“That’s none of your business, Mr. Lewis. The money is ours, and we can do whatever we want with it as we please. We don’t have to deposit any money in your banks anymore.” Peter and the others demanded cash withdrawals. With the managing directors put in the spot, they turned to Maurice, who was the cause of everything. Maurice shouted at everyone, “It’s a ploy! Are you trying to cross the banks? Well, don’t even think about any loans or financing in the future.” A good relationship with banks was a must for corporations. The group sneered. “Don’t flatter yourself, Maurice. While we can’t afford to turn our backs on banks, we are within our rights to upset you since you only work for the banks.” “That’s right. You seem hot and bothered, Mr. Taon. I hope you’re not going to be a cheat.” The public mocked Maurice with the same insult he used on Darcy. Maurice narrowed his eyes at the people. “Fine, have it your way. You’ll get what’s coming for distressing one of the
“Where’s Johnson? I want to see Johnson! I’m the son-in-law of one of the top families. Why am I being arrested?” Maurice could make as much fuss as he wanted, but a member of the Economic Investigation Division handcuffed him. The once untouchable president of Lilyrose Bank was taken away in shame. Darcy drew a deep breath. The incident today was not something she had ever expected. She turned to the power players in Lilyrose’s business community and expressed her gratitude for their role in reviving Quintessential. Darcy had raised the question that had been bugging her, “I would like to know your reason behind investing in my company now of all times.” Many there were just as puzzled as Darcy. Just moments ago, there was no hope left in Quintessential. However, these prominent business figures stood by the Group at the risk of offending the top families. The fact was hard for them to wrap their heads around. “Ms. Quint, the Group with your leadership is worth th
It was surprising that a proud woman like Miru had someone she respected. Even Kaze was shocked. Miru glanced at him in disdain. “Have some dignity, Kaze. I’m talking about the chairman of Perfect World Group, not you. It’s not as if you called these people to invest in Quintessential Group.” “I am—” Kaze was about to refute when Darcy jumped in, “You got the wrong idea about Kaze, Miru. Kaze knows Snow from Perfect World Group. He made the call to invite those people.” Darcy was aware that Snow played a part in Kaze hitting the lottery and buying furniture. Miru looked at Kaze in surprise and scoffed. “It just so happened that Perfect World Group’s chairman wanted to take on the top families, so he put the word out to the major businesses. I doubt Kaze could convince them to be here if it weren’t for the chairman.” She called on Kaze’s bluff at Lily Garden Hotel the last time. Miru had already made up her mind about Kaze. There was no way she would change her opinion
“It’s reassuring that Ms. Frost is named the new chairman. Let’s keep the funds in Lilyrose Bank then.” Darcy was relieved. Perfect World had done Quintessential a huge favor. Snow would not make things difficult for Quintessential. “The chairman of Perfect World Group is one in a million. Even his assistant can be a chairman of Lilyrose Bank. Miru had the utmost respect and curiosity for the mysterious chairman. Kaze smiled without a word. Upon learning the news, heads of the top three families gathered at the Everias’ residence, the Jade Estate. “We wanted to destroy Quintessential, but Perfect World had the business’ back. It’s clear that Perfect World is getting back at us,” Edward hissed through clenched teeth, his face glum. It was supposed to be easy to crush Quintessential Group, but the company managed to dodge tragedy once again. His son was still in a coma, thanks to Darcy. Maurice, a close associate of the Everias, was also caught in the crossfire.Ed
The heads of the top families laughed for a while, sensing a bright future awaiting them. Just then, Edward beckoned at his youngest son, Ethan. “You will assume the role of Chairman at Bersina Group, Ethan. We have lost Maurice and Toffle, those losers. It’s time Bersina takes back the Everia family.” Ethan was delighted. His older brother, Eliot, had always outshone him. With Eliot in a coma, the family leadership should now fall on Ethan.Edward made Ethan the chairman of Bersina Group to see if he was up to the task. “Don’t worry, Dad. I will manage Bersina well.” Ethan left Jade Estate with his sidekick in tow. He returned with a heavy heart in less than an hour. “Holy shit, Dad. Someone beat me to it and took Bersina Group right out of my hands.” Ethan made a crying face, looking nothing like the swank he had before leaving the house. Edward was enraged. “Who did it? Everybody knows Maurice and Toffle only managed Bersina for the Everias.” Belarus and Fli
Kaze got confirmation from Maurice that the three major families were involved in James’ death two years ago. Having built a successful business from scratch, James aspired to return home and revitalize his hometown.James brought cutting-edge technology from the southern coast to Lilyrose, eager to seek collaboration with the three top families. His kind gesture invited him trouble instead. The three families killed him and divided Shangrila Group among themselves. Five years ago, they and the Lee family of Sunrise City did the same thing to Quintessential. The rise of the three major families was a cruel story involving blood and tears.They seized Quintessential, elevating themselves to the ranks of top-tier families.In addition, they acquired shares of Shangrila Group, firmly establishing their dominance in Lilyrose.The feud simply piled on. Kaze had never been so sure about overthrowing the three major families. That was not the only thing on his list. As pu
