“Hand over the evidence, Lee, and we might just spare you.” “Look at yourselves. How dare you try to take our jobs away! We can kill you for pushing our buttons!” Desmond’s staff surrounded Kaze’s group and yelled at them maliciously. Faye and the employees of Rove went weak behind the knees from fear. Desperation drove Desmond’s staff crazy. However, Kaze kept his composure and chuckled. “I beat you up several times, Desmond. “Do you think I can’t handle your staff?” Desmond grimaced. He knew what Kaze was made of. During the disaster relief, Kaze hurled a dozen of Tendon Ltd.’s best security officers into the water. Kaze, on the other hand, was unscathed. “So what if you can fight? You’re too chicken to kill anyone.” Desmond scoffed and took out his phone. “Just surround him. I’ll contract help to kill him.” He had the connection to hire a few experts. Soon, he contacted a few outlaws living in gray zones and put away his phone. “Before my people arrive, h
“W-What? It’s Conan of the Butterworth Queens!” Desmond exclaimed when he heard Kingston calling the young man’s name. He and his staff turned pale. Everybody heard Conan address Kaze with the utmost respect. Why would an heir of the Butterworth Queens take orders from a wife moocher like Kaze? No one could understand. However, that did not matter. Conan was furious to see Kaze surrounded by Desmond’s staff. “How dare you encircle Kaze! “Take them down! I expect everybody to lose a limb.”At the wave of Conan’s arm, his team of suited men charged forward. “Urgh!” “Ow!” “Don’t!” Agonized cries ensued. In less than a minute, those surrounding Kaze collapsed to the ground with a broken leg. Even the press, who stood on the sidelines, gasped. Desmond and Kingston paled in fright. Conan drew close. “So you must be Lil Dee? “You have been stirring shit about Kaze online, bastard.” “Smack!” Conan slapped Desmond in the face. Desmond shuddered without a w
“That’s right. We are on the same page.” “Don’t worry, Mr. Queen.” Several journalists chose to yield to Conan’s authority right away. Some fell into hesitation. The Butterworth Queens may be powerful, but Desmond promised them shares, making the decision tough for them. “Lil Dee, the people with Lee Investment have arrived with the paperwork for the share ownership transfer.” Soon, a senior executive of Lee Investment, together with his subordinates and attorney, appeared at the entrance to the hall. The group became reluctant to enter the place, noticing the sparks flying in the air and Conan’s team of over a hundred suited men. However, Desmond just saw his white knight in shining armor and shouted, “Mr. Lays, hurry up and show our media friends the papers for the share ownership transfer.” Desmond knew that the shares in Lee Investment, far more persuasive than Conan’s empty words, would win the journalist over.Conan pulled a sulky look and was about to speak w
“Bastards! You are all bastards!” Conan lashed out. However, there was nothing he could do about the journalists who had banded together. As they said, these people in the press had friends and connections, maybe not across Arcadia but in most regions. They came together on a common ground, united in their actions. Conan could not possibly go ahead and kill them. Even the Butterworth Queens could not handle all the media outlets if they got in touch with their friends in high places. With Conan blowing up, the individual who spoke on behalf of the press grew smug and pretended to talk out of goodwill. “We don’t want to get into it with you either. We all will be happy if you don’t stand in the way of us making money. “I am Danesh Jetman from Neo-Fi Media. People call my boss, Mia Hunt, the queen of the media in Arcadia. I’m happy to be your acquaintance, Mr. Queen.” Neo-Fi Media was a media giant in Arcadia. The media outlet possessed a powerful voice that wielded gr
“Only the person, who set you up, knows that you were framed, Kaze. “That’s why I know you’re not part of the mafia. You just know a few friends on the street. “But I’m not telling you this to clear your name. “I just want you to be aware of the power of my penmanship. I have the ability to paint you public enemy No. 1. “If you continue to overstep and argue with Lil Dee, I don’t mind writing another article that will destroy you and your wife forever.” That was a lot of smack from Danesh. He acted high and mighty like he held the key to Kaze’s fate. As a media personality, Danesh believed so. The cultured could kill with words, not physical weapons. Words had the power to inflict lasting damage. “You’re so badass, Danesh.” Desmond exclaimed with joy as Danesh took a stand for him. “Hear that, Kaze? “Danesh and all the other journalists are on my side. “Take the hint now, or involvement with the mafia is only the start of your lifelong torment. You will nev
Danesh's façade of a gentleman crumbled.His face contorted with malice. He thought that he had taken charge of the situation, and all that was left to do was walk away with Lee Investment’s shares as everybody looked on with admiration. However, Kaze gave him a rude awakening. “Do you know what you have done? You will pay for hitting me, Kaze! And you can’t handle what’s coming!” Danesh said lividly. “Can’t handle what’s coming? I should make it worthwhile then.” Curling his lips, Kaze drew close and raised his hand. “Smack!” Danesh was knocked off his feet once more. “Drag him back.” Kaze glanced at Conan. Without another word, Conan went ahead and yanked Danesh back to his place by the hair. “Let me go! Let me go, Conan! “I work for Neo-Fi Media. My boss is Mia! “Do you really want to make Neo-Fi Media an enemy?” Danesh put up a struggle, but Conan gripped him tightly like a robot and dragged him to Kaze. “Hold still!” Conan made Danesh stand straig
