However, neither Vicky nor Kiki had expected them to find them so soon."Oh, if it isn't Vicky Turnbull!" The youth whistled, studying Vicky from head to toe and chuckling. "You really are a devilish beauty. Would you like to join my agency—actually, never mind. I'd never step on Mr. Lionheart's toes."Then, turning towards everyone around the table, he introduced herself. "Everyone, nice to meet you. I'm Hubert Sorano of Morhen.""Hubert Sorano?!" Olive was suddenly on her feet, gaping. "You're Emilio Sorano's third son?""Oh, someone here actually knows me! Not bad!"Hubert was clapping his hands and laughing. "In that case, I'll cut to the chase—Kiki is a talent represented by Sorano Media, and I'm taking her with me. Does anyone have anything to say about that? Of course, you'd still have to watch what you say."Then, whistling at Kiki as if summoning a dog, Hubert chuckled. "Heel! I'm going to get violent if you don't move, see?""Vicky…" Kiki leveled a pleading look at Vic
Beside them, Olive finally had enough and snapped at Vicky, "Why are you meddling? Mr. Sorano is just taking his employee. Why would you want to catch this heat? Are you going to drag us into a fight against the Soranos?!"Ivana and the rest could only stay in their seats awkwardly.Olive was right that they would never dare challenge the Soranos, which was why they never said anything from the start.Hubert chuckled in turn as he turned to Olive. "Oh, at least this pretty face knows her place. What's your name?" "I'm Olive Perkins," she replied excitedly."Haha! Good, you've got style." Hubert chuckled, rubbing his chin. "Would you sign up with Sorano Media? Rest assured, you'll be our next big thing!"Olive was delighted. "Thank you, Mr. Sorano!" "Here's my card. I'm staying in Room 1008—come over later so I can give you an audition." Hubert handed her his card.While Olive took it excitedly and thanked Hubert profusely, the adults around the table only knew all too well wh
In the entire banquet hall, Frank was the only one who did not seem to care.And considering what Frank had told him in the men's room earlier, Corey could not stop himself from intervening."Oh, he actually showed some spine." Frank was laughing in his head.Despite being busy eating, he was actually paying attention to Vicky's situation.In fact, he had already projected his pure vigor around Vicky with Five-Peat Archaeus. If Hubert's bodyguards had touched her earlier, things would have gone very badly for them.If anything, Frank would be embarrassing himself if he did nothing after Vicky announced to everyone that he was her personal bodyguard.Naturally, Corey was far from reaching Birthright rank and would never know what Frank did. Instead, he simply presumed that Frank was absolutely terrified of Hubert and kept eating to hide his panic.While Corey was himself afraid of Hubert's family connections too, he should show more strength and a sense of responsibility around V
"Oh… Okay, here."The bodyguard was still completely confused, unsure what had just happened as he blankly passed the salt shaker to Frank.As he stared blankly at Frank while he sprinkled salt over his food, Frank suddenly paused and turned to him in curiosity. "What are you looking at me for? Didn't your employer tell you to do something earlier?"The bodyguard came to his senses at Frank's words, and lunged toward Corey with an angry cry alongside the other bodyguards.However, the outcome was no surprise—the bodyguards might be good, but they were no match for someone who could wield vigor.In fact, Corey had some moves too. His hair was a mess and his clothes were torn, but after a tough fight, he managed to floor all of Hubert's bodyguards."A vigor wielder? Just you wait!" Hubert snapped, but he quickly fled the banquet hall as he realized that the odds were against him.Ivana ran up to Corey right then, her eyes twinkling as she exclaimed, "That was so cool, Corey! You k
Ivana snorted in disdain. "I really shouldn't have invited her here if I knew she'd behave like this.""It's alright." Vicky smiled. "Let's eat!"Even as everyone returned to the banquet table, Olive could suddenly be heard screaming outside the door."What happened?!" Everyone turned apprehensively toward the door to find that Hubert had returned.This time, he was accompanied by two middle-aged men. One could feel their presence from afar, and they were clearly brimming with energy, making it obvious they were all vigor wielders.Moreover, their fists were dripping with blood that were not theirs.Even so, Corey demanded, "Aren't you giving up yet, Mr. Sorano?""Give up?" Hubert laughed, his previous amicable expression gone and replaced by savagery. "Don't think you could flex on me just because you have some moves! These two are my family's executives here in Riverton, and they're here to kill you!"The two men traded glances in turn. Then one of them sneered as he danced f
Just as Corey closed his eyes and resigned himself to die, a cool voice suddenly spoke up. "Are you done? It's time you leave.""What?"Corey was familiar with the voice.Was that not Frank Lawrence, Vicky's gigolo? He suddenly dared to speak up, but it had to be now of all times? Was he suicidal?Even as Corey opened his eyes, he was left stunned.Zorn had his fist poised to strike at Corey's head, but Frank remained impassive even as he held onto his wrist.Zorn could not seem to move at all and was sweating all over his brow!"Who the hell are you?!" Hubert finally saw that Frank had seized Zorn's wrist but thought that Zorn was merely caught off guard. "Kill them! Kill every single one in this room! Leave no one alive!"However, Zorn was not moving at all, and Hubert thought he did not hear him as he snapped angrily, "Didn't you hear me, Zorn?! What are you spacing out for?!"In reality, Zorn just could not say it—Frank was holding on to his wrist like a hydraulic clamp,
The two executives whom Hubert brought were clearly no pushovers, and one was enough to overwhelm Corey.And yet, both of them were so afraid of Frank they bolted from his threat alone. They were clearly fearing for their lives, and he never did a thing to them!In fact, proof was now unnecessary for Frank's strength.Corey was the first to speak, breaking the silence. "Thank you for saving my life, Mr. Lawrence. I will always remember this debt."Even as he pushed himself off the floor, his face was pale. One of his legs was now completely crippled, but it was thanks to Frank that he was alive.Naturally, Corey also had no intention to demean Frank after finding out that he was a Birthright rank elite, since there was almost none of his caliber in Riverton.Moreover, Corey really doubted that Frank did not have any backing when he improved this far at such a young age!"I was being arrogant even though I was lacking, and I'm too ashamed to stay in your presence. Please take g
Later."Here's Room 106. You can stay here."After getting Kiki settled in his mansion, Frank mused to himself before striding outside.A limousine slowly emerged out of the dark road, stopping in front of him.Frank stood there and sighed. "It seems that Hubert Sorano is really bent on dying.""Brat, did you think you could come out unscathed after challenging the Soranos?!" an elderly black-clad man with a gray beard bellowed as he alighted, glaring at Frank haughtily. "You'll pay for your impudence!""And you'll pay for your ignorance," Frank calmly retorted.The old man glowered but soon laughed. "Some weaning brat like you threatening me? Who do you think you are?""Funny. I could say the same, geezer." Frank's eyes flashed, and he suddenly shot forward like a lightning bolt without a word, reappearing right in front of the old man."What?!"The old man's glare of disdain froze, caught in disbelief by Frank's speed.He promptly raised his arms to block Frank's oncomin