As Sherah's words grew more and more unpleasant, Celena's expression turned increasingly grim. She cut in, "Mom, Qemal, is there anything else you need? If not, we'll be leaving now."Sherah acted quickly, taking Celena's hand with a warm, reassuring smile. "Hold on, Celena, Mom's not done talking. You've just launched your own business, haven't you? There's a ton to do, I bet. And with Cheryl running things over at the Stone family's business, Qemal is pretty much free. Why not have him pitch in at your place? He's your brother, after all. You can't distrust your flesh and blood, right? Just find some kind of management spot for him in your company."Qemal's your brother, and he's got skills. With your company teaming up with the Stone family, you're going to need all the help you can get. It's perfect to have your brother on board, don't you think?"Sherah did not show a hint of embarrassment, as if she was only looking out for Celena's best interest. "We're family, Celena. Family
"Don't worry, Sis, I'll work hard and stay out of your hair. Just give me a shot, please!"Despite Qemal and Sherah's pleas, Celena stood her ground. She shook her head, her voice soft but unwavering, "Mom, Qemal, it's not that I don't want to help, but my company's just getting off the ground. We're not ready for more people yet. We're managing with the team we have for now, so-"Qemal, you should stick with the Stone family business for the time being. Once my company's more established, you can come on board. I promise I'll find the right spot for you then."Before Qemal could respond, Sherah piped up, her tone laced with discontent, "What's this supposed to mean, Celena? Have you gotten too big for your britches, just like the old man said, forgetting all about your Stone family ties?"Qemal chimed in, "Come on, Celena! After all, I'm your real brother. Sure, Mom, Dad, and Cheryl might have been a bit harsh, but that was on them, not me. I've never done you wrong, have I? I gen
Qemal's face was etched with sorrow, his eyes pleading as he looked at Celena. "Sis, I know I was out of line before, saying things that hurt you. I've seen the error of my ways. I want to lend a hand. We're blood, after all. You wouldn't turn your back on your brother, would you?"Celena listened to their tag-team plea, feeling trapped. With their expectant eyes on her, she gave a reluctant nod. "Fine, show up at my office tomorrow. I'll see if there's a spot for you."At her words, Sherah and Qemal's faces lit up with joy, their smiles so wide they nearly split their faces.Qemal was especially grateful, nodding like a bobblehead as he gushed, "Sis, I promise I'll work hard. Thank you, thank you for this chance.""It's getting late. If there's nothing else, we'll head out now."Celena brushed off their words and with a swift wave, flagged down a cab, whisking Liam away with her. Once they were home, she finally exhaled a heavy sigh, collapsing onto the bed, utterly spent. "Do
Celena's eyes lit up with understanding as she took in Liam's advice. She gave him an appreciative look and said, "Babe, you're a genius. You just cut through my problems like butter. Thanks a million."Liam flashed a cheeky grin. "So, you remember I'm your man, huh? However, hey, a simple thanks won't cut it. How about you show me a little love?"His teasing gaze made her blush a deep crimson. She shot back with a playful scowl, "Quit your yapping, will you? It's getting late. Go fetch Jovie from school, and I'll whip us up something tasty.""Yes, my dear!" Liam snapped to attention at her words, giving Celena a mock salute before pulling her into a fierce kiss. She was irresistibly cute with her blushing, bashful look, and he just loved to tease her. After a long moment, he released her, her eyes glazed and breathless, and chuckled, "Okay, love, I'm off to pick up our little girl from school."...The following day.Yafe arrived at Celena's new company bright and early, alo
Yafe's mind raced as he tried to think of a way to convince Celena to help them. Celena was kind in nature, and he knew he had to milk this to his advantage. So, feigning innocence, he said, "You of all people would remember this, but we haven't been doing too well for a long time now. We've become the subject of ridicule in this town and lost many valuable clients as a result. We're just trying to scrape through every single day… If you could help us, even just a little bit, we would be able to tide over this crisis!"Indeed, the meek tone he adopted had made a crack in Celena's armor. Her heart softened, and after some contemplation, she replied, "Dad, you have to understand that this isn't personal. It's not that I don't want to give you all a chance, but , you would not be able to satisfy Mr. Black's demands anyway with Stone Group's current state. I'm sure you of all people would understand what consequences await if we fail to deliver what we promised. I'm afraid that this is th
Subsequently were the Four Guilds, each headed by a leader, the Disciples, and finally the Apprentices. Cirocco was the most powerful among the Four Guardians and was a two-star general, though he was steadily on his way to attaining the three-star general level!Liam grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat from his face, then asked, "How are things going with the investigation on the Yeager family? Did you find anything?"Cirocco replied, "Sir, we have not made any major breakthroughs in the investigation, but we discovered something that might be of interest to you. The Yeagers are distantly related to a family called the Quantz who reside in Luminous State. The Quantz family is among the six most powerful families in that state, and aside from carrying out the Yeager's bidding, they are also the source of the Yeagers' illegal wealth. The Quantz family is crucial to the Yeager family's survival!"The Quantz family holds a high status in Luminous State. They have four military kings
