"Sign this to finalize your divorce if you have no further questions," the woman in a flowery dress said as she pushed a sheet of paper toward Frank Lawrence.They were seated at Lane Manor, and Frank's sharp brows furrowed as he stared at the divorce agreement before turning to the woman who was his mother in law, Gina Zonda. "What's this?"Gina folded her arms across her chest and said flatly, "Lane Holdings has just gone public—that means the gap between you and Helen are growing ever further apart. Since you're no help to her in her career, all you would do is tie her down, and it's therefore ideal for you to divorce her sooner."Frank smiled bitterly. "Is this what Helen thinks, or is that what you think?"Gina glowered. "This is what every member of my family thinks. Henry may have arranged this marriage between you and Helen, but we've been kind to you as you freeloaded from us over the last three years. Sign this if you know what's good for you."Frank inhaled deeply.For
As Frank strode out of Lane Manor, he turned to look at the place he lived at for three years.He had come here all alone and now left empty-handed.Just then, a Rolls-Royce sped toward him from a distance, stopping just beside him. The door opened, and a middle-aged man dressed sharply in a suit alighted, grinning broadly as he jogged up to Frank. "Mr. Lawrence…""What are you doing here?" Frank asked as he stared at the man—he was Trevor Zurich, the CEO of Trevor International. "I've recently partnered with your wife for a development project in West City, and I've come to discuss the details with her," Trevor admitted.Frank nodded but said, "There's no need for a discussion—Helen now has the Wesley family's backing and doesn't need ours, and she's no longer my wife.""What?!" Trevor exclaimed, flabbergasted. "What's going on?""Helen and I got divorced," Frank admitted. "From now on, there's no connection between myself and the Lanes."Then, turning toward Trevor and gen
Frank was napping in Trevor's car when his phone rang, waking him up.Seeing that it was Helen, he answered and promptly heard her asking coldly, "Frank, are you with Mr. Zurich right now?"Frank glanced at Trevor, who was sitting beside him. "Yeah."Helen took a deep breath to calm her rising blood pressure—it seemed that Peter was not lying!"You disappoint me, Frank," she growled. "If you're upset, you can tell it to my face—why backstab my family?"Frank rubbed his temple as he replied, "Would you believe it if I told you that I didn't?""Then why would Mr. Zurich leave right after arriving at my doorstep?!" Helen demanded. "He also annulled our partnership!""Trevor's decision is his own and has nothing to do with me."Convinced that Frank was a coward and would not admit to it, Helen was left seething and growling at every word. "You really disappoint me."Frank's voice suddenly turned cool as well. "It seems all you care about is what you want to believe and not the act
Pow! Pow! Pow!The air in the room cracked.Yara struck with power and determination, exchanging over a dozen blows with Frank in no time at all.The latter had no intention to hurt, however, merely doing enough to defend himself.Even if he was not in peak condition, Yara was never going to best him."Stop it, Yara," Vicky snapped from the bed just then.Yara did as she was told, though she was also giving Vicky a wounded look. "That brat…""That's enough," Vicky said flatly. "Show some manners—Mr. Lawrence is here to help me."In reality, Vicky was upset with Frank as well, since Yara's father was her mentor.However, as the heiress to her family legacy and herself a martial arts prodigy, she should stay calm at all times.Moreover, she could immediately tell that Frank's abilities were outstanding when he exchanged blows with Yara, and that he was clearly holding back. That was why she told Yara to stop—Yara would definitely lose if he went all out.Naturally, Yara woul
"Are you done staring?" Yara could not help snapping at Frank, certainly able to see that he was staring fixedly at Vicky.Even if Frank proved his martial arts prowess, she suspected that he was taking advantage of Vicky, claiming that undressing her was for treatment.Frank smiled, showing no sign of embarrassment as he said earnestly, "I couldn't help staring just then. Ms. Turnbull is just that mesmerizing.""Haha." Vicky laughed. "Honest, aren't you?"She was actually surprised that Frank would admit to it so boldly, unlike self-proclaimed gentlemen who would never admit to their actions. Suddenly flashing a vague smile at Frank, she added, "You can look as much as you want if you heal me.""You don't have to. Beautiful things are unforgettable from the very first gaze," Frank said, shaking his head.Taking out a needle, his fingers brushed over the smooth skin on her chest, feeling a cool sensation just then.Vicky gasped and shuddered as he inserted the needle just abov
