Kurt bowed, exhilarated by the praise from his master.Meesho broke into tears. The heads belonged to able men he had trained for years. "Sir… I beg for your mercy! Let the rest of my gang live! We will serve you till the end of days! Please, sir!"Victor considered his pleas for a moment. "I forgive you, Meesho," he said. "Now get out of my sight and take your lieutenants with you. Keep them as a reminder of what happens to those who offend me!" The gang leader breathed a sigh of relief and kowtowed. He jumped to his feet, took the bag full of heads from Kurt, and escaped the room."You guys don't know me!!" Tony exclaimed, slipping into insanity. "I would have satisfied Rose! I am the perfect man with the perfect body! She would have been grateful!"Victor turned to Kurt Bane. "This man is too pathetic for me to kill. Take care of him."Kurt bowed to Victor for the opportunity and grabbed Tony. The young man flailed and struggled desperately, howling wildly, but the powerful arms o
Carmine City was famously known as the Blood Vein City. It was established over one hundred and thirty years ago. A large mining group discovered a rich treasure trove of gold in the Carmine hills. They fought over the gold vein leading to bloodshed. Only a few survived in the end, but it was said that the slopes were covered with blood. The gory event inspired the name Carmine.The few surviving families prospered from the trade and eventually built a city around the area. The settlement was carved into the hills and yet had the state's most advanced roads and public infrastructure. This development was due to the benevolence of the affluent mining families. The Blackwells were the wealthiest and most influential among them. One could only imagine what crimes they had to commit to stay at the top.Carol gaped in amazement as her car climbed up a slope of Carmine hills. A castle-like establishment was built on its peak with a massive black dragon sigil on the gate. Carol had not info
The young woman was taken by surprise by the sudden question. "I… I am not sure yet… He is very accomplished, but I don't know him that well personally."Alexander nodded and looked into the distance. "Damien is enthusiastic and defiant, just like I was in my youth. But he's unstable, and I thought someone like you in his life could settle his energies."Carol offered no response. The old man's talk seemed like rhetoric."He is a playboy, though," Alexander added with a frown. "A habit that I disapprove of. Again, he needs someone strong-willed to control his urges. Or he'll get into trouble anytime soon."Carol thought Alexander was seeking a reply just then. "I will observe him and tell you my decision later."The old man nodded and left his seat. "Alright. I admire your courage, little girl. Tomorrow is your deadline. Don't disappoint me."Carol bowed and left the room. The Head Butler, Rollo, led her to a guest bedroom. As soon as she was gone, a tall, elegant woman in her sixties
"I don't think we have been introduced yet," Carol posed at the dashing stranger. "I'm Carol Atelier… And you are…?"The man gazed into her chestnut-brown eyes and smiled tenderly. "They call me Caesar…" he replied dreamily. Carol blushed all of a sudden, overcome by his charm.Caesar clasped her left hand with his and placed his right hand under her shoulder blades, settling into the waltz position. "Shall we dance?" he asked politely.Carol nodded, and they ascended into the ballroom. They moved in perfect sync, drawing the eyes of the audience. Carol eyed her partner curiously; she had never heard of the Caesar name spoken in business circles and wanted to know more about her partner. Which family did he belong to? Was he from a top-tier conglomerate? However, it wasn't polite to ask someone directly, and she thought better of it."Don't rush into the steps," the mysterious man instructed her calmly. "Let me guide you."Carol blushed and giggled like a teenager. "I'm sorry… I don'
Everything pieced together in Carol's mind. Was Caesar the man who booked a patron room for her during Haley B's concert? Did he rescue Josh from the Grizzly Kings gang? Her heart skipped a beat as she realized she had just met her long-time admirer. The man who was even mightier than Alexander Blackwell!There was something familiar about Caesar. His manly smell and stately figure rang all kinds of bells in Carol's mind. She bit her lip as she realized the stranger had reminded her of Victor."Josh, have you seen Victor at the party?" she asked her brother.The brat's cheerful face immediately morphed into a scowl. "What nonsense! Why would you bring up that trash's name in this elite gathering? He doesn't even deserve to be a chauffeur to these bigwigs!" Carol's parents also joined in to denounce their former son-in-law. "Sweetie, don't tell anybody he was your ex-husband," Martha advised her. "People will avoid you!"Carol sighed. The mysterious man couldn't possibly be Victor. He
This gift drew the most audible gasps. Did Tabitha just grant the Blackwell company an entire trade route? It was priceless! It would solidify their influence across the state even further!Even Alexander lost his composure and drooled at the deeds. "This is the most precious gift I have received today, dear. Tell your father he will remain my lifetime friend."Tabitha smiled gracefully and returned to her seat. She had left the entire community shocked through her mind-blowing present. Macintosh and Mountbatten made sour faces as they had clearly been exceeded.The head usher announced, "The presentation has formally ended with this gift. Guests, kindly relocate to the entertainment hall, where we have arrangements for poker and billiards. Of course, we'll keep the wine flowing..." Dorothy stepped forward as the zealous guests rose from their seats. "Wait! The presentation ceremony isn't complete yet!""Who is left, Grandma?" Damien asked curiously. All the major and minor families
Carol's insides turned as Alexander's merciless eyes stared down at her. "The Atelier family…" he began his diktat."Wait!" An authoritative voice cut through the crowd. The old Blackwell couple turned to see Robbie Macintosh approaching. People murmured among themselves in anxiety. Alexander Blackwell was usually never interrupted so rudely. Would he let the offense slide?The young man was followed by an entourage of pretty models with aloof expressions like his. Robbie was clearly a success story and was touted to be the next big thing in the art collection industry. His arrogance and overconfidence showed in his body language."What is it, Rob?" Dorothy asked with slight irritation. "I hope you did not interrupt my husband without due cause."Robbie reached the table and gave her a curt nod. "I apologize for the sudden intrusion. However, as a student of the mighty Angela Kaufmann, I refuse to stand by and let this injustice happen!""Injustice? What are you talking about? We are
Dorothy piped up. "Oh, please tell everyone how fake Carol's dress is!"Robbie tilted his head to the side and offered the old woman a wider smile. "Oh, Mrs. Blackwell, you are adorable, but I hate disappointing you." "What do you mean? It's a counterfeit, right?""On the contrary, the dress that Carol is wearing is indeed the real, genuine, nine-gem royal gown! It is currently priced at three-million dollars!"The crowd broke into a spontaneous buzz. "What? She has the actual item!""How did Carol get the expensive dress?""Was the gown stolen?""Is she wearing a three-million-dollar dress? The most expensive clothes in this gathering!"Dorothy looked as if she had swallowed a bug. She was speechless for a minute, looking from Robbie to Carol in confusion. Finally, she gathered her composure and began. "Robbie… Do you mean the girl stole the item from Miss Angela Kaufmann?"The expert purveyor shook his head. "I don't know how Miss Atelier got it. However, I can say one thing with