Bryce was furious."Damn it!" he cursed through gritted teeth. "A bunch of ingrates! Why are they all hell-bent on opposing our family?""Dad!" Mark approached. "Let's take decisive action! Didn't you say that Sylvia isn't important to the Innova Group? Let's just grab her and have some fun! If we get tired, we can bring in 10 or 20 more men to deal with her!""What if she resists?""Hmph! I have connections in Catellon. We can sell her there for filming. I'm sure she'll fetch a good price!"Bryce raised his hand and delivered a resounding slap. "Are you out of your mind? Our family's authority and reputation are under severe challenge!"These bastards think they can defy us just because the Innova Group is backing them? If they succeed, how will others see us? Do we still have any standing left? Send some people to warn John and other distriputors."They must know that we are not to be trifled with!"He had no mood for women now.-At John's company.These past few days had
Outside John's company offices, a group of men in sharp suits arrived with determined strides. As they approached the reception desk, they forcefully shoved past the receptionist before a word could escape her lips."Out of the way! One more word and I'll lay you out! Don't think I won't hit a woman!"The receptionist recoiled, instinctively retreating behind the desk.Observing them heading upstairs, she hurriedly dialed John's number. "Mr. Dede, some very aggressive men are heading to your office!"Ever since John began managing finances for them, he had been granting them raises. Now, someone was causing trouble for their employer? That couldn't be allowed!If they messed with John, wouldn't their chances of getting another raise go down the drain? They might even lose their jobs. They had to secure their livelihoods!-In the office, John pondered how fortunes had changed when he received the call from the receptionist.It startled him. Although he knew the Pentras would se
The individuals sent by the Pentra family were all subdued by the Locke brothers.Seeing them, John wiped the sweat off his forehead."Thank goodness you were here, or we'd be in danger!" He approached, kicking one of them. "Mr. Locke, how should we handle them?"The Locke brothers glanced at them. "Let them go. They're just a few weaklings raised by the Pentra family. Killing them would only dirty our hands.""Get lost!" John kicked them a few more times.In the past, they had been oppressed too harshly, so kicking them was a way to vent his frustrations.Similarly, in another place, the Pentra family's people who had gone to Dwayne's side were dealt with by Eric's subordinates.-Meanwhile, at the Pentra residence.Bryce and Mark thought everything was under control. Ultimately, they were too arrogant.The Pentras, an aristocratic family, had greater martial power than even the top-tier families in King City.Both father and son believed they could resolve matters through
As wisps of smoke curled from Martha's cigarette, she approached. Taking a seat, she cast a disdainful glance at her father and brother before saying, "Underestimating the Innova Group and sending those small fries over there? Isn't that just asking for trouble?"They've already handled the Rockwoods. Can't they deal with these small-timers? Unbelievable."Martha's expression oozed sarcasm while looking at Bryce and Mark. "You don't seriously think a few minor players can match up to the Rockwoods, do you?"Bryce's face turned ashen. Was his own daughter reprimanding him?Tapping her cigarette into the ashtray, Martha continued. "Let me handle this. I'll take a few men and bring all those distributors' families to our place. I don't believe they won't yield then!"She was ready to act! Why bother reasoning with them when threatening their families would do?"Hold on!" Bryce interjected hastily, "Are you afraid our family isn't dying fast enough? It's only been a few days since th
"A soirée" Sylvia's expression twisted with puzzlement upon receiving the Pentras's invitation. "What scheme are the Pentras up to this time?"She knew well that the Pentras' soirée came with strings attached. With the distributors breaking away from their control and their previous attempts yielding no fruit, the Pentras were undoubtedly preparing for their next move.Eric interjected, "The Pentras have also invited John and his associates. They must have some agenda in mind. Vee, if you were in their shoes, what would be the most beneficial way to conduct such an event?"The Pentras weren't known for charitable endeavors—there had to be a purpose behind every gathering. Even if it were for charity, it was merely a means to mobilize affluent individuals for donations."Let's first assess the current situation," Sylvia suggested. "The distributors have severed ties, and being an aristocratic family, the Pentras won't tolerate such defiance.""Given these circumstances, the Pentras
John and his companions stood not far behind Eric and Sylvia, each holding their wine glasses with unease gnawing at them. Without the presence of Matthew's group tonight, the risk of any aggressive move from the Pentra family loomed large.And indeed, the Pentras were contemplating just that.After a while, Mark and Bryce huddled together."Dad, those guys who were supposed to make a move tonight didn't show up. I suspect they've gone to the distributors' families!" Mark said.Bryce smirked coldly. "A bunch of fools! Thinking we would lay a finger on their families? The scale of the Pentra family's game isn't that low!""What use are those family members if we have these people under control?" Bryce dismissed the Innova Group's people as too naive.After a brief exchange, he continued. "I'll go keep Eric occupied. You move in quickly. It seems we can't avoid some dirty tactics this time!"Mark's excitement surged. It looked like he'd have to be the one to go after Sylvia first!
Some lapdogs were genuinely loyal, while others simply put on a show. Yet, the one constant was that regardless of true loyalty or feigned, their ultimate goal remained the same.Sylvia paid no mind to Mark.The Pentra family didn't have to follow Mark's orders, so why bother acknowledging him?"That necklace of yours, Sylvia, is truly exquisite," remarked Mark.Mark had a good eye—you could call him a womanizer, but you couldn't deny his taste."This necklace has been missing for so long. I never imagined it would turn up here with you, Ms. Williams. It's a perfect match," he added, a hint of surprise in his voice.He was taken aback. He knew the origin of this necklace, and logically, it shouldn't be in Sylvia's possession.Brushing aside his scattered thoughts, Mark continued, "Ms. Williams, my cat has learned to do backflips. Are you sure you don't want to come and see?"Sylvia finally spoke to him. "Don't you find yourself quite boring?"Mark was momentarily stunned, then
Sylvia set down her wine glass. "Since Father Rosalyn is here, I must go and see him."Seeing Sylvia head toward the lounge, Mark followed eagerly behind.Standing still, Martha narrowed her eyes. She knew Mark was planning something against Sylvia in the lounge.She had always wanted Mark dead, so why not take advantage of this opportunity?Three individuals, each with their own agenda, converged in the lounge.Martha joined them, her plan clear: she would bide her time until Mark acted, then exploit Sylvia's fainting spell to eliminate Mark and pin the blame on Sylvia.The notion of employing another's hand for murder intrigued her. Such an opportunity was rare and not to be squandered.Mark, aware of Martha's deadly intentions, had been vigilant in his self-defense. He had thwarted her at every turn, leaving her no opening.Martha had not anticipated such a fortuitous turn of events.-Finding the lounge empty, Sylvia frowned. "Mr. Pentra, where is Father Rosalyn?"Fred h