Darcy pulled a long face. “I told you a long time ago that I wasn’t interested in Kiev, Mom. Can you stop giving him false hope?”“I’m not giving him false hope.” Agnes rolled her eyes. “I’m not expecting you to do anything. You’re the head of the Ridgesouth Quints now. Kiev doesn’t deserve you. You deserve better. “But Kiev only has eyes for you.“He can be a friend to you. A friend can help with some problems.” Even Sky could not take it anymore. “Mom, where did you pick up these lines from? What kind of playbook are they from?” “What playbook?” Agnes smacked Sky. “Hurry up and pick a room. You should find yourself a wife instead of taking space in the villa.” Since Darcy’s family insisted on moving in, Kaze let them be. However, Kaze needed to sort the issue with Leron out as soon as possible. “Why aren’t you keeping yourself busy, Kaze? Do you honestly think you come from a rich family?” While Kaze was lost in his thoughts, Agnes approached with a grimace. “Go
“Thank you, Dad.” Kaze was not going to leave his father-in-law hanging. Following his father’s suit, Sky toasted Kaze as well. He was impressed with Kaze. Agnes rolled her eyes at Hector. “He’s going to get a big head if you keep on praising him.” The atmosphere was rather pleasant at the dinner table, except for when Agnes picked on Kaze. However, the lovely mood did not last long. After dinner, Emiko cleared the table and washed the dishes in the kitchen. She had not had a break since rushing from the hotel. A clang in the kitchen ensued soon after. She broke a few plates.“Goddamnit! Can’t you do anything right?” Interrupted from having her after-dinner tea, Agnes scowled. “She’s so clumsy and makes so many mistakes. I only keep her around because she’s honest and hardworking.“I’ve told her off so many times. Here she goes again, breaking more plates. “I’m docking her pay this time.” Agnes hired Emiko from the labor market. Hailing from the countryside, E
Darcy smirked angrily. “If you are the queen of the castle, why didn’t you stand up for Sky when Grandpa hit him?” Taken aback at first, Agnes quickly refuted angrily, “He’s my father and your grandfather. What’s wrong with a little bit of discipline? He can teach you some manners.“If I hit Kaze, are you going to hit me back?” The family was at wit’s end with Agnes’ unreasonable behavior. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Quint. I’m really sorry. I wasn’t paying attention when I got an urgent call.” Emiko ran out of the kitchen, her phone in hand. She was quick to apologize and looked at Agnes anxiously. “Mrs. Quint, things are not looking good for my niece. She hasn’t found a hospital yet. She has no family in Riverbank, or anyone to take care of her. I want to take a day off and find her a doctor. “Rest assured that I’ll be back tomorrow to make you dinner.” Emiko pleaded desperately. “You can forget it!” Agnes said curtly, “Remind me how many times you have taken off since working
Color drained from Emiko’s face, and she apologized, “I’m so—” “Smack!” Agnes cut Emiko off with a slap on the face. “You’re getting back at me, aren’t you?“Get out if you don’t want to work here. Don’t expect to get a penny out of your pay!” Agnes gritted her teeth and yelled, “Poor people are so petty.” “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Quint. I didn’t mean to. It was an accident.” Feeling hurt, Emiko covered her cheeks and apologized profusely. “Quit with the excuses. Get lost!” Agnes raised her hand to slap Emiko again. However, Kaze grabbed Agnes’ hand to stop her. “That’s enough!” Kaze uttered grimly, “What happened to you, Mom? You were so meek around the Otters, but you are so harsh on your family.” Reminded by Agnes’ hounding today, Kaze grew angry. “It’s bad enough that you pick on me. Why are you hitting Emiko? “She’s paid to do a job, not sold to you to be a slave.” Hector pulled a long face. “You have gone too far, Agnes. Don’t take your grievance from the
Soon, Emiko contacted her niece to get an exact location. Kaze called Conan to ask him to pick up the girl and take her to the private hospital where Bass was. The hospital's equipment and facilities were state-of-the-art. However, it was a lot more expensive than the general hospital. Fortunately, Kaze was overseeing the place and Emiko did not need to worry about the cost. It was a token of appreciation for Emiko, who took a slap from Agnes on Kaze’s behalf. Agnes hit someone without a valid reason and as the son-in-law, Kaze refused to just stay down. Even Hector and the others agreed and supported Kaze's kind gesture. Darcy even told him to find her if he had any problems with the medical fee. Of course, they would not let the honest and humble Emiko know about the kind gesture or else she would feel deeply indebted to them. “Thank you, Mr. Lee! Thank you!” Emiko poured a cup of tea for Kaze and thanked him for his kind gesture. “You’re welcome.” Kaze waved in
“Kaze? What are you doing here?” Kaze’s surprise arrival at a mansion in Rivermouth’s residential area excited Buffy. The two days she spent at Kaze’s villa were the most relaxed and comfortable time in her life. She did not need to worry about anything and had an unprecedented sense of security. When she returned to her own place, which was also a huge and expensive mansion, all she felt was loneliness and coldness. She thought she had gotten used to the solitude but just a few hours after she unpacked, she felt scared and wanted to escape. Suddenly, Kaze arrived. The moment she saw Kaze, her heart pounded wildly. “You live alone, right? So I came to check on you. What if Casius is still after you? Don’t forget that we are on the same boat now.” Kaze did not know what Buffy was thinking so he simply walked into the house. “We are merely allies?” Buffy asked instinctively, not knowing what drove her to ask the question. However, the moment the words escaped her mout
