Miriam’s threats did not faze Kaze. No one could stop him from doing the things he wanted to do. Sensing Kaze’s determination, Miriam knew there was no way out of the situation. “Alright. Since you don’t seem to have learned your lesson, we’ll see if Victoria International Hospital remains standing after today.” Gritting her teeth, Miriam took out her phone and dialed a number. “Hello, Mr. Hobbs. A bastard started a commotion at the hospital and assaulted me. Now the leaders of various departments are apparently coming. The bastard even threatened to revoke our business license.“Victoria International Hospital might be gone before you get here.” The moment the call went through, Miriam’s voice transformed. Sobs wracked her body as she spoke in a coy tone.“Oh, is there someone that powerful in the city? I want to see the individual who can revoke the business license. I might just revoke his license to live.“Hang in there. I’ll be there soon.” A gruesome voice came o
The general workers exchanged glances in hesitation. They wanted to help, but Miriam might rip them a new one. The general workers had not crossed paths with Miriam before, and they did not know her that well. However, they concluded from the earlier incident that Miriam was a petty and ridiculous woman. For all they knew, Miriam might go after them later. Just then, the air pulsed with the thrum of car engines.It sounded like many cars pulled up outside Victoria International Hospital. “Please give way.” Several middle-aged people weaved through the crowd in a hurry to get inside. A group of lanyard-wearing employees with work IDs trailed behind them.“That’s Morgan Wesley, chief of the Health Commission, Leon Lard, the chief of the F&D Administration, Alanna Maser, head of the Commerce Administration. Oh, he’s from the Tax Office.” Miriam grimaced as the group approached. She recognized the faces in leadership roles. They were the department heads from various
Morgan and the others ignored Miriam and even called her a fool in their minds. Miriam wanted to file a complaint with the mayor’s office. She seemed to have no idea that the man standing before her was the mayor. “Yes, Mr. Lee.” The group nodded and dispersed, diving straight into work with their staff. To show Kaze they meant business, these department heads, who usually sit in their cushy offices, ran up and down and looked rather busy.“We note Victoria International Hospital has a serious fire hazard issue. Many facilities haven’t been updated and inspected on a regular basis.” A deep dive into the nitty gritty unearthed significant problems.It did not take long for the chief of the fire department to be the first to report back to Kaze. The other department heads approached Kaze soon after. “We have inspected the place and found the improper handling of drugs here. Many patients suffered irreversible damage as a result.” “We have received complaints from cit
The leader of the group was a young man with his greasy hair combed back. His eyes were menacing. “There you are, Mr. Hobbs.” Miriam was overjoyed to see him. She threw herself into his arms. “Sob, sob, sob. If you don’t show up, the assholes are going to take the hospital away.” Miriam snuggled in the man’s embrace and wailed like nobody’s business. Sure enough, the crying lady in his arms only upset the man. He patted Miriam’s shoulder and consoled, “Don’t worry, babe. No one can shut the hospital down, not on my watch.” The man took Miriam’s hand and walked toward Kaze and the department heads. Fixating on the department heads, the man said curtly, “Who do you think you are? My name is Keeve Hobbs, and this is my hospital. Who are you to run things when the hospital doesn’t belong to you?” Morgan and the others grimaced. They stole a glance at Kaze and kept their heads down without a word. It was clear that they were intimidated by Keeve. Keeve approached Mo
Lee Investment, representing the powerful Lees, was a symbol of power and status in Lilyrose. The Lees nearly removed Johnson, the former mayor, from office. That was the reason why Keeve did not see the seven department heads as a threat. Keeve believed Lee Investment could bring the whole administration down easily.Hence why Keeve did not take Kaze seriously. “Don’t just stand there, Lee. Kneel and apologize now.” With Kaze saying nothing, Miriam took it that Keeve’s power scared him. She grew arrogant. Ignoring Miriam, Kaze turned to Keeves and nodded in contemplation. “So you’re Samson’s nephew. That explains the arrogance.” Keeve frowned. The unsettling calmness in Kaze's eyes both offended and discomforted Keeve. Keeve smacked Miriam’s tight ass. “What are you doing, Mr. Hobbs? So many are watching us.” Miriam squirmed in his arms, her eyes reflecting that she had the hots for him. “I’ll get to you later, slut.” Keeve smiled and pointed at Kaze. “Didn
“Sob, sob, Mr. Hobbs. He hit me again.” Miriam turned around and ran back into Keeve’s arms in tears. “Now you’ve seen how arrogant the bastard is. “He attacked me in front of you. “His attack on me is a direct challenge to your authority, Mr. Hobbs.” Miriam hated Kaze’s guts. She kept stirring the pot so that Keeve would be angry enough to get rid of Kaze permanently. “Enough!” Bothered by the woman’s crying, Keeve yelled and looked up at Kaze. He said coldly, “I told you that Miriam is my woman. “Yet, you hit her in my presence. Am I invisible to you?” Keeve’s voice dripped with sinister implications.Everybody was aware that he was furious now. Kaze grinned. “Your foolish and ignorant type annoys me the most. You have never met me before, but you assume that I care about your opinion. “Why did you ask me that question when I hit your woman? “Didn’t I make things clear enough?“Maybe I should spell it out to you by shutting the hospital down.” Everybody
