“Get out of my face!” Miru glared at the weirdo who wore sunglasses at night. She saw the weirdo before. The man always hung out with Kaze and did not seem to have a proper job. “Woman, don’t you use that tone in my face. If not for Albert, I would have slapped you.” Draco then signaled Kaze. “Boss, get in.” “I think you are quite suitable for her, you can tame her.” “Come on, Boss. Aside from the temper, she’s arrogant and disrespectful.” The words that came out from the window as the car drove off left Miru infuriated. She almost told her men to chase after them and ram their car off the road. Meanwhile, at the hospital’s orthopedic department, Hudson visited Alfred for his broken leg at night. “Kaze, that little bastard! He slapped me and broke my leg in front of so many people. I’m not young anymore yet he did not hold back at all. Master Hudson, you have to do me justice!” Alfred started crying the moment he saw Hudson. Hudson’s expression turned grim. He
“Go to Chrysant Prison and get the Twin Ghosts,” Hudson said to his man emotionlessly. Both Alfred and the man were stunned by Hudson’s order. “What? Master Hudson, you are getting the Twin Ghosts involved? If yes, there will be a bloodbath,” Alfred said in shock. He looked scared as if he thought of something scary. “Lefteria Group has decided to oppose us by protecting Darcy and her family, so let there be blood.” Hudson stood with his hands behind his back and then dismissed his man with a wave. “Go.” “Yes, Sir.” The man nodded and left the ward for Chrysant City. Inside Chrysant Prison, there was an independent cell with two prisoners. The walls of the cell barely had any paint left. On its surface were many holes. The larger ones looked like they had been punched while the smaller ones, usually four to five in a cluster, looked like someone had poked their fingers into the concrete wall. There was also blood on the walls, both fresh and dried. The two pri
With the order from Hudson, invites were sent out. Soon, all the important figures of Lilyrose received the invites. “Hudson Vinland invites us to have tea at Wuthering Pavilion tomorrow. What is he planning?” At Bay Club, Gold Tooth and Dan Niner received the invites and they were not sure what to do with it. They worked for Kaze for a while and seized all the limelight for some time, but ever since they failed their missions, Kaze switched his attention to Miru. Since then, the two of them had been nothing but miserable. Gold Tooth was forced to retire because of one word from Kaze. He called Dan out to have a drink before they received the invites. “I don’t care what they wanted to do but we have to go to show respect,” Dan said bitterly. “The top three families are taken down already and Hudson Vinland is inviting us to tea? This is sketchy.” The three family heads also received the invitation and decided to talk about it at a cafe. They were still frightened
Hudson’s invitation was sent to Shangrila Group. This one was unlike the others because the content only had one sentence in it—Get over here, apologize! The person who delivered the invitation specifically said it was for Kaze. When the invitation was handed to Winnie, she was frightened. The conflict between Kaze and the Vinlands started because of her and Brenda. Hudson did all those things just because he wanted to get back to Kaze at the tea session. “Ms. Souffle, should we deliver this invitation to the chairman?” Sophie asked. “No need. I’ll take his place. We don’t need to let the chairman know about this.” Winnie bit her lip and made up her mind. Back at Horizon Mirror Mansion, after Darcy received a phone call, she went to Kaze with a concerned look. “Kaze, I got a call from my friend saying that the Vinlands sent invitations to many influential figures in Lilyrose, inviting them over for tea. I wonder if it’s about us.” From the moment Kaze beat up Yume
“I invited everyone here for tea. Please make yourself at home!” Hudson entered the room with a grand disposition and signaled everyone to take their seats. “Master Hudson, Melrose’s kingpin, Steve and his son, were murdered last night by the Twin Ghosts. Is the Vinland family involved?” asked a family head of a first-tier family. The question felt out of line but he could not control his curiosity. The others looked at Hudson curiously. Hudson smiled and said, “I know them.” The answer Hudson provided was profound and it struck the hearts of everyone present. Hudson cherished his reputation more than anything, so there was no way he would admit it. However, his claim to know them explained a lot. A number of guests reacted strangely. Lefteria Group wiped out Dallas Moneylender in Lilyrose and Hudson responded by killing Steve and Sully in Melrose. After Steve stepped down, he supported Miru in taking over his empire in Melrose. Just as Lefteria Group started to
