Cook¡¯s money to carry out this job. But he had never considered defecting to Bran Cook¡ªif it truly came to that, his body would probably be found on the docks of Gonzalez City by tomorrow. What Julius Reed was saying was utterly trying to bury him alive! ¡°Amos Davenport! Don¡¯t you dare spout such slander here! Aaron Martin and I get along well; he was merely helping me oust someone. With those words, you¡¯re not only stirring up trouble between Aron Jackson and me, but you¡¯re also setting a trap for Aaron Martin. You¡¯ve really got some nerve!¡± Bran Cook had to speak up; if Aron Jackson developed a grudge over this, his plans for expanding the Radcliffe Group in Gonzalez City would most likely fall through. It¡¯s said that even a mighty dragon could not suppress the local snake, let alone someone like Aron Jackson, who was akin to the local dragon. Previously, at least, the Three Blade Group and other small organizations provided some resistance against Aron Jackson, but now that he reigned supreme in Gonzalez City, if he decided to take action, it would be more than Bran Cook could handle. ¡°Why so agitated, unless my words have struck a chord? Since you¡¯re afraid of me speaking out, then I¡¯ll be on my way. Goodbye,¡± Julius Reed said, taking Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand and turning to leave. ¡°Stop right there!¡± Bran Cook shouted from behind. Chapter 384 - Chapter 384: Chapter 384 Business Alliance_1 Chapter 384: Chapter 384 Business Alliance_1 If Julius Reed just left like this, Aron Jackson would definitely be suspicious. That¡¯s the truth about the fearsomeness of public opinion. To prove his innocence with Aaron Martin, he had to make Julius Reed stay. ¡°What, Mr. Cook, you plan to force me to stay? I¡¯m a bit of a scaredy-cat, and I fear being frightened. If you really scare me to death, getting involved in a manslaughter trial wouldn¡¯t be good at all!¡± Julius Reed stopped in his tracks, turned around, and looked at Bran Cook with a teasing grin. For a man who dared to covet his wife, he had to be played with slowly, not killed off in one go. ¡°Brother Dragon is joking. Today, Cook would like to ask you to stay. As I said, acquiring the Radcliffe Group is a normal business operation, and my friendship with Brother Martin is just that¡ªfriendship. So I¡¯m not afraid of you staying; even if you spread rumors, as long as I behave honorably, I have nothing to fear!¡± Bran Cook patted his chest, looking righteous and majestic. ¡°Bran Cook is honest and upright, how could he be compared to such petty thieves?¡± ¡°Exactly, a frog in a well! Assuming malice in the intentions of the wise! Mr. Cook has friends all over the world, Brother Martin and us included. By stirring up trouble between Aron Jackson and Brother Martin, what exactly is your motive?¡± ¡°Nothing but foolishness or malice!¡± The rich second generations began to speak out one after another, defending Bran Cook. Seeing such a result, Bran Cook let out a cold laugh. Julius Reed, surrounded and attacked by the crowd, had become a rat crossing the street, everyone yelling ¡®hit it.¡¯ He would likely face endless troubles the moment he walked out that door. He glanced surreptitiously at Aron Jackson but couldn¡¯t make out any emotion. The plan to use public opinion to provoke Aron Jackson to deal with Amos Davenport was probably going to fail. ¡°Since Mr. Cook has invited me to such a grand event, then I will not decline and will stay.¡± Julius Reed pulled Quella Radcliffe to a table, sat down, and even ordered a cup of coffee. ¡°Young employee, do you know the saying, ¡®The tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be brought down by the wind¡¯? Do you understand how easily the strong can be broken?¡± Itai Huntington walked over with a glass of red wine, leaned towards Julius Reed, and whispered in his ear, ¡°By acting like this, you¡¯re courting death.¡± ¡°Thank you for your concern, sister. I¡¯ve always been this way. I say what I think and can¡¯t stand any nonsense. And to be honest, if I weren¡¯t this straightforward, why would Miss Radcliffe agree to be my girlfriend? On the other hand, Bran Cook, always has a dagger hidden behind his smile¡ªso very insincere!¡± Julius Reed said sarcastically, infuriating Bran Cook who clenched his teeth, yet was forced to endure. ¡°Mr. Cook, I do enjoy seeing you unable to stand me but also unable to do anything about it.¡± After saying that, Julius Reed let out a loud laugh, picked up his cup of coffee, and raised a toast to Bran Cook. The atmosphere turned awkward once again. If Thatch Rose and Aron Jackson weren¡¯t there, he would have killed Julius Reed on the spot. But with these two influential figures present, whom he couldn¡¯t provoke, and on whom his advancement in Gonzalez City depended, he had no choice but to bear it. Five seconds later, Bran Cook, his face pale white, slowly unclenched his fists and forced a smile. He turned to Aron Jackson and Thatch Rose, ¡°Gentlemen, my apologies for this unsightly display.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t mind it! If you invited me here to witness this farce, then I may as well take my leave now,¡± Thatch Rose said with a stern face. Had Bran Cook consumed the guts of a leopard, daring to trouble his own boss? If it weren¡¯t for Julius Reed instructing them not to reveal themselves, Thatch Rose would turn the Cook Family business to dust! Although he couldn¡¯t lash out now, he wasn¡¯t about to show Bran Cook any respect. ¡°Manager Rose, of course not, this is just a little interlude,¡± Bran Cook, seeing the change in Thatch Rose¡¯s attitude, broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead. Getting the Willson Group¡¯s General Manager to come had cost him a great deal of effort. Just as Itai Huntington had said, Willson Group was too mysterious, and those with a say were incredibly arrogant, convincing someone with influence to join was harder than reaching the sky! ¡°Speak up if you have something to say! I¡¯m very busy!¡± Thatch Rose picked up a cup of tea and spoke indifferently. ¡°It¡¯s the same old message, I¡¯ve returned from the capital city and, after discussions with some young masters there, decided to invest and build factories in Gonzalez City, establishing a commercial alliance. The local corporate heirs are all here, and they can represent their own families to voice out their opinions.¡± Bran Cook quickly presented his theory: ¡°My ambition this time is great, I want to incorporate various industries. Everyone here is a leader in their own right, and by coming together to establish a comprehensive business alliance group, if it proves effective, the young masters from the capital will invest huge sums to promote this model!¡± Looking at the rich second generations in front of him, who seemed a bit tempted by his words, he patted his chest confidently and said, ¡°By then, you¡¯ll be the co-founders with untold wealth, and even the annual dividends alone will be a substantial amount!¡± In fact, Bran Cook was just using these people again, once the company reached a certain scale and began to profit, he would swallow up their businesses, becoming the biggest businessman in Gonzalez City! As for Ovidiu Cook, he would be replaced sooner or later! ¡°That¡¯s a decent plan, I will relay your idea back home. But in the end, there needs to be someone who calls the shots, who will that be?¡± Thatch Rose, an old hand in business, had plenty of experience. The current situation of Willson Group was exactly the model Bran Cook was talking about, except all these people were attracted with high salaries. In other words, they were all bought with money! No other company could do such a thing. Who could make an investment of several hundred billion without first turning a profit, unless they had incredibly deep pockets? In fact, it was precisely this large sum of money, along with the Willson Building, that began to stir dissatisfaction among the Ridge Family. Even the Ridge Family, sitting on gold and silver mines, found it tough to bear such a slaughter. Hence, the Ridge clan instigated Truman Ridge to betray Julius Reed. Men die in pursuit of wealth. ¡°Manager Thatch asked a good question.¡± Hearing the matter about the leader, Bran Cook stood up and looked at the heirs of Gonzalez City¡¯s wealthy, saying with a smile, ¡°To avoid suspicion, I, Cook, will definitely not take that seat. Everyone here can vote democratically, and elect a person to lead the company.¡± ¡°That place is for no one but Bran Cook! I decide to support Bran Cook!¡± ¡°Right! Other than Mr. Fairbanks, no one else can win everyone¡¯s approval! I also support Bran Cook.¡± ¡°Bran Cook is the most suitable choice!¡± The rich second generations had long been brainwashed by Bran Cook, dreaming of making a fortune. Hearing this news, they naturally supported Bran Cook with both hands. ¡°I appreciate your kindness, but¡­¡± Bran Cook feigned difficulty, glancing at Julius Reed, ¡°I¡¯m just afraid someone will say I¡¯m seeking fame, wanting to take this position! Popular opinion is to be feared, I don¡¯t want any trouble.¡± ¡°Whoever dares say that, we will be irreconcilable with him!¡± ¡°Yes! The position must belong to Bran Cook!¡± ¡°Anyone who talks nonsense, I¡¯ll tear his mouth apart!¡± With Bran Cook saying so, Julius Reed once again became the target of public criticism. ¡°Let¡¯s just vote when the time comes,¡± Thatch Rose said, glancing at his watch and speaking to Aron Jackson, ¡°Mr. Jackson, I¡¯ll be heading back first, and will bring this idea up with the management tomorrow. I¡¯ll let you know, after all, you¡¯re the top dog around here!¡± ¡°You jest! Indeed, it¡¯s getting late, I¡¯ll take my leave as well.¡± Aron Jackson also stood up and paused as he passed by Julius Reed, then strode off. ¡°I¡¯ll be leaving as well!¡± Julius Reed also stood up, took Quella Radcliffe by the arm, and headed towards the door. Meanwhile, Bran Cook signaled to Aaron Martin with a glance, who immediately quietly took some men and followed them out. Chapter 385 - Chapter 385: Chapter 385: Roadblock_1 Chapter 385: Chapter 385: Roadblock_1 The matter of the business alliance suddenly piqued Julius Reed¡¯s interest. With the Radcliffe Group being half-dead, Quella Radcliffe toiled day and night without much profit. It would be better to find an opportunity to take on the business alliance project and push Quella Radcliffe to the chairman position. It wouldn¡¯t let down the reputation of the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. Furthermore, without clarifying the treachery of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, he wouldn¡¯t be able to reveal his identity. People from Deep Cold wanted him dead, and so did the Boulevard League. Not to mention the bunch of young masters and misses in the capital, none of whom wanted him to live comfortably. In this world, one must have money. In the face of money, even the Ridge Family, who had always benefited from Julius Reed¡¯s kindness, had evil thoughts, let alone others. At present, the business alliance might not make too much money, but once such a large alliance gets promoted and branches out nationwide, it could mean astronomical figures. At that time, holding the key to the treasury, he could do whatever he wanted. Julius Reed was very clear that Quella Radcliffe was exceptionally strong in business and that working within the Radcliffe Group was simply a waste of her talent. He could also tell that Quella Radcliffe, a career woman, had always wanted to prove herself, prove that she was worthy of Julius Reed, and was working tirelessly day and night. What could be more fitting than the business alliance? Wasn¡¯t it just about voting? Could Bran Cook outcompete him? ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± When Quella Radcliffe saw Julius Reed looking somewhat lost in thought, she quickly nudged him. She had originally been filled with frustration at today¡¯s banquet but Julius Reed¡¯s appearance had suddenly lifted her spirits. Especially after watching Bran Cook be embarrassed in public, Quella Radcliffe felt extremely gratified. ¡°I¡¯m thinking, when did you become so proactive!¡± Julius Reed said to Quella Radcliffe with a mischievous smile. ¡°Pfft! It¡¯s not like you¡­¡± At this, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s pretty face turned red, and she quickly turned away. She naturally knew what Julius Reed was referring to. Although her kiss had been impulsive, after all, he was her husband, and a kiss was no big deal. Over this period, her feelings for Julius Reed had already changed. ¡°Hey! Can you two not be so lovey-dovey!¡± Anna Harris grumbled from behind. Today, she had aggressively slapped Julius Reed, but before she could feel good about it, she was kicked to the ground. She felt incredibly wronged! Now with Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed being all sweet together, she decided to be the third wheel to get back at Julius Reed for that kick! ¡°Anna Harris, your acting was explosive today! When I start a film company, I¡¯ll make you the lead actress. I guarantee you¡¯ll become famous overnight,¡± Julius Reed said, remembering how flawlessly Anna Harris had cooperated at the banquet and praising her all over again. He almost believed it himself at the time. If it hadn¡¯t been for his vow to stay away from women for a thousand years. ¡°You mean it! Then I¡¯m not leaving. I¡¯ll wait for you to make me famous,¡± Anna Harris huffed and moved closer to Quella Radcliffe, ¡°You didn¡¯t get the loan, and that Liu guy still wants to mess with you. What are you going to do?¡± Quella Radcliffe attended today¡¯s banquet intending to borrow money. Little did she expect Bran Cook to be so self-righteous and attempt to take advantage when she was down. Now she had neither secured the loan nor had she offended someone. ¡°Your husband is so rich, ask him for it!¡± Anna Harris poked Quella Radcliffe on the side. She was very clear about Julius Reed being wealthy. Flying in helicopters and flirting everywhere hardly seemed the behavior of someone short on cash. But the Radcliffe Group was in the midst of a financial crisis and needed a huge amount of money. ¡°Where would I get the money from? I¡¯m living off my wife, waiting for her to support me.¡± Julius Reed laughed and joked, Quella Radcliffe was very proud, borrowing money behind his back, not wanting to be just a pretty face. If he took out money now, Quella Radcliffe would be even more unhappy. He definitely needed to help, but could only do so as an unseen benefactor behind the scenes. ¡°Pfft! Your wife is having such a hard time, and you still have the mood to talk nonsense.¡± Anna Harris gave Julius Reed a disdainful glance. Because of the company¡¯s issues, Quella Radcliffe hadn¡¯t been sleeping well lately. Dark circles were clearly visible under her eyes. ¡°Kid, you sure know how to live it up, surrounded by beauties ¨C damn, you¡¯re lucky!¡± Just then, a voice cursing came from the woods on both sides of the road, followed by a dozen or so people straggling out. ¡°What are you doing! I¡¯m calling the police and shouting for help!¡± Anna Harris instinctively took out her phone, about to make a call. But an employee, quick on his feet, walked over, snatched Anna Harris¡¯s iPhone 8, and smashed it hard on the ground. As if worried it wasn¡¯t broken, he stomped on it again! ¡°Everyone stay put! Or don¡¯t blame me for not being nice!¡± Aaron Martin stood in the center of the crowd, with a wooden stick on his shoulder and a wicked smile on his face. ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t be scared, what are you calling the police for? These are my friends, you¡¯re getting all worked up for nothing.¡± Julius Reed spoke up, trying to comfort Anna Harris. ¡°Your friends¡­¡± Anna Harris stood there, looking at her shattered phone, obviously heartbroken. ¡°Yeah, my friends! Brother Aaron Martin and I get along very well. What you¡¯re seeing is an illusion.¡± Julius Reed looked at Aaron Martin with a smile and said, ¡°Right?¡± As soon as these words were out, even Quella Radcliffe looked at Julius Reed with a strange expression. How could they not know? ¡°Boss, what¡¯s going on?¡± Aaron Martin¡¯s employees looked at Julius Reed, asking their own boss with confusion. The two nearly came to blows at a banquet, and now they were here to deal with this Amos Davenport guy, so how did they suddenly become friends? ¡°Bullshit! I¡¯ve got an irreconcilable feud with you! You dare to screw me over in front of Aron Jackson; I¡¯m going to rip that filthy mouth of yours today!¡± Aaron Martin spat fiercely on the ground: ¡°Ptui! You, of all people, want to be friends with me? Only if the sun rises from the west!¡± He hated Julius Reed so much, he felt an itch in his teeth. If Aron Jackson had believed the slander just now, his whole future would have been ruined. Aaron Martin was clear in his mind that the only reason Bran Cook was willing to lend him money was because of his influence under Aron Jackson. If he were to be driven out by Aron Jackson, who would even give him a second glance? Probably even a garbage-scavenging old man would dare to hit him with a tricycle! ¡°Guys, let¡¯s give him a good beating!¡± Aaron Martin commanded with the wooden stick in hand, and his employees rolled up their sleeves, moving closer to Julius Reed and the others. ¡°What do we do?¡± Seeing the thugs approaching, Anna Harris instinctively tightened her grip on Julius Reed¡¯s clothes: ¡°Can you fight them off?¡± Asked such a question, Julius Reed shrugged and said, ¡°Can¡¯t beat them, but I have an idea that could prevent my wife from getting hit.¡± ¡°What idea?¡± Anna Harris asked in a low voice, keeping an eye on the approaching ruffians. She even overlooked the fact that Julius Reed said ¡°my wife,¡± not ¡°you and my wife.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Without heeding her words, Julius Reed called out to Aaron Martin: ¡°How about I give you my ex-girlfriend, and you let me and my current girlfriend go, is that a deal?¡± ¡°Go to hell, you scumbag!¡± ¡®Thump!¡¯ Anna Harris¡¯s kick missed, losing her balance and falling to the ground. Chapter 386 - Chapter 386: Chapter 386 Deaf and Blind_1 Chapter 386: Chapter 386 Deaf and Blind_1 ¡°Kid, what did you just say?¡± Aaron Martin couldn¡¯t help but frown upon hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, ¡°Are you really that trash? That woman had an abortion because of you, and now she¡¯s still willingly being the other woman. Even I, a thug, can¡¯t bear to watch!¡± He spat on the ground with great disdain, ¡°Tch! The kind of person I despise the most is you! I¡¯m going to give you a proper beating today, and if I don¡¯t break your ¡®little brother,¡¯ I¡¯ll take your surname!¡± ¡°Go!¡± They quickly moved forward, but before they could lay a hand on anyone, they saw someone walking down the street. ¡°Boss, there¡¯s someone. What should we do?¡± One of them leaned in close to Aaron Martin. If they started a fight in the street and a passerby recorded it or called the police, things would undoubtedly escalate. ¡°Damn! Why is this guy so idle? Full from supper and got nothing better to do than take a stroll at night?¡± Aaron Martin took a deep breath, itching with irritation inside. However, Aron Jackson had ordered not to bully people using their power. If word of this got out, he would inevitably face the group¡¯s sanctions. ¡°Hey! There¡¯s going to be a fight here! Scram! If you want to take a walk, go over there. If the fighting starts and you get hurt, don¡¯t expect me to care!¡± Aaron Martin shouted at the figure on the street with a loud voice. Normally, when shouted at like this in the middle of the night, most people would run for their lives, not even having enough time to escape. Yet the figure continued to approach without even pausing, sauntering over leisurely. With hands clasped behind his back, wearing a long robe, he looked like an old man practicing Tai Chi in a park. ¡°Why does this figure seem so familiar?¡± Aaron Martin furrowed his brows and thought, feeling that he recognized the figure but unable to remember who it was. ¡°Boss, what do we do?¡± As the man drew closer, Aaron Martin slapped his forehead, suddenly realizing, ¡°This old man must be deaf! With old age comes deafness, and yet he still comes out for a walk? Go, light a fire, that¡¯ll scare him away!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± They stood in a line and took out lighters from their pockets, flicking them on and off. A normal person, as long as they¡¯re not blind, would be intimidated by such a frightening scene and would certainly steer clear. At midnight, a group of guys playing with lighters looks like they¡¯re either mad or drunk; who would bother with them? But that person still approached as if he saw nothing, walking toward them unhurriedly. ¡°Blind?¡± Aaron Martin took a deep breath and cursed his bad luck. But if he really was both deaf and blind, then it would be an easier matter to handle. ¡°Go, move him away. Don¡¯t hurt him by mistake! We really can¡¯t afford to offend old men these days; without a couple hundred thousands, they won¡¯t get up from the ground!¡± Aaron Martin extended his hand, and two subordinates immediately walked over. ¡°Amos Davenport, today I¡¯m going to personally beat you up. Do you submit or not?¡± Now that the unexpected pedestrian had been dealt with, Aaron Martin confidently strode over to Julius Reed, speaking with overbearing pride, ¡°I know you won¡¯t submit! But you have to, even if you don¡¯t want to! Weren¡¯t you strutting around at the party just a moment ago, and now you dare to defy me!¡± He tore off his shirt, pointing to the tiger tattoo and asked, ¡°Tell me, what¡¯s this? A tiger or a regular cat?¡± Feeling his own sore spot provoked, Aaron Martin was furious. The tables had turned now. With Aron Jackson not around and no one else there, he was determined to thoroughly humiliate Julius Reed! ¡°A cat!¡± Julius Reed took a careful look and then spoke. ¡°Heh, a cat, you say?¡± Aaron Martin sneered, nodding his head, ¡°Today, I will let you learn whether this is a tiger or a cat!¡± He weighed the wooden club in his hand, looking at Julius Reed, ¡°Do you know what this is?¡± ¡°A wooden club.¡± Julius Reed answered truthfully. ¡°Haha! It¡¯s not called a wooden club, it¡¯s called reason! Today, I won¡¯t stop beating you until you admit that the tattoo on me is a tiger. If you don¡¯t say it, I¡¯ll beat you to death!¡± He raised the wooden stick, and it was about to come crashing down. But over there, his employee stood still, shaking and shouting: ¡°Boss¡­ Boss¡­¡± ¡°Useless! Didn¡¯t I tell you to drive that deaf-mute away?¡± Aaron Martin¡¯s anger flared. Just as he turned around, he saw his employee kneeling on the ground. And the ¡®deaf and blind¡¯ old man was practically in front of him. ¡°Garbage! Now I have to handle it myself!¡± He turned back to face the old man, and then his eyes widened! ¡°Boss¡­ Boss!¡± Aaron Martin¡¯s face turned pale with fright, his speech trembling. The so-called old man in front of him was none other than Aron Jackson, the man whose mere name struck terror in Gonzalez City! Mr. Jackson! Now that he had ended up striking his own boss, Aaron Martin felt the desire to die. ¡°Aaron Martin, you¡¯ve got some nerve! You even dare to order your employee to take care of the boss?¡± Aron Jackson said with a smile. Yet, that smile sent shivers down Aaron Martin¡¯s spine. Horrified, he knelt straight down on the ground, pressing his head firmly against it, pleading: ¡°Boss, even with a hundred guts, I wouldn¡¯t dare to oppose you! I truly didn¡¯t know it was you; I just saw someone approaching¡­¡± ¡°So you think you can treat others like that?¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s voice suddenly turned icy, causing Aaron Martin to tremble all over. ¡°I¡¯ve made it clear many times, we do not bully ordinary people! Have you forgotten my words?¡± Aron Jackson spoke with his hands clasped behind his back, his tone chilling. Seeing the turn of events, the other employees quickly dropped their weapons, kneeling neatly on the ground. ¡°Boss, I realize my mistake.¡± Aaron Martin said with a trembling voice. Aron Jackson had very strict demands on his employees; just a while ago, some were discarded and tossed out for bullying others, relying on their power. ¡°You realize your mistake, then what were you thinking just now? You think that being close to Bran Cook, he will protect you?¡± Aron Jackson bent down and whispered into Aaron Martin¡¯s ear. ¡°Boss!¡± Aaron Martin, sweating profusely, shook like a leaf: ¡°I, Aaron Martin, swear to the heavens! If I dared to be disloyal to the boss, may I be struck by thunder! Bran Cook did give me some money, but it was just to make friends. Please rest assured, boss, I will have someone return the goods tomorrow.¡± Forget about the money; as long as he could stay within Mr. Jackson¡¯s workforce, he might have the chance to rise again sooner or later. As long as the green hills last, there will be no shortage of firewood! ¡°Remember this, next time you take someone else¡¯s money, weigh your own worth first!¡± Aron Jackson patted Aaron Martin on the shoulder, saying, ¡°I have had high regard for you, but your actions have greatly disappointed me.¡± ¡°Boss, I was wrong! Please give me another chance! I promise to have no dealings with anyone else, and be loyal to you like a dog!¡± Aaron Martin¡¯s clothes were already soaked through, and at this moment his lips were pale, his body weak to the extreme. ¡°You¡¯re too harsh on your employee; it¡¯s just taking some money. Bran Cook isn¡¯t any good either. Why not take his money if it¡¯s free?¡± Julius Reed watched Aron Jackson reprimanding and said with a laugh from the side. ¡°Damn it! You dare to speak to my boss like that! Today I¡¯ll split you in half!¡± Aaron Martin¡¯s eyes darted around, he picked up the wooden stick from the ground, and prepared to rush at Julius Reed. ¡°Fine, we¡¯ll do as you said, the money from Bran Cook won¡¯t be returned.¡± Aron Jackson said from behind Aaron Martin. Chapter 387 - Chapter 387: Chapter 387 Still a Cat_1 Chapter 387: Chapter 387 Still a Cat_1 ¡°` Hearing this, the previously ferocious Aaron Martin suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. He faintly sensed that something was amiss. ¡°How have things been recently?¡± Julius Reed asked Aron Jackson. ¡°Not bad! No different from before.¡± Aron Jackson walked over with his hands clasped behind his back, grinning from ear to ear. At this moment, Aaron Martin was completely dumbfounded. Not many in Gonzalez City dared to speak to their boss like that! Not to mention Gonzalez City, even those wealthy businessmen from Five-River Province wouldn¡¯t dare to be so casual. In Gonzalez City, Aron Jackson¡¯s name was the law! ¡°So, Aaron Martin, right?¡± Julius Reed approached Aaron Martin. Aaron Martin nodded dumbly. ¡°You can hit me later, I need to talk to my friend first.¡± Julius Reed patted Aaron Martin on the chest and snatched the wooden stick from his hand to toss it away. ¡°That on your body is definitely a cat, really. If you don¡¯t believe me, ask your boss what this is?¡± ¡°A cat!¡± Aron Jackson nodded and started to converse with Julius Reed. ¡°Things have been a little turbulent in Five-River Province lately!¡± Julius Reed gazed at the night sky and sighed. ¡°Then I¡¯ll find a way to restore the peace,¡± Aron Jackson said with a smile. ¡°At least in Gonzalez City, I can make it peaceful!¡± ¡°And what if someone doesn¡¯t want it to be peaceful here?¡± Julius Reed looked at Aron Jackson and smiled, ¡°Some people are too accustomed to a peaceful life; they are always looking for some excitement.¡± ¡°If someone doesn¡¯t want it to be peaceful, I¡¯ll make it peaceful! I¡¯ll send him to the morgue, how about that?¡± Aron Jackson, with his hands still clasped behind his back, lacked any hint of his usual bossiness. Aaron Martin really was stunned! In all his time at the group, this was the first time he had seen Aron Jackson so relaxed and chatting so happily with someone. Who in the world was this Amos Davenport? ¡°I have nothing more to do, I should take my wife home now.¡± Julius Reed patted Aron Jackson on the shoulder. ¡°Bran Cook has plenty of money, you can ask him for more without issue!¡± Cold sweat broke out on Aaron Martin¡¯s forehead again. Dare to pat Aron Jackson on the shoulder? Was this guy crazy? But not only did Aron Jackson not mind at all, he also turned to Quella Radcliffe and very courteously said, ¡°If sister-in-law ever needs anything in Gonzalez City, just come find me. Don¡¯t consider me an outsider.¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded, her expression very calm. If someone else heard Aron Jackson say such words, they would probably kneel down on the spot and be eternally grateful. But these two seemed completely normal, without a hint of surprise. ¡°Brother, it¡¯s getting late today. Come over to my place tomorrow, we¡¯ll eat and drink well, then you can hit me, okay?¡± Julius Reed looked troubled as he negotiated with Aaron Martin. ¡°Thump!¡± Aaron Martin knelt on the ground, bringing his hands together, ¡°I was blind as a bat! Brother Dragon, if you ever need anything from Aaron Martin, just say the word! Through fire and water! I won¡¯t even blink!¡± He now realized that this man knew Aron Jackson. And it seemed their relationship was no shallow one! As for what he had done earlier¡­ Thinking about his earlier actions, Aaron Martin was so scared he pissed his pants. ¡°You said you were going to discount my brother?¡± Julius Reed bent down and asked. ¡°There was something about that?¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s tone turned somewhat strict. ¡°No! Brother Dragon, you heard wrong, I said I would give myself a discount!¡± Aaron Martin looked up, smiling apologetically. ¡°Is that so? Then let¡¯s see if it¡¯s discounted?¡± Julius Reed asked cheerily. ¡°` ¡°Take a good look!¡± Aaron Martin took a deep breath, picked up a wooden stick from the ground, clenched his teeth, raised it, and muttered, ¡°Mom, wife, I¡¯m sorry! Your grandson and son, I¡¯m afraid they¡¯re done for!¡± After saying that, he was about to stab down fiercely! ¡°Forget it! There¡¯s a woman comrade here.¡± Julius Reed snatched the wooden stick away and tossed it aside, clapping his hands, ¡°I¡¯m leaving first, my wife is tired.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Aron Jackson nodded without saying anything more. After this group of people left, Aaron Martin was so scared he could not get up from his knees. His limbs were weak, and he collapsed to the ground. Rather than kneeling, it looked more like he was sprawling¡­ ¡°If you ever disrespect that person again, I¡¯ll kill your whole family!¡± After leaving behind these words, Aron Jackson turned and left. ¡°Yes¡­¡± Aaron Martin only felt his mouth dry and eyes seeing stars. ¡­ After returning home, Anna Harris went straight to her room to sleep because she was angry. It left only Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe sitting in the living room. ¡°Your dad¡¯s car is outside the clubhouse.¡± Julius Reed said. ¡°What!¡± Quella Radcliffe was shocked at first, then grew somewhat angry, ¡°I knew it, why else would my mom keep telling me these past few days how great Bran Cook is, it looks like she¡¯s taken a bribe!¡± In this world, such a practice of selling one¡¯s daughter is probably unique. ¡°Haven¡¯t you gotten used to it yet?¡± Julius Reed picked up a cup of tea and took a gentle sip. ¡°That¡¯s true¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe gave a bitter smile, such parents were really top-quality¡ªin a bad way. But no matter what, they were indeed her biological parents. ¡°What do you plan to do about the company?¡± Julius Reed put down his teacup and sat up straight. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Bran Cook is narrow-minded; you heard his words today too, he won¡¯t stop until he kills off the Radcliffe Group.¡± Quella Radcliffe felt a headache coming on as she spoke about this matter, she rubbed her head helplessly and said, ¡°I¡¯m afraid this company left by grandfather will truly end up being acquired. But no matter what, I will do my utmost to fight to the end.¡± As she said this, a glint of determination flashed in her eyes. Unwilling to give up! ¡°I actually have an idea.¡± Julius Reed noticed Quella Radcliffe¡¯s slight movement, stood up and walked behind her, and began to gently massage her. After his touch, Quella Radcliffe felt much more relaxed in her head. ¡°What idea? You saw it too, even the general manager of the Willson Group is getting involved. I know Aron Jackson is your friend, but once the Willson Group intervenes, even he can¡¯t stop it.¡± After a pause, Quella Radcliffe shook her head helplessly, ¡°Now the businessmen in Gonzalez City are all listening to Bran Cook, we¡¯ve lost.¡± The rich second generations present at today¡¯s gathering were representing the interests of their respective families. They were sent by their families to attend with this purpose in mind. Lately, Ovidiu Cook has been keeping a low profile¡ªbehind closed doors the whole day, as if he has encountered some problems. Given that he was previously also closely associated with the Radcliffe Group, and others close to him like Miguel Abbott and Stanislaus Potter have already run into trouble, it¡¯s hard not to let one¡¯s imagination run wild. With Bran Cook coming to Gonzalez City bearing the wishes of the major families from the capital, he was very welcome among the local businessmen. Ovidiu Cook has ruled here for many years, and many wealthy merchants have been more or less oppressed by the Titan Group. Now is an opportunity! To replace Ovidiu Cook! In such a situation, Quella Radcliffe had no chance of turning the tables! The small Radcliffe Group, how could it fight against the alliance of so many people? ¡°Actually it¡¯s very simple, Bran Cook wants to set up a business alliance, right? The Radcliffe Group, being part of Gonzalez City, naturally qualified to join. If you enter, perhaps things will be different.¡± Julius Reed said with a smile. ¡°Stop joking, what can change if I go?¡± Quella Radcliffe gave a bitter smile. ¡°I¡¯ll make you the chairman.¡± Julius Reed whispered into her ear, ¡°What you want, I¡¯ll give it all to you.¡± Chapter 388 - Chapter 388: Chapter 388 Quiet Venue_1 Chapter 388: Chapter 388 Quiet Venue_1 ¡°` The news of the formation of the business alliance, like a tornado, swept through Gonzalez City in an instant. The next day, everyone gathered at Bran Cook¡¯s private club to start discussing the specifics. Almost every local businessman with some capital in Gonzalez City was invited to participate in this meeting. But what was most surprising was that Quella Radcliffe, the CEO of Radcliffe Group, who had recently been the center of everyone¡¯s attention, also came to attend! The club was already packed to capacity, and because Quella Radcliffe arrived late, she had to sit with Julius Reed near the entrance. Many looked at Quella Radcliffe with discussions buzzing around, their eyes filled with contempt and disdain. The Radcliffe Group was already on the verge of bankruptcy, and Bran Cook had plainly stated the night before that he intended to be the first to acquire Radcliffe Group, setting an example by making a ¡®sacrificial chicken to warn the monkeys.¡¯ So, many looked at Quella Radcliffe with pity in their eyes. However, one person, disregarding everyone¡¯s strange looks, came over and sat next to Quella Radcliffe. That was Yasser Davenport, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s classmate and friend. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, you shouldn¡¯t have come today,¡± Yasser Davenport said in a low voice. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, brother Davenport? Isn¡¯t this a gathering of Gonzalez City entrepreneurs? As the CEO of Radcliffe Group, how could I not come?¡± Julius Reed had a good impression of Yasser Davenport, especially after last night, his esteem for him had greatly increased. In these profit-driven times, it was very rare to find someone like him. ¡°After the humiliation last night, Bran Cook was already holding back his anger. By coming here today, aren¡¯t you just asking for further humiliation?¡± Yasser Davenport sighed, ¡°The man is too narrow-minded. He won¡¯t stop until he has destroyed you and your family.¡± After Julius Reed and the others left last night, Bran Cook publicly vowed to make Amos Davenport and Quella Radcliffe kneel like dogs and beg for mercy. Otherwise, he would not carry the Cook name! ¡°It¡¯s okay, how do you know that I can¡¯t cause his family to be ruined?¡± With a faint smile, Julius Reed didn¡¯t seem to be concerned. At that moment, Bran Cook walked out slowly, holding a wine glass, and deeply bowed to the entrepreneurs present. Then thunderous applause erupted within the clubhouse. ¡°Yesterday, I¡¯m sure you all became familiar with my plan. Originating from Gonzalez City, I naturally think about benefiting our city. The business alliance we are preparing to establish is aimed at driving every enterprise in Gonzalez City to become stronger.¡± Bran Cook walked to the center of the stage, saw the smiling faces of the entrepreneurs below him, and said, ¡°Previously, everyone was scattered, each minding their own business. Now, I want to twist us all into a single rope so that we can exert more strength together! It¡¯s like clenching five fingers into a fist and throwing a powerful punch¡ªthat¡¯s when we¡¯ll have the greatest impact!¡± Thunderous applause once again filled the room. ¡°But for us to form such an unbreakable alliance will not be easy.¡± At this point, Bran Cook¡¯s tone shifted, ¡°Radcliffe Group has now become a target for all. This company is heavily in debt due to poor management, and such a company deserves our support even more. How do we support it?¡± ¡°Acquisition!¡± People in the crowd began to jeer. ¡°Exactly! Radcliffe Group is also a decades-old company, with commendable experience and brand effect within the industry. In the electronics sector, Radcliffe Group currently ranks within the top five in Gonzalez City. It would be a pity to see such a company go bankrupt.¡± Bran Cook showed a look of regret, sighed, and said, ¡°But what surprises me is that the CEO of Radcliffe Group has actually come to attend this gathering of Gonzalez City entrepreneurs today! I¡¯m curious as to what face she had to attend?¡± ¡°Where is she?¡± ¡°She dares to show up?¡± ¡°What shameless audacity!¡± ¡°` Everyone actually knew long ago that Bran Cook was dissatisfied with Quella Radcliffe, so whenever Quella Radcliffe was mentioned, they were filled with malice. Insults erupted for a moment, and many unpleasant words came from the mouths of these well-known entrepreneurs. ¡°I¡¯m right here!¡± Facing the curses, Quella Radcliffe stood up and shouted loudly. The venue immediately fell silent, all eyes turned to Quella Radcliffe, curious to see what this young lady was going to do. ¡°I just want to ask, isn¡¯t this the Gonzalez City Entrepreneurs¡¯ Conference?¡± Under the gaze of many, Quella Radcliffe asked with neither servility nor arrogance. ¡°Exactly! It¡¯s written clear as day!¡± Bran Cook pointed at the banner overhead and spoke, ¡°The words ¡®Gonzalez City Entrepreneurs¡¯ Conference¡¯ ¨C can¡¯t you see them clearly?¡± ¡°Exactly! Are you blind?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you even read?¡± ¡°Making a mystery out of nothing!¡± Everyone expressed their discontent. As long as you insult Quella Radcliffe at this conference, you are politically correct. ¡°Since it is the Gonzalez City Entrepreneurs¡¯ Conference, then I would like to ask Young Master Cook, does the Radcliffe Group not count as an enterprise?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked bluntly. ¡°Ha, under your management, the Radcliffe Group is facing closure, and even the employees¡¯ salaries¡­¡± ¡°Mr. Cook, I asked whether the Radcliffe Group counts as a local enterprise of Gonzalez City!¡± Quella Radcliffe fired back, looking directly into Bran Cook¡¯s eyes. Her gaze seemed to penetrate the heart, making Bran Cook very uncomfortable. ¡°Yes. No matter what, the Radcliffe Group is a local enterprise of Gonzalez City, I admit that. But¡­¡± ¡°But the Radcliffe Group is facing losses and is likely to drag down your business alliance, is that it?¡± Quella Radcliffe interrupted him, saying loudly, ¡°You go on and on about benefiting the locals, but at the first sign of trouble, you swallow up the enterprises that are truly in difficulty. This is kicking someone while they¡¯re down, pulling the rug out from under them!¡± After saying these words, Quella Radcliffe looked around, eyeing the entrepreneurs present, ¡°The predicament of the Radcliffe Group is well known to all of you; it simply boils down to you all cutting orders and breaching contracts. Otherwise, the Radcliffe Group would be a large enterprise with profits exceeding a hundred million. Who among you can guarantee that the same won¡¯t happen to you in the future?¡± ¡°Many of you here are probably suffering losses, hoping to turn things around by joining this so-called business alliance, right? But what if you were in my shoes? Would you be left with nothing but the bones to pick over? Then, when you have had your fill, you will use the same tactics you applied to the Radcliffe Group on yourselves!¡± ¡°In the end! The entire Gonzalez City will be left with Bran Cook alone! And you, you will all be his employees!¡± By the end, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s voice drowned out everyone else¡¯s murmurs. And many of those who had been cursing her fell silent. The venue became instantly quiet, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Each person was thinking whether they might indeed be devoured bit by bit by Bran Cook, just as Quella Radcliffe had described. The Radcliffe Group faced crisis not due to poor management, but because both suppliers and distributors turned their backs, leading to its current situation. If there ever came a day when they were treated the same, they too would likely end up being acquired. ¡°Nonsense!¡± Bran Cook was red-faced from being called out, but when he criticized Quella Radcliffe again, unusually, there were no echoes of agreement from the crowd. Chapter 389 - Chapter 389: Chapter 389 Conditions of Willson Group_1 Chapter 389: Chapter 389 Conditions of Willson Group_1 ¡°Impressive!¡± After Quella Radcliffe sat down, Yasser Davenport gave a thumbs up. ¡°It was all his teaching.¡± Quella Radcliffe glanced at Julius Reed, not yet recovered from the emotions of the moment before. Julius Reed simply smiled faintly, acting as if nothing had happened. ¡°The Radcliffe Group is a local enterprise of Gonzalez City, and I think it can join.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no problem with that, since we¡¯re talking about a local alliance in Gonzalez City. There¡¯s no reason not to let the Radcliffe Group in!¡± ¡°We do business in an upright and straightforward manner, so what could possibly go wrong by letting them in?¡± After a speech, the voices within the meeting room had already changed. Many of Bran Cook¡¯s supporters chose to remain silent, as openly agreeing at this point clearly lacked rationality. People are selfish, and when their own interests are at stake, they become very sensitive. Just like now, stirred by Quella Radcliffe¡¯s words, they each began to worry about themselves. In the end, the majority of entrepreneurs were still not prospering. Only a small number of oligarchs were consistently profitable. But as the saying goes, ¡°It¡¯s the leading goose that gets shot,¡± these oligarchs definitely wouldn¡¯t take a stand and support Bran Cook at this time. If they did so, their reputation in the circle would be done for. Even many would subconsciously regard such a person taking the lead as an enemy. ¡°Since everyone seems to agree, I also consent to the Radcliffe Group joining the business alliance. But¡­¡± At this point, Bran Cook felt extremely reluctant! Once part of the business alliance, he couldn¡¯t carry out acquisitions openly and aboveboard. ¡°But the most important thing now is how to persuade the Willson Group to join us! If we have this giant on board, our progress will be greatly accelerated! And many of you may see the results of our business alliance by this time next year.¡± Bran Cook shifted the topic directly to the Willson Group. He had always been troubled by the Willson Group. Gonzalez City is in Five-river Province, and the leading enterprise of Five-river Province is none other than the Willson Group! If they could secure the inclusion of the Willson Group, it would be much easier. Whether it¡¯s capital networking or corporate management. Relying solely on the local enterprises of Gonzalez City, it is difficult to accomplish anything significant. As Quella Radcliffe said earlier, most businesses are losing money. A few are profitable, but not by much. Joining the business alliance, everyone is aiming to make money. If they are asked to put up cash upfront, many would be unwilling. In that case, the establishment of the business alliance would be indefinitely delayed. But if the Willson Group can join in, it would make a big difference. When Bran Cook spoke about this plan, to put it bluntly, he was pulling the Willson Group in to invest. For such oligarchic enterprises, what they care about is not the immediate profit, but the long-term development. As long as the Willson Group believes this will bring tremendous returns to the group in the future, they will definitely agree. They are not short of cash. Once the investment is made, it will quickly turn into cash and be distributed to the entrepreneurs present. Once the entrepreneurs get a taste of success, they will surely cooperate actively and may even be willing to offer their resources and property to strengthen the alliance. Once the alliance begins to take shape, Bran Cook can return to the capital with this achievement and draw those rich young masters to invest. Eventually, all this money would find its way into his pockets, and he would effectively become the chairman of the alliance. By then, everyone would have unwittingly let Bran Cook grow too powerful and lost their ability to develop independently. Slowly being eroded by him. ¡°I got in touch with the general manager of the Willson Group yesterday, but up to now, there has been no reply,¡± Bran Cook sighed, his face showing his concerns. ¡°Hopefully, everything will go smoothly.¡± ¡°If the Willson Group could join us, we would definitely make a killing!¡± ¡°The Willson Group has deep pockets; they might not be interested in us!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve also heard about this matter, but according to my estimates, it¡¯s unlikely that the Willson Group would want to join!¡± Everyone was discussing fervently, wondering whether the Willson Group would join or not. They were well aware that such a large company was not looking at immediate profits but at long-term development. If they could really persuade the Willson Group to invest, they might be able to make a lot of money at this time next year. Just then, a young man hurried onto the stage and whispered into Bran Cook¡¯s ear. The scene quieted down again as many people wanted to know what had happened. After the young man left, Bran Cook said with a furrowed brow, ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, Manager Lu of the Willson Group just had his assistant call to say that the matter has been submitted to the senior executives, but they are not very interested and will likely not consider it.¡± ¡°How could this be!¡± ¡°Alas! The Willson Group is a behemoth; how could they care about such a small piece of the cake?¡± ¡°If the Willson Group doesn¡¯t join us, we¡¯ll have a hard time making a profit!¡± Everyone looked at each other, faces filled with doubt. What would the establishment of this commercial union bring them if they couldn¡¯t pull in the Willson Group? Would there be any profit? Or would it only subsidize those loss-making smaller companies? ¡°Please rest assured!¡± Seeing everyone¡¯s doubts, Bran Cook calmed himself down and continued, ¡°Even if the Willson Group doesn¡¯t join, I will still invest my tens of billions into it, and my friends from the capital will also invest in this commercial alliance.¡± Despite his words, the excitement of the crowd had clearly waned. Tens of billions wouldn¡¯t make much of a difference. In a huge place like Gonzalez City, with over a hundred enterprises, this amount of money would hardly make a splash. Their only hope now was for the Willson Group to change their minds. At that moment, a middle-aged man entered from the door and bowed to Bran Cook. ¡°Everyone, I represent the Willson Group in Gonzalez City. Just half an hour ago, I received a call from the group asking me to attend this Gonzalez City Entrepreneurs Conference and to convey the company¡¯s stance.¡± After the man walked to the center of the venue, the large conference room instantly became quiet. Everyone was eager to know the final stance of the Willson Group! They all waited expectantly; some even closed their eyes and prayed silently. For big companies, joining a business alliance was just icing on the cake, but for most enterprises, it was a godsend. ¡°In fact, the high executives¡¯ thoughts are very simple; if you can persuade them, you will get our investment. If not, sorry, we won¡¯t join the alliance,¡± The middle-aged man looked around with a smile and said, ¡°You all know, the Willson Group has ample capital and isn¡¯t short of money. But you need to give my seniors a reason compelling enough. Right now, there is a computer in the car behind me; you can try to join a video conference there. Our leadership has taken out the whole morning waiting for someone to convince them.¡± ¡°Alright! If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll give it a try. I believe in the discernment of the Willson Group executives and in my own abilities!¡± Bran Cook, brimming with confidence, walked down from the stage and made his way towards a Maybach parked outside the venue. Chapter 390 - Chapter 390: Chapter 390 Overbearing Assistant_1 Chapter 390: Chapter 390 Overbearing Assistant_1 Watching Bran Cook¡¯s confident figure, the entrepreneurs of Gonzalez City began to discuss. ¡°Do you think this is going to work?¡± They were very expectant about Willson Group joining. Especially with the arrival of this middle-aged man, they were filled with much hope. ¡°I think it can work. If the Willson Group weren¡¯t interested, they wouldn¡¯t have gone to the trouble of sending a representative all the way here.¡± ¡°Makes sense. Young Master Cook is very capable. With him handling the negotiations, I think there¡¯s a very good chance it will succeed. After all, he¡¯s someone who¡¯s come back from the capital!¡± ¡°With Young Master Cook¡¯s talent, the Willson Group is bound to take interest. The formation of a business alliance would be a blessing for us in Gonzalez City!¡± The entrepreneurs were extremely excited, almost as if they had already received their share of the profits from the alliance. It seemed like everyone had full confidence in Bran Cook and believed he could definitely close the deal. And Bran Cook himself thought so too. He got into the Maybach assigned to the Gonzalez City delegation by the Willson Group, looking at a computer placed on the back seat. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Bran Cook, and I¡¯m also the initiator of this business alliance,¡± he said, introducing himself politely. ¡°Hmm.¡± The young man on the computer simply nodded, continuing to jot down notes with his pen and paper in response to Bran¡¯s self-introduction. ¡°Regarding the concept of the business alliance, I am now¡­¡± ¡°I will give you three minutes. If you haven¡¯t convinced me after three minutes, have someone else come in,¡± the young man interrupted Bran Cook abruptly, checking his wristwatch without a hint of courtesy. Bran Cook was visibly startled; he had not expected the other party to be so aggressive and domineering right off the bat. After all, he was a returnee from abroad who had made a fortune in the capital before being treated like a star back in Gonzalez City. Which of the local entrepreneurs didn¡¯t revere him like a god of wealth? Even the underground boss of Gonzalez City, Aron Jackson, had personally come to meet him. But now, this person from the Willson Group was barking orders at him. However, being under someone else¡¯s roof, Bran Cook had to lower his head. He calmed his emotions and, suppressing his anger, asked, ¡°If I may ask, what is your identity¡­?¡± ¡°Assistant General Manager.¡± The man glanced up at Bran Cook and said indifferently, ¡°You have two minutes left.¡± ¡°Assistant General Manager?¡± Hearing this title, Bran Cook blinked, and a sense of humiliation rushed over him. He had thought that the person opposite might be a director or at least a department manager. But the young man in front of him was just an assistant! Last night, he was still wining and dining with Thatch Rose, and today an assistant dared to be so presumptuous! Bran Cook was furious. ¡°I want to talk to your general manager. Please convey my request,¡± he said, putting on an imperious air, venting all his frustration at once. The Willson Group might be powerful, but it certainly didn¡¯t entitle a mere assistant to lord over him! ¡°You?¡± The assistant, who had been taking notes, suddenly stopped, looked at Bran Cook with a sneer, and said, ¡°Now, you don¡¯t even have a minute left.¡± After speaking, he tore a piece of white paper into shreds and threw it into the nearby trash can: ¡°Next.¡± ¡°The time is not up yet! How dare you treat me this way?¡± Bran Cook was incensed again. He took out his phone, looking at the assistant general manager on the computer: ¡°I¡¯m calling your general manager now to complain about your abuse of power!¡± Such a big project, such an ambitious plan, he had barely had the chance to express himself before being shown the door. It was a tremendous humiliation. After some previous contact with Thatch Rose, Bran Cook got through to Thatch Rose¡¯s phone right in front of that assistant. Ding-a-ling-a-ling! Bran Cook felt something was amiss. Where was that ringing coming from? He looked intently and saw the assistant in the video pulling out a mobile phone from a drawer, waved it in front of Bran Cook, and then answered the call. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to inform you, you¡¯ve already lost my patience. Please take your so-called creativity and get lost!¡± Snap! After saying those words, the assistant hung up the call and pulled out another mobile phone, instructing someone on the other end, ¡°Change person!¡± ¡°I¡¯m telling you, don¡¯t be too arrogant! This matter won¡¯t be settled so easily. I¡¯m going back to your company, to complain about your abuse of power! You wait and see¡­¡± Before Bran Cook could finish his sentence, the door was suddenly yanked open. A muscular man wearing sunglasses, like an eagle seizing a chick, yanked him out of the car and shoved him roughly to the side. ¡°Scram!¡± The muscular man swore rudely. Facing the much larger man, Bran¡¯s face twitched violently, his fists clenched tightly, but in the end, he did not make any excessive move. ¡°What now, do you want me to give you a ride?¡± The muscular man took an apple out of his pocket, wiped it on his clothes, and started eating it greedily. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that!¡± Bran Cook, with a gloomy expression, turned and walked towards his private club. Just the thought of that assistant¡¯s arrogance made him fuming! He didn¡¯t even get to see the senior executives of Willson Group, and yet a mere assistant had dismissed him! Anger began to spread. What was worse was that Thatch Rose¡¯s phone was in that assistant¡¯s hands, leaving him with nowhere to lodge a complaint. ¡°What rotten luck!¡± Bang! He kicked over the trash bin at the entrance, straightened his clothes, and walked into the venue with a smile on his face. At that moment, the entrepreneurs in the venue, looking forward to it, thought Bran Cook had returned so quickly because the deal was done. ¡°Congratulations, Young Master Cook, for your instant success!¡± ¡°When Young Master Cook makes a move, there¡¯s nothing in the world that can¡¯t be done!¡± ¡°Impressive indeed! I think Young Master Cook is the undisputed leader of our alliance. I suggest that he should take the position of chairman.¡± Since Willson Group had shown up, it meant they were interested in the project. In these people¡¯s minds, as long as Bran Cook sketched out his blueprint, he would definitely secure the investment. ¡°I¡¯ve failed,¡± he managed to squeeze these words through his clenched teeth. Instantly, he felt his face burning with humiliation. Since returning from abroad, he had never suffered such an insult. ¡°What? Failed? How is that possible?¡± ¡°Young Master Cook, why would Willson Group refuse us?¡± ¡°Did you explain things properly to their board of directors?¡± As soon as they heard about Willson Group¡¯s refusal to invest, everyone started to get anxious. A cooked duck can¡¯t just fly away like that! ¡°Board of directors?¡± Bran Cook sneered coldly and said in a deep voice, ¡°The person who received me was a general manager¡¯s assistant, and I was chased out before I even had the chance to speak.¡± As he said the word ¡°chased,¡± his teeth grated together with a clicking sound. Chapter 391 - Chapter 391: Chapter 391: The Final Negotiation_1 Chapter 391: Chapter 391: The Final Negotiation_1 ¡°What? The Willson Group is way too overbearing! If we can¡¯t reach an agreement, can¡¯t we just discuss it slowly? Why do they come off so high and mighty right from the start?¡± ¡°If the Willson Group didn¡¯t join, how easy would it be for us to form this alliance?¡± ¡°For Gonzalez City, it truly is an opportunity, but we failed to seize it.¡± The entrepreneurs of Gonzalez City felt helpless and frustrated by the arrogant attitude of the Willson Group. Helplessly, the Willson Group is a commercial aircraft carrier, strong and financially robust. Even the local wealthy businesspeople of Five-river Province dare not offend such a large enterprise, let alone their smaller businesses? They fear that even a sneeze from the Willson Group could make them catch a cold. ¡°So, what do we do? Is there any point to today¡¯s meeting anymore?¡± ¡°I think it¡¯s finished; all this big commotion for so long, I¡¯m afraid it won¡¯t have any effect.¡± ¡°I was skeptical about this from the beginning. If the Willson Group isn¡¯t investing, I definitely wouldn¡¯t join the alliance.¡± Everyone began discussing the current situation with each adding their own comments. All of these words reached Bran Cook¡¯s ears, making him feel extremely embarrassed. ¡°There¡¯s no need for everyone to be discouraged. Actually, the Willson Group has come with sincere intentions. Our car is still outside. If anyone has the ability, they¡¯re very welcome to try negotiating.¡± Seeing everyone discussing heatedly, the representative from the Willson Group in Gonzalez City cleared his throat and spoke up, ¡°The Willson Group is a large corporation; we can¡¯t possibly waste time just to entertain you. We can invest, but you need to give us a convincing reason. After all, when throwing out hard-earned cash, nobody wants it just to splash in the water, right?¡± Upon hearing his words, the crowd stirred once again. Hope was rekindled in the eyes of the Gonzalez City entrepreneurs. ¡°I think there¡¯s still room for negotiation. The fact that the Willson Group came means they want to get involved. Big corporations have complex processes, and many things can¡¯t be decided by one person alone. If we provide a convincing reason, there¡¯s a very good chance we can reach an agreement.¡± ¡°I agree with that reasoning. Maybe Young Master Cook was too brash and said something offensive, which might be why he was driven out. Why don¡¯t we give it a try?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s try it, we¡¯ve got nothing to lose anyway.¡± After some discussion, Bran Cook also gradually calmed down. An enterprise so large wouldn¡¯t bother to specifically humiliate him. It was his own irrationality earlier. Therefore, when a local businessman stepped forward, Bran Cook instructed him with a few words, relaying everything he had planned to say to the businessman. But three minutes later, the businessman came back with a dejected look. He returned, and naturally, someone else stepped up to take his place. The whole morning passed in such back-and-forth attempts by the entrepreneurs, utterly depleting their energy. Many had completely lost hope, feeling that there was almost no chance of coming to any agreement. Seeing that no one else was willing to discuss with the Willson Group, Bran Cook had no choice but to step onto the stage, opening with a very disheartened voice, ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, we have tried our best, but it seems that the senior management of the Willson Group is not so easily swayed. But rest assured, after I return, I will contact the wealthy businessmen in the capital, and I will definitely establish this alliance!¡± Missing out on the Willson Group¡¯s involvement was somewhat painful for Bran Cook. His initial plan was to pull in the Willson Group, aim to acquire Radcliffe Group, and coerce the local entrepreneurs into joining the alliance with both grace and firmness. But the acquisition was already difficult, as Radcliffe Group had been allowed to join the alliance. Now, facing setbacks in persuading the Willson Group, he felt very weary. His conversation with Thatch Rose the previous night seemed very successful, and his friends from the capital had promised to help Bran Cook by leveraging their personal relationships with Thatch Rose. But now, it seemed that everything was not going as smoothly as expected. ¡°I¡¯ll do it!¡± Just then, Quella Radcliffe stood up from the crowd. ¡°You? Please, don¡¯t joke! A company on the brink of bankruptcy¡ªwhat do you have to negotiate with the Willson Group?¡± ¡°Exactly! The matter isn¡¯t even settled yet, and we¡¯re sending a nearly bankrupt company to negotiate. If we provoke the Willson Group, then there¡¯s truly no hope left!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t go and humiliate yourself!¡± Seeing Quella Radcliffe bound to talk with the people from the Willson Group, They all sneered. A local business tycoon, even Bran Cook, in negotiating, had achieved no results whatsoever. And now, they were sending a young girl? Moreover, a young girl on the verge of bankruptcy and liquidation. If the Willson Group, because of this incident, turns their anger on these entrepreneurs, the stake in the company will be utterly out of reach. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, stop making a scene! I know you want to show off, but first, please recognize who you are! A second-tier company with poor management, laden with debt¡ªby what right do you negotiate with the Willson Group?¡± Bran Cook stood on the podium, snorting coldly, ¡°First, you need to have the qualifications!¡± He had long found Quella Radcliffe displeasing to the eye, yet her speech that morning under pressure had made it necessary for him to agree to the Radcliffe Group joining the alliance. Now that Quella Radcliffe was stepping forward to bring humiliation upon herself, he certainly relished venting. He dared not be arrogant toward the Willson Group, but when it came to the Radcliffe Group, he did as he pleased. ¡°Follow my instructions.¡± Julius Reed softly advised Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Can it really work? What if¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe looked troubled. The words Julius Reed taught her were a bit too much¡­ ¡°No worries, the general manager of the Willson Group is a friend of a friend of a friend of mine. We¡¯re very close. This small favor will surely be granted.¡± Faced with Quella Radcliffe¡¯s doubts, Julius Reed gave a very unreliable answer. ¡°Alright!¡± Quella Radcliffe took a deep breath, and said to Bran Cook, ¡°If I fail in this negotiation, then right in front of everyone here, I will announce my marriage to you. And as for the Radcliffe Group, you won¡¯t need to acquire it¡ªI will directly give it to you as a dowry!¡± Hiss! At these words, many looked at Quella Radcliffe with bizarre expressions in their eyes. Wasn¡¯t this a clear case of asking for trouble? Or was it that Quella Radcliffe had suddenly seen the light and wanted to give herself a way out, taking the opportunity to join the Cook Family and bringing the bankrupt company with her? ¡°Are you serious about this?¡± Bran Cook¡¯s heart was filled with joy, but he tried his hardest to look indifferent, ¡°With so many people here, don¡¯t joke with me.¡± ¡°The entrepreneurs of Gonzalez City are here; I believe my character as Quella Radcliffe is very clear to everyone. If I indeed fail, I will do as I said!¡± Quella Radcliffe said with a serious face, ¡°But if I succeed, you must kneel down and apologize for your previous rudeness!¡± Hearing this, Bran Cook hesitated for a moment. If he really had to kneel publicly, wouldn¡¯t it damage his reputation? ¡°Is Mr. Cook lacking confidence? If so many of you men can¡¯t manage it, yet I can, then you men might as well go home and take care of the children.¡± Quella Radcliffe, following the words taught by Julius Reed, provoked Bran Cook. Sure enough, after her provocation, Bran Cook immediately became arrogant, ¡°I accept your challenge! If I can¡¯t handle this, you stand no chance!¡± ¡°Then it¡¯s a deal!¡± Quella Radcliffe glanced at him, turned around, and walked towards the Maybach parked outside the club. Chapter 392 - Chapter 392: Chapter 392 Call Me Lake_1 Chapter 392: Chapter 392 Call Me Lake_1 Watching Quella Radcliffe¡¯s receding figure, Bran Cook muttered to himself, ¡°She really is a stubborn woman. Even changing her mind to marry me has to be done in such an aggressive manner.¡± He believed his speculation, that Quella Radcliffe proposed this marriage because she was out of options and wanted to save the Radcliffe Group. The method might be a bit forceful, but the thought of such a woman made Bran Cook¡¯s heart flutter. Previously, everyone had been criticising and insulting Quella Radcliffe, but now those voices had disappeared. No one is a fool; if Bran Cook marries Quella Radcliffe, then they would be family in the future. To ridicule Quella Radcliffe now would just be making things difficult for oneself. Negotiating with the Willson Group? Everyone knew it was just a front. An utterly impossible thing, the success rate was zero! But knowing things without pointing them out, many began to congratulate Bran Cook, ¡°Young Master Cook, achieving your heart¡¯s desire to win the beauty, truly a cause for celebration!¡± ¡°When will the wedding be? I will definitely attend!¡± ¡°Congratulations to Young Master Cook!¡± The venue that was originally meant for discussing business alliances quickly turned into a den of sycophants showering Bran Cook with praise. And Bran Cook was quite pleased, but did not show it, instead he said, ¡°Don¡¯t talk like that, everyone. What if Quella Radcliffe really does make it happen? Wouldn¡¯t that be a slap in the face for you?¡± Although he said that, he was very clear in his heart that there was no room for change in this matter! ¡°Brother, what are you thinking? Sending your own wife away?¡± Yasser Davenport looked at Julius Reed somewhat unhappily and snorted before turning his head to the side. ¡°Brother, when did I ever send my wife away?¡± Julius Reed looked at Yasser Davenport with a smile, thinking this honest fatty was still a good person, and he was willing to lend a hand if there was a chance. ¡°The Willson Group clearly has no sincerity. By letting Quella Radcliffe negotiate, aren¡¯t you just making her marry Bran Cook?¡± Angered, Yasser Davenport said bluntly, ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled by Bran Cook¡¯s gentlemanly facade; he¡¯s not a good person at all!¡± ¡°Brother, you¡¯re wrong about that. I¡¯m sending Quella Radcliffe over because it can definitely happen!¡± Julius Reed patted his shoulder and smiled, ¡°Relax, I¡¯ve slept with the boss¡¯s wife of the Willson Group. Once she whispers in her husband¡¯s ear, it¡¯s sure to work out.¡± Hearing this, Yasser Davenport¡¯s eyes widened: ¡°Brother, you¡¯re not joking?¡± If that was true, it would be a massive coup! But Yasser Davenport still felt that it sounded boastful. These days, everyone knew that the boss of the Willson Group was mysterious, to the point that no one had even seen him until now. Sleeping with his wife? That seemed challenging! ¡°It¡¯s true!¡± Julius Reed said earnestly, ¡°I swear to heaven, if I lie, I¡¯ll step in dog poop the moment I leave the house!¡± After all, he was the boss of the Willson Group, and Quella Radcliffe was his wife. There was no problem claiming he had been with the wife of the Willson Group¡¯s boss. It made complete sense! ¡°Holy shit! A true player! How did you manage it?¡± Yasser Davenport, who had just been solemn and full of resentment, now lit up with excitement, looking like a lecherous fatty. Indeed, when men talk about certain topics, they can become best buddies in an instant. ¡°I¡¯m a kept man! As a kept man, I naturally have the skills required. You think it¡¯s easy to live off a woman?¡± As Julius Reed spoke, he pretended to touch his waist and then winced painfully. Seeing his expression, Yasser Davenport immediately abandoned the thought. ¡°You rock, I don¡¯t.¡± His face turned red, as if something dawned on him. As the entrepreneurs at the club were busy congratulating Bran Cook, Quella Radcliffe nervously approached the Maybach. She knew Julius Reed had some connection with the Willson Group, but in the face of such a significant matter, would it really be useful? This wasn¡¯t a decision one person could make alone. Last night, Bran Cook had called over the general manager of the Willson Group, a position of such importance, yet the talks had still fallen through. Could the friend of Julius Reed¡¯s friend¡¯s friend truly be effective? But since she was here already, she chose to trust Julius Reed. This man had brought her countless surprises, and she hoped this time would be no different. With a nervous heart, Quella Radcliffe opened the car door and sat in the back seat of the Maybach. ¡°Name, company name, you only have three¡­¡± On the computer screen, the general manager¡¯s assistant had just looked up when the words at her lips suddenly came to a halt. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, Radcliffe Group¡­¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± The man¡¯s face underwent a drastic change as he hurriedly stood up. ¡°No, give me a chance! I can do it¡­¡± But before Quella Radcliffe could finish her sentence, the man had vanished from the screen. ¡°Ah!¡± Quella Radcliffe sighed, she hadn¡¯t even spoken yet, and it was over. She thought about it, and it made sense¡ªthe Radcliffe Group, a company on the brink of bankruptcy, who would care? Now, they wouldn¡¯t even bother with her and just walked away. ¡°I¡¯d rather die than marry Bran Cook!¡± Quella Radcliffe suddenly became very cold and turned to get out of the car. ¡°Miss Radcliffe!¡± But at that moment, a voice came through the computer screen. Thinking she was hallucinating, Quella Radcliffe gave a wry smile, then opened the car door to leave. ¡°Miss Radcliffe!¡± The voice came again. This time, Quella Radcliffe was sure she hadn¡¯t misheard! There was indeed a voice coming from the computer screen. She hurried back inside the car and saw that the screen now showed a middle-aged man. The man was breathing heavily, sweat on his forehead; he had clearly run over. ¡°You¡­¡± Before Quella Radcliffe could finish asking, the man hastily began to speak. ¡°Let me introduce myself first!¡± The middle-aged man took a sip of water, still panting as he spoke: ¡°I am a director at Willson Group, in charge of market marketing and business development. My name is Vernon Ridge, and I¡¯m pleased to meet you!¡± ¡°A director?¡± Upon hearing this, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s heart suddenly leapt into her throat. Previously, Bran Cook knew the general manager of Willson Group, and he was only received by a minor general manager¡¯s assistant. Why was it that when it came to her, they switched to a director? Moreover, it seemed that the assistant from before was quite arrogant, but when it came to the director, he was remarkably polite. ¡°Hello? Director Ridge¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe tried hard to calm herself, and began to gather her thoughts, pondering how to persuade this director. ¡°Just call me Lake,¡± Vernon Ridge chuckled amiably. ¡°Director Ridge¡­ let¡¯s talk about the business issue¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe was utterly dumbfounded, her mind a complete blank. This couldn¡¯t be a dream, could it? If it weren¡¯t for the video call, she would have wanted to slap herself. But quietly, she pinched herself, and it was quite painful. This was real, not a dream. ¡°You say it, I¡¯m listening.¡± Vernon Ridge took out a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped the sweat off his forehead. ¡°About the matter of this business alliance¡­¡± At that point, Quella Radcliffe froze. Overwhelmed with nerves, she forgot everything she wanted to say. She hated herself, for not seizing such a great opportunity. In the eyes of the person on the other end, she probably lost quite a few points! ¡°Very well! Let¡¯s do it this way, I represent the Willson Group, and we decide to join the business alliance. In five minutes, my secretary will bring the contract to your club, pleased to do business with you.¡± After Vernon Ridge finished speaking, the video call was disconnected. Chapter 393 - Chapter 393: Chapter 393 When Is It Your Turn To Question_1 Chapter 393: Chapter 393 When Is It Your Turn To Question_1 As she stepped down from the Maybach, Quella Radcliffe seemed like a walking corpse. Her steps were heavy and unfocused as she tried to recall the details of the entire negotiation. However¡­ There were no details. She had stumbled over her words halfway through when Vernon Ridge actually agreed outright. And said he would send over the contract. And after he got out of the car, the Maybach sped away instantly. ¡°Is this real?¡± Quella Radcliffe pinched herself, and it still hurt, a lot. What was the reason? How had it come to this? It was too absurd! By the time she walked into the clubhouse, Bran Cook was still worried. But when he saw Quella Radcliffe¡¯s soulless demeanor, he immediately beamed with joy. ¡°I don¡¯t know how President Radcliffe¡¯s negotiation went? I was ready to get down on my knees.¡± Bran Cook came down from the podium, smiling broadly, ¡°Of course, I¡¯m not about to apologize on my knees, but to propose to you!¡± He snapped his fingers lightly, and someone immediately brought over a diamond ring. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t back out now, would you?¡± Bran Cook looked at the entrepreneurs from Gonzalez City and shouted, ¡°Everyone, please be our witness!¡± Seeing Quella Radcliffe¡¯s devastated look, almost everyone understood that the negotiation had failed. Even Yasser Davenport punched Julius Reed hard: ¡°Did you sleep with that boss¡¯s wife or what? What¡¯s going on!¡± His mood, which had just improved, instantly turned to anger. ¡°How do you know it didn¡¯t go well?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow at Yasser Davenport. ¡°How about we make a bet?¡± ¡°Bet what! Didn¡¯t you see President Radcliffe¡¯s expression? If it was really a success, would she look that dejected?¡± Yasser Davenport, breathing heavily, was very displeased, ¡°At this time you still have the mood to bet with me! And here I thought you were reliable, turns out you¡¯re just full of hot air.¡± Everyone knew how tough negotiations could be. Failure was within expectation. But the thought of Quella Radcliffe marrying Bran Cook and bringing the Radcliffe Group with her filled many men with envy. After all, she was a beauty many longed for. ¡°Hello, may I ask if there¡¯s someone named Vernon Ridge at the Willson Group?¡± Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t pay any attention to Bran Cook but instead turned to address the representative of the Willson Group in Gonzalez City. As long as it was clear whether Vernon Ridge was indeed a director of the Willson Group, the outcome would be obvious. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, what trick are you trying to pull now? With so many witnesses here, you said it yourself!¡± Seeing that Quella Radcliffe ignored him, Bran Cook thought she was trying to play dirty and his complexion instantly darkened. ¡°That¡¯s our Director Vernon, what about it?¡± The representative immediately responded truthfully upon hearing Vernon Ridge¡¯s name. ¡°What kind of trick are you up to! Quella Radcliffe, I¡¯ll say this one last time¡­¡± ¡°I succeeded.¡± Quella Radcliffe turned around, looking Bran Cook straight in the eye. ¡°What did you say?¡± Bran Cook¡¯s words were cut off, and upon hearing Quella Radcliffe¡¯s statement, his eyes widened, then he burst into laughter: ¡°What are you flying at? Stop joking around, okay?¡± ¡°I said I, succeeded.¡± Quella Radcliffe faced Bran Cook and said deliberately, ¡°Do you need me to repeat myself?¡± The air went instantly still, followed by a roar of laughter. ¡°Even if Quella Radcliffe wanted to deny it, she wouldn¡¯t resort to such a pathetic excuse, right? If she could have succeeded, I¡¯d stand on my head and eat shit!¡± ¡°Ah, this woman, she¡¯s quite pitiable. Three years ago, she married a good-for-nothing husband, and just after her divorce, her family business is in crisis. And today, she must marry Bran Cook and become his wife.¡± ¡°To marry Bran Cook is the fortune of countless women; it¡¯s the blessing she has cultivated in her previous life!¡± Many sycophants began flattering Bran Cook. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, do you realize what your words mean?¡± Bran Cook sneered coldly and pointed at the entrepreneurs from Gonzalez City present at the scene, ¡°You are toying with everyone here! Moreover, today¡¯s words have been heard loud and clear by everyone. If you try to deny it, it won¡¯t be so easy!¡± He snatched a diamond ring from beside him and knelt on one knee before Quella Radcliffe, ¡°You have no choice but to accept!¡± Crack! At the entrance of the clubhouse, Julius Reed bit into an apple and mumbled to himself, ¡°So sweet!¡± After he finished speaking, he tossed the apple aside and stood up, walking towards the center of the venue. ¡°Hey, you¡¯re still in the mood to eat¡­¡± Yasser Davenport¡¯s words were cut off halfway as he hastily whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t do anything foolish!¡± Their side was already in the wrong; if Julius Reed forcibly intervened, it was likely that the security staff in the venue would beat him half to death. Not only would they fail to rescue Quella Radcliffe, but he would also drag himself down as well. Just then, a group of men in black suits walked in through the door. ¡°What are you doing!¡± The security guards immediately went to stop them. Bang! Bang! Bang! In just a few moments, the dozen security guards at the door were knocked to the ground by the men in black. ¡°I am the Secretary to the Chairman of the Willson Group, and this is the contract brought by our group!¡± The leading young man in black approached the kneeling Bran Cook in an extremely commanding manner and flashed the contract before his eyes. ¡°This matter will henceforth be fully handled by our company¡¯s representative in Gonzalez City.¡± After speaking, the man put the contract away and turned to leave. ¡°Wait!¡± How could one know if it was real or fake? If it turned out to be fake, would he not suffer a major loss? ¡°First kneel down, why is that leg up?¡± Julius Reed appeared in front of Bran Cook out of nowhere. With a forceful press of his hand, Bran Cook, who was originally kneeling on one knee, found himself kneeling on both knees! ¡°Apologize!¡± Julius Reed said coldly. ¡°You really are courting death! Someone, cripple him!¡± Bran Cook was kneeling on the ground, unable to move. Thinking of the humiliation by Julius Reed the night before, flames of anger ignited inside him immediately. ¡°Fair play, Bran Cook, can¡¯t handle a loss?¡± Julius Reed pressed down hard, rendering Bran Cook completely immobile. ¡°Heh, who knows if the contract is real!¡± Bran Cook sneered, a group of people had just walked in claiming to be from the Willson Group, what if it was fake? He hadn¡¯t even had a clear look at the contract and they expected him to apologize just like that? This must be a scheme prepared by Quella Radcliffe after a failed negotiation. ¡°Sigh!¡± Julius Reed suddenly let out a sigh and stepped back a few paces. Released from the pressure, Bran Cook immediately stood up from the ground, but before he could make any move, the secretary was already in front of him, ¡°What did you just say?¡± Facing the man in black, Bran Cook snorted lightly and coldly said, ¡°I said, who knows whether this contract is real or fake?¡± Bang! As soon as his words fell, the secretary delivered a flying kick, sending Bran Cook sprawling to the ground. ¡°You dare to hit someone¡­ ow!¡± Bran Cook crawled on the ground, touching the corner of his mouth, where blood was already seeping out. ¡°The Willson Group, since when is it your place to question us!¡± Whoosh! The man forcefully waved the contract, scattering it onto Bran Cook¡¯s face. ¡°I just received a call from the Chairman; the contract is real.¡± Right then, the Willson Group representative in Gonzalez City stepped up to the podium and said loudly, ¡°Since President Radcliffe¡¯s vision has impressed our senior management, the Willson Group will officially participate in the construction of the business alliance starting tomorrow.¡± Chapter 394 - Chapter 394: Chapter 394 GoodbyeNICALL Chapter 394: Chapter 394 GoodbyeNICALL ¡°How could this be possible!¡± Bran Cook lay on the ground covering his face, his eyes filled with disbelief. He and so many business owners had failed to come to an agreement, yet Quella Radcliffe, a person on the brink of bankruptcy, had actually succeeded? If it weren¡¯t for the fact that he knew the Willson Group¡¯s representative in Gonzalez City, Bran Cook would really suspect that this whole thing was a scam. Looking at the person in black standing in front of him, he felt a chill down his spine. The Willson Group really was domineering, resorting to violence at the slightest disagreement! But even after being beaten up like this, he couldn¡¯t utter a word of protest. Who could blame them, with their wealth and power? Moreover, now that the Willson Group had agreed to join the business alliance, if he continued to antagonize the people from the Willson Group, he was afraid he would incur the anger of the Gonzalez City business owners present. ¡°We welcome the Willson Group to join us. Today, in front of everyone here, I promise you that within three years¡­¡± ¡°Young Master Cook, what business is it of yours? You should be fulfilling the bet now, apologize! Kneel and apologize!¡± Julius Reed interrupted Bran Cook¡¯s speech from below the stage, folding his arms and looking at him coldly. Hisss! The people present inhaled a breath of cold air. Julius Reed was wearing glasses today, making it hard for anyone to recognize him. More importantly, no one was going to pay attention to the Radcliffe family¡¯s good-for-nothing, live-in son-in-law. Just today, he was being so assertive that anyone who could connect him with the wimp that was rumored to only do the cooking and laundry would be called an idiot. ¡°Who is this guy? Daring to talk to Bran Cook like this? Is he tired of living or what?¡± ¡°I know this person, he was the one who destroyed Bran Cook¡¯s stage last night, seems to be Quella Radcliffe¡¯s new boyfriend.¡± ¡°Could he be some young master from the capital, or perhaps someone with significant status from somewhere else?¡± Business owners speculated wildly, while many of the second-generation rich who had attended the gathering the previous night recognized Julius Reed and began telling their parents about the events that had unfolded. ¡°This guy is so tough? He didn¡¯t get beaten to death yesterday?¡± Upon hearing about last night¡¯s events, many business owners started looking at Julius Reed differently. Ever since Jaxen Brandon died, the title of Gonzalez City¡¯s number one young master had actually fallen onto Bran Cook¡¯s head. This favored son who had returned from overseas first started a business in the capital, made a fortune, and made quite a few friends. Returning with the influence of the capital behind him, and with ambitious plans, he was intent on making a splash in Gonzalez City. But this young man with no family background to speak of, had humiliated Bran Cook in such a manner? What emboldened him? ¡°I heard Itai Huntington has taken a liking to him, he might be Itai Huntington¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°You can¡¯t just say things like that! If that ¡®Black Widow¡¯ hears it, you¡¯re in for it!¡± Many people would involuntarily shudder at the mention of Itai Huntington. It seemed this young guy¡¯s arrogance was all because of Itai Huntington¡¯s backing. But Quella Radcliffe¡­ Their gaze towards Julius Reed had already begun to change. However, Bran Cook below the stage was already clenching his fists tight. He couldn¡¯t kneel! If he knelt voluntarily, his life in Gonzalez City would be completely ruined. How would he command authority in the presence of these business owners in the future? ¡°I heard this bet too,¡± The Willson Group¡¯s representational in Gonzalez City, Haiden Leopold, watched Bran Cook with a smile, ¡°If Young Master Cook goes back on his word, and if this gets back to the higher-ups in the Willson Group, we can¡¯t be sure this contract will still be valid.¡± He paused, then turned to the business owners of Gonzalez City, ¡°In business, it¡¯s character that counts! If someone doesn¡¯t have integrity, who would dare do business with him?¡± After he spoke, those present began whispering and discussing among themselves. ¡°What a pity it would be if the project we finally got our hands on got ruined because of this!¡± ¡°Right! Young Master Cook doesn¡¯t seem like someone who can¡¯t accept a loss!¡± ¡°Stop talking, having the Willson Group give us this opportunity is a huge stroke of luck! But this opportunity¡­ oh!¡± In the face of profit, no one cared about Bran Cook¡¯s dignity. People are selfish by nature. ¡°Fine! I, Bran Cook, have the courage to accept responsibility for my actions!¡± Thud! Under everyone¡¯s gaze, Bran Cook kneeled straight in front of Quella Radcliffe. If he hadn¡¯t knelt then, it¡¯s likely that those present would have forced him to! It was the trend of things, he had lost. Utterly defeated! ¡°I apologize to you!¡± He took a deep breath, his fists clenched tightly, teeth grinding noisily. ¡°Clang!¡± Just then, the previously solemn atmosphere was shattered by a clear ringing sound. Julius Reed, from who knows where, had managed to toss a coin to land precisely in front of Bran Cook. ¡°Not much money, just a little something.¡± He chuckled, leaving Bran Cook¡¯s face seething with anger! ¡°See ya!¡± Julius Reed, holding Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand, strutted out of the private club. With this deal sealed, the Radcliffe Group¡¯s entry into the alliance had been a matter of course. No matter how much Bran Cook hated it, he couldn¡¯t change this fact. When the time came to elect the chairman, Julius Reed only had to meddle a bit to push Quella into the position. Once Quella became the spokesperson for the alliance, those in Gonzalez City who had kicked her when she was down naturally had to show their loyalty. The crisis facing the Radcliffe Group would naturally resolve itself. ¡°Julius, do you know? During the negotiation, I didn¡¯t say anything and they agreed, just like a dream.¡± Quella Radcliffe was walking down the street, still not recovered from the shock of it all. It was just too unbelievable. ¡°I told you, a friend of a friend of my friend has a lot of say in that company. You married into wealth, you¡¯ve hit the jackpot,¡± Julius Reed joked. The friend of a friend of his friend was actually himself¡­ This was something Julius Reed would never admit to his death. ¡°Hey, gorgeous. Can I discuss something with you?¡± Just then, a very flamboyantly dressed girl with a dog approached Quella Radcliffe. ¡°What is it?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked, a bit puzzled. She didn¡¯t seem to recognize this woman at all! ¡°The dog¡¯s for you, your boyfriend¡¯s for me!¡± The girl shoved the dog leash into Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand and grabbed Julius Reed¡¯s hand, trying to run off. At the same time, the keenly perceptive Julius Reed noticed a man not far away filming with his phone. ¡°Screw you!¡± Julius Reed stood his ground, executing a crisp judo throw, slamming the girl hard onto the ground! Thud! ¡°Ouch! It hurts so bad! Ahhh! My leg¡­ my butt¡­¡± The girl lay on the ground, wailing in pain. The asphalt road surface, combined with Julius Reed¡¯s immense strength, almost made the woman spill her guts then and there. The Teddy dog that Quella Radcliffe was holding got scared and began barking. Bang! Julius Reed kicked, sending the Teddy flying into the bushes. ¡°Go home!¡± He dusted off his hands, a relaxed expression on his face as he pulled Quella Radcliffe toward his house. ¡°Stop right there!¡± Just at that moment, the man who was filming walked over, blocking their way: ¡°Why did you hurt my girlfriend?¡± Chapter 395 - Chapter 395: Chapter 395 You Can’t Afford to Offend_1 Chapter 395: Chapter 395 You Can¡¯t Afford to Offend_1 As life¡¯s pace quickens, many are hooked on scrolling through short videos. A recently emerged short video app named Crazy Sound suddenly went viral, skyrocketing many to overnight fame. Following that, came a bunch of fame-hungry, attention-craving lunatics. They racked their brains imitating others¡¯ videos, dreaming of instant stardom, so much that they started to disrupt others¡¯ everyday life. Without even thinking about it, one could tell that this man and woman before me were shooting for that Crazy Sound app. The reason why Julius Reed was so clear on the content was that Yasser Davenport had just scrolled through several identical videos just before. All of them featured a woman walking a dog, dropping the line, ¡°Your boyfriend for me, your dog for you.¡± He hadn¡¯t expected to run into such a scene the moment he stepped out. ¡°Your girlfriend touched my hand, didn¡¯t you see it?¡± Julius Reed sized up the skinny man before him, who was still recording with his phone. And sure enough, it was that Crazy Sound app. ¡°But¡­ but you can¡¯t hit people! Today you must apologize and also pay my medical costs!¡± The man stammered, clearly in the wrong, but with his girlfriend getting hit, he couldn¡¯t just back down. ¡°What, I¡¯m not supposed to hit her, just follow her home? Maybe book a room¡­ brother, you got a thing for cuckolding, huh?¡± Julius Reed looked at the skinny man with an odd expression, gave a thumbs-up and clicked his tongue, ¡°Bro, if you want a decent life, you really need to ¡®wear some green.¡¯ It¡¯s cold, add a cap to it. If one isn¡¯t enough, take two, since your girlfriend is so ¡®productive,¡¯ you might as well start a hat factory at home.¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t object to playing with short videos, as long as it was fun. Go ahead and shoot with someone you know, but the moment it interferes with his life, don¡¯t blame him for being rude. Especially since Quella Radcliffe was scared stiff just now, which completely pissed Julius Reed off, and made him hit a little harder. Up to now, the woman was still screaming in pain on the ground. ¡°Bullshit! It¡¯s just a short video, can¡¯t you play along? Besides, what¡¯s the loss? If this video goes viral, you should be thanking me!¡± The man, having been lectured by Julius Reed, immediately started to argue, his face flushed. Julius Reed had shown such a strong move just now, the man didn¡¯t dare to actually fight. ¡°Let me tell you, if this was online, I could flame you to death!¡± With a cold huff, the man hastily tucked his phone into his pocket, hurried to his girlfriend¡¯s side and tried to help her up. ¡°Ouch! Be gentle¡ªmy ass¡­ Quick, call the cops, he hit someone and now he¡¯s trying to flee!¡± The woman was relentless, immediately calling for the police. ¡°Julius, what do we do?¡± Quella Radcliffe clasped Julius¡¯s hand. No matter what the woman was like, hitting someone was ultimately wrong. If she really did call the police, Julius¡¯s actions would count as intentional injury, and if he fled, he might genuinely be jailed. That would be troublesome. ¡°You two, do you want to be famous that badly?¡± After hearing what Quella Radcliffe said, Julius turned and approached them. ¡°What¡¯s it to you? We just asked you to be a part of a video, and you dare to treat me like this! Let me tell you the truth, my boyfriend¡¯s brother is a big gangster, he can take you out any minute!¡± The woman stood up, grimacing with each move, feeling excruciating pain. ¡°Wow! Impressive.¡± Julius Reed feigned surprise, but his face was brimming with smiles. ¡°Fuck! You¡¯re looking for death!¡± Seeing Julius¡¯s expression, the man¡¯s anger surged, and he picked up his phone to make a call: ¡°Big bro, someone hit my girlfriend, come over and give us a hand!¡± After finishing, he looked at Julius with a sneer, ¡°Today, I¡¯ll beat you to death! How dare you touch my girlfriend! Haven¡¯t you heard about me in Gonzalez City?¡± ¡°I¡¯m asking you, do you want to be famous or not!¡± Julius Reed pulled out his phone, downloaded the Crazy Sound app, and then created an account. ¡°So what if we want to be famous! Does it bother you?¡± The woman immediately took on a haughty demeanor: ¡°Looking at your girlfriend, she must be a slut too!¡± She had heard every word when Julius had said something about her putting a green hat on her boyfriend earlier, and now she directly mocked Quella Radcliffe. Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face turned sour instantly. She had initially felt some sympathy for these two, but now it was clear they were far from good people. ¡°She wants to be famous.¡± Julius Reed turned to look at Quella Radcliffe with an impassive face. Anyone who dares disrespect Quella Radcliffe won¡¯t have a good ending. ¡°Take this.¡± After turning on the video recording on the phone, Julius Reed stuffed it into Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hands and turned around, walking towards the two people. ¡°These two want to be famous, today I¡¯ll grant them their wish.¡± After saying this to the camera, he walked up to the woman and asked, ¡°What did you just call my girlfriend?¡± ¡°Heh, I said she is a sl¡ª¡± Slap! Julius Reed swung his hand, leaving a clear handprint on the woman¡¯s face. ¡°Fuck! You dare hit my girlfriend!¡± The skinny man¡¯s eyes bulged as he clenched his fists and swung at Julius Reed. But before he could throw a punch, Julius Reed lifted him with one hand and then violently slammed him to the ground! Crack! ¡°Ah¡­¡± The man landed on his shoulders, shattering his arms, lying on the ground and wailing nonstop. ¡°What are you doing¡­¡± Seeing her boyfriend beaten, the woman¡¯s previous arrogance vanished immediately. Her eyes filled with tears, she backed away in fear. ¡°What did you just call my girlfriend?¡± Julius Reed asked, emotionless. ¡°I¡­¡± Slap! The moment the woman opened her mouth, Julius Reed backhanded her, knocking her to the ground. ¡°Wuwuwu¡­ What are you doing! I¡¯m calling the police¡­¡± The woman trembled as she pulled out her phone, which Julius Reed immediately kicked away, shattering it. ¡°Stand up!¡± Julius Reed said coldly, ¡°If you don¡¯t stand, I will immediately break one of your legs!¡± ¡°I¡¯m standing¡­¡± Having seen her boyfriend knocked down in an instant, the woman hurriedly stood up, scared. At that moment, her face was burning hot and swollen like a pig¡¯s head. ¡°I¡¯m asking you one more time, what did you call my girlfriend just now?¡± Julius Reed asked icily. His tone was as if it came from hell. Unbelievably indifferent, void of any emotion. ¡°I¡¯m begging you¡­ big brother¡­¡± The woman knelt on the ground with a thud, crying her eyes out. The makeup on her face was ruined. ¡°Stand up! Or I¡¯ll break your legs!¡± At Julius Reed¡¯s command, the woman quickly stood up. ¡°Answer me, what did you say about my girlfriend just now?¡± ¡°Big brother¡­¡± Slap! Julius Reed slapped her again! ¡°What did you call my girlfriend?¡± Slap! ¡°Big brother, I didn¡¯t say anything¡­ Ah!¡± Slap! Julius Reed dealt out sixteen slaps in a row, leaving the woman¡¯s mouth so swollen she could barely speak, her body covered in blood flowing from the corners of her mouth. ¡°Remember, my woman, you can¡¯t afford to provoke.¡± Chapter 396 - Chapter 396: Chapter 396 Your Car is Gone_1 Chapter 396: Chapter 396 Your Car is Gone_1 ¡°Boss, he hit me! You gotta stand up for me!¡± At this moment, the man sprawled on the ground let out a shout. Screech! Following the sound of urgent brakes, a Porsche halted in the middle of the road. Three dominating vehicles followed closely behind. After the cars stopped, quite a number of people got out of the Porsche and the imposing cars. ¡°Christopher Martin, who the hell beat you up like this?¡± The owner of the Porsche was a thirty-something-year-old youth, with a crew cut, dark sunglasses, and a gold chain hanging around his neck. The epitome of a ¡°tuhao,¡± or nouveau riche. ¡°It was him! I was recording a Crazy Sound with Everett, and this guy just took Everett away. I went to break up the fight, and now both my arms are so smashed up I can¡¯t move them.¡± Christopher Martin howled in pain, not forgetting to tattle in the process. ¡°Shit! Who the hell dares to touch my brother, grab your weapons!¡± The Porsche owner turned, walked back to his car, pulled out a meter-long steel pipe, and led his followers toward Julius Reed. Quella Radcliffe also hurried to Julius¡¯s side, her face full of concern. ¡°Did you get the video recorded?¡± Julius took the phone from Quella¡¯s hand and sent the video over. ¡°Kid, what¡¯s the meaning of this!¡± The Porsche owner stopped two meters away from Julius. Behind him, a dozen men brandished steel pipes with menacing attitudes. ¡°Everett! How did you end up beaten like this!¡± When he saw Everett Cook lying on the ground, he surprisedly took off his sunglasses. Everett now looked nothing like himself, his face completely swollen, with traces of blood. ¡°Big¡­ wahh wahh wahh¡­¡± Everett Cook pointed at Julius, tears streaming down, but she couldn¡¯t make out the words. ¡°Damn it! For doing this, if I, Ken Leocadia, don¡¯t break your hands today, then I shouldn¡¯t be in this business anymore!¡± Ken Leocadia took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and yelled, ¡°Hit him!¡± His family ran a construction material business, frequently engaged in fights and brawls. Although not part of any organization, bullying ordinary people without backings in Gonzalez City was quite easy for them. ¡°Wait a minute.¡± Julius suddenly raised his hand, pointing at the Porsche: ¡°Nice car, how much did you buy it for?¡± ¡°Over a million, why?¡± Ken Leocadia frowned. The Porsche was his newly bought car, purely for showing off. In reality, the Leocadia family wasn¡¯t very wealthy¡ªhaving about ten million in assets¡ªbut spending over a million on a car was still quite luxurious. Usually, thanks to this car, Ken Leocadia had slept with numerous female college students. One could say, this car was his pride. ¡°I¡¯m thinking of smashing this car, is that okay?¡± Julius looked at Ken Leocadia. ¡°Have you fucking lost it!¡± Ken Leocadia burst out laughing: ¡°Poor fucker, can you afford to compensate? Try touching it! If you dare, and scratch off a bit of paint, your girlfriend will have to spend half a year with me!¡± After he finished speaking, his employees started laughing uproariously. ¡°To tell you the truth, your girlfriend isn¡¯t bad. If you lend her to me for a bit, we can still discuss today¡¯s issue.¡± He eyed Quella Radcliffe up and down, a lecherous smile curling at the corner of his mouth. Quella¡¯s looks were top-notch even in Five-river Province. Many men couldn¡¯t resist her just at a glance. ¡°Do you know why her mouth is swollen?¡± Julius pointed at Everett Cook on the ground. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you, it¡¯s because she insulted my girlfriend with one comment.¡± ¡°Ha! Look at you playing the tough guy! Not only am I going to insult her, but I also want to play with her! Believe it or not, I¡¯ll get her into bed tonight!¡± Ken Leocadia spoke with disdain, his eyes full of provocation. ¡°I don¡¯t believe it.¡± Julius Reed shook his head. ¡°Then tonight, I¡¯ll have you watch, or should I call a few more brothers to join us?¡± Ken Leocadia laughed loudly, joined by the shameless expressions of the employees beside him. ¡°Believe it or not, your car is gone?¡± Julius Reed asked indifferently. ¡°Try touching it and see.¡± Ken Leocadia shook his head, his sneer unending. ¡°You believe your eyes will be gone today too?¡± Julius Reed took out his phone and spoke into the microphone, ¡°Porsche, take it down!¡± ¡°Kid, you¡¯re getting ahead of yourself here! If you dare to touch my car¡­¡± Boom! Before Ken Leocadia could finish his words, he heard a loud noise from behind him. He hurriedly turned around, only to see three pickup trucks coming from different directions, slamming right into his Porsche in the middle! The brand-new car, once gleaming with light, was now crushed like a sandwich. ¡°Fuck! Who the fuck did this!¡± Ken Leocadia¡¯s heart was bleeding. ¡°Me!¡± Just then, Aaron Martin came over from the other side of the road, with a cigarette in his mouth. ¡°Hey! Hit it again! Have you motherfuckers not eaten?¡± He yelled at the pickup trucks, which immediately reversed and then delivered an even more violent collision! Ken Leocadia¡¯s Porsche was so wrecked that it was essentially totaled. ¡°Motherfucker! Dare to smash my car!¡± He turned around and shouted furiously to the employees behind him, ¡°What are you dazed for? Get on up!¡± ¡°Yo! Aaron Martin, you¡¯re not making it big in Gonzalez City, eh!¡± Julius Reed teased with a smile. Ken Leocadia was just a spoiled brat, not even considered a second-generation rich kid, completely unaware of how formidable the young man with the cigarette was. Aaron Martin was an employee of Aron Jackson¡¯s, and when it came to fighting, he was seriously tough! ¡°Brother Davenport, I¡¯ve caused you amusement!¡± Aaron Martin nodded with a smile, immediately returning to his cold demeanor. Since being taught a lesson by Aron Jackson the night before, he had arranged for his employees to follow Julius Reed 24/7, ready to show up the moment this friend of Aron Jackson¡¯s encountered any trouble. Julius Reed had been aware of this for some time, but simply hadn¡¯t mentioned it. After all, there was no reason to turn down free bodyguard services. Besides, Aron Jackson had already pushed Aaron Martin¡¯s WeChat contact to Julius Reed. In Aron Jackson¡¯s words, some matters were better handled by his employees. Now, faced with Ken Leocadia¡¯s provocation, Aaron Martin knew his chance to shine had arrived. He took the cigarette butt from his mouth, approached Ken Leocadia, and asked, ¡°Do you know who you¡¯re talking to?¡± ¡°Do you know who you¡¯re talking to!¡± Ken Leocadia retorted. Seeing his beloved car turned to scrap, his heart was bleeding. ¡°Looks like you don¡¯t know!¡± Aaron Martin grinned, pressing the lit cigarette butt onto Ken Leocadia¡¯s body. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Ken Leocadia, scalded and about to retaliate, saw Aaron Martin¡¯s employees rush forward, launching him into the air with a kick! Following that, dozens of people came one after another from the other side of the road. These people lined up silently behind Aaron Martin, saying nothing. Seeing the turnout, even Ken Leocadia, a fool, knew he had hit a wall of iron. ¡°May I ask, who do you roll with?¡± He asked, enduring the burn on his shoulder. Having some connections on the streets himself, he hoped to identify a relationship to spare himself a beating. ¡°I roll with him!¡± Aaron Martin pointed at Julius Reed, took another drag of his cigarette, and tossed the butt onto the ground, ¡°Beat him to death!¡± Chapter 397 - Chapter 397: Chapter 397 The Untouchable Person_Part 1 Chapter 397: Chapter 397 The Untouchable Person_Part 1 After a barrage of punches and kicks, Ken Leocadia didn¡¯t resemble a human anymore. His chest-mounted sunglasses were shattered, and his clothes were tattered. Cigarettes, lighters, cellphones, and car keys, along with other small items, were scattered all over the ground, while he curled up on the floor, convulsing. ¡°Enough! Don¡¯t beat him to death!¡± With a wave of his hand, Aaron Martin stopped the group of employees. Although Aaron Martin had shown some weakness in front of Julius Reed, he was still Aron Jackson¡¯s personal bodyguard, and he held significant influence in Gonzalez City. He was quite adept at dealing with this kind of crude fellow. ¡°And you guys!¡± He brandished a steel pipe in his hand, scaring Ken Leocadia¡¯s employees into kneeling on the ground, trembling. These people were fine with scaring ordinary folks on normal days, but when facing an old hand like Aaron Martin, they were too terrified to even fart. ¡°Xiaolong¡­¡± Just then, Everett Cook, beaten to a pulp, whimpered. ¡°Fuck, who are you!¡± An employee of Aaron Martin walked over and, staring at the unrecognizable Everett Cook, suddenly widened his eyes: ¡°Are you Everett Cook?¡± ¡°Xiaolong¡­take revenge for me¡­ he hit me¡­¡± Everett Cook, realizing the gangster called Xiaolong recognized him, hurriedly pointed at Julius Reed. This scared Xiaolong out of his wits; even if he were a fool, he knew the trouble he was in now. ¡°Go to hell! It serves you right! You cheap woman!¡± Xiaolong¡¯s back broke out in a cold sweat as he quickly stepped forward and kicked her a couple of times. ¡°Xiaolong, what¡¯s going on!¡± With a stern face, Aaron Martin walked over, his voice very unpleasant. Xiaolong was one of his men, quite shrewd on normal days, and deeply valued by Aaron Martin. Now he was involved with the woman lying on the ground? ¡°Boss Martin, I met this bitch on a social media app. We only hooked up in a hotel a few times, nothing serious! Really!¡± Xiaolong was sweating profusely with fear. Having followed the employees of Aaron Martin for several years, he knew his boss was ruthless. If he really got entangled with this woman, he probably wouldn¡¯t end well. ¡°In the future, watch yourself. If you get involved with this kind of person again, I¡¯ll castrate you!¡± Aaron Martin cursed as he spoke, but the woman¡¯s boyfriend heard everything loud and clear. ¡°You cheater! Last week, you lied about going back to your hometown. You were actually cheating on me!¡± The man, enduring the severe pain in his shoulder, struggled to get up from the ground and viciously kicked the woman. ¡°I was wrong. Give me another chance.¡± ¡°Give your mother a chance! I didn¡¯t even realize I was being cuckolded by you!¡± Wham! Wham! Wham! The man threw punches and kicked, sending the woman wailing from the blows. ¡°Brother Davenport, what do we do now?¡± After lighting a cigarette, Aaron Martin quietly asked. ¡°You figure it out. Your sister-in-law and I don¡¯t want to see this mess.¡± Julius Reed patted Aaron Martin on the shoulder and turned to leave with his people. ¡°Alright, Brother Davenport, take care. Just call your bro if you need anything!¡± Aaron Martin watched Julius Reed¡¯s departing figure, bowing and nodding, but when he turned to face Ken Leocadia again, his expression immediately darkened. ¡°Have your family come and pay for your release.¡± He took a puff of his cigarette, slowly exhaling the smoke. The lighter in his hand kept flipping, as he coldly watched Ken Leocadia lying on the ground covered in blood. ¡°Okay¡­ stop hitting me¡­ I¡¯ll call right away.¡± By now, Ken Leocadia had been so scared by the beating that he hurriedly took out his phone to call his father, Marcella Leocadia. At that moment, Marcella Leocadia was at a restaurant talking business with Graham Cook. With Bran Cook¡¯s return, the status of the Cook Family in Gonzalez City had suddenly risen considerably. Graham Cook, Bran Cook¡¯s uncle, initially just a minor procurement manager within the group, was now soaring to the skies alongside his successful nephew. Marcella Leocadia inviting Graham Cook for tea was precisely to reach a cooperation with the Cook Family and offer Graham Cook a substantial kickback. ¡°Wait for me, I¡¯m coming over! Who has the guts to hit my son? Tell those people not to be so lawless!¡± After receiving Ken Leocadia¡¯s call, Marcella Leocadia was fuming with rage. ¡°What happened?¡± Graham Cook, seeing him so angry, quickly asked. The two of them were in a business partnership, with Cook taking millions in kickbacks from the Leocadia Family each year. As soon as Marcella Leocadia explained the situation, Graham Cook also became incensed, ¡°Brother Leocadia, I¡¯m coming with you. Let¡¯s see just how lawless these hoodlums can be!¡± The two left the house, got into an Audi A6, and drove toward the scene of the incident. By the time they arrived, Ken Leocadia was kneeling on the ground, covered in blood. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Marcella Leocadia was shocked; he only had this one son, who was usually spoiled rotten, and seeing him beaten like this was like bleeding inside. ¡°Really!¡± After hearing Marcella Leocadia¡¯s words, Aaron Martin turned around and looked him over, ¡°You¡¯re his dad?¡± ¡°Indeed! You gang of thugs, get ready to go to prison!¡± Marcella Leocadia sneered, pointing at Aaron Martin and the others, ¡°Broad daylight, and you dare to beat someone in the street! You¡¯re all finished!¡± Whoosh! No sooner had he finished speaking than Aaron Martin kicked Ken Leocadia in the head, sending him screaming and tumbling onto the asphalt. ¡°You¡­¡± Marcella Leocadia trembled with anger. ¡°Let me tell you, I¡¯m Aaron Martin. Your son has offended my boss, and I¡¯m here today to tell you that your family¡¯s company will shut down in three days! Better prepare for what¡¯s coming!¡± Aaron Martin waved his hand impatiently, speaking loudly, ¡°Take your people and get out of here!¡± These people dared to offend Julius Reed, and according to Aron Jackson¡¯s wishes, they had to be brought to ruin. In Gonzalez City, it wasn¡¯t difficult for Martin to accomplish this. With just a word from him, numerous enterprises and relevant departments would move to cause trouble. ¡°You are Aaron Martin¡­¡± At the mention of this name, Marcella Leocadia felt his heart skip a beat. They were in the construction materials business, always needing to keep good relations with these people, so naturally, he knew quite a few local hoodlums in Gonzalez City. He had heard of Aaron Martin¡¯s name and had always been afraid of him. They said this man was naturally vicious, a fierce dog at Aron Jackson¡¯s side. ¡°That¡¯s right, I am Aaron Martin. Go back and prepare for the aftermath; your son has provoked someone you can¡¯t afford to offend!¡± Aaron Martin smirked and shook his head, turning and walking back to his car. ¡°It¡¯s over!¡± Marcella Leocadia slumped to the ground, staring blankly ahead. Offending Aaron Martin, there was no need to think about it; the business he had worked for decades to build could vanish in an instant. ¡°Mr. Martin! I¡¯m Bran Cook¡¯s uncle, Graham Cook!¡± Just then, Graham Cook stepped forward and jogged up to Aaron Martin. ¡°Yes! Graham, appeal to him for me!¡± Marcella Leocadia then remembered mentioning to Graham Cook that Bran Cook had some connections with Martin, and they were quite good. ¡°Brother Martin, Brother Leocadia doesn¡¯t know the gravity of his actions. Don¡¯t stoop to his level. For the sake of our Bran Cook, give them a chance.¡± Graham Cook quickly took out a cigarette from his pocket and offered it to Aaron Martin, ¡°I¡¯ll make sure they pay their respects to you later.¡± ¡°Absolutely! Just give us this one pass, and I surely won¡¯t forget the great mercy and favor of Mr. Martin!¡± Marcella Leocadia swallowed his saliva and hastily seconded the sentiment. ¡°Even if Bran Cook himself showed up today, it wouldn¡¯t make a difference!¡± Smack! Aaron Martin slapped the cigarette from Graham Cook¡¯s hand and turned, leaving with his men. ¡°Ken Leocadia, you really have dug your father¡¯s grave!¡± Marcella Leocadia, trembling, picked himself up off the ground, grabbed a steel pipe, and walked over to Ken Leocadia to violently beat him! Chapter 398 - Chapter 398: Chapter 398 Don’t get your clothes dirty_1 Chapter 398: Chapter 398 Don¡¯t get your clothes dirty_1 Julius Reed didn¡¯t take the trivial matter with the Leocadia father and son to heart. What kind of storms and waves hadn¡¯t he weathered in his life? In the past, he had led Zhu Yunwen, the Jianwen Emperor of the Ming dynasty, from deep within the imperial palace, fighting their way out. Not a single one of the myriad arrows fired by the Yongli Emperor could harm even a hair on him. After returning home, he and Quella Radcliffe merely had a simple candlelit dinner before sitting on the sofa to chat. ¡°My mom wants to come back home for the New Year, but grandfather on the other hand¡­¡± When it came to Zade Radcliffe, Quella¡¯s heart was a tumultuous mix of emotions. Ever since the kidnapping incident, she had not been in contact with Otis Radcliffe or Zade Radcliffe. ¡°Here¡¯s your grandfather¡¯s medical report, take a look for yourself.¡± Julius stood up, walked over to the computer desk, and took out a report from the drawer. ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°I had someone check as soon as I came back from Five-river Province, but since you never mentioned it, I didn¡¯t bring it up.¡± Julius looked at Quella¡¯s somewhat surprised expression, smiling as he patted her head: ¡°We¡¯ve been together for three years, don¡¯t you understand?¡± For someone like Quella who took family relationships seriously, even knowing that Zade Radcliffe¡¯s illness was a sham, she couldn¡¯t simply let go of her grandfather¡¯s condition. Right after they returned, the hedonistic Finn Carmichael had already sent employees to the hospital to obtain the report, and had thoroughly investigated the matter. The entire course of the event, including Otis Radcliffe¡¯s suggestion to give Zade Radcliffe illegal injections, was detailed in the investigation report. ¡°That beast Otis! Grandfather loved him so much, willing to give him everything, and yet he ended up doing this to Grandpa!¡± Looking at the black text on the white paper, Quella trembled with rage, her hands shaking uncontrollably as she held the paper. Since childhood, Otis had always enjoyed the best conditions in the Radcliffe Family. The best food was first passed to Otis, then picked over by Wellington, and only after that did it reach Quella. Even her elder sister Tess would bully her and take her share away. Yet, it was precisely this favoritism from Zade that led to his being exploited by Otis and falling into a deep coma. ¡°The old master knew about this. You shouldn¡¯t blame yourself; even in their final moments, they were thinking of harming you.¡± Julius picked up an apple from the table and gently began peeling it, comforting her: ¡°If they weren¡¯t your family, I would have tossed them on Mount Everest long ago.¡± ¡°Thank you¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe held back the tears in her eyes, not allowing herself to cry. She couldn¡¯t understand why, despite all her efforts to prove herself, her grandfather still couldn¡¯t give her a proper look. Was he really willing to risk his life just to conspire with Otis to set her up? Sharing the name Radcliffe and the same blood, she wondered where she had fallen short. ¡°It¡¯s not that you aren¡¯t good enough; it¡¯s that they never really saw you for who you are. Just be yourself, I¡¯m here for you.¡± Julius seemed to see right through Quella¡¯s thoughts, handing her the peeled apple. ¡°Thank you¡­¡± Once Quella received the apple, she felt a warmth in her heart and slowly leaned her head on Julius¡¯s. Three years ago, she could never have imagined that the man she once looked down on would become her pillar of support three years later. This movement made Julius freeze instantly. Then, Having lived for over ten thousand years, having once sprinted on the Great Wall in the dead of night, and having sat fishing in silence on the tundra for ten years, he carefully placed his hand on Quella¡¯s waist for the first time. Gently pulling her close into his embrace. Time seemed to come to a standstill at that moment. Until a shout came from outside, Breaking the tranquility. ¡°Quella, get out here!¡± This voice made Julius frown; the killing intent that surged from him dissipated just as quickly as it had arisen, suppressed in mere moments. The Quella in his arms hadn¡¯t fallen asleep yet; such rage could easily harm her. ¡°I¡¯ll go and deal with it.¡± As Julius was about to get up, Quella grabbed him: ¡°I¡¯ll go with you.¡± ¡°The wind is strong outside, and with you there, it won¡¯t be convenient for me to get physical.¡± Julius Reed scratched his head, feeling a bit troubled. ¡°It¡¯s okay; I¡¯ll watch you fight.¡± Tess Radcliffe cracked a smile, beautiful as a summer flower. ¡°Then let¡¯s go.¡± The two left the mansion and saw Bran Cook leading a group of people, surrounding the exterior of their home. The people from Willson Pavilion were blocking them, preventing them from taking a single step inside. ¡°So it¡¯s young master Cook, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Julius Reed, with his arm around Tess Radcliffe¡¯s waist, slowly walked towards them. Seeing their intimate gesture, Bran Cook felt more uncomfortable than if he had swallowed a fly. The woman of his dreams was actually living with this hoodlum before his very eyes! ¡°Hiss!¡± Bran Cook took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He pointed at Ken Leocadia, who had been beaten until he couldn¡¯t walk, and asked coldly, ¡°Was it you who hit him?¡± ¡°It¡¯s him! This kid is lawless, I saw it happen right there!¡± Graham Cook stepped out of the crowd, pointing at Julius Reed and fuming with rage, ¡°Such a person, showing no respect for the law!¡± ¡°I say, who the hell are you?¡± Julius Reed looked at Graham Cook with complete unfamiliarity. By the time Graham Cook had arrived, he had already taken Tess Radcliffe home. The reason he was being accused was because Bran Cook didn¡¯t dare to offend Aaron Martin and had to find the so-called ¡°Amos Davenport¡± to take the blame. Bran Cook had already lost all face that morning, and now he was just looking for an opportunity for revenge. Now that Julius Reed had beaten up that couple, and Ken Leocadia had also gotten involved because of it, after Graham Cook went back and told Bran Cook about the incident, Bran Cook called his people to deal with Tess Radcliffe. Who would have thought that Amos Davenport would actually be living with Tess Radcliffe! In his heart, he cursed Tess Radcliffe for being shameless, having moved in together so quickly, yet he also felt some envy¡­ ¡°You¡¯ve forgotten about me!¡± Challenged by Julius Reed¡¯s question, Graham Cook pointed at himself, at a loss for words for a moment. ¡°Anyway, this matter is related to the two of you, let¡¯s discuss how to handle it!¡± He and Marcella Leocadia were in a partnership, and he definitely wanted to help his old friend who had been wronged. ¡°How to handle it?¡± Tess Radcliffe¡¯s exquisite eyebrows slightly raised, ¡°Clearly it was them¡­¡± ¡°No need to waste words with such people.¡± Julius Reed gently put his finger on her lips, smiling, ¡°Wife, watch me fight.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t get your clothes dirty.¡± Tess Radcliffe smiled faintly, gently straightening Julius Reed¡¯s clothes. ¡°You two!¡± Watching the couple show affection, Bran Cook could no longer contain his rage, and he roared, ¡°Get out here!¡± This was a private residence after all; if he barged in, the nature of the incident would change. ¡°Coming, bro.¡± Julius Reed turned, his face full of smiles, and walked to the door, signaling the disciples of Willson Pavilion to step aside. ¡°Amos Davenport, let me tell you¡­¡± Whoosh! Before he could finish his sentence, Julius Reed kicked over Ken Leocadia¡¯s wheelchair! ¡°Ouch!¡± Ken Leocadia, covered in wounds, fell heavily to the ground, howling in pain like a pig. ¡°You¡­ you dare to hit someone again!¡± Bran Cook took a step back in fright; he was an intellectual and had only come today to intimidate them, not expecting Julius Reed to actually get physical! Chapter 399 - Chapter 399: Chapter 399 Winning People Over with Virtue_1 Chapter 399: Chapter 399 Winning People Over with Virtue_1 Civilized people have their own unwritten rules when it comes to handling matters. Even if both parties bring people, looking as though a fight is about to break out, they definitely won¡¯t actually fight. First, they check which side has more people, which side has stronger connections. If the difference isn¡¯t significant, they continue calling for backup until the other side backs down. The weaker party bows their heads in apology, and the matter is considered resolved. After all, everyone is civilized, and in a harmonious society, what¡¯s valued is one¡¯s face. But Julius Reed stepped forward without a word and kicked Ken Leocadia¡¯s stretcher over! That¡¯s too barbaric! ¡°What the¡­ what are you doing! I came to talk to you today, to reason with you! Even though I have a lot of people on my side, if you are willing to bow your head and apologize¡­¡± Bran Cook¡¯s heart raced, still not having recovered from the shock. Originally, their group had come over with great momentum! The idea was to intimidate Quella Radcliffe with a show of force! But they hadn¡¯t anticipated Julius Reed¡¯s domineering kick, which completely stunned them! ¡°No need, I¡¯m not good with words, I prefer to let my fists do the talking.¡± Julius Reed looked up at his hand and leisurely walked over to an Audi A6 parked at the entrance. ¡°Nice car, isn¡¯t it? Brand new?¡± He gently touched the sedan. ¡°Be careful there! I just bought that car, if you damage the paintwork, I can¡¯t afford to fix it!¡± Graham Cook hurried over, pointing at Julius Reed: ¡°This is an Audi, for an unemployed bum like you, how could you afford to compensate if you really damaged it?¡± He was the procurement department manager at the Cook Family, a position with a lot of perks. But before Bran Cook¡¯s return, the Cook Family was not very strong, even only slightly stronger than the Radcliffe Family. Now with Bran Cook¡¯s forceful return, the family¡¯s status had risen significantly. Graham Cook also knew he was about to strike it rich and quickly switched to a new Audi. The car had just been taken out, still sporting its temporary license plate. ¡°I heard Audi has been cutting corners, not sure if it¡¯s true or not. They say it¡¯s just a layer of sheet metal on the body, just like plastic inside.¡± Julius Reed walked around the car, speaking slowly. ¡°Ha! That¡¯s just the sour grapes of those who can¡¯t afford one! Let me tell you the truth, the quality of this Audi is top-notch, incomparable to any other trashy cars! As for safety, even if it were to hit a wall, it would¡­¡± Boom! Graham Cook hadn¡¯t finished his sentence when a loud bang startled him into silence. Turning around, he saw Julius Reed pressing his hand on the car hood, having turned the front of the car into a pile of scrap metal! The engine wasn¡¯t even turned on, but antifreeze and engine oil were spilled all over the ground. ¡°You¡­¡± Graham Cook¡¯s eyes widened, as he stammered, ¡°You¡­ you you¡­¡± His tongue was tied, and he couldn¡¯t utter another word. Who was this, a man or a monster? ¡°What about me? I just said Audi had cut corners, and look, with just a light touch, it¡¯s wrecked!¡± Julius Reed dusted off his hands, grinning as he watched the Cook family¡¯s people. His words left Graham Cook swallowing nervously. Could it really be as Amos Davenport had said, that the car had cut corners? But even if it did have fewer features, it shouldn¡¯t be so fragile that a single hand could smash it, right? ¡°So, are we fighting or what? It¡¯s just me on my own, do as you please.¡± Julius Reed extended one hand, pointing at the few dozen Cook family¡¯s people in front of him. But no one dared to take a step forward. Everyone held their breath, exchanging glances, breaking out in a cold sweat. Was this even human? He was like a demon! Forget their group, even if the number was doubled, they wouldn¡¯t dare to charge forward! If something as tough as steel could be so easily crumpled, what about limbs? An accidental fracture would mean lifelong disability. The atmosphere grew awkwardly silent. Only heavy breathing could be heard. ¡°Are we fighting or not! I¡¯ve got things to do!¡± Julius Reed walked up to Bran Cook, still pretending to accidentally step on Ken Leocadia¡¯s foot along the way. The latter was about to let out a pig-like scream but immediately covered his mouth with his hand, enduring the pain without making a sound. If I shouted out and made their legs tremble, I¡¯m sure those legs would be thoroughly broken. ¡°Heh, Amos Davenport, you think you can¡­¡± Slap! Before Bran Cook could finish his sentence, Julius Reed slapped him hard across the face. Bran Cook, who had never suffered such abuse, immediately had the imprint of five fingers appear on his delicate, fair face. ¡°Amos Davenport! You dare to hit me! In broad daylight, is there no law¡­¡± ¡°Oh, I have OCD, it looked a bit asymmetrical.¡± Slap! Julius Reed didn¡¯t wait for Bran Cook to finish speaking, and slapped him again! ¡°Now, it¡¯s symmetrical.¡± He looked at his handiwork and nodded in satisfaction. ¡°You¡­¡± Bran Cook took a deep breath, almost squeezing the word out through his teeth. It must be said, he hesitated. The words at the tip of his tongue, he didn¡¯t dare to say them. The burning pain on his face seemed to remind him that this man should not be provoked! Don¡¯t act impulsively, stay rational. ¡°Are you still going to talk reason?¡± Finally, he said through gritted teeth. ¡°Reason? Of course!¡± Julius Reed chuckled, ¡°I¡¯m the kind of person who likes to win people over with virtue!¡± ¡°Haha! Win over with virtue!¡± Bran Cook really felt like killing someone, hating only that he couldn¡¯t beat him and could only stand there and take the beating. And those who came with him, all blustering with bravado on their way here, each boasting that they¡¯d beat Julius Reed so badly even his own mother wouldn¡¯t recognize him. But now? Each one was so scared that they didn¡¯t even dare to breathe heavily, for fear that the next slap would land on their faces. ¡°What? Am I not winning over with virtue?¡± Julius Reed shouted toward the disciples at the entrance of Willson Pavilion, ¡°Bring the brush!¡± ¡°At your service!¡± The disciple quickly returned inside the western-style house and soon came out with a writing brush. Julius Reed took the brush, wrote the character for ¡°virtue¡± on his hand, then casually threw the brush aside and walked over to the Cook family¡¯s people. ¡°Do you recognize what this is?¡± ¡°We recognize it, it¡¯s the character for ¡®virtue¡¯.¡± The Cook family¡¯s person nodded quickly, his face still wearing an awkward smile. Slap! Julius Reed slapped him, causing the still-wet ink to stain the Cook family¡¯s person¡¯s face. An indistinct ¡°virtue¡± character was perfectly left on the half of his face that was slapped. ¡°See, winning over with virtue. I, Amos Davenport, am a reasonable man, never bullying the weak. What do you say?¡± Julius Reed looked toward the Cook family¡¯s person who had been slapped. ¡°Yes! Yes! You win people over with virtue, I am completely convinced inside and out! The boss never bullies the weak, and your words are so reasonable, they make me feel utterly ashamed!¡± The Cook family¡¯s person, covering his face, hurriedly flattered. You should know, just ten minutes ago, he had threatened to break Julius Reed¡¯s leg! ¡°See! This brother here understands!¡± Slap! No sooner had he finished speaking than he slapped another Cook family¡¯s person across the face. ¡°Ouch!¡± Caught off guard, the person responded with irritation, ¡°Why would you¡­¡± Slap! Another slap followed. ¡°Did I bully you?¡± Julius Reed asked with a guilty face. ¡°No¡­ It was my face that accidentally ran into your hand¡­¡± This member of the Cook Family said feeling very wronged. Chapter 400 - Chapter 400: Chapter 400 Unyielding Bran Cook_1 Chapter 400: Chapter 400 Unyielding Bran Cook_1 After two crisp slaps, this member of the Cook family immediately became very obedient. As Julius Reed passed by him, he even had to ask, ¡°Does your hand hurt? My skin is too thick, I hope it didn¡¯t injure your hand.¡± ¡°You are too polite, aren¡¯t we all friends? Your face bumping into my hand is nothing, I¡¯m very magnanimous, it doesn¡¯t matter!¡± Julius Reed chatted with him as if they were friends, and then walked toward the next person. This person was quite sensible. He directly leaned in and said, ¡°Big brother, please be careful not to strain your hand.¡± Slap! After a slap landed, this member of the Cook family hurriedly clasped his hands together and said, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Reed, for the character!¡± ¡°Oh no! Look, it¡¯s smeared!¡± Julius Reed said with great regret, ¡°Quick! Get the ink!¡± As soon as he had finished speaking, the disciples from Willson Pavilion immediately brought over the ink. Julius Reed picked up the writing brush, dipped it in the ink, and rewrote the character ¡°Virtue¡± on his palm! Although the Cook family member was greatly aggrieved, he still had to lean in once more. Slap! After a crisp and decisive slap, the man said thank you for the second time. Afterward, the other members of the Cook family were the ones to pour ink for Julius Reed, and they all had to say thank you once it was done. This made the first Cook family member who got slapped feel incredibly fortunate; he had made a killing! Finally, when it was Bran Cook¡¯s turn, he raised his head and coldly said, ¡°Humph! A gentleman can be killed, but not insulted! Amos Davenport, if you want to hit me, hit me to death! Otherwise, don¡¯t bother with these useless antics!¡± Bran Cook put on such a do-or-die attitude because he wanted to tell Julius Reed that he wouldn¡¯t cooperate with him or give him a way out! You either hit me to death, or don¡¯t bother with these false pretenses of winning people over with virtue! I¡¯m not buying it! ¡°Young Master Cook, are you dissatisfied with my way of winning people over with virtue?¡± Julius Reed nodded and tossed the writing brush aside: ¡°I love people with integrity the most, Young Master Cook truly has the spirit of a learned person after having been influenced by Western knowledge. Your moral fiber is quite different from theirs!¡± ¡°Heh! Amos Davenport, although I can¡¯t beat you, please remember this! Today¡¯s humiliation, I will definitely return it twofold!¡± He looked coldly at Julius Reed: ¡°Only barbarians would use such crude methods. I¡¯ll make sure you, Quella Radcliffe, and her Radcliffe Group, will never be able to recover!¡± Bran Cook wasn¡¯t just talking; he had already devised plans to overtly bring down the Radcliffe Group, using completely legitimate means to force Quella Radcliffe and Amos Davenport to kneel and beg for mercy. Today, he had intended to intimidate and retrieve the face he lost during the day. But who would have thought that it would backfire on him? However, it could also be considered a good thing, as now he had gained some understanding of this Amos Davenport¡¯s capabilities. Next time he dealt with him, he would definitely bring more formidable people. Scolding Julius Reed now was also an attempt to regain some face for himself. But it seemed that he had detected an undertone in Julius Reed¡¯s words, bypassing him. Could it be because he hadn¡¯t acted spinelessly like the other Cook family¡¯s people? Indeed, the strong always respect the strong. Being able to remain dignified in the face of such a formidable opponent was surely commendable! ¡°Young Master Cook truly has the demeanor of a scholar! Your words have rendered me speechless with shame. Alas!¡± Julius Reed turned around and said with a light bow: ¡°Since Young Master Cook doesn¡¯t grant me this way out, I dare not tarnish your dignity! This slap, I won¡¯t deliver it!¡± No sooner had he spoken than those members of the Cook family cast envious glances at him. Had they known acting tough could spare them a beating, they would have shown more backbone earlier! But these people sensed that something was amiss. A few who acted even tougher were beaten black and blue. How come when it came to Bran Cook, it suddenly became the pride of a scholar? ¡°Amos Davenport! Don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be grateful to you for not hitting me! To tell you the truth, tomorrow the Radcliffe Group will face liquidation; I¡¯ve already contacted all the major banks. They will come together tomorrow to press for payment!¡± Bran Cook smiled smugly, pointing at Quella Radcliffe: ¡°Quella Radcliffe, is this your boyfriend? Birds of a feather flock together! A bunch of crude people¡ªwait for the lawyers¡¯ letters tomorrow!¡± After saying that, he looked at Ken Leocadia, who didn¡¯t dare to make a sound on the ground, waved his hand, and said, ¡°Pick him up; let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± Julius Reed called out to him from behind. ¡°What, Mr. Reed breaks his word? But for someone like you, whatever you do wouldn¡¯t surprise me!¡± Bran Cook was startled in his heart, but tried to appear calm as he said, ¡°Bring it on!¡± ¡°Young Master Cook has misunderstood!¡± Julius Reed looked at him with a smile, ¡°I¡¯m a man of my word. If I say I won¡¯t hit you, then I won¡¯t!¡± ¡°Then why aren¡¯t you letting me go?¡± Bran Cook frowned, wondering what Julius Reed was up to. He¡¯s not hitting me, but he¡¯s not letting me go? What is he trying to do? ¡°Ah! You know, I¡¯m not very cultured, just an uncouth man!¡± Julius Reed chuckled with a hehe. ¡°That I know, barbarian! In this civilized society, you truly are an oddity!¡± Bran Cook snorted coldly and started criticizing while pointing at Julius Reed. ¡°Young Master Cook said something right, that ¡®birds of a feather flock together.¡¯¡± When Julius Reed mentioned ¡®birds of a feather flock together,¡¯ he emphasized it specially. ¡°I definitely wouldn¡¯t dare lay a finger on Young Master Cook, but my brothers¡­ ah, birds of a feather, you know? They¡¯re all barbarians. If they do something out of line, don¡¯t mind them!¡± No sooner had he finished speaking than one of the Willson Pavilion¡¯s men walked up to the already scrapped Audi car and, with a strong push of his hands, flipped the car over! ¡°Hiss!¡± Everyone gasped in shock, what kind of monsters are these? How terrifying! In fact, the reason why Julius Reed did this was to deter the Cook family¡¯s people from taking any rash actions, knowing the severity of the Willson Pavilion Disciples, they definitely wouldn¡¯t dare cause any more trouble at the mansion. ¡°Hehe! Young Master Cook, right?¡± After pushing over the Audi, the man walked straight up to Bran Cook. ¡°What¡­ what do you want to do¡­¡± Bran Cook¡¯s heart pounded furiously, but he still tried to maintain his composure. Yet his trembling voice and shaking body had already betrayed him. ¡°Nothing much! Our big brother always teaches us to ¡®conquer with virtue¡¯.¡± The Willson Pavilion Disciple grabbed Bran Cook by the shoulder with one hand and lifted him up in one swift motion! ¡°Ah! Let go!¡± The intense pain caused Bran Cook to grit his teeth and grimace. He exerted all his strength to hit the Disciple, but the other was like a block of wood, not feeling any pain at all. ¡°Remember this, this is how I ¡®conquer with virtue¡¯!¡± Bang! The Willson Pavilion Disciple punched Bran Cook in the stomach! ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Bran Cook immediately stopped struggling, his body curling up in mid-air. He only felt a violent pain in his stomach, and his face instantly turned the color of a pig¡¯s liver. ¡°How about that? Is it enough?¡± Bang! Before Bran Cook could recover, the Willson Pavilion Disciple threw another punch! ¡°Zzz¡­¡± Foam began to form at Bran Cook¡¯s mouth, and his eyes started to look vacant. ¡°I¡­ I was wrong!¡± He uttered this sentence nearly in the voice of a mosquito. Chapter 401 - Chapter 401: Chapter 401: Withdraw Money_1 Chapter 401: Chapter 401: Withdraw Money_1 Cook family¡¯s people came with great momentum, only to leave with disheveled defeat. Bran Cook even prepared a full set of excuses, and carrying the injured Ken Leocadia, he planned to leave Quella Radcliffe speechless, publicly apologize, and compensate for losses. Unfortunately¡­ Before he could even speak, he was beaten to the point that not even his own mother would recognize him. They arrived proud and lofty, but left on stretchers. For the first time in his life, Bran Cook faced such humiliation that it followed him all the way to his grandmother¡¯s house. In his heart, he swore that tomorrow he would definitely make Quella Radcliffe kneel and beg for mercy! Of course, that was provided he could still stand up¡­ Rather than being frightened by Julius Reed¡¯s fiery actions today, Quella Radcliffe felt extremely relieved. Having such a husband who protected and doted on her was the dream of many women. Of course, she understood even more why Julius Reed had been so ruthless. Because of Zade Radcliffe¡¯s incident today, she was in a bad mood, and it got even worse after Bran Cook blocked her at her doorstep and berated her. The beating Julius Reed delivered had actually lifted her spirits quite a bit. All of this, was done for her. ¡°I tell you, this guy has suspicion of domestic abuse!¡± Anna Harris, who had been watching the fight from the window, now sneaked up to Quella Radcliffe¡¯s ear and whispered. ¡°Julius Reed has very good hearing.¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s mouth curled slightly as she turned her head to look at Anna Harris. ¡°Domestic abuse, huh! Why don¡¯t I practice on you first?¡± Julius Reed said with a grin. ¡°Holy crap! He even heard that!¡± Anna Harris¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. But then she came to a realization; how could she expect to apply common sense to this man? After all, he¡¯s someone who could outfight those with guns using just his fists! ¡°I¡¯m stepping out for a bit, you guys start eating first, and I might not come back for dinner.¡± After making his announcement, Julius Reed turned and left the mansion. As he reached the door, he phoned Aron Jackson, ¡°Get all the bank presidents of Gonzalez City over to me!¡± ¡­ Fifteen minutes later. Gonzalez City¡¯s Bronze Sparrow Terrace. This was Aron Jackson¡¯s stronghold, where many wealthy businessmen frequented. When bosses from other provinces visited Gonzalez City, they also stayed here. At this moment, all the bank presidents from the major banks of Gonzalez City were sitting in a prestigious imperial hall, discussing animatedly. ¡°What do you think Aron Jackson called us here for?¡± A bank president muttered. ¡°I have no idea! But it seemed urgent.¡± ¡°Right, did Young Master Cook mention that matter to you guys?¡± Someone asked casually in their spare time. ¡°Yes! I got a notification this morning, saying I need to go to Radcliffe Group tomorrow to ask for money, each with a team of lawyers. It looks like the rumors are true, Young Master Cook really wants to struggle with the Radcliffe Family to the end!¡± Another replied. ¡°Hmm! Since Young Master Cook returned from the capital, it¡¯s obvious he wants to do something big! Regarding this request, I must support it, but as for the rest of you, I won¡¯t interfere.¡± Hearing that Bran Cook wanted to form a business alliance, these bankers were excited beyond measure. Such a large enterprise would inevitably involve loans. As long as they could lend out money, they would gain considerable interest. By then their year-end performance is definitely going to be spectacular, and moving to Five-river Province to be a bank president might be possible. After all, at their level, advancing any further was a little difficult. ¡°I must support this as well, no questions asked, when Young Master Cook speaks up, of course, I¡¯ll help!¡± More voices joined in agreement. They basically shared information, and from the beginning, everyone was clear about the situation. It was nothing more than Bran Cook wanting to use someone else¡¯s knife to kill, aiming to take down the Radcliffe Group. After all, asking for money is normal, with the entire Gonzalez City oppressing the Radcliffe Group. If the money couldn¡¯t be recovered, it would likely turn into bad debt. Even if the Radcliffe Group auctioned off assets, they would still have to compensate with some money. Once the first person agreed, the others would definitely follow suit. If Bran Cook really managed to solidify this alliance, and they didn¡¯t turn to them for loans later, it would be a massive loss. No one wanted to be treated differently. After all, face is something that is mutually given. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting!¡± Just then, a voice came from the doorway. Following that, Julius Reed, accompanied by Aron Jackson, entered the private room. ¡°Aron Jackson!¡± The bankers all stood up in a gesture of respect for Aron Jackson. In Gonzalez City, the most powerful person was Aron Jackson. ¡°Who is this?¡± They looked at Julius Reed and asked aloud. This young man was unfamiliar and, by all accounts, shouldn¡¯t have been in this room. However, Aron Jackson seemed to regard this youth quite highly. The astute individuals in the room naturally wanted to get to the bottom of it. ¡°You don¡¯t need to know who I am, but there is one thing I would like you to check for me.¡± Julius Reed sat in a chair and took a stack of bank cards out of his pocket. These cards covered each of the banks represented in the room. He pushed these cards one by one into the hands of the respective bank presidents, then raised his hand slightly, ¡°Please help me check, how much balance is in these.¡± ¡°This¡­¡± When the bankers received the cards, their eyes revealed a look of shock. These were each bank¡¯s top-tier black cards, owned only by exceedingly distinguished clients. They exchanged glances, more shocked than ever! Who could possibly hold so many black cards at the same time? When had such a super-rich second-generation youth appeared in Gonzalez City! The young man was too young, and it was normal for them not to recognize him, but they were certain that behind the youth there was definitely a formidable father! Although they didn¡¯t understand the young man¡¯s intentions, the bankers still dared not neglect the customer¡¯s request and quickly arranged for their staff to check the balance in the accounts immediately. As the various banks¡¯ tellers gradually sent back the information, their eyes nearly popped out! There were hundreds of billions in assets! In every card! ¡°Alright, now that we¡¯ve checked, let¡¯s talk about some real business,¡± Julius Reed said with a light smile,, spreading his hands out, ¡°I would like to withdraw all this money.¡± Hiss! The bankers gasped sharply! This was a withdrawal of an ultra-large amount! Once it left their hands, they could forget about any future promotions. ¡°As for where I¡¯ll deposit it, that will depend on your performances,¡± This statement from Julius Reed completely drove the bankers present into a frenzy. ¡°Hello. I am the president of Green Flag Bank¡­¡± ¡°I am from Celestial Bank¡­¡± ¡°I represent Wealthy Bank¡­¡± The bankers, like maniacs, were terrified of missing out on this opportunity! Chapter 402 - Chapter 402: Chapter 402: Coming to the Door_1 Chapter 402: Chapter 402: Coming to the Door_1 ¡°` Such a large deposit, if I could really secure it, then promotion would be just around the corner! Even if I can¡¯t attract the deposit, ensuring that this money doesn¡¯t move is also a perfectly good strategy! Because once the funds flow out, such a massive amount will definitely alert the head office. Upon investigation, I would be the one blamed for mishandling, and surely face punishment. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, in fact, I have only one request.¡± Julius Reed leaned back in his chair with a smile on his face. The room fell silent instantly. Everyone held their breath, eager to know what Julius Reed was going to say. Because the following words might determine their future! Their fate! ¡°I can leave the money in the bank card untouched, as long as you grant a loan to Radcliffe Group so they can secure funding, I¡¯ll pretend nothing happened.¡± As soon as Julius Reed finished speaking, everyone immediately looked at each other. Just before this, Bran Cook had spoken with them, determined to crush Radcliffe Group. And now, another tycoon appeared! Absolute tycoon! Intending to save Radcliffe Group. ¡°May I ask, which role do you play in Radcliffe Group?¡± The president of Wealthy Bank asked cautiously. Once this deal was made, it meant betraying Bran Cook and completely offending the Cook Family. Even future business alliance plans would exclude them. These people still believed in Bran Cook¡¯s ability to get a business alliance up and running with ease. Moreover, just this morning, Willson Group had just made an investment, meaning the establishment of the business alliance was a hundred percent certain. Losing a huge amount of interest is a responsibility no one wanted to take on. ¡°I¡¯m willing!¡± At that moment, the president of Celestial Bank immediately made his stance! He raised his hand and said sincerely, ¡°You are our valued customer, and it¡¯s my pride to serve you for this matter. From now on, just call me whenever you need anything.¡± ¡°Good! I will transfer all the money from Wealthy Bank to Celestial Bank within a week. And all the credit will go to you!¡± Julius Reed pointed at Darius Clark, the chairman of Celestial Bank, nodding his head in satisfaction. ¡°Thank you for your favor! Whenever you need, wherever it is, I will fulfill your request in the fastest time possible!¡± Darius Clark was so excited he could hardly contain himself. He hadn¡¯t even come to grips with it yet. What did this mean? It meant by the year-end review, he would stand out from the crowd, and might even hope to become branch president in Five-river Province. ¡°I was just asking, you¡­ don¡¯t worry, I will definitely¡­¡± ¡°No need, your hesitation has already given me the answer.¡± Julius Reed interrupted the president of Wealthy Bank and waved his hand dismissively, ¡°Go back, I have the freedom to move my money as I please.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The president of Wealthy Bank took a deep breath, despising the young man before him. He planned to coerce Radcliffe Group in the loan first, then try everything to prevent this money from being transferred out of Wealthy Bank. Even, he was thinking of joining forces with the other entrepreneurs present to collectively oppose Celestial Bank and Radcliffe Group. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about any sneaky tricks. If I can have such a large deposit, you should know how powerful my backing is. It would be best not to play with fire and burn yourself.¡± After advising the president of Wealthy Bank, Julius Reed turned around, preparing to leave. ¡°We will certainly do as you ask!¡± The rest of the banks were not fools; it was already lucky to keep this money safe. Although they envied Darius Clark, the president of Celestial Bank, there was nothing they could do¡ªafter all, he had been the quickest to respond. ¡°` ¡°Good to know! And I don¡¯t want anyone to find out about this.¡± After Julius Reed left those words behind, he turned and walked away from Tongque Terrace. ¡­ The Radcliffe Group was bustling, due to the incident involving Bran Cook, the outstanding young entrepreneur who had caused a stir in Gonzalez City, being carried to the front door of the Radcliffe Group on a stretcher. Quite a few local merchants followed suit. The appointment of Bran Cook as the chairman of the Commercial Alliance was a sure thing, to say the least. The only chance they had now was to curry favor and perform well to garner the greatest benefits under Bran Cook¡¯s leadership. Thus, upon hearing that Bran Cook was seriously beaten by Amos Davenport yesterday, these people were outrageously indignant and resolutely dropped what they were doing to come here and show their support for Bran Cook. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± ¡°I heard Young Master Cook was beaten up!¡± ¡°Who did it? Who in Gonzalez City has the audacity to do this?¡± The employees of the Radcliffe Group gossiped at the entrance. After all, such news had spread fast. ¡°I heard it was the new mistress of our chairman!¡± ¡°What? The chairman¡¯s private life¡­ Just thinking about the three years spent with that loser, it wouldn¡¯t be surprising if something was happening on the side!¡± ¡°You¡¯re telling me! He always acts so high and noble, but his private life is such a mess! Just feel sorry for that pathetic son-in-law, wearing a green hat and he doesn¡¯t even know it!¡± People love to gossip, especially women, who relish chewing the fat. Since they looked down on Quella Radcliffe, they seized the opportunity to smear her as much as they could. ¡°What¡¯s the matter here!¡± Just then, Dempsey Davenport walked out from the building. She was the chairman¡¯s assistant and Quella Radcliffe¡¯s staunch confidant. At the Radcliffe Group, everyone knew that Dempsey Davenport could sometimes make decisions in Quella Radcliffe¡¯s stead. Even without Quella Radcliffe¡¯s approval. ¡°Dempsey Davenport, people have come knocking! Our chairman¡¯s newly found mistress has beaten someone up! What do you say to that? If word gets out, I¡¯m afraid it¡¯ll be embarrassing!¡± Tess Radcliffe stepped out, speaking sarcastically. She touched her own face, triumphantly looking at Dempsey Davenport. Ever since the old man was driven out, the Radcliffe Clan despised Quella Radcliffe. Since they couldn¡¯t manipulate company funds at will anymore, it caused them great discomfort! You see, when the old man was still in charge, they could just take some money, and nobody would care. But now, things had changed, and even the faking of expense reports for business trips was caught by Dempsey Davenport. The strong contrast made them hate Quella Radcliffe even more! They couldn¡¯t wait for her to be ousted, hoping Zade Radcliffe would return. As the Radcliffe Group now faced crisis, this wish grew even stronger. ¡°Tess Radcliffe, watch your mouth! Be careful what you say, or your tongue might rot!¡± Dempsey Davenport was not just superior to Quella Radcliffe in rank ¨C they were also friends. How could she not be angry with such words from Tess Radcliffe? ¡°After all, she¡¯s a Radcliffe, your sister! And yet here you are, spending your days slandering your own sister, tarnishing her image. What¡¯s the point?¡± ¡°Oh Dempsey Davenport, you¡¯re just a lousy employee! What does our family¡¯s affairs have to do with you? If you can¡¯t stand me, then have Quella Radcliffe fire me!¡± Tess Radcliffe stood with her hands on her hips, triumphantly rolling her eyes at Dempsey Davenport. A conflict had long existed between the two, each barely able to stand the sight of the other. But Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t plan to have any of the family members leave the business, maintaining a policy of tolerance. ¡°Stop arguing! We didn¡¯t come here to witness your quarrel! Call your chairman out!¡± Graham Cook shouted loudly. Chapter 403 - Chapter 403: 403 Chapter 403: 403 ¡°What do you want with our Chairman?¡± Dempsey Davenport looked at the people before her with great wariness. It was obvious that they had ill intentions and were here to cause trouble for Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Our Chairman is in the office; I¡¯ll take you in!¡± Tess Radcliffe, on the other hand, was eager for someone to deal with Quella Radcliffe and volunteered to lead Bran Cook and his group. At the moment, Bran Cook¡¯s stomach was in unbearable pain, and despite a day having passed, he hadn¡¯t recovered. Sitting in a wheelchair, his eyes were filled with rage, and he didn¡¯t even dare to speak. Just uttering a word felt as if his insides were being torn apart, enduring inhuman torture. But there was a flicker of excitement in his eyes! Soon, Quella Radcliffe would kneel and beg for mercy! To witness this moment with his own eyes was something he was overjoyed about! So much so that despite being injured, he had to come over in a wheelchair. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Dempsey Davenport wanted to stop them, but by then, Tess Radcliffe had already led the group inside. For some reason, the usually obedient security guards today seemed to ignore the situation, letting these people barge in. Normally, these men would definitely stand out and stop Bran Cook and his group. ¡°Forget it!¡± Dempsey Davenport stomped her foot and called Quella Radcliffe upstairs. She knew there was a lock on Quella Radcliffe¡¯s door that no one but Quella Radcliffe herself could open. As long as Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t agree, it was useless for these people to wait outside. But to her surprise, Quella Radcliffe asked Dempsey Davenport to come upstairs too. Even though Dempsey Davenport had explained the situation very clearly, Quella Radcliffe remained unmoved and insisted on letting these people in. As she turned around, she noticed several cars parked at the entrance of the Group. Dempsey Davenport was the financial director and often dealt with banks in Gonzalez City. At that moment, seeing the people in the cars, she dropped her phone in fright! Because all of these people were local bank presidents from Gonzalez City! So many presidents gathered together, combined with the current financial situation of the Radcliffe Group. The purpose of their visit was self-evident. After picking up her phone, Dempsey Davenport hurried into the Group. Meanwhile, in the Chairman¡¯s office. Quella Radcliffe sat in her chair, appearing nonchalant as she faced a number of entrepreneurs and senior executives of the Radcliffe Group. ¡°President Radcliffe, these people are here for you!¡± Tess Radcliffe said in a mocking tone. She had bullied Quella Radcliffe since they were young and had never stopped suppressing her in the company. But Tess Radcliffe never imagined that there would come a day when Quella Radcliffe would become the Chairman of the Radcliffe Group! This huge psychological gap made her feel very unbalanced, and she schemed to bring trouble to Quella Radcliffe. However, Quella Radcliffe was a person of deep feelings. Faced with such petty actions from her own sister, she always pretended not to know. ¡°Is there something you need?¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded at them, seemingly oblivious to the malice in their words. ¡°I said yesterday¡­ I must¡­ I must make you kneel down and beg for mercy¡­¡± Bran Cook, who had been silent, finally spoke up. His face was full of pain as he exerted all his strength to speak. But these weak sounds reached everyone¡¯s ears. ¡°Young Master Cook has already informed the presidents of all the major banks in Gonzalez City that Radcliffe Group is on the brink of bankruptcy and no longer has the ability to repay its debts.¡± Although Graham Cook had been slapped, he clearly didn¡¯t take the lesson to heart. Especially since Amos Davenport wasn¡¯t there, it gave him even more confidence! ¡°So what?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked with a smile. ¡°So, the banks will demand that you repay the money! And it¡¯s not just one bank, but they demand that you repay the money within three days!¡± Graham Cook looked around Quella Radcliffe¡¯s spacious chairman¡¯s office and said with pride, ¡°Otherwise, Radcliffe Group will be auctioned off! And all of those present will be left without jobs!¡± ¡°What! We¡¯re going to be unemployed!¡± ¡°The assets that Grandpa left behind were meant to ensure we¡¯d never have to worry about our livelihood! Now, thanks to Quella Radcliffe¡¯s mess, we¡¯re all going to be left out in the cold!¡± ¡°I knew it, when she took over she was bound to ruin the company! What are we going to do if we lose our jobs? How will I pay my mortgage and car loan?¡± Graham Cook¡¯s words set off huge waves among the crowd. Some of the external employees were not too bad off; if Radcliffe Group collapsed, they could just go to another enterprise. There were still many electronic enterprises in Gonzalez City, and finding a similar job wasn¡¯t hard. But for these members of the Radcliffe Clan, who had always been supported by Zade Radcliffe, they had no real skills and were just relying on the Radcliffe name to get by. In fact, Quella Radcliffe was also supporting this group of freeloaders. Dempsey Davenport had once suggested streamlining the organization, but Quella Radcliffe refused, using the excuse that she had just taken over the group. After all, they were family, and she didn¡¯t want to be too ruthless. But it was clear that these Radcliffe family members were not appreciative. Not only were they ungrateful, but they also began to resent Quella Radcliffe! These people, without any real skills, would not be able to find work once they left Radcliffe Group. Even if they could find a job, the pay and benefits could not compare to what they had at Radcliffe Group. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, it¡¯s all because of you! Just get lost! Stop harming us! The old man was chairman for so many years and never had this happen!¡± ¡°Exactly! You¡¯ve just taken over, and already you¡¯ve turned the company upside down!¡± Tess Radcliffe led the charge, cursing, and others joined in the chorus. After all, they would face a significant financial crisis if they became unemployed. ¡°But¡­¡± Just then, Bran Cook forcefully said, with a cold tone, ¡°As long as Quella Radcliffe agrees to sell Radcliffe Group to me, I guarantee everyone¡¯s benefits will remain the same, and you will continue working in your current positions.¡± ¡°Really? Quella Radcliffe, hurry up and sell the company! Think of it as accumulating some good karma, have some pity on us!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bring us down with you if you want to self-destruct and offend people! Hurry up and sell the company, otherwise, you¡¯ll be our enemy!¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t sell, I¡¯ll go to your doorstep and curse you every day!¡± Upon hearing these words, the Radcliffe Clan members, like grabbing a lifeline, attacked Quella Radcliffe with everything they had. Bran Cook then sat in his chair, his face pale, silently watching how Quella Radcliffe would respond. If it hadn¡¯t been for Quella Radcliffe holding all of Radcliffe Group¡¯s shares so tightly, he wouldn¡¯t have had to go to such lengths! Now he could only mobilize the employees¡¯ power, forcing Quella Radcliffe to be left with nothing! The money from acquiring the company would at most cover the debts signed by the company, essentially leaving Quella Radcliffe with nothing, completely cleaned out! ¡°Everyone, good day!¡± Just then, as agreed upon, the bankers started arriving in Quella Radcliffe¡¯s office. Seeing them arrive, Bran Cook¡¯s mouth curved into a slight arc. ¡°You see¡­ cough, cough¡­¡± He pointed weakly at the people behind him, ¡°President Radcliffe, do you really want to go down with the ship? Are you truly not considering the life or death of your employees here? If it comes to that, then we¡¯ll just have to proceed with the formalities! I no longer plan to take over.¡± Bran Cook felt a surge of vengeful satisfaction in his heart. ¡°Of course, I could also give you a few months¡¯ reprieve. The condition is, you kneel before me!¡± He looked coldly at Quella Radcliffe. Chapter 404 - Chapter 404: Chapter 404 Inexorable Trend_1 Chapter 404: Chapter 404 Inexorable Trend_1 When the bank presidents collectively appeared at the entrance of the Radcliffe Group Chairman¡¯s office, the Radcliffe Clan was thoroughly frightened. Previously, they had thought Bran Cook was merely coming to intimidate Quella Radcliffe and wouldn¡¯t make a move so quickly. Who would have known that just a mere ten minutes after Bran Cook had entered, all these bank presidents would personally come over. Many people had heard the rumors circulating in Gonzalez City lately, that Bran Cook had connections in the capital and had returned to make a big impact. Indeed, the presence of five bank presidents was an impressive display. ¡°What about President Cedric of Wealthy Bank?¡± Graham Cook glanced around and noticed that Cedric Lake from Wealthy Bank was not present. Logically, given the face of the Cook Family, Cedric wouldn¡¯t fail to show up! Moreover, when Bran Cook called Cedric yesterday, the latter had readily agreed. But it didn¡¯t matter. With five presidents here, they were hardly lacking just one Cedric. ¡°As far as I know, President Cedric offended some big shot and has now been fired. The new president of Wealthy Bank in Gonzalez City hasn¡¯t arrived yet.¡± Darius Clark, the president of Celestial Bank, spoke calmly. ¡°President Clark knows about this, too?¡± Graham Cook showed a look of surprise, but couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit proud inside. It must be because Cedric changed his mind, unwilling to listen to Bran Cook, which led to his own dismissal. But if that was true, his nephew¡¯s influence was huge, wasn¡¯t it? ¡°Exactly!¡± Darius Clark nodded, ¡°Not just me, but the other presidents also received instructions from above to meet the demands of this big shot as much as possible.¡± ¡°See! My nephew, Bran Cook¡¯s influence is this powerful! Now, does anyone still doubt it?¡± Graham Cook was overjoyed. Having a nephew with such prestige, he too basked in reflected glory. Although Bran Cook himself was surprised ¨C he knew he had influence, but surely not enough to get the president of Wealthy Bank fired immediately? However, seeing the admiring looks from everyone, he could only nod and feign composure as he spoke in a hoarse voice, ¡°I, Cook, will remember the favor you bank presidents have done for me.¡± He looked up at Quella Radcliffe, ¡°Now, I give you one last chance! Kneel down, apologize to me, and agree to be my woman, or Radcliffe Group will be shut down due to bankruptcy in three days!¡± The pain in his body prevented Bran Cook from speaking loudly, but the anticipation of what was to come invigorated him. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, just kneel down already, we¡¯re begging you,¡± Tess Radcliffe was the first to step forward; though she claimed to be pleading, it sounded more like an order, ¡°Kneel and apologize, then take good care of Bran Cook. That way, we¡¯ll all have a livelihood.¡± ¡°Exactly! You can¡¯t put so many people out of work for your own selfish interests! My mortgage is over four thousand a month¡ªwithout this job, how will I pay it?¡± ¡°Hurry up and apologize! If it weren¡¯t for you offending Bran Cook, would the Group be in this state? If the old man were here, none of this would¡¯ve happened!¡± These members of the Radcliffe Family were like parasites, doing nothing day-to-day and taking tens of thousands from the company each month. In a small coastal city like Gonzalez City, even technical staff might not earn as much as they did. Yet they were not grateful and felt entitled to everything instead. ¡°I will never sell Radcliffe Group, not now, not ever!¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at Bran Cook and declared each word distinctly. She was very determined, which was beyond Bran Cook¡¯s expectations. Could it really come down to a fight to the bitter end? But bringing down Radcliffe Group in such a manner wouldn¡¯t benefit anyone. Although it could intimidate some non-compliant groups, it wasn¡¯t conducive to the long-term development of business alliances. It would leave some with the impression that he bullied others by leveraging his power. ¡°` ¡°If you¡¯re willing to kneel down and apologize, I might not force you to accompany me, and I could even tell them to give you a few more days. Whenever you¡¯ve come to your senses, you can come to me. This promise is always valid.¡± Bran Cook said from his wheelchair, looking down from above. ¡°Bran Cook has even loosened his terms, are you still willing to kneel and apologize?¡± ¡°Why pretend to be pure around here! You¡¯ve got wild men outside, isn¡¯t it good to be with Bran Cook?¡± Tess Radcliffe taunted Quella Radcliffe, even spitting on the ground: ¡°Pah! Shameless thing, you¡¯ve truly thrown away our Radcliffe Family¡¯s face!¡± ¡°Exactly, Quella Radcliffe, you slut, pretending to be pure when you haven¡¯t allowed Julius Reed to touch you for three years, you must have had plenty of men secretly, being with Bran Cook is your blessing!¡± This group of ungrateful wretches kept pressuring Quella Radcliffe, and some of the Radcliffe Clan men were even ready to physically remove her from the chairman¡¯s position. If it hadn¡¯t been for Dempsey Davenport intervening, they really might have done it. ¡°Get lost! You stinking woman, after Quella Radcliffe gets out, you pack up and get lost too, we don¡¯t need you here!¡± This Radcliffe Family man rolled up his sleeves, cursing at Dempsey Davenport. The people they couldn¡¯t stand, Quella Radcliffe was second on the list. Dempsey Davenport was the number one thorn in their side, the biggest irritation! As the Chief Financial Officer, Dempsey Davenport strictly controlled the finances, completely eliminating corruption, embezzlement, and the use of false invoices for reimbursements. Many who had gotten rich through these means found themselves unable to adapt, their standard of living dropping significantly. Those who could usually make twenty or thirty thousand were suddenly back to a mere six or seven thousand. Even last month, the cost of toilet paper in public restrooms was included in their salaries, along with electricity and water bills. The restrooms were also equipped with fingerprint locks to prevent employees from spending too much time there during work hours. They were filled with hate, but they were powerless. Dempsey Davenport was the Chief Financial Officer personally selected by Quella Radcliffe, and also the chairman¡¯s assistant, effectively the company¡¯s second-in-command. As long as Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t fall from power, no matter how much these people itched with hatred, it was to no avail. Now the opportunity had come, and they were determined not to let it slip away! ¡°That¡¯s right! Dempsey Davenport, you really think too highly of yourself! We¡¯ve put up with you for a long time, and now the Radcliffe Group is about to change hands, why are you still acting so tough here?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been sick of her for a long time! Today she¡¯s getting out with Quella Radcliffe!¡± The crowd quickly surrounded Dempsey Davenport and Quella Radcliffe, cornering them in the middle. ¡°Apologize now!¡± It looked like if Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t apologize soon, they were going to start hitting her. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Dempsey Davenport couldn¡¯t back down; she was prepared to take a beating today, but she absolutely wouldn¡¯t allow anyone to hurt Quella Radcliffe. ¡°President Radcliffe, you can¡¯t fight against the tide of change!¡± Bran Cook coughed, his pale face suddenly gaining a hint of color. Good spirits come with good fortune; he suddenly felt as if he might be able to stand. But the intense pain in his body made him discard the thought. ¡°Oh, really? Can¡¯t fight against the tide?¡± Quella Radcliffe smiled as she placed the pen on the table, looking at the bankers before her: ¡°I¡¯m very sorry, our company¡¯s situation is a bit chaotic. If you don¡¯t mind, let¡¯s discuss the matter here!¡± She wouldn¡¯t agree to the acquisition deal even if it killed her! If banks were here to call in debts, then they¡¯d have to follow proper procedures. ¡°Miss Radcliffe, we¡¯d like to offer you a loan of ten billion!¡± Darius Clark, the president of Celestial Bank, was the first to rush forward! Chapter 405 - Chapter 405: Chapter 405: Proactive Lending_1 Chapter 405: Chapter 405: Proactive Lending_1 ¡°What?¡± When Quella Radcliffe heard this, she didn¡¯t react at first. Wasn¡¯t it about debt collection? Could she have heard wrong? The others were also stunned. But they soon realized, it must be about the debt, and their ears must have deceived them. ¡°President Clark, the Radcliffe Group actually owes your bank ten billion?¡± Bran Cook frowned slightly, he hadn¡¯t expected the Radcliffe Group to be in so much debt; according to preliminary estimates, the company¡¯s market value was only around ten billion or so. If they owed Celestial Bank alone ten billion, what about the other banks? How much money would that add up to! ¡°President Clark, I am the Radcliffe Group¡¯s Chief Financial Officer, Dempsey Davenport. I am very clear about the company¡¯s finances. The Radcliffe Group does have debt with Celestial Bank, but it¡¯s only three billion.¡± Dempsey Davenport approached Darius Clark and emphasized again, ¡°Not the ten billion you mentioned.¡± She had already sorted out the company¡¯s debts when various businessmen were kicking the company while it was down, prepared for the best and worst scenarios. ¡°President Clark, regarding this ten billion debt, it¡¯s impossible for us to acknowledge it. Although you have ties with Bran Cook and are coming to our company for money at his behest, if you seek to slander us like this, I will have the lawyer take you to court over it.¡± Quella Radcliffe spoke very seriously. She was already trying to solve problems, and even if she couldn¡¯t, she would not leave bad debts, even if it meant auctioning off the company. But these bankers were making baseless accusations, turning three billion in debt into ten billion, a difference of a whole seven billion! And that was just Celestial Bank; if the other banks followed suit, the Radcliffe Group might end up owing fifty billion. ¡°Cough, cough!¡± Bran Cook coughed dryly and said with a smile, ¡°President Clark, just ask for the money honestly, and I will remember this favor. Let it not be for helping me that your career should suffer.¡± To come out and claim ten billion, even he felt it was a bit excessive. If Quella Radcliffe really took this to court, Darius Clark¡¯s career might indeed be impacted. Now, Bran Cook was suddenly feeling rather elated. These bank presidents were indeed sparing no effort to help him! ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Darius Clark frowned and said, ¡°President Radcliffe, what I said was, we¡¯re willing to lend you ten billion, and I was wondering if that would be enough?¡± He repeated himself. He clearly hadn¡¯t misspoken, so why did everyone think he was here to collect debt? Could it really be that, as Celestial Bank¡¯s Gonzalez City Branch President, his only role was to take orders from Bran Cook? This upset him considerably! ¡°A loan?¡± Dempsey Davenport blinked her eyes and asked tentatively, ¡°You¡¯re not here to demand repayment?¡± Currently, entrepreneurs in Gonzalez City were all adding insult to injury, not only terminating cooperation but also many owed the Radcliffe Group a lot of money and weren¡¯t paying back. Even if they went to court, the other side would just drag things out, trying all means to delay until the Radcliffe Group went bankrupt. Under these circumstances, someone actually wanted to voluntarily lend money to the Radcliffe Group? And weren¡¯t these bank presidents already tipped off by Bran Cook? Why would they still be willing to help her? Dempsy Davenport¡¯s first thought was that this must be dodgy! A scam! Mocking her! ¡°President Clark, no matter what, you¡¯re still the respected President of Celestial Bank¡¯s Gonzalez City Branch. Now you¡¯re also coming to ridicule us, isn¡¯t that quite meaningless?¡± Dempsey Davenport scoffed coldly, her voice suddenly turning stern, ¡°If you want money, just ask for it. To say that you¡¯re offering us a loan, what¡¯s the point? Doesn¡¯t everyone know that Bran Cook has already contacted you privately to set up this debt collection?¡± With the Radcliffe Group¡¯s current financial condition, banks were scrambling to avoid risk, and previously, Dempsey Davenport had visited various banks seeking to borrow some money. But without exception, she was turned away. And so ruthless, not giving an inch. Now four or five bank presidents have come to her door collectively, all proactively offering to lend them money? No fool would believe that! ¡°Boss Reed, I really am here to lend you money!¡± Darius Clark suddenly got angry. He walked over to the desk in front of Quella Radcliffe with his briefcase, unzipped it, and took out a document, laying it in front of everyone. ¡°I, Darius Clark at least am the Branch President of Celestial Bank in Gonzalez City. Even if Bran Cook is highly influential, it¡¯s not his turn to interfere with my work, is it?¡± Bang! Darius Clark slammed the document down and looked at Dempsey Davenport: ¡°Please, take a look, what does it say, in black and white, on this paper!¡± As a respected bank president in Gonzalez City, he was usually revered by all the major merchants, and he would willingly cooperate with those wealthy businessmen as a favor to them. And now, to his dismay, the entire city of Gonzalez thought he had to listen to Bran Cook! ¡°Really?¡± Dempsey Davenport picked up the contract skeptically and began to read its contents. Halfway through, she was so shocked that she gasped, ¡°President Clark really wants to lend us money?¡± ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the order of a high-up, I really wouldn¡¯t lend this money! So many people begging me for loans, but here you are, getting insulted every time I actively come to offer a loan!¡± Darius Clark turned his head away. ¡°President Radcliffe, it¡¯s true!¡± Dempsey Davenport pushed the document over and quickly said with an apologetic smile, ¡°President Clark, I¡¯m so sorry. The Radcliffe Group has been in such trouble lately, with everyone turning against us, and then all of you bank presidents showing up together, I¡­¡± At that point, she looked at the other bank presidents: ¡°Then you¡­¡± ¡°We also brought contracts! As long as Miss Radcliffe needs it, we¡¯re ready to lend at any time!¡± The bank presidents opened their briefcases and placed the documents on the table. This time, it was Bran Cook¡¯s turn to be dumbfounded. He grabbed the hand of the President of Green Flag Bank, asking in a faint voice, ¡°Weren¡¯t you here to press for debts?¡± Just yesterday morning, he had called all the presidents, and they had all stated that they would certainly come to collect the money today. So how come now it has turned into offering loans? ¡°Young Master Cook, you have a big reputation in Gonzalez City, that¡¯s true! But are we, the bank presidents, supposed to clear our decisions with you?¡± The President of Green Flag Bank said dismissively: ¡°This is an economic policy matter, do you want to intervene in this too?¡± He shoved Bran Cook¡¯s hand away and smiled as he walked up to Quella Radcliffe: ¡°President Radcliffe, we can offer you fifteen billion, and as for the interest, it will absolutely be the lowest! You can rest assured of that.¡± ¡°What the hell! I proposed it first! Mister Shaw, I¡¯m warning you, don¡¯t steal my business!¡± Darius Clark pointed at the Branch President of Green Flag Bank in Gonzalez City, looking ready to fight. ¡°Hmph! Why should you get to lend first just because you got here earlier? I can provide a better policy than you. Darius Clark, don¡¯t be too overbearing!¡± The President of Green Flag Bank stood his ground equally unyielding. The Radcliffe family members were completely dumbstruck by now. Wasn¡¯t it agreed that they were coming to collect debts together? Wasn¡¯t it agreed that Quella Radcliffe had to leave? So now, will the Radcliffe Group still go bankrupt? ¡°Boss Reed, I¡¯ll go make you a cup of tea¡­¡± The Radcliffe Clan members who were previously gearing up to attack Dempsey Davenport now hurried to flatter her. ¡°Boss Reed, I¡¯ll get you a chair¡­¡± ¡°Boss Reed¡­¡± ¡°Enough! We¡¯re discussing business here, can¡¯t you see that!¡± Dempsey Davenport shouted and those people quickly left the chairman¡¯s office. ¡°Boss, we will take our leave then¡­¡± As they turned around, they were on the verge of tears¡­ Chapter 406 - Chapter 406: Chapter 406 Only Money Left_1 Chapter 406: Chapter 406 Only Money Left_1 ¡°Darius Clark¡­*cough cough*¡­what are you, what are you doing!¡± Bran Cook, having suddenly faced a huge reversal of fortunes, was experiencing such significant emotional turmoil that he couldn¡¯t help but start coughing. With this cough, he felt a sharp pain in his chest once more. The Willson Pavilion disciple who struck him yesterday had been very heavy-handed, landing blows that left Bran Cook with severe internal injuries. Even after treatment in the hospital overnight, they could only repair the superficial wounds: the damage to the organs had to heal over time. Bran Cook couldn¡¯t understand why these people would help Quella Radcliffe when they had already agreed to side with him, especially when Radcliffe Group was on the brink of bankruptcy and liquidation. Siding with Radcliffe not only offended him but also offered no benefits to them. Furthermore, all the other banks were present except for the branch manager of Wealthy Bank. Even Green Flag Bank and Celestial Bank almost came to blows over a loan dispute. ¡°Young Master Cook, we don¡¯t need to report our actions to you, do we?¡± Darius Clark turned to look at Bran Cook, disdainfully saying, ¡°And who do you think you are!¡± Since Bran Cook wanted them to pressure Radcliffe Group, and that influential individual wanted to save it, Darius Clark, who sought to maximize his own interests, could not afford to play the good guy! Years of experience had taught him the importance of choosing sides! And choosing the right side! This morning, that massive deposit had already been made to Celestial Bank, and naturally, this unique achievement had fallen into his lap. Just half an hour before arriving here, the head office had called him specifically to inquire about the ins and outs of this enormous deposit. They even praised Darius Clark¡¯s accomplishments in the work group chat in front of all the group¡¯s employees. Such an opportunity was once in a lifetime! And if he wanted to make his allegiance clear, he had to thoroughly offend Bran Cook¡ªto the point of enmity! Only then could he forge a connection with that significant person. After that, the benefits were endless, and there was no downside. As for Bran Cook, he was just a locally well-known young entrepreneur. How many years would it take for him to earn this amount of money? Yesterday, Darius Clark reaped the rewards of choosing sides early; today, he acted with unparalleled assertiveness. ¡°You¡­¡± Bran Cook¡¯s rage boiled over, causing a sharp pain in his chest, and he curled up in his wheelchair. ¡°Bran Cook, are you alright?¡± Graham Cook quickly bent down to ask, glaring at Darius Clark, he bitterly said, ¡°President Clark, your betrayal has truly been an eye-opener!¡± He had thought today he could pressure Quella Radcliffe into submission, forcing an apology. But who would have thought that in the end, they would be the ones humiliated! ¡°I¡¯ll remember this vendetta!¡± After expressing this painful sentiment, Darius Clark waved his hand, indicating they should leave. He couldn¡¯t bear the intense contrast! ¡°Oh! Isn¡¯t this Bran Cook?¡± Just as they were preparing to leave, Julius Reed appeared at the door of the chairman¡¯s office out of nowhere. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± Bran Cook was already furious, and seeing Julius Reed only added to his sense of unbearable humiliation. ¡°Yes! Bran Cook, you said yesterday that you would force Radcliffe Group into bankruptcy and mentioned your banker friends would help. I came to enjoy the show!¡± Julius Reed leaned over and asked Bran Cook with a smile, ¡°So, Bran Cook, how did it go? Your word is supposed to be as good as gold, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Hmph! Who is friends with him! This person seeks fame under false pretenses, truly a disgrace to Gonzalez City! I, Darius Clark, will never lend a penny to the Cook Family ever again!¡± When Darius Clark saw Julius Reed, his heart skipped a beat. But remembering the admonitions of that significant individual from last night, he didn¡¯t dare acknowledge recognition and instead immediately displayed his loyalty. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Bran Cook nearly gritted his teeth as he forced the words out. His face turned beet red from holding back anger, and his lips were so dry and cracked that they bled. ¡°Where to? Bran Cook, what happened to you?¡± Julius Reed squatted down to look at Bran Cook, ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll take you to the bathroom. You look panicked; your face is all red. Did no one think to take you to the restroom? If you can¡¯t hold it here in the chairman¡¯s office, it¡¯s going to be quite the joke if word gets out!¡± ¡°Haha!¡± Dempsey Davenport burst into loud laughter over there. Bran Cook had been blocking the door since early morning, putting her in an extremely bad mood. Now, watching Julius Reed humiliate Bran Cook at the doorway, she felt incredibly smooth and naturally started laughing out loud. ¡°What goes around comes around, just you wait!¡± Bran Cook wanted to speak loudly, but he dared not. Whenever he exerted himself, it felt as if his body was being torn apart. On top of that, just yesterday he had boasted loudly, declaring that he would drive Radcliffe Group into bankruptcy. Now, to his chagrin, a group of people had united to slap his face mercilessly! The humiliation was unbearable! ¡°Don¡¯t get too smug!¡± Graham Cook said viciously, feeling particularly hollow inside as he spoke. Not only had he been beaten yesterday, but his newly purchased Audi had also been wrecked. ¡°Take care, I won¡¯t see you out!¡± Julius Reed kicked the wheelchair, flipping Bran Cook onto the ground. ¡°Pfft!¡± Choking with rage and after such a fall, Bran Cook spat out a mouthful of blood onto the ground and passed out. ¡°Quick! Carry the young master to the hospital!¡± Graham Cook wanted to retaliate, but remembering his swollen face from the day before, he had no choice but to swallow his anger, leaving Radcliffe Group with the others as they carried Bran Cook away. ¡°What¡¯s the matter with this elevator! It¡¯s not working!¡± Graham Cook¡¯s angry roar came from outside the door. ¡°Forgot to tell you. The elevator is out of power, you¡¯ll have to walk down!¡± Julius Reed yelled toward the doorway. Nearly twenty floors, thankfully going down. Take your time crawling. ¡°Where to tonight?¡± After toying with Bran Cook, Julius Reed approached Quella Radcliffe. He had received a message from her at home saying that she had to go out tonight and asked him to come along. ¡°We¡¯re discussing business, Julius, wait for me a bit.¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded politely at President Darius Clark and others in front of her, offering a courteous smile. Unexpected though it was, these people were indeed here to help. She had to seize this opportunity to revive the Radcliffe Group from the brink. If she neglected the bankers and they refused to lend money, wouldn¡¯t that be troublesome? ¡°We¡¯re fine, you go ahead with your work!¡± Darius Clark was naturally understanding and hurriedly stepped back, not showing the slightest recognition of Julius Reed. ¡°No need, it¡¯s all family business. Gentlemen, since your time is valuable, let¡¯s start.¡± Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t ignore these benefactors who had come to her door, and Darius Clark insisted that she finish what she was doing first before calling Julius Reed over. ¡°Tonight my mother is having a dinner for my fourth aunt who is returning from abroad. She asked me to join. You should come along too.¡± Quella Radcliffe whispered. ¡°Didn¡¯t we tell your mother we were divorced? Isn¡¯t that inappropriate?¡± Although their divorce was fake, Knox Ridge had believed it. If the two of them were seen together now, it could easily arouse suspicion from her mother-in-law. ¡°It¡¯s okay, my mother found out a while ago. You think she¡¯s inviting you over for a good reason? She wants you to spend money!¡± Quella Radcliffe gave him a glare. ¡°Ah! Using me as a cash cow, huh? Fine, I don¡¯t have much left, just money!¡± Julius Reed reached into his pocket, pulled out a crumpled one-dollar bill¡­ In an instant, his brows knitted together. Meanwhile, the laughter of Dempsey Davenport, like the squealing of a pig, echoed from the side. ¡°Haha! A tycoon with one dollar, you can¡¯t even get to the suburbs on a bus!¡± Chapter 407 - Chapter 407: Chapter 407: The Delivery Fee is Too Expensive_1 Chapter 407: Chapter 407: The Delivery Fee is Too Expensive_1 By the time Graham Cook and the others had descended the stairs, their legs were so stiff they couldn¡¯t stand. Glancing at the time, it was already three in the afternoon. A group of people took turns carrying Bran Cook down from the high-rise building in their twenties, each one as tired as the next. ¡°Amos Davenport, I¡¯m going to beat you to the ground one of these days!¡± Graham Cook, hands on his hips, cursed as he looked up at the thirty-some-story building in front of him. He wanted to walk now, but his legs were too weak to stand. ¡°Master Cook, let¡¯s take a break, I¡¯ll be so exhausted I¡¯ll get diarrhea if I walk any more!¡± A Cook family¡¯s person was panting heavily, swallowing his spit. They were so thirsty their throats were smoking, and there was no place to buy water on the way. It had been a struggle to carry Bran Cook down from the upper floors, and now they were lying on the ground, too weak to move. ¡°Solomon, go buy a bottle of water to drink, I¡­¡± Graham Cook started to say but couldn¡¯t finish his sentence. They were all drenched in sweat; now each one of them was gasping for air and couldn¡¯t move. ¡°Master Cook, I can¡¯t even feel my legs anymore. Who knew Bran Cook would be so heavy? It¡¯s only because I¡¯m in good shape that I didn¡¯t die in that building.¡± The person called Solomon lay flat on the road, his eyes fixed on the small supermarket across the street, drooling with desire. But he really couldn¡¯t move now¡­ Nearly thirty floors of high-rise, carrying a person down, it was killing him! ¡°Maybe we should just order takeout¡­¡± Graham Cook said weakly. ¡°Let me see.¡± Solomon summoned all his strength to pull out his phone and when he saw a five-yuan delivery fee on the screen, he quickly tucked the phone back away. ¡°What¡¯s the matter! If we don¡¯t buy something, we¡¯ll die of thirst!¡± Graham Cook¡¯s throat smoked; he couldn¡¯t hold on much longer. ¡°Delivery fee is five yuan. Master Cook, will you cover this expense for me?¡± Solomon asked weakly. ¡°Five yuan?¡± Graham Cook hesitated as he looked across the street at the supermarket less than twenty meters away, ¡°Just that far and it¡¯s five yuan? Never mind, let¡¯s rest a while¡­¡± Though he had embezzled plenty of money, he was notoriously stingy. Especially with money he considered a rip-off, he was even more reluctant to spend. ¡°Graham Cook?¡± Just then, a car that had passed them suddenly reversed back toward them. ¡°Who is it?¡± Graham Cook heard someone call his name, looked up, and saw a Bentley parked in front of him. As the rear window slowly rolled down, he saw a middle-aged man sitting inside. ¡°Stacy Cook?¡± Graham Cook rubbed his eyes, realizing he hadn¡¯t mistaken the person. The man sitting in the Bentley was Stacy Cook, who had left the Cook family fifteen years ago and then vanished without a trace! He was also the son that Old Master Cook had valued the most! These fifteen years, no one knew where Stacy Cook had gone or even if he was alive! If Stacy Cook hadn¡¯t changed much in appearance, Graham Cook would not have believed that this lost Cook family member had returned to Gonzalez City! ¡°This is¡­¡± Stacy Cook took off his sunglasses and glanced at Bran Cook, who was unconscious. ¡°Old man¡¯s son, Bran Cook!¡± Graham Cook hurriedly introduced him. Seeing the impressive Bentley, he knew Stacy Cook must¡¯ve done well for himself over the years. ¡°So it¡¯s little Bran; I almost didn¡¯t recognize him.¡± Stacy Cook nodded and said to the three men, ¡°Get in the car.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Graham Cook, using all the strength he had, as if he was sucking milk, shakily stood up. With clenched teeth and a face turning crimson, he and Solomon finally managed to hoist Bran Cook into the Bentley. ¡°Is there any water?¡± Graham Cook asked weakly. ¡°Yes!¡± Stacy Cook threw over six bottles of mineral water, which Graham Cook and Solomon frantically grabbed and guzzled down in no time. ¡°Has the Cook family gone bankrupt?¡± Seeing the two in such a sorry state, as if they hadn¡¯t had water in ages, Stacy Cook asked with a furrowed brow. When he left, the Cook family still had assets worth tens of millions. Could it be that after fifteen years they were thoroughly ruined? Were the three of them begging on the streets? ¡°Master Cook, let me explain this to you slowly¡­¡± Graham Cook, with his protruding belly, recounted everything that had happened since Bran Cook returned from the capital. After listening to all this, Stacy Cook glanced at the towering buildings slowly disappearing behind them and said with a locked brow, ¡°Someone actually dared to bully the Cook family? But Bran has become quite successful, which is very good! A dragon is about to emerge from the Cook family!¡± ¡°Master Cook, do you need my help?¡± Just then, the bald driver, who was driving, asked. ¡°Not for now. If we kill them directly, it would be too lenient for them. Better to make them wish they were dead,¡± Stacy Cook said as he lit a cigar and leaned back in his seat, slowly puffing away. ¡°Master Cook, where have you been all these years? The family has been missing you.¡± Graham Cook asked curiously. ¡°Went to North Africa. I was lucky to make it back alive,¡± Stacy Cook took a deep drag of his cigar and sighed, ¡°I missed home and came back to celebrate the New Year. But don¡¯t you worry, after this year, the Cook family in Gonzalez City will be renowned throughout Five-river Province.¡± With that, he flicked his cigar fiercely, and it flew out the window, striking squarely into a billboard. ¡­ As per the agreement, Julius Reed was supposed to go to the airport today with Quella Radcliffe and her family to pick up Knox Ridge¡¯s younger sister, Bryson Ridge. But the observant Knox Ridge had long noticed that their divorce was a sham. She had planned to confront Julius Reed and force a true divorce between them. While Julius Reed was collecting debts, he certainly hadn¡¯t been kind to her. Now, her maternal family looked down on Knox Ridge, even cursing her at the mention of her name. However, to pick up Bryson Ridge, Knox Ridge thought she could still make use of Julius Reed. After all, her younger sister had been doing very well abroad, and showing up in a Passat would be somewhat embarrassing. So, Knox Ridge thought of Julius Reed¡¯s Rolls-Royce, only to find out that Julius Reed had some last-minute affairs and would be late. This really infuriated Knox Ridge. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you, that bastard is deliberately opposing me!¡± She stood with her hands on her hips, fuming at Quella Radcliffe inside the Passat. Although she had taken Bran Cook¡¯s money and agreed to help him facilitate the marriage with Quella Radcliffe, she didn¡¯t mind using Julius Reed to her advantage for the moment. It was just to save face; after that, she could tell him to get lost. ¡°Mom, ease up on the curses!¡± Quella Radcliffe said, clearly displeased. Julius Reed had been patient enough with them, but his own parents seemed utterly ungrateful. ¡°Your fourth aunt loves to show off! Her son has made a fortune abroad, and she will definitely want to flaunt it when they return. I had planned to pick them up in the Rolls-Royce to avoid her mockery. Now look what¡¯s happened. I don¡¯t even want to go anymore!¡± Knox Ridge felt very uncomfortable inside. Her family¡¯s ancestral genes loved comparison and showing off¡ªeven worse off than others would be terribly hard to bear. Bryson Ridge¡¯s ability to show off was even greater than Knox Ridge¡¯s, without a doubt. ¡°We live our own lives; we don¡¯t spend a cent of their money. What¡¯s there to be afraid of?¡± Burl Radcliffe muttered under his breath as he drove. ¡°Shut up! You useless thing. If you had some achievement, would I be in this position?¡± Knox Ridge lashed out with a torrent of abuse, scaring Burl Radcliffe into silence. ¡°Mom, hold back your words a bit. At least I am now the chairman of the Radcliffe Group, we are not inferior to anyone!¡± Quella Radcliffe muttered softly. ¡°Pah! You chased away your grandfather, and the Radcliffe family is cursing us! Don¡¯t talk about your company¡ªit¡¯s on the verge of bankruptcy. If it goes down, people will laugh their teeth off!¡± Turning her head away, Knox Ridge decided she would say no more. Chapter 408 - Chapter 408: Chapter 408 Show-off Sisters_1 Chapter 408: Chapter 408 Show-off Sisters_1 By the time the three of them arrived at the airport, they could already see Bryson Ridge and her son, Lewis Leocadia, looking around from a distance. ¡°Knox Ridge, I¡¯ve missed you to death.¡± Although Knox Ridge was very reluctant, she still went up to Bryson Ridge with a feigned enthusiasm and hugged her. ¡°Lewis, this is your auntie. You should have seen her when you were little!¡± Bryson Ridge glanced at her son. ¡°I should have. Auntie, you obviously aged a lot. It seems that living in this country really isn¡¯t suitable for people!¡± Lewis Leocadia pushed up his glasses on his nose, looking Knox Ridge up and down: ¡°Look at what the sea breeze did to your face, your skin is all cracked! Gonzalez City used to be a small fishing village. Even though it¡¯s become a city, it still isn¡¯t fit for living.¡± The reason he was named Lewis Leocadia was that his father, Celeste Leocadia, wanted his son to be wealthy. Bryson Ridge was also obsessed with wealth, and the couple came up with this name together. Initially, the couple washed dishes abroad to fund Lewis¡¯s university education. They didn¡¯t expect that Lewis would catch the eye of a local boss¡¯s daughter and become a son-in-law. From then on, his career went smoothly, and he was worth millions, leading a fairly good life. However, outwardly, they claimed that Lewis built his career all by himself. Now that he saw Knox Ridge, Lewis particularly expressed his foreign-worshipping spirit by belittling Gonzalez City. ¡°Lewis, you¡¯ve just been abroad for a few years and you¡¯ve already forgotten your home? Your grandfather was a fisherman, and he had your mom and me, didn¡¯t he?¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s face darkened, very unhappy. This was obviously a way of calling her old and mocking her for not having the money to go abroad. ¡°Knox Ridge, Lewis didn¡¯t mean it that way. Once you go abroad, you¡¯ll understand. The overseas scenery is so beautiful, you could squat down and drink from any river, it¡¯s not just healthy, but incredibly sweet!¡± Bryson Ridge inadvertently showed off her diamond ring and the gold necklace around her neck, as thick as a pinky finger. ¡°This domestic air¡­ cough cough¡­¡± She quickly covered her mouth with her hand and shouted to Lewis, ¡°Son, where¡¯s the mask? I¡¯m choking!¡± ¡°Here! If I had known the environment was this bad, I definitely wouldn¡¯t have come back!¡± With a look of disgust, Lewis turned his nose up and took out two masks from his pocket, handing one to Bryson Ridge and putting on one himself. ¡°Knox Ridge, these masks cost several hundred each, so I¡¯ll just not give you one. You¡¯ve lived here all along, so you must be resistant to it. I can¡¯t manage; I¡¯m used to breathing fresh air. My lungs and nose are too sensitive!¡± Bryson Ridge slowly unfolded the mask and gently placed it over her mouth. These words made Knox Ridge very unhappy. Wasn¡¯t this just showing off wealth? But she couldn¡¯t do anything about it. After all, they were wealthier! ¡°By the way, this must be my sister, right?¡± With his mask on, Lewis approached Quella Radcliffe: ¡°I heard your husband is a good-for-nothing, just sitting at home washing clothes and cooking all day. Is that true?¡± ¡°Divorced!¡± Knox Ridge interrupted quickly. ¡°My cousin got divorced so young? But it¡¯s also not bad, in the future, you can just marry some wealthy man in his forties or fifties and you¡¯ll be set for life. Then you can take your aunt and uncle abroad to see the world and broaden your horizons!¡± Lewis was somewhat surprised to hear that Quella Radcliffe was divorced. ¡°Actually, you didn¡¯t need to divorce. Having such a husband, you save on hiring help at home! Otherwise, your aunt and uncle would have to spend money on a domestic worker, which would also be quite an expense for you.¡± ¡°Exactly! Knox Ridge, even though you didn¡¯t find the best son-in-law, you did find the worst among us sisters. That¡¯s still something to boast about! Why bother? It¡¯s good to have a servant. I hired three servants abroad. They wait on me hand and foot, it¡¯s like living like a queen!¡± Bryson Ridge took out her phone and checked the weather: ¡°This smog is so high! My lungs, let¡¯s go have a meal quickly, I¡¯m starving! The food on the plane is simply inedible, even my dog eats better than that!¡± This round of showing off had Knox Ridge nearly bursting with fury, but she couldn¡¯t show it, so she had to bear it and look for an opportunity to show off herself. ¡°Mr. Radcliffe, drive!¡± Burl Radcliffe, upon hearing the command, scurried over immediately and drove the Passat over to the group. ¡°Fourth, let¡¯s have dinner first,¡± Mr. Radcliffe said. Knox Ridge opened the passenger door and was about to get in. ¡°Wait a minute!¡± Lewis Leocadia suddenly called out to her. ¡°Auntie, what kind of car is this?¡± Lewis Leocadia scrutinized the vehicle and said with a frown, ¡°How does this look just like a scrap car? Is it even safe? If something happens on the road, we can¡¯t afford to deal with it!¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s complexion turned even uglier at his words. Exactly what she feared had happened; she cursed Julius Reed in her heart again. If only they had arrived in a Rolls-Royce, Lewis Leocadia and Bryson Ridge would have had no chance to show off! ¡°This is a Passat, your uncle bought it ten years ago. We use it all the time; it¡¯s never caused any problems.¡± Knox Ridge introduced it awkwardly. ¡°Ah! I remember now!¡± Lewis Leocadia smacked his forehead, having an epiphany, ¡°Our housemaid drives this car; it¡¯s not even suited to be a taxi abroad! Only the poor people in our country like driving it. Can this even be called a car? It¡¯s not even up to being a means of transportation!¡± ¡°Exactly! It looks too old. Knox Ridge, hasn¡¯t your family bought a new car yet?¡± Bryson Ridge too looked at Burl Radcliffe¡¯s decade-old Passat with disdain. ¡°We bought a Rolls-Royce recently, but it wasn¡¯t convenient to bring today,¡± Knox Ridge said. Knox Ridge had to bring up Julius Reed¡¯s Rolls-Royce; otherwise, she really couldn¡¯t save face. If she had known it would turn out like this today, she wouldn¡¯t have come to pick anyone up from the airport at all. ¡°Damn you, Julius Reed!¡± She cursed fiercely in her heart. ¡°Auntie, you don¡¯t have to pretend, we¡¯re all family. So what if you¡¯re a bit poor? No one¡¯s laughing at you. After all, most people are poor, only a few are like me,¡± Lewis Leocadia said, attempting to be understanding. ¡°The supercar I have that costs tens of millions ¨C you wouldn¡¯t even be able to afford the gas! The yearly maintenance alone is enough to buy your car,¡± he added. Even Burl Radcliffe felt unbearably embarrassed at his words. ¡°Who said I was lying! I¡¯ll bring it over later and show you!¡± Knox Ridge retorted stubbornly. ¡°So tell me, what are the characteristics of a Rolls-Royce? What does it have in the back?¡± Lewis Leocadia asked, effectively stumping Knox Ridge. She didn¡¯t have a Rolls-Royce; it was Julius Reed¡¯s, so both she and Burl Radcliffe had no idea! ¡°You see, there¡¯s no need for this. They say poverty limits ambition. Aunt, you really shouldn¡¯t be like this!¡± No sooner had Lewis Leocadia finished his sentence than Quella Radcliffe came over and recited all the features of a Rolls-Royce, right in front of him. Someone who had never driven one couldn¡¯t have possibly known all those details. ¡°Cousin, you must have got into some rich guy¡¯s car. You can¡¯t degrade yourself like that! Although working is hard and tiring, if you do that kind of thing, you¡¯ll only bring shame to the family,¡± Lewis Leocadia speculated that Quella Radcliffe must have been kept by someone, otherwise, how could she know so much? Perhaps she even had slept with someone in the car. But he couldn¡¯t say that directly in front of his elders. ¡°You all go ahead to the Roosevelt restaurant. My mom and I will call a ride-hailing service. We¡¯d probably be asphyxiated by this piece of junk before even getting in,¡± Lewis Leocadia said, looking disdainfully at the Passat before pulling out his phone to hail a car. Chapter 409 - Chapter 409: Chapter 409: Fighting for a Parking Spot_1 Chapter 409: Chapter 409: Fighting for a Parking Spot_1 Julius Reed didn¡¯t want to come, but he really had something urgent to tend to. The situation in Five-river Province was too chaotic, with information continuously being sent over by Finn Carmichael, even suggesting that many were planning to infiltrate Gonzalez City. With the New Year approaching, Julius Reed didn¡¯t want to be restless even during the holidays, so he went to Copper Sparrow Platform to arrange for Aron Jackson to set up defenses. As for the matters concerning the Skyfire Cult and the Ridge Family, Finn Carmichael and Lucan Davenport were monitoring everything thoroughly. Both sides were fiercely clashing, and it was rumored that the mysterious woman might arrive in Five-river Province after the New Year, so both parties were restraining themselves. After leaving Copper Sparrow Platform, Julius Reed glanced at the time and cursed silently: damn! The time he¡¯d agreed upon with Quella Radcliffe was almost upon them, and it was the peak period for traffic congestion in the evening. Taking a helicopter was clearly unrealistic; it was too conspicuous, and inconvenient as well. After some thought, Julius Reed asked Aron Jackson for an electric bike again and rode it on the sidewalk, rushing to the location sent by Quella Radcliffe. A journey that might have taken forty minutes by car only took fifteen minutes on the electric bike. Roosevelt Western Restaurant, how ironic. It was a restaurant owned by him. As for the original owner of the restaurant, it was naturally Ovidiu Cook. Back then, Julius Reed thought it would be romantic to take Quella Radcliffe out for some Western cuisine, so he chose this Western restaurant, which had been famous in Five-river Province for a long time. The features were quite authentic, said to be very close to the style overseas. Not a mock Western cuisine. Because it was dinner time, the restaurant was very crowded, and Knox Ridge and his group had formed a long queue upon their arrival. When Julius Reed arrived at the new Roosevelt restaurant on his electric bike, he coincidentally snagged the last available ground parking spot. An electric bike is still a vehicle, so naturally, it needed to be parked somewhere. So, Julius Reed braked, dismounted, and locked his bike in one smooth action! Beep! Beep! Just then, a car horn resounded from behind. Julius Reed turned around and saw a Mercedes lowering its window and honking at him. ¡°Hey! Move your damn electric bike, scram!¡± Lewis Leocadia had been looking for a parking spot for a long time, and just when he spotted one, he drove over to find it taken by an electric bike! He was nearly driven mad with frustration! He had rented a car to make a good impression, only to be met with this inconvenience. Finding a parking space was harder than reaching the heavens! ¡°Ever heard of ¡®first come, first served¡¯?!¡± Julius Reed ignored Lewis Leocadia. He was already running late and needed to hurry over to dine with Quella Radcliffe. Otherwise, if he was late, Knox Ridge¡¯s dawdling would never end. ¡°Give me your spot for a hundred bucks, how about it?¡± Lewis Leocadia pulled out a hundred-yuan note from his pocket: ¡°That¡¯s enough for your day¡¯s earnings!¡± He judged Julius Reed by his attire and the electric bike, assuming he was a delivery person. ¡°Do you think you have a lot of money?¡± Julius Reed walked over, snatched the banknote, and slammed it onto Lewis Leocadia¡¯s face: ¡°Keep your money and spend it yourself, idiot!¡± If it hadn¡¯t been for Quella Radcliffe¡¯s urgency, he would have seriously taught this spectacled man a lesson in manners. ¡°The poor these days sure have a lot of pride!¡± Bryson Ridge, sitting in the passenger seat, said sarcastically: ¡°No wonder they remain poor, letting a money-making opportunity slip by just like that. They deserve to ride electric bikes for life!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s keep looking!¡± Watching Julius Reed¡¯s retreating figure, Bryson Ridge spat and cursed under her breath: ¡°Trouble always comes from where least expected!¡± Lewis Leocadia drove around again, but the ground parking spots were all taken, with not a single space available. There were many other cars waiting outside, indicating just how popular Roosevelt Western Restaurant was. ¡°Mom, what do we do now? There¡¯s no parking!¡± Lewis Leocadia punched the steering wheel in frustration. He had rented a Mercedes at great expense to show off to his aunt, only to be greeted by gridlock as soon as he entered the city. After a grueling journey, they finally arrived, only to find no parking spaces available upon entering. They had been driving around for over ten minutes, and still, no car left. ¡°Go! Smash that electric scooter! Screw this poor bastard, we can just pay him off! Taking up a parking space like that, seriously no quality!¡± Knox Ridge thought of Julius Reed¡¯s arrogant demeanor, and she was seething with anger. ¡°Okay, Mom.¡± Lewis Leocadia excitedly backed the car up, and viciously crushed the electric scooter beneath it. Seemingly feeling that one hit wasn¡¯t satisfying enough, he repeatedly smashed into it several times, making sure the electric scooter was completely totaled before getting out of the car. Looking at the scooter now shattered into pieces everywhere, Lewis Leocadia felt an immense sense of satisfaction. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you, you dumbfuck, are going to use to deliver meals now. Wait until you get fined to death for being late!¡± He walked over to the scooter and violently kicked it twice, only then feeling some relief. ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go eat, I¡¯m starving!¡± Knox Ridge pulled Lewis Leocadia along, heading towards the Roosevelt restaurant. By the time Julius Reed entered the restaurant, he found that Quella Radcliffe and her party were still queuing. Thinking of his mother-in-law¡¯s explosive temper, he had no choice but to make a call to get Quella Radcliffe over. ¡°Have you arrived?¡± Quella Radcliffe walked over, somewhat displeased. ¡°Are you upset because I was late? Something came up.¡± Julius Reed felt very guilty. ¡°No!¡± Quella Radcliffe laughed dryly, a bit helplessly speaking, ¡°It¡¯s my Fourth Aunt, showing off as soon as she got back. My mother loves boasting too but just can¡¯t compete with them; she¡¯s stewing with frustration! My male cousin is also so vain!¡± Thinking of Lewis Leocadia¡¯s behavior, she felt disgusted. ¡°Still queuing?¡± Julius Reed glanced at the spot where Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe were, with over ten more people ahead of them. ¡°Yeah, I never expected the Roosevelt restaurant to be this popular. If I¡¯d known, we should have come earlier to queue. Everyone is hungry and later my aunt and cousin are going to complain!¡± Quella Radcliffe said helplessly. ¡°Wait here. I have a friend here; I¡¯ll let them help you cut the line. Just don¡¯t say it was me; tell them you¡¯ve got a friend here.¡± After saying this, Julius Reed turned and headed toward the manager¡¯s office. As he pushed open the door of the manager¡¯s office, the manager who was watching a movie on his computer hastily shut it down, cursing irritably, ¡°Who the fuck doesn¡¯t know to knock!¡± ¡°It¡¯s me!¡± Julius Reed closed the door behind him and walked over to the opposite side. ¡°Boss!¡± The manager, realizing it was his boss, hurriedly dropped the arrogant act and adopted a fawning manner, ¡°When did you get here? If I¡¯d known you were coming, I would have personally welcomed you.¡± He knew full well Julius Reed¡¯s clout, having bought this top-tier Western restaurant from Ovidiu Cook; he was clearly no ordinary man. ¡°Cut the crap. I need a table for six.¡± Julius Reed spoke plainly and to the point. ¡°No problem! Upstairs in the Vaughn Danvers Hall, I¡¯ve kept it reserved for you! You can head straight there!¡± The manager quickly replied. ¡°With a queue outside, how come you still have a room available?¡± Julius Reed looked at the manager with a puzzled expression. ¡°Heh, boss, I was planning to invite my girlfriend to dinner tonight, so I¡¯d reserved it. But now that you need it, naturally, it¡¯s yours to use!¡± The manager scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. ¡°Do that again, and you¡¯re fired! Oh and, keep an eye on that electric scooter at the door for me, don¡¯t let anything happen to it.¡± After instructing him, Julius Reed left the restaurant. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll send someone to watch your scooter right now!¡± The manager phoned the head of security, ¡°Keep an eye on the electric scooter outside the door, or get the hell out!¡± Chapter 410 - Chapter 410: Chapter 410: The Gold Ring_1 Chapter 410: Chapter 410: The Gold Ring_1 ¡°Are these people crazy? They all come here to eat! It¡¯s driving me insane!¡± With time ticking away, and still so many people waiting to dine, Knox Ridge felt incredibly on edge. How long will this queueing take? ¡°Shall we switch to another place?¡± Burl Radcliffe looked at the dozen or so people ahead and suggested switching to another restaurant, as everyone was getting hungry. By the looks of it, they might not get a table even if they waited until seven or eight. The main problem with Western food is that people eat it so slowly, and after they finish, they stay and chat for a while, taking forever to leave the table. ¡°Switch what! If we switch now, Julius might find who knows what to criticize about us!¡± Knox Ridge released her shrewish temperament, immediately silencing Burl Radcliffe from speaking any further. ¡°Mom, I have a friend here, maybe I could ask and see if we could cut in line?¡± After hearing Julius Reed¡¯s comment, Quella Radcliffe approached Knox Ridge. ¡°Really! Then hurry up and go!¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s face lit up with joy, just as Lewis Leocadia and Bryson Ridge walked in after parking their car and couldn¡¯t help but frown upon seeing the long line. ¡°What a backwater! In such a small place, they haven¡¯t even had a real taste of Western cuisine; they¡¯re queuing for a meal we eat routinely!¡± Lewis Leocadia complained as he approached Knox Ridge, with a tinge of blame: ¡°Auntie, why didn¡¯t you queue up earlier! In this poor place, even getting a meal is such a hassle! I don¡¯t want to come back here ever again.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Quella has a friend who works here, she can definitely find us a table.¡± Knox Ridge boasted proudly. Finally, something to show off. She had been suppressed since arriving at the airport, and you can¡¯t imagine how frustrated she was. Now, showing off her daughter¡¯s capabilities and connections felt like a form of bragging. ¡°My cousin? With this crowd, even cutting in line would be tough! I really don¡¯t want to dine with these people¡ªit¡¯s beneath my dignity!¡± Lewis Leocadia disdainfully looked at the people eating around him and sighed, clearly unhappy. ¡°Exactly, people in such small places just lack experience! Knox, I¡¯m telling you, overseas, it¡¯s all like this, we eat whenever we want, no need to queue up like this! People really should live in big cities; this is worse than the countryside abroad!¡± Bryson Ridge chimed in with agreement. The people queuing in the room were all chatting, making it noisy. ¡°Auntie, Mom, come over here!¡± Just then, Quella Radcliffe waved. ¡°Quick! There¡¯s a table available!¡± Knox Ridge immediately rushed over, while Lewis Leocadia and Bryson Ridge were still somewhat dubious. But being hungry, they had no choice but to follow. Guided by a waiter, the group headed upstairs to a luxurious private room. The Vaughn Danvers Room! It was very quiet here, with dedicated servers. ¡°Look! The people below still have to queue, but because of Quella using her connections, we easily come to this spacious room. No others, so quiet!¡± Knox Ridge said, waving her hands excitedly, and couldn¡¯t help but feel smug inside. ¡°Auntie, since when does my cousin have friends like this? According to her social circle, she couldn¡¯t possibly know such big shots!¡± Lewis Leocadia looked around the room and said, ¡°This is one of the most exclusive private rooms in the restaurant, usually reserved for managers and the owner. And with the place being so busy, only the owner could have the authority to keep the Vaughn Danvers Room unoccupied.¡± After he said that, Knox Ridge came to a realization. Indeed, with so many people queuing below, how did she manage to get into this Vaughn Danvers Room? In terms of location and size, the Vaughn Danvers Room was the biggest among the private rooms. Quella Radcliffe had never mentioned having friends here; if she had, why didn¡¯t she say so earlier? Why did they have to queue for so long downstairs? ¡°Auntie, could it be that my cousin has gone astray and is involved with the owner¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense!¡± Bryson Ridge glared at Lewis Leocadia, then turned with a smile and said, ¡°It¡¯s good for a woman to be ambitious, but it¡¯s best not to rely too much on her youth. After all, women age eventually¡­¡± With that said, Knox Ridge started to suspect whether Quella Radcliffe was having an affair with the owner. She had never heard her daughter mention knowing someone here, so why did she suddenly know someone today? ¡°This private room is really big!¡± Just then, Quella Radcliffe walked into the private room and sat down. She said to Knox Ridge, ¡°Mom, Julius Reed will be here soon.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t let him come! Tell him to get lost! I feel sick just seeing him!¡± Knox Ridge cursed incessantly every time she thought of Julius Reed, anger evident in her voice. ¡°Auntie, don¡¯t stoop to the level of idiots. When I was parking earlier, I saw a stupid delivery guy on an electric scooter fighting me for a parking spot. Even offering him money didn¡¯t make him leave, so I ended up smashing his scooter. Let¡¯s see how he¡¯s going to deliver food now!¡± Lewis Leocadia boasted with a smug expression on his face. ¡°Exactly! Poor and dumb, serves him right for riding an electric scooter. By the way, who is Julius Reed?¡± Bryson Ridge looked at Knox Ridge. It was the first time she heard the name, yet it sounded bizarrely familiar. ¡°He¡¯s Quella¡¯s ex-husband¡­¡± ¡°We got back together!¡± Quella Radcliffe spoke in a deep voice. ¡°Cousin, what¡¯s gotten into you! You finally got rid of that good-for-nothing¡­ I get it now, he¡¯s so submissive that he doesn¡¯t care how you play around outside.¡± Lewis Leocadia feigned a sudden realization. He thought Quella Radcliffe being with such a waste allowed her to openly hook up with other men. Any normal man wouldn¡¯t tolerate his wife doing such things. ¡°Watch your words!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face darkened, and Lewis Leocadia no longer dared to say anything else. ¡°Sorry for being late, I got tied up with something.¡± Just then, Julius Reed entered the private room and pulled up a chair next to Quella Radcliffe. When his eyes met Lewis Leocadia¡¯s, they both exclaimed, ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± ¡°I¡¯m Lewis Leocadia, Quella¡¯s cousin! Are you that Julius Reed? The notorious good-for-nothing son-in-law?¡± Lewis Leocadia said coldly. This idiot on an electric scooter had the audacity to defy him, causing him to drive around the parking lot for ages. Naturally, he couldn¡¯t give a good face to such a loser! ¡°I am Julius Reed, but I am not a good-for-nothing.¡± Julius Reed snorted lightly. So this country bumpkin was Quella¡¯s cousin. He might act rich, but he definitely wasn¡¯t wealthy at all. His watch was a knockoff, his clothes were imitations, and the only genuine thing he had on him was his pair of glasses frames, which didn¡¯t even have lenses in them. But they were not expensive either¡ªjust a few thousand dollars. ¡°Sorry, my mistake. It¡¯s a good thing that our brother-in-law is riding electric scooters for delivery now. I wonder if you will still wash clothes and cook dinner tonight.¡± Lewis Leocadia said disdainfully, his eyes filled with mockery. A mere delivery guy¡ªhe really looked down on him. ¡°Of course I wash. Delivering food is also a good job. May I ask what you do?¡± Julius Reed held out his hand and shook hands with Lewis Leocadia. ¡°I¡¯m just a modest boss, worth a few tens of millions of US dollars, just selling some goods, traveling around the world all year. I¡¯m actually planning to open a branch soon, expanding the business.¡± Although he despised him, Lewis Leocadia still shook hands with Julius Reed. ¡°Exactly! Delivering food is good too. After all, we can¡¯t expect everyone to be as outstanding as our family¡¯s Lewis.¡± Bryson Ridge chimed in. Taking advantage of the handshake, Julius Reed quickly slipped the ring off Lewis Leocadia¡¯s finger. ¡°What are you doing! You poor good-for-nothing, are you trying to rob me! Have you gone mad from poverty!¡± Lewis Leocadia shouted loudy. Clang! Before anyone could react, Julius Reed tossed the ring into a glass of water. The gold ring actually floated to the surface¡­ It floated to the surface¡­ Chapter 411 - Chapter 411: Chapter 411: Continue Throwing_1 Chapter 411: Chapter 411: Continue Throwing_1 As per tradition, in restaurants during winter, it¡¯s customary to pour a cup of hot water for each guest before the food arrives. Though Gonzalez City is coastal, it becomes quite cold as the Chinese New Year approaches. But the cup of hot water in front of Lewis Leocadia was now undrinkable. Because floating on it was a ¡°gold ring.¡± ¡°Lewis, the gold from abroad is different from the local one. If this were domestic gold, it would have sunk by now. Your foreign gold ring floating like this, now that¡¯s really something!¡± Knox Ridge gave a thumbs up while wearing a serious face, mocking Lewis Leocadia. Everyone was no fool, the moment the ring floated, everyone knew it was fake, and even coated in plastic paint. Back at the airport, Lewis Leocadia had shamelessly shown off, giving Knox Ridge and her family a piece of his mind. Now it was Knox Ridge¡¯s turn to mock them. ¡°People really shouldn¡¯t be too vain, don¡¯t you think so, Lewis?¡± At that question, Bryson Ridge couldn¡¯t keep the shame off her face. Their family didn¡¯t truly have much money, and since Lewis Leocadia was a son-in-law who had married into the family, he wasn¡¯t much respected on his wife¡¯s side. His status was more or less the same as Julius Reed¡¯s. Externally, however, they bragged that Lewis Leocadia was shrewd and capable, having set up his own company within a few short years, and that he had also married a beautiful overseas wife. This time, for the New Year¡¯s return, his wife¡¯s side had given a total of only 20,000 US Dollars. Bryson Ridge and Celeste Leocadia saved for a year, scraping together another 20,000 US Dollars, adding up to a grand total of 40,000 US Dollars for their New Year¡¯s expenses. To cut costs, Celeste Leocadia decided to wash dishes abroad over the New Year, allowing this mother-daughter pair to revel in splendor. Lewis Leocadia, to show off his deep pockets, bought a good amount of fake gold and silver jewelry. The only real thing was the pair of eyeglasses, which were hand-me-downs from his wife. Bryson Ridge looked at Knox Ridge and said with a stern face, ¡°Sis, this is the trend overseas! It¡¯s only the rural mindset here that¡¯s outdated, always wearing gold and silver, as if wishing to hang their entire worth on their body.¡± She glanced at Knox Ridge¡¯s gold and silver bling with a mix of mockery. ¡°Sure, how could we compare with you worldly overseas folks!¡± Knox Ridge snorted coldly but felt somewhat placated in her heart. Because Julius Reed had tossed Lewis Leocadia¡¯s ring into the water glass, she had unexpectedly developed a bit of goodwill towards him. Face saved for her! ¡°Actually, this is indeed the trend abroad. And with my status, I hardly deign to wear gold. The main reason is that our country is poor, and the standard of living is low. What if someone as wealthy as my brother-in-law snatched my ring away, then what?¡± Lewis Leocadia quickly tried to save face, while taking the opportunity to ridicule Julius Reed, ¡°If my ring had been real gold just now, my brother-in-law might have scooped it out and ran off with it. Wearing a fake is purely as a precaution, after all, one can never be too careful! Desperate people are capable of anything!¡± ¡°Is there anything real on you at all?¡± Julius Reed looked him over with a smile, causing Lewis Leocadia¡¯s face to turn bright red with embarrassment. His eyeglasses were the only genuine item. How could he take them off and bring them to a brick-and-mortar store to verify their authenticity? Besides, they were last season¡¯s overseas model, at least three to five years out of date¡ªwhether the store even still carried them was debatable. Recalling the high-quality replica watch on his wrist, Lewis Leocadia pretended to glance at his watch casually, ¡°Oh dear, look at the time. Why hasn¡¯t the food been served yet?¡± While speaking, he gently kicked Bryson Ridge with his foot. Bryson Ridge instantly understood what was going on. ¡°Oh! Lewis, why did you bring that watch with you? It¡¯s worth a few tens of thousands! If it got stolen on the plane, although we wouldn¡¯t miss a few ten thousand, it sure would be inconvenient to check the time, right?¡± Bryson Ridge was speaking when she casually let slip the price of her watch, while glancing at Knox Ridge and the others with the corner of her eye. Sure enough, upon hearing those words, Knox Ridge quietly pulled down her sleeve. Her Longines watch on her wrist had been bought with the money given by the old man when Quella Radcliffe got married. It had cost thirteen thousand. Over the years, if it wasn¡¯t for going out, she hardly ever wore it. Today, of all days, when she went to meet Bryson Ridge, she had almost turned out her entire household. But after all that rummaging, this was all she had. ¡°Yo! That¡¯s a nice watch, it¡¯s real, right?¡± Julius Reed glanced at the mechanical watch on Lewis Leocadia¡¯s wrist and was so startled that Lewis Leocadia hastily leaned away. It wasn¡¯t that the watch didn¡¯t look real, but rather that Julius Reed¡¯s move of throwing his ring into the water glass had frightened him. So he reflexively dodged a bit. ¡°I¡¯m poor, grew up in the countryside, the best watch I¡¯ve ever seen is a King watch, more than a thousand for one! I¡¯ve never seen one that costs tens of thousands. Could I take a look at it?¡± Julius Reed said, his face full of envy, his eyes brimming with admiration. ¡°Heh! Normal. But being able to wear a King watch is already pretty good! After all, everything you eat and drink comes from Quella Radcliffe.¡± Lewis Leocadia hesitated, but seeing Julius Reed¡¯s almost drooling expression, vain pride took the better of him, and he took off the watch and handed it over. ¡°I¡¯m telling you! Be careful with it! If you really break it, it will cost you years of delivery work! Better be extra careful. I trust a poor person like you the least. If your hand shakes, it¡¯s tens of thousands gone!¡± Bryson Ridge also chimed in from the side, ¡°Lewis, how could you give your watch to this kind of poor person! Bad luck! If it brings bad luck to your business, that¡¯s a big loss!¡± She then looked at Knox Ridge, ¡°Sis, you should really teach your son-in-law a lesson. Even if you¡¯re poor, you should have some pride! Why do you always think about touching rich people¡¯s stuff? If you have no backbone, you¡¯re worse than a good dog!¡± Because of the parking spot, Julius Reed had seriously offended Bryson Ridge and Lewis Leocadia. This mother and son duo had long heard that Knox Ridge looked down on her son-in-law, so their comments were particularly sarcastic. ¡°Old fourth, you can¡¯t say that! Julius Reed is poor, but in three years, he has never once misused the family¡¯s money and property.¡± Knox Ridge might look down on Julius Reed, but she felt fine saying anything about her own son-in-law. However, she couldn¡¯t listen to Bryson Ridge say such things. As the two sides exchanged barbs, Julius Reed once again threw the watch into the water glass in front of him. ¡°Damn! You stupid fucker, are you insane!¡± Lewis Leocadia watched his watch fall into the water glass and suddenly stood up from his chair, rolling up his sleeves as if ready to hit someone. ¡°You madman, poor bastard, how can you throw a watch into water! That¡¯s seventy or eighty thousand there. I want to see how you¡¯re going to pay for it!¡± Bryson Ridge also lost her temper instantly, as she had not expected Julius Reed to dare throw the watch into the water as well. This wasn¡¯t gold¡ªit was a solid watch! ¡°Julius Reed, are you out of your mind!¡± While disliking Bryson Ridge and Lewis Leocadia¡¯s words, Knox Ridge was still startled to see Julius Reed throw such an expensive watch into the water. ¡°Shush! Watch this!¡± Julius Reed made a shushing gesture with his hand, pressing firmly on the transparent glass with his other hand, observing the watch inside. Chapter 412 - Chapter 412: Chapter 412 Mechanical Watch_1 Chapter 412: Chapter 412 Mechanical Watch_1 ¡°You broke-ass loser, you¡¯ve gotten yourself into a real mess now!¡± Lewis Leocadia was gasping with fury, and had Julius Reed and the others not been right beside him, he likely would have gone up and given Julius Reed a severe beating! Even though his watch was a high-quality imitation, it still cost him several thousand! Unless it was someone quite professional who opened and disassembled the watch, you simply couldn¡¯t tell it was a high imitation A-good. But now, thanks to this loser, who threw it into the water, it¡¯s probably finished. ¡°Julius Reed, what are you doing!¡± Knox Ridge slammed the table and, with hands on hips, yelled, ¡°Let me tell you, you ruined someone¡¯s watch today and I¡¯m not paying for it! However much the watch is, you get out there and earn it yourself, and don¡¯t even think about using a penny from our family or from Quella Radcliffe!¡± Originally, when Julius Reed threw the ring into the water, she had felt quite satisfied, even deciding to yell at him less today. But now, he¡¯d gone and brought trouble on them! Seventy to eighty thousand, no small sum! Now, with Quella Radcliffe¡¯s company facing bankruptcy, and neither she nor Burl Radcliffe having any source of income¡­ In the past, they managed to take ten or twenty thousand out of the company every month, but with the company closed, the old couple had to start dipping into their savings. If Bryson Ridge asked them to compensate seventy to eighty thousand, it would cost Knox Ridge her life. So, she immediately distanced herself. Resolved to make a clear distinction between herself and Julius Reed. However, at this moment, the person himself, as if he hadn¡¯t heard any of these words, remained focused intently on the watch in the cup. ¡°Don¡¯t play dumb there! Did you hear what I said? You break it, you pay for it, we¡¯re not covering for you!¡± Knox Ridge was shaking all over with fury to see Julius Reed show no reaction at all! ¡°Look, the watch seems to have stopped.¡± Julius Reed pointed to the watch in the cup which had indeed stopped moving. ¡°Damn, you useless sack of s***, you ruined my watch!¡± Lewis Leocadia glanced at the watch and realized it truly had stopped. Water must have gotten inside, the interior mechanisms damaged, and even for a repair, it was going to cost a pretty penny. With Lewis Leocadia shouting like this, everybody crowded around to look, and the color drained from Knox Ridge¡¯s face. They were really in trouble now! ¡°Julius Reed, you good-for-nothing, you¡¯re only capable of screwing things up! We should never have asked you to come today, now you¡ªyou say¡­ say what we should do!¡± Knox Ridge raised her hand to strike Julius Reed but was held back by Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Mom! There must be a reason why Reed did this, can¡¯t you just wait a moment!¡± ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m so angry I could die!¡± Knox Ridge turned her face away, that was seventy to eighty thousand, after all! ¡°You pauper, I want to see how you¡¯ll compensate! Don¡¯t think that just because you¡¯re my nephew, I won¡¯t hold you accountable. You have to pay me the full amount, not a penny less!¡± Lewis Leocadia took out his phone to call the police, but was stopped by Bryson Ridge. ¡°What are you squabbling with this loser for? Just wait for him to pay up. We¡¯re all relatives here, it would look bad if word got out.¡± Bryson Ridge cast a glance at Julius Reed and sneered, ¡°Tell us, what are you going to do? Considering you¡¯re my sister¡¯s son-in-law, I won¡¯t call the police just yet.¡± Just a moment ago, she found it hard to save face over the ring incident, and now this good-for-nothing had gone and thrown the watch in as well. Now was the perfect chance to ridicule him and let off some steam. ¡°I¡¯ll compensate!¡± Julius Reed fished the watch out of the water, shook it, and found it completely dead. ¡°Compensate? With what are you going to compensate? With that old second-hand electric scooter of yours? How much do you even make in a month delivering takeout? Don¡¯t talk big!¡± Bryson Ridge taunted him with a sneer, not believing for a second that Julius Reed could afford it. A loser son-in-law who came begging at the door, where was he going to get seventy to eighty thousand? ¡°Exactly! Looking at this broke-ass appearance of yours, you must be insane! It¡¯s such bad luck!¡± Though Lewis Leocadia seemed angry on the surface, inside his heart was bursting with joy. This imitation watch had cost just over two thousand, but now it purportedly needed seventy to eighty thousand. ¡°` If Julius Reed simply compensated for it, he would be netting seventy to eighty thousand! It¡¯s about making a killing! But on the surface, he still had to pretend to be angry to avoid suspicion. However, thinking about such a country bumpkin, how could they possibly recognize the real from the fake? ¡°Honey, look up this watch model for me, help me see if it¡¯s waterproof.¡± Julius Reed flipped the watch over, pointing to a string of numbers on the back of the dial. ¡°Sure!¡± Quella Radcliffe took out her phone, searched briefly, and soon found the information online. ¡°It¡¯s water-resistant up to 200 meters. It¡¯s a new mechanical model from this year. How could it possibly get water damage? It stopped working just from being in a cup?¡± In the era of the Internet, a lot of information can just be searched online, becoming clear at a glance. ¡°Really, let me see!¡± Knox Ridge snatched the phone and scrutinized the information displayed. She might be overbearing, but she wasn¡¯t stupid at all. How could a watch worth seventy to eighty thousand not be waterproof? The watch¡¯s promotional advertising on the webpage showed it being thrown into a swimming pool, claiming sports-level water resistance. ¡°This couldn¡¯t be a fake, could it?¡± After reading the information, Knox Ridge eyed Lewis Leocadia with a peculiar look. Having gone through the fake ring incident earlier, she had reason to maintain her skepticism. ¡°Who said that! Anything can happen, not a single product can guarantee one hundred percent quality. Maybe this one just happened to, at the moment of¡­¡± Click! Before Lewis Leocadia could finish speaking, Julius Reed directly crushed the watch! The steel bezel cracked open on the press! Then, under everyone¡¯s gaze, Julius Reed pulled out a quartz movement from inside the watch¡­ The battery on top was still wet¡­ ¡°Mechanical watch¡­ shouldn¡¯t it have a bunch of gears?¡± Knox Ridge, though certainly a shrew, was nonetheless a member of the Radcliffe Clan, and the Ridge Family wasn¡¯t poor; naturally, she had some knowledge. Besides, even mechanical watches can be cheap; the one Burl Radcliffe wore was mechanical. ¡°This¡­¡± Lewis Leocadia felt a burning embarrassment on his face, and internally he cursed the dealer who sold him the watch mercilessly! A rotten quartz piece, and he paid more than two thousand for it! Not being waterproof was bad enough, but at least it should have been mechanical! ¡°Lewis, I told you not to trust your friend, insisting it was from the boutique, and sold it to you for seventy to eighty thousand. You got screwed over, didn¡¯t you?¡± Bryson Ridge blinked her eyes and kicked Lewis Leocadia. ¡°Ouch!¡± Lewis Leocadia immediately reacted; he smacked his forehead forcefully and said annoyed, ¡°More than ten years of friendship, and I¡¯m too busy with business to go to the boutique myself, so I asked him to buy it for me. That bastard actually scammed me out of seventy to eighty thousand!¡± After speaking, he quickly grabbed Julius Reed¡¯s hand. ¡°Thank you! If it weren¡¯t for you today, who knows how long I would have been deceived!¡± Although he was cursing Julius Reed in his heart, he still had to say this thank you out loud. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it; we¡¯re all friends here, right!¡± Julius Reed whispered, ¡°So¡­ does that mean I don¡¯t have to compensate?¡± ¡°No need! No need at all!¡± Lewis Leocadia hurriedly waved his hands. ¡°I should be thanking you! I really didn¡¯t see it coming; you, this spineless¡­ son-in-law, have such an eye for things! You¡¯re even better than a rich guy like me. It really is the poor who understand life!¡± He couldn¡¯t resist sneering at Julius Reed even now. ¡°Good evening, everyone. I¡¯m the service staff of the hotel. Following our boss¡¯s instructions, I¡¯ve brought you a bottle of red wine.¡± Just then, a waiter pushed open the door of the private room and walked in with a smile. Chapter 413 - Chapter 413: Chapter 413: Call Your Manager Here_1 Chapter 413: Chapter 413: Call Your Manager Here_1 ¡°Boss? We don¡¯t know your boss!¡± Knox Ridge looked at the waiter who had walked in, thinking there had been a mistake. In a place like this, a good bottle of red wine costs tens of thousands, and if it were mistakenly served and they drank it, it would be quite uncomfortable when the bill came. ¡°Aren¡¯t you friends with Burl Radcliffe?¡± Bryson Ridge glanced at Burl Radcliffe; hadn¡¯t he called a friend to cut in line earlier? Could there be someone else? ¡°It¡¯s not me¡­¡± Burl Radcliffe looked at Julius Reed, noticed that Julius Reed hadn¡¯t said anything, but simply took the red wine with a smile and said, ¡°Thank you for your boss¡¯s kindness.¡± The waiter nodded, handed over the red wine, and then turned and left. ¡°This wine isn¡¯t bad¡­¡± Just as Julius Reed had taken a look at the bottle in his hand, Lewis Leocadia snatched it away. ¡°Pauper! What do you know! This is red wine, not the beer you drink! This bottle is worth tens of thousands, don¡¯t you accidentally break it!¡± He held the bottle carefully in his hand, examining it closely and nodding, ¡°This wine is a good item, worth at least a hundred thousand a bottle!¡± Lewis Leocadia wasn¡¯t lying about this point; although he lived off a woman, his overseas wife came from a petit bourgeoisie family that had a fondness for red wine. So, he had done a bit of research. ¡°My friend is really generous!¡± Lewis Leocadia put the bottle back and said very proudly. ¡°Your friend, what do you mean?¡± Knox Ridge asked. Why would sending a bottle of wine come with such a remark? ¡°I forgot to tell you all, but the reason we were able to come to this Vaughn Danvers Hall is all thanks to my friend¡¯s arrangements, the owner of the restaurant.¡± Lewis Leocadia boasted with a smug expression. Since Burl Radcliffe didn¡¯t know the owner, it was a good opportunity to take the credit and show off. ¡°Wasn¡¯t it Burl from our family?¡± Knox Ridge asked with a frown. It was clearly Burl Radcliffe who had found a friend to skip the line, and that¡¯s how they got to Vaughn Danvers Hall. How did the credit fall onto Lewis Leocadia? ¡°Auntie, think about it, can just anyone come to Vaughn Danvers Hall?¡± Lewis Leocadia pointed to the spacious private room: ¡°This is the highest standard private room in the restaurant. In Burl¡¯s circle, could he know someone like that?¡± With that said, Bryson Ridge also slapped her thigh: ¡°Oh! Is it that friend you met overseas? I¡¯ve heard you mention him before.¡± With an opportunity to show off like this, how could Bryson Ridge let it go? She immediately went along with Lewis Leocadia, making it sound like the truth. ¡°Right! We had a bit of business together before, and when he heard I was coming to Gonzalez City, he specifically said he wanted to arrange a meal for me, reserving such a large private room just for me. Otherwise, do you think with all those wealthy people lining up downstairs, by virtue of Burl¡¯s friends, we could have gotten such a good spot?¡± Lewis Leocadia spoke with a shake of his head, utterly self-satisfied. ¡°If he hadn¡¯t been busy, today¡¯s meal would have been on the house. But I don¡¯t want to owe favors, and besides, Auntie, you wouldn¡¯t mind the expense, right?¡± He shook the bottle of red wine: ¡°One hundred thousand yuan, it¡¯s on me!¡± After hearing this explanation, Knox Ridge¡¯s complexion began to sour again. She had thought it was Burl Radcliffe¡¯s friend, but now, upon reflection, how could Burl have that kind of clout? Knox Ridge had heard of Roosevelt Western Restaurant, supposedly owned by Gonzalez City¡¯s richest man, Ovidiu Cook. But now it seems there might be someone else involved; if it¡¯s as Lewis Leocadia said, it¡¯s very likely the case. Otherwise, how could one explain why they were given Vaughn Danvers Hall when dozens of people, including many wealthy patrons, were queuing up that evening? And, on top of it all, they were served a bottle of expensive red wine before dinner. Moreover, as soon as Lewis Leocadia came in, he immediately didn¡¯t have to wait in line anymore. Quella Radcliffe had waited a long time before she said she knew a friend. ¡°So, you see, one still needs to be excellent! If it weren¡¯t for Lewis being so outstanding and knowing even more excellent friends, we would probably still be queuing down there. Quella¡¯s friend could at most allow us to sit in the main hall.¡± Bryson Ridge¡¯s interest perked up again; she thought Lewis Leocadia was telling the truth. Being able to show off in front of Knox Ridge, especially seeing her sister looking unhappy, made her exceptionally joyful. ¡°Let¡¯s eat! Let¡¯s start eating; we¡¯re all hungry.¡± The waiter had just come in with the steak when Burl Radcliffe started to smooth things over. He didn¡¯t possess such a strong utilitarian mindset, but he had ended up with a wife who loved comparisons and there wasn¡¯t much he could do about it. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll start pouring the wine for everyone. Waiter, do you have a decanter?¡± Lewis Leocadia immediately showed off his wide range of knowledge, eating with particular care and even his knife and fork posture was very standard. On the other hand, Julius Reed directly asked for a pair of chopsticks, grabbing the steak and wolfing it down. ¡°Hey! Be mindful! This is Western dining, not eating at your home!¡± Lewis Leocadia looked at Julius Reed with disdain, ¡°First time eating Western food, huh? Don¡¯t choke; eat slowly!¡± Seeing Julius¡¯s manner, he couldn¡¯t help but laugh. Although he was also very hungry, he still endured the growling of his stomach, eating bit by bit. ¡°Hungry! We¡¯re poor; haven¡¯t had steak before!¡± Julius Reed continued eating while chuckling naively, looking just like someone entering the city for the first time. ¡°Quella, really! Even if you look down on your husband, you should still take him out for Western food! What will he do without any exposure?¡± While pouring the wine, Lewis Leocadia mocked Julius Reed. ¡°Lewis, don¡¯t say that! Not every person can be as outstanding as you, how many people in a group of ten thousand are as exceptional as you? Julius here is just genuine!¡± She pursed her lips, smiling, almost infuriating Knox Ridge who was beside her. ¡°Julius Reed! Pay attention and stop embarrassing me!¡± She scolded irritably, looking at how gentlemanly Lewis Leocadia ate, while her son-in-law, on the contrary, was simply like a glutton! Lewis Leocadia, however, spoke up to convince her, ¡°Aunt, it¡¯s his first time after all, don¡¯t stop him. Who knows when he¡¯ll eat this again.¡± Although he said so, his words were full of mockery. ¡°It¡¯s just a meal of Western food; our house isn¡¯t that poor!¡± Quella Radcliffe said coldly, ¡°We¡¯re all family here, why can¡¯t we eat in a way that¡¯s comfortable for us? Why must we put on a front?¡± She couldn¡¯t stand seeing her husband being ridiculed by others. ¡°It¡¯s fine! Brother Lewis is often abroad, has seen much of the world, how can I, a country bumpkin, compare.¡± Julius Reed waved his hand and downed the wine glass in one gulp. ¡°Some more, sweet!¡± He extended his glass, but Lewis Leocadia pushed it away, ¡°This is red wine, not water! The sip you just took is worth thousands! Scram! Is this something for someone of your status to drink?¡± Seeing Julius Reed finish the drink in one gulp, he got angry. Wasn¡¯t this a waste of good things? ¡°Attention, everyone!¡± Just then, a group of security guards suddenly flooded into the Vaughn Danvers Room. ¡°What¡¯s going on? What¡¯s the matter?¡± Lewis Leocadia, who was closest to the door, saw the people rushing in and stood up, slamming the table, ¡°Don¡¯t you see we are having a meal? Call your manager!¡± ¡°I am the manager!¡± A middle-aged man in a suit walked in from outside. Chapter 414 - Chapter 414: Chapter 414 Sent to the Wrong Person_1 Chapter 414: Chapter 414 Sent to the Wrong Person_1 ¡°Hello, Manager!¡± Seeing the manager approach, Lewis Leocadia quickly stood up and politely extended his hand. But the manager simply ignored him and instead asked bluntly, ¡°Was it you who smashed the electric bicycle at the door!¡± Hearing Julius Reed¡¯s instructions, the manager promptly arranged for the Head of Security to guard the electric bike. Since it was something his boss had put him in charge of, he had to handle it well; otherwise, he¡¯d lose his job sooner or later. But despite the Security Chief leading people to search for quite a while, they found no trace of the electric bike. Only after checking the surveillance, they discovered the electric bike had been shattered by a Mercedes, its wheels completely detached. What were they supposed to do now? Urgently, the manager took his team to review the surveillance footage and, after identifying the Mercedes driver, found out that the driver was in the same private room as his own boss. This was a tricky situation, so he sent someone with a bottle of red wine, which was actually just a discreet way to deliver a note asking whether to handle the situation or let it be. If Julius Reed shook his head, they would drop the matter. After all, it was his boss¡¯s friend who was involved; he¡¯d be happy to stay out of it. But if the incident was to be handled as usual, he¡¯d have to put in all the effort he could muster! He¡¯d give that Mercedes driver a real thrashing! When Julius Reed took the red wine, he nodded, and the waiter even repeated the insulting words Lewis Leocadia had said upon returning. This only strengthened the manager¡¯s determination to deal with Lewis Leocadia! Daring to oppose his own boss, wasn¡¯t that just asking for trouble? Thereupon, he stormed up with a group of security guards, all bluster and righteous indignation. When he heard about the electric bike, Lewis Leocadia didn¡¯t immediately grasp what was meant and asked with some confusion, ¡°What electric bike?¡± ¡°When you were parking, you smashed the electric bike that was behind you!¡± the manager reiterated. ¡°Oh! You mean that piece of junk owned by that broke loser? What about it?¡± Lewis Leocadia slapped his forehead as he recalled the incident. It seemed they were talking about the electric bike Julius Reed used for deliveries, which he had wrecked while parking. ¡°Broke loser?¡± The manager was furious, cursing silently in his head, ¡°Idiot.¡± That was the owner of the restaurant. Although he didn¡¯t know the exact background, he had heard something from Ovidiu Cook¡¯s subordinate when the latter was drunk. The restaurant had been a gift to the new owner from Ovidiu Cook, who didn¡¯t ask for a dime and continued to pay the staff on behalf of the new owner. All expenses were charged to Titan Group¡¯s accounts, while all profits went straight to the new owner¡¯s pocket. Essentially, it was like giving away money by gifting the restaurant and covering the expenses. Who was Ovidiu Cook? The richest man in Gonzalez City! Could someone who compelled the wealthiest man in Gonzalez City to act in such a manner be ordinary? Yet, here was this fool, calling his own boss a broke loser, and it was clear to the manager that it was his time to shine. Seeing the manager appear somewhat astonished, he pointed at Julius Reed and said, ¡°That¡¯s the owner of the broke bike, my brother-in-law. So what?¡± ¡°Brother-in-law?¡± The manager was even more incredulous¡ªit was family! Didn¡¯t this relative know how powerful his own boss was? Yet here he was, disdainfully calling him a loser with every word. ¡°I don¡¯t care whose bike it is. If it¡¯s parked at our Roosevelt Western Restaurant, it¡¯s under our protection! You forcefully smashing that electric bike is against the rules of our restaurant!¡± exclaimed the manager loudly. ¡°What are you doing! Call your boss here! A mere manager daring to make a commotion like this! Do you know where you are!¡± Bryson Ridge stood up, looking impatiently at the restaurant manager and pointing at the ground, ¡°This is the Vaughn Danvers room! The biggest private room upstairs! Reserved by your boss especially for us. And here you are, a bunch of stinking shrimps, disturbing us during our meal? Get out!¡± At this moment, she actually started to believe the lies Lewis Leocadia had told. Moreover, Bryson Ridge figured that the manager probably didn¡¯t know whether they truly knew the boss or not. If they sought the boss¡¯s input over this matter, they¡¯d likely get scolded. So that¡¯s why she dared to speak like that. ¡°Reserved for you?¡± The manager couldn¡¯t help but laugh at the absurdity; this reservation was clearly intended for his girlfriend¡¯s birthday celebration. Only when his boss happened to come by and need a table had he offered this one instead. How had it suddenly turned into something reserved for them? As for knowing his boss, that was even more ludicrous! Julius Reed was right there, called a broke loser by them, and yet they had the nerve to claim they knew his boss. It was downright ridiculous! ¡°Nonsense! If it wasn¡¯t for your boss holding this spot for us, how could there be such a large Vaughn Danvers Room available during prime dining hours?¡± Lewis Leocadia straightened his back at this moment, pointing towards the door, ¡°Today I¡¯m in a good mood, get lost! If you dare stay here, I will have your boss fire all of you!¡± Not only the manager, but the restaurant security guards all laughed at this. Many of them hadn¡¯t even seen the boss before; everything in the restaurant was managed by the manager. This guy, claiming to be a friend of their boss, was utterly joking. ¡°What are you laughing about?¡± Lewis Leocadia, seeing no fear in the people in front of him and even hearing them laugh, grew even more irate. He pulled out his phone, pretending to make a call: ¡°I¡¯m giving you one last chance! Get lost! Otherwise, you¡¯ll have to face the consequences!¡± But instead of being intimidated, the manager crossed his arms and watched Lewis Leocadia with a cold sneer, ¡°Go ahead and call! I¡¯m listening right here!¡± He wanted to see what new, foolish act the youth could come up with. But Lewis Leocadia didn¡¯t know the restaurant owner¡¯s phone number, and he was extremely embarrassed at that moment. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing! To treat your boss¡¯s friend like this, do you no longer want your jobs? A bunch of stinking security guards, dogs that watch the door, daring to run wild here!¡± Bryson Ridge cursed them furiously like a fishwife. Her curses turned the security guards¡¯ faces dark collectively. ¡°What did you say?¡± The manager confronted Bryson Ridge and asked in a deep voice. He had worked with these security guards for many years, and they usually called each other brothers. But this woman dared to call his brothers dogs! ¡°I said you bunch of stinking laborers better get out of here, don¡¯t be an eyesore!¡± Bryson Ridge shouted eyes wide open. Slap! The manager slapped her, flipping Bryson Ridge over onto the table, ¡°Does your mouth eat shit? Haven¡¯t you learned to respect people?¡± After hitting her, the manager glanced over at Julius Reed and seeing no reaction from his boss, he was relieved. ¡°You dare to hit me! You stinking laborer¡­¡± Slap! The manager slapped her again. ¡°What are you trying to do!¡± Lewis Leocadia grabbed a wine bottle from the table and held it high, shouting, ¡°This wine was a gift from your boss to me, you dare to bully a friend of your boss, have you gone mad?¡± This bottle was his lifeline. How could an ordinary person gift such expensive wine right off the bat? Genuine and costly, worth at least a hundred thousand yuan. ¡°Ha! Who said this wine was a gift?¡± The manager snatched the bottle and shook it, discovering it was empty. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for me, how would it have been delivered here?¡± Lewis Leocadia asked somewhat sheepishly. ¡°It was delivered by mistake! Eighteen thousand, you drank it so you have to pay!¡± The manager tossed the bottle away, approached Lewis Leocadia, and grabbed his throat with one hand. Chapter 415 - Chapter 415: Chapter 415 The Expensive Bicycle_1 Chapter 415: Chapter 415 The Expensive Bicycle_1 This sudden turn of events had left Knox Ridge and the others completely dumbfounded. ¡°Lewis, didn¡¯t you say you know the owner here? Hurry up and call the boss!¡± Knox Ridge was anxious too, afraid that she would be the next one to get beaten. The group was too forceful, they came in preparing to strike without offering a shred of decency. ¡°You dare say you know our boss? You¡¯ve got some nerve! Make the call! Do it now!¡± The manager looked at Lewis Leocadia coldly and pushed him onto the table with a shove. ¡°I was wrong! Big brother, I don¡¯t know your boss, I was just trying to show off¡­¡± Lewis Leocadia couldn¡¯t care less about being a laughing stock anymore. If this continued, he might actually lose his life, so what use was saving face? But he couldn¡¯t understand, it was just a lousy electric scooter, was it really worth all this? ¡°What! You don¡¯t know him? Then this Vaughan Danvers Hall¡­¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s mouth hung open. She couldn¡¯t believe that Lewis Leocadia could boast so audaciously, even getting everyone to believe him. But if it wasn¡¯t because Lewis knew the owner, then how could Vaughan Danvers Hall be explained? Could it really have been given up by a friend of Quella Radcliffe? She dismissed the thought as soon as it crossed her mind. Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t possibly know such powerful people. And even if she did, would the manager dare to be so reckless right now? They came in ready to hit people without discriminating good from bad, clearly without any reservations! ¡°So you admit it now? You¡¯ve got the nerve of a dog, impersonating a friend of our boss! Beat him!¡± With a wave of the manager¡¯s hand, the security guards behind him charged forward furiously and started to punch and kick Lewis Leocadia. ¡°I was wrong¡­¡± As the wails continued, the manager finally stopped. ¡°Tell me, what about that electric scooter parked at the door?¡± ¡°Electric scooter?¡± Thinking about this, Lewis Leocadia, fuming with rage, walked up to Julius Reed: ¡°It¡¯s all your fault, you worthless trash, riding a worthless electric scooter and taking up the parking space, and now I¡¯m the one being beaten. Kneel down and apologize to them! Say the scooter is yours, and that it was you who asked me to crash into it!¡± ¡°Yes! Julius, you better admit it, and quickly say it was all your idea!¡± Bryson Ridge approached the manager with a placating smile: ¡°Manager, it was all this loser¡¯s idea, it has nothing to do with my son. If you¡¯re going to beat anyone, beat him. He¡¯s thick-skinned and can take a beating!¡± Everything had stemmed from the electric scooter. As long as Julius Reed admitted it was with his permission that Lewis Leocadia had crashed into it, this mess could be resolved. If anyone had to take a beating, it would be Julius¡¯s issue, nothing to do with them. ¡°Knox Ridge, things should be handled accordingly! Even if we didn¡¯t do it, we can¡¯t let Julius take the blame!¡± Although Knox Ridge looked down on Julius, in the end, he was her son-in-law. Moreover, she was particularly disgusted by Lewis¡¯s earlier boasting. As soon as she heard that Julius was supposed to be the scapegoat, she definitely disagreed. ¡°Sis, what¡¯s the time for? Our Lewis has already been beaten, look at his delicate and tender skin, he can¡¯t take it! Julius can take the beating, let him handle it, and it¡¯ll be fine!¡± Bryson Ridge said as if it were all perfectly justifiable. ¡°No way!¡± Knox Ridge was surprisingly adamant for once. No matter what, Julius had been with the Radcliffe Family for three years, sweeping floors, cooking, doing laundry. Even if he was a servant, even if he was a dog, they had developed some sort of attachment. She might not respect him, but even a dog should be considered in view of its owner! ¡°So you¡¯re just going to watch our Lewis get beaten up?¡± Bryson Ridge was extremely angry as she pointed at Julius Reed, ¡°You waste of space, say something! Useless trash!¡± ¡°Auntie! Watch your tone!¡± Quella Radcliffe stood up, glaring coldly at Bryson Ridge, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for my cousin driving into Julius¡¯s electric bike, would any of this have happened? If it wasn¡¯t for my cousin¡¯s vanity, insisting he¡¯s a friend of the boss, would he have been beaten up? All of this is my cousin¡¯s own fault, what does it have to do with Julius Reed!¡± Quella had been holding back her frustration since dinner. It was only because Julius had been holding her hand the whole time, signaling her not to stand up and speak. Otherwise, Quella would have said these things long ago. ¡°Quella! Your cousin came back from abroad, and Julius is just some loser. Can you even compare the two? Let him take a beating, and I¡¯ll give you five thousand dollars! Deal or not? That broken electric bike, how much is it worth!¡± Knox Ridge was almost dead with anger, seeing her son beaten up like this, her heart bleeding. ¡°Stop fighting! I don¡¯t care whose car it is! If you create a scene in the restaurant, you have to follow the rules!¡± The manager slammed the table, shocking Knox Ridge into silence. ¡°We¡¯ll pay the money, can we pay and be done with it?¡± Lewis Leocadia pleaded cautiously, his face swollen and bruised, eyes purple from the beating. ¡°Sure! That bike is worth a hundred thousand! Add the bottle of wine and the meal, let¡¯s make it a neat three hundred thousand!¡± The manager sneered, walking up to Lewis Leocadia with the bill. ¡°Three hundred thousand! Are you insane!¡± His eyes widened, ¡°What junk bike! Worth a hundred thousand! This is extortion! I¡¯m calling the police!¡± An electric bike is only worth a couple of thousand, yet they had the audacity to demand a hundred thousand. Where was he supposed to get that kind of money? He didn¡¯t even have three hundred thousand to spend for the New Year! ¡°Go ahead! It says right here in black and white, upon entering our restaurant parking lot, you abide by our rules!¡± The manager gestured dismissively, and immediately, a security guard handed over an agreement. It clearly stated that if any incident occurred in the parking lot and the parties weren¡¯t satisfied, the restaurant had the final decision-making power. ¡°Where¡¯s your appraiser! I¡¯ll have him evaluate it. An old electric bike, it¡¯s not worth that much!¡± Lewis Leocadia yelled at the manager. ¡°Sorry, the head of the appraisal team is me, and here¡¯s the appraisal report!¡± The manager produced a paper, clearly prepared in advance. It stated clearly that the total damage was one hundred thousand dollars. ¡°Julius Reed, you spineless fool, speak up! Say you don¡¯t want the money, hurry up!¡± Lewis Leocadia walked up to Julius Reed, bossily shouting at him. If the two of them could settle privately, there would be no need for the restaurant¡¯s involvement, and he wouldn¡¯t have to pay. ¡°My car was parked in the spot just fine, and you smashed it. Why shouldn¡¯t you pay for it?¡± Julius Reed looked up at Lewis Leocadia, ¡°When I threw your cousin into the water just now, what did you say? Family is family, but money should still be accounted for plainly.¡± That was the way to handle someone with Lewis Leocadia¡¯s personality. Seeing Julius Reed would not agree, Lewis Leocadia, furious, began to curse, ¡°You good-for-nothing! A broke loser! How much can an old electric bike be worth? You want money, right? I¡¯ll buy you a new one tomorrow! Is that acceptable? Hurry up and tell them you¡¯re not pursuing this!¡± It looked like he would lose over two thousand dollars again, but if spending that much would solve the problem, he would accept it. ¡°You said it yourself, I¡¯m poor. So why would I not want a hundred thousand and settle for two thousand? I¡¯m not an idiot; I know which is more.¡± Julius Reed sat in the chair, speaking slowly. ¡°You¡ªyou broke loser! You¡¯re infuriating me!¡± Lewis Leocadia charged forward, intending to hit someone, but was quickly stopped by the manager, ¡°Everyone else, please leave this place, you two stay behind!¡± Chapter 416 - Chapter 416: Chapter 416 Encountering Enemies_1 Chapter 416: Chapter 416 Encountering Enemies_1 The group had their fill, and with the manager¡¯s expulsion, Knox Ridge was spared the expense of the meal. When she heard the meal and drinks would cost two hundred thousand, Knox Ridge was frightened to the point of nearly fainting on the spot. Where could she get two hundred thousand? A meal costing two hundred thousand¡ªthat was the yearly income for her and Burl Radcliffe. However, fortunately for her, the manager¡¯s act of sending them away charged the expense to Lewis Leocadia. ¡°They won¡¯t have any trouble, will they?¡± Burl Radcliffe paced anxiously in the lobby on the first floor. ¡°What trouble could they have, Auntie¡¯s family is rich. Look at Lewis Leocadia, he¡¯s a big boss, a mere three hundred thousand is just pocket change to him,¡± Julius Reed said with a smile. ¡°That¡¯s true!¡± Knox Ridge nodded her head, considering Bryson Ridge¡¯s financial situation over the past few years, it seemed like they had quite a bit of money. Lewis Leocadia had an air of extravagance about him, clearly the demeanor of a big boss. Three hundred thousand was a lot, but for a boss, it shouldn¡¯t be a problem. Yet, Knox Ridge had a nagging feeling that there was something off about Julius¡¯ remark, but she couldn¡¯t quite put her finger on it. ¡°You as well! It¡¯s just an old car, why make such a fuss about it! That¡¯s my niece¡¯s son, after all!¡± She looked at Julius Reed reproachfully. After all, he was her nephew, but at the dining table she felt somewhat indignant and didn¡¯t let Julius handle the situation. But after coming out, she regretted it. ¡°Mom! What did Julius do wrong? Lewis Leocadia has been mocking him throughout the meal, trying to find a sense of superiority over Julius. After all, Julius is one of us, you can¡¯t always be like this!¡± Quella Radcliffe said, clearly upset. Julius Reed had done so much for them, but why couldn¡¯t these people ever be satisfied? ¡°Enough, I¡¯m very frustrated!¡± Knox Ridge glanced at Julius Reed, then quickly turned her head. She and Burl Radcliffe had taken several hundred thousand from Bran Cook, promising to convince their daughter. But it looked like Quella Radcliffe was genuinely fond of Julius Reed, which made things difficult for the old couple. Yet as difficult as it might be, they still had to deal with it! Who was Bran Cook? The best young man in Gonzalez City! Among the younger generation, nobody could compare to Bran Cook. If Quella Radcliffe truly married into that family, the old couple could live without worries about food and clothing, and Knox Ridge would have something to brag about. She wouldn¡¯t have to fear being laughed at whenever she went out with Julius Reed, like she did now. Before long, Lewis Leocadia and Bryson Ridge came down looking dishevelled. They took out the only two hundred thousand they had, made out an IOU for the remaining hundred thousand, and asked to borrow the amount within a day; otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t be allowed to leave the restaurant. ¡°Sis, lend us a hundred thousand!¡± Bryson Ridge said, her voice filled with discomfort. Asking for a loan was the most shameful thing to do. Yet, they brought just over two hundred thousand for this trip. After deducting the cost of airfare and various other expenses, only two hundred thousand was left. All taken by the hotel. Now with a debt of a hundred thousand, they could only turn to Knox Ridge for a loan. ¡°What? Isn¡¯t Lewis Leocadia the boss? He doesn¡¯t have three hundred thousand?¡± Knox Ridge thought she had heard wrong. How could Bryson Ridge, who was so concerned with appearances, possibly ask for a loan? Once they borrowed money, it would mean they were worse off than Knox Ridge¡ªhow could that be? ¡°Lewis¡¯ company couldn¡¯t transfer the funds conveniently, and it¡¯s somewhat urgent. We¡¯ll repay you in a day or two,¡± Bryson Ridge said through gritted teeth. Where were they to get the money? They made a call to Lewis Leocadia¡¯s wife abroad, but she didn¡¯t pick up at all. Celeste Leocadia had pulled out all their savings to make this mother and son¡¯s return to the homeland grand, leaving no savings behind. Now they were in a situation where even heaven couldn¡¯t help them. ¡°We agreed, you¡¯ll return it to me within two days!¡± Knox Ridge felt some reluctance, having been frugal for so long, her heart ached whenever she lent out money. But Lewis Leocadia was the company boss after all, and only then did she feel assured enough to lend the money to him. After taking out a card from her pocket, she followed Bryson Ridge to the restaurant¡¯s finance department and transferred one hundred thousand yuan. ¡°Where do we go now?¡± Lewis Leocadia¡¯s mood was exceptionally gloomy. He had hoped to make a splash, but in the end, he had put in all his savings and still owed debts, leaving his mood at an all-time low. ¡°Let¡¯s go back to sleep.¡± Quella Radcliffe suggested returning to rest, not wanting to spend any more time with her own aunt and Lewis Leocadia. ¡°It¡¯s still early, why don¡¯t we go to a KTV and sing for a while?¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s spirits were still pretty good, not believing that her own Bryson Ridge had actually asked to borrow money. Once she got back home for the New Year, she would spread the news, and eventually, the entire Ridge Family would know that Bryson Ridge had borrowed money from her. How prestigious would that be! ¡°Sure! I don¡¯t feel like going back yet either!¡± Lewis Leocadia, feeling terrible, was in desperate need of a way to vent. Without enough money for rent, they squeezed into a Passat and headed to a decently rated entertainment club in the Five-river Province. The Bronze Sparrow Terrace! Arriving there, Knox Ridge felt a bit pained, but if it could give her some prestige, then the money spent was worth it! The Bronze Sparrow Terrace had long been famous in the Five-river Province, reportedly owned by Aron Jackson. In all of Gonzalez City, there was no better place for entertainment. After entering, Julius Reed didn¡¯t reveal his identity and acted just like a regular patron looking to have some fun. Since it was Knox Ridge paying, he might as well enjoy himself. However, when they went upstairs, they ran into a group of youths who started pointing and whispering upon seeing Julius Reed. Julius Reed, always keenly intuitive, said to Quella Radcliffe, ¡°You guys go ahead, I need to use the restroom.¡± ¡°Such a buzzkill! Hurry up and go!¡± After Lewis Leocadia cursed, he entered the private room and began to sing his heart out. Meanwhile, Julius Reed followed the group of youths to the restroom. ¡°That guy looks like Amos Davenport, he has a feud with our Bran Cook, should we beat him up a bit later?¡± ¡°Sure! I heard that brat snatched Bran Cook¡¯s girl and even beat Bran Cook up! If we teach him a lesson, Bran Cook is sure to be pleased.¡± ¡°We should tell Brother Percival first and let him make the decision.¡± After their discussion, they each washed their hands and returned to their private room. ¡°Brother Percival!¡± ¡°Where have you been! You took so long! If you weren¡¯t three men, I¡¯d suspect you guys had something going on!¡± A young man lounged with his legs crossed, cursing with a laugh, prompting raucous laughter from everyone in the room. He was Zane Percival, celebrating his birthday today, having brought his friends to a KTV for some fun. ¡°Younger Percival, we just saw that Amos Davenport!¡± One of them spoke up. ¡°Amos Davenport? Which Amos Davenport?¡± Zane Percival, holding a beer bottle, felt the name was familiar yet couldn¡¯t quite remember who that was. ¡°It¡¯s the guy from that banquet who humiliated Bran Cook.¡± The young man reminded him. ¡°Oh shoot! It¡¯s him! Damn, talk about enemies meeting on a narrow road!¡± Zane Percival slapped his forehead and looked around the room, ¡°Guys, Bran Cook has always been good to us. Now we¡¯ve stumbled upon this kid who did Cook wrong. What do you say we do?¡± ¡°Beat him up!¡± They all shouted in unison. ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll go over and suss things out first! You people wait here, and watch for my signal to act!¡± Zane Percival picked up a beer bottle and headed towards the private room where Julius Reed was. Chapter 417 - Chapter 417: Chapter 417 Good Brothers_1 Chapter 417: Chapter 417 Good Brothers_1 Zane Percival¡¯s family also did business in Gonzalez City and usually got along quite well with Bran Cook. Their family had business dealings with the Cook family as well. Now that Bran Cook had returned from the capital, he was even more esteemed, and the Percival family was particularly eager to strengthen their relationship with the Cook family. Once they connected with Bran Cook, it would mean a vast inflow of wealth. That day at the wine party, Zane Percival and others had personally witnessed Bran Cook being humiliated. Now this ignorant man called Amos Davenport had actually bumped into them, there was no reason not to take care of him! If they dealt with Amos Davenport, Bran Cook would be pleased and might think more highly of them. That would also mean Zane Percival would gain more recognition within his family. But he didn¡¯t know how many people were in Amos Davenport¡¯s private room, so to be on the safe side, Zane Percival decided to check things out first. Ding! Ding! Ding! Following the knocking sound, Zane Percival pushed open the door to the private room where Julius Reed and his group were. ¡°Who are you?¡± Lewis Leocadia, who was singing, was somewhat displeased to see someone enter. ¡°I¡¯m Zane Percival. Today is my birthday, and I¡¯m covering the costs for everyone here!¡± Zane Percival walked in with a bottle of wine in hand and carefully looked around, discovering there were only five people in the room. Three women and two men, it looked like two families gathered together for a celebration. ¡°Really?¡± Upon hearing that it wouldn¡¯t cost her anything, Knox Ridge was thrilled. She had thought it was going to be quite an expense! The spending at Copper Quey in Gonzalez City was quite high, and playing for a few hours could cost at least a thousand or eighteen hundred bucks! And if they had some beer and fruit, it would be even more expensive! ¡°Happy birthday to you!¡± She quickly stood up, holding a drink to toast Zane Percival. ¡°Thank you!¡± Zane Percival nodded and poured himself a drink too. Just then, Julius Reed returned to the room and asked upon seeing Zane Percival, ¡°Who is this¡­?¡± ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Zane Percival. Today is my birthday, and I¡¯m covering for everyone¡¯s expenses at Copper Quey!¡± Zane Percival sized him up, certain that this was the man in front of him. Back at the wine party, he had stood out from the crowd, even Itai Huntington had looked at him with high regard. But this man had seriously offended Bran Cook. ¡°It¡¯s Younger Percival! What a pleasure to meet you!¡± Julius Reed quickly grabbed a drink, toasted with Zane Percival, and introduced, ¡°These are my uncles and aunts, this is my sister, but this guy is my best buddy! Lewis Leocadia, Brother Lewis!¡± Upon his words, everyone was stunned, but Knox Ridge was actually quite pleased. At least her son-in-law knew not to reveal their true status in front of others, to avoid mockery. But what kind of person was Zane Percival? He had naturally seen Quella Radcliffe before and knew she was Amos Davenport¡¯s girlfriend right in front of him. The reason he hadn¡¯t acknowledged it might be that the uncles and aunts present didn¡¯t approve. However, this Lewis Leocadia intrigued him. ¡°My brother Lewis Leocadia might be wealthy, returned from abroad with a business and worth over a hundred million!¡± Julius Reed pointed at Lewis Leocadia and bragged extensively, ¡°We¡¯ve known each other since childhood, just like real brothers!¡± Lewis Leocadia had wanted to object, but upon hearing Julius Reed¡¯s introduction of him, he felt elated. Why would he expose the lie when he could meet such a wealthy young man who was generously picking up the tab for the place? Moreover, in his eyes, Julius Reed¡¯s flattery was just a way to curry favor and latch onto his success. ¡°As the saying goes, it¡¯s not polite to hit someone who¡¯s extending a handshake, especially not someone who¡¯s praising you.¡± ¡°Young Master Leocadia, what a pleasure!¡± Zane Percival quickly went over, grabbed Lewis Leocadia¡¯s hand, but a subtle smile flickered across his face. ¡°Younger Percival! A pleasure indeed!¡± Lewis Leocadia, bolstered by his fabricated identity and the chance to know such a big spender, was extremely proud. He looked at Julius Reed as if to say well done. ¡°Well, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be heading out first!¡± After Zane Percival had scoped out the situation, he was ready to come back with people for revenge! ¡°` ¡°Take your time leaving! Happy birthday, Younger Percival!¡± Lewis Leocadia saw him to the door, throwing in a few cordial words for good measure. ¡°Thanks, Young Master Leocadia!¡± Zane Percival replied perfunctorily before turning to head back to his private room. The smile on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by a glint of ruthlessness! ¡°Oh no! I left my phone in the bathroom, I need to go back for it!¡± Julius Reed slapped his forehead and hurried out. ¡°Go on! You couldn¡¯t even afford a new one if you lost that junk phone!¡± Lewis Leocadia mocked, continuing to sit and sing. He called over a server and ordered a few more bottles of alcohol and some fruit. Someone else was paying, after all, so why not indulge? The gloom from being beaten up earlier was completely forgotten; he was now immersed in his joy. These past few days in Gonzalez City, he had been scheming to get friendly with young Percival, so that come the New Year, he¡¯d have some bragging rights. Otherwise, penniless back in his hometown, how would he get through the New Year? But at that moment, the door was kicked open! ¡°Who the hell! Are you sick in the head!¡± He cursed loudly, but as soon as he recognized the person coming in, he quickly stood up with a smile, ¡°Younger Percival, it¡¯s you!¡± The visitor was none other than Zane Percival! Behind him followed a dozen or so young men. ¡°Younger Percival, did you want something from me?¡± Thinking he had grown familiar with Zane Percival, Lewis Leocadia walked over to ask. ¡°¡®Younger Percival¡¯ my ass!¡± Bang! A young man behind Zane Percival suddenly lashed out with a kick, sending Lewis Leocadia flying onto the ground: ¡°You dare to call him ¡®Younger Percival¡¯? Who the hell do you think you are!¡± The man cursed while slapping Lewis Leocadia across the face twice. ¡°What are you doing! I¡¯m friends with Younger Percival, have you lost your minds!¡± Lewis Leocadia yelled from the ground, covering his face. Having had drinks with Zane Percival, he naturally considered himself a friend. Moreover, he¡¯s now the worth-over-a-billion boss! These bumpkins had the gall to hit him! ¡°Friends?¡± Zane Percival snorted coldly: ¡°Who¡¯s your friend?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t we just have a drink, Younger Percival?¡± Lewis Leocadia hadn¡¯t quite grasped what was happening¡ªweren¡¯t they just sharing drinks and merry words? How had everything changed so suddenly? But what he didn¡¯t know was that Zane Percival¡¯s visit was meant to test the waters. Friends, are we? ¡°You think you¡¯re worthy to drink with Younger Percival?¡± Several youths stepped forward, grabbed the beer from the table, and poured it all over Lewis Leocadia: ¡°I¡¯m letting you drink, have your fill!¡± They had heard from Zane Percival that this was Amos Davenport¡¯s best friend! Since Amos Davenport wasn¡¯t around, they would take their anger out on this guy first! ¡°Where¡¯s Amos Davenport?¡± Zane Percival looked around and asked. Just a moment ago he was in the private room, how did he disappear so quickly? ¡°Amos Davenport? Who¡¯s Amos Davenport, I don¡¯t know! You got the wrong person, right?¡± Lewis Leocadia murmured, his face soaked with beer and his clothes thoroughly drenched. But what mattered most was that he still didn¡¯t understand why he was being beaten! ¡°Don¡¯t know! Fine! Hit him!¡± Zane Percival coldly smirked, what a good friend indeed¡ªseeing that he was there to trouble Amos Davenport, he promptly claimed not to recognize him! In truth, Lewis Leocadia genuinely didn¡¯t know; he only knew Julius Reed and had no idea who Amos Davenport was! ¡°` Chapter 418 - Chapter 418: Chapter 418 Important Guest_1 Chapter 418: Chapter 418 Important Guest_1 ¡°How dare you barge in and start hitting people! Stop it, all of you!¡± Bryson Ridge was also feeling the pain of losing money. When she looked up and saw that Lewis Leocadia was being held down and beaten, she immediately became furious. She rushed over and slapped Zane Percival across the face, ¡°You dare hit my son!¡± Zane Percival was smugly watching his handiwork, thinking that Bran Cook would definitely praise him once he found out. He didn¡¯t notice Bryson Ridge approaching at all. By the time he realized a middle-aged woman was coming towards him, Bryson Ridge¡¯s slap had already landed! Slap! This crisp sound immediately quieted down the inside of the KTV. Apart from the tacky pop song that was playing, there were no other sounds. The young men who were beating Lewis stopped their actions and slowly surrounded Bryson Ridge. ¡°Damn it! You dare hit me!¡± Zane Percival touched his cheek, feeling a burning pain. The Percival Family was also a powerful household in Gonzalez City. Zane Percival¡¯s father¡¯s logistics business had made a fortune by monopolizing the transport industry in Gonzalez City in recent years, thanks to a secret deal with Aron Jackson. Joining forces with the Cook Family was for the purpose of expanding their transport business even further, to completely dominate the industry. But most importantly, Aron Jackson demanded too much. The Percival Family was looking for a new backer. Zane Percival, who had grown up surrounded by wealth, had skin as delicate as a girl¡¯s. He had lived for over twenty years and had never been hit before. Bryson Ridge¡¯s slap had left a handprint on Zane Percival¡¯s face. ¡°Younger Percival, how do you want to deal with this crazy bitch?¡± A group of angry young men crowded around, as if they couldn¡¯t wait to devour Bryson Ridge. ¡°I warn you! I am a woman, and if any of you dares to touch me, I¡¯ll call the police!¡± Bryson Ridge, terrified, promptly backed away but was then kicked to the ground by someone behind her. ¡°Ouch!¡± She let out a pained cry, sitting on the ground, at a loss. ¡°Damn it! This is the first time in my life someone has dared to hit me!¡± Zane Percival took out a small mirror and, in the dim light of the KTV, saw the bright red handprint on his face, which immediately made him furious. Slap! He crouched down and delivered a slap that made his hand go numb! ¡°Ah¡­¡± Bryson Ridge uttered a scream, clutching her face as tears streamed down. How could she, a woman, endure a full-force slap from a grown man? ¡°You guys, keep hitting him!¡± Zane Percival gave Bryson Ridge a vicious kick, stood up, and directed the others to continue beating Lewis Leocadia. ¡°Stop it!¡± Just then, Quella Radcliffe stepped forward to shield Bryson Ridge. After all, this was her own aunt, and she couldn¡¯t stand by and watch her relative get beaten. ¡°You stinking woman, get out of the way!¡± One of the men walked over and was about to push Quella when Zane Percival quickly held him back. This was the woman Bran Cook liked. If he were to hit her and Bran Cook became unhappy, all of today¡¯s efforts would be in vain. ¡°Brother Percival!¡± The man had just turned around when Zane Percival shoved him out of the way. ¡°You dare lay a hand on the woman Bran Cook likes?¡± Zane Percival, cursing and swearing, kicked the man before smiling and approaching Quella, ¡°Miss Radcliffe, this matter does not concern you. Could you please step aside?¡± He glanced over at the sofa, where Quella¡¯s parents were sitting, and said, ¡°These are Miss Radcliffe¡¯s parents; take care not to hurt them by mistake!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The young men assented and continued the beating of Lewis Leocadia. ¡°I really don¡¯t know Amos Davenport¡­ Please stop¡­ you must have the wrong person¡­¡± Lewis Leocadia curled up on the floor, clutching his head and screaming in agony as he was beaten. ¡°Damn it! Tough bones, huh? Keep hitting him! I want to see whether your bones are harder, or my fists are!¡± Zane Percival also pushed forward and kicked Lewis Leocadia several times in the buttocks. Seeing the situation about to spiral out of control, several men in suits pushed the door open and shouted sternly, ¡°Stop it!¡± ¡°Who the hell are you! You dare to meddle in Young Percival¡¯s business?¡± A young man swaggered over, reaching out to push the person who had just spoken. In their eyes, Zane Percival had some status in Gonzalez City, and his family even had dealings with Aron Jackson. These small fries weren¡¯t even worth considering. But the young man had barely stretched out his hand when one of the men in suits fiercely grabbed his wrist and twisted it downwards! Crack! He snapped the arm cleanly in two! ¡°Ah¡­ my hand¡­¡± The young man let out a wail of agony, kneeling on the ground and howling in pain. ¡°Brothers, someone dares to touch one of our own, get them!¡± The younger men, snapping back to reality, stopped and turned to crowd around the doorway. ¡°May I ask who you are?¡± Zane Percival hurried to halt the young men about to throw punches and looked at the man in the suit before him. This was the Bronze Sparrow Platform, Aron Jackson¡¯s territory! It wouldn¡¯t be good to cause trouble rashly. ¡°Aric Smith!¡± The man in the suit replied with a cold voice. Hearing this name scared Zane Percival terribly. He quickly extended his hand in a friendly gesture, ¡°So it¡¯s Mr. Smith. My men are ignorant and have offended you. Please don¡¯t take it personally!¡± Aric Smith was the manager of the Bronze Sparrow Platform, and he was one of the few close to Aron Jackson. Giving Aric Smith control of the Bronze Sparrow Platform indicated the trust Aron Jackson had in him. Offending such a person was something the Percival Family could ill afford. ¡°Young Percival, he¡¯s just a lousy security guard, is he worth being so polite to? What right does he have to stand here anyway!¡± A young man from a not-so-bad family background was very dissatisfied, as his good friend had just had his arm broken. Slap! Zane Percival backhanded the young man and then kicked him hard: ¡°Mr. Smith is the manager of the Bronze Sparrow Platform. Does he have the right to speak here or not?¡± Hiss! Hearing the identity of the man before them, the young men all lowered their heads, not daring to breathe loudly. ¡°Zane Percival, you¡¯ve become so arrogant now? Your followers are running wild! Does a manager like me have no right to enter?¡± Aric Smith looked coldly at Zane Percival, causing the latter to break out in cold sweat. ¡°Mr. Smith, don¡¯t joke with me. Is there anything you need me for? I will definitely see it done for you!¡± Zane Percival wiped the sweat from his forehead, carefully watching Aric Smith¡¯s expression. Could it be because it was his own birthday that Aric Smith had come personally to celebrate? But if that was the case, why come to this private room? He was supposed to go to his own room, wasn¡¯t he? ¡°Mr. Smith, is it because of my birthday? You¡¯re too generous to personally toast me over this.¡± But thinking about his family¡¯s cooperative relationship with Aron Jackson, he felt it might just be the case. ¡°Toasting you?¡± Aric Smith raised an eyebrow and walked up to Zane Percival, hands clasped behind his back: ¡°Young Percival, if I toast you, would you dare to drink?¡± Even Arlo Percival, Zane¡¯s father, wouldn¡¯t dare let himself be toasted, let alone his son! ¡°Then Mr. Smith, why have you come here¡­¡± Zane Percival was completely baffled. If it wasn¡¯t for his own birthday, then what was the purpose of this visit? ¡°I¡¯ve come here to wait for an important guest.¡± Aric Smith said coldly. Chapter 419 - Chapter 419: Chapter 419 Everywhere Friends Lewis Leocadia_1 Chapter 419: Chapter 419 Everywhere Friends Lewis Leocadia_1 ¡°Important guest?¡± Zane Percival was utterly baffled, where were any important guests here? Apart from himself, who else had the right to be called an important guest by Aric Smith? Could it be Quella Radcliffe? After all, she was the woman Bran Cook fancied, and even he had to treat her with great courtesy. Otherwise, there was no one else in the room worth waiting for by Aric Smith. ¡°It¡¯s none of your business who! Instead of happily celebrating your birthday in the private room, why did you come here?¡± Aric Smith¡¯s attitude was very cold, he didn¡¯t care much for this scion of the Percival Family. Perhaps the Percival family status could intimidate others, but it meant nothing to him. ¡°I ran into a mortal enemy, just came to settle with him.¡± Zane Percival said with a smile, he hadn¡¯t sorted out Amos Davenport yet, how could he possibly leave! This was a gift for Bran Cook. ¡°Mortal enemy? Younger Percival, do you want to make trouble here in Tongque Terrace?¡± Aric Smith frowned upon seeing Lewis Leocadia lying on the floor, and asked aloud, ¡°What happened!¡± He had received a message from the reception at the entrance, saying that Julius Reed had brought people over, so he hurried up to check it out. This was the big brother of his own big brother, Aric Smith dared not neglect him. If they came with Julius Reed, then the people in this room should all know each other. Now that someone was beaten and lying on the ground, if Julius Reed found out, he probably couldn¡¯t get away with it. ¡°This is his accomplice, quite a tough mouth! Don¡¯t worry, Brother Aric, I guarantee I won¡¯t cause any death.¡± Zane Percival stepped forward and kicked Lewis Leocadia fiercely, who let out a wretched scream. ¡°Stop it!¡± Seeing this scene, Aric Smith knew he had to intervene, or things would get really bad when Julius Reed returned. Those who can sit in a room are either relatives or friends. Now this young man had been beaten like this by Zane Percival, how was he going to explain it? ¡°Brother Aric, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Zane Percival hadn¡¯t realized what was going on before Aric Smith kicked him over to the ground: ¡°Get out!¡± ¡°Why are you hitting people!¡± ¡°You even dare to hit Younger Percival, have you gone mad?¡± Zane Percival¡¯s lackeys immediately crowded around, ready to start a fight. They were used to strutting around; they had never been involved in such a humiliating situation. Actually, Aric Smith had intended to detain Zane Percival and ask Julius Reed how to deal with him. But after all, the Percival Family had business dealings with Aron Jackson, and if he did that, he might displease the Percival Family. Now, with Bran Cook slowly rising to power, if the Percival Family switched to the Cook Family at this time, they¡¯d suffer a big loss. That would be the transportation network of half of Gonzalez City! ¡°Brother Aric, why did you hit someone?¡± Zane Percival had had a few drinks, and with so many people watching, getting hit was a big blow to his dignity. Moreover, even if this matter escalated to Aron Jackson, he wasn¡¯t afraid, since he was in the right. ¡°What, you¡¯re not convinced?¡± Aric Smith asked coldly, if it were not for the sake of Arlo Percival, he would have thrown Zane Percival out long ago. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything, and you kicked me in front of my brothers on my birthday; you¡¯ve got to give me an explanation, right?¡± Zane Percival, who had always wanted to curry favor with Aric Smith, knew he had no way out after being kicked like that. His lackeys were watching behind him; he couldn¡¯t afford to lose face. Moreover, the Percival Family had already planned to shift allegiance to the Cook Family, and by then, with Bran Cook backing them, Aron Jackson wouldn¡¯t dare to do much. ¡°You fought in my KTV, and that¡¯s not acceptable!¡± Aric Smith pointed at Lewis Leocadia on the floor, and said coldly, ¡°Apologize!¡± This was a friend of Julius Reed; although he couldn¡¯t beat Zane Percival the same way, making him apologize was still doable. That way, he could also explain things to Julius Reed. ¡°Apologize?¡± Zane Percival shook his head, ¡°No way! Why should I apologize!¡± ¡°Exactly! What status does Younger Percival have? Would he even dare to accept an apology?¡± ¡°Not killing him was already being nice, and you dare to demand that Younger Percival apologize!¡± As soon as Zane Percival spoke up, the lackeys behind him immediately exploded with outrage. They were also locals from Gonzalez City, all from well-off families, and spent their days together indulging in a life of pleasure. Now facing trouble, they naturally wanted to protect the face of Zane Percival, the core of their circle. If Zane Percival lost face, it was as if they all lost face together. ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± Knox Ridge had been dumbfounded from the start. First, a group of people came in and started beating someone up without a word, then another group came and beat them up in return. It was too chaotic! ¡°Haven¡¯t you figured it out yet? Our family¡¯s Lewis Leocadia is that ¡®important guest¡¯ he mentioned! Why else would he help us?¡± Bryson Ridge stood up from the floor, looking triumphant. She seemed to have forgotten that just ten minutes ago, she¡¯d been slapped in the face. ¡°Exactly! I know the owner of this entertainment venue. I was planning on keeping a low profile, but who knew we¡¯d run into some blind jerks! Watch how I deal with them!¡± Lewis Leocadia struggled to stand up from the floor, enduring the pain, and sat on the couch, gasping for breath. ¡°You really know them?¡± Knox Ridge was extremely surprised. Could Lewis Leocadia really know such powerful people? ¡°Cousin, didn¡¯t you just say you know the owner of the Roosevelt western restaurant, and yet you got punched without learning your lesson?¡± Quella Radcliffe gave him a contemptuous look. Why did he brag wherever he went? The owner of the Bronze Sparrow Platform was an important figure; could he really know them? ¡°Don¡¯t you believe me!¡± Lewis Leocadia felt exposed and somewhat annoyed. And after being beaten so miserably earlier, now that someone was standing up for him, he immediately stood up and said to Quella Radcliffe, ¡°I¡¯ll prove to you right now whether or not I¡¯m that ¡®important person¡¯ he was talking about!¡± After saying this, he walked over to Zane Percival and slapped him hard across the face! ¡°Damn it! I gave you face, calling you brother, and this is how you repay me, by daring to hit me!¡± After the slap, he even spat on Zane Percival¡¯s face. ¡°Ptooey! You mongrel!¡± ¡°You dare to hit me!¡± Zane Percival was initially stunned, then, gripping Lewis Leocadia by the collar, he snarled fiercely, ¡°You bastard, I¡¯ll kill you!¡± He¡¯d already been holding back his anger from being bullied by Aric Smith, and now this nobody dared to slap him? You might get away from Aric Smith, but do you think you can get away from me? At that moment, Lewis Leocadia¡¯s heart raced, and he immediately shut his eyes, waiting for the beating. ¡°Stop!¡± But just as Zane Percival was about to strike, Aric Smith grabbed his arm, ¡°You can¡¯t hit him!¡± ¡°Why not!¡± Zane Percival was furious. ¡°Because I said you can¡¯t!¡± Aric Smith waved his hand, and his minions immediately surrounded them. Before Smith¡¯s arrival, it was one thing for this kid to be beaten, but if he still got beaten while Smith was present, how would Julius Reed look at him when he got back? Seeing this scene, Lewis Leocadia looked smugly at Quella Radcliffe and Knox Ridge, ¡°What did I tell you? Was I wrong?¡± This time Knox Ridge and Quella Radcliffe were both stupefied. Could it be that Lewis Leocadia really knew the owner of the Bronze Sparrow Platform? Bryson Ridge was even more excited, ¡°You have no idea what our family¡¯s Lewis can do!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± After a brief standoff, Zane Percival¡¯s reason overcame his impulse. He turned around, leading his lackeys away, planning to talk to Arlo Percival about the incident. ¡°Get lost!¡± As they were leaving, Lewis Leocadia still threw a bottle at Zane Percival. After everyone had left, Julius Reed sauntered into the lounge and stared at the door where Lewis Leocadia stood, baffled, ¡°What happened here? How did you end up with a bruised face?¡± Chapter 420 - Chapter 420: Chapter 420 Shine Shoes_1 Chapter 420: Chapter 420 Shine Shoes_1 ¡°Got beaten up!¡± Quella Radcliffe said unhappily. It was all because Lewis Leocadia bragged everywhere and Bryson Ridge wouldn¡¯t stop courting death; otherwise, who would have been beaten up like this? Although Lewis Leocadia claimed that the owner of the Bronze Sparrow Platform was his friend, Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t believe him. If he really knew the owner, wouldn¡¯t Lewis Leocadia have boasted about it the moment he got off the plane? Would he have waited until now to mention it? But there was no explanation as to why Aric Smith would be here. ¡°Bullshit! It was clearly me who beat people up!¡± Lewis Leocadia, just as he had regained some face, was exposed by Quella Radcliffe and immediately became angry with humiliation. He covered his face and pointed at Julius Reed and cursed, ¡°You useless wimp, why did you only come back now? If you were here, you could have taken some hits for me! Look at me now, my face is all beaten up!¡± With Aric Smith backing him up, Lewis Leocadia felt as if he could soar into the sky. He remembered how he had been humiliated by Julius Reed at the hotel, and it made him feel terribly small. And just his luck, Julius Reed was absent during the fight! That craphead got off easy! ¡°What did you say?¡± Seeing this young man cursing Julius Reed as a useless wimp with such a nasty tone, Aric Smith couldn¡¯t help but clench his fists. It seemed that things were not as he had imagined; this person might have a grudge against Julius Reed and might not even be a relative. Could it be a love rival? ¡°He said I¡¯m trash.¡± Julius Reed repeated with a smile. As soon as he said this, Aric Smith broke out in a cold sweat. Others might not know who Julius Reed was, but how could he not know? The big boss of Gonzalez City¡¯s underground world, Aron Jackson, had to call Julius Reed ¡®big brother.¡¯ If this guy could be called trash, then they were less than trash. ¡°Heh heh! You do have some self-awareness! If you were here just now, I could have let them beat you instead of taking so many hits myself. Go, get me some medicine from the pharmacy. It¡¯s killing me!¡± Lewis Leocadia touched the scars on his face, grimacing in pain. ¡°There¡¯s a pharmacy downstairs; if you want to go, go yourself.¡± Julius Reed gave Lewis Leocadia a cold look and headed straight for Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Hey! You piece of crap, are you deaf to what I¡¯m saying? Isn¡¯t your job at home just to run errands? Hurry up and go! Otherwise, don¡¯t blame me for beating you!¡± With Aric Smith to rely on, Lewis Leocadia regained his arrogant demeanor. ¡°Exactly! Julius Reed, isn¡¯t that what you always do at home? What¡¯s the big deal with running an errand now? I¡¯ll give you ten bucks for the trouble, and that should be plenty for you for several days.¡± Bryson Ridge, seeing Julius Reed refusing, took out ten dollars from her pocket and threw it hard at Julius Reed¡¯s face. Julius Reed dodged to the side, and the money fluttered to the ground. ¡°Aunt Four, if you want something, go buy it yourself! Julius Reed is part of our family and it¡¯s not your place to call the shots.¡± Quella Radcliffe said, unhappy with the behavior of these people. Besides, Julius Reed was her husband, and they were being far too disrespectful. ¡°What¡¯s so bad about that craphead doing this kind of work? You should be grateful for the ten dollars I offered for running errands, shouldn¡¯t you?¡± Bryson Ridge said with a contemptuous smile, looking at Julius Reed as if he were a beggar. ¡°Pick it up.¡± Julius Reed glanced at Bryson Ridge and said coldly. ¡°Oh? Are you talking to me?¡± Bryson Ridge, seeing Julius Reed dare to speak to her like that, immediately became enraged. ¡°I said, pick it up. Otherwise, you will regret it.¡± Julius Reed said with a faint smile, thinking that these two women needed to learn a lesson today for not knowing when they were in danger. ¡°How dare you talk to my mom like that! You trash, do you believe I¡¯ll beat you up?¡± Lewis Leocadia, feeling emboldened because he had backup, didn¡¯t care about the feelings of Knox Ridge¡¯s family. ¡°Do you need me to take action?¡± Aric Smith asked from the side. ¡°Of course!¡± Lewis Leocadia said with great pride, ¡°Beat him until he can¡¯t get up!¡± With such a formidable person¡¯s help, Julius Reed was as good as dead today! ¡°That¡¯s for exposing me!¡± He cursed inwardly. Blocking someone from showing off is no different from killing your parents! Julius Reed repeatedly left him with no face to show, this grudge was simply irreconcilable! Thud! But before he could react, he felt a hard blow to his knee and then fell to his knees on the ground. ¡°Damn it, why are you hitting me! Go hit that loser!¡± Lewis Leocadia knelt on the ground, wailing in pain. ¡°You dare to hit my son? He is your boss¡¯s honored guest!¡± Bryson Ridge was also shocked. Just now, Aric Smith had helped them, so why did he suddenly start hitting Lewis Leocadia? ¡°Honored guest? With him? Deserving?¡± Aric Smith¡¯s knee pressed against Lewis Leocadia¡¯s head, then his other foot pressed down hard on his face. ¡°This¡­¡± Everyone in the private room was stunned. Knox Ridge pointed at Aric Smith and asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you his friend?¡± If they weren¡¯t friends, why did Aric Smith come and stop Zane Percival just now? That¡¯s the Percival Family of Gonzalez City, the big shot in the transportation industry! Did he save Lewis Leocadia at the risk of offending the Percival Family just to beat him to a pulp? Only Quella Radcliffe vaguely sensed something, the person Aric Smith was waiting for might be Julius Reed. In Gonzalez City, Ovidiu Cook and Aron Jackson were friends of Julius Reed. There certainly wasn¡¯t a second person who could make Aron Jackson¡¯s subordinates this courteous! ¡°My guest is Mr. Reed.¡± Aric Smith looked towards Julius Reed and asked respectfully, ¡°How shall I deal with this man?¡± His demeanor had changed from the previous arrogance to one of seriousness. ¡°This guy doesn¡¯t learn his lesson. As long as this ten yuan on the ground isn¡¯t picked up, just keep hitting him!¡± Julius Reed looked at the ten yuan note on the ground and said coldly. Thud! With a punch from Aric Smith, Lewis Leocadia was left with blood streaming from his nose. ¡°I¡¯ll pick it up! I¡¯ll pick it up now!¡± Bryson Ridge was completely terrified. If Aric Smith dared to offend those rich kids earlier, how could he care about her son¡¯s life or death? But as she bent down, Julius Reed suddenly stepped on the money. ¡°Julius Reed, you damn coward¡­ what are you trying to do?¡± She was about to curse, but thinking of her son¡¯s treatment, she hurriedly changed her words. ¡°My shoes are dirty.¡± Julius Reed looked at his leather shoes and said slowly. ¡°You¡­¡± Thud! In that short time, Lewis Leocadia¡¯s head took another punch. ¡°Mom! I¡¯m almost dead, hurry up and pick up the money! It¡¯s all your fault for bringing out ten yuan, you¡¯re going to kill me!¡± Lewis Leocadia¡¯s nose was almost broken, and he crawled on the ground, crying out loud. Aric Smith¡¯s blows were ruthless, far beyond what those rich kids could compare with. Almost every punch made Lewis Leocadia cry out for his father and mother. ¡°Fine! Julius Reed, I¡¯ll remember this!¡± Bryson Ridge gritted her teeth and knelt on the ground, wiping Julius Reed¡¯s leather shoes with her clothes. ¡°There! Your leather shoes are clean now!¡± She was somewhat surprised. How come the shoes of Julius Reed, such a good-for-nothing, were so fine? They must have hidden some private savings or stolen them from Quella Radcliffe. Just as Julius Reed lifted his foot, she was eager to pick up the money. But before she could reach for it, Julius Reed¡¯s other foot stepped down. ¡°You¡­¡± Thud! With a punch from Aric Smith, Lewis Leocadia let out another pig-like squeal. ¡°Whew!¡± Bryson Ridge took a deep breath and had to start wiping Julius Reed¡¯s shoes again. Chapter 421 - Chapter 421: Chapter 421 Uncle Good_1 Chapter 421: Chapter 421 Uncle Good_1 After being humiliated, Lewis Leocadia no longer had the heart to sing. Having suffered two brutal beatings in one night, his body trembled with rage. His bones felt like they were about to fall apart. After borrowing a few thousand dollars from Knox Ridge, Bryson Ridge took Lewis Leocadia and left the Copper Pheasant Platform. She despised Quella Radcliffe¡¯s family to death, originally intending to show off and suppress Knox Ridge¡¯s arrogance, but it turned out she was the one humiliated. In front of Knox Ridge, she lost all face. Once outside, Lewis Leocadia cried and said, ¡°Mom, we can¡¯t let this go! That poor bastard Julius Reed even had someone beat me up!¡± ¡°Exactly! And he made me polish his shoes! This is far from over!¡± Bryson Ridge was even angrier, she came back to pretend to be rich, to satisfy her vanity. But now, she ended up polishing shoes. If the Ridge Family found out, she probably wouldn¡¯t have the face to stay with them for the New Year. Especially with Knox Ridge¡¯s big mouth, she would definitely spread the news. ¡°We must find a way to keep this quiet!¡± Bryson Ridge¡¯s eyes spun, and she came up with a bad idea. ¡°I heard from your uncle that Knox Ridge has managed to offend them all, so let¡¯s join forces. We¡¯ll badmouth her in front of the old man, and when the time comes, make sure her family of four can¡¯t return. We¡¯ll see how they can act so high and mighty then!¡± ¡°Great! It would be best if they had no idea, and once they reach the doorstep of our hometown, we¡¯ll keep them out, making them spend New Year¡¯s on the street!¡± Lewis Leocadia¡¯s eyes gleamed with a golden light! ¡°Let¡¯s find a place to stay first, and make it to your uncles¡¯ before them tomorrow.¡± Bryson Ridge looked at the little over two thousand dollars in her hand and sighed. She had to talk for a long time to borrow it from Knox Ridge¡¯s hands. After such an incident, she truly didn¡¯t have the face to stay at Knox Ridge¡¯s place. ¡°Big brother, that bastard¡¯s come out!¡± Just then, more than fifty meters away, Zane Percival, with a cigarette in his mouth, hands casually tucked in his pockets, was watching the Copper Pheasant Platform entrance. Since making trouble inside the Copper Pheasant Platform wasn¡¯t allowed, now that they were outside its territory, surely Aric Smith couldn¡¯t control what happened? ¡°Go up later, put a sack over his head, and beat him mercilessly!¡± Zane Percival threw his cigarette butt to the ground and stamped it out with his foot. ¡°Understood!¡± A few youths nodded, carrying sacks and stealthily following behind Lewis Leocadia and Bryson Ridge. ¡°Mom! That loser embarrassed me, I want to get back at him!¡± Lewis Leocadia had been thoroughly conned by Julius Reed today. ¡°Don¡¯t worry! We must take revenge. Your cousin knows many people from society, we¡¯ll ask him for help.¡± Bryson Ridge sneered, ¡°Such a loser dares to ride over our heads, we need to teach him a lesson!¡± Just thinking about how Julius Reed made her polish shoes, Bryson Ridge was seething with anger. When had she ever suffered such humiliation? But before they had gone very far, their vision suddenly went dark as if something had covered them. Then came a flurry of punches and kicks. ¡°Ah¡­ stop hitting!¡± The two kept wailing, but the punches rained down relentlessly, soon battering them severely. Lewis Leocadia was in even worse shape, already injured, he was knocked unconscious by the beating. Feeling it was enough, Zane Percival led his group away. It seemed that Amos Davenport might not be able to come out tonight; Zane left two people to watch and returned to sleep. In the meantime, Bryson Ridge, who had been beaten, carefully crawled out from the sack half an hour after Zane Percival had gone, fearing those people were still around. ¡°Lewis!¡± She pushed Lewis Leocadia and felt an extreme pain enveloping her body. ¡°Mom¡­¡± Lewis Leocadia¡¯s eyes were swollen as he called out in a weak voice. ¡°I¡¯ll call your uncle.¡± Bryson Ridge hastily took out her cell phone, luckily it hadn¡¯t been broken. ¡°Jorge, it¡¯s Bryson Ridge. Can you come and pick us up? We¡¯re in front of the Copper Sparrow Pavilion. My daughter and I have been beaten up,¡± Bryson Ridge said in pain. ¡°Who did this?¡± On the other end, Jorge Ridge was firstly stunned, then he asked, trying to find out what happened. ¡°Didn¡¯t see anyone, we were bagged!¡± Bryson Ridge answered feebly. ¡°You wait for me!¡± Upon hearing about being bagged, Jorge Ridge hurriedly drove over. Half an hour later, he arrived at the Copper Sparrow Pavilion and saw the mother and daughter lying on the ground. ¡°What happened here?¡± Jorge Ridge was shocked. Bryson Ridge and Lewis Leocadia had been living abroad for many years, they had only just returned to Gonzalez City; where would they have an enemy? ¡°It was Knox Ridge¡¯s doing! And her son-in-law too!¡± Bryson Ridge decided to pin the incident on Knox Ridge. ¡°What? Why would she do that? Didn¡¯t she ask you out for a meal? Where is she?¡± Jorge Ridge looked around and didn¡¯t see Knox Ridge and her family anywhere. Everyone had heard about Knox Ridge going to pick up Bryson Ridge. How did it turn into this situation? ¡°Isn¡¯t it out of envy? They couldn¡¯t stand to see how successful our Lewis has become, so that good-for-nothing son-in-law attacked us by surprise and even stole all the gold and silver jewelry from our house!¡± Bryson Ridge continued to concoct the lie, intent on smearing Julius Reed to ensure that he couldn¡¯t gain a foothold in the Ridge family. That way, the old man wouldn¡¯t let Knox Ridge in the house; they could keep the family of four out of the door, making them spend New Year¡¯s on the streets. ¡°Right! That good-for-nothing stole my watch and took my ring too!¡± Lewis Leocadia added fuel to the fire. His most valuable possession, a pair of eyeglasses, had been smashed during the fight by Zane Percival¡¯s men. But he didn¡¯t dare blame Zane Percival, so he had to frame Julius Reed. ¡°Hmph! Knox Ridge actually did such a thing! I¡¯ve had it with them for a long time, marrying a good-for-nothing son-in-law who doesn¡¯t do any decent work and now robbing people! I¡¯m going to tell the old man!¡± Jorge Ridge was furious. He had already held a grudge for being refused a loan by Knox Ridge, and now with this news, it was the perfect opportunity to complain. ¡°They still want to attend this year¡¯s family New Year¡¯s meeting, going on about how they¡¯ll show off with the stuff they stole from our Lewis, telling us ¡®poor folk¡¯ that we don¡¯t deserve to be their siblings.¡± Bryson Ridge embellished the story. That¡¯s the effect she wanted. ¡°Exactly! And insulting uncle, saying he drives a busted Jetta, just like a junk collector!¡± Lewis Leocadia, seeing Jorge Ridge¡¯s Jetta, immediately chimed in. ¡°Nonsense! That bunch of bastards, relying on their daughter who¡¯s gotten into a nearly bankrupt company, look down on us! You get in the car first, tomorrow I¡¯m going to talk to the old man about this!¡± Jorge Ridge was enraged, and now he loathed Knox Ridge and her family to the extreme. This was precisely the effect that Bryson Ridge wanted to see. ¡°Get in the car, your uncle is still good to you. Look at your aunt, absolutely clueless about the world!¡± Bryson Ridge struggled to get up, took a few photos of Lewis Leocadia under the streetlights, preparing to show them to the old man later on. Chapter 422 - Chapter 422: Chapter 422: Let Me Try_1 Chapter 422: Chapter 422: Let Me Try_1 Julius Reed didn¡¯t know that as soon as Bryson Ridge and his group had stepped out the door, they had been beaten up. But even if he had known, he would have thought it was normal; with their kind of personality, it would be strange if they weren¡¯t beaten. After having enough fun at the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, Knox Ridge unusually didn¡¯t curse Julius Reed on the way, but instead discussed with Quella Radcliffe how to make a spectacular appearance at this year¡¯s annual meeting. Although everyone knew that Quella Radcliffe¡¯s Radcliffe Group was going bankrupt, Knox Ridge didn¡¯t think so. There¡¯s only one chance a year for the family to gather, and in previous years, it had always been Zade Radcliffe leading everyone to spend it at the Radcliffe Family home. This year, with no news from Zade Radcliffe and no signs of him returning to the Five-river Province, things were different. Therefore, the family members were discussing going back to their own homes. This was also the first time in over twenty years since Knox Ridge had married in that she planned to return to her maiden family for the New Year. She wanted everyone to know that she was doing well. Burl Radcliffe stayed quiet throughout the trip, focusing on driving safely. The next day, as soon as it was light, Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed drove to Bran Cook¡¯s private club. Following the earlier proposal, after the Willson Group joined the alliance, the business coalition would elect a chairman today to plan for future development. So early in the morning, the club was filled with people, and the Willson Group had sent representatives over early as well. ¡°Julius, if Bran Cook gets elected, we¡¯ll be in trouble,¡± Quella Radcliffe said, colored with worry. Everyone knew of the grudge between Bran Cook and the Radcliffe Group. If Bran Cook became chairman today, he would likely start cleaning out the Radcliffe Group immediately. The Radcliffe Group had just secured a loan and was currently in a period of recovery; funds were not yet in place, and it couldn¡¯t withstand Bran Cook messing things up. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, what if you become the chairman? After all, it was you who negotiated the business deals with the Willson Group,¡± Julius Reed reassured with a smile. How could Bran Cook possibly become the chairman? He had already arranged his people, and once Ovidiu Cook and the Willson Group cast their two votes, would Bran Cook dare to utter a word of dissent? As for the local businessmen of Gonzalez City, they had no influence whatsoever. ¡°Stop joking, who would vote for me? Dempsey Davenport has already looked into it, and Bran Cook had long given these people benefits. They will definitely vote for Bran Cook; I just hope they won¡¯t come after the Radcliffe Group,¡± Quella Radcliffe sighed. Bran Cook¡¯s momentum was too strong, with more and more people joining him, leaving no means to compete with him. And with such a grudge between Bran Cook and the Radcliffe Group, and with Julius Reed humiliating him multiple times, one of the two sides would certainly have to leave Gonzalez City. But what did the Radcliffe Group have to use against Bran Cook? ¡°You even sent people to look into it!¡± Julius Reed was surprised that Quella Radcliffe had started using such tactics, as in his mind, she had always been upright and disdainful of sneaky acts. ¡°Of course!¡± Quella Radcliffe gave him a look: ¡°I used to be an employee, naturally I didn¡¯t like to resort to this, but now I¡¯m a chairman! If I don¡¯t understand how to develop the company well, how can I face the employees? I¡¯ll also let you in on a secret, there are spies of mine in the Cook Family!¡± She said, looking pleased with herself at Julius Reed. ¡°Impressive, my wife!¡± Julius Reed gave a thumbs up; indeed, Quella Radcliffe was starting to change, no longer the meek little sheep she once was. This was a good thing; the human heart can be treacherous, so it was always wise to have some defenses prepared. ¡°Let¡¯s welcome Young Master Cook with a warm round of applause!¡± Someone started clapping, leading others to follow suit, standing up. Bran Cook walked in slowly through the main door; although his pace was sluggish, it was clear that he had recovered considerably. This caused Julius Reed a moment of surprise. Had Bran Cook encountered a famous doctor? Otherwise, it wasn¡¯t possible for him to have recovered so quickly! Bran Cook¡¯s complexion was pale, but he made a great effort to maintain a smile, waving to the people on both sides. Following behind him were two men. One bald man wearing sunglasses. From a distance, he looked like someone with blood on his hands. The other man had a grave expression, giving no indication of what was on his mind. Most importantly, both of them were unfamiliar faces. ¡°Could it be they¡¯ve found a new ally?¡± Julius Reed could intuitively tell that these two individuals were no ordinary characters. A moment later, Bran Cook passed in front of them. ¡°Young Master Cook seems to be recovering well.¡± Julius Reed sized him up and concluded that at least he could now walk, which was no small feat. ¡°Just you wait and see, I¡¯ll have the Radcliffe Group firmly in my grasp! The two of you, too, will kneel down and beg for mercy!¡± Bran Cook spoke with venomous determination. It was only after waking up yesterday that he learned his uncle Stacy Cook had returned. And Stacy Cook brought back the news that Quella Radcliffe¡¯s current boyfriend was actually her ex-husband, Julius Reed¡ªnot some Amos Davenport! Upon hearing this news, Bran Cook coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood on the spot. He had been played for a fool for so long! And only now had he come to realize it! Hence, seeing Julius Reed now made his heart itch with hatred! ¡°You will die a terrible death.¡± As Stacy Cook passed by Julius Reed, he said coldly. ¡°So will you!¡± Julius Reed responded with a faint smile, not taking the threat to heart. There were plenty who wished him dead. What was this guy but just another wannabe? Bran Cook did not linger any longer and slowly ascended the stage. The attendees also began to sit down, listening to his speech. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, ever since Willson Group joined the fray, I have been restless, deciding to establish the alliance sooner rather than later. At the very least, the alliance should be operational by the new year!¡± Having said this, Bran Cook was met with a thunderous applause from below. ¡°But starting something is always the hardest part. If we want to form this alliance, we must first elect a leader! Without a head, how can we cooperate as a united group?¡± ¡°Choose Young Master Cook!¡± ¡°Right! Young Master Cook is the most suitable candidate!¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be convinced by anyone else in that position, but with Young Master Cook, I wouldn¡¯t utter a single complaint!¡± The crowd immediately became boisterous. This made Bran Cook very pleased internally, but he feigned indifference on his face, ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, I¡¯m not one to fish for fame or accolades. Let someone else take this position. Talent has always been the precursor to leadership, and I will work behind the scenes to support the future chairman in accomplishing this task.¡± After his refusal, the shouts from below grew even louder. ¡°No way! The position is unbecoming for anyone but Young Master Cook!¡± ¡°Exactly! Who else could be worthy of it?¡± ¡°It has to be you!¡± With the crowd¡¯s urging, Bran Cook again demurred, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, why don¡¯t we have a democratic election? Let¡¯s choose someone everyone is satisfied with.¡± ¡°Agreed!¡± The audience echoed in agreement. If they really voted, the outcome would still be Bran Cook. This way, he could avoid any behind-the-scenes chatter and appease his own ambitions rightfully. ¡°Very well, then I ask everyone to be fair. Those who wish to run for election, please come up to the stage!¡± After Bran Cook finished speaking, everyone looked at each other, with not a single person stepping forward. ¡°Nobody? If that¡¯s the case, then I¡­¡± He spoke while keeping an eye on Quella Radcliffe, fearful of being disrupted by Julius Reed. But from beginning to end, it seemed Quella Radcliffe had no intentions of coming forward. Bran Cook finally breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear a voice: ¡°I¡¯ll give it a try. Don¡¯t mind me, Young Master Cook!¡± Chapter 423 - Chapter 423: Chapter 423 Accident_1 Chapter 423: Chapter 423 Accident_1 Bran Cook¡¯s smile froze instantly when he heard the voice, thinking he had secured his position. He hadn¡¯t expected someone to throw a wrench into the works at the last minute! The rich businessmen below were just about to start cursing, but when they saw who walked up to the podium, they all shut their mouths. Because the person who stepped onto the stage was none other than Gonzalez City¡¯s own feared widow, Itai Huntington. Seeing Itai Huntington ascend to the podium, Bran Cook forced a smile and said, ¡°Welcome, Sister Huntington.¡± He cursed inwardly countless times, relieved that Quella Radcliffe hadn¡¯t caused trouble, only for Itai Huntington to stir things up. But he did have some relationship with Itai Huntington, which was better than if Quella Radcliffe had come up. And with the support of the locals from Gonzalez City, Bran Cook felt Itai Huntington wouldn¡¯t influence the outcome at all. After all, this widow had been away from Gonzalez City for a long time, and many people were no longer familiar with her. To everyone, Itai Huntington was more of a figure to be feared. They would never vote for her. So Bran Cook¡¯s smile returned once more. ¡°Is it just the two of us? Come on, everyone, join in!¡± He asked the crowd below, but no one else was preparing to come up. ¡°It seems that it might just be the two of us now.¡± Bran Cook spoke with a hint of resignation, his heart, in fact, bursting with joy. This opponent posed no challenge at all! What he feared most were people like Aron Jackson and Ovidiu Cook getting involved. Fortunately, none of them had shown up, and instead, Itai Huntington had appeared out of nowhere, posing no threat whatsoever. Itai Huntington, albeit very capable and well-reputed, did not have many friends in Gonzalez City. ¡°Then, shall we begin expressing our positions?¡± Initially considering a vote, Bran Cook, seeing how easily he was winning, dropped the idea of an anonymous ballot. Firstly, in what was a sure win, he wanted to win openly, showing everyone present how many supported him! Secondly, he also wanted to savor the feeling of being adored by thousands and to show the people of Gonzalez City just how outstanding he was. ¡°Where should we start?¡± Someone called out with a question. ¡°Let¡¯s begin with the representative from the Willson Group!¡± Bran Cook extended his hand toward the table in the first row. Sitting there were all important figures. Aron Jackson, Ovidiu Cook, the Willson Group representative, and other well-known local businessmen. Bran Cook had always been worried that the deal brokered by Quella Radcliffe would earn the support of the Willson Group. But now with Quella Radcliffe not participating, it was obvious to these people whom they should vote for! After all, Itai Huntington wouldn¡¯t hold it against them. Moreover, having these bosses speak out first would spare any under-the-table pressure from Itai Huntington on the smaller merchants. ¡°I¡­¡± Aron Jackson glanced around, pointing to Itai Huntington: ¡°I choose Miss Huntington; she too has spent a long time in the capital, and since she came into the family, she has been managing the family business all by herself, making it grow larger and larger. I believe in her!