When Damien heard Isabela's words, a cold gleam flashed across his face. He strode forward to the dining table, grabbed its edge, and flipped it over swiftly."You didn't make any money? Damn it! You have money for meat buns but can't pay me?"With a loud crash, the table was overturned, and the dishes shattered into pieces. The untouched meat buns that Isabela had painstakingly made rolled onto the ground, covered in dirt.Yanne covered her mouth and let out a fearful whimper.However, it was not over yet.After flipping the table, Damien turned to look at Isabela. "Looks like you haven't learned your lesson yet!"He raised his hand abruptly and swung it hard toward Isabela's face."No..."A look of terror flashed across Isabela's face as she tried to dodge. However, her movements were no match for Damien's slap. In an instant, his hand was about to land on her face.Suddenly, his hand froze in mid-air.Liam grabbed Damien's arm, his cold gaze devoid of any emotion. "Who gav
When the noise subsided, Isabela and her family were stunned by the sight before them. Liam stood calmly to the side, his expression serene. On the ground lay over ten men who had been swaggering behind the bald man, writhing in pain."Liam..."Isabela's face was filled with astonishment. Was that tall, imposing man really the same Liam she remembered? When had he become so formidable?As thoughts swirled in her mind, a voice broke the silence.Up ahead, Damien suppressed his pain and glared at Isabela and Liam with hatred. "Damn it! No wonder you had the guts this time. You found yourself a backer! Just wait. I'll skin you alive!"Despite his agony, the bald man took out his phone and began to make a call.Isabela trembled, a look of panic flashing across her face. "Liam, we need to leave now!"She turned around shakily and grabbed Liam, trying to pull him away. Sunny and Yanne, equally alarmed, also started to leave.Liam was puzzled. "Leave? Why should we leave? Isn't th
As Isabela recounted the story, Liam gradually understood what had transpired all those years ago. It all began the year he was imprisoned.During that time, Isabela and Sunny had partnered with some individuals in a business venture, only to be deceived and trapped in a loan shark scheme.They ended up deeply in debt.In the end, not only did they have to sell their house, but Sunny was severely beaten and left with a chronic injury. Despite their efforts, their debt only grew larger and more unmanageable.Their once happy and harmonious family has been shattered, impoverished, and desperate. Isabela had no choice but to go into hiding to escape the relentless debt collectors. That was why Liam could not find them after his release from prison.However, even in hiding, Isabela's family could not escape the clutches of the Tiger Gang. In their despair, they considered seeking help from the Lloyd family on Liam's behalf. Liam was behind bars at that time, completely unaware of thei
Isabela was filled with fear. "Liam, we're no match for them!"Clearly, what Isabela had experienced was far more complex than what she had shared with Liam."Liam..."Sunny and Yanne were eager to say something as they witnessed the scene unfolding before them. Suddenly, chaotic footsteps echoed from outside the door.Boom!The door was violently kicked open. Viktor, the leader of the Tiger Gang, strode in, his arms tattooed with ferocious tigers. He was accompanied by a group of his followers.Damien's eyes lit up at the sight of Viktor. He quickly stood up and approached him, saying, "Mister Petrov! You're finally here!"Viktor frowned as he glanced at the bald man's twisted arm. He could not help but reprimand Damien."Useless scum! I sent you to collect a debt, and you can't even handle such a small task? Do I have to do everything myself?""Mister Petrov, it's not our fault. We really encountered a tough one this time!"The bald man quickly pointed toward Liam and expla
Isabela rented a place in one of the most rundown buildings in the area. The building had a large open space in front of it.Standing on the second floor, one could see, as the sound of engines continuously echoed, hundreds of black Audi A6 cars driving in one after another from the end of the road. They parked neatly on both sides of the building.Viktor was filled with astonishment. "What is going on?"Why were there so many cars coming heading toward that impoverished place? Electric scooters were a rare sight around those parts, let alone cars.For a moment, his mind was filled with confusion. Soon after, what happened downstairs made Viktor's eyes widen even more. After the hundreds of cars came to a stop, their doors opened one after another. Men in black suits, all burly and imposing, stepped out of the cars. They stood silently by the cars as if waiting for something. The gathering of thousands of men created an overwhelming sense of pressure that made it hard to brea
Upon realizing what was happening, Viktor suddenly froze, hastily turning around.At the same time, Nathaniel was already walking toward Liam, closing the distance quickly.Isabela bit her lip, her face filled with panic as she rushed forward with a forced smile. "Sir, please let us know if we've done anything wrong. We are willing to make amends as long as you spare us."Isabela had no idea who Nathaniel was, but seeing the thousands of people downstairs filled her with despair. They did not even have a chance to run!Isabela initially thought the man was with Viktor. However, after seeing Viktor's fawning reaction, she realized he must be someone even Viktor could not afford to offend.The realization only deepened Isabela's fear. What could someone so powerful, someone even Viktor feared, want with them? Was fate not done tormenting them yet?Despite her despair, Isabela worried about implicating Liam, so she bravely stepped forward. However, before she could finish speaking
