On the other end, Chaz was still gloating with an evil smile. "That dumb bitch is just a tool I'm using to humiliate Frank Lawrence. No, I'll deny even Helen her dignity, and Frank will watch as his woman is defiled by another man."Chuckling, he said, "Go—report to Titus Lionheart. My preparations here are complete, and all it takes is for Titus' elite fighters to arrive.""Yes, Mr. Graves," the bodyguard replied before hanging up with a trembling finger, his whole body shaking as he turned toward Frank.He was deeply terrified of Frank flying into a rage, killing him in one swift strike.What he did not expect was Frank to stand there, staring blankly instead of flipping out."M-Mr. Lawrence…?" the bodyguard called out to Frank miserably, not daring to flee despite Frank's distraction."Go."Turning toward the bodyguard as he came to his senses after a while, Frank said, "Don't ever fight me again if you want to live, and you'd better not show up at that wedding.""Y-Yes! Mr.
As Gina saw that her insults were pointless, she strode up and shoved at Frank, "Get out of here! Helen's not home—your shouting doesn't mean a thing!"Frank simply braced against her meek fists and scratching as he kept shouting into Lane Manor. "Helen! I'll definitely crash your wedding and take you with me—whether you like it or not! I'm always that stubborn and impulsive, and nobody can stop me! Not your family, not Chaz Graves… Not even the Lionhearts!" Having said his part, Frank quietly waited for Helen to respond.However, there was only silence aside from Gina's shrieking and cursing.Still, it did not discourage Frank.Then, just as he was about to leave, the doors opened and Helen strode out in her pajamas.Gina turned frantic when she saw her. "What are you doing, Helen?! You're marrying Chaz Graves soon. For the sake of us Northstream Lanes, don't fall for his pretty face!""Mom," Helen said calmly and quietly. "Let me talk to him.""No!" Gina summarily refused, s
Frank quietly said: "I know you, Helen. You avoid looking into my eyes when you lie.""Don't act like you know me. You don't—and I'll be very clear." Helen smiled. "I'm different now. A person should be realistic and give up on pointless ambition. What's life for a woman, if not to find a man she could depend on and serve? Why deal with all the problems in a corner and shareholders instead of being a housewife? It's an easy life and good for everyone.""Is that what you really think?" Frank asked, looking searchingly into Helen's eyes."It is." Helen met his gaze without flinching this time. "It doesn't matter what you think or how highly you think of yourself—I'm not leaving with you, so just give up. It's getting late and I'm tired… It's time you leave."With those words, Helen quietly returned tinside Lane Manor, and Gina immediately leapt up to chase off Frank again. "What are you spacing out for?! Helen told you to leave, you delusional fool! Who do you think you are?!"Frank
Countless rich and powerful individuals and groups arrived, with hundreds of prestigious cars lining the parking lot outside Graves Mansion. Naturally, there were many others forced to park by the curb.Chaz was wearing a black tuxedo, his hair combed neatly as he stood and received all the guests filing through the parlor.Naturally, he was only greeting the top elites of Riverton—his retainers would handle the modest families and small business owners.Even as he appeared bright and pleasant, raising his champagne flute to salute the guests around him, one of the servants came to him with a report, "Everything's in place, sir… but the Salazars didn't send anyone, citing unforeseen circumstances."Chaz shrugged. "Never had much hope in Donald Salazar anyway.""That's not it, sir," the servant said, before leaning in to whisper into Chaz's ear, "The Salazars' factory was retaken by Kurt Stinson. At this point, they have no leverage for a partnership with us… though someone from Mr
Seeing that Helen frowned from what she said, Gina quickly assured her, "Don't worry—that bastard was just exaggerating. He was trying to trick you into eloping with him. He definitely won't try barging into this wolf's den… Who knows, he might have fled Riverton by now!"Helen was at once disappointed and hopeful—all she wanted was for Frank to be safe, and she could only hope that he refrained from causing things to spiral out of control.Cindy entered just then, and promptly grabbed the jewelry box, gaping at it and then at Helen, "Wow… Did Mr. Graves give these to you? Can I have a few of these necklaces? I've never worn anything so expensive…""Yeah, you can have it." Helen forced a smile.She had zero interest in the jewelry box and pushed it toward Cindy."Thank you, Helen!" Cindy was jubilant and tried on everything from the jewelry box while looking at herself in the mirror repeatedly.Gina sighed nearby—it was Frank's fault that Helen was like this.But those days were
However, Helen's ears burned at those words as she only found irony in themTrue love? Loyalty? All lies.Chaz was clearly coercing her and using her to control the Lane family.She suddenly found herself weary and wanting nothing more than to throw away all the burdens weighing down on her shoulders.At the same time, she could not help wondering to herself if Frank would come to save her, and she was suddenly caught in her fantasies…What if Frank rallied all the bigwigs of Riverton? Would she not be able to follow her heart and escape this wedding filled with despicable lies and deception?The emcee then continued, "Thank you, Mr. Graves—I'm sure everyone is touched by your loyalty. And now, let's invite Ms. Lane on stage!"Nonetheless, silence ensued and lasted for a while.It was not until Gina stepped up and shoved Helen that she came to her senses and realized that she should be going onstage.Amidst the hesitant applause, everyone was left gawking at her, mesmerized.
