Meanwhile, in the morning, Sebastian received a text message from Reginald Whitman.The message went something like this:[Good morning, Mr. Cole. I have a message from my daughter that you have an interest in meeting with me. This news is truly an honor to our entire Whitman Family for your willingness. When would you like to visit us?]Sebastian did not wait any longer to reply to the message immediately:[Mr. Whitman, no need to be overly polite with me. Your family holds the most influence in the southern region, and I'm just a small guy from Luxington Hill. I'll simply follow your schedule for the meeting.]Sebastian received an immediate reply.Ding![Mr. Cole, you're truly humble. Given that you've entrusted the meeting schedule to me, I must express our desire to meet with you as soon as possible. However, we understand that you're an incredibly busy man, so we wouldn't dare presume to set a time. We'll leave that decision to you.]Sebastian didn't want to prolong this convers
"Well, who said we were going to go by car?" asked Sebastian. "I wouldn't be crazy enough to do that. I want to head to the southern region by airplane, and you'll be the pilot for me.""Master Wade, I'm not very skilled at flying airplanes. Only Smith has the talent and experience in that field," Thomas replied.Sebastian knew that it wasn't that Thomas couldn't; rather, he was just doubting himself.He already knew Thomas very well, and he knew that the old man always felt he wasn't good enough at what he did.However, Sebastian did not feel disappointed by Thomas' trait, he took it as something natural.A true master expert would always feel like he wasn't good enough at something, whereas a fool, would always brag about their cleverness which was just nonsense.So, at this time Sebastian immediately refuted Thomas' doubts by saying, "If I've given you an order, you should still do what you can. Even if I ask you to fly a rocket and land on the moon, you don't have any reason to di
Sebastian waited for about fifteen minutes in his private jet with a glass of wine and a couple of novels.On the other side, Thomas was preparing the plane's engines and taking care of all the permits from the airport before they took off.Sebastian looked down at the novel he had just put down, his forehead creased in an expression of dissatisfaction. His lips pursed, showing deep disapproval. Although the collection of novels looked beautiful on the small table in his private jet, Sebastian felt there was something odd, something he didn't like."This fictional world is losing its appeal," he muttered as he opened another novel. "Everything feels so... contrived. Nonsensical and far-fetched."His gaze wandered into the distance, and she continued, "It's no longer about fantasizing or enjoying the story. It's like trapping the reader in a never-ending realm of imagination. They forget the real world, forget their obligations, and live in a world created by words."She took a deep br
Sebastian just shook his head and said, "Thomas, if the heavens hear these words of yours, I fear they will send lightning bolts for me."Thomas just laughed. "We're in an airplane, lightning will only cause a flash of light and a booming sound. There are no harmful effects."Sebastian realized the joke and joined in the laughter. "That's right, Thomas. Just remember not to offend the heavens."Their journey continued, and after a while, the plane landed in Serene Crest. The city had a reputation as an exclusive and elite place in the southern region. Its grand residences, luxury shopping centers, and glamorous nightlife made it often compared to Luxington Hill, an equally luxurious town in the north.They stepped off the plane and were greeted by a gentleman waiter named Christopher, who was dressed in an executive suit. "Welcome to Serene Crest, Mr. Cole. I am Christopher Hall, the butler of the Whitman Family who has especially come here to pick you up. The Whitmans are looking fo
After hearing Reginald's story about his unreliable sons, Sebastian nodded his head understandingly. "I can imagine how difficult this situation is for you, Mr. Whitman. It's unfortunate to see the actions of your sons."Reginald let out a long breath, hinting at the heavy burden he felt. "At this moment, I have only one hope, and that is Valerie. While it might be unconventional to select a daughter as a successor, it appears there's no other viable choice for our family."Later, he added, "I just hope that Valerie can marry a very capable man who can assist this family through this tough situation. If she can find such a partner, I will feel relieved."Sebastian listened seriously, understanding that tradition and family pressure were putting an extra burden on Reginald. However, as the atmosphere grew more serious, Sebastian began to reveal his purpose for coming."Mr. Whitman, I'm here not just to express my condolences but also to talk about a potential venture," Sebastian said c
Reginald felt the atmosphere in his room become tense after the revelation of Sebastian's power. To overcome the awkwardness, he cleared his throat several times, trying to ease the tension that felt so sudden. The hue on his face reflected a mixture of astonishment and awe at the power he had just witnessed."Master Cole, maybe we could carry on with this discussion over dinner," Reginald suggested, infusing a note of warmth into his voice. "I'm certain you must be weary after the long journey. Some delectable dishes could rejuvenate our spirits."Sebastian, despite his initial polite refusal, saw the look of disappointment that crossed Reginald's face. The Dragon Alliance leader reconsidered his decision and finally nodded in agreement."Very well, Mr. Whitman. If you've arranged everything, I wouldn't want your preparations to go to waste," Sebastian said with a friendly smile. Despite having secured a victory in the negotiations, Sebastian aimed to maintain a comfortable atmospher
Valerie, her face dumbfounded, immediately protested in a high tone, "Mom, what are you saying?"Maria, without realizing the impact of her words, seriously explained that in her opinion, Sebastian and Valerie were a good match because both of them didn't have a life partner yet, and their ages weren't too far apart.Sebastian, feeling confused, cleared his throat a few times before explaining, "I have no plans to marry anytime soon, Mrs. Whitman."Maria's face turned disappointed, and she emphasized her views, "Sebastian, at your age, you should already be looking for a life partner. You could miss out on being a great father, you know?"Reginald, who was on the other side of the table, felt awry. His eyes flickered between Maria and Sebastian. Marrying Valerie to Sebastian was no longer his goal, however, knowing that Sebastian was willing to support his family against the Tom Family presented its dilemma. If Valerie did not want to marry Sebastian, it was an acceptable decision. Ho
Valerie listened to Sebastian's question seriously. She felt her heartbeat quicken as Sebastian's face approached so closely. The evening breeze carried the fragrant scent of flowers around them, creating a romantic backdrop for the confession she was about to make.With trusting and gentle eyes, Valerie brought her face closer to Sebastian. The distance between them narrowed to barely more than an inch. The sound of rustling leaves in the garden and the cacophony of crickets added to the background that made this moment even more intimate.In a hushed, gentle murmur, she said, "Sebastian, I've never been a believer in true love. I was on the hunt for the Dragon Alliance chief for my father's sake, ready to marry him and live out my days without love. Little did I realize that love was right before my eyes. It wasn't until I got to know you that I truly started believing in true love. And now, the man I've discovered is right here in front of me."Sebastian surprised and touched by Va