"This young man must be the skilled healer you mentioned, Mr. Rhys, right? From what happened today, you do live up to your reputation," Roderick said."I only hope you won't take it too hard, Mr. Brooks," Dustin said.Any man wouldn't be able to handle hearing that he'd been cheated on."Speaking of, I should be thanking you, Mr. Rhys. If it wasn't for your sharp eyes, I don't know how long I would have been lied to." Roderick forced a smile.In this case, it was better to rip the bandage off.Although it was a bit humiliating, it still beat getting cheated on repeatedly."Mr. Brooks, forgive me for asking, but could the secret illness you've been suffering from be the same as your wife's?" Natasha asked tentatively. Typically speaking, if his wife got it, then Roderick must have caught it too."Um … I probably don't have it." Roderick looked slightly embarrassed. "To be honest, because of how busy I have been with work, I haven't slept with my wife for half a year.""That's
Roderick stood there frozen, his face was pale.He'd experienced all kinds of hardships all his life, but at that moment, he didn't know what to do.He thought it was bad enough that he'd gotten cheated on.He didn't expect that there'd be a bigger "surprise" that followed.His son wasn't actually biologically his?This revelation was even more severe than finding out he was being cheated on! "Mr. Rhys, are … you sure?" Roderick's eye twitched. He was clinging to the very last glimmer of hope."Mr. Brooks, it's a hard pill to swallow, but based on your body's current condition, you lost your ability to have children a long time ago. If you don't believe me, you can go get tested yourself," Dustin said firmly. To be honest, he was starting to pity Roderick.Although he was swamped with riches, his wife had an affair, and his son wasn't his.This double whammy would have driven any ordinary person insane."Alright. Thank you, Mr. Rhys. There are too many people here. Shall w
Despite running such a huge family business, Roderick didn't even have an heir now. It was truly a tragedy."Mr. Brooks, don't take it too hard. Although the knife injury damaged your fertility, it can actually be treated. Once you're recovered, you can have another son, or even ten! It won't be a problem." Dustin smiled as he attempted to cheer Roderick up."Really?" Roderick trembled, his face expectant.In the past six months, the main reason he hadn't slept with his wife was because he couldn't get it up.However, because of his dignity as a man, he'd always kept it a secret.So, to hear that he'd be able to rise up again, naturally, he was elated."Mr. Brooks, if I dare to say it, it means I can do it." As Dustin spoke, he took out a tablet and said, "This is Gemiphen, which I created. It helps clear up circulatory pathways and heal internal injuries. Give it a try.""Okay!" Without another word, Roderick took the Gemiphen and swallowed it.As soon as the tablet entered hi
At that moment, Phineas and Matt were in the Brooks Manor living room."Dad, do you think Big Bucks Brooks will lend us money?" Matt glanced around, looking worried."Big Bucks Brooks is filthy rich and generous to boot. He's always had a good relationship with our family. It shouldn't be a problem to borrow some money," Phineas said, raising his cup and taking a sip. It was obvious that he was very confident.Although the Laney family hadn't been restored to its previous glory, they were still above the average person.Outside, they still had some status."If it weren't for our family's capital chain rupture causing our businesses to suffer majorly, we would never have to borrow money from others," Matt said, sighing.Not long ago, they'd suddenly received terrible news.Many of their big-shot partners had retracted their investments. All the business deals they'd made previously had gone bust.Their entire family suffered serious damage overnight.Now, they desperately neede
The Immortunol formula would definitely be his soon."You're mistaken. I don't mean it that way." Roderick uttered calmly."Huh?" Phineas was puzzled. "What do you mean, then?""Both of you are here to borrow my money, aren't you?" Roderick asked back instead of answering.Phineas let out a sheepish laugh. "Our family ran into some trouble recently, and we need some money to turn things around. That's why we've come to you, Mr. Brooks.""How much do you need?""About three billion dollars?""Three billion!" Roderick raised an eyebrow. "Sorry, but no can do.""What?" Phineas' shock quickly turned to dismay. "Mr. Brooks, three billion is nothing to you. Why can't you lend us the money?""Technically, I've already lent the money to Mr. Rhys, so you'll have to beg him for the money," Roderick replied with a sarcastic smile."What? You lent it to him?" The father-son duo was stunned, unable to believe their ears.There was no way Roderick would have lent that useless punk three billion doll
"Mr. Brooks, why on earth are you willing to go against our family for him?" Phineas demanded with a threatening glare. He had approached Roderick confidently but never expected this outcome."To tell you the truth, Mr. Rhys is my savior and honored guest. If you have a problem with him, that means you have a problem with me! So, you either beg for his forgiveness, or your family is over!" Roderick declared; the aura he exuded was overwhelming."You want us to apologize to that asshole? In your dreams!" Matt yelled angrily."Then, get lost! I wonder how long your family can last." Roderick kicked them out."Roderick Brooks, life has its ups and downs, so don't look down on a broke man! You'll regret it one day!" Matt forced through gritted teeth and stormed away."Mr. Brooks, you've incurred the wrath of the Laney family. I doubt my family can't borrow merely three billion dollars elsewhere!" Phineas glared at Roderick before following his son."Arrogant fools!" Roderick sneered.No on
