"Had I not noticed it in time, I would have been a dead man by now! "I've helped you so many times, but you, Welchs, repay my kindness with ingratitude! You went back on your word!"So tell me, who's the shameless one? Huh? Who's the heartless one?"Dustin's voice got louder as he spoke, knowing that he was in the right. As the onlookers whispered among themselves, Alistair's expression darkened.It was indeed embarrassing to have their underhanded actions exposed publicly like that. He thought they should not have let Dustin leave the Welch residence in the first place had they known this would happen."You … That's nonsense!" Eleanor shouted, upset. "Don't think that I don't know what you're up to, Dustin. "You harbor feelings for me and hold a grudge against me after I rejected you! This is your way of getting revenge! How despicable of you!""I harbor feelings for you? Do you think you're worthy of of my feelings?"Dustin smirked in disdain. "Look at your face. Look at yo
The hearse was a sleek, black vehicle.The Camrons frowned at the sight of the hearse pulling up in front of them.They clearly weren't here to congratulate them on the launch! Instead, they were cursing them! It was a sign of disrespect to have a hearse there!As the hearse pulled up, two other vans followed suit.The doors opened, and dozens of people who were all dressed in black swarmed out. At the same time, an intricately designed coffin was carried out and placed at the entrance of the building with a loud thud."Which one of you is the developer of the Dew Balm? Get the hell out here now!" Just then, a middle-aged man who was suited up in all black came forward and yelled angrily."Who are you? And why have you brought this here?" Lana stepped forward and asked coldly. "Of course, I'm here to get an explanation from you, evil bunch!"The middle-aged man looked anguished as he said, "This Dew Balm you're selling is toxic! My father passed away after using it last nigh
A group of the deceased's family members, who were all dressed in black, began to wail and clamor.They shouted, cried, and roared. The commotion attracted a huge crowd around them.Some who didn't know the full story began commenting based on what they saw. They reached for their cell phones and began recording videos of what was happening, ready to post them on social media.The place descended into utter chaos!Lana frowned. Her expression didn't look too good. She had expected that things would not run smoothly for the launch, but she didn't expect it to get so messy.She couldn't get violent with them or scold them for what they were doing. There also wasn't much point in explaining things. So, she was at a loss for how to handle the situation."Lana, I had thought that the Dew Balm was some sort of miraculous ointment. But it turns out that it's a poisonous substance!"Eleanor said sarcastically, "I thought the Camrons was a decent and reputable family. "Who would have k
"Hmph! You're trying to go against us, are you? You're just making things difficult for yourself!" Seeing Lana in such a mess, Eleanor smirked.Business was a warzone. The Welch family was familiar with using underhanded tactics to make things go their way. In the past, those who failed to show proper respect and refused to align themselves with the Welch family were destroyed. Clearly, it wasn't going to be any different for the Camrons."Those are just rumors! Nothing but fabricated lies!" Matteo stepped out when he saw that Lana couldn't handle the crowd. He stated solemnly, "I guarantee with the Camron family's reputation at stake that the entire production of Dew Balm adheres strictly to regulations. "There can't possibly be any problems with our products. What happened today is because someone is out to frame us!""That's rubbish! I have concrete evidence that you are the reason my father died!" the man bellowed.As he said that, a woman rushed up to the corpse and bega
Dustin said calmly, "You claim you're from the Food and Drug Administration, but you don't even have an arrest warrant. So, on what basis are you arresting her?""That's true! You can seize the drugs, but you have no right to arrest her!" Matteo was quick to react.Every department had its responsibilities. It was true that matters of medical products were under the control of the Food and Drug Administration. However, they had no authority to arrest people."You've broken the law. As a governmental department, we are responsible for taking charge!" the bald man declared."Oh, drop the act, will you? We didn't break any laws. Besides, even if we did, it's not your place to arrest us." Dustin remained cool as a cucumber."How dare you?" The bald man glared at Dustin, feeling his authority challenged. He shouted in frustration, "Hey, bastard! I'm warning you, you better not obstruct us, or we'll arrest you too!""Arrest me? Do you have the authority to do that?" Dustin scoffed.
