“Come on. We’re heading back to Lilyrose.” Beaming with excitement, Cosmo was eager to get back to Lilyrose and assert his authority. “Sorry to bother you, but are you Cosmo Lee?” A voice, laced with a foreign accent, came from behind. A group of foreigners in smart suits approached. The leader was a handsome man in his thirties. By the looks of the man’s bearing and entourage, Cosmo knew he must be important. Cosmo asked courteously, “And you are?” The man replied politely, “I am Andrew Baux from Paladia.” “Sir Baux once had the honor of an audience with the Queen and even received a knighthood. He’s in charge of Blossoms Corporation. Oh, you know the company better known as Tulip Corporation in Arcadia,” the follower behind Andrew said. Tulip Corporation was formally known as Blossoms Corporation. The company was widely referred to as Tulip Corporation, reflecting the prestige of its founder, the renowned Tulip family of Paladia.“Oh, Sir Baux. I’ve heard so muc
“But if the inspection fails, Sky Ocean Corporation’s early investments will be wasted. Without recouping those initial funds, their financial chain could become strained.”Andrew smiled hintingly. Cosmo got the message. Andrew wanted to manipulate the inspection to hinder Sky Ocean Corporation. Cosmo asked, “But the Butterworth Queens hold shares in Sky Ocean Corporation too. They won’t allow this to happen.” “That’s why it will take two of us to make it happen.” Andrew cut to the chase. “We are in the South River State, and the Butterworth Queens are from out of state. Are they worth the concern, Mr. Lee?” Cosmo shook his head. “But my family has assets in Butterworth. The Queens could just turn on us, so my family will lose out anyway.” He was not a fool. While the Queens and the Lees battled it out, Blossoms Corporation would swoop in and benefit from it all. Andrew said, “How about this? Blossoms Corporation will take the front stage while your family works behind
Sky Ocean Corporation poured significant resources into developing Mountain Dew into a top-rated tourist attraction. The first phase had been completed and was pending public operation. The inspection did not fall under Lilyrose jurisdiction. Instead, the approval had to come from the State Culture and Tourism Administration. Sky Ocean Corporation wrote a report for the administration, awaiting approval. The administration had dispatched a team two days ago. Darcy was going to Mountain Dew to keep an eye on the process, but she was stuck dealing with Cosmo.Nevertheless, Darcy urged the project team to be on top of the matter and rectify any problem that may arise. To her dismay, something went horribly wrong. Darcy just got a call. The team from the State Culture and Tourism Administration issued an indefinite rectification notice and suspended the project development. The reason given was safety concerns. Darcy was frustrated. At present, only a few low-risk attr
It was not Phil’s first rodeo using his authority to threaten women into submission.Once, he took a fancy to a woman and coerced the husband to offer his wife to him. The exchange was for the approval of a project worth several million dollars. This was a different story, though. Sky Ocean Corporation’s project had billions of dollars riding on it. Besides, it was Phil’s call whether to approve Mountain Dew’s tourism initiative. So long as he pushed back on the project, Sky Ocean Corporation would fall into financial turmoil and maybe even go bust. In other words, Darcy’s life was in his hands. He was the master of her fate. “And you are?” Pretending not to recognize Darcy, Phil asked. His fervent gaze violated Darcy. Furrowing her brows, Darcy fought back the irk and approached with a smile. “Hello, Mr. Lobo. I’m the chairwoman of Sky Ocean Corporation, Darcy Quint.” “Oh, Ms. Quint.” Despite his long history with women, Phil could not restrain himself in the
“What’s the meaning of this, Ms. Quint?” Phil reproached furiously.Everybody was stunned. Phil was all smiles a minute ago. The hostility came on so suddenly. “Mr. Lobo, you…” Darcy did not expect this to happen. Phil pointed at the scattered tea leaves on the ground and asked with a grimace, “What? I should be the one asking you, Ms. Quint. Why are you insulting me? “Do you think I would be so greedy to take bribes?“What do you take me for? “You look like a kind person, Ms. Quint. I can’t believe you resort to cheap tricks to manipulate me.“Fine, I’ll give you what you want. “The Mountain Dew project will not be approved until you make all the necessary changes. This is absolutely not up for discussion. “We will also be reporting your behavior to the Supervisory Bureau. “I am appalled by the unethical practices that have been entrenched in your company. Be prepared to be investigated by the Supervisory Bureau.” Phil finished his righteous lecture and walked
“I still have some things I have to compile into a report for my superior, I don’t have the time now. “Ms. Quint, are you available later? How about we go have dinner and I can talk to you about it in detail, just the two of us.” Phil stared at Darcy’s blushy cheek and instinctively licked his lips. If not for the mission, he would have slept with the woman by noon. Darcy noticed the lust and greed in his eyes, which he was too familiar with. She was instantly alarmed. She had been through a lot and she had grown smarter. She became cautious against Phil’s request. “What’s the matter, Ms. Quint? You don’t even want to have a meal with me?” Seeing Darcy’s hesitance, Phil grunted coldly and his expression turned gloomy. “If Ms. Quint doesn’t want to have a meal with me, forget about it. As for the Mountain Dew project, you guys can go ahead and make the changes. When it’s done, we will review it again.“And you can stop coming to the State Culture and Tourism Administr
“Is it a private banquet? I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to attend,” Darcy said, her voice hesitant. She wanted the dinner to be at a place where she could feel safe. Phil said, “It’s not exactly private. The Blossoms Corporation is one of the top ten companies in Paladia and they are expanding their business here in Lilyrose. They invited many well-known companies and guilds to attend this banquet.” Upon hearing Phil’s explanation, Darcy’s doubts were dispelled. Since it was not a private banquet, Phil would probably have scruples to move against her. “If that’s the case, I’ll join you at the banquet.” Darcy nodded and agreed to attend. “Great. I’ll see you tonight.” Phil reluctantly pulled his gaze away from her seductive body. He left her with the address and time before he went into the elevator. When he returned to his suite, he pulled his phone out to contact Andrew. “Sir Andrew, I have completed your task. Darcy Quint will attend tonight’s banquet.”
