The Quints learned that the newly acquired company had gone bust, and they were billions of dollars in debt. The least of the Quints’ troubles was to give Darcy hell at her company. The Quints rushed to Lilyrose Credits. Online lending platforms became a hit a while back, emerging as one of the biggest things to invest in. Seeing that such platforms were profitable, the top three families jumped on the bandwagon and created a lending platform called Lilyrose Credits. They collected billions from locals and pumped the money into the platform, waiting to bank in on the interest. It was difficult to recover the principal of the loan, much less the interest. Word somehow got out. The news did not sit well with the investors. Lilyrose Credits was barely surviving before the fall of the top three families. Nevertheless, their long-standing authority in the city managed to calm these investors down. Following the collapse of the families, the Quints blindly acquired compan
“We are the Quints, the top family in the city. Even Johnson takes cues from us. Maybe you don’t want to keep your job anymore, Don.” The Quints stopped Don. They questioned patronizingly about his refusal to make any arrests. Don smirked to himself. The Quint family was idiots to think they had the influence of the former top three families. “Why should the government arrest those you owe money to? What if the arrest causes a public outrage, and we get cases of suicide? Who’s going to take accountability then?” The Quints pulled wry faces at Don’s comment. It was not a situation they could handle. “So, the priority should be paying the investors back to stop the protest. Nothing speaks more volumes than money.” Don pushed away the people in front of him and took off. The Quints were infuriated. Don was a bastard for brushing them off. Well, they vowed to take his job from him. “Don has a point. The priority is shutting the investors up with money.” “That’s
“Fuck!” Rudy lost it. He felt like he had fallen into a trap. These circumstances never crossed his mind when he applied for government funding. The only thing on his mind was acquiring as many assets as possible. Now, they were stuck with a mess they could not get out of. “The God of War’s money doesn’t come easy, Rudy. You took the money, and now you must fix things. Do your bit and start making contributions to the locals.” Johnson ended the call. “I got word from Construction Bank that they won’t lend us money if Lilyrose Bank won’t, Rudy.” “The same goes for Lockhart Bank.” “Industrial and Commercial Bank too.” The other banks had given their response. No bank was willing to provide them with a loan. Instead, these banks hounded the Quints about repaying previous loans. Rudy scowled. The local council washed their hands off the matter.The banks refused to approve loans. However, the Quints could not just walk away from the issue. It finally dawn
The two sculptures on both sides of the gate to the Quints’ residence were knocked down and destroyed. The newly reinstalled main entrance was taken down and trampled under the group’s feet. The Quints’ home was demolished. The house was the Quints’ pride and joy, and they had been disrespected. “Who are you to start trouble here? Get out now!” The Quints approached with aggression. The family’s attitude rubbed the creditors the wrong way. “We are workers at the local paper mill. We have been owed our wages since last year.“We have been standing up for our rights, but the top three families stopped us from having a voice. “When your family bought over the factory, we were told that you would be resolving the wages issue. We thought we could finally see the money. “But your family had not sent a single person to talk to us and hear our problems, so we had to go to you. “Your security guards had their fingers up our noses and told us to leave. They called us lowlife
The Quints froze. It was only the beginning of the many debt collections to come. “You are kind people. Despite knowing the horrible situation left by the top three families, you bought the companies and cleaned up their messes.” The individual expressed his gratitude and left. Unbeknownst to him, his words cut the Quints like a knife. They were overwhelmed with emotions. Smack! Rudy turned around and slapped Samus in the face. He yelled furiously, “What the hell have you done, you bum?” Samus spent billions, and yet there was not a profit in sight. The family now owed hundreds of millions of dollars. The thought that many more would gang up on the family for money sent chills down Rudy’s spine. The Quints had no more money to offer. “It’s that bastard’s fault. Kaze put us in this situation. I want to kill him!” Samus covered his face and yelled.“No point in killing him. The most important thing now is to deal with these issues.” Ashen in the face, Rudy
When Master Quint called Horizon Mirror Mansion, Darcy was also looking at the news on the Quint and Lee families being sought after by their debtors, demanding payment. “I knew that something was wrong when the Quint and Lee families bid blindly without assessing the value of the companies. I just did not expect things to get out of hand so badly. “Everything collapsed on them at once. This isn’t normal. Someone must be pulling the strings from the back.” Darcy was speechless as well. The Lee and Quint families spent a few hundred million to buy some garbage. “The one who pulled the strings from the back is me, your dear husband.” Kaze said as he chuckled, “I am doing this for you.” “You keep telling yourself that.” Darcy rolled her eyes at him. She was surprised that Kaze was able to deal with Deborah but she did not believe that he was so capable of dealing with the two families. “Other than the Sunrise Lees and Butterworth Queens, could there be another family who
