Embezzlement was a huge deal in any company. Kaze raised a brow. An incident happened on the first day of his job at Hudson Investment Firm. It was interesting. Kaze stayed silent for the moment, waiting to see what Jem had in store for him. As Jem predicted, Sophie might be capable at her job, but she was too young and inexperienced in life. Sophie lost her cool right away. “What are you trying to say, Leslie? Don’t tell me you think that I instructed Lennon and Theo to take the money and run,” Sophie said angrily. “Ha, Ms. Song. Your words, not mine.” Leslie sneered. “But even if the instruction didn’t come from you, you are definitely involved. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have fled right after they bribed you. “Besides, why were they eager to give money to you when they were ready to skip town? Surely, you’re involved in some way.” Leslie glanced at the other employees and said with a smile, “Don’t you think so, guys? Why didn’t they give you or me money? Why did
“Mr. Lee, how should we handle this?” Jem turned to Kaze. “How do you think we should approach the issue?” Kaze asked, passing the question back to Jem. Jem said with a smile, “We were going to call the cops when we first realized the problem.” He paused and observed Kaze’s reaction. Kaze kept a blank face, knowing Jem was not finished.Getting no response from Kaze, Jem smiled nonchalantly and said, “But Ms. Song is your assistant. By getting the cops involved… He paused and took his time to say, “The scandal won’t reflect well on you and the company.” “Your point?” Kaze asked indifferently, having no patience for Jem’s minced words. “My opinion doesn’t matter since I’m just a sales director.” Jem rose from the chair unhurriedly. “So you should decide whether to call the cops or handle the problem discreetly, Mr. Lee.” While talking, he turned to the other employees with a grimace and said curtly, “Before Mr. Lee makes up his mind, no one should call the cops and
Kaze sniffed out Jem’s trickery a mile away. No threat there.Kaze’s confidence was all the assurance Sophie needed. She asked, “Mr. Chairman, what do we do now? Do you need me to do anything?” The whole thing started with her, and she felt she had let Kaze down. As guilt consumed her, she wanted to do something to make it up to Kaze. Kaze said indifferently, “We need to find Theo and Lennon to retrieve the 10 million dollars. My money isn’t up for grabs.” “But Mr. Chairman, I believe they have skipped town since they fled through the night,” Sophie said worriedly. “Even if we call the cops, it will be hard to track them down.” Kaze shook his head. “That’s not for certain. They might still be in Lilyrose.” Jem was confident that Kaze would be reluctant to get the cops involved so as not to blow the matter out of proportion. In that case, Jem would not see the need to ask Lennon and Theo to flee out of the city. “Try and contact these individuals, Sophie,” Kaze said
“Alright, Mr. Chairman.” Snow immediately contacted Dan and Gold Tooth. Dan and Gold Tooth were still in the hospital after a near escape from Chrysant Twin Ghost. They still held significant influence in the Lilyrose underworld. Siding with Kaze had only boosted their power further, especially after ousting Hudson.Upon receipt of Kaze’s order, Dan and Gold Tooth got right down to business. Even if they had to turn the city upside down, they would sniff out Lennon and Theo. …Meanwhile, Leslie entered Jem’s office and reported, “Lennon texted that Sophie called and tried to get an address out of them, Mr. Tart.” “Hmph! I guess Mr. Lee won’t give up.” Jem scoffed in disdain, not surprised that Kaze would pull that stunt. Jem was not flustered at all. Leslie asked, “Should I tell them to leave Lilyrose and get into hiding, Mr. Tart?” Jem frowned. As Lilyrose was Kaze’s territory, Jem trusted Kaze would fold eventually. However, complications could arise. Amid his
Jem drafted the investment contract. Danny would be happy to sign the contract once Kaze yielded to him. Jem would get a cut when the funds were fired to Danny. It would be his cue to leave then. Danny’s eyes grew fervent as he was closer to getting 10 billion dollars. He laughed and said, “Good job, Jem. Here’s to a spectacle of someone’s pathetic begging!”He was smug. After the call with Jem, Danny dialed another number. A fighting gym stood near the street of consular offices in Sunrise City.It was rare to find Arcadians there. Most of the gym members were diplomatic staff from various countries. Baring his toned chest, Jason wrestled with several assistant instructors. Though outnumbered, Jason still ripped through his opponents’ offense.Wham! Thud! Bang!The assistant instructors crashed to the ground in agony. Danny’s call came in. Jason took the call and quickly made an unhappy face. “I can’t believe you want me to attack an Arcadian, Danny.” He add
After making up her mind, Sophie contacted Lennon and Theo. “Raylight Hotel, suite No. 918. Remember, come alone.” Lennon sounded stern on the phone. Sophie took a cab and went to Raylight Hotel. When she was at suite No. 918, she called Lennon again. A while later, Lennon and Theo came down the stairs. Lennon smiled and said, “Ms. Song, pretty wise for coming alone.” The two of them were cautious as they did not want to be caught. They observed Sophie from the stairs to see if she brought anyone else. If they spotted any uninvited guests, they would leave immediately. “Come on in, Ms. Song. We wouldn’t want to talk outside here.” Theo opened the door with the key card. Sophie clenched her teeth as she walked in. She stood in front of the door and said, “Let’s talk with the door opened. This level is quiet. I don’t think anyone will be listening to our conversation.” Bang! Lennon slammed the door shut, which frightened Sophie. She bellowed, “What is the me