¡± Hearing this, many people fell into silence. Aron Jackson was a de facto local emperor, and his words carried significant authority. Many merchants and bosses had to deal with Aron Jackson¡¯s people, and if he caused trouble for them, they wouldn¡¯t be able to withstand it. The first boss¡¯s stance took Bran Cook by surprise, he instinctively wondered if Itai Huntington had some affair with Aron Jackson, or if she had spent the night with him? How else could she have gotten Aron Jackson¡¯s support? But in the end, it was just one vote, and there were many more bosses to follow. He speculated this might also be Aron Jackson¡¯s way of not letting Itai Huntington lose too badly. ¡°Congratulations, Sister Huntington!¡± A pale smile crept onto Bran Cook¡¯s face. ¡°Thank you, but in the end, the winner is still you, little brother!¡± Itai Huntington gave a soft smile, which left Bran Cook utterly distracted. He really liked such a woman¡ªboth her figure and appearance were top-notch! But without exception, anyone who had ever set their sights on Itai Huntington ended up dead. Bran Cook hoped that once he expanded the business alliance, Itai Huntington would proactively climb into his bed. He felt confident he could make it happen. ¡°Next!¡± After settling his emotions, Bran Cook turned to Ovidiu Cook. The richest man in Gonzalez City. Recently, Ovidiu Cook had kept a low profile, barely participating in any public activities. Yet today, he chose to attend without knowing about Itai Huntington¡¯s participation in the election, which Bran Cook took as a sign of respect toward himself. As for Ovidiu¡¯s vote, it would surely be cast for him. However, Ovidiu Cook cleared his throat and declared, ¡°I also support Miss Huntington.¡± He nodded at Itai Huntington and then fell silent. Both of them had chosen Itai Huntington, and Bran Cook was completely flabbergasted! How could this be? Did Itai Huntington manage to get on the good side of both bosses at the same time? His face paled slightly, but he still turned to Itai Huntington and offered his congratulations, ¡°Congratulations, Sister Huntington, you¡¯ve already gotten two votes, you really are impressive!¡± His tone was unavoidably sarcastic. Being blindsided despite knowing he was sure to win was far from satisfying. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Sister. I won¡¯t be a threat to you.¡± Itai Huntington smiled again at Bran Cook, who responded with a cold snort. ¡°What do the representatives of Willson Group think?¡± When it came to the representative of Willson Group, Bran Cook was full of anticipation. He knew that this would be his first vote. He had proposed the idea of the business alliance, and it was he who convened this meeting. He was the only one who could bring benefits to Willson Group! Itai Huntington? It was probable that Willson Group had never even heard of her. The others also held their breath, curious to see which way Willson Group¡¯s vote would go. After all, the events of today had been most peculiar. That included Itai Huntington¡¯s participation in the election and the fact that neither Aron Jackson nor Ovidiu Cook had voted for Bran Cook¡ªall big news! ¡°I choose Miss Itai Huntington,¡± announced the representative of Willson Group. ¡°What! How could this be? All three tycoons are supporting Itai Huntington; could they have come prepared?¡± ¡°Where is Bran Cook lacking compared to Itai Huntington that he hasn¡¯t received a single vote?¡± ¡°We really need to think this through. We can¡¯t ignore the stance of Aron Jackson and Ovidiu Cook! Otherwise, if Aron Jackson causes trouble, both you and I will have tough days ahead!¡± As the discussions unfolded, those who had been firmly intending to vote for Bran Cook began to waver, Voting for Bran Cook meant antagonizing the three heavyweights present. For the locals of Gonzalez City, neither Ovidiu Cook nor Aron Jackson could be offended! ¡°Since the representative chooses Itai Huntington, it seems that Sister Huntington is very popular today! I hereby extend my early congratulations to Sister Huntington for becoming the chairman of the business alliance,¡± he said with a hint of bitterness. With that thought, the pain in his chest intensified. Bran Cook couldn¡¯t understand why everyone today seemed to be under a spell, abandoning him to choose Itai Huntington? Did Itai Huntington know all about this beforehand? Otherwise, why would she risk offending him to vie for the chairman¡¯s position? ¡°Brother, you jest. Let¡¯s continue with the voting!¡± said Itai Huntington. She then stealthily glanced at Julius Reed sitting below and winked. Chapter 424 - Chapter 424: Chapter 424 We Breached the Contract_1 Chapter 424: Chapter 424 We Breached the Contract_1 Bran Cook still didn¡¯t believe Itai Huntington had the ability to push him out! After all, these people were all loyal to him. Moreover, last night, Stacy Cook had already sent someone to investigate, and in the whole of Gonzalez City, aside from Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe, no one else had the intention of running for the chairman position. Everyone supported Bran Cook. After all, he was the first person to propose this idea. And with a profound background in the capital, he had a broad network of connections. Having connections meant being able to get access to money and attract investments at any time. As for Itai Huntington, she was too mysterious! People only knew to fear her but didn¡¯t understand this woman very much. The more important reason was that Bran Cook had already promised these people many benefits once he was successfully elected as chairman. At the same time, he would add the past wrongdoings of himself and the Cook Family¡¯s enterprises to the blacklist, just waiting to settle the scores after he took the chairman position. These benefits would ultimately be distributed to the people below, so their support for him was only natural. ¡°Itai Huntington¡­¡± ¡°I also choose Itai Huntington¡­¡± ¡°I agree for Miss Itai Huntington to become the chairman of the business alliance¡­¡± However, to Bran Cook¡¯s surprise, those who had already agreed to support him turned traitor! All voted for Itai Huntington. Those people lowered their heads, not daring to meet Bran Cook¡¯s gaze. Their thinking was simple, offending the three big shots, they would have a hard time in the future. But if they offended Bran Cook, as long as he didn¡¯t get the chairman position, what did they have to fear from him? After the first few people set an example, those who followed naturally supported Itai Huntington without any suspense. What was supposed to be a one-sided election, in the end, turned out to be one-sided. But it was all tilted towards Itai Huntington. ¡°I support Bran Cook!¡± Not knowing how much time had passed, just when Bran Cook felt hopeless and full of resentment, suddenly someone supported him! He was overjoyed, what he needed right now were people who dared to challenge authority! As long as this person set an example, it would be much better for those who followed. But when he saw who it was that spoke, rage made his teeth itch! The one supporting him was none other than Julius Reed! ¡°Thank you¡­¡± Bran Cook said these words almost through clenched teeth. If he truly couldn¡¯t compete with Itai Huntington, Bran Cook decided to ally with her to bring down the Radcliffe Group first! After all, such a big business alliance wasn¡¯t going to have just one chairman; there would be manager positions. He was fairly acquainted with Itai Huntington, and the fact that Julius Reed had refused Itai Huntington at the wine party before made him feel like they could work together. If they were to cooperate, he would have to show sincerity. Seeing the election was hopeless, Bran Cook simply did what would be considered a favor for the flow, and said to the audience below, ¡°Since most people here agree with Sister Huntington, let¡¯s not vote anymore. I will drop out voluntarily!¡± After speaking, he took the lead in clapping, ¡°Congratulations to Miss Itai Huntington, for becoming the first chairman of the business alliance!¡± When he finished saying this, everyone¡¯s face, including Itai Huntington, changed! What does ¡®the first term¡¯ mean? Bran Cook had clearly left himself a way out. It seemed he still wasn¡¯t convinced! Itai Huntington scoffed. He still tried to deceive her with such petty tricks, even if the election continued, the result would be the same, unchangeable. Gonzalez City was divided between two opposing forces, both white and black, backing her. What did Bran Cook have to play to turn the tables? And the reason why she had secured the support of these people was all because Julius Reed had paid a visit yesterday night to negotiate this matter with Itai Huntington. Quella Radcliffe was still young, politically immature. If she rashly managed such a massive entity, she¡¯d likely be in over her head. Not only would the alliance fail, but Quella Radcliffe would also lose her best opportunity. This would cause her great psychological trauma. So after much deliberation, Julius Reed approached Itai Huntington as a business partner, and the condition was to support Quella Radcliffe as the general manager of the business alliance, Initially, Itai Huntington was skeptical of Julius Reed, but such a good opportunity presented before her, she¡¯d compete for it even knowing it was false! It wasn¡¯t until she took the stage today, and Aron Jackson expressed his support for her that Itai Huntington realized Julius Reed wasn¡¯t lying. Now, she was even more intrigued by this young man! What kind of background did a person who could persuade both Aron Jackson and Ovidiu Cook have? However, it seemed Julius Reed bore her no ill will, so she eased her mind. ¡°Thank you all for your support!¡± Itai Huntington walked to the microphone and bowed lightly to the audience: ¡°I will definitely work hard on this matter and lead Gonzalez City forward.¡± Again, applause like thunder erupted from below. ¡°I propose that the chairperson of Radcliffe Group, Quella Radcliffe, take the position of general manager of the business alliance,¡± she suddenly said. This caught everyone off guard, especially Bran Cook, whose face turned dark with anger. He had thought that if he couldn¡¯t be chairperson, becoming a general manager would still be good. But now, with Itai Huntington showing no signs of gratitude to him and instead suggesting Quella Radcliffe for the position, wasn¡¯t this a slap in Bran Cook¡¯s face? ¡°Why Quella Radcliffe? What in the world is this all about!¡± ¡°Could it be that Itai Huntington really got together with Quella Radcliffe¡¯s boyfriend, and now they are sisters?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense! She¡¯s the chairperson now!¡± The crowd was buzzing with discussion, yet nobody dared to speak up. Bran Cook knew that if he didn¡¯t speak now, he might lose the chance. He stepped forward, looking at Itai Huntington: ¡°Sister Huntington, you becoming the chairperson is the will of the people, which I fully respect and accept! But to let the chairperson of a company on the verge of bankruptcy become the head of the alliance, isn¡¯t that obviously a trap for everyone?¡± His opening remark about Quella Radcliffe¡¯s company bankruptcy immediately plunged everyone into fear. Joining the alliance, everyone wanted to make money, not to lose it. If they wanted to lose money, why not do it alone? Why join the crowd? If the alliance were to be managed like Radcliffe Group, they would suffer huge losses. ¡°Exactly! How is Quella Radcliffe, the chairperson of a bankrupt company, qualified to be a general manager?¡± ¡°I disagree too! Such a position should go to Bran Cook!¡± ¡°Absolutely, Quella Radcliffe doesn¡¯t deserve it!¡± The audience started to heckle from below. This gave Bran Cook a glimmer of hope. He raised his voice: ¡°Those who support me, please stand up! Those who support Quella Radcliffe, sit down! Let¡¯s all see who can truly command the respect of the people!¡± Whoosh! In an instant, more than ninety-five percent of the people stood up from their chairs. ¡°Do you see, Sister Huntington! Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it! You were chosen by us, don¡¯t let us down¡­¡± Bran Cook looked at Itai Huntington with a threatening undertone. With such widespread support, he was sure to be the general manager today. ¡°If it¡¯s not Miss Radcliffe, then we¡¯ll withdraw our investment!¡± Just then, a representative of Willson Group stood up, looking at Bran Cook: ¡°Sue us if you will, we¡¯re breaking the contract.¡± Chapter 425 - Chapter 425: Chapter 425: Kill with One Blow_1 Chapter 425: Chapter 425: Kill with One Blow_1 The Willson Group representative suddenly took a stand, catching everyone by surprise. Furthermore, there seemed to be no room for maneuver. When this representative stood up, Ovidiu Cook also stood up, apparently intending to leave as well. ¡°Representative, please don¡¯t go yet¡­¡± Seeing that the Willson Group representative was about to leave, Bran Cook¡¯s heart suddenly leaped to his throat. If the Willson Group pulled their investment, then the existence of this alliance would become meaningless. Moreover, he had just hinted at an intention to reclaim the chairman position in the next election. As for how long one term was, wasn¡¯t that for him to decide? But if the Willson Group left, then what would be the point of being chairman? ¡°The initial negotiator who discussed with us was Ms. Quella Radcliffe. The senior executives of the Willson Group particularly liked Ms. Radcliffe¡¯s style and character. If someone like her can¡¯t be general manager, we seriously doubt the alliance¡¯s capability to make money.¡± The Willson Group representative placed his briefcase on the table and said coldly, ¡°If that¡¯s not acceptable, then please sue us. Oh, and we¡¯ll pay for the lawyer¡¯s fees.¡± Dominance! The strongest company in Five-river Province, even if lawyers were summoned here, would have nothing to fear. Who among those present dares to sue the Willson Group? Even if the money was stuffed into their hands, who would dare to take it? Is it about the money, or their lives? ¡°But, looking at what everyone thinks¡­¡± Bran Cook still wouldn¡¯t give up. He tried to use the influence of the entrepreneurs present to stand up against the Willson Group and force this behemoth to yield. ¡°The composition of the alliance still depends on these merchants. If they have objections, the policy implementation will definitely be inefficient. I think the representative should still properly consider the opinions of the merchants, don¡¯t you agree?¡± ¡°Really! Then I want to see what you all think!¡± This Willson Group representative pointed at the merchants present: ¡°Those who support Ms. Quella Radcliffe to be the general manager, sit down!¡± As soon as he finished speaking, many people slowly took their seats. Seeing others sitting down first, the rest lowered their heads and sat back down too. A moment later, everyone in the venue was seated, not a single person remained standing. ¡°Mr. Cook, the opinion of the masses is quite clear now, don¡¯t you think?¡± The representative turned around and looked at Bran Cook with an unfriendly tone. ¡°Mr. Cook, even though you have a grudge against Ms. Radcliffe, you can¡¯t just ignore everyone¡¯s opinion!¡± Itai Huntington also joined in applying pressure, leaving Bran Cook anxious but clueless on how to respond. He failed to be elected chairman, and the general manager¡¯s position had nothing to do with him, so what was he fussing over? ¡°Fine¡­¡± He took a deep breath and said reluctantly, ¡°Then we¡¯ll respect everyone¡¯s opinion!¡± Wow! ¡°Mr. Cook has shown great integrity!¡± Julius Reed stood up and led the applause. The rest followed suit, and the sound of clapping filled the venue for a moment. But this applause felt like slaps on Bran Cook¡¯s face, making it burn with embarrassment! The meeting ended hastily, and Bran Cook, who had been confident at the start, left with his tail between his legs, utterly humiliated. ¡°I¡¯m not convinced!¡± Sitting in the back of the Mercedes, Bran Cook clenched his fists around his trousers and growled quietly. He could not accept such a defeat, especially Julius Reed¡¯s extremely provocative gaze, which stabbed his heart like a knife. ¡°Failure is the mother of success; such a small setback doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Stacy Cook gently patted Bran Cook¡¯s head, speaking to comfort him. ¡°Uncle, I will take back everything I¡¯ve lost!¡± Bran Cook¡¯s face turned beet red, and his eyes became slightly swollen from the moisture building up. ¡°Now that¡¯s like a man.¡± Stacy Cook, seeing his nephew¡¯s demeanor, nodded in satisfaction, ¡°This is nothing. I promise you, he will kneel before you like a dog, begging for mercy. And that woman you fancy, she will willingly crawl into your bed.¡± Offending his nephew meant only one path¡ªdeath! He didn¡¯t concern himself with past issues, but now that he was back, he had to let Gonzalez City know, the Cook Family was not to be trifled with! ¡°Uncle, where are we going now?¡± Bran Cook, having received his uncle¡¯s promise, relaxed his expression slightly. The man his uncle brought last night was even more skilled than the top doctors in Gonzalez City. If it hadn¡¯t been for him, he wouldn¡¯t have been able to stand up at all. ¡°Jordan, what did you feel just now?¡± Stacy Cook, lighting a cigar, asked with his leg propped up, looking towards the bald bodyguard sitting in the co-pilot seat. This man was the elite among his elites, a master who had clawed his way out of a mountain of corpses. When they passed by Julius Reed earlier, he had instructed Jordan to assess the man¡¯s strength, to plan accordingly. ¡°Very strong. There are very few in Gonzalez City stronger than him,¡± Jordan replied gravely. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect that good-for-nothing to be so formidable?¡± Bran Cook was somewhat surprised. In Gonzalez City, there were rumors that the Radcliffe Family had taken in a good-for-nothing son-in-law, who spent three years cooking and doing the laundry, like a nanny. This had become a popular piece of gossip and was often brought up for a good laugh. If he was truly as Jordan said, how could he have been bullied for three years? ¡°He hasn¡¯t finished speaking,¡± Stacy Cook said indifferently, taking a puff of his cigar. ¡°Huh?¡± Bran Cook didn¡¯t know much about the man before him, but he knew that Jordan was very capable. ¡°If he were to face me, I could take him out in one move!¡± Jordan spoke in a muffled voice, ¡°And he could be killed with a single blow.¡± Upon hearing this, Bran Cook cursed internally, thinking this too was someone showing off, speaking in half-truths. Still, with such a helper by his side, dealing with Julius Reed would be a piece of cake. ¡°Let¡¯s go. The Cook family people are all at Twilight Mansion! Your father insisted on throwing a welcome party to brush off the dust, and he¡¯s been talking up Twilight Mansion like it¡¯s the best thing since sliced bread. Well, I shall see for myself how this restaurant, praised as the finest in Gonzalez City, holds up,¡± Stacy Cook said with a smile, looking at the message on his phone. ¡°Twilight Mansion? I¡¯ve heard of it too, but I¡¯ve never had the chance to go since I¡¯ve been back,¡± Bran Cook nodded and said, ¡°Uncle, it¡¯s only right for the family to welcome you back after more than a decade.¡± Although Bran didn¡¯t know exactly what Stacy had been doing, the grandeur of his return indicated he had made a fortune. With a skilled hand like Jordan by his side, and having uncovered Amos Davenport¡¯s real identity in just one night, Stacy had shown formidable capabilities beyond Bran¡¯s reach. Even though he was very curious, Bran Cook still refrained from asking. The car sped along and soon arrived at Twilight Mansion. Luxury cars gathered here, making it the top spot for elite networking in Gonzalez City. The wealthy came to talk business and discuss partnerships. Thanks to their good business, the Cook Family also possessed a membership card, granting them access to the restaurant. The doorman quickly came over to open the door and led the group inside. The Cook family members had already been waiting there; more than twenty people from the main family had arrived, and those from side branches simply weren¡¯t qualified to join. ¡°Stacy Cook, today we won¡¯t return until we¡¯re drunk!¡± Abram Cook, the eldest of the Cook Family, came over and took Stacy Cook¡¯s hand, ¡°It¡¯s been more than a decade, brother, I¡¯ve missed you!¡± Chapter 426 - Chapter 426: 426 Chapter Hit the Road_1 Chapter 426: 426 Chapter Hit the Road_1 Over a decade ago, Stacy Cook mysteriously disappeared without leaving a single clue behind. The Cook Family searched for her for several years to no avail, and even on his deathbed, Old Master Cook never closed his eyes. After so many years, the Cook family¡¯s people had long assumed Stacy Cook was dead, not even holding onto a sliver of hope. Yet now, Stacy Cook suddenly reappeared, alive and well, and accompanied by an exceedingly capable bodyguard; even her vehicle had been upgraded to a Rolls-Royce. However, whenever the Cook family¡¯s people asked about her whereabouts over the years, Stacy Cook would remain tight-lipped, either keeping silent or changing the subject. Once they understood, the Cook family¡¯s people stopped asking. ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯re back,¡± and the first thing Stacy Cook said upon her return was that she wanted the whole of Gonzalez City to know the Cook Family! Such bold statements, if made by anyone else, would surely be met with ridicule. But when Stacy Cook said them, everyone believed her without a doubt. After a brief rest, Abram Cook, as the family¡¯s eldest brother, decided to hold a banquet for Stacy Cook today to celebrate his sister¡¯s return. ¡°Bran, I heard you failed the election for chairman?¡± Tarquin Cook asked. He was in charge of running the family¡¯s businesses and held the most economic power. If this business alliance were to be realized, the Cook Family was bound to benefit from it. But just now, he had received news from a friend that Bran Cook¡¯s campaign for chairman had failed! ¡°Indeed, I hadn¡¯t anticipated¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ve said it before, you¡¯re still young! In the Cook Family, you just need to listen to me, there¡¯s no need for you to do anything else! Forget about some business alliance; is that even achievable?¡± Tarquin Cook said, full of arrogance, ¡°In your spare time, you should learn more from your elder brother and think about how you¡¯ll assist him in the future. As for the capital city, is that a place for you to go!¡± The ¡°elder brother¡± he referred to was his own son, Alistair Cook. As Tarquin Cook held the family¡¯s economic reins, naturally, he thought about his own son as his successor. However, since Bran Cook returned from the capital, whispers had already started spreading within the family, with suggestions that Bran Cook should take over the position. Upon learning of this, Tarquin Cook began to harbor resentment against Bran Cook. The failure of the chairman election was the perfect opportunity for him to strike at Bran Cook. ¡°Uncle, I have my own path. As for my brother, rest assured, the Cook Family¡¯s wealth is actually not something I value highly!¡± Provoked by Tarquin Cook¡¯s words, Bran Cook, too, felt a surge of anger. He had bottled up his frustrations outside, only to encounter even more irritation at this family gathering! Although Tarquin Cook was his uncle, he was actually the son of Old Master Cook¡¯s second wife and not Old Master Cook¡¯s own flesh and blood. However, when the Old Master was alive, he doted on this second wife very much. Tarquin Cook was no fool. Using his mother¡¯s influence, he secured control of the Cook Family¡¯s main departments, made extensive connections, and eventually took full control of the family¡¯s economic lifeline. Now this half-brother from a different mother frequently dared to boss around the direct descendants of Old Master Cook. Although the Cook family¡¯s people were angry, they dared not speak up¡ªafter all, the person who held the purse strings had the power. ¡°Stop blowing smoke! A few years of sipping Western ink and you¡¯ve lost sight of who you are? You look down on the Cook Family¡¯s property; what exactly do you value?¡± Tarquin Cook scoffed at Bran Cook¡¯s words, clearly expressing sour grapes. The Cook Family, albeit weak, was still considered a second-tier family in Gonzalez City, with assets worth over a billion. In recent years, thanks to a bit of cooperation with Aron Jackson, and with Tarquin Cook using his own skills, the family business improved slightly. But at the same time, his defenses against the Cook family¡¯s people became even more severe. Fearing these brothers without blood ties would seize the family estate. ¡°You¡¯re really overthinking it! When I, Bran Cook, say I don¡¯t value it, I truly don¡¯t!¡± Thinking of the Cook family¡¯s people being bullied by this uncle, Bran Cook felt his blood boil and almost took physical action. ¡°Enough! We¡¯re all family here, there¡¯s nothing worth fighting over!¡± Seeing the tense atmosphere, Abram Cook, as the older brother, quickly stepped in to mediate. But these words only made Tarquin Cook even more displeased. Indeed, the Cook family¡¯s people were all protecting Bran Cook, not treating him like family. He thought it made sense, perhaps these people were just waiting for Bran Cook to lead them to turn the tables! Is that even possible? ¡°Abram Cook, this matter has nothing to do with you! Bran Cook doesn¡¯t know how high the sky is or how deep the earth is, I am educating him! Why are you chiming in?¡± After Tarquin Cook grumbled, Abram Cook immediately stopped talking. This scene made Stacy Cook frown; obviously, his brothers had been bullied by Tarquin Cook for more than just a day. ¡°Tarquin Cook, we¡¯re all brothers, isn¡¯t this way of speaking a bit much?¡± Stacy Cook said with a cold laugh. Since he had come back, he intended to change this situation! Being spoken to by Stacy Cook in this way, Tarquin Cook¡¯s expression immediately darkened, ¡°What, you¡¯ve grown some feathers after being away for a few years? Forgot about the times when you were little, carrying the piss pot for me?¡± He walked over and gently prodded Stacy Cook¡¯s chest with his finger, ¡°Recognize who you are.¡± Seeing this, Jordan immediately wanted to take action but was stopped by Stacy Cook. ¡°What, big guy, you¡¯re not happy? Just a dog after all, your master hasn¡¯t said a word, and you dare to bare your teeth?¡± Seeing Jordan wanting to act, Tarquin Cook¡¯s face turned even more ashen. He cursed under his breath, clearly not taking these people seriously. After all, the money for today¡¯s meal had come from Tarquin Cook. The Cook family¡¯s purse was in his grasp! ¡°Tarquin Cook, I remember you like collecting antiques, right? In my car, I happen to have a Landscape painting from the Leopold Dynasty. Absolutely authentic!¡± Stacy Cook said with a smile, ¡°I know you like them, so I brought it back especially for you! But I was in such a hurry when I left that I forgot about it!¡± Upon hearing of the Landscape painting, and from the Leopold Dynasty, an authentic one at that! Tarquin Cook immediately got excited, ¡°Where is it?¡± He had always loved these items since he was young. Whenever Old Master Cook received those antiques, he would pass them on to Tarquin Cook for his adopted son¡¯s collection. ¡°It¡¯s in the car! Jordan, take my brother to get it! Remember, be careful! That painting is very clean, don¡¯t dirty it!¡± Stacy Cook tilted his head, instructing Jordan by his side. ¡°Take me there quickly!¡± Upon hearing about the painting, Tarquin Cook couldn¡¯t contain himself. He pointed to the Cook family¡¯s people behind him, ¡°Wait for me, don¡¯t move from here!¡± Then he followed Jordan towards the door. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect you¡¯ve got quite a considerate Family Head, so I won¡¯t make things difficult for you guys for a while,¡± Tarquin Cook said excitedly, rubbing his hands together as he followed behind Jordan, wondering what kind of painting it might be. How much it could be worth! ¡°It¡¯s inside, please come in!¡± Jordan opened the car door and gestured for him to enter with a ¡°please¡± hand motion. ¡°Where is it?¡± Tarquin Cook didn¡¯t think much and immediately climbed into the car. ¡°Where is it?¡± He looked around but did not see any sign of the painting. ¡°Here it is!¡± After Jordan got into the car and closed the door, he reached out and tightly gripped Tarquin Cook¡¯s neck! ¡°You¡­ I¡­¡± Tarquin Cook was startled by this sudden move; before he could react, he found it difficult to breathe, as if his neck were clamped in a vice. ¡°Let¡¯s hit the road!¡± Bang! With one punch, Jordan splattered blood all over the Rolls Royce¡¯s glass. Chapter 427 - Chapter 427: Chapter 427: Dying with Understanding_1 Chapter 427: Chapter 427: Dying with Understanding_1 ¡°Has it been that long?¡± The Cook family¡¯s people had been waiting for three minutes, but Tarquin Cook had not returned, and they couldn¡¯t help becoming anxious. Just then, Jordan came back alone. He was covered in blood, with fresh red stains all over his fists and clothes. ¡°Tarquin Cook said he missed the old man and decided to keep him company!¡± Jordan¡¯s casual remark sent chills down the spines of the Cook family¡¯s people. Keep the old man company? The old man had been dead for a long time! He was underground! Seeing the blood on Jordan, which was obviously fresh, a bold thought crossed their minds. ¡°Since Tarquin Cook is gone, we needn¡¯t wait for him anymore! Dad is lonely down there; he needs him.¡± Stacy Cook smiled faintly, yet that smile sent a chill down the backs of the Cook family¡¯s people. ¡°Dine! Let¡¯s dine!¡± Abram Cook was the first to snap back to reality. As long as Tarquin Cook¡¯s death was not discovered, they would be the beneficiaries. The Cook Family¡¯s finances that had been controlled by others for so many years were finally about to change hands. ¡°Tarquin Cook had many loyalists within the corporation. If he were to disappear without a trace¡­¡± He voiced the reminder, pinpointing their biggest concern. Although Tarquin Cook had fallen, those people would most definitely not let things rest. If it were discovered that Tarquin Cook was murdered, the entire Cook Family might be dragged down with it. Harboring a criminal is a crime in itself. ¡°Jordan, Tarquin Cook was used to calling on those people frequently. He might find it a bit hard to adapt alone.¡± Stacy Cook turned to look at Abram Cook: ¡°Big brother, draft me a list, right now. I will have Jordan pay a visit to these people.¡± While saying these words, Stacy Cook was very calm, as if handling a perfectly normal affair. There was not a hint of nervousness or anxiety. ¡°Alright!¡± Abram Cook hesitated. By getting involved, he would become an accomplice. But with great risk comes great reward, he nodded his head and walked to the front desk to ask for paper and pen. Since the eldest had made a statement, the other clan members had nothing to worry about. With Tarquin Cook dead, it was all gain and no loss! Soon, Abram Cook wrote feverishly, listing every single one of Tarquin Cook¡¯s die-hard supporters without leaving anyone out. ¡°Tell them to do it cleanly!¡± After Stacy Cook had spoken, Jordan made a phone call, took the list, and stepped out, returning to the room half a minute later. ¡°Big brother Stacy, I¡¯ve arranged for people to take care of it.¡± He spoke calmly. ¡°Let¡¯s eat then; we¡¯re all hungry!¡± Stacy Cook gestured, and just as everyone was about to head inside, Bran Cook suddenly stopped in his tracks. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Noticing Bran Cook¡¯s change of emotion, Stacy Cook followed his gaze, just in time to see Julius Reed leading Quella Radcliffe, along with Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe, coming in. ¡°The Radcliffe Family is also qualified to enter?¡± Bran Cook muttered to himself and strode toward the reception desk. Twilight Mansion was a high-end venue, not a place just anyone could enter. There were thousands of entrepreneurs in Gonzalez City, but less than a hundred of them were eligible to come here. Ever since Zade Radcliffe left, the Radcliffe Family had completely lost its connections, and with the current debt crisis, how could they possibly qualify to come to Twilight Mansion? So Bran Cook was certain that this family had sneaked in. He knew all too well what the consequences of crashing Twilight Mansion were. At best, broken legs; at worst, loss of life! ¡°These people have sneaked in!¡± He shouted loudly, immediately alerting the security within Twilight Mansion. ¡°Stop them!¡± The security captain called into his walkie-talkie, and swiftly, a dozen security guards surrounded Julius Reed and his group, trapping them inside. ¡°What is this?¡± Facing the suddenly encroaching security guards, Julius Reed spoke coldly: ¡°Back off!¡± ¡°Oh! Isn¡¯t this the famous Gonzalez City¡¯s good-for-nothing, Julius Reed? What¡¯s the matter, following your wife to Twilight Mansion to live off her again?¡± How could Bran Cook pass up such an opportunity? He blatantly exposed Julius Reed¡¯s identity, intent on achieving a deterring effect! No matter how much you disguise yourself, I can easily see through it. ¡°Ah! Bran Cook, what a coincidence!¡± Upon seeing Bran Cook, Julius Reed was neither angry nor shocked that his identity had been revealed. Everything was as usual. ¡°Coincidence?¡± Bran Cook let out a cold laugh, ¡°You¡¯ve really got some nerve! You know very well what happens to those who sneak into Twilight Mansion!¡± He was now convinced that Julius Reed had definitely sneaked in! Just then, the security captain came over, eyeing the group with a cold gaze. ¡°I need an explanation.¡± Julius Reed looked at the security captain; without his command, Bran Cook¡¯s shouts were useless no matter how loud. To use a knife to kill, first, you need a knife! And that knife was certainly not innocent. ¡°Young Master Cook said you sneaked in, and I have the right to ensure the safety of our guests here!¡± The security captain stood with his hands clasped behind his back and said aloud, ¡°Membership card, take it out!¡± The membership card is the only sign of entry into Twilight Mansion, and it cannot be lent to others for use. Each card has a unique code on it. From the manager down to the security staff, everyone has to memorize the number corresponding to each person. Adding together all the Twilight Mansion membership cards, there are only a few dozen, making them easy to remember. ¡°He can¡¯t take it out!¡± Bran Cook sneered from the side, ¡°This kind of person definitely sneaked in, and they must be punished severely!¡± Twilight Mansion has a strange rule; you only need a membership card to get in, not to leave. So Bran Cook was sure that Julius Reed definitely sneaked in to have a meal before leaving. Every year, Twilight Mansion encounters many such instances, with dozens of people having their legs broken. ¡°What if I take it out?¡± Julius Reed looked at Bran Cook, raising an eyebrow, ¡°What will you do then, Bran Cook?¡± ¡°Ha-ha! I won¡¯t do anything! Even if I knew you were beaten like a dog, I wouldn¡¯t make this bet with you! What¡¯s the point? It would be an empty victory!¡± Bran Cook laughed loudly; today, if Julius Reed got his legs broken, Quella Radcliffe would be punished as well. Later on, when the business alliance jointly petitions, that manager position would still have to be his! Indeed, an opportunity gifted by fate! You won¡¯t die if you don¡¯t court death! ¡°Move aside, I¡¯m still going to have my meal, don¡¯t ruin our enjoyment!¡± Julius Reed said coldly, but the security guards didn¡¯t budge. Scared by Bran Cook¡¯s threats, Knox Ridge was terrified. ¡°Julius Reed! Whether that card you used for entry is real or fake, don¡¯t drag us down with you!¡± Just the thought of having her legs broken turned Knox Ridge¡¯s face pale with fright. She had heard about Twilight Mansion, and who in Gonzalez City hadn¡¯t? She had thought that coming to such a place would be quite a triumph, something to brag about afterward! But she had not expected to encounter such a situation! She felt completely let down by this worthless son-in-law! In her heart, she regretted not thinking things through, blaming her own vanity for not realizing what was going on. Those who come to Twilight Mansion are all wealthy. What status did her son-in-law have? Could he even be here? But now it was too late for regrets! ¡°If you don¡¯t present the membership card now, I will take coercive measures, please cooperate!¡± The security captain stood erect in front of Julius Reed, demanding from a position of authority. ¡°Actually, I don¡¯t have to show you, but I am kind-hearted and want you to understand before you die!¡± Julius Reed slowly revealed the card in his hand. ¡°You are¡­¡± The security guard¡¯s face changed dramatically! Click! But then, Julius Reed quickly withdrew the card, kicking the security captain¡¯s knee! The bones shattered! Chapter 428 - Chapter 428: Chapter 428 My Head is Hard_1 Chapter 428: Chapter 428 My Head is Hard_1 ¡°` ¡°You! You¡¯re insane!¡± Knox Ridge felt her legs go weak and collapsed onto the ground. Daring to make a move in Twilight Mansion! Wasn¡¯t this seeking death? Everyone in Gonzalez City, even the children, knew who the boss of Twilight Mansion was! That was the wealthiest man in Gonzalez City, Ovidiu Cook! Aside from Aron Jackson, who would dare not to give Ovidiu Cook face? Yet her useless son-in-law had suddenly become brave and broken the leg of the security captain! She knew she was finished! Burl Radcliffe also stood there, trembling uncontrollably, with cramps in his calves! Was it worth risking their lives just for a meal? The happiest person was undoubtedly Bran Cook, knowing that injuring a security guard was equivalent to slapping Ovidiu Cook in the face! Getting his legs broken might be considered a merciful outcome! It seemed that this person was going to disappear! ¡°Catch him quickly! Don¡¯t let him escape!¡± Bran Cook shouted loudly. If Julius Reed really got away, he wouldn¡¯t be able to witness him becoming crippled with his own eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s eat!¡± Julius Reed grabbed the still-terrified Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand and walked towards the inside. ¡°Catch him!¡± The security guards looked at each other and rushed forward! ¡°All¡­ all of you, come back!¡± The security captain shouted in pain. He had almost exerted all his strength to stop those security guards who wanted to make a move. If they really hurt this guest right now, they would be torn to pieces! A 9-5 membership card number! The utmost respect! Even Ovidiu Cook didn¡¯t dare to use this card himself. ¡°Big brother, what are you saying?¡± The security guards stopped in their tracks, full of confusion, and asked. To act so recklessly in Twilight Mansion, are they not going to do anything about it? And it was the other party who had initiated the attack! ¡°All come back! Apologize to this gentleman! Ah¡­¡± The security captain was sweating profusely from the pain, his body curled up. But still, he gritted his teeth through the intense agony and called his brothers back. He was protecting these men! ¡°My men¡­ they were uninformed¡­ Please¡­ Please don¡¯t blame them!¡± The security captain propped himself up painfully, ignoring his broken leg, and knelt on the ground, teeth clenched. ¡°I beg of you!¡± ¡°Captain! What are you doing?¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on? Call a doctor!¡± ¡°Captain, why are you kneeling!¡± The security guards immediately started to panic. However, as the security captain usually had a good relationship with them, they were particularly obedient; they all gathered around him and didn¡¯t make a rash move. ¡°What are you standing there for? Someone is hitting people in Twilight Mansion!¡± Bran Cook saw the security guards unmoving and became desperately anxious. He was shouting when suddenly he got slapped across the face! ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Julius Reed looked at the stunned Bran Cook. ¡°If it hurts, then learn your lesson. Otherwise, next time it won¡¯t just be a slap in the face!¡± Having said that, Julius Reed coldly glanced at the captain kneeling on the ground, drenched in sweat, ¡°Remember, those who use others to kill, are the first to be cut by the blade!¡± ¡°I understand!¡± The security captain lowered his head, no longer speaking. At the same time, he harbored a deep hatred for Bran Cook. ¡°Let¡¯s go. You guys, carry my mother-in-law and father-in-law, find a table and sit down.¡± Julius Reed gestured, but the security guards remained transfixed, making no move to follow his order. ¡°You dare to hit me!¡± Bran Cook, regaining his composure, walked up to Julius Reed in rage. Before he could do anything, he heard the security captain¡¯s feeble voice shouting, ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear the customer¡¯s order? Do it! If anyone offends him, I¡¯ll kill them!¡± Once these words were uttered, the security guards immediately understood what was happening. It appeared that the guest before them was extremely distinguished, and the security captain had taken all the blame upon himself, offering them a chance to redeem themselves. ¡°Get to it!¡± ¡°Auntie, are you okay?¡± ¡°` ¡°Uncle, come with me!¡± Groups of three security guards were practically supporting Knox Ridge and Burl Radcline as they lifted them and walked towards the inside of the restaurant. ¡°Hey! What are you doing? This person doesn¡¯t have a card!¡± Bran Cook yelled at the security guards in anger, but it was as if they couldn¡¯t hear him at all; no one paid him any attention. ¡°Kid, you don¡¯t seem to remember pain after it heals, which isn¡¯t good.¡± Julius Reed lightly patted Bran Cook¡¯s face twice, then suddenly drew back his hand and slapped him hard! Smack! The crisp sound echoed throughout the entire restaurant. Even the manager was startled and came over. He saw Julius Reed and broke out in cold sweat. This was the man who had disabled a bunch of rich second-generation kids in Gonzalez City! Right here in the Twilight Mansion! Not even a month ago! ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Stacy Cook, hearing the commotion, came over with Cook family¡¯s people. ¡°Uncle! He hit me!¡± Bran Cook glared viciously at Julius Reed, hoping Stacy Cook would help him kill the man who had humiliated him more than once. Now, his face bore two large slap marks, already turning purple from the hit! Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, showing just how forceful the slap had been! ¡°Did you hit someone?¡± Stacy Cook asked coldly. He could kill Tarquin Cook, so he could certainly kill Julius Reed. It¡¯s just that Stacy Cook thought such a minor character wasn¡¯t worth his own action. And now, he didn¡¯t want Julius Reed to die too soon. Sometimes, staying alive is the real torture. ¡°I did hit him! Didn¡¯t you see it?¡± Smack! With lightning-fast speed, Julius Reed slapped Bran Cook¡¯s face again. Bran Cook, caught off guard, staggered and fell to the ground with a thud! ¡°Now do you see it?¡± Julius Reed extended his hand and said to the waiter, ¡°Wet wipes!¡± The waiter didn¡¯t dare delay and hurriedly ran to get the wet wipes. ¡°My hand¡¯s dirty.¡± Julius Reed wiped his hand and tossed the wet wipe onto Bran Cook¡¯s face: ¡°Now, what do you want to do?¡± The moment Stacy Cook appeared, Julius Reed sensed that he was different. Now that Jordan was preparing to make a move, Julius Reed was informed that Bran Cook had a formidable backup coming. But that was useless. I am invincible, do as you please. ¡°Is the face of Cook family¡¯s people something you can hit?¡± Stacy Cook said coldly. Previously he didn¡¯t want to kill Julius Reed, but now he really had the impulse to kill! He had returned to push the Cook family to the number one position in Gonzalez City. But now, the most outstanding youth of the family had been slapped in the face! If word spread, what dignity would the Cook family have left? If he disabled Julius Reed, it would serve as a warning to the people of Gonzalez City that anyone who dared to oppose the Cook family was on a path to death! ¡°I just finished hitting, you saw it.¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders and chuckled, ¡°Or should I hit you too?¡± ¡°Say that again!¡± Jordan immediately stepped forward. His emergence filled the restaurant with a sudden air of killing intent. Seeing that things were about to turn nasty, the Twilight Mansion manager stepped in between the two men and said in a cold voice, ¡°Gentlemen, this is the Twilight Mansion! If you have to fight, please don¡¯t do it here! If you don¡¯t respect us, then you will bear the consequences!¡± He had to step forward now! And his bias was clear. Julius Reed finished hitting someone and only then did the manager step in to stop the fight, which was already an effort to help. After hearing this, Stacy Cook considered his options and, still unwilling to let it go, said, ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s eat first!¡± Picking a fight with Ovidiu Cook right away wouldn¡¯t be beneficial. ¡°Kid, one day, I will smash your head in.¡± Jordan said viciously as he was leaving. ¡°My head¡¯s tough, watch out for your fist.¡± Julius Reed chuckled lightly. Chapter 429 - Chapter 429: Chapter 429 Reservation Table_1 Chapter 429: Chapter 429 Reservation Table_1 After all the commotion, a lot of time had already passed. Not just the Cook family¡¯s people, but even Julius Reed was starting to feel hungry. Having lived for tens of thousands of years, in theory, he should be able to go without food. Anyway, nearly immortal, food could hardly be a problem for him. But these three years of ordinary human life had made him take a liking to eating again. Looking around, Twilight Mansion was already full today, with only one table left on the first floor. Stacy Cook looked around and, finding no other options, headed straight for that table. ¡°Manager, I¡¯m reserving that table!¡± Julius Reed said with a smile as he saw the movements of Stacy Cook and the others. ¡°Understood!¡± The manager nodded, how could he dare not comply with Julius Reed¡¯s command? He promptly led the security guards over to that table. ¡°Wow, Twilight Mansion really is impressive! Look at these tables and chairs, all top of the line!¡± ¡°For sure! I didn¡¯t get the chance to come here before. Today it was only after Abram Cook insisted and Tarquin Cook reluctantly agreed to come.¡± ¡°We really owe Stacy! The life we¡¯ve been living these past years has been unbearable! Now, at last, we¡¯re seeing the light of day!¡± Everyone, as soon as they mentioned Tarquin Cook, began cursing him out. They quickly recovered from their shock and began to suck up to Stacy Cook, even nominating him to take charge of the family business. ¡°Stacy, why don¡¯t you take the chairman¡¯s position? Our Cook family hasn¡¯t had much talent over these years, Tarquin Cook is blocking us!¡± Someone suggested. ¡°Forget it! I didn¡¯t come back to fight with you all over this little bit of family property. You might laugh at me for saying this, but what¡¯s this money really worth? The future of the Cook family will look like the present state of Ovidiu Cook!¡± Stacy Cook said calmly, yet not a single person disbelieved him. They knew, the Cook family was revitalized! But just as they were about to sit down, the restaurant manager suddenly came over with his team, looking very apologetic, ¡°I am terribly sorry, this table has been reserved! Would you please be so kind as to make way?¡± ¡°What! Reserved? When did that happen?¡± The people of the Cook family said discontentedly, you¡¯re telling us it¡¯s reserved when we¡¯re about to sit? They were all hungry, and this was the last table. If they really gave it up, it would mean they¡¯d have to wait in line again. When you¡¯re starving, every second feels like an eternity. So hard to bear! ¡°I¡¯m extremely sorry! This is the restaurant¡¯s rule, first come first served. As long as you haven¡¯t sat down, any customer has the right to reserve. If you had reserved earlier, naturally, the table would be yours!¡± The manager said with a smile. ¡°What sort of nonsense is that! When was this table reserved?¡± Abram Cook asked irritably. Everyone was hungry, and just as they had calmed down from the previous frustration, this annoying issue cropped up. ¡°Just now, one minute ago!¡± The manager responded. ¡°Please abide by our hotel¡¯s rules, once you enter Twilight Mansion, you need to follow our regulations, don¡¯t make our job difficult.¡± After saying this, his facial expression was already turning sour. ¡°I suppose that was also a reservation made just now? It has been a long time since I¡¯ve seen my family, and it¡¯s rare for us to come out to eat together. Could you introduce me so I can communicate with that other customer and see if they could perhaps make an exception?¡± Stacy Cook slipped a thousand dollars into the manager¡¯s pocket. ¡°Of course!¡± The manager nodded his head. Julius Reed had already instructed him, if they paid, just take the money, after all, why turn down something free. ¡°This gentleman here has reserved the table, and I think you should recognize him,¡± the manager said, and then once more with an apologetic tone, ¡°If this customer disagrees, you all might have to wait.¡± ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± Seeing the person who had come was Julius Reed, Bran Cook¡¯s teeth were chattering with irritation. His face hadn¡¯t even de-swollen yet, and now, to meet on such a narrow road¡ªit was as if they were deliberately opposing him! ¡°They were behind us!¡± Bran Cook growled in a low voice. ¡°But the hotel¡¯s rules are just like this. The gentleman reserved the table before you were seated,¡± the manager said with a smile: ¡°If they reserve, you can only watch.¡± ¡°Nonsense rules!¡± Bran Cook cursed. ¡°Sir, please mind your language!¡± The manager¡¯s face turned cold, frightening Bran Cook into silence. This was Ovidiu Cook¡¯s turf, and he knew better than to overstep. Despite his fame in Gonzalez City, his foundation was still too weak to challenge the richest man. ¡°Can¡¯t we talk about this matter?¡± Stacy Cook glared at the manager, wishing he could tear Julius Reed limb from limb. This scumbag! Like a fly that does not bite but still disgusts you! If it weren¡¯t for being on Ovidiu Cook¡¯s territory, if it weren¡¯t at Twilight Mansion, he would have killed this young man right here! ¡°There¡¯s no room for discussion! My mother-in-law is hungry, and so is my father-in-law!¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders, gesturing towards Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe behind him. Burl Radcliffe was still okay, at least he could still stand. Knox Ridge was completely done for. Scared witless, her legs turned to jelly and her body trembled continuously. Hearing Julius Reed dare to stand up to the Cook family scared her almost to the point of fainting. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry! Let Mr. Cook eat first¡­¡± Knox Ridge said tremblingly, her voice sounding almost creepy. ¡°Right¡­ we wouldn¡¯t dare to compete with the Cook family¡­¡± Burl Radcliffe chimed in. They were just an ordinary family; the old man had barely made them a pseudo second-tier clan when he was alive. Now that the old man had vanished, the family was in disarray, and they were just ordinary folks. How could they stand against the Cook family? Did they think they had too long to live? Especially the burly man behind Stacy Cook, who had scared the old couple out of their wits. ¡°See? Your aunt and uncle have no objections!¡± Stacy Cook said, pleased with the fear he saw in them. ¡°Exactly! We have no objections, you go first. There¡¯s always an order to these things, after you, please!¡± Though Knox Ridge couldn¡¯t stand up, she was lucid enough to speak clearly. ¡°Wife, are you hungry?¡± Julius Reed shook his head helplessly. If his mother-in-law used her knack for handling him on others, would she still be in this situation? Indeed. Submissive to outsiders, but hitting hard at home! She could curse at him for a full two hours straight without repeating herself. But when it came to others, she would turn timid. ¡°Miss Radcliffe, are you hungry?¡± Stacy Cook once again adopted a haughty attitude, attempting to intimidate Quella Radcliffe. Jordan stepped forward, flexing the muscles on his body. The reason they acted this way was to frighten Julius Reed, to make him give up his place. ¡°I am hungry!¡± Quella Radcliffe said loudly, unafraid. ¡°Truly my wife, Julius Reed!¡± Julius Reed laughed heartily, pointing at Jordan: ¡°Did you just try to scare my wife?¡± Jordan had just looked at Quella Radcliffe with a ferocious gaze that would have made any other girl cry on the spot. ¡°Quella, you¡¯re crazy! Say you¡¯re not hungry! Let¡¯s go! Julius Reed, this loser, will get us all killed!¡± Knox Ridge cursed from behind, yet she failed to notice the aura around Julius Reed beginning to rise. No one could be rough with his wife, not even with a glance! Chapter 430 - Chapter 430: 430 Chapter 430: 430 ¡°Heh heh!¡± Jordan sneered, pointing at Julius Reed: ¡°What are you looking at? Don¡¯t think I won¡¯t gouge your eyes out!¡± Having said that, he looked triumphantly at Quella Radcliffe and gave her a fierce glare. It was full of provocation! This was Twilight Mansion, where no one dared to initiate violence. If one party were to strike first, they would definitely be punished by Twilight Mansion. Even if they weren¡¯t punished here, it would only be natural for the Cook family¡¯s people to take action. You can¡¯t possibly get hit and do nothing about it, right? Even if he was the richest man in Gonzalez City, reason still had to prevail! After all, this was a restaurant for the wealthy, and the least it had to ensure was fairness! Otherwise, who would come in the future? ¡°You¡¯re going to regret this.¡± Julius Reed looked at Jordan: ¡°Really, I guarantee it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m waiting! Let¡¯s see who regrets it in the end!¡± Jordan seemed satisfied seeing Julius Reed getting angry, so he continued to gesture rudely at Quella Radcliffe and even whistled at her. His gaze towards Julius Reed was even more provocative! Come on, Twilight Mansion, where no one can fight back, just seethe to death! Finding this opening, Bran Cook also began to hurl insults at Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Julius Reed, I heard you¡¯re such a loser that you haven¡¯t even touched your wife in the three years you¡¯ve been married! It wouldn¡¯t be surprising if someone else has put a green hat on you by now!¡± Bran Cook attacked with malicious words, with only one goal. That was to enrage Julius Reed! ¡°The two of you, today you will both pay a price.¡± Julius Reed suddenly smiled, looking not a bit angry. Were such people worth stooping to their level? It was just impotent rage! ¡°I¡¯ll beat you to death with just one punch!¡± Jordan clenched his fist, looking at Julius Reed with a menacing gaze. If they were outside, he would have smashed Julius Reed¡¯s head with one punch long ago! Why bother with all this trouble? ¡°Then I¡¯ll give you that opportunity!¡± Julius Reed gestured with his hand: ¡°Clear out!¡± The restaurant manager immediately began to lead the staff away. ¡°Huh?¡± Seeing everyone take a step back, the Cook family¡¯s people were all startled. What was going on? Crack! Before they could react, Julius Reed threw a punch, striking directly at Jordan¡¯s fist! Jordan, who had been strutting around before, was completely unprepared and had five of his fingers broken by the impact! Even the bones in his arm had shattered under the powerful collision! ¡°Hiss¡­¡± Jordan sharply inhaled, feeling an intense surge of pain flood into his head, sending a rush of adrenaline through him! ¡°This one!¡± Crack! Before Jordan could react, Julius Reed grabbed his other wrist and snapped it! The series of movements were swift and clean. Before the Cook family¡¯s people could react, Jordan¡¯s hands were already ruined. ¡°Kneel down, and apologize to my wife.¡± Julius Reed said coldly. He was straightening his sleeves while casually chatting with Quella Radcliffe as if nothing had happened: ¡°Honey, what shall we eat later? There are a few special dishes here that I find quite good.¡± ¡°You bastard!¡± Jordan¡¯s hands were completely disabled, but he still had his legs! He suddenly lifted his left foot, attempting to kick Julius Reed to death. But as soon as his foot was up, Julius Reed stamped it harshly back down! At the same time, his knee harshly struck Jordan¡¯s calf, smashing his five toes and breaking another one of Jordan¡¯s legs! ¡°Ahh¡­ Pain!¡± Jordan, a muscular man, was howling in pain, unable to hold back the sound. It was too painful! Everyone says the ten fingers are connected to the heart, and to have three out of four limbs broken like this, it¡¯s a miracle Jordan is still conscious. ¡°I hear that one punch from you could kill me?¡± Julius Reed bent down, pointing to his own head: ¡°Come on, hit me right here!¡± Jordan¡¯s eyes were bloodshot, burning with the desire to strike back. But now, with only one good leg left, he couldn¡¯t make a move! ¡°You know what? I don¡¯t dislike people who brag.¡± Julius squatted down, speaking very sincerely: ¡°Because often, even the truth can be mistaken for bragging. But it¡¯s alright, why should we care about what others think?¡± He sighed, gripping Jordan¡¯s chin: ¡°We have something in common, no one believes what we say. For example, you claim one punch can explode my head, I don¡¯t believe it. I say I¡¯m going to cripple you, you just laughed it off.¡± ¡°But at the same time, we are different.¡± Julius slowly stood up, stepping on Jordan¡¯s only remaining good leg: ¡°The difference is, I make all my bragging come true. And now, you¡¯re the witness.¡± Crack! As this leg got crushed, Jordan passed out cold. Silence fell over Twilight Mansion. The Cook family people were scared out of their wits. What kind of monster is this? Jordan was strong, that much was clear from the sparring with the Cook family people last night. Over twenty Cook family bodyguards couldn¡¯t even get close! But now, Jordan didn¡¯t even have the chance to fight back, as all his hands and feet were crippled, losing the ability to move completely. Stacy Cook stared at Julius Reed, considering the young man seriously for the first time. Before this, he had never imagined that Gonzalez City could house such a formidable character! The pressing matter was to quickly get in touch with the organization backing him and request help. ¡°Just now, it sounded like you cursed at someone!¡± Julius strolled over to Bran Cook, smiling as he asked: ¡°Did I hear wrong?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± With a twist of his eyes, Bran Cook smiled: ¡°Mr. Reed, you heard wrong¡­ ¡± Bang! The moment he finished speaking, Julius threw a punch, causing blood to gush from Bran Cook¡¯s nostrils! The bridge of his nose was instantly broken! ¡°Say that again!¡± Julius barked. Dare to mess with my wife, and there¡¯s only one way out: death! But he didn¡¯t want to kill Bran Cook, because such people are more entertaining alive. ¡°I was wrong!¡± Thump! Bran Cook kneeled on the ground, continuously knocking his head: ¡°Please let me go!¡± Raised in privilege, he had seldom been beaten up before! Until the beating from the Willson Pavilion Disciple a few days ago, which had Bran Cook waking up in terror in the middle of the night! Thinking back on that excruciating pain filled him with fear! Dread! At this point, he couldn¡¯t care less about face or dignity! If he could just get beaten a little less, that was what really mattered. Even the strong Jordan ended up disabled, crawling on the ground like a dead dog, his fate unknown. ¡°Had you known this day would come, why did you do it in the first place!¡± Julius placed his foot on Bran Cook¡¯s fingers, gently grinding them¡­ Connected to the heart¡­ Bran Cook woke up several times, and each time he passed out again. Whenever he let out a scream, someone would stuff a towel into his mouth. Seeing the onlooking security guards doing nothing, Bran Cook couldn¡¯t help but cry out: ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to do something? This is your restaurant¡­ Ah!¡± But the guards remained indifferent. ¡°If someone slanders our restaurant, we follow the rules,¡± the manager said coldly. ¡°Understood!¡± Several guards dragged Bran Cook out to the entrance, followed by a burst of dreadful screams. ¡°We want to dine, and aren¡¯t you hungry too? Just kneel down and get a whiff for now,¡± Julius waved his hand, and all the Cook family people, including Stacy Cook, were kneeling straight beside the table. Chapter 431 - Chapter 431: Chapter 431: Props_1 Chapter 431: Chapter 431: Props_1 Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe quite enjoyed their meal. However, Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe felt nothing at all! The two mechanically took a few bites of their food, still not over the shock! Eating felt like chewing wax! The Cook family¡¯s people really did just kneel there, from the beginning of the meal, all the way until they had finished eating! They didn¡¯t move an inch the whole time, kneeling perfectly straight! Knox Ridge occasionally looked at the Cook family¡¯s people, scared to death. She was most afraid of being retaliated against. Especially since the Cook family had such a fearsome player, and their family fortune was not something she could compare with. Burl Radcliffe shared her thoughts, with his heart condition almost being startled into action. By the time they left Twilight Mansion, Knox Ridge immediately revived. She placed her hands on her hips and scolded Julius Reed, ¡°You¡¯ve killed us! Is there a good outcome after offending the Cook family?¡± ¡°If I don¡¯t offend them, should I allow them to insult us?¡± Julius Reed sneered and shook his head, ¡°When you were being insulted just now, why didn¡¯t you fight back? It¡¯s really easy to be submissive to outsiders, but aggressive at home! If only you used a third of the competence you have against me, it wouldn¡¯t have come to this!¡± Usually, she had plenty of competence against her own family, but she became a coward in front of outsiders. ¡°Mom! I think Julius did nothing wrong.¡± Quella Radcliffe had now come to a realization, ¡°If we don¡¯t fight back, they will keep bullying us. Do you really imagine evil people will become good? That¡¯s too unrealistic!¡± Even if they tolerated it today, with Bran Cook¡¯s personality, he would seek revenge! He wouldn¡¯t stop until the Radcliffe family was bankrupt! Since it¡¯s come to a do-or-die situation, why bother with courtesies? ¡°Really! It¡¯s no use talking to you! You¡¯ve doomed us all!¡± Knox Ridge, with her hands on her hips, cursed loudly, ¡°Julius Reed, get out of here! The farther, the better!¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± Just then, a flamboyantly dressed woman appeared before them. The woman was wearing a red coat and sunglasses and had a thick scent of perfume. ¡°I¡¯m dealing with my own family matters!¡± Knox Ridge impatiently replied, ¡°What¡¯s it to you?¡± ¡°What did you just say?¡± The woman asked again. ¡°I told him to get lost¡­¡± Slap! Knox Ridge hadn¡¯t finished speaking when she received a harsh slap on her face. ¡°You dare to hit me!¡± She covered her face, incredulous. Once she regained her composure, she became furious, ¡°You wretched woman, you dare¡­¡± Slap! The woman slapped her again and took off her sunglasses, looking at Knox Ridge, ¡°If I ever hear you disrespecting him again!¡± She glanced at Julius Reed and continued, ¡°I will make you live to regret it!¡± ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m Itai Huntington, and if you¡¯re not convinced, come and find me!¡± Itai Huntington put on her glasses with an authoritative air, giving Knox Ridge a cold stare. As a Gonzalez City local, Knox Ridge naturally knew about the famed Itai Huntington! The Fatal Widow! The most mysterious and feared person in the whole of Gonzalez City! No one knew who stood behind Itai Huntington, but every man who wanted her met a terrible fate without exception! At best, their companies went bankrupt; at worst, they met with total ruin! Three years ago, a wealthy outsider tried to experience the charms of this fatal widow, curious about how formidable she really was. The very next day he was found brutally murdered at the Gonzalez City docks! And it wasn¡¯t just him; his entire family was killed! Ever since then, Itai Huntington became synonymous with a venomous snake! If Knox Ridge dared to provoke such a person, then she really was tired of living. ¡°So it¡¯s Miss Huntington¡­¡± She stammered in fear. ¡°You just called me a wretched woman.¡± Itai Huntington slightly smiled. ¡°I didn¡¯t dare!¡± Knox Ridge quickly knelt down, pleading loudly for mercy. Completely disregarding the fact that this was the entrance to Twilight Mansion. ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Julius Reed said in a low voice. ¡°You shut your¡­¡± Knox Ridge was about to curse, but then she remembered Itai Huntington¡¯s recent words and forced the curse that had reached her lips back down her throat. ¡°Mr. Reed, may I have a word with you?¡± Itai Huntington said in a charmingly seductive manner. ¡°Sure, but keep it professional.¡± Julius Reed said with a stern face, not giving Itai Huntington any face. This scared Knox Ridge, who was kneeling on the ground, half to death. Her recklessly out-spoken son-in-law actually dared to speak to the deadly widow like that¡ªwas he seeking death? But better dead than alive! Quella Radcliffe could remarry! Contrary to her expectations, not only did Itai Huntington not get angry, but she stood there like a little girl who had done something wrong, fiddling with the hem of her garment. ¡°You could definitely be a great actress!¡± Julius Reed couldn¡¯t help but laugh, then said to Quella Radcliffe, ¡°You go back with mom and dad first, I¡¯ll be a little late.¡± After saying that, he walked away with Itai Huntington. ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid your wife will be jealous?¡± Itai Huntington asked, blinking. ¡°No problem, my wife trusts you!¡± Julius Reed said with a smile. ¡°Trust, what kind of trust?¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re not as pretty as her, not as tall as her, and your personality is not as good as hers¡­¡± ¡°Am I really that worthless? You should know, so many men want to get me and can¡¯t!¡± ¡°But there is one thing, you¡¯re bigger than my wife in!¡± ¡°Pah! You rascal!¡± Itai Huntington couldn¡¯t help but glance at her chest, her face instantly turning red. Even though she was known as the deadly widow, she was still a woman! Women like to be complimented. ¡°What are you thinking? I was talking about your age! You¡¯re older than my wife!¡± Julius Reed said with a straight face. Now it was Itai Huntington¡¯s turn to feel embarrassed. ¡°You caused the ruin of my family! Today I¡¯m going to kill you!¡± Just then, a man charged at Julius Reed! Bang! Out of nowhere on the deserted street, a burly man suddenly appeared and knocked the man to the ground in a flash. ¡°Your guy, he¡¯s very skilled.¡± Julius Reed glanced at Itai Huntington. Ever since the two of them had come out, Julius Reed could feel that there was someone closely following them. Now it seemed that this person must be Itai Huntington¡¯s bodyguard. In face of danger, he naturally appeared. ¡°I¡¯m going to kill you!¡± The man was being pinned down by the burly man on his back, still cursing incessantly. He was none other than Ken Leocadia, who had been dealt with by Julius Reed! His father, Marcella Leocadia¡¯s company, was sealed the very next day. Ken Leocadia, who used to spend his days womanizing and causing trouble on the street, had become a rat crossing the street that everyone wanted to punch. After much thought, and under the influence of those around him, he decided to assassinate Julius Reed. ¡°Let him come here!¡± Julius Reed waved his hand. But the burly man did not move. ¡°Do as he says.¡± Itai Huntington said. ¡°Miss, your safety¡­¡± The burly man was hesitant. ¡°If I can¡¯t be safe by his side, then you can¡¯t protect me either.¡± Itai Huntington looked towards Julius Reed, ¡°Right?¡± ¡°All right!¡± The burly man lifted his foot, and Ken Leocadia immediately picked up a knife from the ground, charging at the two, stabbing fiercely towards Julius Reed¡¯s chest! There was no blood gushing scene as imagined, no body of Julius Reed lying across the street. Not even a drop of blood. ¡°Metalhead, this knife was sold to you by my people, a prop knife!¡± Julius Reed took the knife and gently pressed the blade. The blade immediately retracted with a bit of force. ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°With your intelligence, if you acted in TV dramas, you¡¯d only be able to play a eunuch, one who failed to get into the palace and died on the operating table.¡± Julius Reed stuffed the knife back into his hand. Chapter 432 - Chapter 432: Chapter 432 Free board and lodging _1 Chapter 432: Chapter 432 Free board and lodging _1 ¡°I¡­¡± Ken Leocadia looked at the prop knife in his hand, feeling a myriad of emotions crashing through him. He had finally been driven to desperation, after downing two liquors, planning to take someone with him before dying. After all, his life was worse than a dog¡¯s. But what now? Could this knife even stab someone? ¡°Do you know that just for this alone, I could have you sit in prison for ten years?¡± Julius Reed said calmly, but it sent chills down Ken Leocadia¡¯s spine, scaring him out of his wits. ¡°Sometimes living can be more painful than dying!¡± He patted Ken Leocadia on the shoulder and said with a smile, ¡°But it¡¯s not too bad. You get food and shelter, at least you don¡¯t have to worry about sleeping on the streets. And you can find all sorts of people in prison, who knows, you might make some good friends.¡± This thought terrified Ken Leocadia even more. His legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground. The effects of the alcohol nearly wore off, and his fear began to climb steadily. He had regretted his actions the moment he made them, but there was no turning back an arrow once it was shot, so he had to go through with it! Now, having narrowly escaped from danger, he suddenly cherished his life. It¡¯s normal for people to fear death. Even a mere insect clings to life, so why wouldn¡¯t a person? ¡°Got a knife?¡± Julius Reed looked at the burly man in front of him. The burly man looked at Itai Huntington, ¡°Give it to him.¡± Itai Huntington said calmly. Clang! A sharp dagger was thrown to the ground by the burly man, making a crisp sound. ¡°Be careful with it, this knife is extremely sharp, it can cut through iron as though it were mud!¡± the burly man cautioned. ¡°That¡¯s even better, it¡¯ll save this young friend from suffering too much.¡± Julius Reed said with a smile. ¡°What¡­ What do you mean?¡± Ken Leocadia chilled all over when he heard this. ¡°Weren¡¯t you planning on killing me and then committing suicide?¡± Julius Reed squatted down, looking at Ken Leocadia with a smile: ¡°I¡¯m giving you the chance to commit suicide right now. If you don¡¯t cherish it, then prepare yourself for ten years in prison. It¡¯s up to you to choose, I won¡¯t interfere.¡± He took out his phone: ¡°You have half a minute to think, and then I will make a call to the police.¡± Looking at the sharp blade on the ground, Ken Leocadia picked it up with trembling hands. The closer it got to his body, the more violently his hands shook. ¡°Be very careful, this knife is extremely sharp. If you fail to kill yourself and only wound yourself, that would be a huge loss!¡± Julius Reed had the emergency number on his phone screen, his finger over the call button, showing it to Ken Leocadia. At that moment, Ken Leocadia was filled with regret. Even if he had gone bankrupt and lost everything, at least he was still free. He could do anything to scrape by, living a carefree life. But now? The thought of spending ten years in prison with no freedom, no women, no alcohol, no cigarettes, Not even asking for a sports car, not even a bicycle, No money at home to send him, unable to buy anything in prison. This kind of life, he might as well be dead. But he was afraid of pain, and he feared death! ¡°Don¡¯t push me!¡± Ken Leocadia yelled with eyes wide open. ¡°No rush, take your time. I¡¯ll count to ten, and afterward, congratulate yourself for getting a pair of stainless steel handcuffs and a ten-year stay with meals provided. If you¡¯re lucky, you¡¯ll get a bullet through the skull as a bonus.¡± Julius Reed looked at Ken Leocadia, now drenched in sweat with his clothes soaked, and began to count, ¡°Ten, nine¡­..¡± ¡°Huff!¡± Ken Leocadia took a deep breath, holding the dagger with a trembling grip, and stabbed fiercely towards his heart! Clang! But just as the blade was about to touch his body, he threw the dagger away, and started sobbing uncontrollably on the ground. ¡°I don¡¯t want to die¡­ I don¡¯t want to die¡­¡± ¡°What a coward.¡± Itai Huntington shook his head, eyes full of disdain. ¡°And he came to assassinate with such poor skills?¡± ¡°Shall I make the call?¡± Julius Reed asked with a smile. To Ken Leocadia, however, that smile seemed like the Devil¡¯s. ¡°Or, I could make him disappear for you,¡± Itai Huntington said to Julius Reed, gravely, ¡°Disappear without a trace.¡± Coming from the Widow of Doom, such words carried extreme credibility! It also terrified Ken Leocadia, who was sitting on the ground. He had just remembered who this woman was, the infamous Itai Huntington! When someone like her said such things, it wasn¡¯t in jest. The young masters of yesteryear with powerful backgrounds all died without corpses to be found, let alone a bankrupt youth with nothing to his name? ¡°Please, call the police and have me arrested! I¡¯m willing to do time, willing to eat prison food!¡± Ken Leocadia knelt in front of Julius Reed, clinging desperately to his legs. ¡°What¡¯s the use of begging me? You were just trying to kill me, weren¡¯t you!¡± Julius Reed smiled indifferently, maintaining the same expression from the start, never showing anger or losing his temper. Even when faced with assassination, he remained unflustered. ¡°I¡¯m finished!¡± Despair filled Ken Leocadia as he sat on the ground, his gaze vacant, giving up all resistance. Looking at the dagger on the ground, he still couldn¡¯t reconcile himself to suicide! As long as there was a sliver of hope, he wouldn¡¯t give up! ¡°I could, however, give you an opportunity,¡± Julius Reed suddenly spoke. ¡°What? What opportunity!¡± Ken Leocadia, kneeling on the ground, shouted as if grabbing for a lifeline, ¡°What! Just say it! I¡¯ll do whatever it takes!¡± ¡°He tried to kill you, and you still keep him around?¡± Itai Huntington raised her eyebrows, her face showing incomprehension. According to her, if someone dared to threaten her life, you eradicate them root and branch! Not just Ken Leocadia, but even his father, Marcella Leocadia, should be fed to the fish! Yet now, Julius Reed was sparing this man¡¯s life? ¡°Such people pose no threat to me,¡± Julius Reed said, looking at Ken Leocadia: ¡°I know who sent you. Bran Cook¡¯s uncle, Graham Cook! Go back to Bran¡¯s side now, tell him you failed to assassinate me and that I beat you up badly.¡± ¡°No way!¡± Ken Leocadia¡¯s head shook like a rattle: ¡°Bran Cook is so clever, he¡¯ll definitely know I¡¯m going back as an undercover agent, and then I¡¯m as good as dead!¡± Out of the dragon¡¯s den and into the tiger¡¯s lair. Death was certain either way! No way out! ¡°Trust me, Bran Cook won¡¯t suspect you,¡± Julius Reed¡¯s smile suddenly vanished: ¡°You just consider whether you want to live or not. You only get one chance, and I don¡¯t like repeating myself.¡± His change in demeanor brought a chill across Ken Leocadia¡¯s back again, and his hairs stood on end. ¡°I want to live!¡± He said in a low voice, trembling like a sieve. ¡°Remember my words, keep a close watch on Bran Cook¡¯s every move. Otherwise, I will make your life worse than death!¡± Bang! With that, Julius Reed kicked out, sending Ken Leocadia flying ten meters away. During that time, the sound of ribs being broken could be heard. Ken Leocadia hit the ground, motionless, and passed out. ¡°You¡¯re very strong.¡± The muscular man frowned as he looked at Julius Reed. He knew the trade and understood how terrifying that burst of power was. ¡°Too many prying eyes on the street, why don¡¯t we go to the shooting range?¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s eyes briefly showed surprise before it swiftly disappeared, and she reverted to her frivolous demeanor: ¡°If we have too much fun, who knows, I might just give myself to you?¡± Chapter 433 - Chapter 433: Chapter 433: Recognizing Him as My Godfather_1 Chapter 433: Chapter 433: Recognizing Him as My Godfather_1 Julius Reed had not expected that Itai Huntington, a woman capable of mesmerizing many, would actually enjoy playing? ¡°I say, why do you like to play?¡± He took a good look at her; Itai Huntington should be quite skilled, even though she always tried to appear frail. But she could not fool Julius Reed¡¯s eyes. ¡°Hehe, junior employee, what¡¯s wrong with sister liking to play? Who knows, I might even borrow you one day!¡± Itai Huntington gently blew into Julius Reed¡¯s ear while her fingers softly traced circles on his chest. ¡°No! I have a wife already.¡± Julius Reed gently pushed her away, and the burly men standing beside them couldn¡¯t help but frown and clench their fists tightly. ¡°Then get in the car; we¡¯re heading to the shooting range.¡± Itai Huntington blinked her eyes and sashayed to her Maserati, her posture full of allure. Julius Reed followed, getting into the car as well. ¡°Why did you suddenly think of making me the chairman? Logically, such a big role should be for your wife to take.¡± Itai Huntington did not sit in the front seat but joined Julius Reed in the back, crossing her legs in a pose that seemed indecorous yet irresistibly charming. Julius Reed, however, remained unfazed, not even a quickening of his breathing, which surprised Itai Huntington. Few men could resist her seduction, especially those who believed themselves to be immune to temptation; even they had no defense against her. After all, men are creatures that think with their lower half. ¡°The reason is simple, because I fancy you and want to sleep with you. So I offered you this position, hoping to make you grateful and willing to offer your body in return!¡± Julius Reed joked. This woman had deep schemes and shrewdness, but to compete with him? She would need another ten thousand years of life for that. But by that time, she would just barely catch up to his current self. ¡°So that¡¯s the case!¡± Itai Huntington obviously didn¡¯t believe such a lame excuse, which she doubted even a three-year-old girl would fall for. But still, she lightly toyed with her top, blushing as she said, ¡°It¡¯s so hot.¡± ¡°Brother driver, could you turn on the air conditioning a bit cooler? Your miss is feeling hot.¡± Julius Reed said, showing no expression. ¡°Alright!¡± The strong man flashed a hint of anger on his face but still prepared to turn on the cooling air. It was already nearing the New Year, and even in coastal cities, it was not warm. And the car wasn¡¯t hot at all! ¡°Diamond, concentrate on driving!¡± Itai Huntington suddenly changed her tone, sharp as a knife, which startled the strong man into quickly returning his hands to the steering wheel. Then, in less than a second, Itai Huntington reverted to a seductive demeanor. She leaned against Julius Reed and whispered, ¡°Since Mr. Davenport is helping me so much, maybe tonight¡­¡± ¡°I am busy tonight, spending time with my wife.¡± Julius Reed decisively rejected her offer. The only reason he had come out with Itai Huntington that day was to have a proper talk and make future plans clear. Otherwise, this woman would never be content being under his control. ¡°That¡¯s really unromantic!¡± Itai Huntington looked at Julius Reed with a plaintive gaze, turned her head away, and huffed. ¡°You can hold the chairman¡¯s position for now. Once things are stable, I¡¯ll give it to my wife,¡± said Julius Reed, then added, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in it, so you can be at ease. Afterward, everything in Gonzalez City will be yours.¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s body trembled slightly, then she turned to look directly at Julius Reed: ¡°I thought I could see through every man, but with you, I really can¡¯t tell. Mr. Davenport, what exactly do you want?¡± Her eyes sought an answer in Julius Reed¡¯s eyes. However¡­ Julius Reed said seriously, ¡°I simply crave your body, consider that my allowance for keeping you.¡± ¡°Haha! The mouth of a man.¡± Itai Huntington was not content, yet up to this point, she hadn¡¯t uncovered any information about Julius Reed. Ever since this man entered the Radcliffe Family by marriage, he¡¯d been cooped up at home. Yet, this year, he turned Gonzalez City upside down. The decline of the Brandon Family, the fact that the Brandon Family was wiped out. All were the masterpieces of this man before her. A youthful man that looked reasonably handsome, by all accounts, should be leading a life of luxury, surrounded by wine and beautiful women on yachts. But he chose to stick with his wife, content to be a son-in-law who had moved into his wife¡¯s family home. However, as soon as he left Quella Radcliffe, he would show his terrifying side! He single-handedly toppled the Brandon Family! Even she, Itai Huntington, couldn¡¯t achieve that so quickly. And there¡¯s absolutely no information on this man from three years ago. Saying he just popped out of a rock wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration. ¡°Aron Jackson and Ovidiu Cook seem quite familiar with you,¡± Itai Huntington continued to fish for information, not believing she¡¯d come away with nothing today. Last night, someone had sent her a message to run for the position of chairman. Initially, she was doubtful; she didn¡¯t get along with Julius Reed and had met him only once. Why discuss this matter with her? If Julius Reed had the capability, wouldn¡¯t Quella Radcliffe be a better choice? If he didn¡¯t have the capability, was he trying to stir up conflict between her and Bran Cook? To reap the benefits of the fisherman watching two others fight? But Itai Huntington wasn¡¯t afraid of Bran Cook, in fact, their relationship was fairly good. If it really came down to it, Bran Cook had no choice but to back down. However, securing this position meant controlling the largest resources of Gonzalez City in the future, and possibly rising above Aron Jackson and Ovidiu Cook. It was worth the wager! And now, it seemed she¡¯d won the bet. But why did Ovidiu Cook and Aron Jackson, these two apparent bosses, choose her specifically? She, Itai Huntington, wasn¡¯t initially interested in this affair at all. After all, it was Bran Cook who had meticulously organized the whole thing, and local enterprises were all supporting Bran Cook, the accomplished man returning from the capital. Even though Itai Huntington also returned from the capital. But no one knew her; people were only fearful of this enchanting widow. Today she had asked Julius Reed to meet to get some clarity. There¡¯s no such thing as a pie falling from the sky, especially one as big as this! Deserving of a feast. But it seemed that beauty tricks were not very useful. ¡°Aron Jackson? I don¡¯t know him. I merely sent someone to tell him you liked him and that if he chose you, you would pledge yourself to him. Maybe Aron Jackson took a fancy to you, and who knows, he might go straight to your house tonight,¡± Julius Reed spoke earnestly, making the serious Itai Huntington almost believe him. If Aron Jackson were that simple, could he have controlled Gonzalez City? ¡°What about Ovidiu Cook! You surely wouldn¡¯t want me to serve two husbands, would you?¡± Itai Huntington blinked her eyes, a picture of aggrievement. ¡°As for Ovidiu Cook, it¡¯s much simpler. I said once things were settled, you¡¯d acknowledge him as your godfather!¡± The moment Julius Reed uttered these words, the driver with the iron-clad hands at the front jolted, nearly steering the car onto the curb. Chapter 434 - Chapter 434: Chapter 434 Plain Water_1 Chapter 434: Chapter 434 Plain Water_1 ¡°Focus on driving!¡± Itai Huntington once again adopted her high-powered, icy CEO demeanour. ¡°Truly a woman of ice and fire!¡± Julius Reed couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°A woman¡¯s face changes faster than flipping a book.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it all about who it¡¯s for? With someone as handsome and dashing as you, who knows how to please a woman, I have to be a bit gentler.¡± Itai Huntington licked her lips seductively, ¡°After all, ¡®beauty is in the eye of the beholder,¡¯ don¡¯t you think, young master?¡± Julius Reed chose not to talk. He simply leaned back in his seat and fell asleep! Soon enough, they arrived at the shooting range. This particular shooting range was located in the bustling heart of Gonzalez City! From afar, they could see that many luxury cars were parked at the entrance. There were those worth millions, and even tens of millions! And there were no less than a hundred of them! This made Julius Reed wonder if all of Gonzalez City¡¯s wealthy had gathered here today? ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Little brother, which one do you like? I¡¯ll have someone buy it for you right away.¡± Itai Huntington said from behind him. She was not joking. With her financial power, buying out the entire shooting range would be a piece of cake. ¡°When I find one I like, I¡¯ll tell you.¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t flat-out reject the offer¡ªafter all, only fools would pass up on a freebie! Besides, by pushing Itai Huntington to the forefront, the benefits alone were worth more than several luxury cars. Once the Gonzalez City Business Alliance was truly established, the profits would be immense! This was a coastal city, not only capable of domestic trade but also of exporting overseas, truly realizing the strategy of exporting to internal sales, creating an international brand to later sell to the domestic wealthy. After all, the moon always seems brighter from afar. Once Diamond parked the car, the trio headed towards the entrance. After showing a membership card, Itai Huntington led the two inside. ¡°They require a card?¡± Julius Reed noted that the entrance check was very thorough. ¡°Of course. Do you know what the threshold for this card is?¡± Itai Huntington flaunted the membership card in front of Julius Reed. ¡°There¡¯s at least thirty million as a deposit in there, serving as a symbol of one¡¯s status.¡± ¡°Extravagant!¡± Julius Reed gave a thumbs-up. A thirty-million-dollar deposit essentially blocked many people from even entertaining the thought of entering. To put down thirty million, one would need assets worth at least several hundred million. And it had to be in cash, not real estate. Otherwise, if the cash flow stopped, wouldn¡¯t it be desperate? ¡°What? Little brother likes it? Big sister will give it to you then. After all, what¡¯s mine is yours, and who knows, maybe I¡¯ll be yours in the future too.¡± Itai Huntington pursed her lips and smiled, hooking her arm through Julius Reed¡¯s. ¡°Big sister knows you¡¯re strong, but here in Gonzalez City, it¡¯s easy to dodge an open spear and hard to guard against a hidden arrow. If you go in with me, maybe it¡¯ll deter people from wanting to harm you.¡± Although still charming in her smile, her words were unusually serious. ¡°So this is why you brought me to the shooting range!¡± Julius Reed pretended to realize suddenly, ¡°You haven¡¯t really fallen for me, have you? That would be a bit messy, I have a wife so, how about being my mistress?¡± No matter what, Itai Huntington was at least showing her loyalty. Even if it was just for show, having the courage to stand by his side when his enemies were looking down on him called for considerable bravery. ¡°If you dare to take me, I dare to be your lover. But you¡¯ll have to check with the tigress at home.¡± Itai Huntington whispered in his ear teasingly, ¡°Otherwise, you can take me home tonight.¡± Indeed, it wasn¡¯t propriety but rather her natural impropriety that characterized Itai Huntington. Julius Reed gently pushed her arm away, speaking with moral righteousness, ¡°My wife¡¯s supported life is delicious; I have no desire to be fed by you. Otherwise, wouldn¡¯t all the men in Gonzalez City hate me to death?¡± When he said this, Itai Huntington actually felt there was some sense to it. This man, whom everyone looked down upon, had actually married Quella Radcliffe, a somewhat famous figure in Gonzalez City. If she started hanging around with Julius Reed, it would instantly maximize the enmity. So, she stopped pretending to be close with Julius Reed and went straight to the shooting club. It wasn¡¯t until they entered that Julius Reed realized this shooting range wasn¡¯t solely for shooting! While shooting took up a large part of the space, there were also swimming pools, fitness centers, and yoga studios! Practically everything you¡¯d find in a regular leisure and entertainment venue, they have it here! ¡°I¡¯m going to play for a while, do you want to come with me?¡± After arriving here, Itai Huntington felt right at home, expertly changing into the gear, stowing her belongings, and preparing to shoot. ¡°I¡¯ll hang out at the caf¨¦ for a bit. Oh, and I didn¡¯t bring any money, you know, living off a woman and all¡­¡± Julius Reed rubbed his fingers together. ¡°Pfft!¡± Itai Huntington laughed outright, stuffing a membership card into Julius Reed¡¯s hand, ¡°There¡¯s enough money in there for you to drink coffee here for a year.¡± ¡°Okay then, you have fun!¡± Julius Reed took the card without any formality, didn¡¯t even say thank you, and headed straight to the caf¨¦. On the way there, he encountered plenty of handsome men and beautiful women. Many came over to greet upon hearing Itai Huntington had arrived. A few early birds who observed the dynamics between the two couldn¡¯t help but give Julius Reed a few glances. The caf¨¦ inside the shooting range was quite impressive. It occupied an area of more than five hundred square meters, and this was just one of the indoor caf¨¦s, also a part of the shooting range. There were more than a dozen waiters standing therein. As soon as they saw Julius Reed enter, they immediately bowed in unison. This display was akin to the emperor¡¯s procession of old. ¡°A cup of coffee!¡± Once seated, he looked around and realized there seemed to be no menus. By this time, the caf¨¦ was already teeming with men and women, all of them wealthy without exception. Most were here on dates. Just considering that a card with a thirty-million deposit was enough to prove one¡¯s status, one could understand why! Quite a few men inside had, unbeknownst to many, brought numerous ladies over. ¡°Sir, what kind of coffee would you like?¡± The waiter asked politely. They dared not neglect such distinguished guests in the slightest. ¡°Well¡­ give me the cheapest one.¡± His request immediately drew the attention of most people around him. Those who came here were either rich or noble; how much could a cup of coffee possibly cost? Most directly ordered by the name of the coffee, while only a few, looking to show off to the girls they brought, would boldly call for the most expensive cup. Julius Reed was probably the first to ask for the cheapest one right off the bat. ¡°Sir, please wait a moment.¡± The waiter was taken aback but quickly recovered. Anyone who came here was wealthy; they craved the prestige. Such an odd customer was indeed a first for them. ¡°Hold on!¡± Apparently oblivious to the unusual glances from those around him, Julius Reed called the waiter back. ¡°Sir, may I help you with something else?¡± The waiter immediately turned around, standing up straight. ¡°How much is the cheapest one?¡± Julius Reed inquired. ¡°888 per cup,¡± replied the waiter truthfully. ¡°How about boiling water, does that cost anything?¡± Julius Reed asked again. ¡°Sir, this is a caf¨¦¡­¡± The waiter looked uncomfortable. ¡°Is the owner of this caf¨¦ the same person who owns the shooting range?¡± Julius Reed pressed on with his questioning. ¡°Yes.¡± The waiter felt like he was about to explode. ¡°Since it¡¯s the same owner, just give me a cup of hot water. It¡¯s free, hurry up, I¡¯m thirsty!¡± Julius Reed gestured with his hand, urging the waiter on. Chapter 435 - Chapter 435: Chapter 435: Im Laying My Cards on the Table_1 Chapter 435: Chapter 435: I¡¯m Laying My Cards on the Table_1 ¡°This¡­¡± The waiter stood in place, unsure of what to do. It was his first time encountering such a customer. Wasn¡¯t everyone who came in a valued guest? He couldn¡¯t afford to offend any of them. Even if a customer made the most unreasonable demands, he had to bear with it. Actually, Julius Reed¡¯s thoughts were quite simple: after all, he hadn¡¯t brought any money with him, and his relationship with Itai Huntington was ambiguous. How could he spend someone else¡¯s money? But as it happened, Julius Reed had left home today without his card. This was awkward. He decided that in the future, he needed to carry his wallet when going out. ¡°No problem, just do as I say.¡± Julius Reed stood up, patted the waiter on the shoulder, and said, ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°No idea where this poor fucker came from; probably sneaked in!¡± A male student glanced disdainfully at Julius Reed and said to his girlfriend, ¡°I can¡¯t believe we¡¯d come across such a freak even in a place as high-class as this. I¡¯ll have to make a suggestion to the boss. People like him coming in here really ruins our ambience.¡± ¡°Exactly! What a lonely loser. He probably spent his whole fortune in here. You know what this is called? Trying to save face but making yourself suffer! Not like you, always bringing me here for coffee. Let me tell you, the coffee here is really great. Once you get used to it, coffee from anywhere else tastes like herbal medicine.¡± The girl sitting across from the guy echoed the sentiment, clearly not taking Julius Reed seriously. ¡°What¡¯s so special about the taste of coffee? It¡¯s all the same stuff. If you could taste cat shit in it, now that would be impressive.¡± Julius Reed muttered to himself, ¡°Some people, after drinking a few days of foreign ink, don¡¯t even know their own last name anymore. They drink coffee during the day, but who knows what they¡¯re drinking after going back home with someone at night!¡± His words made the girl¡¯s face turn red instantly. She had indeed been staying with a man recently, and things between men and women had happened. Put on the spot like that, the girl became furiously embarrassed, stood up, and approached Julius Reed, ¡°You poor fucker, what did you say?¡± She was imposing and aggressive, which quickly attracted the attention of all the customers. It was still quite busy at the time, with twenty or thirty people in the caf¨¦, mostly young folks. ¡°Poor fucker? Where¡¯s the poor fucker?¡± Julius Reed stood up, looking around as if confused, then suddenly said as if he had an epiphany, ¡°Oh, you¡¯re talking about yourself? Being poor is no big deal, but you should at least respect yourself. If you sleep with someone just for a cup of coffee, that¡¯s pretty cheap, isn¡¯t it? How about I buy you a cup?¡± ¡°You¡­ you fucking hooligan!¡± The girl¡¯s face turned instantly red, and she ran back into the arms of her boyfriend, crying, ¡°Alton Bread, he¡¯s talking about me!¡± Men in front of women are prone to impulsiveness. As the saying goes, a man would rage for the sake of his beloved. Now that his girlfriend had been insulted, the man knew it was his time to show up. He stood up, straightened his suit, and approached Julius Reed with an imposing air. ¡°Buddy, what do you mean by this?¡± Knowing that many eyes around him were watching, the guy even more dominantly placed a foot on the chair opposite Julius Reed. ¡°Insulting my girlfriend?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t call me buddy. What, you trying to be related to me, mooching off my plain water?¡± Julius Reed raised his eyebrows and waved his hand, ¡°Go drink your cat shit coffee, don¡¯t even think about getting my plain water!¡± ¡°This guy is so funny!¡± ¡°I find him quite interesting, and to be able to enter the range, he must be rich or noble. Why would he insist on a cup of plain water?¡± ¡°That you don¡¯t know. Some rich people just have these quirks. We can¡¯t fathom what they¡¯re thinking.¡± Most people just laughed off Julius Reed¡¯s remarks. How could anyone coming to the range not have money? The man¡¯s drinking plain water for health reasons! As for being free, who would complain about having too much money? Even a tiny fly is still meat. But when the man heard these comments, it felt like an insult to him. Especially hearing the murmurs around him, he knew he couldn¡¯t lose face! The man named Dexter was a local from Gonzalez City, with some family assets. He took pleasure in changing girlfriends frequently. Every week there¡¯s a different woman by his side at the caf¨¦. That¡¯s why so many people knew him as ¡°Alton Bread.¡± Now, humiliated in front of so many acquaintances, how could he stand it? ¡°Apologize to my girlfriend, immediately!¡± Dexter said with a stern face. ¡°Apologize for what? To your girlfriend? Dude, with that body of yours, I bet from the moment you walked in, you wouldn¡¯t last more than a minute. Go home and eat more kidneys; what do you need a girlfriend for?¡± After Julius Reed finished speaking, the waiter just happened to bring over the hot water. ¡°You! What nonsense are you spouting!¡± Dexter, hit where it hurt, immediately flew into a rage! And the woman¡¯s face turned red, obviously confirming Julius Reed¡¯s words. ¡°Holy shit! So it¡¯s true you¡¯re impotent! And yet you switch girlfriends so frequently, got nothing better to do?¡± ¡°Exactly! I thought you were some tough guy, but turns out you¡¯re just a pewter rifle, all show and no go!¡± ¡°This guy must be bluffing, how did he guess it right away?¡± Everyone present was clever; just by looking at the faces of the two, they knew the odds were that this was the case. And as a man, having it exposed in public made Dexter absolutely furious! He wanted to kill Julius Reed! But this was a shooting range and he couldn¡¯t just lash out. ¡°Ender, come here!¡± With a wave of his hand, Dexter called the woman named Ender to come over. ¡°Kid! I don¡¯t care who you are, apologize to my girlfriend right now; get on your knees and apologize!¡± He roared, trying to recover his reputation through sheer bluster. Moreover, he was well aware that word of this would soon spread; how could he show his face at the caf¨¦ after? ¡°Apologies won¡¯t do. How about I give you a remedy? I guarantee you¡¯ll be satisfied.¡± Julius Reed took a gentle sip of the hot water, his face full of bliss as he said, ¡°Water tastes better.¡± ¡°What remedy¡­¡± Dexter asked in a deep voice. Since Julius could tell Dexter was inadequate, it was probably not a guess; if there really was a remedy, it would be a godsend. Because of this issue, Dexter had been to the capital several times, spending a lot of money with little to no effect. And the frequent switching of girlfriends was because, once known, no woman wanted to stay with him long-term. Though they were after his money, over time Dexter also worried that he might get cuckolded. ¡°Haha, ever heard of super glue?¡± As soon as Julius Reed said this, what had been a quiet caf¨¦ immediately burst into laughter. ¡°You motherfucker dare to mock me! Poor loser, do you know who I am? I¡¯m Dexter, my father is Atticus Wilson!¡± Dexter shouted furiously, so angry he was about to hit someone! ¡°And do you know who I am?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s face darkened, he stood up and poured the boiling hot water directly onto Dexter¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯ll lay my cards on the table; I¡¯m Itai Huntington¡¯s husband!¡± ¡°What!¡± The caf¨¦ was in shock! ¡°Itai Huntington, the Black Widow? She has a man?¡± ¡°Holy shit! Does this kid know what the consequences of spreading rumors are?¡± ¡°Guess he¡¯ll be thrown into Gonzalez City docks once Itai Huntington finds out!¡± Everyone was dumbfounded, thinking Julius Reed had gone mad. Even Dexter laughed, wiping the water from his face, he smirked viciously, ¡°Kid, you¡¯re dead once Itai Huntington finds out!¡± Chapter 436 - Chapter 436: Chapter 436 How to Talk to Rich People_1 Chapter 436: Chapter 436 How to Talk to Rich People_1 Who is Itai Huntington? The number one widow of Gonzalez City! Stunningly beautiful, yet a widow nonetheless! This fact alone attracted countless men¡¯s attention. Whether it was greed for Itai¡¯s beauty or coveting her wealth, numerous men vied to become Itai Huntington¡¯s king. But so far, None had succeeded. There was once a wealthy heir who, drunk at his own birthday banquet, boasted that he would bed Itai Huntington, conquer this stunningly beautiful woman. The next day, he was found dead in his own bed. Since then, except for those who had a death wish and dared to talk about Itai Huntington, everyone else changed color at the mention of the widow. And those with a death wish, they really died miserably. Now, Julius Reed openly claiming to be Itai Huntington¡¯s man was practically seeking his own death! Dexter couldn¡¯t contain his joy, he hadn¡¯t expected his rival to be this foolish. Where is this place? Gonzalez City Shooting Range, the largest activity center for the wealthy. Unlike formal places like Twilight Mansion, this venue attracts more and more varied people. It probably wouldn¡¯t be long before someone would spread his words to Itai Huntington¡¯s ears. By then, the fate of this young man would be quite grim! Died miserably! Dexter looked at Julius Reed with eyes one reserves for the dead, ¡°Brother, you¡¯ve really blown it this time!¡± ¡°Sorry! All the tall tales I¡¯ve told have come true,¡± Julius Reed looked at his empty glass and called out, ¡°Waiter, I¡¯ve run out of water, bring me another cup.¡± ¡°Kid, before you die, let me teach you a lesson as a brother, letting you know there are some people you just can¡¯t afford to offend!¡± Dexter clenched his fist, ready to give a harsh lesson to the man who had insulted him. All his life, no one had dared to splash water in his face. Let alone water that had been drunk. Disgusting! This was between two grown men! ¡°Who are you? Tell me about it.¡± Julius Reed looked at Dexter with a grin, seemingly oblivious to the danger he was in. ¡°A wealthy man!¡± Slap! Dexter slammed his membership card onto the table, ¡°In this card, there¡¯s a hundred million! Do you know what that means?¡± He spoke with supreme pride, ¡°This means I have one hundred and thirty million in liquid assets! What about you? How much money do you have? I¡¯m starting to wonder who you sneaked in with!¡± Not everyone who comes here has a card. You just need to be brought in by the cardholder. Clearly, a ¡°poor man¡± like Julius Reed must have slipped in with someone else. If he had even a few million in assets, he wouldn¡¯t be asking for free hot water! ¡°This card, it can have money? Is it preloaded?¡± Julius Reed thought it only had the thirty million security deposit, never imagining it could contain more money. Who would bother depositing so much? ¡°Haha! I knew it, just a bumpkin!¡± Dexter looked down on him, ¡°This membership card is actually a bank card! The owner of the shooting range and Celestial Bank jointly issued this card. The so-called thirty million deposit is nothing but a freeze on your account¡¯s assets! Expenses are charged to the money in the bank card! Celestial Bank and Gonzalez City Shooting Range¡¯s joint product, you ignorant fool!¡± Before, he had been slightly worried about whether a super-rich second generation was pretending to be poor here. But not even knowing the nature of the membership card? That¡¯s just ludicrous! He had definitely sneaked in! Just like his girlfriend Ender, brought in by him. Ender was just a nurse, earning seven to eight thousand a month, and yet she also came here, sitting in this coffee shop drinking coffee. The difference is, Ender has someone to spend money on her behalf, but what about this man? Clearly, after being brought in, no one paid him any mind! In the whole coffee shop, it was just couples talking about love or business people discussing deals, with only Julius Reed alone. And he came in just for a cup of water. ¡°So that¡¯s how it is!¡± Julius Reed nodded. It seemed that what he held in his hand was Itai Huntington¡¯s bank card. He was quite curious about how much money Itai Huntington¡¯s card could have. But it seemed you couldn¡¯t check the balance without a password? Why did Itai Huntington give him the card? ¡°Hello, can this card be swiped without a password?¡± Julius Reed looked at the waiter, wondering if he couldn¡¯t swipe the card and would have to deal with Itai Huntington afterwards. Wasn¡¯t this just setting him up for embarrassment? ¡°You need a password for transactions over one hundred thousand, but not for anything less.¡± The waiter replied clearly, ¡°And it¡¯s only in our shooting range that you can make purchases under one hundred thousand without a password. Once you leave here, it¡¯s just a regular bank card, and you use it just like any other time.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± Julius Reed mentally circled around Itai Huntington, it seemed this woman hadn¡¯t lied to him. ¡°Kid, next time you see a rich person, remember to be more polite!¡± Dexter twisted his neck, ready to come over and show Julius Reed who was boss. ¡°Let¡¯s do this, since you say you¡¯re a rich person, we should have a proper talk about this rich people¡¯s stuff!¡± Julius Reed held out his hand, signaling Dexter to hold on. His words once again drew the attention of the caf¨¦¡¯s patrons. Many who had just entered the caf¨¦ sat down to watch the drama unfold. ¡°How shall we talk?¡± Dexter asked arrogantly. ¡°You tell me, how should those with a lot of money and those with a little, I mean the two of us, communicate to be considered normal? If you can say it, we¡¯ll do just that, alright?¡± Julius Reed spoke with a smile. ¡°Ha! You poor fuck! When you meet a rich person, naturally, you should behave like a dog, all subservient, kneel and kowtow! Got it? Now I¡¯ve said it, you can go ahead and do it!¡± Dexter burst out laughing, knowing Julius Reed had buckled. ¡°I¡¯ve said it now, go ahead and do it!¡± He tilted his head back and immediately felt his pride restored. ¡°What if someone doesn¡¯t do as told?¡± Julius Reed asked again. ¡°Are all these people listening? Are you trying to back out?¡± Dexter¡¯s expression changed, was this poor man trying to play him again? Then he was really going to get physical! ¡°Everyone heard that, right?¡± Julius Reed pulled out a card from his waist and handed it to the waiter, ¡°Check how much money is on here.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Dexter¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. How did he have a card? Wasn¡¯t he supposed to be cardless? If he really came with someone else, the other person would definitely be holding onto the card! They should have brought it in themselves, so why would they leave the card with him? What was the person who brought him doing? But then Dexter calmed down, even if there was a card, as long as the client¡¯s name wasn¡¯t this man in front of him, it wouldn¡¯t count as his money! ¡°I suggest we check his ID to see if it¡¯s the same person!¡± As soon as he finished speaking, the front desk immediately answered, ¡°No need to check the ID, they are not the same person.¡± Dexter crossed his arms and smugly said, ¡°Kneel!¡± He was finally going to get some satisfaction. ¡°This card belongs to Ms. Itai Huntington.¡± The voice from the front desk was like a thunderclap, stunning everyone! Itai Huntington¡¯s card? The relationship between the two¡­ After all these years, Itai Huntington had never let go of her card! ¡°How should one speak to a rich person?¡± Julius Reed exerted strength with one hand, forcing Dexter to kneel on the ground. ¡°You¡­¡± Bang! Before Dexter could speak, Julius Reed kicked him, sending him flying against the caf¨¦¡¯s glass window, ¡°In front of me, you¡¯re less than a beggar.¡± After speaking, he went to the front desk, took back the card and spoke up, ¡°What about my hot water? You said it was free, didn¡¯t you secretly charge it to the card while I was away?¡± The people around were all giving looks of disbelief¡­ Chapter 437 - Chapter 437: Chapter 437 Shooting Competition_1 Chapter 437: Chapter 437 Shooting Competition_1 When Julius Reed left, rumors had already begun to spread through Gonzalez City. Almost immediately, the news that Itai Huntington was intimately involved with a man swept through the entire Gonzalez City like a tornado. And the person involved, Julius Reed, was wandering around the shooting range, looking for Itai Huntington. Dexter naturally didn¡¯t dare to retaliate, as the four words ¡°Itai Huntington¡± were like a death warrant, terrifying to everyone who heard them. Who would dare to oppose Itai Huntington? That would surely be asking for a death wish. ¡°Yo! Isn¡¯t this the ¡®Freeloader King of Gonzalez City¡¯, ¡®The Radcliffe Family¡¯s Son-in-law¡¯, Julius Reed, Mr. Reed himself?¡± Just as Julius Reed was searching for Itai Huntington, a familiar voice rang out from behind him. He turned around and saw that it was Zane Percival, who had intended to trouble him that day. Zane Percival had evidently learned of his identity through Bran Cook, which wasn¡¯t surprising at all. He would have learned sooner or later, and it made no difference anyway. When Zane Percival spoke of a son-in-law, he purposely called him a ¡®dog son-in-law¡¯ to insult Julius Reed. They say a son-in-law is no better than a dog, and that was exactly his implication. ¡°What does Young Master Percival want here? Surely you¡¯re not following me?¡± Julius Reed looked him over with interest. Zane Percival, thanks to his family¡¯s not so minor assets, counted as one of Bran Cook¡¯s several loyal ¡®dogs¡¯. After all, even to play the role of a dog, one needs certain credentials. ¡°Bullshit! I come here often, but how did you manage to sneak in?¡± Zane Percival raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°Your wife¡¯s company is about to go bankrupt, I heard she just managed to get a bank loan, and now you¡¯re out here enjoying yourself?¡± He rolled his eyes and chuckled, ¡°I¡¯ve always been puzzled, why previously no bank would grant your wife¡¯s company a loan, and now they¡¯ve all agreed? Could it be that your wife, behind your back, has been ¡®accommodating¡¯ these bankers?¡± Laughter erupted behind him. The Gonzalez City shooting range, an entertainment center for the wealthy. Zane Percival showing up here naturally meant a bunch of lackeys followed. The ones from the KTV before were this lot. Their family backgrounds were quite decent, or they wouldn¡¯t have been able to hang out together. Seeing Zane Percival humiliate Quella Radcliffe, they all joined in the jeering. ¡°Do you want to know why?¡± Julius Reed asked with a mysterious air. ¡°Of course, I¡¯m very curious how your wife, at the same time¡­¡± Bang! Julius Reed threw a punch, sending Kairo Percival kneeling on the ground. ¡°What the hell! You dare to start a fight!¡± ¡°You¡¯ve hurt Younger Percival, you¡¯re not going to get away with this!¡± ¡°Such nerve!¡± Those young men hadn¡¯t expected Julius Reed to act so swiftly and decisively, completely unprepared. Zane Percival was kneeling on the ground, his face reddening to a purplish hue: ¡°You¡­ you damn dare to hit me! You waste of space! I¡­ I¡¯m going to kill you!¡± Being kicked by a son-in-law, Young Master Percival wouldn¡¯t need to bother going out anymore. He couldn¡¯t face anyone after this! ¡°What is going on here!¡± The security at the Gonzalez City shooting range, upon hearing the commotion, immediately rushed over and surrounded them. ¡°Someone hit me! This piece of trash!¡± Zane Percival held onto his belly, struggling to stand up. ¡°Did you hit him?¡± The security approached Julius Reed, scrutinizing him closely. Looking very unfamiliar, he must be here for the first time. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± A woman¡¯s voice rang out, prompting everyone to clear a path. It was Itai Huntington, graceful and poised as she approached with a smile on her face, ¡°What happened while I was shooting some rounds?¡± ¡°Sister Huntington!¡± Upon seeing Itai Huntington approaching, Zane Percival hurriedly greeted her with respect. No one dared to provoke Itai Huntington, and neither could he. ¡°This man hit me! I want to teach him a lesson!¡± Zane Percival pointed at Julius Reed, speaking with spite. ¡°It¡¯s normal for men to have some conflicts. But everyone here is a person of dignity; there should be some element of a gentleman¡¯s duel, right?¡± Itai Huntington said with a smile, ¡°Resorting to violence immediately is just too crude.¡± With her chastising him, Zane Percival had no choice but to swallow his anger, looking at Julius Reed with unwillingness in his eyes. ¡°You all can disperse now!¡± Itai Huntington waved her hand, and the security staff immediately left. Meanwhile, the people in the caf¨¦ had heard the commotion outside and came out one after another to see what was happening. And to their astonishment, they found Itai Huntington standing with the man who had hit someone. This sparked another round of discussion among them. ¡°Gentleman? Fine! I propose a shooting contest! This place is a shooting range after all. Let¡¯s shoot! The loser should kneel down and apologize!¡± Zane Percival¡¯s eyes twinkled as he sneered, ¡°Mr. Reed wouldn¡¯t chicken out, would he?¡± In his opinion, a son-in-law who lived off his wife certainly hadn¡¯t been to such a place before; aside from shooting, he probably couldn¡¯t even handle a gun! ¡°Of course, you can refuse, but I¡¯ve offered you a gentleman¡¯s way out. If you don¡¯t care about your reputation, I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t do as Sister Huntington suggested.¡± He was unaware of the relationship between Julius Reed and Itai Huntington, since his circle would never be privy to such information. Furthermore, there truly was no relationship between them. So Zane Percival assumed Itai Huntington¡¯s appearance was merely to smooth things over. This widow frequented the place often, practicing her shooting whenever she had the chance. ¡°Shooting contest, eh? That does sound like a fine idea, but kneeling and apologizing seems insufficient, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Julius Reed scratched his head and said, ¡°How about this instead? The loser has all his teeth knocked out. Your mouth is too foul; you insulted my girlfriend just now.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re seeking your own destruction, that¡¯s not my problem! Since it¡¯s come to this, I¡¯ll indulge you, and you shall fully become someone who lives off a woman! Let¡¯s see how you eat when you have no teeth left!¡± Zane Percival was initially taken aback, then laughed heartily, ¡°You¡¯ll have to drink porridge!¡± The rest of the crowd also joined in, mocking, as if they were all waiting to see Julius Reed embarrassed. ¡°Let me tell you, losers like you shouldn¡¯t even dream of standing up for themselves. What do you have to compete with me?¡± Zane Percival gave a disdainful snort. The man was clearly digging his own grave! ¡°Zane Percival is very good with a gun; he¡¯s among the top three in the entire club,¡± Itai Huntington intervened to remind. What Zane Percival was doing was obviously a trap laid for Julius Reed. If Julius Reed agreed, there was no chance of winning! And the loss would be miserable! Even though Itai Huntington knew Julius Reed was formidable, there are specialists in every field, and when it came to shooting, Zane Percival was definitely in the top five in the province! He had even won awards for his skills. ¡°No problem, I¡¯ll make sure he¡¯s utterly convinced, right? I¡¯ll make it easy for you; this is your last chance. Are we set on a shooting contest?¡± Julius Reed said carelessly. ¡°Yes! Today, Sister Huntington and all the people around are witnesses,¡± Zane Percival pointed to the many onlookers who had come to watch the excitement: ¡°Ten shots. Whoever scores the most, wins!¡± The more people there were, the happier he was! After all, he needed as many people as possible to witness Julius Reed getting his teeth knocked out! To see him kneel down and beg like a dog! Once the news spread, Bran Cook would surely hold him in higher regard! Chapter 438 - Chapter 438: Chapter 438 100 Rings_1 Chapter 438: Chapter 438 100 Rings_1 A line of people marched grandly towards the shooting range. Zane Percival had even used his connections to broadcast the competition through the shooting range¡¯s PA system, instantly attracting the attention of most people present. Many who were practicing shooting voluntarily stepped aside, freeing up the space for the two to duel. Itai Huntington was filled with anxiety, for although Zane Percival was uneducated, he was truly a genius when it came to shooting! He was so talented that he had participated in domestic competitions and even won awards! Obviously, many people in the range knew about this and were eagerly waiting to witness Julius Reed¡¯s utterly miserable defeat. ¡°With so many people here to bear witness, I trust you won¡¯t back out?¡± Zane Percival asked again. He was already overjoyed and even sent a message to Bran Cook, boasting about how he made Julius Reed kneel like a dog. And about how he was going to beat him until he was desperately searching for his teeth! This was a great accomplishment! Bran Cook on the other end of the phone was equally excited! Just moments ago, he was forced to kneel on the ground, watching Julius Reed and his family eat! Such a great humiliation! He was very curious about how Zane Percival managed to do it, considering Julius Reed had powerful backers and even Jordan was now lying in the hospital. When Zane Percival replied that he achieved this through a shooting competition bet, Bran Cook was even more overjoyed. Competing against Zane Percival in shooting was just courting death! However, what he didn¡¯t know was that the competition hadn¡¯t even started yet¡­ ¡°If Younger Percival loses, I hope you would also keep your word. After all, we¡¯re both gentlemen, right?¡± Julius Reed said with a smile. ¡°Heh! How could I possibly lose! Don¡¯t insult the term ¡®gentleman¡¯, it doesn¡¯t suit you!¡± Zane Percival snorted coldly. But Itai Huntington, standing nearby, said, ¡°I¡¯ll bear witness.¡± ¡°Thank you, Sister Huntington!¡± With Itai Huntington¡¯s support, Zane Percival rubbed his hands together eagerly, wishing he could immediately leave Julius Reed searching desperately for his teeth! ¡°I¡¯ll go first!¡± He skillfully put on his ear protection and started to aim at the distant targets, firing his gun! Bang! Bang! Bang¡­ After ten shots, Zane Percival confidently took off his ear protection and looked at Julius Reed: ¡°You¡¯ve lost!¡± This confidence stemmed from his skill! ¡°Ninety-nine points!¡± Someone shouted from afar. ¡°Younger Percival is incredible! Virtually every shot hits its mark! The sharpshooter reincarnated!¡± ¡°He even broke the record at our Gonzalez City shooting range today! The previous record was also set by Younger Percival, at ninety-eight points!¡± ¡°This battle will surely be talked about in Gonzalez City for a decade!¡± His followers were singing his praises, and the bystanders were shocked. Incredibly skilled! Only one shot scored a nine, all the rest were perfect hits! With such results, the competition seemed to have no suspense left. For those who practiced regularly, scoring over eighty points was challenging, how could this youth, who appeared to have hardly practiced, possibly win? ¡°Sorry, but you¡¯ve lost!¡± Zane Percival said provocatively, ¡°Is there even a need to continue? I think it¡¯s a waste of time!¡± He was secretly jubilant. His previous best was only ninety-eight points, but today he scored ninety-nine points! On this night of setting his own record, he could severely punish this son-in-law, and his name, Zane Percival, would surely spread throughout Gonzalez City. Fate was indeed intent on destroying Julius Reed! He was extremely pleased with himself. ¡°Since I¡¯m here, how could I not shoot? Don¡¯t you agree?¡± Julius Reed acted as though he was at a loss, he looked at Itai Huntington with mild difficulty: ¡°Could you teach me? It¡¯s my first time here, I¡¯ve never played before.¡± As soon as these words came out, the entire place erupted in boos. One was a sharpshooter, the other a rookie who had never practiced! It was like a massacre waiting to happen! It was an outright massacre without any suspense! ¡°This loser! He can only wash clothes and cook after three years, I think he should have stuck to dishwashing. Younger Percival is bound to lose!¡± ¡°Exactly, he could compete in doing laundry too, right? Seeking his own death by daring to play with guns? Is he even worthy?¡± ¡°Younger Percival is like the Sharpshooter incarnate, he could be his great master!¡± The henchmen behind Zane Percival were ridiculing proudly, and the other onlookers were also buzzing with discussion. ¡°Did you know? This guy seems to have some connection to Itai Huntington; he was using Itai Huntington¡¯s card at the cafe earlier!¡± ¡°I heard about that too, and he gave Dexter a good thrashing. He just came out, and now he¡¯s going head-to-head with Zane Percival. He¡¯s really courting death!¡± ¡°But in front of so many people, Itai Huntington can¡¯t easily show favoritism. There¡¯s definitely going to be a good show later on!¡± Many people were waiting for the drama after hearing about the incident at the cafe. One was the man holding Itai Huntington¡¯s membership card, who was also the Radcliffe Family¡¯s son-in-law and known as the good-for-nothing of Gonzalez City. The other was the young master of the Percival logistics family, with exquisite marksmanship, and close ties to Bran Cook. The confrontation between the two men could be described as unequal, but with Julius Reed carrying Itai Huntington¡¯s membership card, the situation became interesting. In fact, Zane Percival was unaware of this; if he had known about Julius Reed¡¯s connection to Itai Huntington, he would not have acted so recklessly. Offending the deadly widow would be a costly mistake he couldn¡¯t afford. ¡°Hey, are you up for this or not!¡± Zane Percival urged impatiently. He was itching to fight, just waiting to beat Julius Reed so badly he¡¯d be picking up teeth. And he had already arranged for his men to take out their phones to record the moment, to capture his glory. Afterwards, he¡¯d upload it to the internet for the whole of Gonzalez City to see how he beat Julius Reed into searching for his teeth! ¡°What¡¯s the rush? Aren¡¯t you just looking for your teeth to stay in your mouth a bit longer?¡± Julius Reed gave Zane Percival a disdainful glance. ¡°You¡¯re going to die sooner or later! Stop dawdling, won¡¯t you have a bit of dignity? Do you think by dragging this out, you can escape your fate? A bet is a bet, you have to be prepared to lose! Everyone¡¯s watching, you know!¡± Zane Percival could hardly contain himself, but Julius Reed kept delaying the shot, making him anxious! This was clearly a stalling tactic! ¡°I think you should take a good look at all those teeth in your mouth, because in one minute, you¡¯re going to lose them!¡± Julius Reed picked up the gun from the table and suddenly pulled the trigger at the target! Bang! The shot rang out. Bullseye. ¡°How is that possible!¡± Everyone was surprised by the first shot. ¡°Just luck!¡± Zane Percival said disdainfully. Shooting accuracy does involve some luck. Itai Huntington clenched her fists, her palms already sweaty. She had a premonition that the man before her might surprise her. But everyone thought it was just luck! ¡°Dumb luck! The next shot will reveal the truth!¡± Bang! The second shot. Everyone was initially startled, then burst into laughter. ¡°Off target!¡± ¡°He lost already!¡± ¡°Just dumb luck after all!¡± Bang! Bang! Bang¡­ After ten shots were fired, apart from the first one hitting the bullseye, all the rest were off target. ¡°Damn! You agree to the bet, you accept the loss. Today, young master Percival will teach you how to behave!¡± Zane Percival walked up to Julius Reed, grinning from ear to ear. ¡°All hits, a perfect score of one hundred!¡± Just then, a voice came from near the target. Chapter 439 - Chapter 439: Chapter 439 You Lost_1 Chapter 439: Chapter 439 You Lost_1 ¡°What did you say?¡± Zane Percival¡¯s smile froze instantly on his face. He turned around to look at the shooting range and cursed loudly, ¡°Can a blind man even work here?¡± His good mood was ruined, and Zane Percival really felt like hitting someone. It¡¯s clear that only the first shot hit the target; the other nine left no mark at all. How dare they claim a hundred points? ¡°Exactly! This must be some stooge Julius Reed hired. But even hiring a stooge should be done more professionally.¡± ¡°How could he be professional? He¡¯s just a live-in son-in-law, doing dishes and cooking at the Radcliffe Family home. Where would he get the money to hire a high-end stooge? This one was probably dragged in from outside at the last minute and only paid three bucks!¡± ¡°They even found a blind one!¡± The youths burst into raucous laughter, feeling extremely delighted. ¡°Julius Reed, this Gonzalez City shooting range is the biggest design center in the area with a full range of surveillance equipment. If you want to renege on a bet, at least find a plausible place to do it.¡± Swaggering over to Julius Reed, Zane Percival said with an air of triumph, ¡°Tell me, how do you plan to weasel out of this? I¡¯m all ears.¡± In his opinion, people like Julius Reed were rogues who never played by the rules. Now that he had lost the match, he was sure to try to slink away. How could he possibly surrender without a fight? Moreover, before this, it was because he was unaware of his own superb marksmanship. Even though Itai Huntington had warned him, Julius Reed hadn¡¯t believed it. ¡°Surround him! Don¡¯t let him get away!¡± With a wave of Zane Percival¡¯s hand, the accompanying youths immediately closed in. At this moment, Itai Huntington also looked troubled. If she defended Julius Reed, she¡¯d be making enemies with everyone present. And she would also gain a reputation for being untrustworthy. ¡°Younger Percival, can we just let it go and call it even? I¡¯ll buy you a drink some other day! How does that sound?¡± Julius Reed scratched his head and asked with a smile. ¡°Pah! Are you even a man? All the young masters of Gonzalez City are watching! What did you say when we made the bet? You agreed to abide by the outcome!¡± Zane Percival glanced at Itai Huntington and spoke up, ¡°Sister Huntington, you¡¯re a witness to this. Julius Reed here is breaching the agreement. That¡¯s clearly disrespecting you! I¡¯ll stand up for you.¡± ¡°Then I really should thank you, Younger Percival.¡± Itai Huntington smiled, but a hint of coldness flickered in her eyes. This was clearly because he was worried she would defend Julius Reed, so he preemptively made his position clear. How dare he play such tricks on her! He really had some nerve! ¡°So there¡¯s no room for negotiation?¡± Julius Reed asked with a hint of fear, and as he took a step back, someone immediately stepped out to block him. ¡°Brother Reed, where are you going?¡± ¡°You wouldn¡¯t be thinking of going home to cook, would you?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t rush, leave all your teeth behind first!¡± The youths mocked coldly, each wearing a face eager for the spectacle. Before, because they had gone to trouble Julius Reed, they had all been dealt with by Aric Smith. Zane Percival had not been able to swallow that grievance until now. What was most important was that they had been played for fools! That damn Amos Davenport, that was Julius Reed! The very Radcliffe Family¡¯s good-for-nothing! If it hadn¡¯t been for Bran Cook tipping them off, they¡¯d still be in the dark. ¡°Negotiation? You agreed to the bet, so face the consequences! If you¡¯re a man, you should be able to accept your loss! Of course, if you are a eunuch¡­¡± Zane Percival chuckled with a meaningful look in his eyes. ¡°Would you let me off the hook if I were a eunuch?¡± Julius Reed asked, raising an eyebrow with a hopeful look in his eyes. ¡°Haha!¡± Bursts of laughter erupted from the crowd, as everyone looked at Julius Reed with disdain. ¡°Are you even a man at all!¡± Zane Percival likewise doubled over in laughter, pointing at Julius Reed and saying, ¡°Brother, you¡¯re definitely finished today. Come on, I¡¯ll personally take care of it!¡± He rolled up his sleeves and walked up to Julius Reed, ¡°Kneel down on the ground and bark like a dog!¡± ¡°Hurry up and bark like a dog!¡± ¡°Damn it! Can¡¯t even be a dog? Aren¡¯t you just a dog for the Radcliffe Family!¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that the truth, born to play the part!¡± All sorts of humiliating vocabulary were thrown around, causing Itai Huntington¡¯s face to darken. She couldn¡¯t believe that Julius Reed would really be mocked like this. Could a man capable of manipulating the upper echelons of Gonzalez City really be so easily defeated? But the shooting scores were there for all to see, clearly nine shots off-target. ¡°Itai Huntington, didn¡¯t you say you¡¯d support me? Could you help me with something?¡± Julius Reed looked toward Itai Huntington. ¡°Of course!¡± Itai Huntington said assertively. Today, even if it meant offending everyone present, she had to protect Julius Reed! It wasn¡¯t about anything else; the rewards of befriending this man would definitely outweigh the costs! And she felt that this man before her might just be the best candidate to help her accomplish that task! ¡°Sister Huntington, everyone here is a witness. You wouldn¡¯t be thinking of¡­¡± Zane Percival felt a rush of anxiety. If Itai Huntington firmly decided to protect Julius Reed, they really wouldn¡¯t dare to lay a finger on him. But what did the renowned widow have to do with this man who lived off women? Could it be¡­ ¡°I¡¯d like to trouble you to help me with two things now. The first is to supervise the enforcement of the wager, and the second is to help me verify the shooting scores,¡± Julius Reed said calmly. At that moment, all fear and insecurity disappeared from him, replaced by an air of indifference. ¡°Kid, you¡¯ve got guts!¡± Hearing this, Zane Percival finally felt relieved. Having Itai Huntington supervise the wager meant she had to be fair and couldn¡¯t play favorites anymore. But what was this nonsense about verifying scores? Even Itai Huntington did not understand, but still, she followed Julius Reed¡¯s request and gestured toward the scorekeepers and surveillance area, ¡°Verify the scores for me! Make sure they¡¯re accurate!¡± Only the bullseye. Was there still a need for verification? But since Julius Reed had already said he would fulfill the wager, Zane Percival wasn¡¯t in a hurry. He pulled out his phone, ready to record a video of himself beating Julius Reed to send to Bran Cook for his enjoyment. And Bran Cook, on the other end of the line, was also waiting, glued to his phone, wanting to witness the moment! In the capital, he was an up-and-comer. In Gonzalez City, he was the darling of the stars. But in front of Julius Reed, he was nothing but trash! Defeated time and again, without the slightest chance of winning! Bran Cook, always proud and arrogant, now experienced a deep sense of defeat! He was filled with hatred! Inside the shooting range, after verification by the staff, the person holding the final results approached Itai Huntington, accompanied by the range manager. ¡°Miss Huntington, after several verifications, we believe these results are accurate. Although this situation is incredibly rare, even unprecedented since the establishment of the range, it is indeed true. We offer the video to eliminate any doubts you may have,¡± the manager said, then handed the results to Itai Huntington. ¡°Exactly, managing to miss the target nine times in a row, we¡¯ve never seen the likes of that in this range before!¡± ¡°Never touched a gun before, daring to compete with our Sharpshooter, Younger Percival Tristan Davenport. He must be drunk on fake liquor!¡± After the crowd¡¯s laughter subsided, Zane Percival approached Itai Huntington, ¡°Sister Huntington, may I proceed now?¡± But after seeing the results, a look of shock crossed Itai Huntington¡¯s eyes, and she looked up and said, ¡°Younger Percival, you lost.¡± Chapter 440 - Chapter 440: Chapter 440 Itai Huntingtons Attitude_1 Chapter 440: Chapter 440 Itai Huntington¡¯s Attitude_1 ¡°Thank you, Sister Huntington, for being fair¡­ What? I lost?¡± Zane Percival suddenly stiffened, his expression turning unhappy in an instant. ¡°I said, you¡¯ve lost!¡± Itai Huntington handed the score sheet to Zane Percival: ¡°The reason why those nine shots didn¡¯t make separate holes is that they all hit the same point.¡± As she finished these words, Itai Huntington was extremely shocked in her heart. She felt it was impossible! But the score sheet came with photos and high-speed snapshots from the computer. Clearly, each bullet had hit the bullseye with impeccable precision! ¡°This is impossible!¡± Zane Percival¡¯s face underwent a frantic change! ¡°What, Younger Percival, are you questioning the authority of our shooting range?¡± The manager¡¯s face darkened as he waved his hand and said, ¡°Play the video!¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± A staff member immediately hurried to the control room and on the big screen in the center of the shooting range, played Julius Reed¡¯s shooting video in ultra-slow motion. As each bullet hit almost without any error inside the hole, everyone was stunned. Is this even human? This is practically divine! From a distance of one hundred meters! No errors at all! The video was played right in front of everyone, and all fell into silence. Then, the looks they gave Julius Reed became strange. Too impressive! Itai Huntington¡¯s expression was complex; she had thought she overestimated the youth in front of her, only to realize she had underestimated him by quite a bit. With such marksmanship, who would believe he had never played with guns before? ¡°Young Master Percival, no offense,¡± Julius Reed walked up to Zane Percival, lightly patting his shoulder. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Zane Percival retreated backward, his forehead covered in cold sweat. ¡°It¡¯s about the wager of the trip, of course!¡± Julius Reed feigned surprise, ¡°Wasn¡¯t it you who said, if you¡¯re a man, you have to honor a bet? Could it be you are a eunuch?¡± These were the words Zane Percival had said earlier, now ironically coming back to hit him. ¡°You¡¯re very scheming!¡± Zane Percival glared at Julius Reed, hating how earlier he was played like a monkey! ¡°Well, I can¡¯t compare to Younger Percival, now please kneel, do me the favor,¡± Julius Reed said politely. Everyone turned their gaze toward Zane Percival, curious to see how he would handle it. If he knelt down, Zane Percival would be finished. To kneel as an infamous wimp of Gonzalez City, wouldn¡¯t that make him even less than a wimp? ¡°Julius Reed, leave some leeway so we can meet again in the future!¡± Zane Percival insisted, begrudgingly. He couldn¡¯t kneel! Absolutely not! If he knelt, he would become the laughingstock of Gonzalez City! ¡°No way, Younger Percival, I¡¯m a small-minded person who holds grudges. As for meeting again in the future, I assure you, whenever I see you, I¡¯ll hit you, no soft punches!¡± Julius Reed, with his hands clasped behind his back, asked cheerfully, ¡°So shall I help you kneel, or will you do it yourself?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Zane Percival¡¯s teeth clacked as he bit down hard, but the words he had stated so grandly a moment ago were heard by everyone present, clear as day. Now that he ended up losing, he couldn¡¯t welsh on his bet. ¡°Widow! He won¡¯t kneel!¡± Julius Reed looked at Itai Huntington. Hiss! Everyone present drew in a sharp breath! Directly calling Itai Huntington a widow, wasn¡¯t that seeking death? They felt a cold sweat for Julius Reed, wondering what Itai Huntington¡¯s reaction would be. And Zane Percival also felt a flicker of joy within his heart. The two words Itai Huntington had forbidden for so many years were ¡®widow¡¯! It was her Achilles heel! Previously, whoever dared to provoke this taboo subject was only met with a dead end! If Itai Huntington were to kill Julius Reed now, he naturally wouldn¡¯t have to kneel! ¡°Julius Reed! How dare you insult Sister Huntington, I will teach you a lesson on her behalf right now!¡± After Zane Percival said this, a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes. He rolled up his sleeves and walked straight towards Julius Reed. As long as a fight broke out, this incident would end without consequences. He naturally would no longer have to kneel. ¡°Diamond!¡± Itai Huntington said expressionlessly. ¡°Yes!¡± Diamond stepped forward, blocking Zane Percival¡¯s path. ¡°Sister, what do you mean by this? He insulted you; I can¡¯t stand it¡­¡± Zane Percival got a shock and hurriedly stood still. He had heard of Diamond¡¯s fearsome reputation¡ªan esteemed master in Gonzalez City. Acting recklessly before Diamond, wasn¡¯t he courting death? ¡°What Julius Reed said isn¡¯t wrong, though! I am indeed a widow, isn¡¯t it allowed to be said?¡± Itai Huntington, beaming, walked up beside Julius Reed and entwined her arms around him, speaking with infatuation, ¡°Mr. Reed just has a thing for widows, right¡­?¡± ¡°Hiss!¡± The people present could only feel a chill run down their spines, completely dumbfounded! For years, countless had yearned for Itai Huntington¡¯s favor, but all met with unexpected deaths. And now, Itai Huntington was actually seducing someone else¡¯s husband in public? Not shying away from public spectacle? And this Julius Reed was merely a good-for-nothing, a live-in son-in-law! To think he dared to directly call Itai Huntington a widow! ¡°Younger Percival, for the public record, I am a witness to this matter, and you must follow through with the bet. Otherwise, where would I, Itai Huntington, place my face?¡± Itai Huntington walked around Julius Reed and then looked at Zane Percival, ¡°Privately, this is my new boy toy. Shouldn¡¯t I help him?¡± This statement was like a bombshell, stunning everyone present! Itai Huntington actually called Julius Reed her boy toy! Then¡­ The gaze of everyone there toward Julius Reed changed. Envy! Jealousy! Resentment! He had a charming wife back home, Quella Radcliffe. The acknowledged beauty of Gonzalez City, the desire of many. Now he was also involved with Itai Huntington, the stunning widow of Gonzalez City. The pinnacle of life indeed! ¡°Young Master Percival, do you need me to have Diamond assist you?¡± Itai Huntington asked again. This time, the smile on her face disappeared, replaced by a body full of killing intent! ¡°No!¡± Julius Reed quickly pushed Itai Huntington away from himself, ¡°What if my wife misunderstands? I am a man of integrity!¡± When he spoke these words, he did so with conviction! He and Itai Huntington originally had nothing to do with each other; it was all this widow adding to the story. Of course, he knew that Itai Huntington did this for his own good; once everyone knew of Julius Reed¡¯s relationship with her, they would perhaps hesitate to take action. But if his wife misunderstood, that would be a huge loss indeed! ¡°You really are heartless! Have you so quickly forgotten what I told you in bed last night¡­¡± Itai Huntington said with a look of resentfulness. ¡°Of course I haven¡¯t forgotten, but¡­¡± Julius Reed began to say, but then he suddenly froze! Those present also froze! Last night, fearing that the people he sent might not explain things clearly, Julius Reed personally made a trip to Itai Huntington¡¯s place. Of course, Itai Huntington was in the bedroom, sitting on the bed. Julius Reed proposed helping her gain power, while Itai Huntington also stated that if things really worked out, she would ensure no one in Gonzalez City dared to touch Julius Reed. That was the so-called ¡°talk in bed.¡± But how did Itai Huntington¡¯s words now take on a different meaning? At that moment, the only thought in everyone¡¯s mind was, how ruthless! Chapter 441 - Chapter 441: 441 Chapter 441: 441 ¡°Forget it!¡± Julius Reed shook his head helplessly, knowing that even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn¡¯t clear his name now. Having lived for over ten thousand years, he had actually been brought down by a woman. ¡°Young Master Percival, you are a man of stature.¡± He took a deep breath, channeling all his rage onto Zane Percival. ¡°Kneel, and don¡¯t force me to act.¡± Zane Percival¡¯s face turned extremely unsightly upon hearing this. With Itai Huntington pressing down, he probably had no room to maneuver. ¡°Julius Reed, you¡¯re ruthless in your dealings! Be careful of retribution!¡± He said through gritted teeth. With this kneel today, he was finished! ¡°Since you lack dignity, I¡¯ll help you find it!¡± Bang! Julius Reed kicked without warning, striking Zane Percival hard in the groin! ¡°Ah¡­¡± With a heart-wrenching scream, Zane Percival knelt on the ground, his face as red as a liver, in unbearable pain! But before he could recover, Julius Reed¡¯s knee slammed forward! Directly hitting Zane Percival in the mouth. Bang! Then he smacked Zane Percival¡¯s head hard with his right hand, and all his teeth fell to the ground, mixed with fresh blood. ¡°Remember my words, in Gonzalez City, if you see me or my family members, make sure to steer clear. If you truly can¡¯t avoid us, kneel when you see me.¡± Julius Reed pointed at Zane Percival, saying coldly, ¡°Otherwise, I¡¯ll beat you every time I see you!¡± Insulting Quella Radcliffe and not being dead was already a mercy from him. But sometimes, living can be more painful than death. ¡°I¡¯ll keep the video for now, to see how you behave.¡± Julius Reed took out his phone and saved the video of himself beating Zane Percival just now. ¡°Uh¡­¡± At this moment, Zane Percival collapsed on the ground, his body convulsing, blood continuously flowing from his mouth. Not a single tooth was left in his mouth! All of them on the ground. ¡°This way, you¡¯re probably going to offend the Percival Family to the death.¡± Itai Huntington whispered behind Julius Reed. Although the Percival Family was not one of the top major families, being able to monopolize the logistics business in Gonzalez City was enough to illustrate the family¡¯s strength. Now, Zane Percival, the most valued member of the Percival Family, had been beaten like this. Once the video got out, under pressure, the Percival Family might retaliate! ¡°No matter, I have a big life. Besides, I have you, don¡¯t I?¡± Julius Reed smiled indifferently, which caused Itai Huntington some awkwardness, but she recovered quickly. She hugged Julius Reed¡¯s waist and walked slowly away from the shooting range in front of everyone. ¡°Zane Percival¡¯s mother is Jennifer Lopez, from the capital city. Even though she divorced Zane Percival¡¯s father, Arlo Percival, she always cared for this son.¡± After leaving the shooting range, Itai Huntington turned serious: ¡°The Lopez Family has considerable influence in the capital city. If Jennifer Lopez learns that Zane Percival was beaten like this, she will surely retaliate against you! Then, it will be difficult for me to ensure your safety.¡± She sighed, looking at Julius Reed with a complex expression: ¡°Do you know what fear is?¡± This man in front of her had first hit Bran Cook, and now he had publicly dealt with Zane Percival. Fearing that others might not retaliate against him! It can be said that he¡¯s irretrievably walking the path of courting death! In this world, is there anyone he¡¯s afraid of? ¡°Fear, huh!¡± Julius Reed thought for a moment and sighed: ¡°The thing in this world that scares me the most is my wife¡¯s washboard.¡± Remembering the days when he had made mistakes and Quella Radcliffe made him kneel on the washboard, the once-hidden Dragon King, the illustrious Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, surprisingly showed a hint of fear in his eyes! If the world¡¯s big figures knew about this, one wonders what they would think. ¡°You¡¯re so formidable, yet you still fear your wife?¡± Itai Huntington now fully suspected that Julius Reed¡¯s previous weakness was just an act. How could such a powerful man, with such a mysterious background, possibly view the Radcliffe Family of Gonzalez City as anything significant? An ant trying to shake a tree? The Radcliffe Family probably couldn¡¯t even compare to an ant. ¡°Afraid! Of course, I¡¯m afraid! I¡¯ll have you know, you¡¯ve really done me in today!¡± Julius Reed shook his head, then seemed to recall something, ¡°Speaking of this Jennifer Lopez, what¡¯s her story?¡± He hadn¡¯t expected Zane Percival to have such a formidable mother! ¡°The Lopez Family from the capital, Jennifer Lopez is now the chairwoman of the Energy Company, with a fortune of over ten billion! If she really comes storming to Gonzalez City, I might not be able to hold her off.¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s expression turned somewhat solemn, ¡°During the half-year I spent in the capital, I spent most of my time dealing with this woman. She¡¯s difficult to handle. You need to be careful; otherwise, you might easily capsize in the gutter.¡± ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll take a cab back, if my mother-in-law catches a glimpse of me, she¡¯ll probably nag on endlessly again.¡± Julius Reed refused Itai Huntington¡¯s offer to give him a ride home. Quella Radcliffe was a woman after all, and which woman doesn¡¯t get jealous? ¡°Then I won¡¯t see you out.¡± Itai Huntington, a woman of such deep schemes, certainly knew what boundaries to maintain. ¡°Miss, you don¡¯t have to demean yourself and tarnish your reputation for this.¡± In the car, Diamond spoke in a muffled voice. It pained him to see Itai Huntington getting cozy with Julius Reed. Especially that line about ¡®what I said to you in bed¡¯ ¨C it had completely sullied his reputation. Was this guy really worth it? ¡°My business isn¡¯t your concern!¡± Itai Huntington snapped coldly, ¡°Diamond, I¡¯ve been searching for so many years, he might be the only person who can help me achieve what I need to do. I can¡¯t wait any longer.¡± ¡°Miss, there are many capable people out there, you shouldn¡¯t have to¡­¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Itai Huntington scolded sharply, then spoke calmly, ¡°I still haven¡¯t been able to figure out his background.¡± ¡°What? You¡¯ve used your connections in the capital?¡± Diamond was clearly surprised. Others might not know Itai Huntington¡¯s identity, but he was very aware. ¡°I had people check, but they came up with nothing.¡± Itai Huntington frowned, looking through the window at the trees swiftly passing by, feeling very puzzled. ¡°He¡¯s a mystery. At least someone that Black Wind can¡¯t find out about, must be classified as top secret.¡± Diamond nodded. ¡°Black Wind is still investigating, but so far there¡¯s still no clue. However, there is one piece of news that¡¯s rather interesting.¡± Itai Huntington said with a light smile, ¡°Sophia Leocadia seems to be even more interested in this man than I am.¡± ¡°The Leocadia family¡¯s little princess? Isn¡¯t she the precious gem of the Leocadia Family? How could she be involved with this man?¡± Diamond conversed while driving. ¡°Old Master Leocadia is critically ill, reportedly won¡¯t last past the fifteenth of the first month. The Leocadia Family is in turmoil; power struggle among the three sons, the Lee Family is even looking to enter into a marriage alliance with the Leocadia Family. The capital is quite lively now.¡± Itai Huntington closed her eyes, saying, ¡°I¡¯m tired.¡± Immediately, Diamond slowed down the car, adjusted the air conditioning, and turned off the car¡¯s music. ¡­ Julius Reed only realized after leaving the shooting range that he had forgotten to bring money with him. With no other choice, he pulled out his phone and called Aron Jackson to send a car to pick him up. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have the cash for a cab either! If he got back late, he would be nagged by Knox Ridge again. After making the call, he decided to simply wander around the vicinity. But a familiar voice came from not far off. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be controlled by you anymore! I want to live the life I desire!¡± Chapter 442 - Chapter 442: Chapter 442: Becoming a Dad Again_1 Chapter 442: Chapter 442: Becoming a Dad Again_1 Julius Reed took a closer look, and the woman speaking turned out to be Quella Radcliffe¡¯s best friend! She was also her assistant, the most reliable person within the Radcliffe Group! Dempsey Davenport! At this time, the Radcliffe Group should have been closed for the day. Why was Dempsey Davenport here? And standing opposite her was a middle-aged man, looking to be in his mid-forties. Dressed in a Sun Yat-sen suit, his attire clearly indicated wealth, and even the watch on his hand was worth around a million. ¡°Is she being kept by someone?¡± That was Julius Reed¡¯s first thought. If that were the case, he would quietly leave. After all, Dempsey Davenport¡¯s relationship with Quella Radcliffe was quite good, and it would be awkward to bump into her. ¡°Amanda, listen to your uncle¡¯s words and come back with me,¡± said the man, hands in his pockets, sounding like he was negotiating, but his tone was very firm, leaving no room for argument! ¡°Uncle?¡± Julius Reed stepped back a few paces, sensing that the situation was not so simple. Dempsey Davenport had come to Gonzalez City alone, having previously studied abroad. About Dempsey Davenport¡¯s background, Quella Radcliffe had never elaborated. And Dempsey Davenport had always lived alone, without any relatives or friends. In Gonzalez City, Quella Radcliffe was her only friend. ¡°Why should I go back? I¡¯m doing very well here! Please tell my father to forget about me, as if he never had me as a daughter.¡± Dempsey Davenport¡¯s tone was very resolute! She was just as domineering facing her uncle! ¡°Dempsey Davenport, I¡¯m here on the family¡¯s orders to take you back. You are not allowed to be willful anymore! What¡¯s so good about this Gonzalez City? How can it compare to the prosperity of the capital city?¡± Pier Davenport tried to persuade her kindly: ¡°As long as you follow the family¡¯s arrangements, you will be able to live without worry and enjoy all the luxury. Instead of struggling here on your own, why not enjoy life properly?¡± ¡°Sorry! I don¡¯t want to be a caged canary! I would rather stay here alone, work overtime and stay up late every day for my job, than return to the family and become a tool for you all!¡± said Dempsey Davenport coldly: ¡°You can go back. I won¡¯t change my mind.¡± ¡°Dempsey Davenport! You escaped from the family five years ago, and not holding you accountable has already been a favor to you! If you continue to be obstinate, the outcome will not be the same!¡± Royden Reed spoke with an increasingly cold tone, then hummed lightly: ¡°Don¡¯t even think about running away. This time, even if it means tying you up, I¡¯ll bring you back!¡± ¡°Oh, really? What if I tell you that I have a man here in Gonzalez City?¡± Suddenly, Dempsey Davenport looked up, her eyes smiling but not smiling at Royden Reed: ¡°Not only that, but I am also pregnant with his child. It¡¯s not long, just two months. Moreover, he¡¯s a married man, and I¡¯m waiting for the baby to grow a little before I ask him to divorce.¡± ¡°Bullshit!¡± Royden Reed was shocked, then sneered: ¡°I¡¯ve had people watching you all this time. You haven¡¯t had any interactions with any man!¡± For two to three months before his arrival, the Davenport Family had already sent people to keep an eye on Dempsey Davenport, to get a clear picture of her every move and connections. So naturally, Royden Reed thought Dempsey Davenport was slandering herself. After all, a married man, such a person had never been in contact with Dempsey Davenport. It was pure fabrication! ¡°Heh! Uncle, you¡¯re really painstaking, aren¡¯t you? But there is someone you must not forget.¡± As Dempsey Davenport said this, she gently touched her stomach, speaking very calmly: ¡°I have a good friend named Quella Radcliffe.¡± ¡°I know that¡­¡± Royden Reed was of course aware of Quella Radcliffe; she was Dempsey Davenport¡¯s only friend in Gonzalez City and her immediate superior. She was the first on Dempsey Davenport¡¯s list of contacts. ¡°She has a husband, they¡¯ve been married for three years, but they¡¯ve never consummated the marriage. Though they seem together, they¡¯re actually apart¡ªit¡¯s a marriage of convenience.¡± Dempsey Davenport said once again. And on the side, Julius Reed couldn¡¯t help feeling that something was off? How had this situation become connected to him? What did the affairs of the Davenport Family have to do with him? ¡°What are you implying!¡± Royden Reed asked in a deep voice. ¡°Uncle might have heard a saying, ¡®Guard against fire, guard against theft, and guard against your best friend.¡¯ Dempsey Davenport suddenly smiled, shook her head, and continued, ¡°Everyone thought her husband was a good-for-nothing, but how could a real good-for-nothing drive away Zade Radcliffe and support Quella Radcliffe to the position of Chairman? They¡¯ve been married three years without sharing a bed; he¡¯s a man too, with needs.¡± At that point, Dempsey Davenport looked up at Royden Reed, ¡°And I, in my twenties, also need a man. Being adrift out here for so long, I need warmth too.¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible¡­¡± ¡°I know you don¡¯t believe it, but if uncle had paid attention to your surveillance records, you would remember Quella Radcliffe once sneaked away, while I pretended to be her, sitting in the office.¡± Dempsey Davenport seemed to feel a chill and draped a piece of clothing over her body before she continued, ¡°The time Quella Radcliffe was kidnapped was orchestrated by me and Julius Reed. And that day, after Quella left, we enjoyed each other¡¯s company in her office. I didn¡¯t expect to become pregnant so soon¡­¡± She looked down at her belly, her face filled with happiness. ¡°You!¡± Royden Reed suddenly remembered that Quella Radcliffe had indeed left for Five-river Province without any prior notice, and it seemed she had actually experienced a kidnapping. And that day, Dempsey Davenport was indeed in Quella Radcliffe¡¯s office. As for Julius Reed, they couldn¡¯t find a trace of him at all. The man had disappeared into thin air until he showed up a few days ago. That Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed had never shared a bed was no secret in Gonzalez City. ¡®Dry wood meeting a raging fire¡¯¡ªit wouldn¡¯t be strange if something happened. Moreover, Dempsey Davenport was indeed very beautiful. No man would refuse such a woman. ¡°Shameless!¡± Slap! Pier Davenport slapped her hard across the face. ¡°Abort the child! And come with me!¡± His face was ashen with anger! A Davenport Family member, actually doing such a shameless deed! On the side, Julius Reed sighed helplessly. He really was a professional fall guy. The child comes out of nowhere while a man sits idly at home! But thinking it over, he could understand. With Dempsey Davenport¡¯s circle being this small, if she didn¡¯t pin the blame on his head, Royden Reed would never believe it. ¡°I won¡¯t go! For the last time, if you force me to return, I¡¯ll make sure the whole capital knows about this! Everyone will know that Dempsey Davenport slept with her best friend¡¯s husband and got pregnant!¡± Dempsey Davenport nearly screamed, her unwillingness evident, ¡°If you want to destroy me, then I¡¯ll take down the Davenport Family with me!¡± ¡°Hah, stop dreaming. Even if you die today, you¡¯re coming back with me!¡± After saying this, Royden Reed grabbed Dempsey Davenport¡¯s wrist, trying to pull her to the car. No matter how he was slandered, Julius Reed had to intervene because of Dempsey Davenport¡¯s friendship with Quella Radcliffe! ¡°Hey! What are you doing! In broad daylight, is this hooliganism? Let go of her this instant!¡± He walked out from behind the wall and shouted at Royden Reed. Chapter 443 - Chapter 443: Chapter 443 Remember My Words_1 Chapter 443: Chapter 443 Remember My Words_1 ¡°Julius Reed!¡± When Dempsey Davenport saw Julius Reed, her heart nearly shattered. She had just finished making up stories about Julius, and the main character had arrived! Did he hear what had just been said? It was a lie out of desperation, if it were¡­ If it reached Quella Radcliffe¡¯s ears, she truly wished she could hide in a hole in the ground! ¡°So, you¡¯re Julius Reed?¡± Pier Davenport coldly assessed Julius with a glance and disdainfully said, ¡°Scram!¡± After speaking, he continued to pull Dempsey Davenport. ¡°Let go.¡± Julius Reed spoke out. ¡°Those who dared to tell me to scram before are the ones who ended up scramming first.¡± Hearing this, Royden Reed slowly let go of Dempsey Davenport¡¯s hand and straightened his clothes before saying, ¡°I¡¯m her uncle, Royden Reed. State your demands, and I will satisfy them.¡± It was nothing but interest, as long as sufficient benefits were provided, he did not believe this man would have any affection left for Dempsey Davenport. Men are very realistic! ¡°I don¡¯t want anything from you.¡± Julius shrugged and said, ¡°My wife is the chairwoman of the Radcliffe Group, my mistress is incredibly capable, why should I give up such an excellent woman for your benefits?¡± With these words, Dempsey Davenport¡¯s face immediately flushed red. This statement was truly embarrassing to hear! ¡°So, you are planning to oppose the Davenport Family?¡± Royden Reed watched Julius coldly, this man was a bit tricky, or perhaps insatiable, seizing the chance to raise his price! ¡°If Dempsey Davenport wishes to leave, then I won¡¯t keep her; you may take her. But if she does not wish to go, then it doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯s you or even her own father, you¡¯ll still have to scram!¡± Julius fearlessly met Royden Reed¡¯s eyes, his aura overpowering Royden¡¯s. ¡°Dempsey Davenport, come with me!¡± Royden Reed¡¯s face darkened as he turned to look at Dempsey Davenport. His trip to Gonzalez City was with the family¡¯s mission; he had to take Dempsey Davenport back! Alive or dead, there had to be a result! He absolutely could not return empty-handed! ¡°I¡¯m not going back!¡± Dempsey Davenport spoke resolutely, ¡°You want me to go back and marry my cousin? How absurd! What era is it, aren¡¯t you afraid of being laughed at?¡± ¡°Whether they laugh or not is none of your concern. Jaxson Leocadia taking a fancy to you is the honor of your life! Plus, with the Leocadia Family fragmented, the Jaxson lineage has the best chance to seize power! When that time comes, you will be the most powerful woman in the Leocadia Family, and our Davenport Family can rapidly rise!¡± Royden Reed discussed this openly, his intent very clear; regardless of how Dempsey Davenport resisted, she had to be taken away! ¡°That¡¯s my cousin! Jaxson truly is a beast!¡± Dempsey Davenport shouted in despair. ¡°Shut up! Young Master Leocadia is not someone you can comment on!¡± Royden Reed raised his hand to strike Dempsey Davenport, but his hand was suddenly seized in mid-air. ¡°Old man, hitting a woman? Impotent rage, eh?¡± When he turned around, he found Julius gripping his arm tightly, with a cold smirk on his face. ¡°My family affairs are none of your concern!¡± Royden Reed tried to break free, but Julius¡¯s grip was like a vise, immovable. ¡°Let go of me!¡± He bellowed angrily. ¡°If you dare hit her again, I will cripple one of your arms, and I mean it.¡± Julius pushed Royden Reed away and said to Dempsey Davenport, ¡°Come with me!¡± If Quella Radcliffe were here, she too would have saved Dempsey Davenport without a second thought. But his actions only made Royden more certain that the two of them really had a connection! ¡°Julius Reed! If you pretend that today¡¯s incident didn¡¯t happen, and forget what happened before, I¡¯ll give you ten billion!¡± Royden Reed shouted behind them. Ten billion, enough to ensure a carefree life for anyone. ¡°He¡¯d investigated.¡± ¡°Facing bankruptcy and closure, the Radcliffe Group was in dire straits, and Dempsey Davenport only had hundreds of thousands in savings, without any significant sum of money.¡± ¡°With that ten billion, wouldn¡¯t he have whatever women he desired in a life of luxury and dissipation?¡± ¡°Any normal person wouldn¡¯t refuse.¡± ¡°Sure enough, Julius Reed stopped in his tracks.¡± ¡°This also made Dempsey Davenport¡¯s heart tremble.¡± ¡°Could it be that this man gave her hope, only to plunge her into despair?¡± ¡°But all of this seemed only natural.¡± ¡°She had no relationship with Julius Reed, and had even sullied her own reputation to use his innocence.¡± ¡°Now, this ten billion should be considered compensation. According to her understanding of Julius Reed, he would probably give this money to the Radcliffe Group.¡± ¡°By then, the Radcliffe Group, with ten billion in liquid funds, could definitely make a comeback,¡± ¡°It would be her last contribution to her close friend.¡± ¡°How about it, are you tempted?¡± Royden Reed burst into laughter, pointing at Dempsey Davenport, ¡°Look, this is the man who got you pregnant! In the face of financial gain¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll give you twenty billion!¡± Julius Reed looked coldly at Royden Reed, ¡°Twenty billion, and you give me your wife and daughter, then I¡¯ll give your wife a child, and add another grandchild to your family.¡± ¡°The moment these words were spoken, Royden Reed¡¯s face drastically changed!¡± ¡°This was nothing short of an insult!¡± ¡°And Dempsey Davenport also looked at Julius Reed with a strange gaze, the words were too malicious¡­¡± ¡°What, you disagree? Then why should I agree? You think I¡¯m insulting you, but aren¡¯t you also insulting me? He who insults others will be insulted in return!¡± Julius Reed turned and said to Dempsey Davenport, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°Go where!¡± Royden Reed bellowed, as four to five men in black suddenly appeared on the street. These men directly blocked Julius Reed and Dempsey Davenport¡¯s path. ¡°Today, no one is getting away!¡± ¡°Grandfather actually lent you his personal bodyguards!¡± Dempsey Davenport looked at Royden Reed with a shocked face, ¡°Was this Grandfather¡¯s idea?¡± These bodyguards were extremely formidable and were personal guards of Old Master Davenport. Now that they had come to Gonzalez City with Royden Reed, the matter very likely involved Old Master Davenport as well. ¡°Indeed! Old Master Davenport has tacitly approved this matter! Although marrying a close relative is somewhat unspeakable, since Jaxson Leocadia has set his sights on you, we won¡¯t miss out on an opportunity that could bring glory to the family! Moreover, who would dare to gossip about the Leocadia Family?¡± Royden Reed snorted coldly and walked backhandedly upto the two and said, ¡°This is what happens when you don¡¯t appreciate the toast and end up facing the penalties!¡± ¡°The Leocadia Family? What relation are Jaxson Leocadia and Sophia Leocadia?¡± Julius Reed asked. ¡°Jaxson Leocadia is Sophia Leocadia¡¯s brother, but not by blood. Jaxson¡¯s father is the eldest, while Sophia¡¯s father is the youngest.¡± Dempsey Davenport explained the intricate family relations. Having gotten the answer, Julius Reed turned to Royden Reed, ¡°Toasts are bland, it¡¯s the penalties that hit the spot.¡± ¡°Utterly ignorant of death!¡± Royden Reed gestured with a wave of his hand, ¡°Take them down!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go back with you! Let him go!¡± Dempsey Davenport stood in front of Julius Reed. These bodyguards were highly skilled and impossible to defeat. Smack! Royden Reed suddenly slapped her hard, pointing at Dempsey Davenport and scolding her, ¡°Too late! You shameless wretch!¡± ¡°Do you remember what I just said?¡± Julius Reed pulled Dempsey Davenport back and looked coldly at Royden Reed. ¡°What?¡± Royden Reed asked, frowning. ¡°I said, if you dare hit her again, I¡¯ll cripple one of your arms.¡± Julius Reed suddenly smiled and swiftly grabbed Royden Reed¡¯s wrist. Chapter 444 - Chapter 444: Chapter 444: One Against Five (Part 1) Chapter 444: Chapter 444: One Against Five (Part 1) ¡°What are you going to do!¡± When his wrist was seized by Julius Reed, Royden Reed was shocked. The opponent moved too quickly, and he was completely unprepared! And those bodyguards were too far away to get there in time! ¡°Don¡¯t you know what I¡¯m going to do?¡± Julius Reed said to Royden Reed with a faint smile, ¡°I¡¯m a man of my word. Today, I said I¡¯d cripple one of your arms, and that¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m going to do!¡± Crack! He violently twisted it upwards, snapping Royden Reed¡¯s arm! ¡°Ah¡­¡± Royden Reed screamed in agony, his body curling up instantly. The broken bone protruded through the skin, visible through his clothes, a gruesome sight! ¡°If there is a next time, I will break all your limbs!¡± Julius Reed pointed at Dempsey Davenport, ¡°Now, you can try hitting her and see if my words hold true.¡± Royden Reed was in no state to think about hitting anyone, only feeling cold sweat pouring down, his body trembling incessantly. The pain from his severed arm almost made him pass out. ¡°Get him! Kill him!¡± Royden Reed roared in anger. He was crouched on the ground, his complexion ashen. Blood continuously dripped from his wrist onto the ground Royden Reed bit down on the collar of his Sun Yat-sen suit, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins. Yet he still yearned to see the scene of Julius Reed being beaten to death. Although this was happening on the streets, there was no one around at this time. The bodyguards, radiating a murderous aura, were ready to kill on receiving Royden Reed¡¯s orders. Their attacks were lethal moves! ¡°Be careful!¡± Dempsey Davenport cautioned, ¡°These men are extremely skilled, all elites trained by Grandfather! When over a hundred people surrounded them, not even five could overcome them!¡± In the Davenport Family, these five men were a symbol of power! Wherever the old man went, these five would follow! Their presence in Gonzalez City now signified that it was the old man¡¯s will! ¡°Haha! Dempsey Davenport, today I want you to watch with your own eyes as this man gets beaten to death¡­ Ah¡­ it hurts!¡± Although Royden Reed felt the thrill of vengeance, the searing pain in his arm nearly caused him to bite his tongue off. They say each finger is connected to the heart, let alone an entire arm! A compound fracture! However, facing the onslaught from these men, Julius Reed acted as if nothing was wrong. One hand behind his back, he crooked the fingers of his other hand: ¡°Come at me together.¡± ¡°You¡¯re courting death!¡± The bodyguards were completely enraged! They were masters among masters, commanding nearly the same level of respect as the old man at the Davenport¡¯s in the capital! And now, a young man dared to scorn them so! Whoosh! The five men directly circled to attack, some aiming high, others low! And one even aimed a punch directly at Julius Reed¡¯s face! Dempsey Davenport watched from the side, her heart pounding, hands clasped in silent prayer for Julius Reed. ¡°A bunch of good-for-nothings!¡± Crack! Julius Reed kicked out, breaking one man¡¯s left leg! Then his single fist thundered out, crushing the fingers of the forefront bodyguard! Bang! Bang! Bang! After doing all this, he appeared behind the three men like a specter, his fists hammering down viciously! And then a kick launched into mid-air! All done in one breath! Whoosh! Julius Reed took a moment to catch his breath. On the ground lay five broken men! From strike to finish, it lasted less than five seconds! ¡°You¡­ who on earth are you!¡± By then, Royden Reed had already forgotten the pain in his arm! Because buried deep in his heart was an even deeper fear! Was this person or a ghost? The five bodyguards of the Davenport Family were formidable, even experienced fighters were no match for them! Yet now, in the span of a few breaths, all five lay on the ground, completely devoid of their ability to fight! Hiss! Royden Reed sucked in a breath of cold air, feeling a chill rush straight to his crown! ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t come any closer¡­¡± He was so scared that he collapsed directly onto the ground, one hand propping up his body, while his legs ceaselessly kicked backwards, trying to flee. But it was utterly useless, for every step Julius Reed took made Royden Reed feel utterly hopeless¡­ But he was not willing to give up, or rather, not willing to face the consequences. Finally, Julius Reed walked up to him and slowly squatted down. ¡°I¡¯m one of the Davenport Family¡­ if you dare touch me, the Davenport Family won¡¯t let you off¡­¡± As he spoke, Royden Reed trembled and said, ¡°And the Leocadia Family! If Jaxson Leocadia finds out about you and Dempsey Davenport, neither of you will live!¡± The Leocadia Family of Gonzalez City were truly a powerful clan! Everyone knew that! Now Royden Reed used the power of the Leocadia Family to pressure Julius Reed, hoping to scare him into hesitation. However¡­ What he didn¡¯t know was whether the Leocadia Family really counted as a powerful clan in the eyes of the Young Master of Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance? To speak frankly, the janitors of Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance were hundreds of times stronger than this so-called powerful clan! ¡°I did more than just touch you, I hit you.¡± Julius Reed pointed to Royden Reed¡¯s arm: ¡°Look, I broke one of your arms, and now I¡¯ve beaten all the bodyguards you brought to a pulp. To be honest, the Davenport Family is nothing in my eyes!¡± Slap! Julius Reed slapped Royden Reed across the face: ¡°Today you told me to get lost, the people who said that in the past are almost all dead.¡± He smiled faintly, but that smile sent shivers down Royden Reed¡¯s spine. In front of him was not a person, but the Devil! ¡°Let me go¡­ I beg of you, as long as you release me, I promise to keep today¡¯s events a secret. And about Dempsey Davenport, I¡¯ll explain everything to the old master when I get back, ensuring no one will bother you again.¡± Seeing that being tough was futile, the desperate Royden Reed began to beg, having lost his initial edge. ¡°Please! Give me a chance¡­ Amanda, plead for me¡­ Have you forgotten how good I was to you when you were little¡­¡± He turned his plea towards Dempsey Davenport. ¡°Julius Reed, she is, after all, my uncle.¡± As she said this, Dempsey Davenport took a deep breath and turned around: ¡°Just spare his life, and I¡¯ll consider myself in your debt.¡± The two were neither kin nor kindred; why should she ask anything of Julius Reed? But it was also a helpless request. Living was a luxury. ¡°Alright then.¡± Julius Reed smiled and stood up, looking at Royden Reed: ¡°I¡¯ll spare your life, but I promise, you¡¯ll wish you were dead.¡± ¡°Thank you¡­ thank you so much¡­ Ah!¡± Before Royden Reed could finish expressing his gratitude, Julius Reed¡¯s foot came crashing down, instantly crushing both of Royden Reed¡¯s legs! The intense pain erupted like a volcanic explosion, causing Royden Reed to faint on the spot. With compound fractures like that, amputation was the only option, he would never stand again. ¡°Big brother, what¡¯s going on?¡± Just then, a car stopped by the road, and as Aron Jackson saw the people lying on the ground, he rushed out of the car. ¡°A bit of a nuisance, can you protect her for me?¡± Julius Reed motioned towards Dempsey Davenport, after all, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s best friend in Gonzalez City, Aron Jackson, wanted to protect her, the Davenport Family wouldn¡¯t dare touch her. ¡°Understood! What about these people?¡± Aron Jackson glanced at the black-clad bodyguards wailing in pain at his feet and made a throat-slitting gesture. ¡°Leave this old guy alive, let him go back and send a message. The rest, see if your blades are sharp enough.¡± After Julius Reed had finished speaking, the bodyguards on the ground turned ashen. Chapter 445 - Chapter 445: Chapter 445 I Taught_1 Chapter 445: Chapter 445 I Taught_1 Dempsey Davenport didn¡¯t dare to ride in Aron Jackson¡¯s car. She still hadn¡¯t recovered from the scene she had just witnessed. But that was normal; a girl who had lived in a greenhouse, when suddenly faced with such a bloody and violent situation, simply couldn¡¯t bear it. After handling the scene, Aron Jackson arranged for a car to take Dempsey Davenport back and also dispatched his men to protect her. Meanwhile, he sat in a car with Julius Reed. ¡°Why did you come in person?¡± Julius Reed asked. He just wanted a car, not for Aron Jackson to come himself! There were many affairs in Gonzalez City that required Aron Jackson¡¯s attention, and often he couldn¡¯t be away. ¡°Brother, I have made a discovery, something strange, and I wanted to discuss it with you,¡± said Aron Jackson. He took out a computer from the car, pointed to the map on the screen, and said, ¡°You know about Stacy Cook from the Cook Family, right?¡± ¡°Stacy Cook¡­¡± Julius Reed only remembered Bran Cook from the Cook family¡¯s people. As for the others, he lumped them all together as Cook. Small fries didn¡¯t deserve a name. ¡°This Stacy Cook, he left the family more than a decade ago and was unheard from since. A few days ago, he suddenly returned, bringing with him a skilled expert¡­¡± ¡°An expert?¡± Julius Reed asked aloud, ¡°How come I don¡¯t know about it? If there really was an expert, why didn¡¯t he show up when I made the entire Cook Family kneel?¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Aron Jackson was at a loss for words with a frustrated expression: ¡°Brother, you can¡¯t judge experts by your level of martial prowess! That Jordan, the one who was taken down in one move, was quite formidable.¡± In front of the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, who would dare to call themselves an expert? They might get beaten so badly they wouldn¡¯t recognize their own mothers. But to ordinary people, someone like Jordan was an expert! ¡°Is that so? I only exerted less than one percent of my strength. Experts are not that valuable, after all!¡± Julius Reed shook his head. ¡°Brother, you can¡¯t compare with you¡­¡± Aron Jackson wiped the sweat from his forehead and continued, ¡°After Stacy Cook returned, I noticed it. On his first day back, he had someone look into your identity!¡± ¡°As I thought! I was wondering how Bran Cook found out so quickly.¡± Julius Reed nodded. His identity as Amos Davenport had only been used for a few days. And it had been uncovered abruptly! ¡°Since I sensed he was not a threat to you, I decided to play the long game and have my people tail them closely!¡± Aron Jackson pointed to a small red dot on the map: ¡°But today, I found we¡¯re missing one! Anyone who can slip away from under my watch definitely isn¡¯t simple!¡± ¡°Slipped away? Tell me more.¡± Julius Reed looked at the red dots on the map. The entire satellite map of Gonzalez City was displayed on the computer, and the dozen or so red dots represented Stacy Cook¡¯s men who were covertly lurking around in Gonzalez City. These red dots were scattered all over, almost covering the whole city. ¡°You¡¯re quite capable yourself.¡± Julius Reed gave a word of praise. It was particularly rare for Aron Jackson to have detected these people so quickly and to have such a rapid response time in a place like Gonzalez City. Moreover, searching through such a dispersed group of people and having such thorough preparations showed considerable readiness. ¡°After all, brother, you¡¯re formidable. As the younger brother, I shouldn¡¯t hold you back, should I?¡± said Aron Jackson with a chuckle, then continued, ¡°But there is one among them that I¡¯ve always been unable to locate.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Julius Reed looked at the map, wondering what he meant by one disappearing and one that he had always been unable to locate? ¡°These people appeared twice at the Cook Family¡¯s place, once when Stacy Cook first came back, and once two hours ago.¡± Glancing at his watch, Aron Jackson pointed to the red dots on the map: ¡°On the first day, compared to today, there was one less piece of cutlery.¡± Upon hearing that, Julius Reed¡¯s eyes instantly narrowed to a slit. Although the distribution of red dots on the map was irregular, it was clear that they covered nearly all of Gonzalez City. But he still felt something was missing. More than a dozen red dots were scattered, almost filling the map of Gonzalez City. Logically speaking, with such a comprehensive coverage of the area, the missing person should not exist. But Aron Jackson¡¯s judgment through the utensils should be correct. This is a detail! A detail unnoticed by others! ¡°Or perhaps, I am overthinking it,¡± Aron Jackson chuckled, scratching his head, ¡°After being with the boss for so long, I¡¯ve grown to be cautious in my actions, and sometimes I turn into a scared bird.¡± He scrutinized the map once again and found indeed no problems. ¡°Your speculation is not wrong.¡± Julius Reed suddenly opened his eyes, looking at Aron Jackson, ¡°The Percival Family is in the logistics business, aren¡¯t they?¡± ¡°Right! I just remembered when you mentioned it, boss. Zane Percival and your¡­¡± ¡°We will talk about that matter later. I¡¯m asking you where the Percival Family¡¯s logistics points are located?¡± Julius Reed asked seriously. ¡°There are two to three in every district of Gonzalez City, even in the suburbs,¡± Aron Jackson replied truthfully, though he didn¡¯t know why Julius Reed was asking. ¡°So after these couriers receive the parcels, how do they dispatch them? Do they each set out individually?¡± Julius Reed asked again. ¡°After receiving the parcels, the district stations send them to the distribution center, and then¡­¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s pupils suddenly constricted! ¡°The distribution center!¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± Julius Reed nodded, ¡°With so many people, it¡¯s impossible for each of them to deliver their intelligence information separately to Stacy Cook, it¡¯s not only inefficient, but also risky!¡± ¡°So you mean¡­¡± Aron Jackson seemed to understand what was going on. ¡°The entire network has been covered, Stacy Cook is indeed a figure, that I neglected,¡± Julius Reed said while looking at the distribution of the red dots on the map, resting his chin on his hand in thought, ¡°But where could this distribution center be located?¡± ¡°As soon as I noticed Stacy Cook entering Five-river Province, I had people track them, but since they arrived, there have only been these few people!¡± Aron Jackson rested his chin on his hand, pondering, ¡°They can¡¯t just vanish into thin air! If they came into Five-river Province, whether by airplane, ship, coach, or driving their own car, they can¡¯t just appear out of nowhere!¡± The moment these people arrived, they were under the surveillance of Aron Jackson, but all along, no additional personnel were ever spotted. ¡°Big brother, I plan to close the net and take them into custody to have a look!¡± Aron Jackson requested. By now, there were no other options. ¡°In the world, there really are some people who can fool everyone and infiltrate the boundaries of Gonzalez City. In fact, such a person has already been seen in Five-river Province,¡± Julius Reed muttered to himself. ¡°What person? That impressive?¡± Aron Jackson was slightly stunned. Was this not akin to finding a needle in a haystack? ¡°The Wolf Cavalry, the strongest spies under my command!¡± Julius Reed gazed at the map of Gonzalez City, pondering for a moment, then said to Aron Jackson, ¡°Get me an aerial street view map of Gonzalez City! The more detailed the better! I must catch this person!¡± ¡°Boss, is it possible? Such an impressive character in Gonzalez City, wouldn¡¯t that be like finding a needle in a haystack?¡± Gonzalez City was so vast, Aron Jackson¡¯s concern was not unfounded. ¡°The textbooks and courses were written by me, the people were trained by me. Catching them is as easy as eating and drinking!¡± Julius Reed gently caressed his ring, ¡°Wolf Cavalry, is it finally time for you to show yourself?¡± Chapter 446 - Chapter 446: Chapter 446 Unique Password_1 Chapter 446: Chapter 446 Unique Password_1 Gonzalez City, Tongque Terrace. After Julius Reed left Dempsey Davenport, he came here with Aron Jackson to prepare to capture the hidden spy. The Wolf Cavalry differed from ordinary people, possessing extremely strong concealment abilities, making them very difficult to capture. When the two arrived at Aron Jackson¡¯s office, a group of thugs stood neatly inside the room. The office¡¯s large screen was continuously flashing with a map of Gonzalez City. ¡°Big brother, every red dot is being tracked by our people,¡± Aron Jackson spoke out. ¡°Have there been any recent actions from these people? Messages could still be transmitted through the network, so it¡¯s entirely possible they could bypass the hidden person and directly convey orders to Stacy Cook¡¯s place.¡± Julius Reed gazed at the constantly flashing red dots on the wall, sinking into thought. In the internet era, exchanging messages was often as simple as using devices like smartphones. But things should not be that simple. The Wolf Cavalry operated with exceptional rigor; even if there was only one of their people embedded, they would manage their subordinates in an orderly manner, completely following the internal rules of the Wolf Cavalry. At any time, any command had to be associated with a special token to be actionable. This avoided the possibility of the entire force being destroyed because an accomplice was captured. Aside from the Wolf Cavalry, no one else could mobilize this network; each person only knew their own position, so even if captured, it wouldn¡¯t cause any damage. This was the most meticulous strategy. ¡°Where do they usually go, what are they responsible for?¡± Julius Reed began to contemplate the books he had compiled and the various practical training exercises of the Wolf Cavalry. The entire Wolf Cavalry was created single-handedly by him, the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, without any interference from others. Subsequently, every generation of the Wolf Cavalry has been trained by the Wolf Cavalry leader according to the methods of the first generation, completely following the original practices. However, this theory was a thousand years ahead of its time, from the time the first emperor swept through the six states, and had not changed to this day. ¡°These people go to many places with no particular pattern, but they often order takeout,¡± Aron Jackson contemplated before explaining, ¡°They¡¯re probably worried about the risk of cooking themselves, so they rely on junk food, snacks, and takeout.¡± ¡°Takeout!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he stretched out his hand, ¡°Do these people¡¯s takeout orders have anything in common?¡± Takeout might seem normal, as everyone orders it. But on these spies, it was different. Although they weren¡¯t professional spies, just people brought in by Stacy Cook to gather information, if their leader was truly a member of the Wolf Cavalry, they would definitely communicate using the Wolf Cavalry¡¯s methods. ¡°Found it! Although these small vendors differ, they all come from Eldritch Vale¡¯s big market,¡± One of Aron Jackson¡¯s underlings immediately came over, panting. They had been keeping an eye on those people, so upon receiving the information, they went to the trash bins to pick up all the takeout boxes, enduring the stench to check the addresses on them. ¡°Where¡¯s Eldritch Vale Market?¡± Julius Reed looked at the map and couldn¡¯t find it! But that wasn¡¯t unusual; he had spent three years as a member of the Radcliffe Family, only moving around his own home territory. As for other areas of Gonzalez City, he only came to know about them after recently regaining his memory while walking around. ¡°Big brother, it¡¯s here,¡± Aron Jackson pointed on the map, and the large screen immediately switched to a satellite image. Eldritch Vale Market was situated in the southern part of Gonzalez City, yet its name was Eldritch Vale. Here, the small vendors thrived; although there weren¡¯t that many tall buildings, it was known as a famous food street in Gonzalez City. Many special snacks from other places were sold here, and it was always crowded, with foot traffic sometimes exceeding the local business center. Wealthy people would occasionally visit to experience life, and for young people, Eldritch Vale Market was their preferred dating spot. ¡°With crowds and chaos, it¡¯s convenient for escape¡ªan excellent place indeed!¡± Julius Reed looked at the satellite image on the screen and smiled, ¡°Sure enough, it¡¯s the Wolf Cavalry¡ªno doubt about it!¡± ¡°Big brother, there are so many people in the Eldritch Vale market, how are we going to search? Surely we can¡¯t just arrest all the vendors, can we?¡± Aron Jackson was a bit troubled. If it were anywhere else, they would simply start taking action. But there were too many people involved here, with over a hundred vendors to consider, which one to apprehend? If they recklessly arrested people, not to mention alerting the snake by hitting the grass, it would certainly create a very adverse impact locally in Gonzalez City. What would the vendors think of them then? ¡°No need! I can find him!¡± Julius Reed turned and walked out of the Bronze Sparrow Platform, with Aron Jackson and the others immediately following behind him. Their vehicle convoy was simple, comprising only four people. The rest of the group busily arranged the delivered takeout containers, following Julius Reed¡¯s instructions, asking around at the vendors¡¯ stalls by making small payments to access the backend orders. Indeed, the takeout was not ordered by the people themselves. It was a user called ¡®Lonely Black Piece¡¯ who frequently ordered meals for these individuals. After obtaining the menus, Julius Reed scrutinized them, then relaxed with a smile. ¡°As expected of the Wolf Cavalry.¡± He looked at each unique dish on the menus and slowly closed his eyes. ¡°Big brother, is there any clue?¡± Aron Jackson was completely mystified as he looked on. These ordinary dishes¡ªspicy hot pot, rice noodles¡ªwhat special meaning could they have? No more than fried skewers, xiaolongbao, not to mention soda and soy milk. Nothing could be more common. ¡°A long, long time ago, when there weren¡¯t nearly so many¡­ Morse codes.¡± Julius Reed suddenly stopped and shook his head, ¡°There¡¯s no use telling you, you wouldn¡¯t understand. This is a unique code of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, with each type of vegetable representing a different meaning. Like spicy hot pot, there are seven types of toppings, together they mean: ¡®Requesting aid is blocked.''¡± After explaining, Julius Reed took another menu, which appeared to be for breakfast. ¡°Capture his wife¡­¡± Just as he said this, Julius Reed suddenly halted and pulled out his mobile phone to call Cosmo. ¡°Master, why did you suddenly think of me? I thought you were having a hot time in Gonzalez City with that widow, and had forgotten all about me and mother!¡± Cosmo complained in a disgruntled tone. Indeed, bad news travels fast. His situation with Itai Huntington had spread so quickly that even Cosmo was now aware. ¡°Never mind that, someone is going to capture your mother; ensure her safety!¡± Julius Reed spoke earnestly. ¡°Understood, master, rest assured. I will not let anyone get close to mother.¡± Boom! Just then, the sound of an explosion came through the phone. ¡°Can you hold on?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s face darkened, the enemy had acted so quickly! ¡°Back in a flash!¡± Cosmo hung up the phone quickly. ¡°Do you need me to call for backup?¡± Aron Jackson asked from the side. He had plenty of underlings all over Gonzalez City, able to provide support quickly. ¡°No need, if Cosmo can¡¯t handle these shrimp soldiers and crab generals, then I, as his master, might as well be dead.¡± Julius Reed slowly closed his eyes, combining the information gathered at the market in the vehicle, and began to ponder over the potential whereabouts of the Wolf Cavalry. Chapter 447 - Chapter 447: Chapter 447: The Appearance of Wolf Cavalry_1 Chapter 447: Chapter 447: The Appearance of Wolf Cavalry_1 Soon, the car stopped at Eldritch Vale Market. At this time, the market was bustling with lots of vendors calling out, with crowds constantly weaving through. ¡°Boss, starting a fight in a busy market is a bit difficult!¡± Aron Jackson sighed, unsure of what to do. There were too many people. Once a fight started, it would definitely alarm everyone. ¡°Disguise yourself and go collect protection money!¡± Julius Reed said with a smile. ¡°Boss, stop joking. If I really went to collect protection money, I¡¯d probably be the first one you¡¯d beat to death!¡± Aron Jackson looked utterly miserable. He was a law-abiding citizen and seldom did anything outrageous. ¡°If I tell you to collect, you collect, and collect fiercely today! Let me tell you, start with the pork butcher! If they don¡¯t pay, just take the pork!¡± Julius Reed pointed to the pork stall and said. ¡°What for? That pork butcher is¡­?¡± Aron Jackson was completely puzzled. ¡°Just go and collect, don¡¯t worry about the rest.¡± Julius Reed patted Aron Jackson¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°The boss will go with you to collect.¡± So the two of them got out of the car and entered the crowd, shouting, ¡°Collecting protection money!¡± The formerly noisy market suddenly fell silent. Everyone looked at Aron Jackson and his group as if they were fools, and then burst into loud laughter. ¡°What era is this, still collecting protection money?¡± ¡°Exactly! Too many movies, huh? With that skinny frame, aren¡¯t you afraid of getting killed?¡± ¡°I guess they¡¯re sick in the head, and not just a little!¡± Everyone shook their heads, looking at Aron Jackson as if he was a fool. ¡°Aaron Martin, show some spine! Damn it, I¡¯m an educated man; I can¡¯t do this kind of thing!¡± Aron Jackson was filled with rage inside. He was, after all, an underworld boss from Gonzalez City, and now people were laughing at him for being out of his mind! Was not collecting protection money not the mark of a proper gangster? Sure enough, Aaron Martin suddenly ripped open his shirt, pulled out a long knife from behind his waist, and struck it down on the pork stall! Clang! ¡°Collecting protection money!¡± This time, the entire place fell dead silent. Who was Aaron Martin? A real hoodlum! The tattoos on his body might look like a sick cat, but they were incredibly ferocious! And the stance he took when drawing the knife was very intimidating! The long knife struck the pork stall, sinking halfway into it! ¡°This¡­ esteemed¡­ boss?¡± The pork vendor trembled with fright, cautiously asking, ¡°Which group do you belong to, boss?¡± What he meant was, which gang did he roll with. A person looked after one area, and outsiders weren¡¯t allowed to cause trouble. ¡°I¡¯m telling you to pay protection money, so you better pay it!¡± Aaron Martin was certainly a fearsome sight, able to work under Aron Jackson because he had extraordinary abilities. ¡°Why are you demanding money from me right off the bat?¡± The pork vendor was somewhat displeased. In Eldritch Vale Market, with hundreds of merchants, why was his stall the one targeted for protection money? Seeing Aaron Martin getting serious, the surrounding vendors started preparing to pack up. If it truly came to them, it would be a loss not worth the gain. ¡°Damn it! I¡¯m asking you for money! Enough with the nonsense!¡± Aaron Martin yanked the knife out and violently overturned the stall: ¡°If you don¡¯t pay up, I¡¯ll kill you!¡± ¡°What sort of people are these, daring to collect protection money?¡± ¡°What kind of times are we living in for these people to be so brazen?¡± ¡°These sons of bitches just aren¡¯t human!¡± The people around cursed, but not one person left. Those who watch the excitement aren¡¯t afraid of a big scene. Many even took out their phones to record. ¡°I won¡¯t pay! Why should I? If you really have the guts, just kill me!¡± The pig butcher immediately grabbed the pig-slaughtering knife from the table and yelled angrily, ¡°Scum, today you get no money from me, just a life if you want one!¡± ¡°Hey! You think you can be tougher than me, Aaron Martin?¡± Aaron Martin had already been ordered in the vehicle, no matter who came, to beat them to death! If someone did end up dead, Julius Reed would take full responsibility! So, he had no reservations and swung the long knife towards the pork vendor. Clang! The two knives collided, and the pig-slaughtering knife dropped to the ground. ¡°Trying to be tough with Aaron Martin? You don¡¯t even know who I am!¡± Aaron Martin approached the pork vendor, grabbed his neck with one hand. ¡°All of you, fuck off! Whoever dares to watch this will be killed on the spot!¡± With a swirl of his long knife, his employees behind him also pulled out their weapons, scaring off everyone present in haste. Within just one minute, only a few bold vendors remained in the marketplace. They hadn¡¯t had time to pack up their stalls, and if they left, what would happen to all these goods? It wasn¡¯t much to just pay a little money after all. ¡°What the hell is this?¡± Just then, a group of people walked into the marketplace from outside. The man leading them wore a large gold chain around his neck, a mink coat, and, with a cigarette in his mouth, ran quickly inside. ¡°Brother Dragon, please help me quick! This is the guy demanding protection fees!¡± The pig butcher, upon seeing the newcomers, grabbed at this lifeline with instant joy. ¡°Fuck! Trying to collect protection fees in my territory, are you tired of living!?¡± Troy Leopold spat out the cigarette from his mouth and, with a frown, approached Aaron Martin, ¡°Brother¡­¡± ¡°Who the fuck are you calling brother? You dare to claim kinship with me!?¡± Aaron Martin turned around with a sidestep, and Troy Leopold immediately stepped back a few paces. ¡°Aaron¡­ Aaron Martin? What brings you here?¡± Troy Leopold hurriedly straightened his clothes, speaking to Aaron Martin with the utmost respect, ¡°This is my relative, if he has offended you in any way, please be magnanimous, Aaron Martin.¡± Aaron Martin was his boss¡¯s boss; how could Troy Leopold not recognize him? He dared not offend this revered figure. ¡°That won¡¯t do!¡± Aaron Martin sneered, ¡°This guy dared to come at me with a knife, if I don¡¯t teach him a lesson, where will I place Aaron Martin¡¯s reputation? What do you think, Troy Leopold?¡± ¡°What! You took a knife to Aaron Martin!¡± Troy Leopold was taken aback. If it had just been a minor confrontation, he could have settled it with some money. Or by pleading with Aaron Martin, the matter could be smoothed over. But now that the pig butcher had drawn a knife on Aaron Martin, that was a huge taboo in the underworld! He had no options left. The so-called relative was just a new employee who had given him some money, asking him to look after this pig butcher. ¡°Aaron Martin, perhaps¡­¡± Troy Leopold attempted one last try. ¡°Enough with your bullshit, I want one of his arms!¡± Aaron Martin narrowed his eyes, swung his knife with a wide arc aimed at the pig butcher¡¯s arm! Whoosh! Just then, a silver needle flew out from behind Troy Leopold, headed straight for Aaron Martin! ¡°Wolf Cavalry!¡± Upon seeing the silver needle, Julius Reed laughed out loud and burst forth, intercepting the needle with one hand. The man from behind Troy Leopold, realizing that his cover was blown, quickly turned to run! But how could he possibly outrun Julius Reed? In just half a second, Julius Reed had already reached behind the man, gripping his shoulder with one hand. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± The man suddenly turned around, and three silver needles laced with deadly poison flew out from his clothing, racing towards Julius Reed! ¡°Next, you¡¯re supposed to swallow poison and take your own life.¡± Julius Reed smiled, caught the three needles with one hand, and elbowed the man on the cheek. Spurt! The man spat out a mouthful of blood, along with two teeth, onto the ground. Chapter 448 - Chapter 448: Chapter 448 Filming_1 Chapter 448: Chapter 448 Filming_1 ¡°Who are you!¡± The man asked unwillingly. He knelt on the ground, his eyes filled with malevolence. As a Wolf Cavalry rider, he would rather die than surrender! As a secret spy for the fourth battalion of the Wolf Cavalry, his infiltration into Gonzalez City lasted less than three days before being exposed, a humiliation for the Wolf Cavalry! ¡°Who am I? You dare to question me upon seeing my true identity!¡± Julius Reed slowly revealed the Token on his hand, the Dragon King Ring. ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°If you wish to die now, I won¡¯t stop you.¡± Julius Reed said with his hands behind his back, his voice cold, ¡°As for that pig butcher, just kill him.¡± There were no civilians around anymore; even the vendors had fled in terror. ¡°Don¡¯t kill me!¡± The pig butcher shouted, ¡°Murder is against the law, what are you trying to do!¡± ¡°Murder is against the law?¡± Julius Reed turned around, walked up to the pig butcher, and tore off the human skin mask from his face! It turned out to be a youth! ¡°Three days ago, you secretly killed an entire family of pig butchers and have been collaborating with the people from the Wolf Cavalry here. If murder is really against the law, then you should¡¯ve been long dead already!¡± After he finished speaking, the pig butcher knelt on the ground with a ¡°thud.¡± With the mask removed, it was clear the other party was well aware of his actions. Acting dumb was utterly pointless. ¡°I investigated the most abnormal vendors in the Eldritch Vale market, and it turns out everyone thought you were acting differently than before.¡± ¡°Ordinarily, when people bought something from you, you¡¯d throw in some pig hearts or livers, but now, you¡¯re not giving an inch!¡± ¡°Such a drastic change, how could it escape the eyes of others?¡± Aron Jackson controlled Gonzalez City, so learning about these matters was extremely simple. Because the pig butcher¡¯s business was quite good in the Eldritch Vale market before, but within just three days, he had lost more than half of his customers. How abnormal must someone¡¯s behavior be to come to this? The only conclusion was that the pig butcher was no longer the same pig butcher as before. ¡°What is your relationship with Murray Brandon?¡± Julius Reed asked coldly. Inside the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, there was a branch skilled in disguising, capable of making human skin masks. Using special materials like silicone and the like, as long as one wore it on their face, it was virtually impossible to spot any abnormalities. You could say that just in terms of disguising, Murray Brandon¡¯s controlled faction, along with the fourth battalion of the Wolf Cavalry, was a match made in heaven! So for small-scale operations, the people from the Wolf Cavalry would typically work with a member of this faction. One in the light, the other in the shadows, they handled matters with great ease. When Julius Reed found the vendor¡¯s behavior unusual, his first thought was of this faction! ¡°You! How did you know!¡± The butcher knelt on the ground, trembling all over. ¡°Speak, or not?¡± Julius Reed said with a cold voice, ¡°My patience is running thin!¡± ¡°I¡­ I was instructed by Murray Brandon, to collaborate with this brother and infiltrate Gonzalez City.¡± In the end, the butcher opened up. Because the man from the Wolf Cavalry hadn¡¯t killed himself, but was instead kneeling on the ground with determination. According to usual logic, nobody could ever detect a Wolf Cavalry¡¯s trace. And once a Wolf Cavalry¡¯s trace was leaked, they would certainly choose to die by their own hand before falling into enemy hands! But today, this Wolf Cavalry warrior had chosen to cling to life? Then what was he still dying for? ¡°I¡¯m asking you, who is Stacy Cook?¡± Julius Reed asked once more. Considering that both the faction and the Wolf Cavalry were in action, Stacy Cook was definitely not a small-time character. ¡°Stacy Cook is the adopted son of Ivan Reed from the capital, who became a Hidden Guard over a decade ago, then later returned to the capital to attend to the Davenport Family¡¯s matters. This year, for reasons unknown, the Davenport Family sent him back to Gonzalez City, saying they wanted to help his Cook Family become the number one family in Gonzalez City.¡± The butcher knelt on the ground, pleading, ¡°As for my collaboration with him and the Wolf Cavalry, we were all following orders from the top. We have no insight into the internal matters.¡± He had said all he knew. In collaborating with Stacy Cook here, it was completely according to the wishes of those above; they just needed to follow orders. Who would dare to question the reasons? ¡°And you?¡± Julius Reed looked toward the Wolf Cavalry man. ¡°The order comes from the top, no right to question it.¡± The man said solemnly. ¡°Who is ¡®the top''¡± Julius Reed asked again. ¡°Token, don¡¯t know the person.¡± The man replied. In the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, as long as one carries the true token, they can mobilize troops. But there were many who could mobilize four camps, and he couldn¡¯t yet determine who this person was. ¡°There¡¯s nothing I can do about this. You can only blame yourself for running into me.¡± Julius Reed approached the pig butcher: ¡°The family of three pork vendors are probably waiting for you down there!¡± Crack! He twisted his hands fiercely, and the pretend pork vendor collapsed onto the ground. He died with open eyes of disbelief! For the murderer of an entire family, Julius Reed had no reason to convince himself to let this person remain in the world. Then, he turned and walked toward the Wolf Cavalry soldiers. ¡°Now, whom do you listen to?¡± Julius Reed asked aloud. ¡°Wolf Cavalry only takes orders from the Young Master alone!¡± There was a fervent light in the man¡¯s eyes. He wasn¡¯t alive because he feared death. But because he saw that ring! The ring they protected! The Wolf Cavalry was the palace guard, a military unit under the direct command of the Young Master, and their only loyalty was to the Young Master! ¡°I believe you!¡± Julius Reed slowly helped the Wolf Cavalry soldier up from the ground: ¡°Make a trip to Gonzalez City, and find out the relationship between Ivan Reed and Stacy Cook for me, don¡¯t miss a thing! To others, you¡¯re already dead.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± A fervent light flashed in the man¡¯s eyes. Three years ago, there were rumors that the Young Master had fallen from a mountain and had died. Now that they had finally seen their leader, how could they not be excited? ¡°Go, leave the rest to me here!¡± Julius Reed patted the man¡¯s shoulder. Whoosh! The man leaped gracefully, disappearing in the vegetable market in an instant. ¡°Boss, are you really letting him go just like that?¡± Aron Jackson was somewhat worried; if the man went back and snitched, their situation would be very dangerous! ¡°Trust me, these people are fiercely loyal to me!¡± Julius Reed patted Aron Jackson¡¯s shoulder, leading his men towards the exit, with two employees immediately lifting a camera behind him. ¡°Ivan Reed, heard of him?¡± He asked aloud. ¡°Davenport Family in Gonzalez City, one of the four major families! Comparable in strength to the Leocadia Family, where Sophia Leocadia belongs, they¡¯re all among the top bosses.¡± Aron Jackson naturally knew about the incident where Julius Reed had thrown money around at Sophia Leocadia¡¯s birthday dinner, which is why he compared it to the Leocadia Family. ¡°This matter is becoming more and more complicated! The Davenport Family has somehow gotten involved with the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. After the New Year, I¡¯ll have to personally visit Gonzalez City to find out the ins and outs of this matter!¡± Julius Reed said with a slight frown: ¡°How are things going in Five-river Province?¡± ¡°Cold Nelson led a raid against Skyfire, and before that mysterious woman could arrive, they were unable to spark further conflicts.¡± Aron Jackson recounted the situation in Five-river Province to Julius Reed. Just then, the two walked out of the vegetable market. The commoners at the entrance were discussing animatedly, with many holding their phones and taking chaotic snapshots. ¡°Cooperate with us, please, we¡¯re filming a movie.¡± Julius Reed said with a smile. ¡°Damn! They¡¯re really shooting a movie!¡± ¡°What a letdown! I thought we really stumbled upon something big.¡± ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go shopping! These people, really, shooting a movie without saying a word.¡± Everyone looked both helpless and annoyed. Chapter 449 - Chapter 449: Chapter 449 Debt Collection Visits_1 Chapter 449: Chapter 449 Debt Collection Visits_1 Julius Reed returned home and saw Cosmo squatting at the front gate. ¡°Master is back?¡± She quickly stood up and walked toward Julius Reed. ¡°How is it, are you all right?¡± Julius Reed asked very hypocritically. ¡°I know what you want to ask, my mother-in-law is fine, safe and sound! I¡¯m fine too!¡± Cosmo snorted coldly and pursed her lips. She knew her master too well. How could he show such solicitude without a reason? He certainly wanted to inquire about Quella Radcliffe¡¯s comfort, but thinking of her own battle-hardened struggles, he probably felt he had to feign concern first. ¡°Don¡¯t say that, you¡¯re my good disciple indeed!¡± Julius Reed said hypocritically once again. In fact, he was truly concerned about Quella Radcliffe. No one could hurt Cosmo, she¡¯s too strong. ¡°A few small-time thieves, probably didn¡¯t expect me to be so formidable. They didn¡¯t even get through the door before I killed them all,¡± Cosmo said, shaking her head in resignation as she brushed off her hands. Too weak to withstand a single blow! ¡°No survivors?¡± Julius Reed walked with her toward the house. ¡°No survivors! They were all dead set on dying, having taken poison before coming, guaranteed to die within half an hour,¡± Cosmo responded with a shrug. She would have liked to catch some alive! But were there any survivors? The enemy was prepared to die! ¡°They didn¡¯t plan to kidnap her?¡± Julius Reed frowned slightly, ¡°The order they were given was to kidnap!¡± ¡°Impossible, it was clearly murder they were after! Clearly, they came prepared to die,¡± Cosmo replied. ¡°Alright! Let¡¯s go inside and see,¡± When Julius Reed pushed open the door, he saw a bag of instant noodles at the entrance. And a washboard. ¡°You¡¯re back?¡± Hearing the door open, Quella Radcliffe walked out from inside, looking at Julius Reed coldly. ¡°Wife, I¡¯m back,¡± Julius Reed took off his shoes and prepared to enter the house. Seeing his wife unharmed, he was relieved. The specifics about Stacy Cook and the Wolf Cavalry going to the capital to investigate were merely a matter of time. ¡°Before you come in, take a look at those two things at the door and choose which is more suitable for you,¡± Quella Radcliffe glanced at Julius Reed with a very calm expression. Something was off! This was Julius Reed¡¯s most genuine thought! Lately, he and Quella Radcliffe had been getting along harmoniously, living like a real married couple. But today¡¯s attitude, it was as if they had regressed to six months ago? After all the efforts over half a year, back to square one overnight? ¡°Wife, what do you mean?¡± Julius Reed asked again. ¡°Choose one for yourself, and kneel for half an hour first. If you¡¯re not willing, then just leave, there are plenty of women outside,¡± Quella Radcliffe said with a face full of jealousy, ¡°Surely, there will be some willing to keep you, and then you can live a carefree and indulgent life!¡± Saying this, Quella Radcliffe turned her face away, unwilling to look at Julius Reed any longer. ¡°Damn it! This¡­¡± Julius Reed stood there, in a dilemma of advancing or retreating. He was the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, after all! The top in the world! And at this moment, Cosmo stood beside Quella Radcliffe with her lips pursed, smiling. ¡°You two, what¡¯s so funny¡­¡± Just as Julius Reed was about to step out, he saw Quella Radcliffe¡¯s expression darken! ¡°Forget kneeling; I¡¯ll just go stay somewhere else!¡± Just as she was about to turn around, Julius Reed could only sigh and slowly kneel on the washboard. You can¡¯t kneel on instant noodles. They break too easily. And if they break, you have to kneel on a whole box. ¡°Wife, I¡¯m quite heavy; what if the washboard breaks? That¡¯s money too!¡± Julius Reed guessed most of it in his heart, but he could only helplessly take a roundabout way to save the situation. Meanwhile, he cursed Itai Huntington half to death in his heart. It must have been because of this incident, otherwise Quella Radcliffe¡¯s change in attitude wouldn¡¯t have been so drastic! ¡°Hmph, you have money anyway! From today on, all your bank cards, cash, and even your cell phone, surrender them all!¡± Quella Radcliffe came up to Julius Reed with a stern face and stretched out a hand. ¡°Fine, my ancestor, surely some bastard badmouthed me in front of you, and if I find out who, I will definitely tear their mouth!¡± Julius Reed placed the cell phone into Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand. Besides that, his cards had long been with Quella Radcliffe. There wasn¡¯t a single cash note to speak of. Green and healthy transportation, no need for such paper currency. ¡°Master, who are you scolding?¡± Cosmo said with a frown. ¡°When did I say you¡­¡± As he spoke, Julius Reed suddenly realized, pointing at Cosmo with gritted teeth, ¡°I just knew it, how could your mistress find out about this so quickly! It turns out you were the spy!¡± It seems like Quella Radcliffe had been incited by Cosmo to punish him like this. ¡°Mistress! Master is bullying me!¡± Cosmo ran to Quella Radcliffe¡¯s side and started acting coquettishly. The two had gotten along for a long time and had a very good relationship, almost like sisters. ¡°He dares! If he hadn¡¯t done something guilty, why would he be scared like this! Pah, even widows are not spared!¡± Quella Radcliffe spit out a mouthful with a flushed face. ¡°Wife, are you jealous?¡± Julius Reed asked happily. If Quella Radcliffe was jealous, it meant there were feelings between them. ¡°Pah! What do I have to be jealous about! I¡¯m worried that you¡¯ve offended Itai Huntington and got our entire Radcliffe Family involved!¡± Quella Radcliffe said one thing but meant another. She was indeed jealous! Her own husband was rumored to be involved with another woman, and the gossip spread far and wide, with people saying Julius Reed was Itai Huntington¡¯s favored man in bed and that they even slept together! What was Quella Radcliffe supposed to think? Even though she believed Julius Reed was not that kind of person. But rumors are dreadful! Flies do not bite a seamless egg, and it was this fool himself who committed the mistake! Otherwise, why would the widow have set her sights on him? ¡°I¡¯m really wronged!¡± Julius Reed sighed. Life was too hard for him! At the shooting range, Itai Huntington besmirched him, and his reputation was tarnished! On the streets, Dempsey Davenport claimed she was pregnant with his child, Julius Reed was at home and the child came from the sky! And now! He was misunderstood by his own wife! He was truly wronged! ¡°Master, just stop making excuses!¡± Cosmo added fuel to the fire, ¡°Men should admit their mistakes when they mess up, if you admit it, the mistress won¡¯t make things hard for you.¡± ¡°Pah! Cosmo, I¡¯ll remember this incident!¡± How could he admit to something like this? Julius Reed said through clenched teeth, ¡°I am innocent!¡± Once he admitted it, he would never be able to shake off the blame! ¡°Itai Huntington is not someone to be trifled with! Be careful!¡± Quella Radcliffe said coldly, ¡°Hand over the washboard, I¡¯m going to do the laundry!¡± ¡°Thank you, wife!¡± Julius Reed quickly presented it with both hands, handing over the washboard to her! Quella Radcliffe was softhearted and couldn¡¯t stand seeing Julius Reed aggrieved. Her actions today were more about getting him to stay away from Itai Huntington. The men who got close to the deadly widow all ended up in a terrible state. Just then, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s phone suddenly rang. ¡°It¡¯s mom¡¯s call.¡± After looking at the caller ID, she picked up the phone. ¡°Daughter, the debt collectors are at the door! Hurry and save me! At our old house!¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s anxious voice came through, and the faces of the three people in the room all changed. Chapter 450 - Chapter 450: Chapter 450 Debt Repayment_1 Chapter 450: Chapter 450 Debt Repayment_1 ¡°Get in the car!¡± Julius Reed had extremely sharp hearing. After he heard the contents of the phone call, he quickly turned around and ran towards the door, heading straight for the Rolls-Royce. Cosmo stayed at home, after all there was Anna Harris who was still sleeping. Quella Radcliffe, on the other hand, hurriedly dressed and grabbed her purse, taking the passenger seat right away. The two of them rushed towards the direction of the Radcliffe Family¡¯s old house. It was not rush hour at this point, and Julius Reed drove quite fast. Within the confines of the traffic regulations, he was making his way to the Radcliffe Family¡¯s old residence as quickly as possible. On the way, the phone rang again. ¡°Are you coming or not! If you don¡¯t show up soon, get ready to collect our corpses!¡± Knox Ridge shouted loudly into the phone. At the same time, through the phone, one could also hear yelling coming from the inside. ¡°I know there are people in there, open the door!¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t open up, we¡¯re going to break in!¡± ¡°You can dodge for a moment, but not for a lifetime!¡± Hearing these words, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face darkened as she spoke, ¡°What did you borrow money for!¡± Based on her understanding of the elderly couple, if they hadn¡¯t borrowed money, they certainly wouldn¡¯t be so scared. Knox Ridge would surely call the police and even demand compensation for mental distress. But now? Scared like this, actively seeking her help! What could she even do? It was nothing but Knox Ridge knowing that Julius Reed was somewhat capable and wanted him to come over to help. ¡°Let¡¯s talk when you get here!¡± Seeing Quella Radcliffe¡¯s attitude changing, Knox Ridge immediately hung up the phone. ¡°I think we¡¯re not in such a hurry to get there anymore.¡± Julius Reed suddenly slowed down the car. It seemed like Knox Ridge wasn¡¯t that scared, merely wanting someone to help her repay the money. In this civilized society, even debt collection couldn¡¯t be too extreme. ¡°It¡¯s up to you.¡± Quella Radcliffe shook her head helplessly, unable to understand what her parents were thinking. When it comes to money, Quella Radcliffe had already given them no small amount. Food, drinks, she had bought loads and sent them over. As for borrowing money? By the time the two of them arrived at the lower floor of the Radcliffe Family¡¯s old residential complex, more than half an hour had passed. During that period, Knox Ridge called countless times, but Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t answer a single call. Consequently, Knox Ridge started cursing her own daughter heartlessly on WeChat, some of the words even Julius Reed found unbearable. ¡°Let¡¯s go, take a look!¡± After parking the car downstairs, the two walked towards the room where the old couple stayed. As soon as they entered the building, they could hear knocking on doors upstairs. ¡°Open up! Hurry up, old fools, if you don¡¯t repay the money, I¡¯ll kill you!¡± ¡°Exactly! Pay up the money!¡± ¡°Open the door!¡± Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Then there was a sound of fists hammering on the door. Hearing these noises, Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t contain herself any longer and briskly walked upstairs. When they arrived at the door, they discovered that Knox Ridge had actually provoked a gang of hooligans! There were about a dozen men standing at the doorway! Literally a dozen men! Seeing the pair climbing the stairs, a young man with yellow hair stepped forward and said impatiently, ¡°What are you looking at? Have you never seen someone demanding money before? Get lost!¡± He thought that with this intimidation, the two would leave. Otherwise, blocking someone¡¯s doorway in broad daylight demanding money could get one arrested for disturbing the peace. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen it.¡± Julius Reed slowly walked up to Little Yellow Hair, looked at the paint that had been thrown on the Radcliffe¡¯s door, and said, ¡°So this is how you collect debt? Almost like in the movies, eh! Shouldn¡¯t you also spray some paint and label them as deadbeats?¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Little Yellow Hair frowned, impatiently saying, ¡°Get lost! Get lost! Get lost!¡± They say that watching a commotion is not frightening if it gets big! And here there were people coming to gawk at a debt collection! Wasn¡¯t that just idleness? ¡°I might not roll over, but how about you show me how?¡± Julius Reed flashed a light smile and humbly asked for instructions. ¡°You¡¯re just lookin¡¯ for trouble, aren¡¯t ya?¡± A man walked over, frowning as he spoke, ¡°Kid, be smart and scram! Otherwise, if we really have to make a move, you won¡¯t be able to handle the consequences!¡± ¡°You keep telling me to scram, but you gotta show me how to do it!¡± Julius Reed acted as if he didn¡¯t understand, chatting with the group of hooligans. ¡°I¡¯ll show you how to scram!¡± The hooligan sneered, crossed his arms over his head, and pointed toward the stairs, ¡°Just like this, flip your body forward, and roll down like a ball!¡± Whoosh! Before he could react, Julius Reed suddenly kicked out. ¡°Ouch!¡± The hooligan didn¡¯t even have time to understand what was happening before he tumbled and fell down the stairs. Then he let out a pig-like scream, wailing in pain. ¡°Damn it! Who gave you the guts to hit my people!¡± Seeing his own man beaten, Little Yellow Hair instantly flew into a rage. ¡°It was you who told me to scram, he just demonstrated it for me, shouldn¡¯t he demonstrate it properly?¡± Julius Reed said with feigned grievance. ¡°Heh! Now that you¡¯ve learned, scram! I¡¯ll watch you roll down! If you don¡¯t roll down, I¡¯ll have someone help you!¡± Little Yellow Hair said viciously. ¡°Scram now!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like rollin¡¯ down, it¡¯s so unseemly.¡± Julius Reed walked up to one of the men, lifted him by the collar, and threw him onto the stairs with one hand. The unprepared hooligan tumbled down the stairs, landing at the very bottom. ¡°Attack!¡± Little Yellow Hair was completely infuriated! Having two of his brothers thrown down the stairs was a colossal humiliation! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Julius Reed kicked out three times, and the three men in front fell to the ground, screaming in agony. Little Yellow Hair swallowed hard, his forehead already covered in sweat. ¡°You¡­ who are you¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll give you a chance, tell me who sent you, and we¡¯ll call it quits!¡± Julius Reed dusted off his hands and knocked on the door, ¡°Quella Radcliffe and I are here!¡± ¡°First, get rid of them! These people are here for money!¡± Knox Ridge yelled from inside. ¡°So you¡¯re in there, you wench! Come out and pay back the money!¡± Little Yellow Hair kicked the door fiercely a few times, but it wouldn¡¯t budge. It was after all a security door, inherently sturdy. ¡°Bro, I¡¯m still here, and you¡¯re kicking the door without any regard?¡± Julius Reed grabbed Little Yellow Hair¡¯s arm, causing him to grimace in pain. ¡°Speak! Who sent you!¡± ¡°Mr. Cook, Bran Cook¡­¡± Little Yellow Hair cried out in response. ¡°Bran Cook? What money is he here for?¡± Julius Reed pondered briefly. Was Bran Cook really daring to oppose him now? Had he grown tired of living? Knowing that Zane Percival had already been taken down by him, Bran Cook definitely wouldn¡¯t dare to act rashly for a while. ¡°Previously, the two old¡­ two elders in this house took several hundred thousand in cash from Bran Cook, promising to marry their daughter to him. Now that the matter hasn¡¯t been settled, Bran Cook is pressing them to return the money, but the two old folks are outright refusing to pay back!¡± Little Yellow Hair, trembling with fear, didn¡¯t dare to lie. So he spilled everything, thinking of seeking revenge later after going back. ¡°Open the door, I¡¯ve taken care of them!¡± Julius Reed knocked on the door again. Seeing Little Yellow Hair being gripped like a chicken, Knox Ridge finally felt at ease and opened the door. ¡°Go, get that money back. I¡¯m behind you!¡± Julius Reed stuffed Little Yellow Hair into the room and then turned to close the door. ¡°Paying back what¡¯s owed is only right, isn¡¯t it?¡± He looked at Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Mhm.¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded in agreement. It was equivalent to selling their daughter. Chapter 451 - Chapter 451: Chapter 451 Three Hands_1 Chapter 451: Chapter 451 Three Hands_1 As the saying goes, every bully meets a bigger bully, and Knox Ridge, who had been utterly arrogant before, promptly returned the several hundred thousand yuan she took from Bran Cook after meeting these people. Of course, the money never made it back into Bran Cook¡¯s hands. When Little Yellow Hair and his people were heading out, the card with no password was directly intercepted by Julius Reed. Bran Cook¡¯s money was there for the taking, after all. Amid Knox Ridge¡¯s curses, the two of them drove back to the city and into the mansion. It was a false alarm. The Gonzalez City Business Alliance will be officially established tomorrow, and as the group¡¯s general manager, Quella Radcliffe will assist Itai Huntington in handling the alliance¡¯s affairs. Bran Cook certainly won¡¯t take it lying down, so this first day will be the real test for Quella Radcliffe, as it¡¯s just beginning. ¡°You and that widow¡­¡± Sitting in the car, Quella Radcliffe started to speak, then stopped. ¡°Honey, I swear to heaven, there¡¯s really nothing between me and Itai Huntington. It¡¯s just that now, as the chairman of the business alliance and you being the general manager, I have to ask her to take good care of you.¡± Julius Reed was driving with one hand and swearing to the sky with the other. This damn widow, now she¡¯s really done me in. ¡°Why are you so agitated!¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at Julius Reed with a strange gaze, squinting her eyes and asked, ¡°Could it be that I hit the nail on the head, and you¡¯re afraid?¡± ¡°No!¡± Julius Reed confidently replied, ¡°Even if you kill me, I won¡¯t submit, because my heart belongs only to you.¡± ¡°Pah! Stay away from that woman in the future.¡± Quella Radcliffe whispered. Clearly, she was jealous. But afraid that Julius Reed would notice, she quickly explained, ¡°That woman is too scheming, and did she not help you deal with Zane Percival today?¡± ¡°Yeah. You could say she helped, Zane Percival needed to be put in his place, the heavens will take care of the despicable.¡± Julius Reed nodded. The reason he humiliated Zane Percival so thoroughly was that the man dared to insult his wife. The dragon¡¯s reverse scales must not be touched! ¡°Be careful, those people won¡¯t just let this go.¡± Quella Radcliffe had a hint of worry. With the New Year approaching, would it be peaceful before then? She didn¡¯t know. As soon as the day broke the next morning, Quella Radcliffe drove to Bran Cook¡¯s private club. Despite failing to be elected as chairman and general manager, he still had to offer up his club for everyone¡¯s temporary use. There was nothing more suffocating than this. But Bran Cook decided to endure it, no matter what, he was still the representative of the Cook Family, responsible for attending the business alliance meeting. Moreover, many merchants wanted him to rise to power; Bran Cook still had quite a bit of say. After all, to maintain such a loose alliance, the majority needed to be satisfied, or it might dissolve at any time. Quella Radcliffe really wanted to ask Julius Reed why he chose her as the general manager. But thinking about the attitude of the Willson Group, she knew it was Julius Reed¡¯s doing. So she concluded that Julius Reed must have made some deal with Itai Huntington, or else Bran Cook wouldn¡¯t have been so utterly defeated. Telling Julius Reed to stay away from Itai Huntington was partly because she genuinely felt Itai Huntington was dangerous. And on the other hand, although she was reluctant to admit it. She was jealous. Julius Reed didn¡¯t follow along; if Quella Radcliffe wanted to stand on her own, she needed to grow. And growth required a whetstone. He would only help when absolutely necessary. Julius Reed slept lazily until noon, not getting up until twelve o¡¯clock. Anna Harris left with Quella Radcliffe to find Sergei Harris. After all, a man and a woman alone in a villa wasn¡¯t ideal. After picking up his phone, Julius Reed found more than a dozen missed calls. Unknown numbers. There was another text message. [Mr. Reed, I have an important matter to discuss with you, if convenient, please call me back.] The content of the text message was simple, and the number was registered in the capital. This person was about to make their move. Jennifer Lopez. Zane Percival¡¯s mother from the capital. ¡°It¡¯s really quite impressive that they were able to track down my phone number.¡± Julius Reed chuckled and shook his head as he tossed the phone aside, walking out in his vest to the balcony on the third floor. Cosmo had already followed Quella Radcliffe to Bran Cook¡¯s private club; now, only the people from Willson Pavilion were left in the villa. Just then, the phone rang again. Julius Reed turned around and saw it was Aron Jackson calling. ¡°Boss, Stacy Cook has made another move! A group has arrived in Five-river Province, seems like they¡¯re from the Ridge Family!¡± Aron Jackson said hurriedly over the phone. The Ridge Family, Truman Ridge. As Julius Reed¡¯s spokesperson in Gonzalez City, Aron Jackson was aware of this family. After completely taking control of Gonzalez City, Aron¡¯s people had infiltrated the docks, the airport, and even the public road transport. Even the deeply hidden Ridge Family couldn¡¯t escape Aron¡¯s surveillance. ¡°The Ridge Family? Does Stacy Cook have a connection with the Ridge Family?¡± This was a surprise to Julius Reed. The men from Wolf Cavalry hadn¡¯t returned yet, and Stacy Cook¡¯s background remained a mystery. First ties with the art alliance, then the Wolf Cavalry, and now the Ridge Family, it seemed Stacy Cook¡¯s comeback was no coincidence. And behind Stacy Cook, Ivan Reed probably had connections with the mysterious woman. Otherwise, how could Stacy Cook manage to enlist the Wolf Cavalry? They were his own elite guards, after all! ¡°Also, something odd has happened. Skyfire seems to have suffered a destructive hit, was it you who arranged it? I¡¯ve received news that Europe is quite furious and ready to send reinforcements at any moment.¡± After finishing, Aron Jackson seemed to suddenly remember something and immediately continued, ¡°Among the people brought by the Ridge Family, there is a monster with three hands!¡± ¡°Three hands?¡± Julius Reed thought for a moment, then instructed, ¡°Send me their whereabouts; we absolutely cannot let them reach Five-river Province. And regarding Skyfire, I haven¡¯t taken any action. From what you¡¯ve told me, it seems like this incident is related to the person with three hands. It would be best if you could get a photo.¡± The sudden destructive blow to Skyfire clearly wasn¡¯t the handiwork of that woman. Her current strategy was to unite everything, targeting only him. To start by crippling Skyfire provided no benefits to the newly established Boulevard League. ¡°We actually got one! My people caught this freak on a highway camera, I¡¯ll send it to you now.¡± After speaking, Aron Jackson hung up the call. Ding dong! A notification sounded, and a picture was sent to Julius Reed¡¯s phone. After viewing the photo, Julius Reed made a call. ¡°Hello! Didn¡¯t I tell you, if your child is sick take him to the doctor, why are you calling me!¡± A torrent of cursing came through the phone, followed by diminishing background noise. Obviously, the person was in a public place and had now left. ¡°Mr. Reed, I am currently at the Leopold Family villa, to avoid arousing suspicion, I had to behave as such.¡± About ten seconds later, Bridger Davenport¡¯s voice came through the phone. ¡°Skyfire¡­¡± ¡°Skyfire was struck by a devastating blow last night, the Saint Heir was injured, and many were lost. I just found out, now the wealthy in Five-river Province are discussing what to do next.¡± Bridger whispered back. ¡°Who did it?¡± Julius Reed asked again. ¡°One man, but with three hands.¡± Bridger¡¯s voice carried a sense of fear as he spoke that sentence. Chapter 452 - Chapter 452: Chapter 452 Three-Armed Underworld King_1 Chapter 452: Chapter 452 Three-Armed Underworld King_1 ¡°Are you sure, that person has three arms?¡± Having heard this message, Julius Reed faintly knew the answer already. ¡°The Leopold Family reviewed the footage today, we just finished watching it.¡± Bridger Davenport shuddered with fear, ¡°Luckily we weren¡¯t in the villa at the time, otherwise we¡¯d all be dead! It was just one person, with three arms, and three swords, slashing at anyone in sight! Skyfire deployed heavy weaponry but failed to stop this person, and only after the Saint Heir and a minor leader practiced hand-to-hand were they barely able to drive that person away.¡± ¡°The Saint Heir was severely injured, and that minor leader died on the spot. Now the wealthy merchants in Five-river Province are discussing whether to switch allegiance to the Ridge Family or continue supporting Skyfire.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve heard that Skyfire¡¯s headquarters are in shock, preparing to send support. The Saint Heir has already gone to talk on the phone with the Sect Hierarch and is expected to reply very soon.¡± Bridger Davenport kept his voice very low, afraid of being overheard. ¡°How can you be certain it was the Ridge Family¡¯s doing?¡± That was precisely what Julius Reed wanted to confirm. ¡°Because the person who brought them here was from the Ridge Family¡­¡± After a moment of silence, Bridger Davenport whispered, ¡°Maurice Yarrow wants to straddle two boats, getting very close with Truman Ridge himself and sending me to make contact with Skyfire. No matter which side wins, the Three Blade Group will be the winner. I confirmed with him after getting the message this morning. The Ridge Family was dissatisfied with Skyfire¡¯s actions and unilaterally ousted them from the Boulevard League.¡± ¡°Keep me updated with any news. Moreover, Skyfire will probably end up pointing the finger at the Ridge Family. They can¡¯t afford to offend this three-armed person. As for the Ridge Family, I suspect there will be reconciliation within two or three days. And the results you¡¯re waiting for won¡¯t mention this three-armed individual.¡± After finishing the conversation, Julius Reed hung up on Bridger Davenport¡¯s call. What stature does Skyfire have? Even if barely qualifying as a regional hegemon, how could they muster the courage to wage war against Deep Cold, the premier organization of Shadow Warriors? After forwarding the photo to Cosmo, Julius Reed looked out at the streets of Gonzalez City. As the New Year approached, it had become increasingly lively. The phone rang shortly after. ¡°Master, where did you see the photo of Tate King?¡± Cosmo got straight to the point. ¡°Are you sure, you didn¡¯t mistake the person?¡± Julius Reed asked softly. He had long suspected the man to be Tate King, a master of swordsmanship and one of the leaders of Deep Cold. Nevertheless, he needed Cosmo¡¯s confirmation. ¡°No mistake! The most famous leader of Deep Cold, the king of close combat, the sword Dao master who once swept through all opposition, Tate King! He is known by the nickname, Three-Armed Underworld King.¡± Cosmo spoke very seriously. Tate King was very well known, but in recent years he had kept a low profile within Deep Cold, with no significant moves. The moment Cosmo saw the photo, she thought it was Tate King. The two had fought once, five years ago, and in the end, Cosmo was defeated. The nickname of the Three-Armed Underworld King wasn¡¯t for show. ¡°Master, has he come?¡± Cosmo felt an ominous premonition. She was well aware of the enmity between Julius Reed and Deep Cold; he had even beheaded one of Deep Cold¡¯s leaders right in front of her! This incident had shaken the martial arts world! What kind of organization is Deep Cold? The foremost among Shadow Warriors! And yet, one of its mightiest and most powerful leaders had fallen in a small city in the East. Undoubtedly, this was a fatal blow to the authority of Deep Cold! Now that Deep Cold had re-emerged after a month of silence, were they looking to restore their tarnished honor? ¡°I¡¯ll go meet this Three-Armed Underworld King.¡± A smile came over Julius Reed¡¯s face. ¡°Master, let me assist you!¡± Cosmo was a bit worried. When the Three-Armed Underworld King takes action, few live to tell the tale! Even Cosmo, who had already been renowned as the Empress of the underworld, had narrowly escaped death by his sword back then. ¡°Protect your mistress well; I can handle this minor matter myself. Oh, and after you get back, tell me everything that happened today.¡± After giving his instructions, Julius Reed ended the call and reached out to Aron Jackson, intending to meet these people. If the Three-Armed Underworld King had taken action, Aron Jackson¡¯s men surely wouldn¡¯t be able to stop him! Rather than suffer heavy casualties, it was better to stop them outside of Gonzalez City themselves. With Itai Huntington there, the Gonzalez City Business Alliance wouldn¡¯t have any major problems. But Bran Cook would definitely make trouble! So, Julius Reed let Cosmo, his assistant in name from Quella Radcliffe, follow by his side to record the entire day¡¯s events. ¡­ The outskirts of Gonzalez City. East Sea Cemetery. Now that people¡¯s living standards have improved, they not only have requirements for housing while alive. The dead have their requirements too. Gonzalez City, flanked by water on three sides and mountains on one, is a perfect Feng Shui treasure site. Even many wealthy businessmen from Five-river Province have relocated their ancestors¡¯ graves here. As the most luxurious graveyard here, the East Sea Cemetery¡¯s single plot sale price had already reached two hundred thousand yuan. And yet, people still flocked here. ¡°Master, why don¡¯t we take a car? Walking like this, we¡¯ll need until evening to reach Gonzalez City.¡± Kian Ridge from the Ridge Family spoke up. At that moment, the group was just passing around the East Sea Cemetery; forty li further east past this graveyard, and they would reach the boundaries of Gonzalez City. The dozen or so people were clearly tired, but due to the man¡¯s reputation, none dared to speak up. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to walk, you can roll away,¡± the man in the robe said with a cheerful laugh. ¡°You dare tell our young master to roll?¡± A servant of the Ridge Family stepped forward, speaking in an unpleasant tone, ¡°Show some respect to our young master! You freak, thinking you¡¯re incredible just because you have some skills? Do you know who the Ridge Family is? People like you, as long as we have money, we can have as many as we want!¡± Members of the Ridge Family are innately arrogant. Even their servants are the same. Their family wealth is vast, owning mountains of gold and silver. Even the wealthy businessmen within the province have to come and ask favors from them, let alone these craftsmen? As long as there is money, what kind of people can¡¯t be found? ¡°Heh heh, say that one more time? I will chop off your tongue and drink it down, young man,¡± the man grinned, revealing his teeth as he took a flask from his waist, unscrewed the cap, and began to drink slowly. ¡°Whoa! You¡¯re really putting on airs! Let me tell you, our young master has already given you enough face by walking with you for so long! You have a car, but you choose not to ride, are you sick in the head?¡± Seeing the freak threaten him, the Ridge Family servant was even more displeased. It was clear that the man¡¯s drinking was a show of contempt, an act of belittlement! ¡°I told you, I want to cut off your tongue and drink it. But your mouth is too foul, it ruins my appetite,¡± the man said, casting a disdainful glance at the servant as he suddenly stretched out his left hand, and in an instant, the servant¡¯s jaw was firmly clamped! Crack! In a flash, the servant¡¯s jaw was crushed to pieces! Then a streak of light passed! Thud! The servant¡¯s bloodied tongue dropped to the ground. The servant, his jaw shattered, blood gushing from his mouth, immediately fell to the ground convulsing for a moment. He was dead. ¡°You! You dare kill my servant!¡± Kian Ridge pointed at the man, his lips twitching. ¡°You¡¯re too arrogant! Don¡¯t forget, we are the employers, you dare not listen to me!¡± ¡°Employers?¡± The man raised an eyebrow, ¡°I don¡¯t like to be pointed at.¡± Whoosh! Another flash of cold light passed. Kian Ridge felt a numbness in his hand, and his finger actually fell to the ground. Chapter 453 - Chapter 453: Chapter 453 Weirdo_1 Chapter 453: Chapter 453 Weirdo_1 ¡°Ah¡­ my hand!¡± The pain struck swiftly, and Kian Ridge crouched on the ground in agony, watching his continuously bleeding fingers, his body beginning to tremble. ¡°Quick! Call a car, rush to the hospital to reattach the young master¡¯s finger!¡± Seeing this, the Ridge Family servants immediately sprang into action. Having a finger severed was not a big issue, with the current level of medical expertise, as long as there was enough time, it could be restored as before. But if too much time passed, it was very likely to result in complications. ¡°You¡¯re insane! How dare you injure the young master!¡± The other Ridge Family servants quickly surrounded the man in the long robe, glaring at him, ¡°You really have a death wish!¡± ¡°Kill him!¡± Kian Ridge endured the heart-wrenching pain and stood up from the ground. He had grown up pampered and sheltered, never having suffered a wound, and now, to his dismay, someone had chopped off one of his fingers! ¡°You think you can kill me with just that?¡± The man sat on the ground, drinking from his flask as if nothing had happened, without so much as glancing at them. ¡°Too arrogant! We all know you¡¯re skilled, but do you really think we¡¯re pushovers?¡± The Ridge Family servants glared at the man, with someone even pulling out a handgun from behind. ¡°What, do you think we were raised on shit?¡± The man chuckled with a ¡®heh¡¯, leisurely savoring the wine from his gourd. ¡°No matter how tough you are, can you move faster than a dart?¡± The Ridge Family members were completely enraged! They knew the tougher the person, the harder to control, which was why they had brought a few experts along and carried two darts with them. As expected, this man had actually chopped off Kian Ridge¡¯s finger with a single sword strike. ¡°You all arrange for the vehicle to take the young master to the hospital. I¡¯ll consult with the master whether to execute this man on the spot or bring him back for trial,¡± a steward stepped forward, directing the servants in their tasks. He was the little leader responsible for managing everyone on this trip and was a person Truman Ridge trusted greatly. The man was powerful, rumored to have severely wounded Skyfire on his own. But they didn¡¯t know just how strong he really was. Truman Ridge had sent this steward to try to meet all the man¡¯s demands and to be responsible for overseeing Kian Ridge. But as a member of the Ridge family, the steward naturally placed Kian¡¯s safety first. In his view, the man was merely a Shadow Warrior hired by the Ridge Family, and had no right to defy his employer. ¡°No need for a car, this finger can¡¯t be reattached.¡± The man wiped the wine from his lips, and with a sweep of his Longsword¡­ Whoosh! The severed finger flew through the air. Following a flash of blade light, the severed finger was gone entirely. ¡°You dare!¡± Seeing this, the steward¡¯s lips trembled involuntarily. This was to render Kian Ridge completely disabled! Absolute betrayal! ¡°My finger!¡± Seeing his own finger disappear, Kian Ridge understood he might become a Nine-fingered Man in the future, and couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of rage. A hired dog slave had the nerve to treat him like this! To treat a member of the Ridge Family like this? ¡°Kill him!¡± Kian Ridge roared in anger, and the servants immediately closed in. ¡°Speak! Any last words?¡± A servant with a dart pointed at the man¡¯s head asked coldly. ¡°Make him kneel! Kneel before me!¡± Kian Ridge, his finger wrapped in a bandage, shrieked with bloodshot eyes. He wanted to make this man in front of him suffer worse than death! This freak! ¡°Chop off his third hand!¡± ¡°Yes, young master!¡± The steward drew a knife and slowly approached the man. ¡°Kneel before the young master!¡± He commanded once more. ¡°I really, don¡¯t like being pointed at with a gun.¡± The man put the flask away and slowly rose from the ground. ¡°Give you a chance to throw your dart first, or you¡¯ll never get the chance to throw one again in this lifetime.¡± The man¡¯s face was full of scorn, not even deigning to glance at the servant. ¡°Kill him!¡± Kian Ridge completely lost his reason! Whoosh! Clang! In the instant the servant pulled the trigger! The man swiftly drew his sword! A streak of cold light flashed! And no one could quite see what had happened! ¡°Ah!¡± The servant let out a scream as half his hand was sheared off, falling to the ground. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Standing in place, the servant looked at his severed hand, trembling all over. Blood kept flowing, quickly staining the ground beneath his feet red. ¡°So noisy.¡± Pfff! With a backhanded thrust of his sword, the man pierced right through the servant¡¯s body. ¡°I said I don¡¯t like having guns pointed at me.¡± Thud! As the sword was withdrawn, the servant fell straight to the ground, eyes still filled with disbelief! Could it be faster than a flying dart? What kind of monster was this? Or had it missed? ¡°This¡­ this is impossible!¡± Kian Ridge¡¯s face turned deathly pale. He took a step back and yelled at another servant, ¡°Throw the dart! Kill him! Hurry, kill this freak!¡± The servant was shaking all over with fear at this point. If he were to throw the dart, would he be killed just like the earlier one? But he had no choice! He had to kill this freak in front of him to survive! ¡°Die!¡± With a roar of rage, the servant instantly triggered the mechanism! Pfff! The man who had been standing three meters away from the servant suddenly appeared behind him. Afterward, the man lightly pushed the servant. The body and head separated. One sword stroke. ¡°You¡­¡± Kian Ridge¡¯s legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground completely. ¡°You think you can kill me?¡± Unhurriedly, the man took a wine flask off his waist and strolled over to Kian Ridge, ¡°I heard you wanted me to kneel?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Kian Ridge felt a chill run through his body, trembling like a sieve, his eyes filled with terror. Was this even human? It was a monster! ¡°Die!¡± At the same time, the butler suddenly drew his knife! He wanted to catch the freak off-guard and cut him down! Whoosh! But the man turned around, grabbed the butler¡¯s wrist with one hand, and immediately redirected the longsword! Pfff! The longsword pierced through the butler¡¯s body! ¡°Too weak!¡± He shook his head, his eyes full of disappointment. ¡°You¡­ don¡¯t come any closer¡­ my family is the Ridge Family, if you dare kill me¡­¡± Kian Ridge was completely filled with fear. He was scared that the man would kill him! But he was a member of the Ridge Family! ¡°The Ridge Family? You think I won¡¯t kill your entire clan?¡± Crouching in front of Kian Ridge, the man said with a smile. ¡°I was wrong¡­ great one, as long as you spare me, I¡¯m willing to give you any reward!¡± Isn¡¯t a Shadow Warrior after money? With enough money, who would have issues with it? ¡°You see my third hand?¡± Tate King pointed to the extra hand below his right arm. Kian Ridge nodded stupidly. His mind was blank, completely filled with terror. ¡°When I was a child, people used to call me a freak, saying I brought bad luck and that my family would be plagued with misfortune as long as I was around.¡± Tate King looked up at the sky, ¡°The townsfolk all cursed at me, beat me, as did my family. My two older brothers and older sister abused me daily, even making me eat leftovers.¡± ¡°Later, I swore that anyone who called me a freak, I would kill them. Half a year after I met my master, I killed everyone in that town.¡± Kian Ridge kept nodding stupidly, but then, as if he thought of something terrifying, his eyes widened in horror! Crack! Tate King twisted and broke Kian Ridge¡¯s neck, ¡°And you, you just said ¡®freak¡¯ twice.¡± ¡°Freak! Pick a spot in this East Sea Graveyard; you¡¯ll be needing it shortly.¡± Just then, Julius Reed walked out from the woods beside the graveyard. ¡°What did you just call me¡­¡± Tate King slowly stood up. His expression grim as the deep waters. ¡°Freak, brother! Can¡¯t you hear? I called you a freak,¡± said Julius Reed warmly. Chapter 454 - Chapter 454: Chapter 454: Not Worthy of Being My Opponent_1 Chapter 454: Chapter 454: Not Worthy of Being My Opponent_1 When the experts crossed swords, whoever lost their composure first was the one who lost the upper hand. However, when Julius Reed said this, it wasn¡¯t to enrage Tate King. It was a simple humiliation. Since the fight had come right to his doorstep, it was only right to indulge in some verbal sparring first. Insult first, then proceed. ¡°See these bodies on the ground?¡± Tate King slowly took a step forward, his third hand drawing the longsword from his back. ¡°They made a fatal mistake, and you just made the same one.¡± ¡°Got any last words?¡± Tate King suddenly looked up, his eyes brimming with endless killing intent. ¡°None, I¡¯m not one for chatter.¡± Julius Reed took out his wallet and from it, he drew a gold card, ¡°Take your pick, I¡¯m buying today.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Tate King was stunned at first, then burst into laughter, ¡°Young man, you are quite the comedian.¡± Bodies were strewn between the two men. But the way they talked to each other, they seemed like old friends, as if there were endless topics to discuss. ¡°I feel like I¡¯ve seen you before.¡± Tate King crouched down to grab a silk handkerchief from Kian Ridge¡¯s chest and gently wiped the blood off his sword. ¡°Do we know each other? I just happened to pass by and saw a monster, that¡¯s all.¡± Julius Reed put his wallet back in his pocket, but the gold card remained in his hand. Clearly, ¡®I¡¯m buying today¡¯ wasn¡¯t just talk. If I say I will bury you, then you will be buried! When the word ¡®monster¡¯ was uttered, Tate King¡¯s sword-wiping motion noticeably halted for a moment before returning to normal. ¡°That will only make your death more miserable.¡± Once he deemed his sword sufficiently clean, Tate King slowly stood up and looked straight at Julius Reed, ¡°Although the one who was leading me here is dead, I believe you are the one.¡± He lifted his eyelids slightly, ¡°I can¡¯t think of a second person who would court death in such a manner.¡± ¡°How can you be a Shadow Warrior if you can¡¯t even recognize your target? Isn¡¯t that a bit incompetent?¡± Julius Reed couldn¡¯t help but chuckle lightly, ¡°What if you killed the wrong person?¡± For a Shadow Warrior to not recognize their target upon encounter, there could hardly be anything more amateurish in the world. ¡°Shadow Warrior?¡± Tate King shook his head, ¡°That¡¯s a task for the underlings. I am actually the chief of Deep Cold, one of the top three chiefs. It doesn¡¯t matter if I kill the wrong person, I¡¯ll just keep killing until I get the right one.¡± As he spoke, his third hand slowly gripped the steel sword and started to advance step by step. ¡°Really full of yourself, aren¡¯t you!¡± Julius Reed said calmly, standing still. Perhaps to others, the Three-Armed Underworld King was unstoppable. But against him, even if it were the eight-armed Nezha, he¡¯d have to leave behind eight arms. ¡°An expert is expected to be so.¡± As Tate King walked, he examined Julius Reed closely and then shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m rather disappointed. Deep Cold¡¯s chief actually died at your hands. I was expecting my opponent to be a monster, but you¡¯re a bit too ordinary.¡± Mid-speech, he suddenly dashed forward, and his steel sword cleaved through the air! Stra![/p] The sword¡¯s blade, with its fierce wind, ripped through the air itself! Shoo! In response, Julius Reed¡¯s gold card shot out! Clang! The steel sword struck the gold card! It didn¡¯t split into halves as one might have expected from a card struck by a sword. The metal-crafted card, seemingly indestructible, knocked the steel sword right out of the air! Thump! Thump! Thump! Tate King staggered back several steps, a trace of gravity crossing his face. ¡°You¡¯re strong, their deaths are not in vain.¡± His one stroke was enough to sever a steel beam half a meter thick! But faced with a mere card, it was deflected! One could only imagine the strength of the other¡¯s inner power. ¡°I¡¯m in a hurry, let¡¯s get on with it,¡± Julius Reed glanced at his watch. It was almost noon, and Quella Radcliffe should be in the midst of her lunch break by now. After the Radcliffe Group gave out loans at the bank, there was no longer any risk of bankruptcy or collapse. Now, Dempsey Davenport had full authority and controlled the group¡¯s affairs. Quella Radcliffe, meanwhile, was focusing all her energies on the business alliance. Clear-eyed people all knew that this was a highly profitable deal. Cosmo had always stayed by Quella Radcliffe¡¯s side and by now should have been able to know what happened this morning. The first day would definitely not be peaceful. Therefore, Julius Reed didn¡¯t want to entangle with Tate King for too long, aiming for a quick battle to rush to the company to pick up his wife. Fighting was uninteresting to him. ¡°Although you¡¯re strong, it doesn¡¯t make any difference to me. After you die, I¡¯ll kill your entire family as payback for you calling me a freak.¡± Tate King slowly drew his steel swords with his other two hands, facing Julius Reed squarely for the first time. The three steel swords, glinting with a cold light, looked extraordinarily glaring in the East Sea Cemetery. Not far away lay the corpses of the Ridge Family. ¡°Have you chosen a grave site yet?¡± Julius Reed pointed to the cemetery behind him, ¡°After you die, I¡¯ll bury you.¡± ¡°Keep it for yourself!¡± Swoosh! Tate King¡¯s entire figure vanished instantly, then appeared behind Julius Reed without warning! Three swords struck at once! The sound of the sword wind breaking through the air was accompanied by an unmatched oppressive force! ¡°You¡¯re planning to slay a dragon!¡± Julius Reed smiled as he looked above at Tate King, suddenly producing a golden dragon whip in his hand. Dragon slayers are certainly worthy of respect, but with so many eager to meet their end, who would remember them? Clang! Facing the ferocious murderous aura, Julius Reed¡¯s golden dragon whip smashed down from the sky! It collided heavily with the three steel swords! Hum! In an instant, leaves fluttered down from the trees in the East Sea Cemetery! Crackle! Julius Reed took three quick steps forward, whipping the golden dragon whip through the air! Clang! The first steel sword broke on impact! He leapt forward, swinging down the golden whip again! Clang! The second sword broke! ¡°You are not worthy to be my opponent!¡± Clang! Julius Reed grasped the third steel sword with one hand, his wrist pressing down fiercely! The steel sword shattered directly! And at that moment, all Tate King had left in his hands were three broken swords! ¡°Who the hell are you?¡± Though fierce, he was one of Deep Cold¡¯s top executives, ranked fourth within the organization! Just below the legendary leader of Deep Cold, the Dark Night Evil Dragon! ¡°I am a man¡­¡± Julius Reed glanced at his watch, smiled faintly, and said, ¡°who plans to pick up his wife from work.¡± Swoosh! The gold card that had been flung out earlier suddenly sliced through the air, returning to Julius Reed¡¯s hand in a swift boomerang motion! Tate King felt a murderous intent at his back and immediately dodged to the side, but the gold card still wounded him! Clatter! The third hand, bloody and severed, fell to the ground. ¡°Helping you become a normal person, I¡¯ll waive the surgery fee. I¡¯m generous like that. Also, have you chosen your grave site?¡± The long whip in Julius Reed¡¯s hand kept spinning at such speed that it made a sizzling sound through the air. ¡°This vengeance will be repaid twofold!¡± Tate King planted the two broken swords into the ground and then pushed forward fiercely! Whoosh! A cloud of dust blew towards him, with the broken swords emitting an imposing aura of death! ¡°Break!¡± Julius Reed swung the golden dragon whip with force, charging through the dust cloud! But the figure in front had already disappeared. ¡°As expected of an executive, it¡¯s a bit difficult to keep you here.¡± He wiped the blood off the gold card and turned to walk toward the woods. Chapter 455 - Chapter 455: Chapter 455 A Call from the Capital_1 Chapter 455: Chapter 455 A Call from the Capital_1 ¡°Big brother, how did it go?¡± Aron Jackson hurriedly crushed out his cigarette butt and, with a quick jog, rushed towards Julius Reed. This battle was like a clash of the gods; him going over would only add to the chaos and serve no purpose. ¡°He got away, the Three-Armed Underworld King, truly lives up to his reputation.¡± Julius Reed shook his head but casually said, ¡°Go clean up this mess. That guy killed people, now I have to wipe his ass.¡± ¡°Could he possibly¡­¡± Aron Jackson was somewhat worried. With such a brutal reputation, if that person really sought revenge, it would be very tricky to handle. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my card was poisoned, he won¡¯t have the strength to challenge me again for three months.¡± Julius Reed looked up at the sky and muttered to himself, ¡°In three months, killing him will probably be as easy as flipping my hand.¡± As time passed, the energy inside the Dragon Ring continuously battered the seal within his memory. As his memory slowly recovered, Julius Reed¡¯s abilities began to grow stronger. But regarding that battle at the mountain summit, he couldn¡¯t remember a thing. It was completely elusive, beyond grasping. ¡°Big brother, you¡¯re so awesome, yet you resorted to poisoning?¡± Aron Jackson snickered, clearly not expecting his boss to use such a despicable trick. ¡°What are you talking about? I, your big brother, am knowledgeable about astronomy above and geography below. Do you know about Shennong tasting herbs? He was just a named disciple of mine who didn¡¯t even qualify to listen to my lectures.¡± Julius Reed boastfully proclaimed. ¡°Amazing! Then how come in the end, only Shennong is remembered?¡± Aron Jackson absolutely didn¡¯t think Julius Reed was bluffing. Eternal life and youth, all things he didn¡¯t believe a bit! But his boss¡¯s appearance hadn¡¯t changed at all over the past dozen years, and that was beyond scientific explanation. ¡°Because once during a lecture, I mixed up the medicines, and those disciples poisoned themselves to death after taking them. Only Shennong, who wasn¡¯t qualified to attend, survived. Out of no choice, I passed some trivial knowledge onto him.¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders, equally helpless. ¡°Oh yeah, your sister-in-law is about to get off work. After sorting this out, come with me to Bran Cook¡¯s private club, these people won¡¯t be peaceful.¡± ¡°You guys, go buy some graves to bury the bodies, and make it clean!¡± With a wave of his hand, Aron Jackson immediately summoned over a dozen underlings. These people were very professional at getting the job done¡ªafter all, that was what they were responsible for. Ding-ling-ling! Just then, the phone in Julius Reed¡¯s hand suddenly rang. The incoming number was very familiar, from the capital city. ¡°Zane Percival¡¯s mother, Jennifer Lopez.¡± He showed the phone to Aron Jackson. ¡°This woman is no simple character; she has a huge reputation in the capital and is even more ruthless than Itai Huntington.¡± Aron Jackson frowned and said, ¡°Back when she wasn¡¯t divorced from Arlo Percival, in Gonzalez City she and Itai Huntington were known as the ¡®black widows.¡¯ The reason I do business with the Percival Family is out of wariness for this woman.¡± ¡°If she cherishes her son so much, why did they divorce?¡± Julius Reed looked at Aron Jackson. If Jennifer Lopez cared about Zane Percival so much, why would she run off to the capital city alone, leaving the mother and son in Gonzalez City? ¡°No one knows the specific reason, but Jennifer Lopez¡¯s level of adoration for Arlo Percival was not ordinary pampering. Every summer, Zane Percival goes to the capital city. You should be careful, big brother.¡± Mentioning this woman, Aron Jackson rarely felt somewhat at a loss. A woman¡¯s venom can be deadliest; no one knew what she was capable of. ¡°Hello.¡± Julius Reed answered the phone and switched to speaker mode. ¡°Yes, is this Mr. Reed? Hello.¡± A very charming voice came through the phone. ¡°That must be the lady; the voice sounds nice, just afraid the price might be too steep.¡± Julius Reed nonchalantly spoke to Aron Jackson and then cleared his throat, quietly asking, ¡°Do you offer home service?¡± There was silence on the phone for ten seconds. Apparently, the caller hadn¡¯t expected this kind of opening line from Julius Reed. ¡°Mr. Reed sure knows how to joke,¡± Although the woman was somewhat angry, she still maintained her composure. ¡°Don¡¯t I? Well, forget it, I¡¯m burning with desire here, I¡¯ll talk to you later!¡± Julius Reed abruptly hung up the phone. ¡°Big brother, this woman is probably going to be infuriated to death by you.¡± Aron Jackson looked helplessly at Julius Reed, his big brother who feared neither heaven nor earth, except for Quella Radcliffe. When had Jennifer Lopez, a renowned socialite from the capital, ever endured such an insult? She must be furious by now! After a full three minutes, the call came through again. ¡°I already told you, I¡¯m in a hurry here! Can¡¯t you see?¡± Julius Reed said impatiently. ¡°Mr. Reed, if you want, I can send every woman in Gonzalez City you lay your eyes on straight to your bed, how about that?¡± The woman spoke calmly. ¡°Oh my! You really can talk big, can¡¯t you? I want to sleep with you, is that possible?¡± After Julius Reed said this, Aron Jackson¡¯s face suddenly changed. This was Jennifer Lopez, a tough character and the daughter of a prominent family from the capital! Although it was unclear why she married into Gonzalez City, she was ultimately a fearsome dragon! Julius Reed was blatantly asking for trouble with such a remark. ¡°Mr. Reed, you must be kidding.¡± After a silence of five seconds, the woman spoke again, ¡°I am past my prime and may not catch your eye, but if you agree to do one thing for me, I can deliver to your bed not just the women of Gonzalez City, but even those celebrities.¡± ¡°Bragging, aren¡¯t you?¡± Julius Reed pretended not to believe. ¡°I am Jennifer Lopez, Zane Percival¡¯s mother. We are all intelligent people here; surely Itai Huntington must have mentioned me to you after you knocked all my son¡¯s teeth out that day?¡± Jennifer Lopez said with a sneer. She was certain that Itai Huntington would have revealed her identity to Julius Reed. Having her say as much, even Julius Reed found it hard to continue his act. Feigning fear, he said, ¡°So it¡¯s you! I had no idea you were so formidable. Only after I beat up Zane Percival did Itai Huntington tell me who you were. If I had known he was your son, not even a hundred guts would have been enough for me to dare to hit him!¡± This realistic performance made Aron Jackson raise his thumb in admiration. ¡°Oh? And here I thought Mr. Reed was a man who feared neither heaven nor earth. Now that you are aware of my identity, let¡¯s cut to the chase. Give me the video, and I will not pursue this matter any further.¡± Jennifer Lopez¡¯s tone became cold once again. As long as the video wasn¡¯t leaked, Zane Percival wouldn¡¯t end up disgraced. She didn¡¯t care about Gonzalez City, but if the video made its way to the capital, the Lopez Family would likely put her under great pressure. Moreover, the family¡¯s internal support for Zane Percival would be significantly weakened. All her years of planning might come to nothing. ¡°Is that so!¡± Julius Reed seemed a bit troubled. ¡°What, Mr. Reed, do you have a problem?¡± Jennifer Lopez¡¯s tone had already turned unfriendly. She had been exerting great restraint; otherwise, she would have already killed her way over to seize the video and put an end to this oblivious man! But if the video was leaked, she couldn¡¯t bear the consequences. ¡°You said before that as long as I agree, I can have anyone I want in my bed; is that really possible?¡± Julius Reed asked somewhat shyly. ¡°Of course, my word is my bond,¡± Jennifer Lopez paused for a moment, then replied. ¡°I like mature women; spend one night with me, and naturally, I¡¯ll give you the video,¡± Julius Reed said earnestly. Chapter 456 - Chapter 456: Chapter 456: Jennifer Lopezs Invitation_1 Chapter 456: Chapter 456: Jennifer Lopez¡¯s Invitation_1 ¡°Julius Reed!¡± After a brief silence, a roar came through the phone, ¡°I warn you! Do not test my patience!¡± Jennifer Lopez came from a great clan and had a high prestige and position within her family, deeply loved by the Family Head. In Gonzalez City, the Lopez Family also had great face. Although not on par with the four major families, when it came to influence, the Lopez Family could absolutely be considered a first-tier family. Many young masters of Gonzalez City had to give Jennifer Lopez this face. Ever since Zane Percival turned eighteen and became an adult, Jennifer Lopez had been intentionally and unintentionally taking him around Gonzalez City, making use of her own connections to let Zane Percival mingle with young nobles of the city, paving the way for her son to eventually return to the family in the capital. But now, this nearly completed road was hanging by a thread. The Lopez Family would absolutely not allow a person with a blemish to enter the family to fight for the heir position or to take control of the family enterprise. The people of the Lopez Family must be perfect! When she learned that Zane Percival¡¯s teeth had been knocked out, and he was groveling like a dog begging for mercy, her heart went crazy! Crazy with fury! ¡°Miss Lopez, what do you mean by this?¡± Julius Reed said with an unfriendly tone, ¡°You were the one who sought me out, not the other way around!¡± I was just casually strolling, killing some people. Then this woman calls me up, and has the nerve to threaten me. ¡°I want to meet you.¡± Jennifer Lopez¡¯s tone became cold again. ¡°Why should I meet you? Unless you¡¯ve come to your senses and are willing to accompany me? That, I would have to consider. How about this, go to the hospital and get a medical report. I¡¯m worried about catching diseases.¡± Julius Reed spoke very seriously, ¡°Oh right, I need my brother to try you out first, help me check the merchandise. If everything is fine, once you¡¯ve satisfied me, the video will naturally be yours.¡± Aron Jackson was already sweating bullets on the side. His big brother was really ruthless! Jennifer Lopez! A well-known lady of Gonzalez City! The Lopez Family heiress! A woman that many feared, yet in his big brother¡¯s mouth, she was as simple as calling a hooker! ¡°Julius Reed!¡± Jennifer Lopez couldn¡¯t contain her rage anymore, gritting her teeth she said, ¡°You better get back to Gonzalez City before I lose my temper! I¡¯ll be waiting for you at the Flower Building. If you do not come, then I will take all necessary measures!¡± As if worried Julius Reed wouldn¡¯t believe her, she said slowly, ¡°I know your wife is currently at Bran Cook¡¯s private club, some matters can certainly be discussed nicely, after all, no one wants to bring out knives and guns, right?¡± ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± Julius Reed asked with a sneer. He was somewhat surprised that Jennifer Lopez had rushed to Gonzalez City overnight. It seemed Zane Percival was really too important to Jennifer Lopez! Then the video in his hands couldn¡¯t be handed over lightly. ¡°Not at all. I just want to have a calm and peaceful talk with you. But if you get greedy, I might just let you know the full extent of the Lopez family members¡¯ ferocity!¡± Jennifer Lopez had a commanding tone in her voice. If it had not been a last resort, she would not have wanted to start a conflict with Julius Reed. As long as she first safely and smoothly retrieved the video, how she would deal with him afterward would depend on her mood. She had already obtained and completely erased the video from the shooting range through her connections. The only video left was the one in Julius Reed¡¯s hands. Also, the clearest and the most impactful one. If the Lopez family members got their hands on this video, there would be no chance for Zane Percival to get his hands on the Lopez Family¡¯s assets! Even Jennifer Lopez herself would be implicated! ¡°I¡¯m still with the same question, how are you going to satisfy me?¡± Julius Reed seemed oblivious to Jennifer Lopez¡¯s anger, still speaking unhurriedly. ¡°My patience is limited, and so is my time. If you insist on challenging my bottom line, then we shall see. But I can assure you, you will definitely regret it!¡± Jennifer Lopez said coldly. ¡°Then I¡¯ll give you a chance, the Flower Building, right? See you there in a bit.¡± After Julius Reed hung up the phone, he looked at Aron Jackson, ¡°I plan to make a trip to the Flower Building, you take care of your sister-in-law for me.¡± If Jennifer Lopez could come to Gonzalez City silently and even get his phone number, it indicated that this woman¡¯s capabilities were extraordinary. Rather than being strung along like this, it would be better to deal with the trouble in person. ¡°Big brother, I don¡¯t recommend you go. Jennifer Lopez is ruthless and has many skilled people by her side, it¡¯s too unsafe!¡± Worry covered Aron Jackson¡¯s face. He had heard of this woman¡¯s fearsomeness and had always tried to avoid a direct confrontation with her. Now that his own big brother was about to meet this woman alone, and they shared a hatred that could not be resolved under the same sky, how could Aron Jackson be at ease? Jennifer Lopez was notoriously protective over her charges. ¡°It¡¯s okay, if I can¡¯t handle even this woman, then I should be calling you big brother.¡± Julius Reed patted Aron Jackson on the shoulder, signaling him not to worry. Even the fearsome Three-Armed Underworld King had his arm severed just ten minutes ago. What¡¯s more, if it¡¯s just an ordinary woman? ¡°Then I¡¯ll send people to protect you!¡± Aron Jackson said assertively, ¡°If that woman dares to touch you, I¡¯ll make sure none of them can walk out alive!¡± In Gonzalez City, Aron Jackson could keep people if he wanted to. Even the formidable Jennifer Lopez had to give Aron Jackson some leeway in Gonzalez City. After all, this is not the capital! ¡°Just make sure your sister-in-law is safe, and don¡¯t let me have trouble in my own backyard!¡± After Julius Reed said this, he disappeared into the woods in an instant without waiting for Aron Jackson to argue again. Gonzalez City. The Flower Building. This place is a high-end club. Exclusively for the wealthy to enjoy tea and conduct business. Unlike Twilight Mansion, visitors here generally have very unique tastes, and they don¡¯t come for the food or drinks. It¡¯s simply about enjoying tea. Here, tea culture is at the core. Julius Reed was not someone who indulged in elegance; to him, even the most expensive teas were just herbs for soaking his feet. If the taste wasn¡¯t sweet enough, they were only fit for footbaths. So when he arrived at the Flower Building and found out it was a tea house, he was hugely disappointed! Drinking foot soak water? That was out of the question! ¡°Sir, please show your membership card.¡± As soon as he reached the entrance, Julius Reed was stopped by a staff member. It seemed that just like Twilight Mansion and the shooting range, there was a threshold to cross to get in here. ¡°I¡¯m here to see someone.¡± Julius Reed said with his hands clasped behind his back. ¡°Sorry, who are you looking for? Which room? What¡¯s the name?¡± The staff member still showed no intention of letting him in. Meanwhile, on the third floor, a woman wearing sunglasses and a trench coat was lounging in an armchair with her legs crossed. Behind her stood a sturdy middle-aged man. The man had a square face and was wearing a black vest, with his hands folded behind his back. ¡°Miss, the man has arrived. He¡¯s alone, arguing with a staff member downstairs.¡± After getting updates through his earpiece about the situation below, the man relayed the information to the woman. ¡°Is he really that reckless? I thought he was a smart man. It¡¯s embarrassing that Zane Percival would let such a person beat him to find his teeth, it¡¯s far too pathetic.¡± The woman gently picked up her teacup and took a sip before she spoke indifferently, ¡°Let him wait downstairs a bit longer.¡± Chapter 457 - Chapter 457: Chapter 457 I Dont Lack Money_1 Chapter 457: Chapter 457 I Don¡¯t Lack Money_1 ¡°That woman is called Jennifer Lopez, as for the room number, sorry I don¡¯t know. And she was the one who invited me, can¡¯t you guys look it up? If not, then go check!¡± Julius Reed argued with the staff member impatiently. He had reluctantly agreed to meet, and now, regrettably, he couldn¡¯t even get through the door. It was such a loss of face! ¡°Sorry, sir, you need to provide the room number; it¡¯s the privacy of the guest. If you can¡¯t provide it truthfully, we can¡¯t let you in!¡± The staff member stubbornly blocked him. Without permission from above, she dared not let anyone in randomly. ¡°You won¡¯t let me in, right? Fine!¡± Julius Reed took a few steps back and shouted loudly above: ¡°I¡¯m here, but I can¡¯t get in! Sorry, anything you need, call me. Bye there!¡± After speaking, Julius Reed turned around to leave. ¡°Let him in!¡± Up on the third floor, the half-raised teacup of Jennifer Lopez hung suspended in the air. She hadn¡¯t expected Julius Reed to pull such a stunt. He had already come all this way, and now he wanted to leave? Wouldn¡¯t that be a complete waste of effort? But she couldn¡¯t let Julius Reed leave like this! ¡°Miss¡­¡± The man voiced out, seeking permission. This way, the other party would definitely know it was she who was playing tricks. ¡°Leave that waiter¡¯s life be!¡± Jennifer Lopez took a sip of her tea, quietly waiting. ¡°Got it!¡± The man nodded and leaped down from the third floor. ¡°Mr. Reed, please wait!¡± Just when Julius Reed had walked about ten meters away, a shout came from behind him. But he didn¡¯t intend to stop. To come when they wish, to leave when they say, how humiliating? After all, he was also the hidden Dragon King, the underground overlord! ¡°Blind your dog eyes! You blocked our most important guest outside!¡± The man grabbed the staff member by the neck with one hand, lifting her up viciously! ¡°Save¡­ save¡­ me!¡± The staff member called out weakly. ¡°You¡¯re really asking for death!¡± Thump! The man slammed her violently to the ground, then lifted his right foot, aiming it at the staff member¡¯s head. ¡°All right!¡± Julius Reed turned around, staring straight at the man. ¡°Sorry, the master has ordered that this dog of a servant who has slighted Mr. Reed deserves to die!¡± The man lifted his foot, ready to stomp down at any moment. ¡°Stop! Listen to me!¡± Julius Reed shook his head helplessly and turned to walk into the Flower Building. If he did not change his mind, this staff member would really die! According to Jennifer Lopez¡¯s cold and merciless nature, what would another life count for? Merely a blade of grass! ¡°Thank you¡­¡± The staff member looked at Julius Reed with frightened eyes, tears of gratitude streaming from her eyes. She knew if this man hadn¡¯t turned back, she really would have died! ¡°If you had known this day would come, why did you do it in the first place?¡± Julius Reed shook his head. ¡°I¡­¡± The staff member hesitated to speak. Blocking Julius Reed was Jennifer Lopez¡¯s idea. The aim was to cut down Julius Reed¡¯s spirit! This staff member had no choice in the matter. She was but a pawn to be sacrificed! However, what Julius Reed truly meant was, if Jennifer Lopez intended to shut me out, why bother turning around to seek my help? Or should I say, with such clumsy tactics? Upon arriving at the third floor of the Flower Building, Julius Reed saw Jennifer Lopez for the first time. Beneath a black trench coat was an irresistible perfect body. Although she was around forty years old, she undoubtedly looked like a girl in her twenties. Not just her appearance and skin, but even her aura was different from most women. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Mr. Reed? Haven¡¯t seen enough yet?¡± Jennifer Lopez asked nonchalantly, her eyes on the teacup. A display of power! ¡°Of course! Had I known sister was this beautiful, I would have come sooner! Why go through all this trouble and such a big misunderstanding!¡± Julius Reed gazed admiringly at Jennifer Lopez, shaking his head in praise, unable to hide his fascination. ¡°Unexpectedly, you¡¯re quite the smooth talker. But that¡¯s no wonder, given that Itai Huntington favors you so much¡ªit proves you¡¯re definitely no ordinary man.¡± For the first time, Jennifer Lopez raised her head and looked straight at Julius Reed. Before coming here, she had looked at Julius Reed¡¯s photograph countless times. With such handsome features and exquisite facial structures, he could indeed be called a beautiful man. Yet the records on this man were scarce. Son-in-law living with his wife¡¯s family, useless, living off a woman. These three labels seemed to represent the first half of Julius Reed¡¯s life. However, Jennifer Lopez didn¡¯t believe that a mere son-in-law living with his wife¡¯s family could beat her son to such a state? Zane Percival might not be outstanding, but he was still a member of the Percival Family. In Gonzalez City, he still had a certain status and position. Moreover, after Bran Cook came back, Zane Percival got very close to him. With these two layers of relationships, was it something a mere son-in-law living with his wife¡¯s family could afford to offend? Though Arlo Percival wasn¡¯t any formidable figure, the fact that he could monopolize Gonzalez City¡¯s transport industry meant he was a ruthless person! To disregard these concerns, to break Zane Percival¡¯s teeth, and make him kneel like a dog in front of Gonzalez City¡¯s young elites! How strong was this man¡¯s backing? Yet on Julius Reed¡¯s profile, it was clean. Son-in-law living with his wife¡¯s family, without any power or influence. It was the fear of the unknown that kept Jennifer Lopez from choosing to act immediately. If this man could be easily dealt with, Bran Cook would have acted by now. But the words just now had indeed pleased Jennifer Lopez. ¡°Of course! Itai Huntington likes me because I am capable! Otherwise, sister can also give it a try. I hear you¡¯ve been divorced from Arlo Percival for many years now; you must be quite lonely, right?¡± Julius Reed settled across from Jennifer Lopez and, finding no tea in front of him, snatched the teapot from in front of her. He directly guzzled it down his throat. ¡°Mind your language!¡± Any hint of goodwill that Jennifer Lopez had just begun to feel instantly vanished, replaced by anger. And contempt! Who drinks tea like that! This was just drinking water. ¡°Let me tell you, if you went out to sell yourself, you could become the top earner in the whole of Gonzalez City! If it were me, I would willingly pay three thousand for a night!¡± Julius Reed wiped his mouth with his sleeve and said with a hint of regret, ¡°I got a bit thirsty on my walk over here, so I had a drink of sister¡¯s tea first.¡± ¡°Repeat that!¡± On hearing Julius Reed imply that Jennifer Lopez was practically a prostitute, the man behind her radiated an endless murderous intent! His fists crackled with the sound of his knuckles cracking, seeming ready at any moment to strike and shatter Julius Reed into pieces! ¡°What a temper!¡± Julius Reed shrugged, looking innocently at Jennifer Lopez. ¡°Jordan!¡± Jennifer Lopez called out sharply. ¡°Yes, miss.¡± The man looked at Julius Reed resentfully, his killing intent slowly dissipating. ¡°To be honest, I really dislike you!¡± Jennifer Lopez turned to Julius Reed and pulled out a card from her bag, ¡°We¡¯re all smart here, name your price! How much for this video?¡± In her view, no one could resist the temptation of money. Especially a son-in-law living with his wife¡¯s family. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m not short of money,¡± Julius Reed shrugged and spread his hands. Chapter 458 - Chapter 458: 458 Chapter 458: 458 ¡°What did you say?¡± Jennifer Lopez even doubted if she had heard wrong. Not lacking money? If it were a wealthy heir from the capital saying such a word, she might not be surprised. But for a son-in-law from a second-tier family in a small coastal city like Gonzalez City to dare to say he didn¡¯t lack money in front of her? He was inviting humiliation upon himself! ¡°Is Mr. Reed clear about how much money I am offering you?¡± Jennifer Lopez lightly flicked her finger, leisurely picked up her teacup, and returned to her previous indifferent demeanor, ¡°Or shall I say, how much do you think I plan to give you?¡± In her opinion, someone like Julius Reed from such an insignificant place must be without much insight and would think she was only willing to pay a few hundred thousand. But even if it was in the millions, what difference would that make to Jennifer Lopez and her spending money? The most capable middle-aged members of the Lopez Family, Jennifer Lopez was the wealthiest. She controlled the businesses of five major shops in the capital, with daily turnovers amounting to tens of millions. Would she care about this small sum of money? ¡°Indeed, Boss Lopez¡¯s words carry such an imposing aura!¡± Julius Reed leaned forward and whispered, ¡°How much do you plan to give?¡± He was someone who would never complain about having too much money. Even if his wealth was innumerable, he would still save every penny. A personal hobby. Nothing more. Facing such an intimate gesture from Julius Reed, Jennifer Lopez instinctively stepped back, and her bodyguard also stepped forward as if ready to act the moment Julius Reed made any inappropriate move. ¡°Mr. Reed, I¡¯d like to hear your quote first,¡± Jennifer Lopez said with a slight sneer, her arms lightly folded, ¡°Generally speaking, as long as you name your price, I am willing to satisfy it. Unless you have no sincerity and want to ask for an exorbitant amount. I, Jennifer Lopez, am not foolish. Although I¡¯m not short of money, I won¡¯t give it away blindly. I hope you understand that.¡± She applied pressure first, then showed her sincerity. This made her words seem very genuine. In order to retrieve the disgracing video of her son, Jennifer Lopez didn¡¯t care about the consequences. ¡°How about this number,¡± Julius Reed said, extending a five-finger hand and lightly shaking it. ¡°Five million?¡± Jennifer Lopez raised an eyebrow, which was the highest amount she imagined Julius Reed would suggest! For a good-for-nothing, five million was enough for a lifetime of carefree living! ¡°I¡¯ll give you fifty million!¡± Jennifer Lopez waved her hand and instructed the man behind her, ¡°Give him fifty million, contact the bank to transfer it now.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Jordan Martin nodded, walked up to Julius Reed, and snorted coldly, ¡°Give me your card number!¡± This attitude was blatantly disdainful and contemptuous! It was like giving alms. ¡°Sorry, I meant fifty billion!¡± Julius Reed shook his head, ¡°Miss Lopez is a renowned socialite of the capital; if your son is only worth fifty million, that would be an insult to you. I¡¯m not wrong, am I?¡± He leaned back, stretched lazily, ¡°And someone in the capital who wanted this video from me claimed to be Zane Percival¡¯s uncle. They offered quite a high price, directly giving me ten billion. But I¡¯m not foolish. How could I possibly give it to them for ten billion?¡± Upon hearing this, Jennifer Lopez¡¯s face changed dramatically! The capital, uncle? Isn¡¯t that just my own brother! Most of the Lopez Family opposed Zane Percival entering Gonzalez City! Because once Zane Percival set foot in the capital, it meant that an outsider was about to share in the Lopez family¡¯s fortune. Only because Old Master Lopez was still alive, even though the Lopez family members were very dissatisfied, they could only set traps for him behind his back. But Old Master Lopez was getting on in years, and he probably only had a few more years to live. Once they lost the support of the Family Head, Zane Percival taking over the Lopez Family was nearly impossible! Therefore, Jennifer Lopez accelerated her efforts in the past few years, desperately paving the way for Zane Percival, seeking to let Old Master Lopez, while still alive, grant Zane Percival some control over the Lopez Family¡¯s business. After all, Jennifer Lopez herself was the actual controller of five large shops, and with just a nod from Old Master Lopez, the transition for Zane Percival was just a matter of time. The other Lopez family members realized this as well, so they desperately tried to stop it, hoping to delay until Old Master Lopez passed away! Once Old Master Lopez was gone, it would be next to impossible for Jennifer Lopez to bring Zane Percival into the Lopez Family! Now, hearing that Zane Percival¡¯s uncle wanted to get the video, Jennifer Lopez immediately panicked. Although she wanted to remain calm, her brief lapse had already been noticed by Julius Reed. ¡°Mr. Reed¡¯s way of speaking sure is runaway,¡± said Jennifer Lopez. ¡°If it¡¯s really like that, then I¡¯ll save money. After all, Zane Percival¡¯s uncle will give me the video once he gets it.¡± Jennifer Lopez grew more and more afraid. Although the Lopez family members were unaware of this matter, there is no wall in the world that doesn¡¯t leak. She believed that her brothers and sisters had definitely planted spies in Gonzalez City and were just waiting for Zane Percival to slip up. ¡°Ms. Lopez has too little sincerity! Not willing to sleep with me, nor wanting to pay up! Why should I give you the video?¡± Julius Reed stood up directly, somewhat displeased, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then I might as well sell it for ten billion!¡± After saying this, Julius Reed turned to walk towards the stairs of the Flower Building. ¡°Hold on!¡± Just as Julius Reed¡¯s foot had stepped onto the stairs, Jennifer Lopez¡¯s voice rang out from behind. At the same time, Jordan Martin, like a gust of wind, appeared instantly at the top of the stairs, stretching out his hand to block Julius Reed¡¯s path! ¡°What¡¯s this? A robbery? Or murder?¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders, appeared somewhat helpless, and said, ¡°It seems like Miss Lopez is holding a banquet with a hidden agenda here, I regret coming!¡± ¡°But the video isn¡¯t on my phone, after all,¡± continued Julius Reed. ¡°With Miss Lopez¡¯s reputation at stake, I always have to be cautious.¡± Upon hearing this, Jennifer Lopez¡¯s face darkened. She waved at Jordan Martin, ¡°Move aside! Mr. Reed is my guest, didn¡¯t I teach you how to treat a guest?¡± ¡°Yes, Family Head!¡± Jordan Martin bowed deeply and slowly retreated. ¡°Mr. Reed, I owe you an apology!¡± Jennifer Lopez stood up from her seat, holding her teacup aloft, ¡°My subordinate was too reckless, please don¡¯t take it personally. As for the video, I think we need to have a good talk.¡± She took a sip of her tea with a smile, ¡°After all, we really should talk in detail about ten billion or more, shouldn¡¯t we?¡± ¡°That¡¯s true!¡± replied Julius Reed, turning back around with a puzzled look. ¡°Are you saying you actually want to talk now?¡± ¡°No killing me anymore?¡± He asked. ¡°Mr. Reed, you do have a sense of humor,¡± said Jennifer Lopez with a sincere smile. ¡°I invited you here today for tea and to talk business; how could I possibly harm you!¡± Both knew very well how false that smile was on Jennifer Lopez¡¯s face. For someone who had struck her son, Jennifer Lopez wished she could tear him to shreds! But now that the video wasn¡¯t with Julius Reed, she had to abandon the idea of killing him. Or rather, it was a gamble she couldn¡¯t afford to lose! If Julius Reed dared to come so confidently, he might have arranged things in advance so that if something happened to him, the video would immediately leak out. Then, even if Jennifer Lopez wanted to pay a hundred billion, she wouldn¡¯t be able to clear things up. ¡°As long as you¡¯re not killing me, that¡¯s fine. So, how much are you willing to pay? Let¡¯s make it clear first, it can¡¯t be less than ten billion!¡± Julius Reed said, standing. Chapter 459 - Chapter 459: Chapter 459 Card Number_1 Chapter 459: Chapter 459 Card Number_1 ¡°Ten billion is indeed a bit much. How about this, I¡¯ll give you five billion, and you give me the video. How does that sound?¡± Jennifer Lopez would rather spend the five billion then arrange to have Julius Reed quietly taken care of, and get all the money back. It was just a round trip in Julius Reed¡¯s hands. ¡°I¡¯ve got a call coming in, hold on a second.¡± After glancing at his phone, Julius Reed turned and walked towards the stairs to answer the call. ¡°Hello, how are things going with that matter? Right now, I also have someone¡­ Yes! Yes! Yes! I am a businessman, I only choose the side that benefits me. What? You¡¯re offering twenty billion?¡± Julius Reed feigned surprise, then tapped his forehead as if troubled, ¡°You¡¯re making this difficult for me! I¡¯m in the middle of negotiation here, couldn¡¯t you at least wait until I¡¯m done? How about this, I¡¯ll get back to you after I¡¯m finished with my current business. But I can assure you of one thing, I will definitely sell to the highest bidder!¡± These words from Julius Reed immediately made Jennifer Lopez frown. She felt Julius Reed was putting on an act. But it didn¡¯t sound like it! The only person within the Lopez Family with substantial financial strength and grievances against her was her eldest brother, Jeffrey Lopez. Besides him, no one could easily offer up over twenty billion. Jeffrey Lopez¡¯s son was also the heir to the future Family Head of the Lopez Family, deeply favored by the old man. Which is why the siblings were like fire and water, each thinking of ways to sabotage the other every day. Jennifer Lopez had planted quite a few informants around Jeffrey Lopez¡¯s son, constantly monitoring Justin Lopez¡¯s every move, ready to whisper in the Old Man¡¯s ear given even a slight indiscretion. Similarly, Jeffrey Lopez had always been keeping tabs on Zane Percival, determined to keep this outsider crushed under his thumb in Gonzalez City, making sure he couldn¡¯t set a foot into the capital, nor take a step into the Lopez Family! For Jeffrey Lopez, this was the perfect opportunity. No matter how much money it cost, it was worth it! Compared to previous lifestyle issues, losing dignity was fatal! Lopez family members would never allow a person, beaten to the point of losing teeth, to step through the Lopez Family¡¯s doors! A prestigious family requires dignity, requires face! Thinking this, Jennifer Lopez pretended to go to the restroom but actually dialed her eldest brother¡¯s number. Even though in her heart, she believed Julius Reed was just acting, trying to swindle some money. But there was that saying, Jennifer Lopez could not afford to lose! Even a one in ten thousand chance of failure was too much for her to bear! To get to where she was today, to have Zane Percival come and go in the capital, and even make quite a few friends, Jennifer Lopez had already given her all. ¡°Hello, the number you¡¯ve dialed is currently busy!¡± When she heard the announcer¡¯s voice, Jennifer Lopez was struck as if by lightning! She stood in the bathroom, shocked for several seconds before recovering. It had to be fake! It was just a coincidence! Jennifer Lopez comforted herself. How could Julius Reed have a way to contact Jeffrey Lopez? And how could things align so coincidentally? Such a coincidence that as she came to buy, Jeffrey Lopez had already been negotiating the price over the phone in advance? It¡¯s a fake! It has to be a coincidence! Jennifer Lopez took a deep breath, quietly waiting for Julius Reed to finish his phone call outside. In the meantime, she called her eldest brother several times, but every time the same message played, indicating the line was busy. Each message from the announcer felt like torture to Jennifer Lopez! Finally, Julius Reed finished the call outside and turned around to ask: ¡°Where¡¯s Miss Lopez?¡± ¡°In the bathroom!¡± Jordan Martin said with a grave voice. Hearing the conversation outside, Jennifer Lopez dialed her eldest brother¡¯s phone again! In her heart, she prayed. Just one more time of the busy signal, and she could go out and expose Julius Reed¡¯s scam! But the call was picked up almost instantly. ¡°What is it?¡± Jeffrey Lopez asked coldly. The two were already at odds, there was no need to pretend any longer to have a deep sibling bond. Or rather, they had completely torn off their masks. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I dialed the wrong number, I thought it was the old man¡¯s cell phone,¡± Jennifer Lopez said, extremely embarrassed. On a regular day, if Jeffrey Lopez adopted this attitude, Jennifer would have immediately snapped back! But today, she was feeling incredibly guilty! ¡°Crazy!¡± After cursing, Jeffrey Lopez hung up the phone immediately. He had received a request for a project collaboration with Willson Group just half an hour earlier. Even though he was in the capital, the magnates were all quite clear about Willson Group. No one knew just how deep the Group¡¯s foundations were, but any enterprise that tried to challenge it was usually forced to shut down within half a month. Jeffrey Lopez¡¯s first thought was that if Jennifer knew about this, she would definitely try to claim the credit for herself! Now that she wasn¡¯t in the capital, this was Jeffrey¡¯s best chance! Cooperating with Willson Group, and then conveniently pushing Justin Lopez forward, would smoothly lead to inheriting the Lopez family assets. But Jennifer would not ask so much! Julius Reed was aware of this, which is why he acquired Jeffrey¡¯s cell phone number through Wolf Cavalry. While he received a call, Jeffrey also got a call. There was no sound coming from Julius¡¯s receiver, however, the call that Jeffrey received was from Willson Group. Even though the targets were different, the coincidence at the same time was enough to make Jennifer crumble! ¡°Sorry, I was feeling a bit unwell just now,¡± Jennifer washed her hands and walked out of the bathroom. She looked at Julius and asked, ¡°Who called just now?¡± ¡°A friend! He deals in antiques.¡± Julius¡¯s eyes looked hazy as he said this, clearly trying to avoid something, or rather, lying. This broke through Jennifer¡¯s last line of psychological defense! If Julius had said that the call was from Jeffrey, she would have been skeptical! But now, his lying demeanor made Jennifer realize that her older brother was indeed negotiating with Julius! ¡°How much do they want, and are you satisfied?¡± She asked again. This time her tone was much softer than before. Not only was her voice less dominant, but her face also showed more gravity. ¡°Let¡¯s do this, three billion, I¡¯ll give you the video now!¡± Julius took a USB drive out of his pocket and placed it lightly on the table: ¡°I¡¯ve already deleted the local files, this is the cloud account and password. After you pay me, it¡¯s yours. I can assure you that I won¡¯t keep a copy, nor will I replicate it!¡± ¡°Okay! I believe you!¡± Jennifer clenched her teeth as she spoke. She thought that the man in front of her wouldn¡¯t dare to lie. Defrauding her of three billion, he surely knew what the consequences would be. After all, she was Jennifer Lopez! ¡°When will the money be transferred?¡± Julius left a series of card numbers. It was the number of the membership card that Itai Huntington used at the shooting range. Julius, with his photographic memory, had long memorized that card number. Jennifer¡¯s swift action in reaching Gonzalez City surely had Itai¡¯s meddling involved. This woman, wanted to test just how strong he was! If that was the case. Julius could only respond in kind. He would transfer this hot three billion directly into Itai¡¯s account and then watch as two of the most notorious women fought against each other. Chapter 460 - Chapter 460: Chapter 460 Husband to Pick Me Up_1 Chapter 460: Chapter 460 Husband to Pick Me Up_1 Without even confirming if the money had arrived, Julius Reed left the USB drive behind and walked out of the Flower Building. He knew that the war between the two women had already begun. No matter what happened, he could have a peaceful New Year. Or, at least a few peaceful days. There were always some ignorant people who liked to use him as a gun, but what they didn¡¯t know was that the barrel of Julius Reed¡¯s gun was actually pointed at the person holding it. Since Itai Huntington had some little schemes, she would have to suffer the consequences of employing such schemes. Everything was fair. But that didn¡¯t interfere with Julius Reed¡¯s cooperative relationship with Itai Huntington. There are only eternal interests in this world, no eternal friends or enemies. After Julius Reed left, Jennifer Lopez immediately took out her phone and called the bank: ¡°Hello, is this President Ridge? I¡¯ve just transferred some money; could you please check the recipient¡¯s information for me?¡± After hanging up the phone, her expression was grim. ¡°My money isn¡¯t that easy to take!¡± Standing behind her, Jordan Martin immediately bent down and asked in a low voice, ¡°Do you need me to go out and kill him? Rest assured, I will leave no trace. He could only die in a traffic accident or by suicide.¡± In the field of murder, Jordan Martin was an expert, a rare talent among many. In such a large circle in the capital, Jennifer Lopez¡¯s ability to eliminate one competitor after another and support the industry of the five major shops relied on the help of people like Jordan Martin. Many powerful competitors who threatened Jennifer Lopez died mysteriously. Some died in their mistresses¡¯ beds, others in road accidents due to drunk driving. There were even those who committed suicide by jumping from their own homes. ¡°No need, such a minor character isn¡¯t worth killing! Since they¡¯ve disgraced my son, they can¡¯t blame me, a mother, for seeking revenge!¡± Jennifer Lopez cast a glance out the window and asked aloud, ¡°The family he married into, it¡¯s called the Radcliffe Family, right?¡± ¡°The Radcliffe Family, Clan Leader Zade Radcliffe, has a Radcliffe Group under its banner, which has just recently recovered from the brink of bankruptcy. Mother-in-law Knox Ridge, has a difficult personality, father-in-law Burl Radcliffe, has a weak character. His wife, Quella Radcliffe, is strong-willed.¡± Jordan Martin took out a sheet of paper from behind him and read it clearly to Jennifer Lopez. ¡°Having you by my side all these years, you¡¯ve become more and more considerate.¡± Jennifer Lopez looked at Jordan Martin and patted his chest lightly, ¡°Then let¡¯s start by targeting his family.¡± ¡°To kill?¡± Jordan Martin asked aloud. With just one word from Jennifer Lopez, no matter who it was, even at the expense of his own life, he dared to carry out an assassination! ¡°Life is not just about fighting and killing.¡± Jennifer Lopez smiled and pursed her lips, ¡°Go to his family, pay them a visit. Also, check this USB drive for me to see if it¡¯s really as he claimed.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Jordan Martin snapped his fingers softly, and several men appeared out of nowhere in the previously empty room. One of them, holding a computer, inserted the USB drive swiftly. On the screen, it was clear to see Zane Percival kneeling and begging for mercy, yet still getting beaten until his mouth bled. ¡°Destroy it permanently for me!¡± As Jennifer Lopez watched, her expression grew worse and worse, until she was almost on the verge of breaking down! Her son, whom she treasured like a jewel and sheltered, was now like a dog! Kneeling and begging for mercy! What a great humiliation! ¡°It¡¯s been destroyed. I will also monitor this video file and the moment a similar video appears online, I will be the first to detect it. Also, this is indeed the only copy, at least there are no similar videos circulating online as of now.¡± The man fiddling with the laptop spoke up. He pushed his glasses up on his nose and looked at Jennifer Lopez, ¡°Boss, with me here, this video will not appear online!¡± Whiz! No sooner had he finished his sentence than Jordan Martin threw a punch, smashing the laptop to pieces! ¡°Rest in peace!¡± Before the man with the glasses could react, Jordan Martin grabbed his neck and twisted it with force! Click! The person who had just been alive and kicking instantly became a corpse. ¡°I, only trust the dead.¡± Jennifer Lopez took a handkerchief out of her bag, gently wiped her mouth, touched up her makeup, then got up and went downstairs. ¡­ At this time, Julius Reed was not aware of Jennifer Lopez¡¯s movements. Of course, as long as he was in Gonzalez City, he couldn¡¯t escape Aron Jackson¡¯s watchful eyes. He was now driving to Bran Cook¡¯s private club, preparing to pick up Quella Radcliffe and take her home. After a busy day, it was time to go home and rest. Although he wasn¡¯t at the scene, Julius Reed was very clear that Quella Radcliffe¡¯s day hadn¡¯t gone smoothly at all, and the troubles she faced were even greater than usual. When he arrived at the entrance of the club, the entrepreneurs inside had already started to leave one after another. They were whispering to each other in hushed tones, clearly indicating that something had happened. It was only at the very end that Quella Radcliffe and Itai Huntington walked out together, with Cosmo following behind them. And Bran Cook also made an untimely appearance, muttering something under his breath. ¡°Hey! Wife, I¡¯ve come to take you home!¡± Julius Reed rolled down the car window and shouted to Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Yo! Junior employee, can your sister go home with you?¡± Itai Huntington swaggered over, her posture elegant and graceful. It was clear that she was looking to teach Julius Reed a lesson. During the meeting, a large sum of money had suddenly been transferred into her bank account, and she knew something was amiss. Once she had her people check and found out the account belonged to Jennifer Lopez, her heart skipped a beat. She knew she was being dragged into it. However, she had been prepared to be involved in this struggle for a while. To be an outsider who watches the fire from across the shore obviously wasn¡¯t possible. ¡°Stop! I am clean and pure with you, please keep your self-respect, Sister Huntington!¡± Julius Reed hurriedly rolled up the car window. But then he thought, wasn¡¯t this admitting he was guilty? So he rolled down the window again. ¡°Junior employee, that day you admitted in front of the young masters of Gonzalez City that you had been in my bed. What, you don¡¯t dare to say it with your own wife here?¡± Itai Huntington said cheerily, ¡°It¡¯s okay, your sister doesn¡¯t need status, I can be the minor wife, what do you say, little sister?¡± She looked at Quella Radcliffe with provocative eyes. A woman is, by nature, a competitive creature. ¡°I think it¡¯s very normal. Usually at home, the family cats and dogs also climb onto my bed. Maybe in Julius Reed¡¯s eyes, there is no difference between sister and those animals?¡± Quella Radcliffe, too, wore a smile on her face. In this smokeless war, Julius Reed was the most innocent. Yet it was him who had to bear the fury from both sides! With that one line, Quella Radcliffe directly compared Itai Huntington to animals, putting her on the same level as those cats and dogs! It was a blatant insult! Yet after a slight change in Itai Huntington¡¯s expression, she immediately smiled, ¡°Little sister, you should keep a close eye. If someone goes hungry for too long, they might go out for some wild food, you never know!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, a dog used to eating meat will rather starve than eat shit. Sister, my husband has come to pick me up. I¡¯m sorry, but you¡¯ll have to go back by yourself.¡± Having said that, Quella Radcliffe pulled open the car door and sat in the passenger seat. Itai Huntington was a widow; her husband had died long ago. How could he pick her up? In a hearse? Wouldn¡¯t that be cursing Itai Huntington to die early? Chapter 461 - Chapter 461: Chapter 461: Reunite with Bran Cook_1 Chapter 461: Chapter 461: Reunite with Bran Cook_1 ¡°Miss, that woman has a filthy mouth; let me teach her a lesson for you!¡± After Julius Reed¡¯s car had driven away, King Kong said in a deep voice. Widow, this word was an eternal pain for Quella Radcliffe! It was also the word Quella Radcliffe most dreaded! King Kong was very clear about this. Slap! Quella Radcliffe slapped him and looked at King Kong coldly, ¡°Since when is it your turn to make decisions for me?¡± ¡°Yes, Miss!¡± King Kong¡¯s face fell, and he bowed his head. A moment later, Quella Radcliffe took a deep breath and said, ¡°That man is very capable! At a time like this, we use each other. What good does it do to fall out with each other?¡± She looked at King Kong, her loyal servant, ¡°Do you want Jennifer Lopez to reap the benefits without any effort? I have been patient for so many years, and now such a good opportunity is in front of me. Should I not cherish it?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss!¡± King Kong raised his head, his fists clenched tightly, ¡°As long as I am here, I will make sure that you are not harmed! I promise!¡± There was a light in his eyes! ¡°Next, we have to face that woman, Jennifer Lopez!¡± Quella Radcliffe rubbed her temples, ¡°With this trick of misdirecting the disaster, even jumping into the Yellow River won¡¯t clear my name. Julius Reed, you are truly a master at this!¡± Meanwhile, Julius Reed was driving and he couldn¡¯t care less about the widow¡¯s feelings. ¡°Wife, you were so amazing just now!¡± Having seen Quella Radcliffe¡¯s performance today, Julius Reed suddenly realized that his wife was usually very nice to him. ¡°If my own husband can be flirted with by others and I, as his wife, don¡¯t stand up for him, should I just let others point their fingers and say that I can¡¯t even keep my man?¡± There was a hint of grievance in Quella Radcliffe¡¯s tone, which frightened Julius Reed so much that he quickly changed the topic. ¡°Wife, did you encounter any trouble today?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk about it, a bunch of mess!¡± Just mentioning today¡¯s events made Quella Radcliffe angry. ¡°Those entrepreneurs are insincere, as if they colluded in advance. Unless Itai Huntington personally makes a decision, nobody listens to me, the general manager.¡± She leaned back in the back seat of the car and sighed, ¡°In name only.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the same as me.¡± No sooner had Julius Reed said this, he felt the sharp gaze of Quella Radcliffe behind him. ¡°I¡¯m just joking¡­ tell me about it specifically.¡± He shivered and held the steering wheel unsteadily. ¡°Today, Bran Cook was chosen as the representative of outstanding entrepreneurs, in charge of conveying the will of the entrepreneurs from Gonzalez City. So, I as the manager am really just a messenger. The suggestions I made were directly rejected, and Bran Cook on the other hand, holds the real power. Whatever he says, they listen to him.¡± ¡°To avoid offending the major groups of Gonzalez City, Itai Huntington also had to go with the flow. But today she helped me several times and even emphasized my status as the general manager, even though I really dislike her.¡± Quella Radcliffe shrugged her shoulders. She knew that this job would not be easy. But she didn¡¯t expect it to be this difficult! Almost everyone was against her! In the entire Gonzalez City, the majority of businesses were gathered around Bran Cook, and even Itai Huntington struggled to compete with him. If it were not for the reputation of the widow, those people would have likely proposed Bran Cook for chairman already. ¡°Not a single achievement?¡± Julius Reed raised his eyebrows; all of this was within his expectations. Bran Cook would definitely not make it easy for Quella Radcliffe! ¡°The location for the group¡¯s office was chosen to be in the Five-state International Building in Gonzalez City. In the future, each company will send a representative to handle the company¡¯s affairs fully and to receive and convey the instructions of the business alliance.¡± Quella Radcliffe took out a notebook, starting to recount the topics discussed in the meeting one by one. Today¡¯s general meeting was very efficient, and most of the statutes were passed, giving the business alliance a preliminary set of rules. But the only controversy was over the distribution of profits. At the end of the day, everyone wants to join the business alliance for one thing: money! Once the distribution of profits becomes uneven, conflict will arise. The issue had been argued over from noon until evening without reaching any substantive conclusion. ¡°What are the proposals?¡± Julius Reed asked. When it comes to money, there are bound to be major disagreements. After Quella Radcliffe went over the three plans, Julius found Quella¡¯s proposal the most satisfying. Dividend distribution based on contribution ratio is still the most scientific and fairest method! Otherwise, it would be a scenario where small companies earn less and less while larger companies consume more and more. ¡°But what I say doesn¡¯t count, no one listens to me.¡± Quella Radcliffe said with a sense of helplessness. ¡°There¡¯s a social gathering tonight, set for eight o¡¯clock at the Five-state International Building. Itai Huntington is hosting, saying it¡¯s to get everyone familiar with the environment and to discuss the day¡¯s issues on the side.¡± ¡°Clearly, this is to resolve the issues in private. What time should we head over?¡± Julius Reed began to ponder what Itai Huntington was really up to. Once Itai Huntington made his move, it meant that things would proceed smoothly. As for which side the scales of victory would tip towards, that was uncertain. If Julius couldn¡¯t help Quella Radcliffe gain a foothold in the business alliance, it would be within reason for Itai Huntington to choose to collaborate with Bran Cook instead. ¡°It seems I need to give her a little knock.¡± Julius Reed immediately turned the car around and headed towards the Five-state International. ¡°Knock what?¡± Quella Radcliffe, who was sitting in the backseat, asked casually. Her mind was entirely occupied with how to resolve the issues and establish her prestige within the business alliance. ¡°I¡¯ve got a dog that¡¯s been a bit disobedient. I¡¯m planning to discipline her a little, to show her that I can feed her meat as well as feed her shit!¡± Julius Reed said slowly. ¡°You have a dog?¡± Clearly, Quella Radcliffe was preoccupied. ¡°Yeah, and it¡¯s a bitch at that¡­¡± Julius Reed said awkwardly. By the time they arrived at the Five-state International Building, there were only a few cars parked at the entrance. With over two hours until the start of the social gathering, many people were either still on their way or at home. There was no rush to arrive so early. The Five-state International Building was located in the southern part of Gonzalez City, an important project in the new southern district and a huge commercial center. Itai Huntington¡¯s other identity was that of the largest real estate developer in Gonzalez City. After the Brandon Family¡¯s downfall, she took the opportunity to absorb and digest many of their assets and began constructing a large number of commercial office buildings. Five-state International was the largest among them. The building had thirty-three floors. From the nineteenth to the thirty-third floor, they all belonged to Itai Huntington and were allocated to the business alliance. The expenses were waived for the first three years, after which they would be deducted from the alliance¡¯s profits based on normal rates. This immediately solved the problem of finding a location for the alliance and perfectly resolved everyone¡¯s first difficulty. It was also the first step in establishing her authority as chairman as well as making connections with enterprise owners of Gonzalez City. ¡°Well, what a coincidence, it¡¯s Mr. Cook!¡± Just as they entered the gate of Five-state International, they saw Bran Cook mingling with several entrepreneurs from Gonzalez City, whispering and laughing. ¡°Oh! Mr. Reed!¡± Upon seeing Julius Reed, Bran Cook¡¯s face instantly darkened. Chapter 462 - Chapter 462: Chapter 462 Almost Became a Eunuch_1 Chapter 462: Chapter 462 Almost Became a Eunuch_1 Ever since that day he was humiliated at Twilight Mansion, Julius Reed actually spread the video, causing the Cook Family¡¯s reputation to be dragged through the mud. But Bran Cook, through aggressive public relations, had managed to turn the tide of public opinion. Now, in the eyes of most people, Julius Reed was nothing but a bully preying on the weaker, a veritable villain! And Bran Cook was seen as bearing his burdens stoically, the victim of bullying. Additionally, these entrepreneurs redirected all the blame towards Quella Radcliffe, leading to today where everyone contradicted the General Manager in unison. ¡°How has Mr. Cook been recently? Making you kneel like a dog begging for food that day, I do feel somewhat remorseful.¡± Julius Reed said with an air of guilt. No sooner had he spoken than Bran Cook¡¯s complexion changed on the spot! What do you mean kneeling like a dog? Is this an apology? It¡¯s sheer bragging! Strutting around in front of him! ¡°Mr. Reed, your words are a bit too much!¡± Before Bran Cook could speak up, the owner of the Gonzalez City Jewelry Store, Coby Marsh, chimed in. He had a good relationship with Bran Cook and even considered marrying his daughter to him. After all, such a promising young man had made something of himself in the capital; returning to Gonzalez City would be like a phoenix settling in a chicken coop! Finding such a son-in-law was like waking up laughing from a dream. And Bran Cook, having neither agreed nor rejected, had, after Coby Marsh¡¯s daughter took the initiative to show interest, dined with her alone several times. This only solidified Coby Marsh¡¯s determination to win over Bran Cook! Should Bran Cook stage a comeback and become the chairman of the commercial alliance, taking himself as a father-in-law, he would definitely make a fortune! A sure-win deal! Therefore, within the commercial alliance, he rallied his friends to support Bran Cook with all their might, an expression of his sincerity. ¡°Ha! The humiliation under the crotch that Truett Yarrow once suffered is nothing in our great culture. Mr. Reed, don¡¯t be too pleased with yourself too soon! No one cares about the loss or gain of one city, one territory, we look to the long-term future!¡± Bran Cook maintained his dignity and composure, and his eloquence not only revealed his substance but also showed everyone his resilience. ¡°Well said!¡± Coby Marsh proclaimed righteously, ¡°Some are short-sighted, how can sparrows understand the ambitions of a swan?¡± He had to stand by his prospective son-in-law! In Gonzalez City¡¯s jewelry business, Coby Marsh was the most successful. And Bran Cook had privately promised, if Bright-Sky International wanted to open a second store in Gonzalez City, he would refuse. Within three years, he would expand Coby Marsh¡¯s jewelry store to Five-river Province and increase its profits tenfold! With this promise, Coby Marsh was even more enthusiastic. ¡°Right! A villain¡¯s triumph!¡± ¡°Look at that smirk, the restlessness of youth; you should really learn from Bran Cook!¡± ¡°Exactly! Look at someone who¡¯s returned from abroad, he speaks differently! And then look at this son-in-law, completely a villain¡¯s face! What a gap, what a gap!¡± Coby Marsh¡¯s friends also echoed his sentiments, and everyone looked at Julius Reed with contempt. As if speaking another word to Julius Reed would stain their own status! ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m short-sighted, only like to look at what¡¯s in front of me. I only know Young Master Cook kneeled before me like a dog, watching me eat, and didn¡¯t dare to move the whole time. As for your so-called future, that sounds like wishful thinking, right? Who knows about the future? For all you know, Bran Cook might kneel a second time, and that time won¡¯t be too far away!¡± Julius Reed said with a smiling face. Bran Cook¡¯s face turned ashen. This statement made perfect sense; who could predict the future with clarity? He too wished to see Julius Reed kneeling before him, but without the strength to do so now, he could only pretend to console himself with thoughts of the long-term. Stacy Cook, so formidable, with countless superior employees, still fell into Julius Reed¡¯s hands, just like other members of the Cook Family, all kneeling upright! His so-called invincible bodyguards, in a single encounter, were beaten so badly their tendons were all severed and to this day, haven¡¯t gotten up from the hospital bed. Bran Cook could only choose to bide his time, waiting for an opportunity! An opportunity for a fatal blow! ¡°Keep fantasizing, Mr. Cook, I¡¯m going in with my wife!¡± Julius Reed offered a faint smile and then turned, pulling Quella Radcliffe with him as they made their way toward the Five-state International Building. The position of the wine reception was in the first-floor dining hall, which was a three-minute walk further in. ¡°What a joke! He¡¯s just a son-in-law who married into the family, yet he acts like he¡¯s somebody!¡± No sooner had Julius Reed left than a businessman behind him scoffed with disdain. ¡°Exactly, who¡¯s to say that everything today wasn¡¯t the result of his wife sleeping around? Otherwise, how could the nearly bankrupt Radcliffe Group have been revived and obtained a large sum of cash from the bank?¡± Coby Marsh shook his head and said with a look of contempt, ¡°What¡¯s there to boast about with that?¡± He had barely finished speaking when he felt someone patting his back. ¡°Who¡¯s there!¡± Coby Marsh turned around with a frown, only to find Julius Reed, who had left earlier, had appeared behind him like a ghost at some point. Silent as the grave. ¡°I won¡¯t give you a second chance to say that again because there are some words that you can only say once in your lifetime!¡± Whiz! Julius Reed threw a punch that landed squarely on Coby Marsh¡¯s face! Thump! The man, who was nearly fifty years old, flew back four or five meters like a kite with its string cut. He then hit the ground hard. Blood was coming out of his mouth and nose! ¡°Pah!¡± Coby Marsh endured the intense pain and spat out blood, only to realize he had lost two front teeth! The remaining two were gold and also hung crookedly, almost ready to fall out. ¡°You¡­ you wait there!¡± Coby Marsh got up from the ground and was about to confront Julius Reed! He had lived a life of luxury and was highly respected in Gonzalez City; when had he ever been threatened like this? It was absolutely outrageous! ¡°Today, I¡¯ll skin you alive!¡± He had just mentioned Bran Cook and now he was beaten up like this; where was his dignity? Whiz! But just as he had run five steps, Julius Reed, without turning back, flicked three darts towards his feet! Two of the darts struck just one centimeter in front of Coby Marsh¡¯s toes, damaging his shoes! The third dart whizzed by the crotch of his pants, ripping a hole straight through them. Half a centimeter higher, and he would have become the new eunuch of Ancient Time. ¡°Mr. Marsh! Are you okay?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t chase him!¡± ¡°Are you injured?¡± A few entrepreneurs immediately gathered around! Although they were scared, after Julius Reed had fired the three shots and strode away, they dared to approach. ¡°No¡­ I¡¯m fine¡­¡± Coby Marsh¡¯s legs went weak, and his pants were actually wet. Coby Marsh, the jewelry tycoon of Gonzalez City with an asset worth hundreds of millions, had actually wet his pants! ¡°Mr. Marsh, don¡¯t take it to heart. Now everyone understands why I had to kneel at Twilight Mansion. He¡¯s too much!¡± Bran Cook saw his chance and came over to fuel the fire. ¡°Call the police, he¡¯s carrying concealed weapons!¡± Coby Marsh gasped for air with trembling legs, feeling like he had narrowly escaped death, especially with the cool breeze whooshing through the crotch of his pants! ¡°Great! This time, he¡¯s going to sit in jail for a long time! This is premeditated murder! Look, there¡¯s a surveillance camera here!¡± Bran Cook happily took out his phone and dialed the emergency number. Chapter 463 - Chapter 463: Chapter 463 Im Being Framed _1 Chapter 463: Chapter 463 I¡¯m Being Framed _1 The time for the evening party was drawing nearer, and entrepreneurs from Gonzalez City were gradually arriving at the Five-State International Tower. Although there was still half an hour before the start of the cocktail party, basically everyone had already arrived. Except for the host of this cocktail party, the owner of the Five-State International Tower, Itai Huntington. As the chairman of the business alliance, Itai Huntington would definitely make the last entrance. She had that privilege. Just then, suddenly the sound of police sirens was heard outside. