The other board members quickly agreed with Kallum."Exactly! There's no way we'd cooperate!""We can understand airdropping a new leader on us… but a woman and a member of the Lane family? And someone who hasn't even been to Zamri?""Not only did you refuse to behave on your first day of the job, but you're already flexing your authority… I mean, a new rule in the conference room? Are you kidding me?""You have no competence, no influence, and no connections. What, are you going to bring in new clients for us with your pretty face?""Pfft… Hahaha…"The board members kept insulting Helen, with one sleazebag even mocking her for her youth and beauty."Are you done?" Helen remained impassive as she watched them, still standing proudly by the meeting table when they stopped laughing.Then, she spoke bluntly, "It's the Lane family who decided that I'll take over this investment company. None of you get to be upset with this decision… Also, contributing to this company? You bloods
Kallum narrowed his eyes and grinned savagely. "Hmph. Don't think you can intimidate us! Resign? So be it—let's see how you can run the company by yourself!""Yeah! We're coming with you, Kallum!""Let's see how she'd do without us!""You'd be begging on your knees!"All the board members rose to their feet, led by the senior members.Only the scrawny Owen Briggs remained in his seat.He wanted to stand too, but he was afraid since he noticed Helen's sharp glare.After all, his accounting department was in a precarious position, as they were in charge of all the financial data and ledgers for the company.And since Owen had been cleaning up the other board members' mess endlessly, he was as good as dead if Helen really started asking questions.However, that was not the case for the other board members.After all, they were dead sure that Helen would cave and beg them to stop—if the rest of the board went on strike, the company operations would stall, even go bankrupt.That
Helen opened the folder in front of Mr. Zork, leaving him gaping. "There. Security photos of you in the act."How could Helen have found out?!This was top secret, and Owen was the only one who could have known since Mr. Zork reported his expenses to him!As such, Mr. Zork was leveling a death glare at Owen too, his eyes almost shooting flames."Naturally, the biggest problem our company has is you, Mr. Kallum Gaetz. As acting CFO, you've really set a new bar in corruption."Helen strode behind Kallum and slammed a document on the table in front of him, saying quietly, "Every yearly ledger showed profits… that is, before it gets passed to you for review. Afterward, everything will be in the red, and the Lane family would have to pay up for it… If anything, I must admit that you have balls."Then, clapping Kallum on the shoulder, Helen finished, "Either way, I've reviewed the ledgers over the last few years. If you have any questions, you may ask them now."Kallum's eyes were nar
After all, Helen could have all of the entire board jailed if she willed it.They were all scowling—they certainly had no idea how Helen got her hands on the evidence against them, with every last bit of detail included. All they could do was to blame Owen now.In the first place, they were supposed to assert their authority over Helen as she took on her new position.Instead, she turned the tables and revealed all the dirt she had on them. She was clearly more than just a pretty face—she was a fighter who could throw a punch."Either way, I'm done." Helen shrugged just then. "You can all leave now, and I won't stop anyone here or plead for you to stay like you hope for. Instead, these documents will be publicized, and I will call for a shareholders' meeting where we will decide your respective replacements. You will all pay for your stupidity."Her blunt words finally made them understand, and Mr. King—who had been insulting Helen in every way possible earlier—dropped to his knee
As the board members all realized that Helen may be better than Kallum, they knew that their best option right now was to apologize and surrender their authority in hopes that Helen would keep them around.That was the only way to keep what they had instead of losing everything. It was frustrating, but none of them had the guts to oppose Helen now.All the contempt and dismissive attitude before was now replaced by fear and reverence."Hmph. Since you're all being so earned, I guess I can forgive you."Helen glanced at Frank before looking around at the board members. "I promise not to pursue responsibility for your previous transgressions, but you are still obliged to reimburse the company for the damages you cause. I have taken over this company with the goal to lead it to new heights, and I promise that no one would lose out if you are with me. Everyone would be showered in riches, even… So, can you do that?"The board members were certainly grateful for her extraordinary magna
The dramatic entrance of the goons left everyone stunned.However, it was clear that Kallum had arranged for them to wait near the conference room, then charge inside once he gave the signal and kill everyone.The board members who had just turned against him became pale at the sight, even as they felt pangs of danger.Kallum was laughing loudly in turn, as if everyone there was beneath him. "Don't worry, Helen." He gloated. "You won't die alone—these spineless vermin are coming with you! Keep dreaming big when you're dead, boys! Hahaha!!!"Unexpectedly, Helen did not panic even as she watched the goons charge in.In fact, she was sneering. "Don't you think you're being naive here, Mr. Gaetz? Did you really think I wasn't ready for a fight? Of course I expected this!" On one hand, she was offering the panicky board members assurance so they did not have to change sides again.On the other, she was attempting to intimidate Kallum, but he was not falling for it at all.In fact
