Katie’s bruised ego left her in a foul mood. Still, the last thing she wanted was to get on the VIP’s nerves. She cautiously backed away. She and Joey walked into the elevator. The smile on Katie’s face vanished the moment the elevator door closed. Katie knew why Jonathan was calling. “I heard that you’re throwing a party for your daughter’s birthday. I should bring my wife and kid along.” Jonathan cut to the chase. He had collaborated with Katie. Though Jonathan ran a small business, his business ties with the Frosts pushed his business to great heights in Butterworth. Anyone who had worked with Jonathan became friends with him outside the work setting. Though the partnership with Katie was in the past, there was a chance they could work together again. Today’s competitor could be tomorrow’s partner so long as there was a profit to be made. Jonathan had different ideas when reaching out to Katie. Despite his partnership with the Frosts, Jonathan only stood to gain
Kaze adopted a hands-off approach to his job, leaving the company in the employees’ hands. The employees were remunerated fairly with extra perks for their work. Putting trust in his staff, Kaze handed them the reins. Despite his experience in running a business, Kaze was still surprised to discover the Frosts’ assets.The Frosts dabbled in various industries while identifying the lucrative sections. Most of the time, the family would choose to partner with smaller enterprises, providing them with opportunities while securing the lion's share of the profits. They sure were manipulative. After careful observation, Kaze fixated on some of these smaller companies. “These subsidiaries don’t stand out, but they are heading in the right direction.” Kaze could see through Jet’s plan. Arthur prepared a comprehensive document, giving Kaze insights into the Frosts’ assets. The annual tax records and day-to-day business dealings were included in the file. The data differenti
Kaze nodded. He was not asking for much. “Keep tabs on these firms. Don’t be hasty. Just take your time,” Kaze uttered casually. “I got it. Are we not going to do anything?” Arthur thought Kaze’s approach was merciful. They should be making a stir to move forward. After all, Jet sent his people to abduct Kaze. Arthur believed it was only right that they fought back. “We are. Get our people to get in touch with the owner of the gaming company. We should coach talents in developing games.“This is a serious business rivalry.” Kaze understood that mobile game companies had high initial costs. The employees of gaming companies would be very protective of their data while trying to recoup their investment. It would be very easy for the Viper’s Den to retrieve this information. “Are you trying to recruit the employees, Mr. Lee?” Arthur was surprised. However, it would pull a rug from under Jet. He would be livid. “Just approach the owner and see if they’ll bite,” Kaze sa
“Just let Alfonso know if you need his help. You don’t have to talk specifically about this to him. I’m just going after Jet,” lying on the deck chair, Kaze uttered nonchalantly. He did not care who would be in the know. His priority was finishing the job. Despite having his qualms, Arthur said nothing else. His primary task was to protect the VIP in the shadows. Everyone working in the core operations of the Viper’s Den was strong enough to fend for their own. They did not need Arthur’s protection. Kaze was clearly a trained fighter whose abilities were far superior to Arthur’s. The street gang would not stand a chance against him if Kaze were to fight. Arthur knew why Kaze did not retaliate against the street gang. It was all to see if Alfonso had his best interests at heart. This led to Arthur showing his face. Arthur realized that Kaze was unlike the hot-tempered superiors from before. Kaze was approachable, but it was not easy to get along with him. Without a w
Katie, the CEO of the Northborn Group, wanted to climb to the top. However, she never had the chance. The Northborn Hotel’s penthouse was occupied by someone from the Viper’s Den. Katie would not get another chance like this again. It was the perfect opportunity for Katie to make it to the top. “But don’t you want to reconsider this, Madam Loren? Ms. Lyfe is still young.” Joey did not have to heart to put Leah through it. “I know what you’re saying, but she’s my daughter. I’m doing this for her own good.“You’ve seen the kind of men we’ve dealt with. “Look at yourself. Why aren’t you married yet? You know that men can’t be trusted. We have to stand on higher ground to find better men.” Katie glanced at Joey. She had her reasons to do so. “But Ms. Lyfe is still young. She won’t understand where you’re coming from.” It was not Joey’s place to give her input. However, Joey could not sit by and do nothing. Leah grew up before Joey’s eyes. Not long since Joey took u
Katie did not approve of these families, but she did feel honored. It was the fruit of her labor for many years. “Things are messy at the Frost household now.” In Katie's plan, Joey knew that Katie would not agree for their children to meet. Some had made attempts for their sons to meet with Leah in a private setting. It was a subtle shot at a marriage proposal. Only, Katie had high standards. These families were not good enough for her. “Jet sure is heartless to hurt his family. He’s a good-looking guy and a leader. It’s a shame that he’s ruthless.” Katie had considered working together with the Frosts, but after learning certain things, she dropped the idea. Her purpose was to get to greater heights through her daughter’s marriage. A person like Jet did not act on emotions. Even if Jet was interested in Leah, the marriage would be purely business. Leah would have no influence over Jet. Katie would stand to gain nothing. So, the marriage should not happen. Ka
