“What?!” The crowd grew tumultuous when they saw what Kenneth did. He gave Kaze a million to divorce Darcy! It was not just about the money or the divorce. Kenneth’s action was a blatant insult in Kaze’s face in front of everyone. Those who attended the banquet tonight were either important politicians or business elites. People with a net worth of less than a billion would not even dare to show up. A million was nothing to people like them. Only someone as useless as the live-in husband would see a million as a huge amount of money. No one spoke. All of them looked at Kaze and Darcy with utmost interest. Many of them gloated at Kaze. Darcy’s expression turned grim. Her eyes were burning with rage as she bellowed, “Mr. Knull, please do not stick your nose into our private matters!” She held Kaze’s arm and wanted to take him away, yet Kenneth did not plan to spare them just yet. He stepped up and stopped them from leaving. He looked at Kaze and said, “I see. Yo
The slap turned Kenneth’s face to the side. The force threw him off balance, causing him to fall toward the long table with food and beverages. He managed to hold against the edge of the table to prevent himself from falling to the floor. The entire hall was silenced. All the guests widened their eyes in disbelief and stared at Kaze. No one expected Kaze to choose violence in such a prestigious place. The slap was strong and harsh, he did not hold back at all. Was he still the live-in husband that everyone looked down upon? Was this an action that a coward who took a million to divorce his wife could do? Everyone was stunned. No one understood what changed Kaze all of a sudden. “Kaze…” Darcy was also stunned. She did not expect the unannounced slap at all. Kaze smiled brightly at Darcy and said, “It’s okay. It’s just a slap, I didn’t kill him.” Kenneth covered his face, got up on his feet, and overheard Kaze. He was fuming. As a guest invited to the banquet
Even if Kaze really wanted to divorce Darcy, given Darcy’s net worth of a few hundred million, he would receive half of her assets as alimony. Only a fool without a functioning mind would believe a million was enough to make Kaze divorce Darcy and take nothing away. Was Kenneth a brainless idiot? Obviously not. In fact, not one person in this prestigious venue was a fool. If he was not a fool, then he must harbor ill intentions. It was obvious that Kenneth picked on Kaze with a hidden agenda. Since the man had never met him or Darcy before, which gave him no reason to start the conflict in the first place, it was not difficult to figure out that someone was behind this. Kaze stepped on Kenneth’s chest and stared into the man’s eyes. “I don’t care who asked you to do it or what it is for, tell him to show himself and don’t hide in the shadows like a cowardly rat. Don’t be a pussy. If he wants to come at me, just bring it on. I’ll take it.” Cough! Kenneth stared at Kaze
If Darcy suggested leaving before Kenneth caused trouble, Kaze would have left with her. He could not care less about the banquet. Now, however, Kaze shook his head and said, “Let’s stay for a while. If that guy doesn’t know when to give up, I can deal with him here and now. “Don’t worry, Darcy. I’m here. You will be just fine.” Kaze knew Kenneth would not just walk away, or more precisely, the person behind Kenneth would surely come back with vengeance. Would the mastermind, having meticulously orchestrated this, let this go so easily? Kaze did not want to have lingering problems. He wanted to solve it right here, right now. “Okay…” Darcy hesitated for a moment but ultimately nodded. Other than official business, she tended to listen to Kaze more. Phil instructed the server to clean the blood on the floor. As the atmosphere grew tense, he clapped his hands and said loudly, “Everyone, the banquet is starting. Let’s forget about the gloomy stuff. Sir Andrew is comi
In addition, no one at the banquet knew the woman’s background. She and Darcy were the two most eye-catching ladies of the night. Their presence alone outshone the other ladies at the banquet. The woman rejected another guest’s invitation and went over to Kaze to ask if she could sit down together. Kaze was a married man, his wife was with him. He was also a live-in husband who lived off his wife. What charms he possessed that allowed him to win the woman’s attention? Kaze was placed under the spotlight once more. If looks could kill, the other men at the banquet would have slain Kaze a thousand times over with their jealous stares. Darcy looked at the alluring woman and her brows instinctively furrowed. For some reason, she sensed danger. She had a feeling that the woman could snatch Kaze away. She replied, “Excuse me…” “Have a seat.” Before she could finish her sentence, Kaze already invited the woman to sit down. “Thank you.” The alluring woman adjusted h
Andrew was different. In Arcadia, where the tendency to favor foreign influences grew larger by the day, these overseas capitalists had countless methods at their disposal to deal with a person. How could Kaze not be worried? “Then do you know that recently there has been another powerful figure from a foreign land coming after you?” Honey jumped to the next topic since the first one did not scare Kaze. “Oh? This is news to me. You seem to know who it is,” Kaze asked. “Of course. Dallas’ intelligence network is quite extensive.” Finally, something Kaze did not know! Honey was happy because for once she was a step ahead of Kaze. She said with a smile, “The man is Gareth Hornberg’s senior and compared to Sir Andrew Baux, this man is more powerful…” “Just tell me who he is,” Kaze interrupted her rudely. “You are a mood killer.” Honey rolled her eyes at him out of annoyance. Even her annoyed expression looked alluring and charming. Darcy felt threatened. She had no
