Jade spat at Winter right then, "Frank isn't like that?! What, would I use my daughter to slander scum like him?!"At the same time, Carol scrambled to shield Winter while continuing to smile at the angry mob. "Please, I'm sure there's a misunderstanding here—Mr. Lawrence isn't like that. We'll call him right now, and I'm sure he can clear up this misunderstanding.""You'd better hurry, or I'm cutting this bitch's face!" Jade growled through her teeth as she whipped out a switchblade, brandishing it in front of Carol and her daughter."O-Of course." Carol wiped the blood off her lips and quickly urged Winter, "Go on, call Mr. Lawrence right now.""Mom…""Just hurry. Don't you trust him?" Carol asked resolutely, watching the angry mob closely."Yeah…" Though Winter certainly would not doubt Frank, she did not want to bother him.But seeing that her mother was determined, she took out her phone to call Frank's number.While she did, Cindy and her boyfriend Hughie strode into the
"It's the truth…"Winter teared up miserably even as she picked up her phone. "Ask Helen yourself if you don't believe me.""Lies!" Gina kept snapping angrily, but she was already panicking.She knew her daughter better than anyone—Helen had been leaving for work earlier these days, even before sunrise.Gina presumed that it was about work, but to think that she was coming here for Frank…Though her indignation flared, she was afraid to press the issue, instead making a mental note to interrogate her daughter next time she saw her."Hey, have you called that bastard yet?" she asked instead."No… Frank's not answering. I think he's busy," Winter replied, shaking her head even as she glared defiantly at Gina and Jade. "Hah! More like he's running away from his crimes!" Cindy laughed coolly.Jade was in turn ranting immediately, "That bastard! I'll make him suffer! It's all you Northstream Lanes' fault—if Helen married that scum, my daughter wouldn't have to suffer such ignominy
Helen was perplexed. "But what?"Chaz glanced at the other apprentices training around the dojo and leaned in to whisper into Helen's ear, "But you see… as a member of Southstream's Four Families and the chief of the Seaham Martial Artist Association, I naturally have some techniques I don't teach others."Seeing Helen's bemusement, he flashed a mysterious grin. "You'll only improve after years if you stick to the regiment that the other apprentices are taking. Can you afford to wait that long?"Helen looked around to see the many apprentices undergoing basic training as well and realized that she was no better.Chaz then added, "You're always busy with work—surely you can't stick to basic training for years? Come on, there's a sealed room here. I'll teach you my family's secret technique."Chaz certainly spoke reason, but Helen was not that ignorant.She mused to herself for a while and said, "It's your family's secret technique. An outsider like myself shouldn't—"Chaz scowled
Chaz then goaded Helen, "Go on, do it yourself!"Helen started crawling toward Chaz, her mind totally controlled by desire. However, even as she behaved with pitiful obedience, there was a look of yearning on her face as she pleaded, ""Frank… Frank… Please, Frank… It's all my fault… Don't get upset with me, alright?" "Frank… Frank Lawrence?!"Chaz's heart exploded with jealousy upon hearing Helen still saying Frank's name even now.-Frank was in his Maybach, driving along Riverton Avenue after fleeing the hospital.He was on his way back to Skywater Bay when he received a surprise call from Trevor Zurich. "Mr. Lawrence, our men watching Helen Lane reported that she's with Chaz Graves, attending the opening ceremony of the Riverplex Dojo… and he was teaching her martial arts."Frank frowned for a moment, but his brow soon eased. "So what? She went there on her own volition—it has nothing to do with me. And you don't have to keep watching her from now on.""Huh…"Trevor ap
Frank was glowering, having zero patience as he bellowed inside the dojo.His outburst drew everyone's attention, with many apprentices watching in curiosity."Yo, is this a challenge?""How rude. It's just our first day.""Just watch—the bald man over there is called Francis. He's a local martial elite and an Earthrank!""Earthrank? What's that supposed to mean?""Not sure, actually… You just need to know that they're awesome.""Just look at our challenge, so fair and scrawny. He's no match for Francis.""Yeah. He's going to die horribly…""Wait, isn't that Frank Lawrence?" One of the apprentices recognized Frank and appeared perplexed. "What is he doing here?"It was Jean Zims, a close friend of Winter's. She was wearing her signature baseball cap and sweating all over cheeks despite putting up a ponytail.On the other hand, the four men felt a chill down their spine even as they listened to the other apprentices' discussion.To have a challenger on their first day, the d
"You asked for it!"Francis' other two friends leapt toward Frank.Frank had no reason to hold back, though he basically did not have to do much against pushovers like them.Smack!Two deafening slaps resounded, and Frank stood his ground, still holding the first burly man's knuckle even as the man continued screaming.On the other hand, the two burly coaches dropped to the floor with a loud thud.They landed parallel to Frank, to his left and right."…Huh?" The other apprentices all gasped in shock again.Thud.Francis, who had seen enough to know when to back down, dropped to his knees when he saw how things turned out. Bracing himself, he saluted Frank respectfully as he said, "I apologize if I've offended you before, sir… Could you actually be Skyrank?""Three!"Frank narrowed his eyes as he counted the final number, and Francis felt a chill down his spine as he realized Frank was not playing along. And the look in his eyes when he breathed three… He was the reaper i
Helen kept sobbing, "I regret it so much I could die… I shouldn't have listened to my mother… I'm begging you, Frank… Just forgive me…"Frank's knuckles eased.She was an ice queen and girlboss, but Helen finally confessed her true feelings.Still, Frank soon remembered Chaz and looked up at him icily. "Weren't you bragging about Helen's happiness?""Bitch…" Chaz swore under his breath as he gritted his teeth.The acupuncture technique he learned from the Southdam healer revealed a person's strongest desire. He just did not expect Helen to keep chanting Frank's name when he used it on her!He was certainly indignant—the entire family hated Frank, so why was Helen so obsessed over him?Despite his grievance, he kept laughing, even pointing at Frank. "Hehe… You'd better stay out of my business and put her down, and I just might let you live.""What, you can't bear hearing a woman calling another man's name?" Frank retorted, his death aura gradually swirling."I don't care," Chaz
"Frank!" Helen snapped in disappointment. "What's your problem? Is it too much to ask of you to humble yourself for a change?!""Why should I humble myself?" Frank was angered right then and shot back coolly, "You never believe me anyway, so there's nothing to discuss here. Go pursue your own happiness! It's over between us! I'll stay away, and you should too!"He shook off Helen's tug and strode out of Riverplex Dojo."Frank!" Helen stumbled even as she tried to chase after him, but he left without turning back.She was left against a pillar, hiding her face in her palms miserably as she slowly dropped to a crouch.She simply could not understand. "Why… Why do you always have to be stubborn?!"On the other hand, Chaz was cursing Frank under his breath for ruining his plans.However, Helen's reaction made it obvious that he had a chance too.Hurrying to her, he comforted her. "It's alright, Helen. You don't have to beat yourself over your ex-husband.""I'm tired, Chaz. Take me