“Hi Buffy. Dayton is worried about you when he knows that you are in trouble, so he contacted us and we came as soon as we could.” “Yeah, Dayton is fully focused on training and barely pays attention to anything else. He’s so uninterested in romance that we even thought he might like men. This is the first time we’ve seen him pay so much attention to a woman.”The five men and women looked up to Dayton. When they saw Buffy and realized how beautiful she was, they understood why Dayton urged them to come to Riverbank in a hurry. They became the best wingmen that one could ask for and made sure Buffy knew Dayton cared about her. Buffy nodded indifferently and said with a smile, “Thank you, Dayton. I appreciate your kind gesture.” “Buffy, we are beyond saying thank you.” Dayton waved his hand heartily. “Your mother is my master’s junior and they have been close since they were young. Once my master received your call for help, he sent me to protect you. “I bet you know my m
“Dayton! No!” Buffy took a step back and responded with anger. Dayton was left stunned on the spot. He looked awkward. He did not expect Buffy, who he thought liked him, would reject him without any consideration. “Buffy, what’s the matter? Dayton came here right after he heard about your situation. Do you know how much he cares about you?” “Dayton is young, handsome, and is the disciple of the ex-branch chief of Butterworth Branch. He’s one of the best there is. If you reject him, you’ll regret it.” “Do you know how many women are trying to chase him in Butterworth? Yet he only cares about you. Are you really going to turn him down just like that?” The men and women behind Dayton spoke up, supporting their friend. They described Dayton as the best man in the world and if Buffy rejected his proposal, then she would be labeled ungrateful. Buffy furrowed her brows. She looked angry and wanted to argue but since Dayton came on such short notice just to help her, she did no
To the young group’s surprise, Kaze pulled through without a hitch. That was not the only thing. Kaze retaliated against Robin and destroyed his beloved harp. The group speculated that Kaze could be stronger than Hannah. They looked at Kaze in horror. Still, it never once occurred to the group that Kaze was more powerful than Robin. Robin raised his arm. The young group got their act together and saluted Robin before taking two steps back. Robin narrowed his eyes at Kaze before uttering, “Not bad.“I didn’t think I’d meet someone of your caliber in Riverbank. “You have a stronger will than most of my men. “Despite your age, you put even the most experienced to shame with that determination of yours.” The young group felt alarmed and ashamed. The members of the execution hall were the elites in the West State Branch. They were the crème de la crème. However, they swayed under the sound wave attack. Though the group was around Kaze’s age, they did not possess h
“Get out!” Kaze gave Hannah the look. Hannah quietly turned around and stumbled her way out. Robin glanced at Kaze as his fingers danced around the harp. “I will behead the general, and once it’s over, tears will fall and fade away.” The tempest of sound took over the room by storm. Kaze felt sent back to his time during the war. He watched his comrades fall. Time lost meaning as the war came to an end. The battle cries subsided, replaced by silence. His brothers-in-arms were no more than a pile of unidentified bones. Even Kaze’s faithful steed whined its farewell. Darkness swallowed the last light over the desolate desert, and he was alone. There was nothing left in the world worth fighting for. No one would remember his death in a faraway land. It was better to die with honor than live in shame. The thought filled Kaze’s head, and emotions overcame him. He was better off dead. Life was not worth living anyway. A voice within tempted Kaze. The craz
Robin did not even look at Collier.Saying nothing, Robin extended his fingers and plucked the harp. “Clang!” A jarring, high-pitched sound wave pierced through everybody’s eardrums. The air was filled with a chilling aura of menace.The serenity on the ninth floor was shattered by the sound of the harp and replaced with malice. Collier and the young group turned pale. Only Robin, Kaze, and Hannah remained unfazed by the attack. “Amid the sweeping wind, the flute’s song echoes in the night. The desert sun descends for the crescent moon above. “To the sound of camel bells, I long for my home. I hold onto my sword, leaving letters where I lay my head.” The wind danced along the melody of General’s Order played by the harp, dropping the temperature down on the ninth floor. Robin’s clothes and hair fluttered against the wind, his face unreadable through it all. His eyes remained cold and distant. General’s Order was a piece known for its unsettling tone. Robin playe
