When Faith was the president of Gwake Corporation, she was not very hands-on. However, she leveraged the Krads’ connections to befriend the Geranium Heartanos. Hence, Faith assigned her nephew, Naix, to be the liaison with the Geranium Heartanos while restricting others within the company from contacting them. Faith and Naix wanted to keep the connection to the Heartanos to themselves. Naix claimed that a deal had been reached with St. Mary’s. As such, he could make the deal go away too. If that were to happen, Gwake Corporation would face its initial investment and risk losing its reputation. Naix got one thing right. Money could not buy back a reputation once lost. He even twisted Buffy’s words, saying that she wanted to fire him. Buffy would bear the brunt if Gwake Corporation were to lose its partnership with St. Mary’s. She might even be forced to resign on her very first day as the president because of this deal. Kaze suspected that Jude might have set Buffy up
“Is the deal with St. Mary’s enough to show your true colors? “You can’t even do anything right. I can’t believe you’d shift the blame onto the new president.“And you call yourselves veterans and senior executives. Anyone on the street can do your job better than you.“You’re all losers.” Kaze’s outburst took everybody by surprise, especially since he had been holding his tongue.The crowd was caught off guard. Even Buffy did not see it coming. She did not think Kaze would be so blunt as to point fingers at the senior executives.“Bastard!” Enraged, Naix slammed the table and stood up. He leaned forward intimidatingly and shouted furiously, “Who do you think you are? You have no right to speak here.“You are a newbie. You don’t know anything. How dare you raise your voice. “You better get out of here at the count of three. “One…” Kaze cut Naix off with a slap. “Smack!” Naix took the hit. Despite his large build, Naix was knocked off his chair and landed on the
Naix drew distance from Kaze, moving away from him, and then covered his face, shouting, “You little bastard! What the hell is this? “If not because of you and Buffy, St. Mary’s would not have stopped collaborating with Gwake Corporation! “You shifted the responsibility and you hit me? Do you have a death wish?!” His teeth gritted, staring at Kaze with a vicious gaze. Ever since he joined Gwake Corporation, thanks to his relationship with Faith, he had been acting like a tyrant, disregarding others and forcing everyone to obey him. Yet Kaze slapped him multiple times in front of all the senior executives, turning his face into a swollen apple. It was a humiliation that he could not accept! “Because of us?” Kaze smirked and said, “Today is our first day here. We haven’t done anything and you’re telling me that we screwed up the deal with St. Mary’s and there’s no coming back from that? “Naix Krad, was it? You said you’re the most qualified to be promoted to the executi
Kaze spoke coldly, showing no respect to the senior executives. All the executives at the table reacted bitterly to his words, their expressions darkened. New boss, new way. They understood that Kaze and Buffy wanted to suppress Naix’s arrogance but it was surprising to them that Kaze directed the flame to them, burning them all together. The company could continue to operate without them? If they left, Kaze could easily get a new batch of replacements? What lies were those?! All the executives were offended by Kaze’s words, their teeth gritted as they stared at him. “Hmph! Anyone can talk big. I’d like to see what happens to the company if you fire all of us. I dare you!” An executive who sided with Naix argued. He was provoking Kaze, trying to give him a hard time. Kaze was unfazed, he did not even say a word. Soon after, the secretary of the president’s office brought in a mountain of termination letters. “Slam!” Kaze slammed the termination letters on the
Before Naix could even think of a response, Kaze tossed another termination letter in his face. He said righteously, “St. Mary’s is just a hospital. “If you can’t even get their distribution rights, then that makes you useless. Am I wrong? It’s not a big deal and you need Buffy and I to deal with this? “I can say that anyone else in this room can make the deal happen and those who cannot are useless trash. “If those who cannot make it and then find excuses to shift the blame, that’s a piece of useless shit! “If you can’t even handle that much, why is the company paying you a shitload of money each year? It yields a better return if we have ten pigs here!” Kaze sounded more arrogant than Naix earlier and he showed no respect to the other executives in the room. He did not care how others looked at him at all either. He continued, “If anyone doesn’t like how I do things, thinking that I am being rude and tough, then you may leave. I have no problem with that. “If anyone t
Buffy found Naix’s righteous words amusing. He failed to sow discord among the senior executives, so he went after her and Kaze. Just when Buffy wanted to speak up to defend Kaze, to her surprise, Kaze slammed on the table. “Unfilial? Coming from you?” Kaze said coldly. “You think we don’t know when Faith is away as president and you abdicate the vice president, getting hold of the entire company’s operation? “Tell me, which department haven’t you poked your nose into? You’re not trying to do things yourself because you want to do things right or improve the company. You’re doing it because you’re trying to embezzle money and line your own pockets! “You squeeze every penny you can from each deal and if there’s one you can’t profit from, you’d rather ruin it. “Whenever an executive achieved good results or sealed a major deal, earning promotions or rewards, they had to go through you first, bribing you with money and women, before they could approach Faith for the real rew
