If that was the case, then there was no hope for her in this industry anymore despite her striking resume.For someone as prideful as Tyne, there was no way she would allow such a thing to occur.“Tyne! You’re here early!”A voice interrupted her thoughts.The person who invited her, her best friend Valerie, had arrived.Indeed. After a whole day of hard labor, Tyne would not have agreed to meet if the person inviting her was not Valerie. She was exhausted, and she wanted to go home and lie down.However, now that she saw Valerie, a question that Tyne had wanted to ponder but never had the time to finally surfaced in her mind.Fred was clearly wealthy, and Fantastic Group had properties across the entire country.Why was he willing to marry into the Cadman family and allow them to look down on him?“Tyne? Tyne? Why are you zoning out? Is work too busy?”Valerie noticed Tyne’s thoughts drifting away when she sat down and asked with a frown.“It’s fine.”For some reason, Ty
‘Have a ceremony first and then sign the papers later?‘Then use the Hanks’ influence in Sea City to force Fred into getting a divorce?’Tyne did not know what to say about the plan that Valerie was ecstatic about.Ignoring the fact that Yousef would be taking advantage of Valerie by hosting a wedding without signing the marriage papers, the part about forcing Fred made no sense.The man’s net worth was in the billions. He was the chairman of Fantastic Group with properties across the entire country. What was the Hanks’ influence compared to his?However, Tyne knew better than to reject Valerie directly, so she asked tactfully, “Are you sure, Valerie?”“What’s there not to be sure about?”Valerie smiled. “On one side, it’s Fred, that good-for-nothing wimp who no one takes seriously. Choosing him means I’ll have to live the rest of my life worrying about what people will think of me. On the other side, it’s Yousef, who’s handsome and wealthy. Choosing him means I’ll be the Mrs. H
Tyne was utterly stunned.When Fred told her to follow along, she thought she was going to help tidy up his new home. What was happening now?Fred had just told her to choose a villa from those around the area.Was he gifting it to her?“As the Great One… As Mr. Hoffman’s secretary, it’s only right that you live nearby now that he has moved in. How else will you help manage Mr. Hoffman’s diet and daily needs?” Stellar immediately explained.“B-But…”Proud as she was, Tyne felt extremely excited and was too ecstatic for words.To gift a villa just so she could help manage his diet and daily needs?Fred was too generous!However, before she could say anything, Fred picked up his phone to answer a call. Then, with a frown, he told them, “You two stay here and settle this. There’s something I need to do.”“Great One, do you need me to…”Stellar immediately asked.“No need. I’ll drive there myself.”Fred waved him off and left, leaving Tyne to stand awkwardly in place.Stellar
Thea Ingram was 24 years old, tall, fair, and knowledgeable—a true lady.The Ingrams had a bit of influence within Sea City as well. Their extent was similar to Philip’s family.On the way to the hotel, Fred learned about the lady he was meeting from his adoptive mother, Iris.Iris only had praises for Thea.She was the best match for her son Fred.“I’m saying this now, Fred! Thea is a great lady, and you’d better not try anything funny! I’ll come for you if you two don’t work out in the end!”Iris told Fred when they arrived at the entrance to Resplendent ten minutes later.“Yes, yes, alright!”Fred did not know to laugh or cry at his mother’s insistence as he passed his car keys to the valet boy and nodded. “If Miss Ingram is as good as you say she is, I promise I’ll try my best with her.”“That’s more like it!”Iris nodded pleasedly when she heard Fred’s reply.Then, with Fred’s support, the old couple walked toward Resplendent’s entrance joyfully.Just then, Stellar, wh
Teri was surprised. “They passed the first test?”“So what if they did?”Matt put the teacup down. “It’s only the first test, after all. It won’t be easy if the guy wants to marry into the Ingram family!”“True.”Teri smiled when she heard them.Then, Matt responded to the knocking outside, and in came Midhaa, Iris, and Fred.“It’s been a while, Matt!”Midhaa turned to his old friend and greeted him warmly once he entered the private room.However, compared to Midhaa, Matt did not move from his seat. He had an air of superiority as he nodded in greeting. “It has been a long time. Sit.”“Ah, of course! Let’s sit!”Midhaa felt slightly awkward when his friendliness was not reciprocated.As a villager, Midhaa was a simple man and merely took Matt’s aloofness as unfamiliarity after a long time of not meeting each other. He paid it no mind and brought his wife and Fred to sit opposite the Ingrams.“You must be Fred, the boy the Yates found back then?”Once they were seated, Mat
‘Marry into the Ingrams?‘Live with the Ingrams after marriage?’Iris’ expression fell completely, and even Midhaa harrumphed in displeasure.To people of their generation, they believed that a man would rather be humiliated for begging than marry into his wife’s family. After all, one could always get back on one’s feet and turn one’s life around.However, once a man became a live-in son-in-law, then there was no dignity left. Any children he sired would take the surname of his wife’s family, and that was the end of the family line.This was also why Fred did not tell his adoptive parents that he had gotten married.“You’re going too far!”Iris tried, but she could not hold it back anymore.Matt responded with a smile. “We’re not, we’re just stating the facts. I understand that you might feel upset, but the Ingrams are powerful, and this is how things will be done.”“Are you really that powerful, though?”Fred, who had been relatively quiet this whole time, suddenly asked.