Tycoons, moguls, and businessmen of the like, including the six heads of the most powerful families in the state, had all gathered at the airport in anticipation of their esteemed visitor. After all, this was 50 billion dollars, for God's sake! Who would, in their right mind, turn down a 50-billion-dollar business opportunity?With the prospect of such an attractive partnership, it was no wonder they were all willing to pick this investor up from the airport themselves!With all these influential people gathered in one place, the airport had no choice but to tighten its security. Naturally, these moguls had brought along their respective bodyguards, who all stood curtly around their masters, keeping a sharp eye out for any sign of danger. What a sight it was!All of a sudden, a man in a black suit darted into the airport arrival hall to open up a path. The next moment, a middle-aged man in an immaculate gray suit stepped in, followed a few paces behind by another middle-aged man a
Heston scowled and shot his son a murderous glare. "You better keep your mouth shut, son. Do you even have any idea how important this investor is? This is fifty billion dollars we're talking about, and that's even before the conversion rate! The cost of this project alone is five times our entire family's net worth!"I will never forgive you if you offend our esteemed guest with your callousness! You're going to become my successor in the future, so it's about time you start learning the ropes! Can't you act like your age? Look at your hair! Such a disgrace! Yorgos, you're already in your mid-twenties! It's about time you take up some responsibility! I can't always be around to clean up after your messes anymore…"Yorgos was tired of hearing his father's constant nagging, so with a nod, he interrupted Heston, "Alright, alright, Dad! I understand! Fine! This investor is very important, and I need to leave a good first impression on him! I understand, alright? No need to keep on buzzi
Liam saw Sunniva was up and wasted no time, saying. "Ms. Bristow, we've got gang trouble at the hotel. It's not safe. We're bailing to a new place," he said.Without skipping a beat, Liam and Sunniva were out of there, speeding off to another hotel in the car.Little did they know, as soon as they left, a convoy of black SUVs pulled up ominously at the hotel's grand entrance.The streets surrounding the hotel suddenly buzzed with the arrival of several new cars. Their occupants spilled out, pacing the perimeter with a clear intent to surveil.From the lineup of rugged SUVs at the hotel's entrance, a squad of men clad in black, brandishing weapons burst forth. They stormed the hotel, their presence ominous and unchallenged.The receptionists, staff, and patrons were petrified, cowering in corners, none daring to confront the intruders.The men made a beeline for Liam's last known location, only to find the room deserted.The ringleader cursed under his breath, "Damn it! He's slip
Each victim was marked with a triangle tattoo, a calling card that did not go unnoticed. Someone had snapped a picture of it before the hotel staff even showed up and had split.Liam passed the photo to Cirocco and Calum, and it hit them like a ton of bricks. Calum scrunched up his face and said, "Sir, this is Alpha's tag. They're big-time hitmen around Rasford City."They're known for their love of curved blades, and that triangle is their signature."Cirocco had been doing some digging too and came back with chilling news about Noel. "Sir, we got the why. Someone's put a three million dollar price tag on your head, right there on the hit list!""Moreover, the bounty was so colossal that it had all the shadowy players in Rasford City licking their chops. A coalition of forces was now banding together, plotting a takedown that had you in their crosshairs."Cirocco's face was a mask of ice as he spoke, and Calum's features were twisted in a scowl.Liam chuckled darkly, the quint
The new plan was a hit; every assassin in the room was on board.One of them, posing as a bellhop, stood at Liam's door, ready to knock.However, he never saw it coming. Before his knuckles could rap on the door, it burst open from the inside.Wham!The would-be knocker was sent flying, slamming into the corridor wall with a thunderous crash.The others barely had time to register what happened when Liam burst out, a quintuple-edged dagger in hand.He was a shadow among them, his blade a flash of silver that danced across their wrists, disarming them of their scimitars.In moments, the hallway was a cacophony of clattering blades and piercing screams that filled the hotel.The leader, clutching his bleeding wrist, stared at Liam in horror, leaning casually against the doorframe. Liam's dagger dripped crimson. He watched the fallen assassins with an unfeeling smirk."You think you can play assassins, skulking around in the dark?" Liam's voice dripped with scorn. With a casual f