It was normal to encounter problems while doing business. Since Darcy had her own plans to deal with it, then Kaze did not want to interfere. “Sure, you go rest. I’ll go with you tonight.” Kaze pushed her to the bedroom and urged her to rest. “You should get a better outfit for tonight. It’s a formal banquet,” Darcy said before entering the room. “Got it.” …Evening. Hilton Hotel. Blossoms Corporation’s banquet was held in the banquet hall. As a major multinational company, Blossoms Corporation was closely connected to the investors behind Hilton Hotel. The banquet was not a big one and the number of guests was limited. Not even the Vikrom, Logman, and Joestar families were invited despite their growing influence in the upper social circle. Blossoms Corporation only invited people who they deemed worthy. The guests who were invited saw the invitation as a recognition of their capabilities. At the hotel’s entrance was a group of young men and women, dressed form
“The head honcho made a wise choice.” South talked as if the plan benefited them all. The Steelclaw Guild did not consider the risk of sending Anzu after Kaze and his loved ones. Kaze survived the assassination and proved to the Steelclaw Guild that he was worth the risk. However, what if he had died? The Steelclaw Guild would let Phoenix know that she owed them one. Either way, the Steelclaw Guild would not be losing out on anything. The Steelclaw Guild had a collaboration with Kaze, but they were not in on it together. Kaze shook his head. The Steelclaw Guild was an assassination organization for a reason. They only worked for themselves and were not worth Kaze’s trust. He said curtly, “Tell your head honcho that I don’t owe your people anything anymore. “But you owe me one.” No one else but Kaze would demand something from the Steelclaw Guild. Anyone else in Kaze’s place would swallow the bitter pill and move on. Not Kaze, though. He was not scared of the
With Anzu dead, Kaze got rid of one major problem. Since the police would tie up loose ends at the funeral parlor, Kaze and Darcy’s family were free to leave under the escort of police officers. Other Quint family members in the South River State departed alongside Kaze and Darcy’s family. These people feared for their lives. It dawned on them that they were safe with Darcy’s family, especially since the police were determined to keep Darcy’s family safe and sound before. They followed Darcy’s family, not leaving them out of their sight. Dozens of members swarmed into Villa No. 1, leaving the residence rather cramped. “It’s such a waste of space for a small family to live in a big, luxurious place.” “I guess there are perks to kissing up to the mayor.” The Quint family members, making themselves too at home, occupied the space and made snide remarks. Darcy did not possess power or influence after losing Sky Ocean Corporation. They did not care what Darcy’s family t
Like Joan, Phoenix never would have imagined that she would die in such a humiliating way. Kaze did not even move his hands. He simply said a few words and Anzu killed her. Phoenix died with her eyes wide open, but the light quickly faded. The last image reflected upon her eyes was Kaze grinning brightly with his teeth gleaming under the light. “Bastard…” That was Phoenix’s last word. In just the blink of an eye, the respected elder of the Quint family had turned into a lifeless corpse. Every other family member at the scene gasped in shock. “Die, Kaze Lee!” Anzu’s killing spree did not stop with just two deaths. She shouted at Kaze but she dashed toward Darcy. Swoosh! Kaze had anticipated this. With a swift movement, he shifted sideways to position himself in front of Anzu, blocking her. Anzu swung her arms forward, launching multiple poisoned shurikens at him. Darcy was right behind him, so Kaze dared not dodge the shurikens. It was either him or Darcy. Howe
Joan shouted, “Stop talking nonsense and kneel! She wants you to kneel and Grandaunt Phoenix can be freed!” “That’s right,” Anzu affirmed with a nod. Kaze looked at Joan and bellowed, “I can kneel but you have to release Joan first, at least show some sincerity. How do I know you are not trying to trick me?” Since when did Kaze become such a kind-hearted person? Crack! While Joan was baffled by the question, Anzu stepped on her knee without even blinking. Crack! “Aaaargh!” Joan wailed as her body convulsed violently, her piercing screams grating on everyone’s ears. Phoenix finally caught a breath and shouted, “Kaze, one more word and I will kill you and your family! You must have done it on purpose! You must be! “Get over here and kneel, or else I will strangle you myself!” Joan cried with utmost resentment. She was already bound to a wheelchair and now her knee was broken. The one she hated the most was not Anzu but Kaze because he got her into this situation.
