With Kaze’s order, Albert left the hospital lightning fast and brought his men to chase after Hudson. At the same time, Hudson’s car had gone up the freeway, away from Lilyrose. “We lost a lot in Lilyrose. I really don’t want to just go back to Chrysant on a bitter note!” Dexter, Jake, and the others were aggrieved. They were confident when they followed Hudson to Lilyrose and did not take the locals seriously. They thought the moment they arrived in Lilyrose, the locals would kneel to them. To their surprise, their children were beaten up and they got slapped in public. More importantly, they had to flee Lilyrose like losers. “It’s all because someone defeated the Twin Ghosts. I wonder who in Lilyrose is that powerful?” They suspected Kaze at first but quickly denied it. Kaze might be strong but he was no match for the Twin Ghosts. No matter how they pondered, they could not think of anyone who could defeat the Twin Ghosts. Hudson was the most depressed of them
Soon, Hudson, Jake, and the others were dragged out of the car and pushed to the ground. They finally knew who the man was. The man was Thedeus Rich, the son of Dane Rich. Thedeus squatted. He waved his knife in front of Hudson’s eyes. “Thedeus, I have been your father’s friend for many years! I didn’t get him killed!” Hudson explained as he was being pressed to the ground by Thedeus’ men. “Nonsense!” Thedeus bellowed, “Before my father died, he texted my uncle and told him to find you for revenge.” “Thedeus, it’s not like that!” Hudson was horrified. He shouted, “Someone is trying to sow discord! I did give your father the idea of extorting money from Darcy but the one who killed your father and his men is Lefteria Group!” Thump! Thedeus punched Hudson in the face, knocking his teeth out. “You used my father and you said like it’s not your fault.” Thedeus’ eyes gleamed coldly. He said, “But you are right. Someone is trying to sow discord. If that’s the case, I’ll
“Chief Commander Hiden… No!” Thedeus felt the icy cold gun stuck to his forehead and he cried. His cries did not change Albert’s mind about pulling the trigger. After a while, Thedeus and his men from Dallas Moneylender were all killed. The scene shocked Hudson and the others. Their faces turned pale. No amount of men would be enough against the soldiers with guns. The little excitement Hudson and the others had earlier disappeared instantly. They thought Albert was here to save them but when they learned of his relationship with Miru, they realized they were wrong. Albert came not for Thedeus and Dallas Moneylender. He came for Hudson and the others! Hudson and the others escaped the tiger’s mouth but jumped right into the wolf’s den. Thump! Hudson got down on his knees and cried, “Chief Commander Hiden, I am terribly sorry! I shouldn’t have sent the Twin Ghosts after your cousin! If I knew she was your cousin, I would never have done it! Please don’t kill me!”
Hudson was devastated seeing the stern look on Albert’s face. If he refused to pay, he would be detained for life. With permission, he called back to his family. The moment the call got through, Hudson cried, “Mother…” In the end, the Vinlands paid 1.5 billion and Hudson Investment Firm brought Hudson back. As for Dexter, Jake, and the others, the Vinlands did not have the capacity to take care of them. They were forced to sell off their companies and get loans to buy their own lives. The Vinlands declared their entry to Lilyrose’s market but in just three short days, they were forced to leave. Aside from not receiving any benefits, the famous Hudson Vinland spent two billion to buy his own life to escape the city alive. When the news got out, the entire Lilyrose and even the South River State, were shaken. Everyone was shocked. “What a joke. Hudson Vinland prepared for so long to enter Lilyrose’s market but he became the one who lost his investment firm.” “Lily
“Kaze spoke to my cousin on behalf of me? Then I’ll return the favor and make him the CEO,” Miru said with a mischievous grin. Kaze always spoke to her like her boss, so she wanted to turn the tables and make him work for her. She wanted to make him understand who was the real boss! “The CEO of Hudson Investment Firm is a much better title than Shangrila Group’s driver. At least it won’t embarrass my BFF.” Pranking Kaze was not her main priority. She was trying to make him less embarrassing when he was with Darcy so that others would not laugh at him. Darcy and her family did not need to endure the harassment as well. “What? Miru wanted me to become the CEO of Hudson Investment Firm?” Kaze’s expression turned strange when he heard the news from Darcy. “Is she out of her mind? She wanted me to work for her?” He did not want to burden Darcy or hold any responsibility, so he decided to give the investment firm to Miru, to make her work. Yet Miru turned the tables around
Cosmo was George’s youngest son. He was arrested when he tried to bribe Loid, the governor. To repay the favor, Loid helped Kaze punish the Lees, but he did not plan to offend them completely. Therefore, Cosmo was not put in prison, only detained. However, George could not bear watching his favorite son detained for a day, let alone a while. He contacted Johnson and demanded he release Cosmo, in a condescending manner. Johnson knew of the conflicts between Kaze and the Lees, so he contacted Snow and inquired about Kaze’s opinion. Kaze scoffed. “The Vinlands failed to enter Lilyrose and the Lees still haven't learned a lesson from it? He really thinks the Lees are that powerful?” The Lees were involved in the Vinlands’ attempt to annex the five companies related to Kaze. Kaze wanted to hold Gregory responsible but since the old geezer went back to Sunrise City, he did not give chase. “Tell Johnson not to release Cosmo. I also want him to teach Cosmo a lesson. If he can
Bang! George slammed on the table and bolted up furiously. “It has only been a few years since we left Lilyrose and they are already taking advantage of our absence? How dare they beat up my son! They must be having a death wish!” His eyes were burning with the flames of anger. The butler wiped his sweaty forehead and said, “Master, Young Master Cosmo did not just get beaten up, they even…” “What else?” George’s face turned gloomy. “They even forced him to scrub the toilet until it was cleaned! He cried as he cleaned the toilet and they didn’t even give him food!” Cosmo was born with a silver spoon and had lived like a prince for all his life. He had never done any chores, let alone being forced to wash the toilet. George was heartbroken to know that his son was being bullied by the gangsters. “Master, you have to bring Young Master Cosmo back and avenge him! If this gets out, it will ruin the family’s reputation!” said the butler with bloodshot eyes. He had been
“But people are saying the governor favored Johnson a lot and even wanted to send him to some training for his career advancement. “Since he’s under the spotlight now, and if we are to go after him, we will be indirectly disrespecting the governor and it will only put us in a tight situation in the future,” George said. The Lee family was on the passive side because they almost got Johnson killed. It was completely understandable that Johnson wanted to get revenge. Moreover, Cosmo was caught red-handed trying to bribe the governor. “George, why don’t we make Kaze bring Cosmo back? Johnson pushed the responsibility to him, so we’ll make him bring Cosmo out of the detention center. There’s no reason for Johnson to keep Cosmo detained then,” Gregory voiced his suggestion. “Yeah, you are right. We might not be able to go after Johnson but we can still go after Kaze.” George grinned and said to the butler, “Tell Samson Hobbs to deliver the message to Kaze. He has three days to
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