"You've taken over Frostwave Corporation for close to half a month, and yet you don't even know how many shares Whitney currently has?" Jace was furious.He was only helping Ryder so that he could take control of Frostwave Corporation, after which he could use it to threaten Sebastian and force him to hand over the formula for the Arctic Snow Mask. However, Ryder was a total idiot. He didn't even know how many shares Whitney had in Frostwave Corporation?Ryder was struck dumb by Jace's slap. He had naively thought that Jace was helping him because they had once been classmates.He had never imagined that Jace didn't care about him at all. "M-Mr. Jace, d-did you just hit me?" Ryder still had some defiance in him. Besides, Jace had just slapped him right in front of Orlando. How could Ryder live it down?"Hit you?" Jace laughed coldly. There was an icy gleam in his eyes as he said, "Ryder, you can't possibly think that we're equals, do you?"I don't mind telling you that I'm o
"What?" Kelvin and Aloysius stared at Orlando in disbelief. "Is this reliable news?" Kelvin asked, frowning."Very reliable. Mr. Kurt Lonsten from the Ministry of Commerce told me about it personally, and they just completed all the paperwork an hour ago," Orlando said truthfully to Kelvin."Hmph!" Kelvin huffed and said, "How dare Sebastian open a pharmaceutical factory? Send someone to investigate!"Orlando smiled quickly and said, "Grandpa, I've already sent someone to check. That pharmaceutical factory is in the northern region, and as long as we can find out who the factory director is, I can think of a solution very soon so that he won't be able to open that factory!"Kelvin rolled his eyes at Orlando. Orlando had tried to plot against Sebastian several times, but the Gullivers always ended up having to clean up his mess.He was now very doubtful of Orlando's ability to get things done."Kelvin, this Ballard won't be easy to deal with. I heard that even Captain Cansley of
Buying land and buying a factory were two entirely different things. Although it was an abandoned factory, it was still extremely expensive."He bought the land? Does he have that much money?" Orlando frowned and asked, "Where would he get so much money?""Mr. Gulliver, I'll be honest with you. That piece of land is almost 250 acres. I heard that he spent over 500 million on it!" Trey said truthfully.As the director of the factory, he knew every detail about it. He was even secretly relieved that the new owner was so wealthy. It meant that there would be more opportunities for promotion and a higher salary. "He really keeps a low profile, doesn't he? As long as we can verify that he's the owner of both the land and the pharmaceutical factory, things will be easy." Orlando smiled menacingly. 500 million… even if Sebastian had many wealthy friends, that amount would surely be everything he had. As long as they could seize the pharmaceutical factory, Sebastian would become poor.
Marcel had been in politics for a long time. He knew that people like Kelvin would never do something for nothing. He wouldn't have spent so much money unless he had a favor to ask.Kelvin smiled impassively and said, "I see that nothing gets past you, Mr. Lyme. Actually, I do have a little favor to ask of you."Marcel raised his glass and took a sip of expensive whiskey. He put some food in his mouth and enjoyed the flavor before saying, "Mr. Gulliver, I'll do everything I can. However, in terms of the benefits…"Kelvin smiled thinly and took out a check from his pocket. He pushed it over to Marcel.Marcel glanced at it and immediately refused, saying, "Oh, Mr. Gulliver. Before I can be sure about whether or not I can help, you don't need to be so polite."Marcel wasn't an idiot. The Gullivers and Sebastian had been locked in a fierce battle for quite some time. Although Sebastian was a relatively unknown nobody, he did have connections with Zeke from Steinberg Pharma.Marcel ha
"We have to check it very carefully and meticulously," Marcel said. "If you can't find a problem and the factory isn't closed down, you can resign!""Okay! You can leave it up to me!" Jake Bullen said confidently. Marcel's intention was clear. Jake would have to seize the pharmaceutical factory in the northern region.After hanging up, Jake immediately contacted Rory Woodsen, who was from the Food and Drug Administration. He told Rory what Marcel wanted.When Rory heard that it was a direct command from Marcel, he immediately called ten of his subordinates and drove to the northern region with Jake.On the way there, Rory asked in confusion, "That pharmaceutical factory has been closed for about half a year, right? Why would Mr. Lyme suddenly tell us to investigate it?"Jake scoffed. "There's a saying that says that people hide their riches. Think about how well-off you have to be to spend 500 million on establishing a factory in the northern region. If Mr. Lyme doesn't do anyth
Sebastian glanced at Jake from afar. He could tell from their actions that they had come prepared."Gentlemen, I'm Sebastian Ballard, the owner of this pharmaceutical factory," he said, smiling. Jake eyed Sebastian and pretended to look surprised as he said, "Oh? Aren't you the consultant of Arctic Snow Group? My apologies for the disrespect." Sebastian smiled faintly and said, "Mr. Bullen, you're too polite. Why did you bring so many people? Are you planning to smash up my factory?"Jake scoffed. "Rubbish! I'm here on a regular inspection. Get your permit and production license, and show me!"Sebastian glanced at his uniform and said, "Since when has the Department of Health been in charge of pharmaceutical factory permits?" "The FDA has the right to ask, surely?" Rory walked over to Sebastian, hands clasped behind his back. His gaze swept over him as he said coldly, "You must be this factory owner. Show us the permit!""Who are you?" Sebastian looked Rory up and down. "I'
