"The meeting did not last more than five minutes," Trevor reported. "After that, Ms. Lane left the hotel and returned to Lanecorp Tower alone."Frank breathed a sigh of relief. "So when's the exchange?""Around noon.""Understood. Thank you for your good work.""You're always welcomed, sir."After he hung up, Frank rubbed his chin and muttered to himself, "Does Droitner Inc. really have the resources to acquire a Bloodcrane Spiritbloom, or was Huub Droitner just lying?"Despite everything, he still refused to believe that Droitner Inc. could acquire a Bloodcrane Spiritbloom. If it was that common, why would Frank's mentor entrust one to Yosil Darman of Kornac's Keep, who in turn kept it for over twenty years?But if Droitner Inc. did not have a Bloodcrane Spiritbloom, why would Huub give that wooden box to Helen, who then agreed to Horey Lindt's demands?What if Droitner Inc. actually had one, despite the odds being one in a million?It was certainly hard to say, and would Fra
"Tch."The waitress in red rolled her eyes as soon as she heard Madfist's thick accent. "You'd have to pay at least five grand to get in here. Can you afford that?""Yes, yes!"Madfist flashed an earnest smile as he whipped out a debit card from his pocket. "We've made big bucks this year, so we're even going to call up some pretties to join us!"Naturally, the card was from Frank for this job, each containing over a hundred grand."Your turn."Madfist nudged Scarface, who flushed in hesitation for a long time before groaning at Madfist, in the hip. "But Dad, if Mom finds out—""Hush," Madfist snapped, but he was clearly smiling because Scarface called him daddy. "Don't worry—that woman is still at home. She won't know a thing!"The security guards were hiding a chuckle at Madfist's cheerfulness, and Scarface and Madfist were soon given a room.Soon after they entered, Scarface wheeled on Madfist, flushed up to his neck as he bellowed, "Y-You were fucking taking advantage of m
As Scarface finished, he paused for a long while before stammering, "D-Dad.""Good boy."Scarface wheeled on Madfist right then, only to find the geezer lounging on the couch, beaming so broadly that his wrinkles were smoothing out."Tch." Scarface clicked his tongue. "My father was a right bastard, gambling and getting into fights. He even killed my mother and sold me off for money to buy a couple of beers. You'd better not behave the same.""Sure." Madfist nodded cheerfully."Hmph."Scarface snorted but said nothing else.Hence, they both sat in silence until Frank entered and sat on the couch between them."What? Why aren't either of you talking?" he asked, just as the waitress arrived with a fruit platter.She appeared confused to see Frank. "You're…""Oh, you see…"Frank paused before throwing out an excuse. "We're a family of three here to sing.""Huh?"The waitress was left confused as she glanced between Scarface and Madfist, clearly trying to make sense of this fa
"Hey! Don't you see that there are customers here, and you're still chatting instead of greeting them?!"As Gina pounded the front desk forcefully, the waitresses who were busy exchanging the bombshell looked up.However, they shot Gina's looks of annoyance in turn, clearly not interested. "So you want a room? Is that it?""You brat! Is this how you treat your customers?! Where's your manager?! Bring him here!"Gina was at once furious. She was now the mother of Lanecorp's board chairwoman, but some brat working at a karaoke box was giving her an attitude?!Seeing Gina yelling and drawing attention, Helen frowned and strode up, taking her arm and snapping under her breath, "Mom, we're here for Uncle Gavin, and not here to play. Could you not draw so much attention?""Hmph."Gina snorted coolly.Although she agreed with her daughter, she still pursed her lips unhappily. "You can tell right away that the kidnapper isn't someone important, picking a shitty place like this for th
Huub continued, "Judging from that alone, your ex-husband isn't being fair—he just doesn't have standards."Then, turning to smile at Gina, he continued, "Your mother is the mother of a CEO. She naturally shouldn't be treated as an equal with these plain Janes. In fact, you should always be aware too, Helen—don't stoop to the level of these pissants, or you'd cheapen yourself."And with a gentle wave, one of his goons strode up, grabbed the waitress, and slapped her twice.Helen winced as she watched, at once feeling indescribable guilt.At the same time, Huub's goon pushed the waitress down on the floor. "Get down on your knees and apologize!""I'm… sorry…" The waitress' cheek was covered in blood, but she was trembling as she knelt before Gina and apologized humbly.Gina did not appear uncomfortable at all, even grinning gleefully. "See, Helen? Mr. Droitner has class. Frank? Hmph…"She did not elaborate, but she was clearly relishing in catharsis as Huub's goon punished the wa
"Absolutely not!"Gina strode up, snapping unreasonably, "This is a major transaction we're talking about. We're meeting someone there, and it must be Room 10! If you mess this up for us, you will see that even ten karaoke boxes would not be able to cover the loss!"The karaoke box manager did a double take.A major transaction on their premises?But what transaction would have to be carried out in a sordid place like this?!Still, while the karaoke box manager was confused, he was still a seasoned veteran who would not get flustered over the little things.Smiling, he suggested, "In that case, allow me to discuss this matter with the customer in Room 10. Let's see if they're willing to let you have the room.""Good. Go!" Gina snapped, waving him off and leaving Helen exasperated.-Soon, the karaoke box manager was knocking and entering Room 10. "Excuse me…sirs?"Frank's heart skipped a beat when he saw that it was the karaoke box manager who entered this time, reclining aga
There was either no Bloodcrane Spiritbloom inside at all, or the box could contain the scent of the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom—just like the one Frank had."Hello? We're here."Soon, Helen's call was answered, and an obscure woman's voice spoke from the other end.Since Helen had put the call on loudspeaker, Frank could hear clearly enough to tell right away that it was none other than Horey Lindt."I'm watching the cameras," she said right away. "Frank Lawrence isn't here, is he?""Frank?"Helen appeared shocked and frowned as she glanced at Huub and her mother. "Why would you care about Frank? Isn't the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom what you came for?""Heh. Well, he has the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom, so if he's not here, then it's not with you!""Hah!"Hearing how skeptical Horey was, Huub snatched Helen's phone right then and snapped coolly, "Listen closely! I am Huub Droitner, heir to Droitner Inc.! That so-called Bloodcrane Spiritbloom?! I have it too! And I'm now demanding that you f
"Absolutely not!"Huub protested as he caught on. "What if you renege on our deal after we give you our treasure and refuse to free your hostage? We'd just be taken for suckers!""My fight is not with you. I only want the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom!"The voice on the other end snapped impatiently, "At worst, the only person I have a bone to pick with is Frank Lawrence! None of you are my concern, and I won't hurt the hostage if your Bloodcrane Spiritbloom is real as you assured me! He will be freed!"Still, she soon paused and giggled coolly. "And you're in no place to demand anything from me."Huub's expression turned cold at the kidnapper's demands, but she hung up before he could say another word.He returned the phone to Helen and slammed his fist on the table. "Damn it!" he bellowed before turning to Helen. "What do we do now? Are we just going to give up the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom? What if she suddenly changes her mind?""We have no choice now."Helen sighed lengthily, lowe