"Oh!" Cindy exclaimed, smacking herself in the head as she realized with a start. "Sorry, Helen. I was busy on a date with my boyfriend, so I forgot…""Urgh…" Helen was speechless.Gina Zonda had bugged her constantly for a while—that was why Helen gave Cindy a job at all.However, Cindy had somehow managed to hook up with a hunk from the urban development department of Zamri.When he asked her about her job, Cindy said she was working for the Lane family to avoid embarrassment. The hunk mistook that for Lanecorp of Zamri, and not Lane Holdings of Riverton.That was why Cindy asked her Aunt Gina to beg Helen for a job at Lanecorp.Helen was now the head of the Lane family—arranging for a job could not be easier.Helen, however, was left with a migraine over the issue.It was true that it was easy to arrange a job for Cindy, but the problem was that Cindy knew nothing except fooling around.But in the end, Helen caving to Gina's pestering allowed Cindy to work for her as a se
And with those words, Helen did not stop to listen to what Gina had to say and hung up."What?!" Cindy snapped right then, incredulous. "Am I missing something here?! How could you be so petty, Helen?! I was only late and neglected your laptop, and you're throwing a fit?! I'm your cousin, and Will has already personally delivered your laptop! What more do you want?! He's a busy man, and he's already being more than respectful by bringing it back to you!"Cindy's outburst almost ruptured the veins in Helen's temples.Snorting in disappointment, she strode to her office while shaking her head, not inclined to breathe another word to Cindy."Honestly, what's your problem?!" Cindy remained where she was, stamping her feet.Nearby, Frank stood watching idly with a look that said it was none of his business.He was just in charge of security and nothing else, though he could feel Helen's blood pressure skyrocketing, and she was at her limit.As a girlboss, Frank had seen how Helen oft
Helen paused before continuing, "However, now that I'm the head of Lanecorp, I must take back what we're owed. Understand?""I do, but…"Owen was still worried—Helen was from Riverton and had not been around Zambir long enough to know how terrible Victorget could be.After all, their work was a completely gray area—they had a ton of professional bodyguards and grunts, along with a number of martial artists.In fact, the debt Kallum was talking about was just the biennial fee that he had recently paid them in advance.And now, Helen was supposed to take back the money from them? It was no different from going straight into the wolf's den."It's fine. Don't worry about—I have my head of security with me," Helen said just then, her meaning all too obvious."Are you serious, Helen?!" Cindy exclaimed. "You're really counting on Frank to deal with an entire company of grunts? I know he's good, but—"She suddenly stopped, as Helen was already shooting her a warning glare.Another wor
Helen and Frank left right away and were soon standing outside Victorget.On the top floor office inside, Cid Gaetz, Kallum's son, was conversing with a bald man with a ferocious visage.Cid was young, but he was clearly used to doing business with the man as he slid a check over the desk. "That's twenty million, Victor.""Hmmm. What is it this time? Or should I ask, who is it this time?" Victor asked nonchalantly, lighting himself a cigarette since Cid was an old customer."Hehe. I really can't get anything past you." Cid grinned. "So my father's having issues with his company, and he's being kept in custody in his own office. It's this new board chairwoman who wants full control, so my dad has beef with her… anyway, my dad's asking that you don't mention anything when she asks you to return a debt. Just humiliate her as much as possible, and then…" Cid made a gesture over his own neck."Whoa!" Victor frowned and promptly threw the check back at Cid. "I've actually heard, but t
Victor calmly poured himself a cup of tea. "Don't worry, Cid. I'll definitely get it done since I've taken payment."He then turned toward the goon and gestured. "Show them in!""Yes, boss." The goon left.Soon, Frank and Helen entered."So, you're… Eh?!" Victor was about to leap into action when he paused.He somehow found Frank's face familiar, but he could not quite remember where he had seen the man before…Seeing that Victor was staring at Frank for a while, Cid frowned and called out to him. "Victor? Hello? What's up? Why are you spacing out?""What? Oh, nothing," Victor murmured.He somehow thought Frank resembled the man whom Emilio Sorano had mentioned that their family was not to mess with under any circumstances.Still, he put aside the questions in his head and turned toward Helen. "To what do I owe the pleasure, chairwoman? You just took charge of Lanecorp, didn't you?"He shook his head and blew at his tea to cool it nonchalantly."Hmph." Helen snorted in tur
Shaking his head, Cid laughed. "You're not from Zamri, are you? Don't you know who you shouldn't mess with in this city? Hell... Do you even know who has Victor's back?""No, I don't," Frank answered bluntly.Cid was stumped by Frank's bluntness but composed himself and sneered. "It's the Soranos of Morhen! Heck I don't mind telling you—his full name is Victor Sorano!""The Soranos?!" Helen's face fell.After all, the Soranos were the most powerful family in Morhen barring the Lionhearts.If Victorget was really supported by the Soranos, Lanecorp's money was as good as lost."Hehe…" Victor was smiling too, seeing the look of panic on Helen's face.Cid pressed his advantage, flexing on Helen and Frank with Victor's influence. "Now, pay fifty million up front for damages, because you've disturbed Victor here… and he just might be merciful. If you don't, hehe…"Helen was a little worried by the unexpected turn of events. "What should we do, Frank? Why don't we just pay up and leav