Kaze and Darcy turned to the entrance as well but they saw no one there. In other words, Andrew had yet to arrive, yet the guests already got up and were ready to welcome him. Even Phil, Matt, and the other executives from Sunrise City got up and waited for the man with utmost respect. “Sir Andrew holds such high prestige?” Darcy blurted instinctively. Honey smiled and said, “It seems like Ms. Quint isn’t familiar with Blossoms Corporation and Sir Andrew Baux. “Blossoms Corporation, which is also the Tulip Corporation, is one of the top ten multinational companies in Paladia. They are as rich as the country itself. Even Dallas has a lot of business connections with them. “Sir Andrew Baux is the direct descendant of the Tulip Royal Family, knighted by the Queen of Paladia herself. “You should know that when the heads of some of the most powerful families in Geranium City were knighted, they were already old men. But Sir Andrew is not even in his 30s. You can only imagine h
Andrew nodded indifferently and said, “Sorry to keep everyone waiting.” “It’s fine!” many of the guests quickly responded. Most of the female guests, other than Darcy and Honey, looked at Andrew with overflowing admiration. Aside from his attractive features, his identity as the direct descendant of the Tulip Royal Family alone was enough to charm the women. However, Andrew came to the banquet with a plus-one. “Sir Andrew, who might this be?” Phil asked politely. The woman might wear heavy makeup and be distinctively different from Honey’s natural allure, she was close with Andrew and it was enough for Phil to show her some respect. “A new friend whom I just met two days ago,” Andrew indifferently said and did not spare extra attention on the woman. With his status, he did not need to do anything and women would come to him automatically. The woman was just another one of his admirers who volunteered to serve him when he stayed at Geranium City. For the past two day
As the air crackled with deadly intent, Draig’s heart pounded with dread. He was horrified that the Viper’s Den members were just as strong, if not stronger than him. Draig had no idea that these members were Viper’s Den South River State Branch’s key players. They were the elites of the elites in the South River State. “Easy there, gentlemen. Mr. Tenby is from abroad. He doesn’t know the rules of Arcadia. Please cut him some slack.” With Draig caught in a spot, Cyan came to the rescue. Since Cyan was nice about it, the leader of the pack scoffed and waved his arm. His companions quickly put away their weapons. “I don’t care where you came from, but you need to keep to the Arcadian rules since you’re here. You don’t get special favors here.” The leader stared at Draig and said icily, “This should not happen again. Now, get lost!” Draig burned with rage. The people, except for Kaze, had been bending over backward for Draig since his arrival in Arcadia. To think he
The Viper’s Den members yelled at Draig while pulling out their weapons. The air was thick with tension. Draig knew that it was not wise of him to fight during Hannah’s celebration. The Viper’s Den members would not stand by and let the commotion stew. Draig was caught between a rock and a hard place. By throwing the punch, he would be at odds with the Viper’s Den, but he could not turn the other cheek on the matter. “Just forget it, Mr. Tenby. Don’t get into it with a dropped loser. You’re only insulting yourself.” Cyan gave Draig an out. Draig retrieved his arm and scoffed. “Consider yourself lucky, Kaze.” A shadow of regret fleeted across Kaze’s eyes. If Draig were to start a fight, Kaze would have reason to finish him off and get rid of the annoyance. It was a shame that the Viper’s Den members stopped anything from happening. Cyan criticized, “Mr. Tenby is only looking out for you, Kaze. Yet, you stomped on his car key. You went too far. Hurry up and apologiz
“Nevermind. Why are we wasting our time with the likes of him? We don’t belong in the same world anyway.” Draig waved his arm. “Come on. Let’s get inside.” Dumping his car on the side of the road, Draig led Cyan and her friends into Bronze Sparrow. “Huh? How did Kaze get in? Can he get in?” one influencer exclaimed. The crowd watched in shock as Kaze stepped through the door. “Branch Leader!” The members of the Viper’s Den South River State Branch perked up when Kaze showed up. They, Hannah’s trusted aides, knew who Kaze was. Kaze acknowledged the greeting. “Is everybody here?” The head of the pack said in respect, “Many guests have arrived. Ms. Delmore and Mr. Ettinger will be here once they are done with work. Should I inform them to keep you company, sir?” “No, I’ll sit and wait.” Kaze waved his arm and made his way inside. “Hold it right there, Kaze!” Cyan’s angry voice came from behind. “Are you aware of the event at Bronze Sparrow? Do you know who the