Liam shook his head and replied calmly, "Take your time."He had already planned to discuss matters with Nathaniel a few days earlier. The situation involving the Tiger Gang was conveniently related to the underground organizations in South City, prompting Liam to call Nathaniel. So far, Nathaniel's response seemed satisfactory."Have you heard of the Tiger Gang?" Liam asked casually.Nathaniel froze for a moment. He furrowed his brow, lost in thought. Although there were many underground gangs in South City, Nathaniel generally only paid attention to the three major organizations, given his status. However, since Liam had asked, there had to be a reason.As he pondered with a furrowed brow, Nathaniel finally remembered and looked at Liam. "The Tiger Gang is a small gang in the eastern district of South City, mainly involved in loan sharking. Mister Burrey, is there something you need?"Liam turned to Damien and asked indifferently, "Didn't you say that offending the Tiger Gang
Liam watched as Viktor trembled violently after receiving a slap from Nathaniel.However, Viktor did not dare to utter a single word. His pleading eyes were fixed on Liam, desperately hoping for forgiveness."Compensate the Zaffrey family with all the assets of the Tiger Gang," Liam said calmly."Of course! I will immediately return and liquidate all the Tiger Gang's assets and offer them as compensation!" Viktor nodded repeatedly, agreeing without hesitation. To him, losing the gang's assets was manageable. They could be earned back. However, offending the unfathomably terrifying man before him was a disaster he could not afford.Liam shook his head and replied, "I wasn't speaking to you."He then turned to Nathaniel and continued, "Once you've liquidated the Tiger Gang's assets for compensation, the gang itself will no longer have a reason to exist."Liam glanced at Isabela and added, "Moreover, I don't want to see any gangs like the Tiger Gang engaging in loan-sharking in So
Charles could not just stand by.However, Liam had not continued speaking yet.The moment Godfrey heard Charles’s words, his eyes widened abruptly, and an exaggerated grin appeared on his face."Liam?"Godfrey extended a finger, pointing straight at Liam, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he asked, "You wouldn’t happen to be that Liam, famed in South City, would you?"It was clear he had heard of Liam’s exploits."I don’t know anything about being famed in South City."Liam looked at Godfrey calmly and said, "I am Liam Burrey.""Hahaha!"Hearing Liam’s response, Godfrey burst into uncontrollable laughter, clutching his stomach. His laughter was saturated with ridicule. "I can’t take it! You’re killing me!"I thought the Hensworth family found someone reliable to back them up, but it turns out it’s just a useless piece of trash!"And you dare spout nonsense about breaking my legs?"Shaking his head, his face was full of disdain. "Now it’s clear—you people have lost your mind
"Liam…"Seeing the scene before her, Valerie trembled.When she first heard Godfrey’s merciless words, her heart burned with grief and indignation. Yet, Valerie also understood that in the face of this situation, she did not have any viable solutions.The moment she realized Godfrey was from Union Finance, Valerie knew the Hensworth Group was nothing in comparison.What’s more, the Hensworth Group was currently on the brink of bankruptcy and had to rely on Godfrey for help!She never imagined Liam would step up at such a moment.After all, she had only asked Liam to pretend to be her boyfriend; there was no real relationship between them.And Union Finance wasn’t just powerful. Its background was incredibly mysterious.There were long-standing rumors that Union Finance in Qyn Province had connections to Juneau.Otherwise, the Nosh family could not have dominated the vast financial market and remained unshaken for so many years.Even if Liam might be capable of resolving this,
"I…"Hearing this, Charles was momentarily stunned.But in the end, he shook his head and said, "Mister Nosh, if Union Finance truly can't approve a loan for the Hensworth Group, then so be it."We'll figure out another way…"Charles's voice was low and heavy. At first, he genuinely believed Godfrey wanted to be with Valerie. But now it was clear Godfrey had no such intentions—he only wanted to toy with Valerie. How could Charles possibly agree to this?At the same time, his heart was filled with regret. He had almost become the one to push his daughter into a pit of fire!"You'll figure out another way?"Godfrey's expression darkened. He glared at Charles coldly and sneered. "Ten billion in loans, just to have Valerie play with me for a while! I really didn't know that any wh*re on the market could be this expensive!""If you don't agree, I'd like to see which other financial institution in Qyn Province would dare lend to you without Union Finance's approval!"The entire orde
