Celena took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. The warmth of Liam's palm against hers also helped to slow down her racing heart and remove her anxious thoughts. "Alright. Let's go inside." With that, Celena, Liam, and Jovie entered the hall, much to everyone's surprise. The Stone family all turned to stare at them in fury when they walked in, but no one stopped them as they made their way to a table in a corner of the room. They had just sat down when a familiar voice rang out behind them. "Do my eyes deceive me? It's good, old Celena. Long time no see. Weren't you kicked out of the family and banished for life? What are you doing here then? I see you've also brought the bastard you married and the scum of a daughter you have!" He was none other than Qemal Stone, Celena's half-brother and Cheryl's biological brother. Celena's mother was Yafe Stone's first wife, but he eventually cheated on her with his current wife, Sherah Labar, who got pregnant not long after with Che
That invitation was priceless to Celena! She had endured shame and humiliation after being banished from the Stone family all those years ago, and this invitation was the only thing allowing her to return to the family again! The invitation contained Celena's hope of returning to a normal life with her family, but Qemal had torn it up right before her! Liam furrowed his brows at this, then knelt to the ground and pulled Celena up. Celena staggered to her feet, still sobbing, and turned to Liam. "What…what should I do, Liam? That's the invitation that Grandpa gave me…" Liam's grip tightened around her hand. "I know, Celena!" All Celena could think of was that she had lost her invitation and would never be allowed back to the family. She got on her knees again to pick up the shredded paper. "The invitation! This is the invitation Grandpa gave me…" Liam knew just how much this invitation mattered to her, so he turned to stare at Qemal with a look so cold it could freeze water. "I'
Celena, too, was in disbelief at what had happened. When Qemal said that, the color drained from her face. She stepped forward and grabbed hold of Liam's arm, then stuttered, "Liam, stop! He… he's my brother! Besides, it's Grandpa's birthday today, and I…" Liam frowned when he saw Celena crying over Qemal. "Celena, you treat him like a brother, but he has never once respected you as a brother should! He insulted you just now. Why are you begging for mercy on his behalf?" Celena glanced at Qemal, slumped on the ground, then at the crowd gathered around them, watching curiously. She wiped the tears from her face and said, "Just let him go! We're here for Grandpa's birthday. After all, if he…" Her voice was getting softer and softer with every word, but she gave Liam a pleading look laced with exhaustion. Liam stared at her for a few moments, frowning, then finally turned to Qemal. He stared at him momentarily before finally letting him go. Qemal clutched his broken wrist and st
The woman following Qemal was none other than Sherah, his mother and Yafe's second wife. She was a little over forty years old but still in great shape and looked about ten years younger. She was wearing a beautiful dress, which brought out her elegance. Sherah stormed over to Celena and barked at her, "How dare you show your face here, Celena? You've been picking on Qemal for as long as I can remember. I know you hate me for marrying your father, but why are you taking it out on poor Qemal? It's your own fault you humiliated your family and got yourself banished, not Qemal's! How dare you show up here and order your lackey to beat him up for no reason? You're disgusting!" Sherah was so infuriated that her entire body was shaking with rage. She grabbed hold of Celena's arm and pulled her out of her chair. "How dare you sit there as though nothing happened while your brother suffers in agony? You come here and apologize to Qemal!" Celena had always been frightened of Sherah. With
In that heated moment, Yafe stormed over furiously. He raised his hand and slapped Celena across his face. "Leave now! You're not welcome here!"Liam's declaration had the crowd, eagerly watching the spectacle, pause in surprise. Then, as he claimed to be Celena's husband, their gazes turned curious and speculative.Liam!He was the one behind the Stone family's disgrace. He was the one who had shamed Celena at their wedding, causing the Stone family to be a laughingstock and their shot at becoming a top-tier family.However, what the public did not see was the clandestine deal between the Stone and Walker families, a deal that reaped far greater rewards than any promotion could offer.Yafe's slap sent Celena reeling back, a vivid handprint blooming on her cheek, a trickle of blood at her lips. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with sorrow, and whispered, "Dad..."Yafe's face looked stern as he glared at Liam, ignoring Celena completely. "Don't call me Dad. I have only two ch
"You're as disgusting as your mother. Both of you make me sick!" Sherah sneered at Celena with contempt.Qemal could not hide his triumphant grin as he taunted Celena, "What does it matter if you're talented, Celena, or if Grandpa likes you best? Dad's only pleased with me and my sister. You're nothing!"His words hit Celena like thunder, sending a shiver down her spine."Why doesn't anyone want me?" Celena sobbed, collapsing to the ground. "Grandpa, Dad... you've all abandoned me..." Her cries echoed through the room, and her body shook uncontrollably.Jovie, hearing her mother's sobs, wriggled free from Liam's embrace and felt her way toward Celena. "Don't cry, Mom! They're the bad ones, not us. You've got me, Mom!" she cried.Tears streamed down Jovie's cheeks as she tenderly wiped away her mother's tears and patted her back in an attempt to comfort her.Overwhelmed by her daughter's empathy, Celena pulled Jovie into a tight embrace, as they cried together.Liam watched on, h
