The leader sorted things out on their end and agreed for Branden and the others to leave Florona. He even released Amos to Catherine.After promising Branden that anyone he wanted to take could leave, the leader, with their troop of guards, left the dock.But as the guard team departed, a bunch of mysterious figures in black encircled Branden and his group. Their sinister eyes made their intentions clear.Zobber and the others were puzzled. They thought inwardly, "Aren't the leader's people gone? Why this new group?""Catherine, did the leader of Florona change his mind? This is way too quick," Zobber questioned.Catherine shook her head and denied Zobber's speculation. Catherine wasn't aware of the exact terms Branden had agreed upon, but she knew that making the leader break his rules and accept their conditions to leave Florona meant those conditions must have been enticing. The leader wouldn't easily ruin the deal.The only possibility was that these individuals weren't the l
"Paxton's move isn't cutting it. If he goes up just an inch more, that guy's done for." Zobber stood aside and commented with a smile.Withal chimed in, "Makes sense. Look at that guy. His footing's all off. Paxton's targeting is slightly off."As they fervently discussed, Paxton was entangled in a scuffle with a dozen burly figures dressed in black. Despite Paxton's formidable strength, he struggled against their relentless rotation, all the while trying to listen to his friends' banter.After delivering a swift kick to a charging figure in black, Paxton finally found a moment. He turned back toward Zobber and the others. Then he yelled in frustration, "Are you guys so capable? Why don't you join in?"Zobber shrugged casually and replied, "We're not cut out for this physical stuff. That's all you."Paxton, who was exasperated, had no way with Zobber. Now, he couldn't spare a moment to deal with her either. While they argued with each other, he continued grappling with the figures
As Jotham aimed his weapon in Zobber's direction and was ready to pull the trigger, a blur shot past him. Instinctively, he let go and dodged.Before Jotham set foot on Florona, he had once been a reigning force and treaded a dark path. He was fierce in combat, every move lethal.After the blur passed, Jotham regained composure and faced the situation calmly. But Branden's prowess was overwhelming. Despite Jotham's experience, he was no match.After a few exchanges, Jotham found himself overpowered by Branden, who had a firm grip on his throat. A little more pressure, and Jotham would be meeting his maker.Jotham was defeated, and his crew fell incapacitated by the combined force of Catherine and Zobber. All of them fell to the ground.Branden exerted a bit more force, and it caused even a tough man like Jotham to wince in pain. Enduring the agony, Jotham glared back at Branden. "Your grandfather took me down back then, and today, it's your turn. I thought the Duncans with your go
Regan looked at Branden, who was much taller than her, feeling complicated. "I haven't seen you for years, Branden. I'm so relieved you've grown up to be a decent man."Branden stood there calmly and looked at her without expression. "Why did you leave Father and me?"Finally, he asked the question that had haunted him for years. He wanted an answer.Regan sighed after she heard his question. She knew this day would come. There was no way to escape.She was born into a family of privilege and wealth and treasured ever since she was born. Her childhood and her teen years were plain sailing. But her tragedy began when she was arranged to marry Howard Duncan, the first son of the Duncan family. The marriage was forced on Howard, too. Neither of them had liked it from the beginning. Regan foresighted the union ever since she was young. Unlike her, Howard had a beloved girlfriend who was a celebrity in the entertainment industry. Karl felt that her motivation to approach Howard was impu
Catherine was standing behind him. And she must have heard what he said about her and Branden. Paxton wanted to cry when he made eye contact with Catherine. His heart pounded fast. "Miss Swann."Catherine looked at him with a fake smile, her sharp eyes piercing Paxton's heart like two sharp blades. What she said next was even more frightening to Paxton. "I heard you've been talking about me lately, Paxton."Paxton smiled at Catherine bitterly and said, "Miss Swann, please don't get me wrong. I only think you and Mr. Duncan have a good relationship."Everyone couldn't help but want to laugh when they saw Paxton's embarrassed face. Ronin also took the opportunity to reveal what Paxton had previously said about Catherine being pushed down.Paxton's face turned deathly gray in an instant, and he almost begged for merciful death at that moment. He gave up hopelessly, lowered his head, and begged with frustration. "Miss Swann, It's all my fault."Catherine gave him a cold gaze and point
When Branden's private plane landed at Casier, Shane received the news. The assistant knocked on the door of Shane's office with the latest intelligence and said, "Mr. Breen, five minutes ago, Branden's private plane landed at the Duncan airport in Casier, accompanied by Miss Swann and her crew."Shane was not surprised by this result. He admitted that Branden was an intelligent businessman with impressive business acumen and a mind for handling affairs.Now, he could see Casier's criticality, and it was reasonable for him to rush to Casier to handle the business as soon as possible."Did you find out what they were doing when they left Loxton this time?" Shane was more concerned about this. The news he received earlier was that Catherine had disappeared from London and did not attend academic seminars. After learning about it, Branden immediately flew to London to investigate the situation. Then he disappeared in London, too, along with Ronin and the others. Shane knew something mu
They followed Branden to the Duncans' villa. Karl had been waiting for them at the door after he knew they were coming. The butler urged him to wait inside because it was windy and freezing. But Karl refused. "It's not a big deal. I've been through many things all my life. Wind and coldness can't defeat me."The butler wanted to tell Karl that he was no longer young. But he knew how competitive Karl was, so he didn't argue. He went inside and grabbed a coat for Karl.Luckily, Branden and the others arrived very soon. Seeing Branden get out of the car, Karl didn't get too excited. He kept looking forward. Branden walked to the other side and opened the door for Catherine.Karl's eyes glittered when he saw Catherine. He rushed to her. His once serious face was now filled with smiles. "I finally get to meet you, Cassie."Catherine was a person with little emotional fluctuations. She was not used to Karl's overly warm welcomes and stood helplessly there with silly smiles.Karl's face
The silent old villa of the Duncans suddenly became noisy due to the return of Branden and the others. Karl was so glad and greeted them with a smile all along. And he was extra enthusiastic when he learned the others were all friends of Catherine's. "Don't be shy, kids. Since you're Catherine's friends, make yourselves at home."His warm welcome to Catherine's friends made people think Catherine was a spoiled granddaughter of the Duncans.Zobber whispered to Catherine, "Way to go, Catherine! So, my worries of you being stuck in a rich family drama are unnecessary."Catherine looked at Zobber as if telling her that she suspected Zobber had brain damage.Sitting not far from Catherine, Karl joined their conversation when he heard what Zobber said. "No drama is allowed in the Duncans. Whoever bullies Catherine will be kicked out of the family."Since Karl had been kind and humorous, Zobber joked, "What if Branden bullies Catherine?"Her words attracted the attention of others who w