"May I ask for your name, sir?""My last name is Levin," Ashton replied.Astrid struggled to remember if there was any cultivator with the last name Levin. It did not sound familiar, or she had not heard of him. No famous person in Lindorm seemed to have the last name Levin, and no one with that last name was among their disciples either.The man was likely a talented casual cultivator, who should be easy to win over.She feared the other party was a sect member. In that case, the MacCallum family would have to spend several times more to win him over, which might even be impossible."Mister Levin, Hamish will take revenge on you. I'm afraid he will retaliate later." Astrid reminded him."He can retaliate if he wants to. If I dare to make a move on him, I am ready to deal with all the possibilities." Ashton waved his hand."It's different. Mister Levin, you may not know who is backing Hamish up. It's not just the Segal family." Astrid shook her head."Oh? Who else can make me s
"Don't be rude! Apologize to Mister Levin!" Astrid was the next-in-line heir of the MacCallum family. Her sights were different from that of Violette's. Violette was about the same age as Kaia, but she was much more naive than Kaia.She even had to plead with Astrid to take her to Harbor Island."Astrid, we are the boss in Xenagoras. Why are we inferior to them? The MacCallum family has a spine." Violette was not very happy.However, seeing Astrid's gradually gloomy face, she reluctantly lowered her head. "Huh, sorry, hmph!"Ashton ignored Violette."You don't need to apologize. After all, I don't plan to join the MacCallum family, but...""You brought me up here and saved me a lot of trouble. If you encounter trouble, and it won't take me a lot of time, I can help you once," Ashton said.Astrid did not know what that promise from Ashton meant to her and the MacCallum family at this moment."If that's the case, I won't force the issue. But, Mister Levin, you must attend this ba
"What's going on with you, Madam MacCallum?""Are you spitting blood? Will your health conditions affect the meeting later?" The representative of the Segal family, Gale Segal, walked forward with a smile."No worries.""Do you want me to send for my family doctor? He graduated from Scanfort, and there is no illness he cannot treat." Gale's smile was not quite sincere."Thank you, Mister Segal. But it's normal for the body to encounter many problems at my age. This is nothing." Madam MacCallum took in a deep breath and straightened her back. One of her hands grabbed onto Astrid's arm."Quick, Astrid!"Astrid's hands shook when she took a red pill from her purse. The pill contained the Parasitic Voodoo and would take effect within a minute of swallowing."You are poisoned. You do not need to resort to voodoo for something of this scale. If you remove all the toxins in your body, you can live for another ten years," Ashton said."Huh?" Madam MacCallum looked at Ashton in surprise
Ashton's lips curved into a sly smile.With no sign of the Sullivan family and, by extension, Kendra, Ashton felt a playful urge. It was a perfect time for pregame antics, especially with the distasteful Segal family.Lounging with an air of authority on a plush leather sofa, Gale mused, swirling his wine. "Seems we might see some action before our discussion begins."His gaze was not on the well-renowned Michael Dunn but settled with a touch of pity on a young man across the room. The young man probably thought his Scanfort medical degree made him invincible. On Harbor Island, when it came to modern medical prowess, who could hold a candle to Michael Dunn?Retaining Michael Dunn's services took a fortune each year, but what was money when lives were on the line?Michael slid on his glasses, their lenses catching a soft gleam. Unclasping his briefcase, he revealed an array of medical instruments designed for immediate diagnostics. As long as the patient was not near death, he coul
The reading left Michael stunned.Surviving at 43 degrees was nothing short of miraculous. Yet, it was a double-edged sword. Such a fever might annihilate foreign pathogens, but it would ravage the body's cells, too. Time was running out; her brain was at risk."You promised to save my grandmother's life!" Astrid's icy gaze fixed on him, her tone sharp and cutting.Caught off guard, Michael struggled to find the right words.With a swift motion, Astrid's hand met Michael's cheek with a resounding slap. "Speak! Where are your assurances now? Do something!"Michael managed a feeble smile, avoiding her fierce eyes. "Miss MacCallum, I'm afraid there's nothing more we can do. I'm truly sorry."Furious, Astrid said, "To hell with your apologies!"Always poised and refined, Astrid had never once resorted to such language. Confronted by Michael's audacity and the looming loss of her dear grandmother, her fury was palpable. She vowed vengeance upon the man.Suddenly, Ashton moved his ha
A calm voice said, "Miss MacCallum, since Madam MacCallum is fine, can we consider this matter closed? Michael's loyalty has been unwavering over the years. If not for his achievements, then at least for his dedication. May you consider this for my sake?""If I weren't respecting you, Mister Segal, he'd already be a dead man!"You have a unique taste, Mister Segal, valuing someone who's more a liability than an asset." Astrid's voice dripped with sarcasm as she drew the MacCallum's Mini Stiletto from her waist.Gale, trying to mask his discomfort, attempted a peace offering. "Perhaps in our future dealings, the Segal family will part with an extra share of the profits. Surely, that's worth more than the arms of someone as insignificant as Michael?"That share might equate to billions, but to Astrid, it was about more than money. The possibility of her grandmother living a few more cherished years was a treasure no amount could purchase."Astrid, let it go," the old lady gently sai
Gale chuckled lightly. "Mister Jenkins, remember that harmony is the key to prosperity."He motioned for Jenkins to cool his temper.To Gale, anger was a crutch for the feeble. He was anything but that, but it was not the time for petty acts of revenge. The priority was waiting for the Sullivans and sealing their partnership. If the Segal family could secure that alliance, ascending to the pinnacle of Harbor Island's elite was within grasp. Revenge would pale in comparison.Once in control, he would have the power to determine fates with a mere word.Chuck was not pleased.The MacCallums, in contrast, seemed relieved. Astrid's eyes lingered on Ashton, searching for some hint of emotion. Happiness? Gratitude, perhaps? Yet, she only found an inscrutable stillness, a face undisturbed by the world's chaos."Why haven't the Sullivans shown up?" Gale's voice cut through the room's tension. "Can they be trusted? They're ten minutes late. Five more, and if there's still no sign, we're gi
Faedra's joyous expression abruptly froze, a change that did not go unnoticed. All eyes were drawn to her, but none more piercingly than Gideon Sullivan's.Clad in a tailored suit, he exuded leadership and charisma. However, at that moment, his radiant confidence vanished. He seemed deflated, reminiscent of an old-world servant prostrating before a mighty emperor, his face a blend of reverence and dread.The rest of the Sullivan clan seemed equally on edge.To many, Ashton might have been an enigma. To the Sullivans, though? His menacing reputation was etched into their very being, a haunting dread legacy.Gale, blissfully ignorant of the storm about to break, basked in his fury and dominance."Alright, Mister Jenkins," he said, a sly grin pulling at his lips. "Time to begin. Let's give the Sullivans a little pre-meeting entertainment."He was playing a cunning game—seeking revenge while flexing his strength in front of the MacCallum and Sullivan families. By showing off, he hope