Eventually, the priest spoke up. "Helen Lane, do you take this man as your beloved husband?"Chaz was grinning ear-to-ear as he and Helen turned toward each other.Then, making sure everyone else was out of earshot, he whispered under his breath, "Don't worry, Helen. I've discussed the favor you asked for with Titus Lionheart, and he said yes.""Really?" Helen did a double take but soon appeared troubled.Her reaction left Chaz's gaze flashing coolly as he smiled. "But he had one condition.""What is it?" Helen's heart skipped a beat, feeling a foreboding sensation.Chaz's grin broadened. "His brother Wilbur will be the one having your first night.""What?!" Helen gaped in shock and disbelief. "Chaz Graves, you're a—""What, is that a no?" Chaz shook his head, chuckling. "Don't worry. I'll only record a video and use it appropriately—rest assured, my lips are sealed.""You're a sick pervert!" Helen growled through gritted teeth under her breath."You flatter me." Chaz grinned
"Helen!" Gina yelled. "Go on! Say yes! It's over for our family if you get cold feet!""Yeah, Helen!" Cindy shouted as well. "Do it!""Do it!" The audience urged Helen as well, and she looked around, but that familiar face was not there.And if she said yes now, there would be no turning back.Even Chaz was glowering at that point. "Are you deliberately embarrassing me, Helen? You'd better take the deal I'm offering, or Frank is a dead man! No, it won't just be him—your mother, your cousin, and everyone serving the Northstream Lanes would all rest in pieces! Make up your mind… No, there's no changing this even if you refuse!"Chaz's threat left Helen trembling all over, and she eventually closed her eyes and relaxed her knuckles as she gave in."Okay…" she said, her eyes filled with misery.But before she could, the front doors of Graves Mansion were suddenly kicked open resoundingly!"Argh!!!""What?!"The guests turned in time to find one of the Graves' bodyguards landing a
Frank snorted. "Alright, I'm hanging up. I'm getting started over here soon.""Yeah. Good luck," Jouri replied.Hanging up, Frank looked up at the waterfall overhead, and then at Skyler, who was standing beside him. "So? Is it time yet?""Almost… Now!" Skyler's eyes were glowing even as she stared at her watch."Alright."Frank looked up just as the skies abruptly darkened. "Ah, there it is—the eclipse."The sun seemed to disappear, and the world was suddenly shrouded in darknesses.And beside him, a stone door imbued with the power of the spiritron vein also rumbled as it parted."Got it!" Frank rushed inside without another word as soon as he saw it."Hmph. I'm surprised that you could reach this place." A cold, wrathful voice resounded inside even before Frank got a hold of his surroundings.Looking up, Frank found a youth in a black cossack and sporting grey-white hair, standing upon a cliff as he looked down on him.Frank chuckled. "Hehe. Like I said, I've come to kill
Frank narrowed his eyes. "Is that so?'Crane shrugged. "I don't mind giving it to you straight—members of Torrent are actually… Ahem. A part of Torrent himself."Frank paused. "What's that supposed to mean?""You don't get it, do you?" Crane grinned. "Then let me put it to you this way—every member is a clone of Torrent.""A clone?" Frank gasped in realization."Yes," Crane nodded. "That's why I believe that challenging Crane is just suicide. You have no idea how powerful he is—only death awaits you down that path."Frank smirked. "Oh, but I don't think so."Crane rolled his eyes. "Fine, whatever—now listen closely. You will find Torrent in the Mystic Trail, but you would only find that place when the sun and moon coincide, and the entrance is beneath the waterfall south of Horton."As he finished, he snorted coldly. "I have no idea if you can actually do it, but I'm hoping you do kill him… Heh. I'm getting tired of being stuck under his control for so long."Then, waving off
Frank abruptly turned, immediately noticing one of the Cranes crouching, ready to spring forward and blindside him."Got you!" He laughed."Hah! You fell for it!"Just as Frank swung a punch to pulverize that Crane, he suddenly burst into pus that splashed at Frank's face."Damn it!" Frank took a step back, surprised that the clone's presence was identical to the real Crane, and a trap on top of that!"Die!"The Cranes around him each whipped out a dagger, all of them stabbing at Frank at the same time."Get off!" Frank bellowed, unleashing a shockwave that sent all the Cranes flying across all directions."Frank! Above you!" Skyler suddenly shrieked."Yes! I'm right here!" A strange laughter sounded above Frank just as he wiped the pus off his face.Crane was suddenly directly above him, launching an aerial kick straight at Frank's head, and Frank had no time to dodge!"Die!" Crane's smile curled into a twisted angle as he saw that too.He was very confident with this kick
"Disgusting…" Skyler murmured through her hand.Despite being skinned and scalped, the women were all still alive and singing to the music that was playing despite their anguish."Talk about a terrible fetish."Frank was scowling too—why were all the members of Torrent such sick deviants? It seemed like his plan to wipe them out was absolutely correct!"So, you killed my clone?"The lanky man on the couch slowly turned to level his bloodshot eyes at Frank.His lips were wet with bed as they curled upward into an eerie smile."Clone?" Frank narrowed his eyes."Hehe. It's a sage art."Crane shrugged as he stood up and wiped the blood off his lips. "It's only natural that you don't understand… Still, you deserve praise. If you can kill my clone, that means you're not just slightly stronger than Ghost."Naturally, the man was none other than the real Crane.Still, as Skyler studied him from a corner, even she could notice the strange twitch of his fingers, and his veins were pro
