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The Wrath of the Dragon Duke. Chapter 74: Cautionary Meeting
Lloyd woke up to the soft sound of Lisa’s steady breathing beside him. His eyes adjusted to the dim light filtering through the curtains, casting faint patterns on the walls of their room in the Francis house.For a moment, he didn’t move, he simply watched her. Lisa was curled up slightly, her face relaxed in peaceful sleep. It was a rare sight, lately, she had been tense, worried about their future, about Edgar Numa, about her family. But right now, she looked at peace, and it made Lloyd feel something he hadn't in a long time... content.A small, genuine smile played on his lips as he reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.Then his phone buzzed, and it's content was about to take his smile away once again.Lloyd’s body tensed instantly, his instincts kicking in before he even glanced at the screen. Years of living on edge made him hyper-aware of everything around him, and an early morning message was never good news. Carefully, he slipped out of bed, m
The Wrath of the Dragon Duke. Chapter 75 : Hard Decisions
Morty’s pulse pounded in his ears as he and Ivan stood frozen in Larry’s office.The soft click of the doorknob sent a jolt of electricity down his spine, someone was about to walk in.He clenched his fists, furious at himself, he had forgotten to lock the damn door. A mistake so simple, so careless, and now it could cost them everything.Beside him, Ivan remained eerily calm, his face an unreadable mask. But Morty could tell by the way Ivan’s fingers twitched near his belt that he was already preparing for the worst.The door creaked open, revealing a young officer in uniform, his eyes widening slightly when he spotted Morty standing inside.“Superintendent Flanagan?” the officer’s voice held confusion rather than suspicion...for now. “What are you doing in here?”Morty opened his mouth, his mind racing for an excuse.Think, damn it, think!But before he could say a word, Ivan moved.In a flash, he was behind the officer, his movements swift and precise. With one quick strike, he
The Wrath of the Dragon Duke. Chapter 76 : Crisis Warning
Lloyd sat in the back of the limousine, staring out at the sprawling skyline of Budville as it came into view. The towering skyscrapers gleamed under the evening sky, their neon lights flickering like distant stars.It had been nearly a year since he’d left this city, nearly a year since he’d returned to Hilburg to begin his revenge, and now he was back...not for leisure, not for nostalgia, but because Eric Weissman, the man who had saved his life and shaped him into who he was today, had summoned him.His fingers drummed lightly against the armrest. Though Lloyd rarely let emotions cloud his judgment, there was a distinct sense of anticipation within him. Budville was a place of ghosts, memories of survival, of struggle, of ascension.He always asked himself what place he thought more of as home, Hilburg or Budville, many months ago he would have said Budville, as all Hilburg had left him were memories of pain and suffering.But now he had formed and reformed many bonds in Hilburg,
The Wrath of the Dragon Duke. Chapter 77 : Shame and Guilt
Morty walked through the halls of the Hilburg Police Department, his footsteps steady, but his heart heavy. It had been two days since he and Ivan broke into his father’s office, two days since they stole the documents that could bring down the Numas, two days since he had destroyed Sergeant Kyle’s life.And now, as he made his way toward his father’s office, snippets of hushed conversations between officers drifted into his ears."Man, did you hear about Kyle?""Yeah, caught doing crack in the restroom... what a damn disgrace""Never saw it coming… always thought he was one of the good ones""I swear the cops at this station arge getting out of control, leadership needs to something,ASAP!"Morty’s stomach twisted, ade forced himself to keep walking, his expression blank, his shoulders squared.He had to act natural... he may have been Superintendent now, but every word, every whisper, felt like a hammer to his skull.Morty knew Kyle was innocent, causehe had framed him, and now the
The Wrath of the Dragon Duke. Chapter 78 : Grudge Deal
