Everybody, including George, had a hair-raising moment. The whole thing just blew up. They could already imagine the outcome. Kaze’s send-off would only be attended by the employees at the mayor’s office and no one else. Meanwhile, Sonny would have a grand funeral. This was not just Gunter’s revenge. It was also a flex in preparation for the Glowmoss Powells’ expansion into the Arcadian market. “Find a nice spot for Sonny’s burial in Lilyrose.” Gunter waved his arm. “Yes, sir.” Luis wiped away his cold sweat and responded with his head down. … The communities in the South River State were huge. Yet, Gunter’s message spread across the state in less than an hour. A small city like Lilyrose became the focus of the state. Parties from either side of the law were taken aback by the news. The Glowmoss Powells were painted like royalty due to their success overseas. Yet, the family was ready to pull all the stops to attack a guy who took his wife’s last name in
Heeding Gunter’s call, the Powells and Zion Mercenaries swarmed to Lilyrose, and the numbers rose to tens of thousands. The South River State felt the tremors of impending conflict. Lilyrose, where everything would come together, became the center of attention. All eyes were on that piece of land. Chatter and rumors flared. It was said that the Powells and Zion Mercenaries contacted their friends in high places to put pressure on the South River State’s governor against bailing Kaze out. Based on past incidents, Kaze seemed close to Loid. At least, Kaze likely became the mayor because of Loid’s approval. … A conversation went on in the mayor’s office of Lilyrose. “Are you really stepping down, Mr. Lee? Lilyrose is developing fast, and the city needs you more than ever.” Caleb, Lou, and the others stood before Kaze, reluctant to say goodbye. They were not putting on a show. The feelings were genuine. Kaze was not a mayor for long, but he had achieved many great
Gunter was no fool. He approved of the local Powells’ behavior. Once Kaze was dead, they could split the pie. Gunter would have to reward the family with the Lilyrose New City project. Hence, the Powells from Arcadia pressured Loid to give up on Kaze. They wanted one of them to become the next mayor. While those working for the government put the squeeze on Loid, other family members used their connections in the underworld to intimidate enterprises. “The Lilyrose New City project sure attracted a lot of greed. Gunter came long after Gareth. If we don’t get rid of them quick enough, we will face many more threats.” Kaze said aloofly, “This will be the one last thing I can do for Lilyrose before I step down from office.” Caleb and the others were moved with emotions. They understood what Kaze meant. Simply stopping the Glowmoss Powells would not be enough. They needed to rip out the entire system, eradicating the family from both overseas and local branches.The p
“But I know why. “There is no shred of human nature left in you. All you have is a thirst to kill. “You’re born to kill. War is your game. “I’ve been holding you back because I know there will be a bloodbath in Glowmoss if I don’t.“Now it’s time for you to unleash your potential and kill to your heart’s content. “Kill everyone in your path,” Gunter uttered flatly. He spoke as if he was talking about the weather.His tone, casual and detached, only heightened the eerie feeling of horror.Attending to Gunter’s needs, Luis felt his blood run cold. Despite his years of service to Gunter, he was mostly responsible for his employer’s daily necessities. He was exposed to Gunter’s scary side for the first time. “Alright.” Mosiah, standing by the wall, remained composed. He expressed his stance in the same emotionless manner. The conversation between the pair only drained Luis’ face of color. He was aware that blood would spill on the upcoming trip to Lilyrose. Gu
“Mr. Lee, Gunter Powell is from Glowmoss, he doesn’t care about the life and death of Arcadians. If he goes on a killing spree, the people of Lilyrose will suffer!” Starting with Bernard, all the family heads looked at Kaze with deep concern as they poured out their grievances. They worried the most when almost ten thousand thugs and gangsters from the underworld swarmed the city. The tsunami of gangsters could easily overrun the city’s order, turning everything upside down. As for the families and their businesses, they would be the biggest victims. Kaze frowned. He looked at Bernard and the others and asked, “He got to you guys as well? What did he say?” “He came to us to deliver Gunter Powell’s message. He said if the three of us don't want to get annihilated, then we must bring our families to the funeral tomorrow and kneel before Sonny Sonne!” Bernard explained, his face flushed with emotions. It was an unprecedented insult to the three families. Sonny died at the
“Mr. Lee, Gunter Powell’s men even said after the funeral tomorrow, they would remove James White’s cenotaph and make it the forever resting place for Sonny Sonne,” Bernard said timidly, his forehead covered in sweat. The atmosphere in the office became tense. The air became heavier, so heavy that it felt suffocating. The others dared not make a noise because they knew Kaze was angry. It was no secret that Kaze and James were best friends, close as brothers. He wiped out the top three families a while back just to avenge his friend. Yet Gunter announced that he would remove James’ cenotaph for his disciple. It was an act of war! Fortunately, the atmosphere in the office quickly returned to normal. Kaze calmly waved his hand and said, “You three can go back for now. Just do as I told you.” “Yes, sir!” Bernard and the others bowed and then walked out together. Kaze sat in silence for a moment and then pulled the left drawer of his desk to take out a burner phone.
