“That woman is capable. She managed to pull the family through uncertainty years ago. “Albert was able to become the chief commander of South River Strategic Department because of her. “The family eats out of her hand. “Since she wants to marry me off, apparently for my own good, the other family members don’t see why they would object to it.” It appeared that Miru’s stepmother had her ways. Despite being the woman Miru’s father married after his divorce, she managed to secure power in the family. The Hidens were a prominent family. Yet, the woman was able to seize control. “But why did you call me here? “I doubt I’m a good listener,” Kaze said, shrugging. Kaze did not mind stepping in to help Miru if she did not want to walk down the marriage path. Miru was Darcy’s best friend after all. No one could make Miru do anything on his watch. Miru glanced at him and said, “Someone wants to meet you.” “Me? Who?” Kaze was taken aback. Miru replied, “My aunt. She’s
“That’s right.” Kaze nodded with a smile. “That’s what friends do. I was just being a friend.” “What did you say? Being a friend?” Something Kaze said triggered Fanny off as she stared Kaze down. “The nerve of you. “Don’t you know you made Miru a joke? “Aren’t you the moocher? “You are giving my family a bad name by behaving like Miru’s boyfriend.” Fanny then shot an angry look at Miru, reproaching her for her poor choice. The smile on Kaze’s face disappeared. He realized that Miru probably got her sharp tongue from her aunt. Fanny put a label on him right away. Kaze was only courteous because Fanny was Miru’s aunt. Since Fanny did not play nice, Kaze could drop the act. Kaze said in a flat tone, “So I’m giving the Harrowdale Hidens a bad name by acting as Miru’s boyfriend? “So what do you call a woman who forces her daughter to marry for the sake of business?” Fanny furrowed her brows and said furiously, “How dare you insult my family, boy? Who do you t
Fanny glanced at Kaze and said curtly, “Your mom sent me here to teach Kaze a lesson. We need to make our stance known to the public.” Kaze frowned, his eyes flickering with a cold glint. Teach him a lesson? He was no pushover. Miru grimaced and replied, “Niko’s incident has nothing to do with my date, Aunt Fanny. “It happened after the date. He started it by throwing his weight around. That was when Kaze stepped in to take him down a peg.“I won’t stand by the woman attacking an innocent man in the name of the family’s reputation.” Miru stood firm on that ground. She knew that her stepmother, Isabelle Hiden, would not hesitate to hurt Kaze to save the family’s name. Miru had firsthand experience of Isabelle’s wickedness. Kaze would suffer miserably. Fanny put on a sour look and said, “Either way, Isabelle is your mother, Miru. You should give her some respect and not make the family a laughingstock.” Miru scowled without a word. Fanny knew she was stubborn.
Fanny spoke in a light-hearted manner about Miru taking a pick from the list of 500 best companies and foundations. Even wealthy families like the Lees and Glitters would not say such a thing. Fanny was talking about Westeros. Westeros was the capital of the West State and where the headquarters of Viper’s Den was located. Kaze finally learned about the Fowlers in Westeros. The Fowlers earned the title of lordship. Surely, their influence extended beyond Westeros. The Fowlers were also a powerhouse in South River State, Butterworth, and other states. The privilege and power that came from an elite family were not just for show. However, Miru furrowed her brows. “I gave you my word that I would go on a date with Jerome.“But I didn’t say that I would marry him for sure. “Besides, I’m not the slightest interested in the things the Fowlers offered. “What’s wrong with my connections to the underworld? “As far as I know, the Fowlers started off with running a secret
However, Miru would not give in so easily. She said harshly, “Aunt Fanny, I left Harrowdale the moment I was 18. I came to Lilyrose without the support of the family. No one knows about my family.“I built something of myself through my own effort so that I wouldn’t be made a sacrifice when the time came.” Clearly, she would not give up without a fight. “And? What have you made of yourself?” Fanny added sternly, “You’re the chairwoman of Lefteria Group and the kingpin of Melrose and Lilyrose. Is that something you should be proud of? “You’re too naïve, Miru. The Fowlers can very well wipe off your so-called achievement with just one word. “If I can be frank, what’s the point of being at the top in a small place like Lilyrose?” Fanny side-eyed Kaze and said in contempt, “Even a moocher holds sway in this city. “The limitation of this tiny city makes it impossible for you to achieve great success. “Your rule over the underworld is a joke.” Fanny held Lilyrose in di
Miru was overwhelmed by the feeling of despair. She knew Isabelle’s ruthlessness too well. No one could stop Isabelle once her mind was made up. The next minute, Miru could receive news of Alan’s passing. Would Miru watch Alan die? No. She owed her life to Alan for his undying guidance and support. Succumbing, Miru looked up and said blankly, “Aunt Fanny, I will meet—” A voice belonging to a man cut her off. “Kill Alan? You have to go through me.” Kaze suddenly spoke to Fanny, “Go back and tell Isabelle that Alan and I go way back. We are close. I often hang out at his place. “My friends are important to me. I won’t sit by and do nothing if anything happens to them. “If Alan dies, then I expect the Hidens to offer the lives of a hundred family members in return, and that number is small because of Miru and Albert.” The office fell silent. The silence was deafening. It was pin-drop silence. Even Miru cocked her head back and looked at Kaze in bafflement.
Still, Fanny had the means and power from the Harrowdale Hidens to behave in such a way. After all, she was born into privilege. She believed she was doing Kaze a favor just by talking to him. Kaze gripped the check and glanced at the number before letting out a faint smile. “Ma’am, this money isn’t enough for me to cut ties with Miru.” “Haha. Is the amount too little?” Fanny sneered, “I’m telling you now, boy. If Miru wasn’t here, you would have no right to talk to me, much less bargain for more. “I’m paying you 100 million dollars for playing the part of Miru’s boyfriend.“It’s hush money. Don’t go spreading rumors around. It’s embarrassing for the public to get the wrong idea that Miru is with a moocher like you. “I have said enough. “Take the check and get lost! I don’t ever want to see you. “Now!”Fanny pointed at the door without looking at Kaze. Kaze tore the check to bits and jeered, “Shutting me up with 100 million dollars? Aren’t you wealthy? “Does havi
Still holding the card against her face, Fanny shuddered in rage, her face ashen. Kaze had a point. Fanny was dead set on setting Miru up with Jerome to secure the mayoral position for her husband. Her husband, Jared Styles, was third in command at a governor’s office in some state down south. Yet, Jared wanted to join the race to become Lilyrose’s mayor. By right, Jared could get the position through his marriage to a member of the Harrowdale Hidens. Reality was a slap in the face, though. There were too many eyeing the mayoral position. The other competitors had just as impressive a resume as Jared. They were well-established, having friends in high places. Even Jared could not secure the position of mayor for sure. Meanwhile, the Fowlers expressed interest in uniting with the Hidens through marriage. Isabelle was on board with the idea too. Hence, Fanny came up with a way to gain the Fowlers’ support through the marriage. She believed Miru and Jerome were mad