If Kaze had not arrived in time, Snow would have been long gone. Aiden would have taken away her modesty before her death too. Snow was relieved to be alive, and she had Kaze to thank for. Kaze shook his head. “It’s not your fault. You were concerned about your mother.“I received word that your mother was transferred out of the family home. I have my people working on where she is exactly.“Once we are certain of her location, we will get her out and deal with the Frosts after.“Jet was one of the people who got me in jail.“Aiden was dumb enough to get me out by accident.“It’s time to get rid of trouble,” Kaze said chillingly. Alfonso told Kaze that May was removed from the Frosts’ residence.Kaze entrusted Alfonso with two tasks before sending him back to Butterworth. The first task was to purge and restructure the Viper’s Den Butterworth Branch. The second was to investigate everything related to the Frosts, especially news about May. Alfonso reported to Kaze r
Snow was stunning. Even a playboy like Draig was infatuated with her, let alone the two security guards. The older security officer approached and asked with a chuckle, “Is the Ferrari yours, gorgeous?” “That’s right. Can you unclamp the car? We will be on our way.” Snow was repulsed by the way the security guards looked at her, but she did not want to take things far. She pulled out ten bills from her purse and handed them over. “Here’s a little something for you. My boss came here in a hurry, so he didn’t park in the right place. I’m sorry about that.” “Your boss?” The younger security guard checked Kaze out and said with a crackle, “He doesn’t look like one. Are you bankrolling him? “Why don’t you consider me? I’m hotter and stronger than him.” It was not their first rodeo. In most cases, the man would step forward to resolve the issue. Since Snow came forward, the security guards assumed that Kaze was just a plaything while Snow was the person in charge. Snow
Snow furrowed her brows. She rarely interacted with people of this social standing. These security guards were shameless. They seized upon a minor issue and blew it out of proportion. A taste of some power fed on their egos. Snow did not know how to deal with them. “You should quit while you’re still ahead.” Kaze approached Snow and said with a straight face, “I’m not in a good mood. I don’t want to waste my time with you. Take the money and leave.” “Take the money and leave?” The older security guard’s face fell. “You’re not in the mood to waste your time with us. “That’s some big talk, boy. “You’re just a moocher. Who are you to challenge us?“I’m putting my foot down. “You’re not going anywhere until you come with us to the security office.” The younger security officer glared at Kaze and clenched his fists threateningly. He seemed ready to face Kaze. “Challenge you?” Kaze grinned. “You just watch the door. What do you take yourselves for?“You issued
The leader was the bald security guard without a beret. He narrowed his eyes at Kaze, not wanting to let him off the hook easily. How else were they supposed to run the show at Emerald Bull Palace, throw their weight around, and line their pockets with fines?Hence, he waved his arm. The other dozen security guards pulled out their rubber batons and pepper sprays. “Get him for starting trouble!” These security officers pounced on Kaze. Kaze waved at Snow to back away a little while he advanced with open arms. He was on a slapping spree. “Smack! Smack! Smack!” The rapid-fire ratatat of slaps sliced through the air. The dozen burly security officers collapsed, holding their faces. Some lay there in a daze. Others whimpered and cried out in pain. In the back, Draig and Cyan drove out. They pulled up at the chaotic scene at the entrance. As Kaze beat up the security guards, Cyan dropped her jaw. Kaze appeared to be causing problems everywhere. During the brie
“He took down a dozen on his own? I doubt it.” Another slender monk sized Snow up, his hand cupping his chin. A perverse glint danced in his eyes. “I think you were ogling the pretty lady to get serious in the fight.“Tsk. Ass-kissers!” The bald security guard merely smiled wryly. The last thing he would do was refute the monk. The others were frustrated about the situation too. The security team was a mean-looking bunch, often intimidating their targets from fighting back right away. The bald security guard could not understand how Kaze managed to fend off a dozen men on his own. “Well, sic the others on him.” The last monk snapped a grim look at the new batch of security guards. He yelled curtly, “Don’t just stand there. Get him! What are we paying you for?“Those without nerves of steel can get out of Emerald Bull Palace now!” The certified practitioners ranked the highest at Emerald Bull Palace. The security guards were nothing more than tools to make money for
