Harvey's eyes were calm, as if he was saying something ordinary. However, his words seemed to exert a faint pressure, and Frederick could not help but shudder when he noticed it.There were mixed emotions on Frederick's face, but after some time, he gritted his teeth and knelt on the ground."I, Frederick Robbin, acknowledge and greet you, Mr. Harvey. From today onward, I will obey your every command. I am your dog and will bare my fangs at whoever you want!" It was evident that Frederick had considered things through.Now that he had lost an arm, forget about remaining one of the four kings. It would be great if he had even half of his power before he lost his arm. Even if Harvey did not do him in, plenty of those within the Alliance would use him to climb the ladder. In other words, unless he wanted to die, the only other alternative was to survive and become Harvey's lapdog.Frederick clearly knew from the power Harvey had shown that the two of the other four kings could not do
"I will get it done in three days," said Frederick, instantly putting his brain to work."I will spread the news that my arm has been severed. That way, the other two will truly believe that I have been crippled. Then, I will gather those two with the excuse that I have discovered your weakness. All I need to do then is to draw them into my trap; that way we can deal with them permanently. Unlike you, I don't believe they can ignore hundreds of Rainstorm Needles pointed at them."Harvey blinked. "You have plenty of them?"Then, Frederick said in an embarrassed tone, "To be honest with you, my relationship with the Judd family from Kaneridge City is quite good, so I have stocked up a lot of Rainstorm Needles. Let me know if you need them, and I'll do my best to meet your needs."Harvey shook his head. "It's fine. Save them for your own use. Head to the hospital now. I hope you can give me some good news the next time we meet."Harvey turned around and left. He did not threaten Fred
"That's right," Harvey nodded.The woman briefly gave Harvey a good look, and a meaningful glint appeared in her eyes. After that, she gestured to a direction with her left hand and said, "This way, please."The two of them quickly arrived at an office renovated from a residential manor.The office was not that big, measuring about 1075 square feet. However, not only was it filled with vibes from the classical era, but some antiques were also used as decorations. While it looked simplistic, it made the entire office luxurious and opulent.Pottery from the 10th century, a horse statue from the 13th century, fabric from the 16th century… Plenty of antiques were being placed here, just the starters.One was a perfectly preserved vase from the 10th century, and it alone was worth a fortune.Harvey glanced at them before following the woman to an upholstered sofa made from the finest pear wood. An old man wearing a traditional garb was taking a sip from his teacup as he sat on the sof
It was obvious that based on Elric's investigation, Harvey's highest social status was being Prince York of South Light. According to some rumors, the current leader of the Yorks of HL Casino was also somehow related to Harvey, and he might be the next person to inherit HL Casino."Inheriting the Yorks of HL Casino?" Harvey said with a meaningful smile. "Not good enough."What Harvey meant was that with someone of his status, becoming the leader of the Yorks of HL Casino was beneath him. But what Elric understood was something different. He thought Harvey meant he was not good enough to inherit the position.He was stunned for a moment before shaking his head, "If that's the case, it means your reputation as Prince York makes it hard to live up to…""I never called myself a prince. It's just that outsiders respected me enough to call me that," Harvey said. "In truth, I never liked that title.""I see," Elric concurred as he looked at how humble Harvey was trying to make himself lo
"What do I mean?" Elric gave Harvey a deep and meaningful smile. "I believe you're also a smart man, so you should know what I mean. I'll explain it in simple terms."When the board was selecting the next chairman, an error had been made. An error that shouldn't have been possible. And that was how you have chosen to be the next chairman. In order to maintain fairness within the Commercial Group, a chairman would only be relieved of his duty when he reached retirement age or willingly resigned other than committing a serious error."Do you understand what I'm saying?"Harvey looked back at Elric with a faint smile. "You want me to resign.""Youths like you learn so quickly!" exclaimed Elric as he stared at Harvey deeply. "From my perspective, the position of chairman is precarious. It'll be hard for those with no talents to retain that position."That's why it's a good choice for you to find a reason to resign in exchange for wealth that would last you your entire life. You should
"Mr. Stanton… I must admit that your promises are very enticing," Harvey reasoned with Elric, smiling faintly. "However, I have bad experiences with empty promises. I'm apprehensive that I won't be able to see those promises come to fruition."Elric's expression darkened slightly, but he still forced a smile. "Harvey, I'm being sincere with you. Your response is very disappointing. I wouldn't have offered my daughter if I only wanted to give you an empty promise. I have plenty of options, you know?"I love my daughter. If it isn't because I truly admired you, I wouldn't have said anything about letting you marry her?"Elric sounded like he was hurt. "Harvey, you completely got the wrong idea!"Harvey calmly replied, "It's not that I got it wrong; it's just that how you make those promises isn't genuine. Or perhaps I should say, it's your sincerity that makes you look so fake."I'll be direct. If you really do admire me, then the person sitting here before me won't be you but your
Harvey clapped his hands together and said, "See? I already allowed you to show your sincerity, but you didn't accept it. Whose fault is this, then? Then again, while you're not someone earnest, I am. If you really want me to give up my position, I can agree on one condition."Elric's expression darkened, and he slowly said, "State your condition."Harvey calmly spoke, "Have the Country H Commercial Group terminate their partnership with all Island Nation entities. Don't let the Island Nation have a chance to enter our country's market from now on.""That is preposterous!" Elric instantly became furious and no longer held back his anger when he heard Harvey's condition. There was no point in continuing with the act anymore."Do you know how vital the Island Nation's market is to the commercial group? Once their capital has been removed, how will we continue doing our business? As a businessman, you should also understand that capital has no nationalities."We have worked so hard a
Before Harvey could even reach the door, Elric suddenly bellowed. There was both arrogance and calmness in his laughter. Those who did not know him might even think he had finally lost it."Interesting… This is so interesting! You know how the saying goes: out with the old and in with the new. I've always thought it's just an expression, but I never thought some people genuinely believe in that. Not only are you arrogant, you're completely out of depth."Harvey, do you know what it means when I've been the director of Country H Commercial Group for decades? It means that all the scions of the ten top families and the five hidden families will all show respect to me. They wouldn't even dare lift a finger at me, even when I teach them a lesson or two."Even Emery, the so-called number one scion in Wolsing, had to show his respect whenever he visited me at home. I've never met someone like you who showed me no respect and even completely threw my dignity out of the window. Harvey… Shou
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