Brad knew that Malova set up the meeting between his father, Newell, and the Viper Queens’ direct successor, Scarlet, before Kaze. Grimacing at the sound of Brad’s cries, Malova elbowed her way through the crowd. She scowled when she saw Brad in a state of blood and grime. “What happened to you, Brad? “Who hit you? “Who has the audacity to hit my family?” Malova exploded in rage. Brad was the sole heir to the Ettinger lineage. Hence, Malova doted on her nephew, giving him whatever he wanted. She would not stand by to see her nephew wounded. “Who hit you, Brad? “Identify the person, so I can kill them for you,” Malova said heart-wrenchingly, her expression menacing. Brad pointed at Kaze with a quick smirk. “Lee attacked me, Aunt Malova. “He was the one who broke my leg yesterday too. “He hurled insults at me and threatened to break another of my legs when he arrived. “You can ask Mr. Mangold, Griffin, and the others if you don’t believe me.“Lee is an a
However, Malova and her people read Brad’s performance differently. Malova made a face. Her loyal subordinates glared at Kaze murderously. Kaze was asking for it. The Ettingers had always been a dominant player in Riverbank City. Yet, the sole heir of the Ettingers had just been humiliated. The insult would follow the Ettingers and mar their leadership unless they killed Kaze.“Get him, ma’am!” “Kaze Lee is too cocky. We must make him pay!” “How dare he challenge the Ettingers! We’ll show him!” “Even if we kill him right under the chief delegate’s nose, she won’t say anything.” Malova’s confidantes clamored aggressively. They would not hesitate to kill at Malova’s order. Sitting on the ground, Brad let out a smug and wicked grin. That was the end of his performance. The next thing to do was wait and see who would strike Kaze. Brad had it in the bag. There was no way he could lose. “You…” With everybody going against Kaze, Conan needed to say something.
“Don’t just stand there, Lee. Kneel!” “Why don’t you take a good look at yourself? What makes you think you can go against the Ettingers?” “He doesn’t know his place.” The Ettingers’ minions mocked Kaze. To them, Kaze was a sitting duck. There was no escape for Kaze. He wanted to humiliate Kaze and strip him of his pride. Malova let out an assertive smirk. “This is what you get for hurting Brad, bastard.“Maybe you should stop messing with the wrong people in your next life if there is one.” “In my next life?” Kaze grinned. “Is this what you’re after, Malova? Your nephew put on a show by crying, rolling on the ground, and throwing a fit. “Is it all to give you an excuse to kill me?” Malova sneered in disdain. “Say whatever you want, bastard. Nothing will change the outcome today. “What good will it do you to explain? When you’re dead, no one will stick up for you.” Kaze shook his head. “No, you got the wrong idea. “All I’m trying to say is you didn’t have to
“Kaze is up to his old tricks again. He’s holding me hostage to get away. He won’t do anything to me. “The incident last night won’t happen again. “Don’t hesitate, Aunt Malova. Just open fire.” Conan’s blood ran cold. He did not expect Brad to risk it all. “What makes you think I won’t do anything to you?” Kaze suddenly spoke. His voice bore a chilling aloofness. Brad smirked. “Try me—” Kaze lifted his foot and landed it on Brad’s throat. “Crack!” Brad’s defiant face went stiff. His eyes flickered in disbelief, confusion, resentment, and bitterness until the lights finally went out. Brad died in disbelief that Kaze would murder him in front of his aunt and family.He belonged to the Ettinger family. His father was the Viper’s Den South River Branch Leader, his uncle was the Viper’s Den West State Branch Deputy, and his aunt rubbed shoulders with many highly ranked members. Brad’s family held sway in the South River State. Yet, Kaze killed him with a si
Malova shook at Kaze’s offhanded remark. Her eyes burned with rage. “You’re asking for it, bastard! You’re asking for it! Ah!” Malova looked up, her vicious eyes meeting Kaze’s as she let out a deranged scream. Brad’s death propelled her into a breakdown. “Kill him!“Cut him to pieces!“I don’t care how you do it. I want him dead in a minute.” Malova screamed manically while pointing at Kaze. Gun was not the choice of weapon since Malova wanted Kaze chopped up. Malova’s confidantes pulled out their blades and charged toward Kaze. “Swish!” A flurry of deadly swords rained down on Kaze. The blades sliced through the air. The Ettingers’ minions backed away, the horror evident in their pale faces. Even they had to keep their distance from the conflict, let alone Kaze and Conan who were in the thick of it.“Watch out, Kaze!” Conan reminded Kaze, nearly falling to the ground on his bottom. However, Kaze kept a blank face. Instead of moving back, he advanced
“Argh! Ah!”The Ettingers’ followers, who stood in defense of Malova, let out terrified cries and collapsed to the ground. The door to the chalet was so near in sight when the commotion in the back caught Malova’s attention. She looked back, only to shriek in horror. “You’re a monster!“Help me, Newell!” Malova picked up the pace to get inside the chalet. A towering figure showed up at the door. “Newell!” Malova had one foot through the door when Newell came in the nick of time. The terror dissipated in her face. Newell narrowed his eyes at Kaze, who was in pursuit of Malova, and yelled angrily, “Stop, asshole! You have no business here.” “Kill him, Newell! He killed Brad!” now that she was safe, Newell shouted in relief. Furious, Newell glared at Kaze. “How dare you kill my son. I’m going to get you!” Kaze eyed Newell with a blank face and hurled the sword. “Urgh!” The sword pierced through the air and plunged into Malova’s back as she tried to turn around.
“Newell Ettinger, your son and your sister had it coming, you have no one to blame for their deaths. So who are you trying to fool by crying and acting like the victim? “If it’s Scarlet, then you might be disappointed. Not only her, but even if the Viper Queen is here, your family will perish today. By family, I mean you as well!” Kaze finally revealed his murderous intent at the end of his sentence. Brad and Malova died because of him and there was no way to dissolve the conflict between him and the Ettingers anymore. Therefore, Kaze did not plan to let Newell live as well. Newell’s eyelid twitched when he heard Kaze. The sorrow on his face faded and was replaced by a frighteningly calm look. Too calm, actually. “Kaze Lee, you are much smarter than I thought.” His voice sounded frosty and could send chills down one’s spine. Even the other family members were surprised, their jaws dropped. The branch leader calmed down a little too quickly. Was the sorrow all an act?
As his words subsided, Newell raised his hand. Shoo! A sword from one of the agent’s waist flew out from its sheath and landed in his hand. A heaven-shattering murderous intent erupted from him. He no longer bothered to cover his true intentions. So what if the Viper Queen invited Kaze to be the branch leader? Newell still could kill Kaze and snatch the position from him. “Everything is destined? Survival of the fittest?” Kaze showed a ridiculing smile. “Not a bad idea. Let’s put it to the test. I also need to make an example of someone so that I can solidify my position as a branch leader. “Newell Ettinger, you are the South River Branch Leader so you are qualified to be my stepping stone.” Make an example? A stepping stone? The other members of the Ettingers were astonished by Kaze’s outrageous remark. Newell was able to strengthen his position as a branch leader, not because his sister married a good husband and secured many valuable connections and resourc