"Stop."Even as Til was about to escort Vicky and the others away, Rob and his men intercepted them.Vicky scowled even as she stared at the barrels aimed at them from every direction. "Are you really so bent on becoming the next head of the Turnbull family right now?! You'd rather believe the slander someone outside your family tells you and kill your own father for it?!""Save your breath."Rob met Glen and Vicky's glare without flinching, even declaring proudly, "Everything I do is for the sake of this family's future! As the head of the Turnbull family, I will integrate the branch families with the main family, and only then do we have a chance to get out of this mess! You're old now, Dad—time to give it up!""Rob…"Glen murmured feebly even as Vicky kept him on his feet. "Do you really think Jan Lionheart is sincerely helping you and our family? Hasn't it crossed your mind that he would turn on us once you unified the family, using you as his puppet to indirectly control our
But what came after that?Jan's little display of power in ballroom three had certainly left Til terrified.The man did not even flinch as dozens of martial artists attacked him, instead going on to massacre them, bathing the ballroom in blood.No one could even reach that man, while Til watched as everything unfolded, his morale completely crushed by his fear of the man's power.After all, Jan had reached a pinnacle in strength Til could not even hope to reach in life, and worse of all was that black lion conjured with pure vigor.It blocked out the sky and incinerated the ballroom in an instant.Your average martial artist simply could not hope to reach that level. Til already regretted listening to Frank earlier and fleeing with Glen, Vicky, and the rest.This was the last chance he was given, and he gave in to his fear after a brief silence.He quietly backed away, pulling Kiki along and letting Rob take Glen, Vicky, and the other Turnbulls.Seeing that, Kiki finally showe
However, Rob heard Vicky too."Come back for you? Frank Lawrence?"He sneered, heartlessly crushing Vicky and the others' fantasies. "Jan isn't just the best soldier in Draconia—he's the best across Draconia! He alone suppressed the northern savages, and that makes him no different from the Lord of the Southern Woods to an extent. He could handle those maggot martial artists by himself, and that manwhore you're pinning your hopes on is no match for him."Rob felt smug even as Vicky and Glen turned pale, though he was also feeling curious about what was taking Jan so long.Still, he had his orders and he knew this could not drag on—he had to seal the deal before the Turnbull branch families caught on.Hence, he ordered his men to escort Glen and Vicky to the biggest ballroom in Turnbull Estate.Naturally, his men already had the place under control—hundreds of soldiers were congesting the ballroom and around it. Every Turnbull executive and the branch families who were here were a
Shrugging, Rob said, "Frank Lawrence… died in the fight against the South Sea Crow."The members of the Turnbull family, however, appeared suspicious toward his noncommittal response. Some even saw through him right then and were quietly considering how to make their exit."Ahem…"Rob cleared his throat to draw everyone's attention back to him, and smiled, "Since I've accomplished the feat of slaying the South Sea Crow, while my father suffered quite the shock, we've agreed that I will take over as the head of the Turnbull family. Right, Father?"All Glen felt was a bitterness in his throat as he looked at the threatening smile Rob shot at him and turned toward the members of the Turnbull branch families.They were all waiting for his answer, just as Glen came to realize what Rob meant earlier when he mentioned a bloodbath.If he refused Rob, the soldiers waiting outside would charge in with their guns and massacre everyone in this ballroom, leaving none alive.After that, he wo
"I have three announcements to make."Rob held up three fingers as he looked around at the members of the Turnbull branch families and spoke coolly, "The first: Turnbull businesses will no longer impose a embargo against the Lionhearts, and the Lionhearts must be given a thirty percent rebate in any trade deal.""What?!"All the members of the Turnbull branch families turned pale in shock.They were the top in Draconia in business, and they used to offer the Lionhearts the best rebates they could. It was only because the Lionhearts repeatedly tried to usurp or bring down their family that Glen imposed the embargo and ceased any partnership or trade with them.While the Turnbulls suffered losses over that, it was acceptable especially in contrast to the massive losses the Lionhearts had to deal with.But now, Rob was demanding the restoration of trade relations with the Lionheart as soon as he became head of the Turnbull family, even giving them thirty percent rebates for everythi
In all likelihood, Rob would not even waste his breath with them.Seeing that no one present dared to protest, Rob nodded in satisfaction and held up two fingers. "As for the second announcement, I am hereby rescinding all the privileges of the branch families.""What?!"The outrageous demand left all the members of the Turnbull branch families dumbfounded.Even Glen was staring at his own son, flabbergasted.After all, Glen's own effort to reintegrate the branch families adhered to tradition, as he was slowly purchasing branch families shares or assimilating their shares through various agreements.It was the method any business folk would apply, drawing the branch families back to the main family.Rob's demand to rescind their privileges was ridiculous in contrast.The Turnbull branch families had worked for decades—even generations—to establish their businesses and enterprises, but all of that would be given to Rob just because he demanded it?!Even frauds would not go that
"Well said!""That's the missy for you!""I've always thought highly of her since she was a kid. Such spirit!"Everyone was clapping excitedly at Vicky's determined outburst.And with her taking the lead, the members of the Turnbull branch families were on their feet, all of them protesting against Rob Turnbull's despotic demands.But even as Rob's scowl turned even more obvious, Glen felt a foreboding sensation."Hahaha… I see, I see!"Even as everyone criticized him, Rob, who had been restraining himself for a while, reared his head and laughed loudly and insolently.When he looked down at the members of the Turnbull branch families and ultimately Vicky, his eyes flashed with spite and murderous intent.He suddenly leapt toward Vicky, grabbing her and slamming her on the table, while whipping out the handgun from his hip holster and pressed it against her head."Like I said… this witch brainwashed the entire Turnbull family!" he bellowed resoundingly, leaving the entire bal
"Hmph."Frank strode in, looked around, and quickly saw that the ballroom was filled with fully-armed soldiers.He could certainly see right then that Rob was threatening them into submission."Darling!"Vicky's face lit up in delight when she saw that Frank had arrived—he really did not disappoint her!He nodded at her before turning to level an icy glare at Rob. "You have one chance to leave with your men, and kneel in apology while you await your punishment.""Kneel in apology?!"Rob tilted his head, thinking that he was hearing things, before bursting out in laughter. "Did you take your meds, Frank Lawrence? Did you really think you could order me around just because you escaped my brother, General Jan Lionheart?! Once he catches up, you wouldn't even know what hit you!"The Turnbulls all turned worriedly toward Frank at Rob's outburst, since it was only then that Rob mentioned General Jan Lionheart."General Jan Lionheart… as in the general stationed at northern Draconia?