"What else is there?" Sif asked impatiently."Well, I was worried that this would give you a heart attack. Mr. Lawrence?" The South Sea Crow called out, turning toward the shadows."Mr. Lawrence…? As in… Frank Lawrence?!"Shock showed on Sif's face. She was dumbfounded, even as she glanced between the South Sea Crow and the man emerging from the shadows.Catching his cue once he was called, Frank strode out pompously into the open.Disguises were unnecessary now—he took off his mask and glasses, then turned off the recorder in his pocket while greeting Sif formally. "Good evening, Ms. Lionheart.""You… Both of you…"Sif came to a realization at the sight before her—she was no fool and turned to run after a moment of shock."Running, Ms. Lionheart? Don't you think it's already too late?" Frank appeared behind Sif in an instant, striking her on the nape and knocking her out.The South Sea Crow took a sip of her cocktail even as she watched Sif collapse limply on the floor, bre
Titus remained impassive as he strode into The Dark Life."What happened? Where's Sif?" he asked the bartender.The bartender's legs were trembling as he stammered, "I-I don't know, Mr. Lionheart. All I remembered was her meeting with the South Sea Crow, and then I fell unconscious. She was gone when I woke up."Titus' eyes narrowed, clearly infuriated by the bartender's panicked recounting.His family owned The Dark Life, but there were no official ties as Titus himself set up this place. They would use it to assign missions to Blackrank individuals, and it was an exceedingly secure spot.Naturally, the public would have no idea about that—all they knew was that The Dark Life was a bar, though not particularly eye-catching.Even so, it was still illogical for a person to just disappear into thin air."What about the cameras?" Titus asked when he calmed down, turning back to the bartender."It's…" The bartender leveled a troubled look at the corner, where the cameras that were
Glen then finished, "In case you're wondering, the South Sea Crow is on our side now. She told us everything."Titus' fist was cracking audibly as he realized that the conspiracy he had planned for so long was thoroughly dismantled.Giving up on pretension, he asked coolly, "Where's Sif?""We have her remanded," Glen replied. "She will be allowed to return once your family has pulled out entirely from our estates and businesses."Titus almost shattered the glass table before him.He never thought that the Turnbulls would have the guts to stand against them.No, that was putting it lightly… They actually kidnapped a member of their family and threatened them in turn!"Fine. In that case, there's nothing more to say, Mr. Turnbull," he growled. "We won't hold back either if anything happens to Sif while she's in your custody."Save your breath, Mr. Lionheart," Glen retorted in disdain. "Your father already knows—he should be returning to Morhen as we speak. I'd be thinking about w
Frank breathed a sigh of relief at Glen's assurance.Thank goodness the man kept his word—if the man pulled another technicality on him, Frank really would not mind turning against the Turnbulls right then and there.As they left Turnbull Estate, Vicky was once again the coquettish Turnbull heiress.Throwing her arms around Frank's neck, she jammed her lips firmly on his cheek. "Oh, darling… You're amazing! How did you manage to gather the evidence against Titus?""Uh…" Frank was about to explain when he spotted Helen in her car, having been waiting for a while.She alighted, striding to stand between Frank and Vicky while folding her arms before chest. "Let's head home, darling. You're driving.""Okay…" Frank tamely ran off to get the car while wiping the lipstick stain off his cheek as hard as he could.He really would not stay for another second, sensing the conflict brewing between both women.Still, Vicky was giggling as she watched Helen. "What, are you jealous? Oh, don't
"What's wrong? You can just tell me, Uncle Gavin," Helen said, frowning."Alright… Just stay calm, alright?" Gavin asked."Okay," Helen replied.Gavin sighed and spoke solemnly just then. "Your uncles recently returned. They found out about that farm, and they argued with me and your granduncle a few times about it."Pausing, Gavin sighed again. "Then last night, a large group of goons charged into the farm and burnt down the place, causing devastating losses.""What?!"It was not just Helen and Vicky—Frank was furious too."I've told your granduncle already," Gavin continued exasperatedly. "We both believe the goons were sent by your uncles, and your granduncle had them both brought back to Laneville. But they refused to admit it, and there's nothing we can do."Hearing that, Frank grabbed Helen's phone and asked urgently, "Mr. Lane, what about the herbal bath extract I kept in the warehouse? Are those still around?""Oh, Mr. Lawrence…" Gavin murmured guiltily. "If you meant
Frank wasted no time in contacting Glen to save time and cook more herbal bath extract.Glen had certainly seen the pretend state of affairs, and that there was no chance of reconciliation between his family and the Lionhearts. As such, he was now completely on Frank's side for Vicky's bridegroom, not Titus.In fact, he did not hesitate to deliver copious amounts of natural treasures from his vaults, and there was no shortage of century old herbs.Even Frank was impressed—the Turnbulls were really rich as expected.When he was in Riverton before, he had to spend ages just to find even one, but Glen had them in scores. However, though Loggins Apothecary were also sending much of their herbs to help Frank as well, what they could give still fell short compared to the Hale Marrow that he had acquired by chance at an auction.Still, it was enough for the time being.That night, Frank got on a private jet provided by Glen and returned to Skywater Bay with Vicky, Helen, Nash, and Kat
Kat continued nonchalantly, "I don't really get it, but my mom is the catalyst for their incubation technique. My blood, which is basically my mother's heirloom, has that incubation effect for medicinal herbs. Honestly, I wouldn't have known because my father's so overprotective, but I'm also not sure if it'd work since he's the one who told me that."Frank realized with a start after Kat's quick summary—so that was why Nash had been so careful with Kat, and why she had a seal in her body.Still, he shook his head. "I know what you're getting at, but I have enough herbs for now, don't worry—"Before he could finish, Kat had picked up a knife and pricked her finger, drawing scarlet blood."What…" Her determined visage left Frank sighing. "You're such a brat...""Oh, quit overextending," Kat said solemnly. "I heard from Vicky that you have the herbs, but they're not old enough to be as effective as before. And you know it's not easy to get older herbs. Moreover, I have to pay you
However, Frank had only inserted a drop of Kat's blood, and the sedimentation improved by leaps and bounds.Suddenly, it was as if the ingredients he used were over 500 years old. The medicinal value of the herbal bath extract was actually on par with the herbal extract he refined from the Hale Marrow before. In fact, even Frank's abilities could improve if he drank this extract, which would further condense his pure vigor!"Shit…" Frank froze, unable to calm down for a long while.Kat's blood was frighteningly effective… She was a walking, talking panacea spirit!It was not surprising now that Nash was so protective over Kat… even from Frank himself.And if Hundred Bane Sect were to find out about Kat, it would be all over for her, as they would hold her captive and bleed her like livestock.Either way, Frank was relieved—with the vial of Kat's blood, he could both refine the herbal extract again while improving his abilities.And with the pressing issue resolved, he could fi