Jaxton's claim that he was Liam's sidekick was all in his head. Back in the day, he followed Liam like a second shadow, but Liam barely acknowledged him. Over time, folks who did not know any better started buying into the idea that Jaxton was Liam's right-hand man, and Jaxton milked that misconception to pull off some shady stunts. It was not until Liam caught wind of it that he finally confronted Jaxton. That was pretty much the first and only time he ever really dealt with him."Sorry, gotta run, Shaw. Don't bother showing me out," Liam said calmly, without a hint of emotion. With that, he spun on his heel to leave.However, Jaxton was not about to let Liam slip away that easily. Bumping into Liam was too good a chance to pass up, and he was itching to take him down a peg or two.As Liam made for the exit, Jaxton cut in front of him, blocking his path. He looked up at Liam with a mocking grin and said, "What's the rush, Mr. Cole? You don't even say hi to an old pal?"Jaxton circ
Liam ignored them both, his face a mask of calm, his eyes untroubled. "You know, Jaxton, you're spot on. I don't give a second thought about you. Your snide remarks? They don't touch me. Got anything else? If not, move it. I've got better things to do than waste my time with you."With that, Liam stepped around Jaxton, leading a bewildered Celena away.Jaxton was livid!Liam's aloof, dismissive demeanor drove him to fury. Liam was nothing but a pauper then. How dare he act as if he were still on Jaxton's level? Jaxton had planned to lay into Liam, to shame him thoroughly, but it was like his words had no effect. The frustration sent Jaxton's anger through the roof!"Liam! Hold it right there!"Jaxton roared, storming over to Liam and grabbing him by the shirtfront, his voice seething with rage. "Who do you think you are, Liam? Do you think you're still the golden boy of the Cole family?"Ha! Let me tell you, you're nothing now but a nobody, a stray, a piece of trash, got it? I mi
"You guys, get him! Teach him a lesson! Spare no mercy. Just make sure he's still alive in the end. If he's crippled, then our hospital will give him free treatment!" With that order, the few security guards whipped out the baton from the belts and glared at Liam ferociously.Seeing this, Celena moved closer behind Liam and tightened her embrace of Jovie. She asked worriedly, "Liam, what should we do?"Liam, on the other hand, looked indifferent. He comforted her calmly, "Don't be afraid. It's fine. I'm here." Seeing that Liam was still calm and disdainful, Jaxton immediately got infuriated again. He was engulfed by his rage as he snorted. "Hmph! You'd better watch carefully how I'm going to teach this loser a lesson! Go! Spare no mercy! If anything goes wrong, I'll take the heat for it!" With Jaxton's orders, the security guards dashed toward Liam while swinging the batons in their hands.Liam's gaze darkened and a frightening ferocity could be felt from him. At the same time
"Who are you?" Jaxton asked with a frown. Since he did not know the true identity of this man before him, it was wiser to ask.Eaden glared at Jaxton, his eyes filled with rag. "You don't even know who I am?"It looked like the people in Drunham City forgot how terrifying Eaden was since he not take any action for the past two years. Eaden's tone and demeanor made Jaxton extremely displeased. Annoyed, he looked at Eaden and said with a threatening tone, "Why should I care who you are? Are you trying to come to this loser's defense? Listen up, you better stay out of this. I'm Jaxton from the Shaw family, and this hospital belongs to my family. We're also a part of the Willoughby Medical Association. So, if you want to come to his aid, you better think of the consequences properly."Jaxton's eyes were filled with pride upon saying that. What he said was true. The Shaw family's status in Drunham City was rising slowly in the past few years. They were a family with exceptional ris
"Security! Capture all of them!"Jaxton was indeed digging his own grave. Eaden could no longer contain his anger after hearing what he said. Eaden seemed to have dined with Herbert a few years back at a gathering. He was focusing on his health and working out in the past few years, so his body shape did have some changes. However, his face was practically the same. Eaden was fuming. He pointed at Jaxton and shouted, "Capture this insolent kid now!" In an instant, a dozen bodyguards rushed toward Jaxton. In the meantime, the security guards of the hospital also dashed forward to protect Jaxton. However, the security guards were no match for Eaden's bodyguards, and they were instantly defeated.Seeing that the guards that were protecting him were all on the ground, Jaxton was suddenly in a panic. He backed away while shouting, "Don't come near me! I'm the heir to the Shaw family! If you dare to touch me, my father will not let you off! You better think carefully whether you want
Celena quickly hid behind Liam and grabbed at his arm. She asked softly, "Liam, you know Mr. Wafer?""I guess you can say that. He had some small troubles before this, and I helped him a little." Liam explained with a smile. Celena felt something was off, and she wanted to ask subsequent questions. However, Liam interjected, "Celena, how about you first return with Jovie? I'll stay here to deal with the rest."Celena gave it a thought. She looked down at Jovie, who was looking upset in her arms, and immediately nodded. "Alright. I'll bring Jovie back for her to rest. Be careful! Remember not to do anything rash. Think about Jovie and me."Liam nodded and watched the departure of Celena and Jovie with a smile. Jovie was leaning on Celena's shoulder as she waved her little hand at Liam, showing her adorable little canine teeth."All the best, daddy! Defeat the bad guys!"Liam looked at their silhouette with eyes filled with affection, a slight smile still apparent on his face. It
"I can't believe it! He looks so normal, but the things that he does are so disgusting. Good that he was hit. It would be best if he's beaten to death!" "Shh. Enough."Herbert took a look at his son's face and was instantly enraged. He surveyed the crowd angrily before his gaze finally landed on Eaden and Liam. He shouted, "Who was it that dared to hurt my son? Own up to it! You fucker, do you know who I am? Such insolence!"The rise of the Shaw family in recent years made Herbert a pompous man. If news got out that his son was beaten up at their hospital, how was he to continue his legacy in Drunham City? This was a huge disrespect to Herbert as the head of the Shaw family! "It's me!" Eaden took a step forward calmly, completely unafraid of Herbert's rage. He was completely indifferent as he looked at Herbert with a frosty gaze."So, you're the ignorant bastard who slapped my son? Guys, go—"Herbert was enraged. He turned and pointed at Eaden as he shouted at him, but he
Herbert sent another slap across Jaxton's face. He was about to explode in rage. Fearing that Jaxton would continue to talk rudely and offend Eaden, Herbert added with a kick, sending Jaxton to the ground. He pointed at Jaxton's nose as he scolded, "You insolent idiot! How dare you talk to Mr. Wafer like that? It's right of Mr. Wafer to teach you a lesson. Hurry up and apologize to him on your knees! Otherwise, there's no need for Mr. Wafer to strike because I'll beat you into a pulp!"It was after Jaxton was slapped and berated by Herbert that he regained his senses. He was shocked as he looked at Eaden. He was shaking as he pointed at Eaden and asked, "Are y-you Mr. Wafer?""The one and only!" Eaden barked with a sneer, exuding a frosty air that was terrifying.Hearing the confirmation made Jaxton tremble in fear. Colors drained from his face as he felt afraid and resentful. However, he knew that Eaden, the mafia boss of Drunham City, was not someone he could mess with. He had n
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