Upon hearing Mr. Statham’s shout, his followers from the capital barged in as well. They were coaches and students of the Mixed Martial Arts Club who were close with Mr. Statham. They came here to watch Mr. Statham challenge the martial arts experts of Lilyrose. Sophie breathed a sigh of relief. She disregarded her miserable state and asked for help. “Help me! They are trying to rape me!” “Beautiful girl, these two monkeys are not worthy of you,” Mr. Statham said. Just when Sophie thought she was saved, Mr. Statham said something that pushed her into the abyss of despair. “These monkeys of Arcadia aren’t good enough for you. Us Paladians are better lovers in bed. Am I right, guys?” His followers laughed and started to scrutinize Sophie with a perverted gaze. Sophie escaped the wolves but jumped right into the tiger’s den. Her face turned pale when she felt the perverted gazes on her. “Enough! This is no time for this!” Mr. Statham frowned and bellowed. He pointe
Tensor Martial Arts School was one of the most famous martial arts schools in Lilyrose. The front gate was designed like a palace and there was a massive square in front of the main building. The square was a venue for the school to host martial arts competitions for the students. Several cars drove into the square, ignoring the signs of “no entry”, and stopped right in front of the entrance. Mr. Statham came down from the car and looked at the entrance. Beside the entrance was a sign stone, spelling “Tensor Martial Arts School.” Then, he went over to the sign stone, raised his fist, and punched it. Bang! The stone sign was destroyed like it was glass. It broke into smithereens upon impact. The chunks of stone fell on the ground and alarmed the people inside. “Who are you? What are you doing?!” The guards rushed out with angry and surprised looks. Unlike normal security guards, they were tasked to maintain order in the martial arts school and subdue students and
Phoenix nodded with a fake smile and said grimacingly, “But it looks like your employees hold you in high regard. “They didn’t budge even when their legs were broken.” “Bang!” Shadow kicked an executive to the wall. Darcy looked at the executives and said coldly, “Before I step down, I am instructing all of you to accept Joan as the new chairwoman.” “Ms. Quint!” Many executives grimaced while others cried out in tears. They knew that Darcy agreed to resign because she could not stand them to take the abuse.“I want to apologize for failing to protect you.” Darcy hung her head low in the presence of her management team as tears streamed down her face. She had never been so devastated. Sadly, Kaze would not be with her. Kaze started it too. “I approve of Joan as the chairwoman.” “Me too.” “I concur.” The executives spoke up. They could not change the situation. With Darcy giving in, they knew further resistance would only be met with brutality. As the
Shadow did not show any signs of stopping. She continued kicking the female executive. “Stop, bitch!” Two male executives tried to stop Shadow. Shadow had eyes on the back of her head. Without looking back, she swept a kick at the two big men and slammed them against the wall. She approached the two men and stomped on them. “Crack!” “Crack!”With two sickening cracks, the legs of the two male executives were brutally snapped. Their harrowing cries echoed through the ward. “Stop!” Darcy’s eyes turned bloodshot as her right-hand men endured the brutality. She got up right in Shadow’s face. “Smack!” Shadow slapped Darcy to the ground.She approached Darcy with a blank face and raised her foot. “No!” Hector and Agnes’ breath hitched in their throats. “Shadow.” Phoenix, who watched the violence callously, said, “You can stop now.” She unleashed Shadow on these executives to show them who the boss was. Phoenix had gotten what she wanted. The plan would
Agnes scowled in distress. Sky mumbled under his breath, “You have no right to anyone, though. Darcy doesn’t answer to anybody. The executives approve of her. You can’t run the company without Darcy anyway—” “Shut up!” Phoenix yelled furiously, “The executives approve of her? Well, I can make sure that doesn’t happen. “I doubt they would say anything if I wanted to fire her.” Phoenix said curtly, “Let them in.” Amid her confusion, Darcy watched as Sky Ocean Corporation’s high management entered the room. “Ms. Quint!” The executives greeted Darcy respectfully. They had a lot of respect for Darcy. Though they were a lot older than Darcy, these executives still held Darcy in high regard. Phoenix kept a straight face throughout. She slammed her cane to the ground and yelled at the executives, “I want to sack Darcy and make Joan the chairwoman. Show of hands if you’re on board with the idea.” Silence befell. Two dozen executives exchanged glances. It never occurr
