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
"It really is a coincidence." Frank sighed earnestly."Let's pick up where we left off, Mr. Lawrence. What would you like as your reward?" Gene asked.He was certainly not worried that Frank would try to con him—he was worried about some unusual requests.It was known that specialists could be eccentric, asking for things that money could not buy.And if it was just money, Gene had plenty, or he would not have Draconia's top songstress as a partner."Alright, then I'll be frank." Frank smiled. "Earlier today, my wife and I made a bid for several land lots in South Zamri, but someone beat us to it.""Hmm?" Gene murmured, and quickly realized that Frank wanted those land lots and chuckled, "Oh, it's no big deal. I'll ask Zorn Woss right now and see if he left the bid yet. If he is, I'll tell him to handle the paperwork—you can have all the land lots, Mr. Lawrence.""What?!" Rory Thames snapped right then, folding her arms before her chest and frowning. "We spent a fortune buying t
"Well…"Frank murmured awkwardly, shooting a glance at Rory as she stood in the distance."Hmm…?"Gene quickly caught his meaning and waved Rory off for her to leave.A hint of annoyance showed on Rory's face for an instant, and she was staring thoughtfully at Frank even as she headed into her bedroom.With her gone, Gene asked, "Alright, you can speak freely now, Mr. Lawrence. Does my illness have something to do with Rory?"Frank nodded slightly. "Actually, I need you to stay calm and listen to what I have to say to you now, Mr. Pearce.""Tell me." Gene's mood dampened even as he saw the scowl on Frank's face."Someone is growing Chestbursters inside you… Actually, there are three of them, each half a meter long. Once they mature, they will tear a hole out of your ribcage."Gene's face fell even though Frank had warned him to stay calm.He started panicking even though he almost could not, and he seemed to see the worms squirming around even as glanced at his abdomen.Stil
Gene had his hunches before, but all his doubts were erased thanks to Frank's hint as he realized who the culprit was.He had no heirs, so he wrote a will early on, stating that both Zorn and Rory would jointly inherit his estate."Rory Thames… Zorn Woss…" Gene's face contorted in rage even as he clenched his fist.He already had the feeling that Zorn and Rory were more than 'close', and if anything, they should be hostile against each other over his estate if he died.Weirdly however, they were even more friendly than before, showing no signs of discord.Gene thought that they were trying to keep things peaceful for his sake before his death, but now the whole thing was simply suspicious.He certainly did not want to admit it, but he was now dead sure that those two were working together to kill him for his money!Frank could see various expressions alternating over Gene's face, and he could see that the man had realized who the culprit was.He certainly did not need to say an
Zorn then pulled Rory toward himself, grinning. "No one would ever come between the two of us.""But… I'm worried." Rory frowned, glancing at the direction where Frank and Gene were. "Noel York worships Frank Lawrence. He's not much of a looker, but I've been to his farm resort in Riverton. It's really as amazing, and—""That's enough!"Zorn's expression became stern, but he assured her, "Since you hate him that much, I'll just have to come up with a subtle plan to get rid of him. I'm Birthright rank, y'know—dealing with some brat couldn't be easier!"Rory beamed right then. "Alright, you promised!""Hehe, of course." Zorn smiled. "As long as it makes you happy, I'd brave hell and high water—""Ahem!" Frank suddenly cleared his throat resoundingly."Huh?!" Zorn promptly turned in Frank's direction, at once wary.However, there was a wall between them, and Frank should be busy treating Gene, so Zorn was convinced that Frank could not hear him whispering with Rory.In reality