The Hunter family-foremost among the four great salt merchant clans.
For over a century, the Hunter family had dominated a third of the salt trade in southern Amerosia, amassing wealth rivaling nations.
After the gala ended, Sean Hunter stormed back to the Hunter estate, his face twisted with rage.
As the young master of the Hunter family, Sean had never endured such humiliation.
Grinding his teeth, he spat, “Chris! First, you humiliated me on the East Coast, and now you want to steal my woman? I won’t rest until you’re dead!”
Sean was seething with fury. Revenge was the only thing on his mind.
“I’ll find my brother. He’ll help me deal with Chris!”
Sean was acutely aware of Chris’s identity-Chris was the Primus of Amerosia.
Taking on someone of Chris’s stature was far beyond Sean’s abilities.
His older brother, Sai Hunter, on the other hand, was the pride of the Hunter family’s younger generation and heir to their vast empire.
Unlike the spoiled and useless Sean, Sai was a true genius.
It didn’t take long for Sean to find Sai.
“Brother!”
Sai was seated on an opulent sofa when Sean entered. Glancing up, Sai’s expression was indifferent.
“What do you want this time? Got yourself into trouble again and need me to clean up after you?”
Sai knew his brother far too well.
Sean was good for nothing-except causing problems.
Were it not for the bond of shared blood, Sai would have long dismissed Sean’s existence entirely.
“Brother,” Sean began, his tone deferential, “Chris, the man who humiliated me on the East Coast, has shown up in Riverton. Worse, he’s gotten close to Lindsay Windson of the Wind family-he’s trying to steal my woman! You have to teach him a lesson for me!”
“What?” Sai’s face darkened. “Are you talking about that Primus Chris?”
Sean nodded fervently. “Yes, that’s him!”
He proceeded to recount everything that had transpired at the gala.
When Sean finished, Sai fell silent, his gaze deep and calculating.
After a moment, Sai spoke coldly, “Sean, go home. Leave this to me. I’ll make sure Chris doesn’t leave Riverton alive.”
Sean’s face lit up with joy. “Thank you, brother!”
He turned and left, his spirits lifted.
Once Sean was gone, Sai pulled out his phone and made a call.
“Your Highness, Chris is still alive…”
“Yes, I know what to do. I’ll make sure he dies, without a trace. Once it’s done, I ask for your assistance in crushing the other three salt merchant clans. With your support, the Hunter family will dominate Riverton and monopolize Amerosia’s salt trade entirely.”
After hanging up, Sai leaned back, a sinister smile curling on his lips.
“Chris,” he muttered, “you’ve walked straight into the lion’s den. I’ll use your corpse as the first stepping stone toward the Hunter family’s reign over Riverton.”
As his words fell, a palpable wave of killing intent surged from Sai’s body.
—
The next day, Sai Hunter arrived at the Wind family estate with his men.
“Sai, you’re here!”
As soon as Emily saw him, her face lit up with excitement, and she ran out to greet him.
Sai gave her a cursory glance, his tone flat. “Where is Lindsay Windson?”
Emily’s smile froze instantly.
She bit her lip before replying, “Lindsay went out with a strange man.”
“She’s out?” Sai’s eyes narrowed.
He had come specifically to confront Chris, but with Chris absent, there was no reason to linger.
As Sai turned to leave, Emily called out desperately, “Sai, won’t you stay for a while?”
“No need.”
Without another word, Sai walked away.
Watching his retreating figure, Emily clenched her teeth, her eyes filled with frustration and longing.
For years, Emily had harbored feelings for Sai Hunter.
But Sai had never reciprocated, leaving her heartbroken.
“Sai,” she whispered to herself, “once I’ve dealt with that wretched Lindsay Windson and inherited the Wind family fortune, I’ll finally be worthy of you.”
Her expression turned dark and venomous.
To Emily, Lindsay Windson was the obstacle standing between her and Sai.
If Lindsay were gone, she would inherit the Wind family’s wealth and gain the status she needed to stand by Sai’s side.
For that reason, Lindsay Windson had to die.
—
By noon, Lindsay Windson returned to the Wind family estate with Chris.
It was Chris’s first time in Riverton, and Lindsay had spent the day showing him around.
Riverton was indeed a bustling and picturesque city.
“Lindsay, you’re back! I’ve prepared a meal for us-let’s eat together!”
Emily greeted them with an unusual warmth.
Lindsay frowned. “What are you up to, Emily?”
The relationship between the two cousins had always been strained.
Emily’s sudden hospitality was suspicious, to say the least.
Emily’s face softened into an almost pitiable expression.
“Lindsay, I know I was wrong in the past. But we’re family-can’t we share a meal and make peace?”
Lindsay hesitated.
She had never liked Emily, but the idea of reconciling would undoubtedly please their grandfather.
After a brief pause, Lindsay nodded. “Fine.”
Emily’s eyes gleamed with triumph.
Chris, standing to the side, furrowed his brow.
Emily’s sudden change in demeanor was clearly a ploy, but he remained silent and followed Lindsay to the dining room.
Once seated, Emily produced a bottle of wine.
“Lindsay, this is a vintage ’82 Lafite I’ve been saving for years. Let’s enjoy it together.”
Lindsay shook her head. “I don’t drink.”
Emily’s expression turned sour.
“Lindsay, are you rejecting me? Do you still refuse to make amends? If that’s the case, I’ll have no choice but to tell Grandpa that you hate me and won’t give me a chance.”
Lindsay’s face tightened, torn by Emily’s manipulative words.
Chris, watching the exchange, suddenly smiled.
“This wine looks interesting,” he said casually. “I’ve never tried something like it before. Since Lindsay doesn’t drink, how about I join you instead?”
Emily’s face darkened as she shot Chris a glare.
“And who do you think you are? You’re not worthy of drinking with me!”
To Emily, Chris was just a nobody-a freeloader clinging to Lindsay.