“Kaze, I heard that your wife dumped your ass. Are you pinching pennies now? “You had a fancy car and a beautiful lady by your side just a couple of days ago, and now, you’re riding a bike.“I guess you want to do more than just a valet service.” Draig pulled out more cash to give to Kaze. “You can get my car washed too.“I’ll give you another twenty bucks. The money should be enough for you to get fried chicken or something for lunch.”“Hahaha!”Cyan and her friends laughed out loud. Twenty bucks for a fried chicken. That kind of life seemed far away for these people. Cyan suddenly scowled. “I’m warning you, Kaze. My family will not take pity on you just because your wife kicked you out.“Don’t try to leech off my family.” Cyan thought Kaze was so alpha at Emerald Bull Palace two days ago. The mayor was Kaze’s backing, and Juan was his apprentice. Yet now, Kaze was divorced and kicked out. It meant one thing. If Kaze was indeed badass, Darcy, who knew and love
Sucking up to Cyan, the influencers offered her words of comfort. Though Cyan did not have an invitation, she was close with Draig. The influencers could attend the event through Draig with Cyan’s help. Despite having other thoughts, the influencers knew better than to put Cyan down. A Mercedes G-wagon pulled up by the road. The car door opened, and Draig jumped out. He took off his sunglasses and said with a smile, “Why aren’t you going in, Cyan?” Cyan replied with a grin, “We don’t have an invite, Mr. Tenby. We’re waiting for you to take us in.“Oh, where’s your invite, Mr. Tenby?” She was confused as Draig did not seem to be holding anything. “An invite? It’s just a party for Hannah. You don’t need an invitation card.” Draig smiled confidently. “My name is basically our pass into the place. You can just say that you’re with me.” “Wow! You’re the man, Mr. Tenby.” “Mr. Tenby is so badass. You are total boyfriend material.” The influencers drooled over Draig, a
The influencers dropped their jaws in shock and looked at Cyan enviously. “Oh, my gawd! Marrying the branch leader is your gateway to super fame.” “Is it true, Cyan? Really?” The influencers hounded Cyan. Cyan rolled her eyes at Sweetpea. “Don’t take it from Sweetpea. “The VIPs from the South River State Branch did make a subtle mention. “I’m not sure whether Sponge is the branch leader since I’ve never met him before. “Just keep this between yourselves. Don’t spread the word. I’d be embarrassed if the whole thing was all a misunderstanding. “The branch leader keeps a low profile, and no one has met him in person before. “I doubt he likes to be put in the spotlight, so I’m playing it discreetly too.” Cyan spoke and acted reservedly. However, her smug look revealed her true thoughts. “Haha. Wouldn’t you meet the branch leader today?” “I see why you are so sure to take us to the celebration. We’d never get into a place like this on our own.” The influencers l
It never occurred to Kaze that Cyan and her influencer friends would attend Hannah’s celebration too. Before Cyan said anything, one influencer put her hand over her lips and said with a smile, “Get with the times, Anna. Cyan’s family isn’t just close with the senior members of the Viper’s Den. She’s going to be part of the organization soon.” “Huh?” Stunned, the other influencers asked, “What’s going on? Just tell us, Sweetpea!” Sweetpea was the influencer who just spilled the beans. She was Cyan’s closest friend and biggest ass-kisser. Taking Cyan by the shoulder, Sweetpea said, “Remember Cyan’s number one fan?” “Yeah!”“Sponge has been a fan of Cyan even before she signed with Golden Scale Corporation. Sponge tipped her tens of millions.”“That was how Cyan caught the eye of Golden Scale Corporation, and she became a hit.” The influencers chattered among themselves, all familiar with Sponge. They came from nothing and clawed their way up online.Their beginnings
The next afternoon, Kaze arrived at the parking lot outside Bronze Sparrow. It was packed with fancy cars. Needless to say, the underground garage must be filled with cars too. Hannah’s celebration was held in Bronze Sparrow. Just a few days ago, Siberian infiltrated Bronze Sparrow and abducted Anzu. The incident caused quite a stir in the upper crust of Riverbank. At the same time, the underground powerhouses were eager to get involved. As Miru, the up-and-coming underworld boss, seemed to be all bark and no bite, they wanted to see what she was made of. Bronze Sparrow, a place where troublemakers once ceased to exist, had to deal with incidents daily. Despite Miru getting tough on these troublemakers, business at Bronze Sparrow took a nosedive anyway. Miru was frustrated with the situation. Siberian had been a threat to the Viper’s Den for many years. It was no surprise that Miru’s crew could not defeat him. This time, Siberian’s death at the hands of the Viper’s
Kaze was taken aback. “How did you know?” “How?” June’s lips curled. “It’s all over town by now. Darcy is the chairwoman of Sky Ocean Corporation. Have you any idea how many eyes are on a rich and beautiful girl like her? “Her divorce has caught the attention of men, and they are going to try their luck with her.” It did not take Kaze much to know that the Quint family members had nothing better to do. Agnes had been hoping to marry her daughter up. However, Darcy had the power, money, and connections to be playing with the big leagues herself. Agnes’ expectations for her future son-in-law would only go higher. Despite her lack of brain cells, Agnes would not do something degrading like circulating the news of her daughter’s divorce. “Hey! Why do you seem indifferent about this?” June elbowed Kaze. “How do you think I should react?” Kaze found June baffling. June looked disappointed. “You don’t seem upset that you were dumped.” “Get a life.” Kaze did not hav