Lothar turned toward Yed, asking coolly, "What's the problem, Yed? Is your father's life not worth a hundred million? Or maybe you never wanted him to be saved?!""W-What are you saying?!" Yed was sweating from his uncle's icy glare and chuckling awkwardly. "Of course I want my dad to get better. I'm just worried that the conman would mess up and make things worse…""Hmm?" Frank murmured over the line just then. "It seems you're not keen for my help. In that case, there's nothing to discuss.""Wait!" Lothar cried before Frank could hang up. "Alright, a hundred million is it. Yed agrees to it."Then, turning toward Yed with a murderous glare, he barked, "Say it!""Fine… a hundred million it is," Yed replied, cursing Lothar inwardly.If not for his uncle's interference, he would have eliminated Ned by now and become the Jankos' sole heir."Tut, tut… You sound so reluctant." Frank chuckled, steering the car even as Kat gaped at him. "I've changed my mind now—I want 200 million.""
Everyone was scowling harder especially when they saw Kat—a brat looking around, curious about everything around her.On the other hand, Ned did not hesitate and approached Frank right away."Welcome, Mr. Lawrence," Ned greeted Frank, while adding under his breath, "My answer to your proposal before… Please, you have to save my father.""Yeah." Frank flashed an assuring smile at him and clapped him on the shoulder.Kat smiled awkwardly when she saw that, and Frank shot her a sideways glare, knowing what was on her mind.Lothar chuckled heartily and greeted Frank as well. "So you must be the Mr. Lawrence that Ned has been talking about? May I have the honor of your name?"Frank nodded and replied neutrally, "Frank Lawrence.""Frank Lawrence…?" Lothar was disappointed inwardly since he had never heard of the name, but he hid it well.After Frank entered the mansion with both men, Abel returned.Yed had sent for him—he was keen to see if Ned's friend would actually walk his talk.
That certainly made sense—a piece of shit like Ned would never encounter someone more impressive than Abel.If that young man was really as impressive as he bragged, why was he not famous?With that in mind, Yed stared at Frank from the back, sneering coldly.Eight million? More like poetic justice!If Frank never insulted him, Yed would have been content with giving the conman beating and throwing him out of his mansion.However, Frank's pompous attitude had thoroughly left Yed incensed—and no one insulted the Jankos and got away with it!-Soon, the Jankos were once again gathered in Ciril's bedroom.Frank strode up to Ciril, and with just a single look, shook his head and said, "Taut Snow Tree—one of Hundred Bane Sect's finest. The Yellow Shrive would only have kept Mr. Janko alive for a few days instead of clearing it completely."Abel frowned right then—could he have been mistaken?The way the kid identified the poison right away and without closer inspection… It was sim
Moreover, there was mastery in the way Frank directed his pure vigor—even the average Birthright rank would never accomplish that!"Could he have completed Birthright rank?" Lothar murmured.While his own hunch shocked him, his heart was also suddenly welling up with hope.The kid just might be able to save his brother's life!"Bastard…" On the other hand, Yed's pupils dilated as he watched Frank perform acupuncture.The brat was Birthright rank too? Did that mean he was actually capable of saving Ciril?!The thought left him anxious right then!Beside him, Abel's doubt toward Frank was completely dispelled even as he watched him and murmured, "The Five Plum Spiritus technique…?!"It took one to know one, and Abel's face paled as he watched Frank work on Ciril.He was suddenly remorseful, since he had been rude to the boy! He was still stubborn about asking Frank the identity of his mentor, or where he had gotten the Yellow Shrive from… But now, it was obvious that Frank
"See what you've done?!" Yed seized Ned by the collar right then. "That settles it. You were definitely trying to kill our father!" However, Lothar exclaimed in surprise before Yed could hit Ned. "Stop! Look!" Everyone looked where Lothar pointed. Then, they saw that Ciril's face was shedding black ice shards all over the floor where the boiling water had made contact."What? How…" Yed was stunned.Ned freed himself from his grasp, sneering. "It seems that you're the one who doesn't want Father saved, Yed!""What…" Yed was left speechless."Watch your mouth, Ned!" Paula promptly leapt to Yed's defense. "He's worried about your father. Why would he try to hurt your father?""Exactly!" Yed nodded despite his gnawing guilt.On the other hand, seeing that his work was done, Frank breathed a soft sigh and lowered Ciril, allowing him to lay in bed.A healthy red had returned to Ciril's cheeks too—a far cry from the purple complexion earlier. Although he was still unconscious, it
Abel then finished, "All I ask is for some pointers from you, Mr. Lawrence, and me and my family shall always be indebted to your generous favor.""Your family?" Frank became interested just then.Ned hurried to him, explaining, "Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Loggins' family is a dynasty of doctors and healers. They are the top family in Morhen when it comes to the medical field, owning hospitals and apothecaries.""I see…" Frank stroked his chin, more or less hatching an idea.He would probably fail if he stood against the Lionhearts and the Turnbulls on his own… But that might not be the case with Ned and his family's help.As for the Loggins, they seemed to hold considerable influence in Morhen as a family of doctors, and Frank would certainly like to make their acquaintance should there be an opportunity.With that in mind, he nodded. "I can see that you're very sincere—just leave me your address. I'll visit some time when I'm free.""Wonderful!" Abel's beard was bristling from his ex
Yed's concern was actually reasonable, and Lothar paused in thought. "The way I see it, he must be in league with Abel Loggins." Paula laughed coolly just then. "He must be using some misdirection trick on the laymen like us. I think Ciril was never cured at all!""Exactly. I think so too." Yed sneered."So you're not going to pay me?" Frank's tone became threatening, taking a step forward."And what are you going to do about it? You're in my house!" Yed snapped back and beckoned.Several Janko retainers loyal to Yed strode out, their death aura spilling.Frank turned to Lothar right then. "Mr. Janko, is this how your family treats guests? And the man who saved the head of the family at that?"Lothar did a double take but quickly reasoned, "Please calm down, Mr. Lawrence. I can see that you've cured my brother, and there was no mistaking it. And I've also promised that you'd be paid whether you succeed, as long as you come over."Wheeling on Yed with a vicious glare right then
As the retainers and bodyguards loyal to Yed encircled Ned and Frank menacingly, Ned snapped at Yed, "What is the meaning of this?!" "What, you ask? Haha!" Yed laughed loudly and coldly. "I won't hide it from you now, dear brother—yes, I was the one who poisoned our father! It's his fault for choosing you as his successor! He's asking for it! Also, it's not just me… Paula is in this too! She's the one who personally did it!""What…" Ned blurted, looking around as Yed's men closed in on him in shock and rage. "Have you forgotten Uncle Lothar?! If he finds out about this—""Oh, don't worry. That fool would never know." Yed sneered savagely. "Still, he did mess up my plans a little, wasting so much of my time… I would've turned on him right away if he didn't bring those retainers with him!" "But that's fine—I made a deal with Sif Lionheart, and she'll soon be here with the Lionhearts' best men. Once they killed Lothar, I'll succeed Father as the next head of the Janko family! I did