Howl Gallatin glared at Chris with rage burning in his eyes and gritted his teeth. “Kid, just you wait. This isn’t over. I’ll be back to settle this.”
With those words, Howl Gallatin left in disgrace, his entourage trailing behind him.
Chris watched his retreating figure with indifference. To Chris, Howl Gallatin was nothing more than an ant-easily crushed if he so desired.
Meanwhile, the restaurant owner looked around at the damage with a distressed expression.
Chris walked over and said, “Boss, I’ll cover the cost of the damages.”
The owner waved his hands quickly. “Oh, no, sir, that’s not necessary.”
“There’s no need to feel awkward about it,” Chris replied. “It’s my fault you suffered this loss. I’ll also settle the bill for the meal-let’s use my card.”
Handing over his card, Chris paid for everything.
As the payment was processed, the restaurant owner hesitated before saying, “Sir, I must warn you-this Gallatin family isn’t simple. They’re aiming to become one of the new Ten Noble Families. Offending Howl Gallatin won’t end here easily.”
Chris only smiled, offering no reply.
The so-called Gallatin family didn’t concern him in the slightest. They weren’t even among the Ten Noble Families yet. And even if they were, so what?
Hadn’t the Frost family, one of the Ten Noble Families, been broken apart and driven out of Middleton because of him? The Gallatin family was nothing by comparison.
After finishing his meal, Chris and his group returned to the villa.
Ellis, who was visiting Middleton for the first time and had no place to stay, temporarily moved into Chris’s villa.
It was Ellis’s first time leaving Peace Village, and she had never seen such a luxurious home. After Esther showed her around, Ellis took a bath and retired to the guest room for the night.
—
The next morning, Chris was still asleep when Esther woke him.
“Darling, someone’s here to see you,” she said.
“Someone’s looking for me?” Chris asked, puzzled. “Who would come this early?”
Esther shook her head. “I don’t know. You should go check.”
Chris got up, washed, and headed to the courtyard.
There, a middle-aged man stood waiting.
The man’s face lit up with excitement when he saw Chris. He quickly approached and greeted him respectfully. “Mr. Shelby! I am Yannick Gallatin, the head of the Gallatin family.”
Chris immediately understood who had come to see him.
“What do you want?” Chris asked flatly.
Yannick Gallatin’s face was filled with nervousness. “Mr. Shelby, my son offended you yesterday, and I’ve come today to apologize. I hope you can forgive the Gallatin family.”
Yannick had barely slept the night before after learning that his son had crossed Chris. He knew exactly who Chris was.
The Frost family, one of the Ten Noble Families, had been destroyed and driven out of Middleton for offending Chris. The Gallatin family wasn’t even on the same level as the Frost family. Chris could obliterate them with a mere gesture.
In a panic, Yannick had beaten Howl into a near-death state and rushed over at dawn to seek forgiveness.
Hearing Yannick’s apology, Chris replied casually, “Forget about it. I didn’t take it to heart. But let me give you some advice: teach your son better. Next time, I won’t be so forgiving.”
“Yes, yes! Thank you, Mr. Shelby, for your magnanimity in not holding it against him,” Yannick said, visibly relieved.
“Mr. Shelby,” Yannick continued, “I’ve booked a table at the Grand Middleton for lunch. I hope you’ll do me the honor of joining me for a meal.”
Chris initially wanted to decline, but Yannick’s enthusiasm won him over, and he agreed.
—
The Grand Middleton was a five-star hotel in the city. To host Chris, Yannick had spared no expense, reserving the most luxurious private dining room.
During the meal, Yannick profusely expressed his regrets and hoped Chris would support the Gallatin family in their quest to become one of the new Ten Noble Families.
Chris, however, didn’t agree. He wasn’t close to the Gallatin family and saw no reason to help them achieve their ambitions.
Once the meal was over, Chris left the private dining room.
As he stepped into the hallway, he caught sight of someone exiting another room.
Chris froze in surprise.
“What’s he doing here?”
The man was none other than Blake Noire of the Noire family.
Blake had kept a low profile ever since Chris had crippled him. He rarely left the Noire family estate, and Chris hadn’t seen him in a long time.
But today, here he was.
As Blake Noire exited, another figure followed him out of the room.
Chris’s eyes widened in shock.
Howard Sample.
Of all people, it was Howard Sample.
Howard Sample was once the son of Shane Sample, the King of Gambling from Gambling City. After the Sample family fell, Howard had been arrested and sentenced to life in prison.
By all accounts, Howard should still be in jail. What was he doing here? And why was he with Blake Noire?
Chris’s instincts told him that whatever Howard Sample and Blake Noire were up to, it wasn’t anything good.
After them, a group of men in black stepped out.
Chris immediately recognized them as members of the Hall of Valerian.
Howard Sample. Blake Noire. The Hall of Valerian.
The combination was intriguing-very intriguing.
Before long, Howard and his group got into an SUV and drove off.
Chris quickly got into his car and followed them.
—
After about an hour, Chris trailed Howard’s group to a large dock on the outskirts of Middleton.
The dock was massive, with shipping containers stacked everywhere.
Armed men from the Hall of Valerian patrolled the area, their weapons ready. Anyone who came too close would be spotted immediately.
Blake Noire turned to Howard, smiling. “Mr. Sample, I’ve gathered the people you asked for. Every single one of them is physically exceptional. Even the weakest among them is at the grandmaster level.”
Howard nodded in satisfaction. “Good. You’ve done well. Don’t worry-I’ll make sure to put in a good word for you with the Duke.”
Blake’s face lit up with joy. “Thank you, Mr. Sample.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Blake asked curiously, “Mr. Sample, why is the Duke recruiting so many physically strong individuals? What’s the purpose?”
Howard shot him a sharp glare. “Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t. Do you think the Duke’s plans are any of your business?”
“Yes, of course. My apologies,” Blake stammered, quickly lowering his head.
Howard turned away without another word.
Chris, watching from a distance, took it all in.
Howard Sample. Blake Noire. The Hall of Valerian.
Something big was brewing. Something dangerous.