007 Saving Erica
Author: Kaiser Ken
last update2023-11-15 07:39:36

Tyler took a step back in surprise. He had been focused on healing and had not expected the heiress to assault him physically.

"I'll sue you into oblivion!" She screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You monster!"

"It's okay, Nat…" Silas said, stepping down from the car and getting to his feet. His skin looked more youthful, and his breathing had become normal.

Natalie watched her recovered father with widened eyes. Did the homeless man really heal him? Were such miracles actually possible? She began to have an existential panic.

"Thank you, young man," Silas said, patting Tyler's shoulder. "You possess a special gift, and I am blessed to have met you. I owe you my life."

Tyler, still annoyed by Natalie's slap, shook his head at the billionaire. "The healing is temporary. I merely extended your lifespan by a week. You can spend it in the hospital if you must. But even the most talented doctors can't help you."

Silas laughed a hearty laugh. "I must thank you, regardless. It gives me sufficient time to solve a few pending issues. And I wish to give you a million dollars for treating me. Kindly accept the same." He extended a debit card to the young man.

Tyler shook his head again. "As I mentioned earlier, I won't charge a penny for my services. If that is all, I will take my leave from you. I have somewhere important to be, and time is running out." 

Silas offered a curt nod and handed Tyler a rectangular card. "I understand that you won't accept money for your help. But please accept this. It is a free pass to my properties. I am currently staying at the Hotel Marian, owned by me. Please come and visit me in my suite once your work is done. I will be grateful to speak to you again."

Tyler took the card but offered no other response. He flipped it over. It said: VIP ACCESS TO ALL ANDERSON PROPERTIES AND EVENTS.

Tyler raised an eyebrow. Was the old man trying to bribe him? Did he think Tyler would be able to heal him completely?

Silas’ condition did not look treatable. The young man was still in his early stages of practice, and to attempt such a feat would be dangerous for both of them. But he pocketed the card so as not to insult Silas, who had only a few days to live.

Natalie was still adamant. "Dad, let's go to the hospital. These parlor tricks won't help you. You need an actual doctor and medical intervention."

She avoided Tyler's gaze and left in the Lamborghini.

"What a rowdy and ungrateful girl," the young man said to himself as he turned and walked away. "I hope I don't run into her again."

***

The unexpected encounter with the Anderson patriarch and his arrogant daughter did nothing to ease Tyler's worries. He was flush with anxiety by the time he reached Erica Sinclair's place.

Did Trent Cooper arm-twist his girlfriend to marry him? If so, the trauma she must have gone through was unimaginable.

Regardless, the poor girl wouldn't have to worry anymore since her savior had arrived.

Things didn't turn out as Tyler expected. He could barely recognize the Sinclair compound. Three years back, the family lived in an ordinary two-bedroom house. Now, in its place stood a new mansion! Did the Sinclairs win a lottery?

Tyler stepped through the iron gateway, bewildered by the transformation. The place was decked up in bridal decorations and swarmed with people. Relatives and uniformed servants rushed around, making arrangements for some occasion. Were they preparing for the wedding?

A familiar face emerged from the main entrance as soon as Tyler stepped into the driveway.

"Is that you, Tyler?" the middle-aged lady asked. It was Gertrude, Erica's mother.

Three years back, she used to pamper him as her future son-in-law. Now, the woman's voice was laced with derision, and she glared at him with narrowed eyes.

"Who allowed you to enter the premises? Ex-convicts need to stay out! Shall I call the cops?"

Tyler was taken aback by the woman's hostility. "Gertrude! That was uncalled for! I am here to rescue Erica."

"I know Trent is forcing her to marry him. Don't worry. Now that I am back, she can call off the wedding. I'll protect Erica."

Gertrude scoffed at the young man. "Rescue? Force? Has prison rotted your brain, punk?"

"Who asked you to come back, huh? We don't want your stink in our mansion! We don't want you anywhere near our daughter! Get lost!"

