Peter was not afraid at all and poised a fist as he snapped, "A good-for-nothing like you talking back to me?! I'll straighten you out for my sister's sake right now!"That was when Frank suddenly kicked him in the gut, sending him flying like a bullet."Argh!" Peter's girlfriend turned pale in panic and scrambled to his side. "Are you alright, darling?!"Nearby, Vicky was smiling coolly. Trying to lay a finger on Frank? The brat certainly was brave.That being said, she was more curious about the 'Helen' Frank mentioned."Damn you…" Peter's face contorted from the agony in his stomach—it felt like his guts would spill out!Glaring darkly at Frank, he growled, "H-How dare you hit me!"Frank remained calm and composed. "I won't press the issue for your sister's sake. But now that I've cut ties with your family, I'll kill you the next time you mess with me."Peter actually flinched from the murderous intent in Frank's eyes and swallowed all the obscenities at the tip of his ton
Frank took a taxi to Laneville in the evening and was surprised to find Gina waiting for a while at the door.Seeing him arrive, she promptly strode up to him and warned, "I take it you know what to say and what not to when you see the old man later."Frank chuckled. "You really should chase me away instead if you're that worried.""What?!" Gina glared at him, shocked that he would speak in that tone with her.Nonetheless, Frank ignored her and strode inside. After all, he had no reason to play nice with the rest of the Lane family now that he and Helen were divorced!As soon as he entered, he found Henry standing there with an apron, having cooked up a storm. "What's the occasion, sir? That's a lot of food," he said.Henry was smiling when he saw Frank and walked up to grasp his hand. "Oh, you're here, Frankie—you'll find out soon enough."As the pair sat down and made pleasant small talk, Gina stared fixedly at Frank, fearful that he would say what he should not.Helen ar
Henry's miserable reaction was not lost on Frank.However, even if Henry was willing to accept him, his family was not. It was as if his marriage with Helen was a family affair and not between just the two of them!"No, Gramps. I think this is it," he said, and left without looking back.Henry wobbled and almost fell.Helen reacted quickly and hurried forward to catch him, and she found that his eyes were unfocused as he muttered repeatedly, "It's over… It's all over… It's the end for my family…"Helen was left miffed by his words. "What are you talking about, Grandpa? To tell the truth, Sean went out of his way to help me build a partnership with the Turnbulls earlier today. Our family would rise to stand among the elites in Riverton.""Hah!" Henry scoffed coldly. "That Sean Wesley whom Frank was talking about?""Exactly," Helen replied. "He's not even worth a fart compared to Frank," Henry growled as he stormed back to his room, having no mood for dinner anymore.Helen si
Frank chuckled. "Why would they be jealous? I'm not a fellow suitor.""That's true." Yara conceded and sighed. "But Vicky has a fiance too. Are you sure he won't get the wrong idea? Moreover, he's the heir to the Lionhearts, an important family in Morhen—that man is known to be ruthless, made evident with certain suitors for Vicky disappearing under mysterious circumstances."Being Vicky's bodyguard, Yara was naturally privy to certain secrets. She would rather not see an amazing martial artist like Frank get himself killed. That was why she was being nice and warned him—there were others in Riverton who could destroy Frank aside from the Lionhearts."Hmph." Frank snorted with a look of disdain. "I'm fine as long as they don't provoke me. If they do, they'll find themselves less lions than lambs."Yara gulped.That was certainly a bold claim, though she wondered if Frank could remain so when the Lionhearts really came for him.Either way, she had nothing to add after saying tha
Frank slid his hands in his pockets as he calmly got into the car.Vicky, however, would keep sliding peeks at him from the driver seat."Mr. Lawrence, may I ask who Peter Lane is?" she eventually asked."My ex brother-in-law." Frank admitted."Oh, I see," Vicky exclaimed in understanding. "Helen Lane."Frank nodded while she smiled. "I guess things have gotten unpleasant between you two! Would you like me to help a little?"Frank glanced at her.If Vicky really did help, she could certainly make the Lanes disappear from Riverton without a trace.However, he had no intention of going that far despite despising that family, and he more or less had to show some respect to Henry as long as he was alive."Thanks for your offer, but I can handle it myself," he replied.Vicky smiled. "Understood. Just remember that you can come to me anytime you're having trouble."-Helen arrived at the front doors of Verdant Hotel, her blue gown drawing many stares immediately.Beside her, Gin
