The Williams sat together for dinner, awaiting Eric and Sylvia's return.As they ate, Brook revealed, "After I called Tiger last night, he sent someone to keep an eye on Ivan."This revelation took Queenie aback. It seemed to her that Tiger held a significant position in the underworld. She sensed a strong unity not only among the Williams but also among other families and underworld figures in Salt City.Queenie had observed Irvin visiting the Williams multiple times, establishing a close bond with Eric.Brook continued. "Today, a few individuals from King City sought out Ivan. We suspect them to be the reinforcements he summoned. Queenie, do you know which family in King City has the closest ties to the Oberdeens?"Typically, prominent families maintained their own social circles."It's the Moores," Queenie replied. "The Moores, a second-tier family in King City, have the closest connection to them. Their son is mentally disabled. Lately, my family had been urging me to marry h
Meanwhile, Ivan had arrived at the Williams residence. Besides the Williams, Tyson, a few chefs, and personnel managing the estate, outsourced from relevant companies, were present.The Williams preferred simplicity and refrained from hiring household staff. Regarding security, they deemed it unnecessary, relying on the martial arts skills of the Williams siblings. With Tyson's presence, additional security was deemed redundant.Ivan was aware of the Williams' lack of security and confidently entered with his people. Beside him stood a young man leading about half a dozen men, clearly intending to settle scores with them."Heh. The coward who fled yesterday brought reinforcements today. Do you really believe the few of you can take us down?" Brook taunted.Ivan chuckled. "I didn't anticipate the Williams family having a grandmaster, but that doesn't grant you the right to hold onto people!"He gestured to the young man beside him. "He's Jayden Moore, the heir of the Moore family f
Jayden seethed at the sight of Ivan. "What's going on?!"His father's voice had been trembling over the phone, urging him to apologize to the Williams. Matteo had emphasized the scar-faced man, emphasizing that Jayden shouldn't return to King City if he failed to make amends.As for matters concerning the Oberdeens, Gilliard had advised Jayden to distance himself from them.Jayden smirked disdainfully. "The Oberdeens are truly something. My father called to inform me that the engagement between Felix and Queenie is canceled! Simultaneously, the Moores have severed ties with the Oberdeens!"Jayden ignored Ivan and turned to Eric. "Hol. Johnson, my sincere apologies for any offense. Please find it in your heart to forgive me."Eric nodded. "Alright, if there's nothing else, kindly refrain from disturbing my family during their meal."Quickly, Jayden led his men away from the Williams residence, leaving Ivan bewildered in his wake."Damn it!" Ivan cursed under his breath, questioni
Connor understood Amelia's concerns. The entertainment business brimmed with temptations, no doubt.Amelia's joy radiated. "Sylvester, you and Seraphine need to expedite things, too. Misty is on the brink of giving birth. Once their little one starts toddling, I can look after another."Raising kids was challenging, yet Amelia relished it. She had already brought up her four children, so a few more wouldn't faze her.More people meant a livelier atmosphere—an extension of her dream to have more grandchildren.-Sylvia and Eric had rested adequately and arrived at the Innova Group in the morning. The couple approached the entrance and spotted an employee briskly leaving with a box."Hold on!" Eric called out.The employee halted and turned, smiling. "Good morning, Ms. Williams and Mr. Johnson."Eric studied the employee. "Lenny... are you resigning?"Eric's memory served him well—Lenny Young had been with Innova Tech since its inception. When the Innova Group formed, Lenny cont
"Quentin is undoubtedly capable, but his approach is excessively harsh. Altering technical plans out of the blue is just one of the issues. Several talented individuals I nurtured were driven away by his behavior. They were performing well, for goodness' sake!"The catalyst for my resignation was a phone call. Quentin insisted that everyone in the planning team, regardless of their position, must answer the phone within three rings or risk receiving a poor year-end review!"Last month, a team member failed to answer his call once, and he terminated his employment! I took more than 20 seconds to respond to his call last month, and he undermined me at every turn! We've been revising plans daily this month, and no new plans have been produced!"What's the point of working under these conditions?"Hearing this, both Eric and Sylvia understood.Eric said, "Your capabilities are unquestionable. Isn't it your team that developed the construction plans for the Westlake data center? I beli
Seeing the unified opposition from the planning team, Quentin seethed with anger."Alright. You think the company can't function without you? Just wait!"He left, cursing.-Meanwhile, in the CEO's office.After watching the planning team's meeting video, Sylvia was furious."Mell, gather everyone in the company's management team for a meeting in half an hour! The managers and deputy managers of the IT department must attend! No matter what they are working on now, drop everything!"Soon, all the Innova Group's management team members arrived at the meeting room.Some were curious about the sudden meeting, as the top executives usually convened. In their impression, the Innova Group didn't have many meetings unless there was significant progress in a big project."What's going on? Why did they suddenly call all of us for a meeting?" a manager asked."I don't know, but I saw Ms. Williams and Mr. Johnson returning this morning. Could there be something big happening? Or maybe t
The high-ranking executives' team remained silent, primarily due to their uncertainty about Sylvia's intentions. They figured that if it wasn't their concern, staying silent was the right thing to do. After all, speaking up might stir unwanted trouble.Even if they didn't offend Sylvia, they might offend Eric, the CIO and co-founder of the Innova Group.Finally, one of the senior executives spoke up. "Since no one is speaking, let me express my thoughts."He had come from Innova Tech, and his high position in the company was a result of the company's recognition of the veterans from Innova Tech. Despite their esteemed positions, they were required to have corresponding capabilities."It's clear that there are issues in Mr. Jones' management approach. The Innova Group has always prioritized its people. I believe an employee should not be measured solely by performance. Performance does not represent everything."Of course, the performance of the project team has always been excelle