Tyler was about to protest when three Rolls-Royce limousines cruised into the compound. Sharply dressed butlers and bodyguards shuffled out and stood in attention. 

The middle limo's chauffeur opened the passenger door, and a young man in an Armani wedding suit stepped out gracefully. It was none other than the billionaire scion Trent Cooper.

"Oh, Mr. Cooper is here with limousines!" Gertrude called out to the servants. "Everyone! Let's get ready quickly to move to the wedding venue—Marian Hotel!"

As the Sinclair servants ran helter-skelter in a hurry, Trent came face to face with Tyler. "Who are you?" he asked with condescension.

"If you are a beggar, we will distribute alms outside the wedding reception. Homeless guys can have leftover food. Now, get out of my way!"

Tyler clenched his jaw. "You know very well who I am, Trent. You put me in prison and ruined my family!"

The young billionaire raised an eyebrow. Then he let out a taunting chuckle. "Oh, it's you, loser! They finally let you go scot-free. I couldn't recognize you under the homeless man's clothes."

"It seems prison time didn't wash away your arrogance," he added with a smirk. "Have you come back for more punishment? Or are you here to fall at my feet and apologize?"

Tyler pursed his lips to control his fury. He could kill Trent with one blow, and his revenge would be complete. However, it wouldn't be satisfactory. Moreover, his girlfriend would disapprove of violence.

"I am here to rescue Erica. You've forced this wedding against her will. You brought my family's life in shambles in my absence, but I won't let you ruin my girlfriend's life!"

Trent raised his arms in mockery and began guffawing. His friends and butlers also joined him in the laughter. 

"Did you just say that Erica's life will be ruined if she becomes my wife? That she is your girlfriend? Are you drunk or delusional?"

Just then, sounds of a pair of heels clicking came down the corridor and stopped by the entrance.

"Never mind that," the billionaire heir jibed, pointing towards the doorway. "Why don't you ask Erica directly what she thinks?"

Tyler turned around to see a beautiful woman in a dazzling white wedding dress. Erica looked as stunning as ever. It had been three years since he laid eyes on her. The young man's heart fluttered to see the love of his life again.

"Tyler…" she murmured with furrowed brows. It was the expression he least expected.

"Erica… I'm back! I know you've been waiting for me all these years. You couldn't come to visit me in prison because the Coopers threatened you, right?"

"But you have nothing to worry about anymore. Neither do you have to marry Trent. I will protect you."

Erica didn't appear as pleased to see her returned ex-lover as he anticipated. She paused for a few moments before answering. "I am glad that you are free from prison, Tyler. But I don't understand why you have come here. You weren't invited to my wedding."

"What are you saying…?"

Erica went on mercilessly, ignoring his shocked expression. "Just to be clear, Trent is not forcing me to marry him. I love Trent and am getting hitched to him of my own will. It's time for you to leave and not come back again."

Tyler felt as if daggers had pierced his heart. "What are you talking about? You love Trent? I don't get it! You promised to wait for me!"

The beauty rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Wait for you? Who do you think you are? Nothing more than a peasant with a rap sheet!"

"Do you think you measure up to Trent? He is a goddamn billionaire! The Cooper family owns the city! Trent is playing chess while you're eating the pieces."

"Isn't it enough that you and I could be together?" the young man made a last appeal to Erica's sentiments.

"Gah! I don't care! You're just a nobody, Tyler. Still, I'll give you a chance. Let me see—have you come back from prison with loads of wealth to sweep me off my feet?"

Tyler eyed Erica blankly, his expression unreadable. The air was suddenly tense. "What if I tell you I have? That I have returned with unparalleled wealth and power."

"Will you regret your decision later?"

