Realizing that he had come on too strong, Draig nodded and said with a smile, “Alright. I’m entirely at your disposal, Ms. Frost.” Draig would be near Snow anyway, so there would be other chances. He trusted that he had the charms and moves to win Snow’s heart. All it took was time. … Meanwhile, Kaze took Buffy to Scarlet Creek. It was a long-established, upscale restaurant. The patrons were often elites among elites. Nevertheless, Buffy mentioned that her family owned the restaurant. Kaze and Buffy went to the top floor. No patron was in sight, only a few cautious servers. Still, there was a dangerous presence in the place. Someone lurked within the area. Kaze smiled without a care. He and Buffy followed a server to the biggest private room in the middle. “My father-in-law talked about buying me dinner, but he assigned security all around. Is this even a party?” Jude and his confidante, Serene, were in the private room. With Kaze entering, Serene looked at him
Jude grimaced. It took a while for him to get a grip on himself to say emotionlessly, “It’s not a good thing to be hotheaded, boy. I want to give you some friendly advice since you’re close with Buffy. “You will end up on the wrong side of the stick if you keep up with this attitude.” Kaze picked his cutlery back up with a smile. “I should learn the art of patience and discretion from you. “It does take some type of skill to secure your place as the deputy chief after all these years.” Jude made a face. Kaze was disrespectful. “Cut it out, Kaze,” sitting next to Kaze, Buffy murmured. It was sweet of Kaze to defend her honor. However, the dinner would end on a sour note if Kaze kept this up. “Fine. Since Buffy asked, I’ll stop.” Kaze took a bite of food before asking with a smile, “I’m sure you didn’t invite me here just to have dinner together. “What do you want to talk about? “Just cut to the chase. We’re family, so you don’t have to beat around the bush.” As
“I guess you learned nothing from the last time. Money doesn’t solve all your problems, Mr. Gwake.” Kaze looked at Jude with a pretentious smile. “First of all, I must decline your first request. “You’re offering me 100 million dollars to leave Buffy. You must be rich. “In that case, I should latch on to Buffy since she’s your only daughter. Once you pass, your inheritance will go to her anyway. It’s not like you’re leaving everything to charity. “Are you that generous?” Buffy blushed and glared at Kaze. Jude made a face. “I’m having a serious talk with you, Kaze. I’m not joking around.” “Fine. I’ll take this seriously.” Kaze put on a solemn look and said indifferently, “Buffy and I are friends. As her friend, I can’t sit back and watch her marry someone she doesn’t like.“She should be the one to decide her future husband. No one can make her do anything, not even you. “That’s the end of the matter. “The other two requests are negotiable, though.“But 100 millio
Since the incident with Buffy’s mother, Jude chose to hold his silence and marry Faith. Casius promised Buffy the world. Yet, he did not even mention her mother once. From Buffy’s perspective, Kaze chose her over any perks and understood her. Buffy took a moment to cry before wiping away her tears. She pulled Kaze back and murmured, “You don’t want to get involved in my mother’s affairs, Kaze.” She was clear on the complexity that involved her mother. Even Jude chose to keep his mouth shut when he found out about it. In other words, there was a lot more to it, and Jude did not want to be caught in the implications. Besides, Faith was definitely linked to the incident with Buffy’s mother. Faith was backed by the Krads, a powerful family in the West State. The family was also close to Westeros Fowlers. Buffy did not want Kaze to be pulled into the mess because of her. He would become the target of powerful figures. Jude was overcome with a wave of emotions as Buffy g
Buffy and Serene looked over curiously. A jet-black blade was thrust into the tabletop, its hilt the only part visible above the surface. A tiny serpent coiled around the hilt, its eyes burning with a sinister glow. Both women were stunned. The blade was no stranger to the members of the Viper’s Den. It was the scared Nether Viper Sword. The real sword had always been in the Viper Queen’s possession. However, the members of the organization knew that every branch leader and a handful of elites would be bestowed a replica. The Nether Viper Sword was a status symbol within the organization. The holder of the sword represented the authority of the Viper’s Den branch leader. Jude, Serene, and Buffy knew that the sword was a real replica. No one in Arcadia would force the Nether Viper Sword. Besides, they got eerie vibes from the sword. It was no secret that since Magnus’ death, the position of the Viper’s Den West State Branch leader had been left vacant. The seni
Jude even thought about taking the Nether Viper Sword for himself. Considering Kaze’s fighting prowess, Jude probably would fail even with the help of Serene and the other members hidden around the room. Word about the Nether Viper Sword would get out if Jude pushed Kaze too far. At that point, the powerful figures within the West State Branch would fight Jude over the sword. Jude was just a deputy chief. He doubted he could keep the sword for himself. A million thoughts raced through Jude’s mind. Moments later, he raised his drink at Kaze. “Here’s a toast to you, Kaze.” “What are you up to now?” Kaze grinned indifferently and took a sip of his drink. Jude let out a dry chuckle and said grimly, “Don’t be so hostile, Kaze. I was just having a moment. “You haven’t known my daughter for long, and you even got off the wrong foot. “Yet, here you are, giving up the Nether Viper Sword, a symbol of power in the West State for her. I am touched. “I have made up my mind.
