“We don’t have to talk about Hannah. It hasn’t been a few days since she arrived in Riverbank. She’s handicapped and can barely stand on her two feet. The members of the South River State branch don’t take her seriously.” Kaze shook his head when thinking about the woman he crippled. Truth be told, he would have been impressed with Hannah if they had not taken opposing stances. After Gareth died, she confronted Kaze directly for revenge, unlike Sirius who resorted to underhanded tactics.When Hannah realized that Kaze did not kill Gareth, she even gave him a heads-up. Putting aside their differences, Kaze could say that Hannah had a strong personality. The server served the food. They ordered side dishes together with the trout. The chef brought out the best of these raw ingredients, leaving Kaze craving for more. “We can eat and talk.” Kaze told Conan to help himself and grabbed his cutlery. “The Ettingers are the key to gaining control of the South River State br
“Strangely, this woman used to be active in public, running the Ettingers’ business. She’s the perfect wife behind Newell. “But after Newell’s passing, his wife simply started staying out of the limelight. It looks like she’s disinterested in power.” Kaze frowned. “You overlooked such an important individual.” “I’m sorry, Kaze. My negligence is to be blamed,” Conan responded right away. Kaze went back to eating. “Keep an eye on her. I think she’s the same type as Camden.” “Yes.” Conan nodded, and his attention soon went to a woman who walked in. Kaze took a glance as a masked woman in a dress entered the restaurant. The woman looked around. Her eyes widened in shock when her gaze fell on Kaze. “The woman looks familiar, Kaze,” Conan murmured while putting his guard up. Noticing the woman’s response to seeing Kaze, Conan was worried she might be an enemy. Without looking up, Kaze continued to dine and replied indifferently, “It’s Hannah.” Speak of the devil, t
Kaze knew of Four Ocean Commerce Guild. He had several encounters with the members of Four Ocean Commerce Guild in Lilyrose. Four Ocean Commerce Guild once tried to recruit Lilyrose Commerce Guild, but Kaze and Darcy put a stop to that. Kaze heard from Ryna back at Bourbon that Lock was nearly buried alive in concrete due to a business conflict with Four Ocean Commerce Guild. The supposed charitable man was not as kind as rumored. Teddy, the president of Four Ocean Commerce Guild appeared to be highly influential in the South River State. The restaurant owner brought Teddy up to scare the unwelcome customers away. “Oh, so Mr. Crow enjoys dining here, huh?” With the restaurant owner lighting the cigarette, the burly man drew a puff. The restaurant owner nodded. “That’s right. If you could—” “Smack!” The burly man slapped the restaurant owner. “Wham!” The restaurant owner’s plump build hit the ground with a loud thud. As blood bleed out of his nose, he held his
“Run? “Come on. I dare you to do it again.” The burly man whipped his hand across Hannah’s face again. Beaten senseless, Hannah cried in utter despair. She looked completely disheveled. “The once rising star of the Viper’s Den West State branch has been reduced to this,” Conan muttered. Since Hannah tried to kill Kaze to avenge Magnus, Conan had no intention of getting involved. The other patrons watched on the sidelines. Though they were horrified by the brutality inflicted on the woman, they dared not speak out against the arrogant bunch. The leader approached Hannah and stomped her, causing her to cry out in pain. “Do you actually think you’re the deputy of the Viper’s Den South River State branch, you piece of shit? “Talk about the most promising member of the Viper’s Den West State branch. You’re nothing to Mr. Ettinger. “You’re lucky that Mr. Ettinger fancies you.“Given your position as deputy chief, if you served Mr. Ettinger well and handed over the shares
“I told you to get lost, boy. How dare you stay? Is the food that good? I’ll give you your money’s worth.” Before Hux could grab Kaze’s shoulder, the latter slid a butter knife back. “Swoosh!” The butter knife pierced through Hux’s hand and plunged into his shoulder before he could scream in pain. His white shirt was stained with blood. “Ow!” Hux let out a harrowing cry, his arm contorted and pinned to his shoulder. “You’re noisy.” Kaze pulled a punch, sending Hux flying to the ground in a pool of blood. Acting like nothing ever happened, Kaze continued dining. “Clean the restaurant up, pay the restaurant owner’s medical bill, and the woman stays. The rest of you can leave.” He spoke nonchalantly as if driving out flies.“Hiss!” Gasps filled the air. The burly man became the leader of the group because he was the best fighter. However, the young man was able to incapacitate the burly leader brutally while staying seated throughout. They looked at the expo
