Israel cleared his throat before speaking casually, “May I ask, are you married, Mr. Kayden?”
Kayden hesitated for a brief moment, then nodded lightly. “Yes, I am. Why do you ask, Mr. Bennett?”
Israel smiled faintly and waved his hand dismissively. “Oh. Just curious, that’s all.”
Kayden nodded in return, sensing there was no further need to dwell on the question. With that, he turned and left the room.
Meanwhile, inside the house, Lacey had been quietly psyching herself up. She steadied her breathing, bracing herself for an encounter. But when she finally stepped out of her room, she found Kayden was already gone.
“Dad, where did he go?” she asked softly, disappointment unmistakable in her voice.
Israel hesitated for a second before pointing toward the door. “He’s left.”
“Left?” Lacey rushed to the doorway, peering out, but Kayden was nowhere to be seen. Only the empty street greeted her.
“Wasn’t he here to see me?” Lacey asked, turning back to Israel, her confusion evident.
Instead of answering her directly, Israel studied his daughter carefully, his eyes narrowing slightly before he spoke. “Lacey, tell me the truth-have you fallen for that man?”
His words hit the mark. Lacey’s face flushed a deep shade of red as she bit her lip, trying to hide her embarrassment. “How could I? He’s already married! We just met in Hiphia, and he helped me with something. That’s all. It’s not what you’re thinking.”
“Oh, is that so?” Israel arched an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. His voice dripped with skepticism. “Funny, because I seem to recall back in high school, there was that boy who used to walk you home every day. And what did you tell me back then? ‘I don’t like him, Father. He’s too soft, with no backbone. He’s not man enough for me.'” Israel chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. “Forgive me if I don’t quite believe you now.”
Lacey’s face was now as red as a ripe apple. She crossed her arms, her voice defensive. “It’s not like that! If you keep teasing me, I won’t talk to you anymore.”
Israel laughed heartily, but then his face softened, and his tone became more serious. “There’s nothing wrong with having feelings for a man like him. If anything, it’s a blessing. And if, by some miracle, he feels the same way about you-well, wouldn’t that be something? Imagine him making you his wife.”
“Dad!” Lacey protested, utterly embarrassed. “Stop saying things like that! He’s already married!”
“So what?” Israel scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. “Men like him have power and influence. He could easily have many wives, and nobody would question it.”
Lacey’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly pressed her father, “Do you know what he does for a living?”
She heard Kayden was a live-in son-in-law with a poor reputation in Hiphia.
Israel’s expression shifted, suddenly serious. His eyes narrowed slightly as he replied, “If my guess is right, he’s that man.”
“What, man?” Lacey asked, her curiosity piqued and oblivious to what he was implying.
Israel leaned forward, his voice serious. “The pride of Seclela.”
Lacey stood there, stunned. She blinked a few times, processing what her father had just said. “Him? You mean he’s the one who killed the Commanders of the Ten Nations three years ago?”
Without hesitation, Israel nodded. “Exactly. That’s him.”
Lacey still couldn’t quite believe it. “How do you know for sure?”
Israel leaned back, his tone thoughtful but serious. “The people around him? They’re not just any regular soldiers. They carry a certain… presence. That kind of aura? It comes from seeing too much death, from living through countless battles. And to command men like that, you know exactly the kind of man he must be. Even if you were just one of his mistresses, Lacey, it would still be a huge honor for the Bennett family.”
“Dad!” Lacey’s face turned a deeper shade of red. She lowered her head, grumbling, “You’re impossible. I’m not talking to you anymore!”
With that, she quickly turned and rushed back into the house, too embarrassed to continue the conversation.
As Kayden left Israel’s home, the afternoon sun was already beginning to set. It didn’t seem like the right time to head to Inassea University anymore.
Sitting in the car, Kayden’s thoughts began to wander. Liam pawned the Grievance… Why would he do that? There had to be something behind it, something bigger than what it seemed.
The East… So Liam had been there before.
Breaking the silence, Greedy Wolf, who was behind the wheel, finally voiced what had been bothering him. “Defender, Israel’s a pretty big deal, right? So why would someone like him choose to live in a place that’s… well, kind of run-down? And another thing-he lowballed the value of that item. It was worth at least two million, but he only took one. Why did you go along with that?”
Kayden’s response was calm, almost amused. “Israel’s not your average guy. As for the shop, think of it Like you’ve spent years in the wild, living rough, fighting for survival. Then, out of nowhere, someone offers to move you into a fancy, five-star hotel. Do you think you’d feel at home there?”
Greedy Wolf thought for a second, then nodded slowly, starting to see the point. “Yeah, I think I get it.”
“But…” he hesitated, still unsure about something.
Before Greedy Wolf could finish his sentence, Kayden cut in smoothly, “As for why Israel only offered a million in payment when the item was worth more-that was actually his way of helping the man. Israel isn’t just renowned in the world of antiques; he’s also an expert in the occult, well-versed in the mysterious arts of the supernatural. When he mentioned helping the man, he really meant that he was guiding him through a rough patch. But after this, that man will face dire consequences within a few days.”