Morty stood frozen on the doorstep, his breath caught in his throat. The weight of Annie Carter’s words pressed down on him like an iron vice.Kyle had jumped...And while he had survived, the doctors said he’d never wake up.The realization hit him like a sledgehammer, his stomach twisted painfully, his hands clenched at his sides. He had known that framing Kyle would ruin his career, humiliate him, maybe even send him into a downward spiral... but this?This was so much worse, everything that could go wrong had gone wrong.Kyle hadn’t just lost his job, he had lost everything... his dignity, his hope, hiis future...and Morty knew it was all his fault.He opened his mouth, but no words came out. Annie’s eyes were red and puffy, fresh tears threatening to spill down her cheeks."You…you said he’s at St. Mary’s Hospital?" Morty finally managed to say, his voice hoarse.Annie sniffled and nodded "Yes, but… it doesn’t matter"Morty felt his heart squeeze painfully in his chest "What d
The Wrath of the Dragon Duke. Chapter 79 : Righting Wrongs
Ivan walked into his apartment, shutting the door behind him with more force than necessary.His jaw was clenched, his movements stiff, it was absolutely exhausting keeping a straight face while Morty was pissing him the hell off.Morty had forced his hand.The idea of handing over one of the regenerative vials made his blood boil, but there was no avoiding this.He couldn't kill Morty, and couldn't also torture him for the information, since he was sure his boss would take his head for that, but at the same time... HE REALLY DIDN'T WANTI TO DO THIS.Lloyd had only ever entrusted him with three vials... three incredibly valuable vials that could change the course of a person's life. He had been given strict instructions to use them only in the direst of circumstances.And now, because of Morty’s pathetic bleeding heart, he was down to two.He stalked over to his closet, opening it with a calculated motion, inside, beneath a false floor panel, was a black, locked briefcase. Ivan pull
The Wrath of the Dragon Duke. Chapter 80 : Evidence Ready
Lloyd’s return to Hilburg was quiet, no fanfare, no unnecessary attention... just the way he liked it.The black limousine cruised through the city streets, its tinted windows shielding him from the outside world. As he looked out at the familiar skyline, he noted how little had changed in the past three days.Hilburg was still Hilburg, rotten to its core.He rolled his shoulders, exhaling slowly, his meeting with Eric Weissman had left him with more problems than solutions, and now time was slipping away faster than he would have liked.He needed to act.And the first thing he needed to do was see Lisa...The car pulled up to the Francis Steel building, towering and imposing as ever, Lloyd stepped out, his usual sharp suit perfectly in place. as he walked inside, employees shot him brief glances, some out of curiosity, others out of quiet unease...They'd seen this mysterious man come in an out of their building over the months, they had no idea who he was but the way he moved and
The Wrath of the Dragon Duke. Chapter 81 : First Attack
The atmosphere in the private lounge of an exclusive Hilburg club was thick with the scent of expensive cigars and aged whiskey. Seated around an opulent mahogany table were John and Harold Francis, facing the men who had come to secure their allegiance... Henry and Edgar Numa. Henry leaned back in his chair, his fingers idly swirling the glass of whiskey in his hand. His sharp, calculating eyes flickered toward Harold. "You told me Lisa agreed to step down" Henry said, his voice smooth yet carrying a dangerous undertone "Yet here we are, days away from the expiration of the Western Steel contract, and she’s still sitting pretty in the CEO’s chair" Harold cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably "She’s stalling, and I don't know why" he admitted "every time we press her about resigning, she finds an excuse, says she needs more time to transition out of the role, that she wants to ensure a smooth handover" "More time?" Edgar scoffed, his fingers tapping impatiently agains
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Chapter 110 : Unforseen Entangled