"F-Frank Lawrence?!"Victor remembered right then.His extended family was holding an online conference, and Emilio had made it especially clear as he showed Victor a photo. "This young man is called Frank Lawrence," Emilio explained, "and he resides in Riverton, not far from Zamri. That's why I'm concerned you might run into him… but remember, the entire family is not to mess with him! If you do, you'll be punished according to family rules!"Victor flinched even as he came to his senses and studied Frank while remembering the photo he saw.There was no mistaking—this was Frank Lawrence!A sheet of sweat trickled down Victor's back right then.Even if he had no idea why Emilio would be so concerned about Frank, the only thing he knew was that messing with Frank meant violating family rules!And when that happened…Victor flinched right then, and then saw Cid still smiling at him and continuing to insult Frank."Motherfucker!" he bellowed as his insides churned.Cid had rea
While Victor was busy confirming Frank's identity outside the door, Cid was cringing in a corner inside Victor's office.He was still staring at Helen in shock. "Y-You and Victor are in this together, aren't you?""Victor?" Helen was puzzled—it was her first time meeting the owner of Victorget, so how was she supposed to conspire with the man?She turned toward Frank, who flashed a smile of wry amusement at Cid. "Well, if he really is a Sorano, then he would have heard of me… And if that's really true, then you're screwed.""What?! Impossible!" Cid rasped, pointing at Helen as he cried, "You're just the head of the Lane family, some moderately rich family from Southstream!"Then, he pointed at Frank. "And you're just some glorified security guard! How could you have connections to the Soranos of Morhen?!"Helen turned to level a quizzical look at Frank too, and he sighed exasperatedly as he explained, "Well, I had beef with the Soranos. When Nash Yego delivered my medicine to one
Her skin and fingers were rotting where the motel manager touched the pendant, as if being corroded by acid at a visible rate. Worst of all, she could not even feel any pain from it!"W-What's going on here?!"Horrified, the motel manager turned and ran.Drunken Moon was ready to give chase, but Frank stopped her. "She's not going to have it easy without her fingers. Let her go."Drunken Moon nodded and pointed at the pendant on the floor. "What the heck is that?"Frank then told her about Reverend Quietus, to which Drunken Room exclaimed, "You meant to say that there are bodies of energy that are basically identical to the paranormal that people speak of?"Frank nodded. "I'm sure it's not just rumors, with the way it remained over a thousand years—things like that do exist. But in the end, it's no different from a spell, and you can handle it if you're strong enough."Drunken Moon smiled. "That only applies to you. I don't know about anyone else, but I really can't deal with th
After she calmed down, the bellgirl took an interest in Frank. "Is he the one who could beat you?"It was the new age—ladies were not shy, and the bellgirl actually liked lookers like him."Hello." Frank greeted her, and she smiled in turn. "Sorry for having to bother you, handsome."She would really have asked for his number if circumstances allowed.That was when footsteps could be heard, and Frank glanced sideways outside as he told Drunken Moon, "Now's your chance for revenge. Don't hold back now.""You don't need to worry about that!" Drunken Moon exclaimed as she flexed her muscles—she was waiting for this moment.The motel manager led several burly men inside, standing at the center proudly like she owned the place. "That's for insulting me, bitch! Go! Show her who she was messing with!"Though the motel manager did not hesitate to send her men after Drunken Moon, Drunken Moon smirked, waiting until the bouncers were about to reach before punching them.Soon, they wer
Frank chuckled. "As for what actually happened to him, I'll get someone to keep tabs and maybe record a video. It shouldn't be difficult."Drunken Moon flashed a thumbs-up at him. "You're really the best when it comes to cruelty. Simply different."They shared a smile, and soon, Jouri's people came to take the white-haired youth away.Later, Frank and Drunken Moon headed to a motel, as the latter received a call from a geezer who said his granddaughter was being harassed and needed help.She had no fear with Frank at her side anyway, so she went.As soon as they entered, they found a twentyish, slightly short bellgirl wiping the tears off her face.Nearby, the motel manager was pointing at her and ranting, spouting plenty of expletives!Drunken Moon naturally would not just sit by. Striding up, she pushed the manager away and snapped furiously, "What's the meaning of this?! There's no reason to go that far even if she messed up!"The manager was equally furious, however, and sn
