"I'll tell you about it on the balcony," said Austin, standing up. He headed upstairs with Walter following closely behind him. Cecily and the others didn't follow the two of them upstairs. This was the first time Walter and Austin chatted, and it just so happened to be after the latter finally let go of the thing that weighed on his heart. It wasn't right for the others to follow the two of them when Austin wanted to talk to Walter alone. When they reached the balcony, Austin rested his elbows on the railing and propped his head on his hand. He seemed to be swimming in his thoughts as he enjoyed the night breeze. With a frown, an anxious Walter walked over to the balcony and gingerly asked, "Is something the matter, Austin?" Back then, one of the factors he used to convince Austin to agree to become his successor was that Austin could bring Dahlia back here. That way, she could regain her title as the head of the family's wife. Now, Dahlia was gone. The factor seemed to
Whoosh! It was the sound of Austin's fist cutting the air. Walter stood still. He didn't even flinch. The fist abruptly stopped no more than an inch away from Walter's face. Austin lowered his fist slowly. The look on his face was as cold as ice, and his eyes harbored flames of rage. "Why didn't you hit me?" Walter smiled bitterly, his voice bleak. "You should've hit me." Anyone who heard these words would be astonished. Walter was the head of the Campbell family and had all the money in the world. Why did he look so despondent? "Hitting you won't bring Mom back anyway," Austin spat.He turned around to gaze at Heavensgate Hill in the distance and mumbled to himself, "It's in the past now. I have to look forward, right?" Walter kept his silence as the heavy tendrils of guilt wrapped themselves around his heart. He went along with Dorothy's scheme simply because he wanted to hone Austin's talents and character. What happened to Zayne came as a total surprise, and Wa
"Do you want to return to the Redmont family?" Austin asked. The question came as a total surprise, and Vincent froze. "I'm no longer a part of that family. Why would I go back to them?" "To take revenge," Austin stated plainly. His sentence was curt, yet the atmosphere in the living room seemed to turn taut because of it. Ezra, Edward, and the others in the room were shocked at his response. Cecily opened her mouth as if to say something, but she couldn't find the words for it. Even Vincent himself didn't expect that to come out of Austin's mouth. An incomprehensible look flashed across Vincent's eyes, but soon, it disappeared entirely. He said, "We are no match for them yet."Desperate times called for desperate measures. However, the Redmonts weren't anywhere near desperate for now. They were currently a strong and powerful family. Even the Emersons in the capital couldn't compare to the Redmonts in terms of wealth and power. "So what?" Austin raised an eyebrow. He gave
The best night ever? Austin froze, confused. A second later, he got what she meant, and his heart started to race. "What are you waiting for?" Cecily quirked an eyebrow meaningfully at him. Her beauty was one of a kind. Even a small smile from her made her appear all the more dazzling and enchanting. Austin was very much delighted at this. He never thought that Cecily's gaze could be so enticingly sharp before. He took a deep breath and walked into the bathroom. After taking a shower, he wrapped himself in a bathrobe and left the bathroom. The bedroom was already dark by then because Cecily had already turned the lights off. The only source of light was from the lamp on the bedside table. Even so, its yellowish light was dim. Cecily had already covered herself with the blanket. The bathrobe she wore just now was on the ground. She lay in bed and pulled the blanket over her nose all while staring at Austin shyly. In her bashful eyes, he could see a ripple of longing. It
Austin's tone abruptly changed when he said, "Do you remember Vincent killing Zayne at the wedding?""Yeah." Terror flashed across Cecily's pretty face. "His face was terrifying. No one would've been able to stop him if it weren't for you taking action." Austin smiled bitterly at the thought. "That's why I asked him to join me to take revenge. He claims that he's climbed out from that hellhole called his past, yet all along, he's been trying to hide his rage and hatred behind his smiles." He added, "And it all happened because of the Redmont family!" "I get it now." Cecily nodded. She gave him a gentle reminder. "I know you want to take revenge on them and that you want to help Vincent let go of his past for good, but promise me that you'll stay safe. You have to come back here if things don't go according to plan." That she said, she patted her tummy and shot him a cunning yet dazzling smile. "The baby and I will wait for you to come back home." "Really? Are you pregnant al
Walter left in a hurry. He didn't even stay to chat with Austin for a little longer. He hopped onto the helicopter and left right after breakfast. Austin knew very well that if they wanted to wipe out the Redmont family, they had to get rid of an obstacle—Dorothy.She worked hand in hand with the Redmont family. By listing out all her schemes and tricks, anyone could see that she was on the same side as the Redmonts. If Austin made a move against the Redmonts, they'd surely ask Dorothy for help, and she'd definitely help them. By creating trouble for either party, both parties would be affected. Austin understood this, and so, the Redmonts and Dorothy herself understood this too. By locking Dorothy up, Walter provided Austin and Vincent with the chance to strike back against the Redmonts. Soon after Walter left, Austin left Heavensgate Residence together with Vincent and Aldus. They headed to the airport in the suburbs. Ezra stayed in Isonburg to handle company-related mat
"I forgot about that," Vincent said, lowering his head in thought.Suddenly, they both looked up and exchanged a cold smile. The temperature inside the car seemed to drop sharply.As the wealthiest family in Basin City, the Redmont family stood at the top, looking down on the world. Their status in Basin City was unmatched. Morgan's birthday banquet attracted the elite from all over Basin City, who came to offer their congratulations.For the banquet alone, a hundred tables were set up at the Redmont Residence. This was after Morgan insisted on keeping it modest and low-key, as it wasn't a birthday where his age had turned into a whole number.As noon approached, the area outside Redmont Residence was already packed with luxury cars, making it nearly impassable.The noise was deafening as crowds surged. Each time a guest arrived, pyrotechnics burst into the sky.Morgan, who was over 60 years old, was dressed in a bright red suit. With his face glowing with joy, he stood at
It was a funeral banner used to mourn the deceased and for funeral rites.To present a funeral banner at Morgan's birthday banquet was simply outrageous!Bryson's anger surged in an instant.With a bang, he threw the gift box on the ground. The funeral banner fell out of the box.Seeing this, the direct descendants of the Redmont family behind Bryson were stunned. Anger soon arose among them.The surrounding guests and the Redmont family servants were even more shocked at this scene.At that moment, the air in front of the mansion gate seemed to freeze.It was getting heated."Vincent, you animal! My family has let you off the hook, yet you dare act so arrogant by cursing Grandpa at his birthday banquet. Get the f*ck out of here!" Bryson roared.If it weren't because Austin was with Vincent, he would have ordered someone to break Vincent's legs by now.Vincent sneered.Austin, who was next to Vincent, bent down slowly, picked up the funeral banner, and put it back into the g
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