That being said, both Mark and Helen seemed to have a tacit understanding to not mention Henry today—they did not want to add to their own misery.However, while Vicky and Helen were watching Mark leave emotionally, Fleur went Lang over and snatched the agreement off Gavin's hands. "Hmph. Two months?" She snorted and saw the hundred million dollar sum to be paid.Whipping out a pen from her pocket, she added a zero behind it and quickly passed it back to Gavin.Gavin frowned when he saw Fleur change the price. "This is insurance. What if Helen fails? We'd lose big.""Don't tell anyone! And don't you understand how humiliating it would be if some nobody is appointed the head of our family?!" Felur growled under her breath.Gavin was going to argue but soon noticed Frank turning toward them.He quickly pretended nothing ever happened—he did not want Frank to have a fight over money here. It did not benefit his family whatsoever!Also, it was just one more zero, and Helen had agr
Helen almost shed tears from sheer frustration. "How could you do this to me, Vicky?!"Vicky walked up and hugged Helen while purring, "Oh, dear Helen… Why are you tearing up? It really hurts to look—but reality is just that cruel. All is fair in love and war! You need more resolve than this!"Wagging her finger at Helen, she continued, "I mean, just think about it—why would I help you become the next head of the Lane family? Just so that you can lord over me? I'd be shooting myself in the foot, and I'm not as dumb as you are."Seeing that Vicky's words were striking Helen where it hurts most, Frank sighed exasperatedly. "That's enough now, Vicky. Stop scaring her—don't you have any ideas?""Huh?" Vicky turned toward him in shock. "Did you think I'm just scaring her, darling? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to defeat Helen once and for all… Fine, I'll be frank. I'm not some deity who can make money out of such a huge farm in two months. Helen is in for it now."Helen real
Vicky stuck her tongue out at Frank, while Helen frowned. "Alright, just leave this whole affair to me," he said. "Both of you just follow my orders—you'll be handing the advertising and getting all the public figures of Riverton to build hype. The more hype, the better."As for me…" Frank glanced at the farmland around him, sighing. "I'll be staying here for a while.""Frank…" Helen was awash with emotion.She was convinced she could rise as the next head of the Lane family, only to end up relying on Frank again.It was as emotional as it was awkward—in fact, Frank's claim before that he was the reason Lane Holdings flourished during their three-year marriage was no lie.Frank patted her on the head just then. "Come on. You don't need me if you can do everything yourself. Go on—get to work.""Yeah," Helen nodded."Playing favorites huh, Frank?" Vicky's huffed, puffing her cheeks in jealousy. "You're always on Helen's side, never caring about me! I'm upset now!"Frank chuckle
Trevor was watching a haggard Frank with a pained look. "Why don't you let me drive, Mr. Lawrence? You've been working hard for days."It had been five days since Trevor called Frank to report his findings on the Leaf family of Norsedam.And over the last five days, Frank had been busy as he measured every corner of the farm, including the hot springs, stables, and orchards.He made arrangements to set up a layout resembling a planned town. Then, he had Trevor spend a fortune hiring the best architects in Draconia to provide it a grand design.At the same time, Frank needed everyone to quickly finish all construction for the resort in a month. For that, Trevor hired over a thousand contracts who worked overnight.After that, Frank provided Trevor with an inventory of medicinal herbs and asked him to buy everything."Who's it for?" Trevor asked in curiosity at the time, but Frank simply smiled and said nothing.Nonetheless, Trevor did as told and was soon left watching as he watc
As for horse-riding, fishing, and other forms of entertainment, Frank would set them up as contests, with winners being awarded even better service. Frank even had a mind to open such contests to the public.Trevor was certainly excited after Frank told him about his masterplan and volunteered to be the first guest.Frank happily agreed to it, just as he could take a break as the chief planner for the resort project now that everything was on the right track.The rest was up to Trevor, and as for advertising… Would the two beautiful women not catch more attention than him anyway?Frank and Trevor were still chatting as they arrived at Norsedam.The Leaf family had chosen to hold their auction on the black market—it appeared that most of Bail's collections were procured through unsavory means and could not be shown to the public. Moreover, while the black market had no shortage of rarities, the prices were inevitably higher than usual."Welcome, Mr. Lawrence." Trevor smiled.He h
"Fine. I guess we'll see." The woman sneered, clearly hostile toward Frank and Trevor.Trevor was going to argue, but Frank stopped him. "Don't cause a mess. We're here for the auction."Trevor snorted coolly. "Well, we're letting her off easy."His business operated mainly abroad, but he still had strong influence in Draconia. How else could he have investigated the Leaf family so quickly? Meanwhile, auction items were quickly leaving the table, and the more important ones were now being presented.Soon, Frank found himself staring a fist-sized yellowed tree root, laying still in a chest cushioned in red velvet cloth."Look, Mr. Lawrence! Isn't that the Hyperion Root?!" Trevor exclaimed excitedly, not noticing the frown on Frank's face.Jenny Leaf—Bail's daughter and emcee of the auction—personally introduced the item. "Honored guests, the next item is one of my father's most precious pieces, and it's often presented for appraisal: a Hyperion Root, which represents the wood el