Noel was a name that turned heads in Rasford City, especially since the Noel family ran a successful pharmaceutical business. In any place, those in the medicine game hold sway, and Noel was no stranger to the city's shadowy bigwigs. After all, nobody was immune to getting sick!Noel was quickly taken to the hospital for emergency care. Meanwhile, the assassin he had hired had pinpointed the hotel where Liam and Sunniva were hiding out.Sunniva was still visibly shaken when they reached the hotel. Too frightened to be alone, she could only gaze at Liam with watery eyes, silently pleading to stay in his room.Liam, left with little choice, let Sunniva take his room while he made do with the couch in the living room.After the night's earlier ordeal, combined with the alcohol and the drug slipped into her drink, Sunniva washed up and promptly fell asleep in Liam's bed.Liam, however, remained on the living room sofa, poring over the mysterious Arcane Manuscript.Out of nowhere,
"Thud!"Then, without missing a beat, Liam grabbed Noel by the throat and landed another punch on him. He struck him squarely on the chin, dislocating it and forcing a couple more of his teeth to fly out. "Ahhh!" Noel shrieked. His face was swelling up to twice its usual size, and he could not help letting out a cry of agony. Liam did not stop there, though. His fists rained down all over Noel without ceasing, his every punch striking where it hurt the most. "F*ck! You're going to pay for this!" Noel grunted. He would make this twat pay! What gave him the right to attack him? He was an heir of the great Noel bloodline, and he would make this cocky, self-righteous prat pay!Liam scoffed, then swung his fist and struck Noel squarely in his abdomen.Noel spat out a mouthful of blood, unable to utter another word from the sheer pain, but this did not stop Liam. The next moment, he grabbed Noel by the hair and bashed his head against the wall behind him.A sickening crunch alerted
The words had barely left her mouth when Noel lost his patience, swung Sunniva around and slapped her hard across the cheek. "D*mn it, you f*cking sl*t! What the f*ck are you shouting for? Let me tell you this—no one will come to save you, not even if you cry yourself hoarse!"The slap came so abruptly that Sunniva was momentarily stunned. Her cheek soon swelled up, and a bright red mark in the shape of Noel's palm began to take shape. Noel had hit her so hard that the back of her head struck the wall behind her, and all she could feel was an intense, throbbing pain that reverberated through her skull. Blood seeped out of the cut on the back of her head, and she could feel the warm liquid trickle down her neck. She suddenly felt strangely faint and stopped resisting. Noel seized the opportunity to strip her naked, grinning. "Ms. Bristow, I suggest you stop wasting your energy. You're mine tonight, and there's no running now!"He had long since heard of Sunniva's beauty, and he was
"Mr. Noel? What is the meaning of this?" Sunniva shrieked in alarm. Noel was wiping his face with a towel when she spoke, and upon hearing her voice, he slowly moved toward her. "Ms. Bristow, do I really need to spell this out for you? You're a gorgeous woman, and I admire you very much. There's nothing to be afraid of, darling. We're all adults here, so there's no need to be shy. I promise that I'll make this the most memorable night you've ever had. "Ms. Bristow, do you know how many women would die to be in your position? Women everywhere bend over backwards to keep me happy, and most of them are willing to please me just to get my business. If you still want this partnership, you better be a good girl and keep me satisfied. If not…"Noel trailed off, for at this point, he had already reached the bed and was just inches away from Sunniva. His flesh quivered with his every move, and he was so tall that he loomed over Sunniva's tiny body like a beast eyeing its prey. "You… you
Noel was not used to being rejected so outwardly. Sunniva's indifference infuriated him greatly. He scoffed, then brought his hand up to his nose and took a deep breath as if trying to catch a whiff of any scent that Sunniva had left on his skin. He sneered. "Ms. Bristow, it seems you are intent on challenging me?"Sunniva replied curtly, "So what if I am?""Very well then! You like to do things the hard way, eh? Let me make this clear—the moment you step out the door, the partnership will be called off! I will no longer do business with Bristow Group!"The audacity!With a smug grin, Noel cast Sunniva one last look before returning to his seat. He watched her coolly and made no move to stop her from leaving again, for he knew he had her cornered. Sunniva stood rooted to the spot, her brows furrowed in deep concentration. Noel knew he had Sunniva caught in a dead-end situation. He smirked and raised his glass to his lips. "How about this, Ms. Bristow? Just one last drink with
A glimmer of annoyance flashed through Noel's eyes, but he continued to reach toward Sunniva, grinning. "Ms. Bristow, I really, really admire you…"Sunniva froze. The next moment, she leaped to her feet, still holding her wine glass, and ducked out of Noel's reach. She replied, raising his glass in an attempt to disguise her nervousness, "Mr. Noel, I greatly admire your success as a businessman as well. Cheers to our partnership!"Noel's arm hovered in mid-air, looking awkward and forlorn as it dangled out of reach of its target. A strained silence fell over them. The tension lasted only a few minutes, though, because Noel soon regained his composure and drew his arm back. He clinked his glass against Sunniva's as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened. The two of them had been drinking for quite some time now, and Noel was growing more and more inebriated by the minute. He was a pale man, and so the alcohol gave him an unnatural flush that made him look as though he was