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 Blancos, 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
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
“Hannah and Collier released the news ahead of us through Golden Scale Corporation, Mr. Gwake.” Serene said with a sour face, “They claimed the Viper Queen sent a branch leader to reach them, saying that the Nether Viper Sword was lost in Riverbank. “They are offering a billion-dollar reward on behalf of the South River State Branch. Anyone can collect their reward at Golden Scale Corporation when the sword is located. “Anyone, including members of the organization, found stashing the sword away will face annihilation.” Silence befell inside the car. “Bam!” Jude crushed the glass in his hand, the shards cut into his skin and drew blood. His face was ashen. “Bastard! “Jerk!” Faith and Serene soon snapped out of their trance. Hannah beat them to the news release. Either way, the Nether Viper Sword was no use to Jude anymore. That was not the only thing. The Nether Viper Sword was more of a nuisance than a treasure. By not turning in the sword, Jude would be su