Everything happened quickly. When Keebleโs bat hit the ground, he noticed his target was missing. โKeeble! What happened?!โ โWhat?! How did he get there so fast?โ โKeeble! Canโt you aim properly?!โ His friends were surprised by the sudden twist in the outcome but were not overly concerned. โIt seems like heโs professionally trained. No wonder he just stands there the whole time. Turns out heโs quite fast.โ Keeble knew what happened. The moment the bat was swung down, Kaze already predicted the trajectory and reacted accordingly, allowing him to dodge the hit easily. The swift reaction clearly indicated Kaze was powerful. โI donโt want trouble, but if you people chose to be persistent, I wouldnโt mind teaching you a lesson but Iโm sure you wonโt be able to handle the consequences.โ Kaze had been holding back but Keeble and his men continued to annoy him, grinding his patience off. โI thought you canโt speak. Why didnโt you say anything at first?โ Keeble scoffed.
When the man saw the confrontation, he frowned and quickly strode over. โIsnโt it Peter from the Viperโs Den? Of what do I owe the visit?โ The moment Keeble turned around, he saw someone he used to respect. It was a surprise that Peter appeared at such a critical moment. He wondered if Peter was just passing by or came here to pick up someone. โWhat are you people doing?โ Peter had been tasked with picking up Kaze and should have arrived earlier, but he got caught in terrible traffic. When he finally arrived, he saw that the person he was supposed to pick up was surrounded. Although he did not know much about Kazeโs background, his boss had given him the order, and that was reason enough to treat Kaze with respect. โMr. Lee, sorry I am late,โ he apologized as soon as he went up to Kaze. Kaze simply nodded and did not blame him for being late. โHeโs with you?โ Even if Keeble was a fool, he should have noticed by now that he had just messed with someone that he shou
โWe didnโt do anything. Why?โ Keeble aspired to become a gangster boss one day and if he were humiliated here and now, his dream might come to an abrupt end. He might not even be able to stay in the underworld anymore. โSo you guys can bully Kaze and we cannot take revenge?โ Leah said, her tone upset. She was determined to avenge Kaze. Keeble wanted to argue. He even looked at Peter, seeking clarification. Peter had agreed to let him and his men go, so why would the girl hold them back? โThis has nothing to do with me. If sheโs okay, of course, I can let you go,โ Peter said. He did not want to overly expose his intention, so it would be best to be no part of the conflict. Kaze wanted to steer away from trouble but Keeble was the one who started it and simply letting them go might send the wrong message to others. โIf you guys are bold enough to come here for trouble, then you should know how to handle the situation when it backfires.โ Kaze was not the type of person w
With heels clacking and a branded purse hanging in her hand, Katie walked toward her daughter. When she saw the man beside Leah, a hint of displeasure rose from her heart. Then, she noticed Peter and a sense of familiarity rose to her mind. On second thought, she seemed to have met Peter before. โPeter? What are you doing here? Here to pick someone up?โ A smile appeared on Katieโs face when she spoke to Peter. Leah initially wanted to introduce Kaze to her mother and tell her how he had helped her before. However, her mother did not even look at her or Kaze and went straight to Peter to greet him. Once again, she was ignored by her mother and it upset her. Unfortunately, she could not do anything to change it because she knew it was her motherโs job. She knew from a young age to never interrupt her mother during work or else she would be beaten. Kaze had heard a lot about Katie from Leah. The girl complained to him how unfair her workaholic mother was, yet when he saw
โIโm quite busy lately but we are going to host a banquet soon. Iโll make sure the invitation reaches you and Mr. Longwind.โ Katie revealed a little bit of her upcoming plan to Peter since he was Alfonsoโs man. Peter was delighted by the response. โMadam, I wouldnโt want to take up any more of your time. Iโll be waiting for my guest here.โ Peter saw the look in Kazeโs eyes and knew better than to reveal his identity, so he simply said he was still waiting for his guest. Katie then turned to her daughter. She had no idea what had happened earlier. The only thing she noticed was a car speeding off in her direction when she arrived. โWhat happened just now?โ The smile on Katieโs face disappeared when she spoke to her daughter and her tone sounded strict. โYou really donโt care about me, don't you? I almost got into a fight with someone.โ Leah looked aggrieved. Despite her motherโs tone, she was intoxicated by the feeling of love and care. She loved being with her mothe