"How did it go, Dad? Is anyone willing to help us?" Matt asked tentatively."Fuck those bastards! They come wagging their tails as soon as they have something they want and call themselves my friends, but the moment they find out that our family is in trouble, they start running away! Those fucking fakes!" Phineas' face contorted with rage. He never thought that he, the head of the Laney family, would end up like this."Dad, everyone always says that misfortune shows you those who are not your real friends. Stop hanging out with them from now on. I'll make them regret their choice after we pull through." Matt swore solemnly."Matt, my contacts are useless now. You're the only one I can rely on." Phineas suddenly thought of someone. "Aren't you close with Edwin Hummer's daughter? Why don't you ring her up and see if she can lend us some money?""Oh, right! I nearly forgot! The daughter of the wealthiest man in Swinton should be able to spare us three billion dollars easily. I'll call he
"Hello? Hello!" Matt held his phone by his ear with a dumbfounded expression. All he did was mention Dustin's name. Why did Tina sound so frightened? Matt had no idea that Tina was still traumatized from the time Dustin slapped her. What's worse was that instead of getting her revenge, she had been forced to grovel for Dustin's forgiveness, which was nothing less than an utter embarrassment and a terror for her.Although she was bitter about it, she couldn't lay a hand on Dustin because her family didn't dare seek revenge before her brother returned. Dustin was someone who could defeat a martial arts master like Mr. Milfroy with ease. If someone like him were to go crazy, he could destroy the entire Hummer family in a heartbeat! Because of this, they didn't dare seek revenge, and Tina shook in fear every time someone mentioned Dustin."What did Ms. Hummer say, Matt?" Phineas saw his son in a daze and asked. "Fuck! That bitch is terrified of Rhys. There's no way she'll lend us money.
"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
"Who is it?" Warrick's grip tightened around the hilt of his steel blade. His eyes, sharp and alert, were like those of a startled predator—full of caution and menace.For the past few days, he had been on edge, like a cornered animal. He barely slept and was constantly on high alert, fearing danger would strike at any moment.The door slowly creaked open. An elderly man with gray hair stepped inside with a tray of fruit and pastries in both hands.Before he could even register what was happening, a flash of cold steel appeared, and Warrick's blade was at the elderly man's throat.The elderly man trembled with fear. The tray slipped from his grasp, and fruit and pastries scattered on the floor."Easy, Sir Prescott. He's one of us." Mulder stepped forward and pressed down on the flat of Warrick's blade with a finger. He smiled and explained, "His name's Leigh Houston. He's mute and has served the Hall of Gods for years. He keeps watch over this tunnel entrance and has never slipp
"Here's the problem—even if we know Warrick's intentions, how do we stop him?" Austin asked.Right now, Warrick had already disappeared without a trace. Austin's team hadn't even come close enough to get a hold of him, so there was no way to track him down.West Lucozia's vast territory and resources made it impossible to seal off every exit route completely. While it might be manageable in the short term, prolonging such an operation would significantly impact West Lucozia's economy. Wasting resources on a single fugitive wasn't a wise move."Warrick is a wanted man across the entire city. There's no way he's leaving through official channels. He'll have to sneak his way out," Dustin analyzed. He continued, "According to the maritime charts, if he's traveling from West Lucozia to Artea, he'll have to go through Thaloria. That's our lead. Get someone on it immediately—find out how many smuggling routes there are from West Lucozia to Thaloria.""Got it. I'll get it done right away
"Damn you, Mulder! You've really screwed me over this time." Axel gnashed his teeth as rage boiled inside him. Mulder's betrayal hadn't just implicated Axel's sister, but it had also dragged Axel himself into the mess.Mulder had climbed the ranks to assistant chief of the City Defenders in just a few years, and Axel had played a major role in backing him.Now that this mess had blown up, Axel was right in the middle of it. No matter how he tried to explain, he was going to take the fall for it."Everyone, follow me! Let's capture that traitor."After learning Mulder's escape route, Axel waved his hand and led his enforcement team out at full speed.He had already messed up by failing to capture Warrick, which was a serious lapse in duty. Now, with his brother-in-law openly rebelling against them, things had only gotten worse.If Axel didn't turn this situation around and bring those traitors to justice, his days as an enforcement team captain were numbered.After a thorough s