The Yates may not be Fred’s biological parents, but they were definitely his bottom line.Anyone who breached it would have to pay.Teri was about to continue mocking after Fred shouted at her, but when she saw his icy gaze, she felt her heart shudder in her ribcage and was too terrified to say a word.Matt, however, remained unfazed as he said calmly, “I understand that my daughter’s tone was not the kindest, but… she isn’t wrong. I don’t like that look in your eyes, young man. Do you understand me?”Matt was threatening them. As Teri had said earlier, there were no more friendly pretenses among them. There was no chance for them to be in-laws anymore, but that did not mean they could not be enemies.As far as Matt was concerned, the Yates and Fred were not important enough to even be an enemy of the Ingrams.“Are you outside?”Fred asked coldly, ignoring Matt.Click!Stellar opened the door and stepped in almost the moment Fred asked the question. With a hand over his hear
“B-Bankrupt? That’s not possible! Only a few minutes have passed! That’s not possible!”Teri’s ear-splitting scream echoed in the room.Matt was pale where he sat limply. He could not say a word.He originally thought that those phone calls were just a prank.However, after countless inquiry calls from his company’s board of directors as well as notifications of the freezing of his accounts, he realized that this was all real.Not only that, but he also came to know that the person targeting them was the chairman of Fantastic Group himself.This meant that Fred, the man they had been mocking and belittling this whole time, was actually the chairman of Fantastic Group, a financial empire that could crush them like ants.“Bankrupt? T-That means my house, my car, my bags, and my jewelry… are all gone?”Teri’s harsh and arrogant expression fell away the moment she realized the severity of the situation. For the first time, she turned to Fred and begged, “I’m sorry! Please have merc
Marciella walking away did not bode well with the giant snake. Marciella was its food! How could it accept that its food had escaped?Marciella had not moved far yet. She reluctantly looked back at Fred.She did not know how Fred would handle the River God. She could only hope Fred would be okay!When Fred saw that she had left, he geared up, rubbing his palms in glee. He had an eager look on his face, which confused the giant snake.It was the snake’s first time meeting a man like Fred!How strange indeed!At this time!Suddenly, Fred said with hostility etched on his face, "Hey, Big Snake, what are you going to do now?"The snake's attention was entirely focused on him, which seemed off to Fred."What I’m going to do?"The giant snake fixated its eyes on Fred. It felt that it could handle a human like Fred easily.“I’m going to kill you with one bite! How dare you look down on me like this!"The giant snake rushed toward Fred fiercely at a speed so fast that no one could
Fred was annoyed by the giant snake's arrogant tone. Fred squinted his eyes at the snake and asked in confusion, "Why are you making that face?"“Huh?"The giant snake was shocked. He thought that Fred would submit to him, but to his surprise, Fred was not shaken at all.The snake was about to lose his temper.“Dirty snake, haven't I made myself clear enough? I think you are probably sleep-talking if you want me to hand over my people to you..." Fred said impatiently.At this moment…Feeling that it was being ridiculed, the snake said suddenly, "You punk, this is the first time anyone spoke to me this way. What is your name?"“Me?"Fred was stunned subconsciously, not knowing what the snake wanted. Suddenly, he understood.“Did you want to know my name so you can remember me, bow down before me, and become my follower? Sure, I’ll give you that chance!"He was adding fuel to the fire. The giant snake almost spat out blood in anger!"What? You want me to follow an immature bei
Huh!?Putting aside Marciella, even Fred could not hide his shock as a giant snake appeared from under the water!A giant snake!How could it be!?Fred's eyes widened at the sheer size of the snake. "A Giant Snake… Is this the so-called River God?"Moreover, the size was humongous. The snake must be at least ten stories high!What a huge snake!Fred finally understood why he felt a powerful force under the water!There was a sharp glint in the giant snake’s eyes! That was the blinking light from time to time!"Who comes here? Are you from the village? Who do you plan to sacrifice to me this time?" As soon as the giant snake spoke, Fred realized that this was not the first time it had done this.The snake seemed familiar with the ritual process. Obviously, the villagers had witnessed this giant snake before. This was the meeting between the two sides! Fred felt uncomfortable at this. As for the giant snake, it felt bemused when it saw Fred. The snake had never seen Fred befo
Fred was going to risk it all to open this girl's eyes!The force from the punch was extraordinary! As soon as the tree was hit by the seismic fist, it fell immediately and the whole tree split neatly in two!Marciella was dumbfounded!Although she knew how powerful Fred was, to witness his power was a different thing entirely!"Master Fred, your power is insane!"Marciella could not help but applaud.Fred seemed indifferent, as though he had no feeling at all about this."Is it? Why do you think so?"He looked so indifferent.For Ancient Martial Arts, things did not get any simpler than this!"You’re so strong. Anyway, I don’t doubt you anymore..." Marciella sighed, suddenly feeling very sad. "This is the reward of being educated. If we were more knowledgeable, we wouldn’t be so clueless.”"Haha, if you can't solve your issues, your descendants can work harder," Fred said with a wink.Marciella said, "Mr. Fred, I needed to ask you something! What if our luck was changed ju