โMom, what are you doing? Heโs not asking for money.โ Leah felt insulted and she knew her mother did it on purpose. โHe didnโt say anything, so how would you know?โ Katie said as she scrutinized Kaze. Peter saw the scene from the side and wanted to help but knowing Katieโs identity, he dared not interfere to offend her, so he simply stood still like a rock. โIf not for Kaze, I wouldnโt even get out of trouble. Perry even sent his men after me.โ Leah then told her mother what actually happened before she arrived. She told her mother the truth because she wanted her mother to know that she was almost hurt. โThank you, Peter.โ Learning that Peter had helped earlier, Katie furthermore believed Kaze had nothing to do with the matter. Peter knew her and her status well and was likely familiar with her daughter. Helping the girl should have been a gesture of respect toward her. Kaze did not say anything from the start, and it made Katie believe that he harbored ulterior mo
โSince you refused, then consider the reward forfeited. Stay away from my daughter and donโt let me see you again,โ Katie said to Kaze, her words serving as a warning. Her eyes brimmed with clear wariness and disdain. Leah felt a surge of embarrassment at her motherโs reaction. โWhy wonโt you listen to me? Kaze really helped me! If it werenโt for him, I might have been beaten up!โ She continued to argue in defense of Kaze. She felt that her mother was being unreasonable. โOpen your eyes and see clearly whether he helped you out of goodwill or he has something else in mind.โ Katie wanted her daughter to open her eyes and not be swept away by a moment of gratitude. Not everyone who offered help did so out of goodwill. In modern society, people worked hard just to make ends meet. Why would a stranger help another without expecting anything in return? It was every man for himself. Oneโs personal benefits and goals trumped others. โMadam, I really donโt expect anything. Iโ
Katie glared at Kaze, shifting all the blame onto him. โWhat does he have to do with this? It was you who made me follow your orders. You were the one who interfered with my life!โ Leah did not want to lash out at her mother, but the more her mother denied her, the stronger her urge to rebel became. If she continued to be a timid girl who unconditionally accepted her motherโs orders, her life would be completely in her motherโs grasp, like a puppet to a puppeteer. โStay away from my daughter! If I catch you seeing her, I will make you regret it!โ Katie had had enough of her daughterโs defiance. She dragged her daughter by the arm to her car. She resented Kaze even more for influencing her daughter. If not for him, Leah would never have defied her in public. Leah tried to break free from her motherโs restraints. She turned to Kaze, looking at him helplessly. Suddenly, she felt like a jokeโa jester whose performance was being cut short before its time. Once again, she t
Dwight gave some suggestions. โBut Iโm worried about being a nuisance to your family.โ Kaze remained hesitant, torn between decisions. โNo, you wonโt. I usually live alone. They stay somewhere else. They barely visit. Iโll just let them know not to visit for now,โ Dwight replied. Dwight figured out what was in it for him. He could not let Kaze leave. โI donโt want to put your family in an awkward position.โKaze was still considering the matter. โRelax. They donโt live with me anyway. The room I have for you is tidy. No one has stayed there before.โIโll hire some help to freshen up the place. I can guarantee you an experience no less than at the hotel.โ Dwight spoke with great confidence. โWe should finish our food and doggie-bag the rest. Iโll take you to my place.โ Dwight was ready to get things going. Kaze took the offer and nodded. โIโll be in your care then.โ Kaze was glad that his plan went through. Dwight had no idea that he got played. Nevertheless,
โIโm new to the place, so I donโt know much. Can you show me around when youโre available?โ โNo problem, but I usually have some stuff to take care of. I canโt be there 24/7. โWhy donโt you propose to the branch that you want me to be your guide and attendant?โ Dwight suggested. There was no telling whether Kaze would accept his proposal, but it was an opportunity to prove himself. He was never involved in the core operation. Often enough, he was the branch membersโ punching bag. Though Dwight was aware that he was not good enough for the big stuff, he still wanted to succeed. Kaze was the trusted aide of the Butterworth Branch chief. He was in Westeros for a reason. By joining Kaze, Dwight would come across the major players. Kaze saw through Dwightโs plans. โSure. Iโll do that.โ Kaze did not mind the request. โGreat. Iโll let them know on your behalf. Iโll be responsible for your needs while in the city.โ Dwight was overjoyed at the opportunity. โSo you live