At that moment, they finally realized why Sylvia had called this meeting. It became clear that serious issues existed within the management team.In a technology-driven company like the Innova Group, talent was paramount. If mistreatment spread to every department, the Innova Group would suffer a loss of talent.What's even more alarming was that if the Innova Group's reputation was tarnished, no one would dare join them despite the high salary and benefits offered.Sylvia knew this well enough, so she quickly took action."I won't name the person responsible for this. I hope everyone takes it as a warning and never forgets our principles. Meeting adjourned."Everyone quickly left the conference room.Despite Sylvia's seemingly aloof demeanor, the company's top executives were well aware of her capabilities. Managing the company was undoubtedly her forte.Furthermore, the Innova Group wasn't a publicly traded company and wasn't subject to external constraints. Although there wer
In terms of innate talent, Eric was unparalleled, having reached the pinnacle of martial arts. With a single punch, he sent the 'God' flying."Good!" Stealthbane shouted with excitement.The ultimate enemy had finally been defeated, bringing peace to the world. Eric sighed in relief.However, in the next moment, the 'God' stood up again. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, he revealed a bloodthirsty smile. "You have successfully enraged me!"Everyone braced for a potential massacre, but instead, the enemy turned and fled.Could Eric let him escape?"Chase him!" Stealthbane commanded.Allowing this foe to escape would spell endless trouble.A group of people pursued the enemy, who soon reappeared clad in iron armor."Not seen this before, have you?" The 'God' seemed to have recovered somewhat. "Did you think I only research viruses? Wrong! I control global resources and global wealth!"This is our newly developed Doomforge Exosuit which amplifies a person's battle prowess tenfol
The sturdy floor lay in utter disarray.In desperation, Ruth shouted, "Eric, don't give him any more chances! Finish him off swiftly, or we'll face endless trouble!"Eric was well aware of this logic. As he fought, he said, "He's incredibly strong. Taking him down quickly isn't possible! We must fight to the death!"Eric had never feared battle. Besides, this might very well be his final fight.Their fists clashed fiercely.The 'God' also noticed that Eric was growing more formidable as the battle progressed."How do you have so much strength? Wouldn't it be better if we joined forces to control the world? We could have anything we desire!"All the world's wealth, women, and resources would be ours to enjoy. Why won't you listen to reason?" he roared.Eric's momentum didn't falter. "I don't share your grand ambitions. I just want a simple life with a job that pays 1,000 dollars a month and a warm home with my wife and kids. But you, you've disturbed my peace!"The 'God' was fu
The 'God' grew more courageous as the battle raged on, causing Stealthbane to worry incessantly.In another high-stakes clash, Eric and his opponent both retreated. Eric sensed his opponent's growing strength, finding it rather peculiar.The 'God' clenched his fist. "I must thank you! My techniques were slightly incomplete, but I've managed to fill the gaps through this battle!"Eric marveled at his opponent's genius. To mend something incomplete was indeed a rare talent.Despite Eric training with the complete manual, he could only match the 'God' blow for blow. This person was terrifying!The opponent's confidence soared. Although Eric had trained with the full manual, the 'God' felt his innate talent far surpassed Eric's. If he could match Eric with an incomplete manual, now that he had perfected it, wouldn't he be unbeatable?"I thought you had potential and considered inviting you to share this world with me," the 'God' said, his tone turning icy. "But now, I see it's unnece
Stealthbane even felt that Eric might not be a match for the "God."The power was overwhelming.The terrifying aura was enough to crush everything. To an ordinary person, this was a real deity—the strength possessed had already transcended human limits.Eric made his move with a burst of speed. The clash of their fists created a thunderous explosion, and the sound was so intense that Stealthbane felt his eardrums might shatter.This was a battle of the highest caliber, one that even a legend like Stealthbane could not hope to join.Seeing the two evenly matched, Stealthbane sighed in relief. At least there was a chance that the strongest combatants were neutralizing each other. The outcome was still uncertain.Eric shook his aching fist, his expression grave. The opponent's strength was as he had anticipated. If the ultimate boss of the Luminous did not possess such combat power, it would be absurd.Clearly, this "God" had also gauged Eric's strength.He extended a hand toward
Stealthbane knew that the figure facing them must be the ultimate leader of the Luminous.Suddenly, he no longer wanted to die. If he could hold on just a little longer, it would all be over."Mr. Johnson, these people don't seem ordinary. Could that leader be the ultimate figure of the Luminous? Are we about to complete the game?" he whispered.To him, this mission to the Ark felt like a game: defeat the final boss, and victory is achieved."If I'm not mistaken, it should be. This person gives me... a sense of danger," Eric said.Upon hearing this, Stealthbane felt reassured.Just a sense? That meant the problem wasn't too grave!The leader on the opposite side turned to Eric. "I didn't expect you to make it this far. I underestimated your strength, believing my Ark was impregnable, that no enemy could breach it. But why are you so persistent? Why such determination?"He suddenly screamed in a fit of hysteria, "I have so many people! Such a grand scheme! It has all succeeded!
