Naturally, it was none other than Jet, followed by many Turnbull elders and executives."What do you think you're doing, Jet?!" Vicky snapped furiously, while quickly picking up a veil to cover her face.This was her room—who would ever stay calm if they had their door kicked open?!It was fortunate she was wearing clothes. What if she and Frank were up to some hanky panky instead?!Despite her fury, an old man nearly the age of Vicky's grandfather strode up, barking, "We're here because of that prick!"The man was Tamon Turnbull, brother to Vicky's grandfather and whose branch family was assigned to Jarden.And despite his age, he was full of vigor—and spite for Frank.Both of Tamon's sons strode up too, pointing at Frank and snapping, "How dare you kill Sif Lionheart?! Get down on your knees right now, and come with us to apologize to the Lionhearts!""Exactly! Prepare yourself!"As the other Turnbull elders and executives started yelling at Frank too, Vicky leapt in front o
Seeing that some of the Turnbull blackguards were becoming hesitant, Tamon quickly moved to seize the moral high ground instead."Quit being stubborn, Vicky!" he bellowed. "Our family will fall if we don't surrender Frank Lawrence! I don't mind letting Glen keep his leadership, but I won't forgive Frank! We can't afford to bear the crime of killing a direct heir of the Lionhearts! What are we going to do if Simon Lionheart storms our homes with his martial elites?! We'd all be dead, all because of that scumbag!""No, we aren't that weak," Vickly calmly retorted. "You're human, Granduncle. Quit being an ingrate—you look worse than animals."Then, she whipped out a knife from under her bed, pressing it to her neck. "Frank has saved me and our family repeatedly. If you want to take him, you'd have to do it over my dead body!""Vicky!!!" Tamon was clenching his fists in rage at Vicky's radical retort, especially when she called him less than an animal. "You're beyond saving! Don't you
Having received Tamon's orders, Jet gestured for the blackguards to advance, intent on subduing Frank and Vicky."Stand back!" Vicky snarled viciously as they got closer and whipped out a black handgun from under her bed, bringing it to bear at Jet. "I'll shoot if you take another step!"She then wheeled on Tamon. "Starting with you, geezer!""Are you challenging me?!" Tamon bellowed furiously."Put down your gun!" Quentin snapped as well. "Don't make a bigger mistake than you already did!"On the other hand, Wes was laughing as he strode toward Vicky. "Hah! Kill me if you can. I really doubt you'll shoot!"Bang!Everyone was left staring in shock as Vicky shot Wes squarely in the chest.The man did not even realize he was shot until he looked down and found a hole on his chest. He was bleeding straight from the heart.He collapsed to the floor right then, shock still showing on his face as he died."Are you crazy, Vicky?!"Tamon and Quentin were left gaping—Vicky had real
Fortunately, Jet was prepared—projecting his pure vigor over himself as much as he could, he managed to stop Vicky's bullet.However, it still struck him in the chest, shattering a rib and leaving him collapsing miserably.Tamon finally saw that Vicky was not budging and decided to change tactics.Turning away from Vicky, he wheeled on Frank and bellowed, "Frank Lawrence! You murdered Sif Lionheart, heiress to the main Lionheart family! Are we Turnbulls supposed to bear that cross for you?!""Enough already."Frank finally moved, though only to put a hand on Vicky's gun and shake his head at her.If things continued like this, there would really be no turning back.He understood Vicky's intentions too, but he would still rather she did not go on a killing spree."I didn't murder Sif Lionheart… But I can and am willing to take the blame," he told the Turnbull elders and executives, holding up a hand and stopping Vicky before she could interrupt."Since I'm taking the blame," he
"Please, Glen…" Tamon reasoned. "He murdered Sif Lionheart, an heiress of the Lionhearts! They will come after us! You need to see the big picture here!""The big picture…"Glen paused, but he soon chuckled in disdain and passed Tamon an opened letter. "Why don't you read this letter that the Martial Alliance just delivered?""Please be informed that the mayor of Morhen sends his apologies for misblaming the Turnbull family…"As Tamon kept reading, his face stiffened, and he dropped limply to the floor when he saw the Morhen mayor's personal signature at the bottom, dumbstruck.Quentin quickly asked, "Dad, who's that letter from? What does it say?""I-It's from the mayor…"Tamon gulped. "He found out everything, and the Lionhearts admitted the truth, while putting the blame entirely on Sif… They're saying that Titus killed her to make amends, even delivering her body to the mayoral residence…""Hmph. Stubborn fools." Glen snorted as he took back the letter. "The Lionhearts are
Noticing Walter's gratitude, Frank smiled but shook his head—it was nothing.Still, he felt a pang of guilt toward Silverbell. She would definitely have been made to pay for harboring Walter.On the other hand, the Turnbull elders and executives were quickly expressing their disapproval at Walter for thanking Frank."Walter, it's all thanks to Titus Lionheart that you've returned safely! He killed his own sister in the name of justice and exposed the truth. You would otherwise still be in custody!""Exactly! Why would you thank Frank? If Titus didn't clear this misunderstanding, you wouldn't have made it back to us.""He must have gotten a good word from the mayor.""Tut, tut. It seems that Titus is serious about Vicky and our family. I mean, killing his own sister in the name of justice!" "Probably because Walter is Vicky's father, don't you think?""Oh, such loyal devotion! What a shame, Vicky…""Heh. Unlike a certain someone who's nothing more than some doctor without pr
Walter then continued, "When the Martial Alliance took me, Mr. Lawrence was the one who stepped up. He threatened their chief Lady Silverbell, saying that he would fight them on the spot if she refused to protect me!" "And Lady Silverbell agreed to it, even though it meant braving the wrath of Morhen's mayor. Hell, as she kept me in custody, she told me so much about Mr. Lawrence, and I've come to realize that we're the ones who don't deserve him."Turning and leveling Frank a troubled look, Walter wiped a tear as he asked with a choking voice, "I'm sorry, but can I count on you to take care of Vicky from now on? Is that too much to ask for?""Of course not." Frank smiled, nodding repeatedly."Oh, thank you…" Walter sighed. "Whatever happens now, Frank… You will have a home wherever I may be.""Yeah," Frank nodded, feeling warmth in his heart thanks to Glen and Walter, even though it had recently grown cold toward the Turnbulls."Last but not least…" Walter suddenly added quie
Frank left Turnbull Estate alone the next day.He never told anyone where he was going as he drove alone to a mansion in the outskirts of Morhen.The mansion was modest in size but stood in the middle of a small forest—a quiet and clean environment far removed from the bustling city.Frank's heart calmed considerably just from seeing it, and he stepped through the front door to find a faint tea fragrance wafting from the drawing room.An ancient, familiar voice spoke from the door. "Ah, you're here." "Yeah," Frank replied as he strode in to see his father, the Lord of the Southern Woods, seated primly.He had an antique tea cup beside his fingers, and Frank had picked up its aroma earlier."You should sit." A pretty silhouette appeared out of nowhere with another cup of tea, putting it respectfully on the opposite end where Godwin Lawrence was seated.Frank turned to see that it was none other than Silverbell, and he wanted to thank her for protecting Walter Turnbull but could