Albert’s amazing achievements on the foreign battlefield made him a decorated soldier, which also promoted him to chief commander of the South River Strategic Department at just over 30 years old. With the Hidens behind his back, his future was considered limitless. In time he would be a prominent figure, if not the leader, of the Harrowdale Hidens. Albert’s promotion was unstoppable. Even if he was forced to step down from the position now, it would only delay his career for one to three years. However, be it one year or three years, time mattered the most in a soldier’s career, especially for someone in his position. One step slower would hold him back forever. Whenever he reached a turning point, his ascension or promotion might be curbed because of the delay in his career. Therefore, for the sake of Albert’s future, Kaze called Autumn. After the call got through, Kaze said, “Someone is still trying to bring up Magnus’ death and led an investigation to the South Rive
Autumn did not delve into the topic. She said, “Invincible Lee, to be honest, all of this started because of the Hidens’ extensive reach. “Back when Albert became the chief commander, it was a move they made to target the West State’s political scene. That woman in the Hiden family has always been ambitious and wanted to inject their influence into the West State. “No one likes a stranger sleeping on their couch. The folks in the West State won’t just sit back and watch the Hidens creep into their turf.” “You are saying it’s the Westeros Fowlers?” Kaze asked with furrowed brows. The Westeros Fowlers were a powerful family whose influence blanketed the whole state. Autumn’s silence practically verified Kaze’s speculation. Kaze shook his head. The relationship between big families was as complicated as always. A while ago, the Hidens tried to arrange for Miru to marry Jerome from the Fowlers. It really seemed like the two families finally got to a mutual understanding and
Kaze said, “It seems like the almighty Viper Queen isn’t as cold as they claim, you even know that I sent Miru to Riverbank. “Are you trying to use me to clean up the Fowlers’ spies in the Viper’s Den this time?” A while back, Jerome was able to get the Viper’s Den agents to give Kaze a hard time. It was proof that the Fowlers had infiltrated the West State Viper’s Den thoroughly, like sand in creeks. Kaze knew what Autumn had in her mind. Autumn did not mind her intention being revealed. She said indifferently, “That depends on how you want to look at things. You ruined the marriage arrangement between the Fowlers and the Hidens, you really think you can walk away from Jerome Fowler?” “Then you are saying this is a mutual working relationship? Hehe…” Kaze chuckled and then hung up the phone. He had to admit that Autumn was insightful in this matter. He did ruin the marriage arrangement between Miru and Jerome, so whether the Fowlers cared about the marriage or not, f
Kaze went up to the young man and asked, “Rex? I’m Kaze, Mr. Yemen’s student…” Rex pulled his attention back from a girl and had a good look at Kaze. When he saw the casual clothes and the sack of luggage, looking like a country man’s first visit to the big city, disdain and contempt immediately appeared on his face. “Where have you been? You kept me waiting, you know that? Is this your first time on the train?” Rex was Ryna’s nephew. A few years ago, when Lock’s business started to profit, they needed a driver, so Rex filled the spot. After driving Lock around for a few years, Rex got the opportunity to meet some wealthy people, so he too, assumed the identity of one. He completely forgot that he was once from the countryside. Even after he moved to the city, he still had the same personality. He looked down on people who dressed poorly. Early in the morning, he received a call from Lock and asked him to pick up someone from the train station. If Lock had high regard
The Mercedes drove off the train station but Kaze did not ask Rex where they were going. He was not afraid that Rex would play tricks on him. People like Rex looked down on those beneath them but feared anyone with greater power. All Kaze needed to do was intimidate him with force and he would stay put. After the kick and slap, Rex already knew that he should not mess with Kaze, or else he would be getting a lesson that he would not forget for the rest of his life. The Mercedes continued to drive across the main avenue of Riverbank. Skyscrapers flew by outside the window. Even though the city was incomparable to Westeros, the capital of the West State, it was still the main financial hub. Its influence reached every corner of the West State, plus a couple of other states as well. It was the heart of the entire state. Someone used to say that Westeros represented the past glory of the West State and Riverbank represented the bright future. Whoever took control of Riv
Kaze knew Magnus alone had 30% shares in Golden Scale Corporation. The other three branch leaders of the West State Viper’s Den, such as Jacob, Malova’s husband, who died in Kaze’s hands, had 10%. In addition, as the branch chief of the South River Branch, Newell also received 20% of the company shares due to its special position in the West State. The remaining percentages of the shares were public assets owned by the Viper’s Den. With the Viper’s Den’s authority and resources, the profits from businesses were mostly shared among prominent figures, which explained why people wanted to join the organization. Now that Magnus, Newell, and his son, Brad, had died in Kaze’s hands, the assets and shares of the company that they had left became a prize for the others to compete. To seize the shares, the entire West State Viper’s Den was in chaos, and the organization had devolved into a dog-eat-dog situation. The competition even involved the outside world, which caused a mess
“This way, Sir.” The waiter led Kaze to Lock’s reserved VIP room. To keep the confidentiality of the guests, all guests who dined in Bourbon were hosted in independent VIP rooms. “Huh? That young man…” The manager of the branch saw Kaze’s figure and furrowed his brows curiously. A moment of hesitation later, he dialed a number on his phone. “Hello, Mr. Queen, I’m Roger, the manager of Bourbon Riverbank Branch. I remember you once told us that if we see Mr. Kaze Lee, we should serve him with our best. I think I just spotted him in my branch…” …Knock, knock. With the sack of medicine in his hand, Kaze followed the waiter to the VIP room and waited for the waiter to knock on the door. “I think Wesley and Cyan are here! Do you know that Wesley’s uncle, Jude, is the vice branch chief of Viper’s Den South River Branch? He’s also likely to become the new branch chief! “Wesley is trying to date Cyan and I like the young man a lot.” Through the door, Kaze heard the voice o
Ryna’s eyes had a brazen contempt and it could not escape Kaze’s eyes. He said, “Mr. Yemen asked your driver to bring me here. He said I can join you guys for a meal before going back to your place.” “What is Lock thinking, asking you to come here? Doesn’t he know this is an important occasion?” Ryna grumbled out of frustration. She then dragged Kaze away to a secluded corner and whispered, “Kaze, this meeting is important to our family. The guests are all wealthy and powerful, you shouldn’t be here.” At the same time, she opened her purse and took some cash out, probably around 2,000 dollars. She shoved the money into Kaze’s hands and said, “Take these and go find something to fill your stomach. If you don’t know the way, I’ll ask Rex to drive you around. You can meet up with Lock at home later.” She obviously took Kaze as a freeloader. Kaze frowned and gave the money back. “Thank you, Mrs. Yemen. I am not here to beg.” “Look at you, what are you talking about?” Ryna