Wasn't Sebastian only a consultant of Arctic Snow Group? Even if they did trample him to death, what could he do? After all, Rory had the support of the whole Gulliver family! Was there anything the Gullivers couldn't settle in Sartvale? Trey turned pale as he watched the permit being torn to shreds. He turned and ran toward the office, but someone stuck their foot out and sent him sprawling with a thump. He didn't even have time to turn back and see who had tripped him. He scrambled up from the ground and ran swiftly toward the office. He had taken the military permit from Fitz. Tearing up a military permit was a crime punishable by death. They could be shot dead! Trey did not dare to conceal it without reporting it. Rory watched Trey run off to the office. He grinned gleefully and said, "Did you see that? He was scared shitless! It must be a fake permit!" Jake glanced at the dazed Trey and was even more sure that the permit Sebastian had produced must be fake. "Sebastia
Jake trembled as he said, "I'm Jake Bullen from the Department of Health! We're just following orders.""Following orders? What orders and who gave them?" Fitz's cold gaze swept over Jake and Rory's faces. "We came to ch-check the permit," Jake said after mustering up the courage. "Haven't we given you the permit already? Why did you rough him up?" Fitz asked, looking thunderous.Trey had run over to tell him that something was happening with the pharmaceutical factory, but he hadn't been told that the permit had been torn up. "P-Permit? Where?" Rory had been so scared that his mind had gone blank. He had completely forgotten about what had happened. "It's… It's the one you tore up!" Trey said, panting. "What?" Fitz's expression suddenly changed. He looked down and noticed the torn pieces of paper on the ground and immediately became furious. Glaring at Jake and Rory, he yelled, "Tell me! Which bastard tore that up? Step forward!"Everyone jolted with fright and simultaneo
Sebastian threw his head back in laughter. He strode forward, standing in the center of the hall, and said coldly. "Ungrateful? How could you have the audacity to say such a thing?"Even if I'm surrounded by enemies, you Ballards can forget about making me submit! It's just death, after all. If I even blink, then I won't call myself a man!"Everyone there stared at Sebastian."How dare that brat be so cocky? If he's not punished, it'll be a disgrace to our family rules!""He should be given the death penalty!""It'll be a disaster if we just let him be, and it'll only bring trouble for our family. Please give the order, and we'll kill him at once!"The entire hall was in an uproar. Even Preston, who had been speaking up for Sebastian and Samson, sighed in resignation.Since Sebastian had already made his stance clear, Preston couldn't help even if he wanted to.Sebastian had roused the anger of everyone there, and Arnaud had closed his eyes and wasn't saying anything. He was cl
Sebastian was just about to step forward when Samson hastily waved a hand at him and said, "Sebastian, the grudges of the Ballard family from over ten years ago have nothing to do with you. Don't get involved!""But—"Sebastian's gaze sharpened as he turned to look at Milton. There was an icy glint in his eyes. Samson shook his head slightly at Sebastian. The Ballard Estate had at least ten experts at the eighth level of the Eldoria realm. At Sebastian's current level, trying to fight them would only bring him big trouble."Sebastian, one must learn how to adapt to the situation," Samson whispered into his ear using voice projection. "Today, I will exchange my legs for your and Whitney's freedom. Think of it as a payment for what I owe you and your mother."Sebastian clenched his fists tightly. He hated himself for being too weak. He couldn't even protect his own family in a place like the Ballard Estate, where many experts were gathered.However, he would never allow anyone to
"Do you accept it, Samson?" Arnaud asked harshly when he saw that Preston hadn't said anything else. He turned to look directly at Samson.Samson smiled bitterly and turned to look at Sebastian before raising his head to look at Arnaud, who was sitting high above them. He said, "Uncle Arnaud, I was the reason for everything that happened. I wish to ask you not to trouble Sebastian.""What are you talking about?" Preston was agitated. He stood up again and yelled, "There must still be an investigation about who was right and who was wrong. Why should they break your legs?"As he spoke, his eyes blazed with fury. He looked at the thin old man and said furiously, "Milton, you old bastard! How can you be so shameless at your age? Tell me! Did you embellish the story to Arnaud?""Uncle Preston!" Samson stopped him quickly and sighed slightly. "Forget it. It's my fault for bringing such huge trouble upon our family back then."I admit that I have let our family down. Since imprisoning m
