Jordan was caught off guard, figuring some high-roller must be in the hospital, prompting a security sweep. He quickly slapped on a brown-nosing smile and said to the squad leader, "Hey there, Officer. I'm just here to see my kid. He's getting treated in this place."Levi, who was standing close by, put on his best ingratiating smile and sidled up, bobbing his head and scraping in a bow. "Sir, you've been working so hard! This is Jordan, head of the Wheeler family. Looks like you're soldiers from Drunham City's garrison, right? The Wheelers are on good terms with your boss, Malcolm. How about you let us through? The boss is worried sick about his son. Do us a solid, will you?"However, the squad leader was not having any of it. He shot Jordan and Levi a frosty glare, brushed them aside, and marched straight up to Liam. He snapped to attention and saluted with utmost respect. They watched, dumbstruck. "Mr. Cole, under General Lynch's orders, all three duty squads, thirty-six men in to
With that thought, Jordan's face went pale, and he quickly bent over in front of Liam, forcing a groveling smile. "Liam, I mean, Mr. Cole, you're pulling my leg, right? I wouldn't dream of making you apologize! You're General Lynch's buddy, a VIP at the Drunham City military base. I wouldn't have the nerve, not in a million years! A friend of General Lynch is like royalty to the Wheeler family. My son must've screwed up big time, and you had every right to set him straight! If anyone should be saying sorry, it's us to you."Seeing his boss Jordan bowing down, Levi did not dare to stay upright. He quickly followed suit, bending over and practically crawling on the floor, his whole body shaking like a leaf.He vividly remembered how he had just dissed Liam back at the Stone family's place, how out of line he had been...Sure enough...Liam watched Levi bow, shaking. With a frigid stare, he asked sternly, "Mr. Levi, what's this all about? Why the apology?"Levi shook even more and bl
However, he could not do that. All he could do was keep signaling with his eyes to the cursing Skylar, hoping she would get the hint and zip it.Liam, who had been standing to the side with an amused smile, finally spoke up, "I'm the Liam you're after."Skylar whirled around, her gaze sharp as she took Liam in. Her anger boiled over as she bellowed, "So you're the lowlife who hit my son? Liam, is it? Good! Now you're going to come with me and apologize to my son! If you're lucky, I might just let you off easy. I might just let you go with some broken legs!"Before Liam could even process what she said, Jordan panicked. His legs buckled, and he started to collapse backward. Levi was quick to catch him, keeping him from hitting the floor.Skylar's frown deepened as she turned her attention to Jordan. She said irritatingly, "What's gotten into you? Feeling sick or something? You're sweating buckets and can't even stand up straight!"Jordan's heart was racing, and thank goodness he wa
With a fierce tug, Jordan pulled Skylar back and shouted, "Skylar, you're the one who's lost it! Do you have any idea who Mr. Cole is? Do you think you can just attack him? He's Malcolm's friend, and he's an honored guest at the Drunham City military base! Those soldiers at the door? They're here for him! You spewed nonsense at him and even thought you could take a swing at him. Listen to me; if you don't care about your own life, at least spare our Wheeler family the trouble!"Having vented all he had been holding back, Jordan's anxiety finally eased.Skylar, still clutching her face, was shell-shocked. Jordan's tirade hit her like a bolt from the blue, leaving her heart pounding. She glanced from Jordan's livid face to Liam, who stood calmly with his hands behind his back, still unable to grasp what was happening.However, just when Jordan thought it was all over, Skylar wrenched her face from his grip and delivered a stinging slap right back at him."Jordan! You're just a coward
In the soldiers' eyes, Adrian was the untouchable Military Chief of Staff, a captain and their direct boss. He was not someone they could just cross without thinking.The squad leader's face looked indecisive as he turned to Liam, words on the tip of his tongue but never quite making it out. "Mr. Cole, about this…"Liam got the squad leader's reluctance and the soldiers' too. With a resigned shake of his head, he turned to Jordan, whose smugness was growing by the second. "So, Jordan, you think having a big-shot brother-in-law as the Military Chief of Staff means you're untouchable and that I should just grovel and apologize to you?" he said icily.At that, Skylar snorted, her hands definitely on her hips, her eyes gleaming with scorn. "Obviously, my brother's the Military Chief of Staff in Drunham City, right under Malcolm's command. They're tight, been through thick and thin. Why on earth would Malcolm side with you over his loyal buddy? Will he lift a finger to help you if we com
Adrian was seated when his expression turned thunderous, and his voice boomed with fury. "What's that? Has Kayson been seriously hurt in a fight? How bad is it? And this guy claims to be General Malcolm Lynch's buddy, a VIP at the Drunham City military base? Hold on, I'm on my way! I've got to see who's got the nerve to pull this off! As the Military Chief of Staff here, I'm not letting any 'VIP' get away with this!"With that, Adrian slammed down the phone, snatched up his coat, and stormed out enraged.Outside, Adrian barked orders at his deputy, "Get a platoon together, now! We've got a situation to handle!"In no time, a platoon of soldiers, armed to the teeth and faces set in grim determination, radiating an intimidating presence, was ready to move out.Adrian surveyed the troops and gave a satisfied nod. With a commanding wave, he climbed into his jeep, the one with the Drunham City military base's insignia on the plate, and sped off toward the hospital.A platoon of soldier
Anger washed over Jordan's face as he snapped to attention. Skylar's screams spurred him to act, but Liam's steely stare and the unnerving presence he exuded stopped Jordan abruptly. His body shook, his legs turned to jelly, and he stumbled back to Skylar's side, pointing at Liam with a shaky finger. "Liam! Don't get ahead of yourself! Do you realize who my wife is? Her big brother's the top dog at Drunham City's military headquarters, and he's on his way! You hit my wife! Just wait till my brother-in-law shows up, then you're toast!"Skylar's heart sank at Jordan's cowardice. He could not even defend her honor. Her anger surged anew as she glared at him, then turned her wrath back on Liam, spitting venom with every word."Alright! Just you wait! My brother will be here any second, and I'll make sure you're begging for forgiveness on your knees! I'll see to it that one of your hands is useless!"Liam met Skylar's threats with a composed response, "Oh? Really? I'm waiting."At the s
The soldier's hands did not fumble. He caught the medal on the fly. However, the moment he got a good look at the gold glinting in his palm, the emblem and inscription etched into it, he froze as he had turned to stone.That was...The highest honor!Straight from the central command!That was the medal someone got for being a hero in Biskeland, for deeds that changed the course of history!The kind of medal that would make even a general snap to attention and salute on sight!Most guys who earned that medal did not make it out alive.However, Liam was casually tossing it around with not a scratch on him.The soldier wasted no time. With shaky hands, he cradled the medal like it was the most precious thing in the world and bolted to Adrian. He snapped to attention, saluting, "Mr. Adrian Fabris..."Adrian, clueless about what the soldier was holding, was already losing his patience. "What's the hold-up? I ordered you to bring him to me. Do I have to do everything myself?"The
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