Tasha was on cloud nine.The Mendorra Tower deal might not have had her fingerprints on it, but Mr. Albert Jenkins had dangled a sweet promotion in front of her. She was set to become the new VP of Marketing at Jenkins Group next month!"Ms. Tasha Jenkins, I apologize, I..." the receptionist stammered, catching Tasha's eye."Utterly useless. You can't even manage the simplest task!" Tasha flicked her hand in annoyance. "Out of my sight!"She then spun to face Talia. "My dear cousin, have you run out of grocery money and are scrambling for a loan?""I have no time for your nonsense, Tasha. Step aside." Talia's brows knitted in irritation."That look says it all. I'm right, aren't I?" Tasha's laugh was icy. "If your pantry's bare, you might as well brace for hunger!""What are you implying?" Talia intended to ignore her, but Tasha's words rooted her to the spot."Oh, you're clueless!" Tasha's sneer was sharp. "Did you actually believe that kid with you clinched the Mendorra Tower
So, it came at that moment."You..." Talia's face flushed with fury. She could never have imagined Albert stooping so low. Her mother had hit the nail on the head. The moment the contract was in play, he showed his true colors!"What? Let me make it crystal clear—you're out of the Jenkins Group!" Albert cut her off once more. "You've got one day to get back to Nimbulus and wrap up your work, or kiss your paycheck goodbye!"And another thing. Tell your dad his failure to keep his word means your family's stake in the company just plummeted from fifteen to five percent!""You... You're nothing but a scoundrel!" Talia let loose, her anger boiling over."What was that? You have the nerve to insult me?" Albert bellowed. He surged up from the sofa and stormed over to Talia, his hand cocked back, ready to strike."Lay one finger on Talia, and you'll be waving goodbye to that arm of yours!" Howard's voice cut through the air, frosty and sharp."You..." Albert, feeling the chill from How
"However, the contract's already in play. They don't need us anymore," said Talia, shaking her head in dismay."If he's set on stiffing us, we're out of luck," she added worriedly.Howard chuckled. "Even ironclad contracts can rust away."Talia's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?""Don't sweat it, Talia. Trust me, the old man will be back on his knees soon enough."As he spoke, Howard whipped out his phone, tapped out a quick text to Kenny, and gestured for Talia to follow him to the elevators.Back in the lounge…Albert settled into his sofa with a sly grin. The contract mess was behind him then. Whatever Holden and his family might do was none of his business.If Holden wanted out of the family, so be it. They had been strangers for years anyway.With the Mendorra Tower deal in his pocket, Albert was sure the Jenkins Group would crack Mendorra's top twenty in no time. When that happened, Holden and his family would come crawling back, begging to be part of the family again.
Was the sky falling?!"Our group's three biggest raw material suppliers just called. They've all said they're cutting ties with us starting tomorrow. No more supplies," Kenneth reported, his voice barely above a whisper."What?!" Albert's shout echoed through the room, his face twisted in disbelief.Those suppliers were the lifeline of the company, providing the lion's share of raw materials for over a decade. Without them, production would pause!"And that's not all..." Kenneth wiped the sweat from his brow, bracing for the next blow."Darn it, Kenneth! Spit it out!" Albert roared, hurling the ashtray across the room. "What else?!""Our top ten clients." Kenneth dodged the flying ashtray. "They've just called to say they're returning their entire stock and ending their contracts with us. Starting tomorrow."Albert's strength gave out, and he collapsed onto the floor, his body drenched in a clammy sweat.The supply of raw materials had dried up, and their biggest clients were s
"Mr. Beech? What's the matter?" Tasha, noticing Walter's distraught look, rushed to his side to steady him.With a sharp crack, Walter struck her across the face. "You've destroyed me, you witch!""W—What happened, Mr. Beech?" Tasha's hand flew to her stinging cheek."The Beech family's deal for Mendorra Tower is dead in the water!" Walter's voice thundered through the room."It's all because of you, you troublemaker, that I got tangled up with him. You're a curse!""What!? Was it him?" At his words, Albert and the others gasped in unison.After a quick glance at each other, they bolted for the door. Even the dimmest among them could put two and two together. Howard was behind the Jenkins Group fiasco!Albert, sprinting down the hall, yelled at the top of his lungs to the employees."Move it, move it! Chase down Talia, bring her back, or kiss your jobs goodbye!"At his command, a dozen employees threw down their work and dashed for the stairs like their lives depended on it. W
"Yaneth Scott, we're not buddies, so zip it!" Talia frowned, her beauty marred by annoyance."Ha! Struck a nerve, did I? Are you mad because I'm right?" sneered Yaneth with a chilling laugh."Talia, who's this?" Howard asked, giving Yaneth a quick once-over before turning to Talia."She's Tasha's right-hand woman, the deputy manager of marketing," Talia replied."And who might this be? Your boyfriend?" Yaneth's eyes roamed over Howard, a warm thrill running through her.Howard was the epitome of her ideal man, from his handsome features to his impressive build. There was something about the regal way he carried himself that she found utterly captivating."Hi, I'm Yaneth. And you are?" she said, pausing to offer a hand with a sultry smile."You should apologize to Talia now, or you're going to be out of a job real soon," Howard said calmly.Yaneth paused, then let out a hearty laugh. "Well, aren't you funny? I like that," she said, her smile widening."You've got a minute to th
