“Put the word out that Darcy is my best friend. Dallas Moneylender has to go through me if they want to have a say in the city.” Miru called her subordinate in front of everybody. She wanted to send a message across the board. The tone of the communication was cocky and aggressive. Since taking over Melrose, Miru had been on a different level. She carried weight when issuing an order. Her behavior was much like an underground kingpin. Darcy’s family would fear Miru if the latter were not close to Darcy. Soon, Lefteria Group spread Miru’s message to the underworld. All eyes were on Dallas Moneylender for a response. Lefteria Group was the Lilyrose and Melrose underworld kingpin.On the other hand, Dallas Moneylender’s roots ran deep in organized crime. Sparks were bound to fly between both parties. Despite the long wait, Dallas Moneylender made no comment.Members of Dallas Moneylender kept to themselves throughout. Their passive reaction raised many eyebrows.
“The injuries are recent, so you have a choice whether to get surgery or try a more conventional treatment,” Sam said in a serious tone. Albert replied, “They are Mr. Vinlands’ most trusted bodyguards, so things can get heated very fast.“We hope you’ll be the attending surgeon to ensure they will meet full recovery, Professor Whiteman. The surgery fee is not a problem for us.” Sam shook his head peevishly. “No one can guarantee if patients will bounce back 100%.” Nevertheless, Sam expressed that he would try his best. The surgery fee was not even mentioned in the conversation. “We have confidence in you, Professor Whiteman.” Albert praised Sam with a smile before asking, “I heard that you are staying in Lilyrose for a while to treat a patient by the name of Hector Quint.” “Wow. I didn’t think the news would travel so far and wide.” Sam was briefly surprised, but he responded with a nod. “You’re right.” “Mr. Vinland has a message for you.” Albert added with a smile
“Uh, Professor Whiteman, what’s the meaning of this?” The expression on Albert’s face froze. Albert was confused as his heartfelt speech did not sway Sam. Sam scoffed. “Don’t you know that Kaze invited me to Lilyrose? I know him better than you.” Albert wanted to sink into the floor at that very moment. His face was flushed as if someone had struck him. He had put a lot of effort into the act. Yet, he was made a clown instead. Sam said that Kaze invited him to Lilyrose. Albert was shocked. It was hard to believe that a loser son-in-law could convince Sam to make a trip to Lilyrose. “Just leave. I won’t treat these patients. Kaze made them break their legs for a reason. I’m sure they deserved it.” Sam waved his arm in annoyance. He did not want any more interactions with Albert. “Just because you know Kaze, it doesn’t give you the right to twist the facts and refuse treatment.” Albert scoffed with a grimace. “National hero and orthopedic authority, my ass. You a
“Kaze?” Albert scowled at the sight of Kaze. “You whipped Ms. Vinland, seriously injuring her. How dare you show your face.” He waved his arm. Several fighters ditched Sam and the students to encircle Kaze. Without looking at these people, Kaze lamented, “It’s a shame that Yume isn’t dead yet.” Kaze held back when striking Yume. His blows were not fatal. He only said what he said to get on Albert’s nerves. He had met Albert at the Vinlands’ party. Albert stood behind Hudson, carrying himself with kindness and courtesy. Albert finally revealed his true colors. He was a reflection of Hudson’s nature. Sure enough, Albert went ballistic. He practically raised Yume. He was devoted to the young lady. He could not believe Kaze humiliated Yume in public repeatedly. Albert wanted to bury Kaze alive. He pointed at Kaze angrily and said viciously, “So you did intend to kill Ms. Vinland, Kaze. You have angered Mr. Vinland. No one can save you now.“Take him down. He will
After hurling Albert to the side, Kaze whisked Sam away. The medical students also went to Horizon Mirror Mansion. The director of the orthopedic hospital was also a student of Sam’s. He added a few hospital beds after a call from his mentor. When Albert and his group arrived at the hospital, they occupied four gurneys. Now, the number had gone up to nine. Hudson was still unaware of what transpired at the hospital. He was on the phone with Dane from Dallas Moneylender. “You did not respond to Lefteria Group’s statement, Mr. Rich. That’s unlike you.” Hudson pressed unhappy, the phone in hand. Hudson sent Dallas Moneylender on Darcy’s family’s tail. He hid behind Dallas Moneylender to ensure Darcy’s family faced consequences. Hudson could just stay behind the scenes without lifting a finger. That was Hudson’s favorite approach. Besides, he knew that Dallas Moneylender was happy to do his bidding. Dane could not resist the temptation of getting two billion dol
Miru pulled a long face. Her presence was needed at Lefteria Group. She had to take precautions for any possible dynamic shifts in the underworld. It was then Miru received another call from her men. “What? Dallas Moneylender is the arsonist?” She turned ashen. Dallas Moneylender kept their head down and made no response to her bold statement. Here she thought Dallas Moneylender had backed down, and that was the end of the matter. To her dismay, Dallas Moneylender burned several of Lefteria Group’s executives alive. It appeared they responded with a vengeance. “Miru, Dallas Moneylender openly admitted that they caused the fire. They demand three billion dollars by tomorrow morning. The additional one billion dollars is the punishment for Lefteria Group. “If they don’t see the money, they will make sure Darcy’s family gets it. “One more thing. Dallas Moneylender knows that Darcy’s family is neighbors with the chief commander. “It will not deter Dallas Moneylender
Shane was efficient at his work. He had located Dallas Moneylender’s base when Kaze got into the car. “Mr. Lee, the location of Dallas Moneylender’s offices is no secret because no one dares to cross them. Their offices all across the country are semi-open to the public.” An illegal money-lending organization was detrimental to financial institutions. Despite its illicit nature of business, Dallas Moneylender had some public presence. Their arrogance showed. After the call, Shane sent Kaze detailed information on the members working in the Lilyrose office of Dallas Moneylender. As the business operation was semi-open, Shane could get ahold of the data rather easily. “This is good. They all deserve the death penalty,” Kaze went through the findings and said with a smile. The smile did not reach his eyes, though. Sitting beside Kaze, Draco knew that he was out for blood tonight. Soon, they arrived at Dallas Moneylender’s Lilyrose office. The business name was hung
Dane was not in a hurry to make Kaze return the money. He wanted to see Kaze on his knees first. He believed after Miru’s men were burnt to death, the Quints were frightened and they quickly gathered the money for Kaze to pay him back. “Hudson Vinland sent you?” Kaze did not kneel. He looked around to see if Hudson was around. If the man was around, he would deal with him altogether. “You can stop looking. Mr. Vinland isn’t here.” Dane smiled and added, “And, mind your words. Mr. Vinland isn’t powerful enough to order me around. We are just working together. He pointed out a bright idea for Dallas Moneylender, so I simply returned the favor by standing up for his daughter. That’s it.” Kaze was slightly disappointed that Hudson was not around. He asked, “A bright idea? So, Hudson gave you the idea of extorting money from the companies who got the funding?” It now seemed like Hudson was the mastermind. He was the one who instigated Dallas Moneylender to go after the Qui
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