When Kian woke up, a small smile made its way to his lips as he stared straight at the beautiful chandelier in the room. He had wanted Ida and Nathaniel to occupy this master bedroom. But although Ida seemed excited with his offer, Nathaniel was reserved and quickly cautioned his wife, stating, 'Staying in a beautiful house was enough, they didn't have to stay in the most beautiful room.' Kian sat up on the sofa bed and stared at the king-size bed some distance away from him. His brows furrowed when he saw it was empty. He could hear a noise coming from the bathroom so he stood up. When he got to the doorway, Noah was in front of the sink, humming happily to himself as Savannah brushed his teeth. The little boy was the first person to notice his father's reflection in the mirror and shouted happily, "Daddy!" Kian smiled in response but his eyes darted to Savannah. They exchanged a look wordlessly and he rested against the door frame, watching them quietly. At that moment, K
The Wilson's family members led the couple to the top floor. Even the elevator was broken so they had to use the stairs. When they walked into the conference room, Oscar Gray was sitting with Edward, grandfather Wilson and the gallery's directors."Niece, you finally arrived!" Edward was the first person to notice their arrival and quickly stood to welcome them.As others followed suit, Oscar's eyes gleamed with a knowing glint when he saw Kian. He felt a hint of joy that Kian had followed Savannah just like he predicted."Niece, this is the gallery's vice president, Mr Garcia," Edward introduced with a tone of indulgence, making it seem like he was close with Savannah."He owns branches of art galleries abroad and took an interest in this gallery when he returned to settle home. If it wasn't because of his generous contributions, Radiance Gallery would have gone out of business long ago."Edward appeared grateful to Oscar as he spoke, making his words more convincing. "You flatter
Savannah and Kian looked in the direction of the door as the remaining gallery's staff scuffled in slowly. The receptionist was in the front, followed by some other unfamiliar people.Oscar Gray reclined in his chair and watched as the staff looked at Savannah; their expressions were unreadable but there was an obvious sense of hostility as they quickly looked away.They didn't make any attempt to sit down and lingered by the door, making Savannah feel awkward. But she forced a smile and greeted them first."Hello, please have your seats."Instead of responding to her greeting or even courteously welcoming her, they remained silent.Savannah was taken aback by their cold attitude and couldn't help wondering if something was wrong. She watched them exchange glances and whisper under their breath before they finally began to sit. The tension in the room only got heavier with every slow scrape of a chair being pulled back.Kian arched a brow at this but remained silent, just observing f
"Hey! Who are you? How dare you talk so insensitively?" One of the staff yelled at Kian. The latter didn't seem to take offense to his words and simply sat up casually."I'm actually curious... Where exactly are you getting all this information seeing as you are all pretty quick to judge?"The smug expressions on the faces of the gallery's staff faltered and they hesitated to speak. Kian didn't miss the way they exchanged a look as if unsure of how to respond.Oscar watched quietly, a dark expression forming on his face slowly as the staff were unable to refute Kian's words. His eyes locked with one of the staff and he gave the man a cold glaring signal.The man quickly stepped up and stuttered, "It’s just... Everyone’s been talking. We’ve heard things.""Things? Or rumors?"Silence settled in the room as the staff shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Oscar's smirk was now barely noticeable as he gritted his teeth.Kian tapped his fingers on the table loudly, making some of the staff
Kian arched his brow. Exciting news? He had just started to type a response when another message popped up.[There's a price on your head]His fingers froze on the screen and he cursed under his breath. How was this exciting?[General, I’ve received word that the Sinclairs and the Grays have colluded and placed a bounty on your head. Anyone who captures you alive and delivers you to them will be rewarded with a staggering sum of seventy billion dollars]Kian's gaze hardened, and his face turned icy as a cruel smirk twisted his lips. How exciting!Those senile, old bastards. They were even daring to use money they had stolen from his own family to try and assassinate him.They will get what is coming for them! If he didn't pile the city's cemetery with their corpses, then he was a bastard![Keep an eye on them]Wesley on the other side was puzzled when he read this message. What does the general mean by this? Are there no instructions on how to deal with those people?If the general ga
When Savannah heard the receptionist's words, she trembled and her face turned pale. The receptionist wasn't particularly quiet so some of the guests heard her also. The word quickly spread around and glaring gazes were directed in Savannah's expression. "What a great gallery you have found for me this time! You even dared to deceive other people!" The old man on the stage sneered, aggravating the situation. At this point, someone switched on the cam and everyone could hear and see what was going on in the lobby on the big screen. Savannah gasped slightly when she saw the angry crowd. They were not fifty! They were hundreds! "Why don't you let us in and give us our refunds?!" "Selling fake oil paintings as original at a more expensive price than the original. Aren't you people scared of having your bladders rotten from guilt?!" "I bought so many paintings the last time thinking I struck gold but they turned out to be fake. Pay up!" "Radiance Gallery, you owe so much mo
