David stared at the TV, his expression impassive as the news played out.Alejandro who stood behind him was ghastly pale as terror washed over him as he was convinced he was dead meat.The video was meant to glorify the Lopez family but Richard ended up using it to bring them down.Davina bit down on her lower lip as she knew what this meant.Despite her actions, she still cared about the Lopez family and would never wish to see it fall, if only because she could never imagine bowing down to someone else.“David, this…”“It hasn't happened in the many years that my Lopez family has reigned as masters in Barracuda. Nothing and no one has ever dared to come after us like this and with such proof that even my associates are unable to find a way around it. Yet, in my generation, I end up seeing such a mess, Davina, what now?”“Will you blame your son for this?”“Of course!” David bellowed.Davina snorted. “And forget that the man who sent this is still out there?”“Is he wrong?... The Lop
Ever since she was forced to run away from the Lopez family manor, Anna had been careful.She knew that her stepmom and siblings were going to kill her if they found her so she didn't dare leave an avenue for them to find her.She had changed her appearance and made sure to remain hidden to avoid getting caught.Instead of leaving the city, she opted for a safehouse that only her grandfather was privy to in the city. Thankfully, it had everything she needed to lay low for a while from food supplies to cash and other stuff.Unfortunately, after staying underground for several weeks, she began to feel sick so decided to step outside for a breath of fresh air.Of course, she didn't dare to be lax about her safety as she even went as far as cutting her hair short and disfiguring her face with makeup to avoid anyone recognizing her.Those that were aware of her identity only knew that the Lopez family was looking for her but Anna knew that not only were they looking for her, they had plac
Javier had planned to take care of Anna quickly so he would be able to claim the reward money but now faced with the man that had dared to beat up the son of the Lopez family, he had to admit that his plans had been waylaid.Even he didn't dare think he could take on so many armed men unscathed yet the man had done it and now that same man was standing a few meters away.“I'm giving you a chance to walk away, assassin. Name your price and leave. I won't harm you.” Richard remarked causing Javier to click his tongue.“And here I thought this would be a clean job. Fine then, 10 million and 3 million extra considering I won't be claiming the bounty on her head.”“There's a bounty on her head?” Richard raised a brow earning a chuckle from Javier.“You didn't know?”Richard glanced at Anna and she nodded, affirming Javier's words.“Fine then, I'll wire 15 million dollars to your account. Your mission, if you choose to accept is to hunt down all those that accepted the bounty and kill them.
“Mother, I received your message. Did my foolish little brother get his hand chopped off?” A beautiful woman with jet black hair and a deadly air about her inquired as she stepped into an indoor sauna installed in Davina's side of the Lopez manor.“It is. Nobody came to Barracuda and humiliated our family, yet your father does nothing about it. He has grown weak, Eva, the Conqueror that I knew in my youth has lost his touch.” Davina replied while soaked in the warm waters, her expression steeped in anger.Eva clicked her tongue as she remarked. “We were always aware of this, weren't we, mother?... Isn't that why the Estebans are helping us right now?”“Have you reached out to them?”“They are willing to provide us with everything we need. Soon, the Lopez family will be in your hands, and at that tiFatherther and Grandpa dearest can leave this world for good.” “Good…”Before Davina could say more, Eva's phone rang, cutting her off.Eva took out the phone and answered, listening to the
“Hope you have been well,” Anna remarked causing Eva to smirk.“Of course, I'm not the one that has to hide in a hole like a rat.” As the standoff between the step-siblings continued, onlookers began to murmur amongst themselves.“Wasn't it said that Ms. Anna was missing?... It sounds like she was chased out.”“Of course she was. How can an illegitimate daughter be allowed to stay in the Lopez house?”Rolling her eyes, Anna attempted to walk past her only for Eva to put a hand up, blocking her path.“What is it?” Anna asked with a raised brow.“Mind explaining what those people with guns following you are here for?... I don't recognize any of them as members of the Lopez family.”“That's because they aren't, dear sister. They are my entourage.”Eva stifled a mocking laughter as she remarked. “You?... You don't even have the money to buy clothes for yourself yet you say you got a personal entourage?... You should learn to lie better, dear sister.” “Bold of you to assume I have no mon
“Mother, we have trouble.” Eva cried out worriedly, her earlier calm demeanor gone as she rushed to her mother's side.Seeing her so flustered was quite troubling for Davina as she inquired. “What's the problem?”“That man, Richard Smith is here.”“And so?”“Mother, you can't underestimate him at all. He has connections in high places.”“What are you talking about?” Davina inquired, her brows furrowed as she waited for Eva's explanation which quickly came.“He was the one that housed Anna before grandfather brought her back and now he is back, he has Anna with him and has even paid for an armed entourage for her.”“What?” Davina stunned by the reveal, scowled. “So that bitch has found someone to help her out of the rat hole she was in. Regardless, that fool doesn't think he can compete with us on our home turf, does he?”“I don't think so, I believe he plans on getting us to feel indebted to him.”“How do you mean?”“He plans to heal grandfather.”“What?” Davina nearly dropped the gla
Davina glared at Anna, her eyes trained on the person who should have died several years ago if she had her way.She was like the biggest slap to her ego and until her death, Davina would never be able to sit still.The urge to charge at her and rip her head off was there and if not for a certain Mr. Smith, she might have dared to do so.Clenching her fist, Davina swore in her heart to ensure Anna's death, come what may.Not privy to Davina's thoughts, Anna remarked. “You speak about enemies so much when you happen to be the one most likely to be an enemy among us.”“Oh please shut your mouth. When elders are talking, rats aren't even supposed to show their faces.” Davina spat coldly, not at all hiding her disgust for Anna.“Is that so, Mrs. Davina?... I am quite curious to hear you say that again.” Richard calmly remarked, his eyes trained on Davina's face.Davina hesitated but ultimately chose not to repeat herself, a lingering feeling reminding her to be cautious of Richard Smith.
“I believe I have permission to begin the process?”“... Yeah, you can begin.”“Much appreciated. And yes, I hope you won't try to put your mouth after the bet is concluded.”“You…”“As you remain silent now, remain that way even after I'm done.” Richard coldly remarked.Not even bothering to wait for a response or for David's guards to give out yet another pointless threat, he approached the bed Mr. Lopez was on with Melinda tagging along and Anna keeping her distance from Davina and Eva.***The tension in the air was palpable as Richard hovered over Mr. Lopez, utilizing his [Eyes of Truth] skill to inspect the old man's body.Meanwhile, Melinda had already begun her treatment, utilizing a special technique from the Dawson family martial archives to run checkups on Mr. Lopez's body. More than a minute passed before she raised her head to meet Richard's gaze.She shook her head, indicating that she hadn't detected anything wrong with the old man's body, either be it in his flesh, bl