Howard caught it quickly. He glanced at it and saw that it was a small, emerald-green stone. It was about half the size of his thumb. Although it looked ordinary, the moment he caught it, he felt a gentle warmth spread throughout his body. Howard wasn't an idiot. He knew that the emerald stone was a precious object, and he immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, Dr. Ballard."…Tony was in the presidential suite of a five-star hotel in Steinberg. He stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows and gazed out at the skyscrapers outside. He asked in a low voice, "Have we contacted them? When are the Sentinels from Demongate arriving?" A bodyguard behind him answered respectfully, "Mr. Wright, we've contacted them. They'll arrive tonight." "Very good! They must murder that brat for me tonight!" Tony said coldly, a murderous look in his eyes. The bodyguard asked, "What about Howard, Mr. Wright?" Tony turned, looking ferocious as he said, "As long as that brat dies, Howard
Sebastian frowned as he watched Alvin leave. He looked at Rosalie and asked, "Is he really such an arrogant idiot?" Rosalie spread her hands and shrugged as she said, "That's the reason I don't like him."Sebastian shook his head. These rich heirs were used to getting their way because of their wealth and power. The real elite were all very educated and classy. They wouldn't behave like Alvin and try to use their authority to oppress others. The point was, did Sebastian look like a pushover? He clearly wasn't. Howard laughed and said, "Dr. Ballard, is there any trouble? Do you need me to help you take care of it?""No, it's just a minor issue," Sebastian said impassively. While they were chatting casually, elsewhere, Frostwave Corporation was facing a ruthless internal struggle for power. … When Whitney and Theresa arrived at the office, Dante sat in the CEO's seat in the conference room, giving commands to the company's high-level executives and shareholders. It made
They were indebted to Whitney. Even if they were fired, they still wouldn't dare to lift a finger against her. Whitney no longer had the patience to keep arguing with Dante. She turned and spoke to the company's executives and shareholders. "Would you rather come with me or stay here?"The executives and the shareholders understood her at once. They all stood up at once and shouted, "Of course, we want to go with you, Ms. Sutton! Dante is a blockhead who doesn't know anything and wants to interfere with everything! "It's only been an hour, and he's already fired 16 people! It's creating a terrible atmosphere in the company!""That's right! We'll go and start anew with you, Ms. Sutton!" The high-level executives and shareholders had made their opinion clear. Dante looked at them angrily and shouted, "You're a bunch of ingrates! How dare you oppose the company! The company is the reason that you can make a living! Fine, leave if you want to! You're all fired! Get lost, all of
Back at the convenience store. Howard chuckled after he watched Sebastian refine three safety stones. He said, "Dr. Ballard, are you planning to sell these safety stones that you've refined?" "Sell them?" Sebastian shook his head and laughed. "I'm planning to keep them for myself and give to others."Howard nodded and smiled as he said, "I can tell at once that these are high-quality items. I've only been wearing the one you gave me for a while, but I already feel so much more relaxed and comfortable." Howard shook his head and said, "It's a pity that you're not selling them, Dr. Ballard. If you could, then I'm sure you could earn quite a bit and pioneer a new market!"Sebastian raised an eyebrow. A plan began to form in his head. Howard was right. Young people nowadays believed firmly in this kind of thing. They were becoming more spiritual. Many turn to Tarot readings or check their daily horoscope charts to anticipate what lies ahead. "Mr. Tuffin, you've given me a st
"Really? Thank you, Dr. Ballard!" Howard was beside himself with excitement. Sebastian looked around and picked up a newspaper from the table. He took a piece of newspaper and wrapped the Life Prolonging Pill in it. He stuffed it into his pocket and said, "Let's go and have a look at this private collection viewing.""Wait, are you planning to exchange this Life Prolonging Pill for the spiritual stone?" Rosalie asked in surprise. Sebastian smiled. "Is there a problem with that?" "Sebastian, I believe you, but the people who are attending tonight may not. Plus, you wrapped it in a piece of torn newspaper," Rosalie said, frowning. Sebastian laughed and said, "What if there's someone there who has taste? Besides, someone who would collect a spiritual stone is not an ordinary person."Sebastian walked out of the convenience store. Howard rushed to open the car door and invited Sebastian in. Rosalie thought for a moment and followed. "Why are you following us?" Sebastian a
Sebastian's brow furrowed, and he looked coldly at the furious Fergus. He twisted his hand and bent Fergus' wrist at once. It hurt so much that Fergus bellowed in pain. "Sebastian! Let go of him!" Whitney yelled as she rushed over. Sebastian frowned and let go. He pushed Fergus hard and sent him stumbling off several feet away. "How dare you touch me!" Fergus growled. He was extremely annoyed. Sebastian fixed his collar and said coldly, "You were the one who started it. I was just defending myself.""Why you—" Fergus raised his fist to punch him. "Touch me again and you'll lose that hand," Sebastian said icily, his tone leaving no room for argument. He sounded threatening. Fergus was startled. He clenched his fist tightly, feeling aggrieved. Whitney frowned as she glanced at Fergus' red and swollen wrist. She said angrily to Sebastian, "Sebastian, what are you doing? Did you have to use that much strength?" Sebastian's expression changed slightly at her rebuke. He frow
Rosalie was the heiress of the Griffin family. She would never do something like that. Sebastian laughed self-deprecatingly. He looked at Whitney and asked, "Do you believe everything that Mr. Cobb says?" "Am I wrong? The truth has already been laid out in front of us. How are you going to explain that?" Whitney asked irritatedly. Sebastian couldn't be bothered to explain. The manager said grimly, "This is a private viewing. Please leave right now." Fergus laughed scornfully and said, "How embarrassing, Sebastian."He then turned to Rosalie. "Ms. Griffin, now you've seen for yourself how unreliable he is. Things will be hard for you if you stay with him in future." Rosalie looked at him as if he had grown a second head. She scoffed. "You really are an idiot.""Why you—" Fergus was furious. "What are you waiting for? Kick the two of them out!" he ordered the manager. The manager waved a hand and gestured to the security guards. "Take them out without disturbing the other
Sebastian looked up at the sound. He saw a pudgy middle-aged man whose eyes were narrowed as he played with two moqui balls. The man had a mole on his chin and was wearing a black robe. He stared at Sebastian. Sebastian frowned slightly. Howard laughed and bowed slightly to the middle-aged man. "Mr. Shaw, I brought Dr. Ballard today as he has a very good eye.""Dr. Ballard? Mr. Tuffin, is that how you should address such a young man?" Holden Shaw shook his head and laughed scornfully. The contempt was visible in his eyes as he looked at Sebastian. Howard tactfully ignored the question. He said to Sebastian softly, "Dr. Ballard, his name is Holden Shaw, and he's the second son of the Janover Shaws. "He's quite well known among the collectors of Janover, and most of his enterprises are on the gray side of the law. He has connections with Janover's underworld." Sebastian nodded slightly. Howard began introducing the rest of the people present in a low voice to him. Many of
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