Danesh and everybody else in the room finally got the idea of what was going on. Although Kaze talked as if everything was up for negotiation, no one actually thought he was discussing it with Danesh. Kaze was trying to make Danesh hand over the shares. “You have the nerve, Kaze. How dare you steal Lee Investment’s shares!” Desmond was livid. Kaze was disrespectful to take Danesh’s shares right in front of his face. “He’s annoying. Get your people to shut him up,” Kaze told Conan without looking up. Without waiting to take orders from Conan, a suited man went to smack Desmond twice in the face. Desmond finally quieted down. Kaze smiled at Danesh. “What have you decided, Mr. Jetman?” “Dream on, Kaze!” Though overwhelmed with emotions, Danesh toughened up and said, “You are delusional to think I’ll give my shares to you. Kill me if you dare!” “Tsk, tsk. I can’t believe you’re choosing money over your life.” Kaze shook his head and stomped on Danesh’s leg. “Cra
The shares to all the media companies were given individually but when they were all transferred to Kaze, then he could become the biggest shareholder of Lee Investment. As a result, he would have a lot of votes to himself at the shareholder’s meeting. He would also gain the right to nominate his own candidate for chairman at the board’s meeting and if he could do it right, he could elect a new chairman who was loyal to him. Now, even a blind man could see what Kaze was trying to do. No wonder he did not stop the media companies from signing and taking the shares. He was waiting for the right opportunity! After the shares of Lee Investment were distributed to all the media companies, he could then take the shares from them one by one. He was not after Lee Investment’s shares from the start. He was waiting for the opportunity to loot the entire company clean. How would Samson react when he found out that the man that he resented the most suddenly became the biggest share
The incident did not sit well with Kaze, so he left them out to dry. After much searching, Kaze came across a café. Kaze bought a cup of coffee. Cupping the drink between his hands, Kaze sipped slowly. Many passengers swarmed the arrival hall in the airport, dragging along their luggage or pulling out their phones to get a pick-up. They all had a destination, a place they had to be in a rush. Intrigued, Kaze followed the crowd out. Kaze turned on his phone, and a text message from his airport pick-up came in. He glanced at the message, curious about who the person was. Nevertheless, Kaze trusted that the Westeros Branch members would not set him up out in the open. At most, they would pull little stunts to mess with him. Kaze was not the type to sweat the small stuff. However, he would not tolerate any extreme behavior. He had been keeping a low profile back in Butterworth, keeping the limelight off him. The purpose was to handle Jet without unnecessary complicati
“Alright. I will work hard to be the manager of the Northborn Group. You need to show me the ropes and teach me about management.” Leah looked at Katie with a smile. She believed Katie had not lost her mind. Katie simply had her memory mixed up. “You need to keep your people in line and reward those who deserve it. It all boils down to profits. “You need to work toward managing your people and working with rivals. You’ve got to keep the balance, and nobody loses out. “You need to build your own system when it comes to working together. Don’t be led around by the nose.” Hearing that Leah would start work soon, Katie imparted her knowledge. “Don’t worry too much about things. Joey is nice. You can go to her for help,” Katie said earnestly. Katie seemed to be herself at the moment. Leah wondered if Katie faked her insanity to escape the punishment. “What have become of you? Did they do something to you? “Did you really betray Kaze?” Leah whispered while leaning close
Leah kept working on her knowledge until late into the night. Just as she was about to hit the sack, she got a message from Snow. Learning was a hard enough process. The text message came out of the blue. Leah did not expect Snow to contact her at night. The message was strange as well. Leah could not understand why Snow would give her the address of a nursing home. Leah was determined to turn things around. She strived to become stronger instead of being a burden. She was grateful for Kaze’s help. At least, she had a job now. However, her gratitude was not extended to Snow. She believed Snow had gone too far. Snow left her feeling powerless. Leah did not think much about the message. She assumed that the text was not meant for her. Since Leah did not respond to the text, Snow put the matter aside and went to bed. Leah called Snow the next day. “Why did you send me an address?” Leah went straight to the question. She had been equipping herself with knowledge before