Brent shouted desperately, "After you get on your knees, they'll kill you all, and we won't survive either! Kill them! Kill them all!"He understood the situation with stark clarity. Kneeling meant certain death. If they had to die anyway, fighting back would be their only chance of survival.Eric sighed. "Mr. Rogers, in the end, it was we who implicated you. But this place must be eradicated, and the Luminous must be destroyed as well! Everyone, attack!"As the battle commenced, the masked man immediately struck Brent with a punch.Eric charged in. "Die!"He knew that Brent was unlikely to survive. This punch was his way of avenging Brent.The masked man spun around, trying to block Eric's punch. But the speed of the blow was too much—the gust of wind from the punch arrived before the fist did.It was an instant kill.The masked man had no time to react before Eric's punch collided with his chest. The terrifying force shattered the mask on the man's face, revealing an unfamili
Stealthbane was blinded by rage. He was killing anyone in sight, his fury unrelenting. They had ventured deep into enemy territory, where every encounter seemed to be with an adversary.Eric and his team from the Combat Department showed no mercy.Yet even Stealthbane's resolve was wearing thin."I can't kill them all! It feels like every master in the world is concentrated here!" he shouted in frustration.He felt the number of people he had brought was insufficient. If he had brought a few thousand more, he might have been able to overrun the place.Stealthbane was overwhelmed by the sheer horror of their situation. Fortunately, they had arrived. If anyone else had come, they would have met their end here.The numbers of the masters seemed endless."Damn it!" Stealthbane cursed angrily. "There are too many of them, and they're all exceptionally powerful. What kind of game is this?"He was tempted to retreat, but where could he go?Eric sent an enemy flying, pushing forward
"I was opposed to coming in from the start, but as you all know, the Rogers family is extremely complex. If we hadn't entered, I might have ended up dead. At least if the virus isn't a threat, that's something!" Brent poured himself a cup of coffee and continued. "These people are ruthless! They want to kill everyone outside the Ark and establish a new order, managed by a select few. It's insane!"You don't need to tell me—I know you're here to kill them."He then pulled a small token from his pocket. "This is our Rogers family's privilege here. It allows us to move freely between different levels. With this, you can go anywhere!"Stealthbane grabbed it eagerly. "Why didn't you mention this earlier? Things will go much smoother with this!"Brent sighed. "Once you've handled everything, could you take me out with you? I really don't want to stay in this dreadful place any longer.""Sure!" Eric nodded. "We'll definitely call you when we leave. For now, we're heading out."Brent e
Everything was ready, but they couldn't just walk in.Ruth instructed the Combat Department to conduct a three-day intensive training for everyone, focusing on coordinated combat.-After three days, the forces led by Stealthbane moved out, first dismantling the outer defenses of the Ark. This was their specialty!A large group of several hundred arrived in front of the Ark's entrance. At first glance, it resembled a mountain.Jack scratched his head and said, "Is this the gate? I don't see any door."The Holy Templar's people arrived as well. St. Pius said, "Everyone, don't rush. Wait for two minutes. Once the gate opens, we need to get in quickly. I have other plans inside, but once we're in, it's going to be a life-or-death battle! No one should show any mercy!"Stealthbane flexed his fists and replied, "Do I look like a good guy to you? Just watch me deal with them!"No sooner had he spoken than there was a tremendous roar. The ground shook, and the door of the Ark swung