"The nail that sticks out gets hammered! I'm sure you'd die horribly soon enough!"The white-haired youth's futile efforts at threatening Frank only made him smirk. "What's it to you, even if I or Drunken Moon died? She still won't be interested."The white-haired youth snorted, but soon sighed. "Fine, do it!"Drunken Moon wagged her finger at him. "Why should we make it quick? He's actually right—death is a reward for people like you."That's why I'll treat your leg and sell you as a slave to some third-world country. Trust me, it's not just the ladies who are popular there—they like a pretty boy too."The white-haired youth smirked. "Quit trying to scare me. Do you think that crippling my cultivation would stop me from talking? As long as you don't, I'll find a way to free myself. Let's see what you can do then!"That was when Frank butted in. "Actually, I do have a solution."With just a thought, the white-haired youth's leg was as good as new.As soon as he saw that, the wh
Speed is the one unbreakable law of martial arts, and someone quicker than the naked eye would never lose.To think that the man who seemed to have nothing going for him aside from his looks was this powerful!Frank chuckled and turned to the biker. "You should leave. It's not a pretty sight when blood starts spilling."The biker was quite compliant from the start and turned to run. "Thank you for saving me. May we meet again!"On the other hand, Frank leapt over the railing and dropped to a squat in front of the white-haired youth. "Go on, tell me why you introduced Drunken Moon to someone else."The white-haired youth was taken aback but soon said, "So you're the brat who's not to be underestimated? That's why your fellow martial artists think so highly of you.""I appreciate their flattery, but I'm afraid I might fall short." Frank chuckled coolly. "And you could stop fawning over me and answer my question."The white-haired youth's eyes widened. "Who do you think I am?"Fra
Frank chuckled. "Who do you think? The man who tried to kill you just now.""What?!"The biker was even more shocked, as the Lamborghini was reduced to a marble. Would the driver even survive that?"Ignoramus! I'm not so easily killed!"A figure strode out of the grass nearby, and it was none other than the white-haired youth who drove the Lamborghini!"When did that happen?" the biker exclaimed.He definitely did not see the Lamborghini's doors opening or anyone jumping out when it was crushed into a ball, so how did that man escape?"Go on. Show us how much quicker you can be!" Frank beckoned at the white-haired youth.Perplexed, the white-haired youth asked, "I'm curious. How did you know about my powers?"Frank pointed at his eyes, "Thanks to certain assistance, I've improved my further abilities and can now identify anyone's abilities.""Really? But identifying wouldn't be enough—you gotta be good enough to handle me!"Readying himself as if for a sprint, the white-hair
Seeing Frank chasing her down, the beggar said, "I really can't elaborate. You know about the group already, don't you? Go and deal with them—use your wisdom to see through everything and solve the riddle."And with that, she left without a care.This time, Frank did not stop her—if anything, he had no reason to do so.Her point was simple: there was just so much involved that even she had not the faintest idea. Sighing, Frank called Jouri and told her to search for Sanne Quess and Reverend Quietus."The latter is impressive," he said. "She even sealed the power of the spiritron vein!'"What?!"Jouri was shocked—that was impossible, as the spiritron vein was invincible as far as she was concerned.But a mere reverend subdued it?!"Do you have further details?" she pressed.Frank shook his head. "She can use talismans. That's about all I know about her."Jouri sighed wryly. "Then looking into her will be difficult—I'd focus on Sanne Quess instead. Who is he?"Frank told her
Baldie dropped to his knees with a thud.Not only did Frank possess superior abilities, but he had a functioning moral compass too?He certainly deserved the power of the spiritron vein!Baldie then said, "I guess I should warn you that there are people who keep their hands clean. They would do anything to further their mysterious goals, so you should watch out."Frank chuckled. "Don't worry. I never hold back when I should kill—just listen to the reverend, and leave if there's nothing else, or I might change my mind."At those words, Baldie turned to run without lingering another second. Frank then turned toward the beggar. "Is this what you want?"The beggar nodded, clearly not bothered to hide anything. "To be honest, I've been considering an issue—do all the people who gain superpowers deserve it? The dragon inside you, for example… I can't say that it's anything good."Frank nodded, smiling—she was right about that, as he thought the same himself.After all, it had done
Frank smiled, shaking his head. "No, you misunderstand. What I mean is that she's right. The paranormal, your mystical artifact—it all works using the same principle: You're all just a little stronger than the average martial artist."However, when you're up against the real deal like me, you're relatively weak and easily dealt with."Baldie was left flabbergasted. "No, no, no… That's impossible! We're not the same as martial artists. None of you stand a chance against us!"Frank shook his head. "What you're saying is impossible. Your kind is simply more gifted, while martial artists are less, and that's the only reason you're stronger than most martial artists."Baldie dropped to his knees with a thud, shaking his head repeatedly as there was nothing more that could tear him up inside.He had always believed that even if he was not divine, he was still an envoy among the mortals like the priests and monks in fiction. Naturally, he was convinced that the day would come when he tra