Kaze was not lying. Jude was naïve to think that the Nether Viper Sword would make him the branch chief or branch leader right away. The sword alone could do nothing. Without the right competence, possession of the sword would only bring more harm than good. The holder of the sword would risk theft and even their life. Things would not go Jude’s way if he tried to use the sword to demand subservience from Hannah and Collier or to make a deal with a senior member of the West State Branch. This was why Kaze had no qualms about selling the sword off. Kaze had the power to get it back anyway. “Thank you, Kaze.” Wiping away her tears, Buffy said with a smile, “I find it hard to accept what my dad has done, but I’m happy to have a thoughtful friend like you.“I’m not your woman. Heck, I’ve only known you for a few days. Still, you gave up the sword for me. That’s something I won’t forget. “I will do everything I can to seek justice for my mother. “You’ve done enough fo
Jude began plotting ways to maximize his gain through the Nether Viper Sword the moment he walked out of Scarlet Creek. “Kaze sold it to you?” Faith was dumbfounded, her face somber as she asked, “How much was it?” The way she saw it, it was only right for Kaze to present the sword to make up for slapping Jude, causing a scene at the Gwakes’ residence, hurting Faith, and upsetting Casius by hitting on Buffy. Yet, Jude paid good money to acquire the sword. It was absurd. “Two billion dollars.” Jude tugged at his beard, his heart aching for the money. “What? Two billion dollars?” Faith slammed her glass onto the drink hold and said frustratedly, “Have you lost your mind, Jude? It’s bad enough that Lee demanded a fortune, but I can’t believe you’d go through with it too.“He should have presented the sword to you, no questions asked.“We’re talking about two billion dollars, not twenty thousand dollars.” Faith was in great pain of losing two billion dollars. It was a
The hostages were locked up in the containers. Some of them were elites in their own field while some were ordinary people with average income, yet all of them got into trouble when they boarded the plane. Most of them could not accept their fate. Yet they dared not defy or resist the mercenaries. When things started to calm down, they broke down in tears, weeping in silence as resentment consumed them. Kaze sat down at a clean corner that allowed him to look outside the window. The window was dirty but at least he could see outside. The space inside the container was filled with people sitting closely, offering comfort to one another. They were aware they were just temporarily safe in this container. No one knew what the mercenaries would do to them at the next moment. “My parents must be worried. I said I would call them when I land but now I can’t even get in touch,” Barney muttered as he sat beside Kaze. He too looked outside the window, his feelings mixed. He watc
Kaze thought of what he had overheard in the toilet. If he told the hostages about that, they would probably panic. “It’s nothing. They are just going to separate us into different rooms or containers. They said the buses would be disposed of,” he said. He did not want to reveal too much because it would cause panic. Once the hostages knew their lives were on the line, things might spiral out of control. The mercenaries could kill a few of them to make an example, and none of the hostages would dare to cause problems anymore. Kaze kept it a secret because he wanted to protect the people. “That’s it?” “Is there anything else? How many men are there? What is their plan? Who are they looking for?” “We want to know because we want to survive. This isn't our problem—we just got caught up in it.” The hostages looked at Kaze, their eyes filled with worry. They felt aggrieved because they should not be caught in such a huge problem. “I don’t know either.” No matter how m
“There’s a room there. Get in.” The mercenary pointed his gun at the mother and son, which led them to look at Kaze nervously, seemingly asking for help. “What do you want?” The mother was nervous. She clutched her son’s hand tightly, nearly making him cry, but she reacted quickly enough to cover her son’s mouth to prevent him from doing so. “All women must go into that room. You go in now,” the mercenary explained. He did not want the woman to get the wrong idea. “You people won’t hurt me, right?” the mother asked, worried that she might be ravaged. “We are not into MILF,” said the other mercenary who was escorting Kaze, indirectly assuring the mother. Kaze shot a glance at the mother and nodded at her. “They told us they were going to separate us, so there’s nothing to worry about,” he said, worried that the mother and son would not cooperate. The mother then carried her son and followed the other mercenary into the room. It was called a room but it was actually ju
“Can you make him stop? If the man comes back, we’ll be done for,” someone said. The kid’s crying made everyone anxious. “What can I do? He’s crying because he’s scared. I can’t just stop him.” The mother was afraid as well, and she did not want her son to be taken advantage of. “Calm down. Just don’t alert the men and we’ll be fine,” Miguel said, hoping to ease the situation. “I’ll fight him if he comes in. I believe I can make it,” someone said. Those with an impulsive nature grew restless from being kept on the bus for too long, feeling like livestock being kept in cages. “Shut it. They are coming,” Barney said after a glance outside the window. The other passengers fell silent, sat back down, lowered their heads, and tried their best not to look out the window. The mother quickly hugged her son and covered his mouth to prevent him from crying. Kaze felt peace and quiet once more, even the air felt smoother. He knew the passengers were merely ordinary people and
