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
Storming Sorano Estate and forcing them to apologize? Even children would not believe such a fantasy!"We'll see!" Cid smiled darkly at Frank.Frank snorted in turn—he could not stop Cid if he was so bent on being suicidal, just as he was not obliged to stop him.Soon, Victor returned with a tray of tea and put it down respectfully on his own desk.However, before he could pour it, Cid scrambled toward him and pointed at Frank accusingly. "V-Victor, that brat just insulted your family! You have to do something about him!""Really?" Victor looked up and asked quietly, "And what did he say?""He said…"Cid appeared utterly gleeful even as he gulped. "He said he had beef with the Soranos, and stormed Sorano Estate in Morhen, hurting Willy Sorano and forcing the main family to apologize.""Hah!" Cid spat dramatically with feigned outrage. "He doesn't even look at himself before claiming such bullshit. The way I see it, he's really asking for it… So don't hold back…"However, h
"Hehe…"Victor was all smiles as he approached Frank, passing him his cup of tea and asking tentatively, "Mr. Lawrence, I've just spoken to Uncle Emilio himself, and he sends his best regards.""I see." Frank nodded—he was certainly not afraid of Victor messing around, even drinking the tea right away and nodding. "This is good tea.""Hehe… If you like it, I can have it delivered to you, Mr. Lawrence.""That's unnecessary." Frank refused, stretched his back, and turned to Helen. "Let's discuss what you owe Lanecorp. If I recall, it's 200 million dollars in investment funds, and regarding the interest…""Oh, don't worry about it." Victor smiled, stopping Frank from counting—he was plenty shrewd enough to understand. "Just take 300 million dollars from me, with 100 million as interest. Consider it a well wisher's gift to Lanecorp. Will that do?""Yeah." Frank nodded.Helen, however, frowned uncomfortably. "That's inappropriate. The debt has aged for a while, but it shouldn't be