"What's all this about?" Talia gasped, taken aback by the sudden fuss."Talia, we messed up before. Just ease off and let it slide this time, okay? It won't happen again..." Kenneth chimed in."Look at me when you're talking!" Talia's brow creased, her gaze drifting involuntarily to Howard.She had a hunch that Howard was behind whatever was causing that stir."Talia, just say you'll forgive us, or Grandpa here will keep bowing and scraping..." Albert interjected, snatching a check for 700 thousand dollars from Kenneth."This is your cut of the dividends from that fifteen percent stake over the last five years. I'm handing it over now. Plus, you can return to the group tomorrow and step right into the Vice President of Marketing role."As he spoke, Tasha, lurking in the background, shot a venomous look their way, though she kept her composure."Speak. What's really going on?" Talia pressed, frowning deeper."Just take it, Talia," Howard urged with a casual smile, then turned to
Walter's father had moved mountains to land that contract. He called in favors left and right, and shelled out a fortune to clinch it. If it fell through, Walter's world would come crashing down, and his father... Well, he would disown Walter, no doubt."Oh? The mighty Beech family comes crawling?" Howard's smirk was as icy as the Arctic."I... I'm truly sorry, I admit it. I'm begging you..." Walter's apologies spilled out in a torrent.After his plea, he scanned the room desperately. Spotting Tasha, he made a beeline for her. "Tasha, please, talk to Mr. Lincoln for me! Get him to forgive me...""Get out of my face, you loser!" Tasha's kick sent him sprawling.She was done with Walter. After all the time she had wasted on him, doing his bidding, and he had the gall to ask for her help? She was so angry that she could stab him!"Mr. Albert Jenkins, please, I'm begging you! Talk to Mr. Lincoln for me..." Walter turned to Albert, pleading for a lifeline."Mr. Beech, you truly disap
"And look at that bracelet, it's stunning! Oh, and the compact has such a unique charm! Should we get one of each to decorate our homes?""Yuffie, you're still in school. How can you afford all this?" Talia chided gently. "You have a hundred fifty-dollar budget. Spend more, and it's coming out of your allowance.""What? Only a hundred fifty dollars? You're being too tight-fisted, sis!" Yuffie's complaint was lighthearted as she playfully turned to Howard. "Howard...""Don't even think about it. His wallet is in my hands!" Talia cut her off, fully aware of her little sister's ploy."Fine..." Yuffie's pout was all in good fun."Haha! It's not every day we get to do this, honey. If Yuffie finds something she loves, let's get it for her. Who knows if it'll be here next time?" Howard chuckled."Yay! You're the best, bro-in-law!" Yuffie cheered, her face lighting up with joy."You're just making her more spoiled!" Talia gave Howard a playful eye roll and turned her attention away from
Howard's willingness to visit the antique market was not solely to assist the sisters in their quest for a legendary blade. Such weapons were treasures often stumbled upon by chance, rarely found by those who sought them.His real intent was to immerse the sisters in the rich culture of the martial arts clans they were then a part of. More exposure to the ways of the warrior guilds could only benefit them on their chosen path.The following morning, Howard's group of five set off in the direction of Nathanael. Talia and Yuffie buzzed with excitement throughout the journey, their minds alive with wonder.Nathanael, nestled in the mountains to the northeast of Mendorra and a couple hundred kilometers away, awaited them.By 10 a.m., they arrived, parking at the gates of a sprawling estate on the city's outskirts—the site of the famed market.Stepping out, they were greeted by a lively throng at the estate's entrance, many adorned in traditional robes, weapons hanging from their belts
"And that's not all. They might even be a bona fide king-level warrior." Howard's brow furrowed with uncertainty."It looks like The Dark World is a whole lot more tangled than we thought," Yoel mused aloud.Then, turning back to Howard, he inquired, "Sir, did the old man ever share anything with you about The Dark World?""Not a word," Howard replied, shaking his head."Sir, do you think our mystery person could be from one of the elite families or sects, maybe just there on some errand?" Mystical Chubby chimed in.His speculation was not unfounded. Most of the king-level warriors from Rackaham were known to hail from the secretive clans and sects."It's unlikely." Howard dismissed the idea with another shake of his head. "From what Sabertooth described, our guy seems to know The Dark World like the back of his hand.""Who's that supposed to be?" Mystical Chubby scrunched his brow in confusion."Let it go for now. We'll head back to The Dark World in a little while," said Howa
