The black Rolls-Royce cruised along the road.Silence reigned within the car.Austin looked out the window, deep in thought.Ezra's appearance had taught him a memorable lesson.He wasn't lacking in personality or capabilities, but he was always too restrained in his actions. So, he would feel more restricted.Take Reginald's case, for example. If Ezra were the one who dealt with him from the beginning, Austin had no doubt that Ezra would have killed Reginald with his overwhelming power.Compared to the powerful Campbell family, Reginald was just a small fry.But Austin kept giving Reginald a chance to redeem himself."Do you understand now, sir?"Ezra's gentle voice rang out in Austin's ears.Returning to his senses, Austin looked at Ezra and smiled bitterly. "Yes."Ezra nodded in contentment. "Your talent, personality, and capabilities are on par with the young elites in the family. But you were just restricted by your experiences and surroundings."I just want you to kno
Moreover, Reginald had set up the mourning hall at home and got his lackeys to display a banner on the ground floor of Dominion Properties, telling Austin to be the pallbearer.The onlookers during the incident had already taken photos and videos of it and posted them on the Internet.It would be an even more difficult feat to ignore it."He gave up 60% of the shares in exchange for his life. That's a good deal."The young man next to Jacob adjusted his glasses as he looked calmly at Jacob. "I don't like the smell of cigarettes."Jacob was stunned. Then, he smiled. "The ventilation system installed in my office is excellent. The cigarette smell won't linger—"The young man smiled coldly. "Well, then. I don't like to see people smoke."Exasperated, he put out the cigarette in the ashtray.Then, he said, "Austin received 60% of the shares under Regal Properties. Coupling that with Dominion, he now owns the top real estate company in this city."When Jacob said those words, he wa
Indeed, the onlookers had posted photos and videos of the incident that took place on the ground floor of Dominion Properties, and that had caused quite a commotion.But if that was all there was to it, Dominion would indeed be affected.However, no one took any photos of what happened in Reginald's villa!Reginald prioritized his pride, so he wouldn't allow his lackeys to expose the matter.Once Austin signed the equity transfer agreement of Regal Properties with Reginald, the rumors on the Internet would be debunked.Also, Austin was very sure that as soon as news of the equity transfer was announced, Dominion would rise to fame once again.After all, Regal Properties was one of the top real estate companies in this city!It was a listed company as well.Dominion had the west city slum redevelopment project going on, so the huge project should be enough to boost the stock price of Regal Properties.Austin was killing two birds with one stone!So of course, he wouldn't wor
Ezra stroked his beard lightly as he spoke in a low voice. "Circumstances change with time. Madam Emerson, have you ever thought about this?"Mr. Campbell is slowly growing right now, and in the future, he'll become so great that people will target him."Dahlia was stunned.Her gaze flickered a little before turning dark.Silence reigned in the living room.Ezra looked at Dahlia with a deep gaze, quietly awaiting her response.A moment later, Dahlia's sigh rang out in the living room."People suffer the consequences of the actions of those who come before them. Back then, he left us, and we were bullied by them. I've endured all that."There was indescribable fatigue and helplessness in Dahlia's voice. "I won't tell him for now. In the past few years, I've been a burden to Austin, and now, he finally has a chance to take it a little easier.""Well… I don't mind as long as you've made the decision." There was slight exasperation in Ezra's smile. "Still, I'm worried that your to
Austin calmly glanced at the incoming call displayed on his phone.After rejecting the call, he blocked Nancy's number.He was about to block her on WhatsApp too, but then, as expected, Nancy sent him a WhatsApp message."Austin, give me one last chance to see you. If not, I'll kill myself!"Austin could feel her intense hatred as she voiced the obvious threat.He felt even more disgusted now.Back then, he was very considerate of Nancy, and calling him a simp would be an understatement.But in the end, because of that, he almost couldn't save his mother's life."Austin, are you trying to force me to die?""Are you all forcing me to die?""Austin, please at least remember our past relationship. No matter what I've done wrong, I still used to be your woman.""I have repented. I can apologize to you. Just meet me for one last time, alright?"Nancy's messages kept pouring in.Even though those were just words on a screen, Austin could see the changes in Nancy's emotions."Re
"Nancy, come out right now! Hurry up!"Urma roared at the top of her lungs as she rammed her fist on the door."Come on, didn't you hear Nancy crying?" Derek tried to calm Urma down."Crying? This damned brat still has the nerve to cry?"Urma widened her eyes in anger. "Austin was such a good man, but she lost him. What right does she have to cry about it?"With that, she turned around and pointed at the TV. "Look, Austin isn't just the boss of Dominion now, but he also has 60% of the shares of Regal Properties."My son-in-law was so outstanding, but this damned Nancy lost him just like that!"On the TV, the news of Regal Properties transferring the equity to Austin was being aired.When Urma listened to every word uttered in the news, she felt heartbroken and deeply regretful.If that incident hadn't happened back then, Austin's money would have been theirs.Urma had lived in hardship for most of her life. If Austin were around, she would be able to live an extravagant life
