Frank flashed a mischievous grin. "Let's start with 'Oh, darling, I'm scared of the dark… please don't go?'"Helen's lips parted and tried to explain herself in panic. "No, I just think we shouldn't book two rooms. It's expensive and there are plenty of drawbacks…""Hahaha…" Frank chuckled audibly, seeing her embarrassed and girly reaction.And seeing that he was laughing at her, Helen was done explaining herself and pouted as she turned away."Fine, I'll quit pulling your leg now." Frank sat beside her and pulled her into his arms, smiling. "We can stay in a room, but I'm a man of integrity—I'll properly marry you once I really settle down. There's no rush, right?"Helen was touched by the sincerity in his eyes, her lips puckering like an innocent maiden's. "And when would that be?""When indeed…" Even as he held Helen's, Frank's gaze turned distant.To be honest, he had no idea.After all, most people could hardly imagine the challenges he faced—finding his mother's murdere
If this happened again, Frank might really be unable to hold back—it was sheer torment!Helen woke up early too and walked to the window, straightening her hair as she watched Frank run laps downstairs.Her gaze was at once tender, amused, and also disappointed.-Over the next week, Frank was basically staying at Helen's side at all times, ready to deal with possible attacks and reprisals.Still, Lanecorp was easier to manage than expected—the corruption plaguing the company seemed to be cleared in a week, and various operations were up and running.As the leader, Helen naturally gained the admiration of all board members and shareholders.Naturally, it was also thanks to her powerful backer—how could they still stand against her when she could collect a debt from Victorget?Meanwhile, Kallum was still confined in his own office, the very look of dejection but still refusing to concede defeat."Don't worry, Helen!" Cindy exclaimed smugly as she sat beside Helen in her office.
Frank was driving, and when he and Helen arrived, they saw that it was actually a private garden. The venue was basically decorated as if it was for a social ball, complete with a buffet, wine, and classical music. Waiters were weaving in and out of the crowd, serving guests.Naturally, everyone present were representatives of major businesses in Zamri—even if Lanecorp was not particularly weak among them, they were nothing to brag about either.Each guest had a tag on them identifying the groups representing them, and Frank even noticed Victor Sorano from afar."Hmm…? Kallum isn't representing Lanecorp now?" an elderly man carrying a glass of red wine asked as he approached Helen just then, with a woman in her twenties linking arms with him.It was a clear case of sugar daddying—the man was in his sixties.Helen politely greeted him in turn. "Mr. Jameson from Zomber Group, yes? Your reputation precedes you. I'm Helen Lane, the new board chairwoman of Lanecorp…""Oh, you know m
Helen caught Frank and asked jealously, "What were you telling that woman?""What?" Frank did a double take—was she always this jealous?Still, he chuckled after some thought. "She was inviting me to some masquerade ball.""A masquerade ball?!" Helen scowled, certainly aware of what that meant. "So? Did you say yes?""Why don't you take a guess?" Frank chuckled and quickly fled into the manor."Hey!" Helen exclaimed, flustered.Still, she soon calmed down—she knew Frank, and that he would never go near such places.After all, he did not take advantage of her even when she was…Helen flushed, her cheeks burning when she remembered that night."Hmph!" She snorted before hurrying into the manor as well.The manor was filled with people, and everyone was watching one person closely.Naturally, it was none other than Will Zeller.He stood on the stairs in his black suit, holding a microphone in one hand and a document in another."Everyone, please settle down," he said. "Thank
Will quickly said, "Please calm down, everyone. This decision is made by those above. I'm just the head of the department and can't make the decision here—I'm afraid putting your complaints to me is pointless."That was when Will glanced at Frank, and Frank understood immediately.Will wanted to help them, but someone higher up in the pecking order meddled."Drenam Limited? Have you heard of them before?" Frank asked Helen, glancing at the fortyish Mr. Woss who did not look like a business owner at all."No. They might not exist… Even if they did, they can't be a major player," Helen said confidently.After all, she had done her homework—she could list out every company in Zamri that had some extent of influence, and she had definitely never heard of Drenam Limited.And with Helen and Kallum's wager still in effect, they could not allow the land lots to fall into someone else's hands.Frank whipped out his phone and called Trevor Zurich right then. "Yeah, I'd like you to check t
Helen frowned and sighed. "So… we're giving up?"To be honest, she really did not want Kallum to win, but this was an impossible task and she should not push herself."Of course we're not giving up." Frank smiled and nodded at Helen. "I have an idea. Just head back to Lanecorp and wait.""Really?" Helen was skeptical, but since Frank had put it that way, she could only nod and tell Frank not to push his luck.After she drove away, Frank stretched his back. "Alright, now let's go meet the richest man on the East Coast."He left the mansion and took a cab at the main street and told the cabbie, "Grand Coast Hotel."It was the same hotel where he and Helen were staying.-"Hello?" The balding Gene Pearce answered the phone at the living area. He was wearing a bathrobe, and despite being the richest man of the East Coast, he was clearly in bad shape, with his face and lips showing blackness."Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Pearce. There's a young man named Mr. Lawrence who's asking t
After a moment of silence, Frank said, "Discussing it over the phone is a little lacking in sincerity. Why don't we speak face to face?""Sure," Gene answered briskly, despite having to wait for that response.He was thoughtful after hanging up—the man sounded young, but he was very confident."Heh…" He chuckled self-deprecatingly.He had actually contracted the illness for over a year, even though he had kept it a well-guarded secret.At first, he only felt tired and thought his lover was just being cold, but soon felt his body wither.Then, even walking started to become taxing—and now, he could not walk unassisted, as the world would spin around him and his muscles would hurt terribly.Gene had certainly tried all he could, visiting every hospital and consulting every renowned doctor across Draconia.He also tried all kinds of medical equipment and medicine, but nothing worked—none of the doctors could give him a proper diagnosis, let alone help.Though Gene grew increasing
Frank was surprised too.After all, he did not expect to find Rory Thames, the top singer Draconia whom he had a small quarrel with during the opening ceremony of his farm resort, here.Frank could remember that occasion like it was just yesterday, so there was no mistaking it.Rory clearly recognized him, too, and promptly snapped at him, "Who told you to come? Get out!" She swung the door, ready to shut it in his face, but Frank caught it with one hand.He was not interested in Rory, but he was not about to let an opportunity slip through his fingers either.Smiling, he said, "Ms. Thames, I'm here to treat Mr. Pearce's illness. Don't you think it's impolite to chase me away right now?""Treat Mr. Pearce? Really?" Rory snorted but she gave up on shutting the door, seeing that Frank was holding firmly to it.Taking a couple steps back, she folded her arms before her chest as she huffed, "I know that you're Grande Pharma's consultant, but someone like you, giving my darling a h