Related Chapters

  • The Gilded Man With A Thousand Lives   008 Bitter Truths

    "You freaking what?" Erica's eyes widened, and then she burst out laughing, "Prison has indeed driven you nuts!" The entire Sinclair household and the Cooper entourage joined in the laughter, mocking Tyler. Erica pointed at him with condescension. "Look at you! You are worse off than ever! Your family is bankrupt if you don't know already! Do you want me to live in your moldy haunted house?" "You're an ex-convict if you haven't forgotten already! Nobody will give you a job, not even to scrub floors! Only an idiot woman would love a gutter scum like you!" Tyler gritted his teeth and took a step forward. "It's not my fault that Trent ruined my life! He put me in prison for defending you! He stole my father's business! Doesn't that bother you? Didn't you think twice before betraying your lover?" Erica's face twisted in disdain. “Stop blabbering nonsense! Lover? You are delusional! I dated you back then because you had a bright future, and your dad owned a growing business." "Now, my

  • The Gilded Man With A Thousand Lives   009 Unfinished Business

    At that moment, Tyler’s phone rang. "Who is it? I am busy!" "Tyler, it's me, Britta. I have information about your father's business. Come to GlobeMall." After the call disconnected, the young man shot Trent a last murderous look, making the latter cower in fear. "We will continue this later." Tyler turned around and left the way he came. It was time to focus on more important things. Erica had been holding her breath while watching the scene unfold. She exhaled and murmured to herself, "That is impossible. How did Tyler punch away a car as if it were nothing?" Trent scampered to his feet and looked around, feeling utterly humiliated. Everyone had been witness to his display of cowardice and unmanliness. They had heard his feminine yelps and shrill shrieks. Erica came to the Cooper's scion's rescue. "Trent! Are you alright?" When the young man did not reply, she came up with an explanation. "I think I saw a detonator in Tyler's hand. He must have planted a bomb in your limousine

  • The Gilded Man With A Thousand Lives   010 Restricted Club

    Abe sighed. “Ricardo knows nothing about business. He squandered the profits lavishly on parties and women. In one year, we were bankrupt. Ricardo sold GlobeMall to a billionaire and became a salaried caretaker of this establishment instead. He continues to incur losses, and I think the mini-mall will be shut down sooner than later.”Tyler gritted his teeth. “Ricardo stole the place from my father and ran it into the ground! Tell me. Where can I find him?”Abe pointed to the third-floor arena. “Mr. Ricardo built an exclusive club up there. It’s frequented by many billionaire heirs. The club’s income is quite handsome, but he wastes all the profits on his extravagant lifestyle anyway.”Tyler nodded and turned to leave. “Alright. I will talk to him.”Abe held back the young man anxiously. “I know Mr. Ricardo wronged your father. But don’t go around offending him. He has over a dozen ferocious security guards around him at all times. Moreover, he has connections with the Cooper family. Th

  • The Gilded Man With A Thousand Lives   011 First Transaction

    Yara raised an eyebrow in irritation. What was the stranger playing at? She had been considerate with him all along, explaining why he couldn't afford to enter the restricted club. Wasn't he now taking advantage of her kindness? She considered for a moment to expel him with the help of her bouncers. Yara had been raised by parents who held values and morals above everything else. Their conservative beliefs led to their social status remaining middle-class. Yara's parents could not provide their daughter with the best things in life. However, she never resented them for the modest upbringing. In fact, she was grateful. The principles helped Yara become self-dependent and uncompromising. Growing up, she sharpened her mind and enhanced her body to get ahead in the world. Yara was a model, a part-time hostess, and had already graduated from business school. However, her job applications to five-star hotels and top companies were rejected primarily because she had no references. Yara's