Unfortunately, Leah knew she would not get an answer out of Snow since she was refusing to help. Everything seemed to have changed following her mother’s disappearance. She tried to stay for answers but when security came in, she could not resist them anymore. It was the first time she was escorted out by security guards and it impacted her. She used to be the daughter of the CEO of Northborn Group—everyone respected her. She used to enjoy a privileged status. No matter where she went, she was the star of the event. Yet when her mother disappeared, everything changed. She wanted to look for Kaze but she had just lost the chance. Snow turned her down and gazed at her with contempt and irritation. Leah could not accept the changes but some things felt like they were destined to change. She was forced to leave the branch office but then had no idea where else to go. She felt abandoned by the world. Before this, she could still hope for Kaze’s help, but now she had no
Leah went to her mother’s company but did not find her anywhere. Joey was busy working in the CEO’s office. Leah went over and asked, “Joey, where’s my mother? I can’t reach her.” She wanted to know what happened to her mother. “I don’t know about your mother either. We went out together earlier in the day but I don’t know where she went. I can’t get in touch with her.” Joey was so busy that she could not even free herself from the desk to explain to the girl. “Where did she go? How am I supposed to find her?” Leah panicked. If even Joey did not know where her mother went, then something must have happened. A bad feeling rose from her heart. Things just got serious. “I don’t know. Why don’t you ask someone else?” Joey did not have time to deal with the girl. Leah was unfamiliar with Joey’s coldness. Joey had always treated her with kindness and flattery, so the sudden coldness caught her off guard. She felt like something had changed. “Who should I be looking f
“No! My daughter is still in the hospital!” Katie refused to accept her punishment. She started to regret her decision but it was too late. “Now only you think about your daughter? I guess you are not that foolish, but have you thought about her when you betrayed Chairman Lee? “Don’t worry. Leah knew Chairman Lee personally and we won’t hurt her, but she might not live a good life anymore,” Snow said coldly. She did not want to put the girl in a difficult situation but her life as a princess would come to an end. “You can’t do that!” Katie could not believe Snow would do that. “I bet you never thought of the consequences when you leaked the information. Too bad. You’ve lost.” Snow revealed the truth because she wanted Katie to suffer for the decision she made. Katie would now regret every decision she made because she knew she had jeopardized her daughter’s life. She would feel like a fool. She devoted her life to climbing higher to gain more power but she ignored the
“I went to a bar to have a drink and I bumped into an informant of the Viper’s Den.” Katie looked helpless as she explained as if everything that had happened was planned out for her, pushing her to the edge step by step. It was a lively night at the bar. The atmosphere was pleasant and most of the guests were having a good time. Katie was a single woman. She needed care and love at times. She was alone when she visited the bar. She started off by ordering some drinks at the counter, waiting for a chance to meet a man who shared the same ideals. A drink or two later, maybe she could get herself a company for the night. As a grown-up woman, she had her desires. It was a way to release her stress. Katie entered the bar in a casual outfit but it did not diminish her elegant demeanor. When she sat down at the counter, a few young men approached her but she was not interested in immature boys. She continued drinking. She looked at the dance floor occasionally, searching for a
“Who do you think will believe you?” Arthur frowned. There were too many coincidences that it felt like a giant setup. “I’ve explained what I need to. Don’t interrogate me like I’m a criminal. I am the CEO of the Northborn Group.” Katie left them speechless. She had said the necessary and it was up to them whether they wanted to believe it or not. They did not have the evidence to charge her anyway. “You really think we can’t hold you responsible?” Snow was not really looking for a definite answer. The moment she suspected Katie, whether or not she was truly the traitor, Snow already had the right to hold her accountable. It was necessary to make things clear and it was to find out who Katie leaked Kaze’s information to. “It has come down to this. No matter how you deny it, it’s useless. We already know what you have done and you can’t escape. Even if you don’t want to confess, we can continue the investigation, and we’ll eventually find out the truth. “If you come clean