Even as Crane ran, he was looking over his shoulder, his heart pounding. "No… I won't win in a one-on-one!"No, as long as I get back to my real body… we can do this together!" He frowned, having seen how Frank sliced off the pinkies of those hood rats. It hence quickly dawned on him that Frank was not just slightly stronger than Ghost, as Torrent had put it!"Almost there!" He gasped when he saw the signboard of Pegasus Showtown in the distance. "As long as I get there and rendezvous with my real body, that brat will lose—"That was when he turned and saw that a shadow had caught up with impossible speed."What?!" Crane's eyes almost popped out in bewilderment. "What speed is that?! Are you kidding—"Even as he spotted the shadow, the shadow turned into a youth with an impassive visage.His fist outstretched, he was clearly punching toward Crane's forehead!"Argh…"Even as Crane looked on, the youth's punch slowed down by tenfold, but his fist kept closing in.Then, whe
Seeing Skyler sigh, the tattooed thug presumed that his extortion worked.He strode up, grabbing Frank's shoulder. "No one's gonna help you, boy. Pay up, or you're not leaving.""Exactly! You're not getting away!" the crowd of hood rats hollered. "Last chance."Frank's eyes were cold and fixed on Dani, however. "Are you going to intervene? If you do, you can keep that check. If you don't…""Ugh. Fuck off! I don't care!" Dani spat, her expression smug as she folded her arms before her chest. "Who do you think you are to threaten me?!""Exactly! Pay up, and you can leave!""Yeah! Ten grand, at least!""You probably don't know my boss Wyvern, but when he's here, you won't get away with just ten grand!"Even as the crowd closed in, Frank shook his head. "Well, you had your chance. Don't blame me for what happens next.""You're giving us a chance?! Hah! Who—argh!"Even before Dani could finish gloating, Frank was suddenly in front of her, grabbing her viciously by the wrist."Arg
"Five grand?! Did you hear that?! He just threw five grand!""Must be a rich kid coming here for a secret rendezvous, out of prying eyes? Those types are the easiest mark!""Fuck! And Dani got one of us… It hurts me more than losing at the races!"Frank could hear the buzz around him but ignored it as he strode past the men flanking him and headed toward the street that stank of blood."Stop!" A big tattooed man grinned sinisterly as he intercepted Frank.As his buddies encircled Frank as well, Frank snorted—it seemed that they took his reaction for a sign of weakness and thought that he could be cowed.The tattooed man rubbed his chin as he leered at Skyler's voluptuous figure, chuckling. "Look, boy. I'm short on cash, so let me take a loan. I'll pay you back some other day, how about that?"His friend laughed. "Exactly! You just gave Dani five grand, and we won't ask for more… just four, how about that?"Skyler scowled in turn and glanced worriedly at Frank beside her—was he
Frank himself had just stepped out of the nightclub when his eyes narrowed."Blood," he murmured, his nostrils twitching."Blood?"Skyler sniffed the air, puzzled. "I can't smell it.""It's from the opposite street… I smell the blood of over a dozen people.""A dozen?!" Skyler did a double take.He could identify the number of people who were killed?! That was just ridiculous!"Come on, let's take a look."Just as Frank led the way toward the source of the stench, a woman suddenly came up, catching Frank off guard and throwing herself into his arms."Hmmm?" He looked down to see that she had thick makeup, average looks, and a rather pudgy belly."Argh! He touched me!" she pointed at Frank and shrieked even before he realized what was happening."What?!" Skyler was staring at the woman too, mystified."Oh, sister! You just didn't see it!"The woman kept hollering, pointing at Frank's face. "Your boyfriend grabbed my ass! Is that how you teach him manners?!""Teach him ma
Wyvern screamed even as he clutched the stump that was his hand, screaming so shrilly one might mistake his voice as inhuman."Oh, just shut up." The lanky man glowered and launched a kick, reducing Wyvern into puddles of blood and pieces of innards, splattering all around the lobby. "Argh!!!" the devilish lady screamed as she watched the carnage unfolded."Another sound, and you'd end up just like him." The lanky man turned and frowned at her impatiently."Hngh…" The devilish lady promptly clasped a hand over her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes as she trembled."What the hell?!"Outside, Wyvern's lackeys heard the screams and ran inside, looking for him. "Hey, where's Wyvern?!"However, the lobby was too dimly lit for them to notice the blood and guts scattered around the walls, and they only sensed that terrible stench."Hngh…" The devilish lady was too scared to speak, and tears trickled out of her eyes."Fuck!"One of the lackeys strode up and seized the lanky man