Lloyd’s grip on the phone tightened. Mason’s words rang in his ears like the echo of a gunshot...final, cold, and ominous. He stood by the window, the early sunlight casting long shadows over the carpet as his mind parsed through the implication.He truly hoped that no one would see him, as he was sure this call was about to get even more intense."What do you mean by that, Uncle?" Lloyd asked slowly. His voice dropped into a measured tone "What did you mean when you said it’s too late for Lisa to not be involved?"There was a heavy sigh on the other end."It’s not something I can explain over the phone" Mason replied, realizing that their conversation wasn't too safe over the phone"You and I... we need to talk, face to face... There’s a lot you need to hear"Lloyd’s eyes narrowed. "Is this about the Capital M gang? Has your investigation yielded anything useful?"There was a pause, then Mason’s voice lowered."It has, more than you’d expect... that’s why we need to meet as soon a
Chapter 109 : The End Of Peace
The shrill sound of Lloyd’s phone pierced the stillness of early morning, dragging him abruptly from the warm depths of sleep. His hand shot out from beneath the sheets, fumbling blindly on the nightstand before it found the device. He glanced at the screen...an unregistered number, causing him to scowl.He knew who this probably was, but he wasn't really in the mood to deal with it The glow from the phone lit up the sleeping face of Lisa, her chest rising and falling in soft, measured breaths.She didn’t stir, but the sound had been close. Too close.Without hesitation, Lloyd rejected the call. The last thing he wanted was to disturb her rest.He leaned down and kissed her gently on the forehead before slipping out of bed.Dressing in silence, he began his morning workout, using the private gym in the family basement . The space had been converted months ago into a minimalist gym with nothing but a yoga mat, resistance bands, a pull-up bar, and his own mental discipline.He had bo
Chapter 108 : Weighing Options
Lloyd remained seated in Jacob’s dimly lit living room, the folder resting on his lap, pages slightly fanned open as he flipped through them with quick, practiced fingers. The expression on his face was a blend of disbelief and simmering realization. His sharp eyes scanned the neatly typed lines, some marked with Numa family seals, others scribbled over with confidential notes and signatures he didn’t recognize."This runs... deeper than I imagined" Lloyd murmured, barely above a whisper "Layer after layer of manipulation, blackmail... partnerships with people I thought were untouchable"Jacob leaned forward slightly, his hands clasped. "That was my reaction too... the first time I looked at it, it didn’t make sense, I thought it was a forgery, but then I read through every line... Took it apart slowly"Lloyd glanced up from the documents "You’re saying it gets worse?""A lot worse" Jacob replied. "The stuff you’re looking at right now... it’s just the surface, you read through that
Chapter 107 : Stressful Return
The following days in the capital were unusually relaxed. For the first time in a long while, Lloyd took a step away from political intrigue and personal vendettas. Instead, he spent the time guiding Ivan through the sprawling grandeur of the imperial capital... a place Ivan had barely set foot in until now.Their first stop was the Imperial Gardens, a vast expanse of lush greenery, marble walkways, and flowering trees arranged in symmetrical harmony. Ivan, usually indifferent to such things, found himself pausing at the koi ponds and the towering cherry blossom trees."Didn’t think you were the sightseeing type"Lloyd said with a smirk as Ivan crouched to observe a koi fish flicker beneath the lily pads."I’m not" Ivan admitted "But damn... this place has a weird way of making you forget you’re in a city"Next, they visited the Hall of Banners, a museum that commemorated the seven Dukes and their historic campaigns. Ivan stood in front of the Dragon Duke’s banner, the red and gol
Chapter 106 : Plans and Strategies
The black sedan glided through the golden streets of Heihan, its tinted windows reflecting the ornate lights that lined the boulevard. Inside, silence hung heavy as Lloyd sat in the back seat, his gaze fixed out the window but seeing little of the city they passed.Ivan sat beside him, arms folded, casting occasional glances at Lloyd, who hadn’t spoken a word since they left the palace."You’ve been quiet, boss" Ivan finally said, breaking the silence "That’s how I know you’re thinking about everything all at once"Lloyd didn’t look at him "Can you blame me?""Not even a little" Ivan admitted "That was one hell of a meeting...""You weren't there... you have no idea" expressed Lloyd.Lloyd exhaled slowly, his voice low and contemplative "The Capital M Gang... Just a name, yet they’ve got the entire royal intelligence network in a chokehold, no faces, no names, no traces.... How do they operate like ghosts and still manage to expand across the country?""And four cities" Ivan added "L