“Kaze, you little bastard! Are you trying to get me killed?!” Phoenix tried to force Kaze into submission. If her gaze could materialize, it would be the sharpest knife at Kaze's neck. “Anzu, do you know what you’re doing? That’s the elder of the Quint family, the respectable Grandaunt Phoenix Quint! Lay a finger on her, and I assure you that even if you run back to Ryokan, hell will come after you.” Huh? Phoenix was suddenly stunned. Was Kaze not the most defiant and disrespectful? Why would he flatter her in front of the hitman now? She had hired the Steelclaw Guild to kill him and his family, and only now he started to realize the gravity of the situation? Was it a little too late? Crack! At the next moment, Phoenix felt an immense pain in her hand. Anzu had actually broken one of her fingers without even saying anything. “Aaaargh!” Phoenix cried in agony as the pain tormented her. Anzu looked at Kaze coldly and said, “I’ve broken one of her fingers. What are y
“Let go of Grandaunt!” “Release Joan!” “Release them and you can leave in one piece!” Some of the Quint family members, plus the bodyguards, pressed forward carefully, shooting at Anzu to pressure her. Judging from their nervous looks, Anzu knew she was right. The two hostages she held right now were the two most powerful people in the room. No wonder Kaze’s in-laws knelt before the two of them earlier. From the looks of it, the two hostages were someone powerful; not even Kaze’s family could afford to offend them. Anzu’s initial plan was to seize Kaze’s in-laws but she was glad she changed her target after she entered. She knew that with her strength alone, her odds of killing Kaze were slim. When she was captured by Kaze and tortured by Collier, her body suffered terrible trauma and had yet to recover, weakening her. The only way she could get her revenge was to capture Kaze’s closest people and use them against him. The thought put a grim smile on her face. She
“You…” The fear of death suppressed and replaced the anger in Phoenix. Her wrinkled face paled, making her look like a living corpse. “Madam!” Two of Phoenix’s followers from Ridgesouth tried to jump on Anzu to rescue their employer. However, Anzu swung her katana in a swift, deadly arc, slitting their throats instantly and splattering blood across the ground. “Kaze Lee, get over here! Or else I will kill this old hag!” Anzu roared, her tone resentful. “She killed them!” “Grandaunt is being taken hostage!” “Call the police!” The morgue fell into chaos following the death of the two followers. All the members of the other family branches screamed in panic. Some scrambled to escape, while others stood still in shock. A few were paralyzed by sheer terror, unable to process what was happening before their eyes. As chaos broke out, Kaze quickly dashed forward to pull the horrified Hector and Agnes away, dragging them back to Darcy and Sky. “Stay here and don’t move.
“Get down and kneel to Joan, or else I will haunt you even after I die!” Kaze twisted his wrist, subtly revealing a thin silver needle in his palm. He then looked at Joan and said, “Fire if you can.” If Joan got so much as close to the trigger, he would use the silver needle to kill her on the spot. His words put disappointment in Darcy’s eyes. Kaze was physically strong but the family was surrounded by guns. Under such intense circumstances, Kaze could really be more tolerant and endure the insult for their sake. Darcy was deeply disappointed in Kaze. Phoenix was so enraged by Kaze’s threats toward Joan that she laughed in exasperation. “Joan, show that you mean business!” “Kaze Lee, you made me do this!” Joan said with a grin. She slowly raised the gun at Kaze. Bang! Suddenly, the door was kicked open from the outside, and a woman in a funeral home uniform with a mask appeared. Strangely, she wielded a Ryokan katana and was searching for someone among the cr
There were police officers outside of the funeral home, and since the hitmen from the Steelclaw Guild would come after Hector and his family, Phoenix did not need to kill them in the open. Though she did not mind scaring them and making them kneel before her, begging for mercy—it would be quite satisfying. Thump! Hector and Agnes knelt immediately. Agnes was shuddering as she said, “Grandaunt, we never meant to disrespect you! It was all Kaze! Him! He was the one who opposed you and challenged your authority! “He was the one who broke your cane and beat up Joan. He was the one who called the stop on the projects! We had nothing to do with it!” She then turned to her son and daughter. “Sky, Darcy, what are you two doing standing? Get down! Madam Dark’s death is already painful enough for Grandaunt. Stop upsetting her!” “Yeah, kneel! Grandaunt is an elder, it’s not embarrassing kneeling to her!” Hector said to his children, the anxiety on his face was obvious too. He did