“Disaster has befallen the Quint family and it’s all because of your stupid husband!” Master Quint shouted from the other side of the phone. Darcy moved the phone away and looked slightly irritated. “Grandfather, the Quint family is in this situation because you are greedy. I warned Samus but he didn’t listen. Don’t put all the blame on Kaze!” Master Quint did not expect Darcy to be so protective of Kaze, which infuriated him even more. “Not his fault? The Internet is filled with rumors he released and he’s fanning the flames! Otherwise, this wouldn’t collapse on us all at once!” Darcy was surprised to find out that Kaze was indeed the one pulling the strings. “Darcy, Deborah was arrested and the Quints have become the joke of the city. What else do you want from us? Your Uncle Rudy has crossed the line but I already scolded him. Do you want to see them jump off the building before you stop? Are you really going to go that far?” Master Quint said sentimentally. Far? If
“Darcy, don’t entertain scam calls anymore.” Kaze tossed the phone back to Darcy and continued, “These kinds of calls will lure you and scam your money. Worse, they might sell you away and you will be gone forever.” “Kaze, that’s Grandfather!” Darcy glared at him. Kaze continued with the same look, “I don’t want you to listen to him. If he recalls his announcement now, when you shoulder the debt, they will release another statement to throw you out of the family again. Besides, I said I will help you build another powerful family and none of the Quints will be able to leech on you.” “That’s not what I am talking about!” Darcy pinched him and glared at him. “You called yourself Daddy in front of Grandfather, what are you thinking?!” Darcy snapped out of it the moment Kaze snatched the phone away. She knew her grandfather was trying to trick her again. Like Kaze said, once she shouldered the debt, they would kick her out once more. She was mad at Kaze for being audacious.
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
“It’s quite a bustle even when it’s late at night.” Kaze looked down from above and saw the bright lights. A street in the distance was brightly lit with many people working into the night. “The majority of people would do many things to make a living.” Arthur rarely observed these sights. “Thank you. Keep me in the loop of any progress. I’m curious as to what you’d do.” Kaze did not see a need to get involved with the minor stuff. He delegated the tasks to his people. “If you have time, why don’t you go out and have a bit of fun, Mr. Lee?” Arthur asked. The reason for Kaze’s trip was to deal with Jet. Kaze would get some satisfaction from upsetting Jet. “I don’t want to attract attention.” The last thing Kaze wanted was to blow his cover. From Kaze’s question, Arthur knew that Kaze was interested. “No. We can give you a whole new identity.” Arthur knew what to do. “I’ll leave you to it, but don’t take it too far,” Kaze replied. Still, Kaze was intrigued a
Katie was narrow-minded to spit out the unpleasant things. Her words would never harm Kaze. Kaze took the private elevator back to the penthouse for a rest. He had more important things to do. He needed to keep tabs on the Frosts. Leah’s business was none of Kaze’s concern. Sure, Leah was in a state, being manipulated by her mother and all. However, it was a family matter at the end of the day. Kaze had no rhyme or reason to get involved. Kaze soon put the whole thing behind him. Arthur was already there at the penthouse. As Kaze entered the room, Arthur jolted up from the couch. “Mr. Lee, this is the document you requested. It should have detailed information to give you a clearer idea of the situation.” Arthur put the papers in front of Kaze and grabbed him a bottle of water. Feeling hot from his walk back, Kaze took a sip and held the document up for a look. “I got to give it to the Frosts. They sure work in the shadows.” Kaze grinned. A strong opponent p
“Despite everything I’ve said, you still won’t listen! Kaze is a liar! He befriended you with a motive. Yet, you trust him. He’s a good friend to you? What do you take me for?” Katie could not put up with her daughter’s defiance. Leah must obey her because that was what a good daughter would do. “I see you as my mother. What about you? Am I a daughter to you?” Leah did not want to ask such a distressing question. However, there was no way around it. She was escaping reality. Still, she had to swallow the truth, however cruel. “What are you talking about? I wouldn’t raise you if I didn’t consider you my daughter.” Katie worked hard to keep a level head. The last thing she wanted was the whole thing to blow up into a bigger fight. She had a lot to do for the upcoming party. There was no time to lose in keeping her daughter happy. Besides, Leah was no longer a child. Yet, she was so defiant and rebellious. “Why do you plan on giving me away if I’m supposed to be your d
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