After some thought, Frank said "In that case, I have an offer if you'd like to hear me out.""An offer?" Ted did a double take, but his eyes showed hope as he looked at Frank.They certainly would not leave Zamri if they did not have to!Frank nodded. "I'll help you bring down the other two gangs so that you can return to Zamri. The condition for that is that you serve Lanecorp. In other words…"Then, pointing at Helen with a smile, he finished, "You answer to her, Lanecorp's board chairwoman.""What?!" Helen was left gaping.On the other hand, Frank deliberately scowled when he saw Ted and his thugs gaping at him too. "What, are you saying no?""Of course not!" Ted exclaimed. "We'd never leave Zamri unless we really have to, since our friends and family are there. But…"As Ted trailed off awkwardly, Frank pressed, "But what?""But…"Ted was left staring at Frank, unable to say it.After all, Frank was just one man. Could he really defeat the ten martial artists among the ra
"Wait, don't pay your respects." Frank waved the Blue Fangs off. "I'm not interested in becoming a gang leader. Just watch yourselves and stay out of trouble."Then, handily grabbing Ted's mohawk and shaking it, Frank said, "Also, clean up your act. I will make arrangements for everyone to be given a set of uniform—starting today, you are all employees of Lanecorp's health and security department!""What?" Ted exclaimed, not quite understanding what was happening."What do you mean, 'what'?! Do you have something to say about that?" Frank demanded, glaring pointedly at the thugs.Most of them were quickly kneeling out of gratitude. The thug life was not at all their dream, since most of them were just scraping by. They simply had the poor fortune of an unfortunate birth, lack of education, and skill.As such, while some were resistant to the idea of being recruited by a major company, most of them appeared hopeful.One of them even mustered his courage and asked, "Excuse me, Mr.
After recruiting the Blue Fangs and arranging for them to keep watch over the projects just then, Frank had a weird troubled look on his face as soon as he got into his car."What's wrong, Frank?" Helen quickly asked."No…" Frank leveled a conflicted look at her but eventually resigned himself and sighed. "Well, I'll be frank—Your client Ms. Clarity is an assassin topping Blackrank.""What?!"Helen was stunned—she could tell from Clarity's presence that she was someone special, but a top assassin was still a stretch from what she expected.Stunned into silence, her throat was parched as she turned toward Frank, having trouble speaking. "Are you saying that Lanecorp should revoke her client status?""No, I don't mean that." Frank shook his head and explained thoughtfully, "She told me plainly who she was and didn't even hide her identity.""Well, what is she after?"Helen wheezed. "You?""Maybe." Frank nodded in somber agreement."Quit messing around, Frank!" Helen snorted. "I
It was certainly ironic that Gina had been conned into buying this exact plot of land that Juno Enigma had tipped Frank off on about its increase in value over tenfold.Even if Frank did buy it with 500 million dollars, the value would skyrocket in two months over five billion!Gina and Cindy were still laughing at Frank for being a sucker, when they were the real suckers here.If they were to find out, they really would have a heart attack…In fact, even Helen was gaping in shock after Frank nonchalantly told her about Juno Enigma's tip."For real?"Frank nodded. "There's no mistaking it."Just to be sure, he called Will Zeller as Helen watched.Even if he was a bureaucrat reviewing lease bids, he was involved in Zamri's urban development and would definitely have heard something about it.While he was puzzled by Frank's question, he said, "I don't know about the projects, Mr. Lawrence… but I do know about plans for a highway, and it definitely passes through that area. There
Still, the whole mood was ruined anyway, so Frank held his phone to his ear and said, "I've just checked. The land is worth a lot of money.""Really? How so?" Gina snorted from the other end.Frank could actually hear Cindy laughing gleefully too, even scoffing. "Aunt Gina, that sucker must have realized he just lost a fortune and wants to sell it back to you!"Frank did not get petty, however, and reasoned calmly, "I have a reliable source. The projects are due for demolition since they will be building a highway nearby, and the value will multiply by tenfold!"Cindy stopped laughing right then, and Gina turned quiet.Then, Gina asked tentatively, "So, you mean to ask me to buy the land back from you?""That's the idea." Frank nodded. "You'll definitely make big bucks if you take ownership, and you won't ever have to rely on Helen again."Silence ensued again before Gina and Cindy both burst out in rowdy laughter. Helen could naturally hear them since Frank had put them on lo
Cindy snapped with righteous indignation right then, "We did it to straighten out Frank! It's his fault for always strutting around us! He should take the loss since he likes to show off so much!""That's enough," Frank said quietly as he took his phone back from Helen, concerned that she would get a stroke. "Gina, I will ask you again—believe me and take the land, and you'll earn more than ten times what it cost you. If you don't do it now, you don't get to make a scene and demand I sell it back to you later."Gina snapped hostilely right then, "What's that supposed to mean? Do I look like some fishwife to you?""Exactly," Helen said, folding her arms before her chest as she was utterly disappointed in her own mother.Gina paused for a moment, clearly furious."Helen Lane!" she snarled, burning bridges right then. "You've really done it now… All I've ever done was for your sake, and I was so worried you'd choose a poor husband… but you never cared for your own mother at all, sidi
"Frank, take me back to my office."Helen was hugging her legs, her expression one of misery and disappointment.Frank began, "Helen, actually—""Don't say it, Frank. I get it," Helen murmured, turning to look outside the window so that he would not have to see her cry. "I regret nothing at all."After being silent for a while, Frank started the car as it drizzled.He drove in silence, feeling unsettled even as he took Helen back to Lanecorp's offices.They got out, and Helen stopped outside the entrance. "I'm giving you two days' leave, Mr. Lawrence. It's been taxing… You should get some proper rest." Frank could hear the crack in her voice and saw that she was forcing herself to smile despite forcing back tears."Yeah." He nodded and started to leave since he knew she needed time by herself. "Oh, and don't mind what my mother said," Helen added. "Even if you were a pig, you'd still be the most amazing, most handsome boar there is.""Pfft…" Frank chuckled, amused. "And you
Many other drivers were gaping in envy.Meanwhile, Frank floored the gas pedal, and his Maybach bellowed as it disappeared from sight.-At Riverton University the next day, Winter was seated below the stage, at once disappointed when she did not hear Frank's name listed among the professors present.It seemed that she was hoping for too much, but it also made sense—what was she, compared to the people Frank mingled with these days? She really could not be more insignificant, and imposing on him over something as trivial as her convocation was simply tactless.Her fingers clenched on her robes at the thought, her eyes stinging as she thought to herself that she should apologize to Frank later."It's alright, Winter." Jean Zims, her best friend, patted her hand to console her. "It's fine if he doesn't come. You have all the time you need… Now, compose yourself—you have to give a speech soon, don't you?""Eh? I'm…" Winter stared at Jean in surprise.Jean, however, could see tha