Liam released her hand almost immediately after exchanging greetings, as though he did not want to linger any more than was appropriate. This small gesture earned him some respect from Yennifer, who smiled back at him before turning her attention to Corie. "Corie, when did you have time to make friends? I can see why you didn't want to meet up with me whilst you're here in Drunham City now—it turns out you already have a new friend!" she said teasingly, glancing at Liam as she did so.Corie blushed at this and immediately replied, "Stop making fun of me, Yennnifer! Come on, he and I haven't even known each other that long. I haven't found the time to introduce you, but there's no better time than the present!"Corie's attitude toward Yennifer was a stark contrast to the aloof manner in which she carried herself when Liam first met her.The three of them exchanged some friendly conversation, then finally entered the Royal Terrace Restaurant together, where they were led to a private
"Shut your mouth!" Vincent snapped without even waiting for his friend to finish his sentence. This was, no doubt, the perfect outlet for him to release his anger, so he veered toward his mate and snarled, "What does it have to do with you? Are you my mother? No! Keep your nose out of my business!"The sight of Corie with another man was already infuriating enough, but it set him off the edge to see that she chose none other than Liam!He was already extremely resentful of Liam, having embarrassed himself multiple times in Liam's presence, but this was the last straw! His friend chose the worst possible moment to ask questions, so, of course, he was forced to face Vincent's wrath.The entire room fell silent at Vincent's voice, and immediately all eyes flitted between Vincent, Corie, and Liam. Vincent and Corie were inseparable before this, and it was plain as day that Vincent had feelings for her! Therefore, it came as a great shock to see Corie choose another man over him!An
However, she was dressed so provocatively and wearing such heavy makeup that if anything, she looked more like a prostitute! It was understandable, of course, that people would far prefer Corie or Jennifer. Corie grinned back at the woman who spoke. "I was stuck in traffic, Wren, and besides, I'm not all that late anyway!"She turned to Liam and said, smiling even wider, "Liam, let me introduce you to my friend from university. Her name is Wren Engel, and she's from Drunham City. She's the one who hosted the gathering today."Wren, this is Liam Cole, my new friend."Corie graciously introduced them to each other, but Wren did not so much as give Liam a second glance. She already noticed Liam the moment he stepped in, and was not at all impressed by him given his rather shabby-looking clothes. Instead, she turned her attention to Yennifer, whom she never met before. Despite seething with jealousy at Yennifer's looks, she plastered a smile on her face and exclaimed in a forced ton
Everyone got to their feet to greet Corie and Yennifer warmly. This was expected, given that the two of them were easily the prettiest women in the room, not to mention the fact that Corie also happened to be the heiress of the prestigious Doyle family. Everyone in the room was eager to get to know her and form yet another powerful connection.After greeting everyone, Corie then added with a smile, "Let me introduce this person next to me. His name is Liam Cole, and he's my new friend here in Drunham City!"Liam's presence was not received as warmly, for the excitement dampened down, and everyone merely nodded curtly in response to this. Some of them did not even bother giving him so much as a glance.Liam, however, was not at all bothered by the lack of response. If anything, he was not at all interested in getting to know these people at all. He, Yennifer, and Corie took their seats. The moment Liam sat down next to Corie, he could feel sharp looks on him from all directions, so
Wren's eyes blazed with a mix of admiration and envy as she gushed about Kaison. "Mr. Nasso is one of the state's most eligible bachelors, a real mover and shaker among the elite. The Nasso Group is blue-blooded royalty here, and the cherry on top? Mr. Nasso is making a special trip to Drunham City tonight just to see you!"The more she talked, the more her jealousy showed. Her gaze was practically on fire as she looked at Kaison, but he did not even spare her a glance.Kaison, backed by the prestigious Nasso Group, was a catch no woman could ignore—handsome and filthy rich.Wren tried to cozy up to him the moment he walked into the VIP room, but Kaison did not show the slightest interest.Kaison was on a mission tonight, and his target was Corie. Unfazed by her indifference, he kept his cool and flashed a charming smile. "Ms. Doyle, you might not know me, but meeting tonight's got to be more than coincidence. Let's call it the start of a new friendship, shall we?"Wren eagerly ba
The mention of Liam ignited a fire in Vincent's chest, his words seething with venom. "Just watch," he hissed, "So what if he's by Corie's side? Kaison's set his sights on her, and he won't let anyone get in his way!"Vincent's rant was a tangled mess, leaving the preppy guy next to him baffled.However, the guy shrugged it off, figuring Vincent was just spouting drunken gibberish out of heartache.As for the other men who were eyeing Corie, hoping to woo her, they all quietly retreated to their seats once Kaison showed his interest. Those who did not make a move yet quickly shelved their plans.They all knew who Kaison was, no one was foolish enough to cross him or the powerful state Nasso Group over a girl.Besides, in their world, Kaison was a legend. Any woman he wanted, he got. So, the men played it smart—they dropped the idea like a hot potato.In the VIP room, the air was thick with envy and jealousy. All the women, except Corie and Yennifer, had their eyes set on Kaison.