Dean Anstar, the HR director, who was the first to resign. Behind him were former executives and employees who resigned with him. They learned that Quintessential Group had overcome the crisis and got more than two billion worth of investment from different major companies. They regretted leaving the company. The Group would surely rise to prominence and expand rapidly. The employees of the company would also enjoy all kinds of benefits, so when they heard the company was hiring again, they came back. Unfortunately, there were too many candidates. The normal employees got anxious. They were afraid their original positions would be taken, so they teamed up with Dean and the other executives to force other candidates to leave. Dean was smart as well. As a traitor, he knew his odds of returning to Quintessential were slim, but if he could get several former employees on his side, then he would have the leverage to negotiate with Darcy. Therefore, he revealed his former i
The candidates stopped and turned around to Darcy. “Darcy Quint? I heard she was accused by her friend and now cleared her name.” “I heard the banks targeted her and withheld the loans to take revenge on her. She’s forced to a dead end and still able to save the company. She’s really a capable leader. Let’s hear what she has to say.” Even though they were still upset, they were willing to give a chance to Darcy for her reputation. “Thank you. I will provide everyone with a satisfactory explanation.” After she held the new applicants back, she turned to Dean and the others. She bellowed, “Dean, you left the company in the face of a crisis and we compensated you for everything. We owed you nothing and now you came to ruin our hiring process? What are you trying to do?” The new applicants finally knew what happened. Dean and the former employees were no longer part of Quintessential Group and they were here to cause problems. How shameless! How disgusting! Dean and the
The sneers and gloating looks made Darcy’s family’s hearts sink. Hector got a call half an hour ago and learned that Phoenix had walked free after Kaze called the cops on her. Phoenix wanted Darcy’s family to come to the hospital. Hector thought that Phoenix had fallen ill. Without another word, Hector took Agnes to the hospital. Darcy and Sky had to make time out of their work and school to be there for Phoenix too. The family forgot to bring Kaze along by choice. There was no telling whether Phoenix was ill or angry with Kaze. The last thing they would do was bring Kaze along to make things worse. Outside the ward, Darcy’s family learned through the chatter that Joan, instead of Phoenix, was admitted. Joan’s hospital admission seemed to garner a lot of attention from Phoenix. Oblivious to the situation, Darcy’s family was in a daze. “Has Hector’s family arrived? Tell them to get in here!” Before Darcy’s family could get to the bottom of the matter, Phoenix’s a
Besides, the execution hall enforced the law within the Viper’s Den, putting the division in a superior position within the Viper’s Den West State Branch. The division had the power to decide whether the Viper’s Den member would live or die. The leader of the execution hall, Robin, would oversee the South River State Branch’s new branch chief and branch deputy. Hannah and Collier could not afford to let their guard down. They braced themselves to meet the man. “Marcus? Robin?” Kaze said indifferently, “I keep note of these names. The South River State Branch can’t do anything to the pair, but I am the branch leader.” “You have the power to stop them!” Collier said. Yet, Collier remained hesitant. It was true that Kaze was the Viper’s Den West State Branch leader. The Nether Viper Sword proved it. However, Kaze never officially took office. In other words, the position of the branch leader remained vacant. Collier could not understand Kaze’s delay in declaring his
Conan could sense the calm before the storm over the phone. He stopped joking around and said solemnly, “Of course.” It did not take Conan and Collier long to get to Kaze. Collier took out a stack of Rhys’ photos and said, “I know this guy. He’s Rhys Road, the only son of Boris, Riverbank’s underground kingpin. “His father bankrolled him to start a business in entertainment. He doesn’t get involved in the company operations, but he loves scouting talents to trick women. He’s worse than the man I was.” At least, Collier was aware of the type of man he used to be. Still, Kaze was not amused. Collier kept it strictly business and said somberly, “He often hangs around schools and around the mall to scout beautiful women. He has slept with many women, promising them the world.“He would be forceful with those who didn’t fall for his scheme. He would isolate them or drag them to somewhere secluded and take compromising videos of them. “Dozens of women fell victim to him over t