  • The Gilded Man With A Thousand Lives   012 Take Me To Ricardo

    Yara turned around with a look of disappointment. The stranger had turned out to be a fraud and pretender after all. Why did she have such unreal expectations?Marv and Pat sniggered and cracked their knuckles. They'd give the homeless man a beating before throwing him out."Why don't you try again," Tyler said, ignoring the advancing men. "Sometimes transactions don't go through."Yara pursed her lips. He wasn't wrong. It was actually her training to swipe up to three times if the customer insisted. She sighed and began the transaction again, entering $3000 as a charge.Beep! The transaction was successful!Yara turned around in surprise. Marv and Pat's faces looked like they were made of leather. Did the homeless man really have three thousand dollars? Was he going to dine in the restricted lounge?"Your table is booked for the night," Yara told Tyler with a charming smile. She was still reeling from the fact that the stranger possessed an active GIB card. How much money did he reall

  • The Gilded Man With A Thousand Lives   013 The Bossman’s Arrogance

    Ricardo shrugged and waved his hand dismissively. "I don't know this guy. Is he a janitor? I told you I can't pay any salaries this month. Get him out of my sight!"Yara took a deep breath. Ricardo had cited silly excuses to withhold staff salaries for the month. The truth was that most of the profits went into the purchase of illicit drugs, jewelry, and escort girls. There was barely anything left behind to pay the staff.Ricardo’s employees were disgruntled but were too scared to protest or approach him. Anybody with the Coopers' blessing was untouchable.Yara offered him a sharp reply. "Actually, this gentleman booked a table just to gain entry into the restricted section. He is intent on speaking to you."Ricardo raised an eyebrow and eyed the young man again. "Is that so? What do you want? Looking for drugs?"Tyler regarded the arrogant boss silently. "I am Tyler Grant. My father is Hughes Grant, the previous owner of GlobeMall. Do you remember who he is and what you put him throu

  • The Gilded Man With A Thousand Lives   014 Ten Million Dollars!

    Ricardo began laughing, and soon, his guards followed suit. Even some of the guests sniggered. The young man might be a good fighter, but by his looks, he was definitely not wealthy.“Is this guy drunk or delusional?” one of the regulars muttered. “Does he really think he can purchase a mall?”“His clothing suggests he doesn’t even have a few hundred dollars!”“I heard he spent all his life savings on booking a table. Now he thinks he can be the owner? What an ego trip of poverty!”“Does he even have money to rent a toilet?”“Are you out of your mind, kid?” Ricardo asked with a scoff. “Your father is a manual scavenger, and your house is a dog kennel. And yet, you claim to have enough money to purchase GlobeMall? Give me a break!”More laughter followed from the crowd. Yara glanced at Tyler, this time with pity. Why was he so intent on humiliating himself in public? Was beating down Ricardo’s guards, not a big enough victory?“Are you deaf or dumb?” Tyler retorted at the boss. His voic

  • The Gilded Man With A Thousand Lives   015 Justice Served

    Beep! Transaction successful!Yara turned to Tyler with a mixed expression of relief and admiration.“Congratulations, Mr. Tyler Grant. You are the new owner of GlobeMall! Mr. Carlisle will send you the papers shortly!”Tyler nodded at Yara and scanned the club. The crowd that had gathered around began gossiping spontaneously.“Whoa, is he secretly a billionaire?”“What kind of card allows a transaction of ten million?”“Is he a foreign investor?”“How could Ricardo be so wrong?”Even though most of the guests in the club’s restricted section were wealthy scions, they were shocked to see Tyler squander ten million dollars casually. Even their billionaire parents would think for days before risking such a staggering amount.Ricardo’s voice disrupted the crowd’s buzz. “I won’t let you do this!” he spat at Tyler. “Your pathetic father can’t have it back! No way!”A sharp smack echoed throughout the room. The former Bossman collapsed on the couch, clutching at his face in agony.Tyler had