A while later, Derek came to his senses first. Shoving Urma, he said, "Look what you did! Nancy left because of you."Urma's expression shifted. Refusing to admit to it, she said, "What does that have to do with me? H-How would I know that she would react like this?""You're her mom. Don't you even understand these things?" Derek shouted angrily."Why are you shouting at me?"Urma frowned. "I was just joking with her. How would I know that she can't take it?"Derek scoffed. "Did she even smile?""You—" Urma's face turned red, but she was at a loss for words.Just then, someone opened the door.Elated, Derek and Urma glanced at the door.When they saw that it was Harvey, their expressions darkened.Urma sighed as she sat back on the couch."Dad, Mom, what happened?"Harvey was already in low spirits, but when he went in and saw his parents like that, he still asked the question."Your mom drove your sister out." Derek glared at Urma.Urma instantly flew into a rage. She ro
In an instant, sobs resounded in the house.As Derek watched Urma and Harvey cry tragically, he slumped onto the couch as well. He felt like his head was throbbing.…Nightfall gradually approached.It suddenly started raining, and thunder roared across the sky.The sudden rain caught many pedestrians off guard, and they covered their heads as they started running.A single beautiful figure disregarded the pouring rain. She allowed the rain to drench her whole body as she slowly moved forward in despair.After leaving her home, Nancy didn't know where to go.She was like a wandering soul as she walked about in the city. When she grew tired, she would sit down and rest. After she had gotten enough rest, she would continue walking aimlessly.She had turned off her phone as well.Her heart had turned completely cold.She felt like she was in a living hell when she saw her parents' reactions.It was a pathetic thought to call that place her home.That place was no home at all.
Austin never expected that Nancy would come back.As he returned to the Tetra Club, he remained sullen, his eyes dark with unresolved anger.Seeing Austin like this, Cecily felt a pang of sadness.She gently tried to comfort him, "It's all in the past now, isn't it? I'm here with you, and we have our baby on the way.""I can't just let it go," Austin shook his head."The best I can do is not seek revenge against them, but to truly forgive and forget—I can't do that."The actions of Nancy's family were still fresh in his memory.Austin wasn't someone who sought revenge for every slight, but he was far from the kind of person who could simply forgive and forget, moving on with a carefree "Hallelujah."Dahlia's despair as she lay in bed, the arrogance and cruelty of the Welch family…In the eyes of the Welch family, Dahlia's life wasn't worth as much as Harvey's wedding.Even when the time had passed and he was about to finally be happy with Cecily, the Welch family not only dem
After leaving this city, Nancy put in a tremendous amount of effort to "rebirth" herself.Meeting Ethan had shown her a different side of life.While he wasn't part of the uppermost echelons of wealth and power, he had enough. Most importantly, he treated her with the utmost respect.She understood Ethan's background, which made that respect all the more valuable.A man of his stature could have any woman he wanted in his bed the same night.Yet Ethan had shown her incredible patience, making her question whether the rumors about him were true.Tonight, returning to this city was her way of bidding farewell to the past and embracing the future.After all, people need to look forward, don't they?Meanwhile, Ethan was feeling more dejected than he'd ever been.Lying in his luxurious bed in Brook Villa, he couldn't sleep, tossing and turning restlessly.He had hoped to establish a connection with Austin. A figure like him would be incredibly valuable to have on his side.He tho
The river breeze was cool, and the lights reflected on the water flickered softly.The figure in front of them wore a long black coat, standing quietly by the railing. Her fair, delicate profile, partially obscured by a few strands of windblown hair, carried a hint of melancholy."Sir, Mrs. Campbell, is something wrong?" Aldus noticed the change and quickly stepped forward to inquire."Let's go home," Austin suddenly said, his previously cheerful expression now somber, with a touch of disdain.Go home? They had just arrived.Aldus was surprised and quickly followed Austin's gaze. When he saw what Austin was looking at, he immediately understood.Without a word, he turned to leave with Austin.But a soft hand gently grabbed Austin's arm."It's been so many years, aren't you going to say hello?" Cecily asked."I have no desire to greet her," Austin said, his disdain clear and unhidden.Three years of marriage, filled with nothing but pain.Even when Dahlia was gravely ill, Nan