“I’m talking to you, boy!” Hux shouted infuriatingly. When Hux threatened Kaze, the latter acted like nothing ever happened and continued eating. Hux was insulted by Kaze’s disregard. Kaze would not be able to stay so calm unless he looked down on Hux. Hux was frustrated, unable to understand where Kaze’s confidence stemmed from. Kaze was just a tough guy from out of town. He could not possibly be invincible, especially in a place like Riverbank. Without looking up, Kaze ate and said indifferently, “Since you don’t want to take the easy way out, I’ll have to up the ante. “Seeing that you ruined my appetite, you’ll have to pay me 10 million dollars and apologize alongside the previous terms. You have half an hour to get the money. “Otherwise, you can forget about leaving.” Hux was taken aback at first. He quickly sneered. “Did money get to your head?” “Vroom.” The roar of car engines outside was getting closer.The quiet street was filled with noise. Soon, the n
Collier treated his subordinates however he pleased. He whipped his hand across Hux’s face several times in front of his men. “The face is the last place you should hit. How am I supposed to get it on with that chick after you bruised her face? “I want to kill you, you useless piece of shit.” Collier smacked Hux’s face. Hux backed away in embarrassment and anger. However, he could not retaliate against someone like Collier. Hux pulled out a napkin and handed it to Collier before uttering ingratiatingly, “I was wrong, Mr. Ettinger. I failed you.“We have a tiny issue. Two big men from out of town tried to be the hero. They hit me and demanded we leave Hannah alone. They wanted 10 million dollars and an apology as compensation too.“Otherwise, he wants us dead.“They wouldn’t let things go even when I used your name.” Hux pointed at Kaze, exaggerating the story to infuriate Collier. Collier had all the reasons in the world to hit and insult Hux. However, Kaze was fr
Conan pulled out two tissues without being asked. Kaze took the tissues and wiped his mouth while saying aloofly, “Mr. Ettinger, right? “Here’s your last chance to leave Hannah and 10 million dollars here. “You can get down on your knees and apologize before leaving. “This is my promise to you, or you’re not walking out of here today.” Kaze stressed. “Here’s something to note. I expect an apology from you.” “Oh, my…” The group with Collier burst into laughter. They sneered at Kaze. If Collier was not there, they could understand Kaze’s bragging. The point was Collier was present. Yet, Kaze challenged Collier’s authority, demanding him to apologize. The group had seen plenty of people showing off before but none as desperate as Kaze. “Ha! I won’t be able to walk out of here?“That’s a big claim to make.” Amused, Collier drew close and smacked Conan in the head. “Get out of the way. I need a talk with your leader.” Conan glanced at Collier like he was an id
Phoenix nodded with a fake smile and said grimacingly, “But it looks like your employees hold you in high regard. “They didn’t budge even when their legs were broken.” “Bang!” Shadow kicked an executive to the wall. Darcy looked at the executives and said coldly, “Before I step down, I am instructing all of you to accept Joan as the new chairwoman.” “Ms. Quint!” Many executives grimaced while others cried out in tears. They knew that Darcy agreed to resign because she could not stand them to take the abuse.“I want to apologize for failing to protect you.” Darcy hung her head low in the presence of her management team as tears streamed down her face. She had never been so devastated. Sadly, Kaze would not be with her. Kaze started it too. “I approve of Joan as the chairwoman.” “Me too.” “I concur.” The executives spoke up. They could not change the situation. With Darcy giving in, they knew further resistance would only be met with brutality. As the