Wren's argument was a familiar one at any drinking table—if you do not drink, it's as if you're snubbing the host.Corie felt cornered, trying to explain, "It's not about respect, Wren. I just really can't handle my liquor."However, it dawned on her, even with her naivety, that Wren was intentionally pushing her toward Kaison.The realization that her old college pal would so easily cast aside their friendship to curry favor with Kaison left Corie's expression darkening, her voice growing icier by the second.Wren was oblivious to Corie's reluctance, her mind set on winning Kaison's approval. However, Corie's lack of cooperation quickly got under her skin."Corie, are we friends or not? I'm just asking you to have a drink. Why are you dodging the question? If you value our friendship, you'll drink this glass!" Wren declared. With that, she plopped down in a chair, arms crossed, and turned away in a huff.The room fell silent, the mood turning awkward.Kaison, ever the gentleman
Liam was not taken aback by Kaison's comment, he was all too familiar with those little games, having played them himself seven years earlier. With everyone's eyes on him, he remained composed and spoke with a nonchalance that belied the tension in the room. "I wouldn't say it's all that grand. I'm a bodyguard with the Bristow Group here in Drunham City."The moment the words left his lips, Kaison clapped a hand over his mouth, his eyes wide with mock astonishment. "No way! You're a bodyguard for the Bristow Group in Drunham City? The Bristow heir is a pal of mine—I had no clue you were on their payroll! Man, you're something else. Hats off to you!"Kaison's performance was over the top, his gaze dripping with scorn. The crowd was savvy enough to see right through him, and they piled on with their jabs."Come on, Mr. Nasso, you're impressed by a mere bodyguard? Don't make us laugh. That's beneath someone of your caliber.""Exactly, Mr. Nasso. You're the big shot of the Nasso Grou
However, Andy was a smooth talker, so the eldest member of the Drayton family liked him. Because of that, the head of the family tolerated him. That was why Andy, who was just a member of the branch family, dared to be so cocky.Andy saw Howard standing at the side from the corner of his eye as he spoke. He thought of what Howard said earlier, and that made his blood boil.He pointed at Howard and bellowed, "Uncle Derrick, this Howard is trash as well. You have no idea. I told him I was a member of the Drayton family, yet he did not take our family seriously at all."Not only did he have his men capture me, but he said cockily that he wanted to lock me up forever, and nobody could stop him."Weren't you very cocky before this, Mr. Mosier? Go on. Continue acting cocky in front of my uncle now. Detain me and lock me up forever."Andy took a couple of steps closer to Howard as he said that. He extended his hands arrogantly and said, "Come on. I have my hands stretched out for you. Hu
Soon, Andy and the thugs from the nightclub yesterday were released.Andy saw Derrick standing at the entrance of the police headquarters at a glance. He got so excited that he shouted, "Uncle Derrick! Uncle Derrick!"Fletcher's subordinates were incredibly excited to see Derrick as well. All of them shouted, "Mr. Derrick Drayton!"One of the subordinates was in Drunham City because Derrick arranged for him to be there. After he was brought to Derrick's side, he smiled apologetically and said, "Thank you for saving me, sir. Don't worry. Fletcher's faction and properties are all here. I'll be able to rebuild the faction here very soon."In other words, even if Fletcher was out of the picture, he would be able to thrive in Drunham City and replace Fletcher.However, Derrick shot an icy glare at him and sneered. "Hmph! How shameless of you to say that? There are so many of you, yet you can't deal with a small loser who only married into the Stone family."If it wasn't because this w
Howard did not expect that the Drayton family would have a connection with the Carter family. They could even produce a token from the Carter family."Mr. Derrick Drayton, I didn't expect that your family and the Carters go way back. You even got the Carter family's token out," said Howard.Derrick sneered and said, "Enough with the nonsense. Howard, my family did the Carter family a favor back then, that's why the general of the Carter family gave this token to us. He promised us that we could take out this token if we were ever in a bind in the future, and they would help us!"I'm taking out this token today to tell you that I'm going to bail Andy out of here. I'd like to see who in Drunham City has the guts to stop me!"Howard was stunned, and then he fell silent.He did not think that Derrick would take out a token from the Carter family.The Carter family was the top family in Mirstone. Nobody in Mirstone would dare to go against the Carter family. Derrick became even more