“Ask yourself, do you think you deserve to take that much? “You even go after the employees’ bonuses. It’s not that difficult to know how much you’ve taken with some calculations. “You’re greedy. You're like a vampire, sucking out the blood of the employees and executives. “Frankly speaking, the fact that Gwake Corporation hasn’t been brought down is because the executives were too weak and gullible.” Buffy personally collected the information. She was not going to fight an unprepared battle. She knew Naix represented Faith. Before Buffy took up her position, she had already prepared to suppress Naix or even take him down to establish a strong image within the company. However, if she revealed the evidence that she had gotten right away, the other senior executives would not take her seriously. After Kaze slapped him in the face and seized the initiative, taking control of the situation, things were different. Kaze successfully stirred up the anger and resentment that h
“Mr. Krad, you shouldn’t be that shameless…” Kaze did not even need to speak and the other senior executives started to mock and sneer at Naix. Mock after mock, Naix’s expression grew darker. Everyone at the table knew the circumstances clearly. If they did not band together to overthrow Naix, they would either face even worse oppression or suffer retaliation afterward. Therefore, they might as well take their bets with Kaze and Buffy. Seeing his influence fade, Naix stood stiffly as he stared at Kaze and Buffy, his gaze gleaming with mixed emotions. A while later, he took a deep breath and bowed. “I am sorry, Mr. Lee, Ms. Gwake. I was wrong. I was incompetent. It was all my fault. I hereby apologize.” An unprecedented insult drowned him as he apologized. His mind was not filled with apology but the thought of ripping Kaze and Buffy apart. The meeting today was prepared for Buffy. He was confident that she would step into the trap, thus suppressing her. Yet Kaze j
Robin fell into contemplation before uttering, “I know what to do. “Bring me Ms. Delmore’s trusty sword.” A member retrieved Hannah’s sword and handed it to her respectfully. “Come on.” Kaze turned on his heel and left River Watcher Inn together with Hannah and Collier. As Kaze disappeared from the building, Robin sighed. “I didn’t expect the Chief to appoint a moocher to be the branch leader.” Robin knew that the revelation of Kaze’s identity would be a total shocker. Kaze took Hannah and Collier to Herbal Spring and wrote them a prescription. Hannah suffered internal injuries from Robin’s attack, and Collier sustained mental trauma from Robin’s music. Though the injuries were not serious, they were not in the best shape. Recovery would take time. Medicine could only do so much. While waiting for the medicine, Collier glanced at his phone and said, “The story is out, Kaze. Siberian attempted to kill Robin, and the Roads died protecting him.“There is nothing abou
Kaze smiled pretentiously. “Are you still trying to recruit me, Chief Hill?”Robin hung his head low in shame and replied, “I wouldn’t dare.” It finally dawned on him why Kaze would not accept his offer. Kaze even kept things hush-hush to spare him the embarrassment. However, Robin mistook Kaze’s intention as arrogance. It was true. Robin was unfit to engage in a fight with Kaze. Kaze was more powerful in strength and rank. “Rise,” Kaze uttered indifferently, not putting the blame on Robin. Robin was taken aback, but he quickly responded, “Thank you for overlooking my mistakes.” He rose to his feet. The members of the execution hall stayed in position, their faces pale. They were scared. Just minutes ago, they taunted and mocked Kaze. They had insulted the branch leader. If only there was a hole in the ground they could sink into. “Slap yourselves ten times before you can get up.” Kaze directed the comment at the execution hall members. He pointed at the
Silence filled the air on the ninth floor of River Watcher Inn. Robin stood frozen, his discolored face carrying a look of shock. The clamoring members of the execution hall looked at Kaze with their jaws dropped too. They did not see how Kaze did it. However, they picked up on the vanishing flicker. Robin’s reaction was all the answer they needed. Kaze delivered a blow when Robin attacked. Kaze clearly deterred Robin from launching another attack. Um… It was impossible. The outcome left emotions running high. While Robin killed Siberian with ease, he was no match for Kaze. Robin looked Kaze dead in the eye, his eyes unreadable. He felt that he was a tiny step away from death when Kaze struck him. It had been many years since Robin was consumed by that feeling. Robin knew from experience what it meant. Kaze could kill him if he wanted to. Robin would end up lifeless just like Siberian. Robin cocked his head back stiffly and glanced at the dagger that sank