The debts left by the Wilson's family for Savannah to pay amounted to billions of dollars. At that moment, she was as cold as ice, realizing she would never be able to repay such an amount in a lifetime. Oscar who was being helped off the floor concealed his smile as he looked at the people yelling and demanding for refunds. This was the third condition he had given the Wilson's family. Every valuable piece in the gallery was to be swapped for a fake and sold at a cheap price that would attract a large crowd. Naturally, these people wouldn't want to admit that they bought forged paintings at a befitting price. They were greedy and wanted to make their own gain, thus demanding to be refunded the original amount the real painting is worth. There was no evidence to prove they purchased the paintings at a lower price anyway as every financial record has been doctored leaving behind only a trail of astronomical bills. As Oscar was commending himself secretly, Savannah suddenly
Stunned silence settled over the hall as the crowds looked at each other in surprise. Did they hear him right? He wants to buy out all their companies? Haha! Every one of them present there were collectors for different distinguished art firms. These firms collaborated with prominent galleries and museums, not only in Valoria country but around the world. Now this nobody... A mere spokesman was talking so arrogantly, blatantly declaring that he was going to buy out their firms like it was a piece of cake. How ridiculous! "Bwahaha!" Laughter erupted in the hall as the crowd held their stomachs and looked at Kian like they were staring at a fool. To them, he was indeed foolish! "What did you say? You are going to acquire all our firms? How much do you get paid for being that man's spokesman?" Someone from the crowd snickered at Kian. "Wait... Is it because of the peanuts you are paid from that job that causes you to run off your mouth like this?" "If wishes were horses, ev
"Go and prepare the other ammunition," Margaret turned to the salesman, obviously in a foul mood. "In an hour, we'll head out.""What about this guy..." The salesman pointed at the barely conscious Kian. "Let him be," Margaret waved her hands impatiently and sneered. "He's already in this state. It's impossible for him to run now."The salesman nodded helplessly then hurried to carry out her instructions. Together, they checked their ammunition, completely ignoring Kian.The latter laid on the ground with his eyes closed. From afar, one would think he was already dead considering the bloody pool he was in.But he was still breathing faintly. Although the bleeding has ceased now and he won't die in Margaret's hands, the same can't be said for later.The imperial families of Cascadia suddenly contacted Margaret. Their intentions were obvious. He definitely won't be able to escape death later. Those imperial families won't let him go.As Kian laid still, many ways of how those imperial
The knife aimed at Kian's forehead halted midway as the phone's chimes filled the serene environment. Margaret hissed and dropped the knife as she reached into her pocket to retrieve the phone that was ringing.It was a disposable phone that she had gotten on a whim. It has never rang since the whole trouble started so Margaret was confused about who would be calling her and how they got her private number.Various thoughts flashed through Margaret's mind as she looked at the unknown number displaying on the phone screen. But just when the call was about to end, Margaret held her breath and answered the call."Margaret, do you want to escape a death sentence?" As soon as the call connected, an unfamiliar middle-aged voice came through the line.Margaret trembled slightly. She doesn't know the other party but they know her and from the looks of things, they have been searching for her.However, she remained cautious and didn't speak. Only her steady breathing could be heard by the othe
On a small ship not far away from Jeju island, Ian Sinclair laid comfortably on a chaise longue. He seemed to be in a merry mood, sipping wine and enjoying a massage from two sexy, scantily dressed women.He was watching everything that was playing out at Jeju island on a big tablet in his hand. When he saw Kian dragged into the island with life threatening injuries, he smoked a pipe happily.Kian was so badly injured it was evident he wouldn't survive! Haha! Until those criminals decide to take his life, he is currently useless and is like a chicken waiting to be slaughtered!Ian smiled smugly. The deaths of the imperial family members who died at the hall that day will be avenged today! But this time, they won't just be getting revenge, he even managed to exhort a large sum of money from Kian. That fool!"Set sail and let's head to Cascadia," He laughed as he waved his hands. As soon as he finished speaking, he drained the content of the wineglass and stood up. Taking the hands of