"Um..." Blood Rakshasa nodded, the woman's earlier words still ringing in her head."Sir... Sir, was what you said earlier true?" Blood Rakshasa asked Sabertooth, her voice barely above a whisper."What did I say?" Sabertooth looked puzzled for a moment."You said... You said next time, we'd go back home together to get married..." Blood Rakshasa's cheeks turned a soft pink."Hehe, absolutely," Sabertooth chuckled, his smile warm and genuine. "The boss gave me the order, and I've given my word."Blood Rakshasa's smile was shy but filled with joy.Soon after, Qemal strode in."Sabertooth, I've tracked down the hideout of the Slaying Heaven Palace," Qemal announced upon arrival."Is that so?" Sabertooth's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Tell the crew to take a two-hour breather, then we move out!"The Slaying Heaven Palace's goons had nearly wiped out them today. Payback was due.With the Palace's top fighters gone, the rest were hardly a threat. It was time to cross the Slay
"Shadow Demon Shrine?" The woman's brow creased for a moment, but she quickly dropped the subject.She then turned to Sabertooth and observed, "You and your group have the vibe of soldiers. You're not originally from The Dark World, are you?""Speaking to our savior," Sabertooth gave a respectful nod, "we were part of the Rackaham Western Region's military before we came here."He was open with the woman who had saved over a hundred of his comrades."The Western Region's military?" The woman paused, a hint of recognition in her voice, "You're with the Blood Shadow Force?""That's us," Sabertooth confirmed with another bow."Is your leader the King of the West, Master Howard?" she inquired further."You know my boss?" Sabertooth looked surprised."Not personally, but I've heard the name," the woman replied with a shake of her head. "What's he got you doing in The Dark World?""Over the past couple of years, the world's heavy hitters have been funneling their muscle and resource
"You'll live to regret this, Dark Demon Lord!" Blood Rakshasa declared, locking eyes with her adversary. "Kill us, and Master Howard will avenge us by wiping out every last one of you in your cursed palace...""Ha! That Master Howard of yours better think twice before stepping into The Dark World again, or it'll be his grave!" The Dark Demon Lord mocked with an icy laugh."You're the fool!" Sabertooth growled. "No one in The Dark World has been born who can take down our boss. Your time's coming!""Is that so?" The Dark Demon Lord sneered with disdain. "You're clueless, all of you. You have no idea how powerful the Shadow Demon Shrine truly is!""Enough babbling. Time to end this. I'll send you both to join your boss," he declared, his presence intensifying as he prepared to strike them down."I love you," Blood Rakshasa whispered, her eyes closing."No, don't!" Qemal and others shouted in despair.Then there was a thunderous boom.However, the expected tragedy did not unfold.
Sabertooth sneered, watching the man's futile efforts. "You're such a fool!"He then declared solemnly, "Blood Shadow Technique, second form, Sky Slash!"With those words, he summoned all his strength, his saber carving a fierce arc of light through the air, striking like thunder at his foe.The Blood Shadow Technique was known for turning the tides against stronger adversaries.The white-haired elder's eyes narrowed in alarm. Caught mid-leap, he desperately wanted to dodge but could not. The saber's light bore down on him, a chilling aura of death shrouding him completely.In that instant, a wave of energy crashed through the air like a tidal wave, bringing a howling gale with it.Crash!Suddenly, Sabertooth was hurled away like a shell fired from a gun, blood spraying from his mouth as he flew, before he slammed into the earth, leaving a huge crater and falling silent."Sabertooth!" Blood Rakshasa's shout pierced the chaos as she spun and dashed to his side.She barely made
The man in black was sent hurtling through the air, slamming into the ground with such force that he lay there motionlessly, struggling to rise. A gaping wound, carved by the relentless sword, oozed blood profusely from his abdomen."What in the world is that sword technique?" he gasped after a torturous effort to stand, his face ashen.He had underestimated Blood Rakshasa's swordplay. Since her breakthrough to a higher echelon of mastery, her blade's might had surged, utterly dominating her seasoned adversary."The Sword Without a Name," Blood Rakshasa declared icily.Without wasting another second, she launched another assault. Sabertooth was in dire straits, and she was determined to aid him.Her blade danced again, weaving a web of sword energy that shot toward the white-haired elder, ensnaring him in an instant.The old man's eyes narrowed in a flash of panic, realizing he was trapped with no way out."This is it!" he snarled, brandishing his blade and lunging forward.How
With a thunderous explosion of energy, Blood Rakshasa's power surged, forcing the old man before her to stagger back in disbelief."Impossible! Have you broken through?" he gasped, steadying himself, his face a mask of astonishment."You bet I have!" Blood Rakshasa's face lit up with triumph.She had done it, just as the old man had surmised. Amid her swordplay, she felt a dormant core energy within her erupt, catapulting her to the zenith of martial knight at peak mastery stage.Master Howard's words rang in her head. The core energy left in her by a once-mighty warrior was too much to absorb at once. Back in that cave, she only managed a minor mastery in martial knight. However, Howard had predicted further advancements, and he was right."Let's see if you can handle a few more of my strikes!" Blood Rakshasa challenged, her spirit soaring not just from her newfound strength but also from a deeper connection to her swordsmanship."Bring it on!" the old man bellowed, his blade re