Qemal kept taunting, "You broke my arm, and all I'm asking is for you to lose one of yours! Better do it before I change my mind, and fast! Or else, it'll be more than an arm you'll be losing!"Liam snapped his head up, his face stormy as he locked eyes with Qemal. The murderous intent was plain to see, and it felt like the air itself grew heavier with his fury."Don't try to take advantage of me!" Liam's voice was icy as he glared, his eyes practically shooting daggers.That single look sent Qemal stumbling back in fear! It was downright chilling.Locking eyes with Liam was like staring down the grim reaper himself, and Qemal thought he was a goner. Could Liam really be a nobody? How could someone dismissed as a nobody have such a fearsome look and such an intense presence?Yafe realized that Liam was no ordinary man. It would be foolish to make a move without knowing what Liam was capable of. Liam, who had been missing for seven years, had come back transformed, his former timid
The room fell into a stunned silence at his introduction."The young master of the Abbott family himself! Cheryl's luck is unbelievable!""Indeed! The Abbotts are a leading family among Drunham City's elite, and their corporation is a powerhouse with wealth to match!""Watch Cheryl strut now. She's just been snubbed by the Hughes family, and now she's rubbing shoulders with the Abbotts!"Wasyl stood with an air of superiority, casting a dismissive glance at the lesser families gathered in the hall. Their mere presence seemed like an unwelcome reminder of the social ladder he stood atop.Cheryl basked in the attention and envious stares from the crowd, her vanity swelling with pride."Hahaha, thank you!"Reginald chuckled as he accepted the ornate box. Upon opening it, he found an expensive multivitamin inside, eliciting gasps of amazement from the onlookers.Cheryl seized the moment to introduce, "Grandpa, this is an expensive multivitamin from a renowned wellness center that M
"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
"Thank you, Uncle Leonardo." With that, Liam and Cirocco left the manor. They returned to the hotel to meet up with Calum and Sunniva. Liam and Cirocco were waiting in the hotel's presidential suite, going over their plans for the upcoming days, when Calum burst in, looking flustered. Liam was the first to notice how strangely nervous Calum seemed. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"Calum explained hastily, "Sir, Ms. Bristow was just taken away by a group of locals. She claimed that they were the businessmen we were here to meet. Since you weren't back yet, she decided to go meet them herself. She wants me to inform you that they have gone to the Saint Louisiana Hotel and that you can meet them there."Liam furrowed his brows at this. Calum asked, "Sir, are you going to check on them?"Liam considered this a moment, then grabbed his phone and stood up. "I think I should. You and Cirocco should stay here and go over our plans. I'll pop by the Saint Louisiana Hotel. If Jeffre
"Unfortunately, I cannot reveal to you the identities of the remaining five yet, but don't you worry—when the time comes, you will find out soon enough."Just remember, Liam, you are not alone! No matter what happens, the six of us will be here to help you the best we can!" Leonardo said, squeezing Liam's shoulder in reassurance. His expression was solemn, but there was a spark in his eyes. Liam was even more stunned to hear this. What was going on? Had his grandfather planned this for over twenty years ago? Did he somehow know that Liam would come searching for him?"Uncle Leonardo, what's going on here? Is Grandpa still alive?" Liam asked nervously.Leonardo's face fell, and he shook his head gravely. "Truth be told, I am just as confused as you are. I've been trying to track your grandfather down for years, but the last I heard, he was still being kept on Wraith Island. I haven't heard any news about him since, but I refuse to believe your grandfather would die on Wraith Island
No words could even describe the utter shock Liam was experiencing at that moment. He stared, dumbstruck, at the letter in his hands, unable to believe how naive he had been. His grandfather was right; there was far more to this world than he could even begin to imagine!The Dragon Blade that his grandfather had mentioned in his letter, he had heard of from Elder Norton himself, but he had no idea where the sword had been hidden until now. Who would have thought that all this while, it was being kept in a secret hiding spot underneath the Crystal Elegance Palace!His grandfather's letter had unraveled some of the mysteries that had been swirling in his mind for the past couple of days, and Liam suddenly had an unmistakable feeling that he was getting closer and closer to discovering the truth!One thing was certain, though—his grandfather had known all this for years now, and perhaps even decades! In fact, his grandfather had been preparing for this moment, and had been fostering
Liam forced himself to continue reading. [By the time you are reading this letter, you would've found out all you need to know about the Arcane Manuscript. Our family, the Coles, have been the guardians of the Arcane Manuscript for thousands of years. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to take back what was stolen from us and guard the manuscript fiercely.[Remember, son. You must protect the Arcane Manuscript as if your life depended on it! It must not fall into the wrong hands, because aside from holding the most precious secrets within its pages, the manuscript also contains knowledge crucial to the survival of Biskeland, and even the entire world!]Liam could not help but frown at this. What did his grandfather mean? What sort of knowledge could be crucial to the survival of the entire world? And why would it be contained within the Arcane Manuscript? Although the Arcane Manuscript was indeed an important record of ancient knowledge, he could not but wonder if his grandf