During her last visit to Emerald Bull Palace, Cyan witnessed Jude and Alfonso chatting happily with Juan. Jude, Alfonso, and Juan were of a social standing beyond Cyan. Cyan’s family made their livelihood through the Viper’s Den South River State Branch. Alfonso was the former deputy chief and the longest-serving veteran. It was only right to suck up to a powerful figure like Juan. To think Kaze would start trouble on a foreign turf, disturb the peace at Emerald Bull Palace, and hurt the employees. Kaze was playing with fire.Cyan shouted frantically, “Kaze, stop! Stop right now!” Losing the fear, the three young monks looked smug and looked at Kaze in defiance. The monk in the middle sneered. “The lady is right. Juan is my uncle.“I dare you to hit us.“You won’t be walking out of here alive.“If you know any better, you should apologize to us on your knees and pay us eight to ten million dollars in medical fees. I might be happy to let you off the hook. “Otherwise
Without looking at Cyan, Snow kept her face straight and her mouth shut. At first, Snow thought of telling Kaze to ignore these people. There was no need to make a big deal out of things. However, the security guards took things far, and Snow did not want to waste her breath anymore. Sometimes, it was best to fight fire with fire. The security officers and three monks needed to be taught a lesson. Cyan was furious that Snow paid her no heed. She uttered exasperatedly, “Can you handle the fallout, Kaze?” “Why can’t I?” without looking back, Kaze replied indifferently. He stepped on the young monk’s face, and the latter shrieked in agony. Everybody was dumbfounded. Kaze’s cruelty and audacity knew no bounds. Dozens of security officers on the floor stayed down. Since Kaze did not care that one of the monks was Juan’s nephew, he would have no qualms about killing the rest of them too. “Get up and keep your back straight on your knees, or I’ll break your arm.” K
Looking at the astonishing scene, Cyan’s lips twitched, her eyes burned with flames of anger. She shouted, “Kaze, did you not hear what I just said? Are you deaf? You’ve already knocked out the security guards and now you are doing this to them? Do you know that they are Master Juan’s disciples? One of them is also Master Juan’s nephew! “How dare you! You are going to pay for it! If Master Juan finds out about this, this is going to get nasty!” Cyan was so upset that she wanted to slap Kaze in the face. The other worshippers already noticed the commotion and started to gather around them. When they saw Kaze teach the arrogant security guards a lesson, they felt a surge of satisfaction and relief. Emerald Bull Palace was huge and had a lot of parking spots, yet it was the biggest place of worship in Riverbank and a famous one among the worshippers. Therefore, the security guards took advantage of their positions by issuing unnecessary fines, harassing female visitors, and
Aloysius looked at the business venture at hand with a mix of emotions. Jet was supposed to make a comeback with the project, but the defeat was a huge slap to his face. “Can I ask whether Kaze was behind this?” Aloysius braced himself to ask the question. Even though Aloysius had an inkling, he feared receiving confirmation of his suspicion. “Chairman Lee helped me. If Jet hadn’t hurt my mother, I wouldn’t have rushed back to take his place. “He did this to himself,” Snow said blatantly. “How did you know about the island project? We have been discreet about it.” Aloysius was eager to find out. The question would burn on his mind unless he got some answers. “You can’t keep anything from the Viper’s Den, but this is the end of the matter. If you’re interested in the project, I can put you in charge of it.” Snow could not be bothered to explain herself. Aloysius played it smart. He had been carrying out Snow’s orders without a hitch. Snow was happy to honor her prom
“Tell them that the company is expecting funding, and all the projects will be launched in a few days. Everything will be back on track. It’s a good thing that the higher management is gone. We will be opening the positions for internal employees to apply.” Snow got the right solution to handle the situation. She had to give these employees hope to gain their dedication in return. Aloysius was surprised. “Who would pour money in when our finances are in a mess?” Having worked with Jet, Aloysius had a good understanding of the company’s ins and outs. Several business ventures were up in the air, and the company was bleeding money. Even with a relaunch, these projects would not bring in much of a profit. Most importantly, the relaunch had to be backed up by some funding. The business got a loan from the Viper’s Den. If payment was not made in time, the company’s shares would be used to make up for the loss. The whole thing spelled trouble. Snow just joined the company.
