Ali wanted to put the incident behind her, but Aiden wanted more. Aiden tried to solicit Juan to kill Kaze. Kaze smiled and said indifferently, “Is my life worth that much, Juan?” Lying on the floor, Draig shouted, “No, Mr. Kawasky! I am Draig Tenby. My father is Birch, a famous martial artist in Uleania. You’ve met me before.“Kill the Ryokanian woman and Aiden Krad. I’ll make it worth your while!” Draig was not dumb. Though he did not like Kaze, he was certain he and Kaze were allies. If Kaze was dead, Snow would die too. To cover up the truth, Aiden and the others would silence Draig. “Hahaha.” Juan looked at Aiden and Ali before uttering indignantly, “Do you think you can bribe me? “I hate morons like you. “Just because you belong to the Krads, you think you have the right to kill in Emerald Bull Palace. “Do I look like I need money? “I’m committed to the law, the righteous justice of the world. “I should start with you.” Juan waved his stick righte
The Refined Blade Slash was never about grace. The attack came on fast and strong. Even Kaze had to admit that Ali was impressive. She could execute the cut with precision. The speed was to die for. Still, she could not beat Albert, who had been through war and back. Before Ali’s sword could reach Albert’s throat, he stepped aside, and Ali missed. Albert struck back, and then came a clang. The blade cut through the air. It was quite a stunt. Ali was in disbelief. She could not dodge the attack. “Gash!” Blood shot out of her throat. Ali’s head rolled off her body. Her head was covered in dust and blood. It was an immediate elimination. That was all there was to the Haras’ servant and highly skilled practitioner of the Refined Blade. “Eek!” Gasps filled the quiet air. Aiden, blood staining his face, was dumbfounded. One minute ago, Ali was alive and well. Now, she was a headless corpse. It was quite a blow to Aiden. He started trembling. “A
Aiden could feel as if his guts were spilling out while retching. Juan and Albert watched in silence. Draig played dead. While feeling vindicated, he felt a mix of emotions. Kaze sure was daring to attack anybody. It took a moment for Aiden to catch his breath. He picked his head up with a struggle and hissed through clenched teeth, “You have gone too far, Kaze! I have done nothing. What do you want from me?” “You have done nothing?” Kaze came closer to him and said chillingly, “I came because you have done nothing. “Do you think I have no idea what you intended to do to Snow?” Aiden said angrily, “It was just an intention. I have done nothing, haven’t I? Even the cops have to work based on evidence.” “The cops?” Kaze grinned. “Fine. I can drop that for now. Let’s talk about what you have done to me in the past few days. We can get it all out today.” Aiden grimaced without a peep. He was fully aware of his behavior. “Why aren’t you saying anything now?” Ka
It was true that Ali died at the hands of Albert. Still, Draig was only injured because Ali snuck up on him. Draig did not think Albert was strong. The only reason Kaze and Albert could turn the situation in their favor was due to Juan’s timely help. Furrowing his brows, Albert approached Draig and kicked him in the face. Draig passed out right away.“Make him leave.” Albert waved at Juan. While others may not know Albert, Juan, the chairman of the Riverbank Feng Shui Society, had been a fixture in the city’s high society for years. Juan knew who Albert was. After nodding at Albert, Juan grabbed Draig and took off. “I’ll leave everything to you, my mentor. I’ll be back to clean the place up,” Juan told Kaze with a smile before leaving.“You’re a mentor to Juan?” Despite the pain, Aiden was stunned.Kaze constantly surprised Aiden. Here Aiden had another newfound understanding of him. “Bam!” Wasting no breath, Kaze walked to the steps and knocked Aiden against a
Gritting his teeth, Aiden said, “Stop your demands, Kaze. You scammed me out of ten billion dollars at the auction. I’m still trying to recover some money. I can’t give you more than I have offered.” “Hm… Now that you mentioned…” Kaze said with a smile, “You bought the Golden Toad for ten billion dollars, so you believe the gem is worth that much. “I think ten billion dollars is a good price for your life.” Taken aback, Aiden said, “What are you trying to say?” “It’s simple, really.” Kaze said with an amused look, “I want the Golden Toad, and you keep your life in return. How does that sound?” “No! Dream on!” Aiden shouted in rage. He would never give up the Golden Toad to Kaze. If the Krads were to find that Aiden spent ten billion dollars to acquire the Golden Toad, only for Kaze to reclaim it, Sean would kill him. Aiden would never live it down. The Golden Toad was linked to his future within the family and his career. Aiden could not possibly hand the Golden T
Kaze pursed his lips nonchalantly. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. You’re just a member of the Krads. “I can crush you along with your family. “If you think I’m going to give up on the Golden Toad because of what you said, you are highly mistaken.” It was never Kaze’s intention to let Aiden bring back the Golden Toad to the Westeros Krads. Ever since Sasha had an adverse reaction to the Golden Toad at Marlboro, Kaze decided to keep the gem close. Kaze believed the Golden Toad must be somehow linked to the Nine Phantom Lotus within Sasha. Coincidently, like Sasha, the Golden Toad came from Megisto. The Golden Toad was possibly key to eliminating the Nine Phantom Lotus within her. Of course, the gem might worsen Sasha’s symptoms instead. Either way, Kaze needed to study the gem. Back from dragging Draig away, Juan stood at the door and said, “The state police chief, Morgan, contacted the palace. The police will be here to launch an investigation, and I am
“I got to give it to you, Mr. Krad. You get up where you fall. This mentality is exactly why you privileged families have always looked down on everyone else.” Kaze sighed and added, “But you won’t get another chance this time.” “What do you mean?” Aiden was dumbfounded. The next minute, he blew up and said in rage, “Are you going back on your word?” “Bastard! I’ve given you the Golden Toad. I said that we’re even now!” Kaze shook his head and said indifferently, “Even? I did not agree with that. I only said that I’d spare your life if you gave me the Golden Toad.“Though I had to take the Golden Toad by force, I am a man of my word. So, the deal is done.“Now it’s time to pay for what you did to Snow.” Kaze took a step forward and launched a kick. “Argh!” Aiden let out a wail, his body contorting violently. He put his hands between his legs. Kaze withdrew his leg and said callously, “Sorry, Mr. Krad, but you’re better off castrated. Don’t harm anymore women.”
“Chairman Lee…” Snow got up and threw herself at Kaze. While Kaze was at a loss with Snow in his arms, they collapsed onto the bed. She had a lingering scent. Snow usually wore fragrance, usually a subtle floral scent. Today, she reeked of pheromones. Her lips searched for Kaze’s face. For a moment there, Kaze thought to just go with the motions. However, when his hand reached Snow’s neck and felt her scorching temperature, he snapped back into reality. Kaze was well aware of Snow’s feelings for him. If he were to take advantage of Snow during her moment of vulnerability, he would be no different to Aiden. His mind cleared, and he pushed Snow away before she got a tight grip on him. Kaze rolled to his feet and pulled out his needles. Kaze’s phone rang incessantly. Pulling out his phone, he answered the call and said in annoyance, “Who is it? I’m busy.” “Where are you, honey? “Miru called to say that a killer got into Bronze Sparrow. Are you alright?” Dar
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