Celena caught the impatience and hatred in Reginald's eyes. Her heart, already in pieces, shattered further. Tears streamed down her face. Liam stepped in."Celena, no more tears! Don't fret. Believe in me. This is nothing. I'll get that project.""However, you..." Worry and urgency painted Celena's face, leaving her at a loss for words."Nothing? You're delusional! I'm eager to see how a broken and beaten nobody like you will pull this off!" Qemal folded his arms, looking at Liam with venom and mockery.His arm was excruciatingly painful, and his hatred for Liam deepened.He made a vow to himself that one day, he would make Liam pay with his life. If he did not, he would not be Qemal.Wasyl shared the same burning hatred for Liam. Though the Abbott's were no top-tier family in the sprawling Drunham City, they were still a big deal, and people sought their favor! Normally, Wasyl, just like Qemal, basked in the adulation of others. However, after Liam had humiliated him in front o
The man did not answer Reginald. He just shot Liam a look and then rushed out of the hall with his entourage."I'm the one who sent this gift for Celena!"Liam broke through the murmur, causing all eyes to turn to him."You sent this?" Reginald's voice was laced with disbelief.His face quickly soured, and he glared at Liam. "Let's be real! A gift like this comes from someone with deep pockets or a fancy title! We all know who you are. Stop pretending this lavish present is from you."The rest of the Stone family chimed in with their own jeers, "He has the nerve to say he sent this gift!""Ha ha ha, right! Just wait. He'll be red-faced in ten days!""Poor Celena, saddled with such a dud!"Then, a woman in her forties called out to Celena with fake concern, "Listen, Celena! I'm not trying to be harsh, but we introduced you to so many great guys, and you turned them down! Now, you're with this. What were you thinking?"Celena, hearing the mockery and insults, tugged at Liam's ar
She watched Liam's face intently as she spoke, knowing all too well that once upon a time, Liam's love for Clora was the talk of Drunham City.Liam was busy tidying Jovie's windswept hair at the entrance. Celena's question did not seem to faze him, and his gentle smile remained as he looked down at Jovie's face with affection."It's not much of a connection. I just dug up some dirt on the Walkers and handed it over to the police station. They've been itching to clamp down on the Walkers for ages! The raid was just them dealing with years of the family's shady dealings."With that, Liam playfully poked Celena's nose. "Forget about Clora. She's gone, and that's that. The important thing is you and Jovie are safe. Let's head inside, away from this chilly wind. You need to rest and get better."Blushing, Celena followed Liam back into the warmth of the villa.Once he had settled Celena and Jovie in their room, Liam turned to Calum with a new task. "Get Malcolm over here. I need to see
Malcolm lingered with a question on his mind, his hand still dabbing at a sweaty forehead."What's on your mind?" Liam inquired."Commander-in-Chief! In three days, I've arranged a gathering for the Drunham City elite to celebrate our new alliance with the Walker family's legacy and our successful partnerships. I have here a few exclusive invites and would be honored if you and your lady would join us."Liam skimmed over the embossed invitation in his grasp and remarked, "Just set it down here. I'll attend when I find the time.""Understood!"Malcolm laid the invitation on the table, snapped to attention with a salute, and exited Jade Manor.Only after Malcolm had stepped through the grand gates of the manor and settled into his car did the weight on his shoulders begin to fade, his back clammy from sweat. The thought of how many sought an audience with the elusive King Pendragon. Here he was, holding an invite to dine with the man himself, stirred a quiet pride within him.Mean
"Dad, I've got it all figured out, and Wasyl is on board. We're meeting with Mr. Lynch tomorrow. Once I've got that partnership deal in hand, we'll bounce back from our recent setbacks," Cheryl said, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.With that deal, Celena would not stand a chance of worming her way back into the Stone family. The title of the family's darling daughter was hers alone.Yafe's laughter echoed hers, filling the study. He savored a sip of tea, content with their plan.Sherah sat by the window in a softly lit room, her face etched with concern as she gazed at her son, Qemal, resting on the bed. She leaned forward and said worryingly, "Qemal, are you in a lot of pain?"Qemal let out a continuous moan. He turned to his mother with a plaintive look, pleading, "Mom! My arm's broken, it's excruciating! I can't stand it, and it's all Liam's fault. You have to make him pay!"Sherah's heart ached as if it were breaking into pieces. "Oh, Qemal, my poor boy! I knew that wretch
"And who's to say you're not still hung up on that girl, your own daughter, no less! By the way, did you sort out the meeting with Mr. Lynch for tomorrow? Can Qemal and Cheryl attend?" Sherah inquired.Yafe sighed, his head drooping with resignation. "Dad's made up his mind. Tomorrow, my brother, Sawyer, and I will head out. Cheryl's tagging along with Mr. Abbott, while Qemal will just stay home and rest." "What? Qemal isn't going? No way! He's our only son. He can't miss out on something this big!" Sherah shot up in alarm. She sprang to her feet, jabbing a finger at Yafe. "You've got to care more about your son, Yafe! Qemal's your boy, and your father's always so distant to him. You need to stand up for him!" Yafe felt trapped but kept nodding. "I get it, but it's a big deal, and his call is final. Besides, Qemal's hand is pretty banged up. He's better off resting. There'll be other chances." Sherah backed off, knowing that she had made her point. Yafe was usually a pushover fo
As they were about to head inside, a sleek car rolled up, stopping right next to Celena and Liam. The door swung open, and Cheryl and Wasyl stepped out, their arms laden with ornate, expensive boxes.Not far behind, more cars pulled up. Out came Yafe and Walter, each holding their own set of elegant gift boxes.Cheryl's eyes locked onto Celena, and she said sarcastically, "Well, well, what do we have here? If it isn't my dear sister, so desperate to come back home." She gave them a once-over, her gaze lingering on their empty hands. "Thinking of meeting Mr. Lynch, are you? Are you here with that stench of poverty on you, not even a decent gift to your name? How utterly disgraceful.""I..." Celena's voice faltered. Cheryl's taunts had snuffed out the last ember of her courage, leaving her feeling utterly defeated.She had had nothing, not even a presentable gift. Why would Mr. Lynch ever consider her for the project cooperation unless he had lost his mind?Cheryl stepped closer, lo
The ruckus drew the crowd's attention, and soon, all eyes were on Liam and Celena, who had arrived without a gift in hand. The whispers turned into outright jeers."Liam and Celena actually showed up! Who would've thought? Where'd they find the guts?""They've got some nerve, alright, showing up empty-handed like that!""Do they even have the money for a decent gift? Everyone here's toting around something pricey. If they can't even spring for a proper present, who in their right mind would partner up with them?""Ha! Maybe they brought along some magic cream for sore legs!"That last jab sent the room into fits of laughter.The debacle from Reginald's birthday party the day before was the talk of the town. Liam and Celena had made quite the spectacle, with Liam insisting that Celena be taken back to the Stone family.Under the weight of so many sneering glances, Celena's skin crawled with discomfort. She turned stiff, her body quivering ever so slightly.Holding back the impul
"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