"That's enough now," Dan Zimmer called out just then, stopping the exchange..At the same time, the chief of Flora Hall shot the ashen-faced Bill a vicious glare. "Let's save the catching up for later. We should continue the ceremony for now."With that, the rowdy hall quieted down, and everyone watched as Frank walked onstage and sat down beside the other bigwigs."Hehe." He chuckled and winked at Winter.On the verge of tears earlier, she was hiding a smile under her palm—her dear brother never lied, and the bigwigs were here at his invitation!She earnestly felt blissful to see the surprise that Frank prepared for her!On the other hand, Bill was murmuring to himself, "H-How is this possible? How…"He was deathly pale even as he collapsed limply on his chair, staring blankly at Frank as he chatted with the other bigwigs around him.Around him, the convocation ceremony remained lively—Winter was especially brimming with confidence as she went on stage to give her speech.Thr
"Hah! So what? He wouldn't compare to Professor Lawrence's hair!""Now, now. That'd be an insult to Professor Lawrence's hair.""What? You have Professor Lawrence's hair? How much? I'm buying!"The barenaked mockery and contempt from fellow students left Bill hanging his head and gritting his teeth so hard that they could break."Fuck…" he cursed under his breath.Winter was right behind him, watching him as he was humiliated from start to finish.Forget wooing Winter—Bill was now a social pariah, his reputation thoroughly smeared.If news of this reached his father in Zamri, he would not just be scolded, but his father would definitely be giving him a major spanking while cutting him off too. After all, it was inevitable that his father's reputation would be ruined too, and anyone would be laughing at his father's face because of him!"Frank Lawrence… Winter Lawrence… Jean Zims… Just you wait! I'll get you back for this—"Smack!Even as Bill kept his head lowered while schem
After Bill stormed out of the convocation hall, the ceremony was as somber as it was silent—one could even hear a pin drop just then."Urgh… Such stubbornness. What a waste of his father's effort." Dan sighed inwardly as he watched.Bill had talent and he had been willing to take him in as a student. In fact, Dan did what he did so as to nurture Bill's mentality so that he truly learned humility and honesty.Naturally, he also intended to show Frank his stance on the matter, and who knew if Frank might even let Bill's transgression slide and give a couple of pointers.The brat, however, did not accept any of it, even storming out right then and leaving Dan disappointed.Dan had come around too. "He left, and so be it. No disappointments there—he clearly has a warped mind despite his talents."What Dan did not know, however, was that Bill's father had given him clear orders to get his Riverton University graduation certificate.After all, there was no reason Bill would want to re
Winter obviously had more to say, but she had no choice but to leave the stage.After her, even as Jean accepted her certificate, she asked under her breath, "Mr. Lawrence, tell me—what do you think of Winter?""Winter?" Frank smiled with aplomb. "She's a little sister whom my mentor entrusted into my care for life.""Ah, I get it now."Jean nodded, bowing at Frank before leaving the stage with her certificate.Frank watched as she left, thinking that she was clearly more mature than her peers.-There was an aftershow after the convocation ceremony, with Noel taking the stage to sing for the crowd.She was certainly a top star, leaving everyone mesmerized with her song even though her speciality was acting.After she left the stage, a surprising face showed up."Hey, Master Lawrence! I passed the entrance exams for Riverton University! Didn't expect that, did you?"Kat Yego had her silver wig on and was dressed fancily as usual, winking at Frank as she performed with her ba
"Better than you?"Jean raised her brow and laughed out loud. "You're really funny, Mr. Lawrence—you're even more of a gaslighter than those business owners. You make it sound nice, but how many people are there in this world who are really better than you?""Ahem. I'd say… there are way too many." Frank rubbed his nose. "You really know how to flatter a man, Jean, but I'm just a man who married into his wife's family and was then chased away.""Fine, no more joking around." Jean's expression turned solemn as she stared fixedly at him. "I've probed Winter enough to see that she's serious about you. But if you care about Winter, you shouldn't have shown up today or flaunted yourself so much. Now that you've done it, you have to take responsibility—do you understand that, Mr. Lawrence?"Frank was left embarrassed, however.Winter was so much younger, and his mentor entrusted her to his care.If he got any funny ideas, his mentor would definitely give him a thorough beating when it
"Don't worry about me, Frank! Just go!" Winter cried out, even as she struggled against Bill's grip, a nice girl to the last.She was certainly convinced Frank stood no chance against the fiftyish menacing looking goons!"Hah!" Bill snorted in turn. "It's your fault for humiliating me, but don't worry—once I'm done with you, I'll give your sister a proper loving."Pulling Winter by the hair, he brushed his nose against her cheek and inhaled deeply, before moaning, "Oh, Draconian women. They just smell so sweet, don't they? Tut, tut… Your sister is just so amazing! Hahaha!"Even as Bill laughed, Winter's tears gushed from the pain on her scalp, but she kept struggling anyway."Run, Frank!" she cried. "I'm so sorry… I shouldn't have asked you to come…"Frank merely stood his ground, closing his eyes and exhaling lengthily.When he opened his eyes again, his gaze was ice-cold. "You have one chance, Bill Jackson. Get your stinking paws off her, or die!"Freezing death aura unfurl
Whoosh!Frank swung the machete downward but stopped sharply just in front of the goon's face.The goon was immediately terrified and wet himself right then."Get out!" Frank then bellowed, looking around—he only stopped because there were plenty of students around, and he would traumatize them if he went on a killing spree.And having seen what happened, the goons understood that Frank could fight and could even be a martial artist.Small fries like them would never pose a threat to him and would only get crippled for life.With that in mind, every hired goon began to flee, not bothered by Bill screaming at the top of his lungs, "Stop, you pricks! I didn't pay you to be cowards! Get him!"He even caught one of the fleeing goons, clenching on his sleeve and refusing to let him run.The goon was left staring as Frank started toward him and glowered viciously."I can't beat him, but I can beat you!" he bellowed and swung his machete at Bill, leaving a bloody gash.Bill screamed
"Frank…"Winter suddenly wobbled to Frank, leaning against him and clenching on his arm as she panted and pleaded, "C-Calm down, Frank… You will get into trouble… if you kill him—"Even before she could finish, her eyes closed, and she dropped to the floor, unconscious."Winter!"Seeing Winter fainting, Frank certainly had no time for Bill—throwing him aside, he picked up Winter and closed his eyes to feel her.Soon, he felt the fire flaring up inside her body and was at first puzzled. Still, he soon remembered Bill forcing her to drink that wine, which must have been drugged with something that excited the body."You bastard!" Frank could certainly tell what Bill was up to and was at once incensed. But with so many eyes watching, he could not cure Winter on the spot and was forced to spare Bill's life.Still, even as he carried Winter out of the hall, he stomped Bill in the groin.Bill screamed deafeningly like a gutted pig and bled profusely into his pants. Either way,