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Someone with sharp ears noticed something was wrong the moment it happened. ¡°Maybe, they¡¯ve encountered a fugitive?¡± The entrepreneurs casually speculated, but no one took it seriously. It¡¯s common to hear police sirens in a big city, as other vehicles would automatically give way when the siren is on during the execution of official duties. Everyone present was a high-profile entrepreneur, so no one was afraid, and thus no one made a fuss. But the sound of the sirens was getting closer. The sounds were getting louder, and it seemed that there was more than one vehicle! ¡°What¡¯s happening? Is there any other building nearby?¡± Someone sensed that something was amiss. Itai Huntington had chosen a remote location, building the Five-State International Tower in the midst of New District. This place was currently deserted, except for the solitary Five-State International, there were no other large buildings. Clearly, the police cars were heading this way. Otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t be passing through here. ¡°You guys, surely none of you have done something wrong?¡± Everyone tensely watched, subconsciously thinking that someone among those present had done something. But before they could figure anything out, armed police had entered the Five-State International and were shouting inside: ¡°Everyone, stay where you are and squat down, don¡¯t move!¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± ¡°Squat down quickly!¡± Although everyone was caught off guard, they all instinctively obeyed the police officer¡¯s command. In less than five seconds, everyone had squatted down in unison. ¡°Who called the police?¡± A police officer stepped forward, while the other officers looked around vigilantly. ¡°I did!¡± Bran Cook raised his hands and slowly stood up from the crowd. The moment he stood up, several officers approached him and thoroughly searched him. After confirming he was not a threat, they nodded to the officer. ¡°Where¡¯s the person?¡± The officer looked at Bran Cook and asked in a serious tone. He was on duty when he received the message that someone was attempting murder! This was a serious matter! And he would absolutely not allow such a heinous event to happen on his watch. ¡°There¡¯s a man named Julius Reed who, just about twenty minutes ago, threatened my friend!¡± Bran Cook pointed at Coby Marsh. At this moment, Coby Marsh¡¯s face was pale, still unable to recover from the shock. It was the first time someone had thrown a dart at him, and it nearly cost him his life! The more wealthy a person is, the more they fear death. Coby Marsh had countless assets and even maintained a bevy of mistresses outside¡ªhow could he bear to die? He swallowed hard and, supported by two others, pointed in the direction Julius Reed had gone, accusingly saying, ¡°Just now, a man named Julius Reed pointed a dart at me! Please, you must catch him and severely punish this scoundrel of society!¡± Illegal possession of a concealed weapon, along with premeditated murder, was enough to put Julius Reed behind bars for life. Then wouldn¡¯t Quella Radcliffe conveniently fall under Bran Cook¡¯s control? Without Julius Reed causing trouble here, the position of general manager of the business alliance would surely be Bran Cook¡¯s! And even the position of Chairman Itai Huntington could be taken over by Bran Cook in a short time. ¡°Where is he?¡± Upon hearing his subordinate¡¯s report, the officer¡¯s nerves immediately tensed! If the other party threw a cold dart, they were completely unprepared! ¡°What is this about?¡± Just as everyone was on edge, Julius Reed walked out of the restroom in the Five-state International building. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s him!¡± Coby Marsh was so scared that he stuttered, instinctively backing away. No one isn¡¯t afraid of death, especially when it¡¯s such an unworthy death! ¡°Freeze, don¡¯t move!¡± Fully armed officers immediately raised their guns, aiming at Julius Reed! ¡°Quick! Catch him!¡± Coby Marsh shouted excitedly! This was his best opportunity for revenge! That bastard, dare to knock out his front teeth with a punch! It was the first time Coby Marsh had ever suffered such a humiliating disgrace since he¡¯d been out! Now, with dozens of police officers on the scene, Julius Reed had no way to escape! The thought of this arrogant young man soon spending his life behind bars gave him an indescribable sense of satisfaction. ¡°Stand still, squat down, hands on your head!¡± Following the commands, several officers, with guns at the ready, carefully moved forward. The rest aimed precisely from behind, and two dart throwers were targeting Julius Reed¡¯s head. It seemed that any slight rustling could prompt them to send darts flying. ¡°Once you¡¯re in there eating prison food, I¡¯ll take care of your wife for you!¡± Bran Cook thought bitterly to himself. As a favored son of heaven, supported by countless people, he lived in a world where he was constantly the center of attention. But this man¡¯s appearance had ruined him! He was left with a tarnished reputation and a deeply trampled dignity! ¡°Spend the rest of your life there!¡± he took a deep breath; as his great revenge was about to be realized, he couldn¡¯t help trembling. Bran Cook had not expected this day to come so soon ¨C and so decisively! Julius Reed had nearly destroyed himself in the most idiotic way imaginable! He didn¡¯t even need Bran Cook and the others to lift a finger; he had played himself to death. Foolish! ¡°Officer, what is all this about?¡± Julius Reed squatted down, asking with confusion. ¡°Julius Reed! Stop playing dumb! You¡¯ve hidden a box of secret weapons, and even attempted to murder me! Now, the law is about to punish you!¡± Coby Marsh shouted from afar. With so many guns behind him, he was brimming with confidence! Gone was the earlier image of being scared out of his wits. ¡°Boss Marsh, what nonsense are you spouting?¡± Julius Reed frowned, ¡°This is a frame-up! This is slander! Officer, I request an investigation into him!¡± ¡°Worry about yourself first!¡± The officer frowned and signaled his men to search Julius Reed. ¡°Don¡¯t move! Keep steady!¡± Several officers felt all over Julius Reed, yet they found nothing. Unconvinced, they searched him again, even bringing various instruments to bear, still to no avail. ¡°I have been wronged!¡± Julius Reed yelled furiously! Chapter 464 - Chapter 464: Chapter 464: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada_1 Chapter 464: Chapter 464: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada_1 ¡°Impossible!¡± Coby Marsh frowned and said, ¡°Officer, I saw it with my own eyes. He must have hidden the murder weapon by now. Such a sly fox would definitely guess that I would call the police.¡± He firmly believed that this kind of thinking was something anyone could come up with. Who would be foolish enough to still wear the dart on their body after throwing it? And the police officer beside him seemed to realize this as well. ¡°First, detain the suspect. You few come with me to check the surveillance video!¡± He glanced at the surrounding cameras. If Julius Reed did throw the dart, the surveillance video would have captured it! As long as they saw the video, the truth would be clear. After speaking, he led his men towards the control room on the third floor. Everyone at the scene was pointing at Julius Reed, and the air was filled with silence. ¡°You little bastard! You dare to hit me, just you wait! When the officers come down later, you¡¯ll be ready to rot in jail! But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take care of your wife and family for you!¡± Coby Marsh sneered lewdly, but remembering that Bran Cook was fond of Quella Radcliffe, he immediately suppressed his smile. He couldn¡¯t offend his future son-in-law. Now that he was helping Bran Cook to bring down Julius Reed, he was already doing him a huge favor. If Bran Cook knew what was good for him, he would definitely marry his daughter. By that time, he would be the father-in-law of the chairman of a business alliance, and his status in Gonzalez City would soar in an instant! ¡°Well done! As they say, ¡®Heaven sees what we do!¡¯ Julius Reed, you¡¯re arrogant and have committed many crimes against heaven and reason! Today, even the heavens can¡¯t stand it and have decided to make you repent!¡± Bran Cook felt even more gratified. The surveillance at Five-state International was extremely state-of-the-art, all using the latest imported equipment. As long as the officers saw the video upstairs, Julius Reed wouldn¡¯t be able to escape! Actually, Bran Cook would rather that Julius Reed tried to run away, so he could be shot on the spot! That would make him happier than Reed rotting in prison. Because if such a man didn¡¯t die, he would never feel at ease in his heart! Ever since the two of them met, Julius Reed had become a nightmare in Bran Cook¡¯s mind! As long as he was alive, Bran Cook would wake up from his dreams in fear! In more than twenty years, the few humiliations he could count on his fingers were all brought upon him by Julius Reed. Every encounter with him left Bran Cook with lingering shadows. ¡°I am actually a good person. You insult me like this at your own peril.¡± Julius Reed snorted lightly, his face showing not the slightest sign of tension, He didn¡¯t seem at all like someone who had committed a crime. Facing so many police officers, how could he be so unafraid? Coby Marsh even wondered if he had been seeing things, But the bullet hole at his feet constantly reminded him that the man across from him really had a gun! The scuff marks on his shoes also told him that the man across from him was finished! ¡°Julius Reed, I¡¯ll see how long you can keep your tough act up!¡± Coby Marsh snorted coldly, shaking off his previous dejection, If he could get this bastard locked up in prison, then taking this punch would have been worth it! ¡°Sorry, but I am innocent.¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders, looking quite helpless. Soon, the officers came down from upstairs with their men, looking quite unhappy, ¡°Officer, can we arrest him now?¡± Coby Marsh asked excitedly. He had been waiting for this moment for a long time. ¡°The surveillance is broken!¡± The officer walked in front of the crowd and sighed, ¡°Do we have any other evidence? Otherwise, due to insufficient evidence, we¡¯ll have to release him without charges.¡± ¡°This cannot be! How can the surveillance be broken? Absolutely impossible!¡± Coby Marsh shouted excitedly, How could the newly installed surveillance at the Five-state International building be broken? It had to be Julius Reed¡¯s doing! ¡°What are you implying?¡± The officer looked at Coby Marsh with a cold glare and asked in a stern voice, ¡°Are you suggesting that I¡¯m covering something up?¡± When he arrived on the third floor with his team, he found the surveillance room pitch-black and devoid of people! It was only after a call to Itai Huntington that he learned the Five-state International building was not yet open to the public, so many of the facilities were not in use. In other words, the surveillance was temporarily non-operational. Unable to obtain evidence, he was already very annoyed. And now, at a time like this, Coby Marsh had the gall to ask such a question! It was bound to make him angry! ¡°Who made the call to report this?¡± The officer asked harshly. ¡°I¡­¡± Bran Cook felt a chill in his heart, sensing an ominous premonition. Every time he tried to oppose Julius Reed, he was the one who ended up getting hurt. ¡°Officer! I suspect that this person has a hidden weapon case on him, and he might be trying to falsely accuse me!¡± After Julius Reed said this, he quickly moved behind Coby Marsh. ¡°What are you doing!¡± The police officers shouted in unison, as their gun barrels once again pointed toward Julius Reed. ¡°I¡¯ve already been searched, and without any evidence, there¡¯s no need for you to be pointing guns at me!¡± Julius Reed stared coldly at the officer. There was not a hint of fear in his eyes. Even though, right in front of him, were the dark muzzles of the guns. ¡°Put it down!¡± The commanding officer exchanged a glance with him, took a deep breath, and waved his hand. Even precise instruments had been used and had completely proven Julius Reed didn¡¯t have a hidden weapon case; to continue like this would be against the rules. Now, Julius Reed was just an ordinary citizen. They were somewhat jumpy, seeing threats everywhere. ¡°Officer, since someone has reported me, am I not entitled to report Coby Marsh, Boss Marsh, for also having an illegal hidden weapon case?¡± Julius Reed looked toward the officer. ¡°What do you take us for! Are we a joke to you! Let me tell you the truth, there are consequences for making a false report!¡± The officer roared angrily, his heart already ignited with flames of rage. ¡°Fine! I¡¯m willing to face the consequences, so please search Boss Marsh! If he doesn¡¯t have a hidden weapon case, I¡¯ll take whatever consequences come!¡± Julius Reed said, his face stern. ¡°Ha! Julius Reed, you really have a death wish! I thought you had escaped, and it was unsettling me! And now, you¡¯re actually picking a fight?¡± Coby Marsh¡¯s eyebrows raised in delight. But just for making a false report, they could detain Julius Reed! Although it was not as satisfying as he had hoped, as long as he could get this youngster in, he was pleased. ¡°Julius Reed, I have never seen anyone as eager to die as you!¡± Bran Cook also secretly felt relieved on the side. Indeed, to avoid trouble one must not court it. At the very least, being accused of making a false report could get one detained for a few days. ¡°Search!¡± The officer waved his hand, ready to take Julius Reed into custody! ¡°Heh, wait for your doom!¡± Coby Marsh cooperated very well, raising his hands, his gaze at Julius Reed full of provocation. ¡°Report to the commanding officer, there is a hidden weapon case!¡± The police officer suddenly halted his movements. ¡°On guard!¡± Following a shout, the guns instantly pointed at Coby Marsh! ¡°Officer, I¡­¡± Before Coby Marsh could explain, he was knocked to the ground by the police officer behind him, and handcuffs were promptly slapped on! Chapter 465 - Chapter 465: Chapter 465: The Sparrow Stalks Behind _1 Chapter 465: Chapter 465: The Sparrow Stalks Behind _1 ¡°I¡­¡± Before Coby Marsh could open his mouth to speak, his head was struck solidly. ¡°Behave yourself!¡± After completing the action, an officer pulled out a dart box from Coby Marsh¡¯s waist! ¡°Check it, see if the model matches!¡± Upon seeing this dart box, the officer¡¯s face lit up with excitement! Today was not a wasted trip! And it seemed like it truly was the doing of this Coby Marsh in front of them! The largest jewelry store owner in Gonzalez City, actually hiding a dart box! The thought alone was thrilling! ¡°Report, sir, the model matches the holes on the ground, we¡¯re pretty sure they are the same darts. As for the specific workings, we need to do a further detailed examination.¡± An officer responsible for inspecting the dart box said cautiously after donning white gloves. He had decades of experience in his job and had countless experiences. Although he couldn¡¯t definitively say it was 100 percent certain, the accuracy was definitely over ninety-nine percent. Within the police department, he had a very high level of credibility. ¡°Three darts were fired, and they match the scene, captain, we can make an arrest!¡± ¡°Take him back!¡± With a loud shout from the officer, the policemen immediately escorted Coby Marsh, pushing him into the police car. ¡°I¡¯m innocent! Sir, it was really Julius Reed who did it!¡± Coby Marsh yelled loudly, scared to the point of wetting himself. ¡°Bran Cook, Mr. Ghost, Denzel Davenport, you all saw it, speak up for me!¡± He desperately called out to his peers, trying to use their testimonies to clear his name. But with ironclad evidence before them, who would dare to testify? Everyone was an elite entrepreneur in Gonzalez City, no one would risk getting involved. It was best to protect oneself and look after one¡¯s own reputation. If involved, just a few days were enough to cause a company to go bankrupt! Or even a person to go bankrupt! When the wall falls, everyone pushes. In the face of interests, so-called friendship was nothing but a joke. Bran Cook turned his head away, not wanting to witness this scene anymore. The scene had already been checked; Julius Reed didn¡¯t carry a dart box. Plus, with the gun found on Coby Marsh largely matching the scene, only a small number of officers were left to monitor outside, while the majority returned to examine the fingerprints on the gun through technical means. Everyone was forbidden from leaving Five-state International within two hours. But the party would go on as usual. Although the incident had dampened everyone¡¯s spirits, many people who weren¡¯t close to Coby Marsh already believed that Boss Marsh bringing a gun to the party meant no good! Faced with the suspicion of a multitude of entrepreneurs, Bran Cook had no choice but to sacrifice the pawn to save the king! To abandon Coby Marsh! Otherwise, he would offend a large group of entrepreneurs in Gonzalez City. Itai Huntington arrived fashionably late, although she was five minutes earlier than the agreed time. ¡°Oh! What happened here?¡± Seeing the police car at the door, along with several officers, she approached to inquire, ¡°Hello, I am the owner of this building. May I ask what happened here?¡± She had previously received a call from the police regarding the surveillance system at the Five-state International building. But before she could ask for details, they had hung up. Now, upon entering, she was greeted by several police officers, which unsettled her. What happened during my absence? ¡°Someone was hiding a box of concealed weapons and has been caught! Miss Huntington doesn¡¯t need to worry; your event can continue. As long as it¡¯s confirmed to be Mr. Marsh¡¯s personal action and unrelated to you, we will leave immediately. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.¡± A police officer politely answered. ¡°Coby Marsh, hiding a box of concealed weapons?¡± Itai Huntington wondered if she¡¯d heard wrong. Why would the jewelery business leader of Gonzalez City carry a concealed weapon box to such an occasion? And how was it discovered? She immediately entered the Five-state International building to understand the situation from some local entrepreneurs. After learning the whole story, Itai Huntington approached Julius Reed and asked, ¡°Did you do it?¡± ¡°Are you kidding, sister? It was Boss Marsh who took the concealed weapon box to hit me, how did it become my doing?¡± Julius Reed said with an innocent face, looking very much the victim. Itai Huntington sneered coldly; she was not going to be deceived by Julius Reed. After interacting with him for a while, she always felt wary of this seemingly impulsive young man. Because every time he appeared to lose his reason in impulse, it cost his opponents dearly! And he himself would emerge unscathed. ¡°Thank you for the money, that¡¯s a huge number! What now? Planning on keeping me as a mistress? The price is a bit steep, I¡¯m worried my body can¡¯t take it!¡± Itai Huntington once again adopted a seductive demeanor. ¡°Sister, what money?¡± Julius Reed scratched his head and said, ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°Ha! Men!¡± Itai Huntington snorted coldly: ¡°Was it not you who made Jennifer Lopez transfer the money to my card? Now the mud has stuck, whether it¡¯s shit or not, it¡¯s still there.¡± She had considered explaining to Jennifer Lopez. But the strengths of the two women were not too different; they were basically equals. If she went to explain this matter, it would undoubtedly be showing weakness to Jennifer Lopez. What would others think of her then? What would Jennifer Lopez think of her? So now, Itai Huntington had to brazenly take the blame while claiming fiercely, ¡°Yeah, I wanted your money, so what? Bring it on!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be so outspoken, sister! I thought a girl like you wouldn¡¯t swear!¡± Julius Reed gave a thumbs up and nodded: ¡°That¡¯s really a personality!¡± ¡°I won¡¯t chat with you anymore, but just one thing for you to remember, Jennifer Lopez¡¯s influence is huge, far beyond what you imagine!¡± After leaving this piece of advice, Itai Huntington walked to the attention center and clapped her hands loudly. ¡°Everyone! Although there¡¯s been a slight interruption, it doesn¡¯t affect the first cocktail party of our business alliance!¡± Itai Huntington shouted loudly: ¡°Now, please follow me to the hotel!¡± The second floor of the Five-state International building was a restaurant. An international restaurant, exclusively for various meetings. Choosing this location for the cocktail party was Itai Huntington¡¯s way of showcasing her strength. To make it clear to the entrepreneurs of Gonzalez City that she, Itai Huntington, was indeed worthy of the Chairman position! Coby Marsh being taken away was just a minor incident. The nervous and panicky mood of the crowd quickly vanished. The group gradually made their way to the second floor, chatting and laughing, beginning to discuss the future and some issues about the business alliance. Bran Cook made several hand signals, indicating to his supporters to proceed as planned. Although he¡¯d lost a staunch supporter in Coby Marsh, there were hundreds and thousands of entrepreneurs in Gonzalez City, so he wasn¡¯t short of a few people. When the crowd gradually took their seats, the meals that had been prepared in advance were served one after another. Itai Huntington then slowly walked up to the podium, picked up the microphone and softly spoke: ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Five-state International building. The reason for inviting everyone here today is to finalize our distribution of profits scheme.¡± The moment she finished, the room fell silent. Bran Cook¡¯s eyes shone keenly, he¡¯d been waiting for this moment for a long time! Chapter 466 - Chapter 466: Chapter 466 Capable Men Take on Responsibilities_1 Chapter 466: Chapter 466 Capable Men Take on Responsibilities_1 Since ancient times, people have died for wealth as birds perish for food. Merchants place even greater emphasis on profit. In Gonzalez City, over a hundred entrepreneurs dropped their affairs to gather at Five-state International, not simply to enjoy a meal. Even the least of them boasts a net worth of millions; countless others own assets exceeding a hundred million. They arrived punctually today to finalize the scheme for profit distribution. Bran Cook represents the big financial groups, with the support of many large enterprise owners in Gonzalez City. In return, the proposals Bran Cook put forward favor large enterprise owners, enabling them to grow larger and gradually take over smaller businesses, eliminating these smaller entities and acquiring them at low prices. According to Bran Cook¡¯s plan, the business alliance would distribute benefits based on the total assessed assets of the enterprises. This way, some shell companies, or those with low profitability, would end up occupying a substantial share of the profits. Yet, smaller businesses often have much stronger revenue-generating capabilities than these larger enterprises. Ultimately, it would amount to small businesses working for the larger ones, with capitalists simply lying back and counting money. However, Quella Radcliffe proposed distributing profits based on contribution ratio. This suggestion garnered support from most small enterprise owners, but their say in Gonzalez City is weak. They can¡¯t afford to speak out because doing so would inevitably offend the larger businesses. Under such circumstances, their situation would only worsen. The Radcliffe Group, where Quella Radcliffe works, is a medium-sized enterprise in Gonzalez City, representing the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises. And her role as the General Manager is the foundation on which she gambles against Bran Cook. If she wins, her position shall remain secure for a while. If she loses, Bran Cook will take her place as General Manager. Not only would Quella Radcliffe lose everything, but she might also have to pay a heavy price. ¡°We¡¯ve argued about this matter for a whole day without reaching a result, Chairman, what do you think?¡± ¡°Exactly! Neither side is willing to compromise, and I really can¡¯t agree with President Radcliffe¡¯s distribution plan!¡± ¡°Absolutely! We¡¯re not satisfied with President Radcliffe¡¯s proposal, but we think Bran Cook¡¯s suggestion is good, and we could give it a try!¡± Hearing Itai Huntington bring up the issue, everyone started discussing animatedly, each offering their opinion. ¡°I¡¯m well aware of everyone¡¯s viewpoints, and I understand them completely,¡± Itai Huntington replied with a smile and a nod, ¡°Please calm down, everyone. There definitely won¡¯t be a result that satisfies all, and I¡¯m sure you wouldn¡¯t agree to majority rules either.¡± ¡°Right! We definitely won¡¯t agree to that!¡± ¡°If we¡¯re doing majority rules, then what counts as the majority? Our few businesses make up most of Gonzalez City¡¯s market valuation. Even all the small businesses put together are just a fraction of us! So are we the majority, or the minority?¡± ¡°This is a huge issue in itself! The business alliance has just been established, so we must come up with an acceptable explanation, or we won¡¯t agree!¡± The big business owners started to make a ruckus, while the smaller enterprises silently protested. Staying quiet was their way of objecting. In the face of such a trend, the small and medium-sized enterprises simply couldn¡¯t afford to leave the alliance. If they left, they would have nowhere to lay their heads in death. If these large enterprises band together, they could easily monopolize the market and crush the smaller ones. Small enterprise owners had no choice but to hope that Quella Radcliffe could secure a fair profit distribution plan. ¡°Since everyone is sticking to their guns, I think we should each elect a representative to negotiate,¡± Itai Huntington suggested. Bran Cook slowly stood up and looked towards Itai Huntington on the stage, ¡°Sister, what¡¯s your opinion?¡± ¡°We agree!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, Young Master Cook is our representative!¡± ¡°We think Young Master Cook should be the General Manager. Quella Radcliffe simply isn¡¯t cut out for it!¡± The crowd of large business owners began to cheer wildly below. Meanwhile, Itai Huntington watched everything from the stage. They wanted exactly this kind of effect. As the two factions argued, they would weave between them, reaping the benefits! Just like ancient emperors who tolerated factional fights to maintain balance, the wisest choice. The more intense the struggle between the two factions, the greater the personal benefits for Itai. Although having promised Julius Reed to help Quella Radcliffe hold onto the position of General Manager, public sentiment is not something that can be commanded. As Chairman of the business alliance, they also had to consider the wishes of its members. ¡°So, if that¡¯s the case, then¡­¡± Itai Huntington turned to Quella Radcliffe, ¡°President Radcliffe, do you represent the other side?¡± ¡°I do!¡± Quella Radcliffe stood up, speaking evenly and assertively. She was the Chairman of the Radcliffe Group herself, and such a profit distribution was, indeed, the best option for Radcliffe Group. ¡°Regarding the business alliance, I¡¯ve heard from Chairman Huntington that we need to invite a celebrity spokesperson to promote us, to attract more substantial enterprise investments,¡± she continued. Bran Cook stood up, hands in his pockets, and looked at Itai Huntington, ¡°Sister, that¡¯s the thing, right?¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Itai Huntington nodded. ¡°Our business alliance is essentially a huge new enterprise. And the first thing for an enterprise is to build a brand image. The simplest and most straightforward way is to find a spokesperson who brings massive traffic.¡± This matter had come up at today¡¯s meeting already. It was just that, due to the significant divergence in opinions regarding profit distribution, it was set aside for the moment. Itai Huntington didn¡¯t know why Bran Cook was bringing this up now or what he intended. ¡°Since this matter concerns the future of our business alliance, I¡¯d like to make a bet with President Radcliffe,¡± Bran Cook said, turning to face Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Throughout history, high positions have been occupied by the capable, correct? President Radcliffe is the Willson Group¡¯s handpicked General Manager, and Cook wouldn¡¯t dare make unwarranted comments.¡± He went on with a heavier tone, ¡°But if one cannot convince the crowd, being in that position would only lead to disgrace! Regarding the selection of a celebrity spokesperson, I want to bet with President Radcliffe on who can secure someone of higher status! If President Radcliffe brings someone better than I do, Cook will henceforth follow your instructions without dissent, never opposing your directives!¡± Turning around, he pointed to the business owners behind him, ¡°My supporters and I will also back you fully, acknowledging your role as the General Manager!¡± ¡°And if you win?¡± Quella Radcliffe met his gaze and asked. The marketplace has always been a battlefield without smoke. If she couldn¡¯t convince those present, Quella Radcliffe herself wouldn¡¯t want to be the General Manager. What Bran Cook said was true¡ªit would be nothing but self-humiliation. Instead, Quella Radcliffe eagerly awaited this chance to prove herself! To demonstrate that she was more capable than Bran Cook! She had never been one to admit defeat. ¡°If I win! The profit distribution plan will follow my proposal! And the position of General Manager will be mine to occupy! The capable take the throne!¡± Bran Cook roared with emotion. ¡°I agree!¡± Quella Radcliffe, her gaze steadfast, looked at Itai Huntington, ¡°Please bear witness, Chairman, I am willing to take a gamble with Bran Cook!¡± Chapter 467 - Chapter 467: Chapter 467 Bran Cooks Conspiracy_1 Chapter 467: Chapter 467 Bran Cook¡¯s Conspiracy_1 ¡°You, sure?¡± When Itai Huntington asked this question, her gaze slowly shifted to Julius Reed. She was very clear that this matter had to have Julius Reed¡¯s approval. Otherwise, everything would be in vain and she would also offend a potential ally. Itai Huntington, well-versed in the rules of the commercial battlefield, would absolutely not allow Bran Cook to usurp Quella Radcliffe¡¯s position and dominate alone. In that case, her position as chairman would be unstable; she needed two forces to counterbalance each other. But she also didn¡¯t want Quella Radcliffe to become her direct competitor. Julius Reed¡¯s suggestion for her to take the chairman role had clued her in on his intentions. If it were Quella Radcliffe, she wouldn¡¯t be able to intimidate those old slicks in Gonzalez City. It was Itai Huntington who, with her substantial strength and fearsome reputation, could barely keep them in check. But once one takes that position, no one wants to come down from it. She needed the power behind both Bran Cook and Julius Reed to counterbalance each other. While she mediated in the middle. ¡°If the dispute goes on like this, I¡¯m afraid the business alliance can¡¯t operate smoothly and promptly. Today, let¡¯s all bear witness here and see who has the superior ability,¡± Julius Reed said with a smile. ¡°Exactly! Whichever side wins, that victorious party will undeniably be the rightful candidate for general manager. All entrepreneurs must obey, otherwise, they will be enemies of the entire alliance!¡± Bran Cook said, looking toward Itai Huntington, ¡°But I wonder¡­ about the Willson Group¡­¡± Previously, even after securing the support of the majority of Gonzalez City entrepreneurs, he failed to take the position of general manager. Ultimately, it was due to the Willson Group, the financial backer, opposing him, rendering everyone else¡¯s protests useless. In the face of absolute power, everything else is futile. If he won but the Willson Group disagreed in the end, wouldn¡¯t it all be for nothing? Everyone knew this was a game of spending money and leveraging connections! Whoever has stronger connections and more money will win. With the support of so many leading Gonzalez City enterprises standing behind Bran Cook, contributing both money and effort, wouldn¡¯t they be offended if they did not reap benefits in the end? ¡°Rest assured about that!¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at Bran Cook coldly and said dominantly, ¡°If I lose, I will personally explain the matter to the Willson Group and ensure you become the general manager of the business alliance. With so many witnesses here today, My word is my bond!¡± ¡°Excellent!¡± Bran Cook slammed the table, excitement written all over his face! That was exactly the assurance he needed! Under such scrutiny, if he lost credibility, how could Quella Radcliffe stand in Gonzalez City? The small Radcliffe Group would be obliterated in an instant. ¡°Since both of you agree, it seems indeed to be the best solution now.¡± Itai Huntington took a deep breath, feeling somewhat concerned for Quella Radcliffe. The Cook family would definitely stir the waters from behind, and with the help of these entrepreneurs, it would be tough for Quella Radcliffe to win. Moreover, Bran Cook had already been mixing in the capital for a long time and had particularly extensive connections. Nowadays, the most popular stars were active in the capital; it wouldn¡¯t be difficult for him to invite a few of the hottest young stars. ¡°I¡¯ll say it outright before anything else; since all of you here agree, when the result is out, anyone who refuses to obey should not blame me, Itai Huntington, for being impolite!¡± She added once again. The best news was that, regardless of the outcome, once the final benefit distribution scheme was set, the business alliance could begin operating normally. With the Lunar New Year approaching, once this matter was resolved before the festival, after the holiday, they could start focusing on specific matters and begin making money. ¡°No problem!¡± Everyone answered in unison. After nailing down the matter, the party atmosphere relaxed once more. Everyone chatted amicably, exchanging pleasantries and enjoying the moment. ¡°Mr. Cook, I¡¯ve been maintaining a relationship with a young model who knows Asher Marsh. If we invited Asher Marsh over, wouldn¡¯t we be assured a victory?¡± A greasy middle-aged man in his fifties said creepily. He was the Chairman of the Yangtze River Seafood Group, Cormac Cook. Although he shared the Cook last name, he wasn¡¯t closely related to Bran Cook; at best, they were from the same ancestral lineage, but it was unclear how many generations apart they were. ¡°Really?¡± Upon hearing this suggestion, Bran Cook¡¯s eyes spun as he pondered the feasibility of the plan. Asher Marsh was a rising domestic A-list actress who starred in two wildly popular web series and a movie within the same year. In just one year, she swept numerous awards, surpassing many veteran entertainers and became one of the top stars. She held significant clout! To invite such an influential figure, it would no doubt cost a large sum of money. But as long as they could win, the cost didn¡¯t matter. ¡°I do have a suggestion,¡± An elder suddenly spoke up, ¡°What we need to do this time is to definitely beat Quella Radcliffe. As for inviting Asher Marsh, let¡¯s not even talk about how many connections we need to use, just the endorsement fee alone will be a substantial amount! And we will have to pay for it!¡± ¡°Elder Mr. Bay, are you suggesting¡­?¡± Bran Cook asked reverently for advice from the elderly man. The old man was the chairman of a health product company, who, with his keen foresight, invested in the health industry ten years ago and now made a fortune. Although his overall wealth didn¡¯t match that of Ovidiu Cook, the richest man in Gonzalez City, he was still a first-rate star entrepreneur locally. ¡°We should strike later!¡± Elder Mr. Bay gently stroked his chin, looked towards Quella Radcliffe¡¯s position, smiled, and said, ¡°Let her look first. Whoever she finds, we negotiate with a bigger offer. This will not only cut costs but also undermine her confidence.¡± ¡°Kill two birds with one stone! This move by Elder Mr. Bay is brilliant!¡± The surrounding people all raised their thumbs up in admiration, their eyes filled with respect. Truly the approach of someone who made money hand over fist, thinking differently from everyone else. ¡°Well then, I¡¯ll listen to Elder Mr. Bay. Later, we¡¯ll have someone monitor Quella Radcliffe the entire time. Wherever she goes, we¡¯ll be there too! That way we can save time and effort and have the last laugh at her downfall!¡± Bran Cook raised his glass from the table, squinted his eyes, and said, ¡°To victory, shall we drink?¡± ¡°Cheers!¡± Everyone drank in one gulp and continued with joyful laughter and chatter. However, Quella Radcliffe was frowning with worry. Representing the small and medium businesses of Gonzalez City, she certainly couldn¡¯t simply throw money around like Bran Cook! ¡°President Radcliffe, what should we do about this? All of us small and medium businesses are counting on you! This Bran Cook clearly has bad intentions. He talks about forming a business alliance, but it¡¯s clear he wants to absorb us!¡± ¡°Exactly! If this keeps up, we might all go bankrupt, our life¡¯s work stolen by those scoundrels!¡± ¡°You have to think of something, our future is in your hands!¡± The small business owners clustered around, raising their glasses with solemn faces, pleading, ¡°Please!¡± ¡°Everyone, I will do my best!¡± Quella Radcliffe raised her glass, feeling the weight of her responsibility for the first time. Chapter 468 - Chapter 468: Chapter 468 I did it on purpose_1 Chapter 468: Chapter 468 I did it on purpose_1 After leaving Five-state International, Julius Reed drove Quella Radcliffe and Cosmo to the villa. ¡°Need any help?¡± He glanced at Quella Radcliffe, who was deep in thought in the passenger seat. Having encountered such a thorny issue right after taking office, Quella Radcliffe, such a young woman, must have been under immense pressure. ¡°It¡¯s alright, I¡¯ll try to handle it.¡± Quella Radcliffe offered a faint smile, a stubborn defiance shining through it. ¡°If you need help, just give me a shout. I still have quite a few acquaintances in the capital; don¡¯t forget, your husband is from a wealthy family.¡± Julius Reed smiled back but said no more. He knew Quella Radcliffe¡¯s character all too well¡ªstrong and stubborn. If he really offered to help, it would surely be a blow to her! She wanted to earn respect through her own efforts, not charity. As the car travelled on a deserted road, Julius Reed suddenly furrowed his brows. Behind him, a car was closely following them. And it seemed to be driven by a professional, maintaining a distance that would have gone unnoticed if not for Julius Reed¡¯s sharp senses. Cosmo also noticed the vehicle tailing them. ¡°Master, should I get out?¡± She asked aloud. ¡°Get out? What for?¡± Quella Radcliffe was oblivious to the pursuit and thus somewhat bewildered. It was pitch-dark; there wasn¡¯t even a streetlamp, making getting out quite dangerous. Five-state International Plaza was located in the New District, an area waiting to be developed. Apart from the wasteland, there was just one lonely building around. Consequently, the road was overgrown with weeds, and streetlamps hadn¡¯t even been installed. Ten years ago, this place was just a small village. It was only deserted after the demolition. ¡°Take my wife home first. I just got a call; a friend is right behind us.¡± Julius Reed glanced at the car behind through the rearview mirror and turned to Quella Radcliffe, entrusting her, ¡°Honey, it¡¯s a friend from the capital I haven¡¯t seen in a while. I might be back late.¡± ¡°A friend from the capital? Really?¡± Quella Radcliffe was somewhat skeptical. But ever since Julius Reed had changed so much, he indeed had made many new friends. People like Aron Jackson who held sway over territories and relatives high up in Titan Group like Sky Reed. So it wasn¡¯t strange to say he had friends from the capital. ¡°You¡¯re not going to have an affair with Itai Huntington, are you?¡± She suddenly asked with a serious face. Julius Reed¡¯s grip on the steering wheel jerked, nearly crashing the car into a tree by the road. ¡°Wife. Am I that kind of person?¡± He was too innocent! How could his own wife think so poorly of him? ¡°Hmph! Who knows!¡± Quella Radcliffe snorted softly, then burst into laughter, ¡°Just teasing you. Look at you, guilty as a thief.¡± ¡°You¡­ fine, let it be! I¡¯m innocent, with such a beautiful wife, why would I pine for a widow!¡± Julius Reed spoke righteously. ¡°Are you sure your friend is behind us? It¡¯s dangerous at night; maybe you should wait in the car?¡± Quella Radcliffe clasped Julius Reed¡¯s hand. This gesture made Julius Reed¡¯s body shiver, and then his heart surged with elation. ¡°Thanks for caring, wife! Actually, he called me while we were at Five-state International Plaza, saying he would find me there. Who knew, just as we left, he arrived. He then sent me a voice message, telling me he was following right behind.¡± Julius Reed patiently wove a lie. Their speed also began to slow down. ¡°How come I didn¡¯t hear it?¡± Quella Radcliffe remained doubtful. The three of them had been chatting ever since they got in the car and hadn¡¯t received any phone calls. ¡°Bluetooth headset! Taking calls while driving is a fineable offense!¡± Julius Reed pointed at his left ear. The car¡¯s interior was very dim, and being on the side closer to the outside, Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t see clearly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, honey! An old friend I haven¡¯t seen for years, like this, you watch me get in the car, okay?¡± Julius Reed chuckled and slowly pulled over to the roadside. At the same time, he opened the door and walked to the side of the road. Cosmo also got out from the back seat and moved to the driver¡¯s position. She wasn¡¯t worried about her master¡¯s capability at all. A few petty thieves could be taken down with just a flick of a finger. Soon, a beam of light appeared on the road. The other party clearly hadn¡¯t expected Julius Reed and his companions to stop suddenly, and had to brake urgently. ¡°Hey, brother!¡± Seeing the black SUV stop, Julius Reed strode towards it, continuously calling out. ¡°Boss, have we been exposed?¡± On the driver¡¯s seat, a bald man asked. ¡°Who cares! We¡¯re here to kill anyway; now that he¡¯s stopped, it¡¯s even better! There¡¯s no one around, front or back. After the murder, we¡¯ll stage a traffic accident, and no one will be able to trace it back to us!¡± On the passenger seat, another bald man touched his head and a smile spread across his lips. ¡°Makes sense! Should we make a move now?¡± The man in the driver¡¯s seat asked. ¡°No rush! Let¡¯s see what kind of game he¡¯s playing first!¡± The bald man rolled down the window and watched Julius Reed slowly approach. At the same time, a dagger gleaming with a cold light appeared in his hand. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, why are you so late!¡± Julius Reed walked up to the passenger side, laughing and swearing, ¡°If you hadn¡¯t come, I would¡¯ve gone home to sleep with my wife!¡± ¡°Brother, you¡­¡± The bald man stuck his head out the window, unable to understand what Julius Reed was up to. He hadn¡¯t made a move, so the other party definitely couldn¡¯t know he was there to kill him! If he had known, would he still come over so comically to court death? Smack! Julius Reed slapped the bald man¡¯s head, laughing, ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, your head is just as hard as I remember after all these years!¡± ¡°Fuck! How dare you hit my boss!¡± The man in the driver¡¯s seat pretended to reach for a weapon but was grabbed by the bald man. ¡°Brother, you¡¯ve got the wrong guy!¡± His expression turned grim. In all his years in the business, he¡¯d never had someone dare to hit his bald head before! This was an insult! As if digging soil from the head of Taishang Laojun! ¡°Is that so!¡± Julius Reed turned around to look around and then turned back to see the bald man, slapping his head hard again! ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, I can see you now! Just now, someone who looked exactly like you said I got the wrong person.¡± He scratched his head, laughing foolishly. Inside the car, Cosmo and Quella Radcliffe watched the two men laughing and chatting, their actions so affectionate, and felt a lot more at ease. ¡°Mistress, he really is my master¡¯s friend; are you relieved now?¡± Cosmo looked towards Quella Radcliffe. Without reassuring her mistress, she couldn¡¯t leave the place. ¡°Hmm, but Julius Reed¡¯s way of greeting is too rough!¡± Quella Radcliffe frowned, watching Julius Reed slap the bald man¡¯s head through the rearview mirror, shaking her head with a smile, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± The car slowly started and instantly disappeared on the road. Cosmo was an excellent driver, and on such deserted roads, few could catch up to her. ¡°Kid, are you fucking sick!¡± The man in the driver¡¯s seat couldn¡¯t contain his emotions any longer and followed his boss in speaking, ¡°This guy is an idiot!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not Mr. Thorneycroft! I¡¯m saying it for the last time!¡± The bald man took a deep breath, quite angry now. ¡°I know, which is why I did it on purpose.¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders, revealing a smile. Chapter 469 - Chapter 469: 469 Chapter I am a Puppy When it Comes to a Fight_1 Chapter 469: 469 Chapter I am a Puppy When it Comes to a Fight_1 ¡°Are you deliberately mocking me?¡± The bald man¡¯s face instantly turned an iron blue, and a murderous intent began to slowly surface on him. The car in front had driven off, so he had no worries about being taken by surprise from behind. On this desolate road, Julius Reed wouldn¡¯t have the chance to run! He was already a bird trapped in a cage! ¡°That¡¯s right! I thought it was quite amusing,¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, crossing his arms, ¡°How about another go?¡± ¡°You¡¯re really asking for death!¡± The bald man pushed open the car door and slowly walked up to Julius Reed. Behind him, the man from the driver¡¯s seat also got out, clutching a triangular military thorn in his hand! This was a weapon designed for killing, capable of taking a life in a single thrust! ¡°Is that so? It sounds like you wouldn¡¯t kill me if I weren¡¯t asking to die,¡± Julius Reed shrugged helplessly, ¡°I have to die anyway, so why not hit you a few times for some fun?¡± His optimistic attitude actually made both men feel a bit uneasy. ¡°Do you know that we¡¯ve come to kill you?¡± The bald man frowned, feeling an unkind premonition rising within him. He had only followed the car, and he had done so with utmost stealth, something an ordinary person could never detect. At the right moment, at a turn, they planned to accelerate fiercely and ram the other vehicle into a ditch, creating the illusion of a fatal crash. Having done this kind of job dozens of times, they were well-practiced. Now that someone had seen through their plan, it was inevitable they¡¯d feel some psychological turbulence. ¡°I also know that it was Jennifer Lopez who sent you.¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow, looking at the two men, ¡°I¡¯m not wrong, am I?¡± As he said this, the two opposite him were instantly surprised. The task of killing had indeed been arranged by Jennifer Lopez. She had discovered that the video of Zane Percival getting beaten up and left looking for his teeth had spread online! Even the Lopez Family knew about it! Jennifer Lopez had two suspects, one was Itai Huntington, the other Julius Reed! Although she spent a lot of money hiring hackers to delete the video entirely, no sooner had they deleted one than another appeared! The location was Gonzalez City, right out of the Five-state International building! The operator used a mobile phone! So Jennifer Lopez made a decisive decision to send men to kill Julius Reed and seize that phone! If the video disappeared quickly, that would mean the last copy was with Julius Reed, and he was the one continuously posting it. If the video continued to be uploaded nonstop, that would mean Itai Huntington had a hand in it! Then things would become complicated. As for Julius Reed, daring to attack Zane Percival, he was already on a path to certain death. It¡¯s just that the sudden leak of the video today had hastened his demise. After receiving their orders, the two men began to follow the car. As planned, in ten minutes they would ram Julius Reed¡¯s vehicle off a cliff. There, with sheer drops and rugged rocks, survival was highly unlikely. Now that their identities were exposed, both men were feeling somewhat unsure. Though they had killed countless people, this was the first time they had seen someone so calm. He did not seem like someone on the verge of death at all. ¡°Ha! What nonsense are you saying? We are just passersby. After you¡¯ve teased me repeatedly, isn¡¯t it only right that I deal with you?¡± The bald man had already stealthily hidden a dagger within his sleeve, preparing to take Julius Reed by surprise and kill him with one strike! After the deadly blow, they would throw the body in the car and set it on fire! Create the false appearance of a drunk driver crashing into the side of the road and accidentally catching fire. ¡°Stop pretending, is it interesting?¡± Julius Reed, without any sign of defense, just stood there with his arms crossed, talking as if to no one in particular, ¡°One named Bright, and one named Director Ridge, two Shadow Warriors of Jordan Martin¡¯s staff. You are not only the most trusted by Jennifer Lopez but also distant cousins of Jordan Martin.¡± ¡°You! How did you know that!¡± Bright¡¯s eyes widened, feeling as though a cold breeze had just blown over his bald head! How could they possibly know about something so secret? They had only received the assignment an hour ago, before which they had only seen photographs of Julius Reed. ¡°Boss, don¡¯t let him trick you!¡± Director Ridge gripped the triangular military thorn tightly, cautiously on guard. ¡°It¡¯s no use!¡± His eyes narrowed, face already darkening to an extreme, ¡°Since he could accurately describe our backgrounds, he must also know the purpose of our trip! Director Ridge, there¡¯s no point in denying it. But when it comes to killing, have we ever lost?¡± ¡°That¡¯s true! No matter what he knows, a dead man can¡¯t speak!¡± Director Ridge nodded, recovering from his initial shock. In the matter of killing, they had achieved mastery. Even some wealthy businessmen had been killed by them at clubs in the capital. Stealth, scene manipulation, and surprise were their signature approach. Jennifer Lopez was involved in a lot of unsavory activities in the capital, and these two were often present behind the scenes. ¡°Hand over your cell phone first, and I¡¯ll grant you a swift death!¡± Clutching a dagger, he threatened. Meanwhile, Director Ridge positioned himself behind Julius Reed, ready to strike at any moment. ¡°You think you can kill me?¡± Julius Reed shook his head, full of disdain, ¡°Jennifer Lopez really is something, sending two pieces of trash to kill me! It¡¯s an insult to me. I¡¯ll remember this grudge!¡± ¡°Say that again!¡± His hand holding the dagger trembled slightly; they were known as Black and White Impermanence, and underworld figures called them Black and White Impermanence. Because whenever these brothers showed up, those who saw them would most likely end up dead. So they were termed as Grim Reapers who demanded lives. Now, they were being called trash! You can imagine how furious Light and Director Ridge must have felt. ¡°Am I wrong?¡± Julius Reed eyed the two before him, shaking his head again, ¡°To kill you two! I don¡¯t even need to lift a finger.¡± This arrogant tone was filled with contempt! ¡°Say that one more time!¡± Light¡¯s mouth quivered uncontrollably, clearly enraged! Stealth was imperative in their line of work! They were Jennifer Lopez¡¯s sharpest swords, hidden in the darkest places, never seeing the light of day! Fear, was what made them feel most alive and content. It was the very meaning of their existence. The two lived in darkness all year round, unable to lead normal lives. For once exposed, they¡¯d lose their value as hidden weapons! Whenever they appeared, watching their prey beg desperately, especially the despair in their eyes and the manifested fear, brought immense satisfaction to Light and Director Ridge. They, like the grim reapers, coldly observed people begging at their feet. Finally, in utter hopelessness, they would take those lives. But now, they had been insulted! ¡°I¡¯ll send you off right now!¡± Light took a deep breath, his body shaking! His mental state was on the verge of collapse! And Director Ridge, too, clutched the triangular military thorn in his hand, his breathing more rapid! They were seeking revenge, to prove themselves! They wanted Julius Reed to kneel and beg like a dog! They needed to reclaim their dignity! And everything they had lost! ¡°Come at me together, I¡¯m a dog if I have to make a move.¡± Julius Reed took a deep breath, ¡°Ptooey!¡± A spit. And it landed directly on Light¡¯s head. Chapter 470 - Chapter 470: Chapter 470: Beware of the Window_1 Chapter 470: Chapter 470: Beware of the Window_1 ¡°Huff!¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s eyes were bloodshot, and the corners of his mouth began to twitch. ¡°Ah!¡± He let out a roar, angrily clutching the dagger in his hand, looking at Julius Reed in front of him. He resembled an enraged lion! ¡°You dare to insult me!¡± Having murdered for decades, which prey didn¡¯t kneel and beg for mercy? Some were so terrified that their legs went soft, and others even lost control of their bladder and bowels. But today, his prey spat in his face. ¡°You will pay for your ignorance!¡± Taking a deep breath, Aron Jackson pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped his face and forehead. The hand holding the handkerchief was already trembling uncontrollably. ¡°Ptui!¡± No sooner had he finished wiping than Julius Reed spat at Aron Jackson¡¯s face again. ¡°You¡¯re courting death!¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s eyes fiercely bulged, and he unleashed his full strength in that moment! Slice! He swiftly swung the dagger in his hand, cutting through the air with a hissing sound! And behind Julius Reed, Director Ridge also thrust the triangular military thorn forward with vicious intent! Regardless of which strike hit, it was undoubtedly a lethal situation¡ªno chance of survival! Their coordination was seamless; Julius Reed seemed to have no space to escape! Whoosh! Yet Julius Reed twisted his body at an incredible angle and viciously kicked Aron Jackson on the wrist! Clang! The dagger was instantly kicked away and fell to the ground. Then, he spun around and caught the triangular military thorn in one hand. Crack! He snapped it in two! ¡°How¡­how is this possible!¡± Director Ridge took a step back, looking at the broken triangular military thorn in his hand in shock! He had used this triangular military thorn for over a decade, and it had taken the lives of at least thirty if not fifty. The pure steel triangular military thorn would not even scratch if it struck stone. But today, it was broken by bare hands! ¡°Are you a human or a ghost!¡± Director Ridge, often known as the grim reaper, felt fear for the first time! He swallowed, feeling a chill run down his spine. Aron Jackson, on the other hand, was similarly filled with terror! His dagger had been kicked away! Now his wrist felt as if it were broken, completely unmovable. In just two moves, their assassination techniques were completely neutralized. ¡°Sorry, I said no hands, but I couldn¡¯t help myself,¡± Julius Reed scratched his head awkwardly, suddenly as if he remembered something, ¡°If I kill the two of you, then no one would know about this, right? Heh, I¡¯m really a genius!¡± No sooner had he finished speaking than Director Ridge and Aron Jackson felt a shiver at the back of their heads. More ruthless than themselves! ¡°Who the hell are you!¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s eyes started to look around, preparing to run away. Clearly, they had hit a wall! This was not at all like what Jennifer Lopez had described! What weakling living off a woman, what trash without the strength to truss a chicken! And the information from Jordan Martin was even more outrageously off. To be taken down in one move, it was the first time Aron Jackson had encountered such a person in his years of killing. Although they were assassins, their hand-to-hand combat skills were exceptional. Aron Jackson himself came from the Beijing Taekwondo Association and had even won awards in his youth. And Director Ridge had studied the way of the Samurai in Japan and after getting involved in a killing, was sheltered by Jennifer Lopez, and since then had always lived in a dark world. Behaving like a shadow during the day, they only dared to roam at night. Calling him the grim reaper was quite appropriate. After all, like a ghost, he only dared to come out at night. ¡°You don¡¯t know who I am?¡± Julius Reed raised his eyebrows, incredulously saying, ¡°Brothers, please get it straight! You came to kill me, could it be you¡¯ve got the wrong person?¡± ¡°Mistaken identity¡­ sorry, don¡¯t take it personally.¡± With a quick shift of his gaze, he immediately offered an apologetic smile, ¡°Brother, we really made a mistake! Please forgive the inconvenience this has caused you. As for compensation, rest assured, five million, is that okay?¡± They both had money, even a lot of it! Each of them had assets worth over a hundred million. But there was nowhere for them to spend it. Clothing, food, shelter, and transportation ¨C the Lopez Family provided everything, so there was no need for them to spend money. Besides, they couldn¡¯t move about during the day like normal people and enjoy life. So to them, money was no different from waste paper. ¡°A mistake?¡± Julius Reed felt some anger: ¡°So if my skills had been poor, I would¡¯ve just died for nothing?¡± Did they think a mere mention of a mistake would let them off the hook? Where on earth was there such a cheap deal! Moreover, the moment these people had made their move, Aron Jackson had already sent a message, passing on all the details about Samurai and Director Ridge. At the banquet in the Five-state International Building, Julius Reed had grasped all the intelligence on the two men, so he had been on guard all along. After all, his wife was still in the car. It was only after the car hit the road that he¡¯d learned they were following him, planning to strike by causing a traffic accident. ¡°So what do you want to do¡­¡± Director Ridge held the broken triangular military thorn behind him: ¡°Brother, we¡¯re not easy to mess with either! If you insist on fighting to the bitter end, I¡¯m afraid it won¡¯t be of any benefit to you, right?¡± Kindness and authority, the usual tactics. ¡°That¡¯s right! We brothers did indeed mistake you for someone else and caused you trouble. But if you¡¯re willing to take the money, let¡¯s pretend this never happened, and we can still become friends in the future.¡± As Samurai spoke, his hand slowly reached for the hidden weapon box at his waist. Paralyzing the enemy was not for the sake of living, but for the final strike! If Julius Reed let down his guard, relying on Samurai¡¯s darts skills, a single throw would ensure no one survived! ¡°This matter can be up for negotiation, but you might not be able to accept it.¡± Julius Reed scratched his head, looking a bit troubled. ¡°But there¡¯s no harm in speaking, after all, it¡¯s our fault to begin with!¡± Director Ridge immediately understood Samurai¡¯s intention and began to engage with Julius Reed, trying to lull him into complacency. ¡°Since you tried to kill me, it¡¯s only fair if I kill you once, right?¡± Julius Reed let out a sly chuckle. ¡°Heh, brother, are you just playing us?¡± Director Ridge¡¯s eyes were constantly moving. Now that Julius Reed was enjoying the joy of a victor, it was the best opportunity! ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then let¡¯s drop it!¡± Whoosh! Seizing his chance, Director Ridge with the broken triangular military thorn in his hand suddenly slashed down at Julius Reed! ¡°Boss, make your move!¡± He shouted angrily, trying to attract Julius Reed¡¯s attention with his sudden strike, to give Samurai the chance to throw his dart! ¡°Die!¡± Simultaneously, Samurai quickly grabbed his box, aimed it at Julius Reed, and triggered the mechanism! Whoosh! The dart whistled. But Julius Reed seemed to vanish into thin air. The dart flew straight through Director Ridge¡¯s forehead. Thud! Director Ridge¡¯s eyes bulged as he fell to the ground, dead with staring eyes. Blood streamed from his head, slowly staining the ground red. ¡°What¡­¡± The hidden weapon box dropped from Samurai¡¯s hand to the ground, his mind went blank! What on earth had happened! ¡°Hey, you really are ruthless, even killing your own brother when it comes down to it!¡± Pfft! Julius Reed appeared behind him at an unknown time. As his words fell, the remaining half of the triangular military thorn plunged into Samurai¡¯s back. Ding-ding-ling! Just then, the phone rang suddenly. Julius Reed fumbled, pulling out a phone from Samurai¡¯s chest pocket. The incoming caller ID displayed 001. ¡°How did it go?¡± Upon answering, Jennifer Lopez¡¯s voice came through. ¡°It¡¯s botched.¡± A smile played on Julius Reed¡¯s face, and he warned into the phone, ¡°Miss Lopez, be careful of what¡¯s outside your window.¡± Chapter 471 - Chapter 471: Chapter 471 Hunter Becomes the Hunted_1 Chapter 471: Chapter 471 Hunter Becomes the Hunted_1 ¡°He¡¯s not dead!¡± Jennifer Lopez quickly hung up the phone, a wave of fear coursing through her. Brightness and Director Ridge were her most reliable Shadow Warriors, having completed dozens of missions in the capital, all perfectly executed. This time, coming to Gonzalez City, Jennifer Lopez had specially spent a large sum of money and exerted her connections to transfer these two men who must not be exposed to the light of day from the capital to Gonzalez City. Just in case of emergency. She hadn¡¯t expected that they would actually come in handy. But now it seemed likely that Brightness and Director Ridge had both failed. ¡°Jordan Martin!¡± After turning off her cell phone, Jennifer Lopez took a deep breath and called out towards the door. Creak. The door slowly opened, and Jordan Martin stood in the doorway, in his suit. ¡°Miss, what do you need?¡± His gaze briefly lingered on Jennifer Lopez¡¯s body clad in pajamas before quickly shifting away. Even as she was nearing forty, Jennifer Lopez took great care of herself, appearing even more enticing than some women in their twenties. Especially that aristocratic aura about her which was particularly mesmerizing. ¡°Brightness and the others may have failed.¡± Jennifer Lopez¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, her mind beginning to ponder what her next move should be. Although she couldn¡¯t accept her own people failing, the situation was such that she had to think of a solution. ¡°Should I go there myself?¡± Jordan Martin¡¯s fists clenched tightly, a murderous intent already stirring within him. Anyone who dared to embarrass this woman in front of him deserved to die! ¡°You¡­¡± Jennifer Lopez stood up and began pacing the room. ¡°Send someone to check on Brightness and the others, see what exactly happened to them. Also, it¡¯s not advisable to stay here long, we need to return to the capital immediately.¡± If Brightness and Director Ridge were taken down, it meant that she had severely underestimated Julius Reed. So many tycoons in the capital, with plenty of bodyguards, couldn¡¯t escape from the likes of Brightness, and yet a son-in-law, could actually manage to turn the tables? Jennifer Lopez was certain she hadn¡¯t misheard; the voice on the phone was Julius Reed¡¯s! That voice, she would never forget it in her lifetime! ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll send someone to handle it now!¡± Jordan Martin had just turned around when he heard Jennifer Lopez scream! ¡°Someone¡¯s here!¡± As Jennifer Lopez turned around, she caught sight of the window behind her. There stood a man in white by the window. Remembering Julius Reed¡¯s words, ¡°Be careful of the window!¡± she felt her heart tighten to the extreme in an instant. The hotel was on the twenty-third floor. Silent and unnoticed by the window, it was clear he was no ordinary man! ¡°Who¡¯s there!¡± Jordan Martin spun around violently, his hand instinctively reaching for the gun at his waist. Whoosh! But just at that moment! A noise, barely audible, whistled through the air, and Jordan Martin¡¯s right arm was instantly pierced, leaving a bloody cavity. Then a server approaching from behind pushed a service cart straight forward, toppling Jordan Martin to the ground. Whoosh! The door was firmly shut. And the man outside the window, using a sharp tool in hand, broke through the window and jumped onto Jennifer Lopez¡¯s bed. ¡°Help¡­¡± Jennifer Lopez¡¯s first reaction was to call for help. Outside the door, there were at least eight bodyguards. But with Jordan Martin struck by a cold dart, he was now gasping for air on the floor! Jennifer Lopez had lost her strongest support at that moment. ¡°You can scream, but I assure you, before reinforcements arrive, you will die a very gruesome death.¡± The man in white slowly licked the dagger in his hand, approaching Jennifer Lopez, ¡°Go on, scream. Louder.¡± ¡°You¡¯re courting death!¡± On the floor, Jordan Martin struggled with all his might to stand up, but was rendered immobile by a foot from the Shadow Warrior dressed as a waiter, pressing him down. ¡°This dog is so noisy!¡± The man in white scratched his ear and said to the waiter, ¡°Make him quiet!¡± ¡°Right away, boss!¡± The waiter untied a cloth from his waist and, while holding Jordan Martin¡¯s head down with one hand, stuffed the cloth into his mouth with the other. ¡°Mmm mmm mmm¡­¡± The injured Jordan Martin desperately struggled, but it was in vain. The waiter standing on him was also incredibly strong, firmly pinning him down to the floor beneath the bed. ¡°Who the hell are you people!¡± Although Jennifer Lopez had been through many storms and witnessed many grand scenes, she was indeed panicking now. For the first time, the situation was out of her control. She was at a disadvantage. A complete disadvantage. ¡°Us? Does Miss Lopez want to offer a bribe?¡± The man in white chuckled and pushed Jennifer Lopez to sit at the edge of the bed, while he sat on the other side. ¡°I have plenty of money! If you want money, I¡¯ll give you five times what the other side is offering!¡± Jennifer Lopez tried her best to remain calm. Because she knew very well that the calmer she was, the more likely the other party would change their mind. People die for wealth; birds die for food. Isn¡¯t everyone in this line of work chasing money? Having climbed up from the twenty-something floor, they must be desperadoes. She knew that the hotel she stayed in had a high security factor, with frequent security patrols. ¡°Miss Lopez indeed has a lot of money to throw around!¡± The man in white gently touched the knife in his hand and asked with a smile, ¡°Someone has offered me a price to kill you that I can¡¯t refuse. You know, if one loses their credibility in this line of business, they might well starve to death.¡± Hearing this, Jennifer Lopez felt a secret surge of relief inside. There was a chance! She said with utmost composure, ¡°Isn¡¯t it just about money? The Lopez Family as a major household in Gonzalez City has plenty to offer you ¨C enough to ensure you live a life without worries! Besides, if you give me the information about your employer, I can help you take them down. That way, no one would know about your involvement. And you, with that money, could be at ease for the rest of your life!¡± Nobody dislikes money. As long as the other party was willing to talk, she had a way out. Having circulated in the business world for so many years, Jennifer Lopez knew well the workings of the human heart. ¡°Miss Lopez¡¯s words are somewhat tempting me,¡± said the man in white as he slowly placed the dagger onto Jennifer Lopez¡¯s fair neck and, licking his lips, said, ¡°If I don¡¯t kill you, are you willing to do anything?¡± The dagger was very sharp; just making contact with Jennifer Lopez¡¯s skin, it had already drawn a trace of blood. ¡°Mmm mmm mmm¡­¡± Jordan Martin lay on the ground, howling furiously. His eyes were already filled with bloodshed, and he struggled nearly to the point of madness! But on top of him, the waiter-dressed man was like a mountain, completely preventing Jordan Martin from getting up! ¡°Brother, is it uncomfortable lying there?¡± The waiter picked up Jordan Martin, landing a fierce punch to his abdomen! Then he took a rope from his waist and tightly tied the injured Jordan Martin to a chair inside the hotel. ¡°What do you want to do?¡± Feeling the incredibly sharp blade at her throat, Jennifer Lopez¡¯s forehead broke out in cold sweat. The icy blade seemed like it could pierce her throat at any moment! At that moment, Jennifer Lopez felt an unprecedented fear! When the Hunter suddenly becomes the hunted, that fear is magnified a thousand times, ten thousand times! ¡°That depends on whether Miss Lopez wants to live or desires a swift end,¡± said the man in white as he gently retracted the dagger, cutting through the straps of Jennifer Lopez¡¯s nightgown in an instant with the sharp blade. Jennifer Lopez¡¯s body shook slightly, and then she closed her eyes. ¡°Mmm mmm mmm¡­¡± Jordan Martin, tied to the chair, was nearly frenzied! Chapter 472 - Chapter 472: 472 Chapter 472: 472 The hotel was left only with the scent of hormones. Jordan Martin lay with his eyes tightly shut, his face already deathly pale. He struggled desperately, his arms and thighs covered in fresh blood from the friction of the ropes. And the cloth in his mouth was also stained with blood due to his frenzied screams. ¡°Miss Lopez, thank you for your hospitality!¡± The man in white slowly put on his clothes, looking at Jennifer Lopez, who was tightly wrapped in a blanket on the bed, and gave a thumbs up. ¡°Who would have thought that Arlo Percival, that good-for-nothing, would have the chance to taste such delight! You don¡¯t know until you try, I¡¯ve roamed the field of love for decades, and this is the first time I feel like I¡¯ve savored a ripe fruit.¡± ¡°You said you wouldn¡¯t kill me¡­¡± Jennifer Lopez¡¯s cheeks were slightly red, and her eyes extremely complex. She felt anger, humiliation, and resentment! Ever since she left Arlo Percival, Jennifer Lopez had been living alone. She was too discerning to regard ordinary men. Even Arlo Percival had no right to touch her! During the years they lived together, they slept separately. Now, as she was being violated, the slight enjoyment that rose in Jennifer Lopez¡¯s heart infuriated her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry! How could I bear to kill a stunner like Miss Lopez?¡± The man in white took a deep breath, his tone carefree, ¡°Thank you for the hour and a half of your company. Oh, by the way, Mr. Reed asked me to relay a message to you, your staff is too weak, he felt insulted.¡± ¡°I understand¡­¡± Jennifer Lopez¡¯s lips trembled slightly, her entire body shaking. Indeed, it was that man¡¯s doing! ¡°Leave Gonzalez City tomorrow, or I won¡¯t be able to protect you either. Anyway, a day as husband and wife means a hundred days of grace. When I get back, I¡¯ll say you were killed by me, as for returning to the capital, that¡¯s not my concern anymore.¡± The man in white adjusted his clothes, then looked towards the service worker, ¡°All set?¡± ¡°All set! A full hundred minutes, boss, you really can last!¡± The service worker said with a lewd smile on his face. ¡°You¡­¡± Jennifer Lopez¡¯s face changed dramatically. She had been recorded on video! If this got out, how could she face living in the world! Zane Percival¡¯s video might at most ruin her years of effort, but this video could completely destroy her! But now, she had no way out. Being able to keep her life was already a luxury. ¡°Sorry about that! The Lopez Family has such vast wealth and power, we gotta be cautious about your retaliation, right?¡± The man in white walked up to the bed, gently touched Jennifer Lopez, ¡°Goodbye, Miss Lopez.¡± After that, he and the service worker left the hotel laughing. The room was left with only Jordan Martin, tightly bound, and Jennifer Lopez, completely unclad. ¡°You heard everything.¡± Jennifer Lopez pulled the blanket from her body and gently picked up the dagger left on the bed with her right hand. ¡°Wuu wuu wuu¡­¡± Jordan Martin shook his head desperately. He still had the cloth stuffed in his mouth. Jennifer Lopez got out of bed, walked over to Jordan Martin, and removed the cloth from his mouth. ¡°Miss! I¡¯ll avenge you! I¡¯ll tear those two people to shreds!¡± Jordan Martin squeezed his eyes shut, roaring with anger. His face was deathly pale, his clothes long since soaked in blood. ¡°You heard it.¡± Jennifer Lopez said emotionlessly. ¡°I¡­¡± ¡°You heard my cries.¡± Jennifer Lopez repeated herself. ¡°Miss¡­¡± Jordan Martin swallowed, his eyes tightly shut. ¡°Open your eyes, I know you¡¯ve always liked me, but I¡¯ve always pretended not to notice,¡± Jennifer Lopez took a deep breath, her demeanor suddenly softening a great deal. ¡°Miss, I dare not! Please put on your clothes first!¡± Jordan Martin bowed his head, his breathing becoming faster and faster. He knew that the Jennifer Lopez before him was completely naked. ¡°It¡¯s okay, everyone else is asleep. Besides, we¡¯re all family here, right? Jordan, look at me.¡± Jennifer Lopez gently lifted Jordan Martin¡¯s chin with her hand, tilting his head up slowly. ¡°Open them, I know you really want to look,¡± she said with a smile, as if a lover were being coquettish with her man. ¡°Miss, I¡­¡± Jordan Martin swallowed again, slowly opening his eyes. The scene before him sent his blood racing! ¡°Do I look beautiful?¡± Jennifer Lopez smiled seductively, a vision of breathtaking beauty. ¡°Beautiful¡­¡± Jordan Martin was stunned. Just like that, at such a close distance, he saw the woman he had longed for, naked. Thud! ¡°Miss¡­ you¡­¡± ¡°Go in peace. Every time I see you, I am reminded of myself as a bitch,¡± Jennifer Lopez¡¯s dagger plunged straight into Jordan Martin¡¯s heart. Her expression turned icy cold. ¡°You all must die!¡± ¡­ ¡°Boss, it¡¯s done! I recorded the video as you instructed, even though it¡¯s a bit long! Hehe, I didn¡¯t expect myself to be so capable!¡± After leaving the hotel, Aron Jackson bragged to Julius Reed about his achievements with a touch of pride. Upon learning that Skyfire and Director Ridge had made their move, Julius Reed had arranged for Aron Jackson to use the hotel¡¯s insiders to draw away the guards around Jennifer Lopez. After that, he and Dominating Tiger had moved from inside and outside to Jennifer Lopez¡¯s room, to record this video clip. With the video in hand, Jennifer Lopez would be much more compliant, and the Lopez Family¡¯s resources would come under the control of Julius Reed. As for Zane Percival? Such a minor character could just be cannon fodder! ¡°Make sure the video is well kept; it will be very useful later! Also, keep a close watch on Jennifer Lopez¡¯s movements. Report to me immediately at any sign of trouble!¡± After sending his location to Aron Jackson, Julius Reed ordered his staff to deal with the bodies of Skyfire and Director Ridge, creating the illusion of accidental deaths. ¡°Boss, Stacy Cook¡¯s people seem to have returned from Five-river Province. Following your orders, I had someone discreetly follow them, and just as you predicted, Stacy Cook¡¯s people headed straight to the Ridge Family!¡± Aron Jackson quickly reported this critical discovery to Julius Reed. ¡°Logically speaking, how could Stacy Cook know of a reclusive major family like the Ridge Family? What surprises me more is that the Ridge Family has sent out several Shadow Warriors to quietly follow Stacy Cook¡¯s people back here.¡± ¡°Is there no news of that woman?¡± The most interesting thing to Julius Reed was the woman mediating the situation. The Ridge Family and Skyfire were irreconcilable adversaries, and if the woman didn¡¯t show up soon, the Boulevard League would likely be destroyed! ¡°Boss, if she¡¯s as special as you say, it¡¯s unlikely our people can keep track of her. Additionally, there¡¯s something else. Maurice Springs, do you remember him?¡± When Maurice Springs was mentioned, Julius Reed suddenly took an interest. ¡°I let him off once before; I wonder how he¡¯s doing now. What, has he come back?¡± ¡°According to the intel from Willson Pavilion, Maurice Springs is now one of the upper echelon in Deep Cold, though his position is somewhat secondary, he has earned a lot of favor inside Deep Cold. He came back to Gonzalez City this time to get revenge on you for injuring his son!¡± ¡°Interesting. Let me know as soon as Maurice Springs enters the territory of Gonzalez City!¡± Julius Reed gently caressed the ring on his hand, muttering to himself, ¡°They¡¯ve all arrived, how lively.¡± Chapter 473 - Chapter 473: Chapter 473 Endorser Selection_1 Chapter 473: Chapter 473 Endorser Selection_1 By the time Julius Reed got home, it was already past eleven o¡¯clock at night. Quella Radcliffe simply thought he hadn¡¯t seen his friends in a long time and had been out eating and drinking with them, so she didn¡¯t ask too many questions. The next day, as soon as dawn broke, Quella Radcliffe got in her car and left the mansion, heading straight for the Radcliffe Group. These days she was busy looking for a spokesperson, entrusting all company affairs to Dempsey Davenport. She was going to the Group today specifically to discuss this matter. As for Julius Reed, not wanting Quella Radcliffe to know he was interfering in the matter, he simply lay in bed and slept in. With Aron Jackson monitoring the entirety of Gonzalez City, he could rest easy without worry. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, I asked someone to check, and it seems that the recent popular idol Nando Brandon is coming to Gonzalez City for a concert, which is happening this afternoon from three to seven.¡± As Quella Radcliffe¡¯s good friend and confidante, and with Julius Reed¡¯s help in reopening her brother¡¯s hotpot restaurant, Anna Harris naturally went out of her way to help Quella Radcliffe accomplish this task. Since returning from her studies abroad, Anna Harris decided not to go back to her country and instead stayed in Gonzalez City to help her brother Sergei Harris manage the business. Once Sergei Harris¡¯s business was stable, she would come to assist Quella Radcliffe. She used to think that the moon overseas was more round, but after coming back, she realized that home was the ultimate haven. As for the work abroad, although it paid more, it was exhausting! So, she might as well stay with Quella Radcliffe and nurture her spirit! ¡°Nando Brandon? I¡¯ve heard of him, he suddenly blew up on the internet these past two years, with lots of young female fans. It¡¯s probably going to cost quite a bit to get him to come, right?¡± Quella Radcliffe quickly flashed through all available information about Nando Brandon in her mind. Age: 21. Representative works: ¡°Immortal Ancestor¡±. Songs: Really can¡¯t remember any. This guy is a top artist under the banner of Enlighten Media, truly a girl harvester! Many young students are so infatuated with him that they would run away from home to be Nando Brandon¡¯s wife. In recent years, there¡¯s been a non-stop emergence of fresh young talent, but the only one to become a sensation overnight was Nando Brandon. The endorsement fee was bound to be steep. That was the thing that was giving Quella Radcliffe the biggest headache. She wasn¡¯t like Bran Cook with his vast wealth. The small business owners behind her didn¡¯t make much profit at all. Even the fee for this endorsement had to mostly come out of Radcliffe Group¡¯s own funds, arranged by Quella Radcliffe herself. When there was a problem with the funds, it made her much more hesitant in her dealings. ¡°Let¡¯s give it a try! Bran Cook must know about this, and if they get to him before we do, finding someone with a bigger name is going to cost us an astronomical figure!¡± Anna Harris was aware of Quella Radcliffe¡¯s difficulties, but once the wager had begun, there was no turning back! They had to at least give it a shot! ¡°Let¡¯s try it then! I don¡¯t know if we will be able to set up an appointment.¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded her head, knowing that even if they failed, they had to try. ¡°I have a classmate who works as an agent at Nando Brandon¡¯s company, I¡¯ll ask him for some help.¡± Anna Harris took out her phone, scrolled through her contacts for a while, and finally found someone. Agent of Enlighten Entertainment Media Group, Houston Green. ¡°Houston Green, it¡¯s Anna Harris, can you get in touch with Nando Brandon now?¡± Anna Harris sent a voice message. Houston Green came from a very wealthy family, a typical rich second-generation. After graduation, thanks to his family¡¯s connections, he entered Enlighten Media and became an agent. Taking advantage of his power, he¡¯d exploited many young girls who were new to the scene. As those inside the Enlighten Group would put it, he was a groom every night. Many young girls came to the entertainment industry with dreams of overnight fame, only to be toyed with and then slump away dejectedly. Like the Yangtze River¡¯s waves that push forward new waves behind them, such people are never in short supply. And Houston Green was exactly the type to capitalize on these girls¡¯ psyches, constantly mingling among the college women. Ana Harris felt a strong disgust towards Houston Green, but she had no choice but to reach out to him. This was the only way she could help Quella Radcliffe. Soon, Houston Green replied to her message. ¡°Anna, you¡¯re not starting to chase celebrities too, are you? Hey, just to be frank, I¡¯m in Gonzalez City today, your hometown! At the Nando Brandon concert, I¡¯m the assistant, accompanying throughout.¡± Upon hearing the voice message, Ana Harris was overjoyed and quickly replied, ¡°I happen to be in Gonzalez City too! Um, Houston, there¡¯s a favor I need to ask of you!¡± After saying this, Ana Harris gripped her phone tightly, her excitement apparent as she turned to Quella Radcliffe, ¡°Heavens must be helping us! My classmate is right in Gonzalez City, and he¡¯s Nando Brandon¡¯s concert assistant. They¡¯ll surely be able to talk!¡± ¡°Is that true? Thank you, Anna!¡± A smile finally spread across Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face. If they had such a connection, it would certainly make negotiations easier. ¡°Yo! Our beautiful Anna needs a favor? Tell me, what¡¯s the trouble?¡± Houston Green¡¯s voice came through again. ¡°It¡¯s like this, I have a friend who is the chairman of a group. Lately, she¡¯s been looking to find an endorser for the group, and I immediately thought of Nando Brandon. He¡¯s the top pick right now! So I was hoping you could help us out, facilitate this deal.¡± Ana Harris tried to suppress the excitement in her heart as she spoke into the phone¡¯s microphone. The two of them sent messages back and forth, and the wait for replies was agonizing for Ana Harris. ¡°I see! Since you¡¯re in Gonzalez City, why don¡¯t we meet and talk about it in person?¡± Houston Green quickly sent two messages, ¡°How about the Bronze Sparrow Platform? I heard it¡¯s the most famous entertainment spot in Gonzalez City, with everything you need! Let¡¯s have dinner and then have some fun together. It¡¯s been years, and I¡¯ve missed you!¡± Upon hearing this, Ana Harris slightly furrowed her brows. Houston Green was not a good man by any stretch; a notorious playboy in college, he would change girlfriends every week, and had been involved with almost every belle and beauty on campus. Moreover, just in his senior year alone, there had been seven girls who had gotten abortions because of him! If it weren¡¯t for Quella Radcliffe¡¯s trouble today, she¡¯d rather die than associate with such a person. But she had no choice, Quella had bet all her assets on this, and as a good friend, Ana Harris had to go through with the meeting despite her reluctance. ¡°Great! When?¡± ¡°Now! I¡¯m waiting for you outside the Bronze Sparrow Platform!¡± Houston Green sounded very decisive. ¡°Quella, shall we go now?¡± Ana Harris looked at Quella Radcliffe, who was in the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Let¡¯s go, it¡¯s a rare opportunity, and we should seize it. If we succeed, Bran Cook and the others will have to head to the capital and find some real big shots to possibly outdo us.¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded. This was their best chance, their best opportunity to turn the tables! Nando Brandon¡¯s fan circle was extremely influential, recently sweeping through various major charts even more. If they could secure someone like him, no other fresh-faced upstart would be able to compete. ¡°Houston Green isn¡¯t a good person, you have to be careful!¡± Ana Harris clenched her phone, feeling helpless. ¡°Hopefully, in consideration of our old friendship, he will do me this favor!¡± She prayed silently in her heart. Chapter 474 - Chapter 474: Chapter 474: The Bronze Sparrow in Deep Spring Locks the Two Qiaos_1 Chapter 474: Chapter 474: The Bronze Sparrow in Deep Spring Locks the Two Qiaos_1 When the two arrived at the Copper Sparrow Platform in their car, three young men were standing at the entrance. In front of them, three Ferraris were neatly parked. Each worth over five million. ¡°The one in the middle is Houston Green, the others¡­ I don¡¯t recognize!¡± After seeing the three men, Quella Radcliffe slowly drove the car into the Copper Sparrow Platform and backed into a parking spot. ¡°My classmate is no good man, a typical scumbag. Be careful around him later on.¡± After reminding her, Anna Harris unbuckled her seatbelt and pushed open the car door. ¡°Yo! Anna?¡± Houston Green, standing at the entrance, saw Anna Harris stepping down from the Rolls-Royce, hurriedly took off his sunglasses, jogged over, and scooped Anna Harris up: ¡°Big beauty, it¡¯s been a while. You¡¯ve gotten more and more beautiful!¡± ¡°Mr. Henry Green is looking more and more handsome himself!¡± Anna Harris, suppressing her disgust, pushed Houston Green¡¯s hands away from her body. ¡°This is¡­?¡± When the three men saw Quella Radcliffe step down from the car, their eyes went wide. A beauty! An absolute beauty! Definitely above a nine out of ten. And she was makeup-free! They had toyed with numerous girls from the film academy, but those girls inherently carried an air of vulgarity. Quella Radcliffe¡¯s aura of being untainted by mortal dust, like a fairy, instantly hooked these men¡¯s desires. But since they had just met and weren¡¯t familiar with her, they had to restrain the impulses in their hearts. ¡°This is the Radcliffe Group chairman I told you about, who¡¯s looking for a spokesperson, my good classmate and best friend, Quella Radcliffe.¡± Anna Harris introduced her, feeling increasingly worried inside. It wasn¡¯t just Houston Green; the two men who came with him were also not decent people. The three of them leered at Quella Radcliffe, their eyes brimming with desire. ¡°Miss Radcliffe, a pleasure to meet you!¡± Houston Green took the lead and walked over, reaching out his hand. ¡°A pleasure!¡± Quella Radcliffe simply smiled faintly, not taking Houston Green¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯ve heard Anna talk about how amazing her classmate is, a gold agent at such a young age. Now you¡¯re with the top trending Nando Brandon, your future is certainly bright!¡± Such pleasantries still had to be said. Seeing that Quella Radcliffe hadn¡¯t shaken hands with him, a flash of annoyance briefly crossed Houston Green¡¯s eyes but it disappeared instantly. This, however, stirred his desire to conquer her! With the girls who threw themselves at him in the past, he could barely muster interest. He could only seek thrills through various styles and cosplay. Now, encountering a challenging girl with government connections, Houston Green was extremely excited! ¡°Let me introduce you!¡± He calmed down and immediately became very gentlemanly. ¡°My good friend, also a gold agent from Enlighten Media Group, Osby Michael.¡± ¡°Enlighten Group¡¯s business representative, Dimitri Leopold.¡± After the introductions, Osby Michael and Dimitri Leopold came over, smiling and saying, ¡°Miss Radcliffe is truly stunning! We brothers work in the entertainment company and have seen many beautiful girls, but only Miss Radcliffe has truly caught our eye!¡± ¡°Right! Since the moment I laid eyes on Miss Radcliffe, my heart was stirred! If you weren¡¯t the company¡¯s chairman, you could definitely be a top domestic actress!¡± The two of them were scouts by trade and had all sorts of indecent images running through their minds as they looked at Quella Radcliffe. To them, women were nothing more than tools for sexual release. How many seemingly pure actresses inside the group had actually slept with who knows how many men. Some, in their quest for fame, had even slept with everyone in an entire crew, not even sparing the errand boys. ¡°Thank you for the compliments, let¡¯s go inside and talk!¡± Quella Radcliffe smiled politely, her presence completely capturing the attention of the three men to the extent that even Houston Green, who¡¯d been thinking of taking a nap with Anna Harris, pushed the thought out of his mind. Besides beauty, a woman also possesses temperament! The temperament of Quella Radcliffe was distinctive, especially in comparison to those women reeking of vulgarity. ¡°Absolutely, the wind outside is strong, and if Miss Radcliffe catches a cold, we¡¯d be the sinners!¡± Dimitri Leopold laughed heartily and said, ¡°Please, after you!¡± As the New Year approached, the weather in Gonzalez City had turned rather chilly. The wind outside felt brisk, and everyone sensed a shivery chill. ¡°Then let¡¯s go!¡± Houston Green glanced at the retreating figures of Quella Radcliffe and the others, quietly took out his phone, and made a call. ¡°Look up a woman named Quella Radcliffe for me, reportedly the chairperson of the Radcliffe Group. I want her information, the more detailed the better!¡± ¡°Understood, Mr. Henry Green!¡± The voice on the other end of the phone acknowledged before hanging up. ¡°They say Ember Falls is the largest entertainment venue in Gonzalez City, and it seems to live up to its reputation indeed!¡± Dimitri Leopold sized up the inside of Ember Falls, nodding and saying, ¡°Even compared with some top entertainment venues in the country, Ember Falls doesn¡¯t fall short.¡± The multimillion-dollar full-service entertainment club built by Aron Jackson was quite famous throughout Five-river Province. Many came specifically for the renowned experience of Gonzalez City¡¯s highest standards of treatment. Since it was Aron Jackson¡¯s base, Ember Falls had an abundance of security and service staff. ¡°Luck does not favor me as it does Mr. Springs, Ember Falls harbors deep the beauty of Two Qiaos!¡± Houston Green couldn¡¯t help but praise while looking at the words ¡®Ember Falls¡¯ in the room, ¡°Today, Miss Radcliffe and Anna Harris are just like the Two Qiaos. And we, are determined to be Ember Falls!¡± ¡°Haha! Mr. Henry Green is right. Graceful ladies are desirable for gentlemen!¡± ¡°Miss Radcliffe truly fits the renown of the Two Qiaos!¡± The three men made no secret of their intentions, openly expressing their affections as soon as they came in. ¡°My bestie¡¯s already married, sadly.¡± Anna Harris interjected appropriately from time to time. ¡°Oh?¡± Upon hearing this, their expressions soured. She was already married! But that was of little consequence to them; they were just looking for fun. Though she might not be a flawless piece of white jade, she was better than those full of blemishes. ¡°No worries, let¡¯s head upstairs. I¡¯ve reserved the Azure Dragon Box, the most expensive box at Ember Falls, costing eight hundred and eighty thousand for a mere morning!¡± Dimitri Leopold stretched out his hand, forming the figure for eight hundred and eighty thousand with his fingers. ¡°In the Azure Dragon Hall, we can all play emperor!¡± Houston Green joked, tapping the reception desk lightly, ¡°Azure Dragon Hall, lead the way!¡± ¡°Sir, please wait just a moment!¡± Upon learning they were guests for the Azure Dragon Hall, the receptionist picked up the phone, and instantly, a dozen waitstaff emerged from within Ember Falls. Half of them were male, and half were female. ¡°Good day, sir. May I know if you are Mr. Dimitri Leopold?¡± A supervisor approached and inquired. ¡°That¡¯s right, it¡¯s me!¡± Dimitri Leopold stepped forward boasting confidently with his hands clasped behind his back. A hefty spend of eight hundred and eighty thousand would make anyone feel bold. ¡°Sir, please follow me!¡± The supervisor smiled faintly and turned to lead the way. The rest of the staff followed closely behind the group, carefully accompanying them. As a man at the reception desk saw Quella Radcliffe, he immediately took out his phone and sent a message: ¡°Big Brother, sister-in-law came to Ember Falls with three men.¡± Chapter 475 - Chapter 475: Chapter 475: The Plan of the Three_1 Chapter 475: Chapter 475: The Plan of the Three_1 The top tier of the Copper Sparrow Platform houses four grand halls: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise. Of these halls, the most expensive is the Azure Dragon Hall. It costs a staggering 888,800 RMB just for one morning! The White Tiger Hall, on the other hand, requires 666,600. The Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise are the cheapest, but even for one morning, they still cost 330,000. Those who come here are either rich or noble! Most are here to discuss business or for a gathering of wealthy merchants. Otherwise, what ordinary family would be willing to spend nearly a million just to enjoy a morning here? But expensive comes with its one flaw! For customers who enter the Azure Dragon Hall, all of their expenses in the venue are waived. With a receipt of 888,800, one can enjoy a whole day playing in Copper Sparrow Platform, and the service staff is doubled throughout the visit. Any request can be satisfied within half a minute. And all meals and drinks in Copper Sparrow Platform are free of charge. When five people arrived at the Azure Dragon Hall, accompanied by more than a dozen waiters, even Houston Green, who had seen his fair share of the world, couldn¡¯t help but exclaim at the luxury. The enormous hall was over four hundred square meters, with the finest marble tiles on the floor, a gilded ceiling above, and the world¡¯s top lighting fixtures. Entertainment options of every kind were available, and even the wines on the wall were thousands of RMB per bottle. ¡°This money is well spent!¡± Dimitri Leopold walked over to the sofa and slowly sat down. ¡°Damn! This sofa is just too comfortable!¡± He, a scion of a wealthy family, felt like he hadn¡¯t seen anything until he came to the Azure Dragon Hall. ¡°What brand is this? I¡¯m going to buy a set when I get back. It¡¯s too comfortable!¡± Dimitri Leopold looked around but couldn¡¯t make out the brand of the sofa. ¡°Sir, these are imported sofas, just these six sofas are priced at three million,¡± explained the waiter patiently behind him. ¡°Three million?¡± Dimitri Leopold raised an eyebrow and immediately dismissed the idea. If he spent three million on a few sofas, his old man would surely kill him. ¡°Ding!¡± Just then, Houston Green received a message. After reading it, a smile couldn¡¯t help but appear on his face. ¡°Miss Radcliffe, you and Anna Harris wait here for a bit. There¡¯s a bit of business at our company, so we¡¯ll excuse ourselves for three minutes. Once Brother Leopold, Osby Michael, and I have had a talk, we¡¯ll be back.¡± He stood up, with a hint of apology. ¡°You go ahead!¡± Quella Radcliffe said with a smile. At times like this, when they are asking favors, they can only act humbly. Quickly, the three men got up and left. ¡°Brothers, we¡¯re in luck!¡± Houston Green showed the message he had received to Dimitri Leopold and Osby Michael. ¡°Radcliffe Group is a corporation on the brink of bankruptcy! And the so-called marriage of Quella Radcliffe is nothing more than the Radcliffe Family taking in a useless son-in-law.¡± ¡°His husband is well-known throughout Gonzalez City as a waste of space! The two have been in name only, sleeping in separate beds for the past three years!¡± ¡°Moreover, Quella Radcliffe has even made a bet with the local young magnate, Bran Cook, to see who can recruit the more high-profile spokesperson. If she loses, not only will the Radcliffe Group be gone, but she will be left with nothing!¡± The brief message laid bare Quella Radcliffe¡¯s predicament to the three men. ¡°So you¡¯re saying she¡¯s still a virgin?¡± Dimitri Leopold¡¯s eyebrows shot up¡ªwhat a pleasant surprise! They weren¡¯t strangers to virgins, but for such a goddess-level beauty to be untouched, they couldn¡¯t help but be moved. The desire they had briefly suppressed flared up once again. ¡°I¡¯d say there¡¯s a high chance!¡± Osby Michael showed a sleazy expression, ¡°Between the three of us brothers, who¡¯s going first?¡± ¡°Hold on! What if she doesn¡¯t agree? Can we still force her?¡± Houston Green still had some reservations about Quella Radcliffe. After all, she wasn¡¯t just a performer; she was the chairman of a corporate group, and if they resorted to force, the consequences could be very troublesome. ¡°She¡¯s just the chairman of a company that¡¯s about to go bankrupt; who knows, by tomorrow she might be a notorious debtor!¡± Dimitri Leopold chuckled and said, ¡°This is an opportunity! She has no choice! You should know that Bran Cook is a well-known figure; I¡¯ve heard about him even in the capital.¡± ¡°Does that mean she¡¯s bound to lose?¡± Osby Michael¡¯s eyes were spinning. ¡°But we need to give her an illusion, make her think that as long as she sleeps with me, she can find Nando Brandon, resurrect the Radcliffe Group, and put herself in an advantageous position to win the bet!¡± When Dimitri Leopold talked about these things, he was completely the master of love games. Over the years in his career, he had encountered many virtuous women. But people have weaknesses. Those who were chaste and had a deep disdain for hidden rules, all eventually knelt obediently beneath Dimitri Leopold, becoming women for others to enjoy at will. Now Dimitri Leopold had seized another opportunity! He knew that Quella Radcliffe could not afford to lose! ¡°So should we mix grace with severity?¡± Osby Michael¡¯s corner of the mouth curled up into a sleazy smile. ¡°Or, should we just drug her?¡± He didn¡¯t have the brains like Dimitri Leopold, but he had a strong family background and was well-established within the Enlighten Group. So many women he couldn¡¯t handle himself were delivered to his bed by Dimitri Leopold¡¯s assistance. ¡°My biggest concern is, what if she finds out we can¡¯t really talk to Nando Brandon at all, what then?¡± Houston Green still had some concerns. Although they claimed to be top artists, it was just a facade. The entertainment industry is very deep! They came from decent families, but who in the industry didn¡¯t have a background? Especially Nando Brandon, behind him stood a massive financial backer! So Nando Brandon didn¡¯t have to see eye to eye with them and enjoyed a high degree of freedom within the Enlighten Group. People like the three of them didn¡¯t even have the opportunity to speak with Nando Brandon. But Houston Green, in order to show off in front of his classmates, had claimed they could get in touch with Nando Brandon. He didn¡¯t expect to end up hooking a big fish like Quella Radcliffe. ¡°What¡¯s there to fear! If she sleeps with us, what face will she have to confront us? Later, trick her into drinking, Calvin, you go drug her.¡± Dimitri Leopold sneered, ¡°By then, won¡¯t she be afraid of losing face?¡± ¡°Makes sense!¡± The other two nodded, pushed the door open, and went back into the Azure Dragon Hall. ¡°Business at the company is hectic; Nando Brandon just called me to ask if I had any plans today.¡± Dimitri Leopold sat on the sofa, spreading his hands, ¡°As you know, he¡¯s been very popular recently, and we have to take certain protection measures. Otherwise, everyone would want to meet him, and it would simply be impossible.¡± His words casually revealed his capabilities. Nando Brandon had to listen to him, and anyone wanting to see Nando Brandon had to go through his approval. There was no other way. ¡°Brother Leopold is very competent, one of the few people that Nando Brandon truly respects. Usually, when Nando Brandon encounters any issues, he will come to consult Brother Leopold before making a firm decision.¡± Osby Michael elaborated at the side, further enhancing the impression of Dimitri Leopold¡¯s influence. ¡°Really?¡± A flicker of joy flashed in the eyes of Anna Harris and Quella Radcliffe. If that was truly the case, then getting Nando Brandon as a spokesperson would be no difficulty at all. ¡°Of course! In the Enlighten Group, I have strong connections. And just now I heard, Miss Radcliffe, you¡¯re looking to have Nando Brandon as a spokesperson?¡± Dimitri Leopold crossed his legs and a lascivious gleam flashed in his eyes, ¡°Then you¡¯ve come to the right person.¡± Chapter 476 - Chapter 476: 476 Chapter Routine_1 Chapter 476: 476 Chapter Routine_1 ¡°Not bad, our visit today is to hope that you gentlemen can lend a hand and pass a word to Nando Brandon for me.¡± Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t help but feel a little excited inside. Nando Brandon was a top domestic young heartthrob, bringing with him countless followers. Especially the teenage girls under eighteen, most of them were his fans. Regardless of the endorsement effect, just being able to invite a star of such stature, Bran Cook would definitely have a harder time handling this. ¡°Houston Green, this is my best friend, you must help out, and once it¡¯s done, I¡¯ll take you guys out to eat.¡± Anna Harris spoke in a slightly coquettish tone, playing cute as she looked toward Houston Green. Although she felt disgusted by her own actions, she had no choice, for when living under someone¡¯s roof, you have to bow your head. Now that Houston Green and his friends had such great resources, she had to seize them! ¡°Rest assured! Rest assured!¡± Seeing Anna Harris acting coquettishly, Houston Green swallowed a mouthful of saliva and began scheming on how to take her down. He had wanted to sleep with Anna Harris before, but this woman was impervious to seduction, unmoved by flowers, gifts, luxury cars, or cash. That had become a minor regret in Houston Green¡¯s heart. Today Anna Harris was wearing a ponytail and sportswear, looking particularly sexy. Although she was sitting with Quella Radcliffe and her beauty fell slightly short, compared to the women in his circle, she was much fresher. Plus, Anna Harris¡¯s liking for self-care meant her figure was also exceptionally great. ¡°Brother Leopold, look¡­¡± Houston Green said with a hint of difficulty, ¡°This is my classmate, and Miss Radcliffe is a friend of my classmate. You must help out with today¡¯s favor no matter what!¡± He approached with an attitude that since you¡¯re my brother, you have to do this for me, which touched Anna Harris¡¯s heart. She even thought that maybe she had misunderstood Houston Green. After all, people always change. ¡°Ahem! Houston Green!¡± Dimitri Leopold frowned and laughed, ¡°You know, Nando Brandon is currently our company¡¯s hottest artist, and you could say that our salaries are basically earned by him.¡± ¡°I know! One person sustaining an entire company, everyone at Enlighten knows that. That¡¯s why I¡¯m troubling you, if it were someone else, they probably wouldn¡¯t even get to see Nando Brandon¡¯s face.¡± Houston Green spoke with a pleading tone, while at the same time elevating Dimitri Leopold¡¯s status once again. He did this to let Quella Radcliffe and Anna Harris know that besides Dimitri Leopold, no one else could talk Nando Brandon around. ¡°Old Houston, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to help.¡± Dimitri Leopold¡¯s brows knitted tightly, ¡°Although I get along with Nando Brandon, just taking the initiative to have him meet with local merchants, what would Nando Brandon think of me? That I¡¯m making money off him? Even though he would not express dissatisfaction openly, favors decrease with each use.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! We¡¯ve been here less than half a day and have already received dozens of calls, all wanting to meet Nando Brandon!¡± Osby Michael waved his phone, recalling, ¡°There was even someone called¡­ called Bran something or other, willing to offer three billion to have Nando Brandon endorse. And the commission for us would be twenty million!¡± He clapped his hands, and looking at Houston Green and Dimitri Leopold said, ¡°Twenty million, my brother! How long could we work for that?¡± ¡°Is it Bran Cook?¡± Anna Harris asked tentatively, while her heart began to feel uneasy. It couldn¡¯t really be such a coincidence, could it? Did Bran Cook also know about Nando Brandon coming to Gonzalez City for a concert? Wanting to get there first? But to carry the name Bran Cook, along with such substantial financial power, would almost certainly identify the man as Bran Cook himself. In Gonzalez City, there was no second person who would have such a strong demand for Nando Brandon. ¡°Exactly!¡± After hearing Anna Harris¡¯s words, Osby Michael slapped his forehead as if he suddenly remembered: ¡°Yes, yes, yes! It¡¯s him, Bran Cook, seems like he¡¯s in his twenties, but with a very sincere attitude!¡± ¡°Calvin, that¡¯s not cool, huh! Such a big deal, why didn¡¯t you tell me about it?¡± Dimitri Leopold turned and looked at Osby Michael with a smile creeping at the corner of his mouth: ¡°With such a big shot investor, Nando Brandon will surely agree. Twenty million in commission, and each of us brothers could take home seven million!¡± The two of them were very happy, already prepared to give Nando Brandon a call to discuss this matter. At this moment, Houston Green knew his time to shine had come. ¡°Hey, Mr. Leopold!¡± His face darkened, and he said unhappily, ¡°That¡¯s not very nice of you!¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong with me?¡± Dimitri Leopold put away his phone, turned his head to look at Houston Green: ¡°Seven million, if you don¡¯t get involved in this, each of us brothers could get ten million.¡± Saying so, he began scrolling through the contacts on his phone and quickly found Nando Brandon¡¯s name. ¡°Mr. Leopold!¡± Houston Green called out again, and with a slap, he knocked Dimitri Leopold¡¯s phone out of his hand. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Dimitri Leopold stood up angrily, glaring at Houston Green: ¡°Blocking someone¡¯s fortune is like killing their parents! Brother, we¡¯ve known each other for so many years, what exactly do you want to do!¡± He spoke with a very impatient tone; on the side, Osby Michael also took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire: ¡°Mr. Henry Green, we know you have some influence, but at Enlighten Group, you¡¯re the first to dare to treat Young Master Leopold like this. Think carefully, do you want to continue working in this field or not?¡± Upon seeing the three of them instantaneously turn on each other, Anna Harris stood up anxiously, grabbed Houston Green: ¡°Let it go! We¡¯ll figure it out on our own.¡± If Houston Green lost his job because of this, Anna Harris would feel guilty and uneasy for the rest of her life. ¡°No way!¡± Houston Green pushed away Anna Harris¡¯s hand, pointing at Dimitri Leopold, he said: ¡°Mr. Leopold, we¡¯ve been brothers for several years now, right?¡± ¡°Indeed! Three years of brotherhood.¡± Dimitri Leopold nodded, his expression cold. ¡°Three years of brotherhood, and now I need help, but you¡¯re not helping. What kind of brother are you!¡± Houston Green said indignantly: ¡°This is my classmate, and also the girl I had secretly loved. Now she needs my help, and this is your attitude?¡± As he spoke, Anna Harris¡¯s face turned red in an instant. Although she couldn¡¯t say she liked Houston Green, she still admired him for standing up for her like this. ¡°Secretly loved?¡± Dimitri Leopold laughed and shook his head: ¡°Brother, you¡¯re not that young anymore. If this person were your girlfriend, I wouldn¡¯t hesitate. Even if it meant risking getting fired, I would still go to Nando Brandon and bring this matter up. But right now, what exactly are you two to each other?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Houston Green was momentarily left speechless, but he still said, his face red: ¡°I don¡¯t care, if you really consider me a brother, then turn down this Bran Cook, give me this face!¡± ¡°Seven million!¡± Dimitri Leopold looked at Osby Michael behind him, somewhat hesitantly: ¡°Mr. Michael and I don¡¯t have your big heart, dismissively overlooking several million. And like I said, your relationship with her isn¡¯t that of boyfriend and girlfriend, so why should we help you out?¡± ¡°I¡¯m willing to be his girlfriend now.¡± Anna Harris hesitated for a moment, then wrapped her arms around Houston Green¡¯s arm. Chapter 477 - Chapter 477: Chapter 477 Sabotage in the Wine_1 Chapter 477: Chapter 477 Sabotage in the Wine_1 When Anna Harris uttered these words, the moods of those present were vastly different. Quella Radcliffe was shocked, feeling that things couldn¡¯t be so simple. Anna Harris gritted her teeth, deciding to observe Houston Green for a while for her best friend¡¯s sake. If he had truly changed, then having him as a boyfriend wouldn¡¯t matter. If Houston Green was still the same playboy as before, she could simply leave. After all, there was nothing to lose. Dimitri Leopold and Osby Michael, however, were secretly thrilled; the fish had taken the bait. As the greatest beneficiary, Houston Green, upon achieving his goal, suppressed his joy and declined with a serious face, ¡°Anna, I do like you, but you don¡¯t have to humble yourself like this.¡± This righteous attitude warmed Anna Harris¡¯s heart as expected. She looked straight at Houston Green, suddenly feeling less averse to him. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯m not getting any younger, and if you really are a decent man, then entrusting myself to you isn¡¯t an issue!¡± In her most vulnerable moment, Houston Green successfully cracked open a sliver in Anna Harris¡¯s heart. How could the naive Anna Harris be a match for a seasoned player in the game of love? ¡°That¡­¡± Dimitri Leopold scratched his head, speaking awkwardly, ¡°Sister-in-law, you¡¯re making this difficult for us!¡± ¡°Exactly! We¡¯re talking about millions here; it¡¯s not like we¡¯re made of money!¡± Osby Michael also muttered in slight discontent. Clearly, there was some complaint, but his attitude was no longer as forceful as before. Meaning there was room for negotiation! ¡°I can¡¯t give you twenty million, but I can offer three million as a token of my appreciation for the tea money,¡± Miss Radcliffe chimed in, smiling slightly, ¡°My company is also facing a cash crunch at the moment. The bank loan has just been disbursed, and our working capital is tight. A million each may not be much, but it¡¯s still a gesture of goodwill from me.¡± Anna Harris had secured this opportunity for her, and Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t let it slip away no matter what. She had intended to stop Anna Harris. Although her business was important, it couldn¡¯t compare to the importance of her best friend. But then Anna Harris gave her a light kick, and Quella Radcliffe immediately understood the message. This best friend, usually so carefree, took matters of the heart very seriously. She wouldn¡¯t let Houston Green take advantage of her so easily. ¡°As for the money¡­ Let¡¯s talk about that later. Since my brother has found a girlfriend, we have to celebrate! And to meet such a beautiful lady as Miss Radcliffe today, I¡¯m quite happy too!¡± Dimitri Leopold¡¯s eyes turned, and he waved to a waiter, ¡°Serve the dishes! Bring the wine!¡± ¡°Sir, please place your order.¡± The waiter immediately brought over the menu and respectfully presented it to Dimitri Leopold. ¡°Pick from the signature dishes, but the wine must be the very best!¡± Dimitri Leopold instructed, and Osby Michael immediately stood up and followed the waiter out. ¡°I¡¯m going to smoke.¡± He mentioned casually, stepping out of the Azure Dragon Hall. ¡°Miss Radcliffe, no matter what, you¡¯ll have to drink a few glasses with us today.¡± Dimitri Leopold looked at Quella Radcliffe with a smile, starting to calculate in his mind which posture he should adopt later. ¡°You¡¯re too kind. Although I¡¯m not very good with alcohol, I¡¯m still very grateful that Mr. Leopold is willing to help out,¡± Miss Radcliffe nodded. A little drinking shouldn¡¯t be a problem. This was the Azure Dragon Hall, Aron Jackson¡¯s territory, after all. Outside, as the waiter carrying the wine approached the door of the Azure Dragon Hall, Osby Michael stopped him. ¡°Sir¡­¡± ¡°Take these inside first, and give me the wine!¡± Osby Michael interrupted, snatching the red wine, and said impatiently, ¡°Hurry up!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Facing the customers of the Azure Dragon Hall, the waitstaff dared not show any disrespect, and promptly carried the desserts and some other dishes into the hall. ¡°Hehe! Little lady, let¡¯s see if you¡¯ll obey later!¡± After everyone had entered, Osby Michael took out a small bottle from his pocket, gently opened it, and poured the green liquid inside into the wine. This was a potent sedative, also a popular little bottle within the Enlighten Group. Every year, many girls enter their circle, but not every girl is blinded by greed, willing to exchange their bodies for career advancement. So they used this method to drug the girls, take them to bed, and then take photos to blackmail these inexperienced young ladies. Which is why Osby Michael always carried this little bottle with him. Today, it came in handy. ¡°I¡¯m back!¡± After shaking the drug into the wine, Osby Michael pushed open the door to the Azure Dragon Hall and entered the hall. ¡°Calvin, you took forever to smoke!¡± Dimitri Leopold waved his hand impatiently, signaling him to sit down, ¡°How could you make the beauty wait for us? You¡¯re not being gentlemanly at all!¡± ¡°Right! Hurry up and drink a penalty cup!¡± Houston Green also chimed in, egging him on. ¡°Alright, alright, alright!¡± Osby Michael chuckled, ¡°Mr. Henry Green, you¡¯re not being fair, man! You just got a girlfriend, and you¡¯re already turning your back on us, completely forgetful in the face of beauty!¡± After saying that, he picked up the bottle of red wine from the table, ready to pour it into his glass. Just then, the lead waiter in the Azure Dragon Hall received a message through his earpiece from the main desk. ¡°There¡¯s something wrong with the wine in the glasses, switch them out quietly!¡± Although no one was around when Osby Michael added the drug to the wine, the entire establishment was surrounded by surveillance. This was Aron Jackson¡¯s lair! The place where he stands and makes his mark! Anyone, anywhere, wouldn¡¯t be able to escape the notice of these electronic eyes with the slightest stir. ¡°We can¡¯t detect what the substance is, but it¡¯s definitely not normal.¡± Inside the surveillance room, there were a whopping fifty people! Almost each one of them was watching a separate camera. ¡°After receiving the message, please switch the drinks immediately!¡± In the surveillance room, a man in black took out a walkie-talkie, commanding remotely. And the lead waiter, upon receiving the message, smoothly took out two glasses within the Azure Dragon Hall, hiding them as if performing a magic trick. ¡°Sir, please allow me to serve you!¡± After opening a new bottle of red wine from the cabinet and filling the glasses, she quickly approached the group, smiling and bowing. There was an abundance of red wine in the Azure Dragon Hall, almost the entire cabinet was full of bottles. Opening one carelessly wouldn¡¯t be noticed by anyone. ¡°You see how well spent our money is, with such impeccable service!¡± Laughing at what awaited them, Osby Michael handed the wine to the waitress, ¡°Come on! If I¡¯m pleased later, I¡¯ll give you a nice tip!¡± ¡°Thank you, I hope you all enjoy yourselves!¡± After pouring the wine, this waitress instantly switched the glasses of Quella Radcliffe and Anna Harris. The swap was so quick, no one noticed a thing. All these waitstaff were capable people under Aron Jackson, each with their own unique skills. To them, such a small task was practically routine. ¡°You all can leave now! Don¡¯t let anyone in without my call!¡± Osby Michael gestured with his hand, ¡°We¡¯re going to have a good drink, off you go!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The dozen or so waitstaff bowed and swiftly left the Azure Dragon Hall. Chapter 478 - Chapter 478: Chapter 478 The Game Has Just Begun_1 Chapter 478: Chapter 478 The Game Has Just Begun_1 ¡°Miss Radcliffe!¡± Osby Michael raised his glass, looking at Quella Radcliffe with lecherous eyes, ¡°In all the years I¡¯ve been in the business, it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve felt that there are angels in this world!¡± ¡°Mr. Michael, cut the poetry, drink up!¡± Dimitri Leopold too could hardly contain himself, urgently wanting to intoxicate the two of them. But before that, he needed to get his hands on a sum of money, the benefits fee given by Quella Radcliffe. After all, it¡¯s not just a free ride, he was also going to take several million from Quella Radcliffe. When the truth comes to light, if Quella Radcliffe wants to establish a foothold in Gonzalez City, she¡¯ll have to swallow the loss without complaint. ¡°One drink for one million, Miss Radcliffe, you decide! Bran Cook gave us twenty million, if you drink twenty drinks, then this matter is settled for today.¡± After Dimitri Leopold said this, Houston Green quickly acted the good guy, ¡°My seven million, deducted! Miss Radcliffe, you only need to drink fourteen drinks, and you won¡¯t have to pay them!¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± Anna Harris chuckled, expressing her gratitude to Houston Green. Could it be that time really can change a person? This youth who once lived a life of debauchery as a student, has he now turned over a new leaf? ¡°Well then, I¡¯ll start with one drink, let¡¯s give it a try!¡± Quella Radcliffe raised her glass and smiled as she drank. Anna Harris followed suit with a drink, ¡°Two million, mine¡¯s counted too!¡± ¡°Agreed!¡± Houston Green watched the two women drink from their glasses with extreme excitement, ¡°I¡¯m in charge today, whatever Anna Harris drinks counts too!¡± ¡°You¡¯re cheating, Mr. Henry Green!¡± Dimitri Leopold felt a surge of sneaky delight. The drug is very potent, almost taking effect within three minutes. ¡°Let¡¯s not hurry with the drinks, we¡¯ll drink this round a little later.¡± The three of them returned the glasses they had lifted back down. ¡°What does this mean?¡± Quella Radcliffe was somewhat puzzled. Drinking, why was it just herself and Anna Harris? ¡°Haha! Miss Radcliffe, there is something I think you need to know.¡± Dimitri Leopold dropped his facade, stating coldly, ¡°There¡¯s something in the drink, it¡¯s an aphrodisiac.¡± ¡°What! You!¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face instantly turned pale. She was set up! Here, in the presence of three men, she rapidly considered how to escape. But the three men had already blocked the way to the door, there was no chance if she forced it! ¡°Houston Green, you bastard!¡± Anna Harris also quickly realized what was happening and stood up, slapping Houston Green hard! ¡°Get away!¡± Houston Green pushed forcefully, knocking Anna Harris to the ground, ¡°Bitch, during college I pursued you so desperately, and you wouldn¡¯t even glance my way, and now you¡¯ll have to behave like a dog, let our brothers here enjoy you thoroughly!¡± He burst into hideous laughter, a malicious smile appearing on his face. ¡°And as for Bran Cook, he never even called us, and regarding Nando Brandon, I¡¯m sorry. Isn¡¯t he the number one talent of the company, out of our reach?¡± Dimitri Leopold also stood up, slowly removing his suit jacket, ¡°You brought this upon yourself.¡± ¡°You¡­ you shameless scum!¡± Quella Radcliffe took out her phone, trying to call Julius Reed, but Osby Michael knocked it to the ground with a swipe. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take good care of you in a bit!¡± He smirked lasciviously, also beginning to unbutton his shirt. Bang! Bang! Bang! At that moment, there was a sudden knock on the door from outside. ¡°Damn it! Who¡¯s that!¡± Such an interruption made Osby Michael very angry. ¡°Good evening, sir, there¡¯s a customer outside who needs to use the Azure Dragon Hall, please make the room available.¡± A woman¡¯s voice came through the door. ¡°Tell them to get lost!¡± Osby Michael cursed impatiently. Just as he was about to have his way, how could he tolerate being disturbed? ¡°Sir, the person outside said that if you don¡¯t see them, you will regret it.¡± The woman¡¯s voice came from outside the door once again. At that moment, Quella Radcliffe and the others were unable to make a sound, as Houston Green and Dimitri Leopold tightly covered their mouths. ¡°Execute them first, and when we record the video, I don¡¯t believe she won¡¯t pay the money!¡± Dimitri Leopold took out his phone, switched it to video mode, ¡°You two go first! I want to do a threesome at the end!¡± ¡°Something¡¯s not right, it¡¯s been three minutes already, how come there¡¯s no reaction from them at all?¡± Houston Green felt something was off. After drinking that liquid, one¡¯s body would usually react within a minute or two. But neither Quella Radcliffe nor Anna Harris looked even slightly flushed. Bang! Just then, the door of Azure Dragon Hall was kicked open. ¡°Who the hell let you in?¡± Osby Michael was just about to drop his pants when the door suddenly swung open, startling him greatly. He walked over, cursing, to find a man standing in the doorway. A man in his twenties. ¡°Who the fuck are you!¡± Osby Michael rolled up his sleeves, asking aggressively. ¡°I need this private room.¡± Julius Reed said indifferently. After receiving the call, he had hurried over without delay. As expected, there really was a problem! Seeing Quella Radcliffe on the sofa with her mouth covered, fury began to simmer in his heart. ¡°This room is already occupied by me!¡± Osby Michael sized him up, seemingly gauging Julius Reed¡¯s identity. If they had offended some super-rich second-generation heir, they could be in trouble. But judging by his appearance, Julius Reed did not come across like any rich second-generation heir. He didn¡¯t speak arrogantly, nor was he followed by any lackeys. ¡°You occupied it before I came. Now that I¡¯m here, you have to give it up,¡± Julius Reed pointed at Quella Radcliffe, ¡°Let go of my wife.¡± Quella Radcliffe struggled in vain, unable to utter a word with her mouth covered. ¡°Your wife?¡± Dimitri Leopold¡¯s eyes flicked, and then he burst into laughter, ¡°You can¡¯t possibly be that good-for-nothing son-in-law, right?¡± According to the information Houston Green had dug up, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s husband was a live-in son-in-law and a useless wimp at that. ¡°Husband!¡± Quella Radcliffe struggled fiercely and called out loudly. Tears were in her eyes; if there had been no other way, she would rather have died! ¡°This room, I¡¯m taking it.¡± Julius Reed looked up at Osby Michael, stating coolly, ¡°It¡¯s spacious enough to lay out your corpses, isn¡¯t it?¡± The dragon¡¯s reverse scale, untouchable! In every other matter, Julius Reed could remain rational, even detached from worldly affairs. But not when it came to Quella Radcliffe. No quarter was given! Those who touched, died! ¡°Kid, you¡¯ve got quite the mouth! Today, Grandpa is going to let you stay and watch your wife¡­¡± Schlick! ¡°Ah¡­ my¡­ my eyes!¡± Osby Michael hadn¡¯t finished his sentence when he stood trembling, screaming in place. And Julius Reed¡¯s fingers had just plunged into his eyes! Blood trailed slowly down Osby Michael¡¯s face as he trembled, not daring to move an inch. ¡°Your eyes, they¡¯re of no use to you anymore.¡± A faint smile appeared on Julius Reed¡¯s lips, then he began stirring his fingers in Osby Michael¡¯s eye sockets. ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯m going to die¡­ save me!¡± Osby Michael¡¯s cries for help were heart-wrenching, and despite his screams of agony, he stood petrified without daring to move. ¡°Don¡¯t be so quick to die, the game has only just begun.¡± Julius Reed chuckled lightly, then suddenly yanked his fingers out. Chapter 479 - Chapter 479: Chapter 479: Sister-in-law_1 Chapter 479: Chapter 479: Sister-in-law_1 Whoosh! The door of the Azure Dragon Hall slammed shut. The sound of the door closing was like the death knell of the Grim Reaper! It made the three of them shudder in fear! Osby Michael was now completely blind, forever unable to see the light again. He knelt on the ground, raising his hands high, but trembling with uncertainty. His eyes, his eyes were gone. The world was pitch-black. The heart-wrenching pain made him grit his teeth with a cracking sound, but he didn¡¯t know what to do. He could only wait for the pain to spread throughout his body, or for his companions to come to his rescue. Osby Michael dared not breathe loudly because the darkness before his eyes meant he could only judge Julius Reed¡¯s location by hearing. ¡°You! What are you going to do!¡± Seeing the dire state of Osby Michael, Houston Green and Dimitri Leopold were utterly terrified. As the saying goes, even demons fear the wicked! Someone like Julius Reed, who gouges out eyes as soon as he enters, is simply a devil! Ding-ling-ling! Dimitri Leopold quickly pressed the alarm button at Vermilion Bird. From the moment the button was pressed, security would arrive in the room within ten seconds. Especially in a prestigious place like Azure Dragon Hall, the service is even faster and better. ¡°Kid, you¡¯re done for! This is Aron Jackson¡¯s property in Gonzalez City. Attacking someone in his Azure Dragon Hall means you¡¯re waiting for death!¡± After confirming the alarm was activated, Dimitri Leopold and Houston Green breathed a sigh of relief, and their tense nerves began to relax. ¡°Even if the King of Heaven himself came today, he couldn¡¯t save you.¡± Julius Reed slowly approached them and said with a smile, ¡°Don¡¯t believe me? You can try.¡± ¡°Honey!¡± Taking advantage of the moment of fear in Dimitri Leopold, Anna Harris and Quella Radcliffe quickly broke free from the sofa and came behind Julius Reed. Both were trembling, with tears streaming down their faces. ¡°You wretches! What¡¯s the matter with this drug!¡± Dimitri Leopold, seeing that Quella Radcliffe and Anna Harris were fine, wanted to ask Osby Michael, but then he saw Osby Michael kneeling, with fresh blood flowing freely in front of him. ¡°Hiss!¡± Dimitri Leopold gasped, feeling a tingling sensation on his scalp. He never expected that this so-called good-for-nothing son-in-law would be so formidable! He was merciless! ¡°Kid, if you know what¡¯s good for you, you¡¯ll stop now, and we won¡¯t pursue this matter! Otherwise, a charge of intentional injury could ensure you rot in jail!¡± Houston Green threatened with a tremble in his voice. His legs were shaking, and he couldn¡¯t even take a step forward. Mainly because Julius Reed¡¯s entrance was just too vicious, like a desperate fugitive! Whoosh! At that moment, the door was slammed open once again. ¡°I am Aron Jackson, is there a problem?¡± According to the rules, once the alarm of Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, or Black Tortoise Hall was pressed, Aron Jackson would personally come as long as he was at Vermilion Bird. After all, the most esteemed customers were inside. ¡°Mr. Jackson!¡± Upon seeing Aron Jackson, Dimitri Leopold showed a delighted expression. He looked coldly at Julius Reed and threatened menacingly, ¡°You¡¯re done for!¡± With the most powerful person in Gonzalez City and the owner of Vermilion Bird personally intervening, followed by a group of employees, how could this pathetic son-in-law leave alive? ¡°Mr. Jackson¡­ Mr. Jackson, save me!¡± Osby Michael trembled and called out from the ground. He couldn¡¯t see anything and could only judge Aron Jackson¡¯s location through hearing. As a broker organizing concerts, one must understand the local power dynamics to ensure everything goes smoothly. It¡¯s essential to curry favor with the locally powerful influencers to guarantee that a series of entertainment activities can proceed normally. As for Aron Jackson, Dimitri Leopold had actually been there before. After offering generous gifts and visiting, he realized how luxurious Vermilion Bird was. This was the reason he chose this place to meet with Quella Radcliffe and the others ¨C after all, he wouldn¡¯t be the one paying the bill in the end. To fleece this woman once, why not take the opportunity? But Aron Jackson didn¡¯t pay any attention to Osby Michael begging for help at his feet. ¡°Mr. Jackson, this man has hurt my brother. You must punish him harshly!¡± Dimitri Leopold shouted loudly. I was a guest, and not just any guest, but one from the top-tier private room. The man before me had intruded into Aron Jackson¡¯s property and injured one of my friends. No matter how you look at it, he was going to receive severe punishment! It was clear he had no regard for Aron Jackson. ¡°Heh heh!¡± Julius Reed looked at Dimitri Leopold and said with a light smile, ¡°It seems you still haven¡¯t given up hope!¡± ¡°You still dare to talk tough when death is upon you? Causing trouble on Aron Jackson¡¯s property, if this gets out, how will people outside view Aron Jackson? This is the esteemed Azure Dragon Hall after all!¡± Dimitri Leopold threatened aloud. With that statement, he directly took Aron Jackson hostage. If they didn¡¯t severely punish Julius Reed, once the three of them went out and spread the story, surely the reputation of the Copper Sparrow Terrace and Aron Jackson would be in tatters. At that time, what kind of person wouldn¡¯t dare to cause trouble at the Copper Sparrow Terrace, and where would that leave us? Where would Aron Jackson¡¯s face go? ¡°Then you ask him if he dares to manage me?¡± Julius Reed pointed at oneself and gestured behind himself to Aron Jackson: ¡°Tell him.¡± ¡°You dare to threaten Aron Jackson, have you gone mad? I¡¯m not from Gonzalez City, but I know of Aron Jackson¡¯s reputation! No matter who comes to Gonzalez City, they have to keep a low profile! To offend Aron Jackson is to have only one path to death!¡± Houston Green also chimed in, thinking that by flattering Aron Jackson they could ensure Julius Reed met with no place to bury his body. ¡°Save me first¡­ I¡¯m not going to make it¡­¡± Osby Michael crawled to the feet of Aron Jackson, begging pitifully once again. Those two were unharmed, not a single injury on them. But his own eyes were already blinded, and he was losing a great deal of blood. If he wasn¡¯t taken to the hospital for treatment, he could very well be in danger of losing his life, and even an infection of the wound could be fatal. ¡°Get lost!¡± Whoosh! Aron Jackson kicked out, sending Osby Michael tumbling to the ground. This action completely baffled Dimitri Leopold and Houston Green. They were guests, why would Aron Jackson treat his guests like this? ¡°Mr. Jackson, you¡¯ve got the wrong person! The one who offended us isn¡¯t the one kneeling, he¡¯s our brother; it¡¯s this young man here who wanted to hurt us!¡± Dimitri Leopold explained anxiously. At this moment, he didn¡¯t want to call the police. Calling the police would only result in Julius Reed having to pay some money. But through Aron Jackson, they could make Julius Reed pay a much graver price. ¡°Boss!¡± Aron Jackson walked straight up to Julius Reed and gave a deep bow. ¡°Boss?¡± Dimitri Leopold was completely dumbfounded. ¡°You called him¡­¡± Houston Green pointed at Julius Reed tremblingly. This was supposed to be a useless son-in-law, right? How could it be that he made the most influential person in Gonzalez City address him as ¡®boss¡¯? ¡°You have nothing to do with this anymore, just make sure the door is properly watched, and take good care of your sister-in-law.¡± Julius Reed spoke impassively. ¡°Understood, Boss!¡± Aron Jackson nodded, walked over to Quella Radcliffe, and said with utmost respect, ¡°Sister-in-law, please come with me.¡± Dimitri Leopold was completely dumbfounded. Sister-in-law. He had harassed Aron Jackson¡¯s sister-in-law. This is the Copper Sparrow Terrace! Aron Jackson¡¯s own turf! ¡°I was wrong!¡± Thump! Dimitri Leopold knelt down firmly on the ground. As long as he could leave alive, there were many ways he could take his revenge. Remembering Osby Michael¡¯s miserable state, under no circumstance did he want to repeat that tragedy. ¡°I¡­ I was wrong too!¡± Houston Green¡¯s legs went weak, and he was sweating with fright. Looking at the two of them, dispirited on the ground, Julius Reed pulled up a chair and sat down in front of them. ¡°Gentlemen, shall we play a game?¡± Chapter 480 - Chapter 480: Chapter 480: Come Who, Die Who_1 Chapter 480: Chapter 480: Come Who, Die Who_1 ¡°` ¡°What¡­ what kind of game¡­¡± As agents, Dimitri Leopold and Houston Green had seen it all. With connections across the country, they knew many wealthy individuals and bosses. Money and power meant there was little they couldn¡¯t handle. But now, they had encountered someone who didn¡¯t play by the rules. Most importantly, the toughest boss in Gonzalez City actually called this young man in front of them ¡°Boss.¡± And his attitude was so respectful. Especially that one word ¡°sister-in-law,¡± which completely made the three feel as if they had fallen into hell. The warm Azure Dragon Hall had become icy and bone-chilling in that moment. Houston Green¡¯s body was covered in goosebumps. He never thought that simply sleeping with a woman could backfire this badly. And such an iron plate at that! ¡°That, we didn¡¯t know she¡­¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t know she is my wife?¡± Julius Reed sat in his chair, leisurely crossing his legs: ¡°But by the time I came in, you already knew.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡­¡± ¡°If ¡®sorry¡¯ were useful,¡± Julius Reed turned to look at Osby Michael: ¡°Hey! Sorry, I blinded both your eyes.¡± After speaking, he looked towards Houston Green: ¡°If it really were useful, then I¡¯ll say it in advance, sorry.¡± Whoosh! Julius Reed¡¯s leg shot up violently, striking down hard on Houston Green¡¯s shoulder! Crack! Unprepared, Houston Green¡¯s shoulder was crushed, his bones instantly shattering! ¡°My¡­ ah¡­ pain¡­¡± His other hand tremblingly held his arm, his face contorted as he knelt on the ground, gasping for air. ¡°Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!¡± And his originally ruddy complexion turned deathly pale in that instant. ¡°Boss! I beg you! I know I was wrong!¡± Seeing his two companions being tortured, Dimitri Leopold completely panicked. He knelt on the ground, desperately kowtowing! Clang! Clang! Clang! Each strike was full of force, the sound of his skull hitting the marble tiles was especially harsh in the quiet Azure Dragon Hall. The wails of Houston Green and Osby Michael, combined with the violent kowtowing sounds, seemed to create a symphony within the Azure Dragon Hall. And the conductor of this symphony was Julius Reed, who sat with his legs crossed as if nothing had happened. Though he thought he had seen it all and was no longer easily moved by any emotion, including anger, now he knew that he had never encountered someone who truly deserved his wrath. A fury rises over a rift for a beauty. In this world, anyone who dares to harm Quella Radcliffe deserves to go to hell. If hell didn¡¯t have nineteen layers, then Julius Reed would build one. Fear and panic spread throughout the Azure Dragon Hall. Osby Michael, trembling, took out his phone from his pocket, attempting to make a call by memory, but in vain. Blind, he couldn¡¯t see anything. ¡°Don¡¯t think about calling for help now, I can try it for you,¡± Julius Reed said with a faint smile, his back turned to Osby Michael. Clatter! Osby Michael¡¯s body shook, the phone fell to the ground. ¡°I¡­ I know I was wrong! I won¡¯t dare again, I beg you, spare my life! I¡¯ll do anything you ask!¡± Having lost his last hope, Osby Michael completely collapsed on the ground, tears mixed with blood streaming from his eyes. When fear reaches a certain level, humans can forget pain. Osby Michael was close to not feeling the agony in his eyes anymore; all he could think about was how to survive. ¡°` Before their arrival, they had looked into Aron Jackson¡¯s profile. In Gonzalez City¡¯s industry, trying to leave was almost impossible. To say that one could cover the sky with one hand was no exaggeration. ¡°I¡¯m now giving you a chance,¡± Julius Reed looked at Dimitri Leopold, ¡°Call the most capable person you know; you can make multiple calls, but you only have three minutes.¡± Dimitri Leopold was stunned for a moment, unsure whether Julius Reed was serious or joking. ¡°The timer starts now.¡± Julius Reed glanced at his watch, his voice coldly serious. The last chance! Even with the slightest hope, Dimitri Leopold was unwilling to give up! ¡°I can¡¯t worry about that now!¡± A strong will to survive spurred him to take out his phone with trembling hands and open the contact list. During this time, his eyes kept darting to Julius Reed with his peripheral vision, but it seemed that Reed really didn¡¯t intend to stop him. ¡°General Whitaker, I¡¯m trapped in the Azure Dragon Hall of the Copper Peacock Pavilion. My life is in danger; please come quickly to save me!¡± Dimitri Leopold said anxiously, his hand holding the phone shaking uncontrollably. General Whitaker was a high-level executive of the Enlighten Group and also the direct boss of the three of them. Nando Brandon, as the star of the Enlighten Group, having this concert was a significant effort for the company. And Arvid Woody, as the deputy general manager of Enlighten Group and the fourth-ranking figure in the company, came to Gonzalez City on behalf of the chairman, to personally accompany Nando Brandon and plan this concert. Upon hearing Dimitri Leopold¡¯s call for help, Arvid Woody¡¯s first reaction was surprise. Because he wasn¡¯t sure exactly what had happened. ¡°Dimitri Leopold, what are you doing?¡± Dimitri Leopold was one of his more capable agents, and this capability was reflected in his ability to deal with many difficult young girls. Then, using these young girls, he¡¯d go out and meet some bosses. Often, with just a few empty promises, Dimitri Leopold could persuade some girls to willingly climb into those bosses¡¯ beds. This was also the reason Arvid Woody brought Dimitri Leopold to Gonzalez City. Five-river Province had a Willson Group with strong financial resources, rumored to be entering the entertainment industry. Arvid Woody¡¯s trip was not only to prepare for Nando Brandon¡¯s concert but also with the mission of cooperating with the Willson Group in Gonzalez City. Moreover, after getting here, he found that a business alliance had formed in Gonzalez City. Anyway, this was a local big Boss, and according to the usual practice, they had to establish a relationship. Otherwise, the concert would be difficult to manage. Today, he was contemplating why three of his employed agents were missing, and now Dimitri Leopold was calling for help? What trouble could arise in Gonzalez City? ¡°General Whitaker, we have been imprisoned here, Osby Michael¡­ Osby Michael¡¯s eyes have been gouged out,¡± Dimitri Leopold said, his voice showing signs of panic due to shock. ¡°General Whitaker¡­ save us¡­ we are not going to make it¡­¡± Houston Green cried out from the side. He, a grown man, had his shoulder brutally shattered, and now his tears streamed down as he lay in pain, his nose runny. The throbbing pain from the broken bone was nearly making him lose control of his bladder and bowels. But the desire to survive was still holding him up. ¡°Wait for me! The Azure Dragon Hall of the Copper Peacock Pavilion, right? I¡¯m on my way!¡± Arvid Woody¡¯s voice also sounded anxious. ¡°General Whitaker¡­¡± ¡°Time¡¯s up.¡± Julius Reed glanced at his watch and delivered a fierce kick! ¡°Ah¡­¡± Dimitri Leopold¡¯s right wrist was kicked and broken, emitting a heart-wrenching scream. And the phone fell to the ground with a ¡®clatter¡¯. ¡°What¡¯s going on! Dimitri Leopold, are you all right? Who is so bold, to even dare lay a hand on someone from my Enlighten Group?¡± Arvid Woody¡¯s angry voice came through the phone. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a warning, whoever comes, dies,¡± Julius Reed walked over to the phone and stamped his foot down hard. Chapter 481 - Chapter 481: Chapter 481 Humanity_1 Chapter 481: Chapter 481 Humanity_1 ¡°` Crack! When he heard the phone being crushed underfoot, Dimitri Leopold¡¯s body shook, and he instinctively clamped his mouth shut, not daring to make a sound. Wait. Wait for Arvid Woody to come, and they would have their revenge! At a time like this, he needed to stall Julius Reed until Arvid Woody arrived with his people. Aron Jackson was a senior executive at the Enlighten Media Group, with extensive connections throughout the country. In the two days before he arrived at Gonzalez City, he had visited a number of local bosses. Including Aron Jackson, Itai Huntington, and even the Cook Family. The sudden rise of the business alliance was something Arvid Woody was very optimistic about. Now that he had been informed, he would surely contact those with power in Gonzalez City, and as long as Dimitri Leopold and the others could be temporarily rescued, there would be plenty of opportunities for revenge in the future. So what Dimitri Leopold had to do was kill time. ¡°Alright, we talked about playing a game earlier, I wonder if you¡¯re still interested.¡± Julius Reed kicked the broken phone away and once again sat back in the chair with his hands in his pockets. ¡°Let¡¯s play! As long as it pleases Mr. Reed, we¡¯ll do anything you want!¡± Dimitri Leopold¡¯s heart leaped with covert joy, as he was worried about finding a way to stall for time. Now, how convenient, this idiot offered to play a game! Childish! How old are they? But as long as it killed time, Dimitri Leopold would happily play house. And Houston Green, upon hearing this, also gritted his teeth and nodded. Cold sweat covered his forehead, and the upper half of his shirt was soaked through with the agony. But he was equally aware that the psychopath in front of them not killing them was akin to sparing their lives. Seeing the two of them very cooperative, Julius Reed nodded his satisfaction and turned to Osby Michael, asking, ¡°And you?¡± ¡°I¡­ I can do it! I really can!¡± Osby Michael, like clutching at a life-saving straw, crawled towards Julius Reed on the ground, following his voice. Just like a dog. Pathetic. He was extremely afraid in his heart. Compared to death, what was dignity worth? If it meant survival, he would not give up, not just becoming blind but even if he were limbless. If even an ant clings to life, why not a human? ¡°Since all three of you agree, I will announce the game rules now.¡± Julius Reed glanced at Osby Michael crawling in front of him and noticed a plate of barbecue on the table. It was hard to imagine that in a place like the Bronze Sparrow Platform, there would actually be a hanging stove for grilling. The items on it were neatly arranged, with dozens of skewers of meat unmoved on the plate. ¡°I¡¯m going to give each of you a barbecue skewer. You must take good care of this skewer, and don¡¯t lose it.¡± Julius Reed brought the plate over and began eating vigorously. The feeling of barbecuing skewers wasn¡¯t bad at all. ¡°Hmm, tastes pretty good.¡± He wolfed down a dozen or so skewers and then evenly distributed the metal skewers to the three people in front of him. ¡°You three, keep some distance from each other. Don¡¯t get too close!¡± Julius Reed gestured, and the three of them were about three meters apart, forming a triangle. Osby Michael, due to his blindness, was only able to move to his designated spot with help from the others. ¡°The rules are simple.¡± As they were moving, Julius Reed ate another few dozen skewers. The skewers were small but very tantalizing. After he finished speaking, the three on the ground perked up their ears to listen. Everyone had a premonition that this game would definitely not be simple. At the very least, it carried an element of danger. ¡°Once I say start, you will each insert a skewer into one another. The last one to do so will have a skewer inserted by the other two. Continue until all the skewers in your hands are used up; the last person standing can leave.¡± After Julius Reed finished, the three people on the ground all took a sharp breath and looked at each other. ¡°I¡­¡± Osby Michael swallowed, being blind, how could he differentiate their positions? ¡°` ¡°Of course, we have a blind man in our team, and in order to make the game fair and more interesting, I¡¯ve decided to weaken you two a bit.¡± Julius Reed stood up, smiling as he looked at the three people in front of him. Whoosh! He suddenly kicked out, landing a blow directly on Osby Michael¡¯s other shoulder! Crack! The bone was instantly shattered, leaving Houston Green incapable of using either of his hands. He could no longer pick up the iron spike. ¡°You¡¯ll have to figure it out for yourself, who told you to lose an arm right off the bat?¡± Julius Reed looked at Houston Green, lying on the ground with a ferocious expression, grinding his teeth loudly, and then turned to look at Dimitri Leopold. ¡°I¡­ please¡­ don¡¯t hurt me, I beg you!¡± Crack! Julius Reed picked up a chair from behind him and swung it hard onto Dimitri Leopold¡¯s knee! ¡°Ahh¡­¡± A heart-wrenching scream followed as Dimitri Leopold collapsed on the ground and began to convulse. Agonizing pain! The pain was like a flood breaking through a dam, unceasingly assaulting Dimitri Leopold¡¯s heart. He almost passed out. Yet the strong will to survive forced him to desperately bite his lip and hold on. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t need this, right¡­?¡± Osby Michael trembled all over, kneeling uncertainly on the ground. He had already prepared himself for the possible loss of his hands and legs. ¡°You don¡¯t need it, you¡¯re already blind.¡± Julius Reed said softly, giving Osby Michael a great sense of relief, and surprisingly, a surge of happiness within. He was blind indeed, yet still managed to feel happy. At least his limbs were still nimble. Amid Houston Green¡¯s and Dimitri Leopold¡¯s screams, he suddenly felt a strange sense of relief. ¡°Now!¡± Julius Reed pulled out his cellphone and switched it to video recording mode. ¡°The game begins!¡± Houston Green and Dimitri Leopold were still engulfed in excruciating pain, buzzing sounding in their ears, their eyes seeing stars. It seemed they had no reaction to the sudden start of the game. Their cries of pain continued to rise and fall¡ªalthough they were doing their best to restrain them, who could really bear the pain of limbs being severed? Following the sounds, Osby Michael pinpointed Dimitri Leopold¡¯s location nearest him. He clutched an iron spike tightly in his hands, a vicious sneer forming at the corner of his mouth. In such circumstances, one could only think of self-preservation; there was no room to consider others! ¡°Dimitri Leopold, forgive me, brother!¡± ¡°Ahh!¡± Osby Michael roared angrily, stabbing fiercely in the direction of the sound! ¡°Ahh¡­¡± Dimitri Leopold, who was kneeling on the ground clutching his legs, felt a chill on his back, followed by a piercing pain! The iron spike penetrated five centimeters into his body! It had gone through! ¡°Die!¡± He grabbed the iron spike in front of him that belonged to him and stabbed back towards Houston Green! Splat! It went straight into Houston Green¡¯s thigh! Dimitri Leopold¡¯s thought process was crystal clear; of the three, only Houston Green had the most mobility, so he targeted the thigh at his first opportunity! ¡°Ahh! You two, beasts!¡± Houston Green¡¯s shoulders had already been broken. He couldn¡¯t lift his hands. But he had a mouth, he had teeth! As he bit into an iron spike, readying to strike back, Julius Reed spoke, ¡°The first round is over.¡± Chapter 482 - Chapter 482: Chapter 482: The Winner?_1 Chapter 482: Chapter 482: The Winner?_1 According to the rules, Houston Green became the loser. Osby Michael and Dimitri Leopold each took an iron spike and viciously stabbed it into Houston Green¡¯s leg. At the moment of life and death, people are just that selfish. The most threatening individuals are often the first to be eliminated. Looking at the three iron spikes in his thigh, Houston Green¡¯s eyes were bloodshot. He ferociously clutched a bamboo spike between his teeth, the flames of his anger seeming to want to incinerate the two men! In this moment, they were no different from wild beasts. In their eyes, there was only slaughter, and enemies. ¡°The second round, begins!¡± No sooner had Julius Reed spoken than Dimitri Leopold stabbed a bamboo spike into Osby Michael, the one closest to him. Osby Michael, who had intended to stab Dimitri Leopold, was too slow and completely missed! Dimitri Leopold, enduring the excruciating pain, began to roll on the ground. Even as he rolled, the iron spike plunged deeper into his flesh. But he had no choice. ¡°Heh heh! Osby Michael!¡± As Houston Green saw Dimitri Leopold rolling further away, he gave up on this useless, immobile waste and instead walked towards Osby Michael. Blind. Unable to see! Even if by using sound he could pinpoint Houston Green¡¯s location, he had no assurance he could act before Houston Green did. Once Houston Green got the upper hand, he would be pierced with four iron spikes at once! All three knew what this meant; at the very least, Osby Michael¡¯s remaining mobility would be completely destroyed! ¡°Come on! Dammit! I¡¯ve been annoyed with you for a long time! Come on, stab me! Let¡¯s see who is the tougher one!¡± In times like these, everyone is insane! It¡¯s either your death, or my demise! No one is willing to be the prey; they want to fight to the death. Houston Green, with an iron spike clutched in his teeth, stepped towards Osby Michael. In his mind, Osby Michael had definitely lost this round! When the time came to drive the iron spike into Osby Michael¡¯s knee, he would be the only one among the three with the ability to move. Then, all he had to do was watch Dimitri Leopold and Osby Michael fight it out. He had legs, and in the end, he had a chance to be the last one standing. Osby Michael stood on the ground, gasping for breath. He could no longer determine Houston Green¡¯s location. If he waited any longer, he would be stabbed with three more iron spikes, adding up to four with the one Dimitri Leopold had just thrust in! Each one, a drilling pain! The spikes carried salt, causing pain several times more intense when plunged into the body than ordinary objects would. ¡°Houston Green, you fucking compare ruthlessness with me?¡± Osby Michael roared and drove an iron spike viciously into his own shoulder! ¡°This¡­¡± Everyone was stunned. Who plays like that? Self-mutilation? ¡°Houston Green, you¡¯ve lost again!¡± Julius Reed shook his head with a smile: ¡°The rules are such, the spike in your hand hasn¡¯t found its mark. His, however, is already in.¡± ¡°Heh heh!¡± Blind Osby Michael, his face covered in blood, stood in place and let out a sinister laugh. His own shoulder was in pain. But there was no choice, he had to sacrifice an arm lest he completely lose the use of his legs. ¡°I¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯ve lost, you must bear the consequences.¡± Julius Reed sat back in his chair and said to the three, ¡°The rules of the game are such, but if someone dies, the game will end prematurely, leaving the last survivor.¡± Upon hearing this, Dimitri Leopold¡¯s eyes on the ground shone. As long as he killed the other two people, he could survive. But¡­ Was there really no other way? ¡°We still want to play a bit longer¡­¡± Dimitri Leopold spoke, looking at Houston Green: ¡°No matter what, we are friends and shouldn¡¯t push it to death.¡± After these words, Houston Green let out a long sigh of relief. Thankfully, there was an understanding among everyone, waiting for Arvid Woody to come to the rescue. Being injured is alright as long as you don¡¯t die, you can live on. Dimitri Leopold struggled to crawl in front of Houston Green, his hands trembling as he clutched an iron skewer. ¡°Two more rounds, and the rules will change. After that, there are no round limits. Whoever uses up their iron skewers first wins.¡± Julius Reed suddenly spoke up. ¡°Sorry, see you in the next life!¡± A fierce look flashed in Dimitri Leopold¡¯s eyes; with a fierce thrust, he pierced Houston Green¡¯s neck! Whoosh! The thin iron skewer pierced right through! ¡°You¡­¡± Houston Green¡¯s words were cut off as he fell to the ground, convulsing. ¡°Sorry, if you live, we have to die!¡± Dimitri Leopold took a deep breath, his hands shaking like a sieve. Arvid Woody hadn¡¯t shown up yet! He had to make it to the end; he had no other choice! ¡°Now, the game continues!¡± Julius Reed picked up the fruit on the table and started eating leisurely. It was like the Roman Colosseum, with three beasts struggling inside, while he stood in the stands, enjoying the show while eating. The three men had thought about ganging up to kill Julius Reed, but were they any match for him? If they weren¡¯t careful, all three could end up dead! So nobody dared take the risk. People cling to life and fear death; they chose the safest way. To obey the game¡¯s rules. As long as they were within the rules, they had a chance to survive. As for rebellion? Forget it. With the removal of Houston Green, the biggest threat, Dimitri Leopold gripped the iron skewer tightly in his right hand and, without warning, stabbed at Osby Michael! But in such moments, a person¡¯s vigilance is high! Osby Michael was always on guard, or rather, he was waiting for Dimitri Leopold to make a move! He lunged forward, driving the iron skewer into Dimitri Leopold¡¯s body! ¡°Ah¡­¡± The skewer pierced directly into his abdomen. And Dimitri Leopold¡¯s skewer stopped less than five centimeters from Osby Michael¡¯s head. ¡°According to the rules, you can try again.¡± Julius Reed reached out as Osby Michael rubbed his head on Dimitri Leopold¡¯s chest. Then, with all his strength, he stabbed forward with both hands! Whoosh! Dimitri Leopold¡¯s body jerked and he fell to the ground, lifeless. ¡°Sorry, brother! I have to win!¡± Osby Michael roared. He had rubbed his head against Dimitri Leopold to locate the heart. Now that Houston Green was dead, as long as he killed Dimitri Leopold, he could live. He had no choice! Arvid Woody was nowhere to be found, and now things had come to this, if he didn¡¯t kill others, they would kill him all the same! ¡°You¡­ are ruthless!¡± Julius Reed complimented Osby Michael. A blind man living until the end? And that final throw of the skewer was forceful, clearly aimed to kill! The ten-plus centimeters long iron skewer had pierced straight through Dimitri Leopold¡¯s heart. ¡°Can I leave now?¡± Osby Michael was overjoyed, barely able to believe that he had survived. Later, he could pin the events on Dimitri Leopold and Houston Green¡¯s mutual killing to rid himself of suspicion. After all, the dead don¡¯t speak. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re the final winner?¡± Julius Reed bit into an apple, asking with a smile that was not quite a smile. ¡°Mr. Reed, what¡­ what do you mean? You can¡¯t be going back on your word!¡± Osby Michael¡¯s head buzzed, and he stood up from the ground in an instant. At that moment, the supposedly ¡®dead¡¯ Houston Green staggered to his feet, holding an iron skewer between his head and neck, and slowly walked over to Osby Michael. Chapter 483 - Chapter 483: Chapter 483: At My Feet_1 Chapter 483: Chapter 483: At My Feet_1 ¡°Mr. Reed, what exactly do you mean?¡± Osby Michael kept asking, how could promises be retracted? They couldn¡¯t be retracted! He had fought tooth and nail for all of this, just to survive, but now! Were his hopes to be dashed? ¡°I say what I mean,¡± Julius Reed said, smiling. ¡°Then you¡­¡± Before Osby Michael could finish speaking, Houston Green suddenly shouted, ¡°If we¡¯re going to die, let¡¯s go together! No one is getting out of this alive!¡± After his shout, Houston Green took an iron spike and thrust it straight through Osby Michael¡¯s throat and carotid artery. ¡°You¡­ you¡­ didn¡¯t die¡­¡± Osby Michael¡¯s body trembled, and after uttering those final words, he fell to the ground, motionless. ¡­ ¡°General Whitaker, what the hell is going on?¡± The assistant from Enlighten Group sat in the backseat of the Mercedes, looking at the sweating Arvid Woody. The deputy general manager, after receiving a phone call, rushed urgently toward Phoenix Terrace, looking extremely anxious. ¡°Dimitri Leopold and the others, they¡¯ve run into trouble! We have to go rescue them fast!¡± Arvid Woody pulled out his phone, starting to think about whom to call for help. In Gonzalez City, the toughest was Aron Jackson, but that didn¡¯t mean others didn¡¯t have clout. Phoenix Terrace happened to be Aron Jackson¡¯s property, so Arvid Woody made him the first call. ¡°Hello, is this Phoenix Terrace? I am the deputy general manager of Enlighten Group, Arvid Woody.¡± ¡°Sorry, Aron Jackson is out on business, please call back later,¡± Upon hearing Arvid Woody introduce himself, the front desk clerk didn¡¯t say a second word and hung up the phone. ¡°What the¡­ Fuck! What does that mean!¡± Arvid Woody cursed. Since coming here, he¡¯d dealt with Aron Jackson many times, given money and women. Now his own people had an incident at Phoenix Terrace, yet he had no way to contact the owner there. How could he not be infuriated? ¡°General Whitaker, what if you try someone else?¡± The assistant suggested at his side. Someone as important as Aron Jackson was seldom free to take a call. Moreover, with the entire group¡¯s busy schedule, tracking Aron Jackson¡¯s whereabouts indeed was difficult. ¡°Fine! Then I¡¯ll call the chairman of the Business Alliance, Itai Huntington!¡± Arvid Woody tentatively began searching for Itai Huntington¡¯s number. Although the chairman of the Gonzalez City Business Alliance was a renowned figure, Arvid Woody had a rather pleasant time discussing a partnership with her. The widow of deadly repute, frightening to hear of, didn¡¯t seem that intimidating and actually had a certain charm. After the call went through, it was quickly answered. ¡°General Whitaker, what can I do for you? Is it about the partnership we discussed last time?¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s voice came through the receiver, full of vigor. ¡°It¡¯s like this.¡± Arvid Woody organized his thoughts and began, ¡°My people, they¡¯ve run into a bit of trouble at Phoenix Terrace, I can¡¯t get through on the phone, can¡¯t contact anyone, and Aron Jackson isn¡¯t at Phoenix Terrace. I was hoping you¡­¡± ¡°What trouble have they caused?¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s tone dropped, clearly sensing the seriousness of the situation. ¡°Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you, in Gonzalez City, no one can call on Aron Jackson. If there¡¯s trouble in his place, Aron Jackson won¡¯t ignore it. Your people must have crossed Aron Jackson.¡± Upon hearing this, Arvid Woody realized. Right, who dared to cause a scene at Aron Jackson¡¯s stronghold? Even strangers causing trouble there would be thrown out, or worse, put in danger! Did they have a death wish, stirring up trouble at Phoenix Terrace? Forget Aron Jackson, any group¡¯s boss wouldn¡¯t tolerate such an incident. And he had just tried calling Aron Jackson, and the man was not there! What a coincidence, huh? ¡°Miss Huntington, if that is really the case, then I can only beg you for help! Today, it¡¯s you lending a hand, and I assure you, you most certainly won¡¯t be working in vain.¡± General Whitaker¡¯s forehead was dripping with cold sweat, and his assistant kept wiping it off. Offending Aron Jackson in Gonzalez City can have very serious consequences. It now seems that the only person who could talk to Aron Jackson was Itai Huntington. ¡°Miss Huntington, I beg you, please help!¡± Although the three agents weren¡¯t exceptionally outstanding, they were still under his leadership; how would he explain this back at the company? Moreover, the concert hadn¡¯t even started, and the whole Enlighten Group had put in countless efforts and resources to plan Nando Brandon¡¯s concert! After offending Aron Jackson, could this concert still go on? The only option was to ask Itai Huntington to mediate this. The chairman of the Gonzalez City Business Alliance did have that much clout. ¡°I will try my best, but I can¡¯t guarantee if I can persuade the person in question. If indeed I manage to persuade them, it¡¯s going to cost you a lot.¡± After a moment of silence, Itai Huntington spoke up. ¡°That¡¯s fine! Money is not an issue! Rest assured, Miss Huntington, I¡¯m now waiting for your news!¡± General Whitaker was ecstatic. The matter of money could be settled by those three agents! After all, the Enlighten Group was wealthy, and these three had also made a lot of money for the company in the past. Now, connecting with Aron Jackson and resolving the misunderstanding was of the utmost importance. After the concert ended, would he still care about these issues? After hanging up the phone, Itai Huntington hesitated for a moment before nonetheless dialing Julius Reed¡¯s number. She thought this was an opportunity for Julius Reed to connect with the executives of Enlighten Group and possibly get Nando Brandon to endorse them. It would prevent him from being too harshly oppressed by Bran Cook. For the same reason, she needed two powers to check each other, so she could thrive in between. If any side became too strong, that wouldn¡¯t be good for her. ¡°Hello, is this the employee brother? Missing your sister yet?¡± After getting through to Julius Reed, Itai Huntington still greeted him with her signature flirtatious tone. To her, these trivialities were nothing at all. ¡°Any issue?¡± Julius Reed asked, his voice sounding. His tone was very indifferent. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Even across the phone, Itai Huntington could feel the bone-chilling cold. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing, then I¡¯ll hang up.¡± Julius Reed said indifferently. ¡°The thing is¡­¡± Itai Huntington took a deep breath, feeling an inexplicable pressure. ¡°Someone¡­ someone has caused trouble at the Bronze Sparrow Platform, and I suspect they have provoked Aron Jackson. As far as I know, you seem to have a good relationship with Aron Jackson, and moreover, the person in question is from Enlighten Group. Their artist, Nando Brandon, is holding a concert in Gonzalez City.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re willing to help with this, I believe they would also be happy to have Nando Brandon do the endorsement. Then, when facing Bran Cook, you will hold the upper hand.¡± Itai Huntington got straight to the point, without any hemming and hawing. It was the first time she had ever felt that Julius Reed was like this, frightening. He was indifferent like a machine. ¡°Those people didn¡¯t provoke Aron Jackson.¡± Julius Reed stated without a hint of emotion in his voice. ¡°How¡­ how do you know?¡± Itai Huntington was surprised. Did Julius Reed not even need to make a phone call to ask? Or was it that he was currently with Aron Jackson? If that were the case, then who in the world dared to cause trouble at the Bronze Sparrow Platform? Aron Jackson didn¡¯t know about it? ¡°Because they are under my feet.¡± Right after Julius Reed finished speaking, Itai Huntington¡¯s phone ¡®clattered¡¯ to the ground. Chapter 484 - Chapter 484: Chapter 484: Unkind and Unjust_1 Chapter 484: Chapter 484: Unkind and Unjust_1 ¡°Miss Huntington! How did it go?¡± Seeing the call from Itai Huntington pop up on the phone, Arvid Woody excitedly answered. Just now, he had made calls to three people in a row, but not a single one answered. This only made Arvid Woody more worried. If something happened to people under his watch, he, as the deputy general manager, could hardly shirk responsibility. And it was Emperor¡¯s Hall at that! He had chatted with a few friends not long ago, talking about Aron Jackson. This was a devil who killed without blinking an eye! He was ruthless and cold-blooded in his actions. In Gonzalez City, it was better to offend the King of Hell than to offend Aron Jackson! Offending the King of Hell would at worst send you to the eighteenth level of hell. But offending Aron Jackson might send you to the nineteenth level! Now that his own staff had offended someone even more fearsome than the King of Hell, how could he not panic? ¡°Miss Huntington, don¡¯t worry about the money!¡± Hearing that Itai Huntington on the other end of the line did not speak, Arvid Woody thought she was waiting for him to bring up the money. After all, there¡¯s no such thing as a free lunch in this world, and paying money to avoid disaster is only normal. If a bit of money could smooth things over, he would feel at ease. Now, with less than ten minutes¡¯ drive left to Emperor¡¯s Hall, even Arvid Woody himself was getting worried. Especially that phrase on the phone, whoever comes will die. It sent a chill down his spine. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Woody.¡± After a moment of silence, Itai Huntington took a deep breath and spoke in a very apologetic tone, ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t help with this.¡± What kind of tough character was Julius Reed? He even dared to stand firm against Jennifer Lopez! And it seemed he did not come off worse! He even took away three billion! What could she possibly say to such a character? If she offended Julius Reed because of this, the loss would outweigh the gain! The more powerful a person is, the more you should befriend them. That way, you could avoid a major threat. ¡°What! Miss Huntington, you¡¯re the chairwoman of the business alliance, who in Gonzalez City would dare not to give you face? Moreover, even if Aron Jackson is powerful, he can¡¯t just refuse to give you any consideration at all!¡± Arvid Woody simply couldn¡¯t believe it! Itai Huntington was such a powerful woman, known even as the Widow of Absolute Death. Even without the title of chairwoman of the business alliance, she held certain sway in Gonzalez City. Not to mention her current important position. Could it be because she felt he wasn¡¯t sincere enough? ¡°Miss Huntington, as long as this matter is resolved, money is no object! Really, I can assure you, money is absolutely not the problem! I have already communicated with the higher-ups, and repairing the relationship with Aron Jackson is the top priority. As long as you are willing to help, no amount of money is too much!¡± Arvid Woody spoke anxiously. The three agents were showy on normal days; it would be good for them to suffer a bit and learn their lesson. But if they offended Aron Jackson, how could their concert go on? Nando Brandon currently had a top-notch ability to attract money. As long as this concert could be successfully carried out, what would the money given to Itai Huntington amount to afterward? Gonzalez City is a coastal city after all, with highly developed transportation. This time Nando Brandon held a concert, one hundred thousand tickets sold out in two seconds! The cheapest tickets online, which cost over five hundred, were actually scalped for over three thousand! A single concert would bring in a huge profit! If this concert were to fall through, then his career at Enlighten Group might well be on a countdown. ¡°Mr. Woody!¡± Itai Huntington took a deep breath, striving to remain calm: ¡°We know each other, after all and even reached consensus on matters of cooperation between us. If I could help, I, Itai Huntington, definitely would!¡± With that, she said helplessly, ¡°But the person you¡¯ve provoked this time is someone even Aron Jackson would not dare to provoke.¡± Itai Huntington had sent people to investigate the relationship between Julius Reed and Aron Jackson. The initial guess would be the best friend. Upon hearing Julius Reed¡¯s voice just now, Itai Huntington felt something was amiss. Normally, this boy always had a playful and smiley demeanor, even responding joyfully to her own jokes. But today, she felt as if she had encountered a stranger she had never met before. That phrase ¡°under my feet¡± was enough to illustrate Julius Reed¡¯s attitude. Itai Huntington did not think she could demand people from the other party¡¯s staff. ¡°Who is that person! How can there be someone like that!¡± Aron Woody asked out loud, feeling extremely shocked! Since arriving in Gonzalez City, it seemed he had never heard of such a person. ¡°Gonzalez City¡¯s wealthiest, Ovidiu Cook?¡± After a long thought, he could only think of this one person. Ovidiu Cook, chairman of Titan Group, and the wealthiest man in Gonzalez City. In public, the most powerful person in Gonzalez City. Behind the scenes, it was then Aron Jackson. Together, one in the light and one in the shadow, they became one of the two leading forces of Gonzalez City. Since it wasn¡¯t Aron Jackson, it naturally occurred to Arvid Woody that it must be Ovidiu Cook. This wealthiest man of Gonzalez City, he had never met in person! The Enlighten Group might be significant, but not everyone was willing to give them face. ¡°This person is probably not someone Ovidiu Cook can afford to offend,¡± sighed Itai Huntington, ¡°Give up, I advise you, if you offend this person, you will regret it for life!¡± After saying this, she hung up the phone. ¡°Damn it! What the hell is going on!¡± Aron Woody cursed! ¡°Manager, I have a hypothesis. Could it be that they know how important this concert is to the Enlighten Group and deliberately joined hands to double-cross us?¡± The assistant frowned and said, ¡°In Gonzalez City, only Aron Jackson, Ovidiu Cook, and Itai Huntington are the most powerful. How could there be someone even more powerful? They are all just after more money, trying to scam us!¡± With his words, Arvid Woody felt that he made sense. Someone more formidable than Aron Jackson, that¡¯s nonsense, right? If there really was such a person, how come he never heard about it? It must be the locals joining forces, wanting to rip them off! ¡°What do you think?¡± Arvid Woody looked at his assistant. ¡°This matter is quite simple. The reason Aron Jackson isn¡¯t here is that he wants to avoid suspicion! Once this gets out, it won¡¯t affect him anyway. He¡¯s not here after all,¡± the assistant said as he pushed up his glasses, and chuckled hehe, ¡°Let¡¯s turn their tactics against them! He¡¯s not here, right? We¡¯ll directly call the police. I remember you just told me that Houston Green¡¯s arm was broken?¡± ¡°Right! I heard screams, and before the call was cut off, I think I heard Dimitri Leopold¡¯s cry of pain.¡± Arvid Woody nodded, which was also the reason for his current urgency. It seems the other party had gotten serious. ¡°Then call the police! This is intentional injury! When the police enter Azure Dragon Hall and take away the person who injured our group¡¯s staff member, let¡¯s see what Aron Jackson has to say!¡± The assistant proudly said, ¡°When that time comes, he will have no choice but to thickly praise you, General Whitaker, for helping him solve the problem, and he will also have to ensure the concert goes smoothly. Otherwise, public opinion will say he¡¯s retaliating!¡± ¡°Great idea!¡± Arvid Woody slapped his thigh and said coldly, ¡°Since you¡¯ve been unkind to me, don¡¯t blame me for being unjust! Aron Jackson, don¡¯t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!¡± After speaking, he took out his phone and dialed the emergency number, ¡°Hello, is this the police station? My friend has been attacked at Bronze Sparrow Platform, Azure Dragon Hall. Please send someone quickly.¡± PS: With the New Year approaching, there are some matters at home, which have caused the updates over the past few days to be inconsistent. I apologize to everyone here. About the updates, I update around nine o¡¯clock every evening. Due to the review mechanism, chapters after eleven might appear the next morning. From now on, I will try to maintain a minimum of seven chapters a day, and if there are no special circumstances, I will adhere to this schedule. Here, Lody thanks everyone for their long-term support and companionship, thank you! Lastly, I wish everyone a happy Little New Year! Good health and have fun! I love you all. Chapter 485 - Chapter 485: 485 Chapter Pushing the Door_1 Chapter 485: 485 Chapter Pushing the Door_1 By the time Arvid Woody arrived at the Copper Quey Platform, half an hour had passed since Dimitri Leopold¡¯s emergency call for help. Gonzalez City wasn¡¯t very large, but traffic was quite congested as it was nearing afternoon tea time. The location they were staying in was less than fifteen kilometers from the Copper Quey Platform, yet it took a full half hour to drive there. After parking the car, Arvid Woody hurried to the reception desk and slapped the table, asking, ¡°How do I get to the Azure Dragon Hall?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, the Azure Dragon Hall is already occupied by guests.¡± The receptionist gave Arvid Woody a cold glance and spoke indifferently. Then, they continued to bow their head, busy with their work. ¡°What kind of customer service is this!¡± Arvid Woody was somewhat dissatisfied. He worked in the entertainment business, and frequenting venues was an inevitable part of his job. He had stayed at most of the top hotels in the country, but he had never experienced service as poor as at the Copper Quey Platform! Most importantly, the Copper Quey Platform was the largest entertainment venue in Gonzalez City and had a resounding reputation. Having always upheld the principle that the customer is king, Arvid Woody straightened his clothes, cleared his throat, and slammed his hand down onto the reception desk! Slap! This sudden loud noise startled the reception staff. Even the hotel¡¯s security hurried over toward the source of the sound. ¡°What happened?¡± The security captain, who was one of Aron Jackson¡¯s loyal employees, Dominating Tiger, came over and looked at Arvid Woody coldly, ¡°Causing trouble?¡± This was Aron Jackson¡¯s property, and in Gonzalez City, no one dared to cause such a commotion. Slamming the table? They would have already been thrown out! ¡°I am a guest, but the front desk¡¯s attitude is simply arrogant! Let me tell you, I have never encountered such poor service in all my travels!¡± Arvid Woody snorted coldly and turned his head away. ¡°Exactly! What kind of attitude is that! A mere registration clerk, daring to be so bold? Their head might as well be in the clouds! Where¡¯s your manager? Call them over, I want to make a complaint!¡± The assistant echoed from behind, inciting further. The larger the venue, the more concerned they are about their corporate image. ¡°What¡¯s going on? The customer comes first, have you forgotten what Aron Jackson and the rest have instructed?¡± Dominating Tiger¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. He walked to the front desk and asked sternly, ¡°Is what the guest is saying true?¡± Only after the Copper Quey Platform¡¯s staff showed a response did Arvid Woody snort coldly and said to Dominating Tiger, ¡°Forget it! They¡¯re all nobodies, not worth wasting my time on. You, lead me to the Azure Dragon Hall. Oh, and is Aron Jackson here?¡± ¡°The Azure Dragon Hall?¡± Upon hearing the phrase ¡°Azure Dragon Hall,¡± Dominating Tiger turned to look at the receptionist. ¡°He wanted to go to the Azure Dragon Hall, I told him it was occupied.¡± The receptionist answered truthfully. ¡°Oh! Carry on with your work then.¡± Upon realizing the two individuals in front of him were the guests who wanted to visit the Azure Dragon Hall, Dominating Tiger¡¯s attitude changed instantly. He coldly stated, ¡°The Azure Dragon Hall is occupied, you all should come back another day!¡± ¡°Hey! What¡¯s the matter with you!¡± Arvid Woody¡¯s expression darkened once more, ¡°You¡¯re just a stinking security guard, how dare you stop me? The guest in the Azure Dragon Hall is my friend, and he¡¯s had an accident in there. If you don¡¯t bring me there right now, you will be held accountable!¡± It seemed as if he was worried that they would not lead him inside, so he added, ¡°I¡¯ve already called the police!¡± As soon as the police got involved, the Copper Quey Platform would unavoidably be implicated, and even Aron Jackson would have to cooperate with the investigation. Arvid Woody had thought that after he said this, the security would be scared enough to escort them upstairs, but Dominating Tiger merely scoffed, ¡°We operate legally, why would we be afraid of you?¡± ¡°You!¡± With that remark, Arvid Woody was left speechless and could only threaten through gritted teeth, ¡°You¡¯d better inform Aron Jackson about this and if not, don¡¯t blame me for not being courteous!¡± He was shaking with anger. If someone truly influential had treated him this way, he would have let it slide. A group of security staff and waiters, daring to command him with such arrogance! It undoubtedly enraged Arvid Woody to the extreme. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, our boss has made the rules clear. The privacy of guests is paramount, and you go straight up to the Azure Dragon Hall without a word, thinking you are someone important? Do you have no respect for rules at all?¡± Dominating Tiger roared loudly, and the employees immediately surrounded him. These people were real tough guys, not ordinary hoodlums, and their presence instantly overwhelmed Arvid Woody. ¡°Heh¡­ don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you!¡± Arvid Woody took a deep breath, trying his best to remain calm. He glanced at his watch and lifted his head to say to Dominating Tiger, ¡°The police will be here in no more than ten minutes.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s wait for them. You have no right to enter anyway, that¡¯s the rule!¡± After saying this, Dominating Tiger turned and left with his men. ¡°General Whitaker, these people seem to be up to no good, why do they look so fierce and malevolent?¡± The assistant¡¯s forehead was covered in cold sweat; this wasn¡¯t their territory, this was Copper Que Terrace, Aron Jackson¡¯s stronghold. Causing trouble here, wasn¡¯t that seeking death? And the presence these people exuded was that of desperados! ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it!¡± Actually, Arvid Woody was feeling nervous himself, but there was nothing else he could do at the moment. The person was upstairs, already out of contact. Not one of the three was answering their phones. They didn¡¯t even know if they were alive or dead. He had arrived at Copper Que Terrace, but all he could do was wait helplessly below! During such times, every minute was of utmost importance! Arvid Woody was about to force his way through, but the sight of Dominating Tiger and his men made him inexplicably hesitant. Finally, the sound of police sirens was heard outside. ¡°This time, let¡¯s see what you can do! Damn it, Aron Jackson, don¡¯t blame me for not giving you face!¡± Seeing the police enter Copper Que Terrace, a smile appeared on Arvid Woody¡¯s face. As long as they could find an excuse to lock Aron Jackson up for even half a day, they would leave immediately after the concert. Without them in Gonzalez City, Aron Jackson would have a hard time doing anything. After all, Enlighten Group was a major company with complex internal relations, far beyond what a local snakehead in Gonzalez City could compare to. ¡°Officer, I¡¯m the one who reported the incident! My three employees sent me a distress call from the Azure Dragon Hall here, but I¡¯ve been unable to get in. I¡¯ve been desperately waiting for you!¡± Arvid Woody walked up to the police officer, saying excitedly. ¡°Please wait a moment!¡± The officer nodded and approached the reception desk, ¡°Azure Dragon Hall, lead the way.¡± ¡°Right this way, please!¡± The waiter immediately came out from inside and led the way. This annoyed Arvid Woody, as he had been hoping the waiter would continue to act aloof so that the police might take him away for a lesson. But to his surprise, the people here were actually so cooperative! Their attitude towards him was completely different! Regardless, Arvid Woody was finally able to go upstairs. With the waiter leading the way, Arvid Woody was worried the whole time, what if the person wasn¡¯t there? What if the three had encountered danger and had been moved? That would be troublesome! ¡°Officer, could they have been taken away? It¡¯s been half an hour since I received their call.¡± He approached the police officer and asked quietly. ¡°If they¡¯re not here, we¡¯ll start investigating immediately!¡± The officer nodded, stood in front of the door to the Azure Dragon Hall, and pushed the door open! Chapter 486 - Chapter 486: Chapter 486 Exorbitant Endorsement_1 Chapter 486: Chapter 486 Exorbitant Endorsement_1 ¡°` The moment the door swung open, Arvid Woody¡¯s suspended heart finally settled. All three were inside. They were lying haphazardly, but the count was ultimately correct. Neat and tidy, the three individuals. ¡°Something¡¯s not right!¡± The police officer furrowed his brows and carefully stepped inside. Only after confirming there was no one else did he quickly approach the three bodies with his subordinates. As the one who reported the crime, Arvid Woody naturally followed right behind them. But when he saw the scene before him, he almost couldn¡¯t help but vomit. The three lay on the ground like hedgehogs, haphazardly sprawled out, all dead! ¡°This!¡± Arvid Woody¡¯s legs went weak, and he collapsed. Fortunately, the officer behind him had quick reflexes and caught him! ¡°Are you certain it¡¯s these three individuals?¡± The officer¡¯s brow creased as he surveyed the scene: ¡°Seal off the area, no one is allowed in!¡± By this time, Julius Reed had already left, and even fingerprints had been cleaned up. The scene was completely devoid of any signs of a fourth person¡¯s presence. ¡°Officer! This is¡­ this is murder!¡± Arvid Woody trembled, shaken to the core by the scene before him. The people who had just called him, how could they suddenly be dead? And their deaths were so ghastly! Osby Michael¡¯s eyes were full of blood, his body pierced with iron spikes, firmly clamped beside Houston Green. Dimitri Leopold was lying on the ground, eyes wide open. Two iron spikes were plunged into the position of his heart. The people who were alive and well in the morning had now become cold corpses. ¡°You two take them away first, we need to work!¡± The officer pulled out white gloves from his jacket and started to walk around the room. Finally, he noticed a camera in the corner, which was still recording. ¡°We have a lead!¡± He reached out and immediately signaled to his subordinates: ¡°Check for any traces of others having been here!¡± Soon, the forensic team arrived and began their survey of the scene. When the officer saw the video of the three attacking each other, he couldn¡¯t help but furrow his brows. ¡°How is it?¡± ¡°Report! No traces of a third person have been found!¡± The officer reported after the survey had concluded. ¡°A bunch of psychopaths! The case can be closed now!¡± He frowned at the view of several people stabbing each other. Arvid Woody, who had been waiting outside for a long time, quickly gathered around the exiting officers: ¡°How is it, Officer?¡± ¡°Suicide! Or rather, a collective suicide!¡± The officer sighed and said to Arvid Woody, ¡°Come to the station with me, but you¡¯d better be mentally prepared.¡± ¡­ When Arvid Woody came out of the police station, he was a complete wreck. His legs went weak, completely depending on his assistant to help him stand. Just then, his phone suddenly rang. ¡°See who it is.¡± Arvid Woody was gasping for air, still not having recovered from the shocking images. His three subordinates had gone mad, frantically stabbing their companions! What¡¯s more crucial is that there were no traces of anyone else at the scene! This ruled out homicide. ¡°General Whitaker, an unfamiliar number!¡± The assistant took out Arvid Woody¡¯s phone and saw that it was a number from Five-river Province, but it wasn¡¯t saved in the contacts. ¡°Answer it!¡± At this moment, he had to take the call. ¡°Is this Boss Whitaker?¡± A man¡¯s voice came through the phone. ¡°It is I, who may you be?¡± Arvid Woody felt chilled to the bone, but he still found the voice familiar. ¡°Aron Jackson! Weren¡¯t you just causing trouble at my place?¡± Upon hearing that it was Aron Jackson, Arvid Woody immediately perked up. ¡°` ¡°Mr. Jackson, it¡¯s you! My folks were unlucky enough to have had an incident under your command, alas!¡± Aron Jackson sighed, but the implication of blame was clear. The man was already dead. The death of the person had no more significance; ensuring that the concert would proceed without any issues was of paramount importance. Otherwise, the loss of a large sum of money would mean the end of his role as deputy general manager. ¡°An accident?¡± Aron Jackson sneered coldly, ¡°Then take a look now, what¡¯s on your right?¡± ¡°On my right?¡± Arvid Woody turned his head and saw a large truck barreling toward him! ¡°Ah¡­¡± He let out a scream! If the truck hit him, he would undoubtedly die! Screech! At the critical moment, the truck came to a stop less than three meters from the two men. ¡°I hope you enjoy your time in Gonzalez City!¡± Having said this, Aron Jackson hung up the phone. Thump! The assistant and Arvid Woody both collapsed to the ground. ¡­ ¡°Have you heard? Quella Radcliffe seems to be interested in Nando Brandon, it is said that she¡¯s already making her move!¡± Within the Cook Family villa, the leading businessmen of Gonzalez City gathered, leisurely sipping tea with none of the tension that had preceded their bet. This was a stark contrast to the anxious and tense atmosphere surrounding Quella Radcliffe¡¯s side. ¡°What¡¯s the rush! Here in Gonzalez City, we have both money and people, someone like Nando Brandon is no problem.¡± ¡°I suggest that we get Nando Brandon on our side first, and make Quella Radcliffe give up the opportunity right away!¡± ¡°Right! Let¡¯s end this bet early, with the New Year approaching, the longer the night, the more dreams will haunt us!¡± Hearing everyone¡¯s suggestions, Bran Cook leaned back in his chair and nodded, ¡°That¡¯s what I think too. Nando Brandon¡¯s concert is this afternoon, our people should head there first, and settle this matter before the concert begins. Better yet, lay a trap!¡± ¡°Sounds good, why don¡¯t we leave right now?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± They all left the Cook Family villa, laughing and joking on their way to the Valentine Hotel where the Enlighten Group was staying. In Gonzalez City, none of these people¡¯s actions could escape the Cook Family¡¯s surveillance. Even the room where Nando Brandon was staying was well-known to Bran Cook. The fleet of cars quickly arrived at the Valentine¡¯s Hotel. Nando Brandon¡¯s room was on the third floor, right next to the room where Arvid Woody and others were staying. Bran Cook led his entourage upstairs with great fanfare, and upon giving his name, he directly entered Arvid Woody¡¯s temporary office. ¡°Hello, nice to meet you!¡± At the moment, Nando Brandon was discussing something with Arvid Woody. Seeing Bran Cook enter, Arvid Woody stood up with a pale face to greet him. The name Bran Cook was one he had heard early on. Influential, and with no small reputation in Gonzalez City. ¡°Mr. Cook, what brings you here?¡± Arvid Woody took a sip of tea, his hand trembling as he held the cup. But there was no other option, work had to continue. If they stopped now, the loss would be enormous. Having lost three agents, he was forced to take on much of the work. ¡°This gentleman here is Mr. Nando Brandon, right?¡± Bran Cook glanced at the male artist sitting opposite Arvid Woody. If one didn¡¯t look closely, they might mistake him for a woman. ¡°Indeed, and who might you be?¡± Nando Brandon asked arrogantly. Being a top influencer now, he was like a walking hormone. Wherever he went, no matter how expensive the tickets, they would sell out instantly. So he had no regard for characters from such a trivial place. Gonzalez City, after all, was just a small drop in the bucket. ¡°I¡¯m Bran Cook, and I would like to invite Mr. Nando Brandon to be our spokesperson. As for the endorsement fee¡­¡± Bran Cook said this while glancing at the businessmen who had accompanied him. ¡°Three hundred million!¡± ¡°How much?¡± Even Nando Brandon was somewhat surprised! This was an astronomical endorsement fee! Chapter 487 - Chapter 487: Chapter 487 Contract Terms_1 Chapter 487: Chapter 487 Contract Terms_1 Although he was a top-tier young idol, Nando Brandon¡¯s income wasn¡¯t as astronomical as one might imagine. His previous endorsement deals were only worth a few million, and there were even quite a few demands. Even after becoming hugely popular, it was just ten or twenty million at most. Deals starting at three hundred million like this one! It was like a godsend! ¡°I¡­ didn¡¯t hear wrong, did I?¡± Nando Brandon could hardly believe it. Rich and imposing! ¡°Correct, it is three hundred million. But there are some restrictions in the terms.¡± Bran Cook watched Nando Brandon with a cold eye, feeling a sense of disdain inside. He was just an actor, one who had been hyped up, with not an ounce of acting skill. Putting on airs in front of me? What capital does he have? If the money is right, won¡¯t he still call anyone daddy? ¡°Speak!¡± Nando Brandon¡¯s attitude took a one-hundred-eighty-degree turn; he even personally moved a chair for Bran Cook, then sat opposite him. ¡°First, this is an exclusive endorsement! Within a month¡¯s time, you cannot accept any endorsements in Gonzalez City. Even the whole of Five-river Province is off-limits. Any problems with that?¡± Bran Cook leaned back in his chair, while an assistant from Enlighten Group immediately brought over a cup of hot tea. He was a god of wealth indeed! ¡°No problem!¡± Nando Brandon nodded. Although before coming here, he had already been approached by many businessmen about collaboration, none of them compared to a three hundred million deal! Those were all minor deals worth a few million, how many would it take to amass three hundred million? ¡°Second, I need you to play a part in a little play for me!¡± Bran Cook said with an intrigued tone. ¡°Speak, what role?¡± Nando Brandon asked cautiously, hoping it wasn¡¯t some distasteful joke. He had once spent a night accompanying a patron behind the scenes. But if the other party insisted, for three hundred million he would fight for it! Even if he only ended up with seventy or eighty million after Enlighten Group¡¯s cut, he still considered it worth it! ¡°I reckon there will be someone named Quella Radcliffe coming to you for an endorsement. You¡¯ll agree right away, and promise to do it for a mere one million. Later, you¡¯ll breach the contract. On the day of the endorsement event, you¡¯ll appear as my guest, endorsing for me. Can you do that?¡± Bran Cook lightly blew on the tea cup in his hands, took a sip of the tea. The taste was nothing special, far from what he had at his own home. ¡°That¡­¡± Nando Brandon was conflicted; he turned to look at Arvid Woody, unsure of what to do. Contract breaching was taboo! It was an act despised by everyone in the industry. Plus, breaching a contract could lead to negative publicity that might result in a loss of fans. That would be a major loss. ¡°Mr. Cook, this Quella Radcliffe you mentioned¡­¡± Arvid Woody also maintained caution. A three hundred million deal, a sky-high endorsement! The money certainly wouldn¡¯t be easy to obtain. ¡°Relax, a local from Gonzalez City, an almost bankrupt local enterprise owner. He¡¯s a business rival of mine; we made a bet on who could secure your endorsement. If I win, I stand to make a lot.¡± Bran Cook swirled the tea cup in hand, speaking with a smile. Money talks. And now, he was the one with the money! Rich and imposing! ¡°This¡­¡± Arvid Woody hesitated, then turned to look at Nando Brandon, ¡°What do you think?¡± If Nando Brandon himself agreed, he would be more than happy to make this money. Three people had died in Gonzalez City, and just compensating them would cost a lot of money. Upon returning, he would undoubtedly face censure from his colleagues. But with such a big deal in hand, the general manager would have nothing to say once he returned. For him, it was a complete opportunity. And Nando Brandon was tempted too. Money can make people lose their reason. ¡°I agree!¡± He nodded. A huge sum! Can¡¯t miss out! ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, let¡¯s wish ourselves an enjoyable collaboration in advance!¡± Bran Cook raised his teacup, smiling as he looked at Nando Brandon and Arvid Woody. When you¡¯ve got money, that¡¯s how refreshingly smooth things can be. There was nothing more to say, a heap of money was thrown down, and the deal was done. After giving Nando Brandon a few more instructions, Bran Cook finally left with his people. He was determined to make Quella Radcliffe face a resounding slap on the face on the day the wager was settled! He imagined the despair that would follow Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hopes when she expected Nando Brandon to approach her, only to find out that everything was a sham! Bran Cook felt a surge of exhilaration within. ¡°This matter feels a bit mystical!¡± After Bran Cook left, Arvid Woody felt that something was slightly amiss. The person they were supposed to hoodwink, why did that person seem so familiar? ¡°Who cares! As long as there¡¯s money to be made, that¡¯s what matters!¡± Nando Brandon reverted to his previous cold demeanor. He looked at Arvid Woody, ¡°General Whitaker, are you perhaps a little paranoid because of the deaths of those three men? I¡¯ve long felt those three were perverts, not good for anything!¡± The news of the deaths of Houston Green and his two companions had already been circulated within Enlighten Group. Everyone knew about it. ¡°I just feel that the risk of breaching the contract is a bit high!¡± Arvid Woody tapped his head forcefully, talking to himself, ¡°A boss on the verge of bankruptcy, is he worth Bran Cook spending so much effort on?¡± If everything Bran Cook had said was true, with their immense financial strength, they could easily crush Quella Radcliffe¡¯s company. What kind of irreconcilable enmity would necessitate such a cost just to embarrass Quella Radcliffe? ¡°I will take full responsibility for everything!¡± Nando Brandon was slightly irritated; as the company¡¯s top act, he didn¡¯t regard anyone apart from the general manager and the financial backers behind him. ¡°Alright, go prepare for tonight¡¯s concert!¡± Although Arvid Woody was quite upset, he still suppressed it. It couldn¡¯t be helped. They still relied on Nando Brandon to make money for them! Meanwhile, at Quella Radcliffe¡¯s end, after returning home, she kept Julius Reed in the dark and quietly made her way to Valentine¡¯s Hotel. Quella Radcliffe was not content! If she had to rely on her husband for everything, she would feel like nothing more than a vase! Merely a useless person! This was not the outcome Quella Radcliffe desired. She hoped that through her own efforts, she could gain everyone¡¯s respect and prove her capabilities. ¡°Can you do it?¡± Anna Harris thought back to the morning¡¯s events, still feeling shaken. Those three louts had almost succeeded! If Julius Reed had been delayed, the consequences would have been unimaginable! ¡°There¡¯s no other way! This is their place of work, nothing should go wrong in broad daylight.¡± Quella Radcliffe took a deep breath, recovering from her earlier fright, and headed towards the third floor. Thump! Thump! Thump! ¡°Come in!¡± Arvid Woody, who was working, called out. ¡°Hello, is this Enlighten Group?¡± Quella Radcliffe pushed open the door, cautiously asking. ¡°You are¡­?¡± Arvid Woody glanced at Quella Radcliffe, feeling she was a stranger, probably haven¡¯t met before. ¡°Hello, I am the chairman of Radcliffe Group, Quella Radcliffe.¡± Quella Radcliffe said with a smile, introducing herself. ¡°So you¡¯re President Radcliffe!¡± Arvid Woody quickly stood up while starting to admire Bran Cook in his mind. Quella Radcliffe really did show up not long after he had left. Following the agreement, Arvid Woody picked up the phone and called Nando Brandon, ¡°President Radcliffe wants to discuss an endorsement with you, please come over.¡± After hanging up, Arvid Woody gestured to the assistant, ¡°Quick, serve Miss Radcliffe and her party some tea!¡± Chapter 488 - Chapter 488: Chapter 488 Life is Like a Play_1 Chapter 488: Chapter 488 Life is Like a Play_1 ¡°` The phone call had been made no more than two minutes ago, when Nando Brandon already arrived at Arvid Woody¡¯s room. ¡°You¡­ are President Radcliffe?¡± His eyes glanced at the two women sitting in front of him, and a flash of astonishment crossed his mind. Quella Radcliffe was that very delicate-looking girl, whom any boy would like at first glance. Nando Brandon was also a man. Although he usually dressed flamboyantly to please his fans and reap the rewards, Inside, he was a regular man. He had thought President Radcliffe, as described by Bran Cook, would be an old woman, but he didn¡¯t expect a young girl. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Quella Radcliffe.¡± Quella Radcliffe stood up with a smile and said politely, ¡°I¡¯ve heard of your fame for a long time, so I wanted to invite you to be an endorser. Would that be convenient?¡± Since he was already there, she went straight to the point. After all, Nando Brandon had a concert in the afternoon, and time was pressing. ¡°Convenient! Of course, it¡¯s convenient!¡± Nando Brandon smiled back at Quella Radcliffe, ¡°It would be my honor to endorse for you.¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Anna Harris and Quella Radcliffe were both stunned. Was Nando Brandon so easy to talk to? Had they known, there would have been no need to go through the trouble of finding Houston Green and the others, and they almost capsized the deal. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Quella Radcliffe still couldn¡¯t believe it. Stars who had suddenly shot to fame usually acted high and mighty and had quite the temper. Their demands for endorsements were high, with a long list of conditions. Yet the line-leading idol, Nando Brandon, was so approachable? ¡°Of course! If Miss Radcliffe is not assured, I can sign the contract with you right away.¡± Nando Brandon¡¯s actions put Quella Radcliffe at a loss, as she had prepared a heartfelt speech and hadn¡¯t said any of it, and now he was ready to sign the contract? It was like a dream! If they really signed Nando Brandon, Bran Cook would definitely feel threatened. No matter how you looked at it, to land such a top-tier celebrity was already lucky enough. ¡°That¡¯s the thing, Mr. Brandon, about the endorsement fee¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe was really not flush with cash, with a maximum budget of eight million. Cash flow was tight, and those small businesses were unwilling to pay, so the money had to come out of her own pocket. She had inquired before; Nando Brandon¡¯s stock had risen, and his endorsement fee was consistently high. This final hurdle was the real test. ¡°Just give me whatever you can, don¡¯t let me work for nothing.¡± Nando Brandon smiled faintly, sitting next to Quella Radcliffe, ¡°If there are no objections, this man here is our boss, Arvid Wody the Manager, you can sign the contract with him.¡± ¡°No! Let¡¯s talk details, shall we?¡± Quella Radcliffe was overwhelmed. This was like a pie falling from the sky! How did she come across such an opportunity! They had been prepared not to even see Nando Brandon¡¯s face when they arrived earlier. But now, not only had they met, but they had also discussed so much, and were about to sign the contract. The most difficult part, the endorsement fee, had also been smoothly negotiated. ¡°I¡¯ll pay you¡­¡± ¡°One million!¡± Nando Brandon held up one finger. ¡°This¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe was truly startled. Such a small sum to secure Nando Brandon? It was like buying a BMW for ten thousand dollars. It just didn¡¯t make sense! ¡°What, does President Radcliffe think it¡¯s too much? Then how about this! Five hundred thousand, just give me something.¡± Nando Brandon¡¯s shocking words continued, and even Arvid Woody couldn¡¯t stand by and watch. Such poor acting could easily give the game away. ¡°Ahem! Well, President Radcliffe, since Mr. Brandon is so destined to work with you, and this is the artist¡¯s freedom. If he wishes to sign a low-priced contract with you, we¡¯ll just go with the flow and offer a favor.¡± ¡°` Arvid Woody was playing peacemaker in the middle, ¡°How about this, three million, what do you think?¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded in agreement, her heart brimming with joy! Three million was still a profit! Securing Nando Brandon was her biggest surprise. Because with Quella Radcliffe¡¯s connections, it was impossible to find anyone more high-profile. ¡°Three million, wasn¡¯t it one million?¡± Nando Brandon looked at Arvid Woody, somewhat puzzled. Previously, Bran Cook had instructed them to sign a one million contract so that they would have less to compensate. But a seasoned fox like Arvid Woody naturally knew one million was unconvincing. It would be too easy for people to spot the deception. There had to be a more reasonable price, else it would inevitably raise suspicions. But this Nando Brandon, his head was really thick! Completely unable to improvise! ¡°One million, that¡¯s what you¡¯ll get in hand! As for us, we¡¯ll take three million, do you understand?¡± Arvid Woody still had to explain it to him with a straight face. ¡°Three million?¡± Quella Radcliffe confirmed once more, and not just her, even Anna Harris was excited along with her. ¡°Right, if there are no objections, you can discuss the contract with our legal team.¡± With a clap of his hands from Arvid Woody, a member of the legal team who had been prepared walked in right away. The contract had already been finalized while they were talking. ¡°Miss Radcliffe, please review it first.¡± Arvid Woody placed the contract in front of Quella Radcliffe and smilingly passed her a cup of tea. But the two women were so frightened they outright refused. The water from Enlighten Media was not clean! After reading through it carefully and confirming there were no issues, Quella Radcliffe signed the contract with Arvid Woody on the spot. ¡°What a foolish woman.¡± After they sent off Quella Radcliffe, Arvid Woody and Nando Brandon¡¯s expressions instantly darkened. ¡°Tell Mr. Cook that the fish has taken the bait. I¡¯m going to prepare for the concert, don¡¯t bother me unless it¡¯s something important.¡± Nando Brandon left Arvid Woody¡¯s room with a cold face. ¡°Pah! If it weren¡¯t for someone paying a high price for you, who do you think you are? A duck!¡± Watching Nando Brandon¡¯s retreating figure, Arvid Woody cursed viciously. After cursing, he picked up the phone and called Bran Cook. ¡°Mr. Cook, the fish has bitten.¡± Arvid Woody¡¯s tone once again became respectful. This was a major funder, not to be offended. ¡°Good, check if my deposit has arrived,¡± said Bran Cook. As soon as Bran Cook hung up, the finance department called Arvid Woody. ¡°General Whitaker, the company has received a one-hundred-million deposit, please confirm.¡± ¡°All right! I got it!¡± Arvid Woody excitedly said, ¡°We¡¯ve really hit the jackpot this time! Three hundred million, my goodness, we¡¯ve made more money than from a Nando Brandon concert!¡± ¡­ After leaving Valentine¡¯s Hotel, Quella Radcliffe and Anna Harris got into their car, overjoyed. ¡°Anna, it wasn¡¯t as difficult as I imagined, not having to face ninety-nine trials!¡± Quella Radcliffe could hardly conceal the joy on her face. For her at least, it was a massive success. She, alone and without any connections or background, was able to secure the endorsement. If Bran Cook wanted to outdo her, he would have to head to the capital to find a first-tier veteran superstar. The endorsement fee for that would be astronomical. ¡°Who knew Nando Brandon would be so easy to talk to.¡± Anna Harris sitting in the passenger seat, thumbs up, excitedly praised, ¡°Bestie, you¡¯re too awesome! What seemed like a sure failure turned into a success!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll send a WeChat message to Julius Reed to tell him the good news!¡± Quella Radcliffe laughed and sent a WeChat message to Julius Reed. Chapter 489 - Chapter 489: Chapter 489: The Revenge for Losing a Son_1 Chapter 489: Chapter 489: The Revenge for Losing a Son_1 ¡°Boss, how do you plan to deal with Maurice Springs?¡± In Gonzalez City, at the Eastern Harbor, Julius Reed and Aron Jackson wore sunglasses, hands clasped behind their backs, gazing towards the distant sea. Gonzalez City is a coastal city, and although it is just a small market town, it boasts a leading GDP in Five-river Province thanks to its developed transportation. The harbor is bustling with merchant ships coming and going, including cargo ships exporting abroad, as well as small boats carrying tourists. It is already afternoon, with the sun slowly descending behind the mountains, perfectly aligning with the sea to form a horizon. This was truly a rare sight to behold. ¡°Maurice Springs is a traitor to the Willson Pavilion. If I help Amadeus Fairbanks deal with the house cleaning, shouldn¡¯t I ask for a finder¡¯s fee?¡± Julius Reed said with a joking smile. ¡°Boss, only you could say that. If it were someone else, and Pavilion Master Fairbanks heard it, they¡¯d probably be hunted down a thousand miles!¡± Aron Jackson would not dare to address Amadeus Fairbanks by name casually. The Pavilion Master of the Willson Pavilion is incredibly powerful, with branches all over the world. ¡°I heard that Pavilion Master Fairbanks and Deep Cold have been hitting it off quite well lately?¡± Aron Jackson asked again. Both men were staring intently at the sea level, talking idly. ¡°They are indeed enjoying their fight. I heard from some disciples of the Willson Pavilion at the entrance that one of Amadeus Fairbanks¡¯s managers killed a ¡®subsection chief¡¯ from Deep Cold in Africa a few days ago.¡± Julius Reed, watching the incessant rolling waves, talked intermittently, ¡°With this, the feud has thoroughly been settled.¡± ¡°Pavilion Master Fairbanks is truly unfailingly loyal to you.¡± Aron Jackson remarked emotionally. As one of the most colossal organizations, the Willson Pavilion is one of the few powers that can confront Deep Cold head-on. For decades, both sides had contained themselves, never engaging in large-scale conflicts. But now, because Deep Cold took action against Julius Reed, Amadeus Fairbanks actually declared an all-out war against Deep Cold. This was not just an empty slogan. Within a few months, over half of Deep Cold¡¯s excellent Shadow Warriors had been lost. The organization that once made Shadow Warriors around the world proud, was now forced to deploy a large number of personnel to guard their headquarters, fully retrenching within three months. One by one, Deep Cold¡¯s branches were attacked and suffered heavy losses. Being an alliance itself, the personal safety of the Shadow Warriors was threatened, and they naturally couldn¡¯t go out on missions. Without missions, there was no way to earn money. So, some Shadow Warriors had already started to declare their departure from Deep Cold, one by one, within the past month. The Willson Pavilion, however, is a purely authoritarian organization; all disciples of the Willson Pavilion have only one master, that is Amadeus Fairbanks! Facing their arch-enemy Deep Cold, the disciples of the Willson Pavilion showed no fear at all, attacking like mad, leaving Deep Cold apprehensive and tentative. ¡°Deep Cold, already at a bit of a disadvantage, has actually lost several ¡®subsection chiefs¡¯ to you.¡± Aron Jackson couldn¡¯t help feeling emotional, his boss was just too powerful! Being able to personally slay Deep Cold¡¯s ¡®subsection chiefs¡¯ could shock the entire Shadow Warrior community! ¡°It¡¯s just a pity that one got away.¡± Thinking of the Three-Armed Underworld King who escaped, Julius Reed felt somewhat regretful. After all, it wasn¡¯t that the opponent was too strong, but his own skills had not yet fully recovered. The battle at the snow-capped summit had left him still recuperating. This was also why he hadn¡¯t directly returned to the Boulevard League headquarters on Demarco Mount. ¡°This time Maurice Springs is coming, he must be genuinely looking to make a move!¡± Through his own intelligence, Aron Jackson knew that Maurice Springs would travel by sea to Gonzalez City today to seek revenge on Julius Reed. ¡°Did you notify everyone you were supposed to?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes were fixed tightly on the sea. Not far away, a small boat was already making out its shape faintly. ¡°We¡¯ve already notified the Michael Family in Ganny Province, and the Michael Family¡¯s people have now arrived in Gonzalez City, even bringing along people from the Ridge Family and Skyfire.¡± Aron Jackson reported his intelligence truthfully. ¡°Skyfire and the Ridge Family have reconciled?¡± Julius Reed asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Indeed! The fact that both are willing to make a move jointly indicates they must have reconciled.¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s informant had arrived at the Paper Drunk Golden Tavern and, by tracking the Boulevard League alongside Finn Carmichael¡¯s people, had managed to send back the information accurately. ¡°That means the woman behind all this, the mastermind, must have arrived.¡± Only with that woman¡¯s arrival could the two sides lay down their weapons and turn to peace. Otherwise, how could Skyfire and the Ridge Family, who fought fiercely against each other, possibly cooperate? ¡°Boss, should we strengthen our defenses?¡± Hearing that this woman had arrived, Aron Jackson was somewhat nervous. He knew that a person who could even get a bit of his boss¡¯s attention was definitely not ordinary! ¡°No need, that woman wouldn¡¯t dare to leave Five-river Province. Even if she has come, she must stay put within the province.¡± Julius Reed fingered the ring on his hand: ¡°The Green-clothed Sword Hero is under her command, but doesn¡¯t only listen to her. Just yesterday, I dispatched people to spread the word, and Cold Nelson inside the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance will help spread it too. At this moment, many eyes are watching Five-river Province!¡± As he said that, Julius Reed smiled faintly: ¡°She is now caught in a dilemma! She can only hide in the dark and wait for everyone¡¯s attention to shift before she can possibly return. Otherwise, for an internal guard envoy of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance to leave Demarco Mount without authorization is a grave offense! They can¡¯t afford that!¡± Those who can mobilize the Wolf Cavalry must belong to the internal guards. Otherwise, the Wolf Cavalry would not appear. Unlike direct forces like Cold Nelson¡¯s, the internal guards can only stay on Demarco Mount, dealing with various affairs, and are not allowed to leave without the Young Master¡¯s command. Just then, a succession of voices suddenly came through Aron Jackson¡¯s earpiece. ¡°Boss, the Michael Family¡¯s people have boarded a ship and are rushing over from the sea.¡± Aron Jackson turned and picked up his telescope, looking towards Five-river Province: ¡°After I sent Maurice Springs¡¯ information and itinerary to the Michael Family, they recognized him at first glance as the man who killed their young master. At the same time, I spread rumors that you invited him from overseas to take care of those from the Boulevard League in Five-river Province.¡± Having said that, Aron Jackson pointed to a cruise ship in the distance and smiled: ¡°There, they¡¯ve come for a preemptive strike.¡± ¡°When the snipe and the clam grapple, it¡¯s we who benefit.¡± Julius Reed also picked up a telescope and watched the two ships that were gradually approaching. ¡­ ¡°General, although the sea route took a long time, we have finally arrived. It was a smooth journey without any hitches.¡± Aboard the small boat on the sea, a young man spoke up beside Maurice Springs. ¡°I¡¯m finally going to have my revenge!¡± Maurice Springs looked at the increasingly clear outline of Gonzalez City, his hands clenched tightly. This time, with another Shadow Warrior from Deep Cold to boost his strength, he was confident he could take down Julius Reed! ¡°Mr. Springs, I heard that the Three-Armed Underworld King failed and had an arm chopped off.¡± A fair-haired, blue-eyed European man walked over from behind him, toying with a flintlock in his hand. ¡°Hmph! I make no comment, but this time, I will definitely return with his head!¡± Maurice Springs let out a cold laugh, his right hand touching the Longsword on his back. The vengeance for his son! He must avenge him! And just under five hundred meters away, on another ship, the Michael Family¡¯s people stood at the bow, their hands trembling uncontrollably! ¡°Son, your archenemy is right there! Today, I will cut them down with my own hands to avenge you!¡± Tobias Michael pounded his fist on the ship¡¯s bow, his eyes red with fury. Chapter 490 - Chapter 490: Chapter 490 Sharpshooter_1 Chapter 490: Chapter 490 Sharpshooter_1 ¡°Boss, why do I have a feeling that something isn¡¯t right?¡± The young man steering the cruise ship looked at the rapidly approaching vessel, a sense of foreboding growing in his heart. On such a vast sea, why would that ship come so close to their own? Truth be told, Maurice Springs had sensed something amiss much earlier. As the vice-manager of the Willson Pavilion Far East Branch and one of the current chiefs of Deep Cold, Maurice Springs¡¯s keen intuition told him that the people nearby were definitely not up to any good. ¡°Should we test them out first?¡± Next to Maurice Springs, a European man with blond hair and blue eyes nonchalantly held a box of throwing weapons and asked. His face always bore an expression of ease. ¡°Captain, don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you; the other party is very capable. Even the Three-Armed Underworld King is no match for him! If you underestimate your enemy, you¡¯re likely to suffer!¡± Maurice Springs spoke with a grim expression. The blond-haired, blue-eyed European was named Lloyd III, and he came from a family of pirates. That is, the notorious Caribbean pirates. Lloyd III had been playing with throwing weapons since he was a child, and at the age of thirteen, after being bullied by nobles, he angrily went home, picked up his box of throwing weapons, and killed the noble¡¯s son in the street. After the incident escalated, Lloyd III¡¯s parents personally went to apologize, only to be beaten by the noble and then placed under house arrest. Furthermore, the noble sent people all over the city to hunt for Lloyd III. Upon hearing the news, Lloyd III fled in panic, subsisting on scavenging from trash until a week later, he seized an opportunity to blend in at a banquet the noble was hosting at his home that evening. As the noble humiliated Lloyd III¡¯s parents in front of everyone, Lloyd III stepped out from the crowd and killed the entire noble family, then escaped in the ensuing chaos. Afterward, he encountered his master, who was also the current supreme leader of Deep Cold. Under the tutelage of the supreme leader, the already proficient Lloyd III quickly became a killing machine! At a young age, he was already one of the chiefs of Deep Cold and the number one sharpshooter in the world of archers. Even the training related to throwing weapons within Deep Cold was all Lloyd III¡¯s handiwork. With this identity, Lloyd III seldom regarded anyone within Deep Cold highly. Even an old campaigner like the Three-Armed Underworld King, he scoffed at, let alone someone like Maurice Springs who had defected. ¡°Just a few little thieves. They all deserve to die.¡± Lloyd III wiped his golden throwing weapon box and shook his head as he walked up to the sailor: ¡°Full speed ahead, crash into them!¡± ¡°Yes, Captain!¡± Upon hearing Lloyd III¡¯s command, the helmsman immediately turned the ship around, heading straight for the vessel belonging to the Michael Family. ¡°They¡¯re coming!¡± Tobias Michael shouted excitedly. The pain of losing his son, he would never forget! The enemy was now before his eyes, his greatest revenge, at last, to be fulfilled! ¡°Who wants to go first?¡± At the bow of the ship, a dozen people looked at each other. ¡°You Ridge Family people, weren¡¯t you so fierce when killing our Skyfire? How come you¡¯re cowering now?¡± A leader from Skyfire, holding a longsword in one hand, looked coldly towards where the Ridge Family stood. His name was Cyclops, one of the protectors of Skyfire. When he heard that the Saint Heir had been ambushed, he rushed to Five-river Province with his men to provide support, but upon arrival, they received orders not to act rashly. Cyclops, who had hoped for a killing spree, was extremely frustrated and learned only after inquiring that the one who had killed their men was the supreme chief of Deep Cold, the Three-Armed Underworld King! Without a word, Cyclops stood down and waited for orders. Fight the Three-Armed Underworld King? He wouldn¡¯t have the guts even in twenty years. Just this morning, he had received orders from the Sect Hierarch to collaborate with a woman to complete a mission. After going out, he realized that if it hadn¡¯t been for intelligence indicating that these people were allies invited by their arch-enemies, Cyclops really wouldn¡¯t have wanted to wade into these troubled waters. Working with his mortal enemy made him uncomfortable. ¡°Heh! I thought you were some big shot! Turns out you¡¯re just a showpiece! If you¡¯re too scared to come forward, then just stay back and cheer for your grandpa!¡± A middle-aged man from the Ridge Family stepped forward; he was a highly skilled fighter named Iron Horse, whom Truman Ridge had hired for a hefty sum. His fists were like iron, his body brimming with brute strength! ¡°Say whatever you want, when you are no good anymore, I¡¯ll take over!¡± Cyclops King hefted his golden longsword and turned his head away. ¡°Killing is as easy as eating! Ender, you go!¡± Iron Horse waved his hand, and one of his disciples stepped forward from behind him. Ender was his oldest and foremost disciple. ¡°Rest assured, Master, they¡¯re just blind thieves! Watch me slaughter their entire crew!¡± As the distance between the two ships narrowed to about twenty meters, Ender sprinted forward and leaped, using the momentum to soar high into the air! He flew up high! ¡°Here he comes!¡± Maurice Springs placed his right hand on the longsword at his back, watching coldly as Ender was about to fly over. Whiz! At that moment, a dart sound came from behind Maurice Springs. Ender, who had just been in mid-air, fell into the sea like a kite with its string cut! The ocean was instantly stained red. ¡°Huh!¡± When Maurice Springs turned his head, he saw Lloyd III blowing the smoke from the barrel of his firearm. ¡°Sorry, I just see a target and want to shoot, occupational habit.¡± Lloyd III shrugged slightly, giving Maurice Springs a helpless look. ¡°Hmph!¡± Maurice Springs said no more. After all, he was dealing with the Sect Hierarch¡¯s personal disciple, and as a newcomer who was not yet established, if he were to fall out of favor, he¡¯d stand no chance of surviving the pursuit of Willson Pavilion. Moreover, he needed Lloyd III¡¯s help in the upcoming battle against Julius Reed, a true master. ¡°My God! What kind of shooting is that!¡± Iron Horse on the other ship hadn¡¯t yet grasped what had happened before seeing his disciple killed in the sea. Rage spread rapidly through him. ¡°How dare you kill my disciple!¡± He clenched his fists tightly, his body trembling slightly with anger. Ender was not only his chosen successor but also the suitor he had approved of for his daughter! Now, just like that, his disciple was gone in a single encounter! Indeed, the opponent was powerful, but Iron Horse did not believe he couldn¡¯t win. He blamed Ender¡¯s death on carelessness. ¡°Wow! Sir, your disciple is quite weak, isn¡¯t this just handing over a kill?¡± Cyclops King taunted. ¡°Shut up! After I¡¯ve slaughtered them, I¡¯ll come back and kill you!¡± Iron Horse roared and said to his three disciples behind him, ¡°Follow me for vengeance, avenge your senior brother!¡± ¡°Vengeance! Vengeance!¡± His disciples took off their belts and tied them around their heads, each one of them with a fierce aura! ¡°Listen up on the other side, my name is Iron Horse, and I don¡¯t kill nobodies!¡± With a leap from where he stood, Iron Horse flew high into the air! And behind him, his three disciples followed closely. Whiz! Lloyd III pulled the trigger on his hidden weapon box again, this time targeting Iron Horse! Chapter 491 - Chapter 491: Chapter 491 Mutual Destruction_1 Chapter 491: Chapter 491 Mutual Destruction_1 The Iron Knight in the air had been closely observing the situation on the opposing ship. When he saw the man with the blonde hair aiming an arrow-shaped hidden weapon at him, he twisted his body in an unbelievable angle in midair! Puchi! The dart brushed past his body, piercing into the body of a disciple behind him. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Accompanied by a scream, the disciple fell straight into the ocean, completely disappearing after stirring up a splash. Thump! Seizing the moment, Iron Knight had already landed on the deck. ¡°Dare to kill my disciple!¡± His eyes bloodshot, he violently swung his fist at LloydIII! Whoosh! LloydIII was not only skilled in using darts, but his close-quarters combat was also noteworthy. He twisted to the side, dodging Iron Knight¡¯s strike! The ship¡¯s iron body, however, was smashed with two huge dents by Iron Knight! ¡°Being able to dodge my dart, you¡¯re pretty good.¡± LloydIII clipped the hidden weapon box to his waist, saying with a chuckle. He almost never missed his shot, yet today he did! Still, the dart eventually killed one of Iron Knight¡¯s disciples. ¡°You¡¯ve killed my disciple, now I will use your head to pay homage!¡± Iron Knight took a deep breath, and just as he was about to make his move, a scream came from behind him. ¡°Black, White!¡± When he saw what was happening in front of his eyes, his eyes split wide and he let out a heart-wrenching wail. Only to see Maurice Springs indifferently holding his disciple White¡¯s head, with the Longsword directly cutting through the throat! Black, on the other hand, had already fallen on the ground, looking as though he had died during their boarding of the ship. ¡°Such trash, hardly worth my effort!¡± Maurice Springs wiped the blood on the Longsword using White¡¯s body and sneered coldly. ¡°All of you can go to hell!¡± Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The enraged Iron Knight launched three punches in rapid succession, creating a line of holes in the body of the ship. As for LloydIII, his agile body easily dodged these attacks. Taking advantage of this, Maurice Springs, holding the Longsword in one hand, charged over! ¡°You vermin think you can come here and embarrass yourselves?¡± He swung the sword single-handedly, slashing down in a flowing motion! Iron Knight, entangled with LloydIII, only felt a chill on his back and turned his head just in time to see the Longsword nearly chopping at his head! Clang! At this critical moment of life and death, a steel knife appeared directly in front of Iron Knight, firmly blocking Maurice Springs¡¯ sword. ¡°Brother, killing is fine, but did you ask for my permission?¡± Cyclops was holding the knife with both hands, already trembling a bit. The force of Maurice Springs¡¯ strike was so great that it was difficult for him to bear. ¡°Your permission? What are you?¡± Clang! A huge force came upon him, sending Cyclops flying several meters back! ¡°First kill the one with the darts; his martial arts are weak!¡± Iron Knight bellowed, charging toward LloydIII. ¡°Then let¡¯s kill him first! Cover me!¡± Cyclops shouted, and the people on the other ship immediately set up crossbows and began firing frantically! Whiz! Whiz! Whiz! A volley of Crossbow Arrows whistled out, forcing Maurice Springs back! His Longsword danced wildly, slashing down some of the arrows, yet he was still forced back a dozen steps. Just a brief moment. The situation on the ship had changed dramatically. LloydIII might be skilled, but he was first and foremost a marksman. He had been so confident before because of Maurice Springs¡¯ presence on the ship. But now, entangled with two close-quarters combat experts, he was clearly struggling! He wanted to reach for his gun, but the moment he made a move to grab it, Cyclops¡¯ knife would surely slash at his waist. Eventually, he couldn¡¯t hold on anymore! In a moment of carelessness, his arm was chopped off by Cyclops¡¯ knife! Puchi! The bloody left arm fell onto the ground. ¡°Ah¡­ You bastards¡­must all¡­die!¡± LloydIII bore the severe pain and rolled backwards, his body convulsing. At that moment, Maurice Springs soared into the air, his Longsword slashing down from above! ¡°With this sword, even if you were the heavens, I would tear you to shreds!¡± The Longsword howled, mixed with endless Sword Qi, and slashed down at them! ¡°I don¡¯t believe it!¡± Cyclops turned around, lifted his broadsword, and crashed into Maurice Springs¡¯s Longsword! That slash when he had just boarded the ship had made him rapidly expand in strength! However, what he didn¡¯t know was that Maurice Springs¡¯s eyes had already turned blood red when he was forced back by Crossbow Arrows just now. Berserk Sword! In a berserk state, he was rarely matched! Clang! The sword and broadsword collided! Maurice Springs¡¯s sword broke through Cyclops¡¯s broadsword! ¡°You¡­¡± Before he could finish his last sentence, Cyclops¡¯s head was split into two. He had never imagined, even till his death, that Maurice Springs could increase his power several times over in just a dozen seconds! ¡°Now, it¡¯s your turn.¡± Maurice Springs looked at Iron Horse indifferently, slowly lifting the Longsword in his hand. The Longsword, covered in blood! And Cyclops¡¯s corpse was kneeling on the ground. His head had been blown open. ¡°This¡­¡± Iron Horse felt an evil chill down his spine. His legs went weak, and he knelt straight on the ground, pleading, ¡°I was wrong¡­ Please spare me this once!¡± Maurice Springs, like the Grim Reaper, looked at him coldly, the sword in his hand trembling slightly. Iron Horse had never felt such fear inside. At least, it was the first time in decades that he was afraid! So afraid that he didn¡¯t even have the courage to fight back. ¡°You! Go die!¡± LloydIII, who was nearby, finished reloading his hidden weapon box with one hand and put it to Iron Horse¡¯s head. As proud as he was, to have an arm severed by someone! How would he be able to stand in Deep Cold after returning home? And how would the supreme leader look at him? The position of Commander LloydIII had already attracted much controversy. Now that he was disabled, those people would surely attack nonstop! And pull him down from the position of Commander! ¡°It wasn¡¯t me! It was him¡­¡± Iron Horse pointed at Cyclops¡¯s corpse on the ground in a panic, begging, ¡°Give me a chance¡­ please¡­¡± Whoosh! LloydIII suddenly pulled the trigger! The dart rang out! Iron Horse¡¯s head blew open on the spot. Blood splattered everywhere. ¡°I want to slaughter the ship!¡± The angry LloydIII looked at the ship opposite, his heart filled with killing intent. ¡°Be careful!¡± Maurice Springs warned in a low voice. LloydIII had lost his reason now, and had lost an arm to boot. If there were still a hidden master on the opposite ship, going over like this would be no different from offering himself up for death. ¡°Maurice Springs! Mind your own business!¡± LloydIII roared with bloodshot eyes! All he had in his mind was slaughter! ¡°You¡­¡± Maurice Springs took a deep breath but did not continue to stop him. ¡°All of you, die!¡± LloydIII rushed out, directly flying to the bow of the opposite ship. Just as he raised his hidden weapon box, ready to shoot. Swish! A two-meter-long giant crossbow bolt suddenly shot out from the stern of the ship! And LloydIII, without any warning, had nowhere to hide! ¡°No!¡± Clang! His entire body was pierced by the giant crossbow bolt, nailed directly onto the hull beside Maurice Springs. He was dead beyond doubt. ¡°Sir, you¡¯ve killed a man, care to come over for a talk?¡± Just then, an old man walked out from within the opposite ship, hands clasped behind his back as he looked towards Maurice Springs. Chapter 492 - Chapter 492: Chapter 492: Riding the Waves_1 Chapter 492: Chapter 492: Riding the Waves_1 ¡°Let¡¯s talk then!¡± Maurice Springs was fearless, and he leaped directly onto the boat. The elder was dressed in black and appeared to be over seventy years old. But anyone who underestimated him would pay the price. ¡°Who might you be?¡± Maurice Springs gripped his sword with both hands and asked aloud. Such a formidable aura could definitely not belong to an ordinary person. ¡°I am Mo Feng, the seventy-third successor of the Will Family,¡± the elder said with a smile, cupping his hands. ¡°Mo Feng? I haven¡¯t heard of you.¡± Maurice Springs snorted coldly, looking at the giant crossbow at the stern, and laughed, ¡°Elder, you¡¯re not just relying on these things, are you?¡± Had he encountered such a crossbow earlier, he probably would have been in grave danger. Poor LloydIII ended up being the scapegoat. ¡°Of course not! Such a thing can only be used once, the second time it loses its effect. How can you ambush someone with a crossbow when they¡¯ve discovered it?¡± the elder said cheerfully. ¡°Elder, let¡¯s get started.¡± Maurice Springs slowly raised his longsword. There was a five-meter gap between him and the elder; if he closed another two meters, he was confident that he could make a killing strike! ¡°Get started? Young man, you are too impatient!¡± The elder shook his head and instructed one of his disciples behind him, ¡°Serve the tea! Let¡¯s be hospitable to our guest!¡± ¡°As you wish, Master!¡± The disciple immediately turned and walked into the cabin, and after a moment, he brought out two cups of tea. ¡°Guests from afar deserve a welcome drink. Try this,¡± the elder took a sip from his cup first, ¡°It¡¯s not poisoned.¡± ¡°Then thank you,¡± Maurice Springs flicked his longsword, sending the tea cup into the air! Then, as the tea fell from the sky, it poured into Maurice Springs¡¯ mouth. ¡°What exactly do you want? To fight or not to fight? If we¡¯re not fighting, please step aside!¡± Maurice Springs demanded coldly. The elder was strong in martial arts, and Maurice Springs did not want to stir up trouble unnecessarily. But if he didn¡¯t kill everyone on this boat, how would he report back to the Supreme Leader? LloydIII had died in such a vague and uncertain way; surely, it would lead to a lot of rumors within Deep Cold. ¡°You have too much killing intent!¡± The elder shook his head and looked at Maurice Springs, ¡°That¡¯s not good.¡± ¡°So, you refuse to move aside!¡± Maurice Springs¡¯ complexion darkened and, without a second word, he slashed out with his sword! It was a probe! Whoosh! The elder sidestepped quickly, and several crossbow arrows flew past the spot he had just been! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! These crossbow arrows, slicing through the air, charged straight at Maurice Springs! Clang! Clang! Clang! Maurice Springs¡¯ pupils constricted sharply, as he quickly raised his longsword in front of him. The crossbow arrows, after colliding with the blade, fell to the ground one after another. ¡°I get it now! You have no real skill; it¡¯s all because of these gadgets! And the only skill you do have is your qinggong!¡± Maurice Springs burst out laughing, instantly seeing through the elder¡¯s plan. No wonder he didn¡¯t want to fight. He had no skill at all. ¡°I just need to stand here, and you¡¯ll be killed by these traps!¡± Obviously, the elder did not deny Maurice Springs¡¯ words: ¡°Tradition is important.¡± Indeed, he was skilled in movement, especially in escaping. In the current situation, it was clear he could not let Maurice Springs get close. The entire boat had been modified into a weapon. A gigantic concealed weapon! Nearly every corner had an unexpected trap. With just these traps, he could wear down Maurice Springs to death! ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then meet your end!¡± Maurice Springs¡¯ pupils narrowed as he lunged at the elder like a predatory eagle! Whoosh! Right as he made his move, the deck beneath his feet suddenly shot out crossbow arrows! It seemed set to turn him into a porcupine! ¡°Old thief!¡± Realizing he had been tricked, Maurice Springs dodged to the side but was still grazed on the arm by a crossbow arrow. However, before his foot could touch the ground, crossbow arrows shot out from all directions like mad, without any regard for their own lives! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The sharp sound of the air being torn apart made Maurice Springs feel a chill for the first time! He and the old man were now more than twenty meters apart, and clearly, this entire area was filled with traps! Pffft! Three crossbow arrows whizzed through the air, piercing Maurice Springs¡¯s body, one of which went straight through his heart. Thump! Maurice Springs knelt on one knee, motionless. ¡°Haha!¡± The old man, Mo Feng, seeing this scene, couldn¡¯t help but clap his hands and said, ¡°Young man, no matter how agile you are, can you beat my traps?¡± ¡°Master! Shall we go over and check? Or perhaps, hit him a few more times?¡± A disciple came over and asked for instructions. ¡°No need! Nobody can survive under my traps!¡± Mo Feng shook his head with extreme confidence. With a crossbow arrow piercing his heart, how could he possibly still be alive? ¡°Congratulations, Master!¡± Just then, Tobias Michael, who had been hiding in the ship, could finally come out. When he saw Iron Horse and Cyclops killed, he was almost scared to death! Luckily now, with Mo Feng¡¯s traps all activated, the enemy who killed his son was butchered on the deck! ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s take a look!¡± Mo Feng walked over with an air of complacency, with Tobias Michael following closely behind him. ¡°Please rest assured, Master, the twenty billion I promised you earlier will be transferred to your account in full without missing a dime!¡± Tobias Michael said from behind. He had spent twenty billion to bring this old man here, with the goal of having Maurice Springs killed! Now that his great revenge had been avenged, he was in an extremely good mood. ¡°Money is but an external object! However, since you are willing, I, as the Master, cannot but accept, right?¡± Mo Feng said pretentiously, coming up to Maurice Springs and laughing loudly, ¡°Such a brute, not even capable of getting close to me, and you wanted to kill me?¡± ¡°Exactly! A mere clod comparing to, Master, is simply overestimating himself!¡± Tobias Michael lifted his foot, ready to kick down on Maurice Springs¡¯s body! ¡°Is that so? A clod? Hehe!¡± The supposedly dead Maurice Springs suddenly lifted his head, his face covered in blood as he looked at them. ¡°You¡­¡± Mo Feng and Tobias Michael¡¯s faces changed drastically! They couldn¡¯t understand what was happening! How could this be! To be shot through the heart and still not dead? ¡°My heart is on the left side!¡± Maurice Springs chuckled sinisterly, and his longsword suddenly swung out! Pffft! The two men were cut in half! ¡°Ah¡­¡± The old man¡¯s torso struggled on the ground before he died in endless agony. ¡°Now, who can stop me!¡± Maurice Springs roared, feeling a surge of blood in his chest! Blurgh! He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. Meanwhile, the disciples opposite him, seeing their master killed, were all stunned in place, clueless about what to do! ¡°What do we do¡­ ?¡± ¡°Run!¡± Someone snapped out of it and immediately tried to jump into the water! ¡°All of you, die!¡± Maurice Springs yelled, pulling out the crossbow arrows from his body and viciously throwing them forward! Pffft! These crossbow arrows directly pierced through those people¡¯s bodies. ¡°What¡¯s happening! Why did they start fighting!¡± Just as Maurice Springs felt as though he was about to collapse, a hand behind him supported him. ¡°Three-Armed Underworld King?¡± Maurice Springs frowned slightly and said, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°No good! We¡¯ve been fooled!¡± The Three-Armed Underworld King, looking at the dead people in front of him, said with regret, ¡°I received a message and wanted to follow you, but I didn¡¯t expect to still be a step too late! These people here, they¡¯re our allies!¡± Right then, as if sensing something, the two men sharply looked up ahead! They saw someone walking on the waves coming towards them! Chapter 493 - Chapter 493: Chapter 493: Wrap Up After the Fight_1 Chapter 493: Chapter 493: Wrap Up After the Fight_1 ¡°It¡¯s him!¡± When they saw the face of the person striding across the waves, they cried out in unison. The comer was none other than Julius Reed! From the shore, he had watched the two sides fight to the death with a telescope before dashing over the waves. ¡°Is¡­ is it him?¡± Maurice Springs¡¯s heart skipped a beat, realizing he had indeed fallen into a trap! ¡°You recognize him?¡± The Three-Armed Underworld King glanced at his severed arm and coldly said, ¡°This arm of mine was a gift from that man before us!¡± ¡°And my son, he too died by his hand!¡± Maurice Springs coughed, clearly lacking strength and heavily injured. ¡°You¡¯re not up for it, let me handle this!¡± The Three-Armed Underworld King laid Maurice Springs down on the ground, drew two steel swords, and walked toward Julius Reed. Thump! As he neared the ship, Julius Reed leaped gracefully, landing directly on the deck. ¡°Long time no see, have you chosen your grave yet?¡± Julius Reed looked at the Three-Armed Underworld King, whose arm he had severed, and asked with a smile. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re not even¡­ a monster¡­ worth mentioning!¡± He thought for a long time before coming up with these few adjectives. ¡°We meet again!¡± The hands of the Three-Armed Underworld King that clutched the steel swords trembled. He hated being called a monster the most, yet facing this man, he was at a loss for what to do. Even with three arms, he was no match for Julius Reed, let alone when he was not yet recovered from serious injuries. And lying behind him was Maurice Springs, on the brink of death. ¡°So, have you chosen that grave or not?¡± Julius Reed asked aloud, ¡°You ran away from such a nice place I offered to bury you at my own expense.¡± Not having been able to kill the Three-Armed Underworld King last time was a regret in Julius Reed¡¯s heart. But nothing could be done, the place was all forest, and when the Three-Armed Underworld King resolved to flee, no one could stop him. After all, he was an old hand at killing, not weak in the least. ¡°I won¡¯t choose it, I want to kill you,¡± the Three-Armed Underworld King said calmly. ¡°Now this is the sea, you have nowhere to escape! In the forest, you could run and I couldn¡¯t keep you, but here, you are as good as caged!¡± Julius Reed looked at the boundless sea, speaking with considerable confidence. ¡°So you¡¯ve been plotting all this just to lure me out to sea?¡± The Three-Armed Underworld King stared coldly at Julius Reed, gripping the steel sword even tighter. He had been seriously injured and had planned to leave the Five-river Province and return to Deep Cold to report the situation, taking the time to recover. But because he was not in his own country, taking the water route was the safest. However, no sooner had he set sail than he received a message from Deep Cold, asking him to come back to aid Maurice Springs. It seemed now that all of this was orchestrated by the man before him. The Three-Armed Underworld King¡¯s escape techniques were outstanding; if he chose to flee, very few could stop him. But in this vast sea, there was no room to maneuver. ¡°You could say that! I have decided to give you a sea burial,¡± Julius Reed pointed to the endless sea, ¡°I once gave you the chance to be buried properly, but you didn¡¯t cherish it. Now, you get to feed the fish in the ocean!¡± ¡°Who¡¯s going to die is still uncertain! You¡¯re that confident?¡± The Three-Armed Underworld King, after thinking hard and realizing he had no way out, decided that his only chance of survival was to kill the man before him. Aside from that, there was no other solution! ¡°Then let¡¯s get on with it. I still have to go home and spend time with my wife!¡± Julius Reed spoke nonchalantly, which infuriated the Three-Armed Underworld King greatly. Disdain, the sheer, unmasked disdain! He was, after all, the long-serving Chief Shadow Warrior of Deep Cold! But now, to be treated with such disrespect! ¡°Then let¡¯s do this! Today I will make sure you are buried at sea!¡± The Three-Armed Underworld King suddenly lunged forward, his two steel swords dancing wildly in the air! ¡°You¡­ today you will certainly die!¡± Whoosh! Julius Reed leaped into the air, his golden whip flying out directly from his sleeve! Clang! Clang! Following the sound of two collisions, the steel sword in the Three-Armed Underworld King¡¯s hand was directly severed! ¡°You!¡± The severely injured man spurted out a mouthful of blood as the shock jarred him further. ¡°Your death is not at all unjust.¡± Julius Reed held up the ring on his hand and asked with a smile, ¡°Recognize it?¡± ¡°This¡­¡± The Three-Armed Underworld King felt it was familiar but couldn¡¯t for the life of him remember where he had seen it. ¡°This is the Dragon Ring.¡± With one sentence, Julius Reed shocked the Three-Armed Underworld King into speechlessness, as if he had been struck by thunder. ¡°The Dragon Ring¡­ When the Dragon Ring emerges, a thousand gods will perish¡­ The Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, you are its Young Master¡­¡± Splat! Before he could finish, Julius Reed¡¯s golden whip pierced through the Three-Armed Underworld King¡¯s body: ¡°You can¡¯t escape.¡± Thump! With a shove, the Three-Armed Underworld King fell onto the deck with eyes wide open. ¡°Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance¡­¡± As he uttered the last three words, he lost all signs of life. And Maurice Springs, already nearly half-dead on the deck, turned as pale as death when he heard Julius Reed¡¯s words. The Young Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, an existence like a deity. To think he had fancied his chances against this young man. ¡°How foolish I have been¡­¡± Maurice Springs cried out loudly and plucked a crossbow arrow from the ground, ending his own life! If he didn¡¯t die, his life would be worse than death! ¡­ ¡°Boss, that was quick?¡± Watching the two boats burning fiercely on the river, Aron Jackson, following behind Julius Reed, asked, ¡°Did we get anything?¡± According to the intelligence, the people on these boats were very formidable. And in the end, he saw through his binoculars that even the Three-Armed Underworld King had hurried over. Such a powerful alliance had indeed worried Aron Jackson a bit beforehand. ¡°That was quick?¡± Julius Reed laughed lightly: ¡°I was just kindly persuading them. Why can¡¯t we sit together, have a Coke, eat some sunflower seeds? Why must we fight and kill! So, they felt ashamed and all committed suicide.¡± ¡°Believe you, my foot!¡± Aron Jackson put away his binoculars as if suddenly remembering something important: ¡°Oh right, boss, your wife sent you a message.¡± Since Julius Reed was going out to sea and worried that Quella Radcliffe wouldn¡¯t be able to find him or might run into trouble, he had been keeping his phone with Aron Jackson. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say so earlier!¡± Julius Reed snatched the phone and looked at the message. ¡°Three million to sign Nando Brandon for an endorsement?¡± Quella Radcliffe briefly explained the signing process in the message, her words brimming with joy. But to Julius Reed, this matter was not so simple. Nando Brandon, being such a big name, would have an endorsement fee starting at at least ten million. Moreover, with a concert coming up and judging by his reported proud nature, it was unlikely Quella Radcliffe and her colleagues would even get an audience with him. How could they have possibly signed this contract directly? ¡°There¡¯s something fishy about this, look into it for me.¡± Julius Reed showed the message to Aron Jackson. ¡°Definitely something fishy!¡± Aron Jackson also felt something was amiss: ¡°What can three million get you? Even five million wouldn¡¯t be enough for Nando Brandon¡¯s endorsement. The Enlighten Group isn¡¯t stupid, why would they do this?¡± He took out his phone and made a call: ¡°Find out immediately who visited the hotel where Arvid Woody is staying today!¡± Gonzalez City was full of Aron Jackson¡¯s people, even Valentine¡¯s Hotel, where Arvid Woody was staying, had hidden owners behind the scenes who were employees of Aron Jackson¡¯s employees. Soon, a call came back. ¡°Bran Cook was there, and we¡¯ve got the recording of that moment!¡± After saying this, the person on the other end sent a video clip to Aron Jackson via WeChat. Chapter 494 - Chapter 494: Chapter 494 Servants Descendant_1 Chapter 494: Chapter 494 Servant¡¯s Descendant_1 ¡°Boss, we have a video!¡± Aron Jackson brought his cell phone in front of Julius Reed. This video was a hidden camera footage from inside the hotel. Long before Arvid Woody and his entourage checked in, Aron Jackson had already sensed that something was off about these people. Especially after the death of Arvid Woody¡¯s three agents at the Vermilion Bird Pavilion, Aron Jackson directly arranged for his staff to install hidden cameras in the room where Arvid Woody was staying. Monitoring their every move. Now it would come in handy! In the video, the conversations of several people were all clearly audible. The conspiracy negotiated between Bran Cook and Nando Brandon was recorded word for word. ¡°I knew it! I said it was a conspiracy.¡± Julius Reed sneered coldly. Whenever something is abnormal, there must be demons at work. ¡°Boss! Should we threaten them? Or give them a warning? They even dared to target the big sister-in-law!¡± Aron Jackson asked aloud. ¡°Or perhaps, kill them?¡± ¡°No need, now you call Arvid Woody and ask him what¡¯s going on with this matter. Let¡¯s see what the old fox has to say.¡± Julius Reed pointed at his cell phone as he spoke. ¡°Alright!¡± Aron Jackson nodded and dialed Arvid Woody¡¯s number directly. ¡°Mr. Jackson, what can I do for you?¡± After the events of the afternoon, Arvid Woody had already saved Aron Jackson¡¯s cell phone number. In Gonzalez City, he didn¡¯t dare to provoke Mr. Jackson. Especially after just skirting the gates of hell, he was even more cautious. Even the tone of his speech had become much more respectful. ¡°I heard that you signed a contract with Quella Radcliffe? And for only three million?¡± Aron Jackson asked in a cold voice, switching his phone to speaker mode so that Julius Reed could hear clearly. ¡°This¡­ Mr. Jackson, how did you find out about that?¡± Arvid Woody felt very curious; the matter had only happened half an hour ago, so how did Mr. Jackson suddenly start asking about it? ¡°Answer me, is there any trickery in this affair? Nando Brandon¡¯s endorsement fee couldn¡¯t possibly be so little, could it?¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s tone grew heavier once again. ¡°Mr. Jackson, it¡¯s like this. Nando Brandon is in a good mood today and he has a favorable impression of Miss Radcliffe, so he took the endorsement. As for the fee, it was originally around ten million, but considering that we need to have long-term cooperation in Gonzalez City, we gave a discount. It was just right to build connections for Nando Brandon.¡± Arvid Woody wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and continued to fabricate lies. Although he didn¡¯t know why Aron Jackson suddenly asked, since he had already promised Bran Cook, he could not change it. If the matter were to be exposed, he¡¯d lose three hundred million. In fact, Arvid Woody was quite dissatisfied inside. As the vice-general manager, what was wrong with securing an endorsement deal for his own artist? Forget about three million, even if it were for free, it was his pleasure! Why did Aron Jackson have to meddle in everything? Could it be that he wanted money again? ¡°Is that truly the reason? I just heard there were some shenanigans, so I wanted to ask. After all, Nando Brandon¡¯s worth is definitely more than three million, right?¡± Aron Jackson prodded again, trying to get Arvid Woody to admit to the affair. ¡°Mr. Jackson, you jest! We¡¯re just looking for opportunities for cooperation in Gonzalez City. The three million is merely a token amount. In the long run, we need to look at the bigger picture, don¡¯t we? Besides, Nando Brandon is indeed very interested in Miss Radcliffe. If he agrees to the price, it¡¯s not my place to object.¡± Arvid Woody swallowed and continued, ¡°You know how it is these days. Once artists become big stars, we have no way to control them. They are the real bosses!¡± He had already made up his mind, no matter what, he could not let this matter come to light. After all, the endorsement event was scheduled for tomorrow morning. Once it was over, they¡¯d head straight for the airport and leave Gonzalez City! Leave Five-river Province. By then, far from the mountains and far from the emperor, how capable could Aron Jackson be? ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, I won¡¯t bother you any further.¡± After hanging up the phone, Aron Jackson looked at Julius Reed, ¡°Boss, he¡¯s not cooperating.¡± ¡°Then send him on his way.¡± Julius Reed thought for a moment, then smiled, ¡°Bran Cook¡¯s move is quite ruthless! Pulling the rug out from under her, if things really go south, I¡¯m afraid your sister-in-law really won¡¯t be able to save face, and she won¡¯t be able to mix in the business alliance anymore. In the end, the managerial position will still be his.¡± ¡°Boss, you¡¯re still smiling! What do we do now, find Nando Brandon? Have my men catch him and beat him up?¡± Aron Jackson asked with a bitter smile. His boss was always calm and collected, no matter the situation. ¡°You check for me who¡¯s the secret benefactor behind Nando Brandon! Where this person is now!¡± Julius Reed pointed at Aron Jackson, instructing, ¡°Make sure to investigate clearly! If you send someone to contact Nando Brandon now, it will definitely alert Bran Cook. This is his most crucial game, and Bran Cook cannot afford to lose!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Aron Jackson took out his phone and called his confidant again, ¡°Investigate the information of the secret benefactor behind Nando Brandon as quickly as possible, the sooner the better!¡± Since Julius Reed had woken up, he had swept through the Gonzalez City¡¯s forces and set up a powerful information network. These people were scattered throughout Gonzalez City, covering all aspects. Even those with a paparazzi-like nature were plentiful. As Julius Reed used to say, as long as you use them once, it¡¯s worth it! About ten minutes later, Aron Jackson¡¯s phone rang. ¡°Your man, quite efficient!¡± Julius Reed praised. Aron Jackson was very capable and loyal. During the three years of his amnesia, it was Aron Jackson who had covertly protected him. Now that he had awakened, Aron Jackson had become his strongest assistant. ¡°Boss, I found out! The secret benefactor behind Nando Brandon is Beckett Carmichael, from the Capital! He¡¯s currently in Gonzalez City, and it seems he came over with Nando Brandon, and he also seems to¡­¡± As he spoke, Aron Jackson hesitated. ¡°Speak up, what¡¯s with the hemming and hawing.¡± Julius Reed grew curious, what could Aron Jackson be afraid to say? Could it be that this Beckett Carmichael was someone of consequence? ¡°Boss, the reason Beckett Carmichael is supporting Nando Brandon is completely because of that kind of interest¡­ This Nando Brandon, he¡¯s his kept boy¡­¡± After speaking, Aron Jackson felt a wave of disgust. ¡°Beckett Carmichael, that name sounds familiar to me.¡± Julius Reed began to ponder, then suddenly slapped his hand, ¡°The Carmichael family from the Capital, one of the four great families, with ties to our ancestors.¡± He looked at Aron Jackson and asked with a smile, ¡°Do you know the story of how the Carmichael family came into fortune?¡± ¡°It¡¯s said that the Carmichael family had a Martial Artist who was the top scholar in martial exams during the Rosy Dynasty, they started doing business during the Republic era, and now possess a vast wealth.¡± Aron Jackson had heard about the Carmichael family from the Capital. It was something everyone knew about. The Carmichael family was established by a Martial Artist and eventually became a wealthy and influential clan. ¡°Their ancestor, that Martial Artist, was a handyman I found on the Tempest Mountains while I was reflecting on life,¡± Julius Reed sighed heavily, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the lad to be so cunning, to steal a bit of my martial arts when I wasn¡¯t paying attention. Of course, I allowed it on purpose, to see how much he could learn. That was his fate!¡± ¡°Boss, that¡¯s possible!¡± Aron Jackson was inwardly prostrating in admiration for Julius Reed. ¡°Where is he?¡± Julius Reed asked out loud. ¡°Vermilion Bird Hall, at the Vermilion Bird Pavilion.¡± Aron Jackson replied. ¡°In your old haunt?¡± Julius Reed was stunned for a moment, then spoke, ¡°Let¡¯s go, we shall meet the descendant of this servant of mine from the past!¡± Chapter 495 - Chapter 495: Chapter 495: Lets See Who Has a Bigger Temper_1 Chapter 495: Chapter 495: Let¡¯s See Who Has a Bigger Temper_1 Copper Sparrow Platform. Vermilion Bird Hall. ¡°Sweetheart, don¡¯t forget to come and keep daddy company after the concert is over!¡± Beckett Carmichael was sitting on a spacious and comfortable sofa, with his legs crossed and a cigar hanging from his mouth. At this moment, he was on a video call. And the person on the screen was none other than Nando Brandon, the current top-tier young heartthrob. ¡°Got it, daddy. I¡¯m a bit busy right now, and there are a lot of people in the dressing room. After the concert tonight, I¡¯ll come and be with you,¡± Nando replied. Facing the portly Beckett Carmichael, the handsome Nando Brandon smiled broadly. Though he felt disgusted inside, Nando knew very well that without this greasy middle-aged man, he wouldn¡¯t be where he was today. Two years ago, after graduating from film school brimming with confidence, Nando entered the entertainment industry, thinking he would become famous just like his senior classmates. But reality taught him a harsh lesson. He was scorned as an extra, and nobody wanted him even for background roles. As he watched his less talented classmates rise to fame, Nando¡¯s heart crumbled. Just when he was about to give up on the entertainment industry and lead an ordinary life, fate took a dramatic turn. Beckett Carmichael, then chairman of Abernathy Group, happened to drive his daughter to the set and spotted the shivering Nando Brandon outside. Beckett, who was into relationships with young men, thought he had found a new prey. And Nando, backed into a corner, chose his career over his dignity. Beckett was a man of his word. After a three-day entanglement in his villa with Nando, he invested one billion to pave the way. Using his abilities and connections, he quickly won over the media¡¯s favor and made Nando famous. A background actor who nobody wanted became a top young heartthrob after just a year of grooming and hype, garnering countless fans. But Nando was very aware that it was easy for Beckett to support him, and even easier to take him down. If their video ever leaked, that would signify a definite farewell to the entertainment industry for him. In this world where maintaining a fanbase is crucial, once your public image collapses, no one can save you. Facing any request from Beckett, Nando had no choice but to agree. ¡°Perform well at the concert. I¡¯ve already manipulated the trending topics for you. For at least the next half year, you¡¯ll consistently top the Weibo trending charts, increasing your popularity even more!¡± Beckett snuffed out his cigar and ended the video call. ¡°Boss, the young master called to ask, what should we do about the Leocadia family affair?¡± Just then, a middle-aged man resembling a steward came over to Beckett Carmichael and asked with utmost respect. ¡°Tell him to keep a close watch in the capital. As soon as there¡¯s any movement from the Leocadia family, report back immediately!¡± After speaking, Beckett muttered to himself, ¡°I wonder how much longer Old Master Leocadia can hold on. This whole situation seems fishy to me. How can a perfectly healthy man suddenly become like this? And why is the Lee Family getting involved as well? Fernando Lee, that wretched guy¡ªhe supposedly got beaten up in Five-river Province while pursuing Sophia Leocadia, right?¡± As the saying goes, good news seldom goes beyond the gate, while bad news spreads far and wide. The incident of Fernando Lee¡¯s car getting smashed and his face beaten in Five-river Province swept through the whole capital¡¯s circles in an instant. As one of Sophia Leocadia¡¯s potential suitors, Fernando¡¯s scandal naturally found many willing to spread the word. Rumor had it that Fernando had been so frightened that he came down with a persistent fever upon returning home, and the Lee Family paid a hefty price to nurse him back to health. The man was saved, but the nightmares persisted. Now, Fernando was like a charlatan, his room filled with talismans, and he even dared not to turn off the lights when he slept. He had to arrange for more than a dozen servants to accompany him day and night. ¡°Master, should the young master not compete as well? The situation within the Leocadia family is chaotic right now. Though some support the Lee Family, with Fernando Lee in such a sorry state, our Santino Carmichael could definitely succeed if he steps up,¡± the steward whispered. Santino Carmichael, Beckett¡¯s son, was exceptionally talented and had become the general manager of the Abernathy Group at a young age. ¡°No rush! When it comes to handling affairs, the Carmichael family doesn¡¯t need to painstakingly strategize like they do. Once Old Master Leocadia passes on and internal strife begins within the Leocadia family, I¡¯ll throw a heavy punch and gobble up a fifth of their enterprise in one fell swoop. Isn¡¯t that much more solid than some marriage alliance?¡± Beckett Carmichael spoke scornfully, seemingly uninterested in such tactics. ¡°Sir, you¡­¡± The housekeeper looked shocked. ¡°Indeed, did you think I truly left the capital to find Nando Brandon?¡± Beckett Carmichael said with a faint smile, ¡°Although that was part of the reason, the main purpose was to make everyone believe that the Carmichael family is reluctant to get involved in the affairs of the Leocadia family and even less willing to wade into these murky waters!¡± ¡°And my staff, they¡¯ve already been poised to act in the capital! Once the Leocadia family falls into chaos, I am confident that within a week, I can consume one-fifth of their enterprise! By then, everyone will be caught off guard!¡± With this, he wore a proud expression on his face. Others say the Carmichael family came from a military scholar background and lacked brains. But Beckett Carmichael¡¯s thoughts were heavier than anyone else¡¯s. Otherwise, how could the Carmichael family have reached its peak in his hands over the years? And become one of the four major openly acknowledged families. Thud! Thud! Thud! Just then, the door of Vermilion Bird Hall was knocked. ¡°Who is it! Didn¡¯t we say that no one is to disturb us without our summons?¡± The housekeeper shouted impatiently, giving the bodyguard at the door a signal with his eyes. The bodyguard immediately understood and walked to the door, yanking it open. ¡°Who is there!¡± ¡°The owner of Bronze Sparrow Platform, Aron Jackson, has heard that Boss Carmichael is in Vermilion Bird Hall and has come especially to pay a visit.¡± Aron Jackson greeted with his hands clasped. ¡°So, it¡¯s Aron Jackson. I¡¯ve long heard of your reputation. Please, come in!¡± Beckett Carmichael¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as he waved towards the door. ¡°You, cannot come in!¡± The bodyguard immediately stretched out his hand to stop Julius Reed, who was following behind Aron Jackson. ¡°This is my friend, who also wishes to pay a visit to Boss Carmichael.¡± Aron Jackson glanced at the bodyguard. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but the orders I received allow only you to enter! As for the other irrelevant people, they are not permitted to come close!¡± The bodyguard spoke coldly. He only listened to Beckett Carmichael¡¯s orders. ¡°Heh, you¡¯ll regret this.¡± Aron Jackson suddenly smiled and looked at Beckett Carmichael, ¡°Boss Carmichael¡¯s bodyguard sure is arrogant!¡± ¡°My bodyguard does indeed possess some skill. Aron Jackson, do you have any business to address? If not, I¡¯m going to rest.¡± Beckett Carmichael spoke coldly, a mere figurehead from Gonzalez City, but he was the great boss of one of the four major families, how could he take such a lowly thug seriously? ¡°By the way, my bodyguard really does have a temper. If he does anything excessive, don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you.¡± He bluntly issued an order to leave, one that carried a threat and left no room for doubt. ¡°Is that so? Well, it happens that I have quite the temper myself. How about we see whose temper is greater?¡± Julius Reed stepped out from behind Aron Jackson, grinning as he stood in front of the bodyguard. Chapter 496 - Chapter 496: Chapter 496 Dont Be Too Arrogant_1 Chapter 496: Chapter 496 Don¡¯t Be Too Arrogant_1 ¡°Boss Jackson, for someone of your standing in the underworld, don¡¯t your workers have any discipline?¡± Upon hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, Beckett Carmichael¡¯s expression instantly darkened. Who was he? The big boss who called the shots, even nobles from the capital city had to address him as Mr. Carmichael when they saw him. And now, a lowlife street thug from Gonzalez City, merely a small-time hooligan, dared to act recklessly in front of him? It was truly an overestimation of one¡¯s own abilities! ¡°He¡¯s not exactly my employee, strictly speaking, I¡¯m more his employee.¡± Aron Jackson spread his hands, looking somewhat helpless. ¡°Ha! Since you¡¯re courting death, then I¡¯ll grant your wish!¡± Beckett Carmichael sneered with disdain and said to the bodyguard, ¡°Eli Yarrow, start by breaking their legs!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The bodyguard called Eli Yarrow cracked his neck and looked at Julius Reed indifferently, ¡°Which leg do you want me to break first?¡± He was the disciple of the martial arts master Sherwin Yarrow, extremely proficient in hand-to-hand combat, calling him a one-man army wasn¡¯t an overstatement. On regular days, Beckett Carmichael only needed to bring Eli Yarrow along to bravely enter any scene. It¡¯s no exaggeration to say that Eli Yarrow alone was equivalent to dozens of bodyguards. ¡°So much nonsense!¡± No sooner had Julius Reed finished speaking than he suddenly lashed out with a kick! ¡°You petty trickster, only daring to launch a sneak attack!¡± Eli Yarrow sneered in astonishment and swiftly kicked out with his leg! In his view, such an incapable opponent would surely break a leg with a single kick from him! Whoosh! In the blink of an eye, their legs collided! ¡°Hiss!¡± Eli Yarrow¡¯s face drastically changed, and he couldn¡¯t help but inhale sharply from the pain! A numbing sensation radiated from his calf as if he had kicked an iron plate, the pain making his scalp tingle! And yet, the young man before him was still smiling, showing no signs of distress at all. Completely different from the scene Eli Yarrow had imagined, where the opponent¡¯s leg would break instantly, and they would be kneeling on the ground in agony. Now the one who was injured was him! As an expert, Eli Yarrow knew that the opponent was no weakling, but rather a formidable master with a significant background! But with his bold words already spoken, if he couldn¡¯t defeat the young man before him, how would Beckett Carmichael view him? Losing Beckett Carmichael¡¯s trust meant losing everything he had! Losing the glory and riches! Losing the life of luxury! Going back to training in martial arts with his master in the mountains, living a life devoid of any pleasures. ¡°You¡¯ve got tough bones,¡± Julius Reed said, unable to resist throwing a compliment to Eli Yarrow. But both of them knew in their hearts that it was sarcasm, naked sarcasm. ¡°I¡¯ve only got this one leg, take your pick.¡± Having said that, Julius Reed violently swept out with his leg! ¡°Come on!¡± Whoosh! Eli Yarrow bellowed, his leg again colliding with Julius Reed¡¯s! Hiss! The already injured leg became unbearably painful after such a devastating blow. It was only because of Eli Yarrow¡¯s exceptional skills that he wasn¡¯t howling in agony, unlike what would have happened to others. But even with his incredible strength and resilience far surpassing ordinary people, after enduring two such impacts, he could barely hold back any longer. Within a few short seconds, cold sweat had formed on his forehead. What made him feel even more helpless was that Julius Reed didn¡¯t seem to have any plans of stopping but instead kicked out once more! What was even more outrageous was, Julius Reed didn¡¯t switch legs at all; he used the same one as before! Whoosh! Eli Yarrow finally gave up on using the injured leg and opted for his other, uninjured, leg! ¡°Aah!¡± After the third collision, Eli Yarrow¡¯s heart shuddered violently, and he became somewhat unsteady on his feet. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Seeing that Eli Yarrow hadn¡¯t taken care of things after so long, Beckett Carmichael grew impatient. ¡°Boss, just give me a little more time¡­ Ah¡­¡± Before he could finish speaking, Julius Reed kicked out again! Crack! The leg that Eli Yarrow had originally injured was kicked clean through and broken! The sound of the bone breaking was clearly audible. ¡°Haha! Aron Jackson, I told you not to ask for trouble! I¡¯m willing to give you some face regarding your business, but now look, you had to seek your own humiliation. Now I¡¯ll just have to oblige you,¡± Beckett Carmichael said, feeling elated upon hearing the sound of the bone breaking, thinking that it was one of Aron Jackson¡¯s men who had a leg broken. In Gonzalez City, many people knew of Eli Yarrow, knew about this terminator-like ruthless character by Beckett Carmichael¡¯s side, so hardly anyone dared to provoke them. Now, having arrived in little Gonzalez City and being able to teach the local boss a lesson right off the bat, his mood was quite elated. He even turned his back to Julius Reed and the others and started humming a tune. ¡°Master, it¡¯s our man¡­ ¡± ¡°Our men didn¡¯t strike first. Don¡¯t you know my character, Beckett Carmichael? If someone shows me an inch of respect, I¡¯ll return a foot! But now, someone is asking for trouble. Teaching them a lesson is nothing,¡± Beckett Carmichael interrupted his butler and continued singing the latest single released by Nando Brandon. Now, every night before sleep, Nando Brandon has to video call Beckett Carmichael to sing him lullabies. The upper echelons of Gonzalez City all knew this, but no one ever pointed it out. Who doesn¡¯t have some history they¡¯d rather keep to themselves? Everyone tacitly understood and even gave Nando Brandon a bit of face when they attended his establishments. ¡°Master, it¡¯s our man whose leg has been broken!¡± The butler, facing Beckett Carmichael, happened to see everything that had occurred at the entrance clearly. He too had thought that Eli Yarrow would easily handle these people, and saying it would be a cinch was not an exaggeration. But having witnessed everything, he was more shocked than anything! The once undefeatable Eli Yarrow, even symbolizing invincibility. Now was kneeling before Julius Reed, his body trembling involuntarily. Like a defeated person kneeling before a conqueror in submission! The butler, who had witnessed Eli Yarrow¡¯s methods, couldn¡¯t believe this was real! But, it happened! ¡°Boss Carmichael, sorry for going a bit hard, don¡¯t take it to heart,¡± Julius Reed said with a grin, stepping on Eli Yarrow¡¯s head, ¡°Young man, let me give you some advice¡ªdon¡¯t get too heated. It¡¯s better to be low-profile. Being too ostentatious isn¡¯t good!¡± Eli Yarrow, kneeling on the ground, was both ashamed and frustrated. He, who had so easily beaten others down before, now had his leg brutally broken with a kick! It was simple and crude¡ªno technique at all! To have his leg broken just like that! A rush of humiliation, pain, and a sense of defeat overwhelmed him! Especially Julius Reed¡¯s words, they made him feel even worse. Indeed, history is written by the victors. In terms of arrogance, wasn¡¯t Julius Reed, standing over his head and lecturing, even more arrogant now? To actually tell him he was too arrogant! But Eli Yarrow¡¯s reason told him, keep silent! When facing such a formidable opponent, if he persisted stubbornly, he would only harm himself. On the other hand, by kneeling and not resisting, he could still save himself. This was the last thing his master told him before he left the mountain! Eli Yarrow never dreamed that he, always so proud, would actually have to heed those words! ¡°What did you say! How could Eli Yarrow possibly fail!¡± Beckett Carmichael frowned and spun around sharply. Thud! Upon seeing the scene in front of him, the cigar fell from his mouth to the ground. Chapter 497 - Chapter 497: Chapter 497 Your Ancestor _1 Chapter 497: Chapter 497 Your Ancestor _1 Beckett Carmichael couldn¡¯t help but rub his eyes at the scene before him. He even doubted for a moment whether he was seeing things. Ever since Eli Yarrow had come to his side, they had fought hundreds of battles large and small, without a single defeat! In Eli Yarrow¡¯s own words, it was ¡°I am invincible, you are arbitrary.¡± But now, the once invincibly one-on-one Eli Yarrow, who casually rendered his opponents useless with laughter, was actually bowing down to submit, just like those enemies he had defeated in the past. Kneeling on the ground, with no resistance whatsoever. ¡°Who on earth are you!¡± Beckett Carmichael, who had been calm and collected, was now scared into a cold sweat. The reason he could be so tough was that he relied on Eli Yarrow¡¯s unparalleled martial prowess! But now, his greatest ace was directly out of the game! What was he to do? ¡°Boss Carmichael, you are a man of dignity, and I don¡¯t want to make things difficult for you.¡± Julius Reed kicked Eli Yarrow aside and walked towards Beckett Carmichael with his hands clasped behind his back. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t come over¡­¡± Beckett Carmichael¡¯s heart instantly panicked at the sight of Julius Reed. He swallowed and thought rapidly. Did he have any enemies in Gonzalez City? Or, did any enemies follow him to Gonzalez City? Now all he could think of was regret, why didn¡¯t he bring more people? Since Eli Yarrow had been by his side, Beckett Carmichael traveled with only this one bodyguard. Now that Eli Yarrow was defeated, he didn¡¯t even have a helper. All he could do was wait to die. ¡°Old Master! I will protect you!¡± The butler stood in front of Beckett Carmichael, trembling all over as well. He was an educated man, good at using his brain on normal days, but when it came to facing such unreasonable people, the butler¡¯s combat effectiveness was zero. Even so, he had no choice but to step up. ¡°Step aside!¡± Julius Reed glanced at the butler and said coldly, ¡°Take that waste at the door and get out!¡± Waste! When these words were spoken, Eli Yarrow¡¯s body suddenly trembled! He, who was once considered a proud son of heaven, was now being called waste! But! Aside from being insulted, did he have a choice? No. The world of the strong knows no sympathy or pity. Only obedience or. Death. ¡°Boss Carmichael, would you rather I take action myself, or¡­¡± ¡°Go! Take Eli Yarrow and go!¡± Beckett Carmichael took a deep breath, ready to face the dangerous situation ahead. With no options left, he could only take one step at a time. ¡°Old Master¡­¡± ¡°Go! Can¡¯t you hear my words!¡± Beckett Carmichael shouted angrily, and although the butler was reluctant, he still glanced at Julius Reed before stomping his foot and leaving the Vermilion Bird Hall. When he reached the door, he even dragged out Eli Yarrow, who had a broken leg. Aron Jackson also turned and left, and with a ¡®bang,¡¯ closed the door behind him. In the vast Vermilion Bird Hall, only Julius Reed and Beckett Carmichael remained. Beckett Carmichael¡¯s breathing was heavy, and his forehead was already covered in a cold sweat. In front of such a strong opponent, he had no advantages at all. He had no choice but to wait for death. ¡°Can you at least let me know who was responsible before I die?¡± Beckett Carmichael clenched his fists tightly, unwillingly asking! He had led the Carmichael family to glory with his own hands, and was on the verge of swallowing the Leocadia family¡¯s industry, becoming the most powerful party. But fate seemed to enjoy playing tricks on people. In the capital, where he had safely faced countless assassination attempts, he actually ran into trouble in the insignificant Gonzalez City. To die, and to die in such an aggrieved way! He was not reconciled! Unable to witness the Carmichael family reach the pinnacle, Beckett Carmichael was not reconciled! ¡°Sullivan Carmichael.¡± Julius Reed said indifferently. ¡°What!¡± Already resigned to his fate, Beckett Carmichael¡¯s eyebrows shot up as he asked aloud, ¡°Sullivan Carmichael? Isn¡¯t that our ancestor?¡± This thoroughly confounded Beckett Carmichael. Sullivan Carmichael was an ancestor of the Carmichael family, a Martial Scholar recognized by the genealogical records as the first generation to restore glory to the family. It was said that when Sullivan Carmichael was a child, his father had died, and as a young man, he encountered an exceptional master. After learning some superficial knowledge from this master, Sullivan Carmichael participated in the martial arts competition, becoming the Martial Scholar of the Rosy Dynasty. Since then, the fortunes of the Carmichael family had been on the rise, and their wealth had grown increasingly. By Beckett Carmichael¡¯s generation, they had become a wealthy household. But Beckett Carmichael was not satisfied with the foundation left by his ancestors, and after thirty years of hard work, he successfully joined the ranks of the four great families of the capital! On par with the once prominent Leocadia Family! Now, as the Old Master Leocadia lay gravely ill, the once glorious Leocadia Family seemed on the verge of falling apart. Beckett Carmichael had identified the right moment to make his move when, unexpectedly, his life seemed to have reached its end. ¡°You¡¯re toying with me!¡± When he came to his senses, his face immediately showed an angry expression. ¡°If you want to kill, then kill! But please do not desecrate my ancestors! Remember, even as a ghost, I, Beckett Carmichael, will not let you or your mastermind behind the scenes off the hook!¡± Beckett Carmichael looked at Julius Reed coldly, a furious light shining in his eyes. Many people knew about the founding history of the Carmichael family, and the name Sullivan Carmichael was not unfamiliar to them. Because Beckett Carmichael had specifically renovated the slightly dilapidated ancestral hall of the Carmichael family, hanging the portraits of Sullivan Carmichael and the master who had instructed him in the martial arts together within the hall. Thus, he believed that this Shadow Warrior before him intended to humiliate him. To humiliate the Carmichael family. ¡°Indeed, a descendant of Sullivan Carmichael, unyielding! Moreover, you haven¡¯t forgotten your roots!¡± Julius Reed nodded in satisfaction and turned to sit on the sofa, ¡°Come, let¡¯s sit and talk.¡± Other people, when intimidated like this, would certainly have knelt on the ground begging for mercy by now. Those with lesser courage might even end up soiling themselves in fear and weeping bitterly. And generally, the wealthier people are, the more afraid of death they become. With such a good life, who would complain that life is too long! Yet Beckett Carmichael, even mistakenly believing that his ancestor was being insulted, dared to risk his life to protect the dignity of the Carmichael family. It was rare. ¡°You¡­ won¡¯t kill me?¡± Beckett Carmichael couldn¡¯t believe it. To know that many people wanted him dead, there was even a fifty million bounty on him in the black market. But no one was able to get close to him. Not only because of Eli Yarrow¡¯s formidable martial strength, but also due to his unpredictable comings and goings. Now, people in the capital only knew that he had left his family to travel elsewhere. Even with thorough investigation, by the time it was discovered that Beckett Carmichael was in Five-river Province, he would have already returned. And now to be caught in Gonzalez City, are they not going to kill him and just wait for the New Year¡¯s? ¡°Kill or maim as you please! But please don¡¯t insult me. After all, I, Beckett Carmichael, am a wealthy magnate and a descendant of the Martial Scholar Sullivan Carmichael!¡± At this moment, Beckett Carmichael had come to terms with life and death. He pressed his hands together in a salute, looking up at the sky, ¡°Unworthy descendant Beckett Carmichael, unable to fulfill the revival of the Carmichael family, failed to honor the ancestors.¡± Such a man of iron and steel was hard to associate with those slimy, middle-aged rich men besotted with playboy actors. While a penchant for Coby Dragon was a hobby, unyielding character was in the very genes. ¡°You really are intent on seeking death, aren¡¯t you!¡± Julius Reed shook his head helplessly, looking at Beckett Carmichael and said, ¡°That cleverness of your ancestor, why haven¡¯t you learned a bit of that? Had he been as foolish as you back then, I fear your Carmichael family would¡¯ve starved to death amid the wars, or even now be just peasants.¡± Back in the day, Sullivan Carmichael was very astute, seizing every opportunity to learn a few moves surreptitiously. ¡°You mean¡­¡± With Julius Reed¡¯s words, Beckett Carmichael¡¯s body shuddered, as if struck by some terrifying realization! Chapter 498 - Chapter 498: Chapter 498 I Am His Father_1 Chapter 498: Chapter 498 I Am His Father_1 ¡°` In the Carmichael family ancestral hall. Hang these two paintings. One above the other. This was Sullivan Carmichael¡¯s request before he died. At the top was one for which he had paid a significant sum to commission a painter, drawn according to his oral descriptions and requirements. Back then, it was said that he had solicited over a hundred painters, including many famous artists of the time. After many days of dissatisfaction with the results, he chanced upon a piece by an anonymous artist. Upon seeing this painting, Sullivan Carmichael excitedly picked it up and shouted, ¡°It¡¯s him!¡± As such, the painting was treasured and, after Sullivan Carmichael¡¯s death, hung above his own portrait. While Sullivan was alive, he had ordered his entire family to search for the person in the painting. But until his death, they had never found this unparalleled master. Full of infinite regret and on the verge of death, Sullivan Carmichael left one last will. Should they ever meet the person in the painting, or his descendants, they must fulfill any request. Even if it meant giving away all of the Carmichael family¡¯s properties, there was to be no hesitation! Every successor to the Carmichael family head, upon inheriting the family business, had to swear an oath in the ancestral hall. They only qualified to inherit the Carmichael estate after swearing an oath to the painting. Beckett Carmichael remembered the person in the painting distinctly. When Julius Reed first entered, Beckett had felt he looked familiar but couldn¡¯t quite place him. Now, with the words of this young man before him, Beckett felt a chill run from the base of his spine to the crown of his head! Over a hundred years! This young man before his eyes was identical to the one in the painting! Without any change! As if the passage of years left no mark upon him! Could it be that he was the descendant of that high master? But. Even if he were a descendant, how could he look exactly the same. Centuries have passed; countless generations should have diluted the resemblance. Or rather, the exact resemblance! A daring thought took root in Beckett¡¯s mind. The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong.¡± Julius Reed spoke as if he saw right through Beckett¡¯s thoughts: ¡°I am indeed the mentor of your family¡¯s ancestors.¡± Thud! Upon hearing these words, Beckett¡¯s legs went soft, and he collapsed to the ground. ¡°This¡­ You¡­ Are you really¡­¡± ¡°Yes, I am that person. There is a matter for which I need your assistance,¡± Julius Reed said impassively. ¡°Oh my God! Ancestors, ah!¡± Although Beckett was profoundly shocked, he was after all the experienced proprietor of a tea enterprise and could retain his composure in the face of such inconceivable events. He believed that such coincidences could not exist in the world! A man who has lived a century, untouched by age¡ªcould he be like the immortal child from the movies? No matter what. Beckett knew that he no longer needed to face death. ¡°Beckett Carmichael, descendant of Sullivan Carmichael, greets our benefactor!¡± Partly out of awe for Julius Reed¡¯s power and partly due to the Carmichael family¡¯s inherent loyalty and integrity. Beckett knelt and gave several solemn bows to Julius Reed. ¡°People really aren¡¯t all the same.¡± Julius Reed nodded: ¡°Years ago, I lent a hand to the Ridge Family, and now they repay kindness with enmity, seeking to kill me. Yet your Carmichael family has remained grateful after all these years. Had I known, I would have taught Sullivan Carmichael more back then.¡± Hearing these words, Beckett¡¯s head pressed firmly to the ground, shaking uncontrollably! Immortality! ¡°` This was the only explanation he could think of! Otherwise, even if someone had a robust constitution, it would be impossible for their appearance not to have changed at all after more than three hundred years! ¡°Sir, is it the Ridge Family? Just tell me which Ridge Family it is, and Beckett Carmichael will make sure they¡¯re wiped out!¡± The Carmichael family was one of the four major families, and accomplishing this task wouldn¡¯t be difficult at all! ¡°No need, I just want you to say hello to¡­ Nando Brandon for me.¡± Julius Reed lounged with his leg crossed, waving his hand, ¡°Stand up. Kneeling must be tiring.¡± ¡°No need¡­ I¡¯m fine kneeling.¡± Beckett Carmichael¡¯s back was drenched with cold sweat; it wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t want to stand. But how could he stand when his legs wouldn¡¯t obey him? It was better to keep kneeling like this, which might leave a good impression on the senior before him. ¡°Nando Brandon¡­ has he offended you?¡± He asked in a low voice. Keeping Nando Brandon supported was not a secret of his. The perverse hobbies of the wealthy were numerous, and his own conduct hardly counted as anything noteworthy. And those idols adored by young boys and girls were nothing but fleshly playthings in his eyes! Disposed of once used! If Nando Brandon had truly offended the esteemed personage before him, Beckett Carmichael would immediately arrange for his staff to take out the pretty boy who was flaunting himself on his bed just the night before. ¡°No need!¡± Julius Reed quickly waved his hand, and recounted the series of events. ¡°Damn it, Bran Cook, what¡¯s he worth!¡± After hearing the story, Beckett Carmichael slammed his fist on the ground, ¡°In the capital, he¡¯s just a dog! Or rather, he doesn¡¯t even have the qualifications to be a dog to my son! Now that he¡¯s back to this tiny place, he dares to trouble your relatives!¡± His character was naturally violent, and with his great wealth and power, he acted very directly. Resourceful and unrestrained. ¡°You know Bran Cook?¡± Julius Reed asked with a raised eyebrow. It was surprising to him that someone like Bran Cook would even be known to Beckett Carmichael. ¡°Ha! My son wanted to keep a dog, and that dog was Bran Cook!¡± Beckett Carmichael lifted his head, a wicked smile on his face, ¡°Respected sir, you¡¯re unaware, but to integrate into the circles of the capital, Bran Cook even dressed up in pet clothes at my son¡¯s birthday party, wearing a chain around his neck and imitating a dog!¡± ¡°There¡¯s such a thing!¡± Even Julius Reed was somewhat shocked. Someone like Bran Cook, such a trivial figure, wasn¡¯t worth his investigation, so most of what he knew about Bran Cook was hearsay. He only knew that this so-called distinguished young master of the Cook Family didn¡¯t mix well in the capital and held low status. But he hadn¡¯t expected Bran Cook to have stooped to playing a dog. That was a huge loss of dignity, wasn¡¯t it? ¡°I was in a good mood that day and gave him a few billion to play with.¡± Beckett Carmichael scratched his head, ¡°Does that count as financing the enemy?¡± If he¡¯d known that Bran Cook had a beef with the young man before him, he would have had his people take out Bran Cook back in the capital! Why would he have even bothered giving him a few billion? ¡°So, this is what Bran Cook meant by ¡®earning a few dozen billion¡¯?¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, shaking his head. In this world, there actually were such shamelessly thick-skinned people. Tough-faced, indeed. ¡°What! That kid actually claimed he earned that money through investment?¡± Beckett Carmichael said angrily, ¡°That dog thing, truly shameless! Respected sir, rest assured, I¡¯ll organize someone to take care of him right away!¡± Having said that, he reached for his phone, intending to arrange for his people to take care of the matter. ¡°No need! Mr. Carmichael, why are you in such a hurry!¡± Julius Reed looked at him helplessly, ¡°Handle what I¡¯ve just told you first, set Nando Brandon¡¯s position straight for me! As for how you deal with him, I don¡¯t care. Just make sure the task I¡¯ve given you is completed by tomorrow morning!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry!¡± Beckett Carmichael chuckled, ¡°After all, I¡¯m his father!¡± Chapter 499 - Chapter 499: Chapter 499 Overbearing Dad_1 Chapter 499: Chapter 499 Overbearing Dad_1 ¡°Hurry up! I¡¯m anxious to get on stage!¡± Inside a makeup room at the Gonzalez City Third Ring Stadium, Nando Brandon looked at his reflection in the mirror, prettier than a girl¡¯s, and impatiently urged the makeup artist. ¡°Mr. Brandon, I¡¯m already doing my best, but your¡­ your requirements are really high, in such a short time I¡­¡± Smack! Nando Brandon turned around and slapped the makeup artist across the face: ¡°Say that again!¡± ¡°Your requirements¡­¡± Smack! Before the makeup artist could finish, Nando Brandon slapped them again! The makeup room fell silent. Many people involved in the concert were silently watching Nando Brandon, standing still without making a sound. ¡°What are you looking at! Scram!¡± Nando Brandon waved his hand impatiently at them: ¡°What are you all standing around for! This is what happens when you make mistakes! You all better be sharp, if you screw up my concert, you¡¯re all out!¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Everyone felt extremely angry inside, but there was nothing they could do. After all, who would dare to cross the top star? The Enlighten Group treated him like he was made of glass, fearing he might crumble. If they dared oppose Nando Brandon, it would be like signing their own death warrant! Who would willingly smash their own rice bowl and fight with money? All the rage could only be swallowed down into the pit of their stomachs. ¡°Scram! Someone else come over, you¡¯re fired! I¡¯ll inform your department manager later!¡± Nando Brandon yelled at the makeup artist. ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± The makeup artist¡¯s eyes reddened, unable to hold back the tears. ¡°Scram! Scram! Scram!¡± Seeing this, Nando Brandon grew even angrier. ¡°My concert is about to start, and here you are crying!¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± At that moment, Arvid Woody walked in. With less than half an hour before the concert began, the audience had long since entered the venue. He came to check how well the ancestor here was being managed. If there was any delay, the higher-ups wouldn¡¯t blame Nando Brandon; all the blame would ultimately fall on his head. ¡°This makeup artist, what kind of standard is this!¡± Nando Brandon pointed at his own face, looking at Arvid Woody and said coldly: ¡°You¡¯ve caused a delay! Can you shoulder the responsibility?¡± ¡°Quick! Arrange a new makeup artist right away, and you! Get lost!¡± Arvid Woody didn¡¯t dare offend Nando Brandon and could only vent all his anger on the makeup artist in front of him. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± A crew member, unable to stand it, came over and pulled the crying makeup artist away. ¡°What a piece of crap! Don¡¯t let me see him again!¡± Nando Brandon kicked the makeup case away, seething with anger. ¡°Isaiah, don¡¯t take it to heart! He¡¯s just like that, acting like an emperor from ancient times just because he has some popularity!¡± The crew member who came out comforted Isaiah Kensington. ¡°I know, but this job is really important to me. My boyfriend¡¯s hot pot restaurant ran into some trouble and urgently needs money. I could have made tens of thousands here, but now¡­¡± As he spoke, Isaiah Kensington burst into tears with a ¡°waah¡±. ¡°Forget it, you can make money anywhere. Why cater to this lord and master! Really thinks he¡¯s something¡ªjust a plaything for the wealthy, a whore selling his ass, and he acts so proud!¡± The crew member spat on the ground and consoled Isaiah Kensington: ¡°Wait here for a bit. I¡¯ll talk to the manager and see if I can get you some money. After all, you worked all afternoon; they can¡¯t give you nothing!¡± After saying that, he turned and went back to his work area. ¡°Achoo!¡± Nando Brandon suddenly sneezed and said irritatedly: ¡°Must be some idiot cursing me behind my back!¡± ¡°Calm down! The concert is important; your fans outside are all waiting to see you!¡± Arvid Woody said smilingly. He didn¡¯t have a choice; Nando Brandon was a moneymaker with a major backer, and to the Enlighten Group, he was a treasure. Anyone who conflicts with Nando Brandon can just fuck off! But Arvid Woody was no good person either. After being humbled by Nando Brandon, he took it all out on the employees. Just at that moment, Nando Brandon¡¯s phone rang. Seeing who the video caller was, he waved his hand at Arvid Woody, ¡°Get everyone out!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Arvid Woody was startled but immediately got up and did as told. This was an unspoken rule; whenever Beckett Carmichael called or video-called, Arvid Woody was responsible for clearing the room. So as not to let any disgraceful incidents leak out, Nando Brandon¡¯s public image would collapse, and he would be unable to continue harvesting his fans¡¯ adoration. ¡°Daddy, why are you calling again? We just finished talking, do you miss me already?¡± Nando Brandon coyly looked at Beckett Carmichael, putting on a flirtatious act. But now, Beckett Carmichael was in no mood to watch, nor enjoy this greeting from his ¡°son.¡± After learning that Nando Brandon had offended Julius Reed¡¯s wife, Beckett Carmichael had already discarded this plaything. ¡°Son, I heard you took an endorsement recently, one with Bran Cook, right?¡± Beckett Carmichael got straight to the point. He knew Nando Brandon¡¯s concert was about to start and didn¡¯t want to waste more time. ¡°That¡¯s right, daddy! Is there a problem?¡± Even though surprised that Beckett Carmichael would know about this, Nando Brandon didn¡¯t dare to hide anything. Beckett Carmichael had a huge influence in the capital, and now that he was in Gonzalez City, it wouldn¡¯t be difficult to know about these things. After all, his every move was being watched. ¡°Did you also take an endorsement from Quella Radcliffe?¡± Beckett Carmichael asked once more. ¡°Yes, daddy.¡± Despite the revulsion of addressing him that way, Nando Brandon still had to swallow his morals and call him ¡°daddy.¡± Standing up, there would be no money to make. Kneeling is how you earn money. ¡°I¡¯m very clear on the ins and outs of this matter; contrary to the original plan, reverse it!¡± Beckett Carmichael said with a grave voice. ¡°Reverse it?¡± Now it was Nando Brandon who was confused, ¡°What do you mean, daddy¡­¡± ¡°Bran Cook wanted you to stand by his side tomorrow and join hands to screw over Quella Radcliffe, right? Now I want you to reverse it; stand with Quella Radcliffe tomorrow and screw over that bastard Bran Cook!¡± The thought of having given billions to the enemy of his benefactor infuriated Beckett Carmichael. Wouldn¡¯t it have been better to feed that money to dogs? ¡°But daddy, that¡¯s¡­¡± Nando Brandon felt a pang of pain at Beckett Carmichael¡¯s request. That was a three billion endorsement! He would have pocketed a whole billion of it! Plus, with all the tax evasion in the entertainment industry, it was pretty much pure profit! Now, to spit out the meat that was already in his mouth, he was extremely reluctant! ¡°Say that again!¡± The coldness in Beckett Carmichael¡¯s voice scared Nando Brandon into hurriedly nodding, ¡°Understood!¡± After uttering that, he quickly called Arvid Woody on another phone. This was their agreement. If Nando Brandon faced something he couldn¡¯t handle with Beckett Carmichael, he would make this call. ¡°Nando Brandon, they are rushing you outside, hurry up! Otherwise, there won¡¯t be enough time!¡± Arvid Woody, who received the call, shouted this cooperatively. ¡°Daddy, you see¡­¡± Nando Brandon showed a troubled expression. ¡°Go on, get busy. But remember what I just said! That Quella Radcliffe, she¡¯s my benefactor!¡± Beckett Carmichael emphasized heavily. ¡°Understood.¡± Nando Brandon felt another pang of pain. Chapter 500 - Chapter 500: Chapter 500 Reporting Oneself_1 Chapter 500: Chapter 500 Reporting Oneself_1 ¡°Hurry it up! There¡¯s only ten minutes left until the concert starts!¡± Arvid Woody screamed at his staff, even cursing nonstop. This was a massive event to harvest fans on-site, and a fortune had been made just from ticket sales alone. Arvid Woody had even prepared some commemorative merchandise, including a special edition of cell phones with Nando Brandon¡¯s image printed on them, dubbing them ¡®Nando Brandon Limited Edition Phones¡¯. The cost was less than three dollars each, but he¡¯d inflated the price of the originally over-a-thousand-dollar phones to five-thousand! And all twenty thousand units sold out in ten seconds! Just thinking about the vacation in Maldives he would be able to take once the concert successfully wrapped up, lightened Arvid Woody¡¯s mood significantly. He had been neglecting his own rest recently due to the worries about this concert. On top of that, the sudden deaths of three of his agents had given him quite the shock. But thankfully, it was all about to end! Suddenly, all the lights went out. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Arvid Woody immediately took out a walkie-talkie upon hearing the increasing noise from the venue and shouted, ¡°Find out what¡¯s happening! The power! What¡¯s going on with the power! The concert is about to begin. What are you all doing!¡± Rage! And a sense of anxiety began to spread in Arvid Woody¡¯s heart. Less than five minutes remained until the concert was to start! They were about to put the final touches on the preparations, but at the last minute, everything had gone awry. ¡°Report! The power has been completely cut, we¡¯re investigating!¡± A reply came through the walkie-talkie. ¡°What the hell is happening! You bunch of incompetents! Not before, not after, but now the power goes out!¡± Arvid Woody was nearly driven mad with anger! As the noise from the venue grew louder, he had no choice but to order the start of the backup power supply. But the backup power would only last ten minutes, nowhere near enough to support the concert. ¡°Damn it! What is this situation!¡± Taking a deep breath, he quickly started to head downstairs. ¡°Manager, we¡¯ve figured out the problem! It¡¯s a maintenance issue with the electric line; we¡¯ve communicated with the maintenance workers, and they estimate that we won¡¯t have power until early morning.¡± The voice of the props team came through the walkie-talkie again. ¡°Damn it! Why weren¡¯t we notified in advance! Why choose now for maintenance instead of earlier or later?¡± Arvid Woody slammed his fist against the wall and bellowed into the walkie-talkie, ¡°Everyone be prepared for when the power comes back, I¡¯m heading to the venue manager now!¡± With that, he strode towards the venue manager¡¯s office. Normally, the venue would be held responsible for such an incident, and they might even have to compensate if the concert couldn¡¯t go ahead because of this issue. ¡°What do you want!¡± As Arvid Woody arrived at the venue manager¡¯s office door, full of fury, he was stopped. ¡°I¡¯m looking for your manager!¡± Arvid Woody roared. If things had gone smoothly, the opening ceremony would have already been underway by now. But what about now? Complete darkness! The fans were shouting in confusion, and his staff were in disarray! ¡°Sorry, this place isn¡¯t for just anyone to enter!¡± The security guard blocked Arvid Woody outside and threatened with an unfriendly tone, ¡°Please leave!¡± ¡°I should leave?¡± Arvid Woody was so angry he almost found it funny. He pointed to the pitch-dark venue behind him and yelled furiously, ¡°The concert is supposed to have started by now, do you understand! Without electricity, how do we hold a concert! Explain to me! Now, explain!¡± If this mess wasn¡¯t cleared up, he could kiss his career goodbye. And worse, he¡¯d be saddled with debt and face a lawsuit from Enlighten Group! Why did all the misfortunes have to fall on him? Since his arrival, three agents had died, and while the aftermath was yet to be dealt with, the most important concert also ran into snags! ¡°Sorry, the electricity issue has nothing to do with us.¡± The security guard said unapologetically, ¡°We have fulfilled our obligations. Please read the contract carefully. It states that if a concert is delayed due to force majeure, it has nothing to do with our venue!¡± ¡°You!¡± Arvid Woody felt something was amiss. He was just a security guard, so how could he be so familiar with these matters? Blinded by anger just moments ago, Arvid Woody now calmed down and thought about it, and indeed, there was such a clause! If it was an issue of electrical repairs, then it really had nothing to do with the venue and indeed constituted a force majeure event. If he truly wanted to seek compensation, he should go after the group responsible for the electrical maintenance, the national grid. Not the person in charge of the venue before him. But¡­ Why wouldn¡¯t they even let him see the venue manager? ¡°Can you let me in first? I want to try to communicate with the manager, to see if we can resolve the issue and proceed with the concert, okay?¡± Arvid Woody lowered his tone, pleading. Ten minutes had passed since the concert was supposed to start, and the fans were already dissatisfied. Many were even calling for Federico Yarrow to issue refunds! This was a disaster! It was the most significant disaster he had encountered in his twenty-plus years in the business! ¡°Sorry, can¡¯t you hear what I¡¯m saying? The manager isn¡¯t here!¡± The security guard replied coldly, ¡°And this issue has nothing to do with our venue. You can go find the people from the power grid to restore the electricity.¡± ¡°Fine! You just wait!¡± Arvid Woody, unwilling to give up, pointed at the two security guards and turned to jog towards the site of the electrical repair. As he ran, he suddenly realized, why did everywhere have electricity except for the venue? ¡°Manager, you¡¯re here!¡± Upon seeing Arvid Woody, the logistic personnel from the crew hurried over, smiling in greeting. ¡°You still have the nerve to smile!¡± Arvid Woody slapped him across the face, yelling angrily, ¡°What the hell is going on!¡± Without smiling, could they actually cry upon seeing him? Although the staff member didn¡¯t say it out loud, he still pointed towards a spot ten meters away and said, ¡°The entire electrical system is being inspected. Everywhere else has power except for our venue.¡± ¡°Damn it! This is targeting us!¡± Arvid Woody frowned and quickly walked towards the area where the repairs were happening. ¡°Hey! Manager, that makeup artist at least worked all afternoon. Can we at least pay her a bit?¡± The staff member asked as he caught up. ¡°Pay your mother! If you keep spouting nonsense, you can roll out with him!¡± Angry Arvid Woody cursed outright. When he arrived, he found that there were over a dozen electricians standing before him, currently inspecting the wires around the venue. ¡°What¡¯s going on here? We have a concert inside! You can inspect the electrical system, but can¡¯t you issue a warning in advance? There are tens of thousands of people inside my venue. What if something happens? And the concert has already been delayed. Can you afford to compensate for this loss?¡± Arvid Woody went forward and yelled, ¡°Where is your person in charge?¡± ¡°I am the person in charge!¡± An engineer with glasses stepped forward to confront Arvid Woody, ¡°We received a report claiming a significant risk of fire due to aged circuits around the venue. According to regulations, we must conduct an urgent inspection to eliminate any danger!¡± ¡°Then¡­ did you get the manager¡¯s approval? If not, you¡¯ll have to wait until our concert is over before inspecting. Restore the electricity right now!¡± Arvid Woody said anxiously. ¡°I am the manager, and I was the one who reported it. Do you have a problem with that?¡± Just then, Aron Jackson walked over from a distance. Chapter 501 - Chapter 501: Chapter 501 The Sissy Bodyguard_1 Chapter 501: Chapter 501 The Sissy Bodyguard_1 ¡°Aron¡­ Aron Jackson!¡± Upon seeing Aron Jackson, Arvid Woody¡¯s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. ¡°Is this venue yours?¡± How did he only find out now? ¡°Indeed! This is a property under my name. What about it, Manager Woody, do you need me to show you the documents?¡± After Aron said this, he clapped his hands, and his staff immediately brought the documents to Arvid Woody and swiftly unfolded them! ¡°This¡­¡± Arvid Woody realized he had come prepared! He was out to trap him! Just as expected, Aron Jackson was no good! Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to remain calm. ¡°Aron Jackson, just say it, how much money will it take for you to drop this!¡± Arvid Woody sneered, ¡°Let¡¯s not beat around the bush. We¡¯re all smart people here. This concert is very important to me. Name your price, as long as you restore the power, everything is up for discussion!¡± He glanced at his watch, growing more anxious. The concert had already been delayed by over twenty minutes. Many fans in the audience had already started to leave, and those who stayed were cursing and complaining. ¡°General Whitaker, what are you talking about? I am a lawful citizen! As the venue owner, considering the safety of the thousands of people here, I reported the issue myself and called for the power lines to be inspected. Do you know how much money I stand to lose?¡± Aron spoke with righteous indignation, ¡°As a businessman, making money is important, but what¡¯s more important than making money is conscience!¡± He pointed to the people at the venue, expressing deep distress, ¡°Look at this, tens of thousands of lives at stake. Doesn¡¯t it pain your heart?¡± ¡°What exactly do you want!¡± Watching the time slip away by the second, Arvid Woody felt like he was burning with urgency! ¡°I know I¡¯ve offended you in the past, but that¡¯s all in the past! I apologize to you! Aron Jackson, I¡¯m begging you, please restore the power!¡± He pleaded utterly helplessly. Aron¡¯s move to pull the rug out from under him was effectively deadly! ¡°Ah! What are you talking about? Why don¡¯t you go up and have a look? The wires¡­ the wires¡­¡± Aron said somewhat guiltily. ¡°Aron! Have you got it all wrong, my people have been checking for half a day and haven¡¯t found any faults! If it¡¯s confirmed there¡¯s no problem, I am going to resume the power supply!¡± The engineer chimed in. ¡°There is! There must be!¡± Aron looked up at the worker on the utility pole, asking, ¡°Is there or isn¡¯t there?¡± ¡°There is!¡± The worker called out in response. ¡°Impossible! These are all your people! I¡¯m going to check for myself! Once there¡¯s nothing wrong, I expect you, Aron Jackson, to keep your word and restore the power!¡± Arvid Woody quickly borrowed a set of tools and scurried up the utility pole. ¡°Where is it! There¡¯s no issue at all, these wires are as good as new!¡± He shouted down from above. ¡°Take another look!¡± Aron responded from below, ¡°Those wires are about to break, touch them and they could snap!¡± ¡°How could that be!¡± All power was cut off for the purpose of the inspection. Arvid Woody, eager to restore power, grabbed hold of the thick wire with one hand and shouted down to the engineer, ¡°Look, I¡¯m up here and there¡¯s no problem at all, how could it possibly¡­¡± ¡°Restore the power!¡± Aron said into his walkie-talkie. ¡°Zzt!¡± A flash of light sparked. Arvid Woody, hanging from the wire, immediately turned into charcoal. ¡°General Manager Whitaker wouldn¡¯t listen to advice and insisted on climbing the high-voltage power lines; now, he¡¯s been electrocuted to death.¡± Aron Jackson spoke coldly. ¡°We all saw it; you couldn¡¯t stop him!¡± The employees under Aron Jackson echoed one after another. ¡°Go tell Nando Brandon and the others that General Manager Whitaker has died accidentally, and the concert is temporarily canceled.¡± With a wave of his hand, Aron Jackson¡¯s employees immediately ran towards the inside of the venue. About five minutes later, an announcement came from the venue. ¡°Due to some unforeseen events, we¡¯re unable to hold the concert as scheduled. Those who want a refund can do so later on our official website. We sincerely apologize for the terrible experience!¡± ¡°Furthermore, Nando Brandon and we will strive to hold the concert again in the coming days; we must satisfy everyone! At that time, fans who have not refunded their tickets will enjoy a concert that¡¯s one and a half times longer.¡± Amidst curses and commotion, Nando Brandon¡¯s global concert at Gonzalez City Station was abruptly concluded. And the entire team, having lost Arvid Woody, plunged into chaos. In a bad mood, Nando Brandon found a hotel in Gonzalez City, hoping to go in and ease his mind. But just as he arrived at the entrance of the venue, he happened to see the makeup artist who had done his makeup. ¡°Isaiah Kensington, tell me, what grievances have you suffered?¡± At that moment, Sergei Harris held the inconsolably crying Isaiah Kensington, angrily asking. ¡°Sister-in-law, what exactly happened? Tell us! Who bullied you?¡± Anna Harris was also there, asking along with him. The siblings knew that Isaiah Kensington worked here and had planned to eat something together after she got off work. However, they didn¡¯t expect to find Isaiah Kensington crying miserably at the entrance of the venue. ¡°It¡¯s nothing! Let¡¯s go.¡± Isaiah Kensington wiped away her tears and shook her head. Although Sergei Harris¡¯s hot pot restaurant had reopened, it was no longer as profitable as before. Suddenly many other hot pot restaurants appeared nearby, offering cheaper prices and better services. Sergei Harris, who had briefly closed his shop before, was no longer able to make money as he used to. Even within half a month, he had suffered losses of over a hundred thousand. With no other choice, he temporarily closed the hot pot restaurant and went out to look for another job. Isaiah Kensington was Sergei Harris¡¯s girlfriend. When Sergei had sought refuge previously, he had sent Isaiah back to her parents¡¯ home; only after making sure there was no danger did he bring her back. But Isaiah was a strong-willed girl. Knowing the difficulties Sergei faced, she started looking for work everywhere, even picking up her old trade as a makeup artist. But she had never expected that her biggest business deal would turn into a disaster! ¡°Yo! Look who it is, isn¡¯t it that damn makeup artist?¡± Already fuming with rage, Nando Brandon laid eyes on the makeup artist and his anger flared up, so he approached and scoffed coldly, ¡°As expected, they¡¯re all sluts!¡± ¡°What did you say!¡± Sergei Harris frowned and stared hard at Nando Brandon, ¡°Is it you who hurt Red¡¯s face?¡± ¡°Correct! It was me! Who asked her to be so terrible at makeup! I was actually quite lenient; if it were now, I¡¯d straight up swell her face!¡± Nando Brandon said viciously. His three-billion-dollar endorsement was gone, and the concert was a bust. He felt absolutely terrible that entire afternoon! ¡°You¡¯re asking for it!¡± Sergei Harris¡¯s eyes turned bloodshot as he looked ready to charge over. ¡°Stop! Let¡¯s go!¡± Isaiah Kensington desperately held back Sergei while shouting at Anna Harris, ¡°Hold your brother back! Don¡¯t let him do something foolish!¡± ¡°Oh, look at your wife! A poor man should have the consciousness of being poor! See the bodyguards by my side? You try me, and I¡¯ll make you kneel and beg for mercy!¡± Nando Brandon said with a sneer. He had once been a poor man and became arrogant soon after making money, starting to look down on those with less. ¡°These bodyguards? Just like you, all wimps!¡± Just then, a voice rang out from behind the crowd. Chapter 502 - Chapter 502: Chapter 502 I Have This Move_1 Chapter 502: Chapter 502 I Have This Move_1 ¡°` ¡°Who is this ignorant fool!¡± Upon hearing the term ¡°sissy,¡± Nando Brandon¡¯s face instantly darkened. What he hated the most was being called by that name. First of all, he was a man, even though he often adopted an androgynous look to please his fans. But in fact, he deeply loathed this state. When you¡¯re in the jianghu, you can¡¯t control your fate. The main reason was that he, a man through and through, was played with and tormented by Beckett Carmichael like a woman! He wanted to resist but didn¡¯t have the courage. If he couldn¡¯t provoke Beckett Carmichael, could he not provoke you? Nando Brandon turned around, looking toward the source of the voice. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± Anna Harris was the first to spot Julius Reed; she hadn¡¯t expected her best friend¡¯s husband to be here as well. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± Julius Reed smiled and nodded. Having nothing better to do, he accepted Beckett Carmichael¡¯s invitation to dine nearby. At first, Julius Reed had refused, but Beckett Carmichael was insistently cordial, and with Quella Radcliffe working overtime at the company, he strolled over here alone. Little did he know he¡¯d run into Nando Brandon swearing at Anna Harris. ¡°You¡¯re cursing at me?¡± Upon seeing Julius Reed, Nando Brandon subconsciously took him for a hot-blooded youth. Dressed plainly and alone. However, he was surrounded by several bodyguards with impressive skills. ¡°I wasn¡¯t cursing you, just cursing the sissy and his bodyguards who bully others with their power,¡± Julius Reed said calmly, walking up to Isaiah Kensington and asking, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Nothing¡­¡± Isaiah Kensington saw the burly men around Nando Brandon and dared not speak up. It was one thing to be bullied by rich people, quite another to drag others into it. ¡°Isaiah, this is Anna¡¯s best friend¡¯s husband; if you¡¯re in trouble, just say it, he can make the decision for us!¡± Sergei Harris embraced Isaiah Kensington and exclaimed, ¡°Tell us, what happened?¡± ¡°Sister-in-law, just tell us. No matter what, we Harris can¡¯t just let people bully us like that!¡± Seeing Julius Reed, Anna Harris also came over, indignantly asking. Isaiah Kensington¡¯s face bore a clearly visible slap mark, clearly a sign he had been hit. And this incident could not have been unrelated to Nando Brandon standing before them. ¡°What can you do even if I tell you?¡± Nando Brandon scoffed from a distance, pointing at Isaiah Kensington, ¡°This bit*h was slow with her makeup, so I slapped her a few times and told her to get lost. What, got a problem with that?¡± He glanced at the few people before him with disdain, ¡°If you have a problem with that, then scram! If you can¡¯t stand being yelled at, then don¡¯t come out to work! You want to earn money, you have to be ready to be scolded!¡± ¡°You bastard!¡± Sergei Harris, known for his hot temper, charged at Nando Brandon after hearing these words. ¡°Brother!¡± Before Anna Harris could finish speaking, Sergei Harris was kicked back by one of Nando Brandon¡¯s bodyguards, falling heavily to the ground. ¡°Ow!¡± He howled in pain, his face etched with anger. ¡°Out of your league!¡± Nando Brandon sneered and turned to leave. ¡°Wait!¡± Just then, Julius Reed called out to him. ¡°Planning to walk away after hitting someone?¡± Julius Reed had not intended to get involved, but first, Nando Brandon had tried to scheme against Quella Radcliffe with Bran Cook. Secondly, today¡¯s event was indeed too much. Anna Harris is Quella¡¯s best friend, and Quella is the king¡¯s woman. ¡°I let you off once; you didn¡¯t appreciate it.¡± Nando Brandon turned around, frowning at Julius Reed: ¡°Beat him up, good!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± A burly bodyguard sneered, clenching his fists as he approached Julius Reed, looking down at him, ¡°So tell me, how do you want to die?¡± Whoosh! Without any superfluous words. Julius Reed threw a punch! Thud! The strong man was sent flying backward, curling up at Nando Brandon¡¯s feet, convulsing nonstop. ¡°What¡­ What¡¯s going on here!¡± Nando Brandon was truly taken aback. ¡°` The bodyguard behind him was very formidable, so how come he¡¯s suddenly unable to withstand a single blow? ¡°Get him! Kill him!¡± Nando Brandon bellowed in anger, yet his heart was filled with fear. The young man before him was too uncanny, easily taking down his formidable employee with a single move. He was definitely no ordinary person. Not just him, even Sergei Harris and the rest were stunned. Only Anna Harris remained calm. She had witnessed Julius Reed take down armed men with his bare hands. What were these few little bodyguards in comparison? ¡°Kid, you¡¯re courting death!¡± The remaining three bodyguards didn¡¯t dare to be arrogant and surrounded him, going for the kill in an instant! Crack! Julius Reed kicked out fiercely, then threw two punches into the air! ¡°Ouch!¡± Accompanied by three screams, the once fierce bodyguards all had an arm broken, kneeling on the ground and howling in pain. ¡°Now, it¡¯s your turn.¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands clasped behind his back, leisurely walked towards Nando Brandon. ¡°What are you going to do!¡± Nando Brandon felt a chill run down his back, as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. ¡°Nothing much.¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, ¡°Teaching you a lesson.¡± That smile sent shivers down Nando Brandon¡¯s spine even more. When had he ever encountered such an unreasonable and frightening person? ¡°I¡¯m warning you! You¡­ don¡¯t come any closer! I am Nando Brandon, I have lots of fans. If you dare to hit me¡­¡± Slap! Before Nando Brandon could finish his words, Julius Reed slapped him, causing blood to ooze from the corners of his mouth. Everyone was shocked. Even Anna Harris, who had remained very calm until now. This was Nando Brandon we¡¯re talking about! A top-notch domestic first-tier heartthrob with countless fans backed by massive sponsors, and considered a cash cow by the entertainment companies. Such a person, how could the common folk afford to offend him? If they were to face retaliation, the consequences would be unimaginable. ¡°You¡­ dared to hit me?¡± Nando Brandon had never imagined that someone would actually dare to strike him! Ever since he had risen to fame, the entertainment company had treasured him like a father. Anyone who met him had to be respectful and polite. And now, he had been slapped in public! ¡°I¡¯ve already hit you.¡± Julius Reed chuckled, pointing at Nando Brandon¡¯s face and frowning, ¡°It seems a bit¡­¡± ¡°A bit what¡­¡± Nando Brandon instantly felt a chill on his back, and a wave of fear washed over him. Slap! Julius Reed unceremoniously dished out another slap, knocking Nando Brandon to the ground. ¡°It was a bit asymmetrical before, now it looks much better.¡± Looking at his handiwork, Julius Reed was quite satisfied. ¡°Maybe¡­ we should stop here¡­¡± Sergei Harris came over and tugged at Julius Reed. Offending Nando Brandon could make life difficult for everyone. He only wanted an apology from Nando Brandon, never had he thought of hitting him. After all, he was someone they couldn¡¯t afford to provoke! ¡°Calculate her makeup fee that he owes.¡± After hearing the cause of the incident, Julius Reed felt he ought to do the right thing and stand for justice. Isaiah Kensington had worked all afternoon; she shouldn¡¯t go unpaid. ¡°You hit me, now¡­¡± Nando Brandon glared fiercely at Julius Reed, his eyes brimming with venomous hatred. ¡°This hand of mine¡­¡± Julius Reed looked at his own palm. ¡°I¡¯ll pay¡­¡± Reluctantly, Nando Brandon took out his wallet. Chapter 503 - Chapter 503: Chapter 503: The Backup Has Arrived_1 Chapter 503: Chapter 503: The Backup Has Arrived_1 Nando Brandon had been in the industry for years, but today was the first time he ever felt this frustrated. Being insulted back when he was a nobody was one thing. After all, he wasn¡¯t famous nor did he have any fans then. For the sake of survival, for his dreams, he couldn¡¯t fight back, couldn¡¯t talk back. He was the epitome of a pushover. But after he became well-known, he was treated like a star, the darling of the masses. Hearing praises all the time, he couldn¡¯t stand even a slight grievance. Now, he had been slapped hard twice and was being forced to pay up; just thinking about it made Nando Brandon seethe inside. But there was nothing he could do, his opponent was too powerful. ¡°How much is the makeup fee?