The socialites were quick to deny these allegations. No one wanted to be associated with a crime. Even a mere suspicion was a social suicide for them. Wesley said grimacingly, “We have seen everybody around. Given our relationship, we can be confident that neither of us will engage in theft.“But one individual is an exception.” Wesley pointed his finger. The crowd followed the direction of his pointed finger to Kaze, who stood next to Buffy. “I’ve never met Kaze Lee in any of our social gatherings before. I don’t even know how he got in.“He headed straight to the buffet table as if he hadn’t eaten for days. I bet he’s poor. “He must be desperate for the seven-million-dollar diamond. “Don’t you think so?” Many nodded, finding that Wesley had a point. First of all, Kaze had not been seen in the prestigious get-together among the upper class before. Even Rose was only on the guest list as Zenika’s plus-one. Luis was Rose’s suitor right now. No one knew much about
“We can’t call the cops, Ms. Gwake.“Yeah, we can handle this on our own. It’s just seven million dollars. There’s no need to get the cops involved,” the socialites said. Buffy furrowed her brows. She was in no position to dismiss the opinion of the majority. Wesley said, “Here’s an idea, Buffy. Since we’re in Bronze Sparrow, we can just go with the place’s rules. “Find the diamond and handle it discreetly.” Buffy gave a nod and pulled out her phone. “Alright. I’ll give them a call.” “I got it.” With Buffy on board with the suggestion. Wesley said with a smile, “I have contacted Eunice. She’s coming here soon with her employees.” He then turned to Kaze and uttered sternly, “If you know any better, you should hand over the diamond now, Kaze. We can implement a lighter punishment since it’s Buffy’s birthday. “No one can save you once we find the diamond on you later. “Please don’t take my words lightly. Ask around. “The punishment for theft at Bronze Sparrow is a br
“I’m pleased that Bronze Sparrow is taking this seriously.” Luis nodded and pointed at Kaze. “I have reason to suspect that he stole my diamond, Ms. Lapel. “I know it’s him. He just looks like bad news.” Eunice nodded, unsurprised by the accusation. At the wave of her arm, several burly men in suits surrounded Kaze. Eunice stood outside the ring of intimidating men and said sternly, “Hand over the diamond, boy. “If you kneel and admit to your mistake, I can consider just cutting your finger off. “If my men find the diamond on you, you’ll be losing an arm.” Kaze replied indifferently, “You don’t even have one shred of evidence to determine that I stole the diamond. “Is this how you do things around here?“Cut my finger? What right do you have? “Do you think the rules of Bronze Sparrow trump the law?” Eunice responded curtly, “Ask anyone here who the owner of Bronze Sparrow is, Kaze. “You’re right on one account. The rules of Bronze Sparrow trump the law!“Even
“What did you call Ms. Gwake, boy?”Eunice gritted her teeth, her eyes flickering menacingly. She was aware of Casius’ feelings for Buffy. Hence, Kaze’s affectionate nickname for Buffy was an insult to the owner of Bronze Sparrow. Luis said, “Don’t take him seriously, Ms. Lapel. The guy won Ms. Gwake in a game of cards, so he got a little cocky.” He turned to Buffy. “Why are you standing up for the guy who hit on you and took advantage of you, Ms. Gwake?“He doesn’t appreciate your help either.“No need to take the bet seriously. He’s just a country bumpkin. He wouldn’t be playing cards with you if you hadn’t been so kind to let him sit at the same table. “Don’t feel obligated to help. It won’t be on you or your family if you don’t fulfill your promise.” Luis was afraid that Buffy would take Kaze’s side. In that case, Kaze might get off scot-free. Luis could not allow his carefully devised plan to fail. With that in mind, Luis waved at Eunice and said annoyedly, “Don
Still holding a wine glass, Kaze spread his arms apart to allow the body search. Luis said grimacingly, “Frisk him! Pat him down! Strip him and put him under a scanner to find if the diamond is hiding in his anus.” Zenika and Wesley were thrilled. Kaze would be humiliated to be stripped naked in public. Eunice waved at her subordinates. “Didn’t you hear Mr. Presley? Strip him!” She hated Kaze’s guts, so she could not pass up on the opportunity to insult Kaze while looking for the diamond. “Yes, ma’am.” Two burly men approached with sinister smiles to remove Kaze’s clothing. “Smack! Smack!” Kaze was quick to retaliate with a couple of slaps, knocking the two men off their feet. The men spat out blood and passed out unconscious. The crowd was dumbstruck by Kaze’s sheer strength. It was no surprise that Kaze could fight, but they did not know he was really good at it. Kaze was supposed to be from a small town. “How dare you fight back, boy!“So you are the thief
