The customers of Vintagers were immediately drawn by the racket Gina was causing, but Johnny was no slouch, having run the business for years!Knowing that Gina was trying to curry sympathy, he bellowed, "How dare you mess around on my turf! Guards!"The security officers hurried to the scene at his order!Seeing things were getting out of hand, Helen quickly said, "Calm down, Mr. Wicker. We won't ask for a refund, alright?"There was no way three women would win against a dozen burly security guards, not to mention that Gina was already silenced once they arrived."Then put a leash on your mother," Johnny growled icily. "Slander me again and watch what happens."Nearby, Frank was almost laughing out loud.Even if Johnny was definitely a shady businessman, he was still amused seeing Gina suffer.Forty million dollars for a dead herb? She was simply one of a kind!Nonetheless, as Gina wobbled up to her feet, her eyes suddenly landed on Frank, and she ran up to him. "You wanted
There was a blood-red section within the panacea polypore—it was a young bloody polypore that was growing from the inside!Everyone watching around Frank was left in dumbfounded disbelief."What?!""Isn't that a bloody polypore?""It's alive, too…""So that's why the polypore is dying. Its nutrients are being drained from the inside!"Gina was left completely bewildered.She knew nothing about herbology, so she asked Cindy, "What's a bloody polypore?"Cindy's eyes were aflame with jealousy. "It's a parasitic polypore growing within normal polypores. It sucks the polypore outside dry, which is why it's a treasure among polypores."Beside Frank, Kenny's eyes lit up as he stared at the bloody polypore. "My goodness… your eyes are as sharp as they are wise, Mr. Lawrence! You actually spotted a bloody polypore hidden within!"He was dead sure that Frank must have noticed right away, or he would not have spent two million dollars buying a dead herb!Frank smiled. "I was just lucky
Gina snapped, "If I'd known there was a bloody polypore inside, I wouldn't have sold it to you!""That's right!" Cindy echoed. "Give us the bloody polypore. You can have your two million back."Everyone around them was actually shocked.Even Johnny, unscrupulous as he was, did not demand for his sold merchandise to be returned. How despicable could these women be to actually say it out loud?"Haha!" Frank laughed out loud. "Why should I tell you that there's a bloody polypore inside? Who are you to me? The polypore isn't yours the instant you took my money.""That's right, Mom!" Helen reasoned. "It's his once the money changed hands, and both parties were willing. There's no takesies backsies!"She was also feeling humiliated and would rather her mother stopped causing a scene, especially with so many people watching!"You ingrate! How could you take sides against your family?!" Gina snapped at Helen instead, furious that she would rather take Frank's side than hers!"I'm not t
Still clutching her face, Cindy suddenly turned toward Helen. "Just look at him! Just what kind of friends have your ex-husband been making?!"Cindy was clearly trying to blame her, but Helen shrugged nonchalantly. "We're divorced—the friends he makes have nothing to do with me. Also, I'm leaving now since I have something else to do."With that, she strode off, leaving Gina and Cindy behind.She certainly did not want to embarrass herself further!-Frank took the bloody polypore back to Skywater Bay after parting ways with Kenny.He was just about to call Vicky about it when she called him first. "Hey, Frank? Where are you?""Skywater Bay."Vicky was stunned for a moment before demanding, "Skywater Bay? When did you move there?!""When I visited the Quills," Frank replied. "Robert Quill gave me a mansion."Vicky gasped. "Only the richest and most powerful people live there, and Robert gave you one? What, did you get him a wife or something?"Frank was blue with shock. "No,
Frank sliced his steak as he said, "We can switch houses if you like." "No, there are plenty of rooms in your mansion. Just let me stay in one of the guest rooms." Vicky smiled, resting her chin on her hands while winking coquettishly at Frank."If you're not too busy, you could give me a full-body check up. I've been feeling so tired lately…"Frank stayed silent, and Vicky looked up to realize he was staring fixedly in the distance instead of her."What's got your attention now?" Vicky asked, following his gaze to find another person sitting in the spacious restaurant.It was a woman, dressed in a form-fitting T-shirt, a pair of skinny jeans, and a pair of black heels.Her figure was voluptuous and ample and slender where she ought to be.Even Vicky's eyes straightened, actually impressed by the woman's perfect form. "My goodness… Are they really that big? That's a real hourglass figure if I ever see one!"Never one to shy from staring at the good stuff, Frank nodded in agree
"Stop!"Vicky slammed her hand on the table as she sprang to her feet and snapped at Dustin, "Let go of that woman!"Her outburst left everyone stunned, while Dustin slowly turned toward her and growled threateningly, "Buzz off, girlie. This ain't any of your business.""Why not?" Vicky snapped, standing akimbo. "She's my sister-in-law!"Turning toward Frank right then, she said, "Go on, Frankie. They're stealing your girl!""Bleurgh." Frank choked on his drink.What was Vicky's deal, catching heat and then dumping it on him?!Dustin frowned. "I never knew you had a boyfriend, Ms. York…"The woman shot Frank a look. "I don't even know them."Dustin rolled his eyes. Not bothered to waste time on this, he gestured for two of his thug friends to deal with Vicky.As they strode toward her, ready to hit her, Frank warned, "I don't want to get involved with your business, so take your men and leave right now.""That's not up to you, kid!" one of the thugs barked and aimed a punch
For Frank, nothing could be easier than dealing with those thugs!Dustin took off his shades just then and told Bravo, "Mr. Lambert, it's me, Dustin!""Oh, Dustin?" Bravo exclaimed in surprise. "Who did this to you?""That little shit! He's the one!" Dustin pointed at Frank right then, his eyes flashing viciously as he glared at the man. "Come on, boy! Weren't you plenty amazing just now? Why don't you do it again?"However, Bravo did a double take when he turned to look where Dustin was pointing."Isn't he the kid who saved the bossman?" He gulped.Bravo's boss, Kurt Stinson, had almost died at Flora Hall, but Frank had saved him almost effortlessly.Kurt had also told Bravo not to provoke the man…As such, on one hand was Dustin, an occasional drinking buddy, while on the other was Frank, the man who saved his boss's life.Bravo certainly knew who between those two he must never upset!"Shut the fuck up!" he bellowed and punched Dustin squarely in the back of his head!"Oo
"Of course, Mr. Lawrence. Please enjoy yourself—I shan't impose now." Bravo grinned as he led his goons away.Just then, Vicky glanced at the gold card Frank was holding. "So, you're really taking the gold card? Thinking about sharing a bed tonight, perhaps?"Frank waved her off. "What are you talking about? You know he wouldn't have left if I didn't take it.""Tch."Vicky clicked her tongue and pouted. "That reminds me—when did you save Kurt Stinson's life?""It's been a while," Frank replied quietly. "Ran into him and Bravo at Flora Hall and just helped out a little."As Vicky nodded thoughtfully, Noel spoke up just then. "Thank you so much for the save, sir. I'm Noel York—may I have the pleasure of your name?""Frank Lawrence."Frank rubbed his chin as he studied her just then. "Are you perhaps an actress, Ms. York?""Oh! Didn't you just win the best actress award in Draconia?" Vicky exclaimed with a start, recalling a film Noel starred in.Noel smiled and nodded. "Yes, I