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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
The Return of the Hades Threatened
101Lord Webb, sensing the escalating tension, stepped forward, his presence commanding silence. "Let's not descend into chaos," he intoned gravely. "This matter should not be discussed in such a manner. Edward, you handle this with the grace of a true leader."Edward, his face a mask of humility, nodded. "Thank you, Lord Webb. I assure you, our company's integrity remains intact. We will continue to thrive, despite these unfounded accusations."Edward, seizing the moment, stepped into the center of the room, his posture one of unwavering confidence. "I thank you, Lord Webb, for your wise words. It's in times like these that our true strength is tested," he said, offering a gracious nod to Webb, then turned to the others with a broad, reassuring smile. "To those who stand with me, your trust will not be misplaced. We will emerge from this stronger."Marlene, stepped beside Edward, laying a hand on his shoulder with visible pride. "See, this is what real leadership looks like. Forgive t
The Return of the Hades Help Amelia
102Once out of the villa and near his car, a woman of striking beauty approached him, clad in elegant attire. "Mr. French!" she called out.Darien furrowed his brow, looking at her face, trying to place where he had seen her before. "Who are you? Do we know each other?" he asked, a frown forming.The woman who happened to be Camila, Amelia's sister, irritated that he didn't recognize her despite seeing each other a week ago, was seething with anger. How could he forget someone like her? Someone as beautiful as her? No man had ever forgotten her. "I'm Amelia's sister," she huffed, crossing her arms.Recognition finally dawned on Darien's face. "Ah, Romania," he said with a smile.She corrected him sharply. "It's Camila, Camila Fairchild, not Romania. But that's not important right now.""Ooh, sorry, Roma––Camilla," David replied, slightly surprised. "It's been a while. How can I help you?"Camila's expression turned a mix of concern and frustration. "I need your help," she urgently s
The Return of the Hades Saved her
103As Darien fumbled and dropped the syringe, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry," he muttered, bending down to retrieve it. His professional demeanor struggled against the personal turmoil stirred by the situation.Amelia, lying vulnerable under the soft glow of the bedside lamp, embodied an unexpected distraction. Her figure, a striking silhouette against the muted bedding, was both elegant and intensely alluring. The curve of her waist flowed into rounded hips, and her skin, illuminated by the light, seemed to beckon for attention. Her chest rose and fell with shallow, erratic breaths, each one a silent call that seemed to echo in the tension-filled room.Camila, observing Darien's evident struggle, frowned. "Is everything okay, Mr. French?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of suspicion and concern.Darien cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Yes, everything's under control," he assured her, avoiding eye contact. "I just need to concentrate on t
The Return of the Hades Pharmaceutical tycoon 1
1043 hours later,As Amelia guided Darien up the ornate staircase to the second floor, Darien, still reeling from the depth of their previous conversation, felt a mix of apprehension and curiosity about meeting Lord Fairchild again. The elder had always been kind to him, a stark contrast to the often cold world outside.Upon entering the lavish sitting room, Lord Fairchild, seated in a high-backed chair, looked up and a warm smile spread across his face. "Ah, Darien, my boy, welcome!" he exclaimed, his voice rich with genuine affection. He attempted to rise, but Darien quickly gestured for him to stay seated, not wanting to strain his elder."Lord Fairchild, it's an honor to see you again," Darien said, his voice carrying a note of respect. He remembered saving the man's life, an event that had forged a bond between them.Just then, another man entered the room. His presence was commanding, and his sharp suit spoke of wealth and power. Amelia stepped forward, her posture straightenin
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- The Return of the Hades
167
167The mayor's eyes widened in surprise at Lavinia's bold declaration, a flicker of fear crossing his features before he quickly masked it with a forced smile. "Of course, Ms. Luciano," he said smoothly, his voice dripping with false sincerity. "I'll do everything in my power to assist you in your investigation."But as Darien and Lavinia left the mayor's office, they knew they couldn't trust him. As Darien and Lavinia exited the mayor's office, their minds still reeling from the encounter, they were suddenly confronted with an unexpected sight. Standing before them, blocking their path, were Cersei, her brother Bennett, and their mother Marcela.Darien's jaw clenched instinctively as he locked eyes with Cersei, the source of so much turmoil in their lives. He could feel Lavinia tensing beside him, her anger palpable in the air.Cersei's lips curled into a malicious smirk as she regarded Darien with contempt, her eyes flashing with animosity. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the noble
- The Return of the Hades
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164One week had passed since Darien's intense battle with Gangatsu. The victory had left him physically exhausted but emotionally elated. As he sat in his study, the weight of their recent ordeal still heavy on his mind, he poured over maps and scrolls, searching for any clue that could lead them to Emma.Lavinia entered the room, her expression grave and her brow furrowed with worry. She hesitated for a moment before speaking, unsure of how Darien would react to the news she bore."Sir French," she began, her voice soft but tinged with concern, "there's something you need to know."Darien glanced up from his work, his eyes narrowing in curiosity. "What is it, Lavinia?" he asked, his tone tinged with apprehension. "What's happened?"Lavinia took a deep breath, steeling herself for his reaction. "Even if I told you, you wouldn't believe me," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.Darien's heart skipped a beat, a cold feeling settling in the pit of his stomach. "Try me," he re
- The Return of the Hades
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165One week had passed since Darien's intense battle with Gangatsu. The victory had left him physically exhausted but emotionally elated. As he sat in his study, the weight of their recent ordeal still heavy on his mind, he poured over maps and scrolls, searching for any clue that could lead them to Emma.Lavinia entered the room, her expression grave and her brow furrowed with worry. She hesitated for a moment before speaking, unsure of how Darien would react to the news she bore."Sir French," she began, her voice soft but tinged with concern, "there's something you need to know."Darien glanced up from his work, his eyes narrowing in curiosity. "What is it, Lavinia?" he asked, his tone tinged with apprehension. "What's happened?"Lavinia took a deep breath, steeling herself for his reaction. "Even if I told you, you wouldn't believe me," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.Darien's heart skipped a beat, a cold feeling settling in the pit of his stomach. "Try me," he rep
