Burt certainly left Frank mystified. "So, you're saying…?"Burt flashed an enigmatic smile in turn. "I have a hunch that the Goldeater Cane that Sage Lake Sect took from me has not been made into pills yet. It was no more than a seemingly, and if it wasn't needed urgently, they must keep it nurtured with precious materials to ensure its survival." "Moreover, I've put two and two together—when Quinn Ocean and Drakon Salazar visited the Salazars recently, their intention was to get married. Sal Ocean, the geezer you've killed, was supposed to officiate the wedding."Frank's eyes lit up. "That means…" "Yes. Sage Lake Sect would've given the Goldeater Cane to the Salazars as dowry, and they probably still have it right now."As Burt broke down the facts, Frank frowned despite feeling hopeful. "The Salazars definitely wouldn't sell me the Goldeater Cane with all the bad blood between us.""That's for sure." Burt chuckled coolly. "And I would have been disavowed from Sage Lake Sect w
Truth be told, Burt had reached the position he was in today by his own merit and surprised even Sage Lake Sect.As such, there were some sect members who became wary of Burt rising to power.Meanwhile, both Frank and Burt drank a lot as they stayed at The Dynasty past midnight, having finished so many bottles that even the waiters and waitresses were starting to get afraid."Mr. Lawrence, allow me to drive you home," Burt offered.He did not drink as much as Frank since he was asking for his instructions and was more or less sober."N-No…" Frank slurred. "I just need to get a cab… Go home… Remember the techniques I taught you and train properly. Meditate on it.""Yes!" Burt was earnestly grateful, since Frank was already treating him a million times better than Sage Lake Sect.As he helped Frank out of The Dynasty, he looked up to find Aria crouching in front of Frank's Maybach, shivering from the cold."You're still here?" he asked.Aria quickly leapt to her feet, rubbing he
Frank then touched himself and realized that he was naked, just like Aria was under the blanket."What the hell? Did I…" He rubbed his forehead as he tried his best to remember, but he could only remember that he was drunk even as he taught Burt martial arts and left the bar with him… and nothing else."Frank…" Aria stirred just then, holding the blanket to herself as she stared at him vulnerably. She only said his name and nothing else, and the look in her eyes made it look as if his animal side took over and forced himself on her.Frank only felt frustrated, just as he could not help suspecting that he really went out of line.But why could he not remember anything?On the other hand, Aria could see that he was thinking and quickly continued her helpless act. "It's alright, Frank. I was willing, and I'll talk to Winter myself. You don't have to take responsibility."Frank looked her in the eye and breathed a long sigh before turning his back to her awkwardly. "Don't worry—I'l
Frank was hesitant if he should ask Helen what was wrong, but Gina suddenly started snapping sarcastically from the other end, "What's holding you up, Helen? You called him and told him, and that's all you have to do. Mr. Graves is waiting for you downstairs! He wouldn't even be allowed here if not for your grandfather's sake!"Beep.Helen hung up right then, while Frank shook his head self-deprecatingly, still holding his phone.Still, he smelled food just then and stepped out to the dining table.However, it ended up becoming an awkward table of four with Frank himself, a surprised Carol, a silent but scowling Winter, and Aria, who was grinning ear to ear.Eventually, despite the awkward vibes, Winter looked up at her friend impassively and asked, "What are you doing here, Aria?""Frank told me to come."Aria held a fork over her lips, looking especially innocent since she was wearing her Riverton University uniform without her usual flamboyance.Turning toward Carol, she excla
Frank had no idea that Winter was miserable that Aria stole her beloved.He merely presumed that his drunken fumble made things awkward between Winter and Aria, and he certainly had no words of comfort for that.As such, his frustration only grew as he listened to Winter's sobs.Beside him, Aria was hovering around him, placing food on his plate while sliding pointed glances at the direction in which Winter left.She could not help it—Frank was as rich as he was successful, and Winter could not blame anyone that he was taken since she did not seize him.-Henry Lane's funeral was held the next day.Vicky called early in the morning to inform Frank that she was busy and that he should attend as Grande Pharma's representative.Frank did not dwell on it and drove Aria to Grande Square to pick out a couple of dresses suitable for the funeral.Aria was excited through it all and dragged Winter across every specialty store before finally picking a black dress tailored by a famous de
Aria glared at Jean as she left and shrieked, "Well, we're no longer friends now!"Jean did not look back but raised her hand over her head to give Aria the middle finger."Alright, stop drawing attention already." Frank intercepted Aria and quickly left Grande Square as a crowd looked on.Aria's scowl only faded after Frank bought her a ten million dollar diamond necklace.She was still obsessing over the green diamond pendant that Frank gave Winter all those days and wanted everything Winter had too!-Henry lay in a casket within Lane Manor.Helen, wearing a black dress with a white flower brooch, was staring at it fixedly.Gina, Chaz Graves, and everyone else tried to move her, but she refused to budge.Chaz was even smiling as he dropped to a crouch beside her. "Don't worry, Helen. I've asked my dad to invite every Riverton bigwig to give your grandfather a proper send off. I'm sure he can rest in peace to see them here."Gina's eyes lit up at his words. "You really are
"Dan Zimmer, head of Riverton's Flora Hall!""Neil Turnbull of Morhen!"As the announcements came one after the other, every bigwig of Riverton seemed to have arrived.All the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) owners, along with other partners of the Lanes, were left astounded."I wouldn't have known that a modest family like the Lanes knows every bigwig in Riverton!""We have to ride on their coattails!""Aren't you slow? My friend works at Lane Holdings…""Actually, I heard that Lane Holdings called for an emergency meeting. Helen Lane is no longer CEO—it's Chaz Graves from Southstream.""What? Wait, is it still named Lane Holdings?""Who knows?""All these bigwigs must have come because of Mr. Graves.""No matter how pretty Ms. Lane is, she'd never get so many bigwigs to pay respects. Isn't it obvious who they came for?""Wait, aren't you forgetting someone? Wasn't Ms. Lane married before? Could it perhaps be her ex-husband?"Cindy rolled her eyes when she overhe
Chaz's attitude left the Riverton bigwigs silent."You bastard!" Kenny Sparks, being a martial artist, was more direct in temperament.Like the others, he knew that Frank still had feelings for Helen despite their divorce. Chaz was asking for it by meddling!"We'll speak to Mr. Lawrence to confirm this issue. Watch your back, boy!" Kenny snapped, and stormed off angrily."What? Mr. Quill, what's his—"Chaz was not expecting this turn of events—did these people not come under his father's invitation?Dan seemed to realize what he was thinking and snorted in disdain. "Kid, did you think we came to pay our respects to Henry Lane because of your father? You'd be overestimating your family in that case."Gerald turned right then, not bothered to look at Chaz twice. "You should be thinking how you're going to explain yourself to Mr. Lawrence! You Graves have messed with someone above your pay grade!""Farewell."Tim left as well. Though he had not spoken with Frank much, he learne