Arrogance. It was pure arrogance. Darcy never imagined that Dave would tear the stamped receipt right before everybody’s eyes. “Do you think you can destroy the evidence by ripping the receipt in half, Mr. Pamela?” Darcy heaved her chest and pursed her lips. Click! Dave took out a brass lighter and set the receipt on fire while saying, “Don’t be mad, Ms. Quint. I can tell the stamp is fake on the receipt. I’m afraid someone has impersonated one of my employees and scammed you out of two million dollars.“You should demand your money back from the person. My company is not involved in this.” All that was left of the receipt was ashes. Dave would not even return the deposit to them. His message was loud and clear. Darcy could bite her tongue and sign the unfair contract or get nothing at all. “We’ll see about this, Mr. Pamela. See you in court.” Darcy turned around to leave. Riley and the others stormed off. “See you in court then. I’m not the one needing an offi
Was it Darcy’s lucky day? She held the phone, and her mouth dropped wide open. She could not believe that Master Quint would do something nice for her. “If I run my company in Quintessential Group’s office building, what about Quintessential’s business, Grandpa?” she asked skeptically. “Quintessential Group is becoming a shell of its former self. What’s the use of such a big office building? I can’t think of a better idea than to support your career. “Come over to the house now. Your uncle and the others will have a talk with you.” With her phone in her grasp, Darcy fell into a daze. In the end, she decided to take a trip to her family home. She could sense the sincerity in Master Quint’s tone. “I need to head home for a bit. You guys should get back to the office. We’ll figure something out once I get back.” Darcy told the employees before driving off to the Quints’ family residence. The employees got ready to leave dejectedly. “Come on, Riley. Stop blaming yourse
“Shut up!” Buckling his belt back on, Dave cocked his head back and yelled. Riley shuddered with a pale face. It just dawned on her that Kaze was on his own. Dave, on the other hand, had burly men around him. Not only would Kaze have trouble saving her, but he might be dragged into this with her too. “Run, Kaze. Call the cops and tell Ms. Quint and the others!” It occurred to Riley that Kaze had just been out of a mental institution, so he probably did not have a handle on things. Riley quickly told him what to do. “Are you deaf, bitch? I told you to shut up!” Dave looked at her menacingly and raised his hand to slap Riley. Furrowing his brows, Kaze extended his leg to clip a chair. He pushed the chair with the tip of his foot. The chair swiveled in the air and crashed onto Dave’s shoulder. Smash! “Argh!” With the chair splitting into pieces, Dave coughed out blood. His heavy body tumbled to the right, slamming onto the desk. The pain was excruciating. Ril
Sizzle! The cigar scorched Dave’s tongue, and smoke permeated from his mouth. “Ugh!” Dave shook his head violently. As Kaze covered his mouth, Dave could only whimper in pain. The endless agony drained the color off Dave’s face. His eyes turned bloodshot as he gave Kaze a pleading and fearful look. Kaze was unfazed. Apart from Jackal and his team, the rest in the office stared at the scene with their jaws dropped. The situation made their hair stand and sent shivers down their spine. Even Riley was horrified by Kaze’s ruthlessness. Kaze only released Dave once the cigar was put out completely in his mouth. Dave sank to the ground and held his throbbing neck, gasping for air. Kaze paid him no attention. Instead, he took out his buzzing phone for a look. Snow was calling. “Mr. Chairman, Clover Center is one of Mr. Forrester’s invested real estate.“In other words, you own Clover Center. Most of the commercial spaces Skyline Estates manage belong to you.” Kaze
Dave had such thoughts? “Are you even worthy?” Kaze’s words pushed Dave over the cliff to the abyss of despair. “How about I recommend a place for you to go? As for whether you can make it out alive, it depends on how well-connected the top three families are.” Kaze called Don. Soon, a police siren sounded downstairs. Kaze handed over the video he had taken of Dave and his men, which recorded the evidence of his crimes. Dave and his men were taken away. “Watch them. If the top three families got into the police department and silenced them permanently, then we can add another charge on them,” Kaze said to Don. Don nodded. Soon, Clover Center’s management was handed over to a company named Vista Management. Vista Management was a department under Vista Group and its chairman was Haste Vista, also a well-known figure in Lilyrose. Haste went to meet Kaze himself and thanked him for what he did. “Mr. Vista, it’s you. You don’t need to thank me, it’s nothing.” Kaze
“What is it, Grandpa?” Darcy was still carried away by the kindness of her family and did not expect much. Master Quint sighed and said, “Darcy, we helped you when you are at your lowest because we are family. We all have the same blood flowing in our veins. Am I right?” “It’s great that you view me as a part of the family, Grandpa.” Darcy was gratified. She thought after the incident with the Hansers, Master Quint and her uncle had finally awakened and cherished each other more. As long as they could reflect on their mistakes and treat her parents better, she would forgive them. As Master Quint said, they were family after all. Master Quint was delighted with her answer. He added, “Now that you are leading Quartet Group, we are worried about you and we don’t want others to laugh at you. That’s why I hope you can merge Quartet Group with Quintessential Group.” The other family members looked at Darcy eagerly. Darcy frowned but she nodded. “It can be arranged but it’
