"This..." Elly pursed her lips, her expression filled with concern. "It's a gift from a friend. You didn't receive any transaction notification, right?"Her fear was starting to creep in. Spending over $1,000 on two eyebrow pencils seemed extravagant. Money wasn't meant to be spent like this unless you were incredibly wealthy."Hmph!" Craig snorted, his displeasure evident. "A friend? What kind of friend would give you such expensive items, especially considering they're consumable?"His irritation grew, and he began to wonder if Elly was having an affair. Spending over $1,000 on eyebrow pencils seemed far more extravagant than anything he had ever done for her."That's right!" Elly made up her mind. "I've found someone who treats me well! He's the owner of a cosmetic company. See? He did my makeup, and the eyebrow pencils were a gift from him!"Jealous, huh? Craig, what have you ever given me? I paid for the house and renovations. What have you given me on my birthdays or our ann
Elly smiled. "Dad, Eric broke up with Jasmine a long time ago. His wife is really nice, much better than Jasmine by a million times."Mr. Johnson took a sip of wine and replied, "That brat, he broke up with Jasmine and immediately got married to someone else. I bet he already had a backup plan while he was still with Jasmine. Elly, when you have the chance, call him over. I want to have a talk with him."Elly was rendered speechless. How could her father think that way?"Dad, it's not Eric's fault. There are hidden reasons behind it. I'll tell you when the time is right. Eric is not the person you think he is," Elly explained.Elly knew their father managed to stay in a private ward because of Sylvia, and Sylvia must have her reasons for not visiting their parents. After all, she even kept it from Eric.Sylvia confided in Elly, and the latter saw no reason to spread it around. How could they maintain a good relationship with Sylvia in the future if she did?"Young people these da
No wonder Irvin insisted on becoming sworn brothers with Eric, even though Eric had saved him casually. Josh's existence was crucial to the Sonnex family.If anyone wanted to target the family, they had to consider Josh's identity and connections before making a move. Moreover, anyone planning to deal with the Sonnex family had to take Josh into consideration as well.Josh was undoubtedly the pillar of strength for the Sonnex family. As long as that pillar remained, the Sonnex family would stand tall and unyielding!"Do you now understand why Irvin treats you so well?" Sylvia asked.Eric nodded, realizing that if he brought up the land issue in the northern suburbs to Irvin, the latter would most likely agree. Since he had saved Josh, Irvin had no reason to reject him. Josh himself had promised the land.Eric sighed and said, "It would be great if you were the CEO of Williams Corps."Sylvia's heart skipped a beat."Why do you say that?" she asked.Eric smiled and replied, "Just
That night, Sylvia remained by Eric's bedside, tending to his needs and ensuring he had water whenever he desired. The water tasted sweeter than usual, providing comfort to both of them.The following day, Elly arrived at the hospital after dropping off the boys at school. Curious about her appearance, she asked Sylvia, "How's my makeup today?"Sylvia examined Elly's makeup and replied, "A few areas could be improved. Let me fix it for you."Eric observed the interaction between the two women, surprised at their newfound camaraderie. He wondered when Elly and Sylvia had grown so close. It seemed that women had many common topics to bond over.A wry smile formed on Eric's face as he watched Sylvia use her makeup products on Elly. He couldn't help but wonder what had happened to her obsession with cleanliness.Meanwhile, as the nurse came in to change Eric's dressing, his phone began to ring.Sylvia glanced at the phone and handed it to Eric, thinking about his strong relationship
The man sitting there was none other than Sylvia's father, Henry Williams. Next to him sat Amelia Campbell, an elegant middle-aged beauty and Sylvia's mother. Also present were Sylvia's grandparents, an elderly man and a woman.Sylvia took a seat on the couch and asked, "Dad, is there something urgent?"Henry nodded and said, "Sylvia, we rarely interfere in your affairs, but Sylvester told me something that concerns us this morning."We don't object to your choice, whoever it may be. However, it's been over a month now. Shouldn't you at least introduce him to us?"Sylvia scratched her head awkwardly. So that was the reason they called her back?Henry continued. "We didn't bring it up earlier because we understood why you got married. However, according to Connor, you seem to have developed feelings for Eric. If that's the case, why not bring him to meet us?"Sylvia glared at her third brother, Connor, and retorted, "Dad, don't listen to Connor's nonsense. Only puppies develop fee
Sylvia hesitated to immediately return to the hospital for fear of encountering Irvin, which would jeopardize her cover. After all, lies and deceptions often left people disheartened.-Meanwhile, at the hospital. Irvin hurriedly arrived with an assistant carrying many expensive supplements from his home. Josh couldn't consume such a large quantity."Eric, you scared me! What happened? Why were you stabbed?" Irvin expressed genuine concern."I was on my way back to the company with a contract from Williams Corp. As I was leaving, I was ambushed by a group of people. I couldn't let them capture me, so I fought back, and one of them stabbed me," Eric explained."Damn it!" Irvin angrily cursed. "I'll immediately investigate this matter! Whoever did this will face the consequences!"Eric quickly added, "Big Bro, the police are already looking into it. There shouldn't be any problem since they have the surveillance footage.""I don't trust their efficiency!" Irvin fumed. He turned
"What's wrong?" Eric looked at Sylvia and asked. "Are you afraid of Irvin?"Sylvia pursed her lips and replied, "I'm not afraid of him. It's just that Willams Corp. and Sonnex Corp. are currently in conflict, and I don't want to meet him."In reality, she was afraid of being exposed. If Irvin saw her, he would surely be furious. But more importantly, she didn't want to put Eric in a difficult position.Eric nodded, saying, "It won't be good for Salt City if the two largest conglomerates are at odds."Sylvia sighed, understanding why Josh had been trying to bring harmony between their families. However, with Irvin in charge of Sonnex Corp., changing his mind seemed impossible."Are you still going to protect me tonight?" Eric asked.Sylvia pursed her lips and replied, "It's not about protecting you. It's for my own good. Don't even think about anything else. I'm telling you again. It's for my own good!""I'm afraid I'll lose something if something happens to you, you know?" Eric
Elly understood that people rarely changed their fundamental nature, so she couldn't forgive Craig. Once something like this happened, it would likely repeat itself.The following day, Sylvia instructed her driver to wait at the hospital and notify her immediately if Irvin showed up. She wanted to avoid any interaction with him.After Elly picked up the boys from school, they both went to the hospital. The two women got along well, and Elly's bond with Sylvia seemed stronger than her bond with Eric.Eric wanted to get out of bed and take a walk, but Sylvia stopped him as soon as she saw him move a leg."What are you trying to do?" Sylvia glared at him. "Do you want to stay in the hospital longer?"Eric shook his head."Then just lie quietly in bed!" Sylvia said angrily.Eric was speechless. Why couldn't he even get out of bed? The pain from his wound had significantly subsided. It had already been a few days, yet he still couldn't move freely?Fortunately, a nurse arrived short
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