โYou must be rich. I often see rich people picking tabs for everybody. Talk about extravagance.โ The tension in the air was lifted when Kaze offered to pay for everything. โIโm not. Consider it an apology,โ Kaze explained, not wanting to cause unnecessary misunderstandings. He did not see the point of continuing the conversation. Dwightโs angry screams came from outside. โWhat the hell is this? I only ordered a bunch of stuff. Why am I being charged an exorbitant amount?โWhat do you mean my friend is paying for everybody? Thatโs throwing money away,โ Dwight said while storming his way over. โI know you have money, but you shouldnโt do this, Mr. Lee.โ Dwight did not approve of this type of generosity. โYou rubbed them the wrong way. It was only right to apologize. Besides, itโs not a lot of money.โ Kaze looked at the bill and handed a bank card to Dwight. โItโs my treat.โ The consumption was barely a dent in Kazeโs savings. The meal did not cost more than his us
Kaze observed as the jeep took off further off course, past the towering buildings to a run-down neighborhood. โThis is where I usually reside. My home is not too far away, but I think you might have trouble adapting to this place.โ Dwight did not forget to book Kaze a hotel. Kaze could not possibly stay with him. The hotel was around the area anyway. โDidnโt you say that you havenโt tried the local cuisine? Iโll take you out for a bite. โThe barbecue ribs here are to die for. Weโve got the dry-rubbed and saucy kind.โ Dwight parked the car and hopped out right away. Opposite the parking lot was not the cleanest food joint. Looking in from the outside, Kaze realized that the place was packed. Kaze understood that the restaurant must be known for some kind of dish. The customers were from all walks of life, so the food must be great. โThereโs not much to see here, but the food is tasty. If you donโt mind, we can order something inside.โ Kaze was not particularly con
Dwight was surprised and curious as to who Kaze really was. From what he gathered, Kaze was a confidante of the Butterworth Branch chief. The purpose of Kazeโs visit was to learn and share. Dwight worked on the fringes, so his access to information was limited. Nevertheless, he got the feeling that Kaze was just an ordinary guy just like him. The only difference was that Kaze was lucky to rub shoulders with important people. Dwight did not get chances like that. โWho are the most influential people in the Viperโs Den Westeros Branch?โ Kaze asked in the car. Dwight was taken aback by the question. Still, he had an answer to that. โSo you donโt know much about the situation?โ Dwight suddenly felt important. โWell, Iโm new to the city. I will be running into them soon, so I need to make sure I get my facts right,โ Kaze said humbly. This was Dwightโs shot, and he needed to present his best. โRelax, Kaze. Iโll tell you everything I know.โ Dwight would reveal some info
Kaze glanced at the flowers. There was a card for well-wishes too.Curious, Kaze reached out to read the card. It was written, โTo my eternal lover and sweetheart.โ Dwight grabbed Kazeโs bag. Since the sign in his hand was getting in the way, Dwight tossed the placard in the trash can. As Dwight turned his head back, he saw Kaze reading the card that came with the flowers. He tried to stop Kaze, but it was too late. Dwight had not attended to a guest of high importance before. The task was assigned to him at the last minute. In the past, Dwight was usually on the sidelines, never getting close to major matters. He would always get the small, insignificant jobs. Dwight often bought drinks for his superiors to build connections. However, he had always been kept out of the loop. Now that an opportunity had fallen onto his lap, Dwight was not about to let it slip. He wanted to show what he could do. When Dwight arrived at the airport for the pick-up, most people car
The incident did not sit well with Kaze, so he left them out to dry. After much searching, Kaze came across a cafรฉ. 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
โAlright. I will work hard to be the manager of the Northborn Group. You need to show me the ropes and teach me about management.โ Leah looked at Katie with a smile. She believed Katie had not lost her mind. Katie simply had her memory mixed up. โYou need to keep your people in line and reward those who deserve it. It all boils down to profits. โYou need to work toward managing your people and working with rivals. Youโve got to keep the balance, and nobody loses out. โYou need to build your own system when it comes to working together. Donโt be led around by the nose.โ Hearing that Leah would start work soon, Katie imparted her knowledge. โDonโt worry too much about things. Joey is nice. You can go to her for help,โ Katie said earnestly. Katie seemed to be herself at the moment. Leah wondered if Katie faked her insanity to escape the punishment. โWhat have become of you? Did they do something to you? โDid you really betray Kaze?โ 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 Kazeโs 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. โWhy did you send me an address?โ Leah went straight to the question. She had been equipping herself with knowledge before