Theophilus shook his head. Benedict was still oozing confidently, believing himself to be the ultimate power, wielding absolute strength. With a loose grip, Theophilus allowed Benedict to fall to the ground with a thud, then casually dusted off his hands. "Well, you finally know fear, don't you?" Benedict's face dropped: "Releasing me will do you no good. Kneel. Amuse me, and I might spare your life." Theophilus laughed, glanced at Hades, and said: "Shut him up." Hades stepped forward, his towering figure pressuring Benedict, who, in his increasing apprehension, asked: "What are you planning to do?" "Silence!" Hades slapped Benedict across the face and clutched his throat tightly, lifting him into the air. Benedict trembled incessantly. "I...I, stop this madness. I, I'm the second son of the Panchak family!" Benedict stuttered in terror. His neck gripped so tightly he was on the brink of suffocation. He could feel it. This foreign man named Hades was an emotionless machine, app
Elsewhere, Theophilus and Dulcie left the Metal building, with Hades at the wheel on the bustling road, preparing to return to the Mid hotel. "Theophilus, that Benedict we encountered today seems to have quite the lineage. Even Guild Master John of the gemstone guild feared him so much. The way you confronted him, could it bring trouble?" From the back seat, Dulcie's voice tinged with worry. It was her first encounter with such a high-handed person, slapping people at will, demanding them to kneel to converse. He was every bit a feudal prince. However, the rumors about the Panchak family of Radiant Harbor, the most influential in Empyria, supported the notion that Benedict's standing was not inferior to that of an ancient prince. What repercussions might Theophilus' blatant disregard for Benedict's pride bring? "It's alright, Dulcie, don't worry about me. He's nothing more than a jester." Theophilus calmly responded: "And Dulcie, our trip to the gemstone convention in Radiant Harb
Isidore turned to Theophilus, inquiring respectfully: "Mr. Jake, how should we handle this Isidore matter?" Theophilus seemed rather intrigued, replying: "Let's head over to Metal City now and meet this Drake." "Understood." Isidore nodded. Within moments, Isidore coordinated with his associates at the Mid hotel, rallying a procession of black Bentley cars heading towards the Metal district. Theophilus left Dulcie to rest in the room, taking only Hades to the Metal district. Twenty minutes later. Metal district, Metal City. Inside the lavish banquet hall on the twenty-sixth floor of the Panchak household's hotel, the table was filled with spectacular delicacies, pleasing to the eyes and tantalizing to the senses. It was a feast fit for royalty, with two cups of tea on the side. A middle-aged man in a red antique suit sat upright at the head of the table, holding an exquisitely carved jade pipe in his hand. Beside him stood a subordinate, bending over to help light the premium t
Having issued his order, a horde of men in vests lunged forward, all targeting Theophilus, their hands reaching out to apprehend him. Theophilus remained unruffled, raising his cup to take a sip of tea. He sat still, utterly disregarding the approaching enforcers. Crash! Hades, standing behind Theophilus, spun around to shield him. With a swift flick of his hands, he struck out at the men advancing on them, immediately knocking two bodyguards to the ground, their heads bleeding profusely. Immediately following, Hades swung a quick, powerful kick, the sound of snapping bones accompanying each connection. He had floored the whole group of bodyguards in moments, leaving them sprawled on the ground. "Ah!" "It hurts!" In less than a minute, the team intending to capture Theophilus lay writhing on the ground, courtesy of Hades. Their wretched cries echoed around the room, each man bleeding profusely, bodies broken and bruised. "Damn, still daring to play this game?" Benedict sneered,
Isidore, too, was a seasoned figure in the Grey Area. How could he commit such a foolish act? Did he dare to apprehend Benedict in front of his men? Could he intend to turn against the Panchak family over some provincial boy from afar? "Isidore! Even if you do not regard Benedict, remember he is the son of Wind Panchak. Are you prepared to cross swords with the Panchak clan till the end?" Drake asked Isidore. His voice was imbued with a frosty chill. Isidore's response was a frigid smile, unaccompanied by words. The Panchak was one of the five prestigious families in Radiant Harbor, possessing a forceful influence. However, they were nothing but specks of dust before Mr. Jake. After all, the Panchak household wasn't solely Benedict's domain, just as the formidable Alexander family's rise in Radiant Harbor was owed exclusively to the prowess of one man - Theophilus, whose emergence had reignited the family's glory! They were as different as a real dragon and a lowly worm. Knock kn
"Benedict, dare you utter another word in Mr. Jake's presence? I will blow your brains out." Vincent's voice hardened with threat. Fear was apparent in Drake's eyes. He couldn't comprehend the situation; how could someone as cautious as Vincent behave so recklessly? Was he declaring war against the Panchak family? "No! Don't kill me! Uncle Panchak, please help me. Call for help. This is your territory!" Benedict was paralyzed with fear, screaming in desperation as though the gunshot had pierced his liver. "Drake, all my men are waiting outside the Panchak's hotel." Vincent turned to Drake, his voice steady: "Think carefully. Do you have the guts to face me?" Drake's face was twisted in bitterness. He did not dare contradict Vincent. He never expected Vincent to personally intervene in this matter, firing a gun and arranging guards around the hotel, putting so much effort just to assist some country bumpkin named Theophilus? It was clear that Vincent's current power far exceeded D
More than twenty minutes later, inside the CEO's office at the Mid Hotel. Theophilus was seated in an oversized reclining chair, holding a cup of black tea, savoring it leisurely. "Mr. Jake, my apologies. It was my delay that led to this. Next time if there's such a situation, feel free to call me directly." Vincent solemnly said. Theophilus replied in measured tones: "Not late. This matter was never intended for your intervention. My charge for you was to investigate the affairs of the Lee family. That is of true importance." He had tasked Vincent to closely observe Gabriel Gary, pressing him to resolve the matter quickly to unearth information about the Lee family. Consequently, Vincent received the news late and hastily rushed to the Panchak family's hotel in the Metal district. "Mr. Jake, Gabriel Gary is not an easy adversary, but I am still keeping him under surveillance, waiting for the opportunity to strike." Vincent affirmed, his face grave. Gabriel Gary held his ground
Jason eyed Theophilus defiantly, haughtily raising his wrist to flaunt a limited edition Vacheron Constantin watch worth tens of millions, pompously checking the time. "Magnus, it's nearly time for my appointment." Jasper spoke leisurely: "I'm giving you one minute. Promptly escort this bumpkin you've invited out of this tea lounge, don't disrupt my business. My patience has its limits." Magnus' gaze emanated fury. He no longer paid attention to Jason's insolence but looked at Theophilus, speaking with deep reverence: "Boss Jake, this is a private room I reserved for you. But this blind fool insists on usurping it." Theophilus showed no reaction. It appeared another had usurped his position. "Magnus, damn, are you disrespecting me despite my consideration for you? The blind fool? Your audacity is quite something, isn't it?" Jason looked at Magnus with a chilly gaze. His voice rose in a harsh rebuke: "You useless cur, are you asking for death?" "Ha ha, Magnus, can't you see how pa