What?Kaze was the cause of the assault, but Darcy was somehow relieved of her chairwoman duties. Hector was stunned. Agnes stepped forward and wailed with a pale face, “Madam Quint, you can’t do this!“Darcy expanded Sky Ocean Corporation and built a presence in Riverbank all on her own. The Quints never helped. Why should she be replaced by Joan?“Darcy has poured her heart and soul into the company. The executives and employees can bear witness to her dedication. “You are letting the employees down. “Besides, Kaze is the problem. He’s out of control. “I’ve been hoping Darcy would dump him, but Darcy is too kind. “I trust that Darcy will move on from him after this incident.“You should be punishing the right person. Don’t put this on Darcy!” Agnes understood that Sky Ocean Corporation was the very thing that provided her family with the lifestyle they had right now. If Darcy was stripped of power, the family would revert to their miserably impoverished days. De
Phoenix glared at Darcy’s family and said sternly, “Did you hear me?” Hector and Agnes shivered and felt obliged to comply with Phoenix’s request. Before Hector and Agnes said anything, Sky jumped in. “Kaze wouldn’t beat anyone up for no reason, Madam Quint. Besides, Joan has it out for our family. She hasn’t liked Kaze since day one.“For all we know, she could be spinning a tale.“You might want to get to the bottom of the truth—” “Shut up!” “Bang!” Phoenix cut Sky off by whacking him with her cane. “What do you know? It’s not your place to speak. Where are your manners? “One more word from you, and I’ll hit you again.” Sky’s repeated offense of challenging Phoenix’s authority drove her to the edge. Furious, Sky rubbed his aching arm and opened his mouth to refute. “Don’t be stubborn!” Agnes yanked Sky in fright and smiled apologetically at Phoenix. “I’m sorry, Madam Quint. Sky is young. He doesn’t know any better.“Don’t be mad, Madam Quint. We’ll contact Ka
“But Kaze doesn’t learn from his mistakes. He acts like he’s all that!“He broke my arm and stomped on my face, saying that I couldn’t be prettier than his wife. “I can accept the injuries on my face, Madam Quint. “But Kaze is disrespecting the family and you!“Please stand up for me, Madam Quint. Sob, sob…” Joan wailed. Her piercing bawling sparked the other family members to back her up. Phoenix was outraged. Hector, Agnes, Darcy, and Sky turned pale. They did not expect Kaze to assault Joan. Kaze went hard on her too. Most importantly, Joan’s boyfriend was the only son of Boris, one of Riverbank’s four underground kingpins, and the boyfriend seemed to be in a worse state. “Kaze brings us nothing but trouble!” Agnes scowled and hissed through clenched teeth, “I knew he shouldn’t be with Darcy. I knew he’d be the death of us.” Old habits sure died hard. Agnes had dropped the attitude after the slapping incident, but she was back to her overbearing self again.
The sneers and gloating looks made Darcy’s family’s hearts sink. Hector got a call half an hour ago and learned that Phoenix had walked free after Kaze called the cops on her. Phoenix wanted Darcy’s family to come to the hospital. Hector thought that Phoenix had fallen ill. Without another word, Hector took Agnes to the hospital. Darcy and Sky had to make time out of their work and school to be there for Phoenix too. The family forgot to bring Kaze along by choice. There was no telling whether Phoenix was ill or angry with Kaze. The last thing they would do was bring Kaze along to make things worse. Outside the ward, Darcy’s family learned through the chatter that Joan, instead of Phoenix, was admitted. Joan’s hospital admission seemed to garner a lot of attention from Phoenix. Oblivious to the situation, Darcy’s family was in a daze. “Has Hector’s family arrived? Tell them to get in here!” Before Darcy’s family could get to the bottom of the matter, Phoenix’s a
Besides, the execution hall enforced the law within the Viper’s Den, putting the division in a superior position within the Viper’s Den West State Branch. The division had the power to decide whether the Viper’s Den member would live or die. The leader of the execution hall, Robin, would oversee the South River State Branch’s new branch chief and branch deputy. Hannah and Collier could not afford to let their guard down. They braced themselves to meet the man. “Marcus? Robin?” Kaze said indifferently, “I keep note of these names. The South River State Branch can’t do anything to the pair, but I am the branch leader.” “You have the power to stop them!” Collier said. Yet, Collier remained hesitant. It was true that Kaze was the Viper’s Den West State Branch leader. The Nether Viper Sword proved it. However, Kaze never officially took office. In other words, the position of the branch leader remained vacant. Collier could not understand Kaze’s delay in declaring his
Conan could sense the calm before the storm over the phone. He stopped joking around and said solemnly, “Of course.” It did not take Conan and Collier long to get to Kaze. Collier took out a stack of Rhys’ photos and said, “I know this guy. He’s Rhys Road, the only son of Boris, Riverbank’s underground kingpin. “His father bankrolled him to start a business in entertainment. He doesn’t get involved in the company operations, but he loves scouting talents to trick women. He’s worse than the man I was.” At least, Collier was aware of the type of man he used to be. Still, Kaze was not amused. Collier kept it strictly business and said somberly, “He often hangs around schools and around the mall to scout beautiful women. He has slept with many women, promising them the world.“He would be forceful with those who didn’t fall for his scheme. He would isolate them or drag them to somewhere secluded and take compromising videos of them. “Dozens of women fell victim to him over t