Serena's face mirrored her confusion as she said, "I don't know either. I just got the call this afternoon. They didn't explain anything, only that they'd arrive in Folksworth tomorrow and that we should prepare to host them.""Honey, what do you think? I've completely severed ties with the Swift family. Should I still greet my uncle and his family when they arrive?"At this moment, Serena was deeply conflicted.Although she had cut all ties with the Swift family and moved from Venzor to Folksworth, she still felt a sense of guilt. After all, blood was thicker than water, and these were relatives she had lived with for over twenty years.Serena wanted to be heartless and ignore Tim and his family completely. However, when she told her father about it, he advised her to see them.Tony had said that he would still be buried in the Swift family's ancestral shrine even after his death. To completely sever ties with the Swift family would make him a disgrace to his ancestors, a traitor
The company Serena owned was dozens of times larger than the Swift family's business."Dad, that bitch, Serena, actually owns this?" Sophia was visibly shocked, her face frozen in disbelief for quite a while.Tim was also stunned for a long moment before he reacted. Although he didn't want to admit it, he pulled out his phone, checked the address, and nodded. "Yes, this is it. I can't believe Serena has managed to establish such a large company here in Folksworth."The more he thought about it, the more displeased Tim's expression became. Serena had left the Swift family and yet had done so well for herself. This made Tim very unhappy.Sophia, standing next to him with a serious expression, said, "Dad, since Serena isn't short on money, how about we ask for 30 million more later?"Tim's eyes lit up at her suggestion, and he nodded enthusiastically. "Yes. We'll ask for an extra 30 million."With that, the two of them strutted confidently into the building. Tim felt entitled. It wa
"You."Tim was furious. However, when he saw the look in Xayne's eyes, he couldn't help but shiver with fear. Still, being slapped in public by Xayne made him incredibly angry and humiliated. Especially now, as more and more people gathered around, Tim felt even more embarrassed.So, he shouted angrily, "Xayne! Don't you dare threaten me! I'm not afraid of you. No matter what, I'm still Serena's uncle. I still am her uncle, even if you don't acknowledge it. That's an unchangeable fact. I won't apologize today. Let's see what you can do about it.""Exactly." Sophia stepped forward, glaring coldly at Xayne. "You think being the King of the North gives you the right to oppress us?"Xayne's expression darkened upon hearing the father-daughter duo. He took a step forward and said coldly, "If that's the case, then I'm sorry."In an instant, Xayne kicked Tim and his daughter, sending them flying out of the building."Ouch!" Tim rolled on the ground, clutching his abdomen and moaning
Tim and Sophia stormed into Serena's office, seething with anger. As soon as he walked in, Tim pointed at Serena, who was sitting in her executive chair, and yelled, "Serena! What is the meaning of this? Are you doing this on purpose? I'm your uncle. How dare you embarrass me in front of all those people?"Sophia followed him in, glancing around the spacious office. It was enormous—more than 500 square feet, three to four times larger than Swift Group's president's office. Serena had indeed made it big. She noticed that Serena’s clothes and accessories were all high-end international brands, much more expensive than what she was wearing.In the past, Sophia had always been the elegant swan compared to Serena. Now, she felt like an ugly duckling in front of her, which made her feel extremely uncomfortable and resentful.She shouted, "Serena! Don’t think just because you have a good husband, you can act like this. Fortune changes hands. Today, you might be on top, but tomorrow, th
"An IOU?" Tim's face darkened instantly upon hearing this. However, remembering the scene of Xayne kicking him earlier, he didn't dare to argue.He forced a smile and said, "Xayne, we're all family here. There's no need for an IOU, right? Once Swift Group gets through this rough patch, I'll repay you."Xayne let out a cold laugh. "In this world, I believe pigs can fly sooner than I can believe a word you say, Tim.""You!" Tim ground his teeth in anger but couldn't retort. He needed their help, so he turned to Serena, playing the sympathy card. With a tearful voice, he said, "Serena, I have had it tough. The Swift family depends on me. Without the 70 million, Swift Group will go bankrupt, and the family will be ruined. We'll be on the streets, begging for food. "Worse, your grandfather's grave might even be dug up to pay off debts. Your grandfather loved you dearly. You can't just abandon the Swift family, can you?"Hearing this, Serena felt torn. Her grandfather had indeed love
"That's a great idea." Tim's eyes lit up as he grasped his daughter's plan. "You mean I can use my identity as Serena's uncle, leveraging her and the Serena Group's name for business dealings? We can also gather funds and expand Swift Group?""Not just Serena's name. I think we can even use Xayne's name. Imagine, if we discreetly meet with potential clients and they hear it's connected to the King of the North, won't they be eager to cooperate?" Sophia's face gleamed with cunning and pride."You have a point, but I'm afraid those people might not be so easily fooled," Tim said, considering the feasibility of the plan."Come on, Dad, how will we know if we don't try? It's certainly better than letting Swift Group continue its decline. If it works, we'll hit the jackpot," Sophia urged."Alright. Let's give it a shot. You start by identifying those high-potential partners. We need to get to them before Serena Group does," Tim instructed."Got it. Leave it to me," Sophia said, support
