"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
"Fine." Vicky could not say anything against that—she wanted to annul her engagement as well, but it was simply impossible.If she wanted to do it, she needed someone with stronger influence than the Lionhearts… or to groom one with such potential.In the case of the latter, Frank was her best candidate—he had strength and character, and she would not let him run away no matter what it would take.A call came from Yara just then. "Hello, Mr. Lawrence? Where are you right now?""Skywater Bay. What is it?" Frank asked."I've found the person you asked me to find," Yara quickly said. "She's right here in Riverton.""Really? That's great news!" Frank was thrilled—it had taken him years, but he had finally found the only daughter of his mentor, rest his soul!"Where is she now?" he pressed."I'll send the file to you right now," Yara replied.The file soon arrived on Frank's phone, and he scrolled through it.Winter Lawrence was now twenty and studying at Riverton University. Ye
Frank rolled his eyes at Vicky. "What on earth do you keep in your brain?""You." Vicky smiled. Frank was left speechless.They arrived at the small diner that Winter's adoptive mother owned, and a sweet young girl greeted them as soon as they entered."Please sit anywhere you like," she said.Frank studied the girl and saw some resemblance between her and his mentor.Vicky cleared her throat just then, bringing him to his senses.They found a quiet corner, and Frank flipped through the menu before saying, "Bring us some of your specialities.""Alright. Please wait a moment," Winter said, picking up the menus before hurrying off to the kitchen.Frank looked around—though it was a modest diner, there were many customers.It was most definitely lively during rush hour."What do you think, Mr. Lawrence? She fits your description the most," Yara said.Frank nodded. "Probably. She resembles my mentor.""What are you going to do?" Vicky asked. "Tell her who you are? Give her mo
Winter frowned and suddenly swung her arm, slapping away Jackie's hand."Oh, there's the fire!" Jackie smiled despite himself.Still, before he reached out to grab Winter again, Fred rose to his feet and laughed out loud. "Gentleman—don't get upset with my sister. She's young, so she can be feisty.""Who the hell said you could talk? Buzz off!" Jackie bellowed, and shoved him aside. "Stop! Please, Mr. Compton! We'll pay, alright?" Carol really did not want trouble and took another thousand from the desk.However, Jackie had no intention to stop and reached for Winter again, but Fred stood between them once more. "We're giving you the money, man—please stop."Smack!Jackie smacked him across the face, leaving him stunned."Fred!" Winter cried and hurried to his side to help him up.Fred shot her a glare right then. "Stay back."Around them, the diner customers all hurried away, knowing that something bad was about to happen.Fred was about to talk, but one of Jackie's goons
Frank laughed—did Jackie really think he had what it took to claim Yara or Vicky?"They're not mine, though you could try taking them if you feel qualified," he replied.Jackie chuckled.He actually thought for a moment that Frank had something up his sleeve, but he turned out to be just a coward."Haha! Then I'm going to help myself." He chuckled as he strode forward and reached out toward Yara, who was closest to him.However, just as his fingers were about to reach Yara's cheeks, she moved.She was as quick as lightning, grabbing Jackie's wrist with one hand and punching it with her other!Crack!"Argh!!!"Jackie's arm broke audibly, and he let out a blood-curdling scream!He struggled as hard as he could to free himself, but Yara held on to him with a vice-like grip!Having no choice, he turned to his goons right then and barked, "What are you two staring at?! Get her!" The two goons rushed forward without hesitation, bellowing as they did.Frank suddenly appeared bef
Carol then said, "Jackie must have left to bring his men, and he has a lot of them. You're not getting away if he surrounds you.""Calm down, ma'am," Vicky assured her. "He can bring his men, but we can bring ours too—do it, Yara. Let's see who can bring more people to a fight—him or us."Yara nodded and whipped out his phone to call her brother Stan."What…"Fred was left speechless since they clearly were not leaving, even intent on fighting fire with fire against Jackie!On the other hand, Frank's eyes never left Winter.She noticed his stare as well. Even if it was not lecherous like how Jackie stared at her, it still gave her the creeps, and she could not help hiding behind Fred.Nonetheless, Jackie soon returned with a horde of his goons.Crash!They smashed the glass door with baseball bats before charging inside.Over twenty had to stay outside the small diner, leaving it congested.The owners of the other shops around all closed their doors in fear, while Carol stoo