"B-But even if Grandfather wouldn't listen, you didn't have to go that far. He's your husband, and…"Jon trailed off feebly as fear seized him.If Yora could go that far, it made sense that she could eliminate him for her own ends.And to no surprise, Yora narrowed her eyes dangerously at him as she snorted. "Hmph. I guess I can make it simple for you—go back to Laneville and take your place as the new head of the Lane family… Or I'd just have to pick someone else."Jon gulped, as his worst fear had come true.If he refused Yora, he would not fare any better than his grandfather.What choice did he have if he wanted to stay alive?Hence, after some thought, Jon quietly nodded.However, his face was ashen, and he certainly did not appear pleased or thrilled to become the new head of the Lane family."Very good."Yora clapped him on the shoulder with a smile. "Though you might be head of the family in name only, you stand to gain much. Just stick to being a figurehead—don't wor
Fleur's vitals finally stabilized after the doctors operated on her, but things did not look well despite her survival.Jon quickly stopped one of the doctors after the surgery and asked, "Is she going to be alright?"The doctor sighed. "Her condition is terrible, Mr. Lane. Most of her organs are failing given her old age, and…""And what?!"Jon was very irritable just then.Yora suddenly appointed him head of the Lane family and then left Fleur in his care.It certainly went without saying that this was a test assigned by the matriarch, and Jon would be punished if Fleur died under his care.The doctor continued just then, "It seems that the patient has been routinely consuming a certain substance. While it improves her health for periods of time, it's also highly addictive and accumulates in the body over time, building up toxicity."After a moment of hesitation, the doctor shook his head. "I'm sorry, Mr. Lane, but there's really nothing we can do here.""What?!" Jon bellowe
While Jon was really not bothered by the details, something occurred to him and he asked gingerly, "By the way, how much is the medicine?""How much…?The elderly woman suddenly breathed a grating laugh that Jon had to hold his handset away from his ear.And when she was done laughing, the elderly woman rasped, "It's a favor to an old friend. Money can wait."And with that, she hung up."Huh…"Jon shook his head exasperatedly as he put away his phone. "That's just freaky…"After he sighed and opened the staircase door, he found a familiar face leaning against the wall and smiling at him."Y-You're… Frank Lawrence?!"Jon was shocked his voice quivered."Hehe. Long time no see, Jon…"Frank strode over, clapping him on the shoulder, but suddenly narrowing his eyes. "Or is it Master Lane now?"Hearing Frank say 'Master Lane' almost left Jon with a heart attack, and he promptly flashed an apologetic smile. "What are you saying, Mr. Lawrence? I have no intention to take over as f
Knowing that he just had to wait for Borc to run straight into him, Frank quickly drove to Black Mist Bar down at Hale Lane.The place was exceedingly lively despite it being noon, the bustling crowds giving Frank the perfect cover.He just had two drinks by the bar when he sensed a familiar presence approaching.Naturally, it was none other than Borc, who was at once wary and annoyed.He had already been told of his father's death and felt both immense hatred and terror toward Frank.He wanted to leave town right away, only for Baba Yaga to assign him another task—to deliver Fleur Lang's Mildron Balm.Borc almost snapped right then but he had no choice but to carry out his superior's orders, or things would end terribly for him.Arriving at the appointed location as Baba Yaga had told him to, he immediately found the figure by the bar, wearing that silver suit with his back to him.Borc did not hesitate to head over to the bar. There's plenty of people watching, and all he wan
"Lake Cove, huh?"Frank nodded in disappointment, but it made sense that a secret outfit like Corpsedale would maintain secret between hierarchies.If anything, it was amazing that a pawn had a general idea of where his boss was."Go on, make it quick!"Borc clenched his teeth just then, clearly ready to die."Oh, hahaha…" Frank suddenly laughed. "But I wasn't going to. There's someone else who's really interested in meeting you."And as Borc looked on in shock, Frank struck him on the back of his head with the side of his palm, knocking him out.Then, after feeding Borc a latent poison pill, he called for members of Lanecorp's health and safety department. He instructed them to take Borc to Jade Zahn, so she could have her revenge against her daughter's killer.After dealing with Borc, Frank threw Jon's suit in a garbage can and called Helen. "Prepare a share transfer agreement.""A share transfer agreement…?"Helen was exceedingly surprised—she was being forced to leave Lan
Frank explained, "Once you have the share transfer agreement printed, go straight to Zamri Hospital. I'll have Fleur Lang transfer all the shares she owns—that way, Lanecorp's majority shareholder will be Helen, and even Yora Yimmel would have no right to demand her departure.""Eh?"Gina did a double take but was soon delighted.She really thought for a moment that her daughter would have to step down from Lanecorp's board chair, and that they had to return to humble little Riverton.They certainly did not expect that they would have a way out in Fleur… To think that Frank could produce such a splendid idea so soon!However, Helen quickly snuffed out Gina's delight. "Don't celebrate just yet, Mom," she told Gina and turned to Frank. "I don't think Madam Lang would happily hand her shares over to me." "Right…" Gina flinched in realization—asking that hag for something like that was a pipe dream, no?"Don't worry. I have an idea," Frank said confidently."Are you going to…
Frank was already waiting at the entrance of Zamri Hospital by the time Helen and Gina arrived.Seeing them, Frank nodded and did not waste his breath explaining. "Come with me."Gina remained skeptical despite his confident expression and asked as she followed, "Are you sure Fleur would sign over her shares to Helen? We've talked about it on the way here, but we had to agree Fleur wants Helen gone at all costs. Why would she give up anything to Helen?""That's right, Frank. It's just…" Helen trailed off, eventually sighing after holding her breath for a while. "Unthinkable.""It's fine."Frank grinned as he produced two bottles of pills from his pocket, waving it at them. "Right now, Fleur needs these two bottles of pills just to stay alive. She would definitely cave."Helen gaped. "You're using those pills… to blackmail her?""Why'd you have to word it so harshly?"Frank chuckled. "No, she's going to buy these pills from me… Although it's entirely up to me to decide what I'm
After all, Helen and Frank were undoubtedly the two people Fleur did not want to see at this very moment.However, Frank did not seem to care, walking up to pick an apple from the bedside table and biting a chunk as he chuckled. "Hehe… I know what you're waiting for, Fleur Lang."Fleur could not say a word aside from glaring at him, as if it might kill him—it was a pity for her that she did not have such power.Unperturbed, Frank continued, "You sent Jon Lane to get your pills, didn't you?"Fleur's whole body flinched, clearly giving her away right then.Frank sat on the edge of her bed in turn, smiling. "In that case, I will be frank—the pills Jon was supposed to fetch are beyond your reach… because I've killed the courier."Beep! Beep! Beep!Every piece of machinery began to beep all at once, indicating Fleur's agitation and rage."But…"That was when Frank's tone changed, and he produced two pill bottles out of his pocket, waving them in front of Fleur. "They're right here.