In other words, Noel was a perfectionist—it was not surprising that she had what it took to become a top star in Draconia.After looking through the bruises, Frank smiled and nodded. "Don't worry—it's no big deal. I can remove them soon enough.""Great!" Noel exclaimed in joy, almost hugging Frank and kissing him.Frank rubbed his nose awkwardly—Noel only had a white shirt on, and her excitable bouncing almost exposed her.Repressing his impulses again, he felt weary—if he and Noel continued like this, his restraint would eventually get him sick.-Soon, Noel was lying on the drawing room couch while Frank brought a drop of longevity essence that he would use at the farm resort's hot springs.It went without saying how effective it was—treating a bruise with it was actually an overkill.However, Frank would use it on Noel anyway so that she had firsthand experience of the essence and showed more confidence in her endorsement.Dropping the essence into a bucket of water, he rub
Frank composed himself and applied more essence on his palm as he slowly and gently massaged it over Noel's back."Ah…" She frowned and gasped—the bruise on her back was larger than the rest, and Frank had accidentally touched a part that hurt."Bear with it. It'll be over soon," Frank said, directing liquid vigor to his fingers to clear the bruises.In seconds, Noel gave in and moaned in a way that would lead thoughts astray.All her pain was gone, replaced by a gentle warmth that comforted her exceedingly."Darling, I have a favor to ask…"A familiar voice could suddenly be heard from the door, and none other than Vicky Turnbull herself strode in.Frank and Noel both looked up at the same time, while Vicky trailed off.The staring lasted for a moment between the trio, before the air around Vicky seemed to flare. She glared at Frank and Noel hostilely as she snapped, "What are you doing?!"Forget a man and a woman being alone in a room—the woman only had her underwear on as s
"Ms. Turnbull, you're really misunderstanding here." Noel leapt to Frank's defense, seeing that even Don Juan was mentioned. "He's just testing the longevity essence that he'll be using at the farm resort.""Oh, a massage, was it? Oof, I'm hurting here too! Give me a rub!" Vicky snapped as she planted herself on the couch beside Frank, grabbing his hands and pressing them over her breasts.Frank promptly withdrew his hands exasperatedly. "What are you doing, Vicky? Quit messing around."Vicky remained very upset. "What, you are massaging a woman you don't know without a care, but you wouldn't even rub me?!""You're not hurt—you don't need it. Also, I'm using this essence for the farm resort and can't afford to waste it." Frank sighed exasperatedly at the heiress behaving like a jealous, petulant child."What do you mean I'm not hurt?!" Vicky kept pointing at her chest in frustration. "Here. Internal injury—I'm riddled with holes inside, much more serious than anything she has! Tou
Frank rarely saw Vicky being so solemn, and it was a big deal judging from her tone. "What is it? Do you need my help?""No." Vicky forced a smile. "It's a private matter, and only I can resolve it."Even though she felt the impulse to tell Frank about the Lionhearts demanding that she stick to her engagement with Titus, she could not do it.Vicky had her pride, and Frank was busy enough—she did not want to burden him further.And though Frank was a great fighter, he was far from enough to stand against the Lionhearts, who were one of the Four Families of Morhen.They were no pushovers, as their influence extended into politics, business, and even the military.The Turnbulls were just business folks, while the Lionhearts' authority was horrific in contrast, and they basically owned the East Coast.Vicky certainly did not want Frank to catch this heat for her sake."You have to tell me if you're in trouble. Don't push yourself," Frank said in concern instead of pressing the issu
Three days soon passed after Vicky left.In the evening, Frank, Helen, and everyone else were eating together at the dining table when the front door was kicked open."Where are you, Helen Lane?!" Fleur Lang stormed inside menacingly, with two noticeably burly bodyguards flanking her.They were both over two meters tall and their faces showed some resemblance, while their muscles appeared rigid and chiseled.They looked like two mountains just standing there, inspiring fear from their appearance alone."Get over here, Helen!" Fleur shouted again since no one responded."Madam Lang?" Helen appeared puzzled as she saw Fleur's fierce look and put down her fork and knife. Carol Zims stepped out just then and was startled by the intimidating scene."Where's Frank Lawrence?! Bring him here!" Fleur shouted again, turning her sights on Frank, who had remained at the table.Frank noticed Fleur's arrival over a hundred meters away but took no notice.He finished his food and took his
It was all Luna's fault, but she would pin the blame on Frank anyway—it was his mess that had led the Soranos to her doorstep, and in turn leading to her getting beaten up!She would never believe that she earned that beating, having gotten buoyed from inheriting the billion-dollar investment company, and hence spoke with impertinence even to some strangers.Glaring at Helen, she bellowed, "He will eventually lead all of us to our deaths as long as he stays in the family! Renounce him if you want to retain your candidacy as next head of the Lane family!"Gina started yelling at Frank too. "Have some sense and kneel, Frank! Go to Laneville right now and explain yourself to the Soranos—tell them that you have nothing to do with us!"On the other hand, Fleur was not interested in idle talk and turned toward the burly bodyguards with her. "Go, Deedle. Tie up that little shit—we'll bring him to the Soranos!"Helen strode up right then, shielding Frank protectively behind herself. "Come
Fleur was left gaping in disbelief as both Deedle and Deedum dropped to their knees in front of Frank."What?!" she exclaimed.Deedle and Deedum were the best of the Lane family bodyguards—Fleur would never reveal them to anyone unless it was really necessary. And yet, her trump cards turned out to be so insignificant against Frank!It was only then that Fleur remembered what Jade Zahn had told her before she came—if she wanted to take down Frank, she had to work on Helen.They have to pull rank, using their family's influence to coerce Frank instead of resorting to violence—they would never win with the latter.Though regret showed on Fleur's face as she finally remembered Jade's warning, she was not about to let things slide.Wheeling on Helen, she snapped, "Just look at your ex-husband! He's a real savage, as if the rules don't apply to him! Get this—Mark is being confined by the Soranos, so put a leash on Frank right now! Candidate for the next head of the Lane family? We w
In a way, Frank was really impressed with how Mona could just keep eating without caring about what was happening just outside.While he was exasperated with taking in such a single-minded glutton, he gave Mona a look. "I'm counting on you here. Call me right away if the Soranos came here… and if anyone messes around in this mansion, beat them within an inch of their lives.""Got it!" Mona nodded enthusiastically.When all was said and done, she was still Birthright rank and had the protection of the mysterious Haply Hall—her ability was more or less assured.With the arrangements made, Frank led Helen out of the hilltop mansion with the Southstream Lanes in tow.That was when Fleur subtly turned and gave Deedle and Deedum a look. Catching their cue, they slowed down and stayed toward the rear of the group.Then, when they thought Frank was not looking, they turned and headed back to the hilltop mansion.Before they came, Fleur had given them instructions to take everyone in Fra