At that moment, Mr. Zagatti was shocked and flustered about what to do. Never in his dreams had he expected the Dawson family to be involved in this matter, too.After all, the Dawson family ranked second among Oakvale's eight great families, only second to the Langfords.The Dawsons were the leading group in the medication field. Even the head of the Food and Drug Administration was backed by them. As a manager in the department, how would he dare cross the Dawson family?His lips trembled as he said fearfully, "M-Mr. Dawson, there must be some sort of misunderstanding going on! "The Dawson family is a role model of the entire industry, having a great reputation throughout the years. There's no way you'd break the law knowingly!""Is that so? Then what about the issue with Dew Balm? Weren't you about to arrest people just a while ago?" Bo asked frostily."No, no, no! That was just a misunderstanding!"Mr. Zagatti was so frightened that he waved his hands repeatedly. "The Foo
"They've got concrete evidence! What else do you need to look into?" Eleanor challenged with displeasure."Arrest them right now, or I'll sue you for abuse of power! This is an order!""What?" Mr. Zagatti frowned, his expression darkened."Mr. Zagatti, look around you. Countless pairs of eyes are watching, and reporters are also present. Are you really going to cover up for these people?" Ezra demanded sharply."Well …" Mr. Zagatti found himself stuck between a rock and a hard place.Though he dared not offend the Dawsons, the power of public opinion was equally as formidable. If any exaggerated news were to be reported, it would make things very messy for him."Ezra Swanson, you better watch your words, or I'll sue you for defamation," Bo said calmly."Mr. Dawson, this is something between us and the Camrons. Please do not interfere," Ezra said."The Dawson family and the Camron family are now allies. Dew Balm is a joint production between both families. Do you think that I ca
When Elara took out the final evidence, the middle-aged man fell on his knees in despair.Had it just been the insurance records, he could have worm his way out. But now that they found the poison, and it even had his fingerprints on it, there was nothing else he could say to save himself."So it turns out that this bastard had lied! How despicable!""He even murdered his own father! Does he have no conscience?""A beast! He's a beast through and through!"The onlookers who had gathered around began berating and condemning him.They had thought that the victim had died due to the products of the vile sellers, but the man had intentionally framed them. And the worst part was that he was evil enough to harm his own father! Not even an animal would do something like that. It was downright inhumane!"What a good-for-nothing!" Eleanor muttered under her breath with her brows furrowed. Not only had he failed to accomplish his purpose, he even left behind such important evidence. I
"So what if I am? And what if I push even further?" Dustin's smile slowly faded. "If you don't like it, do something about it."There was no reasoning with tyrants like Warrick."Punk, are you really willing to risk your life against me? Have you ever considered what happens if you lose?" Warrick's face turned grim as a wave of killing intent spread from him.He had already taken a step back to avoid unnecessary trouble. If Dustin refused to back down, there was no choice but to fight."Cut the crap. You wanna fight, fight." Dustin didn't bother with more words. With a flick of his wrist, a silver needle shot out and aimed toward Warrick's forehead—silent, unassuming, but deadly."Hmm?" Warrick's brow furrowed as he instinctively raised his arm. Sparks flew as the needle deflected off his arm and buried into the ground."Oh? You've mastered the Adamantine Body Technique?" Dustin narrowed his eyes. At that instant, he saw through Warrick's technique. Not only was he halfway
Mulder's body trembled, and he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. His energy drained, and his entire being seemed to collapse.Dustin's finger flick had not only shattered his sword but also injured his internal organs. With the effects of the enhanced serum wearing off, Mulder was now back to his original state and completely spent.His once-powerful frame now shrank like a punctured balloon. He looked as if he had aged ten years in an instant. Mulder could no longer fight. Even standing up was a challenge."He's finished," Dustin said coolly, then looked at Warrick. "Now it's your turn.""Hmm?" Warrick frowned, and his expression turned serious.Dustin's display of strength earlier had made him feel a sense of crisis. If they fought head-on, there was no telling who would come out on top.But Warrick was just one step away from escaping West Lucozia, bound for Artea and a life of freedom and luxury. He had no intention of risking his life in battle unless he absolutely
"This is interesting." Dustin smirked as the dense barrage of swords came slashing down at him. In the blink of an eye, his figure dissolved into a wisp of smoke and vanished.A storm of sword shadows carrying the force that could split rivers and overturn seas crashed down on the fishing boat where he had just been standing. The entire vessel broke apart in an instant—some sinking into the depths while others drifted across the water."What? He dodged it?" Warrick's eyes flickered with surprise.Mulder's attack just now had been a 360-degree attack. Once caught in its range, there was no chance to dodge—only the option to endure. He couldn't understand how Dustin had managed to avoid it. Did he just teleport?"Hiding like a coward? What kind of warrior are you? Come fight me face-to-face."Frustrated after his attack missed again, Mulder grew desperate. His enhanced serum would only last for 15 minutes. If this dragged on, he'd collapse from exhaustion before Dustin even touche