¡± Though reluctant, he still had to pay the money. ¡°Forget it, don¡¯t want it.¡± Isaiah Kensington quickly waved her hands and said, ¡°Mr. Brandon, we were wrong today, please don¡¯t take it to heart, I apologize to you here!¡± She was an honest and straightforward girl, very afraid of offending such a wealthy and powerful person. ¡°Haha¡­ Apologize¡­¡± Before Nando Brandon could finish, Julius Reed impatiently cut him off, ¡°Hurry up, pay up! Make it a round number, they¡¯ve been busy all afternoon, just give one hundred thousand.¡± ¡°One hundred thousand!¡± Nando Brandon was taken aback and blurted out, ¡°Are you robbing me?¡± ¡°Forget it, don¡¯t want this money.¡± Julius Reed took a deep breath, waved impatiently at Isaiah Kensington, ¡°I won¡¯t ask for your salary on your behalf, but I will get back that slap on your face for you.¡± Having said that, he took a step forward. ¡°I don¡¯t have that much cash on me¡­¡± Nando Brandon was on the verge of tears. How would he face anyone if this continued? As a so-called internet celebrity, he relied on his face to make a living. If his face was ruined, who would buy tickets? His fans would disappear in an instant. ¡°I have WeChat!¡± Anna Harris displayed the payment QR code: ¡°Scan here!¡± ¡°Fine!¡± Nando Brandon squeezed out the word through clenched teeth. He was filled with hatred! Quickly, one hundred thousand yuan was transferred to Anna Harris¡¯s WeChat. ¡°How about I treat you to dinner? You did me a favor today; I should really thank you properly.¡± Anna Harris approached Julius Reed. She occasionally stayed at Quella Radcliffe¡¯s house and was quite familiar with Julius Reed. ¡°No need, someone else is treating me. You better take your sister-in-law home first, she¡¯s been frightened.¡± Julius Reed patted Anna Harris on the shoulder with a meaningful expression, ¡°If you could speak less ill of me in the future, that would be enough.¡± ¡°Jerk! Pah!¡± Anna Harris made a face, turned around, and ran to Sergei Harris and Isaiah Kensington, talking about something. ¡°Keep a low profile from now on.¡± Julius Reed looked down at Nando Brandon on the ground, then turned and walked away briskly. After he left, Nando Brandon pulled out his phone, crying, and dialed Beckett Carmichael¡¯s number. ¡°Dad, where are you! I¡¯ve been beaten up¡­¡± ¡°What! Which bastard is so bold!¡± As soon as Beckett Carmichael heard that Nando Brandon had been hit, he was quite angry. Of course, it wasn¡¯t because Nando Brandon was the one who got hit. Daring to offend Julius Reed, this so-called son had long been written off. But a disposable piece is still a disposable piece; hitting Nando Brandon was like hitting Beckett Carmichael¡¯s own face! In the entire capital, who didn¡¯t know that Nando Brandon was his kept man? ¡°It was a young man, I have already sent people to follow him, and he seems to have gone to the Northern restaurant!¡± Nando Brandon asked the concert staff to follow Julius Reed, and he himself also followed quietly. He watched as Julius Reed entered a restaurant called the Northern restaurant. ¡°What a coincidence! I¡¯m at the Northern restaurant too! But it¡¯s still a three-minute drive away, wait for me to get there, and tell me who it is!¡± Beckett Carmichael snorted coldly, ¡°I really want to see which bastard had the guts to attack my people!¡± Although he had suffered a bit at Julius Reed¡¯s, that was his own ancestor¡¯s benefactor, so it wasn¡¯t a disgrace at all. Boss Carmichael¡¯s reputation was still daunting, even in Gonzalez City, he was unbridled! ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll head over there first, you have to stand up for me!¡± Nando Brandon cried even more fiercely. If it had been before, Beckett Carmichael would have offered comforting words upon hearing this crying. But now, he just felt like vomiting! If it weren¡¯t for Julius Reed considering Nando Brandon still useful, Beckett Carmichael would have had him dumped in the river long ago. ¡°Then I¡¯ll be right over¡­¡± Although he sensed something off about Beckett Carmichael, Nando Brandon thought his godfather was just angry and didn¡¯t give it another thought. ¡°Humph! You bastard, I¡¯ll make you kneel and beg for mercy later!¡± After hanging up the phone, Nando Brandon snorted coldly and walked briskly towards the Northern restaurant. He pulled a mask out of his pocket to avoid being photographed with his beaten face. Soon, Nando Brandon and his people saw Julius Reed standing at the entrance of the Northern restaurant. ¡°Here for a meal?¡± He walked over and greeted him with a sneer. ¡°Oh! Is that¡­ Mr. Brandon! I thought it was a wild chicken on the roadside.¡± Julius Reed laughed loudly, completely ignoring Nando Brandon. ¡°You¡­¡± Nando Brandon said with a laugh full of rage, ¡°Kid, soon I¡¯ll make you wish you were dead, begging on your knees!¡± With Beckett Carmichael backing him up, he wasn¡¯t afraid at all. That was the Clan Leader of the Carmichael family, one of the four major families in the capital, who could cover the sky with one hand in this little Gonzalez City! Even Beckett Carmichael¡¯s personal bodyguard, Eli Yarrow, was an invincible presence. No matter how good this youngster was at fighting, could he be better than Eli Yarrow? ¡°You¡¯re really asking for a beating.¡± Julius Reed was in a good mood, but this Nando Brandon was buzzing around like a fly. ¡°Get lost, before I change my mind.¡± He said coldly. Such a minor character wasn¡¯t worth striking twice. ¡°I should get lost?¡± Nando Brandon pointed at himself, raising an eyebrow, ¡°Do you know who I am! I¡¯m Nando Brandon! With millions of fans, who are you to dare to hit me! And to take away ten thousand dollars from me?¡± He would never forget today¡¯s humiliation for the rest of his life. Seeing Beckett Carmichael about to arrive, Nando Brandon felt even more smug. ¡°Oh! So it¡¯s Nando Brandon, I¡¯ve heard of you!¡± Julius Reed feigned surprise. ¡°Heh! Only now you know? But it¡¯s too late.¡± Nando Brandon felt a sense of pride inside. Being flattered felt quite good. ¡°Aren¡¯t you just¡­ just Boss Carmichael¡¯s plaything? Merely a tool for his pleasure, how could I not recognize you!¡± As soon as Julius Reed finished speaking, Nando Brandon¡¯s face turned pale. That was what he hated the most! He couldn¡¯t stand anyone mentioning that! ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re courting death!¡± Nando Brandon had just spoken when he heard a familiar voice at the entrance, ¡°Where¡¯s the person who hit you!¡± ¡°Boss Carmichael!¡± Seeing Beckett Carmichael walking in through the door, Nando Brandon was overjoyed. The two of them referred to each other as CEO Carmichael and Little Brandon outside to avoid suspicion. ¡°This bastard not only hit me, but he also said I was your pleasure tool! Him hitting me is one thing, but speaking of you like that is slander! If it got out, how would outsiders look at you?¡± Nando Brandon walked behind Beckett Carmichael, looking triumphantly at Julius Reed. But he completely failed to notice. Beckett Carmichael¡¯s body shuddered. Chapter 504 - Chapter 504: Chapter 504: I Heard You Want to Kill Me_1 Chapter 504: Chapter 504: I Heard You Want to Kill Me_1 The moment Beckett Carmichael saw Julius Reed, he knew exactly what was going on. Among the four major families of the capital, which patriarch wasn¡¯t cunning as a fox? Who would have thought that Nando Brandon would bring disaster upon himself! ¡°Kid, this is Boss Carmichael from the capital, aren¡¯t you going to come over and apologize!¡± Despite his fear of the young man¡¯s skill, Nando Brandon, buoyed by the presence of Beckett Carmichael, still felt somewhat emboldened. It had to be admitted that Nando Brandon was frightened by Julius Reed. ¡°Boss Carmichael your ass!¡± Slap! Beckett Carmichael backhanded Nando Brandon, knocking him to the ground. ¡°CEO Carmichael, you¡­¡± Nando Brandon was initially stunned, then asked with a sense of grievance, ¡°Why did you hit me!¡± Beckett Carmichael usually doted on him, spending a lot of money just to support him. And now, he had even come directly from the capital to Gonzalez City just to be with him. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with what he said! Aren¡¯t you just a tool for my pleasure! Tell me, where did he go wrong!¡± Beckett Carmichael pointed at Nando Brandon¡¯s nose, his saliva flying, ¡°How can you not recognize yourself? I lift you up because I want to, and crushing you is as simple as taking a dump!¡± ¡°Beckett¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t fucking call me! You¡¯re insulting my name!¡± Beckett Carmichael furiously kicked Nando Brandon in the face, ¡°You piece of shit, do you think you can offend just anyone!¡± After speaking, he straightened his suit and scurried over to Julius Reed, bowing and scraping, ¡°Sir, I didn¡¯t know it was you¡­ This bastard son¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, it has nothing to do with you.¡± Julius Reed spoke indifferently. Hearing this, Beckett Carmichael breathed a sigh of relief. But Nando Brandon was utterly terrified. Although he was Beckett Carmichael¡¯s male pet, he often witnessed Beckett Carmichael handling affairs. Many influential figures would grovel before Beckett Carmichael, acting as subservient as grandchildren. Even when facing the other three families among the four great families, Beckett Carmichael only slightly restrained his personality. But to behave like a groveling grandchild as he did before Reed, that was a first for Nando Brandon. His mind felt as if it had been struck by lightning, going blank in an instant. Looking at the young man before him now, Nando Brandon was full of fear. ¡°Sir, I was wrong¡­ I was blind as a dog, I failed to recognize Mount Tai¡­¡± Nando Brandon crawled towards Julius Reed like a dog. Beckett Carmichael¡¯s comment about crushing him easily scared Nando Brandon witless. He had long grown accustomed to a life of luxury, surrounded by countless admirers. If he had to return to his former status, he would rather die! What¡¯s more, he had given up his dignity as a man to be with Beckett Carmichael for so many years, and to lose everything overnight? He couldn¡¯t accept it! ¡°Throw him out!¡± Beckett Carmichael gestured grandly and a bodyguard immediately came over and tossed Nando Brandon out like a dead dog. ¡°Don¡¯t forget what needs to be done tomorrow! If you mess it up, I¡¯ll kill your whole family!¡± As Nando Brandon was thrown onto the street, these words from Beckett Carmichael reached his ears. Tomorrow¡­ ¡°Heh heh¡­¡± Nando Brandon sat on the street, his face a mess, laughing foolishly. ¡°Sir, if I had known this grandson¡­¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t know.¡± Julius Reed smiled as he looked at Beckett Carmichael, ¡°I¡¯m not blaming you, it¡¯s in the past.¡± He was fairly satisfied with the Carmichael descendants. Intelligent, loyal, and smart. A promising prospect worth nurturing. ¡°Ah! Nevermind! I¡¯ll entertain you well today, as my way of making an apology!¡± After clasping his hands together, Beckett Carmichael gestured invitingly, ¡°Sir, please!¡± ¡°Mm.¡± Julius Reed, no longer standing on ceremony, walked ahead with his hands clasped behind his back. The Northern restaurant is one of the few foreign-invested restaurants in Gonzalez City, built by an American businessman. Locals are not accustomed to coming here. There are too many rich people here, and it¡¯s a mix of good and bad. All of them are untouchable figures. And those who come here are usually wealthy people from both abroad and within the country. The consumption is extraordinarily high! Far exceeding Twilight Mansion built by Ovidiu Cook. But when it comes to the deliciousness of the cuisine, it is much inferior to Twilight Mansion. That¡¯s why it¡¯s also called by the locals a restaurant good at swindling outlanders. But Beckett Carmichael doesn¡¯t care about these things; he has money. A lot of money. What he wants is not how the food is, but the treatment like an emperor and the pomp. That is the most important thing. Walking into the Northern restaurant, there are people of various colors, many foreign friends, with the few Chinese gathered together talking business. Beckett Carmichael went directly to a very good spot and sat down with Julius Reed. The window by their side offered a perfect view of the Gonzalez City docks. The vast sea was pitch black at the time, with a few boats with their lights on, swaying nonstop. The clearest view was of the Gonzalez City Lighthouse. The spot¡¯s unique location makes it one of the top three in terms of price within the Northern restaurant. ¡°Brother, I¡¯ll go to the restroom first. I was in a hurry when I got here and didn¡¯t want to keep you waiting¡­¡± Beckett Carmichael said with an embarrassed smile. ¡°It¡¯s okay, go ahead.¡± Julius Reed nodded. He arrived half an hour early, while Beckett Carmichael came twenty-five minutes early. He was quite sincere, and he wasn¡¯t late. But Beckett Carmichael didn¡¯t expect Julius Reed to arrive even earlier. Since Beckett Carmichael had made a reservation beforehand, several waiters standing behind him informed the kitchen, then quietly stood behind Julius Reed. ¡°Brother, I¡¯m really counting on you for today¡¯s matter! It¡¯s a bit embarrassing to say, but I truly have no choice!¡± ¡°No problem! Leave that kid to me. I¡¯ve got nothing to do right now and plan to hang around in Gonzalez City for a while before heading back for the New Year. I¡¯ll take care of this bastard for you!¡± ¡°This man is extremely cunning, so please be careful! I¡¯ve dealt with him before, and all my bodyguards were incapacitated!¡± ¡°No worries, brother. I have plenty of people at my disposal!¡± While Julius Reed was contemplating matters in Five-river Province, a familiar voice reached his ears. ¡°Stacy Cook?¡± He turned around and caught sight of Stacy Cook. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± Stacy Cook¡¯s complexion changed drastically upon seeing Julius Reed! He would recognize that youth even if he turned to ashes! He returned with great pomp, swearing to lead the Cook Family to become the number one family in Gonzalez City! But who knew that he would be beaten down like a dog by the youth before him, begging for mercy on his knees! ¡°It¡¯s me, what a coincidence.¡± Julius Reed said with a smile. Next to Stacy Cook stood a middle-aged man, looking quite drunk as if the two had been drinking a lot. ¡°You know him?¡± The drunken man glanced at Stacy Cook and pointed at Julius Reed, ¡°An acquaintance?¡± ¡°More than just knowing or being an acquaintance!¡± Stacy Cook replied with a cold laugh, ¡°He¡¯s practically an enemy!¡± The enmity between the two was deep as the sea! Stacy Cook fervently wished he could kill Julius Reed but had been unable to do so himself, which is why he had brought in this drunken man. ¡°He¡­¡± The drunken man frowned and asked, ¡°The person you were just talking about?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Julius Reed smiled lightly and said, ¡°I hear you¡¯re planning to kill me?¡± Chapter 505 - Chapter 505: Chapter 505 I did it_1 Chapter 505: Chapter 505 I did it_1 ¡°Haha! Who would have thought we¡¯d bump into each other on this narrow road of fate!¡± Upon seeing Julius Reed, the drunken man showed excitement instead. ¡°Julius Reed, do you know who this person is?¡± Stacy Cook sneered, ¡°This is Tristan Caldwell from Gonzalez City, the CEO of the group under CEO Carmichael¡¯s charge. Since he¡¯s one of Carmichael¡¯s people, why don¡¯t you give it a try?¡± Tristan Caldwell is the CEO of the Marthew Abernathy Group and has significant influence in Gonzalez City. Many small families, upon meeting Tristan Caldwell, would respectfully call him Brother Caldwell. It was only because of his father-in-law¡¯s connections that Stacy Cook got to know Tristan Caldwell. Having faced setbacks in Gonzalez City, he fortunately learned that Tristan Caldwell was returning from abroad, passing through Gonzalez City. So he took the initiative to contact Tristan Caldwell in advance, inviting this influential figure to indulge in some drinks in Gonzalez City and, incidentally, to air his grievances. And Tristan Caldwell, always concerned about his reputation, upon learning about how Stacy Cook had been bullied, immediately assured him, patting his chest and vowing to take revenge for his ¡®brother¡¯! ¡°Fate has brought enemies on a narrow path.¡± Tristan Caldwell burped and looked at Julius Reed with drunken eyes, ¡°Kid, you¡¯ve got some nerve, having the audacity to offend a brother of mine!¡± With three cups of liquor down, Tristan Caldwell was slightly intoxicated. The him, renowned in Gonzalez City, saw no need for concern coming to the insignificant Gonzalez City. To put it improperly, this was like using a cleaver to kill a chicken! ¡°I¡¯m in a good mood today, so get lost!¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t even bother to glance at Tristan Caldwell, instead turning his head to look at the view outside the window. The dark ocean with the occasional ship moving across it was quite poetic. He truly couldn¡¯t be bothered with those jumping clowns from the Cook Family. If it weren¡¯t for Stacy Cook¡¯s connection to his own memories, he would have annihilated the Cook Family without leaving a trace! Why would he allow these jumping clowns to bounce around in front of him? The Wolf Cavalry had been dispatched for several days now, and it was estimated that they would bring back accurate intelligence before the year¡¯s end. By then, uncovering the secret behind Stacy Cook¡¯s disappearance these past years, he might be able to follow the trail and discover the real identity of that woman. As his cultivation gradually returned to him, it was clear that some within the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance were beginning to realize that their master wasn¡¯t dead. Those who had participated in the rebellion back then would certainly not surrender without a fight! Therefore, uncovering the secrets of the past as early as possible would enable him to swiftly round up these traitors! As for the present Tristan Caldwell? Julius Reed truly felt that this man wasn¡¯t worth his fight. ¡°Kid, you really are arrogant! But what I don¡¯t understand is, what exactly do you, a mere man from Gonzalez City, have to be so proud of?¡± As a man from Gonzalez City, Tristan Caldwell inherently felt a sense of superiority. He looked down on people from such small places from the bottom of his heart. Even if someone were the richest person in Gonzalez City, what of it? A person from a trivial place like this wouldn¡¯t even make a splash in Gonzalez City. ¡°I told you to scram. Didn¡¯t you hear me?¡± Julius Reed, with his back to Tristan Caldwell, spoke indifferently. ¡°Kid, you are too arrogant¡­¡± Unable to suppress a sneer, Tristan Caldwell thought the fellow really didn¡¯t know whether to live or die. ¡°Brother Caldwell, this is the Northern restaurant, perhaps we shouldn¡¯t stir up trouble here.¡± Stacy Cook reminded him in a soft voice. The Northern restaurant was frequented by high-end guests, and the owner was a foreigner. If a conflict were to start here, it wouldn¡¯t really be good for anyone. ¡°Don¡¯t worry! I¡¯m not causing any trouble, right! We¡¯re law-abiding citizens!¡± The thoroughly intoxicated Tristan Caldwell sat directly opposite Julius Reed and asked with a smile, ¡°Brother, is it so!¡± ¡°Is it so.¡± Julius Reed replied with a smile. He had seen people courting death, but never someone as eager to die as this man. But since someone was apparently itching for death, he didn¡¯t mind humoring Tristan Caldwell a bit. ¡°Drink some?¡± Tristan Caldwell snapped his fingers and instructed the waiter, ¡°Bring the drinks!¡± ¡°Right away, sir!¡± In less than half a minute, the waiter arrived with two glasses of red wine in front of Julius Reed and Tristan Caldwell. ¡°Have a drink with me. If I¡¯m happy today, I might even let you go.¡± Tristan Caldwell swirled the glass of wine in front of him. He had one hobby, and that was drinking! He was exceptionally good at it! The reason he could become the CEO of Marthew Abernathy Group was also because of his drinking capacity. Ordinary people couldn¡¯t outdrink him. Now, Tristan Caldwell was challenging Julius Reed to drink, confident that the youth in front of him couldn¡¯t hold his liquor and hoping to get him drunk and embarrass him! ¡°This, is not very interesting.¡± Julius Reed glanced at the red wine before him and sized up Tristan Caldwell, ¡°How about we switch it up? Unless you¡¯re too scared, eh!¡± ¡°What a joke!¡± Already slightly inebriated, Tristan Caldwell frowned and said, ¡°Is there any liquor I dare not drink? I¡¯m laying it down here today, if I can¡¯t outdrink you, I¡¯ll take your surname!¡± He often took pride in his drinking capacity, so how could he possibly admit defeat? Moreover, he believed that the youth before him was just bluffing and had no real skills! ¡°Don¡¯t regret it later!¡± After Julius Reed spoke, he shouted to the waiter, ¡°Bring me two bottles of ¡®Life Water¡¯.¡± ¡°Damn! Are you insane?¡± Upon hearing this, Tristan Caldwell couldn¡¯t help but be taken aback. ¡®Life Water¡¯ was vodka, ninety-eight degrees! It was practically pure alcohol! One sip would be almost deadly! ¡°Getting cold feet, or do you want to take my surname?¡± Julius Reed asked with a tone of disdain. ¡°Bullshit! I¡¯m just afraid you¡¯ll die here, and I¡¯ll be in trouble!¡± Tristan Caldwell, seeing a look of contempt on his opponent¡¯s face, immediately became angry. How could he lose at something he was proud of? And he had tried ¡®Life Water¡¯ before; it was indeed very strong. But it wasn¡¯t as exaggerated as it sounded. A small sip was still drinkable. Soon, the waiter brought over the ¡®Life Water¡¯ to the three of them. Stacy Cook also sat opposite Julius Reed. In his mind, this youth seemed to have some sort of connection with the local big shots, but he couldn¡¯t quite pinpoint what the relationship was. Sometimes he couldn¡¯t even believe that such a youth could have anything to do with Aron Jackson or Ovidiu Cook. It was all just a coincidence. He was just somewhat capable and didn¡¯t act according to the rules. Most importantly, Stacy Cook had come back on a mission and didn¡¯t want any complications. But he really couldn¡¯t swallow this resentment! ¡°Julius Reed, you¡¯re bluffing, right?¡± Stacy Cook didn¡¯t believe that such a youth could actually handle ¡®Life Water¡¯. But this did make him a bit excited. What could be more satisfying than making Julius Reed vomit blood? ¡°You know, drinking with you is already raising your status!¡± Tristan Caldwell opened the ¡®Life Water¡¯ and looked at Julius Reed in front of him, ¡°Otherwise, a nobody from Gonzalez City like you doesn¡¯t deserve to sit at the same table and drink with me!¡± ¡°Then I should thank you for the honor.¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, even CEO Carmichael had to treat him with respect, it seems that his subordinate was getting a bit unruly! Or rather, a bit too arrogant. ¡°What¡¯s the drinking method?¡± Looking at the ¡®Life Water¡¯ in his hand, Tristan Caldwell felt a bit wary. It was indeed fierce! Such liquor was uncomfortable to drink. At ninety-eight degrees, it was almost pure alcohol! ¡°I¡¯ll down mine, you can do as you please.¡± Julius Reed unscrewed the bottle cap, shook it in his hand, ¡°Of course, if you don¡¯t dare, you can put down the glass and get lost.¡± Chapter 506 - Chapter 506: Chapter 506: Water of Life_1 Chapter 506: Chapter 506: Water of Life_1 ¡°` ¡°What did you say!¡± Tristan Caldwell doubted he had heard correctly. This was the water of life, a small sip of which nearly cost a life. And this young man in front of him, actually wanted to down it? ¡°I said, I¡¯ll down it, you do as you please.¡± Julius Reed said to Tristan Caldwell, smiling. ¡°If you down it, I¡¯ll drink double!¡± Tristan Caldwell snorted softly, ¡°Young man, stop bluffing!¡± ¡°Really drink double?¡± Julius Reed asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Of course! My word is as good as gold! But let me be clear today. Whether you want to drink this water of life or not, you¡¯ll have to drink,¡± Tristan Caldwell said fiercely, ¡°Otherwise, don¡¯t blame me for getting rough and helping you drink it!¡± After he spoke, his bodyguards immediately stood beside Julius Reed. ¡°Haha! Julius Reed, you¡¯re as good as dead!¡± Stacy Cook was overjoyed at the sight of his vendetta being avenged. He, like a fool, had knelt at Twilight Mansion and had become the laughing stock of Gonzalez City. He, who once basked in unlimited glory, now found it hard to even lift his head when walking on the streets. So many people watched as the entire Cook Family kneeled down in unison. Watching the Reed family finish their meal. Although these people would not say anything to their faces out of fear of the Cook Family, the gossip and rumors behind their backs were extremely distasteful. Many offensive remarks had reached Stacy Cook¡¯s ears. He transferred all this anger onto Julius Reed! Now with Tristan Caldwell taking charge, it was very likely that Julius Reed wouldn¡¯t be able to leave the Northern restaurant alive today. But Stacy Cook was somewhat curious. With the status of Julius Reed as just a son-in-law, how did he manage to mix into the Northern restaurant? Could it be Itai Huntington, but why hadn¡¯t he seen her for half a day? However, after the lesson at Twilight Mansion last time, he didn¡¯t dare to underestimate Julius Reed again. His face was hurt enough. He couldn¡¯t bear it. And today, Tristan Caldwell was determined to not let Julius Reed go. He just had to watch the show. ¡°Fine, but I hope you will follow the rules.¡± Julius Reed shook the water of life in his hand and suddenly found it boring to play along with these ants before him, which was not a bad thing. Life goes on for a hundred thousand years. Day after day, year after year. After seeing countless births, aging, sickness, and deaths, Julius Reed found all the changes in time dull. Sometimes he even felt that losing his memory for three years was a good thing. At least he met Quella Radcliffe and found what is called love. Even now, his mindset had undergone quite a few changes. He used to be the Dragon King who did not partake in the mortal world¡¯s offerings. Now, he was just one of the many beings. Like now, if it had been before, he could have killed the two before him with a single slap. But now, he had fallen in love with the game of cat and mouse. Death, sometimes, was indeed a luxury. ¡°I know General Caldwell and Boss Cook are men of dignity.¡± Julius Reed picked up the water of life and looked at Stacy Cook, ¡°How about it, Boss Cook, would you care for a bottle too?¡± ¡°Sure! If you really can down it in one go, General Caldwell and I will accompany you with double!¡± Stacy Cook nodded, his face full of anticipation for the drama to unfold. The water of life wasn¡¯t like other drinks¡ªif it was ordinary liquor, one could stomach it without much fuss. But the water of life, even a sip, could scorch your throat. Even if you no longer wished to live and drank desperately, you simply couldn¡¯t manage to drink it. A whole bottle would undoubtedly lead to death. Of course, there were some exceptions. Or if one sought medical attention immediately, there was still a chance to save a life. But. Would Tristan Caldwell give Julius Reed a chance to go to the hospital? ¡°` Impossible! Anyway, it¡¯s his own drinking; if he dies from it, it has nothing to do with anyone else. ¡°You two are both respectable people, if later you can¡¯t maintain your dignity, I¡¯ll do it for you!¡± After Julius Reed finished speaking, he gently sipped the ¡°water of life.¡± ¡°Ha ha! He¡¯s done for!¡± Seeing Julius Reed¡¯s expression, Tristan Caldwell slapped the table and laughed loudly, ¡°Young man, you¡¯ve already talked big, don¡¯t even think about backing out now! How does it feel, not great, right? But! This is just the beginning!¡± He subconsciously thought that Julius Reed couldn¡¯t handle the alcohol content of the ¡°water of life,¡± so he waved to his bodyguards nearby, ¡°If he can¡¯t take it, help him out!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Several bodyguards narrowed their eyes, circling around Julius Reed, ¡°Don¡¯t make us take action.¡± ¡°What are you doing?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow, smacked his lips, and commented that it was quite thirst-quenching. ¡°Look, this idiot is stubbornly holding on!¡± Tristan Caldwell laughed wildly, as if he had just heard a hilarious joke. ¡°Julius Reed, you didn¡¯t see this coming, did you? To offend me is to face such a day! Do you remember how you humiliated me at Twilight Mansion?¡± Stacy Cook had the look of someone enacting his revenge. Over the years he had left home, fought and struggled, and finally achieved some success, earning the title Master Cook. But it was just when he was at his most glorious, preparing to lead his family to the peak in Gonzalez City, that he met Julius Reed! An imposing son-in-law who made no sense at all. Stacy Cook was filled with hatred, but because of a mission he had, he couldn¡¯t retaliate freely! And now, Julius Reed had delivered himself to the doorstep; Stacy Cook couldn¡¯t contain his joy. Tristan Caldwell was ruthless; he said he would make Julius Reed drink it all, and he would indeed make him drink it all! Plus, the bodyguards around them were all skilled fighters. ¡°I¡¯ll check it first!¡± Tristan Caldwell took the bottle from Julius Reed, sniffed it lightly, and made sure there was no problem. ¡°Shall I, drink up?¡± Julius Reed raised the ¡°water of life¡± and, like drinking water, guzzled it down. ¡°This fool really thinks the ¡®water of life¡¯ is ordinary booze?¡± Watching Julius Reed¡¯s suicidal drinking method, Tristan Caldwell shook his head, ¡°He probably won¡¯t be able to drink a third of it before he spits blood on the spot.¡± ¡°Exactly, such a loser, overestimating himself¡­¡± But before Stacy Cook could finish his sentence, he realized that Julius Reed had already drunk half of it. ¡°How is this kid drinking it? That stuff is 98% alcohol! How can his esophagus and stomach take it after one gulp?¡± He exclaimed in amazement, but before he could react, Bang! Julius Reed slapped the empty bottle on the table. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, it¡¯s your turn.¡± Tristan Caldwell was stunned. Stacy Cook was stunned. The surrounding bodyguards were stunned too. Even the waitress beside them was stunned. Is this even human? The ¡°water of life¡± was really drunk like water! Julius Reed just did it right in front of them, in one go! There was no chance for any trickery. Tristan Caldwell swallowed, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Stacy Cook felt a chill running down his back even more. ¡°Waitress, bring me three more bottles of ¡®water of life.''¡± Julius Reed snapped his fingers and, looking at General Caldwell holding a bottle of ¡°water of life,¡± asked with a smile, ¡°General Caldwell, would you like to go first?¡± Gulp. Tristan Caldwell swallowed and said nothing. He hadn¡¯t recovered from the shock yet. Why didn¡¯t the opponent react? One bottle of ¡°water of life¡± down, shouldn¡¯t he be vomiting blood by now? But Julius Reed looked the same as usual; his face wasn¡¯t even red. ¡°Shall I, help you maintain your dignity?¡± Julius Reed asked with a smile. Chapter 507 - Chapter 507: Chapter 507 Helping Him Save Face_1 Chapter 507: Chapter 507 Helping Him Save Face_1 ¡°Presumptuous! How can you speak to General Caldwell like that!¡± Stacy Cook was the first to react; no matter what, they simply couldn¡¯t drink down two bottles of the Elixir of Life. Who would be that foolish? Let alone two bottles, even half a bottle would be lethal. ¡°So, you don¡¯t want to keep your promise?¡± Julius Reed sized up the two in front of him, scaring Stacy Cook so much that he involuntarily shivered with a chill down his spine. The collective kneeling of the Cook Family at Twilight Mansion had left a huge psychological shadow over him. Especially when Julius Reed defeated his strongest bodyguard, it nearly crushed Stacy Cook¡¯s spirit. ¡°Kid, consider yourself lucky today, I¡¯m letting you off this time!¡± Tristan Caldwell pointed at Julius Reed, threatening, ¡°Next time, you won¡¯t be so fortunate!¡± He said he would drink two bottles because he thought Julius Reed would be dead after half a bottle. How could you be alive, or rather, sober enough, to watch him drink? This bet, from the start, was a deceit! An unfair deceit! Now that they¡¯d lost the bet, reneging was inevitable! And the reason Tristan Caldwell chose to let Julius Reed off this time was that he too was frightened. It was his first time seeing someone drink the Elixir of Life as if it were water. ¡°I don¡¯t like being pointed at.¡± Julius Reed lifted his head and suddenly stretched out his right hand! Crack! Tristan Caldwell¡¯s finger was broken instantly! ¡°Protect General Caldwell!¡± The bodyguards immediately stood in front of Tristan Caldwell, each staring at Julius Reed with deadly intent. ¡°Hiss!¡± Tristan Caldwell took a sharp breath in pain; the agony in his finger shot straight to his cerebral cortex, and he howled miserably. ¡°Ah¡­ it hurts! Finish him¡­ finish him for me!¡± Shaking all over, Tristan Caldwell sat in the chair, his eyes quickly filling with blood. At his fingertips, the broken bone was clearly visible! ¡°Seeking death! What are you waiting for, drag him out, and don¡¯t cause trouble in the Northern restaurant!¡± Stacy Cook then took command. He hadn¡¯t expected Julius Reed to dare offend Tristan Caldwell! And to break his finger upon their first encounter! This was a madman, a madman without reason! ¡°Liar!¡± Julius Reed sighed, abruptly stood up, grabbed the wine bottle, and smashed it hard onto the head of a bodyguard! Crash! The bottle of Elixir of Life shattered instantly, and the bodyguard fell to the ground, his head covered in blood and glass shards. Before the remaining bodyguards could react, Julius Reed, like lightning, reached them and pressed their heads together with both hands, then banged them hard! Bang! The two men passed out on the spot. Even if by some chance they woke up, they would certainly be vegetables. ¡°What¡­ what are you going to do!¡± Tristan Caldwell, overcome with fear, even forgot the pain in his finger. Whereas Stacy Cook was reminded of the scene that day at Twilight Mansion. Everything seemed to be repeating itself! ¡°What are you standing there for! Go call security!¡± Stacy Cook shouted to the servers around him. ¡°Quiet.¡± Julius Reed punched out, filling Stacy Cook¡¯s mouth with blood, his front teeth all falling inside. ¡°Shhh!¡± He looked back at the servers: ¡°Everyone¡¯s eating, don¡¯t disturb them.¡± The servers nodded, standing still, not daring to move. It wasn¡¯t that they didn¡¯t want to move. The lightning-fast actions of Julius Reed had thoroughly intimidated them. Every one of them found their legs disobeying them. Besides, they weren¡¯t fools; helping Stacy Cook and the others at this time was like asking for death. Why sacrifice themselves? ¡°I warn you! I am the general manager of Abernathy Group, and if CEO Carmichael finds out¡­¡± Tristan Caldwell was shaking all over with fear, but he tried to remain calm and brought up Beckett Carmichael to intimidate Julius Reed. After all, the reputation of the four great families was significant, and almost everyone knew about them. A mere youth from Gonzalez City, didn¡¯t he have any regard for this at all? ¡°CEO Carmichael, someone is calling you.¡± Julius Reed smiled and looked behind Tristan Caldwell. ¡°Heh heh! You even dare to disrespect CEO Carmichael? Kid, let me tell you the truth, my boss Beckett Carmichael, that is¡­¡± ¡°Tristan Caldwell? What are you doing here?¡± Just returning from the restroom, Beckett Carmichael saw that his seat was taken and thought it was Julius Reed¡¯s guest. It wasn¡¯t until he got closer and heard the voice that he realized it was his own subordinate, the general manager of Abernathy Group. Tristan Caldwell. He was somewhat curious in his heart. How did Tristan Caldwell know Julius Reed? This didn¡¯t make sense at all! ¡°CEO Carmichael!¡± Upon hearing the voice, Tristan Caldwell also trembled and was extremely excited! Beckett Carmichael was actually here! As long as Beckett Carmichael was present, they would be fine. Everyone knew that Beckett Carmichael had an Eli Yarrow under him, unbeatable in hand-to-hand combat! Even if this young man opposite was formidable, could he be stronger than Eli Yarrow? ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Beckett Carmichael looked around, and seeing the three bodyguards lying down, a sense of foreboding rose in his heart. Nando Brandon had just offended someone, and now his own manager hadn¡¯t gone and offended someone as well, had he? ¡°CEO Carmichael, this kid broke one of my fingers and knocked out three bodyguards! And he even disrespected you!¡± Tristan Caldwell, now seeing his big backer, felt much more at ease, and the pain in his hand grew stronger. He looked at Julius Reed and sneered, ¡°Kid, you¡¯re dead today!¡± ¡°Mr. Reed, what¡¯s going on here?¡± Beckett Carmichael looked towards Julius Reed. ¡°Mr. Reed?¡± Tristan Caldwell looked around: ¡°Where is Mr. Reed?¡± He thought his boss had run into an acquaintance. But Stacy Cook¡¯s heart skipped a beat. No way! This Mr. Reed, is it Julius Reed? ¡°It was just these two gentlemen who wanted to mess with me, tricking me into drinking the ¡®Water of Life¡¯ and even boasting that if I finished it, they would drink two bottles each. After I finished, these two went back on their word and didn¡¯t want to play anymore.¡± Julius Reed shrugged slightly, quite helpless. ¡°Bullshit! What kind of person am I! You think you¡¯re worthy of making a bet with me? That was just a joke! You idiot, you took it seriously!¡± Tristan Caldwell looked at his broken finger and cursed through gritted teeth. However, what he failed to notice was that Beckett Carmichael¡¯s face had already turned black. Completely black. Indeed, Beckett Carmichael¡¯s guess was right. His reckless subordinate had offended an important figure again! ¡°CEO Carmichael, you have to decide on this matter!¡± Seeing the young man opposite looking fierce and menacing, Tristan Caldwell had no choice but to seek help from Beckett Carmichael. ¡°Goddamn it! I must be blind as a dog! Someone come here!¡± Beckett Carmichael roared, and immediately several bodyguards came over. ¡°Heh heh! Hear that? You¡¯re as blind as a dog for daring to offend CEO Carmichael and me too! Kid, you don¡¯t get killed unless you act recklessly!¡± Just as Tristan Caldwell finished speaking, he found his shoulder was being held. ¡°CEO Carmichael, what is this¡­?¡± He didn¡¯t understand what was going on, but Stacy Cook did. It was over. Beckett Carmichael knew Julius Reed. ¡°Mr. Reed, how would you like to handle this?¡± Beckett Carmichael asked, bowing his head. ¡°CEO Carmichael¡­ you!¡± Tristan Caldwell¡¯s eyes widened, unable to believe this was true. ¡°General Caldwell is also a person of status, help him preserve some dignity.¡± Julius Reed pushed the ¡®Water of Life¡¯ in front of him towards Tristan Caldwell, looking at Stacy Cook who had already collapsed on the sofa in fear: ¡°Two bottles each, as per our earlier agreement. After all, a personage such as General Caldwell and his friend should keep their word.¡± Chapter 508 - Chapter 508: Chapter 508: Falling Out _1 Chapter 508: Chapter 508: Falling Out _1 Tristan Caldwell¡¯s heart turned ice-cold the moment he saw Beckett Carmichael¡¯s change of attitude. Having worked under Beckett Carmichael for so long, he was very clear about his own boss¡¯s personality. The always unyielding and haughty Beckett Carmichael, when did he ever show such respect to others? ¡°General Caldwell, what¡¯s the situation?¡± Stacy Cook wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and asked in a trembling voice, ¡°Could there be a mistake? This youngster before us, is the Radcliffe Family¡¯s son-in-law who¡¯s been doing laundry and cooking at home, never even stepping out the door for three years. How could he possibly know your boss?¡± Although Stacy had only returned to Gonzalez City not long ago, because of Bran Cook¡¯s reason, he had used his subordinates to thoroughly investigate Julius Reed. They even monitored every place Julius Reed visited and the people he contacted daily. After several days of tracking, no valuable intelligence was found. Julius Reed was just as Bran Cook described him: idling his days away, doing nothing of significance. No background and no connections whatsoever. Just a complete bumpkin. But Stacy Cook did not believe that such a bumpkin could cause trouble and offend people and still be alive to this day. Even more bizarre, how did a live-in son-in-law who was cooped up at home for three years manage to have such a strong backer? The bodyguard he brought back was a formidable presence, capable of fighting more than a dozen men single-handedly. Yet in front of Julius Reed, they were like elementary school students, getting beaten black and blue. But even so, all indications pointed to Julius Reed truly having a plain background. So plain that he had no connections at all. Now, Beckett Carmichael was actually getting angry with his own long-time employee over this useless good-for-nothing Julius Reed? ¡°Right! CEO Carmichael, could you have mistaken him for someone else? This kid is just a useless wretch; how could he possibly know you?¡± Reminded by Stacy Cook, Tristan Caldwell also realized something was awry. He had followed Beckett Carmichael for so many years, how could he not know his boss had such a friend? Beckett Carmichael¡¯s connections were all in the capital. How could a small place like Gonzalez City have anyone worth Beckett Carmichael making an acquaintance? The only explanation was that it was a case of mistaken identity! ¡°Tristan Caldwell, you really think highly of yourself!¡± Hearing this sentence, Beckett Carmichael looked coldly at his subordinate. ¡°Boss, what¡¯s really going on¡­¡± Questioned like this by Beckett Carmichael, Tristan Caldwell was utterly bewildered. He had joined Marthew Abernathy Group for many years and was considered a veteran in the company. On ordinary days, Beckett Carmichael was quite polite to him, treating him more like a friend. But today, his own boss was acting too out of the ordinary! So abnormal that it was somewhat frightening! ¡°I¡­¡± ¡°A bet is a bet; drink these two bottles of wine here and now,¡± Beckett Carmichael said expressionlessly. His subordinate was actually foolish enough to offend Julius Reed? Then don¡¯t blame him for sacrificing a pawn to save his chariot. ¡°Boss, this¡­ if I drink this, it could kill a person!¡± Looking at the two opened bottles of ¡®water of life¡¯ in front of him, Tristan Caldwell swallowed nervously, his body trembling involuntarily. Drinking it, even if he didn¡¯t die, would cost him half his life. ¡°Then what bet did you make with me just now?¡± Julius Reed asked with raised eyebrows, ¡°Just now General Caldwell was quite serious when he said it. Could it be that nowadays, a person of your status would go back on your word?¡± ¡°Exactly! If the general manager of my Marthew Abernathy Group goes back on his word and it gets out, it would be a scandal for the company! Tristan Caldwell, do you want to tarnish the company¡¯s image?¡± Beckett Carmichael chimed in from the side. Today, no matter what, Tristan Caldwell had to drink these two bottles of wine; otherwise, he couldn¡¯t explain himself to Julius Reed. Having led the Carmichael family to such heights, would Beckett Carmichael care about losing a general manager? No hero without a touch of ruthlessness. ¡°CEO Carmichael, I know I was wrong! Please, for the sake of the decade and more we¡¯ve worked together, give me a way out.¡± Tristan Caldwell kneeled right in front of Beckett Carmichael, clutching his thighs and begging for mercy incessantly. By now, the alcohol¡¯s courage had long been scared out of him, and he was completely panic-stricken. Wasn¡¯t the plan to deal with a loser? How did it just so happen that he ran into his own boss? And this loser, he was a friend of his boss. ¡°Stacy Cook, you¡¯ve made me suffer!¡± With a trembling hand, Tristan Caldwell pointed at Stacy Cook, his body unable to stop shivering. There were four bottles of the water of life on the table, a terrifying sight. If he really drank it, he feared neither he nor Stacy Cook would be able to leave alive. ¡°Drink! You have three minutes!¡± Beckett Carmichael glanced at his watch and said indifferently, ¡°Mr. Reed said. You¡¯re a dignified man, I¡¯ll give you a dignified way out. If you don¡¯t want dignity, then I¡¯ll help you to it! Remember! My Carmichael Group will absolutely not harbor liars! Not even one!¡± As soon as he finished speaking, Tristan Caldwell collapsed to the ground. He knew Beckett Carmichael¡¯s character very well, ruthless in his methods, heartless when he turned his back. If he said today that he must drink two bottles of the water of life, no amount of pleading from Tristan Caldwell would elicit the slightest sympathy. ¡°This drink is as mild as water, I just drank a bottle and didn¡¯t feel a thing,¡± Julius Reed said with a smile from across. Thousands of years of longevity, the water of life? What does it matter? It¡¯s nothing but alcohol. He had never met a drink the Dragon King dared not imbibe. ¡°CEO Carmichael. You¡¯re forcing my hand! Since you don¡¯t show any compassion, don¡¯t blame me, Bran Cook, for not showing any respect!¡± Already scared witless, Bran Cook tried hard to calm himself down. No matter what, he had spent a few years in Africa, grappling with life and death every day. He had faced countless trials and tribulations; how could today¡¯s events count for anything? ¡°Boss! Someone is threatening us here!¡± He suddenly stood up and shouted loudly inside the restaurant. At his shout, a glimmer of light flashed in Tristan Caldwell¡¯s eyes. Right! This place was the Northern Restaurant! Its owner was American, and he had quite the reputation on the mainland. If someone caused trouble at the Northern Restaurant, at the lightest they¡¯d be kicked out, at the worst they¡¯d be thrown into Gonzalez City¡¯s docks. ¡°Tristan Caldwell, you really made a good friend!¡± Hearing Bran Cook¡¯s cry for help, Beckett Carmichael¡¯s eyes narrowed, and a killing aura suddenly radiated from him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! CEO Carmichael, you were the one who was ruthless and heartless! Don¡¯t blame me, your brother, for being impolite!¡± Tristan Caldwell quickly got up from the ground, moved next to Bran Cook, and looked at Beckett Carmichael with a cold laugh, ¡°I haven¡¯t lived enough, I don¡¯t want to die! If you want me dead, I won¡¯t make it easy for you! This is Gonzalez City, and your Eli Yarrow isn¡¯t by your side!¡± If Bran Cook hadn¡¯t decided on a do-or-die resistance, Tristan Caldwell wouldn¡¯t have realized Eli Yarrow was not present. Since Eli Yarrow was absent, Bran Cook could just call people over and easily escape with him. As for Beckett Carmichael? The mighty dragon cannot crush the local snake! Facing Bran Cook¡¯s subordinates, what could Beckett Carmichael alone with a few bodyguards possibly achieve? ¡°What¡¯s going on here!¡± Just at that moment, the owner of the Northern Restaurant came down from upstairs, surrounded by a group of security guards. These guards were all Americans, each of them muscular and none of them looked easy to deal with. ¡°Someone is threatening us!¡± Bran Cook pointed at Beckett Carmichael, ¡°It¡¯s him, forcing us to drink the water of life inside your restaurant!¡± Chapter 509 - Chapter 509: Chapter 509 Confrontation_1 Chapter 509: Chapter 509 Confrontation_1 ¡°Life Water?¡± The blond-haired, blue-eyed American boss wore a leather coat and walked over to the table to pick up the Life Water, frowning as he said, ¡°This stuff is strong, and if not careful, it could kill someone!¡± The price of Life Water was not expensive; it only cost a few hundred dollars per bottle on the market. But it was a high-alcohol-content vodka, with 98 proof. Customers frequently ordered it, but they always mixed it with a lot of water and fruit juice. In the decade he had been running this place, he had yet to see anyone finish a whole bottle themselves. Even half a bottle was rare. Once, a man bragged while drunk and drank a third of it in front of everyone, only to collapse on the spot. He suffered a gastric hemorrhage. If the ambulance had arrived three minutes later, that man would have been gone. So now, when he heard Stacy Cook say someone was forcing customers to drink Life Water, his brows instantly furrowed tightly. This wasn¡¯t a toast; it was murder! One bottle down, and if not dead, the person would be half dead. Such a thing happening in his Northern Restaurant, Odingle couldn¡¯t possibly ignore it. If word got out, the reputation the Northern Restaurant had built over more than a decade would be completely destroyed. ¡°Boss, you must take a stand for us! This Boss Carmichael is bullying us, forcing us to drink two bottles because he¡¯s from the capital. If we don¡¯t comply, he¡¯ll have his bodyguards ¡®assist¡¯ us.¡± After finishing his words, Stacy Cook looked triumphantly at Julius Reed, his face filled with the smile of a victor. So, you want me to drink two bottles? I refuse to drink, not even one bottle! Let Julius Reed¡¯s bottle be a waste! He now seriously suspected that Julius Reed was just putting on a brave face; anyone normal would have vomited immediately after a bottle of Life Water. How could they still stand? Despite it meaning he¡¯d offend Beckett Carmichael, for the sake of survival, Stacy Cook couldn¡¯t care less! Moreover, he had his own backers, and even Beckett Carmichael had to give that some thought. ¡°Such things are happening? I absolutely won¡¯t tolerate bullying in my Northern Restaurant!¡± Odingle turned to face Beckett Carmichael and demanded, ¡°Boss, is what he says true?¡± In the decade or so he had his restaurant here, regardless of how prominent the big boss was, they all had to follow the rules of this place. ¡°They are my men! What, do I need your permission to toast them?¡± Beckett Carmichael was equally assertive, his temper flaring from being questioned like a criminal by a foreigner, which certainly didn¡¯t sit well with him. ¡°Since you¡¯ve come to my Northern Restaurant, please abide by its rules!¡± Odingle pointed at Stacy Cook and Tristan Caldwell, ¡°These two are first and foremost my customers, then your men! If you want to toast your own men, I naturally won¡¯t interfere, but if you¡¯re going to cause a fatality in my place, sorry, I must stop it!¡± With a wave of his hand, the security guards behind him immediately closed in, ¡°Boss, please don¡¯t make this difficult for me!¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± Seeing the tense situation, both Tristan Caldwell and Stacy Cook could finally relax, their hearts that had been hanging by a thread now settled. They also secretly rejoiced for having reclaimed their lives. To actually drink that Life Water would have been the end. ¡°You¡¯re welcome! You are my customers, and I, Odingle, assure you, in this establishment, there will be fairness,¡± Odingle said with great pride. His uncle was the agent of a major American financial conglomerate, and he was highly respected locally. Even behind the scenes, he was closely connected with underworld organizations. It was because of these connections that Odingle dared to speak like this. ¡°I advise you to stay calm!¡± Beckett Carmichael had never been threatened like this before, especially in front of his ancestors¡¯ benefactor, which he found to be a great loss of face. He had previously boasted about his own abilities, saying how formidable Beckett Carmichael was. Now, failing to handle his own men, what would Julius Reed think of him? ¡°This is the last time I¡¯m saying this!¡± Beckett Carmichael pointed to himself, enunciating each word, ¡°I¡¯m Beckett Carmichael from the capital! If you don¡¯t know who I am, you¡¯d better find out before deciding whether to stop me! Otherwise, whatever consequences arise, don¡¯t blame me for not warning you!¡± With a naturally dominant personality, Beckett Carmichael was not going to back down in front of Julius Reed! This was a matter of face! If this Western boss insisted on interfering today, he was ready to play hardball! In Gonzalez City, Beckett Carmichael had a dozen bodyguards quietly hidden in the shadows, ready for any eventuality. Previously, with Eli Yarrow around, these men had been dispersed. Now that Eli Yarrow was injured, he had called these men back into action! Just one phone call, and those highly skilled bodyguards would burst in. But once he took this step, it meant tearing his face off completely with the Northern restaurant¡¯s owner, which would be troublesome in the future. Seeing Beckett Carmichael being so tough, Tristan Caldwell was genuinely startled. That was the boss of one of the capital¡¯s four major families, and it seemed he was truly out for blood. Could this Western boss hold him back? ¡°Don¡¯t say you¡¯re Beckett Carmichael, even if you were Jesus, in my hotel, you can¡¯t use force!¡± Odingle didn¡¯t give Beckett Carmichael any face at all. In fact, it wasn¡¯t his fault, for once a precedent was set, such issues were bound to be unavoidable in the future. Not to mention whether the reputation of the Northern restaurant would be directly ruined, where would he put his own dignity? Does he have no face to save? ¡°Foreign devil! Are you trying to fight to the end with me?¡± Beckett Carmichael rolled up his sleeves, pointing at Odingle and cursed, ¡°My ancestors were martial champions, do you want to go a few rounds with me?¡± He was really angry. If he couldn¡¯t even handle a subordinate, what face did he have to boast in front of Julius Reed? It was humiliating, utterly humiliating. ¡°What are you talking about!¡± Odingle blew his beard in anger, he was, after all, a descendant of a distinguished family, backed by powerful people, and today he was being pointed at and called a foreign devil? ¡°I said, let¡¯s have a go!¡± Beckett Carmichael pointed and cursed at him, ¡°You mongrel! If only grandfather had been born a hundred years later, would you birds dare to come and steal the Stone Garden? If I don¡¯t smash your heads, you can take my family name!¡± Seeing that the altercation was getting more intense, Stacy Cook and Tristan Caldwell were secretly relieved. The more serious their quarrel, the safer they were. Especially now that Beckett Carmichael was cursing Odingle by name, it seemed impossible to end things amicably. ¡°Take him down for me!¡± Odingle roared at his bodyguards, ¡°Let this yellow monkey understand, who is the real boss here!¡± ¡°OK!¡± Those Western bodyguards twisted their necks, looking at Beckett Carmichael with malicious smiles. In terms of the number of bodyguards, it was five to one. Beckett Carmichael had four men on his side, while Odingle was backed by twenty. ¡°Come on, you weaklings!¡± A security guard stripped off his shirt, beckoning to Beckett Carmichael¡¯s bodyguards with a curl of his hand. ¡°Go! Whoever can take one down for good, I¡¯ll give them ten million!¡± No sooner had Beckett Carmichael¡¯s words fallen than one bodyguard swiftly launched a kick. Crack! ¡°Ah¡­¡± But as soon as the bodyguard had delivered his kick, he was met with a kick from the Western man in front of him that broke his leg, leaving him lying on the ground sweating cold sweat from the pain. ¡°Everyone, attack, cowards!¡± The Western man twisted his neck again and beckoned with his fingers once more. Chapter 510 - Chapter 510: Chapter 510: Nothing Special_1 Chapter 510: Chapter 510: Nothing Special_1 ¡°Fuck! Foreign devils!¡± The remaining four bodyguards were extremely angry! No matter who was right or wrong, when faced with a conflict of national borders, what they all displayed was national pride! Even if they couldn¡¯t win! They still had to fight! Especially the scornful look on the other party¡¯s face made them even more furious! ¡°Heh heh! Boss Carmichael, this is simply asking for humiliation! My man, Potter, a famous king in the underground black fist world! Today, all of your people will be unlucky!¡± Odingle said with utmost glee, ¡°But I¡¯m in a very good mood today, I¡¯ll send all your men on stretchers for free! Let them go out lying down!¡± ¡°Get them!¡± Beckett Carmichael¡¯s fists were clenched tightly, and he was ready to take action himself. Actually, there was no need for him to speak; the remaining four bodyguards had already charged forward. Bang! Bang! Bang! Potter, who had come from the black fist scene, swung his leg fiercely, sending three men flying with a sweep! And the last remaining one had his fist caught in a single hand. ¡°Brat, you¡¯re very naughty, huh!¡± Potter held the bodyguard¡¯s fist firmly in one hand, while the other foot kicked fiercely on the knee! Plop! The bodyguard felt his knee go numb and instantly knelt on one knee, his face contorted with bulging veins. ¡°Call me, Grandpa!¡± Potter looked down at the bodyguard with disdain, slowly increasing the pressure in his grip. ¡°Hiss!¡± The bodyguard¡¯s face turned bright red, involuntarily inhaling a breath of cold air. But he bit his teeth tightly and didn¡¯t utter a sound. ¡°Oh! You little yellow-skinned monkey, you¡¯ve got some tough bones! But, my fists are tougher!¡± Potter let out a snicker, and once again, he increased the strength in his hand. ¡°Mmm¡­¡± The bodyguard made a stifled sound, sweat pouring down his forehead, yet he didn¡¯t speak a word. ¡°Potter, speed it up! Let them know Odingle is not someone they can mess with!¡± Odingle and his bodyguards laughed uproariously on the side. His man Potter was the King of Black Fist, and even in the Americas, he was very famous. Not to mention a few bodyguards, even real experts couldn¡¯t withstand Potter¡¯s iron fist! ¡°This, is the mainland! This is the land of the Chinese people.¡± Julius Reed said calmly. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Odingle, immersed in joy, turned his head towards Julius Reed, noting this young man who had been silent from the beginning was now speaking. ¡°I¡¯m saying, this is the place of the Chinese people.¡± Julius Reed turned his head and smiled at Odingle, ¡°Perhaps you don¡¯t know, but we are the descendants of the dragon.¡± No sooner had he finished speaking than Odingle and his men burst into loud laughter. ¡°What did you say? My God! I just heard a huge joke today! The descendants of the dragon? My heavens, you¡¯re the sick men of East Asia!¡± He pointed at Julius Reed, laughing heartily, and then pointed at the bodyguards lying on the ground, ¡°These? I think they are descendants of insects.¡± ¡°Right! A bunch of sick men! Each one as weak as a woman, just too weak!¡± Potter, holding the bodyguard¡¯s fist in one hand, raised his middle finger with the other and shook it with contempt, ¡°A country filled with women.¡± ¡°Bullshit!¡± Beckett Carmichael grabbed a beer bottle from the table and smashed it viciously over Potter¡¯s head! ¡°Trash!¡± Bang! Potter kicked out, sending Beckett Carmichael tumbling to the ground. ¡°Is this it? And you dare claim to be the descendants of a dragon?¡± He sneered, looking at the bodyguard in front of him, ¡°Call out ¡®Grandpa,¡¯ and I¡¯ll let go immediately! Otherwise, I¡¯ll crush your fingers alive!¡± As he spoke, he increased the pressure once again. ¡°Are you proud of bullying ordinary people as a professional boxer?¡± Julius Reed glanced at Potter, and said indifferently, ¡°If the strongest of our Chinese people beat you into kneeling and begging for mercy, can I then say that all of you are trash?¡± ¡°Oh ho! Easterner, you¡¯ve got quite the tongue!¡± Potter sized up Julius Reed with a glance, his slender figure, his tender age, probably just one of his fingers could squash him to death! ¡°Weak Easterner, you think you can? I could crush you like an ant¡­¡± Crack! Julius Reed suddenly stood up and stomped down through the air! ¡°My¡­ my hand¡­¡± Potter only felt a numbness in his arm, followed instantly by a heart-piercing pain! And the hand he had been using to grab the bodyguard had just been kicked and broken! Not even the flesh was connected, the fragmented bone visibly protruding! ¡°You¡­¡± Potter felt a chill in his heart, enveloped completely by fear. ¡°So-called Western Underground Boxing King, that¡¯s all you¡¯ve got.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly and punched at Potter! Whoosh! Before Potter could react, his entire body flew through the air! He smashed heavily into the wall of the Northern restaurant! Thud! He fell to the ground, blood spurting from his mouth. ¡°Is that all there is?¡± Julius Reed stood up and walked leisurely towards Potter, who was sprawled on the ground, and asked coldly, ¡°Would you care to repeat what you just said?¡± ¡°Wu wu¡­¡± Potter¡¯s mouth was full of blood, and he couldn¡¯t utter a word. His eyes were filled with shock and fear! Such a scrawny youth, yet he had such explosive power! Even Odingle stood frozen on the spot, not daring to move. He looked at Julius Reed as if he were looking at a monster. Is this even human! Potter was once the King of Black Fist, top-notch in strength! Side by side with him for so many years, he had never been defeated! Now, without even landing a blow, he had been beaten like a dead dog! ¡°Ha ha! Boy! You think you¡¯re so great? Come on! Keep bragging!¡± Beckett Carmichael got up from the ground, feeling incredibly relieved. Indeed, the expert who could mentor his own ancestor was truly remarkable! ¡°Don¡¯t get too cocky¡­¡± Odingle¡¯s face darkened, his hands clenched tightly. His face had been beaten to a complete swell. The mockery from Potter just before now sounded unbearably grating! ¡°Stand up, let me see how this so-called King of Black Fist defeats our ¡®sick men¡¯.¡± Julius Reed crouched down, his foot on Potter¡¯s head, and patted his cheek asking, ¡°Your bones aren¡¯t too soft to stand up, are they?¡± Subjected to Julius Reed¡¯s taunting, Potter couldn¡¯t move at all. Almost all the bones in his chest had been broken by Julius Reed, and now even breathing was difficult! If it weren¡¯t for Potter¡¯s robust body, someone else might have died on the spot! ¡°Don¡¯t push people too far! There¡¯s an old Chinese saying, ¡®When you should show mercy, show mercy.''¡± Odingle stared at Julius Reed, his voice trembling slightly. The commotion had alarmed many customers. Most of them actually felt relieved seeing this scene. When Potter was mocking earlier, they, as Chinese, wished they could rush forward! But firstly, they didn¡¯t dare offend Odingle and the influence behind him, and secondly, they indeed weren¡¯t a match for Potter. Now seeing the arrogant Potter sprawled on the ground like a dead dog, they were extremely satisfied. ¡°You only know that we have this old saying in China.¡± Julius Reed slowly stood up, looking at Odingle and said, ¡°But the premise is, you have to be human. Right now, in my eyes, you¡¯re just rats from the gutter!¡± Crack! He stepped on Potter¡¯s knee and ground down hard. Chapter 511 - Chapter 511: Chapter 511 Smash it Thoroughly_1 Chapter 511: Chapter 511 Smash it Thoroughly_1 ¡°Ah!¡± Potter let out a scream before completely passing out. His scream also touched the hearts of those Americans present. Including Odingle. They had been arrogant before because Potter could fight, and also since the power behind Odingle was formidable. Now that even such a strong fighter as Potter had been directly taken down, how could they possibly be a match for this young man before them? ¡°You¡¯ll regret this.¡± Odingle swallowed his spit, shaking as he pointed at Julius Reed, ¡°Everything you¡¯ve done here today, I will make you pay for it!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like those who are all talk.¡± Julius Reed looked toward Beckett Carmichael, ¡°He¡¯s a bit noisy. Quiet him down.¡± Having said that, Julius Reed searched Potter¡¯s body and found a pack of cigarettes which he started to fiddle with in his hand. ¡°Understood!¡± Beckett Carmichael chuckled, rolled up his sleeves, and walked towards Odingle. ¡°You foreign devil! Today I¡¯ll show you that I am your superior!¡± ¡°What are you going to do!¡± Seeing him approach, Odingle instinctively backed away, while threatening, ¡°Think carefully about the consequences!¡± ¡°Consequences?¡± Beckett Carmichael sneered, looking at Odingle, ¡°On our land, it¡¯s not your place to be reckless! Now is not a hundred years ago! The land under our feet belongs to the people! If friends come, we have lamb to share, but if enemies come, I have my long knife ready!¡± Bang! He threw a punch after he spoke! ¡°Fuck! Kill him for me!¡± Odingle got hit, blood spurted from his nose, and he stumbled backward. ¡°Kill this fatso!¡± A few American bodyguards exchanged glances, ready to attack Beckett Carmichael. Swoosh! A cigarette flew from Julius Reed¡¯s hand! It shot off one of the bodyguard¡¯s ears! ¡°Ah! My ear¡­¡± The bodyguard let out a scream, looking at his bloody ear on the ground, and started to wail in agony. The searing pain made him tremble, and it also scared the living daylights out of the surrounding bodyguards. Is this¡­ A monster? Such a distance, and with just a cigarette! He actually! Cut off a man¡¯s ear. ¡°Whoever moves, dies.¡± Julius Reed said indifferently, his gaze making the bodyguards tremble with fear, as if they¡¯d been thrown into an ice cellar. ¡°Heh heh! Come on! Come at me! Hit me!¡± Beckett Carmichael pushed the bodyguard in front of him away violently; although they were furious, none of them dared to retaliate. Julius Reed stood there like the Grim Reaper. They were scared. Scared out of their wits! ¡°Foreign devil, did you just call us ¡®the sick man of East Asia¡¯?¡± Beckett Carmichael stared at Odingle and slapped him fiercely! Slap! The crisp sound made the bodyguards shudder, and they all turned their heads away. They were employed by Odingle and it wasn¡¯t worth risking their lives for some money. ¡°How dare you hit me¡­¡± Odingle covered his face, glaring at Beckett Carmichael viciously, ¡°You Easterner are finished! You¡¯re dead meat!¡± He had a huge force backing him up, and having been humiliated in front of so many guests, he was sure to take revenge! ¡°I¡¯m dead meat?¡± Slap! Beckett Carmichael struck with another slap of his hand! ¡°Kneel down!¡± He roared in anger! Letting out that shout felt unspeakably exhilarating! Just now, they had been insulted, and their bodyguards beaten. Now. He had returned it all! ¡°You¡¯re crazy!¡± Odingle shouted in fear, ¡°This is my turf! What are you doing!¡± ¡°Your turf?¡± Beckett Carmichael snorted coldly and said again, ¡°This is the land of our people! I told you to kneel down! Can¡¯t you hear?¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Slap! Beckett Carmichael¡¯s hand turned numb from his own slap. And Odingle¡¯s nose bled profusely, his face swelling up completely! ¡°God! You lunatic!¡± Odingle wanted to cry but had no tears; he never expected to encounter such a crazed businessman in China. He was battering him mercilessly, as if his life meant nothing. ¡°Kneel!¡± Beckett Carmichael roared again. ¡°Otherwise, I¡¯ll kill you!¡± He grabbed a dinner knife from the table and held it to Odingle¡¯s neck, ¡°I¡¯ll count to three, if you don¡¯t kneel! I will kill you!¡± ¡°One!¡± ¡°Two!¡± Sweat dripped down Odingle¡¯s forehead incessantly. ¡°Three!¡± Thud! No sooner had Beckett Carmichael finished shouting than Odingle knelt straight down on the ground! ¡°Long live China!¡± All the Chinese in the restaurant erupted! They clenched their fists, their eyes filled with excited tears. ¡°Descendants of the dragon!¡± Someone started the chant, and the crowd kept shouting nonstop. Meanwhile, Odingle¡¯s face burned with pain. Swollen and bruised, he knelt before Beckett Carmichael, facing the mockery of a group of Chinese people! How could the Northern restaurant continue to operate after this? ¡°Hiss!¡± He took a deep breath, fists clenched tightly! ¡°If you¡¯re Chinese, join me in a toast!¡± Beckett Carmichael walked over to the bar, opened a bottle of red wine, came in front of Odingle, broke the bottle on top, and poured the red wine directly onto Odingle¡¯s head. ¡°Pah!¡± Having done all that, he spat on Odingle¡¯s head. ¡°Remember! This is a Chinese place!¡± But the people around were somewhat hesitant. They knew a bit about Odingle¡¯s background, and after everything that had happened today, there would surely be repercussions from the Americas. If they got involved because of this incident, it might be more trouble than it¡¯s worth. ¡°I will!¡± Just then, a woman stepped out from the crowd. Imitating Beckett Carmichael, she picked up a bottle of red wine from the shelf, a sly smile on her face as she approached Odingle. ¡°You vile woman, if you dare, I will make you pay!¡± Odingle glared at the graceful woman before him, threatening her viciously. ¡°Oh really? That would absolutely terrify me!¡± The woman patted her chest and slowly poured the red wine over Odingle¡¯s head, ¡°My name is Itai Huntington, currently the chairman of the Gonzalez City Business Alliance. If you want to find me, I¡¯m always ready to oblige.¡± After speaking, Itai Huntington gave Julius Reed a resentful look, ¡°This is because you messed with my man.¡± Wow! The crowd went wild! They naturally knew who Itai Huntington was, but to think that this powerful young man was Itai Huntington¡¯s man? However, a hero matches a beauty! A perfect fit! ¡°I¡¯ll join!¡± ¡°Me too!¡± With Itai Huntington leading the way, the entrepreneurs one by one picked up bottles of red wine, all pouring them over Odingle. ¡°A dog in the manger.¡± Julius Reed shook his head with a smile, ¡°Splendour not always a blessing, remember, on our land, live humbly. Otherwise, at any moment, countless people like me will stand up to teach you manners!¡± ¡°I¡¯m just an ordinary Chinese, and you, you can¡¯t even beat me.¡± ¡°A great nation won¡¯t tolerate such insolence!¡± Julius Reed walked up to Odingle, picked up a wine bottle from the ground, and smashed it down ferociously! Crack! The wine bottle shattered on impact! ¡°You¡­¡± Odingle trembled as he stared at Julius Reed, his eyes filled with malice. ¡°Call your people, smash this place!¡± Julius Reed turned to Beckett Carmichael, ¡°Smash it thoroughly, let them know how fearsome the dragon¡¯s wrath can be.¡± Chapter 512 - Chapter 512: Chapter 512 Did You Eat Garlic_1 Chapter 512: Chapter 512 Did You Eat Garlic_1 ¡°Madman! You bunch of lunatics! This is my hotel! No one is allowed to destroy it!¡± Odingle covered his bloodied face, roaring furiously. He never imagined that after spending over a decade in Gonzalez City, there would come a day when someone would smash his establishment! The image of the restaurant he had painstakingly built over a decade was being destroyed in an instant! The sign for the Northern restaurant was completely demolished! ¡°It¡¯s your family¡¯s store that we¡¯re smashing!¡± Julius Reed ignored the nearly crazed Odingle and turned to face Stacy Cook and Tristan Caldwell. The two of them had long been scared out of their wits, now curling up on the sofa, their bodies trembling like sieves. ¡°Are you going to do it yourself, or shall I help you drink?¡± Julius Reed asked with a smile. That smile nearly scared Tristan Caldwell to death. He had thought that by relying on Odingle¡¯s power, he could save his life, then transfer his assets and fly straight to the Americas. If you offend Beckett Carmichael, you shouldn¡¯t plan to survive in this country. But abroad, he could still live a good life. Over these years in the Abernathy Group, he had also taken many benefits, and his personal assets were already over a billion. But now, the Northern restaurant, which hadn¡¯t seen any trouble for over a decade, was about to be demolished right before his eyes. Odingle, the boss, was beaten and kneeling on the ground, looking neither human nor ghost. Tristan Caldwell never felt he was more awesome than Odingle; at least the Odingle family¡¯s influence in the Americas was enough to make people wary. ¡°Boss¡­¡± He wanted to kneel on the ground and beg for mercy, but not only his legs, but his entire body, including his mouth, refused to obey his commands. ¡°I have followed you for so long, if not for merits then for hard work¡­ please¡­¡± ¡°Looks like he doesn¡¯t have the strength to pick up the bottle anymore. Since we have worked together, today Mr. Carmichael will lend you a hand.¡± Beckett Carmichael walked up to Tristan Caldwell, unscrewed the bottle of vodka, and said with a smile, ¡°I always advised you to keep a low profile, but you never listened.¡± After he spoke, he forced Tristan Caldwell¡¯s mouth open and poured ninety-eight degree vodka down his throat! ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Tristan Caldwell retched, feeling as though his esophagus was being burned, pain piercing through his heart. But before he could recover, he was propped up by two bodyguards, and a second bottle of alcohol was already being forced into his mouth. ¡°Pour it down this man,¡± Beckett Carmichael commanded after he left the half-dead Tristan Caldwell on the ground and glanced at Stacy Cook, who was curled up on the sofa. Stacy Cook now truly felt like dying. He never expected that Julius Reed would be acquainted with the Carmichael family, one of the four major families in the capital! If Bran Cook opposed Julius Reed, wasn¡¯t that seeking death? The Cook Family would likely be doomed as well! But now he had no chance to give Bran Cook any warning! A flame poured into his mouth, and Stacy Cook watched helplessly as the ¡®water of life¡¯ trickled into his esophagus, unable to resist at all. Moments later, he lost consciousness. ¡°Big shot, shall we start smashing?¡± After dealing with these two unfortunate souls who knew nothing of death, the bodyguards lurking outside for Beckett Carmichael were mobilized to come in. ¡°Julius Reed, this place is an asset of the Odingle family. Whether you want to hear it or not, I still need to tell you,¡± Just then, Itai Huntington came through the crowd, leaned close to Julius Reed, and whispered, ¡°The Odingle family is financially powerful in the Americas and even has underworld connections. If you really smash the Northern restaurant, you might have to face their insane retaliation.¡± Having been in Gonzalez City for so many years, she knew every power player like the back of her hand. Now, watching the Northern restaurant, which no one had dared to disturb for over a decade, about to be destroyed, Itai Huntington couldn¡¯t help but try to stop Julius Reed. It wasn¡¯t that no one had caused trouble in the Northern restaurant; it was that those who did had dreadful outcomes. Once, a rich playboy from another province returned from abroad and just happened to celebrate his birthday at the Northern restaurant. After a few rounds of drinks, he got into a conflict with some patrons here and even assaulted the security staff who tried to intervene. It was said that the playboy was carried out that night, and a fortnight later, his family suddenly went bankrupt, with some members hanging themselves while others fell into comas. Now, Julius Reed was about to make the same mistake, and out of both reason and emotion, Itai Huntington felt obliged to warn him. After all, when those foreigners looked down on the people of their homeland, her heart was also very angry. But anger aside, if they truly offended the big financial group behind Odingle, trouble would come crashing down ceaselessly. ¡°No matter how many come, I will kill them all.¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, ¡°Let¡¯s see whether my knife is faster or their necks are tougher.¡± ¡°You¡­ sigh!¡± Itai Huntington let out a sigh and said no more. She knew that once this man made up his mind, no one could change it. Perhaps, except for Quella Radcliffe¡­ Crash! The arrivals, armed with steel pipes, didn¡¯t bother with pleasantries and started smashing down on the table fiercely! ¡°Damn it! Today, whoever smashes the most, I¡¯ll give him ten million!¡± Beckett Carmichael seemed to feel that it was not enough to vent his anger, so he rolled up his sleeves, grabbed a metal chair, and started smashing everything inside the Northern restaurant! Watching his years of hard work turn into ashes, Mr. Carmichael¡¯s eyes were nearly spewing fire. His fists were clenched tightly, but his body didn¡¯t have the strength to stand up. Intense pain kept surging through him, and as he saw the Northern restaurant being smashed to pieces, he spurted out blood and passed out. ¡­ ¡°You¡¯ve been a bit rash.¡± Outside the Northern restaurant, in the outdoor parking lot, Itai Huntington, with her arms crossed, smiled at Julius Reed. One had to admit, even though this widow was nearing thirty, compared to those girls in their twenties, due to proper maintenance, she really didn¡¯t look any worse. Even because of her age, she had a unique charm to her. No wonder those men dreamt of getting entangled with Itai Huntington. But Julius Reed was not moved at all. He had lived for a hundred thousand years, what kind of woman hadn¡¯t he seen? ¡°That¡¯s why, stay away from me. What if someone really retaliates and you get dragged into it? What then?¡± Julius Reed gazed into the distance, not bothering to look directly at Itai Huntington. He didn¡¯t like the widow, but he didn¡¯t dislike her either. ¡°Giggle, who told me to like you so much! How about coming over to my place tonight? I made stir-fried leeks with eggs and explode-fried kidneys with green onions to nourish you.¡± Itai Huntington returned to her coquettish demeanor, gently blowing on Julius Reed¡¯s neck. The breath carrying a scent was like an enticing aphrodisiac, but Julius Reed turned his head away. ¡°Did you eat garlic tonight?¡± Itai Huntington was stunned. It seemed like in the evening meal¡­ There really was a bulb of garlic? But¡­ but it didn¡¯t have any taste at all! She, so concerned with her image, always avoided such things, and even chewed several pieces of gum before coming out. ¡°Ha!¡± Itai Huntington gently covered her mouth and blew out a breath. No smell, very fragrant. ¡°Ha.¡± She blew again. ¡°Stop blowing, I just saw that a bulb of garlic was in the dish on your table,¡± Julius Reed said, holding back a smile. ¡°I just asked whether you ate garlic, I didn¡¯t say your breath smelled like garlic.¡± ¡°You!¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s face instantly turned bright red, as it was the first time in her life to be teased. ¡°Go to hell! You unromantic steel-hearted man!¡± She lightly punched Julius Reed, then turned around, picked up her purse, and ran off. Chapter 513 - Chapter 513: Chapter 513 Quella Radcliffes Phone Call_1 Chapter 513: Chapter 513 Quella Radcliffe¡¯s Phone Call_1 ¡°Master Davenport, you¡­ have a thing for this widow?¡± Beckett Carmichael, who had just smashed up the shop, was in a great mood. His face was covered in dust, but he didn¡¯t mind at all and instead came over to Julius Reed with a sleazy grin and asked. ¡°No.¡± Julius Reed shook his head and said, ¡°After all, you know, a man as outstanding as I am will be liked by countless people wherever I go.¡± ¡°Awesome!¡± Beckett Carmichael was stunned for a second and then gave a thumbs up. ¡°But someone like you definitely can¡¯t understand my troubles.¡± Julius Reed looked at Beckett Carmichael with a ¡®you don¡¯t get it¡¯ expression. ¡°Master indeed! No joke, I¡¯ve had my eye on that widow before, but she wouldn¡¯t even give me a glance! Ah, let¡¯s not talk about it, old Carmichael, it breaks my heart!¡± Beckett Carmichael said with much regret, as if years had passed and he still couldn¡¯t let it go. ¡°With your abilities, do you really need to go through so much trouble to get a woman?¡± Julius Reed asked with some curiosity, ¡°Don¡¯t you like men?¡± It was common knowledge that Beckett Carmichael spent a fortune to support Nando Brandon. A fatso known for liking men, actually liking women too. ¡°Both! I just go both ways!¡± If anyone else had brought this up, they¡¯d likely meet the King of Hell in five minutes, but after Julius Reed said it, Beckett Carmichael just chuckled, whispering, ¡°It was because I was rejected by Itai Huntington that I turned to men.¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Speaking of a sad story, Beckett Carmichael expressed his regret, ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for the power behind Itai Huntington, I really wish I could¡¯ve¡­¡± Realizing he had misspoken, he quickly slapped himself on the face. ¡°Master, a slip of the tongue! Please don¡¯t take it to heart. I forgot that she¡¯s your woman¡­¡± ¡°She¡¯s not my woman.¡± Julius Reed said with some surprise, ¡°The power behind Itai Huntington?¡± This determined widow just had a decent property in Gonzalez City, coupled with her ruthless streak. Yet, how could this be enough to make Beckett Carmichael wary? ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± Beckett Carmichael was even more surprised! He then gave a thumbs up, looking impressed, ¡°Master is a master! Itai Huntington is originally from the capital. It¡¯s said that she has connections with some mysterious and unpredictable major family. But which one exactly, I¡¯m not sure.¡± ¡°Huntington, families with the last name Huntington in the capital, you don¡¯t know?¡± Julius Reed gave Beckett Carmichael a puzzled look. This fat guy thrived in the capital, yet he didn¡¯t even have a clue about this basic information? Since it was a major family, it definitely had to be one of a few, and there wouldn¡¯t be many with the last name Huntington. ¡°Itai Huntington shares her mother¡¯s surname; no one knows who her father is. All I know is that this lady¡­ no, this woman was expelled by her family from the capital, which is why she just married anyone.¡± Beckett Carmichael spoke mysteriously, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s not actually a major family, but its mystery is enough to evoke awe. Heh heh, Master, once you¡¯ve had her, won¡¯t everything be clear?¡± ¡°Get lost!¡± Julius Reed said irritably. It was hard to imagine that Beckett Carmichael, a boss who looked so authoritative, would turn out to be such a sleazy fatso in private. Indeed, one should never judge a book by its cover. ¡°Heh, but seriously, Master, since you¡¯ve offended young Odingle, why not come back with me to the capital to lay low for a while? If the powers behind him really take action, it will be a nuisance for you!¡± Beckett Carmichael¡¯s expression returned to a serious one, completely devoid of the playfulness he had shown earlier. ¡°That, I¡¯ll try to sort out.¡± He did, after all, have immense influence in the capital and might not be at a disadvantage against those Western conglomerates. ¡°No worries, I¡¯m in Gonzalez City. If one comes, I¡¯ll kill one.¡± Julius Reed seemed completely indifferent. Ding-ding-ding! Just at that moment, his phone suddenly rang. Seeing Quella Radcliffe as the caller, Julius Reed¡¯s heart clenched tightly. Could something have happened? ¡°Honey, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Julius Reed asked aloud. ¡°Dempsey Davenport is missing! Cosmo and I just went to her place. The house was a mess, even the door wasn¡¯t locked. I¡¯m worried about Dempsey¡­¡± As she spoke, Quella Radcliffe seemed to suddenly remember something, ¡°That¡¯s right. She sent me a WeChat message, but it was retracted. I didn¡¯t see what it was, but nobody answered when I called after receiving the message, and there was nobody at her place either!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t panic!¡± Julius Reed said to comfort her, ¡°You head back home first, I will immediately contact Aron Jackson. If there¡¯s any news, I will tell you straight away.¡± ¡°Okay, could Dempsey¡­¡± ¡°No. If anyone dares to touch her, I¡¯ll kill them.¡± After finishing that sentence, Julius Reed¡¯s aura surged violently. ¡°Master, is there any trouble?¡± Beckett Carmichael sensed that something was amiss and hurriedly asked. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just take care of Nando Brandon¡¯s matter for me, and that¡¯s better than anything else. I need to leave for a while. We¡¯ll talk tomorrow if there¡¯s anything.¡± Julius Reed glanced at Beckett Carmichael, then turned and leapt up, vanishing on the spot. ¡°Oh my¡­ What a master.¡± Beckett Carmichael looked around, but Julius Reed had disappeared without a trace. ¡°Big bro, that was so satisfying! What do we do with those two guys in the house?¡± His underlings, carrying steel pipes, ran out of the Northern restaurant, all sweat-drenched but excited. ¡°Just dump them. Their fate is up to them now!¡± Beckett Carmichael waved his hand dismissively, got into the car with his men, and headed towards the hotel they were staying at. Meanwhile. On the Gonzalez City Ring Road Highway. ¡°Dempsey Davenport, I told you, you would pay the price!¡± Inside a Mercedes, Dempsey Davenport was bound tightly, sitting in the back seat. On either side of her sat two men in suits. Despite it being night, they were still wearing sunglasses. ¡°You all are not human! You¡¯re beasts!¡± Dempsey Davenport screamed angrily, ¡°You will regret this! When he gets his hands on me, it won¡¯t be me, it¡¯ll be my corpse!¡± ¡°Your corpse? Sorry, we don¡¯t care whether you¡¯re dead or alive. If you die, no problem, your mother will be buried with you.¡± Pier Davenport sat in the passenger seat, speaking indifferently, ¡°You might as well try and see what the Family Head thinks.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± When her mother was mentioned, Dempsey Davenport¡¯s gaze started to lose its luster. She yielded. ¡°Heh, what¡¯s this? Not going through with it? Dempsey Davenport, you, a woman born out of wedlock, still thinking of opposing the family? Give up!¡± Pier Davenport sneered contemptuously, ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for your fairly decent appearance, do you think the Leocadia Family would be interested in you? Now that you¡¯ve enjoyed the benefits of the Davenport Family for over a decade, it¡¯s time to repay your debt!¡± Approaching the toll station, the car¡¯s speed began to slow down. ¡°Head straight to the airport, let¡¯s hurry back overnight! While Old Master Leocadia is still alive, let¡¯s handle this matter in the name of bringing him joy!¡± Pier Davenport looked at his watch and said casually, ¡°After this is done, you¡¯ll all be heroes!¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why are we stopping?¡± The car left the toll booth and then came to a slow stop. Chapter 514 - Chapter 514: Chapter 514: Instant Kill_1 Chapter 514: Chapter 514: Instant Kill_1 ¡°Boss, there¡¯s someone standing ahead!¡± The driver, pointing at the shadow ahead of the car, spoke out. ¡°Who the hell is that suicidal! Honk at him, and if he doesn¡¯t get out of the way, just run him over!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s previously good mood was once again spoiled. Last time in Gonzalez City, he had been beaten so badly he nearly became disabled. This time, he brought with him experts hired by the Davenport Family and rushed to Gonzalez City, secretly waiting outside Dempsey Davenport¡¯s house, ready to capture her! Even to prevent any unforeseen problems, Pier had already planned the route, leaving the house to directly take the highway around the city, then heading to the airport to fly directly to the capital. Luckily, the man who had beaten him last time didn¡¯t show up. However, Pier always felt some regret about this; the chance for revenge seemed like it would have to wait till next time. The old man from the Leocadia Family was already on his last legs. As long as they delivered Dempsey to the Leocadias, using the pretext of a marriage to boost morale, the Davenport Family could secure the Leocadia¡¯s promise. The family could then soar once again. Therefore, every minute and every second was precious to him. But there were always some blind fools who dared to waste his time at such a critical moment? While he was talking, the shadow in front of them actually walked over and knocked on the window of the passenger side. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± When Pier saw the person outside the window, his heart skipped a beat. All the bodyguards he had brought from the family last time were dead! And he himself had been left disabled! But after the brief shock, a smile appeared on Pier¡¯s face. It¡¯s as if you refuse the path to heaven and break into hell uninvited! Pier was eager to deal with this arrogant young man in front of him personally for revenge! To think that this reckless youth would actually deliver himself right to Pier¡¯s doorstep! ¡°Kill him for me!¡± Pier said indifferently. He even took a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it slowly with a lighter. Click! All of a sudden, Julius Reed threw a punch! The side windshield was instantly shattered to pieces! ¡°There¡¯s a woman in the car as well. Be mindful and don¡¯t smoke.¡± Julius Reed, looking through the window at Pier covered in glass shards, smiled at Dempsey in the back seat, ¡°Your best friend is almost frantic with worry. Call her in a while to let her know you¡¯re safe.¡± He made a phone call gesture, his face relaxed. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re looking for death!¡± Pier was covered in glass shards, his hand holding the cigarette trembling nonstop, the lighter still burning. If it hadn¡¯t singed his hand, he would have forgotten what he was supposed to be doing. ¡°Is that so?¡± Julius Reed leaned against the car door, looking up at the sky full of stars: ¡°I¡¯ve been told that countless times, more than there are stars in the sky. But as you can see, I¡¯m alive and well, aren¡¯t I?¡± ¡°Kill him for me!¡± Pier shouted, trembling. Julius¡¯s punch shattering the glass had genuinely startled him. But after his initial shock, Pier, who had been through countless major events, calmed down quickly. Two experts were sitting behind him, so what was there to fear? ¡°Affirmative!¡± Upon receiving Pier¡¯s instruction, two men got out from the back seat. ¡°Who let you out?¡± Bang! Julius Reed kicked out, sending the barely opened car door flying back! ¡°Ah¡­¡± The man getting out on the right had just stepped one leg out, only to have it gruesomely snapped by the door! ¡°Hiss¡­¡± He took a sharp breath, body shaking uncontrollably. Pain! Excruciating agony! ¡°Ah¡­¡± He bit his teeth and endured for a few seconds before he could no longer contain the overwhelming pain within, erupting into a heartrending howl. This cry took Pier by surprise. The two people behind him, one named Jagger, the other named Shuisheng. They were renowned fighting masters. Both had high esteem in the world of assassins, and the Davenport Family had spent three billion to enlist these two as support. The original plan was to encounter Julius Reed and kill him on the spot, exacting revenge. If they didn¡¯t encounter anyone, it would have been a good deal to bring Dempsey Davenport back safely for three hundred million. But now, they have died before achieving success. Jagger¡¯s leg was broken clean off. On the other side, a jolt of fear stunned Shuisheng as well. Who are these people? They don¡¯t follow any rules! They strike without even getting out of the car? ¡°You¡¯re too despicable!¡± Shuisheng stepped out of the car, warily eyeing Julius Reed, ¡°He hasn¡¯t even stepped out, and you already struck! You really are a despicable villain!¡± The two were brothers, real brothers at that. Seeing his older brother¡¯s leg brutally broken, Shuisheng was understandably enraged. Both brothers had formidable killing abilities and showed no fear in the face of Julius Reed. Even with only Shuisheng left, he was not afraid. ¡°You bunch of grown men, bullying a woman, don¡¯t you feel despicable?¡± Julius Reed seemed to have no intention of attacking. After kicking the car door and denting it, he leaned beside Pier Davenport and leisurely started chatting. He took out his phone and dialed Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Julius, any news?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked anxiously on the other end. ¡°Dempsey, say something, Quella is worried about you!¡± Julius Reed immediately switched the phone to speaker mode and held it inside the car. ¡°Quella, it¡¯s me, Dempsey. I¡¯m okay¡­ Julius Reed is with me right now, I¡¯m fine¡­¡± Seizing the moment, Pier Davenport¡¯s eyes flicked, trying to mimic Julius Reed¡¯s earlier action and violently pushed the car door open! Bang! But just as the door was pushed open, Julius Reed slammed it back with his elbow! And Pier Davenport¡¯s four fingers were crushed! ¡°Ah¡­ my hand!¡± The intense pain provoked an involuntary scream. ¡°What happened? Julius, are you in danger?¡± Quella Radcliffe was even more anxious now. ¡°No worries, I just accidentally stepped on someone¡¯s hand while walking¡­¡± As if he didn¡¯t believe his explanation, Julius Reed hurriedly added, ¡°I¡¯ll send Dempsey back to you in a bit; I just need to settle this issue where I stepped on someone. I¡¯ll pay them off.¡± After saying that, he quickly hung up the phone. ¡°Shuisheng, kill him!¡± Pier Davenport cried out, his face livid with rage. How could they have suffered such severe injuries with two experts on their side! ¡°Die!¡± Shuisheng, with a stern expression, dashed towards Julius Reed! Meanwhile, two daggers appeared in his hands out of nowhere! ¡°Fancy tricks.¡± Julius Reed glanced at him indifferently, placing his hands on Pier Davenport¡¯s car door. With a strong pull! Snap! He ripped off the entire car door. Bang! Before Shuisheng could comprehend what happened, Julius Reed swung the car door with one hand, slamming it down hard! Splat! Caught off-guard, Shuisheng hit the ground, vomiting blood profusely. It seemed he was done for. ¡°Pressed for time, otherwise I would have been happy to spend more time dueling you.¡± Having said that, he pulled Pier Davenport out of the car, ¡°Call the Davenport Family members, remember, you only get this one chance.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll call, I¡¯ll call¡­¡± Pier Davenport was thoroughly terrified by now, trembling as he took out his phone and dialed a number from the capital. ¡°Pier, how¡¯s it going?¡± A voice came through the phone. ¡°Sorry, I messed up. And the guy, I killed him first. If you dare target Dempsey again, I¡¯ll kill your entire family!¡± Crack! After speaking, Julius Reed snapped Pier Davenport¡¯s neck. Chapter 515 - Chapter 515: Chapter 515: Planning to Enter the Capital_1 Chapter 515: Chapter 515: Planning to Enter the Capital_1 ¡°Do you blame me for killing your uncle?¡± In the back of a taxi, Julius Reed sat in the back seat, looking at Dempsey Davenport, who seemed to be in a daze. He had already given Pier Davenport a chance, but obviously, the man had not cherished it. If he didn¡¯t kill him, next time, Pier Davenport would still come with people. He couldn¡¯t guarantee that these beasts wouldn¡¯t think of killing Dempsey Davenport. If Dempsey died, it would probably take Quella Radcliffe a long time to recover from the pain of losing her best friend. Now that Pier Davenport was dead, and with that phone call earlier, the Davenport Family might really need to seriously consider whether they still want to catch Dempsey Davenport and take her back to Gonzalez City. ¡°No, I don¡¯t hate you at all.¡± Dempsey Davenport gave a bitter smile, raised her head, and looked at Julius Reed. ¡°Thank you. If it hadn¡¯t been for you showing up in time, I might already be on a plane by now, not knowing when I could return and see you and Quella again. Maybe, it would¡¯ve been a farewell forever.¡± Marrying into the Leocadia Family, she wouldn¡¯t be happy. She might not even live to see thirty. In such a family full of overt and covert battles, she could only be a sacrifice. ¡°I don¡¯t have much affection for them, maybe because I was born illegitimate. Others have millions and tens of millions of allowance, but all my expenses, I¡¯ve earned on my own. To put it nicely, the young lady of the Davenport Family in the capital. I don¡¯t know how many people envy me, thinking I live a life where everything is served on a silver platter.¡± ¡°But the reality is, my status in the Davenport Family was like that of a maid, serving these people all day long. They¡¯d hit and scold me at the slightest displeasure. This would often extend to my biological mother, who would get beaten along with me.¡± ¡°Later when I went to school, I was like a tutor to my peers, my siblings.¡± ¡°But I was very competitive; all my grades were at the top of my class.¡± At this point, a hint of pride flashed across Dempsey Davenport¡¯s face as she looked at Julius Reed, proudly saying, ¡°In my freshman year, I got all the scholarships!¡± ¡°Truly impressive, but how did you meet Quella Radcliffe? The universities in the capital are so good, why did you come to Five-river Province?¡± Julius Reed leaned back in the taxi¡¯s rear seat, curiously asking. ¡°My grades were too good, which made my father¡¯s first wife¡¯s son very unhappy. So, I was forcibly ordered to drop out and was not allowed to go to school anymore.¡± At this point, Dempsey Davenport¡¯s face darkened. This was her eternal pain. No matter how she proved her excellence, in the end, she couldn¡¯t shake off the identity of being born out of wedlock. ¡°Later I ran away from home and came to Gonzalez City. It seemed that my family members were also happy to let me roll out, and nobody bothered about me.¡± Dempsey Davenport supported her chin with her hand, looking at the beautiful scenery of Gonzalez City, smiling, ¡°Those were my best times.¡± ¡°I could try to help you.¡± Julius Reed looked at Dempsey Davenport. ¡°No need, you¡¯ve already helped me enough. The Davenport Family in the capital is very capable, and I¡¯m worried you might get involved because of me. And my mother, she might get scolded because of today¡¯s events.¡± Dempsey Davenport¡¯s eyes suddenly reddened. ¡°I don¡¯t mind it for myself, but my mother¡­¡± At this, she burst into tears. ¡°Come stay at our place for now; stay here for a while.¡± When the car stopped in front of the mansion where Julius Reed lived, he said to Dempsey Davenport, ¡°This way, Quella can also feel at ease. Besides, my house is very spacious, the home of a rich family¡ªplenty of room for you.¡± At his words, Dempsey Davenport couldn¡¯t help but crack a tearful smile, ¡°Then I¡¯m imposing on you. I never thought I¡¯d cause you so much trouble.¡± She felt a sense of guilt inside. Using Julius as a shield last time, she had been saved once. This time, it was Julius Reed who had showed up in the nick of time. To be honest, she envied Quella Radcliffe. For having such an excellent husband. The so-called loser in other people¡¯s mouths? Perhaps no one knows how powerful this man really is! After the two got out of the taxi, the taxi driver spat outside: ¡°Pah! They really think they¡¯re some kind of nobility! Those two can really talk up a storm; anyone who didn¡¯t know would think they¡¯re some kind of bosses.¡± Even such a soft mumble didn¡¯t escape Julius Reed¡¯s ears. He gently kicked a pebble on the ground. Whiz! The taxi that had just driven off suddenly stopped. ¡°What happened?¡± Hearing the sound of the emergency brakes, Dempsey Davenport turned around, looked at the taxi, and asked in confusion. ¡°He might have done something unscrupulous, got a flat tire perhaps!¡± Julius Reed pointed to the mansion: ¡°Let¡¯s go up. Once you¡¯re in this building, you¡¯ll be safe.¡± There were Willson Pavilion disciples inside guarding it, and Cosmo was there. The average Shadow Warrior would probably be killed before they even got close. ¡°What about you?¡± Dempsey Davenport asked, turning around. ¡°Me? I¡¯ll have a cigarette to calm down.¡± Julius Reed said with a teasing smile. ¡°You still smoke?¡± Dempsey Davenport found it a bit unbelievable. In her impression, Julius was a good man who neither smoked nor drank. ¡°Of course¡­ Just don¡¯t tell Quella Radcliffe about it, okay!¡± After finishing his words, Julius turned and walked towards the street. ¡°Pfft!¡± Dempsey rolled her eyes, her bad mood completely dissipated. Once on the street, Julius took out his phone and made a call. ¡°You¡­ why did you suddenly think to call me?¡± On the other end of the call, Sophia Leocadia asked excitedly. Her voice was filled with anticipation, surprise, and even a trace of shyness. Sophia never dreamed that Julius would call her. Especially in the middle of the night. ¡°I need a bit of help with something, hope you can assist me.¡± Julius was somewhat troubled. He honestly couldn¡¯t remember how he knew Sophia. And this young lady was so devoted in helping him, expecting nothing in return. ¡°Tell me, I¡¯m all ears.¡± Sophia said with a sweet smile, ¡°Hehe, just tell me what you need, don¡¯t be shy.¡± Talking to Julius put Sophia in a very good mood. Just moments ago, she took a short nap and even dreamed about Julius. ¡°The Davenport Family, Dempsey Davenport, she seems to be your distant cousin, do you recall?¡± Julius inquired. According to what Dempsey had said, their families were related. The Davenports were allied with the Leocadia family because of kinship ties. ¡°I know, what¡¯s up? It seems like there¡¯s been trouble in the Davenport family lately.¡± Sophia remarked. ¡°Dempsey¡¯s birth mother, help me take care of her, make sure she¡¯s not mistreated.¡± Julius said softly. ¡°Dempsey¡­ you¡­ you and her¡­¡± Sophia¡¯s voice trembled a bit. Could it be¡­ Could it be that the beautiful girl from the Davenport family and¡­ ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it, she is¡­ uh¡­ my wife¡¯s best friend, I can¡¯t just stand by and not help¡­¡± Julius explained awkwardly. What a mess this all was! Indeed, excellent men have problems wherever they go. No way around it, who asked to be so charming to women? ¡°Oh! Alright! I¡¯ll head over to the Davenports now.¡± Sophia replied very decisively. ¡°So late, maybe tomorrow¡­¡± ¡°Our families aren¡¯t far apart, of course I¡¯ll do my best with your matters!¡± Sophia said cheerfully. ¡°Your grandfather is sick?¡± Julius suddenly asked. ¡°Mmm, he¡¯s been ill for a long time, I¡¯m afraid he might not make it.¡± Sophia instantly became somber upon mentioning this. ¡°After the New Year, I¡¯ll visit the capital and heal your grandfather.¡± Julius remarked nonchalantly. ¡°Really?¡± Sophia¡¯s tone was filled with surprise and excitement. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t lie to you.¡± Julius laughed. Chapter 516 - Chapter 516: Chapter 516 Sophia Leocadias Arrival_1 Chapter 516: Chapter 516 Sophia Leocadia¡¯s Arrival_1 Gonzalez City. Davenport Family mansion. ¡°Someone actually dared to kill a member of our family! This is an outrage!¡± An elder sat in a chair, trembling with rage. ¡°Dad! You must avenge Pier!¡± A woman wept bitterly as she knelt before the elder, pleadingly, ¡°I¡¯m a widow now, what about the child? Pier worked for the Davenport Family, how could this be his fate!¡± ¡°Exactly! That wretch Dempsey Davenport! She actually colluded with outsiders to kill our own Davenport kin!¡± ¡°It¡¯s all because of that wretched woman¡¯s offspring!¡± Meanwhile, a woman knelt in the middle of the hall. Dressed as a servant, she had several slap marks on her face. ¡°Sure enough, a child born to that wretched woman is here to harm our Davenport Family!¡± The Davenport Family members were filled with righteous indignation. News of Pier Davenport¡¯s death spread quickly, greatly shocking the present Davenport Family members. But more than that, it was the atmosphere. But since Dempsey Davenport was not here, they could only take out their anger on this woman. ¡°Continue sending people to Gonzalez City, first bring Pier¡¯s body back, and then send someone to kill them!¡± The Family Head said with grief, ¡°If it really comes to the worst, kill that wretch Dempsey too!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry! I¡¯ll definitely capture that wretch and make her join Pier in death!¡± The Davenport Family members spoke out one after another. ¡°Family Head, how should this wretched woman be dealt with?¡± Someone asked, pointing to the woman kneeling on the ground¡ªDempsey Davenport¡¯s birth mother. ¡°Kill her. She¡¯s useless, and it¡¯ll serve as a lesson for Dempsey too.¡± With a wave of his hand, the Family Head showed no mercy, and the Davenport Family members got even more excited. ¡°Miss Leocadia has arrived.¡± Just as they were about to take action, the butler suddenly came in to announce from outside. ¡°Sophia Leocadia?¡± The Family Head glanced at his watch, incredulously, ¡°It¡¯s past ten at night. What could Sophia Leocadia want with us at this hour?¡± The Leocadia Family was not far from the Davenport Family, just over a dozen kilometers away. However, the Leocadia Family was in the most prestigious area of Gonzalez City, a well-known rich enclave. On the other hand, the Davenport Family was in an upscale area but obviously a notch below the Leocadia Family. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± The butler shook his head. ¡°How many people came?¡± The Family Head quickly stood up; the head of the Leocadia Family was still alive, and Sophia¡¯s status within the family was very high. Offending this young princess was a consequence they couldn¡¯t bear. However, so late at night, why would Sophia Leocadia, who rarely visited them, come here? Could it be, she knew about Pier Davenport¡¯s death? But that can¡¯t be right! The Davenport Family had only just received the news. Though the two families had some distant kinship, in the eyes of the Leocadia Family, the Davenport Family were like servants, not worth a visit in the middle of the night. Especially not by the most beloved young princess of the Leocadia Family. ¡°Let¡¯s go and see! Don¡¯t neglect her!¡± Just as Yarden Reed, the Davenport Family Head, was about to get up, he saw Sophia Leocadia enter briskly, dressed in white down jacket and wearing a duck-yellow hat. ¡°Sophia, what brings you here so late? I¡¯ve just heard the news and haven¡¯t had the chance to greet you.¡± As head of the Davenport Family, Yarden Reed needed to show his stance with Sophia Leocadia¡¯s arrival. ¡°Nothing in particular. I was just bored at home and thought I¡¯d take a stroll over here.¡± Sophia looked around, noticing Dempsey Davenport¡¯s birth mother kneeling on the ground. With clear marks of injury on her face. It was obvious she had been hit numerous times. ¡°Then we are truly honored. Sophia, next time please inform us in advance, so we can prepare to receive you properly.¡± Yarden Reed said with a smile. The young princess of the Leocadia Family was famously overbearing. There would be no reason for her to visit the three treasures unless something urgent had arisen. Now that she had come to the Davenport Family late at night, there must be something pressing. ¡°Are you all¡­ having a meeting?¡± Sophia Leocadia asked as she looked around at the people filling the room. It was already past ten o¡¯clock, and the Davenport Family had not yet gone to bed, instead gathered in the main hall, which definitely suggested something was afoot. ¡°No¡­ we were just discussing how to celebrate the new year.¡± Yarden Reed hastily interjected, ¡°Sophia, how is your grandfather¡¯s health?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the same as before!¡± Sophia Leocadia¡¯s face suddenly turned a shade less pleasant. She glanced at the mother of Dempsey Davenport on the floor and said to Yarden Reed, ¡°I suddenly feel like eating the dumplings Aunt Yarrow makes, I¡¯d like to borrow her for a few days.¡± ¡°This¡­¡± As soon as she spoke, everyone was stunned. Should they lend her or not? Chester Yarrow held a very low status in the Davenport Family, her daily duties consisting of cooking in the kitchen and then washing dishes for everyone. She was basically doing the same work as a housemaid. But a housemaid gets paid, and she did not. Even the pocket money she received was severely docked. She got less than ten thousand yuan a year. After graduating, Amanda made quite a bit of money, which she often transferred to Chester Yarrow¡¯s account. But all that money was intercepted by Davenport Family members, and Chester Yarrow never saw a cent of it. Once, Sophia Leocadia came over for a meal and just happened to eat dumplings made by Chester Yarrow, which tasted quite good. So now that Sophia Leocadia brought it up, no one dared to question it. ¡°What? Is there a problem?¡± Sophia Leocadia swept her gaze over the members of the Davenport Family and said with a stern face, ¡°I just want to eat the dumplings Aunt Yarrow makes, surely you all don¡¯t disagree, do you?¡± ¡°Of course not! Miss Leocadia, you misunderstand. We were thinking you could just give us a call, and we would send her right over; there¡¯s no need for you to trouble yourself by coming here in person.¡± The Davenport Family members said obsequiously. They had no choice; they were dependent on the Leocadia Family. Only through the Leocadia Family could they make money. This was also why the Davenport Family, at all costs, insisted on marrying Dempsey Davenport into the Leocadia Family. In fact, not many people knew about this matter, not even many among the Leocadia Family were aware. ¡°Oh! Well then, thank you very much.¡± Sophia Leocadia walked over to Chester Yarrow and gently helped her up, ¡°Aunt, come back with me.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Chester Yarrow had not even processed what was happening; she had even prepared herself for death. Living in the Davenport Family for so many years had been a living hell. She had had enough. But now, just as the Davenport Family was about to kill her, Sophia Leocadia had appeared out of the blue. To save her? ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Aunt Yarrow, are you having any difficulties?¡± Sophia Leocadia asked. ¡°No! No difficulty at all!¡± Yarden Reed quickly said, ¡°She knocked over a bowl while cooking tonight, and the family was going to blame her. I was just applying family rules symbolically, making her kneel here for a bit.¡± After speaking, Yarden Reed approached Chester Yarrow and said meaningfully, ¡°When you go to the Leocadia Family, it won¡¯t be like being with us Davenports; be mindful of what you say and do! Do you hear me?¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Chester Yarrow nodded her head. This was to tell her not to speak of today¡¯s events. ¡°If that¡¯s settled, then let¡¯s hurry and send Miss Leocadia back. It¡¯s not safe at night, and with the new year coming, it¡¯s also quite cold. Don¡¯t catch a cold.¡± Yarden Reed spoke kindly, like an elder expressing concern for a younger member of the family. ¡°Then I thank you.¡± Sophia Leocadia nodded, took hold of Chester Yarrow¡¯s hand, and left the Davenport Family¡¯s main hall. When they got in the car, she sent Julius Reed a text message. It contained an OK hand sign. Chapter 517 - Chapter 517: Chapter 517 Fulfilling the Bet_1 Chapter 517: Chapter 517 Fulfilling the Bet_1 As the day dawned, Quella Radcliffe was already up and busy preparing to attend the first ever full board meeting of the Gonzalez City Business Alliance. Since the business alliance was a consortium composed of numerous corporations, everyone possessed the right to participate in the meeting. More importantly, today Quella Radcliffe and Bran Cook would face off in a challenge. To prove who would ultimately win or lose the bet made back then. Countless eyes in Gonzalez City were watching closely. Early on, the outside of the Five-state International Building was already packed with people. Many entrepreneurs had arrived early, taking their seats in strategic positions. Out of respect for her position as the chairperson, Itai Huntington arrived even earlier. She was also very curious to see who would be the victor of today¡¯s bet. If one were to reason it out, Bran Cook had an overwhelming advantage without any doubt. However, last night¡¯s experience at the Northern restaurant made Itai Huntington believe that Julius Reed was even more formidable. And as Julius Reed¡¯s wife, Quella Radcliffe might just win this bet. When both parties entered the meeting room, they immediately sparked a wave of speculation. ¡°Who do you think will win?¡± ¡°I bet it¡¯s definitely Bran Cook! Is there even a need to think about it? Haven¡¯t you seen the people behind Bran Cook? They¡¯re all monsters! All of them are big bosses with money and connections!¡± ¡°Exactly! Look at Quella Radcliffe¡¯s camp, almost all of them are small and medium-sized enterprises. These companies don¡¯t really have much money, nor do they have extensive connections. As far as I know, it seems that the Radcliffe Group has to cough up all the money for the endorsements. Those people aren¡¯t contributing a dime!¡± ¡°This really puts Quella Radcliffe in a tight spot, but a loss seems inevitable.¡± Everyone was guessing, but clearly most of them favored Bran Cook. This was an obvious matter; the two sides were not on the same level at all. ¡°Heh! Naturally, the position of general manager, even that of the chairperson, should have been Bran Cook¡¯s. But since Itai Huntington sits in the chairperson¡¯s seat, we dare not say anything. But Quella Radcliffe, what gives her the right to be the general manager?¡± Some scoffed in disdain. From the start, he had been optimistic about Bran Cook, even sparing no expense in terms of money and effort. But in the end, neither the chairperson nor general manager¡¯s seat went to Bran Cook. This caused him great dissatisfaction. ¡°No worries! After today, the business alliance will start to get on the right track. By then, Quella Radcliffe will have to tuck tail and scram, won¡¯t she? Losing face, how will she be able to stand in Gonzalez City?¡± Some gloated over her misfortune. ¡°Exactly! Winning early doesn¡¯t count. Quella Radcliffe won so many rounds before, but if she loses at this final showdown, who will remember her previous victories?¡± Everyone shook their heads, feeling pity for her. As Bran Cook walked through the crowd, receiving congratulations, he was visibly delighted. He was happy, mainly because today he would not only regain the general manager¡¯s position and make Quella Radcliffe roll out in defeat. He would also strike a blow to the heart! Imagining Nando Brandon pretending to endorse Quella Radcliffe, and then betraying her at the moment she was full of pride! What a colossal blow that would be, one that few could withstand. Even if one could bear it, the incident would leave a psychological scar for the future. The devastation to Quella Radcliffe¡¯s confidence was undoubtedly massive. ¡°Miss Radcliffe, I hope you win today¡¯s competition,¡± Bran Cook said with a smirking smile as he passed Quella Radcliffe. It was very hypocritical and insincere. ¡°Thank you, I will certainly do my best,¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded and politely responded. She had invited Nando Brandon, but she still had no confidence. For Bran Cook had shown no intention whatsoever. Even without any rumors suggesting Bran Cook¡¯s side was planning to find an endorser. Could he have given up? Quella Radcliffe thought that was impossible. ¡°I heard your uncle drank too much last night?¡± After Bran Cook sat down, a business owner behind him asked in a hushed voice. These people were staunch supporters of Bran Cook and had a very close relationship with the Cook Family. Moreover, Stacy Cook¡¯s return also gave them hope for the Cook Family. At least, with Bran Cook and Stacy Cook joining hands, they could bring a future to the Cook Family. ¡°A small matter, probably drank too much.¡± Bran Cook¡¯s face instantly darkened. Stacy Cook had been carried back home last night, unconscious. After emergency treatment, his life was barely saved. But he remains in a coma to this day, with severe internal bleeding; even if he survives, he¡¯s likely to suffer from long-term complications. Last night, the Cook Family had also tried to gather information and found out that the Northern restaurant had been vandalized, and Stacy Cook had happened to be there. As for the details of the incident, they had no information whatsoever. Beckett Carmichael had already sent people to lock down the news; unless Stacy Cook woke up himself, no one would know what happened. ¡°Bran Cook, the brothers here want to congratulate you in advance on becoming the General Manager of the Gonzalez City Commercial League! In the future, we¡¯ll support each other and get wealthy together!¡± ¡°If you ask me, this position should have been Bran Cook¡¯s a long time ago! Don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°Exactly! What¡¯s that little girl Quella Radcliffe compared to you, Bran Cook?¡± Everyone echoed each other, once again lifting Bran Cook¡¯s spirits. ¡°Thanks for your high esteem. Once I take this position, I will definitely persuade Itai Huntington to listen to your suggestions. By that time, those small and medium-sized enterprises will all be at our mercy!¡± Bran Cook clenched his fist tightly and looked coldly in the direction Quella Radcliffe was in. ¡°Now, as the Chairman of the Gonzalez City Commercial League, I announce the first meeting of all board members! This board meeting is to confirm how we will distribute profits, and the way the profits are distributed will depend on who wins the bet between Quella Radcliffe and Bran Cook!¡± Itai Huntington stood on the podium, vibrant and energetic, looking down at the hundreds of entrepreneurs from Gonzalez City below. This moment was also somewhat exciting for her. At least in her view, neither side was weak. While everyone thought it was a one-sided match in favor of Bran Cook, only Itai Huntington knew that the man behind Quella Radcliffe was even more terrifying! Even the powerful Odingle was beaten black and blue, their store smashed. ¡°Please welcome, Quella Radcliffe and Bran Cook, to the stage to announce the names of the endorsers they have invited.¡± Whoo! As soon as Itai Huntington¡¯s words ended, a thunderous applause erupted from below. Quella Radcliffe and Bran Cook stood up and walked toward the podium. ¡°Wonder who they¡¯ve got on their side!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s see; the results will be out soon. Hope it¡¯s not too embarrassing of a defeat.¡± The small business owners really didn¡¯t harbor much hope. As adults, they all understood that some things simply have no chance of turning around. In the face of absolute advantage, one could only be crushed. ¡°Hello everyone, I¡¯m Quella Radcliffe. The person I¡¯ve invited is Nando Brandon.¡± After Quella Radcliffe finished speaking, the whole room erupted. Nando Brandon, a top-notch, first-tier popularity young star, was definitely a big name. ¡°Thank you very much, Mr. Nando Brandon.¡± Quella Radcliffe smiled faintly and looked toward the entrance, At that moment, Nando Brandon, dressed in a windbreaker and wearing a mask, slowly walked into the Five-state International Hall. ¡°And Mr. Bran Cook, your endorser?¡± Itai Huntington asked aloud. ¡°Don¡¯t rush; you¡¯ll know in a moment.¡± Bran Cook watched Nando Brandon approaching, his face revealing a meaningful smile. Chapter 518 - Chapter 518: 518 Chapter 518: 518 ¡°Mr. Cook is so composed, who on earth did he invite?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. But it must be someone bigger than Nando Brandon, otherwise why would Mr. Cook be all smiles and confidence, looking like he has an ace up his sleeve?¡± ¡°Bigger than Nando Brandon? Nando Brandon just happened to pass through Gonzalez City, and that¡¯s how Quella Radcliffe got the chance to discuss the contract with him. If it¡¯s someone even more significant, they¡¯d have to go to the capital or the magic capital, but as far as I know, Bran Cook hasn¡¯t left Gonzalez City at all, which means he hasn¡¯t done anything.¡± Seeing how calmly Bran Cook carried himself, people once again started to talk. This bet, Bran Cook was clearly determined to win! Previously, the chairman¡¯s position that originally belonged to him was snatched away by Itai Huntington, and then the manager position also went to Quella Radcliffe. As the original initiator of the business alliance, Bran Cook had suffered a crushing defeat. He was now making every effort to pull Quella Radcliffe down from that position, and then take over. This time, it was his best opportunity. Not only could he rightfully take back his position, but he could also disgrace Quella Radcliffe and completely remove her foundation in Gonzalez City. A promise worth its weight in gold ¨C for a merchant, losing integrity means losing everything. When the time came, even if Willson Group wanted to get involved, they would have to consider the face of the merchants in Gonzalez City. ¡°Welcome Mr. Nando Brandon.¡± Itai Huntington led the applause. Although she personally disliked the androgynous attire, the market demanded it, and as a businessperson, she rarely let personal preferences interfere with her work. Watching Nando Brandon walk over slowly, Bran Cook couldn¡¯t express how delighted he was inside. He seemed to have already imagined how ugly Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face would look when faced with the reversal. She might even wish she could find a hole to crawl into, and he, would kick her when she was down! ¡°Miss Radcliffe, why don¡¯t we raise the stakes?¡± At the chairman¡¯s podium, Bran Cook suddenly spoke. ¡°Raise the stakes? Who did Bran Cook invite? To dare to raise the stakes at such a time, he must have an ace that he hasn¡¯t played yet!¡± ¡°But I¡¯ve checked recently, and none of those big-name celebrities have come to Gonzalez City! And according to my people, the biggest name that has appeared in Gonzalez City recently is Nando Brandon.¡± ¡°Just watch, there¡¯ll be excitement today!¡± The people below became excited after hearing what Bran Cook said. ¡°The terms of your bet have already been set in advance, Bran Cook, you two just need to follow the original agreement, why raise the stakes?¡± After Itai Huntington finished speaking, she had a foreboding feeling. Since Bran Cook dared to speak like this, based on her understanding of this young man, he must be holding a winning hand, wanting to win even more thoroughly. ¡°Everyone knows that Miss Radcliffe and I have some unsettled affairs, and with her¡­ heh, her pathetic loser of a husband, I have a deep-seated grudge!¡± Bran Cook sneered, hands in his pockets: ¡°I am a man of honor, I don¡¯t speak in riddles, I intend to settle this grudge today.¡± At these words, the discussion below flared up again. ¡°Mr. Cook is really turning his back on Quella Radcliffe!¡± ¡°In that case, Mr. Cook must be confident he can win, otherwise he wouldn¡¯t be so forceful!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of that Radcliffe woman; it¡¯s a good time to put her in her place and let her know that not everyone can sit in the manager¡¯s seat!¡± Many of Bran Cook¡¯s supporters below were secretly relishing the moment. Quella Radcliffe sitting in the general manager¡¯s seat had been a significant blow to them. In the previous discussions on the business alliance policy, Quella Radcliffe had clearly favored small and medium-sized enterprises. This was not friendly to these oligarchs. Therefore, they had been scheming to topple Radcliffe, and now the opportunity had come, they were excited. And very much looking forward to it. ¡°Between you and me,¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at Bran Cook, very calmly said, ¡°there are no real conflicts. It¡¯s just that you shamelessly harassed me, and my husband, he simply helped me drive away those annoying flies, that¡¯s all.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Bran Cook¡¯s face darkened, but then quickly resumed smiling, ¡°Good! Good! Good! No matter what you say, I just have one question for you, do you dare to raise the stakes! Today, right here on the stage of Five-state International, we¡¯ll settle our grievances once and for all!¡± What Quella Radcliffe said was the truth; it all started with his coveting of Quella Radcliffe¡¯s beauty, even going so far as to contact her parents, wanting to use various connections to get his hands on her. But what he had never expected was that after he had launched the entrepreneurs of Gonzalez City to isolate the Radcliffe Group, forcing them into financial crisis in preparation for his dream marriage proposal, Julius Reed outshone him completely! And following that, he was humiliated time and again. This was a humiliation that Bran Cook could not swallow! He wanted revenge! To let Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed lose their reputations and live in Gonzalez City like dogs! Only then would he feel relieved. ¡°Mr. Cook, this is the Gonzalez City Business Alliance; our purpose for collaborating is to make more money, not to serve as a tool for your personal vendettas!¡± Itai Huntington said in a cold tone, then turned to Quella Radcliffe, ¡°You can totally refuse these unreasonable requests. After all, it has been agreed upon that today is only about confirming the managing director¡¯s position, not about a fight to the death.¡± Regardless, Quella Radcliffe was Julius Reed¡¯s wife. And she knew just how formidable Julius Reed was, not to mention the fact that they were business allies; she had reasons to stand up for Quella Radcliffe on certain occasions. ¡°Since Sister Huntington has spoken, I shouldn¡¯t really say anything.¡± With Itai Huntington¡¯s intervention, Bran Cook felt resentful inside, but was forced to back down! This widow, he could not afford to provoke her for the time being. ¡°Hold on!¡± Just then, Julius Reed emerged from the crowd, slowly making his way to the stage. ¡°Who is this guy?¡± ¡°What¡¯s he doing up there?¡± ¡°That¡¯s Quella Radcliffe¡¯s good-for-nothing husband, Julius Reed!¡± Upon seeing Julius Reed take the stage, many from Gonzalez City were surprised; they had only heard his name, but no one had actually seen what Julius Reed looked like. His reputation was well-known, but his face was not. But there were a few who recognized him. The only person known for beating Bran Cook so badly that he was left looking for his teeth all over the ground seemed to be this one man in Gonzalez City. ¡°Julius Reed?¡± Seeing Julius Reed standing on the stage, Bran Cook felt an inexplicable fear in his heart. It wasn¡¯t for any other reason except that every time he saw Julius Reed, he would end up being turned around against the wind. And he would lose miserably. In other words, he was beaten to the point of fear. Even now, when he had an absolute advantage and was practically guaranteed victory, he still subconsciously felt fear. ¡°Me? I¡¯m, of course, here to raise the stakes with you,¡± Julius Reed said grinning at Bran Cook. ¡°Actually, I do feel a bit guilty. The grandiose Mr. Cook was beaten by me as if he were a dog, begging on his knees for mercy.¡± After saying that, he took out a remote from his pocket and lightly pressed it. ¡°Wow!¡± On the big screen that was originally set up to warmly celebrate the first general meeting of the Business Alliance, a scene suddenly appeared of Bran Cook being beaten and kneeling on the ground begging for mercy! Chapter 519 - Chapter 519: Chapter 519 Beggar Asking for Money_1 Chapter 519: Chapter 519 Beggar Asking for Money_1 ¡°You¡­¡± Seeing the image on the screen, Bran Cook¡¯s face turned ashen! This was the photo taken on the day when he went to seek revenge and ended up being ¡®educated with virtue¡¯ by Julius Reed, getting beaten up one by one with the Cook family¡¯s people! ¡°You¡¯re really despicable!¡± Seeing the murmuring crowd below, Bran Cook wished he could kill Julius Reed! But he couldn¡¯t, as this was a public place with countless eyes watching! ¡°Bran Cook actually got beaten up so badly! When did this happen?¡± ¡°The esteemed young master of the Cook Family, who returned from the capital, ended up swollen and kneeling on the ground like a dog, how unbecoming of his status!¡± ¡°Exactly! This is really embarrassing! And he still has the nerve to ridicule others?¡± Seeing Bran Cook¡¯s wretched appearance on the screen, many who originally supported him felt their faces burning with embarrassment. Is this what a great young master is supposed to be? Kneeling down, even nobility loses its dignity. They are all dignified people, and what matters most to them is saving face. Once today¡¯s events get out, everyone will know that Bran Cook is not as glorious as he seems. However. Who could make Bran Cook kneel? That was the question on everyone¡¯s mind. ¡°Forget it! Truett Yarrow once suffered the indignity of crawling through someone¡¯s legs! Bran Cook is capable of bending and unbending; in the future, he can also wash away this disgrace.¡± ¡°If it were the great young master of the capital or some major boss who made him kneel, there would be nothing to say. After all, you can¡¯t tough it out and be like an egg smashing against a rock, right?¡± Bran Cook¡¯s lackeys immediately started making excuses. ¡°Everyone!¡± Seeing Bran Cook in such an awkward situation, some people quickly stood up to make excuses for him. ¡°Let¡¯s be honest with ourselves, who hasn¡¯t offended someone at some point? If you often walk by the river, there¡¯s no way to avoid getting your shoes wet!¡± A young man stood up, looked around at the entrepreneurs, and shouted, ¡°These are the deceitful tricks Julius Reed, this good-for-nothing, is using to smear Bran Cook! We must not be fooled! Submitting to someone stronger than oneself is bearing hardships with dignity! Without even thinking about it, the person Bran Cook knelt to must be a great young master from the capital!¡± ¡°Right! Julius Reed, you good-for-nothing, actually harboring malicious intentions to smear Bran Cook! These must be pictures you found on the internet. Since Bran Cook returned to Gonzalez City, he¡¯s never had such an encounter! Tell me, in a place like the capital full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, what¡¯s wrong with kneeling to someone stronger than yourself?¡± With someone taking the lead, more people followed suit. With what they said, Bran Cook, instead of being embarrassed, ended up looking like the victim of Julius Reed¡¯s questionable intentions to display photos of someone kneeling. But everyone failed to notice that Bran Cook¡¯s face had turned from black to green! What¡¯s called a pig teammate, what¡¯s called adding frost to snow! ¡°Bran Cook, facing a great young master from the capital who is stronger than you, this is not something shameful, you need not feel embarrassed!¡± ¡°On the contrary, Julius Reed, if you encountered Bran Cook, wouldn¡¯t you kneel? I think you definitely would have, it¡¯s just that Bran Cook was willing to let you save some face!¡± Everyone chimed in, one after another, attacking Julius Reed. ¡°Really? I wasn¡¯t aware that I had become a great young master of the capital at some point.¡± Julius Reed, chuckling, pressed the remote in his hand, and the image on the screen changed immediately. When it appeared again, it was a panoramic shot! Julius Reed stood with his hands folded behind his back in front of Bran Cook, while Bran Cook knelt on both knees, his forehead touching the ground as if he were kowtowing. ¡°Hiss!¡± Bran Cook¡¯s body trembled uncontrollably; he wanted to hit someone, to kill someone! But. This was a public place, and he had to control his emotions. ¡°That is¡­ that¡¯s Julius Reed? The person Bran Cook is kneeling to is actually Julius Reed!¡± ¡°How could this be¡­¡± ¡°My God! The dignified Bran Cook, why is he kneeling before a good-for-nothing?¡± The people who were just now offering flimsy excuses suddenly felt a burning pain across their faces, as if they had been harshly slapped, knocking their teeth to the ground. Not just them, Bran Cook on the stage was the most embarrassed. Originally, the situation wasn¡¯t that shameful, but the dummies below were practically divine in their assistance! Julius Reed turned into the scion of Gonzalez City? ¡°Actually, it was only after hearing you all say it that I knew I was the scion of Gonzalez City,¡± On the stage, Julius Reed said with a hint of shyness. Seeing this scene, Itai Huntington couldn¡¯t help but laugh. Bran Cook vying against Julius Reed, isn¡¯t that like the Big Bad Wolf challenging Pleasant Goat? They aren¡¯t even on the same level! ¡°Photoshopped! Julius Reed, this is Photoshopped!¡± Someone shouted out loud. ¡°Yes! Photoshopped! How did I not think of that? Would the grand Bran Cook kneel to a good-for-nothing like you? Aren¡¯t you afraid of shortening your life?¡± ¡°Exactly! With your amateurish Photoshop skills, you could get that done for ten bucks on the street! To think that you dare slander Bran Cook, we¡¯ll definitely sue you and hold you legally responsible!¡± The murmuring began once again below the stage. Many people couldn¡¯t believe that Bran Cook, so high-profile, wealthy and powerful, would kneel to a loser! It must be Photoshopped! At that moment, Bran Cook¡¯s fists were clenched so tightly he practically wanted to curse at those jeering below: ¡°Photoshop your mother¡¯s head!¡± This wave could¡¯ve invoked everyone¡¯s sympathy, rallying them to be outraged by Julius Reed¡¯s reckless behavior. But now, everyone saw it as a big joke! His own subordinates, like clowns leaping onto stage, kept setting Julius Reed up with assists. ¡°Julius Reed, doing this is somewhat despicable. If you could actually make Bran Cook kneel, that would¡¯ve been your skill! We wouldn¡¯t have said anything and might have even looked at you differently,¡± Itai Huntington said at that moment, pretending to be angry, ¡°But now, this is the board meeting of the Gonzalez City Business Alliance. If you¡¯re going to make a scene, choose a better place! What status does Mr. Bran Cook hold? Would he kneel to a son-in-law like you? If he were really that weak, what face would he have left to run for General Manager? He might as well go home and babysit!¡± Upon hearing that, Bran Cook nearly ground his teeth to pieces! To outsiders, this seemed like making an excuse for himself, with every sentence targeting Julius Reed! But the key point was, those photos were real! He had indeed knelt before Julius Reed! Thus, all the preceding remarks had to be listened to in reverse! Itai Huntington, you bitch! Bran Cook cursed inwardly while his inner rage climbed once more! ¡°Chairman Huntington is right! If you truly could make Bran Cook kneel before you, that would¡¯ve been your capability! We would have respected you from then on!¡± One of Bran Cook¡¯s loyal supporters sneered from below, ¡°But using these methods will only make everyone look down on you more!¡± ¡°Right! With Bran Cook¡¯s status, you don¡¯t even have the right to reflect on yourself! Could he kneel to you? The only ones who might kneel to you are beggars begging for money!¡± ¡°Hahahaha!¡± A wave of laughter broke out below. But nobody noticed that Bran Cook¡¯s face had gone deathly pale! His body, trembling non-stop. ¡°Are you sure, the only ones kneeling before me are beggars asking for money?¡± Julius Reed looked at Bran Cook, pressing the remote control in his hand once more. ¡°Bran Cook, last time, I think I forgot to give you money.¡± The image flashed, and what played next was a video clip. Chapter 520 - Chapter 520: Chapter 520: Passionate Kiss_1 Chapter 520: Chapter 520: Passionate Kiss_1 As soon as the screen lit up, the atmosphere turned eerie. At Five-state International, Itai Huntington¡¯s landmark achievement, the conference room was fitted with high-definition, large displays! Even those at the very back of the room could clearly see everything on screen. ¡°I was wrong! Give me a chance, please let me off¡­¡± Bran Cook knelt before Julius Reed, begging like a dog. Julius Reed, however, stood with his hands clasped behind him, circling around Bran without paying him any heed. ¡°Enough!¡± Bran Cook was seething with anger! Trembling, he pointed at Julius Reed, his voice turning hoarse, ¡°The past is the past, there¡¯s no need to bring it up! I knelt, so I knelt! But now, I want to raise the stakes with you! Do you dare?¡± As a young man of wealth, he had lost the last shred of his dignity. Gone, completely. Those who had been cheering loudly just moments ago were now silent as the grave. Many more were shocked and then couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter. Bran Cook, the seemingly prosperous young master, had actually knelt before someone! And he knelt to the very definition of a loser in Gonzalez City¡¯s public opinion, the Radcliffe Family¡¯s son-in-law, Julius Reed. ¡°Mr. Cook, what¡¯s the rush! If you dare to do it, you should own it!¡± Julius Reed showed no signs of wanting to let things slide. He pressed the remote control lightly. ¡°Wow!¡± With that, the entire venue erupted into noise. The Cook Family, a dozen or more, knelt neatly before Julius Reed. Meanwhile, Julius Reed, along with Quella Radcliffe and Knox Ridge, sat on a table eating. At this point, nobody doubted the authenticity of the footage anymore. They hadn¡¯t even recovered from the previous slap in the face. ¡°Julius Reed¡­ you¡¯re so despicable! You actually, actually took photos!¡± Bran Cook could never have imagined that Julius Reed would arrange for someone to take photos in such a situation. Now, his reputation was almost ruined! Even if they didn¡¯t say it out loud, people would definitely have their thoughts! No one who had knelt to a loser could possibly secure the position of General Manager of the Gonzalez City Commercial Alliance. Even if he tried to salvage his image, the incident had already left an indelible mark in everyone¡¯s mind. Impossible to erase. ¡°Do you dare raise the stakes with me!¡± Bran Cook roared again. ¡°How do you want to bet?¡± Julius Reed looked on, grinning, and randomly suggested, ¡°Everyone¡¯s just seen it on the screen. How about we raise the stakes today? Whoever loses has to kneel and knock their head on the ground, calling out ¡®Daddy¡¯. How about that?¡± ¡°Fine!¡± Bran Cook agreed without hesitation! His judgment clouded by anger, he was fixated on bringing Julius Reed down. As for the position of General Manager of the Gonzalez City Commercial Alliance, he had lost interest in it now. With his reputation utterly destroyed, he would inevitably be the subject of people¡¯s whispers and pointing fingers. ¡°Then, please, everyone, be witnesses,¡± Julius Reed turned to face the audience, smiling, ¡°Sorry to disturb your meeting, but I¡¯ve brought you some¡­ some somewhat surprising short videos.¡± ¡°Is that¡­ Zane Percival?¡± ¡°Younger Percival is kneeling too!¡± Just then, Julius Reed sensed something was amiss. The audience below, why did they seem so surprised and taken aback? He had come to the control desk with a video clip and three photos, which had now all been played. Could it be¡­ When he turned around, what he saw was Zane Percival kneeling on the ground, the image of him losing his teeth to a punch. ¡°Women ah¡­¡± Julius Reed sighed, casting a meaningful gaze at Itai Huntington. ¡°Sorry.¡± Itai Huntington shrugged her shoulders, saying guiltily, ¡°My people were careless. They got scared by you just now and lost their sense of measure. This video clip was also mistakenly released. But it doesn¡¯t matter, sister will protect you. Jennifer Lopez can¡¯t kill you.¡± Her voice was very soft, so soft that only Julius Reed could hear her clearly, even Quella Radcliffe and Bran Cook had no idea what they were up to. And from the perspective of the audience below, it was even more interesting. Itai Huntington appeared to be resting her chin on Julius Reed¡¯s shoulder, whispering intimately. They were like a couple. ¡°Damn it! This good-for-nothing, his luck with women isn¡¯t shallow at all! First marrying the great beauty of Gonzalez City, Quella Radcliffe, and now even getting his hands on a widow!¡± ¡°What do you know! This is called professionalism! The man specializes in living off women, do you think just anyone can do that? That¡¯s talent, brother!¡± ¡°I give up, I admit at this moment, I am green with envy! To have Itai Huntington speak to me from such a close distance, I could die no problem!¡± The men below were collectively jealous at this moment! Itai Huntington had an alluring figure, a gorgeous face, and this graceful and poised woman, plus her billions in assets, became the target many men dreamed of conquering. But no one dared to actually do it, only dared to think about it. Countless men who wanted to taste her grace ended up dead under her pomegranate dress. Yet, what surprised them more was that Quella Radcliffe, Julius Reed¡¯s legitimate wife, seemed to have no reaction at all! She just stood calmly on the stage. ¡°Sorry, when I gave that video to Jennifer Lopez, I had already told her that I wasn¡¯t the only one who had it. The one I have clearly has a different filming angle from yours.¡± Julius Reed likewise smiled and whispered into Itai Huntington¡¯s ear, ¡°I also reminded her that it was you who arranged the incident back then, with the purpose of driving Zane Percival out of Gonzalez City to compete with her in the capital!¡± ¡°What incident?¡± Itai Huntington giggled, ¡°You think I believe that? Such a video, released along with Bran Cook¡¯s photos, you guess, would Jennifer Lopez think it was done by me? And the whole world knows you hit Zane Percival, will she seek revenge?¡± ¡°Maybe she will, but now, she needs to find a new target for revenge.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, ¡°Young lady, you are too green.¡± ¡°Is that so!¡± Itai Huntington asked, ¡°Shall we just wait and see?¡± ¡°Have a look at the screen behind you.¡± Julius Reed said indifferently. ¡°You¡¯re tricking me again.¡± Itai Huntington laughed and turned around, but her expression suddenly froze! ¡°You¡­¡± Even Itai Huntington, was taken aback. ¡°How did you get this!¡± Her voice dropped to a whisper, her mind going blank. Jennifer Lopez was known for her purity and elegance, always presenting herself with nobility! But now, such indecent photos had been leaked! And the leak came from Itai Huntington herself, since Julius Reed could obtain the photos, he had the power to make Jennifer Lopez believe that the video was orchestrated by Itai Huntington. ¡°How ruthless of you!¡± Itai Huntington, after all, was a person who had seen much of the world and quickly composed herself. ¡°I¡¯ve said before, to fight with me, you are too¡­¡± Before Julius Reed could finish, Itai Huntington directly embraced him, pressing her lips against his, kissing him passionately in front of everyone. Chapter 521 - Chapter 521: Chapter 521 Fighting for Husband_1 Chapter 521: Chapter 521 Fighting for Husband_1 The originally noisy and bustling venue became incredibly quiet in an instant. There was a deathly silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone hastily took out their phones, filming the scene before them. Itai Huntington took the initiative to kiss the most good-for-nothing loser of Gonzalez City, and the loser¡¯s original beautiful wife, Quella Radcliffe, was standing right beside them. What explosive news was this? Itai Huntington kissing a man¡ªfor Julius Reed, this was a first. And it was a passive acceptance of a kiss. ¡°You¡­¡± Julius Reed pushed Itai Huntington away with a shove, nearly ready to commit murder! Dammit, Quella Radcliffe was right there, and now he couldn¡¯t clear things up even if he had a valid explanation. He had just managed to eliminate the barriers between himself and Quella Radcliffe with great difficulty, hoping the two of them could become closer and eventually resolve matters. But this kiss from Itai Huntington had destroyed all his efforts! ¡°You¡­ you malicious woman!¡± Julius Reed wiped his mouth with his sleeve, but the fragrance still lingered on his lips. ¡°Pah!¡± He spat, yet the taste clung to him. ¡°Now, everyone knows about our relationship. Guess what Jennifer Lopez will think?¡± Itai Huntington pursed her lips and smiled, her cheeks faintly flushed. She looked every bit like a young girl experiencing the stirrings of love for the first time. ¡°Damn it! Damn you, Julius Reed! Why! Why him!¡± ¡°My heart is shattered! The goddess I¡¯ve pined for, she actually took the initiative to kiss someone else! If it were an outstanding person, I¡¯d accept it! But, it¡¯s Julius Reed, the loser that everyone looks down on.¡± ¡°Forget it, by calling him a loser, aren¡¯t we admitting that we¡¯re even worse than a loser?¡± Some hung their heads in defeat, while others glared with murderous intent. ¡°You¡¯re ruthless!¡± Julius Reed had never expected Itai Huntington to pull such a move. Originally, he planned to divert the blame onto Itai Huntington. Now, this kiss had stirred up a scandal that wouldn¡¯t wash away¡ªcaught with his pants down, as the saying goes, even if it wasn¡¯t crap, it was still considered crap. Itai Huntington, known for her fierce personality, had been a widow for several years and had never been involved in any rumors with men. And yet now, before everyone¡¯s eyes, she had kissed him directly! The Lopez Family could easily deduce that it was Julius Reed¡¯s doing. In their eyes, it was only because the two were in cahoots that they dared to disgrace Jennifer Lopez so publicly. Without regard for the consequences. ¡°I forgot to tell you, this was my first kiss.¡± Itai Huntington said softly with a smile, ¡°I know you don¡¯t believe it, but it¡¯s true.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve killed me!¡± Julius Reed sighed helplessly and turned to Quella Radcliffe with a mournful expression, ¡°Wife, I¡­¡± At that moment, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s expression was solemn, and Julius Reed braced himself for the worst. Starting over from scratch. ¡°There¡¯s still her taste on your lips,¡± Quella Radcliffe said expressionlessly. ¡°Pah!¡± Julius Reed quickly spat a few times. ¡°I don¡¯t like it when you have the scent of another woman on you,¡± Quella Radcliffe said, slowly approaching Julius Reed. ¡°Wife, I¡¯ll go brush my teeth right¡­¡± Before he could finish his words, Quella Radcliffe rushed up to him, wrapped her arms around Julius Reed, and kissed him fiercely. ¡°Holy shit!¡± ¡°Damn it! What kind of stroke of luck is this!¡± ¡°I can¡¯t go on living!¡± There was a chorus of lamenting from below the stage. Even Julius Reed himself stood dumbfounded, his mind blank. A thousand years of life couldn¡¯t compare to a single kiss from a beauty. For now, he thought of nothing, did nothing, just closed his eyes and savored this moment of bliss. In their three years of marriage, the closest they might have been was a hug. And now, unexpectedly¡­ This was Quella Radcliffe¡¯s first kiss. Even Itai Huntington was taken aback. She had never expected Julius Reed to respond with such overbearing confidence! Not backing down at all! In that moment, Itai Huntington felt a twinge of envy. Julius Reed simply did as she pleased, and no matter what issues arose, there was always a man behind her strong enough to support the heavens, silently safeguarding her. Whereas from the moment she left the capital, she had to shoulder every pressure alone. Facing all dangers! Even having to be wary of her own parents! Looking at the kissing couple before her, Itai Huntington, who usually remained unmoved, suddenly felt a bit rebellious. She wanted to fight, to fight for this man. Men with two legs were plentiful, but excellent ones were as rare as needles in a haystack. If she had encountered one, why shouldn¡¯t she compete for him? She was beautiful and sexy, the object of desire for countless men. Yet this man before her seemed not to see her at all. ¡°I must snatch you away,¡± she thought to herself. ¡°Hu!¡± When Julius Reed¡¯s lips moved away from his partner¡¯s body, the man who controlled the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, who dictated life and death in the world, seemed somewhat¡­ Weak at the knees! The highest leader of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, who could slay thousands without falling, behead armies without retreating, at this moment, trembled. ¡°Wife¡­ I¡­¡± He swallowed hard, feeling for the first time that things might be getting out of his control. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, you are my man, and even if there are many seductresses out there, they still have to call me ¡®sister,''¡± Quella Radcliffe said to Itai Huntington unabashedly, ¡°After all, I am your lawfully wedded wife, and they, well, they hide in the shadows!¡± ¡°It seems that having the title doesn¡¯t necessarily mean it¡¯s a good thing,¡± Itai Huntington said with a light laugh, ¡°There¡¯s no corner that can¡¯t be dug, only pickaxes that aren¡¯t sharp enough!¡± ¡°That suits me fine, consider it as if my husband has taken advantage for free, saving me quite a lot of money. However¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe turned around to look at Julius Reed, ¡°Just remember, don¡¯t catch any diseases.¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± Julius Reed nodded. But the very next moment, he felt Quella Radcliffe¡¯s piercing gaze on him! ¡°What are you joking about, wife? Am I that kind of person? My interest lies only in you, and even if other women stripped naked, I wouldn¡¯t spare them a glance!¡± Julius Reed defended himself righteously. ¡°Damn, that¡¯s some serious luck with women!¡± ¡°It¡¯s so thrilling! Today wasn¡¯t a waste!¡± ¡°No kidding! Who would have thought that the number one pushover of Gonzalez City would actually be such a master! Picking the two most beautiful flowers of the city in one day!¡± ¡°The rivalry of two women over one man, I¡¯m seriously jealous.¡± The Gonzalez City businesspeople felt sour. ¡°Enough! Do you think I don¡¯t exist?¡± Bran Cook roared with rage! Today was his turf! He wanted to see Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe ruined! He wanted to take back what belonged to him! But now, he was the one who was ruined! Disdained by him, the deemed good-for-nothing of Gonzalez City actually managed to embrace two sides and kiss the top two beauties of the city at the same time! ¡°Julius Reed! You¡­ you better rein yourself in!¡± Bran Cook had lost his star treatment and now felt completely irrelevant. Everyone seemed to have forgotten. That there was still a bet! One that would decide the future of the business alliance. The bet. ¡°This matter¡­ we¡¯ll discuss my husband later. Now, as per our agreement, please present your spokespersons,¡± Itai Huntington quickly shifted her mood, looking provocatively at Quella Radcliffe, ¡°Miss Radcliffe, I hope you won¡¯t disappoint me. If you lose this bet, I¡¯ll feel like I¡¯ve set my sights on a man who wasn¡¯t worth it.¡± ¡°Then just wait and see!¡± Quella Radcliffe countered, meeting her gaze. Chapter 522 - Chapter 522: 522 Chapter 522: 522 ¡°Quella Radcliffe! Julius Reed!¡± Bran Cook roared in anger, ¡°Today, I¡¯m going to make you pay!¡± ¡°Does the previous raise still count?¡± Julius Reed licked his lips and asked. This woman¡¯s lips, they really are fragrant! ¡°Of course!¡± The rage-blinded Bran Cook looked at Julius Reed, pointed to the ground beneath his feet and said, ¡°Today, I want you to kneel here, like a dog, begging for mercy!¡± ¡°Fine! If Quella Radcliffe loses, according to the agreement, I¡¯ll call you ¡®Daddy.¡¯ But are you so certain about who will kneel today, Bran Cook?¡± Julius Reed looked at Bran Cook with a provocative face and sneered, ¡°Forgive my bluntness, but I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s you, Bran Cook, who¡¯ll have to kneel again. But I didn¡¯t bring money today, we agreed, I can kneel, but you¡¯re not allowed to ask for money.¡± ¡°Heh! If you really win, I will kneel in front of you and call you ¡®Daddy¡¯ in the presence of all the entrepreneurs of Gonzalez City! But if Quella Radcliffe loses, I want you both to kneel!¡± Bran Cook, like an angry lion, had lost all reason at this moment. In his mind, there were only two words left, revenge! Revenge! After today, he may become a laughing stock in Gonzalez City. But if Julius Reed¡¯s defeat is even more miserable than his own was, there might be a chance to recover! After all, a hero slaying a dragon only requires a thorough whitewashing, and he could temporarily step out of the public eye, forcing Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed to roll out of the Gonzalez City they have lived in for over two decades. ¡°It seems I¡¯ll make Bran Cook angry if I don¡¯t accept the challenge!¡± Julius Reed nodded and said, ¡°A gentleman¡¯s word, as fast as a steed. The star my wife has invited is none other than Nando Brandon, and you? Where¡¯s your person?¡± He looked at his watch and said, ¡°I¡¯ll give you five minutes to call over the star you¡¯ve invited. If it takes longer than five minutes, you lose!¡± After speaking, Julius Reed glanced towards the entrance as if he didn¡¯t expect anyone to come in. ¡°Bran Cook is so full of himself, but where is this big shot he¡¯s invited?¡± ¡°Yeah! What¡¯s going on here? Bran Cook¡¯s actions are really unpredictable.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t rush, Bran Cook will surprise you all in a bit.¡± Someone in the know spoke up. ¡°Haha! My person has already arrived! He is right now, within this Five-state International building!¡± Bran Cook said with extreme pride. ¡°Where¡¯s the person?¡± Julius Reed pretended to be unaware as he looked around, seemingly not seeing anyone. ¡°Bran Cook, you wouldn¡¯t be talking nonsense out of shock, would you?¡± After speaking, he was about to touch Bran Cook¡¯s head. ¡°Idiot!¡± Seeing Julius Reed¡¯s behavior, Bran Cook sneered disdainfully. A good-for-nothing is always a good-for-nothing! Even now, he still doesn¡¯t know how he¡¯s going to die! But that is even better, the greater the expectation Julius Reed and company have, the more miserable their death! ¡°Who¡¯s the person you¡¯ve invited?¡± Bran Cook asked knowingly. ¡°Nando Brandon! He¡¯s right downstairs, a top-tier young actor in the country, now a big shot!¡± Julius Reed hurriedly said, ¡°Bran Cook, if your person doesn¡¯t rank higher than Nando Brandon, that won¡¯t do!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry!¡± At this point, Bran Cook exuded extreme delight! The person he had found was Nando Brandon! And Quella Radcliffe had no one! Just thinking about Nando Brandon¡¯s betrayal and the faces of Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed looking bereft of all hope made him burst with silent laughter. ¡°Bran Cook, time is passing by the minute, if your person doesn¡¯t come soon¡­¡± ¡°My man is already here.¡± Bran Cook looked at the crowd below, took a deep breath, no longer able to contain his excitement, ¡°He is, Nando Brandon!¡± ¡°Wow!¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t Nando Brandon Quella Radcliffe¡¯s spokesperson? How did he end up connected with Bran Cook!¡± The crowd below began to buzz with discussion again. And those who had originally accompanied Bran Cook to sign Nando Brandon found it hard to hide their smiles. Nando Brandon¡¯s act of betrayal was about to unfold, and at this moment, they were very much looking forward to it. After all, that was real money spent! ¡°Bran Cook, what are you playing at? Nando Brandon clearly signed a contract with our Quella Radcliffe. Are you out of your mind, spouting nonsense here?¡± Julius Reed spoke as if he was completely unaware of the situation. But at that moment, Quella Radcliffe suddenly felt a sense of foreboding. Why, was Nando Brandon willing to sign the contract at such a low price. And why, had Bran Cook not even bothered to look for an endorser, acting as if nothing was wrong, quietly waiting. Could it be¡­ With that thought, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s complexion drastically changed. She had been tricked! ¡°Haha! Quella Radcliffe, did you really think, that three million would be enough to hire Nando Brandon?¡± Bran Cook laughed mockingly, filled with triumphant pride, ¡°You¡¯ve gone mad with poverty! I gave him, three hundred million!¡± Having said that, he looked toward Nando Brandon and laughed wildly, ¡°Tell them, who you are representing as an endorser!¡± The whole place fell silent. Even Itai Huntington couldn¡¯t help but hold her breath, wanting to see what would happen in the next moment. ¡°I¡­¡± Nando Brandon looked at Julius Reed, his eyes filled with hatred. All that he had, had been ruined by the man before him. But¡­ Nando Brandon¡¯s family was still in Beckett Carmichael¡¯s hands. If he disobeyed¡­ ¡°Mr. Bran Cook¡­¡± Nando Brandon closed his eyes. ¡°Did you hear that? He is the endorser I have hired!¡± Bran Cook could no longer contain his joy; pointing at Quella Radcliffe, he was incredibly excited, ¡°You can never win against me! You¡¯ll always lose!¡± Thunderous applause burst out from below the stage immediately! ¡°Bran Cook!¡± ¡°Kneel down! Julius Reed, you pathetic loser, kneel before me!¡± ¡°Fulfill the bet!¡± Under the chairman¡¯s stage, the long-suppressed followers of Bran Cook began to cheer and rally in frenzy. While the small and medium-sized business owners looked disheartened. After all, they had lost. They couldn¡¯t compete with Bran Cook and the large corporations backing him. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, if you can¡¯t find an endorser bigger than Nando Brandon, then please keep your promise and, together with Julius Reed, kneel before me!¡± Bran Cook reveled in the tumultuous joy from under the stage. Meanwhile, onstage, Quella Radcliffe bit her lip, her face ashen. She had been negligent. She had been deceived by such a simple trick! Itai Huntington frowned, had Julius Reed really lost? Lost to Bran Cook? She just couldn¡¯t believe it! But the reality was before her, Nando Brandon had turned his coat. ¡°You, will never be able to win against me!¡± Bran Cook said to Julius Reed with the air of a victor from on high. ¡°Sorry, you¡¯ve stolen my line.¡± Julius Reed laughed and patted Quella Radcliffe on the shoulder, ¡°Julius Reed doesn¡¯t know how to write the word ¡®lose¡¯.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Just then, an almost inaudible voice transmitted through the microphone at the chairman¡¯s stage to everyone¡¯s ears. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Everyone sensed something was amiss. Even Bran Cook couldn¡¯t help but frown. ¡°Mr. Bran Cook, I¡¯m sorry¡­ I¡¯ve already signed a contract with Ms. Quella Radcliffe. As for your request, I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t help.¡± Nando Brandon bowed deeply, standing behind Quella Radcliffe. Chapter 523 - Chapter 523: Chapter 523: Retrieving an Item_1 Chapter 523: Chapter 523: Retrieving an Item_1 ¡°What?¡± Bran Cook blinked and asked aloud, ¡°What did you say?¡± He suspected he had heard wrong. After all, at Arvid Woody¡¯s office, the two of them had had a good talk. As long as the cooperation for today was successful, Nando Brandon could get three hundred million. Now, it seemed like things had changed? Quella Radcliffe was equally stunned. According to Bran Cook¡¯s words, she was clearly the victim! But why did Nando Brandon suddenly betray them? Could it be a sudden attack of conscience? But that was impossible! She subconsciously looked towards Julius Reed and noticed her husband was smiling at the moment. ¡°Nando Brandon! What did you say? There¡¯s no need for a reversal now, you can just announce your endorsement for me straight away.¡± Bran Cook walked over, his voice deep as he spoke. He thought that Nando Brandon had made a mistake. ¡°I don¡¯t have any reversal,¡± Nando Brandon looked at Bran Cook and said apologetically, ¡°Since I¡¯ve signed a contract with Miss Radcliffe, I naturally have to honor the agreement. Now, in front of everyone, I will make it clear for the last time.¡± He walked up to the microphone at the podium and said, ¡°I¡¯m willing to endorse Miss Radcliffe, and during this time, I will only endorse her, exclusively.¡± Wow! The audience erupted into an uproar! The small business owners who had been pale as death just now became excited at this moment. ¡°Nando Brandon, you¡¯re playing me!¡± Bran Cook grabbed Nando Brandon¡¯s collar and said viciously, ¡°Spill it! Are you under threat? Say it! What¡¯s really going on! You already promised me, how can you go back on your word?¡± He was about to collapse. Bran Cook couldn¡¯t afford to lose; he desperately needed to win a splendid battle today. So many people were watching below, he had lost too much face today. If he could humiliate Julius Reed and his wife, maybe he could salvage some dignity. Especially seeing the look of despair on Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face just now, it had felt incredibly satisfying! But now, he was the clown. In front of everyone, he became a pitiful clown. ¡°If you really want to talk about being threatened,¡± Nando Brandon coldly looked at Bran Cook in front of him, ¡°Right now, you¡¯re the one threatening me.¡± ¡°Fuck your mother!¡± Bang! Bran Cook threw a punch, hitting Nando Brandon directly in the face. ¡°Go to hell!¡± Bran Cook, having lost all rationality, was about to charge forward. ¡°Mr. Cook, how can you hit someone!¡± Julius Reed grabbed Bran Cook¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°You have to honor a bet when you lose. If you want to blame someone, blame your own incompetence!¡± ¡°Julius Reed! What kind of tactics did you use to¡­¡± ¡°Do I even need tactics?¡± Julius Reed looked at Bran Cook and shook his head in disdain, ¡°Against you, I really just need to lift a finger.¡± After saying that, he suddenly exerted force in his hand! Thump! Bran Cook felt a strong pressure coming at him and involuntarily knelt to the ground. The room fell silent. They had just seen Bran Cook kneeling in pictures and videos. But. It wasn¡¯t nearly as shocking as it was now! The real scene was right before their eyes. Bran Cook, who once seemed invincible and enigmatic in their minds, was now kneeling on the ground. Kneeling before Julius Reed. He really looked like a dog kneeling before its master. ¡°You don¡¯t need to call me ¡®Dad¡¯ anymore. I wouldn¡¯t have a spineless failure of a son like you, and if I were your real dad, I¡¯d prefer to jump into the river and drown myself.¡± After saying this, Julius Reed turned to Itai Huntington and Quella Radcliffe, ¡°I have other things to take care of, you guys go ahead!¡± He clapped his hands and, amid many astonished gazes, strode away from the podium. Just like when he arrived. A man as swift as the wind. ¡°Someone! Please escort Mr. Cook out!¡± Itai Huntington saw that Bran Cook was emotionally unstable and feared he would harm herself and Quella Radcliffe, so she immediately called security to escort Bran Cook away. But what she didn¡¯t know was¡­ The moment Bran Cook kneeled, both of his knees were completely shattered. One of his shoulders was also broken. Even if he wanted to stand, he couldn¡¯t do it at all. ¡°Now, does anyone still question the position of Quella Radcliffe as the general manager?¡± Itai Huntington asked commandingly. Below, there was complete silence. As businessmen, we must first value integrity. Originally, it was agreed that the future course of the Gonzalez City business alliance, and the selection of the general manager, would be decided by this bet. Everyone had also agreed to it. Now that Quella Radcliffe had won, although it was unexpected for most, since the word had been given, it could only be honored. And with Bran Cook now practically crippled, even if he were put in the position of general manager, he would hardly command respect. Better to lie low for now and wait for a new candidate to emerge. ¡°Since no one objects, then I announce that everything will be done according to Quella Radcliffe¡¯s proposal! Anyone who opposes can¡¯t blame me, Itai Huntington, for not being sentimental!¡± Up on the stage, Itai Huntington once again displayed her dominant queenly demeanor. ¡­ Gonzalez City by the water. At this moment, Julius Reed is sitting by the dock, looking at the endless sea, and laughs, ¡°I should be sitting here fishing.¡± ¡°What refined taste in leisure!¡± Beckett Carmichael chuckles, ¡°Master, shall I buy this dock and build you a fishing platform?¡± If Julius Reed nodded, he would immediately go and do it. Initially, he had doubts about the abilities of this master, but the move shown at the Northern restaurant truly convinced him! Too strong! ¡°I¡¯m not interested in that.¡± Julius Reed picked up a pebble and constantly weighed it in his hand. ¡°When exactly will that power you talked about come?¡± As soon as he walked out of the Five-state International building, he received a warning from Beckett Carmichael. After hearing about the smashing of the Northern restaurant, the power behind the restaurant owner Odingle was ready to come to Gonzalez City to settle accounts. Upon receiving the news, Beckett Carmichael immediately informed Julius Reed. ¡°They are expected to arrive at Gonzalez City dock by tomorrow dawn. I have a friend who happens to be a senior executive in the family where Odingle belongs. This information, he risked his life to send over.¡± Beckett Carmichael speaks with a hint of mystery, ¡°As for who exactly is coming, he isn¡¯t sure. But they are definitely formidable, at least much stronger than the likes Odingle has around him.¡± ¡°How about you come with me to the capital to avoid them for a while?¡± ¡°Just a few lowly thieves, nothing to worry about.¡± Julius Reed looks at Beckett Carmichael, ¡°If I were to ask you to retrieve an item for me from the Tempest Mountains, how quickly could you get it here?¡± ¡°What item and where is it located?¡± Beckett Carmichael asked. ¡°At the peak of the Tempest Mountains, on a desolate mountaintop. I can give you exact coordinates, can you get it to me before dawn?¡± Julius Reed kept fiddling with the pebble in his hand. ¡°No problem! I¡¯ll arrange for someone to take care of it right away, and definitely bring it to Gonzalez City before dawn!¡± Beckett Carmichael pulls out his phone, ¡°I have a private plane, and I also have employees in the Tempest Mountains, I guarantee the task will be completed.¡± ¡°Good! After obtaining the item tomorrow, bring it directly here. Remember, it must be before dawn.¡± Julius Reed, looking into the distance, smiles and says, ¡°Have you finally run out of patience?¡± Splash! As he speaks, he shoots the pebble from his hand into the water, causing a splash. ¡°Master, do you enjoy this too? I like making splashes as well!¡± Beckett Carmichael, like a child, picks up pebbles and throws them hard into the water. ¡°Here are the coordinates, and the item is a long wooden case.¡± Julius Reed stands up, takes out a piece of parchment from his pocket, and hands it to Beckett Carmichael. After the two leave, a corpse wearing top-notch diving equipment surfaces on the water. The corpse¡¯s head has been pierced by the pebble. PS: Happy New Year! The Year of the Rat is here, wishing everyone good health and all the best. May each year be better than the last, a future bright as silk, and all your wishes come true! Thank you all for your support along the way. Thank you for your company. Chapter 524 - Chapter 524: 524 Chapter Stepping on Two Boats_1 Chapter 524: 524 Chapter Stepping on Two Boats_1 After finishing his instructions to Beckett Carmichael, Julius Reed walked leisurely toward his own home. Today¡¯s business with the Commercial Alliance had been taken care of. Bran Cook, his reputation ruined, found it nearly impossible to establish a foothold in Gonzalez City again. The only threat was the force behind Odingle. And the internal traitor from the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. The sailor lurking underwater just now was a spy sent by the Alliance¡¯s mole. Clearly, the woman trapped in Five-river Province, although she couldn¡¯t act on her own, had still managed to send out a message and summon her comrades. These people couldn¡¯t even wait until the new year, wanting to eliminate Julius Reed before the festivities. But. Would the once Dragon King fall so easily? The Wolf Cavalry, far in the capital, had sent news that Stacy Cook was indeed Ivan Reed¡¯s foster son, who had once secretly traveled to Africa on a confidential mission. Ivan Reed was the Family Head of the Davenport Family in the capital, and along with the Carmichael and Leocadia Families, was one of the four major families. But the Davenport Family had no tangible industries; it was like an invisible hand in the background, secretly manipulating many unseen transactions. And this Ivan Reed had many foster children, Stacy Cook being just one of them. After digging deeper, the Wolf Cavalry discovered that Stacy Cook¡¯s arrival in Gonzalez City was for a secret mission, which likely involved the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. This matched Julius Reed¡¯s assumptions¡ª the Davenport Family had cooperative relationships with some organizations under the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. As for that trip to Africa and the current mission in Gonzalez City, Julius Reed planned to deal with the force behind Odingle and then capture Stacy Cook for interrogation. The situation seemed to be getting more urgent¡­ When he arrived at the villa¡¯s entrance, he unexpectedly found Aron Jackson standing there, restlessly pacing and smoking. On seeing Julius Reed, he quickly approached and said excitedly, ¡°Big brother, you¡¯ve finally come back!¡± He threw the cigarette butt on the ground and stamped it out with his foot. ¡°What happened?¡± Julius Reed surveyed his surroundings to see only Aron Jackson, yet a car was parked nearby. ¡°Big brother, your little lover from Five-river Province, she¡¯s here!¡± Aron Jackson said anxiously, ¡°I couldn¡¯t stop her! She barged in with her luggage and brought a middle-aged woman with her.¡± ¡°A middle-aged woman?¡± Julius Reed pointed at the mansion, ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid that person could be dangerous? How careless! When have I ever had a lover?¡± He was truly about to explode with frustration. After following him for so long, Aron Jackson still lacked such basic judgment. ¡°Other than your sister-in-law, when have I ever messed with another woman?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s face darkened, feeling some concern in his heart. The most dangerous thing was the unvetted person inside, potentially threatening Quella Radcliffe. Even with Cosmo there, it was still too risky. ¡°There¡¯s no danger!¡± Aron Jackson said dejectedly, ¡°It¡¯s that girl you tossed a few billion to at the Global Hotel. She came here by plane, bringing along a middle-aged woman, looking for you.¡± ¡°Sophia Leocadia?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow and started to ponder, why would this young girl come looking for him? As for the middle-aged woman, she was most likely Dempsey Davenport¡¯s biological mother. He had only asked Sophia Leocadia to rescue the woman, not to send her to Five-river Province. ¡°This young lady¡­¡± Julius Reed shook his head and asked helplessly, ¡°How did she get in touch with you?¡± ¡°The Leocadia Family, one of the four major families, would not be mixing in the capital if they lacked that capability,¡± said Aron Jackson with a morose look, pulling out a cigarette from his pocket, putting it in his mouth, lighting it, and taking a drag. ¡°Big brother, how many sister-in-laws will I end up having?¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Julius Reed chided, then pretended to be nonchalant as he asked, ¡°When she arrived, what expression did your sister-in-law have?¡± Though there was nothing between himself and Sophia Leocadia, this young girl seemed to have taken an interest in him. With the arrival of a romantic rival, and just when his relationship with Quella Radcliffe was finally getting back on track, Julius Reed felt a headache coming on! Why do outstanding men always have a never-ending stream of troubles! ¡°Sister-in-law¡­ hehe!¡± Aron Jackson smirked lewdly, ¡°Today, sister-in-law is in a good mood. Even though you were kissed by Itai Huntington, sister-in-law is more dominant! And besides, a man that¡¯s caught Itai Huntington¡¯s eye can¡¯t be bad!¡± ¡°Bad your big ghost head!¡± Julius Reed coughed and asked seriously, ¡°On this matter, I truly have less experience than you. Analyze it for me, what should I do when I go in there?¡± Even though he had lived for a hundred thousand years, he had never put in effort into the affairs of the heart. After all, being so outstanding, women flocked to him without him having to do anything at all. The situation he was facing now was giving him a massive headache. ¡°I¡¯d rather duel with every top-notch person in this world than deal with these matters,¡± he said, sighing deeply in helplessness. ¡°Big brother, I think this matter is highly likely to start a war. He who hesitates is lost, and the slightest conflict between the two parties means you must firmly stand by sister-in-law¡¯s side!¡± Aron Jackson spoke seriously, ¡°Even though sister-in-law was all smiles when she first came in, that definitely must be because she¡¯s unaware! Think about it, how can someone else snore by the side of one¡¯s bed! Itai Huntington was just shamelessly flirting with you, but now she¡¯s at the doorstep!¡± ¡°Is it that serious?¡± Hearing Aron Jackson¡¯s words, Julius Reed also felt uncertain. But thinking about it, Sophia Leocadia had taken the initiative to come over, and with Quella Radcliffe¡¯s temper, she definitely wouldn¡¯t stand for it. However, Sophia Leocadia had not hesitated to help him out before, and had done so without asking for anything in return. This was putting him in a difficult position. ¡°Big brother, are you hesitant? Wanting to have a foot in two boats?¡± Aron Jackson quirked an eyebrow and with a sly glint in his eye, said, ¡°It¡¯s human nature. If it were me, facing two such stunning beauties, I¡¯d also plan to have a foot in two boats. So you just keep things balanced and send Sophia Leocadia away first. Tomorrow is the start of the festivities, she definitely has to catch a plane back tonight.¡± ¡°Two boats your head!¡± Julius Reed smacked Aron Jackson on the head and turned toward the mansion. ¡°We¡¯re all men, big brother, no need to be hard on yourself.¡± After saying that, Aron Jackson held his head and scurried away. The distance from the gate to the front door of the house was only three hundred meters. Yet, for Julius Reed, walking those three hundred meters felt as long as a century. When he pushed the door open, ready to break up a fight, he froze in place. ¡°You guys¡­¡± Just as he was about to ask if they weren¡¯t supposed to be fighting, Julius Reed saw a group of women making dumplings. Quella Radcliffe was rolling out dumpling wrappers while Sophia Leocadia, Dempsey Davenport, and Anna Harris were stuffing them. Bastien Yarrow was on the side, mixing the dumpling filling. It was a scene of harmony, filled with the ambiance of the New Year. ¡°Back already?¡± Quella Radcliffe looked up, smiling, and said, ¡°Wash your hands, come help out.¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± Julius Reed was a bit stunned. But he still changed into slippers and walked into the house. ¡°I just happened to bring Aunt Yarrow over, and I kind of missed you, so I flew right over,¡± said a sweet voice by Julius Reed¡¯s ear as he passed Sophia Leocadia. Chapter 525 - Chapter 525: Chapter 525: The Fox Spirit_1 Chapter 525: Chapter 525: The Fox Spirit_1 ¡°Ah¡­ thank you for saving Amanda¡¯s mom,¡± Julius Reed was taken aback for a moment, quickly pondering the situation in his mind before directly shifting the conversation to Dempsey Davenport. After all, Dempsey Davenport and Quella Radcliffe were close girlfriends, and since Sophia Leocadia had saved Bastien Yarrow this time, she could be considered Dempsey¡¯s benefactor. After saying this, he stealthily glanced at Quella Radcliffe. Thankfully, there was no ripple on Quella¡¯s face. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, that¡¯s what I should have done.¡± Sophia Leocadia giggled and leaned in close to Julius Reed, ¡°I couldn¡¯t wait to see you after the New Year, so I took a plane and rushed over here overnight. You¡¯re not mad, right?¡± Upon hearing this, Julius Reed actually began to slowly break out into a cold sweat on his forehead. ¡°Uh¡­ after the long journey, I should go wash my hands. I can¡¯t just watch you all make dumplings, can I?¡± He hurriedly slipped away to one side, washed his face first, trying to calm himself down. Sophia¡¯s forthrightness from the get-go had Julius completely at a loss. And Quella Radcliffe was standing right beside them. If the two parties actually came to blows, that would be one thing. But the fact that they were all gathered together, amicably making dumplings, was what gave Julius Reed a headache. The heart of a woman is as elusive as a needle at the bottom of the sea. No one can guess what women are thinking, not even Julius Reed. ¡°Julius Reed, weren¡¯t you going to wash your hands? Why wash your face? Have you done something so shameful you can¡¯t face anyone?¡± Anna Harris enjoyed stirring things up without fear of the consequences. She had now become a regular at the Radcliffe Family home, even usurping the right for Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe to stay in the same room. But faced with this unreasonable behavior, Julius Reed had no choice but to silently endure it. ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense, I haven¡¯t done anything to wrong Quella.¡± He hurriedly explained. ¡°Pah! Today you kissed Itai Huntington.¡± Anna Harris wiped her hand on her apron and then pulled out her phone to open her social media feed. ¡°Look at this! The photo of you kissing Itai Huntington is all over town! Julius Reed, wow, look at how capable you are! The widow of Gonzalez City, feared by everyone, actually initiated a kiss with you! Congratulations, you¡¯ve become a new celebrity!¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Julius Reed, looking at the photo of Itai Huntington kissing him on the screen, was at a loss for words for a moment. This darn girl, always bringing up the most inconvenient topics. Quella Radcliffe already had a thorn in her side because of this incident, but what¡¯s done was done, as the incident had already taken place. Now, while Sophia Leocadia was making a surprise visit, Anna Harris had brought it up again. Wasn¡¯t this adding insult to injury, pouring gasoline on the fire? ¡°What! Are you so ashamed that you want to lash out in anger, perhaps even hit someone?¡± Anna Harris looked up, snorted, and said, ¡°Quella, see how capable your husband is, fooling around outside yet not allowing others to speak of it?¡± Her antics made the atmosphere even more awkward. Bastien Yarrow kept a foolish smile, completely at a loss as to how to join in. Meanwhile, Dempsey Davenport, owing to the favor from Julius Reed and Sophia Leocadia, remained silent throughout. Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t say a word, just kept on pinching dumpling wrappers. Only Anna Harris stood tall, acting like a judge, questioning Julius Reed. ¡°Ancestor, have you forgotten the favor you promised me? Didn¡¯t we agree that you¡¯d speak ill of me less?¡± Seeing that taking a tough stance was ineffective, Julius Reed had to soften up. After all, he had given Nando Brandon a sound beating last time, directly avenging Anna Harris. How could someone be so ungrateful? ¡°Ah¡­ alright then!¡± Reminded by Julius this way, Anna Harris¡¯s eyes darted around, reluctantly saying, ¡°Then¡­ I¡¯ll let you off this time. After all, the favor I owe you means I can¡¯t expose your transgressions, right? So I can only apologize to my best friend, watching you mess around outside, yet powerless to do anything.¡± ¡°For fuck¡¯s sake! Is this supposed to be helping? I beg you to be a decent human being!¡± Julius Reed was speechless inside. Why did Anna Harris always seem like she wanted to stir up trouble? ¡°Ha! Men.¡± Anna Harris snorted lightly and looked towards Quella Radcliffe, ¡°He was never faithful when he was in Five-river Province. I heard at some vixen¡¯s birthday dinner he¡­¡± ¡°Cough! Cough!¡± Julius Reed coughed a few times. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Caught a cold? Better not pass it on to me!¡± Anna Harris raised an eyebrow, waving her hand dismissively, ¡°Hurry up and take some medicine! Anyway, I heard your husband threw away several billion at that birthday dinner. I¡¯m not saying it¡¯s true, but such news doesn¡¯t just come out of nowhere!¡± She actually thought the story was nonsense because where on earth could Julius Reed get that much money? Several billion? If there really was that much money, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s company wouldn¡¯t be in a financial crisis. Besides, to toss away several billion with a wave of his hand, how much wealth must someone have? If it was a few tens of thousands, Anna Harris might believe it. ¡°It¡¯s true.¡± Sophia Leocadia said with a smile, ¡°What you heard isn¡¯t rumor. That day, Julius Reed indeed scattered several billion in cash. It was like snowflakes falling from the sky.¡± ¡°Stop pulling my leg! Him¡­¡± Anna Harris gave Julius Reed a disdainful glance, ¡°If you said he scattered a few tens of thousands, I might not even believe it! He¡¯s such a miser and lives off women. Where would he get so much money?¡± ¡°It is true.¡± Sophia Leocadia nodded. ¡°Can we change the subject, please!¡± Julius Reed was too embarrassed! What was he supposed to say, how should he explain? He had no idea where Anna Harris had heard the gossip. Why did she seem to take such pleasure in causing problems between him and Quella Radcliffe, stirring up trouble wherever she could? ¡°What¡¯s the matter! Feeling guilty? Or did you really throw money at that vixen?¡± Anna Harris slammed the dumpling she was holding onto the table, and asked sternly, ¡°Tell the truth. How much money did you splash, and who is this vixen anyway!¡± ¡°Ten billion, not a penny less.¡± Sophia Leocadia, while wrapping dumplings, spoke with a laugh. ¡°Are you joking? Come on, even bragging should have limits! Him¡­¡± Anna Harris glanced at Julius Reed and snorted, ¡°He probably can¡¯t even come up with a hundred thousand!¡± After all, he was a son-in-law who had moved into his wife¡¯s family, and although she knew recently that Julius Reed was quite impressive, it was impossible for him to have had that much money back in Five-river Province. If he really had that much money, would he have been bullied for three years by the Radcliffe Family and called a loser by the people of Gonzalez City? ¡°It¡¯s true.¡± Sophia Leocadia insisted. ¡°How would you know?¡± Anna Harris never liked Sophia Leocadia, and anyone could see that the girl had a crush on Julius Reed. But since the girl brought a bunch of things with her and even brought Dempsey Davenport¡¯s mother along, no matter how unhappy Anna Harris was inside, she had to hold it in. Yet now, she was upset. Why should her best friend¡¯s husband always be under your protection? ¡°Look here, little girl, even if you¡¯re infatuated with my best friend¡¯s husband, you¡¯ve got to stay rational! Ten billion, you speak so convincingly¡­¡± ¡°Because, I am the vixen you¡¯re talking about!¡± Sophia Leocadia giggled, took out a black card from her pocket, and slid it in front of Anna Harris, ¡°This is the money Julius Reed scattered that day, not a penny less, all saved onto this card. At that time, I can¡¯t even tell you how many cash machines burned out.¡± After that, under Anna Harris¡¯s shocked gaze, Sophia Leocadia sent a text message to check the balance. Chapter 526 - Chapter 526: Chapter 526 I Believe in You_1 Chapter 526: Chapter 526 I Believe in You_1 ¡°Fine! Fine! Fine!¡± Anna Harris said somewhat displeased, ¡°I know you like my best friend¡¯s husband, but you don¡¯t have to blow his trumpet like that! Ten billion, might fool a child, but I¡¯m an adult!¡± The moment Sophia Leocadia took out the black card, Anna Harris was genuinely startled. But she calmed down quickly, her eyes full of disdain. Sure enough, such a child, daring to brag like this without fear of being laughed at. ¡°Sis, do you even grasp the concept of ten billion? If that were in cash, imagine how big a pile it would be! Even this house couldn¡¯t contain it all!¡± Looking at Sophia Leocadia, who was around twenty, Anna couldn¡¯t help but sigh, children are so easy to deceive. No idea what tricks Julius Reed had used to trick such an innocent and lovely young lady! Beast! Worse than a beast! ¡°Sister, if you don¡¯t believe me, please take a look.¡± Sophia Leocadia smiled and handed over her phone, waving it in front of Anna Harris. ¡°Spare me, how could such a low-level trick fool me?¡± Anna Harris looked at the long string of numbers on the screen and sneered. Definitely another trick to fool people. ¡°But I have a video here as well.¡± Sophia Leocadia didn¡¯t get angry but took out her phone, wanting to show Anna Harris the video from her birthday party. At the party, a few people had inadvertently recorded this heart-stopping video, which was later obtained by Joey Leocadia and saved on his phone. ¡°Sister, let¡¯s make dumplings first, I believe you.¡± Anna Harris didn¡¯t want to argue with a love-struck young girl, so she nodded dismissively. Ten billion, my foot! She wouldn¡¯t believe it, not even if she were beaten to death! The young lady might come from a wealthy family; otherwise, she couldn¡¯t have flown here and also casually bought a plane ticket for Dempsey Davenport¡¯s mother. When Dempsey Davenport had tried to pay for the ticket upon entering, Sophia Leocadia immediately refused. This righteous act did give Anna Harris a bit of a good impression. Otherwise, given her character, she would have driven Sophia Leocadia out long ago. ¡°Time to make dumplings!¡± Quella Radcliffe knocked on the table, looking at Julius Reed, ¡°Don¡¯t even think about slacking off! We¡¯re a bunch of girls making dumplings here, and you¡¯re just waiting to eat, aren¡¯t you ashamed?¡± ¡°I¡¯m coming, my dear wife!¡± Julius Reed breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that Dempsey Davenport hadn¡¯t mentioned Sophia Leocadia¡¯s identity to these people. The little princess of the Leocadia Family from the capital city, if Anna Harris were to hear of her, she¡¯d probably be so embarrassed she¡¯d want to crawl into a hole, right? With the Leocadia Family¡¯s hundreds of billions in assets, what¡¯s ten billion considered? ¡°Thank you!¡± As he passed by Sophia Leocadia, Julius Reed still said thank you. Although the Leocadia and Davenport families were relatives, in the eyes of Sophia Leocadia, Dempsey Davenport wasn¡¯t worth mentioning. She offered help only because of her regard for him. ¡°Cough! Cough!¡± Anna Harris coughed forcefully twice. ¡°If your throat is uncomfortable, we have medicine in the house!¡± Julius Reed said, annoyed. ¡°Pfft!¡± Anna Harris gave him a glance and continued with the dumplings. ¡°I heard from Sophia Leocadia that you¡¯re going to the capital city after New Year¡¯s to treat her grandfather?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Julius Reed¡¯s mind buzzed, this little princess, why does she have to tell everything! If it were any other time, he would explain things to Quella Radcliffe, his reasonable wife, and surely she would agree. But considering Sophia Leocadia¡¯s visit today, with Anna Harris stirring things up beside them, the atmosphere was clearly off. Discussing the trip to the capital city now just wasn¡¯t appropriate. ¡°I was asking her for a favor, owing her a favor¡­¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to explain, I trust you.¡± Quella Radcliffe said with a laugh. ¡°Really¡­¡± ¡°You jerk! Let me tell you, don¡¯t mess with Quella Radcliffe just because she¡¯s nice. If you really anger her, watch out¡ªshe might dump you and kick you out!¡± Anna Harris huffed angrily, Even taking the initiative to tenderly care for someone¡¯s illness? That¡¯s too despicable! Back in the Five-river Province, Julius Reed had already left a bad impression on her. And now, he¡¯s accumulated so many romantic debts, especially with the friend circle flooded with photos of Itai Huntington kissing Julius Reed. Anna Harris would get furious every time she saw them! She could hardly wait to dismember this jerk! It was a marvel how Quella Radcliffe could swallow her pride. No sooner had he fooled around with Itai Huntington than he¡¯s already flirting with an underage girl. Looking at Sophia Leocadia¡¯s manner, Anna Harris could guess she was a naive, just-of-age girl¡ªbeautiful and innocent. She must have been deceived by Julius Reed¡¯s sweet talk! While making dumplings, she had already hinted several times that Quella Radcliffe is Julius Reed¡¯s wife, even taking out the pictures of Julius Reed with Itai Huntington from today. She tried to bring Sophia to her senses. However, this young girl seemed to be brainwashed, not caring at all! ¡°If you guys don¡¯t want him, I¡¯ll take him! My house is big enough, he can just move right in,¡± Sophia Leocadia said opportunely. In an instant, the room fell into silence. Eerie. Everyone stopped what they were doing. This was practically a declaration of war on Quella Radcliffe. The mistress had come to the house and was making advances blatantly. ¡°I¡¯m just kidding.¡± Sophia Leocadia chuckled, which put Anna Harris at ease. She felt that, no matter how outrageous the young lady was, she couldn¡¯t possibly be so lacking in emotional intelligence, right? But before she could catch her breath, Sophia continued, ¡°If you guys really get divorced, I can just buy this place. That way, he won¡¯t have to move.¡± Anna Harris almost spat out blood! Dempsey Davenport and Bastien Yarrow were startled for a moment and then continued with their tasks. The little princess of the Leocadia family had the capability and could do it with ease. But Anna Harris obviously didn¡¯t know that; she assumed Sophia Leocadia was brainwashed by Julius Reed, so she directed all her anger at him. ¡°You scumbag! Tell me, how can you still have the face to stay in this house?¡± ¡°Damn it! Anna Harris, can you be quiet for a bit!¡± Julius Reed threw down the dumpling in his hand, turned to look at Quella Radcliffe, and said with a victimized tone, ¡°Wife, don¡¯t listen to her nonsense, I really didn¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°Of course, I believe you.¡± Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t seem angry, ¡°After all, with a man as outstanding as you, it¡¯s inevitable that women will take a liking to you. I¡¯ll have to face such challenges sooner or later anyway, might as well get used to it sooner!¡± ¡°Cosmo, washboard! Instant noodles!¡± Julius Reed declared righteously. ¡°Master, there are outsiders here! Are you¡­¡± Cosmo, leaning at the doorway, tentatively asked, ¡°Are you sure?¡± Cosmo could handle fighting and killing, but making dumplings was nearly the death of her! She simply hid inside the room, playing games. It was hard to imagine that the queen of the underground Shadow Warriors was also a gaming addict. ¡°Julius, go boil the water, get ready to cook the dumplings!¡± Quella Radcliffe turned and, seeing nearly two hundred dumplings in front of her, smiled at Julius Reed. ¡°Wife. Please believe me.¡± Julius Reed posed as if ready to make a noble sacrifice. ¡°I trust you.¡± Quella Radcliffe kissed him gently on the face, ¡°You¡¯re my husband, after all!¡± ¡°Alright! Off to boil the water I go!¡± Julius Reed was taken aback at first, but then he quickly ran to the kitchen to start boiling water. Chapter 527 - Chapter 527: Chapter 527 Stubborn Sophia Leocadia_1 Chapter 527: Chapter 527 Stubborn Sophia Leocadia_1 The dumplings smelled great, but Julius Reed couldn¡¯t taste a thing. Surrounded by women, he was the only man at the table. During the meal, Anna Harris took initiative to sit beside Julius Reed, with Quella Radcliffe on the other side, guarding their ¡®general¡¯ like the guards in a game of Chinese chess. Although Julius Reed was indeed quite handsome, he felt extremely nervous inside. This dinner was like a battlefield without smoke, the brief peace nothing more than the calm before the storm. ¡°After you finish eating, I¡¯ll take you back.¡± Julius Reed glanced at the clock on the wall; it was already getting late. If he didn¡¯t go back soon, Sophia Leocadia would probably have to stay at a hotel. It¡¯s ultimately unsafe for a girl to be alone. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving.¡± Sophia Leocadia, with a dumpling in her mouth, said cheerfully, ¡°Quella sister has already agreed to let me stay!¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± Julius Reed nearly choked to death on a dumpling. ¡°What?¡± He asked with wide eyes, truly wondering if he¡¯d misheard. ¡°I said, Quella sister has let me stay. Aren¡¯t you happy about it?¡± Sophia Leocadia blinked her big eyes innocently and looked at Julius Reed adorably. ¡°It was my consent. It¡¯s so late now, I¡¯m not comfortable with her staying in a hotel by herself. And since she¡¯s come from so far to bring Aunt Yarrow, we should at least extend some hospitality.¡± Quella Radcliffe added another dumpling to Julius Reed¡¯s bowl as she spoke calmly. ¡°When did this happen?¡± Julius Reed felt too surprised, unable to grasp how everything happened without his knowledge. Come on, the deed to the house has his name as the owner! ¡°While you were wrapping dumplings. Can¡¯t I decide on such a small matter, darling?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked with a hint of grievance. ¡°Sure!¡± Julius Reed nodded, ¡°You manage the house, I manage the affairs outside, so for things at home, I¡¯ll listen to you.¡± ¡°Tsk! Isn¡¯t it you who manage the house and Quella who manages outside?¡± Anna Harris commented disdainfully. Three years of cooking and doing laundry, yet you dare say you manage the outside? So shameless! Everything in the house had been earned through Quella¡¯s hard work outside. ¡°That¡¯s during the day! In the daytime, my wife manages outside, and I manage the house! But when night falls, naturally my wife manages the house, and I go out to buy food for her!¡± Julius Reed glared at Anna Harris. ¡°Pfft!¡± Anna Harris couldn¡¯t hold back her laughter. She turned to Quella Radcliffe and said seriously, ¡°See that? He¡¯s starting to sweet-talk. You¡¯d better be careful.¡± ¡°I warn you! Don¡¯t stir up trouble!¡± Julius Reed threatened Anna Harris with his chopsticks. ¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s not his fault.¡± Quella Radcliffe sent some dumplings over to Bastien Yarrow¡¯s side and continued, ¡°It might be Itai Huntington¡¯s mouth that¡¯s blessed.¡± ¡°Clang!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s chopsticks fell to the ground, and he sighed deeply, ¡°I¡¯m not eating anymore.¡± It¡¯s too hard! Just a meal. And he, being innocent, has now become a scumbag? Thinking about this, Julius Reed¡¯s anger surged, and he decided to vent his frustration on the powers behind Odingle! ¡°Hold on, you¡¯ll give up your room for Sophia, and you¡¯ll sleep on the sofa today.¡± Quella Radcliffe said indifferently. ¡°Alright then!¡± Julius Reed sighed. ¡°The blanket isn¡¯t enough; make sure you don¡¯t catch a cold on the couch.¡± Quella Radcliffe continued to speak. Indeed, women do hold grudges. But Julius Reed didn¡¯t feel angry; at least Quella Radcliffe cared about him. After dinner, everyone gradually went back to their rooms to rest, and Julius Reed lay alone on the couch, turning off the lights to sleep! There were still six hours until the forces behind Odingle landed ashore, and he had just enough time to rest for a while and wait for Beckett Carmichael¡¯s men to deliver the goods. The chubby man didn¡¯t disappoint him. Half an hour ago, Julius Reed received a message that the items had been found and were being prepared to be transported by private plane. Time trickled by, and at eleven o¡¯clock at night, Quella Radcliffe quietly came out and placed a blanket over Julius Reed. Indeed, she cared about him in her heart. No sooner had Quella Radcliffe left than Sophia Leocadia stealthily came out, holding a blanket in her arms as well. When she saw that Julius Reed already had a blanket over him, she was stunned for a moment, then squatted next to him, lost in her thoughts. And so, the time reached two o¡¯clock at night. Sophia Leocadia didn¡¯t leave, nor did she sleep. She just sat there the whole time. Julius Reed didn¡¯t sleep either. ¡°You probably have forgotten who I am. But I have always remembered you, never once forgetting.¡± Sophia Leocadia suddenly spoke, causing Julius Reed to feel a pang in his heart. Wasn¡¯t this young lady muttering in her sleep? ¡°As a child, I was mischievous, and sneaked out to the streets when my family wasn¡¯t paying attention. Do you know, when I saw the oncoming truck, my heart was terrified!¡± ¡°But you, like a superhero from the comics, just swept me up in your arms! Since then, I¡¯ve been thinking, when I grow up, I must marry you.¡± ¡°So I made a wish every year on my birthday, praying to heaven that I¡¯d meet you again. Maybe I really touched the heavens because on my eighteenth birthday, you appeared.¡± ¡°There were no rainbow clouds, just an electric scooter.¡± With that, Sophia Leocadia let out a snort of laughter. ¡°It was you!¡± Just then, Julius Reed grabbed her hand to signal her to be silent. ¡°You¡­ you haven¡¯t slept!¡± Sophia Leocadia was startled, obviously not expecting that Julius Reed hadn¡¯t fallen asleep! Then what she had just said¡­ Sophia Leocadia¡¯s face turned crimson; she thought Julius Reed had been asleep long ago. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that the little girl I saved back then would grow up to be this beautiful.¡± Julius Reed gave a wry smile, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, we can¡¯t possibly have a future together. You¡¯ve seen it, I have a wife. I love her very much, and she loves me a lot.¡± ¡°I know, but I can be the other woman! Your sister needs someone to take care of her too!¡± Sophia Leocadia giggled, seemingly not feeling that this detracted from the Leocadia family princess¡¯s dignity. If people knew that the Leocadia family princess actually wanted to be someone¡¯s mistress, the Leocadia family members would lose all face! ¡°It¡¯s impossible, I am a dangerous person, being with me would only put you in peril. Moreover, I can only love my wife, no one else. You are young and so beautiful; you will definitely find the right person.¡± Julius Reed felt helpless. ¡°Aside from you, I won¡¯t marry anyone else. Even if there¡¯s danger, if Quella Radcliffe can withstand it, so can I.¡± Sophia Leocadia insisted stubbornly. ¡°The danger I am talking about isn¡¯t just talk; it¡¯s real! There will be countless Shadow Warriors, countless enemies, wanting my life! But before I die, I¡¯ll fend off everything for my wife, to allow her to live as normal a life as possible. Sophia, please give up.¡± Julius Reed glanced at the clock on the wall. It was three-thirty in the morning. Half an hour remained until those people were due. ¡°I can.¡± Sophia Leocadia nodded. ¡°Then come with me, if what you see later doesn¡¯t scare you, then I won¡¯t send you away again.¡± Julius Reed threw off the blanket and looked down at the ground floor. A sedan with flashing hazard lights had already stopped at the front gate. Chapter 528 - Chapter 528: Chapter 528 The Eve of the Great Battle_1 Chapter 528: Chapter 528 The Eve of the Great Battle_1 ¡°You¡¯re not stopping him? Just watching them go out and mess around?¡± In Quella Radcliffe¡¯s bedroom, Anna Harris looked at the two figures leaving, angrily saying. Since Sophia Leocadia left the room, the two women hadn¡¯t slept. Anna Harris had been crouched at the door, trying to see what the two of them were up to. Quella Radcliffe was also filled with heavy thoughts. After what happened during the day, she realized that she had fallen in love with her husband without knowing when it started. When Itai Huntington kissed Julius Reed, she felt angry and jealous. And when Sophia Leocadia came in, Quella Radcliffe was even more nervous. But she believed in Julius Reed. For three years, she had diligently done household chores at home, and even though they had money now, her man still spoiled and loved her the same; she had no reason not to trust him. If money could corrupt people, then Julius Reed, after suddenly coming into money, hadn¡¯t changed his attitude towards her at all. He even tried wholeheartedly to please her, ignoring the pursuit of many beautiful women. But Quella Radcliffe was a woman after all, and seeing other women get close to Julius Reed made her a bit queasy. Plus, with Anna Harris¡¯s incessant analysis fanning the flames, she was in a completely agitated state of mind. If Sophia Leocadia hadn¡¯t saved Dempsey Davenport¡¯s mother, she probably wouldn¡¯t have allowed Sophia Leocadia to stay the night here. ¡°Forget it, I trust him.¡± Quella Radcliffe leaned against the door, saying weakly. ¡°Quella Radcliffe! Have you gone mad!¡± Anna Harris shouted in frustration, ¡°That¡¯s your husband! If you don¡¯t love him, then divorce him. If you do, fight to get him back!¡± Although the two hadn¡¯t seen each other in many years, they had always kept in touch. From when Quella Radcliffe got married to now, Anna Harris had almost controlled every phase of her relationship with Julius Reed. From the initial discomfort and aversion to gradually getting used to him, and then to some inexplicable fondness. None of it had escaped her eyes. The ones who know women best are often women themselves. ¡°Mm.¡± Quella Radcliffe nodded, ¡°I won¡¯t give up. Why should I step aside now when I was the one with him during his most down-and-out three years?¡± ¡°My sister, I¡¯ve been waiting for you to say that! Now let¡¯s strategize on how to fight the mistress!¡± The two who hadn¡¯t slept all night were now full of fighting spirit. ¡­ ¡°Boss, is it appropriate to bring a woman?¡± In the car, Aron Jackson looked at Julius Reed beside Sophia Leocadia, asking apprehensively. This wasn¡¯t for romance or a vacation. This was them actually going out to kill someone! ¡°What¡¯s there to be afraid of, are you worried I¡¯ll hold you back?¡± Sophia Leocadia leaned into Aron Jackson¡¯s ear, unhappy, ¡°I can take care of myself, you don¡¯t need to be distracted by me.¡± ¡°Boss, are you really planning to take her? The girl isn¡¯t old, she might not be able to handle the shock!¡± Aron Jackson ignored Sophia Leocadia and turned his head from the passenger seat to look at Julius Reed in the back. As the Leocadia Family¡¯s young mistress, if anything really happened to Sophia Leocadia in Gonzalez City, it would surely cause a huge uproar. In other words, Sophia Leocadia was a huge trouble in herself! ¡°I brought her here to disillusion her. I¡¯ve already told her beforehand. For many things, seeing is believing; maybe after witnessing what will happen soon, she¡¯ll decide to go back to the capital and be a peaceful young mistress.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes were half-closed as he asked inquiringly, ¡°Where¡¯s that gang¡¯s boat now?¡± ¡°In fifteen minutes, it¡¯ll sail to the dock. Boss, the enemies are all elite members; should I call for reinforcements?¡± Aron Jackson asked worriedly. According to the intelligence he had and Julius Reed¡¯s instructions, it wasn¡¯t just one group of people that would come to Gonzalez City¡¯s dock today. The faction within the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance involved in the rebellion was likely to show themselves here for the first time. Those who were coming did not mean well. The good do not come. ¡°You must protect Sophia Leocadia, and don¡¯t let her get hurt, or I¡¯ll have a hard time explaining.¡± After Julius Reed spoke, he opened his eyes and looked at Sophia Leocadia, speaking seriously for the first time, ¡°You must listen to him, and don¡¯t cause me any trouble! The situation later will be very dangerous, and if I get distracted, I will likely get hurt, understand?¡± ¡°Mm.¡± Sophia Leocadia nodded her head like a woodpecker, ¡°Boss, what exactly are you going to do? Why do you assume that once I see it, I will leave you? In fact, I have already made all the preparations and will not give up no matter what.¡± Her gaze was determined, and her two little fists were clenched tightly. ¡°To kill.¡± Julius Reed leaned back in the rear seat and said indifferently, ¡°I have to kill a lot of people.¡± ¡°Even if you¡¯re a murderer¡­ I won¡¯t leave you.¡± Sophia Leocadia lowered her head, her face still showing unprecedented determination. What does killing matter? She was willing to wander the ends of the earth with Julius Reed. The car slowly came to a stop. Beckett Carmichael, who had been waiting at the dock for a long time, hurried over to open the car door for Julius Reed. ¡°Hey! Isn¡¯t that the cheeky girl from the Leocadia family! Where¡¯s Mr. Reed?¡± When he saw that the person in the seat was Sophia Leocadia, he was completely stunned. ¡°Sophia Leocadia, what are you doing here instead of staying in the capital!¡± Beckett Carmichael looked inside and, fortunately, saw that Julius Reed was still there. So he closed the car door and ran directly to the other side, eagerly opening the door, ¡°Mr. Reed, everything has been taken care of!¡± Snap! He lightly snapped his fingers. Immediately, two staff members brought over a long wooden chest. ¡°Beckett Carmichael!¡± Only at this moment did Sophia Leocadia recognize the chubby man in front of her. As she got out of the car, she felt a bit of coolness. The wind and waves at Gonzalez City dock were quite strong, carrying the fishy scent of seawater. Sophia Leocadia subconsciously tightened her clothes and trotted up to Beckett Carmichael, ¡°Boss Carmichael, what are you doing here too?¡± ¡°Hey! I was about to ask you the same!¡± Beckett Carmichael turned his head to look at Sophia Leocadia, just about to speak when it seemed he understood something. ¡°You and Julius¡­¡± His eyes darted around, thinking that if Julius Reed was so formidable, it wouldn¡¯t be surprising for him to have hooked up with the Leocadia family¡¯s daughter, would it? ¡°Yeah, what about it!¡± Sophia Leocadia stood on her tiptoes and said with a giggling smile. However, it was beyond her expectations that Beckett Carmichael knew Julius Reed. And it seemed, Beckett Carmichael actually respected Julius Reed quite a bit? ¡°Take good care of Sophia Leocadia for me, and don¡¯t let her come into any danger.¡± Julius Reed caught the wooden chest with one hand and gently stroked the patterns on it. ¡°Fifty years. Old friend, it¡¯s time for you to see the light of day again.¡± His mouth lifted slightly at the corners, and then he violently slammed the chest to the ground! Crack! The wood chest, already full of age, shattered in an instant, and at the same moment, Julius Reed grabbed with both hands! A cloak and a longsword glittering with golden light suddenly appeared in his hands. Whir! Afar on the river, the sound of a ship¡¯s horn blared. At this moment, the sky was still dark, with no signs of the sun rising. ¡°Mr. Reed, they have arrived. There are many experts on board, so you must be careful!¡± Beckett Carmichael looked at the distant ship, his legs trembling slightly. Chapter 529 - Chapter 529: Chapter 529 Riding the Wind and Breaking the Waves_1 Chapter 529: Chapter 529 Riding the Wind and Breaking the Waves_1 ¡°Sophia Leocadia, if you want to leave now, it¡¯s not too late.¡± Julius Reed turned his head and looked at Sophia Leocadia, who was trembling slightly behind him, and said coldly, ¡°If you don¡¯t leave, this may become the nightmare of your life!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not leaving.¡± Sophia Leocadia shook her head, appearing very composed, as if she had a strength that girls of her age shouldn¡¯t possess. ¡°Friends from afar have come, and though they¡¯re far, they¡¯ll be annihilated.¡± Staring at the steamboat getting closer on the river, Julius Reed gently caressed the golden longsword in his hand and, with a swoosh, donned his cape. On the back of the cape, eight golden dragons were encircling! ¡°This¡­¡± Seeing the glittering golden cape, Beckett Carmichael¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Why are there eight¡­¡± He muttered under his breath. After checking several times, he was certain there were eight dragons symmetrically arranged, four on each side. ¡°Because, Brother Davenport is also a dragon. Together, that makes nine,¡± said Sophia Leocadia, gazing at Julius Reed with a star-struck look, despite the strong sea breeze and her feeling cold. But this stubborn young girl still stood in the same spot, motionless. ¡°The autumn mist scatters, and the cold flowers bury.¡± Julius Reed looked at the inscribed text on the Golden Dragon Sword and slowly recited, ¡°Misty smoke rises, and the night is far from over¡­¡± Whoosh! He leaped into the air! Stepping on the waves, he headed straight for the steamboat! ¡°My goodness! Is that even possible!¡± Beckett Carmichael¡¯s eyes bulged as if he had seen something incredible. He had only seen such Qinggong, walking on water, in ¡°The Legend of the Condor Heroes¡± TV series. This was the first time he had seen it performed by a living person. Sophia Leocadia also trembled with disbelief in her eyes, which quickly returned to calm. Only Aron Jackson, leaning silently against the car, lit a cigarette and shook his head, ¡°Inexperienced¡­¡± ¡­ ¡°Sir, are our enemies that strong?¡± Inside the steamboat¡¯s lounge, a fat man sat on the couch, chewing on a cigar. In front of him stood a man holding a longsword, half-naked. ¡°Odingle says he¡¯s very tough! He defeated our strongest bodyguard and wrecked that shop!¡± After puffing on his cigar, the fat man crossed his legs and said, ¡°Anyway, the higher-ups are furious, and they¡¯ve spent a lot of money hiring a bunch of Shadow Warriors. If those guys kill him before you get the chance, then you¡¯d make money for nothing. Why not be happy about that?¡± ¡°No! Sir! Please respect me! I am a warrior! Warriors need to defend their honor, not make money for nothing like you said,¡± the half-naked man banged his chest with his longsword, angrily saying, ¡°Will you understand if I take this as an insult? If I¡¯m not needed, then I won¡¯t take a single penny of this money! Please, keep your respect for a warrior!¡± ¡°Fine! Fine! Fine!¡± The fat man waved his hand impatiently, ¡°If the kill isn¡¯t yours, I won¡¯t give you a dime, okay?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the right decision! Once I¡¯ve killed him, I will definitely claim my reward from you!¡± The half-naked man sheathed his longsword and glanced at the coast, ¡°The time is almost upon us. Should we act now? Please provide me with the whereabouts of the other party. I just need an hour, and I will come to you with his head!¡± The man was half-naked on the upper body, wearing a tiger skin long skirt on the lower. Several feathers were stuck in his hair. In his hand, though his longsword was rust-streaked, no one dared to underestimate him. ¡°Baturu Eulalia, please keep quiet! Will you?¡± The portly man in the suit shouted impatiently, ¡°I haven¡¯t slept all night, please, there¡¯s a plan even to killing people, OK? Give me some time, the specifics will be arranged from higher up! I¡¯m just a servant in the Roosevelt family, these things aren¡¯t for me to decide!¡± If it weren¡¯t for the half-naked man holding that longsword in front of him, he would have cursed him out! Baturu Eulalia, the number one warrior of the western American rainforest. The longsword in his hands could chop a sedan in half in one stroke, his strength immense, and his manner fierce. It¡¯s just that his brain wasn¡¯t too bright. ¡°I briefly counted earlier, and there are dozens of Shadow Warriors on the boat. If I knew it was going to be like this, I definitely wouldn¡¯t have gotten mixed up in these murky waters!¡± Baturu glared angrily at the portly man in the well-polished suit, ¡°Brian, you¡¯ve made me very angry!¡± ¡°Sorry, Warrior Baturu, please go back and rest. I assure you that we will make you satisfied.¡± Brian stood up helplessly and bowed deeply, ¡°Please, let me have some peace.¡± Ever since getting on the ship, Baturu had been pacing around him, constantly speaking all sorts of bizarre things. ¡°Not good, there¡¯s someone on the river!¡± Just then, a blonde man pushed open the door of the room and spoke out. ¡°What? Are you joking? This is the vast ocean! Someone¡¯s surfing on the sea?¡± Brian glanced at his watch; it was only four-thirty in the morning. ¡°Who¡¯d be so bored as to surf at this hour!¡± ¡°Sir, it¡¯s not surfing! There¡¯s someone standing on the surface of the sea, sprinting nonstop! And they¡¯re heading for our ship!¡± The man spoke in urgency. If he hadn¡¯t seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn¡¯t have believed it. A sci-fi movie? Too far-fetched! But the reality was right before their eyes, the man wrapped in a cloak, one hand holding a glittering longsword, constantly stepping on the waves, dashing across the river¡¯s surface! ¡°Damn it! Let¡¯s go see for ourselves!¡± Brian threw the cigar in his hand aside and hurried to the bow of the ship. At this moment, quite a number of people had already gathered on the deck. Behind Odingle, the powerful family, was the Roosevelt family. This family had vast power in the Americas, with reach and influence that touched the sky. They had close cooperation with many underground organizations. So, when the head of the Roosevelt family heard that Odingle¡¯s Northern restaurant had been smashed, they immediately mobilized manpower and rushed to Gonzalez City for revenge! Even if Odingle was just a distant relative of the Roosevelt family, they wouldn¡¯t allow anyone to challenge their authority. ¡°What kind of monster is this?¡± ¡°My God, are they shooting a movie? Chinese kung fu is too powerful!¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to post this on IG, let my wife and kids see it, can¡¯t believe such interesting stuff actually happens!¡± Many Shadow Warriors, upon hearing the news, came out onto the deck one after the other. When they saw Julius Reed stepping on the waves, every one of them was incredibly shocked! This was completely against human nature, not conforming to Newtonian mechanics. ¡°Telescope!¡± Brian stretched out his hand and immediately someone passed a telescope to him. Through the telescope, upon seeing Julius Reed on the surface of the sea, he was shocked inside. Was it really the man they were targeting? Brian reached into his pocket and took out a photo. It was a photo of Julius Reed captured by Odingle¡¯s surveillance, and although the Northern restaurant was destroyed, the box that stored the surveillance footage was retrieved by him. ¡°Stop gawking! Those with hidden weapons, take aim! He is the one we need to kill!¡± Brian put away the photo and shouted nervously. Chapter 530 - Chapter 530: Chapter 530: Blind Snipe_1 Chapter 530: Chapter 530: Blind Snipe_1 At the moment his words ended, at least three hidden weapon boxes were already pointing at Julius Reed. Everyone on the deck was a professional Shadow Warrior, already a Boss figure in their respective industries. This time, due to the huge sum of money offered by the Roosevelt family, and their ongoing dealings with the Roosevelt family, they had all rushed here. In fact, not only Baturu Eulalia but also the other Shadow Warriors on the deck felt they were somewhat underutilized. Each of them could hold their own, yet now so many had come to kill just one Eastern man. They all felt equally displeased. ¡°Hey, guys! Mind letting me throw the first dart, so you won¡¯t have anything to bother with?¡± A man in his fifties, carrying a golden hidden weapon box and puffing on a pipe, said. ¡°Sorry, if I throw the dart first, you might as well go home and play with your kids, Uncle!¡± A man in his thirties, standing by his side, said with a grin. At that moment, he was chewing a straw, seemingly waiting for everyone to decide who would throw the first dart. If he hit the target and others missed, wouldn¡¯t it be a big loss? The first dart was crucial. ¡°If you two throw darts before me, I¡¯ll end up cleaning up your mess.¡± The third person was also very reluctant. None of them seemed to be in the mood to throw their darts, as if they were unwilling to share the victory with others. Having made a grand journey across borders to an Eastern coastal city in Lancas City, if they returned empty-handed, it would be too disappointing. At the very least, they wanted to ensure that this weak target died by their own hands. ¡°How about we decide with rock-paper-scissors?¡± None of the three wanted to give up the opportunity, but seeing the man getting closer, the dart had to be thrown! ¡°Then make it quick, I¡¯m in a hurry to kill someone!¡± ¡°Exactly! Let¡¯s do rock-paper-scissors!¡± The three hidden weapon users all put down their weapons and started to play rock-paper-scissors. Soon, the youngest among them won the contest and earned the right to throw the first dart. Such an absurd scene was not at all surprising to those on the deck. Those Shadow Warriors even felt quite regretful. If they were also adept at using darts, could they have had their moment of glory today? ¡°Just treat it as a vacation; after all, we¡¯re getting paid!¡± They consoled themselves with such remarks. Mingling in the world of Martial Artists, they all knew each other¡¯s strengths. Facing such an obviously exposed target, one dart was enough. ¡°Lucky you, you little rascal!¡± The remaining two who hadn¡¯t won put away their weapons and stood silently on the deck smoking. ¡°Indeed, downright unlucky.¡± None of them doubted the young man would miss. ¡°Forget it, let¡¯s go back to sleep! To come all this distance just for such an ending.¡± The others also felt dispirited and were about to turn around and leave. ¡°Gentlemen, how about watching my performance? Since we¡¯re all here, we might as well enjoy the show for a while longer.¡± The young man who had won the contest took out a black cloth from his mouth and slowly wrapped his eyes with it. ¡°Blind?¡± Seeing his actions, everyone suddenly took interest. ¡°This is getting interesting, huh!¡± Even the other two dart throwers found it interesting, feeling confident in their own skills to take such a risk. ¡°Gentlemen, watch closely!¡± The young man steadied his breathing and then lifted the hidden weapon box in his hands. Whoosh! The dart pierced through the air, headed straight for Julius Reed on the river! Everyone held their breath, watching each move on the river surface. This was a blind throw! The significance was profound! If it really hit the target, then without a doubt, the young man would become famous in one fell swoop! He might even overtake the two standing by his side in terms of fame. Blind shooting was the ultimate test for a concealed weapon user! ¡°My God! Are you an angel?¡± Seeing the figure on the river vanish in an instant, everyone on the deck erupted! ¡°Heavens! Paul, you¡¯re a genius!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been playing with guns for so many years, and even I wouldn¡¯t dare to blind snipe like you just did. Paul, you¡¯re an excellent dart player!¡± Two equally skilled dart masters couldn¡¯t help but praise him. Indeed, he was formidable and they had to admit it. After all, the target was a fast-moving person, whose position kept changing every moment. Blind sniping involved not just expert dart skills, but also accurate judgment. ¡°Well done! Paul, you are indeed a god of darts, and Roosevelt has not misjudged you.¡± After clapping his hands in praise, Brian took out his cell phone to call his master, Roosevelt Kaman. ¡°Master, hello!¡± He said with pride, ¡°Just as I expected, you overestimated this Eastern man. In the face of our formidable Shadow Warrior team, our Mr. Paul took him down with just a single blind dart!¡± Brian switched the video to Paul¡¯s location. ¡°Hi! Lord Roosevelt, I am delighted to serve you! The opponent was so weak, I didn¡¯t even want to show off my dart-throwing.¡± Paul rested the dart on his shoulder, took out a cigarette from his chest pocket, and slowly lit it. ¡°Whoosh!¡± He blew a smoke ring, and drawled, ¡°Thanks for the US Dollars, I like them a lot.¡± ¡°Paul, you really are outstanding!¡± In the video, a man in a tailcoat nodded his head in approval. ¡°Master, I request to return to base now. Please prepare a dinner for the warriors.¡± Brian said with a smile. ¡°What¡¯s that!¡± Just then, a cry of surprise came from the crowd. That cry instantly captured everyone¡¯s attention as they looked over and saw that the young man from before was once again on the sea surface¡ªand even faster than before! ¡°My master, there has been a slight mishap. I will explain via video shortly.¡± Brian quickly hung up and took out his binoculars to observe closely, ¡°My god! How is it still him!¡± Through the binoculars, the person coming across the sea and stepping on the waves was Julius Reed! ¡°Impossible!¡± The one with the ugliest face in the crowd was none other than Paul. He stomped out his cigarette butt and once again took up his dart box, aiming it at Julius Reed. Suddenly, he triggered the mechanism! Whoosh! That sound directly gripped everyone¡¯s hearts! But this time, Julius Reed did not disappear into thin air! Instead¡­ He abruptly swung the golden dragon sword in his hand! Clang! The dart struck the blade of the sword, and after sparking a dazzling flash of light, it ricocheted straight back! Spurt! The bronze dart head whistled out, and even before Paul could react to what had happened, The dart had already penetrated his skull. Right between the eyebrows! ¡°My God!¡± Seeing Paul with his eyes wide open, dead without closing them, everyone on the deck involuntarily gasped in shock. A chill ran down their spines, straight to the crown of their heads! Goosebumps covered their scalps! ¡°Quick! Take him down!¡± Brian finally realized that this opponent seemed very strong. Far beyond their expectations! ¡°Shoot!¡± In fact, without his command, the other two were already prepared. But Paul¡¯s death cast a shadow over their hearts! Even the hands holding the darts trembled slightly. A dart player who couldn¡¯t hold his darts steady was essentially rendered powerless in combat. Bang! Bang! Two darts were fired. They created two splashes on the water surface. Meanwhile, Julius Reed had already reached the bow of the boat, and with a leap, Chapter 531 - Chapter 531: Chapter 531: The Great Zhou Stormy Night Sword_1 Chapter 531: Chapter 531: The Great Zhou Stormy Night Sword_1 ¡°Prepare to attack!¡± What initially seemed like a trivial matter had suddenly become complex! Paul, who had been basking in joy just half a minute ago, was now nothing more than a corpse with some residual warmth. As for the others, their composure slipped from elegant confidence to panic-stricken disarray! Escape a dart and even walk on water as if treading on waves, it was evident he was a master! Such a person¡¯s combat prowess was deep and unfathomable. ¡°Go to hell! I¡¯ll send you to meet Satan!¡± After Julius Reed charged over, the first ones he confronted were those two men with the hidden weapon boxes. Facing Julius Reed who leapt onto the deck, they roared as they lifted up the hidden boxes in their hands, attempting to overpower him with a strike! ¡°God save me! Send this devil to hell, so he may never reincarnate!¡± The hidden weapon boxes in their hands were made of pure steel and could easily be used as close-range weapons in case of an enemy¡¯s surprise attack. Clang! With a flash of sparks, the two dart-throwers at the front were cleaved in half at the waist! Clang! The broken parts of the hidden weapon boxes scattered across the deck, fragments strewn all around. ¡°Hiss!¡± All eyes were drawn to Julius Reed, and everyone couldn¡¯t hep but draw a sharp breath, their gaze filled with tension and a hint of fear. They had seen strong fighters before. In fact, they themselves were among the strong. But this man before them had just killed three people in a supremely domineering manner! He then stood alone with a sword on the deck, looking at them with a cold demeanor. The deterrent effect had been achieved! Panic continued to spread unchecked. ¡°You¡­ who are you!¡± Brian asked this foolish question, manifesting his instinctive reaction. In essence, what he was really asking was¡­ Are you human or a ghost? Having evaded the dart master¡¯s darts and killed two top Shadow Warriors with a single sword strike was proof enough of his formidable strength. ¡°The one who will kill you.¡± Julius Reed stood tall on the deck, his cloak billowing in the sea breeze. ¡°Such arrogance!¡± Brian swallowed hard, instinctively retreating: ¡°I am surrounded by the best Shadow Warriors in the world. You are heading down a path of certain death!¡± After the initial panic, everyone began to calm down. After all, they were people who had crawled through life and death situations, so when faced with such an adversary, rationality was necessary after the fleeting fear. Otherwise, they would have lost before the fight even started. ¡°I¡¯m short on time, so all of you come at me together,¡± Julius Reed gently caressed his Golden Dragon Sword, lifting his head to look at the Shadow Warriors before him: ¡°Or, I¡¯ll kill you all in one go.¡± ¡°This cloak, it looks familiar!¡± On the ship, an elderly man seemed to recognize the cloak very well. ¡°Nine dragons decorated upon it, a supreme sign of authority! You are audacious indeed!¡± He looked at Julius Reed¡¯s young face and asked aloud, ¡°Who was your mentor?¡± ¡°If we¡¯re going to fight, then fight. No need for idle talk.¡± Julius Reed gave a faint smile and suddenly sprang forward! Thud! A Shadow Warrior didn¡¯t have time to react and was cut in half at the waist! It should be noted that this Shadow Warrior, who died on the spot, had once defeated dozens of people by himself. Having taken countless lives, he was known as Ghost¡¯s Anxiety. But now, he couldn¡¯t survive even a single move. Directly severed into two. ¡°Allow me to test your skills!¡± A middle-aged man holding a long spear dashed toward Julius Reed: ¡°Devine King with the Dark Staff, Sares! Enlighten me! I am very curious about your Eastern martial arts¡­¡± Clang! With a metallic clash, Julius Reed¡¯s Golden Dragon Sword plunged straight into Sares¡¯s body. ¡°Want to experience Eastern martial arts? You¡¯re not worthy!¡± With a light push, Sares fell to the ground, eyes wide open, each hand clutching a piece of the broken staff. The atmosphere grew even more eerie. Everyone present understood each other¡¯s backgrounds. In fact, Sares, the Divine King of the Underworld Staff, was not only strong, but he was also the number one staff master in Satellite Continent! The staff in his hand could smash a three-meter-thick tree, and even among the stars gathered on this ship, his strength could still rank in the top eight! But now, he had been killed by a single sword strike! Even the iron staff that had accompanied him for decades had broken. ¡°Autumn mists scatter the chilled blossom burials.¡± Just then, the man who had spoken earlier stepped out from the crowd, looking indifferently at Julius Reed, ¡°In your hand, do you have the Great Zhou Lanyi Sword?¡± ¡°The Great Zhou Lanyi Sword?¡± When they heard this name, some people on the ship were surprised. They couldn¡¯t understand why Mr. Hart would ask such a question. The Great Zhou Lanyi Sword, a renowned sword of the world! Legend has it that it was forged during the Zhou Dynasty of China, taking a total of eighty-one years to create. Whether in terms of material or killing power, it ranked among the top ten famous swords in the world. The reason the people on the ship remembered it was because, decades ago, someone with the Great Zhou Lanyi Sword had defeated eighteen renowned western fighters in a single night. It shocked the world! That person was rumored to be a young man, just over twenty years old, yet his swordsmanship was unmatched in the world. That year coincided with the Western martial arts world claiming that Chinese kung fu was all for show and lacked substance. In the face of countries ousting Chinese martial arts schools, the young man appeared dramatically and thoroughly shattered the face of the Western martial arts world! However, as time passed, those who had seen the young man had gradually passed away. And most of those present had only heard of this incident through the stories passed down from their masters¡¯ generation. ¡°Hart, are you sure you¡¯re not mistaken?¡± Someone spoke up. After his dramatic emergence, the owner of the Great Zhou Lanyi Sword quickly disappeared. Even this number one sword of the world was only known by that line of verse. Coincidentally, Hart was ten years old at the time and had the privilege of witnessing this exceptional famous sword! ¡°Yes, how so? No, what then?¡± Julius Reed glanced indifferently at the people on the ship, looked at the surrounding sea, and smiled, ¡°Indeed, it is a fine burial place.¡± ¡°Arrogant!¡± The crowd couldn¡¯t help but curse. After all, there were dozens of people on the ship, each a well-known Shadow Warrior. And the other side, was merely one man standing alone. ¡°That person back then, was just about your age!¡± Mr. Hart looked at the sword in Julius Reed¡¯s hand, fervently saying, ¡°Before my master died, his biggest regret was not being able to witness the grandeur of the Great Zhou Lanyi Sword! Now, if I kill you and take this sword, I can bury it in front of my master¡¯s grave.¡± As he spoke, he exuded an endless murderous intent. ¡°Judging by your age, you should be his fourth generation disciple. However, the sins left by your forefather can only be atoned for by you!¡± As he spoke, two short blades appeared in Hart¡¯s hand! ¡°Hart¡¯s abilities are strong! If he goes all out, he might just be able to kill that man!¡± ¡°Of course! Hart is one of the top three on this ship, it¡¯s just a question of whether he can maintain his strong physique at his age.¡± ¡°Rest easy, Hart never fights a battle he¡¯s not sure of winning! I¡¯ll bet half a million that within three moves, Hart will kill him!¡± Everyone¡¯s mood was considerably lightened. Clang! Clang! But when Hart charged at Julius Reed, his short blades were directly knocked away by two sword strikes! The third sword strike pierced directly through Hart¡¯s chest. ¡°Just like your master back then, you couldn¡¯t stand a single blow.¡± Julius Reed whispered gently in Hart¡¯s ear. ¡°You¡­¡± Hart¡¯s eyes widened as he trembled, looking at Julius Reed. ¡°Indeed, the one who killed your master that year, was me.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s lips curled into a slight arc as he pushed him away. PS: I¡¯ve been down with a cold these past few days, and I¡¯ve been struggling to keep up with the updates, for which I¡¯m truly sorry. I would like to apologize to my readers here. Also, this flu season is quite severe, so everyone please remember to wear masks and take care of your health, stay safe. Chapter 532 - Chapter 532: Chapter 532 Return_1 Chapter 532: Chapter 532 Return_1 ¡°Plop!¡± When the corpse fell on the deck, the air fell silent. The cold sea breeze, mixed with the scent of blood, reached everyone¡¯s nostrils. Although it was four o¡¯clock in the morning, no one felt sleepy. They looked at the incredibly powerful man in front of them, their hearts already saturated with fear. They had fought for their lives on the edge of death so many times; they couldn¡¯t count how often they had lingered on the line between life and death, but they had never felt fear like they did today. Death itself wasn¡¯t scary. What was terrifying was the absolute overpowering of strength. Mr. Hart was among the top three in strength of these people, and the others combined might not have been able to beat him. But now, with just one encounter. Hart was dead. And the man at the bow of the ship, draped in a golden robe with eight dragons, holding the Great Zhou Stormy Night Sword, looked down on them with pride. His cold gaze seemed to be announcing their death sentence. ¡°Is there anyone else who wants to come?¡± Julius Reed gently wiped the fresh bloodstain from the sword blade with his finger, slowly lifting his head to look at the Shadow Warriors crowding the ship. With just one glance, he made some of them tremble, their hearts pounding! ¡°I will come!¡± Crack! A loud crash was heard, and the cabin door was chopped into pieces! Then, Baturu Eulalia, dressed in a tiger skin skirt and wearing a headband of seven-colored feathers, stepped out boldly. ¡°You, make me feel this trip wasn¡¯t in vain.¡± Baturu pointed his scimitar at Julius, his eyes filled with fervor. He was a warrior from the rainforest, a king of the tropics! And today, on this eastern land, he wanted to prove his might! Prove who was the true king. When Brian saw Baturu step forward, his hanging heart finally settled down. It proved that Mr. Roosevelt¡¯s decision was immensely correct. This man from the East deserved their attention. They had thought they would enjoy the view and the breeze, and conveniently take care of the man. But now, they had suffered heavy casualties. Their only hope was in Baturu. This warrior of long renown. ¡°You, are no different.¡± Julius glanced at Baturu dismissively, shaking his head with a smile. This bare-chested barbarian might be the strongest on the ship, but he was nothing in his own eyes, no match at all! Zero and one had no difference; they were mere fractions after all. ¡°Arrogant Easterner, I will make you pay!¡± Upon hearing Brian¡¯s translation, Baturu immediately became furiously enraged! In fact, this indigenous man who couldn¡¯t understand Chinese was already of a volatile temperament. And the translator, Brian, had added some insulting words to the original statement. Of course, Julius comprehended all of this crystal clear. But what did that matter? It was just another body, after all. ¡°Come at me together, I¡¯m short on time.¡± Julius looked at the distant and wide-open sea, murmuring, ¡°It¡¯s about to be light.¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± With a roar, Baturu, wielding his scimitar like a tiger on a frenzied hunt, charged straight at Julius! At that moment, all eyes were fixed on him. This was the decisive battle that would determine the fate of everyone on board. Meanwhile, Brian quietly retreated to the edge of the boat and, while no one was paying attention, began to silently lower the lifeboat. If anything seemed off, he would be the first to escape. After all, the Shadow Warriors on the ship should be able to hold up for a while. Clang! The scimitar struck the Golden Dragon Sword, sparking a shower of sparks. In the quiet dawn, it seemed exceptionally dazzling. ¡°Hiss¡­¡± Baturu trembled, gasping for breath. But even using all his strength, he still couldn¡¯t press down the Golden Dragon Sword with his scimitar. ¡°You are no match for me,¡± Julius said coldly, ¡°Not by a long shot.¡± Crack! With a fierce exertion of strength, Baturu¡¯s curved saber chopped directly onto the railing of the steamship! More than a dozen steel pipes were sliced to pieces, and even the iron sheet along the edge was plunged half a meter deep. ¡°Come on! Continue!¡± Baturu drew his curved saber and leaped forward, hacking straight at Julius Reed! A slash in mid-air! Clang! It was still the sound of metal striking metal. This time, Baturu was forced back three meters, his hand holding the curved saber trembling slightly. On the blade, there was already a large notch. When he saw the notch, Baturu¡¯s body shuddered. This saber in his hands came from the tribes of the rainforest. Passed down through generations. Only the bravest Samurai, called the War God Baturu, was worthy of wielding this curved saber! But now, The blade bend. No longer sharp. ¡°I will only strike once, if you can withstand it, I will spare your life.¡± As Julius Reed spoke, he swept forward like a whirlwind, drawing his sword and charging at Baturu! Whoosh! The black cloak, embroidered with eight golden dragons, made a sound like the reaper at this moment! Swish! The Longsword cut through the air! Like a golden dragon descending! ¡°I am Baturu, I am the warrior of the rainforest! It is impossible for me to be defeated¡­¡± Clang! The Great Zhou Stormnight Sword cut through the curved saber, leaving a bloodstain directly on Baturu¡¯s forehead. With one stroke, no one survives. Whoosh! With unwillingness and shock, Baturu fell to the ground, dead still. And the curved saber in his hands had broken into two pieces. ¡°Get him! Otherwise, we¡¯ll die anyway!¡± ¡°If we join forces, there¡¯s still a chance of survival!¡± ¡°We are, after all, the renowned Shadow Warriors, we should die with dignity if we must!¡± The survivors on the steamer roared in unison, surrounding him from all sides! At this moment, Julius Reed faced the attack of a group of elite Shadow Warriors. Bending down, he gently took out a handkerchief from his chest pocket. He wiped his shoes clean. How could he kill with dirty shoes? The sea breeze blew the handkerchief, now with a speck of dust on it, and it gently fell into the water. Meanwhile, on the steamer, a harvest had been completed in less than five seconds. From bow to stern, from the upper deck to below. The only one left breathing was Julius Reed himself. Dawn was breaking at the horizon. Julius Reed casually brushed the dust off his shoulder and slowly bent down to pick up the severed part of Baturu¡¯s Longsword. ¡°Damn! How can this guy be so strong! It¡¯s a good thing I had the foresight, otherwise I¡¯d be feeding the fish with these men!¡± Brian sat in the lifeboat, having quietly moved hundreds of meters away from the steamship. He let out a long sigh of relief, feeling the joy of having narrowly escaped death. ¡°Sir, the opponent is too strong. All the Shadow Warriors I brought, including Baturu, are all¡­¡± Schlick! A curved saber sliced through the air, impaling Brian¡¯s chest. Plunk! The phone in his hand fell into the sea. Slowly sinking into the depths of the unfathomable ocean. On the sea¡¯s surface, there was only an empty lifeboat, rocking ceaselessly. ¡°Living, isn¡¯t so bad.¡± Julius Reed took out a lighter from his pocket, walked over to where the steamship stored gasoline, and fiercely stabbed it with his sword. Woosh! As he threw the burning lighter in, the entire steamship was engulfed in flames. And Julius Reed, holding the Great Zhou Stormnight Sword, strode upon the waves. Just like when he had arrived. Chapter 533 - Chapter 533: Chapter 533 The Shock of the Roosevelt Family_1 Chapter 533: Chapter 533 The Shock of the Roosevelt Family_1 Atlantic coast. Americas, Frank Islands. ¡°What the hell is Brian up to!¡± An elderly man sat in a chair, frowning deeply. ¡°Father, has something unexpected happened in the East?¡± Behind the elder, a blond, blue-eyed youth, dressed in a brown suit, approached with a cup of coffee. ¡°Ritz, Brian went with people to avenge Odingle. He sent me a video half an hour ago, saying that Paul blindly threw a dart and killed that man.¡± Roosevelt, the Family Head, leaned in his chair, pressing his temples with his hand. ¡°Father, Paul blindly killed him?¡± Incredulous, Roosevelt Ritz raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°How is that possible! If that Eastern man was so fragile, what about Potter? The King of Black Fist taken down in one move!¡± The incident with Odingle had shocked the Roosevelt family. The Northern Restaurant in Gonzalez City was quite well-known, and its proximity to the docks made it a necessary stop for many officials and nobles. Roosevelt arranged for Odingle to do business there to facilitate exchanges between the Roosevelt family and wealthy Eastern conglomerates. The Northern Restaurant was the perfect place for many families to deal with matters they couldn¡¯t handle openly, under the guise of Odingle¡¯s name. But now, the place that hadn¡¯t seen trouble in over a decade had been wrecked! The Roosevelt family almost became a joke overnight. Many wealthy conglomerates called one after another; although they expressed concern on the surface, most were just watching the drama unfold. Watching the Roosevelt family¡¯s drama. A top American financial powerhouse, its business smashed to pieces. Many were killed or injured. This had never happened before to any renowned family. ¡°But Brian suddenly cut off the video and didn¡¯t explain why. It seemed like some emergency had occurred.¡± The Clan Leader fell into deep thought. ¡°Then¡­ have you tried calling again?¡± Ritz asked. He was the most outstanding son of the Clan Leader of the Roosevelt family, and also the youngest. Although the youngest among his brothers, his potential was the strongest! After reaching adulthood, Ritz had been working closely with his father, his scope ranging from business secrets to planning assassinations, becoming almost an indispensable right-hand man to the Clan Leader. Even in this operation, Ritz had been fully involved. Most of the Shadow Warriors had been recruited by him, and so he was very clear about their capabilities. ¡°I called, but¡­ couldn¡¯t get through.¡± The Clan Leader¡¯s face grew serious as he took out his phone and played the last message sent by Brian. Unfortunately, the message was short. All that could be heard was Brian out at sea, the wind howling. ¡°I am wondering if some accident has occurred?¡± The Roosevelt Clan Leader leaned back in his chair, slowly closing his eyes. He had been waiting for a result, but now all was silent. Most importantly, from the beginning, he had taken this matter very seriously. Because countless eyes from the outside world were watching! Watching how they¡¯d respond! The great Roosevelt family, a hundred-year dynasty, an old nobility, faced with defiance from others! So, even when the Shadow Warriors had already spread out completely, he still insisted on hiring many elite assassins. He even had the foremost warrior of the rainforest, Baturu, on board the ship. Firstly, to ensure everything was foolproof, done cleanly and beautifully! Secondly, such powerful assembled strength also showed the depth of the Roosevelt family¡¯s resources! After all, the strong are the strong. But now, an entire ship¡¯s crew had vanished into thin air. No one could be contacted. ¡°Father, the probability of this happening is just too slim.¡± Ritz shook his head confidently, ¡°This time is indeed a gathering of stars! Even the first warrior of the rainforest is on board. I ask, who can defeat Baturu?¡± As the one who personally put the Shadow Warriors on board the ship, Ritz knew their capabilities very well. Any one of them plucked from the group could almost finish this mission, let alone dozens of them, including the first warrior of the rainforest. To speak rather arrogantly, with this team, the average consortium in the Americas couldn¡¯t afford them at all. ¡°But¡­ there¡¯s been no word from Brian at all.¡± Clan Leader Roosevelt took a deep breath and pointed to the person behind him, ¡°Summon the tech staff and check the location of the Roosevelt phone.¡± ¡°Yes, Master!¡± A servant immediately left the conference room. ¡°I always feel that something is strange.¡± Clan Leader Roosevelt rubbed his head and self-mockingly said, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯m getting old, I¡¯m always overthinking.¡± ¡°Father is in his prime, he must not speak like this!¡± Ritz gently came up behind Roosevelt and pushed the chair. This chair was a wheelchair, but it looked no different from an ordinary chair. In his early years, Roosevelt Tanner became disabled in both legs due to war. He was never able to stand up again in his lifetime. Later as he got older, he completely gave up on this idea. ¡°Maybe, I used to not worry about many things. Because the Roosevelt family is one of the strong forces of the Americas, no matter what the problem, it won¡¯t be hard for us,¡± Roosevelt Tanner sighed, ¡°But this time, I always have an ominous premonition. Even if we have made sure everything is foolproof, even if our power is enough to destroy everything!¡± ¡°Father, let¡¯s wait for good news. Maybe Brian has docked the ship at Gonzalez City pier and is celebrating?¡± Ritz smiled gently, his face brimming with confidence. But in his heart, he was somewhat disdainful. His own father had indeed aged, grown fearful. He had become overly cautious in his actions. ¡°Master!¡± Just then, the servant pushed the door open and pointed to the screen in the conference room, ¡°A few minutes ago, we caught the last signal from Butler Brian, and after that, the signal disappeared.¡± As his words fell, the big screen suddenly lit up. Among a series of coordinates, a red dot kept flashing. ¡°You mean the signal is gone?¡± Roosevelt¡¯s pupils suddenly narrowed. The disappearance of the signal definitely meant something unexpected had happened! ¡°Immediately, get someone to send me the satellite imagery of that location! I want to see exactly what¡¯s going on at sea right now!¡± he bellowed. ¡°Master, it will take some time, please be patient. I will contact the technicians right away!¡± The servant bowed deeply and quickly left the room. ¡°Could it be that something unexpected really happened?¡± Ritz found it a bit incredible, those were the elite of the elite! The cream of the crop in the Shadow Warrior circle! Three minutes later, the image on the big screen suddenly began to change. The original distinct coordinates now became a satellite image. The satellite image zoomed in, quickly locking onto the last area where the signal had stayed. ¡°How can this be!¡± Tanner¡¯s eyes widened, and he couldn¡¯t help trembling. ¡°My God¡­¡± The smile gradually vanished from Ritz¡¯s face as a flicker of shock appeared in his eyes. On the screen. A ship was slowly burning. Chapter 534 - Chapter 534: Chapter 534 Sophia Leocadias Thoughts_1 Chapter 534: Chapter 534 Sophia Leocadia¡¯s Thoughts_1 ¡°How about it? I can arrange for someone to take you to the airport.¡± At the Gonzalez City docks, Julius Reed leapt up and approached Sophia Leocadia. The young Leocadia princess, whose face was now pale, had dropped her binoculars on the ground. Her gaze was vacant, her face clearly streaked with tears. ¡°She only broke down a little after you fought off the last person,¡± Aron Jackson shrugged his shoulders, pointing at the tear stains on Sophia¡¯s eyes, and explained, ¡°She cried when the first dart hit you. I told her the boss couldn¡¯t possibly die, but she wouldn¡¯t listen. She insisted the human body can¡¯t be faster than the dart and almost called the police. Luckily, I stopped her.¡± ¡°Silly sweet girl.¡± Beckett Carmichael chimed in, ¡°But indeed, she¡¯s a beauty in the making.¡± Julius Reed paid no attention to these two, instead he took off the cloak from behind him and draped it slowly over Sophia Leocadia. The air was cold, the wind strong. The young girl was already shivering from the cold. ¡°Are you okay?¡± He asked softly. It was indeed cruel to let a young girl witness such a scene. But had he not done so, Sophia Leocadia wouldn¡¯t have left. To cut off her thoughts, Julius Reed had to do this. But now, he felt some regret. It could leave a deep psychological scar on Sophia Leocadia. ¡°You¡­don¡¯t scare me.¡± The usually resolute and indifferent Julius Reed seemed rather helpless and worried at this moment. Sophia Leocadia, with her innocent character, had not forgotten his help from many years ago. Julius Reed didn¡¯t have the heart to hurt such a girl. Having lived for so many years, he increasingly recognized how rare and precious the quality of gratitude was. Moreover, for over a decade, this young girl had been looking for him. ¡°Uh¡­¡± But suddenly, Sophia Leocadia burst into tears with a loud wail. She hugged Julius Reed tightly, crying inconsolably. ¡°This¡­ah!¡± Julius Reed sighed and patted her head with resignation. After all, she was just a girl, and she had been quite frightened. It seemed that after returning to the capital, he¡¯d have to find a good psychologist. Otherwise, Sophia Leocadia¡¯s life might be ruined. ¡°Quick, run away! Take me with you¡­ There¡¯s still a billion in my card, enough for us to live on for a lifetime. Julius, take me away quickly, it will be too late soon¡­ If you get caught, I¡¯ll never see you again in my life¡­¡± Sophia Leocadia cried out. This time, it was Julius Reed who was stunned. ¡°You¡­ aren¡¯t scared?¡± He swallowed hard, feeling unable to comprehend. ¡°I¡¯m scared¡­ Of course I¡¯m scared¡­ but you¡¯ve killed so many people, you must be shot¡­ Please, take me with you!¡± Sophia Leocadia cried even harder. ¡°Uh¡­¡± Julius Reed scratched his head and managed a weak smile, ¡°Actually, these people are international fugitives who came to endanger the safety of our Chinese people. Me, I¡¯m doing a public service, and I¡¯ll even get a reward for it!¡± ¡°Really?¡± Hearing him say this, Sophia Leocadia lifted her head, blinking her tearful eyes, and asked, ¡°You mustn¡¯t lie to me!¡± If it was true, Julius no longer had to be shot. ¡°Of course! If you don¡¯t believe me, ask¡­ If you don¡¯t believe me, ask Beckett Carmichael, he¡¯s a well-known figure in the capital! If I really murdered someone, wouldn¡¯t he be an accomplice?¡± Julius Reed comforted her, ¡°You think our big boss Carmichael would make that kind of mistake?¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s true!¡± Sophia Leocadia burst into tears and laughter at the same time, grabbing Julius Reed, ¡°You scared me to death!¡± Beckett Carmichael¡¯s status was much like that of Old Master Leocadia, both heads of one of the four great families. From this perspective, Sophia Leocadia really didn¡¯t believe that Beckett Carmichael would become an accomplice. If this matter were to be exposed, it would mean losing one¡¯s head. Why would Beckett Carmichael, who owned countless fortunes, take this risk? ¡°It¡¯s alright¡­ Are you¡­ alright? I was worried, afraid that I¡¯d scared you.¡± Julius Reed asked, but what he really meant was¡­ I¡¯m someone who has killed countless people, you should leave. However¡­ ¡°I won¡¯t leave, I feel safe with you! Just think, if someone bullies me, I¡¯ll just say my husband has killed more than thirty people!¡± Sophia Leocadia excitedly said, ¡°Then who would dare to bully me? They would definitely be scared out of their wits.¡± ¡°I¡­ Miss Leocadia, please listen to my advice.¡± Julius Reed took a deep breath, feeling helpless for the first time. Still, killing was thrilling. Talking sense into a woman, too troublesome. ¡°You¡¯ve been away from home for so long, why don¡¯t you go back first? Otherwise your family will worry.¡± Julius Reed said reluctantly. The private outing of Miss Leocadia would certainly tug at the hearts of the Leocadia Family Members. With the Leocadia Family¡¯s capabilities, it would be a breeze to track down Sophia Leocadia¡¯s movements. ¡°No problem, this time, I came with family members, and dad knows about it.¡± Sophia Leocadia said cheerfully. It was a sharp contrast to her earlier agony. And all this happened in a matter of minutes. Indeed. A woman¡¯s face changes too quickly. Just like flipping through a book. ¡°You and your family members?¡± Julius Reed felt something was amiss. ¡°Sophia Leocadia, what is the Leocadia Family doing in Gonzalez City?¡± Beckett Carmichael was also surprised. He had been keeping a close watch on the Leocadia Family. If there was a big movement, how could he not know? ¡°Uncle Carmichael, do I have to report to you what I do?¡± Sophia Leocadia asked back coldly with her hands behind her back. ¡°Ah¡­ you little girl, I¡­¡± ¡°Cough cough!¡± Julius Reed coughed, Beckett Carmichael¡¯s eyes shifted, and he immediately changed his tone, ¡°Miss Leocadia, that¡¯s not it, we just wanted to know, right?¡± Beckett Carmichael glanced at Julius Reed, relieved that there was no anomaly. Indeed, men are all scoundrels. Saying they want someone to go back, yet they actually care deep down. But these were words Beckett Carmichael dared not say out loud, in case he offended Julius Reed¡­ The scene on the ship earlier, he had seen it all too clearly. It was too frightening! ¡°Our Leocadia Family is holding an exhibition in Gonzalez City, located on the first floor of the Five-state International Building.¡± Sophia Leocadia, looking quite satisfied with Beckett Carmichael¡¯s reaction, continued, ¡°This time, due to the upcoming New Year, we are having a five-day holiday market starting from the Little New Year. Many of our Leocadia Family¡¯s branded products will be on display. And of course, there¡¯s a very high-end gallery, which you can only enter with an invitation.¡± ¡°Why in Gonzalez City?¡± Beckett Carmichael suddenly remembered that the Leocadia Family did indeed have an exhibition here. ¡°Because Gonzalez City is near the port, it¡¯s one of the places where there¡¯s the greatest chance to interact with foreign merchants. Additionally, the business alliance that has been causing such a stir is also one of the reasons why our family decided to have the exhibition here.¡± Sophia Leocadia blinked at Julius Reed, ¡°How about it, will you accompany me to the exhibition later? Everything there is valuable! Ordinary people can¡¯t get in at all!¡± ¡°To see chamber pots?¡± Julius Reed shook his head, ¡°Not interested!¡± Having said that, he turned and walked towards the sedan. How is it that after killing so many people, he still couldn¡¯t scare away a young girl? Chapter 535 - Chapter 535: Chapter 535 Misunderstanding_1 Chapter 535: Chapter 535 Misunderstanding_1 All the way, Julius Reed gloomily fell silent. He had brought Sophia Leocadia here just to scare the girl away. But now, to his dismay, she was unshakeable, not really scared at all. Instead, she looked like someone who had passed a test and was in high spirits. After all, a promise is worth its weight in gold, so Julius could only accept this loss in silence. Who had he been to declare that if she wasn¡¯t scared, he wouldn¡¯t drive her away? He had thought that by killing more than thirty people in one fell swoop, he could scare this young lady from a wealthy family. Who knew that she wouldn¡¯t take it seriously at all! Soon, the car arrived at the entrance to the mansion. Aron Jackson yawned, looking very sleepy as he said to Julius, ¡°Boss, I¡¯m going to go back to sleep. Call me if anything comes up.¡± ¡°Go ahead!¡± Julius waved his hand and got out of the car. It was already past five o¡¯clock, and it was still pitch dark outside. To ensure Julius¡¯s safety, Aron Jackson had arrived at the mansion entrance early and mobilized a large number of employees to closely monitor everything around them. Now that the task was done, he was really tired. After returning to his room, Julius tiptoed back to his own room. Behind him, Sophia Leocadia was also walking lightly, intending to go back to sleep. Clang! Just then, the sound of something dropping on the floor startled them! ¡°Oh, Julius! You¡¯re up so early, did you go out to buy us breakfast? But it¡¯s Minor New Year¡¯s Day today, aren¡¯t we supposed to eat dumplings?¡± Anna Harris came out of the bathroom with a toothbrush in her mouth and her toothpaste cup falling to the floor. Seeing the two of them, she exclaimed even more in surprise, ¡°The two of you¡­ did you go to a hotel last night?¡± She walked up to Julius and muttered angrily, ¡°Julius, you¡¯re such a beast! She¡¯s just a young girl, how could you! Aren¡¯t you afraid of being struck by lightning?¡± ¡°Shush!¡± Julius made a silencing gesture, pointing toward Quella Radcliffe¡¯s room, ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you, getting up so early? Don¡¯t wake up Quella with your noise!¡± Anna Harris was notoriously lazy, usually not getting up until eight or nine o¡¯clock when she lived with them. Now it was winter, and it was still dark at five in the morning. Why was Anna Harris up so early? This didn¡¯t make sense! ¡°Ha!¡± Anna Harris took the toothbrush out of her mouth and scoffed at Julius, ¡°What? Caught in the act and you¡¯re afraid to speak up, worried your wife will hear? Julius, you really are such a good man!¡± ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? Anna, I warn you, don¡¯t spout nonsense! Sophia only had a fever; I took her to the emergency room to see a doctor, that¡¯s all.¡± For Julius, it was like getting caught with mud in his pants ¡ª guilty even if innocent. Coming back with Sophia Leocadia in the middle of the night and running into someone. How could he explain that? Anyone would be suspicious. Quella was still sleeping; he just hoped that Anna would keep her big mouth shut. And not cause a commotion. ¡°What, you¡¯re going to kill to silence me? Come at me!¡± Anna stood on tiptoe, pointing to her own neck, ¡°Okay, Julius, so you¡¯re getting angry? You¡¯ve been caught red-handed and you still have the nerve to argue!¡± She closed her eyes, adopting a resigned-to-fate expression. ¡°Um, I felt a bit feverish in the middle of the night, and I didn¡¯t want to disturb you all, so I looked for Julius ¡ª after all, he¡¯s the only man in the house. Miss Anna, you¡¯ve misunderstood.¡± Sophia Leocadia joined in with a helplessly patient explanation. She knew that at this moment, she absolutely couldn¡¯t damage the relationship between Julius and Quella. As a woman herself, Sophia could see that Julius only had feelings for Quella and wasn¡¯t ready to make room for anyone else. A smart woman knows how to please a man, not threaten him. ¡°Hmph! Whether fever was there or not, who knows?¡± Though deeply annoyed inside, Anna knew that Sophia had helped Dempsey Davenport, so she had to restrain herself somewhat. If it had been someone else, Anna would¡¯ve slapped them and driven them out! ¡°Anna, you¡¯re just a crazy woman!¡± Julius muttered softly. Although he was indeed at fault, he had never actually done anything to betray Quella¡¯s trust. Now with Anna implicating him like this, it seemed as though he had committed a heinous crime! ¡°Scumbag! Ptui!¡± Anna Harris spat a mouthful of toothpaste foam onto the ground. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Just then, the door of Quella Radcliffe¡¯s room slowly opened. Quella Radcliffe, wearing a bear pajama, staggered out of her room, sleepy-eyed. ¡°Haha! Your man went out with another woman late at night and only just got back.¡± Anna Harris glared at Julius Reed. ¡°Quella, it¡¯s not what you think¡­¡± Sophia Leocadia said anxiously, ¡°There¡¯s really nothing between me and Boss Davenport. I just¡­ I just ran a fever and asked him to take me to see a doctor, that¡¯s all¡­¡± She was very worried, given that she herself felt guilty about the matter. If it were any other woman going out late at night with her husband, she¡¯d be willing to grab a kitchen knife. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Quella smiled, walked over, looked at Sophia Leocadia with concern, and asked, ¡°Are you ok? We have some fever medication at home, you can use it for now.¡± ¡°No¡­ I¡¯m fine now, sister.¡± Sophia Leocadia¡¯s face turned red, feeling deeply ashamed and lowered her head. The kinder Quella acted, the more it troubled her conscience. But could she really give up? After pursuing for over a decade, now that she had finally met him, she couldn¡¯t bear to let go! ¡°Julius, Anna is about to leave, come back to bed with me. It¡¯s so cold outside, I¡¯ve warmed up the bed for you.¡± Quella turned and looked at Julius Reed, saying words that made her own heart race. But there was no choice, she couldn¡¯t let her husband end up with someone else. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Julius Reed froze. Almost four years into their marriage, this was the first time Quella had been so proactive. ¡°That¡­ Quella, I didn¡¯t mean¡­ I wasn¡¯t planning on¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re going out for work!¡± Anna Harris hadn¡¯t finished her sentence when Quella and Julius Reed spoke in unison. ¡°Got it! I was planning to go down and buy some snacks for everyone! I wish you¡­ a speedy delivery of a healthy baby!¡± Anna Harris sighed in resignation, indeed putting love before friendship! ¡°Husband, come with me!¡± Quella gently helped Julius Reed take off his jacket, took his hand, and walked towards the room. Afterwards. With a bang, the door was closed. ¡°Wife, listen to me explain, I definitely didn¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°I believe you.¡± Quella hugged him tightly and whispered, ¡°But, you must never betray me.¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± Julius Reed¡¯s head buzzed at the thought. Is this¡­ Her laying down the cards? Almost four years into their marriage, Quella had finally accepted him as her husband! ¡°I won¡¯t, I swear to heaven!¡± Julius Reed raised a hand but was stopped by Quella: ¡°Let¡¯s just go to bed.¡± She pulled Julius Reed to the window and as she dove under the covers, her cheeks reddened like apples. Quella was ready. Whatever Julius Reed was going to do, she wouldn¡¯t refuse. ¡°Hehe! Wife, I¡¯m coming!¡± Julius Reed burrowed into the bed, relishing the moment. Ever since Anna Harris moved in, he didn¡¯t get pampered like this. But Quella waited for a while and saw no move from Julius Reed. Just as she was about to turn around, she heard a faint snoring sound next to her ear. Chapter 536 - Chapter 536: Chapter 536 Participation in Exhibition_1 Chapter 536: Chapter 536 Participation in Exhibition_1 By a little after eleven in the morning, Julius Reed finally rolled out of bed, lazier than ever. He wasn¡¯t sleepy. It wasn¡¯t like he¡¯d die without sleep. But Quella Radcliffe needed rest. Julius Reed wasn¡¯t foolish, he could sense that Quella Radcliffe wasn¡¯t resting well. From this, he inferred that she might have been awake even before he had left the house. If that was really the case, it was even more troubling. But no matter what, he had to ensure Quella Radcliffe got a good sleep. So he quietly turned off the alarm clock. ¡°Oh no! I¡¯m late! What happened to the alarm?¡± As Julius Reed got up, Quella Radcliffe also opened her eyes. Once she saw the time on her phone screen, she sat up abruptly from the bed. ¡°Twelve o¡¯clock! Damn it! I¡¯m really late now!¡± Panicking, Quella Radcliffe slipped on her shoes and rushed out to wash up. ¡°I¡¯ve arranged for Mr. Reed to handle the company matters. As for the business alliance, there¡¯s nothing urgent for now. Itai Huntington is busy dealing with those old stubborn folks, and has announced a three-day holiday.¡± Julius Reed caught Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand with a mischievous smile, ¡°I saw you weren¡¯t resting well, so I turned off the alarm, letting you sleep in peacefully.¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± Quella Radcliffe huffed lightly, but inside she felt a tinge of joy. Unexpectedly, her husband was quite attentive. When they came out, they found Anna Harris sitting on the sofa, visibly upset. The breakfast on the table had already gone cold. ¡°Anna¡­ did you go buy breakfast?¡± Scratching her head, Quella Radcliffe then recalled that Anna Harris did seem to have gotten up early to go out for food. ¡°It¡¯s true, a woman in love has an IQ of less than zero.¡± Anna Harris scoffed coldly and said with a touch of wistfulness while watching the cartoon on the TV screen, ¡°Miss Radcliffe, have you forgotten what you said this morning? You kicked me out to buy breakfast just to share a bed with your husband!¡± Recalling this matter made Anna Harris angry. Indeed, even amidst a divorce, the couple remained a united front. After arguing, they still were family. As for herself, after investing so much effort in giving advice, she ended up having to go buy breakfast and didn¡¯t even have a place to sleep. ¡°Ah¡­ Anna, I¡¯m so sorry,¡± Quella Radcliffe quickly sat down next to Anna Harris on the sofa, hugging her and gently planting a kiss on her face, ¡°My dear, don¡¯t be mad! I¡¯m free today, what do you say I spend the day with you?¡± ¡°Where to?¡± Anna Harris tilted her head back, arms crossed with a touch of haughtiness. ¡°Wherever you say, we¡¯ll go there.¡± Quella Radcliffe pointed at Julius Reed, ¡°He¡¯s footing the bill for everything today!¡± ¡°I¡¯m paying!¡± Julius Reed quickly nodded. In his view, the biggest troublemaker in the household was Anna Harris, and as long as this woman kept quiet, there would be a lot more peace at home. ¡°Really?¡± Anna Harris raised an eyebrow and grinned, ¡°I heard there¡¯s an exhibition today. It¡¯s from the capital to Gonzalez City. It¡¯s huge and has everything!¡± After saying this, she took out her phone and pointed to the message on the screen, ¡°Look at this. Jewelry, antiques, paintings, you name it!¡± ¡°You¡­ had already checked it out?¡± Quella Radcliffe arched an eyebrow and looked at Anna Harris with an incredulous gaze, ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have been planning to swindle me all along, would you?¡± ¡°Who! Who looked it up in advance? I was just bored and clicked randomly, who knew I¡¯d stumble upon this news.¡± Anna Harris¡¯s eyes darted about, followed by a sly chuckle, ¡°This exhibition, I checked it out, it¡¯s big time! The Leocadia Family from the capital is organizing it. They¡¯ve gathered all the high-end brands. It¡¯s a rare sight in a place like Gonzalez City!¡± ¡°That¡­ um¡­¡± Julius Reed¡¯s head buzzed. He felt it might be better not to go to the Leocadia¡¯s place. Otherwise, wouldn¡¯t it make his entanglement with Sophia Leocadia even harder to explain? ¡°What, you want to back out now!¡± Anna Harris slammed the remote onto the sofa, stood up with hands on hips, ready to retort. ¡°I mean¡­¡± Julius Reed quickly extended his hands to stop her, ¡°I mean, should we call a car? The expo is definitely going to be packed with vehicles, and with the New Year upon us, parking will be a hassle!¡± ¡°You see, my husband is so thoughtful. Anna, you shouldn¡¯t always be biased against him.¡± Quella Radcliffe gave Anna Harris a gentle nudge with her elbow. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m biased!¡± Anna Harris pointed to herself, her expression one of disbelief: ¡°This scumbag¡­¡± ¡°Today¡¯s expenses, put them on my card¡­¡± Julius Reed took out a black card. ¡°Quella, actually your husband isn¡¯t too bad, maybe I¡¯ve been too harsh.¡± Having said that, Anna Harris ran back to her room and took out a large bag she had prepared earlier: ¡°Everyone, let¡¯s go on a shopping spree today!¡± Julius Reed: ¡­ Quella Radcliffe: ¡­ ¡°Could you two sisters take me with you¡­¡± Just at that moment, Sophia Leocadia quietly opened the door and peeked her little head out. ¡°Of course, you can.¡± Quella Radcliffe spoke, ¡°Go get ready, I¡¯ll heat up the breakfast, and then we¡¯ll head out!¡± ¡­ By the time the four of them arrived at the Gonzalez City expo, it was already past one in the afternoon. As Julius had anticipated, it was very crowded. To say it was packed with people would be no exaggeration. The wide road, which was spacious before, was now filled with parked cars. The Five-state International building, located in the suburbs, had become a bustling downtown area at this moment. Many luxury cars were parked along the roadside, and countless men and women walked around here. Gonzalez City is coastal, and there¡¯s also an airport. The transportation is extremely convenient. Because the number of people who came to the expo was enormous. ¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t Mr. Reed! Only a day has passed, and I already have two more rivals?¡± When the four got off the car arranged by Aron Jackson, they happened to bump into Itai Huntington. As the owner of Five-state International, Itai Huntington was maintaining order at the time, while also checking for any security risks. Little did she know that when she looked up, she¡¯d see Julius Reed getting out of the car with three women. ¡°Oh! Expanding the populace, are we?¡± When she saw Sophia Leocadia for the first time, Itai Huntington was quite shocked. Such a young age and already so beautiful! She felt she looked familiar but couldn¡¯t recall where she had seen her before. ¡°Miss Huntington, have some self-respect!¡± Julius Reed frowned, ¡°Otherwise, I won¡¯t mind spanking you in front of your subordinates.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± The bodyguard behind Itai Huntington immediately stepped forward, glaring at Julius Reed. ¡°Back off!¡± Itai Huntington said sternly. ¡°Yes, Miss.¡± The bodyguard gave Julius Reed a resentful glance, reluctantly falling back behind Itai Huntington. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to look down on you, but with you, I could take you out in one move.¡± Julius held up his middle finger towards the bodyguard. ¡°Mr. Reed, don¡¯t stoop to the servant¡¯s level. If there¡¯s anything you need here, just come to me. Don¡¯t be shy.¡± After saying that, Itai Huntington even threw a wink at Julius Reed. ¡°Keep this up, and I¡¯ll hit you.¡± Julius Reed hastily retreated with the three women. ¡°Miss, why did you¡­¡± The bodyguard watched Julius Reed¡¯s retreating figure, his teeth itching with hatred. ¡°Because only he can help me take back everything I¡¯ve lost¡­¡± Itai Huntington sighed, ¡°When you think about it, I¡¯ve been ousted from the family for many years now¡­¡± Chapter 537 - Chapter 537: Chapter 537: Crystal Necklace_1 Chapter 537: Chapter 537: Crystal Necklace_1 The Leocadia family, as one of the four major families in the capital, hosting this exhibition in Gonzalez City was of extraordinary significance. The person in charge of organizing all aspects of the exhibition was a descendant from a collateral branch of the Leocadia family. But accompanying him was the Leocadia family¡¯s old butler. Such collateral bloodlines didn¡¯t have the privileges that Sophia Leocadia had; they could only earn a bit of respect within the company through ceaseless effort. Or, perhaps, money. Without shares in the family business, those from collateral lines had to seize every opportunity for promotion if they wanted to make money. At this moment, Winona Leocadia stood on the second floor of Five-state International, overlooking the various exhibition halls on the first floor. ¡°Young Master Leocadia, this is a rare opportunity for your rapid promotion. Just seize it, and your status in the Leocadia family will soar to the sky!¡± Behind him, Bran Cook kept flattering him nonstop. In the capital, Bran Cook had already made Winona Leocadia¡¯s acquaintance. For someone of his status, it was not easy to get to know a member of a collateral branch of the Leocadia family. And all the more so when this collateral member was a promising prospect. ¡°May Young Master Cook¡¯s auspicious words come true.¡± Winona Leocadia smiled faintly. ¡°I heard that you¡¯ve been having some trouble here in Gonzalez City. The business alliance you had been so diligently planning ended up benefiting someone else in the end. When I heard about it yesterday, I felt very sorry for you.¡± Upon hearing his words, Bran Cook¡¯s face turned pale in an instant. All his ambitions and a bright future had been buried by Julius Reed! A sure win had somehow been overturned! He still couldn¡¯t understand why Nando Brandon had broken the contract! And with Arvid Woody also dead, Bran Cook felt that there was something fishy going on. But after this incident, all the boss entrepreneurs had abandoned him. Bran Cook was left with only his own Cook Family¡¯s support, without the glory of the past. When he heard that Winona Leocadia was holding an exhibition in Gonzalez City, he made a special trip over, hoping to cling to this branch for elevation. ¡°Young Master Leocadia jests, I¡¯ve indeed had some hard times recently,¡± he said with a bitter smile, without further comment. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, when we return, I will find a position for you. After all, we are friends, and I, Winona, still owe you that much face.¡± Clementine Leocadia looked back at Bran Cook and patted his shoulder, ¡°It¡¯s very normal to experience highs and lows in life. After I finish this task, at the very least, I could be a department manager within the group. If you become my assistant, I promise you wealth and honor!¡± ¡°Thank you, Young Master Leocadia!¡± Bran Cook sighed heavily, ¡°I¡¯m so ashamed, I actually lost to a punk, and what¡¯s more, a disgraceful one who lives off a woman!¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Winona Leocadia gave a faint smile, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯d like to meet him. I will certainly avenge you!¡± This job was really just a golden opportunity for him! Now that Old Master Leocadia was bedridden with illness, the Leocadia family was in chaos inside. It was because of this that Winona Leocadia could cozy up to Sophia Leocadia¡¯s father and land this job. As long as he completed it smoothly, he would be up for a promotion upon his return. Thinking of this, Winona Leocadia couldn¡¯t help but feel a little smug inside. ¡°Then, I really owe you, Young Master Leocadia!¡± Bran Cook had already come to resent Julius Reed to the core. ¡°Walk with me and check out the venue. It¡¯s the first day; we can¡¯t have any mishaps.¡± Winona Leocadia turned and walked ahead. At this time, although it was already the afternoon, the venue was still crowded with people everywhere. Even many foreign guests were there, continuously pointing at the exhibits and discussing them. ¡°Do you know, the most prestigious exhibition hall is over there, it¡¯s said you need an invitation to get in,¡± Anna Harris said, pointing to a crystal exhibition hall not far away, with the guide on her phone in hand. ¡°I¡¯m so envious, if only we could get in there, that would be so wonderful.¡± Envy was written all over her face. Through the crystal glass, one could see from afar the precious items inside the exhibition hall. In the sunlight, they reflected dazzling rays of light. ¡°If sis wants to go, I¡¯ll take you there later,¡± Sophia Leocadia said with a giggly smile. ¡°Ah, just saying, just saying.¡± Anna Harris felt embarrassed to shoot down Sophia Leocadia, though had it been anyone else, she would¡¯ve already thrown some biting sarcasm their way. After all, she was just a little girl, and she couldn¡¯t bring herself to be too harsh. The only one she could unleash her caustic tongue on without restraint was Julius Reed. ¡°Is it Julius Reed footing the bill today?¡± Anna Harris quickly walked to the jewelry section and gazed at the sparkling crystal pieces behind the counter. ¡°I¡¯m paying! Just relax! Even if you want to rent out this whole exhibition hall today, I wouldn¡¯t mind!¡± Julius Reed said helplessly. However, seeing a smile on Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face made whatever he spent seem inconsequential. ¡°Quella, look at this crystal necklace, doesn¡¯t it suit you?¡± Anna Harris called out to Quella Radcliffe. ¡°I already have a necklace.¡± Quella Radcliffe touched the ¡®Light of Dawn¡¯ around her neck, the very first gift that Julius Reed had given her. Only after she learned about Julius Reed¡¯s immense wealth did she realize that the necklace was indeed real. It was a purchase made by her own husband. ¡°No problem, someone else is paying! Excuse me, could you show me that necklace? I¡¯d like to try it on.¡± Anna Harris looked at a string of glittering crystal necklaces in the counter, her eyes filled with greed. Women are inherently powerless against the allure of crystals and diamonds. ¡°Let me try it on too!¡± Just then, a rotund middle-aged man with a young woman about twenty years old also approached the counter. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but this is a limited edition piece and there¡¯s only one available at this exhibition. This lady came first, so I need to let her try it first,¡± The sales associate said very politely. ¡°You must be new here, girl?¡± The plump man approached the sales associate with a cigarette dangling from his mouth. ¡°Don¡¯t you know how much this thing costs?¡± After saying this, he even blew a puff of smoke in the sales associate¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry sir, smoking is not allowed inside the exhibition.¡± The sales associate frowned slightly but still spoke very politely, ¡°This is from the ¡®Isle of Love¡¯ collection, the necklace is named ¡®Spring Snow¡¯, and it¡¯s priced at eighty-five million.¡± ¡°That¡¯s expensive!¡± Anna Harris¡¯s eyes widened. She was aware of the ¡®Isle of Love¡¯, a high-end luxury jewelry brand. But she had not expected that such a slender necklace could cost eighty-five million! It¡¯s practically daylight robbery! ¡°Haha! See? She can¡¯t afford it! Just let me try it instead, I might just buy it in a good mood, and you could earn a hefty commission,¡± The man sneered at Anna Harris. ¡°Who says? How do you know I can¡¯t afford it!¡± Anna Harris, already short-tempered, was not about to back down after being spoken to like that. ¡°Oh! Sister, looking at how you¡¯re dressed, you don¡¯t seem like someone with lots of wealth. To afford something worth eighty million, you would need to have a net worth over one billion, right? I reckon your entire outfit doesn¡¯t even cost a few thousand. Talking about buying a necklace worth over eighty million, are you trying to make me laugh?¡± At that moment, the young woman in her twenties behind the man stepped forward to ridicule her. While speaking, she made a point to flaunt her wristwatch worth over five million and the clothes she wore, easily worth over a million. Chapter 538 - Chapter 538: Chapter 538: No Smoking_1 Chapter 538: Chapter 538: No Smoking_1 ¡°Who the hell are you!¡± Anna Harris felt both annoyed and angry after being spoken to by the woman like that. Indeed, she hadn¡¯t expected the necklace to be so expensive, but being so blatantly ridiculed would be unbearable for anyone! ¡°I get it, he¡¯s your daddy, right?¡± A mischievous smile appeared at the corner of Anna Harris¡¯s mouth. ¡°This is my girlfriend. What, you want to be my girlfriend too? Come spend a night with me first. If you¡¯re good, I don¡¯t mind giving you a few tens of thousands for your service fee!¡± The corpulent man leered at Anna Harris before wrapping his arm around the woman¡¯s waist. ¡°Ah! I thought she was your daughter. But miss, aren¡¯t you afraid of becoming a young widow by getting with a man as old as your dad? Then again, when you think about it, once he dies, you can just take his money and keep a toy boy on the side.¡± Anna Harris said with a grin, ¡°Just don¡¯t forget to plant some grass on your sugar daddy¡¯s grave when the time comes.¡± ¡°Plant grass for what!¡± The woman asked, puzzled. ¡°To bring some green to his plot!¡± Anna Harris laughed as she spoke. Even Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed nearby couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°You filthy woman! How dare you talk about me like that!¡± The corpulent man, humiliated and furious, raised his hand to strike. ¡°There are cameras here. Hit me, and I¡¯ll call the cops!¡± Anna Harris leaned in, glaring boldly at the corpulent man, ¡°Come on! You wimp!¡± ¡°You¡­¡± The man¡¯s face kept changing colors, and finally, he let out a cold laugh and withdrew his hand, ¡°I won¡¯t stoop to your level, you classless harpy. Poor people just have no manners! Salesperson, package this necklace up for me; I¡¯m buying it!¡± Afterward, the woman in his arms chimed in with scorn, ¡°Like you could ever afford it. You¡¯re only fit to drool over it in the display case or spit out insults in the street.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Anna Harris approached the counter and suddenly said with a smile, ¡°There¡¯s a first-come, first-served rule in life. Since you came later, you can wait for this miss to finish trying it on, then you can buy.¡± With that, she took the crystal necklace from the salesperson¡¯s hand and put it around Quella Radcliffe¡¯s neck. ¡°It looks pretty good.¡± Julius Reed nodded in agreement. This Spring Snow indeed seemed more upscale than the Crystal Love necklace. Only, they didn¡¯t have it back in Gonzalez City at the time. Had it not been for this exhibition, many high-end products would have been out of reach for Gonzalez City. After all, it¡¯s a small place. Even though it¡¯s by the sea, the local¡¯s wealth isn¡¯t much. ¡°Hey! This is kind of interesting!¡± When the corpulent man saw Quella Radcliffe wearing the necklace, he pointed at the salesperson and cursed, ¡°You dare to sell things looking like that? You blind as a bat!¡± Smack! He slapped the salesperson across the face. ¡°How can you hit someone!¡± Anna Harris glared at the corpulent man, ¡°Despite being a man, how dare you hit a woman! She¡¯s just selling things. If you came late, you need to wait in line. That¡¯s the rule!¡± The salesperson was struck because of her; Anna Harris couldn¡¯t help but feel guilty. ¡°Keep talking, and I¡¯ll hit you too!¡± The middle-aged man, belly protruding, with his arm around the young woman, pointed at Anna Harris and said, ¡°You wretched woman, dare to oppose me, do you know who I am?¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on here!¡± At that moment, a man in a suit approached. He looked at the salesperson covering her face and asked with a frown, ¡°Who did this!¡± ¡°Me!¡± ¡°Him!¡± The man admitted himself, and Anna Harris also pointed him out. ¡°What happened! Speak up!¡± The man looked at the salesperson and demanded an explanation. ¡°This lady wanted to try on this necklace, and this gentleman arrived afterwards and wanted to try it, too. Following the first-come, first-served policy, I let this young lady try it on first, but then the gentleman came up and slapped me¡­¡± The salesperson was a young girl, now crying out of grievance. She had only been working for three months when she was hit by someone. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, I¡¯m here to buy this necklace directly! You look at them, which one looks like they can afford a necklace?¡± The man pulled out a card and slammed it on the counter, ¡°See? I¡¯m the real deal! You neglect the buyer to let a bunch of broke asses try it on, wasting my time! What¡¯s wrong with me hitting her?¡± Having said that, the man also stubbed his cigarette out on the counter. ¡°Hey! Do you have any manners? You¡¯re obviously a nouveau riche! It clearly says no smoking, yet you dare to smoke! Where¡¯s security!¡± Anna Harris looked around and was about to call security. ¡°Sir, are you really going to buy it?¡± It was at this moment that another man in a suit spoke up. In just the past few minutes, he had sized up both parties¡¯ attire. This was a mandatory course for sales. Judging guests by their appearance. Knowing who could afford what, no need to waste time. They would enthusiastically welcome guests who could really afford to buy. As for those who were just looking, they tended to be dismissive. It was not a matter of looking down on people¡ªafter all, salespeople need to make money too, and nobody wants to put in useless effort. But this, in itself, went against professional ethics. ¡°Exactly! I say I¡¯ll buy it, and I will. Eighty million, like that¡¯s real money to me?¡± The man sneered condescendingly at Anna Harris, ¡°Don¡¯t say you want to buy it. If you really want to, offer the money now, and I walk away, no fuss!¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Anna Harris wanted to speak, but she was choked by this remark. Sure enough, money spoke loudest. ¡°But he hit someone! That¡¯s not right! The sales associate did nothing wrong. Also, he smoked here!¡± Anna Harris pointed at the cigarette butt on the counter, ¡°This person has no manners at all!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, miss.¡± The man in the suit glanced at Anna Harris and took the hand covering the sales associate¡¯s face.¡± He slapped her forcefully! Slap! ¡°Hey! What are you doing!¡± Anna Harris asked in shock. Why did this newcomer hit their own person? ¡°Sir, I apologize for the terrible shopping experience I¡¯ve caused. Now that I¡¯ve hit her, if you are not satisfied, I can continue.¡± The man in the suit smiled and looked at the corpulent man, grabbing the teary-eyed sales associate, ¡°Apologize to the gentleman immediately!¡± After that, he turned around and tore off the no-smoking sign stuck on the wall. ¡°Now, sir, smoking is within the rules.¡± The man in the suit said with a smile, ¡°I am the manager of the jewelry showroom, name¡¯s Scotty Lake.¡± ¡°Scotty, good job! I¡¯m very satisfied!¡± The corpulent man looked at Anna Harris and proudly said, ¡°Scotty, wrap up this necklace for me, and have it cleaned as well. My woman doesn¡¯t like anyone else¡¯s scent on it.¡± ¡°Certainly, sir.¡± Scotty Lake nodded with a smile. Selling this strand of necklace alone could earn him hundreds of thousands in commission. He couldn¡¯t pass up such a huge deal. ¡°Miss, please take off the necklace.¡± He turned to Quella Radcliffe, his tone instantly turning cold. ¡°Brother, don¡¯t judge by appearances!¡± Julius Reed walked up to Quella Radcliffe and asked with a smile, ¡°Wife, like it?¡± ¡°Julius¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t like it, I plan to buy it anyway.¡± Julius Reed interrupted Quella Radcliffe, ¡°Such a fine necklace, if it ends up on the neck of a green tea bitch, it¡¯d totally lack class.¡± Chapter 539 - Chapter 539: Chapter 539: Slap in the Face_1 Chapter 539: Chapter 539: Slap in the Face_1 ¡°Who are you talking about!¡± The woman in the arms of the portly man blushed immediately when she heard Julius Reed¡¯s words. Her relationship was illegitimate to begin with; she was just one of Jake Carmichael¡¯s mistresses. Jake Carmichael had been successful and was an executive at Marthew Abernathy Group. Capitalizing on his distant kinship with the chairman of the Marthew Abernathy Group, he had long engaged in corruption and amassed an astonishing fortune. The woman didn¡¯t care about all that; as long as someone spent money on her, she was up for anything. But being called a green tea bitch now touched a raw nerve. ¡°Whoever knows, knows in their heart.¡± Julius Reed, with his hands in his pockets, said indifferently, ¡°Sir, aren¡¯t you afraid of catching a disease?¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Jake Carmichael roared, pointing at Scotty Lake, ¡°Hurry up, make this poor man to take off the necklace! With your status, how dare you touch such an expensive crystal necklace?¡± ¡°It¡¯s like a toad lusting after swan meat!¡± Having said that, a sneer appeared on his face. ¡°Sir, please cooperate.¡± Scotty Lake¡¯s demeanor turned cold again, ¡°If you refuse to cooperate, I will call the police!¡± In his eyes, Julius Reed didn¡¯t seem like someone who genuinely intended to buy. Or more to the point, couldn¡¯t afford it. Eighty million and some wasn¡¯t just for fun. They had displayed the necklace all morning in the exhibition hall and only encountered a buyer like Jake Carmichael. If they lost him, it would be a loss of hundreds of thousands! ¡°Call the police?¡± Julius Reed pointed at the female sales associate, ¡°You hit her, just because you think we can¡¯t afford it, while this fat man can?¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± Scotty Lake was quite direct; he knew that flattering Jake Carmichael at this time was in his best interest. ¡°So, if we buy this necklace, does that mean it¡¯s the sales associate¡¯s turn to slap you?¡± Julius Reed asked again. ¡°If you can afford it, of course. But now, I warn you, don¡¯t waste the customer¡¯s time. Take the necklace off immediately.¡± Scotty Lake picked up the walkie-talkie in his hand and warned, ¡°Ten seconds, or I¡¯m calling the police!¡± Large shopping centers like Five-state International were equipped with security systems. With such a huge exhibition being held here, there were patrol cars outside. ¡°Charge it!¡± Thump! Julius Reed pulled out a bank card and slapped it on the counter, ¡°Remember what you¡¯ve just said!¡± ¡°Oh ho!¡± Seeing the bank card, Jake Carmichael laughed loudly, ¡°Kid, don¡¯t play the swell to look the part, lest you can¡¯t get off your high horse later!¡± He didn¡¯t believe that a youngster could afford something worth eighty million. Even if he was the son of a rich man, to what extent would his wealth have to be, if eighty million were spent as if it were mere pocket change? Besides, if he really were a rich second generation, he wouldn¡¯t be dressed so poorly, would he? ¡°Sir, are you sure?¡± Scotty Lake looked at Julius Reed and said icily, ¡°If there¡¯s no money in your card, I will sue you for provoking trouble!¡± He and Jake Carmichael both didn¡¯t believe Julius Reed had money in his card. So he spoke harshly, to let Julius Reed expose himself. ¡°Swipe it! Remember what you said.¡± Julius Reed walked over to the sales associate, ¡°Miss, do you dare to hit him later?¡± The sales associate was a young woman in her twenties, already terrified after being slapped twice. Shaking her head, her eyes brimmed with tears. ¡°Heh! I¡¯m going to charge the card first, good luck to you!¡± Scotty Lake waved towards the cash register, and immediately, three cashiers approached with card readers. ¡°Young lady, tell me, we¡¯re all human, why is it that they can hit you, and yet you dare not fight back?¡± Julius Reed leaned on the counter and asked with a smile. ¡°I need money, and they are customers and leaders, I did something wrong¡­¡± ¡°You did nothing wrong!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s face slowly returned to calm, ¡°All beings are equal, living in this world, you only need one principle. As long as you haven¡¯t done anything wrong, at worst you just quit this job! We all have two legs, we all have one head, why should they be allowed to hit you?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t want to hit back, then for the rest of your life, you will live in cowardice. Now, I¡¯m giving you an opportunity to slap a billionaire and your leader. How about it?¡± The salesperson thought for a long time, then nodded. ¡°Sir, this is¡­ this is your card¡­¡± Just then, Scotty Lake, who was sweating profusely, came over and respectfully handed over the card and receipt. ¡°Haha! No money in it, right? This son of a turtle dares to pose as a rich second generation here? Doesn¡¯t he know his own limits?¡± Jake Carmichael once again took out a cigarette from his pocket, and the woman in his arms skillfully lit it for him. ¡°Sss!¡± He took a deep puff, his face full of bliss, ¡°Hurry up, wrap it up for me, I¡¯m in a rush!¡± ¡°Sorry, this gentleman has already bought it¡­¡± Scotty Lake¡¯s face turned ashen. He hadn¡¯t expected that the card would actually work! The moment Scotty Lake saw the receipt print out, he thought his heart might stop. ¡°What! You must be mistaken!¡± Jake Carmichael¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, pointing at Julius Reed with the hand holding his cigarette, ¡°Him? Can afford it?¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± Scotty Lake answered in a low voice. ¡°Now, is it possible for her to hit back?¡± Julius Reed took the card, signed his name on the receipt, and then put the bank card back in his pocket. ¡°Nicolo Marsh, do you want to hit me?¡± Scotty Lake turned his head, his gaze towards Nicolo Marsh was full of indifference. ¡°I¡­¡± Nicolo Marsh was clearly scared. But she did not shake her head. ¡°Remember, if he dares to take revenge on you today, I¡¯ll have him lying dead in the street!¡± Julius Reed said indifferently. ¡°Yo! You think you¡¯re a gangster? Just a young kid, what are you pretending to be here?¡± Jake Carmichael mocked coldly. Slap! Just then, Nicolo Marsh slapped away, hitting Scotty Lake directly across the face. Scotty Lake, who had a fair complexion, now had a clear handprint on his right cheek. And Nicolo Marsh looked at her own hand, trembling, a bit dazed. ¡°And for this gentleman.¡± Julius Reed took out twenty thousand in cash from his pocket, threw it on the counter, ¡°Later, I¡¯ll take you to find the person in charge here, take the commission for selling this necklace, and after that, you resign and leave. Now, you are not a salesperson; he hit you, so naturally, you have to hit back!¡± For a necklace like this selling for eighty million, a commission of several hundred thousand was quite normal. Even just a regular salesperson would get at least several tens of thousands. ¡°You brat, you dare to hit me?¡± Jake Carmichael stared with wide eyes at Julius Reed, ¡°Do you know who I am? You dare to act like a gangster in front of me! Believe it or not, one call from me could prevent you from walking out that door?¡± ¡°Now, I¡¯m giving you one opportunity to make a phone call,¡± Julius Reed walked up to Jake Carmichael, smiled faintly, and said, ¡°But remember, there¡¯s only one chance, I hope you cherish it!¡± ¡°You¡¯re Nicolo Marsh?¡± He looked at the female salesperson. Nicolo Marsh nodded her head. ¡°Start with a slap.¡± Julius Reed glanced over at Jake Carmichael. Chapter 540 - Chapter 540: 540 Chapter 540: 540 ¡°You dare!¡± Jake Carmichael was really a bit panicked. But he quickly calmed down! ¡°Hit him, and if he dares to fight back, I¡¯ll immediately take care of him!¡± Julius Reed said nonchalantly. Meanwhile, Scotty Lake quietly called the head of security. Having been slapped, he felt terribly uncomfortable! He was determined to retaliate! Especially against this Nicolo Marsh, he was intent on punishing her severely! ¡°Alright!¡± After hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, Nicolo Marsh slowly walked up to Jake Carmichael. ¡°You little brat, you¡¯d better not regret this!¡± Jake Carmichael took a puff of his cigarette, disdainfully saying, ¡°Killing you would be no different than stepping on an ant¡­¡± Slap! Nicolo Marsh swung her arm round and slapped Jake Carmichael¡¯s face hard. She even knocked the cigarette right out of his mouth! ¡°Damn it! You crazy woman, are you looking for death!¡± Jake Carmichael was stunned for a moment, then felt a burning pain on his face. ¡°What¡¯s going on here!¡± Just then, the head of security came over with his team. After receiving a call from Scotty Lake about someone causing trouble, he immediately went to maintain order. ¡°Are you the head of security?¡± Jake Carmichael, looking at the uniform on the security, asked angrily. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m the head of security here. What¡¯s going on with you guys?¡± The head of security looked at the cigarette butt on the ground and frowned, ¡°Isn¡¯t smoking prohibited here?¡± ¡°Never mind the smoking, your salesperson hit me! How will you deal with this?¡± Jake Carmichael said impatiently. He was definitely going to settle the score with this salesperson, and also with this kid who dared to oppose him. But not now. ¡°A salesperson hitting someone?¡± After hearing this, the head of security frowned and asked, ¡°Did that really happen?¡± In the mall, if a salesperson hit someone, that would be a big deal! It would damage the reputation of the Leocadia Family and Five-state International. It must be dealt with seriously! ¡°Yes! I can prove it!¡± Scotty Lake spoke up from the side. ¡°And I was hit too.¡± ¡°What, that really happened? Take her away first!¡± the head of security gestured, and his team was about to step forward. ¡°Heh heh, let¡¯s see what you¡¯re going to do now!¡± Jake Carmichael had the look of someone watching a show. Nicolo Marsh, frightened, took a step back and moved closer to Julius Reed. ¡°The situation is not like that.¡± Julius Reed extended his hand, stopping the head of security: ¡°The specifics of what happened, you can check the surveillance. It was this gentleman, and this male salesperson, who hit her first. Then, I told her to hit back.¡± ¡°You were involved in this as well?¡± The head of security said sternly, ¡°Then please come with us for the investigation too!¡± ¡°Are you out of your mind! Can¡¯t you understand what I¡¯m saying?¡± Julius Reed looked straight at the head of security, ¡°Go check the surveillance first, and you¡¯ll clearly see what happened! You might as well throw your eyes away if they¡¯re useless, but perhaps you should let your brain breathe!¡± The security of Five-state International and the exhibition hall are unrelated¡ªthe security is all from Five-state International Building¡¯s original staff. They only cooperate with the exhibition hall. ¡°Speak politely! Come with me now!¡± The head of security was already furious, and being insulted, his anger surged even more. ¡°Can¡¯t you understand a word I say?¡± Julius Reed shook his head with a wry smile and lashed out with a fierce kick! Bang! The head of security, like a kite with its string cut, was sent flying backwards, landing heavily on the ground. ¡°You¡¯re done for! Haha!¡± Jake Carmichael laughed loudly. Assaulting someone would certainly lead to detention. Moreover, both Five-state International and the exhibition hall are major players, and the powers behind them wouldn¡¯t allow any disturbances here. In his opinion, the young man before him was simply asking for trouble. ¡°Captain, are you alright?¡± The security guards rushed over and helped the head of security get up. ¡°Ow! The bastard, he dared to hit me! Catch him!¡± The security team leader grimaced in pain, his body going limp like a broken frame. Yet with the support of his companions, he still managed to stand up with difficulty. ¡°You¡¯re dead meat!¡± He approached Julius Reed and said viciously. ¡°Itai Huntington, your men are impressive! You arrest people without determining right from wrong?¡± At this moment, Julius Reed casually spoke to someone behind the security team leader. ¡°Hah! You dare speak of our boss? Today I will tear your mouth apart!¡± The security team leader sneered. In Gonzalez City, there weren¡¯t many people who dared to call out Itai Huntington¡¯s name. And now this youngster, completely oblivious to danger, had the audacity to call out his boss by name? This was the perfect opportunity! An opportunity to distinguish himself and get revenge! ¡°Get him!¡± He gestured with his hand. But strangely enough, his security guards seemed to be frozen in place, none of them moving at all. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The security team leader said discontentedly, ¡°Can¡¯t you hear what I¡¯m saying!¡± As soon as these words left his mouth, he felt himself being lifted. ¡°Who the hell is touching me¡­¡± But when he turned around, he realized that Itai Huntington was indeed standing behind him. And the person who had picked him up was Itai Huntington¡¯s personal bodyguard, King Kong. ¡°Boss¡­¡± The security team leader¡¯s heart raced¡ªhow did the boss actually show up! ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Itai Huntington asked coldly. After surveying the area outside, she had just walked in to see a crowd of security guards gathered here. She had intended to find out what was happening, only to see Julius Reed upon entry. Julius Reed had recounted the events exactly as they had happened, also mentioning how the security team leader had wielded his authority, attempting to seize him. ¡°Boss, this guy is causing trouble!¡± Suspended in mid-air, the security team leader said with a cold sweat. ¡°Shut up! According to him, it was this gentleman and the sales assistant who hit someone first. If the person hit back, what¡¯s wrong with that?¡± Itai Huntington said sternly. ¡°Boss¡­¡± ¡°You, are fired!¡± Itai Huntington said coldly, ¡°Leave right now. Scram!¡± ¡°I¡­¡± The security team leader was completely dumbfounded. This job paid tens of thousands a month; if he was fired, he¡¯d struggle to find work in this industry again. After all, who would dare to hire someone fired by Itai Huntington? ¡°Is there anything else here we need to resolve?¡± Itai Huntington turned to Julius Reed. ¡°No more, we can handle it ourselves.¡± Julius Reed spoke indifferently. ¡°Then good, let¡¯s go!¡± Itai Huntington nodded and quickly left with the security guards. Scotty Lake was flabbergasted. How could it end like this? Julius Reed had hit the security team leader, yet this female boss didn¡¯t care about her own employees¡¯ well-being? ¡°Did you rat me out?¡± Julius Reed turned to Scotty Lake, who looked completely bewildered. ¡°I¡­¡± Smack! Julius Reed slapped him across the face, sending him tumbling to the ground. ¡°So, either you take this slap and later get your commission, or you hit back, and I¡¯ll go tell them to cancel your commission, saying you have bad service and hit a customer.¡± ¡°The gentleman is right¡­¡± Scotty Lake got up from the ground and said somberly. ¡°Hey! Isn¡¯t this bullying?¡± Jake Carmichael shuddered with anger at the scene unfolding before him. The slap from Nicolo Marsh on his face still hurt! ¡°Right, I am bullying, and what are you going to do about it?¡± Julius Reed said with a faint smile, followed by a fierce kick to the potbellied stomach of Jake Carmichael! Chapter 541 - Chapter 541: Chapter 541 Too Disappointing_1 Chapter 541: Chapter 541 Too Disappointing_1 ¡°Ouch!¡± Jake Carmichael, already plump and corpulent, fell to the ground like a human meat bomb, instantly drawing a crowd of onlookers. For someone of his high status, losing money wasn¡¯t scary¡ªafter all, he had plenty of it. But his pride was not something he could afford to lose at any cost! Even if the people present didn¡¯t recognize him, he had to regain his dignity. ¡°Honey, are you okay?¡± The woman hurried over and, with all her might, managed to help the nearly 300-pound Jake Carmichael to his feet. ¡°Cough cough!¡± Jake Carmichael felt a surge of blood and air rush to his chest, seeing stars before his eyes. He had rarely ever been hit like this as he grew up. In the family, although he was from a collateral branch, his excellent public relations skills had won him quite a bit of respect. No matter what, he was a member of the Carmichael family. In the capital, the name Carmichael changed people¡¯s expressions. And now, he had been hit in a place like Gonzalez City, where birds wouldn¡¯t even bother to poop¡ªwouldn¡¯t it be a laughing stock if word got out? ¡°You little bastard, you¡¯re dead today!¡± Jake Carmichael pulled out his phone and called a friend in Gonzalez City, ¡°Old Four, I¡¯ve been beaten up at the exhibition! Bring the guys over, I need to vent my anger!¡± After that, he pointed his phone at Julius Reed, ¡°If you can walk out of here on your feet today, I¡¯ll take your last name!¡± Old Four was a friend who had come over from the capital with him. On the eve of the New Year, all these executives were on collective leave, traveling around the country. They had just heard that Gonzalez City was hosting an exhibition and had come here in droves. It¡¯s just that last night those guys and their female companions had partied too hard and hadn¡¯t gotten up yet. Only Jake Carmichael was still full of energy, and after getting up in the morning, he came out for a walk with his female companion. Little did he expect to run into such bad luck. ¡°Boss, you better go. This boss here is a rich man; you can¡¯t afford to offend him. I was the one who hit him, and I¡¯ll take the consequences.¡± Nicolo Marsh, who had finally reacted, walked up to Julius Reed with a face as pale as death. ¡°Afraid of what?¡± Julius Reed looked at Jake Carmichael and said with a faint smile, ¡°Just a paper tiger, this kind of trash, hitting him is serving justice to the people!¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Jake Carmichael laughed in fury. He looked around at the men and women before him and sneered, ¡°Just wait. I¡¯ll take all your female companions away and properly break them in for you! As for you, how about I break both of your legs first?¡± Quella Radcliffe was beautiful, and Anna Harris wasn¡¯t bad either. As for Sophia Leocadia, who had remained silent the entire time, Jake Carmichael was even more envious. It was only Nicolo Marsh who paled a bit in comparison, but after all, she was a young girl untouched by man, and it would be a delightful thing to break her in. ¡°Are you¡­ serious?¡± Julius Reed, looking amused, glanced at Jake Carmichael, sending a chill down the spine of the middle-aged man. ¡°Heh, just you wait and see! But don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you, not one of these women will get away!¡± Jake Carmichael took a deep breath and took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, shaking as he tried to light up. For some reason, facing a young man, he felt a bit afraid. Whoosh! Before he could get his lighter to work, Julius Reed threw a punch! Thump! The cigarettes and lighter scattered on the floor as Jake Carmichael cried out in pain, clutching his face. ¡°What¡¯s going on here? Is someone hitting someone?¡± ¡°Hey! That fat guy wanted to mess with that young guy¡¯s women, that¡¯s asking for it, right?¡± ¡°Well hit! That fatso, still hanging around with a girl in her twenties, she¡¯s a slut too!¡± People around were pointing and commenting nonstop. The exhibition was already bustling with people, and seeing the crowd gathered here, many visitors couldn¡¯t help but come over to join the commotion. ¡°Boss, are we just going to stand by and watch? Could this negatively affect our reputation at Five-state International?¡± At the balcony on the second floor, a manager behind Itai Huntington voiced his concern. This exhibition was a collaboration between Five-state International and the Leocadia Family¡¯s High-heaven Group in the capital. It was also seen as the first trial run of the corporate alliance. Many enterprises participated in it, investing money and effort, intending to make the exhibition extraordinarily significant. Furthermore, with Nando Brandon¡¯s endorsement, many rich families¡¯ daughters flew here from all over the country. Being a fan could be terrifying. Itai Huntington, with a sharp business acumen, even set up a special ¡®Brandon Shop.¡¯ Here, fans could not only meet Nando Brandon up close but also purchase a plethora of products he endorsed. Items like plush pillows, mobile phones, and even cups and sanitary pads¡ªthere was a Nando Brandon custom edition for everything. Companies that had been worried earlier about getting their working capital tied up due to overstocking didn¡¯t expect that these items would sell out in half a day. At that moment, it was undoubtedly an opportunity for Itai Huntington and Quella Radcliffe to expand their influence once again. If someone caused trouble at Five-state International and annoyed the Leocadia family, the consequences were unimaginable. The reputation of the Gonzalez City corporate alliance would be thoroughly ruined. ¡°No need, Quella Radcliffe is down there. As the general manager of the corporate alliance, she¡¯s capable of handling it. After all, although I¡¯m the chairman, I can¡¯t hog all the limelight, right?¡± A smile curled up on Itai Huntington¡¯s lips. She also wanted to see how Julius Reed would deal with someone from the affluent and powerful Carmichael family in the capital. This was no ordinary rich person; this was an aristocratic family. If he couldn¡¯t even handle a branch of the aristocratic Reed family, how could he help her regain everything she had lost within her own family? ¡°Inform all security personnel not to interfere over there.¡± Leaning on the rail, Itai Huntington spoke with interest to herself, ¡°Julius Reed, oh Julius Reed, don¡¯t disappoint your sister.¡± ¡°You little bastard¡­ hiss¡­ when my brother arrives, I¡¯ll make your life a living hell!¡± Jake Carmichael trembled as he accepted a handkerchief a woman beside him handed over and gently wiped the blood from his nose. One of his eyes, swollen like a panda¡¯s, could no longer be opened. ¡°So, it¡¯s a numbers game?¡± Julius Reed nodded with a smile: ¡°I¡¯ll play along.¡± After speaking, he took out his phone and dialed a number. ¡°Boss, what¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Someone threatened to lay hands on your sister-in-law and beat me up.¡± ¡°Where are you, boss?¡± ¡°Five-state International Building, first floor.¡± ¡°Five minutes!¡± After the call ended, Julius Reed squatted on the ground, grinning at Jake Carmichael: ¡°Today, only one of us is walking out of here.¡± ¡°Heh, you truly don¡¯t know who I am!¡± Jake Carmichael took two instinctive steps back, struggling to stand up, his heart pounding as he stared at Julius Reed: ¡°I will make your life hell!¡± Just then, a cacophony of car horns came from outside. ¡°My brother¡¯s here! Now you¡¯re dead!¡± Hearing this sound, Jake Carmichael became excited once again. ¡°Is that so. I look forward to it.¡± Julius Reed turned around to see a group of about a dozen men entering through the revolving glass doors of the lobby. They looked fierce, each one exuding an aura of menace. ¡°Is this all¡­ the trash you brought?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he shook his head: ¡°You¡¯ve really disappointed me.¡± Chapter 542 - Chapter 542: Chapter 542: Just One More Than You Chapter 542: Chapter 542: Just One More Than You ¡°Mr. Carmichael, which blind motherfucker messed with you?¡± A group of people rushed into the Five-state International Building, and as soon as they entered the door, they saw Jake Carmichael being supported by a woman, looking like he had been hurt. ¡°Mr. Flower, if you had come any later, I would have been beaten to death!¡± Upon seeing Mr. Flower arrive with backup, Jake Carmichael instantly gained some confidence. ¡°My god! Mr. Carmichael, how did you get beaten up like this?¡± Mr. Flower stepped in front of Jake Carmichael and was genuinely shocked. The usually impressive Boss Carmichael was now covered in blood, with one eye swollen shut. Even his shirt was torn. ¡°Them!¡± Clutching his face, and both ashamed and angry, Jake Carmichael pointed at Julius Reed: ¡°This little bastard has some moves; I couldn¡¯t beat him. And that little chick next to him even dared to slap me!¡± Although somewhat humiliated, at least his reinforcements had arrived. Mr. Flower was known for helping various enterprises collect debts and had some reputation. This time in Gonzalez City, he had brought several of his toughest fighters. Though they were only a few in number, it would be hard for even a dozen or more to beat them. Especially Mr. Flower, who was exceptionally skilled and was known as Mr. Flower, with his fists and kicks being quite famous. ¡°Mr. Carmichael, you really should work out more, you can¡¯t even beat this pretty boy?¡± After setting eyes on Julius Reed, Mr. Flower took one glance and sneered, ¡°He wouldn¡¯t be a match for even one of my fingers.¡± ¡°Cut the crap, I¡¯ve already put my word out there, if he walks out of here standing today, I¡¯ll take his last name!¡± Now that he had support, Jake Carmichael wiped the blood off his face and strode up to Julius Reed, asking with a sneer, ¡°What have you got to say now?¡± ¡°Done for! That kid¡¯s in trouble now.¡± ¡°Or maybe call the police? Isn¡¯t this bullying? A bunch of them ganging up on one guy?¡± ¡°The fatso has money and power, he¡¯s not easy to mess with! Better to mind our own business and see how it unfolds.¡± The onlookers whispered among themselves. Even though they looked down on Jake Carmichael¡¯s behavior, they were all afraid of dragging themselves into trouble. ¡°Carmichael¡­¡± Just then, Sophia Leocadia was about to step forward and reveal her identity. As a legitimate daughter of the Leocadia Family, Jake Carmichael would not dare to disrespect her. ¡°Sophia, stay with your sisters.¡± Julius Reed rolled up his sleeves, smiling, ¡°Today, boss man here isn¡¯t in a very good mood. Just in time to vent a little. Where else can you find such a free human punching bag?¡± ¡°Hm, be careful.¡± Sophia Leocadia didn¡¯t say much more. She had witnessed Julius Reed¡¯s slaughter on the cruise ship; these people here were no match for him. ¡°Haha! Guys, I just heard the funniest joke in the world.¡± Mr. Flower burst into laughter upon hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words. What kind of trash now dares to boss around him? Was it because hammering that fatso, Jake Carmichael, gave him confidence? ¡°Kid, you really don¡¯t know your own weight! Any of my guys here, pick one.¡± Mr. Flower looked at Julius Reed with a sneering face, ¡°I¡¯ll make them use only one hand. If you can beat even one of them, I¡¯ll let you go! Mr. Flower never goes back on his word!¡± ¡°Mr. Flower, why are you playing the fool? What if this kid gets lucky and wins? Then I¡¯d have taken this beating for nothing?¡± Jake Carmichael was the first person unhappy with the arrangement; he was counting on Mr. Flower to thoroughly deal with this ignorant youngster today. If they let him go, how would he get to vent his anger? Countless eyes were watching around them; surely some of them knew Jake Carmichael. If this story got back to the capital, he really wouldn¡¯t be able to show his face anymore. ¡°Mr. Carmichael, you think I don¡¯t know about my employees? Which one isn¡¯t the best of the best? To be honest, dealing with this kind of trash, I wouldn¡¯t have even bothered to use a cleaver to kill a chicken if it weren¡¯t for you asking for my help!¡± Mr. Flower spoke with indifference. He knew exactly what his employees were worth. The dozen or so people here were all elite, all his reliable aides in the capital. Having said that, Mr. Flower turned to examine the three women behind Julius Reed. When his eyes fell on Quella Radcliffe, he couldn¡¯t help but take off his sunglasses and exclaimed, ¡°What a beauty! I can¡¯t believe you little shit got so lucky to meet such a gorgeous girl.¡± His eyes roamed, walking up to Julius Reed with a smile, ¡°Kid, I¡¯ll give you a chance to live. Lend me this woman for a few days, and I¡¯ll smooth things over for you today. I¡¯ll even put in a good word for you with Boss Carmichael, how about it?¡± Mr. Flower¡¯s gaze continuously roamed over Quella Radcliffe, making no effort to hide his greedy desire. He had played with beautiful women before, but a fine woman of such quality¡­ Especially when he saw Quella Radcliffe¡¯s tempting red lips and those charming big eyes. Mr. Flower felt like he had lived in vain. ¡°What do you say, brother?¡± He gently patted Julius Reed¡¯s chest with his hand, his eyes still lingering on Quella Radcliffe. ¡°I was going to give you a way out, but now, you¡¯re not appreciating it, are you!¡± Julius Reed said with a grin, as his right hand suddenly caught Mr. Flower¡¯s hand and brutally bent it! ¡°Crack!¡± A crisp sound rang out, and Mr. Flower¡¯s arm was broken! ¡°Pain¡­ Hiss!¡± Mr. Flower, who had just been wearing a lecherous smile, now staggered backward, trembling like a sieve. And his forehead was covered in cold sweat. ¡°Boss!¡± His employees quickly surrounded them, all glaring at Julius Reed. ¡°Trash him! Take the other three women to my car!¡± Mr. Flower took a deep breath, his eyes red with pain. ¡°You dare to offend Mr. Flower, you really won¡¯t be able to walk out of here.¡± Jake Carmichael said gloatingly from the side. Mr. Flower was powerful, and his employees were all desperadoes. Now, to think that a youngster from Gonzalez City had managed to break his arm, it was obvious what people would say when he got back. ¡°Really? Just the dozen of you?¡± Julius Reed laughed, pointing at Mr. Flower¡¯s employees in front of him. ¡°Boss Emily, you just said if I managed to beat any one of you, you¡¯d let me leave. So, you¡¯re saying you don¡¯t count as a person?¡± Julius Reed said with a grin. ¡°Shut the hell up! I¡¯m calling the shots here, not you¡­ Pain! Ah¡­ Trash him¡­¡± Mr. Flower was leaning against the display case, panting heavily as blood dripped from his hand onto the floor. Even though he was roughed up all year round, having an arm broken was unbearable. ¡°Just the few of you, still too few¡­¡± Julius Reed shook his head. ¡°One man dares to say we¡¯re too few?¡± A man clenched his fist, glaring at Julius Reed: ¡°Today, the brothers will teach you a lesson!¡± ¡°Who said I¡¯m alone?¡± Julius Reed pointed towards the doorway: ¡°I have brothers too, just happened to have more than you.¡± Chapter 543 - Chapter 543: Chapter 543: An Arrow Piercing the Clouds_1 Chapter 543: Chapter 543: An Arrow Piercing the Clouds_1 ¡°I warn you, stop bluffing! It¡¯s completely useless!¡± The man raised his finger, shaking it disdainfully: ¡°You broke Brother Flower Four¡¯s arm, today we¡¯re going to smash your skull!¡± With Mr. Flower in such a state, this matter definitely couldn¡¯t end well. But this was a public place, the police would probably arrive in a few minutes. So they had to take Julius Reed out, find a secluded spot, and quietly dispose of him! ¡°Come with us! It¡¯ll be better if you cooperate; I can give you a quick end. If you resist, don¡¯t blame the brothers for being ruthless.¡± With a wave of his hand, the men behind him immediately moved towards Julius Reed, ready to forcibly take him away. ¡°No need, I¡¯ll go with you, but don¡¯t regret it later.¡± Julius Reed gave a faint smile, his face showing no sign of nervousness. ¡°Heh! A duck that hisses even when it¡¯s cooked!¡± Mr. Flower inhaled sharply, enduring the severe pain in his arm, he stood up with the support of Ibrahim Ridge, leading the way. The one who dared to break his arm, he had to deal with personally. It was the rule. The mighty Mr. Flower had to seek revenge with his own hands. ¡°Julius¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at Julius Reed with concern. She could sense that these people were highly skilled, definitely not ordinary thugs. ¡°I¡¯ll call the police!¡± Anna Harris took out her phone, ready to dial for the police. The situation arose because of her, and if anything happened to Julius Reed, Anna Harris would feel guilty for a lifetime. ¡°I suggest you calm down!¡± Click! One of the men snatched Anna Harris¡¯s phone and slammed it into the ground. ¡°Don¡¯t be so rude to a lady, you¡¯re supposed to be men, after all.¡± Julius Reed scratched his ear and suddenly threw a punch at the man¡¯s face. Crack! The man was completely unprepared and was thrown against a cabinet behind him. The glass cabinet instantly shattered. ¡°You motherf¡­¡± ¡°He scared my girlfriend.¡± Julius Reed straightened his clothes and walked towards the exit with confident strides. ¡°Save it for outside!¡± Seeing that he was quite cooperative, these men also forcefully suppressed their inner rage, planning to torture Julius Reed properly after leaving Five-state International! Too arrogant! His edge had to be dulled. ¡°Gentlemen, wait for me tonight!¡± Mr. Flower, with his broken arm, showed a sinister smile to Quella Radcliffe and the others, then followed behind Julius Reed with a somber face. ¡°This kid is probably done for!¡± ¡°Such a pity!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s disperse!¡± Everyone let out a sigh of pity and shook their heads, ready to leave. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± As they walked out of the Five-state International building, they saw dozens of men in black suits standing in neat rows at the entrance. ¡°There weren¡¯t these people when we came in. Could it be that Five-state International is expecting some important guest?¡± Surrounded by nearly a hundred people as cold as ice, they were baffled. This display was even more impressive than their own boss! Continuing to walk, the crowd seemed to grow larger, and they were standing in no less than five neat rows! ¡°My God! What kind of VIP is this!