A Rolls-Royce stopped beside Frank just as he stepped outside the Turnbulls' villa.Vicky alighted, asking, "Where are you staying, Mr. Lawrence? May I offer you a ride?"Frank thought about it and sighed. "I was just planning to stay at a hotel."He did not own any house in Riverton, and he could not return to Lane Manor after his divorce with Helen."Oh…" Vicky did a double take but did not press the issue. "Then you're in luck—we have over fifty hotels in Riverton. Allow me to arrange for a suite, so I can deliver you the wonderroot when it arrives."Frank thought about it and nodded. "Sure."He got into the backseat with Vicky while Yara drove, though she stopped at the gates. "What's wrong?" Vicky asked."There's a car stopped ahead, and I don't know what for," Yara complained.Frank peered out of the car window and noticed a man weaning a suit standing by the security booth."Please inform Mr. Turnbull of my arrival. Tell him that it's Sean Wesley—my family owns a majo
Peter was not afraid at all and poised a fist as he snapped, "A good-for-nothing like you talking back to me?! I'll straighten you out for my sister's sake right now!"That was when Frank suddenly kicked him in the gut, sending him flying like a bullet."Argh!" Peter's girlfriend turned pale in panic and scrambled to his side. "Are you alright, darling?!"Nearby, Vicky was smiling coolly. Trying to lay a finger on Frank? The brat certainly was brave.That being said, she was more curious about the 'Helen' Frank mentioned."Damn you…" Peter's face contorted from the agony in his stomach—it felt like his guts would spill out!Glaring darkly at Frank, he growled, "H-How dare you hit me!"Frank remained calm and composed. "I won't press the issue for your sister's sake. But now that I've cut ties with your family, I'll kill you the next time you mess with me."Peter actually flinched from the murderous intent in Frank's eyes and swallowed all the obscenities at the tip of his ton
Frank took a taxi to Laneville in the evening and was surprised to find Gina waiting for a while at the door.Seeing him arrive, she promptly strode up to him and warned, "I take it you know what to say and what not to when you see the old man later."Frank chuckled. "You really should chase me away instead if you're that worried.""What?!" Gina glared at him, shocked that he would speak in that tone with her.Nonetheless, Frank ignored her and strode inside. After all, he had no reason to play nice with the rest of the Lane family now that he and Helen were divorced!As soon as he entered, he found Henry standing there with an apron, having cooked up a storm. "What's the occasion, sir? That's a lot of food," he said.Henry was smiling when he saw Frank and walked up to grasp his hand. "Oh, you're here, Frankie—you'll find out soon enough."As the pair sat down and made pleasant small talk, Gina stared fixedly at Frank, fearful that he would say what he should not.Helen ar
Baldie dropped to his knees with a thud.Not only did Frank possess superior abilities, but he had a functioning moral compass too?He certainly deserved the power of the spiritron vein!Baldie then said, "I guess I should warn you that there are people who keep their hands clean. They would do anything to further their mysterious goals, so you should watch out."Frank chuckled. "Don't worry. I never hold back when I should kill—just listen to the reverend, and leave if there's nothing else, or I might change my mind."At those words, Baldie turned to run without lingering another second. Frank then turned toward the beggar. "Is this what you want?"The beggar nodded, clearly not bothered to hide anything. "To be honest, I've been considering an issue—do all the people who gain superpowers deserve it? The dragon inside you, for example… I can't say that it's anything good."Frank nodded, smiling—she was right about that, as he thought the same himself.After all, it had done
Frank smiled, shaking his head. "No, you misunderstand. What I mean is that she's right. The paranormal, your mystical artifact—it all works using the same principle: You're all just a little stronger than the average martial artist."However, when you're up against the real deal like me, you're relatively weak and easily dealt with."Baldie was left flabbergasted. "No, no, no… That's impossible! We're not the same as martial artists. None of you stand a chance against us!"Frank shook his head. "What you're saying is impossible. Your kind is simply more gifted, while martial artists are less, and that's the only reason you're stronger than most martial artists."Baldie dropped to his knees with a thud, shaking his head repeatedly as there was nothing more that could tear him up inside.He had always believed that even if he was not divine, he was still an envoy among the mortals like the priests and monks in fiction. Naturally, he was convinced that the day would come when he tra
After strutting for so many years, this was the first time anyone had seen through the depth of Frank's abilities in its entirety.That alone set Baldie apart from the rest, or at least the average martial artist, if not placing him scarily high over them.Still, Baldie warned, "Word of advice, kid—mind your own business. This isn't my choice, as there's a larger faction at work here, and you'd be in trouble if you rubbed them the wrong way.""Really?"His warning only pleased Frank further.After all, this meant that there were more powerful individuals like Baldie!In fact, Frank was just getting sick of being invincible, or he would not have been amusing himself by tormenting baddies.And with Baldie's words, he found himself a new hobby… He had plenty of time to spare anyway, so he should use it!"What's that stupid grin for?"Baldie smiled in wry amusement as he realized what Frank was thinking.To think he had the bad luck to run into someone like him!"Simple, really.
