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The Return of the Hades Anonymous boss
93The gang members, their spirits crushed and bodies bruised, exchanged defeated glances. One by one, they began to back away, their earlier bravado completely vanished. The leader, helped to his feet by a couple of his followers, could only glare at Darien, his rage now impotent."Next time, pick on someone your own size," Darien said, his voice calm but firm. "Or better yet, don't pick on anyone at all. Consider this a lesson learned."As the defeated gang members limped away, their unity shattered, the leader, propped up by his closest lackeys, cast venomous looks back at Darien. Despite his bruises and the dirt staining his face, his pride remained, hanging by a thread.Darien, noticing the leader's lingering defiance, approached him with a steady gait. "Who sent you?" he asked, his voice low and even, a stark contrast to the chaos that had just unfolded.The leader, through gritted teeth and a painful grimace, attempted to salvage some dignity. "I'm not saying anything to you,"
The Return of the Hades Clara Webb
94Darien looked up at her, his expression a mix of confusion and faint recognition. "I'm sorry, do I know you?" he asked, his brows knitting together in concentration.Lavinia, meanwhile, watched the exchange with a growing sense of irritation. She didn't appreciate the interruption, and her body language made it clear. Her arms were crossed, and her lips pressed into a thin line, a clear sign of her displeasure.The woman, momentarily unsettled by Darien's lack of immediate recognition, quickly regained her composure. "It's me, Clara, Clara Webb. We first met after you heroically saved my life in Usati City three years ago," she reminisced.Three years ago, Darien had been invited to a lavish party held by one of the richest families in Usati City. As a renowned Qi warrior and healer, his skills were much sought after by the elite. Unbeknownst to the guests, a rival gang had plans to infiltrate the party and cause chaos. Just when the festivities were in full swing, gunshots rang o
The Return of the Hades The Webb family
95The next day rolled around, amidst his routine, the phone rang unexpectedly, a number he didn't recognize flashing on the screen. Curiosity piqued, he answered."Hello?""Darien, it's Clara," the voice on the other end chirped, a hint of excitement barely contained.He raised an eyebrow, his curiosity now mingled with surprise. "How did you get my number?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.A soft chuckle echoed through the phone. "Let's just say a magician never reveals her secrets," Clara replied, her tone playful yet mysterious.Darien couldn't help but laugh, the tension easing from his shoulders. "Alright, magician, what can I do for you?"Clara's tone shifted, a seriousness creeping into her voice. "About the Christmas party... I really hope you'll consider coming. It means a lot."He hesitated, his thumb tracing the edge of the phone. The memories of their last conversation at the tavern came flooding back, along with the unpleasant memories of his past dealings with the Webb fami
The Return of the Hades Beg him!
96Clara's voice, when she spoke again, was laced with anger. "Darien is not a criminal. You know the accusations were unfounded.""Unfounded?" Marlene scoffed, rolling her eyes dramatically. "The whole town knows about his misdeeds. And now you bring him here, into our home?"Lord Webber tried once more to intercede. "Enough, Marlene. This is not the time nor the place—"But he was cut off by Clara's father, who had remained silent until now. "I think it's best if you leave, Darien," he said, his voice cold but controlled. "Before this evening takes an even more unpleasant turn."Darien felt a lump forming in his throat, the words hitting him harder than he cared to admit. He glanced at Clara, her face a mixture of apology and defiance. He could see the hurt in her eyes, the embarrassment at her family's open hostility.Without a word, Darien turned on his heel, his heart heavy. He could feel the eyes of the entire room on him as he made his way to the exit, each step feeling like an
The Return of the Hades Wine 1
97 Marlene and Thomas exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier enthusiasm dampened by the uncomfortable situation. Marlene's hands clasped and unclasped at her gown, a nervous gesture that didn't go unnoticed by Clara, who watched the scene unfold with a sinking heart.Clara stepped forward, her gaze shifting between Darien and Edward, her heart pounding. She cleared her throat, her voice steady despite the turmoil swirling within. "Edward, this is Darien. He's... he's a great friend and, more importantly, my savior."Edward's lips twisted into a disdainful sneer, his eyes narrowing as they fixed on Darien. "Ah, so this is him. The scammer who almost brought disgrace upon the Webb family three years ago?"Clara's cheeks flushed with anger, her hands balling into fists at her sides. "That's not true. Darien saved my life," she asserted, her voice rising slightly in her defense of him.Edward scoffed, looking Darien up and down with an evident lack of respect. "Saved your life? Or was t
The Return of the Hades Wine 2
98Edward Harrington, hailing from the affluent and distinguished Harrington family, stood as a figure of wealth and privilege, his surname carrying the weight of centuries-old prestige. He was one of Clara's most fervent suitors, a match eagerly endorsed by her family, who saw in this union a fusion of power, wealth, and social standing. The Webb family, particularly Marlene, harbored aspirations of aligning themselves with the Harrington legacy, viewing Edward's desire to marry Clara as a golden opportunity to elevate their status further.The anticipation of integrating into the Harrington dynasty only intensified the disdain Marlene and Thomas harbored towards Darien. Clara felt a surge of anger at her mother's words, her fists clenching beneath the tablecloth, nails digging into her palm as she fought to keep her voice steady. "Mom, that’s unfair. You haven’t even tasted Darien’s wine yet."Edward, who had been basking in the glow of attention his expensive wine had garnered, n
The Return of the Hades Wine3
99As the shock of Kron’s revelation ebbed, he turned to Darien, his curiosity evident. "Where did you find such a wine?" he inquired, his eyes probing.Darien, maintaining his composure under the weight of the room's gaze, simply responded, "It was a gift from a friend."Skepticism and disbelief clouded Marlene’s features. "A friend?" she echoed, her voice dripping with disdain. "What sort of friend gifts a $200,000 bottle of wine?"Thomas, fueled by jealousy and a desire to salvage his tarnished pride, sneered. "A friend, or was it stolen, Darien?" His accusation hung in the air like a toxic cloud, his eyes narrowed, a muscle twitching in his jaw from the tension.Edward, now a bit ashamed, chimed in with a smirk. "Indeed, how does a scammer come by such treasures? Should we expect the police to come knocking?"The atmosphere thickened with suspicion and malice. Darien, standing amidst the assembly of accusations, clenched his fists at his sides, the injustice burning in his chest.
The Return of the Hades Deceive the Webb family
100Infact, darien just has a vision of Edward fleeing with all their money.In the grand drawing room, lit by the soft glow of chandeliers, a hushed tension settled after Darien's claim.Edward's face flushed red, his anger palpable. "Bankruptcy?" he sputtered, incredulous. "You dare suggest—"But Darien wasn't finished. "Yes, bankruptcy. And not just financial, but moral too. You plan to flee with their investments, leaving nothing but broken promises in your wake." Marlene, Thomas, and the others exchanged nervous glances, the seeds of doubt planted firmly in their minds. Edward, his face a mask of disbelief and anger, immediately retorted, his voice rising like a crescendo of denial. "Slander! That's pure slander, Darien. Our family's company stands on solid ground. Bankruptcy? That's laughable."But Clara, her decision weighing heavily on her, found herself hesitating. She looked from Edward to Darien, torn. The vision Darien described was vivid and terrifyingly plausible. Was