¡± Someone couldn¡¯t help but exclaim. The men in neat black suits standing in front of the entrance were visually stunning! Even Jake Carmichael felt a tingling of his scalp. Too frightening! Even Marthew Abernathy, the Chairman of Abernathy Group, doesn¡¯t have such a procession when he goes out! Finally, they reached the end of the human wall. Here, a row of people in black outfits stood uniformly with their hands clasped behind their backs, wearing neat black sunglasses, completely blocking the road. And in the center, a Maybach was parked. By the car door stood a man in white, who was currently smoking a cigarette. ¡°Bro, we would like to get through, could you please let us by?¡± Mr. Flower, enduring the pain, pushed the employee in front of him aside and approached the man in white. After all, he knew the rules. This man in white was clearly a boss of some sort, and a very powerful one at that. Otherwise, he couldn¡¯t possibly have summoned such an array. It was way too intimidating! Even Brother Flower Four, who was accustomed to high society, felt a tingling sensation in his scalp. ¡°What¡¯s going on outside? Who is that person?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t see clearly, but from this setup, it must be a big shot!¡± ¡°Damn! Have they blocked the road?¡± Someone who had a view of the entrance suddenly saw the grand scene and immediately shouted within the exhibition hall. As everyone chimed in, the entrance soon gathered a crowd. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Julius won¡¯t be in trouble, right?¡± Anna Harris felt a lump in her throat. ¡°No, Julius is so formidable, how could he be in trouble¡­¡± She comforted herself mentally, but it didn¡¯t work at all. But wanting to go out and see, the entrance was blocked, and with many people standing at the door watching, they couldn¡¯t see clearly what was happening outside. ¡°Let¡¯s go! Up to the second floor!¡± Quella Radcliffe, who worked at Five-state International, naturally knew the layout of the place. She took Sophia Leocadia and Anna Harris and ran up to the second floor. Itai Huntington happened to be on the second floor looking out as well. ¡°Your lover isn¡¯t in any trouble.¡± Seeing the three women run up, Itai Huntington turned around and smiled, ¡°Look, the ones in trouble are those people down there.¡± Following the direction Itai Huntington pointed, Anna Harris couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°Oh my goodness! Where did all these people come from!¡± Viewing from above, the scene was even more stunning! An innumerable amount of people in black stood on both sides, with Julius and those few hoodlums looking particularly conspicuous, like ants in a tide of black. ¡°My head, it feels numb!¡± Anna Harris lightly scratched her head, overwhelmed with shock. ¡°These are all the people your friend¡¯s husband called in.¡± Itai Huntington turned her head to look at Anna Harris and said softly with a smile, ¡°Have you ever heard the saying, ¡®One arrow pierces the cloud¡­''¡± ¡°¡­and a thousand troops come to meet?¡± Anna Harris¡¯s eyes widened. All these were¡­ ¡°Aron Jackson¡¯s men.¡± Itai Huntington looked at Anna Harris¡¯s shocked face and said with a smile, ¡°I¡¯ve even underestimated Aron Jackson¡¯s strength; he¡¯s far stronger than I could have imagined. It seems I need to really straighten up this husband of Quella¡¯s.¡± Having said that, she laughed heartily. ¡°It¡¯s all about one¡¯s own skills.¡± Quella Radcliffe then replied, focusing all her attention on Julius Reed below. ¡°Bro, can you make way?¡± The first time he spoke, Mr. Flower received no reply, which annoyed him greatly. But a wise man does not fight when the odds are against him; with such an array, if he were to start a conflict with the other side, he feared he might not make it back alive. ¡°Who are you talking to?¡± Aron Jackson slowly raised his head and lightly flicked the ash from his cigarette. ¡°Ha, of course, to you. We need to get by, could you please make way?¡± Though Brother Flower Four was full of dissatisfaction, he had no other choice in the current situation. ¡°Are you implying that I¡¯m blocking your way?¡± Aron Jackson looked at Mr. Flower, took a light puff of his cigarette, and then threw the butt on the ground and stamped it out, ¡°Is that how I should interpret it?¡± Chapter 544 - Chapter 544: Chapter 544 The Furious Mr. Flower_1 Chapter 544: Chapter 544 The Furious Mr. Flower_1 Mr. Flower had a big name in the capital city, and everyone generally knew about Mr. Flower of Wangfujing. Ivan Reed, the godfather of Mr. Flower, belonged to the Davenport Family. Although Ivan had many foster sons, there were not many who were as valued as Stacy and Mr. Flower. Therefore, Mr. Flower leveraged his godfather¡¯s reputation to make somewhat of a name for himself in the capital. Apart from the direct descendants of the four major families, he regarded nobody as his equal. Furthermore, because of his fearless and aggressive nature, his bad reputation was known far and wide, and ordinary people did not dare to provoke him. Yet who would have thought that now, following Jake Carmichael of the Carmichael family to Gonzalez City for a visit, not only had he suffered a broken arm, but he had also endured such a huge humiliation. Back in the capital, if someone dared to ask like this, they would have probably been killed and beheaded long ago. But now, it was different: this was Gonzalez City. Mr. Flower understood the principle that even a powerful dragon couldn¡¯t suppress a local snake. ¡°Of course not, we just happened to be passing through here¡­¡± ¡°If not, then why are you wasting words with me?¡± Aron Jackson, tilting his head to size up Mr. Flower, said in a deep voice, ¡°What, did you go blind and fall, breaking your arm?¡± ¡°You¡­¡± The flames of anger were burning in the employees behind Mr. Flower, and just as they were about to erupt, Mr. Flower stopped them. This was not the time to boast foolish courage. If a conflict erupted now, could his few people really clash with their nearly a thousand? Even if he were good at fighting, they would all inevitably be buried here. ¡°Brother, I¡­¡± ¡°Who is your brother?¡± Aron interrupted Mr. Flower¡¯s words once again, looking at him coldly, ¡°What makes you think you can call me brother?¡± ¡°Hiss!¡± Mr. Flower took a deep breath, doing his utmost to suppress the rage in his heart. Normally, these were the words he would say to others. Having them thrown back at him today made him feel like exploding. Frustrating! The magnificent Mr. Flower of the capital city was actually feeling this frustrated! ¡°I am Mr. Flower from the capital, merely passing by here. I¡¯m not sure at what point I might have offended you! If there has been any offense, please feel free to say so! I, Mr. Flower, will definitely apologize and make it up to you!¡± Mr. Flower, while suppressing the anger in his heart and enduring the intense pain of his broken arm, barely managed a faint smile, ¡°Ivan Reed of the Davenport Family is my foster father! If I have offended you in any way, please consider my foster father¡¯s face and let this go! Once you visit the capital, I will treat you with all due respect!¡± Left with no other choice, Mr. Flower had to bring up his foster father, Ivan Reed. The Davenport Family was as renowned as the Carmichael family and the Leocadia Family, and Ivan Reed¡¯s reputation was equally illustrious. This bald man in his fifties appeared gentle and refined, but when it came to doing business, he was ruthless! Once, at a bar in the capital, a spoiled second-generation rich kid unintentionally insulted Ivan, who didn¡¯t look impressive, and even boasted about wanting to kill Ivan¡¯s entire family. That night, the rich kid and his family suddenly vanished from the capital. Afterward, they disappeared as if evaporated from the mortal world, never to be found again. But everyone knew what had happened. On the gate of Ivan¡¯s home appeared three new pillars. A rumor had it that each person that crossed Ivan would end up as a cement pillar in front of the Davenport Family¡¯s gate. Whether this was true or not, in the capital, Ivan was feared more than anyone. Now that Mr. Flower brought up Ivan, it was clear that he was trying to pressure Aron Jackson. If Aron didn¡¯t give Ivan face, even if he were a local tyrant in Gonzalez City, the Davenport Family would annihilate him just the same! ¡°Are you, trying to use Ivan Reed to pressure me?¡± With his legs crossed and leaning against his Maybach, Aron didn¡¯t show a trace of shock upon hearing Mr. Flower¡¯s words. What a joke! Long before he arrived, he had already figured out Mr. Flower¡¯s ancestors for eighteen generations. Ivan Reed has over a hundred adopted sons, and although Mr. Flower is somewhat important, he is only one-twentieth of that importance. His status is almost the same as Stacy Cook¡¯s when she returns to Gonzalez City. In the capital, Mr. Flower is Ivan Reed¡¯s dog, biting people everywhere. Perhaps Ivan Reed might regard this adopted son a bit more highly, but Aron Jackson really didn¡¯t care. Go against his own boss? Even if it were Ivan Reed standing before him, Aron Jackson would not hesitate to take him down. Seeing no reaction from Aron Jackson, Mr. Flower began to get nervous. Could it be that the person before him didn¡¯t recognize Ivan Reed? But that shouldn¡¯t be the case! Being so influential, with thousands of employees, how could he be such a figure and yet not have heard of Ivan Reed¡¯s big name? ¡°Of course it¡¯s not a threat!¡± Mr. Flower quickly said with a smile, ¡°I¡¯m just worried that we might inadvertently cause offense to ¡®Dragon King Temple¡¯ and besides, I want to make friends with you.¡± He racked his brain, constantly pondering, yet he couldn¡¯t remember who this person was. A big shot of Gonzalez City¡­ could it be that Aron Jackson¡­ But could Aron Jackson create such a big disturbance? ¡°The book says, ¡®A dog is a man¡¯s best friend.''¡± Aron Jackson said with a faint smile, ¡°Do you wish to be my dog?¡± ¡°Presumptuous! How can you speak to Mr. Flower like that!¡± One of Mr. Flower¡¯s employees finally couldn¡¯t hold back and exploded. They were used to being treated like stars when they followed Mr. Flower. Wherever they went, they ate for free, drank for free, and even got to play with women without cost. Everywhere they went, they were treated with the utmost respect. But today, they were insulted again and again! Their words were extremely offensive! It was simply looking for trouble! ¡°Oh! Mr. Flower, it seems that your employee here has quite the temper!¡± Aron Jackson looked up at the sky and shook his head, ¡°I don¡¯t like people who speak to me in that manner.¡± ¡°Since you don¡¯t like others speaking to you that way, then I kindly request that you speak to our boss with a little more politeness, or else¡­¡± Splat! Splat! Splat! Before the man could finish speaking! And the men in black at the entrance merged together, forming a human wall, completely blocking the view of the guests inside the Five-state International building! ¡°You¡­ you!¡± Mr. Flower, seeing his longtime brother fall to the ground, felt a twinge in his heart! And the others all had weak knees, swallowing hard. The brother who was chatting and laughing just a moment ago was now separated by life and death. ¡°I really don¡¯t like the way your man speaks!¡± Aron Jackson looked at Mr. Flower indifferently, ¡°Is this how Mr. Flower usually disciplines his underlings?¡± ¡°Sir, I assure you that Mr. Flower will seek justice for this matter!¡± Mr. Flower looked at his employee who was hacked to death on the ground, his face contorted with bulging veins, ¡°Now, may we please pass?¡± Though it¡¯s said that a wise man does not eat the loss before his eyes, when had Mr. Flower ever suffered such an insult? ¡°How about this, since your men all seem quite discontent,¡± Aron Jackson leaned against the Maybach, smiling, ¡°Step forward and have a spar with my employees. I wouldn¡¯t want it to seem like we¡¯re bullying you just because we are more in number. If someone can defeat my men, please feel free to do so!¡± Chapter 545 - Chapter 545 Ill do it myself_1 Chapter 545: Chapter 545 I¡¯ll do it myself_1 ¡°Is this really true?¡± Upon hearing this suggestion, Mr. Flower was overjoyed! He was indeed afraid of the people before him, but if it came to a one-on-one fight, his employees were all elites. In a one-on-one duel, there was absolutely nothing to be afraid of. As long as he could leave this place and return to the capital, Mr. Flower would definitely mobilize forces and seek support from Ivan Reed! ¡°Um, may I say something first¡­¡± Jake Carmichael knew that if he didn¡¯t speak up now, upon returning, Mr. Flower would certainly hate him to death. ¡°And you are¡­ what exactly?¡± Aron Jackson sized up Jake Carmichael with an offhand question. Being called a thing, Jake Carmichael was very annoyed, but he didn¡¯t dare to retort. ¡°I am Jake Carmichael¡­ the Chairman of the Marthew Abernathy Group from the capital, a relative of Mr. Beckett Carmichael.¡± Jake Carmichael introduced himself. ¡°Oh! So you¡¯re a friend of Boss Carmichael. What brings you to Gonzalez City? And why are you mingling with these people?¡± Aron Jackson took a cigarette out of his pocket, and an employee immediately came over to light it. He knew Beckett Carmichael well, who had been getting quite close to Julius Reed lately. But why was Beckett Carmichael¡¯s employee getting into trouble with Julius Reed? According to Beckett Carmichael¡¯s way of doing things, it seemed he would choose principles over kin! ¡°Ah! These individuals are also my friends. Entrusted by me, they came to help out with some affairs.¡± As soon as Jake Carmichael heard the change in Aron Jackson¡¯s tone, he hurriedly took the opportunity to continue, ¡°Today¡¯s incident was a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding! How about this, I, Jake Carmichael, will host and invite this boss and his employees to a meal. Let¡¯s make peace and money together, shall we?¡± After he finished speaking, even Mr. Flower felt somewhat baffled. Logically speaking, both Ivan Reed and Beckett Carmichael were figures from the four great families of the capital. But the man in white before them didn¡¯t seem to care at all about Ivan Reed¡¯s name. However, when Jake Carmichael brought up Beckett Carmichael, the man in white became much more polite. Could it be that Beckett Carmichael¡¯s reputation held more sway outside than Ivan Reed¡¯s? But no matter what, as long as they could leave safely, all was well. ¡°Jake Carmichael!¡± Aron Jackson strolled over leisurely to face Jake Carmichael: ¡°Didn¡¯t Beckett Carmichael ever tell you that there are some people in this world you just can¡¯t afford to provoke?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jake Carmichael was taken aback by this sudden question and had no idea how to respond. Why would Beckett Carmichael say such a thing to him? ¡°It means, you¡¯ve fucking messed with someone you shouldn¡¯t have!¡± Whoosh! Aron Jackson threw a punch, knocking Jake Carmichael to the ground. ¡°Hiss!¡± The people present drew in a sharp breath. Ivan Reed, Beckett Carmichael. Both renowned figures from the capital seemed to be utterly insignificant in the eyes of this young man in white! ¡°My big brother will be here soon!¡± Lying on the ground in pain and gritting his teeth, Jake Carmichael pointed at Aron Jackson, ¡°I¡¯ve already made the call, wait until my boss Beckett Carmichael gets here, and we¡¯ll see what you do!¡± Jake Carmichael knew that Beckett Carmichael was in Gonzalez City when he arrived. However, Beckett Carmichael had important matters to attend to and had not met with Jake Carmichael in Gonzalez City. When Mr. Flower was being beaten just now, Jake Carmichael realized things were not simple, so he quietly sent a WeChat message to Beckett Carmichael. ¡°Is Brother Gang coming soon?¡± Mr. Flower looked towards Jake Carmichael. They had flaunted their titles earlier, and since the other party didn¡¯t give them face, it¡¯s very likely they were suspected of impersonation. But now, if Beckett Carmichael really rushed over, then even if the young man in white had big backing, he wouldn¡¯t dare to trouble Beckett Carmichael. Especially with Eli Yarrow, Beckett Carmichael¡¯s bodyguard, whose skills in martial arts were outstanding and who had never been defeated! ¡°He should arrive in about ten minutes, there¡¯s an afternoon traffic jam,¡± Jake Carmichael checked the message on his phone, speaking in agony. He had been severely beaten by Julius Reed and now, having received a punch from Aron Jackson, both his eyes were nearly too blurry to see anything clearly. If he had known today would end up like this, Jake Carmichael wouldn¡¯t have left the hotel even if he had to stay indoors. ¡°Good!¡± Mr. Flower regained his spirit and looked at Aron Jackson, ¡°So, shall we have our employees spar as previously agreed?¡± As long as Beckett Carmichael arrived, the young man in white would have to obediently release the hostage! Collecting a little interest upfront wasn¡¯t excessive! ¡°Come on then, choose anyone you like; I¡¯ll only send out one employee.¡± With a wave of his hand, Aron Jackson signaled for a Willson Pavilion disciple to step forward confidently. Hearing that Julius Reed was in trouble, Willson Pavilion¡¯s people insisted on rushing over to help. Aron Jackson, unable to stop them, brought one along. ¡°Same here, anyone will do!¡± Mr. Flower scoffed coldly. Although pale from too much blood loss, his eyes shone brightly once again at that moment. ¡°Then bring it on!¡± Aron Jackson took a step back to give the two ample space. ¡°Hehe! Kid, you look weak. How about if I let you use one arm?¡± A man stepped forward and gestured towards the Willson Pavilion disciple with a hook of his finger. ¡°Okay!¡± The Willson Pavilion disciple nodded his head. ¡°Hmm?¡± Apparently not expecting such shamelessness from the opponent, he had just made an offhand remark, but the other side actually agreed? Fortunately, he believed he had more than enough skill to deal with this youngster with just one hand. Crack! But before the man had time to react, the Willson Pavilion disciple lunged forward with an explosive move, dislocating one of his arms! ¡°I¡¯ll handle it myself, no need to trouble you.¡± After doing so, he smiled and cupped his fist, ¡°Shall we begin then?¡± ¡°Hiss! You¡­¡± The man¡¯s face was filled with horror, and he was so pained that he lost all courage. He hadn¡¯t even made a move, and couldn¡¯t even see what technique the opponent used before one arm was dislocated! How could he still fight? Was this suicide? ¡°Since you¡¯re not saying anything, I might as well get started.¡± The Willson Pavilion disciple said with a faint smile, suddenly lashing out with a kick! Crack! In a panic, he tried to block with his hand, only to have it kicked and broken, and he collapsed on the ground, curled up in agony. The expression on his face was ferociously twisted, as if he was half dead. At the same time, a pig-like scream also entered the ears of the audience. It sent shivers down everyone¡¯s spine! ¡°What¡­ what kind of technique is this!¡± Mr. Flower thought highly of his martial arts skills, yet when he saw the young man¡¯s methods, he couldn¡¯t comprehend them at all. Too fast! His own employee seemed sluggish, with no chance to fight back. ¡°Next one!¡± Aron Jackson waved his hand impatiently. ¡°This¡­¡± Mr. Flower¡¯s eyes roved, realizing that Beckett Carmichael should almost be there now. He did not want to cause needless casualties. He had already lost several brothers today and couldn¡¯t afford more losses. ¡°How about we just call it¡­¡± Slap! Aron Jackson slapped Mr. Flower across the face, ¡°Do you think you call the shots? Right now, I¡¯m just informing you! If you¡¯re unwilling, then I¡¯ll pick someone myself!¡± He looked around and pointed at someone behind Aron Jackson, ¡°Him!¡± Chapter 546 - Chapter 546 Whoever Stops Me Dies_1 Chapter 546: Chapter 546 Whoever Stops Me Dies_1 Mr. Flower touched the scars on his face, unable to stop them. He could only watch helplessly as his employees, one by one, were beaten down to the ground like dead dogs. In unbearable pain. The disciples from Willson Pavilion acted swiftly and decisively, and in less than a minute, all of Mr. Flower¡¯s employees were lying on the ground, screaming incessantly. Adding Mr. Flower himself, a disabled man, to the count, everyone summoned by Jake Carmichael ended up crippled. Only Julius Reed watched all this calmly. Without uttering a word. ¡°Make way, everyone!¡± Just then, a shout came from outside the crowd, ¡°I am Beckett Carmichael, please let me through!¡± ¡°Unless our boss orders it, even if you¡¯re the son of heaven, you¡¯ll have to stand outside!¡± ¡°Take one more step, and don¡¯t blame us for not being polite!¡± Yet, Aron Jackson¡¯s employees didn¡¯t give Beckett Carmichael any respect, even prepared to get physical. ¡°Let them in.¡± Hearing the voice, Aron Jackson gestured with his hand to allow passage. Jake Carmichael and Mr. Flower, upon hearing Beckett Carmichael¡¯s voice, couldn¡¯t help but get excited! The main character had finally arrived! The humiliation they had suffered must be returned twofold! ¡°Boss, I¡¯m here!¡± Jake Carmichael shouted loudly. At that moment, Beckett Carmichael squeezed through the crowd with his employees. Upon entering, he saw Mr. Flower¡¯s employees lying on the ground. And Mr. Flower himself, with one arm severed. Jake Carmichael was lying on the ground, his face bruised and swollen. His face was beaten to a pulp. ¡°Boss, if you had arrived any later, I might never have seen you again!¡± Jake Carmichael could have stood up, but for dramatic effect, he knelt on the ground and slowly moved towards Beckett Carmichael, hugging his thigh and wailing, ¡°Boss, I was almost beaten to death! Mr. Flower came to help, but who would have thought we would encounter this boss here, and now all the employees are disabled!¡± ¡°Boss Carmichael!¡± At this time, Mr. Flower also came over, his face pale as he said, ¡°If you hadn¡¯t come, we really would have been done for.¡± His face was bitter. Accustomed to wielding power in the capital, he never expected to encounter such trouble in Gonzalez City while dealing with a youngster. Most importantly, at this stage, he still had no clue why he had offended the man in white before him. Or should I say, the boss on the streets. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± When he saw Aron Jackson, Beckett Carmichael¡¯s expression darkened and he said unhappily, ¡°Aron Jackson, what is the meaning of this?¡± He had met Aron Jackson before at the Bronze Sparrow Platform and was aware that the young man in white had a good relationship with Julius Reed. But now, having beaten up his own family members and crippling the people who came to help, it was a bit too disrespectful! This was outright disregard for both himself and Ivan Reed. Where does the dignity of the Carmichael family stand? If this incident reached Ivan Reed¡¯s ears, it would make it seem as if he, the chairman of Five-state International, had no clout at all. ¡°Aron Jackson? The boss from Gonzalez City?¡± Hearing this name, Mr. Flower took mental note, preparing for vengeance in the future. Without a doubt, someone who dared to disrespect Ivan Reed like this would probably meet an unexpected death within a week. He knew his godfather too well. ¡°Indeed, I am Aron Jackson.¡± Aron Jackson smiled, nodding and pulling out a cigarette from his chest pocket, offering it to Beckett Carmichael, ¡°Here. Have one.¡± ¡°No need!¡± Beckett Carmichael said sternly. If it hadn¡¯t been for Julius Reed, he would have taken action against Aron Jackson long ago. Hitting Jake Carmichael was a slap in the face to the entire Carmichael family! Outsiders wouldn¡¯t think it¡¯s Jake Carmichael who got hit, but rather that the whole Carmichael family has been humiliated. ¡°Then I¡¯ll smoke on my own.¡± Facing this powerful magnate who dominated one side, Aron Jackson showed not the slightest trace of fear. Instead, he started to smoke as if nothing had happened. ¡°Aron Jackson! Boss Carmichael is asking you a question! Smoking by yourself, don¡¯t you think you¡¯re disrespecting Boss Carmichael too much?¡± Mr. Flower asked coldly from the sidelines. He had never imagined such a scenario. But after all, Gonzalez City is just Gonzalez City. A small place, not to be feared. ¡°Exactly! Aron Jackson, our boss is talking to you. You better be polite and not so arrogant!¡± With his swollen face covered, Jake Carmichael came over and righteously questioned him. Now with his boss backing him up, the situation had completely changed. However, Mr. Flower was still somewhat worried that, in desperation, Aron Jackson might even take care of Beckett Carmichael. The top priority was to leave this place first. They could plan their next move later! As long as they left Gonzalez City, everything would be easy to handle! ¡°What business do you two have speaking when I¡¯m talking to Boss Carmichael?¡± Flicking the ash, Aron Jackson took a deep breath and blew a smoke ring into the air. ¡°Boss Carmichael, you really shouldn¡¯t have, got involved in this messy business.¡± ¡°You hit my man, a member of my Carmichael family. I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s impossible for me not to get involved in this mess, isn¡¯t it?¡± Beckett Carmichael said coldly. The scene in front of him was intimidating. Surrounding the entrance of Five-state International, they had completely blocked off a wide-open parking lot. He couldn¡¯t understand what Aron Jackson was trying to do by making such a big scene. To humiliate the Carmichael family members? But Aron Jackson knew very well that he had a close relationship with Julius Reed. After all, they had got to know each other in the big battle at the docks. Beckett Carmichael felt that it wasn¡¯t worth it for Aron Jackson to start a conflict with him. But with such a large arrangement, it now seemed obvious that it was directed at Jake Carmichael and Mr. Flower. ¡°Boss Carmichael, it¡¯s not you I¡¯m targeting, but these people right here.¡± Aron Jackson put the cigarette in his mouth and took a deep draw: ¡°I¡¯d advise you to leave, otherwise it won¡¯t end well.¡± He was also aware of the relationship between Beckett Carmichael and Julius Reed, but in today¡¯s matter, let alone a relative of the Carmichael family, even if it were Beckett Carmichael himself, Aron Jackson would show no mercy! In this world, anyone who dared to oppose his boss had only one path¡ªdeath! No matter who it was, no matter where. ¡°How can you talk to CEO Carmichael like that? Aron Jackson, don¡¯t think that just because Gonzalez City is your turf, you can talk like that!¡± Once again, Jake Carmichael shouted with false bravado. He was harboring a bellyful of fire and had been waiting for Beckett Carmichael to arrive. If he didn¡¯t slap Aron Jackson in the face, it would not sit well with him. ¡°I don¡¯t want to listen to his talk,¡± Aron Jackson said as he pointed. Immediately, an employee stood out from behind him. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Beckett Carmichael roared furiously. If he hadn¡¯t been there, and they hit him, it would have been over with, and later he could have sought out an expert to argue his case and seek justice. But now, there he was, Beckett Carmichael, the boss of the Carmichael Group, standing right in front of Jake Carmichael. How could he possibly watch his own kinsman get beaten up? ¡°Boss Carmichael, for the last time, I¡¯m warning you! Don¡¯t stand in my way!¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s face turned dark as he threw the cigarette onto the ground and crushed it fiercely. ¡°Today, no matter who it is! Whoever blocks me, dies!¡± Chapter 547 - Chapter 547: Chapter 547: The Road to the Underworld_1 Chapter 547: Chapter 547: The Road to the Underworld_1 ¡°You dare!¡± Beckett Carmichael¡¯s face was equally grim, his fists clenched tightly! This was to slap the face of a Carmichael Family member in front of Beckett Carmichael himself! If Aron Jackson really hit them, then Beckett Carmichael would no longer be able to stay in the family. The capital would go mad with rumors that the Carmichael family head couldn¡¯t even protect one of his clan members. To someone like Aron Jackson, they aren¡¯t even worthy of a name in Beckett Carmichael¡¯s eyes. That¡¯s why there was such a conversation during their first meeting at Willson Pavilion. Now, even with the relationship with Julius Reed factored in, he could not tolerate someone shitting on his head! ¡°Aron Jackson, don¡¯t push me too far! The power of Boss Carmichael is far beyond your comparison!¡± Seeing both sides with swords drawn, Mr. Flower knew this was an opportunity. To instigate trouble between Beckett Carmichael and Aron Jackson, using another¡¯s hand to kill! ¡°Don¡¯t you push me too far, otherwise don¡¯t blame me for not giving Mr. Reed face!¡± Beckett Carmichael had been restraining himself, but now, he felt insulted. ¡°Face?¡± Aron Jackson burst into laughter, ¡°Mr. Reed needs face from you? Beckett Carmichael, this group of people behind you, they planned to kill Mr. Reed at the exhibition and even boasted about wanting to take Mr. Reed¡¯s wife, Quella Radcliffe to bed and play with her! Say it again, whose face should I be giving!¡± Towards the end, Aron Jackson was almost shouting! He walked over to the people lying on the ground, reaching out a hand. A knife was immediately passed forward by one of his employees. ¡°You want face, right?¡± Aron Jackson sneered at Beckett Carmichael, ¡°I¡¯ll give it to you!¡± Thwack! ¡°No!¡± Mr. Flower roared unwillingly, his eyes fiercely fixed on Aron Jackson, ¡°I will make you bury them!¡± All these people were employees brought from the capital by Mr. Flower, following him for many years already. But now, he was powerless! ¡°Suffering? In pain?¡± Aron Jackson sneered, lifting the knife and walking towards another person. ¡°No¡­ please, spare my life!¡± This man was shaking all over with fright but could only lie on the ground and keep begging for mercy, as his legs had been broken by a disciple of Willson Pavilion. ¡°When you were boasting about killing my boss, why didn¡¯t you think of this day coming?¡± Thwack! ¡°Boss? Who is your boss!¡± Beckett Carmichael only then came to his senses. He turned around, grabbed Jake Carmichael by the collar, and roared, ¡°Who have you offended!¡± ¡°I¡­ I just offended a kid!¡± Jake Carmichael¡¯s legs went soft from fear, unable to understand why his boss had suddenly changed his attitude. ¡°Which kid!¡± Upon hearing this, Beckett Carmichael immediately had a bad premonition. He was well aware that Aron Jackson would not joke about such a matter. If these people in front of him had truly offended Julius Reed, then wouldn¡¯t his actions just now be¡­ ¡°It¡¯s him¡­¡± Jake Carmichael pointed into the crowd. Julius Reed was standing there by his bodyguard¡¯s side, looking at them indifferently. ¡°Hiss!¡± Everything went dark before Beckett Carmichael¡¯s eyes, and he nearly fainted. The worst had happened. The one his clan members had offended was indeed Julius Reed! ¡°CEO Carmichael, he¡¯s just a young man, not to be worried about¡­¡± Slap! Beckett Carmichael swung his arm round and fiercely slapped Mr. Flower across the face! ¡°CEO Carmichael, you¡­¡± Mr. Flower hadn¡¯t been prepared at all; he staggered back several steps, his face in shock as he looked at Beckett Carmichael, unable to fathom why this important person would strike him. ¡°A young man? You damn well killed me!¡± Beckett Carmichael stomped his foot and quickly approached Julius Reed. ¡®Thud¡¯ went his knees as he knelt down! ¡°Great one! I¡­ I was confused, I didn¡¯t know it was you they had offended!¡± He pressed his head firmly against the ground, his body trembling nonstop. The sea battle had shown him just how terrifying the master known by his ancestors really was! The unparalleled experts sent by the Roosevelt family had all perished at sea! With such capability, wiping out his entire Carmichael family wouldn¡¯t be difficult! What troubled him most was that even he had no clear understanding of who Julius Reed truly was! How many powers did he have by his side! ¡°This¡­¡± Seeing this scene, Mr. Flower and Jake Carmichael were completely dumbfounded. What was going on here? The once unassailable Boss Carmichael was actually kneeling before that young man. ¡°Boss, what are you doing!¡± Jake Carmichael hurried over, quickly approaching Beckett Carmichael, trying to help him up. ¡°Scram!¡± Beckett Carmichael bellowed angrily, slapping Jake Carmichael across the face. This useless fool had brought disaster upon him! How daring was this ignorant Carmichael family member to offend his ancestor¡¯s benefactor? Was he tired of living! ¡°Boss, I¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t call me boss anymore! From today on, whether you live or die, you¡¯ll have no relation to my Carmichael family!¡± Beckett Carmichael clenched his fists tight, kneeling on the ground, his head pressed hard against the floor, not daring to look up. Even Mr. Flower was stunned now. He took another glance at Julius Reed; aside from being handsome, he showed no other remarkable traits. Who exactly was he, to make a Clan Leader of one of the four major families kneel on the ground, trembling all over? Not even in the capital could there be someone with such authority. And now, here in Gonzalez City, such a young man existed? He just felt a numbness in his head, a chill throughout his body¡­ ¡°Boss! How should we deal with this!¡± Aron Jackson approached Julius Reed, speaking with utmost respect. ¡°What! Boss?¡± Hearing Aron Jackson¡¯s title, combined with the utterly respectful demeanor, Mr. Flower was utterly confused¡­ Who on earth was this young man¡­ ¡°That should be enough, let them through!¡± Julius Reed waved his hand, looking at Beckett Carmichael on the ground, ¡°You really do need to discipline your employees, first your company manager, now a family member. Don¡¯t disappoint me, don¡¯t lose all the good impression I have of you.¡± Having said that, he turned around and left. Disappearing into the crowd. After all, his wife was waiting for him; he had promised to accompany Quella Radcliffe shopping and couldn¡¯t waste time here. ¡°Thank you! Thank you so much!¡± Jake Carmichael knelt on the ground, continuously expressing his gratitude. ¡°Now, may we go?¡± Mr. Flower and Jake Carmichael approached Aron Jackson, shaking. They had both heard Julius Reed say to make way for them. ¡°You may, well then, off you go!¡± Aron Jackson, one foot resting on the car, pointed between his legs, ¡°Crawl through.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Jake Carmichael and Mr. Flower exchanged glances, nodded, and knelt on the ground. In the face of life and death, dignity was worthless. One after the other, they crawled out from under Aron Jackson¡¯s legs. The crowd also instantly parted to open a path. ¡°This¡­¡± Jake Carmichael pointed at the street sign, exclaiming in surprise, ¡°Why is it the road to the underworld!¡± There stood a street sign by the roadside, reading. The road to the underworld. Pfft! At the roadside, several people armed with crossbows shot Mr. Flower and Jake Carmichael into pincushions. Chapter 548 - Chapter 548: Chapter 548: Broadening Horizons_1 Chapter 548: Chapter 548: Broadening Horizons_1 After everything was taken care of, Aron Jackson walked ahead with his hands in his pockets, followed by employees bearing armfuls of fresh flowers, arriving at the entrance of the Five-state International Building. ¡°The president of Gonzalez City¡¯s Bronze Sparrow Platform Entertainment Company extends congratulations to Miss Huntington for the successful exhibition at Five-state International and presents these flowers as a special tribute.¡± Following the loud announcement from an employee behind him, dozens of people holding flowers arranged them at the entrance of Five-state International. ¡°So they¡¯re here to deliver flower baskets, but why such a big fuss?¡± ¡°Where are those few people? Why can¡¯t we see them?¡± ¡°I guess they left. Surely they¡¯d leave after cleaning up.¡± Everyone felt a sense of regret and loss for missing out on seeing Jake Carmichael and Mr. Flower taking care of Julius Reed. Soon after the employees of Aron Jackson had set down the flowers, they turned and orderly left the scene. In just five minutes, nearly a thousand people had disappeared from the entrance of the Five-state International Building. ¡°Went out for a chat. They felt they were in the wrong, apologized, and left.¡± After Julius Reed entered the exhibition hall, he saw three women staring straight at him. But his explanation seemed to have no effect at all. The three of them showed no reaction. Not a ripple on their faces. ¡°I gave them a beating and then drove them away,¡± Julius Reed explained once more. Still, there was no reaction from the three women. ¡°We saw everything from upstairs.¡± Quella Radcliffe spoke up. From the second floor, they had a clear view of everything. Deep down, each of them was profoundly shocked. It wasn¡¯t their first encounter. But to see Beckett Carmichael, the chairman of Marthew Abernathy Group, kneeling in front of Julius Reed with everyone watching¡ªthat was what truly stunned everyone. Sophia Leocadia, from the Leocadia family, which was on par with the Carmichael family, knew all too well what it meant for Beckett Carmichael to kneel down. ¡°Ah, Sophia, you were saying¡­ didn¡¯t you say you got tickets to that special crystal exhibition inside? Is that true? The other two sisters probably want to see it, too!¡± Julius Reed was rather embarrassed. It seemed he had underestimated the intelligence of the three women before him! But since he had already killed, he couldn¡¯t very well regret it now, as all three had witnessed him commit murder. ¡°Purchased it, I almost forgot if you hadn¡¯t mentioned it!¡± Sophia Leocadia nodded her head in agreement, ¡°But you¡¯re going to have to reimburse me for it!¡± ¡°No way¡­¡± Upon hearing this, Anna Harris first felt a surge of excitement and then disbelief, asking, ¡°Julius Reed, you¡¯re bluffing, right? I heard that you need an invitation from the Leocadia family to get in.¡± She had already done her research on the crystal exhibit online. It was filled with treasured items, even including exhibits specially ordered from foreign luxury brands. Just looking at the pictures on the website made her drool. Every girl has a dream of crystals, and Anna Harris was no exception. But the criteria to enter the crystal exhibition were very high. Since it featured luxury goods worth tens if not hundreds of millions, it wasn¡¯t accessible to just anyone. Only those with an invitation from the Leocadia family were eligible to enter. Selling tickets for such an exhibition seemed like a joke, right? ¡°It¡¯s true! If you don¡¯t believe it, why not follow us in and see for yourself?¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders. Why was it always Anna Harris who jumped out to make trouble? He was beginning to regret it; it seemed in the future, he should not bring this walking trouble with him when going out. Otherwise, everything would be problematic. ¡°Julius Reed! Are you questioning this young lady?¡± Anna Harris put her hands on her hips, completely forgetting the events that occurred just minutes before in front of this man. ¡°That¡­¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes darted about, since Quella Radcliffe hadn¡¯t spoken, it definitely meant that she shared the same doubts as Anna Harris. He sneaked a peek. As expected, there was anticipation in his wife¡¯s eyes. Women, oh so real. In front of crystals, their resistance is simply nonexistent. ¡°That¡­ actually, there¡¯s no need to buy tickets, but¡­¡± Julius Reed hesitated. ¡°But what!¡± Anna Harris narrowed her eyes and asked with a sneer, ¡°But you¡¯re tricking us, toying with us, is that it!¡± Hearing that they could enter the crystal exhibition, she was so happy she could have died. But now, if Julius Reed were to say that he was just kidding, she just might kill someone¡­ When women go crazy, even he is afraid. ¡°That¡¯s not it.¡± Julius Reed cleared his throat, his gaze flickering uncertainly as he said, ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s because Itai Huntington, she¡¯s the big boss of Five-state International, and the Leocadia Family¡¯s exhibition this time is also a collaboration with the Gonzalez City Business Alliance, naturally, there will be internal quotas.¡± He saw Quella Radcliffe¡¯s gaze change slightly and quickly waved his hands, ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong! My wife is after all the general manager of the business alliance, and naturally she has this authority. When I heard about this in the morning, I called Dempsey Davenport to ask, and she said the general manager indeed has five spots.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Anna Harris¡¯s eyes were filled with surprise. If that was really the case, then she would have no more regrets in life. This morning, when she saw the photos of the crystal exhibition hall and then thought about how she couldn¡¯t enter, she nearly had a breakdown. But now, opportunity seemed to favor her once again! Moreover, Julius Reed¡¯s reasoning made sense. The Leocadia Family was collaborating with the Gonzalez City Business Alliance represented by Itai Huntington, so they ought to give their partners some quotas, right? Plus, Quella Radcliffe had fully secured her position as the general manager, so having a few spots seemed perfectly normal. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say that earlier! You had me feeling dejected all morning!¡± Although Anna Harris complained with her mouth, her heart was blossoming with joy. She didn¡¯t expect the surprise to come so suddenly. ¡°After all, there was that¡­ misunderstanding with Itai Huntington yesterday, and I was worried you might have an opinion about it,¡± Julius Reed said with a cheeky smile. Itai Huntington had no damned face to lose. The Leocadia Family gave face, and she had to accept it obediently. If anyone had face, it would definitely be Sophia Leocadia. But Sophia Leocadia clearly did not want everyone to know her identity. Otherwise, it would create pressure in their interactions. And Julius Reed also did not want Quella Radcliffe to feel like he was hooking up with a super-rich second generation. Treating Sophia Leocadia as a normal little girl, as they were now, was better. ¡°Hmph! Rest assured! If you weren¡¯t guilty, you wouldn¡¯t have hidden it until now!¡± Anna Harris¡¯s face was full of happiness. ¡°How come I didn¡¯t know about it?¡± At this time, it was Quella Radcliffe who remained rational. She did want to go in and take a look. But as the general manager, she knew nothing about it, while Julius Reed knew first? ¡°At that time, you were sleeping, and Dempsey Davenport just happened to call my phone.¡± Julius Reed shook his phone: ¡°I must say, your assistant is quite attentive. Seeing you hadn¡¯t gotten up, she called me instead. Now compare that to a certain someone who seems to live in fear of a peaceful day!¡± ¡°You, you, you!¡± Anna Harris huffed, and then fixed her gaze on Julius Reed: ¡°What does it matter who she calls when you two are together? Come clean, are you and Dempsey Davenport¡­¡± ¡°Anna!¡± Quella Radcliffe gave a soft reprimand, ¡°What on earth are you thinking about? Have you been watching too many soap operas? If you don¡¯t want to go, we can just go in first.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Anna Harris clasped her hands together: ¡°Your ladyship, I was wrong, isn¡¯t that enough?¡± She glanced at Sophia Leocadia, ¡°Loli, consider yourself lucky today, your sister will take you to broaden your horizons!¡± ¡°Thank you, sister.¡± Sophia Leocadia smiled sweetly. Chapter 549 - Chapter 549: Chapter 549: The Taste of an Electric Baton_1 Chapter 549: Chapter 549: The Taste of an Electric Baton_1 Seeing Anna Harris¡¯s triumphant expression, Julius Reed really wanted to spill the truth. Just thinking about the expression on this woman¡¯s face, who stirred up trouble everywhere, when she found out that her object of envy was the Leocadia Family princess. Julius couldn¡¯t help but want to laugh. ¡°What are you laughing at!¡± Quella Radcliffe leaned close to Julius, hooked his arm, and batted her doe eyes, ¡°Is there something good going on? Tell me about it.¡± ¡°No. I was just thinking about how delightful it was to share a bed with my wife this morning.¡± Julius said with a cheeky grin. ¡°Pah!¡± Quella got even angrier when she heard this. She really wondered if Julius was even a normal man. A man and a woman alone in a room together, and she¡¯d already been so forward¡ªcouldn¡¯t he think of something to do? Instead, he had the nerve to comfortably sleep away the entire morning. ¡°Ahh, my wife, I was wrong!¡± Julius was suddenly dumbfounded and couldn¡¯t resist but lament, ¡°The heart of a woman, as fathomless as the sea!¡± The crystal exhibition hall was located at the very back of the Five-state International Building, originally a separate small plaza. When the exhibition was set up, this place became the crystal exhibition hall. The area was big enough, and it was very open around the edges, allowing many people to catch a glimpse of the exhibits inside through the glass. Around the exhibition hall, dozens of security guards continuously patrolled. But obviously, the Leocadia Family would not leave something as important as security in the hands of outsiders. Starting from the entrance to the crystal exhibition hall and all the way inside, the Leocadia Family¡¯s security team was on guard. According to Sophia Leocadia, the family dispatched nearly a hundred elite members for this event. All of them were the type who could take on ten opponents single-handedly on a regular day. ¡°Sophia, why don¡¯t you go tell the guards at the entrance that we are friends of the general manager of the Gonzalez City Business Alliance and have them open the gates for us?¡± As they neared the entrance to the crystal exhibition hall, Julius patted Sophia Leocadia on the shoulder. If they just walked in like this, they would certainly give themselves away. Now that they were fifty meters away from the exhibition hall, by the time they got there, Sophia Leocadia would have just finished communicating with the exhibition hall¡¯s security. ¡°No need! Let granny handle it!¡± Anna Harris patted her chest and volunteered. How could she miss such an opportunity to show off and garner respect? Merely being able to enter the crystal exhibition hall was an unexpected delight. Now she had a chance to strut her stuff, and she was more than pleased with herself. Quella was her best friend, and Anna felt this was a matter of pride for her as well. Julius was frightened out of his wits when he heard Anna¡¯s offer! If she really went over there, she¡¯d probably get thrashed on the spot and then booted out! Who even recognizes you? Before the mighty Leocadia Family of the capital, Gonzalez City was nothing but a backwater. ¡°Anna Harris, let Sophia handle this kind of errand! She¡¯s the youngest, so she should be doing more. You all are the older sisters; how could you lose such stature?¡± Julius hurriedly tried to stop her. ¡°Yes, sisters, wait here, and I¡¯ll take care of it quickly!¡± Sophia bounced in front of Anna Harris, ¡°I¡¯ll be back in no time!¡± The guards at the entrance naturally knew Sophia since the first thing one does when joining the Leocadia household is to get to know all of its members. Otherwise, if you make a blunder, how could you even expect to keep your job? As long as Sophia went over, she was the best access card. But surely, those people would greet her with a ¡°Miss.¡± Sophia didn¡¯t want to be exposed. ¡°No way! Little sister, you¡¯re the youngest, I can¡¯t bully you! Let your elder sister handle it, or someone might say I¡¯m picking on children.¡± Anna gave Julius a disdainful glance and gently said to Sophia, ¡°You wait here, little sister, your big sister will go over.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go together, I¡¯ll accompany big sister.¡± Sophia felt helpless. After all, she was also an eighteen-year-old young lady; why did people always treat her like a child? Although Anna and the others were in their twenties, they were only a few years older than her! Feeling utterly without a choice. As long as we go for a less ethical strategy. With two of us going together, we should be able to get in naturally. When the time comes, just give those guards a glance, and there shouldn¡¯t be any problems. After all, anyone working for the Leocadia Family must be sharp-witted. ¡°No need, you wait here, I run fast!¡± Anna Harris said, then took off towards the crystal exhibition hall with large strides. ¡°Sophia! Keep up!¡± Seeing that things were going awry, Julius Reed hurriedly called out to Sophia Leocadia. ¡°Hmm.¡± Sophia Leocadia nodded, immediately following behind. ¡°What¡¯s the difference who goes? Isn¡¯t it the same?¡± Quella Radcliffe, having seen what just happened, was very puzzled. Or rather, couldn¡¯t they just reveal their identities upon arrival? Wouldn¡¯t that work just the same? Is there something different? Besides, judging by Julius Reed¡¯s expression, he seemed very reluctant to let Anna Harris go. There seems to be a problem here. ¡°It¡¯s the same, but maybe it¡¯s better to communicate in advance.¡± Julius Reed answered absent-mindedly, his eyes locked on what lay ahead. Anna Harris was running too fast; she herself was a track and field expert, and according to Quella Radcliffe, she held the university record for the 400 meters during her college days. No one has broken that record to this day. Needless to say, Sophia Leocadia, born into wealth, couldn¡¯t keep up at all. ¡°Stop! What are you doing?¡± Upon seeing someone rushing this way, the Leocadia Family guard stepped forward. ¡°We¡¯re friends of Itai Huntington, General Manager of the Gonzalez City Business Alliance. Open the door!¡± Anna Harris said, breathlessly. She had run too fast, was somewhat agitated, and indeed, it had been too long since she last exercised; her body couldn¡¯t keep up anymore. ¡°What did you say?¡± The guard captain looked at her with a cold gaze. ¡°I said open the door! We¡¯re friends of the General Manager of the Gonzalez City Business Alliance, invited to view the exhibition!¡± Anna Harris stated with bold entitlement. ¡°Sorry, we don¡¯t recognize you! For the entire exhibition, if you don¡¯t have a door card attached to the invitation letter, you can¡¯t get in!¡± The guard¡¯s expression darkened as he glared at the ¡®crazy woman¡¯ in front of him: ¡°I am giving you a warning now. You have five seconds to leave quickly! Otherwise, we will take measures!¡± Some General Manager of the Business Alliance, even Itai Huntington didn¡¯t have the privilege to come to the crystal exhibition hall. Some people from a small place seriously overvalue themselves! ¡°Hey! What¡¯s wrong with you! Call your captain out!¡± Anna Harris was very unhappy, and she didn¡¯t care who the other person was when she started making a scene. ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Just then, Sophia Leocadia finally caught up from behind and shouted with her eyes widened. But it was still half a step too late. The electric prod in the guard¡¯s hand made contact directly with Anna Harris. Crack! As the sound of electric current emerged, Anna Harris felt her head spin and collapsed on the spot. ¡°Miss!¡± Upon seeing Sophia Leocadia, the guard quickly put away the electric prod and saluted respectfully. ¡°She¡¯s my friend, and so are the two behind me. But I don¡¯t want to reveal my identity, understand?¡± Sophia Leocadia said sternly. ¡°Understood!¡± The guard captain¡¯s eyes rolled, naturally understanding what was happening. How could one work for the Leocadia Family without being at least a little cunning? ¡°Anna!¡± Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed, seeing Anna Harris fall to the ground, also hurried over. Chapter 550 - Chapter 550: Chapter 550 Let Her Go_1 Chapter 550: Chapter 550 Let Her Go_1 ¡°I¡­¡± Anna Harris only felt a wave of dizziness. Everything before her eyes was black, with the occasional twinkle of a star. Luckily, the electric baton used by the guard had a low current, and seeing that Anna Harris was a woman, he only meant to warn her. Aside from a short bout of dizziness, there were no side effects. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Quella Radcliffe held Anna Harris in her arms and asked with concern. ¡°I¡¯m fine¡­ It¡¯s just, my head¡¯s a little woozy.¡± Anna Harris took a deep breath and shook her head; after that, she felt much better. ¡°Where¡¯s Julius Reed!¡± She bared her teeth, asking angrily. He had played her for a fool; no wonder he stopped her from coming¡ªit was all a setup! Swindler! ¡°I¡¯m right here.¡± Julius Reed watched as Anna Harris fell to the ground and couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter. Indeed, a scoundrel is ground by another scoundrel. ¡°You¡­ you can still laugh!¡± With help from Quella Radcliffe, Anna Harris touched her head and stood up from the ground. Although she was still a bit dizzy, it was no longer a bother. ¡°Good for you! You even dared to trick me! Not only did you give me false hope, but now I¡¯ve also been hit by an electric baton for nothing! Tell me, what should we do about this!¡± Anna Harris was furious. It was utterly embarrassing. But the guard in front of her was one of the Leocadia Family Members, and even if she had the courage of a leopard, she wouldn¡¯t dare to oppose the Leocadia Family. She could only vent her full anger on Julius Reed. ¡°Julius, what on earth is going on here?¡± Quella Radcliffe was also somewhat displeased. If Julius Reed was getting back at Anna Harris, this joke had gone too far. Plus, he had deceived her too! ¡°Honey, when have I ever lied? The reason I didn¡¯t let her go is because I guessed from the start that she wasn¡¯t up for it! If she can¡¯t even speak clearly, how is she supposed to communicate with others?¡± Julius Reed, feeling somewhat helpless, walked up to the guard and said with his hands in his pockets, ¡°The woman behind me is the General Manager of Gonzalez City Business Alliance, Ms. Quella Radcliffe. Invited by your Leocadia Family, she comes here to visit the crystal exhibition hall.¡± ¡°Haha! Just you wait and see, he¡¯ll get electrocuted soon! Then he¡¯ll fall to the ground just like I did.¡± Anna Harris, gloating, took out her phone and said to Quella Radcliffe, ¡°I have to capture this meaningful moment and then humiliate him with it every day!¡± ¡°No way¡­ Julius, getting shocked by electricity?¡± Heartsick from Anna Harris¡¯s words, Quella Radcliffe grew worried. ¡°Right away, I¡¯ll count to three.¡± Anna Harris confidently held up three fingers, ¡°Three, two, one¡ªdown!¡± Her face even held a hint of excitement. Women and their thirst for revenge, it¡¯s just too much. Her words made Quella Radcliffe¡¯s heart also skip a beat. ZZZT! With that noise, The barrier gate lifted. The guard extended a hand and shook with Julius Reed, saying excitedly, ¡°Welcome to the General Manager of Gonzalez City Business Alliance, Ms. Quella Radcliffe, and her family to visit! It¡¯s an honor to serve you! Please, come this way!¡± Clatter! Anna Harris¡¯s phone fell to the ground. ¡°No way¡­¡± Her eyes widened in disbelief at the scene before her. ¡°What¡¯s going on! Why is it that when I said the same thing, I got shocked, but he¡¯s fine? There¡¯s even handshaking and saluting?¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe blinked, equally incredulous. ¡°Please, come in!¡± After communicating with the guard, Julius Reed turned around to look at Anna Harris and shrugged. ¡°I told you not to come. Why bother humiliating yourself! You can¡¯t even speak properly, I really don¡¯t know how you managed all those years of education.¡± Having said that, he was the first to walk in. Sophia Leocadia followed close behind. ¡°Let¡¯s go in too, Anna. You shouldn¡¯t always blame Julius; he¡¯s actually a nice person. He¡¯s good to me, and not bad to you either! You¡¯re always offending him, and that¡¯s not giving him face.¡± Quella Radcliffe whispered. Anna Harris was her close friend and often looked out for her. But her temper was rough, and she was always at odds with Julius Reed. However, Quella Radcliffe knew that Anna Harris had a tough exterior but a soft heart, and deep down, she hoped Anna and Julius would get along well. ¡°Quella, even you say that about me¡­¡± Anna Harris¡¯ words trailed off as she was on the verge of tears. ¡°No! How could I say anything about you! Wait till we get back tonight, I¡¯ll take care of Julius Reed and make sure he doesn¡¯t dare to bully you!¡± Quella quickly corrected herself. ¡°Hehe, you¡¯re the best!¡± Anna Harris planted a kiss on her face with a smack. This made Julius Reed very jealous. He wondered, should he too steal a kiss on Quella¡¯s face tonight? But his instincts told him that would be too dangerous. When passing through security, Anna Harris still felt a bit guilty. She had just been shocked with a taser, and she hadn¡¯t fully recovered yet. Seeing the guard¡¯s baton, she felt scared. Fortunately, with some alarms but no real danger, the group smoothly made their way into the venue. ¡°Wow! My goodness!¡± The moment she entered, Anna Harris couldn¡¯t help exclaiming in surprise. The room was full of sparkling crystals, each one bigger than the last! She had been feeling dizzy just a moment ago, but now she was fully revitalized. In an instant, all eyes in the exhibition hall were drawn to Anna Harris. ¡°Look, here!¡± A Western woman pointed to the ¡®No Noise¡¯ sign hanging on the wall, speaking in her choppy Chinese. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, so sorry!¡± Anna Harris¡¯ face instantly turned red, and she repeatedly apologized with her hands clasped together in shame. ¡°Ah!¡± Julius Reed stretched lazily and said leisurely, ¡°Now I know why they put a threshold on the exhibition hall. They¡¯re afraid that some people who¡¯ve never seen the world would come here and can¡¯t help but make a ruckus. It¡¯s embarrassing!¡± ¡°Julius!¡± Quella gave him a look. ¡°Quella, you see, he¡¯s bullying me!¡± Anna Harris had tears swirling in her eyes. His words had hit her hard. She couldn¡¯t help but scream at the sight of the crystals, while everyone else remained so composed. ¡°I¡¯ve hurt my own pride!¡± Anna Harris leaned into Quella¡¯s embrace and cried, ¡°I don¡¯t belong here, I want to go back.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, Julius Reed is always like that with his mouth, even with me. He¡¯s just joking, don¡¯t take it seriously,¡± Quella gently patted Anna Harris, trying to calm her, while she gave Julius Reed a stern look. ¡°It¡¯s fine, let her go!¡± Julius Reed said cheerfully, ¡°If she dares to leave, I¡¯ll kneel and wash clothes when I get back, after the washboard, I¡¯ll kneel on instant noodles, then kneel on an exercise ball, and then on a keyboard!¡± After he finished speaking, even Sophia Leocadia¡¯s view of Julius Reed changed. So harsh on himself! Or was it that such an outstanding man had no standing at home? ¡°Are you serious?¡± Anna Harris looked at Julius Reed with reddened eyes. ¡°I mean what I say!¡± Julius Reed nodded. ¡°Fine! Today I¡¯ll make your life a misery!¡± Anna Harris snorted softly, turned around, and headed toward the exit. ¡°Anna! Come back here!¡± Quella stomped her foot in resignation, wondering why these two always fought upon meeting. ¡°It¡¯s fine, let her go! The rules of this exhibition hall apply to everyone, no matter who or what status. Once you leave, you can¡¯t come back in!¡± Julius Reed said aloud on purpose, ¡°I¡¯d love to kneel on instant noodles today!¡± Hearing his words, Anna Harris halted in her tracks. If she went out, she couldn¡¯t come back in? That wouldn¡¯t do! What a loss! So, Anna Harris turned around, smiling at Quella, ¡°What if he bullied you while I¡¯m not here?¡± After speaking, she ran to Quella¡¯s side, and looking at Julius Reed, she said, ¡°You¡¯re getting off easy!¡± Seeing her best friend¡¯s stark contrast, Quella shook her head and sighed helplessly. Too real! Chapter 551 - Chapter 551: Chapter 551 Going to the Toilet_1 Chapter 551: Chapter 551 Going to the Toilet_1 Although the exhibition hall was right in the middle of the entire convention center, it was not small at all. Since Sophia Leocadia had grown up amidst her family¡¯s industries, she had no interest in them whatsoever. Julius Reed felt no wonder either. The supreme leader of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance had no interest in these mere rocks. Instead, Anna Harris and Quella Radcliffe became increasingly cheerful as they looked around. Especially Anna Harris, who kept taking out her phone to take pictures. ¡°Hello! I¡¯m Jack Lau.¡± As Quella Radcliffe and Anna Harris were visiting each exhibit in turn, a blond young man and two companions approached. ¡°Hello!¡± In high spirits, Anna Harris saw no reason to dislike these newcomers. After all, she had studied abroad and mostly interacted with people like them. ¡°It¡¯s an honor to meet you ladies.¡± Jack Lau extended a hand, wanting to shake hands with Anna Harris. ¡°An honor? Forget it, I don¡¯t have time!¡± Anna Harris brushed him off casually and continued to take pictures with her phone. ¡°Beauty, do you have a boyfriend?¡± Jack Lau, far from annoyed, leaned on the display case, even more interested as he sized up the two women. ¡°And this lady¡­ ravishing beyond words, are you single as well?¡± He turned his gaze to Quella Radcliffe, introducing the Caucasian man behind him: ¡°This is Thompson, my classmate. Son of the president of Oberon Enterprise in the Americas.¡± ¡°Oh! I¡¯m married.¡± Quella Radcliffe showed off the wedding ring on her finger. ¡°For three years now.¡± ¡°That¡¯s such a pity!¡± Thompson held his head in despair, ¡°I came to Gonzalez City to find a woman as outstanding as you. It¡¯s a shame, you¡¯re already married.¡± ¡°Yes, I am very happy to have found my Prince Charming.¡± Quella Radcliffe found the foreigners¡¯ bluntness distasteful! But since they hadn¡¯t said anything too excessive, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to lose her temper with them. ¡°God, I wonder who your Prince Charming might be. Given your beauty, he must surely be an heir to a top 500 global enterprise, right?¡± Thompson¡¯s lips curled upward slightly. His Oberon Enterprise was among the top 500 globally. It was well-known even in the East. This trip to Gonzalez City was partly for pleasure and partly to represent his family in discussing a partnership with Marthew Abernathy Group in the capital. During his stay in Gonzalez City, he had conquered many Eastern women with his personal charm and American dollars. In fact, he had even managed to have two extremely beautiful college students in his bed at the same time, overnight. In their eyes, women were merely toys. ¡°Mr. Thompson is already the assistant manager of Oberon Group, and his future prospects are limitless. It¡¯s really too bad, in my opinion, only he is worthy of you!¡± Jack Lau echoed from the side. Although his family was wealthy, they could not compare to Thompson¡¯s. He had come to Gonzalez City because his family had a batch of smuggled goods detained by Aron Jackson. The items were worth over two billion, and his family had sent him with his uncle to retrieve the goods. Since he had yet to see Aron Jackson, he simply decided to join Thompson at the exhibition for some leisure. Thanks to his family¡¯s influence, Thompson had secured tickets to the crystal exhibition hall and thought to just stroll around, but never expected to meet a beautiful girl like Quella Radcliffe. For him, this was a wonderful surprise! He had seen the gentle beauty of Eastern women, but Quella Radcliffe was truly dignified! Her beauty was indescribable. ¡°Sorry, my husband doesn¡¯t work; he stays at home, and I support him,¡± Quella Radcliffe answered with a smile. ¡°But he¡¯s amazing. If he wanted to make something of himself, I think even the top ten in the world would just be a matter of whether he felt like it or not.¡± Ever since Julius Reed had suddenly changed, Quella Radcliffe had witnessed a series of miracles. If Julius Reed claimed to be the world¡¯s wealthiest man now, she wouldn¡¯t be surprised. After all¡­ Just a moment ago, Beckett Carmichael was kneeling in front of Julius Reed, not daring to lift his head. What kind of status would one need to achieve that? ¡°Madam, you really have a sense of humor.¡± Thompson smiled lightly, showing no concern for Quella Radcliffe¡¯s words. He had already taken a glance at the two beauties in front of him and could only say their attire was quite ordinary. Perhaps they had a few million at home, but certainly no more than that. Their clothes did not include a single luxury brand, not even major brands. The only thing of value was that string of Chun Xue. Just purchased. For women like these, Thompson had a hundred ways to make them climb into his bed. ¡°Sorry, we are here for the exhibition; if there¡¯s nothing else, we¡¯ll be leaving now.¡± Quella Radcliffe pulled Anna Harris along, and the two of them left the current booth and headed towards the next. ¡°Thompson, do you have a method?¡± Jack Lau watched the two women leave and said indifferently, ¡°This might be a bit challenging!¡± The two of them were good friends. During their trip to Gonzalez City, they had set up a competition. For every girl they managed to date, they would first take a photo and upload it to their group chat, asking their friends to rate them. Then they would see who had slept with women scoring higher in total. Currently, Thompson¡¯s score was slightly lower than Jack Lau¡¯s. But if he could sleep with this stunning Eastern beauty, he was confident he could turn the tables! Ding! Thompson sent the photo he had secretly taken to the group chat. ¡°My God! Who is this! Tell me! Where is she!¡± ¡°I give her a ten! She¡¯s the most beautiful one you¡¯ve encountered in three days! Are you confident you can handle it?¡± ¡°Conquering her would be like conquering Mount Everest! Thompson, Jack Lau, which one of you wants to try?¡± The group chat exploded instantly. They were guys who had been with plenty of women, and seeing such a stunning Eastern lady got them all excited. Unfortunately, these people were in the Americas and not in Hua Xia. All they could do was feel anxious. ¡°The one next to her isn¡¯t bad either, she should get an 8!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll give her an 8.5! It¡¯s only because the first one was so stunning. In fact, both are plenty beautiful!¡± ¡°I give her a nine!¡± The group chat rated Anna Harris again. ¡°OK, let¡¯s discard one lowest score and one highest score, then her score is 8.5!¡± Jack Lau said in the group chat, ¡°I am currently leading Thompson by two points. If we both succeed at the same time, I will still be ahead of him in total scores!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s give it a try! Whoever gets her first this time is the winner!¡± Thompson said with a grin. ¡°It¡¯s a deal!¡± Jack Lau¡¯s eyes were filled with anticipation. Meanwhile, Anna Harris and Quella Radcliffe were unaware that the two foreign men whom they had just met were already eyeing them. ¡°Julius, I want to use the restroom.¡± Quella Radcliffe said awkwardly. The time spent wandering the exhibition hall had passed very quickly. ¡°I¡¯ve been wanting to go for ages. Honestly, I can hardly hold it in anymore!¡± Anna Harris was even more embarrassed. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that leaving meant they couldn¡¯t come back, she would have left already. ¡°Should we just head out?¡± Although Quella Radcliffe also felt a bit reluctant, she still wanted to use the restroom first. ¡°No, don¡¯t! I haven¡¯t seen enough yet!¡± Anna Harris immediately panicked. ¡°It¡¯s okay, go ahead. We can come back in.¡± Julius Reed said cheerfully. Chapter 552 - Chapter 552: Chapter 552 Poisoning_1 Chapter 552: Chapter 552 Poisoning_1 ¡°What did you say!¡± Anna Harris doubted she had heard correctly. Hadn¡¯t Julius Reed just said that once she went out, she wouldn¡¯t be able to come back in? She had wanted to use the restroom for an hour and was now feeling very uncomfortable. However, the temptation of the crystals was too great, and she couldn¡¯t resist continuing to take photos. Who knows when she would get another opportunity like this. ¡°Just now¡­¡± Julius Reed shifted his eyes and explained, ¡°I just asked again, and the guard at the door said it was okay.¡± ¡°Pah! Julius Reed, you scumbag! Are you playing me!¡± Anna Harris¡¯s face changed, and she immediately realized what was happening. She was a foreign student after all, and her intelligence wasn¡¯t that worrisome. ¡°Today, I¡¯m going to tear you apart!¡± Furious and ashamed, Anna Harris bared her teeth and claws and lunged towards Julius Reed. ¡°Shh¡­¡± Faced with the attack of the ¡®tigress,¡¯ Julius Reed stood with his hands in his pockets, whistling nonchalantly as if nothing was happening. ¡°Ouch! You¡¯re ruthless!¡± Anna Harris went weak at the knees and hurriedly scrambled for the door to escape. ¡°You, be serious!¡± Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t help but blush and also headed towards the restroom. ¡°Brother Davenport, you¡¯re so amazing!¡± Sophia Leocadia gave a thumbs up. When the two women were wandering around the exhibition earlier, they had been having casual conversations. ¡°I think I know what¡¯s wrong with your grandfather¡¯s illness,¡± Julius Reed leaned on the glass case at the platform and said to Sophia Leocadia. During the casual chat, he had already roughly ascertained the details of the illness. This included the usual health condition of the old master, the characteristics at the onset of the illness, and the recent situation. In passing, he also learned about the recent actions of the Leocadia family members. ¡°Really?¡± Sophia Leocadia was very surprised to hear this. The person Old Master Leocadia doted on the most was her; their bond had grown deep over many years. Since Old Master Leocadia had fallen ill, Sophia Leocadia had been the most distressed. She would often be by his side in the hospital, and strangely enough, although he was usually hale and hearty, he had suddenly taken ill. And despite many famous doctors and the Leocadia family¡¯s substantial wealth, his condition had only worsened after the treatments. Now, Old Master Leocadia was often unconscious, and there were even rumors that he wouldn¡¯t live past the 15th day of the first lunar month. During this period, Sophia Leocadia had visited many famous doctors, but to no avail. Anyone who came to Old Master Leocadia¡¯s window was at their wits¡¯ end. In their own words, they were out of options and only a deity could save him. Now that Julius Reed had spoken, Sophia Leocadia felt indescribably surprised. However, her expression soon dimmed again. ¡°I know you¡¯re trying to comfort me; it¡¯s okay, I can take it.¡± Sophia Leocadia¡¯s eyes reddened and she fidgeted with the hem of her clothes non-stop. ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± Julius Reed gently touched Sophia Leocadia¡¯s head: ¡°When have I ever lied to you?¡± ¡°Really?¡± Sophia Leocadia looked up, her eyes full of surprise. ¡°Brother Davenport, what is actually wrong with my grandfather?¡± She had always been confused; why was her grandfather¡¯s illness incurable by anyone? ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken¡­¡± Julius Reed took a deep breath and shrugged, ¡°You might not believe it, but the truth is, someone poisoned him.¡± ¡°Poisoned?¡± Sophia Leocadia¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Of course, you can choose not to believe it, just don¡¯t treat me as if I¡¯m trying to drive a wedge in the Leocadia family relations like earlier.¡± Julius Reed saw Sophia Leocadia¡¯s expression and wasn¡¯t the least bit angry. It was a natural reaction. If someone told him that Quella Radcliffe had poisoned him, he would smack them. ¡°No, no!¡± Upon hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, Sophia Leocadia hurriedly waved her hand and said, ¡°I believe!¡± ¡°You believe? But those are your family members.¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow and asked. ¡°Brother Davenport, I know you¡¯re a good person, so I won¡¯t hide anything from you.¡± Sophia Leocadia took a deep breath, her tone tinged with sadness as she said, ¡°In big families like ours, there¡¯s always a huge dispute over inheritance. Grandfather favored my father in this matter of succession, and he was planning to retire this year to pass the chairman position to my father¡­¡± ¡°However, who could have known something like this would happen. Now that Grandfather¡¯s life hangs in the balance, my uncles are scrambling to win over family members, and Grandmother spends all her time praying and chanting, paying no heed to family matters. Our Leocadia Family is now in complete turmoil¡­¡± ¡°As I suspected, it¡¯s just as I thought. The person who poisoned your grandfather is very skilled. I have a guess as to what the poison might be, but I still need to see for myself.¡± Julius Reed nodded, confirming his suspicions from what Sophia Leocadia had told him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll look into it.¡± With that, he pulled out his phone and quickly sent a message to the Wolf Cavalry, who was still in the capital city. The Wolf Cavalry didn¡¯t return to Gonzalez City after investigating Ivan Reed¡¯s matter but continued to stay there to observe. Now they would prove useful. For the Wolf Cavalry, going undercover and investigating such matters was like a post-doctoral fellow doing elementary school homework. A piece of cake! ¡°Brother Davenport, who are you messaging now?¡± Sophia Leocadia asked curiously. Upon hearing Julius Reed¡¯s remarks, her mood instantly brightened. ¡°To a friend of mine in the capital city.¡± Putting the phone back into his pocket, Julius Reed looked at Sophia Leocadia, ¡°Don¡¯t tell anyone about this matter, including your father!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Sophia Leocadia nodded vigorously, anticipation in her voice as she asked, ¡°Brother Davenport, can you tell me, how great are the chances of my grandfather¡¯s recovery?¡± She believed the poisoning was real. In a big family, for the sake of their interests, there was nothing they wouldn¡¯t do. But given the sophistication of the poisoning and how long the poison had been administered, considering her grandfather¡¯s current critical condition, it was uncertain whether he could be brought back from the brink of death. ¡°To be conservative¡­¡± Julius Reed pondered for a moment, then under Sophia Leocadia¡¯s gaze full of hope, he said, ¡°A hundred percent!¡± ¡°What! Really?¡± Sophia Leocadia felt that today was truly the happiest day of her life. Or at least, as happy as the day she met Julius Reed. She had thought Julius Reed would mention a very low chance, or even express uncertainty. But unexpectedly, the big brother who saved her when she was a child said a hundred percent confidently! ¡°When I take action, there¡¯s no problem. Rest easy during the New Year.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly. The one he wanted to save, even the Grim Reaper couldn¡¯t take away! ¡­ The crystal exhibition hall wasn¡¯t far from the restroom, and after leaving the bathroom, Quella Radcliffe stood by the door waiting for Anna Harris. Just then, she happened to encounter Itai Huntington patrolling with security guards. ¡°What a coincidence, Miss Radcliffe!¡± Upon seeing Quella Radcliffe, Itai Huntington stopped to greet her. ¡°Chairman Huntington, thank you.¡± Although Quella Radcliffe was bothered about how Itai Huntington had treated Julius Reed, she kept things separate. The access she had to the crystal exhibition hall must have been authorized by Itai Huntington. ¡°Thank me for what?¡± Caught off-guard by Quella Radcliffe¡¯s remark, Itai Huntington pointed to herself, somewhat surprised. ¡°The access to the crystal exhibition hall!¡± Quella Radcliffe felt something was amiss. ¡°Crystal exhibition hall? I don¡¯t even have the qualification to enter,¡± Itai Huntington shrugged: ¡°The Leocadia Family didn¡¯t show any respect, so there¡¯s nothing I can do. I need to continue my rounds. You can have a look around, and while you¡¯re at it, do a bit of inspection, since you, after all, are the General Manager of the Business Alliance.¡± Afterward, she continued on with her security team. ¡°Quella, what are you doing?¡± Just at that moment, Anna Harris came out of the restroom and saw Itai Huntington¡¯s retreating figure: ¡°Is she bullying you again?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± Quella Radcliffe pursed her lips, as if something had dawned on her. Chapter 553 - Chapter 553: Chapter 553 Birthday Gift_1 Chapter 553: Chapter 553 Birthday Gift_1 When Quella Radcliffe and Anna Harris returned to the exhibition hall, their facial expressions were completely different. Quella Radcliffe was sizing up Sophia Leocadia, constantly calculating in her mind. Meanwhile, Anna Harris continued her photo-taking tour. Click! Just then, the sound of something shattering suddenly filled the air. The entire exhibition hall fell silent. Looking towards the source of the noise, there stood Anna Harris holding up her hand in surprise, and at her feet lay a shattered jade bracelet. It was broken into three pieces. ¡°Oh, my God!¡± Jack Lau squatted on the ground lamenting, ¡°130 million, just like that, gone!¡± ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t mean it¡­¡± Anna Harris¡¯s face turned pale. All she did was turn around, not expecting to bump into the bracelet Jack Lau was holding. And now it was shattered like this. When she heard the bracelet was worth 130 million, she was instantly stunned. Her mind went blank. ¡°Jack, that was supposed to be the birthday gift for your mother, what now?¡± Thompson bent down, chiming in very cooperatively. ¡°We¡¯re done for now, my dad is going to kill me!¡± Jack Lau stood up holding the broken bracelet, looking at Anna Harris in front of him: ¡°Miss, what do you plan to do now?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Anna Harris blinked, unsure how to respond. Compensate? 130 million, what could she possibly use to compensate? Even if she sold everything she owned, she couldn¡¯t come up with a fraction of that amount! In a panic, she almost started to cry. Why was she so unlucky! Seeing Anna Harris¡¯s expression, both Jack Lau and Thompson¡¯s lips curved into a smirk. Just as they had guessed, this young girl in front of them had no assets to speak of. Seeing her panic, Thompson decided to add fuel to the fire. ¡°Otherwise, let¡¯s call the police. It¡¯s better to let the police handle this kind of thing.¡± ¡°But¡­ but if she can¡¯t afford to compensate, she could end up spending at least ten years in prison!¡± Jack Lau looked troubled, ¡°Such a beautiful young lady, if she stays in prison for ten years, she might not come out the same. Such a waste!¡± ¡°That long¡­¡± Anna Harris felt her legs weaken, nearly fainting from fright. 130 million, she truly didn¡¯t have that much money. If she were to be sued, the thought of herself languishing in prison was so overwhelming she wished she were dead! ¡°What can be done, you don¡¯t know her, with such a huge sum, if we don¡¯t call the police, how do we deal with the loss?¡± Thompson angrily looked at Jack Lau, ¡°I know you fell for this Eastern girl at first sight, but please keep your senses!¡± ¡°Thompson, my affairs are none of your business! Although the money is precious, perhaps there¡¯s another way to solve this.¡± Jack Lau pointed back at Thompson, speaking with fierce words! Seeing that the two brothers were about to quarrel, Anna Harris cried out, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s all my fault, call the police, I¡¯ll take responsibility for the trouble I¡¯ve caused.¡± ¡°Actually, there might be a way to solve this problem!¡± Thompson suddenly spoke up. ¡°What method?¡± When Anna Harris heard this, she seemed to see hope. ¡°Jack, is this bracelet the birthday gift you wanted to give your mom?¡± Thompson spoke up and asked. ¡°That¡¯s right! This money I borrowed from a brother to give my mom a surprise. Why are you asking about this now when the bracelet is already broken! Completely broken! My mom¡¯s birthday gift has turned into junk!¡± Jack Lau said angrily, his eyes filled with pain as he looked at the bracelet. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Anna Harris couldn¡¯t hold back, and tears streamed down her face suddenly. The amount was too vast; she felt completely powerless. ¡°Since you wanted to give your mom a birthday gift, I have a better idea!¡± Thompson said with a smile, ¡°Your mom¡¯s birthday is three months away, and what she most wishes to see is that you have found a beautiful wife and given her a grandson. Otherwise, no one in your family will be able to inherit the wealth.¡± ¡°Thompson, what are you talking about! I also know my mom wants to hold a grandchild, but she¡¯s very picky, a regular woman wouldn¡¯t catch her eye!¡± Jack Lau said with some irritation, ¡°What time is it now, and you still have the mood to talk about this? Hurry up and help me think of a solution to this problem!¡± As he spoke, he sighed and continued, ¡°My mom has three sons, whoever lets her hold a grandchild first will inherit the wealth! Now my brothers seem to all have girlfriends, I was thinking of gifting a bracelet to win my mom¡¯s favor, but now¡­¡± ¡°Jack! Are you an idiot?¡± Thompson shook his head, ¡°Compared to a bracelet, I think your mom would be happier to see you bring home a pregnant girlfriend.¡± ¡°The problem is, I can¡¯t find one she approves of! My mom is very selective; unless she looks like this lady here, otherwise¡­¡± Saying this, Jack Lau suddenly stopped short. ¡°Hmm! If this lady is willing to be your girlfriend, not only can she enjoy wealth and glory in the future, today¡¯s bracelet issue can be completely forgotten as if it had never happened.¡± Thompson finished speaking, looking toward Anna Harris, ¡°Miss, what do you think?¡± In fact, the bracelet was fake. They used this scheme to deceive countless young girls. After all, any normal person would be stunned by the price of over one hundred million in such a noble setting. At that moment, both sides would perform a coordinated deceit, hinting that by following them, one could marry into a wealthy family and live a life of luxury and splendor. The huge contrast made many girls fall for it. But Anna Harris was not that kind of person. ¡°No, I can¡¯t. I don¡¯t even know him. You should call the police; I would rather go to jail.¡± Anna Harris shook her head decisively. She was stubborn and strong-willed, otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have become Quella Radcliffe¡¯s best friend. ¡°Miss, won¡¯t you reconsider?¡± Thompson asked, frowning, ¡°Heaven in one thought, hell in the next. Between marrying into a wealthy family and sitting in jail, why wouldn¡¯t you choose the former?¡± ¡°Yes, miss, I promise you, as long as you are pregnant with my child, you will certainly enjoy wealth and splendor,¡± Jack Lau chimed in supportingly, ¡°My family has assets worth tens of billions; the future belongs to us. And from the first moment I saw you, I fell deeply in love with you. I hope you will consider it seriously.¡± He pinched the broken bracelet in his hand. His eyes were intently fixed on Anna Harris. ¡°Sorry, I can¡¯t do it.¡± Anna Harris shook her head again and then lowered her head. ¡°Well then, I choose to call the police, Jack, if you can¡¯t bear to do it, I will!¡± Thompson took out his mobile phone, about to dial the emergency number. ¡°No, let her think it over again.¡± Jack Lau stopped Thompson with his hand. ¡°Haha, what a great performance,¡± Just then, Julius Reed approached with Quella Radcliffe, and as he looked at the two American men, he laughed, ¡°Go ahead, call the police, I would think less of you if you didn¡¯t.¡± Chapter 554 - Chapter 554: Chapter 554 Showing Off Wealth_1 Chapter 554: Chapter 554 Showing Off Wealth_1 ¡°Who are you!¡± Jack Lau and Thompson hadn¡¯t expected someone to spring out of nowhere. But when they saw the woman beside Julius Reed, they understood. That was the husband of the other great beauty from just now. That was the unemployed husband that Thompson had been thinking about incessantly in his mind. The two of them couldn¡¯t help but lament that indeed, this man had the skills to be kept by a woman. So handsome that even men felt envious. ¡°Sir, just now this beautiful and charming lady here accidentally broke the birthday present my friend Jack bought for his mother,¡± Thompson began with great momentum. As a man himself, at least he was the son of a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, facing a youngster who only knew how to live off a woman, he intended to crush him directly! ¡°Really? But why did I see the two of you sneaking around behind her, intentionally breaking the jade bracelet?¡± Julius Reed had his hands in his pockets, smiling at Thompson. This poor trick, he saw through it at a glance. Quella Radcliffe had wanted to come over, but Julius Reed stopped her, precisely because he wanted to see the real intentions of these two men. As expected. Beasts in human clothing, all just to sleep with Anna Harris. ¡°Don¡¯t spout nonsense! Be careful, or I¡¯ll sue you!¡± Thompson¡¯s face darkened; he hadn¡¯t expected his ploy to be seen through! But the bracelet was indeed broken, and no one could say for certain how it happened. Even if they called the police, they would be more likely to side with them. ¡°Go ahead and call the police, weren¡¯t you two about to do that? Call them right now, or else I really will look down on both of you,¡± Julius Reed continued to say leisurely, his eyes slowly filling with disdain. ¡°Julius, if we really call the cops, Anna will have to go to prison!¡± Quella Radcliffe said urgently. Such a large sum, if she couldn¡¯t pay, she would definitely end up in jail. As her best friend, Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t just watch Anna Harris go to prison and eat jail food. If it really came down to it, she¡¯d rather ask Julius Reed to lend her some money. Anyway, the priority was to save Anna Harris first. ¡°Heh, look at this lady, she¡¯s not like you at all, brainless!¡± Thompson actually didn¡¯t dare to call the police. The bracelet wasn¡¯t worth much, just a few hundred bucks. If the police really did come, and if they ended up getting charged with extortion, it would be more trouble than it¡¯s worth. After all, the incident happened in the crystal exhibition hall, which was the most upscale place within an exhibition hosted by the Leocadia Family. Everyone who could come in was wealthy, so naturally, nothing inside would be cheap. ¡°Really? I¡¯m telling you to call the cops, so do it!¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow at the two American men in front of him, continuously provoking them with his words. ¡°Julius Reed, what great grudge do you have against me that you insist on sending me to prison¡­¡± Anna Harris¡¯s face was filled with grievances. To say she wasn¡¯t afraid of going to prison was nonsense. Who wouldn¡¯t be afraid? Who would be willing to spend their best years in a dark, sunless prison? She looked resentfully at Julius Reed, filled with hatred! ¡°Julius, stop messing around! Anna may always be against you, but isn¡¯t that because you did something to wrong me? Be serious now, and save her first.¡± Quella Radcliffe lightly pinched Julius Reed¡¯s arm. This left Julius Reed at a loss for words. ¡°So it seems you all think I¡¯m taking revenge on her? Fine, let¡¯s not call the police now, just let her and the Jack in front of her go have kids. What a great solution! Here, I¡¯ll give you a red envelope in advance, wishing you a marriage that lasts a century.¡± Having said that, he took out two hundred dollars from his pocket and stuffed it into Anna Harris¡¯s hand. This unexpected gesture sent Anna Harris into tears with a loud ¡°waah.¡± She didn¡¯t want to get married, nor did she want to end up in jail. Why was she so unlucky today! She got into an argument over buying a necklace, got electrocuted at the crystal exhibition, and now even taking a photo was causing trouble. What was wrong with her. ¡°Stop it!¡± When Quella Radcliffe saw Anna Harris cry, she hurriedly pushed Julius Reed, ¡°Husband, think of something, please.¡± ¡°Hehe!¡± This address of ¡°husband¡± was particularly satisfying for Julius Reed. ¡°Isn¡¯t there a solution already! Call the police! Let him call the police! Excuse my bluntness, but before we even discuss what this crappy bracelet is worth, the bracelet itself was placed behind Anna Harris just waiting for her to turn around so they could extort her!¡± Julius Reed looked coldly at the two American men in front of him, ¡°If we¡¯re calling the police, let¡¯s start by detaining them as fraudsters!¡± ¡°Nonsense! Sir, we respect you and understand that you want to help your friend, but you cannot falsely accuse us!¡± Thompson became infuriated, pointing to the broken bracelet, ¡°Do you know who I am! I am Thompson, and my father is the president of Oberon Enterprise. If you don¡¯t know that this bracelet is worth one hundred and thirty million, then I can only say that poverty has limited your imagination.¡± He looked down on Julius Reed with contempt, ¡°The world of us wealthy people is not something that you poor people can understand!¡± In his view, such a person was nothing more than a ruffian. Always idle, relying on his face to get by, while he himself was born into wealth and genuine talent, how could he be intimidated by a little hoodlum? ¡°Exactly! Lady, I really feel sorry for you, marrying such a husband!¡± Jack Lau added insult to injury, ¡°If you don¡¯t understand the world of the rich, then please don¡¯t spout nonsense!¡± His eyes were also filled with disdain. What was his own status compared to that of this poor person? ¡°You¡¯re saying, I am a poor person?¡± Julius Reed pointed to himself, asking with a chuckle. ¡°That¡¯s right! In our eyes, you are poor!¡± Jack Lau jeered, looking Julius Reed up and down, ¡°Do you know, my pocket money each year is five hundred million, and he, Thompson! He spends two billion every year!¡± ¡°Why even bother telling him this, for a poor person like him, he doesn¡¯t even know what two billion represents,¡± Thompson mocked without any courtesy. ¡°Alright! Gentlemen of wealth, I am a poor man, but may I have the honor to compare wealth with you?¡± Julius Reed asked with a beaming smile. ¡°Showing off your skills in the presence of an expert? Haha! That¡¯s really killing me with laughter!¡± Jack Lau was first taken aback, then burst into loud laughter. ¡°Don¡¯t disgrace yourself; in my eyes, your entire net worth is not even worth mentioning.¡± Thompson also spoke disdainfully. ¡°How about this then, we buy things in the exhibition hall, and for each item we buy, we smash one. Whoever can¡¯t afford to smash any more has to kneel down and call ¡®Daddy¡¯, how about that?¡± Julius Reed pointed to the display case and said, ¡°At the same time, act like a dog and crawl around the room. I¡¯ll treat you two as one, is that okay?¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Thompson agreed without hesitation. He wanted to humiliate Julius Reed so that Quella Radcliffe would be disappointed, and then he would have his chance. ¡°Salesperson, this is my card! Now, for every item I buy, swipe it for the money!¡± Julius Reed passed a card to the salesperson. ¡°This is mine!¡± Jack Lau also handed out a card. Now, Thompson didn¡¯t even have to step in. He could handle this poor person by himself. Chapter 555 - Chapter 555: Chapter 555 Im In a Hurry_1 chapter 555: chapter 555 i¡¯m in a hurry_1 ¡°julius reed, his dad is the ceo of oberon enterprise, a fortune 500 company, have you lost your mind!¡± anna harris saw that the two were about to start and hurriedly shouted out. with such a family background, and the two of them together, how could julius possibly win? isn¡¯t this just asking for humiliation? she was already unlucky enough to get dragged into this, and now this idiot julius wanted to dive in after her? moreover, kneeling down on the ground to act like a dog, where would that leave quella radcliffe¡¯s face? she was indeed frightened. but she still retained that bit of rationality. ¡°sir, you have already agreed to the bet, you can¡¯t go back on your word. everyone here can testify!¡± thompson said with a smug face. the altercation between the two had already attracted quite a crowd of onlookers. they were also wealthy folks, very interested in this excitement. ¡°is this the son of the ceo of oberon enterprise? impressive! but this young man here, he¡¯s got some nerve, challenging two people to see who¡¯s wealthier. how can he win?¡± ¡°exactly, must be a screw loose in the head. but on our huaxia turf, to have a huaxia person kneel on the ground and mimic a dog, especially in front of a foreigner, it¡¯s quite embarrassing. why put yourself through this!¡± ¡°having dignity is good, but in a situation like this, it¡¯s unwise to seek out suffering!¡± everyone could tell from their conversation that thompson was the heir of oberon enterprise, and they couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of anticipation. a big conglomerate like that really wouldn¡¯t care about money! to thompson, a true rich second-generation, having a formidable father was no joke. and his opponent seemed a bit weak¡­ according to thompson, he should be a young man without much capability, a freeloader at that. although many were aware that this was a completely one-sided slaughter, they still wanted to see how the son of a fortune 500 company would flaunt his wealth. ¡°if you don¡¯t mind, shall we start?¡± just as thompson was about to make his move, julius interrupted: ¡°let me state the rules.¡± ¡°speak, but no tricks.¡± thompson said arrogantly with his hands in his pockets, ¡°because all schemes are meaningless in the face of absolute power! i advise you, don¡¯t humiliate yourself. even if you lose, please lose with some dignity.¡± ¡°sorry, i won¡¯t lose.¡± julius responded with a smile, ¡°after all, we are both men of status. to highlight that we are flaunting wealth and not shopping, everything we buy will be smashed to pieces! how about it? can you handle that?¡± upon hearing his words, thompson¡¯s expression slightly changed. if things were smashed, that would be the same as throwing money down the drain. such a waste! ¡°it¡¯s fine if you can¡¯t handle it. i have a clear idea of what this so-called fortune 500 company is all about!¡± julius shook his head, not hiding the scorn in his eyes. ¡°sorry, i tend to speak my mind; don¡¯t take it personally.¡± he continued to twist the knife. ¡°what are you joking about, of course i agree! only in this way can i show my indifference to money. but if you¡¯re cheating me into a loss¡­¡± ¡°then i¡¯ll go first.¡± julius interrupted thompson and looked around at the crowd: ¡°please keep your eyes wide open and watch carefully, and bear witness for us!¡± after speaking, he took out a crystal ring worth eighty million. ¡°the card has been swiped.¡± the sales clerk quickly issued the invoice. ¡°he really does have that much money!¡± ¡°indeed, the freeloader is not simple!¡± ¡°wastrel!¡± even anna harris felt a tinge of surprise; she quickly turned to look at quella radcliffe: ¡°your money?¡± quella shook her head. where would she get so much money? if she really had that much, would there be any need to seek bank loans to get through a crisis? crack! julius squeezed hard, and the crystal ring shattered instantly. ¡°wow!¡± ¡°extravagant!¡± ¡°rich people!¡± everyone present was wealthy, and if they said they didn¡¯t mind losing eighty million at all, that would be nonsense! nobody thinks they have too much money, and eighty million is not a small figure! now this young man in front of them had directly crushed it! ¡°the so-called second-generation rich, it¡¯s your turn.¡± julius reed said with a smile. ¡°this¡­¡± jack lau glanced at thompson, not expecting the other party to actually be able to pull out eighty million! this was not at all in line with what quella radcliffe had said! supposedly just a guy living off a woman, the two of them had estimated that this young man and the woman together probably couldn¡¯t even come up with ten million. but now, lo and behold, eighty million smashed to pieces. however, they were now in a situation where backing down was not an option, not to mention that they had already touted the reputation of oberon enterprise, but after the boasting they had just done, they had to grit their teeth and keep gambling until this young man lost. ¡°don¡¯t worry, that¡¯s probably all he owns.¡± thompson whispered. ¡°yeah, definitely, trying to scare us.¡± thinking of this, jack lau regained his confidence. he had three hundred million in his account, which was a lot. and this young man in front of him definitely couldn¡¯t bring out that much money. after all, to humiliate the other side and then make off with two beauties wouldn¡¯t be a loss at all. but jack lau was truly in pain! he had intended to send them away with just a few million, who knew the other side would take a desperate stance? ¡°i¡¯ll take this one, the ninety million bracelet!¡± jack lau took a deep breath and pointed to a bracelet in the showcase. ¡°certainly, sir.¡± after the salesperson took out the bracelet, swiped jack lau¡¯s card, and then handed the receipt and bracelet together to him. ¡°hiss!¡± jack lau picked up the bracelet from the counter, his heart bleeding on the inside. his hand holding the bracelet couldn¡¯t help but tremble. though he was usually a spendthrift, the sound of ninety million going just like that was also truly distressing! ninety million could do a lot of things, buy a yacht, buy a private helicopter. even buy another mansion! but now, it was just a sound. ¡°how¡¯s that, can¡¯t bear it?¡± julius reed ruthlessly slapped jack lau¡¯s hand! crack! the bracelet fell to the ground and shattered. ¡°impressive, indeed befitting the child of a wealthy family, you have really broadened my horizons!¡± julius reed crushed the broken bracelet under his foot, then kicked it so it scattered everywhere. ¡°no problem, he¡¯s about to lose.¡± thompson, seeing jack lau¡¯s pained expression, spoke up to comfort him. there was no choice; since they had taken on this challenge, they could only grit their teeth and endure to the end. based on their guess, the other party probably ran out of money. ¡°yeah, i know.¡± jack lau patted thompson¡¯s hand on his shoulder, forcing a reassurance on himself. ¡°in that case, could you please check for me how much money this gentleman still has in his bank card?¡± julius reed looked at the voucher on the table. ¡°there¡¯s still two hundred and ten million.¡± the salesperson answered truthfully. ¡°heh heh, are you afraid?¡± jack lau was ecstatic. he thought that the other party was out of money and wanted to probe his own financial depth. just thinking about this young man crawling around on the floor like a dog shortly made him unable to contain his happiness. thompson was also looking forward to this scene very much. ¡°sorry, can you find me something worth two hundred and twenty million? i¡¯m in a hurry.¡± julius reed said with a light smile. Chapter 556 - Chapter 556: 556 chapter 556: 556 ¡°what did you say!¡± upon hearing julius reed¡¯s words, jack lau¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°are you crazy? where did you get so much money! boy, you better give up now!¡± ¡°exactly, you can¡¯t win against us. i can crush you with money!¡± clay thompson also wore a look of disdain. trying to look richer than you are, without considering the occasion? firstly, the salesperson won¡¯t release the product until they¡¯ve received the money. as long as the other party doesn¡¯t have two hundred and twenty million in their account, they¡¯ve won. ¡°has this kid lost his mind? does he really have that much money? i don¡¯t believe it!¡± ¡°i also think it¡¯s impossible! to throw away three hundred million, what kind of family background would that take? i know everyone who came to the exhibition today, but this young man, i don¡¯t recognize him.¡± ¡°could he be a super-rich second-generation from the capital, here to pick up girls inconspicuously?¡± everyone was shocked by julius reed¡¯s arrogant demeanor. after all, they had initially assumed that julius reed was just a good-for-nothing moocher. with no money at all! but now, he¡¯s actually planning to smash a product worth two hundred and twenty million! that¡¯s quite the tycoon move! simply a god of wealth! everyone present had fortunes worth several billion, even over a hundred billion. but even their own children wouldn¡¯t dare to play like this. for one, they have limits on their children¡¯s pocket money; secondly, such profligate spending would definitely result in a beating. and unless utterly foolish or insane, no one would do such a thing. usually, their idea of showing off wealth involves buying sports cars, planes, or even mansions. if today¡¯s contest had been about who could buy more things, that would be one thing. within reason. but to start off this hardcore?! to buy and then smash! what¡¯s the difference between this and burning money? if it weren¡¯t for the inconvenience of burning so much cash, everyone guessed that these two groups might actually set money on fire, to see whose blaze would be bigger. but seeing such a capricious duel excited everyone. ¡°sir, we don¡¯t have a product that¡¯s exactly two hundred and twenty million, may i ask¡­¡± ¡°round it up, to three hundred million. that will settle it!¡± julius reed interrupted the salesperson, impatient. the booth they were currently at was the most luxurious one. the most expensive item of the entire exhibition was right here. the leocadia family members had never dreamed that these items would sell in such a way. ¡°all right, sir.¡± the salesperson immediately brought out a crystal necklace worth three hundred million. the large crystal on it made anna harris¡¯s heart race! this was the biggest crystal she had ever seen in her life, including on television! ¡°wait!¡± suddenly, anna harris looked at julius reed with a strange expression, ¡°if you really had this much money, you could have just compensated for me earlier and settled it. why do you have to do this now and throw the money away?¡± she had just been threatened with jail and scared out of her wits, yet julius reed hadn¡¯t seemed to have any intention of helping her. instead, he was now splurging extravagantly, playing a money-burning game with others. ¡°my money, how i spend it is none of your business, is it? besides, if i compensated for the longsword, how would you repay me? with your body? would my wife agree?¡± julius reed said indifferently. ¡°you!¡± anna harris took a deep breath, trying her best to calm down. ¡°i won¡¯t get angry¡­¡± she kept repeating to herself. but inside, she was shocked! julius reed, he actually had so much money? did quella radcliffe know about this? but when her gaze fell on quella radcliffe¡¯s face, she saw only calmness. not a ripple in sight. ¡°don¡¯t worry, if twelve is doing this, he must have his reasons,¡± quella radcliffe said softly, wrapping an arm around anna harris, signaling her not to be afraid. ¡°you knew about this earlier?¡± anna harris asked in a low voice. she was nearly scared to death, her heartbeat constantly accelerating. after all, she was fairly familiar with julius reed, and yet she had no idea that she had a billionaire right by her side? ¡°sort of.¡± quella radcliffe gave an indifferent reply, but her gaze was fixed on julius reed. ¡°don¡¯t worry, he definitely has no money in his card, he¡¯s just putting on a front.¡± thompson¡¯s eyes were glued to the salesperson¡¯s expression, but he kept reassuring jack lau. although jack lau¡¯s family had money, when compared to his own, there was still a significant gap. but the one taking a hit would be thompson himself; losing three billion would also make his heart ache! the ceo of a fortune 500 company was his dad, not him! besides, clay thompson had ten sons; he was just one of them. ¡°i know, this poor kid probably borrowed the eighty million from somewhere, how could he possibly have¡­¡± ¡°sir, the transaction is complete, here is your product!¡± before jack lau could finish speaking, the salesperson quickly handed the necklace to julius reed. ¡°this is impossible!¡± jack lau exploded in an instant! he approached the salesperson and exclaimed, ¡°you¡¯ve all conspired to deceive me! how could his card possibly have money!¡± ¡°sir, this is the transaction receipt, please take a look!¡± the salesperson handed the receipt over to jack lau. ¡°wow!¡± the already somewhat shocked jack lau now had mixed emotions. ¡°since that¡¯s the case, i¡¯ll get started.¡± julius reed gave a faint smile and dropped the necklace in his hand to the floor! crack! with a loud crash, the crystal shattered into pieces, scattering everywhere. the moment the crystal hit the ground, everyone¡¯s heart trembled along with it. three billion, just gone like that? too extravagant! some people had already pulled out their cellphones to capture this spectacular moment. ¡°how can this be!¡± thompson spread his hands, frowning and muttering to himself. the other party could actually come up with three billion? ¡°i saw his balance, it¡¯s less than a million left!¡± at that moment, jack lau quietly came up to thompson¡¯s ear, ¡°he¡¯s at the end of his rope, trying to scare us!¡± the reason he went earlier to check was to find out exactly how much money the other party had left in the card. this quick look gave jack lau, who stood on the brink of hesitance, a much-needed shot of courage! the other side had less than a million left; all they needed to do was to play a little bigger, and they were sure to win! ¡°are you sure you saw it clearly?¡± thompson¡¯s eyes shifted, realizing that the other party¡¯s big play was just to intimidate him. just three billion? he¡¯ll match it! ¡°absolutely certain!¡± jack lau stated decisively. ¡°this is my card, max out yours first, then use mine!¡± thompson pulled a black card out of his pocket and pushed it into jack lau¡¯s hand. ¡°now, make it ten million more expensive than his!¡± jack lau took a deep breath and handed over thompson¡¯s black card. his own three billion was the family¡¯s money for negotiating with aron jackson. thompson¡¯s black card belonged to his father¡¯s account. both were extremely nervous, but once the arrow was off the bow, there was no turning back; victory seemed within their grasp, so they had to persist! ¡°sir, the transaction is complete, here is your product.¡± the salesperson was beaming with joy. today, having encountered such wealthy patrons, he was sure to receive a handsome commission. ¡°i¡¯ll do the smashing for you!¡± before jack lau could touch the product, julius reed snatched it away and furiously smashed it onto the floor! Chapter 557 - Chapter 557: Chapter 557 Swipe the Card_1 chapter 557: chapter 557 swipe the card_1 ¡°you¡­¡± jack lau was extremely angry. he had spent so much money and hadn¡¯t even touched anything. honestly, he felt like crying. the three hundred million was originally meant to smooth things over because the family¡¯s goods were detained by aron jackson. but now, he had squandered it completely. thompson was not having an easy time either because he was representing his family in negotiations for a partnership with beckett carmichael¡¯s oberon group, he had to show sincerity. the money was for purchasing items and for gratifying the executives of the oberon group. looking at it now, the loss was still bearable. after all, it was only after jack lau¡¯s three hundred million were squandered that it came to his turn. and the other party was down to their last bullet, less than a million left. ¡°what do you say, kneel down!¡± he coughed once, adjusted his emotions, and coldly addressed julius reed. one million, in this crystal exhibition hall, probably couldn¡¯t buy anything. ¡°foolish easterner, now please kneel down! bark like a dog!¡± jack lau, who had spent three hundred million and was incredulous, was now ready to thoroughly humiliate julius reed. ¡°it¡¯s over, they¡¯ve hit rock bottom. but in such a short time, both sides have squandered six or seven hundred million, that¡¯s enough profligacy!¡± ¡°isn¡¯t it just! i¡¯ve already sent out the video, and they instantly became famous.¡± ¡°show those rich second generations, what¡¯s the use of competing in this and that, if you have the guts, learn from these two right here¡ªburning real cash is the real skill!¡± everyone was enjoying the spectacle immensely. even if the competition had gone to the point where one party had no money, wasn¡¯t there still the barking like a dog and calling someone daddy to look forward to? equally exciting! this involved the son of the ceo of oberon enterprise, which had its own special significance. ¡°what are you two getting so worked up about?¡± julius reed looked puzzled at the two american men in front of him, shrugged, and said, ¡°i haven¡¯t bought anything yet, and you¡¯re concluding that i¡¯ve lost?¡± ¡°heh, you¡¯ve only got a million in your card, i saw it!¡± jack lau¡¯s eyes were full of disdain. even though his money wasn¡¯t as much as the other¡¯s, relying on thompson¡¯s card for entry allowed him to suppress julius reed. ¡°really?¡± julius reed raised an eyebrow and smiled, ¡°indeed, poverty limits your imagination. now, please widen your dog eyes and watch carefully!¡± having said that, he turned around, pointed at a display in front of him, and asked, ¡°how much for these?¡± the direction julius reed was pointing held three rings and two bracelets. ¡°hello, the total value is five hundred and eighty million!¡± the salesperson quickly calculated the total amount. ¡°take them all out! your lordship doesn¡¯t have time to waste with these people!¡± after speaking, julius reed pointed at the salesperson, ¡°swipe the card immediately.¡± ¡°haha! talking about precious time, what a joke!¡± jack lau laughed uproariously, then said to quella radcliffe, ¡°miss, your husband has nothing left. he only has less than a million. are you sure you don¡¯t want to consider coming with us?¡± ¡°exactly! with just a million and still putting on airs here, you¡¯re the most stubborn i¡¯ve seen!¡± thompson sneered, ¡°mister, not going to hollywood is such a waste for you. if i didn¡¯t know your financial situation, seeing your expression, i almost believed you!¡± ¡°i almost believed it too!¡± the two men wore looks of contempt, waiting to see julius reed make a fool of himself. after all, jack lau just saw clearly that the card had no money left. ¡°sir, these are your goods!¡± after swiping the card, the salesperson pushed the items to the front of the counter. all the counters here were made of toughened glass; without a salesperson¡¯s fingerprint, there was no way to open the counter. ¡°impossible!¡± jack lau¡¯s face changed dramatically, he walked over and then stood there agape. ¡°how is it still a million!¡± there, on the balance, it read that there was still one million left. a normal receipt would not show this kind of display. but julius reed did it on purpose, exposing his own balance by choosing to use a special machine. ¡°what¡¯s going on!¡± thompson also walked over. from the beginning, he had felt that something was off. but he thought the machine from the east would display the balance. however¡­ ¡°sorry, that was written by me with a pen.¡± julius reed said with a faint smile. a pos machine isn¡¯t a text message from a bank card, so how could it possibly show a balance! ¡°no! it¡¯s clearly printed by the machine!¡± jack lau roared furiously. ¡°let me see!¡± thompson snatched the receipt and gently rubbed the balance column with his finger. sure enough, the ballpoint pen¡¯s ink immediately blurred. ¡°this¡­ was really written on?¡± he stared with wide eyes, incredulous. ¡°god, how is this possible!¡± when jack lau saw that the font blurred for a moment, he could only feel the world spinning. ¡°i wrote it while signing.¡± julius reed smiled slyly. living for a hundred thousand years, calligraphy is indeed a skill. he could now make his handwriting look exactly like machine print. even upon close inspection, no one could tell the difference. of course, this was just a product of idleness; otherwise, who would practice this? ¡°a pos machine would display a balance? what¡¯s inside your head!¡± julius reed mocked again, ¡°hurry up, do you have the money? if you do, smash it; if not, kneel down and call me daddy!¡± having spoken, he put his hands together and rubbed hard! ¡°whoosh!¡± with a light blow, the crystal ornament that was just there shattered into powder, scattering in the air. ¡°fuck, jack, you¡¯ve screwed me over!¡± thompson slapped the back of his foolish teammate¡¯s head, calculating in his mind what to do next. now it seemed that he had completely underestimated the opponent! but if he didn¡¯t continue, he would lose face. of course, he believed that no one could force him to kneel if he didn¡¯t want to. but then, his reputation would be completely gone. ¡°the son of the president of oberon enterprise, so poor! i thought after all that bragging just now, you were rich! it turns out all foreigners are ¡®all bark and no bite¡¯!¡± julius reed said loudly, his words full of contempt: ¡°excuse me for being frank, but in the future, don¡¯t come out and embarrass yourself, and by tomorrow, i¡¯m afraid the whole world will know that oberon enterprise is nothing but a facade!¡± ¡°shut up!¡± thompson¡¯s face went through a tumult of colors. now he really had no path of retreat. if it were just a simple showing off of wealth, losing wouldn¡¯t have mattered much. but now, it was about family honor! oberon enterprise was well-known internationally. and his current visit to china was to establish cooperation with the oberon group. to further expand their influence in the east. he had thought that with today¡¯s kerfuffle he could show off and earn points for oberon group, showcasing their strength. but who would have thought that he would now be facing such a predicament! ¡°i¡¯ll play till the end with you!¡± an enraged thompson walked up to the counter, pointing at a pile of jewelry: ¡°this, this, and this one! bring them all out!¡± ¡°sir, that will be eight hundred and thirty million in total.¡± the salesperson spoke. ¡°charge it!¡± the irrational thompson yelled angrily. Chapter 558 - Chapter 558: Chapter 558 Barking like a Dog_1 chapter 558: chapter 558 barking like a dog_1 it was still julius reed smashing. these items hadn¡¯t even reached thompson¡¯s hands before they were all reduced to debris. ¡°mine is ten billion, now it¡¯s your turn!¡± after julius reed had once again destroyed ten billion worth of goods, he looked at thompson. ¡°eleven billion!¡± ¡°smash!¡± thompson, now completely carried away, was determined to deplete all of julius reed¡¯s assets at any cost! but in the end, he was desperate. ¡°sir, your card balance is insufficient, do you have another payment method?¡± when the sales associate approached thompson with the card that had almost no money, thompson finally snapped out of it. ¡°what! there should be two billion in my card!¡± ¡°sorry, these are your expenditure records!¡± the sales associate listed all the money thompson had just spent. ¡°i¡­¡± when thompson saw the consumption records, his legs went weak, and he nearly fainted. ¡°are you alright!¡± jack lau caught him from behind, his face already turned pitch-black. a total of twenty-three billion, and the opponent still had money! but they, one had spent all the money for buttering up aron jackson, and the other had spent all the money intended to deal with marthew abernathy group¡¯s executives in the capital. now, how were they going to face their own families? at that moment, they couldn¡¯t keep their cool. ¡°sir, do you have another payment method?¡± the sales associate asked again. ¡°or should i lend you some money?¡± julius reed said, grinning. ¡°you¡­ i just want to know, how much money do you have left in your card?¡± thompson was close to tears¡­ he was born with a golden key in his mouth, his father the ceo of oberon enterprise, his mother the daughter of a major capitalist. normally, he was the most outstanding guy among his friends! since his teens, he drove multimillion sports cars and spent money like water! he could honestly say he had never worried about not having money to spend. but now, thompson was in despair. ¡°sorry, i never know how much money i have, i just can¡¯t seem to spend it all,¡± julius reed shrugged. ¡°what swagger! truly doing us proud!¡± ¡°bullshit fortune 500! with that kind of money, and you¡¯re the son of the ceo of oberon enterprise, a pauper!¡± ¡°do you think this is america? i¡¯m telling you, this is the land of china beneath your feet! here, you¡¯re a pauper!¡± most of the people present were chinese, and at this moment, they watched as thompson, who just before was incredibly haughty and arrogant, looked like he had lost his soul, and they couldn¡¯t help but feel extremely satisfied inside. meanwhile, quella radcliffe was dumbfounded next to anna harris. the look she gave julius reed was full of foreignness and fear. over twenty billion! it was a figure she wouldn¡¯t even dare to dream of. when julius reed started by smashing eighty million worth of jewelry, anna harris speculated that julius reed might have two or three billion. but now, she was completely baffled. the person she had been with day and night turned out to be so rich? yet, she had always mocked julius reed, verbally attacked him, and constantly assaulted him personally. anna harris was extremely scared. because the now domineering julius reed seemed like a completely different person compared to the one in front of them! no matter how excessive her words were, julius reed always appeared nonchalant. but now, he was like a ferocious tiger! ¡°son of the oberon group ceo, tell me, do you continue or not?¡± julius reed asked with a smile. with that question, everyone¡¯s gaze fell on thompson. at this point, was it time to honor the bet? ¡°give a person a way out, if i don¡¯t want to kneel, i should leave this place, and i¡¯d like to see who would dare stop¡­¡± thud! before thompson could finish his sentence, julius reed pressed down hard on his shoulder with one hand, forcing thompson to kneel on the ground. ¡°hiss!¡± the crowd inhaled a breath of cold air. this was thompson, after all! the son of oberon group¡¯s ceo, humiliated like this? where does that leave the face of oberon group? ¡°say that again, i¡¯m sorry i didn¡¯t hear clearly.¡± julius reed, looking down on thompson who knelt before him, said with a mocking smile, ¡°you said, you want to leave, and no one dares to stop you?¡± ¡°you¡­¡± ¡°bark like a dog!¡± slap! julius reed slapped thompson in the face and then looked at the crowd of onlookers, ¡°sorry, i just bought a dog, it¡¯s not very obedient, making everyone laugh.¡± those present were all stunned for a moment, secretly admiring the young man¡¯s courage. daring to treat the son of the ceo of oberon group like a dog, that took guts! no one knows what clay thompson will do once the news reaches america. without a doubt, this incident is a huge blow to oberon enterprise¡¯s image. ¡°and you!¡± julius reed pointed at jack lau, ¡°don¡¯t make me take action.¡± ¡°thud!¡± seeing thompson kneeling down, jack lau¡¯s legs went soft, and he too knelt down. he hated julius reed deeply but was powerless to do anything. ¡°bark like a dog, do it well, and i¡¯ll reward you.¡± julius reed spoke indifferently. ¡°woof!¡± jack lau barked first, having no choice¡ªif he didn¡¯t, he would probably get beaten up. but thompson couldn¡¯t. if he barked, it would be seen as a disgrace within his family! so he would rather be injured or even crippled than bark like a dog! ¡°what, not happy?¡± julius reed, hands in pockets, pointed at thompson kneeling before him and said to the surrounding guests, ¡°look at this, the son of a fortune 500 ceo, a man who doesn¡¯t keep his word, a liar!¡± no one responded. at this time, no one wanted to offend anyone. they were all people of status and were worried about retaliation from the thompson family in the business arena. ¡°alright, dad doesn¡¯t need you to bark. after all, i wouldn¡¯t want a disgraceful son like you, but your behavior is really dog-like!¡± julius reed said with a frown, ¡°bullying a young girl, calling a broken bracelet worth a few hundred bucks, 130 million, and then scheming against her! are you even human?¡± bang! having said that, julius reed kicked out! thompson, completely unprepared, was sent flying, crashing heavily into the counter behind him. thud! he felt a sweet taste in his throat, his insides churning, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. ¡°last chance, if you don¡¯t bark now, i¡¯ll make sure you never speak again!¡± julius reed dragged a chair with one hand and slowly walked towards thompson. ¡°he¡¯s gone mad!¡± ¡°god knows, this young man is too fierce! he¡¯s even offending the thompson family!¡± ¡°he must have a strong backing!¡± everyone watched julius reed, teeming with murderous intent, their hearts pounding with excitement. seeing the young master of the thompson family being made to bark like a dog was indeed a pleasing sight. ¡°three.¡± julius reed began to count down, and the sound of the steel chair scraping the ground could also be heard. ¡°two!¡± he raised the chair, looking ready to smash it down! ¡°one!¡± ¡°woof!¡± thompson broke down. he was filled with immense fear. if that chair really smashed down, he would not die but he would be gravely injured! only by living could he take revenge! ¡°good, i¡¯m pleased!¡± julius reed straightened his clothes and suddenly kicked thompson in the face. he kicked out five of thompson¡¯s teeth. ¡°remember, if you dare to bully the girl again, i will bury you here.¡± after speaking, he turned around and walked towards quella radcliffe. ¡°what¡¯s going on here! who¡¯s causing trouble!¡± just then, a voice rang out from the entrance. Chapter 559 - Chapter 559: Chapter 559 Complaint_1 chapter 559: chapter 559 complaint_1 when the voice rang out, all eyes turned to the entrance. a young man in a black suit, followed by a group of security personnel, walked into the crystal exhibition hall. the newcomer was winona leocadia, a member of the leocadia family branch, responsible for the entire exhibition. following behind him was bran cook. ¡°young master leocadia, the man before you is the one who caused my disgrace!¡± bran cook whispered into winona leocadia¡¯s ear as he saw julius reed assaulting thompson. ¡°oh? what a coincidence?¡± winona leocadia curved his lips slightly and said in a low voice, ¡°since it¡¯s such a coincidence, it might be fate. daring to cause trouble in our exhibition hall, today i will avenge you!¡± even though he and bran cook were not close friends, in gonzalez city, bran cook was quite well-connected. without bottom lines, even willing to be a dog for beckett carmichael¡¯s son, yet such people happened to be favored by the wealthy youth. winona leocadia was merely doing a favor that went along with the current, just in case bran cook did climb high one day, he would retain a favor for himself. ¡°thank you, young master leocadia!¡± bran cook felt exceptionally pleased inside. heaven indeed had eyes, this extremely arrogant julius reed actually dared to assault someone within the leocadia family¡¯s crystal exhibition hall! the inside was different from the outside; outside, if someone caused a disturbance, itai huntington would handle it, and it would be over. inside, however, represented the face of the leocadia family, and all the invitees were of distinguished status. with his discernment, he could tell at a glance that the two young men being assaulted were not of ordinary status. and winona leocadia was in need of an opportunity to prove himself; now that someone had walked into his line of fire, why wouldn¡¯t he deal with it? ¡°was it you who hit these people?¡± winona leocadia, hands in pockets, slowly walked up to julius reed and quella radcliffe. the floor was a mess, many pieces of jade shattered into powder, scattered all around. ¡°yes, what about it?¡± julius reed glanced at bran cook and immediately a cold smile appeared on his face. it seems that the newcomer was up to no good. ¡°what¡¯s all this about?¡± winona leocadia ignored julius reed and turned to the counter clerk instead. this clerk had another identity. manager of the crystal exhibition hall. ¡°manager leocadia, these are products purchased by two customers, who smashed them after buying.¡± the manager of the crystal exhibition hall replied truthfully. after speaking, he handed the card payment receipt and sales record to winona leocadia, ¡°manager leocadia, please take a look.¡± ¡°what?¡± winona leocadia took them doubtfully and examined them closely. the products of the crystal exhibition hall, the cheap ones cost tens of millions, the expensive ones easily amount to over a billion. hosting such an event in a small city like gonzalez city, although many wealthy people were invited for a visit and shopping, the leocadia family members had low sales expectations for the products in the exhibition hall. after all, they were too expensive. the purpose of establishing the crystal exhibition hall was simple, to elevate the status of the leocadia family¡¯s luxury goods. just raise the flagship luxury goods¡¯ price, and the products below would naturally be marked up. it would also create a brand effect. currently, the leocadia family was involved in jewelry brands, and their primary target was bright-sky international¡¯s ¡°isle of love.¡± but before making their own brand known, in order to attract targeted customers, they had to sell the ¡°isle of love¡± products first, while also promoting their own brand. however, as winona leocadia looked at the sales records, his complexion grew more and more radiant. in just a few dozen minutes, the exhibition hall had actually sold over four billion worth of products. with such results, he was sure to be praised by the leocadia family¡¯s higher-ups. already here to add luster to his career, he now found himself in unexpected good fortune. after returning, he had basically secured a position at a key functional level, becoming one of the most powerful members within the branch. ¡°who bought all these?¡± winona leocadia approached the machine, confirmed that the debt had been accounted for, and couldn¡¯t help but let a hint of joy surface on her face. ¡°it was the gentleman here and these two lying on the ground.¡± the manager of the crystal showroom pointed at julius reed and the two on the ground, thompson and jack lau. ¡°impossible!¡± at that moment, bran cook strode forward, sneering at julius reed, ¡°how could he possibly accept an invitation from the leocadia family members!¡± during the short time he spent with winona leocadia, he had gained a fair understanding of the invited guests at the crystal showroom. certainly, one had to be wealthy and influential. measuring by wealth alone, the threshold was still too low and not conducive to sales. but someone like julius reed had absolutely no qualification to come in! ¡°then i must ask, mr. cook, have you ever received an invitation from the leocadia family members?¡± julius reed looked at bran cook with a smile. indeed, some people remember the favors but forget the slights. yet the fact that bran cook knew this person who seemed to be a high-level executive in charge for the leocadia family made julius reed take him more seriously. it appeared that in the capital, bran cook still had a bit of a network. not entirely incompetent. ¡°i¡­¡± ¡°he¡¯s my friend, and i am the manager of this event. mr. cook came with me; is there a problem with that?¡± winona leocadia walked over to julius reed with a smile, pointing to the nameplate on her chest as she introduced herself, ¡°my name is winona leocadia, the manager of this event. do you have any other questions?¡± as she spoke, winona leocadia couldn¡¯t hide the pride in her eyes, and even when looking at julius reed, she looked down on him. she was a member of the leocadia family, and her future was bright upon her return. in her heart, she looked down upon a small-time thug from gonzalez city. at the same time, she was also very disappointed with bran cook. the son of the esteemed cook family, with plenty of connections in the capital, how could he let such a person ruin his reputation? it was simply too easily defeated. ¡°i have no problem, as for mister leocadia, i think it¡¯s best to report your behavior of using public office for private gain.¡± julius reed took out his phone from his pocket, went up to the manager of the showroom, and asked, ¡°excuse me, could you tell me the complaint number for your group? i¡¯m a customer, and i¡¯ve spent over twenty billion; i¡¯d like to complain about the so-called manager here, that¡¯s alright, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°of course.¡± the manager of the showroom glanced at winona leocadia and pointed at the telephone number on the counter, ¡°this is our group¡¯s complaint number. you can call this number if you have any complaints.¡± he had no way of refusing julius reed¡¯s request. even if winona leocadia was the manager of this showroom. the leocadia family took customer complaints very seriously. if he didn¡¯t give the complaint number to the customer today and word got out, he would be the first to be fired. ¡°thank you.¡± julius reed looked at the number on the counter, dialed it, and read it out loud as he did so. ¡°wait a minute!¡± winona leocadia¡¯s face turned ashen. she took a deep breath and waved at bran cook, ¡°you go out first and wait for me.¡± the leocadia family placed great importance on the crystal showroom. after all, it was about face and honor. if they found out she had let people in on her own accord, she would definitely be punished. at such a moment, winona leocadia could not afford to take that risk. ¡°now, please state your name so that i can check if you are on the invitation list.¡± she walked up to the machine and looked at julius reed with a cold gaze. Chapter 560 - Chapter 560: Chapter 560: Youve Lost Your Leg_1 chapter 560: chapter 560: you¡¯ve lost your leg_1 the leocadia family invited distinguished guests to visit the crystal exhibition hall, and winona leocadia was fully involved throughout the process. even if bran cook did not say it, she knew that the youth before her did not have the qualifications to enter. the reason was simple. in the vast gonzalez city, only ovidiu cook had received an invitation. but today, ovidiu cook was not in gonzalez city due to a meeting. so. the three individuals before her could only have sneaked in secretly. thinking of this, she intended to hold the security personnel at the door accountable immediately. given the importance of the crystal exhibition hall, the security staff at the door were all elite security from the leocadia family. how could they let three people brazenly infiltrate was simply inexcusable. but for now, dealing with these three was the priority. ¡°speak up! are you guilty of thievery?¡± winona leocadia straightened her suit and asked coldly. behind her, other security personnel she had brought were already blocking the door, ready to take action at any moment. after all, this was not a glorious affair, and winona leocadia did not wish to make too big a commotion. if the guests inside the house were disturbed, it would not look good for the leocadia family. ¡°who are you calling a thief!¡± anna harris was already irate, and now being haughtily interrogated, the rage in her heart was ignited once again. after all, they had entered legitimately, what was there to fear? ¡°if you are not thieves, then may i ask, who is the invited guest?¡± winona leocadia huffed lightly and said coldly, ¡°if you cannot tell me, i will treat you as thieves!¡± for those who sneaked in like this, the leocadia family usually handled it themselves. directly take them out and give them a beating, rendering them useless. after all, for matters they could handle themselves, there was no need to trouble the authorities. and no one dared to oppose the leocadia family. ¡°quella radcliffe, general manager of the gonzalez city business alliance. look it up! open your dog eyes, and take a good look! what nonsense!¡± anna harris cursed, hands on her hips. today had already been rough, and now with winona leocadia¡¯s interference, anna harris completely lost her temper. ¡°hurry up and check, and after you¡¯re done, apologize to me.¡± ¡°gonzalez city business alliance, general manager?¡± winona leocadia smiled and shook her head: ¡°sorry, i have never seen this person on the invitation list. miss, could you be mistaken?¡± ¡°impossible!¡± anna harris said indignantly: ¡°check now. if it was not so, how could we possibly have come in?¡± just now, julius reed had definitely announced quella radcliffe¡¯s name, and that was why the security let them in. all of this had been seen with anna harris¡¯s own eyes, heard with her own ears. there could not be any mistake. however, quella radcliffe¡¯s heart skipped a beat. just as she suspected, there was something fishy about the situation. even itai huntington, the chairman of the gonzalez city business alliance, was not qualified to enter, so how could she, as a general manager, possibly have that right? plus, it seemed like the security personnel at the door were quite courteous. even when she and anna harris returned from the restroom, the security personnel at the door still wore a smile. she observed that aside from herself and anna harris, when others entered, the security personnel at the door were expressionless. after verifying identities, they acted as if they saw nothing. just letting them through. but who exactly? could it be julius reed¡­ then why did this lady dare to make things difficult for them? ¡°miss, please do not make an unreasonable fuss! i can almost recite the names of the invited guests on the list from memory. in gonzalez city, only mr. ovidiu cook, chairman of titan group, would receive an invitation. as for the so-called quella radcliffe, sorry, i don¡¯t know what that is,¡± winona leocadia said with utter contempt. in her view, the so-called business alliance was not worth mentioning. after all, trying to integrate so many merchants was not an easy task in itself. and bran cook, who brought up this matter, was like a dog that had lost its home. this made winona leocadia harbor not the slightest fondness for this business alliance. ¡°you, what did you just say?¡± julius reed walked up to winona leocadia and asked aloud. ¡°i said, in gonzalez city there¡¯s only mr. ovidiu cook¡­¡± ¡°not that sentence, the last one.¡± julius reed said indifferently. on his face, there was no expression to be seen. but those who knew him were well aware that julius reed was truly angry now. ¡°i said, what is quella radcliffe anyway!¡± winona leocadia said with a scornful smile, ¡°so, what? am i wrong? people should be self-aware. a so-called general manager who¡¯s worth nothing dares to speak up?¡± if he was going to avenge bran cook, he would have to make these three people in front of him feel embarrassed. besides, to the leocadia family, quella radcliffe really didn¡¯t amount to much. ¡°very well. you will regret it.¡± julius reed smiled faintly and nodded, ¡°i appreciate you; what is your name?¡± ¡°i¡¯ve already told you. my name is winona leocadia.¡± winona leocadia replied somewhat displeased. he had introduced himself when he arrived. ¡°now, answer my question.¡± winona leocadia turned the front desk computer toward himself and entered quella radcliffe¡¯s name into the guest list. the display showed that there was no such person. ¡°how is that possible!¡± anna harris felt as if her brain couldn¡¯t cope. why then were the security guards so polite to her at the door? ¡°now, do you have anything else to say?¡± winona leocadia¡¯s face darkened as he waved his hand, ¡°take them away!¡± ¡°hold on.¡± julius reed called out to him and handed him the phone, ¡°take a call.¡± ¡°ha, i don¡¯t have time! we¡¯ll talk about whatever it is after we go outside. take them away!¡± winona leocadia certainly didn¡¯t have time to waste on three nobodies here. after dealing with the crystal hall, he still needed to inspect the outside. he would absolutely not let go of this hard-won opportunity to enhance his own status. ¡°you will regret it.¡± julius reed said with a smile, ¡°just now, you insulted my wife, and now i am formally notifying you that your two legs, they are gone.¡± ¡°are you threatening me?¡± winona leocadia¡¯s eyebrows raised as if he had heard the world¡¯s funniest joke, ¡°do you realize that just with that sentence, i could make you spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair, unable to stand up?¡± he was one of the leocadia family members; in a small place like gonzalez city, to be threatened by someone else was the world¡¯s biggest joke. ¡°i don¡¯t know.¡± julius reed looked at his watch, ¡°in ten seconds, i will make you regret it.¡± having said that, he took quella radcliffe and anna harris and walked toward the entrance. ¡°stop them!¡± winona leocadia¡¯s brows furrowed and he hastened to follow them. he absolutely could not let these people get away. the security guards were nimble; in nearly one second, they all blocked julius reed¡¯s path. ¡°what¡¯s going on!¡± at that moment, sophia leocadia rushed in from outside, panting. she had just received a phone call from home, and because it concerned the affairs of the leocadia family, she left the crystal exhibition hall. who would have thought that in such a short time a problem would have arisen? ¡°miss, what are you doing here!¡± seeing sophia leocadia, winona leocadia hurried over and said ingratiatingly, ¡°if only you had said something, i would have sent someone to pick you up.¡± Chapter 561 - Chapter 561: Chapter 561 Smashing the Place_1 Chapter 561: Chapter 561 Smashing the Place_1 ¡°` In the Leocadia Family, Sophia Leocadia, though a girl and just turned eighteen this year, held a very high status. Old Master Leocadia, before he fell ill, favored Sophia Leocadia the most. And Sophia¡¯s father held high prestige within the Oberon Group and was very capable. Sophia¡¯s mother hailed from the Sinclair Aristocracy. Such relations made Sophia the most beloved member of the Leocadia Family. Therefore, after the old master fell ill, many hoped to marry Sophia off. Even if it were only an engagement, they wanted to settle the matter. The reason being, without Sophia¡¯s departure, it would be difficult for these people to make any major moves. As one of the four largest families, the Leocadia Family¡¯s way of thinking was very open. Old Master Leocadia even directly trained Sophia as the heir to the Leocadia Family, a fact known to all within the Family. Even Sophia¡¯s brothers and sisters had to show her respect when they saw her, let alone Winona Leocadia, who came from a branch of the Family. A slight mishap could lead to their complete ruin. But Sophia had a mild temperament and never lost her temper, which somewhat reassured the Leocadia Family Members. ¡°Winona Leocadia, what are you doing?¡± Sophia looked at the circle of security guards before her, her brows slightly furrowed. In her heart, Julius Reed held a very high position. If Winona Leocadia couldn¡¯t provide a perfect explanation, she would not let the matter rest. ¡°To answer the young lady, these three individuals were not invited; they snuck into the crystal exhibition hall and attacked two guests on our invitation list. Naturally, I had to intervene,¡± Winona Leocadia declared with moral righteousness. In his eyes, this was an opportunity to show his worth. If he could leave a good impression on the Leocadia Family¡¯s young princess, he would thrive within the Family. ¡°What are you standing around for? Catch these people and throw them out!¡± Winona Leocadia cleared his throat and shouted loudly. Slap! As soon as he finished his sentence, Sophia slapped his face. ¡°Miss¡­ why did you slap me?¡± Winona Leocadia, holding his face and blinking innocently, looked at Sophia in disbelief. He didn¡¯t even understand what had happened before he was slapped. Not just him, including Anna Harris and the surrounding security personnel, everyone was stunned. ¡°These three are my guests! And you have offended my guests,¡± declared Sophia, anger rarely seen on her face. ¡°Winona Leocadia, do you think just because the old master has fallen ill, I, the young lady, am invisible to your eyes?¡± ¡°Miss, they¡­¡± Winona Leocadia¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief: ¡°How is this possible! Look, all three of them are from Gonzalez City, and this young man is a rascal. How could they possibly be friends with you? With your distinguished status¡­¡± ¡°Shut your mouth!¡± Slap! Sophia backhanded him with another slap. She was truly furious. Her idol, her male god, labeled as a scoundrel? In her eyes, Julius Reed was a hero without equal. The battle at the docks had given Sophia an immense sense of security. But now, someone called Julius Reed a scoundrel? ¡°As things stand, there¡¯s no need for further discussion,¡± Julius Reed, with a smile, glanced at Sophia: ¡°This situation today is none of your concern. But as a friend, I ask you to leave with me.¡± ¡°No! You are my friend, and I can¡¯t let you be wronged!¡± Sophia insisted stubbornly. There was a fierce determination in her eyes. Whoever bullied Julius Reed, she was the first to oppose it. Moreover, she felt Julius Reed was upset. ¡°Let¡¯s go, there¡¯s nothing more to say.¡± Julius Reed smiled and patted Sophia¡¯s head: ¡°He just now insulted my wife, so he¡¯s already a waste.¡± ¡°Stop! How dare you touch the young lady!¡± Seeing Julius Reed touch Sophia¡¯s hair, Winona Leocadia immediately shouted: ¡°Protect the young lady!¡± In all his years in the Leocadia Family, no man had ever been so presumptuous with Sophia! The dignity of the Leocadia Family allowed no challenges! ¡°Winona Leocadia!¡± Sophia clenched her fists tightly, her gaze on Winona Leocadia was murderous. ¡°` ¡°Miss, you must have been threatened or bewitched!¡± Winona Leocadia was also taken aback to see Sophia Leocadia like this. In all his years with the Leocadia family, it was the first time he had ever seen the young princess of the Leocadia family so angry. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Julius Reed picked up Sophia Leocadia by the waist and headed straight for the exhibition hall exit. ¡°Protect Miss Sophia!¡± Smack! Before Winona Leocadia could finish shouting, Julius Reed slapped him across the face. ¡°In ten minutes, I¡¯ll make you wish you were dead.¡± After saying that, he strode away. No one dared to act rashly. Winona Leocadia is a branch of the Leocadia family, after all, and they had no backing whatsoever. If they truly offended Sophia Leocadia, there would be only one way out: death. ¡°You all just wait for me!¡± Inside the crystal exhibition hall, Winona Leocadia wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, roaring in anger. He didn¡¯t dare to do anything to Sophia Leocadia, but he could certainly take care of Julius Reed! ¡°Are you two alright?¡± Winona Leocadia turned around, composed himself, and looked down at Thompson, who lay on the floor with a bloodied face. ¡°I¡¯m going to file a complaint! How could such a rude person be allowed in here!¡± Although Thompson had been beaten, he had been secretly listening all along. From the conversations of the group just now, he learned that the man who beat him had snuck in. How could this be tolerated? ¡°I apologize, I will certainly seek justice for you!¡± Winona Leocadia quickly helped Thompson up. He didn¡¯t dare offend such an important guest. Fortunately, Sophia Leocadia had shown up today; later, he could shift all the blame onto her, and he would be off the hook. ¡°I am Thompson, the son of the president of the Oberon Group!¡± Thompson yelled, furious. ¡°So it¡¯s you!¡± Winona Leocadia¡¯s heart skipped a beat, realizing the gravity of the situation. ¡°Okay, please tell me what happened, and I will report it to the upper echelons of the group immediately, how does that sound? I will make sure you get an explanation,¡± he said. After speaking, Winona pulled out his phone and started recording a video. Oberon Group was among the Fortune 500, and recently the Leocadia family had plans to collaborate with them. Winona Leocadia¡¯s heart bloomed with joy that such a person had been beaten by Julius Reed. Even if Sophia Leocadia protected him, Julius Reed was likely doomed! ¡°Brother Davenport, put me down!¡± Sophia Leocadia kept yelling from Julius Reed¡¯s shoulder, but her body honestly showed no struggle. She wished this moment would never pass. ¡°If you keep yelling, I¡¯m going to throw you down. People who don¡¯t know any better would think I¡¯m abducting you,¡± said Julius Reed. As soon as he spoke, Sophia Leocadia immediately quieted down. ¡°That one, you are¡­ the miss of the Leocadia family¡­¡± Anna Harris walked out, still in shock. Today, she felt like the whole world had changed. The man she had looked down on as a freeloader turned out to be a billionaire, and her, she turned out to be one of the Leocadia family members. Thinking back to all she had done before, Anna Harris wished she could just die from embarrassment. She had seen people lose face, but never had she lost face like this. ¡°I told you a long time ago she has money, but you wouldn¡¯t believe it,¡± Julius Reed sighed. ¡°Now you feel foolish.¡± ¡°Who knew¡­ who knew she was telling the truth¡­¡± Anna Harris remembered the day they made dumplings, Sophia Leocadia said she was the birthday girl, but Anna didn¡¯t believe her at all. ¡°Alright. You stay here for a while, I have some business to handle.¡± Julius Reed put Sophia Leocadia down and turned to leave. ¡°Hey, where are you going?¡± Quella Radcliffe called out to him. ¡°To crash the party.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s back was turned to the three of them as he threw up a ¡®yeah¡¯ hand sign. Chapter 562 - Chapter 562: Chapter 562 Do You Want to Join_1 Chapter 562: Chapter 562 Do You Want to Join_1 ¡°Don¡¯t do anything foolish!¡± Quella Radcliffe rushed up and grabbed hold of Julius Reed, ¡°Let¡¯s just drop it.¡± The Leocadia family was wealthy and powerful, even though Sophia Leocadia stood on their side, but she was just a young girl after all. She had no way to influence the opinions within her family. ¡°No one can insult my woman.¡± Julius Reed smiled, looking at Quella Radcliffe, ¡°Not even the Leocadia family.¡± After saying this, he gently kissed her forehead and strode away. Watching the retreating figure of Julius Reed, Anna Harris stamped her foot and said, ¡°Quella, why didn¡¯t you stop him, why did you let him go and do something foolish!¡± ¡°No one can stop what he wants to do.¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face revealed a slight smile. ¡°You¡¯re still smiling, do you have any idea who the Leocadia family is!¡± Anna Harris was near the point of exploding with anger. In her eyes, the Leocadia family of the capital, being one of the four great families, was wealthy and influential, far beyond the likes of Bran Cook. What Julius Reed was doing was no different from courting death in her opinion. ¡°It¡¯s fine! Even if it were the Jade Emperor himself, he would dare to cause a scene.¡± Quella Radcliffe gently embraced Anna Harris, ¡°Let¡¯s go home first, and Sophia, will you come back with us?¡± Even though the Leocadia family members had been difficult, Quella Radcliffe bore no dislike for Sophia Leocadia. On the contrary, she rather liked this young girl who coveted her husband. ¡°I¡¯m going back to the capital now to seek justice for Brother Davenport.¡± Sophia Leocadia said firmly, ¡°If Winona Leocadia can still stay in the Leocadia family, then I will leave!¡± Having spoken, this stubborn little Leocadia princess turned and left the Five-state International building directly. ¡­ Meanwhile, the exhibition was in full swing. Itai Huntington patrolled with the security guards non-stop, able to rest only occasionally. Ding-a-ling! Just at that moment, her phone suddenly rang. Itai Huntington¡¯s eyebrows rose, and a smile appeared on her lips. Could it be that this man would actually call her? ¡°Hello, my little treasure, missing me? Aren¡¯t you afraid your wife will get jealous?¡± She spoke in a charming manner. ¡°I need you to do something for me.¡± Over the phone, Julius Reed¡¯s voice was unusually detached. ¡°What is it that¡¯s got you so serious?¡± Itai Huntington immediately put away her frivolous tone, knowing well that Julius Reed was definitely up to trouble. ¡°Close down the venue immediately, and get all the guests out within five minutes.¡± Julius Reed said in a deep voice. ¡°Do you think this exhibition is run by my family? That¡¯s the Leocadia family!¡± Itai Huntington was initially stunned, then she said, ¡°Please, this is our first deal since the business alliance was established. If you don¡¯t consider me, at least think about your wife?¡± ¡°So, is it possible, or not?¡± Julius Reed asked again. ¡°Give me a reason, or I can¡¯t make such a decision. You are well aware what it means once I do this,¡± Itai Huntington asked helplessly. ¡°In half an hour, I will do what I want to do.¡± Beep! Beep! Beep! The call was abruptly cut off. ¡°Damn it!¡± Itai Huntington flipped her hair, uncharacteristically cursing. ¡°Miss, shall I take care of him for you?¡± Marthew Abernathy asked in a deep voice. ¡°Hiss!¡± Itai Huntington took a deep breath, her hands continuously raking through her hair. ¡°Announce over the PA system, all guests must leave within five minutes.¡± ¡°What? Miss, what¡¯s the time now? The Leocadia family members won¡¯t agree to this.¡± An assistant spoke out. The Leocadia family members are like gods of wealth; they would barely appease them. Driving out guests at this time would utterly offend the Leocadia family, wouldn¡¯t it? When Winona Leocadia shows up, how will they explain themselves? ¡°Are you deaf to my words? Do as I say!¡± Itai Huntington clutched her phone in one hand and grabbed the assistant¡¯s collar with the other, ¡°Don¡¯t test my patience. I¡¯ll take the heat if anything goes wrong!¡± Her eyes were red, a stark contrast to her usual self. ¡°Yes¡­¡± The assistant was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed to the ground. After regaining his composure. He took out the walkie-talkie and began to deploy the evacuation mission. ¡°Julius Reed, you bastard, who the hell are you to tell me what to do without giving me a reason?¡± Itai Huntington leaned against the glass staircase on the second floor, slowly sinking to the ground. Her eyes began to moisten. ¡°All you do is bully me.¡± As she spoke, she couldn¡¯t help but start to cry. Meanwhile, Diamond hurriedly and quietly dispersed the surrounding people, making sure no one saw this scene. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. But those three are the young lady¡¯s friends, I understand. Yes, it is. Please rest assured.¡± After Winona Leocadia finished uploading the video, she immediately received a call from her superior. ¡°How did it go?¡± Bran Cook saw Winona Leocadia coming out and quickly approached her. He had just seen Julius Reed walk out unscathed, and was very puzzled. ¡°There¡¯s a one hundred percent chance he¡¯s a goner.¡± Winona Leocadia pocketed her phone and touched the palm print on her face, ¡°Do you know who that kid just hit?¡± ¡°Hit you?¡± Bran Cook looked at the palm print on Winona Leocadia¡¯s face and exclaimed in surprise. Winona Leocadia was hit too? ¡°Pah! You jinx.¡± Winona Leocadia slapped Bran Cook on the back of the head, mentioning exactly what shouldn¡¯t have been brought up. ¡°He hit the son of the CEO of Oberon Group!¡± ¡°Really?¡± A gleam of light flashed in Bran Cook¡¯s eyes, ¡°Then he¡¯s definitely finished!¡± Oberon Group was part of the world¡¯s top 500, and being hit on Leocadia Family turf meant that even if the CEO of Oberon didn¡¯t get involved, the Leocadia Family wouldn¡¯t let Julius Reed off the hook. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, due to an unexpected situation, please orderly leave the exhibition within the next five minutes.¡± It was at that moment that the announcement from Five-state International suddenly came through the speakers. ¡°What?¡± Winona Leocadia thought she had heard wrong. But before long, the announcement was made again. The security guards from Five-state International also began to disperse the guests, and their actions were very swift. ¡°What the hell is going on!¡± Winona Leocadia looked at her watch, it was only afternoon, the peak time, why would they be closing? ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± She grabbed a security guard and demanded angrily, ¡°Give me an explanation!¡± ¡°This is Chairman Huntington¡¯s decision.¡± After speaking, the security guard immediately pulled away and started moving to the crystal display area to disperse the guests. ¡°What is this crazy woman up to! Come with me up there!¡± Winona Leocadia¡¯s brow was so furrowed it looked ready to wring out water. ¡°Manager Leocadia, this incident fully shows Itai Huntington isn¡¯t right for this position.¡± Bran Cook¡¯s eyes darted, ¡°Could you possibly put in a good word for me at the Leocadia Family, let me¡­¡± ¡°At a time like this, you¡¯re still thinking about that! Let¡¯s first find out what is going on!¡± Winona Leocadia strode ahead, speaking anxiously, ¡°Once we understand the situation, I¡¯ll consider it.¡± ¡°Thank you, Young Master Leocadia!¡± Bran Cook¡¯s lips curled into a sly grin as he quickly followed behind Winona Leocadia. And at that moment, Beckett Carmichael, having heard the news, also left the clubhouse. He happened to meet Julius Reed standing at the entrance. ¡°Mr. Reed, why are you here?¡± After what had happened at noon, Beckett Carmichael was very fearful. ¡°Nothing, just smashing up the place. Do you want to join?¡± Julius Reed said indifferently. Chapter 563 - Chapter 563: Chapter 563 Smashing_1 Chapter 563: Chapter 563 Smashing_1 ¡°Smash the exhibition? Whose?¡± Beckett Carmichael was immediately stupefied. ¡°The Leocadia Family.¡± Julius Reed pointed inside the venue, ¡°See that? I plan to smash everything inside, not leaving a single piece.¡± ¡°Mr. Reed!¡± Beckett Carmichael spoke in alarm, ¡°This must not be done! That is the Leocadia Family we¡¯re talking about, not some small-time clan. The Leocadia Family has profound resources, and even though the old man has fallen ill, their power is incomparable to other forces.¡± Hearing that Julius Reed wanted to smash the Leocadia Family¡¯s exhibition, it scared Beckett Carmichael out of his wits. What a commotion this would cause! The Leocadia Family organizing an exhibition in Gonzalez City was meant to showcase their own strength as well as to promote their jewelry brand. The exhibition was scheduled to last five days, and today was only the first. If someone smashed it in Gonzalez City, they would inevitably face a violent backlash. After that, there would be no peace. Even if he wanted to protect them, it might not be possible. A clash between such large families would certainly cause a huge uproar. ¡°Are you afraid?¡± Julius Reed asked with a smile. ¡°No!¡± Beckett Carmichael hurriedly waved his hand. His own employees had already offended Julius Reed one after another, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. At this moment, even if Julius Reed asked him to die, he had no way to refuse. ¡°I¡¯m just making clear to you the serious implications. If you insist on taking action, I, Beckett Carmichael, will lead the charge! If the Leocadia Family has any thoughts, let them come at me!¡± Beckett Carmichael thumped his chest and said, ¡°I, Mr. Carmichael, am wholeheartedly loyal to you!¡± ¡°No need. The Leocadia Family is nothing but trivial, if they get smashed, so be it.¡± Julius Reed said nonchalantly, ¡°So-called grand families and clans are nothing but chaff in my eyes.¡± ¡°Mr. Reed, what¡¯s all this for?¡± If someone else had said this, Beckett Carmichael would have scoffed. But when Julius Reed said it, he didn¡¯t doubt it at all. What about the Roosevelt family? One of the major financial groups in America. They mobilized so many Shadow Warriors to seek revenge, yet they couldn¡¯t even land ashore and were buried at sea. Julius Reed spoke with confidence! At least, Beckett Carmichael had no doubts about it. ¡°That¡­ Winona Leocadia, was disrespectful to my wife.¡± Julius Reed, hands in pockets, leaned against the wall and spoke indifferently. ¡°Leave dealing with Winona Leocadia to me! But there¡¯s no need to provoke the Leocadia Family, right¡­¡± Beckett Carmichael looked at the room full of crystal ornaments, ¡°If you go through with this, it will definitely shake the capital!¡± ¡°Today, I¡¯m not in a good mood. Let¡¯s just consider it a way to vent,¡± Julius Reed glanced at his watch, patted Beckett Carmichael on the shoulder, ¡°You should go. The Carmichael family doesn¡¯t need to get involved in this matter.¡± His intention was not to drag the Carmichael family into this. Anyway, dealing with the Leocadia Family on his own would be like a walk in the park. ¡°No way!¡± Beckett Carmichael pounded his chest, ¡°This is my unshirkable duty! As long as you don¡¯t despise me, Mr. Carmichael, I will lead the charge.¡± How could he miss such an opportunity to atone for his mistakes? His blind employees had already offended Julius Reed twice, and although it seemed Mr. Reed didn¡¯t care, Beckett Carmichael was on pins and needles. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, then stay.¡± Julius Reed glanced at his watch. In ten minutes, Aron Jackson¡¯s men would arrive. Surrounding tourists were cursing and complaining, all dissatisfied with Five-state International¡¯s sudden closure. ¡°I owe Itai Huntington a favor, when you¡¯re free you can help her out.¡± Julius Reed suddenly said. ¡°Understood!¡± Beckett Carmichael nodded his head. It seems. There¡¯s indeed something going on between them. Otherwise, how could Itai Huntington take on such tremendous pressure to choose closure? This was directly offending the Leocadia Family. ¡°Itai Huntington, give me an explanation!¡± At Five-state International, in the Chairman¡¯s office. Winona Leocadia, accompanied by Bran Cook and several employees, stormed in furiously. At the moment, Itai Huntington was facing away from them, with tissues scattered all over the desk. ¡°Speak up!¡± Whoosh! Winona Leocadia smacked the table angrily. This incident had an extremely negative impact! It directly damaged the image of the Leocadia Family. Especially inside the crystal exhibition hall, many invited nobles angrily left after learning about the closure. ¡°Be polite!¡± The King Kong guard stood up, glaring at the people in front of him. Faced with such a fierce bodyguard, Winona Leocadia felt some fear in her heart, but she still said forcefully, ¡°Please, give me an explanation!¡± ¡°There¡¯s no explanation.¡± Itai Huntington slowly turned around, her eyes red as she spoke, ¡°The incident has already happened; there¡¯s no explanation I can give.¡± What could she say? Claim that someone called her to close the exhibition hall? She herself was the chairman of Five-state International and also served as the chairman of the Gonzalez City Business Alliance. Who would believe her if she said it? The blame was already set in stone. In her heart, she cursed Julius Reed thoroughly. Jerk! She had given so much, and the other party didn¡¯t even tell her the reason. Putting on airs. ¡°Miss Huntington, are you serious?¡± Winona Leocadia, upon hearing such an explanation, said angrily, ¡°You¡¯re looking down on the Leocadia Family!¡± ¡°Say whatever you want. The decision to close is made; I¡¯ll bear all the consequences,¡± Itai Huntington said helplessly. ¡°Ha! Miss Huntington, you¡¯ve really got some nerve! I absolutely won¡¯t let this matter rest. How dare you breach the contract like this; just wait for retaliation!¡± Winona Leocadia glared at Itai Huntington, the corners of her mouth twitching uncontrollably. How dare someone publicly insult a powerful family like the Leocadia Family? So what if you are an influential figure in Gonzalez City? So what if you are the chairman of Five-state International? In front of the Leocadia Family, you are but an ant! Like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, you¡¯re undoubtedly courting death! Crash! Just then, the sound of shattering glass came from outside the office. ¡°What¡¯s that sound?¡± Winona Leocadia perked up her ears to listen. ¡°Seems like, glass breaking?¡± Bran Cook replied. Crash! Another wave of noise came, followed by continuous sounds from outside the office. Just like a demolition site! ¡°Go out and check!¡± Winona Leocadia was shocked. The floor below used to be the Five-state International hall, normally empty of anything. Glass display cabinets had been set up just for the exhibition. Now, the sound of shattering glass was everywhere, how could Winona Leocadia not be concerned! ¡°Who are these people!¡± When he rushed out, from the second floor, he saw black-clad figures downstairs, relentlessly swinging steel pipes, smashing the display cabinets into pieces. ¡°My god!¡± Bran Cook¡¯s eyes widened as he pointed downstairs and said, ¡°Young Master Leocadia, are these bandits?¡± ¡°Mr. Carmichael!¡± It was a casual sweep for Winona Leocadia, but he actually saw Beckett Carmichael among them. The fat man was breaking things more vigorously than anyone! And the more he smashed, the more excited he became, his face full of thrill. Could it be the Carmichael family? But how could Beckett Carmichael muster so many people? ¡°Heavens, you¡¯re insane!¡± Itai Huntington also emerged from the office upon hearing the commotion. When she saw what was happening before her, she nearly fainted. Julius Reed, this is slapping the face of the Leocadia Family! Chapter 564 - Chapter 564: Chapter 564: Let Her Go_1 Chapter 564: Chapter 564: Let Her Go_1 ¡°Manager Leocadia, what do we do now?¡± Just as the smashing frenzy was taking off downstairs, Leocadia Family security personnel covered in bruises ran upstairs, and immediately knelt in front of Winona Leocadia. ¡°They didn¡¯t say a word when they came in and started beating us up! CEO Carmichael led them here, we didn¡¯t dare to stop him!¡± Behind him, more than a dozen members of the Leocadia Family¡¯s security staff hurried up. These men were agile and fit, but facing enemies outnumbering them by more than a hundred times, they didn¡¯t dare to make a move. Unless they were tired of living. Moreover, with Beckett Carmichael leading the charge, if they really started a fight, it would provoke a clash between two powerful families, a crime no one could afford to be responsible for. ¡°How could this happen!¡± Winona Leocadia¡¯s face was as dark as deep water, his hands gripping the railing tightly. A perfectly good exhibition, where did so many people come from? ¡°It was you who did this!¡± He suddenly turned around, looking straight at Itai Huntington. Just ten minutes earlier, this chairman of Five-state International had ordered the dispersal of the guests. Combining that with the current scene made it hard for him not to link the two incidents together. A bold idea emerged in his mind. But, with his current status, he couldn¡¯t possibly confront Beckett Carmichael. So he focused on Itai Huntington instead. ¡°It wasn¡¯t me.¡± Itai Huntington faced Winona Leocadia¡¯s eyes and answered word by word. She indeed had no clue. Julius Reed only asked her to disperse the guests; he never mentioned anything about smashing the place! Considering the circumstances, it¡¯s likely Aron Jackson¡¯s people who took action, otherwise it wouldn¡¯t have been possible in such a short amount of time. ¡°The people smashing the place are right downstairs, Manager Leocadia. If you want to know, you can go down and ask them yourself,¡± Itai Huntington said undaunted. ¡°Then explain to me why you dispersed the guests!¡± Winona Leocadia was angry. Even if he was a side member of the Leocadia Family, he was still one of the Leocadia Family Members. How could someone from Gonzalez City dare command him? ¡°There¡¯s no explanation. I will compensate you according to the contract. My lawyer will contact you later.¡± Having said this, Itai Huntington turned to leave. She wanted some quiet. The incident today was far too serious. The Leocadia Family¡¯s exhibition was smashed; it was bound to create an uproar in the capital. By now, the Leocadia Family Members must have heard about it. And the person leading the trouble was none other than Beckett Carmichael. ¡°Stop right there!¡± Just as Itai Huntington turned to leave, Winona Leocadia suddenly growled. ¡°Manager Leocadia, is there anything else¡­¡± Slap! Itai Huntington turned around, but before she could finish her sentence, her face caught a slap from Winona Leocadia. ¡°You¡¯re looking for death!¡± With fists clenched tight as steel, she took a fierce step forward, about to strike Winona Leocadia. ¡°Come back!¡± Itai Huntington shouted loudly. ¡°Miss¡­¡± ¡°I said come back.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Fury filled the eyes of the formidable bodyguard as he glared at Winona Leocadia, his gaze brimming with murderous intent. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, big guy, not convinced?¡± Winona Leocadia squinted his eyes and slowly walked up to the bodyguard, lazily patting his face with his hand: ¡°Still want to raise your hand against me?¡± Seeing his furiously agitated servant, Winona Leocadia spat on the ground: ¡°Pah! What are you? Can¡¯t even look at your own reflection?¡± He was a member of the Leocadia Family, and in coming to Gonzalez City, he represented the Leocadia Family! If the bodyguard dared to retaliate now, the Leocadia Family would ensure that Itai Huntington and her entire lineage would live a life worse than death. The title of the Four Great Families wasn¡¯t for nothing. ¡°Itai Huntington, I know you have a big reputation in Gonzalez City, known as the ¡®Widow of Fate.''¡± Winona Leocadia adjusted his suit, strolling leisurely up to Itai Huntington. He grabbed Itai Huntington¡¯s shirt collar in a fury and hissed, ¡°You bitch! You¡¯ve ruined everything for me!¡± Originally, after the exhibition ended, Winona Leocadia should have been able to return to the Leocadia family and take up a key position within the group. But now, the exhibition has been trashed! This had never happened in the history of the Leocadia family! Internally, the family would surely think that Winona Leocadia was incompetent, leading to the current situation. But what could Winona Leocadia do? How could he have anticipated that, in a small county town, someone would dare to openly challenge the Leocadia Family? The damages below weren¡¯t limited to just the showcases. It was the ladder to his promotion! ¡°Let her go.¡± Bran Cook gasped for air, his forehead veins bulging. It seemed as if he might kill someone the next moment! In his heart, the young lady was untouchable by anyone. Even if, it was a member of the Leocadia Family. ¡°Step back!¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s breathing was rapid, her face turning red from the lack of oxygen. But her mind remained rational throughout. As long as she endured, the Leocadia family wouldn¡¯t really do anything to her. After all, there was no evidence to connect her to the vandalism of the exhibition. But if Bran Cook made his move, he would completely cross the line with the Leocadia Family. ¡°Explain yourself!¡± Winona Leocadia glared at Itai Huntington as anger surged within him. ¡°Heh, who would¡¯ve thought that the widow who makes so many men cower, now behaves as docile as a little kitten.¡± Bran Cook finally found an opportunity to mock Itai Huntington mercilessly. In Gonzalez City, he wouldn¡¯t dare. But to offend the Leocadia Family. Itai Huntington¡¯s life was pretty much over! And he, Bran Cook, would seize this chance to become Gonzalez City¡¯s agent! ¡°Bran Cook, you will regret this.¡± Itai Huntington smiled at Bran Cook: ¡°I really don¡¯t know what makes you so bold to talk to me like this.¡± ¡°Ha! Whore! I¡¯ve found you disagreeable for a long time,¡± Bran Cook¡¯s face darkened, and he huffed, ¡°You slumming with Julius Reed that bastard in bed, utterly shameless! Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know, you¡¯ve been helping Quella Radcliffe both openly and secretly. Otherwise, how could she possibly have outmaneuvered me?¡± He had always been suspicious of this. But there was no evidence. Yet all signs suggested that Itai Huntington had never been impartial. And especially with the recent rampant rumors about Itai Huntington and Julius Reed in Gonzalez City, Bran Cook was more convinced than ever that this pair of dogs were having an affair. ¡°Remember what you said today.¡± Itai Huntington still smiled at Bran Cook, seemingly unfazed by the string of insults. ¡°You harpy, still defiant even as death approaches!¡± Bran Cook narrowed his eyes and walked up to Itai Huntington, fiercely grabbing her hair! ¡°Hiss!¡± The intense pain twisted Itai Huntington¡¯s expression into one of agony, but she fiercely endured without making a sound. ¡°Holding it in? Then let¡¯s see how tough your bones really are!¡± Bran Cook watched Itai Huntington like a sadist, his grip growing tighter. And Bran Cook¡¯s eyes already spewed fire, but he turned his head away, remembering Itai Huntington¡¯s words. His fists creaked with tension. ¡°Let her go!¡± Just then, a voice sounded from behind everyone. Winona Leocadia turned around and saw that the newcomer was Julius Reed! ¡°Good, the dog and the bitch together at last,¡± he said with a chuckle, nodding his head then turning back to Itai Huntington, ¡°You still claim this has nothing to do with you? Now your lover has even come knocking!¡± ¡°This matter never involved her in the first place,¡± Julius Reed walked over briskly, saying coldly, ¡°I¡¯m telling you one last time, let her go. Otherwise, you can¡¯t handle the consequences.¡± Julius Reed felt guilty for the humiliation Itai Huntington had to suffer because of him. And now, someone dared to lay hands on Itai Huntington! His heart was already ablaze with fury. Chapter 565 - Chapter 565: Chapter 565 Sorry_1 Chapter 565: Chapter 565 Sorry_1 ¡°Who do you think you are!¡± Winona Leocadia burst into laughter, ¡°Get down on your knees and beg me, and maybe this young master will be in a good mood and spare your woman¡¯s life. Otherwise, you¡¯ll both have to die!¡± Seeing Julius Reed approach single-handedly, Winona Leocadia felt no fear in his heart. First, he was a member of the Leocadia Family. The identity of the Leocadia Family was the best ¡°Get Out of Death Free¡± card; everyone who saw him had to treat him with respect. Second, the people behind him were outstanding in their abilities. Since Julius Reed had some skills, what chance did he have against an attack by a dozen people? Today in the crystal exhibition hall, after Winona Leocadia got slapped by Sophia Leocadia, he had been holding a grudge about it in his heart. Although he came from a branch of the family, he had recently been highly valued by the Leocadia Family, which naturally raised his status. Accustomed to being treated with respect, getting slapped today left a bad taste in his mouth the more he thought about it. What could he possibly do about it? Sophia Leocadia was the princess of the Leocadia Family; having hit her, the deed was done. The only one he could take revenge on was Julius Reed. A little scoundrel from Gonzalez City dared to hit him? Winona Leocadia had been successful for many years, and just as he was about to reach the pinnacle of life, he slid into a valley in an instant. He wasn¡¯t pleased about it. He needed a place to vent. ¡°Julius Reed! Seeing your lover suffer here, does it hurt?¡± Bran Cook laughed out loud, saying with great satisfaction, ¡°Who would have thought you¡¯d see the day! Kneel down, like a dog, get down on your knees before me!¡± At the corporate alliance¡¯s board meeting. He had lost all respect and reputation. Not only had he lost all face, but his heart had also taken a heavy hit. Bran Cook always considered himself a genius; he just hadn¡¯t found the right opportunity to showcase his talents. However, after returning to Gonzalez City, Julius Reed kept striking blows at him. He even left a shadow in his heart. Every time he saw Julius Reed, his body would instinctively try to evade. This frustrated the usually self-proclaimed excellent Bran Cook to no end. Now that Julius Reed had offended the Leocadia Family, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It also reaffirmed an old saying, ¡°You won¡¯t die if you don¡¯t seek death.¡± Bran Cook had already given up hope for revenge, but now, to his surprise, it came too suddenly. He hadn¡¯t even prepared himself mentally. The scenes that appeared in his dreams were beginning to come true one by one. He could grab Itai Huntington¡¯s hair with one hand and step on Julius Reed¡¯s face with the other foot. ¡°I¡¯m not in a very good mood, so you better be quick, otherwise, this bitch is going to suffer a lot,¡± said Bran Cook with pride. ¡°You¡¯re finished.¡± Julius Reed looked at Bran Cook coldly and slowly took off his jacket, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Kill him for me!¡± With a wave of Winona Leocadia¡¯s hand, the security personnel immediately rushed forward! ¡°Whoever cripples him, I¡¯ll reward with half a million!¡± With the promise of a hefty reward, there will always be brave souls. Although half a million wasn¡¯t a lot, it was not a small amount either. Crack! With no fancy moves, Julius Reed punched out, shattering the wrist of one security man. Then, he furiously swung the man around and smashed him out! Bang! With a crashing sound, several security men behind who hadn¡¯t reacted were hit, their ribs broken, and they fell to the ground groaning in pain. The others looked at each other, seeming to hesitate about whether or not to join in. This young man was too brutal with his attacks, breaking arms and legs so easily. They didn¡¯t want to earn money with their lives, but not have lives to spend it. ¡°What are you waiting for! He¡¯s just one person, get on with it!¡± Winona Leocadia was furious, gritting his teeth. These useless men, acting all tough on ordinary days, were suddenly getting cold feet when they were needed! ¡°Who told you I came alone?¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly and pointed behind Winona Leocadia, ¡°Look, my brothers are here.¡± Upon hearing this, Winona Leocadia instinctively turned around. What he saw made him gulp down a mouthful of saliva, and his hand gripping Itai Huntington¡¯s collar also started to tremble. It was a grand sight. Several hundred people in neat suits were walking this way. Leading them, one was Beckett Carmichael, CEO of the Abernathy Group. The other was Aron Jackson from Gonzalez City. ¡°What are you doing! In broad daylight¡­¡± ¡°Under broad daylight, you bully a woman?¡± Juluis Reed passed through the Leocadia Family¡¯s security; not one dared to stand out and block him. They were very clear in their minds that when these hundreds of men made a move, it was no joke. They carried a murderous aura. They could all feel it. ¡°What do you want to do! I warn you¡­¡± Winona Leocadia¡¯s face turned pale with fright. He had not expected that today¡¯s farce was orchestrated by Juluis Reed. A rascal could wield such great power? To compel the number one strong woman of Gonzalez City to cooperate, risking offending the Leocadia Family. To make Matthew Abernathy personally get involved, and sweat profusely while doing so. To lead the underground emperor of Gonzalez City to mobilize his people en masse, and directly smash the Leocadia Family¡¯s exhibition to smithereens. Is this what a rascal does? Winona Leocadia turned to look at Bran Cook. And at that moment, Bran Cook was already drenched in sweat. He knew Aron Jackson; he understood Aron Jackson. He knew. Today, there was a very real possibility that he was in danger. ¡°What¡¯s going on with your face?¡± Juluis Reed came up to Itai Huntington and immediately noticed her face was already red. It was the mark of a slap. ¡°He hit me.¡± Itai Huntington pointed with her lips, her eyes suddenly moistening. It¡¯s all your fault, you bastard, that I got hit. Slap! The moment the words left her lips, Juluis Reed swung his hand, slapping Winona Leocadia to the ground. ¡°You dare to hit me! I am a member of the Leocadia Family!¡± Winona Leocadia lay on the ground, covering his face with his hand, asking in disbelief. After all. He was a Leocadia Family member! Even though not a direct descendent, could the golden signboard of the Leocadia Family be provoked by a little thug from Gonzalez City? He didn¡¯t believe that Aron Jackson would dare to lay a hand on him! Should that truly happen, Gonzalez City would definitely be thrown into turmoil! The Leocadia Family could easily wipe out a local power if they wished. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Juluis Reed asked Itai Huntington with a bitter smile. In his heart, a twinge of guilt surfaced. ¡°It hurts!¡± A flash of tears shimmered in Itai Huntington¡¯s eyes. She was also a woman, and though she appeared to be a strong woman, it was all just a mask. In reality, she was only twenty-six or twenty-seven years old. Yet, she had to shoulder so much pressure! ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Juluis Reed licked his lips, then turned to look at Winona Leocadia: ¡°Which hand did you use to hit her?¡± ¡°What are you going to do!¡± Winona Leocadia felt a sudden chill on his back. ¡°Which hand, did you hit her with?¡± Juluis Reed squatted down, smiling as he asked. ¡°You better think about the consequences! The Leocadia Family will never let you off!¡± Winona Leocadia attempted his final resistance. He mentioned the Leocadia Family, trying to intimidate Juluis Reed. But it seemed to have no effect. ¡°Itai Huntington, if today I suffer the slightest loss, the Leocadia Family will definitely take it out on you! You better think carefully about whether you want to oppose the Leocadia Family or not!¡± Seeing that Juluis Reed had no reaction, Winona Leocadia resorted to threatening Itai Huntington. In his view, Itai Huntington was still rational, considering the Leocadia Family, and she might persuade Juluis Reed to back off. ¡°Sorry, he doesn¡¯t listen to me,¡± Itai Huntington said with a smile, touching her face. ¡°You really hit quite hard. I have never seen a man who could bully a woman like you do, with such a sense of righteousness.¡± ¡°You all¡­¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± Before Winona Leocadia could finish speaking, he let out a scream! He looked at his own chest, crying out in pain: ¡°Let me go!¡± At that moment, Juluis Reed was pressing a finger gently against one of his ribs. Chapter 566 - Chapter 566: Chapter 566: Wash Your Neck_1 Chapter 566: Chapter 566: Wash Your Neck_1 ¡°Crack!¡± Accompanied by the sound of a breaking bone. Winona Leocadia¡¯s face turned purple like a pig¡¯s liver, and his body convulsed. A rib, straight up broken. ¡°Which hand?¡± Julius Reed asked again. His fingers gently moved to the next rib. ¡°Left¡­ left hand¡­¡± Winona Leocadia had already prepared for the worst. The right hand could not be compromised at any cost! Even if he lost the left, he could still do a lot with the right. ¡°Knife.¡± Julius Reed extended his hand, and Aron Jackson immediately passed him a Nepalese kukri from behind. ¡°What are you going to do! I warn you, the Leocadia Family¡­¡± Spurt! Julius Reed chopped down with the knife! ¡°Ah! I¡¯m going to kill you!¡± Winona Leocadia¡¯s face twisted grotesquely, as he screamed in heart-wrenching agony. His five fingers were neatly severed. ¡°Is that so?¡± Julius Reed squatted on the ground, grinning at Winona Leocadia: ¡°Here¡¯s the knife, come on, kill me!¡± Having said that, he stuffed the Nepalese kukri into Winona Leocadia¡¯s hand. ¡°Hiss¡­¡± Winona Leocadia inhaled sharply, his right hand trembling as he held the dagger, not daring to make any rash moves. He was very clear, if he swung that knife, he would be the first to die. When you¡¯re under someone else¡¯s roof, you have to bow your head. Clang! The Nepalese kukri fell to the ground. Winona Leocadia¡¯s face was filled with despair, ashen as death. ¡°Actually, the hand you hit her with, was the right one.¡± Julius Reed suddenly spoke. ¡°How did you know¡­¡± Spurt! ¡°Ah¡­¡± Before Winona Leocadia could react, his right hand was severed from his wrist! ¡°Because, I knew from the start which hand it was. I just wanted to see if you were honest or not.¡± Julius Reed stood up, smiling at the curled up Winona Leocadia on the ground: ¡°Unfortunately, you¡¯re not a man of integrity.¡± Having said that, he lifted his right foot. ¡°He is a Leocadia Family member.¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly spoke up in reminder. Things had gone a bit too far. ¡°But he, he hit you.¡± Julius Reed replied with a faint smile, then brought his foot down hard! Crack! Winona Leocadia¡¯s body jerked, and he passed out. Both legs. Completely broken. ¡°It¡­ it has nothing to do with me, it was all Winona Leocadia who made me do it¡­¡± Bran Cook was so scared that he curled up into a ball. If a Leocadia Family member like Winona Leocadia could have all his limbs destroyed, what could make the other fear in him? ¡°Thump!¡± Bran Cook knelt straight in front of Itai Huntington, shaking all over as he begged: ¡°Sister, we¡¯ve met before, please, have mercy on me, forgive me this once! I will repay your great kindness, even if it means being a beast of burden!¡± He was utterly terrified. Bran Cook was no Winona Leocadia; he had no confidence at all, and regarding Julius Reed, his heart was full of fear. From the first day he returned to Gonzalez City, that fear had governed him. ¡°I won¡¯t be dirtying my hands with this one.¡± Julius Reed looked at Itai Huntington and spoke. ¡°Thank you! Thank you! Rest assured, I¡¯ll never dare go against you again, I¡¯m willing to be your dog!¡± Bran Cook kept kowtowing on the ground, yet inside he was thinking about how he would kick the Leocadia Family when they were down once their retaliation came. ¡°You handle it, I don¡¯t want to dirty my hands.¡± Right after Julius Reed finished his sentence, Bran Cook collapsed to the ground. ¡°Please, give me a chance to live, I beg you¡­¡± Bran Cook pleaded in despair. ¡°Abernathy, you know what to do.¡± Itai Huntington showed no pity. The moment Bran Cook insulted her, she had already made up her mind. And now, her hair had been pulled and yanked by others. ¡°Understood!¡± A hint of a smile appeared on King Kong¡¯s face. He had been suppressing his anger, his chest ready to burst! Now, he wanted revenge! Anyone who dared to offend Itai Huntington had to die! ¡°You little bastard, come on!¡± King Kong grabbed Bran Cook¡¯s head, his thumb pressing directly on his eye! Squelch! Bran Cook¡¯s eyeball was directly crushed. ¡°Ah¡­ my eyes¡­¡± Before he could scream, King Kong single-handedly picked him up and hurled him down the building! Splash! After falling from about seven meters up. Bran Cook twitched once and then lay still. ¡°Thank you.¡± Itai Huntington looked at Julius Reed and whispered. If Julius Reed hadn¡¯t come today, she might have endured even more humiliation. ¡°It¡¯s what I should do.¡± Julius Reed gave a bitter smile, ¡°Sorry for being late.¡± Their short exchange might look to others like a couple¡¯s conversation. ¡°I will take care of the Leocadia Family. You can rest easy. None of this will involve you.¡± Julius Reed took out his phone and looked at Itai Huntington, ¡°By the way, could you give me the Leocadia Family members¡¯ phone numbers? I want to have a few words with them.¡± ¡°I have them!¡± Beckett Carmichael took out his phone and handed it to Julius Reed, ¡°Ever since the old man of the Leocadia Family fell ill, the one in charge now is Natalia Leocadia. All decisions for the Leocadia Family are made by her.¡± ¡°What¡¯s her relationship with Sophia Leocadia?¡± Julius Reed asked. No matter what, Sophia Leocadia had helped him. If this person was Sophia Leocadia¡¯s father, things could get a bit tricky. ¡°Enemies!¡± Beckett Carmichael explained, ¡°Natalia Leocadia and Sophia Leocadia¡¯s father are siblings, but he has always wanted to drive out Sophia Leocadia¡¯s lineage. As you know, Sophia Leocadia was the old man¡¯s favorite. The first thing Natalia Leocadia did after taking charge was to try to marry Sophia Leocadia off.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Julius Reed took Beckett Carmichael¡¯s phone, thought for a moment, and decided to use his own number to make the call. ¡°After you go back, stay clear of this mess. I can handle it on my own; don¡¯t drag your Abernathy Corporation into this.¡± After saying that, he dialed the number. ¡°Hello, who is this?¡± Quickly, a deep voice came from the other end of the phone. ¡°I¡¯m Julius Reed from Gonzalez City,¡± Julius Reed introduced himself. ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t know you. Also, where did you get my phone number?¡± The voice on the phone was exceptionally cold. ¡°Where I got the number doesn¡¯t seem important,¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s not a problem that you don¡¯t know me, but your Leocadia Family¡¯s exhibition in Gonzalez City was smashed by me! Smashed to bits.¡± ¡°What did you say!¡± The voice on the phone was shocked. ¡°Furthermore, Winona Leocadia is crippled by me. She likely won¡¯t stand again in her life; might as well buy her a better wheelchair.¡± Julius Reed kept talking. ¡°Who are you!¡± The voice on the phone sounded angry. The Leocadia Family¡¯s territory, someone dared to smash it? And in the small Gonzalez City? He felt surprised, to the point of shock and rage! ¡°I¡¯ve already said who I was at the beginning. The Leocadia Family really knows how to choose, assigning a senile old fool to take charge.¡± Julius Reed chuckled lightly, but Itai Huntington standing beside him listened with chills running down her spine. That was Natalia Leocadia, the current nominal head of the Leocadia Family. Probably not many people in the capital would dare to speak like that. What kind of person was this man right in front of her? ¡°You¡¯re going to have a miserable death.¡± The voice on the phone fell silent for a few seconds, and then spoke again. ¡°I didn¡¯t call to listen to your threats. After all, Winona Leocadia has said these words many times over. Now you also know, she¡¯s become disabled,¡± Julius Reed said indifferently. ¡°What on earth do you want! Making this call, what¡¯s the meaning of it? Intimidation, or bragging?¡± The man finally lost his temper. The dignity of the Leocadia Family, no one had ever dared to challenge it! ¡°To notify you of something,¡± Julius Reed paused, then went on, ¡°Clean your neck, and wait for me to come and kill you.¡± Chapter 567 - Chapter 567: Chapter 567 Leocadia Family Outraged_1 Chapter 567: Chapter 567 Leocadia Family Outraged_1 The people present, including Beckett Carmichael, were all stunned. Was this a threat? They didn¡¯t think so. Beckett Carmichael had seen with his own eyes how Julius Reed, alone with his sword, had wiped out the Shadow Warrior group hired by the Roosevelt family for a hefty sum. But this was the Leocadia Family! A colossal existence! Even Beckett Carmichael himself didn¡¯t dare to speak to Natalia Leocadia like that. The four major families kept each other in check and used one another. But no one had ever dared to issue such an assertive notice. ¡°After the New Year, I will make a trip to the capital. To kill one person, to save another.¡± Julius Reed looked at Beckett Carmichael, ¡°Prepare my plane ticket and hotel, thank you very much.¡± Having said this, he glanced at Itai Huntington, then turned around and strode away. ¡­ At that moment, in the Leocadia Family¡¯s conference room. Nearly a hundred people filled the seats. ¡°For the first time in many years, the Leocadia Family has been threatened.¡± Natalia Leocadia slammed her phone hard onto the floor, shoved her hands in her pockets, took a deep breath and said, ¡°Call Winona Leocadia¡¯s phone for me!¡± ¡°No one is answering, we¡¯ve already called hundreds of times.¡± Inside the conference room, a man holding a phone shook his head helplessly. ¡°Then keep calling! Nearly a hundred Leocadia Family Members went to Gonzalez City, are you telling me they all died!¡± Natalia Leocadia roared, pointing at the man, ¡°If you can¡¯t get through on the phone, then you take a plane there! I don¡¯t care by what means, or how you do it, but I want to see people alive or bring me their bodies!¡± ¡°Yes, Manager Leocadia!¡± The man lowered his head, continuing to dial Winona Leocadia¡¯s number. ¡°Manager Leocadia, we have surveillance cameras installed in Gonzalez City, I suggest we retrieve the recordings.¡± A woman in her forties raised her hand and spoke up. Slap! Natalia Leocadia smacked her forehead, frowning, ¡°How could I have forgotten about this! Hurry up, immediately retrieve the surveillance footage and project it onto the big screen!¡± After she had spoken, she grabbed a chair, sat down, and stared straight at the information on the big screen. About three minutes later, the video came up. At the sight of the image on the big screen, everyone¡¯s eyes widened. The whole room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. ¡°How could this happen!¡± Whoosh! Natalia Leocadia slammed her fist on the table, pointing at the screen, ¡°Look! Look at this! This is a great disgrace to the Leocadia Family!¡± She angrily circled the conference room, pointing at the images on the screen, ¡°This isn¡¯t just my disgrace or yours, it is a disgrace for all Leocadia Family Members! All these generations, who has ever been humiliated like I have been today!¡± On the screen, the scene was a mess. The display cases of the Leocadia Family were so broken they were barely recognizable. Shards of glass were scattered everywhere. ¡°Manager Leocadia, we should call the police. This is no different than robbery. The goods we have in Gonzalez City are worth several billion yuan, almost reaching ten billion. Such a huge loss must be investigated for responsibility.¡± A clerk with glasses stood up, offering a suggestion. ¡°Your idea isn¡¯t bad, say it again so I can hear it.¡± Natalia Leocadia quickly walked over to the man with glasses, placing her hand on her ear. ¡°Manager Leocadia, I suggest we involve the police. With such a significant loss, as long as the police get involved, they will surely give us a satisfactory explanation.¡± The man adjusted his glasses, looking ecstatic. He had been employed by the Leocadia Family for so long, yet this was the first time he had earned the appreciation of Natalia Leocadia. Even in his heart, he had already been contemplating whether he was about to be promoted. Snap! A heavy slap pulled him back to reality. Natalia Leocadia slapped the glasses off his face, even causing his nose to bleed. ¡°Have you lost your mind? Report to the police?¡± Natalia Leocadia stood in front of the bespectacled man, coldly saying, ¡°Do you think the Leocadia Family hasn¡¯t been humiliated enough? Or are you eager for everyone to know that the Leocadia Family¡¯s exhibition in Gonzalez City was smashed?¡± He turned around, roaring angrily, ¡°The Old Master might have fallen, but I am still standing here! The Leocadia Family is the Leocadia Family, no matter who becomes the Family Head, it remains a lion that nobody can provoke!¡± With Old Master Leocadia being seriously ill and hospitalized, Natalia Leocadia naturally took over the management rights of the Leocadia Family. At this critical juncture of the old and new transition, even when Natalia Leocadia¡¯s position had not yet been consolidated, an incident where the Leocadia Family¡¯s exhibition was smashed occurred. How would this be perceived by others when it got out? Was Natalia Leocadia incompetent? Old Master Leocadia had controlled the family for so long without a single incident. Now, only a few months after he had taken charge of the Leocadia Family, such a huge scandal had occurred? ¡°Investigate this immediately! Find out who owns that number! It¡¯s three in the afternoon now¡ªI want all the information on this person by three-thirty! If anybody has a problem with that, step forward now.¡± Natalia Leocadia scanned the room and found that everyone remained silent. ¡°Get to it now!¡± With a roar of anger, the people in the meeting room dissipated in an instant. After everyone had left, only three people remained in the room. These three were the trusted followers of Natalia Leocadia. One of them was even an expert in poison. The illness of Old Master Leocadia was the work of this person¡¯s hands. ¡°Karen, what do you think?¡± Natalia Leocadia sat in the chair, continuously massaging his temples. The smashing of the exhibition was a great humiliation! He had to give everyone an answer. Otherwise, how would the Capitol view the Leocadia Family, how would the world view the Leocadia Family? ¡°I believe that someone daring to smash your exhibition and even call to blackmail you, must have a backer behind them,¡± said the man named Karen, speaking at a leisurely pace. ¡°First, not many people are aware of your phone number; it¡¯s only known among the upper echelons in the Capitol. How could an insignificant person from Gonzalez City get your number?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! Few people know my number. In the Capitol, it¡¯s known only to the people of the first-tier families. Gonzalez City doesn¡¯t stand a chance of knowing it, not even Winona Leocadia knows my number.¡± Natalia Leocadia nodded, sinking into deep thought. The Leocadia Family enforced a strict hierarchy; each person was accountable to their immediate superior. Winona Leocadia, being a member of a branch of the Leocadia Family, simply wasn¡¯t entitled to know his phone number. This time, being one of the heads in charge of the exhibition, was more an action from Natalia Leocadia to win over people¡¯s hearts. So who leaked his number? ¡°Second. The world knows the name of the Leocadia Family, one of the four major families. In Gonzalez City, it¡¯s probably as well-known as thunderous applause.¡± Karen continued, ¡°Considering that everyone knows crossing the Leocadia Family means a dead end, how could someone withstand such tremendous pressure and pull together so many people to march towards death?¡± As if worried Natalia Leocadia had not understood, he explained, ¡°The act of smashing the exhibition venue absolutely couldn¡¯t be a one-man job¡ªit simply can¡¯t be done alone.¡± ¡°That makes sense!¡± Natalia Leocadia raised a finger, waving it incessantly in the air. ¡°Such a small place as Gonzalez City, and yet someone dares to smash our venue! It seems the person behind this, must be someone with quite a background!¡± ¡°Also, you could ask Itai Huntington, the manager of Five-state International, where our exhibition took place. See if you can learn anything from her.¡± After speaking, Karen retrieved a number from his phone: ¡°This is Miss Huntington¡¯s number.¡± ¡°Karen, you¡¯ve become more and more attentive,¡± said Natalia Leocadia, revealing a rare smile. He took Karen¡¯s phone and dialed the number. Chapter 568 - Chapter 568: Chapter 568 Going to Gonzalez City_1 Chapter 568: Chapter 568 Going to Gonzalez City_1 ¡°` ¡°Hello, this is Itai Huntington. May I ask who¡¯s speaking?¡± Resuming work, Itai Huntington sat in the office, looking at the caller ID from the capital on her screen, and had already guessed the scenario roughly. This timing, the capital. It could only be the Leocadia Family. ¡°This is Natalia Leocadia, Miss Huntington. I¡¯d like to ask, who smashed our Leocadia family¡¯s exhibition today?¡± Natalia Leocadia asked indifferently. In his eyes, such riffraff was no more than a passerby, not even worth remembering their name. Even the matter of selecting the location was something the staff handled. One could say that apart from knowing that the Leocadia family¡¯s exhibition was held in Gonzalez City, Natalia knew nothing else. After all, with a big family and big business, he had many matters to concern himself with. How could he attend to everything? ¡°I¡¯m very sorry, Mister Leocadia. I didn¡¯t even know,¡± Itai Huntington said somewhat terrified: ¡°This afternoon, while I was patrolling the exhibition hall, someone took me hostage. Then a group of men in black came directly into my office, and using my name, dispersed the guests in the exhibition hall.¡± ¡°Who took you hostage!¡± Natalia asked. This could be an important clue. ¡°I don¡¯t know. After taking me hostage, it was half an hour before they let me out.¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s voice carried a tone of unresolved shock. ¡°As soon as I came out, I was stunned! The ground was covered in debris. So I immediately looked for Manager Winona Leocadia, but what I saw was him unconscious on the ground¡­¡± At this point, her voice was very hoarse. Clearly, she was excessively frightened. ¡°Alright, you better have not lied to me,¡± After speaking, Natalia Leocadia hung up the phone. ¡°Miss, what should we do with these people?¡± King Kong looked at the Leocadia Family¡¯s security guards tied up in Itai Huntington¡¯s office¡ªmore than a dozen of them. ¡°Do I need to say it?¡± Itai Huntington spoke with an icy tone: ¡°They heard everything I said.¡± ¡°Miss Huntington, we didn¡¯t hear anything!¡± ¡°Even if you beat us to death, we didn¡¯t hear a thing!¡± ¡°Please, have mercy, let us go. We¡¯ll leave Gonzalez City immediately and never return to the capital in our lives!¡± The security guards were terrified after hearing her words. Killing to silence witnesses, they were all too familiar with it. But they never expected that one day, the executioner¡¯s blade would hang over their own heads. ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t want to do this.¡± Itai Huntington waved her hand, sighed, and said: ¡°Take them out.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± King Kong nodded, and immediately, more than a dozen security guards came from behind and dragged the Leocadia Family members away. Screams and cries filled the corridor momentarily. Then. All returned to silence. ¡­ ¡°I made the call, she said she was taken hostage.¡± Natalia Leocadia closed his phone, his eyes constantly moving: ¡°Karen, what should I do?¡± Karen was Natalia Leocadia¡¯s strategist, responsible for making plans and giving advice in everyday matters. It was also because of him that Natalia was able to take full control of the Leocadia Family in such a short time and become the true Family Head executive. Including marrying off Sophia Leocadia, that too was Karen¡¯s brilliant work. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that simple. If you trust me, I can go to Gonzalez City and personally investigate!¡± Karen spoke softly: ¡°The waters are very murky.¡± ¡°Good, take more people with you and be safe. At best, capture the troublemakers for me!¡± Natalia Leocadia nodded in agreement. ¡°` ¡°No need, I want to borrow someone from you.¡± Karen spoke up. ¡°Who?¡± Natalia Leocadia raised an eyebrow, ¡°Take anyone you want from my men.¡± She trusted Karen completely and didn¡¯t hide anything from her. Moreover, Karen¡¯s ability to handle affairs was among the best in the Leocadia Family. ¡°I want Terry Moore.¡± Karen stated outright. ¡°Him? Why him?¡± Natalia Leocadia hadn¡¯t expected that Karen would ask for her personal bodyguard right off the bat. Terry Moore was thirty years old this year, highly skilled in combat. He had trained at Mount Shu and descended the mountain at twenty, accompanying Natalia Leocadia ever since. Even Eli Yarrow, Beckett Carmichael¡¯s bodyguard, was no match for Terry Moore. ¡°This time, when I leave, it is best to keep a low profile and investigate quietly. The fewer people I take, the more covert, the better.¡± Smiling, Karen said, ¡°Terry Moore is highly skilled and astute, truly the ideal choice.¡± ¡°Fine! Pack up and leave now! Remember, you must get to the bottom of this matter for me!¡± Natalia Leocadia leaned back in her chair and said vehemently, ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are, if you dare to cross me, you¡¯re dead!¡± ¡°Then I, will take my leave!¡± Karen bowed deeply and turned to leave. Half an hour later, one by one, the Leocadia Family Members all returned to the conference room. It seemed that each of them had some findings. ¡°Manager Leocadia, reliable sources indicate that twenty-five minutes before our exhibition hall was vandalized, Five-state International had ordered the expulsion of guests.¡± A man stood up, looking at the report in his hands, ¡°Personally, I¡¯m sure there¡¯s a connection. Evicting guests was preparation for smashing the venue.¡± ¡°Indeed! I feel there must be a connection between the two. It¡¯s highly likely that the Chairman of Five-state International colluded with insiders to target us!¡± ¡°A perfectly good exhibition, at the height of the visitor peak, they wouldn¡¯t just close off the venue for no reason ¨C it¡¯s obvious, they¡¯re all in it together!¡± The Leocadia Family Members began discussing, leaning towards the belief that the two events were connected. ¡°I¡¯ve just called the person in charge at Five-state International, and she said she had been kidnapped.¡± Natalia dismissed it with a wave of her hand, ¡°Continue.¡± ¡°Manager Leocadia, all signs are currently pointing to one person.¡± A young man among them stepped forward, holding his own report, ¡°This person is from Gonzalez City, Aron Jackson. Only he has the capability to assemble a large force in such a short time.¡± ¡°Aron Jackson?¡± Natalia Leocadia furrowed her brow, ¡°Investigate! Check out this man¡¯s actions first, and then see what relationship he has with the one who called me!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The man closed the folder and sat back down. ¡°Manager Leocadia, we¡¯ve checked the phone number, it¡¯s a burn phone. Other than knowing the area code is from Gonzalez City, we know nothing else.¡± ¡°Manager Leocadia, there¡¯s news that CEO Carmichael has been spotted in Gonzalez City.¡± ¡°Which CEO Carmichael!¡± Natalia Leocadia¡¯s spirit suddenly perked up. ¡°The Chairman of Marthew Abernathy Corporation, Beckett Carmichael.¡± A woman spoke with certainty, ¡°I even retrieved surveillance video and found that Beckett Carmichael had been in and out of the exhibition hall, all in the afternoon.¡± ¡°There¡¯s video from the exhibition hall?¡± Natalia Leocadia was somewhat excited. If she could see the video, it would clear up who was creating trouble behind the scenes. ¡°Only from before it was vandalized.¡± The woman said with a wry smile, ¡°A few minutes before the hall was smashed, all the surveillance footage cut out. What we just watched was after it was vandalized, once the power was restored.¡± ¡°Who exactly is it!¡± Swish! Natalia Leocadia smashed her fist on the table, ¡°We¡¯re only discussing this matter today. If you can¡¯t give me a solution, don¡¯t bother going home after work!¡± Having said this, she picked up the chair behind her and smashed the large screen to bits. She turned and left. Chapter 569 - Chapter 569: Chapter 569: His Name is Julius Reed_1 Chapter 569: Chapter 569: His Name is Julius Reed_1 The next day, explosive news swept across the nation. The exhibition held by the Leocadia Family in Five-river Province had been smashed! Smashed to pieces! News about the Leocadia Family was always big news. Such an embarrassing incident involving one of the four major families instantly captured the attention of the entire country. But then the Leocadia Family stepped out to deny the rumors, claiming that the incident the day before was entirely staged. The reason was that they had evacuated and dispersed tourists minutes earlier. It was a test of the Leocadia Family¡¯s ability to respond to emergencies on the fly. They also claimed that they had discussed the matter in advance with Itai Huntington, the person in charge of Five-state International in Gonzalez City, and both parties were fairly satisfied with the outcome. Itai Huntington even stepped forward to clarify the situation. But many people felt that things were not so simple. ¡°Big brother, you went a bit too far this time, it made the news and went viral,¡± Inside the Copper Sparrow Platform, Julius Reed and Aron Jackson sat on the sofa of the Azure Dragon Hall, eating fruit and watching the news on TV. ¡°It must have been tough for the Leocadia Family to come up with such a method. But you know, many people might actually believe it.¡± Aron Jackson said with a smile, peeling grapes. He wasn¡¯t worried at all about smashing the place up. As long as Julius Reed said the word, even if it meant death, he would dare to do it! ¡°The Leocadia Family must be furious,¡± Julius Reed picked up an apple, crossed his legs, and as he peeled the apple, he said, ¡°They definitely won¡¯t let this go, we have to be careful both openly and secretly. Oh, and keep a close watch on everyone coming and going lately, I bet the Leocadia Family will definitely send someone to Gonzalez City to investigate this secretly.¡± Even though the Leocadia Family made a statement in the news, such a large family was destined not to let this slide. Their covert actions would not be few. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the airports, ports, and bus stations are all manned by my people. Any unfamiliar face from the capital, I¡¯ve got them all on record.¡± Aron Jackson asked with a grape in his mouth and a smirk, ¡°Big brother, why are you so free these days, dropping by my place? What¡¯s up, did your sister-in-law kick you out?¡± With a mischievous grin, he teased, ¡°Could it be that you¡¯re helping Itai Huntington get revenge, and your sister-in-law got jealous? If you asked me, I¡¯d say lay down the law, take them all!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Julius Reed glared at him irritably, ¡°In my heart, there¡¯s only your sister-in-law. As for Itai Huntington, she got into trouble because she was helping me. You¡¯ve followed me for so many years, don¡¯t you know what kind of person I am?¡± ¡°I know, I know!¡± Aron Jackson quickly nodded, while slyly smiling, ¡°Big brother, Itai Huntington is a married woman, that¡¯s a different flavor! And don¡¯t even mention Jennifer Lopez from last time, that really made me¡­ hiss¡­¡± Aron Jackson took a deep breath, his face full of longing, ¡°I miss it so much!¡± ¡°Since you like her so much, I can catch her for you to be your wife, how about that?¡± Julius Reed said with a cold laugh. ¡°No! No!¡± Aron Jackson quickly waved his hand, ¡°I was just saying. By the way, Jennifer Lopez has been unusually quiet recently, has she given up on revenge?¡± ¡°That woman has a strong desire for revenge! She is probably scheming something big in the shadows.¡± Julius Reed tossed the apple core in his hand, throwing it accurately into the trash bin ten meters away. ¡°Thud! Thud! Thud!¡± Just then, there was a knock on the door of the Azure Dragon Hall. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Aron Jackson called out. ¡°Big brother, there¡¯s a man named Jack downstairs who wants to talk to you,¡± Dominating Tiger entered and respectfully greeted Julius Reed, ¡°He says it¡¯s about the issue of our docks detaining their smuggled goods.¡± ¡°Let him in.¡± Aron Jackson said, legs still crossed. ¡°A few days ago, I happened to encounter a batch of smuggled goods at the docks. Big brother, guess how much?¡± He said mysteriously. ¡°I¡¯m not guessing!¡± Julius Reed refused outright. ¡°Hey! Billions! Good grief, an American on the ship threatened me, and I threw him straight into the sea. Wouldn¡¯t you know, a week later, the owner shows up!¡± Aron Jackson stood up, straightening his clothes. ¡°` ¡°I¡¯ll go wait in the next room; you¡¯re busy,¡± he said. Julius Reed picked up two apples and walked towards the room inside. The Azure Dragon Hall was very large, with a total of ten rooms! In addition to a spacious living room, there were nine other rooms of a few dozen square meters each. Soon, the door to the Azure Dragon Hall was knocked upon once more. ¡°Come in!¡± Aron Jackson sat back in his chair, propped up his legs in a lordly manner, and took on the posture of a boss. ¡°May I ask if you are Mr. Aron Jackson?¡± After the door was pushed open, a middle-aged man and a young man walked in. ¡°That¡¯s me. And you are¡­?¡± Aron Jackson sized them up from head to toe and remained seated without moving an inch. ¡°My name is Jack Moore, and this is my nephew, Jack Lau.¡± Jack Moore approached Aron Jackson with a respectful smile, ¡°We¡¯ve come to discuss some matters with Mr. Jackson, the boss.¡± ¡°Please, sit down. Guests should be made comfortable,¡± Aron Jackson said, gesturing with his hand, prompting the uncle and nephew to sit down cautiously. ¡°We have a batch of goods that your people intercepted,¡± Jack Moore began with a smile, ¡°This batch is very important to us. We ask that you kindly let us off this time, Mr. Jackson.¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Aron Jackson leaned back on the sofa, his face showing difficulty. ¡°I understand, I understand!¡± Quickly, Jack Moore took out a bank card from his pocket and handed it to Aron Jackson, ¡°There are three hundred million in here, a token of gratitude for the trouble you¡¯ve gone through these past days to keep our goods safe. It¡¯s not much, but it¡¯s a small gesture from our Moore family.¡± ¡°Ahem. You¡¯re too kind,¡± Aron Jackson said, waving it off with a smile as Dominating Tiger immediately took the card. ¡°The card¡¯s PIN is six eights, symbolizing even greater prosperity for Mr. Jackson.¡± While Jack Moore was speaking, Jack Lau¡¯s body suddenly shuddered. ¡°Your nephew doesn¡¯t look too well. Is he unwell?¡± Aron Jackson tilted his head to look at Jack Lau, ¡°I have a doctor here who can check on you if you need.¡± ¡°No¡­ I¡¯m fine. Thank you, Mr. Jackson.¡± Jack Lau spoke while his forehead was covered with sweat. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Jack Moore also noticed his nephew¡¯s abnormal condition. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. It¡¯s just that meeting Mr. Jackson for the first time is a bit frightening. Please excuse my rudeness,¡± Jack Lau said, wiping the sweat from his forehead and giving an embarrassed smile. ¡°Why are you afraid? I¡¯m not going to eat you!¡± Mr. Jackson spread his hands and said with a smile, ¡°I really like making friends with straightforward people like Mr. Moore. As for the goods, I¡¯ll have my men accompany you to check them shortly. If there¡¯s no problem, just take them and go.¡± Money taken, the goods should naturally be delivered. That¡¯s the rule. ¡°Thank you so much, Mr. Jackson. It¡¯s just that¡­¡± Jack Moore hesitated. ¡°If you have anything else to say, don¡¯t hesitate! We¡¯re all straightforward people here; there¡¯s no need to beat around the bush,¡± Aron Jackson said with a smile. ¡°There¡¯s another favor I¡¯d like to ask of Mr. Jackson.¡± Standing up, Jack Moore spoke somewhat sheepishly, ¡°It¡¯s a rather difficult request. My nephew was beaten up by someone yesterday, here in Gonzalez City. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s no one Mr. Jackson can¡¯t handle.¡± ¡°Oh? That¡¯s a minor issue.¡± Aron Jackson raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°To have someone so blind as to cross you, tell me his name, and I¡¯ll send someone to bring him over to apologize to your nephew right now.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Jackson. Tell Mr. Jackson quick, what¡¯s that person¡¯s name?¡± Jack Moore looked to his nephew. ¡°His name is Julius Reed.¡± Jack Lau spoke up. Chapter 570 - Chapter 570: Chapter 570 Swipe and Watch_1 Chapter 570: Chapter 570 Swipe and Watch_1 When Jack Lau mentioned that name. Aron Jackson¡¯s complexion changed instantaneously. Even Dominating Tiger was looking at the uncle and nephew pair before him with an odd expression. Julius Reed was none other than Aron Jackson¡¯s elder brother, and now Jack Lau was asking Aron Jackson to deal with his own brother? ¡°Well, may I ask how he has offended you?¡± Aron Jackson coughed once, his face returning to normal immediately. Today, no matter how much money he made or how powerful Jack Moore¡¯s family was behind him. The deal with this uncle and nephew pair. Was gone. And they. Were going to get a beating. That was the least of it. Daring to mess with Julius Reed in Gonzalez City was something Aron Jackson would not let slide. ¡°Yesterday my nephew went to the Five-state International exhibition, and while he was enjoying himself, someone beat him up.¡± Jack Moore said furiously, ¡°This guy seems to have some background, my nephew revealed his identity, and the other party still gave him a beating. Look at him, what a mess he¡¯s been beaten into!¡± With that, he cradled Jack Lau¡¯s head to show Aron Jackson the injuries. ¡°That¡¯s really excessive.¡± Aron Jackson struggled to suppress a smile and said with feigned seriousness, ¡°But are you sure it wasn¡¯t your nephew who provoked someone and got beaten up as a result?¡± ¡°Absolutely not!¡± Jack Moore waved his hand, ¡°My nephew is a law-abiding citizen, especially since coming to your East, he¡¯s been even more compliant. This is also what angers me, some people are too arrogant!¡± Thinking of the sorry state Jack Lau returned in yesterday made him seethe with rage. But the two of them were in a foreign country and didn¡¯t want to act rashly. Fortunately, today they had discussed a deal with Aron Jackson, and could be considered as having made a friend. Jack Moore figured that since the money had already been spent, why not ask the one-man authority of Gonzalez City, Aron Jackson, to vent his anger? ¡°Is that really the case?¡± Aron Jackson looked at the pale-faced Jack Lau. From the moment he entered the room, Jack Lau had been shaking non-stop. And hadn¡¯t stopped even now. ¡°Yes¡­ I¡­ I was looking at the jewelry with friends, when that guy came over and punched me, knocking me to the ground.¡± Jack Lau pointed to the scars on his face, ¡°Right here.¡± ¡°Then he¡¯s been quite unreasonable, how could he hit you! You abide by the law, why didn¡¯t you call the police, the police would¡¯ve given you justice!¡± Aron Jackson asked again, looking into Jack Lau¡¯s eyes, increasingly with a mocking gaze. He knew the gist of yesterday¡¯s incident. To dare to flirt with his sister-in-law was to walk down a dead end! Before Aron Jackson could act, Julius Reed showed up. He had planned to handle this matter in the afternoon, but unexpectedly, the other party took the initiative to come to him! ¡°I¡­ I forgot.¡± Jack Lau said with a sense of guilt. In fact, they had made a bet with witnesses present. Most importantly, once the details were disclosed, his family would learn that he had lost the three billion in his card. That was the money meant for Aron Jackson. Thus, after Jack Lau returned, he lied, saying that he was beaten by a thug while attending the exhibition. In his mind, as long as he found Julius Reed, he could get back the three billion. Then claim that he had taken the wrong card by mistake. To be exchanged with the card in Aron Jackson¡¯s hand. ¡°Then let¡¯s call the police now, I¡¯ll help you call.¡± Aron Jackson took out his cellphone, pretending to dial. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ Aron¡­ Aron Jackson, he also stole my money, I¡¯m afraid if we call the police, he will come up with excuses!¡± Jack Lau swallowed, anxiously pleading, ¡°Please send someone with me, let¡¯s teach him a lesson first, and incidentally get my money back, okay?¡± If it was discovered that the card was empty, he feared he wouldn¡¯t be able to walk out of this room. Julius Reed¡¯s reputation had spread over the past few days in Gonzalez City as well. Ruthless and reticent. The most powerful figure in Gonzalez City. ¡°Is that so?¡± Aron Jackson leaned back and placed his hands on the sofa. ¡°I heard that yesterday you and your friend teased two girls and then got beaten up by their boyfriends. Is that true or false?¡± ¡°Did something like that happen?¡± Jack Moore turned and asked his nephew sternly, ¡°Tell the truth, did you do that?¡± ¡°No!¡± Jack Lau wouldn¡¯t admit it even if it killed him. He shook his head and said, ¡°It was that bitch who saw that I had money and tried to blackmail me, but I saw through her scheme. It was that guy called Julius Reed who came out and started beating me up!¡± Now he had to twist right and wrong; otherwise, how could he deceive his own uncle? ¡°Aron Jackson, you must help us vent this anger!¡± Jack Moore said sincerely, ¡°My nephew can¡¯t just be hit for nothing!¡± ¡°Bitch?¡± Upon hearing this term, Aron Jackson¡¯s face darkened immediately. ¡°Who is the bitch?¡± ¡°The two women with Julius Reed.¡± Jack Lau explained, ¡°One is his wife, the other is his wife¡¯s best friend.¡± ¡°You know so much?¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s eyes bore into Jack Lau¡¯s like knives. ¡°You even know the identities of both women so clearly?¡± ¡°I¡­ I heard him call that bitch his wife, that¡¯s how I knew. The best friend, I guessed.¡± Jack Lau explained nervously. ¡°Ah, you don¡¯t need to guess; I¡¯ll tell you now, their names are Quella Radcliffe and Anna Harris.¡± Aron Jackson said with a cold laugh. ¡°Right! Those are the names!¡± Jack Lau¡¯s eyes showed a hint of surprise. ¡°You¡¯re truly incredible, Aron Jackson, to know even this!¡± He was very excited; it seemed that finding Julius Reed wouldn¡¯t take much time at all. ¡°Aron Jackson, can you find Julius Reed within half a day?¡± This was the issue Jack Lau was more concerned about. He needed to find Julius Reed for money to plug the financial hole! ¡°Of course, I can do it in ten seconds.¡± Aron Jackson stood up and glanced into the bedroom inside. Tap tap. With the sound of footsteps, Julius Reed, holding a half-eaten apple and wearing a suit, strolled out at a leisurely pace. ¡°It¡¯s him! That¡¯s him!¡± Jack Lau looked at Julius Reed in panic, then his face showed excitement. ¡°Aron Jackson, how did you capture him ahead of time?¡± He was thrilled to see his archenemy. Yet Jack Moore, being older, quickly sensed something was off. Everyone was extremely respectful toward Aron Jackson, including the underlings standing by their side. But why was Julius Reed sauntering around, even holding an apple in his hand? Wasn¡¯t that courting death? Whoever was captured, would they receive such treatment? ¡°Three billion, isn¡¯t it? There¡¯s not even ten thousand dollars in that card,¡± Julius Reed pointed at the bank card in the Dominating Tiger¡¯s hand, saying with a laugh. The money in the card had been spent the previous day on gambling and jewelry. ¡°You¡¯re spouting nonsense!¡± Jack Lau nearly collapsed on the spot in fright. ¡°You villain, today I will sort you out properly!¡± ¡°Exactly, babbling nonsense till death knocks at your door! Our card has three billion, and it¡¯s money for honoring Aron Jackson, so don¡¯t talk rubbish here!¡± Jack Moore was equally infuriated. The money was put forward by the family, to retrieve the goods and curry favor with Aron Jackson. How could there be not even ten thousand dollars? ¡°Then let¡¯s swipe it and see if there¡¯s any money in it,¡± Julius Reed crunched into the apple and Jack Lau slumped onto the sofa in fright. Chapter 571 - Chapter 571: Chapter 571 Please Enter the Urn_1 Chapter 571: Chapter 571 Please Enter the Urn_1 ¡°Oh? There is such a thing?¡± Upon hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, Aron Jackson turned around with an unfriendly tone and asked, ¡°Mr. Jack, are you playing me?¡± During this exchange, dozens of people suddenly flooded into the room, surrounding Jack Lau and his nephew. Seeing this scene, Jack Lau¡¯s legs went weak and he collapsed instantly. His head trembled, and sweat poured down like rain. ¡°Mr. Jackson, please, you must believe me, believe in the sincerity of the Jack family.¡± Jack Moore stood up, glaring at Julius Reed, ¡°You scoundrel, how dare you try to sabotage the friendship between Mr. Jackson and me.¡± ¡°True or not, just swipe the card and we¡¯ll know.¡± Julius Reed, chewing on an apple, said indifferently, ¡°If there really is three hundred million in the account, I¡¯ll give you thirty billion and personally apologize to your nephew, how about that?¡± ¡°Fine! If there isn¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°You just give me fifteen billion.¡± Julius Reed threw the apple core into the trash can, turned around, and sat down next to Jack Lau, ¡°You have one week, or don¡¯t bother coming.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Jack Moore smirked coldly, the three hundred million in the card was allocated from the Jack family¡¯s finances. Before leaving, he confirmed it over and over, the account had exactly three hundred million, not even counting the interest accumulated in the past few days. How could there be a mistake? ¡°I hope Mr. Jackson can testify, so this scoundrel can¡¯t deny it!¡± Aron Jackson nodded, pointing at Dominating Tiger, ¡°Swipe the card now, I can¡¯t wait.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Dominating Tiger passed the card back, and immediately, a subordinate opened up a computer and began to inquire. ¡°Hey, little scoundrel. It¡¯s like you refuse the road to heaven but break into hell!¡± Jack Moore looked smug, totally unaware of his nephew¡¯s unusual fear. ¡°I was just worrying about where to find you, and imagine, Aron Jackson, like a prophet, catches you ahead of time!¡± Anyway, the money in the card was untouched, so he had nothing to fear. ¡°Big brother, there¡¯s just over nine hundred left.¡± Just then, Dominating Tiger approached Aron Jackson with the laptop in hand. ¡°No! That¡¯s impossible!¡± Jack Moore¡¯s face changed drastically, his first thought being that Aron Jackson was trying to double-cross him and swallow his money. The amount in the bank card had been verified by him before going abroad. And all this time, the bank card was kept by Jack Lau, there had been no theft. ¡°Mr. Jack Moore, please have a look.¡± Upon seeing the laptop screen, Aron Jackson¡¯s face became incredibly somber. Of course, even if there really had been three hundred million, he would have dealt with these uncle and nephew just the same. Offending his big brother, they could not expect a good end. But now, there truly was only a few hundred dollars. ¡°Impossible! Absolutely impossible!¡± Jack Moore saw the amount displayed on the computer screen and felt the world spin around him! The figure was 943.27 yuan. ¡°There has to be a mistake!¡± He pointed at the computer screen, at a loss for what to do. ¡°Are you implying I did something to it?¡± Aron Jackson looked coldly at Jack Moore, ¡°From the moment you entered this room, the bank card has been in my hands. If it had three hundred million while it was still with you, then the problem must be on my part.¡± ¡°No! That¡¯s not what I meant!¡± Jack Moore quickly waved his hands. Even though he did indeed think so, he could not possibly say it out loud. Once said, in a foreign land, he likely wouldn¡¯t be able to leave. ¡°Dominating Tiger!¡± Aron Jackson stood with his hands clasped behind his back, asking coldly, ¡°This card was only in my hands for a moment before being in your custody. Now, give me an explanation.¡± ¡°Big Brother!¡± Dominating Tiger looked down and responded, ¡°I¡¯ve been holding onto this card the whole time, I absolutely did not tamper with it! If it can be proven that this matter is related to me, I am willing to atone with my death!¡± After speaking, Dominating Tiger grabbed Jack Moore: ¡°Right now, I want to check the transfer records. If it proves that I didn¡¯t do this, then it shows that you are framing me, trying to stir up trouble between me and Big Brother!¡± ¡°No, I didn¡¯t mean that¡­¡± Although the Jack family, where Jack Moore was from, was also wealthy and started from smuggling. But this was not the Americas. It was the East. On this land of Hua Xia, he might as well call for heaven and earth in vain. His current situation was like being in a dragon¡¯s den and a tiger¡¯s lair. Dozens of people stood guarding the doorway behind him. There was no possibility of escape. But if it could indeed be proved that the money was still in the card before he handed it to Aron Jackson, he could clear his name. In that case, Even Aron Jackson couldn¡¯t trouble him. In the underworld, one must always speak reasonably. No matter where you are, it¡¯s the same. ¡°Alright! Today I¡¯m going to verify for myself who is lying,¡± he declared. Aron Jackson gestured to a subordinate: ¡°Help me check the transfer records on the card.¡± ¡°Right away, Big Brother!¡± A staff member wearing glasses immediately came over, tapping incessantly on his notebook. Half a minute later, the transfer records of the bank card were thoroughly investigated. Everything was clearly displayed on the screen. ¡°Oh! There really were three hundred million.¡± Aron Jackson said with a smile, ¡°It seems you didn¡¯t lie after all!¡± ¡°Mr. Jackson¡¯s wisdom shines through!¡± After hearing these words, Jack Moore finally relaxed. As long as it was proven that there was money in the card, then this matter had nothing to do with him, it was Aron Jackson¡¯s internal issue. No matter whether Mr. Jackson decided to clean house or to smooth things over, his money had still been spent. ¡°Mr. Jackson, I now suspect that this matter has something to do with the scoundrel before us!¡± Jack Moore¡¯s eyes quickly shifted, staring intensely into Julius Reed¡¯s eyes: ¡°Otherwise, why would this man swear there was less than ten thousand dollars left inside? Obviously, he knew the money was gone.¡± ¡°Indeed, I knew,¡± Julius Reed nodded, offering no refutation. Of course, he knew. Yesterday, when Jack Lau made a bet, he had completely spent the three hundred million in the card, and in the end, it was Thompson who bailed him out. ¡°You see! He admits it!¡± After hearing Julius Reed¡¯s admission, a relieved Jack Moore showed a hint of joy on his face. At last, his innocence had been proven. A false alarm that had been terribly frightening. But the outcome was perfect in the end. ¡°Mr. Jackson, he even dared to mock you!¡± Having recovered his spirits, a furious Jack Moore said, ¡°You absolutely must not let him off! Such a person, his heart is deserving of death!¡± As the saying goes, killing someone with a borrowed knife, Jack Moore was now exaggerating the story, hoping to enrage Aron Jackson and then have him kill this lowlife. ¡°Indeed!¡± Aron Jackson nodded, sighing, ¡°His heart is deserving of death! Mr. Jack Moore, tell me, how should I punish someone who dared to mock me?¡± He spread his hands, pointing towards the dozens of people at the doorway: ¡°I, the esteemed owner of Copper Sparrow Platform, a big shot in Gonzalez City, was made a fool of in front of my own subordinates, what punishment would be fitting?¡± ¡°At the very least, break both of his legs! And even that¡¯s not harsh enough! Only then can your heavenly might be displayed! Otherwise, if word of this gets out, what will people think of you?¡± Jack Moore said with an excited face. Chapter 572 - Chapter 572: Chapter 572: Consumption Record_1 Chapter 572: Chapter 572: Consumption Record_1 According to the experience that Jack Moore had accumulated outside, he believed that Aron Jackson was truly angry. This type of boss values face above all else. Compared to money, face is priceless. Now that Aron Jackson had openly asked, Jack Moore was ready to fuel the fire, delivering a fatal blow to Julius Reed! Could a small thug bully a member of the Jack family? ¡°How about adding two more arms, how does that sound?¡± Aron Jackson asked in a deep voice. ¡°This¡­ would, of course, be the best! To dare deceive you, Mr. Aron Jackson, he really must be tired of living! To spare his life would already be a great act of mercy.¡± Jack Moore was first stunned, then a look of uncontrollable elation appeared on his face. He had not expected Aron Jackson to be even more ruthless than himself! But this was also the outcome he desired. Just a moment ago, Jack Moore had wanted to say to incapacitate Julius Reed¡¯s limbs and throw him out to beg on the streets for a living. But, after all, he had a score to settle with Julius Reed, and such a statement might seem somewhat petty. Now that Aron Jackson was saying it himself, Jack Moore naturally welcomed the idea. ¡°Very well! Then, please come and take a look, see the transfer records on the computer!¡± Aron Jackson gestured with his hand and said to the people behind him, ¡°Close the door!¡± Whoosh! The doors of the Azure Dragon Hall slammed shut! Inside the room, there was instant silence, with only breathing sounds remaining. ¡°Uncle¡­¡± Jack Lau gently tugged at Jack Moore¡¯s clothes, his face already deathly pale! Even compared to a piece of white paper. Three shades paler! ¡°Just rest here, don¡¯t worry! Your uncle will certainly see justice done for you!¡± Jack Moore gently pushed Jack Lau¡¯s hand away and walked to the laptop with a smile on his face. ¡°What!¡± When he saw the transfer records on it, he was suddenly startled! Three hundred million, just disappeared within a short half-hour? ¡°Mr. Jack Moore!¡± At that moment, a large hand gently patted Jack Moore¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Now, please give me an explanation!¡± Dominating Tiger sneered, pointing at the screen, ¡°Today is January 18th. The transfer time shown is the afternoon of January 17th! Tell me, did I travel to yesterday and stealthily steal your bank card?¡± ¡°This¡­ this can¡¯t be possible! Our money couldn¡¯t have had any issue!¡± Jack Moore took out his cellphone in a panic, opened his mobile banking app, and began to check the transfer records. ¡°It has to be fake! It has to be fake!¡± He repeated to himself, even his speech starting to tremble. When he nervously tapped on the app, the records appeared clearly before everyone. Not a single detail differed from the computer screen! Three hundred million had been transferred out in batches the afternoon before. Quite currently, the balance left was just over nine hundred dollars. Thud! Jack Moore¡¯s hands shook, and his phone dropped to the ground, shattering the screen. ¡°Now, please give me an explanation.¡± The pressure from Dominating Tiger¡¯s hand kept increasing, causing Jack Moore to tremble all over from the pain. However, despite the pain, he could do nothing but bear it, not daring to make a sound. ¡°There must be some misunderstanding here!¡± Tears flowed from his eyes with the pain, but even with all the evidence laid out before him, he still couldn¡¯t believe it. ¡°Mr. Jack Moore, you spent all the money in your card yesterday. Now you¡¯re trying to fool me with an empty card. If I let you go, everyone will surely say that I took your money without admitting it!¡± Aron Jackson held the bank card in hand, gently tapping it on Jack Moore¡¯s face, ¡°Brother, are you trying to make me out to be heartless and unjust!¡± ¡°No!¡± Jack Moore shook his head, saying fearfully, ¡°There must be some misunderstanding!¡± The money in the card was directly transferred there by the Jack family. It wasn¡¯t until today, before coming here, that Jack Moore learned the password. The very purpose of this was to prevent anyone from using the money in the card without authorization. But even so, why did the money still disappear into thin air? What he didn¡¯t know was that, to guard against Jack Moore, the Jack family had already leaked the password to Jack Lau in advance. But what they could never have anticipated was that Jack Lau, whom the Jack family had wanted to groom, ended up losing all the money in the card because of a bet. And from start to finish, he never admitted it. ¡°Enough!¡± Aron Jackson roared furiously, pointing at Jack and his nephew, ¡°You come to me with an empty card, expecting me to do your bidding, and even wanting me to take care of your enemies in Gonzalez City.¡± ¡°Mr. Aron Jackson, give me some time, I will definitely get to the bottom of this¡­¡± Slap! Aron Jackson slapped Jack Moore¡¯s face: ¡°Time? I have already granted you time. But you, you actually tried to drive a wedge between me and my brother. If it wasn¡¯t for the transaction records I found, I might have already gotten rid of my men by now!¡± ¡°I¡¯m wronged!¡± Jack Moore knelt down with a thud, his legs trembling with fear. In the underworld, playing tricks on a boss like this, there¡¯s never a good ending. But the key was that he truly didn¡¯t know. ¡°Dominating Tiger, did you hear what he just said?¡± Aron Jackson asked coldly. ¡°Heard it! Those who dare to play the boss, break their legs, cripple their hands!¡± Dominating Tiger pulled out a dagger from behind his waist, speaking viciously. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­¡± Jack Moore¡¯s body went limp with fright, almost collapsing to the ground. He never imagined that the words he had used in an attempt to trap Julius Reed would come back to haunt him. ¡°Wait!¡± Just as Dominating Tiger¡¯s knife was slowly approaching Jack Moore, Aron Jackson pointed at Jack Lau and said, ¡°Yesterday, the card was with you, wasn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Yes! The card was with him!¡± Only then did Jack Moore react. Due to overwhelming shock, he had forgotten about this detail. The card had always been in Jack Lau¡¯s possession, how could something have gone wrong? And if something really did go wrong, his nephew would not know about it? Remembering Jack Lau¡¯s demeanor today, Jack Moore seemed to understand something. ¡°I¡­¡± Jack Lau slumped on the couch, unable to utter a single word. His mind was blank, and his ears were ringing. The man was on the verge of breaking down. ¡°This is from yesterday, videos of your nephew recklessly squandering money at Five-state International.¡± Julius Reed took out his phone, played a clip, and handed it to Jack Moore. In the video, Jack Lau was seen handing a card over to the cashier, continuously purchasing ornaments. And the items he bought ended up being smashed to pieces on the ground. ¡°You, you beast! Are you trying to get me killed!¡± Jack Moore stood up abruptly and, furious, slapped Jack Lau across the face. Now, it was proven that the money had disappeared while in their possession. No matter whose fault it was, to Aron Jackson, it was all mockery! It was ridicule! ¡°Mr. Jack Moore, the elder, keep your legs, go back and bring the ransom.¡± Aron Jackson casually pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it slowly, and took a deep drag, ¡°After all, just now you wanted me to bear witness that you lost 1.5 billion to a bet.¡± ¡°Boss, what about the young one¡­¡± Dominating Tiger looked at Jack Lau. ¡°Depends on when the ransom arrives,¡± Aron Jackson said coolly, flicking away an ash, ¡°Take him out.¡± Chapter 573 - Chapter 573: Chapter 573 Triple Salary_1 Chapter 573: Chapter 573 Triple Salary_1 Dusk. Gonzalez City Airport. A middle-aged man slowly walked down from the plane, followed closely by an incredibly slender companion. Rather than a companion, it would be more accurate to call him an attendant. After all, the middle-aged man walked in front, and he followed behind, carrying a suitcase. The year-end was approaching. Although Gonzalez City was a coastal city, the temperature had also dropped below zero. The middle-aged man was dressed in a trench coat, wearing sunglasses, and had a black scarf wrapped around his neck. Stepping off the plane, he felt the chill wind hurling past and couldn¡¯t help but sneeze. However, his attendant behind him only wore a small tank top on the upper body, leaving his arms and most of his torso exposed. As for the lower body, a pair of shorts and some slippers. It was undoubtedly a summer attire. Not only was he showing off a muscular physique, but in this weather of around minus five degrees, he seemed not to feel the cold at all. There wasn¡¯t even a goosebump on his body. Such strange attire naturally attracted a lot of attention. ¡°Handsome, are you a fitness coach? I was just planning to start working out; could I get your contact?¡± A flamboyantly dressed woman sidled up to him, took out her phone, and didn¡¯t stop showing her affection. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m not a fitness coach.¡± Terry Moore replied coldly. ¡°Then¡­ what do you do for work? You have such a muscular body, I want to learn from your experience on how to maintain a good physique.¡± The woman¡¯s eyes flicked around, unwilling to let go, and asked again. ¡°Security.¡± Terry Moore didn¡¯t even glance at the woman as he spoke. His eyes were fixed on Karen in front of him. His purpose for this trip was to ensure Karen¡¯s safety. As for the rest, what did it have to do with him? ¡°Security?¡± The woman¡¯s eyes flickered, and she immediately showed a smile, ¡°How about this, you come back with me and be my security. Whatever they¡¯re paying you, I¡¯ll pay you triple!¡± She held up three fingers, speaking very smugly. With such a physique, even if he became her kept man, she would not be at a loss. After all, she was wealthy and what she lacked was a man who could move her heart. Finding such a handsome and well-built man with an aloof demeanor was truly a rare encounter! ¡°Really?¡± Terry Moore stopped. ¡°Of course! I am wealthy, if I say triple, it will be at least triple!¡± The woman gently caressed his chest, her face ecstatic, ¡°This muscle, so solid¡­ if you make me happy, what would be wrong with giving you five times?¡± ¡°Karen, someone is trying to recruit me.¡± Terry Moore put down the suitcase he was holding and spoke to the figure in front of him. ¡°What?¡± Karen was enduring the cold wind when suddenly he heard Terry Moore¡¯s voice from behind him. ¡°Brother, it¡¯s cold outside, shall we go inside to talk?¡± ¡°No need!¡± The woman walked up to Karen with great bravado and asked, ¡°Are you his employer?¡± ¡°Right, what about it?¡± Karen looked the woman up and down; his gaze stopped at her chest. He has always been puzzled by one thing. No matter how cold the weather, why do women always need to expose part of their chest? Isn¡¯t it cold? Slap! The next moment, the woman slapped his face, ¡°Old meat, you think you can cop a feel?¡± ¡°Sorry, it was an unintentional act.¡± Karen rubbed his face, which burned with pain. As the wind blew, the pain felt even more intense. ¡°To be honest, I¡¯ve taken a liking to this man!¡± The woman opened her wallet, took out another phone with disgust, and spoke, ¡°You old fart, how much to let him be mine?¡± To think such a handsome bodyguard was matched with such a sleazy and vile owner! It was a complete waste! ¡°If he goes with you, I have no objections. But just to mention, he¡¯s rather expensive; I¡¯m afraid you might regret it.¡± Karen muttered under her breath, her eyes still roving over the woman¡¯s chest. ¡°Hmph! You have no idea how much money I have!¡± The woman glanced at Karen with disdain and turned to wave Terry Moore over. Terry Moore, carrying a suitcase, quickly walked up. ¡°Is everything settled?¡± He looked at Karen and then at the woman. ¡°Tell me, how much do you earn a month? I¡¯ll offer you a sum that will surprise you!¡± The woman¡¯s gaze softened immediately as she looked at Terry Moore. It was as if she was looking at her Prince Charming. ¡°How about this, I¡¯ll give you two hundred thousand a month, how does that sound?¡± The woman glanced at Karen and scoffed, ¡°Stay away from that sleazy old guy, so he doesn¡¯t lead you astray.¡± ¡°Two hundred thousand?¡± Terry Moore was surprised. ¡°Don¡¯t be shocked, if you perform well, I might consider giving you a raise!¡± The woman felt very proud seeing his reaction but tried to appear calm, ¡°It¡¯s just a small amount of money, no need to look at me like that.¡± ¡°It is indeed a small amount.¡± Terry Moore nodded, ¡°It¡¯s not even what I make in an hour.¡± ¡°What?¡± The woman raised her eyebrows, ¡°Two hundred thousand, not twenty!¡± She thought he had misunderstood. A job like a bodyguard¡¯s could never pay that highly. Unless it was some super impressive, ace bodyguard. But looking at Karen¡¯s sleazy demeanor, he didn¡¯t seem like a rich man at all. ¡°How much is my monthly salary again?¡± Terry Moore turned to Karen, ¡°I don¡¯t remember very clearly.¡± At the Leocadia Family, there didn¡¯t seem to be any need to spend money. Food, clothing, shelter, and transportation were all provided by the Leocadia Family. If he went out to eat occasionally, the Leocadia Family members picked up the tab. But Terry Moore still liked money. Who wouldn¡¯t want more money? ¡°I think it¡¯s¡­¡± Karen blinked, thinking for a moment, and pointed at Terry Moore¡¯s pocket: ¡°Don¡¯t you have text alerts for your bank card? I remember it¡¯s something like eighty million, right?¡± ¡°Braggart! Keep blowing hot air!¡± The woman, hearing their conversation, thought Terry Moore was trying to inflate the price to rip her off. ¡°Take off a million, and I can almost believe that!¡± She gave Karen a disdainful look, ¡°At least make your bragging believable!¡± ¡°Oh! It¡¯s ninety million!¡± Just then, Terry Moore took out his phone from his pocket and scrolled through his messages. ¡°Two dollars a month, these text alerts are too expensive!¡± He sighed. ¡°Keep blowing hot air, go on!¡± The woman leaned in close to Terry Moore, and when she caught a glimpse of the text message records on his phone, she was completely stunned. At that moment, she thought her math was terrible. She counted several times before she got the figure right. Ninety million a month! Every month on the first, a sum of money would be deposited promptly. And when her eyes landed on the account balance column, her legs gave way. She collapsed right onto the ground. ¡°When did my salary get a raise again?¡± Karen asked dejectedly. How much was he earning compared to Terry Moore, who had just gotten another raise? ¡°I think last month, it was raised by about ten million or so.¡± Terry Moore put away his phone and looked at the woman on the ground: ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you would give me three times that amount? When should I report for duty?¡± ¡°Uh, I have some errands to run today, let¡¯s talk another day¡­ another day¡­¡± The woman quickly scrambled to her feet and ran off clumsily. As she ran, she cursed under her breath, ¡°These days, even super-rich heirs are coming to work as security to experience life¡­¡± Chapter 574 - Chapter 574: Chapter 574: Really Fragrant_1 Chapter 574: Chapter 574: Really Fragrant_1 ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡± Aron Jackson looked at Karen speeding up ahead of him and said unhappily. Since getting off the plane, this old man had been too stingy even to pay for a cab, leading him to walk for more than ten kilometers. At last, they finally arrived at the hotel booked by the Leocadia Family. ¡°Hungry, huh?¡± Karen turned around, saw the displeased look on Aron Jackson¡¯s face, and asked the bar attendant, ¡°Do you have free cupcakes here? The kind that doesn¡¯t cost anything?¡± ¡°Sorry, we don¡¯t have that. But we do have free candies¡­¡± The attendant pointed to a fruit plate in front of him, filled with those cheap candies. Usually, nobody would eat them. ¡°Just take a bite to stave off the hunger!¡± Karen grabbed a handful and stuffed them into Aron Jackson¡¯s hand. ¡°Oh!¡± Despite his reluctance, Aron Jackson tore open the candies and threw a bunch into his mouth. Seemingly unsatisfied, he grabbed another handful. Soon, a candy dish that had been on the front desk for a month, with only three pieces ever taken, was completely emptied. ¡°Um¡­ can we get a refill?¡± Karen pointed at the now empty dish in front of him. ¡°We¡­ don¡¯t have any more for now.¡± The attendant stared at Aron Jackson, dumbfounded. This strong and handsome man wore only a vest in minus five-degree weather. Very stylish. And even his candy-eating look was handsome! If it weren¡¯t for the hotel policy that staff couldn¡¯t leave their posts during work hours, the front desk girl would have probably gone to buy him some food already. ¡°I¡¯m thirsty.¡± After reluctantly swallowing the candy in his mouth, Aron Jackson looked straight at Karen. Eating that much candy at once, it would be weird not to be thirsty. ¡°Go to the restroom. There¡¯s water there! Drink plenty!¡± Karen leaned on the front desk and asked aloud, ¡°Where is the restroom?¡± ¡°Old man, do you have to torture him like this?¡± Unable to watch any longer, the front desk attendant took out her own bottle of mineral water and handed it to Aron Jackson, ¡°Handsome, drink this.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Aron Jackson gave a polite smile, took the bottle of mineral water, and drank it all in one go. ¡°Hey, leave some for me!¡± Karen swallowed, but with Aron Jackson having eaten a bellyful of candy, how could there be any water left? So three seconds later, an empty bottle was tossed in front of Karen. ¡°Miss, I¡¯m a bit thirsty too.¡± Karen, with a thick face, smiled at the front desk attendant. ¡°Hello, the restroom is just inside there.¡± The attendant smiled, stood up, and pointed the way for him. ¡°Hey! I really don¡¯t know what¡¯s not handsome about me!¡± Karen sighed and was about to turn around when he suddenly stopped in his tracks. ¡°Outside the door.¡± He said alertly. ¡°Two people.¡± Aron Jackson turned around and said indifferently, ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Whoosh! He moved like a bolt of lightning, disappearing from the front desk in an instant. Leaving only a suitcase behind. ¡°Oh my goodness! Is he a track champion? That was so fast!¡± The few attendants at the front desk widened their eyes in disbelief that this was all happening. About half a minute later. Aron Jackson returned to the front desk. ¡°All clear.¡± ¡°Upstairs.¡± Karen took a meaningful look at the doorway, then turned and headed to his room upstairs. ¡­ ¡°Boss, our guys were taken out without a sound!¡± ¡°` Gonzalez City, Bronze Sparrow Platform. Aron Jackson sat in his general manager¡¯s office, saying nervously, ¡°The other party might be an expert!¡± Just five minutes ago, his three employees failed to send back intelligence at the designated time. As Aron Jackson gathered nearby people to search, the method was very decisive. Those Aron Jackson sent out to tail were all skilled, each with formidable abilities. To be taken out quietly all at once, without a trace, he became completely unsettled. Logically, if someone encountered danger, they would send a signal back to the main station immediately. But these three had not made the slightest peep. Clearly, they were taken out from behind without any guard! And the death time of the three individuals definitely did not exceed two seconds. Given the gravity of the situation, Aron Jackson didn¡¯t dare hide anything and immediately called Julius Reed to report. ¡°The method is good, it¡¯s an expert.¡± Julius Reed responded indifferently after listening to the description. ¡°Could it be, people from Deep Cold?¡± Aron Jackson tentatively guessed. After all, with such keen alertness and formidable skills, it seemed only Deep Cold could achieve this. A few days ago, Julius Reed indeed killed three Deep Cold generals, including the Three-Armed Underworld King. This news, once it spread back, would definitely cause a severe sensation within Deep Cold. To strike back in retaliation was also expected. ¡°No.¡± Julius Reed answered definitively, ¡°Deep Cold¡¯s headquarters is currently under attack by Willson Pavilion, and they simply have no capacity to seek revenge in Gonzalez City.¡± One day before, he had received a video call from Amadeus Fairbanks. Because Deep Cold had lost a number of elites consecutively, Willson Pavilion had seized the initiative. Apart from the covert operatives scattered outside, most of their elites were concentrated in Deep Cold¡¯s headquarters. And three days ago, Willson Pavilion had already intensified their offensive, trapping Deep Cold¡¯s Shadow Warriors within a thirty-kilometer radius of their headquarters. At such a time, for Deep Cold to make any significant move, they would first need to break through Willson Pavilion¡¯s siege. ¡°Then who could it be¡­¡± Aron Jackson was utterly bewildered. He was responsible for monitoring any unusual individuals at the airport, dock, and bus stations. Now he only knew that two individuals had peculiar identities and remarkable abilities but had no clue about their true identities. ¡°For those two, I¡¯ll meet them personally when I¡¯m free. Withdraw all personnel around the hotel to avoid unnecessary casualties,¡± Julius Reed said, and then hung up the phone. ¡°Something wrong?¡± Quella Radcliffe brought a plate of fish to the dining table, smiling at Julius Reed. ¡°Nothing important. The sky is big, the earth is big, but eating is biggest!¡± Julius Reed chuckled and quickly took a seat at the table. ¡°It¡¯s rare that it¡¯s just the two of us today.¡± He sniffed the fish on the table lightly, ¡°Wife¡¯s cooking skills have improved again! Without Anna Harris here, I can finally enjoy a meal.¡± Usually, Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t cook much, and Anna Harris was always eager to eat, leaving Julius Reed often unsatisfied. Today, Anna Harris had gone to attend some class reunion, and Dempsey Davenport had gone back to the outer house to live with her mother, leaving only the two of them in the house. But just as Julius Reed picked up his chopsticks, wanting to savor the meal, The door was suddenly opened. Besides the couple, the only other person with keys was Anna Harris¡­ ¡°My brother and sister-in-law insisted on coming to thank you for helping out last time,¡± Following Anna Harris, Sergei Harris and Isaiah Kensington walked in with a bunch of things in their hands. ¡°Mr. Reed, thanks a lot!¡± ¡°Really, without the hundred thousand you gave us, Sergei¡¯s hotpot restaurant couldn¡¯t have survived till now.¡± The straightforward pair set down their things and, seeing that Julius Reed and his wife were dining, they turned to leave. ¡°Stay and eat, I¡¯m telling you, Quella¡¯s cooking is amazing!¡± Anna Harris pulled Sergei and Isaiah, insisting they not leave despite their hesitation. ¡°But¡­¡± Sergei saw there was only one fish on the table. How would five people eat it? ¡°Julius Reed has already eaten, it¡¯s fine.¡± Anna Harris looked towards Quella, ¡°Right?¡± What could Quella say? ¡°If you¡¯ve finished eating, you can leave the table!¡± Anna Harris approached Julius Reed with a mischievous smile, smelling the fish on the table, ¡°That smells so good!¡± ¡°` Chapter 575 - Chapter 575: Chapter 575: Meeting at the Noodle Shop_1 Chapter 575: Chapter 575: Meeting at the Noodle Shop_1 The wind was cold. It made Julius Reed a bit hungry. His home was too noisy, and as someone who had already eaten, it wasn¡¯t convenient for him to continue staying there. Of course, it was Anna Harris who told him that he had already eaten. At this time, the street was not bustling. Though the year¡¯s end was near, the weather was rather cold, and the public naturally preferred to nestle at home if it wasn¡¯t necessary to go out. Originally in a good mood, Julius Reed couldn¡¯t quite explain why, but he suddenly felt a bit angry. So, he proceeded to the hotel where the two were staying, following the address Aron Jackson had given him over the phone that afternoon. There was a fast-food restaurant outside the hotel. Chain beef noodle shop. Julius Reed clearly walked past it, but then he slowly backed up. At a seat near the window, two people were eating noodles. His intuition told him that these two individuals were likely not simple. ¡°Hello. I¡¯ll have a bowl of beef noodles,¡± he said. Julius Reed pushed open the glass door of the restaurant and sat down directly next to the two people. This time was the dinner rush, and the seats were mostly full. Sharing a table was nothing out of the ordinary. ¡°Ahem!¡± Karen coughed upon seeing Julius Reed sit beside her. ¡°Excuse me, would it be possible for you to change to another table?¡± She didn¡¯t like eating with strangers¡ª it was awkward. ¡°Of course¡­ It¡¯s not convenient,¡± Julius Reed drew out the last word, then surveyed the scene and looked at Karen, ¡°Or perhaps, you could pay and leave? To be honest, I myself don¡¯t like sharing a table with old men either.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Karen, who was eating beef noodles, got angry. ¡°You¡¯re calling me an old man? Let¡¯s reason this out,¡± she said. She put down her chopsticks on the bowl and turned to face Julius Reed, ¡°This spot, it was taken by me first, right?¡± ¡°Are you eating or not?¡± Julius Reed looked at Karen, his eyes clear, filled with nothing but disdain. ¡°Whether I eat or not is none of your business. How can you be so unreasonable? Not respecting elders and loving the young is one thing, after all, it¡¯s a matter of your character. But let¡¯s talk about this seat¡ªit was clearly taken by me first, what gives you the right to tell me to leave?¡± Karen¡¯s stubbornness flared up and she couldn¡¯t hold herself back. Meanwhile, Terry Moore was thoroughly enjoying his meal. Two empty bowls already lay beside him. ¡°I¡¯m asking you, are you eating or not? Is it that hard to answer?¡± Julius Reed said, spreading his hands in exasperation. ¡°Sir, would you like me to find you another seat?¡± Just then, a customer got up to leave, and the server quickly came over to ask. The dispute between the two had already drawn the attention of other patrons around them. The restaurant cared about its image and couldn¡¯t just watch as customers started arguing. ¡°Did you hear that? There¡¯s a spot available, you can go now!¡± Julius Reed pointed to the newly vacated table. It was a small table with seating for only two people. Their current table could accommodate four people. ¡°Why should I? This spot was taken by me first. You came after, so you should be the one to move,¡± Karen said angrily, showing complete disregard for being reasonable. ¡°I¡¯m asking you, are you going to eat? If not, then leave,¡± Julius Reed repeated his question. ¡°I¡¯m not eating! But I¡¯m not leaving either!¡± Karen grunted lightly, leaning back against the glass in a manner that suggested she was prepared to outlast Julius Reed. ¡°Ptui!¡± As soon as her words ended, Julius Reed spat into her bowl of beef noodles. There was still half a bowl left, with the top layer consisting of beef. Karen had a habit: When eating, she always saved the best for last. With beef noodles, she would eat all the noodles first and savor the beef at the very end. ¡°You! Are you crazy?¡± Karen¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Julius Reed. ¡°You said you¡¯re not eating. Since you¡¯re not eating, why do you care if I spit in it or not?¡± Julius Reed struck a victorious pose. ¡°Sir, your noodles.¡± Just at that moment, the waiter arrived with Julius Reed¡¯s beef noodles beside them. ¡°Ptooey!¡± Karen spat, imitating the action. But Julius Reed was quick with his hands and eyes and instantly moved the beef noodles out of the way. Karen¡¯s spit landed directly on the waiter¡¯s face. ¡°Sir, what are you doing!¡± Angered, the waiter snatched a napkin from the table and wiped his face with it. ¡°Let¡¯s get one thing straight, I am going to eat this bowl of noodles. If you dare to put anything in it, you will be paying for it. Understand?¡± After saying this to Karen, Julius Reed began eating his beef noodles with large bites. ¡°What a pervert!¡± The waiter gave Karen a disgusted look and turned to walk away angrily. ¡°You¡­ hehe, you think the old man can¡¯t deal with you?¡± A smile crept over Karen¡¯s face. He sat down, crossing his legs in an arrogant manner. Terry Moore, seeing this action, took his own bowl of beef noodles and hurried over to a small table by himself. Before Julius Reed could figure out what was going on, he smelled an odor like a ten-year-old jar of pickled vegetables. He frowned and saw that Karen had taken off his shoes. ¡°Pfft! What is that smell! Boss, is your sewer line leaking?¡± ¡°Oh my god! I¡¯m disgusted! Boss, did something break in here?¡± ¡°I¡¯m about to vomit from this stench! Where¡¯s the boss, come out!¡± Suddenly, there was a barrage of cursing from the customers throughout the restaurant. ¡°I¡¯m here, I¡¯m here, I¡¯m the owner, you all¡­ Blargh!¡± The owner had just run out from the back when the stench knocked him over. ¡°I¡¯m reporting this, the old man is taking off his shoes.¡± Julius Reed stood up, pointing at Karen¡¯s feet. Luckily for him, he practiced breath control, otherwise he would have been overwhelmed by the stench. This was the heart of the disaster zone. ¡°You! Get out!¡± The owner glared at Karen and barked, ¡°Out now!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you know how to respect your elders and cherish the young?¡± Karen begrudgingly put his shoes back on, but the room was already filled with the stench. ¡°Out!¡± The owner wanted to be respectful, but the smell was simply too overpowering. He was a businessman, and with all the customers complaining loudly, even he felt nauseated. Wasn¡¯t this just like smashing his own store? ¡°I¡¯ll handle this!¡± Julius Reed grabbed Karen with one hand and started heading towards the door. ¡°Terry Moore, what are you playing at, sitting over there? Come save me now!¡± Terry Moore had already gotten up and dashed over to Julius Reed before being called. ¡°Brother, let him go!¡± He placed one hand on Julius Reed¡¯s shoulder, his arm muscles bulging. ¡°The owner is kicking him out, I had to do something.¡± Julius Reed looked back at Terry Moore, a sneer forming on his lips. He pushed open the glass door and tossed Karen into the street. From beginning to end, Terry Moore¡¯s hand never left Julius Reed¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Terry Moore, are you deliberately watching me make a fool of myself?¡± Karen, thrown to the ground, grimaced in pain, his eyes filled with anger. ¡°So, you want to fight?¡± Julius Reed looked at the unflappable Terry Moore in front of him. Now he was certain that Terry Moore was one of the two men Aron Jackson had talked about. ¡°I won¡¯t fight you now, it would be picking on you.¡± Terry Moore spoke indifferently while lifting his hand from Julius Reed¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Is that right? You know I can¡¯t beat you without even fighting?¡± Julius Reed put his hands in his pockets, a mocking tone in his voice, ¡°Well then, perhaps another day¡­¡± Mid-sentence, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted to the ground. Chapter 576 - Chapter 576: Chapter 576: Karen Succeeds_1 Chapter 576: Chapter 576: Karen Succeeds_1 ¡°Karen, you¡¯re still so despicable.¡± In the hotel room, Terry Moore looked at Julius Reed tied up on the floor and spoke to Karen. ¡°What do you know? This is called intelligent strategy! Sometimes, brute force alone is useless.¡± At the moment, Karen was sitting on the bed soaking her feet, and the room didn¡¯t have that suffocating, desperate odor. On the contrary, there was a faint fragrance. ¡°I¡¯ll send a video to Manager Leocadia. Unexpectedly, our brothers have won a great victory, and it seems we can return tomorrow.¡± Karen took out her phone and dialed Natalia Leocadia¡¯s number. At that moment, the Leocadia Family was in a heated discussion about the destruction at the exhibition. ¡°Big brother, after a preliminary investigation, we have figured out why the exhibition was smashed.¡± Sophia Leocadia¡¯s father, Daphne Leocadia, stood up, holding a thick stack of reports: ¡°The son of the president of Oberon Enterprise and another American teenager made a bet at the exhibition with this man named Julius Reed. They lost. The terms of the bet included being beaten and kneeling on the ground.¡± ¡°Daphne, what are you trying to say?¡± Natalia Leocadia leaned back in the executive chair and asked casually. The brothers were at odds, and if Old Master Leocadia hadn¡¯t suddenly been hospitalized, it might have been Daphne Leocadia sitting in that chair. Although Natalia Leocadia now held all the power, he always saw Daphne Leocadia as a thorn in his side, a threat to his position. He couldn¡¯t wait to get rid of him quickly! After all, he was the biggest threat. ¡°The cause of the incident was that Thompson and another young man named Jack Lau tried to harass Julius Reed¡¯s wife. She is the beautiful woman in the surveillance video, and that triggered the betting conflict.¡± Daphne Leocadia pressed the remote, and the big screen started playing the footage of the scene. A woman was seen taking photos with her phone next to a showcase when two American teenagers tiptoed behind her and placed a bracelet that was already broken in her hand. In the moment the woman turned around, the bracelet dropped to the ground. ¡°What does this prove?¡± Natalia Leocadia asked, frowning. Thompson was the son of the president of Oberon Enterprise, which he had only just learned. Now that the issue had escalated, Oberon had already sent an email denouncing the Leocadia Family. They demanded an explanation within a week. ¡°Daphne, what¡¯s the point of saying this now?¡± Natalia Leocadia said angrily: ¡°They smashed our Leocadia Family¡¯s exhibition, and the ones losing face are not just me, but you too! Aren¡¯t you a member of the Leocadia Family?¡± He couldn¡¯t stand it when Daphne Leocadia acted so self-righteously. Now that things had come to this, catching the trouble-making youngster was the most important thing; what was the point of saying all this? ¡°The spark that caused the smashing was Winona Leocadia humiliating Julius Reed¡¯s wife after stepping in.¡± Daphne Leocadia said coldly: ¡°This is the Winona Leocadia that you raised! If it weren¡¯t for his vile words, the Leocadia Family wouldn¡¯t have faced this disaster!¡± ¡°Daphne Leocadia, shut your mouth!¡± Bang! Natalia Leocadia slammed the table and stood up from the executive chair: ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know about your daughter¡¯s mess! I thought that as brothers, we would keep our family shame to ourselves. But you, now you¡¯ve gone too far!¡± His sudden outburst quieted the entire meeting room. In the face of this fraternal quarrel, these outsiders had no way to interject. ¡°Natalia Leocadia, you can talk about me, but leave my daughter out of it!¡± Daphne Leocadia similarly slammed the file in her hand down and pointed at Natalia Leocadia, ¡°The situation the Leocadia Family finds itself in exists solely because of your incompetence!¡± Since the two had long found each other disagreeable, they simply went straight into arguing. ¡°Heh heh! In Five-river Province, on the day of your daughter¡¯s birthday, this guy threw around ten billion and even beat up Fernando Lee, smashing his limited-edition sports car to pieces! Didn¡¯t that happen?¡± Natalia Leocadia sneered at Daphne Leocadia, ¡°On Chinese New Year¡¯s Eve, your daughter ran off to Five-river Province alone and stayed at that man¡¯s house, not returning for the whole night! Such shamelessness, truly a disgrace to our Leocadia Family!¡± ¡°Say that again!¡± Daphne Leocadia stood up, ready to charge over, but was firmly held back by the person next to her. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, you can insult me, but if you insult my daughter, I¡¯ll never let you off the hook!¡± He glared furiously at Natalia Leocadia, his eyes almost spewing fire. ¡°What? Angry because I hit the mark?¡± Natalia Leocadia showed no intent to back down, instead escalating the situation, ¡°Could it be that Sophia Leocadia willingly became someone¡¯s mistress? I now suspect that you orchestrated this whole affair!¡± ¡°You slanderous wretch! Natalia Leocadia, you¡¯re inhuman and entirely unworthy of your position!¡± Daphne Leocadia clenched her teeth, wishing she could rush up and beat him. ¡°Heh heh, what¡¯s wrong? Guilty conscience?¡± Natalia Leocadia stood with his hands clasped behind him, feeling very pleased by his brother¡¯s anger. ¡°I know you¡¯re dissatisfied with me inheriting the family business as your older brother, but it¡¯s the trend of the times! By the way, I¡¯ve already found a suitable match for Sophia. We might as well find someone to take her off our hands to stop her from further embarrassing our Leocadia Family.¡± As long as they could force Sophia Leocadia out, Daphne Leocadia¡¯s influence would immediately be halved. After all, most were hesitant, wondering what the situation would be like if Old Master Leocadia woke up. In fact, should Old Master Leocadia recover, Sophia Leocadia was the most likely candidate to rise in power. This was exactly why Natalia Leocadia was scheming to oust her. ¡°Right, is there any connection to this matter?¡± ¡°It¡¯s unclear, but someone so close to Sophia Leocadia certainly can¡¯t be free from suspicion.¡± ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then it¡¯s truly an unfortunate scandal for our family.¡± Everyone knew of the discord between the two siblings, and now, after what Natalia Leocadia said, everyone¡¯s gaze towards Daphne Leocadia changed. In the family, interests are of utmost importance. If this incident was indeed Daphne Leocadia¡¯s doing, then it undoubtedly harmed the family¡¯s interests. Surely, no one would continue supporting him; they would instead turn towards Natalia Leocadia. ¡°Right and wrong, let everyone discern for themselves! Natalia Leocadia, your obstinate arrogance will ruin the Leocadia Family!¡± Daphne Leocadia slowly sat down, trying to calm himself. This was, after all, a family meeting, and not only Leocadia Family members were present, but also executives from the internal businesses of the group. Continuing the argument would only undermine the dignity of the Leocadia Family. ¡°I warn you, according to what Sophia said, this man not only is skilled in combat but even Beckett Carmichael defers to him. I advise you to be careful with your words and actions, lest you end up dragging the Leocadia Family down!¡± Daphne Leocadia said with composure. Sophia had not mentioned Julius Reed killing a boat¡¯s worth of people, merely that she had witnessed his formidable skills. But a father knows his daughter best, and Daphne Leocadia had already guessed something. At that moment, Natalia Leocadia¡¯s phone began to ring. ¡°Yo! Looks like we¡¯ve succeeded with Karen.¡± He boasted as he connected his phone to the big screen, establishing a video call with Karen. Chapter 577 - Chapter 577: Chapter 577 Accidental Occurrence_1 Chapter 577: Chapter 577 Accidental Occurrence_1 ¡°Manager Leocadia, we¡¯ve caught the guy.¡± In the video, Karen yawned and looked down at Julius Reed, who was tied up on the ground. ¡°So smoothly! Interrogate him through the night right away, then I¡¯ll send someone to fly you back on a private plane!¡± Hearing the news of Julius Reed¡¯s capture, Natalia Leocadia¡¯s face lit up with excitement. She looked proudly at Daphne Leocadia, ¡°Brother, is this the skill you were talking about? If one didn¡¯t know better, they might think he was some peerless master. But in front of Terry Moore, no one can withstand!¡± As she spoke, her face was full of pride. Daphne Leocadia didn¡¯t speak, his face was as somber as water. He believed what Sophia Leocadia said. Having grown up in the Leocadia Family, Sophia naturally knew all about Terry Moore¡¯s strength. If Julius Reed couldn¡¯t even beat Terry Moore, why would Sophia say that? As for what his daughter was like, Daphne Leocadia knew very well in his heart. ¡°Some people really are too cautious.¡± Natalia Leocadia said lightly, ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, I thought it was some formidable character, but it turns out to be nothing special after all!¡± ¡°Manager Leocadia is impressive! Strategizing behind the scenes, victory from a thousand miles away!¡± ¡°With one move, you¡¯ve captured the villain. There¡¯s no second person in the Leocadia Family who can do that!¡± ¡°All¡¯s well, the Leocadia Family is blessed by heaven!¡± Natalia Leocadia¡¯s followers started to lavish their praise, with the simple purpose of suppressing Daphne Leocadia. ¡°Gentlemen, you flatter me too much!¡± Manager Leocadia clasped his hands, his eyes brimming with a sense of achievement: ¡°As the Family Head of the Leocadia Family, if I don¡¯t even have this bit of capability, wouldn¡¯t I be a laughingstock in the capital?¡± Having said that, he glanced meaningfully at Daphne Leocadia then turned his head to inquire of Karen, ¡°How did it go? Did you and Terry Moore get hurt?¡± Actually, even if Natalia Leocadia had major complaints about Daphne Leocadia, he was aware of one thing in his heart. Daphne Leocadia was a cautious person who considered his actions thoroughly. According to what Daphne had said just now, this man named Julius Reed should still have some abilities. ¡°There was no difficulty at all,¡± Karen said proudly, ¡°It was so effortless that I captured him while I finished a bowl of noodles.¡± ¡°Oh? It seems that some people really are too cautious and got scared out of their wits,¡± his tone suddenly grew cold, ¡°or perhaps they had ulterior motives!¡± ¡°Natalia Leocadia! You¡¯ll regret this! Did you really think people who dared to disrupt the Leocadia Family¡¯s event would be so easily caught by you?¡± Daphne Leocadia stood up angrily and stormed out, slamming the door behind him. ¡°Is he angry out of embarrassment?¡± Natalia Leocadia looked at Daphne Leocadia¡¯s departing figure and asked indifferently, ¡°Conduct the interrogation overnight, I want results within half an hour.¡± ¡°No need for half an hour, I¡¯ll give you the results now.¡± Just then, a strange voice suddenly came from the video. ¡°Who? Karen, who¡¯s with you?¡± Manager Leocadia asked, frowning. He had only sent Terry Moore and Karen, and there was no third person in Gonzalez City. ¡°Old man, while you were spitting, you deliberately poisoned me with your saliva, then took off your shoes.¡± ¡°That smell wasn¡¯t the stench of your feet, but a drug. When mixed together, it can paralyze a person, leaving them weak and unconscious in a short time.¡± ¡°Now, I¡¯m very curious, Shalom Yarrow from Medicine King Valley, what is he to you?¡± A series of voices came through, making the Leocadia Family members feel that things might not be so simple. ¡°You¡¯re still conscious after being poisoned by me?¡± Karen¡¯s voice trembled a bit. ¡°Karen, who are you talking to?¡± Manager Leocadia asked angrily. Is he deaf? Couldn¡¯t he hear his own question? ¡°Your poison, to be honest, wasn¡¯t strong enough. By the way, you haven¡¯t answered me yet, Shalom Yarrow from Medicine King Valley, what is he to you?¡± ¡°Terry Moore!¡± ¡°Here!¡± Bang! Then came the sound of breaking glass. After that, silence ensued. Only the sound of footsteps remained. ¡°Karen! What are you up to?¡± Natalia Leocadia¡¯s heart was somewhat in a frenzy, but she still steadied everyone¡¯s nerves, ¡°Everyone, no need to panic, you all know Terry Moore¡¯s skills. And with Karen, this expert¡­¡± ¡°Are you¡­ Natalia Leocadia?¡± Before she could finish, a cold voice interrupted her. On the screen appeared a stranger, yet a man familiar to all present. ¡°Julius¡­ Julius Reed?¡± Natalia Leocadia was so shocked to see Julius Reed on the big screen that she stammered. The acting Family Head of the Leocadia family, a well-known figure in Gonzalez City, and the acting chairman of High-heaven Group. And yet, at such a time, she stammered. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± Julius Reed picked up his phone from the ground, blowing the dust off the screen, ¡°I told you before to wash your neck clean; now tell me, is it clean?¡± ¡°You! You¡¯re too arrogant!¡± Natalia Leocadia trembled with rage. Under everyone¡¯s watchful eyes, she, as the Leocadia Family Head, was being threatened! ¡°Where are Karen and Terry Moore!¡± She roared angrily. However, there was no response from the phone. Not a sound from Terry Moore, the strong-handed, nor from Karen, the master of poison. ¡°After the new year, I¡¯ll be taking your life.¡± Julius Reed, close to the screen, adjusted his hair, ¡°Enjoy your last new year. Oh, and by the way, not many people in the Leocadia family know that you had Karen poison the old man, right?¡± ¡°How could this be! The old master was actually poisoned by Karen?¡± ¡°I said it, the old master was in good health, how could he suddenly fall!¡± ¡°Things might not be as Julius Reed says, he is trying to stir trouble between us and Manager Leocadia!¡± The Leocadia family conference room immediately erupted into chaos. ¡°Everybody be quiet!¡± Natalia Leocadia hung up the video in a hurry, with sweat all over her forehead. This matter was highly confidential. Even the Leocadia family members didn¡¯t know that Karen was a master of poison. How could this young man know? ¡°Gentlemen, I assure you with my personal integrity, I would never poison my father! This is all¡­ all the scheming of that thief Julius Reed to drive a wedge between us!¡± Natalia Leocadia¡¯s back was soaked in an instant. She took a deep breath, steadying the shock in her heart, and explained to the nearly hundred people in front of her, ¡°Don¡¯t believe him, Karen is just my strategist, she does have considerable skills; how could she possibly poison anyone?¡± But all she received in response was silence. ¡°At a time like this, we must be united as one; we can¡¯t let others divide us!¡± ¡°Why would Manager Leocadia want to poison her own father? Who would believe such nonsense?¡± ¡°Such clumsy tactics, slandering our Leocadia family! If you believe it, you¡¯ve been fooled!¡± Natalia Leocadia¡¯s supporters immediately stood up in support. Seeing this, Natalia Leocadia finally breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°No matter what, the old master¡¯s illness is very strange, and we have reason to suspect any coincidence.¡± Just then, Florian Leocadia stood up and said with a stern face, ¡°Starting today, the old master¡¯s care will be a joint effort. Big brother, this is also to prevent any suspicion of you. If you are truly innocent, you won¡¯t refuse, right?¡± ¡°Baloney! Little brother, are you doubting your big brother?¡± Ursula Leocadia, a staunch supporter of Natalia Leocadia, immediately jumped out to confront Florian Leocadia. ¡°Enough!¡± Natalia Leocadia clenched her fists tightly, her face stern, ¡°We¡¯ll Chapter 578 - Chapter 578: 578 Chapter 578: 578 ¡°Big brother! Why should the words of an enemy change our Leocadia Family?¡± Ursula Leocadia said reluctantly, ¡°Ever since Father fell ill, it¡¯s been you who¡¯ve taken care of him. Now that the Old Master is not going to make it, you want everyone involved?¡± After Old Master Leocadia fell ill, Natalia Leocadia, acting as the proxy Family Head of the Leocadia Family, was fully responsible for the Old Master¡¯s hospitalization and treatment. This was to be expected, but Julius Reed¡¯s words had sown seeds of doubt in the hearts of the Leocadia Family members. Seeing that the Old Master was on his last legs, Natalia Leocadia didn¡¯t mind switching the person taking care of him. Karen once said that once this poison entered the body, death was certain. The Old Master Leocadia had at most half a month to live, and at such a critical juncture, Natalia had no intention of taking risks. Once the Old Master died, it would be natural for Natalia to become the new Family Head. Then she could settle new grudges and old grievances together. ¡°No need to say more. My conscience is clear, so why should I care about other people¡¯s gossip?¡± Natalia Leocadia refused righteously and then sat back down in her chair, took a deep breath and said, ¡°Let¡¯s adjourn today¡¯s meeting here. I¡¯m not feeling well. We will continue tomorrow morning.¡± After finishing, she left in large strides under everyone¡¯s gaze. ¡­ ¡°Terry Moore, you damn nearly got me killed!¡± In a dilapidated warehouse in Gonzalez City, Karen lay in a heap of broken straw, covered with a piece of clothing. Cursing incessantly. ¡°What could I do?¡± Terry Moore replied unhappily, sitting in a corner of the warehouse and cleaning a wound on his arm. He had been cut by glass when he flipped down from the upper floor. The blood had already coagulated, but it didn¡¯t look pretty. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be the number one expert in the capital? How come it was only after one punch that you took me and jumped down from the building?¡± The more Karen thought about it, the angrier he became, muttering, ¡°What a lousy expert.¡± He wasn¡¯t even mentally prepared for that jump from the building; they jumped from over ten floors up, and it nearly scared him to death. Fortunately, Terry Moore was quite skilled and managed a few shifts in the air, which prevented them from dying on impact. ¡°I never claimed to be the number one expert in the capital. It¡¯s all you people slapping gold on my face.¡± Terry Moore gave him a dismissive glance. ¡°After that punch, I knew the strength of the opponent. If it had been two punches, neither of us would have escaped.¡± ¡°Serious?¡± Karen turned his head, asking with a mix of belief and doubt, his face grave. ¡°When have I ever lied to you?¡± Terry Moore answered with a resounding voice, clearly not in a good mood. ¡°Is he that formidable?¡± Karen still didn¡¯t believe it. He was well aware of how strong Terry Moore was. If the opponent was really that formidable, wouldn¡¯t their situation be very dangerous? ¡°Very formidable.¡± Terry Moore walked up to Karen and stretched out a hand. ¡°Broken?¡± Karen gently touched one of Terry Moore¡¯s fingers. The finger was clearly broken from the severe impact, hanging on by only skin. ¡°Yeah.¡± Terry Moore nodded. ¡°Two fingers are broken.¡± After a pause, he added, ¡°I made the first move.¡± ¡°Damn!¡± Karen jumped up from the straw heap, anxious like an ant on a hot pan. ¡°We¡¯re done for! We¡¯re done for! I thought it would be an easy job, especially with you, the big guy, around. Who knew we would run into an expert even crazier than you? Now we¡¯ve lost our phones and didn¡¯t bring any money. What are we going to do?¡± ¡°How about¡­¡± Terry Moore looked Karen up and down and said with a goofy smile, ¡°You go begging?¡± ¡°You think that¡¯s funny?¡± Karen¡¯s face darkened as he pointed to himself. ¡°I¡¯m of a considerable age, at such an old age, you want me to beg? Young man, you show no respect for the elderly and the young!¡± His face was full of wrinkles, and his hair had turned white. Indeed, he appeared to be in his sixties or seventies. ¡°Karen, you can fool others, but can you fool me?¡± Terry Moore walked over to the straw heap, lay down straight, and said while looking sideways, ¡°You look the way you do because of drug poisoning. In reality, you are not even thirty years old, about the same age as me.¡± ¡°You know that?¡± Karen was clearly scared. It was his secret. Three years ago, he had been making medicine with his master, and in his eagerness for quick success, he secretly took a pill while his master wasn¡¯t around. As a result, he passed out for seven days and seven nights, and when he came to, he found himself in this state. Aged. He looked like he was in his sixties or seventies. Very few people knew about this, even Natalia Leocadia wasn¡¯t very clear about it. How did Terry Moore know? ¡°You were drunk and told me yourself,¡± Terry Moore turned his head away and closed his eyes to sleep on his own. ¡°It seems there really was such an incident?¡± Karen tried to recall, and finally shook his head, ¡°Forget it, forget it, I won¡¯t drink anymore. Drinking leads to trouble. What should I do now? I can¡¯t go back, and I can¡¯t get in touch with the capital. I have to think of something.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go find that woman from during the day and be her bodyguard. At least two hundred thousand a month, with food and lodging provided,¡± Terry Moore was chewing on a straw, talking to himself. ¡°What about me?¡± Karen raised his eyebrows. With his current ghastly appearance, should he find an old lady? ¡°You can ask her if she lacks a father, and if she does, you can be her godfather,¡± Terry Moore rarely smiled, continuing to sleep after that. ¡°Really! Why did I have to come out and handle business with you?¡± Karen sighed, turned around, and returned to the pile of hay, beginning to contemplate how to escape the current predicament. Based on their previous experience at the hotel, they definitely couldn¡¯t attract too much attention outside. Otherwise, if any observer spotted them, it would be the end. But they couldn¡¯t just stay in the warehouse forever. ¡°Forget it, I¡¯ll deal with it tomorrow!¡± He sighed, closed his eyes, and began to sleep. ¡­ After threatening Natalia Leocadia, Julius Reed walked straight out of the hotel. He hadn¡¯t expected that a disciple from Medicine King Valley would get involved. Things were getting more and more lively in the small place of Gonzalez City. But before the new year, the people from Five-river Province probably wouldn¡¯t make a move. In the battle by the river, he had killed the main forces of the Michael Family and the Boulevard League, and the woman was being closely monitored by the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. At least he could have a peaceful New Year. But just as he stepped out of the hotel, his phone rang. It was a call from Itai Huntington. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s tone softened quite a bit. Yesterday, because of him, Itai Huntington was slapped by Winona Leocadia, which made Julius Reed feel somewhat guilty. After all, the two had no prior relationship, and Itai Huntington¡¯s decision to help him clear the scene was indeed a bold move. ¡°Have you eaten yet?¡± Over the phone, Itai Huntington¡¯s magnetic voice came through again. ¡°I¡¯ve¡­,¡± Mid-speech, Julius Reed sighed helplessly: ¡°No, I haven¡¯t eaten.¡± ¡°Good, I haven¡¯t either. I¡¯ll send someone to pick you up, just tell me your location,¡± Itai Huntington said with a laugh, apparently in high spirits. ¡°I¡¯ll eat by myself outside,¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t want to get entangled with Itai Huntington. Such a woman, better to avoid. If Anna Harris exaggerated things, he would have to explain to Itai Huntington when he returned. ¡°I have a business deal tonight, and I¡¯ll feel more at ease with you there. Dinner will be my way of thanking you for your help,¡± After a pause, Itai Huntington continued: ¡°Steamed king crab, lobster, and also¡­,¡± ¡°I¡¯m in front of the Sheraton Hotel, on Future Street. Tell your driver to hurry,¡± Julius Reed hung up the phone and swallowed hard. Truly delicious. Chapter 579 - Chapter 579: Chapter 579: Getting on the Wrong Car_1 Chapter 579: Chapter 579: Getting on the Wrong Car_1 Five minutes later, a BMW parked in front of the Sheraton Hotel. ¡°Mr. Reed, hello, I am the driver sent by Miss Huntington.¡± After the car window rolled down, the man inside wearing sunglasses spoke up. ¡°Very good.¡± Julius Reed directly pulled open the door and sat in the passenger seat. Behind him, there were two other men, also wearing sunglasses. ¡°So many people?¡± Julius Reed, looking through the rearview mirror, said with a smile. ¡°That¡¯s right, Miss Huntington, in order to ensure your safety, specifically added more staff. Mr. Reed, do you have any concerns?¡± The driver slowly started the vehicle while uneasily sizing up Julius Reed. And the two people behind him were extremely nervous, their hands constantly resting on their waists. ¡°Nothing, it seems your Miss likes me quite a bit, huh!¡± Julius Reed joked with a laugh. ¡°Our Miss has always held Mr. Reed in high respect, so she specifically instructed to protect your safety when coming over.¡± Sweat formed on the driver¡¯s forehead, yet he forced a smile and said, ¡°As you know, things have been a bit tumultuous in Gonzalez City lately.¡± ¡°Yes, I know. I just wonder how much your Miss really respects me. Tonight, will she end up climbing into my bed? Do you know?¡± Julius Reed leaned closer to the driver, the two men behind him growing even more nervous, but they forcefully restrained themselves. The car was still driving in the downtown area, the speed was not very fast, and there were many people around. ¡°This¡­¡± The driver let out a forced laugh: ¡°What happens between you and our Miss is not something us servants dare to meddle in! You will know once you get there.¡± ¡°Oh! I got excited for nothing then. But do you know, not long ago, your Miss had an intimate encounter with me.¡± Julius Reed took out his phone, glanced at it: ¡°Huh, how come there¡¯s no signal? This is the downtown area!¡± ¡°We are not sure either, perhaps there¡¯s line maintenance today?¡± The driver said, attempting to explain. ¡°Then do you have cell phones with you? What if Miss Huntington can¡¯t reach me and becomes anxious?¡± Julius Reed turned to the side, and the two bodyguards immediately shook their heads. ¡°Here¡¯s the thing.¡± The driver stopped at a traffic light and turned to explain, ¡°When we go out on missions, we typically are not allowed to carry mobile phones, to prevent tracking of the other party¡¯s whereabouts.¡± ¡°Quite meticulous.¡± Julius Reed nodded, sticking his phone out the window, ¡°Hey, it looks like there¡¯s a little signal now.¡± ¡°Perhaps, the signal is just not very good today¡­¡± The driver narrowed his eyes and accelerated, heading toward the outskirts. The speed of the car instantly soared, reaching over a hundred miles an hour in the downtown area. ¡°Hey! Are you guys drag racing?¡± Julius Reed barely managed to keep his seat, feeling the strong sensation of being pushed back suddenly. ¡°We¡¯re pressed for time, please bear with us.¡± Sweat beads on the driver¡¯s head grew more numerous as he pressed the gas pedal even harder. The speed kept increasing. ¡°This doesn¡¯t seem like the way to Miss Huntington¡¯s place, does it?¡± Julius Reed looked out the window at the streets as the BMW accelerated straight toward the suburbs. If Itai Huntington was going to talk business, it couldn¡¯t possibly be in the suburbs. And judging by the menu she described, it didn¡¯t sound like something you¡¯d find in the suburbs either. ¡°The Miss is in a farmhouse on the outskirts, the other party is someone who returned from abroad and is quite interested in these rural-themed restaurants.¡± The driver kept on explaining while pushing the speed to over a hundred miles an hour. On the open street, the BMW roared as it raced straight toward the suburbs. ¡°Hey, that signal jammer is so heavy, you don¡¯t need to carry it on you, do you?¡± About five minutes later, Julius Reed suddenly spoke up. ¡°What signal jammer? I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± The man sitting in the back was visibly tense, stammering as he spoke. At the same time, he subtly pushed something into the back of his waist. ¡°Oh, should we stop and I¡¯ll make a call to Miss Huntington?¡± Julius Reed shook the cellphone in his hand, ¡°Look, we¡¯re already in the suburbs, and there¡¯s still no signal.¡± ¡°Cut the fucking crap!¡± Just then, a chill sensation came over them. The bodyguard in the backseat pulled out a dart from his waist and aimed it at Julius Reed¡¯s head. ¡°Keep it cool! Or I¡¯ll blow your brains out with one dart!¡± The man said viciously. ¡°What¡¯s going on? I am Miss Huntington¡¯s guest, have you lost your minds?¡± Julius Reed feigned surprise, but a cold smile spread across his lips. Sure enough, the fox¡¯s tail couldn¡¯t be hidden anymore. ¡°Heh, Miss Huntington?¡± The driver also let out a cold laugh, ¡°We are Miss Lopez¡¯s men! Itai Huntington, that bitch, still has no clue about what¡¯s going on! I advise you to stay still, or we¡¯ll send you off this world directly.¡± As he spoke, the man behind Julius Reed jabbed him with the dart again. ¡°What! You¡¯re not Itai Huntington¡¯s men? Then how did you know I was going to attend Itai Huntington¡¯s dinner party?¡± Julius Reed acted extremely panicked, his voice even starting to quiver. ¡°Ha! Scared now, aren¡¯t you?¡± The driver finally relaxed; the fear had made his legs weak during the ride. ¡°If you¡¯d known this would happen today, why did you ever oppose our Miss Lopez? Thought you were somebody tough, made me scared as hell all the way here!¡± ¡°Miss Lopez? Jennifer Lopez?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes widened as he seemed to suddenly realize something, ¡°It can¡¯t really be her, can it? She¡­ she¡¯s come to Gonzalez City?¡± Jennifer Lopez couldn¡¯t possibly be in Gonzalez City. All of Gonzalez City was under Aron Jackson¡¯s watch. If Jennifer Lopez had come here, Julius Reed would have definitely been notified. ¡°Shut up! You think you can call Miss Lopez¡¯s name that casually?¡± The driver said impatiently, ¡°Number Two, shut him up!¡± ¡°You better fucking behave!¡± Number Two jabbed the dart forward, threatening fiercely, ¡°Another word and I¡¯ll smash your skull!¡± ¡°Jennifer Lopez, that is indeed Miss Lopez. After all, I have photos of her getting cozy with a man. You guys interested?¡± Julius Reed grinned at the three people in the car, his eyes brimming with sleaze. ¡°Damn it! I should blow his head off!¡± Number Two seemed to be losing his patience. ¡°No can do, Brother Beaumont said we need him alive.¡± The driver hurriedly stopped his brother¡¯s impulsive thought, ¡°If you kill him, Miss Lopez will have your head.¡± ¡°But he dared to insult Miss Lopez!¡± Number Two fumed, his teeth itching to act, ¡°Can we at least beat him up?¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± Julius Reed turned around and extended his hand, ¡°Take a look, what is this?¡± ¡°A dart?¡± Number Two¡¯s eyes bulged in astonishment, ¡°Where did it come from?¡± ¡°Seems like it¡¯s from your gun.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, ¡°So now, who is the prey, and who is the Hunter?¡± ¡°Impossible!¡± Number Two moved the dart to the right and pulled the trigger hard. Click! The sound of a dry fire. ¡°How is this possible!¡± Before he could react, Julius Reed jammed the dart into Number Two¡¯s brow with force. Chapter 580 - Chapter 580: Chapter 580: Here to Kill Today_1 Chapter 580: Chapter 580: Here to Kill Today_1 Thump! The second oldest, holding a homemade dart box, hadn¡¯t even realized what had just happened. His head tilted to one side, and he died in the back seat. The dart had gone directly into his brow, and blood instantly stained his shirt red. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to die, just drive normally.¡± Julius Reed turned around and carelessly threw the dart onto the lap of the man still alive behind him, ¡°Also, turn off that jammer of yours, don¡¯t make me do it myself.¡± ¡°How¡­ how did you know¡­¡± The man behind him trembled as he placed his hand on the jammer, hesitating whether to disconnect the power. ¡°Stop your futile resistance. If I can dismantle the dart without his knowledge, do you think I wouldn¡¯t notice your little antics?¡± Julius Reed grabbed the driver¡¯s right trouser pocket and pinched down hard! Crack! ¡°Ah¡­¡± The driver screamed in agony, and the car swayed unsteadily. But his rich driving experience quickly steadied the vehicle. ¡°Stop thinking about signalling for help, I¡¯ll really kill you.¡± Julius Reed gently removed his hand. In the driver¡¯s right trouser pocket, there was a broken phone and a severed right hand. ¡°Hiss¡­¡± The driver took in a sharp breath and, with a twitch at the corner of his mouth, asked, ¡°How¡­ how did you know¡­ we¡¯re not Itai Huntington¡¯s people¡­¡± He couldn¡¯t understand; the three of them had been seamless in their deception, how had they been seen through? All the way they had been cautious and prudent. Even the reasons they gave were convincing enough. Yet the man before them had been suspicious from the moment he got into the car. ¡°What was your reaction when I just insulted Jennifer Lopez?¡± Julius Reed raised one hand and made a gun gesture, pointing it at himself and mimicking a gunshot: ¡°biubiu! You want to kill me.¡± After finishing his words, he turned to the driver, ¡°But when I talked about wanting to sleep with Itai Huntington, you had no reaction at all. How could you possibly be employees of Itai Huntington?¡± ¡°Third brother, pull out the jammer¡­¡± The driver, enduring the excruciating pain of a broken hand, drove with one hand as the car¡¯s speed slowed down. ¡°Oh.¡± The third brother hesitantly turned off the jammer switch. The phone signal immediately restored. ¡°Keep driving as usual, according to the original route.¡± Julius Reed took out his cellphone and said to the driver, ¡°If you try any tricks, I¡¯ll make your life a living hell. As an employee of Jennifer Lopez, you should know that I can even get her compromising photos, so dealing with you guys is not a big deal.¡± Having said that, he dialed Itai Huntington¡¯s number. ¡°Hey! Julius Reed, where are you? My people went there, but you¡¯re not at the entrance of the Sheraton Hotel. And I can¡¯t reach you by phone either. You¡¯re not trying to stand me up, are you?¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s tone was somewhat unhappy on the phone, and she spoke rapidly like a string of firecrackers. ¡°I¡¯m in the car, but guess what, it¡¯s Jennifer Lopez¡¯s car.¡± Julius Reed said with a faint smile, ¡°Looks like I might be a bit late getting to you.¡± ¡°Jennifer Lopez?¡± Hearing this name, Itai Huntington¡¯s tone immediately became tense, ¡°Don¡¯t joke with me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not kidding. You have someone from Jennifer Lopez¡¯s camp by your side. This spy leaked the information, and Jennifer Lopez¡¯s people got to me before you could.¡± With calmness in his voice, Julius Reed continued, ¡°You better be careful. The person who has access to this information must be someone close to you.¡± ¡°Just give me a second.¡± Itai Huntington whispered these words, and then the only sounds over the phone were the clicking of high heels. About half a minute later, the sound of running water came through again. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Itai Huntington sounded concerned, ¡°Give me the address, I¡¯ll send someone over.¡± Her tone was very decisive. ¡°No need, I can handle this little issue. As for you, hurry up and find the mole. If not, the trouble is only going to get bigger!¡± Julius Reed declined Itai Huntington¡¯s well-meant offer, ¡°Consider this a wake-up call. On a regular day, you think everything is fine, yet now someone¡¯s planted a spy right under your nose, and you haven¡¯t even noticed?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll start looking right away.¡± Itai Huntington spoke softly. Over the phone, the sound of running water continued, a tactic she used to disrupt any eavesdroppers. ¡°How long before you can get back? I really should send someone over.¡± She couldn¡¯t rest easy. As an old rival, Itai Huntington knew Jennifer Lopez¡¯s methods all too well. This woman was both ruthless and merciless; now that the compromising photos had leaked, she would surely send out a Shadow Warrior. Moreover, the operation this time was meticulous, so much so that even she hadn¡¯t noticed. ¡°No need, half an hour if it¡¯s fast, an hour if it¡¯s slow.¡± Julius Reed glanced at his watch, bent down to pick up the temporary parking permit behind the front windshield, and then flicked it gently. Thwack! The parking permit, like a sharp knife, plunged directly into the chest of Number Three behind him. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Itai Huntington noticed something was off over the phone and immediately asked anxiously. ¡°We¡¯ll talk later. You first ferret out the mole.¡± Having said that, Julius Reed hung up the phone. ¡°What, challenging my limits again and again?¡± He turned his head to look at the driver and said with a cold smile, ¡°Without you, I can still find the address.¡± While he was making the call just now, Number Three had quietly pulled out a small knife from his bosom. Unfortunately, before he could act, he was pierced through the heart by the parking permit. ¡°I¡¯ll cooperate, I¡¯ll definitely cooperate!¡± The driver was frightened out of his wits by the death of his two brothers. He even forgot the pain of his right hand being broken. The car continued driving through the suburbs, and after about five minutes, it stopped in front of a farmhouse estate. ¡°We¡¯ve arrived¡­¡± The driver pointed tremblingly at the entrance: ¡°Their people are right here¡­¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Julius Reed offered a faint smile, then suddenly punched the driver¡¯s temple. Swish! The driver¡¯s body slammed onto the steering wheel, dead with his eyes still open. ¡°Sorry, my hand slipped.¡± Julius Reed took out a hundred-yuan note from his pocket and stuffed it into the driver¡¯s agape mouth. Then he took out a lighter and set it ablaze. After that, he got out of the car. To kill. There was a sign at the entrance of the estate. It was called ¡°Baccarat.¡± Julius Reed straightened his clothes, flicked off the dust, and strode toward the entrance of the estate, lightly pushing the front gate. The gate was bolted from the inside. Apparently, it couldn¡¯t be opened without the consent of someone inside. Julius Reed shook his head, turned around, and walked away. After taking ten steps, he turned back around. Leap! He sprinted across the ground like a cheetah at full speed! When he was about to reach the locked iron gate, he shouldered through, slamming directly into the entirety of it. Swish! The gate was directly knocked down. An unsuspecting bodyguard behind the door was instantly crushed by the hundred-kilo gate. ¡°Ah¡­¡± ¡°My legs¡­¡± As screams echoed, Julius Reed casually wiped off the dust from his shoulder and stepped over the gate, walking into the courtyard of the estate. ¡°Who are you!¡± A bodyguard who had narrowly escaped death pulled out his nunchuks from his waist and looked at Julius Reed, trembling, ¡°Who are you! What are you doing!¡± This scene was so shocking that they hadn¡¯t even grasped what had happened. Was this a man or a monster? How could such a sturdy iron gate be knocked down so easily? Only broken chains remained on the cement walls on both sides of the gate. ¡°My name is Julius Reed, and I¡¯ve come here to kill.¡± Julius Reed turned, slowly bent down. Crack! A small door inside the big gate was ripped off by him and then smashed down heavily onto the questioning bodyguard. Boom! A loud noise thundered. The iron door directly brought the cement wall crashing down. Blood mixed with the soil slowly seeped out. Chapter 581 - Chapter 581: 581 Chapter 581: 581 ¡°What the hell happened!¡± Inside the Baccarat Farm Estate, a middle-aged man was playing chess with the estate owner when suddenly two loud booms came from outside. ¡°No idea.¡± A bodyguard answered in a low voice. ¡°Slap!¡± The middle-aged man stood up abruptly and slapped him across the face, ¡°Useless! What are we paying you for! Hurry up and check it out! If anything goes wrong, Miss Lopez will have you dead without a place to be buried!¡± ¡°Yes, Brother Beaumont!¡± The bodyguard covered his swollen face and hurried toward the direction of the gate. ¡°There are surveillance cameras here.¡± The manor owner picked up a remote control nearby and pressed a button on the TV a short distance away. ¡°Crap! Where¡¯s the gate!¡± He was initially stunned, then rubbed his eyes, ¡°Damn. Where¡¯s my iron gate that weighed over a hundred pounds?¡± ¡°Why is the wall down too?¡± He turned to the bodyguard behind him and asked, ¡°Was there an earthquake?¡± He was playing chess with the man now known as Brother Beaumont and hadn¡¯t felt any tremors at all. So what happened to the gate and the wall? ¡°Isn¡¯t that the gate, on the ground?¡± Thunder Leocadia took off his sunglasses and looked at the dark object on the screen. It was nighttime, and the farm¡¯s surveillance wasn¡¯t very advanced, so it was difficult to see things clearly. Once pointed out by him, the manor owner observed carefully and slapped his thigh, ¡°What the hell is going on! How did the perfectly fine gate fall over? And why did my wall collapse?¡± The gate was newly custom-made this year, and the wall was newly built. Even the farm estate was newly opened not long ago. He opened it following the trend after seeing others making money, but no one visited his place. Three months passed, and just when the manor owner could barely hang on, a group of people dressed in black came along. They brought with them three hundred thousand in cash, demanding to rent the entire farm estate. Seeing the god of wealth arrive, the manor owner naturally treated them with great enthusiasm, handing over the management of the entire farm estate to these people in black. All he had to do was look after the case filled with three hundred thousand in cash. ¡°Brother Beaumont, the people Miss Lopez wants have arrived!¡± The bodyguard hurried back and gasped out the message. ¡°Great! Where are those three people? Why didn¡¯t they call me?¡± Thunder Leocadia took out his mobile phone and found no missed calls. ¡°Boss, the guy came by himself!¡± The bodyguard pointed toward the location of the gate: ¡°Bro, they¡¯re all dead!¡± ¡°What!¡± Thunder Leocadia¡¯s heart tightened, and he drew a dart from behind his waist, ¡°What the hell happened?¡± ¡°You¡­ What kind of people are you¡­¡± Seeing the box of hidden weapons, the manor owner collapsed to the ground, scared out of his wits. He had seen enough movies to know that those who carried boxes of hidden weapons were definitely bad guys. ¡°Sorry, but I will have someone burn your money for you.¡± Thunder Leocadia walked up to the manor owner, crouched down, and stuffed the sharp end of the dart into the manor owner¡¯s mouth. ¡°No¡­ Please¡­ have mercy¡­¡± The manor owner knelt on the ground, his cries muffled and unintelligible, tears in his eyes. ¡°Sorry.¡± Thunder Leocadia gave a faint smile, with one hand gently blocking the manor owner¡¯s view. Whizz! Blood splattered everywhere. The manor owner¡¯s body slumped to one side, lifeless. It is said that a person¡¯s eyes are the only evidence after death. Thunder Leocadia was superstitious; he didn¡¯t want to be haunted by vengeful spirits. After doing all this, he wiped the blood off the box of hidden weapons, picked up the case filled with three hundred thousand, and strode toward the door. Whizz! Whizz! The group had just left the room when they saw two bodyguards falling from the sky, landing hard on the ground. They twitched once and died immediately. ¡°Are you Thunder Leocadia?¡± Around the corner, Julius Reed walked in from a small path and clapped his hands. ¡°How do you know my name?¡± Thunder Leocadia looked around warily, muttering softly, ¡°Is there an ambush?¡± ¡°No, there¡¯s no one within a kilometer; he¡¯s all by himself.¡± An employee spoke up. ¡°Is your name that hard to know?¡± Julius Reed, with hands clasped behind his back, smiled and walked up to the group, stopping ten meters away: ¡°I broke one of your employee¡¯s legs, and he spilled everything.¡± Upon hearing this, everyone present felt a chill run down their spines. ¡°Julius Reed, you really have guts! You know there¡¯s an ambush and yet you still come alone on horseback, carrying your hidden weapon case, to seek death?¡± Thunder Leocadia took a deep breath. Indeed, just as Miss Lopez had said, this man is hard to deal with. But no matter how good the backup is, can it be quicker than a flying dart? Now they still had more than thirty men, nine hidden weapon cases, and not to mention, a master backing them up. ¡°Seeking death?¡± Julius Reed laughed and shook his head: ¡°Today, I am here to see you off.¡± ¡°Really arrogant! But today I don¡¯t plan on killing you, Miss Lopez wants a live capture.¡± Thunder Leocadia sneered coldly, pointing the dart at Julius Reed¡¯s leg, ¡°But she didn¡¯t say we need you in one piece, I can choose to remove either your arm or your hand, as I please.¡± His weapon spun in the air before finally coming to rest between Julius Reed¡¯s legs: ¡°Or perhaps, something unique to men.¡± ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡± Julius Reed suddenly stated out of the blue. This statement completely confused Thunder Leocadia. What kind of timing was this? A life and death situation! With both sides on edge and after exchanging harsh words, he actually said he was hungry? ¡°What did you say?¡± He even suspected he had heard wrong. Could it be that the scene earlier was too bloody, and he was hallucinating? ¡°I said, I¡¯m hungry.¡± Julius Reed repeated. As he spoke, he touched his stomach. When he wasn¡¯t concerned with the Mortal World¡¯s affairs, he never felt this sensation. But ever since he lost his memory and joined the Radcliffe Family, he became just like a normal person. Often hungry. ¡°So what?¡± Thunder Leocadia pointed the dart at Julius Reed, ¡°This isn¡¯t a restaurant, would you like me to cook something for you?¡± He felt he was being insulted. ¡°I¡¯m hungry, so I¡¯m in a hurry.¡± Julius Reed looked around, pointing at the bodyguards, ¡°Now, I¡¯ll give you a chance. Those who put down their weapons and leave, I won¡¯t hold it against you, but Thunder Leocadia is the exception.¡± ¡°Do you still dream of your last moments?¡± Thunder Leocadia viciously released the safety on the hidden weapon case, pointing it at Julius Reed, ¡°I¡¯ll break one of your legs first, let¡¯s see how cocky you can be then!¡± Whiz! With the sound of something tearing through the air, Thunder Leocadia only felt his arm go numb; the hidden weapon case fell to the ground. Before he could react, Julius Reed charged at him like a ferocious tiger! ¡°Release the flying darts!¡± Thunder Leocadia, with a shock to his heart, shouted frantically. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh! Bang¡­¡± His men didn¡¯t react in time, and by the time they released the flying darts, Julius Reed had already surged forward. The hidden weapon cases were fired wildly, not a single dart hitting their target. After that, Thunder Leocadia just felt something tighten around his neck, and found himself lifted off the ground by Julius Reed! Before the others could figure out what was happening, Julius Reed stomped his foot, and the dart in Thunder Leocadia¡¯s hand flew up, which he caught effortlessly. Whoosh! Bang¡­ With each sound of a dart, a bodyguard fell to the ground. And at that moment, with Thunder Leocadia shielding Julius Reed, who dared to release flying darts? After a volley of darts, all the bodyguards holding hidden weapon cases lay dead on the ground. The air was deathly silent. Chapter 582 - Chapter 582: Chapter 582 They Have All Come True_1 Chapter 582: Chapter 582 They Have All Come True_1 ¡°Whoo¡­ Whoo¡­¡± Thunder Leocadia¡¯s face turned purple, his whole body suspended in the air, obviously suffocating to death. He struggled desperately, but Julius Reed¡¯s hand was like a vise, tightly clenching his neck, preventing him from moving at all. The remaining bodyguards around him dared not make any rash moves. First, those with the hidden weapons boxes were all dead. Secondly, their boss was in the hands of the enemy, how could they act? One of the bodyguards quietly approached, attempting to pick up a hidden weapons box on the ground. Whoosh! Without turning his head, Julius Reed directly threw the hidden weapons box he had in hand, smashing it onto that bodyguard¡¯s head. Thump! The bodyguard staggered three steps backwards and fell to the ground, dead. ¡°Is this all you¡¯ve got? Miss Lopez really underestimates me.¡± Julius Reed looked around and shouted towards the roof, ¡°Come out! Skulking around, I¡¯ve been watching you for a long time.¡± Whoosh! No sooner had he spoken than a man leaped down from the roof, holding a longsword in his hand. ¡°You¡¯ve discovered me?¡± The man looked indifferently at Julius Reed and Thunder Leocadia, seemingly unconcerned with his comrade¡¯s fate. ¡°It seems you¡¯re not one of Miss Lopez¡¯s employees.¡± Julius Reed tossed Thunder Leocadia casually as if he were throwing trash onto the ground. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m just doing someone else¡¯s dirty work.¡± The man held the longsword in one hand, his eyes filled with scorn. As if the opponent before him wasn¡¯t even worthy of drawing his sword against. ¡°You¡¯re quite arrogant!¡± Julius Reed held his hands behind his back, sizing up the man¡¯s attire from head to toe. ¡°Who is your master?¡± The man in ancient-style clothing, with a silver longsword, was certainly no ordinary person. He must be a disciple of some esteemed master to have such an outfit. ¡°You¡¯re worthy of asking my master¡¯s name?¡± The man shook his head, ¡°My sword will tell you.¡± But no sooner had he finished speaking did he frown and sheathe the longsword on his back. ¡°You¡¯re not worthy of my drawing my sword.¡± To Georgia Warm, the man before him was just a bit skilled, thinking to compel him to draw his sword? Such people are few and far between in this world. A swordsman¡¯s sword is only drawn for opponents worthy of respect. For someone like Julius Reed, he could be dealt with barehanded. ¡°I¡¯m not one to show off,¡± Julius Reed watched Georgia Warm with a smile, ¡°You know why?¡± ¡°Incapability.¡± Georgia Warm looked on with cold eyes, scornfully, ¡°The incapable naturally don¡¯t have the capital.¡± ¡°Wrong.¡± Julius Reed shook his head, ¡°Because every word I¡¯ve said has come true. Now, I¡¯m going to kill you.¡± ¡°I must be hearing things, right?¡± Georgia Warm laughed as if he¡¯d heard the funniest joke, clutching his stomach, ¡°This is¡­ the funniest joke I¡¯ve heard in a year!¡± ¡°You won¡¯t be laughing much longer.¡± As soon as Julius Reed finished speaking, his whole body soared into the air! ¡°Seeking death? Then I shall grant you your wish!¡± Georgia Warm snorted lightly and threw a punch forward! In the blink of an eye, the two collided! Boom! Like a kite with its string cut, Georgia Warm drew a beautiful arc in the air before crashing heavily to the ground. Thud! Splurt! He spit out a mouthful of blood, his eyes filled with terror, ¡°Who¡­ who are you!¡± That punch they exchanged a moment ago, his left arm, had actually broken¡­ In the world, few had such ability! ¡°I told you I would kill you, and I meant it!¡± Julius Reed pointed to the longsword behind Georgia Warm, ¡°If you do not intend to draw your sword, you might never get the chance again in this lifetime.¡± ¡°You¡¯re courting death!¡± Georgia Warm sprang up from the ground, furiously drew his longsword, and charged towards Julius Reed! Behind him, a sky filled with swirling sand! ¡°Impressive swordsmanship, it¡¯s just a pity that the man is too impetuous.¡± Julius Reed shook his head, picked up the dart box from the ground, and aimed it at Georgia Warm, triggering the mechanism. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Three darts burst out! ¡°How could mere darts affect me? In the world of martial arts, only speed is unbeatable!¡± Georgia Warm¡¯s longsword slashed down furiously! Clang! All three darts were directly cut in half by him. The next moment, he was in front of Julius Reed, thrusting out with his sword! But Julius Reed dodged to the side, swinging a fierce punch! Crack! The scabbard behind Georgia Warm snapped into two. Having done all this, Julius Reed walked up to the ashen-faced Thunder Leocadia, dragged him out of the estate like a chicken. And those remaining bodyguards looked at each other in disbelief, completely unable to grasp what had just happened. Whoosh! After Julius Reed left, the scabbard behind Georgia Warm exploded with a thunderous bang! Countless fragments embedded into the bodies of the bodyguards. No one survived. ¡­ ¡°Smoke?¡± At the entrance of the Baccarat estate, Julius Reed sat on the steps, pulled out a pack of cigarettes from a nearby corpse, and offered it to Thunder Leocadia. The frightened Thunder Leocadia shook his head frantically. How could he dare to take a cigarette? He must be tired of living! ¡°Don¡¯t smoke, huh?¡± Julius Reed tossed the cigarette away, ripping the cigarette carton in his hands while smiling at him, ¡°Call Jennifer Lopez, tell her you¡¯ve succeeded.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t¡­¡± Splat! ¡°Ah¡­¡± Before Thunder Leocadia could finish, Julius Reed¡¯s hand holding the cigarette box sliced across, severing one of his fingers. ¡°Counting your feet, you still have 19 chances.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll talk, I¡¯ll talk!¡± Thunder Leocadia¡¯s teeth were chattering. Georgia Warm was his last resort, but to his astonishment, this man before him had taken him down effortlessly! How could he not be afraid? Before coming here, all he knew was that the target was tough. But now, what¡¯s the difference from courting death? ¡°Miss Lopez¡­ oh no, Jennifer Lopez said that once it¡¯s done, to take you directly to the docks where she would send someone to pick you up.¡± Thunder Leocadia didn¡¯t dare to hide the slightest detail. ¡°The docks? But that¡¯s part of Aron Jackson¡¯s industry, aren¡¯t you worried?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow, which scared Thunder Leocadia out of his wits. ¡°Arlo Percival, also known as Zane Percival¡¯s father, Jennifer Lopez¡¯s ex-husband, does logistics in Gonzalez City. We¡¯ll pack you in a crate, and through him, bypass Aron Jackson¡¯s surveillance, directly transporting you to the capital.¡± Thunder Leocadia feared that saying too little or missing a detail would result in ending up like the people in the courtyard. ¡°I have a favor to ask you.¡± Julius Reed spoke, ¡°Help me put that¡­ the body of that young swordsman into a crate and deliver it to Jennifer Lopez, no problem, right?¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Splat! The blood-stained box in Julius Reed¡¯s hand made another cut. ¡°Hiss! No¡­ no problem¡­¡± Thunder Leocadia, looking at his hand now missing two fingers, began shaking from the pain. ¡°Just wait, someone will come to assist you shortly. Remember to cooperate.¡± Julius Reed got up, looked coldly into Thunder Leocadia¡¯s eyes: ¡°Remember what I said in the courtyard. Everything I want to happen, happens. In Gonzalez City, you cannot escape, even if you had wings!¡± ¡°Understood! I understand!¡± Thunder Leocadia knelt on the ground, bowing his head, ¡°I will follow your instructions entirely.¡± ¡°Just wait, someone will come for you within half an hour.¡± After saying this, Julius Reed left Thunder Leocadia behind without a second glance and walked to the BMW car. He pulled the driver¡¯s corpse out, then took the driver¡¯s seat. Ignition, drive off. Chapter 583 - Chapter 583: Chapter 583: Who is the Traitor?_1 Chapter 583: Chapter 583: Who is the Traitor?_1 ¡°I¡¯ve got something that came up at the last minute, so I might meet with the client a bit later.¡± Inside Five-state International Building, Itai Huntington sat in her office chair, eyeing the bodyguards in front of her, all ready to go. These were her close confidants. The most reliable people. But now, there was a mole among them. ¡°Boss, what happened?¡± Someone asked aloud. ¡°Nothing much, just decided to leave later on a whim.¡± Itai Huntington glanced at the bodyguard who had spoken, asking, ¡°Do you have a problem with that?¡± ¡°No! How could we possibly have any problems with your decisions, boss.¡± The man looked a bit flustered as he bowed his head, deliberately avoiding Itai Huntington¡¯s gaze. ¡°By the way, I have something to tell you all.¡± Itai Huntington said coldly, ¡°Everyone, lift your heads!¡± At her shout, all the bodyguards lifted their heads in unison, staring at the notorious widow of Gonzalez City. Kong, with his hands clasped behind his back, stood behind Itai Huntington, radiating a murderous aura. ¡°Among you, there is a traitor.¡± Itai Huntington slowly opened a drawer and took out a box of hidden weapons. This was a secret everyone was aware of. But at times like this, reaching for the box of hidden weapons while saying such things took on a completely different significance. ¡°Who is it!¡± Everyone looked at each other, trying to read the answer in each other¡¯s eyes. ¡°As to who, I have a good idea. But I want to give you all a chance to come forward and own up. I can be lenient if you do.¡± Itai Huntington swept her gaze over the security personnel, saying indifferently, ¡°You have one minute.¡± After that, she flicked off the safety catch of the box of hidden weapons. ¡°Who! The boss has been good to us, who would do such a despicable thing!¡± ¡°If you¡¯re a man, come forward and admit it! If I find out who it is, I¡¯ll be the first to chop him up!¡± ¡°Still not stepping forward? Do you think you can get lucky? The boss keeps her word; she will definitely be lenient. Hurry up and confess!¡± The office was suddenly ablaze with noise. Everyone looked at each other angrily, but none knew who the real mole was. Suspicion, distrust, and anger filled the entire office. ¡°Alright, time¡¯s up.¡± Itai Huntington looked at her watch and said with a smile, ¡°No more chances.¡± ¡°Boss, just kill that person right away!¡± ¡°Right! Such a traitor shouldn¡¯t be allowed to live!¡± ¡°Kill!¡± Everyone was filled with righteous indignation, giving off the impression that none of them were the traitor. ¡°One by one, tell me, during the time I sent someone to fetch Julius Reed, where were each of you?¡± Itai Huntington leaned back and watched the bodyguards in front of her with a cold gaze. ¡°I was by your side the whole time.¡± ¡°So was I!¡± ¡°I took a break to use the restroom.¡± ¡°I was responsible for picking up Mr. Reed.¡± ¡­ One after another, they made statements, all with evidence to clear themselves of suspicion. ¡°So you¡¯re all saying that you¡¯re innocent, is that it?¡± Itai Huntington looked at her employees, each claiming to be innocent, and said to Kong, ¡°Take them out one by one for interrogation. If they don¡¯t come clean, they shall all be severely punished!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Kong let out a cold laugh, cracking his knuckles with a ka-ka sound as he moved behind the bodyguards. ¡°Boss, I noticed that Bode Somerset was acting suspiciously today!¡± Just then, the bodyguard Gao Le stood up and pointed at Bode Somerset, ¡°You were in charge of picking up Mr. Reed. You were acting suspiciously when you left; there must be a problem!¡± ¡°Bullshit! My loyalty is clear for all to see!¡± Bode Somerset slapped his chest and knelt directly in front of Itai Huntington, ¡°Miss, I¡¯ve never done anything to betray you!¡± ¡°Miss, when you said there was a problem earlier, Bode Somerset was the first to step forward and ask why we didn¡¯t leave on time!¡± With a cold smirk, Gao Le pointed at Bode Somerset kneeling on the ground, ¡°And during that time, I¡¯ve been watching him. His eyes are shifty; he¡¯s clearly got a guilty conscience!¡± ¡°You dare frame me!¡± Bode Somerset suddenly stood up from the ground, looking as if he was about to confront Gao Le violently. ¡°Everyone shut up!¡± King Kong roared in anger and directly picked up the two men, ¡°Today, we¡¯re going to clear things up!¡± ¡°Miss, I am innocent! I went to pick up Mr. Reed as ordered, but after finding no one, I called you immediately.¡± Kneeling on the ground, Bode Somerset pleaded with a wronged face, ¡°I can die, but I can¡¯t suffer this injustice!¡± ¡°Bode Somerset, I also noticed something off about you.¡± Itai Huntington sat in her chair, fiddling with the hidden weapons box in her hand, ¡°Tell me, did you do it or not?¡± ¡°No!¡± Bode Somerset said decisively. ¡°Boss, if he sent a tip-off, there might be call logs or text messages on his phone. Shall we check his phone?¡± Gao Le chimed in from the side. ¡°Good! Dig out his phone!¡± Itai Huntington nodded, and King Kong immediately retrieved Bode Somerset¡¯s phone, unlocked it with his finger, and placed it in front of Itai Huntington. ¡°Explain this, what is this?¡± After glancing at the text messages, Itai Huntington slid the phone across the table, pushing it in front of everyone, ¡°The time, just one minute after I gave the order.¡± ¡°I am framed!¡± After seeing the text messages, Bode Somerset¡¯s eyes widened, and he slumped to the ground. ¡°Humph! Bode Somerset, you backstabbing scum, now the evidence is right in front of your eyes, and you still want to deny it?