Darcy clenched her fists as tears rolled down her cheeks. She did not turn around or cry loudly. The Quints scolded and cursed her because they wanted to see her fail. She refused to show them her weakest side! Then, the chairman of Vista Group, Haste, strode into the house. “Ms. Darcy Quint! Vista Group has taken over the management of Skyline Estates and I am here to tell you that we are renting Clover Center’s office unit to Quartet Group. Please come with me to sign the contract…” The house that was filled with gloating and criticism was silenced instantly. They knew Haste Vista. He invested in Quintessential Group before. The man came all the way here just to offer Darcy a rental contract for the office. Was she that influential? Even Darcy could not believe what she heard. “Chairman Vista, are you joking with me? Clover Center is being managed by Skyline Estates and Dave Pamela just blacklisted me and my company. All the other property companies refused to rent
With Rudy in the lead, the Quints went up to Darcy, trying to flatter her. “Hold it right there!” Darcy stopped them and waved the contract in their faces. “You guys have nothing to do with me renting Clover Center. It’s all because of my husband, Kaze, the one you guys looked down on! He got me this contract!” She looked at everyone proudly and then left the house without pause. Rudy and the others were stunned on the spot. “That idiot again? Why is he ruining our plan every time?” “I wish I could strangle him!” They vent their anger on Kaze as he ruined their plans. All of them cursed Kaze without holding back. Darcy ignored them. She decided to visit Riley to check on her. Riley was fine and was not terribly traumatized by the attempted rape. Darcy breathed a sigh of relief and promised to compensate her two million. “Ms. Quint, I made the company lose two million, how can I ask for compensation now? Besides, Mr. Lee saved me…” Riley praised Kaze for his hero
“Just tell me what you need, Arthur. You wouldn’t be calling unless you have received orders.” Philip was surprised to get a call from Arthur. Though they were acquainted, they had only communicated because of work. “We have just left Rising Sun. Don’t approve the films for now.” Arthur was blunt. “I can do that, but can I ask why?” Philip was caught in a dilemma because he had just promised Jet to release the films. Philip needed to know if the orders to delay came from a high power who could cover his ass. “Since you got a call from me, you should know that there are eyes on Jet. “You should know what you can and cannot say. Otherwise, you never know when you’re going to lose your job.” Arthur threatened. Philip was reluctant. He accepted Jet’s payment, and now he had to go back on his word. Nevertheless, Arthur was part of the Viper’s Den, and his status was rather unique. Arthur provided services to confidential individuals. These individuals were elites among t
A balanced, profitable dynamic had been developed among the ports in Butterworth. Jet spotted his chance in the lucrative port business. He covertly took out some money to invest in a dying port. The port was situated in a more remote area. Some businesspeople favored more accessible ports. This drove shippers away from the dying port. Jet snagged the steal and improved the logistics and facilities around the area. The port was up and running again. Business at the port was decent enough. As the Frosts would run their business through the port, the local economy took off too. It was a good thing. However, Jet set his sights on several residential buildings around the area. He needed space to accommodate containers. The land was required to make business at the port more profitable. This triggered a whole new thing. Jet could spend some money to buy the residents out of their homes. However, the residents preferred to stay put in their long-time homes. No a
“I’ll keep the bank cards for now. I’ll talk to our superiors and give you a decision. Since the man said that the cards are meant for us, they won’t be going anywhere.” Knox had no idea who Kaze was, but he knew Arthur was with the Viper’s Den. Arthur must be someone from high places. Eli soon put the little incident behind him. He got a call from Aloysius yesterday and was made aware of Jet’s plans. The films had been put on hold for far too long, and the people above Eli were anxious to get things moving. Though Eli was surprised by the review board’s visit, everything was still in his control. Eli left the matter at that without reporting the incident to the higher-ups. The flashy, red car sped along the road. Arthur kept looking back at Kaze, eager to find out about the next plan. Arthur brought Kaze out today to witness how Eli and his team operated. As it happened, Eli adopted such a shallow ploy. Arthur was not surprised, though. Eli’s methods were common.