Katie had her scary decisive moments. Though Joey’s heart went out to Leah, she understood the role she played. Joey must not act on her feelings if she wanted to keep her job. The job gave her financial independence. She needed to focus on the assigned tasks and keep her emotions in tow. Joey took out her phone to call Leah. She invited Leah to the hotel to sample the party food. Leah’s birthday party was just around the corner. The menu was based on Leah’s food preferences. However, Leah should have a say. After Katie left the villa, Leah chose to wander off. She strolled in the nearby mall for a change of scenery. Leah was around the block when Joey called. She was happy to see Joey. Taking her by the arm, Leah walked into a lounge. “You have no idea what my mom did, Joey. Kaze took care of Perry for me, but Mom wasn’t the least bit grateful. She tore Kaze a new one.” Leah would only behave like a child in Joey’s presence. “I heard about the incident. Madam
“I know that you have a lot on your plate too. I won’t keep you. I’ll be fine.” Leah had always been considerate. She would not get in Joey’s way when the latter was busy. “Enjoy the food here. Give me a call when you’re leaving. Don’t wander around. We are expecting a lot of guests at the hotel.” Just as Joey got up to leave, Katie’s instructions came to mind. She was at a loss for words. In the end, Joey sat back down and took a sip of wine. “What’s the matter? Is something wrong, Joey?” Leah felt uneasy. “We are hosting a few heirs at the hotel today, and they are interested in your hand-in-marriage.” There was no hiding. Biting the bullet, Joey let it all out. “I’m not ready for marriage now. I just broke up with Perry. I don’t want to dive straight into another.” Leah declined. She did not want to be tied down yet. “It’s not your choice to make.” Despite putting it subtly, Joey conveyed Katie’s message loud and clear. “My mother sent you. “What does
Katie proudly made the statement, convinced that she had done a lot for her daughter. It was only right for Leah to be grateful and understand her sacrifice. To Katie’s surprise, Leah chuckled. “What else have you done for me? You never showed me any attention. You don’t know what I like. You have no idea what I want.” Leah finally saw her mother as the person she was. This side of Katie was terrifying. “What more do you want? Am I not supposed to work? Should I be spending every waking minute of the day with you?” Katie understood Leah’s needs. However, there was no way she could make it happen. It was not easy for a woman to take hold in the Northborn Group, much less secure a high position there. Katie went through great pains to get where she was today. Alas, Leah could not understand where she was coming from. “I’m not asking you to be with me every day. I’ve tried my best to do everything you asked of me, but you can’t even be there for me during my birthdays.
“Everything I do, I do for you. Get this straight. The guy approached you because of what I could bring to the table.” Katie was pissed by her daughter’s defiance which was becoming worse with age. “I know the kind of person he is. Without Kaze’s help, I wouldn’t have escaped. Where were you then? You’re in no position to say that. “Even if there’s something he’s after, what would he want from me? I have nothing to offer.” Leah did not believe a word Katie said. Clearly, Katie was out to get Kaze. “He’s nothing but a poor kid. Why are you blowing this out of proportion? I’ve clearly stated what needed to be done. Why are you still being stubborn?”Katie believed she had not raised her daughter right. Leah turned out pretty naïve. “I told you. He has no ulterior motive. He doesn’t know who I am. He doesn’t have any other intentions. I approached him, not the other way around.” Leah kicked herself for pulling a reckless stunt. All she did was give Kaze more problems. Kat
Leah hated her mother being unreasonable. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I fed you, I gave you clothes, I put a roof over your head, I gave you life! The least you could do is to listen to me!” Katie did not expect her daughter to go so far as to defy her. Kaze remained silent, knowing that no matter what he said, it would be meaningless to someone unwilling to listen. “Kaze, I’m sorry. It was my fault that you are in this mess. I’m a jinx…” Leah blamed herself for getting Kaze in trouble with her mother. If not because of her, he would never encounter her mother. “Shut it! Why are you apologizing!? He approached you with purpose and you can’t even see that? He’s not worthy of your time!” Katie was livid. She felt her daughter was blinded by emotions, incapable of making the right decision. And to make matters worse, the girl even apologized to Kaze—what nonsense! A poor man without any background was no match for her daughter and her status. He approached the girl becaus