Kaze knew the elder asked him to take over the position for the sake of the people and the country, not his personal desire. He did not want to disappoint the man, so he said, “I’ll be honest with you, Elder Eins. I talked to the Viper Queen and decided to take up the position of branch leader of the West State Viper’s Den. “After spending some time in Lilyrose, I think rather than putting me at the highest position of the Strategic Department, it’s better to have me in the field where I can do more, such as cleaning up the forces infiltrating Arcadia.” The moment Isaac heard Kaze, he asked in a serious tone, “Foreign forces are infiltrating Arcadia? What is going on there?” Kaze then briefed the man about Zion Mercenaries infiltrating Arcadia. “Those bastards! They just don’t know when to give up!” Isaac was furious after learning what happened. His age did not tone down his feisty temper at all, but he learned to control himself since he rose to the highest position wit
If the Guardians were the sturdiest shield in the country, then the Dragon’s Edge would be the sharpest sword. The members of the Dragon’s Edge were veterans who got baptized by blood and gunpowder on the battlefield, surviving countless ruthless battles. They were the sword Arcadia wielded against her enemy, a deterrent force to other countries. In terms of solo combatants, they were the strongest of them all. They were always sent to other countries to participate in national military competitions and won countless awards. The latest members who joined the Dragon’s Edge graduated from Kaze’s special training camp, similar to Albert Hiden. After the war, the graduates scattered and pursued their own careers. Some got into the Dragon’s Edge, and some joined the God of War Palace and became Kaze’s private security force—the Guards of War. Some with a better background, like Albert, got into a different path to further their careers. “Sure. It’s been a while since I saw
The carrot came after the stick. Snow rose to her feet and approached Ebi, looking at her from high. “Don’t worry. If you hand over the evidence, we can guarantee that the Ryokanians wouldn’t suspect you of treason. “I can also transfer 100 million dollars into a Uleanian bank account. The Ryokanians can’t touch your money in Uleania. “You can remove yourself from the Ryokanians’ control with the money and sort yourself out for the rest of your life. “Don’t you want to have it all?“You have a minute to think it through. The choice is yours.” The tables turned. Snow was in control now. Ebi’s mind spun. In the end, she squeezed a smile. There was desperation in her smile. “Please give me a moment, Ms. Frost.” Ebi got up and kicked everybody out of the villa before returning to her mourning hall. As Snow watched on in surprise, Ebi picked up her daughter’s urn and smashed it to the ground. “Bam!” The urn broke to pieces. Snow backed away and covered her nose, n
Ebi played hardball. She dug her heels in, refusing to budge no matter what Snow said. Still, Snow did not give up. She saw right through Ebi.Snow said calmly, “Do you really want to go there, ma’am? “You hired those elderly people to protest without a permit. “Don’t you know that an authorized protest is against the law?“Do you know that the management of the Viper’s Den is on this now? “If I expose you as the organizer of the protest, the government might want to speak with you.” Ebi scoffed. “I was wondering who would be so dumb to scatter money all across the street. So you’re the idiot, Ms. Frost. “Fair play. You stopped my plan from going forward. “But all you did was ruin my plan. So what? “What have I lost? “Once I sort out my daughter's affairs, I will return to live my life in Ryokan.“I don’t give a damn whether Kaze gets the death penalty or life in prison.“What are you going to do about it?” With nothing getting through to Ebi, Snow shook her
Snow said, “I obtained the documents through illegal means. “My source will never admit that the documents came from them. “So, it cannot be used as evidence.” Ebi smirked. “Since these documents are worthless, you can leave now. Don’t waste your breath with me.” “These documents are worthless.” Snow fixated on Ebi and said solemnly, “But you have something that will get Chairman Lee out.” Ebi said coldly, “What do you mean, Ms. Frost? “My daughter is dead, and I have evidence to prove Kaze’s innocence? “Who would believe you?” Snow said indifferently, “I don’t need anyone else to believe. I just want the government to believe.“Given that you exploited your daughter’s death for personal gain, I have no doubt that you would have made the best out of this situation.“You knew you were dealing with dangerous people, so you needed something to fall back on in case these people threw you under the bus.“I trust that you are a clever woman.“You must have hidden the evid
“You and your daughter got what you wanted. After moving to Ryokan, you thrived in business thanks to connections made through the Suka political family. Your daughter even became the goddaughter of the senior Suka member. “But your greed knows no bounds. “You later realized that despite acquiring the Ryokanian citizenship, you are still known as an Arcadian. “You could do business in Ryokan, but you will never mingle with the upper crust.“So, with the Sukas’ help, you sent your daughter to entertain powerful men. “You were lucky. Your business in Ryokan has thrived due to these newfound connections. You could have been even more successful if it weren’t for your gambling addiction.“Your daughter’s career as a social media influencer took off with the help of a Ryokanian entertainment company.“But you don’t realize one thing. “You reap what you sow. “Your daughter contracted AIDS. “I’m sure you are familiar with this medical report from Cousbank University Hospital.