At the cave, Margaret was acting all gleeful. She knew waiting to see what happened would be worth it! That bastard couldn't hold on any longer and finally compromised. Very good!She casually tossed the gun in her hand and looked at Savannah whose face was ugly. Resentment flickered in her eyes as they darted to the three people sitting helplessly.Killing these three and then taking Kian's life would be the perfect revenge. But to think of it, will Kian really not retaliate like he promised? She doesn't believe that! However, he already promised. Seeing that, she couldn't touch his bottom line. Since her initial goal was Kian, what did it matter if she let Savannah and the others go?If she is able to kill Kian, it doesn't matter at all. Thinking of this, Margaret no longer hesitated and directly waved at the last salesman that had remained with her."Take them out but don't release them until you have captured that bastard!"The salesman's face visibly stiffened and he cursed inwa
Nobody knew Kian was panicking for the first time in his life. Savannah, Noah and Vivienne are the only family he has left in the whole world. He doesn't want to see any of them ever get hurt.But now, Margaret was holding them captive and their lives were in danger. What if Margaret or her accomplices couldn't resist and hurt one of them? What if he really underestimated Margaret and after the four hours ultimatum he has given her, she doesn't release them? Kian's face was as calm as the sea but his heart was in turmoil. More thoughts flooded his mind, adding to his anxiety.Time passed by slowly and within a blink of an eye, three hours had passed. By now, several heavy machinery ships had already begun to circle around Jeju island. Everyone had been evacuated from the island and it was empty. The heavy machinery ships circled around like sharks surrounding their prey. Just one word from Kian, the island will be erased from existence!However, after so long, there was no response
"Sister-in-law, five years ago, you remember what became of the Blackwood's family. Kian was set up and falsely accused. He had to go to jail and even forcefully sign a divorce that gave away all his assets to Sinclair's family. My aunty and uncle couldn't handle what had become of their son so they committed suicide," Vivienne began to speak; her eyes tearing up.Savannah was silent. She hadn't known much about the Sinclair's family years ago because she had been embroiled in troubles of her own. As a matter of fact, Kian had been the cause of her woes. But hearing Vivienne's words caught her off guard. How did she never know about all this? Perhaps, she had been so filled with hatred for Kian that she didn't pay attention to any news concerning him."Even Kian was sentenced to death. That day, my father had rescued him from the death gallows and brought him home. I have never seen anyone as battered and broken as him. Sister-in-law, his legs had been broken almost rendering him cri
"Argh!" The manager groaned and stopped instantly as a low sound of gunshot rang out. The back of his clothes quickly turned red with blood.His eyes widened in despair and he tried to take another step in an attempt to escape but—BANG!"Ah!" Savannah shrieked as the manager dropped to the ground weakly and limp. The other salesmen who saw what happened were shocked and frightened!"Margaret, how dare you?!""You crazy bitch! We won't spare you!""We won't spare you!"THWIP!Margaret's eyes were cold and fierce as she pulled the trigger again without any hesitation. THWIP!THWIP!Low gunshots rang out and the salesmen fell to the ground. The last salesman beside Margaret silently took out a knife from his pocket. Walking over briskly, he gritted his teeth and raised his hand repeatedly, fiercely stabbing his colleagues with a crazed look.SPLAT!Blood splattered everywhere and the figures on the ground trembled violently until there was no life in them anymore. Then... The cave was
Earlier when Mauro called, one of the things he had revealed was that the person behind the abduction of Savannah and others was Margaret.Kian's men had not been able to uncover the identity of the abductor yet because she had cleaned up her tracks pretty well.It was Mauro's investigation that revealed that Margaret is the one behind the kidnapping. Not only that, she was also the one that orchestrated the entire scandal.Kian was livid beyond imagination. That stupid woman. How many chances has he given her to live? Yet, she does not cherish her life. This time, she will pay for all her sins."Wesley," Kian turned to the people behind him. "Gather everyone and evacuate all the tourists. If within four hours, she refuses to surrender, sink this island!"Everyone present and those hearing him from the microphone trembled in shock. Kian spoke as if he was deciding a trivial matter but the killing intent in it made everyone horrified.S—sink the island?! Is Kian really going to sink th
The only sound that could be heard was the sound of water slapping the shores. Everyone was transfixed as they read the words displayed on the gigantic screen. PLOP!Some reporters who were too astonished accidentally dropped their cameras in the sea and didn't even react at this loss because their jaws were dropped, reading the gigantic screen.Some of the viewers online eating or drinking dropped their cutlery in shock. Some even dropped plates and cups. Looking at the long string of zeros behind a bold number '2', their hearts trembled.A whopping sum of two hundred billion?!Ian Sinclair rubbed his eyes severally, convinced that he was seeing things. But each time he looked up, the gigantic screen remained the same.The account balance remained unchanged. Kian, this waste really managed to transfer two hundred billion to him!Ian trembled slightly reading the numbers on his phone. The reporters around also began to snap out of their daze. But silence still filled everywhere.None