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
Pow!"Argh!"Deedum screamed as his bones cracked audibly and his arms dangled limply at his sides."Now stay away!" Mona bellowed.Taking a few steps back as the other women looked on in shock, she then leapt forward, launching a kick up Deedum's chin and sending him flying too. Deedum howled in pain as he joined Deedle, slamming heavily into the ground outside, his fate unknown."Huh…" Unlike Winter, who had seen Mona fight before, Noel and Carol were both left stunned, and they were suddenly looking at Mona differently.-Frank and the others drove for over an hour to finally arrive at Laneville in Southstream.Even before he entered, he saw the familiar men in white—the Soranos' bodyguard.And to no surprise, Willy Sorano, who had fled for his life from Noel's mansion the other night, was sitting smugly in the Laneville drawing room.Gavin Lane was not present, though his eldest son Roth appeared most undignified as he served their beck and call, looking as undignifie
Naturally, it did not matter how tightly the Lane family bodyguards tied Frank up—freeing himself was a matter of intention, and he played along just to spare Roth from Gus' wrath."Hahaha!!!" Willy was even less wary now that Frank was tied up, striding down the stairs and pointing haughtily at Frank. "How about that, asshole?! Not so full of yourself now, are you?! Here, I'll count to five… Haha…"He was quoting Frank, even mimicking him and holding up five fingers just to rub it in. Frank remained unmoved, however."You wanted to know how Hubert Sorano died? I'll tell you right now," he said quietly, striding once toward Willy and holding his gaze as he growled, "I killed him. And he was full of himself… just like how you're behaving right now."The Soranos were actually unfazed by his threat, but that could not be said for Fleur. "Insolence!" she shrieked, eager to renounce Frank. "You little shit! I should've known you were a murderer! To think you'd speak so insolently af
However, Fleur remained apathetic even as Gina begged, showing no intention of compromising.Even Helen was afraid. "Frank, could there be a misunderstanding here…?"She believed that Frank could not stand up against that many martial elites at the same time.That was especially true with Gus, the man who stood above them whose very appearance made it obvious he was no pushover.Was this really the end for them? Helen could not help regretting her actions just then—if only she had known her place and refused Gavin's nomination of her as the next head of the Lane family.Obviously, Fleur did not want to see that happen and had come for her head.However, it was while her thoughts strayed that Frank spoke beside her ear. "Don't worry. No one will hurt you as long as I'm around." "Yeah," Helen replied, slowly calming down as Frank's words instilled her with an indescribable sense of confidence.Then, even as the Lane family bodyguards strode up at them, weapons in hand, she