Kaze removed the four butter knives lodged in Collier’s hands and carried him out. “W-Where are you taking Mr. Ettinger?” Hux asked with a grimace. He kept his voice low, fearing Kaze might harm Collier further. Kaze replied indifferently, “Mr. Ettinger is taking us for a ride. I’ll drop him back two hours later. “All of you must wait here.“If any one of you sneak out, I will break one of Collier’s limbs. One limb for each person.” Kaze then carried Collier out of the restaurant as the crowd watched on. Collier knew he met his match when his eyes fell on the Rolls Royce. The Rolls Royce was nothing special to someone of his caliber. Heck, Collier’s family owned several Rolls Royces. However, the vehicle proved that Kaze was not the country bumpkin Collier thought he was. Without time to care what was on Collier’s mind, Kaze dumped him in the trunk. Conan kept the firearm and followed Kaze into the car. Soon, the Rolls Royce turned around and drove off. Hux and
“Did you take me here just to humiliate me, Kaze?” Hannah felt her hot cheek and said curtly, “You can kill me, but you can’t insult me.” Kaze? Playing dead on the ground, Collier found the name familiar. “Insult you? Do you think you’re worth my time?” Kaze sat down opposite Hannah and wiped his hand with a wet wipe. Hannah raised a brow and took a deep breath to fight back the rage. She quickly let out a wry smile. “That’s true. You defeated Magnus and crippled me with one hand after all. “I don’t qualify to fight you. Now that I am nothing, I don’t even deserve any humiliation from you. “You can kill me easily.” Hannah glanced at Collier before meeting Kaze’s gaze. “I heard that you killed Newell’s family. Is that true?” “What? Are you planning to avenge Newell’s family?” Kaze smiled amusedly, not denying that fact. He had no reason to hide anyway. “Uh…” Collier went through a range of emotions. Kaze!Collier’s memory was coming back now. Kaze was th
Kaze shook his head. Even now, Hannah was so full of herself. “Why don’t you tell me how you plan to repay me?” Kaze said amusedly. Hannah grimaced and said coldly, “Why must you insult me, Kaze? “I am just a loser. What can I even do for you? “Power? I’m just the deputy chief by name. No one takes me seriously. Even Collier can corner me.” Collier shuddered and replied, “I was blind, Hannah. I really respect you.” Hannah snapped at him with an angry look and brushed him off. “Money? That’s something I don’t have. “You just want to see a high and mighty woman standing humbly before you. “Maybe you’re after my body just like Collier. “Do as you please. I can’t fight back anyway. “But we’re even after tonight.” With a pale face, Hannah closed her eyes, ready to accept her fate. Hannah could be a virgin for all Kaze knew. Kaze pursed his lips. “Forget it. I prefer the romantic type, not the unwilling ones like you. You just lie there and play dead.“Besides,
“It’s the least I can do.” Hannah narrowed her eyes at Kaze, her body shaking. She never fully appreciated what she had until she lost it all.Hannah experienced the harshness of the world when she lost her combat prowess. The companions, who used to be all over her, now behaved like strangers. The executives at the Viper’s Den West State branch, who protected and adored her, turned their backs and reassigned her to be the deputy chief at the South River State branch. Hannah was constantly picked on at the South River State branch. She dared not imagine what would happen to her if she fell into Collier’s hands today. “What are your terms?” Hannah asked with a struggle. “You work for me willingly. You’ll be my lapdog. “You take orders from me. “When I tell you to bite, you bite,” Kaze said curtly. He wanted to trample on Hannah’s ego. It was the only way to keep her under his thumb. Kaze was not a saint. He was happy to restore Hannah’s powers for his own benefit,
The Nether Viper Sword was Autumn’s weapon, a sacred blade that symbolized the Viper’s Den’s supreme authority. The blade in Kaze’s possession was a replica. Even so, only the Viper’s Den branch leader had the right to possess the sword. Hannah, one of the most promising members out of the 36 Viper’s Den branches, was given one by the Viper Queen. Previously, Hannah arrived at Lilyrose, armed with the Nether Viper Sword. She thought the weapon alone was enough to crush her godfather’s killer. To her dismay, Kaze crippled her and took the Nether Viper Sword away. Later, the blade triggered a series of tumultuous events. Seeing the blade she once possessed stirred a complex mix of emotions in Hannah.More shockingly, Hannah wondered how the Nether Viper Sword ended up with Kaze. There had been a rumor going around the organization. The person who could kill Kaze would become the Viper’s Den West State branch leader. Magnus, Sirius, and Newell’s family were killed and c
Kaze had initially intended to consolidate his control over the West State branch and the South River State branch by eliminating half of their members and co-opting the remaining half. His strategy was going to be a combination of intimidation and reward, allowing him to exert absolute authority.Nevertheless, he changed his mind when he saw Hannah. He needed Hannah’s voluntary compliance to secure her allegiance and leave no room for complications. Hence, Kaze did not attempt to coerce her. He had given her a chance, and now it was up to her whether she would take it. Hannah contemplated for a moment before taking a step forward and kneeling before Kaze. “You’re my leader. “From this moment on, I will only take orders from you.” Once she made up her mind, Hannah no longer hesitated and made a firm statement. She could not refuse Kaze’s offer. Either way, it was an opportunity to restore her strength. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She would not be ab
“Don’t be so quick to thank me. Let’s get down to business.” Kaze waved his arm and sat down on the couch. “Let me be clear. I don’t tolerate incompetence.“So you are going to be the South River State branch chief. “But I won’t appoint you to the job. You need to purge the organization and gain power on your own. “I don’t care if Josiah, Jude, or Camden have a problem with it. They can either submit or go down with Newell. “I’m here for other businesses, so I don’t want to waste too much of my time with the South River State branch. You have two weeks. “Show me what you got, Hannah.” If Hannah proved herself capable, Kaze was open to letting her handle the restructuring of the West State branch or take a more senior role. Kaze would not use her if Hannah did nothing impressive. He could pick other talents anyway. Hannah nodded and said, “I’m willing to take an oath of commitment. “I’ll make sure that in just a week, your voice is the only one that matters in the
Collier understood the need to nip a problem in the bud. Scared stiff, he sprung to hold Kaze’s leg and wailed, “Because you killed my family, I wouldn’t and couldn’t betray you, sir. “My life is in your hands.“Please give me a chance, sir. “I’ll be your lapdog. I’ll bite at command.“That’s right. I’ll prove my loyalty. Josiah is my ally. I can lure him to a meeting under the pretense of business and handle him as you see fit.”Collier resorted to every means possible just to survive. Kaze believed Collier would pull his pants down and eat his shit if he were to ask him to do so. “Wham!” Kaze kicked Collier and said with pursed lips, “Poor Josiah. You have no shame in betraying your ally.” Collier said ingratiatingly, “I’m a dog, not human. Of course, I have no shame, Kaze.“To be honest, I don’t hate you for killing my father. “I just wish I was there to do the dirty work for you.” It was a ridiculous statement to make. Hannah scoffed in disdain. Despite be
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