Helen did not hesitate. "I'm sorry."She had now chosen to trust Frank unconditionally and refused to falter no matter how reasonable the Southstream Lanes, Gina, or Cindy were.At that very moment, only Frank was worth depending upon.Walking up to Frank's side, Helen met the confused gaze of the Southstream Lanes with her girlboss poise. "You're all saying that Roth has left to meet with the Graves and the Lionhearts, and that he'll be back soon. In that case, we can just wait for him to return, and we'll see if my husband here has been lying at all.""If he was exaggerating at all, I'll be on my knees in apology without complaint!"Helen glanced at Frank at that.Seeing that she was trusting him that much now, he squeezed her hand in assurance. "Don't worry. I'd never lie to you."Helen smiled confidently at him in turn."Are you crazy, Helen?!" Gavin exclaimed.He could not believe someone as smart as Helen would believe Frank's tall tales.He might believe it if Frank ha
"What?!"The Southstream Lanes were all left astonished by Roth's words, and even as they wondered what he really meant, Gavin asked, "What do you mean, Roth…?"He was actually skeptical and urged his son for more details.Seeing that his family had trouble understanding, Roth adjusted his glasses as he spoke bluntly this time, "The Four Families of Southstream are now three. All thirty-two members of the Graves family have been butchered—none were left alive."The Southstream Lanes were all gasping at Roth's words."Butchered? All of them?!" Gavin exclaimed, before turning stiffly toward Frank and seeing that he remained calm despite the bombshell…As if he already knew.Seizing Roth by the collar right then, Gavin cried urgently, "But what about the Lionhearts or Titus?!""Calm down, Dad." Roth adjusted his glasses as he patted his father's shoulders. "Titus left, announcing to everyone that he no longer has ties to the Graves family and would therefore not meddle with the we
Roth knew that if his family somehow upset a reaper like Frank, the same fate awaited them!He gulped even as his own family stared at him, puzzled. Leaning in to whisper into his father's ear, he said, "Dad, that man is way more horrible than you'd think!"Gavin almost blacked out when Roth told him everything Frank did at Graves Mansion.It was all true?!Still, they were certainly too short-sighted to see what powers may be supporting Frank, even gloating that they would be understanding enough to spare Frank. After all that they had done, it would be amazing at all if Frank allowed them to live!Thud!Gavin dropped to his knees as well. "Mr. Lawrence! I was too blind to see, even doubting your words and power! I deserve every punishment! We, the Southstream Lanes, are all blind fools!"Gavin was the second leading authority in the family. Naturally, him kneeling to a young man like Frank left every member of the family and their bodyguards as confused as they were shocked.
And now, as Jade heard Frank mention his wager with Jon, she knew there was no escape.She turned toward Gavin for the sake of her son, crying out, "Please! You have to do something!"If Jon got killed eating dog poo, their family would become the laughing stock of all of Southstream! Gavin did not want his youngest son to die so miserably too and turned to level an earnest, pleading look at Frank. "Please, Mr. Lawrence. My son has always been too mischievous—he's just joking to liven things up. Please be understanding…"Then, he slapped Jon in front of everyone for his stupidity, snapping, "Apologize to Mr. Lawrence already!"The slap actually brought Jon to his senses, and he quickly kowtowed to Frank. "I was just joking, Mr. Lawrence! I didn't mean to insult you…""Really?" Frank turned toward Luna, who was on her knees and trembling. "Someone told me you were a man of sheer will but would like to see me go through with your wager?"Luna turned pale from Frank's stare and hu
Around an hour later, Frank turned down the Southstream Lanes' invitation to stay for dinner and headed home with Helen, Cindy, and Gina.It had certainly been a rewarding trip. Even after Frank rejected further attempts to give him money, the Southstream Lanes managed to find a way to win his favor through Helen. Gavin swore on his honor that he would invest fully into Lane Holdings and assist the growth of Helen's business while passing the late Mason's estate to her in full.As for Jon, he was ultimately forced to honor his wager by his own brother Roth, albeit with a lighter punishment, as he only had to kiss his dogs' bottoms.He was crying but had no choice but to do it, and he sped off to rinse his mouth and brush his teeth once he was done.Days later, a group sent by the Southstream Lanes came over and brought Henry's casket home, fulfilling his last wish.Helen was at once emotional to see Frank going that far for her grandfather, just as she understood profoundly that
Given what Frank said, it was clear that the old man knew Frank and Helen herself.And Helen knew Frank enough that there was a fight between them.Helen then subtly glanced at the helicopter in the distance. It was clear the helicopter had been parked there for a while, or it would not have drawn so many people. "Sir," she said. "Please don't be upset with Frank. I understand you've waited for a while, so why don't you come sit inside?""Oh, you have good manners. That's great." Fenton smiled.Before he could get in, however, Frank stood between him and the doors. "No, you don't have to go in. Say what you need to say here and leave." Helen frowned at Frank's rudeness.However, she also remembered that Frank was not the type who disrespected elders.And if Frank was being rude, she should not overstep and correct him.Nodding apologetically at Fenton, Helen hurried inside."Go on. Say what you need to say." Frank glowered, his tone cool. "If you're going to ask me to retur
Gina hurried toward them just then, her expression thrilled. "Look, Helen! This ruby… Its hue is better than every gem I've seen at the expo! Gosh, how much would it sell for—""Mom!" Helen snapped angrily. "Could you not mess around with something so precious? We're sending that back!""What?! No!" Gina flinched, hugging the box in reflex as she stared at Helen in disbelief. "Your name is on the box, so it's clearly meant for you! Why would you send it back?!"Helen shook her head. "It's too valuable. I can't accept it."Gina rolled her eyes at her insufferable daughter. "It's someone's sincerity! How could you reject it?!"She would not be sending it back either way!Cindy agreed. "Just take it, Helen. It's a gift from Mr. Lawrence's family, wishing you the best for your marriage with him."Helen turned to Frank instead. "You should send it back. I'd rather not owe such a huge favor…"Judging from every word Frank had said earlier, Frank was clearly on bad terms with his fami
Seeing that Frank was ready to hurry past her to chase down Winter, Vicky strode to the side and stopped him.Then, puffing her fair chest, she continued to interrogate him.Just then, a yawning Helen emerged in her pajamas. "Who was it, Frank?"Still, she was at once alert when she saw Vicky at the door, their eyes meeting with a dangerous, cracking spark."No way!" Vicky growled through her teeth."Yes way." Helen puffed her chest, smiling proudly."I don't believe you!" Vicky snapped, though she appeared dejected."Believe what you want!" Helen stood akimbo beside Frank, asserting dominance.Vicky was wheezing and glaring hostilely. "I'm surprised you can go that far, Helen—I'll give you that!""You flatter me." Helen smiled victoriously as she leaned against Frank."Stop it!" Frank had enough even as both women sandwiched him and stopped the confrontation.Sighing exasperatedly, he turned to Vicky. "You haven't had breakfast, have you? Come in and eat. Madam Zims made br