Latest Chapter

  • 255 The Rose Trail

    Tyler needed larger numbers for the Gilded Men to actually act as a shield for Sapphire City, especially now that the world center was being developed right there in Sterling Hill."How's the world center coming along?"Dune, the third lieutenant in charge of city expansion, replied. "My Lord… Lady Yara Mathews is coordinating the World Center project. Representatives from all major countries have already arrived. I'll share a day-to-day update on your phone.""What about their safety?""We've allocated one cultivator to every delegate as a bodyguard. However, our numbers are spread too thin."Tyler sighed. As expected, his organization needed to grow faster to maintain the city's security. What if there's an insurgence of cultivators? He was anxious since his encounter with Amelia."Alright. You may return to Emperor's Cove and coordinate the other cultivators."The four exchanged glances. "But, my lord," Gemini spoke up. "We are your protective detail."Tyler laughed aloud. "Do you

  • 254 The First Disciple

    The very next day, Tyler launched the ambitious cultivator program with Derek's help. The latter recruited potential candidates from all over the world through his military contacts.These were talented young people with good family backgrounds and martial arts experience. They were inducted into the cultivator program after rigorous tests of intelligence, personality, and latent abilities.As far as the artificial cultivation tools were concerned, Derek Sentinel was the first test subject. The Mayfair Sapphire itself was turned into a locket that he wore around the neck.Derek was also the first one to learn the art of cultivation. He went on a wilderness retreat to the Salvatore estates with Tyler."Okay, now let's put the training to the test. Make a fist and punch me.""I wouldn't dare attack you, sir," the Indigo Captain replied grimly. "May I hit a tree or a boulder instead?"Tyler shook his head. "I know you can smash trees and boulders with raw strength. However, cultivation i

  • 253 Invention

    Half an hour later, Tyler and Derek reached the automobile showroom that the former owned. It was previously called Carlisle Motors but was renamed Maya Motors.Maya, a bright little girl, was its General Manager. She had vehemently opposed the showroom being renamed after her."Sir, it is your property!" the girl had protested. "I cannot have my name on the company title!""Well, you have no choice in the matter," Tyler had replied stubbornly. "You handle all the responsibilities anyway. Moreover, my privacy will be threatened if I use my name on the properties."Maya greeted the duo at the showroom's entrance. "Welcome, sir.""How's our secret project going?" Tyler asked.The female manager looked enthusiastic. "It is running fabulously, sir! We have already manufactured over five hundred units! Would you like a tour?""Most definitely. Actually, I brought Derek to see our operations, and unveil my plan."Maya escorted them to the showroom's VIP elevator. Once the doors closed, she

  • 252 Forgiveness

    When Tyler reached the Grant house on Maude Street, he found Derek Sentinel standing guard outside. On seeing him, the man rushed forward and knelt on one knee."Sir, I took Tracy out shopping and distracted her. She knows nothing about what happened earlier. Amelia is still your girlfriend, in her opinion. Now Tracy is resting."Tyler nodded and began to walk past the kneeling Indigo Captain. "Sir, please, may I have a word with you?" the latter begged."Go ahead.""I am very ashamed, sir, for failing you and Tracy! I am prepared to break up with her and go into exile for penance. Moreover, I will accept any other punishment you think I deserve. Death is also welcome."Tyler shook his head. "Enough of that. The danger has been averted. Stand."Derek rose to his feet, but his face still hung in shame. "Please forgive me, sir, and punish me for my tardiness."His young master waved a dismissive hand. "There is nothing to forgive, Derek. A sly woman tricked you, and I know Tracy is stub

  • 251 Adultery

    "What are you doing?" Tyler demanded, preparing for a fight. He detected no bloodlust, but the confrontation was unexpected.The beauty glanced at his face up close. "I'm doing what I came here to do, Tyler Grant. To take what is owed to me. Have you forgotten our promise?""What are you talking about? Our promise? I've never met you before!"Amelia disregarded his shock. Her hand moved to his face, and her soft fingers touched his rugged cheek. Something in Tyler allowed it. What was wrong with him suddenly? Why were his defenses down?"Listen, lady. I don't have the time—"Then, abruptly, the memory flooded into his mind. A blast from the past. He was probably younger than ten years.It was Christmas, and the boy wanted to purchase food from Mama's Bakery. Because of his disheveled appearance and lack of money, the obese guard turned him away with humiliation.Tyler was about to leave when a little ran outside the bakery, calling to him. She offered him a chocolate pastry.The boy d