The beggar continued, "The way I see it, those ghosts are basically people with superpowers. They are driven by their own desires to hurt the living, while some have trouble controlling their powers after suddenly awakening to it."Her unexpected explanation actually enlightened Frank.Ghosts and hauntings notwithstanding, they were just people who could do what normal people could not—but they were fundamentally no different!Without hesitation, Frank rushed forward when a tall, well-rounded bald man appeared before he reached the graves. "Does no one ever listen?" He laughed coldly.Frank felt a powerful burst of energy from his words—he was clearly trying to make them obey, but they were not listening!"In that case, I'd just have to be tough on you!"At those words, a bead appeared on Baldie's palm, and it shot up to the sky!At the same time, an unusual energy converged and ultimately morphed into a monster.It was basically a pile of rotting flesh crawling with maggots.
Frank smiled, shaking his head. "Don't worry—I'm neither blind nor deaf. I knew what was happening from the start, and I'd be even more upset if I were in your shoes."The stall owner sighed in relief at Frank's words and turned to leave, not forgetting to curse the beggar under his breath.At the same time, the beggar straightened herself off the ground and sat cross-legged, whipping out a large meatloaf out of nowhere and chomping down on it.Frank sat beside her too, not bothered that he was wearing an expensive suit and certainly not concerned about getting it dirty."So, do I pass your test, reverend?"The beggar said nothing, instead handing Frank the meatloaf that her dirty hands had left darkened. "Hurry up. It's good."Frank took it, not minding it at all and finishing it in a few bites. "It's good, but I can make something better. How about it?"The beggar was suddenly on her feet, stretching her back and yawning. "Next time. I'm busy.""What is it? Can't I help?" Fra
After Mr. Creston handed Frank his phone, Frank nodded. "Good, at least you're cooperating. So you can do it yourself!"Mr. Creston was left befuddled—what the hell?! He was already being so cooperative, and the brat still wanted him dead?!"Friend, a gentleman is as good as his word," he said. "People would laugh at you.""Laugh at me?" Frank chuckled coolly. "Who would dare laugh at me? Also, I think it might happen if I don't wipe out people like you.""What…!"As Mr. Creston realized from Frank's calm tone that he was not letting him off the hook, he ran without hesitation.But to Frank, he was slower than a tortoise and disappeared in the blink of an eye.Frank then whipped out Mr. Creston's phone and called the number in it.A coquettish woman answered the call. "Hey, buddy!"Frank laughed at the way she greeted him as if they were old friends. "Reverend Quietus, I presume? Why don't we meet up, if you don't mind?""I certainly don't mind." The woman laughed too. "Who
Frank smiled and nodded. "Ladies like you are rare these days."Drunken Moon snapped her fingers, grinning. "That's exactly why we need to work hard to eliminate all the terrible women. There would be more good girls that way, don't you agree?"I'm not out to make men happy—just to set a standard for my fellow girls. Not everything is black and white, since anything can be relative. Even if men were all gone, bad women would still be bad women. Don't you agree?"Frank nodded in agreement.Thirty minutes later, the stout Mr. Creston sat up on the bed, clearly startled.Frank, who was watching from a bird's eye view, was caught by surprise—how did that man sense his presence?Still, he understood when he saw that Mr. Creston was holding a gleaming yellow talisman.Shock soon turned to curiosity as Frank thought most street geomancers these days were conmen, but somehow, a working talisman was there right in front of him. Hence, Frank made up his mind to find them right then."I
Frank was not only the smart guy out there in the whole right world. In other words, Mr. Creston had that in mind too!He was helping because he had felt insulted after Frank flexed on him earlier, and Dani was still useful to him—for now.When she handed over the company, however, he would not hesitate to kick her out! On top of that, he would make sure that she took the fall for all the dirty deeds they did together.In the end, she would not even be able to defend herself, while suffering lawsuits and public condemnation!Even so, she said, "I understand now. But it's never too late—I swear I'll change if you give me a chance!"Frank simply turned to Zein. "Actually, this man had the right idea—if he gave you a chance, who would give him one?"We're all adults here, so act your age. I'm sure you understand how a good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.""I get it!" Dani quickly said. "You don't have to keep me around, just—""No!" Frank snapped and crushed her left hand und
Dani was under the impression that even if the goons were not the best, they were on the cusp of reaching that level anyway.It turned out to be just her wishful thinking—when against the truly powerful, she was a lamb at the mercy of the butcher's knife, no matter how many people she brought! "To be honest, I'm curious as to what you're thinking." Frank snorted as he strode up to Dani. "Why dump a man who loves you dearly for some prick you don't even know? Being abused in that state and still thinking that you'd chosen wisely—do you actually have a brain?"Seeing her launching, he knew she was not listening, and he tore her ear off!The horrific pain jolted Dani to her senses, and she was left clutching what remained of her ear as she stared at the seemingly handsome man.She was under the impression that Frank would let her live even if she lost, but it was once again wishful thinking.He would kill her, and savagely at that!And she was certainly right, since Frank had ne