¡± Gao Le said with a smug look on his face, ¡°I noticed something off about this guy long ago, he¡¯s been spending money like water, where did you get all that money from!¡± ¡°Gao Le. Even if I turn into a ghost, I won¡¯t let you go! That money, it came from a distant relative who died, he had no heirs, and I inherited it! How dare you slander me!¡± Bode Somerset glared at Gao Le angrily, his body shaking uncontrollably. ¡°Take him down!¡± Itai Huntington suddenly slammed the table. ¡°Congratulations, boss, on removing a traitor¡­¡± Gao Le didn¡¯t finish his sentence before King Kong picked him up. ¡°Boss¡­ what¡¯s going on?¡± He looked bewildered. Wasn¡¯t Bode Somerset the one to be arrested, why was he being picked up? ¡°Gao Le. You¡¯re very clever!¡± Itai Huntington stood up from her chair and walked slowly over to Gao Le, saying faintly, ¡°It must have been hard for you, observing so carefully.¡± ¡°Miss, I don¡¯t understand what you mean!¡± In panic, Gao Le said, ¡°All the evidence points to Bode Somerset, why are you arresting me?¡± He looked at Bode Somerset, who actually had a smile on his face. ¡°Sorry, the texts on my phone weren¡¯t sent by me. At that time, my phone was in the resting room. But after noticing something was wrong, the boss told me not to make a fuss, so I put on a show of injuring myself to lure you out!¡± Bode Somerset stood up and walked over to Gao Le, ¡°Nobody else knew about the text messages. The boss led you down that path, and your guilty conscience made you anxious for my demise, instantly revealing your true identity.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Gao Le¡¯s face turned pale as he looked at Itai Huntington, ¡°Miss, I was wrong! I beg you, please give me a¡­¡± Crack! King Kong twisted forcefully. Gao Le died like a lump of mud. ¡°Let¡¯s go, change of plans!¡± Itai Huntington put the hidden weapons box back in her handbag. Chapter 584 - Chapter 584: Chapter 584 Encounter Ambush_1 Chapter 584: Chapter 584 Encounter Ambush_1 The matter of the mole had instantly snapped Itai Huntington back to full alertness. Her own security system was exceptional, and she had not faced any dangers for years, which had inevitably made her somewhat complacent. Three years ago, Cristiano Martin began to follow her, and now it seemed very likely that Jennifer Lopez had already set her sights on her three years prior. Fortunately, Bode Somerset was a loyal retainer she had raised since childhood, though no one was aware of it. Today, he indeed proved to be of use. The motorcade slowly headed towards the airport. The client she was meeting today was Fabian Percival, returning from abroad. Fabian Percival started out in Gonzalez City in his early years, and after making a name for himself, he moved overseas to further his career. The previous boss of Gonzalez City was Fabian Percival¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦. Once Aron Jackson arrived here, he adopted an iron-fisted approach and forcibly drove those people out. Those who didn¡¯t comply were dealt with permanently. The rest fled overseas to seek out Fabian Percival. Now that Fabian Percival was returning, Itai Huntington was feeling tremendous pressure. In Five-river Province, even the Leopold Family had to show Fabian Percival some respect; after all, the old master of the Leopold Family was technically his junior brother. On paper, he was the junior brother, but in reality, the Leopold Family had been defeated in a power struggle, completely ceding their position to Fabian Percival. But since Fabian Percival was too heavy-handed, forcing the people of Gonzalez City and Five-river Province into a corner with no way out, he was collectively driven away. The truth was, it came at a great cost to them. The greatest price was paid by the bosses of Gonzalez City. Many of them fell under the oppression of Fabian Percival¡¯s disciples once he left. Luckily, Aron Jackson arrived and resolved this situation. ¡°Where are you?¡± Itai Huntington pulled out her phone, calling Julius Reed with a tinge of worry. Thankfully, the call connected this time. It seemed Jennifer Lopez¡¯s plan had failed once again. ¡°I¡¯m on the road, where are you headed?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s voice came through. ¡°I¡¯m going to the airport to pick someone up.¡± Itai Huntington spoke in a somewhat somber tone, ¡°This time our target is pretty tricky, the former boss of Gonzalez City is coming back. With his return, Aron Jackson will be the primary target!¡± ¡°Did you find out who the mole is?¡± Julius Reed seemed not to care about the boss¡¯s business. ¡°I found out.¡± Itai Huntington admitted with a hint of embarrassment, ¡°Thankfully, I have you.¡± ¡°No worries, what¡¯s the traitor¡¯s name?¡± Julius Reed appeared to be quite interested in the matter. ¡°Cristiano Martin, I¡¯ve already killed him.¡± While Itai Huntington was curious about why Julius Reed suddenly took an interest in her affairs, she still answered truthfully. She had to confess that she now had a great deal of trust in this man. They had even betrayed each other in the past. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve got it.¡± After saying this, Julius Reed immediately hung up the phone. ¡°He hung up on me!¡± Itai Huntington put her phone into her pocket, somewhat displeased. In Gonzalez City, Julius Reed was the only one who dared to hang up on her like that. ¡°How much longer?¡± She glanced at her watch; there was less than half an hour left before the plane would arrive at the airport. ¡°It¡¯ll take another thirty to forty minutes, there¡¯s a traffic jam now, it¡¯s the evening rush hour.¡± The driver said, ¡°Once we get off the expressway, it won¡¯t be jammed anymore, as there is a provincial road hardly used by anyone.¡± ¡°Make it fast.¡± After saying this, Itai Huntington closed her eyes, planning to rest for a while. She hadn¡¯t slept well all night since hearing the news of Fabian Percival¡¯s return the previous evening. After Fabian Percival left, Itai Huntington had swallowed up most of his industries, which was how she achieved her current success. But now, this former boss who had made his fortune in Gonzalez City, wanted to return to the place where he had fought hard. Itai Huntington would definitely have to give back part of her industries. But no one knew what Fabian Percival¡¯s bottom line was. This greedy figure from the underworld had been insatiable years ago, and now that he had returned. Could things really stay peaceful? Before she could even get back to Gonzalez City, the call had come to negotiate ahead of time. They even demanded that Itai Huntington pick them up from the airport personally! This was clearly meant to intimidate her. Yet Itai Huntington had no choice but to comply. As she rested, the car began to accelerate bit by bit. It was apparent that they had left the urban area and were now on the provincial road. At this rate, they should just be able to reach Fabian Percival. If she were any later, she could imagine how that old man would treat her. Screech! At that moment, the car suddenly hit a rock! ¡°Ah¡­¡± Itai Huntington let out a scream as she was thrown into an intimate encounter with the back of the front seat. ¡°What happened!¡± Kong, in the passenger seat, was also badly injured, but before he could push the door open, the window of the passenger seat was smashed to pieces! Immediately after, the dark muzzle of a hidden weapon case protruded in. The three sedans that came to a sudden stop were all battered and broken to pieces. The people inside were injured to varying degrees. ¡°Miss Huntington, would you please step out for a talk?¡± The rear car door was pulled open from outside, and a man¡¯s voice slowly filtered in. ¡°Don¡¯t touch our Miss!¡± Kong quickly unbuckled his seatbelt and pushed the car door open with force! Whoosh! The person holding the hidden weapon case was sent flying by the enormous force. But before he could step out, two darts, incredibly accurate, struck right into her legs. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Kong grunted and knelt on the ground, glaring furiously at the black-clad figures before him. There were at least a dozen of them, all armed with hidden weapon cases, aiming at the three cars. The bodyguards from the two cars behind had been driven out, all lying face down on the ground with their hands over their heads. ¡°Big guy, you¡¯re quite loyal, huh!¡± A young man in a white suit slowly approached, stepping on Kong¡¯s face: ¡°Come on, hit me!¡± After speaking, he also ran his hand over Itai Huntington¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯m going to kill you!¡± Kong roared. Whoosh! The man threw a dart at his shoulder, causing Kong to shudder and then pass out completely. ¡°Who are you.¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s hand quietly slipped into her handbag. There lay a hidden weapon case. She would rather be broken jade than intact tile. ¡°You might as well save the effort!¡± The man bent down, yanked Itai Huntington out, and snatched her handbag at the same time. ¡°Still thinking of using the hidden weapon case? Miss Huntington, you¡¯ve really got some nerve.¡± The man in the white suit smiled as he pinched Itai Huntington¡¯s cheek: ¡°All of Gonzalez City has been buzzing about how much of a catch you, the widow, are. Today, I¡¯ve got to see for myself if you¡¯re as extraordinary as the rumors say!¡± He gestured with his hand: ¡°Hold her down!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Two bodyguards immediately stepped forward and pinned Itai Huntington against the hood of the car. ¡°You beast, I will not let you off even as a ghost!¡± Itai Huntington shouted in humiliation, wondering how she still could get ambushed even after changing her route? In that moment, she thought of Julius Reed¡­ If she were Quella Radcliffe, she¡¯d definitely be rescued, right? Unfortunately, she was Itai Huntington, a widow¡­ ¡°It really is hard to restrain oneself!¡± The suit-clad man tossed aside the hidden weapon case, licked his lips as he eyed Itai Huntington¡¯s graceful body, and then started to undo his belt. ¡°Today, I¡¯ll do what no man in Gonzalez City dares to do!¡± He let out a loud laugh and took a step forward. Chapter 585 - Chapter 585: Chapter 585: Chickens Fly, Eggs Crash_1 Chapter 585: Chapter 585: Chickens Fly, Eggs Crash_1 ¡°Even as a ghost, I will not let you go!¡± Itai Huntington was pinned to the car by several strong hands, her own clenched tightly, her eyes filled with unwillingness and despair. She had not expected that she, such a cautious person, would be ambushed twice in a single day. But now, other than a sense of powerlessness, she had no options. All she could do was let them violate her. Tears streamed down her face as Itai Huntington helplessly closed her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m in a good mood now; I can let you live a few more hours.¡± The man in the white suit had a wicked grin on his face, taking an excited deep breath. ¡°Baby, I¡¯m coming.¡± He laughed out loud and suddenly wrapped his arms around Itai Huntington¡¯s waist. Whoosh! Just then, the silent provincial road was pierced by the sound of a dart flying. ¡°Ah¡­¡± The man in the white suit, who had been ready to enjoy his conquest, trembled as he looked down, then his eyes widened. All blood. ¡°We have an enemy!¡± ¡°Be careful of your surroundings!¡± ¡°Protect the boss!¡± All the dart throwers immediately took cover behind the car. A rugged-looking bodyguard ran up to the man in the white suit and hurriedly asked, ¡°Young Master Dragon, are you alright?¡± But when he looked down, he was genuinely startled. It was completely ruined. ¡°What the fuck are you waiting for? Quickly get Young Master Dragon to the hospital!¡± The bodyguard wiped the sweat from his forehead and shouted at the people nearby. Meanwhile, Alonso Dragon stood there frozen, his gaze vacant, obviously in shock. ¡°Young Master, to the hospital, it can be reattached.¡± The bodyguard, under immense pressure, vocalized a reassurance. ¡°Quick!¡± Two of them immediately lifted Alonso Dragon and hurried to the nearest car. Whoosh! Just at that moment. The sound of the dart flying rang out again. The bodyguard on the outer side went limp and lay straight on the ground. Blood flowed unstoppably from his temple. ¡°Protect the Young Master!¡± Bodyguard captain Kamari Davenport swallowed, his eyes darting around constantly. But it was already dark; they could hardly see the terrain in the distance. And the attacker¡¯s dart throwing was too accurate! There was no flash of light. With just the sound alone, they couldn¡¯t pinpoint the exact location. It wasn¡¯t until then that Alonso Dragon came to his senses. He looked furiously into the distance and roared, ¡°Tear him to pieces!¡± As a man, he had now become a eunuch. No one could accept this reality. ¡°Quick! Get me to the hospital!¡± If he couldn¡¯t even have women, what was the point of living? The most urgent thing now was to get to the hospital, to cling to any hope of recovery. ¡°And take this bitch with us!¡± Timmy Dragon pointed at Itai Huntington: ¡°You damn whore, tonight I¡¯ll give you to my brothers; prepare to be serviced by dozens of men! Take her away!¡± He endured the excruciating pain, feeling almost numb, with nothing but the sensation of sticky blood flowing down his pants. Pain was all that remained. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± A bodyguard grabbed Itai Huntington by the hair, ready to shove her into the car. Whoosh! The sound of the dart rang out once again. The bodyguard went limp as a dart struck him right between the eyes. ¡°Kill them, what are you waiting for!¡± Miss Huntington shouted, and the man named Kong who had been knocked out on the ground was also awakened by the sound of the dart. In the midst of Alonso Dragon¡¯s employees dodging, he suddenly leaped up, snatching away the closest bodyguard¡¯s hidden weapon box. ¡°Brothers, protect Miss Huntington!¡± Whoosh! He opened several hidden weapon boxes in quick succession, one of which struck Alonso Dragon¡¯s leg. ¡°Ah¡­ Save me! Get me out of here! Kill these bastards!¡± Burl Radcliffe¡¯s pristine white suit was stained blood red, and he knelt on the ground, emitting wails of agony. Meanwhile, the rest of Itai Huntington¡¯s employees took advantage of the chaos to engage in close combat with the attackers. ¡°Miss, get out of here!¡± After exhausting his throwing stars, Diamond battled through excruciating pain to climb into a car. As soon as Itai Huntington was seated in the passenger¡¯s seat, he roared off in the car. The remaining people also scrambled into vehicles, following closely behind. A war that seemed to hold no suspense was once again plunged into chaos. Darts rained down on the car with a rattling noise, and Diamond floored the accelerator, driving towards the city center. As long as they reached the city center, they would be safe. ¡°Young Master Dragon, are you alright?¡± After dealing with the remaining attackers, Kamari Davenport rushed to Alonso Dragon¡¯s side. Slap! But what awaited him was a hefty slap across the face. ¡°Useless! A bunch of useless fools!¡± Alonso Dragon was uncontrollably furious; his pain made even breathing difficult. ¡°Why! Why did this happen! Give me an explanation!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Young Master Dragon!¡± Kamari Davenport knelt on the ground, head bowed, saying, ¡°You should head to the hospital right away, I¡¯ll lead the men in pursuit.¡± He couldn¡¯t afford to offend Alonso Dragon, and now that the young master was injured like this, it was already a stroke of luck not to be killed on the spot. ¡°I will settle this score with you slowly!¡± With the support of several people, Alonso Dragon sat in the sedan with a pale face, looking in the direction of Itai Huntington¡¯s escape, and sneered, ¡°Stupid bitch, you think you¡¯re safe going back? Hah.¡± ¡­ ¡°Miss, are you hurt?¡± Despite his severe pain, Diamond drove, leading the way back. Two cars followed behind him, all their own people. This time they had suffered heavy losses. After a quick roll call over the walkie-talkie by Diamond, only five were left. The sedan was completely battered but still drivable. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Itai Huntington was still in shock. Everything felt like a dream. The thought that she had nearly been violated sent a shiver down her spine, grateful for the narrow escape. It had been so close. ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to your preparations, otherwise I would¡¯ve been done for today.¡± She sighed, not daring to imagine what might have happened. ¡°Miss, wasn¡¯t it your arrangement?¡± Diamond paused, startled by her words. The hidden weapon user on the mountain, it wasn¡¯t Itai Huntington¡¯s doing? But how could someone so coincidentally offer help in such a situation? ¡°Not you?¡± Itai Huntington was equally stunned, then blinked and said, ¡°Then who could it be?¡± Someone who could appear so timely, knew her whereabouts, and was not her enemy. There seemed to be no such person in Gonzalez City. ¡°Ambush!¡± Just then, Diamond shouted, spun the steering wheel around, and drove the car into the woods off the road. The two cars behind him also took the exit and followed suit. ¡°Roar! Nice driving!¡± In the middle of the road, a muscular man stood in front of a row of sedans, clapping and laughing. ¡°Cough cough, who are you!¡± Itai Huntington pushed the car door open forcefully, coughed a few times, then looking at the man before her, asked in a stern voice. Clearly, he was no friend, most likely an enemy. Behind the man, a row of employees wielded steel blades. ¡°Who I am is not important, what¡¯s important is, I want to send Miss Huntington off.¡± After saying that, he gestured with his hand, ¡°Chop them to death.¡± Chapter 586 - Chapter 586: Chapter 586 Talking Sense_1 Chapter 586: Chapter 586 Talking Sense_1 ¡°Protect the lady¡­¡± Jin Gang uttered these words in near despair. His side of the car was directly smashed flat by a tree, one leg trapped in the wreckage, unable to be freed. And those five bodyguards behind him either had injuries or were severely wounded by the impact just now. They didn¡¯t even have steel pipes for defense. All they could rely on were their bare hands. No sooner had they escaped the tiger¡¯s jaws than they entered the wolf¡¯s den. Itai Huntington watched the Shadow Warriors drawing closer and closer, his heart sinking further into despair. ¡°Heaven, why did you give me hope, only to drive me to despair? Years ago, you cast me out of my family, forcing me to toil in Gonzalez City, and now, just as I saw hope of returning to my kin, you ruthlessly shatter it! Why!¡± Whiz! What answered him was the sound of a hidden weapon box. An all too familiar sound of the hidden weapon box. On the provincial road, it was this sound of the weapon box that saved them. The leading Shadow Warrior fell at the sound, the others halting in their steps. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± On the highway, a muscle-bound man looked in the direction of the weapon box¡¯s sound, forcefully gesturing downwards with his hand! Crack! The HID headlights of a dozen or so cars all lit up, illuminating the highway as if it were daylight. One could see a man about three hundred meters away, carrying a hidden weapon box, slowly walking this way. ¡°Damn it! Someone¡¯s got a death wish interrupting my good time; kill him for me!¡± The burly man pulled out a cigarette from his chest, lit it with fury, and took a deep drag. His subordinates, wielding long knives and those who had charged halfway down the road, all turned around and dashed toward the man on the highway. Whiz! The sound of the hidden weapon box rang out incessantly, each chime signaling another swordsman falling. Yet those men kept advancing like they weren¡¯t afraid of death at all. One hundred meters. Fifty meters. Thirty meters. Ten meters. Five meters. After ten Shadow Warriors had fallen, the remaining ones had already rushed into Julius Reed¡¯s face. Whiz! Unperturbed by the long knives before him, Julius Reed firmly gripped the pole of the hidden weapon box and swung it vigorously forward! He sent several men who were coming head-on flying! Crack! Then he stamped forcefully with his foot, snapping the ankle of a Shadow Warrior who had run up to him. From a distance, one could see Julius Reed knocking people down around him seemingly without any resistance. In just half a minute. Only he remained standing. Afterwards, he slowly walked towards the position of the leading man. ¡°Not bad, you¡¯re pretty strong.¡± The man was still leaning against the car, leisurely smoking his cigarette. He seemed completely unconcerned by the one-sided crushing scene unfolding before him. Julius Reed¡¯s paced quickened, and in nearly half a minute, he had closed the distance to less than ten meters from the man. Then he stopped. ¡°Julius Reed?¡± Upon recognizing the face, Itai Huntington shouted excitedly. ¡°So it¡¯s you!¡± Her heart wasn¡¯t just happy; even a warm current flickered through. What filled her more was a sense of security. It was him. When she needed help the most, this man arrived. ¡°Besides me, who else would be so kind-hearted to save you.¡± Julius Reed glanced at Itai Huntington, then pointed the hidden weapon box sharply at her! Whiz! The sound of the weapon box rang out. Itai Huntington was startled, leaning back against the car, her heartbeat suddenly quickening. She thought, for a moment, that this man was going to kill her. Thud! Behind her, a bodyguard fell to the ground. ¡°Miss, Octavious Leopold has a knife!¡± The bodyguard closest to Octavious Leopold crouched down and immediately noticed something was off. ¡°There are two traitors by your side. One is Jennifer Lopez¡¯s person, and the other is Fabian Percival¡¯s. The one trying to kill you now is Fabian Percival¡¯s person.¡± Julius Reed said indifferently. ¡°Fabian Percival¡¯s person¡­¡± All Itai Huntington felt was her mind going blank. No wonder, every time she changed her plans, someone predicted them in advance. ¡°How did you know?¡± She looked at Julius Reed, her voice trembling as she asked. Unbeknownst to her, two spies had been planted by her side. ¡°Because when I received your call, I felt something wasn¡¯t right. So I made a trip to your company and found this in Octavious Leopold¡¯s room.¡± Julius Reed took out a SIM card from his pocket: ¡°A black card, destroyed. It¡¯s a one-time use and then scrapped, most likely a spy tool.¡± ¡°Thank you¡­¡± Itai Huntington looked at Julius Reed with a bitter face, somewhat embarrassed. She was a strong woman after all, always managed her employees, and yet such a critical mistake had occurred. And Julius Reed not only helped her catch the traitors but also saved her twice. Even if Itai Huntington was reluctant to admit the gap between them, she had to face this cruel reality. She was no match for Julius Reed. But at least, she had saved her own life. ¡°Kid, you¡¯re pretty smart!¡± The lead man clapped his hands, showing his admiration with a raised thumb: ¡°Not only are you smart, but your hidden weaponry skills are accurate, and your close combat is top-notch! In my over thirty years, I¡¯ve seen plenty, but you, you really impress me.¡± ¡°Thank you. Hearing you praise me is like a breath of spring air.¡± Julius Reed tossed the hidden weapon box aside and bowed with his hands clasped: ¡°Since the elder is impressed, could you perhaps let my dear one go?¡± He nodded towards Itai Huntington, who was leaning against the car. ¡°Your dear one?¡± The man raised an eyebrow, then burst into laughter: ¡°Brother, you¡¯re quite the lucky man! With such a dear one, and still so sturdy, impressive indeed!¡± After finishing, he raised his thumb: ¡°Youth is wonderful!¡± Their conversation made Itai Huntington¡¯s face burn with embarrassment. In the end, she simply blocked her ears, refusing to listen to their vulgar talk. ¡°Elder, since we have met, we are also fated. Why not show some leniency and let me go?¡± Julius Reed asked tentatively. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ hiss, not really a good idea!¡± The man showed a troubled expression, while spitting the cigarette butt on the ground and crushing it with force. ¡°You know, I¡¯m in this on behalf of someone else. If I don¡¯t kill her, I can¡¯t explain myself!¡± After saying that, he spread his hands, looking quite helpless. ¡°Cut me some slack, just say that this lady got away.¡± Julius Reed spoke with a grinning face: ¡°With you backing me, Fabian Percival would treat you like an ancestor! He wouldn¡¯t dare not believe you.¡± ¡°But why should I do that for you?¡± The man looked at Julius Reed: ¡°I don¡¯t get any benefit from it! If I kill you two and the lady, I could even get some extra money.¡± ¡°Money is easy to talk about. How much do you want, she¡¯ll give it to you.¡± Julius Reed pointed at Itai Huntington: ¡°This woman has plenty of cash, and she¡¯s in such a passive position today. How could she not give you whatever you ask for?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll give!¡± Itai Huntington quickly agreed out loud upon hearing this. It seems. Julius Reed really met his match, or else he wouldn¡¯t be haggling like this. Or perhaps, he was not certain of victory. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m not short of money.¡± The man scratched his head, troubled: ¡°Letting you go, it¡¯s really difficult for me.¡± ¡°Then there¡¯s nothing to discuss!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s expression darkened: ¡°When I left the house today, my wife told me, from now on I should reason more and use my fists less.¡± ¡°What are you implying?¡± The man was startled by this sudden change in attitude. ¡°I¡¯m going to fight you.¡± Julius Reed looked at Itai Huntington: ¡°Remember to testify to my wife later, it¡¯s not that I didn¡¯t want to reason, but that when I tried to reason with him, he wouldn¡¯t listen.¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Itai Huntington blinked, nodding dumbly. Chapter 587 - Chapter 587: 587 Chapter You Aroused My Passion_1 Chapter 587: 587 Chapter You Aroused My Passion_1 ¡°Damn it! Kid, you sure are cocky!¡± The man tore off his tank top and smiled at Julius Reed: ¡°You¡¯ve riled up my passion!¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll just have to extinguish your passion.¡± As he spoke, Julius Reed sprinted on his feet and quickly charged at the man! ¡°I¡¯ll let you hit first!¡± The man laughed out loud, puffing out his chest: ¡°It¡¯s been so long since I felt this good! Kid, even if you beat me, I won¡¯t kill you! Such a fine seedling, it would be a pity!¡± Whoosh! Thud! As soon as the words left his mouth, the whole person was sent flying backward, kneeling on the ground while spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood. ¡°Sorry, but you¡¯ll have to be able to beat me before you say that again.¡± Julius Reed dusted his pants and walked step by step toward the man. ¡°My name is Fox Miller, what¡¯s yours?¡± The man wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, took a deep breath, and slowly walked toward Julius Reed. When he got to the side of the sedan, he lifted a black Audi with both hands and smashed it mercilessly toward Julius Reed! ¡°My name is Julius Reed, remember that name! Because today, I won¡¯t kill you either.¡± Julius Reed faced the oncoming car and rushed madly forward, his shoulder slamming hard against the underside of the car. Boom! With a loud noise, the Audi was sent flying, and the man lay on the ground, gasping for breath heavily. ¡°Julius Reed, very good! You really are strong!¡± He shook his head, the pain searing his face: ¡°I thought I could kill you easily, but it turns out you¡¯re an expert.¡± ¡°Average, you¡¯re just weaker.¡± Julius Reed said with his hands behind his back: ¡°I was going to kill you, but then I changed my mind.¡± Having said that, he crouched down and walked over to Fox Miller: ¡°Why did you say you wouldn¡¯t kill me just now?¡± ¡°Heh! Just for that?¡± Fox Miller sighed and shakily pulled a cigarette from his pocket: ¡°Which expert hasn¡¯t come up from being trash step by step? A talent like you, within three years, will definitely make a name for yourself! Killing you would be our loss.¡± Hiss! He took a deep drag on the cigarette, but choked and coughed several times. ¡°You¡¯re a man with a sense of justice.¡± Julius Reed smiled and asked: ¡°Why help the villainous?¡± He could tell, Fox Miller was different from the others. Even though he was still a Shadow Warrior, still just as indifferent. But his care for the younger generation came from the heart. Of course, in terms of seniority, Julius Reed could be traced back to his ancestors evolving from apes. ¡°What helping the villainous, do you still think this woman is a good person?¡± Fox Miller took another puff of his cigarette, clearly injured in the lungs from the recent fight. ¡°She married into Gonzalez City, and on her wedding night, when her husband wanted to have his way with her, she tricked him into the bathroom and smothered him to death! Then she endured humiliation for half a year, seduced and got rid of those in the family who threatened her, and completely took over the current business.¡± ¡°There¡¯s such a thing?¡± Julius Reed blinked, this was not the same as what was said outside. ¡°Shut up!¡± Itai Huntington, from below, picked up a knife and crazily slashed at Fox Miller. ¡°Stop!¡± Whoosh! Julius Reed knocked the knife out of Itai Huntington¡¯s hand and looked at her sternly: ¡°What are you so worked up about!¡± ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s mouth twitched, and her body couldn¡¯t help trembling. ¡°Who are you, and why do you know this¡­¡± In the end, she almost squeezed these words through clenched teeth. ¡°See, I wasn¡¯t lying,¡± Fox Miller didn¡¯t answer Itai Huntington¡¯s question, but looked toward Julius Reed: ¡°This lady, she¡¯s still a virgin. Kid, did you take her first?¡± ¡°Go to hell, old lady!¡± Itai Huntington was both embarrassed and angry, but with Julius Reed there, she had no way to kill Fox Miller. ¡°Cough, cough¡­ Let¡¯s change the subject, shall we? Isn¡¯t it bad to talk about this?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s face reddened in an instant. He had just made a casual remark, and this blockhead had taken it seriously? ¡°The lady is asking you a question.¡± He forced himself to become serious, but he couldn¡¯t help but take a few more glances at Itai Huntington. It turned out that this woman, who knew no bounds when it came to flirtation, was still a virgin. Had it not been for Fox Miller revealing it, he would have found it hard to believe. Women ah, they¡¯re too good at disguising. ¡°So because she asks, I have to answer?¡± Fox Miller leaned disdainfully against a large tree behind him, pulling out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiping the blood on his body. A moment ago, when the car flew out, he had injured his chest. Exposing a rib. White and bare, kind of scary. ¡°What if I ask, is that okay?¡± Julius Reed took a packet of tissues from his pocket and tossed it to Fox Miller: ¡°You¡¯re one of the toughest I¡¯ve met. Bones sticking out and still not making a sound.¡± ¡°Small issue.¡± Fox Miller took the tissues and smiled: ¡°Thanks.¡± His face was pale, with sweat all over his forehead. If Julius Reed¡¯s employee hadn¡¯t shown mercy a moment ago, he might have been smashed to pulp. ¡°I know this stuff¡¯s not at all difficult.¡± After wiping his wound, Fox Miller, in pain, lit another cigarette: ¡°Fabian Percival had you investigated so thoroughly, he even knows what color your underwear is, thinking he¡¯s so flawless! Do you think that old fox would dare to return to Gonzalez City without any preparation?¡± ¡°Fabian Percival again!¡± Itai Huntington clenched her teeth angrily: ¡°Then why did he want me to pick him up at the airport? If I died, wouldn¡¯t he be afraid of bearing the blame?¡± Before this, Fabian Percival had shown a high degree of sincerity. First, he said he wanted to cooperate to take down Aron Jackson, then he offered to let bygones be bygones as long as some of the family properties were returned. Itai Huntington almost believed him and even went to the airport herself to show her sincerity. But what she didn¡¯t expect was that by stepping out, she had already entered the gates of hell. ¡°What color is her underwear?¡± Julius Reed suddenly asked. This woman always teased him on normal days. Now that he knew it was all an act, he could take this chance to get back at her. Fox Miller¡¯s eyes widened at Julius Reed¡¯s question: ¡°You two are intimate, don¡¯t you know?¡± ¡°I just want to see if you¡¯re lying.¡± Julius Reed said awkwardly. Similarly, Itai Huntington felt both embarrassed and curious. She wanted to make sure whether what Fox Miller said was true or not. If he indeed knew even the color of her underwear, that would be too terrifying. ¡°Say it.¡± Julius Reed urged. ¡°How would I know that?!¡± Fox Miller took a drag on his cigarette, giving Julius Reed a helpless look. ¡°Phew!¡± Hearing this response, Itai Huntington finally felt much relieved inside. As expected, it was all an exaggeration. ¡°She¡¯s not wearing any today, so how would I know what color it is?¡± Fox Miller took a drag on his cigarette, speaking indifferently. ¡°Pfft!¡± Julius Reed couldn¡¯t hold back and burst out laughing. Whoosh! ¡°You dirty man!¡± Itai Huntington kicked Fox Miller in the face, sending the half-smoked cigarette flying to the ground. She left with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. ¡°Seems like it¡¯s true.¡± Now, Julius Reed believed it. Chapter 588 - Chapter 588: Chapter 588 Phone Call Not Hung Up_1 Chapter 588: Chapter 588 Phone Call Not Hung Up_1 ¡°You let him go?¡± In the Audi, Itai Huntington felt very uncomfortable as she looked at Julius Reed beside her. It was as if someone had seen right through her, making her whole body uneasy. Damn Fox Miller, to think he actually knew everything. ¡°What else?¡± Julius Reed deliberately sized up Itai Huntington, making her feel even more uncomfortable. ¡°Heh, where¡¯s that usual charm and seduction of yours? Tsk tsk, turns out you¡¯re still a¡­ well, old maid!¡± ¡°You! Go to hell!¡± Itai Huntington grabbed a cushion from beside her and threw it hard at Julius Reed. She was both ashamed and annoyed but utterly helpless to do anything about it. ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid he¡¯ll go back, spill the beans, and then come to assassinate us? Julius Reed, by letting the tiger return to the mountain, you invite endless troubles! You¡¯re not usually so foolishly kind.¡± Even though she was angry, Itai Huntington had to stay calm and composed as she communicated, despite feeling utterly humiliated. ¡°He promised to be my inside man, or should I say, he has defected to my side.¡± Julius Reed reverted to his usual indifferent demeanor. ¡°Are you sure? His words are not to be trusted. Julius Reed, why don¡¯t we go after him and finish him off?¡± Itai Huntington was uneasy; as long as Fox Miller was alive, she felt on edge. ¡°Silence him by killing him? I know that too, do you want to kill me now?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow, provocatively looking at her. ¡°If it were possible, I definitely would.¡± Itai Huntington said helplessly. ¡°There you go. Even if Fox Miller wanted to kill me, he would have to be able to kill me first. Do you think he¡¯s a fool?¡± Julius Reed mumbled to himself, ¡°He¡¯s very smart, and that¡¯s why he knows where he can turn for support.¡± ¡°Stop the car!¡± Just then, Itai Huntington suddenly called out to the driver. Screech! The car came to an immediate halt. Afterward, Itai Huntington grabbed her purse and hurried into a convenience store. About five minutes later, she came out, still in a rush. ¡°Drive.¡± Once she was back in the car, she continued to keep an indifferent attitude. ¡°Went to buy underwear.¡± Julius Reed, sitting in the back, said with his eyes closed. ¡°You¡­¡± Itai Huntington was taken aback and, in a low voice, asked, ¡°How did you know?¡± ¡°Your skirt is torn, and I am not blind.¡± Julius Reed answered indifferently. Only after he pointed it out did Itai Huntington realize there was a slit on the side of her skirt that she didn¡¯t know about earlier. If no one had mentioned it, she probably wouldn¡¯t have noticed. ¡°Percival, go to the department store and buy me a skirt.¡± Itai Huntington took a deep breath, trying to maintain a ladylike image. Today, she was truly on the verge of exploding in anger. The car circled around in the city center, and at the department store entrance, the bodyguard called Percival ran down and helped Itai Huntington choose a skirt by taking photos and sending them to her via WeChat. Afterward, Julius Reed and the others were unceremoniously kicked out of the car. Only after Itai Huntington had changed into a new skirt did she let them back in. ¡°Where to?¡± She looked at Julius Reed. Dressed in a new white long skirt with leggings, Itai Huntington looked very different from her previous disheveled appearance. It was quite a refreshing sight to behold. ¡°Didn¡¯t you want to go meet a client?¡± Julius Reed asked aloud, ¡°To the airport.¡± ¡°Are you insane?¡± Itai Huntington looked at him in surprise. They¡¯d finally escaped, and now he wanted to walk right into the trap? ¡°What goes around comes around.¡± Julius Reed smiled at her. ¡°Since you¡¯ve already dodged two assassination attempts, what are you scared of? Even if you stand in front of Fabian Percival now, he wouldn¡¯t dare touch you. Besides, I¡¯m here.¡± After finishing his words, he took out his cell phone and called Aron Jackson, ¡°Someone tried to assassinate your boss today, but certainly without success. But, as you know, I¡¯m someone who holds grudges, and I definitely need to get revenge. Later, arrange a group of people, and when I¡¯m eating, give him a good beating for me!¡± ¡°Boss, who dares to touch you? I¡¯ll kill them directly!¡± Over the phone, Aron Jackson¡¯s tone was extremely serious. ¡°Fabian Percival is back, and someone has planted a spy around Itai Huntington. Be careful yourself, and make sure there aren¡¯t any traitors around you.¡± Julius Reed said indifferently, adding, ¡°As for Fabian Percival¡¯s side, they now even know what color of underwear Itai Huntington is wearing. You have to be extra careful!¡± Itai Huntington, just starting to feel relieved, almost suffocated with anger. But there was nothing she could do about it. ¡°Damn! That harsh? To go to such lengths, Fabian Percival seems to be getting serious! Is Itai Huntington okay?¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s voice was full of shock. ¡°She¡¯s fine, I saved her.¡± Julius Reed spoke leisurely, ¡°She¡¯s too fragile, weaker than I¡¯d thought.¡± ¡°Phew! I¡¯m not angry, I¡¯m not angry¡­¡± Itai Huntington chanted to herself silently. Who asked for him to save her, after all? But Aron Jackson¡¯s concern still made her feel a bit better. However, what came next sent Itai Huntington into a frenzy! ¡°Boss, what color are her panties, really?¡± Aron Jackson asked slyly. ¡°Damn it!¡± Itai Huntington snatched the phone and yelled into it, ¡°I¡¯m not wearing any! Julius Reed came to the convenience store, personally bought a pair of panties, and helped me put them on. Right now, we¡¯re having a joyous time in the car. Are you satisfied now?¡± After speaking, she angrily hung up the phone. ¡°Why did you tell them everything!¡± Itai Huntington glared at Julius Reed with a look of reproach. Does she have no shame? ¡°Hahaha! Did you guys know that Itai Huntington doesn¡¯t wear panties!¡± ¡°Really! Boss, you¡¯re amazing, knowing even this! How did you find out, did you see?¡± ¡°Damn! This woman acts so high and mighty normally, but I never expected she¡¯s actually so wild, paddling her boat without oars, relying solely on the waves!¡± As Itai Huntington was fuming in silence, an extremely discordant voice came from Julius Reed¡¯s phone. ¡°You¡­ didn¡¯t hang up correctly¡­¡± Julius Reed looked down and saw that Itai Huntington pressed the wrong button while hanging up. The call was still ongoing¡­ In an instant, embarrassment and rage filled the entire Audi. ¡°Aron Jackson! I¡¯ll kill your whole family!¡± Itai Huntington screamed into the phone. Beep! Beep! Beep! Only then did the other side realize the call hadn¡¯t ended and quickly hung up. ¡°So, how about we don¡¯t meet? Seeing your current state¡­¡± Julius Reed¡¯s face showed difficulty. ¡°Meet! Why not meet! What is Fabian Percival, anyway? He rolled out of Gonzalez City like a dog in the past, and now he thinks he can just come back?¡± Itai Huntington cursed fiercely, ¡°That old bastard! Today I really want to see what he¡¯s capable of! If I respect him, I¡¯ll call him Mr. Thorneycroft. If I don¡¯t, he¡¯s just Leopold!¡± After speaking, Itai Huntington stood with her arms akimbo, her face red with anger. ¡°Boss, are we really going?¡± The driver in the front seat got scared, unsure of what to do for a moment. ¡°Cut the crap, or I¡¯ll fire you! Go! And we¡¯re going openly and aboveboard!¡± Itai Huntington pointed in the direction of the airport, shouting angrily, ¡°Drive me there at top speed now. If you go any slower, I¡¯ll dock a year¡¯s worth of your salary!¡± Chapter 589 - Chapter 589: Chapter 589 My Man_1 Chapter 589: Chapter 589 My Man_1 ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, has Fox Miller succeeded in his task?¡± Gonzalez City Airport. A young man in sunglasses spoke up beside an elderly man dressed in a Zhongshan suit. ¡°Fox Miller is one of my most capable men, and he was well prepared. By now, Itai Huntington¡¯s corpse should be cold.¡± The elderly man glanced at the watch on his wrist, worth millions, and spoke emotionlessly. His hair was completely white, hinting he must be over sixty years old, yet his spirit seemed very vigorous. In his features, there was an air of authority. After checking the time, the man clasped his hands behind his back and looked straight ahead. ¡°Father, Alonso Dragon has achieved little; you must not let him off lightly!¡± a woman by the old man¡¯s side said. ¡°Vito, Alonso indeed acted rashly, but he needs time to grow.¡± Fabian Percival smiled and looked at Elwood Thorneycroft, ¡°After all, when I grow old, I will hand over the family business to you. As a young lady, it isn¡¯t easy for you to be too exposed to the public. You should manage the internal affairs of the family, while Alonso takes care of external matters.¡± ¡°Yes, Father.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft nodded with a hint of reluctance, ¡°Putting a major plan at risk for a woman, such a person should be considered carefully, Father.¡± ¡°I have my own judgment.¡± Fabian Percival turned his head back, looking forward, and waved his hand, ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s visit the place where your grandfather once struggled.¡± ¡°Gonzalez City, we are back!¡± A flicker of excitement passed through the eyes of the three, as they strode towards the airport exit. ¡°Fabian Percival!¡± Just then, a voice called out from behind them. ¡°Who dares to address Mr. Thorneycroft by name!¡± The young man with sunglasses turned around, looking coldly in the direction of the voice. ¡°Itai Huntington?¡± Seeing Itai Huntington emerge behind them, a hint of surprise crossed Fabian Percival¡¯s mind. Fox Miller had failed? ¡°Not dead?¡± Elwood Thorneycroft and Benson Dragon both widened their eyes in shock. ¡°Don¡¯t panic, we can¡¯t give ourselves away.¡± Fabian Percival took a deep breath and smiled, ¡°So it¡¯s Miss Huntington, I thought you couldn¡¯t make it.¡± He walked over with extended arms, hoping to convey goodwill. ¡°How could I possibly refuse Mr. Thorneycroft¡¯s invitation? Even if my car were to get rammed en route, or I was threatened with a hidden weapon, I would still come to see you!¡± Itai Huntington unapologetically pulled her hand back, flat-out ignoring Fabian Percival¡¯s offer of a handshake. The message was clear¡ªit was an open declaration of conflict. ¡°Insolent! Mr. Thorneycroft offers you his hand and you dare not to acknowledge it?¡± Benson Dragon took off his sunglasses, glaring at Itai Huntington with murderous intent. ¡°Heh!¡± Facing Benson Dragon¡¯s gaze, Itai Huntington let out a cold laugh, ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, is your pet always this untrained? The master is speaking, and yet it barks incessantly on the side.¡± ¡°Who are you calling!¡± ¡°Silence!¡± Fabian Percival shouted angrily, and Benson Dragon pressed down his rage, staring intently at Itai Huntington. ¡°Miss Huntington, this is Benson Dragon, a valuable member of my staff.¡± Even though he was dissatisfied, having acted first in committing murder put him at a disadvantage. ¡°He helps me with the business; if he has been disrespectful to you, please overlook it,¡± he said. ¡°This is my daughter, Elwood Thorneycroft.¡± ¡°Oh! Your real daughter, huh? I thought she might be adopted!¡± Julius Reed scrutinized her from head to toe and shook his head, ¡°You two don¡¯t resemble each other at all. It¡¯s quite thought-provoking, indeed!¡± ¡°Quiet! How dare you insult me!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s temper flared, unaccustomed to such direct disrespect¡ªin her world of pride and privilege, how could she tolerate it? ¡°Miss Huntington, your pet seems disobedient.¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s expression darkened as he spoke flatly. The insult Itai Huntington had just delivered to him was now returned in kind. ¡°Sorry, you may not know, but he is my man.¡± Itai Huntington smiled seductively, leaned into Julius Reed¡¯s side, gently took his arm, and said, ¡°The one calling the shots now isn¡¯t me; it¡¯s him.¡± ¡°Your man? How come I haven¡¯t heard about it?¡± Fabian Percival was at first startled, then his eyes locked onto Julius Reed like an eagle¡¯s. He had placed spies around Itai Huntington and was very clear about every move she made. How could he have missed such big news as her finding a man? ¡°His name is Julius Reed, which Mr. Thorneycroft should be familiar with,¡± she said. Itai Huntington smiled faintly and introduced, ¡°Julius Reed, from Gonzalez City, son-in-law of the Radcliffe Family. Though their relationship is in name only, Julius Reed is now my man.¡± By saying this, she could make Fabian Percival believe that Julius Reed was her man while also protecting Quella Radcliffe. Otherwise, by Fabian Percival¡¯s methods, it would be easy for him to look into Julius Reed¡¯s background and possibly harm the Radcliffe Family. Julius Reed would be the only one to suffer in the end. Now, by taking responsibility, she could keep Fabian Percival¡¯s attention focused on herself. ¡°Where did I hear that? Miss Huntington must be joking.¡± Fabian Percival was of course aware of Julius Reed; his spies had reported that Itai Huntington had been getting close to a man recently, and he had suspected a relationship between the two. Now that the man was right in front of him, he realized the information might be true. Indeed, even the strongest of women can have a man who can handle her. ¡°Shall we go to eat? My husband is hungry.¡± Itai Huntington caressed Julius Reed¡¯s stomach and then looked up, ¡°What¡¯s for lunch?¡± ¡°Seafood, since you¡¯ve made me crave it all.¡± Julius Reed knew Itai Huntington was protecting Quella Radcliffe, so he didn¡¯t expose the lie. After all, the innocent have nothing to fear. With that said, the two walked on ahead. ¡°What a bitch!¡± Benson Dragon muttered under his breath. Just after he finished speaking, the people ahead suddenly stopped. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Fabian Percival raised an eyebrow, wondering why Itai Huntington had stopped. ¡°Oh! What did you just say?¡± Julius Reed turned around and walked up to Benson Dragon. ¡°I didn¡¯t speak.¡± Benson Dragon said with a stern face and an unfriendly tone. ¡°Oh, really? Then how come I heard you cursing someone?¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, ¡°So did you say it or not!¡± ¡°What do you want!¡± Benson Dragon was already impulsive, and back when he was abroad, local bosses had to treat him with courtesy. Now a man living off a woman dared to reproach him? ¡°What would I want?¡± Julius Reed lowered his head and straightened his cuffs, ¡°I just thought, maybe I should discipline Mr. Thorneycroft¡¯s servant on his behalf.¡± Slap! After he spoke, he swiftly slapped Benson Dragon across the face. ¡°You!¡± Benson Dragon, holding half of his face, glared at Julius Reed angrily. ¡°What about me?¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders and looked to Fabian Percival, ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, you know very well whether he said it or not. If you think he didn¡¯t, hit me back!¡± He pointed to his own cheek, ¡°Don¡¯t be shy.¡± ¡°Watch your mouth!¡± Fabian Percival took a deep breath and said sternly. ¡°Yes, Mr. Thorneycroft.¡± Benson Dragon glanced resentfully at Julius Reed, his eyes filled with venom. Chapter 590 - Chapter 590: Chapter 590 Waiting for You to Die_1 Chapter 590: Chapter 590 Waiting for You to Die_1 ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, I want to kill him!¡± In the Mercedes, Benson Dragon was trembling with rage. Abroad, he was the strongest agent employee of Fabian Percival, known as ¡®the Shadow¡¯. That implied that as long as Fabian Percival wasn¡¯t around, he could replace him. Whether it was a big boss or a local tycoon, all would have to treat him with utmost respect and politeness. But today, in the insignificant Gonzalez City. An ant he had never taken seriously actually slapped him in the face! You should know that they had come with heads held high. First, to kill Itai Huntington, then to eliminate Aron Jackson. On New Year¡¯s Eve, they planned to celebrate at the Brothel of the Bronze Sparrow. But now? Their plan had been meticulous, and with a traitor providing reliable information, they still failed to kill Itai Huntington. Even Alonso Dragon had turned into a eunuch! As for Fox Miller, his life or death was unknown. There has been no news to this moment. Looking at the current situation, it¡¯s pretty much a botched job. Yet Itai Huntington doesn¡¯t seem to have a scratch on him? ¡°How do I usually teach you?¡± Fabian Percival said displeasedly, ¡°As a person, you must learn to be patient! A moment of patience leads to a calm sea. What¡¯s the use of acting rashly against him now?¡± ¡°But I can¡¯t swallow this insult!¡± Benson Dragon looked out of the window, his eyes full of fury. ¡°You¡¯ll have to swallow it even if you can¡¯t! You¡¯ve been too smooth overseas, you should go through such trials!¡± After finishing, Fabian Percival¡¯s tone softened, ¡°We failed to act today and turned from active to passive. Endure this for now, and after we go back, we will make meticulous plans to come up with a new strategy tomorrow!¡± ¡°Understood, father.¡± Benson Dragon took a deep breath and leaned back in his seat without speaking. His heart was so full of anger that he had lost his reason. If it weren¡¯t for Fabian Percival holding him back, he would have gone straight to killing. ¡°Father, there¡¯s something odd about that man today,¡± Elwood Thorneycroft pondered with chin in hand, ¡°What kind of man, so rash and impulsive, who even feeds off women, could make Itai Huntington commit to him? She¡¯s a strong woman!¡± They say women understand women best. She found Itai Huntington and Julius Reed to be a complete mismatch. If it were up to her, any man would be better than one so rash, impulsive, and short-sighted. ¡°Rash, impulsive?¡± Fabian Percival scoffed, ¡°Where do you see that?¡± ¡°He straight up hit Dragon, what will that lead to? It will only escalate the tension between our families. Is that not courting disaster for Itai Huntington? Will we let this go?¡± Elwood Thorneycroft snorted disdainfully, ¡°He has no vision whatsoever, such a shallow person.¡± In her view, Julius Reed¡¯s actions would be unacceptable in the business world. The upper echelons value face, and people give each other respect while being aware of the unsaid truths, which they do not openly challenge. But Julius Reed, he went ahead and slapped Benson Dragon without considering the consequences. If Fabian Percival didn¡¯t intervene, what would the outcome be if the two sides really fought? Unimaginable. ¡°You call that rash?¡± Fabian Percival shook his head, expressing disappointment, ¡°Vito, you haven¡¯t made any progress.¡± ¡°What do you mean, father?¡± Elwood Thorneycroft didn¡¯t understand why her father would say such a thing about her. Was what she had just said wrong? ¡°What you said are all normal acts. If it were someone else today, even if he heard it, he¡¯d pretend he didn¡¯t.¡± Fabian Percival turned his head to look at Benson Dragon, ¡°Dragon must¡¯ve thought this way, he knew that even if Itai Huntington heard it, she could only pretend not to have heard. But what happened? This unconventional person slapped Dragon across the face, and I, feeling in the wrong, could only swallow the indignation.¡± ¡°Tell me, who won this round?¡± ¡°Moreover, we have already shown our true colors, no need for pretenses. The thing about sending someone to assassinate Itai Huntington, she already knows, we all understand clearly, there¡¯s no need to worry about saving face.¡± Hearing this, Dragon Hollyhock seemed to have some realization. ¡°Then father, what do you plan to do?¡± ¡°First, we eat, I¡¯m hungry too. After we¡¯re full, we¡¯ll discuss further.¡± Fabian Percival closed his eyes, leaning on the backseat of the Mercedes, ¡°Quinzel Percival, can you escape from my Five Finger Mountain?¡± ¡­ The car finally stopped in front of a seafood restaurant. Following Julius Reed¡¯s requests, Itai Huntington took him to the best seafood restaurant in Gonzalez City. Everyday Fishing Port. Gonzalez City was a coastal city, so its seafood industry was particularly developed. Not expensive and delicious. Most importantly, fresh. And Everyday Fishing Port was the banner of the Gonzalez City seafood industry. Many visitors who came for its reputation, and tourists, would not miss out on such a restaurant to taste its delights. The trio from the Thorneycroft family also got out of the car and leisurely walked toward the restaurant entrance. ¡°Everyday Fishing Port! The taste here is good!¡± Fabian Percival, looking up at the sign, exclaimed sentimentally, ¡°How many years have passed in an instant, I used to love eating here back in the day. Fortunately, I¡¯m back.¡± He smiled at Itai Huntington, ¡°Thanks to Miss Huntington¡¯s hospitality, as soon as I arrived here, I am reminded of the past. Time really does make one grow old!¡± ¡°Well, you can reminisce slowly, I¡¯m hungry, I¡¯ll go in first.¡± Julius Reed walked straight in, with no regard for giving way to Fabian Percival. This left the three standing awkwardly in place. ¡°Outrageous!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft watched Julius Reed¡¯s retreating figure, gritting his teeth. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s expression darkened as he walked briskly into the restaurant. Five people made their way to the third-floor dining area of Everyday Fishing Port. The consumption here was not expensive, but the taste was very good. Therefore business was booming. Plus, it was mealtime, so the restaurant was not lacking in patrons. After sitting down, Julius Reed unapologetically started ordering the dishes he wanted: hairy crabs, lobsters, and everything he felt like eating. It didn¡¯t matter whether he could finish it all, someone else was picking up the tab. Then the three from the Thorneycroft family also made their selections and waited for the food to arrive. All five, preoccupied with their own thoughts, barely spoke. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, what brings you back to Gonzalez City this time?¡± Itai Huntington broke the silence. ¡°I really want to know, at your age, what¡¯s the point of wading into the mire of Gonzalez City again?¡± ¡°When one grows old, their concerns lighten,¡± Fabian Percival replied with a faint smile, pouring himself a cup of tea before he lamented, ¡°The leaves return to the root, I don¡¯t have much time left at this age, and I thought when a hundred years pass, I want to be buried where I once struggled.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Itai Huntington let out a scoff, ¡°If that¡¯s truly how you feel, you¡¯ve come a bit early. Look at you, so strong and healthy, you won¡¯t have problems for another two or three decades.¡± ¡°Ah! Even though that¡¯s true, after having left for so many years, I still want to see what my hometown has turned into.¡± Fabian Percival chuckled, appearing very much like a kindly old man. ¡°That¡¯s simple. When you die, we can just bring your ashes back here, can¡¯t we?¡± Upon hearing this, Fabian Percival almost spit out his mouthful of tea. Chapter 591 - Chapter 591: Chapter 591 Mr. Thorneycroft_1 Chapter 591: Chapter 591 Mr. Thorneycroft_1 ¡°Who are you calling out!¡± Benson Dragon couldn¡¯t contain his anger any longer and stood up abruptly, slamming his hand on the table. ¡°What¡¯s with the commotion! It was Mr. Thorneycroft himself who said it, are you going to contradict his words too?¡± Julius Reed said dismissively, ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, it seems your employee has little ability but quite the temper! I think he must be hard to manage!¡± ¡°Mr. Reed is joking.¡± Fabian Percival said with a forced smile, ¡°Benson is very capable. When he was abroad, he managed all my business. But, after all, he¡¯s young, his temper might be a bit explosive, please don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± After saying that, he looked at Benson Dragon meaningfully, ¡°Have you forgotten what I told you in the car? What Mr. Reed just said is right. That¡¯s exactly what I mean. Eventually, everyone dies, and at my age, I don¡¯t care anymore.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Thorneycroft.¡± This was the most frustrating day in Benson Dragon¡¯s twenty-odd years of life. He regretted coming back to Gonzalez City, yet he was also excited. Now, all Benson Dragon could think of was how to kill Julius Reed! He had to get this anger out! ¡°Yo! What¡¯s up? A family dinner?¡± Just then, a voice came from behind. ¡°That¡¯s right, and what about it?¡± Julius Reed looked at a husky man with disgust and said, ¡°We¡¯re having a meal, what¡¯s it to you?¡± ¡°Yo!¡± The man let out a hearty laugh and said to his employees behind him, ¡°See that? This kid¡¯s got guts!¡± ¡°Hehe! He doesn¡¯t know your reputation. If he did, he¡¯d be pissing himself in fear!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen his type before. No matter how cocky he is now, in a moment he¡¯ll be kneeling and begging for mercy!¡± ¡°Boss, what should we do?¡± The employees behind the man all had evil grins on their faces, flushed with the look of recent drinking, and clearly all were drunk. ¡°Kid, I see you have a fine woman with you, mind if I borrow her for a drink?¡± The man staggered over to Julius Reed, ¡°Just borrowing her for a drink, I promise not to do anything else.¡± ¡°Exactly! Just for us to¡­ oh no, I mean just for a drink.¡± ¡°Hurry up, or the brothers here will have to get tough.¡± ¡°You really don¡¯t know the power of the Cook family, do you! You still dare not to hand over the woman that Young Master Bran Cook has taken a fancy to?¡± The crowd by their side was hooting, laughing uncontrollably. ¡°Gonzalez City¡¯s Cook family? Bran Cook?¡± Fabian Percival pondered a moment, ¡°The Cook family is doing quite well now, and Bran Cook is indeed very arrogant. He even dares to provoke Itai Huntington like this?¡± When he left Gonzalez City, the Cook family was only a second-tier family. Back then, Itai Huntington was already showing signs of rising. Now, so many years have passed, and Itai Huntington¡¯s foundation has become more solid. How can the Cook family¡¯s young man dare to flirt with the widow of Gonzalez City? ¡°Get lost! I am Itai Huntington, you¡¯d better consider the consequences carefully!¡± Itai Huntington said with a stern face. ¡°Yo! The widow of Gonzalez City! I thought you were a beauty from some big family!¡± Lucan Davenport, who was posing as Bran Cook, said with a big laugh, ¡°I¡¯ve wanted to sleep with you for a long time, only I haven¡¯t had the chance! I really want to see what this woman, who has the whole of Gonzalez City enchanted, actually tastes like!¡± ¡°Go! Do the boss¡¯s bidding!¡± ¡°What can Itai Huntington do anyway? Once Lord Thorneycroft returns to Gonzalez City, you¡¯ll all be on a path to death!¡± ¡°You, wench. Think you can still act high and mighty? By tomorrow, Lord Thorneycroft will have you dealt with!¡± These men walked straight over, trying to carry Itai Huntington away. ¡°Stop!¡± Julius Reed stood up, looking at the thugs in front of him, and said coldly, ¡°This ¡®Lord Thorneycroft¡¯ you¡¯re talking about, who is he?¡± ¡°Fabian Percival, Lord Thorneycroft! The former big boss of Gonzalez City, what about it? You got a problem with that, kid?¡± Lucan Davenport, now masquerading as Bran Cook, spoke arrogantly. ¡°Lord Thorneycroft is right here at the table, you must be blind not to see! How dare you mess with a guest of Lord Thorneycroft!¡± Julius Reed pointed at Fabian Percival across the table and snorted, ¡°Who told you Lord Thorneycroft wants to clean up Miss Huntington? Let me tell you! Anyone who dares to offend Miss Huntington will only die! Your Cook Family will be unlucky too!¡± ¡°Oh really? Is that true or false?¡± Lucan Davenport¡¯s eyes shifted as he spoke, ¡°If you dare to misuse Lord Thorneycroft¡¯s name, I¡¯ll break your legs today first!¡± ¡°Then ask for yourself!¡± Julius Reed pointed at Fabian Percival, ¡°Lord Thorneycroft, please bear witness. These idiots truly can¡¯t recognize a great man when they see one!¡± ¡°You¡­are Lord Thorneycroft?¡± Immediately, they all turned to look at Fabian Percival, their eyes full of doubt. ¡°We are not, and we wouldn¡¯t dare to recklessly take Lord Thorneycroft¡¯s name. Brother Reed, we¡¯re truly sorry.¡± Benson Dragon sneered coldly, his eyes full of a triumphant look. Indeed, karma comes just this timely. But Fabian Percival didn¡¯t speak, quietly drinking the tea in his hands. ¡°Lord Thorneycroft, say something! These people all listen to you, you are obviously Fabian Percival, why won¡¯t you admit it?¡± Julius Reed suddenly became anxious, ¡°He really is Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± ¡°You think I¡¯m a child?¡± Lucan Davenport pointed to his own face, speaking fiercely, ¡°Kid, you really don¡¯t know what¡¯s good for you! To actually dare to have someone impersonate Lord Thorneycroft, let me tell you the truth, whoever dares to impersonate Lord Thorneycroft, I¡¯ll break one of his hands! Come here!¡± ¡°Boss, what are your orders?¡± A group of employees surrounded them, looking aggressive. ¡°Fabian Percival, you old fool, stop denying it!¡± Julius Reed shouted anxiously. However, Fabian Percival had no reaction, as if he had not heard anything. ¡°Julius Reed, weren¡¯t you acting all high and mighty? Now you¡¯re like a dog!¡± Benson Dragon laughed unrestrainedly, his heart couldn¡¯t be happier. Indeed, since they got the news that Fabian Percival was coming back, the situation in Gonzalez City changed. This was something Fabian Percival had already guessed while overseas. As long as Itai Huntington dies, everyone will be afraid, except for Aron Jackson, no one dares to not submit. The thoughts of Cook family¡¯s people now confirmed Fabian Percival¡¯s guess. ¡°First, take the woman away!¡± Immediately gesturing with his hand, a few employees directly took Itai Huntington and started heading downstairs. ¡°Let go of me! I¡¯m Itai Huntington, you will regret this! Fabian Percival, you¡¯re not helping me when I¡¯m facing death!¡± ¡°Miss Huntington, we¡¯re sorry, we really have no choice.¡± Benson Dragon couldn¡¯t help revealing a smirk at the corner of his mouth. It seemed there was no need for him to act, these two would suffer greatly. ¡°Let go of my woman!¡± Julius Reed rushed over, trying to rescue Itai Huntington. ¡°This man, keep him here, I want him to watch with his own eyes as I enjoy his woman!¡± Lucan Davenport gestured, and several employees held down Julius Reed, taking both persons downstairs. ¡°Yo! This lady isn¡¯t bad either, I just realized!¡± After seeing Elwood Thorneycroft, Lucan Davenport rubbed his hands together, a glint of desire flashing in his eyes, ¡°Take her away!¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± Benson Dragon stood up, frowning, ¡°If you know what¡¯s good for you, you¡¯ll get lost immediately!¡± ¡°You dare to talk to our boss like that?¡± An employee asked, frowning. ¡°Heh, this gentleman, is Mr. Fabian Percival. You still dare to act rashly?¡± Benson Dragon snorted lightly, pointing at Fabian Percival, his eyes full of arrogance. Slap! Lucan Davenport slapped him across the face, ¡°You motherfucker still dare to impersonate Mr. Thorneycroft? Have you forgotten what you just said?¡± Chapter 592 - Chapter 592: Chapter 592: Hit Me_1 Chapter 592: Chapter 592: Hit Me_1 Benson Dragon could never have dreamed that in the small Gonzalez City, he would suffer two slaps within an hour. ¡°You dare to hit me?¡± His gaze was icy, the words almost squeezed from between his teeth. ¡°Heh!¡± Lucan Davenport snorted lightly, looking at his brothers behind him with a hint of mockery, ¡°Guys, this kid actually seems dissatisfied? Does he really not know that our Cook Family is about to rise in Gonzalez City!¡± ¡°Haha! Boss, this is just a metal dimwit, should we brothers help you teach him a lesson?¡± ¡°You little brat, don¡¯t even recognize Bran Cook? You must be blind!¡± ¡°Get him!¡± The employees behind them all showed eagerness, rubbing their hands together, ready to jump into action. ¡°Bran Cook?¡± Benson Dragon¡¯s face darkened, his tone exceedingly cold, ¡°Now, kneel and apologize, or I will kill your entire family!¡± Just a minor Cook Family in Gonzalez City¡ªthrough Mr. Thorneycroft¡¯s tone earlier, he knew that such a small family was utterly disregarded by Mr. Thorneycroft. Thus, to exterminate them would be a piece of cake. It wouldn¡¯t take long for Fabian Percival to become the king of Gonzalez City. And he would be the second most important person in Gonzalez City. ¡°You want me, to kneel?¡± Upon hearing Benson Dragon¡¯s words, Lucan Davenport stepped forward in great surprise, pointing at himself, ¡°And you want to kill my entire family?¡± ¡°Correct! You can try and see if I can¡¯t do it!¡± A smug look flashed across Benson Dragon¡¯s face. Indeed, it was the ignorance of someone from a small town¡ªwhere had all their bluster gone? But now, no matter how much they groveled, they couldn¡¯t escape death! ¡°Young man, take a look at what this is.¡± Lucan Davenport extended his hand, asking seriously. Benson Dragon glanced and saw Lucan¡¯s hand was empty, nothing there. ¡°You¡¯re trying to trick me again?¡± Slap! Before he could react, Lucan smacked him across the face, flipping him over onto the dining table. Even the teacup in Fabian Percival¡¯s hand was knocked over, spilling tea all over him. ¡°You can¡¯t even handle this simple matter!¡± Fabian Percival, taking the handkerchief passed by Elwood Thorneycroft, spoke with some displeasure. If they couldn¡¯t even deal with these people, how would they help him clean up the mess in Gonzalez City? After getting rid of Aron Jackson, restructuring the businesses would take a long time. This wasn¡¯t something he could handle alone. ¡°Young man, earlier you were so eager to meet Fabian Percival.¡± After putting away the handkerchief, Fabian Percival stood up, hands clasped behind his back, and with a smile, came up to Lucan, ¡°I am Fabian Percival.¡± ¡°You¡¯re Fabian Percival?¡± Lucan, after hearing his words, said in surprise, ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you speak up earlier?¡± ¡°At no point did I deny it,¡± Fabian Percival said with a faint smile, patting Lucan on the shoulder, ¡°It¡¯s understandable to be hot-blooded when you¡¯re young, but don¡¯t act too recklessly.¡± He gestured towards Benson Dragon, ¡°This gentleman is my right-hand man, and you¡¯ve hit him. I need an apology, and it must be sincere.¡± Throughout the conversation, Fabian Percival¡¯s tone remained dominant, leaving no room for negotiation. Over the years, his assertive character had built this commanding presence. ¡°That Itai Huntington¡­¡± Lucan exclaimed, slapping his thigh, his face turning pale with shock, ¡°Doesn¡¯t that mean I¡¯ve just offended a friend of Mr. Thorneycroft? This is bad, this is really bad!¡± ¡°Haha!¡±, Fabian Percival laughed heartily, waving his hand, ¡°It¡¯s fine, those people are not my friends, in fact, they might be my enemies. Today, you¡¯ve helped me out. As long as it satisfies Benson Dragon, I can pretend this never happened.¡± ¡°You little rascal, you¡¯re scared now? You were so arrogantly hitting me just a moment ago!¡± Benson Dragon approached Lucan triumphantly, speaking with a mocking tone, ¡°Just now, you were so bold and imposing, weren¡¯t you, Mr. Lucan?!¡± What he enjoyed most was seeing the look of terror on someone¡¯s face once they knew his identity. And that look of regret. ¡°So do you know who I am?¡± Lucan Davenport pointed at his own nose and asked with a smile. ¡°Aren¡¯t you Bran Cook?¡± Benson Dragon furrowed his brows, ¡°You already said so yourself just now.¡± How come, he didn¡¯t seem to see any sign of fear in the other¡¯s eyes? ¡°Hehe, did you say you are Fabian Percival?¡± Lucan Davenport turned his head and pointed at Fabian Percival. ¡°Is Mr. Thorneycroft¡¯s name something you can casually call out? Slap your own face!¡± Wind Dragon bellowed angrily. ¡°Indeed, I am Fabian Percival, I have already told you just now, does Young Master Cook wish for me to repeat myself?¡± Fabian Percival spoke with a displeased tone, clearly becoming a bit angry. ¡°If you are Fabian Percival, then I¡¯m Fabian Percival¡¯s daddy!¡± No sooner had Lucan Davenport finished speaking than a roar of laughter erupted from behind him. ¡°Son, quickly call our Bran Cook ¡®daddy¡¯!¡± ¡°You don¡¯t kneel when you see your own father?¡± ¡°No manners at all!¡± These employees stirred up trouble in quick succession. Just then, people from several nearby tables came over, bringing their drinks to Lucan Davenport: ¡°Bran Cook! We¡¯ve just realized it¡¯s you, I toast to you, sir. When Bran Cook assists Mr. Thorneycroft, don¡¯t forget to take care of us too!¡± ¡°Right! Our current interests must be protected by Bran Cook, we thank you in advance!¡± ¡°Later, for the industries swallowed up by Aron Jackson, we would also implore Bran Cook to put in a good word for us with Mr. Thorneycroft, to help us claim them back. We¡¯ll be eternally grateful!¡± Having said this, these people drained their glasses. ¡°Worry not, you will surely be the first I look after when the time comes.¡± Lucan Davenport laughed as he took one bank card after another, tossing the gold and valuables to his employees to keep safe. ¡°This is ridiculous! Mr. Thorneycroft is right in front of you, and you¡¯re still looking for him?¡± Benson Dragon was almost furious inside, what kind of fools were these? The main man was right there, could they not see? ¡°Worry not, I have been away from Gonzalez City for many years, and my appearance may have been forgotten by people.¡± Fabian Percival, however, wasn¡¯t angry at all, in fact, he felt somewhat pleased. It seemed that even before he had returned to Gonzalez City, his reputation had already preceded him. The fawning behavior of these merchants gave Fabian Percival even more confidence. A man¡¯s name, a tree¡¯s shadow. After many years away, the name ¡®Fabian Percival¡¯ still echoed throughout Gonzalez City. ¡°Who is this?¡± The merchants of Gonzalez City sized up Fabian Percival, their expressions filled with confusion. ¡°This is¡­¡± Benson Dragon was just about to proudly introduce him, but Lucan Davenport interrupted, ¡°This is my son, newly adopted.¡± ¡°Bullshit!¡± This outburst directly enraged Benson Dragon. Whoosh! The moment he finished speaking, Lucan Davenport kicked out, landing his foot on Benson Dragon¡¯s abdomen! ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Benson Dragon groaned, kneeling on the ground in extreme pain. ¡°Well done! How dare he curse Bran Cook, does he not want to live?¡± ¡°Bran Cook, do you need our help? The kid really doesn¡¯t know his place!¡± The merchants chimed in one after another, each trying to curry favor with Lucan Davenport. ¡°No need, dealing with this kind of trash is a job for my employees.¡± Lucan Davenport sneered with disdain and waved his hand, ¡°Beat him!¡± Chapter 593 - Chapter 593: Chapter 593: Crayon Shin-chan_1 Chapter 593: Chapter 593: Crayon Shin-chan_1 ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft is right here, are you looking for death?¡± As those people were about to surround and beat Benson Dragon mercilessly, Elwood Thorneycroft stood up and blocked their way. She was Fabian Percival¡¯s goddaughter, a girl who had been found abroad many years ago. After years of nurturing, she had become one of Fabian Percival¡¯s most competent employees. Years earlier, she had been sent to the Shadow Warrior training organization and had become incredibly skilled, serving as a bodyguard in the vicinity of Fabian Percival. ¡°Chick, I don¡¯t hit women. But if you spend a night with me, I might consider letting this kid go. How about it?¡± Lucan Davenport held his chin with one hand, leering at Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s sexy figure with a smile. Today Elwood Thorneycroft was dressed in a black leather outfit, her hair simply tied up, giving off the vibe of a cool goddess. ¡°This chick ain¡¯t bad, not much worse than the one before.¡± ¡°Just afraid the boss won¡¯t be able to handle it, should he have some tiger penis liquor tonight?¡± ¡°You¡¯re joking, what kind of stamina does our boss have, he might worry this chick won¡¯t be able to get off the bed.¡± The hooligans were spouting obscenities non-stop, which made killing intent begin to appear in Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s eyes. ¡°Shut up!¡± Whoosh! She dashed forward in a swift movement, kicking the talking hoodlum out three meters away. ¡°Wow, a practitioner!¡± Lucan Davenport raised his eyebrows at Elwood Thorneycroft and gave a thumbs-up: ¡°Not bad, girl. But you hit my brother, you gotta give us an explanation, right?¡± ¡°An explanation? Or do you all want to gang up on me?¡± Elwood Thorneycroft, having landed a blow, had a smug look on her face. All these people put together weren¡¯t enough for her to fight. ¡°No need, today I¡¯ll personally take care of you, chick!¡± Lucan Davenport took off his upper jacket and threw it behind him, then cracked his neck and beckoned with his fingers, ¡°Come on, babe.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to beat you so hard you¡¯ll be searching for your teeth!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft sneered, instantly flashed in front of Lucan Davenport, and brought down a fierce kick! Whoosh! Lucan Davenport caught it with one hand and laughed loudly, ¡°Chick, put some strength into it, you¡¯re not exciting me at all!¡± ¡°Die!¡± After being teased like that, Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s face was a mix of embarrassment and anger. She leaped up, kicking out five times in quick succession! ¡°My turn now!¡± As she landed, Lucan Davenport abandoned his defensive stance, lunged forward, grabbed Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s arm, and viciously pulled down! Rip! The sleeve of her leather jacket was torn off in an instant, revealing a large expanse of her fair arm. ¡°Tsk tsk, smells good!¡± Lucan Davenport brought his nose close to the torn-off jacket, took a light sniff, and said with a look of ecstasy on his face, ¡°Indeed, a true beauty.¡± ¡°You philandering son of a bitch, die!¡± Being outmaneuvered and mocked like that, Elwood Thorneycroft had never suffered such humiliation in all her years! She roared and reached out with both hands toward Lucan Davenport¡¯s eyes to gouge them! ¡°Chick, are you throwing yourself into my arms? Tonight, I will treat you exceptionally well!¡± Facing this furious attack, Lucan Davenport dodged to one side, easily avoiding her. Then, he pulled downward with both hands! Rip! Half of Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s leather pants were torn down, revealing underwear with a Crayon Shin-chan print. ¡°Guys, grab her, and take her to my room!¡± Lucan Davenport shouted, and a group of workers instantly surrounded her. ¡°You scoundrel, I will kill you sooner or later!¡± Faced with this situation, Elwood Thorneycroft made up her mind, rushed to the window, and broke through the glass! She leaped down from the upper floor! And instantly disappeared into the darkness. ¡°Forget it! Don¡¯t chase her.¡± Lucan Davenport threw the pants on the floor, his face instantly turning grim. Dealing with Fabian Percival and Benson Dragon was the real issue. Although a woman had run away, she had been humiliated plenty. ¡°Now, shall we talk business?¡± Lucan Davenport walked up to Fabian Percival, and a worker immediately brought a chair for him. ¡°Young man, you¡¯ll regret what you did today.¡± Mr. Thorneycroft stared at Lucan Davenport with a cold gaze and sat back down in his own seat. He also took out a box of cigarettes, preparing to light up. ¡°Stand up!¡± Lucan Davenport shouted, slamming his left hand down on the table. Clatter! Even the bowls and chopsticks jumped from the impact. ¡°What did you say?¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s movements paused, the cigarette hovering ten centimeters from his lips. ¡°When my boss speaks, can¡¯t you hear? Stand up!¡± An employee yelled. ¡°Heh!¡± Fabian Percival snorted softly, placing the cigarette into his mouth and reaching into his pocket to pull out a lighter. Ssshhh! The lighter ignited, slowly approaching the cigarette. Smack! An employee strode over, swung his hand, and knocked both the cigarette and lighter to the ground. ¡°Old fool, our boss is talking to you. Are you deaf, or just pretending not to hear?¡± Fabian Percival took a deep breath, lifted his eyelids, and looked at the person who had struck away his smoke: ¡°Kid, I¡¯ll remember you.¡± ¡°Fuck you! Daring to threaten me!¡± Smack! A slap sent Fabian Percival crashing against the table. Hiss! Benson Dragon, standing behind Fabian Percival, sucked in a breath of cold air! The old man had roamed overseas for so many years, never once had anyone dared to rebuff him. Let alone hit or scold him! Today, this person was really courting death by stirring trouble right on the old man¡¯s doorstep. Indeed, Fabian Percival slowly turned around, his gaze ominously dark. On his face, the imprint of a hand was clearly visible! Indicating just how forceful the slap had been! ¡°You are the first to dare hit me!¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s body tensed up, his fists clenching subconsciously. As expected, he could make businessmen from Gonzalez City kneel before him with just a casual chat. The mere mention of his name, Fabian Percival, would even shut up crying babies months old. In front of him, the established, powerful Leopold Family of Five-river Province did not dare to breathe loudly. As for people like Stanislaus Potter and Miguel Abbott, they were merely a bunch of employees back in the day. Yet now, on his first day returning to Gonzalez City, his face had been slapped by someone. ¡°Then I am the second one!¡± Smack! ¡°And I¡¯m the third!¡± Smack! ¡­ Five consecutive people came up and each gave a slap. Fabian Percival¡¯s well-maintained face swelled up from the blows. His eyes bore an overwhelming hatred, yet displayed a sense of helplessness. ¡°All of you, must die.¡± Taking a deep breath, he squeezed these words out through gritted teeth. ¡°You hit Mr. Thorneycroft, prepare to collect your bodies!¡± Benson Dragon knew that if he didn¡¯t stand up now, disaster would likely fall upon them. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft? Is he even worth that title?¡± Lucan Davenport spoke indifferently, ¡°Stand up! If you won¡¯t stand, then my brothers will beat you until you can¡¯t get up!¡± As he finished speaking, his eyes bore directly into Fabian Percival, brimming with a provocative intent. ¡°One!¡± Lucan Davenport raised a single finger. ¡°Two!¡± ¡°Three!¡± Fabian Percival gave a self-deprecating smile and slowly stood up. ¡°See that?¡± Lucan Davenport leaned back in his chair, tilting his head towards his employees: ¡°Would the real Mr. Thorneycroft be so spineless? Some old dog popping up from nowhere dares to claim the title of Mr. Thorneycroft, really courting death!¡± ¡°Boss, what do we do?¡± The employees came over with wicked smiles, not the least bit concerned about Fabian Percival¡¯s face turning almost purple. ¡°Beat him! When you¡¯ve had enough, throw him out!¡± Lucan Davenport stood up and leisurely put on his leather jacket: ¡°I¡¯m going home. When you¡¯re done, you can leave on your own.¡± ¡°Understood! Have a safe trip, boss!¡± After seeing Lucan Davenport off, the group all revealed malicious grins. ¡°What are you going to do!¡± Alonso Dragon swallowed hard, instinctively retreating backward. ¡°Get him!¡± The group immediately picked up chairs and started smashing them towards Benson Dragon. Chapter 594 - Chapter 594: Chapter 594: Unexpected Car Accident_1 Chapter 594: Chapter 594: Unexpected Car Accident_1 ¡°Mmm! Delicious! Pass me that king crab!¡± ¡°Slow down with the eating! Leave some for me!¡± ¡°Damn it! You promised to treat me to a meal, how did you end up eating all the lobsters? Waiter, bring me ten more!¡± ¡°Ten more? Are you a pig? You¡¯ve already eaten over 3000 bucks worth, how much more do you plan on eating?!¡± ¡°Since you¡¯re paying, isn¡¯t it worth the money to save you twice?¡± ¡°Bring him twenty! I¡¯m loaded, I¡¯ll make you burst!¡± Itai Huntington threw the lobster shell she was holding onto the table, leaning back in her chair in a very dejected manner. ¡°This is it, I¡¯m definitely gaining weight again!¡± She touched her stomach, her face full of guilt. She had eaten too much today. ¡°Haha! Tell me, widow, why do you take such good care of yourself? Trying to seduce men?¡± Julius Reed picked up a bottle of Coke and gulped it down. ¡°So if I tried to seduce you, would you be interested?¡± Itai Huntington gave a flirtatious wink and gently revealed her snowy white shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m a decent person, cut the crap!¡± Julius Reed ¡®tch¡¯ed¡¯ in disapproval and continued to bury his head in his meal. ¡°But, I have to say, you¡¯re quite bold with the misfortune you bring others. The Cook Family isn¡¯t going to have an easy time today!¡± Itai Huntington wrapped her arms around her shoulders and pondered as she looked at Julius Reed. She hadn¡¯t expected such a seemingly erratic man to be so reliable in his actions. Meticulously careful, leaving no stone unturned. ¡°The Cook Family has a grudge against me, and I happen to be someone who always takes revenge. So you¡¯d better not mess with me, or else, without a word, I might exterminate your entire family.¡± Julius Reed picked up a crab leg, using it to playfully intimidate Itai Huntington. ¡°Hmmph, there¡¯s just me in my family. Maybe you¡¯d prefer to ¡®do that first,¡¯ then kill?¡± Itai Huntington asked with a laugh, lust evident in her eyes. ¡°Cut it out! Little girl, you haven¡¯t even touched a man, and here you are acting like a lonely young widow!¡± Julius Reed gave her an unimpressed look and tossed away the crab shell: ¡°I¡¯m full!¡± ¡°What about the dishes we just ordered? That¡¯s wasteful!¡± Itai Huntington was left speechless by his remark and cursed Fox Miller half to death in her mind. ¡°I¡¯ll take them home to my wife!¡± Julius Reed said leisurely: ¡°That¡¯s called being a kept man, eating yours and still having to be taken home by another woman, irritating, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Pfft! I¡¯m not irritated one bit!¡± Itai Huntington snorted, tilting her head back: ¡°What are you planning to do? You¡¯ve hit Fabian Percival, and that won¡¯t be the end of it. Aron Jackson, he¡¯s another target of the ordeal.¡± Once Fabian Percival comes back, she and Aron Jackson will be the two biggest obstacles. The Gonzalez City Business Alliance had just formed, essentially integrating most of the city¡¯s industries. With Fabian Percival¡¯s prestige, if he manages to take out both Aron Jackson and her, nobody in Gonzalez City would dare to stand in his way. Then he would take over Itai Huntington¡¯s current position, reaping the benefits effortlessly. All the fruits of victory would be completely his. ¡°Aron Jackson?¡± Julius Reed laughed and shook his head, nonchalantly saying, ¡°If he could take out Aron Jackson, I¡¯d have no face left to stay in Gonzalez City.¡± Aron Jackson, his employee, had been cultivating Gonzalez City for three years, his businesses spreading throughout the entire city. If Fabian Percival could uproot him as soon as he got back, it would mean his failure as a boss. And Aron Jackson was not like those other bosses who only knew pleasure. Everything Aron Jackson did served him. He intended to turn Gonzalez City into a solid fortress. ¡°You¡¯re quite confident.¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s expression gradually turned serious, the playful look vanishing. ¡°Anyway, be careful. Fabian Percival is ruthless and, after the lesson you gave him today, he will surely seek revenge. Moreover, many people in Gonzalez City have already sided with him.¡± ¡°You better take good care of yourself and not get caught so easily. I have to spend the evening with my wife tonight; I won¡¯t be able to rush to the rescue if something happens to you.¡± Julius Reed packed up the freshly arrived seafood and spoke indifferently. ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡­¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s face was filled with bitterness as she stood up, spreading her hands and said, ¡°Does this old fool really think I¡¯m easy to provoke?¡± Determination unlike any she had shown before glinted in her eyes. Since there was no way out, she might as well go all in. ¡°Good night!¡± Julius Reed waved his hand at him and walked out of the private room with the crabs and lobsters in tow. After he left, Itai Huntington¡¯s expression darkened, and she ordered a bodyguard behind her, ¡°Find their car and ram into it with all you¡¯ve got!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The bodyguard nodded and left. The private room was quiet. Everyone had left, leaving only Itai Huntington by herself. After a long while, she took out a somewhat faded photo from her bag, gently touched the equally stunning woman pictured, and tears circled endlessly in her eyes. ¡°One day, I will take you back, take you back openly and honorably.¡± ¡­ ¡°Master, we must take revenge for this!¡± In the back seat of the Mercedes, Benson Dragon¡¯s face was swollen and bruised, and he was covered in blood. Next to him, Fabian Percival was no better, with both sides of his face swollen and his brow so furrowed it could wring out water. ¡°When have we ever been humiliated like this abroad! Which big shot who has met us isn¡¯t respectful?¡± The more Benson Dragon spoke, the angrier he became, and his face grew increasingly furious. ¡°These damn dogs, I¡¯ll personally slaughter them one day¡­¡± Slap! Fabian Percival slapped his face hard. ¡°Master, you¡­?¡± Benson Dragon covered his face, his eyes wide, not understanding what had happened. ¡°Looking at you now, I feel like my years of teaching have gone to the dogs!¡± Fabian Percival spoke angrily, pointing at Benson Dragon, ¡°Boy, at times like these, cursing is the most useless thing. If you had been a man, you wouldn¡¯t have knelt and begged for mercy.¡± In the restaurant, facing the brutality of these people, Benson Dragon knelt on the ground, loudly begging for mercy. This made Fabian Percival, who was always so domineering, feel very depressed and even more helpless. When the going was good, the talent his employees showed was quite extraordinary. So many companies abroad were managed in an orderly manner in their hands. But now, when faced with a little setback, everything fell apart. Boom! Just then, a sedan ran a red light and slammed directly into the side of Fabian Percival¡¯s car! The Mercedes rolled over and finally came to rest on the grass after knocking down a street lamp. By the time Elwood Thorneycroft arrived with his people, Fabian Percival was already severely injured, sitting on the curb, trembling and smoking. Benson Dragon, being closest to the impact, was killed instantly. His body lay at Fabian Percival¡¯s feet. ¡°Father, I¡¯m late!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft knelt in front of Fabian Percival after a glance at Benson Dragon¡¯s corpse. But without saying a word, Fabian Percival just kept silently smoking. No one could guess what was going through the old man¡¯s mind, and no one dared to. Finally, the cigarette was finished. ¡°Father¡­¡± Slap! Fabian Percival swung his hand back and turned away, even with his severe injuries, he still maintained a proud and upright posture. Chapter 595 - Chapter 595: Chapter 595 Bran Cook Died_1 Chapter 595: Chapter 595 Bran Cook Died_1 ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Father.¡± In a private room of the Valentine¡¯s Hotel in Gonzalez City. Elwood Thorneycroft knelt on the ground, looking at Fabian Percival in front of him, wrapped in bandages, not daring to lift his head. ¡°Vito, in the face of great misfortune, it¡¯s not your fault that you ran away. However, what we¡¯re facing is not a life or death separation, but a test.¡± Fabian Percival stretched out both arms, and the doctor behind him quickly and carefully wrapped the bandages. He was severely injured, but his bones were fine. He only needed to rest and recuperate in peace. ¡°Vito knows he was wrong.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s head was pressed firmly against the ground, he didn¡¯t dare raise it at all. ¡°Vito, Marthew Abernathy died, he was your brother.¡± Fabian Percival slowly closed his eyes: ¡°He cannot die in vain.¡± ¡°Vito understands.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft responded. ¡°The man who killed your brother is called Bran Cook.¡± Fabian Percival leaned back gently, collapsing onto the incredibly comfortable bed, and took a deep breath, ¡°I¡¯m tired and want to rest. Remember to find some people to bury Marthew Abernathy with. He liked the lively atmosphere and was afraid of being alone.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft stood up and retreated out of the room. ¡°Miss, what did Mr. Thorneycroft instruct?¡± Outside the door, several men, radiating murderous intent, asked. They were all seething with anger, just waiting for a word from Elwood Thorneycroft. ¡°The Cook family, they will disappear tonight.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft glanced at her watch, then looked around at the people before her: ¡°Make it clean.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± ¡­ At this moment, the Cook family had no idea that disaster was about to strike. Bran Cook had suddenly died, supposedly from slipping down the stairs. Though the Cook family¡¯s people didn¡¯t believe it, Marthew Abernathy¡¯s Carmichael Group and Aron Jackson¡¯s men arrived at the Cook family¡¯s home and personally delivered the body. Even if they were unwilling to accept it, they had no confidence to oppose the Carmichael family. Furthermore, Stacy Cook had already woken up. Although there was no danger to his life, the damage from the ¡°water of life¡± made it so he could hardly eat anything. His body was visibly wasting away. ¡°What should we do? Our Cook family may not be the top tycoon, but we have some properties in Gonzalez City, and no matter what, we cannot let Bran die without cause!¡± The people of the Cook family huddled together, their faces full of sorrow. Bran Cook was their hope, but now, this hope had died unexpectedly. Even the marks on the corpse were clearly visible. Obviously, Bran Cook had been beaten before he died. ¡°It must be Julius Reed¡¯s doing! He is the murderer, and we must seek revenge!¡± Bran Cook¡¯s father clenched his fists tightly, his eyes bloodshot. The anguish of an elder burying a younger was almost driving him mad. He had thought his son would bring honor and pride to the Cook family. But who would have thought that a sudden disaster would take everything away? ¡°No, don¡¯t be impulsive!¡± Stacy Cook covered his mouth with a hand, coughed a few times, and immediately someone patted his back. The lights in the hall were dim, the Cook family¡¯s people backed against Bran Cook¡¯s coffin, their expressions mournful. ¡°Julius Reed has connections with Beckett Carmichael.¡± Stacy Cook took a deep breath, feeling a bit better, and then slowly said: ¡°If we act rashly, we might put the entire Cook family at risk. After I return to the capital, I will discuss this matter with my foster father.¡± Ivan Reed and Beckett Carmichael were equally well-known, only he could have a conversation with the Carmichael family. Only after figuring out Julius Reed¡¯s background could they seek revenge with peace of mind. ¡°That¡¯s the only way to go!¡± Bran Cook¡¯s father turned around, looked at the coffin in the hall, and said with sorrow: ¡°Bran, wait a bit longer, your father will surely avenge you! I will offer the heads of Julius Reed and his wife to commemorate you!¡± Just then, several figures suddenly flashed by. ¡°Who¡¯s there!¡± Stacy Cook, who had been a Hidden Guard in Africa, sensed something was wrong immediately. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± The other Cook family¡¯s people, each preoccupied with their thoughts, didn¡¯t notice what had happened. ¡°Someone has broken in!¡± Stacy Cook stood up, his hand quietly resting on the dagger at his waist, and shouted: ¡°Show yourself!¡± Whoosh! As his voice fell, five men emerged from the darkness. ¡°Make it quick! No talking!¡± Behind no one, Elwood Thorneycroft made a slight gesture with his hand. ¡°Who are you people! Why are you trespassing¡­¡± Thwack! The Cook family¡¯s person nearest to the outside hadn¡¯t even finished speaking before his heart was pierced. ¡°Grab your weapons!¡± Stacy Cook saw this situation unfold and instantly pulled out a dagger, engaging in combat with one of the men in black! Despite being injured by the ¡°water of life,¡± the combat prowess of this Hidden Guard from Africa remained astonishing. Meanwhile, the rest of the Cook family¡¯s people, like lambs to the slaughter, all turned into lifeless bodies. ¡°There¡¯s actually a tough one?¡± Elwood Thorneycroft sneered, ¡°All of you, get him! Once he¡¯s down, we¡¯re leaving!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The other four immediately surrounded him, brandishing their knives. ¡°Hold on, even if I am to die, at least let me die with some understanding!¡± Stacy Cook suddenly pushed away the man in black in front of him, leaning against the coffin and gasping for air. ¡°Oh! Aren¡¯t you quite aware of your situation, having bought your coffin in advance?¡± Elwood Thorneycroft sneered as he looked at Stacy Cook, ¡°Blame your family member called Bran Cook for offending our Lord Thorneycroft!¡± ¡°Bran Cook?¡± Stacy Cook stretched out one hand, shouting loudly, ¡°Hold on! May I ask, when did Bran Cook offend Lord Thorneycroft, and who is Lord Thorneycroft?¡± He always felt that something was amiss. Bran Cook was dead, and during this time, they had been entangled with Julius Reed. How could he possibly have offended the so-called Lord Thorneycroft? ¡°Are you people sent by Julius Reed?¡± ¡°Julius Reed? What does this have to do with Julius Reed!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft stepped forward, speaking indifferently, ¡°Lord Thorneycroft is naturally Fabian Percival. As for Bran Cook, he dared to attack Lord Thorneycroft tonight. Doesn¡¯t your Cook family deserve extermination?¡± She sneered inwardly, facing imminent disaster and still trying to argue? ¡°Look, whose coffin is that!¡± Stacy Cook pointed at the coffin behind him and at the date of death, ¡°And this date!¡± Boom! He violently pushed open the lid of the glass coffin, pointing at the corpse inside, ¡°Bran Cook has been lying here the whole time. How could he possibly go and offend Lord Thorneycroft!¡± ¡°Impossible!¡± Upon saying this, Elwood Thorneycroft quickly walked up and saw it was written ¡®In Loving Memory of Bran Cook¡¯ with a photograph on top. The date was yesterday. The body had long since turned cold. ¡°How could this be!¡± The person lying in the coffin was definitely not the one they had fought with that night. ¡°Ha ha! A bunch of idiots, you¡¯ve been played! And you¡¯ve killed my entire Cook family!¡± Stacy Cook glared viciously at Elwood Thorneycroft in front of him, shaking as he pointed, ¡°My foster father is Ivan Reed! If you dare to kill me, it won¡¯t matter if there¡¯s one Fabian Percival, or even ten, it¡¯s useless!¡± ¡°Ivan Reed?¡± Hearing this name, Elwood Thorneycroft felt a jolt in her heart. She naturally knew of the Four Great Families of the capital. ¡°Click!¡± At that moment, lights turned on one by one. ¡°Police! Everyone inside, hands up!¡± ¡°Damn it!¡± A sinking feeling in her heart, Elwood Thorneycroft said aloud, ¡°We can¡¯t leave any survivors!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Thwack! A man walked over and plunged the knife straight into Stacy Cook¡¯s chest! Whoosh! At the same time. The box of hidden weapons activated. The man fell to the ground, dead. Chapter 596 - Chapter 596: Chapter 596 Can You Please Spare Me_1 Chapter 596: Chapter 596 Can You Please Spare Me_1 ¡°Last warning! Raise your hands¡ªdon¡¯t resist foolishly!¡± The voice outside was loud, the lights bright. Dazzling to the point where they couldn¡¯t open their eyes. Elwood Thorneycroft spoke in a deep voice, ¡°Put down the weapons¡­¡± The remaining four men looked at each other, then bent down and placed their knives on the ground. A few seconds later, the cold handcuffs clicked around their wrists. ¡°We received a call claiming you¡¯ve been murdering people! Please come back with us to assist the investigation!¡± Several officers escorted the five men and stuffed them into the police cars. ¡­ ¡°Honey, I¡¯m back!¡± After Julius Reed unlocked the door, he found that everyone had already finished dinner. Anna Harris was sitting on the couch watching TV, while Quella Radcliffe seemed to have gone somewhere. ¡°Where¡¯s Cosmo?¡± Feeling a sudden tightness in his chest, Julius Reed called out. ¡°Master, I¡¯m here.¡± Cosmo poked her head down from upstairs and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± She was now Quella Radcliffe¡¯s personal bodyguard, never leaving her side. ¡°Your master¡¯s wife was going to throw out the trash, she didn¡¯t allow me to go with her.¡± ¡°How long has your master¡¯s wife been gone?¡± Julius Reed always felt that something was off. He had just come up from downstairs; how had he not seen Quella Radcliffe? And the normally present disciples at the entrance of Willson Pavilion, why were they missing? ¡°She just went down; what is it, Master?¡± Cosmo obviously didn¡¯t realize Quella Radcliffe might be in danger. ¡°You stay at home. If Quella Radcliffe comes back, call me immediately!¡± Julius Reed firmly instructed before shutting the door and hastily running downstairs. When he arrived at the location of the trash bins, he found the two Willson Pavilion disciples who were supposed to be guarding the mansion¡¯s entrance lying inside! ¡°Not good!¡± His heart tightened, and he placed his hand on the Willson Pavilion disciple¡¯s neck, feeling a pulse. They were clearly knocked out by someone. ¡°The Leocadia Family!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, suspecting he knew the cause. Karen was skilled with poison, it was undoubtedly her work to incapacitate the Willson Pavilion disciples without a trace. Just then, his phone rang. The incoming call was from Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Hello, Julius Reed?¡± ¡°Do you want to die, or do you want to live?¡± Julius Reed demanded coldly, his voice laden with murderous intent. ¡°No! Don¡¯t misunderstand! There¡¯s room for negotiation, your wife is right here with me, nothing¡¯s happened to her! Listen if you don¡¯t believe me!¡± Just as the voice on the phone finished, they could hear Quella Radcliffe speaking, ¡°Honey, I¡¯m fine, the ones who kidnapped me are a young man and an old man. They¡¯re quite courteous, but they¡¯re definitely no good.¡± ¡°Hey! Girl, I haven¡¯t even tied you up. I just pushed you a bit hard getting you into the car. I¡¯ve been treating you like royalty; how can you call me a bad person?¡± Karen complained with a sense of grievance on the phone. ¡°So, what do you want?¡± Julius Reed asked icily. Now that he heard Quella Radcliffe was safe, he could breathe a sigh of relief. At least it wasn¡¯t Fabian Percival¡¯s people. ¡°I¡¯m just outside in the car, didn¡¯t even drive away to show my sincerity. Let¡¯s be clear, I want to talk directly, I¡¯m sincere!¡± After Karen finished speaking, she honked the car horn. At the entrance of the community. A Jetta car. ¡°Hey!¡± Upon seeing Julius Reed approach, Karen rolled down the passenger side window and waved at him. Thump! Julius Reed ran over and kicked fiercely at the car door! Boom! With a loud bang, the Jetta¡¯s door was kicked so hard it caved in. ¡°Hey there, what¡¯s with all the murderous intent!¡± Karen cowered inside the car, her voice full of grievance, ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything, your wife is right here, perfectly safe!¡± She gestured behind her. Quella Radcliffe sat in the back seat, utterly free. But the car was locked, and it couldn¡¯t be opened from the inside. ¡°Boom!¡± Julius Reed punched the window to shatters and then tore the car door off. ¡°Wife, are you alright?¡± Seeing that Quella Radcliffe was unharmed, his tense heart finally relaxed. ¡°I¡¯m fine! Hubby, be careful, this guy is tough!¡± Quella Radcliffe quickly scrambled out and flung herself into Julius Reed¡¯s arms. ¡°Hey! We mean no harm, as you can see. Can we talk?¡± Karen pushed the dented door open, stepped out of the car with a smile, and said, ¡°So, is that food in your hand?¡± Whoosh! Julius Reed, keeping a straight face, threw the bag of crabs and lobsters at her. At the same time, he gently embraced Quella Radcliffe, feeling her pulse. ¡°It¡¯s okay! I wouldn¡¯t do anything despicable.¡± Karen caught the bag and called out to someone not far away, ¡°Terry Moore, you damn dog, if you don¡¯t come now, I¡¯ll eat it all by myself!¡± ¡°I¡¯m coming!¡± Terry Moore sprinted from around the corner of the compound with the speed of a hundred-meter racer, grabbed the lobster, and ate it shell and all. ¡°Damn it! Haven¡¯t eaten all day! Almost starved to death!¡± As Karen wolfed down the food, she teased, ¡°Terry Moore said he couldn¡¯t beat you, feared getting beaten up by you, and hid away, not daring to come out. I told him you must be a reasonable man, and look, you even gave us something to eat.¡± Ever since being pursued by Julius Reed, wherever they went, they found people lying in wait for them. With no money on them and their phones left in the hotel, the two of them had lain on a haystack for an entire day. In the end, it was Karen who came up with the idea to quietly steal a car, drive to the compound where Julius Reed lived, and wait for Quella Radcliffe to come downstairs. ¡°How did you know where I live?¡± Julius Reed eyed the two bedraggled individuals before him, his mood somewhat lightened. He had just confirmed that Karen hadn¡¯t poisoned Quella Radcliffe. Otherwise, he would have killed without negotiation and then taken care of the poison. ¡°Big brother, you think too little of us,¡± Karen mumbled while munching on the food, ¡°We are professionals after all, we had scoped out your situation well before coming here.¡± After gobbling up his share, Karen slapped Terry Moore on the head, ¡°Oaf, stop eating!¡± He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and said with a smile, ¡°Mr. Reed, please forgive my impudence. It was out of necessity; if we hadn¡¯t done this, we might not have had anything to eat.¡± ¡°So hungry!¡± Terry Moore, satisfied, rubbed his belly at the side. Having not eaten for a day and a night, they were famished. They didn¡¯t even have a place to stay. Life was just too hard. ¡°You¡¯re quite clever,¡± Julius Reed sized up Karen with a snort, ¡°But if you had dared to harm my wife, I would have killed you without hesitation.¡± ¡°Absolutely! Absolutely!¡± Karen bent forward laughing, hands clasped in a fist bow towards Quella Radcliffe, ¡°I apologize for the rudeness earlier, please don¡¯t take it to heart!¡± ¡°Come on, bow with me!¡± She kicked Terry Moore¡¯s foot. ¡°Ah!¡± Terry Moore followed suit, giving Quella Radcliffe a deep bow. ¡°Enough! Don¡¯t act like you¡¯re at a funeral. Out with it, what do you want?¡± Julius Reed waved his hand, impatient. At least they hadn¡¯t done anything to harm Quella Radcliffe and had voluntarily returned her. He was actually rather interested in this pair before him. ¡°I won¡¯t lie, with your Divine Skills, it¡¯s almost impossible for us to leave Gonzalez City,¡± Karen blinked her eyes, tentatively asking, ¡°Could you, perhaps, let us off the hook?¡± Chapter 597 - Chapter 597: 597 Chapter Speaking Crosstalk_1 Chapter 597: 597 Chapter Speaking Crosstalk_1 ¡°I could do it, a flick of the wrist, knife through the air, do you need it?¡± As Julius Reed spoke, Karen¡¯s gaze flickered, and she shouted, ¡°Be careful!¡± Before she could finish, Terry Moore rolled forward, lifting the car door torn off by Julius Reed, and placing it in front of them! Clang! Clang! Clang! The next moment, countless silver needles descended from the sky, piercing the car door. ¡°Damn! That¡¯s vicious!¡± Karen carefully pulled out a needle and sniffed it lightly, exclaiming, ¡°That¡¯s amazing! Whoever threw these needles is definitely a master!¡± ¡°Cosmo, no need to take action!¡± Julius Reed turned around, looking at Cosmo by the third-floor window, ¡°Keep an eye on your mistress for me, do not leave her side for a single step!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Cosmo leaped down, jumping straight from the third floor. She walked over with an icy demeanor and said to Karen, ¡°If I see you again next time, you won¡¯t be so lucky!¡± After speaking, she went into the villa with Quella Radcliffe. Only three people were left outside. ¡°Big brother, you¡¯re truly a master! Such an incredible woman has to call you ¡®master¡¯?¡± After Cosmo left, Karen asked in a lower voice while giving him a thumbs up, ¡°Terry Moore said he could only withstand one move against you, and he would surely not escape the second. I thought the kid was just talking big.¡± ¡°You saw it, I really couldn¡¯t win.¡± Terry Moore helplessly spread his hands, leaning against the Jetta car, continuing to rummage through the seafood in the plastic bag. It was clear, the kid was really hungry. ¡°Stop the nonsense, today you kidnapped my wife, so I¡¯ve lost a move to you.¡± Julius Reed glanced at the two of them, ¡°As a smart person, you should know what happens when you oppose me.¡± ¡°Of course, I know, I can¡¯t even get a meal now, otherwise why would I risk everything?¡± Karen said with a grin, ¡°How about letting us go back then?¡± ¡°Please, have mercy.¡± Terry Moore¡¯s posture didn¡¯t resemble that of a master at all! He was just like a child with an intellectual disability. However, in the capital. No one dared to belittle him. Under his fists and feet, it was said, he was invincible. Those who dared to challenge him were probably beaten to death already. ¡°Please make an exception, we¡¯re already in such a state.¡± Seeing a turning point, Karen eagerly pushed further, ¡°Rest assured, we owe you a favor.¡± ¡°Do you have an antidote for the poison afflicting Old Master Leocadia?¡± Julius Reed asked, walking up to Karen, staring intently into his eyes. If the old man dared to lie, he wouldn¡¯t mind killing him. ¡°I really have nothing to do with that, my job is just to fight, I know nothing about poisoning.¡± Terry Moore raised his hands, stepping back, quickly trying to prove his innocence. ¡°Ptui! Terry Moore, you ungrateful wretch.¡± After spitting, Karen turned with a wry smile, ¡°You¡¯re indeed a wise man, even knowing about this matter. But I¡¯ll tell you the truth, the poison wasn¡¯t my doing.¡± ¡°Not you?¡± This answer took Julius Reed by surprise. If not Karen, then who could it be? In his eyes, someone capable of using poison like that was the only candidate for poisoning Old Master Leocadia. Yet looking into Karen¡¯s eyes, he seemed to not be lying. ¡°Without hiding anything from you, it was my senior brother.¡± Karen scratched his head, explaining, ¡°Your previous guess was right, I am from the Medicine King Valley, but merely a peripheral disciple, hardly considered important.¡± ¡°Medicine King Valley, there are distinctions within?¡± Julius Reed was hearing about this for the first time. ¡°You don¡¯t even know that? How did you know about Medicine King Valley then?¡± Karen was also surprised; her heart had indeed skipped a beat when she heard Julius Reed claim to be from Medicine King Valley. Yet now, the other party didn¡¯t even understand the rules of Medicine King Valley. ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s just a small place, not worth my time to learn about.¡± Julius Reed offered an awkward smile. ¡°Cough! Cough!¡± Karen coughed, thinking to herself that this pretense caught her completely off guard! Still, she politely said, ¡°Medicine King Valley is divided into collateral and direct branches, and only members of the direct branch are qualified to learn the true prescriptions. To be honest, I only know that the person who poisoned was from the Leocadia Family, but I do not know who this direct descendant is. My master¡¯s order was simple, to stay with the Leocadia Family to confuse and mislead.¡± ¡°If what you¡¯re saying is true, you really did confuse and mislead. So, you mean to say, the poisoner is someone else?¡± Julius Reed was genuinely surprised; even though he had considered many possibilities, he hadn¡¯t expected such a situation. ¡°So, you have no clues at all? Or let me ask, can you cure this poison?¡± ¡°Not a single clue,¡± Karen shook her head and said with a helpless smile, ¡°The fate of the collateral branch is to serve as minions for the direct lineage, to provide cover; without even this capacity, we¡¯d be useless. Mr. Reed, I advise you, the waters of the capital are very deep, you should not wade into this muddied pool.¡± ¡°Thank you for your advice, but I cannot fail to do what I¡¯ve promised to Sophia Leocadia.¡± Julius Reed looked at Karen and said with a faint smile, ¡°A man must always keep his word, mustn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°Ah! It would be a pity for someone of your caliber, Mr. Reed, to fall in the capital. Old Master Leocadia¡¯s poison comes from the upper half of the Deathly Herb Manual of Medicine King Valley, and the one who administered it holds a high status within Medicine King Valley. That¡¯s all I can say because that¡¯s all I know.¡± Karen clasped her hands together and asked softly, ¡°Could you possibly let us go?¡± ¡°No!¡± Julius Reed refused decisively. ¡°Wait, give me a chance!¡± Karen spoke again, seeking to negotiate. ¡°You¡¯re a smart person, I really don¡¯t want to kill you.¡± Julius Reed suddenly laughed and gestured to Karen, ¡°Do something for me and I¡¯ll let you go. But from now on, don¡¯t be an enemy to me. Otherwise, next time, it¡¯ll be your corpse lying there.¡± ¡°What is it? As long as it¡¯s not going back to the Leocadia Family to commit murder, everything should be manageable!¡± Karen, seeing an opportunity, hurriedly asked. Fearing that a moment¡¯s delay might cause her to lose the chance. ¡°Murder! I¡¯ll give you someone¡¯s information. I don¡¯t expect you to be able to kill him; just to scare him will suffice.¡± Julius Reed took out his phone and showed the photo of Fabian Percival: ¡°The person is at Valentine¡¯s Hotel. Once you¡¯re done eating and ready to cooperate, strike directly! Finish the job and then you can go home, wouldn¡¯t that be splendid?¡± ¡°Absolutely splendid!¡± Karen took a careful look at the photo and made an OK gesture: ¡°Thank you for sparing our lives, boss!¡± ¡°Thank you, boss!¡± Terry Moore followed suit, bowing behind her and shouting loudly. After speaking, the two got into the rundown Jetta car, ready to leave. ¡°Wait!¡± The moment they got into the car, Julius Reed suddenly called out. ¡°Oh my gosh! Brother, a person of your status can¡¯t go back on your word!¡± Karen¡¯s face immediately fell, looking pitifully at Julius Reed. ¡°Exactly, you yourself said it, a man¡¯s promise is as good as gold! So, just because Sophia Leocadia is a woman and we¡¯re men, our words don¡¯t count?¡± Terry Moore also chimed in. ¡°You don¡¯t want your traveling expenses?¡± Julius Reed took out a wad of hundred-yuan bills from his wallet and shook it before walking away. ¡°Brother, leave the money!¡± Karen shouted loudly. ¡°The two of you could go do comedy,¡± Julius Reed threw the money into the car and walked away. Chapter 598 - Chapter 598: Chapter 598: The Mysterious Devlin_1 Chapter 598: Chapter 598: The Mysterious Devlin_1 ¡°How could this happen!¡± In Valentine¡¯s Hotel, Fabian Percival had just lain down when he received the news that Elwood Thorneycroft had been captured. Everything was too coincidental! He was certain that there were no spies among his people, nor any operative from any faction. Each person working by his side had been carefully selected for their utmost loyalty. Yet the police happened to arrive just as Elwood Thorneycroft was killing Bran Cook¡¯s family? ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, something¡¯s not right!¡± By his side, a hulking man with his hands clasped behind his back said coldly, ¡°Someone must have been tipped off in advance to call the police! Otherwise, how could the Cook family¡¯s people have had the chance to alert the authorities given Miss Thorneycroft¡¯s modus operandi?¡± After a moment of thought, he continued, ¡°Besides, even if the Cook family¡¯s people did call the police, their response time was incredibly fast, wasn¡¯t it?¡± The moment Elwood Thorneycroft succeeded, the police arrived on the scene right away. They caught her red-handed, securing the evidence in the process. Awaiting them was the prospect of prison. ¡°Is there a way to work this out?¡± Fabian Percival sat at the edge of the bed, silently lighting a cigarette, and sighed, ¡°Gonzalez City, it seems, is not so simple after all!¡± ¡°There¡¯s no way to work this out. Once a conviction is made, it¡¯s set in stone.¡± The hulking man thought for a moment and then said, ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, you can visit her tomorrow and decide what to do. It¡¯s too late now; there¡¯s nothing we can do.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Fabian Percival looked at his watch, turned to the hulking man, and said, ¡°Brown Bread, with Changfeng gone, I don¡¯t have many people I can rely on. You must be careful.¡± Brown Bread was the captain of his employees¡¯ bodyguard team, a bona fide retired foreign soldier. His combat abilities were exceptional; during his time in the military in the Americas, he consistently earned the title of top soldier. He had also received numerous honorable medals. Later, when Fabian Percival came to the Americas, the two met, and it was a mutually beneficial relationship. Over the years, Brown Bread had thwarted many assassination attempts against Fabian Percival and even created an iron army, sworn to defend Fabian Percival to the death. Because he had so many men, Fabian Percival didn¡¯t want to expose his assets too much, so he transported them in batches by water to Gonzalez City. ¡°If you had been here tonight, we wouldn¡¯t be in such a sorry state.¡± Fabian Percival closed his eyes, his voice tinged with sorrow, ¡°Changfeng had been with me for so many years, and he was about to return to Gonzalez City to start a new life. Then, to die like that¡­¡± ¡°Everyone has their destiny! Mr. Thorneycroft, there¡¯s no need to take it too much to heart.¡± Brown Bread comforted him directly and effectively. He didn¡¯t beat around the bush and liked to get straight to the point. ¡°The dead cannot be brought back to life. Mr. Thorneycroft, you should focus on recovering from your injuries. I¡¯ve already made arrangements for everything outside.¡± He walked over to Fabian Percival, bent down, and picked up a basin for washing feet. ¡°From now on, let others do this kind of thing. You¡¯ve been with me for so many years without much real power.¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s feet rested on a towel as he said dispassionately, ¡°Now that Changfeng is dead, you¡¯ll take his place.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Brown Bread¡¯s hand trembled slightly as he picked up the basin and left the room. Once he was gone, Fabian Percival pulled out a cell phone from under the bed and called a contact. ¡°Who is this?¡± As the call connected, it was evident that the person had been woken up, with a hint of irritation in their voice. ¡°Fabian Percival speaking.¡± ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Upon hearing the name Fabian Percival, the person on the phone immediately exclaimed excitedly, ¡°When did you come back? I had no idea!¡± ¡°I just arrived in Gonzalez City today. I was attacked after getting off the plane, Changfeng is dead, and now Elwood Thorneycroft has been arrested by the police.¡± Fabian Percival said with self-mockery, ¡°It seems to be a tough start, doesn¡¯t it?¡± After a pause, the voice on the phone finally said, ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, who did it?¡± ¡°Itai Huntington!¡± Fabian Percival let out a bitter chuckle, ¡°I arranged two assassination attempts, both failed! It seems I have underestimated this woman.¡± ¡°No!¡± On the other end of the phone, there came an unusual denial, ¡°You¡¯re wrong. Although Itai Huntington has been scheming and developing in Gonzalez City, she is not the one rising the fastest.¡± ¡°Then who is it?¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s pupils contracted slightly, as if he had realized something. He hadn¡¯t discovered such information. Returning to Gonzalez City, he had only two targets. Itai Huntington and Aron Jackson. The former had already gathered most of Gonzalez City¡¯s enterprises, even taking the position of the chairman of the business alliance. The latter was the strongest force in the underworld and also the opponent Fabian Percival ultimately had to face. Only by eliminating Aron Jackson could he completely control Gonzalez City. Just like in the past. ¡°A few months ago, Quella Radcliffe, the granddaughter of the Radcliffe Group¡¯s chairman Zade Radcliffe, rose rapidly. In just three months, she has become the second only to Itai Huntington.¡± The man¡¯s voice was very deep, ¡°Or rather, Itai Huntington might just be paving the way for this woman, and the one who will eventually take the highest position must be Quella Radcliffe!¡± ¡°Is this true?¡± Fabian Percival pinched his nose and asked coldly, ¡°Why don¡¯t I know about this?¡± A person rising to power so strongly, he could not possibly be completely unaware. ¡°Then you must have heard these names.¡± The man paused for a moment and then said, ¡°Aron Jackson, Ovidiu Cook, Miguel Abbott, Stanislaus Potter, and even now, Itai Huntington¡­¡± ¡°What do these names have in common?¡± Fabian Percival naturally had heard of them; they were all bosses from Gonzalez City or within Five-river Province. They all wielded great influence throughout the Five-river Province. Upon returning, these people were either on the hit list or the co-opting list. But he couldn¡¯t figure out what they had in common. ¡°They all take orders from Julius Reed. Or more accurately, Julius Reed has the capacity to bring those people together.¡± The man¡¯s tone was very serious, obviously trying to convince Fabian Percival that everything he said was true. ¡°Julius Reed? That man who sponges off women? Impossible!¡± Fabian Percival shook his head and spoke into the phone, ¡°Devlin, you¡¯re getting old, your information isn¡¯t accurate anymore. I saw that man tonight, a complete ruffian and scoundrel, and he¡¯s involved with Itai Huntington.¡± He believed he was very accurate in judging people. A truly capable person, he could spot them at a glance. But Julius Reed, while not without some capabilities, the idea that he could make those bosses listen was simply a pipe dream. ¡°Believe it or not, everything is true. Everyone has been deceived, including the former me.¡± Devlin¡¯s voice grew more solemn, ¡°Julius Reed is Quella Radcliffe¡¯s husband.¡± ¡°Say that again!¡± Fabian Percival was completely stunned. ¡°Quella Radcliffe is Julius Reed¡¯s wife.¡± Devlin repeated. ¡°These idiots!¡± Fabian Percival punched the wall, furious to the point of hurting his insides, and had to lean against the bed in agony. ¡°To think they didn¡¯t get hold of such information¡­¡± He gripped the phone tightly in his right hand as if everything finally made sense. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, your biggest enemy is him. If you can take him out, Gonzalez City is yours for the taking!¡± After finishing, Devlin asked, ¡°Do you need me to contact the brothers who infiltrated back then?¡± ¡°Inform them!¡± Fabian Percival took a deep breath and said with his eyes closed, ¡°All those years ago, I paid such a high price to keep you all here. Now, it¡¯s time to fulfill your purpose.¡± Chapter 599 - Chapter 599: Chapter 599: Luring the Snake out of the Cave_1 Chapter 599: Chapter 599: Luring the Snake out of the Cave_1 ¡°Note the time, you only have twenty minutes.¡± Inside Gonzalez City Police Station, the officer looked at the vigorous elderly man in front of him and gestured with his hand after completing the registration. ¡°Only one person can go in.¡± Having placed the pen down, he stopped Brown Bread who followed behind Fabian Percival. ¡°Wait here for me.¡± Fabian Percival turned around and ordered in a deep voice. ¡°Yes, Lord Thorneycroft!¡± Brown Bread nodded, turned around, left the police station, and waited alone in the car. At this moment, inside the visitation room, Elwood Thorneycroft looked haggard, clearly having not slept well all night. ¡°Father.¡± Upon seeing Fabian Percival, she managed a bitter smile and looked helplessly at the cold handcuffs on her hands. ¡°Vito, you¡¯ve greatly disappointed father! If this matter truly involves you, I will support justice, even if you are my daughter, even if you can get out, I will personally kill you!¡± Fabian Percival pointed at Elwood Thorneycroft with a passionate expression, ¡°I must avenge those victims!¡± ¡°Sir, please control your emotions! We are police officers; we will naturally punish her with the law.¡± A nearby officer spoke up as a reminder. ¡°Sorry, I got a bit too agitated.¡± Fabian Percival took a deep breath, trying to appear calmer. ¡°But if you are innocent, father will use all his power to get you out of here.¡± ¡°Father, I was kidnapped.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s eyes shifted as she immediately began to cry out, ¡°I don¡¯t know any of those murderers; they encountered me on the road, worried I would leak information, and kidnapped me all the way to the Cook Family, planning to make me the scapegoat after killing people!¡± As she spoke, panic written on her face, ¡°At that time, I had no way to resist! These people all had knives; they are devils who kill without blinking an eye! I was scared; I wanted to go home¡­¡± Elwood Thorneycroft covered her face with her handcuffed hands and burst into tears. ¡°Mind your words! Now, your visit is terminated. In 24 hours, we will either sentence you or clear your charge.¡± The officer, upon hearing these words, stood up with a serious look to intervene. Some things couldn¡¯t be said. ¡°Sorry, thank you for letting me see my daughter.¡± Fabian Percival stood up and bowed to the officer before saying meaningfully to Elwood Thorneycroft, ¡°The innocent are clear of guilt; I believe in justice and the law.¡± After saying this, he took out a hat and put it on his head. As he was leaving, he also tied his scarf and tightened it. Seeing these actions, Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s lips curled into a slight smile. ¡­ ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, how is the situation? Can Miss be safe?¡± After Fabian Percival got in the car, Brown Bread asked. ¡°Fortunately, Vito didn¡¯t act personally. The dagger and the weapon don¡¯t have her fingerprints. The only way to convict her now is the accusations from those remaining four people.¡± Fabian Percival leaned back in the car seat and let out a cold laugh, ¡°Julius Reed, Julius Reed, you¡¯ve calculated everything but you didn¡¯t see this coming, did you?¡± The capture of the four bodyguards was no skin off Fabian Percival¡¯s nose, inflicting no real damage. He had plenty of employees and bodyguards; as these were taken away, more excellent candidates would immediately take their place. As long as Elwood was unharmed, nothing else mattered. ¡°I¡¯ve already hinted to her that the blame will be placed on those men. Then I will make them commit suicide out of fear of the charges, and all accusations against Vito will fall apart.¡± Fabian Percival let out a cold smile, leaned back into the car seat, and closed his eyes slightly, ¡°Now, we just wait for the news.¡± Ding! Just then, the phone in his hand rang. ¡°Devlin, what¡¯s the matter? Don¡¯t expose yourself unless absolutely necessary.¡± Seeing that the caller was Devlin, Fabian Percival sounded displeased. The contact was his most deeply hidden chess piece; such public contact during the day increased the risk of exposure. ¡°Manager Percival, someone is trying to assassinate you.¡± Devlin¡¯s voice was very cold, as if he didn¡¯t feel anything about his boss¡¯s reprimand. ¡°Who!¡± Hearing the news, Fabian Percival¡¯s hand clutching the phone suddenly tightened. In this kind of situation, someone was actually trying to assassinate him? He had already deployed a large number of guards to protect his own safety, and it was daytime! ¡°Why haven¡¯t I received any information?¡± Fabian Percival narrowed his eyes to slits, seemingly pondering the implications of the entire situation. ¡°Top-secret intelligence, you couldn¡¯t possibly know.¡± Devlin¡¯s voice remained as impassive as a robot¡¯s: ¡°The Shadow Warrior was sent by Julius Reed.¡± ¡°Him? Haha, he¡¯s taking the initiative against me?¡± Fabian Percival said coldly, laughing, ¡°Perhaps he was dizzied by a brief victory. How many people did they send?¡± In his view, the assassination attempt would likely be large-scale, but under broad daylight, didn¡¯t they fear causing a bad impact? This was Gonzalez City! A city! And he happened to be staying inside a hotel, a place where most people gathered. If an assassination really occurred, wouldn¡¯t they fear losing control of the situation? ¡°Only two people.¡± After Devlin finished speaking, he confirmed again, ¡°Yes, only two people, they will act when you go out in the afternoon.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve done well this time. After I take down Aron Jackson of Gonzalez City, you¡¯ll take his place.¡± Fabian Percival was somewhat astonished; only two people? That was underestimating him too much. However, when it came to assassination, indeed, the fewer people involved, the easier it was to carry out. ¡°Brown Bread, immediately drive the car to that shabby warehouse in Gonzalez City, and arrange manpower; we must capture these two people alive!¡± After hanging up the phone, Fabian Percival muttered to himself: ¡°Julius Reed, you¡¯re still too young to fight against me!¡± ¡°Understood, Mr. Thorneycroft.¡± Brown Bread in the co-driver¡¯s seat took out the walkie-talkie and began to command: ¡°Teams one, two, and three, follow behind me, heading to the abandoned warehouse at the Gonzalez City docks. Team four, monitor en route, watch for suspicious vehicles, team five block the escape route. Make sure they can¡¯t return!¡± ¡°Received!¡± Following the responses from the walkie-talkie, dozens of cars slowly caught up behind the sedan Fabian Percival was riding in. The cars intentionally or unintentionally dispersed the surrounding traffic, firmly surrounding Fabian Percival¡¯s vehicle in the middle. ¡°Done!¡± Seeing such an impressive array, Karen, sitting at the intersection, threw her phone card into the trash bin, and patted Terry Moore, who was lying on the road pretending to sleep: ¡°Time to work!¡± ¡°Did you lure them out?¡± Terry Moore rubbed his eyes, still groggy as if he hadn¡¯t woken up. ¡°Of course, I just spread a rumor, and it lured out that old fox! As expected, he chose the suburbs to take us down!¡± Karen smirked, and she and Terry Moore got into the old Jetta, ¡°Later, you can have a good fight. If the old man can be killed, kill him. If not, at least scare him.¡± ¡°If we don¡¯t kill anyone, will Julius Reed let us go?¡± Terry Moore started the old Jetta, chasing after the convoy ahead. ¡°Manager Leocadia even asked you to kill Julius Reed, so why are you running back after getting beaten up?¡± Karen gave him a sideways glance. ¡°Hold tight! You old coot!¡± Boom! Terry Moore slammed the accelerator to the floor, the car roaring as it sped along the street. Chapter 600 - Chapter 600: Chapter 600 Who Has the Harder Fist_1 Chapter 600: Chapter 600 Who Has the Harder Fist_1 Before long, the convoy slowly came to a halt beside an old warehouse near Gonzalez City docks. This place was once a storage facility for overnight goods, but as Gonzalez City¡¯s four new docks were established, it gradually lost its value. Years had left marks of decay on it, yet, it wasn¡¯t difficult to see how large this warehouse had been, and how splendid it had been at its peak. ¡°Almost ten years¡­¡± Fabian Percival stood at the entrance of the warehouse, lightly tugging at the swaying iron gate. With the lack of maintenance over the years, compounded with the eroding force of wind and frost, the iron gate was now covered in rust, looking as if a strong pull might send it crashing down. ¡°Ten years ago, how glorious was this place? At dusk, countless barges would stop here, and the huge warehouse would be stuffed to the brim.¡± His eyes brimmed with excitement, and even his voice became slightly choked up. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, all the bodyguards have submerged in hiding. Also, Fox Miller has returned,¡± Brown Bread approached from behind Fabian Percival, speaking in a low voice. Currently, they appeared to be only four or five people on the surface. The rest were all hidden in the dry grass outside the warehouse. A number of them hid inside the warehouse, completely invisible from the outside. ¡°Oh? Where?¡± At the mention of Fox Miller¡¯s name, Fabian Percival¡¯s expression brightened, and he quickly turned to look towards the dock. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, I¡¯m right here.¡± With a voice rising, Fox Miller emerged from the brush, bloodied and haggard. ¡°Cough! Cough!¡± After taking a few steps, he couldn¡¯t help but crouch down and start coughing. He appeared to be severely injured. ¡°Are you all right?¡± Fabian Percival hurried forward, gripping Fox Miller¡¯s arms tightly, he asked with concern, ¡°What on earth happened last night?¡± He only knew that Alonso Dragon had been attacked by a bodyguard just as he was about to succeed. And Itai Huntington¡¯s bodyguard took advantage of the chaos to steal the car and escape. As for Fox Miller, the scene held nothing but a pile of bodies and no gains to speak of. What pained him even more was that the spy he had painstakingly planted beside Itai Huntington had also died on the scene. The spy was his eyes, his ears. With these individuals, he could grasp the every move of the people around Itai Huntington. But now, he had become blind again. ¡°Last night, a top martial artist appeared beside Itai Huntington. If I hadn¡¯t fought desperately to flee, I might already be dead and unable to see you, sir,¡± Fox Miller continued, coughing as he spoke: ¡°I lost too much blood last night, hid alone in a decrepit dwelling until just recently when I woke up, then immediately called Brown Bread.¡± ¡°You should go back and recover.¡± Fabian Percival looked at Fox Miller, saying with deep concern, ¡°Nothing is more important than your health.¡± He turned to the bodyguards behind him, ¡°You, take the car and take Miller to the hospital, then head straight back to the hotel to wait for me. I¡¯ll come to see you after I finish up here,¡± he directed. ¡°Thank you for your concern, Mr. Thorneycroft.¡± Fox Miller bowed deeply and followed the designated bodyguard towards the vehicle. ¡°Brown Bread, arrange for someone to watch his every move. If there¡¯s any disturbance, report to me immediately!¡± No sooner had they left, than Fabian Percival¡¯s expression turned immediately grim. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, Fox Miller is one of your four industrial diamonds, always known for his bravery,¡± Brown Bread finished speaking, a note of confusion in his voice, ¡°The injuries on his body are not fake, he¡¯s indeed seriously wounded. Mr. Thorneycroft, don¡¯t you even trust him?¡± While living abroad, Fabian Percival¡¯s team had four of the strongest fighters, who were known as the four industrial diamonds. These four were Fox Miller, Zadok Ridge, Brown Kims, and Rocco Leocadia. Even though he was expanding abroad, Fabian Percival always believed that those not of his kin, would have different intentions. All his confidants were Easterners living abroad. Zadok Ridge and Brown Kims stayed abroad to manage the business, while Fox Miller came to Gonzalez City with Fabian Percival first. And Rocco Leocadia was five hours away from arriving in Gonzalez City. Arriving with him was a large contingent of dedicated fighters. ¡°In these extraordinary times, I can¡¯t trust anyone.¡± Mr. Thorneycroft, with his hands clasped behind his back, said indifferently, ¡°Brown Bread, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust Fox Miller, but everyone else is dead, and only he has returned. Do you think that makes sense?¡± ¡°Fox Miller is highly skilled; I¡¯m not surprised. If he wanted to escape, there are few in the world who could stop him.¡± Brown Bread responded without evasion. The Four King Kong, true to their names, each possessed greater combat strength than the last. ¡°Perhaps that¡¯s true, let¡¯s consider it a test for him,¡± Mr. Thorneycroft said slowly as he looked at Brown Bread¡¯s face. ¡°It¡¯s a test for you too. If Gonzalez City wraps up smoothly, I¡¯ll entrust you with more significant responsibilities.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Thorneycroft.¡± Brown Bread clasped his fists and bowed deeply. ¡°Gonzalez City is too big, and I¡¯m getting old,¡± Mr. Thorneycroft turned and surveyed the dilapidated warehouse before continuing deeper inside. The warehouse, which had not seen visitors for years, was filled with rubbish and even the concrete floor had started to sprout weeds. Mr. Thorneycroft walked further in, finally arriving at a small room. ¡°I used to live here,¡± he said, pushing open the wooden door of the room, which was covered in cobwebs. ¡°Pff!¡± Mr. Thorneycroft lightly dusted himself off, unconcerned about the dirt staining his clothes. This was where he had started his rise to power. ¡°Hello!¡± Just then, two people were found sitting on the old wooden bed in the room. ¡°Protect Mr. Thorneycroft¡¯s safety!¡± Brown Bread, quick on his feet, pulled Mr. Thorneycroft behind him! Whoosh! The next moment! A long knife sliced through the air. ¡°Protect Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Brown Bread¡¯s forehead was covered in sweat. If he had been even half a step later, Mr. Thorneycroft would have undoubtedly been killed. ¡°Not bad, kid.¡± Karen emerged from the room with a grin, eyed Brown Bread for a moment, then turned to Mr. Thorneycroft, ¡°Old man, we were doing just fine here. Why did you have to come and disturb us?¡± ¡°Two of you?¡± Mr. Thorneycroft, having weathered many storms, took only a few seconds to recover from the assassination attempt. He looked at the two ¨C an older and a younger one, nodded his head, and smilingly said, ¡°You must be the Shadow Warriors sent by Julius Reed, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°What are you talking about, Mr. Ghost!¡± Karen, displeased, wiped her dagger, ¡°Do you really think this place belongs to you? I was sleeping just fine until you disturbed me! I¡¯m pissed off now and feel like killing you.¡± ¡°How audacious! How dare you be so presumptuous in front of Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Brown Bread wiped the sweat from his brow and stood in front of Mr. Thorneycroft, ¡°Take down these assassins!¡± ¡°Ptui!¡± Hearing his words, Karen spat on the ground, ¡°How did I become an assassin? Is this warehouse yours? What, just because you¡¯ve got numbers you can throw reason out the window?¡± ¡°Heh, quite the tough talker.¡± By this time, dozens of bodyguards had already surrounded Mr. Thorneycroft, ready to spring into action at the confirmation of the two assassins¡¯ presence. ¡°Capture them alive!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Following the order, Brown Bread cracked his neck, ready to strike. ¡°Terry Moore, I¡¯m being bullied here; let them learn whose fist is harder!¡± Karen dodged backward, and Terry Moore stepped forward saying, ¡°Here I come.¡± Chapter 601 - Chapter 601: Chapter 601 Keep Something in Reserve_1 Chapter 601: Chapter 601 Keep Something in Reserve_1 ¡°Brown Bread, spare a live one; I have use for them.¡± Fabian Percival sneered coldly, very calmly taking out a cigarette from his pocket. Immediately, someone behind him provided a light. To say he had not been afraid just now would be a lie. Even when he was young, he was an impulsive youth. But having aged and lived comfortably abroad for so many years, he inevitably cherished his life a bit more. Yet, years of training had long taught him not to show his emotions on his face. His heart was beating fast as he nonchalantly picked up the cigarette. Someone moved a chair over from behind him. Sitting down, Fabian Percival crossed his legs in a lordly manner. He watched the drama that was unfolding before him in silence. Brown Bread was known as the ¡®Hundred Men Slayer¡¯, and he also had dozens of battle-hardened bodyguards by his side. The idea that these two people could escape from the tightly surrounded warehouse was even more difficult than ascending to heaven. ¡°You¡¯d best surrender without a fight; once I get involved, it¡¯s going to be brutal,¡± Brown Bread tightened his fists and said coldly, staring at Terry Moore: ¡°And if you pledge your loyalty, Lord Thorneycroft will not make things difficult for you.¡± Winning battles without fighting was always at the core of Fabian Percival¡¯s strategy. Before engaging in combat, all his employees were instructed to give their opponent a chance. To avoid unnecessary losses. ¡°Old man, do we fight or not?¡± Terry Moore turned around, looking at Karen, who didn¡¯t seem to care at all. ¡°Fight them to death, beat them so bad even their own fathers won¡¯t recognize them.¡± Karen chuckled, ¡°If you kill this little old man, I could bring you another twenty million; believe it or not?¡± If Fabian Percival were to die, He would definitely go back to Julius Reed to ask for a good chunk of hush money. But it would be difficult. Still, it was worth a try. If he failed, there was no loss, but if he succeeded, it would be a huge gain. ¡°How dare you!¡± Brown Bread¡¯s face darkened as he said coldly, ¡°You two don¡¯t know how to live!¡± Whoosh! He suddenly lunged forward, his fists smashing straight down! Whoosh! Terry Moore, unafraid, charged straight into the incoming fists! No fancy tricks, just a direct and brutal head-on clash! A contest of strength. Thump! Thump! Thump! Brown Bread took a step back, his face instantly turning red. The opponent was strong. In that single strike, he gained no advantage. ¡°Terry Moore, you¡¯re such trash! Unable to crush someone like this. Don¡¯t bother bragging about being the top fighter anymore.¡± Karen laughed loudly from behind, completely indifferent to the unfavorable situation at hand. In the warehouse, dozens of bodyguards surrounded them completely. Even if Brown Bread made a mistake, these men could easily swarm them. Behind Fabian Percival, someone with a hidden-weapons box was already aiming at the two. To say it was like capturing turtles in a jar was no exaggeration. ¡°Karen, I¡¯m getting angry,¡± Terry Moore said, clearly displeased. ¡°Heh, what difference does that make?¡± Karen, who had found a reed to chew on from somewhere, chewed it in his mouth: ¡°Impotent rage?¡± ¡°Watch this!¡± Terry Moore roared and, like an arrow released from a bow, charged towards Brown Bread! ¡°Hiss!¡± Brown Bread took a deep breath and summoned all his strength to collide with Terry Moore! Whoosh! In the moment of impact, Brown Bread flew backward, landing on the ground and spewing out a mouthful of blood. Meanwhile, Terry Moore stood in place, bending over and gasping for air. ¡°So strong!¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s pupils constricted sharply, his hand holding the cigarette hovering in the air. ¡°Finish them off!¡± He gestured decisively, making the decision. Even Brown Bread was no match; trying to take them alive seemed almost impossible. Fabian Percival would not gamble with his own safety. Thump! As his voice faded, the bodyguard behind him holding the box of hidden weapons collapsed to the ground. ¡°What happened!¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s heart tightened, thinking the enemy had reinforcements. ¡°Not good, there¡¯s poison!¡± Just then, Brown Bread on the ground shouted and hurried to cover his mouth and nose with his hand. But it was already too late. Thud! One after another, many people collapsed to the ground. Fabian Percival stood up wanting to run, but found his legs were as if they wouldn¡¯t obey him. He simply couldn¡¯t move. ¡°Remember the dust that fell on you when you pushed open the wooden door?¡± Karen walked out smilingly, slowly approaching Fabian Percival: ¡°That was poison. Although it¡¯s not lethal, making you unable to move for two hours is still a piece of cake.¡± ¡°Despicable!¡± Fabian Percival almost spat out these words through clenched teeth. ¡°Really? I don¡¯t think so.¡± Karen pinched Fabian Percival¡¯s face, unconcernedly saying, ¡°You outnumber us and bully us with your numbers, is that not despicable? Old man, you still dare to set traps for us?¡± ¡°Hurry up and kill, so we can go back.¡± Terry Moore coughed, saying unhappily. The collision just now had also injured him quite badly. After all, Brown Bread was also a master; he only had a slight upper hand. ¡°Done!¡± Karen took out a small knife from her pocket, gently placed it on Fabian Percival¡¯s neck, and chuckled, ¡°Have a good trip.¡± Clang! A dart flew out from nowhere! It struck the knife directly! Clang. The knife dropped to the ground, and Karen¡¯s wrist felt numb and painful. ¡°Who!¡± He looked around vigilantly in the direction of the warehouse exit. With a whoosh, dozens of people appeared instantaneously. The leader was dressed in a black trench coat, the man had black sunglasses on his face, was chewing bubble gum, and even had a long braid hanging behind his head. The Martin boots he wore jangled with a bell, making a loud noise as he walked. ¡°Rocco, take them out!¡± Fabian Percival, with his back to the exit, shouted loudly. ¡°OK!¡± Rocco Leocadia raised the box of hidden weapons, aimed at Karen, and fiercely triggered the mechanism! Whoosh! Clang! The dart shot into a piece of iron in midair, instantly deviating from its course. ¡°Old man, if you don¡¯t leave now, you¡¯re going to die!¡± Terry Moore lifted a larger steel plate, put it on his back, and ran madly towards the other side. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Several darts rang out, all hitting the steel plate, sparking off sparks. Whoosh! Karen casually threw something in the air, leaving a trail of white powder. ¡°Not good!¡± Rocco Leocadia quickly covered his mouth and nose with his hand, stopping the people about to chase, ¡°There¡¯s poison, save Lord Thorneycroft first!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The black-clad men hurriedly went over and helped Fabian Percival up. ¡°Lord Thorneycroft, are you alright?¡± Seeing Fabian Percival in front of them unable to move except for speaking, Rocco Leocadia put the darts back in his pocket and asked respectfully. ¡°No harm done, thank goodness for thorough preparation, otherwise we really could have capsized in the gutter.¡± Fabian Percival was enfeebled, he turned his head to glance at Brown Bread: ¡°Take them all back, let¡¯s find out what poison this is.¡± ¡°As you command!¡± Rocco Leocadia gestured, and the people behind him immediately picked everyone up, dragging them into the car parked at the door. ¡°Be careful, the people have escaped to your position, just take them out!¡± He walked over to Brown Bread, bent down to pick up the walkie-talkie from the ground, and instructed the people at the door. ¡°Rocco Leocadia arrived a long time ago; I purposely lied that he was still five hours away. Lucky for us that we had a backup plan today, otherwise, we¡¯d be done for.¡± Passing by Brown Bread, Fabian Percival motioned to stop and spoke meaningfully. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft is wise, Brown Bread is guilty!¡± Brown Bread lowered his head, his gaze deep. No one knew what he was thinking. Chapter 602 - Chapter 602: Chapter 602 Amias Lee_1 Chapter 602: Chapter 602 Amias Lee_1 ¡°Have you heard? Fabian Percival was almost killed in an assassination attempt today!¡± Itai Huntington wore a pink trench coat, a straw in her mouth, sipping on juice as she looked down. She had received the news half an hour ago. Two men had made their move in a dilapidated warehouse at the Gonzalez City docks and had almost finished off Fabian Percival. All of Fabian Percival¡¯s bodyguards were down, but fortunately, Rocco Leocadia, one of the Four King Kongs, stepped in and saved this important figure who had just returned to Gonzalez City yesterday. ¡°I know, an old one and a young one. The old one¡¯s good at poisoning, the young one¡¯s strong as an ox. They used fists and an old Jetta as their tools of the crime.¡± Julius Reed glanced at Itai Huntington, his face full of disdain. ¡°By the way, don¡¯t keep asking me out all the time. My wife has something to say about it, you know? If it weren¡¯t for Fabian Percival being a bit tricky, I wouldn¡¯t bother meeting you.¡± Having said that, he leaned back in his seat, stretched lazily, and cast a glance outside the window. Karen had called him before boarding a plane. She basically described the process of the crime, then complained for a while, and finally advised Julius Reed not to go to the capital. That old and young pair, indeed, were quite interesting. ¡°Hey! Do you have any idea how many men in Gonzalez City would want to sit in your seat, to drink juice with me and enjoy the view outside the window?¡± Itai Huntington gave him a blank look and huffed lightly, ¡°You don¡¯t know how good you have it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not fortunate enough to enjoy it!¡± Julius Reed jiggled his empty cup and looked at the waiter: ¡°Here, refills are free, aren¡¯t they?¡± ¡°Yes, sir. Would you like a refill?¡± A neatly dressed waiter stood beside them, smiling as he answered. This was the Royal Fruit Garden in Gonzalez City. A very high-end and classy fruit tea shop. Located on the fifth floor of Imperial Building in the city center, it was known for its extremely elegant style and high prices. Of course, the service was also impeccable. Each table had its own dedicated waiter, very attentive. ¡°What¡¯s that you¡¯re drinking?¡± Julius Reed pointed to Itai Huntington¡¯s cup and asked, ¡°Looks good, all red.¡± ¡°This is called ¡®Forever Young, Sweet and Lovely Beauty Drink that makes you younger with just one sip Tea.''¡± Itai Huntington raised her eyebrows playfully, sipping from her straw. ¡°Waiter, what¡¯s that thing called?¡± Julius Reed shook his head in resignation, looking at the waiter. ¡°Sir, your girlfriend wasn¡¯t kidding, that¡¯s the name of the tea. It¡¯s quite popular among ladies in our shop,¡± the waiter answered politely. ¡°Damn, it¡¯s true!¡± Julius Reed coughed to ease the awkwardness and pointed at his own cup: ¡°Then mine is called Tall, Handsome, and Desirable National Husband¡­¡± ¡°Yours is called ¡®Earn Money Well.''¡± Itai Huntington chuckled, cutting off Julius Reed¡¯s words. ¡°For real!¡± The waiter, seeing Julius Reed¡¯s astonished face, nodded and said. ¡°Turns out there¡¯s a difference between men and women here! And by the way, I have a wife, so don¡¯t talk nonsense.¡± What does it mean your girlfriend is right? He and Itai Huntington were completely innocent, without a single inappropriate thought. Isn¡¯t that spoiling his own reputation? ¡°Understood! A wife is a wife, a girlfriend is a girlfriend. You have a wife, but that doesn¡¯t prevent you from having a girlfriend,¡± the waiter said with a slight smile as he picked up the cup and turned to go to the counter for a refill. ¡°What kind of place is this!¡± Julius Reed looked around at all the couples in the room with a blank expression and shook his head: ¡°No wonder there are so many couples here, they¡¯re all out for a good time.¡± ¡°Miss Huntington?¡± Just then, a voice suddenly came through. The two looked up to see a young man dressed in a high-end custom suit, leading several bodyguards, striding towards them. ¡°Amias Lee?¡± Itai Huntington narrowed her eyes and quickly stood up, reverting to her previous cold demeanor, ¡°Young Master Lee, what brings you to Gonzalez City?¡± ¡°I missed you, so I came over to see you.¡± Amias Lee glanced at Julius Reed, then at Itai Huntington, ¡°I was planning to visit your company to surprise you. But the people there said you were out on business. I had someone locate you and finally found your car here.¡± He reached out his hand, and someone immediately handed him a bouquet of flowers. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, how have you been?¡± ¡°Are you following me?¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s expression soured. ¡°What do you mean by following? Everyone in the capital knows I like you. My father is also aware of my trip to Gonzalez City. Itai, come back with me. Such a small place is not suitable for you.¡± Amias Lee showed no sign of realization, casually placing the flowers on the table. ¡°Young Master Lee must be joking. In the capital, what kind of woman can¡¯t you have? Why insist on me alone?¡± Itai Huntington did not take the flowers, nor did she say no, but her meaning was clear. The two of them were impossible. Another story of a lovesick wealthy suitor from the capital chasing after a beautiful woman. Julius Reed couldn¡¯t be bothered to get involved and leaned against the window, looking down at the bustling street below. ¡°Is this gentleman¡­ your bodyguard? Or a client?¡± Amias Lee turned his gaze to Julius Reed. He had been observing from the start and noted that the young man before him didn¡¯t seem like someone wealthy. Moreover, the close demeanor between the two was displeasing to him. Everyone knew that Itai Huntington never dated men. Even he had never been afforded such treatment. He had come all the way from the capital because he¡¯d heard that Itai Huntington had, in full public view, actually kissed another man. He couldn¡¯t stand it. ¡°I am not a bodyguard. You two talk, I¡¯m leaving!¡± Julius Reed had no intention of meddling in Itai Huntington¡¯s private matters, especially to avoid any misunderstandings. So, he stood up, ready to leave. ¡°Stop right there!¡± Amias Lee shouted sternly, and his bodyguards immediately blocked Julius Reed¡¯s path. ¡°What is it? Is there a problem?¡± Julius Reed looked innocently at Amias Lee. ¡°Miss Huntington, your subordinate lacks discipline. Let me deal with him for you,¡± Amias Lee said with a light huff. ¡°Rowley, teach him a lesson!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± A man named Rowley stepped forward, grinning as he approached Julius Reed, ¡°You don¡¯t show any respect in front of Young Master Lee. Now, I¡¯ll teach you!¡± Just as he was about to strike, someone intervened. ¡°Hold on!¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s face darkened, and she looked at Amias Lee, ¡°Young Master Lee, you come in and immediately want to hit my person, what is the meaning of this?¡± ¡°Your person?¡± Hearing her say this, Amias Lee¡¯s face grew even darker. ¡°Itai, I know you have prejudices against me, but please give me a chance!¡± Amias Lee tried to grab Itai Huntington¡¯s hand but was promptly dodged. ¡°It¡¯s fine to talk, but don¡¯t touch, it leads to misunderstandings,¡± she said, stepping back, clearly not pleased but reluctant to make a scene. Amias Lee was from the Lee Family of the capital, a family with significant influence, albeit not as powerful as the top four families but not far behind. There were rumors that the Lee Family intended to form a marriage alliance with the Leocadia Family. If it materialized, their status would immediately rise a notch. ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s sit down and talk.¡± A tremor crossed Amias Lee¡¯s lips as he slowly took the seat that Julius Reed had just vacated. Chapter 603 - Chapter 603: Chapter 603 Watching the Gate_1 Chapter 603: Chapter 603 Watching the Gate_1 ¡°I mean, can you not drag me into your love and hate drama?¡± Julius Reed was in a bad mood, and with a flick of his foot, he pulled the chair backward. Thump! Amias Lee suddenly fell through, landing on the ground in an awkward heap. ¡°Young Master!¡± Several bodyguards immediately rushed over, their expressions filled with anxious concern for Amias Lee. ¡°You¡¯re playing tricks!¡± Amias Lee stood up, pushed away the surrounding bodyguards, and glared at Julius Reed with an ashen face. ¡°Please, don¡¯t blame the Earth for not having gravity when you can¡¯t take a shit.¡± Julius Reed said with an innocent face, ¡°Did I tell you to sit? You wouldn¡¯t listen and insisted on sitting down. Now look what happened, you¡¯ve fallen and still think you can blackmail me?¡± ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk.¡± He shook his head, saying regretfully, ¡°So young and yet, instead of learning something good, you learn to scam people?¡± ¡°Damn it! How can you talk to Young Master Lee like that!¡± Rowley clenched his fist, ready to throw a punch at Julius Reed. ¡°Don¡¯t lay a finger on my boyfriend.¡± Just as the situation was about to escalate, Itai Huntington suddenly appeared in front of Julius Reed, blocking Amias Lee¡¯s men. ¡°Your boyfriend?¡± Hearing this, Amias Lee¡¯s expression changed drastically, ¡°The person you kissed that day was him?¡± The thought of the woman he had desperately pursued being so easily won over by the man in front of him made Amias Lee feel murderous inside. ¡°Exactly! So please, Young Master Lee, respect me and stop interfering with my life.¡± Itai Huntington leaned back slightly, deliberately pressing close to Julius Reed. ¡°Damn it! Using me as a shield again!¡± Julius Reed complained indignantly in Itai Huntington¡¯s ear. Every time there was a suitor, he became the human shield! Surely, being an outstanding man always convinced the rivals that he was their love enemy. ¡°How was the seafood from last night?¡± Itai Huntington turned his head and whispered. The distance was so close that Julius Reed could even feel the hot breath. ¡°Delicious.¡± He nodded. The seafood from last night was indeed good. It was just a shame that what he had packed to take home had been gobbled up by Karen and Terry Moore without Quella Radcliffe getting a single bite. He had planned to take Quella Radcliffe out to eat that evening, but with the New Year approaching, Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe planned to return to their hometown and wanted Quella to help them pack. She might not come back at all that evening. So Julius Reed decided to pack some dinner and bring it to Quella. With Quella gone, Anna Harris naturally couldn¡¯t stay over, or it would cause a scandal. Cosmo also had to follow along for protection, leaving Julius Reed all alone in the big house. The emptiness made it seem even more silent. Normally, this wouldn¡¯t bother someone accustomed to solitude like him. But since being with Quella, he had gradually gotten used to the life of an ordinary person. The sudden loneliness became somewhat unbearable. ¡°Tonight, I¡¯ll take you out to eat and pack some for your wife.¡± Itai Huntington said softly. ¡°I could go for that.¡± Julius Reed nodded. A meal wasn¡¯t much, and he was happy to save the money. Besides, he had already been forced into the role of the human shield. If he stepped up to clarify now, it would only deepen Amias Lee¡¯s resentment. To Amias Lee, their whispered conversation looked like flaunting their affection. Showing off to him. Even though his insides itched with hatred, he had to restrain himself. ¡°Could you two consider my feelings for a moment?¡± He smiled at Itai Huntington and Julius Reed while signaling his men to bring over another chair. ¡°Sit! Make yourself at home.¡± Itai Huntington didn¡¯t move, as if considering the other¡¯s intent. ¡°Come on, you wouldn¡¯t deny me this small courtesy, would you?¡± Amias Lee¡¯s tone was somewhat unfriendly. ¡°Young Master Lee, what are you saying? How could we possibly do that?¡± Itai Huntington sat in the middle, offering Julius Reed the chair she had just vacated. This could, at least, lessen some conflicts. ¡°May I boldly ask, what does this gentleman do for a living?¡± Amias Lee placed his hands on the table and asked with a smile, ¡°A man so admired by Huntington must surely be quite outstanding, right?¡± ¡°I work for Willson Group; presumably, Young Master Lee has heard of it?¡± Julius Reed took the freshly served juice from the waiter, picked it up and drank nonchalantly. No one knew he was the nominal head of Willson Group. ¡°Willson Group?¡± On hearing the name of Willson Group, Amias Lee felt a sudden pang of anxiety in his heart. It was an enterprise that had recently risen to prominence in Five-river Province, and even many people in the capital were paying attention to it. People said its boss had a mysterious background, and even some bigwigs from the capital who sought him out didn¡¯t catch his eye. Yet such an individualistic company was running in perfect order. And its profits were quite substantial. Countless people were seeking cooperation, but none had managed to meet the boss in person. ¡°Indeed, Willson Group.¡± Julius Reed nodded, then a thought struck him, and he decided to annoy both Itai Huntington and Amias Lee a bit. ¡°Darling, have a sip, it¡¯s very sweet.¡± He pushed the juice towards her. Itai Huntington had a thing about cleanliness. Julius Reed was well aware of this. He waited to see her reject it, curious to see her dilemma. ¡°Thank you, hubby.¡± Itai Huntington directly bit down on the straw Julius Reed had just sipped from and took a gentle sip. With that, Julius Reed was the one taken aback. This woman was unpredictable. ¡°Hubby, have a drink!¡± After she finished, Itai Huntington pushed the juice back towards Julius Reed, her lips curling into a provocative smile. ¡°I have a stomachache, I shouldn¡¯t drink anything cold.¡± Julius Reed pushed the juice aside and grumbled inwardly. Yet this move had truly agitated Amias Lee. ¡°Willson Group is indeed a major company; countless people in the capital want to join it for their careers. I¡¯ve heard they¡¯re very strict with recruitment though, to the point that even postgraduates from well-known universities aren¡¯t considered eligible.¡± Amias Lee¡¯s eyes darted around as he smiled and said, ¡°You must surely come from nobility.¡± ¡°Far from nobility; my ancestors for three generations were poor farmers. I just got lucky.¡± Julius Reed said self-mockingly. ¡°You¡¯re too modest. May I ask what position you hold at Willson Group?¡± This was what Fernando Lee was most concerned about. After all, he was a scion of a wealthy and powerful family, with an enterprise to inherit. An office worker couldn¡¯t pose any threat to him. But most importantly, he needed to figure out the man¡¯s capabilities and know what he was up against. After all, only a carefree young master would rush to confront a potential rival without prior investigation. A seasoned businessman would have done his homework first. But him? Upon hearing that Itai Huntington had been seen with another man, he had hopped on a plane and come straight over. His family couldn¡¯t even stop him. ¡°My job is quite leisurely¡ªdrink a cup of tea a day, read the newspaper, say hello when someone comes in, leave when it¡¯s time if no one shows up.¡± Julius Reed spoke languidly. In this regard, he wasn¡¯t lying; he was just a figurehead. Since the team below was highly professional, why should he meddle? ¡°Mr. Reed is the president?¡± Amias Lee couldn¡¯t help but laugh loudly. How could such a large enterprise be this frivolous? If that were the case, he would have been ousted long ago. ¡°He¡¯s the doorman,¡± Itai Huntington interjected, ¡°But that¡¯s precisely what I like.¡± Chapter 604 - Chapter 604: Chapter 604: Bring You Down _1 Chapter 604: Chapter 604: Bring You Down _1 ¡°The doorman?¡± Amias Lee was first taken aback, then burst into laughter. Indeed, a bit interesting. He had actually thought he had encountered a promising young rival, but it turned out to be just a doorman. In fact, Itai Huntington was just bluffing. The Willson Group? Julius Reed was indeed formidable. But as far as she knew, this audacious young man had no connection whatsoever with the Willson Group. The suddenly-emerged Willson Group appeared like a behemoth, mysterious and aggressive. Many people wanted to seek cooperation, but they had no chance to meet the boss of the Willson Group in person. Since it was a lie, why not take a big swing at hitting Amias Lee? ¡°Itai, your taste is really quite unique!¡± Amias Lee¡¯s face was filled with mockery as he looked at Julius Reed with disdain. A mere doorman, what could he use to fight with me? He even dared to brazenly claim he was an employee of the Willson Group? ¡°Young Master Lee, you got that wrong.¡± Julius Reed leaned back, tapping on the table with his right hand, and said with a smile, ¡°But Itai Huntington likes it, what does that say? That even the doorman is better than you.¡± ¡°Impudent! How dare you speak to Young Master Lee like that!¡± Rowley barked angrily, about to make a move. ¡°Down!¡± Amias Lee shouted sternly, ¡°I¡¯m speaking with Miss Huntington, fall back!¡± ¡°Yes, Young Master.¡± Rowley gave Julius Reed a fierce look, then backed off to a distance of five meters. ¡°By the way, if I may be so bold to ask, who is Fernando Lee to you?¡± Julius Reed suddenly spoke up. ¡°That¡¯s my brother. Why, do you know him?¡± Hearing his brother mentioned, Amias Lee was actually surprised. ¡°I heard your brother lost out competing for a woman and got scared half to death, even took a beating?¡± Julius Reed spoke nonchalantly. But once he finished, Amias Lee¡¯s face became dark as water. Even Itai Huntington kicked him under the table. She had been in the capital city at the time and had also heard about this incident. It was said that on Sophia Leocadia¡¯s birthday dinner, Fernando Lee lost a bet and was beaten up in public, and even had a limited-edition sedan destroyed. The next day, he was personally flown back by the Lee Family. By the time he arrived in the capital city, he was out of his mind. And now, he seemed still to be in a state of panic. The Lee Family did not speak a word about this matter, and nobody knew what had really happened then. ¡°You are going too far.¡± Amias Lee spoke in a very displeased tone, ¡°Joking about my brother, you¡¯ve got quite the nerve!¡± ¡°Not at all, it¡¯s common knowledge. Just asking out of interest,¡± replied Julius Reed, crossing his arms and speaking indifferently, ignoring Itai Huntington who was almost kicking his legs off under the table: ¡°How come your Lee Family doesn¡¯t learn any lesson? Are you not afraid of ending up just like your brother?¡± ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± Amias Lee pointed at himself, laughed out loud, and said, ¡°A doorman, daring to threaten me, the Young Master!¡± ¡°Haha!¡± The bodyguards behind him joined in the laughter, none of them taking Julius Reed seriously. ¡°Itai, is this kind of man really worth your trust? I think you need to reconsider,¡± said Amias Lee, reverting to his earlier expression, his tone cold, ¡°Otherwise, the Lee Family might consider coming to Gonzalez City to take over your business.¡± ¡°Is this a threat?¡± Itai Huntington frowned slightly, her hands gripping the fruit tea cup tightly. The Lee Family in the capital had always wanted to nibble away at her industry and also had close ties with the powerful family that had driven her out. If the Lee Family suddenly changed its stance now, the relationships she had painstakingly cultivated over many years in the capital would be ruined in an instant. In this lifetime, she might never be able to return to her family. ¡°No, it¡¯s just a notice.¡± Amias Lee casually stroked his fingers, indifferent, ¡°Our father is already considering this matter, and you know, there are some people who don¡¯t want you to return.¡± ¡°Terms!¡± Itai Huntington demanded in a deep voice, ¡°What terms.¡± ¡°Become my woman, and at the same time, slap him across the face ten times¡­ oh no, one hundred times!¡± Seeing Itai Huntington submit, Amias Lee couldn¡¯t help but feel extremely satisfied. ¡°Until I¡¯m satisfied.¡± He leaned forward, staring straight at Julius Reed, ¡°Or perhaps, let this man before you help you. Let¡¯s see if he can do it, maybe I¡¯ve underestimated him?¡± ¡°You¡¯re truly despicable!¡± Itai Huntington turned away, her eyes filled with hatred, ¡°Not a single good thing in the entire Lee Family!¡± ¡°Once you marry in, you¡¯ll be the good thing!¡± Amias Lee laughed out loud, shaking his head, ¡°I have limited time, waiting for your answer now.¡± After speaking, he looked towards Julius Reed, and sneered, ¡°How does it feel, to be utterly helpless and distressed? This is the sorrow of an impotent man.¡± ¡°Sigh!¡± Julius Reed let out a sigh, which, in Amias Lee¡¯s view, was a surrender to fate. ¡°Or you could kneel down proactively and apologize to me. Then leave Itai, and I will give you a dignified end.¡± Amias Lee said confidently, not the least bit concerned with the pallor of Itai Huntington¡¯s face. ¡°The Lee Family, right?¡± Julius Reed scratched his head and turned to look at Itai Huntington, ¡°There¡¯s no choice in this matter, is there?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no way, I want to go back to the capital. I can only rely on these industries and connections. If I lose them, all my years of hard work will have been in vain.¡± Itai Huntington was unwilling to give up! Her mother had been stunningly beautiful and was called a calamity, and consequently, she was exiled from her home along with her mother! After her mother died of illness, Itai Huntington was forced to marry into Gonzalez City. But by her own efforts, she kept on fulfilling her mother¡¯s last wishes. And yet, she might see her accomplishments collapse because of Amias Lee! The Lee Family was an important partner of her own family, with significant influence on this matter. ¡°Alright then, you owe me another favor.¡± Julius Reed took out his phone, looking at Amias Lee, ¡°Do you believe that I can make you kneel within half an hour?¡± ¡°Haha! I would love to see such a sight, but unfortunately, that is just a dream!¡± Amias Lee¡¯s face turned cold as he looked to Itai Huntington beside him, ¡°You have only one hour to consider. After one hour, our father will make his move.¡± The Lee Family wasn¡¯t interested in Itai Huntington because of her beauty. Itai Huntington held a massive secret in her hands. Her mother was cast out from the family with this secret, and before she passed away, she entrusted it to Itai Huntington. As long as they could get hold of this secret, the Lee Family could rise again! ¡°Hey, let me ask you something.¡± As soon as the call was answered, Julius Reed asked, ¡°Can the Lee Family in the capital be dealt with?¡± ¡°You want to keep Itai Huntington safe?¡± Hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, Amias Lee laughed out loud, full of scorn, ¡°A doorkeeper like you wants to contend with the Lee Family? I really want to see which of your friends is so divinely skilled.¡± He didn¡¯t believe a word Julius Reed said, considering it a futile struggle. ¡°You¡¯re wrong.¡± Julius Reed smiled, shaking a finger, ¡°I¡¯m going to take down your Lee Family. As for Itai Huntington¡¯s matter, I don¡¯t care.¡± Chapter 605 - Chapter 605: Chapter 605: Dads Phone Call_1 Chapter 605: Chapter 605: Dad¡¯s Phone Call_1 ¡°What a fool¡¯s dream!¡± Facing such a pale and powerless threat, Amias Lee sneered incessantly. The Lee Family of Gonzalez City, a gold-lettered signboard! Besides the four big families, who else would dare oppose them? ¡°This matter has nothing to do with you, I will handle it.¡± Itai Huntington saw that Julius Reed seemed to be getting a bit angry and quickly grabbed his hand, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, worst comes to worst, it¡¯ll be a fight to the death! I¡¯ve been in Gonzalez City for so many years, I¡¯m not someone who can be easily slaughtered.¡± She would never submit to the Lee Family. When it really comes to a showdown, Itai Huntington will not show mercy. Even a cornered rabbit will bite, let alone her as a female entrepreneur. ¡°Do you know?¡± Julius Reed looked at Itai Huntington and shook his head helplessly, ¡°Fernando¡¯s leg, it was I who broke it. Today, this Amias reminds me of his brother. So, the same thing, I wouldn¡¯t mind doing it again.¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± Amias furrowed his brow, then laughed loudly, ¡°Stop bluffing! But for you to insult my brother like that, I¡¯ll let you taste what it¡¯s like to have your legs broken later.¡± ¡°No more than half an hour.¡± Julius Reed looked at his watch and nudged his mouth, ¡°You will have to kneel in front of me like an idiot.¡± ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to it. In half an hour, I will break your legs and throw you out of here.¡± Amias pointed to the window and snorted softly, then turned to size up Itai Huntington, ¡°What do you say, haven¡¯t you thought it through yet?¡± In his view, Itai Huntington had no choice. To get back into the family business, she had to go through the Lee Family. But at that time, the Lee Family didn¡¯t know the secret that Itai Huntington held, so they remained lukewarm. Neither rejecting nor agreeing. But now. The Lee Family knew the secret that could change the power structure of Gonzalez City, and naturally, they would no longer stand idly by. They wanted in on the game! By taking advantage of Amias¡¯s affection for Itai Huntington, the Lee Family could deceive everyone and get hold of the secret. Once that happened, the four big families would have to reshuffle! And the Lee Family could take advantage of the chaos! ¡°I trust my man.¡± Although Itai Huntington didn¡¯t believe Julius Reed¡¯s words, upon reflection, this man seemed to have never let her down. ¡°Can I trust you?¡± Her eyes stared intently at Julius Reed. ¡°In some cases, you can.¡± Julius Reed turned his head away, he didn¡¯t like being stared in the eyes like this. Fabian Percival was eyeing them covetously, and now the Lee Family was entering the game. He was very annoyed. But the Lee Family could be suppressed for now. However, since Amias had come, Julius Reed didn¡¯t mind offering him a broken legs combo. To lie in bed with his brother would be a joy. Just then, Amias¡¯s phone rang. ¡°Watch this.¡± He picked up the mobile phone and shook it in front of them, ¡°Itai, your time is running out. Before I hang up this call, give me an answer. Otherwise, all your efforts will have been in vain.¡± After saying that, he answered the call and deliberately put it on speakerphone. ¡°Dad, I¡¯m at the Gonzalez City fruit tea shop, enjoying the leisurely view downstairs, facing our future daughter-in-law Itai Huntington. Rest assured, I will persuade her well to become part of our family.¡± Amias had a smug look on his face as he viewed Julius Reed and Itai Huntington with eyes full of bragging and intimidation. ¡°You bastard! Who have you offended!¡± Contrary to his expectation, an angry tirade came through from the other end of the phone, ¡°I just received a notification. You¡¯ve offended someone, and our company evaporated twenty billion in just three minutes! And behind the scenes, it¡¯s the Marthew Abernathy Group!¡± ¡°The Marthew Abernathy Group?¡± Upon hearing this name, Amias felt a shudder, ¡°Why would the Marthew Abernathy Group, who never interfere with our business, suddenly make a move?¡± The big families¡¯ businesses, they never dared to meddle. The Lee Family had always steered clear of the Marthew Abernathy Group, a behemoth. But now, the Marthew Abernathy Group was actually taking action against them? With their huge size, it was normal for them to wipe out tens of billions of theirs in one go. But the scary part was, having offended the Marthew Abernathy Group, could the Lee Family expect to have good days ahead? ¡°I should be the one asking you! I only found out through inquiries why Marthew Abernathy Group took action¡ªit¡¯s because you offended someone in Gonzalez City who you shouldn¡¯t mess with!¡± The voice on the other end of the phone was at the peak of fury. His father hated Amias Lee¡¯s actions so much that he was gnashing his teeth. Hearing the conversation, Itai Huntington gave Julius Reed a meaningful look. Beckett Carmichael. The name surfaced in her mind. Beckett Carmichael and Julius Reed were very close. She had been wondering what exactly the relationship between the two was. She had thought that Julius Reed¡¯s backer was Beckett Carmichael, but now, hearing the tone of the phone call and the speed of the Carmichael family¡¯s retaliation, a daring thought emerged in Itai Huntington¡¯s mind. Julius Reed just spread his hands and laughed, not saying anything. A minor manipulation, worth boasting about? ¡°Amias Lee, you better rack your brains and think about whom you¡¯ve offended in Gonzalez City!¡± ¡°I¡­ I haven¡¯t offended anyone!¡± After getting off the plane, Amias Lee went straight to Five-state International and, finding Itai Huntington not there, followed her all the way to the fruit tea shop. Where could he have offended someone during that time? ¡°Think carefully! The Marthew Abernathy Group wouldn¡¯t take action for no reason, they couldn¡¯t have made a mistake!¡± ¡°Father, I¡­¡± Amias Lee couldn¡¯t for the life of him figure out who he might have offended. When he looked up, he suddenly realized Julius Reed was looking at him with a big grin. Could it be him? No way! He was just a doorman. ¡°Father, all I have done till now is had a brief encounter with a doorman, how could I possibly have offended anyone?¡± With a sense of grievance, Amias Lee said, ¡°You must be mistaken.¡± ¡°A doorman? What¡¯s his name?¡± ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Amias Lee looked at Julius Reed. ¡°My man here is named Julius Reed!¡± Itai Huntington emphasized her words deliberately as she spoke into the phone. ¡°Itai Huntington? Julius Reed?¡± The voice from the phone suddenly went silent. After a moment, it carried through again, ¡°The one who injured my son before¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ve just said, it was me who beat up Fernando Lee, but your eldest son won¡¯t believe it, what a pity!¡± Julius Reed said cheerfully. At his words, Amias Lee¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°Dad, is it really him?¡± ¡°May I ask, does my Lee Family¡¯s current plight have to do with you¡­¡± ¡°I told your son before, that I¡¯m going to ruin your Lee Family. But your son seemed pretty happy about it, so naturally, I¡¯m willing to satisfy his twisted desire.¡± Julius Reed propped his chin with his hand, looking at Amias Lee as if he was watching a clown. ¡°If you can¡¯t please Mr. Reed today, don¡¯t bother coming back.¡± Beep beep beep! The call was abruptly disconnected. Amias Lee was dumbfounded. He didn¡¯t know what to do. Only now did he realize that this man before him seemed unfathomable. ¡°If sorry were useful, what would we need laws for?¡± Julius Reed interrupted him with a faint smile. ¡°Mr. Reed, I was wrong! Please be generous, I¡¯ll give up Itai Huntington to you, okay?¡± Amias Lee was willing to do anything; how could this doorman matter so much to his father? To even have connections with the Marthew Abernathy Group? ¡°Apologizing? Good!¡± Julius Reed snapped his fingers, ¡°Waiter, bring me ten cups of fruit tea!¡± Chapter 606 - Chapter 606: Chapter 606: Drinking Tea _1 Chapter 606: Chapter 606: Drinking Tea _1 ¡°Fruit tea?¡± Upon hearing Julius Reed order ten cups of fruit tea, Amias Lee looked utterly bewildered. What was the point of drinking tea at this time? ¡°Sir, are you sure¡­ you want to order so many?¡± The server asked with some confusion. Even including the bodyguards standing behind them, there were only six people in total. Plus, Julius Reed and Pieter Huntington had already ordered, there was no need to order again. At the Royal Tea House, only the first cup required payment. So for the remaining four people, ten cups of tea? The fruit tea at the tea house was expensive; it cost a thousand yuan per cup. For ten cups, that would be at least ten thousand yuan. ¡°No problem, I have money.¡± Julius Reed stretched out his hand, looking towards Itai Huntington: ¡°Lend me some money, I¡¯ll pay you back later.¡± ¡°Ten cups, how much is it?¡± Itai Huntington took out her wallet and pulled out a stack of hundred-yuan bills. Although she didn¡¯t understand what Julius Reed meant, she knew that whatever this man asked her to do, it couldn¡¯t be wrong. All she had to do was comply. ¡°I have it here!¡± Upon seeing this, Amias Lee hurriedly took out a bank card from his pocket and handed it to the server: ¡°Charge it, charge it to my card!¡± Having offended a person he could not afford to upset, he was already scared stiff by a call from his own father. Now he could only try his best to please Julius Reed. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t even be able to return home. The Lee Family had a natural predatory instinct deep in their bones; it was this ferocity that had built the empire of the Lee Family. But with Amias Lee and Fernando Lee¡¯s generation, it was unclear whether it was a mutation or some other reason, but they had all turned into Siberian Huskies. If the old man said not to come back, Amias Lee truly did not dare to return. ¡°Young Master Lee, are you mocking me for being poor?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow, crossed his legs, and spoke indifferently, ¡°What, you think a doorman can¡¯t even come up with ten thousand yuan?¡± ¡°If I can¡¯t come up with it, I can still ask my woman for it! Or, do you look down on men who depend on their women?¡± ¡°No!¡± Amias Lee quickly waved his hands; he was suddenly at a loss for how to reply. ¡°It seems, Young Master Lee, deep down, you still look down on me!¡± Julius Reed let out a cold laugh, stood up, and proceeded to leave: ¡°Let¡¯s go, so as not to be an eyesore.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t! Don¡¯t call me Young Master Lee, just call me Junior Lee!¡± Amias Lee suddenly knelt down on the floor, clutching Julius Reed¡¯s thigh: ¡°Don¡¯t leave, please. My life is in your hands now.¡± ¡°Young master! You can¡¯t do this!¡± Jentzen rushed over to Amias Lee, helped him up, and angrily glared at Julius Reed: ¡°You cur, how dare you disrespect our young master like this!¡± ¡°Fuck off! Get lost!¡± Slap! Amias Lee swung his hand and landed a slap on Jentzen, sending him staggering back several steps: ¡°Are you trying to get me killed?! Show another sign of disrespect to Mr. Reed, and I¡¯ll kill your whole family!¡± ¡°Sorry, young master.¡± Jentzen covered his face, glaring hatefully at Julius Reed before retreating to the back. ¡°What do you mean by that.¡± Julius Reed turned to look at Itai Huntington, wanting to understand what was on this woman¡¯s mind. After all, today¡¯s events were all to accommodate Itai Huntington. ¡°Since Young Master Lee is so sincere, why not we sit down and talk?¡± Itai Huntington raised her eyebrows, looked at the sweat-drenched Amias Lee in front of her, and showed a hint of a seductive smile. The positions of the two had completely reversed compared to just a few minutes ago. Yet Amias Lee had no mood to appreciate the smile that he would normally dream of seeing, and quickly expressed his gratitude: ¡°Thank you, Miss Huntington.¡± ¡°Sir, your ten cups of fruit tea¡­¡± ¡°The most expensive ones!¡± Julius Reed sat back down slowly, saying leisurely: ¡°I want them all iced! Give me the coldest type!¡± ¡°The total is twenty-three thousand.¡± The waiter replied with a smile. ¡°Here¡¯s thirty thousand, no need for change.¡± Itai Huntington took out three neat stacks of bills, smiling as she stuffed them into the waiter¡¯s hand, ¡°Be quick, and make it according to this gentleman¡¯s needs. If it¡¯s not suitable, I¡¯ll have you fired on the spot, understand?¡± ¡°Understood! Thank you for the generous tip, Miss.¡± The waiter, cash in hand, went to the bar and started making the fruit tea that Julius Reed required. ¡°Mr. Reed, are you feeling hot? I¡¯ll ask them to turn on the air conditioning for you!¡± Amias Lee, with a sycophantic smile, stood up to adjust the air-conditioning temperature at the reception desk. ¡°I¡¯m not hot, only some people¡¯s heads are overheating, and I want them to cool down a bit.¡± Julius Reed gently tapped on the table, his face full of amusement. ¡°I get it! I get it!¡± Amias sat in the chair, slapping his own face while saying, ¡°I¡¯m blind, I¡¯m truly blind, I looked down on people with my dog¡¯s eyes!¡± He slapped himself more than a dozen times, his face swollen like a pig¡¯s head. ¡°I didn¡¯t say stop, did I?¡± Julius Reed was slightly taken aback, ¡°Is this your sincerity?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m just catching my breath so I can do it with even more strength!¡± Slap! Amias Lee kept smiling as he slapped his own face, but inside, he was already seething with hatred toward Julius Reed. A mere gatekeeper dares to be so arrogant. He couldn¡¯t understand why the renowned Lee Family would show such reverence toward a mere gatekeeper. But on the phone, his father didn¡¯t even give him a chance to ask, so Amias could only apologize as embarrassingly as he was now. ¡°Sir, your tea.¡± Money talks; the fruit tea that took ten minutes to serve earlier took now only three minutes. Ten cups of iced fruit tea were neatly placed on the table. ¡°Enjoy.¡± The waiter smiled politely and then retreated. In this line of work, what kind of love and hatred haven¡¯t they seen? Scenes like this were just child¡¯s play to them. ¡°Amias Lee, if you want me to forgive you, it¡¯s not impossible.¡± Julius Reed, with his legs crossed, said with an unfinished implication, ¡°After all, I am a reasonable person.¡± Hearing this, Amias Lee¡¯s eyes lit up! This was the phrase he¡¯d been waiting for! As long as he could return to the capital, dealing with a gatekeeper would be easier than stepping on an ant! ¡°You say it! As long as I can satisfy you, even if I have to climb a mountain of knives or descend into a sea of fire, I have no problem!¡± Amias beat his chest, saying excitedly. ¡°Just now, you insulted me, and you insulted her,¡± Julius Reed, pointing at Itai Huntington, asked, ¡°What if he drinks all these fruit juices? We won¡¯t hold a grudge then, right?¡± ¡°You¡¯re the boss, you decide,¡± Itai Huntington pursed her lips with a smile, leaning gently against Julius Reed and speaking in a very sympathetic tone, ¡°That¡¯s pretty harsh of you, drinking so many iced fruit juices, can his stomach handle it?¡± ¡°Whether he can handle it or not is none of my concern.¡± Julius Reed shrugged, speaking indifferently, ¡°It¡¯s not me who¡¯s drinking. Since even you think it¡¯s difficult, let¡¯s not make things too hard for Young Master Lee.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t! I¡¯ll drink!¡± Amias Lee swallowed, his hands trembling as he picked up a cup of fruit tea. Taking a deep breath, he forced a weak smile, ¡°This is what I should do, since I was so blind not to recognize Mount Tai and offended Brother Reed.¡± After saying that, he lifted the glass and drank it down in big gulps. With a cup of iced fruit juice in his stomach, Amias Lee felt nothing but a chill, followed by wave after wave of pain. The coldness in his stomach was painful. ¡°You have five minutes.¡± Julius Reed glanced at his watch, ¡°If Young Master Lee lacks sincerity, I¡¯ll have to go back to my gatekeeping. Unlike you, a Scion of a big family, I still need to work to make money.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll drink, I¡¯m drinking now! Five minutes is more than enough!¡± Amias blinked, took a deep breath, and picked up the second cup with his right hand. Chapter 607 - Chapter 607: Chapter 607 Giving Gifts_1 Chapter 607: Chapter 607 Giving Gifts_1 After finishing two glasses, Amias Lee experienced only one sensation. Pain! Stomach pain! The ice-cold, bone-chilling juice had been poured directly into his stomach in such a short period of time that Amias felt a spasm in his gut, followed by unbearable bloating. ¡°Not bad! Like a real man, my anger has subsided¡­ hmm¡­¡± Julius Reed glanced at the fruit tea on the table, ¡°one-fifth.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Reed.¡± Amias Lee trembled as he squatted in front of the table, which made his stomach feel a bit more comfortable. ¡°However, I have to remind you,¡± Julius Reed looked at his watch, ¡°one minute has already passed, and there¡¯s only three minutes and fifty seconds left.¡± Hearing there wasn¡¯t much time left, Amias clenched his fists and picked up the third glass, frantically pouring it down his throat. ¡°Bleurgh¡­¡± Because he drank too hastily and the juice was too cold, he vomited it all out onto the floor. ¡°The amount you throw up doesn¡¯t count.¡± Julius Reed, like a landlord exploiting his laborers, sat in his chair and spoke leisurely. ¡°I¡¯ll do it!¡± Seeing his master being tormented like this, Jentzen could no longer hold back. He approached the table, picked up a glass of juice, and was about to drink it. ¡°If you drink, it¡¯s not a problem. But, three cups will be counted as one.¡± Julius Reed did not stop him, but slowly opened his mouth to change the rules. ¡°You!¡± Jentzen clenched his right hand, crushing the glass of juice until it scattered on the ground. ¡°Wasting one glass, those previous two cups you drank are for nothing.¡± Julius Reed lifted his eyelids and glanced at Jentzen, ¡°Or, you can choose not to drink. But if you want to participate, you have to follow my rules. Otherwise, get lost.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Jentzen¡¯s eyes were bloodshot with rage, and he was so angry he couldn¡¯t speak. His face was contorted with bulging veins; he wished he could split Julius Reed in half! But with Amias Lee at a disadvantage, he had no options. ¡°A doorman who thinks he can turn the tables?¡± Jentzen scoffed arrogantly, ¡°Leave some leeway in life so we can meet amicably in the future. The Lee Family from the capital is not one you can afford to offend.¡± Whoosh! Julius Reed abruptly picked up a glass of juice and splashed it in his face. ¡°A doorman has just been splashed by me. What can you do about it?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Jentzen¡¯s muscles tensed up, but he dared not act rashly. If he offended the Lee Family, he would undoubtedly die. In the end, he was just a bodyguard, a dog of the Lee Family! ¡°Get lost!¡± Bang! Amias violently climbed up from the ground and swung his chair right onto Jentzen¡¯s head! Blood sprayed everywhere. Jentzen staggered two steps backward and fell to the ground in agony. ¡°Reed¡­ hiss¡­¡± Amias¡¯s complexion turned pale and he spoke with extreme weakness, ¡°Mr. Reed, I¡¯ll drink, just give me some more time.¡± Having said that, he kneeled and crawled to the table, tilting the juice into his mouth. ¡°Otherwise, let¡¯s forget it.¡± Itai Huntington, upon seeing Amias¡¯s miserable condition, couldn¡¯t help but feel some sympathy. Although they were enemies, the sight of the pampered young master being tormented to this extent seemed punishment enough. ¡°The pitiable often have a detestable side to them.¡± Julius Reed watched Itai Huntington with a cold indifference, ¡°If I hadn¡¯t intervened just now, you would be even more pitiable than him.¡± After speaking, he stood up, ¡°Whenever you finish drinking, it¡¯s up to you. There¡¯s too much negative energy in this room; I¡¯m going downstairs for a while.¡± Ignoring the eyes of everyone present, he strode away. Just as carefree as when he arrived. ¡°Huntington, I¡¯m truly sorry about today¡¯s incident. Just help me this one time, and I assure you, I won¡¯t trouble you again,¡± Seeing that Itai Huntington had just pleaded on his behalf, Amias internally rejoiced. At least with Julius Reed gone, he could suffer less. ¡°Really?¡± Itai Huntington bent down slightly, supporting his chin in his hand, ¡°What if I help you?¡± ¡°Thank you, Huntington!¡± Seeing the other party¡¯s demeanor, Amias Lee felt utterly overjoyed. Indeed, a loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. If he could secure his marriage to Itai Huntington today, then no matter how much offense he took, it would be worth it. ¡°Waiter, fetch me a funnel.¡± Itai Huntington gave a light smile and gestured to someone behind her. ¡°A funnel? What do you need that for?¡± Amias Lee asked, puzzled. ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡± With one smile, she became captivatingly charming. ¡­ Ten minutes later, Itai Huntington walked out of the Royal Tea House with a red handbag and a beaming smile. ¡°Is it done?¡± Julius Reed asked with a smile. Helping someone should be done thoroughly. Besides, when he went to the capital, Gonzalez City would need Itai Huntington to help Quella Radcliffe. He saw it as owing her a favor. After all, Itai Huntington was a person of loyalty and integrity, someone he felt he could rely on. With such a mess in Gonzalez City, no one but Itai Huntington seemed capable of balancing things at the moment. Aron Jackson was rather brutish, not quite suitable for dealing with these businessmen. Quella Radcliffe was too tender-hearted and easily manipulated. ¡°I spiked his drink again.¡± Itai Huntington held up two fingers. ¡°Using the funnel, poured it straight down. When he left, there was blood all over the floor; I reckon it will be a month before he can get out of bed.¡± ¡°Sure enough, a woman¡¯s heart is most poisonous!¡± Julius Reed gave a thumbs up. It seemed Itai Huntington had set her heart on completely severing ties with the Lee Family by dealing with Amias Lee in such a manner. ¡°Even if I¡¯m full of poison, you¡¯re immune to all of them, which is quite frustrating for me.¡± She walked to her car and waved at Julius Reed. ¡°I have a nice little something for you, come check it out.¡± ¡°Forget it. I¡¯d be terrified if you offered yourself in return.¡± Julius Reed waved his hand, outright rejecting the offer. He did not want to get too involved with this woman. It was best to keep a distance. ¡°Wishful thinking! Have you forgotten that I¡¯m still a virgin? Think I¡¯d let you have that advantage?¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s face flushed, and she said impatiently, ¡°Hurry up! It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve ever gone to so much trouble to give a gift.¡± Julius Reed thought about the possibility of spending the new year at the Ridge Family¡¯s, and he would need to bring some gifts back. Over the years, Zade Radcliffe had controlled the Radcliffe Family, and Knox Ridge could only stay quietly in Gonzalez City. Now, with the old man¡¯s fate uncertain and the Radcliffe Family like a loose pile of sand, Knox Ridge would definitely want to show off for her first return visit. Moreover, because of previous events, the Ridge Family had quite a large grievance against Knox Ridge. This trip, he definitely needed to shut those people¡¯s mouths. And the gift from Itai Huntington was bound to be impressive. It would just be the thing to make a statement. ¡°If it¡¯s just some worthless junk, I¡¯m driving off with this car.¡± Julius Reed got into Itai Huntington¡¯s sports car, smiling as he spoke. ¡°I¡¯ll gift it to you, do you want it? Aren¡¯t you afraid of your wife¡¯s washboard? Take it now, along with the car owner.¡± Itai Huntington leaned close to Julius Reed. ¡°The car, and the owner, I¡¯ll give them both to you.¡± ¡°Ha-ha, just kidding!¡± She watched Julius Reed¡¯s brows furrow, smiled with pursed lips, started the car, and headed toward Five-state International. Twenty minutes later, the car slowed to a stop. ¡°What in the world did you bring? I warn you, don¡¯t trick me into coming here.¡± Julius Reed stepped out of the car, pointing at Itai Huntington. ¡°Otherwise, I¡¯ll have this place smashed up again.¡± With the Leocadia Family¡¯s exhibition smashed up, Five-state International was now eerily deserted. ¡°Pssh! You¡¯ve got some nerve bringing that up.¡± Itai Huntington strode into the building, with Julius Reed following closely. They went straight to the elevator and arrived at Itai Huntington¡¯s CEO office. The moment he pushed open the office door, Julius Reed¡¯s face instantly darkened. Chapter 608 - Chapter 608: Chapter 608 Are You Scared?_1 Chapter 608: Chapter 608 Are You Scared?_1 ¡°Here.¡± Itai Huntington pushed open the door, walked to her seat, and pursed her lips, ¡°This Jade Buddha is made of jade from the Tang Dynasty. I had it appraised, it¡¯s worth at least a hundred million.¡± She walked to the desk, next to the Jade Buddha, and gently reached out to touch it. ¡°You¡¯ve helped me before, now I¡¯m giving it to you.¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Julius Reed suddenly shouted, startling Itai Huntington into standing still, afraid to move an inch. ¡°What¡¯s wrong¡­¡± she asked motionlessly, ¡°Is there a bomb?¡± Subconsciously, she thought she might have stepped on a bomb. That¡¯s how TV dramas always portray it. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Julius Reed approached the Jade Buddha and gently sniffed it. ¡°This Jade Buddha, it was sent by your enemy, wasn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°You scared me to death!¡± Itai Huntington, reassured that there was no danger, patted her chest and said, ¡°I have a weak heart, if something happens, it¡¯s on you.¡± After speaking, she suddenly realized, ¡°How did you know that this Jade Buddha was sent by an enemy?¡± ¡°You only need to say yes, or no.¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands clasped behind him, gently caressing the surface of the Jade Buddha. A sudden chill passed through clearly. ¡°Fabian Percival sent someone with it this morning, I had it authenticated, it¡¯s genuine.¡± Itai Huntington was very curious, could he identify its provenance just by looking at it? ¡°Who has touched it?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s hand kept gliding over the Jade Buddha as he spoke. ¡°The appraiser and my office secretary. I¡­¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t touched it,¡± Julius Reed interrupted Itai Huntington, ¡°I know.¡± ¡°How do you know!¡± Itai Huntington felt a bit surprised. Could it be that this freak had installed cameras in her office? She quickly looked around but found nothing. The room was very clean, or rather, the cameras were well hidden. ¡°Don¡¯t think too much, I¡¯m not interested in you. I concluded you hadn¡¯t touched it because you¡¯re still alive.¡± After saying this, Julius Reed grabbed the Jade Buddha with one hand and threw it out of the window! Crash! As the sound of shattering came, the Jade Buddha smashed the glass and fell to the ground, shattering into pieces. ¡°Are you crazy!¡± Itai Huntington said somewhat angrily, ¡°If you didn¡¯t want it, that¡¯s fine, but why throw it away!¡± But then, she sensed something was amiss. Julius Reed¡¯s words just now? ¡°Boss¡­¡± Just then, the director of her HR department ran over in a panic. ¡°Nico, you came at the right time. Where is Galileo Leopold? Get him to come here,¡± Itai Huntington ordered. Galileo Leopold was her office secretary, responsible for delivering documents and cleaning the entire office. But now, the trash bin under the desk hadn¡¯t been emptied. Such a basic mistake, Galileo Leopold couldn¡¯t possibly make. ¡°Boss, I came to tell you about this.¡± Nico Weatherby said breathlessly, ¡°Galileo Leopold is dead, bleeding from all orifices in the bathroom, you¡­ you should go see¡­¡± Her face was pale, her hand continually on the door, clearly in shock. ¡°What!¡± Itai Huntington felt her head buzzing, nearly collapsing to the ground. ¡°Galileo Leopold was always at the company, how could he suddenly die! He was fine this morning, have you figured out the cause?¡± She felt everything was too unreal, but then she suddenly remembered what Julius Reed had said. ¡°Wait!¡± Itai Huntington took out her phone and called the expert who had appraised the Jade Buddha that morning. ¡°Who are you looking for?¡± A man¡¯s voice came from the phone, but it wasn¡¯t the person she was looking for. ¡°I¡¯m looking for Darius Clark, Professor Clark!¡± Itai Huntington suddenly had a bad premonition. ¡°I¡¯m a colleague of old Clark, he passed away half an hour ago. Everyone is dealing with the aftermath right now, you should contact his family in the future.¡± After saying this, the call was hastily ended. Boom! In an instant. Itai Huntington felt as if she had been struck by lightning! Her mind was empty, save for the words Julius Reed had just spoken. Clatter! Even her cellphone fell to the ground. Smashing to pieces. ¡°Boss!¡± Nico Weatherby¡¯s eyes widened as she hurriedly supported Itai Huntington, ¡°Quick! The boss has fainted! Call for help!¡± Her shout immediately brought a flood of people into the hallway. ¡°No need to panic, she¡¯s just scared.¡± Julius Reed extended a hand, halting the flurry of confused actions of those around him. ¡°You are¡­?¡± ¡°This is our boss¡¯s friend. Since he said it¡¯s nothing serious, let¡¯s just watch.¡± Everyone at Five-state International, especially the security guards, recognized Julius Reed. The word outside was that he was their boss¡¯s lover. They had to be careful not to offend him unintentionally. Or they might lose their jobs. ¡°Professor Clark¡­ Professor Clark is dead¡­¡± About three minutes later, Itai Huntington opened her eyes, looking at Julius Reed with some fear. ¡°Do you feel dizzy and weak?¡± Julius Reed looked at her, asking indifferently. ¡°Yes.¡± Itai Huntington nodded, feeling all her strength drain away. ¡°Is your mouth dry and your tongue parched, and is your heartbeat speeding up?¡± Itai Huntington continued to nod. Her heart was beating faster and faster. ¡°Are you feeling hot all over and starting to break out in a cold sweat?¡± ¡°Do your hands and feet feel cold, and are you feeling nauseous and wanting to vomit?¡± Julius Reed questioned in succession, and Itai Huntington followed with nods. Eventually, she cried out with a ¡®wah¡¯ sound. ¡°Julius Reed, am I going to die¡­ But I still have so many things undone, I¡¯ve never been with a man.¡± ¡°All of you, leave.¡± With a wave of his hand, Julius Reed sent the security guards and the secretary away, knowing what to do; they left and closed the door behind them. ¡°Until my death, I remain untouched. Yet I bear so much infamy, Gonzalez City claims I¡¯m loose, on what grounds?¡± ¡°I was driven out of my family, my mother¡¯s corpse is still cold, just as things seemed to be turning around, and now I might die too.¡± ¡°Julius Reed, you bastard! Did you know? You were the first man I truly liked. Ever since you appeared, I¡¯ve had feelings for you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re just a live-in son-in-law, so what are you so proud of? How am I not good enough for you? Countless men desire me, yet you reject me!¡± ¡°Damn men! I¡¯ve been annoyed with you for so long, always strutting around; what are you so proud of? Don¡¯t you think I have a temper!¡± Itai Huntington lay on the couch in the office, her makeup smeared from crying. ¡°Why, why is fate so unfair to me?¡± The more she cried, the more scared she became, and the more distress she felt inside. ¡°Done yelling?¡± Julius Reed asked, his tone indifferent. ¡°No, you son of a bitch! Even as a ghost, I will not let you go, remember that. Whenever you sleep with another woman, my ghost will be watching.¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s crying grew fiercer as she cursed through her sobs. ¡°I¡¯m dying, can¡¯t you let me have this final rant?¡± She felt so wronged. ¡°Why would you die?¡± Julius Reed asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Haven¡¯t I been poisoned?¡± Itai Huntington sobbed even harder, ¡°Galileo Leopold is dead, Darius Clark is dead, the jade Buddha has always been in my office, I must have been poisoned¡­¡± As she said this, she suddenly froze, then her eyes widened as she looked at Julius Reed and burst out laughing, ¡°Heavenly Dao circles back; not even the heavens spare anyone. You touched it just now too; if I¡¯m to die, we¡¯ll die together.¡± ¡°So ridiculous!¡± Julius Reed frowned, ¡°You¡¯re not poisoned, you got scared!¡± Chapter 609 - Chapter 609: Chapter 609 The Farmer and the Snake_1 Chapter 609: Chapter 609 The Farmer and the Snake_1 ¡°What about Galileo Leopold and Darius Clark¡­¡± ¡°They¡¯ve touched it, but you haven¡¯t. If I hadn¡¯t stopped you just now, by this time, you¡¯d be a corpse.¡± ¡°But why did I feel so weak and my heartbeat speed up just now¡­¡± ¡°Overstress, adrenaline rush, a normal response.¡± ¡°But this jade Buddha has always been in my office¡­¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t touch it, you won¡¯t get poisoned.¡± ¡°But you just touched¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m immune to all poisons.¡± Julius Reed turned his back, looking coldly at Itai Huntington, who was already sobbing and ruining her makeup on the sofa, ¡°Still want to curse me? If not, I¡¯m leaving.¡± After speaking, he turned and went to pull the door of the office. ¡°Wait!¡± Hearing that she was fine, Itai Huntington jumped up from the sofa and, forgetting her usual composed CEO demeanor, went straight to pull Julius Reed. ¡°There¡¯s poison on my hand, touch it and you¡¯re guaranteed dead.¡± Julius Reed stretched out his hand, frightening Itai Huntington into pulling hers back quickly. ¡°That¡­ I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Itai Huntington, thinking back on what she had said earlier, was flushed with embarrassment. She thought she was going to die, which is why she had spat out all the words that had been buried in her heart. And now, tottering on awkwardness. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I was worried about having a resentful woman standing beside me when I sleep with my wife.¡± Julius Reed huffed lightly, pulled open the wooden door of the office, and strode out. ¡°Hey! Wait a minute!¡± Itai Huntington ran after him, heedless of the many employees standing around, and hugged Julius Reed from behind, crying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry, I was wrong!¡± ¡°Move away, I don¡¯t hit women.¡± Julius Reed said coldly. ¡°Please, don¡¯t go, okay? I¡¯m begging you.¡± Itai Huntington, shaking her head and crying even harder. ¡°So many people are watching, be mindful!¡± Julius Reed frowned, clearly at a loss. If it were a man, he would simply pick him up by the neck, dispose of him like trash, and that would be the end of it. But this time, it was a woman. Hitting a woman is ultimately not right. ¡°Let go, and we can talk.¡± He compromised, having no choice. If his wife got wind of this, it would be another mess. ¡°You said it, no deceiving me!¡± Itai Huntington, tears streaming down her face like rain on pear blossoms, carefully let go of him. ¡°We agreed, there¡¯s no possibility between us. I have a wife, and I love my wife very much.¡± Julius Reed turned around, saying this very seriously. ¡°Okay¡­¡± Itai Huntington lowered her head, like an obedient little kitten. The surrounding employees were stunned. In their eyes, Itai Huntington was the high-and-mighty female CEO. Usually cold as ice, dignified and composed. She could face any opponent without flinching or showing any change in expression, even if Taishan were collapsing in front of her. But now, what did they see? A heartbroken woman who had been abandoned? Too meek! ¡°Let¡¯s talk inside!¡± Julius Reed glanced at the people around him and turned back into the office. ¡°Anyone who gossips about this, consider the consequences!¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s face darkened, and she eyed the surrounding employees, snapping back to her old self in a second. ¡°Understood! We didn¡¯t see anything!¡± ¡°Chairman, you¡¯re busy, we¡¯ll go handle other matters first,¡± ¡°I¡¯ll block all the visits for you this afternoon.¡± After expressing their stand, everyone left one after another. Once back in the office, Itai Huntington¡¯s face immediately regained a pitiful expression. ¡°Julius, for a girl that nobody wants, suddenly finding out she¡¯s about to die, it¡¯s normal to say something excessive, isn¡¯t it!¡± She huffed lightly, somewhat resentful, ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be a man, why always haggle over things with me! You really think someone would fancy you¡ªI was just thinking about my impending death, giving you a thrill. Now that I¡¯m still alive, who gives a damn about you!¡± ¡°Then I should thank you!¡± Julius walked over to the sink beside her desk, gently turned on the tap. ¡°This stuff is lethal, touch it and you¡¯re dead! Looks like Fabian Percival is planning to make a move on you soon, be careful.¡± ¡°Otherwise, I play dead and scheme against him once?¡± Itai Huntington blinked and suddenly asked. ¡°That¡¯s a good idea!¡± Julius nodded, turned around, picked up a towel, wiped his hands, and then threw it into the trashcan. ¡°But of what use is that? Would that old fox believe it? Even if you fake your death, he won¡¯t show up; instead, he¡¯ll take the opportunity to consolidate his support.¡± Having him say this, Itai Huntington got a bit disheartened. ¡°Then what should we do! They¡¯ve already got the knife at our neck, we can¡¯t just sit here and wait to die, right?¡± ¡°It¡¯s only polite to return a favor. Since he¡¯s sent you a jade Buddha, you should also send him something.¡± Julius sat in Itai Huntington¡¯s office chair, pressing his temples softly, ¡°What to send him?¡± ¡°Fabian Percival is very cunning. Sending him something now, nine out of ten times it will be refused, and even if not, he won¡¯t personally touch it.¡± Itai Huntington sighed helplessly, ¡°It¡¯s only me, naively accepting it, and almost got poisoned to death.¡± ¡°The poison is special. If I¡¯m not mistaken, he must have someone from Medicine King Valley by his side.¡± Julius stood up, looking out the window, muttering to himself, ¡°Perhaps I could check on which of the Leocadia Family is actually the direct lineage of Medicine King Valley.¡± He believed that Karen wouldn¡¯t lie. There was no need to lie. Medicine King Valley had always been a mystery, and in recent years, it became known to many due to the rich fearing death. Of course, this circle was limited to the wealthy. The ordinary poor had no chance to come into contact with Medicine King Valley. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Itai Huntington asked curiously. Medicine King Valley? She had never heard of it. ¡°Indeed, you¡¯re not rich enough,¡± Julius spoke disdainfully. ¡°How about you just directly send a bomb instead.¡± ¡°You¡¯re crazy! Don¡¯t joke at a time like this!¡± Itai Huntington said helplessly, at such a critical moment, he still had the mood for jokes. ¡°False moves and real moves. You send a poison egg directly to him, telling Fabian Percival there is a poison egg inside, he might actually open it.¡± Julius leaned his hands on the desk, ¡°After all, he¡¯s out to kill you, what are you afraid of, tearing off the mask?¡± ¡°Good! Let¡¯s give it a try!¡± Itai Huntington picked up the phone from the ground, its screen shattered. Useless. She had to walk over to the desk and picked up the landline, ¡°Diamond, send a poison egg to Fabian Percival, tell him straight away that it is a poison egg.¡± ¡°Yes, you heard right, do it as instructed.¡± After repeating it, Itai Huntington hung up the phone, smiling at Julius, ¡°Maybe, he¡¯ll really take a look.¡± ¡°I saved your life again, you owe me so much that it¡¯s unpayable now,¡± Julius said indifferently. ¡°How about this young lady offers herself in return for saving my life?¡± Itai Huntington leaned against the desk, swiveled, and moved closer to Julius. ¡°Get lost! Call someone to pack up ten thousand worth of seafood for me right away, I¡¯m going to see my own wife.¡± Julius glanced at his watch, ¡°Half an hour, if I don¡¯t see the delivery, I¡¯ll throw you out of the building.¡± ¡°No problem.¡± Itai Huntington walked over to the window, looking down at Diamond getting into the car, she pursed her lips, ¡°The poison egg is on its way. But, the one left with blame, will be your name.¡± ¡°Truly a farmer and a snake!¡± Julius cursed helplessly. PS: I will be heading back to the city soon, there are too many checkpoints on the way, and I might be stuck for a day, so updates will be less frequent. Once back, I¡¯ll promptly catch up, apologizing in advance. Also, I¡¯ve started correcting typos recently to offer everyone a better reading experience; I¡¯m guilty for the previous errors and will be gradually fixing them. I was irresponsible before. A bow, wishing my readers a healthy, safe, and happy New Year. For the Lantern Festival, love you all. Chapter 610 - Chapter 610: Chapter 610: Delivering a Gift_1 Chapter 610: Chapter 610: Delivering a Gift_1 Gonzalez City, Five-lakes Clubhouse. This place was originally a club that almost no one knew about. The owner was a southerner who, after coming to Gonzalez City, had built such a high-end clubhouse. Those who visited were all people of some status in Gonzalez City. But oddly, this clubhouse usually did not entertain strangers. Membership cards were also targeted and couldn¡¯t be loaned to others. Even for nearly ten years, no new membership cards had been issued. Now overnight, the owner of the Five-lakes Clubhouse had Aron Jackson¡¯s employees, responsible for overseeing the place, crippled and thrown back at the Bronze Sparrow Platform. And the bosses who used to come here had all gathered. ¡°Congratulations to Mr. Thorneycroft on returning to Gonzalez City, Mr. Thorneycroft for ten thousand years!¡± ¡°Quinnton Michael pays his respects to Mr. Thorneycroft, the entire Mount Martial Arts Hall has arrived to welcome and cleanse the dust for Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± ¡°Timothy Thomas, CEO of North Sea International, pays his respects to Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± ¡­ For a moment, countless bosses who had been influential in the past, or secretly so, lined up and knelt before Fabian Percival, each with an exceedingly respectful demeanor. After waiting, they knelt as one in worship. They were all pawns left behind when Fabian Percival left years ago. Some openly pretended to defect to Aron Jackson. Secretly, they kept training employees, waiting for Fabian Percival¡¯s return. Now that Fabian Percival had returned to Gonzalez City, at his call, a response came from all directions! They had money and people at their disposal. Even some wealthy businessmen from Five-river Province sent representatives to offer congratulations. In just one night, one-third of Aron Jackson¡¯s employees defected, including several high-level members. ¡°Everyone, I, Fabian Percival, have been away for many years. I¡¯m very happy to see you all today!¡± Fabian Percival looked at the industry elites before him, his heart filled with excitement. Return to old haunts, adorned in brocade back home. He had left Devlin in charge of the arrangements back then, preparing for this moment. Indeed, Devlin didn¡¯t let him down. ¡°We¡¯ve waited day and night, finally, Mr. Thorneycroft has returned!¡± ¡°Gonzalez City can finally see the light of day again!¡± ¡°Please, Mr. Thorneycroft, take up the Boss¡¯s staff once more!¡± With one shout, the crowd consciously made way. Brown Bread, holding a pure gold Boss¡¯s staff, slowly approached Fabian Percival. He knelt. ¡°I, have returned.¡± Fabian Percival gripped the Boss¡¯s staff with one hand, his expression one of excitement. When he had left, he entrusted the Boss¡¯s staff. Now upon his return, the Boss¡¯s staff could emerge once again. ¡°Back then, Aron Jackson moved heaven and earth to get this staff. But I protected it with my life, finally waiting for Mr. Thorneycroft to return!¡± Timothy Thomas approached Fabian Percival, respectfully handing over a bank card: ¡°Here is the entire asset portfolio of North Sea International, now entrusted to Mr. Thorneycroft.¡± ¡°This is mine.¡± ¡°This is our group¡¯s!¡± In an instant, everyone offered up their wealth. ¡°Good! Good! Good!¡± Fabian Percival said ¡®good¡¯ three times, his emotion very stirred. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, as long as we take out Aron Jackson, we can reclaim everything we¡¯ve lost!¡± Someone spoke out. ¡°And there¡¯s the business alliance, which really operates at a profit. Our enterprises are now under your employees¡¯ control. Just command the other businesses to submit, and Mr. Thorneycroft will be able to take complete control of the economic pulse of Gonzalez City!¡± ¡°Exactly! Itai Huntington¡¯s business acumen is formidable. The business alliance is operating very well right now, it¡¯s definitely a profit-making machine!¡± Hearing everyone speaking all at once, Fabian Percival nodded and raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet. His gesture silenced the entire room. ¡°Ladies and Gentlemen.¡± Fabian Percival placed both hands on the Boss¡¯s staff, looked around the room with a grave expression, and said, ¡°On the first day I returned, I was beaten. My employee bodyguards died in a car accident. My daughter, clanked into prison.¡± ¡°Who did it! How could this happen!¡± ¡°We will avenge Mr. Thorneycroft! We absolutely cannot tolerate this affront!¡± ¡°Who is so bold? I will kill his entire family!¡± The people present, upon hearing this, shouted righteously indignant. Fabian Percival was their glory, their faith. He was also the leader who had led them to prosperity. The cake of Gonzalez City, it seemed, was about to be redivided. When that time came, everyone present would be a winner. Now was the time to show loyalty; no one wanted to fall behind. ¡°Could it have been Aron Jackson?¡± Someone speculated that in Gonzalez City, only Aron Jackson had the capacity to pull off something so grand. Moreover, Fabian Percival¡¯s return posed the first threat to Aron Jackson. Fabian Percival shook his head. ¡°Itai Huntington?¡± About the assassination of Itai Huntington, everyone there had heard something. After all, they were employees of Fabian Percival, and they were even more aware of some details. Alonso Dragon and one of the Four King Kongs, Fox Miller, had joined forces but failed to kill Itai Huntington; instead, they had suffered heavy casualties. ¡°It wasn¡¯t her.¡± Fabian Percival shook his head. ¡°Then who else could it be!¡± Everyone looked at each other, a flurry of guesses without answers. In Gonzalez City, who else could manage such a feat? ¡°It¡¯s Julius Reed.¡± Fabian Percival said angrily. ¡°Julius Reed? Who is that? Why haven¡¯t I heard of him?¡± ¡°Could he be a new rising boss in Gonzalez City? But how come I haven¡¯t heard anything about him?¡± ¡°I do know a Julius Reed, but that guy is a do-nothing son-in-law, a complete loser. He caused a huge scene at the Business Alliance a few days ago, embarrassing Bran Cook.¡± Everyone had their say, speculating about the Julius Reed Fabian Percival was talking about, wondering who he could be. When someone brought up that loser, someone else mocked, ¡°Are you joking? Mr. Thorneycroft¡¯s enemy, how could it be that good-for-nothing!¡± The name Julius Reed was not unfamiliar to many. Years ago, Quella Radcliffe, Gonzalez City¡¯s great beauty, had married a loser son-in-law who hadn¡¯t left the residential compound for three years. Even the wedding car was smashed on his wedding day. He had long been the laughing stock among them. ¡°It¡¯s him.¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s face was as still as water. With those words, everyone consciously shut their mouths. No one dared to ask for trouble. But their eyes were full of questions. Was it really him? A complete loser? The Radcliffe Group was already facing bankruptcy, and even with bank loans, they couldn¡¯t make much of a stir. How could Julius Reed manage it? ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, are you sure you¡¯re not mistaken?¡± Timothy Thomas stood up and asked cautiously, ¡°Julius Reed has no money, no manpower; he¡¯s just a loser. How could he stand against you?¡± To eliminate Benson Dragon, to slap Fabian Percival¡¯s face, and to send Elwood Thorneycroft to prison. Could a good-for-nothing have accomplished all this? ¡°Are you suggesting that I¡¯m now inferior to a good-for-nothing?¡± Fabian Percival slammed his boss cane down fiercely, startling Timothy Thomas to kneel on the ground. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, that¡¯s not what I meant; I just find it unbelievable!¡± ¡°Stand up,¡± said Fabian Percival, closing his eyes slowly, calming his emotions, ¡°It¡¯s not just you, I didn¡¯t see it coming either.¡± ¡°Before I returned, I thought Aron Jackson was my biggest rival. Then I discovered that Itai Huntington was also powerful, so there were two names on my hit list.¡± ¡°But I never would have imagined, upon returning to Gonzalez City, that it would be a rival I never cared about who would inflict such losses on me.¡± He stood up, his voice tinged with sorrow, ¡°You must never underestimate any enemy.¡± ¡°We will heed Mr. Thorneycroft¡¯s teachings.¡± The people in the yard all bowed deeply in unison. ¡°Report! Julius Reed of Gonzalez City presents a large gift. The present is¡­ is¡­¡± ¡°What is it, spit it out!¡± ¡°It¡¯s a poison egg!¡± The Five-lakes Clubhouse was deathly quiet. Chapter 611 - Chapter 611: Chapter 611: Delivery_1 Chapter 611: Chapter 611: Delivery_1 ¡°He actually dares to deliver himself to our doorstep!¡± ¡°Just right, kill him and avenge Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± ¡°So arrogant! Guys, grab your weapons!¡± After a brief silence, everyone cursed angrily, filled with righteous indignation, itching to take action immediately! ¡°What¡¯s all the noise about!¡± Clang! Fabian Percival struck the Boss¡¯s staff forcefully, sneering, ¡°You all are far too impatient. Would he come in person if it were truly a gift?¡± ¡°Who¡¯s the deliverer?¡± Brown Bread shouted loudly. ¡°A security guard, a car, a gift.¡± That was the response from the entrance. Everyone bowed their heads. ¡°Look!¡± Fabian Percival snorted coldly, ¡°A mere security guard and you get all worked up like this!¡± ¡°We weren¡¯t thoughtful enough.¡± Everyone bowed their heads, faces flushed with embarrassment. The place was as silent as death. ¡°Since it¡¯s a gift, we should at least invite him in, lest outsiders say I lack proper etiquette.¡± Fabian Percival gestured with his hand, ¡°Let¡¯s go have a look!¡± ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft must not!¡± Quinnton Michael stretched out his hand to stop him, saying anxiously, ¡°It¡¯s a poison egg inside! Mr. Thorneycroft must not personally take such a risk!¡± ¡°Right! The guy at the door has already reported it¡¯s a poison egg! You and Julius Reed are enemies, he won¡¯t have any good intentions!¡± ¡°Please reconsider, the third son of Thorneycroft!¡± Everyone crowded in front of Fabian Percival. Poison egg. Could one really go in person? If Fabian Percival was indeed poisoned to death, what would they do? Aron Jackson would settle scores later on; no one could escape! By taking this step, they had already left themselves with no way out. ¡°You all!¡± Fabian Percival took a deep breath, saying unhappily, ¡°Have you ever heard of someone sending a poison egg and telling the other side it¡¯s a poison egg?¡± ¡°This¡­¡± The crowd looked at each other in dismay, realizing they had indeed never heard of such a strategy. ¡°Julius Reed, he¡¯s setting a trap for me!¡± Fabian Percival pointed with his cane to the entrance, ¡°If I dare not go there, I will become the laughingstock of the world!¡± ¡°Everyone will say, ¡®Fabian Percival has gotten old, his courage has shrunk!''¡± ¡°But today, I want everyone to see that even though I haven¡¯t returned for many years, the blood in my veins is still hot!¡± Having said that, he strode towards the entrance. ¡°Mr Thorneycroft is mighty!¡± Behind him, everyone followed in unison. At the entrance, the security guard stood respectfully, holding a box in his hands. And the person who delivered the gift was nowhere to be seen. ¡°Is this it? The poison egg?¡± Fabian Percival looked at the small box and laughed, ¡°Has Julius Reed watched too many movies, pulling off such a stunt? Trying to disgust me on purpose!¡± He approached the security guard and was about to open the box. ¡°Let me do it, Mr. Thorneycroft, You¡¯ve already stood here, please don¡¯t make it difficult for us.¡± Quinnton Michael stepped forward, directly blocking in front of Fabian Percival. ¡°I¡¯ve come all this way, what should I be afraid of? There¡¯s absolutely no way there¡¯s a poison egg in here.¡± Fabian Percival shook his head dismissively, a hint of pride in his eyes. Such petty tricks to frighten him? That was far too underestimating. ¡°Please don¡¯t make it difficult for us, Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Quinnton Michael stood his ground, blocking the way and looked around at the others, ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft is our backbone; we cannot allow him to take any risks.¡± ¡°Right! Mr. Thorneycroft, please don¡¯t put us in a difficult position.¡± ¡°Let someone else do it.¡± Everyone spoke out in persuasion. In extraordinary times, they couldn¡¯t allow Fabian Percival to be so self-confident. ¡°What are you trying to do!¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s face darkened, he said coldly, ¡°Are you all rebelling!¡± ¡°Please forgive us, Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Quinnton Michael snatched the box and flipped it open! The next moment. His eyes widened! Boom! There was a loud explosion. The Five-Lakes Clubhouse was shrouded in dust. ¡°Protect Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Someone recovered from the shock of the explosion and hurriedly dragged Fabian Percival out from the crowd. Because people were shielding him, Fabian Percival¡¯s injuries weren¡¯t severe, but a trickle of blood still seeped from the corner of his mouth. The few in front of him were dead on the spot. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, are you alright?¡± ¡°Is anyone hurt? Damn that Julius Reed!¡± ¡°Call an ambulance quickly!¡± Many were slightly injured and rushed to check on Fabian Percival. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m fine!¡± The Boss¡¯s cane in Fabian Percival¡¯s hand had fallen to the ground due to the shock, and he seemed somewhat dazed. He hadn¡¯t expected that someone would truly hide an explosive inside! Thinking about what he had just said, he was overcome with shame. ¡°Where¡¯s Quinnton Michael?¡± Recalling Quinnton Michael blocking him earlier, a chill ran through Fabian Percival¡¯s heart. If he had insisted on opening the box himself, he might now be a corpse. A mangled corpse. ¡°Quinnton Michael is dead! Blown to bits! Mr. Thorneycroft, you¡¯d better not look.¡± Everyone consciously blocked Fabian Percival¡¯s view, their faces smeared with soot, expressions filled with despondency. Behind them lay Quinnton Michael¡¯s disfigured body. Today was supposed to be a grand gathering, but the tragic incident had thoroughly dampened their once fiery spirits. Sorrow was unmistakably written across everyone¡¯s faces. Far too ominous. Meanwhile, their fervor for Fabian Percival was gradually fading. A bad start. ¡°Give Quinnton Michael a grand funeral!¡± Fabian Percival, with eyes closed, feeling the pain in his body, yelled, ¡°Disperse!¡± The people present all bowed deeply and silently turned away, dispersing. Quinnton Michael¡¯s body was carried away, leaving only mottled bloodstains on the ground. ¡°Julius Reed, you and I are irreconcilable enemies!¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s eyes were filled with red veins, his demeanor bordering on hysteria. He had been bested, thrice by the same man! ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, let¡¯s return and tend to your wounds. The matter of Gonzalez City requires a long-term strategy.¡± Brown Bread stepped forward, whispering words of comfort. He was Fabian Percival¡¯s personal guard, always by his side. When the explosion sounded, it was he who had been the first to tackle Fabian Percival to the ground. Now, grievously injured, he still remained dutifully by his side. ¡°Go and fetch Vito Leopold, she should have been released without charges by now. Afterwards, head to the hospital to rest. The Five-Lakes Clubhouse is our stronghold; no one can breach it.¡± After speaking, Fabian Percival walked slowly towards the interior of the clubhouse. ¡°Yes!¡± Brown Bread bowed deeply to the retreating figure, then turned and strode away. ¡­ ¡°Honey, I¡¯ve brought you some delicious food!¡± Julius Reed stood at Knox Ridge¡¯s front door, holding a bag of top-grade seafood worth over ten thousand dollars. It had just come out of the pot and was still steaming. ¡°Who is it?¡± The door opened, and a literary young man in his mid-twenties stood in the doorway. The young man wore gold wire glasses and a smart suit. ¡°You are¡­?¡± Julius Reed paused, thrown off. An unfamiliar face, one he had never seen before. ¡°Who are you!¡± The young man asked impatiently. ¡°Dominick, who¡¯s at the door?¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s voice came from inside the house. ¡°I don¡¯t know! Seems like a delivery person. Aunt, did you order delivery?¡± The young man called out to the inside of the house. ¡°I didn¡¯t order delivery!¡± As soon as Knox Ridge finished speaking, the impatient young man said to Julius Reed, ¡°You¡¯ve got the wrong place!¡± Whoosh! The door was abruptly closed. Julius Reed knocked on the door again, helplessly. ¡°Beat it! Knock again, and I¡¯m calling the cops!¡± After the door was opened again, the young man pointed fiercely at Julius Reed and then slammed the door shut. Chapter 612 - Chapter 612: Chapter 612: Breaking in_1 Chapter 612: Chapter 612: Breaking in_1 Even a clay Buddha has a little fire. Not to mention the lord of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, the hidden Dragon King. ¡°Three seconds, open the door. Otherwise, you can¡¯t afford the consequences,¡± Julius Reed stepped back and said to the inside. ¡°Wow! Girl, this rotten food delivery guy is getting temperamental, daring to threaten me?¡± Upon hearing Julius Reed¡¯s words, the young man inside couldn¡¯t help but laugh loud: ¡°Watch how I throw this dog out!¡± ¡°One!¡± ¡°Two!¡± ¡°Three!¡± ¡°I counted for you. What now? The consequences¡­¡± Bang! Before Cooper Ridge could finish his sentence, the thick armored security door was slammed with a huge dent. ¡°Damn¡­ Girl, call the police quick, we¡¯re being robbed!¡± Seeing the large dent on the door and the dust in front of him, Cooper Ridge backed away, frightened. This is outright banditry! Broad daylight, blatant home invasion? And breaking through the door? ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Hearing the noise, Quella Radcliffe hurriedly ran out of the house. ¡°Sis! Someone¡¯s robbing us, go get a kitchen knife fast!¡± Cooper Ridge was so scared that his face turned pale and his legs trembled as he stood in place. ¡°Wife, you didn¡¯t get to eat it yesterday, so I brought you the seafood packed for today.¡± Julius Reed held up the takeout bag in his hand, shaking it. ¡°Wife?¡± Hearing what he said, Cooper Ridge turned his head to look at Quella Radcliffe, seeming to understand something instantly. ¡°Is this my good-for-nothing brother-in-law?¡± His face instantly darkened. ¡°Watch your tone. Cooper Ridge, he is my husband,¡± Quella Radcliffe walked up to Cooper Ridge with displeasure, reprimanding him, ¡°My husband comes home, how dare you keep him outside the door?¡± Knox Ridge changed the locks, and Julius Reed didn¡¯t have the key. Quella didn¡¯t have one either. She had to knock on the door to get in when she came back. Just now, she had gone to the kitchen to cook, unaware that Julius Reed would come at this exact moment. Seeing her own husband come over, Quella was still very happy inside. ¡°Come inside and sit.¡± She forcefully pulled the deformed door open and dragged Julius Reed inside. ¡°Wait!¡± Cooper Ridge stood blocking the doorway with a dark face, pointing at the damaged security door, ¡°Girl, come here and see, this good-for-nothing has broken the door.¡± ¡°Cooper Ridge you¡­¡± Quella pointed at his nose, cursing angrily, ¡°This is my house, even if it¡¯s demolished, what does it have to do with you! Move aside!¡± ¡°That needs my aunt¡¯s approval to see if she agrees to let this good-for-nothing in,¡± Cooper Ridge looked at Julius Reed very unfriendly, snorting, ¡°Didn¡¯t expect you, a good-for-nothing, to have such a temper! Seems like you haven¡¯t been shy eating off a woman!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Quella pulled Julius Reed, speaking irritably, ¡°This is our house; it¡¯s fine to break! I wish you had used more strength just now to crush those who can¡¯t see!¡± The moment the two entered the house, Knox Ridge, wearing an apron, ran out of the kitchen. Seeing the deformed security door at the entrance, she stood frozen in place. Are they dismantling the house? ¡°What happened!¡± As her gaze landed on Julius Reed, Knox Ridge immediately turned hostile, ¡°Julius Reed, what are you doing here!¡± After the last debt collection incident, the Ridge Family was already quite dissatisfied with Knox Ridge. Now, she had finally invited her brother over as a guest, hoping Darnell Ridge would help her so she could go back to celebrate the New Year. But who knew that this blind Julius Reed would follow! So what if you have money? Does having money make you so great? Knox Ridge should have been very pleased, but it seemed like this son-in-law was only willing to spend money on Quella Radcliffe, which made her very unsatisfied. ¡°I¡¯m here to see my wife and brought some stuff along the way.¡± Julius Reed placed the seafood on the table and turned to leave. With the gloom and smoke, he really didn¡¯t want to stay. ¡°Julius, this is your home too, stay for dinner with us.¡± Quella Radcliffe grabbed his arm, her eyes full of hope. Seeing the plea in his wife¡¯s eyes, Julius Reed softened and said, ¡°Alright then!¡± ¡°Stay for what! Julius, you broke the door, what if thieves get in at night? Do you know how much I spent on this security door?¡± Knox Ridge stood with hands on her hips, yelling angrily. When you don¡¯t like someone, even their breathing seems wrong. ¡°Tell me, how much?¡± Julius Reed asked nonchalantly. ¡°One hundred thousand!¡± Knox Ridge said irritably. ¡°Mom! Are you robbing us? Didn¡¯t this door cost just over eight thousand?¡± Quella Radcliffe looked at Julius Reed and shook her head: ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, I¡¯ll have someone replace the door later.¡± ¡°Hey! You ungrateful girl, are you turning your elbow out?¡± Knox Ridge walked over, looking at Julius Reed, and said bluntly, ¡°I don¡¯t care, pay up now!¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a security door, I¡¯ll have someone install it.¡± Julius Reed pointed to the security door behind him: ¡°As for the money, there isn¡¯t any.¡± ¡°Installing it is fine, get the door replaced within half an hour and I won¡¯t hold it against you! Otherwise, you¡¯ll pay the full one hundred thousand!¡± Having said that, Knox Ridge spoke with pride: ¡°How¡¯s that? I¡¯m reasonable, aren¡¯t I?¡± ¡°Mom!¡± Quella Radcliffe called out with furrowed brows: ¡°How is half an hour possible? Do you think the security door company is owned by our family?¡± Based on normal estimates, it would take at least an afternoon at the fastest. Half an hour? It was a fool¡¯s dream. This was clearly an attempt at extortion. ¡°Half an hour it is.¡± Julius Reed took out his cell phone and called Aron Jackson: ¡°The door at my mother-in-law¡¯s place is broken, have someone fix it within half an hour.¡± After saying that, he pocketed his cell phone: ¡°If it¡¯s not done in half an hour, I¡¯ll pay you a million dollars.¡± ¡°Bragging, huh? No wonder Auntie said you¡¯re not that capable, but you sure are full of yourself. I see your talent for bluffing is epic!¡± Cooper Ridge sneered as he walked in through the door. He had been startled by Julius Reed earlier and had held a grudge. With Knox Ridge¡¯s attitude, he felt even more unrestrained in his mockery. ¡°Bluffing?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow: ¡°You think the door can¡¯t be installed in half an hour?¡± ¡°If it¡¯s installed in two hours, I¡¯ll call you brother-in-law!¡± Cooper Ridge scoffed. ¡°If it¡¯s done in half an hour, kneel before me, and respectfully serve me a cup of tea. As for brother-in-law?¡± Julius Reed snorted lightly: ¡°Sorry, you¡¯re not worthy of the title!¡± ¡°And what if it isn¡¯t installed in time!¡± Cooper Ridge spoke coldly: ¡°Then you kneel down and call me brother!¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands in his pockets, a smile on his face. ¡°Who¡¯s there!¡± Just then, a flushing sound came from the bathroom, followed by a woman walking out. ¡°Big sister, that good-for-nothing son-in-law of mine has arrived!¡± Seeing the woman, Knox Ridge felt a wave of embarrassment. She thought Julius Reed wouldn¡¯t show up today, yet he still came. ¡°Oh! Clean and tidy, no wonder he can live off a woman.¡± The woman assessed him and nodded: ¡°He looks about the same as those ducks in the clubhouses; no wonder Quella likes him.¡± ¡°Unlike our Dominick, although handsome, he got into Five-state International by his own abilities and has now become a project manager.¡± Having said that, she moved to the sofa, not even glancing at Julius Reed. ¡°Aunt, you¡¯re being a bit offensive!¡± Quella Radcliffe was somewhat annoyed. ¡°Aunt seems very familiar with the market, one might think you¡¯ve frequented those clubhouses quite a bit.¡± Julius Reed stopped Quella Radcliffe, smiling as he looked over at Damien Leopold on the sofa. ¡°How dare you!¡± Damien Leopold stood up abruptly, pointing at Julius Reed: ¡°Say that again!¡± Chapter 613 - Chapter 613: Chapter 613: Kettle_1 Chapter 613: Chapter 613: Kettle_1 Knox Ridge¡¯s older brother, Darnell Ridge, was nothing but a ruffian who was always loafing around and never doing anything worthwhile. While Damien Leopold was the daughter of a small capitalist. These two people, with completely different statuses, came together solely because Damien Leopold had been dumped by her former boyfriend at the time Darnell Ridge appeared. And she was pregnant with a child. She needed someone to take the fall, and Darnell Ridge was well aware of it. As long as the Leopold Family gave him money to spend and he could freeload off a wife, why wouldn¡¯t he be happy? As for the son? No one knew he wasn¡¯t his own. Although many people had their doubts when Cooper Ridge grew up, as he didn¡¯t resemble his supposed father at all. But since Damien Leopold was pretty, everyone naturally assumed that the child took after his mother. Now that Damien Leopold, who was known for her promiscuity, had her sore spot poked, how could she let the matter rest? How dare a worthless son-in-law who came into the family talk to her like this? She was itching to slap him across the face. ¡°Am I wrong?¡± Julius Reed leaned over, plucked a cherry from the fruit plate, and gently tossed it into his mouth, ¡°If you haven¡¯t been to a clubhouse, how would you know what a gigolo looks like?¡± ¡°You¡­¡± With her face red, Damien Leopold was at a loss for words! Darnell Ridge was often profligate with drinking and merriment, hanging out with his buddies, and she was lonely night and day; naturally, she would seek entertainment in some places. After all, the Leopold Family was wealthy. When she got married, they gave the couple a big supermarket worth a million dollars. On a daily basis, their income was close to a million just from sales in the store. But most of the money was squandered by Darnell Ridge on fine dining and keeping mistresses. The two of them were more like a couple in name only, mostly turning a blind eye to each other¡¯s chaotic lives. But outwardly, they still appeared to be a loving couple. At least in the eyes of everyone else, they seemed very affectionate. Driven by embarrassment and anger, Damien Leopold grabbed a glass of water from the table and threw it at Julius Reed! Splash! Julius Reed swiftly dodged to the side, and the steaming hot water, emitting vapor, splashed onto a flowerpot behind him. The originally vibrant leaves immediately began to wilt. If that had landed on one¡¯s face, it would have caused burns, if not disfigurement at worst. What a ruthless move. ¡°Aunt, what are you doing!¡± Quella Radcliffe rushed over and hugged Julius Reed, her eyes filled with concern, ¡°Are you alright?¡± The hot water was freshly boiled and extremely hot. Julius Reed shook his head, not saying a word. But his expression had turned ice-cold. ¡°Aunt, you owe Julius Reed an apology.¡± Quella Radcliffe turned back, glaring at Damien Leopold. ¡°Apologize to him? Does he deserve it?¡± With a sneer, Damien Leopold¡¯s eyes were full of disdain. Her own status, the daughter of a merchant, the owner of a large supermarket. And she was supposed to apologize to a kept man with a pretty face? What a joke. ¡°He is my husband, Aunt. Please show some respect. Moreover, this is my home.¡± Quella Radcliffe was very angry, but given Damien Leopold was an elder, she had to suppress the rage in her heart. ¡°Your home?¡± Damien Leopold furrowed her brow slightly, then suddenly laughed, ¡°What, feeling pity for your pretty boy? Worried about his face getting burnt? Since you don¡¯t welcome us, Dominick, let¡¯s go!¡± Having said that, she turned around to leave. ¡°A loser, what right do you have to be here? Next time I see you, I¡¯ll definitely beat you up!¡± Cooper Ridge threatened with bared teeth, devoid of any respect in his words. ¡°Hey! Damien, why are you getting annoyed with a child!¡± Knox Ridge, hearing the quarrel, hurried out from the kitchen and grabbed Damien Leopold: ¡°Come on, eat first.¡± ¡°Knox Ridge, about today¡¯s incident, I will tell Darnell exactly what happened when I get back,¡± said Damien Leopold coldly, pushing Knox Ridge¡¯s hands off her, ¡°You know the consequences.¡± ¡°Quella! Come and apologize to your aunt right now!¡± How could Knox Ridge let Damien Leopold go? If she wanted to return to the Ridge family, she had to first ingratiate herself with Damien Leopold, who held significant influence within the family. Furthermore, with Darnell Ridge¡¯s agitating, it could be possible for the Ridge family to nod their heads and allow Knox Ridge to return. Now, if she offended Darnell and his spouse, she could forget about ever returning to her parents¡¯ home in this lifetime. ¡°Mom, Aunt first insulted with her words and then splashed Julius Reed with hot water. Why should I apologize? Even if it¡¯s bullying, surely there¡¯s no need to bully like this?¡± Quella shook with anger. Where in the world is there such bullying? Right to one¡¯s front door? ¡°Shut up! You brat, how can you talk to your Aunt like that? And Julius Reed, kneel down and apologize to your Aunt!¡± Knox Ridge was completely enraged. It had taken so much effort to get Damien Leopold to come over to her home. But Julius Reed, an incompetent and mischievous fellow, had managed to screw things up upon arrival. ¡°And that door, are you planning to wreck my home?¡± Upon saying this, Cooper Ridge suddenly remembered their agreement, so he held onto Damien Leopold: ¡°Mom, it¡¯s almost half an hour now; I¡¯m still waiting for him to kneel and apologize to me.¡± Humiliating Julius Reed also delighted Damien Leopold, so she huffed lightly and sat back down on the couch. ¡°Damien, don¡¯t stoop to our Quella¡¯s level; this child¡­¡± ¡°I know, a poorly raised individual, no wonder he managed to bankrupt the company, truly a ¡®talent,''¡± Damien Leopold interrupted Knox Ridge, looking at Quella with disdain. Bad news travels fast. The news of the Radcliffe Group facing bankruptcy and liquidation had quickly spread to Knox Ridge¡¯s family home. Those relatives whom Quella had pressed for debts all felt vindicated. Naturally, Damien Leopold was aware of this, but what she didn¡¯t know was that the Radcliffe Group had already righted its course and was now profitable. ¡°The one that seems to lack manners is you,¡± Julius Reed said, shaking his head at Damien Leopold. ¡°Your poisonous tongue should be careful of retribution.¡± ¡°Retribution?¡± Damien Leopold looked at Julius Reed with a smile, ¡°Retribution is just an excuse for the incompetent to comfort themselves because they¡¯ve been bullied and can¡¯t retaliate, only able to console themselves.¡± ¡°Ever heard of instant karma?¡± After saying this, Julius Reed immediately picked up the kettle of hot water from the table and poured it downwards on her. ¡°Ah!¡± Damien Leopold, previously sitting with her legs crossed and a smile on her face, was shocked like a startled rabbit the moment she got doused with hot water, instantly standing up from the couch. ¡°Quella had quietly dumped it out earlier, fearing you might splash me.¡± Julius Reed, watching her utterly embarrassed state, laughed loudly, ¡°Sorry for startling you, Auntie.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Damien Leopold seethed at Julius Reed, furious beyond measure. Had she actually been played? The kettle was empty. Julius Reed had simply used an empty kettle to humiliate her in public. ¡°I just wanted to see if there was water in the kettle; if it was empty, I would have heated some more for Auntie. Don¡¯t thank me; I¡¯m very well-mannered,¡± Julius Reed finished, placing the kettle back on the table. ¡°You bastard! You dare make a fool of my mom?¡± Seeing this scene, Cooper Ridge, who had been standing, suddenly moved towards Julius Reed, swinging his fists to punch him, ¡°Today, I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Chapter 614 - Chapter 614: Chapter 614 The Entire Company Has Arrived_1 Chapter 614: Chapter 614 The Entire Company Has Arrived_1 ¡°Pah!¡± Facing the fierce approach of Cooper Ridge, Julius Reed gently spat out the cherry pit from his mouth. The pit hit its mark without deviation, directly striking Cooper Ridge¡¯s knee. Thud! The unprepared Cooper Ridge suddenly knelt down in front of Julius Reed, his head banging on the ground. ¡°Whoa! What¡¯s this all about? With the New Year around the corner, are you begging for money?¡± Julius Reed took a step back ¡®in shock¡¯, fumbled about on himself, and threw out a ten-yuan bill. ¡°Ouch! My leg!¡± Cooper Ridge looked up, his face twisted in pain. Seeing the ten yuan on the ground, he tore it to shreds in an instant! That blow hadn¡¯t been light, and Cooper Ridge¡¯s head was already showing a bruise. The floors in Knox Ridge¡¯s house were genuinely made of solid marble, hard as could be. Head hitting that, it couldn¡¯t be good. ¡°Cooper, are you alright? What happened here?¡± Seeing her son grimacing in pain, Damien Leopold quickly set her pride aside and went over to help her son up with concern. ¡°Mom, lightly!¡± As Cooper Ridge tried to stand, he felt that his right knee was as if broken, completely unable to support any weight. ¡°Big nephew, what happened to you!¡± Knox Ridge untied her apron and immediately went over to offer warmth and concern. ¡°It must be because you didn¡¯t clean the floor properly!¡± Cooper Ridge pointed unhappily at the wet patch on the ground: ¡°Who the hell did this!¡± Smack! No sooner had the words left his mouth than he got a hit to the back of his head. ¡°That would be when your aunt spilt it on the ground while throwing something at me,¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, arms folded across his chest: ¡°You really are ruthless, even daring to curse your own mother.¡± Reminded by this, Cooper Ridge remembered. Turning around, he saw Damien Leopold glaring at him. ¡°Shut your mouth!¡± Seeing things were going sideways, Knox Ridge immediately scolded Julius Reed: ¡°I don¡¯t want to see you here today! Leave!¡± The trouble Julius Reed had caused made it uncertain whether she¡¯d be able to return to her parents¡¯ home for the New Year. If she really couldn¡¯t go back, given the Radcliffe Family¡¯s current state of disarray, the old couple would have to stay at home, which would be utterly meaningless. For Knox Ridge, who loved a lively atmosphere, this was worse than killing her! Moreover, this year, many people were going back home for the New Year. ¡°No way!¡± Cooper Ridge limped to the door to block the way: ¡°There¡¯s less than fifteen minutes left of the half-hour, Julius Reed, you wouldn¡¯t go back on your word, would you?¡± The two had made a bet, agreeing that if Julius Reed couldn¡¯t install the security door within half an hour, he would have to kneel and kowtow. After being on the losing end all the time, how could Cooper Ridge let go of this chance for a desperate comeback? ¡°Aunt, you wouldn¡¯t be trying to show favoritism towards your son-in-law and let him off, would you?¡± ¡°No! How could that be!¡± Knox Ridge quickly said with a laugh: ¡°I forgot, I forgot!¡± She slapped her head, turned around, and immediately put on a different face: ¡°Julius Reed, once you entered the doors of our Ridge Family, you became one of us. We Ridge people mean what we say; if we can bet, we must accept losing!¡± ¡°Ridge Family?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow and asked: ¡°Isn¡¯t it the Radcliffe Family?¡± After all, he had married into the Radcliffe Family, not the Ridge Family. Burl Radcliffe was a genuine prodigal son of a once-rich family, not a son-in-law who had married into the family. ¡°What do you know, Quella is my daughter, and she perfectly inherits the virtues of our Ridge Family. If she were like her dad, she¡¯d be a complete failure!¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s words were filled with contempt for Burl Radcliffe. She thought she had married her daughter to a rich heir; at that time, the Radcliffe Family was also a major clan with abundant funds. Yet, it turned out that Burl Radcliffe was nothing but a ne¡¯er-do-well. Every other Radcliffe was successful, driving luxury cars and living in big houses. Only their branch was the most wretched. To this day, Burl Radcliffe still drove that old broken-down Seat and lived in the house they¡¯d bought when they got married. ¡°Excuse me, is this Mrs. Knox Ridge¡¯s home?¡± Just then, a voice came from outside the door, making an inquiry. ¡°You are¡­¡± Knox Ridge peered out, asking apprehensively, ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°We¡¯re from the security door company, now installing your security door,¡± replied the man dressed like a worker at the door. ¡°Yo! Kid, you¡¯re pretty capable, huh!¡± Cooper Ridge lifted his arm, glancing at the Rolex Submariner on his wrist worth a hundred thousand yuan, and grinned, ¡°But now there¡¯s less than ten minutes left, and just one worker, are you sure you can finish?¡± Having said this, he shook his head, muttering to himself, ¡°But for someone who lives off a woman, being able to pay for the security door is already pretty good. Where would you get the money to hire two workers?¡± Now, Cooper Ridge believed he held the winning ticket. A single person working until dark wouldn¡¯t be able to finish. This was a big project. But no sooner had his words fallen than a voice came from the door, ¡°Brothers, it¡¯s this one!¡± What followed was a chaotic rush of footsteps. ¡°Old Huang, take the door down! Old Sun, bring over the new security door! Little Wang, give a hand, everyone move your ass! Whoever¡¯s slow, I¡¯ll break his hands!¡± The man who first knocked on the door called out, and the employees behind him swarmed in like a pack of wolves. Bang! One person charged over, broke the screws, and then two others came over, pushed and pulled, and in less than ten seconds took down the previously warped door. The others immediately stepped in to clean up the site. The ones carrying the new door followed closely, clanking away as they began the installation. This scene left Cooper Ridge dumbfounded. It looked like an emergency rescue operation. ¡°I say, how many of you are here?¡± he asked, visibly surprised, as he walked to the door. ¡°The whole company, thirty-something people, all hands on deck! We have strict orders from above to get the door installed in five minutes, or the company dissolves!¡± After saying this, the man gestured with his hand, ¡°There¡¯s no time to talk.¡± Bang! With another loud noise, Cooper Ridge staggered back two or three steps. Then the security door was opened once more. ¡°Please, inspect it,¡± the leading man said as he took off his white gloves, and the employees immediately began cleaning the floor behind him. Spick and span! Cooper Ridge looked down at his watch, there were three minutes left until the agreed time. ¡°Thanks for the hard work. Rest well when you get back,¡± Julius Reed said as he walked over, nodding at the men. The people before him were all Aron Jackson¡¯s subordinates, experts in door repair. Aron Jackson didn¡¯t want to be just a thug in Gonzalez City; he had people from all walks of life under his command. In his own words, ¡°from crowing roosters to thieving dogs, all have their place of use.¡± ¡°Mom, I¡¯m feeling a bit unwell, let¡¯s head back,¡± Cooper Ridge quickly thought of leaving, his eyes darting around. If he stayed, he would have to kneel and apologize to Julius Reed. To kneel to a loser, what face would he have left to see people? ¡°That¡¯s right, I remember your dad is coming to Gonzalez City tonight. The three of us can have dinner together, then head back to Harbor City tomorrow to prepare for the New Year,¡± Damien Leopold said expressionlessly. ¡°Since my sister-in-law and nephew have something to do, I won¡¯t keep you. After you go back, I hope you can talk it over with the old man, and please mention my return home,¡± Knox Ridge also chimed in cheerfully. Everyone knew what was going on, but all kept their mouths shut. ¡°Wait a moment!¡± As Cooper Ridge and his mother were about to step out the door, Julius Reed said indifferently, ¡°Have you forgotten the bet we just made?¡± ¡°Julius Reed, don¡¯t push it too far!¡± Knox Ridge stepped forward, pointing her finger fiercely at Julius Reed, ¡°A casual joke, and you¡¯re taking it seriously? Ruining my¡­¡± ¡°The door that was ruined has already been replaced. And it¡¯s even more expensive than your previous one,¡± Julius Reed looked coldly at Knox Ridge, suddenly smiling, ¡°If I had lost just now, would you still think it was a casual joke?¡± Chapter 615 - Chapter 615: Chapter 615 Missed Opportunity_1 Chapter 615: Chapter 615 Missed Opportunity_1 Julius Reed¡¯s words were piercing, leaving Knox Ridge speechless. Indeed, if Cooper Ridge had won earlier, she would have definitely forced Julius Reed to kneel! After all, Damien Leopold was her hope of going home for the New Year, and she couldn¡¯t offend him no matter what. Moreover, she didn¡¯t like this son-in-law one bit and was always looking for ways to suppress him. ¡°Speak up, why are you silent now? Mother-in-law, aren¡¯t you usually quite talkative?¡± Julius Reed sneered coldly, staring straight at Knox Ridge. The atmosphere suddenly became awkward. ¡°Julius Reed, I am your mother-in-law! Do you even regard me anymore?¡± Knox Ridge, feeling completely helpless, resorted to making a scene. One hand on her hip, the other pointing at Julius Reed, ¡°You ungrateful wretch, I¡¯ve supported you eating and drinking for free for three years, and this is how you speak to me now?¡± ¡°Mom!¡± Quella Radcliffe stepped in front of Julius Reed, pushing Knox Ridge¡¯s hand down, ¡°Julius Reed, eating and drinking for free? How can you say that without your conscience hurting?¡± ¡°You, you ungrateful girl, always siding with outsiders¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m not!¡± Quella Radcliffe interrupted Knox Ridge, her face filled with anger, ¡°Three years, have you done the laundry? Cooked? Cleaned the toilet? Mopped the floor? You haven¡¯t!¡± ¡°When you come home, you just sit on the sofa, and everything is ready for you! If there¡¯s a little dust left on the coffee table, you¡¯d scold Julius Reed for half a day! ¡°If the food doesn¡¯t suit your taste, you¡¯d bang on the table and curse people!¡± ¡°Have you ever thought about how, in a family like ours, you live like a queen, expecting clothes to come to you when you spread out your hands, and food when you open your mouth? Are you that rich?¡± ¡°It¡¯s because Julius Reed has been silently doing all these things!¡± At the end of her speech, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s voice choked up, ¡°Julius Reed prepares breakfast in the morning and then starts cleaning. By the time he¡¯s done, he has to prepare dinner. And you all take it for granted!¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Knox Ridge, at a loss for words and trembling with anger, found herself unable to retort. Since she had come back, she had been irritable with Burl Radcliffe all the time, feeling like nothing was going right. The meals weren¡¯t timely or tasty. The house was a mess! She didn¡¯t even know how to unclog the toilet when it got blocked. Calling Burl Radcliffe over, the two could only stand together, at a complete loss. It was then that she realized Julius Reed¡¯s importance to the home. Knox Ridge had thought about hiring a maid, but as soon as she saw the prices online, she immediately dismissed the idea. Combined, her and Burl Radcliffe¡¯s monthly income wasn¡¯t enough to pay a maid for half a month. And after all, who would take as good care of her as her own family member? Besides, having a stranger in the house all day made her uneasy. Some things, even if you understand them in your heart, cannot be said out loud. Knox Ridge couldn¡¯t possibly admit she¡¯d done anything wrong! Never! ¡°He is our family¡¯s son-in-law, and he doesn¡¯t make money, doing some household chores should be his responsibility, shouldn¡¯t it?¡± Her mouth was as tough as a cooked duck, refusing to give in. ¡°Responsibility? Since when did the world owe anyone any responsibilities?¡± Quella Radcliffe looked coldly at her mother, feeling utterly disappointed. ¡°This family has truly chilled my heart. Three years ago, I never would have thought that the one person who would give me a sense of security and could be relied on would be the husband everyone despised.¡± When she was targeted by clan members, by Otis Radcliffe, by Zade Radcliffe. It was only Julius Reed who silently supported her from the background. At that time, Knox Ridge didn¡¯t even dare to call Quella Radcliffe. After finishing speaking, she turned to look at Cooper Ridge, ¡°You think working at Five-state International makes you so great? You think calling me sister-in-law is belittling you?¡± ¡°No! This is a direct opportunity to change your fate. An opportunity that many people can¡¯t get in their entire lives is in front of you, and you¡¯re not grasping it, and you¡¯ll also lose everything because of this.¡± Julius Reed knew exactly what kind of person he was. If Cooper Ridge was very polite, considering her face, Julius Reed would definitely lend a hand. With her relationship with Itai Huntington, shifting a position was a piece of cake. But Cooper Ridge looked down on others like a snob and directly passed up a golden opportunity. This was the chance many people dreamt of, one that they couldn¡¯t beg for! And what did Cooper Ridge do? He threw it away. ¡°Heh, cousin, cut the crap! He¡¯s just a worker, you think finding a job is something to brag about in front of me?¡± Cooper Ridge wore a look of disdain. Julius Reed a person of status? He couldn¡¯t believe it if you beat him to death! ¡°I¡¯m going to lose everything?¡± He said with an air of indifference, ¡°Do you believe that I can make him lose his job?¡± Through a friend¡¯s introduction, Cooper Ridge got a nice position at Five-state International and had recently been mixing quite well with some young masters in Gonzalez City. After all, Damien Leopold had money, the capital that allowed him to squander away. And Julius Reed was just a smelly worker, what made him think he could compare to himself? Just for Quella Radcliffe¡¯s words just now, he intended to make Julius Reed lose everything! ¡°He¡¯s at Five-state International, as a mere doorman.¡± Quella Radcliffe suddenly laughed. She used to think she was very kind, but today she realized that some people could make her abandon that kindness. ¡°Remember, his name is Julius Reed, the infamous loser from Gonzalez City, Julius Reed! Working as a security guard at Five-state International.¡± ¡°Oh wow! What a coincidence!¡± A smirk appeared on Cooper Ridge¡¯s face. First off, he was working at Five-state International and the friends he knew could get a security guard fired with just a word. ¡°I thought it was some big job, turns out it¡¯s just a gatekeeper dog.¡± ¡°Please show some respect. Even if he¡¯s picking up trash, he¡¯s earning his food with his own hands, without spending a penny of yours!¡± Quella Radcliffe glared at Cooper Ridge indignantly and said coldly, ¡°You have to fulfill the bet we made just now.¡± ¡°Impossible!¡± Damien Leopold walked over and shoved Quella Radcliffe away, ¡°Do you really think you¡¯re some kind of boss? A bankrupt woman still dares to show off in front of our Cooper Ridge! Thinking he would apologize to a filthy beggar, impossible!¡± ¡°You pushed her?¡± Seeing Quella Radcliffe shoved, Julius Reed immediately went over, his hands clenched tightly together. No one can hurt his wife. Those who touch her, die. ¡°Let it go.¡± Quella Radcliffe grabbed Julius Reed, yet still insisted, ¡°You must kneel down and apologize to Julius Reed!¡± ¡°Let it go.¡± Julius Reed grabbed Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand from behind and said with a faint smile, ¡°This is the so-called excellent Ridge Family tradition, the so-called Ridge Family word that must be kept! Today, I have seen it! The Ridge Family, really impressive. In their bones, they all carry this unique gene.¡± Saying this, he took Quella Radcliffe by the hand, picked up the bag of seafood on the table, and strode away. ¡°Really just a stinking beggar, let¡¯s see how I deal with the pride of a poor man!¡± The more Cooper Ridge thought about it, the angrier he got. A gatekeeper dared to trouble him? So he took out his phone and called his immediate superior: ¡°Manager Martin? This is Cooper Ridge, I need a little favor. It¡¯s about a gatekeeper at our company, named Julius Reed, could you fire him?¡± ¡°Yes! Yes! Yes! He¡¯s got a grudge against me, he¡¯s offended me!¡± ¡°Oh, thank you so much! I¡¯ll cover the dinner tonight, you choose the place! I¡¯ll definitely be there, don¡¯t worry!¡± After hanging up, Cooper Ridge had a sly smile on his face, ¡°Tonight at dinner, Julius Reed will also be there, and I¡¯ll let you all see how he kneels and begs for mercy!¡± Chapter 616 - Chapter 616: Chapter 616: Three Invitations and Three Refusals_1 Chapter 616: Chapter 616: Three Invitations and Three Refusals_1 After leaving Knox Ridge¡¯s home, Julius Reed took Quella Radcliffe and got into the Rolls-Royce. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, every time we return, I make you suffer.¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hands clung tightly to the seat belt, with tears reddening her eyes. She knew Julius Reed¡¯s temper well, had anyone else dared to be so insolent, they¡¯d likely be lying dead on the spot. The only reason Knox Ridge and the others could be so presumptuous was that Julius Reed was tolerating it. And yet, they were clueless. ¡°It¡¯s okay, but I suddenly realized¡­¡± Julius Reed gently held Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand, smiling as he said, ¡°Wife, you¡¯re getting sneaky, huh!¡± Just now in the room, the statement Quella Radcliffe suddenly threw at Cooper Ridge was clearly a trap. It seemed like an unintentional revelation of Julius Reed¡¯s identity, but it was actually a pre-dug pit, waiting for Cooper Ridge to jump in. What exactly was Quella Radcliffe¡¯s relationship with Itai Huntington? Quella Radcliffe was naturally clear on that. Just imagine, what would be the fate of anyone who dared to target her at Five-state International? ¡°I learned from the best!¡± Quella Radcliffe shot him a glance. ¡°Master, I¡¯m hungry, that seafood of yours¡­¡± Cosmo suddenly popped his head out from the backseat, looking at the bag of seafood inside the car with teary eyes. ¡°I almost forgot if you hadn¡¯t said anything, it¡¯s probably all cold now.¡± Julius Reed sighed when he saw the seafood that was nearly chilled through, ¡°Well, lucky you.¡± The things bought for his wife always experienced complications. Having said that, he shifted gears and drove home. No sooner had the car gotten halfway than Quella Radcliffe received a call from her mother. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, hurry up and bring Julius Reed back! Cooper Ridge feels very sorry about what happened this afternoon, and he¡¯s now planning to invite you two out for dinner.¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s urgent voice came through the phone, slightly excited, ¡°They¡¯ve already lowered their heads, so don¡¯t be pretentious! Hurry up and come, we need to have a good chat, we¡¯ll go to your grandma¡¯s house for the New Year.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Quella Radcliffe responded indifferently before hanging up promptly. Three seconds later, the phone rang again. ¡°You little rascal! Was it Julius Reed, that damned guy, who told you to hang upon me?¡± Knox Ridge¡¯s voice roared through the phone. This made Julius Reed driving feel utterly helpless as he was focused on driving and hadn¡¯t uttered a word. It was just like the saying goes. Sitting in the car, trouble comes from the sky. ¡°Stop talking! I need to listen to see if Julius Reed is spouting nonsense in the car.¡± Five seconds later, after confirming that the car was silent, Knox Ridge¡¯s anger subsided slightly, ¡°The place is at Treasure Hotel, in the Ziqi Donglai room. You must come, hear me?¡± Worried that Quella Radcliffe might ignore her words, she repeated, ¡°Do you know who Damien Leopold is? It¡¯s rare for him to lower his dignity and invite you for dinner, so don¡¯t put on airs! Especially Julius Reed, you must come!¡± ¡°Sorry, tell Cooper Ridge to personally call and beg me; otherwise, I won¡¯t go!¡± Julius Reed snatched the phone and hung up immediately after speaking. Not giving Knox Ridge any time to react. ¡°Is this really okay?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked, somewhat curious. The relationship between Julius Reed and Knox Ridge was already strained, and with such an act, wasn¡¯t it cutting off the possibility of reconciliation? Also, Cooper Ridge¡¯s act of conceding was surely a scam. They could use this opportunity to sort out Cooper Ridge¡¯s family. Even though they were relatives, Quella Radridge had long found them unbearable. Snobbish lot. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, since it¡¯s Cooper Ridge who¡¯s setting the trap, they will definitely want us to go. Why not collect some interest first.¡± Julius Reed turned the car and headed towards Treasure Wine House. He was the main character after all; if he didn¡¯t show up, how could the play go on? ¡°My mom is calling again.¡± Quella Radcliffe laughed helplessly, holding the vibrating phone in her hand. ¡°Just reject the call!¡± Julius Reed dismissed the call and looked at Quella Radcliffe, ¡°How about we make a bet? In less than five minutes, Cooper Ridge will definitely call.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the bet?¡± Quella Radcliffe raised an eyebrow, asking with interest. Together, she had immense trust in Julius Reed, and even in betting, she would intentionally lose. ¡°If Cooper Ridge calls within three minutes, you let me sleep on the bed tonight.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s face turned instantly red. Pfft! Quella Radcliffe burst into laughter and then said teasingly with a smirk, ¡°Do you want me to serve you in bed?¡± ¡°Hey! I¡¯m still back here!¡± Cosmo sighed helplessly, ¡°Looks like I¡¯ll have to eat this seafood mixed with dog food!¡± Her antics actually lessened the awkwardness for Julius Reed. Sure enough, in less than two minutes, Quella¡¯s phone rang again. The caller was Cooper Ridge. ¡°To answer or not to answer?¡± ¡°Answer, and put it on speaker.¡± While driving, Julius directed Quella. ¡°Quella, I¡¯m at¡­¡± ¡°This is Julius Reed. Quella got out to buy something, left her phone in the car. If you have something to say, talk to me.¡± Julius cut him off directly and spoke. ¡°Julius Reed, I¡¯m hosting a banquet at Treasure Wine House to offer you an apology. Come over before six o¡¯clock!¡± Cooper Ridge commanded in an imperious tone, devoid of any real intention to apologize. His manner of speaking was downright dictatorial. ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t accept.¡± After saying that, Julius hung up the phone again. ¡°Doing this ¡­ is it really okay?¡± Quella was caught between laughter and tears. Brody Cook invited Zhuge Liang by visiting his cottage three times. Now after three calls, Julius didn¡¯t show any intention to go at all. ¡°What if Cooper Ridge gets angry? Won¡¯t we miss an opportunity?¡± Quella blinked, ¡°What if we just go over there directly?¡± ¡°I had no idea you were so keen on seeing him down on his luck.¡± Julius chuckled lightly and drove the car into the parking lot of the Treasure Hotel. It was still half an hour until six o¡¯clock. ¡°Of course, you are my husband,¡± Quella nudged him gently with her elbow. ¡°We¡¯re in this together, right?¡± She had barely finished speaking when Cooper Ridge¡¯s call came in again. ¡°What now!¡± After sliding to answer, Julius said irritably. ¡°Julius Reed, hasn¡¯t Quella come back?¡± Cooper Ridge was so angry he wanted to curse. Where had Quella gone? She still hadn¡¯t got back into the car. ¡°Speak up if you have something to say, let it out if you have to fart! I¡¯m driving, it¡¯s dangerous to talk on the phone.¡± Julius shot back directly. ¡°Well, I was wrong in my tone earlier. But now, I truly want to apologize to you, to ease the tensions between us.¡± Cooper Ridge suppressed his rage and said with utmost sincerity on the phone, ¡°Plus, aunt and uncle are all here. We¡¯re only missing the two of you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll consider it.¡± Julius fell silent for a moment. ¡°Big brother, could you do me this favor? I¡¯m asking you. I was the one at fault before.¡± Cooper Ridge, hating Julius to the core, still had to speak in a conciliatory tone. But the thought of Julius¡¯s misfortune to come made him extremely happy. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m already downstairs and will be up shortly.¡± Julius got out of the car and locked the doors. ¡°Are you playing me?¡± Cooper Ridge was startled at first and then somewhat angry. ¡°Then I¡¯m leaving.¡± ¡°Wait, it was just a joke. Dominick, don¡¯t forget!¡± After finishing their conversation, Julius flipped through his contacts list and made a call. ¡°Itai Huntington, I¡¯m inviting you to dinner tonight. Treasure Hotel, Dominick. Don¡¯t ask why, time waits for no one.¡± After speaking, he gestured to Quella, and the two walked side by side into the hotel. PS: Due to personal reasons, the updates have been poor these past few days. However, I still checked for typos before posting, to slightly improve the reading experience. As of today, regular updates will resume. Thank you for your support! I wish everyone good health. Chapter 617 - Chapter 617: Chapter 617 The Feast at Hongmen_1 Chapter 617: Chapter 617 The Feast at Hongmen_1 ¡°Diamond, get the car ready.¡± In the chairman¡¯s office at Five-state International Building. Once Itai Huntington had received a certain phone call while dealing with company affairs, her mood instantly soared. Even after hanging up the call, she continued to smile at the screen for a half a minute. This man, he actually took the initiative to ask her out for a meal? Indeed, even pigs might climb trees one day. ¡°Miss, didn¡¯t you just eat?¡± Diamond stood at the door, asking in puzzlement. Not many could bring such joy to his miss¡ªcould it be that beast? Every time Diamond thought of Julius Reed making Itai Huntington cry in public, he felt a murderous rage. That damn scumbag! Yet irritatingly, his miss seemed to fancy him greatly. ¡°Didn¡¯t suit my taste.¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s expression darkened, ¡°Cut the chatter, get the car, I¡¯m in a hurry.¡± Such an attitude starkly contrasted to her demeanor during the call. From a lovestruck girl to a domineering and cold female CEO, Itai Huntington could switch in less than a second. ¡°Yes, miss.¡± Even if Diamond was extremely reluctant, he carried out the order without any hesitation. ¡­ ¡°Manager Martin, thank you for your hard work with today¡¯s matter!¡± At Treasure Hotel, in the Auspicious East private room. Cooper Ridge stood up, bending over to toast Bron Martin. ¡°No need! No need!¡± Bron Martin smiled and nodded, lifting his glass warmly, ¡°Lake, this is just part of my job. With such scum showing up within the company, how could I, as the head of Operations, just sit by and do nothing?¡± He was the head of Operations at Five-state International, overseeing all the security and wielding the authority to hire or fire them. He had personally come today because he had previously accepted a bribe of five hundred thousand from Cooper Ridge. Damien Leopold had spent no small sum arranging for Cooper Ridge¡¯s entry into Five-state International. And for Bron Martin to come here today to humiliate Julius Reed, it was his way of repaying the substantial favor. Moreover, with nothing much to do and the company already preparing for the year-end vacation, it was a good opportunity to enjoy a free meal. ¡°You have no idea. A mere security guard, he was far too arrogant!¡± Cooper Ridge said with an aggrieved face, ¡°At my aunt¡¯s house, that guy actually demanded that I kneel to him! Can you believe that? It¡¯s simply lawless!¡± ¡°What! Such a thing happened?¡± Bron Martin hit the table, his face darkening as he said, ¡°When I get back, I¡¯ll thoroughly investigate who recruited this scum and have them all disciplined together!¡± ¡°With Manager Martin showing such concern for the company, I¡¯m sure Chairman Huntington will hold you in high regard upon learning of this,¡± Cooper Ridge quickly flattered. His eyes swiveled, and an idea struck him, as he quickly added, ¡°When the time comes, don¡¯t reveal your identity just yet. Let him be arrogant for a while, and then expose him in front of everyone! Make him unable to save face!¡± Thinking back on the indignation he had felt during the phone call just now, Cooper Ridge was fuming internally. Merely rendering Julius Reed jobless didn¡¯t satisfy his vengeance. He would much rather have him utterly humiliated! Quella Radcliffe thought her husband was impressive, didn¡¯t she? This time, he would let everyone know that he was the strongest! ¡°Good!¡± Bron Martin gave a thumbs up, unable to resist praising, ¡°Lake, that¡¯s like delivering a killing blow! But in dealing with such scum, we must eradicate the evil completely!¡± ¡°Thanks, Manager Martin. Let me toast to you on behalf of Cooper Ridge!¡± Damian Leopold laughed, his mouth barely able to hide his glee. His son had grown up. Meanwhile, Burl Radcliffe and Knox Ridge, upon hearing outsiders plotting against their son-in-law, were actually overjoyed. Bang! Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open. ¡°Dad, you¡¯re here!¡± Upon seeing the newcomer, Cooper Ridge hurried over and introduced him, ¡°Dad, this is Manager Martin from our company.¡± ¡°Manager Martin, nice to meet you!¡± Darnell Ridge was dressed in a mink jacket, with a gold chain as thick as a thumb around his neck and a tattoo of a fly on the back of his hand. He walked up to Bron Martin and extended his hand, ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure! My son is young and might not know better, so please bear with him!¡± ¡°Lake is smart and clever, and has a good reputation within the company. He¡¯s also highly regarded by the leadership. Given time, he will surely be able to replace me,¡± said Bron Martin, who quickly got up from his chair and enthusiastically shook hands upon seeing Darnell Ridge¡¯s attire. As a social being, you can¡¯t afford to offend anyone! And judging by Darnell Ridge¡¯s aura, he didn¡¯t seem to be a common hoodlum, but definitely a ringleader. ¡°Mr. Martin flatters me! If you have any trouble in Five-river Province, just come straight to me!¡± Darnell Ridge patted his chest, with the demeanor of a man from the underworld. ¡°Certainly! Definitely!¡± Bron Martin exclaimed excitedly, ¡°Like father, like son, indeed!¡± ¡°Haha! Brothers, come in!¡± At Darnell Ridge¡¯s snap of his fingers, several burly and fierce men walked in from the doorway. Each one of them had an intimidating presence with a murderous look on their faces. ¡°I hear this Julius Reed kid dared to make my son kneel and even threatened my wife.¡± As Darnell Ridge spoke, he deliberately glanced at Burl and Knox Radcliffe, his voice cold, ¡°Then don¡¯t blame me for being ruthless, it¡¯s time to teach him a lesson!¡± ¡°No, no! That bastard did wrong and deserves to be punished!¡± Knox Ridge quickly stated her position, nudging Burl Radcliffe with her elbow. ¡°Ah! Yes, that¡¯s right, Knox Ridge is correct, that brat is lawless and deserves a lesson!¡± Burl Radcliffe, scared out of his wits, nodded hurriedly. Seeing this scene, Cooper Ridge couldn¡¯t be more smug inside. He said with a smile, ¡°Dad, later I want Manager Martin to fire him from the job, and when he kneels down like a dog to beg for mercy, then you can step in and deal with him!¡± ¡°Alright! Your wish is my command! You say the word, and I¡¯ll make my move!¡± Darnell Ridge pulled out a chair, sat down with his legs crossed, and lit a cigarette. Less than five minutes left until six o¡¯clock. ¡°I¡¯m going to the restroom.¡± Burl Radcliffe stood up from his chair and said cautiously. ¡°Hurry up! It¡¯s almost time, you¡¯re like a lazy mule, always needing to relieve yourself when it¡¯s time to work!¡± Knox Ridge slapped Burl Radcliffe on the body, cursing under her breath. Burl Radcliffe could only offer an embarrassed smile and say, ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Just then, Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe were heading upstairs to the Purple Qi from the East private room. The three met on the staircase. ¡°Hurry, leave! This is a setup!¡± Burl Radcliffe said anxiously, ¡°Your Group¡¯s Manager Martin and Cooper Ridge¡¯s dad are inside, they¡¯re looking to get back at you today! Get out of here quick!¡± As he spoke, he looked back at the door to the Purple Qi from the East room, his actions akin to those of a thief. ¡°Why are you telling me this?¡± Julius Reed asked in surprise, ¡°Don¡¯t you also hope that I¡¯ll come to a bad end?¡± Having lived at the Radcliffe¡¯s for three years, both Burl Radcliffe and Knox Ridge had been hostile towards him. Yet at such a moment, Burl Radcliffe actually came out to give him a warning? ¡°Regardless, you are my daughter¡¯s husband, my son-in-law. I don¡¯t ask for you to be wealthy or powerful, just that you take good care of her, and that¡¯s enough for me,¡± Burl Radcliffe sighed, looking helpless, ¡°I¡¯m not capable myself, and I know the wrongs you¡¯ve endured over these three years. But if I speak up for you, both of us could be torn apart by Quella and her mom.¡± At this moment, Burl Radcliffe¡¯s face bore a bitter expression. Hadn¡¯t he suffered abuse as well, no less than Julius Reed? A shrew in action could tear a house down. ¡°Oh! Julius is here? Uncle, what are you talking about?¡± Just then, Cooper Ridge came out of the private room with a smile on his face. Chapter 618 - Chapter 618: Chapter 618 Are You Worthy?_1 Chapter 618: Chapter 618 Are You Worthy?_1 ¡°` ¡°No¡­ we weren¡¯t really talking about anything¡­ just going to the restroom, coincidentally ran into them.¡± Burl Radcliffe, guilty as a thief, stammered in his explanation, on the verge of giving it all away. He was already a coward, and after being scared by Darnell Ridge and those societal types, his articulation was extremely unskilled. ¡°Cooper Ridge, is this the sincerity of your apology? We just got upstairs, and my father-in-law started scolding me, even asking why I came so late,¡± Julius Reed said in an unfriendly tone. ¡°Was it your doing?¡± ¡°Uncle, that¡¯s not right of you,¡± Cooper Ridge saw that Julius Reed was somewhat angry and realized he had misunderstood Burl Radcliffe. But then again, it made sense; the couple was only too eager for Julius Reed¡¯s misfortune. How could they tip him off? ¡°Brother Reed, come on in! It so happens a few friends of mine are here too. Today¡¯s a good day to get you acquainted,¡± he said with a smile curving his lips. ¡°After all, the more friends, the more paths.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go. I hope you don¡¯t disappoint me,¡± Julius Reed huffed, taking Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand and walking ahead. Behind him, Cooper Ridge¡¯s face was smug as he said confidently, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I definitely won¡¯t disappoint you!¡± Disappoint? That¡¯s out of the question! Once inside, it won¡¯t be so easy to leave. When Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe pushed open the private room door, they found it already packed with people. Darnell Ridge and his brothers were playing with small knives in their hands. On each face was a look that spelled murder. ¡°This one, you must be Julius Reed, right?¡± He looked up with a face of disdain and asked. ¡°No, you¡¯ve got the wrong person,¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, then sat down next to Knox Ridge and Quella Radcliffe. Bang! The bearded man next to Darnell Ridge suddenly stood up, slamming his fist on the table. ¡°You little bastard, even daring to play Lord Ridge?¡± ¡°How do you know I¡¯m playing him? When it comes to accusations, you need evidence. If whatever you say goes, then if I say I¡¯m your dad, would you kneel and kowtow to me?¡± Julius Reed spoke nonchalantly, even putting his feet up on the table and shaking his legs as he leaned back in his chair. Completely uncouth. Even, fully provocative. ¡°Bullshit!¡± The bearded man clenched his fist, pointing aggressively at Julius Reed. ¡°You¡¯re Julius Reed, damn it, I know you!¡± ¡°That¡¯s strange, how do you recognize me? We¡¯re complete strangers, and yet you know who I am? Baseless claims. You might as well say you¡¯re Aron Jackson, I might actually believe that.¡± Julius Reed faced the man¡¯s aggression without a trace of fear but instead turned up the provocation. The bearded man, put on the spot by Julius Reed¡¯s question, turned red in anger, ¡°I saw your photo this afternoon, given by Brother Ridge! So I know you!¡± As he finished, he immediately realized he had let something slip, and at the same time, Darnell Ridge¡¯s face also darkened. ¡°Oh!¡± Julius Reed feigned sudden realization, then with some bewilderment, he asked, ¡°Since uncle knew I was Julius Reed, why ask knowing the answer? Is this some kind of setup?¡± ¡°You¡­¡± The bearded man, realizing he had been made a fool of, became furiously embarrassed and was about to strike. ¡°Sit down!¡± Darnell Ridge shouted, and the bearded man begrudgingly sat down, though he beat Julius Reed countless times in his mind! ¡°Uncle, I¡¯m puzzled about one thing.¡± Julius Reed lowered his feet and leaned closer to Darnell Ridge. ¡°Why did you show these people my photo? Seems like something hostage takers do in movies!¡± ¡°How dare you speak to your uncle like that!¡± Knox Ridge was already scared out of her wits, and now with Julius Reed daring to offend Darnell Ridge, she was terrified. ¡°Auntie, what Brother Reed says makes sense. Let¡¯s not talk about this for now, let¡¯s eat!¡± Cooper Ridge quickly stood up to lighten the mood. His plan was to first flatter Julius Reed, then crush him thoroughly! How could he let such an atmosphere be ruined? After speaking, he picked up a glass of wine and introduced. ¡°Brother Reed, this is my friend, Bron Martin, who works at a big conglomerate in Five-river Province.¡± ¡°` ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Bron Martin!¡± Bron Martin stood up, holding his wine glass and looking at Julius Reed: ¡°I heard from Lake¡­ Cooper Ridge that you work at Five-state International?¡± Just the thought of this little security guard trying to show off in front of him made him want to laugh. It was like an amateur acting like a master carpenter at the Lu Ban¡¯s door. And everyone else understood the situation and was waiting to laugh at the joke. ¡°Indeed, I work in the security department at Five-state International and get to see the big bosses every day.¡± Julius Reed had no intention of standing up; he sat at the table, lifting his empty wine glass: ¡°Didn¡¯t someone say they wanted to apologize? Pour the wine first!¡± Damn it! Such a poser! This was Cooper Ridge¡¯s inner monologue, but seeing that the show was about to start, he could only force a smile, approaching Julius Reed to pour the wine himself. ¡°About what happened before, it was my bad. Please be generous and don¡¯t lower yourself to my level.¡± After pouring the wine, he sneered and said, ¡°I just hope you can show some mercy and not jeopardize my job, huh!¡± ¡°Jeopardize your job?¡± Upon hearing this, Bron Martin said with great surprise, ¡°Brother Reed, you have that much power?¡± He almost burst into laughter saying those words. A mere security guard daring to boldly claim he could cost Cooper Ridge his job? Who did he think he was? The general manager, or the chairman? Even Bron Martin himself didn¡¯t have the power to directly fire someone in Cooper Ridge¡¯s position. For a security guard to make such a grand statement was simply laughable. Just another case of ¡®a frog in a well.¡¯ ¡°It¡¯s nothing special, just acquainted with the big shots at Five-state International and have a bit of a say.¡± Julius Reed pretended to be modest as he said this and drained his wine glass in one go. He wasn¡¯t lying; the chairman of Five-state International was his lover¡­ And the clingy type that you couldn¡¯t shake off even if you tried. But his honesty was met with ridicule. In everyone¡¯s eyes, there was nothing but disdain and even contempt. Except for Quella Radcliffe. She knew her husband wasn¡¯t lying. ¡°Coincidentally, I also have some friends in Five-river Province and have been struggling because I don¡¯t have connections. I¡¯ve been wanting to get into Five-state International but had no way in,¡± Bron Martin sighed with feigned regret: ¡°Why don¡¯t you talk about it and let¡¯s see if I know anyone?¡± Having set the stage, Bron Martin was ready to reveal his hand. He was the Director of the General Affairs Department, Julius Reed¡¯s immediate boss. He wondered what expression his subordinate would have upon learning that he had been boasting to his superior. ¡°Itai Huntington, I¡¯m quite close to her and have invited her to join us for the meal,¡± Julius Reed glanced at his watch and muttered, ¡°She should be arriving soon, right?¡± ¡°Itai Huntington!¡± Upon hearing this name, Bron Martin almost spat out his drink! Of all the people, he dared to claim he knew the chairman? Now it couldn¡¯t be easier to fire Julius Reed, and he could even pin a charge on him! Speculating about company executives, tarnishing the leader¡¯s image¡ªthe compensation could leave this security guard indebted for a lifetime! ¡°What, you know her?¡± Julius Reed lifted his empty wine glass, looking at Cooper Ridge: ¡°Come on, fill this up for me, and your job is safe. Otherwise, be prepared to resign.¡± ¡°Pah!¡± Cooper Ridge burst out laughing, no longer disguising his contempt: ¡°Julius Reed, do you really think you¡¯re some big shot? You want me to pour wine for you? Are you worthy?¡± Chapter 619 - Chapter 619: Chapter 619 Itai Huntington Arrives_1 Chapter 619: Chapter 619 Itai Huntington Arrives_1 ¡°` Cooper Ridge¡¯s sudden change of attitude was already within Julius Reed¡¯s expectation. However, he still pretended to be surprised and said, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Weren¡¯t you here to apologize to me? What¡¯s with this attitude now? Do you not want my forgiveness?¡± Such an expression almost had Quella Radcliffe believing it was real. If he went into acting, he might even snag that Oscar statuette. ¡°Apologize?¡± Cooper Ridge laughed wildly and said, ¡°Do you deserve it? A mere doorman like you wants an apology from an assistant manager of Five-state International?¡± ¡°Julius Reed, what¡¯s in your head?¡± ¡°A doorman? Isn¡¯t he a member of the security department?¡± Bron Martin stood up as well, chuckling and said, ¡°Lake, he knows Chairman Huntington, be careful or you might lose your job.¡± The two of them took turns mocking Julius Reed mercilessly. ¡°Chairman Huntington, someone of his stature is within his reach to know?¡± Cooper Ridge took off his mask of hypocrisy, leaned his hands on the table, and said coldly, ¡°Julius Reed, you dared to threaten me today, kneel down and apologize right now!¡± ¡°Lake! Have you gone mad?¡± Bron Martin said with a forced smile, ¡°He just said that Chairman Huntington is coming soon. I¡¯d like to see how you¡¯re going to handle this then!¡± Everyone understood the implication and burst into laughter. Could such a nobody really know the renowned widow of Gonzalez City? It was like a lunatic¡¯s dream. ¡°Chairman Huntington is too busy to bother with a nobody like you!¡± Cooper Ridge laughed out loud, then looked at Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed, ¡°Sister, do you know who this Mr. Martin sitting next to me is?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t he¡­ a high-ranking executive of a large corporation?¡± Julius Reed asked knowingly, feigning ignorance. ¡°Haha! Julius Reed, you don¡¯t even recognize your immediate superior? This is Bron Martin, Manager Martin! The manager of the general affairs department at Five-state International!¡± Cooper Ridge was overjoyed inside, watching the shock on Julius Reed¡¯s face triumphantly, ¡°And you dared to spout such nonsense in front of him!¡± ¡°Indeed!¡± Bron Martin dropped his facade as well, and said coldly, ¡°I absolutely will not tolerate such a disgrace among my subordinates! Julius Reed, go through the resignation procedures tomorrow.¡± After speaking, he tapped his fingers on the table and pondered briefly, ¡°Considering your defamation of the chairman just now, I¡¯ve decided to pursue your legal responsibility. As for the compensation amount, perhaps it should be around two million. You should be mentally prepared.¡± ¡°Two million!¡± Julius Reed stood up suddenly, his face ashen, ¡°How could it be so much.¡± This time, it was Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe who remained calm. Although they looked down on their son-in-law, it was an undeniable fact that Julius Reed was wealthy. Along with his current exaggerated acting, they always felt that something was off. ¡°Is that too much?¡± Cooper Ridge felt very pleased inside; he walked up to Julius Reed, boastfully saying, ¡°However, if you kneel down and beg me, perhaps that two million¡­¡± ¡°I have a good relationship with Cooper Ridge; if he¡¯s willing to intercede on your behalf, I¡¯m not completely inflexible.¡± Bron Martin interjected at the right moment. In his words, there was already a threat implied. Now, Julius Reed had to kneel, whether he wanted to or not. Two million, how would he pay it back? With Quella Radcliffe¡¯s bankrupt business? The thought of the couple, one as a defaulter and the other drowning in debt, seemed quite amusing. ¡°Manager Martin¡­ you¡­ it¡¯s you¡­¡± Julius Reed stammered, terrified by Bron Martin, ¡°How could you be here? Then earlier¡­¡± ¡°Earlier, I was just probing you,¡± Bron Martin laughed out loud, pointing at Julius Reed, ¡°Who could have imagined such a shameless person exists in this world! Today, not only will you be expelled from the company, but the person who recommended you will have to leave as well!¡± ¡°You¡¯re saying?¡± Julius Reed suddenly smiled, ¡°Don¡¯t blame me for not warning you, but you can¡¯t afford to mess with the person who recommended me.¡± To facilitate his own entry and exit at Five-state International, Itai Huntington gave Julius Reed a security position directly. This way, he didn¡¯t need to register or swipe a card, and could come straight up to see him. By saying what he did, Bron Martin was essentially trying to push Itai Huntington out. Interesting. ¡°I¡¯m saying it! Today, even Jesus can¡¯t save you!¡± Pride was written all over Bron Martin¡¯s face; after all, he was the head of the general affairs department with considerable power in his hands. Creak. Just at that moment, the door to the private room was pushed open again. A burly man walked in without even knocking. ¡°Who is it! Didn¡¯t you hear¡­¡± Before the bearded man could finish speaking, he saw a woman in a long dress walk in. ¡°` The woman carried a white handbag worth over a million, her lips smeared with a bright red lipstick. Her long legs coupled with a voluptuous figure left all the men in the room stunned. Absolute perfection! ¡°Chai¡­ Chairman Huntington, how did you get here!¡± Bron Martin¡¯s heart skipped a beat when she saw the woman. At that moment, he remembered what Julius Reed had just said and got a real fright. But then he thought again, could a security guard invite Itai Huntington? Daydreamer! Even the local prominent young men, there were few who could invite their chairman, let alone the insignificant Julius Reed. It must be a coincidence! With that in mind, he breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stepped forward to greet her. Itai Huntington was decisive and not someone he could afford to offend. The other people in the room, hearing that the newcomer was Itai Huntington, also stood up one by one and lined up to welcome her. A person¡¯s reputation cast a long shadow. Recently, with the integration of the Gonzalez City Business Alliance, Itai Huntington had been very prominent. Many people might not know Ovidiu Cook or Aron Jackson, but there was nobody who didn¡¯t know Itai Huntington. As soon as she entered the room and saw so many people, Itai Huntington was also confused. And furthermore. Quella Radcliffe was actually here too! What about the supposed date? She had dressed up so carefully for nothing! It seemed there might be another reason for all this. ¡°Bron Martin, what are you doing here?¡± Itai Huntington stood at the door, asking with a stern face. ¡°This is the situation!¡± Frightened by her question, Bron Martin¡¯s forehead was covered in cold sweat; he hurriedly explained, ¡°There appeared a scourge in our company, and following the spirit of your instructions, to not wrongly accuse a good person nor to let off a bad one, I personally came to investigate.¡± He pointed at Julius Reed, trembling with anger, ¡°This security guard, he actually used the company¡¯s name to bluff and swindle outside, completely ruining our enterprise¡¯s image!¡± ¡°Him?¡± Seeing the innocent-looking Julius Reed, Itai Huntington felt an extreme sense of helplessness. Indeed, a pig will never climb a tree. So, did Julius Reed invite her here just to play along with his act? Forget it, might as well see it through to the end since I¡¯m here. Since I¡¯ve come all this way, let¡¯s play the part. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s him!¡± Seeing Itai Huntington surprised, Bron Martin felt overjoyed; this was his chance to shine! ¡°After receiving the report, I decided to personally investigate this security guard. The result was just like what Cooper Ridge¡­ that is, a young talent from our group, had said. This guy even falsely claimed¡­¡± He stopped short of finishing his sentence. ¡°Falsely claimed what?¡± Itai Huntington pressed, with a serious face, ¡°Don¡¯t beat around the bush when you speak!¡± ¡°He said that he knows you¡­¡± The more Bron Martin spoke, the more nervous he got. A jolt went through Itai Huntington¡¯s heart! Could Julius Reed have blurted out about the incident in the office? ¡°Hurry up! Don¡¯t test my patience!¡± Itai Huntington asked tersely. ¡°He said he knows you!¡± After Bron Martin finished speaking, he secretly rejoiced; Julius Reed was done for now. When the chairman gets angry, not even gods can save you! But when he looked up, he surprisingly saw on Itai Huntington¡¯s face¡­ A look of¡­ false alarm? Chapter 620 - Chapter 620: Chapter 620 This is Enough_1 Chapter 620: Chapter 620 This is Enough_1 ¡°So, what do you plan to do with him?¡± Itai Huntington took a deep breath. Although she could give Julius Reed everything, she still cared about her face. She could tolerate anything in private, but what if he caused a scene in public? Where would she put her face then? Now, Itai Huntington herself couldn¡¯t figure out what exactly she felt for Julius Reed. If it was about using him, or finding someone to help her achieve great things, emotions should not be involved. But that day, when she learned she had been poisoned and didn¡¯t have much time left to live, Itai Huntington suddenly realized that at some point, she had fallen in love with Julius Reed. For someone like her, devoid of emotions, this was very dangerous. However, love always sprouts unexpectedly. After a night of anxiety, she came to terms with it. In one¡¯s life, there¡¯s no need to be too constrained. Perhaps she really had grown tired of the life she¡¯d been leading all these years. Restless sleep, haunted by nightmares. Every day was spent either scheming against others or guarding against being schemed against. ¡°Chairman, this kind of miscreant, if kept in the company, would have a detrimental impact on us. I¡¯ve decided to formally dismiss him tomorrow,¡± Bron Martin said with righteous indignation. ¡°Moreover, I will also dismiss the person who recommended him to join the company!¡± After he finished speaking, the atmosphere turned strangely tense. At the same time, a hint of sympathy appeared on his face. Julius Reed¡¯s hiring procedure was facilitated by him, with Itai Huntington¡¯s special approval directly on it. A ruthless man, ready to dismiss even his own boss. ¡°That¡¯s good, very nice.¡± A smile appeared on Itai Huntington¡¯s face, nodding in approval, ¡°Manager Martin, for such an excellent employee like you, how should I reward you?¡± ¡°Chairman, you don¡¯t need to reward me at all!¡± Bron Martin shook, thumping his chest as he said, ¡°It is my honor to work for the company! I am proud to be appreciated by the Chairman! I am willing to give my all for the company, to work tirelessly until my last breath!¡± The speech moved everyone in the box. Cooper Ridge took the lead. Room filled with a round of warm applause. Persistent and enduring. It continued until everyone¡¯s hands hurt before gradually dying down. ¡°Now that you¡¯re here, tell me what¡¯s going on,¡± Itai Huntington casually walked over to an empty chair and slowly sat down. ¡°Chairman, this guy is my brother-in-law. Today he actually threatened me, saying he¡¯d make me lose my job,¡± Cooper Ridge quickly came over, eager to make an impression. Though he held a position at Five-state International, his status was such that he never got to see Itai Huntington. With nearly a thousand people in the group, he was just a minor managerial assistant, hardly worth mentioning. With today¡¯s opportunity in front of him, how could Cooper Ridge not cherish it? ¡°Brother-in-law?¡± Itai Huntington raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised, ¡°You reported him?¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± Bron Martin chimed in eagerly, ¡°Although they are relatives, Cooper Ridge nobly put the company first, willing to eliminate this scoundrel. Surely when he assumes a more important position later, he will enforce the law impartially, giving no chances to the parasites!¡± You must pave the way for the one who pays you. Half a million was a hot potato, and seeing Darnell Ridge¡¯s current situation, he didn¡¯t dare to offend him either. It was a perfect chance to lend Cooper Ridge a hand, to go with the flow and do him a favor. ¡°Please rest assured, Chairman, even though this wicked man is my brother-in-law, if he dares to harm the company¡¯s interests, I will surely report him!¡± Cooper Ridge was indignant, his piercing eyes showing no tolerance for even a speck of dust. ¡°Now I am curious.¡± Itai Huntington, supporting his forehead with his hand, pondered for a moment, ¡°How exactly did he tarnish the company¡¯s honor?¡± ¡°Chairman!¡± When Cooper Ridge started discussing this matter, his spirits immediately soared. His face lit up with excitement, ¡°This kid heard today that I¡¯m an employee of our company and actually threatened me, saying that he would make me lose everything!¡± ¡°Upon closer inquiry, I found out he is a security guard of our company!¡± As he uttered the words ¡°security guard¡±, Cooper Ridge¡¯s eyes filled with contempt. Seeing this gesture made Itai Huntington frown involuntarily. Young people, too impetuous. ¡°Exactly! Chairman, this scum, I don¡¯t know through what connections he got into the company, he even bypassed me directly! Wait until I thoroughly investigate, I¡¯ll kick him and whoever referred him out together!¡± Bron Martin chimed in from the side. As the general manager of administration, ordinary lower-level staff had to go through him for formalities. And yet this youngster managed to bypass him, definitely someone pulled some strings in secret. And what Itai Huntington hated the most was people who took advantage of public office for private gain. Exposing the puppet master behind the scenes would be another great achievement for him. ¡°Very good!¡± Itai Huntington nodded approvingly and stood up to look at Cooper Ridge, ¡°Just because of this one sentence, how has the company¡¯s image been damaged? And to actually trouble Manager Martin to come over in person?¡± ¡°Chairman, a mere security guard dares to threaten me, a manager¡¯s assistant¡ªthat shows how terrible his character is! If we keep him in the company, he will definitely bring a negative impact to our group!¡± Cooper Ridge argued with a sense of self-righteousness. Meanwhile, Bron Martin had already sensed something was wrong and couldn¡¯t help but start trembling. ¡°What if, he wasn¡¯t wrong?¡± Itai Huntington suddenly spoke. The room instantly fell silent. ¡°He, has the right.¡± Under the stunned gaze of everyone, Itai Huntington said indifferently, ¡°Bron Martin, Cooper¡­never mind, you two go and collect half a year¡¯s salary tomorrow and then leave Five-state International. Don¡¯t let me see you again.¡± ¡°Chairman! Why?!¡± Bron Martin collapsed to his knees with a ¡®thump¡¯, pleading in panic, ¡°I¡¯ve always had the company¡¯s best interests at heart and have never done anything to harm the company!¡± Once dismissed from Five-state International, he would have no foothold in Gonzalez City. In the past, there might have been some powerful companies willing to take him in. But now, with the commercial alliance already formed, which company would dare to shelter someone chased out by the chairman of the commercial alliance? Wouldn¡¯t that be opposing the chairman? Now, with an annual salary of over seven hundred thousand, Bron Martin had a decent income in Gonzalez City. Moreover, his car and mortgage loans required tens of thousands a month; without income, he would be in dire straits. ¡°Chairman, why?¡± echoed Cooper Ridge, equally shell-shocked. He had just reported his own brother-in-law, thinking it was for the greater good, yet not only was he not recognized for it, but he was also being fired? ¡°Chairman, I need a reason!¡± Bron Martin knelt rigidly on the ground, fists clenched tight. ¡°I also want a reason!¡± Cooper Ridge lowered his head as well, teeth tightly clenched. Was his promising future gone just like that? ¡°In fact, Cooper Ridge gave this Manager Martin five hundred thousand, and Manager Martin, taking his money to smooth things over for him, not only convinced the interviewer to turn a blind eye toward Cooper Ridge but also arranged for him a relatively easy position as an assistant to the general administration manager.¡± Julius Reed grinned looking at the dumbstruck Cooper Ridge and Bron Martin, ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything wrong, did I?¡± ¡°My dear, why bother telling them all this,¡± Itai Huntington flashed in front of Julius Reed in an instant and kissed him again on the lips, ¡°This is enough.¡± Hiss! The private room was as silent as the grave. Chapter 621 - Chapter 621: Chapter 621: The Ignorant Damien Leopold_1 Chapter 621: Chapter 621: The Ignorant Damien Leopold_1 If they say getting struck by lightning leaves your brain utterly blank, then everyone in the private room, except for Quella Radcliffe, felt what it¡¯s like to be utterly thunderstruck. Even the man involved, Julius Reed, had not anticipated Itai Huntington¡¯s sudden move! Caught completely off guard. ¡°Why are you taking advantage of me again?¡± He pushed Itai Huntington away with a plaintive look, wiping his mouth with his sleeve to remove her lipstick stain, feeling extremely aggrieved. This was already the second time, way too much. ¡°Wife, I¡­¡± Julius Reed turned to face Quella Radcliffe and sighed. Indeed, it¡¯s better to provoke this woman less. ¡°What, I come to help you clean up this mess, and I can¡¯t earn a little interest?¡± Itai Huntington murmured a few words in his ear, her face breaking into a triumphant smile. ¡°Make sure it¡¯s clean, don¡¯t catch any bad luck!¡± Quella Radcliffe took a pack of tissues out of her pocket and passed them to Julius Reed with annoyance: ¡°Be careful not to catch a disease.¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s sudden move left Bron Martin and Cooper Ridge dumbfounded. They knew all too well how cold and ruthless their boss could be. But now, Itai Huntington had actually initiated a kiss with Julius Reed? The two felt as if their inner worlds were collapsing. ¡°Bron Martin, weren¡¯t you planning to fire everyone who recommended Julius Reed to the group?¡± Itai Huntington said with a seductive smile: ¡°Now, call your subordinate and have them check who exactly recommended Julius Reed.¡± ¡°This¡­ I¡­¡± Bron Martin swallowed hard, feeling a chill rising from his behind to spread through his body. The temperature in the private room was high, but he felt extremely cold. ¡°Call!¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s expression darkened, scaring him into a shudder. After dialing the number with trembling hands, Bron Martin asked in a low voice: ¡°Give me¡­ check who recommended Julius Reed¡­¡± ¡°Manager Martin, Julius Reed was specially approved by the chairman. Is there a problem?¡± Crack! Bron Martin shuddered, and the phone in his hand dropped to the floor. ¡°Manager Martin, what¡¯s wrong? Are you still there?¡± On the phone, the head of security kept asking, unaware of what had transpired. ¡°No¡­ nothing¡­¡± Bron Martin knelt on the ground, fumbling to hang up the phone, his face pale. ¡°Chairman, you must have been deceived by him! Julius Reed is married and is just a good-for-nothing son-in-law who lived off his wife!¡± Cooper Ridge yelled out desperately, thinking Itai Huntington must have been duped by this pretty boy. ¡°Kong, this man is a bit noisy.¡± Itai Huntington glanced coldly at Cooper Ridge: ¡°I don¡¯t want to see them in Gonzalez City.¡± Bang! Kong kicked out, sending Cooper Ridge tumbling to the ground. As silence enveloped the room, Itai Huntington turned to Julius Reed: ¡°Is this the dinner you promised me?¡± Facing Itai Huntington¡¯s tight-lipped smile, Julius Reed felt an immense headache coming on. Indeed. Inviting gods is easy. Sending them away is hard. ¡°Chairman, I had no idea it was you!¡± Bron Martin, having regained his senses, crawled towards Itai Huntington but was hoisted up by Kong and slammed to the floor! His pain was visible as he clenched his teeth, but he still crawled forward, crying out: ¡°Chairman, it¡¯s all Cooper Ridge¡¯s fault! He made me deal with Julius Reed, if I¡¯d known he was your man, I wouldn¡¯t have dared, even with a hundredfold the courage!¡± Bron Martin was in despair. Where could he go after leaving Gonzalez City? With his wife and children here, finding a job after leaving Gonzalez City wouldn¡¯t be so easy. ¡°What do you mean ¡®my people¡¯?¡± Itai Huntington said coldly, ¡°If he¡¯s just a regular security guard, you think you can fire him as you please? Bron Martin, you actually dare to take money and stuff your own people into the company? You¡¯ve really got some nerve!¡± ¡°Chairman, I was confused, I beg you, please give me a chance!¡± Bron Martin cried profusely, pleading, ¡°I will definitely mend my ways, please, give me a chance!¡± ¡°Get out! Get out before I change my mind! Otherwise, I will hold you accountable, and then¡­¡± Itai Huntington gently caressed her fair and tender hand, speaking coldly, ¡°Even if you had to pawn everything, you couldn¡¯t bear the consequences.¡± ¡°Are you not leaving yet!¡± Dominick roared, frightening Darnell Ridge into quickly getting up, leading Cooper Ridge and his wife out the door. ¡°On what grounds!¡± Just then, the ever-fiery Damien Leopold stepped forward, confronting Itai Huntington, ¡°As the chairman of the corporation, you go around hooking up with a security guard in private, doing something so detrimental to public morals! And now, you¡¯re blaming my son?¡± Her family wasn¡¯t in Gonzalez City, and though she had heard of Itai Huntington¡¯s name, she had no idea what the name signified. Moreover, with Cooper Ridge being fired, her investment of hundreds of thousands was down the drain. She instantly flew into a rage. ¡°Let¡¯s go! Less talking!¡± Knox Ridge hurriedly pulled Damien Leopold towards the door. Being a man of the underworld, he knew full well the terrifying nature of this widow. ¡°Hold on!¡± At that moment, Itai Huntington stood up, her face the picture of frost. ¡°Repeat what you just said.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll say it! You as a widow, disregarding the company¡¯s image, and messing around with a security guard¡­¡± ¡°Shut your damn mouth!¡± Knox Ridge grabbed Damien Leopold¡¯s neck in one hand, shaking all over with rage, ¡°If you want to die, don¡¯t drag me down with you!¡± To speak of Itai Huntington like that was no different from having a death wish, wasn¡¯t it? ¡°Dominick, slap her.¡± Itai Huntington suddenly smiled, a smile that was quite charming. But to Knox Ridge, this smile sent shivers down his spine. ¡°You dare to hit me? Try touching me¡­¡± Before Damien Leopold could finish her sentence, her face took a solid slap. Slap! ¡°You¡­¡± Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Dominick who had just slapped her, momentarily stunned. No one had ever dared to hit her in all her life! ¡°Knox Ridge! Are you even a man? Your wife gets hit and you just stand there watching? Hit him back!¡± She charged like a madwoman, but was immediately gripped by the neck and lifted off the ground by Dominick. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Damien Leopold¡¯s breathing was ragged, her voice coming out in indistinct noises, her feet kicking wildly in the air. She was suffocating. ¡°Miss Huntington, my wife doesn¡¯t understand, please forgive her this once¡­¡± Knox Ridge quickly knelt before Itai Huntington, trembling all over. Could they afford to offend such a powerful figure? In his mind, Knox Ridge cursed Damien Leopold countless times, yet he couldn¡¯t just leave her to die. If Damien Leopold died, who would provide him with money to waste on extravagant living? ¡°Dominick, don¡¯t let this turn into a fatality.¡± Itai Huntington said indifferently with a glance. ¡°Hmph!¡± Upon receiving the order, Dominick let go, and Damien Leopold fell to the ground, gasping for air. Now her eyes were full of fear, and she was scared witless. In the meantime, Itai Huntington had turned around to face the pale Burl Radcliffe and Knox Ridge, offering a faint smile and saying, ¡°I hear you¡¯re Julius Reed¡¯s in-laws?¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± Knox Ridge nodded dumbly, her body shaking like a sieve. Chapter 622 - Chapter 622: Chapter 622: Bring It Down Together_1 Chapter 622: Chapter 622: Bring It Down Together_1 Knox Ridge was already scared witless. She was, after all, a member of the Radcliffe Family, and although she didn¡¯t hold a high status, she was very clear about what the four words ¡°Itai Huntington¡± meant. The Radcliffe Family was just a second-tier family; even before Itai Huntington¡¯s dramatic rise to power, they had to keep their distance with due respect. Let alone now, when this woman held the economic lifeline of Gonzalez City in her hands. Now that Zade Radcliffe was missing and the Radcliffe Group was on the verge of bankruptcy, Knox Ridge had become no different from an ordinary middle-aged woman. Having just witnessed Damien Leopold nearly being choked to death, she was stunned. ¡°I hear you often scold and beat Julius Reed, and even told him to get out?¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s smile did not reassure anyone. Because behind that smile, there was a cold blade hidden. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Knox Ridge had just spoken when she immediately realized she had misspoken, so she quickly shook her head and waved her hands: ¡°No¡­ there¡¯s no such thing, I treat him like my own son, really!¡± Even though she cursed Julius Reed in her heart, a wise man does not fight when the odds are against him, and Knox Ridge knew she could not afford to provoke this situation now. She could only hide! She never imagined that this good-for-nothing could hook up with the widow of Gonzalez City, who everyone spoke of with such fear! ¡°Your own son?¡± Itai Huntington raised her brow and grabbed Knox Ridge¡¯s face directly: ¡°Do you deserve it?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Knox Ridge was usually brazen, but when faced with a strong figure like Itai Huntington, she couldn¡¯t let out even a squeak. ¡°You¡¯re not worthy! What gives you the right to have such an excellent son-in-law?¡± Itai Huntington let go of her hand, glanced at her and said, ¡°I hear you also asked your daughter to divorce him?¡± ¡°No¡­ I didn¡¯t!¡± Knox Ridge quickly shook her head as vigorously as a rattle-drum. She was truly frightened. ¡°No! You want them to divorce so that I can marry over there,¡± Itai Huntington said, followed by a loud laugh, and with a meaningful glance at Julius Reed she added, ¡°Mother¡¯s leaving now, if it happens again, I¡¯ll just step in as the mistress.¡± Having said that, she left with a stride as grand as King Kong¡¯s, under everyone¡¯s peculiar gazes. It seemed as though speaking such words publicly, under everybody¡¯s watch, was completely appropriate. ¡°If I don¡¯t die, you¡¯ll forever be a concubine!¡± Quella Radcliffe suddenly ran to the doorway and shouted at Itai Huntington. Even Julius Reed was taken aback by that. Quella Radcliffe actually had such a fierce side. ¡°Wife, it¡¯s okay.¡± He walked over to Quella Radcliffe, speaking with righteous zeal, and gently wrapped his arm around his wife¡¯s waist: ¡°My heart only has you, no vixen will be able to take advantage of me.¡± ¡°Go to hell!¡± Quella Radcliffe said and angrily took out a handkerchief from her pocket, using all her strength to wipe Julius Reed¡¯s mouth. It¡¯s a good thing Julius Reed had strong teeth; otherwise, they would have been pressed right out by now. ¡°Eat!¡± Quella Radcliffe threw the handkerchief aside, stepped on it with disgust, huffed, and sat back down in her chair. After all this commotion, she really was hungry. ¡°Son-in-law, here, let me pour you a drink¡­¡± Just as Julius Reed sat down, Knox Ridge picked up a beer from the table, endlessly trying to ingratiate herself. Seeing this unusual behavior, Julius Reed felt somewhat uncomfortable: ¡°I can pour it myself.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Knox Ridge hurriedly spoke: ¡°I was wrong before, after dinner, you and Quella divorce¡­¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± Julius Reed sprayed out a mouthful of beer, looking at her in astonishment: ¡°What did you say?¡± Divorce? She dared to bring up divorce now? ¡°Julius, I¡¯m begging you, or else I¡¯ll call you ancestor, please divorce Quella,¡± Knox Ridge pleaded with a crying voice: ¡°Itai Huntington is not someone us commoners can afford to offend. I was wrong before, and now I¡¯ll kneel down to you¡­¡± Having said that, she actually knelt down and, agreeing with herself, gave Burl Radcliffe a fierce thump: ¡°Kneel down and apologize.¡± ¡°Mom! What are you doing!¡± Quella Radcliffe was truly going to be driven mad. They were good for nothing, only capable of making things worse! ¡°Quella Radcliffe, you better kneel and beg him quickly. If Itai Huntington does come for us, none of us will have any peace,¡± Knox Ridge said frantically as she pulled Quella, completely devoid of her earlier arrogance. ¡°Divorce, it¡¯s impossible for me to divorce.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s face darkened, ¡°If you dare to bring this up again, I¡¯ll tell Itai Huntington. As you have seen, she is obedient to me.¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Knox Ridge felt like she was at the end of her tether, wondering how she ended up with such a son-in-law. But as soon as Cooper Ridge heard this statement, he hurried over and knelt in front of Julius Reed, ¡°Brother-in-law, I was wrong!¡± While hitting himself in the face, he begged, ¡°Please speak to Chairman Huntington and ask her to forgive me just this once. I will be forever grateful to you.¡± With Itai Huntington listening to Julius Reed like this, if Julius were to say a few good words, Cooper might be able to advance even further. ¡°Get lost! Say one more word, and I¡¯ll make sure you can¡¯t leave through this door!¡± Julius Reed said coldly. For such a petty person, he was being merciful by not killing him right there, considering Quella¡¯s face. And yet he dared to push his luck? ¡°You¡­¡± Cooper Ridge got up from the ground, roared in anger, ¡°Just a pretty boy, what¡¯s the big deal! When someone better comes along, they¡¯ll kick you to the curb with one foot!¡± After speaking, he angrily left the room. Darnell Ridge followed suit, dragging Damien Leopold behind him in a sorry state, leaving the Treasure Wine House¡¯s private room in disgrace. With things having escalated to this point, they had no face left to stay here. Even Bron Martin, seemingly in mourning, slinked out dejectedly. ¡°Boss Brown, with the recent events, we¡¯ll need to trouble you to be more watchful.¡± At this moment. Inside the hallway of Treasure Wine House, recently acquitted Elwood Thorneycroft was talking and smiling with a middle-aged man beside her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve been waiting for Mr. Thorneycroft to return. We are all very happy that Miss Thorneycroft could come back safely today,¡± Rebecca Brown smiled and nodded, pointing to a private room inside, ¡°My folks are all here, wanting to welcome Miss Thorneycroft back and clean away the dust of the journey.¡± ¡°Thanks, Boss Brown, for turning against Aron Jackson, Father was very pleased. But since he¡¯s injured, he will definitely meet with everyone once he¡¯s healed,¡± Elwood Thorneycroft replied with a smile as well. Rebecca Brown was one of the five elders working under Aron Jackson. But his real identity was a piece hidden by Devlin back in the day. The day after Fabian Percival arrived in Gonzalez City, Rebecca Brown brought his fellow workers and enterprises from dozens of companies in the city, along with a large tract of industries, to support Fabian Percival. Such a meritorious person would normally be received by Fabian Percival in person. But due to his injury, he had to let Elwood Thorneycroft act as the host in his stead. ¡°Miss Thorneycroft, please,¡± Rebecca Brown stood at the entrance of the private room, gesturing with his hand. Just then, Cooper Ridge stormed out of the Treasure Wine House¡¯s private room furiously, saw people standing side by side down the hallway, and shoved past without a good word. ¡°Out of the way! Don¡¯t block my path!¡± An unprepared Rebecca Brown was knocked to the ground. ¡°Ow, catch him!¡± Rebecca Brown grimaced in pain. At his command, the workers at the door immediately stepped forward and pinned Cooper Ridge against the corridor wall. ¡°Let go of me! You bunch of dogs!¡± Already seething with anger, Cooper Ridge was understandably upset at being seized. ¡°Release my son!¡± Darnell Ridge, following close behind him, saw this scene and immediately led his companions to rush forward. There were only two of them while there were four or five on his side. ¡°Are you his father?¡± After being helped up by Elwood Thorneycroft, Rebecca Brown looked at Darnell Ridge with a cold gaze. ¡°Indeed! You¡¯ve got some nerve, touching my son, Cooper Ridge! What a bunch of blind fools,¡± Darnell Ridge looked them over and cursed at the group before him. ¡°Good, take them all down!¡± Rebecca Brown¡¯s eyes flashed coldly as he gently dusted off his clothes. Chapter 623 - Chapter 623: Chapter 623 Touching Porcelain_1 Chapter 623: Chapter 623 Touching Porcelain_1 ¡°Yo-ho!¡± the bearded man stepped forward, sneering at Rebecca Brown, ¡°Kid, with your puny frame, you dare to go against our Lord Ridge?¡± Rebecca Brown came from an intellectual background and always dressed in a refined manner. At Aron Jackson¡¯s company, she was in charge of finance. How much money they collected was entirely up to her. However, that didn¡¯t mean Rebecca Brown was soft-hearted. If it came down to it, she could be many times more ruthless than those thugs. ¡°Oh?¡± Hearing the man¡¯s threat, Rebecca Brown lightly pushed her black square-framed glasses up her nose and said with a fake smile, ¡°Lord Ridge? May I ask, which Lord Ridge is this?¡± ¡°Is it Abraham Ridge, or Qualin Ridge?¡± Faced with the questioning, the bearded man¡¯s face flushed red, somewhat upset, ¡°It¡¯s Darnell Ridge, Lord Ridge!