As the man in the black robe yelled, the entire hall fell silent at once. The thin old man threw the black-robed old man a disgruntled look, but he returned obediently to his seat.Once the noise had died down, Preston stepped forward and swept an icy gaze over the crowd who were present. "You call yourself the elders of the family?"The monument of our ancestral dragon is right in front of you. How could you bully two young members of the family in front of it? Don't you feel any shame?"Besides, how dare you speak before Arnaud does?"After the harsh scolding they received from Preston, no one in the crowd dared to protest. Sebastian nodded involuntarily. It appeared that Preston did have influence in the Ballard family. At least no one had interrupted his scolding, including Arnaud and the man in the black robe.Preston huffed angrily and bowed to Arnaud, who sat in the middle. "Arnaud, I've brought Samson and Sebastian!"Preston went over to the chair next to the black-robe
"Sebastian, I won't be going in. Remember, don't say anything without being spoken to, and don't be impulsive!" Andreas said softly in Sebastian's ear when they reached the door to the hall. He then walked over to the crowd, which was packed on both sides of the hall.Samson and Preston walked into the hall without any change in expression. Sebastian hesitated for a moment before hurrying to catch up.When they reached the entrance, the two old men reached out to stop them and said to Preston, who was in the lead, "Preston, I'm afraid that it wouldn't be a good idea for you to go in. Everyone knows that you're biased toward Samson's family. If you get into an argument with Arnaud, then—""Nonsense!" Preston yelled furiously. He spoke in a menacing tone to the two old men. "Don't try those tricks with me. Today, I'm going to be the voice of reason. Who among you can do anything to me?"With that, he pushed them aside and strode into the hall.The two old men gazed after his ret
The Ballard Estate's resources were unfathomable as it was. Could Isabella's family be even more powerful than theirs?Sebastian clearly remembered that both he and Samson were under the Sacred Medicine Society. They even had the same mentor.The Sacred Medicine Society was above all the other mystic martial arts sects. Even the sect leaders of the Nine Sects were very respectful toward his mentor.If Samson really was from the same sect as Sebastian, then his mentor had clearly been unable to save him. Wouldn't that mean that the Sacred Medicine Society was no match for the Ballards?Wouldn't that mean that Isabella's family was an even greater entity?"If my mother's family is really that powerful, why couldn't they rescue my father? There would also be no reason to let me join the Sacred Medicine Society either, right?" Sebastian asked probingly. It seemed as if Andreas had never even thought about such questions. He smiled and shook his head. "You probably don't know about a
As they stepped out of the courtyard gate, Samson suddenly turned and lowered his voice as he said to Sebastian, "I didn't treat you and your mother well. Please don't hold it against me."Sebastian felt even more conflicted. After everything he had been through, he knew very well that there were times when one really had no choice. When Samson saw that Sebastian was looking at him with a conflicted expression, he patted him on the shoulder and gave him a warm smile. Then he took a token from Preston and walked out of the yard.They followed Preston as he walked toward the east, where there was a majestic-looking building."Why are you helping me?" Sebastian suddenly turned and asked Andreas in a low voice. Andreas glanced at him and gave him a long, cryptic smile. "Do you think I'm helping you? I'm helping myself while doing so!""Oh?" Sebastian looked at Andreas in confusion, his brow knitted. Even Rexton had mentioned that Andreas was in Arnaud's favor. Why would he need t
When Rexton and the others had gone, Preston turned to look at Samson and said irritatedly, "You little rascal. Would I ever hurt you?"Besides, you've been here in isolation for ten years. Why hasn't your temper changed at all? Couldn't you show me some respect in front of all those people?"Samson glanced at Preston but didn't answer.Preston huffed and ignored him. He turned and looked Sebastian up and down instead."Hey, kiddo. Over ten years have passed in just the blink of an eye. You've probably forgotten me. I even gave you candy back then! Come over here and call me Great Uncle Preston!"Sebastian looked at him in surprise. It was true that he didn't have much of an impression of what had happened over ten years ago. However, he could tell from what Preston had said and done that his attitude toward Sebastian's family was completely different from Rexton and the others.Beside Sebastian, Andreas kept shooting him meaningful looks. Sebastian finally smiled and said, "Hell
Although the old man looked as if he was over 60 years old, his expression was sharp and lively, and his skin was smooth as a baby's. It gave him a youthful air.Even the severely injured apprentices all scrambled up from the ground when they saw him. They hastily bowed and said, "Greetings, Great Uncle Preston!"Even Rexton had no choice but to suppress his anger. He bowed sullenly to the old man and said, "Greetings, Uncle Preston."Preston Ballard glanced at Rexton and turned to shout angrily at the apprentices, "If I hadn't come, were you planning to tear the Ballard Estate apart? Look at all of you! Get out of here right now!"Despite the scolding they had been subjected to, none of them dared to protest. They all lowered their heads and slunk out of the yard. Preston glared angrily at them as they went and snorted. "What an embarrassment to the family!"Then he smiled slightly and looked at Samson and Sebastian as he asked, "Samson, do you have anything to say?"Samson lo