Snow’s sarcastic remark did not get to Ebi. The latter smirked. “If that’s all you have, I doubt a deal can be made.” Ebi did not mind doing business with Snow. This was despite her resenting Kaze for killing her daughter. “If your husband’s murder doesn’t bother you, I’ll talk about other things that might.” Snow retrieved some documents that showed bank transaction records. “These are bank statements of several corporate accounts you have registered overseas.” Ebi grimaced. Snow nodded and said, “I did my homework. Before your daughter killed herself, a number of funds were transferred to these accounts through overseas channels, disguised as legitimate business transactions.“My investigation revealed these transactions to be fraudulent. “The money was laundered and transferred to your accounts. “The amount is 50 million dollars altogether. “Here’s where I was confused. Was your daughter’s life only worth 50 million dollars? “Mika was an influencer, and she co
“Do you hear what you’re saying?“Kaze, the bastard, is the reason my daughter is dead. Yet, you expect me to prove his innocence. “You have some nerve. “What? Are you supposed to be above all because you’re a member of the Frosts?” Emotions ran high, and Ebi pulled her claws out. Snow was not surprised by her menace. She did a background check on Ebi, and the latter was always known for her hellish behavior. However, her nasty act was all for show. “Ma’am, you can drop it.” Without looking up, Snow said indifferently, “You were known to be tough back in Riverbank. You’ve got way more experience than I do. I wouldn’t tell you what to do.” Snow pulled out a few photos and printed documents from her briefcase and handed them to Ebi. Ebi glanced at the photo, her heart sinking. She said curtly, “What the hell is—” “You sure love to play dumb, ma’am.” Snow said, “These are the crime scene photos taken by the Cousbank police, showing where your ex-husband was poiso
Picking up on Lock’s worry, Snow said indifferently, “Don’t worry, Mr. Yemen. I’m not here to make her pay.“I want to make a deal with her if you could pass the message along.“She will meet with me.” … Minutes later, Snow went into Villa No. 13 on her own. The bright and cheerful villa was now a dark and gloomy funeral hall. Mika’s black-and-white portrait was placed right in the center. As her death was unexpected, an old photo was used for the memorial. Mika’s radiant smile in the photo appeared eerie against the somber atmosphere. A large flower wreath was placed beneath the portrait, and a woman in mourning kneeled next to the picture. Snow could tell that the woman was relatively young, probably in her forties from her side profile. Even without makeup, the woman was nicely put together. She had taken good care of herself. The woman was Mika’s mother, Ebi. Ebi migrated to Cousbank and became a Ryokanian citizen. Upon learning of her daughter’s death, Ebi
“The first villa I ever own. I haven’t stayed here for long, and now it’s a place of mourning.” Cyan had no words. Mika’s mother was Ebi Wise. She was so unreasonable and made such a scene that the Yemens had no choice but to comply.As always, Cyan shifted the blame on Kaze. “Why hasn’t Kaze admitted to his crimes? Does he think that by denying the truth, he can escape from the law?“He should just confess and conduct the funeral at his Villa No. 9.“Only then can Mika rest easy.” The police condoned Villa No. 9 off to collect evidence. Cyan believed that Kaze’s refusal to admit his crimes was why Villa No. 9 was still closed off. Hence, Ebi used the Yemens’ place to mourn instead. Ryna glared at her husband. “It’s all your fault, Lock. Cyan and I disapproved of the bastard coming to the house, but you had to uphold your duty as a mentor. “What did that get you? Look what your student did to us in return.” Annoyed, Lock shouted, “That’s enough. I won’t ever bring hi
Collier knew Buffy had a point. Still, he said in frustration, “Fuck! I can’t just let these people make up stories about the branch leader.” Buffy sighed helplessly, not knowing what to say. Ever since Kaze’s arrest, Buffy had been keeping an eye on things. She wanted to pay a visit to the state police department. However, she dropped that thought upon learning that Darcy was there. Nothing was going on between Buffy and Kaze. However, Buffy would not face Darcy with a clear conscience. “Wow! Where did the money come from?” While the pair strategized, a cry burst out of the crowd. Collier and Buffy looked over to find some individuals clenching bags. The zippers of these bags came undone, and cash fell out as these people moved through the crowd. The banknotes were scattered far and wide. “Oh, my gawd! Uleanian dollars!” “Wow! Look at all the Uleanian dollars!” Somebody bent over to pick the money up. After a good look, the person turned flushed with thrill.