Shortly after, the referee invited Wolf on stage. The crowd erupted in an escalated roar of cheers. Austin saw a fit man slowly emerge into the ring. His torso was naked, and he was tanned. Although his looks were plain, and he even looked quite scrawny, he had a fierce look in his eyes. It resembled a wolf's eyes. On the corner of his right eye, there was a scar that extended toward his temple. When Austin stared at him, a shiver ran up his spine. He couldn't stop his heart from pounding frantically. The crowd's yells, the blinding lights, and Wolf's aura somewhat addled Austin. At this exact moment, he was entirely swallowed by an intense wave of anxiety. This was the first time he'd actually faced off against someone in a battle. Moreover, he had just witnessed the gruesome fight that took place earlier in the ring. When the whistle went off, Wolf suddenly crouched slightly and lunged at Austin with lightning speed. There was no taunting from him, nor were there any ex
Wolf's pupils contracted, and the centipede-like scar at the corner of his eye twitched along with it. Was Autin really just a newbie? The sudden change in Austin's behavior made Wolf falter. He wondered if the one standing before him was a totally different person now. Somewhere in the dark, Aldus' eyes widened in fear as he yelped, "T-That was quick!" He brought Austin to the underground boxing ring saying that it was for Austin to experience getting into a real fight. In fact, he did it just to drill into Austin's temperament. Battle experience was the combination of wrestling techniques and the strength of one's mentality. A person could perform well during a fight if they could combine both of these factors perfectly.Austin just so happened to have the habit of working out. Coupled with the physique he was born with, he had an advantage over others. It was the reason he passed the physical fitness test after completing rigorous training under Aldus' guidance for some t
Wrestling was the art of finishing people off. This was what Austin learned when he was on the verge of death. No one took life and death seriously when it came to the fights in the metal cage. From his experience in battle, Aldus knew that there were more than ten techniques needed to execute the punch that Austin made just now which could fatally injure Wolf. However, Austin chose to strike at Wolf's armpit. It could only make Wolf lose the ability to fight for a brief moment. There wouldn't be any lasting injury.In the cage, Austin slowly approached Wolf, who had already gotten back up.His face was pale from the pain, and his right arm still hung limply on his side. He probably wouldn't be able to raise that arm for quite some time. The final results of this battle were evident. In a battle for life, the person who'd lost his arm lost his ability to fight. It meant defeat. "You lost," said Austin, staring at Wolf calmly. "Aren't you going to carry on with it?" aske
Austin didn't rest even after returning home. Instead, he brought Aldus to a small park nearby to continue his training. He gained quite a lot from this first battle of his. It made him realize his weaknesses at the same time.Austin wasn't one to be content and lackadaisical with his current progress. After all, he shouldered the weight of being cursed at and called a bastard when he was young. It happened throughout his childhood and he bore with it even until today. He understood the concept of reaping what one sowed. So, if he wanted to defeat Taylor, he'd have to work a thousand times harder. He could even lose his life doing so. The best results were reserved for only the ones who worked hardest, after all. A person's origins and background didn't matter. … At the presidential suite in Dominion Suites, Taylor glowered silently at Dave.The room was thrown into complete silence, making everyone else feel awkward because of it. Standing stock still, Dave lost the co
"You will make her see me no matter what," said Taylor, his tone firm. He picked up the card on the table and tossed it to Dave. "I never take back the money that I've given out," added Taylor.He then dismissed Dave with a wave of his hand. Only after leaving the hotel did Dave snap out of his daze. Initially, he wanted to start a relationship with Cecily by getting to know her first in the company. But now, Taylor made it impossible. After so many years of experience, Dave knew all too well what Taylor had in mind.Taking a deep breath, Dave mumbled to himself, "I'm not a man if I'm not ruthless enough. You can't blame me for this, Cecily!" Early the next morning, when Cecily arrived at the company, Dave hurried into the office. "Ms. Graham," Dave greeted her. Cecily frowned. "Is something the matter?"She didn't like him in the least, especially after he broke his promise by going against Dominion Properties. The only feeling she had toward him was hatred. "Um … A
In the evening, Austin left the office earlier than usual after finishing his work. He was going to have dinner with Cecily tonight. To him, it was their first date, so he had to take it very seriously. Cecily didn't mind his past, so it would be ungentlemanly of him to refuse her offer.After all, there were lots of beginnings in life. One couldn't just refuse and reject everything after getting hurt once. Just like Austin, Cecily took their first date very seriously too. She quickly finished all her tasks and went to the washroom to reapply her makeup. Unbeknownst to her, Dave slipped into her room right after she left the office. He took a furtive glance to make sure that no one was behind him, then took out a tiny bottle from his pocket. He then removed the lid from Cecily's cup and tossed two pieces of drugs into it. This drug was a prize of his that he obtained from one of his many ventures in the pubs in the city. Ever since getting his hands on this, none of the wo
Cecily was no fool. She wasn't a beauty with no brains. In fact, she was pretty intelligent for someone her age. She knew that her condition wasn't caused by overworking herself. It was the effect of being drugged! The fact that Dave was ignoring her made her panic even further. Fortunately, her phone's screen still showed her chat with Austin. She weakly tapped the icon to call Austin.…Austin had just stepped out of Dominion Properties when he received her message telling him that she was at Yandell Corp. Puzzled, he said to himself, "What's she doing at Yandell Corp?"Before he could make a guess, his phone started ringing. Cecily was video-calling him. He answered the call. The call went through, and the image that he saw was blurry, a result of being shaken from side to side. Austin's face turned grave instantly. He didn't say anything. Instead, he locked his eyes on the screen. Cecily was moving around, but the way she moved was strange. Once, he caught a glimps
When Austin hurried out of the cab, he widened his eyes when he saw a white Porsche 911 parked in a parking lot nearby.It was Cecily's car!Had he come too late?Austin couldn't care less about other things. Like a wild beast, his eyes reddened as he dashed into Collis Hotel.He had just entered the lobby when he caught sight of two familiar figures entering the elevator together."Cecily!"Austin shouted, but the elevator doors were already closed. He had attracted the gazes of everyone in the lobby instead.Dashing to the reception, he said angrily, "Which room are those two going to?"The receptionist was startled, but it was the duty of the hotel to protect their guests' privacy.She stammered.But then, Austin slammed his fist on the desk, saying through gritted teeth, "My girlfriend was drugged. If something bad happens to her, I'll make sure your hotel closes down!"At that moment, he was fuming, so he couldn't be bothered to think about anything else.Moreover, wit
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