The flash of light lit up the sky.Even Ashton was slightly amazed by the incredible energy storage efficiency of the deep sea stone.The deep sea stone had the unique capability of storing energy. While cultivating, Ashton funneled lightning through a lightning rod into the deep sea stone, shaping it into jade. Then, it formed a simple version of the Five Thunder Symbols, and crushing one would unleash an incredibly destructive force.A deafening boom shattered the silence. Ashton stood like a god, holding a lightning bolt, his face radiant with purple light.Another massive crash and the entire bamboo yard lit up like daytime. The smoke and purple mist clouding the area vanished into thin air. The immense energy obliterated tables, chairs, doors, and windows, leaving behind nothing but ruins.Friar Trant's body was charred and paralyzed from the electric shock. He was on his knees and hands, breaking countless precious antiques before he finally escaped, his face smeared with du
"Mister Greene, you think your life is valuable, don't you?" Seamus grinned, his face twisted with malice and glee."You ever consider what will happen to the Tigers Alliance if you die right now? Chaos, perhaps?"And let's not forget about your family. What ghastly fate do you think they'll face once you're gone?"Seamus was reveling in the moment. Despite his great power, Langdon could not escape the chains of familial love. His rise to prominence had bred enemies everywhere. With his death, his family would be torn to shreds by vengeful wrath."How about a deal to keep you alive? Would you be interested?" Seamus offered, eyes twinkling like a snake's.Langdon's face contorted with displeasure. A bad feeling surged in his heart; he knew Seamus would not let him go easily."Seamus, let's not forget, I was friends with your father for 30 years.""My father died at your hands, and you talk of friendship?" Seamus roared. "The only choice you have is to disband the Tigers Alliance.
Ashton stood in the hospital room doorway, his eyes locking onto Alora and Jose as they prepared to leave. He could tell by the flush on her face that Alora had taken some drug."What are you doing here?" Alora's eyebrows immediately furrowed. "You again!"Ashton hesitated. "Are you leaving with him?""What's it to you?" She glanced disdainfully at Ashton. "Why are you being so nosy? You claimed that you aren't following me, that we have nothing to do with each other. Then why are you here at the hospital? Why are you standing so close to me?"She was determined to expose him for the liar he was."Why would I want to be close to you, Alora?" Ashton's face reddened with anger."No explanations? Fine. I'm all ears for your silence. If you're not following me, explain why you're here!" Alora shot back.Ashton said, "I have no obligation to explain myself to you. I just wanted to remind you about the drug he's given you. Judging by your current state, you've already taken it. If you
"Ashton, whatever reason you've come here today, I hope you understand that you are no longer related to the Latham family. Don't think of involving my father to gain something from us. It's not going to happen," Gilbert said.Ashton looked at Gilbert, disbelief flooding his eyes. If it were Florence saying that, he would understand, but Gilbert? The man was speaking nonsense."Years with the Latham family, and I have not stolen even a single penny. Why does everyone think I'm plotting something?"Then Florence chimed in, her voice dripping with venom. "Oh, Gilbert, you're giving me ideas. This guy has been leeching off Dad's affections. Maybe he's hoping to speed up his demise to seal the old man's lips forever. Keep him from spilling any inconvenient truths."The words stabbed at Ashton like knives. If not for Zane lying on the operating table, he would have slammed the door and left. To hell with them."Regardless of your conspiracy theories," Ashton mumbled, "Zane is innocent.
Alora rushed to the bedside.Once a picture of cold, corporate elegance, she looked like a devastated little girl at that moment, her eyes blurry with tears. The room was heavy with her emotion as she sobbed.Florence immediately said, "Ah, a miracle doctor indeed. Cure at the touch of a hand. The money well spent, no surgeries, no meds."Morgan stood beside the bed, smug and impatient. "Time to pay up. My time is valuable, and another patient is waiting."Without a word, Alora called Miss Lowery, instructing her to wire the money immediately. She turned to Morgan and said, "Doctor Cook, can you stay a bit longer? Just until we're sure my grandfather is stable? His condition is not a minor one, and we can't know for sure if—"Fear from Ashton's previous remarks lingered in her voice, amplified by Morgan's insistence on his three million-buck fee.Morgan's face twitched. "What are you implying? You could have refused my service earlier if you did not trust my skills. Many more pre
Alora hesitated to speak for Ashton as her grandfather's breathing stabilized and his condition improved. 'Why should I?' she wondered. 'He broke the rules and disrupted the hospital. No one asked for his help. He's just asking for trouble.'Alora breathed deeply, her spirits lifted. Ashton, watched by two nurses, was not going anywhere.A few minutes later, Zane Latham woke up. Gazing around bewilderedly, he had no idea what had happened. Shortly after that, the police arrived, led by Weston Clark. A team of officers stormed into the operating room."What's got your feathers so ruffled, Mister Gibson?" Weston Clark asked, cigarette hanging from his mouth, his uniform askew."Mister Clark, I'm glad you're here. This man disrupted our work, slandered Doctor Cook, and interfered with a surgery! He even touched our patient without our permission! I want to file charges," Covance said."Is that so?" Weston eyed Ashton critically. Satisfied that he was not some privileged heir or wealt
"Good evening, everyone," Weston said as he entered the room, bowing and nodding toward the Lockwoods."Who are you?" Xavier Lockwood eyed Weston's police uniform with suspicion.The Lockwood family generally avoided mingling with officials. Trouble always seemed to follow them."I'm Police Superintendent Weston, Class III, from the Edren City District headquarters. I had the honor to meet you at the South Edren Top-Ten Companies event. I am on duty currently. I wanted to pay my respects when I learned that you are here. I hope I'm not intruding?"Weston craned his neck to peek inside and gasped when he saw Kendra lying on the hospital bed."Is that Miss Lockwood?"Spotting the injuries on Kendra's neck, rage swept across Weston's face. "Who did this? What kind of monster dares to lay a finger on Miss Lockwood? Mister Lockwood, please let me spearhead the investigation. I promise to mobilize our largest armed forces to capture the perpetrator and hand them over to you."Weston w
'What the hell just happened?' Morgan thought frantically. He had only pulled out an insignificant IV drip. Why were the machines going haywire?"Mister Gibson, maybe your machines are outdated? Perhaps that's why they're malfunctioning?" Morgan chuckled nervously.Covance wanted to slap him. What an idiotic thing to say. "These machines are top-of-the-line, especially since we're in the ICU. The issue lies with that IV drip you just removed. Didn't you say everything would be fine?"The tension skyrocketed. Relationships and mutual interests did not matter then. If anything happened to Miss Lockwood, everyone involved would have to pay.Smack!Zion slapped Morgan across the face.Zion's slap was not something easily endured. His military background and mastery of various combat skills made that attack extraordinarily powerful. Morgan toppled to the ground, losing several teeth in the process."If something happens to my daughter, your family will pay!" Zion seethed.Morgan scr