"What’s wrong with you?"Hearing this, Godfrey furrowed his brows and said in a dissatisfied tone, "How long has it been? How could you not handle such a simple matter?""You still want that loan from the Hensworth Group approved, don’t you?"He immediately reprimanded Charles."Whether or not I’m with you is my business, it has nothing to do with my father!"Upon hearing this, Valerie immediately understood the implication behind Godfrey's words. Although she had just been angry with Charles, she could not allow Godfrey to speak to her father like that."Then what exactly are you thinking now?"Hearing Valerie's words, Godfrey turned his head, his eyes flashing with an inexplicable light as he looked at her. "The other day, I asked you to go out for drinks. Why didn’t you go?"The reason Godfrey had come in and started pressuring Charles was that he sensed that Valerie seemed uninterested in him.However, he had not expected Valerie to suddenly speak up at this moment."I did
"Dad, Liam really does have the ability to help our Hensworth Group…"However, hearing Liam’s words, a hint of urgency flashed across Valerie’s face. She quickly spoke, as though she wanted to persuade him of something.Even though, up until now, Valerie did not know the full extent of Liam’s influence, after the last class reunion, she was very certain—Liam helping the Hensworth Group would definitely not be a problem!"Valerie! You and Liam, both of you get out of here!"Before Valerie could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Charles. His face darkened as he pointed toward the nearby door and barked harshly."Come back when you’ve thought things through!"The Hensworth Group was already on the brink of a crisis. Yet Valerie was still stirring up trouble. Right now, Charles did not even want to see her!"Dad…"Seeing this, Valerie opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say more.And just then—Bang!A loud noise rang out. The villa door of Valerie’s home was violently k
"I…"Hearing Charles’s words, Sebastian froze. His once-straight back slowly hunched over.Charles was not wrong.If the Lloyd Group were dealing with some minor trouble, maybe he could help. But if the crisis was so severe that marrying off Valerie was the only solution, there was nothing Sebastian could do.After all, he had stepped away from the Lloyd Group’s management and handed it over to Charles many years ago.Sebastian had long since lost much of his influence.Now, he was just an old man who spent his days watering flowers and pulling weeds.At that moment, a wave of frustration washed over him.As for the truth behind Charles’s words, he did not ask much. Sebastian knew his son well. If the situation were not dire, Charles wouldn’t be saying such things.Just then, Liam’s voice rang out, slow and steady."How serious could the Lloyd Group’s crisis be for you to be in such a rush to marry off Valerie?"He narrowed his eyes slightly, fixing his gaze on Charles."Yo
The young man standing before them, tall and handsome, could he really be the person described in those rumors?"Dad! Mom! You just don’t understand!"Valerie's delicate face was filled with urgency as she looked at the scene before her. "Liam really isn’t like the rumors say.""I honestly think that being with him is an honor for our Hensworth family. Please, you have to trust me!" she pleaded desperately."Grandpa just had a chat with Liam earlier. Why don’t you ask him? Doesn’t he also think Liam is great? He’s truly amazing. Everything I know about him barely scratches the surface!"As she spoke, Valerie turned her gaze to Sebastian, seeking his support.What she wanted to convey to Charles and Janell was not just about seeking their approval for her to be with Liam.At this point, Valerie only wanted to clear Liam’s name!"Sigh..."Hearing her words, Sebastian let out a deep sigh.He raised his head to look at Charles, his tone softening slightly. "It really hasn’t been
Hearing Valerie's voice, Liam could not help but turn his head, looking at Valerie with surprise in his eyes. Although he knew that her current actions were merely an excuse to avoid marrying that Mister Nosh, her performance truly startled him. If it were not for the prior agreement between him and Valerie, he would have almost believed what she was saying was true. Valerie's acting skills were indeed exceptional.As for the Hensworth family's prejudices, Liam did not care. He was well aware that, thanks to the propaganda from the Lloyd family, his reputation in South City was hardly good. However, none of this could affect him. A dragon soaring high in the sky would never be concerned about the buzzing of flies. But it seemed that the rumors from the Lloyd family were causing some trouble for Valerie. Liam had actually thought about this initially. However, when he first agreed to meet Valerie's parents, he genuinely believed that he just needed to show up and everything w
He immediately turned his head to look at Sebastian and said, "At your age, you usually have the best perspective. What happened this time? Why do you trust someone you just met so much?"That's because you didn't see the performance of this kid just now!"Sebastian was very dissatisfied with Charles's words. He patted his waist and said, "If it weren't for this kid just now, I wouldn't be able to stand up until now! He wants to teach me a set of boxing techniques that can heal my old man's back injury. Can you do that?""This…"Hearing Sebastian's words, Charles was taken aback. He really did not know that so much had happened just now. Charles was not a foolish person stuck in his ways. Seeing Sebastian's attitude, he could still determine that the young man in front of him had some ability.However, even so, Charles's thoughts did not change."What's your name?" Charles turned his head to look at Liam and asked. This was the first time he had inquired about Liam's name since e