The young man flounced into the room, his tone arrogant. The crowd turned their attention to the young man who talked about ruining lives as if it were nothing. “Mr. Fuller.” Morgan and the others became frightened when they saw him. The young man was Pete, the grandson of Trent, the former mayor. Trent ran the city for twenty years, so everybody knew who his grandson was. Keeve read everybody’s faces and smiled. “I guess you know who Mr. Fuller is. That’s right. Mr. Fuller is a shareholder of Victoria International Hospital.” Morgan and the others grimaced. It was not new news to them. In fact, Pete dipped his fingers in many corporations in Lilyrose. He was the owner of an investment firm that held many shares in various businesses. It was no secret that the success of Pete’s investment firm was owed to his grandfather’s influence. “Mr. Lee.” Sensing danger, Morgan turned to Kaze and whispered, “I’m afraid we won’t be able to shut the hospital down today. “
Jaws dropped to the ground. Kaze threatened to tear Victoria International Hospital down right in Pete’s face and even asked the shareholder for his opinion on it. That was straight-up an insult. Keeve laughed. “Instead of asking Mr. Fuller, you should direct your question to your department leaders. “Ask them if they would cease the hotel’s operation in front of Mr. Fuller.” Keeve sneered at Kaze. “Haha. They wouldn’t. No one wants to make Mr. Fuller an enemy.”“Mr. Fuller is the grandson of the old mayor. He’s the most eligible bachelor in the city.” “With the power the former mayor holds, I doubt these chiefs will ever lay a hand on Victoria International Hospital.” “You’re a joke, Lee. Don’t embarrass yourself. With Mr. Fuller around, you can forget getting anything done.” Miriam, Lianne, and the others taunted out loud. Since the old mayor’s grandson was the shareholder of the hospital, there was nothing to fear. The joint law enforcement of 70, much less se
To the young group’s surprise, Kaze pulled through without a hitch. That was not the only thing. Kaze retaliated against Robin and destroyed his beloved harp. The group speculated that Kaze could be stronger than Hannah. They looked at Kaze in horror. Still, it never once occurred to the group that Kaze was more powerful than Robin. Robin raised his arm. The young group got their act together and saluted Robin before taking two steps back. Robin narrowed his eyes at Kaze before uttering, “Not bad.“I didn’t think I’d meet someone of your caliber in Riverbank. “You have a stronger will than most of my men. “Despite your age, you put even the most experienced to shame with that determination of yours.” The young group felt alarmed and ashamed. The members of the execution hall were the elites in the West State Branch. They were the crème de la crème. However, they swayed under the sound wave attack. Though the group was around Kaze’s age, they did not possess h
“Get out!” Kaze gave Hannah the look. Hannah quietly turned around and stumbled her way out. Robin glanced at Kaze as his fingers danced around the harp. “I will behead the general, and once it’s over, tears will fall and fade away.” The tempest of sound took over the room by storm. Kaze felt sent back to his time during the war. He watched his comrades fall. Time lost meaning as the war came to an end. The battle cries subsided, replaced by silence. His brothers-in-arms were no more than a pile of unidentified bones. Even Kaze’s faithful steed whined its farewell. Darkness swallowed the last light over the desolate desert, and he was alone. There was nothing left in the world worth fighting for. No one would remember his death in a faraway land. It was better to die with honor than live in shame. The thought filled Kaze’s head, and emotions overcame him. He was better off dead. Life was not worth living anyway. A voice within tempted Kaze. The craz
Robin did not even look at Collier.Saying nothing, Robin extended his fingers and plucked the harp. “Clang!” A jarring, high-pitched sound wave pierced through everybody’s eardrums. The air was filled with a chilling aura of menace.The serenity on the ninth floor was shattered by the sound of the harp and replaced with malice. Collier and the young group turned pale. Only Robin, Kaze, and Hannah remained unfazed by the attack. “Amid the sweeping wind, the flute’s song echoes in the night. The desert sun descends for the crescent moon above. “To the sound of camel bells, I long for my home. I hold onto my sword, leaving letters where I lay my head.” The wind danced along the melody of General’s Order played by the harp, dropping the temperature down on the ninth floor. Robin’s clothes and hair fluttered against the wind, his face unreadable through it all. His eyes remained cold and distant. General’s Order was a piece known for its unsettling tone. Robin playe