Katie suddenly chuckled. “What’s the matter? You are after my daughter and you tried to give me advice? What are you trying to do?” She looked down on a man with no future. She stubbornly believed he approached her daughter because of her. If he said as such, he must have known something else. It was no secret that Katie was preparing the birthday banquet for Leah and one could easily find out about it with a little research. Katie took his words not as a suggestion but as a challenge to her power. “Whatever. You stubbornly believe that anyone who approaches you or your daughter is after your power, does that mean there’s no emotions or love throughout your life?” Kaze suddenly looked at Katie with a pitiful gaze. She had been consumed by the thirst for power and it wiped her humanity. Katie would eventually be a sacrifice of someone else before she knew it. “Don’t look at me with those eyes. Who do you think you are? I see through you right away! I’ve seen a lot of
Frustrated, Leah tried to shake her mother’s hand off, but Katie tightened the grip and did not let it happen. The more the girl resisted, the more Katie felt challenged. She felt that her authority was being shaken by her daughter’s defiance. “Stop it! I told you before that if you don’t listen to me, I will make you regret it! And, don’t let me catch you with this bastard anymore, or he won’t have a future here in Butterworth!” Katie shouted at the girl to silence her. Leah could resist her mother and defy her, but not at the expense of her friend’s well-being. She knew her mother always meant what she said, and once those words were spoken, she would certainly take action against Kaze. Therefore, she quickly fell silent and let her mother take control of the situation. Katie glared at Kaze resentfully. “Stay away from my daughter or I will make you pay!” she bellowed. She then dragged Leah to her car and told the girl to get in. Right after she closed the door, s
Without further ado, Katie stormed out of the car and dashed over to them. “Leah!” she shouted, startling her daughter. When Leah saw her mother, she knew doomsday was upon her. She was frightened and stunned on the spot. Kaze was surprised by the coincidence as well. He was not afraid of the woman but she was charging at them like a ferocious monster. “I told you not to be with this guy! Why didn’t you listen to me?!” Katie could not tolerate her daughter’s defiance. She saw it as a direct challenge to her authority and bottom line. She stepped up and dragged her daughter away. “I told you not to see this poor bastard. Why didn’t you listen to me?” She was consumed by rage and paid no attention to her choice of words. All she cared about was the fear that her daughter had nearly fallen into a stranger’s hands. Leah disliked her mother being unreasonable. She had no idea what changed her mother into an unreasonable wretched hag. “Mom, what are you talking about?” “W
“Katie’s daughter dined at my restaurant and she met the man Katie intended to match her with, yet Katie knew nothing and even threw a tantrum at the door. Why do you think that happened?” Master Fuller shook his head helplessly and poured himself a glass of beer. The last guest of the day had left and he could enjoy his rest peacefully. However, the last guest of the day was a rather interesting pair. “Isn’t it a little contradicting? She’s trying to get Mr. Lee to marry her daughter but she’s asking for trouble at the same time.” The woman was surprised but also found it interesting. “Do I have to deliver the meals to Mr. Lee?” “Let my disciple do it. Don’t you get involved in this, it’s better to stay away from trouble.” Master Fuller wanted to get back at Katie, yet he did not need to do anything because the woman was actively bringing trouble upon herself. The woman did not say anything and simply gazed into the distance. The wooden door at the entrance was ope
“It’s getting late. Let’s get you back.” Kaze knew that Leah had snuck out of the hotel, so it would not be good to let her stay out too late. Katie was a tough mother to deal with. If she found out her daughter snuck out without her permission and spent dinner with him, she would lose her mind. Kaze was not afraid but Leah would have to suffer her mother’s wrath. “It’s getting late. We have to go back.” Leah liked the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant. She felt free of restraints while on the premises, but time flew by quickly, leaving her with little time to savor the experience. She wished she could enjoy more moments of peace and quiet while indulging in good food. “Do visit if you have time. We usually open at night only,” Master Fuller said when he noticed the heavy look on the girl’s face. “Great. I’m definitely coming again!” Leah then got up and headed out. Kaze then pulled his wallet out and wanted to pay for the meal. “Mr. Lee, what are you doing here?
Passersby would spare an extra glance at the expensive car but dared not pause to inspect further. The woman in the car looked anxious as she relentlessly tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. Katie was still waiting, hoping to find out who Master Fuller’s guests were. Her patience was thinning by the second. Since she picked up her daughter, everything had gradually slipped out of her control, and she hated the feeling. Back at the restaurant, Master Fuller and his guests were still chatting over delicious dessert. Kaze had a bite and was amazed by the taste. As expected of a national-level chef, his culinary skills could turn the simplest ingredients into the most amazing delicacy. “I thought this was just a normal sweet potato but there’s something else added inside.” After an enjoyable dinner, Leah finally had the chance to taste the final dish—the dessert, which appeared to be an ordinary sweet potato. When she peeled the skin and took a bite, she realized