At the sight of Frank's insolence, the other goons were all provoked."Let's go together!" they shouted all at once and charged toward Frank as one.Clang!Frank aimed with perfect timing, kicking another charging goon through yet another window.The other goons were naturally not spared either, and Frank remained standing on the table as he stopped all of them from passing him.Over ten of the goons were sent flying in under half a minute, and since they were sent flying out of the window from the twentieth floor, surviving was basically out of the question.Their screams were harrowing enough. Seeing Frank's nonchalance on top of that left the board members who had just sworn fealty to Helen dead silent.However, they were all rejoicing inwardly that they were not being stubborn enough to stick with Kallum against their new board chairman.Otherwise, Helen would have them thrown out the window instead—at that point, compensation would be a little too late.They would certain
"I suggest we be rid of him right away, to serve as a warning to the others!""No, we have to make him return every last dime he stole from the company over the years!""Yes! We will do that, and then get rid of him!"Kallum was certainly furious to hear that the board members who were so loyal to him before were now ready to lynch him.However, he was afraid to say a thing, even as he subtly glanced at Frank while wondering if he could take Helen hostage before Frank realized it.On the other hand, Helen was hiding a giggle as she listened to the board members' shouts of indignation even as they scapegoated Kallum.Turning to Kallum, she narrowed her eyes and asked, "So, Mr. Gaetz. Do you yield or not?"Kallum turned away—how could she still ask something so pointless at this stage?!But he was already set on this path, and he shall see through it!"No, I refuse!" he snapped coolly. "You may be able to fool these idiots, but not me! You're just coercing them to cooperate, or
Frank snorted. "Alright, I'm hanging up. I'm getting started over here soon.""Yeah. Good luck," Jouri replied.Hanging up, Frank looked up at the waterfall overhead, and then at Skyler, who was standing beside him. "So? Is it time yet?""Almost… Now!" Skyler's eyes were glowing even as she stared at her watch."Alright."Frank looked up just as the skies abruptly darkened. "Ah, there it is—the eclipse."The sun seemed to disappear, and the world was suddenly shrouded in darknesses.And beside him, a stone door imbued with the power of the spiritron vein also rumbled as it parted."Got it!" Frank rushed inside without another word as soon as he saw it."Hmph. I'm surprised that you could reach this place." A cold, wrathful voice resounded inside even before Frank got a hold of his surroundings.Looking up, Frank found a youth in a black cossack and sporting grey-white hair, standing upon a cliff as he looked down on him.Frank chuckled. "Hehe. Like I said, I've come to kill
Frank narrowed his eyes. "Is that so?'Crane shrugged. "I don't mind giving it to you straight—members of Torrent are actually… Ahem. A part of Torrent himself."Frank paused. "What's that supposed to mean?""You don't get it, do you?" Crane grinned. "Then let me put it to you this way—every member is a clone of Torrent.""A clone?" Frank gasped in realization."Yes," Crane nodded. "That's why I believe that challenging Crane is just suicide. You have no idea how powerful he is—only death awaits you down that path."Frank smirked. "Oh, but I don't think so."Crane rolled his eyes. "Fine, whatever—now listen closely. You will find Torrent in the Mystic Trail, but you would only find that place when the sun and moon coincide, and the entrance is beneath the waterfall south of Horton."As he finished, he snorted coldly. "I have no idea if you can actually do it, but I'm hoping you do kill him… Heh. I'm getting tired of being stuck under his control for so long."Then, waving off
Frank abruptly turned, immediately noticing one of the Cranes crouching, ready to spring forward and blindside him."Got you!" He laughed."Hah! You fell for it!"Just as Frank swung a punch to pulverize that Crane, he suddenly burst into pus that splashed at Frank's face."Damn it!" Frank took a step back, surprised that the clone's presence was identical to the real Crane, and a trap on top of that!"Die!"The Cranes around him each whipped out a dagger, all of them stabbing at Frank at the same time."Get off!" Frank bellowed, unleashing a shockwave that sent all the Cranes flying across all directions."Frank! Above you!" Skyler suddenly shrieked."Yes! I'm right here!" A strange laughter sounded above Frank just as he wiped the pus off his face.Crane was suddenly directly above him, launching an aerial kick straight at Frank's head, and Frank had no time to dodge!"Die!" Crane's smile curled into a twisted angle as he saw that too.He was very confident with this kick