After a busy day, just as Austin was about to finish up, a new invitation appeared on his desk."Who delivered this?" Austin asked."Ethan," Wolf replied.Austin chuckled, didn't bother opening the invitation, and instead tossed it directly into the trash."I've got to get home to Cecily."When he returned to the Bamboo Parlor at Tetra Club, Raquel had already prepared a delicious dinner.The dishes were beautifully presented, with vibrant colors and enticing aromas.After dinner, Austin and Ezra stepped out into the courtyard."Mr. Lockwood, any news from the Campbells about my dad?" Austin asked, the text message from Walter still weighing heavily on his mind.Considering the Campbells' efforts to find Walter, and given their intelligence resources, they should have been some leads by now.But Ezra shook his head. "Nothing, Not a trace.""The Campbells' intelligence network has never been this weak, has it?" Austin frowned, speaking in a low tone.Ezra gave a wry smile. "
"Childhood?"Austin stopped his workout, wiped the sweat from his face, and smiled bitterly.His childhood had been bleak.Only Dahlia had brought some light into the darkness.Seeing Austin's pained smile, Aldus immediately realized his mistake.He quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, Sir. I spoke without thinking. You don't need to answer that.""It's fine," Austin replied, gesturing towards a nearby bench, and inviting Aldus to sit with him.Once they were seated, Austin slowly began to speak. "There's not much to tell about my childhood. It was mostly just being called an 'illegitimate child' and living day to day, never knowing where my next meal would come from."If it weren't for my mom fighting tooth and nail to raise me, I'd probably be dead by now."With just a few simple words, he conveyed a world of suffering.Aldus felt a wave of guilt. He had only been trying to find clues from Austin's past that might explain his exceptional combat instincts and incredible physical
Austin's gaze softened as warmth flooded his heart.Who hasn't longed for a light left on just for them in a sea of lights? But in reality, how many actually have that?Cecily did that for him.Given her background, the fact that she went to such lengths truly surprised Austin.In the three years he spent in the past, he had never experienced something like this.His nose tingled with emotion as he pulled Cecily into his arms, speaking softly, "Thank you. Marrying you is the greatest fortune of my life.""Alright, alright, I asked Raquel to prepare breakfast earlier this morning. You go to the dining room, and I'll have her bring it over," Cecily said as she gently slipped out of Austin's embrace, her graceful smile lighting up her eyes."Doesn't Bamboo Parlor have a kitchen?" Austin asked, curious.Cecily gave him a playful look. "The chairs in the living room are so hard, and you spent the whole night on one—how could you have slept well? If Raquel had been clattering around
The room fell into a heavy silence."Deactivating the phone number… was Dad trying to prevent me from tracking his location?" Austin murmured with a frown.Ezra pondered for a moment, his voice low and serious. "Perhaps he was more concerned about someone else tracking him."Austin's eyes widened in realization.Of course—if Walter could send him a message to let him know he was safe, he wouldn't be worried about Austin tracking himDeactivating the phone was likely to prevent others from tracing his location."But who is he trying to avoid?"Ezra shook his head, remaining silent.Having followed Walter for many years, he knew the man's temperament and habits. But this time, he was truly baffled.He couldn't even begin to piece together a clue.Taking a deep breath, Ezra forced a bitter smile. "I'm afraid I'm at a loss this time, sir. There's no sign of anything unusual from the Campbells either."This statement only deepened Austin's confusion.If there were anyone who cou
Austin knocked softly on the door.Almost immediately, he heard the sound of shuffling from inside.Ezra opened the door, his face full of curiosity. "Sir, what's going on?"Austin quickly made a shushing gesture, worried about disturbing Cecily.Then he gently pushed Ezra back into the room."Sorry to bother you so late, Mr. Lockwood," Austin said.Ezra smiled. "It's no trouble at all. The older you get, the less you need. I was just reading."Austin glanced at the book on Ezra's bedside table and couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated.This old rascal!Ezra blushed and quickly shoved the book under his pillow.Austin sat on the bed and pulled up the text message from Walter, showing it to Ezra."I just received this message."When Ezra read the text, his eyes lit up with a sharp gleam, and he was overjoyed. "This is from Mr. Walter!"Austin nodded, his expression serious. "But I've sent several messages back, and there's been no reply. I called twice—once it was immedi
"The underground king of Eastbrook bows down."This news swept through Eastbrook like a storm.Ethan knew that by doing this, he would become the laughingstock of the entire city. But he also knew he had no choice—he had to do it!Even if he became a joke, he would remain the underground king. But if he refused to lower his head, he would end up a dead man.He understood the situation perfectly.In fact, that very night, a message was released from Brook Villa.No one is to compete for the land!This is a clear warning to all real estate companies in Eastbrook. It was also a gesture of goodwill toward Austin.But Austin didn't pay it much mind.If not for Derrick's involvement, he had no idea how Ethan would have responded—but Austin knew his response would have been much tougher.A mere city's underground king? He didn't even compare to the richest man in Basin City or the capital—he wasn't even worthy of carrying their shoes!After leaving Brook Villa, Austin didn't linger