Joan shuddered and backed away. She said with a dreadful look, “What do you want, Kaze?” “Smack!” Kaze slapped Joan before removing his jacket to shield Sasha’s bruises. He picked her up and walked out of the store. It was not over yet. Rhys and Joan would pay heavily for what they had done. However, Sasha had gone through a lot today, so Kaze needed to take her away. Sasha needed the hospital now. As Kaze whisked Sasha away, Joan held her cheek and shouted furiously, “You’re a bastard, Kaze! How dare you hit me and my boyfriend! I’m telling on you!” Joan sure did not know when to stop. She got close to Kaze and spread her arms, preventing him from leaving. “Crack!” Keeping a blank face, Kaze fractured her arm and flung her aside. He even stomped on her scowling face. As Joan shrieked, Kaze carried Sasha out of there. The scared crowd parted to give way to Kaze and Sasha. Kaze brought Sasha into the car. “Kaze…” Sasha was placed in the front passenger sea
The helpless and despair look on Sasha’s face tugged on the crowd’s heartstrings. However, Rhys and Joan would not stop roughing her out. They were likely rich and powerful. No one had the guts to step forward and stop them. As the crowd built, Joan got a bit heavy-handed. She gritted her teeth and yelled, “Strip her! Take the dress off her!“Shame her, and she will think twice before hitting on someone else’s man.” Joan got a kick out of destroying something so beautiful. “Sasha…” Kaze elbowed through the crowd after his phone call and saw Sasha lying on the ground in despair. He grimaced hard. It never occurred to him that Sasha would endure such humiliation in the span of a phone call. A group of men and women abused her in broad daylight. The crowd watched on, some even criticizing as if things were not bad enough. Kaze was enraged. “Stop!” His angry voice silenced the crowd. Joan was stunned. She released her grip on Sasha’s hair and cocked her head ba
Sasha looked like a princess in the gown, and Joan’s jealousy drove her to start something. Caught in the act by his girlfriend, Rhys felt anxious. Since Joan put the blame on Sasha, Rhys said happily, “You’re right, Joan. The bitch seduced me. She wants to be a star through me. “She even talked about signing a contract with me at a hotel. She invited me to do whatever I wanted. “I know I can be a playboy, but since dating you, I have been saving myself for you. The bitch doesn’t fool me. “When she wouldn’t leave me alone, I got angry and attacked her.” Rhys turned the whole thing against Sasha. “You’re lying!“That’s not true!” Sasha wailed in fury. She would rather take a beating than be labeled the slut who stole someone’s boyfriend. “How dare you talk smack!” Livid, Joan pushed Sasha to the ground and stomped her heels on Sasha. Sasha cried out in pain. “You go, Joan!” “How dare she steal your boyfriend. We should take off her clothes and ruin her.” “Th
Joan, a Quint member in Riverbank, walked in the front. She glared at Rhys and yelled, “Bastard! Didn’t you say that you were in Westeros attending some film festival? Why are you still in Riverbank?” Rhys looked at his girlfriend, who put him on a tight leash lately, and said awkwardly, “Well, the film festival is over. I arrived home early. I just got back.” He and Joan had been dating for six months. They were not serious, though. There were a lot more women for Rhys to explore in the world. He did not want to be held down by a ball and chain. However, his father, Boris, felt that it was time for Rhys to get married and have kids. Since Joan came from a prestigious family, Rhys got together with her. Joan had always been the one to act submissive in his presence. She would turn a blind eye to his romantic pursuits and even cover for him. Rhys understood well that Joan would be marrying up. However, Joan had been getting full of herself lately. It was not her fi
“Do you know who Mr. Road is? His father is Boris Road, one of Riverbank’s four underground kingpins. “If you don’t want trouble, you better delete the video now!” The group turned white and deleted the video. They might not understand the threat that came with Great Road Group. However, Boris, one of Riverbank’s four underground kingpins, had been a menace for twenty years. No one would want to get on his bad side. Many shook their heads and sighed. No one could save Sasha now. It was a shame that the innocent and pretty girl ran into Rhys today. They knew what would happen to Sasha at the hands of Rhys. No one dared to speak up against Rhys’ indecent behavior in broad daylight. “Sasha is your name? It’s beautiful. You can use it as your stage name.” Rhys did not care what others thought about him. As Sasha shivered in fear, Rhys stood proud at his decision to slap the sales representative. He gave Sasha’s cheek a squeeze and said with a lewd smile, “Trust me. Get
“I’m sorry, mister, but I’m not interested in becoming a star.” Sasha backed away and said firmly but politely, “I’m waiting for a friend. Please leave me alone.” While talking, she looked outside for Kaze. Rhys was surprised that Sasha would turn him down without hesitation. He said with a grimace, “You’re not interested? What are you interested in? “Why are you saying no to money?” Sasha was scared as the guy would not leave her alone. She replied, “I just want to finish school. Now isn’t the time to think about money.” She took out her phone to call Kaze. “Aren’t you rude?” Rhys commented with a fake smile. He snatched Sasha’s phone, and the latter panicked and uttered in fright, “G-Give that back!” “I offered you a shortcut in life, and you should’ve taken it.” Rhys released his grip, and the phone dropped to the floor. “Crack!” He stomped on the phone and said grimacingly, “Don’t act like you’re above all, gold digger. What’s a poor college girl doing at