“Not interested in becoming the deputy chief of the execution hall? Are you kidding me?” “Have you contributed anything to the Viper’s Den? Have you bled for the Viper’s Den? You’re getting a lifetime deal.” “You naïve and cocky! You don’t know what’s good for you, clown!” The members of the execution hall tore into Kaze furiously. They were not fond of Kaze, to begin with. After what Kaze had said, there was no way the members could accept him as their leader. Hence, they did not hold back from tearing him down. “You are the ones being insolent.” Collier said angrily, “Kaze has a choice whether to take up on Chief Hill’s offer. You’re taking things far by criticizing his choice.“You are all unworthy of Kaze anyway.” The execution hall members turned ashen in fury. “So you’re saying that Chief Hill is unfit to recruit Kaze?“Is Chief Hill unworthy of Kaze too?” The female member, who spoke up previously, made a snide remark. Kaze was full of himself. Robin should
The female member of the execution hall went on a tirade. She was basically telling Kaze that he should be honored that Robin recruited him and that he should be wise to make the right choice. “Don’t try to play hard to get. It doesn’t work for everyone or any situation. “The position for the deputy chief of the execution doesn’t come by every day. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “Don’t let your pride get in the way. You might end up with nothing.” …The other members of Robin’s entourage gave Kaze a piece of their minds too. They were Robin’s trusted aides. They were not afraid of upsetting Kaze. “Chief Hill even captured the deputy chief of the South River State Branch and lost her sword.“Chief Hill was kind enough not to make things difficult for her.“Shouldn’t you ask Chief Hill before taking her away, Kaze?“Aren’t you disrespecting Chief Hill?” The same female member remarked harshly. Driven by jealousy, the female member put Hannah down. Hanna
“Bam!” Robin dumped Siberian’s body on the ground. Siberian, one of the Eight Tigers, was the strongest leader in the Steelclaw Guild. He was nothing more than a lifeless corpse now. Collier and the Viper’s Den members looked at Robin in reverence. Without glancing at his kill, Robin took a handkerchief from a female member, wiped his hands, and waved his arm. Soon, the Viper’s Den members cleaned up the scene. The injured members were taken to receive medical care. Robin, flanked by his crew, strode to the ninth floor. Taking a seat, Robin took a sip of his drink and looked at Kaze. He said callously, “Am I good enough to recruit you as the deputy chief of the execution hall now?” The Viper’s Den members looked at Kaze enviously. They thought that Robin’s display of strength was to intimidate Kaze into accepting the job. Amazingly, Robin was not upset by Kaze’s silence. He simply asked nicely if Kaze would join his division. It went to show that Robin appreciat
“That’s amazing, Chief Hill!” The execution hall members cheered Robin on with admiration. Ignoring his crew’s praises, Robin disappeared at the moment of landing. Before everybody knew it, Robin appeared before Siberian. Siberian scowled at the menacing aura coming from Robin. He felt as though he was in the depths of hell. “Swoosh!” Siberian dodged to the side while swiping his knife multiple times. The air crackled with tension as Siberian’s attack headed toward Robin. Robin reached out his hand and snapped his fingers. Siberian’s knife that took the lives of dozens of Viper’s Den members broke.The broken blade boomeranged and shot toward Siberian’s chest. Siberian managed to shy away from a direct hit, but the broken blade took his arm off. As blood spurted, Siberian grimaced hard. In fact, Siberian had not taken Robin lightly. Siberian was a prominent killer in the South River State. He knew better than anyone that it took more than guts to be a leade
Siberian was strong. No one could stop him. Siberian was one ferocious beast. “Siberian, your sister tried to assassinate me. I was kind not to kill her then. “Take your problems up with me,” Kaze said curtly, his presence at the railing upstairs. Kaze could not ignore the killing spree happening right outside River Watcher Inn even though he did not know these Viper’s Den members. The whole thing started because of him anyway. Siberian looked up murderously at Kaze and laughed menacingly. “Don’t worry. You’ll die. They’ll die too. “Anyone linked to you must die. “I will kill your family and your friends to avenge my sister.” Siberian’s voice was brutal. He was known for his cold-bloodedness as a professional killer. Kaze narrowed his eyes dangerously. “Kill us all?” Robin, keeping an emotionless face throughout, grinned. “Aren’t you cocky, Siberian?” “Cocky?” Siberian looked at Robin in defiance and said with a smirk, “Who do you think you are? Who are
“Kaze, get your ass down here to face your death.” Not sparing another glance at the Viper’s Den members, Siberian looked up and shouted, “Weren’t you cocky when you tortured my sister? Why are you scared now?“Do you think you can hide from me?” Siberian’s angry voice filled the air. Kaze pissed the long-time killer off. Anzu was Siberian’s sister, and Anzu suffered at the hands of Kaze. Siberian wanted to tear Kaze apart, limb by limb. On the ninth floor of River Watcher Inn, Kaze narrowed his eyes dangerously and got up to head down. “Just enjoy your drink.” Robin stopped Kaze, looked at him, and said, “Don’t you want to see if I have what it takes to recruit you? Well, here’s your chance.”He poured Kaze a drink before holding his cup while looking at the situation downstairs. With Robin showing up near the railing, the young group got the message. “Kill him!” The group yelled before charging toward Siberian with the remaining dozens of Viper’s Den members.