The man’s hypocrisy was sickening. No one stood up for Kaze when Naomi and Rhys slandered him and their fighters tried to end him. When Kaze fought back, there were voices standing on high moral ground to reproach him. “You…” The middle-aged man twitched and breathed his last. The crowd was scared. Kaze was one mean killing machine. Sure, Kaze eliminated the Roads. The Roads were not going to rest until he was dead anyway. However, one man died because of what he had said. It was a clear message not to upset Kaze. Kaze had the taste of blood. He would not stop now. “Get Boris’ head.” Kaze tilted his head at Collier. “Bring it to Robin.” As the crowd watched on with a mix of emotions, Kaze carried the broken sword, the tip dripping with blood, and strode over Boris’ body and into River Watch Inn’s park. Collier led the way, taking Kaze to the ninth floor of River Watcher Inn. The furious wind and swirling clouds added to the building’s height and presence
Boris stumbled back and crashed into the door. The metal door ripped from its hinges and hit the ground. Once the dust settled, the crowd was horrified to find Boris lying limp on the floor. Kaze stood right in front of Boris, his foot on his chest.“Do you have any last words?” Kaze looked down on Boris amusedly, his tone carrying no arrogance. The victory over Boris was no big deal. Boris looked at Kaze in a daze. Kaze was stronger than he could ever imagine. Given another chance, Boris would never upset Kaze at Four Ocean Auction. Boris would not try to retaliate against Kaze even when his son lost his legs. It was a shame that he could not press the reset button. Even if Boris could turn back time, it was highly unlikely that he would show mercy to a moocher. “Ugh…” Boris coughed out blood and said with a struggle, “Kaze, I saved the Godfather before. If you kill me, you will be dead—” “Slash!” Kaze cut Boris off with a stab in the heart. Blood spur
Following the clash of metal, Kaze moved away several feet. The sword in his grasp broke in half, and the tip fell off. Boris grunted, his composed face turning crimson. He staggered and fell back tens of feet too. The crowd was shocked at the thirty-feet shallow pit under Boris’ feet. It was impossible. Twenty years ago, Boris basically had Riverbank in the palm of his hand. Yet, Kaze pushed him back. Anyone could tell that Boris was on the losing end. Boris was in utter disbelief because his wired gloves were splintered by the seams. Reminded by Kaze’s attack at Four Ocean Auction, Boris finally realized how terrifying Kaze was. “I underestimated you, Kaze. “But you killed my wife and son. There’s no going back. You must die today.” Boris looked Kaze dead in the eye and hissed through clenched teeth, “I will kill you!” Kaze raised his sword. The broken sword was still a powerful weapon to Kaze. The air was thick with tension. Boris scowled and flung his
Kaze looked up to Boris barging through the door with his trusted aides. The crowd shied away, not wanting to be caught in the crossfire. The deaths of his son and wife had driven Boris into insanity, and he was out for blood. Anyone would go crazy in the same situation. Boris stared at the bodies of his son and wife menacingly. His eyes turned red at Naomi’s headless corpse.Kaze killed his son, murdered his wife, and beheaded her right in front of Boris. Boris would not stop until Kaze was dead. “Kill him! Kill him!”Boris pointed at Kaze and shouted maniacally, “I don’t care what it takes, but I want him dead!” The deaths of his wife and son were infuriating enough. Boris was aware that Naomi and Rhys would go to Kaze, looking for trouble. He deliberately stayed behind the scenes, giving his wife a chance to punish and kill Kaze. To buy his wife some time to take care of business, Boris stayed on to have drinks with Robin. However, Naomi and Rhys were killed
The security team recoiled in screams and dropped their weapons. Before the musclemen knew it, Kaze raised his sword and inched closer. The blade flashed, its motion a blur.“Slash!” The menacing blade flickered across the throats of the musclemen. A dozen Roads’ fighters fell limp amid the high-pitched squawking. Blood spewed out of the thin slits of their throats. One dozen men breathed their last. The bodies on the floor scared the crowd stiff. No one expected Kaze to be so strong. Kaze was able to come on his own despite the siege. “Get him! Kill him!” Naomi had completely lost it. She yelled at the veteran bruisers, “Kill the asshole! Avenge my son!” The senior fighters were so eager to frame Kaze before. Now, they were scared stiff. Naomi’s order put them in the spot. While they hesitated and even released their grip on their weapons, Kaze struck. “Swoosh!” Kaze swung the sword at the senior fighters. The fighters collapsed to the ground, wailing
Rhys lay limp on the floor, his face forever frozen in disbelief.The crowd was stunned, feeling chills down their spines. One minute ago, Rhys was alive and kicking. However, Kaze took his life with just one squeeze. Kaze’s aggression and hostility when ending Rhys scared them. “Ah! My son!” Reality sunk in after a brief pause. Naomi plunged toward her son’s body with a pale face. Despite shaking Rhys, Naomi shuddered to find that he was no more. She fell on her bottom. It was every parent’s worst nightmare. Besides, she was there to witness the death of her son. The feeling could drive her over the edge. Moments later, Naomi lifted her head, bloody tears running down her eyes. She yelled at Kaze hysterically, “You did this, Kaze! You did this!“Kill him! Kill the jerk!“I want his life for taking my son’s!” Losing her head, Naomi commanded the Roads’ musclemen. The crowd backed away so as not to be caught in the line of fire. “Kill him!” The Roads’ secu