¡± The two people Rebecca Brown just mentioned were quite reputable bosses in Gonzalez City. In comparison to those two, Darnell Ridge was hardly in the same league. ¡°Darnell Ridge?¡± Rebecca Brown thought for a moment, shook her head, and said, ¡°Never heard of him. Break one leg each, throw them out.¡± Finished speaking, she laughed looking at Elwood Thorneycroft, ¡°I apologize for making Miss Thorneycroft witness this.¡± ¡°Not at all, they should learn their lesson if even Boss Brown doesn¡¯t recognize them.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft nodded with a smile. Whoosh! No sooner had the words fallen than the two groups started fighting. The bearded man was skilled, but he was quickly taken down by Rebecca Brown¡¯s bodyguards with just two moves, wailing in pain. ¡°You dare hit my people!¡± Darnell Ridge¡¯s face darkened as he and his brothers gathered around. ¡°Kid, you look like a wealthy man. Here¡¯s the deal, compensate me with half a million and we¡¯ll call it even!¡± He needed money, and Rebecca Brown gave off the vibe of a big boss, The kind of big boss who was stupid but had a lot of money. ¡°Your employees injured my brother. If he ends up in the hospital, the cost won¡¯t stop there, and you¡¯ll be implicated too,¡± Darnell Ridge said with a grin. ¡°For someone of your status, it would be a loss not worth the gain if you got locked up, right?¡± This was his usual extortion tactic, especially effective against these successful individuals¡ªtried and true. No one would want to waste their time over such a trifle. A few hundred thousand was nothing for the wealthy; to them, it was mere pocket change. ¡°Extortion? Or are we talking about a scam?¡± Rebecca Brown was first surprised, then laughed turning to Elwood Thorneycroft, ¡°They¡¯ve brought the scam to me!¡± She was once among the most powerful people under Aron Jackson, and though her current role with Fabian Percival wasn¡¯t as prestigious as before, she remained a local powerhouse. She didn¡¯t take a small fry like Darnell Ridge seriously at all. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Don¡¯t want to pay?¡± Seeing Rebecca Brown¡¯s joking demeanor, Darnell Ridge became furious. ¡°Pay! Of course, I¡¯ll pay!¡± Rebecca Brown laughed, pointing with her finger towards the private room, ¡°My money¡¯s in there, come in with me.¡± ¡°That¡¯s more like it!¡± Seeing her concede, Darnell Ridge beamed with joy, waving to those behind him, ¡°Let¡¯s go, guys! Dinner and drinks on me tonight, plus a special treat!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°Smart thinking!¡± These people had no idea that endless peril awaited them. Miss Thorneycroft didn¡¯t enter, but stood at the door instead. She despised her husband¡¯s vile behavior and looked down on it. ¡°Move!¡± Cooper Ridge broke free from the restraints behind him and gave a cold snort before swaggering into the private room in front of Rebecca Brown. Only after they entered the private room did they realize it was packed with people. At least thirty or forty people were gathered around a large round table. And they all had a murderous aura, with unfriendly gazes. ¡°Boss!¡± On seeing Rebecca Brown enter the private room, the group stood up collectively and greeted in unison. ¡°Boss?¡± This shout terrified Darnell Ridge, making his whole body tremble. He knew he had entered the wolf¡¯s den. When he turned back, he found Rebecca Brown smiling at him. ¡°That, I¡¯ve got something else, we can forget about the medical fee, let¡¯s just be friends,¡± Darnell Ridge said with an awkward smile and turned to leave. Whoosh! Just then, the door to the private room was suddenly closed. Several burly men stood at the door, blocking Darnell Ridge¡¯s path, ¡°Do you think this place is where you can come and go as you please?¡± ¡°Boss, what¡¯s going on?¡± A man with a scarred face stepped out of the crowd, pointing at Darnell Ridge and his group, ¡°Who are these people?¡± ¡°That kid at the door just pushed me,¡± Rebecca Brown pointed at Cooper Ridge, then towards Darnell Ridge, ¡°This gentleman is the father of the person who pushed me, here to demand medical fees.¡± ¡°Fuck! Tired of living, huh! You even dare to extort Boss Brown!¡± The man with the scarred face brandished a chair menacingly and walked over. ¡°Misunderstanding! Misunderstanding!¡± Seeing the man with the scarred face, Darnell Ridge knew this was not someone to be trifled with. He definitely had blood on his hands. ¡°Misunderstanding?¡± Rebecca Brown said with a cold snicker, ¡°Just now, you were so arrogant, insisting on half a million.¡± With those words finished, the crowd erupted. ¡°Half a million? You¡¯ve really got the gall!¡± ¡°Boss, take him out!¡± ¡°Ignorant fool, daring even to extort Boss Brown?¡± Everyone¡¯s face was filled with anger, as they all stood up and surrounded him. ¡°Misunderstanding! Misunderstanding!¡± Darnell Ridge¡¯s forehead was covered in cold sweat. Now he deeply regretted it, realizing he had offended a boss! Whoosh! ¡°Go to hell!¡± The man with the scarred face flung the stool he was holding, striking down an employee next to Darnell Ridge and knocking him to the ground. Blood kept flowing out, frightening the rest who were backed up against the door, their faces pale. ¡°Brother, can you give me a chance, I know I was wrong!¡± Facing such a formidable person, Darnell Ridge slowly knelt down, raised his hands, and lowered his head to the ground, ¡°Boss, I didn¡¯t recognize Mount Tai, please let me off as a fart! I beg you!¡± Leading a few so-called friends to intimidate ordinary people was one thing. Now faced with a real serpent of the territory, his spirit was immediately broken. ¡°Just outside, weren¡¯t you quite bold?¡± Rebecca Brown asked, hands in pockets and smiling at Cooper Ridge, ¡°Young man, you¡¯re pretty strong, huh!¡± ¡°Sorry¡­ I¡­ I didn¡¯t mean it¡­¡± Cooper Ridge¡¯s courage was thoroughly chilled by now. With a room full of various bosses, what could he contend with? ¡°Which hand did you push with just now?¡± Rebecca Brown asked with a smile, showing no sign of anger on her face. ¡°This¡­ this one¡­ Ah!¡± As soon as Cooper Ridge stretched out his right hand, it was grabbed by the man with the scarred face and pinned against the wall, and he fiercely broke a finger! ¡°Don¡¯t rush! This is just the beginning!¡± the scarred-faced man chuckled, his elbow slamming directly into the back of Cooper Ridge¡¯s head. Whoosh! The sheer force caused Cooper Ridge¡¯s head to hit the wall, knocking him out cold. ¡°Boss, watch how I wake up this guy pretending to be asleep.¡± After saying that, the man with the scarred face slowly placed his hand on another finger of Cooper Ridge and broke it again! Crack! ¡°Ah¡­ pain¡­ I beg¡­ I beg you guys¡­¡± The excruciating pain caused Cooper Ridge¡¯s body to shake, his face instantly turning pale. At the sound of her son¡¯s screams, Damien Leopold was momentarily stunned, then immediately turned around and rushed towards the ¡®Purple Qi Coming from the East¡¯ private room. Chapter 624 - Chapter 624: Chapter 624: Enemies on a Narrow Road Meet Again_1 Chapter 624: Chapter 624: Enemies on a Narrow Road Meet Again_1 ¡°Julius Reed, aren¡¯t you very capable? Go save them!¡± In the Purple Mist Eastern Arrival private room. It was while Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed were having a meal. Damien Leopold pushed open the door and came in. She looked anxious, rushing straight to Julius Reed and gasping, ¡°Hurry! Go save them!¡± ¡°Save them?¡± Quella Radcliffe turned her head with some confusion and asked, ¡°Save who?¡± Hadn¡¯t Damien Leopold and Darnell Ridge just left? Could it be they had come back to find trouble with her? ¡°Your uncle and Dominick have been captured, and I heard they might have been beaten up!¡± Damien Leopold exclaimed urgently, ¡°Julius Reed, don¡¯t you know Itai Huntington? Please, go help!¡± The more she spoke, the more anxious she became. She had heard the screams inside the room, clear and distinct. The longer the delay, the more Cooper Ridge would suffer. ¡°Why should I help?¡± Julius Reed scoffed, picking up a piece of fish with his chopsticks and taking a big bite. Indeed, this family was not easy to deal with. In such a short time, they managed to get into trouble with others. ¡°You¡­¡± Damien Leopold put her hands on her hips, about to curse, but she swallowed her words before they could escape. ¡°I¡¯m begging you!¡± Thump! She knelt down suddenly before Julius Reed, pleading, ¡°Please, just this once, let bygones be bygones and help us?¡± ¡°Sorry, but as a doorman, what if I get myself in trouble?¡± Julius Reed asked coldly. ¡°That won¡¯t happen!¡± Damien Leopold shook her head, ¡°You just need to say you know Itai Huntington, and they won¡¯t turn down the favor from you.¡± In her heart, she actually wished those people would give Julius Reed a good thrashing! Not only would it allow her to vent her anger, but it would also draw Itai Huntington¡¯s attention to get revenge for Cooper Ridge and his son. After beating up Julius Reed, those people wouldn¡¯t get off lightly. ¡°I said I¡¯m busy!¡± Julius Reed banged his chopsticks on the table, picked up a piece of tender white meat, and gently placed it in his mouth. While eating, he nodded and said, ¡°This Treasure Hotel, the chef¡¯s skills aren¡¯t half bad!¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Damien Leopold was almost bursting with anger. A mere doorman, what was he acting so high and mighty about? But now that she needed help, and thinking of her family suffering inside the room, she had to turn to Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe, ¡°Isn¡¯t he your brother? Are you just going to watch as they suffer in there?¡± If it were any other time, Knox Ridge would already have cursed and sent Julius Reed to save them. But after Itai Huntington¡¯s soul-searching interrogation, Knox Ridge hadn¡¯t yet recovered, let alone dare to boss Julius Reed around. Seeing that the couple was of no use, Damien Leopold, gritting her teeth, approached Quella Radcliffe and begged again, ¡°I¡¯m asking you, for your own uncle¡¯s sake inside there!¡± ¡°Sigh!¡± Quella Radcliffe sighed. No matter what, that was her blood relative. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go have a look?¡± She asked Julius Reed in a low voice. ¡°It¡¯s because you asked.¡± Slap! Julius Reed slapped his chopsticks onto the table! ¡°Now, call Darnell Ridge and ask who took them.¡± ¡°Okay! I¡¯m calling!¡± Damien Leopold clumsily dialed Darnell Ridge¡¯s mobile phone, but someone else picked up. ¡°Hello, may I ask¡­¡± ¡°Tell your leader to come talk to me!¡± Julius Reed snatched the phone, still chewing his food, and mumbled. ¡°Who the hell are you!¡± The person on the other end of the phone asked annoyedly upon hearing his tone. ¡°Cut the crap! Who¡¯s your boss!¡± Julius Reed demanded once more. ¡°I¡¯m Boss Brown, and who might you be¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m your daddy!¡± After saying that, Julius Reed immediately hung up the phone. ¡°How¡¯s it going?¡± Full of anticipation, Damien Leopold asked. ¡°If I go, it will only make things worse.¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders, ¡°The people in there are my sworn enemies. Just by showing up, their father and son duo would end up in an even more terrible situation.¡± ¡°Julius Reed! You¡¯re not human!¡± Standing up, Damien Leopold said fiercely, ¡°I¡¯ve known it all along, you ingrate! You¡¯re set on taking revenge and getting back at us! Fine, I¡¯ll remember this!¡± ¡°Auntie!¡± Quella Radcliffe stood up, looked at Damien Leopold, and spoke unhappily: ¡°Julius is definitely not that kind of person, he would never deceive you!¡± Since she had already spoken up, if Julius could save them, he definitely would. She believed in her husband. ¡°No worries.¡± Julius Reed stretched out a hand and looked towards Damien Leopold: ¡°Let¡¯s get the ugly truth out in advance, if I go and it leads to your son and husband being in danger, I will not be responsible for the consequences!¡± He had heard about Boss Brown¡¯s matters from Aron Jackson. This person was a loyal supporter of Fabian Percival and a deathly foe to him. If he showed up now, without a doubt, Boss Brown would increase his torture of Cooper Ridge and his son even more severely. ¡°Fine! As long as you drop Itai Huntington¡¯s name and make another phone call, even if the two of them die, I won¡¯t blame you!¡± Damien Leopold stared straight at Julius Reed, gritting her teeth as she spoke. With Itai Huntington being so powerful in Gonzalez City, would a gang of ruffians dare to disrespect him? ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll go now.¡± Julius Reed stood up, put on his coat, and followed behind Damien Leopold. ¡°I¡¯m coming too!¡± Quella Radcliffe followed closely, heading to the scene with Julius Reed. At that moment. Inside the Opportunities private room. Cooper Ridge and Darnell Ridge were brutally beaten. Three fingers of Cooper Ridge¡¯s right hand were broken. His eyes were bloodshot, and his voice had gone hoarse from shouting. Darnell Ridge¡¯s head was being stomped on, as a group of people stood above him urinating. ¡°Ha-ha! Open your mouth!¡± ¡°Damn it! Open your mouth!¡± Swish! Some were punching and kicking, others were unzipping their pants, letting themselves go wild. Darnell Ridge¡¯s head was being stomped on firmly, as an unknown liquid was poured into his mouth. ¡°Do you realize your head looks just like a chamber pot!¡± The man with a scar on his face pulled up his pants and laughed out loud. ¡°Be mindful, Miss Thorneycroft is still here,¡± Boss Brown coughed out. ¡°It¡¯s fine! Continue playing!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft turned away, her face turning slightly red as she turned her back to them. ¡°Sorry for getting carried away, Miss Thorneycroft, please forgive us!¡± Reminded by Boss Brown, everyone quickly pulled up their pants, laughing awkwardly. Thump! Thump! Thump! Just then, a series of frantic knocks came from outside the door. ¡°Who is it!¡± The scar-faced man gestured, and the person behind him stood out, shielding Darnell Ridge and the others behind him. ¡°You¡­¡± After opening the door, he saw a man and two women. ¡°It¡¯s like this. Please tell me, the person standing inside, is that Boss Brown, Boss Brown?¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands clasped behind his back, looking quite formidable as he spoke. Seeing his demeanor, the scar-faced man hesitated for a moment. He then turned around and looked towards Boss Brown: ¡°A young man is looking for you, seems like someone of note.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Boss Brown raised an eyebrow and stepped out from the private room, evaluating Julius Reed: ¡°I don¡¯t believe we¡¯ve met, have we?¡± In his memory, he didn¡¯t seem to recognize such a young man. Could it be a case of mistaken identity? But the fact that the other party was looking for him directly meant he certainly wasn¡¯t an ordinary person. Just then, Elwood Thorneycroft came out from the private room. The moment she saw Julius Reed, her pupils constricted sharply! ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± Chapter 625 - Chapter 625: Chapter 625: The Neglected Express Delivery_1 Chapter 625: Chapter 625: The Neglected Express Delivery_1 ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re here too?¡± The moment Julius Reed saw Elwood Thorneycroft, he cursed inwardly, realizing this was bad. With Rebecca Brown alone, he might have been able to bluff his way through with just a few words. Now that Elwood Thorneycroft had bumped into them, it served the father and son right for their misfortune. Enemies often cross paths, indeed. Back at the airport, at the hotel, at the Cook Family¡¯s home! Julius Reed had set up traps everywhere; he was sure that with Fabian Percival¡¯s intelligence, he¡¯d have realized by now. But it was a pity. Because Elwood Thorneycroft had not taken action personally and his accomplice had committed suicide, there was insufficient evidence, and he was released without charges. This had frustrated Julius Reed for a whole five minutes. ¡°You know each other?¡± Rebecca Brown was surprised to see Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s expression. Elwood Thorneycroft is Fabian Percival¡¯s daughter, who had just returned to the country a few days earlier. She had been detained for a murder case and had just been released today. They actually knew each other? This made Rebecca Brown very interested in Julius Reed¡¯s identity. Could he be another person Mr. Thorneycroft brought back to the country? ¡°More than knowing each other¡­¡± Elwood Thorneycroft sneered, looking at Julius Reed, ¡°It¡¯s etched deep in the bones, isn¡¯t it, right?¡± ¡°Right! Right!¡± Julius Reed nodded awkwardly, saying earnestly, ¡°Miss Thorneycroft, how have you been? I¡¯ve missed you terribly these past few days!¡± The intimate nature of their conversation immediately delighted Damien Leopold. ¡°That, um¡­¡± She stepped forward, looking at Rebecca Brown, ¡°My husband and son just offended you earlier. Could you, as someone magnanimous, consider their relationship and let them off the hook for once, sparing the father and son?¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Rebecca Brown raised an eyebrow, realizing this was a rescue attempt. But seeing the relationship between the young man and Elwood Thorneycroft, he considered whether he should do them a favor. After all, they had been tormented enough. It was just a matter of going with the flow. ¡°Miss Thorneycroft, you and this gentleman¡­¡± Rebecca Brown outwardly inquired about their relationship, but what he was really asking was whether or not to release them. Elwood Thorneycroft smiled and turned around, pointing to Julius Reed, ¡°Boss Brown, do you know that I was once locked up for two days on a charge of murder?¡± ¡°I remember!¡± Rebecca Brown nodded his head. Fabian Percival had been set up after returning to the country and was severely beaten. For revenge, Elwood Thorneycroft led a group to annihilate the entire Cook Family. Later, they found out they had been framed. The ones they fought weren¡¯t the Cook family¡¯s people. And after they finished killing, the police just happened to arrive and caught them on the spot. Elwood Thorneycroft had just left the police station today, and this meal was also a celebration for his release. ¡°Do you know who was behind all this?¡± Elwood Thorneycroft said with a cold smile, walking up to Julius Reed, ¡°It was him!¡± As soon as these words fell, everyone¡¯s expression changed drastically! ¡°Someone!¡± Rebecca Brown called out sternly, and a dozen employees immediately surrounded them. ¡°Give the father and son in the room a good ¡®welcome¡¯!¡± With a wave of his hand, howls came from inside the room immediately. Utterly miserable. ¡°Julius Reed, you damn bastard! You¡¯re trying to get us killed!¡± Damien Leopold glared with wide eyes, running up to Julius Reed like a maniac, ¡°You¡¯re not human, you animal!¡± ¡°I said before that if my arrival caused those two to suffer more severe injuries, I take no responsibility!¡± Julius Reed pushed Damien Leopold away in disgust, turned around, and bowed, ¡°Everyone, please continue to enjoy your meal. I won¡¯t disturb you any longer.¡± After speaking, he grabbed Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand and was about to walk away. Indeed, enemies often meet on a narrow path. What are the chances of an encounter? ¡°Stop right there!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft shouted angrily, his body shooting toward Julius Reed like a bolt of lightning! If she hadn¡¯t seen him, she might have let it go, but he had almost cost her her life at the police station, a humiliation she couldn¡¯t swallow! ¡°Honey, go downstairs and start the car!¡± Julius Reed suddenly turned around and caught Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s leg as she attempted to kick him from midair, and yanked it fiercely! Rip! Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s sexy leather pants were torn apart, revealing a large expanse of pale skin. ¡°How vulgar!¡± She quickly retracted her leg and stood in place, clenching her thighs together. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve got a bit of an issue today. We¡¯ll play another day, if we ever run into each other again,¡± Julius Reed said with a wink as he sprinted down the stairs. He refrained from retaliating because he wanted the Ridge Family father and son to learn a lesson. Moreover, this was a restaurant, and he didn¡¯t want to start a fight there. ¡°Chase him!¡± Rebecca Brown gestured, and the people in the room streamed out, pursuing him closely. But by the time they got downstairs, Julius Reed had already left with Quella Radcliffe in a Rolls-Royce. ¡°Next time I see you, I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft watched the speeding sedan with teeth clenched in fury. ¡°Miss Thorneycroft, please go to your car. I¡¯ll have someone buy you a change of clothes,¡± Rebecca Brown said concerningly as she walked out of the hotel. ¡°No need,¡± Elwood Thorneycroft refused curtly while apologetically adding, ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, I don¡¯t feel very well and must take my leave.¡± After saying that, she got into her BMW and drove towards the Five-lakes Clubhouse with a roar. ¡­ Meanwhile, in Gonzalez City at the Tomorrow Logistics Park. Jennifer Lopez was sitting on a spacious sofa, holding a cup of coffee in her hand. ¡°Miss, why is there still no word from the people we sent out?¡± Behind her stood two men. One was in traditional attire, cradling a sword in his arms, his expression icy cold. The other wore a Western suit and looked respectful. ¡°With Georgia Warm taking action, the other party is as good as dead!¡± Before Jennifer Lopez could speak, the man holding the sword said coldly. He was Larsen Warm, senior disciple of Chandler Swordman Nathanael Warm. ¡°Georgia Warm is very skilled, and I too believe Julius Reed is dead,¡± Jennifer Lopez nodded in agreement. The real father of Zane Percival was Chandler Swordman Nathanael Warm! And Arlo Percival was nothing more than a patsy! Affronted by the humiliation of Zane Percival, Nathanael Warm had sent two disciples down the mountain, swearing to avenge his son! Jennifer Lopez, using a spy she had planted close to Itai Huntington, had ascertained their whereabouts and had someone pose as Itai Huntington¡¯s driver to lure Julius Reed to a homey retreat. A live capture! And an agreement was made to have the captive sent to the capital through Arlo Percival¡¯s logistics network once he was caught. But when several days passed without receiving the delivery, Jennifer Lopez decided to come in person. The more pressing reason was that she had already made contact with Fabian Percival; the two were planning to join forces to take out Itai Huntington. Back when she was violated, photographed, and those indecent photos appeared on the big screen of the Gonzalez City Business Alliance, she had become archenemies with Itai Huntington. Enemies bound by a fatal enmity! ¡°Miss Lopez.¡± Just then, Zane Percival walked in from outside. Upon seeing the two men beside Jennifer Lopez, he nodded and bowed, saying, ¡°I do have a package for you here. It was an oversight by an employee; they forgot about it.¡± Then he was sweating profusely. Others might think they were husband and wife, but he was just a puppet. ¡°Come here.¡± Jennifer Lopez nodded and gestured him closer with a crook of her finger. ¡°Alright.¡± Zane Percival hunched over and approached her cautiously. Slap! Jennifer Lopez slapped him across the face and scolded fiercely, ¡°You¡¯re such a waste! You managed to overlook such an important matter! Bring me that package right now!¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Zane Percival, covering his face, turned and hurried away with a trot. ¡°Three days.¡± Jennifer Lopez looked at her fingers and said with a smile, ¡°Julius Reed, you better not suffocate. I¡¯d be heartbroken!¡± Chapter 626 - Chapter 626: Chapter 626: Who is Faster_1 Chapter 626: Chapter 626: Who is Faster_1 It wasn¡¯t long before Arlo Percival, accompanied by four employees, arrived carrying an exceedingly heavy delivery box into the room where Jennifer Lopez was. ¡°You, leave.¡± After the package was placed down, Miss Lopez waved her hand, motioning for them to exit. Arlo Percival immediately led his people out, not daring to linger for even a moment longer. ¡°Julius Reed, I have no idea if you¡¯re dead or alive.¡± Once only three people remained in the room, Miss Lopez stood up with a smile and walked around the delivery box, taking her time and circling it a few times. ¡°If you¡¯re dead, I would truly be sad. In that case, the toy I¡¯ve prepared would have to be used on Itai Huntington instead!¡± As she spoke, she patted the box. There was no sound from inside. However, at the edges of the box, there were traces of dry blood. Though not prominent, they were still discernible. ¡°Cosmo, open the box.¡± Miss Lopez turned away, her expression impassive, and settled back onto the sofa, lightly crossing one leg over the other. ¡°Yes, Miss!¡± Cosmo stepped forward, gently tapping the delivery box to ensure it was safe, then took out a scanner from his pocket. Ding! After scanning, he discovered a person lying inside. To be precise, curled up. ¡°It really is him.¡± Miss Lopez, with her hand propping up her chin, indifferently said, ¡°Open it, I can¡¯t wait any longer!¡± ¡°Yes! Miss!¡± Cosmo put away the scanner and simultaneously took out a small knife, carefully cutting through the tape on the box. Before long, all the tape had been removed. Then, Cosmo pressed his foot on the box and forcefully tore the clasps open! Boom! The box unfolded like a blooming lotus! ¡°How can this be!¡± When a corpse was revealed inside, all three exclaimed in shock! ¡°No! Impossible!¡± Larsen Warm could no longer maintain his composure, he rushed to the front of the delivery box, knelt down on one knee on the floor, and agonizingly touched Georgia Warm¡¯s rigid body. ¡°Junior brother¡­ I must¡­ I must avenge you!¡± His eyes filled with hatred, anger, and madness! ¡°Shouldn¡¯t it be Julius Reed inside here?¡± Miss Lopez was completely dumbfounded. Inside wasn¡¯t Julius Reed, but the body of Georgia Warm! Then those she had sent out¡­ At this thought, Miss Lopez suddenly felt a chill down her back! What kind of monster was this? Not even Georgia Warm could kill him? And among those accompanying him, there was a group of outstanding hidden-weapon box wielders. Her mind went blank. It felt as if the world was collapsing. ¡°Where are you going!¡± Just then, she saw Larsen Warm, carrying Longsword, striding out. ¡°To avenge my junior brother!¡± Larsen Warm said coldly. ¡°Come back! We need a long-term plan! If you go rashly like this, there will certainly be danger!¡± Miss Lopez stood up, shouting loudly. ¡°In this world, there is no one I cannot kill! Even if he¡¯s a god, today I will slay a god!¡± Whoosh! Larsen Warm firmly shut the door and vanished into the logistics park by himself. ¡°Miss, what do we do now?¡± Cosmo asked, somewhat bewildered. ¡°Find out Julius Reed¡¯s whereabouts immediately, provide Larsen Warm with all the information!¡± Miss Lopez bit her lip so intensely she didn¡¯t realize it was bleeding. ¡°Understood!¡± Cosmo took out his phone and made a call to his subordinates: ¡°Locate Julius Reed immediately, send the details to Larsen Warm, do it now!¡± ¡°It seems, I must initiate my plan ahead of schedule¡­¡± Jennifer Lopez took out her cell phone and sent a message. ¡­ ¡°Honey, where are we going? Home?¡± Julius Reed sat in the passenger seat, yawning. ¡°Where else could we go if not home!¡± Quella Radcliffe said irritably, ¡°What¡¯s with these people? Helping is wrong, not helping is wrong too! And you, stop associating with that widow!¡± Caught off guard by her words, Julius Reed was stunned, then joyfully said, ¡°Haha, wife, you¡¯re jealous!¡± ¡°You can still laugh!¡± Quella Radcliffe snorted coldly, mocking, ¡°Of course, which man wouldn¡¯t be thrilled to be kissed twice by Itai Huntington? Too bad, I¡¯m a woman, I can only envy.¡± ¡°Wife, I was wrong.¡± Julius Reed raised his hands in surrender. ¡°Wait a minute!¡± Suddenly, his expression changed. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Having been with Julius Reed for a long time, Quella Radcliffe knew that his reaction meant something was happening. So, she no longer fretted over the issue of men and women. ¡°We¡¯re being followed! Pull over.¡± Julius Reed glanced at the rearview mirror and noticed someone was closely following them. There were three cars. ¡°Okay!¡± Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t hesitate, driving straight into a deserted street and slowly stopping. ¡°Wait for me in the car.¡± Julius Reed got out of the car, reminding her as he did. Cosmo had already been sent back to the mansion, as the two of them weren¡¯t in any danger. Now that they were being followed, all he needed to do was shake off the tail, and there wouldn¡¯t be any major issues. ¡°Mr. Reed, long time no see!¡± The three cars indeed all stopped at the entrance of the street, effectively blocking it. ¡°And you are¡­?¡± Julius Reed looked the man over but did not recognize him. ¡°You don¡¯t need to know who I am, just know that I am the man sent to kill you!¡± The man took off his sunglasses and pulled out a rapid-fire dart box from his chest, ¡°I hear Mr. Reed is good with his hands; I¡¯m very curious to see whether my darts are quicker, or your dart box is!¡± ¡°It seems your status is no simple matter!¡± Julius Reed looked at the dozen or so men in front of him with a grin. All of them had dart boxes in their hands. ¡°However, I can give you a chance to surrender without a fight,¡± the man took out a cigarette, and an attendant immediately came over to light it. ¡°If you¡¯re willing to come with me, perhaps there is still a chance for you to live,¡± the man said lightly after taking a deep breath. ¡°Who sent you?¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands on his hips, also surveying the terrain. No matter how skilled in martial arts one is, they are still vulnerable to a kitchen knife. The area was too open, and although he was skilled, there was still the risk of being injured. ¡°Jennifer Lopez, Miss Lopez,¡± the man took a couple of drags, then threw the cigarette butt on the ground and stomped on it fiercely. ¡°With all due respect, opposing Miss Lopez leads to a dead end. Surrender now, and perhaps Miss Lopez, in a generous mood, might spare your life like a dog¡¯s.¡± Faced with the man¡¯s threat, Julius Reed suddenly sprang aside, hurling a nearby trash can furiously, ¡°Tell Miss Lopez, I¡¯ve got no time!¡± Having said that, a silver needle appeared in his hand, which he fiercely shot out! Thwack! The frontline man was immediately pierced in the throat by the silver needle, falling dead to the ground. Julius Reed took cover behind the trash can in mid-air, rolling continuously on the ground, seizing the opportunity to rush in front of the men. Whoosh! Whoosh! He launched two punches! Directly penetrating the bodies of two men with dart boxes! ¡°Mr. Reed, I hope you will consider this!¡± Just then, the man aimed the mouth of the dart box at the sedan, starting to spray bullets wildly! ¡°Stop it!¡± Julius Reed roared, furious, for Quella Radcliffe was still inside the car! ¡°I¡¯ll come with you!¡± He stopped his movements, exposing himself to the group. Chapter 627 - Chapter 627: Chapter 627 Scapegoat_1 Chapter 627: Chapter 627 Scapegoat_1 ¡°Correct!¡± The man holding the Thompson signaled the staff to go forward and tightly tie up Julius Reed before satisfyingly clapping his hands. ¡°Never would I have thought that Mr. Reed would be a man of such loyalty and righteousness!¡± After speaking, the man pointed to the sedan, ¡°Go, catch the woman in that car for me!¡± ¡°Quella Radcliffe! Run!¡± Julius Reed shouted loudly! And upon hearing his shout, Quella Radcliffe immediately put the car in gear and slammed on the gas! Boom! The four-wheel-drive vehicle bolted out, heading towards the other side. Tap tap tap¡­ Although the man fired a barrage at the back of the car, he only managed to shatter the rear windshield and didn¡¯t injure Quella Radcliffe at all. ¡°Damn it! Let that dame get away!¡± He spat disdainfully and then grabbed the rope tied around Julius Reed¡¯s body, dragging him onto a van. ¡°Boss, we¡¯ve captured the person.¡± After getting on the van, the man took out his phone and boasted proudly, ¡°Please rest assured, we will definitely deliver the person safely! What, Larsen Warm? Alright!¡± After hanging up, the man turned to face Julius Reed, laughed loudly, and said, ¡°And here I thought you were some formidable person, but that¡¯s all there is to it!¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you put down that hidden weapon box and we try again?¡± Julius Reed asked coldly. ¡°Heh! Why the hell should I not use my hidden weapon box?¡± The man snorted lightly, pointing to the Thompson in his hand, ¡°Do you know how precious this hidden weapon box is? Miss Lopez used her connections to get it! If it wasn¡¯t for dealing with you, I would be reluctant to even take it out!¡± ¡°Miss Lopez has indeed gone through a lot of trouble.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s sneer was unending. ¡­ ¡°Aron Jackson, Julius Reed has been kidnapped!¡± Quella Radcliffe didn¡¯t go home; she drove straight to the Tuoque Terrace and ran into Aron Jackson¡¯s office like a madwoman after getting out of the car. The people at Tuoque Terrace recognized Quella Radcliffe, so no one stopped her; she had the green light all the way. ¡°What happened!¡± When Aron Jackson heard her say that, he ¡®swooshed¡¯ up from his chair. ¡°We were being followed on the street, Julius Reed wanted to get out of the car to deal with the tail! But the other side had a hidden weapon box, and I was still in the car!¡± Quella Radcliffe was already in tears, and she choked out, wiping her eyes, ¡°In order to save me, he was captured by those people!¡± ¡°Damn!¡± Aron Jackson smashed his fist onto the desk! ¡°Sister-in-law, don¡¯t panic, I¡¯m gonna gather people right now!¡± He paced in circles before grabbing the phone on the desk and shouting, ¡°Whoever you can call, call them all! Damn it, the boss has been kidnapped; get moving quickly!¡± After hanging up, Aron Jackson took out a cigarette, took a deep drag, and then comforted Quella Radcliffe, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the boss has great skills, he won¡¯t be in any trouble.¡± After speaking, he left Tuoque Terrace. ¡°Brothers, follow me!¡± Aron Jackson got into his car and rushed to the location they had determined through surveillance. The location was at the West Harbor Wharf of Gonzalez City. After these people left, a man wearing white traditional clothes walked into the entrance of Tuoque Terrace. ¡°Sir, what service do you require?¡± The receptionist asked. From her perspective, this was someone into role-playing. But doing such at his age, mimicking the young ones? Definitely a weirdo. ¡°I need, to kill!¡± Spurt! The Longsword was swiftly drawn from its sheath! The receptionist hadn¡¯t even had time to react when her body was pierced by his sword. Then she fell to the ground, stiff and already dead. Afterward, the man made his way to Aron Jackson¡¯s office, killing everyone he encountered. ¡°Who are you!¡± Quella Radcliffe, anxiously waiting in the office, was startled upon seeing the man. On the sword, there was still fresh blood. ¡°I am, the man who came to kill you!¡± After speaking, the man walked up to Quella Radcliffe. ¡­ ¡°Buddy, have we arrived yet?¡± Julius Reed was sitting in the back of the van, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he¡¯d been kidnapped, ceaselessly inquiring. ¡°Kid, you in a hurry to die?¡± The man snorted disdainfully, ¡°In five more minutes, you¡¯ll meet the person who caught you.¡± ¡°Still five minutes, that¡¯s too long.¡± Julius shook his head. How could he possibly be captured so easily? He just wanted to find an opportunity to completely eliminate Jennifer Lopez. Such opportunities were rare. After all, there were only a few enemies, killing one less to worry about. Soon, the van stopped at the West Harbor Wharf in Gonzalez City. ¡°Get out!¡± The man pushed Julius Reed roughly, dragging him onto the wharf. The West Harbor Wharf was deserted at that moment. In the center of the wharf, a group of about ten people was standing. ¡°Behave yourself!¡± The man pulled out his Thomson and pressed it against Julius Reed¡¯s back, ¡°If you dare try to run, buddy, a dart from me will send you on your way!¡± After saying that, he urged again, ¡°Come on! Move it!¡± ¡°Alright, alright, alright!¡± Julius Reed repeated the word ¡®alright¡¯ thrice, slowly walking towards the center of the wharf. Only when he got close did he realize that it wasn¡¯t Jennifer Lopez who was waiting for him. ¡°Julius Reed, long time no see, how have you been?¡± Zane Percival stood there in a suit, hands clasped behind his back, looking at him with the posture of a victor. ¡°I was wondering who it was, turns out it¡¯s you!¡± Julius felt a tinge of disappointment. He was supposed to kill Jennifer Lopez, so how did he end up facing her son, Zane Percival? ¡°Surprised?¡± Zane Percival laughed manically, pointing at Julius, ¡°Didn¡¯t expect this day, did you? That you would actually fall into my hands!¡± Back at the shooting range, he had been humiliated in every possible way. He had been beaten to the point where not a single tooth was left in his mouth, and even a video of him barking like a dog had been spread. That incident had become his nightmare. But since Julius Reed was too skilled, all Zane Percival could do was silently endure. Finally, Jennifer Lopez came to Gonzalez City with her personal guard and caught this arrogantly brazen youth! ¡°Did you ever imagine this day, back when you knocked all my teeth out?¡± ¡°And when you made me bark like a dog, did you ever know you¡¯d end up in my hands?¡± Zane Percival walked up to Julius Reed, sneering, ¡°You¡¯re quite arrogant, aren¡¯t you? I¡¯m standing right in front of you, what can you do to me?¡± As he spoke, he grabbed the submachine hidden weapon box from one of his employees, pointing at Julius Reed¡¯s legs, ¡°Today, I¡¯m going to break both your legs first, as a little interest payment!¡± ¡°Is that so? Then I must say I¡¯m sorry.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s mouth lightly curled up, and at the same time, his body burst forth with power! Whoosh! The thick ropes were directly broken open! The next moment, his hand was clamped around Zane Percival¡¯s neck! ¡°You think you can fight me?¡± Julius took the submachine hidden weapon box from Zane Percival and shielded himself with Zane¡¯s body, ¡°I was planning to kill your dear mom, but you decided to play the sacrificial lamb!¡± Thump thump thump! The Thomson sprayed out bullets, and the men in black fell down in droves! Chapter 628 - Chapter 628: Chapter 628 Diving_1 Chapter 628: Chapter 628 Diving_1 ¡°You¡­ you¡­ you¡­¡± Zane Percival was scared silly on the spot. Julius Reed was clearly tied up tightly with hemp rope, but now he actually managed to break free in an instant? ¡°What about me? Should I just surrender, be humiliated like a dog by you? Is that it?¡± Looking at the stunned Zane Percival in front of him, Julius Reed said with disdain, ¡°Young Master Percival, you couldn¡¯t possibly believe that a few little scoundrels, waving a few shabby weapon boxes, could capture me, could you?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Zane Percival¡¯s mind was a blank; he couldn¡¯t figure out why the situation had turned out this way. Weren¡¯t those men in black holding weapon boxes supposed to have bound Julius Reed tightly? ¡°Are you fucking playing me?¡± He looked at the men in black in front of him, his tone filled with anger! His first instinct was to think that these men in black had betrayed him, that they brought Julius Reed over just to set him up. ¡°Young Master, all of our brothers are dead!¡± The man in black pointed to the bodies scattered about on the ground and said in horror, ¡°We did indeed capture him earlier, and that hemp rope wasn¡¯t tied just once! How was I to know he could break free from the hemp rope!¡± When they captured Julius Reed, they had not faced much resistance. Plus, the hemp rope was very sturdy; after tying it himself, he even checked it again. When getting out of the car, the rope was still fine¡ªhow could it now be so frail? ¡°Kill him for me!¡± Zane Percival no longer had the energy to think so much; his only thought was to kill Julius Reed! No matter what, he couldn¡¯t allow this man to leave alive! ¡°Everyone! Charge!¡± The remaining men in black, although they were holding weapon boxes, had Zane Percival standing in front of Julius Reed. If they killed Zane Percival, Jennifer Lopez certainly wouldn¡¯t let them off. ¡°Young Master Percival, it seems you still have some misconceptions about me,¡± Julius Reed said lightly, lifting the mouth of the weapon box and pointing at the men in black in front of him: ¡°Do you think they can kill me?¡± Ratatat¡­ With a burst of fire from the weapon box, all the men in black fell into pools of blood. Not one survived. Only a minute had passed. The situation had undergone a drastic change. The hunters of the previous moment had now become the hunted. ¡°Release our Young Master Percival!¡± After the weapon box wielders died, two personal bodyguards of Zane Percival remained. ¡°Uncle Levis, save me!¡± Zane Percival was terrified to the core. His legs were now weak, his lips pale. He had none of his previous arrogance. ¡°Just them?¡± Julius Reed looked at the two elders in front of him and kicked Zane Percival in the leg! Crack! ¡°Ah¡­ my leg¡­¡± Zane Percival screamed like a pig being slaughtered, half-kneeling on the ground, sweating profusely from the pain. ¡°You two, go wait for him underground first.¡± Julius Reed threw the weapon box away and swiftly flashed in front of the two elders. He extended both hands simultaneously! Crack! The two didn¡¯t even realize what was happening until their necks were twisted. Rumble! Just then. Dozens of cars slowly came to a stop on the dock. ¡°Hahaha! Julius Reed, you¡¯re dead for sure!¡± Seeing reinforcements arriving, Zane Percival laughed uncontrollably: ¡°See that? You can¡¯t fly away today! If you know what¡¯s good for you, just let me go, and this young master might spare your life!¡± ¡°Idiot!¡± Julius Reed glanced at him, then savagely broke his other leg! Crack! Zane Percival collapsed to his knees, howling like a pig. ¡°Look carefully, those are my people!¡± After doing all this, Julius Reed stood on him and waved. ¡°What¡­ how is this possible!¡± Seeing Aron Jackson slowly walking down, Zane Percival became completely dumbfounded. At that moment. He even forgot the pain in his legs. ¡°Aron¡­ Aron Jackson¡­¡± Gonzalez City¡¯s Aron Jackson. Everyone knew him. Even his father, Arlo Percival, had no right to speak to Aron Jackson. ¡°Boss, are you alright?¡± Aron Jackson ignored Zane Percival lying on the ground and walked swiftly over to Julius Reed, asking with concern. In fact, when he saw the bodies on the ground, he knew Julius Reed was okay. ¡°I meant to kill Jennifer Lopez, but her son ended up taking her place.¡± Julius Reed waved his hand and commanded those behind Aron Jackson, ¡°Tie him up for me.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s employees immediately came over and tied Zane Percival¡¯s hands behind his back, wrapping the rope around his feet. ¡°Julius Reed! Let me go now! Or my mother will definitely kill you! You won¡¯t end well!¡± Zane Percival¡¯s legs were already broken, and now the pain from the ropes wrapped around his feet made it impossible for him to breathe. ¡°Ah¡­ damn you, Julius Reed, I will kill you!¡± He screamed in agony, his voice even growing hoarse. ¡°Please, let me go, I will never dare to oppose you again, I¡¯ll give you money, I¡¯ll give you everything¡­¡± Under intense pain, Zane Percival¡¯s desire to live made him yield. But. It was already too late. The moment he sent men to capture Julius Reed, his fate was sealed as death. ¡°Do you remember what I once said?¡± Julius Reed came over to Zane Percival, chuckled lightly, ¡°Oppose me, and there¡¯s only one way out ¡ª death.¡± After saying that, his expression darkened and he gestured, ¡°Drag him to the sea for me!¡± Julius Reed walked to the edge of the dock and picked up the mobile phone that Zane Percival had dropped. No password. He swiped it open directly. After finding Jennifer Lopez¡¯s number on it, Julius Reed made a video call. ¡°Zane, how is it going, are things going smoothly¡­Julius Reed? Why is it you!¡± Jennifer Lopez was originally in the middle of applying makeup, but when her gaze settled on her phone, her eyes filled with shock! ¡°Where¡¯s Zane! Where¡¯s my son!¡± She almost screamed. ¡°Your son is out at sea.¡± Julius Reed adjusted the camera, showing Zane Percival. ¡°How about it, Miss Lopez, would you like to come over for a talk?¡± ¡°Julius Reed¡­¡± Jennifer Lopez roared with rage, spewing venomous curses, ¡°You won¡¯t come to a good end! I will kill you! I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re cut to pieces for my son¡¯s sake!¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t come over, I might just have to feed Zane Percival to the fish.¡± Julius Reed turned around, looked at Zane Percival, and said with a light smile, ¡°I¡¯ll ask you one last time. Are you coming, or not? You have thirty seconds to think it over.¡± ¡°Julius Reed!¡± Jennifer Lopez took a deep breath and said calmly, ¡°Let him go, and from now on, I won¡¯t cause you any more trouble.¡± She only had this one son, and she couldn¡¯t lose him no matter what. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m someone who holds grudges. You and your son plotted against me, so I have to retaliate.¡± Julius Reed looked up towards the sky, sighed, and said, ¡°You have ten more seconds to consider.¡± ¡°Heh!¡± Jennifer Lopez laughed coldly, ¡°Julius Reed, even if I go, it will be the same as death! Just wait, I, Jennifer Lopez, will go to all lengths to make sure you pay for my son¡¯s death!¡± Did she not want to save Zane Percival? But if she really went to the dock, it would amount to throwing herself into the lion¡¯s den! Sending herself to death for nothing! ¡°Sorry.¡± With a swift wave of his hand, Julius Reed! Zane Percival¡¯s ropes were cut off. His entire body plunged into the sea like a diver, falling straight down! Splash! After a big splash on the sea surface, there was no further movement. ¡°Zane!¡± Jennifer Lopez let out a heart-wrenching wail, filled with despair. ¡°Julius Reed, I, Jennifer Lopez, swear that I will make you pay blood for blood!¡± ¡°Then you¡¯d better hurry,¡± Julius Reed said with a faint smile to the screen, ¡°because it won¡¯t be long before I send you to be reunited with Zane Percival.¡± Having said that. He tossed Zane Percival¡¯s mobile phone into the sea. Then he turned and left. Chapter 629 - Chapter 629: Chapter 629: Middle-Aged Widower_1 Chapter 629: Chapter 629: Middle-Aged Widower_1 ¡°Zane Percival¡­¡± In Gonzalez City, at the logistics park. Jennifer Lopez knelt in front of the dressing table, her freshly applied makeup completely ruined. Her gaze was dull, her eyes filled with sorrow. Over the years, she had painstakingly laid the groundwork, establishing connections in the capital. It was all to bring Zane Percival back to the Lopez Family to inherit the family business! But now, all her efforts had gone down the drain. ¡°Julius Reed! I will kill you! I must¡­¡± She clenched her fists in pain, burying her face at the dressing table, her eyes brimming with venom. ¡°Shadow Warrior!¡± ¡°Miss.¡± Shadow Warrior, standing outside the door, came in and asked, ¡°What are your orders?¡± ¡°That woman, have you caught her?¡± Jennifer Lopez took a deep breath and said with a trembling voice, ¡°I want him to taste the pain of losing a loved one!¡± ¡°The woman has been captured. Larsen Warm is leading the team, waiting for Julius Reed on Levi Mountain behind Gonzalez City.¡± Shadow Warrior replied quietly. ¡°Tell Larsen Warm to kill that woman!¡± Jennifer Lopez nearly screeched. If Julius Reed had caused her to send off her loved one prematurely, then she was determined to make him endure the agony of losing his beloved! ¡°Miss, if that woman dies, Julius Reed he¡­¡± ¡°Did you not hear what I said?¡± Jennifer Lopez suddenly stood up, staring intensely at Shadow Warrior: ¡°Don¡¯t make me repeat myself!¡± ¡°Yes, Miss!¡± Shadow Warrior trembled with fear, quickly turned around, and left the room. ¡°Larsen Warm, the miss commands you to kill that woman!¡± He pulled out his phone and immediately called Larsen Warm. Having followed Jennifer Lopez for more than a decade, Shadow Warrior had never seen her so enraged. ¡°Understood!¡± Larsen Warm hung up the phone and, with his sword in hand, approached Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Someone wants me to kill you.¡± He squatted down, looking into Quella Radcliffe¡¯s eyes: ¡°So, I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Just kill me, my husband won¡¯t let you get away with this!¡± Quella Radcliffe, although tied to a tree, showed no fear. In her eyes, there was a spirit of resignation to her fate. ¡°But before that, I¡¯ll give your husband a call.¡± Larsen Warm sighed, took out a phone from Quella Radcliffe¡¯s body, and shook his head reluctantly: ¡°What a hassle! If Zane Percival had succeeded, I could have killed you with one stroke of my sword and left without having to go through all this trouble.¡± After speaking, he took hold of Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hand, unlocked the phone with her fingerprint, and initiated a video call to Julius Reed. ¡°Honey, you¡­ ¡± Julius Reed on the plane was about to speak but realized that the person shown on Quella Radcliffe¡¯s phone was a man. ¡°Aron Jackson! Where¡¯s my wife!¡± He turned fiercely, grabbing Aron Jackson¡¯s collar. ¡°Boss, your wife is in my office!¡± Aron Jackson quickly pulled out his phone and called his staff: ¡°What! Say that again!¡± After hanging up the phone, his face turned ashen. ¡°The people at Copper Sparrow Platform are all dead! Sister-in-law¡­ Her whereabouts are unknown!¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Julius Reed took a deep breath and turned back to the video, facing Larsen Warm: ¡°Where is my wife.¡± ¡°Are you the legendary Julius Reed?¡± Larsen Warm chuckled coldly, shaking his head: ¡°I thought you¡¯d be someone remarkable, but you¡¯re just a pretty boy! My junior brother died by your hand, what a disgrace!¡± ¡°I¡¯m asking one last time, where¡¯s my wife.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s voice was exceptionally cold. Quella Radcliffe was his Achilles¡¯ heel. No matter who touched her, the consequence could only be one thing! Death! ¡°Your wife is in my hands,¡± Larsen Warm turned the video toward Quella Radcliffe, his sword slowly resting on Quella¡¯s neck, ¡°Now, come here. Otherwise, she will become a corpse.¡± ¡°You dare!¡± Julius Reed took a deep breath, quickly calming himself down. ¡°I demand a continuous video, ensuring my wife¡¯s safety. Otherwise, I¡¯m not coming over!¡± With a smirk, he added, ¡°If you really want to kill her, it¡¯s no loss to me. Itai Huntington of Gonzalez City has long been wanting to take over, you must be aware of that, right?¡± ¡°You¡­ are you mocking me? If you truly don¡¯t care, I¡¯ll kill her right now!¡± A hint of a smile crossed Larsen Warm¡¯s lips. In his eyes, Julius Reed¡¯s actions were nothing but an act of mercy for his own employee. He wouldn¡¯t give him that pleasure. ¡°Huntington? Get ready to take over. My wife has been kidnapped and is currently of unknown fate, most likely not going to survive.¡± Just as Larsen Warm was about to make a move, he found Julius Reed nonchalantly crossing his legs and making a call. ¡°Julius Reed, have you lost your mind?¡± Itai Huntington was startled upon receiving such a call. ¡°It¡¯s true! A Shadow Warrior is holding my wife hostage and is on a video call with me,¡± Julius Reed said casually, ¡°As her man, I will of course go to save her, but whether I can actually save her is anyone¡¯s guess. If Quella dies, you will be the successor.¡± As he spoke, Larsen Warm stared intently at the screen, pressing the sword slightly closer to Quella¡¯s neck. Soon, a tiny streak of blood appeared on Quella¡¯s fair skin. Larsen Warm¡¯s eyes stayed fixed on Julius Reed, hoping to see concern, anxiety, or panic on his face. However, after seeing this unfold, Julius Reed burst out laughing, ¡°Huntington, do you know! Your chances of taking over just increased significantly, that guy¡­¡± He laughed uncontrollably, ¡°That guy actually made a move, and I guess in a few minutes, you won¡¯t have to sneak around behind my back anymore.¡± ¡°Fine, if Quella dies, tell me immediately. I¡¯ll come straight to you, and we¡¯ll get married on the spot! From then on, we¡¯ll live together, and I¡¯ll even bear you a nice fat son.¡± Over the speakerphone, Itai Huntington¡¯s voice sounded very excited. ¡°Right, if I¡¯m the successor, should I personally collect her body?¡± ¡°Sure, you can collect her body. It will be at Levi Mountain, behind Gonzalez City.¡± As he said this, Julius Reed turned to Aron Jackson, ¡°Brother, mourning can be auspicious. Losing a wife in middle age can be a good thing, huh!¡± ¡°Deal! If you get married, I¡¯ll arrange it for you!¡± Aron Jackson was puzzled but still responded cheerfully. His boss must have had his reasons for acting this way. ¡°Kid! Do you want your wife or not!¡± Larsen Warm was getting angry, his hand holding the sword beginning to tremble. Killing this woman made no difference to him! But Julius Reed had to die! He had to avenge Georgia Warm! Seeing Julius Reed not very concerned about this woman, he actually felt a bit of panic inside. ¡°Let¡¯s do this. Either way, she¡¯s my wife.¡± After hanging up the phone with Itai Huntington, Julius Reed scratched his head and said, ¡°If I don¡¯t save her, it will be hard to justify. But on the condition that she must be lively and unharmed before I get there, or I will leave immediately!¡± ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll spare her life for now! Give you half an hour¡¯s time, come alone!¡± Larsen Warm snorted coldly, ¡°I have my people on Levi Mountain. If you dare to bring anyone, she will suffer a miserable death!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Julius Reed handed his phone to Aron Jackson, ¡°Keep an eye on this for me, if he lays a finger on your sister-in-law, call me immediately!¡± After saying this, he took Aron Jackson¡¯s phone and leaped straight from the helicopter! The moment he left the chopper. Julius Reed¡¯s face instantly turned exceptionally grim. The Dragon King Ring on his hand emitted an extremely dazzling red light. At the same time. In Gonzalez City, at Five-state International. ¡°Send someone to Levi Mountain immediately! Get there as fast as possible!¡± Itai Huntington stood up from her chair, pointing at Diamond, ¡°Deploy our strongest forces, we must rescue Quella Radcliffe!¡± ¡°Miss, don¡¯t you like Julius Reed? Why would you still want to help him? If Quella dies¡­¡± ¡°If she dies!¡± Itai Huntington took a deep breath, ¡°I would never have a chance in this lifetime.¡± Chapter 630 - Chapter 630: Chapter 630 The Feeling of Being Bitten_1 Chapter 630: Chapter 630 The Feeling of Being Bitten_1 Levi Mountain was a desolate hill. In earlier years, Gonzalez City was merely a village where villagers often came to Levi Mountain to chop wood and hunt. Later, with rapid economic development, Gonzalez City, near the coast, became an important harbor. The population increased more and more, and wealth swarmed in. Within less than twenty years, Gonzalez City transformed into a large city. And Levi Mountain became a barren hill. No one needed to hunt, no one needed to chop wood. In an era flowing with material desires, even the only remaining dilapidated temple here collapsed completely due to a heavy rain three years ago. At this moment, Larsen Warm was inside the temple. Around the temple, within a five hundred meter radius, were the hidden agents he had dispatched. To prevent Julius Reed from surrounding them with his men. And the escape route was also well thought out. After killing his target, he¡¯d rush into the forest, escape Levi Mountain through a pre-dug tunnel. At the bottom of the mountain, Jennifer Lopez¡¯s people would be waiting to pick him up. But now, Larsen was somewhat restless. He wanted to kill cleanly and efficiently, yet he could not kill. Buzz! The cell phone vibrated again. It was a call from Black Wind. This call could only be about one of two things. First, to inquire whether he had killed Quella Radcliffe. Second, to check if Julius Reed was still alive. Larsen hesitated, then chose to reject the call. With Quella Radcliffe dead, Julius Reed wouldn¡¯t possibly come. Then, he wouldn¡¯t be able to avenge Georgia Warm. Moreover, as soon as Julius Reed died, this woman would immediately follow and hit the road together. Larsen couldn¡¯t understand why Jennifer Lopez was in such a hurry. ¡°Kill me, then!¡± Quella Radcliffe struggled nonstop, glaring furiously at Larsen, ¡°If you¡¯re a man, just kill me! Stop beating around the bush, I look down on you!¡± In the face of such provocation, Larsen snorted coldly and shook his head, ¡°What¡¯s the rush? Dead sooner or later, it¡¯s all the same, just wait a bit longer!¡± He hadn¡¯t expected this woman to be so fierce. To think she wanted to die to protect her own husband. Compared with her, Julius Reed was truly despicable. Larsen hung his mobile phone on a tree, ensuring that Quella Radcliffe was always within sight. He, on the other hand, sat down cross-legged on the ground, holding the Longsword in both hands, feeling the changes within his body. Meanwhile, at the foot of Levi Mountain. A small team silently advanced up the mountain. They were all dressed in jungle camouflage, carrying powerful crossbows in their hands! These crossbows were immensely powerful and could silently kill a person! Most importantly, these men were equipped with infrared sensors. ¡°Boss, two people up ahead! The rest are about a hundred meters away from them,¡± a camouflaged assaulter whispered, holding an infrared sensor. ¡°Take them out quietly! Make sure to kill with one arrow! Don¡¯t give them any chance to breathe!¡± Kong waved his hand! Whoosh! Whoosh! Two powerful crossbow arrows shot out! ¡°You guys, take out all the sentries on the perimeter. Then wait for my command!¡± After giving the signal, the remaining men quietly dispersed. Soon, all sentries on the perimeter died under the crossbow arrows. And inside the dilapidated temple, Larsen Warm was completely unaware. Fifteen minutes later, Julius Reed arrived at Levi Mountain alone. ¡°You¡¯ve come?¡± Hearing the footsteps, Larsen suddenly opened his eyes. He saw a young man standing before him, holding a golden Longsword, radiating an aura of murderous intent. ¡°I¡¯ve come,¡± Julius Reed responded calmly, while looking at Quella Radcliffe tied to the tree. ¡°Tell me, how do you want to die?¡± Larsen stood up, Longsword in hand, and asked coldly. ¡°I truly don¡¯t know how to answer that question,¡± Julius Reed slowly raised his Great Zhou Lanyue Sword, pointing its tip straight at Larsen, ¡°But I know how you will die today, by a thousand cuts.¡± ¡°Haha!¡± Larsen laughed aloud, suddenly dashing towards Quella Radcliffe, ¡°Today, I will kill your wife first!¡± Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Just then, countless crossbow arrows shot out! Larsen was startled and stopped in his tracks, his Longsword frantically slashing, barely deflecting the crossbow arrows. In that brief moment, Kong charged in, slashing through the ropes binding Quella Radcliffe. ¡°You all¡­¡± Seeing these people, Larsen was taken aback. He had set up secret guards on the outside, yet someone had sneaked inside? But that didn¡¯t matter. No matter how many came, he would kill them all. ¡°You seek death where there¡¯s no door to hell,¡± Larsen narrowed his eyes, preparing to lunge at Kong and the others with his sword. ¡°Hold on, you have to get through me first!¡± As he spoke, Julius Reed charged with the Great Zhou Lanyue Sword in hand! ¡°` Slash! The Golden Dragon Sword tore through the void and struck from above! ¡°Just perfect, I¡¯ll kill you first, then this woman!¡± Larsen Warm said with utmost arrogance, his Longsword colliding with Julius Reed! Clang! The next moment. Larsen Warm¡¯s expression changed drastically! The Longsword in his hand snapped in two, and his right shoulder was cut off in the process! ¡°This is¡­¡± Larsen Warm¡¯s eyes widened, disbelievingly staring at Julius Reed! Just one sword strike! It was indeed just one sword strike! Although Nathanael Warm and Georgia Warm couldn¡¯t compare to their master, they were also ranked among the best in their skills. Otherwise, Jennifer Lopez would not have asked them to come down from the mountain. But now, he had been killed in a flash! ¡°This sword is named ¡®Great Zhou Stormy Night¡¯.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s expression was cold as he struck out with his sword again! Splurch! Larsen Warm¡¯s left shoulder was once again cut off! ¡°Back when King Zhou cast the Nine Cauldrons, they secured the Nine Provinces!¡± ¡°This sword was forged from the finest part of the bronze used for the Nine Cauldrons!¡± ¡°Along with the Imperial Jade Seal, it is known as a symbol of the emperor!¡± Swish! Another sword strike! Larsen Warm¡¯s legs were cut off, and he lay on the ground, his expression blank. Great Zhou Stormy Night. The bearer of the sword was fully aware of what these four words signified. The number one divine sword in the world! And now, he had witnessed it with his own eyes! ¡°Hahaha¡­¡± Larsen Warm let out a mad laugh, seemingly indifferent to the fact that his limbs had been severed and he had become a human stick. ¡°You dare to put a sword to my wife¡¯s neck.¡± Julius Reed walked over to the top of Larsen Warm¡¯s head, his face especially cold. ¡°I won¡¯t let you die that easily!¡± After speaking, he turned to Diamond, ¡°Flay him a thousand cuts.¡± ¡°Are you a pervert?¡± Diamond felt somewhat disgusted. Swish! The next moment. There was a blood-stained sword resting on his neck. ¡°Julius Reed, we came here to help save your wife! Get it straight! We are neither your employees nor¡­¡± ¡°Say another word, and I¡¯ll really kill you.¡± Julius Reed looked at Diamond coldly, making him swallow back the words that were on the tip of his tongue. ¡°Any questions now?¡± ¡°No.¡± Diamond swallowed hard, his fists clenched tightly. But what could he do? With a knife to his neck, did he have a choice? ¡°Julius Reed¡­ just kill me, my master will never let you off! If he finds out the Great Zhou Stormy Night is in your hands, the whole world will be shaken!¡± Larsen Warm lay on the ground, laughing wildly despite the blood flowing from his severed limbs. ¡°Too bad, you won¡¯t see it.¡± Julius Reed glanced at him and walked towards Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Wife, are you alright?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Quella Radcliffe threw herself into his arms. ¡°It¡¯s my fault again, I¡¯ve put you in danger.¡± Julius Reed took a deep breath and held Quella Radcliffe tight. On the way here, he had been truly scared. If he lost Quella Radcliffe, he didn¡¯t know how he would go on with his life. ¡°When do we get down to business?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked softly while lying in Julius Reed¡¯s arms. ¡°What business?¡± That actually stumped Julius Reed. ¡°Funerals are joyful occasions, middle-aged man mourning his wife!¡± Quella Radcliffe looked up and smiled at Julius Reed, ¡°I¡¯m still waiting to celebrate.¡± ¡°Hey! Wasn¡¯t that just to stabilize him and keep you safe?¡± Julius Reed said feeling a bit guilty. ¡°How much truth is said in jest.¡± Quella Radcliffe sighed and lay back in Julius Reed¡¯s arms. But the next moment! Julius Reed¡¯s face turned pale. Because a sudden sharp pain shot through his body! Damn it! It felt like he had been bitten. ¡°` Chapter 631 - Chapter 631: Chapter 631 Cooperation_1 Chapter 631: Chapter 631 Cooperation_1 If only I could. Jennifer Lopez would never want to see that photo again in her life. ¡°Urgh~¡± She abruptly turned around, pressing her hands against the wall, unable to stop herself from vomiting profusely. Having already experienced the pain of losing a child, she was once again dealt such a blow, her spirit had somewhat collapsed. Her pale face, written all over with sorrow and exhaustion. ¡°Give¡­ a grand¡­ funeral¡­¡± Jennifer Lopez slumped weakly onto the sofa, her gaze hollow beyond measure. ¡°Should we¡­¡± Shadow Warrior frowned, asking again, ¡°Should we inform Master Warm?¡± ¡°Tell him,¡± Jennifer Lopez waved her hand feebly and said, ¡°I bear a large responsibility for this. Nathanael Warm should be informed.¡± As she said this, her hands clasped tightly onto the leather of the sofa, her entire being somewhat collapsing. ¡°I still, after all, underestimated him!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Shadow Warrior turned away, making a strong effort to avoid the photo on the cellphone. It was a photo that sent chills down his spine. Larsen Warm, or rather, a skeleton. Around the skeleton, chunks of flesh were scattered. It was no less than a dismemberment. Not just Jennifer Lopez, but even a Shadow Warrior like Shadow Warrior, who was accustomed to killing year-round, couldn¡¯t help feeling nauseous at such a photo. But he could only suppress his strong reaction as he stepped outside to inform Nathanael Warm. Inside the room, Jennifer Lopez leaned against the sofa, staring at the ceiling, with no one knowing what she was thinking. Her first day in Gonzalez City. Her son was gone, and a Shadow Warrior by her side had been dismembered. Even in the logistics park, she felt extremely unsafe. Jennifer Lopez was somewhat regretful. If she hadn¡¯t come to Gonzalez City, if she had peacefully managed her business in the capital, might the outcome have been any better? At the very least, Zane Percival wouldn¡¯t have died a tragic death. Larsen Warm and Georgia Warm would also still be alive and well. ¡°Huh!¡± After taking a deep breath, Jennifer Lopez picked up her handbag, walking out the door with some weariness. Her steps were heavy. ¡°Miss, where are you going?¡± Shadow Warrior hurriedly asked. ¡°To find someone who can kill Julius Reed.¡± Jennifer Lopez left behind those words and then left the logistics park. Shadow Warrior hurriedly followed, fearing that his master might encounter another mishap. ¡­ At this moment at the Five-lakes Clubhouse. It was exceptionally lively. Although Fabian Percival had been injured, the injuries weren¡¯t severe, and he was already able to come out to socialize. More so, he wished to stabilize the morale of his troops. Everyone in Gonzalez City who had betrayed Aron Jackson or had a grudge against him was in attendance. Elwood Thorneycroft stood behind Fabian Percival, his expression cool as he watched the guests. And Alonso Dragon, too, had been discharged from the hospital. However, the box of hidden weapons from Julius Reed had left him completely crippled, or more accurately, turned him into a eunuch. Alonso Dragon¡¯s face was pale, and because of the injuries from the hidden weapon box, he could only sit in a wheelchair. In his eyes, apart from hatred, there was nothing else. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft,¡± Rebecca Brown stood up and was the first to speak, ¡°that man Julius is too presumptuous, and it¡¯s said that Aron Jackson even listens to him, is that true?¡± This was the doubt in everyone¡¯s minds. In their view, Aron Jackson was the real boss here. And Julius Reed was nothing more than a notorious good-for-nothing of Gonzalez City. How could these two possibly be linked together? ¡°Indeed!¡± Fabian Percival couldn¡¯t help but frown upon hearing the name Julius Reed. ¡°I never would have imagined that I¡¯d be taken down by such a minor character. But the truth is, he only succeeded because we weren¡¯t prepared.¡± ¡°Right! Let¡¯s find a chance to take this guy down!¡± Some suggested an assassination, others wanted to go for a direct kill. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, someone is looking for you.¡± Just then, Brown Bread quietly walked over to Fabian Percival¡¯s side and whispered in his ear. ¡°Who?¡± Fabian Percival narrowed his eyes, his tone was incredibly sharp. Ever since Julius Reed sent that poisoned egg, he had become somewhat overly sensitive. He saw danger in everything. ¡°The Lopez Family, Jennifer Lopez.¡± Brown Bread spoke, ¡°This person has a grudge against Julius Reed. According to what she said just now, her son was killed by Julius Reed a few hours ago, and her trusted aide was also murdered on Levi Mountain.¡± ¡°Gentlemen, I have a little matter to attend to, just a moment.¡± Fabian Percival stood up directly, looking apologetically at the table full of people, ¡°Elwood Thorneycroft, please entertain our guests for me. Meanwhile, discuss what we should do next.¡± ¡°Yes, Father.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft nodded, watching as Fabian Percival left. When Fabian Percival arrived at the Five-lakes Clubhouse reception room, a fatigued Jennifer Lopez was already sitting there. Being able to get this far, there had already been a strict security check at the door ensuring Jennifer Lopez had no dangerous items on her. And Brown Bread, also did not leave Fabian Percival¡¯s side, ensuring the safety of the elder. ¡°Miss Lopez.¡± Fabian Percival sat across from Jennifer Lopez with a smile, crossed his legs and said, ¡°Your family from the capital, the Lopez Family, is also a distinguished household. Don¡¯t you have the power to kill a mere nobody?¡± The Lopez Family, he had certainly heard of them. They wielded great influence in the capital, considered nobility. There were only four major families that could suppress them. ¡°Elder Mr. Thorneycroft, are you questioning me?¡± Jennifer Lopez¡¯s tone was sharp. Despite the huge blow to her spirits, this woman, who had dominated the business world for so many years, now had her aura burst forth completely. ¡°Oh! No, I didn¡¯t mean that.¡± Fabian Percival was startled by the sudden change in Jennifer Lopez¡¯s attitude and quickly waved his hands, ¡°I think Miss Lopez may have misunderstood.¡± ¡°Do you think I would joke about my son¡¯s death?¡± Jennifer Lopez scoffed coldly, ¡°If Mr. Thorneycroft does not trust me, then pretend I was never here!¡± With that, she stood up, ready to leave. ¡°Miss Lopez!¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he quickly stood up from his chair, hastening over to Jennifer Lopez. He said apologetically, ¡°I am extremely sorry! My daughter is in prison, my trusted aide has died tragically, and a few days ago I almost lost my life to a bomb planted by Julius Reed. It¡¯s only natural that I¡¯m a bit tense.¡± ¡°Miss Lopez, could you please sit down so we can discuss this in detail?¡± As he finished speaking, he turned to Brown Bread, ¡°Go, serve Miss Lopez some tea!¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Brown Bread glanced around and then left the reception room. ¡°Now, it¡¯s just the two of us. Miss Lopez, please speak freely.¡± Fabian Percival made a welcoming gesture, and Jennifer Lopez then sat back down. Brown Bread leaving was a signal of Fabian Percival¡¯s sincerity. It showed he had no further guard against Jennifer Lopez. ¡°Although I¡¯m a member of the capital¡¯s Lopez family, I have no reason, nor the ability, to mobilize the entire Lopez Family.¡± Jennifer Lopez spoke with a touch of helplessness, ¡°I¡¯m just a woman, and while I do have considerable resources at my command, Gonzalez City is not my territory. There are some things that I find incredibly difficult to accomplish.¡± In the capital, she could easily crush Julius Reed. But this was Gonzalez City. Aron Jackson alone made her feel helpless, not to mention Itai Huntington supporting him from the side. ¡°And you, your current influence in Gonzalez City is even greater than Aron Jackson¡¯s. I¡¯ll provide funds and manpower, and together, we¡¯ll kill Julius Reed. How about that?¡± If Jennifer Lopez had any other option, she certainly would not have sought cooperation. There was another more important reason. In Gonzalez City, only Fabian Percival¡¯s place could guarantee her safety. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then I look forward to us working together happily.¡± Fabian Percival inside knew very well what the situation was. The Lopez Family from the capital was a big backer he wouldn¡¯t want to miss out on. ¡°How about this, Miss Lopez, you stay at my Five-lakes Clubhouse for a while. After Julius Reed is dealt with, you can leave?¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Jennifer Lopez stood up and gave Fabian Percival a slight nod. Chapter 632 - Chapter 632: Chapter 632 Cooper Ridges Betrayal_1 Chapter 632: Chapter 632 Cooper Ridge¡¯s Betrayal_1 ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, how did the discussion go?¡± After pacifying Jennifer Lopez, Fabian Percival returned to the banquet. He organized this banquet to boost morale! ¡°Father, according to our investigation, we found that Julius Reed¡¯s in-laws live in an old neighborhood, without any protection around them.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft finished speaking and clapped his hands. As the clapping began, escorted by several bodyguards, a young man walked through the door. The young man¡¯s face was covered in bruises, but his eyes were filled with anger. ¡°What¡¯s this¡­¡± Fabian Percival stared at the young man intently, unsure of what Elwood Thorneycroft was up to. ¡°Father! This is Rebecca Brown, the person Boss Brown captured.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft noticed the confusion on Fabian Percival and quickly explained, ¡°This kid was blind to the rules, he offended Boss Brown last night at the Treasure Wine House and got a harsh lesson.¡± After saying that, Fabian Percival took another look at the youth and noticed that his hands were severely deformed, with three fingers still wrapped in bandages. His face and body were also covered in abrasions. Clearly, he had been mistreated before. ¡°So¡­ what is he doing here?¡± Fabian Percival glanced at Rebecca Brown, wondering why such a trivial matter would disturb him. Could it be that he offended some major heir? But considering Rebecca Brown¡¯s cautious character, it was unlikely that he would make such a low-level mistake. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Rebecca Brown stood up from his seat, slowly walked next to the young man, and introduced, ¡°This young man¡¯s name is Cooper Ridge. He has another identity; he is Quella Radcliffe¡¯s cousin. As for who Quella Radcliffe is, I think Mr. Thorneycroft is very clear.¡± ¡°So there¡¯s that connection!¡± Fabian Percival was somewhat surprised, as this was indeed someone close to Julius Reed. ¡°Just that¡­¡± He hesitated a bit, ¡°Even if he is a relative, he¡¯s not a close kin. Can we use him to threaten Julius Reed?¡± If they were to threaten someone, at least it should be direct relatives like parents or spouse. A mere cousin of the wife may not be effective. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, you¡¯ve misunderstood my point.¡± Rebecca Brown was initially stunned, then laughed, ¡°These two have a feud! And the grudge runs deep!¡± ¡°Then it¡¯s even less likely to work.¡± Fabian Percival shook his head, unable to hide the disappointment in his gaze. He harbored a hatred for Julius Reed to the bone and wanted to do everything in his power to put this young man to death! ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, this Cooper Ridge, he is willing to help us take down Julius Reed!¡± After Rebecca Brown finished speaking, he made a beheading gesture. ¡°Oh? Why?¡± Upon hearing this, Fabian Percival was taken aback. Even after being beaten up by Rebecca Brown like this, he still wanted to help them plot against Julius Reed? Did he have a masochistic tendency? ¡°I hate Julius Reed! I want to make him kneel at my feet like a dog, I want to leave him with no grave to lie in!¡± Cooper Ridge said viciously. ¡°Julius Reed cost him his job, and he got beat up like this because of Julius Reed as well,¡± Rebecca Brown shrugged and said, ¡°So he¡¯s willing to pay any price to get Julius Reed into hell.¡± ¡°If he turns on us¡­¡± Fabian Percival took out a cigarette from the pocket on his chest, and Elwood Thorneycroft hurriedly lit it for him. ¡°Hss¡­¡± After taking a deep drag, he laughed, ¡°Seems like we won¡¯t have much to lose either way.¡± ¡°Correct!¡± Rebecca Brown nodded, looking at Cooper Ridge, ¡°Tell Lord Thorneycroft everything you know. If things work out, you won¡¯t be left without a reward.¡± ¡°Thank you, Lord Thorneycroft!¡± Cooper Ridge immediately knelt in front of Fabian Percival, saying with malice, ¡°My aunt and uncle live in that old neighborhood without anyone to look after them. And their relationship with Julius Reed is very bad!¡± ¡°But still, those are Quella Radcliffe¡¯s parents. As far as I know, Quella Radcliffe is extremely filial. If we catch these two old people, Quella Radcliffe certainly won¡¯t sit still!¡± ¡°Heh heh! By then, if we can control Quella Radcliffe, Julius Reed will be like a lamb to the slaughter!¡± After hearing these words, Fabian Percival¡¯s brow furrowed tightly. ¡°Vito,¡± he said, ¡°this seems quite different from our intelligence!¡± According to their investigation, although Julius Reed and Quella Radcliffe were husband and wife, their relationship was not good. Or rather, they were a couple only in name. They didn¡¯t believe that such a person could threaten Julius Reed. In contrast, the relationship between Itai Huntington and Julius Reed was very intimate, something they had witnessed themselves. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft,¡± Brown Bread once again approached Fabian Percival, whispering in his ear, ¡°Jennifer Lopez¡¯s confidant met a grisly end for the kidnapping of Quella Radcliffe and successfully luring Julius Reed out. However, lacking in strength, they were later executed by dismemberment!¡± ¡°Good! Let¡¯s do it this way!¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s eyes, like those of a hawk, suddenly shrank together, revealing an endless chill. ¡°Cooper Ridge, if you¡¯re trying to fake suffering to manipulate Julius Reed, I¡¯ll make your life a living hell!¡± Fabian Percival said coldly. Startled by his threat, Cooper Ridge quickly kowtowed, ¡°Lord Thorneycroft, I swear to the heavens! If there is a half-lie in what I just said, may I be struck by lightning!¡± ¡°What¡¯s the rush!¡± Fabian Percival smiled faintly, ¡°I haven¡¯t finished talking. If you help us kill Julius Reed, you won¡¯t be left out of the wealth and glory to come in Gonzalez City!¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Cooper Ridge quickly expressed his gratitude. After being tortured, he didn¡¯t dare to hold a grudge against Rebecca Brown. Instead, he attributed all his misfortunes to Julius Reed, blaming him for not coming to the rescue! The anger of the weak only targets those even weaker. But what he didn¡¯t know was that Julius Reed was the real powerhouse. In comparison to him, Fabian Percival was like a firefly competing with the bright moon. ¡°Very good! Very good!¡± Fabian Percival nodded his head and walked over to Cooper Ridge, gently helping him to his feet. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Overwhelmed by favor, Cooper Ridge was incredibly excited. Now, he felt his decision was absolutely right! He could seek revenge on Julius Reed and secure a promising future for himself! ¡°Rebecca, arrange for someone to bring back that damned old fool.¡± Fabian Percival waved his hand, and Rebecca Brown turned to leave the banquet, taking Cooper Ridge with him. ¡°Brown Bread, go and help out. Make sure nothing goes wrong.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Brown Bread nodded, leading a group of elite employees closely behind. ¡°Everyone, please continue eating and chatting! I¡¯m not feeling too well, so I¡¯ll step out first,¡± Fabian Percival said looking at the table full of guests, clasping his hands together apologetically. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, your health comes first!¡± ¡°Exactly! We¡¯re all counting on you to get revenge for us!¡± ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, take care!¡± The entire room stood up, respectfully seeing Fabian Percival off. ¡°Please, enjoy yourselves. I¡¯ll take my leave now!¡± Fabian Percival turned around, leaning on his Boss cane, and slowly left the room. Elwood Thorneycroft followed closely behind, worried that Fabian Percival might suddenly fall. The confrontation earlier had dealt the old man a substantial blow. Thud! As they crossed a courtyard, just about to enter the resting room, Elwood Thorneycroft suddenly fainted. ¡°Vito, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Fabian Percival heard the noise, turned around quickly, and squatted down to check Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s condition. But the next moment, He felt a cold blade resting against his neck. Chapter 633 - Chapter 633: Chapter 633 Mysterious Person_1 Chapter 633: Chapter 633 Mysterious Person_1 ¡°Who¡¯s there!¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s heart turned cold, and his nerves tensed to the extreme. The Five-lakes Clubhouse was heavily guarded; nearly all of his trusted confidants were stationed there. There were all kinds of visible and hidden sentries outside, ensuring not even a bird could get in. But now, someone had broken into the innermost resting room, and had even knocked out Elwood Thorneycroft without anyone noticing. ¡°Fabian Percival?¡± A woman¡¯s voice slowly reached his ears, ¡°Not bad, even with a knife to your throat, you¡¯re calm and collected, somewhat like a real hero.¡± No sooner had the voice faded than the knife at Fabian Percival¡¯s throat was gently moved away. ¡°Don¡¯t turn around! Or else, with one stroke of my sword, your death is certain!¡± He was about to turn his head when he felt an intense chill on his back. ¡°Okay!¡± Since the person showed no intention of killing him, Fabian Percival boldly turned his back and asked aloud, ¡°May I inquire¡­¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to know who I am.¡± The woman said indifferently, ¡°Today I came to you because I want you to kill Julius Reed for me. But I won¡¯t let you do it for nothing. There¡¯s five million US dollars in cash at the door, and an expert fighter.¡± ¡°After the deed is done, I will give you an additional fifty million as a reward. By the way, this expert fighter is unstoppable when he kills, able to break through thousands of troops.¡± ¡°If you need any help, just speak to him. He can contact me, but you must remember one thing!¡± ¡°If you leak any information about me, you¡¯re as good as dead.¡± After that, the air was silent. About half a minute later, Fabian Percival tentatively asked, ¡°Are¡­ are you still there?¡± But there was no answer. ¡°Then I¡¯m going to turn around.¡± Still no response. Finally, with a heavy heart, Fabian Percival swiftly turned his head. Behind him. There was no one. ¡°Phew!¡± He let out a long sigh of relief and leaned heavily on his Dragon Head cane. Weak. Powerless. It was as if he had taken a walk in front of the gates of hell and come back to life. ¡°Elwood Thorneycroft!¡± He crouched down and began slapping Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s face hard. ¡°Father, what happened to¡­¡± Elwood Thorneycroft slowly opened his eyes, feeling a sharp pain in his head. ¡°Go, go to the door and see if there¡¯s a person and a box. If there is, bring the person over quietly, and make sure no one sees!¡± Thinking back to the woman¡¯s words, Fabian Percival broke out in a cold sweat. ¡°Father, what¡¯s going on?¡± Seeing Fabian Percival¡¯s pale face, Elwood Thorneycroft stood up at once and asked with concern, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing!¡± Fabian Percival shook his head and waved his hand, ¡°Go quickly, don¡¯t ask!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Although very puzzled, Elwood Thorneycroft wouldn¡¯t ask further as she was ordered not to. That was the rule. It was also why she could become Fabian Percival¡¯s right-hand assistant. The more you know, the more trouble you get. On her way, Elwood Thorneycroft tried hard to recall, but she couldn¡¯t remember how she fainted. She only remembered walking on the road when suddenly she felt dizzy. After that, the next thing she knew was being woken up by Fabian Percival. Although she could not know what happened during that time, from Fabian Percival¡¯s expression, something big had definitely occurred. She had been following her father for years, but this was the first time she¡¯d seen Fabian Percival in such a panic. ¡°Excuse me, are you¡­¡± When Elwood Thorneycroft arrived at the door, she found a man standing in front of the Five-lakes Clubhouse holding a large box. By his side, laid haphazardly, were the guards arranged by Fabian Percival. ¡°Take me to see Fabian Percival.¡± The man promptly hoisted the box onto his shoulder and strode into the Five-lakes Clubhouse. ¡°Stop there!¡± The bodyguards who received the message immediately rushed forward and, without saying a second word, started attacking the man. Security at the Five-lakes Clubhouse meant Fabian Percival¡¯s safety. With elites gathering here, anyone causing trouble was practically seeking death! ¡°Stop!¡± Before Elwood Thorneycroft could shout out, those people were already swinging their iron rods, entangled in a fight with the man. Bang! Bang! Bang! The man swung the case he carried wildly, knocking over a dozen people to the ground. After doing all this, he picked up the case again, stepped over the bodies on the ground, and strode into the Five-lakes Clubhouse. Crack! Elwood Thorneycroft clearly heard the sound of bones breaking from those who were stepped on. ¡°This is someone Mr. Thorneycroft invited, you all need to re-arrange the guard.¡± After giving her instructions, she turned and walked in front, with the man following her silently, each step firm and deliberate. After several turns, the two finally arrived at the resting room where Fabian Percival was. In the meantime, Elwood Thorneycroft had quietly sent a message to gather Fox Miller and Rocco Leocadia around Fabian Percival. Just in case. Such a domineering man made her take precautions. ¡°Father, I have brought the person.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft walked into the resting room, nodded to Fabian Percival, then moved to stand behind the man, her eyes never leaving him. ¡°Sir¡­¡± ¡°Here is your US Dollar,¡± the man said with a deep voice, then he directly lifted the briefcase and ¡®click¡¯ opened it. Inside was a dazzling five million US Dollars. ¡°Oh?¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s eyes gleamed. Indeed, this man was the helper sent by that mysterious person. Even with the stringent security at the Five-lakes Clubhouse, the mysterious woman could still come and go without a trace. This made Fabian Percival very interested in the man¡¯s abilities. ¡°I wonder, sir, how strong are you really?¡± He sat on a chair, smiling and said, ¡°It¡¯s not that I distrust you, I just want to see for myself how capable you really are!¡± ¡°Fine!¡± The man nodded and pointed at Fox Miller and Rocco Leocadia: ¡°You, you¡­¡± Seeming to feel that wasn¡¯t enough, he turned to Elwood Thorneycroft: ¡°And you, all three of you, come at once!¡± ¡°Kid, you¡¯re a bit too arrogant! Any one of us alone is an unbeatable force. Are you sure you¡¯re not biting off more than you can chew?¡± Rocco Leocadia said with a look of disdainful amusement. He was very confident in his own skills. ¡°Old Fox, what do you think?¡± ¡°I think it¡¯s possible. After all, there¡¯s always someone stronger out there,¡± Fox Miller said as he sized up the robust man, laughing: ¡°I also almost died at the hands of Julius Reed a few days ago, didn¡¯t I? And not a single brother who accompanied me was left.¡± ¡°If we¡¯re going to fight, let¡¯s fight, stop whining like a girl!¡± The man was evidently getting irritated. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll go first!¡± Whoosh! Rocco Leocadia swiftly shed his trench coat, and like a bolt of lightning, charged straight at the man! His hands turned to claws, and it looked like they were about to latch onto the man¡¯s throat! Bang! Just then, the man¡¯s right hand shot out with a forceful blow! When Rocco Leocadia¡¯s hand was less than three centimeters from the man¡¯s throat, he felt a churning in his chest, and then his body was hurled backward! Thud! As Rocco Leocadia¡¯s body heavily hit the ground, Fox Miller and Elwood Thorneycroft made their move simultaneously! The two of them, one in front and one behind, aimed directly for the vitals on the man¡¯s back! ¡°Hahaha!¡± The man suddenly burst into laughter: ¡°You¡¯re too weak!¡± Bang! Bang! When Fox Miller and Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s fists hit the man¡¯s body, it was as if they had struck an iron plate! They couldn¡¯t cause the slightest injury to him! ¡°Ah!¡± With a roar, the man¡¯s body suddenly shook violently, sending the two of them flying backwards! Chapter 634 - Chapter 634: Chapter 634 Knox Ridge is Captured_1 Chapter 634: Chapter 634 Knox Ridge is Captured_1 ¡°` ¡°Excellent!¡± Seeing the man fight against three, Fabian Percival stood up, clapping non-stop! ¡°May I ask the name of the brave warrior?¡± With such a master, wanting to kill Julius Reed would be as easy as turning one¡¯s hand. Although the identity of the mysterious person was not clear, the enemy of an enemy is a friend! ¡°Iron Armor!¡± Iron Armor slammed his fist against his chest and said in a deep voice, ¡°Forgive my bluntness, but the reason for your constant failures is entirely because your underlings are too weak! This bunch of trash is good for nothing when it comes to achieving success, but all too capable when it comes to causing failure!¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Rocco Leocadia staggered to his feet from the ground, his chest feeling as if it were about to explode. But he was powerless to retort. The man was strong, incredibly strong! Even after so many years of dominating in Gonzalez City, he had never seen such a formidable opponent. Even though he was verbally defiant, he had to admit in his heart that with Iron Armor¡¯s help, their chances of victory would greatly increase. ¡°Brother Iron Armor makes a good point.¡± A cold light flashed in Fabian Percival¡¯s eyes, but it quickly disappeared. ¡°Now I have two plans going on at the same time, and with such a strong assistant as yourself, I¡¯d like to add another!¡± The strength of Iron Armor made his ideas begin to verge on madness. In the capital, Jennifer Lopez had already decided to drag the entire Lopez Family down with her to avenge her son. And at Rebecca Brown¡¯s, success had been achieved, and they were now en route to the Five-lakes Clubhouse. ¡°Father, you¡¯re not thinking of making a move against Aron Jackson, are you?¡± Elwood Thorneycroft asked with some surprise. ¡°Exactly!¡± Fabian Percival slammed his hand down on the chair, his eyes glittering: ¡°Aron Jackson could never dream that I would dare to strike at him directly! For me, this is the best opportunity!¡± He stood up, laughing loudly: ¡°Once Aron Jackson dies, the underground forces of Gonzalez City will be headless dragons, and they will immediately fall into my bag! As for Itai Huntington, he is not a concern at all!¡± The only reason he had not chosen to strike against Aron Jackson previously was that their strengths were nearly equal. Breaking into the heavily defended Copper Sparrow Platform was simply impossible. But now, with Iron Armor present, his confidence soared! ¡°Strike the snake at its vitals, I think Mr. Thorneycroft¡¯s idea is quite good!¡± Fox Miller nodded and said with a smile: ¡°Iron Armor and I can go together. I¡¯m familiar with the layout and terrain of the Copper Sparrow Platform.¡± ¡°Nevermind, it¡¯s better to have Alonso Dragon take Iron Armor, you¡¯re all familiar faces, and Aron Jackson will definitely be on guard.¡± Fabian Percival waved his hand, directly rejecting Fox Miller¡¯s offer. More than that, it was distrust. ¡°But Alonso Dragon is just a disabled man; if he goes, wouldn¡¯t that be¡­¡± Elwood Thorneycroft also felt that something wasn¡¯t quite right. Putting aside the fact that Alonso Dragon had been turned into a eunuch and was currently extremely irritable, his legs had been shot, and he was now unable to walk and confined to a wheelchair. ¡°Not many have seen Dragon; he¡¯s the safest choice. Plus, with Iron Armor following behind, pretending to be a relative of Dragon, defenses are likely to be much less.¡± Fabian Percival glanced at his watch, raised his head to look at Iron Armor, and asked: ¡°Can you make your move now?¡± He didn¡¯t want to wait another moment! Revenge was the thing Fabian Percival wanted to do most right now! ¡°No problem at all.¡± Iron Armor stated coldly: ¡°After killing him, I still need to get back. I don¡¯t want to stay a moment longer in this godforsaken place.¡± ¡°Excellent!¡± Fabian Percival walked up to Elwood Thorneycroft and whispered: ¡°Give Dragon a complete map of the Copper Sparrow Platform, and also, communicate with Rebecca Brown. She¡¯s an old hand of Aron Jackson¡¯s; she knows what to do.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± After Elwood Thorneycroft finished speaking, he stretched out his hand towards Iron Armor in a ¡®please¡¯ gesture: ¡°Please come with me.¡± ¡­ ¡°Cooper Ridge, where are you taking us?¡± Inside a black Mercedes-Benz van, Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe, their mobile phones confiscated, sat in the back seat looking terrified. On each side of them sat a man in black. Cooper Ridge was sitting in the passenger seat, his face full of smiles. ¡°` ¡°Auntie, Uncle, I¡¯m taking you on a vacation.¡± He spoke with his back to the couple. ¡°Vacation? Where to?¡± Knox Ridge swallowed a mouthful of saliva and asked quietly, ¡°Then our phones¡­?¡± The couple was in the midst of preparing dinner at home when they heard Cooper Ridge¡¯s knock on the door. Little did they know that as soon as they opened the door, several men in black rushed in and carted them off to a car. Even now, the old pair hadn¡¯t quite grasped what was happening. ¡°Don¡¯t ask too many questions, just wait quietly.¡± Cooper Ridge couldn¡¯t wait to take out his phone, snap a photo of the couple, and send it to Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Get out of the car!¡± The car slowly came to a stop. The men in black shoved Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe and led them into a brick house on the outskirts of Gonzalez City. ¡°Cooper, what is this place? It looks pretty remote!¡± Knox Ridge had no idea what was going on, but she knew her nephew all too well. He was narrow-minded. It must be because of the beating he received last time; he wanted to retaliate against them. But she was helpless. She had already been captured and could only pray that nothing would go wrong. ¡°Hurry up and go inside; you¡¯ll naturally understand what this is all about!¡± After seeing Quella Radcliffe¡¯s reply video, Cooper Ridge laughed heartily as he connected. ¡°Cooper Ridge, where are my mom and dad!¡± Upon answering the video call, Quella Radcliffe demanded harshly. ¡°Cousin, what¡¯s the rush? Auntie and Uncle are just out traveling, look how worried you are! What, don¡¯t you trust me?¡± Seeing Quella Radcliffe so anxious brought Cooper Ridge immense satisfaction. ¡°Cut the crap! Give the phone to my mom!¡± Quella Radcliffe was frantic. She had called both Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe multiple times, but no one answered. The more this happened, the more anxious she became. ¡°Watch your tone! How are you speaking to me!¡± Cooper Ridge, holding the phone, pointed the video at Knox Ridge and kicked her viciously from behind! Thud! Unprepared, Knox Ridge fell to the ground. ¡°Ouch!¡± She winced in pain, her hands bloodied from the friction against the cement floor. ¡°Knox Ridge, are you okay?¡± Burl Radcliffe hurried over to help Knox Ridge up. ¡°Mom!¡± In the video, Quella Radcliffe called out heart-wrenchingly and angrily questioned Cooper Ridge, ¡°What on earth are you trying to do! Cooper Ridge, that¡¯s your own aunt, you beast! Heaven won¡¯t let you off!¡± To see her parents being chased around incessantly was like knives cutting through Quella Radcliffe¡¯s heart. ¡°Haha!¡± Cooper Ridge spoke and suddenly ran forward, launching another kick towards Knox Ridge! ¡°Husband, watch out!¡± Burl Radcliffe sensed the danger and selflessly pushed Knox Ridge aside, taking a solid blow himself! Bang! He rolled on the ground in agony. Given his old limbs, how could he withstand such abuse? ¡°Cooper Ridge! You won¡¯t die a good death!¡± Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t hold back her tears. Those were her own parents, and now they were being treated so cruelly! ¡°You have one hour,¡± Seeing his injured aunt and uncle, Cooper Ridge said with satisfaction, ¡°Come alone! If you dare tell Julius Reed, prepare to collect their bodies!¡± Chapter 635 - Chapter 635: Chapter 635 Farewell_1 Chapter 635: Chapter 635 Farewell_1 ¡°Dear husband, by the time you read this letter, I will no longer be in this world.¡± ¡°My parents have been taken hostage, and it¡¯s clear they¡¯re trying to lure me there and then use it to threaten you.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t help you, but I¡¯ve tried not to become a burden to you.¡± ¡°Three years ago, I looked down on you, rejected you, but there¡¯s one thing I¡¯ve never told you.¡± ¡°Only when you sleep next to me do I feel truly at peace.¡± ¡°Three years later, when I really wanted to start over with you, fate didn¡¯t give me that chance.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t regret becoming your wife, and if there¡¯s an afterlife, I¡¯d still be willing to marry you.¡± ¡°But now, I must go. Before I leave, I¡¯ve already taken poison, and in an hour and a half, I will die.¡± ¡°Itai Huntington is a good woman, promise me, after I¡¯m gone, marry her.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t seek revenge for me, leave Gonzalez City, and live a peaceful life.¡± ¡°I love you, husband.¡± ¡°Quella Radcliffe, this is my final word.¡± When Quella Radcliffe finished her last sentence, the letter paper was already covered with tear stains. She opened the drawer, took out the few photos of the two of them together, and gently touched the image where she looked unhappy. Back then, she was proud and arrogant, even unwilling to show happiness in their wedding photos. As for Julius Reed, he foolishly smiled like the silly son of a wealthy landlord. As Quella Radcliffe gazed at the photos, a faint smile appeared on her lips, yet the tears wouldn¡¯t stop falling. ¡°Goodbye, husband.¡± She picked up the photo frame and gently kissed Julius Reed¡¯s image. Afterward, she drank a vial of green liquid, picked up her bag, and resolutely left Five-state International, heading downstairs. Julius Reed knew about medicines; the green liquid was something she had stolen from him. To prevent herself from becoming a burden to Julius. She just didn¡¯t expect to use it so soon. ¡°Quella, where are you going?¡± The about-to-depart Itai Huntington saw Quella Radcliffe and asked. The two of them were currently the top and second in command of the business alliance, working at Five-state International. The endorsement by Nando Brandon was quite effective; many young people started to introduce it to their families once they knew about the business alliance. The alliance¡¯s business was booming these days. ¡°I¡¯m stepping out for a bit.¡± Quella Radcliffe walked past Itai Huntington then suddenly turned back, ¡°Wait a second.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s heart trembled. Although she was dominant, she now had the status, or rather the mentality, of ¡®the other woman.¡¯ Faced with Quella Radcliffe, Julius Reed¡¯s legitimate wife, she somewhat felt uneasy. ¡°Are you truly in love with Julius Reed?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked gravely, even staring into Itai Huntington¡¯s eyes as she spoke. Even though Itai Huntington was mentally prepared, she was still startled by the question. ¡°You¡­ don¡¯t get me wrong, I was just joking with him, nothing serious! Sorry, I didn¡¯t consider your feelings earlier.¡± Itai Huntington couldn¡¯t quite explain why, and even though she had intended to come clean, the words just wouldn¡¯t come out. Today¡¯s Quella Radcliffe, with an air of resigned determination, seemed very abnormal to her. ¡°I¡¯m serious, I hope you¡¯ll answer seriously too.¡± Quella Radcliffe asked again. Her gaze was firm, as if she wanted to see through the other¡¯s soul. ¡°Fine, I admit I do like him a little bit¡­ but don¡¯t worry, I¡­¡± ¡°If you truly like him, be honest with me.¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s gaze was so intense it left Itai Huntington breathless. ¡°I¡¯m very serious, and I hope you are, too.¡± ¡°Alright, I do like him.¡± Itai Huntington was ready to lay her feelings bare. She had always been imperious in her life, but today, no matter what, she just couldn¡¯t muster her usual dominance. It indeed proved Quella Radcliffe¡¯s words right. If she did not die, she could only be a concubine. ¡°If you love him, please don¡¯t let him down, and don¡¯t hurt him,¡± Quella Radcliffe said with profound significance, giving Itai Huntington a deep look. In her gaze was unwillingness, reluctance, and a heart turned to ashes. ¡°Take good care of him for me.¡± Having said that, Quella Radcliffe turned sharply. As she turned, her nose tingled, and tears burst forth from her eyes. ¡°Ah¡­ you¡­¡± Itai Huntington hadn¡¯t even realized what was happening. She had been prepared to endure Quella Radcliffe¡¯s wrath. But now. What did the last sentence mean? What did she mean by ¡°take good care of him for me¡±? But she didn¡¯t dwell on it, assuming it was Quella Radcliffe showing off her power. Shaking her head, Itai Huntington returned to her office. But the more she thought about it, the more she felt that something was amiss. ¡°Secretary Leocadia, how long has Quella Radcliffe been out?¡± She stood by the window, watching Quella Radcliffe drive away, but she still hadn¡¯t returned. More than twenty minutes had passed. This was completely out of character for Quella Radcliffe. Among the business alliance members working at Five-state International, Itai Huntington and Quella Radcliffe were known for their professionalism. They never arrived late, never left early! Sometimes, they would even work overnight. But now, during working hours, Quella Radcliffe had been gone for nearly half an hour without a sign of return. ¡°Reporting to the chairman, the general manager has been out for 27 minutes and hasn¡¯t returned yet,¡± Secretary Leocadia glanced at the wall clock and answered truthfully. ¡°This isn¡¯t right!¡± Itai Huntington had an unsettling feeling. Especially considering the things Quella Radcliffe said before leaving. It was just too abnormal! With this thought, she took out her mobile phone and immediately dialed Quella Radcliffe¡¯s number. But on the other end of the phone, there was no answer. ¡°This is bad!¡± Itai Huntington stood up abruptly and walked quickly to Quella Radcliffe¡¯s office. She saw that the office was cleaned spotless, as tidy as new. All documents and contracts were neatly arranged on the desk. And they were sorted according to chronological order. Suddenly, Itai Huntington¡¯s heart rose to her throat. She hurried over to Quella Radcliffe¡¯s desk and saw a water-stained letter pressed under the picture frame. When her gaze fell on the first line of the letter, Itai Huntington¡¯s heart stopped beating! ¡°Huh!¡± Her mind went blank, and after a brief halt, her heart raced uncontrollably. Subconsciously, Itai Huntington picked up the phone on Quella Radcliffe¡¯s desk and called Julius Reed directly. ¡°Hello, honey, missing me?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s voice was lazy on the other end. ¡°Julius, your wife¡­ your wife might be in danger¡­¡± Itai Huntington said with a trembling voice. ¡°What did you say! Say that again!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s voice instantly exploded! Like an enraged lion! ¡°I have a letter here, wait for it, I¡¯ll take a picture and send it to you!¡± Itai Huntington frantically took out her mobile phone and, because of her shaking hands, the phone nearly dropped to the floor again. ¡°Quick!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s voice was cold as ice, as if coming from hell! When the photo was sent over, Itai Huntington heard the sound of a phone being smashed. The next moment, she leaned over the desk, weeping bitterly. Meanwhile, inside the mansion. Julius Reed¡¯s Dragon King Ring was glowing bright red, and even his eyes had turned blood-red. ¡°Cosmo, trace your mistress¡¯ movements for me, I want a location in five minutes!¡± He stood up, walked slowly to the rooftop, and gently wiped the ring. Hum! A beam of red light shot straight into the sky! Then it dissipated into the boundless air. ¡°I won¡¯t let you die.¡± Julius Reed closed his eyes, murmuring to himself, ¡°You must, stay alive.¡± Chapter 636 - Chapter 636: Chapter 636 Bewildered Affection_1 Chapter 636: Chapter 636 Bewildered Affection_1 Bronze Sparrow Platform. Aron Jackson sat in his office as usual, examining the intelligence recently collected by his staff. Ever since Fabian Percival had made a forceful comeback, many of his employees had defected. Of the five elders in charge of internal affairs, three had defected. Most of the shops in Gonzalez City that collected rent had also left him and turned to Fabian Percival¡¯s employees. This was giving him a major headache. It also made Aron Jackson realize that in the past three years, his operations had not been completely foolproof. Otherwise, Fabian Percival wouldn¡¯t have been able to plant so many of his own people among his staff. But since it had already happened, he was only left with finding a solution. However, at present, many of Fabian Percival¡¯s staff were his former core members who knew Aron Jackson¡¯s business like the back of their hand. This put him at a considerable disadvantage. He could only stick to his usual strategies and be on his guard. At this moment, two unusual guests entered the Bronze Sparrow Platform. Leading the way was a young master in a wheelchair, followed by a hulking bodyguard. The youth appeared to be either rich or noble! Facing such customers, the receptionist didn¡¯t dare show the slightest neglect. ¡°May I ask, what kind of service do you need?¡± As the receptionist was speaking, several bodyguards had already come over with metal detectors, scanning the two men incessantly. After the Larsen Warm incident, the Bronze Sparrow Platform had strengthened its defenses. Not only had they deployed numerous bodyguards, but an additional inspection procedure had also been put in place at the entrance. ¡°Sorry for the inconvenience; it¡¯s just routine for everyone¡¯s safety.¡± After the checks were complete and no issues were found, the personnel retreated to the entrance, offering polite smiles. ¡°No worries, it¡¯s always good to be cautious,¡± Alonso Dragon said with a smile, nodding while sitting in his wheelchair. Every movement he made was that of a noble scion. Abroad, he was Fabian Percival¡¯s right-hand man, responsible for expanding the business overseas all year round. His demeanor and manners were all top-notch. ¡°Then, may I book a private room?¡± With a wave of his hand, the bodyguard immediately pushed him to the reception desk: ¡°I want the most expensive one.¡± ¡°Sir, would the Azure Dragon Hall be suitable?¡± The female receptionist, faced with such a charismatic man, had no resistance at all. She took out a price list that glittered with gold and gently placed it in front of Alonso Dragon, her heart racing. How happy would she be to have such a boyfriend? ¡°Good, I¡¯ll take that one,¡± Alonso Dragon coughed lightly, then immediately covered his mouth with his fist: ¡°Please charge it.¡± ¡°Sir, are you okay?¡± The receptionist couldn¡¯t help but show concern. ¡°Thank you for your concern, I¡¯m fine,¡± he replied with a faint smile, capturing the receptionist¡¯s attention completely. ¡°Here¡¯s my card.¡± It was a black card. The cardholder was Fabian Percival. Such a card, to a front-desk cashier, clearly indicated what it meant. Seen before, but rarely so. Every owner was a guest of exceptionally noble status. ¡°Sir, please take your card,¡± the receptionist said, handling the card with extreme care after completing the transaction, and handing it over to Alonso Dragon. Her heart beat like a little deer running wild. She had seen many handsome men before, but never one so charming. ¡°Thank you. May I ask, can you take me there?¡± When Alonso Dragon reached for the card, he pretended to casually brush his hands against the receptionist¡¯s. This made the receptionist tremble, her face turning red in an instant. ¡°Certainly, please wait a moment.¡± She turned to her colleague and instructed: ¡°Olivia, I¡¯ll escort this guest to the Azure Dragon Hall; please cover for me here.¡± ¡°Rachel, if you leave your post like this, the manager will get mad,¡± Olivia sighed helplessly, witnessing her companion being smitten once again. ¡°Please, just for a moment. And since this is a guest of the Azure Dragon Hall who has personally requested, how can we say no?¡± Rachel gently nudged Olivia, her eyes brimming with pleading. ¡°Alright, but you need to make it quick.¡± With a helpless shake of her head, Olivia signaled for her to go and come back quickly. ¡°Thank you so much, I¡¯ll buy you bubble tea tonight.¡± Overjoyed, Rachel quickly walked away from the front desk and approached Alonso Dragon, ¡°Please follow me.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± The smile on Alonso Dragon¡¯s face left Rachel completely defenseless. The three of them took the elevator and soon arrived at the entrance of the Azure Dragon Hall. This was the most revered place in the Bronze Sparrow Platform, and it was often vacant, even as the New Year approached. After all, the price was too extravagant, at 880,000. What ordinary person would come here to spend? ¡°Sir, this is the Azure Dragon Hall. Bronze Sparrow Platform has arranged for eight attendants for you. Should you have any needs, please feel free to make them known.¡± As Rachel led Alonso Dragon to the entrance of the Azure Dragon Hall, she reluctantly turned to leave. ¡°Wait a minute.¡± Just then, Alonso Dragon grabbed her hand and said softly, ¡°Could you escort me inside?¡± ¡°I¡­ I can¡­¡± Rachel felt a shiver run through her body, her face instantly flushing red. ¡°You all, wait outside. Without my order, no one is allowed in!¡± Having given his instructions to the attendants, Alonso Dragon gestured for his armored guard to wait by the door. The door was slowly pushed open. The Azure Dragon Hall was extremely luxurious, with a spacious hall as soon as one entered. In the center of the hall, there was an exceedingly expensive sofa. ¡°Push me inside to have a look.¡± Alonso Dragon pointed to a room inside. That was the resting room, equipped with an incredibly soft large bed. ¡°Okay¡­¡± Rachel had already envisioned what might happen next. Her cheeks were so red they seemed about to drip water, yet her steps quickened involuntarily, eager to enter the room as soon as possible. ¡°Young Master, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be leaving now¡­¡± After arriving in the spacious room, Rachel was slightly dazed. The luxurious room, the crystal chandelier on the ceiling, and the gleaming golden floor. This was her first time here. Living here for just one night would be a dream come true, even in death. ¡°Don¡¯t go!¡± Alonso Dragon pulled her into his embrace, a slight smile spreading across his face. ¡°There¡¯s a million in the card.¡± As he spoke, Alonso Dragon took out a card from his pocket and gently slid it into her neckline, tucking it into her chest. ¡°Stay with me, will you?¡± ¡°I will¡­¡± Rachel¡¯s resistance crumbled, her mind in turmoil as she leaned against Alonso Dragon¡¯s chest, letting his hands wander freely. Slap! But just as Rachel fantasized about sitting in a Ferrari, cruising on a yacht, her face was met with a solid slap! Before she knew it, the armored guard had entered the room with a group of people, who were now glaring at her angrily. ¡°This¡­¡± Rachel realized her lapse in composure and quickly straightened her clothes, attempting to flee in panic. ¡°Stop right there!¡± The armored guard caught Rachel with a firm grip, his voice cold, ¡°You dared to seduce our Family Head¡¯s young master and steal money?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t!¡± Rachel¡¯s face reddened with anger, visible in her eyes. It was clearly Alonso Dragon who had made the advances; how was it that she became the seducer? ¡°Is that so?¡± The armored guard snorted coldly, then turned to the surrounding attendants, ¡°Keep your eyes wide open and look carefully!¡± With that, he tore open Rachel¡¯s white blouse and pulled out a bank card from her chest. Chapter 637 - Chapter 637: Chapter 637: Take Your Life_1 Chapter 637: Chapter 637: Take Your Life_1 ¡°What are you doing!¡± The female servers at the Bronze Sparrow Terrace all wore a uniform, a white shirt inside and a dark blue suit outside. Now, the white shirt was directly torn apart by the ironclad man, naturally revealing what was underneath. Rachel panicked and used her hands to cover herself, crouching on the ground and unable to hold back her tears. ¡°Everyone! Look clearly!¡± The ironclad man shook the bank card in his hands in front of the Bronze Sparrow Terrace¡¯s servers, ¡°Look clearly! Then, call your boss over here!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like that! It¡¯s not like that!¡± As Rachel cried and crouched on the ground, she pointed at Alonso Dragon, ¡°The card was given to me by this gentleman, if you don¡¯t believe me, ask him!¡± Just now, it was clearly Alonso Dragon who stuffed the bank card into her bosom, so how had she suddenly become a thief? ¡°Bullshit! Would our young master give you a bank card worth tens of millions without a password?¡± The ironclad man huffed coldly and grabbed the collar of a server behind him, ¡°Immediately, call your boss over here! Hurry up and go!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± When had the servers ever seen a scene like this? Frightened by the ironclad man¡¯s intimidation, they quickly turned around and ran outside. The guests of the Azure Dragon Hall all had incredibly noble identities, people they could not afford to offend. About three minutes later. Willow Leocadia, the manager of the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, hurried over. ¡°Hello!¡± He wiped the sweat from his forehead and extended his hand to the ironclad man, ¡°I¡¯m the general manager here, Willow Leocadia. I heard from the staff downstairs that something unpleasant happened here.¡± ¡°Unpleasant?¡± The ironclad man snorted coldly, with no intention of shaking hands with Willow Leocadia. ¡°I think you¡¯re mistaken, aren¡¯t you? Your employee stole money, is that ¡®unpleasant¡¯? Call your boss over here.¡± Facing such a forceful accusation from the ironclad man, Willow Leocadia was overwhelmed. Aron Jackson was the owner of the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, not someone who could meet just anybody. ¡°Let me first understand what exactly happened.¡± He turned around and looked at Rachel, who was crouching on the ground, ¡°Rachel, you¡¯re also one of our senior employees, tell us, what exactly happened.¡± He did not believe that Royce Leocadia would have such poor discipline as to secretly take a customer¡¯s money. ¡°I¡­¡± Rachel, both frightened and ashamed, had already cried herself into a mess. ¡°Hurry up and say it!¡± Willow Leocadia shouted, scaring Rachel into standing up quickly and crying as she explained, ¡°It was this gentleman who stuffed the bank card into my possession, I really didn¡¯t steal it! Sir, please say something!¡± It was truly Alonso Dragon who had asked her to accompany him and had given her the card, so how had it turned into theft? Rachel could never have imagined that the situation would spiral into the current state of affairs. ¡°Tell me, would our young master give you a card with tens of millions inside and no password?¡± the ironclad man laughed as he crouched down and looked at Rachel, ¡°You can continue making up your story, let¡¯s see if anyone believes you.¡± ¡°I really didn¡¯t steal it!¡± Rachel turned around and looked at Alonso Dragon, ¡°Sir, please, you have to say something!¡± Even Willow Leocadia turned his gaze towards Alonso Dragon. Tens of millions was not a small amount. If the news got out, the reputation of the Bronze Sparrow Terrace would be utterly ruined. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Alonso Dragon smiled slightly at Willow Leocadia and said, ¡°This young lady took it upon herself to seduce me, and I couldn¡¯t control myself, so the bank card was inadvertently stolen.¡± After finishing his words, he stretched out his hand and pointed to the bank card in the ironclad man¡¯s hand, ¡°You can check this card. It doesn¡¯t have a password, and there are over fifty million in deposits.¡± ¡°You¡­ you were the one¡­¡± ¡°Miss,¡± Alonso Dragon straightened his clothing and directly interrupted Rachel, ¡°Not to be rude, but I could find someone like you for five hundred dollars, so why would I give you fifty million?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t think you have the beauty that could upstage Venus herself, do you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like that! You¡¯re framing me, return my innocence to me!¡± Rachel screamed and rushed forward, but was kicked away by the ironclad man. Whoosh! She hit the wall and curled up in pain. ¡°Tens of millions were nearly stolen, Mr. Manager, if your owner does not come forward to give me an explanation, I will call the police,¡± Alonso Dragon said as he took out a mobile phone from his chest, dialing the emergency number in front of Willow Leocadia, ¡°As for the consequences, I think you should consider them carefully.¡± ¡°Please wait!¡± Willow Leocadia had never faced such a thorny situation before. He sighed heavily, stomped his foot, and turned to walk toward Aron Jackson¡¯s office. It was the peak time for customer traffic, with many people entertaining themselves at the Bronze Sparrow Platform. Among them were some wealthy tycoons. If the police were to come to investigate, the theft would be highly detrimental to the reputation of the Bronze Sparrow Platform. ¡°Are you sure that one of our employees stole a card with over ten million inside?¡± Aron Jackson sat in his swivel chair, gently spinning around to face the speaker, resting his chin on his hand as he asked. ¡°Yes, I saw it with my own eyes,¡± one of the waiters responded. ¡°The card was hidden inside Rachel¡¯s shirt, and everyone saw it.¡± ¡°Royce Leocadia is a long-standing employee at the Bronze Sparrow Platform, how could she commit such an illegal act?¡± Aron Jackson recalled Royce Leocadia, who had always been the receptionist at the Bronze Sparrow Platform. ¡°I¡¯ll go take a look, and tell Dominating Tiger to bring some more people over. I¡¯ve got a feeling that something¡¯s not quite right here.¡± After speaking, Aron Jackson picked up the coat that was hanging on the chair and walked toward Azure Dragon Hall. ¡­ ¡°So, you¡¯re the boss here?¡± Alonso Dragon, sitting in a wheelchair, smiled and asked upon seeing Aron Jackson. They had already seen a photo of Aron Jackson before coming here. So they knew that the man before them was the arch-enemy of Fabian Percival, the real boss of Gonzalez City. Aron Jackson. ¡°Indeed!¡± Facing the formidable Alonso Dragon, Aron Jackson slipped his hands into his pockets and looked indifferently at Rachel, who was kneeling on the ground: ¡°Did you really do this?¡± ¡°No, really, I didn¡¯t!¡± Rachel crawled to Aron Jackson, crying: ¡°Boss, I really didn¡¯t steal the money! I, Royce Leocadia, swear to God if I¡¯m lying, let the heavens strike me with thunder, let me get struck and killed by a car the moment I leave this place!¡± As Royce Leocadia made her poisonous oath, her heart was already on the verge of collapse. ¡°My people say she didn¡¯t steal your money.¡± Aron Jackson glanced at Royce Leocadia kneeling at his feet, then turned his attention to Alonso Dragon: ¡°I will investigate the matter.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Alonso Dragon smiled, snapped his fingers, and pointed at Aron Jackson: ¡°I was the one who slipped the bank card in there.¡± ¡°Then you¡­¡± Aron Jackson suddenly felt that something was amiss. ¡°I came here just to take your life, haha!¡± Alonso Dragon laughed loudly as the iron armor before him suddenly smashed toward Aron Jackson! The action was so swift that Aron Jackson¡¯s employees couldn¡¯t react in time! Whiz! Whiz! The two men at the front were sent flying and landed dead on the spot. Meanwhile, Aron Jackson pulled a hidden weapon box from his waist. Whiz! Although the armored man was burly, his movements were exceptionally agile! With a single swing of his hammer, he knocked Aron Jackson¡¯s hidden weapon box away! ¡°Aron Jackson, surrender now!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s see if you¡¯ve got the skill for it!¡± Boom! The two exchanged blows, and Aron Jackson used the momentum to try and vault towards the door to escape. Just then, Dominating Tiger suddenly appeared at the door. ¡°Help me stop this man!¡± Aron Jackson roared. But the next moment, he saw the muzzle of a black hidden weapon box aimed at his head. ¡°Sorry, Aron Jackson!¡± Dominating Tiger grinned, pushing the hidden weapon box forward slightly in his hand. Chapter 638 - Chapter 638: Chapter 638: A Petty Person Gains Power_1 Chapter 638: Chapter 638: A Petty Person Gains Power_1 ¡°Dominating Tiger!¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s eyes flashed with astonishment and shock. Then came anger. ¡°Stop messing around, in a crisis we speak after I get past!¡± He raised his hand, ready to shove aside the hidden weapons box Dominating Tiger had pressed against his head. ¡°Mr. Jackson!¡± Dominating Tiger gave a faint smile, yet his tone was exceptionally cold. He pushed the hidden weapons box forward with force, threatening, ¡°Don¡¯t move! You and I are brothers, I don¡¯t want to open the box. Don¡¯t make it difficult for me, okay?¡± ¡°Dominating Tiger!¡± Aron Jackson gritted his teeth, his body trembling with fury. ¡°I¡¯ve treated you well, why would you do this to me!¡± Over the years, Dominating Tiger had always been his trusted aide, involved in almost every affair, big or small. Aron Jackson¡¯s trust in him was second only to that in the five great elders. Go to ????????????????????.co But he never imagined that Dominating Tiger would still betray him. ¡°Even before I came to you, I was already Mr. Thorneycroft¡¯s man. These years, you indeed treated me well. Sorry, I can only say I¡¯m sorry.¡± Dominating Tiger shrugged slightly, and with a fierce thrust, smashed the hidden weapons box down onto the back of Aron Jackson¡¯s head. ¡­ When Aron Jackson woke up, he discovered he was tied to a chair. Around him was a dilapidated brick and tile room, the roof had leaked, and he could see the sky. The ground was covered with weeds and some empty mineral water bottles. The glass around the brick and tile room had long been shattered, and even the air reeked of a choking smoke smell. Standing next to the chair were two people in black. All wearing sunglasses, their faces indiscernible. Tied up. Aron Jackson silently sighed. Overthrown in a gutter. If it had been only Dominating Tiger¡¯s betrayal, he might have had a chance to turn the tables. But the iron-clad men behind him were too fierce, leaving him with no power to resist. Having been mixed up in the underworld for so many years, Aron Jackson¡¯s skills had become very strong. It wasn¡¯t until today, when he encountered the iron-clad men, that he realized he still needed to work harder. As the boss of an enterprise, one should never rely on employees to ensure one¡¯s own safety. ¡°Awake?¡± Noticing that Aron Jackson had come to, Dominating Tiger, holding a hidden weapons box and with a cigarette dangling from his lips, slowly walked over to Aron Jackson. ¡°You betrayed me.¡± Aron Jackson glared at him coldly, a sudden flash of murderous intent in his eyes. Traitors could only be dead. ¡°Not at all.¡± Dominating Tiger grinned, took another cigarette from his chest pocket, and put it in Aron Jackson¡¯s mouth: ¡°You can think of it as, I¡¯ve been waiting for Mr. Thorneycroft to return.¡± After saying this, he took out a lighter from his pocket and lit the cigarette in Aron Jackson¡¯s mouth. Aron Jackson didn¡¯t refuse. His mind was in turmoil, and he needed a smoke to clear his head. ¡°Not afraid I put poison in the cigarette?¡± Dominating Tiger laughed as he stood up, gesturing for the people beside him to step back. ¡°If you wanted to kill me, you would have done it at Copper Que Terrace. Why wait until now?¡± Aron Jackson took a puff of the cigarette, looking meaningfully at Dominating Tiger: ¡°You¡¯ve hidden yourself well!¡± After Fabian Percival returned to Gonzalez City, even elders like Rebecca Brown had betrayed him. This made him immediately start screening his staff. The people carrying out the mission searched everywhere but couldn¡¯t find any remaining suspects. In the end, even Aron Jackson believed that these people had betrayed him en masse, leaving none behind. Or if there were any left, they were insignificant lackeys. After all, he had vetted all the members in significant positions. ¡°Hey!¡± Dominating Tiger leaned against Aron Jackson, took a deep drag of his cigarette, then turned his head and asked softly, ¡°The person you sent to investigate, that wasn¡¯t Dexter Pendleton, was it?¡± ¡°Indeed!¡± Aron Jackson nodded and spat out the cigarette butt from his mouth. ¡°Dexter Pendleton¡¯s brother¡¯s name is Brown Bread.¡± Dominating Tiger walked over and gently crushed the cigarette butt. ¡°And Brown Bread, is Mr. Thorneycroft¡¯s personal bodyguard with power and status second only to the Four Heavenly Kings and Elwood Thorneycroft.¡± Upon hearing this, Aron Jackson gave a bitter smile and shook his head, ¡°So you all were in cahoots from the start.¡± ¡°But I can¡¯t figure out why you would follow Fabian Percival given your status isn¡¯t low at all. Can he offer you something better?¡± ¡°Not at all.¡± Upon hearing this, Dominating Tiger¡¯s brows involuntarily furrowed, and then instantly relaxed, ¡°Someone¡¯s coming, you know them. Have a good chat.¡± ¡°Get in there!¡± No sooner had he spoken than Quella Radcliffe was pushed and shoved into the dilapidated brick house by two people. ¡°Sister-in-law!¡± Upon seeing Quella Radcliffe, Aron Jackson exclaimed in shock. He desperately tried to break free but to no avail; he could only watch helplessly as Quella Radcliffe was tied to the chair beside him. It was then that Aron Jackson noticed that there were another two people behind him. He recognized these two people as Julius Reed¡¯s in-laws. But now they had been beaten to a pulp, covered in blood, lying by the wall gasping for air. ¡°Miss Radcliffe!¡± As a voice sounded, Alonso Dragon slowly wheeled into the room. When he smelled the tobacco in the room, he couldn¡¯t help frowning and lightly covered his nose with his fingers. ¡°I¡¯m here, now please honor your promise and let my parents go!¡± Quella Radcliffe no longer showed any fear; she had come today to meet her death! ¡°Your parents?¡± Alonso Dragon dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand, and the bodyguard immediately pushed him in front of Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Sorry, you thought wrong. Who told you that they could leave if you came?¡± ¡°You are truly despicable!¡± Quella Radcliffe clenched her teeth, her face growing paler. She was very aware that the drug in her body had taken effect, and she had less than half an hour left to live. ¡°Despicable?¡± Alonso Dragon looked at Quella Radcliffe and couldn¡¯t help shaking his head, ¡°Such a fine woman! What a pity¡­¡± The thought of being shot by Julius Reed and becoming impotent made him want to go mad. Otherwise, he would have enjoyed such a beautiful woman before sending her off. But now, he could only watch eagerly. ¡°Boy, how dare you treat my sister-in-law this way! If I, Aron Jackson, make it out alive today, I swear I¡¯ll make your life a living hell!¡± Fire seemed about to spit from Aron Jackson¡¯s eyes, yet being tied up, he could only watch helplessly. ¡°Cooper Ridge, your sister is here. What are you hiding out there for? Come out and catch up!¡± Ignoring Aron Jackson¡¯s threats, Alonso Dragon shouted toward the back of the decrepit tile house. ¡°Young Master Dragon!¡± With a thud, Cooper Ridge vaulted over the wall and, with an obsequious face, came before Timmy Dragon. ¡°You take care of things here. I¡¯m going to check if there are any loose ends outside.¡± As Alonso Dragon turned to leave, a smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Take your time, Young Master Dragon!¡± Cooper Ridge bowed and scraped like a dog, but as soon as he turned around, his expression changed. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, you never imagined you¡¯d end up like this, huh!¡± Thinking back to the humiliation he suffered in the private room, Cooper Ridge¡¯s anger surged. Others had pissed right into his mouth, even made him bark like a dog! ¡°You despicable little man!¡± Quella Radcliffe spat defiantly in his face, ¡°Are you even human? That¡¯s your own aunt, and you can bear to lay your hands on her?¡± ¡°Fuck you!¡± Smack! Cooper Ridge swung his hand and hit her, saying viciously, ¡°You stinking wench, still daring to justify yourself when you¡¯re on the brink of death!¡± Chapter 639 - Chapter 639: Chapter 639 Waiting for Someone_1 Chapter 639: Chapter 639 Waiting for Someone_1 ¡°` When that slap went through, Cooper Ridge couldn¡¯t have felt more exhilarated. All the resentment that had built up in his heart for the day finally burst forth! The mere thought of the day Julius Reed had strutted around so pompously infuriated him! Now, he had finally exacted his revenge! ¡°How does that feel? Still comfortable?¡± Cooper Ridge looked at Quella Radcliffe with a smug face, at the same time, picked up the empty tin can from the ground and violently threw it at Knox Ridge, who was some distance away. The already tortured Knox Ridge couldn¡¯t help but let out a wail of agony. ¡°Ha ha! Auntie, do you want me to do it again?¡± He laughed loudly, while looking at Quella Radcliffe: ¡°You must be really upset right now, aren¡¯t you? That¡¯s right! I¡¯m feeling damn good!¡± The more furious Quella Radcliffe became, the happier he was! ¡°Cooper Ridge, I assure you, you will definitely not survive today!¡± Quella Radcliffe closed her eyes, trying her best not to get too agitated. Go to ????????????????????.co But as soon as she thought of her parents suffering, the tears simply fell. ¡°Feeling bad?¡± Cooper Ridge squatted down, looking at Quella Radcliffe with a mocking expression: ¡°Tsk tsk tsk, cousin, why are you crying? Such a beautiful woman shouldn¡¯t cry! Here, let your brother wipe your tears.¡± After saying that, he took off his own shoe and rubbed it all over Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face. The room, having grass on the floor and after experiencing a rainfall, was already muddy. And his shoes were completely covered in mud. With that rub, he smeared Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face with dirt, making her look utterly ridiculous. ¡°Ha ha! I¡¯m dying of laughter!¡± Cooper Ridge laughed uncontrollably, and then said: ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought that you¡¯d see a day like this! Quella Radcliffe, oh Quella Radcliffe, if you knew this day would come, why did you leave me to die back then, and even set me up?¡± The sister who had been on her high horse the day before was now under his foot. Cooper Ridge found himself more and more impressed by his own wise decision. Allying with Fabian Percival was indeed the right choice. At least now, he could take his revenge. Even though the one who truly humiliated him and urinated in his mouth was Rebecca Brown¡¯s people. But Cooper Ridge didn¡¯t dare hold a grudge and conveniently blamed everything on Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed. ¡°Enough, that¡¯ll do!¡± Dominating Tiger couldn¡¯t bear to watch. ¡°She is a woman after all, as a man, don¡¯t go too far!¡± Chastised by him, Cooper Ridge finally held back a little. The air fell silent once more. ¡°All of you here today, you¡¯re probably going to die.¡± Aron Jackson glanced at Dominating Tiger and said flatly. ¡°Aron Jackson, this isn¡¯t your territory, and your brothers aren¡¯t likely to come to your rescue!¡± Dominating Tiger looked at Aron Jackson, while fiddling with the hidden weapons box in his hand: ¡°Out there, you¡¯re supposed to have suddenly fainted, and my brothers and I took you to the hospital for emergency treatment, so everyone is waiting in their places, calmly awaiting your news.¡± ¡°You¡¯re despicable!¡± Aron Jackson scoffed disdainfully. ¡°A traitor! Stops at nothing!¡± Dominating Tiger, not the least bit embarrassed and even leaning over to whisper in Aron Jackson¡¯s ear, said: ¡°Tonight, after Elder Mr. Thorneycroft gets all the information on your key people, he will direct a slaughter. Tomorrow, Gonzalez City will change hands!¡± ¡°That¡¯s vicious!¡± Aron Jackson nodded but didn¡¯t care: ¡°Do you know why you will fail?¡± ¡°We cannot fail!¡± Dominating Tiger completely disagreed with Aron Jackson¡¯s opinion: ¡°Face reality, Aron Jackson, this is already Mr. Thorneycroft¡¯s Gonzalez City; you¡¯re history!¡± ¡°If you simply killed me, Fabian Percival could easily take over Gonzalez City. But have you noticed the woman by my side?¡± ¡°` Aron Jackson gestured toward Quella Radcliffe with his chin, ¡°The one thing you shouldn¡¯t have done was to offend that woman.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Dominating Tiger raised an eyebrow, intrigued, ¡°Are you referring to Julius Reed? Give up, there are hundreds of people lying in ambush outside, along with numerous hidden weapons and hands. Not to mention the iron armor that can knock you down instantly. With such a lineup, today even gods will be slain if they block the path, and so will Buddhas!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t believe me?¡± Aron Jackson simply closed his eyes, ¡°I believe, even if you had an army of thousands, you couldn¡¯t stop that man.¡± ¡­ ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, everything is in place, just waiting for Julius Reed to come and meet his demise!¡± ¡°Good! You need to be cautious, I¡¯ve invested half of my wealth into this. If we still can¡¯t kill Julius Reed with this, don¡¯t bother coming back!¡± Inside the Five-lakes Clubhouse. Fabian Percival was on the phone with Alonso Dragon, holding his cellphone. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Thorneycroft. We¡¯ve cast a net of heaven and earth outside, I assure you, Julius Reed will definitely die here today!¡± ¡°Excellent, I¡¯ll be watching your brilliant performance on the video.¡± Fabian Percival nodded in satisfaction, hung up the phone, and simultaneously turned on the large screen in the reception room. On the screen, there were images from surveillance cameras near the brick-and-tile houses on the mountain. Through these cameras, Fabian Percival could clearly see every action on the mountain with precision. He could even witness the entire operation to eliminate Julius Reed. ¡°Congratulations, Elder Mr. Thorneycroft.¡± Jennifer Lopez spoke out. Her eyes were glued to the screen, afraid of missing any moment. To this day, just thinking of Zane Percival falling from the helicopter into the sea and drowning would cause her heart to throb with pain. She wished she could flay Julius Reed a thousand times over! Today, although she wouldn¡¯t personally kill Julius Reed, as long as this vengeance was satisfied, it would ease her heart. ¡°Congratulations to you as well, Miss Lopez.¡± Fabian Percival nodded and smiled, ¡°In fact, I hadn¡¯t expected things to go so smoothly. But fortunately, everything is going according to plan.¡± ¡°As long as Julius Reed is dead, I will persuade the family to support you and help you regain your glory in Gonzalez City!¡± Jennifer Lopez said in a low voice. Just to be on the safe side, she had invited Tariq Lopez, the most favored grandson of the Lopez family, to Gonzalez City for a visit. If Julius Reed survived, she would use Tariq to drag the Lopez family into the fray. If Julius Reed died, then Tariq would be her piece to support Fabian Percival. Tariq was already on the plane, expected to arrive in Gonzalez City in three hours. ¡°Thank you, Miss Lopez, it¡¯s an honor for me!¡± A gleam of sharp light flashed in Fabian Percival¡¯s eyes. If he could get Jennifer Lopez¡¯s support, he would certainly have it easy in Gonzalez City, and he might even have the chance to expand into the capital. Fabian Percival¡¯s peak years were wasted because he lacked influential connections, which led to his failure to advance into the capital. And because the entrepreneurs of Gonzalez City and Five-river Province couldn¡¯t withstand the pressure, they turned their backs on Fabian Percival, forcing him out of Gonzalez City. He thought that, after carefully making arrangements abroad over the years, returning to Gonzalez City would be a cakewalk. Yet, Fabian Percival never expected to lose troops and face disgrace right from the start! Now, with the help of a mysterious person, he had even easily captured Aron Jackson. Killing two birds with one stone! After today, Gonzalez City would be all his. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, there¡¯s movement!¡± Just then, Brown Bread pointed at a figure on the screen, excitedly reporting. Chapter 640 - Chapter 640: Chapter 640: Must Be Cautious_1 Chapter 640: Chapter 640: Must Be Cautious_1 When this sentence resonated, Fabian Percival¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Although he was full of confidence in his preparations, he still felt a trace of unease when the time came for the main event. The reason was none other than the previous impact of Julius Reed, which had left a huge psychological shadow on Fabian Percival. Even in his dreams, Fabian Percival would often wake up in shock! This guy who doesn¡¯t play by the rules is somewhat detestable! However, on the screen, that figure flashed by and then disappeared. ¡°Could I be seeing things?¡± Brown Bread muttered to himself. ¡°Alonso, what¡¯s the situation on your end?¡± Having seen the fleeting figure, Fabian couldn¡¯t help but take out his cell phone and call Alonso Dragon directly. At this critical juncture, there could be no mistakes! ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, there is nothing out of the ordinary. But rest assured, Julius Reed has received the message, and I estimate he will arrive soon! I have already arranged for the hidden weapons experts,¡± said Alonso Dragon, proudly over the phone, ¡°As soon as Julius Reed appears, immediately there will be more than a dozen hidden weapon boxes aimed at his head!¡± ¡°Today, no matter who comes, they will only meet death!¡± Go to ????????????????????.co This time, Fabian Percival had summoned most of his trusted followers to the mountain. These men were elites. Today was his chance to completely turn the tables, and Fabian Percival wanted to directly eliminate all major threats. Without the support of Aron Jackson and Julius Reed, Itai Huntington¡¯s defeat was a foregone conclusion! ¡°Good! Make sure to be cautious,¡± he admonished. After finishing the call, Fabian Percival hung up the phone, his eyes still lingering on the screen. Meanwhile, on the mountain. ¡°Young Master, Mr. Thorneycroft still seems a bit worried!¡± said Rebecca Brown, standing next to Alonso Dragon, holding a pair of binoculars, and teasingly commented. ¡°After experiencing the incident last time, Mr. Thorneycroft has naturally become more sensitive,¡± Alonso nodded, pointing to the men lying in ambush below the hill, ¡°But it¡¯s okay, once today is over, Julius Reed will become history.¡± ¡°Indeed, the fact that you have full authority over this matter signifies Mr. Thorneycroft¡¯s recognition of you,¡± Rebecca remarked. Having declared allegiance to Fabian Percival¡¯s staff, Rebecca also began to ponder whether Alonso Dragon or Elwood Thorneycroft would be Fabian Percival¡¯s successor. Once Gonzalez City was pacified, Fabian Percival¡¯s target would be Five-river Province. How to distribute such a big piece of cake like Gonzalez City was his main concern. Under Aron Jackson¡¯s leadership, he was at least a grand elder with money and followers. Now having switched to Fabian Percival¡¯s side, if the gains weren¡¯t substantial, the betrayal would be meaningless. ¡°Completing this task, Boss Brown will also be of great merit.¡± Alonso Dragon courteously replied, his eyes fixed on the surveillance screen. As the overall commander, he had to stay alert at all times. Having nothing to do, Rebecca Brown entered the brick-and-tile house and approached Aron Jackson. ¡°Aron Jackson,¡± he greeted respectfully. ¡°This is indeed interesting!¡± Aron Jackson coldly stared at Rebecca Brown, ¡°To be in the company of two traitors like you today, truly revolting!¡± The defection of the man who had once managed money under him was a heavy blow. It essentially cut off most of his financial sources, and if he had to drag on with Fabian Percival long-term, he certainly wouldn¡¯t last. ¡°The wise adapt,¡± Rebecca Brown said with zero shame for being a traitor and declared righteously, ¡°You can see for yourself, after today, I may be taking your place.¡± Fabian Percival was bound to advance into Five-river Province, given his past glory there. Then someone would be left in charge of Gonzalez City. Indeed, Elwood Thorneycroft and Alonso Dragon being new to Gonzalez City would definitely be unfit for the role. Therefore, the burden would be on him, at least for the next three years. Three years were plenty long. ¡°You won¡¯t survive today,¡± Aron Jackson closed his eyes, no longer wanting to engage. Just then. A rumbling sound came from the sky. ¡°What¡¯s that noise!¡± Rebecca Brown and Dominating Tiger realized something was off and immediately walked out of the brick-and-tile building. ¡°Young Master Dragon, this doesn¡¯t seem to be our men!¡± exclaimed Rebecca Brown, somewhat surprised. ¡°Could it be that Mr. Thorneycroft temporarily called in reinforcements? After all, to eliminate Julius Reed, he¡¯s certainly sparing no expense!¡± Dominating Tiger guessed. ¡°I¡¯ll ask!¡± Alonso Dragon swallowed hard and commanded his staff, ¡°Keep a sharp lookout! If anything seems off, shoot immediately!¡± Alonso Dragon quickly called Fabian Percival, ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, did you send them?¡± ¡°When?¡± Fabian Percival was taken aback for a moment. The surveillance could only capture the ground but not the sky. Now he didn¡¯t even know what was happening, only seeing all his men looking up at the sky. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, above us¡­¡± At this moment, Rebecca Brown gently pushed him from behind. ¡°What is it? I¡¯m on the phone with Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Alonso Dragon said, annoyed. ¡°Look at the sky¡­¡± Rebecca Brown swallowed and felt a cold sweat streaming down his forehead. When Alonso Dragon saw what was in the sky, his scalp tingled with numbness¡­ ¡°Hello! What exactly is happening over there? Talk to me¡­¡± In the phone, Fabian Percival frantically shouted. Why stop talking in the middle of a conversation? He even thought something had gone wrong. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, look at the sky¡­¡± Alonso Dragon shook with trepidation, and Rebecca Brown quickly turned a camera upwards. ¡°What is this!¡± Seeing what was on the sky in the screen, shock filled Fabian Percival¡¯s voice! ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, I want to know too¡­¡± ¡°Get inside!¡± Rebecca Brown grabbed Alonso Dragon¡¯s wheelchair, but due to excessive force, Alonso Dragon ended up falling to the ground. But at such a life-and-death moment, who had time for such concerns? After a brief hesitation, Rebecca Brown ran into the house and joined Dominating Tiger around the hostages. ¡°You damned bastards!¡± With his legs immobilized, Alonso Dragon had no choice but to desperately crawl toward the house, but after glancing back, he just froze in place! Chapter 641 - Chapter 641: Chapter 641 Falling from the Sky_1 Chapter 641: Chapter 641 Falling from the Sky_1 If one were to say that Alonso Dragon had never before known what ¡°a heavenly descent¡± looked like, then today, he was fortunate enough to witness it. He saw a figure leap down with an agile movement! Following that, the figure landed squarely onto a large tree! ¡°Quick, quick, bring me inside!¡± Alonso Dragon was utterly terrified, his eyes fixated on that large tree! Such a high fall would certainly be fatal. If not even that could kill, was that still a human? But miraculously, Julius Reed really hadn¡¯t died. Among the woods, a man with a sword walked heavily towards the brick house. His body emanated a murderous aura! Go to ????????????????????.co This scene sent a chill down the spines of everyone inside. Rebecca Brown, in a fit of determination, rushed to the entrance and dragged Alonso Dragon in like one would drag a dead dog. He was after all, a trusted follower of Fabian Percival; to leave him to die would invite unwanted criticism. ¡°Damn it! What kind of monster is this!¡± Just the thought of the scene he had witnessed sent Alonso Dragon¡¯s mind into turmoil. And his employees, facing a massacre outside, had mostly fallen dead or injured. ¡°What to do!¡± Alonso Dragon, without his wheelchair, had his legs completely disabled. Now, all he could do was lean under Quella Radcliffe¡¯s chair, watching the outside with terror and helplessness. His employees had fought back, but before Julius Reed, they were like chopping vegetables and cutting melons¡ªeffortless. ¡°How would I know what to do!¡± Rebecca Brown was also pale, her shirt soaked through with sweat at the back. Wasn¡¯t it said that Julius Reed, without the support of Aron Jackson, was left with nothing but a single hidden weapon box on his own? So what was happening now? How much money would such power cost! ¡°No worries, we still have a hostage!¡± Alonso Dragon quickly pulled out a hidden weapon box from his waist and pressed it against Quella¡¯s body: ¡°As long as we have this woman, we can survive!¡± ¡°Right!¡± Rebecca Brown had always been calm, but today he was completely flustered. Hearing Alonso Dragon¡¯s words, he also drew a hidden weapon box from his waist and pressed it against Quella¡¯s back. Now, this woman was their only amulet of safety. As long as Quella was in their hands, they could survive or even counter-kill Julius Reed! ¡°You guys, go catch those two old geezers for me!¡± With a wave of his hand, Rebecca¡¯s subordinates rushed over, dragging both Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe to their feet. Seeing their frantic actions, Quella Radcliffe scoffed coldly: ¡°It¡¯s no use; I¡¯ve already taken poison before coming here and might¡­ might die any moment now.¡± ¡°What the hell are you saying!¡± This statement sent a chill down Alonso Dragon¡¯s back! He violently turned around, craning his neck to look at Quella: ¡°Say that again!¡± If Quella died, according to Julius Reed¡¯s temperament, there would be no survivors here. ¡°I said¡­¡± Quella looked at their panicked faces, finding it strangely amusing: ¡°Before coming here, I¡¯ve already taken poison, and probably in another ten minutes or so, I should be dying.¡± Seeing Julius Reed¡¯s figure not far away, a tinge of reluctance, or rather regret, crossed her heart. In the end, the two were destined to part. ¡°Boss Brown! What should we do!¡± Alonso Dragon was completely panicking! His scalp tingled! His brain felt like it was about to explode! Rage! Unease! ¡°You can¡¯t die! You have to live!¡± Alonso was frantically shaking Quella, as if he had lost his mind. She was their only hope of survival! ¡°Ha ha! I¡¯ve told you before, none of you will survive, and now you¡¯re scared? It¡¯s too late!¡± Aron Jackson was indifferent. Even though Dominating Tiger was now pointing a hidden weapon box at his head, his face still exuded calm composure. ¡°I say, why panic? There¡¯s still an ironclad outside; surely you haven¡¯t forgotten how formidable he is?¡± Dominating Tiger took out a cigarette from his pocket and trembled as he lit it. Even though he sounded nonchalant, his hands were shaking uncontrollably. Ironclad might be strong, but he had seen with his own eyes how abnormal Julius Reed was. If they truly fought, it was not certain that the ironclad could win. ¡°Yes! And the armor-clad warrior!¡± Rebecca Brown finally saw hope. With the armor-clad warrior present, she felt much more at ease. At last. Julius Reed fought his way through, arriving at the brick house¡¯s doorway. ¡°Where is the armor-clad warrior! Why can¡¯t I see the armor-clad warrior!¡± Alonso Dragon saw how close Julius Reed was to him, and despite looking all around, he couldn¡¯t spot the armor-clad figure. Panic rose in his heart again. He had no choice but to shout a threat, ¡°Julius Reed, if you dare take another half step forward, I will kill your wife with a hidden weapon box.¡± ¡°You see, she is already dead,¡± Julius Reed coldly pointed his sword at Quella Radcliffe and suddenly laughed, ¡°Now, what else can you use to threaten me?¡± Dead? Alonso Dragon quickly turned back and checked under her nose, only to find indeed Quella Radcliffe was no longer breathing. Her entire body slumped over, tied to a chair, thoroughly dead. Yet her body was still warm. ¡°Why!¡± Alonso Dragon was on the verge of collapse. Why did she have to die just at this moment? With Quella Radcliffe¡¯s death, he completely lost his shield. ¡°And Aron Jackson!¡± In despair, Alonso Dragon suddenly remembered Aron Jackson and shouted at Dominating Tiger, ¡°If he dares to step through this door, just open the hidden weapon box and finish off Aron Jackson! If we are to die, we all die together!¡± ¡°Boss Davenport, don¡¯t make things difficult for me!¡± Without needing his instruction, Dominating Tiger had already placed the hidden weapon box against Aron Jackson¡¯s head. Boom! Just then, a shadow descended from the sky and collided with Julius Reed! Thump! Thump! Thump! Julius Reed took two steps back. In front of him stood the previously unseen armor-clad warrior. ¡°Armor-clad warrior! Kill him!¡± Seeing the armor-clad warrior appear, Alonso Dragon finally let out a sigh of relief. With such an expert present, he had nothing to worry about. If the armor-clad warrior appeared even half a minute later, they might all have become corpses. Now was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! To capture the rebels, capture the king first! As long as Julius Reed was killed, the others were of no concern. ¡°You are Julius Reed?¡± The armor-clad figure, with arms crossed, looked at Julius Reed who held a sword in one hand, and a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes. ¡°The Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance will be destroyed in your hands sooner or later.¡± ¡°You know of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. Indeed, that mysterious woman from the Five-river Province could not hold back after all and had finally taken action. ¡°Should I kneel down now and call you ¡®Your Holiness¡¯?¡± The armor-clad figure laughed loudly, his tone filled with contempt, ¡°A mere youth, how can you command respect!¡± ¡°Since you know about the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, I won¡¯t kill you today.¡± Having said that, Julius Reed thrust his sword forward! The armor-clad warrior coldly smiled, catching the blade barehanded! Slash! With a sharp sound of cutting through the air, Great Arcane Lan Ye Sword was firmly caught in the grip of the armor-clad warrior! ¡°This is the holy leader who commands tens of thousands of people? This is the hidden dragon king who makes countless organizations cower in fear?¡± The armor-clad figure laughed wildly, shaking his head, ¡°You are, after all, too weak!¡± ¡°Who is the person behind you, after all!¡± As he spoke, Julius Reed fiercely pressed the sword downward! Crack! The once arrogant armor-clad warrior¡¯s face drastically changed, then he bent over, shouldering the increasingly pressing Great Arcane Lan Ye Sword. ¡°Speak, or face death.¡± Julius Reed gradually increased his force, and the armor-clad warrior¡¯s complexion grew worse. At last. He could not bear it any longer and knelt on the ground. His complexion had turned purple. ¡°Still not talking?¡± Crack! Julius Reed pressed down fiercely! The armor-clad warrior¡¯s right shoulder was instantly severed! Blood splattered everywhere! Chapter 642 - Chapter 642: Chapter 642: The True Traitor_1 Chapter 642: Chapter 642: The True Traitor_1 ¡°Ah¡­¡± The iron-clad warrior spat out blood from his mouth, his consciousness already becoming somewhat unclear. Just now, in order to counteract the oppressive might of the Grand Zhou Lanyue Sword, he had exerted all his strength! So much so that now, every rib in his chest cavity had shattered! This mouthful of blood, the iron-clad warrior had intended to suppress. But due to the surging qi within his body, he simply couldn¡¯t control it. ¡°You dare not kneel upon seeing the Holy Master?¡± Julius Reed casually inserted his sword into the scabbard on his back and stood coldly in front of the iron-clad warrior. ¡°You¡¯re already a discarded Holy Master, what right do you have to make me kneel?¡± the iron-clad spat out blood continuously from his mouth, but his eyes still showed disdain. In his heart, only that woman from the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance deserved the title of Holy Master! ¡°Discarded?¡± Julius Reed sneered, then suddenly kicked at both of the iron-clad¡¯s knees! Whoosh! Whoosh! Go to ????????????????????.co Crack! ¡°Hiss¡­¡± The iron-clad warrior who had still been stubbornly standing collapsed onto the ground, his eyes filled with anger. And unwillingness. ¡°Stand up, I won¡¯t force you to kneel.¡± Julius Reed stood in front of the iron-clad with his hands clasped behind his back, smiling as he spoke. The iron-clad looked up, his face murderous. He indeed wanted to stand, but how could he with his knees crushed to smithereens? ¡°So, you¡¯re kneeling after all.¡± Julius Reed shook his head, bent down, and looked at the iron-clad: ¡°Tell me, who sent you?¡± ¡°Kill me! But you should know, the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance has already changed hands. You will never become the Holy Master, never!¡± The iron-clad roared furiously, his gaze carrying a touch of satisfaction. ¡°It seems you really won¡¯t give up until you¡¯re at the end of the road.¡± Crack! Julius Reed¡¯s hand ferociously stretched forward, plunging into the chest of the iron-clad and brutally ripping out a broken rib! ¡°Ah¡­¡± The iron-clad opened his mouth wide, letting out a skyward wail of agony! Pain! Endless torment! He felt as though he was about to explode. But even before he could catch his breath. Crack! A second rib was torn out! ¡°Hiss¡­¡± The iron-clad gasped for air, his body shaking like a sieve. If it weren¡¯t for Julius Reed¡¯s foot pressing on his chest, the iron-clad would have already collapsed on the ground, convulsing. ¡°I am the true king of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, and you, as a traitor, dare to speak so self-righteously before me!¡± Julius Reed spoke, his hands forcefully pulling at the same time! Crack! The iron-clad¡¯s chest ribs were directly broken! ¡°Still not talking?¡± Seeing the iron-clad before him about to give out, Julius Reed casually patted the iron-clad¡¯s face with his bloodstained hand, smiling as he asked, ¡°Do you think, with the power behind you, you can overthrow me?¡± ¡°Julius Reed¡­¡± Whoosh! ¡°Call me Holy Master!¡± Julius Reed coldly punched the iron-clad in the gut! ¡°Puh¡­¡± The iron-clad spewed out a mouthful of blood but remained unmoved. ¡°Call me Holy Master!¡± Crack! This time, Julius Reed completely shattered all of the ribs in front of the iron-clad! ¡°Holy¡­¡± Crack! Just when the iron-clad could no longer hold out and was about to give in. Julius Reed snapped the iron-clad¡¯s neck. ¡°Too late! Whichever person is behind you, I will find out sooner or later.¡± Having said that. Julius Reed stood up and looked at the people inside the brick-tile house, who were already shivering in fright. They had witnessed the iron-clad¡¯s prowess with their own eyes. But today. They were fortunate to witness the might of Julius Reed! Even the mighty iron-clad was no match for a single blow! ¡°Die by your own hand, or should I do it.¡± Julius Reed stepped into the brick-tile house. ¡°Don¡¯t come any closer! If you dare take one more step, I¡¯ll open the secret weapon box and kill him!¡± Rebecca Brown hid behind Aron Jackson, the secret weapon box in her hand aimed at Aron Jackson¡¯s head. ¡°Whoosh!¡± Alonso Dragon seized the moment when no one was paying attention and fiercely opened a hidden weapon box at Julius Reed! ¡°Go to hell!¡± He bellowed, his eyes showing a gleeful expression. But the next moment, Julius Reed turned around! Clang! The dart struck the Great Zoul¨¢n Night Sword, sparking a flash of fire. Completely unscathed. The situation was extremely strange. Aron Jackson was beneath the hidden weapon boxes of Rebecca Brown and Dominating Tiger, and Alonso Dragon only had two elderly people before him. And Julius Reed. Was standing at the doorway. ¡°Thud!¡± Just then, someone flipped over from behind the brick and tile house. ¡°Who is it!¡± Alonso Dragon turned around alertly, pointing the hidden weapon box behind him. ¡°Fox Miller? Why are you here?¡± Seeing the newcomer, he was somewhat surprised. Because the person who came was none other than one of the Four Diamonds of Fabian Percival¡¯s staff, Fox Miller. However, in Fabian Percival¡¯s plan, Fox Miller was not supposed to be here. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft was worried about your safety and ordered me to stand by at the foot of the mountain at all times!¡± Fox Miller also took out a hidden weapon box, scrutinizing the situation before him carefully, and slowly walked behind Rebecca Brown. ¡°Just you alone?¡± Rebecca Brown took another look behind. No other reinforcements. Only one person. ¡°Don¡¯t worry! I have a way to make him leave now that I¡¯m here!¡± Fox Miller wiped the hidden weapon box with his clothes, seemingly unsatisfied, and then huffed on it again. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Rebecca Brown was skeptical. Now their only hope was Aron Jackson, the only way Julius Reed might spare them was if they could use Aron Jackson as a threat. As for Fox Miller? ¡°If I remember correctly, the two of you have fought before. It is said that none of the people you took with you returned, and you nearly lost your life as well.¡± He recalled what Fabian Percival had once said. ¡°You know quite a bit.¡± Fox Miller grinned, looking at Julius Reed, ¡°Actually, it was a tie between us, and I even had the upper hand for a while. It was only because someone suddenly betrayed us that the situation changed and I failed!¡± ¡°Who!¡± Rebecca Brown was somewhat shocked to hear this news. Fox Miller was able to hold his own against Julius Reed? ¡°That person, is Alonso Dragon!¡± After saying that, Fox Miller pointed the hidden weapon box at Alonso Dragon, ¡°That day, you had already captured Itai Huntington, why didn¡¯t you kill him on the spot, but instead let him go?¡± ¡°Bullshit!¡± Alonso Dragon raised his hidden weapon box as well, glaring at Fox Miller, ¡°You fucking betrayed Mr. Thorneycroft! Rebecca Brown, this man is a traitor! He¡¯s here to help Julius Reed!¡± Alonso Dragon was aware of Fabian Percival¡¯s suspicions toward Fox Miller in the past. Now, he had ample reason to believe. Fox Miller had betrayed them. ¡°You two! What the hell are you doing!¡± Rebecca Brown was becoming somewhat anxious. Julius Reed stood at the entrance, and now there was discord within their own ranks. ¡°Why don¡¯t you dare to speak about what happened back then!¡± Fox Miller grinned, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me, seeing how attractive Itai Huntington was, you hesitated to kill him, and he was rescued.¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Alonso Dragon was at a loss for words. How could he explain? Was he to say that he lusted for Itai Huntington¡¯s beauty and wanted to have her before killing her? But then someone surprised him with a hidden weapon box, and he lost both his prey and his dignity? ¡°Look! He is the traitor!¡± Whoosh! Fox Miller¡¯s hidden weapon box hit Alonso Dragon in the chest! Perfectly avoiding the heart! Then he moved swiftly to stand right behind Rebecca Brown. Whoosh! At the same time, Alonso Dragon, after being hit by a hidden weapon box, instinctively retaliated! Using his last bit of strength, he triggered a hidden weapon box! After releasing the hidden weapon box, he seemed to have all of his energy drained and lay gasping for air on the ground. However. The dart did not hit Fox Miller. Instead, it shot into Rebecca Brown, who was standing in front of Fox Miller. ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± After Rebecca Brown fell, Dominating Tiger immediately turned the mouth of the hidden weapon box! His face turned deathly pale. Chapter 643 - Chapter 643: Chapter 643: Is He Dead or Not_1 Chapter 643: Chapter 643: Is He Dead or Not_1 ¡°Bro, got a light?¡± Just when Dominating Tiger¡¯s nerves were strung to the breaking point, someone suddenly patted him on the shoulder from behind. ¡°What the hell? At this time of day, you¡¯ve got the nerve to¡­¡± As he said this, a shiver went down Dominating Tiger¡¯s spine. When he turned around, he realized that Aron Jackson, who had just been tied to a chair, was now standing behind him. In his hand, he also held a dark weapon box. ¡°Boss, I¡¯ve failed! I couldn¡¯t protect our sister-in-law.¡± Aron Jackson glanced at Dominating Tiger and walked straight over to Julius Reed, dropping to his knees with a ¡®thump¡¯. Quella Radcliffe was dead. She died right in front of him. And he, was powerless to stop it. Go to ????????????????????.co ¡°Get up.¡± Julius Reed gently helped Aron Jackson to his feet, then walked over to Quella Radcliffe. With one sword stroke, he severed the ropes! ¡°Silly girl, that was my sleeping pill. How could you mistake it for poison and drink it?¡± Julius Reed pinched open Quella Radcliffe¡¯s mouth and stuffed a green pill inside. Upon learning that Quella Radcliffe had taken poison, he nearly fell apart. But in the end, he calmed down gradually. Where would Quella Radcliffe find poison? As a girl busy running a business all day, where would she buy poison? And what kind of poison could be delayed so long before taking effect? Julius Reed felt something was off. He immediately called Itai Huntington and asked him to send over the little medicine bottle he found in Quella Radcliffe¡¯s trash can. As he saw the medicine bottle, Julius Reed couldn¡¯t help but laugh and cry. Knox Ridge had insomnia earlier, and he had prepared, from memory, a drug formula that could strongly induce sleep. The effect started after an hour and a half. A failed product. So, discarded in the drawer. After taking it, one would fall into a deep sleep for twelve hours, indistinguishable from death. Without a thorough examination, one simply couldn¡¯t detect a pulse or heartbeat. Knowing that Quella Radcliffe had drunk this, he could finally let go of his worry. Julius Reed had once wondered how the medicine he prepared had suddenly disappeared. Now, it seemed it had probably been stolen by Quella Radcliffe early on. ¡°Julius¡­¡± When Quella Radcliffe groggily woke up, the first thing she saw was Julius Reed. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re dead too?¡± Her body shaking, she threw herself into Julius Reed¡¯s arms, ¡°You¡¯re so foolish, why did you come here? It would¡¯ve been enough for just me to die; you need to live on!¡± Subconsciously, Quella Radcliffe assumed she had died. If she could still see Julius Reed, then it meant Julius Reed must have died too. ¡°You¡­¡± Alonso Dragon, still clinging to life on the floor, opened his mouth wide in disbelief at the scene before him. If he had known Quella Radcliffe wasn¡¯t dead, he could have threatened Julius Reed and probably escaped. But now, with a dart in his chest from Fox Miller, he wouldn¡¯t live much longer. ¡°How come you¡¯re here too?¡± After seeing Alonso Dragon, Quella Radcliffe couldn¡¯t help but let out a laugh, ¡°Julius, did you kill them? These damned people, they deserve to go to hell!¡± Perhaps, Julius Reed, facing death, killed all those people. ¡°Here¡¯s a dark weapon box; you can finish him off, make his soul scatter.¡± Without revealing the truth, Julius Reed instead crouched down, picked up the dark weapon box from Alonso Dragon¡¯s hand, and put it into Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hands. ¡°Alright!¡± Having gone through the ordeal of life and death, Quella Radcliffe was at peace. Now that they were both ghosts anyway, she decided to let Alonso Dragon¡¯s soul scatter. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t kill me¡­ you haven¡¯t¡­¡± Whoosh! Before Alonso Dragon could finish speaking, Quella Radcliffe pulled the trigger! A dark weapon box, straight to the forehead. Alonso Dragon¡¯s body swayed, and he died instantly. ¡°Actually, you¡¯re not dead.¡± Julius Reed looked at Quella Radcliffe, a smile on his face. Allowing his wife to seek revenge with her own hands was good, too. In such a cruel world, one must adapt in the end. It was just using today¡¯s opportunity to hasten Quella Radcliffe¡¯s maturation. ¡°Stop trying to comfort me.¡± Quella Radcliffe tossed the hidden weapons box onto the ground and lightly threw herself into Julius Reed¡¯s arms, ¡°I never imagined that being dead would feel like this!¡± She closed her eyes, savoring the moment of tranquility. Is this what death is like? Seems not much different from being alive. But suddenly. Her eyes widened in shock! Because Julius Reed had a shadow! ¡°I¡¯m not dead?¡± Quella Radcliffe lifted her head, her eyes full of astonishment. ¡°Yes, you¡¯re alive.¡± Julius Reed gently touched Quella Radcliffe¡¯s head, his face filled with affection. ¡°Then the medicine I drank¡­¡± ¡°Was a sleeping draught I prepared, non-toxic and harmless, it puts you into a deep sleep for an hour and a half.¡± ¡°And the hidden weapons box I opened just now¡­¡± ¡°You killed someone.¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s eyes rolled back, and she fainted into Julius Reed¡¯s arms. ¡°Take care of her for me.¡± Julius Reed picked up Quella Radcliffe and gently set them before Knox Ridge and Burl Radcliffe. ¡°Thank¡­ thank you for saving us.¡± Knox Ridge swallowed hard, scarcely daring to speak out loud. Her eyes brimmed with tears, yet she dared not cry out loud. Her son-in-law turned out to be so formidable! And they had almost been killed right here. Knox Ridge had lived a lifetime and never felt as frightened as she did today. Now, seeing Julius Reed, she was overwhelmed with fear. ¡°Boss, Dominating Tiger has betrayed us, I¡¯ve capsized in the gutter.¡± Aron Jackson sighed. If it weren¡¯t for Julius Reed¡¯s appearance today, he might already be a corpse. ¡°And this person, why did he help us?¡± He glanced at Fox Miller with a wary look in his eyes. ¡°Thank you.¡± Julius Reed walked up to Fox Miller and gently thumped his shoulder. ¡°Ouch!¡± Fox Miller grimaced, ¡°Go easy! I still haven¡¯t recovered from the beating you gave me last time.¡± ¡°Why help me?¡± Julius Reed smiled, shaking his head, and took out a small pill from his bosom, ¡°Swallow this, and you¡¯ll be fine in three days.¡± ¡°Thanks!¡± Fox Miller took the pill and swallowed it down. ¡°Not afraid I poisoned it?¡± ¡°If you wanted to kill me, you wouldn¡¯t need poison!¡± ¡°Why help me?¡± ¡°Simple, I owed you a life last time, now I¡¯m just going with the flow to return a favor. If there ever comes a day when Fabian Percival falls, at least I can save my own skin.¡± ¡°Fair enough, I don¡¯t kill smart people.¡± Julius Reed nodded and asked, ¡°What are you planning to do about Fabian Percival? Now that everyone is dead, are you sure you won¡¯t be suspected?¡± Alonso Dragon, Rebecca Brown, and the bodyguards in the room were all dead without a trace. The only ones alive, besides Dominating Tiger who was being threatened with the hidden weapons box, was Silas Percival cowering in the corner. He had spent the entire ordeal there, practically invisible. Even trying to play dead to escape disaster. ¡°Fabian Percival has long been suspicious of me.¡± Fox Miller snatched the hidden weapons box from Dominating Tiger¡¯s hand and fastened it to his own waist, ¡°The woman surnamed Chu is out to get you, watch your back. As for the big guy at the door, he¡¯s quite powerful, but his background is unclear.¡± He said everything he could. After rendering help and completing the task. It was time to leave. ¡°Remember, you owe me a favor!¡± Fox Miller winked at Julius Reed and bolted out, disappearing into the woods! Just as mysteriously as he had arrived. ¡°Slow down, don¡¯t trip!¡± Julius Reed called out behind him. If Fox Miller hadn¡¯t shown up just now, he could have still saved Aron Jackson and Quella Radcliffe. But the risk would have been great. Even Aron Jackson¡¯s life could have been in danger. ¡°Now, let¡¯s talk about why you betrayed us.¡± Julius Reed walked up to Dominating Tiger, and his face suddenly turned ice-cold. Chapter 644 - Chapter 644: Chapter 644 Starved to Death_1 Chapter 644: Chapter 644 Starved to Death_1 ¡°I hate traitors the most.¡± Aron Jackson moved a chair over, and Julius Reed sat down on it directly, ¡°This is your man, you do it.¡± After speaking, he looked on indifferently. Family matters still needed to be resolved by Aron Jackson himself. ¡°Dominating Tiger!¡± Aron Jackson took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He handed one to Dominating Tiger. ¡°Thanks.¡± Facing the judgment of death, Dominating Tiger seemed very calm. He accepted Aron Jackson¡¯s cigarette and put it in his mouth, ¡°Lend me a light.¡± Click! Aron Jackson took out a lighter and lit the cigarette in Dominating Tiger¡¯s mouth. The two of them were as close as ever. Go to ????????????????????.co But everyone knew. There was no going back. ¡°You¡¯ve been with me for so long, you know I never go easy on traitors,¡± Aron Jackson sighed, broke the cigarette in his own mouth, and threw it on the ground. He no longer felt like smoking. ¡°Why? I¡¯ve always treated you like a brother, why would you betray me!¡± ¡°Even if you are the head wolf, even if you¡¯re a snake, you¡¯re a damn ingrate!¡± Whish! He punched Dominating Tiger in the face, knocking the freshly lit cigarette flying. ¡°Three years. I¡¯ve treated you like a brother for three years!¡± Aron Jackson bit his teeth in agony, one hand over the area of his heart, ¡°Why! Tell me, why! What the hell has Fabian Percival done for you to justify your betrayal of me!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Dominating Tiger smiled helplessly. After gently wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth with his hand, he knelt upright in front of Aron Jackson. ¡°You¡¯re kneeling to me? What does this mean! What the hell does this mean!¡± Whish! An almost crazed Aron Jackson kicked Dominating Tiger, then squatted down and grabbed his collar, ¡°Give me a reason!¡± ¡°Boss.¡± Dominating Tiger swallowed and said with a helpless and relieved expression on his face, ¡°You must have heard the saying, ¡®When you¡¯re in the underworld, you can¡¯t help yourself.¡¯ ¡°Can¡¯t help yourself you tell me! If I can¡¯t help you, my boss can!¡± Aron Jackson pointed at Julius Reed behind him, bellowing furiously, ¡°I¡¯ve gotten myself into this mess today, and boss could get me out! What are you afraid of! Why didn¡¯t you speak up!¡± Three years. These three years. Dominating Tiger was the person Aron Jackson trusted the most. When they were alone, they even called each other brothers. When Rebecca Brown betrayed them, he doubted everyone. But he never had the slightest doubt about Dominating Tiger. The entire security of the Bronze Sparrow Terrace was in Dominating Tiger¡¯s hands. That¡¯s why he was able to lead himself out of the Bronze Sparrow Terrace so effortlessly. ¡°In this life, I owe you. In the next life, I will definitely repay you!¡± Dominating Tiger pushed Aron Jackson away forcefully, picked up the box of hidden weapons from the ground, and pointed it at his own head, ¡°Boss, I have no other way out! But I assure you, Dominating Tiger never thought of killing you!¡± After saying that, he slowly unbuttoned his coat with his other hand. Julius Reed¡¯s pupils shrank sharply. ¡°As long as Julius Reed is killed, I will use this to ensure your escape.¡± Dominating Tiger smiled faintly, his face showing no fear, no regret. Just relief. ¡°The person in charge of coordinating these covert pieces in Gonzalez City is named Devlin.¡± ¡°He¡¯s the most secretive and the most formidable one by Fabian Percival¡¯s side.¡± ¡°When Fabian Percival left, Devlin disappeared in Gonzalez City, capturing some youths¡­ He raised youths like me and controlled our parents.¡± ¡°If I don¡¯t capture you today, my parents will surely die!¡± ¡°But capturing you completes my task. After that, I will let you go, and perish together with them!¡± ¡°Boss, be wary of Devlin! No one has seen him, nobody even knows how old he really is.¡± ¡°Take care.¡± ¡°In the next life, I just want to be an ordinary person.¡± Whish! The box of hidden weapons clicked. Dominating Tiger knelt before Aron Jackson. The box of hidden weapons slipped from his hands and fell to the ground. Blood continued to flow from his temples. ¡°Devlin.¡± Julius Reed pondered this name over and over in his mind. It sounded familiar, yet he couldn¡¯t recall where he had heard it. ¡°Boss, what should we do with that person?¡± After covering Dominating Tiger¡¯s face with his own clothes, Aron Jackson pointed at Cooper Ridge, who was curled up in the corner. His expression was cold and indifferent, his heart wrenched with pain. ¡°Bring him over!¡± Julius Reed said coldly. He could forgive Quella Radcliffe¡¯s family, but everything had its limits. Now Cooper Ridge wanted to die, and no one could stop him. ¡°Julius Reed, I was wrong, please spare me¡­¡± Cooper Ridge was dragged to Julius Reed¡¯s feet like a dead dog. ¡°I beg you! I beg you! For the sake of Quella Radcliffe, spare me this one time¡­ just once¡­ I promise, I¡¯ll never dare again.¡± He hurriedly knelt down and kept kowtowing incessantly. ¡°Cooper Ridge, you are Quella¡¯s brother, aren¡¯t you?¡± Julius Reed slowly stood up from his chair and asked aloud. ¡°Yes! I am her brother!¡± Like grasping at a lifeline, Cooper Ridge desperately kowtowed, ¡°Let me go! For the sake of Quella, we are siblings!¡± His only talisman for survival was his relation to Quella Radcliffe. The recent deaths of Alonso Dragon and Dominating Tiger were still vivid in his mind, and Cooper Ridge certainly did not want to die. He was only in his twenties and at the rise of his career! How could he possibly die without having enjoyed a good life? ¡°You still know you are siblings?¡± Julius Reed squatted down and gently lifted Cooper Ridge¡¯s chin, ¡°As siblings, you deceive her?¡± ¡°Julius, you must not let this beast off easy!¡± Knox Ridge rushed over like a madwoman and started hitting and kicking Cooper Ridge! On the way here, in this room, she had been abused by Cooper Ridge in every possible way. Many parts of her body were already bruised, her bones felt as if they had fallen apart! ¡°Auntie, I was wrong! Please plead with Julius Reed for me, let me live! Auntie¡­¡± Cooper Ridge covered his head with his hands and yelled in terror. If beating him would save his life, it was worth taking any amount of beating today! ¡°You beast! You even beat your auntie, your sister too! Are you still human! You are even worse than a beast!¡± Knox Ridge picked up a brick from the ground and smashed it onto Cooper Ridge¡¯s head, ¡°You damned wretch!¡± ¡°Ah¡­ stop hitting me!¡± Cooper Ridge¡¯s face was covered in blood from being hit, and he hurriedly protected his head with his hands, curling up on the ground. ¡°Boss, the mud on the sister-in-law¡¯s face, that was the work of this little bastard with his shoes.¡± Aron Jackson said with a cold laugh. ¡°I was wondering how Quella ended up with shoe prints on her face. So it was your doing, huh!¡± After Julius Reed finished speaking, he stepped on Cooper Ridge¡¯s leg! Crack! Both legs were completely broken! ¡°Ah¡­ Julius Reed, you dog, Mr. Thorneycroft will definitely kill you¡­ ah¡­¡± Crack! Another stomp! Both arms were also crushed to pieces. ¡°You are Quella¡¯s brother, I won¡¯t kill you.¡± Julius Reed spoke as he turned his back, looking indifferently at Cooper Ridge, ¡°But you will be trapped in this house, with no water, no food. Perhaps, then you will beg me to kill you. Because starving to death is much more painful than dying directly!¡± ¡°No¡­ I beg you¡­¡± Cooper Ridge screamed in agony, his voice turning hoarse. ¡°Have someone watch over this hill to ensure no one approaches for the next ten days.¡± After saying these words, Julius Reed picked up the unconscious Quella Radcliffe and slowly left the brick house. As he walked out of the door, he waved his hand lightly. The circling helicopters all scattered. Just as they had when they arrived. Chapter 645 - Chapter 645: Chapter 645 Test_1 Chapter 645: Chapter 645 Test_1 ¡°What to do! What to do!¡± Inside the Five-lakes Clubhouse. Fabian Percival paced about like an ant on a hot pan, walking in circles around the room. He was completely out of touch with any news! The phones of Alonso Dragon and Rebecca Brown were all switched off, and even Dominating Tiger¡¯s calls didn¡¯t get through! Now. He was entirely blind! While a chaotic battle unfolded on the mountain, he, as a key figure, could only fret within the clubhouse. ¡°Father need not worry, with Ironclad there, and with Quella Radcliffe and Aron Jackson as important hostages, Julius Reed has most likely been executed!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft spoke out to comfort him. In truth, she was also uncertain. But Ironclad had previously been so dominant that even Aron Jackson, who was at the Bronze Sparrow Platform, was easily captured. Anything was possible. Go to ????????????????????.co ¡°Let¡¯s hope so! But being out of contact all this time isn¡¯t right either.¡± Fabian Percival walked in circles around the room and finally pointed at Rocco Leocadia: ¡°You¡­ go and gather information for me! Be extra careful and ensure you¡¯re not discovered by anyone!¡± No matter what was happening at the front, he couldn¡¯t afford to be blind! ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be right back!¡± But before Rocco Leocadia could even step out, Fox Miller ran back in, flustered. ¡°What¡¯s the matter with you?¡± Being one of the Four Diamonds, he was quite familiar with Fox Miller. ¡°I have urgent matters to discuss with Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Fox Miller didn¡¯t have time to explain to Rocco Leocadia and headed straight to the parlor. Upon seeing Jennifer Lopez, he asked, ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, I have urgent matters¡­¡± ¡°Miss Lopez is our partner; if you have something to say, speak up. There¡¯s no need to hide anything!¡± Fabian Percival gestured with his hand, indicating for Fox Miller to speak plainly. Now that he had formed ties with the capital¡¯s Lopez Family, it was all advantage and no loss for him. In the future, once he stabilized Gonzalez City with the Lopez Family as his stepping stone, he could extend his reach to the capital. In fact, this return to Gonzalez City wasn¡¯t a sentimental homecoming. It was to complete an extremely secret and significant task. Using Gonzalez City as the base first, then he would be able to accomplish this mission. ¡°Our men have failed,¡± Fox Miller announced. ¡°What did you say!¡± At that news, Fabian Percival¡¯s pupils contracted sharply, and the teacup in his hand dropped to the floor. ¡°Father!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft quickly took out a handkerchief and wiped the tea that had splashed onto Fabian Percival. ¡°It¡¯s alright!¡± Fabian Percival gestured for Elwood Thorneycroft to step back, his eyes unblinkingly fixed on Fox Miller: ¡°How do you know our men have failed?¡± At this time, Fox Miller should have been guarding the clubhouse and should not have appeared elsewhere. But how did Fox Miller come to know the situation at the front when he, as the boss, was in the dark? ¡°This morning, I went to the hospital to check on my injury and just happened to hear that Julius Reed had rushed to the mountain.¡± Fox Miller said this, quickly adding, ¡°I¡¯m aware that Mr. Thorneycroft is suspicious, but you can check the hospital records.¡± ¡°Continue!¡± Fabian Percival gripped the wooden chair tightly with both hands, his emotions tensing to the extreme. ¡°After learning the news, I sneaked down to the base of the mountain, and not long after, Julius Reed came down the mountain carrying Quella Radcliffe, accompanied by Aron Jackson!¡± Having said this, he took out his phone and showed Fabian Percival the photos. ¡°Not dead?¡± At the very moment Fabian Percival saw the photo, his heart clenched violently! On the phone screen, Julius Reed was carrying Quella Radcliffe, with Aron Jackson following behind! ¡°How is that possible! I mobilized so many elites, and with Ironclad¡¯s help, how could we fail to kill Julius Reed!¡± He yelled, smashing the phone hard onto the ground: ¡°Why! Why!¡± ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft¡­¡± ¡°Step back!¡± Fabian Percival took a deep breath and gestured with his hand: ¡°Everyone, step back!¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft exchanged glances with Fox Miller and Brown Bread, and they all left. In the room. Only Jennifer Lopez and Fabian Percival remained. ¡°Something is fishy.¡± With one hand supporting his forehead, Fabian Percival spoke in a deep voice, ¡°There¡¯s definitely a problem!¡± Could the formidable Dominating Tiger really have been defeated by Julius Reed? He had hostages in his hands, yet Julius Reed managed to rescue everyone without a scratch? Just how incompetent must his employees be! ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, it¡¯s okay.¡± Despite the repeated failures that had brought her spirit down, Jennifer Lopez quickly recovered. ¡°I¡¯m going to say something you won¡¯t like to hear. You¡¯ve always underestimated Julius Reed,¡± she took a deep breath, thought of her son, and Aron Jackson and Georgia Warm¡ªthe brothers, then shook her head, ¡°Every time I thought I was certain to kill him, I failed.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Fabian Percival felt a pang in his heart, and his complexion darkened a bit. He had lost men and resources, and still hadn¡¯t managed to kill Julius Reed? ¡°But I still have one more method.¡± Jennifer Lopez stood up, looking at Fabian Percival, ¡°The most valued young man of the Lopez Family, Tariq Lopez, has arrived in Gonzalez City. I just need to use a little scheme to incite a conflict between the two, and then the Lopez Family can intervene with justice on their side.¡± Five minutes earlier. She had received news that Tariq Lopez had arrived at the Gonzalez City airport by plane. Of course. Jennifer Lopez had lured Tariq Lopez to Gonzalez City under the pretext of an invitation to play. This most favored young master of the Lopez Family, although young and promising, loved to indulge in leisure. And his personality was rather domineering. All it would take was the right opportunity for Tariq Lopez and Julius Reed to clash, and it was bound to cause big trouble! By then, with the Lopez Family¡¯s reputation tarnished, they would certainly seek revenge with a vengeance! ¡°Many thanks, Miss Lopez.¡± Fabian Percival tried to stand but his legs went weak and he almost fell to the ground. ¡°Old age has weakened my stress tolerance; please don¡¯t mind it,¡± he said with a bitter smile, while internally cursing Julius Reed to his death! ¡°You rest well. I will find someone to track down Julius Reed¡¯s whereabouts and try to make them meet as soon as possible!¡± Jennifer Lopez turned away, her expression exceptionally cold. The pain of losing a son! And yet, she couldn¡¯t take revenge! If she had lost a son, then she had no qualms about sending Tariq Lopez to his death as well! After Jennifer Lopez left. Only Fabian Percival remained in the guest room. ¡°Didn¡¯t I order you all not to come in?¡± He said irritably upon hearing footsteps. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Have you sunk into despair?¡± Just then, a familiar voice reached him. Fabian Percival trembled. It was the mysterious woman from earlier in the day! He hadn¡¯t misheard! ¡°Don¡¯t look up, or you¡¯ll end up dead immediately, just like those employees on the mountain.¡± The woman¡¯s words stopped Fabian Percival, who was about to look up, and he lowered his head again. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I failed!¡± he said weakly. The strength of Julius Reed had surpassed his expectations. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡± The woman spoke lightly, ¡°You¡¯re not the only one who underestimated his abilities. Even I did. But luckily, today¡¯s test let me know how much he has recovered. Now, things will be much easier to handle.¡± ¡°Test?¡± Fabian Percival, as if struck by a sudden realization, tensed up completely! ¡°That¡¯s right, your men were my testing tools,¡± the woman chuckled lightly. ¡°Fabian Percival, you didn¡¯t really think that with just your men, you could kill Julius Reed, did you?¡± Chapter 646 - Chapter 646: Chapter 646 Taste the Humiliation_1 Chapter 646: Chapter 646 Taste the Humiliation_1 Test! Test! Test! These two words were like a mighty bell tolling! They echoed ceaselessly in Fabian Percival¡¯s mind! ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Clenching his teeth, he wanted to lift his head, but dared not to. The once glorious overlord of Gonzalez City, whose brilliance made even the great families of Five-river Province bow down to him. At this moment, he didn¡¯t even have the courage to lift his head! ¡°Your people were merely benchmarks for testing Julius Reed¡¯s strength,¡± said the woman as she circled around Fabian Percival with a smile. ¡°In other words, I wanted to know just how strong Julius Reed is now.¡± ¡°Now, I know the answer.¡± Hearing these words, Fabian Percival felt deceived, humiliated! ¡°You used the lives of my employees to test Julius Reed¡¯s strength?¡± Go to ????????????????????.co He clenched his fists tightly, ¡°That is to say, you knew from the beginning that we couldn¡¯t kill Julius Reed?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± The woman answered nonchalantly, ¡°You guys thought you could kill him? If he were that easy to kill, I would have done it long ago!¡± She walked behind Fabian Percival as her hands kept wandering: ¡°In this world, there are too many people who want him dead! But he is still alive to this day. Do you know why? Because he is very strong! Stronger than you could possibly imagine!¡± ¡°Who are you, exactly!¡± Fabian Percival began to tremble. There was anger, fear, and confusion! As a domineering ruler who had been plotting all his life, to be played in the palm of someone¡¯s hand? ¡°You are not worthy of knowing.¡± After saying this, the woman sighed, ¡°Next, I will give you a new arrangement.¡± ¡°What if I refuse?¡± Fabian Percival wanted to lift his head, but he never found the courage to do so. Even though he knew he had been schemed against, even though he was furious, he still chose to bow in the face of death. ¡°Let me think¡­¡± The woman pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, ¡°Do you think Elwood Thorneycroft would be interested in sitting in your position? Or maybe those bodyguards from earlier?¡± With a light laugh and a hint of mockery in her tone, she said, ¡°I think they would be quite eager to take your place.¡± Threat! Absolute threat! A naked threat! But Fabian Percival was helpless. Countless people were eyeing the seat beneath his buttocks. It was only because he could control the situation now that no one dared to show their ambitions openly. But in their hearts, everyone was waiting. The law of the jungle. ¡°Tariq Lopez was one of your men. Could you really bear to see him serve as a mere sacrificial pawn?¡± In the end, Fabian Percival voiced his greatest doubt! Someone as powerful as Tariq Lopez couldn¡¯t be found for all the money in the world. His three employees together were no match for Tariq Lopez! Here was a man capable of pulling Aron Jackson out of his stronghold single-handedly! ¡°His death was well deserved.¡± The woman¡¯s voice was so emotionless it was as if she didn¡¯t know Tariq Lopez at all. ¡°Only with his death,¡± she paused then continued, ¡°can Julius Reed turn his attention elsewhere. And only then can I clear myself of suspicion.¡± ¡°Ah! Being the target of someone, it¡¯s not a pleasant feeling at all!¡± After she spoke these words, silence enveloped the air once again. ¡°What are you planning to do next?¡± Fabian Percival had no choice but to accept his fate. He had thought of returning to Gonzalez City, expanding his influence, and freeing himself from domination by those behind him. But unexpectedly, upon arriving in Gonzalez City, he¡¯d been controlled by another woman all over again! Even his life couldn¡¯t be guaranteed! Yet no one answered. The air was deathly still. Five minutes later. Fabian Percival slowly lifted his head. In the vast reception room, he was all alone. He collapsed into the wooden chair, feeling as though all the strength had been drained from his body. ¡­ ¡°Auntie, you don¡¯t look very well today! Is there something troubling you?¡± Tariq Lopez had just disembarked the plane when he saw Jennifer Lopez, who was there to meet him at the airport. The Lopez Family¡¯s extensive business naturally led to some internal factional differences. Moreover, everyone knew that Jennifer Lopez was capable and favored by the old man. Most importantly, she wanted to bring Zane Percival back to the Lopez Family to compete for the family business. In the struggle for the inheritance, Zane Percival¡¯s biggest competitor was Tariq Lopez himself. So faced with Jennifer Lopez¡¯s invitation, although Tariq found it strange, he agreed to come. Firstly, he also wanted to see what Gonzalez City was like and understand Zane Percival¡¯s moves there. Secondly, he wanted to find out if Jennifer Lopez had laid some traps in Gonzalez City. Know the enemy, know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat. ¡°We¡¯ll talk in the car.¡± Jennifer Lopez waved her hand, and Black Wind, behind her, took the luggage and walked towards a parked Mercedes. ¡°Auntie doesn¡¯t seem very happy.¡± Tariq could immediately spot something was off with Jennifer Lopez. His aunt usually always bore a smile, but today it seemed she had encountered something serious. At a complete loss. ¡°Let¡¯s talk inside the car.¡± Jennifer Lopez still spoke indifferently. Once the two were seated in the Mercedes. Jennifer Lopez finally said, ¡°I¡¯ve sent Zane abroad. He won¡¯t return for five years.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Tariq was incredulous. The old man¡¯s life wouldn¡¯t last much longer; he might pass away within the next couple of years. When that time came, either he or Zane would inevitably be groomed as the future successor. And the other one. Would lose their chance completely! Never to touch the core interests of the Lopez Family! At this crucial moment, Jennifer Lopez actually sent Zane Percival abroad? And he¡¯s not allowed to return for five years? What¡¯s the difference between that and giving up on the competition? Jennifer Lopez, with great effort, had operated in the capital for many years, and even during holidays, she would have Zane visit the Lopez Family. Firstly, to get him recognized. Secondly, to let Zane take the opportunity to grasp the inner workings of the Lopez Family, always ready to take over. But now, just when the years of effort were about to bear fruit, Jennifer Lopez actually sent Zane Percival abroad? ¡°I have already spoken to the old man, nominating you as the Lopez Family¡¯s successor. When the time comes, I will support you with all my might.¡± Jennifer Lopez spoke, her eyes fixed ahead, her voice filled with disheartenment. At that moment. Tariq received a message on his phone. It was from his father. It was wordy. But the gist was similar to what Jennifer Lopez just said. The Lopez Family already knew that Zane Percival had given up the competition, and Jennifer Lopez would support Tariq Lopez fully. His becoming the next core of the Lopez Family was now a nailed-on certainty. ¡°Auntie, why would you do this?¡± Tariq said with some disbelief: ¡°All your years of effort¡­¡± ¡°Zane was beaten to a pulp, reduced to groveling on the ground barking like a dog. With such humiliation, he is no longer fit to lead the Lopez Family!¡± Jennifer Lopez¡¯s voice was cold and flat as she spoke: ¡°The Lopez Family must have dignity.¡± When it came to this matter, Tariq did think of the recent scandal that had rocked the capital. Rumor had it that Jennifer Lopez had been violated, and even the photos had spread online. He had intended to get hold of those photos and use them to strike hard at Jennifer Lopez in front of the old man. Now it seemed there was no need. ¡°If I may, I¡¯d like to ask for your help.¡± Jennifer Lopez turned around, looking earnestly at Tariq Lopez. ¡°Please speak, Auntie. Whatever I can do, I, Tariq Lopez, will do my utmost!¡± Tariq answered sincerely. Now that his position as the successor was secure, nothing else mattered. ¡°You should know, the person who released those indecent photos of me was named Julius Reed.¡± Jennifer Lopez gave a self-mocking smile: ¡°I want him to taste humiliation.¡± Chapter 647 - Chapter 647: Chapter 647 Hes Just a Common Scumbag_1 Chapter 647: Chapter 647 He¡¯s Just a Common Scumbag_1 ¡°Julius Reed?¡± After hearing that name, Tariq Lopez started to ponder. Because of Zane Percival, he had also analyzed the power structure of Gonzalez City. He wanted to try to win over those who could threaten his own standing. But after an investigation, Tariq Lopez found that Gonzalez City was indeed a small place. Apart from Itai Huntington, who already had some foundations in the capital, there was no one of significance. In front of the Lopez Family¡¯s formidable presence, those people carried no weight at all. Even the local Boss of Gonzalez City, Titan Group, could be crushed directly if the Lopez Family wished it. As for Julius Reed¡­ Perhaps he was just a local thug? ¡°Aunt, what kind of person is he, that he could even make you suffer a setback?¡± Tariq Lopez asked with some confusion. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ????????????????????.co When it came to ability and tactics, he was completely incomparable to Jennifer Lopez. But the cesspool that was the capital hadn¡¯t managed to harm Jennifer Lopez. And yet, there was such a capable person in Gonzalez City? ¡°He¡¯s just a common scumbag.¡± Jennifer Lopez leaned helplessly against the back seat, gently supporting her forehead with her hand, ¡°It was an oversight on my part, and regarding this matter, I don¡¯t want others to get involved. After much consideration, you¡¯re the only one I can ask.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Hearing this, Tariq Lopez¡¯s eyes flashed with a peculiar gleam. ¡°Actually¡­¡± Jennifer Lopez let out a bitter laugh with a touch of embarrassment, ¡°Maybe you can guess, I was deceived by him romantically. But as the saying goes, don¡¯t wash your dirty linen in public, so I have to trouble you to seek justice for me.¡± ¡°Aunt, rest assured! Since I, Tariq Lopez, am here, I will certainly get justice for you!¡± Tariq Lopez felt secretly thrilled inside. Indeed. Jennifer Lopez, this provocative woman, couldn¡¯t contain her loneliness and found herself a lover on the side. Unexpectedly, she was scammed for money and love, and now this humiliating affair had come to light. This made Tariq Lopez feel exceptionally gratified! Although Jennifer Lopez was his aunt, In these past years, to help Zane Percival rise to power, she hadn¡¯t stopped badmouthing him in front of the old man. However, Since Jennifer Lopez was taking the initiative to make amends, and even willingly giving up her position as heir, Tariq Lopez was willing to do this favor. It was merely a small effort. Dealing with a scoundrel, how hard could it be? ¡°Thank you. But we should keep this matter low-key, the more discreet, the better.¡± To dispel Tariq Lopez¡¯s doubts, Jennifer Lopez said self-deprecatingly, ¡°After all, I still can¡¯t bring myself to hurt him, just give him a lesson, don¡¯t harm him.¡± ¡°Aunt, you should completely forget about such a scumbag,¡± Tariq Lopez said comfortingly, ¡°Please be assured, I will definitely humiliate him properly for you! Let him understand, understand what the consequences are for offending the Lopez Family!¡± After hearing this, Jennifer Lopez¡¯s lips revealed an imperceptible smile. Competing with her? The things Zane Percival couldn¡¯t have, no one else could have either! Thinking about becoming the next successor of the Lopez Family? Go join Zane Percival first! ¡°I heard that tonight, the Chairman of the Gonzalez City Business Association, Itai Huntington, will be hosting an annual meeting at Five-state International to celebrate a series of achievements made before the year ends.¡± Jennifer Lopez¡¯s eyes flickered as she spoke with feigned anguish, ¡°Julius Reed will also attend with his new girlfriend Quella Radcliffe, who is the general manager of the Gonzalez City Business Association.¡± ¡°Typical of a man who lives off women! Shameless! See how I¡¯ll expose his true nature!¡± The general manager of the Business Association? In the eyes of Tariq Lopez, that was less than nothing. Even Itai Huntington had to give him way! ¡°Remember to leave some dignity, don¡¯t let him disclose our affairs. Ideally, don¡¯t let him know about our relationship.¡± Jennifer Lopez turned her face to the side with a charming smile. ¡­ ¡°Honey, do we really have to go?¡± Julius Reed looked at Quella Radcliffe, who had just woken up half an hour ago, and asked while kneeling on the washing board. ¡°Of course! This is the first annual meeting of the Business Association, and as the general manager, I must attend!¡± Quella Radcliffe went in front of the dressing mirror, constantly changing clothes. But no matter what she tried, she wasn¡¯t quite satisfied. ¡°How about I pick out some clothes for you?¡± Julius Reed had just finished speaking when he was about to stand up from the washboard. ¡°If the instant noodles under the washboard break, the punishment time will reset,¡± Quella Radcliffe glanced at the clock on the wall, ¡°You still have ten minutes. Hang in there! You can do it, hubby!¡± ¡°You can do it!¡± Julius Reed could only helplessly cheer himself on. At the same time, he circulated his energy within his body to ensure the instant noodles wouldn¡¯t be crushed. However, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s mentality seemed surprisingly good. This made him breathe a sigh of relief. Her expression was not as fearful and panicked as he had imagined. When Quella Radcliffe woke up, she hammered Julius Reed and then came the kneeling on the washboard and instant noodle segment. In her words. She used to think that murder was a terrifying thing. Until she did it herself. Then she found out it wasn¡¯t that big of a deal. Quella Radcliffe even threatened that if Julius Reed dared to cheat, she would murder her own husband. Of course. Julius Reed guessed that she wouldn¡¯t dare. ¡°Let¡¯s go with this one!¡± Finally. Just as the punishment time was about to end, Quella Radcliffe put on a snow-white down jacket, with sexy jeans on her lower body. Underneath was a pale yellow sweater. Matched with ankle boots, quite dynamic. In January in Gonzalez City, the temperature was already below zero. ¡°I¡¯m going down to warm up the car!¡± Julius Reed stood up, taking a long breath. Kneeling was so tiring! ¡­ When the two arrived at the entrance of Five-state International, they found that both the surface parking lot and the underground parking garage were full. This was a grand gathering of business owners in Gonzalez City! All members of the business alliance could participate in this annual meeting. With no choice, Julius Reed parked the car on the side of the road next to Five-state International. Losing some points didn¡¯t matter, since he didn¡¯t have a driver¡¯s license anyway. Besides. During the New Year, nobody would check for traffic violations in the suburbs. Today, Five-state International was extra festive. Outside was all decked out with festive lights, filled with the atmosphere of the New Year. The large LCD screen at the entrance displayed ¡°Gonzalez City Business Alliance Year-End Celebration¡± in bold letters. Banners were hung all over the building, each bearing the names of the entrepreneurs who had performed excellently at the end of the year. As they entered the lobby, the attendants had already dressed in classic red cheongsams. ¡°Manager, hello.¡± Upon seeing Quella Radcliffe, a female greeter came over with a smile and said, ¡°Please follow me.¡± Quella Radcliffe worked at Five-state International, so everyone there knew her. Following behind the greeter, the two entered the banquet hall on the third floor. It was a large banquet hall that covered an area of more than a thousand square meters. Apart from the main stage at the front, there were more than a hundred tables. Above them was a dazzling crystal ceiling, with red carpets laid out beneath across the hall. Red was the dominant color of the entire banquet hall. It made one feel very festive upon entering. ¡°Itai Huntington really doesn¡¯t skimp on money!¡± Julius Reed put his hands in his pockets, looking at the decorations inside the room. ¡°Our seats are over there.¡± As soon as she heard the name Itai Huntington, Quella Radcliffe¡¯s face immediately took on an extremely weird expression. Decisively, she grabbed Julius Reed¡¯s hand firmly and led him to the front row of tables. At each position, there was a crystal nameplate. Sitting at the table with Quella Radcliffe were Itai Huntington, Ovidiu Cook, and Aron Jackson. And Julius Reed, a gloriously nominal security guard for Five-state International, was also arranged at this table. The position¡­ Was actually right next to Itai Huntington? Chapter 648 - Chapter 648: Chapter 648 Mr. Pendleton_1 Chapter 648: Chapter 648 Mr. Pendleton_1 Quella Radcliffe obviously noticed this as well. She raised an eyebrow and walked straight to Itai Huntington¡¯s crystal nameplate, trying to take it. ¡°Hmm?¡± But no matter how hard she tried, the crystal nameplate didn¡¯t budge. Quella Radcliffe pondered for a moment and turned to take Julius Reed¡¯s crystal nameplate instead. As long as the two were separated, it would be the same. But Julius Reed¡¯s crystal nameplate also didn¡¯t move! Were all the crystal nameplates fixed in place? How would they be taken down after the banquet? That¡¯s not scientific! Just as Quella Radcliffe thought all the nameplates were fixed, she touched them at random. Her own crystal nameplate actually fell over! Her face darkened. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?????????????????.co ¡°Perhaps, this one lost its glue¡­¡± Julius Reed stood by, speaking with a trembling voice. But before he could finish his sentence. Clatter. Aron Jackson¡¯s crystal nameplate was gently knocked over by Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s just a coincidence¡­¡± Clatter. Ovidiu Cook¡¯s was knocked over too. ¡°What about now.¡± Quella Radcliffe stood with her hands on her hips, tilting her head up to look at Julius Reed. It was as if she had caught a mistress red-handed. Julius Reed was speechless inside. What does this have to do with him! ¡°You can only blame your weak strength for causing hallucinations.¡± In utter helplessness, Julius Reed gently exerted himself, trying to knock over the crystal nameplate bearing his own name. He would just find an excuse later. Who knew Itai Huntington would pull such a stunt. Crack! The nameplate broke. Into two pieces. ¡°Itai Huntington¡­¡± Julius Reed took a sharp breath, his teeth itching with hatred. How much glue was used underneath this! ¡°Hehe, looks like I am really not that strong. Honey, you¡¯re so strong.¡± Quella Radcliffe said with a smile that wasn¡¯t quite a smile, her eyes like those of an interrogating detective. Itai Huntington¡¯s relationship with Julius Reed was already ambiguous. Now that such an incident had occurred, she, as the lawful wife, naturally had to be assertive! ¡°Oh? What happened?¡± Just then. Itai Huntington came over, wearing a red evening gown, her hair done in large waves, and her lips painted red. She walked over with a giggly smile. Pointing at the broken nameplate on the table, she seemed puzzled, ¡°Mr. Reed, how did your nameplate break? I¡¯ll have someone make you a new one and send it over.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Quella Radcliffe put on a stern face and said coldly, ¡°He¡¯s a security guard, why should he sit at the same table with me?¡± Having said that, she turned around, ¡°Julius Reed, you go and have dinner with the colleagues from the security department, stop causing me trouble!¡± If she couldn¡¯t have something, neither could anyone else. Indeed. All women seem to be the same when they get jealous. ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t do that!¡± Itai Huntington stopped Julius Reed, and said with a light laugh, ¡°Mr. Reed has made significant contributions to our company, he deserves to sit in this place.¡± ¡°Probably contributed quite a bit to Miss Huntington, right?¡± Quella Radcliffe said coldly. ¡°Forget it.¡± Julius Reed sighed helplessly. Quella Radcliffe was ruthless even to her own people when she decided to be tough. But at least he would now have some peace. Caught between two women, could he even enjoy the meal? Even the Banquet at Hongmen was not this exciting! Forget it! I, the big boss, am done playing with you both! Julius Reed pushed Itai Huntington aside and headed towards the exit. Feeling like that was not enough to vent his frustration, he turned directly into the security office and changed into a set of security guard clothes. ¡°Brother, looking sharp!¡± After sitting down at the table with the security department, a security guard sized up Julius Reed and gave him a thumbs-up. ¡°Not bad.¡± Julius Reed sighed. Being good-looking was also a cause of woes. And this particular worry had troubled him for thousands and thousands of years. ¡°New here?¡± Someone asked. Everyone was familiar with each other, but Julius Reed was definitely a new face. Because of its enormous size, Five-state International had recently become the office for a business alliance. The security staff had expanded almost fivefold in a short period of time. So even though they found Julius Reed unfamiliar, they didn¡¯t have any suspicion. After all, the numbers on these clothes are unique. Pretending to be an employee to freeload at Five-state International? You¡¯d likely get beaten to death. There are strict checks at the entrance. Irrelevant people simply can¡¯t get in. ¡°Not bad, been here for almost a week.¡± Julius Reed sighed incessantly, a face of dejection seated in the chair. What on earth did he do wrong? He racked his brains. Today¡¯s incident was totally orchestrated by Itai Huntington. He, too, was a victim. But why did it seem like a major blunder in Quella Radcliffe¡¯s eyes? ¡°Bro, what¡¯s got you so worried?¡± A security guard at the same table inquired. All men, they could quickly get familiar when gathered together. Even after just one meeting, they could address each other as brothers. ¡°Money, or women?¡± Someone by his side also asked. Everyone else was merry, except Julius Reed who looked downcast. ¡°Women.¡± Although Julius Reed had lived countless years, his experience with emotions was pitifully low. In fact. If it weren¡¯t for the memory loss from that big battle back then. Julius Reed wouldn¡¯t even bother touching romantic entanglements now. Trouble! Isn¡¯t it fun to bathe in the Pacific Ocean? Isn¡¯t it fragrant to eat hotpot in the Arctic? Isn¡¯t it thrilling to ice slide in Antarctica? And clubbing on the Himalayas, isn¡¯t that exhilarating? Why bother interacting with women? ¡°Hey!¡± The man at the same table slapped his hand and laughed loudly, ¡°I knew it, our little brother here is trapped by love! Are you married? Wife or girlfriend?¡± The topics for men are simple. Women. As long as it comes to women, they have endless things to say. And they can quickly become brothers too. ¡°Is there any difference?¡± Julius Reed, on the contrary, was intrigued. Since he was already married to Quella Radcliffe, he had to learn how to deal with women. Otherwise, life in the future would be unbearable! And looking at the people before him. Each one of them seemed like an expert. ¡°The difference is huge!¡± The man stood up all of a sudden, his face beaming with pride, ¡°If a wife is disobedient, you¡¯ve got to beat her! A girlfriend¡­ you certainly can¡¯t indulge her! If you don¡¯t set her straight before marriage, you¡¯re in for it afterwards!¡± ¡°Beat?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow, ¡°Is that okay?¡± Beat his wife? He couldn¡¯t bring himself to do that! Slaying dragons and exterminating tigers was a breeze. Even faced with thousands of enemies, he wouldn¡¯t furrow his brow. But hitting women? Julius Reed just couldn¡¯t! ¡°Don¡¯t listen to Mr. Pendleton¡¯s bullshit!¡± A middle-aged man walked up behind Mr. Pendleton and suddenly pushed up his clothes. The bruises on his back were exposed. ¡°These are all from Mr. Pendleton¡¯s wife pinching him. Just listen to him blowing hot air here! Beat his wife?¡± His colleague burst out laughing, ¡°If Mr. Pendleton dared to bring a knife, his wife would have the guts to chop off his manhood!¡± Peals of laughter suddenly filled the table. Everyone knew each other well, who had what it takes, they all knew clearly. ¡°So, you see!¡± After being talked about like this by everyone, Mr. Pendleton¡¯s face turned beet red instantly, ¡°I¡¯m just giving the young brother here a heads-up, so he doesn¡¯t repeat my mistakes!¡± ¡°Mr. Bread means well, don¡¯t laugh at him.¡± Julius Reed sighed. Before he left home, he had just been on his knees scrubbing the washboard with instant noodles as a social media punishment. Seemingly not much better than Mr. Pendleton. But after listening to their talk, it seemed like all men were like this. ¡°Kid, you still haven¡¯t said if it¡¯s a wife or a girlfriend!¡± Although the atmosphere had been stirred up by Mr. Pendleton, everyone was still eager to solve Julius Reed¡¯s problem. ¡°Well, one is my wife, and the other isn¡¯t. The two women are fighting over me now, and I¡¯m having a hard time being caught in the middle!¡± Julius Reed was extremely vexed. Currently, he had no such intentions towards Itai Huntington, but Quella Radcliffe wouldn¡¯t believe it. ¡°Awesome!¡± After Julius Reed finished speaking, the crowd gave a thumbs-up. ¡°This young man is incredible!¡± ¡°He¡¯s bullshitting!¡± Skeptical voices quickly came forth. Chapter 649 - Chapter 649: Chapter 649 Elwood Thorneycroft Sends a Gift_1 Chapter 649: Chapter 649 Elwood Thorneycroft Sends a Gift_1 ¡°Whether it¡¯s bragging or not, it doesn¡¯t matter! You guys help me solve the problem first!¡± Julius Reed couldn¡¯t be bothered to explain. Even if he did, nobody would believe him. They say three cobblers make a Zhuge Liang. With these people helping to brainstorm, it¡¯s not impossible to figure it out. What if one of their ideas actually works? ¡°You go first!¡± ¡°Right! Show us the photo!¡± ¡°Once we¡¯re sure it¡¯s real, then we¡¯ll give you ideas!¡± Those security guys were really cunning. They simply didn¡¯t believe that Julius Reed could have a wife and a mistress on the side. That would cost a fortune! With just a security guard¡¯s salary, it¡¯s impossible to support two women. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ????????????????????.co And young women at that. Literal money-burning machines! ¡°Ah! Even if I told you, you wouldn¡¯t believe me.¡± Julius Reed waved his hands helplessly and said, ¡°The situation is, both of them work at the same company, my wife is the general manager, and the lover¡­ Spit! The woman who is chasing me, is the chairman.¡± ¡°Damn! Living off women, huh!¡± ¡°Awesome!¡± ¡°Kid, I didn¡¯t see it coming! You really have something.¡± Once he said this, everyone¡¯s look towards Julius Reed changed. Envious. Jealous. Sour. If someone else had said this, they might not have believed it. But Julius Reed was too handsome. The men at the table had to admit it, his face was perfect for living off women! ¡°Whether I¡¯m living off women doesn¡¯t matter, the key is how to handle this complicated relationship!¡± Julius Reed was exasperated, why couldn¡¯t these people see the main point? The point was the two women were fighting with jealousy, and he was caught in the middle. What did it have to do with the statuses of the two women? ¡°Don¡¯t you guys feel confused about this problem?¡± Julius Reed looked at them helplessly. ¡°Not at all¡­¡± Everyone shook their heads in unison. These days, finding a wife was considered good enough. And to dare dream of having a mistress? Real rich guys don¡¯t know the plight of the hungry! ¡°Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the first annual conference of the Gonzalez City Business Alliance!¡± On the stage. The female host in a red blazer started the event with great excitement. Her voice instantly quieted the entire banquet hall. Most seats in the banquet hall were already filled. Only a few spots were left vacant. These people were either busy or due to traffic jams. Under normal circumstances, nobody would miss this feast. ¡°Gonzalez City¡¯s Five-lakes Clubhouse, Elwood Thorneycroft, Miss Thorneycroft arrives!¡± Just then, a cry came from outside the door. As the banquet hall doors slowly opened, Elwood Thorneycroft walked in with four subordinates, strolling in. Today Elwood Thorneycroft wore a black leather outfit with twin ponytails. Each person behind her held a wooden tray. Covered by red cloth on the trays. From the looks of it, they were gifts. The recent spat between Fabian Percival and Itai Huntington was making waves, and everyone was very curious. This was the weasel paying a New Year¡¯s visit to the chicken ¨C no good intentions! ¡°I heard that Miss Huntington was hosting the first annual meeting of the business alliance, so on behalf of my father Fabian Percival, Mr. Thorneycroft, I am here to present four gifts to Miss Huntington,¡± Elwood Thorneycroft said as she walked to the center of the venue, with one hand behind her back. She pointed towards the four wooden trays with her other hand. ¡°Jade Ruyi!¡± ¡°Gold Kylin!¡± ¡°An authentic Alistair Abernathy¡¯s painting.¡± ¡°Boss¡¯s cane!¡± As she named each item, the bodyguards behind her lifted the red cloths. When the last item was revealed, the banquet hall fell silent. Everyone present understood what the Boss¡¯s cane signified. When Fabian Percival suffered defeat and fled, the Boss¡¯s cane disappeared without a trace. Each successor of Gonzalez City¡¯s triad leaders, including Aron Jackson, had wanted to dig three feet into the ground to find this treasure. However, the Boss¡¯s cane seemed to have vanished into thin air, not a single trace to be found. It wasn¡¯t until Fabian Percival returned to Gonzalez City. That the Boss¡¯s cane finally saw the light of day again! Now, by offering the Boss¡¯s cane to Itai Huntington, Fabian Percival clearly did not have good intentions. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Thorneycroft.¡± With a wave of his hand, Itai Huntington had his bodyguards immediately go and collect all four gifts. ¡°My father also asked me to convey a message.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft, hands clasped behind her back, stared intently at the stage, ¡°Today, these items are merely on loan to Miss Huntington. In the future, they will all be taken back!¡± ¡°Hiss!¡± After a brief silence, the venue started to buzz with discussion. ¡°Fabian Percival is sending a declaration of war!¡± ¡°Exactly! What is the Boss¡¯s cane? It¡¯s a gang¡¯s token! If Fabian Percival can give away the Boss¡¯s cane, it means he intends to personally take it back!¡± ¡°This is an outright provocation! Does Itai Huntington really dare to accept it?¡± Everyone present knew well in their hearts that only one could exist between Fabian Percival and Itai Huntington. The other was destined to be driven away. They had to make a choice. In fact. Fabian Percival¡¯s deployment of Elwood Thorneycroft at this critical juncture also served to intimidate the entrepreneurs present. ¡°Since you are here, Miss Thorneycroft, why not sit down and join us for a meal?¡± With a gesture from Itai Huntington, the bodyguards immediately cleared away the shattered nameplate belonging to Julius Reed. Freed up a vacant spot. ¡°Since Miss Huntington invites me, I shall not stand on ceremony!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft showed no intention of leaving and directly took the seat originally belonging to Julius Reed, sitting down calmly. ¡°Indeed, a tiger father has no canine daughter. Look at Elwood Thorneycroft¡ªshe¡¯s got some nerve!¡± ¡°It seems that it¡¯s only a matter of time before Fabian Percival defeats Aron Jackson!¡± ¡°We must make a decision soon!¡± Seeing Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s composure, many people began to feel anxious. The sooner one pledged loyalty, the greater the benefits received. If one was too late, even their current holdings may not be secure. ¡°Hello, may I ask where Julius Reed is sitting?¡± Just as Julius Reed was getting ready to eat. A young man in a suit slowly approached them. He chose this table to inquire because these people were security and gatekeepers. Interacting with company employees every day. They knew all the employees best. ¡°Julius Reed? I think I¡¯ve heard the name. What do you need him for?¡± As it happened. The person Tariq Lopez asked was Julius Reed himself. ¡°Oh! He and I are friends. I just happened to come from the capital and thought I¡¯d give him a surprise. Do you know him?¡± Tariq Lopez pulled out a thousand yuan from his pocket, a hint of a smile in his eyes. The simplest and most effective method to deal with these people at the bottom was money. ¡°Julius Reed had something come up today and couldn¡¯t make it, but his wife is here. Look¡­¡± Julius Reed kept his eyes fixed on the other person while talking. ¡°Oh? That¡¯s unfortunate¡­ but I also know his wife; you can tell me where Julius Reed¡¯s wife is sitting.¡± A sharp light flashed in Tariq Lopez¡¯s eyes. Humiliating Julius Reed¡¯s wife would still bring shame to Julius Reed! This was the annual meeting! In front of a large audience! ¡°Do you see that table at the very front?¡± Julius Reed pointed toward the spot where Itai Huntington was sitting, ¡°The one dressed in black, that¡¯s Julius Reed¡¯s wife!¡± After speaking, he sighed, ¡°It¡¯s really enviable, you know? How could someone as unremarkable as Julius Reed have such a beautiful wife!¡± ¡°Thank you, this money is yours.¡± Tariq Lopez narrowed his eyes, quickly locking onto the target. After stuffing the thousand yuan into Julius Reed¡¯s hand, he turned and walked toward that table. Indeed. Just as Jennifer Lopez had told him. Julius Reed¡¯s wife was part of the company¡¯s upper management. Even her seat was at the most prestigious position in the front row. With that in mind. He smirked coldly, picked up a glass of red wine from a passing table, and quickly walked towards the woman in black. Chapter 650 - Chapter 650: Chapter 650: Teaching You to Learn Respect_1 No content Chapter 651 - Chapter 651: 651 Chapter - Apologizing to Miss Thorneycroft_1 No content Chapter 652 - Chapter 652: Chapter 652: Repairing_1 No content Chapter 653 - Chapter 653: Chapter 653 Ivan Reed_1 Chapter 653: Chapter 653 Ivan Reed_1 ¡°Gonzalez City, Ivan Reed, Master Reed has arrived!¡± It was just as the banquet was about to end. With a shout, the atmosphere charged. All eyes in the room turned toward the entrance. A bald old man wearing a traditional Tang suit, hands clasped behind his back, walked in. In his hand, he was carrying a string of Buddha Beads, his right hand constantly rubbing them back and forth. His face was as serene as an ancient well, inscrutable. Several bodyguards in black followed him, their builds alone betrayed their skills in combat! ¡°Ivan Reed? Ivan Reed of Gonzalez City? Why has he come?¡± ¡°I heard that Stacy Cook of the Cook Family is Ivan Reed¡¯s sworn son! The Cook Family was wiped out a few days ago, so it¡¯s likely that Ivan Reed is here for that reason!¡± ¡°That must be it! With the Cook Family annihilated, Ivan Reed would have to show his face!¡± The business tycoons present were all familiar with the major families in Gonzalez City. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í?0.?¦Ï The Davenport Family that Ivan Reed belonged to was one of the four major families. And of the four, it was the most enigmatic lineage. Ivan Reed had no sons or daughters of his own blood. He had never taken a wife in his life, but he had adopted many sworn sons. These sworn sons were very capable, and they managed all the Davenport Family¡¯s affairs in Gonzalez City. Even Mr. Flower, who had been killed by Julius Reed, was one of Ivan Reed¡¯s sworn sons. Before his death, Mr. Flower had wielded great influence in Gonzalez City. ¡°Mr. Reed!¡± The unexpected arrival of Ivan Reed left Itai Huntington perplexed. But given the guest¡¯s prestigious status, she had to stand up and went to greet him. ¡°Itai Huntington?¡± Ivan Reed observed Itai Huntington while still fiddling with his Buddha Beads. ¡°It is I. But I didn¡¯t expect the honor of Mr. Reed¡¯s presence, forgive me for not receiving you properly!¡± Regret was apparent on Itai Huntington¡¯s face. If she wanted to return to her own family, she couldn¡¯t afford to make enemies in Gonzalez City. Offending Ivan Reed would make her journey back fraught with difficulty! ¡°No matter!¡± Ivan Reed waved his hand and said with a smile, ¡°My arrival was sudden, and I did not get a chance to inform you in advance. Please, don¡¯t hold it against me!¡± Having said that, he strode towards the speaker¡¯s platform. No one knew what Ivan Reed was about to do. Even Itai Huntington was baffled. Only Julius Reed knew. Through the Wolf Cavalry lurking in Gonzalez City, he had informed Ivan Reed of Stacy Cook¡¯s death. With a sworn son murdered and the tale spreading like wildfire throughout Gonzalez City, if Ivan Reed stayed silent, his reputation would be in tatters! What would the world think of the Davenport Family? And what would Ivan Reed¡¯s other sworn sons think of their father? In both feeling and reason, Ivan Reed had to personally visit Gonzalez City. To investigate the cause of Stacy Cook¡¯s death. Elwood Thorneycroft was also acutely aware. From the moment she saw Ivan Reed, her heart was in her throat. If it weren¡¯t for the schemes of Julius Reed behind her, she would never have mistakenly killed Stacy Cook! Under everyone¡¯s gaze, Ivan Reed mounted the speaker¡¯s platform. ¡°The microphone, may I use it?¡± The bald old man asked, smiling at the host. He was six feet tall, but always liked to stoop, making him appear an inch shorter. ¡°Of course.¡± The host quickly recovered from the shock and handed the microphone to Ivan Reed. A hush fell over the venue. The sudden incursion of Ivan Reed into Gonzalez City was already big news! Now, with the old man stepping onto the speaker¡¯s platform and picking up the microphone, it gripped the hearts of countless onlookers! ¡°Ladies and gentlemen,¡± Ivan Reed looked down at the thousand people below and offered a faint smile, ¡°I am Ivan Reed. I suppose many present here recognize me.¡± ¡°Since you recognize me, I will get straight to the point and cut to the chase.¡± ¡°In Gonzalez City, I had a sworn son named Stacy Cook.¡± As these words were spoken, Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s complexion changed drastically! While Julius Reed sat with his legs crossed, an amused expression on his face as he watched Ivan Reed on the platform. Although the other entrepreneurs from Gonzalez City had long suspected it, hearing it come out of Ivan Reed¡¯s mouth still gave them quite a shock! This meant. There would be turmoil in Gonzalez City! ¡°My adopted son, Stacy Cook, was brutally murdered by the murderer in a family annihilation case a few days ago!¡± ¡°As Stacy¡¯s foster father, I must seek the truth for him!¡± Ivan Reed finished speaking. The person behind him immediately went down to the stage and captured Elwood Thorneycroft! ¡°What are you doing!¡± The bodyguards behind Elwood Thorneycroft took action right away! Bang! Bang! A man in black behind Ivan Reed kicked out twice, instantly knocking these people to the ground. ¡°This is my adopted son, Luciano Michael, also Stacy¡¯s brother.¡± Ivan Reed watched Luciano Michael strike with efficient grace, a smile flashing across his face. ¡°So awesome!¡± ¡°They say each of Ivan Reed¡¯s adopted sons is quite the character! Now I see it¡¯s true!¡± ¡°Such skill, so formidable!¡± With just two kicks, he brought down two of the four bodyguards behind Elwood Thorneycroft. The scene was extremely shocking! ¡°Don¡¯t mess around! Get back and tell father! Quick!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft shouted an order. This situation had already exceeded her ability to handle. With Fabian Percival currently dealing with issues in Gonzalez City, it was not possible to oppose the powers in the capital! Otherwise, there would be no way to deal with Aron Jackson! ¡°Let them all stay.¡± Ivan Reed gestured, and with a squint of Luciano Michael¡¯s eyes, he threw a punch! Bang! Then another punch! The last two standing bodyguards hit the ground. Already unconscious. ¡°As far as I know, Miss Thorneycroft was the only living witness to the original Cook Family annihilation case,¡± said Ivan Reed, looking at the people below, speaking slowly: ¡°Therefore, I shall inquire with Miss Thorneycroft about the situation to see who the real culprit is!¡± ¡°Mr. Reed! I had nothing to do with what happened that day! I was coerced!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft yelled forcefully: ¡°This matter has already been investigated! The real murderer has already committed suicide out of fear of his crime!¡± She had to rid herself of any suspicion! Otherwise, it would drag Fabian Percival down with her! If Ivan Reed were to focus on Fabian Percival, the only way out for him would be to return to the Americas! Many years of painstaking efforts would be utterly ruined! Thinking this, Elwood Thorneycroft gave Julius Reed a chilling look! ¡°Do you think I would believe you?¡± Ivan Reed displayed a charitable smile. He was turning the Buddha Beads in his hand and raised his hand to say, ¡°Sorry for the disturbance, everyone.¡± Having said this, Ivan Reed strode out. Following behind him, Luciano Michael, with his men, escorted Elwood Thorneycroft out of Five-state International. ¡°Julius Reed, just you wait! I will make you pay!¡± As she passed by the doorway, Elwood Thorneycroft said to Julius Reed with a vicious tone. The whole situation had been a trap set by Julius Reed. If it came to it, and she had to tell the truth, she would take Julius Reed down with her in her dying breath! Elwood Thorneycroft did not believe Julius Reed could survive under Ivan Reed¡¯s men! ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting.¡± Julius Reed made a victorious gesture, casually saying to the table, ¡°I have something to deal with; you guys eat first.¡± After Ivan Reed¡¯s people had left, Julius Reed headed to his Rolls-Royce parked outside. He took out his phone and called Cosmo, who was living in the bungalow. A moment later, the call was answered. ¡°Cosmo, keep a close watch on Elwood Thorneycroft. If anyone tries to kill her, let me know immediately!¡± ¡°Do you want me to take her out?¡± Cosmo asked over the phone. ¡°No need, just keep a close watch! I have big plans for this person.¡± After giving the instructions, Julius Reed hung up the phone. ¡°Fabian Percival, I really want to see how capable the person behind you is!¡± The last tussle at the mountaintop, with the appearance of the Iron Armor, again disrupted Julius Reed¡¯s thoughts. It made his previously somewhat clear speculations once again plunge into chaos. Now. He wanted to use this opportunity to catch the traitors within the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, one by one! Chapter 654 - Chapter 654: Chapter 654 Amputation_1 Chapter 654: Chapter 654 Amputation_1 Five-river Province¡¯s National Northern Mount Hospital. This is the hospital with the best facilities and the most renowned doctors in the province! Even on a national scale, its medical capabilities are among the top ten. Of course. However, the fees at National Northern Mount Hospital are incredibly expensive, far beyond what ordinary people can afford. Only dignitaries, wealthy businessmen, and noble families are qualified to receive convalescence here. At this moment. In a deluxe hospital room on the seventh floor of National Northern Mount Hospital. Darnell Lopez sat in a chair, staring blankly at his son who lay in the hospital bed. Behind him stood his wife, Cornelius Martin, and the equally pale-faced Jennifer Lopez. There were also four bodyguards in black suits. Last night. Darnell Lopez received a call in the middle of the night, learning that his son was seriously injured and even in danger of losing his life. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã? He rushed to Five-river Province with his wife overnight. Before coming, Jennifer Lopez had already used her personal connections to place Tariq Lopez in the best hospital in Five-river Province. ¡°Sister.¡± Darnell Lopez tenderly held Tariq Lopez¡¯s slightly pale hand, then gently placed it against his own face. He moved very carefully, worried about waking Tariq Lopez up. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that you wanted my son to come to Five-river Province to relax and to accompany you on a stroll?¡± As Darnell Lopez said this, his gaze suddenly became exceedingly cold, ¡°Why, why has it turned out like this!¡± ¡°I need an explanation.¡± He sighed, seeming to have aged a lot overnight. Tariq Lopez is Darnell Lopez¡¯s only son, and the most outstanding youth of the Lopez Family. Currently, Jennifer Lopez has given up helping Zane Percival fight for control over the Lopez family business. So, it was only a matter of time before Tariq Lopez took up the family banner. Out of favor owed to Jennifer Lopez, Darnell Lopez did not prevent his son from coming to Gonzalez City. The relationship between the uncle and niece had been tense for so many years; it was about time to ease it. After all, if Tariq Lopez wanted to secure a strong position within the Lopez Family, he couldn¡¯t do so without Jennifer Lopez¡¯s full support. This woman, who had already been married off and then divorced, controlled over one-fifth of the Lopez Family¡¯s assets. It seemed that the old man was also happy to see this state of affairs, not only did he not stop her, he even appeared somewhat biased. But no one could have expected. For Tariq Lopez, who was perfectly fine upon arriving in Gonzalez City, to be lying in a hospital bed in Five-river Province just a few hours later. ¡°Jennifer Lopez, give me an explanation.¡± Darnell Lopez took a deep breath, set Tariq Lopez¡¯s hand inside the blanket, stood up, and looked coldly at Jennifer Lopez. Like a lion gone mad! ¡°Brother, I didn¡¯t expect things to¡­¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t expect? Then why did Tariq Lopez, all well and good, provoke Elwood Thorneycroft at Itai Huntington¡¯s party?¡± Darnell Lopez interrupted Jennifer Lopez mercilessly, his eyes locked onto his sister. The siblings had never gotten along, but they had never reached the point of tearing each other¡¯s faces off. Among noble families, it was normal to engage in a lot of overt and covert struggles for interests. But such a major incident was a clear overstep. ¡°When I was coming, the old man spoke.¡± Darnell Lopez snorted lightly, looking at the somewhat panicked Jennifer Lopez: ¡°He¡¯s personally investigating this matter. If he finds out it¡¯s related to you, you can forget about touching even a part of the Lopez Family¡¯s assets ever again!¡± Although it was heartbreaking to see Tariq Lopez beaten like this, it might be an opportunity to drive Jennifer Lopez out of the family. It could be seen as a good thing. Darnell Lopez already held most of the Lopez Family¡¯s business, and his only concern was the businesses in Jennifer Lopez¡¯s hands. This woman, who had been married off long ago, controlled several of the family¡¯s most lucrative industries, which the Lopez family members found very tempting. After Tariq Lopez¡¯s injury in Gonzalez City, the entire Lopez Family was up in arms, collectively denouncing Jennifer Lopez. It looked quite like a push for a change of leadership. ¡°Father is going to investigate personally?¡± Hearing this news, Jennifer Lopez felt somewhat anxious inside. Tariq Lopez was injured, and it definitely couldn¡¯t have happened without her involvement. She had originally wanted to create a conflict between Tariq Lopez and Julius Reed, and then suppress Julius Reed under the name of the Lopez Family. But she hadn¡¯t expected that once Julius Reed took action, he would cripple Tariq Lopez! ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Scared?¡± With a cold sneer, Darnell Lopez pointed fiercely at Jennifer Lopez: ¡°If this has anything to do with you, I¡¯ll be the first to let you have it!¡± He had only this one son. Who could have peacefully taken over the Lopez family business. Now, unfortunately, he¡¯s lying in bed, unconscious. ¡°Dr. Pendleton, how is my son¡¯s injury?¡± When he saw a doctor walking in from outside the door, Darnell Lopez hurried over, his face full of anxious expression. Dr. Pendleton, named Brantley Pendleton, was an orthopedic professor at the National Northern Mount Hospital in Five-river Province. After Tariq Lopez was brought to the Northern-Mountain Hospital, the Lopez Family immediately contacted Dr. Pendleton, who readily performed surgery on Tariq Lopez in the middle of the night. After a busy night, Brantley Pendleton and his team rushed to the conference room to analyze the medical condition. It took a full hour before he returned. ¡°Mr. Lopez, I hope you¡¯re prepared for this.¡± Brantley Pendleton¡¯s expression was grave, his eyebrows involuntarily furrowing together. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re saying¡­¡± Darnell Lopez felt a dizziness in his head and leaned back against the wall. Seeing his condition, Cornelius Martin immediately walked over, gently supporting her husband. Even Jennifer Lopez beside them listened with a tense look on her face. Right now, all she could do was pray that Tariq wasn¡¯t seriously hurt. Otherwise, if the old man really investigated and found out, she feared she¡¯d lose everything she had worked so hard for over the years! Jennifer Lopez wasn¡¯t greedy, but without financial support, how could she avenge her son? The image of Zane Percival falling from the helicopter into the sea to his death haunted her every night. Especially the sound of Zane Percival¡¯s desperate and miserable scream before his death, which tore Jennifer Lopez apart even more. ¡°Mr. Tariq Lopez is now out of life-threatening danger.¡± After Brantley Pendleton spoke, the three present let out a sigh of relief. ¡°But his leg, I¡¯m afraid he won¡¯t be able to recover in this lifetime.¡± Before the people could react to this information, Brantley Pendleton¡¯s words plunged them back into the abyss! ¡°In other words, Tariq Lopez might have to spend his life in a wheelchair.¡± ¡°His leg has a comminuted fracture, and we need to perform an amputation immediately.¡± ¡°Otherwise, it could endanger his life.¡± The air became silent. In the hospital room, only the sound of breathing remained. ¡°You quack!¡± After a moment of silence, Cornelius Martin, as if driven mad, rushed forward and grabbed Brantley Pendleton by the collar, screaming and shouting. ¡°If you dare amputate my son¡¯s leg, I¡¯ll hack you to pieces while you¡¯re still alive!¡± Amputate? Tariq Lopez was barely thirty years old. It was the zenith of his life! Cornelius Martin¡¯s heart was shattered. Her son, whom she was so proud of, was going to become disabled¡­ ¡°Come back!¡± Darnell Lopez hugged Cornelius Martin, forcefully suppressing his emotions inside, and looked at Brantley Pendleton with a bitter face: ¡°Professor Pendleton, my wife may be a bit agitated, please don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± ¡°I can understand. After all¡­ after all, Mr. Lopez is so young. But this is the best outcome after our assessment.¡± Brantley Pendleton sighed and took out the X-ray images in his hand. ¡°Look, it¡¯s practically crushed to powder!¡± ¡°Then¡­ then let¡¯s do it as soon as possible¡­¡± Darnell Lopez clenched his hands tightly together, unable to hold back his tears. And Jennifer Lopez beside him was simply petrified. The situation had escalated. Chapter 655 - Chapter 655: Chapter 655 Going Out on a Date_1 Chapter 655: Chapter 655 Going Out on a Date_1 ¡°Darnell, I want Julius Reed dead!¡± Cornelius Martin collapsed into Darnell Lopez¡¯s embrace, breaking down in tears. The couple only had one son, so they always provided Tariq Lopez with the best treatment since he was little. Now grown-up, Tariq had never faced any setbacks. Yet in the prime of his life, he had a leg amputated. No one knew how much this incident would impact Tariq mentally. ¡°Don¡¯t worry! I will definitely cripple the bastard who did this! Make him pay a horrible price! I want him to kneel at Tariq¡¯s feet begging for mercy!¡± Viciousness filled Darnell Lopez¡¯s eyes. ¡°Husband, I want my revenge now!¡± Cornelius Martin was on the verge of collapse, her entire being weakened by crying. ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll arrange for someone right away!¡± Darnell Lopez took out his cell phone from his pocket and took a deep breath. How could Tariq, the direct grandson of the mighty Lopez Family from the capital, have his leg broken by someone else! If this got out, it would mean that both Darnell Lopez and the Lopez Family were incompetent! ¡°This is unbearable, utterly unbearable!¡± He directly dialed an unfamiliar number. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.?¦Ï ¡°What do you want.¡± The voice at the other end of the phone was exceptionally cold. ¡°I want to buy a life.¡± Darnell Lopez¡¯s voice was almost hoarse as he spoke. At this moment, hatred had completely taken over his brain! All he wanted was for Julius Reed to die! Why should the assailant go free while his own son lay in the hospital? After ten seconds of silence, the voice on the phone said, ¡°It can be done, but it will be a bit more expensive.¡± ¡°How much?¡± Money was no object to Darnell Lopez; the Lopez Family was rich! He just wanted blood! ¡°Fifty million.¡± ¡°Fifty million? Aren¡¯t you taking advantage of the situation a little too much?¡± ¡°The person you want dead is acquainted with Aron Jackson. We have some difficulties, so¡­¡± ¡°I can give you the money! But I want Julius Reed¡¯s head delivered to me before dark!¡± After hanging up the phone, Darnell Lopez took a deep breath. ¡°How soon will you act?¡± Cornelius Martin¡¯s eyes were filled with resentment. ¡°Before tonight.¡± Darnell Lopez looked up at the sun hanging directly in the sky, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth: ¡°Julius Reed, you have less than half a day to live.¡± If he could just see Julius Reed dead, he would feel somewhat relieved. He had heard that Julius Reed had a family; he wouldn¡¯t mind being generous and sending Julius Reed¡¯s whole family to reunite with him down below. ¡°That bitch Jennifer Lopez, what do you want to do with her?¡± Having learned that the hit on Julius Reed was already in progress, Cornelius Martin¡¯s gaze shifted back to Jennifer Lopez! Without Jennifer Lopez, Tariq would not be lying in the hospital bed! Right now, the three of them should be enjoying a lively lunch together! But none of that could be brought back. ¡°The old man has decided to investigate! No one is going to protect her!¡± Darnell Lopez slammed his fist onto the hospital¡¯s wall, saying fiercely, ¡°I¡¯ll make sure she never gets a chance to turn her life around!¡± ¡­ The annual meeting of the Gonzalez City Business Alliance was quite special. It started with Fabian Percival showing up at the door with gifts in a show of force. Then, the Lopez family members were forced to apologize to Elwood Thorneycroft. Even Tariq Lopez was beaten like a dog, kneeling to apologize before being dumped on the road. Finally, Ivan Reed from the capital ambushed the venue and took Elwood Thorneycroft away in front of everyone. The seemingly serene Gonzalez City was again churning with undercurrents! ¡°Julius Reed, this is Jennifer Lopez¡¯s trap! You couldn¡¯t be unaware of that, right?¡± At that moment, Julius Reed was sitting on the sofa in his own home, watching Itai Huntington, who was dressed flamboyantly in the video with a look of helplessness. He had not wanted to answer this video call in the first place! But since the call had come in, not answering it would probably have raised Quella Radcliffe¡¯s suspicions. Actually. By the time Julius Reed¡¯s video call ringtone sounded, the phone had already fallen into Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hands. Seeing that the caller was Itai Huntington, Quella Radcliffe directly picked up and sat opposite Julius Reed. Listening very seriously. The feeling of being watched was too uncomfortable. ¡°I¡¯m asking you a question! It¡¯s clear that Jennifer Lopez wants to use Tariq Lopez to drag you into her trap. You¡¯re so smart, you must have seen it coming, right?¡± Itai Huntington asked irritably. After returning home yesterday, she felt that something was amiss. But the events of the evening unfolded too suddenly, and with Ivan Reed¡¯s subsequent arrival, Itai Huntington¡¯s thoughts were all in disarray. It wasn¡¯t until she got home that she realized it. Then, Itai Huntington immediately sent someone out to investigate. And what they found was significant! Tariq Lopez was indeed sent to the business alliance¡¯s annual banquet by Jennifer Lopez using Arlo Percival¡¯s logistics group. The situation was very obvious. This was Jennifer Lopez using Tariq Lopez to pit the entire Lopez Family against Julius Reed. However, this plot had already been diffused by Julius Reed, successfully directing the conflict towards Fabian Percival. But then a chair came down, breaking one of Tariq Lopez¡¯s legs. ¡°Half an hour ago, my people got word that Tariq Lopez was in National Northern Mount Hospital in Five-river Province, having one of his legs amputated.¡± Thinking about this, Itai Huntington really wanted to punch Julius Reed¡¯s head in. ¡°I know it was a trap,¡± Julius Reed, leaning on the sofa, stretched, ¡°But now, hasn¡¯t Fabian Percival also been dragged down by me? If Tariq Lopez hadn¡¯t knelt down to apologize yesterday, Fabian Percival would have had no issue.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft was naturally aware of Jennifer Lopez¡¯s plan, and if Tariq Lopez had revealed his identity yesterday, Elwood Thorneycroft would have definitely kept his cool. ¡°If you knew it was a trap, why did you still beat Tariq Lopez? Now with Tariq Lopez amputated, the Lopez Family will surely be at loggerheads with you.¡± Itai Huntington grew even angrier upon hearing what Julius Reed said. Wasn¡¯t this just asking for trouble? ¡°If any Lopez family members dare to come, I¡¯ll annihilate them completely!¡± Julius Reed said languidly, ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯m going to hang up, since I still need to spend some time chatting with my wife.¡± Without waiting for Itai Huntington to speak, he sat up. And abruptly ended the video call. ¡°Tariq Lopez¡¯s amputation means the Lopez Family is bound to cause you trouble,¡± Quella Radcliffe said with a hint of somberness in her voice, ¡°What you did last night was indeed inappropriate.¡± This time, she rarely took Itai Huntington¡¯s side. The power of the Lopez Family from the capital city was significant, far surpassing those families in Five-river Province. ¡°In the face of absolute power, all schemes and tricks are just clouds passing by.¡± Julius Reed stood up, got dressed, and prepared to leave. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Quella Radcliffe asked curiously. Since the business alliance was closed for the day, she didn¡¯t have to go to work. ¡°I¡¯m going to ask Itai Huntington out on a date!¡± After Julius Reed finished speaking, he closed the room door. ¡°Over my dead body! If I don¡¯t make you kneel on a case of instant noodles when you come back, then my name isn¡¯t Radcliffe!¡± Quella Radcliffe angrily threw a cushion in her hand against the door. Of course, she didn¡¯t believe Julius Reed was going out on a date. But she couldn¡¯t figure out what he could possibly be up to at such a critical time. After leaving the house, Julius Reed drove directly towards the dock. Half an hour later. He appeared alone at the West Harbor Wharf in Gonzalez City. It was now afternoon, and the wharf was deserted. ¡°Come out!¡± With his back to the sea, Julius Reed called out over his shoulder. ¡°Hey! This business is too risky; I think you should give me something for my trouble,¡± No sooner had the words left his mouth than a person stepped out from the grass. Chapter 656 - Chapter 656: Chapter 656: Give a Gift_1 Chapter 656: Chapter 656: Give a Gift_1 ¡°I can give you money, but you¡¯ve got to be alive to spend it.¡± Julius Reed was still staring at the rippling surface of the river, with no intention of turning around. ¡°You¡¯re really hurting my pride,¡± the man said helplessly. ¡°Showing weakness in front of me isn¡¯t shameful,¡± Julius Reed chuckled lightly. ¡°Those who find it shameful are likely to have their graves overgrown with trees reaching to the skies.¡± ¡°Fine! Fine! Fine! You have my absolute respect!¡± The man came over reluctantly. ¡°The stuff!¡± Julius Reed stretched out a hand, still without turning around. ¡°Here!¡± Smack! The man put the item in Julius Reed¡¯s hand with a touch of annoyance and turned to leave. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.?? ¡°Fox Miller, you should feel lucky,¡± Julius Reed turned around, looking at the USB drive in his hand, and said indifferently, ¡°You might be the only one alive.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a blessing!¡± Fox Miller cupped his hands in a salute and disappeared from West Harbor Wharf with a flash. Ten seconds later. Fox Miller, who had vanished, reappeared. ¡°There are people around; do you need me to deal with them?¡± He squatted next to Julius Reed, picked up a small stone, and tossed it toward the sea. Plop! The stone skipped on the surface of the water five times, creating ripples, before finally sinking into the sea. ¡°You can skip stones?¡± Julius Reed was somewhat surprised. A Shadow Warrior who was actually not too bad at skipping stones. ¡°Back in the day, I was the stone-skipping champion of my village. No exaggeration, there is hardly anyone in the whole Five-river Province who can do it better than I¡­¡± He cut himself off halfway. Because Julius Reed casually threw a stone, and it bounced over a dozen times on the water and showed no sign of stopping. ¡°¡­ there could be at most one person who can do it better than me,¡± Fox Miller said unhappily. Interrupting someone¡¯s show-off moment is as bad as killing their parents! ¡°Leave those outside people to me; they could be useful. Keep a close eye on Fabian Percival for me, report directly any news you get,¡± Julius Reed took a small pill from his pocket and handed it to Fox Miller: ¡°You suffered an inner injury in your early years; it makes you cough incessantly on rainy and overcast days.¡± ¡°How did you know?¡± Fox Miller took the pill, shocked in his heart. As a teenager, he was inadvertently hit by a large rock while practicing martial arts with his master. Though he survived, his insides itched intolerably every time it rained or the sky was overcast. Over the years, he had visited numerous famous doctors, but none could completely cure him. Now his condition was identified in a single sentence, filling Fox Miller with excitement. ¡°I used to study medicine,¡± Julius Reed naturally wouldn¡¯t reveal his real identity. ¡°Take this pill, and you¡¯ll recover in three days.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± Fox Miller swallowed the pill on the spot and said with emotion, ¡°The wisest decision of my life was not trying to kill you back then.¡± Speaking of which, he suddenly asked, ¡°If I had insisted on killing you back then, would you have killed me?¡± This question had been haunting him. ¡°Of course not,¡± Julius Reed said, and Fox Miller noticeably stiffened. ¡°Killing you would dirty my hands. I would let you kill yourself, and if you refused, I¡¯d have someone else do it.¡± Julius Reed patted his shoulder, ¡°Go back now; I¡¯ve got serious business to attend to.¡± ¡°Jennifer Lopez is already at the Five-lakes Clubhouse, probably for the Dragon Hollyhock matter,¡± Fox Miller said, scratching his face. ¡°Currently, the employees of Fabian Percival plan to sacrifice the pawn to save the chariot. They¡¯re plotting to kill Elwood Thorneycroft mid-way to avoid offending Ivan Reed.¡± Having said this, he disappeared from the wharf once again. About half an hour later. The sky had gradually darkened. Winters already have short days, and with the New Year approaching, it had become difficult to see the surface of the sea after three in the afternoon. Julius Reed sat alone on the wharf. His feet dangled above the sea, lost in thought. And behind him, several shadows quietly approached. ¡°You¡¯ve come all this way, no need for sneaking around.¡± Julius Reed picked up a pebble and started skipping it over the waves. ¡°You knew we were here?¡± The men in black felt a touch of surprise. They had followed all the way and then lay in wait concealed among the surrounding grass for several hours. Had they still been discovered? ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for you all afternoon!¡± Julius Reed stood up and stretched, ¡°Hurry up and get it over with. I have business with you after the fight.¡± ¡°Boss, this kid is kind of spooky.¡± A bald man looked at Julius Reed with a worried expression. Before they had even started fighting, his heart was already in turmoil. ¡°He¡¯s just bluffing.¡± The leader sneered, ¡°Do you know Zhuge Liang¡¯s Empty Fort Strategy? He¡¯s just trying to scare us!¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s get this over with quickly, so we can make a big score!¡± The bald man licked his lips and suddenly swung his knife! Whoosh! The blade, shimmering with cold light, made a beeline for Julius Reed! ¡°You can go feed the fish now!¡± Julius Reed suddenly stepped forward, grabbed the bald man¡¯s arm with one hand, and fiercely threw him into the sea. ¡°Who¡¯s in charge?¡± He glanced over the five people in front of him and asked in a cold voice. ¡°Kid, you¡¯ve got some moves.¡± The leader stepped forward, holding a pair of iron-spiked maces, ¡°But today, you¡¯re definitely going to die here!¡± No sooner had the words left his mouth than the spiked maces in his hands lashed out fiercely! Clang! Julius Reed leaped into the air! The ground where he had just stood was cratered from the impact! At the same time, the spiked maces changed direction and rushed at Julius Reed again! ¡°You¡¯ve got some skills!¡± Julius Reed watched all this from mid-air, his body rapidly descending back to the spot he had just leaped from. The remaining four men drew their steel knives and ran at him, swinging wildly! ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m in a hurry.¡± Having said that, Julius Reed jumped up and smashed his hand onto the face of the first man! Crack! Neck broken! His second palm struck out! Whoosh! The second man¡¯s heart burst! Whoosh! Whoosh! As Julius Reed¡¯s hands struck forward fiercely, the remaining two men also died on the spot. ¡°Now, it¡¯s your turn!¡± He caught the spiked maces with one hand and yanked them toward him fiercely! Crack! The sturdy chain was actually torn apart. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re not human¡­¡± Terror filled the leader¡¯s eyes. All his life he had been involved in the business of killing and plundering! But he had never encountered such a twisted person before! ¡°I told you, I won¡¯t kill you.¡± Julius Reed walked up to the man, his hand outstretched, ¡°Hand this USB drive to Darnell Lopez, and not only will he not blame you, he will reward you.¡± ¡°Why should I believe you?¡± A hint of skepticism flashed in the man¡¯s eyes. ¡°Because I can kill you, but I didn¡¯t. Isn¡¯t that enough?¡± Julius Reed slowly rotated his hand, ¡°If you don¡¯t catch this, I¡¯ll send you down to reunite with them.¡± Having said this, he threw the USB drive onto the ground. ¡°Huh!¡± As the USB drive fell through the air, the man quickly caught it. ¡°I hope you haven¡¯t lied to me.¡± He backed off a few steps, and once assured Julius Reed had no intention of killing him, he quickly vanished from West Harbor Wharf. ¡°Jennifer Lopez, today I¡¯ll teach you what playing with fire can do to you!¡± Watching the Shadow Warrior¡¯s retreating figure, Julius Reed hummed a tune and returned to his car, quietly waiting for news from Fox Miller. Tonight, there would be quite a show. Chapter 657 - Chapter 657: Chapter 657 A Fine Game_1 Chapter 657: Chapter 657 A Fine Game_1 Five-river Province. At the entrance to the ring expressway. Darnell Lopez sat in the car, beside him, his wife Cornelius Martin. The couple looked at the watches in their hands, their eyes filled with anticipation. It had already gotten dark. ¡°Are your people reliable?¡± As time ticked away, Darnell Lopez grew anxious. ¡°My people are quite reliable,¡± she replied. Sitting in the passenger seat of the Audi was a man wearing a mask. He was dressed in a black suit, and his voice was exceptionally deep. ¡°They¡¯re here!¡± When a Accord sedan came down from the highway toll booth, the man pushed open the car door and waved his hand. At the same time. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï???.§ã? Darnell Lopez and Cornelius Martin could hardly wait to get out of the car as well. Both husband and wife were eager to see what Julius Reed¡¯s head looked like! ¡°Boss!¡± Seeing the man¡¯s gesture, the Accord car slowly stopped by the roadside. A Shadow Warrior, armed with a shuriken, got out of the car and knelt in front of the man. ¡°Where¡¯s Julius Reed¡¯s head?¡± Seeing the Shadow Warrior come empty-handed, Darnell Lopez hurriedly rummaged through the Accord, tossing everything around in a frenzy. But in the end, he didn¡¯t find Julius Reed¡¯s head. ¡°Did you hide it in the trunk?¡± he asked the Shadow Warrior in front of him, anxiously. After all, murder was something that couldn¡¯t be done in the light of day. ¡°Sorry, I failed,¡± the Shadow Warrior said, head bowed in frustration. ¡°The opponent was too strong! My brothers had barely gone out before they all died! Even I was no match for him.¡± ¡°How could this happen! You promised we¡¯d see Julius Reed¡¯s head before sunset. Did I hire a bunch of useless people for fifty million?¡± Darnell Lopez was furious! He had been looking forward to this all afternoon, and this was the outcome! ¡°Why are you the only one who made it back alive?¡± The man in the mask asked coldly, completely ignoring Darnell Lopez, who was almost at the brink of madness, screaming beside him. Five people had set out together, and yet only one had survived. It was hard not to be suspicious. He glanced distantly. Fortunately, Julius Reed hadn¡¯t followed them. ¡°He¡­ he asked me to bring something, saying that Darnell Lopez might be interested,¡± the Shadow Warrior spoke, taking a USB drive out of his pocket. ¡°Take a look at it, if it¡¯s of any use, keep it.¡± The masked man took the USB drive and handed it to Darnell Lopez. ¡°I have OTA; I can connect it directly to my phone to see what¡¯s inside!¡± Although Cornelius Martin was angry, her curiosity drove her to open the USB drive. ¡°Let¡¯s take a look,¡± Darnell Lopez reluctantly nodded. They were both curious about what Julius Reed had sent them. Even if this man had broken their son¡¯s legs. ¡°It¡¯s photographs!¡± After plugging it into the phone, Darnell Lopez discovered that there were only five photos inside the USB drive. ¡°Jennifer Lopez! Why is it her?¡± ¡°This person is¡­ who is this old man!¡± Darnell Lopez narrowed his eyes, immediately took out his phone, and took a photo of the old man on his phone. After sending the photo to his employees, he left a voice message, ¡°Find out the identity of this old man as fast as you can!¡± Half a minute later. Darnell Lopez received a reply. ¡°Fabian Percival? Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s foster father?¡± His face darkened when he saw the message on the screen. ¡°Fabian Percival holds a grudge against Julius Reed, and Jennifer Lopez is so close to Fabian Percival! No wonder! I should¡¯ve known!¡± Darnell Lopez suddenly laughed out loud, then said viciously, ¡°You bitch! You¡¯ll pay for this!¡± With this information and the photos, he could ensure Jennifer Lopez would never be able to turn things around! ¡°It was this treacherous woman! I¡¯ll kill her!¡± Cornelius Martin saw the message and nearly went mad! Tariq Lopez had actually been used by his own aunt! ¡°Cornelius, send the message to our family group, I want to see how the old man can still protect her!¡± With narrowed eyes, Darnell Lopez finished speaking and turned to the man in the mask, ¡°When will you help me kill her!¡± Though the USB drive was very useful, they wouldn¡¯t feel the slightest bit of gratitude towards Julius Reed! Even knowing that Julius Reed was using them to eliminate Jennifer Lopez, Darnell Lopez still planned to go through with it. He couldn¡¯t tolerate someone who had been a constant threat to himself continuing to expand their influence! ¡°The price, I¡¯m afraid, will have to go up.¡± The masked man waved his hand, saying to the Shadow Warrior, ¡°You go back and rest.¡± ¡°Thank you, boss!¡± The Shadow Warrior stood up and walked towards the elegant car. Just then, Darnell Lopez suddenly widened his eyes! Whoosh! Beside him, the masked man lifted a hidden weapon box, and a projectile from the box struck the Shadow Warrior on the head. Blood splattered. The Martial Artist, struck by the hit, slumped down, leaning on the sedan. Dead. ¡°A captive, doesn¡¯t deserve to live.¡± After putting the hidden weapon box on his waist, the man turned to look at Darnell Lopez, ¡°I¡¯ll handle this matter myself.¡± Ignoring Darnell Lopez¡¯s shocked expression, the man dragged the Shadow Warrior¡¯s body onto the car, then got into the driver¡¯s seat and quickly disappeared into the night. ¡­ ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, our Lopez Family will handle the explanations. As long as our secret collaboration isn¡¯t exposed, they have no way of touching me!¡± Inside the Five-lakes Clubhouse. Jennifer Lopez and Fabian Percival were sitting in the guest room, speaking with solemn expressions. ¡°Miss Lopez, no one saw this coming. But Julius Reed broke Tariq¡¯s leg, and your Lopez Family is already taking action.¡± Fabian Percival sighed wearily, ¡°We¡¯ve achieved our aim of dragging the Lopez Family into the mire. But what I¡¯m most concerned about is the pressures the Lopez Family might also exert on me.¡± He rubbed his temples, visibly anxious. The Lopez Family was massive, and if they decided to suppress him, he would find himself caught between two fires. After all, Ivan Reed was in Gonzalez City! As long as this great Buddha remained for even a day, Fabian Percival would not have peace! Ding! Just then, Jennifer Lopez¡¯s phone suddenly rang. It was a message from the family group chat. Just as she was about to close it, her eyes landed on a photograph! Followed immediately by a barrage of messages from Cornelius. All the information was directed straight at her! ¡°Miss Lopez, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Noticing the change in Jennifer Lopez, Fabian Percival called out with concern. ¡°We¡­ we have a traitor!¡± Jennifer Lopez placed her phone in front of Fabian Percival, slumping powerlessly into her chair. It¡¯s over! If her collaboration with Fabian Percival was revealed, her framing of Tariq Lopez would be confirmed. In the Lopez Family, not even the old man could protect her! ¡°Someone, come here!¡± Seeing the photo, Fabian Percival yelled! ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Brown Bread immediately rushed in with bodyguards from outside the door. ¡°Everyone present, watch them! No one is allowed to leave or enter!¡± A glint of coldness flashed through Fabian Percival¡¯s eyes. The photos of himself and Jennifer Lopez in this guest room had been captured by someone! And there were five photos in total! ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°What happened! Why suddenly restrict access!¡± ¡°We need to know the reason!¡± Everyone was confused by the sudden order. ¡°Among us, there is a traitor!¡± Fabian Percival stood up, holding Jennifer Lopez¡¯s phone, ¡°These are photos of Ms. Lopez and I in a secret meeting, taken so clearly! Now, I will find this person!¡± Chapter 658 - Chapter 658: Chapter 658 Elwood Thorneycroft is the Traitor_1 Chapter 658: Chapter 658 Elwood Thorneycroft is the Traitor_1 ¡°How could this happen?¡± ¡°There¡¯s actually a traitor among us!¡± ¡°Who is it? Come forward! Don¡¯t force us to take action!¡± Those who could be present at the Five-lakes Clubhouse today were all close confidants of Fabian Percival. Each of them was a big shot in their own right, with plentiful resources and manpower at their disposal. This incident had suddenly caused widespread panic. Ivan Reed had already been eyeing Gonzalez City hungrily, and if the Lopez Family joined in, how could they stand against Aron Jackson? They would be attacked from both front and back. There was no chance of victory. The emergence of an insider had dealt yet another blow to their already low morale. Many had started to consider whether they should proactively apologize to Aron Jackson to seek his forgiveness. ¡°If I find out who the traitor is, they will be silently eliminated immediately!¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s face was as dark as water. This revelation of a mole was undoubtedly an attack on his reputation! Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.§ã¦Ï Moreover, the leaked photo would not only push Jennifer Lopez into the abyss but also place Fabian Percival himself in a perilous situation. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft.¡± Fox Miller walked up to Fabian Percival, gently took the phone, and after inspecting it, said, ¡°The date the photo was taken doesn¡¯t seem too far back.¡± ¡°Of course it isn¡¯t far back!¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s face was grim as he paced back and forth in the room: ¡°The date is within these last few days! Everyone who came in and out of the reception room these past two days, inspect them all!¡± Not many insiders knew about his secret meeting with Jennifer Lopez. It must have been one of his close confidants playing dirty behind the scenes. ¡°I have an idea!¡± Fox Miller, looking at the photo and pondering, said, ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, the position from where this photo was taken¡­ it should be right¡­¡± He walked over to the chair next to Jennifer Lopez based on his memory and pointed with his hand: ¡°Here!¡± ¡°Correct!¡± Jennifer Lopez highly agreed with Fox Miller¡¯s deduction. At that time, she was sitting right where she was now. The person who took the photo must have been right beside her. ¡°Who was sitting there at the time? Stand up!¡± ¡°Damned traitor! Today I¡¯ll tear you apart! How dare you betray Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± ¡°Who is this person? If you are a man, come out!¡± While Jennifer Lopez was confirming, everyone failed to notice the change on Fabian Percival¡¯s face. It had become even more glum. Speculation swirled around the room, with glances exchanged that were filled with suspicion and anger. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft! Please identify this person!¡± ¡°We will help you clean house!¡± ¡°Even if they flee to the ends of the earth, we can bring them back!¡± Seeing that Fabian Percival remained silent, many thought that the traitor had already run away. But even if they fled, they couldn¡¯t leave Gonzalez City that quickly. ¡°No need to guess anymore!¡± Facinng the many gazes, Fabian Percival finally broke his silence. ¡°The one who sat in this spot that day was Elwood Thorneycroft.¡± ¡°What!¡± ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, are you sure you remember it correctly?¡± ¡°How could it be Miss Thorneycroft!¡± When it was revealed that the person sitting next to Jennifer Lopez was Elwood Thorneycroft, everyone chose to be silent. Elwood Thorneycroft was Fabian Percival¡¯s daughter. Were they supposed to go after their boss¡¯s daughter? That would indeed be courting death. Although no one spoke up, deep down, everyone was feeling discontent. Especially since Elwood Thorneycroft had been taken away by Ivan Reed, there were already suggestions of sacrificing a piece to save the game, to eliminate Elwood! Otherwise, if they really waited until Elwood involved Fabian Percival, they would all be out of luck. If Aron Jackson took advantage of the chaos at that time, they could all lose everything. They had been keeping their heads down in Gonzalez City for so many years. Although stirred up by Fabian Percival¡¯s return, no one was willing to give up what they had. These people were long no longer the young hoodlums who once licked blood off the edges of their knives. Who would willingly give up the days of keeping concubines and spending gold like dirt? ¡°Even if it¡¯s my daughter, she will be killed without mistake!¡± After a moment of silence, Fabian Percival made an excruciating decision. He wanted to gain the support of the bosses in the room, so he had to painfully let go! Yet, he still couldn¡¯t believe that Elwood Thorneycroft would betray him. But the evidence was irrefutable, and if he insisted on continuing the investigation, it was likely that people in the room would start to hold grudges. At such a time, sacrificing Elwood Thorneycroft was worth it! ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, after all, Elwood is your daughter. I think it¡¯s better to investigate. If someone is deliberately framing her, wouldn¡¯t that be a wrongful accusation?¡± A sturdy man stood out from the crowd. ¡°I agree!¡± ¡°Miss Thorneycroft has made many contributions to you and the brothers! Even if she were an ordinary person, it wouldn¡¯t be right to be so hasty!¡± ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, think it over!¡± The entire hall was filled with people pleading. Their thoughts were simple. If they didn¡¯t step up to plead now, what kind of unexpected disaster would befall them when Fabian Percival settled accounts after the fact? Better to show their loyalty now. ¡°No need! Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s betrayal of the organization is clear as day! The second son of the Martin Family!¡± Fabian Percival knew very well what everyone meant. He could only suppress his inner rage and ordered the execution of Elwood Thorneycroft! ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft! The second son of the Martin Family awaits your assignment!¡± Following the order, a man in a black trench coat emerged from the crowd. His name was the second son of the Martin Family, an employee and bodyguard of Fabian Percival. In Gonzalez City, he held a power base of his own. Half a month ago, the second son of the Martin Family had been one of Aron Jackson¡¯s eight top minions. Now, having defected, he had nearly taken all the employees with him. ¡°Take care of Elwood Thorneycroft. That¡¯s your job,¡± said Fabian Percival as he pointed at the second son of the Martin Family, and after a moment of silence, a pained expression crossed his face, ¡°Make it quick! After all¡­ after all, Elwood Thorneycroft is my daughter¡­¡± ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft! Please, reconsider!¡± The second son of the Martin Family¡¯s face darkened! Wasn¡¯t this just like sitting comfortably in a chair while trouble falls from the sky? What to do about the future repercussions if he killed Elwood Thorneycroft? But if he refused to do it today, he would offend everyone present! If he went through with it! He¡¯d definitely get his hands dirty! With so many people in the room, why did this damned task fall to him? Click! ¡°No more words! Anyone who dares to let Elwood Thorneycroft go is an enemy of mine, Fabian Percival!¡± Fabian Percival turned around and violently pushed the teapot from the table onto the floor! The teapot, worth thousands, shattered into pieces. ¡°Rest assured, Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Seeing Fabian Percival assert his authority, the second son of Martin Family could only agree, ¡°I will definitely complete the task to your satisfaction!¡± If he hesitated any longer, he might provoke the crowd¡¯s anger. ¡°Go and get it done!¡± Fabian Percival walked over to a slender young man, ¡°Tucker Ridge, you go with the second son of Martin Family to do it! It must be done cleanly and efficiently!¡± This was a killing ordered by Ivan Reed! If it wasn¡¯t clean, it would bring disaster! ¡°Me?¡± Tucker Ridge stood up, pointing at himself, his face filled with disbelief. How did such an unpleasant task fall on him? ¡°Quickly go and return!¡± Fabian Percival waved his hand impatiently, ¡°We¡¯ll be waiting here for your news! You must be quick and decisive!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The two exchanged glances, resignedly turned around, and carried out the cleansing operation that would inevitably be mentioned in the future. ¡°Brown Bread, provide them with the intel.¡± Fabian Percival said with a somber face. ¡°Understood, Mr. Thorneycroft.¡± Consternation flashed across Brown Bread¡¯s face, but he still quickly caught up with the two men ahead of him. Chapter 659 - Chapter 659: Chapter 659 Fishing_1 Chapter 659: Chapter 659 Fishing_1 Gonzalez City, Azure Percival. Ovidiu Cook¡¯s brother, Ludo Cook, was standing guard at the reception, trembling with fear. This morning, Azure Percival had been booked by Ivan Reed himself. And for the next three days, it could not conduct business with others. The entire hotel staff, including the chefs, had been given time off, and were completely taken over by Ivan Reed¡¯s people. This eccentric elder from one of the four major families in the capital had brought his many foster sons and followers, and stayed in the Emperor¡¯s Hall of Azure Percival for a whole day! No one knew what had transpired that day. Even Ludo Cook had no right to approach the Emperor¡¯s Hall. He could only stand guard at the reception. ¡°So you still refuse to speak?¡± On the sofa in the Emperor¡¯s Hall, Ivan Reed¡¯s eyes were slightly closed as he incessantly fiddled with the Buddha Beads in his hand. Kneeling before him was Elwood Thorneycroft, covered in wounds. ¡°I am innocent¡­ cough¡­ cough¡­¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.§ã0 Elwood Thorneycroft coughed lightly a few times, and blood trickled down the corner of her mouth. Her body was covered in injuries, her face smeared with blood. On her soft white hands were etched scars that were shocking to behold. It was hard to imagine that this was Fabian Percival¡¯s daughter, known for her ascetic appearance and martial prowess. Though not by blood. ¡°Innocent?¡± The Buddha Beads in Ivan Reed¡¯s hands slowly ground to a halt. ¡°Luciano Michael, can you make her talk?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll try my best!¡± Luciano Michael, standing beside Elwood Thorneycroft, sneered coldly and harshly kicked out! Whoosh! Elwood Thorneycroft, caught off guard, was kicked five meters away, curling up in agony. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Finally unable to bear it, her face twisted grotesquely as she let out a blood-curdling scream. ¡°Will you talk now?¡± Luciano Michael walked over indifferently, squatted beside Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s head, grabbed her hair and shouted, ¡°Don¡¯t test my patience!¡± ¡°I really¡­ truly don¡¯t know¡­¡± Elwood Thorneycroft replied in pain. A minute later, she said weakly, ¡°I was being held hostage at the time, you can check the police records¡­ If I really¡­¡± Whoosh! Before Elwood Thorneycroft could finish her sentence, Luciano Michael slammed her head onto the ground! Whoosh! Whoosh! Then two more times! Elwood Thorneycroft, whose face was originally covered in blood, now had several fresh wounds. Her eyes were nearly closed, almost losing consciousness. But Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s will was very strong! The years of training abroad had given her a willpower far beyond ordinary people! ¡°This girl really knows how to keep her mouth shut!¡± Luciano Michael walked back to Ivan Reed, spreading his hands in exasperation, ¡°Stepfather, I¡¯m out of options.¡± If it were anyone else, they would have spilled everything after his kick. But Elwood Thorneycroft was stubbornly silent. Luciano Michael was sweating from the effort, and the opponent was covered in blood, yet she refused to utter a single word. ¡°Elwood Thorneycroft, I admire your loyalty,¡± Ivan Reed said as the Buddha Beads in his hands slowly ground to a halt. He rose to his feet, walked over to Elwood Thorneycroft, and suddenly smiled, ¡°You know I have many foster sons, but to this day, I do not have a foster daughter. If you are willing to help me, you will become my first foster daughter.¡± ¡°Ivan Reed¡¯s foster daughter!¡± After Ivan Reed finished speaking, even Luciano Michael felt somewhat surprised. Everyone knew that Ivan Reed had innumerable foster sons, but not a single foster daughter. Now, he was actually considering making an exception for Elwood Thorneycroft? ¡°Many¡­ many thanks, Master Reed¡­ but¡­ but I¡­¡± Elwood Thorneycroft was so weak that she could hardly muster the strength to speak. ¡°But you are unaware, aren¡¯t you?¡± Ivan Reed asked with a smile. ¡°Yes¡­ Ah¡­¡± Crack! The moment Elwood Thorneycroft nodded, Ivan Reed stepped directly on her fingers! Then. He ground down hard. All ten fingers are connected to the heart! Elwood Thorneycroft let out a pitiful scream and completely passed out. ¡°Wake her up!¡± Ivan Reed put on the Buddha Beads and took a cigar out of his pocket, standing over Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s head and slowly lighting it up. ¡°Whoosh!¡± As he exhaled a puff of smoke, Elwood Thorneycroft had already been splashed awake by Luciano Michael with tea. ¡°For the last time, I¡¯ll ask again!¡± Ivan Reed squatted down, looking into Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s eyes, ¡°Do you really know nothing¡­¡± As he spoke, he slowly moved the burning cigar closer to Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s face¡­ ¡°No¡­ please¡­ no!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft used all her strength to try to break free! She was a woman! A girl in the flower of her youth! If the cigar burnt her face, she would be disfigured! Her entire life would be ruined! ¡°You are quite impressive.¡± When the cigar was less than a centimeter from Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s face, she could even feel the heat wave. Desperation and pain showed in her eyes! But it only made her more resolute! ¡°I¡¯ve changed my mind.¡± Ivan Reed slowly stood up and put the cigar in his mouth, ¡°You would risk your life to keep a secret for Fabian Percival?¡± He burst into laughter and ordered Luciano Michael, ¡°Take her out for some air, see how Fabian Percival sends people to kill her! If she still refuses to talk at that point, just end her.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Luciano Michael licked his lips and gestured to the staff behind him, ¡°Fellows, keep a close eye on this woman!¡± ¡°Have Marco Pendleton accompany you,¡± Ivan Reed said, pointing to an elderly man at the door in a long robe, ¡°Fabian Percival has some influence in Gonzalez City, better safe than sorry.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it overkill for Master Pendleton to make a move?¡± Luciano Michael looked at the elderly man at the door, a troubled expression crossing his face. Marco Pendleton was a low-profile master in the capital, unknown to most people around Ivan Reed. Yet, if it came to a fight, Marco Pendleton was much more powerful than Terry Moore, who was renowned in the capital! ¡°Right, it¡¯s not appropriate for Master Pendleton to intervene,¡± Ivan Reed nodded and said with a smile, ¡°Those upstarts will dirty Master Pendleton¡¯s hands. Luciano Michael, you take the bodyguards of my staff instead, to be on the safe side.¡± ¡°Alright! Please wait for good news, my adoptive father!¡± Luciano Michael cupped his fists and left the imperial hall with four of Ivan Reed¡¯s personal bodyguards. These four were Marco Pendleton¡¯s disciples, and in terms of skill, all were above Luciano Michael. With them there, dealing with Fabian Percival¡¯s people was almost a walk in the park. ¡°Soon, I will make you despair.¡± Luciano Michael tapped gently on Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s face, then his expression darkened as he took big steps to the SUV. Behind him, a few men pushed Elwood Thorneycroft into the back seat and quickly disappeared into the darkness. ¡°Drive! Let¡¯s go for a spin!¡± Luciano Michael put on sunglasses, sitting in the passenger seat, directing the driver to start the airing out. As the car left Azure Percival¡¯s place, someone quietly pulled out a cellphone and called the second son of the Martin Family. The nights in Gonzalez City might be unusually quiet, but they felt extremely dangerous. The darkness was endless. Dangers lurked on all sides. Half an hour later. Luciano Michael¡¯s car wandered onto the highway leading to the airport. The area was sparsely populated and far from the city center. It created the illusion that Ivan Reed intended to take Elwood Thorneycroft to the airport and send her back to the capital. Finally, several cars behind could no longer contain themselves and rushed forward like mad! Screech! Amidst the sound of brakes, two cars driving in the wrong direction suddenly appeared in front of Luciano Michael, forcing them to stop! All headlights were switched on! Tap! Tap! Tap! The silence of the road was broken by the sound of leather boots hitting the pavement. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for you guys for a long time.¡± Luciano Michael got out of the car and faced the crowd. He coldly scanned them, took off his leather jacket, and pulled out a long knife from under the seat! Chapter 660 - Chapter 660: Chapter 660 Only You Are Alive _1 Chapter 660: Chapter 660 Only You Are Alive _1 ¡°Hand over the person inside, and I¡¯ll spare your life!¡± Tucker Ridge¡¯s face was covered with a black cloth, and he held a dark throwing weapon box in his hand. And the mouth of the throwing weapon box was pointed at Luciano Michael. ¡°People from Fabian Percival?¡± Luciano Michael sneered as he caressed the cold long knife in his hands. Then he looked up to see a dozen masked men in black in front of him and said indifferently, ¡°You¡¯re getting a bit too impatient!¡± ¡°Stop putting on airs! It doesn¡¯t matter who we are; if you hand over the person in the vehicle, I won¡¯t make things difficult for you!¡± Tucker Ridge looked at Luciano Michael coldly: ¡°If you refuse to see reason, I don¡¯t mind wasting a dart!¡± This place had no village in front and no store behind. Both ends of the provincial road were blocked by their barriers, and no vehicles would pass by for half an hour. Now, Luciano Michael was a lone soldier! And they had brought all the elites of the group! Tucker Ridge stood at the front with the throwing weapon box, while the second son of Martin Family led people to block from behind. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.?? ¡°So you¡¯re saying, if I don¡¯t hand over the person, there¡¯s only one way to die?¡± Luciano Michael looked at Tucker Ridge twenty meters in front of him, who pointed the throwing weapon box at him, with a cheeky grin. ¡°Exactly!¡± Tucker Ridge replied concisely and unequivocally. Before coming, Fabian Percival had warned him to be swift and ruthless! After killing Elwood Thorneycroft, they couldn¡¯t kill all of Ivan Reed¡¯s people. They had to pretend it was accidental and let slip that they were Shadow Warriors sent by Julius Reed, then quietly leave behind a survivor. That way, they could divert attention to Julius Reed and escape disaster themselves. ¡°Then I have no choice.¡± Luciano Michael slid the knife back under the seat and spread his hands: ¡°You promised not to kill me, so I hope you keep your word.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry!¡± With a wave of his hand from Tucker Ridge, several of the employees immediately drew daggers from their waists and approached Luciano Michael¡¯s side, moving toward the off-road vehicle. Neither the second son of Martin Family nor Tucker Ridge would be willing to do something like killing their boss¡¯s daughter. If Fabian Percival ever returned to his peak, the murderer would surely meet a grim end. Therefore, their employees naturally became the first choice to take the fall. Several of them strode to the rear of the off-road vehicle and suddenly yanked the door open! They had already received intelligence before arriving. Elwood Thorneycroft was hiding in the back seat of the vehicle. ¡°Miss, sorry about this!¡± Several people raised their daggers and viciously stabbed at the blood-soaked Elwood Thorneycroft! After stabbing several times, they began to feel something wasn¡¯t quite right! This didn¡¯t feel like a person? The sensation of the blade piercing into flesh shouldn¡¯t be so soft and spongy! And also, there was no splatter of blood! Not a single bloodstain on the blade! ¡°Lad, does it feel good to stab a cloth doll with a knife?¡± Luciano Michael burst into laughter, reaching under the seat to draw the long knife and fiercely chopped down at the person closest to him! With a splat! He delivered a powerful slash! Before the man could understand what happened, he felt powerless all over his body, collapsing and convulsing on the ground. As the others just realized they had been duped, a man in a black robe suddenly sprang out from the back seat! Swish! A flash of cold light! The man¡¯s short sword slid out of the scabbard! The remaining people collapsed on the ground. On their necks, there was an almost imperceptible cut. ¡°Damn! It¡¯s an ambush!¡± Whoosh! Tucker Ridge triggered the device and shouted, ¡°Kill them all!¡± The other party was prepared, and they had no options! If they could not kill all these people, Ivan Reed would definitely learn the truth! At that time, Tucker Ridge, the second son of Martin Family, and this group of employee brothers would definitely become Fabian Percival¡¯s scapegoats, handed over to Ivan Reed! Kill! That was the only thought in Tucker Ridge¡¯s mind! But at the same moment he opened the throwing weapon box, Luciano Michael had already dived into the car! The dart struck the car door, sparking a flash. ¡°A bulletproof vehicle?¡± Seeing this scene, Tucker Ridge was momentarily stunned! It was a bulletproof vehicle! ¡°Charge! Crush these bastards!¡± Luciano Michael, sitting in the car, roared with laughter and yelled. The off-road vehicle they were in was an armored bulletproof vehicle purchased by Ivan Reed for a hefty sum! Ordinary darts couldn¡¯t possibly penetrate it. Boom! As the driver slammed the accelerator, the bulletproof off-road vehicle charged crazily towards the crowd ahead! Whoosh! ¡°Ah¡­ my leg¡­¡± ¡°My hand¡­¡± The sedans parked in the way were directly flipped over by the impact! And those who were unable to dodge in time in front of the cars emitted scream after scream! A bloody mess! The unluckier ones didn¡¯t even have time to react before they were decapitated. Hum¡­ Just at that moment, the roaring sound of another car suddenly came from a different direction. The second son of Martin Family turned sharply, but his eyes were so painfully blinded that he couldn¡¯t see anything! Those were two headlights! Like the sun, they dazzled his eyes causing intense pain! Blindness! ¡°Boss, get out of the way!¡± Boom! An employee pushed the second son of Martin Family aside with force, only to be hit and sent flying by the oncoming truck! ¡°Younger Brother Three!¡± The second son of Martin Family screamed heartbreakingly, but Younger Brother Three couldn¡¯t hear him anymore. ¡°Boss, what do we do?¡± The remaining employees who had survived quickly gathered around, their faces filled with panic. Before coming here, they thought that as long as they killed Elwood Thorneycroft, they could return to report their success. But they didn¡¯t expect to fall into an ambush! ¡°No! If we keep going like this, all the brothers will die! Retreat!¡± The second son of Martin Family made a decisive call, leading his people to retreat. Now he even suspected that Elwood Thorneycroft wasn¡¯t in the vehicle at all! ¡°The clash has started on Tucker Ridge¡¯s side! Someone pointed to a spot not far ahead. Taking advantage of the light from the car headlights, they could see four men in black robes wielding short knives and relentlessly reaping the lives of Tucker Ridge¡¯s employees! ¡°Retreat! If we don¡¯t, we¡¯re all going to die!¡± The second son of Martin Family steeled his heart, seeing his brothers continuously falling into pools of blood, he clenched his teeth and turned to sprint away! At life-or-death moments, he couldn¡¯t possibly care for others! ¡°Retreat!¡± Seeing their own boss turn tail and run, the employees hurriedly followed suit. A desperate escape! ¡°The second son of Martin Family, I curse you to hell!¡± Seeing the second son of Martin Family disappearing quickly with his men, Tucker Ridge, his face covered in blood, leaned weakly against a car. His eyes revealed despair. Endless despair! ¡°So, are you still planning to point that hidden weapons box at me?¡± Tap! Tap! Tap! On the street, Luciano Michael carried a long knife, walking slowly towards Tucker Ridge with his head lowered. In front of him, there were numerous bodies strewn about. Even the six-meter-wide road had been stained red with blood. ¡°The victor becomes king, the loser the outcast! Move!¡± Tucker Ridge threw away the hidden weapons box he was holding and closed his eyes, waiting for death. His employees, almost all dead or injured! The second son of Martin Family had already escaped with his men, leaving Tucker Ridge with no chance of escape. And with his family all in Gonzalez City, if he betrayed Fabian Percival, Tucker Ridge was very clear about how terrible the outcome would be. ¡°Tell me, is it Fabian Percival who sent you?¡± Luciano Michael gently lifted Tucker Ridge¡¯s chin with the knife, a mocking expression on his face: ¡°Isn¡¯t living a good thing?¡± ¡°If you¡¯re going to kill me, do it! I was sent by Julius Reed, even if you chop me to death, I was sent by Julius Reed!¡± Tucker Ridge closed his eyes, his head tilted back. He was prepared for death. ¡°It¡¯s alright, if you cooperate with me, Fabian Percival will never know you betrayed him.¡± Luciano Michael snapped his fingers lightly: ¡°Tell our people to kill all those who have fled. Leave none alive!¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Tucker Ridge¡¯s eyes widened in shock! Hadn¡¯t the second son of Martin Family escaped? ¡°As long as you cooperate, no one will know of your betrayal.¡± Luciano Michael gently placed the knife on Tucker Ridge¡¯s throat, leaning in to whisper in his ear: ¡°In ten minutes, of those who are coming, only you will be alive.¡± Chapter 661 - Chapter 661: Chapter 661 Abandoning Darkness for Light_1 Chapter 661: Chapter 661 Abandoning Darkness for Light_1 ¡°You¡­ Did you already know?¡± At Luciano Michael¡¯s words, Tucker Ridge¡¯s heart skipped a beat! They had received information from Brown Bread and had immediately come here to ambush. How could the enemy¡¯s reinforcements have arrived so quickly? And from the way Luciano Michael spoke, it seemed as if they had been prepared all along! ¡°Sorry.¡± Just then, a man walked up behind Luciano Michael. ¡°Fabian Percival, ignorant of life and death, dared to oppose Sacha Reed. For my own protection, I¡¯ve already sided with Sacha Reed.¡± When the man raised his hat, Tucker Ridge¡¯s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets! It wasn¡¯t just anyone! It was Brown Bread, who had sent them out earlier! ¡°You traitor! Ptooey!¡± Tucker Ridge, furious, spat a mouthful of saliva onto Brown Bread¡¯s face! Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.§ã¦Ï ¡°Damn it, I knew it! The plan was so rushed, how could Ivan Reed know we were laying an ambush here? You son of a bitch!¡± He trembled with rage! If it weren¡¯t for Luciano Michael pointing a concealed weapon at his forehead, Tucker Ridge would have wished to cleave Brown Bread with a blade! With Fabian Percival¡¯s closest person turning traitor, were they still fighting a bloodbath here? Tucker Ridge felt incredibly humiliated in his heart! ¡°Have you finished cursing?¡± Brown Bread wiped the saliva off his face and suddenly threw a punch! Whoosh! ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Tucker Ridge¡¯s eyes bulged as he clutched his abdomen, curling up in agony. ¡°To deal with people like him, it¡¯s no use being nice,¡± said Brown Bread, flashing a faint smile at Luciano Michael. ¡°You go ahead¡­ this is your brother, I won¡¯t interfere¡­¡± Luciano Michael tactfully stepped aside. He truly hadn¡¯t realized that Brown Bread could be so ruthless to his own people! That punch had landed straight on Tucker Ridge¡¯s stomach! Any average person would have fainted. But Tucker Ridge was a tough guy. Having been hit like that, he still managed a pained grin and even raised his middle finger at Brown Bread. He could no longer speak aloud. ¡°Tucker Ridge.¡± Brown Bread, hands in his pockets, stood in front of Tucker Ridge, looked at his former brother and chuckled lightly, ¡°Why bother? Just admit to Sacha Reed that it was Fabian Percival who orchestrated this, and this whole matter ends today.¡± As if worried Tucker Ridge wouldn¡¯t believe him, he turned to Luciano Michael, ¡°Right, Mr. Michael?¡± ¡°Indeed!¡± Luciano Michael nodded, pointing to the corpses on the ground, ¡°Brown Bread spared you specifically; otherwise, you¡¯d be dead already. Now that these men are all dead, if you go back and help us from the inside, no one will know.¡± He walked over, whispering into Tucker Ridge¡¯s ear, ¡°Why make it hard for yourself? Once Fabian Percival falls from power, we¡¯ll support you and Brown Bread to become the bosses here.¡± ¡°Ptooey!¡± Tucker Ridge mustered his last ounce of strength, spitting a mouthful of blood-tinged saliva onto Luciano Michael¡¯s face. His face turned purplish, and his entire body was nearly collapsing. If not for the car behind him to lean on, he would have already fallen to the ground. ¡°What do we do? This guy¡¯s too stubborn!¡± Luciano Michael took out a handkerchief from his pocket and delicately wiped the saliva off his face. Then he fiercely slapped! Slap! Tucker Ridge, already in extreme pain, was directly knocked to the ground. ¡°Damn it! So ungrateful!¡± As if feeling this wasn¡¯t enough, he rushed forward and started beating Tucker Ridge with a flurry of punches and kicks! ¡°Try that second son of Martin Family!¡± Brown Bread watched expressionlessly towards the distance. ¡°Jaxston, capture the leader alive, and kill the rest on the spot!¡± Luciano Michael pulled out a walkie-talkie from his pocket and began giving commands. Jaxston was a disciplie of Marco Pendleton, with formidable combat abilities! It was said that even if he encountered Terry Moore, he could ensure his own survival. As ridiculous as it sounded, there were not many who could escape from Terry Moore¡¯s men. At least Luciano Michael couldn¡¯t. If he faced Terry Moore, he¡¯d be dead in three moves! Less than a minute had passed. A group of people approached from the distance. Leading them were four disciples of Marco Pendleton. Following behind them, the second son of the Martin Family, covered in blood, was being shoved forward. A knife wound on his calf wouldn¡¯t stop bleeding. Just as the second son of the Martin Family had plunged into the woods with his men, a group of Shadow Warriors suddenly appeared. He hadn¡¯t even had the time to react before his staff were slaughtered left and right. The second son of the Martin Family wasn¡¯t as loyal as Tucker Ridge; he had been an employee for Aron Jackson before he defected to Fabian Percival. So as long as he could stay alive, what harm was there in betraying one more time? ¡°Kneel down!¡± Jaxston pressed down on the second son of the Martin Family¡¯s shoulder, harshly reprimanding him. ¡°I¡¯ll kneel! Please don¡¯t kill me!¡± Thump! The second son of the Martin Family knelt on the ground without any hesitation. ¡°Lift your head and see who I am.¡± When he heard that voice, he instantly felt a sense of foreboding! After lifting his head, the second son of the Martin Family exclaimed in shock, ¡°Brown Bread, you¡¯ve been captured, too?¡± They had just met half an hour ago. At that time, after Brown Bread had given them the intelligence on Ivan Reed¡¯s staff, he and his men returned to the Five-lakes Clubhouse. Seeing him all of a sudden, the second son of the Martin Family thought Brown Bread had come to rescue Tucker Ridge and had also been caught. But something seemed off in the scene! Tucker Ridge lay on the ground, covered in blood, yet Brown Bread stood with his hands in his pockets, wearing a small felt hat, the picture of composure. ¡°Fabian Percival stubbornly opposes Sacha Reed!¡± Brown Bread looked at the second son of the Martin Family coldly, ¡°I¡¯ve already pledged allegiance to Sacha Reed! Considering we were brothers once, I¡¯ll give you a chance to turn over a new leaf!¡± After speaking, he pointed to Tucker Ridge, curled up on the ground, ¡°Otherwise, that will be your fate!¡± ¡°Brown Bread¡­ you betrayed Mr. Thorneycroft?¡± The second son of the Martin Family¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief¡ªit couldn¡¯t be true! Brown Bread was a trusted guard close to Fabian Percival! If such a man could turn traitor, then what was he holding on for? ¡°I surrender!¡± Without another word, the second son of the Martin Family quickly surrendered. ¡°I do like a smart man!¡± Luciano Michael nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Brown Bread, ¡°What about the one on the ground?¡± The second son of the Martin Family had surrendered, making Tucker Ridge utterly useless. Or rather, he had no value left to exploit. ¡°A man who does not know when to return to the right path does not deserve to live in this world.¡± Brown Bread walked indifferently toward Tucker Ridge and pulled out a cigarette from his pocket. ¡°For the end, have a smoke.¡± He crouched down, placed the cigarette in Tucker Ridge¡¯s mouth, and then took out a lighter, gently igniting it. ¡°Hiss!¡± With all the strength he had left, Tucker Ridge took a drag of the cigarette, and his face finally eased of pain. Then, the air became still for half a minute. Until¡­ The cigarette in Tucker Ridge¡¯s mouth was nearly finished. ¡°Rest in peace.¡± Crack! Brown Bread stepped on Tucker Ridge¡¯s neck! The sound of breaking bones reached everyone¡¯s ears. Even Luciano Michael felt a chill run up his spine. And the second son of the Martin Family, he was so frightened he almost wet his pants. ¡°Let¡¯s go, I¡¯m afraid Sacha Reed must be getting anxious by now.¡± Brown Bread turned away indifferently and, like dragging a dead dog, stuffed the second son of the Martin Family into the car. ¡°I¡¯ll let my father know first.¡± Luciano Michael took out his mobile phone, intending to inform Sacha Reed. It was also when he was leaving the house that he received the message from Brown Bread. Following Brown Bread¡¯s request to ensure the success of the plan, he did not inform Sacha Reed. Instead, he came directly here to set up the ambush. Luciano Michael had doubted Brown Bread before, but with strong hands by his side, he wasn¡¯t afraid even if the other party had tricks up his sleeve. In the face of absolute power, plots and tricks are meaningless. ¡°No need for that.¡± Brown Bread reached out to stop him and whispered quietly into Luciano Michael¡¯s ear, ¡°You have one of Fabian Percival¡¯s men amongst you.¡± Chapter 662 - Chapter 662: Chapter 662 Fabian Percivals Strategy_1 Chapter 662: Chapter 662 Fabian Percival¡¯s Strategy_1 ¡°Who!¡± Upon hearing Brown Bread¡¯s words, Luciano Michael¡¯s nerves instantly tensed! Was there a spy of Fabian Percival among them? How could this happen? After experiencing the events that had just unfolded, Luciano Michael had begun to trust Brown Bread a little. After all, not everyone could be so ruthless to their own brothers! In this battle, dozens of Fabian Percival¡¯s men had fallen! All of them were his confidants! ¡°I don¡¯t know who exactly, but Fabian Percival has been running Gonzalez City for many years and planted quite a few chess pieces before he left.¡± Brown Bread looked around quietly and whispered, ¡°I suggest you collect all of their phones. Return them only after we safely arrive at Azure Percival.¡± ¡°Agreed!¡± After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Luciano Michael decided that the plan was sound. If Fabian Percival could turn more than half of Aron Jackson¡¯s staff overnight after returning to Gonzalez City, such a tactic was nothing short of chilling. Aron Jackson had dominated Gonzalez City for nearly four years. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.§ã¦Ï During that time, he would have certainly investigated key personnel. Yet even Aron Jackson, who inspired fear with his name, nearly capsized in the gutter after three years of investigating. He almost got killed by the employee closest to him! Luciano Michael had every reason to believe the old man was capable of planting his trusted men close to Ivan Reed. ¡°Jaxston, collect everyone¡¯s phones!¡± At his command, Jaxston immediately began to carry out the order. And Brown Bread cooperated by stuffing his phone into Luciano Michael¡¯s hand. ¡°Mr. Pendleton, yours isn¡¯t necessary.¡± Luciano Michael promptly refused, ¡°Since we are in cooperation, I naturally trust you.¡± ¡°No!¡± Brown Bread threw his phone on the ground and crushed it with his foot. ¡°Since I have defected, I couldn¡¯t possibly cause you any trouble.¡± Having said that, he directly took a seat in the rear of the armored vehicle. ¡°What¡¯s this below?¡± The moment he sat down, Brown Bread felt like there was something under his feet. ¡°Real and fake!¡± Sitting in the armored jeep, Luciano Michael laughed and said, ¡°The real Elwood Thorneycroft is right underneath here! There¡¯s just another similar soft toy on top.¡± ¡°The most dangerous place is the safest.¡± Brown Bread also smiled and nodded in agreement. ¡°Do you hear that?¡± Luciano Michael turned, suddenly pulling off the blanket from Elwood Thorneycroft, ¡°Now your father is sending someone to kill you! Even so, do you still refuse to speak?¡± Although he couldn¡¯t understand why a big figure like Sacha Reed would want to kill Fabian Percival, it seemed like a piece of cake. Why go through all that trouble? But an order from his foster father was an order to be followed! Elwood Thorneycroft did not utter a word. However, his eyes revealed despair. Earlier in the vehicle, the dummy above him had been stabbed many times! If those stabs had been real, even if Elwood Thorneycroft had a hundred lives, they wouldn¡¯t be enough to escape death! ¡°Miss, I¡¯m truly sorry!¡± Brown Bread looked down at Elwood Thorneycroft with a faint smile, ¡°My mission was also to kill you.¡± When he finished saying this, Luciano Michael tensed up, his right hand firmly holding onto the box of hidden weapons. If Brown Bread made a move now, Elwood Thorneycroft would be doomed! ¡°But I have already defected to Sacha Reed, so you are safe.¡± Brown Bread spoke again, then slowly closed his eyes, leaning back on the rear seat. ¡°Phew!¡± Only then did Luciano Michael breathe a sigh of relief, instructing the driver, ¡°Get to Azure Percival as fast as you can!¡± Now, as long as he returned to report back, he would have achieved a great feat! Although there were many adopted children in Sacha Reed¡¯s workforce, not every adopted child had a good life. People like Luciano Michael and Stacy Cook were considered to be doing well. They were able to stay close to Sacha Reed year-round and receive red envelopes worth millions during the holidays. As for many adopted children who didn¡¯t do well, they were sometimes less valuable than a more formidable henchman under Sacha Reed. Recently, with Stacy Cook and Mr. Flower dying tragically, Luciano Michael¡¯s status had risen dramatically. But his opponents were not limited to the deceased Mr. Flower and Stacy Cook. There were five other more formidable figures who were always out of the capital. The vehicle sped away, with the convoy closely following behind. ¡°` They were less than twenty minutes away from returning to Azure Percival. ¡°Be careful!¡± Just then, a concrete pillar suddenly collapsed! The timing was perfect; it happened just as the bulletproof SUV was passing under the overpass! Screech! The driver violently turned the wheel! The SUV barely skirted by, passing under the concrete pillar! A sedan behind them, unable to dodge in time, was directly crushed! ¡°It¡¯s an ambush!¡± Luciano Michael pulled out his hidden weapons box, vigilantly scanning the surroundings. Traffic was obstructed, and all the cars were now trapped on the road. ¡°Head north!¡± Brown Bread pointed toward a road on the north side: ¡°That¡¯s the closest to the downtown area. Fabian Percival wouldn¡¯t dare start trouble in the city, even if he had the guts!¡± Nobody noticed, when the car dodged the concrete pillar, a chill flashed across Brown Bread¡¯s face. Everything was perfectly planned! Everything had been perfect! Why! Why did the car manage to skirt so close to the pillar and pass through the road! He looked at the driver, and a hint of murderous intent flashed between his brows! ¡°Quick! Head north!¡± Luciano Michael hadn¡¯t expected an attack under these circumstances! The driver turned the steering wheel and fiercely pressed the accelerator, charging toward the northern road. ¡°What¡¯s happening! Fabian Percival still has an assassination up his sleeve?¡± Luciano Michael felt somewhat panicked. The previous operation was within his expectations, and Marco Pendleton¡¯s four disciples were there to help. But now, with traffic blocked, the people behind couldn¡¯t catch up in time! Plus, with Brown Bread directly saying to head north, Luciano Michael panicked subconsciously. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that after collecting all the cell phones, no one would be able to send out a message?¡± Looking at a pile of phones in front of him, Luciano Michael felt completely flustered. Had the cell phones still been there, he would have been able to contact the others. Now, with everyone out of contact, they were left to fend for themselves! ¡°Because, there¡¯s a tracker on the car.¡± Brown Bread said coldly. ¡°How is that possible!¡± As he said this, Luciano Michael seemed to think of something. He suddenly turned around, only to find a hidden weapons box aimed right at his forehead. ¡°Because, I was the one who stuck the tracker on, right on the trunk of the car.¡± Brown Bread¡¯s lips curled into a smile: ¡°Sorry, it was necessary.¡± ¡°Where did you get that hidden weapons box!¡± Luciano Michael¡¯s scalp tingled with numbness! ¡°I picked it up when I was lighting Tucker Ridge on fire,¡± said Brown Bread indifferently. ¡°You¡­¡± Luciano Michael then remembered that Tucker Ridge¡¯s hidden weapons box indeed wasn¡¯t on the ground! It turned out Brown Bread had taken the opportunity to pick it up! He almost kicked himself in regret. ¡°Why did you do this?¡± ¡°Only by doing this could I gain your trust. Otherwise, our people couldn¡¯t have taken out Elwood Thorneycroft!¡± Brown Bread said, looking at Elwood Thorneycroft, who lay at his feet, pale-faced, with a faint smile. ¡°I really have to thank you. If you had informed Ivan Reed earlier, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to make a move today.¡± This was a risky move by Fabian Percival! To sacrifice the second son of the Martin Family and Tucker Ridge in exchange for Brown Bread¡¯s deceit in gaining Luciano Michael¡¯s trust! Then, seizing the chance to wipe everyone out! ¡°You¡¯re despicable!¡± Luciano Michael closed his eyes, giving up resistance. ¡°Driver, take the car to the grasslands outside the city.¡± Brown Bread said emotionlessly. ¡°I don¡¯t like being ordered around.¡± The driver spoke flatly. Despite the threat of the hidden weapons box, his voice was extremely calm. ¡°Julius Reed!¡± Upon hearing this voice, Brown Bread¡¯s mouth dropped open! ¡°` Chapter 663 - Chapter 663: Chapter 663: Five Yuan Street Stall Goods_1 Chapter 663: Chapter 663: Five Yuan Street Stall Goods_1 From the beginning, Brown Bread felt there was something off about the driver in the car. Not to mention the fact that the driver¡¯s skills were incredibly good, to the point of being able to dodge the traps they had set in advance. Latterly, when he aimed the hidden-weapon box at Luciano Michael, the driver didn¡¯t show a hint of panic. Even his hands on the steering wheel didn¡¯t so much as tremble. It made no sense at all. Normally, when someone is hijacked, they¡¯re bound to be panicky. But this driver was calm throughout the whole ordeal, seemingly unworried. Brown Bread had no previous contact with Julius Reed, but based on this composed voice and timing of his appearance. He made a bold guess! The incident, after all, involved three parties. Fabian Percival, Ivan Reed, and Julius Reed. Now he and Luciano Michael were in the car. A random person appeared in the driver¡¯s seat. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.?¦Ï Even if this person wasn¡¯t Julius Reed, he must be someone sent by him! ¡°You¡¯re very smart.¡± Julius Reed continued to drive calmly, not at all affected emotionally by the threat of the hidden-weapon box. ¡°Stop the car right now!¡± Brown Bread snatched the hidden-weapon box from Luciano Michael¡¯s hand, aiming both at the two men. Although he hadn¡¯t had any contact with Julius Reed, the repeated failures of Fabian Percival at the hands of this young man made Brown Bread dare not underestimate him! Today¡¯s events involved the survival of Fabian Percival in Gonzalez City. Even if it cost him his life, Brown Bread could not allow Ivan Reed to find a chance to strike at Fabian Percival! The worst plan was to die together! ¡°I really don¡¯t like being threatened at all.¡± Julius Reed kept driving on his own. But the direction seemed not toward the grassland area. ¡°If you don¡¯t stop, I will kill you immediately!¡± Brown Bread was already getting a bit panicked. For no other reason than, The composure of the man before him made him feel like he was playing games with a fierce beast. A slip could mean no trace of him would be left. ¡°Maybe you should try opening the hidden-weapon box,¡± Click! Julius Reed moved his right hand away from the steering wheel and casually pulled a poison egg out of his pocket. He lightly pressed his thumb down on it. ¡°You¡­¡± All three inside the car inhaled sharply! Even Elwood Thorneycroft, who couldn¡¯t speak, widened his eyes in surprise. ¡°You¡­ keep it under control!¡± Perspiration streamed down Luciano Michael¡¯s forehead. Now, he was being pointed at by a hidden-weapon box while a poison egg was nearby. Nine lives wouldn¡¯t be enough to save him! He had thought that coming to Gonzalez City would let him shine by Ivan Reed¡¯s side and be more valued by his godfather upon returning. But now it seemed that Gonzalez City was downright the gates to hell! ¡°You don¡¯t want to live anymore?¡± After a momentary daze, Brown Bread gradually calmed down. ¡°Of course I want to live.¡± Julius Reed drove with one hand, the destination unknown to anyone. ¡°If the poison egg explodes, none of the four of us will live!¡± Brown Bread said coldly, but his hand holding the hidden-weapon box was already shaking slightly. Perhaps there really are people in this world who aren¡¯t afraid to die. But Brown Bread wasn¡¯t one of them. Though he had skirted the edge of life and death numerous times, what had allowed him to survive was a strong will to live! When one could live, who would choose death? ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m definitely going to make it out alive,¡± Julius Reed spoke slowly, his back to Brown Bread, ¡°But as for you, I can¡¯t make any promises.¡± ¡°Then we¡¯ll die together!¡± Cold sweat formed a halo on Brown Bread¡¯s forehead. No wonder Fabian Percival fell into Julius Reed¡¯s hands, this guy just didn¡¯t play by the rules! ¡°If I kill you today, Mr. Thorneycroft¡¯s biggest threat in Gonzalez City will be eliminated! My worthless life for the life of the overlord of Gonzalez City, it¡¯s worth it!¡± As he spoke these words, his jaw clenched, readying himself for the worst! ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ Let¡¯s talk this over nicely!¡± As soon as Luciano Michael heard Brown Bread¡¯s voice, he knew something terrible was about to happen! This was the rhythm of mutual destruction! After all, Brown Bread was just a bodyguard. Whereas Elwood Thorneycroft was Fabian Percival¡¯s daughter, Julius Reed was the hidden mastermind behind Gonzalez City, and he himself was Ivan Reed¡¯s much-favored adopted son. Among the four, Brown Bread¡¯s life was the least valuable! If it really came down to mutual destruction, then Brown Bread was making a profit! ¡°I would like to stay calm, but with someone holding a poison egg in their hand, I can¡¯t calm down!¡± Brown Bread took a deep breath, his face turning even redder. Having followed Fabian Percival through thick and thin over the years, Brown Bread had weathered many storms. This complex history had made him an exceptionally steady person. It was because of this steadiness that Fabian Percival made him his personal guard! But now, faced with Julius Reed, all Brown Bread felt was suppression! A near-crazed sense of oppression loomed over, overwhelming everything! His opponent¡¯s composure, the casualness, in such a tense atmosphere, seemed utterly out of place. It paralleled the calm Zhuge Liang had shown during the Empty Fort Strategy. The SUV fell into a silence. A full three minutes. Apart from the sound of the vehicle moving, there was no other noise. Those three minutes felt as long as a century. Luciano Michael was soaked through, his lips had turned pale. Brown Bread was hardly faring any better, his sanity was on the verge of collapse! No one knew where Julius Reed was driving them. ¡°Stop the car!¡± He hoarsely roared, his hands beginning to tremble! ¡°If you don¡¯t stop the car, we¡¯ll all go down together.¡± ¡°Quick¡­ just stop the car, we can talk this out!¡± Luciano Michael also started to persuade Julius Reed. Now he regretted it to the guts. After getting into the car, how did he not notice that the driver had been replaced? Though he had never seen Julius Reed in person, before coming to Gonzalez City, he had still heard quite a few rumors about Julius Reed. They said this young man was wildly unreasonable, with a background shrouded in mystery. Now, seeing him in person, Luciano Michael realized, those adjectives were insufficient to describe the terror of this man! At the age of twenty, he possessed the mindset of a forty or fifty-year-old! ¡°Then you open the secret weapon box.¡± Facing the threat, Julius Reed was unperturbed, even casually lifting his finger a bit. In that instant! The people in the car broke out in cold sweat! This was a pressure-triggered poison egg, just lifting it up would cause it to explode! ¡°Then let¡¯s die together!¡± Brown Bread could no longer withstand the pressure that seemed bent on crushing him! He would rather perish together with Julius Reed! But at that moment, Julius Reed suddenly tossed the poison egg over! Brown Bread almost instinctively reached out to catch it. A completely innate human reaction. ¡°Sorry, the poison egg is fake.¡± The instant he caught the poison egg, Julius Reed slammed on the brakes. Using inertia, he snatched the secret weapon box directly from Brown Bread¡¯s hands. ¡°Now, do you have anything else to say?¡± Julius Reed held the secret weapon box with both hands, sitting in the passenger seat, pointing at Luciano Michael and Brown Bread. ¡°You played me¡­¡± Brown Bread¡¯s mouth twitched uncontrollably, his hand holding the plastic poison egg trembling. ¡°You could at least make a metal one¡­ this plastic one¡­¡± He was full of hate! A plastic poison egg, and he had not recognized it! Blame his own nervousness, not paying attention to the poison egg at all! Who would have thought, the most untouchable character in Gonzalez City, would scare people with a plastic poison egg? ¡°It¡¯s cheap, cost-effective,¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders and said indifferently, ¡°Bought it on the side of the road on the way here, five bucks. Who¡¯s going to reimburse me for that?¡± ¡°Me!¡± Luciano Michael carefully opened his clothes to show he had no hidden blades, then cautiously pulled out a card. ¡°Brother Reed, I¡¯ve long admired your reputation. There are ten million in here, can I buy my life with that?¡± He shakily handed over the card, a painfully forced smile on his face. Chapter 664 - Chapter 664: Chapter 664 Lets Play a Game_1 Chapter 664: Chapter 664 Let¡¯s Play a Game_1 Although he couldn¡¯t be sure that the person before him was Julius Reed, treating him with the sincerity due to Julius Reed couldn¡¯t be wrong. Luciano Michael had followed Ivan Reed closely for years and was much more experienced in handling these matters than Brown Bread. ¡°This is all I have with me, but if it¡¯s not enough, I can ask my adoptive father to bring more money for my ransom,¡± he said as he respectfully extended the card forward. ¡°This card has no password. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can arrange for someone to check it now.¡± When you¡¯re always by the river, how can your shoes not get wet? Luciano Michael had long prepared such a password-less bank card, thinking it might save his life in times of danger. After all, if a person really dies, money becomes mere waste paper. ¡°I didn¡¯t say I wanted money.¡± Julius Reed glanced at the bank card in Luciano Michael¡¯s hand and pushed open the car door, ¡°Get out and let¡¯s talk.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Without a word, Luciano Michael gripped the card in his right hand and quickly stepped out of the car. Meanwhile, Brown Bread sat in the car with a sullen face, and no one knew what he was thinking. Whoosh! Upon seeing Brown Bread¡¯s move, Julius Reed raised his hand and threw a dart box. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï??¦Ï.§ã¦Ï The dart flew unerringly, grazing past Brown Bread¡¯s temple and striking the bulletproof jeep¡¯s rear door glass. ¡°Get out.¡± Julius Reed gently blew away the blue smoke from the mouth of the dart box with a mocking expression on his face. ¡°Whew!¡± Brown Bread took a deep breath, his fists clenched tightly together. Half a minute later, he chose to get out of the car. The dart box had left a bloodstain on the right side of his head. If the dart had been off by half a centimeter, Brown Bread would now be a dead man. ¡°Brother Reed, let¡¯s make money in peace!¡± At this moment, Luciano Michael kept showing weakness, fully exposing his fear of death. In fact, this was indeed the best way to ensure his own survival. ¡°Ivan Reed?¡± Julius Reed looked at Luciano Michael. ¡°Yes!¡± Luciano Michael nodded. ¡°Fabian Percival?¡± ¡°Humph!¡± Brown Bread snorted coldly, his face full of murderous intent. If given another chance, he would kill Julius Reed without hesitation! This man was too powerful! He would surely become Fabian Percival¡¯s greatest threat in the future! But what a pity! He was actually undone by a plastic poison egg¡­ Thinking this, Brown Bread clenched his fists even tighter! ¡°Both of your factions want me dead.¡± Julius Reed held the dart box in his hand, looking at the two men before him. ¡°What should I do?¡± ¡°Mr. Reed, this is all a misunderstanding!¡± Luciano Michael¡¯s heart tightened as he hastily explained, ¡°Sacha Reed bears no grudge against you, he just wants to find out who killed Stacy Cook.¡± ¡°Stacy Cook was killed by Elwood Thorneycroft and his men,¡± Julius Reed said coldly. ¡°You¡¯re slandering me!¡± Brown Bread chuckled coldly while looking at Julius Reed. ¡°It was clearly you who plotted against the Cook Family, leading to Stacy Cook¡¯s murder! If Ivan Reed really investigates, you can¡¯t escape death!¡± By saying this, he essentially confirmed the motive for Julius Reed to have killed someone. As long as Luciano Michael was alive, Ivan Reed would surely come to know of this. This was indirectly forcing Julius Reed to kill Luciano Michael to silence him! ¡°Stop slandering me!¡± Luciano Michael was shocked, his years of experience in the underworld allowing him to understand Brown Bread¡¯s intentions well. ¡°Brother Reed, this is all Fabian Percival¡¯s strategy to sow discord! He¡¯s trying to incite killings between us to profit from our conflict!¡± he said, his eyes fixed on Julius Reed. After speaking, he kept his gaze on Julius Reed. He wanted to be sure whether this unpredictable young man intended to spare him. He hated Brown Bread from the bottom of his heart! Even if he swore to the heavens that he would not spread rumors, he feared Julius Reed would not spare him. After all, only a dead man can keep a secret. But Luciano Michael was also deeply shocked! Julius Reed was involved with the annihilation of the Cook Family? If this were true, Ivan Reed would surely send a Shadow Warrior after him! That piece of information was thus extremely valuable. Opportunity! This was Luciano Michael¡¯s greatest opportunity since arriving in Gonzalez City! As long as he could pry open Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s mouth with this, he would become Ivana Reed¡¯s most favored and trusted adopted son! ¡°That¡¯s how it is.