Winnie’s face turned pale. She looked down in silence as guilt started to consume her. “And my son, Juno! The Star Corporation is one of the biggest companies in Chrysant, yet Kaze Lee tortured my son! This is unacceptable!” Jake’s square face looked fierce and strict. The other chairmen of big companies in Chrysant City stepped up and berated Winnie as their sons and daughters were tortured by Kaze. Of course, they would want justice for their children. “I heard you and your daughter are the cause of all this, am I right?” Dexter asked coldly. “It is.” Winnie’s face was as white as a sheet. Dexter bellowed, “On your knees, and apologize to us!” Thump! Winnie knelt without a second thought. Kaze was too kind to her and her family. Even if she had to give her life away, she swore to bear all the criticism for Kaze. “Shangrila Group has been opposing the Vinlands openly, yet its CEO is kneeling before us?” Dexter strutted up to Winnie. Slap! He slapped Winni
The voice came from a phone via loudspeaker. It was so abrupt that it caught everyone’s ears. Everyone was shocked by the bold words. Who was that? Who called Dexter Bluenid and the others a piece of garbage? Each of them ran their respective companies and since they were valued by the Vinlands, the companies were by no means small. Even the Vikroms and Logmans dared not challenge them. Yet someone among the guests called them a piece of garbage openly. “Who said that?! Show yourself!” Dexter was furious as he stared in the direction where the voice came from. The guests in the same direction averted his furious gaze, trying to avoid a potential conflict with the Bluenids. There was one person who did not look away. It was a young lady and to everyone’s surprise, she stood up. It was Sophie. “You? Who are you to challenge me?” Dexter shouted angrily. Sophie was trembling as she held the phone up. “Don’t be afraid. Get close and let them hear my voice.” Kaz
“What the hell?!” Dexter covered his face on the floor, crying in pain. Everyone almost burst into laughter seeing his miserable state. They all gloated at him and looked down at him for crying like a child. Winnie was slapped many times yet she did not even grunt in pain. Dexter was weaker than a woman! Then, everyone was shocked because they did not expect Dan to listen to Kaze and slap Dexter in the face. Not even Hudson had expected it. Hudson stared at Dan. “Dan Niners, what is the meaning of this?” Dexter was with him, and if Dan slapped Dexter, Dan indirectly slapped him. “I’m sorry, Master Hudson, I didn’t mean to offend you.” Dan bowed. Hudson looked slightly calmer. He said, “Explain yourself.” “Alright.” Dan nodded. He then grabbed Dexter by the hair and kneed him in the stomach, making him kneel on the floor. He then slapped Dexter repeatedly, causing him to cry louder. After numerous slaps, Dexter could not even make a sound anymore. Dan then
Aloysius looked at the business venture at hand with a mix of emotions. Jet was supposed to make a comeback with the project, but the defeat was a huge slap to his face. “Can I ask whether Kaze was behind this?” Aloysius braced himself to ask the question. Even though Aloysius had an inkling, he feared receiving confirmation of his suspicion. “Chairman Lee helped me. If Jet hadn’t hurt my mother, I wouldn’t have rushed back to take his place. “He did this to himself,” Snow said blatantly. “How did you know about the island project? We have been discreet about it.” Aloysius was eager to find out. The question would burn on his mind unless he got some answers. “You can’t keep anything from the Viper’s Den, but this is the end of the matter. If you’re interested in the project, I can put you in charge of it.” Snow could not be bothered to explain herself. Aloysius played it smart. He had been carrying out Snow’s orders without a hitch. Snow was happy to honor her prom
“Tell them that the company is expecting funding, and all the projects will be launched in a few days. Everything will be back on track. It’s a good thing that the higher management is gone. We will be opening the positions for internal employees to apply.” Snow got the right solution to handle the situation. She had to give these employees hope to gain their dedication in return. Aloysius was surprised. “Who would pour money in when our finances are in a mess?” Having worked with Jet, Aloysius had a good understanding of the company’s ins and outs. Several business ventures were up in the air, and the company was bleeding money. Even with a relaunch, these projects would not bring in much of a profit. Most importantly, the relaunch had to be backed up by some funding. The business got a loan from the Viper’s Den. If payment was not made in time, the company’s shares would be used to make up for the loss. The whole thing spelled trouble. Snow just joined the company.