Sean was immediately annoyed by Vicky's words. "Come on now, beautiful. Give me a little credit."He was the heir to the Wesley family, and she told him that he did not compare to a piece of trash like Frank?However, Vicky merely snorted in disdain. "Why should I?"Sean pursed his lips, his veins bulging as he clenched his knuckle. "Let me give it to you straight—that brat doesn't even have a job! Why else would Helen divorce him? What can he offer you?! He's not even that good looking."Vicky simply glanced at Frank and shrugged. "Mr. Lawrence only needs time. He just needs a month, and surpassing your family would not be out of the question.""Haha! You're really funny!" Sean laughed.Starting from nothing and beating his family in a month?! Dream on!Vicky smiled in return. "I'm not being funny. Why don't we make a bet? If Mr. Lawrence surpasses your family in a month, you'll go down on your knees and apologize." Sean narrowed his eyes, his interest piqued. "What if he doe
Helen gasped as Vicky strode toward them under the crowd's escort, realizing that she was Ms. Turnbull given how the crowd behaved around her.She certainly harbored contempt for Vicky earlier and was left feeling uncomfortable about that.Not only was Vicky far more beautiful than she was, but even the former's family and connections crushed anything she had!At that moment, she understood what Vicky meant about humiliating herself.There was no way she would get that project as long as Vicky was around!At the same time, Sean was stammering, "Y-You're Ms. Turnbull?""What, does that disappoint you?" Vicky looked at him gleefully in turn. "Also, you were insulting Mr. Lawrence, weren't you?""Hmph! So what?" Sean snorted.From where he stood, Frank had nothing going for him at all. Even if he managed to seduce Vicky, he was nothing more than her plaything!In fact, if Vicky fought him over her gigolo, she would be bringing shame to the Turnbulls!As such, he was dead sure th
With Trevor's case being a precedent and what Vicky told Helen before they came inside the banquet hall, Helen was convinced that she had no chance of getting the West City project.That was when Sean said with a scowl, "Don't worry. That good-for-nothing is just Vicky's gigolo, but my father actually is her grandfather's associate. I'm sure the man would understand with just a phone call."Gina finally remembered that he was there too. "Oh, Mr. Wesley! You really come through for us when it matters!"Helen leveled a miserable look at Frank in turn. "Sorry, but we really have to trouble you this time."She certainly did not dare pin her hopes of Frank—the West City project was the key to Lane Holdings' future!Sean whipped out his phone, and went to a quiet corner to call his father, James Wesley, who was the head of his household."What is it? Why are you calling this late?" James growled.Sean promptly pleaded, "Dad, could you ask George Turnbull to give my friend a project?"
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
After strutting for so many years, this was the first time anyone had seen through the depth of Frank's abilities in its entirety.That alone set Baldie apart from the rest, or at least the average martial artist, if not placing him scarily high over them.Still, Baldie warned, "Word of advice, kid—mind your own business. This isn't my choice, as there's a larger faction at work here, and you'd be in trouble if you rubbed them the wrong way.""Really?"His warning only pleased Frank further.After all, this meant that there were more powerful individuals like Baldie!In fact, Frank was just getting sick of being invincible, or he would not have been amusing himself by tormenting baddies.And with Baldie's words, he found himself a new hobby… He had plenty of time to spare anyway, so he should use it!"What's that stupid grin for?"Baldie smiled in wry amusement as he realized what Frank was thinking.To think he had the bad luck to run into someone like him!"Simple, really.
The beggar continued, "The way I see it, those ghosts are basically people with superpowers. They are driven by their own desires to hurt the living, while some have trouble controlling their powers after suddenly awakening to it."Her unexpected explanation actually enlightened Frank.Ghosts and hauntings notwithstanding, they were just people who could do what normal people could not—but they were fundamentally no different!Without hesitation, Frank rushed forward when a tall, well-rounded bald man appeared before he reached the graves. "Does no one ever listen?" He laughed coldly.Frank felt a powerful burst of energy from his words—he was clearly trying to make them obey, but they were not listening!"In that case, I'd just have to be tough on you!"At those words, a bead appeared on Baldie's palm, and it shot up to the sky!At the same time, an unusual energy converged and ultimately morphed into a monster.It was basically a pile of rotting flesh crawling with maggots.
