About a minute later, Mr. Kieran showed up once again.“Mr. Jean said that you’ll have to pull an all-nighter,” he said with a faint smile. “He’ll see you during breakfast. Would you like to come as well?”Mandy shook her head. “Thank you, but there’s no need. I already had my fill.”In reality, Mandy hadn’t eaten anything the entire night. However, she wanted to be in tip-top shape before meeting the head of the Jean family for the first time.Under Kieran’s lead, Mandy was led to a temporary restaurant in the VIP area.An elderly man in a robe raised his head while playing with his wrist balls. He seemed like an ordinary old man, and his eyes were bright and brilliant.After taking a good look at Mandy, he smiled.“As expected from a member of the Jean family. Your looks and aura are simply outstanding.“No wonder you were able to rise to power after Lucas’s death.“That said, are you in a hurry to see me?“If this is about Elodie, then you won’t need to waste your time.“
“They’re the ones in the wrong anyway!“The Jean family will be a joke if we don’t show them what we’ve got!“That said, you don’t need to relinquish your position either.“The ninth branch is for you in the first place.“Just do your best and forget about everything else, alright?“Of course, I heard rumors of the family trying to get you married so we could take the ninth branch’s assets…Zayden Jean smiled.“Then again, that’s just nonsense. Those funds are too little for the family even to care!“That’s why you should just focus on your work.”“I understand!Mandy Zimmer froze before nodding her head.In her mind, she would not last long in her position anyway…But after seeing Zayden’s stern expression, she still promptly replied, “Thank you, Mr. Jean!”Then, Mandy left the place soon after.Zayden was just too intimidating for her.He had been quite gentle the whole time, but taking a few more glances at him was enough to make her feel uncomfortable.***“Mr. Jea
The next day, in the early morning, Harvey York woke up in Fortune Hall and looked through his texts before remembering this was the ninth branch’s board meeting.Harvey wanted to support her in secret after her departure from the Jean family…But after thinking she would probably be taken advantage of during the meeting, he could not just sit and watch.He quickly called a cab before heading to the Zimmer Enterprise’s office building.***Ten o’clock in the morning.At the CEO’s meeting room.There were around twenty people seated inside.Other than the board of directors, many major shareholders were also here.They were essentially members of the family, too. Some of them even came all the way from Mordu.There were only relatives of the family at most, but their resources were something that ordinary people could never imagine.When Mandy Zimmer finally came with her secretary to the meeting room, she realized her seat was already being taken over.Elodie Jean was weari
“Oh?“So you do know!Elodie Jean faintly smiled while looking at Mandy Zimmer. She had no intention of letting Mandy off the hook.“Since that’s the case, why don’t you tell us why you’re late then?!“Don’t tell us you didn’t get notified for the meeting!”Naturally, Elodie did not even want to give Mandy a chance to explain herself.“Enough, Elodie!Mandy was utterly enraged after being constantly taken advantage of. The two were destined to fight till the very end.“Do you think I don’t know what today is?“The meeting was set to half past ten, and yet it got pushed half an hour earlier! I was just notified fifteen minutes ago!“The staff even told me that I was the one who set the time, asking me why I wasn’t here yet!“When did I ever give that order, Elodie? Or is someone using my name to do just that?“You better explain, or I can report you to the police!Elodie slightly changed her expression. She did not expect Mandy to go all out against her like this.“Besides
Even under Elodie Jean’s dominance, Mandy Zimmer was still determined enough to retaliate.The confident directors and shareholders felt hesitant and sluggish. They were not able to make a decision even after a while. Elodie was utterly enraged. She decided to put the last nail in the coffin.She slammed a contract on the table before letting out a cold chuckle.“At the end of the day, you have no way to save the ninth branch!“But I do!“I have a fifteen million dollar contract with one of the top ten families, the Foster family!‘When I become the CEO and the head of the ninth branch…“I’ll be able to save the branch at any moment!“Everyone’s lives will be in good welfare!“I admit that you’re quite capable, Mandy, but don’t forget! Connections are also a part of a person’s abilities!“Without connections like mine, you won’t get any business even after yapping like your life depends on it!Elodie stood up with her arms crossed before pointing at Mandy with her nose.“
“Whether you retain Mandy Zimmer as the head of the ninth branch is up to you!”Harvey York casually sat down on an open chair with a cold look on his face.‘The Foster family rescinded Elodie Jean’s contract?!‘They even gave Mandy a hundred and fifty million dollar contract?!‘The ninth branch will surely collapse if Mandy were to leave!’The people who came to their senses looked at each other, unsure as to what to say.Mandy froze before showing mixed expressions when looking at Harvey.She felt heartbroken.She thought Harvey set his pride aside to get the contract by treating Brayan Foster’s curse.“Impossible!“The Foster family belongs to the top ten families!“Their words are weighed in gold!“They wouldn’t revoke my contract with a statement like this!“Let alone make a hundred and fifty million dollar contract with Mandy!“What a joke!“Do you think we’re idiots?!After the initial shock, Elodie quickly returned to her senses before holding the contract in fr
