It was now not surprising that Frank remained calm and conceited—he came prepared.Naturally, neither Chaz nor Neil could have known how Frank predicted their plan and countered it accordingly.It was a question for Jaud, who would rather stay anonymous.Chaz and Neil were certainly caught in despair too—even the Lionhearts would not be able to win against Frank, not when he brought the combined might of Riverton!And having so immaculately set up a plan specifically to get Frank killed, neither of them were going to survive this.After all, the Lionhearts could not protect them—not when Titus himself could not ensure his own safety.And if Titus actually attacked Frank, his friends were not going to just stand by and watch—every ally of the Lionheart, including Titus himself, would die here."T-Titus! Please, I'm so scared… I don't wanna die! Not here!" Wilbur was bawling, his pants already wet.Titus was himself feeling somber—he could see the legions of men swarming outside
"What? Are you not going to desist, Mr. Lawrence?" Titus' eyes flashed viciously—Frank was really overreaching!"I'm warning you—if anything happens to me here in Riverton…" He chuckled coolly, glancing pointedly around himself. "No one here will get away with it!"Titus' threat actually left the Riverton bigwigs flinching, but Frank slowly continued toward him, looking him in the eye as he said, "I have no intention to fight you—I just want to clear up one particular matter with you.""And what would that be?" Titus scowled, his keen senses still detecting over a dozen gun barrels leveled at his face."It's about Vicky Turnbull," Frank said.Titus almost flew into a rage right then, scoffing. "What, are you going to humiliate me in front of anyone?""I have no such interest or attention." Frank shook his head. "I swear by my honor that Vicky and I have not been involved in anything scandalous.""That's it? Do you think I'd believe you? Also, your honor? How much is that worth
Hans came over to Frank, gesturing with a searching gaze. "What about these two, Mr. Lawrence?"Frank smiled in disdain. "They'd remain a pest if kept alive, and there's no reason for the Graves family to live…"He then leveled a haughty look at Neil as if he were a dog, even as Neil kept kotowing at his feet. "Despicable, traitorous scum. List down all his crimes and deliver it in writing to the Turnbulls, then kill him.""Yes, sir," Hans replied with a salute.With that, two soldiers came and dragged Neil away, even as he kept begging, "Please, Mr. Lawrence! Mercy! I was tricked… Chaz tricked me! Please, just let me live…"On the other hand, Chaz was laying on the floor, laughing so loudly even as he shed tears as if he had lost his mind. "Color me surprised, Frank! It's my blunder… I didn't think you had that many friends!"As several soldiers strode up and restrained him with a vice-like grip, he promptly cried out in panic, "This is all my fault, and I'm man enough to take
Gina urged, "Hurry up already, Cindy! We can't stay here in Riverton… No, we can't stay in this country at all! We need to escape abroad, and we only have twenty minutes to make it to the airport!""Coming!" Cindy exclaimed, carrying a pile of Helen's branded cosmetic products out of Helen's room and shoving everything into a suitcase. When Gina saw that, she promptly snapped angrily, "Oh, just drop it, Cindy! How much are those cosmetic products worth anyway? Let's go!""Have you bought our plane tickets, Aunt Gina?""I did—I still have dozens of millions in savings, and with these treasures, we'd have enough money to survive abroad for a while."Despite what she said, anxiety was written all over Gina's face.They did not stay at Graves Mansion earlier and fled with the guests instead.After all, judging from Helen's reaction, Gina knew she would not marry Chaz on this day.And with that going up in smoke, the Southstream Lanes would never accept them, while the Graves famil
Jade bellowed, "Don't think that you Northstream Lanes can leave before you take responsibility for this mess! We're handing you over to the Graves and the Lionhearts, so that they won't believe that we're on your side… No, from this day forth, the Northstream Lanes and Southstream Lanes have nothing to do with each other!""What?!" Thunderstruck, Gina almost collapsed!Even Cindy's face fell, but she hurried to Jade with an apologetic smile. "Please, Aunt Jade. We're family aren't we? There's no need to go that far, is there?""Hah!" Jade sneered at Cindy right then. "Did you just say we're family, Cindy? Is there no bottom that you wouldn't sink to? You're only family with Gina. How are you related to me? Also, I refuse to have anything to do with someone who'd steal a bride's jewelry on her wedding day!"There was no news like bad news—Jade's outburst left Cindy's face falling.She did not think news of her stealing Helen's bridal jewelry had already spread. Was there any pla
The bodyguards violently snatched Gina and Cindy's suitcases from their grasp before shoving them to the floor and restraining them."Take them away!" Jade bellowed, and the bodyguards carried them away.Then, Jade's eyes lingered on the suitcases filled to the brim with jewelry before ordering to have all of it carried to her.Naturally, she was going to keep everything for herself—Gina and Cindy certainly did well packing everything up for her!-An hour after they left, a restless Helen returned safely to Lane Manor, escorted by Burt.She thought Gina would be home since she saw the car she had bought for her outside, only to walk through the front door to find everything a mess.Forget Gina and Cindy—none of the maids on the payroll were in sight.Helen felt a foreboding sensation right then—despite her misgivings toward Gina, Gina was still her mother and Helen was immediately concerned for her safety. "What's this?" Burt murmured as he picked up two pieces of papers off
Frank's Maybach drove into Lane Manor soon enough.Frank felt emotional even as he stared at the building—the last time he had gone inside was during Henry Lane's funeral.He made up his mind to have Helen move into Skywater Bay with him as well. Cindy and Gina could have the manor if they knew their place and stopped messing with him.Still, his phone rang just as he was about to press the doorbell.It was an unfamiliar number, but Frank answered without hesitation."I'm surprised you're alive, Frank," an ancient but authoritative voice spoke from the other end.Frank's fingers clenched around his phone—the voice invoked all sorts of memories from the past.Taking a moment to calm down as much as possible, he soon replied flatly, "You do indeed seem surprised.""Hoho… Holding a grudge now are we, boy?"The voice seemed to pierce Frank in the brain, striking a nerve. Still, Frank changed the subject instead of answering. "Hans, huh?" "Nope. You've really moved heaven and
The valet named Fenton replied respectfully, "Sixty-three years, sir.""And your daughter… I heard she's doing well in Morhen?" Godwin asked."More or less." Fenton nodded, chuckling. "Word has it that she's the leader of the Martial Alliance or some thingamajig. We'd never understand what the young ones are up to these days."Godwin turned toward his valet and old friend with a smile. "Well, Frank's alive. Does their betrothal still count?""Of course, my lord. I'll send word to my daughter right away and have her depart to Riverton and protect Master Frank immediately.""Good." Godwin nodded in satisfaction but soon shook his head and sighed. "Danger lurks in every corner of Draconia. We can only wait until that silly boy comes around!""He's wise beyond his age. He will eventually understand your plight, sir."Both men were still speaking when a uniformed soldier suddenly entered."Sir!" He saluted Godwin."Report." Godwin was suddenly the figure of authority from earlier.