"A million?!" Calvin's eyes widened in shock. Such an absurd demand right off the bat felt like a blatant extortion."Well, the project's profit share alone will match that amount. If you're not interested, we won't force you. Let's go, Sophia," Tim said nonchalantly, standing up as if ready to leave."Who would've thought our first potential partner would be so short-sighted? What a shame, really," Sophia added, shaking her head in feigned disappointment.This was part of the act they had rehearsed, perfectly synchronized to manipulate their target."Wait, wait, I never said I wouldn't invest. Of course, I'll invest a million dollars. I just want to confirm with Serena Group first to ensure you truly represent them." Calvin hastily blocked their path."Mr. Calvin, business is built on trust. Your actions suggest you don't trust us. If that's the case, there's no point in continuing this discussion," Tim said, pretending to leave again."Okay, it's my fault for lacking trust. Let
Hearing this, Tim laughed heartily. "Serena, are you out of your mind? When did I do these things? I don't know what you're talking about. Don't falsely accuse me. I could sue you for defamation.""You...." Serena was so furious that her chest heaved with anger."What illegal profiteering? You make it sound so bad. Let me tell you, Serena, don't be disrespectful. Even if I did use your company’s name, what can you do about it? I've already put the word out. If there's trouble, they'll come after you, not me," Tim said nonchalantly. He had tampered with the contracts so that they couldn't be traced back to him."Tim, I'll ask you one last time. Are you sure you won't return the money?" Serena demanded, her voice shaking with rage."I won't. As a member of the Swift family, you share responsibility for the company. Now that I'm making Swift Group thrive again, you should be thanking me," Tim said smugly."What nonsense. Are you thriving on your own merits? You’re just illegally usin
Deanana glanced at Xayne as she coyly smiled. "Mr. Xayne, no need to be so reserved with me. After all, I used to be one of your admirers. I always thought you were an extraordinary man."Although it seems I misjudged you, still, you were a part of my girlish dreams. Don't let your current misfortunes bother you too much. People say a fallen phoenix is worse than a chicken, and while that's true, I happen to have a kind heart."Her words, though laced with laughter, were razor-sharp. Each one was a jab meant to cut deep.Her meaning was clear: "You might have been a shining star once, but now, you're nothing in my eyes—not even worth a second glance." Helping Xayne get his luggage was just an act, nothing more."Mr. Xayne, do you remember? Just a few years ago, at this very airport, you were returning from... oh yes, the Seven Nations Summit!"You know, I waited at the airport entrance for over four hours that morning just to get your autograph. But sadly, your security team didn'
"Heh, Miss Deanana, you also know that's all in the past. Even if he were still the King of the North, we live in peaceful times now. No one gets special privileges, right?" Dean chimed in smoothly, his tone laced with mockery."Dean! Do you even realize what you're doing?!" Aava could not hold back any longer, her eyes glaring fiercely as she clenched her fists in anger."Of course, I know what I'm doing, and I know neither of you are ordinary people. Thinking about hitting me? Don't forget, there are plenty of reporters over there. If you dare lay a hand on me, I'll make sure Xayne's reputation is ruined," Dean replied smugly.Dean's sneer widened into a wicked grin, the confidence radiating from him undeniable."Manager Dean, how about this? To be honest, I used to admire Mr. Xayne. Why don't you do me a favor and return his belongings? It would be a great gesture," Deanana interjected with a gentle smile.Upon hearing this, Aava bristled with fury. She knew Deanana was up to s
Dean's wild provocations quickly drew a crowd of onlookers.At that moment, a striking young woman stepped forward, removing her sunglasses as she made her way through the throng.The woman was dressed in an elegant black gown, the hemline revealing a pair of flawless, slender legs that caught everyone's attention. Her expression, however, was haughty, as though she looked down on everyone around her.She was Deanana Lovorka, the heiress of the Lovorka family conglomerate. While not exactly a household name, she was considered a minor socialite in the upper circles of Drakonix."Manager Dean, it's been a while!" Deanana greeted casually.As someone who frequently traveled abroad for business, Deanana was a familiar face at the airport and she had crossed paths with Dean on several occasions.But she was not here for a casual chat with Dean. It was far from it.She had come specifically to see Xayne.This was, after all, the legendary King of the North. Just six months ago, he w