- The Return of the Hades
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164Darien's heart pounded in his chest as he dodged Gangatsu's lethal strikes, his muscles burning with exertion. He couldn't afford to lose focus now, not when victory was within reach.Gangatsu's lips curled into a cruel smile as he lunged forward once more, his movements swift and deadly. "You can't escape, Darien," he taunted, his voice dripping with malice. "Your fate is sealed."Darien gritted his teeth, his mind racing as he searched for a way to turn the tide. He couldn't let Gangatsu win - not after all they had been through. With a determined growl, he launched himself at his opponent, fists flying in a desperate flurry of blows.Each strike landed with satisfying force, driving Gangatsu further back with every blow. But the villain was relentless, his attacks coming with ferocious speed and precision."You think you can defeat me?" Gangatsu sneered, his eyes burning with hatred. "You're nothing but a foolish child."Darien's blood boiled at the insult, fueling his determina
- The Return of the Hades
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163Darien made his way back home, the weight of the night's events heavy on his shoulders. With each step, his mind churned with thoughts of Emma and the dangerous journey ahead. He couldn't afford to fail her, not after everything she meant to him.As he entered his home, Lavinia approached him, her expression a mix of concern and hope. "Sir French, did you find her?" she asked, her voice trembling with anticipation.Darien's heart sank as he met her gaze. "Unfortunately, no," he replied, his voice heavy with regret. "But I promise you, Lavinia, I'll do everything in my power to bring her back safely."Lavinia's eyes brimmed with tears, her hands trembling at her sides. "Oh, sir French," she choked out, her voice barely a whisper. "She's like family to us. I can't bear the thought of her in danger."Darien's chest tightened with emotion as he reached out to comfort her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. "I know, Lavinia," he murmured, his voice soft with empathy. "But we have
- The Return of the Hades
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162Gangatsu staggered backwards under the force of Darien's onslaught, surprise and fury mingling on his bloodied face. "How?!" he spat through clenched teeth. "The poison should have weakened you!"Darien drove forward with relentless intensity. "It'll take more than that to keep me down," he growled. Gangatsu rallied, blocking the blows with growing desperation. But Darien was in his element now, striking with lightning speed and laser focus. Gangatsu's defenses slowly crumbled under the assault.Finding an opening, Darien landed a crushing blow to Gangatsu's jaw, followed by a punishing kick to his midsection. Gangatsu crashed to the ground, gasping for breath. But he was far from beaten. With a roar of rage, he swept his leg in an attempt to trip Darien. Darien leapt nimbly over the attack and responded with a flurry of punches, driving Gangatsu further back. "Give up!" Darien demanded through gritted teeth. But Gangatsu only snarled, launching himself back into the fray with
- The Return of the Hades
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Darien squared his shoulders, his gaze unwavering as he met Gangatsu's chilling stare. "I'm here, Gangatsu," he replied, his voice steady despite the tension crackling in the air. "Ready to settle this once and for all."Gangatsu's lips curled into a cold smile, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Bold words, Sir French. But words won't save you now." He gestured towards the clearing where they stood, surrounded by the towering trees of the forest. "Shall we begin?"Darien nodded, his hand hovering near the holster of his gun. "Let's not waste any time."Without a word, Gangatsu lunged forward, his movements swift and precise. Darien barely had time to react, ducking and weaving to avoid the flurry of blows raining down on him. His heart pounded in his chest as he fought to keep pace with Gangatsu's relentless assault."You're not bad, French," Gangatsu taunted, his voice dripping with condescension. "But you're out of your league here."Darien gritted his teeth, his muscles burning wi
- The Return of the Hades
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160Darien made his way back home, the weight of the night's events heavy on his shoulders. With each step, his mind churned with thoughts of Emma and the dangerous journey ahead. He couldn't afford to fail her, not after everything she meant to him.As he entered his home, Lavinia approached him, her expression a mix of concern and hope. "Sir French, did you find her?" she asked, her voice trembling with anticipation.Darien's heart sank as he met her gaze. "Unfortunately, no," he replied, his voice heavy with regret. "But I promise you, Lavinia, I'll do everything in my power to bring her back safely."Lavinia's eyes brimmed with tears, her hands trembling at her sides. "Oh, sir French," she choked out, her voice barely a whisper. "She's like family to us. I can't bear the thought of her in danger."Darien's chest tightened with emotion as he reached out to comfort her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. "I know, Lavinia," he murmured, his voice soft with empathy. "But we have
- The Return of the Hades
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159As Darien left the room, his mind swirled with thoughts. He knew trusting Barnet was a risk, but finding Emma took priority. He strode through the halls, footsteps echoing with purpose.Barnet scrambled after him, still shaken. "The Shadow Broker frequents The Drunken Rogue tavern at dusk," he informed. "I'll send word of your meeting. But come alone - he's paranoid."Darien stopped and turned, eyes boring into Barnet's. "This had better not be a trap. For your sake."Barnet nodded fervently. "I want this nightmare to end as much as you. Please...just spare me once you have her." Without waiting for a reply, he scurried away like a frightened rat.Darien sighed heavily. As much as he hated it, Barnet may be his only lead. He had to take the chance.Night fell as he entered the tavern. Patrons drank and gambled rowdily, paying him no mind. Scanning the dim room, his eyes fell upon a hooded figure in the corner, sipping alone.He approached cautiously. "The Shadow Broker, I presume?