"Oh? Are we going all out now?" Dustin smirked, with a hint of amusement in his eyes.Mulder, who had advanced to become a grandmaster martial artist through drugs, had a weak foundation. Even after taking the enhanced serum, he still posed no threat to Dustin. If Mulder were a hundred times stronger, he might just barely be able to fight Dustin.As the serum's effects pushed his body to the limit, Mulder suddenly let out a furious roar. His muscles swelled rapidly, and his bones cracked as they expanded. His body grew larger at an alarming rate, and his clothes tore apart under the strain.His six-foot frame stretched to nearly seven feet in mere moments as his body swelled to monstrous proportions. His face twisted fiercely, and his skin darkened as black scales surfaced.With another guttural growl, his roar turned beastlike. He grabbed his shredded shirt and ripped it away, exposing his broad chest covered in dark scales. A faint, eerie sheen flickered across their surface."D
Dustin's words made Mulder frown.Mulder knew all too well that Warrick was the kind of man who had no sense of loyalty or honor. If Warrick could kill his own personal guards without hesitation, what would stop him from killing a stranger? Mulder was certain that the moment things went south, Warrick would be the first to flee. Given the choice, he'd never willingly risk his life as Warrick's sacrificial pawn. But now, there was no turning back.With his undercover identity exposed and him helping Warrick escape, Mulder became a sworn enemy of West Lucozia. His name was now on the most-wanted list.Tonight was their best chance to escape. If they missed it, finding another way out would be nearly impossible.There was only one path left for him—kill whoever stood in his way and make it onto that escape boat."Enough talk, punk. Let's see what you're really made of," Mulder said.After weighing his options, he gritted his teeth and finally decided to draw his longsword. His fig
"You had your chance. Don't blame me for what happens next," Dustin said.With a slight squeeze of his fingers, the steel blades clamped between them shattered with a sharp clang.Before the two Hall of Gods members could even react, Dustin waved his hand.The two men were sent flying as if they'd been hit by a truck, hurtling over 30 feet through the air. Blood sprayed from their mouths and noses before they hit the ground. They were critically injured and on the verge of death.Dustin slowly turned his head and looked at the man who had just tried to ambush him.The man glanced at the broken sword in his hand, then at Dustin, who looked utterly unfazed. He hesitated for a split second—then bolted.With a powerful leap, he dove straight for the sea. He knew Dustin's strength was on a completely different level. There was no chance of outrunning him on land, so the only hope was to disappear into the water.It might have worked—if not for what happened next.Just before he hit
"You're not a fisherman? Who the hell are you?"Mulder's guard shot up the moment he got a clear look at the young man's face.Fishermen who spent their days at sea were usually tanned from the sun, but this one had a fair complexion. It felt a little strangeNoticing something was off, the men behind Mulder drew their blades and fixed their sharp gazes on the fisherman.The so-called fisherman standing guard wasn't just anyone—it was Dustin, who had been waiting for them all along.Since his plan was set in motion, he'd been stationed there from morning until midnight. After what felt like an eternity, his targets had finally arrived."Isn't it obvious? I'm here to capture you."Dustin rose from the deck and rolled his shoulders before speaking in an even tone. "If you don't want to die, surrender now. Otherwise, it'll be too late.""Watch out! It could be an ambush." Mulder swiftly pulled out his dagger. His sharp gaze scanned the surroundings for any sign of hidden troops.
As night fell, Warrick sat motionless in his room as he tried to calm his mind through meditation. He had always been able to clear his mind with ease. But tonight, no matter how hard he tried, focus eluded him. A restless unease settled over him and refused to let him relax.Nearly two hours passed before Mulder's scouts finally returned. This time, they brought good news.The smuggling route they had scouted was completely safe, with no signs of an ambush. The West Lucozia army had yet to discover this potential escape route.Once everything was confirmed, Mulder let out a breath of relief. Warrick, too, finally felt the weight lift from his chest."Since the route is safe, we should set out immediately to avoid any unexpected complications." Warrick said. He had no intention of waiting any longer. He was a wanted man, and every moment in West Lucozia increased his chances of capture. There was no telling when the army might surround him. Only by escaping to Thaloria would he
After a hearty meal, the burly Warrick sprawled lazily onto the bed and dozed off. He slept soundly till dusk, lost in a deep dream. When the sky was painted in brilliant hues of the setting sun, only then did he wake up leisurely.The exhaustion from the previous day seemed to have melted away. He felt invigorated, refreshed, and in high spirits.At that moment, Leigh had already set the table in the hall with quiet efficiency. Compared to the first meal, this spread was far more lavish.At the center of the table sat a whole roasted pig. Its golden-brown skin glistened with a rich, crispy sheen. The mouthwatering aroma filled the room, making it impossible not to crave a bite.Warrick had never been one for formalities. The moment he saw the feast, he didn't hesitate. He strode over, took a seat, and started digging in. He ate with zero restraint without sparing a single thought for Mulder, who was still out gathering intel.After a while, half of the roast pig was gone. His fac