Kayden’s voice grew quieter, almost reflective. “There’s an old saying-‘ easy money never lasts.’ When fortune falls into your lap too easily, it often comes with a price.”
Hearing this, Greedy Wolf seemed to get the picture and chose not to press further.
A few days later, a small, unnoticed ad appeared in the local news of Inassea.
Man Dies Suddenly in a Nightclub After Partying with Three Women!
Meanwhile, at the Ford family mansion in Hiphia.
In a spacious conference room, a long table stretched from one end to the other, surrounded by members of the Ford family, their business partners, and senior executives from their companies.
The room was tense; everyone’s faces were drawn tight with anxiety and apprehension.
At the head of the table sat Gerry Ford, the patriarch of the Ford family. Despite his 78 years, Gerry was still commanding, his posture straight and his demeanor sharp. He managed the family’s affairs firmly, overseeing even the smallest details. Clad in a traditional suit, he held a cane and a string of rosary beads in one hand.
His long, white beard and thinning hair were clear signs of his advanced years, but his eyes-those sharp, piercing eyes-were full of life, burning with an indomitable spirit that stood in stark contrast to his aged appearance.
The Ford family had always prided themselves on their dominance. For centuries, they’d ruled Hiphia’s business world with an unshakable grip, fiercely determined never to let any rival overtake them. But lately, another family had been rising fast, and now, the Fords were starting to take notice. While the Adams family didn’t yet have the power to pose a direct threat, their rapid growth suggested they soon could.
Gerry Ford, the patriarch and mastermind behind the family’s continued success, knew it was time to act. With a heavy sense of purpose, he addressed the room. “We all know why we’re here. The Adams family has been growing at an alarming pace. Their partnership with the Atkinsons allows them to expand quickly, especially in industries like clothing, steel, and restaurants. And now, it seems they’re eyeing hotels and real estate. Their potential is undeniable. If we don’t deal with this, they could seriously threaten the Ford family.”
Gerry’s words carried the weight of a man who had seen many challengers rise and fall. He paused, looking around the room, waiting to hear suggestions. “So,” he said, his voice sharp, “what’s the plan? How do we respond?”
Cutler, Gerry’s second son, always quick to speak, leaned forward with a confident smile. “Father, it’s simple. The Adams family doesn’t have the financial resources to keep up this pace. If we pressure the banks and cut off their funding, they’ll die in the water. No money, no expansion.”
Gerry’s eldest son, Marlon, nodded in agreement and added, “Exactly. I think Cutler’s right. It’s the most direct approach and, in my opinion, a very effective one.”
Gerry nodded slightly before turning to Leonel, the third son, and asked for his opinion.
Leonel, the third-born in the Ford family, had a cold, dangerous edge about him. As Karis’s father, he was one of the strongest contenders to become the next head of the family. Rumors had it that he was sworn brothers with the leader of the Razor Kings-Seclela’s most notorious crime syndicate, with a nationwide and international reach built on a century of ruthless power.
These three-each with their distinct strengths and reputations-were the Ford family’s powerhouses, feared and respected in every circle they touched.
Leonel suggested, “We can make the first move, then reach out to Beckett to learn more about the Adams family. I’ve heard a woman now leads them, and I wouldn’t mind teaching her a lesson.”
A sly grin crept onto his face as he spoke.
Karis immediately jumped in. “Father, that woman is Georgia. She’s the one in charge of the Adams family. She just took the Atkinson contract right out from under us. She’s also my classmate… and frankly, she’s insufferable.”
Watching Georgia’s rapid rise had stirred a deep sense of envy in Karis.
“Oh?” Gerry sounded intrigued, raising an eyebrow. “A young woman, you say? And she’s managed to revive the Adams family? That’s no small feat.”
“Grandpa!” Karis interjected, frustration clear in her voice. “She’s just a woman. How could she ever compare to the Ford family?”
“Enough of that nonsense!” Gerry snapped, his tone sharp. “I’ve told you before-don’t let jealousy get the better of you. Keep a cool head in the face of competition.”
Karis, visibly upset, let out a huff of annoyance. She stood abruptly, storming out of the office in a fit of frustration.
Gerry’s expression darkened. He slammed his hand on the desk and fixed his gaze on Leonel. “Is that how you teach your daughter?”
“Father…” Leonel’s head dropped, his voice low. “Sorry, I’ll handle it.”
Despite his strong reputation outside, Leonel was just like the others in front of Gerry. In his presence, they all seemed like children. No one dared to oppose the old man. As long as he was in charge, he completely controlled the family.
Even the most capable member of the Ford family treated Gerry with great respect as if he were a king.
“Hmph! You better keep your daughter in line, or else…” Gerry’s voice trailed off, but the deepening shadows on his face spoke volumes. His unspoken threat hung like a storm cloud ready to burst.
“Enough. We’re done here. Go and take care of it,” Gerry commanded as he rose. With deliberate force, he slammed his cane onto the floor.
The moment the cane struck, the tile beneath it shattered. Even in his advanced age, Gerry’s strength was nothing short of terrifying, leaving everyone in the room unnerved by his raw power.