“This is the financial report you submitted today. Any intern can do a better job than you.” Snow mocked Jack. She was disappointed in his performance. A finance director who could not even get his basics right should not be working in finance in the first place. “Who do you think you are, doing this to us?” The others are only out to save their own asses. They did not sympathize with Jack. “I’m sure you are well aware of what you have done.” “You’re on your phone all day at work. You put your daily expenses on the company card, and we’re talking about tens of thousands of dollars a month. You only bought stuff for your personal use. “Let’s not forget about you. Your so-called business trips are to take your mistress out for expensive hotel stays and vacations.” Snow looked at each one of them while detailing their deeds. She shamed them in public, utterly humiliating them. “Why were these allowed before? Why are you stopping these practices now? If you can change
“No, Ms. Frost. I can do it,” Aloysius said right away. He did not want to miss out on a good opportunity. “I gave you a chance. It’s up to you to seize it.” Snow looked at them with a smile. “I’ll get right to it, Ms. Frost.” The HR manager nodded and took off. He had to prepare the paperwork. Those in upper management were on a higher pay grade with a cut of the shares. Following a termination, the HR manager had to calculate the final pay. There had to be a valid reason for the discharge from duties too. Though things were a little complicated, the HR manager was experienced in this aspect. The only issue was that the staff involved were not the low-ranking employees. They held high positions. Despite his unrest, Aloysius did not wear his heart on his sleeve. He had a good read of the situation. Snow was impartial in carrying out business. Those who contributed to the company would stay while the ones who bled the business dry would be sacked. Anyone would p
Sure enough, the mean would gather around the individual at their fall from grace. It was sad to grasp this reality. “I promise you to have everything in order. Don’t worry. You will get a nice promotion.” Snow knew when to give her employee encouragement. Only then would Aloysius feel motivated to work. Aloysius departed in dejection, but Snow did not mind it at all. He served the wrong person. Snow took on the leadership role the same day Jet left. Since she assumed the responsibilities without much experience, the employees did not take her seriously. The people doing the grunt work felt nothing toward the change of leadership. The upper management may experience shifts, but they were still obliged to finish their usual tasks. The only thing they hoped for was to be paid more for their overtime. Following the change of leadership, some leaders may receive a promotion or be transferred out. The employees at the bottom of the pyramid wondered if they could compet
Despite her unease, Snow trusted that Jet would not have the chance to hurt her. Hence, she put the matter aside. The dynamic shift within the Frosts caught the eye of elite families across the business world. They kicked Jet while he was down. Some even tried to get a piece of the pie. However, most of them stayed on the sidelines, observing. A fallen giant was still a giant. Even if these families were greedy, they had to assess the situation before moving in. These businesspeople were skeptical about Snow taking Jet’s place. They did not know what Snow was made of. Consequently, they tried to approach her. Snow had been kept busy in the office, dealing with the problems left behind by Jet. She worked late into the night every day. While being buried deep in paperwork, Snow refused to meet anyone. She had lived in Butterworth before, so she had peers from school and friends around. Snow’s sudden return caught many off guard. Everyone wanted to get close to he
If Jet had detected the problems early on, he could have prevented things from escalating. Yet now, everything was too late. Jet did not regret his actions, though. “Just sign this, Jet. At this rate, the shares will drop beyond the point of redemption,” Talon said. The Frosts were terrified at the stock market’s dropping numbers. They did not have time to lose. “I will sign the papers. I lost.” Jet did not want to give in just yet. However, he had to comply with the family elders’ pleas. Snow was relieved. The contract was quickly drawn up, and Jet signed the papers to give up the proprietorship. “Relax. I won’t do you wrong.” Snow made a promise. At least, Jet would still have a home to go back to. “Don’t get too cocky. I didn’t lose to you. I lost to Kaze.” Jet knew that he would face much resistance if his rival were Snow. It was a shame that he was up against Kaze, a strong and mysterious man. “Just sign the papers. I will take over the family empire, and
“Don’t project your filth on everyone else.” Snow was angry, but she knew that she had to keep her head cool. By jumping straight to defense mode, Snow would give others the wrong idea. She had been there before. Kaze sat still without a word. He furrowed his brows in annoyance when Jet painted his relationship with Snow dirty. “I’m not here for the drama.” Kaze looked at Talon. The senior members of the Frosts should back down before Kaze did something about it. “Who do you think you are? This is a family meeting. Why are you getting involved?“If you are unrelated to Snow, you shouldn’t be here in the first place.” Jet took out his anger on Kaze. Kaze was not part of the family anyway, so Jet did not have to consider his feelings. “Watch yourself, Jet. He’s a visitor.” Talon was smart enough to read the room. Despite the air of mystery shrouding Kaze, he managed to screw with most of Jet’s business ventures. The Frosts stood to lose more by crossing Kaze. Ta
Following Snow’s lead, Kaze entered a big conference room. The centerpiece of the conference room was a long, solid wood table, drawing out an air of solemnity. Various notable and valuable paintings hung on the wall. The expansive floor-to-ceiling window brought light into the room. Sunlight bounced off the window that displayed a picturesque view outside. “There you are.” Jet had been waiting. With the pair slowly making their way in, Jet could not hide the rage in his eyes. “Long time no see, Jet,” Snow greeted him and pulled a chair for Kaze. “It’ll take a bit of time, Chairman Lee. The senior members of my family are on their way.” Snow contacted the family elders while getting to the venue. Jet had not produced much results lately, and the Frosts were utterly humiliated. Since Jet would soon be replaced, the senior members of the family wanted to be kept in the loop. These family members had their own ideas. However, they would be happy to appoint the lea