Everyone gasped in shock. Master Quint bellowed, “You just said we didn’t borrow money from you.” “The Quint family didn’t, but the top three families did, and so did Taylor Swan.” Dane scoffed. “To attend the inauguration ceremony of Albert Hiden, the top three families, Taylor Swan, and the other families, borrowed billions from Dallas Moneylender. “The money was then confiscated by the God of War and returned to Lilyrose’s city council as a development fund for the city. The Quint family got two billion from it. “Am I right, Master Quint?” Master Quint finally knew why Dane said the Quints owed Dallas Moneylender two billion. “Mr. Rich, you should go to the top three families, Taylor Swan, and God of War for the money. Why come to us?” Master Quint bellowed. Dallas Moneylender was trying to extort money out of them. “The top three families are no longer top, Taylor Swan is behind bars, and as for the God of War… Well…” Dane chuckled. “We dared not go to him.” “
“Hector Quint must be a lucky bastard,” Gregory grumbled angrily with his teeth clenched. Narian’s legs were broken because of Kaze. The Lees invited Professor Whiteman to look at Narian’s condition, but then the professor was escorted to Lilyrose to check on Kaze’s father-in-law. “Contact our men at Lilyrose and tell them to bring Professor Whiteman back here!” Gregory said coldly. “Yes, Sir!” The butler went off to deliver the order but he came back shortly after. “Sir, our men found Professor Whiteman but he doesn’t want to come back. He even said he would not treat Young Master Narian’s legs!” “What?!” Gregory was furious and confused. “Did Kaze badmouth us and make that old man angry? I know Professor Whiteman is a righteous person.” It was no secret what the Lees had done to the Quints years ago. In fact, there were many versions of the incident and some of them sounded harsher than normal. Gregory suppressed his anger and called Professor Whiteman. “Profess
“You father can’t walk?” Professor Whiteman asked. “He can. His condition has stabilized lately and he can walk just fine.” Clank! Sully lit a cigarette and then said, “I don’t know what condition he is in. Why don’t you go have a look at him at Melrose?” “If he can walk, why don’t you bring him here to see me? I don’t think he is that old either.” Professor Whiteman fanned the smoke away with furrowed brows. “My father is living in seclusion and he doesn’t like to move around. Coming here is too troublesome. It’s better for you to come with us.” Sully pointed outside the window. “The car is ready outside.” “I’m not going.” Professor Whiteman picked up his glasses. “I have an operation at Sunrise City tomorrow and I have to go back later tonight.” He believed Sully was the son of some powerful family. People like him cared a lot about ostentation, yet Professor Whiteman disliked such an attitude. “What operation is so important that you have to do it yourself? J
“They were rude and arrogant. They simply took Professor Whiteman away and even beat up the security guard on the way out. “Mom and Dad were beaten as well,” Darcy said with teary eyes. “Treat someone? That means Professor Whiteman is going to be fine for now.” Kaze breathed a sigh of relief, but he was still angered by the incident. Someone took Professor Whiteman away under his watch. “Do you know who took the professor?” The priority would be to recover the professor first. Kaze knew the professor well enough to know that the man would not do as told no matter the threats. Once his abductor went out of patience, he would be in danger. If the abductor was able to take Professor Whiteman away in broad daylight, then they must have strong support. “The man said his name is Sully Lee and he took Professor Whiteman away to treat his father,” Agnes said. “Sully Lee… I’ll find him and tell him to bring the professor back. I’ll make him apologize to you two.” Kaze’s ex
Agnes did not allow Kaze to go to Melrose because she worried he might cause trouble with his recklessness again. “Miru can go alone. Her godfather is Alan Cummingham. I bet that Steve Lee will show her some respect,” Darcy said, agreeing with her mother. Kaze shrugged and simply stayed home, waiting for Miru’s news. The Mel River was the biggest river in Melrose and it penetrated the city geographically. Beside the Mel River was an estate with a classic architectural style, located at the edge of the woods. There were picturesque buildings and beautiful structures in the estate and the path that led up to the main building was basked in sunlight. Some tourists who passed by the place might have mistaken it as a tourist spot and wanted to go in for a tour. They would be stopped by suited men with earpieces and would only be released after the men checked their cameras and phones for any photos or videos they had taken. The men would then inform the tourists that the est
“Really?” Sully was surprised. He then chuckled and said, “Poor bastard. Albert Hiden took him yesterday and I took him today…” Slap! Before he could finish his sentence, a slap landed on his face, leaving behind a reddish mark. “What? Why did you slap me?!” Sully covered his face and looked at his father in shock. “I slap you because you are being careless. The man is a national icon and has connections to many other powerful families, yet you took the man here by force. Can’t you find someone else to do it? You really think we are still invincible outside Melrose?” Steve lectured his son. “That’s not a big deal. That old man didn’t even cause any trouble when Albert Hiden took him. He’s just a fame chaser, I bet he will not want to cause a scene,” Sully grumbled. Steve grunted and somehow agreed with his son. He asked, “You don’t even know he was taken yesterday, how did you know he’s in Lilyrose?” Steve was known for his ferocity and machetes but if he was just t
Professor Whiteman shook his head, which infuriated Sully even more. “Old man, the news said that you are as amazing as Jesus, but you don’t want to cure my father just because I took you here by force? You call yourself a doctor? Hmph! You lousy fame chaser!” Steve did not react to the professor’s rejection, nor did he stop Sully. “There’s a code that I follow, especially as a doctor. I do not treat the evil,” Professor Whiteman said. “You old geezer! You’re asking for it!” Sully shouted, “You are on my turf and you think you can just reject me? Go ask who is Invincible Lee and who is he here in Melrose.” “Invincible Lee?” Professor Whiteman scoffed. “You better change the nickname or it will bring nothing but disaster to your family.” Up until this point, not only Sully was infuriated, but even Steve’s expression turned grim. “Professor, what did my title do to you that you want me to change it?” he asked coldly. The title Invincible Lee was earned from many years o
“I have fallen for you at first sight, Miru!” Sully did not expect his father to know him this well. He nodded immediately. “Master Lee, this is not funny.” Miru’s expression turned grim. Sully was a few years younger than her godfather and even Sully’s son was only a few years younger than her. It was a blatant humiliation! “If you don’t want to be his wife, then please leave,” Steve said without being concerned. “I am bringing the professor back today no matter what.” Miru was agitated as well. Steve grunted. “Who do you think you are? Even Alan would have to show me some respect and you are just his goddaughter. How dare you talk to me in that tone?” Then, two rows of suited men came in and locked onto Miru. “Ms. Scarlet, this way please,” said the leader of the group. “Master Lee, I won’t forget this. I’ll be back!” Miru grunted. She then turned around and left without pause. When she arrived at the estate, she already knew that the place was filled with S
“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