The man’s hypocrisy was sickening. No one stood up for Kaze when Naomi and Rhys slandered him and their fighters tried to end him. When Kaze fought back, there were voices standing on high moral ground to reproach him. “You…” The middle-aged man twitched and breathed his last. The crowd was scared. Kaze was one mean killing machine. Sure, Kaze eliminated the Roads. The Roads were not going to rest until he was dead anyway. However, one man died because of what he had said. It was a clear message not to upset Kaze. Kaze had the taste of blood. He would not stop now. “Get Boris’ head.” Kaze tilted his head at Collier. “Bring it to Robin.” As the crowd watched on with a mix of emotions, Kaze carried the broken sword, the tip dripping with blood, and strode over Boris’ body and into River Watch Inn’s park. Collier led the way, taking Kaze to the ninth floor of River Watcher Inn. The furious wind and swirling clouds added to the building’s height and presence
Boris stumbled back and crashed into the door. The metal door ripped from its hinges and hit the ground. Once the dust settled, the crowd was horrified to find Boris lying limp on the floor. Kaze stood right in front of Boris, his foot on his chest.“Do you have any last words?” Kaze looked down on Boris amusedly, his tone carrying no arrogance. The victory over Boris was no big deal. Boris looked at Kaze in a daze. Kaze was stronger than he could ever imagine. Given another chance, Boris would never upset Kaze at Four Ocean Auction. Boris would not try to retaliate against Kaze even when his son lost his legs. It was a shame that he could not press the reset button. Even if Boris could turn back time, it was highly unlikely that he would show mercy to a moocher. “Ugh…” Boris coughed out blood and said with a struggle, “Kaze, I saved the Godfather before. If you kill me, you will be dead—” “Slash!” Kaze cut Boris off with a stab in the heart. Blood spur
Following the clash of metal, Kaze moved away several feet. The sword in his grasp broke in half, and the tip fell off. Boris grunted, his composed face turning crimson. He staggered and fell back tens of feet too. The crowd was shocked at the thirty-feet shallow pit under Boris’ feet. It was impossible. Twenty years ago, Boris basically had Riverbank in the palm of his hand. Yet, Kaze pushed him back. Anyone could tell that Boris was on the losing end. Boris was in utter disbelief because his wired gloves were splintered by the seams. Reminded by Kaze’s attack at Four Ocean Auction, Boris finally realized how terrifying Kaze was. “I underestimated you, Kaze. “But you killed my wife and son. There’s no going back. You must die today.” Boris looked Kaze dead in the eye and hissed through clenched teeth, “I will kill you!” Kaze raised his sword. The broken sword was still a powerful weapon to Kaze. The air was thick with tension. Boris scowled and flung his
Kaze looked up to Boris barging through the door with his trusted aides. The crowd shied away, not wanting to be caught in the crossfire. The deaths of his son and wife had driven Boris into insanity, and he was out for blood. Anyone would go crazy in the same situation. Boris stared at the bodies of his son and wife menacingly. His eyes turned red at Naomi’s headless corpse.Kaze killed his son, murdered his wife, and beheaded her right in front of Boris. Boris would not stop until Kaze was dead. “Kill him! Kill him!”Boris pointed at Kaze and shouted maniacally, “I don’t care what it takes, but I want him dead!” The deaths of his wife and son were infuriating enough. Boris was aware that Naomi and Rhys would go to Kaze, looking for trouble. He deliberately stayed behind the scenes, giving his wife a chance to punish and kill Kaze. To buy his wife some time to take care of business, Boris stayed on to have drinks with Robin. However, Naomi and Rhys were killed
The security team recoiled in screams and dropped their weapons. Before the musclemen knew it, Kaze raised his sword and inched closer. The blade flashed, its motion a blur.“Slash!” The menacing blade flickered across the throats of the musclemen. A dozen Roads’ fighters fell limp amid the high-pitched squawking. Blood spewed out of the thin slits of their throats. One dozen men breathed their last. The bodies on the floor scared the crowd stiff. No one expected Kaze to be so strong. Kaze was able to come on his own despite the siege. “Get him! Kill him!” Naomi had completely lost it. She yelled at the veteran bruisers, “Kill the asshole! Avenge my son!” The senior fighters were so eager to frame Kaze before. Now, they were scared stiff. Naomi’s order put them in the spot. While they hesitated and even released their grip on their weapons, Kaze struck. “Swoosh!” Kaze swung the sword at the senior fighters. The fighters collapsed to the ground, wailing
Rhys lay limp on the floor, his face forever frozen in disbelief.The crowd was stunned, feeling chills down their spines. One minute ago, Rhys was alive and kicking. However, Kaze took his life with just one squeeze. Kaze’s aggression and hostility when ending Rhys scared them. “Ah! My son!” Reality sunk in after a brief pause. Naomi plunged toward her son’s body with a pale face. Despite shaking Rhys, Naomi shuddered to find that he was no more. She fell on her bottom. It was every parent’s worst nightmare. Besides, she was there to witness the death of her son. The feeling could drive her over the edge. Moments later, Naomi lifted her head, bloody tears running down her eyes. She yelled at Kaze hysterically, “You did this, Kaze! You did this!“Kill him! Kill the jerk!“I want his life for taking my son’s!” Losing her head, Naomi commanded the Roads’ musclemen. The crowd backed away so as not to be caught in the line of fire. “Kill him!” The Roads’ secu