Shadow did not show any signs of stopping. She continued kicking the female executive. “Stop, bitch!” Two male executives tried to stop Shadow. Shadow had eyes on the back of her head. Without looking back, she swept a kick at the two big men and slammed them against the wall. She approached the two men and stomped on them. “Crack!” “Crack!”With two sickening cracks, the legs of the two male executives were brutally snapped. Their harrowing cries echoed through the ward. “Stop!” Darcy’s eyes turned bloodshot as her right-hand men endured the brutality. She got up right in Shadow’s face. “Smack!” Shadow slapped Darcy to the ground.She approached Darcy with a blank face and raised her foot. “No!” Hector and Agnes’ breath hitched in their throats. “Shadow.” Phoenix, who watched the violence callously, said, “You can stop now.” She unleashed Shadow on these executives to show them who the boss was. Phoenix had gotten what she wanted. The plan would
Agnes scowled in distress. Sky mumbled under his breath, “You have no right to anyone, though. Darcy doesn’t answer to anybody. The executives approve of her. You can’t run the company without Darcy anyway—” “Shut up!” Phoenix yelled furiously, “The executives approve of her? Well, I can make sure that doesn’t happen. “I doubt they would say anything if I wanted to fire her.” Phoenix said curtly, “Let them in.” Amid her confusion, Darcy watched as Sky Ocean Corporation’s high management entered the room. “Ms. Quint!” The executives greeted Darcy respectfully. They had a lot of respect for Darcy. Though they were a lot older than Darcy, these executives still held Darcy in high regard. Phoenix kept a straight face throughout. She slammed her cane to the ground and yelled at the executives, “I want to sack Darcy and make Joan the chairwoman. Show of hands if you’re on board with the idea.” Silence befell. Two dozen executives exchanged glances. It never occurr
What?Kaze was the cause of the assault, but Darcy was somehow relieved of her chairwoman duties. Hector was stunned. Agnes stepped forward and wailed with a pale face, “Madam Quint, you can’t do this!“Darcy expanded Sky Ocean Corporation and built a presence in Riverbank all on her own. The Quints never helped. Why should she be replaced by Joan?“Darcy has poured her heart and soul into the company. The executives and employees can bear witness to her dedication. “You are letting the employees down. “Besides, Kaze is the problem. He’s out of control. “I’ve been hoping Darcy would dump him, but Darcy is too kind. “I trust that Darcy will move on from him after this incident.“You should be punishing the right person. Don’t put this on Darcy!” Agnes understood that Sky Ocean Corporation was the very thing that provided her family with the lifestyle they had right now. If Darcy was stripped of power, the family would revert to their miserably impoverished days. De
Phoenix glared at Darcy’s family and said sternly, “Did you hear me?” Hector and Agnes shivered and felt obliged to comply with Phoenix’s request. Before Hector and Agnes said anything, Sky jumped in. “Kaze wouldn’t beat anyone up for no reason, Madam Quint. Besides, Joan has it out for our family. She hasn’t liked Kaze since day one.“For all we know, she could be spinning a tale.“You might want to get to the bottom of the truth—” “Shut up!” “Bang!” Phoenix cut Sky off by whacking him with her cane. “What do you know? It’s not your place to speak. Where are your manners? “One more word from you, and I’ll hit you again.” Sky’s repeated offense of challenging Phoenix’s authority drove her to the edge. Furious, Sky rubbed his aching arm and opened his mouth to refute. “Don’t be stubborn!” Agnes yanked Sky in fright and smiled apologetically at Phoenix. “I’m sorry, Madam Quint. Sky is young. He doesn’t know any better.“Don’t be mad, Madam Quint. We’ll contact Ka
“But Kaze doesn’t learn from his mistakes. He acts like he’s all that!“He broke my arm and stomped on my face, saying that I couldn’t be prettier than his wife. “I can accept the injuries on my face, Madam Quint. “But Kaze is disrespecting the family and you!“Please stand up for me, Madam Quint. Sob, sob…” Joan wailed. Her piercing bawling sparked the other family members to back her up. Phoenix was outraged. Hector, Agnes, Darcy, and Sky turned pale. They did not expect Kaze to assault Joan. Kaze went hard on her too. Most importantly, Joan’s boyfriend was the only son of Boris, one of Riverbank’s four underground kingpins, and the boyfriend seemed to be in a worse state. “Kaze brings us nothing but trouble!” Agnes scowled and hissed through clenched teeth, “I knew he shouldn’t be with Darcy. I knew he’d be the death of us.” Old habits sure died hard. Agnes had dropped the attitude after the slapping incident, but she was back to her overbearing self again.
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