“Step aside!“You’re just a bunch of crude brutes. I’ll handle the search.” Eunice yanked one of the burly men out of the way and reached into Kaze’s right pocket. She rummaged for a long time and fished out a handful of air. Luis grimaced harder. “The diamond must not be on his person. He might have hidden it somewhere else. Find it. Search every inch of this place right now. “Rose could be in on it too.” Rose yelled furiously, “You’re a bastard, Luis! I will never steal or collude with Kaze.” Luis pulled a stoic face in silence. He went to lengths just to get even with Kaze. Luis had gone to the point where if family was on Kaze’s side, he would retaliate against them too. He would not have a good night’s rest until he got back at Kaze. Eunice led her men to turn the venue upside down and scan for the diamond. Due to the diamond’s reflective surface, they turned off the lights and moved their flashlights around. However, all their approaches were pointless. T
“It’s the diamond! “The diamond is in Kaze’s glass.” Someone shouted while pointing at the wine glass. Kaze had been holding the wine glass all the while. The crowd assumed Kaze was holding the glass to fit in as the latter was unaccustomed to the social circles of the elites.It never occurred to anyone that the diamond had been lying in Kaze’s wine glass. The jaws of Luis and the others dropped. Holy shit. They did not expect the wine glass to contain the diamond. Even Buffy parted her lips in shock. She did not think Kaze would hide the diamond in the glass right under everybody’s noses.“And you said you weren’t a thief, Kaze.“Hand over the diamond now!” Zenika turned cocky, acting like she had won the battle. She commanded Kaze to turn over the diamond. Kaze said with a smile, “You can’t find the diamond after turning the place upside down. Now that you see a marble, you claim that it’s yours.“Who do you think you are? “What if I said that your clot
“Fine, Kaze. I underestimated you. You dodged a bullet today. “But you won’t be so lucky next time. “Just you wait.” Luis cocked his head back to leave. He was too humiliated to stay. Wesley and Zenika kept close behind him. “Hang on. Did I say you could leave?” Kaze said indifferently. They tried to escape after failing to set Kaze up. Well, they would not get off easily. Luis had the nerve to threaten Kaze too. Kaze wanted to straighten them out tonight. “What do you mean, Lee? Why do we need your consent to leave?” “Who do you think you are?”Luis, Wesley, and Zenika snapped angry looks at Kaze. They had been humiliated enough. Paying them no heed, Kaze glanced at Eunice and said, “Shouldn’t you answer to me now, Ms. Lapel?” Eunice stopped on her way out and said curtly, “Why?” Kaze pointed at Zenika and the others. “This woman admitted to slipping the marble into my pocket to frame me. According to your rules, she gets her arm broken. “Besides, th
Thomas glared at the two police officers and waved his arm curtly. “Don’t just stand there. Make the arrest!” He knew how Scorpion and his crew operated.Scorpion was not the type to give up on a fight easily. Thomas was the security captain of the Southgate Police Department. The supposed Captain Conroy would only rank slightly higher than him. Members of the criminal underworld often associate with people on the police force to seek favors in time of need. However, these favors should not be used lightly. It was common knowledge not to enlist the help of someone high up in the command chain right away. It would be a waste of resources. In a typical situation, Thomas might have trouble making the arrest. However, Thomas was taking Kaze’s side, so he had nothing to fear. With that in mind, Thomas said icily, “Captain Conroy? How many more captains are you going to call upon?“Even if you summon someone working for the state, you’re still coming with us.” “You’re ju