Snow could not believe her eyes. Katie suddenly went quiet and behaved like the CEO she was.However, Katie did not look like she was right in the mind earlier. “What’s going on? She seems to have gone insane.” Snow turned to the warden, still digesting the change. Katie had lost touch with reality before the Viper’s Den did anything to her. “How did this happen? She has been taking her meals. Just days earlier, she nagged about getting out because she was worried about her daughter. As usual, we didn’t respond to her requests.” The warden found the whole thing peculiar too. Just a few days ago, Katie demanded her release. Now, she kept to herself and abided by the rules. Out of the blue, Katie went nuts. Things had gotten complicated. Snow wanted to keep Katie behind bars due to her betrayal. However, Kaze decided against pursuing the matter for Leah’s sake. Katie would be let go soon enough, but she would lose her job at the Northborn Group. Katie’s presence woul
It was quiet in the office. Snow sorted the last bit of paperwork before picking her head up in exhaustion. Her initial plan was to delegate the tasks. However, Katie was controlling. Previously, she personally oversaw many matters. Snow could not distribute the responsibilities because the employees had no experience in handling them. They came to Snow for every tiny, little thing, and Snow really got her hands full. Despite her frustration, Snow could let things go as Katie was locked up. “I should pay her visit.” Snow decided to see Katie. Some things should not be left unsaid. Leah would be working for the Northborn Group soon, and the mother and daughter should meet to tie up loose ends. The truth would put Leah to shame, and her guilt would stop her from ever betraying Kaze. After a quick bite, Snow drove to the prison. Katie was furious when she was imprisoned. She was one step away from victory. She was so close to leaving Butterworth to head to Westeros
“Why do you want to sell the properties? Do you need money? Don’t you have some saved?” Joey had a good understanding of Leah’s finances since she ran all the paperwork. “My mother is being held, and I need money to ask favors. Maybe I can get her out.” Leah was not thinking much. Money could always be replaced, but not her mother’s freedom. “Don’t be silly. This is not the way to go.” Though Joey did not have the details, she observed that things were not as simple as Leah thought. Kaze was safe now, but the fact that Katie had betrayed Kaze and revealed his whereabouts remained unchanged. Katie had broken the Viper’s Den’s rules. Even if she got out, she would be a wreck. With Snow running the Northborn Group, Katie would remain a failure. Either way, Katie would not get away with it. Even if Leah offered all her assets, Katie’s situation would not change. It was a waste of money and resources for Leah to save her mother. Nothing would come out of it. “But I
“Give me an answer. Are you taking the job? If you are, you should sort out your affairs. Don’t bring your personal feelings to work.” Snow was not the type to go easy on fragile women. If Leah did not have what it took, she could be forced to leave the company. Nevertheless, Katie had left a lot of assets to Leah. Even without work, Leah could very well survive. The girl would have trouble keeping the wealth, seeing that she was without power or connections. If Leah had a job, she would have the resources to hold onto her assets. Leah had seen the best and worst of mankind. She was once the center of attention, and now, everybody avoided her. It dawned on Leah that it was over for Katie. If Leah could not even keep a job, she would lose everything. “I didn’t know things would happen.” Leah never thought that Katie was capable of stabbing Kaze and her in the back. The thought of betrayal put Leah in distress. Kaze was a great guy who helped Leah a lot. Feeling ete
Leah got dressed and was ready to leave, but she did not know who to turn to. She thought about going to her wealthy friends to see if they could uncover anything through their connections. However, Leah could not get a hold of them. It dawned on Leah that loyalty would fade when power was gone. Even though Katie was just missing, intel spread around Butterworth very quickly. These people must have found out and have chosen to stay away. Leah had always been treated like royalty. Nobody had ever avoided her like the plague. Nevertheless, she had not been in touch with these friends since her injury. Now, in her attempt to contact them, she could not reach them. “Why is this happening? My good friends have gone MIA, and I’m getting silence from those who have been trying to connect.” Sitting on the couch, Leah looked out the window in despair. She tried to seek help with her mother’s search, but her efforts were futile. She could do nothing for her mother. All al
“I have to work hard starting today. But before that, I have to get some sleep.” Snow remembered that Kaze punished her to get some sleep. He said her face looked tired and pale, signs of how hard she had been working. It felt great being cared for. It was because of his kindness, Snow fell for Kaze uncontrollably. Yet she understood not all things were meant to be. After she returned home, she went to sleep immediately without talking to anyone. She only woke up in the afternoon after a comfortable and easy sleep. Next, she would have to work on many things, first being taking over Northborn Group. Katie’s disappearance had the company shaken, but it gave many others a chance. They tried to calm their subordinates down and contact the higher-ups for more information, hoping that they could replace Katie as the new CEO. Little did they know, their preparations would eventually fall short. Snow and her secretary arrived at Northborn Group in the afternoon, and her a