Not only was Elodie Jean planning to suppress Mandy Zimmer and take her position…She also wanted to make an example out of Mandy, ensuring her reign of the ninth branch and preventing anyone else from going against her.Slap!Harvey York immediately swung the back of his palm across Elodie’s face after stepping forward.“Aaagh!Elodie screamed in pain when she was slammed into the ground. She could not even crawl back up after a long while.“You hit me?!“How dare you, you bastard!“Security! Get this man out of here!”A few security guards stepped forward with fierce expressions, ready to take Harvey away.“You can’t be doing that right now, Harvey! Get out of here! I’ll handle this!” exclaimed Mandy.“Don’t worry. I can handle it.“If you’re going to take advantage of my woman before me…” Harvey said while squinting at Elodie.“Then you’ll have to pay a hefty price for that!“As for you people, you better think hard! Who do you think is your actual CEO right now?!“Yo
Slap!The leading inspector slapped Elodie Jean in the face.“What do you think you’re saying?!“You’re the one stealing all of these priceless artifacts!“And now you’re accusing someone of tricking you?!“Nobody can do that if you just didn’t steal in the first place!“Are you doubting the police?! Or do you think that we’re idiots?!”Under the crowd’s shocked gaze, Elodie was taken away…***Half an hour later, inside the CEO’s office.Mandy Zimmer made some tea for Harvey York before showing an odd expression.“Why did you help me?“Didn’t you say I could start again after leaving the ninth branch?“You’ll only deepen my relationship with the Jean family at this point…”Harvey blew on his cup of tea.“I do want you to leave, but not when you’re discredited.“I want you to make the Jean family regret when you do.“Besides, we’re not remarried yet…“But it’ll be easier for you to care for me with all that money, right?” said Harvey jokingly.Mandy had suffered quit
It was obvious that Hale's anger and sorrow had pushed him to the limit. He was already blaming Sky Plane for everything. Sky Plane had just earned him as a mortal enemy."My condolences, Hale." Harvey extended his hand and tapped Hale's shoulder. "The dead can't be brought back, so the most important thing now is to recover. Sky Plane is a difficult enemy."Clarion nodded as well. "Now that Susan is dead, Sky Plane will not let this slide. However, we'll need to get you a new identity after you recover. Only when you're safe and when you can live for yourself will you have the chance to have your revenge."I've just received news that everyone in Grand City knows who you are. All the other Sacred Lands will find out very quickly. In a short while, there will be countless people looking for you, for us. That's why you need to get ready. We're running out of time."When Clarion said that, the frigid light in his eyes glinted. He didn't need to send anyone to find out what was go
"No matter what happened, she treated me well all these years. Even if I were to kill her, I want her to die with some dignity. As for the trouble from Sky Plan and her… I'll give you an explanation you'll be happy with. Please permit me," Hale said, not caring for the wounds on his body even when he was kneeling on the floor.Clarion looked stern. If he were to bring in a spy like Susan, it would help him immensely in his career. If they got her into the interrogation room and asked her proper questions, they could get valuable answers from her. That was the only value she had left.However, Clarion also knew why Hale framed it that way. She was still his wife, even when she had already betrayed him. Rather than letting someone like Clarion take her away right now and live a torturous life that she wouldn't be able to tell day by night, he'd prefer to kill her right now. That way, Susan would be able to die peacefully.But how should he choose? Clarion was having a headache rig
Hale's expression was one of shock.Susan was the same.Hale didn't expect Sky Plane's plan to be so vicious. They wanted the Chapter of Ascension and to use the chance to plunge Grand City into chaos.Susan was shocked about how accurate Harvey's guesswork was. If it wasn't because she knew that someone like him would never have a connection with Sky Plane, she would even think that he might have a hand in setting up the trap that looked like it was simply a string of coincidences.Otherwise, how would he have known everything in such detail?Clarion looked at Harvey with more admiration. While he looked like just an ordinary man, whether his power or perception was far beyond them.Hale slowly closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down for a long time.Then, he turned and looked at Susan and muttered, "Now that we have reached this juncture, I don't think that there should be any more secrets between you and I. Just one question. Did everything happen exactly as Mr. Harvey