“This is the financial report you submitted today. Any intern can do a better job than you.” Snow mocked Jack. She was disappointed in his performance. A finance director who could not even get his basics right should not be working in finance in the first place. “Who do you think you are, doing this to us?” The others are only out to save their own asses. They did not sympathize with Jack. “I’m sure you are well aware of what you have done.” “You’re on your phone all day at work. You put your daily expenses on the company card, and we’re talking about tens of thousands of dollars a month. You only bought stuff for your personal use. “Let’s not forget about you. Your so-called business trips are to take your mistress out for expensive hotel stays and vacations.” Snow looked at each one of them while detailing their deeds. She shamed them in public, utterly humiliating them. “Why were these allowed before? Why are you stopping these practices now? If you can change
“No, Ms. Frost. I can do it,” Aloysius said right away. He did not want to miss out on a good opportunity. “I gave you a chance. It’s up to you to seize it.” Snow looked at them with a smile. “I’ll get right to it, Ms. Frost.” The HR manager nodded and took off. He had to prepare the paperwork. Those in upper management were on a higher pay grade with a cut of the shares. Following a termination, the HR manager had to calculate the final pay. There had to be a valid reason for the discharge from duties too. Though things were a little complicated, the HR manager was experienced in this aspect. The only issue was that the staff involved were not the low-ranking employees. They held high positions. Despite his unrest, Aloysius did not wear his heart on his sleeve. He had a good read of the situation. Snow was impartial in carrying out business. Those who contributed to the company would stay while the ones who bled the business dry would be sacked. Anyone would p
Sure enough, the mean would gather around the individual at their fall from grace. It was sad to grasp this reality. “I promise you to have everything in order. Don’t worry. You will get a nice promotion.” Snow knew when to give her employee encouragement. Only then would Aloysius feel motivated to work. Aloysius departed in dejection, but Snow did not mind it at all. He served the wrong person. Snow took on the leadership role the same day Jet left. Since she assumed the responsibilities without much experience, the employees did not take her seriously. The people doing the grunt work felt nothing toward the change of leadership. The upper management may experience shifts, but they were still obliged to finish their usual tasks. The only thing they hoped for was to be paid more for their overtime. Following the change of leadership, some leaders may receive a promotion or be transferred out. The employees at the bottom of the pyramid wondered if they could compet
Despite her unease, Snow trusted that Jet would not have the chance to hurt her. Hence, she put the matter aside. The dynamic shift within the Frosts caught the eye of elite families across the business world. They kicked Jet while he was down. Some even tried to get a piece of the pie. However, most of them stayed on the sidelines, observing. A fallen giant was still a giant. Even if these families were greedy, they had to assess the situation before moving in. These businesspeople were skeptical about Snow taking Jet’s place. They did not know what Snow was made of. Consequently, they tried to approach her. Snow had been kept busy in the office, dealing with the problems left behind by Jet. She worked late into the night every day. While being buried deep in paperwork, Snow refused to meet anyone. She had lived in Butterworth before, so she had peers from school and friends around. Snow’s sudden return caught many off guard. Everyone wanted to get close to he
If Jet had detected the problems early on, he could have prevented things from escalating. Yet now, everything was too late. Jet did not regret his actions, though. “Just sign this, Jet. At this rate, the shares will drop beyond the point of redemption,” Talon said. The Frosts were terrified at the stock market’s dropping numbers. They did not have time to lose. “I will sign the papers. I lost.” Jet did not want to give in just yet. However, he had to comply with the family elders’ pleas. Snow was relieved. The contract was quickly drawn up, and Jet signed the papers to give up the proprietorship. “Relax. I won’t do you wrong.” Snow made a promise. At least, Jet would still have a home to go back to. “Don’t get too cocky. I didn’t lose to you. I lost to Kaze.” Jet knew that he would face much resistance if his rival were Snow. It was a shame that he was up against Kaze, a strong and mysterious man. “Just sign the papers. I will take over the family empire, and
“Don’t project your filth on everyone else.” Snow was angry, but she knew that she had to keep her head cool. By jumping straight to defense mode, Snow would give others the wrong idea. She had been there before. Kaze sat still without a word. He furrowed his brows in annoyance when Jet painted his relationship with Snow dirty. “I’m not here for the drama.” Kaze looked at Talon. The senior members of the Frosts should back down before Kaze did something about it. “Who do you think you are? This is a family meeting. Why are you getting involved?“If you are unrelated to Snow, you shouldn’t be here in the first place.” Jet took out his anger on Kaze. Kaze was not part of the family anyway, so Jet did not have to consider his feelings. “Watch yourself, Jet. He’s a visitor.” Talon was smart enough to read the room. Despite the air of mystery shrouding Kaze, he managed to screw with most of Jet’s business ventures. The Frosts stood to lose more by crossing Kaze. Ta
Following Snow’s lead, Kaze entered a big conference room. The centerpiece of the conference room was a long, solid wood table, drawing out an air of solemnity. Various notable and valuable paintings hung on the wall. The expansive floor-to-ceiling window brought light into the room. Sunlight bounced off the window that displayed a picturesque view outside. “There you are.” Jet had been waiting. With the pair slowly making their way in, Jet could not hide the rage in his eyes. “Long time no see, Jet,” Snow greeted him and pulled a chair for Kaze. “It’ll take a bit of time, Chairman Lee. The senior members of my family are on their way.” Snow contacted the family elders while getting to the venue. Jet had not produced much results lately, and the Frosts were utterly humiliated. Since Jet would soon be replaced, the senior members of the family wanted to be kept in the loop. These family members had their own ideas. However, they would be happy to appoint the lea