Chapter 105 : A Massive Threat
Lloyd’s expression froze, a flicker of something unreadable flashing in his eyes. Armstrong noticed immediately. "You look like you just saw a ghost " Armstrong remarked, folding his arms as he eyed Lloyd carefully. "That name mean something to you?" Lloyd hesitated, calculating how much to reveal. Finally, he exhaled through his nose and said, "I've encountered them before... in Hilburg, They operated under the radar, quiet but efficient, at the time, I thought they were just a localized Budville gang making noise across borders. But if they’re based in Lazan... that’s a different beast entirely" Armstrong nodded slowly, his tone shifting. "A network that stretches from Budville to Lazan, maybe even further, would make anyone uneasy... Especially if they’ve managed to avoid detection, hat’s a level of coordination most criminal outfits can only dream of" Lloyd said nothing, but inwardly, unease twisted in his gut. If the Capital M gang had such reach, then his assumpt
Chapter 104 : Tension Builds
The drive to the private hangar on the city’s outskirts was silentIvan finally broke it as they passed the security checkpoint, the guard waving them through with a nod "You think it’s Mason?" Lloyd’s jaw tightened "I think everyone’s hiding something" The hangar loomed ahead, its floodlights cutting through the darkness like knives. A sleek black jet waited on the tarmac, its engines a low hum, the heat from them distorting the air. Beside it stood a figure in the crisp uniform of the Sun King’s personal guard, his posture rigid, his face unreadable. The envoy stepped forward as they approached, saluting sharply "Duke Bishop... The King’s orders were explicit... you’re to depart immediately""Yup... That's why I'm here" replied Lloyd.His eyes flicked to Ivan "Your man is accompanying you?" Lloyd didn’t hesitate " yes He is" The envoy nodded, gesturing toward the jet. "Then we’re clear for takeoff... will you be carrying any luggage?" "Nothing except those " Lloyd replied, s
Chapter 103 : The Weight of Secrets
The moment Ivan’s accusation cut through the smoky air of the Grimshade Bar, the atmosphere turned electric. His words "That’s a lie"hung between them like a blade poised to strike. The usual murmur of the bar faded into the background, leaving only the tense silence of their booth. Jacob’s fingers tightened around his glass, the ice cubes clinking softly, he despite his unusual silence throughout the conversation, as he was in deep thought of his own, Ivan's words to Morty had brought him back to the scene.Morty’s chair screeched violently against the wooden floor as he shoved back from the table, his face flushing crimson "The hell did you just say to me?" His voice was low, dangerous, the way it got before he threw a punch. But Ivan didn’t flinch,His gaze, cold as a sniper’s scope, locked onto Morty "You heard me... I know your father visited Henry Numa the day he died, and I know that you know as well..." He replied, tapping the table with a single finger "So either you’re ly
Chapter 102 : Next Steps
The muted glow of the television cast flickering shadows across the brightly lit restaurant as Lloyd and Mason sat in silence, their eyes fixed on the news broadcast. .The anchor's voice, solemn and deliberate, conveyed the shocking news"Former Mayor Henry Numa was found dead in his prison cell earlier today... authorities have yet to release further details surrounding his sudden demise"Mason leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, and let out a low whistle "Well, that's a twist I didn't see coming" he murmured, glancing sideways at Lloyd Lloyd was still in complete shock at what he was seeing.What were the chances that just as soon as he was about to meet the mayor for information on the Lancaster and Capital M gangs, he ended up dead.Of course the thought that consumed his mind right now was who was responsible...."I guess there goes your only lead" commented Mason, snapping Lloyd out of his thoughts."What are you talking about?" he asked "With Numa gone, do you h