Eli dined offhandedly as if he had taken hold of the group. His words were layered with threat. “What? Are you trying to replace us?” Knox asked in disbelief. “I don’t have that power, but the investor does. I heard that he enjoyed dinner with your superiors. I’m sure the project will get the green light in no time. “Even if you didn’t approach me today, my team and I would have invited you out for a get-together.” Eli knew when to back down, easing the tension in the air. It was another type of reconciliation. Eli needed to go through the review board to get the rights to air the films. The carrot-and-stick approach was the best way forward. Kaze was surprised by the sophistication of Eli’s tactics. Still, he believed he had come to the right place. Sure enough, Jet would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Surely, he was bound to leave loose ends. Nevertheless, he probably did not care. Arthur cocked his head back to look at Kaze. Kaze grinned, unbothered
The purpose of the visit was to inform Rising Sun that the films did not make the cut. Since Rising Sun would not make the necessary amendments, the project would come to a halt. “Please, don’t. Since we are all here, we should talk it out.” It took Eli quite some effort to get the group to the hotel. Eli had plans to please the crowd, so he could not let them leave just yet. This went beyond getting the green light for the films. Eli needed to make the group happy. “There is nothing more to talk about. We can’t proceed unless you make the changes.” There was no way around it. Since Rising Sun refused to make the right amendments, and Knox had orders about putting a hold on Rising Sun’s films, that was one less problem for Knox to deal with. Eli could not let the group walk out on him. Hence, he quickly sent people in. Several thinly clad women entered, each holding a small bag. Despite the weightlessness, the bag appeared to be carrying something of substance. “You
For that reason, Rising Sun’s film productions were not cleared to be aired. “I told you the reason. The investor supplied us with the scripts, and we were told to base our productions on the scripts. Our hands are tied.”Eli would have made the amendments if he could. He knew where the problem lay. However, the company had to take the investor’s perspective into consideration. In the end, the films were yet to be approved for release. “I guess you won’t get the permission to air them then.” Knox was surprised that Rising Sun would not budge on the matter. Nevertheless, Knox and his team were not there to give the all-clear or talk some sense into Rising Sun. Knox and his team could care less about what Eli had to say. “We’re serious about getting the approval. “I’m sorry that we aren’t a better host for your visit today. Why don’t we move to the nearby hotel for a talk?” With the review board making an appearance, Eli knew there was still hope. If Eli did not grab
Arthur chuckled, his smile carrying a touch of sleaziness. “Oh, I see.” A realization dawned on Kaze. “Are you with quality control?” Several individuals in dark blue suits approached. The men and women carried files and documents. Kaze nodded without a word. “We are just here to announce the results. We shouldn’t be long.” Arthur came forward to engage with them. The group was likely given the heads-up as they had the right number of people. They swaggered into Rising Sun’s building. The general manager straightened up his tie in a fluster and walked out. None of the film productions made the cut yet, and the delay was costing the company money by the day. At this rate, the project would go down under. Eli, the general manager, rushed to the entrance upon learning the news. The review team was there to do one final check. The films would get the green light if the board found that everything was up to par. The head office would stop putting pressure on
Given Kaze’s status, Alfonso knew better than to have him waiting under the hot sun. Of course, he would send his people to be on standby for Kaze’s arrival. Peter only came to the rescue when Kaze was pestered by some street gang. Alfonso’s omission of Kaze’s identity led to this hiccup. Kaze did not care one bit about the incident. Heck, he did not even bring it up. Arthur straightened his back nervously, becoming even more cautious behind the wheel. “You knew, but why didn’t you say anything, Mr. Lee? You didn’t even tell on us.” Arthur could not understand why. However, he had more respect for the man. “I didn’t see a point. You’ll learn what happens when you displease me, so I won’t bother telling you now.” Kaze was mild-mannered as ever. He spoke softly without a hint of anger. All the more Arthur revered him. “Mr. Lee, we didn’t do our jobs right. We didn’t know who you were.“But my duty is to protect you in the dark. “We saw you getting out of the train
“Rising Sun is a media company. Several of their films are about to be released. They are trying to get them approved to air due to some censorship issues.” Arthur took out a document. “Are there any issues with the films? Why aren’t they approved yet?” Kaze asked curiously. Kaze had no idea. “There are some issues. They aren’t fit to be aired. “Typically, there aren’t a lot of restrictions for film productions so long as the themes aren’t sensitive topics. “But these films featured altered history. The company has been asked multiple times to make revisions, but the films still don’t make the cut.” The Viper’s Den’s members were not privy to the information. The Frosts were insignificant. Kaze was after the Frosts. Otherwise, the Viper’s Den would not waste its resources on a mere film production company. Jet’s investment of nearly ten million bucks in Rising Sun caught the Viper’s Den’s attention. The delayed approval of the films would be catastrophic to the in