"Now, now. Watch your words now, Clarity," the leader said quietly. "Ms. Lionheart is an heiress of direct lineage. You will suffer reprisals for your impudent words if the Lionhearts hear what you said."To his surprise, Clarity seemed not to care at all."Heh…" She scoffed, waving him off exasperatedly. "That's enough from you. I'm in a good mood, so I won't hold your intrusion against you just yet. However, I like this man, and I've decided no one gets to lay a finger on him as long as he's on Waver Street. Now get out.""What?"The leader was hesitant, clearly fearing Clarity.Why else would he and his men be trading glances, clearly hesitant about their next move?"Hah!"One of the goons—a peak Birthright rank— trode up, pointing at Clarity as he snapped, "You're Talnamese, so don't push it! We will have Frank Lawrence, and no one says no to the Lionhearts!""Exactly! If you want to stay on Waver Street, move aside! Stay out of Lionheart business!""We will have Frank Law
Clarity then slid a note to Frank, and the little piece of paper carried her distinct perfume too. "Here's the address," she said. "Go there and see for yourself, though it depends on your ability whether you find what you need.""Why are you helping me?" Frank asked, glaring coldly and skeptical that she had really taken a liking to him."Oh, why won't you believe me? I've been in love with you for the longest time," Clarity giggled bewitchingly. "Naturally, I might have favors to ask in the future… So you can consider this my investment, Mr. Lawrence. Think of it as just owing me one."Frank stayed silent for a while before asking flatly in return, "Are you so sure I'll return the favor?""Hehe. You're a man of your word, handsome. I know that better than anyone.""Hmm. In that case…" Frank picked up the glass of wine and chugged it. "I'll owe you a favor and return it some other day!"Clarity watched as he turned to leave, giggling. "Hehe… What a nice man. Be careful, Vick
Frank snapped at the Turnbull blackguards coolly, "You were sent here, so you should be doing the Turnbulls' bidding as told. I don't care what prejudice you hold against me, but my plan is the best in this situation. So unless you have a better plan, shut up and do as you're told!"While Frank's attitude drew much shouts of disapproval from the Turnbull blackguards, Jet was holding his gaze and said firmly, "I believe Mr. Lawrence's plan makes sense in this situation. We have the numbers, and splitting up makes searching easier.""But…""No buts," Jet snapped, his brow easing as he said quietly, "This address is close from here. The sooner we secure evidence, the sooner we'll be able to assist Mr. Lawrence."Turning to level an impassive stare at Frank, he asked, "Right?""Right." Frank nodded."Good. Let's move!" Jet waved, and all the Turnbull blackguards hurried to the address Frank provided. Frank himself hurried to Jundo Showtown.-Meanwhile, Vicky had arrived outside
"Let her go." Sif waved, gesturing for the bodyguards to release Vicky.However, the advantage was all too clear, and Vicky would not resist unless she was stupid.And just as Sif had expected, Vicky did not push her luck and stared at Sif fixedly instead."Don't give me that look now, Vicky." Sif smiled in amusement. "I'm just repaying the humiliation I suffered at the hands of your family.""Humiliation? What humiliation could you be talking about?" Vicky laughed coolly. "If I recall, aside from keeping you confined, we offered you the best hospitality and saw to your every need.""Exactly! You confined me, and that's an insult to me and the Lionhearts!" Sif bellowed, though her expression quickly eased. "Things shouldn't have gone this way, Vicky. You should've become my sister-in-law… We really had a good chance of becoming family.""Forget it." Vicky snorted. "Titus is a wolf in sheep's clothing, conspiring to have my whole family killed. Do you think I'm as stupid as you ar
Sif was clearly determined to humiliate Vicky. Even though Vicky did not move, she remained nonchalant. "It's fine if you don't do it yourself. I have all the time I need… but I wonder how many rounds of torture would your father survive?"Then, turning to one of her bodyguards, she asked, "Jimmy, is it true what they say, that the Martial Alliance are really good when it comes to torture? Tearing off the nails is apparently basic… They'd pour wine down eye sockets and flay their victims… Oh, the horror!""Yes, Ms. Lionheart." Jimmy smiled. "With all the martial artists they have, they can make sure that the subject would keep breathing as long as they want. Talk about letting her father die by a thousand cuts—""Stop!" Vicky cried, overwhelmed.She could still see her father's kind smile in her mind, and she knew her father—he was never a pervert, and he had definitely been set up.And she certainly knew who did it too, but she just did not have proof.Even if she hated Sif to t
It was especially the case for the men. Intoxicated by alcohol, they were all leering at Vicky's stunning figure, lust and libido flaring all over their faces beneath the mask.Nonetheless, Vicky suddenly snapped at Sif, "Since you're not interested in being reasonable, I'm not going to play along!"With that, she vaulted agilely, leaping into the crowd to flee.Though her cultivation was crippled due to poisoning before, Frank's pill had helped restore her strength as a martial artist. And while her strength was nothing to brag about, she had the element of surprise.It was why she made herself look weak ever since she arrived—knowing that she was never getting anything out of Sif, she prepared herself to escape at a moment's notice."What?!" Sif slowly rose from the couch when Vicky suddenly leapt away. However, while she was surprised by Vicky's move, she remained calm, even gloating, "Did you really think you could get away, Vicky?"And to no surprise, the Lionheart bod
Sif clapped her hand on Vicky's shoulder, giggling. "Don't worry. I'm not going to let you die… You'll just be suffering a lot."Vicky's eyes widened, as terror gripped her for the first time.Even with all her pride, charm, and elegance, this was the first time she had ever felt so helpless and so terrified that it hurt."No… Stop…" she murmured in panic."Still not taking them off? Let me help!" Sif bellowed right then, gesturing for her bodyguards to hold Vicky down by her arms.Then, whipping out her switchblade, Sif sliced through her jacket, revealing the fair skin and white underwear underneath."Oh?" Sif exclaimed in surprise. "I'm shocked, Vicky… You're so bold and despicable on the surface, but you're such a demure maiden underneath! Hell, you'd put a high school girl to shame with those underwear… Don't tell me that you're still a virgin?!"Vicky gritted her teeth but said nothing, while Sif laughed in disbelief as if finding treasure.Looking at the masked figures a
Thud.Overwhelmed by sheer agony, Vicky collapsed limply on the floor.Sif snorted. "Ah, what a delicate maiden, collapsing even before I'm done. You're not even going to last days, but that's fine. I just wanted to see you crumble in regret."Dropping her blood-stained knife, she gestured at her bodyguards. "Go. Hang her on the stage—I'm going to pick the first lucky guest soon.""Yes, ma'am!"Two of Sif's bodyguards picked Vicky up and dragged her to the stage illuminated with myriad colored bubbles, hanging her up by her wrists."Wake her up," Sif added, reclining against her couch and lighting herself a cigarette, crossing her legs as she enjoyed the show.Splash!A bodyguard splashed a bucket of water over Vicky, jolting her awake.Sif spread her arms right then. "Oh, Vicky… Where's your pride now? You look so much like a pathetic wet hen now. I could really laugh."Then, pointing at the crowd below the stage, she said, "You see these people? These are all your guests fo