Kayden’s roar was filled with unyielding determination, like the surging tide of a mighty river, powerful and unstoppable. His voice echoed across the vast square, carrying an indomitable spirit that pierced directly into everyone’s ears.
For a moment, the crowd was stunned. They looked at Sophie, then to the lifeless bodies of the Iron Guards strewn across the ground. Fear gripped their hearts. With someone like Kayden supporting Sophie’s rise, she would become an unparalleled force to reckon with.
“Sophie!” Sophie clutched Kayden’s hand tightly, her emotions a whirlwind of complexity, leaving her at a loss for words.
Kayden turned to glance at her. The icy expression on his face softened, replaced by a rare gentleness.
With a faint smile, he said softly, “Don’t worry. I’ll take you home, and I’ll reclaim what’s rightfully yours. Everything that was taken from your father, I’ll bring back and place in your hands.”
“Rest assured, anyone who opposes you today will die!”
Kayden’s resolute words carried a chilling finality, igniting a murderous aura. Sophie looked at him, feeling a strange mix of familiarity and alienation.
Just as she was about to say something, a voice abruptly interrupted her.
“No!” Gavin roared furiously. “No! Since the founding of Azure Cloud Resort, there has never been a precedent for a woman to become the head. Sophie is just a mere woman-how can she lead Azure Cloud Resort? This is an insult to our ancestors’ traditions!”
His gaze swept over the Azure Cloud Resort guards below the stage, and he shouted at them, “Azure Cloud Resort was built by all of us! Many of your fathers, grandfathers, and even great-grandfathers once served Azure Cloud Resort. You’ve witnessed its glory and prestige. But now, are we to let it fall into the hands of a woman? This is not what our forefathers would have wanted! I urge all of you to rise with me, to stand against this outrage! Defend our home! Defend our honor!”
He raised his fist high, expecting an uproarious response from the crowd.
But to his dismay, silence reigned.
Five seconds passed. A minute passed. The crowd remained deathly silent.
All eyes were on Gavin, their gazes strange and unreadable. No one dared to speak.
Gavin stood awkwardly on the stage, scanning the crowd for support, but there was none. Everyone lowered their heads, refusing to meet his eyes.
“What… what are you all doing?” Gavin spread his arms, disbelief etched across his face. He hadn’t expected a single person to remain silent.
“Do you really think we can’t defeat them if we unite? Are you willing to watch our home fall into the hands of a woman?” Gavin’s voice was filled with frustration and resentment.
But the crowd remained mute.
Kayden’s sharp gaze swept over the guards surrounding them, then shifted to the group behind Ivy. The moment his piercing eyes landed on them, they instinctively stepped back several paces.
Kayden’s gaze was too intense, too deadly.
He was a demon-a bloodthirsty, ruthless, and terrifying demon.
Those who had earlier dared to speak against him now trembled in fear, avoiding his eyes at all costs. They were terrified that if Kayden noticed them, they would be next. Jasmine, in particular, had already retreated to the back of the crowd, hiding in fear.
When Kayden’s gaze returned to Gavin, he curled his lips into a cold, faint smile.
“Do you really think anyone would still listen to a man who killed his own brother and father? Everyone here knows what you’ve done. You colluded with outsiders to murder your own family. Someone like you doesn’t deserve to live.”
“Shut up!” Gavin shouted in defiance. “This is my family’s business! It’s none of your concern! You’re an outsider-you have no right to interfere!”
Kayden let out a chilling laugh. “And yet, you colluded with outsiders to kill your father and brother. What would you call that? Madness? Betrayal?”
“Now, Sophie is simply using the methods you employed against her father to deal with you.”
“Did you really think no one knew what you did? After killing Sophie’s parents, you manipulated her, treating her as nothing but a tool to further your own interests. You saw her as an object, something to be traded for your benefit.”
“Do you truly believe you can control everything? That you can dominate Azure Cloud Resort?”
“No. Your time is over. To me, you’re nothing but a pathetic, insignificant worm. When I first arrived at Azure Cloud Resort, I could have killed you outright. But I didn’t. Do you know why?”
“Because I wanted you to taste despair. Those you relied on to fight me? In my hands, they’re nothing but ants. If I want to kill you, you won’t even have a chance to resist.”
With those words, Kayden turned to the crowd and declared, “Now, I announce that Sophie will be the head of Azure Cloud Resort! If anyone dares to oppose this, they’ll meet the same fate!”
As his words fell, Kayden took the bloodstained broken blade from Wood Faulkner’s hand and hurled it at Gavin.
The blade plunged into Gavin’s shoulder with a sickening thud. Blood spurted as Gavin staggered back, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
The sheer force and dominance of Kayden’s actions left the crowd in awe.
Gavin collapsed to his knees, his eyes wide with fury. Pointing at Kayden, he shouted desperately to Wolf, “Wolf! Are you just going to stand there? Kill him now!”
Wolf glanced at the pale-faced Gavin, then at Kayden. Taking a step forward, he spoke firmly, “If Miss Sophie does not object, I am willing to stay by her side and protect her!”
With that, Wolf knelt on one knee, bowing his head deeply. “I humbly ask for your approval!”
Gavin’s world crumbled in that moment. Wolf, his most trusted subordinate, had betrayed him.
“Wolf! Wolf! You ungrateful traitor! How dare you betray me? How could you do this to me?” Gavin shouted hysterically.
Wolf turned to look at Gavin, his expression cold. “I only learned from you, Master Gavin. Until today, I thought your actions-killing your father and brother to achieve your goals-were cruel but understandable. But when you tried to control Miss Sophie as if she were an object to be traded, I realized how despicable you truly are.”