¡± Brown Bread laughed loudly, ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m certain to die today, might as well speak my mind!¡± Today, Luciano Michael was destined to die! Ivan Reed came to Gonzalez City to investigate the cause of Stacy Cook¡¯s death simply because an adopted son had been killed, and he couldn¡¯t save face. If he were to lose another adopted son, the old man would be utterly disgraced! By then, Julius Reed would definitely be dug out by Ivan Reed! No matter how vast your Divine Skills, could you escape Ivan Reed¡¯s Five Finger Mountain? ¡°You two are making this very difficult for me!¡± Julius Reed, holding a dark weapon box in both hands, emotionlessly pointed at the two men, ¡°Luciano Michael, do you believe what he¡¯s said?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t!¡± Luciano Michael shook his head like a rattle-drum. He wasn¡¯t stupid. To say he believed it now would be like waiting to be hit by a dark weapon box. ¡°He believed it. And when he goes back, he will immediately tell Ivan Reed,¡± Brown Bread glanced at Luciano Michael, a smile creeping at the corner of his mouth. Since he was already unable to survive, he might as well drag someone down with him. ¡°Let¡¯s do this, then, let¡¯s play a game.¡± Julius Reed said with difficulty, ¡°Today, I only intend to kill one of you two. As for who gets to live, that¡¯s up to your abilities.¡± The location they were at was an abandoned dock. It was about ten or so kilometers away from the grassy field. Even if Fabian Percival¡¯s men were to track them down using the locator, it would take some time. Gonzalez City was surrounded by the sea on three sides, with a dozen or so docks, large and small. As for the abandoned ones, there were even more. The dock was five meters high, with the deep sea lying beneath. ¡°I¡¯m giving you these two dark weapon boxes; whoever survives will have to rely on their skills.¡± Julius Reed stepped back, standing at the edge of the dock. His hands tightly gripped the dark weapon boxes, slowly bending down, ready to throw them. With his words, both men¡¯s attention was wholly fixed on the dark weapon boxes. Whoever could get their hands on the dark weapon box first would have a chance to survive. ¡°Hiss!¡± Both men took in a deep breath, getting ready to fight for the dark weapon boxes. ¡°One!¡± ¡°Two!¡± When he counted to two, both men¡¯s nerves were already taut! All their attention was on the dark weapon boxes in Julius Reed¡¯s hands. For a moment, the world seemed to stand still! Dark weapon boxes! Dark weapon boxes! Dark weapon boxes! They only saw the dark weapon boxes in their eyes! The desire to survive completely erupted at this moment! ¡°Three!¡± Swish! Julius Reed thrust his hands forward, throwing the dark weapon boxes! Almost simultaneously, Luciano Michael leapt into the air, punching Brown Bread hard in the back! Whoosh! Brown Bread, losing his balance, fell to the ground, his face showing despair. Luciano Michael¡¯s martial art skills were not stronger than Brown Bread¡¯s. It was just that the time Brown Bread had been threatened by Julius Reed with a fake poison egg in the car had drained all his energy. As a result, his bodily functions were now in full decline! Otherwise, how could Luciano Michael have knocked him down with one punch? ¡°I got it!¡± The moment he grabbed the dark weapon box, Luciano Michael laughed wildly, pointing the mouth of the box directly at Julius Reed, ¡°Sorry, your intelligence could bring me a great future!¡± After speaking, he quickly activated the mechanism! All he needed to do to leave alive was to kill Julius Reed. With Brown Bread down and without a dark weapon box, Luciano Michael was confident he could eliminate both men within a second! Then, he would become the only survivor! ¡°Do you really think you¡¯re the one in control of this game? Go to hell!¡± Click! But the next moment! The smile on his face suddenly froze! There were no darts in the dark weapon box! It was the sound of an empty chamber! Chapter 665 - Chapter 665: Chapter 665 The Law of True Fragrance_1 Chapter 665: Chapter 665 The Law of True Fragrance_1 ¡°You played me!¡± Luciano Michael¡¯s face turned instantaneously pale! There were no darts inside the box of hidden weapons! ¡°Now, I know who can survive.¡± Julius Reed pointed at the box of hidden weapons on the ground, ¡°Inside here, there are indeed darts!¡± As soon as his voice fell, Brown Bread, who lay on the ground waiting for death, suddenly sprang up! In almost an instant, Brown Bread had the box in his grasp! Without any excess words, he raised the mouth of the box and aimed at Luciano Michael. Pulled the mechanism! Whiz! The box of hidden weapons sounded. Luciano Michael¡¯s eyes widened. In the center of his forehead, a huge blood hole appeared. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï???.§ã? Thump! Until the moment he fell to the ground, he had never imagined that this would be the end. In death, Luciano Michael¡¯s eyes remained open. ¡°Now, it¡¯s our turn to settle scores.¡± Brown Bread, cold and indifferent, kicked Luciano Michael¡¯s corpse on the ground and aimed the box of hidden weapons at Julius Reed. ¡°Do you have it wrong?¡± Julius Reed folded his arms, looking at Brown Bread with a teasing gaze, ¡°I am the one who makes the rules of the game. And you, you¡¯re just a player.¡± ¡°With this box of hidden weapons in hand, I am the master!¡± As he said this phrase, Brown Bread¡¯s right hand was already trembling slightly. All his anger, unwillingness! And repression. In that moment, all of it burst forth! ¡°Kneel down!¡± When a person has been repressed for too long, and they regain control of the situation, their emotions become uncontrollable. Brown Bread was no longer the poised and cold-blooded Shadow Warrior. He had become a killer with somewhat lost control over his mind! ¡°Kneel down?¡± Julius Reed raised his eyebrows, disdainfully saying, ¡°By your hand alone?¡± ¡°By the box of hidden weapons in my hand!¡± Brown Bread¡¯s mouth twitched uncontrollably, he slowly lowered the mouth of the box towards Julius Reed¡¯s kneecap, and hissed, ¡°If you won¡¯t kneel, I¡¯ll help you!¡± When there was a chance to make the demons who made the bosses of Gonzalez City tremble kneel at his feet. That sense of achievement was unimaginable! Brown Bread needed such a sense of achievement! ¡°I admire your courage.¡± Julius Reed walked slowly towards Brown Bread with a smile, ¡°But you do not have the strength.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t come closer!¡± Brown Bread¡¯s face was ferocious, and his features twisted painfully together! With every step Julius Reed took, it was like a knife stabbing into his heart! ¡°Don¡¯t push me!¡± ¡°Ahh¡­¡± ¡°Click!¡± ¡°Click! Click!¡± When Brown Bread was nearly at the brink of mental collapse, frantically pulling the trigger. The voice of Luciano Michael before his death echoed in his ears. Inside, there were no darts left. ¡°How could this be!¡± Brown Bread¡¯s eyes widened as he felt a chill rush straight to the crown of his head! Making his scalp tingle! ¡°I told you, I am the one who sets the rules of the game,¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, approaching Brown Bread and whispering in his ear, ¡°And you, you¡¯re nothing but a test player.¡± Crack! Before Brown Bread could speak again, Julius Reed directly broke his neck. The dock at night. Became silent once more. Julius Reed picked up the box of hidden weapons from the ground and strode to the backseat of the jeep. Elwood Thorneycroft was staring with wide eyes, looking at him. In his eyes, there was despair. Helplessness. And sorrow. ¡°Kill me.¡± She uttered these three words with almost the last of her strength. Ignoring Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s desire for death, Julius Reed slowly took out a dart from his pocket, loaded it into the box, and handed the box of hidden weapons to Elwood Thorneycroft. ¡°What do you mean?¡± The originally resigned Elwood Thorneycroft flashed a look of surprise in her eyes. ¡°You want to kill me, don¡¯t you? Now I¡¯m giving you a chance.¡± Julius Reed passed the box of hidden weapons into her hands and took a step back to stand on the dock: ¡°Fabian Percival¡¯s men will be here in fifteen minutes. Kill me, or, help me.¡± ¡°You think I don¡¯t dare open this box of hidden weapons?¡± Elwood Thorneycroft, using the last bit of her strength, shakily picked up the box and aimed it at Julius Reed. ¡°Kill me, and maybe Fabian Percival will reevaluate your worth.¡± Julius Reed looked nonchalant, even a bit impatiently urging, ¡°Go ahead!¡± ¡°Julius Reed¡­ you¡¯re too confident!¡± A hint of cold indifference flashed in Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s eyes, accompanied by pain. ¡°You nearly had me thrown in jail, for that alone, I could kill you! Cough¡­¡± She caught her breath, her face etched with agony. Luciano Michael had been too heavy-handed earlier, and now several of Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s bones were broken inside her body. ¡°Open the hidden weapon box!¡± Julius Reed urged again. ¡°Hiss!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft took a deep breath, her eyes fixated on Julius Reed. Finally. She pulled the trigger! Whoosh! ¡°Wuu¡­¡± In the instant the hidden weapon box activated. Elwood Thorneycroft tossed aside the box and collapsed on the back seat, crying loudly. All of her emotions poured out at that moment. She had aimed the hidden weapon box not at Julius Reed, but at the sky. She had thought she harbored a deep-seated hatred for Julius Reed, and that it would be easy to shoot him with the weapon box. But the moment she remembered what Brown Bread had said today, and the thought of Fabian Percival soon arriving, Elwood Thorneycroft wished she could have kept the hidden weapon box for herself! Her own foster father had sent someone to kill her! And she, enduring endless torture at the hands of Ivan Reed, kept her mouth shut tight, not uttering a word. Loyalty was repaid with betrayal! It was adding insult to injury! It was righteousness destroying kin! Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s crumbling emotions erupted like a volcano. She had never felt so helpless before. In Gonzalez City, in a foreign land, in a place she had come to for the first time. Betrayed by the person closest to her! And just then, the car began to move slowly. ¡°Where are you taking me!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft suddenly lifted her head, only to experience a burst of sharp pain in her chest from the abrupt movement. Without her knowledge, Julius Reed had already taken the driver¡¯s seat. He calmly drove the bulletproof armored vehicle away from the abandoned dock. ¡°To sell you to a brothel, of course.¡± Julius Reed turned on the car radio and began to hum a tune, ¡°You¡¯re quite attractive, I reckon you¡¯ll fetch a good price.¡± ¡°Kill me¡­ just kill me!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft howled in the back, her voice filled with heartrending anguish. If she really were sold to that kind of place, she¡¯d rather be dead! Now she was full of regret! Why hadn¡¯t she just killed Julius Reed with the hidden weapon box earlier! This son of a bitch nearly had her locked up in jail; there was no way he intended to let her live a proper life! ¡°Julius Reed, if you¡¯re a man, give me a quick death!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft clenched her fists tightly, looking for a chance to take Julius Reed down with her. But now she was completely drained, like a lamb to the slaughter! And the butcher was sitting at the wheel, driving her to the slaughterhouse. Despair, helplessness. If she had another chance, Elwood Thorneycroft would never come to Gonzalez City! She would have stayed in America. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll find you a nice place, where you can just lie down.¡± Julius Reed sang more cheerfully as the car sped up. ¡°Lie down?¡± Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s face turned red with fury, wishing she could slice Julius Reed into a thousand pieces! She¡¯d rather die in agony, bleed out to death in this car! She wouldn¡¯t lie down in that kind of place for a minute! Never will she yield! Half an hour later. The car came to a gentle stop. ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll take you to lie down.¡± After parking the car, Julius Reed got out of the driver¡¯s seat and yanked open the back door. ¡°Even if it kills me, I won¡¯t go down!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft weakly clung to the seat, making a last-ditch effort! ¡°With your injuries, if you don¡¯t go lie down in a hospital, what was the point of rescuing you?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s brows were tightly knit. ¡°Hospital?¡± Elwood Thorneycroft was stunned. It wasn¡¯t that kind of place? ¡°Then wait for death!¡± Julius Reed turned to close the car door. ¡°Wait!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft gathered her last bit of strength and, with all her courage, said with blushing cheeks, ¡°I¡¯ll go¡­¡± Indeed, no one can escape the law of ¡°real delight.¡± Chapter 666 - Chapter 666: Chapter 666 Apple Peel_1 Chapter 666: Chapter 666 Apple Peel_1 ¡°How¡¯s the injury?¡± ¡°Four ribs broken, extensive bruising all over the body. Had it been someone else, they probably would have died by now.¡± ¡°Cooperative?¡± ¡°Very cooperative. We hardly had to exert any effort to complete the surgery.¡± ¡°Thank you for your hard work.¡± ¡°Who did this to her? Such a nice girl, beaten to such a state!¡± ¡°If you ask any more questions, you¡¯ll end up just like the girl in there.¡± ¡°Goodbye.¡± ¡°Take care, not seeing you out.¡± After sending the doctor away, Julius Reed pushed open the wooden door to the room. Elwood Thorneycroft was lying on a bed, his body wrapped in white bandages. There were three IV drips hanging over the bed, administering fluids. ¡°Thank you.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã? Seeing Julius Reed walk in, the expression on Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s face was extremely complex. The one who saved him turned out to be his sworn enemy, the person he wanted to kill every day! And the one who wanted to kill him turned out to be his own foster father! Even willing to sacrifice the lives of corporate brothers as a price, he lured Luciano Michael into the trap just to take his life! ¡°Ivan Reed capturing you could not possibly be about Stacy Cook¡¯s death.¡± Julius Reed sat at the head of Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s bed, picked up an apple from the fruit plate, and skillfully peeled it with a fruit knife. That exquisite knife skill surprised Elwood Thorneycroft. In almost three seconds, an apple was peeled. And the width of the apple peel was exactly the same! Just when Elwood Thorneycroft thought this apple was going to be for him next. Crunch! Julius Reed took a bite and said to himself, ¡°Really sweet!¡± Having been imprisoned for almost a day, and subjected to numerous beatings, Elwood Thorneycroft was physically and mentally exhausted. For nearly 24 hours, he had not had a drop of water or a bite of food. Hearing Julius Reed munching on the apple, he couldn¡¯t help swallowing saliva. Things that he never considered particularly appealing before seemed incredibly precious at this moment. ¡°Want some?¡± Julius Reed ate an apple in just two bites, then grabbed a second one. Before Elwood Thorneycroft could nod, the second apple was already peeled. If there were an apple peeling competition, Julius Reed would definitely win the championship! The global championship, that is. After stuffing the apple into Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s mouth, Julius Reed continued to speak undisturbed, ¡°Stacy Cook came to Gonzalez City on a mission. If Ivan Reed wanted to avenge his adopted son, he could have just killed you; there was no need for such complications.¡± When he finished speaking, Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s mouth moved slightly. In the end, he remained silent. ¡°I think Ivan Reed captured you because he wanted to extract some useful information or get something important.¡± ¡°As to what it is, I am not sure.¡± ¡°But I will tell you, that thing is also very important to me.¡± Julius Reed stood up, and again expertly peeled an apple. He placed it on the fruit plate and was about to leave. ¡°Wait¡­¡± In the instant he turned around, Elwood Thorneycroft suddenly spoke. At this moment, Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s face was filled with conflict, struggle, and pain. ¡°In my hair, there is a hairpin¡­¡± After he said this, Julius Reed immediately went over and pulled out the hairpin from Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s hair. ¡°As expected¡­¡± At the sight of the hairpin, a seriousness never before seen flickered in his eyes! His hand holding the hairpin also began to tremble. ¡°Are you¡­ okay?¡± Noticing Julius Reed¡¯s unusual behavior, Elwood Thorneycroft asked in a low voice. ¡°Where did you get this?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes were fixed on the hairpin, and the ring on his finger also began to faintly flicker with red light. ¡°That day when I fought with Stacy Cook, she used this weapon. I found this hairpin extremely peculiar, so I took it straight off and stuck it in my hair,¡± he said. ¡°I had planned to find an expert for a thorough appraisal after settling the business in Gonzalez City, but I didn¡¯t expect¡­¡± At this point, Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s voice gradually faded away. ¡°Thank you.¡± Julius Reed pocketed the hairpin and also picked up the fruit knife from the fruit plate. Immediately after, the knife stretched towards Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s neck. A murder to silence a witness? A shiver ran down Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s spine. Just when she was bracing for death, she realized there wasn¡¯t any sensation at her neck. ¡°The apple wasn¡¯t peeled cleanly, it¡¯s unhygienic.¡± Clang! Julius Reed tossed the fruit knife back onto the fruit plate. He strode away. It took Elwood Thorneycroft a full three minutes to recover her senses. She turned her head to look. On the fruit knife, there really was a small piece of apple peel. ¡­ ¡°Cold Nelson, I think I have an idea of who was involved in the rebellion,¡± Julius Reed said after leaving the ward and arriving at the entrance of the private hospital, taking out his phone to call Cold Nelson. All this while, Cold Nelson had been keeping an eye on the Skyfire and Ridge Family members in Five-river Province. He was also using the internal pressure within the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance to try to limit the rebels¡¯ activities. ¡°Master, I have not done well; that woman has left the city of Five-river Province and may have infiltrated Gonzalez City,¡± Cold Nelson¡¯s voice came through the phone, laden with self-reproach. ¡°There¡¯s no need for you to blame yourself. Since they wanted to assassinate me, they must have made thorough preparations,¡± Julius Reed was not worried about the traitors coming for him. By then, he had regained most of his power. Even if the strongest among the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance came for him, he was confident he could save himself. As for the others, Julius Reed could eliminate them without effort. ¡°Master, in three months, it will be four years since you left the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. At that time, these people plan to select a new leader,¡± Cold Nelson¡¯s voice was chillingly cold. ¡°In three months, I will indeed return to the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance,¡± Julius Reed¡¯s voice was exceptionally cold. ¡°But first, I must kill all the traitors from back then!¡± ¡°Please give your orders, Master!¡± Cold Nelson¡¯s voice was incredibly devout. ¡°Check Isabella Warm for me. Find out where she has been recently. Employees, who else has she associated with!¡± Julius Reed said, recalling the hairpin as he mentioned the name. ¡°Isabella Warm? You suspect her?¡± Cold Nelson was extremely shocked! Isabella Warm was one of the four maidservants close to the leader of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. Though she had no power of her own within the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, she was one of the closest people to the leader! ¡°It¡¯s only a suspicion, don¡¯t alert them,¡± Julius Reed inhaled deeply and slowly said, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s not her. But right now, I can¡¯t trust anyone.¡± ¡°Understood! I¡¯ll start looking immediately!¡± Cold Nelson executed orders without compromise! ¡°Also, check for me if Ivan Reed from the capital city had any contact with the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. Once you find out, let me know immediately!¡± After saying this, Julius Reed hung up the phone and headed straight for the armored bulletproof car. Ten minutes later. He appeared at the Bronze Sparrow Terrace. ¡°Boss, do you need anything?¡± Aron Jackson saw Julius Reed enter on the monitor and hurried out of his office to greet him. ¡°Take this to Ivan Reed for me,¡± Julius Reed said, taking a USB flash drive from his pocket, and advised, ¡°Make it subtle and careful, make sure Ivan Reed doesn¡¯t find out it¡¯s from us!¡± ¡°Boss, what¡¯s your plan for Ivan Reed?¡± Aron Jackson gestured, and an employee immediately came over to take the USB drive. ¡°I want to use Ivan Reed¡¯s hand to wipe out Fabian Percival!¡± Julius Reed said with a faint smile, hands in his pockets, ¡°I want to see if the people behind them can stay seated when these two forces clash!¡± Chapter 667 - Chapter 667: Chapter 667: The Toxic USB Drive_1 Chapter 667: Chapter 667: The Toxic USB Drive_1 The day the ironclad appeared, Julius Reed knew there was collusion between Fabian Percival and the people of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. He just didn¡¯t know who this person was. Afterward. Various signs indicated that Stacy Cook had come to Gonzalez City to carry out a mission. The hairpin in his hand was enough to prove this! Julius had seen the hairpin before. He had seen it on his personal maid, Isabella Warm. Each of the four maids had their preferences, and Isabella Warm had a unique love for jewelry. Every time he obtained precious jewelry, Julius would reward it to Isabella Warm. But he didn¡¯t know how Isabella Warm had come by this particular hairpin. Yet, seven days after Julius had seen the hairpin, the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance encountered a formidable enemy! And when Julius was at the pinnacle of the snowy mountain for the decisive battle, he was confronted with employee betrayal! He could not help but suspect that Isabella Warm had a hand in it. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.?¦Ï At least, there were very few who could poison him without his guard up. And the fact that Ivan Reed possessed this hairpin was curious in itself. But now that Stacy Cook was dead, he had no way of uncovering the truth. Therefore, the only option was to let these two powers clash against each other to see how the person behind the scenes would react. ¡°To take down Fabian Percival, I can do it.¡± Aron Jackson let out a sigh, ¡°Boss, do you no longer trust me?¡± Having gone through Dominating Tiger¡¯s betrayal, Aron Jackson always felt that he had let Julius Reed down. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Julius patted his shoulder, ¡°I would never send a brother into danger. Just hold down the fort in Gonzalez City for me, you¡¯ll be busy when the time comes!¡± Having said that, he walked past and left the Bronze Sparrow Platform. If he didn¡¯t return home soon, his wife would start to worry. ¡°Honey, what¡¯s for dinner tonight?¡± Before getting into the car, he sent a message. Five seconds later. ¡°Stir-fried leeks with eggs.¡± Looking at the name of the dish, Julius Reed vaguely felt that something wasn¡¯t right. But he couldn¡¯t quite put his finger on it. ¡­ ¡°Trash! A bunch of trash!¡± Crack! Ivan Reed smashed the crystal dining table in front of him, worth tens of thousands! ¡°Master, we have been investigating but found no news!¡± Several bodyguards kneeled in front of Ivan Reed, speaking fearfully. The floor was covered with shattered glass. In just ten minutes, Ivan Reed had almost demolished the room! ¡°Master, Jaxston wants to see you.¡± At that moment, the door to the Azure Percival Emperor¡¯s Hall was slowly pushed open. ¡°Let him come in!¡± Ivan Reed kicked the bodyguard in front of him, sending him sprawling, then sat down on the sofa. ¡°Master!¡± Jaxston, covered in wounds, approached and knelt down lightly in front of Ivan Reed. ¡°What happened!¡± Ivan tried to restrain himself, but still couldn¡¯t help lashing out. ¡°While leaving, young master Luciano Michael made contact with Fabian Percival¡¯s employee Brown Bread. We took out over fifty people lying in ambush for Fabian Percival on the highway.¡± As Jaxston spoke, he took a deep breath: ¡°Later, Brown Bread suggested that the young master collect all the cellphones. On our way back, we were blocked by cement pillars on the road and couldn¡¯t contact anyone.¡± ¡°Fools! Where are the people!¡± Ivan Reed clenched the Buddha Beads in his hands tightly, his face full of rage. Compared to his previous calm and collected demeanor, he seemed like a completely different person! ¡°We were ambushed on the road by a team of people! After a bloody battle with my three brothers, I barely managed to escape.¡± As he said this, Jaxston tore open his clothes! His body was covered with wounds! ¡°Luciano Michael!¡± Ivan Reed closed his eyes, took a deep breath, ¡°Luciano, why are you so foolish! It was clear that Fabian Percival was setting a trap for you!¡± By the end, he was grinding his teeth! ¡°We need evidence.¡± Marco Pendleton murmured, ¡°Otherwise, Fabian Percival won¡¯t admit to it.¡± ¡°Evidence! Do I, Ivan Reed, need evidence to kill someone!¡± Ivan Reed wasn¡¯t angry because of Luciano¡¯s disappearance! Luciano was just an adopted son, after all. One Luciano Michael dies, and countless more will rise! But if Elwood Thorneycroft were to disappear, where would Stacy Cook find the lost token? If that object can¡¯t be found, he¡¯ll have no grave to be buried in when he dies! Outsiders think that Ivan Reed is renowned in the capital. But in reality, he¡¯s nothing more than a tool put out on display! ¡°Alive, I want to see the person, dead, I want to see the body!¡± Ivan Reed pointed at the several foster sons at the door, ¡°Search! Search for me! Even if you have to turn Gonzalez City upside down, I want clear answers! Go now!¡± ¡°Yes! Father!¡± They exchanged glances and swiftly turned to leave. Half a minute later, one of them came back in a panic. ¡°Squid, can¡¯t you hear what I said?¡± Seeing his foster son named Squid return, he was somewhat displeased. ¡°Father!¡± Squid cautiously approached Ivan Reed, handing over a USB drive with both hands. ¡°This was received at the front desk by the boss of Azure Percival, Ludo Cook,¡± Squid said with a deep bow. ¡°Please have a look, Father! It¡¯s addressed to you.¡± ¡°For me?¡± Ivan Reed¡¯s pupils shrank abruptly, and he rose from the couch in an instant. ¡°Look, what is this thing!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Squid picked up the USB drive and walked over to the computer, gently inserting it. Shortly after, a video clip appeared on the large screen. ¡°Swoosh!¡± The sound of a hidden weapon¡¯s box ringing out. ¡°Luciano Michael?¡± On the screen, Luciano Michael was being pointed at with a hidden weapon¡¯s box by a man. Afterward, the man fell to the ground from the hidden weapon¡¯s box. The man kicked Luciano Michael¡¯s corpse before leaving. ¡°Who is this!¡± Ivan Reed clenched the Buddha Beads in his hands tightly, the muscles on his face twitching uncontrollably. Someone dared to kill his foster son! And even dared to send the video over! ¡°Ah¡­¡± Just then, Squid collapsed onto the ground in agony. ¡°Squid, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Ivan Reed quickly walked over, bending down to check on him. ¡°Hold on!¡± Marco Pendleton¡¯s right hand shot out, grabbing Ivan Reed¡¯s shoulder, and forcibly pulled him up! ¡°Sacha Reed, it¡¯s poisoned!¡± ¡°What! On the USB drive?¡± Ivan Reed stepped back in shock. On the ground, Squid screamed a few painful cries, his complexion already pitch black. ¡°Deadly poison! Touch it and you die!¡± Marco Pendleton took a deep breath and waved his hand, ¡°Take him out, and don¡¯t touch him at all costs!¡± Several bodyguards put on gloves and carefully dragged Squid out. ¡°This is too much¡­¡± Ivan Reed sat in the chair, his heart still racing. If he had touched the USB drive just moments ago, he would probably have been poisoned to death! ¡°Brown Bread?¡± Just then, Jaxston, who had heard the news, rushed into the room and immediately saw the image on the screen. ¡°You know him?¡± Marco Pendleton looked at his senior disciple and said, ¡°Do you know this person?¡± ¡°Fabian Percival¡¯s personal bodyguard, Brown Bread!¡± Jaxston pointed at Brown Bread on the screen, ¡°It¡¯s him, sitting in the same car as Luciano Michael and Miss Elwood Thorneycroft!¡± ¡°Well played, Fabian Percival! To think you dared to play such a scheme on me!¡± Ivan Reed gently stroked his bald head, a cold smile appearing on his lips, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, I ought to send you a gift as well!¡± ¡°Marco Pendleton!¡± ¡°Your subordinate is here!¡± Marco Pendleton, dressed in a long robe, stood out. ¡°Eliminate a few of Fabian Percival¡¯s confidants for me! I want to see if he fears death!¡± Killing intent filled Ivan Reed¡¯s eyes. ¡°As you command!¡± Marco Pendleton turned and strode out of the imperial hall. Chapter 668 - Chapter 668: Chapter 668 Already in Hand_1 Chapter 668: Chapter 668 Already in Hand_1 The Sleepless Bar was one of the more famous bars in Gonzalez City. In coastal cities, entertainment venues abound. At this moment. The bar owner, Caden Cook, was sitting at the front desk, smoking a cigarette. This bar was originally part of a chain owned by Aron Jackson, and Caden Cook was in charge of managing it on a daily basis. As a reward, Aron Jackson had transferred the property rights of the bar to Caden Cook. Who would have thought that Fabian Percival would suddenly return from abroad? Under Devlin¡¯s instigation, and just like Dominating Tiger, the once nurtured Caden Cook turned to Fabian Percival without hesitation. ¡°Why so gloomy?¡± Someone came over, carrying two bottles of alcohol. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft has now offended Ivan Reed, and Aron Jackson is still eying us covetously. I¡¯m worried!¡± Caden Cook sighed, picked up a bottle of alcohol from the table, and drank half of it in one gulp. He had been present at the meeting today. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã¦Ï But even as the day turned to night, he had not seen Brown Bread, the second son of the Martin Family, or any of the others return. Eventually, Fabian Percival received a phone call, and his face turned deathly pale in an instant. Everyone wisely took their leave. ¡°What do you think was the content of the phone call Mr. Thorneycroft received?¡± An employee leaned close to Caden Cook and asked in a grave tone. ¡°Probably not good news,¡± Caden Cook glanced around to ensure no one was nearby and muttered softly, ¡°If Mr. Thorneycroft really falls, we¡¯re going to have a rough time!¡± ¡°No kidding!¡± The employee exhaled a sigh, equally worried, ¡°Aron Jackson, with his hatred of evil, will definitely not let us off.¡± They had all once belonged to Aron Jackson and knew full well their former boss¡¯s hatred for wrongdoings. At one point, Dominating Tiger had even risked his life to save Aron Jackson, but wasn¡¯t he still ruthlessly killed for betraying him? Not to mention their fate! ¡°So what can we do? Since we chose to betray Aron Jackson, now we can only beg Mr. Thorneycroft to hold his ground and drive Aron Jackson out!¡± Caden Cook slammed his fist on the table and proceeded to finish off the half-bottle of alcohol he held. The rapid changes in the situation were unforeseen. Initially, Devlin sent someone to inform them that within half a month, Gonzalez City would be completely under Fabian Percival¡¯s control. But look at it now. Fabian Percival¡¯s forces have suffered heavy losses. Rebecca Brown, who led the betrayal, died tragically in the mountains. Although there were several close calls where they almost killed Aron Jackson, ultimately, they all failed. Now, with Ivan Reed arriving in Gonzalez City, the already murky situation was clouded with another layer of smoke. ¡°Boss, better plan ahead!¡± The employee brought over another bottle of alcohol. All of them were Caden Cook¡¯s employees, but their initial boss had been Aron Jackson. Therefore, they were not very supportive of the betrayal. But with their boss set on joining Fabian Percival, as employees, they naturally had to support him unconditionally. ¡°To hell with it!¡± Crash! Caden Cook violently smashed the empty bottle in his hand, his face already flushed with a touch of drunkenness. ¡°Yo! What¡¯s got into you, Brother Tiger?¡± Just then, a few men in suits walked in through the door. The leader wore gold-rimmed glasses, hands in his pockets, exuding an imposing presence. ¡°Young Master Jerison!¡± Seeing the newcomer, Caden Cook quickly stood up and walked over with a smile, ¡°What brought you here?¡± ¡°What wind? An evil wind, a nefarious wind!¡± Jerison Justin sat down where Caden Cook had been sitting moments before, propped up his legs, and took a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. ¡°What do you mean by that, Young Master Jerison? I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t understand,¡± Caden Cook said, his drunkenness suddenly lessening. Sitting before him was Jerison Justin, no ordinary man. Ever since Devlin had turned these people, a supervision department had been established specifically. The supervision department had no other work but to keep a constant watch over Fabian Percival¡¯s employees. Anyone who dared to make private contact with Aron Jackson or harbor thoughts of betrayal was dealt with immediately! Caden Cook had heard of at least a dozen brothers who were found floating in the river the next day merely for speaking well of Aron Jackson. Whenever these people showed up, it was never for anything good! ¡°You know very well why I am here, Brother Tiger.¡± Jerison Justin took a drag of his cigarette, gently blowing out the smoke. ¡°I really don¡¯t understand¡ªplease enlighten me, young master Jerison.¡± Cold sweat started to form on Caden Cook¡¯s forehead. ¡°Brother Tiger, are you playing dumb with me?¡± Jerison Justin¡¯s voice was icy cold as he commanded, ¡°Bring him in!¡± No sooner had his words faded than two thugs walked in through the door, dragging a man covered in blood. ¡°Joaquin!¡± Seeing the man, Caden Cook¡¯s face changed drastically! Because the beaten man was none other than his own personal staff member, Joaquin! Joaquin had been by his side. And now it had been a full five years! ¡°Young master Jerison, what¡¯s going on here!¡± Caden Cook turned around, his eyes burning with anger as he looked at Jerison Justin: ¡°What do you mean by this? Just because Mr. Thorneycroft trusts you, you think you can beat someone up at will?¡± That morning, he had sent Joaquin to buy cigarettes, but there had been no word from him all day. He had thought about sending people to look for him, but then he received a notification from Fabian Percival in the afternoon to attend a meeting at the Five-lakes Clubhouse. When he returned in the evening, preoccupied with concern for his own future, Caden Cook didn¡¯t give it much thought. It was only now, seeing Joaquin covered in blood, that he realized what had happened. The man had been captured by the Supervising Department! ¡°Brother Tiger, I¡¯ve given you face; don¡¯t you go slapping mine!¡± Jerison Justin¡¯s expression darkened, and he suddenly smashed the beer bottle beside him on the floor! Crack! Whoosh! The door to the bar¡¯s office was abruptly closed. ¡°What do you mean by this!¡± Caden Cook leaned back, eyeing the person before him warily. ¡°Tiger Boy, your employee has been colluding with Aron Jackson. Were you aware of this?¡± Jerison Justin looked at Caden Cook dispassionately, a weapon box having appeared in his hand at some point. The dark weapon box. The mouth of the weapon box was pointing at Caden Cook¡¯s head. The air was deathly still. Whoosh! ¡°Ahh¡­¡± An employee who had been drinking with Caden Cook let out a bloodcurdling scream, his hands covered in blood. His phone had also fallen to the ground, its screen shattered by a dart. ¡°Kid, you were thinking of calling for help?¡± Jerison Justin let out a light chuckle, then pointed the mouth of the weapon box at Caden Cook again, ¡°You hold a certain status within the organization, and I don¡¯t want to open the weapon box rashly. But please, give me an explanation.¡± ¡°What the hell do I have to explain to you!¡± Rage filled Caden Cook¡¯s eyes: ¡°You¡¯ve injured two of my brothers, what more do you want?¡± ¡°That¡¯s because they betrayed Mr. Thorneycroft.¡± Jerison Justin violently opened a weapon box toward Joaquin on the ground! Whoosh! Joaquin, already weak, spasmed just once upon being hit by the weapon box before life left him completely. ¡°You, Jerison!¡± Caden Cook pointed at Jerison Justin, his eyes nearly shooting fire! ¡°I will never share the sky with you!¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll just send you on your way!¡± Jerison Justin stood up, spitting the cigarette butt out of his mouth. Whoosh! The weapon box fired. Caden Cook looked incredulously at the large bloodstain on his chest, pointing to Jerison Justin: ¡°I am¡­ you dare to kill¡­ kill¡­¡± Thud! He fell to the ground, eyes wide open in death. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Jerison Justin stood up and strode out of the Sleepless Bar. Whoosh! As he reached the door, he fired a weapon box at the employee who had tried to make a phone call. ¡°Master Jaxston, where shall we go next?¡± Once they had left the bar, a man in a suit looked toward ¡®Jerison Justin¡¯ and asked softly. ¡°Let¡¯s take out a few more of Fabian Percival¡¯s loyalists, see how he cleans up this mess!¡± ¡®Jerison Justin¡¯ got into the car and took out his phone: ¡°Master, I¡¯ve succeeded on my end.¡± Chapter 669 - Chapter 669: Chapter 669: Immortality?_1 Chapter 669: Chapter 669: Immortality?_1 Ten minutes later, inside an alley in Gonzalez City. ¡°Master, that move was brilliant!¡± Jerison Justin sat in the passenger seat, looking at Marco Pendleton beside him, gently peeling off his mask from his face. Then, he revealed his true appearance! ¡°Jaxston, all the credit goes to Night Fairy. Without her, we couldn¡¯t have made such lifelike masks.¡± Marco Pendleton was sitting in the back seat, saying with a smile. ¡°Night Fairy truly is a master! It¡¯s said that she comes from a mysterious organization. Master, have you heard of it?¡± Jaxston became interested the moment Night Fairy was mentioned. At this moment, he had completed his mission first and sat in the car waiting for the other three disciples with his master. ¡°I¡¯m not very clear about the rumors concerning Night Fairy either. But I do know she comes from a mysterious organization.¡± Marco Pendleton¡¯s face was full of admiration: ¡°Night Fairy is also known as Thousand Faces Man, because every time we see her, she has a different face. No one knows which one is her real face.¡± ¡°Master, could it be that Night Fairy is actually a man?¡± With a single sentence, Jaxston left Marco Pendleton stunned. ¡°You know, that really could be a possibility!¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í??.?¦Ï The master and disciple laughed loudly inside the car. Jaxston was Marco Pendleton¡¯s most proud disciple and was highly valued on regular days. When it was just the two of them, they got along very comfortably. Just at that moment, a series of sparse footsteps was heard. ¡°Master, we succeeded!¡± The remaining three disciples got into the car one by one, with the youngest naturally taking the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°How did it all go?¡± Marco Pendleton¡¯s expression gradually calmed down. ¡°As you instructed, we left one alive, and that one badly injured!¡± The second disciple turned around to report, ¡°I¡¯ve taken down the Abernathy Family!¡± ¡°I killed the Deven Reed brothers!¡± ¡°Tony Smith has also fallen to my hands!¡± The remaining three disciples recounted the results of their missions in turn. ¡°Good! Let¡¯s head back to Azure Percival and wait to enjoy the show!¡± Marco Pendleton closed his eyes slightly, no longer speaking. ¡­ ¡°Open up!¡± Thud! Thud! Thud! ¡°Have you all gone mad? It¡¯s already eleven at night! Do you want to die?!¡± ¡°Hurry up and open the door! If you don¡¯t, we¡¯re going to break in!¡± ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft is already asleep! You all are seriously looking for trouble! Get lost now!¡± ¡°Even if Mr. Thorneycroft is asleep, we need to wake him up!¡± At the entrance of the Five-lakes Clubhouse, a series of violent knocks on the door could be heard. Nearly a hundred people had gathered outside, angry expressions on their faces, all of them shouting loudly. Inside, Fabian Percival¡¯s bodyguards were busy scolding them. It was already past eleven at night, and Fabian Percival had long since gone to bed. In the dead of the night, such a loud commotion was bound to disturb Fabian Percival. And those responsible for guarding the door would certainly be in big trouble. ¡°Brother, what exactly do you want to do! Can¡¯t it wait till tomorrow? Isn¡¯t that okay?¡± The person responsible for security suddenly felt overwhelmed. ¡°No, it can¡¯t! Open the door immediately! We have urgent matters, we must see Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± The emotions outside the door were running high, and they started ramming the door! ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Just then, Fox Miller, dressed in his clothes, came out from inside. ¡°Mr. Miller, there are people outside making a fuss to see Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± The head of the bodyguards at the door immediately went up to report. Fox Miller was one of the Four Heavenly Kings among Fabian Percival¡¯s staff; with him there, things were much easier to handle. ¡°What is the matter!¡± Hearing the report, Fox Miller glanced at his watch: ¡°It¡¯s already eleven, and Mr. Thorneycroft has gone to bed!¡± He was just about to sleep when he faintly heard a disturbance at the door, so he decided to come and see what was going on. Who expected to encounter such a situation. ¡°Our boss has been killed!¡± ¡°Mine too!¡± ¡°Please, open the door and let us seek justice from Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± The voice from outside the door was exceptionally angry. ¡°Slow down! Say that again!¡± Fox Miller¡¯s heart tensed up! This was a big deal! ¡°Our boss, he¡¯s been killed! Please, Mr. Thorneycroft, we ask for justice!¡± Someone outside shouted loudly. ¡°You wait here, I¡¯ll go call Mr. Thorneycroft right away!¡± Fox Miller turned around, but didn¡¯t forget to instruct them sternly, ¡°Wait quietly, I¡¯ll be right back!¡± This was no small matter, no matter whether Fabian Percival was asleep or not, he had to be woken up! A string of bosses dead, how could this be allowed to continue? ¡°Devlin, are you sure this plan will work?¡± Inside the most luxurious room of the Five-lakes Clubhouse. Fabian Percival was not sleeping. Instead, he sat at a coffee table, playing chess with a man in a black masked outfit. ¡°Of course! You¡¯re well aware of my abilities, Devlin.¡± The man in black picked up a black chess piece and gently placed it on the board, ¡°I¡¯ve won.¡± On the chessboard, black won. White lost. ¡°Ten years!¡± Fabian Percival let out a sigh and said with a laugh, ¡°For ten years, I¡¯ve never beaten you! Couldn¡¯t you let me win for once?¡± ¡°Sorry, I am a chess player after all, and beating you is quite easy for me.¡± Devlin, facing Fabian Percival, showed none of the fear others had. On the contrary, it was as if old friends were catching up with each other. ¡°What mission do you bring this time on your return?¡± Devlin, his head covered in a black hood, only his eyes visible. ¡°The matter is more serious than imagined.¡± Fabian Percival leaned in close to Devlin¡¯s ear and whispered, ¡°The master still seeks the secret to immortality and firmly believes that the art of everlasting life was once left in Gonzalez City.¡± ¡°Have you found anything?¡± When Devlin heard this, his tone remained even. ¡°They didn¡¯t find it back then, and we haven¡¯t found it now either,¡± said Fabian Percival shaking his head, a self-mocking smile on his lips. ¡°Maybe, there¡¯s no such thing as the art of everlasting life in this world? Perhaps it¡¯s just the master¡¯s wishful thinking.¡± ¡°Wrong!¡± Devlin spoke up calmly, ¡°If there¡¯s no art of everlasting life, how do you explain the Night Fairy living for three hundred years?¡± ¡°The Night Fairy¡­¡± At the mention of this name, Fabian Percival¡¯s brows knitted tightly together. The Night Fairy had indeed lived for three hundred years, an uncontested fact! But the reasons behind it were still unclear to them. ¡°Perhaps, the master also wants to extend the Night Fairy¡¯s life,¡± he said with a heavy tone. ¡°Ten years, the Night Fairy can¡¯t wait another ten years,¡± Devlin spoke with a trace of sadness in his voice. ¡°If we don¡¯t find the secret to immortality this time, the poison within our bodies will erupt fully.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s hope the secret to immortality truly exists.¡± Fabian Percival reclined on the couch, weary in both body and mind. Immortality! Who in this world doesn¡¯t wish for immortality? But does immortality truly exist? At the very least, Fabian Percival thought it was nonsense! ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Just then, Fox Miller¡¯s voice came from outside the door. ¡°I¡¯ll go inside first.¡± Devlin stood up and swiftly disappeared into the living room. ¡°Come in!¡± Fabian Percival composed his emotions and said coldly, ¡°What¡¯s the matter so late at night?¡± The room he occupied was in the very center of the Five-lakes Clubhouse, naturally unable to hear the noise outside. ¡°It seems there¡¯s been a serious incident!¡± Fox Miller pointed outside with a grave expression, ¡°At the entrance of the Five-lakes Clubhouse, nearly a hundred people have gathered, claiming their boss has been murdered!¡± ¡°What!¡± Fabian Percival shot to his feet, his eyes narrowing like an eagle¡¯s, ¡°Say that again!¡± Chapter 670 - Chapter 670: Chapter 670 Forced Palace_1 Chapter 670: Chapter 670 Forced Palace_1 When he saw the bodies before him. Fabian Percival¡¯s hands had already begun to tremble ever so slightly. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that he had given the dragon-headed cane to Itai Huntington as a show of force, it¡¯s likely this elderly man would have already started smashing things with his cane. The elite employees were almost all dead. Ever since Rebecca Brown had suddenly died on the mountain, the number of capable people he could use among his employees had dwindled. He didn¡¯t trust Fox Miller and couldn¡¯t possibly let him go out. If Miller stayed by his side, Rocco Leocadia would still need to keep an eye on him. Now, Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s whereabouts were unknown, and Brown Bread had not yet returned! Fabian Percival was under unprecedented pressure. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Caden Cook¡¯s employee, Orren Beaumont, stepped forward, pointing to Caden Cook¡¯s cold body on the ground, ¡°Jerison Justin has gone too far! Our Aaron Martin, he was one of your elite employees, but Jerison Justin killed my boss without even asking for your opinion!¡± ¡°My boss as well!¡± ¡°Our boss too!¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í??.§ã¦Ï There were four bodies lying on the ground. All of them were elite employees of Fabian Percival. Without exception, they had all turned traitor. The loyalty of these employees to their own bosses was far greater than their loyalty to Fabian Percival. If their bosses hadn¡¯t insisted on turning traitor, these men could have been living carefree and happily, just like Aron Jackson¡¯s employees! ¡°Jerison¡­ Where is Jerison¡­¡± Fabian Percival felt a wave of dizziness in his head, and his vision began to darken. The events of these days had been too much of a blow to the old man! ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± Fox Miller quickly came over and gently supported Fabian Percival, ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, your health is the most important!¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Fabian Percival gently pushed Fox Miller away and slowly sat down on the sofa behind him. His heart ached severely. ¡°Jerison Justin is here!¡± Accompanied by a series of hurried footsteps, a group of ruffians dragged in a man covered in blood from outside. The man¡¯s pajamas were already ragged, and his face was covered in dried blood. ¡°This is¡­¡± Upon seeing this scene, Fabian Percival stood up all of a sudden! ¡°This is Jerison Justin!¡± Orren Beaumont stepped forward, looked at Fabian Percival, and snorted, ¡°After killing our boss, this guy still has the nerve to sleep at home! A few of us went straight to his place and dragged him out!¡± Infuriated upon hearing of their boss¡¯s murder, Orren Beaumont led the remaining employees of Caden Cook to Jerison Justin¡¯s residence overnight. As it turned out, they bumped into several other groups. After a quick exchange, they all learned that others had died at the hands of Jerison Justin. The group directly stormed Jerison Justin¡¯s residence, breaking in! They dragged out Jerison Justin, who was asleep, and beat him furiously! Had they not wanted to seek justice for their own boss, they would have killed Jerison Justin long ago! ¡°Are you¡­ Are you trying to rebel!¡± Fabian Percival looked at the bodies all over the floor and Jerison Justin who was close to death, trembling with anger. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, you must not get angry!¡± Seeing Fabian Percival pale-faced and lips quivering, Fox Miller quickly went over and spoke soothingly. ¡°First, take these bodies away! Let Mr. Thorneycroft rest, and tomorrow we will give you justice!¡± He gestured for the people to remove the bodies from the ground. ¡°No!¡± Orren Beaumont, who had been brothers with Caden Cook for five years, now saw his own boss tragically dead. He didn¡¯t care about Fabian Percival¡¯s life or death! ¡°My boss¡¯s bones are not yet cold, this can¡¯t just be left as it is!¡± Pointing to the body of Caden Cook with wide eyes on the ground, he shouted back to the crowd, ¡°What do you guys say?¡± ¡°We want justice!¡± Dozens of people cried out in unison. Caden Cook is dead, Orren Beaumont is now their boss! Back then, Orren Beaumont followed Aron Jackson for three years and could turn against him at a say-so. Not to mention it¡¯s been less than a month since he joined forces with Fabian Percival. ¡°Justice must be served!¡± ¡°The existence of the supervisory department means Mr. Thorneycroft doesn¡¯t trust us!¡± ¡°If he doesn¡¯t trust us, why bother having us turncoat?¡± The rest of the men also stood up one after another, confronting Fabian Percival! If their boss could die today, who could guarantee the next moment the hidden weapon box wouldn¡¯t be pointed at their heads? The existence of the supervisory department is like a ticking time bomb! Suspended over everyone¡¯s head! A slightest mistake. And they would be smashed to pieces! ¡°Are you trying to stage a coup?¡± Fox Miller looked at Orren Beaumont coldly and pointed at him, ¡°Get the hell out of here before Mr. Thorneycroft loses his temper!¡± ¡°A coup?¡± Orren Beaumont¡¯s face darkened, and he said unabashedly, ¡°Since Mr. Miller thinks we¡¯re staging a coup, then let¡¯s just say we are! If we don¡¯t get an explanation today, I¡¯ll take my brothers and kill all the people in the supervisory department right away!¡± ¡°You dare!¡± Fox Miller pretended to reach for the hidden weapon box. Swish! Before he could make a move, there were already a dozen hidden weapon boxes pointed at him. ¡°Mr. Miller, don¡¯t make this hard for us! Darts are blind, and if Mr. Thorneycroft gets hurt, you¡¯ll be the criminal!¡± Orren Beaumont¡¯s eyes widened, and he roared, ¡°Brothers, take down his hidden weapon box!¡± The employees, filled with rage, didn¡¯t care if Fox Miller was one of the ¡°Four Kings¡±, they rushed forward and snatched away his hidden weapon box! ¡°You bunch of hooligans!¡± Although Fox Miller was skilled, he was facing a dozen hidden weapon boxes. ¡°Mr. Miller, we¡¯re hooligans after all! Mr. Thorneycroft is no more than a gang leader, did you really think of your brothers as intellectuals?¡± Orren Beaumont had made up his mind to seek justice for Caden Cook and then apologize directly to Aron Jackson. He didn¡¯t want to stay under Fabian Percival a moment longer! ¡°Miller, stand down!¡± Fabian Percival touched his forehead lightly with his hand, signaling to Fox Miller to step back. With Orren Beaumont and the others being so emotional, it wouldn¡¯t be good if they caused any incidents. What storms hadn¡¯t he weathered over the years? ¡°Orren Beaumont, I know the pain in your heart, but after all, I¡¯m your nominal boss. Isn¡¯t it inappropriate to point a hidden weapon box at me?¡± Fabian Percival settled back on the sofa, his eyes revealing a cold indifference. ¡°That¡¯s also true¡­¡± Orren Beaumont¡¯s eyes shifted, feeling it was somewhat improper. ¡°Put away the hidden weapon boxes!¡± At his command, his employees behind him put away the hidden weapon boxes, but their eyes remained wary of Fox Miller. ¡°I need some time to investigate this matter!¡± Seeing Orren Beaumont put away the hidden weapon boxes, Fabian Percival finally breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, the evidence of the witnesses and the items involved are all present, what else do you need to investigate?¡± Orren Beaumont¡¯s brows knitted tightly together as he spoke with dissatisfaction: ¡°You¡¯re not trying to cover for the supervisory department, are you?¡± ¡°I, Fabian Percival, swear to heaven!¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s eyes filled with killing intent, ¡°I¡¯ll thoroughly investigate this matter today!¡± ¡°Bring up the witnesses!¡± Orren Beaumont gestured, and immediately four stretchers were carried in through the door. On the stretchers lay employees who had been severely injured. Though they had received simple treatment and bandaging, these people were still very weak. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, these are the brothers who survived. They witnessed Jerison Justin¡¯s murder with their own eyes!¡± Orren Beaumont stepped on Jerison Justin¡¯s face, ¡°You beast, won¡¯t you confess yet?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t kill anyone¡­¡± Jerison Justin mustered all his strength, defiantly bellowing out. ¡°He indeed didn¡¯t kill anyone.¡± Just then, Devlin, who had been hidden in the bedroom, slowly walked out. Chapter 671 - Chapter 671: Chapter 671 Persuade you to put the gun down_1 Chapter 671: Chapter 671 Persuade you to put the gun down_1 ¡°Who are you!¡± Seeing a masked man in black stepping out from Fabian Percival¡¯s bedroom, Orren Beaumont instinctively put his hand on the hidden weapon box. It was a critical time. They had to be extremely cautious. This was the Five-lakes Clubhouse, Fabian Percival¡¯s stronghold. If a conflict arose here, no one would make it out alive. ¡°Kid, I advise you to put the hidden weapon box down,¡± Devlin said, dressed in a black trench coat and wearing black gloves. Under the mask, it was impossible to discern any expression on his face. But with just those words, he made everyone feel a terrifying chill in the room. ¡°Stop playing your ghost tricks!¡± Orren Beaumont swallowed, pointing the mouth of the hidden weapon box directly at Devlin, ¡°Take off your mask!¡± There were many capable employees of Fabian Percival, and the idea of staging a coup here made him uneasy. ¡°What do you think this is?¡± Devlin slowly took out a poison egg from his pocket and asked with a smile, ¡°Do you recognize it?¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.?0 ¡°Are you fucking crazy!¡± Orren Beaumont felt a chill run down his spine, leaving his mouth dry. If the poison egg were detonated, most people in the room would be injured, or even killed. ¡°I told you to put the hidden weapon box down,¡± Devlin said, a hidden weapon box suddenly appearing in his other hand. Whoosh! ¡°Ah¡­¡± Orren Beaumont let out a scream as the hidden weapon box in his hand dropped to the floor. Drip drop! Then followed the sound of blood dripping on the ground. ¡°Put the hidden weapon box down, I¡¯m only giving you ten seconds,¡± Devlin¡¯s voice was still as emotionless as if it came from hell. ¡°Ten¡­¡± ¡°Nine¡­¡± The people present weren¡¯t there to deliver themselves to death. Seeing Orren Beaumont being accurately hit in the wrist by the hidden weapon box, they exchanged glances before placing their hidden weapon boxes at their feet. ¡°Phew¡­¡± Mr. Thorneycroft sighed in relief at this sight. ¡°What¡¯s going on here!¡± Hearing the noise of the hidden weapon boxes, Rocco Leocadia rushed in with his people. ¡°Fuck! Are you trying to rebel? Seize them!¡± He saw the hidden weapon boxes and the body on the ground, and his complexion changed drastically. ¡°Stand down!¡± Mr. Thorneycroft shouted angrily, ¡°Take your men and guard the outside!¡± ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, these people¡­¡± ¡°I told you to stand down!¡± Mr. Thorneycroft pointed, and Rocco Leocadia prudently left. For precaution, he had his men guard the periphery. If there was trouble inside, they could provide support at any moment. ¡°Now, let¡¯s sit down and talk this over calmly,¡± Mr. Thorneycroft stood up and looked at Orren Beaumont, who was trembling in pain, and waved his hand, ¡°Fox Miller, have someone attend to him.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Fox Miller left and, in less than five minutes, brought back several doctors. After a cursory treatment, Orren Beaumont, though still in excruciating pain, at least stopped bleeding. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, we didn¡¯t mean to barge in today, but we want to ask if this supervisory department can be disbanded!¡± Orren Beaumont pointed at the body on the floor, ¡°And we need an explanation for our boss¡¯s death.¡± ¡°The man was not killed by Jerison Justin.¡± Just then, Devlin stepped forward again, glanced at Jerison Justin lying almost beaten to death on the ground, and sighed. ¡°May I know who you are¡­¡± Orren Beaumont felt a chill when he saw the man in black in front of him. Especially at such close range, it intensified his fear. ¡°Devlin.¡± When those four words were spoken, everyone instinctively backed away¡­ In their hearts, Devlin was a demon! ¡°Mr. Devlin, I know Jerison Justin is your man, but today, indeed, there are witnesses claiming it was them who killed my boss!¡± Upon hearing that the man was Devlin, Orren Beaumont immediately trembled with fear. The reputation of a person precedes them. Sometimes, a name alone is enough to cow a group of people. ¡°Who can prove it?¡± Devlin¡¯s voice remained indifferent, betraying no hint of emotion. Combined with his mysterious image and the terrifying legends about him, the house was filled with an air of fear. ¡°The wood¡­ the wood can prove it,¡± Orren Beaumont pointed at the stretcher with wood on it: ¡°When Jerison Justin was leaving, a concealed weapon box hit the wood, but luckily it didn¡¯t die!¡± ¡°And the stone!¡± ¡°Liam as well!¡± ¡°Jabari can testify too!¡± The representatives of the four parties pointed angrily at the four injured men lying on stretchers. ¡°One by one, state the time when Jerison Justin committed the murder,¡± Devlin stood above the four and asked in a deep voice. ¡°Around¡­ around nine-thirty in the evening¡­¡± The wood strained to answer with all its might. ¡°Are you certain?¡± ¡°At that time¡­ at that time I was drinking with the boss, I looked at the time when entering, it can¡¯t be wrong¡­¡± ¡°Very well.¡± After getting the answer, Devlin approached the other three and asked the same question. ¡°Nine twenty-five¡­¡± ¡°Nine thirty-seven¡­¡± ¡°Nine thirty¡­¡± The three answered in turn, succeeding each other. ¡°How coincidental.¡± The hands of Devlin, clad in black gloves, rubbed together gently before he turned to face Fabian Percival: ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, Jerison Justin only left your place at nine forty, right?¡± ¡°Should be thereabouts!¡± Fabian Percival turned around and looked at Fox Miller: ¡°Play the surveillance footage from the Five-lakes Clubhouse.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Fox Miller walked over to the LCD TV, picked up the remote control, and directly called up the video from that time. For security reasons, the entire surveillance footage of the Five-lakes Clubhouse could be viewed from Mr. Thorneycroft¡¯s room. Three minutes later, Fox Miller brought up the video from that time. ¡°Zoom in!¡± After Mr. Thorneycroft spoke, the image immediately drew closer. It was very clear on the screen. Jerison Justin left the Five-lakes Clubhouse with his staff exactly at nine forty. ¡°How is that possible!¡± Orren Beaumont exclaimed in disbelief. ¡°That really is quite the coincidence,¡± Devlin walked up to them and said coolly: ¡°Jerison Justin came here at nine, and after our meeting ended, it was precisely nine forty.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re saying that while Jerison Justin was here, he managed to take out all four of your bosses at the same time, and then returned here in a short amount of time to finish the meeting and leave?¡± When he put it that way, everyone froze. They were not fools. The four dead bosses were very far apart; it was not possible to reach them all in a matter of minutes. ¡°Idiots!¡± Whoosh! Devlin suddenly kicked out forcefully, knocking Orren Beaumont to the ground. ¡°The people Jerison Justin killed were all specially approved by me! Without my order, he wouldn¡¯t kill a single person without cause!¡± ¡°Then¡­ then they saw wrong?¡± Although Orren Beaumont felt a sharp pain in his chest, he still couldn¡¯t understand what had happened. It was impossible for all four employees to be mistaken at the same time. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of people who specialize in disguise, so good that they could stand in front of you and you wouldn¡¯t recognize me,¡± Devlin stood still, silent for five seconds. ¡°Mr. Thorneycroft, I will investigate immediately,¡± he said, his tone unusually tinted with a trace of anxiety. ¡°Good!¡± Mr. Thorneycroft waved his hand and said to Orren Beaumont and the others: ¡°All of you, go down. I do not wish for today¡¯s events to happen again!¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Thorneycroft¡­¡± Orren Beaumont picked himself up from the ground and hurriedly led the employees away. ¡°Boss, what exactly happened today?¡± After leaving the Five-lakes Clubhouse, the employees followed behind Orren Beaumont, bombarding him with questions. ¡°How the hell would I know!¡± Orren Beaumont was full of fury but had no idea how to vent it. His wrist was throbbing with pain, and he intended to go to the hospital for treatment. ¡°Boss, there¡¯s someone ahead.¡± Just then, someone shouted, and everyone¡¯s attention focused on the figure at the entrance of the alley ahead. Chapter 672 - Chapter 672: Chapter 672 The Roosevelt Family Visits_1 Chapter 672: Chapter 672 The Roosevelt Family Visits_1 ¡°Have you just come back from Mr. Thorneycroft¡¯s place?¡± Several people in the distance saw Orren Beaumont and his group and called out. There was only one Five-lakes Clubhouse here, so without guessing, it was certain that Orren Beaumont and the others had come out from the clubhouse. ¡°Correct! Are you also here to see Mr. Thorneycroft?¡± One of Orren Beaumont¡¯s employees replied. ¡°Yes! We found out that Caden Cook¡¯s employee Orren Beaumont was dead under the sky bridge, and we wanted to report it to Mr. Thorneycroft!¡± The people on the other side moved quickly because it was dark, and everyone couldn¡¯t see each other¡¯s faces clearly. ¡°Who the hell are you cursing¡­¡± One of Orren Beaumont¡¯s employees cursed loudly. His boss was standing right beside him, wasn¡¯t this a jinx? ¡°What did you say? Our people have confirmed that the dead man is Orren Beaumont! What do you mean by that?¡± The people on the other side seemed to realize something was amiss. ¡°Pfft!¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.§ã¦Ï The next moment, Orren Beaumont, who was within close range, drove a knife into the man¡¯s heart. ¡°You¡­ you¡­¡± The man, seeing Orren Beaumont, had a look of shock in his eyes¡­ ¡°These people are impersonating our brothers, let¡¯s take care of them with cold steel!¡± Orren Beaumont pulled out the knife, revealing a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth. ¡­ ¡°Boss, Ivan Reed¡¯s side has already made a move.¡± ¡°Good, let them bite each other. The more chaotic, the better.¡± ¡°Should I add more fuel to the fire?¡± ¡°It¡¯s best to pour some oil.¡± After the call with Aron Jackson, Julius Reed sat on the sofa at home, quietly looking at the hairpin in his hand. ¡°Isabella Warm, is it really you?¡± He muttered to himself. It felt like he was back three years ago, on the eve of the decisive battle at the summit of the snowy mountain. ¡°But I believe, you are innocent.¡± As he said this, Julius Reed¡¯s eyes were full of conviction! ¡°Husband, what are you holding?¡± At this moment, Quella Radcliffe, wearing loose pajamas and holding a plate of strawberries, sat down beside Julius Reed. ¡°For you, I just bought it today.¡± Now that Julius Reed knew the owner of the hairpin, there was no need to keep it. Keeping it with Quella could come in handy if she faced danger in the future. ¡°Looks like it probably wasn¡¯t cheap.¡± Quella took a close look at it in her hand, then put it on her head: ¡°Does it look good?¡± ¡°Beautiful.¡± Julius Reed nodded genuinely from the bottom of his heart. It truly was beautiful. ¡°Tomorrow, I have to attend a banquet, will you accompany me?¡± Quella giggled, picking up a strawberry and putting it in her mouth. ¡°What banquet? Haven¡¯t you already taken leave? With New Year¡¯s just around the corner, what¡¯s all this about?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow and reached for his phone. ¡°Husband, what are you doing¡­¡± Quella asked somewhat oddly. ¡°I¡¯ll call Itai Huntington and ask what this woman is up to now.¡± Julius Reed said unhappily. ¡°It¡¯s the Roosevelt family from America, they want to come to Gonzalez City and discuss collaboration with our business alliance. As the general manager of the alliance, naturally, I need to be present.¡± Quella snatched his phone away and threw it on the sofa: ¡°Itai Huntington will also be there, but she¡¯s worried they might have some ulterior motives, so she asked you to come with me.¡± ¡°This deal is really a sure win.¡± Julius Reed shook his head helplessly, leaning back on the sofa: ¡°You draw a salary, but in the end, both of us work for her. Wait, did you say Roosevelt¡­¡± ¡°Yes! The Roosevelt family from America, very wealthy tycoons. So both Itai and I value this opportunity highly.¡± Quella nodded without feeling the slightest wrong. ¡°Is there a problem?¡± ¡°No. It¡¯s just that¡­ the name sounds interesting.¡± Julius Reed stood up, stretched lazily, and walked towards the balcony: ¡°You go to sleep, wife, I¡¯m going to get some air.¡± ¡°You¡¯re crazy!¡± Quella mockingly scolded and went back to the bedroom with her plate of strawberries. Once on the balcony, Julius Reed took out his phone and called Beckett Carmichael who was far away in the capital city. At the beginning, when they beat up Odingle at the Southern Seas Hotel, it seemed to have involved the Roosevelt family. Even late at night, Beckett Carmichael took only five seconds to answer the phone. ¡°Mr. Reed, is there an emergency?¡± Beckett Carmichael¡¯s voice was very hurried, clearly thinking it was an urgent matter upon seeing the call late at night. ¡°The Roosevelt family, ring a bell?¡± ¡°The people you killed on the boat a few days ago were Shadow Warriors hired by the Roosevelt family. What¡¯s up? Are they coming again?¡± ¡°They are coming, but openly this time. The Roosevelts want to discuss business with the Gonzalez City Business Alliance. Look into this matter for me.¡± ¡°Rest assured! I¡¯ll have the results for you in half an hour!¡± After the call, Julius Reed stood on the balcony of the mansion, staring at the starry sky. Gonzalez City! Why did he come here in the first place? Was someone scheming behind the scenes, or was there some other reason? China is so vast, and Gonzalez City is just a small coastal city. Thousands of kilometers away from the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance headquarters! How did Aron Jackson find out about him! And the mysterious person who suddenly appeared back then, the one who awakened his memory! Who was that! Three years! Three years! Three years! ¡°Hiss¡­¡± Julius Reed felt an unbearable headache! It was as if a sharp knife was gently piercing into his head! ¡°Eventually, I will uncover the truth¡­¡± He leaned against the wall, gazing fixedly at the stars in the sky. Meanwhile. The Dragon King Ring on Julius Reed¡¯s hand emitted a fierce glow! ¡­ ¡°The Dragon King is still alive?¡± Deep in the mountains, within a palace. An old man, seeing the flickering light on the wall, stood frozen in place. ¡°No! This can¡¯t be! He died three years ago!¡± In a luxurious villa in a certain city. A one-eyed man, looking at the shining crystal on the table, turned pale to the extreme! ¡°Quick! Send someone to check! We must find out whether the Dragon King is dead or alive!¡± On a small island. A blond-haired, blue-eyed young man, after seeing the starlight, collapsed to the ground. This night. The world of martial artists was destined to be sleepless. ¡­ However, Julius Reed in Gonzalez City was completely unaware. Nineteen minutes after the call with Beckett Carmichael. An email was sent directly to his phone. The email contained all the intelligence about the Roosevelts coming to China for business discussions. The representative for the talks was named Roosevelt Chide, the third son of the clan leader of the Roosevelt family. And accompanying him were two highly skilled bodyguards. The Roosevelt family¡¯s trip had two purposes: one was to avenge Odingle¡¯s beating, and the other was to discuss a project. What that project was, even with Beckett Carmichael¡¯s capabilities, remained unknown. It was very mysterious. The last line caught Julius Reed¡¯s attention. Back in the day, in the Americas, it was with the support of the Roosevelt family that Fabian Percival gradually grew his business! The two shared an unclear relationship! Therefore. Fabian Percival¡¯s arrival in Gonzalez City might not be as straightforward as it seems! ¡°Things are getting more interesting,¡± Julius Reed said, looking at the information on the phone, a curve forming at the corner of his mouth. Just then, he received a message from Aron Jackson. ¡°Orren Beaumont has defected and taken the staff to join me.¡± Chapter 673 - Chapter 673: Chapter 673: The Grand Scheme of 200 Years_1 Chapter 673: Chapter 673: The Grand Scheme of 200 Years_1 ¡°Holy Envoy.¡± At 4 a.m., at the Five-lakes Clubhouse. Fabian Percival and Devlin knelt on the ground. In front of them stood an Eastern man with an indifferent expression. The man was in his twenties, yet there was a coldness on his face that did not match his age. Before this man, both Fabian Percival, who had battled through countless woes over the decades, and the crafty Devlin were utterly respectful. Even tinged with a trace of panic. ¡°Your performance has greatly disappointed the matron,¡± the man said lightly as he casually adjusted his cuff. ¡°At the last meeting, someone already proposed to replace the two of you with someone else.¡± ¡°Holy Envoy¡­¡± Fear was written all over Fabian Percival¡¯s face, and even his speech became somewhat slurred. Once they became useless, the only thing waiting for him was death! To be replaced meant to be sent to their deaths. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.?¦Ï ¡°Don¡¯t panic¡­¡± The man said impatiently, ¡°I¡¯ve already held off the pressure for you, but you have, at most, three more months.¡± ¡°Thank you, Holy Envoy!¡± Fabian Percival let out a long breath, his face now flushed red. Three months! That was enough! ¡°In three months, it will be the matron¡¯s birthday,¡± the man said as he turned away and left the Five-lakes Clubhouse briskly, leaving behind only a voice. ¡°If by then you still haven¡¯t found what the matron needs, I won¡¯t be able to save you.¡± ¡°Huff!¡± After the man had gone, Fabian Percival collapsed on the ground. He got up at 3 a.m. to go to the airport to pick someone up and now felt not the slightest hint of sleepiness. What he felt was endless fear. ¡°Devlin, is there¡­ do we still have hope?¡± At this moment. For the first time, Fabian Percival who once regarded death with fearlessness, showed the fatigue of an old man. After all, he was getting older. He was no longer the daring and adventurous youth of the past. Over the past decade, Fabian Percival had thought of resisting. But the matron¡¯s power was so vast, he dared not entertain a single thought of rebellion. From the moment he arrived in the Americas, he had observed the downfall of many a strong man. Perhaps, fear had started to take root from that moment on. ¡°The matron has been waiting for twenty years. Twenty years ago, for the tenth time, she received the grace of a master to stay alive to this day.¡± Devlin slowly stood up from the ground, his back to Fabian Percival: ¡°The matron has lived through ten such periods of twenty years. Now, she doesn¡¯t want to be constrained anymore.¡± ¡°But we¡­¡± A pained look flashed in Fabian Percival¡¯s eyes. ¡°We have no choice.¡± Devlin turned around and helped Fabian Percival up from the ground: ¡°All people fear death, but the matron has tasted the sweetness of eternal life; she will not willingly give it up.¡± ¡°But is the secret to eternal life really in Gonzalez City?¡± Fabian Percival looked out the window and mumbled to himself, ¡°More than a decade ago, the matron sent out so many people to seek the truth of eternal life, but in the end, why was it pinpointed to Gonzalez City?¡± ¡°Gonzalez City?¡± Devlin was momentarily stunned, then he laughed: ¡°When you were forced to leave Gonzalez City, the matron was behind the planning. The first time she tasted the sweetness of eternal life, she had already begun to lay out her plans.¡± ¡°What!¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s face went pale! At that time, he hadn¡¯t even met the matron! He was unaware of this terrifying existence! ¡°Because the planner of that uprising, was me.¡± Ignoring the shocked look on Fabian Percival¡¯s face, Devlin walked away from the Five-lakes Clubhouse with his hands clasped behind his back. ¡°This chess game has been played for twenty years. Although I am a planner, I, too, am but a piece in the game. Fabian Percival, this is your fate.¡± ¡­ Julius Reed had a dream. In the dream, he was being pursued by countless people. He wanted to fight back, but the strength in his body remained constrained. Until¡­ Quella Radcliffe kicked him awake. In nearly four years, Julius Reed had never slept so soundly. ¡°Hurry up, the Roosevelt family¡¯s people will visit the business federation headquarters building at ten, and the banquet will start on time at eleven-thirty.¡± Quella Radcliffe had already dressed and was sitting on the bed watching Julius Reed. ¡°What time is it?¡± Julius Reed groggily picked up his cell phone and couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°Damn! It¡¯s nine o¡¯clock! How did I wake up so late?¡± Normally, he would wake up before six o¡¯clock. But now, he slept straight until nine, even though he had nightmares all night long. When he got up from bed, he found several messages on his phone. One of them was sent by Beckett Carmichael at eight-thirty. The gist was that the Lopez Family had already sent people from the capital to seek justice for Tariq Lopez. Jennifer Lopez had also returned to the capital overnight, most likely finished. Another message was from Aron Jackson. When Orren Beaumont turned against them, he brought many of the original employees, greatly weakening Fabian Percival¡¯s strength. To commend this act of returning to the right path, Aron Jackson made an exception to reemploy Orren Beaumont in an important position among his own staff. He would take him everywhere he went. To show his own generosity and magnanimity. ¡°Come on, we¡¯ll be late!¡± Quella Radcliffe urged from the side. ¡°Alright! Alright! Alright!¡± Julius Reed put down his cell phone, rolled out of bed, washed his face, and brushed his teeth. Ten minutes before the banquet started. Julius Reed drove the car, taking Quella Radcliffe to the Five-state International Building. The Five-state International Building constructed by Itai Huntington was a comprehensive business building. The top floor consisted of offices, and below was a large shopping mall complex. As it was located in the suburbs and the surrounding buildings were not yet fully developed, only a large restaurant was open for business. Employees of the business federation often came here to eat, and visiting customers were also received here. Today, because of the need to entertain the Roosevelt family, Itai Huntington attached great importance to it. Banners were hung outside, and the LCD screen displayed welcome messages in both Chinese and English. There was also a team of greeters standing neatly at the entrance. ¡°Quite a grandiose display.¡± Julius Reed said with a smile, shaking his head. ¡°They¡¯re the Roosevelt family, a huge financial consortium from the Americas!¡± Quella Radcliffe gave him a glance, ¡°Be careful what you say later, don¡¯t offend them.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, if there were offense to be taken, it would have happened long ago.¡± Julius Reed said with a smile on his face. Back when he was wielding the Night Sword and killed that batch of Shadow Warriors on the boat, the two sides had already crossed paths. The restaurant was on the second floor. As they went up the elevator, they saw Itai Huntington wearing a fiery red cheongsam, chatting with several Americans. One of them had blond hair and blue eyes, and appeared to be in his twenties. Behind him stood an Easterner and a black man. ¡°Quella, let me introduce you.¡± Seeing Quella Radcliffe and Julius Reed walking over, Itai Huntington smiled and began to speak, ¡°This is the young master of the Roosevelt family, Roosevelt Chide.¡± After saying that, she introduced them to Chopter, ¡°This is the general manager of our business federation, Quella Radcliffe. And this person by her side is her driver, Julius Reed.¡± ¡°Julius Reed?¡± Upon hearing that name, Chopter frowned slightly. ¡°Do you know each other?¡± Such a detail naturally did not escape Itai Huntington¡¯s eyes. ¡°No, I just¡­ find the name quite interesting,¡± said Chopter with a polite smile, and he also introduced, ¡°This is my bodyguard, Jay King, known as ¡®King of Fighters¡¯. And this is Odingle Keller, also the brother of the owner of the Northern restaurant.¡± Chapter 674 - Chapter 674: Chapter 674: A Friendly Handshake_1 Chapter 674: Chapter 674: A Friendly Handshake_1 ¡°Julius Reed, I¡¯m pleased to meet you!¡± Odingle Keller extended a hand, his hostility veiled by his less than fluent Hua Xia language. His mouth said he was pleased, but his heart was nearly full of hatred for Julius Reed! The Odingle family had followed Roosevelt for years, taking care of the Roosevelt family¡¯s overseas business. Now his own brother had been severely injured, and the enemy was right before his eyes¡ªhow could Keller be pleased? If it weren¡¯t for Chopter¡¯s intervention, he would have loved to punch this fragile-looking Eastern man to death! ¡°I am also very happy to meet you.¡± Julius Reed replied with a polite smile, yet he did not shake Keller¡¯s hand. ¡°This Mr. Reed seems not to give much face to our Roosevelt family, eh¡­¡± Chopter, seeing Julius Reed¡¯s indifferent expression, said teasingly to Itai Huntington. ¡°Julius Reed! Don¡¯t be so rude when someone offers you a handshake!¡± Itai Huntington hurriedly said with an apologetic smile, ¡°Our employee is straightforward and doesn¡¯t know the rules.¡± They couldn¡¯t afford to offend the Roosevelt consortium, a major financial group in the Americas. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ??¦Í?¦Ï.§ã¦Ï If the Business Alliance could really reach a cooperation with the Roosevelt consortium, they might make a huge profit in the future. They would also take the opportunity to grow stronger and more powerful! ¡°Alright then.¡± Julius Reed extended his hand and grasped Keller¡¯s firmly. ¡°Oh! Mr. Reed, I¡¯m really happy¡­¡± began Keller, his face full of smiles until it suddenly turned a shade of green. A handshake? He just wanted to vent his anger! And Chopter also wanted to put Julius Reed in his place! But! They had underestimated Julius Reed! Keller, who had intended to crush Julius Reed¡¯s hand, was now wearing an expression of unbearable pain on his face. The other man¡¯s strength was greater! ¡°Mr. Keller, are you not feeling well?¡± Julius Reed asked with some curiosity, ¡°Your face, why has it turned green?¡± Anyone¡¯s hand being crushed would turn green, wouldn¡¯t they? But all he could manage to say was, ¡°I¡¯m not used to the local conditions. The wind in Gonzalez City is somewhat¡­ somewhat strong¡­¡± Keller, who had been full of pride just moments ago, now looked as if he were about to cry. Pain! Agonizing, heart-wrenching pain! ¡°In your country, is it customary to shake hands for such a long time?¡± The smile on Julius Reed¡¯s face grew broader. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s enough¡­¡± Keller¡¯s facial muscles twitched continuously, clearly unable to hold on much longer. He wanted to let go, but Julius Reed¡¯s grip was so tight, how could he pull away? ¡°Let¡¯s call it even.¡± At that moment. Jay King walked over and said coldly. A chill flashed in his eyes. ¡°Hmm.¡± Crack! Julius Reed suddenly exerted more force, then slowly released his hold on Keller¡¯s hand. ¡°Hiss¡­¡± Keller inhaled sharply, the veins on his head bulging! His hand bones were shattered. If not for years of training that had forged his iron will. He would have screamed in agony from that grip. ¡°Brother, are you not feeling well?¡± Julius Reed looked at Keller with a strange gaze, extending a hand as if to catch him. ¡°No¡­ no problem at all!¡± Keller quickly withdrew his hand. He desperately suppressed the pain inside him, his voice weak as he said, ¡°Thank you for your kindness, I¡­ I need to use the restroom!¡± Now he had to swallow his teeth down his throat! Who asked for this, provoking the man himself? He hadn¡¯t expected that trying to steal a chicken would lead to losing the rice instead. ¡°Wait a minute!¡± Julius Reed took a step forward, directly grabbed Keller¡¯s arm, and yanked him back forcefully! ¡°Hiss!¡± Keller¡¯s heart spasmed with pain, and he almost fainted. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Jay King took another step forward, radiating an extremely strong presence! If Julius Reed dared to harm Keller, he wouldn¡¯t mind making a move in public. ¡°The bathroom is over there,¡± Julius Reed pointed behind him and said with a simple smile, ¡°Brother, you¡¯re going the wrong way. Just wanted to kindly point it out.¡± ¡°Thanks¡­ thanks.¡± Keller¡¯s forehead was drenched in sweat, which dripped into his eyes and made everything look somewhat blurry. ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± Julius Reed patted him on the shoulder. ¡°See you later.¡± ¡°See you later¡­¡± Keller scurried to the bathroom, unable to restrain a muffled roar. ¡°Ah¡­¡± ¡°Holy shit! Who the hell makes such a racket taking a dump? Scared the crap outta me!¡± In the next stall, there was first the splash of something heavy hitting the water, followed by sounds of fishing something out of the water. ¡°Fuck!¡± Already furious, Keller glared at the stall where the noise was coming from with red eyes. Can¡¯t handle Julius Reed? How about I handle you? ¡°Folks in the live stream, there was a little mishap just now. But no worries, I¡¯ve managed to fish out my phone.¡± ¡°Though it¡¯s not the same time, it is the same bathroom. Today, I¡¯ll live stream again for everyone¡­¡± Whoosh! Before the broadcaster inside could finish his sentence, Keller kicked furiously! He smashed the toilet door to smithereens! Thump! ¡°Ouch¡­¡± Ignoring the screams behind him, Keller took out a small medicine bottle and, fighting through the severe pain, swallowed its contents. ¡°Boss, I need to go to the hospital. All the bones in my hand are shattered. You guys be careful!¡± He sent a message to Chopter using his phone and quickly left Five-state International. If he didn¡¯t get to the hospital soon, he would likely lose his hand! At that moment, Roosevelt Chide¡­ Was sitting on a chair, chatting with Itai Huntington about a business alliance with a smile. The moment he saw the message, his expression turned grim. ¡°Mr. Chopter, is there a problem?¡± Noticing Roosevelt Chide¡¯s discomfort, Itai Huntington asked. ¡°Nothing serious, I¡¯m probably just¡­ a little hungry.¡± Chopter quickly put on a different expression and smiled as he passed the phone to Jay King, ¡°Sit down, let¡¯s eat.¡± ¡°Okay, young master.¡± A hint of surprise flashed in Jay King¡¯s eyes but quickly vanished. He knew well the skills Keller possessed. Sending Keller to shake hands with Julius Reed was exactly his plan! Jay King wanted to probe the opponent¡¯s strength. He had thought it would be an even match, but he hadn¡¯t expected Julius Reed to be so formidable! ¡°By the way, I have a friend who came along with me.¡± Chopter smiled at Itai Huntington, ¡°You won¡¯t mind, will you?¡± ¡°Of course not!¡± Pieter Huntington picked up a glass of red wine, smiling warmly, ¡°Your friend is my friend.¡± ¡°Let him in.¡± Chopter nodded, and Jay King immediately stood up and left. Half a minute later, Fabian Percival came in with him. ¡°Fabian Percival¡­¡± Seeing him enter the restaurant, Itai Huntington¡¯s eyes suddenly flashed with a cold light! Fabian Percival had twice put her in mortal danger; the first time, Alonso Dragon had even almost violated her! This grudge, Itai Huntington would never forget! ¡°Miss Huntington, we meet again.¡± Fabian Percival entered with his hands clasped behind his back, bowed deeply in front of Chopter, and then sat down slowly. ¡°He¡­ is your friend?¡± Itai Huntington looked at Chopter, beginning to ponder his intentions. ¡°Of course!¡± Chopter feigned surprise, ¡°Miss Huntington, you know each other?¡± ¡°More than know each other, it¡¯s deeply etched in my memory!¡± Itai Huntington suppressed the fury in her heart, doing her best not to appear too impulsive. At that moment, Julius Reed received a message from Aron Jackson. Members of the Lopez family had arrived in Gonzalez City. ¡°I¡¯m going to step out and make a call; you all continue chatting.¡± He stood up and flashed an odd smile at Fabian Percival. Chapter 675 - Chapter 675: Chapter 675 Teaching Jay King to Be a Person_1 Chapter 675: Chapter 675 Teaching Jay King to Be a Person_1 ¡°` When Julius Reed returned, the dishes had already been served. The atmosphere at the table was very strange. Fabian Percival and Itai Huntington were sitting close to each other, but both wore murderous expressions on their faces. Roosevelt Chide, on the other hand, had a smile on his face and was chatting merrily with Jay King at his side. Quella Radcliffe was eating alone in silence. The business discussion, which had been harmonious enough, became somewhat more intense with the sudden appearance of Fabian Percival. The dining table was charged with tension. ¡°Mr. Reed,¡± Chopter lifted his glass and swirled it gently with a smile, ¡°I hear you laid hands on Odingle¡ªthe owner of the Northern restaurant; is that true?¡± As soon as these words were spoken, everyone at the table stopped their movements with their utensils. The incident of Julius Reed beating Odingle was witnessed by Itai Huntington herself! Although Quella Radcliffe had not heard about it, given the tone of the other party, she could guess that her husband had caused some trouble. All eyes at the table were fixed on Julius Reed. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.?¦Ï ¡°Who told you that?¡± Julius Reed set down his chopsticks and gently wiped his mouth. ¡°Odingle,¡± Chopter countered, meeting his gaze with a trace of disdain in his eyes. A country bumpkin from Gonzalez City, daring to speak to someone from the Roosevelt family like this? What good is the ability to fight? Which of his employees¡¯ bodyguards can¡¯t fight? In the face of money, no one can stand firm. ¡°Isn¡¯t that a false accusation?¡± Julius Reed stood up, somewhat annoyed, ¡°As a law-abiding citizen, if I¡¯m to be slandered like this, wouldn¡¯t my reputation be completely ruined?¡± Seeing his expression, Chopter couldn¡¯t help but furrow his brows. Pretty good at playing the victim, huh? But then, with a cold laugh, he said, ¡°Mr. Reed, I can bring Odingle here, and whether you assaulted someone or not will become clear.¡± ¡°Baseless accusations,¡± Julius Reed said with an aggrieved face. ¡°What if I said that young master Chopter hit me¡ªwould you admit to it?¡± ¡°How insolent! How do you speak to young master Chopter?¡± Jay King¡¯s eyes were ice cold, speaking as if his words were edged with knives. Whoosh! Julius Reed slammed his hand on the table and walked over to Jay King. ¡°Mr. Reed, what are you doing?¡± Chopter watched him warily, a flicker of fear in his eyes. Smack! Before they could react, Julius Reed slapped Jay King across the face! ¡°You, a servant, do you understand the rules?¡± He looked at the enraged Jay King and spoke calmly, ¡°I was speaking with young master Chopter. As a bodyguard, don¡¯t you think you¡¯re forgetting your place?¡± ¡°Mr. Reed!¡± Chopter observed Jay King¡¯s expression closely, but immediately reproached him, ¡°That was a bit too disrespectful!¡± ¡°Disrespectful?¡± Julius Reed turned around, facing Jay King who was clenching his fists, ¡°Our business cooperation is built on fairness. If you think that a bodyguard can instruct me around, then the people of the Roosevelt family must lack good breeding.¡± ¡°And let me tell you something,¡± he looked at Jay King, ¡°inside the business alliance, Itai Huntington, Quella Radcliffe, and I are the three most influential people.¡± ¡°You?¡± Chopter spoke with some surprise, ¡°Aren¡¯t you¡­¡± ¡°I am the president! Haven¡¯t you heard of a domineering president?¡± Julius Reed looked at Chopter with a grin, ¡°So, get your people to show me some respect!¡± ¡°Impossible!¡± Chopter¡¯s face darkened and he turned to Itai Huntington, ¡°Miss Huntington, he¡¯s slandering your consortium!¡± In Chopter¡¯s mind, this newly formed alliance was entirely under the command of Itai Huntington. ¡°` As long as I take care of this woman, everything afterward will be much more convenient. Now Julius Reed jumps out, claiming he¡¯s a domineering CEO¡ªisn¡¯t that a joke? In the world, there¡¯s no such ridiculous thing! ¡°Indeed.¡± Itai Huntington nodded sincerely and said, ¡°He does have a certain right to speak. If Mr. Chopter thinks that your bodyguards can boss us around, then wouldn¡¯t I be able to call over all the members for a discussion?¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Chopter took a deep breath and then showed a smile, shrugged, and said, ¡°My man was unreasonable. I apologize to you.¡± He had come to Gonzalez City this time specifically to leverage local enterprises to find that secret. But if he wanted to make a move in Gonzalez City, he could not avoid Itai Huntington. Today, he could only swallow his pride. ¡°Hear that?¡± Julius Reed patted Jay King¡¯s cheek with satisfaction, ¡°If you¡¯re going to be a dog, you have to be aware of your role. When it¡¯s your turn to bite, you go forth. When it¡¯s not, keep your mouth shut!¡± Jay King, known as the ¡°Tyrant,¡± was a notorious figure in the Americas. Now, facing such humiliation, his eyes were filled with blood vessels. If it weren¡¯t for the bigger picture, he would have slashed Julius Reed right there and then! ¡°What, not convinced?¡± Julius Reed frowned and walked up to Jay King, ¡°Are the Roosevelt family¡¯s bodyguards all this arrogant? I don¡¯t think there¡¯s a need to talk then. Just go home.¡± As these words were spoken, everyone looked at him with strange gazes. Has he gone mad? This was the thought in Itai Huntington¡¯s and Quella Radcliffe¡¯s minds. They knew Julius Reed might make trouble, but they hadn¡¯t expected it to come so soon! The Roosevelt family had a huge influence in the Americas, and many groups maintained good relations with this wealthy conglomerate. If they offended the Roosevelt family, then they could forget about doing business in the Americas in the future. For a coastal city, for a group that was just starting, such an opportunity was not to be missed! Moreover, in the conflict just prior, they had been in full control. Was there really a need to be so relentless when they were right? And Chopter was even more stunned, unable to speak. Had this Eastern man gone crazy? First, he hit the Roosevelt family¡¯s bodyguard, now he even dared to refuse cooperation with the Roosevelt family? He stood up immediately, grabbed his briefcase, and was about to leave. ¡°Since you have so little sincerity, we won¡¯t impose any further.¡± Having said that, Chopter turned and walked towards the door. Itai Huntington was just about to get up to stop him when she was suppressed by a look from Julius Reed! As the man was about to reach the door, both Itai Huntington and Quella Radcliffe¡¯s hearts were nearly in their throats. ¡°Master, it was wrong of me at first, the cooperation is important.¡± Jay King suppressed the anger in his heart and spoke out. ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll give them another chance,¡± Chopter¡¯s face was extremely embarrassed, but he had to turn back and awkwardly sit down on the chair. The moment he sat down, both Itai Huntington and Quella Radcliffe gave Julius Reed a strange look. Based on their understanding, Julius Reed must have received some information in advance to have such a hold over Chopter. Fabian Percival was completely baffled. He had come here for a meal, initially to exert pressure on Itai Huntington. Now, it turned out he had no idea what he should do. ¡°Um, I have a little matter, I need to make a trip to the restroom.¡± After his phone vibrated, Julius Reed immediately turned and left the banquet. No sooner had he gone than a group of people entered the banquet hall. ¡°Where¡¯s Fabian Percival?¡± Chapter 676 - Chapter 676: Chapter 676: The Assailant, Jay King_1 Chapter 676: Chapter 676: The Assailant, Jay King_1 ¡°I am Fabian Percival, who are you?¡± Because he was here to attend a banquet, Fabian Percival hadn¡¯t brought any bodyguards with him. Rocco Leocadia and the others, they were just waiting downstairs. After all, with Chopter present, no one would dare to cause trouble. At this moment. Seeing a group of people walk in through the door, he had a bad feeling. There weren¡¯t many who knew of his coming here. Even the brothers within the group didn¡¯t know he was coming here. So, from where did this group of people learn of it? ¡°Who might you be¡­¡± Fabian Percival stood up, looking at the man leading the group. ¡°Lopez Family, Jeffrey Lopez.¡± Jeffrey Lopez said arrogantly. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.?¦Ï Behind him, stood two elderly men. The elderly men were personal guards of Old Mr. Lopez, and although they were advanced in years, their skills were formidable! It was said that when the two joined forces, they could match Terry Moore evenly. But the specifics, no one knew. After all, Terry Moore rarely acted. ¡°So, it¡¯s Lopez family members.¡± Upon hearing Jeffrey Lopez¡¯s name, Mr. Thorneycroft¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He and Jennifer Lopez had once conspired to bring the Lopez Family down. Now that the scheme had been revealed, it was almost impossible for him to clear his involvement! ¡°This gentleman here is Darnell Lopez, and also the father of Tariq Lopez.¡± Jeffrey Lopez indicated a middle-aged man behind him. ¡°Pleased to meet¡­¡± Slap! Just as Fabian Percival was about to extend his hand in a gesture of goodwill, Darnell Lopez swung his hand and delivered a slap! ¡°You old fart! You dare to plot against my Lopez Family!¡± Whoosh! Before Fabian Percival could react, Darnell Lopez kicked out! Thud! This sixty-year-old man directly fell to the ground. Darnell Lopez had come here full of rage! His son had been crippled, now a disabled person! Even if Jennifer Lopez was put under house arrest, even if the Lopez Family was planning to compensate Tariq Lopez! But what was the use of that! It couldn¡¯t bring back his son¡¯s legs! The banquet hall fell silent. Itai Huntington could probably guess that this was another of Julius Reed¡¯s tactics. Why else leave at the moment the Lopez family arrived if not then? Since there was drama to watch, she simply held her tongue. ¡°Fabian Percival, you¡¯ve got some nerve!¡± Darnell Lopez had been holding back this anger for many days! As soon as they disembarked from the airplane, someone stopped them and explained Fabian Percival¡¯s whereabouts. They drove straight to Five-state International, not expecting to actually find Fabian Percival here! ¡°Why are you hitting people!¡± Chopter couldn¡¯t just stand by and watch. Fabian Percival was his man, who had come to Gonzalez City to serve him! If his employee got hit and he remained silent, the Roosevelt family would certainly be laughed at. ¡°And who are you! Get lost!¡± Darnell Lopez was furious, and when a young man stood out in front of him, his anger only grew. ¡°Mind your language!¡± Before Chopter could speak, Jay King, who had been holding back his anger, stepped forward and approached Darnell Lopez: ¡°We are from the Roosevelt family; Mr. Thorneycroft is our friend.¡± ¡°The Roosevelt family?¡± Hearing this name, Jeffrey Lopez furrowed his brow and asked, ¡°The Roosevelt family from the Americas?¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± Jay King said with a stern face: ¡°You¡¯d better apologize to him immediately, or else, be prepared to face the wrath of the Roosevelt family!¡± ¡°What a joke!¡± Jeffrey Lopez laughed loudly, pointing at Fabian Percival with one hand: ¡°This old man dares to frame my nephew, even if you are from the Roosevelt family, that¡¯s stretching your hand too far!¡± The Lopez Family may not be as powerful as the four major families in the capital, but they were nearly on par with the Lee Family in terms of influence. To have the most promising member of his own family crippled and to swallow this pride, the Lopez Family would certainly become the laughingstock of the capital! The Roosevelt family? Although they are very rich, if American businesses want to interfere in local matters, they¡¯ll have to see how the Lopez Family feels! ¡°Don¡¯t be ungrateful!¡± Jay King¡¯s tone was exceptionally forceful! Known as ¡®The Tyrant,¡¯ he normally acted in a highly domineering manner! But today, he had been insulted over and over again! ¡°Sorry, but when the Lopez family handles matters, I¡¯ll ask members of the Roosevelt family to refrain from interfering.¡± With a wave of his hand, Jeffrey Lopez spoke coldly, ¡°Take Fabian Percival away.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± No sooner had he spoken than two bodyguards stepped out from behind him. ¡°Did you not hear what I said?¡± Jay King stood with his hands behind his back, his expression dark as water. He had just given way to Julius Reed because he needed to think of the bigger picture. And indeed, he had just been caught in a compromising situation. But he harbored no fear when facing the Lopez family. ¡°We have always respected the Roosevelt family. But if anyone dares to oppress us, sorry, the Lopez family won¡¯t accept it!¡± Jeffrey Lopez said coldly, ¡°Do as I said, and anyone who dares to stop us will be dealt with resolutely!¡± He was carrying out the orders of Old Mr. Lopez, to come to Gonzalez City and sort out Fabian Percival, and to reclaim the honor of the Lopez family. Even if it were the King of Heaven himself, today he would take Fabian Percival away! ¡°Then don¡¯t blame me for not being polite.¡± Jay King¡¯s expression darkened and he suddenly lashed out with two fierce punches! Whoosh! Whoosh! The two bodyguards had yet to comprehend what happened before they were sent flying backward! Thud! The one who was seriously injured curled up on the ground, spitting out blood. ¡°Any more volunteers?¡± Jay King spoke with boundless arrogance. When he stopped suppressing himself, there were very few who could be his match. ¡°You dare to strike someone!¡± Jeffrey Lopez¡¯s face showed a slight change, but he still maintained his composure, ¡°I¡¯m giving the Roosevelt family a face-saving way out. If you step aside now, we will not dwell on what has just happened.¡± After all, they were just two ordinary employees, and if they were injured, so be it. If this could ensure peaceful coexistence with the Roosevelt family, then it was worth it. ¡°Not dwell on what has just happened?¡± Jay King pointed at Fabian Percival lying on the ground and said with a cold smile, ¡°Now, apologize to Mr. Thorneycroft, and perhaps I¡¯ll consider not holding a grudge against your Lopez family.¡± His tone was filled with an unmistakable sharp edge! ¡°You¡¯re being too presumptuous!¡± Jeffrey Lopez took a step backward, ¡°Teach this ignorant fool a lesson!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The two old masters exchanged glances and charged forward abruptly! Whoosh! Whoosh! Jay King faced them two against one, utterly fearless! Within just two or three rounds, he had already gained the upper hand! Crack! Seizing a moment when one old master was not paying attention, Jay King sharply broke one of the man¡¯s fingers! Whoosh! At the same time, he kicked out, forcing the other man back several steps! ¡°Is this the best you can do?¡± Jay King watched the two old men in front of him with a sneer, raised a finger, and shook it lightly, ¡°You¡¯ve gotten old, no longer useful!¡± ¡°Well done!¡± Chopter also stepped out from behind him, clapping continuously, ¡°Worthy of the title ¡®The Tyrant,¡¯ truly showing your tyrannical nature today!¡± ¡°You bunch of trash can¡¯t even handle one young man!¡± Feeling his dignity swept away, Jeffrey Lopez turned and glared at the two old masters, ¡°If you can¡¯t even handle this today, then pack your things and get out of the Lopez family!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The two old masters took a deep breath, clenching their fists tightly! ¡°Come on, I¡¯m short on time.¡± Jay King casually beckoned with his fingers, ¡°Let¡¯s make this quick. I don¡¯t have time to waste on you two old fools.¡± The brief fight had swept away his previous grievances, leaving him deeply satisfied! ¡°Remember this! The one who hits people, Jay King!¡± After saying these words, Jay King stood proudly. ¡°Get them!¡± The two old masters exchanged a look, feeling insulted! Swish! It was at this moment that Julius Reed, through the restaurant window, flicked out a small pebble! The pebble hit its target flawlessly, striking right at the acupressure point on Jay King¡¯s wrist! ¡°Hiss!¡± Jay King took a step back, quickly grabbing his own hand. Whoosh! But just then, the two men had already joined forces and charged up, throwing two punches straight down! Chapter 677 - Chapter 677: Chapter 677: Burying You, Three Feet of Loess is Enough_1 Chapter 677: Chapter 677: Burying You, Three Feet of Loess is Enough_1 Completely unprepared, Jay King was caught off guard and was knocked to the ground! Hurgh! A severe pain erupted in his chest, followed by a mouthful of fresh blood spewing out. The two elders, facing the risk of being expelled from the Lopez Family, and also humiliated earlier, were now striking with extra ferocity! Hesitating not a second, as Jay King tried to turn and dodge, they stomped down on him mercilessly once more! ¡°Stop!¡± Chopter¡¯s face turned pale with shock! He had never imagined that a simple meal could turn into such a situation! Had he known, he would have brought more experts along, instead of coming alone! ¡°Stop it already!¡± Only when he saw Jay King¡¯s bones were nearly broken did Jeffrey Lopez finally feel satisfied and called off the two elders. To him, a bodyguard was of no consequence. After all, not a finger of any member of the Roosevelt family had been laid. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï???.?¦Ï ¡°Are you all right?¡± Chopter hurriedly crouched down to check Jay King¡¯s injuries. He still couldn¡¯t figure it out, Jay King was from the top, so how could he have been suddenly beaten like this? ¡°No¡­ It¡¯s nothing¡­¡± Jay King struggled to support himself, but the blood from his mouth couldn¡¯t be held back from flowing out. ¡°Mr. Lopez, you¡¯ve beaten my man! Can you now give the Roosevelt family some face and let me take Fabian Percival and leave?¡± Chopter glanced at the somewhat dazed Fabian Percival on the ground and softened his tone, ¡°Later, I will personally visit to explain this matter clearly.¡± ¡°No way!¡± Jeffrey Lopez came here to deal with Fabian Percival properly. If he were to let him go, what would have been the point of coming? ¡°Boss, there are people outside!¡± Just then, Darnell Lopez walked in from outside, his expression tense, ¡°They¡¯re Fabian Percival¡¯s employees, dozens of them!¡± ¡°What did you say!¡± Jeffrey Lopez turned around and walked to the window, looking down. He saw Rocco Leocadia wearing a black hat, donning a trench coat, with hands in pockets, looking up at the building. ¡°Boss, we arrived in haste. If we really push Fabian Percival into a corner, it might backfire!¡± Although Darnell Lopez was Tariq Lopez¡¯s father, having vented his anger, he naturally did not want an all-out confrontation with the other party. They came to get an explanation! Now that they¡¯ve beaten the person, it was naturally time to leave. The Lopez family members understood the principle of quitting while ahead. This place, after all, was not the capital. ¡°In that case, let¡¯s also give the Roosevelt family some face.¡± Jeffrey Lopez put on his sunglasses and gave Fabian Percival a cold glance on the ground, ¡°This matter will not end here with the Lopez Family!¡± Having said that, he turned around and prepared to leave. ¡°Oh! What a coincidence!¡± As he was walking to the door, Darnell Lopez and Julius Reed bumped into each other. ¡°Who are you, walking¡­¡± When Darnell Lopez realized it was Julius Reed, his eyes nearly shot fire! If you talk about Fabian Percival, he was just scheming against Jennifer Lopez. But this Julius Reed, he actually broke his son¡¯s leg for real! The Shadow Warriors he had sent out were all dead! ¡°I¡¯m Julius Reed, don¡¯t you recognize me?¡± Julius Reed smiled and looked at Darnell Lopez, ¡°Didn¡¯t you also send someone to kill me? Mr. Lopez, such a short memory you have!¡± ¡°You¡¯re Julius Reed!¡± When he heard the name, Jeffrey Lopez was also taken aback. They had come to Gonzalez City intending to deal with Julius Reed first, then tackle Fabian Percival. But who could have expected it. They had just gotten off the plane, not even ready yet. And they received word that Fabian Percival was all alone at Five-state International. Eager for revenge, Darnell Lopez led his men straight here and gave Fabian Percival a beating first. Now encountering Julius Reed, they were all somewhat stunned. Apparently, their enemies had gathered together? ¡°Young man, you¡¯re the one who broke my nephew¡¯s leg?¡± Jeffrey Lopez sized up Julius Reed, shaking his head unconcernedly. It was just a scrawny young man, and today he was going to avenge Tariq Lopez properly! ¡°I¡¯m the one who broke it, and not only his leg¡ªI also arranged the indecent photos of Jennifer Lopez,¡± he said, pointing to Jay King and Fabian Percival on the ground, ¡°These two here are also because I sent someone to inform you of their whereabouts.¡± ¡°You used me!¡± Jeffrey Lopez was no fool. As soon as Julius Reed finished speaking, he understood what was happening. However, he didn¡¯t care. Because if Fabian Percival dared to scheme against the Lopez Family, he had to be ready for retaliation! And now was a good time. He¡¯d deal with Julius Reed as well and return directly to the capital. ¡°Of course.¡± Julius Reed, hands in his pockets, grinned at Jeffrey Lopez, ¡°Tell the Lopez Family to stay put in the capital. If you dare come out again, don¡¯t blame me for sending Tariq Lopez to his death.¡± ¡°You dare threaten me?¡± Jeffrey Lopez found this very amusing. Here he was with two expert Martial Artists by his side, yet a youngster was threatening him. ¡°Young man, do you know how high the sky is or how thick the earth is?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure about the height of the sky, but I know the earth is three feet deep.¡± Julius Reed met his gaze as he responded. ¡°Three feet?¡± Jeffrey Lopez was momentarily stumped by this statement. ¡°Three feet of yellow earth is enough to bury you,¡± Julius Reed said with disdain in his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re courting death!¡± Jeffrey Lopez swung his arm with a punch heading straight for Julius! ¡°Don¡¯t hit¡­¡± Darnell Lopez wanted to intervene, but it was already too late! Even the Shadow Warrior couldn¡¯t deal with Julius Reed. With Jeffrey Lopez striking like this, wasn¡¯t he asking for death? Indeed. Just as his fist was about to hit Julius Reed, it was firmly caught by a hand. ¡°Didn¡¯t anyone tell you, I¡¯m an expert?¡± Crack! He twisted hard! And just like that, he broke Jeffrey Lopez¡¯s arm! ¡°Ah¡­ my hand¡­¡± Jeffrey Lopez screamed in agony, collapsing to the ground and curling into a ball. ¡°Attack!¡± The elderly men behind him exchanged glances and charged together. ¡°Feeble creatures!¡± Whoosh! Whoosh! Julius Reed dashed forward, knocking down those who came at him with two punches. For a moment. Only Darnell Lopez remained standing, shivering in fear. ¡°Make your move!¡± Julius Reed looked at him impatiently, urging, ¡°Hurry up!¡± ¡°Julius Reed, don¡¯t push people too far¡­¡± How could Darnell Lopez possibly make a move? If he did, these people on the ground would be his future! Slap! Julius Reed slapped him and said, ¡°I¡¯ve gone too far, so what now?¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Slap! Darnell Lopez had barely said a word when another slap from Julius Reed cut him off! ¡°Hiss¡­¡± He took a deep breath, his face red and burning hot. If only he had known this was a trap set by Julius Reed, he would rather die than rush here straight after getting off the plane! Now, caught between a rock and a hard place, he had walked right into the setup himself! ¡°Anything else? If not, I¡¯ll be on my way.¡± Ignoring the strange looks from those on the floor, Julius Reed took Quella Radcliffe and Itai Huntington and left the banquet hall of Five-state International. ¡°Julius Reed, you¡¯re crazy! You even dare to plot against people from the Roosevelt family!¡± Itai Huntington was still not over the shock. ¡°And it¡¯s one thing to use others to eliminate your enemies, but why would you announce it?¡± Quella Radcliffe looked worried. She had seen Jay King¡¯s skills firsthand, not to mention the background of the Roosevelt family. They certainly wouldn¡¯t let today¡¯s events slide after being played by Julius Reed. ¡°You think if we treat them with respect, they would let us go?¡± Julius Reed snorted lightly and shook his head, ¡°Survival of the fittest is an eternal rule.¡± Itai Huntington strongly agreed with this statement in his heart. Only when one is strong enough, does one gain respect. ¡°What¡¯s your plan now?¡± Quella Radcliffe tacitly agreed with Julius Reed¡¯s thinking. It was supposed to be a simple banquet, but now they were all somewhat worried. ¡°Let them bite each other like dogs. We¡¯ll just watch the drama unfold,¡± Julius Reed said as he walked to the window, pointing at the bodyguards who had started to arrive downstairs. ¡°Those are Fabian Percival¡¯s men. I¡¯ve sent someone to tell them that Fabian Percival was beaten up upstairs.¡± ¡°That¡¯s pretty low of you!¡± Itai Huntington shook his head, helpless. Chapter 678 - Chapter 678: Chapter 678: The Disappeared Letter_1 Chapter 678: Chapter 678: The Disappeared Letter_1 ¡°I must kill this Julius Reed!¡± Gonzalez City, Northern restaurant. Inside a private room. Jay King lay on the bed. And beside him stood Odingle Keller and Roosevelt Chide. If someone saw this scene, they would be utterly shocked! Chopter, who acted as the host during the day, was now standing respectfully in front of Jay King. Changing his bandages. ¡°Chopter, your performance today has disappointed me.¡± Jay King looked at Chopter coldly, scaring the latter in such haste that he immediately knelt on the ground. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! Please forgive me, Holy Envoy!¡± His body started to tremble. ¡°Forget it. However, I hope this is the last time you act rashly.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.?? Jay King took a deep breath, pain keeping a tense expression on his face. ¡°It most certainly will be!¡± Chopter, looking relieved, gently dabbed Jay King¡¯s wound with a cotton swab. The scion of the Roosevelt family actually knelt on the ground like this. If this got out, it would certainly rock the Americas! Yet Keller, standing close by, was remarkably indifferent, as though he was used to all of this. ¡°Before grandmother¡¯s birthday, we must find the ingredients for the elixir of immortality. Otherwise¡­ hiss¡­¡± Jay King tried to turn over gently, but the pain made him grimace and grit his teeth. Those two old men were too ruthless! They were almost bent on homicide! Had Jay King not been so vigorous, he¡¯d probably be unconscious in a hospital by now. ¡°Holy Envoy, does such an elixir really exist?¡± Chopter asked, curious. The Roosevelt family might appear glorious on the surface. In reality, they served a mysterious figure known as grandmother. The whole family was nothing but puppets! But one thing was certain: they could spend money as they pleased. Grandmother was very lenient when it came to living conditions. But as soon as someone disobeyed, the only outcome was death! ¡°Do not ask about what you are not supposed to know!¡± Jay King¡¯s face darkened, immediately silencing Chopter. ¡°Holy Envoy, what¡¯s our next step?¡± Keller was somewhat puzzled, ¡°Why did Julius Reed make it clear today? If he hadn¡¯t said anything, we wouldn¡¯t have known so soon that he was the one causing trouble behind the scenes!¡± Jeffrey Lopez¡¯s trouble seemed unexpected at first. Not until Julius Reed walked in and spelled out the cause. Did they truly understand what was happening. ¡°He is deliberately pressuring us.¡± Jay King sat up from the bed and scoffed, ¡°He wants to make us feel pressured, panicked, to thus reveal our true purpose for being here!¡± ¡°So what must we do next?¡± Chopter was also a bit confused; things had escalated to this point, their plan in Gonzalez City had already failed. Staying here was pointless. ¡°Julius Reed wants us to leave, but I refuse to!¡± Jay King walked to the window, looking at the passing ships and muttered to himself, ¡°I want to see who between us will truly be king!¡± ¡°Please enlighten us, Holy Envoy!¡± The two exchanged a glance and then knelt at Jay King¡¯s feet. ¡°Tomorrow, continue discussions with Itai Huntington about collaboration! Show sincerity, act as if nothing has happened!¡± Jay King said gravely, ¡°The collaboration must succeed! Without the Business Alliance, our search for the elixir will be infinitely harder!¡± ¡°Holy Envoy, what should I do?¡± Keller knelt on one knee on the ground, seeking instructions. ¡°It¡¯s only right to return a favor!¡± Jay King spoke with his hands behind his back, taking a deep breath, ¡°Since they play a double game with me, they can¡¯t blame me for not being nice! You take some men and wipe out Aron Jackson, one of his employees, tonight! Make it clean!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Keller stood up and left the Northern restaurant without looking back. No sooner had he left than Julius Reed received the news. Since Orren Beaumont¡¯s betrayal, the intelligence network of Gonzalez City had been reorganized by Aron Jackson. In the entire Gonzalez City, any little movement, Aron Jackson could immediately be aware of it. ¡°It seems they want to kill you.¡± Julius Reed leaned on the railing by the sea of Gonzalez City and said with a smile. ¡°The boss jokes, but isn¡¯t almost everyone who comes after me doing so because of you?¡± Aron Jackson sighed with a touch of resentment. Being his employee was far from easy. And he hadn¡¯t come across any good fortune yet. Anyone who came for revenge would make sure the first blade was aimed at him! ¡°I¡¯ve been wanting to ask you something.¡± Julius Reed turned around, with his back to the ocean, and stared straight at Aron Jackson: ¡°Why did you come to Gonzalez City in the first place?¡± Protecting himself had always been Aron Jackson¡¯s mission. Until last night, the idea had suddenly flashed through Julius Reed¡¯s head! Aron Jackson wasn¡¯t very familiar with him, and in terms of status, he couldn¡¯t compare at all with the people of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. Or rather, they weren¡¯t people from the same world. So why was it that, initially, it wasn¡¯t someone like Cold Nelson, a lord¡¯s guard, who came to protect him? But instead, it was Aron Jackson, an ordinary person? ¡°Boss, what do you mean by that?¡± Aron Jackson was also a bit stunned. ¡°What do I mean! I mean literally what I said!¡± Julius Reed was confused as well. ¡°Why did you come to Gonzalez City, why not just say it clearly?¡± ¡°Damn! Boss, wasn¡¯t it you who told me to come here?¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s eyes widened, somewhat in disbelief: ¡°You were the one who told me that you were the lord of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance and that you had lost your memory, becoming incapacitated. Before your memory returned, you asked me to protect you!¡± ¡°I told you?¡± Julius Reed yelled, ¡°What the hell! That¡¯s impossible! I am the lord of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, I have both money and people at my disposal. Why would I look for you?¡± ¡°Damn! What about me! Three years, haven¡¯t you been living just fine?¡± Aron Jackson said with a look of grievance: ¡°Boss, you can¡¯t be so heartless! What is this, ungratefulness?¡± Now, he looked just like a scorned woman. ¡°How could this be¡­¡± Julius Reed felt a headache coming on, as he couldn¡¯t recall any of this at all. ¡°How did you tell me initially? Did you tell me in person?¡± ¡°You wrote a letter! The letter said so.¡± Aron Jackson tried hard to remember, nodding, ¡°That¡¯s right! At the time I only knew you were formidable, I had no idea you were that formidable!¡± Back then, Julius Reed had done him a favor. So after receiving the letter, Aron Jackson left everything behind and went to Gonzalez City, fighting his way to the present day. ¡°The letter!¡± Julius Reed stretched out his hand and asked, ¡°Bring it here to have a look.¡± ¡°It said to burn after reading,¡± Aron Jackson frowned slightly. ¡°Where can I get it for you now! It¡¯s long been burnt!¡± ¡°Letter! Letter! Letter!¡± Julius Reed couldn¡¯t remember at all ever having written a letter. Although some of his memories hadn¡¯t returned, those lost memories were solely around the time of the battle at the peak of the snowy mountain. ¡°Have you two argued enough!¡± Just then, a cold voice came through. ¡°Can¡¯t you see we are discussing something here?¡± Julius Reed took a step forward and in just half a second, he was about five meters away. ¡°Out!¡± Thump! He was holding Keller by the neck with one hand, and he directly tossed him into the river! And the people behind Keller, even though they were holding boxes of hidden weapons, were already scared stiff! Is this a human? He¡¯s practically a monster! ¡°Kill him!¡± Keller struggled to surface in the ocean, calling out loudly. He had originally planned to capture Julius Reed alive to earn merit. But he hadn¡¯t expected to be thrown into the ocean so suddenly! ¡°So noisy!¡± Julius Reed snatched the hidden weapon box from the Shadow Warriors on the shore and hurled it at Keller in the ocean! Whoosh! The water was instantly stained red. And the remaining people, as if they had seen a ghost, fled in panic! ¡°Now, where were we?¡± Julius Reed threw the hidden weapon box into the ocean and returned to the railing to ask. ¡°The letter.¡± ¡°Where is the letter!¡± ¡°Burnt.¡± ¡°Who told you to burn it!¡± ¡°The letter did!¡± ¡°So where¡¯s the letter!¡± ¡°Burnt¡­¡± ¡­ Chapter 679 - Chapter 679: Chapter 679: Its Been Hard Searching for You_1 Chapter 679: Chapter 679: It¡¯s Been Hard Searching for You_1 As dawn broke and the first sliver of sunlight shone on the bandage wrapped around Jay King¡¯s buttocks, he woke up. Today, he had to finalize the cooperation with Itai Huntington. There were only three months left until grandmother¡¯s birthday banquet. The fact that grandmother even made him personally come to Gonzalez City showed the urgency of the matter. It was known that Jay King had been by grandmother¡¯s side all these years, never once leaving the Americas. Now, everyone was under immense pressure. Including grandmother herself. She had been planning for two hundred years, all to uncover the secret of immortality. Yet to date, there had been no success. With her time running out, panic was spreading throughout Thunderpeak Hall. ¡°Huff!¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.?¦Ï Jay King let out a long sigh as he straightened his clothes in front of the mirror. It¡¯s alright. Although injured, it was nothing serious. With the help of Thunderpeak Hall¡¯s medicinal powder, the wound couldn¡¯t fully heal, but it could mend significantly. ¡°Keller, Chopter.¡± He softly called out, and the door was slowly pushed open. Chopter walked in. ¡°How did Keller¡¯s operation go last night?¡± Jay King adjusted the collar of his shirt and reached out his hand, ¡°Hand me the tie.¡± Chopter immediately walked over and handed the golden tie to Jay King. ¡°Did Keller succeed last night?¡± Jay King muttered to himself, ¡°I guess it¡¯s unlikely. If Aron Jackson were so easy to kill, Fabian Percival would have succeeded long ago. But it¡¯s good to give Julius Reed a warning.¡± After tying his tie, he turned and looked at Chopter, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you speaking?¡± Chopter was acting very strangely today. He had hardly spoken since he entered the room. This abnormal behavior made Jay King frown uncontrollably. ¡°Keller¡­¡± Chopter took a deep breath, his face looking a bit unsightly. ¡°Speak!¡± Jay King¡¯s face darkened, and he reprimanded him unhappily. Could he be so frightened by Julius Reed yesterday that he lost his courage? ¡°Keller is dead¡­¡± Chopter said in a low voice. ¡°What!¡± Jay King grabbed Chopter¡¯s throat with one hand, ¡°Say it again, where is Keller?¡± ¡°He¡¯s dead¡­¡± Pain was written all over Chopter¡¯s face. Both were Jay King¡¯s attendant employees, and the sudden death of one of them naturally provoked some sadness in him. ¡°Impossible!¡± Jay King stepped back, feeling dizzy, ¡°When did this happen?¡± ¡°Last night.¡± Brows furrowed in pain, Chopter said, ¡°After receiving the news, I immediately ordered people to retrieve the body. We fished Keller¡¯s body out of the sea and stored it in the Northern restaurant¡¯s storage room.¡± ¡°Take me to see it.¡± Jay King felt a tightness in his chest! He had just arrived in Gonzalez City and had already suffered losses! They took the elevator, one after the other, heading straight to the storage room where Keller¡¯s body was kept. There, Keller lay on a plank bed, his body deathly pale, eyes wide open. It seemed he had been in the water for at least a few hours. ¡°Who killed him!¡± Jay King slammed his fist on the plank bed, disregarding the wound inflicted on his finger by a nail! This pain was nothing compared to the agony in his heart! How would Thunderpeak Hall regard him? Incompetent, or useless? Even his nickname ¡°Overlord,¡± was it undeserved? ¡°It was Julius Reed who killed him! According to the Shadow Warrior who escaped, Julius Reed and Aron Jackson were arguing at the time.¡± Chopter said sorrowfully, ¡°Keller saw they were having a fierce argument and tried to capture Julius Reed alive. But unexpectedly¡­¡± ¡°Take all those people down, let them accompany Keller in death!¡± Jay King gently stroked Keller¡¯s face, murmuring to himself, ¡°Thunderpeak Hall has no place for cowards.¡± ¡­ Julius Reed had another dream. But it wasn¡¯t a nightmare. In the dream, he saw a letter with content that was blurry and indistinct. But just as he was about to see the content of the letter, Aron Jackson walked over with a lighter, wearing a wicked smile on his face. Julius Reed desperately tried to stop him. In the end, the letter was still burned by Aron Jackson. ¡°Dammit, Aron Jackson!¡± Crash! Accompanied by the sound of shattering glass, Julius Reed suddenly sat up in bed. What caught his eye was Quella Radcliffe, wearing pajamas, with a face full of shock. The floor was littered with broken cosmetics. Shattered all over the place. ¡°Honey, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Quella Radcliffe extended her hand, lightly placing it on Julius Reed¡¯s forehead. No fever. Julius Reed had never been sick in over three years of marriage. This struck Quella Radcliffe as odd. But she reluctantly put it down to Julius Reed¡¯s robust constitution. But these two days, Julius Reed had been sleeping like a dead dog! She couldn¡¯t wake him up no matter how much she called! She had thought to take the opportunity to smooth over the relationship between them. After all, Itai Huntington had been eyeing them hungrily. But now she was wearing a silk pajama! And Julius Reed had not reacted at all! Thinking of this, Quella Radcliffe felt angry! ¡°No¡­ it might be that, maybe there¡¯s too much on my mind.¡± Julius Reed rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of pain. Probably from lack of rest. ¡°Right, Itai Huntington just called me, Chopter wants to continue negotiating the cooperation and is sorry for yesterday¡¯s incident.¡± Quella Radcliffe turned and left the bedroom, bringing a mop and broom to clean up the cosmetics Julius Reed had broken. ¡°Interesting. Let Itai Huntington handle this matter, you stay at home and take it easy.¡± Julius Reed threw off the covers, quickly changed clothes, ¡°I¡¯m going out for a morning run, are you coming?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t feel like moving.¡± Quella Radcliffe, stewing in her own annoyance, flatly refused. ¡°Then I¡¯ll go alone.¡± Julius Reed was preoccupied with other things and didn¡¯t notice anything unusual about Quella Radcliffe. After a quick face wash, he climbed out of the second-floor window and started running down the street. The weather in Gonzalez City before the New Year was quite cool. When the wind kept blowing, Julius Reed felt refreshing and invigorated. Especially comfortable. After running for three kilometers, he faintly sensed someone following him. ¡°An assassination attempt this early in the morning? And in a busy area?¡± Since someone was courting death, he didn¡¯t mind obliging. But now that he was in the city, to avoid harming the innocent and escalating the situation, Julius Reed quickly picked up the pace and vaulted into an abandoned boiler room. This place used to serve as a heating center for a nearby residential area, but was decommissioned for not meeting environmental standards. Due to the massive volume of the demolition and that several dozen-meter-high chimney, it had been left deserted. As expected. When he entered the yard of the decrepit boiler room, the person behind him quietly followed in. Julius Reed vanished behind a wall in a flash. ¡°You¡¯ve followed long enough, come out!¡± As the shadow flitted by, the two immediately engaged in combat! Whoosh! Whoosh! After a brief exchange of blows, Julius Reed unusually did not gain any advantage! ¡°Interesting!¡± Since his memory had awakened, this was the first opponent he had faced who seemed to be an equal match! Swipe! Julius Reed struck out with full force, no longer holding back any strength! But the shadow was equally evasive! Appearing behind Julius Reed in an instant! Whoosh! After clashing palms once more, both retreated several steps. ¡°Again!¡± The stronger the opponent, the more it aroused Julius Reed¡¯s fighting spirit! But just as he was about to attack again, the other person suddenly removed the veil from their face, ¡°Dragon King, this lady has had such a hard time looking for you.¡± Chapter 680 - Chapter 680: Chapter 680 Nelson_1 Chapter 680: Chapter 680 Nelson_1 ¡°` ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± The moment Julius Reed saw the newcomer¡¯s face, he was stunned. It was a beauty beyond description, with a pale little face that showed an innocent smile. The girl before him wore her hair in twin ponytails and was dressed in a pink, loose-fitting tracksuit. But even this couldn¡¯t hide her figure, which was so thrilling it sent blood pumping through the veins. She was absolutely top-notch! But right now, Julius Reed was in no mood to appreciate it. Trouble had arrived. And it was super big trouble! ¡°Quella, you¡­ why are you here?¡± For the first time, Julius Reed stumbled over his words. ¡°Of course¡­ I came looking for you.¡± Quella Radcliffe placed her hands in front of her chest, lowered her head, and spoke softly. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í??.§ã¦Ï Any other man faced with this might have been annihilated without a trace! But Julius Reed was not fooled by this act. ¡°Quella Radcliffe, if you have something to say, say it. I¡¯m very busy and don¡¯t have time to dawdle with you.¡± He furrowed his brows and turned to leave. Whoosh! As he turned, a sound of something cutting through the air came from behind him. Julius Reed dodged to the side! Clang! A three-meter thick abandoned heating pipe beside him was pierced straight through! If that had hit a person, even someone with a body of steel would have been killed instantly! ¡°Are you crazy!¡± Julius Reed whirled around, his fists clenched tightly. He started to breathe more and more rapidly. ¡°If I really am crazy, it might be because I¡¯ve gone mad thinking about you.¡± Quella Radcliffe walked over gently and threw a flirtatious glance at Julius Reed, ¡°Why the hurry to go back? Do you want to get cozy with your wife?¡± ¡°It¡¯s none of your business!¡± Julius Reed replied irritably. If he were at his peak, he could totally suppress Quella Radcliffe. Now, with memory loss and his skills greatly diminished, he hadn¡¯t even recovered three-tenths of his peak condition. ¡°Tsk tsk!¡± Quella Radcliffe circled around Julius Reed, slowly unzipping her tracksuit top to reveal a grey camisole underneath, stirring the imagination. ¡°There¡¯s no one here, does the Dragon King fancy gracing this humble girl with his presence?¡± She giggled, but her laughter made Julius Reed¡¯s scalp tingle! ¡°Quella Radcliffe, do you believe I could kill you!¡± Looking at the person in front of him becoming more and more outrageous, Julius Reed only wished he had the Dawning Tempest sword in his hand. Otherwise¡­ He would definitely take the sword and end himself. ¡°Dragon King, do you really hate me that much?¡± Quella Radcliffe said with a look of grievance, on the verge of crying. This sight was pitiful. Any other man would likely have knelt before her in an instant. But Julius Reed knew all too well that this person was a devil who could kill without batting an eye! Quella Radcliffe, the prodigious holy maiden of Azure Mountain, the future Sect Leader of Azure Mountain! Outsiders might not be familiar with Azure Mountain. But anyone with a bit more knowledge about the martial world trembles at the name. Azure Mountain upholds martial strength, and any issue that can be resolved with fists is never addressed with reason. In the martial world, people dare to provoke Deep Cold, dare to provoke Willson Pavilion. But in the face of Azure Mountain, they can only swallow their broken teeth and bear the pain. The Pavilion Master of Willson Pavilion, Amadeus Fairbanks, was a well-known figure in the martial world. Because he was dissatisfied with Azure Mountain¡¯s conduct, he went to Azure Mountain alone to reason with them. In the end, he was beaten so badly he nearly died on the mountain. And it was Julius Reed who personally went to rescue him. At that time, Quella Radcliffe was holding a martial contest to seek a husband and attracting countless underground strongmen to participate. Because of Amadeus Fairbanks, Julius Reed beat up all three of Quella Radcliffe¡¯s senior brothers. When she heard the news, Quella Radcliffe immediately took up her sword and went after Julius Reed, only to be defeated by him on the contest stage. ¡°` At that time, Julius Reed was quite curious as to why Azure Mountain would set up an arena for no reason. Could it be that they were so devoted to martial strength that they assembled daily internal competitions? Yet, when people from Azure Mountain came with the embroidered ball, Julius Reed realized he had gotten himself into trouble. So, he left in a puff of smoke. Afterward, though Azure Mountain repeatedly approached the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance¡¯s sacred altar to seek justice, out of respect for the Dragon King¡¯s fame and the Alliance¡¯s power, they had to temporarily give up. But the humiliation of the saintess was a hatred etched deep in the bones of every person from Azure Mountain! Now, having bumped into the saintess herself, Julius Reed¡¯s headache only grew worse. From their brief exchange earlier, it seemed this woman¡¯s skills had likely improved substantially. ¡°Saintess, does Azure Mountain know that you¡¯re out?¡± Since taking the hard approach wouldn¡¯t work, Julius Reed could only try a softer one. ¡°If your master finds out, she¡¯ll definitely punish you.¡± The saintess of Azure Mountain, poised as the future successor, was not permitted to leave the mountain without the sect¡¯s command! Doing so on her own accord would lead to severe consequences. ¡°It was master who sent me here,¡± she said, ¡°Telling me that when the day comes with the blade in hand, ¡®slaughter all the faithless dogs in the world!''¡± Nelson sidled up, speaking like a woman scorned, ¡°What¡¯s so bad about me? You¡¯ve said I¡¯m not ugly, why don¡¯t you like me?¡± Her every frown and smile were captivating. But Julius Reed was well aware that this was a lethal weapon! The woman before him had the lives of thousands on her hands! ¡°How can I make you leave?¡± For the first time, Julius Reed conceded. ¡°Marry me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m already married.¡± ¡°Then shall I kill her?¡± ¡°Do you believe I would kill you first?¡± ¡°Would you really bear to do it?¡± ¡°Nelson! Don¡¯t you know there¡¯s a saying?¡± ¡°What saying?¡± ¡°When the Dragon King is enraged, blood flows a thousand li!¡± ¡°That was before. Now you can¡¯t even beat me, what big talk are you giving?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Julius Reed felt a stabbing pain in his chest. ¡°Sister, can you give me one year to consider? Is that okay?¡± Julius Reed, who¡¯d always bullied others with his status, was for the first time experiencing the feeling of being bullied himself. Too suffocating! He couldn¡¯t defeat her for sure. But at least he could fight to a draw. However, if this woman seriously went to assassinate Quella Radcliffe, he wouldn¡¯t be able to protect her! The saintess of Azure Mountain had once been an invincible existence. ¡°No way! One year is too long; once your cultivation is restored, I definitely won¡¯t be able to beat you.¡± Nelson shook her head, muttering under her breath, ¡°Master said to strike hard when you¡¯re down, Azure Mountain¡¯s honor must not be lost!¡± ¡°That old thing your master is!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s teeth itched with hatred. Was it just because at that time he shattered one of Nelson¡¯s master¡¯s vials of elixir while saving Amadeus Fairbanks? Was it necessary? After so many years? ¡°You can¡¯t insult my master.¡± Nelson raised an eyebrow, the short sword in her hand menacingly sharp. ¡°But speaking of which, how did you find me?¡± Julius Reed suddenly realized, having been amnesic for over three years, how did Nelson manage to find him now? ¡°Wasn¡¯t it you who awakened the Sealing Dragon Platform? Calling together the major divisions of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance?¡± Nelson blinked, somewhat puzzled, ¡°Wasn¡¯t it your doing?¡± ¡°The Sealing Dragon Platform?¡± Memories surged through Julius Reed¡¯s mind at once! ¡°Done for!¡± He looked at the Dragon King Ring on his finger and smacked his forehead! ¡°Now, I¡¯m in big trouble!¡± Chapter 681 - Chapter 681: Chapter 681: Joining the Azure Mountain as a Son-in-law_1 Chapter 681: Chapter 681: Joining the Azure Mountain as a Son-in-law_1 When the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance was first established, Sealing Dragon Platforms were built throughout the various states. Members took turns guarding the Sealing Dragon Platform. When the Holy Master activated the nearest Sealing Dragon Platform with the Dragon King Ring, the other Sealing Dragon Platforms would light up in succession. This was much the same principle as when King You of Zhou played with the lords by lighting the beacon towers. As long as the Sealing Dragon Platform was lit, it meant that a significant event was happening within the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance! The last time the Sealing Dragon Platform was activated, it was during the battle at the summit of the snowy mountain. However. Exactly how to activate the Sealing Dragon Platform with the Dragon King Ring, Julius Reed seemed¡­ Seemed to have forgotten. But the lighting up of the Sealing Dragon Platform meant that the news of his survival would spread quickly across the world. ¡°Has the Dragon King gone dumb?¡± Nelson raised her eyebrows and teased with a laugh, ¡°Well, I¡¯ve never seen the Dragon King in such a sorry state before.¡± ¡°If you despise my sorry state, then scram promptly, I¡¯m annoyed as it is.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã¦Ï Of course, Julius Reed was not afraid, for even a starving camel is bigger than a horse. Not to mention, he was now strong enough. However, this meant many of his plans would be disrupted. ¡°You can rest assured, not many know that the Sealing Dragon Platform in the Five-river Province was activated,¡± Nelson said with a sly smile, lightly touching her twin ponytails. ¡°My master personally took action and captured all those responsible for the Sealing Dragon Platform in Five-river Province.¡± ¡°Your Azure Mountain has quite the nerve, seizing even people from my Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance?¡± Julius Reed was somewhat surprised. ¡°If this really incites a conflict, your Azure Mountain is no match for the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance.¡± He did not like disputes, which was why he had never conquered other forces during his years in charge of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. But the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance was the overlord! An unquestionable overlord! Never had any organization dared to openly challenge the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. ¡°Dragon King, during the four years you were gone, the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance has been nothing but loose sand,¡± Nelson said with disdain. ¡°You still think it¡¯s like before? Now, if a fight really broke out, your Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance wouldn¡¯t even be able to reach the foot of our Azure Mountain.¡± ¡°Cough cough¡­¡± Julius Reed¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment. Cold Nelson¡¯s message indicated that the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance had indeed suffered a significant decline in strength and was constantly embroiled in internal strife. But he had not expected that the current Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance couldn¡¯t even suppress Azure Mountain. ¡°Our marriage back then was me reaching above my station,¡± Nelson said cheerily. ¡°However, times change. Now, if you want to marry me, you¡¯ll have to join my Azure Mountain!¡± ¡°Is that another one of your master¡¯s ludicrous ideas?¡± Julius Reed really wanted to curse. During his amnesia, he was supposed to join in matrimony. Now that his memory had returned, he still had to join! A dignified Dragon King, does he have no pride at all? ¡°Show some respect! Joining my Azure Mountain would make my master your master too,¡± Nelson huffed. ¡°You can go back and ask, if I ever call that old nun ¡®master¡¯, would she dare to accept?¡± Julius Reed said with disdain. In front of him, the South Sea Godly Nun was just a little girl! ¡°My master said, if you¡¯re to join our Azure Mountain, you¡¯ll also have to pour water for her to wash her feet.¡± Nelson leaned in closer and whispered slyly, ¡°Hey! The Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance has already discussed deposing you, so why not come live with me at Azure Mountain?¡± ¡°Nelson! Once I return to the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, the first thing I¡¯ll do is conquer your Azure Mountain!¡± Julius Reed was truly enraged. ¡°I¡¯ll hang up your master and lash her with a whip for three days and nights!¡± ¡°Tsk tsk tsk, to think the grand master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance has such a hobby?¡± Nelson, far from frightened, inched even closer to Julius Reed. ¡°You vile woman, let¡¯s see how fast you can run!¡± Just as the two bantered, a young girl suddenly ran into the dilapidated boiler room from outside. Behind her, a group of men followed in hot pursuit. ¡°Bamboo Whitaker, blame your own bad luck, and in the next life, don¡¯t be born into the Whitaker family!¡± One of the tattooed thugs holding a dagger shouted with a malicious grin on his face. ¡°You beasts, even as a ghost, I won¡¯t let you off!¡± The girl who looked no older than eighteen or nineteen, dressed in a yellow floral dress, leaned against the wall in desperation. Behind her, there was no way out. She was cornered into a dead end. ¡°Boss, there¡¯s no one here, should we have some fun first?¡± The man with a sharp mouth behind the thug suggested with lust in his eyes: ¡°This little lady¡¯s pretty good-looking, and there¡¯s still time before we have to report in, let¡¯s not waste it!¡± At his words, the thug looked around and realized it was true that no one was there. Add to that Bamboo Whitaker¡¯s young and beautiful appearance, and evil thoughts unavoidably arose in his mind. ¡°Heh heh, Terrell Percival, you¡¯re right!¡± The thug put the dagger back on his waist and rubbed his hands together: ¡°The boss didn¡¯t say we couldn¡¯t have a bit of fun first.¡± ¡°Haha! That¡¯s right boss, you go ahead, we¡¯ll keep watch for you.¡± Terrell Percival had a wicked grin, while his eyes coveting Bamboo Whitaker were full of hunger. But there was no help for it, the boss gets his turn first, and they could only wait for their chance. ¡°You animals! You won¡¯t die a good death!¡± Bamboo Whitaker leaned against the wall in despair, crying outright. ¡°The more you cry, girl, the happier I get! Hahaha!¡± The thug laughed loudly as he unfastened his belt and moved step by step towards Bamboo Whitaker. ¡°Cough! Cough!¡± Just at that moment. Nelson walked out from the dilapidated brick building that was the boiler room, pulling Julius Reed along. ¡°Bloody hell! There¡¯s even someone here for a fuck in the wild!¡± The thug shouted impatiently: ¡°Get lost! Or I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Bamboo Whitaker was a must-kill target, which was why they had been so brazen. But they wouldn¡¯t easily trouble themselves with ordinary people. ¡°Yo! Big brother, how can you bully a little girl like this?¡± Nelson played with her ponytail, casually walking towards those men. ¡°Heh heh! Or else, how about I bully you instead?¡± Nelson¡¯s looks were enticing, and the thug had almost forgotten he was on a mission. He turned around, glanced at Julius Reed, and said impatiently: ¡°Beat it!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t rush, don¡¯t rush!¡± Nelson stepped closer, gently poking the thug¡¯s chest with her finger: ¡°Big brother, why you gotta be so fierce to my boyfriend?¡± ¡°Heh heh! Right you are, sis! Ouch, my heart¡¯s really itching!¡± The thug was almost melted by her, a surge of lust rising within him. ¡°Big brother, I¡¯ll trade myself for this little sister, how about that?¡± Nelson threw a coquettish glance and lightly bit her lower lip. ¡°Sure!¡± The thug swallowed, his body trembling uncontrollably. ¡°Boss, we have a mission! If you¡­¡± Smack! The thug turned around and slapped Terrell Percival to the ground: ¡°Fuck that! I caught this little bitch once, I can catch her a second time! Since when do you get to tell me what to do?¡± ¡°Yes, boss.¡± Terrell Percival covered his face with his hand, too scared to speak. ¡°So, sis, do we do it here?¡± The thug asked Nelson, embarrassed: ¡°Isn¡¯t this too shabby? Shall we find a hotel instead?¡± ¡°No need¡­ In my opinion, the spot right here is just nice for burying you.¡± Nelson said cheerfully, the thug¡¯s dagger from his waist now inexplicably in her hand. Chapter 682 - Chapter 682: Chapter 682 After an Old Friend_1 Chapter 682: Chapter 682 After an Old Friend_1 ¡°You¡­¡± The thug subconsciously placed his hand on his waist, but grasped at nothing! ¡°Don¡¯t rush now¡­¡± Nelson lightly plunged the dagger, piercing directly through the thug¡¯s throat. Immediately after, her feet kept shifting, and in merely a second, she had dealt with several employees of the thug. Thud! A series of sounds of bodies hitting the floor ensued, and the decrepit boiler room returned to silence. ¡°Miss, I don¡¯t know who¡¯s trying to kill you. But next time, you won¡¯t be so lucky,¡± said Nelson, her face cold as ice. Having said that, she turned to leave. Julius could only shake his head and follow behind her. This Saintess from Azure Mountain, used to being free and unrestrained overseas, was quick to kill or set fires. Now, she was like a ticking time bomb, causing Julius quite the headache. ¡°Wait!¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.?¦Ï Just as the two had taken a few steps, Bamboo Whitaker suddenly called out from behind. ¡°What is it?¡± Nelson¡¯s eyebrows raised, emanating an intense killing intent! Whether she killed or saved someone depended solely on her mood. It had nothing to do with anything else. ¡°I¡­¡± Bamboo Whitaker was obviously frightened. She blinked, gently wiped away a tear, and took out an old, blurred photo from her backpack. ¡°Boss, look, is this¡­ is this you?¡± ¡°Girl, I already saved you without thanks, and now you¡¯re hitting on my man?¡± Nelson was quite domineering, her hand already moving to kill! ¡°Hold on!¡± Whoosh! Julius quickly intercepted Nelson and stepped towards Bamboo Whitaker. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± He took the photo from Bamboo¡¯s hand, a strange glint flashing in his eyes. ¡°My name is Bamboo Whitaker¡­¡± Bamboo Whitaker was scared stiff. Her eyes were focused on Nelson, afraid that any wrong word would lead to her death right there. ¡°Lucian Whitaker, what is he to you?¡± Julius handed the photo back to Bamboo Whitaker while carefully observing her features. ¡°Somewhat similar¡­¡± ¡°Dragon King, you¡¯re going too far!¡± Nelson, seeing Julius look at Bamboo Whitaker like that, felt a growing chill, ¡°I, the Saintess of Azure Mountain, your fianc¨¦e, have a temper too!¡± ¡°Shh!¡± Julius gestured for her to be quiet with a silencing motion. ¡°Lucian Whitaker¡­ he¡¯s my¡­ my great-grandfather¡­¡± Bamboo Whitaker broke into tears as she spoke, ¡°Are you Julius? My grandfather gave me this photo on his deathbed, saying that as long as I found you, we could avenge our family!¡± The photo was worn and tattered, but it clearly showed the dashing figure of Julius from years ago. Just like now. A hundred years of time had left no trace on him. ¡°I am.¡± Julius nodded, helped Bamboo Whitaker to her feet, and patted her head, ¡°Come with me, we can talk slowly back at my place.¡± ¡°Dragon King, she is¡­¡± Nelson wasn¡¯t foolish; she knew that there couldn¡¯t be many people in the world whom the Dragon King regarded so highly. She wasn¡¯t sure of the specifics, but it was rumored that the Dragon King, who had lived for tens of thousands of years, was utterly indifferent to everything in the world. Yet now, he seemed to have a heart of compassion for a young girl? Something was unusual. ¡°A descendant of an old acquaintance.¡± Julius held Bamboo Whitaker¡¯s hand, as if leading his own daughter. No one noticed that his face had become as stern as frost. ¡°What about this place?¡± Nelson pursed her lips, pointing to the bodies strewn across the ground. She knew to hold back to some extent. ¡°My people will handle it.¡± Julius, with his back to her, spoke coldly. ¡°And what about me? What do you plan to do with me?¡± Nelson couldn¡¯t help but laugh with exasperation, ¡°Dragon King, you know very well how big my temper is! Everyone from Azure Mountain knows that I descended the mountain to find my husband. If I return empty-handed, how am I supposed to continue as Sect Leader?¡± ¡°Either you kill me, or¡­¡± ¡°Tomorrow, at the Gonzalez City Five-state International Building, noon, twelve o¡¯clock, wait for me there.¡± After Julius Reed finished speaking, he led Bamboo Whitaker away without looking back. ¡°Bastard man!¡± Nelson was stunned for a few seconds before cursing in grievance. ¡­ When Quella Radcliffe saw Julius Reed returning once again with a woman, she asked as if it were the norm, ¡°Your disciple? Cousin? Or¡­¡± ¡°An old friend¡¯s descendant.¡± Julius Reed looked at Bamboo Whitaker, ¡°Call her ¡®sister-in-law¡¯¡­ Perhaps.¡± In fact, he wasn¡¯t even sure what Bamboo Whitaker should call him. Great-grandfather? It felt strange. ¡°Sister-in-law.¡± Bamboo Whitaker called out obediently. ¡°Come in quickly, why are you crying.¡± Quella Radcliffe hurriedly pulled Bamboo Whitaker inside, fetched her a pair of slippers, then turned around to grab some facial tissues. It was as if a mother had seen her own daughter wronged. ¡°Sister-in-law, there¡¯s no need¡­ I¡¯m sorry for troubling you¡­¡± Bamboo Whitaker¡¯s eyes reddened, and she couldn¡¯t help but squat down on the floor and cry. She had traveled alone for thousands of miles, wandering outside for dozens of days and nights. Hunted by enemies, bereaved of relatives. Bamboo Whitaker, having suffered a great blow, had almost not made it through. But the conviction to avenge kept her going. She didn¡¯t even realize that in such a small coastal city, she would encounter the person her grandfather had spoken of. Before seeing Julius Reed, Bamboo Whitaker had even doubted whether her grandfather had grown senile with age. How could the person in a photograph nearly a hundred years old still be alive? And even if he was, after a hundred years of vicissitudes, could she still recognize him? So when she saw Julius Reed, she was utterly confounded. ¡°Don¡¯t cry, don¡¯t cry.¡± Quella Radcliffe hurriedly embraced Bamboo Whitaker, ¡°Little sister, come inside. Here, no one can bully you!¡± Seeing the little girl crying like this made her feel sorrowful as well. ¡°You two chat, I¡¯m going to step out for some air.¡± Julius Reed closed the door behind him, walked downstairs, and sat on a bench in the residential area. A hundred years ago, during his travels in Sinclair City, he had met a scholar. This scholar was ahead of his time, viewing everything with detachment. That was the first time in Julius Reed¡¯s long, immortal life that he had met someone he could connect with. Julius Reed could share anything that Lucian Whitaker was interested in. After all, he himself was a living ¡°Historical Records.¡± For ten years, he had lived with the Whitaker family. Late on, when Julius Reed was about to leave, he had asked Lucian Whitaker whether he desired immortality. But Lucian Whitaker had refused. He believed that the cycle of life and death was the true Heavenly Dao. Before parting, for the first time, Lucian Whitaker asked Julius Reed for a favor. He hoped that in the event his descendants faced catastrophe, this old friend would lend a hand. Julius Reed readily agreed. But he had never imagined that the Whitaker family would face such a day. ¡°Lucian Whitaker, your Whitaker family really has nine lives,¡± Julius Reed said, looking at the sky and shaking his head with a smile, ¡°You¡¯re also lucky to have met me. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take good care of that young lady Bamboo Whitaker for you.¡± With that, he stood up and walked back upstairs. When he still had his memories, he would send someone to check on the Whitaker family every five years. The last time was four years ago. What had the Whitaker family experienced in these four years? How had they gone from the wealthiest family in Southern-river Province to their current state of destitution? No matter what, he would uphold the promise he had made those many years ago. ¡°Julius, come quickly and see what¡¯s wrong with her!¡± As soon as he opened the door, Julius Reed saw Bamboo Whitaker lying on the floor. And Quella Radcliffe was already crying with worry. Chapter 683 - Chapter 683: Chapter 683: The Merchants Past_1 Chapter 683: Chapter 683: The Merchant¡¯s Past_1 ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Seeing Bamboo Whitaker on the ground with a blackened face, Julius Reed hurried over and gently placed his hand on her pulse. ¡°Julius, I was just talking to her when this young lady suddenly fainted!¡± Quella Radcliffe stood by, helplessly saying, ¡°When I touched her, her body was burning up, scalding hot!¡± ¡°Go to my drawer and get the blue bottle. Quick!¡± Julius Reed closed his eyes, feeling Bamboo Whitaker¡¯s pulse. The pulse was fast at times, slow at others, and there were even brief disappearances. ¡°Got it!¡± Quella Radcliffe ran up at top speed, then came down with the small blue medicine bottle. ¡°Julius, will this work?¡± She asked anxiously. She had tried to take her own life last time by taking an oral solution from Julius Reed. But¡­ Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ??¦Í??.§ã¦Ï It turned out to be a sleeping potion. Now it was a matter of life and death. There was no room for the slightest negligence! ¡°Or should we go to the hospital¡­ I¡¯ll call 120 now!¡± Quella Radcliffe frantically took out her phone, ready to call the emergency number. ¡°It¡¯s too late.¡± Julius Reed took out two transparent little pills from the blue bottle, stuffed them into Bamboo Whitaker¡¯s mouth, and then poured some water. ¡°Will this work?¡± Quella Radcliffe felt it was unreliable, ¡°I should still call 120¡­¡± It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t trust Julius Reed, but it would be such a shame if something were to happen to Bamboo Whitaker at such a young age. ¡°Cough¡­ cough¡­¡± Just as her phone had already dialed three digits, Bamboo Whitaker coughed a few times and slowly opened her eyes. ¡°If I can¡¯t save her, then no one in the world can,¡± Julius Reed gently touched Bamboo Whitaker¡¯s forehead, his expression somewhat icy. He couldn¡¯t believe it. Someone had actually targeted such a young girl! A deadly poison, indeed! ¡°Did I¡­ faint?¡± Bamboo Whitaker looked around in a daze, feeling a wave of nausea. ¡°Whew¡­¡± She took a long breath and felt a little better. ¡°How many times has it been?¡± Julius Reed crouched on the ground, asking her. ¡°Thirteen times.¡± Bamboo Whitaker tried to sit up, but had no strength all over. ¡°It used to be once a year, then every six months, then every three months.¡± As she spoke, Bamboo Whitaker¡¯s brows were tightly knitted together, ¡°Last time¡­ was a week ago¡­¡± ¡°Have two more attacks, and you will die on the spot.¡± Julius Reed picked her up and carried her to the bed in the guest room. Quella Radcliffe hastened to follow behind, asking painfully, ¡°Is there no hope? She¡¯s¡­ just a child!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. When your husband makes a move, there¡¯s no one he can¡¯t bring back,¡± Seeing Quella Radcliffe¡¯s anxious look, Julius Reed soothed her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, even though the poison is a bit tricky, it¡¯s not without a solution.¡± He paced back and forth in the room, his brows slightly furrowed. ¡°Husband, really?¡± Quella Radcliffe¡¯s eyes flashed with surprise. If Bamboo Whitaker could really be saved, she wouldn¡¯t have to worry like this. Quella Radcliffe had been terrified when Bamboo Whitaker fainted earlier. ¡°The poison inside her won¡¯t act for half a month, but in this half a month¡­¡± Julius Reed sighed deeply, lightly tapping on his forehead, ¡°Once I¡¯ve dealt with all this mess from the Roosevelt family, I¡¯ll make time to help you refine the medicine.¡± Although he knew pharmacology, he never refined himself. Otherwise, there wouldn¡¯t have been that blunder with Quella Radcliffe last time. The medicines he refined were basically half-finished. After all, he was immune to hundreds of diseases and invulnerable to poison. Why refine medicines? What¡¯s the point, to kill time? ¡°Then you need to hurry up!¡± Quella Radcliffe said anxiously behind him. Bamboo Whitaker was a good girl. Quella Radcliffe, with her overflowing maternal love, liked this young girl from the first glance. So from the bottom of her heart, she couldn¡¯t bear to see her suffer like this. She was not even twenty years old! Quella Radcliffe took out a wet towel with distress and gently wiped the sweat from Bamboo Whitaker¡¯s face. ¡°The Whitaker Family, once the richest in the Southern-river Province just four years ago, how could they have fallen to such a state?¡± Julius Reed turned around and looked at Bamboo Whitaker, who seemed somewhat out of it. Back when he was the Valley Master of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance, he had inquired about the Whitaker Family¡¯s situation. How had they fallen to such a state in just a few short years? And from what Bamboo Whitaker had said, this poison had been lurking for at least three years. ¡°The Whitaker Family has not fallen,¡± Bamboo Whitaker said with a bitter smile, ¡°it¡¯s just that it has a new master now.¡± Through Bamboo Whitaker¡¯s account, Julius Reed finally understood what had happened in these four years. Eight years ago, a member of the Whitaker Family, Bamboo¡¯s brother Blaze Whitaker, married a girl from the Cook Family of Morwenna. Ian Cook. Who knew that the Cook Family harbored wolfish ambitions, and from the moment Ian Cook entered the family, they had started to make their move! They plotted to seize the Whitaker Family¡¯s enterprise! By the time the old man realized it, he was already severely ill. Fortunately, he had pretended to be sick in advance, giving Bamboo the chance to escape the Whitaker Family with the photo. By that time, the Cook family had already taken control of all the Whitaker¡¯s assets. Even the bodyguards in the house were people from Ian Cook¡¯s staff! And a week after Bamboo escaped the Whitaker Family, the old man suddenly died a violent death! A month later! Blaze Whitaker died under mysterious circumstances. And all of the Whitaker Family died in a short time. Even doctors could not find any evidence! All that remained of the entire Whitaker Family was Bamboo Whitaker, carrying a deadly poison, wandering in exile. Even so, the Cook family did not give up the pursuit to kill Bamboo! ¡°The Cook Family of Morwenna?¡± Julius Reed chuckled lightly, ¡°Such audacity!¡± According to what Bamboo had said, the Whitakers must have been afflicted with a unique poison! And the source of this poison could only be from one place! Medicine King Valley! ¡°You rest well for now, I will indeed avenge this for you,¡± Julius Reed said as he turned to leave the room. Lucian Whitaker was his friend, one who had lived for countless years, a rare friend in the vast river of time. But now, the Whitaker Family was persecuted. He could not just stand by and watch. ¡°Hello, this is¡­¡± ¡°Karen.¡± ¡°Who are you!¡± Karen¡¯s voice bristled with irritation over the phone. ¡°I am¡­ Is it convenient for you to talk?¡± Julius Reed asked with a smile. Karen often stayed with the Leocadia Family, and it was sometimes inconvenient for her. ¡°I¡¯m outside, there¡¯s no one around me.¡± Karen¡¯s voice was exceptionally cold. ¡°Who are you! Stop playing games!¡± Not many people knew her private number. When she saw the incoming call number, Karen even thought it might be a fraudulent or harassing call. But unexpectedly, the person on the line could call out her name directly! ¡°Julius Reed.¡± ¡°Holy shit¡­¡± Karen¡¯s hand shook, and the phone nearly fell to the ground. ¡°My god, how did you get my number!¡± The trip to Gonzalez City last time had left a deep shadow on her! Terry Moore, who considered himself invincible, locked himself in the training gym after returning to the capital and punched sandbags for a whole week! ¡°You don¡¯t need to know,¡± Julius Reed spoke coldly, ¡°Have you heard of ¡®Three Years, Three Months, Three Days Scatter¡¯?¡± ¡°What? Are you poisoned?¡± Karen was a bit skeptical, ¡°Why are you asking about this?¡± ¡°Answer me.¡± Julius Reed¡¯s tone was commanding, with an undercurrent of unspoken authority. ¡°That drug, as of now, aside from the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley, only five people know the formula,¡± Karen said, still curious, ¡°Why are you asking about this?¡± ¡°To save someone.¡± Julius Reed replied succinctly before ordering again, ¡°Send me the information of these five people. Otherwise, I will come to the capital to kill you!¡± Chapter 684 - Chapter 684: 684 Chapter Arlo Percivals Secret_1 Chapter 684: 684 Chapter Arlo Percival¡¯s Secret_1 ¡°` Medicine King Valley was a mysterious existence. Years ago, when Julius Reed happened by chance, he had a spur-of-the-moment exchange with the seventeenth-generation Valley Master. The two agreed to a competition. To see whose resistance to poison was stronger. After ingesting seventy-eight different toxins, it was hard to determine a winner. In the end, out of concern for face, the Valley Master drank the treasure of Medicine King Valley! The Godslayer Pill! After swallowing the Godslayer Pill, Julius Reed immediately declared the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley the victor, then turned and left. And the seventeenth-generation Valley Master who ate the pill, bled from all seven orifices! He died a violent death! In his dying moment, his hand was still pointing in the direction Julius Reed had left. Even now. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï??¦Ï.?¦Ï In the grand hall of Medicine King Valley, a portrait of Julius Reed still hangs. But, as an external sect disciple, Karen had no right to enter the grand hall. If it were an Inner Sect Disciple of Medicine King Valley, they would probably recognize Julius Reed instantly. And it was exactly in that contest three years, three months, and three days ago that Julius Reed came to understand. Though he had lived tens of thousands of years, his memory remained exceptionally good. Now, considering Bamboo Whitaker¡¯s symptoms, coupled with the timing of the onset, one could almost conclude. The poison she was afflicted with was none other than the Three-Year Three-Month Three-Day Scattering. From the first attack to death by poisoning. It takes exactly three years, three months, and three days. Hence its name. ¡°She¡¯s asleep.¡± Quella Radcliffe walked out of the bedroom, gently closing the door behind her. ¡°This poor young girl has had it rough.¡± Julius Reed walked over and gently embraced Quella Radcliffe. ¡°Mm-hm, you must save her.¡± Quella Radcliffe was physically and mentally exhausted. She couldn¡¯t imagine that such a young girl in the bloom of her life had experienced so much. Ding! The sound of a text message alert rang, and Julius Reed took out his phone to check the message. It was sent by Karen. It listed five names of people from Medicine King Valley who knew the formula for the Three-Year Three-Month Three-Day Scattering. At the end of the message was one more line. ¡°To endure what is unendurable is unendurable.¡± ¡°Impotent fury.¡± Julius Reed replied with four words and then carefully stored the phone away. ¡°I need to step out for a bit; take good care of Bamboo Whitaker while I¡¯m gone.¡± With Cosmo and his men guarding upstairs, he wasn¡¯t worried about Quella Radcliffe¡¯s safety. Unless Nelson barged in. But based on what Julius Reed knew of her, that woman likely wasn¡¯t that reckless¡­ After leaving the mansion, he took a car to the Bronze Sparrow Platform. Aron Jackson was chatting with Orren Beaumont in the office. ¡°Boss Davenport!¡± Seeing Julius Reed come in, Orren Beaumont quickly stood up and bowed respectfully. ¡°You can go now. Hurry up with the task of taking care of Jerison Justin!¡± Aron Jackson pointed at Orren Beaumont. ¡°Be very careful and discreet! Devlin is a man of some means.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Orren Beaumont patted his chest. ¡°You can count on me!¡± ¡°Go on, and stay safe.¡± Aron Jackson waved him off, and Orren Beaumont immediately turned and left. ¡°This isn¡¯t his first act of betrayal, and I¡¯ve entrusted him with responsibility again, hoping he¡¯ll strive to prove himself.¡± Aron Jackson stood up, offering his seat to Julius Reed. ¡°But he is indeed quite capable. Having worked for Caden Cook before, I hadn¡¯t noticed.¡± ¡°Orren Beaumont is a bit strange.¡± Julius Reed watched Orren Beaumont leave without saying anything further. ¡°Any news from Ivan Reed?¡± Julius Reed wasn¡¯t concerned with small players like Orren Beaumont. ¡°Ivan Reed has been keeping quiet. Since he finished off Caden Cook and others and caused trouble for Fabian Percival, he hasn¡¯t stirred up any more trouble.¡± Aron Jackson tried to recall, as if something came to mind. ¡°Right, they¡¯ve been looking for someone.¡± ¡°` ¡°Elwood Thorneycroft.¡± Julius Reed said calmly. ¡°How do you know?¡± Aron Jackson was somewhat puzzled, ¡°I¡¯ve always wondered, with Mr. Reed¡¯s status in the capital, would it really be that hard to take care of Fabian Percival?¡± ¡°For him, dealing with Fabian Percival is as easy as squashing an ant.¡± Julius Reed lightly tapped the tabletop with his hand. ¡°Then what does he want with Elwood Thorneycroft?¡± This was something Aron Jackson had pondered for a long time. But he still couldn¡¯t figure it out. ¡°He¡¯s after Elwood Thorneycroft because Thorneycroft has something he needs,¡± Julius Reed raised his head, looking at Aron Jackson. ¡°He didn¡¯t squash that ant because there was a black bear standing behind it.¡± ¡°The waters of Gonzalez City are getting murkier!¡± Aron Jackson sighed, fatigue written all over his face. The once unremarkable little city had become a hub of activity just before the year¡¯s end. Capital¡¯s Ivan Reed, American Roosevelt, the Lopez family, and even Fabian Percival. And behind them all, invisible puppet masters pulling the strings. He dared not relax for a moment. ¡°How are the Lopez family members doing?¡± Julius Reed suddenly asked. ¡°Those from the Lopez family were beaten up by the employees of Fabian Percival at Five-state International that day and left Gonzalez City overnight,¡± Aron Jackson spread his hands, ¡°probably licking their wounds now.¡± That day when Julius Reed was about to leave, he arranged for the security at Five-state International to inform Rocco Leocadia, who was waiting downstairs. To tell him about the beating of Fabian Percival¡¯s crew. Rocco Leocadia, furious, led his men up and without an exchange of words, started beating the Lopez family members! In the end, another group from the Lopez family arrived and embarrassingly took the beaten men away. ¡°By the way, boss,¡± Aron Jackson leaned in, his tone mysterious, ¡°someone wants to see you.¡± ¡°Who?¡± Julius Reed frowned slightly. ¡°Arlo Percival.¡± ¡°The husband of Jennifer Lopez? Zane Percival¡¯s father?¡± ¡°Exactly! But Arlo Percival told me a secret,¡± Aron Jackson whispered beside Julius Reed: ¡°Zane Percival is not his biological son. In fact, Arlo Percival hasn¡¯t even laid a finger on Jennifer Lopez.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re saying, Arlo Percival isn¡¯t in as good a position as you are?¡± Last time in Gonzalez City, Julius Reed arranged for Aron Jackson to sleep with Jennifer Lopez, and they even took some compromising photos. ¡°That¡¯s why Arlo Percival wants to avenge himself on that woman!¡± Aron Jackson asked, ¡°Do you want to meet him?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Julius Reed nodded. Jennifer Lopez, being trapped at the Lopez family in the capital, could not possibly be in any danger. And given the current situation, it¡¯s uncertain whether the Lopez family could keep her under control. News had come from the Wolf Cavalry lurking in the capital. Jennifer Lopez had already begun to stage her last stand! After years of operating, Julius Reed was more inclined to believe she could rise again. In that case, Arlo Percival would be the best Shadow Warrior! ¡°He¡¯s been waiting in the Copper Sparrow Terrace.¡± Aron Jackson picked up the phone and dialed the front desk number: ¡°Call in Arlo Percival!¡± Half a minute later, the door to the office was slowly pushed open. Upon seeing Julius Reed, Arlo Percival dropped straight to his knees! ¡°What are you doing?¡± This act of kneeling took Julius Reed by surprise. After all, the Percival family had some reputation in Gonzalez City. Arlo Percival¡¯s logistics park was very profitable. Now to kneel upon meeting was somewhat unconventional. ¡°My son and wife have offended Mr. Reed, and although they have nothing to do with me, I am, after all, their nominal family member!¡± Arlo Percival¡¯s head pressed hard against the floor: ¡°Mr. Jackson must have told you, I want that despicable woman to die without a place to be buried!¡± ¡°Tell me, what do you want to do?¡± Julius Reed crossed his legs, looking at the furiously-faced Arlo Percival on the ground. ¡°I have evidence of her trying to harm Old Mr. Lopez!¡± Arlo Percival looked up, his tone very serious. Chapter 685 - Chapter 685: Chapter 685: Blood Revenge for Fathers Death_1 Chapter 685: Chapter 685: Blood Revenge for Father¡¯s Death_1 ¡°Arlo Percival, why¡­why did you do this?¡± Julius Reed sat in a chair, looking down at Arlo Percival kneeling at his feet, twirling a finger around and said, ¡°With just one day as husband and wife comes a hundred days of grace, let alone the decade or so you¡¯ve been together. As far as I know, your success today couldn¡¯t have happened without Jennifer Lopez¡¯s help, could it?¡± Arlo Percival originally came from a family of fishermen, with his ancestors being poor farmers for three generations. Later, he started a breeding farm in Gonzalez City, a modest asset, but it was only a few hundred thousand. More than a decade before Julius Reed married into the Radcliffe Family and became news, the most explosive story in Gonzalez City was Arlo Percival marrying a wife as beautiful as an angel. At that time, no one knew that Jennifer Lopez was a member of the renowned Lopez Family in the capital. By the time they found out, Arlo Percival had already abandoned the seafood breeding industry and become a tycoon in the logistics industry of Gonzalez City. All within a mere five years. He transformed into a distinguished entrepreneur of Gonzalez City and subtly revealed Jennifer Lopez¡¯s identity. Only then did the people of Gonzalez City realize that Arlo Percival¡¯s wife from those years was actually a member of the Lopez Family from the capital! It could be said that, without Jennifer Lopez¡¯s support, Arlo Percival would still be a fish breeder today. ¡°I¡¯d rather that viper of a woman had never come into my life! I¡¯d rather have run a breeding farm in Gonzalez City, earning a few hundred thousand each year!¡± Arlo Percival knelt on the ground, his fingernails digging deep into his flesh. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã¦Ï ¡°Truly, I wish I could flay that venomous viper alive!¡± As he spoke, his voice was full of hatred. Even his body couldn¡¯t help but shake a little. ¡°This is rather interesting,¡± Julius Reed said lightly, waving his hand. ¡°Stand up and talk; it¡¯s not good to be kneeling like this.¡± After he finished speaking, Aron Jackson immediately brought over a chair and placed it behind Arlo Percival. ¡°I can just kneel¡­¡± ¡°If you want to cooperate, then we are friends,¡± Julius Reed cut Arlo Percival off and motioned him to sit down. ¡°I¡¯ve always treated my friends fairly well.¡± ¡°Indeed!¡± Aron Jackson forcibly lifted Arlo Percival and sat him down on the chair: ¡°Our boss is never soft on enemies! But to friends, he¡¯s absolutely loyal!¡± ¡°Thank you¡­ thank you, Mr. Reed¡­¡± Arlo Percival sat down somewhat stiffly, his hands awkwardly placed on his thighs. ¡°Speak up then, what¡¯s the grudge between you and Jennifer Lopez?¡± Julius Reed looked at Arlo Percival, speaking indifferently. ¡°Even if she cuckolded you, it doesn¡¯t justify going to such extremes, does it? At least she did let you live a good life and didn¡¯t restrict your affairs with other women.¡± ¡°No restrictions?¡± Arlo Percival laughed loudly, then stood up and slowly pulled down his pants. ¡°That venomous woman, on our wedding night, she used a knife to make me useless!¡± ¡°She was worried I would misbehave! Worried I might look for other women in the future, worried that what I have now wouldn¡¯t go to Zane Percival!¡± Upon seeing this scene, both Aron Jackson and Julius Reed felt a shiver go down their spines. This woman¡­ She¡¯s far too cruel! ¡°Not just that, she and her lover would meet in secret at our house, and I could only wait outside the door!¡± ¡°And¡­ and¡­¡± As he spoke, Arlo Percival¡¯s face contorted, his hands involuntarily clutching his chest. ¡°And one time, out of spite, I got drunk and fell asleep at the door. My father, who was over fifty, happened to pass by, heard what was going on inside¡­¡± He covered his face with his hands, crying out loud, ¡°He heard the sounds of those adulterers inside, and in a fit of rage, he burst in! And then¡­¡± ¡°Then that lover, he actually killed my father on the spot! That wretched Jennifer Lopez demanded that I tell everyone my father died suddenly from a stroke¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ve only lived this long to see that pair of dogs get what they deserve!¡± He threw himself to the ground with a ¡®thud¡¯, knocking his head violently on the floor. ¡°When I heard that bastard Zane Percival was killed by you, I was so excited I couldn¡¯t sleep all night! Haha¡­¡± Arlo Percival laughed uproariously toward the sky, his face filled with hatred, ¡°Mr. Reed, I can do anything for you, as long as that adulterous pair is sent to their graves!¡± Hatred made him nearly insane. ¡°Boss, I¡¯ve checked before,¡± Aron Jackson said from behind Arlo Percival to Julius Reed, ¡°Arlo¡¯s father did indeed die under mysterious circumstances. Furthermore, his body was hastily cremated, all within half a day.¡± Since his arrival in Gonzalez City, Aron Jackson had been investigating the well-known local entrepreneurs. And when Zane Percival offended Julius Reed, Aron didn¡¯t just investigate Zane; he dug up three generations of the Percival Family¡¯s history. He believed Arlo¡¯s words implicitly. ¡°Tell me, what can you do?¡± Julius Reed raised his hand, gesturing for Arlo to continue. I thought it was a story about a marriage of convenience, but I never imagined Jennifer Lopez could be so ruthless! Calling her a venomous-hearted woman would be an understatement. ¡°My logistics group actually serves Jennifer Lopez.¡± Arlo Percival sat back down, gently pulling a cigarette from his pocket, ¡°Mr. Reed, may I smoke?¡± The hand holding the cigarette trembled uncontrollably. Julius Reed was certain this was a hatred etched into his bones! Such acting could not be faked. ¡°Smoke if it makes you feel better.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Arlo placed the cigarette in his mouth, his hands shaky as he fumbled for a lighter. Crack! Aron Jackson took out a lighter and lit the cigarette for him. ¡°Mr. Jackson, I¡­¡± Arlo Percival was so excited he almost stood up. Aron Jackson of Gonzalez City lighting his cigarette? ¡°The boss said, as long as you truly join us, from now on you¡¯re a brother,¡± Aron pressed down on his shoulder and said indifferently, ¡°And what¡¯s a cigarette between brothers?¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Arlo swallowed hard and took a trembling drag on his cigarette. ¡°Hiss!¡± His face turned pale, clearly exhausted from excessive emotion. ¡°My logistics company has been helping Jennifer Lopez smuggle for years. And the goods she smuggles are all of the Lopez Family¡¯s assets,¡± he revealed as he gently exhaled a puff of smoke, ¡°In other words, she has been lining her own pockets the whole time, using the Lopez Family¡¯s money to feather her nest!¡± ¡°An inside job is hard to prevent!¡± Aron Jackson pursed his lips, equally shocked. Everyone knew Jennifer Lopez¡¯s power within the Lopez Family had been growing over the years, even to the extent of controlling the Family¡¯s most profitable enterprises. But who could have imagined. That the initial rise of Jennifer Lopez was built on selling off the family¡¯s assets. ¡°In recent years, Jennifer Lopez has imported a batch of drugs from abroad. I used to handle these matters, but she never let me touch these drugs,¡± Arlo continued, putting the cigarette back in his mouth for a deep draw, ¡°One time¡­ oh, that was right after Mr. Jackson dealt with the wretch¡­¡± ¡°She left the capital in a terrible state, and her goods could only be received by me.¡± ¡°Out of curiosity, I quietly opened them, only to find they were all banned drugs! Their origin was marked as coming from a lab in California, drugs produced there.¡± ¡°After taking them, if one doesn¡¯t consume the antidote at regular intervals, the person would be in unbearable pain.¡± Arlo Percival flicked his cigarette butt to the ground, grinding it out gently, ¡°And the time before old Mr. Lopez needs to take his next dose is less than three days away!¡± Chapter 686 - Chapter 686: Chapter 686: Discussing Cooperation_1 Chapter 686: Chapter 686: Discussing Cooperation_1 When leaving the Bronze Sparrow Platform, Julius Reed couldn¡¯t help but shake his head. They say a woman¡¯s heart is the most venomous. But he never expected that Jennifer Lopez would even poison her own father. The seemingly calm Lopez Family would undoubtedly be engulfed in turmoil within three days. However, Julius Reed didn¡¯t care about that. He would eventually visit the capital. But that time was not now. He got in his car and drove the Rolls-Royce to Five-state International. Itai Huntington had already sent a message briefly explaining the current situation in the meeting. The Chopter family, uncharacteristically, showed sincerity and wanted to reach a cooperation agreement as soon as possible. Since the last incident, this woman¡¯s trust in Julius Reed was almost one hundred percent. Half an hour later, the Rolls-Royce parked in the parking lot of Five-state International. The security guard was very happy to park Julius Reed¡¯s car. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.§ã? Ever since he got to know the impressive Julius Reed at the banquet, he had boasted to everyone! He claimed his brother simultaneously hooked up with the chairman and general manager of the company, and the two women nearly fought over him in the office! As the story was passed on, it became more sensational! It wasn¡¯t until a few days ago that Itai Huntington went out on business and heard a partner mentioning this story. It was said that in Gonzalez City, a big enterprise¡¯s chairman and general manager, two women, went at each other with knives, all for the sake of one man! Upon closer inquiry, she learned that she herself was the person involved. ¡°Mr. Pendleton, could you please park the car?¡± Julius Reed threw the car keys to Mr. Pendleton and turned to walk towards the building. ¡°Brother, you¡¯re looking for our chairman, right?¡± Mr. Pendleton shouted from behind. ¡°Yes,¡± Julius Reed responded without turning around to Mr. Pendleton. ¡°I know a guy who sells kidney-tonifying medicine, do you need¡­¡± Swish! Before Mr. Pendleton could finish speaking, he felt something flying towards him! He quickly blocked with his hand and found it was a paper airplane made of a one-hundred US Dollar bill! ¡°Being rich is really great!¡± Mr. Pendleton kissed the money and carefully tucked it into his pocket. When he looked up, he discovered that Julius Reed had already disappeared. ¡°Youth¡­ it¡¯s really wonderful!¡± Mr. Pendleton envied him while he massaged his back, which was nearly unable to straighten. Back in the day¡­ Alas! A sigh. However, Julius Reed had no idea what was going through Mr. Pendleton¡¯s head. All he was thinking about now was going upstairs to put some pressure on the members of the Chopter family. As the saying goes, a weasel visiting a chicken is never for good intentions. The Chopter family must have hidden motives for coming here. But what exactly they were, he had not figured out yet. Even Beckett Carmichael, who used his connections, came up empty-handed. The more elusive the details, the more important the matter seemed! Trouble was coming! Thump! Thump! Arriving at the meeting room¡¯s door, Julius Reed symbolically knocked twice. After all, he was still the company¡¯s five-star outstanding employee of the year and needed to set a good example. It would be impolite to enter directly without knocking. ¡°Come in!¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s voice came from inside the room. After pushing the door open, Julius Reed sat next to Itai Huntington and nodded with a smile towards Roosevelt Chide. Behind Roosevelt Chide stood Jay King, who seemed to have recovered well from his injuries. Just as Julius Reed had surmised. Jay King was a master and also the final decision-maker of the Roosevelt team this time. Yesterday, when he was giving Jay King a hard time, Chopter appeared exceptionally agitated. Moreover, any decision Chopter made had to take into account the mood of Jay King. Should the son of a mighty American business consortium kneel and bow to a servant? It was obvious that Jay King¡¯s identity was very special! Roosevelt Chide was a son of the Roosevelt family, and this was beyond doubt. Even major websites could track Chopter¡¯s every move from birth to the present. Looking at it this way, Jay King¡¯s identity was even more terrifying! What kind of person was this young man who could sway the intentions of the Roosevelt family? ¡°Shall we¡­ continue?¡± Roosevelt Chide asked Itai Huntington with a smile. He never expected that Julius Reed would show up again! Things might not go smoothly. Especially since Jay King already had a grim expression on his face. ¡°Of course we can!¡± Miss Huntington nodded her head and looked at Julius Reed beside her, ¡°Darling, the upcoming matters are up to you to decide.¡± ¡°Darling?¡± Chopter raised his eyebrows, unable to help but ask, ¡°Are you two¡­¡± ¡°I forgot to introduce myself, I am his mistress¡­¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s face turned red, slightly embarrassed, she said, ¡°But he treats me like his own wife.¡± ¡°Er¡­¡± Chopter was at a loss for words, and finally could only say with a laugh, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you Easterners¡­ to be so open¡­¡± ¡°Cough!¡± At that moment, Jay King coughed, and Chopter quickly brought the conversation back on track, ¡°We plan to collaborate with your business alliance¡¯s plantations, ready to develop a new farm!¡± He took out a stack of documents and pushed them in front of Julius Reed, ¡°Mr. Reed, please have a look. Miss Huntington has already reviewed it, and there are no major issues.¡± ¡°A farm?¡± Julius Reed took the documents from the table and started to peruse them carefully. The documents contained a plan to plant a vast array of herbs and plants in the mountains of Gonzalez City. They even designated a plot of land for grazing. ¡°If you¡¯re doing this, shouldn¡¯t you go to the grasslands? Gonzalez City is a coastal city, something like a seafood aquaculture industry would be more fitting. You¡¯re planning on grazing, you must be joking, right?¡± Tossing the documents back onto the table, Julius Reed¡¯s expression suddenly became stern. ¡°Mr. Reed, here¡¯s the thing,¡± Chopter began with a slight frown, ¡°our people have surveyed the area. Fabian Percival, you know him. He said near the sea in Gonzalez City, if we raise dairy cows and grow herbal plants, the effect would be many times better.¡± ¡°No way!¡± Julius Reed decisively refused! A breeding farm? This was clearly a smokescreen for some ulterior motive! Grasslands, mountains, plants! Which of these were the Roosevelt family in urgent need of? Or, was it none of them? Just a decoy? ¡°Mr. Reed, we are willing to invest a lot of money! And America, as always, favors the natural products from Huaxia,¡± Chopter explained somewhat anxiously: ¡°If you agree, we will immediately transfer one billion US Dollars as an initial construction fee!¡± ¡°Three months! After three months! We will pay off the remaining four billion US Dollars in one go!¡± ¡°As long as you agree, one billion US Dollars will be transferred to your company¡¯s account within half an hour!¡± Such a tempting offer caused even Itai Huntington to become somewhat moved. In three months, all they needed to do was to deploy some breeding companies from within the alliance and add a little labor force. The total cost was estimated to not even exceed one billion US Dollars. This was practically like picking up money! An anomaly in affairs often belies an evil influence! Having battled in the business world for years, she naturally understood this principle. There is no such thing as a free lunch in the world. ¡°Well¡­¡± Julius Reed¡¯s brow creased slightly, and he put both feet up on the table, seeming somewhat troubled, ¡°It seems, you might be at a bit of a loss here!¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay!¡± Seeing a glimmer of opportunity, Chopter hurriedly waved his hand, ¡°Our family is rich; we just want to make some attempts. Moreover, the Roosevelt family is willing to work with Miss Huntington for the long term, so we don¡¯t care about the immediate gains and losses.¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Julius Reed nodded, pointing at Jay King, ¡°You, come over here and give me a back rub.¡± Chapter 687 - Chapter 687: Chapter 687: Bid Up_1 Chapter 687: Chapter 687: Bid Up_1 ¡°What did you say?¡± Jay King, sitting beside Chopter, furrowed his brow and asked. Since Julius Reed had walked into the conference room, he hadn¡¯t uttered a word. He even avoided making eye contact with Julius Reed. His restraint did not result in peace. ¡°I said, my shoulders are sore, come over and rub them for me.¡± Julius Reed looked at Jay King with a disdainful expression, ¡°Are all the servants of the Roosevelt family this proud?¡± ¡°Mr. Reed, if you need a masseuse, Fabian Percival happens to know quite a few,¡± Chopter hurriedly stepped forward with a forced smile, ¡°I will have him arrange some to give you a good massage afterwards.¡± ¡°This is the sincerity of the Roosevelt family?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s brow slightly furrowed, very displeased, ¡°Just a servant, and yet dare to be so presumptuous in front of us, really think we Chinese are so easily bullied?¡± ¡°No¡­ Mr. Reed, hear me out¡­¡± Chopter was sweating profusely. What could he say? Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã? Say that the Jay King by his side was the real master? That everything had to be arranged by Jay King? That would give everything away! ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± Just then, Jay King stood up, smiling, ¡°It would be my honor to serve Mr. Reed, Young Master Chopter.¡± Having spoken, he walked behind Julius Reed and took a deep breath. He placed both hands on the shoulders and began to gently knead. ¡°Ah¡­ that¡¯s comfortable!¡± Julius Reed called out in contentment and slowly closed his eyes, ¡°A bit harder¡­¡± ¡°Is this amount of pressure okay?¡± Jay King¡¯s face was ashen, but he had to put on a smile. He, a delegate of Thunderpeak Hall, was actually giving a shoulder rub? In the future, he vowed to tear Julius Reed into a thousand pieces! ¡°That¡¯s fine!¡± While speaking, Julius Reed looked towards Chopter, ¡°Your servant is really good, not only in fighting but also in doing this sort of thing, making one very comfortable.¡± ¡°Indeed¡­¡± Chopter replied awkwardly. What could he say? Say that Jay King was a good slave? That was a delegate of Thunderpeak Hall! A being whose mere cough could kill! ¡°Mr. Reed, do you think that¡¯s enough?¡± Jay King asked. His patience had limits. ¡°It¡¯s fine, continue.¡± Just as Jay King was about to explode, Julius Reed looked toward Chopter, tapping on the documents on the table, ¡°This matter can definitely be negotiated! However, about the price¡­¡± Hearing there was still a chance for things to turn around, Jay King, who had wanted to snap Julius Reed¡¯s throat, could only continue the massage. They had come to Gonzalez City to seek out the local forces to find what Grandma needed. But now, the forces in Gonzalez City were entangled and complex. Far from getting Aron Jackson to agree to unite the forces in Gonzalez City, they had even offended Julius Reed and Itai Huntington. This had greatly obstructed their plans. There were three months left until Grandma¡¯s birthday. At that time, Grandma would be at the end of her life. Everyone in Thunderpeak Hall knew that once Grandma died, they would all be buried along with her! So Jay King could endure such humiliation, as long as it would resolve the matter. ¡°About the price, what are your thoughts?¡± Chopter breathed a sigh of relief. The Roosevelt family had money. Any problem that could be solved with money was not a problem at all. This was their preferred method. ¡°A hundred billion!¡± Julius Reed stretched out a finger. ¡°A hundred billion?¡± Chopter¡¯s eyebrow lifted. Even Jay King¡¯s hands suddenly stopped. ¡°Continue massaging!¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Jay King¡¯s facial muscles twitched slightly, but nonetheless, he continued to massage Julius Reed, enduring the indignity. Endure! Endure! Endure! He kept admonishing himself. ¡°Endure for a moment and solve the trouble before you!¡± Later. He could use inhuman methods to torture Julius Reed to death! Make him regret coming into this world! ¡°What? You think it¡¯s too high?¡± Julius Reed spoke with some dissatisfaction, ¡°This season, you¡¯re telling me to graze? Even though Gonzalez City has a maritime climate, it can¡¯t be time to grow grass in winter!¡± According to the plan above. On the first day of the New Year, these enterprises have to start taking action. A large number of laborers must also be put to work. And at this time, it is still winter in Gonzalez City! Growing grass? Whether it can survive is another matter! ¡°This¡­¡± Chopter thought for a bit, then spoke, ¡°Mr. Reed, regardless of whether it can survive or not, we are willing to spend the money. You just need to follow our plan, and the money will certainly be paid accordingly!¡± Spending one¡¯s own money for the first time in such an aggrieved manner! The Roosevelt family is a big financial group in Americas, respected wherever they go. Normally, everyone rushes to do business with them, and the Roosevelts pick and choose carefully. Only when they¡¯re satisfied do they agree to cooperate with others. But now look at them. They take the initiative to spend money and have to do it like begging grandsons. Aggrieved! Too aggrieved! Chopter felt like punching someone! ¡°That won¡¯t do!¡± Julius Reed shook his head, pointing to the planning document, ¡°The first day of the New Year, brother! People are at home celebrating the festival, visiting family and friends, and you want them to plant trees for you? So the price has got to double!¡± After he finished speaking, even Itai Huntington¡¯s eyes seemed a bit peculiar. How much could labor possibly cost? Even if it were triple the pay, it would still be a lucrative deal! At that moment, Jay King nodded. ¡°Ten billion, just ten billion!¡± Chopter clenched his teeth, fists tightly balled up! Even though the Roosevelt family was wealthy, money wasn¡¯t to be spent this way! And ten billion US dollars! Was no small amount. But since Jay King nodded, they had to comply. ¡°Rub my legs!¡± Julius Reed pushed away Jay King¡¯s hand from his shoulder, pointing to his legs resting on the table. ¡°Mr. Reed, I am not a massage therapist¡­¡± Jay King said with a stern face. ¡°Less nonsense! You, a servant, do you not understand the rules?¡± Bang! Julius Reed slammed the table fiercely! It startled everyone! ¡°Fine¡­¡± Jay King almost squeezed the word out through his teeth. Even at Thunderpeak Hall, no mother-in-law had ever bossed him around like this! ¡°Hiss!¡± He took a deep breath, calming himself a bit. At the same time, he kept telling himself that once the job was done, he would kill Julius Reed¡¯s whole family! And Itai Huntington, that wretched woman! ¡°Shall we formally sign the contract now?¡± Chopter breathed a sigh of relief. Once the deal was settled, he would have completed his task perfectly. Gonzalez City, he didn¡¯t want to stay for a moment longer. ¡°The Roosevelt family is indeed decisive!¡± Julius Reed gave Chopter a thumbs-up. ¡°Mr. Reed is also straightforward. To raise the order to ten billion is truly impressive!¡± Chopter said with a smile. But in his heart, he had cursed Julius Reed countless times! The young master of the illustrious Roosevelt family was kowtowing like a dog in this godforsaken Gonzalez City! ¡°Ten billion?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°That¡¯s not right. The ten billion I mentioned is just an upfront payment. You¡¯ll have to pay another forty billion US dollars later!¡± ¡°What did you say!¡± Jay King¡¯s brow furrowed, and his hands suddenly smashed down towards Julius Reed¡¯s legs! Chapter 688 - Chapter 688: Chapter 688: The Invaluable Ashtray_1 Chapter 688: Chapter 688: The Invaluable Ashtray_1 Enduring does not mean fear! Jay King, also known as ¡®Overlord¡¯, was an existence that roamed forcefully in the Americas. Now, in Gonzalez City, he had suffered such immense humiliation and was even ordered around like a servant, he had already been seething with rage! Once Jay King realized Julius Reed had been playing him all along, a cold glint flashed in his eyes! His fists also slammed straight down towards Julius Reed¡¯s legs! At such close range, he was completely confident he could confine Julius Reed to a wheelchair for life. To live out his remaining years! If one dared to play him, they had to pay the price! Whoosh! Just as Jay King made his move, the corners of Julius Reed¡¯s mouth curled into a slight arc. His legs moved away with an incredible speed, and at the same time, his right hand gently flicked, pushing the ashtray on the table to where his legs had just been. Crack! Jay King¡¯s fists, as hard as steel, slammed down ferociously! Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã? He smashed the ashtray to pieces! Swish! After shattering the ashtray, the force of his punch continued and collapsed the entire conference table! Unimaginable. Such a force, if it were to hit a person¡¯s legs, what would be the outcome! ¡°Hiss!¡± Jay King sucked in a breath of cold air! That was glass! Even if his fists were hard, his body was still flesh and blood! The remnants of the ashtray had cut his fists all over, with fresh blood continuously dripping down. ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± Swish! The door to the meeting room was suddenly pushed open. Kong, standing guard outside with dozens of bodyguards, surrounded the meeting room so tightly that no water could get through! ¡°Miss, are you alright!¡± Kong quickly moved to stand behind Itai Huntington, pulling out a hidden weapon box from his waist, eyeing Chopter and Jay King with a menacing look. At the same time. The other bodyguards also drew their weapons, four dark hidden weapon boxes aimed at Jay King. If he dared to make a move, he would immediately die under a barrage of hidden weapons! ¡°You¡­¡± Jay King¡¯s actions were so sudden, they had truly startled Itai Huntington. Looking at the bodyguards who rushed in, she asked, ¡°How did you get here?¡± Today¡¯s negotiation with Chopter was straightforward, with both sides sitting openly in the meeting room. Thus, she hadn¡¯t arranged for anyone to stand guard at the door. ¡°Mr. Reed told us to stand guard at the door when he arrived,¡± Kong answered in a low voice. ¡°As soon as there was any commotion, he instructed us to rush in!¡± ¡°Ah.¡± Itai Huntington looked at Julius Reed with a peculiar expression, then gave a resigned smile. With this setup, it was clear from the start that he had no intention of negotiating in good faith. ¡°Miss Huntington, what do you mean by this¡­¡± Chopter stood up, his complexion turning somewhat darker. Now, they were the fish on the cutting board, and he was at the mercy of others. In Gonzalez City¡¯s territory, even if Chopter was a scion of the Roosevelt family, he still had to yield to others! ¡°We mean nothing by it?¡± Julius Reed stood up, hands in his pockets, smiling at Chopter: ¡°But what about you, instructing your employee to suddenly attack me, what does that mean?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Chopter was left speechless. How could he have known Jay King would strike? And even if they knew, they wouldn¡¯t have the guts to interfere! Tick-tock! In the quiet conference room, only the sound of Jay King¡¯s blood dripping onto the floor could be heard. ¡°I think your bodyguard didn¡¯t intend to harm me, he just accidentally damaged our conference room table, right?¡± Julius Reed spoke again, breaking the silence. ¡°Yes! Yes!¡± Chopter, ecstatic, said, ¡°Misunderstanding, it¡¯s all a misunderstanding! We came to Gonzalez City this time to negotiate with your company in good faith, why would we do something like this? It must be a misunderstanding!¡± Having said that. He looked at Jay King: ¡°Hurry up and apologize to Mr. Reed.¡± At this moment, everyone¡¯s safety was threatened, and preserving life was the top priority. And it seemed that Jay King had not anticipated this kind of outcome. Only Itai Huntington¡¯s face showed a flash of peculiarity. When did Julius Reed become so easy to talk to? That¡¯s not like him at all! ¡°Misunderstanding!¡± Julius Reed scratched his head, gesturing for Kong to put away the hidden weapon box: ¡°We¡¯re all friends here, what¡¯s the meaning of pointing a hidden weapon box at us.¡± Upon hearing his words, Kong¡¯s face showed a moment of hesitation, but he still reluctantly put away the hidden weapon box. At least they knew one thing for sure, Julius Reed was definitely on Miss Huntington¡¯s side. ¡°Yes! Friends! We are all friends!¡± Chopter, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, said with an awkward laugh. Being at someone else¡¯s mercy, he had no choice but to yield. ¡°Since we¡¯re friends, then simply compensating for the table is enough.¡± Julius Reed looked at the conference table that had already been smashed, bent down, picked up an ashtray stained with blood: ¡°And this ashtray too.¡± ¡°Deal!¡± Chopter immediately took out a check from his pocket, grabbed a pen, and began to write: ¡°It¡¯s our fault, we should. What do you think, is one hundred thousand US dollars enough?¡± A conference table eight meters long, along with a very ordinary glass ashtray. Altogether, they might not even use up ten thousand US dollars. But after all, since they were at fault first, it was better to spend money to avoid disaster. ¡°Mr. Chopter, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯re not aware of one thing.¡± Julius Reed picked up the broken ashtray, gently placed it in his palm, and held it out to Chopter: ¡°Do you know how much this ashtray is worth?¡± ¡°One hundred dollars?¡± Chopter said somewhat skeptically. An ordinary ashtray, in the Americas, wouldn¡¯t cost more than a few US dollars. How much could this worthless thing possibly be worth? ¡°One hundred dollars?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s face was full of exaggerated expressions: ¡°My god, Mr. Chopter, this is an ashtray from the era of the Lamilid Dynasty in our Huaxia, used by King Zhou of Shang himself!¡± ¡°What!¡± Chopter¡¯s eyes widened, pointing at the broken piece of glass in Julius Reed¡¯s hand: ¡°Reed, don¡¯t joke around!¡± ¡°Who¡¯s joking with you!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s face darkened, very displeased, he said: ¡°I treated you as friends, so I took out this priceless treasure to use! And you damaged it, but now you¡¯re reluctant to compensate?¡± As he spoke, Itai Huntington almost burst out laughing. This scam was too unprofessional. ¡°Mr. Reed, as far as I know, during the period of the Lamilid Dynasty, Huaxia hadn¡¯t even fully entered the Bronze Age. How could there have been a glass ashtray back then?¡± Jay King sneered, pointing at the broken ashtray: ¡°Moreover, by the time glass appeared, the Lamilid Dynasty had probably been extinct for thousands of years, right? As a bona fide oriental, he naturally knew a bit about Huaxia¡¯s history. In fact, even a normal person wouldn¡¯t believe that this ashtray was used by King Zhou of Shang! ¡°Look!¡± Julius Reed held up his thumb, looking at Jay King with admiration: ¡°Sir, your erudition is indeed profound. But since you mentioned it, if this object only became common thousands of years later, doesn¡¯t it underscore its significance? King Zhou had been using it more than four thousand years ago! Rarity is the essence of value.¡± ¡°You ¡­¡± Jay King pointed at Julius Reed: ¡°To be human, don¡¯t be too shameless!¡± ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m just being logical.¡± Julius Reed shrugged, pointing at the ashtray on the table: ¡°The glass from the era of King Zhou is valuable enough to be priceless. How about this, since we are friends, I will give you a friendly price. How does two billion US dollars sound?¡± Chapter 689 - Chapter 689: Chapter 689 Everyone is Friends_1 Chapter 689: Chapter 689 Everyone is Friends_1 ¡°Hiss!¡± The people in the room couldn¡¯t help but gasp when they heard Julius Reed¡¯s ¡®friend price¡¯. A few dozen dollars for an ashtray, and he¡¯s asking for twenty billion? In US Dollar? This isn¡¯t just robbery; it¡¯s audacity at another level. The new era¡¯s top extortion king seems to be none other than Julius Reed. ¡°Mr. Reed, you really have a way with jokes.¡± Jay King was taken aback for a moment, then said with a laugh, ¡°We¡¯re the ones at fault today for breaking your table and frightening Miss Huntington.¡± He glanced at Chopter and asked aloud, ¡°How about we compensate with one million US dollars?¡± It¡¯s a small price to pay for avoiding disaster. It¡¯s their own fault for hitting a snag. After all, one million US dollars to the Roosevelt family Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.?? isn¡¯t even pocket change. ¡°Sorry, I said twenty billion US dollars, and that¡¯s twenty billion US dollars!¡± Julius Reed said coldly, ¡°This is a notification, not a discussion.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t push it too far!¡± Jay King laughed loudly, pointing at Julius Reed, ¡°Do you think you can openly threaten us in Hua Xia? Fine! I¡¯m calling the police right now and accusing you of illegal detention!¡± After that, he pulled out his phone from his chest. ¡°King Kong, show me your dart-box technique.¡± Julius Reed said cheerfully. Whoosh! The moment Jay King took out his phone, King Kong shot out a dart box! Crack! The dart, with tremendous force, shattered the phone screen! The significant impact staggered Jay King backward a few steps. Once more, silence returned to the meeting room. Chopter¡¯s legs went weak, and his lips had already turned pale. And although Jay King was used to big scenes, at that moment, he also seemed a bit frightened! Just then! Just a moment ago! The dart had nearly brushed past his body! Even. He had heard the sound of the dart whizzing past his ear. Even for someone as seasoned in killing as him, the moment was heart-stopping. ¡°You dare to use a dart box¡­¡± Jay King said with a grave voice. Even his hand still maintained the position of holding the phone. Only the phone had already shattered on the ground. ¡°It wasn¡¯t me who used the dart box.¡± Julius Reed shrugged his shoulders, sat back down, and looked at Jay King, whose face had turned dark, ¡°Honestly, I¡¯ve read faces before. You¡¯ve got darkness over your brow; you¡¯re facing a bloody disaster!¡± ¡°Then please tell me¡­¡± Jay King took a deep breath, gritting his teeth as he asked, ¡°How do I avoid this disaster?¡± ¡°Lose wealth to avoid misfortune!¡± After Julius Reed finished speaking, Itai Huntington behind him couldn¡¯t help but let out a burst of laughter. How could someone be so shameless! ¡°Julius Reed!¡± Jay King squinted his eyes, speaking fiercely, ¡°We are people of the Roosevelt family, don¡¯t you consider the consequences at all? If you dare to kill someone, I guarantee the Roosevelt family will make sure you never live in peace!¡± The Roosevelt family, being one of the major conglomerates in the Americas, wields enormous influence worldwide. To speak bluntly, if the Roosevelt consortium were really to take action, even the four giant families of Jing City would have to be wary. ¡°The Roosevelt family?¡± Julius Reed raised his eyebrows and twirled his finger, ¡°Mr. Chopter is the son of the Roosevelt family; of course, we wouldn¡¯t trouble him. But killing one of the bodyguards shouldn¡¯t be a problem, right?¡± Upon hearing this, Chopter immediately slumped into his chair. If Jay King were to die, he wouldn¡¯t stand a chance of surviving either! His grandmother would use the most brutal methods to have him executed! ¡°You want to kill me?¡± Jay King laughed out loud, ¡°Julius Reed, murder is paid for with one¡¯s life! If you kill me, Mr. Chopter will surely report everything once he gets back! I guess you¡¯re going to spend the rest of your life in prison, right?¡± Killing someone behind the scenes is very different from doing it openly. ¡°Is that so?¡± Julius Reed turned around, looking at the bodyguards, ¡°Did you hear what he said? Put away your dart boxes! If anyone accidentally fires and kills this protective gentleman here, I¡¯ll personally send you to court!¡± He had been doing fine until he spoke, which prompted the bodyguards, who had originally put away their hidden weapon boxes, to pull them out again. They pressed them against Jay King¡¯s head. ¡°You¡¯re not my boss, why should my brothers listen to you!¡± One of the bodyguards directly disengaged the safety and looked at Julius Reed, ¡°You don¡¯t want me to kill him, but I damn well want to!¡± Cold sweat suddenly streamed down Jay King¡¯s forehead. No matter how calm and composed he had been before. At that moment, his heartbeat accelerated. ¡°Ah!¡± Julius Reed stood up, looking helplessly at Jay King, ¡°I¡¯m leaving now. Next year, this time, I¡¯ll press a stack of joss paper on your grave.¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Jay King closed his eyes and bit his lip hard. ¡°We will pay the money¡­ ¡± ¡°But Chopter hasn¡¯t said anything yet¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll pay! Pay!¡± Chopter hurriedly stood up. When life was at stake, money was inconsequential. ¡°But¡­ there was no glass during the Lamilid Dynasty; isn¡¯t this extortion?¡± ¡°That¡¯s just because archaeology hasn¡¯t found it yet, the rarer it gets, the more prestigious your ashtray appears¡­¡± Jay King¡¯s eyes were tightly shut, and his lips were oozing blood. ¡°Forget it, I¡¯m afraid others will say I extorted you,¡± Julius Reed turned to leave. ¡°This is¡­ completely voluntary! I also have to thank Mr. Reed for being magnanimous, for not holding this against us¡­¡± With each word Jay King spoke, his heart convulsed. ¡°The money¡­ the money has been transferred to your company¡¯s account¡­¡± Just then, Chopter, trembling, showed his phone to Itai Huntington, displaying the transaction record. After checking, Itai Huntington nodded towards Julius Reed. ¡°Let¡¯s do this. I have one final request.¡± Julius Reed walked up to Jay King and glanced at Chopter, ¡°Chopter, your bodyguard is too hot-headed. He nearly scared Miss Huntington just now. I hope you can slap him hard, to teach him a lesson.¡± ¡°No¡­¡± Chopter hurriedly waved his hands, ¡°Mr. Reed, we¡¯ve paid the money, could you¡­ maybe not make things more difficult¡­¡± ¡°A scion of the illustrious Roosevelt family is scared stiff by a bodyguard; I seriously doubt if you¡¯re a true Roosevelt!¡± Julius Reed¡¯s face darkened, touching his nose, ¡°Surely you aren¡¯t an imposter?¡± ¡°Hit him!¡± Jay King¡¯s brow was nearly knotted with tension. The 2 billion US dollars had been spent, and today he had completely accepted defeat! ¡°Alright¡­¡± Chopter swallowed hard, his hands shaking almost like a sieve. Slap an archangel? Hiss¡­ ¡°Scared like this to hit a disobedient bodyguard?¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, ¡°Just to be clear, if the slap isn¡¯t loud enough, you¡¯ll have to slap him again!¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Chopter¡¯s raised hand was still shaking. ¡°Sir, it was my rashness. Please punish me severely!¡± Jay King emphasized the word ¡°severely¡± especially hard! ¡°Hiss!¡± Chopter took a deep breath and, clenching his teeth, delivered a slap! Smack! The slap carried a full force! Leaving a distinct handprint on Jay King¡¯s face. ¡°Show our guests out!¡± Julius Reed gestured, and the bodyguards immediately put away their weapon boxes. ¡°We are all friends, why go through such trouble?¡± He gently patted Jay King¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Next time, I¡¯ll treat you to a drink.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Jay King looked at his fists, covered in wounds, then turned and walked away briskly. Chopter followed closely behind him. Hum! Just then, Julius Reed¡¯s phone vibrated in his pocket. When he took it out, there was a message. The message was from Aron Jackson, and it contained just four words. ¡°Elwood Thorneycroft has escaped.¡± Chapter 690 - Chapter 690: Chapter 690 Silver Needle_1 Chapter 690: Chapter 690 Silver Needle_1 ¡°Julius Reed, you really outdid yourself!¡± After Jay King left the conference room, Itai Huntington was as excited as a little girl. A table worth about thirty thousand US dollars, plus an ashtray worth a few dozen, and you extorted two billion US dollars from the Roosevelt family? I wouldn¡¯t even dare to dream of that! ¡°I¡¯ll give you half.¡± She bumped Julius Reed lightly with her hand, smiling cheerfully. It was like a pie falling from the sky. Two billion US dollars! An enormous fortune! Even for the Roosevelt family, that was no small amount. ¡°I¡¯ve got something else to do, be careful these days.¡± After Julius Reed gave a nonchalant response, he turned and left the Five-state International building. ¡°Bastard! Wouldn¡¯t even dare to cheat because he¡¯s under the thumb of the tiger at home!¡± Itai Huntington muttered resentfully, watching the swift silhouette of Julius Reed. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í¨À0.§ã¦Ï But what she didn¡¯t know was that Julius Reed was thinking of Elwood Thorneycroft, and had very little to do with Quella Radcliffe. In fact. Even without the matter of Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s departure, Julius Reed would have not paid her any mind. ¡­ Half an hour later, a Rolls-Royce stopped at the copper sparrow platform. Julius Reed got out of the driver¡¯s seat and headed straight for Aron Jackson¡¯s office. ¡°Boss!¡± Aron Jackson, who was dealing with business in the office, hurriedly stood up when he saw Julius Reed come in. ¡°What happened?¡± Julius Reed sat where Aron Jackson had just been sitting, his brow slightly furrowed, ¡°Explain it clearly.¡± ¡°Our guys were posted around the private hospital, but when they went to deliver fruit to the room this morning, they noticed something was off.¡± Aron Jackson, leaning on the desk with both hands, explained, ¡°It was only when that bodyguard lifted the blankets that he found they were stuffed with clothes, and Elwood Thorneycroft had already left without anyone knowing when.¡± ¡°Was she there last night?¡± Julius Reed propped his head with one hand and began to ponder non-stop. ¡°She was still there at night.¡± Aron Jackson nodded, ¡°At three in the morning, Elwood Thorneycroft got up for a walk, and our people saw her.¡± As he spoke, it seemed like he suddenly remembered something, ¡°Boss, is it possible that Elwood Thorneycroft might have returned to Fabian Percival¡¯s side?¡± Elwood Thorneycroft was the daughter of Fabian Percival, now with her injuries healed and freed from Ivan Reed¡¯s clutches. She would naturally return to her father¡¯s side. Moreover, Julius Reed and Fabian Percival were sworn enemies, so it made sense for Elwood Thorneycroft to leave quietly. ¡°Impossible.¡± Julius Reed shook his head. Elwood Thorneycroft was only Fabian Percival¡¯s adopted daughter, and since the time Fabian Percival sent Brown Bread to kill her, Elwood Thorneycroft had lost all hope. Even if she left, she would only disappear under a false name and would never return to Fabian Percival¡¯s fold. Unless¡­ But that possibility was too unlikely to occur. ¡°My people have been searching the whole city, but Elwood Thorneycroft has some skills, and your excellent medicines have allowed her to recover quite well,¡± Aron Jackson said with an awkward smile, ¡°She¡¯s not easy to catch!¡± When Elwood Thorneycroft was injured, Aron Jackson advocated for cutting the problem off at the root! To kill this once right-hand arm of Fabian Percival. Later, Julius Reed insisted on saving her, and Aron Jackson had no choice but to compromise. Despite compromising, he suggested delaying the treatment, which, while not fatal, could greatly prolong Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s recovery time. After all, Elwood Thorneycroft had once opposed them, and when dealing with enemies, Aron Jackson was never soft! But Julius Reed flatly rejected his idea and gave Elwood Thorneycroft the best medicines. As for the fruit and three meals a day, he arranged the highest quality. Now that Elwood Thorneycroft had vanished without a word, Aron Jackson felt a painful loss. A loss that hurt to the bone! Hum! Just then, Julius Reed¡¯s phone suddenly rang. ¡°Half an hour later, Blue Star Cafe.¡± ¡°Who!¡± Aron Jackson, seeing the message, asked alertly. It was an unfamiliar number. ¡°Not sure, but I have a good guess.¡± Julius Reed pocketed his phone and whispered into Aron Jackson¡¯s ear, ¡°Have someone keep a close watch on the Roosevelt family¡¯s movements; those two took a big loss today and definitely won¡¯t let it go.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Aron Jackson nodded. Even if Julius Reed didn¡¯t say it, he would have kept an eye on all potential enemies of his boss. To prevent any unexpected events. After Orren Beaumont turned traitor, nearly a quarter of the intelligence network in Gonzalez City had been restored to normal functioning. Ivan Reed remained stationed in Azure Percival Hotel, forcing Fabian Percival to only hole up within the Five-lakes Clubhouse, not daring to make any rash moves. The undercurrents that had roiled beneath the surface of Gonzalez City became, for a rare moment, a semblance of tranquility. As he left the pavilion, Julius Reed and Orren Beaumont brushed past each other. ¡°Hold on!¡± He felt something was not quite right. ¡°Brother Davenport!¡± Orren Beaumont quickly turned around, standing in front of Julius Reed: ¡°Do you have any orders?¡± ¡°You were previously employed by Caden Cook?¡± To Julius Reed, a small fry like Orren Beaumont was hardly worth his attention. All of his information came through Aron Jackson. ¡°Yes!¡± Orren Beaumont¡¯s eyes darted about: ¡°After Aaron Martin got killed, I brought my brothers over to Aron Jackson¡¯s side.¡± ¡°Stick with Aron Jackson from now on and don¡¯t stray. If anyone offers you a deal to betray him, I¡¯ll double it.¡± Julius Reed patted his shoulder gently and smiled, ¡°You can go.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Orren Beaumont turned and strode towards Aron Jackson¡¯s office. ¡°Wait a minute!¡± Julius Reed, as if suddenly remembering something, asked abruptly, ¡°How many children do you have at home?¡± ¡°I¡¯m by myself.¡± Orren Beaumont replied. ¡°You also have a younger sister in Fujiwara County, below Gonzalez City.¡± Having said that, Julius Reed left without looking back. ¡°I understand.¡± Orren Beaumont stood still, slowly closing his eyes. When he opened them again, his gaze flickered with a hint of murderous intent. ¡°Boss, about Sacha Reed¡­¡± Once sure they were alone, an employee quietly asked in his ear. ¡°Tell Sacha Reed that my conditions are non-negotiable,¡± Orren Beaumont said coldly as he glanced at his employee, ¡°If Sacha Reed can¡¯t meet them, I regret I cannot accept.¡± ¡°Right.¡± The man nodded and quickly disappeared. Gonzalez City lies by the sea, a popular destination for tourists. Cafes are naturally found everywhere. It used to be a seafood farming base, but as tourism brought prosperity to the locals, they abandoned the arduous aquaculture for the restaurant and tourism industries. The Blue Star Cafe mentioned in the information was located around one of Gonzalez City¡¯s ports. As the New Year approached, the place was particularly crowded. By the time Julius Reed arrived at the cafe, he immediately spotted that familiar face. Elwood Thorneycroft. Elwood Thorneycroft sat at a corner table, sipping a drink through a straw with a smile on his face as he looked towards Julius Reed. ¡°Tired of living?¡± Julius Reed sat across from him, smiling as he asked. ¡°If I were tired of living, I wouldn¡¯t choose a place crowded with people.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s face showed a smile, but there was something melancholy about it. ¡°What¡¯s your plan?¡± Julius Reed took out his phone, about to scan for a coffee, when Elwood Thorneycroft took a cup of coffee from under the table. It was hot. Must have been ordered not long ago. ¡°Thank you.¡± Julius Reed took the coffee and took a sip right away. ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid I might have poisoned it?¡± Elwood Thorneycroft asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Poison won¡¯t kill me.¡± Julius Reed drank heartily. Coffee was so bitter, he really didn¡¯t like it. Brown sugar was much better. ¡°Why leave?¡± He looked at Elwood Thorneycroft across from him. ¡°Because¡­ It¡¯s not safe there.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft said, pulling a silver needle from his pocket. The needle had turned black. Chapter 691 - Chapter 691: Chapter 691 Visitors from Azure Mountain_1 Chapter 691: Chapter 691 Visitors from Azure Mountain_1 ¡°Where?¡± Julius Reed¡¯s eyes narrowed as he intently stared at the silver needle in Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s hand. ¡°The fruit, the porridge for breakfast, and the milk in the evening,¡± After saying this, Elwood Thorneycroft wrapped the silver needle in paper, and tossed it into the trash bin. ¡°If I don¡¯t leave, there¡¯s only a dead end for me.¡± ¡°Then you still dare to see me?¡± Julius Reed chuckled lightly, ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid I¡¯ll kill you?¡± Elwood Thorneycroft shook his head, ¡°You won¡¯t kill me.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Julius Reed was somewhat curious upon hearing this answer. ¡°The meals, even the fruits, were all arranged by me to be sent to you. Why do you still trust me?¡± If the silver needle tested positive for poison, then this matter was definitely related to him. Elwood Thorneycroft had barely escaped, and yet he had actively sought him out again? ¡°The person who wants to harm me can¡¯t possibly be you.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.?¦Ï Elwood Thorneycroft gave him a look and continued drinking his coffee, ¡°If you really wanted to kill me, you would have done it by now! Why go to such lengths? You are someone who wouldn¡¯t take two steps when one would do.¡± ¡°That¡¯s indeed true.¡± Julius Reed nodded in agreement. If he had really wanted to kill, he would have done it back when he got his hands on the hairpin. Why wait until now? ¡°I guess, it must be Fabian Percival¡¯s people.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft sighed, looking out the window, ¡°Ivan Reed wouldn¡¯t want me dead; he still hopes to pry open my mouth to learn that secret. As for Aron Jackson¡­ he doesn¡¯t dare disobey you.¡± ¡°You see things quite clearly.¡± Julius Reed paused, then said, ¡°I must take some responsibility for this matter. After I return, I will have Aron Jackson investigate thoroughly to find out who poisoned it.¡± Just then, a waiter came over with two cups of coffee. ¡°Sir, miss, your coffee,¡± he said with a smile. ¡°We didn¡¯t order any,¡± Elwood Thorneycroft looked at the waiter, ¡°You¡¯ve made a mistake.¡± ¡°Impossible!¡± The waiter looked at Elwood Thorneycroft, ¡°I have a receipt here, it¡¯s for this table.¡± After saying this, he supported the tray with one hand and reached out to grab the receipt with the other. Whoosh! But in the next moment, what appeared in the waiter¡¯s hand was not a receipt! It was a knife, glinting with cold light! And the tip of the knife was aimed straight for Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s throat! Clang! In the blink of an eye! Julius Reed spit out the straw in his mouth! The straw, with strong force, knocked the knife to the ground. Elwood Thorneycroft, too, regained his senses and quickly picked up the knife from the ground, stabbing it into the waiter¡¯s palm! ¡°Make a sound, and you¡¯re as good as dead!¡± When these words echoed in the waiter¡¯s ears, he who was about to wail, bit his teeth together and didn¡¯t utter a sound. ¡°Move, and you will die as well,¡± Julius Reed said again. The knife pierced through the waiter¡¯s palm and lodged into the thick wooden table beneath. ¡°Who sent you?¡± Elwood Thorneycroft asked. As he questioned, he pulled out a small knife from his waist and gently placed it against the waiter¡¯s neck. The blade was very sharp, and instantly left a mark on the man¡¯s throat. ¡°It was Mr. Thorneycroft¡­ Mr. Thorneycroft¡­¡± The waiter, terrified and sweating, was trembling as he spoke. ¡°I¡¯m going back.¡± After hearing the waiter¡¯s words, Elwood Thorneycroft leaned back and smiled at Julius Reed, ¡°Don¡¯t try to persuade me, you know it¡¯s futile.¡± ¡°Since you¡¯ve made up your mind, I won¡¯t try to convince you,¡± Julius Reed stood up and left a hundred yuan on the table, ¡°Today¡¯s coffee, it¡¯s my treat.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± a voice of gratitude came from behind him. ¡°Never thought you¡¯d still choose this path. If you need help, you can look for me.¡± After saying these words, Julius Reed, hands in pockets, walked away with long strides. ¡°I¡¯m a man of limited vision; I can¡¯t hold too much in it!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft shouted loudly, and as he did, tears began to fall. ¡°So, I can only erase those memories¡­¡± ¡°Miss, could you possibly¡­¡± Thud! Elwood Thorneycroft pulled out the knife that had been stuck in the waiter¡¯s palm and thrust it violently into his throat! Then, as if assisting a drunken friend, she gently pressed a napkin on the wound and supported the waiter as they left. Once she was back in the car, she collected her emotions and took out her phone to call Fabian Percival. A moment later, the call connected. ¡°Did you succeed?¡± A brooding voice came from inside. ¡°Father.¡± A trace of bitterness flashed across Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s face. ¡°Elwood!¡± Upon hearing the voice, Fabian Percival seemed very shocked. ¡°Yes, I was held captive by Julius Reed, but now I¡¯ve escaped.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s expression instantly turned to joy: ¡°Father, I¡¯m coming back now. Will you still take me in?¡± ¡°I will¡­¡± Fabian Percival took a deep breath and said with a smile, ¡°Vito, your father has been so worried about you! Now that the Roosevelt family from America has come to Gonzalez City, we no longer fear Ivan Reed!¡± ¡°Thank you, father, I¡¯ll be right there.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft hung up the phone with a frosty face. ¡°Fabian Percival, thank you for your years of nurturing care.¡± With that, she floored the gas pedal and sped toward the Five-lakes Clubhouse. ¡­ Meanwhile, At the Northern Restaurant. ¡°Holy Messenger, I deserve to die!¡± Roosevelt Chide kneeled on the ground, shaking in fear. He had hit the Holy Messenger! That was a capital offense! An unforgivable crime! In the Thunderpeak Hall, such insubordination would be punished by dismemberment! ¡°Today¡¯s events were sudden; you¡¯re not to blame.¡± Jay King stood with his back to the room, gazing out at the boundless sea through the window, his expression very calm. There was a circle of gauze wrapped around his right hand, showing a trace of blood. ¡°It¡¯s my fault I couldn¡¯t protect you, Holy Messenger¡­¡± How could Chopter dare to stand up? Regardless, today he had, in reality, slapped Jay King across the face. Very forcefully! ¡°If I needed your protection, I would be rather useless.¡± Jay King turned and gently helped Chopter up from the ground: ¡°Our people will arrive tonight.¡± ¡°Is it the Shadow Warrior sent by Granny?¡± Chopter¡¯s eyes were filled with surprise. As long as Thunderpeak Hall took action, Julius Reed was doomed! ¡°After all, we¡¯re in China¡¯s East. Thunderpeak Hall won¡¯t take action unless absolutely necessary,¡± Jay King said coldly. ¡°But I¡¯ve already asked Granny for help, and Thunderpeak Hall¡¯s people will be here tomorrow.¡± ¡°Then tonight¡­¡± Chopter was a bit puzzled; were they divided into two teams? ¡°Tonight, Granny has spent a fortune to hire a Shadow Warrior!¡± Jay King snorted lightly: ¡°Not only will there be top Shadow Warriors from around the world, but there will also be people from Azure Mountain!¡± ¡°Azure Mountain?¡± Upon hearing this name, a smile couldn¡¯t help but spread across Chopter¡¯s face: ¡°Azure Mountain is fierce and combative! Granny really knows how to play her cards right to have gotten people from Azure Mountain to join. Now, Julius Reed is definitely not going to die a whole death!¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± Jay King nodded, fully agreeing with Chopter¡¯s words. ¡°Everyone at Azure Mountain loves to fight; Granny has paid a great price this time to secure people from Azure Mountain. Julius Reed, you think you can fight? Well, I¡¯d like to see what you¡¯re made of in front of Azure Mountain¡¯s forces!¡± Crack! Jay King punched out! The dressing mirror in front of him instantly shattered! Chapter 692 - Chapter 692: Chapter 692 Gentle and Generous Nelson_1 Chapter 692: Chapter 692 Gentle and Generous Nelson_1 ¡°` Under the cloak of night. At Gonzalez City¡¯s West Harbor Wharf. Chopter had been waiting here for half an hour. Only after a passenger ship slowly came to a halt did he toss the cigarette butt in his hand to the ground without even crushing it, and hastened toward the ship. First, a group of people disembarked from the ship, and after they had cleared, a bald man slowly walked off. ¡°Mr. Brysen.¡± Chopter hurried over and extended his hand to shake with the bald man. ¡°Everyone is inside, there are five of them, all skilled hands.¡± Brysen Beaumont patted Chopter¡¯s shoulder, ¡°It took me a lot of effort to buy their boat tickets. You don¡¯t know, these old guys are really peculiar.¡± ¡°I understand!¡± Chopter said with a smile, ¡°Mr. Brysen, you¡¯ve had a hard time.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.?¦Ï Brysen Beaumont sighed, pointing at the ship, ¡°If Granny didn¡¯t forbid me from taking action, would I have needed them?¡± ¡°Indeed, if you made a move, wouldn¡¯t it be an overkill?¡± Chopter flattered him. ¡°I¡¯ve handed the people over to you, I¡¯ll go back now to report.¡± Brysen Beaumont patted his shoulder, ¡°See you in the Americas!¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Chopter quickly nodded and bowed in response. Brysen Beaumont, a Mage of Thunderpeak Hall, is hailed as the number one person in the Americas! That¡¯s precisely why his every move is monitored by others. When he is still, he is already awe-inspiring; a single move shocks the world! Stirring one strand can affect the whole situation! If he made a move, powerful individuals would emerge. Therefore, having been by Granny¡¯s side for so many years, Brysen Beaumont rarely took action. But whenever he did, it was definitely a sensation in the martial world! After Brysen Beaumont returned to the ship, five more people walked out. These five people had odd appearances. One of them even had a knife slung over his shoulder! This was a knife! Carrying a knife aboard a ship! Even passing the security check was problematic! One can only imagine how troubled Brysen Beaumont must have been at the time. Now Chopter was also experiencing it firsthand, receiving these people was too difficult. The more capable the person, the more peculiar the temper! But fortunately, Jay King was planning to take action tonight. After having a meal with these people, the plan could be executed. This indeed saved Chopter a lot of trouble. ¡°Hello everyone.¡± Chopter approached and, looking at the five people in front of him, introduced himself, ¡°I am Roosevelt Chopter, and I am responsible for receiving you all on this trip.¡± ¡°For this mission, I presume Mr. Brysen has already explained everything to you onboard. The target is a young man, around twenty years old, with some tricks up his sleeve.¡± After his introduction, the five people in front of him exchanged glances and started speaking one after another. ¡°I am Adam Martin!¡± A strong man dressed in a long robe patted his chest and slammed the large saber on his shoulder into the ground, ¡°I am from Azure Mountain, and I am the boss for this job.¡± The people of Azure Mountain are martial, good at fighting, and absolutely no-nonsense! Hearing the man introduce himself, a dwarf by his side seemed displeased, ¡°Adam, although you¡¯re from Azure Mountain, we from the Burrow are no pushovers!¡± ¡°Black Rat, just watch the show from the sidelines!¡± Adam Martin scoffed coldly, his face full of disdain. ¡°Hmph!¡± The dwarf could only swallow his anger, turning to Chopter, ¡°I¡¯m Black Rat, the Grandmaster of the Burrow, pleased to meet you.¡± ¡°I am Lancelot Jackson, Black Rat¡¯s brother!¡± Another dwarf man also spoke up following suit. The Black and White Rats are extremely skilled in hiding¡ªwhat they excel in is burrowing! The two can quietly dig a tunnel in a short amount of time and strike stealthily from behind! Over the years, quite a few personalities have died from their cold blades in the back! Although the Black and White Rats don¡¯t have a good reputation outside, when it comes to killing, they are definitely experts. ¡°Zack, proficient in poison.¡± A man in his thirties from the Americas introduced himself, ¡°Anyone who drinks my poison, even immortals, will meet their demise on the path!¡± ¡°Swift King.¡± Another man with a face full of scars spoke up, ¡°Skilled at playing with hidden weapons.¡± ¡°All of you are masters!¡± Chopter said with a smile, ¡°Let¡¯s have a meal first. After the long journey, you must all be hungry.¡± ¡°We are here to kill!¡± Adam Martin said sternly, ¡°Do you think I am like those incompetents who only know how to eat? Killing first, eating can wait!¡± With such a remark, Chopter felt somewhat embarrassed. ¡°` Although he was a member of the Roosevelt family, what status did Azure Mountain hold? Those were elite warriors! Even Thunderpeak Hall didn¡¯t dare to offend Azure Mountain. How could he recklessly talk about them? ¡°Rough speech but reasonable logic!¡± Black Rat snorted coldly. Although he was discontent inside, with Azure Mountain¡¯s fierce reputation, they didn¡¯t dare to provoke them. If there was a disagreement, they would genuinely chop people down! ¡°We¡¯re here to kill. After the job is done, naturally, we¡¯ll go eat!¡± ¡°Exactly! Let¡¯s not let the people of Azure Mountain look down on us!¡± Everyone echoed in agreement. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, let me go over the plan first,¡± Chopter took a deep breath. He was worried about how to resolve it if everyone started arguing. Now it was much easier to handle. After all, it was their initiative to suggest killing first. He just had to obey. These were his ancestors after all! He couldn¡¯t afford to offend them. ¡°According to our intelligence, Julius Reed will appear at Five-state International¡¯s front gate tonight. What exactly he¡¯s up to is still unclear,¡± Chopter took out a computer and placed it on the ground: ¡°At that time, you all can take the opportunity to finish him off!¡± ¡°No problem!¡± Adam Martin patted his chest: ¡°Such matters, I can handle alone! I really don¡¯t understand. If you come to seek out Azure Mountain, why do you need this bunch of trash!¡± ¡°Azure Mountain, don¡¯t push people too far! I¡¯m telling you¡­¡± Whoosh! Clang! Before Black Rat could finish speaking, the longsword in Adam Martin¡¯s hand nearly brushed past his head! It carved a half-meter-deep crack on the concrete ground of the wharf. ¡°Next time, you¡¯ll be a dead rat,¡± Adam Martin said coldly. ¡­ ¡°Didn¡¯t we agree to meet tomorrow?¡± Nelson stood at the front gate of Five-state International, looking at Julius Reed and cooed, ¡°What? Missed me already? Can¡¯t wait?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just that¡­¡± Julius Reed frowned slightly. ¡°Just that what?¡± Nelson asked anxiously: ¡°It¡¯s because you¡¯re married, right? That¡¯s simple. I¡¯ll kill her, and then you can marry me. I¡¯m going right now.¡± After saying that, she turned around to leave. ¡°Hey! Come back here!¡± Julius Reed grabbed her hand and pulled Nelson back. ¡°You¡­ you touched my hand¡­¡± Nelson¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment and she said, ¡°You¡¯re the first man¡­ to hold my hand¡­¡± ¡°That¡­ not¡­¡± Julius Reed¡¯s scalp tingled! ¡°You misunderstood my intention,¡± He quickly explained, ¡°Tomorrow, I might be a bit busy, so I can¡¯t come over.¡± ¡°Is that so¡­¡± A look of disappointment flashed across Nelson¡¯s face. ¡°But it¡¯s alright, Brother Julius. All you had to do was tell me.¡± Biting her lip, her hands fidgeting with her sportswear jacket, she stood there, twisting her body slightly: ¡°I¡¯m a good girl, gentle and proper, not the unreasonable type.¡± ¡°Be careful!¡± Just then, Julius Reed abruptly looked up and scooped her into his arms! Clang! A dart nearly grazed the bodies of the two of them and hit the wall behind them! ¡°Damn! Daring to kill my man!¡± Swish! A longsword appeared in Nelson¡¯s hand at some point. She squinted her eyes and said through clenched teeth, ¡°Wait here. I¡¯ll go kill his entire family!¡± PS: Everyone, please support me! You can now scold me! You can support me! Haha, no matter what, everyone is welcome to leave a message. Thank you for your support. When I have the time, I¡¯ll read every comment. Thank you for your understanding and tolerance, as well as your support and criticism. Meeting is fate. When all the ships have sailed away, and I look back, I still see my youthful self. Chapter 693 - Chapter 693: Chapter 693: Another Assassination Attempt_1 Chapter 693: Chapter 693: Another Assassination Attempt_1 ¡°Don¡¯t be impulsive!¡± Julius Reed wanted to stop her, but Nelson had already vanished beside him. ¡°This woman.¡± He shook his head helplessly. But just then, a chill came from behind him! Whoosh! Julius Reed dodged to the side, and two darts flew past, nearly grazing his body! Clang! Clang! The darts struck the road, sparking twice. ¡°Wow! This kid¡¯s got some moves!¡± The pitch-black night. Two dwarves, holding daggers that flickered with cold light, looked at Julius Reed with grins on their faces. In their eyes, Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.?¦Ï a youth like him really wasn¡¯t worth the effort. But there was money to be made. Just a bit of fun. ¡°Just the two of you?¡± Julius Reed squinted his eyes at them, a hint of a smile appearing on his lips. ¡°You wanted more?¡± Lancelot, baring his teeth, said, ¡°Actually, either one of us is more than enough to kill you.¡± ¡°Right! After you go to hell, you can brag to your buddies!¡± Black Rat took over the conversation, licking the dagger in his hand. ¡°Just say¡­ just say you died at the hands of the Black and White Rat workers from the molehill.¡± ¡°Never heard of it.¡± Julius Reed pondered a moment, and indeed, he had not heard of them. ¡°Nobody important?¡± ¡°How dare you!¡± Lancelot naturally knew the other party had never heard of them. They were a mighty force in the world of martial arts! How could a regular person leading a normal life on the surface possibly know of their existence? But the words ¡°nobody important¡± were an insult to him. ¡°Cut his tongue out!¡± Black Rat said, instantly vanishing from his spot! The two brothers worked well together, combining their agility to often overcome opponents far stronger than themselves. In less than a second, Black Rat was already behind Julius Reed. Slice! His short blade had already slashed at Julius Reed¡¯s calf! If this hit landed, Julius Reed would lose his ability to move and would suffer humiliation alive. ¡°Heh heh¡­ Huh?¡± But before Black Rat could rejoice, he saw Julius Reed in front of him also disappear into thin air! ¡°Watch your back!¡± Lancelot yelled out and quickly ran over to assist! Crack! But in the end, he was still a half step too late. Julius Reed fell from the sky, crushing Black Rat¡¯s head beneath his foot. To the end, Black Rat never understood how Julius Reed had vanished. ¡°No¡­¡± Lancelot stopped in his tracks, his gaze hollow. He had never imagined that the opponent could take Black Rat¡¯s life with merely one move! In the martial world, Black Rat was a strong contender! ¡°Sorry.¡± Julius Reed adjusted his shirt sleeve buttons, speaking indifferently, ¡°I might have gone a bit too hard.¡± The Sealing Dragon Platform had been activated; those people pursuing him were only a matter of time. He no longer cared who sent them. Come, and be killed. As for the ones he couldn¡¯t kill¡­ There seemed to be none. ¡°Time to pay with your life!¡± Lancelot¡¯s face had already twisted with rage! He leaped about on the ground, closing in on Julius Reed at tremendous speed! Lancelot was agile, even leaving afterimages in the night as he moved! Whoosh! But as he got closer, Julius Reed kicked out forcefully! Thud! Lancelot, sent flying, crashed into the iron railing behind him, spitting out a mouthful of blood. ¡°You¡¯re from the martial world¡­¡± He looked at Julius Reed with eyes full of fear, muttering to himself, ¡°You¡¯re this strong; I shouldn¡¯t have not heard of you¡­¡± The next moment, he violently plunged into the ground! He vanished on the spot. Earth escape! The signature technique of the molehill! Attack to kill, retreat to save your life! Once underground, no one knew where they might emerge. Leap! Julius Reed broke into a run, guided by his sharp intuition, dashing towards the forest behind Five-state International! Meanwhile. On the rooftop of a distant high-rise building, the assassin known as Swift King had finished loading his ammunition and was ready to open the hidden weapon box! A smile flashed across the corner of his mouth. Because according to the original plan, after the assassination attempt by Lancelot failed, he would lead Julius Reed into an open space. This place. Would be Julius Reed¡¯s burial ground! ¡°Die, my little brother!¡± He stood the spent casing he had just fired next to the hidden weapon box. It was his habit. Every time he killed someone, he would stand up a casing. As a form of tribute. ¡°Hiss!¡± Having finished the cigarette in his mouth, he flicked the butt away gently and began to aim. But just as he was about to pull the trigger. The scope suddenly went dark. ¡°Huh?¡± Swift King moved his eye away and saw a hand in front of him. The hand was exceptionally smooth, and even carried a trace of fragrance. But what did he care for enjoyment at a time like this! This was an assassination! If someone else appeared while he was prone on the rooftop, could it possibly be good news? ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Before Swift King could reach for his waist, a cool sensation was already spreading across his neck. ¡°Who sent you?¡± A somewhat angry female voice rang in his ear. ¡°No one¡­ Hiss!¡± Before Swift King could finish speaking, a strong pain emanated from his neck! Nelson¡¯s sword had cut three millimeters down into his flesh. That was his neck! A little more, And he would undoubtedly die! ¡°May I ask who you are¡­¡± Swift King was not reconciled. Anyone capable of approaching him so silently couldn¡¯t possibly be ordinary. Their abilities were even superior to his! But. This was Gonzalez City! He had come to kill a boy and actually encountered such a formidable opponent? ¡°I¡¯m asking one last time, who sent you here!¡± Nelson¡¯s patience seemed to have run out. ¡°Brysen Beaumont¡­ Master Beaumont¡­¡± Swift King dared not move recklessly, but he could already feel the blood seeping out of his body. He invoked the name of Brysen Beaumont, hoping it would make the other person more cautious in their actions. After all, Brysen Beaumont¡¯s reputation was known to everyone in America! Even within the martial world, it was like the presence of a supreme overlord! Who would dare to touch Brysen Beaumont¡¯s man? ¡°Brysen Beaumont?¡± Nelson¡¯s brows were tightly furrowed. ¡°Yes! Thunderpeak Hall, Brysen Beaumont!¡± Swift King¡¯s eyes flashed with joy. Indeed. The name Brysen Beaumont was effective! The person was hesitating! ¡°I think, perhaps there¡¯s been some misunderstanding?¡± Swift King struck while the iron was hot. If he could just explain the misunderstanding, along with Brysen Beaumont¡¯s reputation, he was certain he could save his life. ¡°Did you not understand what I said?¡± Nelson¡¯s sword pressed down slowly. And Swift King¡¯s eyes widened! He took his last incredulous breath. Just before dying, he seemed to hear a sentence. ¡°Brysen Beaumont, you dare touch my man! I will make sure not a single soul is left in your Thunderpeak Hall!¡± ¡­ Meanwhile, down below, Julius Reed of course had no idea that Nelson had already killed the assassin. Even if the assassin were still alive, he remained unafraid. Boom! Finally, after chasing for five hundred meters. He stomped his foot down! The soil on the ground collapsed half a meter, revealing the corpse of Lancelot. Until his death. Lancelot had not awaited that deadly strike from Swift King¡¯s hidden weapon box. The plan that had been meticulously laid out proved so fragile in the face of absolute strength! ¡°Indeed, some skills.¡± A man walked out from the woods. He carried a knife on his shoulder, glanced at the body of Lancelot, and disdainfully said, ¡°Useless thing.¡± Chapter 694 - Chapter 694: Chapter 694: Stubborn Adam Martin_1 Chapter 694: Chapter 694: Stubborn Adam Martin_1 The pride of Azure Mountain is etched into their very bones! Their renown for belligerence isn¡¯t a label slapped on by outsiders. It¡¯s forged by their own blades and hidden weapons! Every person from Azure Mountain has hot blood running in their veins! They all have pride! A hundred years of martial ardor; their mere reputation is enough to scare off some petty criminals. ¡°Are you the last one?¡± Watching Adam Martin with a Longsword in hand, Julius Reed looked back. It seemed there was no one else. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Adam Martin¡¯s eyebrows knit slightly. ¡°If there¡¯s anyone else, come at me together.¡± Julius Reed stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a helpless smile on his face. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï??0.§ã¦Ï ¡°Are you insulting me?¡± The hand holding Adam Martin¡¯s Longsword trembled slightly. Did Azure Mountain folks need help? Or rather, who would be so presumptuous as to believe their strength surpassed that of Azure Mountain? ¡°Insult you?¡± Julius Reed didn¡¯t understand what he meant. ¡°How did I insult you?¡± ¡°To kill you, I alone am enough!¡± Adam Martin pointed at Julius Reed, ¡°You said there¡¯s someone behind me, that¡¯s an insult to me!¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Julius Reed responded casually and waved his hand dismissively, ¡°Since you¡¯re the last one, then come on. I have other things to do, I need to go home after I finish you off.¡± ¡°Damn it!¡± Adam Martin cursed, a rarity for him! Ordinary people saw him and would immediately kneel and call him ¡°sir¡±! But today, A youth! An unknown nobody! Dared to show such disdain towards him! ¡°Are you called Julius Reed?¡± He confirmed one last time. ¡°Does it matter? A dead man isn¡¯t worthy of knowing my name.¡± Julius Reed slowly moved his feet, ready to take action and rid himself of this nuisance! ¡°I just¡­¡± Adam Martin nearly ground his teeth to dust, ¡°I just don¡¯t kill nobodies¡­¡± Whoosh! In the midst of speaking, he turned and appeared in front of Julius Reed! Fiercely he brought the Longsword down! Swish! Julius Reed sidestepped, and his right hand formed a fist, smashing directly onto the blade! Bang! Bang! Bang! Adam Martin took a step back, embedding the Longsword deep into the ground! ¡°Good! I like that!¡± A frenzy flashed in his eyes! The belligerent relished most in encountering an opponent! A strong opponent! The stronger the opponent, the more excited they became! Even if it meant death in battle! The people of Azure Mountain would not retreat even half a step! ¡°You¡¯re also very strong.¡± Julius Reed shook his hand slightly. It hurt a bit. This man was not simple. At least, he was much more formidable than the previous ones. ¡°Again!¡± Adam Martin pulled out his Longsword and struck again! A glint of cold light flashed! Clang! A Longsword appeared in the night, forcing Adam Martin back! ¡°Saint¡­ Saintess?¡± Seeing the person who intervened, Adam Martin¡¯s Longsword dropped to the ground. The saintess of Azure Mountain, the future Sect Leader! Within the sect, her status was second only to the Sect Leader! But¡­ Why would the saintess appear here? ¡°Adam Martin, you have quite the nerve!¡± Nelson¡¯s sword edge flashed, directly against Adam Martin¡¯s throat. ¡°Saintess¡­ I don¡¯t know what crime I have committed¡­¡± Adam Martin blinked, struggling to accept this reality. Too much of a coincidence, right? To encounter the saintess in Gonzalez City? And without a word, She drew her sword at him? The more Adam Martin thought about it, the more something seemed off. ¡°Saintess, why are you pointing your sword at me?¡± He asked, somewhat defiantly. Slap! Nelson slapped him across the face. ¡°Ask again!¡± ¡°Saintess, why did you hit me?¡± Adam Martin, holding his swollen face, asked incredulously. In the sect, he was a disciple ranked within the top ten after all. Now forced to kneel on the ground. And was slapped across the face! The humiliation was suffocating! Slap! Nelson delivered another slap! ¡°Ask again!¡± ¡°Saintess, by what right do you hit people! When we return, I will surely tell Master¡­¡± Slap! ¡°You ask again!¡± ¡°Saintess, you¡¯re being totally unreasonable!¡± Adam Martin¡¯s facial muscles twitched uncontrollably, his lungs were about to explode from anger! Without a second word, he was beated up by her own hands? Slap! Nelson slapped him once again! Adam Martin¡¯s face was already swollen! ¡°Ask again!¡± ¡°You¡¯re being unreasonable!¡± Adam Martin clenched his hands tightly on the ground. ¡°Since when does Azure Mountain reason!¡± Slap! Nelson continued with another slap. ¡°The people of Azure Mountain will not submit either!¡± Adam Martin roared in anger, but his body remained straight as he knelt before Itai Huntington. Slap! ¡°Stand up! Azure Mountain values martial arts, fight me! I am not the Saintess, I am Nelson now!¡± After Nelson dealt a slap, she drew her Longsword directly, ¡°Stand up and fight me!¡± ¡°I can¡¯t beat you!¡± Adam Martin turned his head to one side. The Saintess of Azure Mountain, a prodigy! Although equally formidable, they were no match for the Saintess! Fight? That would be torture! Simply humiliating oneself! ¡°You can¡¯t beat me, and you still won¡¯t submit?¡± Nelson, out of anger, stuck her Longsword in the ground and kicked Adam Martin in the chest! Whoosh! The burly man was kicked several meters away, and then he stood up again, continuing to kneel in front of the Saintess. Azure Mountain loves to fight! But within, the hierarchy is strict! Whoever has the strongest fist gets to make the rules! The reason the Saintess became the Saintess was because her fists were hard enough! In the past, Nelson beat her fellow disciples until they were picking up their teeth off the ground, even making more than a dozen cry. Only then did she achieve her illustrious status today! When she drew her sword, the whole of Azure Mountain would tremble with fear! ¡°Enough¡­¡± Julius Reed couldn¡¯t bear to watch any longer and had to intervene. If he didn¡¯t speak up now, Adam Martin might be beaten to death. ¡°Don¡¯t meddle in others¡¯ business!¡± Adam Martin roared, ¡°We in Azure Mountain can settle our own matters! In a while, I will continue to kill you!¡± He thought Julius Reed was mocking him! Laughing at him! Looking down on him! Adam Martin couldn¡¯t tolerate this! But with the Saintess right in front of him, he could only wait for the current matter to be resolved before he got up to kill again. Nelson, who had already calmed down, was about to explode with anger! Swoosh! She pulled the Longsword out of the ground and aimed a chop at Adam Martin¡¯s neck! ¡°Saintess, you¡¯re serious!¡± Adam Martin quickly drew his sword to block in front of him! Clang! Sword clashed against sword! In an instant, Adam Martin was forced back several meters, kneeling on the ground coughing up blood. ¡°Saintess¡­ you must not slaughter a fellow disciple¡­¡± Fear rarely seen flickered in Adam Martin¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve already said, you¡­¡± Julius Reed sighed, not wanting to speak any further. ¡°Husband. Whether to kill him or not, you decide.¡± Nelson approached Julius Reed, like a little girl who had made a mistake, ¡°I really didn¡¯t know¡­ didn¡¯t know someone from Azure Mountain was coming to kill you¡­¡± ¡°That I believe¡­¡± Julius Reed said helplessly, ¡°But¡­ can you stop calling me husband¡­ I¡¯m married already.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be your mistress¡­¡± Nelson stood in front of Julius Reed, head lowered, looking utterly wronged. Her lips even pursed, on the verge of tears. ¡°I really can¡¯t¡­¡± At that moment, Julius Reed truly realized. Women are really a headache! Indeed a major headache! ¡°Saintess, I¡¯ll kill this cur for you!¡± Adam Martin shouted loudly, appearing ready to draw his sword! How dare he insult the Saintess? Swish! But the next moment! The sword in Nelson¡¯s hand flew out! Chapter 695 - Chapter 695: Chapter 695 Dragon King Ring_1 Chapter 695: Chapter 695 Dragon King Ring_1 Clang! Nelson¡¯s sword plunged into the ground, less than half a meter away from Adam Martin. Stabbed into the earth! ¡°Holy maiden! He insulted you!¡± Adam Martin was somewhat disgruntled! Although he had been beaten to a pulp, the holy maiden was Azure Mountain¡¯s public face! She was the future of Azure Mountain. If someone dared to insult the holy maiden, they would swear to defend her to the death! ¡°How did he insult me?¡± Nelson asked, frowning. ¡°He made you out to be a mistress!¡± Adam Martin looked up, grinding his teeth, ¡°The Holy Maiden of Azure Mountain, a being many covet but can¡¯t have, to be insulted like that by him?¡± ¡°Being a mistress was my own initiative! And he didn¡¯t agree.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í??.§ã¦Ï Nelson replied unhappily, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to die, then shut up!¡± ¡°Holy maiden!¡± Adam Martin threw his knife onto the ground and spoke stoically, ¡°After all, you are the face of Azure Mountain! Even though the Dragon King dumped you, that¡¯s not shameful! And didn¡¯t that heartless Dragon King get what was coming to him?¡± ¡°What was coming to him?¡± Julius Reed stopped Nelson from starting to hit someone and walked over to ask, ¡°What was coming to him?¡± ¡°You¡¯re worthy of knowing?¡± Adam Martin sneered, looking disdainfully at Julius Reed, ¡°Dog of a man! Do you really think you¡¯re that great? The Dragon King is legendary, infinitely better than you!¡± ¡°Then tell me about it.¡± Julius Reed continued to inquire. ¡°Back in the day, the Dragon King broke into Azure Mountain and defeated the holy maiden at the martial arts tournament! Then he refused to take responsibility and took off!¡± As he said this, Adam Martin¡¯s eyes filled with hatred, ¡°The men of Azure Mountain only lament their lack of strength for not killing that dog of a man!¡± ¡°But later, we heard he died on a snowy mountain! To celebrate, the master gave us an extra half-month¡¯s worth of vegetables, and the whole Azure Mountain was lit up in celebration, the jubilation was immense!¡± The more Adam Martin spoke, the happier he felt inside, ¡°Heaven spares no one!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Nelson¡¯s face was turning green. Back then, Julius Reed had defeated her, but hadn¡¯t taken responsibility, indeed making Azure Mountain clench their teeth in hatred. Later, when rumors of the Dragon King¡¯s death surfaced, the people of Azure Mountain were overjoyed. But¡­ It was just that if Julius Reed knew about this, it wouldn¡¯t be good. After all, in the future, the two sects were to form an alliance through marriage. ¡°There was such an affair?¡± Julius Reed raised an eyebrow, looking towards Nelson. ¡°More than that!¡± Adam Martin threw back his head and laughed, ¡°The holy maiden even personally danced for three days, couldn¡¯t have been happier!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Nelson¡¯s fist was already poised, ready to smash into Adam Martin¡¯s face at any moment! ¡°There was such an affair!¡± Julius Reed was like someone who had discovered a new world! Azure Mountain, they hate me so much? ¡°More than that!¡± Adam Martin became even more gleeful as he spoke! ¡°Shut up!¡± Nelson was about to go mad! But Adam Martin didn¡¯t care about that, his eyebrows dancing as he spoke, ¡°You don¡¯t know, when the holy maiden got drunk, she even wrote a couplet and spent a hefty sum to make a coffin, which she sent to the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance!¡± ¡°That¡¯s commendable, still shows loyalty and devotion.¡± Julius Reed was finally pleased for once. ¡°Haha! You don¡¯t know, that coffin was filled with fireworks, and inside was also an effigy of the Dragon King! As soon as the coffin was opened, fireworks crackled, and to top it off, a music box played the song ¡®Good Days¡¯.¡± Adam Martin was laughing so hard he was nearly out of breath, ¡°The faces of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance turned as green as constipation! Absolutely hilarious!¡± Back in the day, Julius Reed had bullied Azure Mountain, which regarded him as their arch-nemesis! Upon hearing of the Dragon King¡¯s sudden death, these people were ecstatic! After all, for hundreds of years, only the Dragon King had dared to bully the holy maiden of Azure Mountain. And they were powerless to stop him. ¡°You really do right by your old friend.¡± Julius Reed looked towards Nelson, who was close to tears. ¡°I was drunk¡­ and at that time¡­ it was really infuriating¡­¡± Nelson hung her head, truly wishing to kill Adam Martin! ¡°Why did I tell you so much,¡± Adam Martin touched his head, realizing he might have said too much. ¡°Adam Martin, do you realize who he is?¡± Nelson took a deep breath, trying not to be so angry. But¡­ It seemed she couldn¡¯t manage it. ¡°Julius Reed, from Gonzalez City. The target I seek to kill,¡± Adam Martin replied. ¡°Is something amiss?¡± ¡°He is¡­ the Dragon King!¡± Nelson¡¯s heart was racing faster and faster! Ruined! All her efforts were ruined! She had finally established a bit of a connection with Julius Reed, but Adam Martin, that bastard, had completely messed it up! Gone, all gone! ¡°What!¡± Adam Martin shook his head, ¡°Impossible! The Dragon King is dead, how could he still be alive.¡± He wasn¡¯t an ultra-core Disciple of Azure Mountain, so naturally, he was unaware of this secret. In fact. Only the Sect Leader and the Holy Maiden of Azure Mountain were privy to the secret that the Dragon King was still alive. As for the other Disciples, although they would find out sooner or later, it would be at least a month later. Nelson had concealed one thing. When the Sealing Dragon Platform had activated, it hadn¡¯t spread across the entire region. By the time the fifth Sealing Dragon Platform was lit, the guards were already slaughtered to a man. By the time Azure Mountain arrived at the scene, there were no survivors. Although they couldn¡¯t completely keep secret the fact that the Dragon King was still alive, they could greatly delay the time it took for the outside world to learn of it. As long as there was enough time, many things could be done. ¡°Then you look at this.¡± Julius Reed walked up to Adam Martin and gently extended his hand. ¡°The Dragon King Ring!¡± Adam Martin¡¯s eyes widened, and he slumped to the ground, ¡°You¡­ You really are the Dragon King!¡± He couldn¡¯t believe it! The Dragon King. Was still alive! The Dragon King Ring, was a sacred object in the martial arts world! It signified power! Identity! Known to all! ¡°Yes.¡± Julius Reed nodded. ¡°I¡­¡± Adam Martin was completely flabbergasted. He couldn¡¯t move a muscle. A man¡¯s reputation, a tree¡¯s shadow! The reclusive Dragon King! Even their master was no match for him. And now, he was supposed to kill the Dragon King? Finished! Adam Martin¡¯s mind went blank! He just lay there on the ground, staring at the night sky. Motionless. ¡°Stand up!¡± Nelson shouted with a stern face. Disgraceful! And even more infuriating! Can¡¯t even guard his own tongue. Adam Martin wanted to stand, but his body wouldn¡¯t respond. Now, like a cripple, he could only move his eyeballs. ¡°Get up!¡± Nelson shouted again. Only then did Adam Martin muster all his strength and trembled as he knelt on the ground. ¡°Who sent you here!¡± Nelson was in a terrible mood. If Julius Reed knew about the terrible things she had done in the past, would he ignore her? She stole a glance at him; it seemed the Dragon King had no reaction. ¡°Thunderpeak Hall! The leader¡¯s name is Jay King, a Holy Envoy of Thunderpeak Hall!¡± Adam Martin answered truthfully. Kneeling before the Dragon King was no disgrace! After all, their master¡­ Had also been beaten into kneeling outside the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance back then. ¡°Jay King? He¡¯s a Holy Envoy of Thunderpeak Hall?¡± Julius Reed chuckled lightly, ¡°Interesting!¡± He had sensed something was off with Jay King, but never expected this layer of identity. ¡°Because you know Nelson, I won¡¯t kill you today. But if there¡¯s a next time, I¡¯ll flatten Azure Mountain,¡± he said with an authoritative tone. ¡°Now get out of here!¡± Nelson walked up to Adam Martin, ¡°Whoever told you to kill him, you kill that person! Otherwise, don¡¯t think you¡¯ll set foot in Azure Mountain ever again!¡± Chapter 696 - Chapter 696: Chapter 696: The Death of Jay King_1 Chapter 696: Chapter 696: The Death of Jay King_1 ¡°Emissary, the man sent by Master Beaumont has already gone to assassinate.¡± After sending those people away, Roosevelt Chopter knelt before Jay King, saying with utmost reverence. Thinking of Julius Reed about to be killed, a smile appeared on his face. ¡°In the end, they¡¯ve forced us to take this step.¡± Jay King stood in front of the window. Looking at the sea in the dark night, his face showed no trace of emotion. He lowered his head to stare at his right hand wrapped in bandages, snorting lightly, ¡°What¡¯s the point of a moment¡¯s bravery? In the end, don¡¯t we all end up as a pile of dust?¡± The people brought by Brysen Beaumont were all experts. Even Jay King, who had been continuously thwarted, felt that the lineup his grandmother had sent was a bit of an overkill. To kill just a boy. Even with Aron Jackson interfering, it wasn¡¯t anything difficult. Was it necessary to trouble Brysen Beaumont himself? If it wasn¡¯t for his grandmother¡¯s order that he must not act personally to avoid exposing his identity¡ª Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ??¦Í?0.§ã¦Ï Jay King almost took action himself. ¡°Julius Reed knows nothing of life and death, daring to blaspheme the Emissary. He truly deserves death!¡± Chopter knelt on the ground, saying solemnly. ¡°Send someone to capture Itai Huntington,¡± Jay King pointed at Chopter on the ground, ¡°We can¡¯t delay this cooperation any longer. Grandmother is already somewhat displeased. If we continue to stall, it will be the end for all of us.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± A vicious glint flashed in Chopter¡¯s eyes. ¡°Bring that¡­ Zack. He didn¡¯t go to the assassination, did he?¡± Jay King¡¯s eyes remained fixed on the outside through the window. Though his face showed no ripple of emotion. But¡ª Inside, a storm was raging! He had actually been slapped by someone! He was even threatened! In more than twenty years, Jay King had never felt so stifled! He was known as ¡®Tyrant¡¯, always domineering in his actions. But now, he had lost his dignity! ¡°Zack is adept at poisoning; tonight¡¯s action is a hard assassination. Swift King, along with the black and white mice, are more than enough, not to mention Adam Martin from Azure Mountain.¡± A sense of confidence swept over Chopter¡¯s face: ¡°Grandmother¡¯s intention is for Zack to stay by your side, to be used when necessary.¡± ¡°You bring Zack and capture Itai Huntington for me!¡± Jay King licked his lips, his mind flashing through Itai Huntington¡¯s fiery and explosive figure. ¡°Hiss!¡± He took a deep breath, feeling a nameless fire rising within him. ¡°Bring her to my bed, and after I¡¯ve had my fun, take a set of photos. Then she won¡¯t dare disobey!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Chopter stood up, striding toward the door. No sooner had he left than Adam Martin came in wielding a long knife. ¡°Stop right there!¡± The guard at the door immediately intercepted him! Ever since Jay King moved in, the Northern restaurant had completely closed to the public. It had become a private club for the Roosevelt family. At this moment¡ª Four bodyguards were stationed at the door. Seeing someone with a weapon coming in, they immediately moved to stop him. ¡°Who goes there?¡± ¡°Your killer!¡± Spurt! Adam Martin¡¯s long knife swung down, severing four heads! Azure Mountain¡¯s actions were always decisive, with no time wasted on words! Drip, drip! Blood dripped from the tip of the knife onto the carpet of the Northern restaurant. ¡°Sir¡ª¡± A waiter, seeing Adam Martin come in, hastily asked. ¡°Where¡¯s Jay King staying?¡± Adam Martin stepped up to the waiter, grasping his throat with one hand. ¡°Who are you¡ª¡± Before the waiter could finish, he felt an inexplicable pressure on his neck. Suffocation! Breathing difficulties! Hiss¡­ He tried to resist, but his face was already turning red. It seemed¡ª Life was slipping away quietly. ¡°3¡­ 0¡­ 7¡­¡± The waiter pointed towards the staircase with his fingers, his eyes already darkening. Thud! As the pressure on his neck disappeared¡ª The waiter fell to the ground like he¡¯d been reborn. He rubbed his throat, gulping down air greedily. It seemed as if a thought struck him! The waiter made a desperate crawl to the reception desk, grabbed the telephone: ¡°Someone¡­ someone¡¯s going to assassinate Young Master King!¡± 307. Jay King¡¯s presidential suite. At the door¡ª Stood a bodyguard. Although not as skilled as the Odingle Kellers before, he was still a capable man. When he saw Adam Martin approaching, his sharp intuition told him. Trouble was coming! Anyone who walked up with a knife was definitely not a good person! And the security at the door, they didn¡¯t stop him? But when he saw the bloodstains on the knife, he understood in his heart. ¡°Stop right there.¡± The bodyguard pulled out a hidden weapon box from his waist, pointing it at Adam Martin. ¡°I have business with Jay King.¡± Adam Martin said coldly, yet his steps did not falter. ¡°Why didn¡¯t anyone inform me?¡± The bodyguard¡¯s nerves began to tighten. ¡°They fell asleep.¡± Adam Martin continued to walk steadily towards him. ¡°You obviously killed them! There¡¯s still blood on the knife!¡± The bodyguard took a deep breath, ready to trigger the mechanism. ¡°If you already know, why bother talking nonsense with me?¡± Whoosh! Adam Martin darted forward, reaching the bodyguard before he could activate the device. He grabbed the bodyguard by the neck! In just an instant! The tremendous pressure made the bodyguard drop the hidden weapon box onto the floor. Whiz! The door was busted open. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to take someone to catch Itai Huntington, why are you back?¡± Jay King was facing the window, his back to the door at that moment. ¡°I didn¡¯t catch Itai Huntington, but I caught you a bodyguard!¡± Thump! Adam Martin let go of his hand. The bodyguard fell to the ground, breathless. ¡°Who!¡± Jay King spun around fiercely! At the same time, a mini hidden weapon box appeared in his hand. It was for self-defense! ¡°The one who will kill you!¡± Adam Martin took a step forward, and his long knife slashed through the air! Crack! Jay King rolled with the motion, and the long knife shattered the window to pieces! Whiz! In mid-air, he fired a hidden weapon box! Clang! The dart struck the long knife, sparking a flame! Whoosh! Adam Martin fiercely withdrew his knife, flinging it straight from his hands! Clang! The knife and the hidden weapon box collided! The hidden weapon box slipped from Jay King¡¯s hands, and he rolled back, pressing against the wall. In the cramped bedroom, the two faced off! ¡°Why kill me!¡± Jay King¡¯s eyes were bloodshot! For the first time in his life, he felt the threat of death. ¡°No reason needed!¡± Adam Martin¡¯s mouth curved into a slight smile, and he beckoned Jay King with a hook of his hand, ¡°Now we are both unarmed. Come on! Let¡¯s have a real fight!¡± ¡°Fine!¡± Jay King threw off his suit jacket, twisting his neck, ¡°In the Americas, they call me the Tyrant. Today I want to see what you¡¯re made of!¡± Leap! The two leaped up, meeting directly on the bed! Whiz! Whiz! Whiz! Three punches were thrown! Crack! Jay King¡¯s right hand was directly broken off! ¡°Who¡­ who are you!¡± The other¡¯s fists were as hard as boulders! ¡°Continue!¡± Adam Martin fiercely threw another punch! Crack! ¡°Ah¡­¡± Jay King raised his hand to block, and his whole arm was smashed to pieces! ¡°I am a saint envoy of Thunderpeak Hall, let me go! I¡¯ll give you money¡­ lots of money¡­¡± At this moment, his expression wildly changed! Pain! Fear! And panic! It made him lose his earlier composure! ¡°Please¡­ spare my life¡­¡± Jay King knelt on the bed, looking at Adam Martin with a pleading gaze. As miserable as a dog! ¡°Sorry, Azure Mountain doesn¡¯t take bribes!¡± Adam Martin pulled out the knife stuck in the wall and fiercely chopped down! Chapter 697 - Chapter 697: Chapter 697: Itai Huntington in Danger_1 Chapter 697: Chapter 697: Itai Huntington in Danger_1 ¡°Indeed the Overlord!¡± Adam Martin sat on the edge of the bed, pulling out a packet of cigarettes from Jay King¡¯s embrace. Cigarettes stained with fresh blood. He silently lit one. Hiss¡­ ¡°Cough¡­ cough¡­¡± He shook his head and extinguished the cigarette butt. Such toys damage the lungs, not good. After killing the man, he should return to Azure Mountain to report. Every time he thought of the slap that Nelson had swung at him, Adam felt incredibly frustrated. Huh. Women. Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the door. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.§ã¦Ï When the platoon of bodyguards received the news and rushed over, they were all stunned at the scene before them. All that remained of Jay King¡¯s body was a torso. Kneeling on the bed. The fresh blood, dyeing the sheets red. ¡°The head¡­ where is the head¡­¡± Some were already too panicked to speak. ¡°Under your feet.¡± Adam Martin picked up a knife and sighed. ¡°Young¡­ young master¡­¡± The bodyguards were in a daze. They were the followers of Thunderpeak Palace! Their mission was to protect the emissary! But! But¡­ But the emissary was dead! The emissary of Thunderpeak Palace, whose name resounded across the world! Had been beheaded¡­ Whoosh! The next moment. A flash of knife light! Adam Martin stepped over a dozen corpses, leisurely leaving the Northern restaurant. Azure Mountain kills. Never wastes words. And needs no reasons. With one strike, all is settled. Yet at this moment, Chopter had no idea that Jay King had been killed. He, along with Zack, quietly approached the villa where Itai Huntington was staying. Thunderpeak Palace residential area. The Gonzalez City residence of Itai Huntington was well-known to all. After all, most of the wealthy, including Ovidiu Cook, lived there. The villa was heavily guarded. Even the entrance at the base of the mountain was strictly monitored. The security guards were also highly skilled. Of course. The property management fees were exorbitant. But to the wealthy, security mattered more. ¡°Zack, is it convenient to make a move?¡± Standing about two hundred meters from the villa¡¯s main gate, Chopter spoke up and asked. From a distance. He could see the lights shining at the gate and a dozen security guards patrolling continuously. The entire area was peppered with surveillance cameras. Any suspicious person spotted would result in an immediate response. ¡°No problem.¡± Zack pulled out a bag of black powder from his pocket, along with a drone. ¡°Give me half a minute, and all these people will pass out.¡± He confidently controlled the drone, slowly flying above the heads of the guards. ¡°Hey! Whose drone is that? Playing with this in the middle of night?¡± Someone immediately noticed something was off. ¡°Rich people¡¯s hobbies, who can really say? Wouldn¡¯t be surprised if they¡¯re filming something sneaky in the middle of the night!¡± Another guard laughed and shook his head. They didn¡¯t dare to pry into the world of the wealthy. And they couldn¡¯t pry! Because these people, they value their privacy the most. ¡°Tch!¡± The others scoffed lightly, paying it no mind. But unbeknownst to them, a large amount of black powder was already silently descending from above. ¡°Achoo¡­¡± Someone sneezed, leaning against the wall: ¡°Why do I feel a bit dizzy?¡± ¡°Ha ha! Overdid it last night, didn¡¯t you? I told you to take it easy¡­ hey, I¡¯m feeling dizzy too¡­¡± Thump! Half a minute later. Nearly twenty security guards lay on the ground, all passed out. ¡°Impressive!¡± Chopter gave a thumbs up. ¡°Let¡¯s go, time to find that woman.¡± Zack packed up the drone and quickly snuck into the villa area. Just as they went in, a black sedan drove in from behind. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Seeing the security guard collapsed at the gate, Ovidiu Cook felt something was amiss. Following the illumination from the car headlights, he saw two figures heading toward Villa No. 7 up on the hill. ¡°Boss, did the security guards all get drunk together?¡± The driver looked at Ovidiu Cook beside him. ¡°Something¡¯s not right!¡± Ovidiu Cook was just about to open the car door. After a moment¡¯s thought, he abandoned this plan. ¡°Villa No. 7, that¡¯s Itai Huntington¡¯s place, right?¡± He asked, looking in the direction of Villa No. 7. ¡°Exactly!¡± The driver nodded his head. The hills housed the wealthy; he knew a bit about them. ¡°Wait here for a moment.¡± Ovidiu Cook took out his phone, then hesitated and put it back. After thinking it over, he took it out again. Recently, the issues between Julius Reed and Itai Huntington had been causing a stir throughout the city. Today¡¯s events seemed peculiar; he had to be cautious. ¡°Mr. Reed, you haven¡¯t gone to bed yet, have you?¡± Ovidiu Cook asked respectfully. ¡°No, what¡¯s up?¡± Julius Reed asked. ¡°Just now¡­ I saw two figures sneaking into Villa No. 7. That¡¯s Miss Huntington¡¯s residence, and all the security guards at the gate have collapsed.¡± Ovidiu Cook reported truthfully. ¡°I understand. You¡­ stay safe.¡± Julius Reed said calmly. ¡°Thank you for your concern, Mr. Reed.¡± After hanging up the phone, Ovidiu Cook took a deep breath and looked again at Villa No. 7. ¡°Call property management, have them come take care of the gate and check on Villa No. 7 while they¡¯re at it.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The driver immediately took out his phone and began calling property management. In such a luxurious villa complex, property management would rush over almost immediately upon receiving a call. ¡°There are people!¡± When Chopter and Zack reached the bottom of Itai Huntington¡¯s villa, they suddenly saw lights from flashlights coming up the hill. It seemed to be two people. ¡°No worries, watch me.¡± Zack pulled out something resembling a whistle from his pocket, placed it to his mouth, and blew hard! He then expertly inserted a poisoned needle into it and blew once more! Thud! The sound of two bodies hitting the ground followed, and the flashlights began to roll down the hill. ¡°We need to be quick, or there¡¯ll be trouble.¡± The two exchanged a glance and hastened toward the villa. Outside the villa, four bodyguards were standing. Inside, there were another six people. Additionally, Adam Martin was always sleeping on the sofa on the first floor. This was the only way to reach Itai Huntington¡¯s bedroom on the third floor. Zack surveyed the terrain and went to the air vent, gently blowing the poison smoke. Three minutes later, everyone inside was poisoned. ¡°Hello!¡± They then boldly walked past. ¡°Who goes there!¡± Before the bodyguard at the door could reach for his stun baton, four darts had already been thrown! All four guards collapsed upon impact. When the two pushed open the gates of the villa, Adam Martin¡¯s eyes widened as he saw the two figures in front of him: ¡°Who are you!¡± The poison was strange; the mind remained clear, but the body was beyond control. Ignoring Adam Martin, the two headed straight up to the third floor. Upon opening the bedroom door, they found Itai Huntington leaning on the bed, staring at them with wide eyes. At that moment, Itai Huntington was wearing a light pink silk nightgown, extremely sexy! Her alluring body was unmistakably showcased. It seemed she had just taken a bath, for a faint scent lingered on her. ¡°Gulp¡­¡± Chopter swallowed saliva. He really wanted to savor the beauty before him. But¡­ The first time was to be reserved for Jay King. ¡°Hiss!¡± He inhaled deeply, trying to suppress the primordial force within him. ¡°If I didn¡¯t say so, you could enjoy yourself first,¡± Zack noticed Chopter¡¯s desire. It was intense! ¡°But make it quick.¡± Chopter stepped forward, looking at the terrified Itai Huntington on the bed. Eventually, he did not act. If Jay King found out, he would kill him! After Jay King had his way, Itai Huntington would still become his plaything! Just wait! ¡°You¡¯re despicable¡­¡± Itai Huntington cursed in despair. ¡°Heh heh¡­¡± Chopter¡¯s face flushed and his heart raced: ¡°Soon, you will become a mere tool¡­¡± Chapter 698 - Chapter 698: Chapter 698 Hes Here_1 Chapter 698: Chapter 698 He¡¯s Here_1 ¡°Even in death¡­¡± Itai Huntington was in agony. She wanted to die. But could she? She had not a trace of strength left in her body! She couldn¡¯t even end her life¡­ All she could do was suffer humiliation! Despair! Despair once again! Last time! She had been pressed against the car. Julius Reed, with one dark weapon in hand, had saved her from the jaws of death. But this time¡­ Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.?0 He might be with Quella Radcliffe¡­ Itai Huntington was discontent. Why couldn¡¯t she meet such a man? ¡°Huh¡­¡± She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, powerless. She had tried her best to prevent anyone from infiltrating the Chopter villa, yet the King Belles still guarded downstairs. She had given it her all. Even if it happened again, she feared she would not be able to avoid it! Was this fate? Itai Huntington was unwilling to accept it! Fate! It had always been mocking her! ¡°Take her away!¡± Chopter closed his eyes, his hands starting to tremble slightly. As a son of the Roosevelt family, he had played with countless women over the years. But someone like her, who made his blood boil¡­ Was very rare. Whoosh! Chopter punched the wall, his teeth grinding together fiercely. Saint! The other was a saint! Why! Why should he let others enjoy a woman before him! He was a man of the Roosevelt family! The son of a family rich enough to rival nations had to stoop so low! A nameless rage began to grow within him. ¡°Miss, sorry, I have to take you away.¡± Zack approached Itai Huntington¡¯s bed and yanked off the blanket covering her. ¡°Hiss¡­¡± Even Zack, who had been unmoved just moments ago, seemed to be lost in a trance at this moment. ¡°You truly are¡­ too beautiful.¡± After saying that, he bent down. Intending to lift Itai Huntington up. Itai Huntington¡¯s eyes remained tightly shut, and tears already streaming down her cheeks. She couldn¡¯t accept it! ¡°Don¡¯t move! Otherwise, die.¡± Just then, a voice sounded in her ear. ¡°Ha! How I wish this were true.¡± Itai Huntington laughed and laughed, but she could no longer hold back her tears. ¡°Julius Reed, if it were really you, how great that would be¡­¡± She bit her lip as tears burst forth. Why! Why did the voice of Julius Reed reach her ears at such a time? Was it a hallucination before death? But to her surprise, Zack indeed did not touch her. ¡°Who are you?¡± Zack looked up to see a young man suddenly appearing by the window. ¡°Julius¡­ Julius Reed! How could you be here!¡± Chopter fell to the ground as he passed by when he saw Julius Reed. He¡­ Wasn¡¯t he supposed to be dead? Azure Mountain had set out with a group of Shadow Warriors! Could it be he was seeing a ghost? ¡°But if you don¡¯t move, you will still die.¡± Julius Reed smiled faintly, pulling out a dart from his pocket. It was the same dart that Zack had thrown downstairs! There was still blood on it. ¡°Julius Reed!¡± Itai Huntington¡¯s eyes flew open! She was extremely frightened! She was afraid it was an illusion! She was afraid that when she opened her eyes, there would be no sign of Julius Reed! But she couldn¡¯t help herself! Upon seeing the familiar figure before her, Itai Huntington¡¯s heart-wrenching cry rang out, ¡°You heartless jerk¡­¡± Having yelled, she was unable to speak any further through her tears. Julius Reed had come. In her most dangerous moment. He appeared. ¡°I thought¡­ I thought you wouldn¡¯t come¡­¡± The high-and-mighty female CEO, often spoken of as a venomous woman in public, was crying like a child. ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± Julius Reed looked indifferently at Zack: ¡°Was it you who poisoned her?¡± ¡°Why aren¡¯t you poisoned?¡± Panic flashed across Zack¡¯s face. He and Chopter had taken the antidote beforehand, and thus were not afraid of the poisonous gas inside the room. But Julius Reed had been here for so long, how come nothing had happened to him? ¡°Poisoned?¡± Julius Reed shook his head and said indifferently, ¡°In my opinion, it¡¯s just polluting the air, that¡¯s all.¡± ¡°Arrogant!¡± Zack shouted angrily! What he took pride in was his method of poisoning! In America, he was known as ¡°The Scorpion King¡±! Yet now, his poisoning method was being scoffed at. ¡°I will make you experience a fate worse than death!¡± As he spoke, Zack placed his hand behind him and pulled out a bottle of green liquid! ¡°Sizzle¡­¡± In an instant, smoke enveloped the area. ¡°Whoosh!¡± Julius Reed took off his outer clothes and placed them directly over Itai Huntington¡¯s face. He was left wearing a grey vest. Showing off his solid muscles. The green smoke slowly spread towards Julius Reed, while Chopter had an antidote forced into his mouth. ¡°Hiss!¡± Julius Reed took a deep breath and shook his head. ¡°This level of poison, I don¡¯t think is effective.¡± Whoosh! He took a step forward, directly in front of Zack! ¡°Is this it?¡± In front of Zack, Julius Reed snatched the poison from his hand. He unscrewed the cap and drank it down. Clang! The empty bottle fell to the ground. Julius Reed let out a satisfied burp. ¡°Just what I needed for my thirst.¡± ¡°Ah¡­.¡± Zack¡¯s scalp tingled! This poison was supposed to kill upon contact! But¡­ The other man drank it all? And nothing happened to him? What kind of monster was this! Zack was going mad! Swoosh! But in the next moment! Julius Reed threw a punch! It went straight through Zack¡¯s heart! Leaving a shallow dent on the villa¡¯s wall. ¡°Pugh¡­¡± As blood dripped from Zack¡¯s mouth and his body twitched, he died. Until death. He never figured out why his poison had no effect. However, if he had known that even the Valley Master of Valley of the Medicine God had perished at the hands of this young man before him, he would probably¡­ have died of fright right there. ¡°There are many kinds of poisons here, pick one,¡± Julius Reed said as he took out a bunch of poisons from Zack¡¯s pocket and laid them in front of Chopter. ¡°But some might make you die in endless agony.¡± Chopter was on the verge of collapse! ¡°Please, spare me a way to live¡­¡± He knelt on the ground, frantically kowtowing! ¡°Start talking about your affairs with Jay King. If I find it interesting, perhaps I¡¯ll spare you a way to live.¡± Julius Reed sat on the bed and gently pulled the clothes off Itai Huntington¡¯s face. When his eyes swept over Itai Huntington¡¯s tempting body, Julius Reed¡¯s gaze paused briefly. Seems a bit more sensual than my wife¡¯s¡­ He chuckled softly to himself. ¡°Pfft¡­¡± Itai Huntington broke into laughter through her tears. She naturally noticed such a change. ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± Chopter hesitated. To betray Thunderpeak Hall! It meant death without a burial site! But if he did not betray, he would die right now! And he would die in unending pain! Lie? Could he deceive Julius Reed? ¡°My time is limited.¡± Julius Reed stood up, scaring Chopter into shouting quickly, ¡°I¡¯ll talk!¡± Saving his own life was paramount! He blurted out everything he knew. Without reservation! In front of Julius Reed, he had no courage to test waters. ¡°Granny Xihua? Thunderpeak Hall?¡± Julius Reed paced back and forth inside the room. About five minutes later, he stood in front of Chopter, ¡°Be my inside man, and I won¡¯t kill you. But you could also try and see what happens when you betray me.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Chopter took a deep breath, ¡°But if I fail to capture Itai Huntington back, and now with Zack dead, Jay King¡­¡± ¡°Jay King?¡± Julius Reed snorted coldly, ¡°What can a corpse do to you?¡± ¡°A corpse¡­¡± Chopter¡¯s mind buzzed, and he collapsed to the ground. ¡°Granny Xihua¡­ you really are insatiably greedy¡­¡± Julius Reed stood at the window of the villa, looking into the distance at the lights, smiling faintly. Chapter 699 - Chapter 699: Chapter 699 Father and Daughter Each Have Their Own Thoughts_1 Chapter 699: Chapter 699 Father and Daughter Each Have Their Own Thoughts_1 Chopter couldn¡¯t even recall how he had managed to leave the grand entrance of the complex villa. The feeling of a narrow escape from death made him cherish life all the more. And the words Julius Reed had said before he left, had truly shocked him! By the time he returned to the Northern Restaurant and saw Jay King¡¯s headless body, he collapsed to the ground once again. Ten minutes later. Chopter, trembling, pulled out his cellphone and called his father, far away in the Americas. He wasn¡¯t yet qualified to contact his grandmother. After explaining the situation, the Roosevelt family hurriedly hung up the phone. The death of a Saint was a big deal! Thunderpeak Hall must be furious! ¡°Phew!¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.§ã? Chopter stood up and picked up a knife. His eyes red, he approached Jay King¡¯s corpse. Stab! He plunged the knife down! ¡°Why!¡± ¡°Why should I yield to you in everything! Serve you like a dog!¡± Stab! ¡°Even women, I had to let you enjoy them first! I am a member of the Roosevelt family!¡± Stab! ¡°So what if you were an overlord? Aren¡¯t you still dead as a doornail now? Ha-ha! Not even a whole corpse left behind!¡± After stabbing countless times, Chopter leaned against the wall, a trace of satisfaction on his face. An indescribable satisfaction! ¡­ ¡°Vito, I¡¯m glad you returned safely today. As your father, I¡¯m happy for you,¡± said Fabian Percival. At the Five-lakes Clubhouse, Fabian Percival didn¡¯t know that Jay King was already dead. In fact, he wasn¡¯t qualified to know. At that time, the Five-lakes Clubhouse was once again filled with people. The reason was no other. Elwood Thorneycroft had returned. This was a piece of distressing news. As long as Thorneycroft was alive, Ivan Reed would continue to exert pressure on them. Most importantly, as the leading boss, Fabian certainly couldn¡¯t bear the reputation of killing his daughter. Plotting an assassination before was still manageable. But now, Thorneycroft had come back openly and returned to Fabian¡¯s side! If Fabian couldn¡¯t even protect his own daughter, how could he command respect in the future? Even though he was extremely anxious, Fabian still had to put on a smiling face and organize a welcoming feast for Thorneycroft. ¡°Thank you, father,¡± said Elwood Thorneycroft, raising her glass as she looked at the other bosses around the table, ¡°Why isn¡¯t Brown Bread here? And the second son of the Martin Family, aren¡¯t they unhappy to hear of my return?¡± At her words, everyone¡¯s brows furrowed. The second son of the Martin Family and Brown Bread had gone to assassinate Thorneycroft, and neither had returned. Now with Thorneycroft asking such a question, could it be that she had found out? Even Fabian¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°Just kidding, I just miss Uncle Brown Bread since I don¡¯t see him here,¡± said Thorneycroft as she downed the wine in her glass, then gently wiped her mouth. ¡°Drink! Let¡¯s drink!¡± Fabian let out a sigh of relief. It seemed that Thorneycroft was unaware of the situation. The banquet ended on an uneasy note, everyone preoccupied with their own thoughts. But the most distressed of all was Fabian. He had to figure out whether Thorneycroft knew anything or not! Otherwise, it would be like having a bomb next to him! After seeing off the guests, Fabian took Thorneycroft to his room. ¡°You¡¯ve endured much these past days,¡± he said as he sat on the sofa, gesturing for Thorneycroft to sit as well. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, fortunately I returned,¡± Elwood Thorneycroft said as she picked up the teapot from the coffee table and poured a hot cup of tea for Fabian, ¡°I thought I might never see you again, father.¡± ¡°Brown Bread went back to the Americas, he probably won¡¯t return for a while,¡± Fabian said, his eyes fixed on Thorneycroft. Yet the tea continued to pour steadily into the cup, Without breaking or spilling over the edges. Thorneycroft asked calmly, ¡°Why would he suddenly go back to the Americas for no good reason?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a bit of business with the Roosevelt family, sending him over makes me feel more at ease,¡± Fabian replied. Fabian Percival remained calm as he picked up the teacup and gently blew on it. ¡°Where have you been staying these days?¡± ¡°That day, Ivan Reed sent someone to take me out, but we encountered an assassination attempt on the way. In the ensuing panic, the motorcade turned around and ran into Julius Reed.¡± Sitting up straight across from Fabian Percival, Elwood Thorneycroft spoke with lingering fear, ¡°Those people couldn¡¯t defeat Julius Reed, and I was captured.¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t kill you?¡± These events were all within Fabian Percival¡¯s expectations. In fact, the poisoning at the private hospital was also his doing. Or rather. It was orchestrated by Devlin himself. The waters of Gonzalez City were murky. Devlin¡¯s pieces were scattered in every corner. Some pieces, even Fabian Percival wasn¡¯t aware of. ¡°He wanted to kill me, but he wouldn¡¯t do it until he got what he wanted,¡± Elwood Thorneycroft said. As Elwood Thorneycroft spoke, a flash of panic crossed her face, but it quickly disappeared. Such panic, however, did not escape Fabian Percival¡¯s eyes. ¡°What thing could that be? Can you tell your father?¡± He was almost certain that Elwood Thorneycroft wasn¡¯t lying. But the secret that made Julius Reed spare Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s life had piqued his interest. ¡°Immortality.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft said indifferently. Half an hour earlier, she had received a text message from an unknown number. The message contained only two words, immortality. ¡°What!¡± Crash! The teacup in Fabian Percival¡¯s hand fell to the floor. ¡°Immortality?¡± His pupils contracted sharply as he stared intently into Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s eyes, ¡°Say it again!¡± ¡°Immortality.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft met his gaze and said very calmly, ¡°It¡¯s the secret of immortality.¡± ¡°Speak! Continue!¡± Fabian Percival¡¯s hand couldn¡¯t stop trembling. They had come to Gonzalez City specifically to find the secret of immortality! Now¡­ Now this secret was actually known by his own daughter! Seeing his excitement, Elwood Thorneycroft couldn¡¯t stop sneering inwardly. Her life was safe for the moment. Indeed. So-called familial love is worthless before interests. ¡°Daughter, tell your father exactly what happened!¡± Fabian Percival struggled to contain his excitement. Surprises sometimes come very unexpectedly. ¡°Ivan Reed¡¯s adopted son Stacy Cook came to Gonzalez City to search for the secret of immortality,¡± Elwood Thorneycroft said as she composed herself, speaking softly, ¡°At that time, after Stacy Cook was killed, I happened to pick something up¡­¡± ¡°What thing!¡± Fabian Percival seemed to realize he had lost his composure and hurriedly chuckled awkwardly, ¡°Father¡­ Father got a bit too excited, after all, this is the first time hearing about immortality¡­¡± The first time? Heh. Elwood Thorneycroft certainly didn¡¯t believe such nonsense. Any normal person would laugh off the idea of immortality. But Fabian Percival was like a starving wolf, desperate to know all the secrets. Although the thought made Elwood Thorneycroft sick, her face showed no emotion. ¡°It was a map¡­¡± A hint of regret flickered in Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s eyes, ¡°To be honest, I don¡¯t believe there¡¯s such a thing as immortality in the world, but under the intense interrogation by Ivan Reed, I had no choice but to hand over the map.¡± ¡°You handed it over?¡± A tinge of disappointment flashed in Fabian Percival¡¯s eyes. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t, I probably would have been dead long ago.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft gave a bitter smile, ¡°If Julius Reed hadn¡¯t appeared and wasn¡¯t aware that I had already divulged the secret, I probably would be dead too.¡± ¡°You¡­ go back and rest for now.¡± Fabian Percival stood up, his hands alternately clenching into fists and then slowly relaxing. His mind was in turmoil. ¡°Goodnight.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft rose from the sofa. In the moment she turned, her face was cold as ice. After she left. A man in a black trench coat had appeared in the room at some unknown time. ¡°What do you think, can we trust what she said?¡± Fabian Percival leaned against the wall, his face flushing red. Chapter 701 - Chapter 701: Chapter 701 True or False Orren Beaumont_1 Chapter 701: Chapter 701 True or False Orren Beaumont_1 ¡°What? Don¡¯t recognize me?¡± Ivan Reed¡¯s eyebrows slightly knitted. Marco Pendleton, standing behind him, instinctively placed his hand on his waist. The Night Fairy¡¯s disguising technique was too powerful! And this mask was extremely precious! Once torn off, it could not be restored! Creating one mask required a full half-month. So, they couldn¡¯t confirm who was underneath the mask. In reality, the likelihood of this being a trick was almost zero. But it was essential to be cautious in everything. Especially when it concerned his own life and property, Ivan Reed had to be prudent. ¡°Sister, why have you come?¡± Orren Beaumont stood up and walked over to the woman¡¯s side. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í?0.§ã¦Ï ¡°Who are you!¡± The woman, frightened, quickly backed away, hiding behind Ivan Reed: ¡°Grandfather, this man¡­¡± ¡°Child, don¡¯t be afraid.¡± Ivan Reed extended his hand to stop Orren Beaumont, smiling, ¡°You¡¯ve scared her.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Orren Beaumont touched his face, bitterly smiled, ¡°Sister¡­ Jarvis Davenport¡­ how have you been lately?¡± ¡°How do you know my name?¡± The young girl was seventeen or eighteen years old, but she dressed very stylishly. To the unaware, she might appear to be in her twenties. ¡°Grandfather, did you tell him?¡± Jarvis Davenport looked towards Ivan Reed, who was sitting on the sofa, her face full of suspicion. ¡°I need your help to see if this person is actually your brother.¡± Ivan Reed took out a card and placed it in Jarvis Davenport¡¯s hand: ¡°There are three hundred thousand here, no password. Just help me with this, and the money is all yours.¡± ¡°Really?¡± A greedy look flickered in Jarvis Davenport¡¯s eyes. ¡°He¡¯s not my brother; my brother doesn¡¯t look like this.¡± After kissing the card a few times, she shook her head: ¡°This person¡­ is too unimpressive¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be hasty, he might not have your brother¡¯s appearance, but what if your brother had plastic surgery? Philo Davenport is on a mission, so we need you to verify,¡± Ivan Reed finished speaking, smiling and extending a hand, ¡°Ask a couple of secrets between the two of you. If he can answer all of them, then you can go home.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Jarvis Davenport was still somewhat suspicious, but since there was money to be made, she was naturally willing to help. ¡°What¡¯s your name.¡± ¡°Philo Davenport.¡± ¡°How old are you this year?¡± ¡°Twenty-seven.¡± ¡°Birthday.¡± ¡°Eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.¡± This exchange between the two made Marco Pendleton feel somewhat dissatisfied. ¡°You can¡­ ask some more private things, something that others don¡¯t know. Like those just now¡ªanyone could find out with a quick investigation,¡± he said, and Ivan Reed nodded in agreement. ¡°Oh!¡± Jarvis Davenport thought for a moment, then asked, ¡°How did mom die?¡± As soon as she asked this question, the expressions on Ivan Reed¡¯s and Marco Pendleton¡¯s faces changed. And Orren Beaumont also knelt on the ground, not making a sound. ¡°Answer.¡± Marco Pendleton spoke up. But Orren Beaumont remained silent. ¡°Answer!¡± Clang! Ivan Reed forcefully struck his cane on the ground. If it weren¡¯t for Marco Pendleton¡¯s instructions, they might have alarmed the bodyguards outside once again. But Orren Beaumont still showed no sign of answering. ¡°Last time!¡± With a wave from Ivan Reed, Marco Pendleton immediately pressed the hidden weapons box against Orren Beaumont¡¯s head. ¡°I killed her.¡± Orren Beaumont lifted his head, his eyes already bloodshot. ¡°What!¡± Even Marco Pendleton was surprised! He killed his own mother? ¡°What he said¡­ is it true?¡± Ivan Reed turned around, looking at Jarvis Davenport. ¡°It¡¯s true.¡± Jarvis Davenport nodded, her expression cold as she said, ¡°When my brother was eight, our mother became severely ill. Terminal cancer, and the money at home was gambled away by father. Finally, in the middle of the night, as mother was wailing in pain, my brother just took a rope and freed her from her misery.¡± ¡°How do you know that?¡± Ivan Reed was truly shocked. ¡°Because I was the one who found the rope for my brother.¡± Jarvis Davenport sighed, ¡°Can I go now?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Ivan Reed walked over and squatted in front of Orren Beaumont, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to¡­ I didn¡¯t intentionally want to reopen your wound.¡± Such tragic memories of childhood are scars on everyone¡¯s heart. And today, he had reopened that scar. ¡°Once the task is complete, I¡¯ll have a grave built for your mother. Sacha Reed will give you fifty million, spend it as you wish!¡± After speaking, Ivan Reed stood up and said, ¡°But I still need to test you more. After all, I¡¯m staking my life and fortune on you; I hope you understand.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Orren Beaumont replied with a bitter smile, ¡°It¡¯s an honor to work for Sacha Reed! Philo Davenport is now living well, all thanks to Sacha Reed¡¯s generosity!¡± ¡°Continue!¡± Calmly, Ivan Reed gestured with his hand. ¡°Who was the first woman you slept with?¡± Jarvis Davenport asked expressionlessly. That was indeed an interesting question. Ivan Reed was somewhat expectant. Such a personal question could verify whether Orren Beaumont was indeed their man. But this time, Orren Beaumont still fell silent. ¡°Hard to speak of?¡± Marco Pendleton¡¯s attitude was much calmer. Not as confrontational as before. In fact, they had already acknowledged that the Orren Beaumont before them was the person they had arranged. But since Jarvis Davenport had been called over, it was still good to confirm once more. ¡°My first woman¡­¡± Orren Beaumont stood up, looking at Jarvis Davenport, ¡°Wasn¡¯t it you?¡± Ivan Reed took a sharp intake of breath! It was another complete upheaval of his beliefs. ¡°Oh.¡± Jarvis Davenport watched Orren Beaumont coldly, ¡°What time, where?¡± ¡°You were thirteen, father was out gambling and got caught, ending up in the detention center. The two of us lay in bed together, huddling for warmth.¡± Orren Beaumont said, unable to help but rub his temples, ¡°It was winter, very cold, you told me¡­ told me¡­¡± He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, ¡°You said, rather than being taken advantage of by other men in the future, you might as well be with your brother. I¡­¡± Orren Beaumont suddenly laughed, ¡°I truly was a beast!¡± ¡°I did it willingly.¡± Jarvis Davenport turned to look at Ivan Reed, ¡°Grandfather, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be going now.¡± ¡°Hold on¡­¡± Ivan Reed gestured with his hand, ¡°Marco Pendleton, give her another half a million.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Marco Pendleton led Jarvis Davenport out. When passing by Orren Beaumont, Jarvis Davenport stopped. ¡°Why¡­ Why have you turned into such a ghastly figure?¡± ¡°If there¡¯s a chance in the future, I¡¯ll tell you.¡± Orren Beaumont patted her shoulder, ¡°Go home.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, even if something unexpected happens to you in the future, I will take care of this sister for you.¡± Ivan Reed said very seriously. ¡°Thank you, Sacha Reed.¡± Orren Beaumont took a deep breath, still apparently not recovered from the emotion of the moment. ¡°After a while, Marco Pendleton will tell you the details of the task.¡± Ivan Reed approached him, looked him over and nodded, ¡°Once it¡¯s done, you will be my adopted son.¡± ¡°Thank you, Sacha Reed!¡± Orren Beaumont bowed deeply and turned to leave. No sooner had he left than Marco Pendleton entered. ¡°I think it¡¯s fine. Jarvis Davenport was already brought to me last night, and Philo Davenport hasn¡¯t been home in years.¡± ¡°Then there¡¯s no problem.¡± Ivan Reed looked out the window, ¡°When do we move?¡± ¡°Tonight!¡± Marco Pendleton¡¯s eyes flashed with a hint of murderous intent, ¡°I will personally take my disciples and make our move!¡± Meanwhile. Elwood Thorneycroft, who was at the Five-lakes Clubhouse, suddenly received a message. Chapter 702 - Chapter 702: Chapter 702: Bait_1 Chapter 702: Chapter 702: Bait_1 ¡°Stop right there!¡± As Orren Beaumont was about to get in the car, someone suddenly called out to him. ¡°Jarvis Davenport?¡± He turned around, drenched in cold sweat! Just ten minutes ago, he had confronted this woman face to face. ¡°Little sister, if you have something to say, wait until I get home to talk.¡± Orren Beaumont hurried into the car, trying to leave. But Jarvis Davenport¡¯s hand clung desperately to the car door, not giving him a chance. ¡°Sis, stop it. I have a mission to carry out.¡± After saying that, he took out a wad of cash from his pocket and stuffed it into Jarvis Davenport¡¯s hand, ¡°Take this to spend for now; I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not my brother.¡± Jarvis Davenport looked at him coldly. ¡°Gulp.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.§ã¦Ï Orren Beaumont swallowed hard, his head slick with cold sweat. ¡°What are you joking about? We just confronted each other.¡± He forced a laugh, ¡°Sis, I really have urgent business, let¡¯s not fuss about this now.¡± ¡°You killed my brother.¡± Jarvis Davenport¡¯s tone was still devoid of any emotion. ¡°Stop messing around¡­¡± Orren Beaumont was in turmoil. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you kill me yesterday? And why did you leave fifty thousand dollars on my head?¡± Jarvis Davenport stared intensely into Orren Beaumont¡¯s eyes, as if trying to read his mind. ¡°You know?¡± Orren Beaumont¡¯s pupils shrank in an instant. He had found Jarvis Davenport¡¯s home in the county with the intention to kill her and erase all traces. But at the last moment, he hadn¡¯t gone through with it. And when leaving, he had left fifty thousand dollars. ¡°After all, you killed my brother, I needed someone to take care of me.¡± Jarvis Davenport bent down, whispering in Orren Beaumont¡¯s ear, ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve never known what my mother looked like, my brother¡¯s first woman was neighbor Uncle Wang¡¯s daughter.¡± ¡°Then you¡­¡± Orren Beaumont¡¯s face was a picture of shock: ¡°Then just now¡­¡± ¡°Someone offered me ten million to lie for you.¡± Whoosh! Jarvis Davenport shut the car door and turned to walk away swiftly. Leaving only Orren Beaumont in the car, shivering from the cold. His hands gripping the steering wheel were already soaked with sweat. Thinking back now, if just then¡­ Orren Beaumont didn¡¯t dare to ponder. And some three hundred meters away from them, Julius Reed and Aron Jackson were standing at a street corner, watching the two part ways. ¡°If it were me, I definitely would have killed Orren Beaumont.¡± Aron Jackson held a cigarette in one hand and the other hand in his pocket, ¡°Such an important mission, yet he let his emotions get in the way. If he had truly failed, it wouldn¡¯t matter if he died, but he could have caused us all to be thrown in, our efforts wasted.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t life all about having feelings?¡± Julius Reed smiled and shook his head, ¡°He¡¯s not a killing machine.¡± ¡°To think the Boss himself had to clean up his mess, Orren Beaumont really outdid himself.¡± Aron Jackson took a drag on his cigarette, silently blowing out a ring of smoke. ¡°Anyone can operate a machine, but what about people¡¯s hearts?¡± Julius Reed patted his chest, ¡°In this life, Orren Beaumont will never betray you. I need to accompany my wife on a visit to her family home, so keep a close eye on things here.¡± ¡°Not spending the New Year in Gonzalez City?¡± A look of disappointment flashed in Aron Jackson¡¯s eyes, ¡°I was thinking¡­ about mooching a meal at your place.¡± He quenched the cigarette butt, flicking it into a nearby trash can. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing urgent in Gonzalez City, you could go and show your support for me.¡± Julius Reed chuckled lightly, ¡°Before I leave, I¡¯ll take care of Fabian Percival for you.¡± ¡°Assassination?¡± Aron Jackson¡¯s voice tensed up suddenly. Fabian Percival was no average person. With the backing of the Roosevelt family, and recently, there were rumors that bosses from Five-river Province were going to pay him a visit! And Fabian Percival planned to hold a grand banquet on the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month, the day before New Year¡¯s Eve. At that time, all the bosses from Five-river Province would come to attend. Recently, Fabian Percival has been keeping his doors shut, could it be that my boss intends to storm the Five-lakes Clubhouse? Under broad daylight, wouldn¡¯t the impact be too dreadful? ¡°Kill him? Why would I need to do it myself?¡± Julius Reed looked at Aron Jackson with contempt, ¡°If I want him dead by the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month, could he live until New Year¡¯s Eve?¡± ¡°Should I prepare a fine coffin, then?¡± Aron Jackson immediately became interested. He knew all too well the capabilities of his boss. ¡°Don¡¯t be stingy with money.¡± Julius Reed looked up at the sun and sighed deeply, ¡°After all, Fabian Percival was a man of dignity while he was alive.¡± ¡­ ¡°Father, I¡¯m a bit worried.¡± Inside the Five-lakes Clubhouse, Elwood Thorneycroft pushed open Fabian Percival¡¯s room door, her face filled with fear. ¡°Sit.¡± A look of surprise flashed across Fabian Percival¡¯s eyes, but it quickly disappeared. ¡°Did you sleep well last night?¡± ¡°Not really¡­¡± Elwood Thorneycroft shook her head and gently pressed her head, ¡°I have a terrible headache and feel weak. I think I might have caught a cold.¡± ¡°That must be it.¡± Fabian Percival watched Elwood Thorneycroft with a grin. A cold? In a day, Elwood Thorneycroft will even struggle to move! This poison may not kill someone outright, but it can ruin one¡¯s muscle tissue. In the end, almost a cripple! Even possibly dying in agony because they cannot breathe! ¡°You just said you had something to discuss, what is it?¡± Fabian Percival put away his triumphant expression and feigned concern, ¡°Your complexion doesn¡¯t look too good.¡± ¡°Ivan Reed might come to kill me!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft raised her head, speaking very seriously. ¡°Once he knows I¡¯m with you, he¡¯ll definitely realize I would tell you this secret. Although I don¡¯t believe in the possibility of immortality, such explosive information would be enough for him to want to silence me permanently!¡± ¡°What you said makes sense.¡± Fabian Percival leaned back in his couch, his eyes darting around. This is indeed a good opportunity to verify whether Elwood Thorneycroft is lying or not. ¡°Daughter, you need your father¡¯s complete protection.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft knelt on the ground, her eyes brimming with pleading, ¡°Ivan Reed won¡¯t let me go.¡± At that moment, Fabian Percival¡¯s phone rang. Seeing the caller, he stood up and walked to the window. ¡°Okay, I got it.¡± A minute later, after hanging up, Fabian Percival helped Elwood Thorneycroft up from the ground, ¡°After the New Year¡¯s feast tomorrow, I will take you back to the Americas for the New Year. There, even Ivan Reed won¡¯t be able to touch you.¡± ¡°Thank you, Father!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft stood up, then said with some concern, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I won¡¯t disturb your rest anymore, Father. And about the map¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re unwell, you should go back and rest. As for the map, perhaps it¡¯s nothing but a nebulous legend.¡± Fabian Percival waved his hand dismissively, ¡°As for Ivan Reed, you don¡¯t need to worry. No matter what, I am still a local hero here in the Five-lakes Clubhouse ¡ª no one can touch you!¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Elwood Thorneycroft nodded and turned to leave. Watching her back, a cold sneer flashed across Fabian Percival¡¯s face. He picked up his phone and dialed Devlin, ¡°Old man, I¡¯ve got an opportunity right now to verify whether Elwood Thorneycroft is lying.¡± ¡°An opportunity? That is indeed an opportunity,¡± the cold voice of Devlin came through the phone. ¡°As long as Ivan Reed really spares no expense to assassinate her, that would mean the affair is genuine, and the map is in Ivan Reed¡¯s possession.¡± Fabian Percival leaned back on the couch, propping up one leg, ¡°There are roads that wind beyond the mountains and rivers, ah! I¡¯ve just received a message from Orren Beaumont that Ivan Reed is making his move.¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to use your own daughter as bait?¡± Devlin chuckled coldly, ¡°I will lead my men to ambush at the Azure Percival¡¯s entrance. As soon as you confirm the map is in Ivan Reed¡¯s hands, I¡¯ll swoop in to seize it!¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to move against Ivan Reed? Just like that, out in the open?¡± Fabian Percival sounded surprised. That was, after all, Ivan Reed! ¡°In this world, there isn¡¯t a person whom I, Devlin, would be afraid to deal with!¡± The voice on the phone was ice-cold and piercing. Chapter 703 - 703 Ambush_1 Chapter 703: Chapter 703 Ambush_1 Night! Twenty-eighth of the twelfth lunar month! The entrance of the Five-lakes Clubhouse was lit up with colorful lights. It was imbued with the atmosphere of the New Year. Yet at this moment, the clubhouse seemed unusually deserted. The guards that normally patrolled non-stop were suddenly reduced by fifty percent. Only a few scattered individuals were left, wandering in the yard. A group of shadows quietly infiltrated the surroundings of the Five-lakes Clubhouse, waiting for the opportunity to strike. ¡°What lousy weather!¡± The guard rubbed his hands together and exhaled a breath of air. It was obviously a bit cold. ¡°Everyone else is inside eating and drinking, while we watch the gate!¡± Another sighed, ¡°Damn it! The newcomers are no good. Back when we were with Aron Jackson, we got red envelopes during the holidays.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.§ã¦Ï ¡°Stop talking! If Devlin¡¯s people hear us, we might end up at the bottom of the river.¡± ¡°Sigh!¡± Whoosh! Whoosh! No sooner had the two finished their conversation than they suddenly felt darkness before their eyes and fell to the ground. ¡°It seems Orren Beaumont has already passed the false information to Fabian Percival; there are a lot fewer guards in the yard,¡± Jaxston said, his face covered, speaking to his master, Marco Pendleton. ¡°Hearing that Sacha Reed is returning, Fabian Percival couldn¡¯t wait to throw a celebration feast. Good, let¡¯s follow the map Orren Beaumont gave us and head straight to Elwood Thorneycroft,¡± Marco Pendleton took a map out of his chest, studied it for a moment, and pointed inside, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Swish! The five people moved with extremely light footsteps, vanishing instantly at the entrance. After they had entered, another group appeared outside the gate. ¡°Brother Leocadia, when do we go in?¡± ¡°No rush! Mr. Thorneycroft has laid a net of heaven and earth inside; our brothers only need to wait for the signal and then rush in to block the gate!¡± Rocco Leocadia took out a lighter and lit a cigarette, ¡°I want to see just how capable the Marco Pendleton that makes the people of the capital tremble really is!¡± ¡°Brother Leocadia, why didn¡¯t Fox join us this time?¡± A staff member curiously asked. Usually, Fox Miller and Rocco Leocadia worked hand in hand. But today, it was only Rocco Leocadia leading the team; Fox Miller hadn¡¯t shown up at all. ¡°Stay away from anyone surnamed Deng. Mr. Thorneycroft doesn¡¯t trust him anymore! I fear he might lose his freedom once he returns to America,¡± with a hidden weapons box in one hand and a cigarette held by the other hand clad in a black glove. If Fox Miller fell from power, being the only one of Fabian Percival¡¯s four lieutenants in Gonzalez City, He would become the ruler of a territory, Or perhaps, take Aron Jackson¡¯s place. ¡­ Marco Pendleton was unaware that someone was guarding the door, but he had some concerns since they were operating on someone else¡¯s property. Fortunately, it went smoothly. Although they ran into a few patrol teams, they still easily made it to Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s door. ¡°Jaxston, pick the lock!¡± Marco Pendleton gestured, and Jaxston immediately went to Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s door. The Five-lakes Clubhouse was a commercial residence, all on the first floor. Similar to the old courtyards of Beijing. With standalone entries. Click! As the sound rang out, Jaxston extended his hand to give an ¡®OK¡¯ gesture. ¡°We have to be quick!¡± Marco Pendleton nodded and pulled the door open. Swish! ¡°You¡­¡± Elwood Thorneycroft, sitting on the couch watching TV, had yet to react. Caught off guard, Marco Pendleton held a knife at his neck. ¡°Make a sound, and you¡¯re dead!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft quickly nodded, raising his hands high, his eyes betraying panic. ¡°Where¡¯s the item?¡± Marco Pendleton asked with a stern voice. ¡°I¡¯ve already given the item to Sacha Reed. Please don¡¯t kill me¡ªI assure you Fabian Percival knows nothing about it!¡± Elwood Thorneycroft said frantically. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Marco Pendleton frowned; Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s answer was ludicrously off-topic. But the next moment, A sharp knife thrust out from Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s hand! Clang! Jaxston flicked his wrist, a dagger dropping from his sleeve! After knocking the knife out of Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s hand, he was ready to kill! To dare attempt murder on his own master? He truly tired of living! ¡°No! We need him alive!¡± Marco Pendleton quickly stopped Jaxston, ¡°If she dies, it will be difficult to retrieve Sacha Reed¡¯s item. Take the person with us first!¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Jaxston hesitated for a moment before sliding the dagger back into his waistband. Inside the control room. Fabian Percival had quietly arranged for someone to install a hidden camera in Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s room while she was out at noon. Seeing Jaxston draw his blade, his eyes narrowed into slits. ¡°Go in immediately, kill everyone! And, make sure to protect Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s safety,¡± he ordered. Since Ivan Reed dared to take such a big risk coming to the Five-lakes Clubhouse to take Elwood Thorneycroft¡¯s life, it showed that the situation with the map was essentially not faked. At the same time, he picked up the cell phone beside him: ¡°Old guy, it¡¯s your turn.¡± ¡°Wait for the good news.¡± Devlin smirked coldly. Meanwhile. Marco Pendleton, completely unaware of the situation, was about to carry Elwood Thorneycroft off and head back to Azure Percival. Whoosh! It was at that moment that the door was kicked open. ¡°Put the person down!¡± Rocco Leocadia, holding a darkly painted box of hidden weapons in his hand, pinched the end of a nearly burnt-out cigar. ¡°You¡¯ve got some nerve, trying to kidnap someone from Five-lakes Clubhouse!¡± As soon as he finished speaking, his men rushed in and surrounded Marco Pendleton and his companions. ¡°Master, it¡¯s an ambush.¡± Jaxston quietly moved his hands behind his back. ¡°When the enemy advances, we retreat; when the water rises, we build dams!¡± In Marco Pendleton¡¯s hands, two flying daggers appeared from nowhere! Swish! Throwing the darts, he rolled to Rocco Leocadia¡¯s front! Whoosh! Rocco Leocadia opened the box of hidden weapons but failed to hit the target! The very next moment! The flying knives brushed past his body with barely an inch to spare! ¡°Protect the boss!¡± One of the staff rushed forward, shielding Rocco Leocadia with his body! Crack! Marco Pendleton threw a punch! He shattered the staff member¡¯s chest with it! ¡°Kill them, damn it!¡± Seeing his own staff member die horribly, Rocco Leocadia was filled with rage! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! A series of sounds from the box of hidden weapons followed, as two of Marco Pendleton¡¯s disciples were killed under the barrage of concealed weapons. No matter how skilled in martial arts, one is still vulnerable to a cleaver! ¡°Master, get out of here!¡± Jaxston pushed Marco Pendleton away, his short blade flashing continuously! Every time he struck, someone would fall! ¡°You must survive to avenge us!¡± Jaxston roared in anger, charging wildly at Rocco Leocadia¡¯s staff. He forcibly cleared a path! Elwood Thorneycroft took advantage of the chaos to stab the person beside her and then collapsed on the sofa, pretending to be dead. Crack! Marco Pendleton turned his hands into palms, killing one person with each strike and carving out a bloody path! ¡°Ah!¡± His eyes bloodshot, he fiercely grabbed the necks of two men in front of him and smashed their heads together! Crack! The two bodies fell limply to the ground, dead beyond any doubt. When he looked back, Jaxston had already been struck by the box of hidden weapons in the shoulder. ¡°Hiss¡­¡± Marco Pendleton took a sharp breath in, his whole being radiating with an immense killing intent! ¡°You old fool!¡± Rocco Leocadia raised the box of hidden weapons and strode towards Marco Pendleton! Whoosh! The box of hidden weapons made a sound! Marco Pendleton did not dodge! The dart directly pierced his arm! But in the next moment! Marco Pendleton struck out with a palm! Crack! Half of Rocco Leocadia¡¯s body! Was violently shattered to pieces! ¡°Fabian Percival, if I, Marco Pendleton, don¡¯t kill you, I swear I am not a man!¡± With a leap, he bolted and fled from the Five-lakes Clubhouse. At the entrance to Azure Percival. Devlin, clad in a black trench coat, was holding a box of hidden weapons. As bold as a lone warrior with his hidden weapons box! He held a smoking pipe in his mouth, storming into the hotel alone!