And today, Frank was seeing it in action with his own eyes."300 million."A youth dressed casually raised his paddle just then. For some reason, the entire auction hall soon turned silent at his call.Scratching his head nonchalantly, Tavis Holt grinned. "That Hyperion Root belongs to Hundred Bane Sect. Anyone who bids against me shall be labeled an enemy of my sect… and I'm sure everyone knows what happens after?"As Tavis looked around at those around him, everyone who met his gaze were grimacing but backed out of the bid nonetheless.No one would ever mess with the ruthless savages of Hundred Bane Sect. There was no line they would not cross. Anyone who made an enemy of them—even unknowingly—would be poisoned with a variety of oddities in each instance, and they did it without ever being caught.Naturally, there was also variety to the condition of the corpse left behind, each more creepy than the last: Some would melt instantly into a puddle of pus, while others screamed
Sif was grinning smugly.Never once was she ever afraid when it comes to competing connections!Tavis was hanging his head in turn, afraid to say a word since he knew how difficult Sif could be.Anyone who messed with her would have messed with her younger brother—the freak of Volsung Sect."Oh, he's spineless. Boring…" Sif sighed in disappointment as she returned to her seat.Then, she glanced at Frank seemingly nonchalantly.However, while she presumed that Frank would be petrified after hearing her name—falling to his knees in apology, even—Frank remained impassive.He was definitely not spooked and did not even glance her way as he sat calmly, ignoring Sif's earlier dramatics.Still, Sif soon convinced himself that Frank was just feigning calmness to save face, her disdain for Frank flaring."500 million from Ms. Lionheart. Any further bids?" Jenny asked loudly just then.However, she was scowling a little because 500 million was way lower than her expected successful bid
Her skin and fingers were rotting where the motel manager touched the pendant, as if being corroded by acid at a visible rate. Worst of all, she could not even feel any pain from it!"W-What's going on here?!"Horrified, the motel manager turned and ran.Drunken Moon was ready to give chase, but Frank stopped her. "She's not going to have it easy without her fingers. Let her go."Drunken Moon nodded and pointed at the pendant on the floor. "What the heck is that?"Frank then told her about Reverend Quietus, to which Drunken Room exclaimed, "You meant to say that there are bodies of energy that are basically identical to the paranormal that people speak of?"Frank nodded. "I'm sure it's not just rumors, with the way it remained over a thousand years—things like that do exist. But in the end, it's no different from a spell, and you can handle it if you're strong enough."Drunken Moon smiled. "That only applies to you. I don't know about anyone else, but I really can't deal with th
After she calmed down, the bellgirl took an interest in Frank. "Is he the one who could beat you?"It was the new age—ladies were not shy, and the bellgirl actually liked lookers like him."Hello." Frank greeted her, and she smiled in turn. "Sorry for having to bother you, handsome."She would really have asked for his number if circumstances allowed.That was when footsteps could be heard, and Frank glanced sideways outside as he told Drunken Moon, "Now's your chance for revenge. Don't hold back now.""You don't need to worry about that!" Drunken Moon exclaimed as she flexed her muscles—she was waiting for this moment.The motel manager led several burly men inside, standing at the center proudly like she owned the place. "That's for insulting me, bitch! Go! Show her who she was messing with!"Though the motel manager did not hesitate to send her men after Drunken Moon, Drunken Moon smirked, waiting until the bouncers were about to reach before punching them.Soon, they wer
Frank chuckled. "As for what actually happened to him, I'll get someone to keep tabs and maybe record a video. It shouldn't be difficult."Drunken Moon flashed a thumbs-up at him. "You're really the best when it comes to cruelty. Simply different."They shared a smile, and soon, Jouri's people came to take the white-haired youth away.Later, Frank and Drunken Moon headed to a motel, as the latter received a call from a geezer who said his granddaughter was being harassed and needed help.She had no fear with Frank at her side anyway, so she went.As soon as they entered, they found a twentyish, slightly short bellgirl wiping the tears off her face.Nearby, the motel manager was pointing at her and ranting, spouting plenty of expletives!Drunken Moon naturally would not just sit by. Striding up, she pushed the manager away and snapped furiously, "What's the meaning of this?! There's no reason to go that far even if she messed up!"The manager was equally furious, however, and sn
