Semua Bab Last Man Standing: Bab 111 - Bab 120

At first, no one bought into the news. It sounded like some kind of sick international prank.The three major families had been a cornerstone of Mendorra for a hundred years, commanding respect from all corners of society and boasting serious muscle. Who could have had the clout and firepower to bring them down overnight? Surely not even Kenny, the big-shot chairman of the Oceania Group, the current talk of the town, could have pulled off such a feat.However, some noisy parkers uploaded photos of the three families' compound from that very morning, showing the wreckage and desolation. Once those images hit the net, the rumors turned into stark reality for everyone.The three major families of Mendorra crumbled in a single night, and the rumors were true.Curiosity buzzed through the city like wildfire, sparking a new question: What in the world happened? Who was the perpetrator?Intrigue spread, and whispers traveled through the grapevine as every faction used their connections t

"Howard, can you come here for a moment? I need to ask you something.""Okay!" Howard said, flashing a grin as he walked into the room with Talia."Tell me, was it the three major families who pulled the strings on the Ziegler mess five years back?" Talia asked once they were seated. "And what's the deal with you and the Shadow Sect? Are you one of them?""Uh... What are you getting at?" Howard blinked, thrown off guard."Cut the act, Howard." Talia's eyes bore into him. "Someone snatched me up the day before yesterday, grilling me about who I saved from the Zieglers. Then, bam! Last night, those major families hit a snag."And you. You were so sure I wouldn't have to sweat the Blakes coming after me again. You had to know they were about to hit a wall! I did some digging, too. This morning, the honchos from those major families were all over Saint Mount Cemetery, right at the Ziegler patriarch's grave."One weird thing could be a fluke, but all this? You're not gonna feed me som

"Seems to me I should be the one grilling you. You offended one of my Imperial Order guys. Got any clue what you just signed up for?" Spencer Wallace, the middle-aged man, demanded."I'm here to find out exactly how you plan to square things with my Imperial Order."Spencer had gotten wind of Jacob's fate just that morning. He found out that the Shadow Sect had taken him out, and boy, did that set him off.Jacob was his golden boy, a real prodigy, who hit martial master level while still wet behind the ears.Spencer had big plans for the kid and saw him outshining himself one day. He was all set to bump Jacob up to the big leagues of the Imperial Order, groom him for greatness.Then, the kid was dead. Just like that.Sure, Spencer knew the Shadow Sect was not in the habit of killing without good reason. They must have had their reasons to target Jacob. Still, Jacob was his man, and the Shadow Sect had no business handing out lessons."You're a fool!" snapped the Judge, his voice

"He... He's truly...a monster..."As Spencer scanned the damning list of Jacob's crimes on the phone's screen, he slumped to the ground, his face awash with deep remorse."Now you see why he had to go?" Howard's tone remained impassive."I... I'm sorry... I failed to see... Please, Young Master Howard, I accept any punishment..." Spencer bowed low before Howard."The Shadow Sect's honor isn't to be taken lightly. You didn't know, so as your penance, cut off one of your arms," Howard commanded sternly."Thank you...Young Master Howard..."With no second thoughts, Spencer struck his left arm with a swift chop of his hand. A sickening snap echoed as his arm hung limp and useless.Spencer groaned, pain and loyalty mixed in the sound."Consider this a warning. Cross me again, and you won't live to tell the tale," Howard said, his hand cutting through the air dismissively. "Now scram!""Thank you!" Spencer managed to rise, gave another bow, and turned to leave.…"Daddy, you're he

Yankel quickly introduced them, "This is my girlfriend, Calistra, and her parents."Benicia Reath gave Calistra a once-over and said, "Ah, Mr. Wright's girlfriend. Welcome, come on in.""Thanks!" Calistra glanced at Benicia, a hint of a frown crossing her face, before she and Yankel walked on, arm in arm."And you are?" Benicia turned to Howard's family with curiosity."They're here to give us a hand with the house-hunting," Noelle chimed in, then looked at Kaylee. "Kaylee, why don't you all take a seat and relax? We'll go have a look at the house in a bit.""Sure," Kaylee said flatly.She had not been keen on coming, and it showed in her mood."Mrs. Jenkins, since we're here, how about we check out the scale model? Might as well, since we're not doing anything," Howard suggested, cradling Riley."No thanks, you go on without me," Kaylee declined with a wave of her hand."Mom, let's just have a look. Who knows, maybe one day we'll be able to afford one of these places," Talia