Frank smiled, shaking his head. "Don't worry—I'm neither blind nor deaf. I knew what was happening from the start, and I'd be even more upset if I were in your shoes."The stall owner sighed in relief at Frank's words and turned to leave, not forgetting to curse the beggar under his breath.At the same time, the beggar straightened herself off the ground and sat cross-legged, whipping out a large meatloaf out of nowhere and chomping down on it.Frank sat beside her too, not bothered that he was wearing an expensive suit and certainly not concerned about getting it dirty."So, do I pass your test, reverend?"The beggar said nothing, instead handing Frank the meatloaf that her dirty hands had left darkened. "Hurry up. It's good."Frank took it, not minding it at all and finishing it in a few bites. "It's good, but I can make something better. How about it?"The beggar was suddenly on her feet, stretching her back and yawning. "Next time. I'm busy.""What is it? Can't I help?" Fra
After Mr. Creston handed Frank his phone, Frank nodded. "Good, at least you're cooperating. So you can do it yourself!"Mr. Creston was left befuddled—what the hell?! He was already being so cooperative, and the brat still wanted him dead?!"Friend, a gentleman is as good as his word," he said. "People would laugh at you.""Laugh at me?" Frank chuckled coolly. "Who would dare laugh at me? Also, I think it might happen if I don't wipe out people like you.""What…!"As Mr. Creston realized from Frank's calm tone that he was not letting him off the hook, he ran without hesitation.But to Frank, he was slower than a tortoise and disappeared in the blink of an eye.Frank then whipped out Mr. Creston's phone and called the number in it.A coquettish woman answered the call. "Hey, buddy!"Frank laughed at the way she greeted him as if they were old friends. "Reverend Quietus, I presume? Why don't we meet up, if you don't mind?""I certainly don't mind." The woman laughed too. "Who
Frank smiled and nodded. "Ladies like you are rare these days."Drunken Moon snapped her fingers, grinning. "That's exactly why we need to work hard to eliminate all the terrible women. There would be more good girls that way, don't you agree?"I'm not out to make men happy—just to set a standard for my fellow girls. Not everything is black and white, since anything can be relative. Even if men were all gone, bad women would still be bad women. Don't you agree?"Frank nodded in agreement.Thirty minutes later, the stout Mr. Creston sat up on the bed, clearly startled.Frank, who was watching from a bird's eye view, was caught by surprise—how did that man sense his presence?Still, he understood when he saw that Mr. Creston was holding a gleaming yellow talisman.Shock soon turned to curiosity as Frank thought most street geomancers these days were conmen, but somehow, a working talisman was there right in front of him. Hence, Frank made up his mind to find them right then."I
Frank was not only the smart guy out there in the whole right world. In other words, Mr. Creston had that in mind too!He was helping because he had felt insulted after Frank flexed on him earlier, and Dani was still useful to him—for now.When she handed over the company, however, he would not hesitate to kick her out! On top of that, he would make sure that she took the fall for all the dirty deeds they did together.In the end, she would not even be able to defend herself, while suffering lawsuits and public condemnation!Even so, she said, "I understand now. But it's never too late—I swear I'll change if you give me a chance!"Frank simply turned to Zein. "Actually, this man had the right idea—if he gave you a chance, who would give him one?"We're all adults here, so act your age. I'm sure you understand how a good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.""I get it!" Dani quickly said. "You don't have to keep me around, just—""No!" Frank snapped and crushed her left hand und
Dani was under the impression that even if the goons were not the best, they were on the cusp of reaching that level anyway.It turned out to be just her wishful thinking—when against the truly powerful, she was a lamb at the mercy of the butcher's knife, no matter how many people she brought! "To be honest, I'm curious as to what you're thinking." Frank snorted as he strode up to Dani. "Why dump a man who loves you dearly for some prick you don't even know? Being abused in that state and still thinking that you'd chosen wisely—do you actually have a brain?"Seeing her launching, he knew she was not listening, and he tore her ear off!The horrific pain jolted Dani to her senses, and she was left clutching what remained of her ear as she stared at the seemingly handsome man.She was under the impression that Frank would let her live even if she lost, but it was once again wishful thinking.He would kill her, and savagely at that!And she was certainly right, since Frank had ne