"The nail that sticks out gets hammered! I'm sure you'd die horribly soon enough!"The white-haired youth's futile efforts at threatening Frank only made him smirk. "What's it to you, even if I or Drunken Moon died? She still won't be interested."The white-haired youth snorted, but soon sighed. "Fine, do it!"Drunken Moon wagged her finger at him. "Why should we make it quick? He's actually right—death is a reward for people like you."That's why I'll treat your leg and sell you as a slave to some third-world country. Trust me, it's not just the ladies who are popular there—they like a pretty boy too."The white-haired youth smirked. "Quit trying to scare me. Do you think that crippling my cultivation would stop me from talking? As long as you don't, I'll find a way to free myself. Let's see what you can do then!"That was when Frank butted in. "Actually, I do have a solution."With just a thought, the white-haired youth's leg was as good as new.As soon as he saw that, the wh
Speed is the one unbreakable law of martial arts, and someone quicker than the naked eye would never lose.To think that the man who seemed to have nothing going for him aside from his looks was this powerful!Frank chuckled and turned to the biker. "You should leave. It's not a pretty sight when blood starts spilling."The biker was quite compliant from the start and turned to run. "Thank you for saving me. May we meet again!"On the other hand, Frank leapt over the railing and dropped to a squat in front of the white-haired youth. "Go on, tell me why you introduced Drunken Moon to someone else."The white-haired youth was taken aback but soon said, "So you're the brat who's not to be underestimated? That's why your fellow martial artists think so highly of you.""I appreciate their flattery, but I'm afraid I might fall short." Frank chuckled coolly. "And you could stop fawning over me and answer my question."The white-haired youth's eyes widened. "Who do you think I am?"Fra
Frank chuckled. "Who do you think? The man who tried to kill you just now.""What?!"The biker was even more shocked, as the Lamborghini was reduced to a marble. Would the driver even survive that?"Ignoramus! I'm not so easily killed!"A figure strode out of the grass nearby, and it was none other than the white-haired youth who drove the Lamborghini!"When did that happen?" the biker exclaimed.He definitely did not see the Lamborghini's doors opening or anyone jumping out when it was crushed into a ball, so how did that man escape?"Go on. Show us how much quicker you can be!" Frank beckoned at the white-haired youth.Perplexed, the white-haired youth asked, "I'm curious. How did you know about my powers?"Frank pointed at his eyes, "Thanks to certain assistance, I've improved my further abilities and can now identify anyone's abilities.""Really? But identifying wouldn't be enough—you gotta be good enough to handle me!"Readying himself as if for a sprint, the white-hair
Seeing Frank chasing her down, the beggar said, "I really can't elaborate. You know about the group already, don't you? Go and deal with them—use your wisdom to see through everything and solve the riddle."And with that, she left without a care.This time, Frank did not stop her—if anything, he had no reason to do so.Her point was simple: there was just so much involved that even she had not the faintest idea. Sighing, Frank called Jouri and told her to search for Sanne Quess and Reverend Quietus."The latter is impressive," he said. "She even sealed the power of the spiritron vein!'"What?!"Jouri was shocked—that was impossible, as the spiritron vein was invincible as far as she was concerned.But a mere reverend subdued it?!"Do you have further details?" she pressed.Frank shook his head. "She can use talismans. That's about all I know about her."Jouri sighed wryly. "Then looking into her will be difficult—I'd focus on Sanne Quess instead. Who is he?"Frank told her
Baldie dropped to his knees with a thud.Not only did Frank possess superior abilities, but he had a functioning moral compass too?He certainly deserved the power of the spiritron vein!Baldie then said, "I guess I should warn you that there are people who keep their hands clean. They would do anything to further their mysterious goals, so you should watch out."Frank chuckled. "Don't worry. I never hold back when I should kill—just listen to the reverend, and leave if there's nothing else, or I might change my mind."At those words, Baldie turned to run without lingering another second. Frank then turned toward the beggar. "Is this what you want?"The beggar nodded, clearly not bothered to hide anything. "To be honest, I've been considering an issue—do all the people who gain superpowers deserve it? The dragon inside you, for example… I can't say that it's anything good."Frank nodded, smiling—she was right about that, as he thought the same himself.After all, it had done
Frank smiled, shaking his head. "No, you misunderstand. What I mean is that she's right. The paranormal, your mystical artifact—it all works using the same principle: You're all just a little stronger than the average martial artist."However, when you're up against the real deal like me, you're relatively weak and easily dealt with."Baldie was left flabbergasted. "No, no, no… That's impossible! We're not the same as martial artists. None of you stand a chance against us!"Frank shook his head. "What you're saying is impossible. Your kind is simply more gifted, while martial artists are less, and that's the only reason you're stronger than most martial artists."Baldie dropped to his knees with a thud, shaking his head repeatedly as there was nothing more that could tear him up inside.He had always believed that even if he was not divine, he was still an envoy among the mortals like the priests and monks in fiction. Naturally, he was convinced that the day would come when he tra