  • 250 Amelia

    On hearing the lovesick words, Tracy's cheeks immediately turned red in embarrassment. "Oh… I'm so sorry…"Naturally, lovers separated by distance and time were forced to sacrifice their sexual urges. They would look for a chance to jump each other's bones during a reunion. Tracy was old enough to know that."Stupid, stupid me!" she blurted, evidently flustered. "You lovebirds need private time!" Before leaving, Tracy whispered to her brother, "Good choice, bro. You knocked it out of the park. Amelia is a keeper. Don't let her escape."Tyler pursed his lips. "Don't worry. I won't let her escape so easily," was the rather morbid reply.Once Tracy exited the bakery, Tyler sat across the table and gave the stranger a piercing gaze."Who are you?" he asked bluntly. "What do you want from me?""And what was that lover's farce about? I don't know any Amelia! I've never heard or seen you before."In response, the exotic beauty stood to her full height gracefully. She was in a black, trendy

  • 249 The Stranger

    Tyler met Derek Sentinel at the junction of Bakery Alley in West Sapphire. As soon as the young man saw her sister's boyfriend, he grabbed him by the neck and slammed him into an electric pole."You swore to protect my sister! Why did you leave her alone?! Where were you when she was taken?"The wind was knocked out of Derek. He took the punishment without complaints and instead lowered his face in shame.Earlier, the Indigo Captain had received a call from Tyler demanding he come to Bakery Alley immediately. Apparently, Tracy's life was in danger, and it was because of his stupidity."Did the cat get your tongue?!""Sir…" Derek groaned. "I was with Tracy when the stranger arrived and invited her to this location. Your sister insisted it was a private meeting between women; therefore, men weren't allowed. She wouldn't listen to me at all!""You know how stubborn your sister is. Moreover, the stranger claimed she was your close acquaintance. My hands were tied."Tyler let the man go bu

  • 248 The New World Order

    The conference room echoed with tunes. The perplexed dignitaries whipped out their devices and began answering the calls and reading the messages."What?! The child trafficking group was wiped out?""I don't believe this! The bombs were found, and the terrorists surrendered?""The hijacked plane was returned?""The workers in the collapsed mine were rescued?" "The hostages are back home?""The humanitarian supplies were recovered?"Apparently, all the problems the elite members had stated had already been solved! They looked at each other in utter disbelief, trying to understand what was going on.It was time for Yara to speak up. "Respected dignitaries! Let me illuminate you about what happened! Lord Tristan fixed your problems while you were on your way from your nations! This is how capable he is.""What? Impossible!""That's inconceivable!""Is Lord Tristan really that powerful?""His scale of operations is even grander than Lord Butch!"The grateful members turned towards Tyler

  • 247 The Elite Conference

    The dignitaries in the conference room came from all over the world—Europe, China, Russia, India, Japan, and so on. They were CEOs of multinationals, government officials, and even from international agencies.As soon as Yara announced Tyler's new alias—Tristan Salvatore, the room became flooded with gossip and whispers. The members exchanged surprised glances and even voiced their confusion."Miss Mathews!" the representative from China began. "With due respect. We accepted your invitation because we were promised an audience with Lord Butch Salvatore. We've met him before, and he is a much older man."The others nodded in agreement. "We do not recognize Lord Tristan, regardless of him being related to the man we seek.""Moreover, we usually meet in the Salvatore Estate. Why are we at Emperor's Cove in Sapphire City?"Yara offered the group a professional smile and stepped forward. "I regret to inform you that the Lord Salvatore you knew passed away a few months back. His unfortunate

Scan code to read on App