Mag-log in"Yes, sir!"In an instant, more than a dozen martial arts experts stepped forward with cold intent flashing in their eyes as they closed in on Ashton.Colton looked anxious. He coughed repeatedly, trying to get to his feet to stop Yves, but Irene quickly held him back."Dad, don't worry. Ash will be fine. He's gotten much stronger over the years. He can protect himself and our family, too."In that split second, Ashton's gaze turned cold as killing intent surged in his eyes. Just as he was about to strike, a commanding voice rang out."Who dares touch my man?"The words hit like a thunderclap, echoing through the Lowe residence's hall.Everyone froze, their bodies tensing as they turned toward the entrance.A stunning woman strode in, unmatched in presence and beauty. She was followed by several elderly men whose bearing was calm yet powerful, their strength clearly restrained yet undeniable. Behind them, people carried in boxes of gifts as they advanced into the hall."She's
Yves and Sarah were seething with anger. The Lowe family's assets were meant to be split among the three siblings, yet Irene and Ashton took a quarter. They felt like they were being stripped of something that should have been theirs."You bitch!" he cursed. "What the hell did you say to Dad to mess with his head? You're nothing but trouble. You're going to drag the whole Lowe family down with you. And when that happens, you'll be the one who pushed him to an early grave."Yves had completely lost control. Even if he couldn't change the outcome, he was going to drag Irene down and humiliate her for it.In the next instant, his body trembled. A wave of fear swept through him, and his eyes widened as he stared at Ashton, who had suddenly appeared right in front of him. He swallowed hard and stammered, "W-What are you trying to do?"Ashton slapped him twice across the face. His eyes were cold and empty as he spoke."You're only getting two slaps because you're related to my mother.
"Yves is right, Dad. Why not have Irene go back first? This isn't the kind of place she should be. We don't want the Zimmerman family getting the wrong idea," Sarah chimed in.Carol sneered and said, "Grandpa, there's something you should know. Ashton isn't someone to take lightly. Just a few days ago, he offended Mr. Zeke from the Zapata family. They're the top family on Linton Island and not someone we can afford to cross."She had never liked Ashton. Now that she had the chance, she was more than happy to make things difficult for him."What? He offended the Zapata family? Has he lost his mind?""We Lowes are already in a tough spot. We can't afford to be dragged down by someone like him.""You should leave. We don't welcome you.""I heard Ashton is already divorced. He must be incompetent. That's why he got dumped. Now he's back to grab a share of the Lowe family's assets.""So that's what this is. How shameless."The accusations kept coming, one after another.Irene's fac
The word "Dad" carried so many emotions. Irene had thought about coming back more than once, but every time, she couldn't bring herself to do it. She didn't know if Colton would forgive her, and she feared her hardships would only invite ridicule."Irene, you're back? That's great. It's good that you're back."To her surprise, her father looked at her without a word of reproach. It was as if nothing had ever happened, like a father greeting his daughter after a normal visit. Only the slight tremor in his voice betrayed his emotions."Ash, go and greet Grandpa," Irene said quickly."Hello, Grandpa," Ashton said calmly.Colton studied him, then broke into a hearty laugh. "You've got a strong presence. As expected of someone with our family bloodline."Irene let out a sigh of relief as the worst she had feared hadn't happened. The years of estrangement between them now felt like they had never existed.Ashton's gaze darkened slightly as he looked at Colton. He could already tell hi
"Mom, I know," Ashton replied.He had already learned from Scarlett that Colton's health was failing and that he didn't have much time left. If possible, he would extend his grandfather's life. He would also make the Lowe family stand alongside the Zapata family as the top families on Linton Island."Get some rest," Irene said."Okay."Ashton could tell his mother had something on her mind, but he didn't press her. Before he left Linton Island, he would settle everything.The next day, he went into seclusion to cultivate. Strands of dark energy coiled around him as the divine realm aura around him grew stronger and more intense. The Drakeborne lineage within him churned on the verge of boiling over, every cell burning with the heat of molten lava."Without the chosen maiden's extreme Lunar physique to steady it, I'm going to burn up."Savage intent and desire flickered in Ashton's eyes as he kept his killing urges under control."After the birthday banquet, I'll find Miranda… N
Carol looked Ashton over. She hadn't expected him to come out unharmed.Sully, who had been standing beside her, looked slightly puzzled as he spoke."Ashton, why would the Zapata family let you go? After what you did to Mr. Zeke, they just let you go?"Ashton ignored them and walked away with Scarlett."What's with that attitude?" Carol snapped, her expression darkening."Forget it," Sully said. "Someone like him, who always resorts to violence, is bound to cause trouble sooner or later. Carol, you need to cut ties with him. Don't let him drag us down.""I know what I'm doing," Carol said coldly. "Grandpa's birthday is coming up, and the Lowe family will probably split the assets then. Ashton chose this exact moment to return to Linton Island. He's clearly here for his share. I won't let him get his way. "Once that's over, I'll have nothing to do with him. I don't want someone like him to be my cousin.""You're right," Sully said as he slipped an arm around her waist and smil
Wanda hesitated for a moment before deciding to bet all of her own assets on Ashton. She had complete faith in him.Over on the other side, Flint had arrived with Irina and his other subordinates. His dark, icy eyes seemed impossible to read.At the same time, Damian came jogging up to Eunice with
"What are the current odds, Mr. Clarkson Senior?" Ashton asked, his interest piqued. He realized that this was a chance to make a fortune by exploiting not just Clay, but everyone else betting against him.He knew that reaching the divine realm would require a vast fortune in spirit ores and rare a
"I won't join the Dominion Vanguard," Ashton replied without the slightest hesitation, as though the offer didn't even warrant much consideration. Maxwell's gaze hardened slightly—a sudden, terrifying killing intent flared as he locked eyes with Ashton.In that instant, Ashton felt his head swim
In an instant, Xavier's laughter died in his throat. His smug grin vanished, replaced by raw terror. A sharp pain stabbed behind his eyes, yanking his gaze helplessly toward Ashton.In the next second, the black flame mark Ashton had placed on him suddenly came to life. It spread fast, coiling arou