"Do you have any idea whose luggage this is?" Aava asked coldly with a sharp and commanding tone.She was on the verge of revealing her special credentials—something she rarely used unless absolutely necessary. Xayne had been her hero, someone she deeply admired. The ridicule from Miodrag moments earlier had already pushed her to the edge, and now even a low-level airport staffer dared to humiliate him."Of course, I knew. Xayne, the King of the North six months ago; now he's just a regular civilian," the staffer replied with icy indifference. The staffer smirked. "Miss, do you think Xayne is still the mighty King of the North? There's no war, the capital isn't under siege, and he's utterly useless now. Take my advice—someone young and beautiful like you should stay far away from trash like Xayne. Get closer to someone like Young Master Dongfang instead. It'll do wonders for your future!"Dean swaggered over, cigarette dangling from his mouth, hands clasped behind his back. His ex
Upon hearing those words, both Xayne and Aava paused in surprise, then frowned in unison.The VIP lounge was clearly still operating as usual. Inside, over twenty people were relaxing—some reading newspapers and sipping coffee. There was no sign of any "closure" or "disinfection."It was obvious that this so-called announcement was deliberately targeting Xayne and Aava."Manager Li, isn't this going a bit too far? That's Xayne—formerly the King of the North. He has special privileges to use the VIP lounge. If this gets reported to higher-ups, we could all be in trouble…," whispered one of the airport staff, cautiously approaching Dean."Higher-ups? Haven't you heard? Young Master Lyuben already gave the order—anyone who sides with Xayne will see their entire family wiped out." Dean sneered, exhaling a cloud of smoke as he lit a cigarette."And even if the higher-ups find out, what can they do?" Dean added mockingly. "I'll admit, six months ago, I wouldn't have dared cross Xayne. B
Miodrag's laughter quickly caught the attention of onlookers in the bustling terminal. But their gazes were fixed not on him but on Xayne.The "King of the North" was a name nearly everyone recognized, yet no one dared approach him. Lyuben's warning had spread far and wide: anyone who got close to Xayne would face annihilation."Miodrag! What gives you the right to mock Mr. Xayne? Just hours ago, he was fighting on the front lines for this country. And you? What have you done besides indulge yourself in luxury?" Aava snapped with a sharp and clear voice."Heh, I pay taxes, don't I? Doesn't spending money generate tax revenue? Without people like me keeping the economy alive, what would Xayne have eaten in the north? Dirt?" Miodrag smirked, his tone dripping with mockery. He sneered and continued, "If not for us rich kids throwing around millions in donations every day, Xayne wouldn't even have warm dirt to eat!""Damn it! The nerve of that guy!""What's so special about the East
"Is it true that Xayne captured the so-called 'Lord of Light' alive?" Lyuben remained calm as he was playing a grand piano in the lounge."Indeed! Word is, the Lord of Light's master, Master Emin, was present as well. However, Xander also made an appearance. My analysis suggests it was Xander who forced Master Emin to retreat, while Xayne crippled the Lord of Light." An older man lowered his head respectfully as he spoke, his voice tinged with urgency."Oh? Defeating the Lord of Light… he must have had a trick up his sleeve. Was it some kind of tactic or setup?" Lyuben asked without betraying a hint of emotion."It's said that Xayne specializes in traps and ambushes. Otherwise, Hiram and his crew wouldn't have met their end in that mansion. Master Dongfang, you mustn't underestimate him!""Hmm?!" Lyuben's eyes shot open suddenly, piercing beams of icy resolve radiating toward the older man.The man immediately lowered his head further, not daring to meet the gaze of the young lead
"Lowes, what are you panicking for?" Zoro's cold gaze locked onto Lowes.Even though Lowes was several generations younger than him, as the head of the Bullard family, he had the status to stand on equal footing with Zoro."I'm not panicking, I just don't want to see more white funeral banners hanging at the Bullard family estate. If Xayne comes back and chooses to settle the score, do you think any of us can handle it? You might not know this, but back when King Quidie rebelled, even Klink didn't dare lay a hand on him," Lowes replied, his voice strained but steady.He paused, taking a long, slow breath to calm himself. "Put it another way, if Xayne comes for us, even KB Kings Circle won't step in to save us. If that doesn't scare you, then I don't know what will!"The air in the room grew colder. Lowes glanced around at the faces of the other family heads, hoping to see reason in their eyes. But then came a sneer.Zoro let out a low, disdainful chuckle. "Even if Xayne didn't die
"Xayne!" Zoro clenched his fists so tightly. If anyone had a grudge against Xayne, the Eastin family's hatred was no less than that of the Bullard family. Not to mention, Flamey had been killed by Xayne not long ago. This blood feud had to be settled.The Big Four weren't some weak, defenseless prey that Xayne could toy with as he pleased. For decades, the Big Four had controlled the heart of the Drakonia's economy. Every senator, governor, and political figure had to show them respect. But since Iver's death, the Big Four had lost their glow. People who once bowed their heads were now looking down on them. The root of all this was because of Xayne.That's why, after Flamey's death, the Eastin family had no choice but to call upon their master, a man who had been living in seclusion for decades. Every bit of information regarding Xayne's trip to Egenda, his plans, his contacts, and even his flight schedule had been deliberately fed to Lord of Light.They made it clear that the momen