All these incidents put together suggested that Kaze was more than he seemed. Thomas focused the most on Kaze and the mayor’s relationship. The power of a local authority outweighed someone from out of state. Though the officials working in the state government were more powerful, they would have no bearing on the locals’ situation. Kent was the mayor of Riverbank, and his decision would change the course of the locals’ fate. Thomas understood his place in the matter. Boris may be badass, but Thomas could get nothing out of him. Thomas had to deal with Boris’ men frequently. These men would give the police gifts during the holidays as payment for turning a blind eye to certain things. He could fall out with Scorpion and his crew, but he could not cross Kaze when Scorpion’s people were clearly at fault. Kent could possibly intervene, and Thomas’ connections would not be able to bail him out.Thomas turned stern and said coldly, “It’s outrageous of you to trash a plac
Scorpion sat sprawled across the couch, his legs crossed. He lit a cigarette, took a drag, and said, “Oh, an old friend. It’s Captain Blunick from the Southgate Police Department.“I’m handling business today. I’d appreciate it if you could look the other way.” The person in charge was Thomas Blunick, security captain of the Southgate Police Department. Thomas frowned and said icily, “Is this your way of handling business, Scorpion? “Don’t you push it.” Scorpion grinned and said without any reservation, “Mr. Road’s son, Rhys, was beaten up by some riff-raff. Mr. Road sent me here for some unfinished business. “You should know that Mr. Road dotes on Rhys, and Rhys now suffers two broken legs. “This is not over until the culprit pays.” Thomas scoffed. “You can’t trash a medical center in broad daylight.” He asked curiously, “Who is Rhys’ attacker?” Even the other police officers were intrigued. To think someone would hurt Boris’ son in Riverbank. It was a death wis
“Heh. Scared?”Scorpion laughed maniacally. “Ask around. I’ve been working in this line for twenty years. Nothing scares me. “I don’t know what fear is.” Kaze said indifferently, “Cut the crap. You and your crew can come at me all at once, or you can fight on your own. “I want to crush you and be on my way.” “Thud!” Scorpion smacked the table, splintering the wood. “Hear that, my men? “Get him! Kill him!”“Get him!”A dozen minions pounced on Kaze. “Bang!” One subordinate tried to whack Kaze with a steel pipe, but Kaze grabbed the pipe from his hands and kicked him away. Kaze strode toward the street gang and swung the pipe. “Clank! Bang!” Sparks flew from the clashes of metal. The street gang felt their hands go numb as their pipes were knocked out of their hands. Only one steel pipe remained firmly in Kaze’s grasp. Kaze made his next move. “Argh!” The steel pipe struck the gangsters one after another, fracturing their bones. In less than a minute, t
Scorpion stood there, watching brutally as his people trashed the place. “Smack!” He raised his hand and hit the owner of Herbal Spring. The owner folded like a cheap suit, and his head was busted. “You don’t know why we’re upset? “Well, why are we here then?” Scorpion stomped on the owner’s belly, and the latter shrieked in pain. Scorpion nodded in glee. “Tell Kaze Lee to get his ass here right now! “I know he’s in there. He injured my boss’ son. I’ll kill him today, or my name isn’t Scorpion,” Scorpion puffed out and said menacingly.His grim gaze scanned the room, and no one at Herbal Spring had the guts to meet his gaze. “You have one minute. If I don’t see Kaze in one minute, my people will trash the place.”Scorpion walked to the black couch in the hall and sat down while smoking away. Scared stiff, the owner of Herbal Spring cried, “Quick! Get Mr. Lee here now.” Kaze emerged from the back with a grimace. “It’s him, Scorpion!” A thug took a photo out for
As fear took over, Agnes sobbed.“Kaze is the death of us!“Sob, sob. I’m telling you. I’m not your mother unless you divorce him!” Hector held Agnes and persuaded her, “Just stop it. Darcy is upset enough as it is.” “Smack!” Agnes raised her hand at Hector. “You’re one to talk. You’re just a loser! If you had made something of yourself, we wouldn’t have to rely on our daughter for everything. “Do you think I don’t know you’ve been protecting the bastard? “I’m telling you, Hector. If you continue to defend him instead of standing with me, I’ll dump your sorry ass!” “Can’t this wait until we get home?” Hector covered his face, wishing that he could just sink into a hole. Joan’s family snickered. “Just separate already. You’re just in your fifties. I’m sure you can find another at your age.” “You should just file for divorce now, Darcy. Otherwise, you’d be widowed instead of divorced.” “He broke Rhys’ legs. Boris, the underground kingpin, will make him pay.” “The
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