Meanwhile, Derrick and his men were already at the entrance of the police headquarters.Derrick's eyes were burning with rage as he looked at the door that was shut tightly. A sneer appeared on his lips as he said, "Hmph. Looks like they already know I'm coming, so they are deliberately trying to assert dominance."Then, he asked his driver next to him, "Where are our men? Have they all arrived?"The driver nodded and said, "They're here, Mr. Derrick. They are all waiting at the side. We'll tear down the main door to the police headquarters once you give the command."Derrick nodded with satisfaction. Then, he shouted at the police headquarters, "Howard! You're just the chief of the police headquarters! How dare you lock me outside?""I'd like to see how powerful you are today, Howard! Come on, guys. Take it down!"At his command, a group of burly men rushed out of the black van next to him. They were all holding thick bats, and they rushed up to the door ferociously.Right at t
At first, Yafe and the rest of the Stone family were stunned after they heard what Liam said. Then, they all burst out laughing.Yafe looked at Liam with a mocking gaze and said, "Are you kidding me, Liam? You're going to get the Draytons to come and apologize in person? Come on, that's the Drayton family we're talking about! Do you think they are just some nobody?"Right now, I don't want to waste my breath anymore. As long as you're able to stop the Drayton family from targeting us, I'm more than grateful. Don't you forget that you're the one who wanted to leave the Stone family? So, stop dragging us into your mess."Liam shot the crowd with an icy glare and brought Celena out of the Stone Mansion.Celena was still in a slight daze after they got into the car. Liam put on her safety belt for her and asked, "What's the matter, dear? Are you still worried about the Draytons?"Celena nodded and replied, "Yes. After all, all these were caused by the conflict between Andy and us. Jus
Liam wanted to ask what the family heirloom was, but he had no choice but to let it be after he heard what Yonatan said.However, Liam heard Yonatan's voice again, saying, "I've never seen that thing, but I heard from the Drayton family members that it was from a big shot in the military."The military?Liam's eyebrows furrowed once he heard it had something to do with the military. Then, he kicked Yonatan away, making him land next to the thugs.Yonatan passed out because of that kick.Once the thugs saw their leader was out cold, they took a couple of steps back in fear.However, Liam did not care about them at all. He looked at Yafe and the others instead.Once the Stone family members saw that they were out of the woods, they became cocky again.Yafe and Sherah, in particular, were so cocky that they ran up to Liam and condemned him, "Look what you've done! You're bad luck! What else can you do other than cause us trouble? Do you know who that is? He is from the Drayton fam
Yonatan was infuriated and bellowed, "So this is how you're going to play! Alright! I'm not going to stop until I kill you today!"Yonatan was radiating an intense desire to battle. That was the air exuded by a fighter of Fourth Order War King caliber.The Stone family was so frightened by the air he exuded that their faces turned pale. All of them took more than ten steps back in fear, afraid they would be injured by mistake.Yonatan clenched his fist and charged at Liam like a ferocious beast. His fist was packing so much power that it created a sonic boom, cutting through the air and going for Liam's face.The punch was so powerful that it could kill a bull right away.The Stone family thought Liam was going to die. Nobody would be able to survive a punch like that.Yonatan thought the same. He was very confident in his ability. He looked into Liam and knew he used to be a soldier, as well as a good fighter. However, so what?No matter how skilled Liam was in combat, could he
The moment Liam stepped into view, the Stone family members lit up as if they had spotted their guardian angel. They pointed at him, their voices rising in a chorus of relief and accusation. "Mr. Yonatan, look over here! It's Liam! I said they weren't with us!""Exactly! Mr. Yonatan, see for yourself, Liam's not part of our family!""Mr. Yonatan, now that Liam's here, if you're looking to pin the blame on someone, he's your man!""Liam, you actually showed up. If you hadn't crossed the Drayton family, would we, the Stones, have ever been dragged into this mess?""Liam, Celena, you two are nothing but trouble. You've left the family, so why keep stirring the pot for us?"...The air crackled with the Stone family's collective outrage, their faces twisted in anger as if they were ready to rip Liam and Celena to shreds.Celena and Liam's arrival was pure happenstance. They were just in the neighborhood to check in on an old friend when they overheard Yonatan's boastful taunts.Lia
Yonatan did not even bother to look at him. He checked his watch with a chilling laugh and said, "You've got ten minutes for Liam to show up. Don't say I didn't warn you."The words sent a wave of shock through Yafe and the rest of the Stone family, who stared at Yonatan, panic-stricken.Yafe was a mess, desperate to explain, but the sight of Yonatan's henchmen, eager and ready for a fight, stopped him dead in his tracks."Mr. Yonatan, I swear it's the truth. Liam has nothing to do with the Stone family anymore. You've made a mistake!"Yafe's face was flushed with urgency as he tried to convince the unmoved man."It's true, Mr. Yonatan! Liam and Celena were kicked out of the Stone family ages ago.""That's right! He's got nothing to do with us anymore. If you're after Liam, go to the villa at Emerald Lake. He's there, not here with us.""Mr. Yonatan, if you head over to Drunham City and ask anyone, they'll tell you the same thing: Liam and Celena have no ties to us Stones anymor