"Or maybe, in your subconscious, you do realize that something isn't right. Maybe you simply feel that it's better for her not to know about some things. That way, things will be safer for her," Harvey said with a shrug. "However, the truth is that she didn't get anything from you at all until yesterday, isn't it?"Hale nodded. "You're right. I did have some doubts about her in my mind, that's why I did tell her everything except the Chapter of Ascension."Hale seemed to reminisce about something else before giving a painful smile. "And then, as time passed by, I no longer suspected her. But I'm worried that it'll get her killed, so I chose not to say anything. I believed that as long as I said nothing, we'll be able to live a peaceful life! No one expects that in the end…"Hale signed, looking hopeless when he said that.However, Susan simply smiled icily. "Stop your crocodile tears, Hale. You never trusted me, so stop saying that you love me!"Hale smiled bitterly. He didn't w
Clarion was stunned when he saw Mrs. Hoffman was still trying to argue her way out."Even the way you argue is the same as the Origin Ninjas. Seriously?" Harvey smirked. "Right, I heard that the Origin Ninjas would leave the mark of a petal on the most private spot so that it was easier for them to identify each other. You must have seen it, right, Mr. Hoffman? Of course, I believe she'd definitely say it was just a tattoo that she had while she was in her youth."Unfortunately, I believe that Grand City has plenty of records. It should be quite easy for us to find the evidence we need. That's why, Mrs. Hoffman… Is there really a need to deny it anymore now that we've reached this point?"Mrs. Hoffman shuddered a little. She didn't expect that Harvey would be able to easily see through all her disguise. Most importantly, he even knew about the most damning evidence on her. In a situation like this, continuing with the argument really was pointless."You… You…!"At the same tim
Harvey said calmly, "You smell like one of them."Whoosh!Before Harvey could finish, Mrs. Hoffman immediately pounced at him. In midair, she waved her hand and threw a string of knives.All her blades were blue in color. They looked very pretty, but if they scratched one's skin, one could easily lose their lives if they weren't sent to the hospital immediately.Clarion was shocked when he saw what was unfolding. It was obvious he didn't expect Harvey's words to help them identify Mrs. Hoffman's real identity and forced her to attack.Still, that was quite normal. Thinking back about it, Mrs. Hoffman's calmness during this whole ordeal showed that she was not a normal woman.The power she suddenly showed was within their expectation, and they could understand it too.However, this exact revelation was making things more painful for Hale. It hurt him even more than finding out that his beloved wife sold him out. Clank! Clank! Clank!Harvey pulled up a small fruit knife and thr
Harvey's expression became cold as he watched Mrs. Hoffman. He was completely done with her.Mrs. Hoffman bit her lip and stared at Hale for a long time. "You're right! The one who sold you out is me. I sold your identity to other people, too. I'm also the one that almost got you killed. When I heard about the Chapter of Ascension in the morning, I was also the one who sent the message!"Hale's expression was one of bitterness and grief. He gritted his teeth and asked coldly, "Why?""Why?" Mrs. Hoffman scoffed, a hint of disdain on her face. "Why do you think I did this? Fine, I'll tell you. It's easy—after marrying you for so many years, I've never had a life of peace! We're either living in the streets or hiding! I didn't ask for a wealthy life. I just want a normal and peaceful life like any other ordinary woman! But I can't see us ever having that life! "If that's the case, why can't I gamble everything away? Why can't I sell you in exchange for wealth so I can have an e
Hale let out a bitter cry with a sorrowful expression. How could anyone expose that the person who slept next to them would be the one to stab them in the back?Hale whispered, "I simply didn't want that person to be you. You have been with me for so many years and have suffered so much. I've already treated you as my only family. If family like you betrayed me, it would do nothing but make me suffer."That was why I arranged such a test. I was hoping that Mr. Harvey would betray me once he knew who I really was and that I really did have the Chapter of Ascension. That way, I could continue executing my plans in peace."I didn't expect him to be completely uninterested in the Chapter of Ascension. Instead, you were the one who betrayed me again. It also meant that the one who turned me to Camellia and let her trace me was you…"Harvey didn't pin any blame on Hale after hearing what had happened. After giving it a thought, he said, "Normally speaking, we've just met for the first
"You… Hale! How…" Mrs. Hoffman crawled back up, her mind going black for a moment. She quickly pulled out her phone, about to make a call. Because she was too nervous, she kept on pressing the wrong numbers. She couldn't make that call.Harvey didn't say anything as he looked at this scene calmly.Meanwhile, Hale's expression began to change. There was a hint of sorrow in his eyes as he looked at the woman he loved. "Honey… Don't tell me that despite Mr. Harvey having no interest in the Chapter of Ascension, you let someone else get it instead? In short, you're the one that betrayed me… And has been betraying me…"A tear of blood formed from the corner of Hale's eyes as he spoke.Mrs. Hoffman, who was still trying to make that call, shuddered as she turned and looked at the man whom she had accompanied for many years.At the same time, someone pushed open the door. It was Clarion. He quickly walked into the room and leaned in next to Harvey, whispering, "Something happened