"Disgusting…" Skyler murmured through her hand.Despite being skinned and scalped, the women were all still alive and singing to the music that was playing despite their anguish."Talk about a terrible fetish."Frank was scowling too—why were all the members of Torrent such sick deviants? It seemed like his plan to wipe them out was absolutely correct!"So, you killed my clone?"The lanky man on the couch slowly turned to level his bloodshot eyes at Frank.His lips were wet with bed as they curled upward into an eerie smile."Clone?" Frank narrowed his eyes."Hehe. It's a sage art."Crane shrugged as he stood up and wiped the blood off his lips. "It's only natural that you don't understand… Still, you deserve praise. If you can kill my clone, that means you're not just slightly stronger than Ghost."Naturally, the man was none other than the real Crane.Still, as Skyler studied him from a corner, even she could notice the strange twitch of his fingers, and his veins were pro
Even as Crane ran, he was looking over his shoulder, his heart pounding. "No… I won't win in a one-on-one!"No, as long as I get back to my real body… we can do this together!" He frowned, having seen how Frank sliced off the pinkies of those hood rats. It hence quickly dawned on him that Frank was not just slightly stronger than Ghost, as Torrent had put it!"Almost there!" He gasped when he saw the signboard of Pegasus Showtown in the distance. "As long as I get there and rendezvous with my real body, that brat will lose—"That was when he turned and saw that a shadow had caught up with impossible speed."What?!" Crane's eyes almost popped out in bewilderment. "What speed is that?! Are you kidding—"Even as he spotted the shadow, the shadow turned into a youth with an impassive visage.His fist outstretched, he was clearly punching toward Crane's forehead!"Argh…"Even as Crane looked on, the youth's punch slowed down by tenfold, but his fist kept closing in.Then, whe
Seeing Skyler sigh, the tattooed thug presumed that his extortion worked.He strode up, grabbing Frank's shoulder. "No one's gonna help you, boy. Pay up, or you're not leaving.""Exactly! You're not getting away!" the crowd of hood rats hollered. "Last chance."Frank's eyes were cold and fixed on Dani, however. "Are you going to intervene? If you do, you can keep that check. If you don't…""Ugh. Fuck off! I don't care!" Dani spat, her expression smug as she folded her arms before her chest. "Who do you think you are to threaten me?!""Exactly! Pay up, and you can leave!""Yeah! Ten grand, at least!""You probably don't know my boss Wyvern, but when he's here, you won't get away with just ten grand!"Even as the crowd closed in, Frank shook his head. "Well, you had your chance. Don't blame me for what happens next.""You're giving us a chance?! Hah! Who—argh!"Even before Dani could finish gloating, Frank was suddenly in front of her, grabbing her viciously by the wrist."Arg
"Five grand?! Did you hear that?! He just threw five grand!""Must be a rich kid coming here for a secret rendezvous, out of prying eyes? Those types are the easiest mark!""Fuck! And Dani got one of us… It hurts me more than losing at the races!"Frank could hear the buzz around him but ignored it as he strode past the men flanking him and headed toward the street that stank of blood."Stop!" A big tattooed man grinned sinisterly as he intercepted Frank.As his buddies encircled Frank as well, Frank snorted—it seemed that they took his reaction for a sign of weakness and thought that he could be cowed.The tattooed man rubbed his chin as he leered at Skyler's voluptuous figure, chuckling. "Look, boy. I'm short on cash, so let me take a loan. I'll pay you back some other day, how about that?"His friend laughed. "Exactly! You just gave Dani five grand, and we won't ask for more… just four, how about that?"Skyler scowled in turn and glanced worriedly at Frank beside her—was he
Frank himself had just stepped out of the nightclub when his eyes narrowed."Blood," he murmured, his nostrils twitching."Blood?"Skyler sniffed the air, puzzled. "I can't smell it.""It's from the opposite street… I smell the blood of over a dozen people.""A dozen?!" Skyler did a double take.He could identify the number of people who were killed?! That was just ridiculous!"Come on, let's take a look."Just as Frank led the way toward the source of the stench, a woman suddenly came up, catching Frank off guard and throwing herself into his arms."Hmmm?" He looked down to see that she had thick makeup, average looks, and a rather pudgy belly."Argh! He touched me!" she pointed at Frank and shrieked even before he realized what was happening."What?!" Skyler was staring at the woman too, mystified."Oh, sister! You just didn't see it!"The woman kept hollering, pointing at Frank's face. "Your boyfriend grabbed my ass! Is that how you teach him manners?!""Teach him ma
Wyvern screamed even as he clutched the stump that was his hand, screaming so shrilly one might mistake his voice as inhuman."Oh, just shut up." The lanky man glowered and launched a kick, reducing Wyvern into puddles of blood and pieces of innards, splattering all around the lobby. "Argh!!!" the devilish lady screamed as she watched the carnage unfolded."Another sound, and you'd end up just like him." The lanky man turned and frowned at her impatiently."Hngh…" The devilish lady promptly clasped a hand over her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes as she trembled."What the hell?!"Outside, Wyvern's lackeys heard the screams and ran inside, looking for him. "Hey, where's Wyvern?!"However, the lobby was too dimly lit for them to notice the blood and guts scattered around the walls, and they only sensed that terrible stench."Hngh…" The devilish lady was too scared to speak, and tears trickled out of her eyes."Fuck!"One of the lackeys strode up and seized the lanky man