What Fred said aroused her curiosity."What does it look like when you offer a sacrifice?"Fred knew he could not speak of this matter. Sure enough, Marciella felt a little downcast after Fred said the words. She did not know why Fred would say such a thing. Suddenly, Fred felt bad about it.He coughed and said, "Don't think too much about it... I just want to find a clue. Maybe we could find a solution. Why does it never rain in your village?""Huh?"Marciella's eyes, which were still a little dejected, suddenly realized what was important and asked hurriedly, "Mr. Fred, are you saying that the reason why it never rains in our village is because someone is behind it?"Although Fred was unwilling to admit it, he could not help but nod. "Yes, this is exactly what you thought!""For real?!"Marciella felt hopeful again when she heard this. She said hastily, "The thing you asked about is pretty simple. You can just check out that place!""That place?"Fred turned around to see w
Marciella found herself nodding in agreement with Fred's harsh assessment. "You're spot on," she said. "That woman is nothing but vile!"Seeing Marciella's reaction, a rare smile crossed Fred's face as he nodded back. "Glad you see it my way," he said.What caught Fred off guard was the villagers' reaction. One by one, their faces turned ashen with despair.It seemed to them that nothing could be worse than the predicament they were facing. The absence of the witch spelled doom for the village—it was like their last shred of hope had vanished. They had all put their faith in her to charm the River God into blessing them with rain, which would have brought some peace to their troubled lives. However, now their chances seemed to have dried up just like their fields. Fred stood there, his face a mask of serenity amidst the chaos.In the moments that followed, the village chief was a picture of despair, his only option was to send everyone home while he racked his brain for a backup pl
"What?"Fred did not even have time to blink before the witch suddenly made a move.It was like a bomb went off.Kaboom!Then, she was dead!Fred dusted off his hands, even surprising himself with his lack of tolerance for the witch.Now, though, he had a real headache. He had planned to clear the air with the witch and lay out the past so everyone would know the full picture.He thought that might just turn things around.The situation changed when she vanished, and Fred's plans were completely derailed. Then again, changing the villagers' minds was not going to be a walk in the park anyway. They were pretty set in their ways, thanks to all the stuff they had been fed.As such, just talking it out might not cut it. Heck, it could even mess with history!With the witch out of the equation, Fred figured he might as well try a different tactic. Maybe if he took out the guy in the cloak and worked his own magic to bring some rain, it could save a lot of hassle. The more he thoug
"No way!"The witch bristled with defiance. She could not accept that she was no match for Fred.As she noticed Fred's focus was locked on her, a sly idea popped up in her mind.Before she could act on it, though, she found herself pinned against the wall by Fred in a flash...Her face contorted in disbelief. She was pinned so tightly that she could not even move!The witch was completely overpowered, her heart racing with panic.How could he be so much stronger than her?Fred, on the other hand, seemed unfazed."What's going through your head? You don't seriously think you can take me on, do you?" Fred asked, his voice laced with skepticism.The witch felt utterly trapped, as if at any second, Fred might just finish her off."Look, I messed up, okay? Can we not do this? I'm old, just a pile of brittle bones—I can't take this kind of rough treatment!" the witch pleaded with Fred, trying a new tactic to get through to him.Fred was not falling for it. He looked at her with a
"Heh, I caught on to you a while back, you know. You've been tailing me, and I'm pretty sure you're here for me. Plus, you don't have the look of someone from our village. That means you are an outsider, and I'm your target, right? Listen, man, we don't have any beef with each other, so why are you sticking your nose where it doesn't belong?"The witch had sensed the raw power rolling off Fred, and it was enough to send shivers down her spine!At that moment, she knew that challenging Fred was not going to be a walk in the park! If she had spotted him earlier in the forest, it would not have been good news for her. For starters, she had no clue how many tricks Fred had up his sleeve, and if he took her down, she and her buddy would be toast.However, the witch was not about to let Fred take her out without a fight! She racked her brain and finally settled on one strategy!She would try to sweet-talk him, hoping Fred would fall for her words just like everyone else, and fall into he