Howard Sample-a name Blake Noire knew well.
It was said that Howard was once the young master of the prestigious Sample family from Gambling City. But after the family was eradicated by Chris, Howard was thrown into prison.
Ordinarily, someone like Howard Sample wouldn’t have even registered on Blake Noire’s radar. As the young master of the Noire family, the foremost of the ten noble families, Blake looked down on people like him.
However, rumors had it that Daniel Williams later rescued Howard from prison. Now, Howard was one of Daniel’s trusted aides, a red-hot figure at his side.
Blake, nothing more than a spoiled and reckless playboy, dared not show any disrespect to someone in such a position of influence.
Howard Sample warned, “I’m giving you an opportunity by involving you in this. You must understand-there are countless people who would kill for a chance to work for the Prince. So, don’t go poking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
Hearing this, Blake immediately shut his mouth. For him, as long as there was money to be made, that was all that mattered. Why Daniel Williams was rounding up so many people wasn’t his concern.
Howard added, “I’ll go check it out myself.”
He walked over to a nearby group of Hall of Valerian members, who were opening a shipping container.
Inside the container, over a hundred people were packed together. There were both men and women, all in their twenties or thirties, each with strong and fit physiques.
Blake smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Mr. Sample. When it comes to helping the Prince, I wouldn’t dare be careless. These people were hand-picked by me. The weakest among them is at the grandmaster level. It took me a lot of effort to capture them.”
Howard glanced at the group and nodded with satisfaction.
Turning to Blake, he asked, “My ship will be arriving shortly. Have you made all the necessary arrangements?”
Blake grinned. “Rest assured, I’ve taken care of everything.”
Blake Noire hadn’t always been in this position. He still vividly remembered how Chris had ruined him-stripping him of all his assets, including his villa and company. After losing everything, he had been reduced to scraping by on his family’s meager allowance, barely able to survive.
But ever since he’d started collaborating with Howard Sample, he’d found a way to make good money again. Every time he supplied Howard with people, it brought in a hefty profit.
About thirty minutes later, a cargo ship docked at the pier.
Blake called out, “Mr. Sample, the ship’s here. I’ll have the container loaded onto it now.”
Howard nodded. “Make sure to keep this operation strictly confidential. If word gets out and the Prince holds you responsible, I won’t be able to save you.”
Blake’s expression turned serious. “Don’t worry, Mr. Sample. No one will ever know about this.”
Unbeknownst to them, Chris was lurking nearby, watching from the shadows. He was curious to uncover the scheme Howard and Blake were hatching together.
Soon, the container was loaded onto the ship.
Blake scanned his surroundings, his face tense with vigilance. To his surprise, he noticed that the ship was entirely manned by Hall of Valerian members.
Howard approached Blake and said, “The money has already been transferred to your account. We’ll continue working together in the future.”
Blake’s face lit up with joy. “Mr. Sample, I won’t see you off then. Safe travels.”
Howard nodded. “In about three months, I’ll return. Make sure you’ve found more suitable people for the Prince by then.”
Blake grinned. “No problem. I’ll get it done.”
With a rumble, the ship’s engines roared to life, and it began to depart from the pier.
Howard glanced back at Blake, a cold smirk curling at his lips. To him, Blake was a useful pawn, someone who could help Daniel Williams achieve his grand ambitions.
Turning to his subordinates, Howard commanded, “Keep everyone under control. Nothing can go wrong.”
“Yes, sir!”
At his order, the Hall of Valerian members sprang into action.
Meanwhile, hidden in a secluded corner of the ship, Chris observed everything, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
“Howard Sample… I’m curious to see what you’re planning.”
When the ship had started moving, Chris had snuck aboard and concealed himself. He hadn’t revealed his presence yet; instead, he intended to uncover Howard’s full scheme.
Not long after, the container was opened.
One by one, people with shackles on their wrists and ankles were led out. Surrounding them were heavily armed Hall of Valerian members. Anyone who dared to resist would be shot on the spot.
Fear was written across the faces of the captives. These were the individuals Blake had captured. Now, under the watchful eyes of so many armed guards, they knew their fate would likely be grim.
One man, unable to contain his anger, shouted, “Who are you people? Let us go!”
Howard stepped forward, a cold sneer on his lips. “Let you go? Don’t be ridiculous! From the moment you boarded this ship, you became the Prince’s test subjects. If anyone dares to speak out again, they’ll be executed on the spot!”
His words silenced the group.
They could tell that Howard and his men weren’t bluffing. If they angered him, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill them.
Howard had no pity for these people. To him, they were nothing more than tools. Once they reached their destination, each of them would be transformed into a super soldier to aid the Prince in seizing power.
Once the captives were subdued, Howard snorted in disdain and returned to his room.
Suddenly, the door to his room burst open.
Howard’s face darkened with fury. “How dare you! I’ve made it clear-no one is allowed to enter my room without permission. Do you have a death wish?”
A voice responded, dripping with mockery, “Howard Sample… It’s been a while. I see your temper hasn’t improved.”
Howard froze. The voice was familiar, but he couldn’t believe it.
He turned around, his face a mask of disbelief.
Standing in the doorway was Chris, his expression full of ridicule.
Howard’s face turned pale. “Chris… What are you doing here?”
Howard couldn’t believe it-how was Chris here? It was impossible!
Chris stepped into the room, a faint smile on his lips. “Young Master Sample, it’s been a long time.”
Howard gritted his teeth in rage. “Chris, what do you want? I’m warning you, this entire ship is under my control. With one command, I can make sure you don’t leave here alive.”
Howard’s hatred for Chris was immeasurable.
Once, as the young master of the Sample family in Gambling City, Howard had lived a life of luxury. But when Chris had come to town, he had obliterated the Sample family, leaving Howard a prisoner.
To make matters worse, Howard later learned in prison that even his father had been killed by Chris.